Emeline Elise Simpson

With tears of joy and a smile you couldn't possibly slap from our faces, we can proudly announce...we are PARENTS. The most selfless and courageous woman we have ever had the honor of meeting placed her baby in our arms today. And now, we have officially become a family of three! Meet our tiny miracle - Emeline Elise Simpson. Thank you to all of who have loved and supported us on our journey to Emeline. We couldn't possibly be more in love or happier.

Our full adoption story and pictures of our special day will be coming soon!

A surprise for the perfect wife

This weekend was awesome!  I was able to surprise Ashley with a really special gift that I’ve been eyeing for her for quite a long time.  It’s supposed to serve as a late Mother’s Day present or “push present” since Ashley had to once again go another year without a baby.  Before we left for dinner with her parents on Friday night, I hid the present in the trunk of the car.  When we got to the parking lot, I pulled out the gift bag and she was confused as ever; she didn’t know if the gift was for her or her parents.  As she always does for birthdays or Christmas, she tried peeking in the bag, standing closer to me, trying to weigh the bag, etc…anything to try and get a glimpse of what I got.  She’s terrible…

After drinks I let her read her card, then open the present.  The look on her face says it all…

I am so incredibly proud to call Ashley my wife and to watch her grace and character shine over these past few years.  I’ve learned a tremendous amount from walking next to her and watching her deal with setbacks and bumps along the way.  She’s taken them all in stride, and gotten back up and dusted herself off to fight another day:  “Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions”

I love you babe,
Kris

Life is a classroom

Inspiration is all around us.  It's a part of our everyday.  But life is busy, we are preoccupied and we often times overlook those moments.


I've been using Philosophy bath products for years and sadly I can confess that I have never, not once read the label on the front.  Until yesterday...  And in case you haven't stopped to 'smell the roses' either, I'll share with you what my favorite bottle has to say.

philosophy: life is a classroom.  we are both student and teacher.  each day is a test.  and each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace.  grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence and the list goes on.  it's something money can't buy and credentials can barely produce.  being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest or even the poorest can't help.  being a humble person can, and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.  


My grace has been tested like no other during this chapter of our lives.  As a woman, I'd rather walk the rest of my days gracefully than carry around any other label you could possibly give someone.  So, there you have it, a new life mission - strive to walk through life with unwavering grace and gratitude.

'Hold Us Together'

Music is a huge part of our life.  It's more than likely that music is playing in the background of whatever Kris and I are doing around the house.  And for me, it's always playing in the car.  We can never say no to a concert.  Music speaks to me.  


We are also huge Cory Morrow fans and his station is a constant of mine on Pandora.  So naturally, I hear his version of 'Hold Us Together' often.  I can't help by realize something special every time I hear these words:


And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter to weather the storm
And I'll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world would know that we're not alone

Love.  The love my husband and I share, the love you have shown us; that's how we have survived the trials in our life.  That's how we are stronger today than we were yesterday.  Love.  I've always been a believer that 'Love is all you need'.  

If you have time, give it a listen.  Matt Maher also sings the song, but you know me, I'm partial to my Cory Morrow.  Which do you prefer? 

"Hold Us Together" - Cory Morrow

"Hold Us Together" - Matt Maher

Baby Simpson's Nursery Reveal!

Now that it's been 43 days since my last post and I've officially lost all my readers (kidding!), I'm going to get back to posting!  I apologize for the lapse in time between posts - life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately.  The last couple of months seem like a blur, but in a very good way.  We have healed, we have laughed, cried, we have grown and we have been touched in countless ways by the people around us.


Thank you for following our story and supporting us through it all - the good, the bad and the really ugly.  Check back in the next week for the most exciting post I may ever write!  Hint: "Everything happens for a reason".


In the meantime, we have officially finished Baby Simpson's nursery!  It's been a slow work in progress since October.  We took our time.  Working ever-so-slowly on the nursery has helped us during our wait.  To continue working towards bringing home a baby kept our hope alive.  Our hope is very much alive these days and our hearts have never been more ready to welcome home our baby.  And as for our home...well, it's ready too.  Take a look for yourself.

 

P.S. I just shared without sharing.  You like that?!  It makes me feel better.

Everything Happens for a Reason

Following our failed adoption placement Ashley and I were reminded by our friends and family that "everything happens for a reason."  While it was often difficult to hear or understand how our failed placement was supposed to happen, we were recently presented with our answer...Ashley and I will soon be sharing some very good news with all of you - those who have kept our spirits up during trying times and whose support means more to us than you could possibly ever know.  Thank you!

'Good Happens'

Yesterday, while driving home from a good day, I spotted a bumper sticker that said ‘Good Happens’.

Those two simple words spoke volumes to me.

And my heart just sank.

I realized I’ve been living in a world where I’ve been focusing on the negative, anticipating the bad and overlooking all the good even if it only comes in microscopic doses. 

The truth is, ‘good happens’.  It happens every day even in and out of our darkest moments.  It’s all around us.  Some of us chose not to see it, not to celebrate the small victories, but I’m making a new promise to myself. 

I vow to no longer live in fear, no longer wait for the bad, but anticipate all the good moments and the joy that comes even amidst our biggest struggles.  There is always beauty in the calm before the storm and there will always be beauty after the storm passes.

“May God give you... For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.”