Writing about life, motherhood, disability advocacy and more.

Golden Shoes

Monday, May 5, 2014

Friday afternoon found us in the car running errands. Just Lamp, the babe and I. Lamp was, as usual, talking talking talking talking. Like most parents I have developed the ability to listen, without really listening. Nodding and saying a yeah…..uh-huh… every now and then to feign having an actual conversation while mentally running through...

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kateMay 5, 2014 - 4:49 pm
DAY. MADE.

Seriously, this whole story was awesome, but the part about the clerk having a mission, and then giving you a discount because Lamp was "just too excited"?? Day friggin' made.ReplyCancel
- MigonMay 5, 2014 - 5:57 pm
  Ha! Thanks Kate… I think your comment just made my day. So there. 🙂ReplyCancel
christyMay 5, 2014 - 6:27 pm
Seriously, all my girls love golden shoes! It's gotta be the DNA!ReplyCancel
Nana LayneMay 5, 2014 - 7:26 pm
Yay for golden shoes, for golden clerks, for golden moms, and for golden Lamp! And now my day is golden too! Awesome all around!ReplyCancel
Katherine DeMartini BarrusMay 5, 2014 - 8:45 pm
Made me cry. ReplyCancel
GwenMay 5, 2014 - 8:49 pm
Just made me cry. What a sweetie, and the clerk too! Bet he will remember her FOREVER 🙂 ReplyCancel
AnonymousMay 6, 2014 - 2:52 am
I love this story! There are so many wonderful people here in good old San Antonio!ReplyCancel
AmandaMay 6, 2014 - 3:07 am
Best thing i have read in a long time. Thank u for making my day by posting this……so we could all share in ur joy and lamp's joy. I am so happy she got her golden shoes;) ReplyCancel
AllisonMay 6, 2014 - 3:15 am
This has made my day!
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KathMay 6, 2014 - 5:31 pm
Awesome shoes. Awesome story!ReplyCancel
AnitaMay 6, 2014 - 8:36 pm
She came into primary on Sunday so very proud of those sparkly shoes! Love that girl! Please, please don't leave!ReplyCancel
rebeccaMay 7, 2014 - 1:31 am
Love it! But what about PSP? Did she have shoe envy? I would.ReplyCancel
EllieMay 7, 2014 - 1:36 am
I read this yesterday, cried, came back today to read it again, cried. I can see her dance and hear her giggle – you have a gift, thank youReplyCancel
AnonymousMay 7, 2014 - 4:55 pm
This is such a darling story. I'm just a stranger who prayed for her before she was born, and on the day she was born, and this completely makes my day. Thank you for telling.ReplyCancel
ReenieMay 20, 2014 - 9:03 pm
. . . "the total comes to $25.00. Now that's not $19 a pair, I say. He smiles. I know. She was just too excited."

How sweet and incredibly thoughtful of him. They look adorable on her… and whoohooo ~ ~ she got them on herself. 🙂 ReplyCancel

Four Months

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

I posted this picture on instagram and my personal FB last week and many people commented on how happy I look. Which only made me more happy… because I am. Happy, that is. This little angel is four months old. Four months. She is a dream. My sweet baby Zuzu (her new internet...

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katieApril 29, 2014 - 12:30 pm
She's so pretty! I had a case of delayed baby jackpot…the first few months were tough, but now she's an absolute dream. And now those first few months are but a distant, blurry memory, and I find myself wanting another one!ReplyCancel
- MigonApril 30, 2014 - 6:42 pm
  Haha…delayed baby jackpot–I'll take it! So glad everything smoothed out for you. ReplyCancel
AnonymousApril 29, 2014 - 2:47 pm
She is adorable..n looks exactly like "pure Joy"..ReplyCancel
- MigonApril 30, 2014 - 6:41 pm
  Thanks. She is. 🙂
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heidiApril 29, 2014 - 10:07 pm
Can we also call her dreamboat? ReplyCancel
- MigonApril 30, 2014 - 6:42 pm
  Heidi- Absolutely. ReplyCancel
MayApril 30, 2014 - 3:08 pm
I'm keeping this post in my pocket. You know, just in case.

All of you are adorable.ReplyCancel
- MigonApril 30, 2014 - 6:44 pm
  May,
  
  It's here just in case… no matter what, those first few weeks and maybe months are just overwhelming anyway. Even with jackpot baby here, I was an emotional wreck by day 3. Perspective baby…it WILL get easier/better. (And you all are adorabler). ReplyCancel
EmilyApril 30, 2014 - 5:07 pm
OMG! You said Baby Jackpot… that's what my husband and I call our little Basher Boo (Sebastian), who just turned four months on the 23rd. Our first ton was affectionately called "the screamer", so this happy go lucky, joyful, little bundle of joy is soooo different than my first experience… eats well, sleeps well, barely cries. And yes, my first so is joyful and happy now too, it just took several months to work it all out. But anyway, she is beautiful, as are you! So glad she is fitting right in with your little family!ReplyCancel
- MigonApril 30, 2014 - 6:46 pm
  Emily–We have baby twiners…must be something lucky about the 23rd. So great you got a jackpot baby too…and to honest in hindsight I'm glad my hard baby was my first. Especially when I could dedicate the time to 'just' her. And of course empathy, experience and all that as well.
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KrysMay 1, 2014 - 3:12 am
I love this thought – 'you know that feeling that they have always been a part of your family but you just didn't know it?'. Just beautiful. I'm not quite ready to have kids yet but I found this post so heartwarming – thank you. Happy four months baby Zuzu! ReplyCancel

Special Needs Spotlight || Genevieve

Friday, April 25, 2014

My name is Susan Nikolai. My husband and I live just outside of South Bend, Indiana-in the shadow of Notre Dame University! We are parents to three children, Lauren (16), Genevieve (15) and Dean (8). We have learned over the years to take every day as it comes, good or bad. We have a very...

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The Making of a Prom Dress

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

OK I know it’s just a prom dress. But it was also one of those all-consuming, weeks of work, totally over our heads challenges that I am so pleased with how it all turned out. The fact that this was almost a complete train wreck, makes the outcome that much sweeter. See this girl in...

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Claire JohnsonApril 22, 2014 - 7:45 pm
Loved it! I know she will cherish that dress forever. She looked gorgeous. You're awesome!ReplyCancel
Birdie in DCApril 22, 2014 - 8:26 pm
It's a gorgeous dress, and I love the life lessons that you pulled from the experience. Amazing!!ReplyCancel
AndreaApril 22, 2014 - 9:03 pm
Good job Miggy, it's a beautiful dress. And I loved the workout metaphor and the discussion about a sense of community amongst Mormons. That is something I've always admired about the religion. ReplyCancel
JazzyApril 22, 2014 - 10:17 pm
Beautiful dress, beautiful comments. Thanks for sharing. 🙂ReplyCancel
SusanApril 22, 2014 - 11:46 pm
It's stunning.ReplyCancel
miss diddlyApril 23, 2014 - 1:34 pm
You say it so well. I am so glad I got to do this with you. So fun to spend so much time with a friend that I will be very sad to see move!ReplyCancel
Faux FuchsiaApril 24, 2014 - 12:38 am
lovely dress.

I love a sense of community.ReplyCancel
MinervaApril 24, 2014 - 11:00 am
Beautiful dress, beautiful post, beautifully written as usual.ReplyCancel
TereseApril 24, 2014 - 12:14 pm
Well written! I love how you say everything I think, but have no idea how to say!! Congrats on that amazing dress. Huge accomplishment (especially with a new baby!!) ReplyCancel
JulieApril 24, 2014 - 2:14 pm
The dress is amazing! I am in the throes of making my daughter's prom dress (deadline May 3rd) and it is definitely pushing my boundaries, so you are giving me inspiration to keep at it!ReplyCancel
ChristyApril 24, 2014 - 3:54 pm
A few alterations and it can be her wesding dress!ReplyCancel
JulianneApril 25, 2014 - 5:27 pm
You amaze me. Well said as usual.ReplyCancel
LizApril 26, 2014 - 5:26 pm
That was absolutely true of my wee, 300-member Presbyterian church family when I was growing up. 🙂 The best, lovingest memories are of the "joys & concerns" part of the service, where people could raise their hand and say whatever. And I would see people around the church taking notes so they could pray all week long. That's love, whatever your belief. ReplyCancel
NamiApril 27, 2014 - 12:43 am
Miggy, you never cease to amaze me. You are awesome! That is a beautiful dress and she will make wonderful memories in it. Good luck with your move and thanks for sharing your life with us in blogosphereReplyCancel
7 SevenNovember 13, 2014 - 5:40 am
what a beautiful dress. Thanks for sharing…58eveningdress.ReplyCancel

Special Needs Spotlight || Imogen

Friday, April 18, 2014

Hi. My name is AnaLisa and I am a mom to a beautiful 3 year old and a really active 23 month old. My husband and I currently live in San Antonio and are just enjoying life. Our daughter, Imogen, was born a healthy, normal baby girl. When she was 21 months old we found out...

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New Home, New Life…

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

I have a little less than 30 minutes to get some writing and thoughts out… so here we go. Yesterday we got the text that we’ve been waiting for: Congratulations! The homeowners agreed to the terms and the home is yours! Or something like that. The Mr. and I busted out the bubble...

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emilia.April 16, 2014 - 3:30 pm
I'm just excited about the hand beaded dress. Can you talk more about the process of making it? did you use a pattern? can you take pictures? sewing has always been one of the things I loved. So happy for your move to Cinci. It's going to be great. (not just okay—just wait). LOVE YOU!ReplyCancel
SaraApril 16, 2014 - 4:51 pm
I am looking for a new job for the fall school year. I am crushed to leave my kids, families, and community, but the part-time work just isn't cutting it! But I'm so excited for a new place, new people, but scared of all that too! My emotions are a roller-coaster within each day.ReplyCancel
A Joyful ChaosApril 16, 2014 - 6:12 pm
My emotions were on the same roller coaster when we moved half way across the country. After three years I am very happy we did.ReplyCancel
KayliApril 16, 2014 - 8:58 pm
I think you described the anxious, pre-knowing-what-it-will-be-like feelings very well!
My husband is looking for jobs in the States- we currently live in Switzerland but while we love it, we never planned on it being permanent and are ready to be back closer to family. He's deciding whether or not he wants to continue in academia, and he's applying for jobs pretty much anywhere in the U.S. So on the one hand, I think, YAY–we'll be closer to family!, on the other hand, if we moved to Boston it wouldn't be THAT much closer to family for all intents and purposes (who live in the West) but maybe that would be great anyway because we've never been on the East coast and if we moved to Utah straightaway, I feel like we would probably be finished moving forever, and I don't know that I want our 'adventures' to be over completely. And what if we move somewhere and it's not nearly as wonderful as Switzerland and we wish we would have just stayed… and none of this thinking really makes a difference right now anyway, because we have no job offers, so thinking about it is no real use. But I still think it all. 🙂
I hope you love Cincinnati like crazy! Thanks for taking the time to blog! Good luck with the dentist.ReplyCancel
DBrezApril 17, 2014 - 1:03 am
That baby girl is beyond delicious!! Wherever you are is home! It will all work out. It always does. ReplyCancel
ChristineApril 17, 2014 - 3:36 am
You hit the nail on the head. My husband and I are doing the same thing, again, for his job. We just barely got settled where we are now and up we go. I hate being so far from my friends and family but I have to keep reminding myself that WE are my family too. And one day hopefully we will grow to 3 of us. But it's so hard to pull up roots and plant new ones when the possibility of another move is always there. ReplyCancel
debApril 17, 2014 - 4:50 am
You are all over the place, woman! And I have to chuckle because here I am, almost 3 years into our big "final" move and I *still* feel all over the place. I am confident that once you settle into your new house, neighborhood, ward, etc that you will remember and love all those reasons you chose to go back to Cincinnati. You will make it yours. No doubt! PS I am dying to hear how the home visit went. PPS CONGRATS on getting the house!!!!! xoxoReplyCancel
AnonymousApril 17, 2014 - 5:43 pm
I moved a year ago this summer. It was only a move accross town, but it was our first home purchase and on the exact opposite corner of the city than I wanted to live in (our city is split into sections of town that are very different in lifestyle, proximity to certain amenities, demographic, etc–and I felt my identity was tied to a certain area). It was one of those situations I had heard about where I happened accross this home in an area I told our realtor to ignore, but I fell in love. My husband went with it. We liked the neighborhood, spoke to the neighbors, and prayed about it, and felt like it was a good move. It was a seller's market, so we had to move quickly.

I remember the first weekend we were in our new home. SO FAR away from our close friends and family, SO FAR from where I pictured our lives (again, this was just across town). I felt a little sick. What did I get us into? What was I thinking? This wasn't a year long lease, this was a mortgage with lots of initial investment and closing costs, etc. Not easily undone. What if I had let my love for the house cloud my judgment? I remember telling people about our house and having the same conflicting feelings you describe. Excited about our new home but also well aware of the other really great things that we were not going to have.

It wasn't long before I got to know more of the neighbors and their amazing kids, got acquainted with the lay of the land, and started to feel really comfortable. Proximity to other people has led to more really great friendships. Some of the initial problems I anticipated have proven to be much more easily dealt with than I expected. The benefits I hoped for in our new home have been even better than I hoped. And often it occurs to me how blessed we are to live where we do. I don't regret it.

Also I don't think that there is only one great scenario in which we can completely and totally enjoy our lives. Obviously there will be drawbacks to every choice you make. By choosing one thing you are necessarily not choosing others. It's scary to do something that doesn't feel familiar, that involves big investments of time and money. But nothing is permanent (even if it seems so much more permanent than all the decisions before this). Let that fact console you while you go about the business of falling in love with your new home! ReplyCancel
KatieApril 17, 2014 - 8:22 pm
There are so many new things in Cincinnati that I know you are going to LOVE! I promise:)ReplyCancel
miss diddlyApril 18, 2014 - 3:53 am
I just love ya. Nough' said.ReplyCancel
LisaApril 18, 2014 - 8:42 am
The biggest delima of my life is deciding between two countries: Australia and the USA. It is constantly a tug-of-war in my (our) head. It's a BIG decision, settling down somewhere. ReplyCancel
MalesaApril 18, 2014 - 4:32 pm
Congrats on the practice! Congrats on the house! I'm excited for you guys. You totally described everything that went through my head before we moved to Allentown. Completely NOT what I had envisioned for our little family but Phillip really, really wanted it. I went along with it because the things that matter most were going along with me and it has worked out. We are happy. I would be lying though if I didn't say that sometimes still I wish we were back in that little life I had always envisioned us being in, but also we have other experiences that we would never have if we back in that little dream life and I wouldn't want to trade those experiences for anything. You guys will get in your groove and love it. Good luck with the move! Oh, and your baby girl is a little gem. She is adorable.
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AnneApril 20, 2014 - 7:08 pm
I do not handle change very well. When I got a new job? Anxiety attack. When I moved in with my best friend? Anxiety attack. Obviously, change and I are not best friends. Well, I met and fell in love with this amazing guy who happens to have a job that is full of uncertainty. He essentially has to bid for a new position every two years, and often times that means a move to a new city or a new country. One of those moves was to Conakry, Guinea, which, while in a class intended to prepare oneself for living overseas, I learned was highly unstable, with a really high evacuation rate. Enter hyperventilation!! So obviously, it was extremely hard for me to leave my comfort zone, my friends, my home, everything, to get on a plane and move to this very literal foreign land. It was so hard. I don't know that I cried when we landed, and drove from the airport through the dirtiest, poorest and rundown city I've ever seen in my life, but I cried many many tears in the weeks to come. I would sleep through breakfast because even the food wasn't familiar, and I couldn't handle it. I spent all day long in my bedroom, because that's where the TV and my suitcase full of stuff was. It did get better though. Everyone in our tight knit community was so nice. There was a shared sense of hardship, and we had really great times together. But I still struggled, until I found my new normal. I was still overwhelmed by the city, and what it meant to be perceived as a "rich American" in this very poor country, so I did what I needed to feel comfortable, which meant hanging out in my compound, and essentially leaving only to go to friends houses for dinners, work, my saturday shopping trip, and the occasional meal out. I don't know that it ever got easy for me, but I made it work. I made it feel like home. I made wonderful friends, made so many memories, grew a baby there, raised a baby there, and for that Conakry will hold a special place in my heart. Now don't get me wrong, I will never go back there, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to stretch myself in ways I can't even imagine, and I am such a better person for it.

You can do hard things.Even if it isn't the perfect place you imagined, you will make it perfect for you, and your family. ReplyCancel
LauraApril 22, 2014 - 1:51 pm
Congratulations on the house! We are still near the beginning of our journey of change. My hubby is in the HPSP program too, and San Antonio is actually on the list of locations for our own AF residency! The match is still 9 month away, but I'm biting my nails a bit already. You can do this! Then I will follow in your footsteps and do the same things too. I've actually been thinking about emailing you for tips and advice, but since I don't actually know you I thought that might be strange. Your blog gives me hope, though, that it will be alright!ReplyCancel
ChristinaMay 14, 2014 - 3:44 pm
DItto to all of that. I actually had a breakdown the other day because I was so anxious about moving about whether it was the right choice, etc etc etc., and actually planning escape routes and scenarios in my head. Prayer helps a lot, and so does H's reassurances, and the fact that I know that being happy somewhere is always a choice. I've always loved everywhere we've lived together, and I know we will love our new home if we decide to. Thanks for being so honest about your anxieties too.ReplyCancel

Special Needs Spotlight || Logan

Friday, April 11, 2014

Miggy, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our story! We love talking about Logan and our journey with him. My husband Brian and I got married in June 2010 and we knew we wanted kids shortly after we got married. We were so excited to find out I was pregnant but had...

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