Carousel of Progress

After Ashley's book signing event, I grabbed a cupcake-lunch at Laurannae (YUM!), then met Chettles and the kids for H-Tea-O and Woodland Hills mall... Karli Marie wasn't feeling well, so he took the kids so she could enjoy some peace and quiet as she recovers.  It was happy hour at H-Tea-O, something I didn't know about, but it definitely draws a crowd!!  The free samples are a treat... and Chet paid for mine, so the free tea was a treat, as well!  The seasonal cherry and the Texas chai were both better than I'd expected, but my fav sweet blueberry green tea was the winner, as always! 

We walked over the the mall, entering through the new Scheels - yay for a Tulsa-themed photo op!!  On our way out, the kids wanted pics with the statues, so I was happy to oblige! =)

They have a pretty cool mini-aquarium or massive fish tank at the entrance.  We stood there for a while as Tate and Parker watched "Nemo and Dory!"  Chet FaceTimed Jace (who was excited to chat and see all the fish)... then Jace told Mom later that Chet and I had called him from Dallas (bc that's the only Scheels he knows of). lol

Whilst Chet and Tate went to the bathroom, I got to shop with Parker Elizabeth, which was an entertaining treat.  Every dress was her favorite, and she would hold them up to herself and say "Oooh, it fits me!!" lol  This "favorite" white dress that she loved was a bit big, but she'll grow into it!  The way she carried it (for the very short time she wanted to hold it) made me laugh.  Garment bags for the win!

We rode the mall carousel and I got dizzy very quickly!  Still fun, though!

I told Chet her odds are looking good for being my most-photographed person once again this year. lol #somuchcuteness

Anyway, fun afternoon with the mini-BFFs and Chettles... then a delish Los Cabos to-go dinner + going to see Freakier Friday when I got back to Moore - all in all, a pretty perfect "rest day" from life's responsibilities! =)

Truth... still deciding where I want to be moving forward, but I am grateful that I have the power to choose that and don't feel "stuck" anywhere.

Some Shutterfly gems from this week 17 years ago (summer 2008)!  Movie with Jennifer Diane, Morgan Elizabeth, Sarah Bliss, MiMi's Cafe with Malori Riah, Haley and the Switch Youth girls, Melting Pot with Megan from lifegroup, and helping JB at Deer Creek!  Okay, to sum up my deeper thoughts on this: I'm grateful that all of these pics hold equal weight for me in this moment; I no longer feel pain, longing, or loss when I see photos with Malori.  Thanks to the '7 years and 12 days' revelation from God, the soul tie that was gripping for me is finally gone.  The difference I am talking about is internal and intangible, but I am deeply aware of it - the power this once had over me is gone, and that's not a small thing.  Outside of JoBug, all of these were seasonal friendships, and I'm grateful for the memories and what I learned from each of them.  And I'm thankful for God's ability to heal and change us over time!! ❤

We find what we look for. ❤

Calming Song of the Week = Be Still and Know by CeCe Winans

Okay, now I'm off to bed early to try to make up for going to bed very late last night!  Yay for the accompanying sounds of the storm outside.  Now I'll be focusing on homework and will see you back here next week.  I love you and believe in you, and I am confident that God can heal the deepest wounds in your soul as you keep seeking Him!

❤ ❤ ❤

Thankful Thursday #229

"Study this Book of Instruction continually.

Mediate on it day and night

so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.

Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

~Joshua 1:8

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  This book.  The #1 book I would recommend as it's the #1 book outside the Bible that has changed the course of my life.  I reread it last week preparing for my presentation next week...

2.  On a very related note, I'm grateful for the many stories that demonstrate the positive impact a seasoned guide/mentor can have on someone's life and identity!   I love this topic, and I'm excited to create a video presentation on how it relates to counseling professors and their students + counselors and their clients!! ❤
**If you think of another good example of the guide/mentor from books, TV, or movies, please message me!! =)

3.  That Dad was celebrated well on his 72nd birthday, by his staff and family and friends!

4.  AFD and Edward V. Kaufholz, III. =)  I'm forever a fan of their friendship and so happy they're back to regular podcasting together!

5.  Dr. Ku, my Dallas IVF embryo transfer doctor, who is on Instagram as drknockedup, which made me laugh pretty hard this morning.  Our meeting early this week went well - what felt potentially catastrophic last week should only cause a minor delay either way, so I am grateful for his insight, sincerity, and medical care!

6.  PELOTON... after five great years, my membership expired on 7-27-25.  I did my final Intention Setting walk with Kirsten Ferguson on Friday the 25th.  I'm thankful for the rides, the laughs, the strength workouts, the walks and jogs, the yoga workouts, the stretches, the music, and the coaches who inspired me and made working out feel more accessible and so much more fun from the start of the pandemic to today!  At this point in my life and schedule, I  usually prefer outdoor jogs and listening to podcasts or chatting with friends, but I will always be grateful for the way Peloton shaped my life and my identity!  My "Board of Empowerment" would not exist without those coaches, and they walked me all the way through my first (and likely only) marathon!  I'm forever grateful for the way the Peloton coaches and community helped me experience the joy of movement and exercise!!
"Live, Learn, Love Well."  "Peace, love, power, and respect!!"  #lindseyclaire7  ❤

7.  A really good day of counseling yesterday!  I'm grateful to be building connections and feeling more hopeful and confident about this work, and for the reminder below that God's power to transform our lives and our world is abundant and infinite. His perspective and resources are unlimited, and He is happy to share with us. ❤

I love you and believe in you,
and I hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead!
❤ ❤ ❤

A Clear Path Forward...

So Dallas IVF was willing to let me do all the pre-embryo-transfer medical appointments here at OU. Sadly, OU was not willing to do that if I'm not using them for the transfer.  

So I called yesterday, and the DIVF nurse said (based on my cycle) that if I could come in today for the preliminary saline sonogram, ultrasound, and initial bloodwork, we would still be on track for a September embryo transfer (which has been my hope for a while).  And I said yes, please!  God worked it out for another CR to cover for me this morning, and I made it to their Frisco office by 1:30 (it's only a 2 hour and 40-minute trip from my house, and no scary Dallas traffic is involved).

These were the same tests they did in 2023 (HERE) where I found out I would need the hysteroscopy D&C surgery to remove the uterine polyp.  The nurse who did my first ultrasound today casually mentioned seeing some fibroids and measuring them, and my heart sank pretty hard when I heard that.  Confusion, irrational shame, irritation, sadness, etc. ran through my mind as I asked if that meant another surgery and potential delay... and she said Dr. Ku would have to look at it and talk with me later.

So during the predictably-complicated blood draw and the 20-minute wait for the saline sonogram, I was going back and forth between contingency planning/grasping for control and praying for good news... calculating the cost of various other options and feeling ready to call Rach on my drive back and see how serious she was about being a surrogate. lol 

Dr. Ku eventually came in and asked how I've been - I said I was feeling really discouraged after hearing about the fibroids.  He quickly told me that wouldn't necessarily be a problem, and that we would know based on the sonogram (a very quick procedure involving a in-color camera view of the birth canal and uterus - it put me in awe of God even as I was bracing for bad news).  As he finished that, he said, "Well, I have good news for you - we're done, and everything looks good to move forward!"

So after the walls and hurdles I wrote about on my last DIVF appointment, I'm very VERY happy and grateful to say that round 2 was a success!

I grabbed an In N' Out Burger to celebrate, then raced back to Moore for two counseling appointments tonight (an in-person intake followed by a virtual intake) - session #6 and 7 for me.

The exit on the way to Dallas IVF is "Legacy Drive."  Reading that made me happy, so I snapped a picture... then realized later that the mileage was at 7.7 (a fun little nod from God).  Also, as I was leaving, it told me to turn left out of their parking lot, and it's a pretty busy street right there, so I assumed I'd end up going right then turning around... but right as I drove up, there was a very clear opening on all sides... and in my heart in that moment, it felt like such a clear metaphor for God opening new doors.

Having said that, I obviously have no idea if this will all result in me having a baby, but I do firmly believe God is at work and that He will work things out for my good and His glory, and I'm so thankful to even have this opportunity to try for a pregnancy with my adopted embryos!

❤

On my drives down and back, I listened to the remainder of Ashley's incredible book, thanks to Speechify, an app that read the PDF to me in Gwyneth Paltrow's voice!  (Snoop Dogg was also an option, but that would've been such a wrong fit for Ashley's writing. lol)  I will 100% slowly read and enjoy the physical book when it arrives in the mail, but this was the best way for me to absorb the content with my current schedule.

I also had a good talk with Mom and Kristin on the drive back, and with Chet Lee on the way there - this new pic from his summer branding session makes me happy.

My sessions tonight went well - I'm gradually feeling more comfortable in this role.  Then I have 3 clients tomorrow, some homework to finish on Saturday, and Dad's 72nd birthday on Sunday!  And that's really all I've got for this post.  My emotions did such an intense down-and-back-up swing during that appointment - I feel truly relieved and grateful that I get to move forward here!  (Prayers appreciated.)

I love you and believe in you, and I'm confident God is with us and for us, clearing new paths as we seek His best for our lives!

❤ ❤ ❤

Thankful Thursday #228!

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:
You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to get angry."
❤ James 1:19

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  This crew all being available on short notice for a fun early birthday dinner for Sarah Elizabeth last night!! ❤

2.  Charleston's potato soup and thickly-grated cheese and honey-butter croissants + The Big Dipper's Ultimate Cookies n' Cream ice cream... yum!  Also, catching up on life whilst the kids watched Baby Groot for a while!! =)

Kate and Parker being cute besties on our pre-dessert Brookside walk!

All the kids had fun playing with Uncle Steve!

3.  A brief pre-dinner walk at my fav Addison Creek trail + CAVA lunch and catching up with Kristin Renee for a couple hours!!  (All in all, it was a great random Wednesday off work, and today, I'm just covering the office phones and catching up on homework... and blogging! lol)

4.  Dr. Burkhart grading via video with more personalized feedback and explanations - loving that!

5.  Making this childhood fav Fruity Pebble Rice Krispie treats - quick, easy, and tasty... and gluten free, apparently! =)

6.  Rach taking a minute to email me at the new address - made me happy! =)

7.  My new "leadership routine" - I'm trying to establish a really consistent and sustainable morning habit list to get my days off to a strong start + setting my daily priorities early on, throwing in more veggies and protein, and getting to bed earlier with a brief wind-down routine that doesn't involve hours of TV!  I'm calling it a leadership routine bc that makes mundane things feel more meaningful to me, and because Dr. Burkhart is heavily emphasizing building up daily disciplines and understanding: "You are the most difficult and most important person you will ever lead and manage - start there!"

So I'll end with a meme that feels related to that. lol

Also grateful for an awesome long weekend (see the past 3 posts), and looking forward to a fun family dinner tonight!  Hope you're feeling better, Kristin Michelle!  And Happy Thursday, friends and fam ~ I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to set healthy boundaries and routines and create a life you love!!

❤ ❤ ❤

A Fond Farewell Fiesta!

Last night was a Farewell Fiesta party for the Shoemaker family, who are moving back to Texas next weekend!  Here's our bright and summery group picture, which delights my soul!! ❤  (JEM was also there but had to leave a little early with Henry and Holly.)

Chet Lee grilling the fajita veggies on the Blackstone (after the tortillas and before the chicken)!

The food was awesome!

Parker Elizabeth and Zealand being cute friends (and classmates)!

Tate Haywood ready to swim!!  I was happy he conquered his fear of the poolside slide on Saturday!  Also, their flippers make me happy!

Heidi Claire enjoying the photo wall of memories!  I printed around 75 photos of the Shoemakers and our friend group over the past six years!

Wilsons and Shoemakers!  Two of my fav families!! ❤

Pinata time!!  (Harvey, Parker, and Sophia)

So much candy!!

Mark and Rachel are both counselors, so we've had lots of great conversations about that!  I'm super grateful for their friendship, support, advice, and encouragement!!

Parker Elizabeth wanted a picture with the moon. lolol  LOVE IT.

Exactly six years ago today (7-7-19), Chet invited a few friends to help his clients paint their new home.  That was my first time meeting Mark and Rachel.  They came to Friendsgiving that November, and to nearly every fun friend group event over the past six years!  I so appreciate people who show up and participate and engage in conversation, and they've been top-tier, dependable friends in that way through the past six years!!

With this move, they will be closer to their families and better able to support Rachel's mom through her cancer treatments.  So I'm sincerely happy for them, while being genuinely sad to see them go!

Much like myself, I think Tulsa will always have a place in their hearts.  Unlike myself, I don't see them moving back down the road.

Our random patriotic final pic with Chet's flags - I couldn't love it more!!

That's all for today - proud of myself for getting these written before work!

Happy 7-7, friends!!  I love you and believe in you, and I pray God gives you the daily grace and strength you need to have an awesome week ahead!

❤ ❤ ❤