In My Closet- A Perfect Black Maternity Dress

Holiday time is gone for now, but I thought that I would share one of my favourite scores to wear for the holiday parties- and also for into the spring (I hope).

I picked up this black maternity Maxi Dress at the last Value Village 50% off sale. It was regularly $6.99 so I snapped it up for $3.50!

It is perfect for work, after-work, parties and it is SO comfortable.

Here I am wearing it at a friend's Christmas Party.

Black Maxi- $3.99 at Value Village

Animal Print Sweater- Had in my closet forever (also seen here and here)

Belt- Had forever

Sidenote: WOW, pregnancy really DOES make your hair thick!

Basically, I am hoping that maxi dresses and skirts NEVER go out of style, since they are my favourite thing to wear. All year long. And are PERFECT for pregnancy.

Happy thrifting!

Considering The Adoption Option- Self-LESS or Self-ISH?

Lately I have been thinking more and more about the adoption option for this baby.

I'm trying to decide if it as a selfish choice- in that I am taking the 'easy way out'- or if it would be a selfless choice.

I suppose, in the end, it would be a little from each column.

I lie awake and wonder if this baby was given to me in order to bless another family that is desperately waiting for a child.

Maybe this baby was given to me- specifically me- because I have BEEN THERE. I can vividly remember how it felt to ache inside for a child to mother. How it felt to endure not only the intrusive and invasive tests while living through IVF, but also coping with the just-as-invasive questions while I completed my Home Study for adoption.

I can remember how incredibly devastating it was to see everyone around me getting pregnant and having babies, when ALL I WANTED IN LIFE was to experience the same for myself.

Is this baby the answer to the question that I asked over and over and over again during that dark time in my life- "WHY???" 

"WHY do I have to go through this?"

"WHY- when I BELIEVE that I would be a good mother to a child??"

Did I live through that darkness years ago simply in order to better understand the situation that I am living through now??

Perhaps.



Or, perhaps this baby was given to me- specifically me- BECAUSE I yearned so badly and for so long to be a mother. Because I made it through. Because I persevered. A 'reward', or something.... I don't think life works that way, though...




All I know is that my 6-year-old already ADORES this baby. He has given the baby a name and says 'goodnight' to him every night.




And for THAT reason, my seemingly (to me) selfish adoption option gets tabled again.




In SO many ways, I would LOVE to bless a family with this dear life growing inside of me. In SO many ways, I would like to go about my life the way that it has been for the last few years. 




I can handle my two boys. I have two eyes to watch them with. I have two hands that can hold theirs. I have two arms that can wrap around them. I have two lips that can cover them with kisses. 





But then, a large part of me is hoping that one more will just add to the joy of our little family. After all, I have one heart, but it loves many. I have one womb, but it has formed three lives. I have one mind, but it has the power to make momentous decisions- like this one that I face over these next few months.... 





To be Self-less? To be Self-fish? 


To bless others? To add to my own family?



Whatever choice is made, this baby will be a blessing. This baby will be loved. He will be treasured.




And I suppose- for now- I can rest in that truth. And leave the options for another day....