LADDventure

Next in October

My theme word for the year is "next," both a reminder to take one step at a time, and to keep going when things get tough. To do the next right thing to move me toward the big goals and happenings of this year. So, each month I'm looking ahead to what's next.

It's October! Fallelujah! Enough said.

Next in travel... No travel to speak of lately around these parts. But, I do love being home this time of year, fallifying the house and planning for holidays and entertaining ahead. We definitely have a few mountain weekends in mind though. I'll keep you posted.

Next in adoption... I painted one of the kids' rooms, and have been rearranging them both and setting them up. We got the carpets cleaned and both are a blank slate now, ready for some finishing touches. Hopefully we'll have our final home visit by the end of the month, and our agency specialist told us we're her next adoptive family to submit for certification. Also, our friends threw us a suprise adoption shower! More on that Monday. 

Next in writing... This is tricky for me right now. After working on Candid Classroom for the past year and a half, I'm finding myself flailing a bit in the writing department now that the concrete project of finishing the book is over. I'm trying to get back into a more consistent writing schedule, set some goals for completion of a new project, and generally stop staring at the screen blankly. Stay tuned. In the meantime The Girl Next Door Podcast is keeping me busy and so much fun. Check out this week's episode where we freak the freak out about fall!

Next in food... I declare every Sunday this month as soup day. I've discovered how simple and tasty it is to make my own soups, and I can't get enough. There is something so comforting and relaxing about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove on a lazy Sunday afternoon. So every Friday for the rest of the month,  I'll share a Soup of the Week recipe here on the blog, so you can grab your ingredients in time for Sunday.

Next in life... As I've said, we've been purging like crazy around here in preparation for expanding the family, and I am once again reminded about the very real connection between cluttered homes and cluttered lives. I'm feeling more and more passionate about surrounding ourselves with truly useful and/or beautiful things and letting go of the rest to make some breathing room. We are pretty neat people in general, but it is mindblowing how quickly things accumulate.

Next in September

My theme word for the year is "next," both a reminder to take one step at a time, and to keep going when things get tough. To do the next right thing to move me toward the big goals and happenings of this year. So, each month I'm looking ahead to what's next.

I realized I hadn't done a "Next" post in July or August, which was both a cause and direct result of the chaos we've felt around here this summer. It was a summer of paperwork and PS-MAPP classes for our adoption, reorganizing our house, my book launching, and it was crazy. We are definitely feeling the effects of an emotionally charged, exhausting couple of months, and more than ready to refocus and turn the page to a new season.

It's September - the beginning of my favorite time of year! It may be 108 degrees today in the Phoenix area, but I am burning my autum candle and waving my fall freak flag. I'm beginning this season with a blank slate, some new goals, and perhaps a pumpkin beer of two. So I'm raising my glass and looking foward to what's next in September.

Next in travel... We were up north this past weekend, and were reminded once again how good the mountains are for the soul. The Jeep loved being on some gravel and under pine trees. We need more mountains in our life this time of year, when the summer has stayed long past its welcome. So we're planning a weekend getaway to the mountains soon, and a day trip to do some leaf hunting when the colors start to change up there.

Next in adoption... Our agency is finishing up our home study in the next couple of months, and we are getting kids' rooms ready. I'm purchasing paint this week, and will be sharing a mood board and room reveal soon! I also need to put together a family photo book to be included in our profile. So many pictures to choose from! Check out this adoption update for more details.

Next in writing... I now understand what authors are talking about when they describe the post book release slump. Since Candid Classroom came out last month I've felt tired, empty, a bit at a loss for words. But September has brought with it some new inspiration and renewed energy, so I'll be back to a consistent blogging schedule here and at The Candid Teacher, have been added as a contributor to East Valley Mom Guide, and am working on a few other projects I can't wait to share with you soon!

Next in food... This time of year always inspires me to get in the kitchen, try new recipes, and entertain. So look for more posts about what I'm cooking up, and who I'm feeding.

Next in life... Maybe it's the teacher in me, but September is like my second New Year. It's a time to start over and reevaluate goals and priorities. I am making my own well-being, personal growth, and health a priority, and being very intentional about enjoying time as a family of four (yes the dogs count) before life changes pretty dramatically.

**Check out the new episode of The Girl Next Door Podcast, where Kelsey and I are talking about Back-to-School Season, fresh starts, and a very creepy chair**

Next in May

It's May already, and I can't believe 2014 is almost at the halfway point! My allergies think otherwise, but the desert is just beautiful this time of year, with everything blooming. While it may just now be starting to feel like spring in your neck of the woods, here in Arizona it's basically summer. The days are getting longer and warmer, and we're hanging on tight to every cool breeze or cloudy day.

My theme word for the year is Next, both a reminder to take one thing at a time, and an encouragement to be open to new opportunities and set some goals. Each month, I take time to look ahead at what's next, so here's a peek at May!

Next in travel... We'll be staying home this month, but some great friends are travelling here! We're honored to be hosting two of our favorite couples from Wisconsin for a couple's vacation/bachelor/bachellorette weekend mid-May. The plans are shaping up to include a Friday night out in Scottsdale, a pool party on Saturday and golf/whatever the girls decide to do on Sunday. Really looking forward to it!

Next in writing...The book is with the proofreaders!  Round One of edits and rewrites is complete, and we are in the very final stages of getting the book ready to go.  I truly can't believe it, and am so proud of this book. I'm nailing down an official release date and other details this month, and can't wait to share them with you. Head over to The Candid Teacher and join the email list to stay up to date on book news!

Next in adoption... This is document gathering month. As I talked about in this post, we are gathering up all our important papers and getting things in order to start our classes next month. We're getting more and more excited to meet our kids and be a family of four (well six if you count the dogs, which we totally do).

Next in food... Unfortunately our swimsuit season starts a little earlier here than other parts of the country, so food has consisted of lots of fruits and veggies to get these thighs ready for the light of day. Operation Hot Mom is in full swing. More on this soon, too.

Next in faith... Still thinking on a great many things I'd like to write about here. I've had lots of really interesting conversations lately which have my wheels turning about what I believe and why.  But in the meantime, we are just absolutely loving the friends we've met through our small group at church, and can't believe we've only known them a year and a half. All that matters is God and people. I couldn't agree more with this statement right now.

What big plans do you have for this new month?

Next in February

February is here!  The Super Bowl is always a great way to kick off the month, and I'm a fan of Valentine's Day.  I think any excuse to show the people you care about a little extra love and make a day special is a good one.  Looking forward to a V-day dinner reservation with Mr. Ladd, some fabulous AZ weather, and lots of hearts and chocolate this month.

My word of the year is Next for 2014.  It's both a reminder to take big goals one step at a time, by just doing the very next thing in front of me, and a motivator to keep moving forward and thinking about what might be next for me and trying new things.  Each month I want to refocus on my word.  So here's what's next for Februrary.

 

Adoption:  We've contacted an agency and they've sent an initial questionnaire to fill out.  Once that is turned in to them, it will be reviewed by a supervisor and we'll be assigned an adoption specialist.  The specialist will then contact us to set up an initial home visit, go over the next steps of the process, and get us signed up for our mandatory classes!

Writing Career:  I've submitted my manuscript for Candid Classroom and should be hearing back from them soon about revisions and making some decisions about cover design, layout, etc.  I'm enjoying the "break" from daily book writing for the moment and am focusing on this blog and The Candid Teacher.  The Girl Next Door Podcast launched this past month, and is such a fun creative project to tackle with my good buddy.  I'm also heading to Storyline Conference in San Diego at the end of this month and am beyond excited about that.

Personal Goals:  January, I got back together with my Weight Watchers online subscription, and have been tracking eating choices and paying attention again.  So this month I want to continue making the next right food choice, but add in the exercise component.   Starting today actually, I'm starting a 3 month trial membership at a gym I've been wanting to check out for a while. 

Happy Februrary!  Here's to taking the next right step, and looking forward to a new month.

photo credit: Darwin Bell via photopin cc