Our Adoption Journey (Up To This Point)…

We were overlooking my favorite view of Midtown Atlanta on top of a hill, we were only a month or two in too dating, which is hard to believe was 9 years ago. I told him about my heart for adoption, something that was incredibly important to me. And although neither of us were sure exactly where we stood on growing a family, it was something I asked him to be open to.

Fast forward 5 years later, 4 years into marriage and we felt the call to start growing our family. So we talked to a few adoptive families and took the first step. I was dealing with numerous health issues and while biological kids were not really on our radar, we weren’t even sure I would be able to have one.

Well if you are on this blog you probably already know how this turned out, a frequent story: we were in the paperwork process with an agency and I was absolutely having an emotional breakdown. It was post 2019 LOVE ATLANTA which is a big project push for me, I was on B12 shots because my levels were critically low, and I had just run a completely horrible Peachtree Road Race after the past year of a breakout. I felt all over the place and just completely outside of my normal which could have been attributed to so many things. It was almost like a nudge from the Holy Spirit to take a pregnancy test or it would have never been on our radar, but alas Elijah made his triumphant entry into the world 9 months later. At that point we put our adoption conversation on hold to revisit in another season.

Fast forward to a little over a year ago, right before Elijah turned 2, and we felt the nudge to pick it back up. This time not starting with a specific ministry but instead looking at all our options with an incredibly helpful adoption specialist. We waffled between foster care and adoption feeling like our home could be a safe and Jesus centered place for whoever needed place to lie their head AND we weren’t necessarily considering an infant which is where so many people start. Our heart feels led towards little ones that don’t have as great of a chance of adoption. Not easy to say the least and it’s been an emotional roller coaster for the past 7 months since we finalized our home study. We received situations, not really knowing if we would get a “halo moment” when we felt we should submit our profile, and after a few months of feeling in limbo we prayerfully started leaning towards the foster care system.

We said yes to two cases and never had one kid enter our home then a series of situations we couldn’t say yes to due to having three ‘dependent on us’ lives in our family (when it comes to violence or aggression our dogs can be as much or even more so at risk than our 3 year old and that matters deeply to us), and emotionally with the places God has called us in other areas of life during this season, I cracked. I felt wrecked and overwhelmed and so we closed our home.

So here we are almost 1 year exactly to the day we started the first documents picking adoption back up. We’ve submitted for two cases and where we are at the moment is delicate and I feel hopeful I can share more soon. I have a lot of feelings, we have learned SO much, we stand trusting the Lord even in the moments that feel like a deep hole. I have so much more respect for families who have sat here before, and I’m thankful for the community around us! Even if we never get placement, and instead we get to help care and lean into other people’s stories and families (which we are 100% content with if that is God’s story for us) we know this season wasn’t for not. It has grown our minds and our hearts – it has helped us learn the heart of Jesus so much deeper. Gosh, He loves His children so much and His broken-heartedness in some of these dark places is so tangible sometimes. And if a deeper love and care for people is all I get in return of this season isn’t that so so worth it?!?

In the messy middle,

Jordan

If you are at all interested in supporting us financially I’m posting the link here, but no expectation from us here! http://adopttogether.org/families/the-woodson-s

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A New Adventure Awaits

I thought for a second about changing the name here, but I’ll be back in this space. Whenever people ask me what new adventure I am starting out on I get the song from Zootopia every time, you know the one, “oh oh oh oh oh try everything”. And unpopular opinion I can’t wait for Animal Kingdom to refurb to include this land, I think it’s a perfect fit as much as we would miss the Dino playground. But I digress. I’ve always wanted a space that I can document and motivate other mamas and families to travel with their littles. It can seem so overwhelming and expensive, but I am going to hopefully give a little light into a challenging space to say that the gains are far more than the costs. So if you care to you can find me over on instagram at a new account called: TrekkingWithToddlers and a new YouTube space themed around it as well! I cannot wait to see what kind of fun comes from there and I would love if you follow along.

Finishing a Marathon in More Ways than One

My “a” key is sticky as I type this, so it could get interesting. It’s been one week. One week since I crossed the finish line of the Walt Disney World Marathon. One week of achieving two goals I had set post-partum. One week of unwinding from a season of chaos, and more ugly-named a season of selfishness.

In August I was unwinding from a season of LOVE ATLANTA, some special events I was working, my brother’s wedding, and gearing up to start this marathon training cycle. I had already turned down one contracting opportunity that gave me little lead time after a busy season, when I was approached about another 12-week opportunity, side hustle if you will. It was something I had always been curious in, and had previously said I wouldn’t give up if I was approached with the opportunity. Whenever I try to describe my personality and the way I work, I sing Shakira the gazelle’s song “Try Everything” from Zootopia. I am far more scared to not have found something that I love, then to fail in the attempt. I have failed A LOT, but I would take it every day over not having gone for it. So I said yes.

I already had several things slated for this past season and a few personal challenges long the way – finishing our home study for foster/adoption, my grandmother being in the hospital long term from COVID – but I didn’t let that stop me. So I dove in: training for my marathon, studying for my PMP exam, taking on my regular job + contract work, taking care of the house + Elijah, supporting Jon in his world. It was too much and everyone around me suffered.

I thought I was doing alright, I was trying to be flexible and present, but even when those two things variables aligned my mind was usually elsewhere. My engagement with Elijah tanked, I was forgetting or having to cancel things with friends, eventually we all got sick, and Jon could be telling me a 50 minute story and 2 minutes in I was trying to solve some puzzle in one of my realms and missed the whole thing. Talk about frustrating.

God in His kindness allowed me to carry it all for good and bad. I helped launch a few successful projects with work, I got to be a part of a few interesting and fun projects in the contract world, I passed my PMP exam and officially got certified, and reached two of my three goals for my marathon (sub 3:30 and finish without walking – by stretch goal was sub 3:15 if you were interested), but as I crossed the finish line something felt different than it ever had: gratitude + contentment, a sign it was time for something else.

I reflected on it a good bit this past week, my word for the year is simplify, and through the muck of this last year – even in the good – I let myself and feelings take the drivers seat A LOT. And so I feel convicted and challenged. How do I balance showing up for my community without sacrificing my presence with the people I love? How do I actively create the boldness in the uncomfortable places (it’s plenty there in the comfortable ones)? How do I not try to “share” the spotlight with my Creator/Savior by continuing to achieve and goal-set? How do I cultivate a love of adventure and exploration alongside extreme generosity?

That’s why I want to chew on the first few months of this year. I crossed the finish line of this marathon and as the final moment of this past season – and now it’s time for something new. Lord how can I do your will with what you’ve given me?

Amen.

2022

Hello old friend.

It’s been awhile. I had no intentions on sitting down to type this, but the year was too full and God so faithful for me to miss out on a moment to remember. I could sit here generalizing the beauty of the mountaintop and the valleys, each in their time, but I find it not as helpful as the specific moments that meet people right where they are. My writing might be a little rusty, but it’s not for lack of passion, and I hope some of that rust will shake off in 2023.

We began the year with anxiety – we love and are for Passion Conference – but the rise in virus cases and the vulnerabilities in my family make it a little more consequential than for others. In faith we served, and regardless of our desires we landed sick, cancelling a trip I was excited for, and the worst part was having a sick little 1 year old with a very high fever which felt like forever to shake. It also sent my body on a tailspin that has taken most of this year to reckon with.

While my case was mild, my breathing never seemed to return to normal post COVID. I ended up having to axe some of my race season and pacing duties because while I could run, it was very up, down and inconsistent. At the end of January, I unexpectedly ended up getting pregnant. We took on a beach trip in February with some close friends of ours, it was beautiful and fun! We had never done a trip like that with friends before. We got back and a week later I knew something wasn’t right. Having already planned to head to Florida and just playing things by ear – after a horrible night/morning of loss – I escaped to Florida to recover outside the eyes and demands of a not yet 2 year old.

While the trip was good and helpful the first two months of the year had knocked me down. I buried myself in work and LOVE ATLANTA rhythms, trying to refill the capacity I didn’t feel worthy any longer to ask for. My eating disorder tried to rear its head in different ways while I was juggling so many different responsibilities and opportunities. In July, the day after my now sister in law’s bridal shower, I ended up with our second bought of COVID. Thankfully for me, it was as mild as the first, and Elijah’s case was much better this time around.

In August, we celebrated my little brother’s wedding, only then for my family to get wreaked by their first every case of COVID. What they say held true, everyone was fatigued and lousy but fine, except, for my grandmother. A week after she was diagnosed she ended up in the ICU fighting for her life. Jon and I still, gratefully, took our trip to the Pacific Northwest visiting Olympic National Park, Vancouver, Seattle, and Mt Rainier National Park – it was beautiful and being in nature and God’s creation is one of the cores of how I move through life in awe of my Creator.

When we got back it was a quick turnaround before Jon was on an airplane to Phoenix and Elijah and I were on our way to Disney for one last trip of 2022. We made some great memories, admittedly more for me than him, but he had an incredible time and made for a great travel companion at this age. Age 1 was brutal, age 2 seemed to be a fun spot; I could still keep him contained, but he was able to communicate and relax most of the time. The week after that I leapt into another project. However, my lack of planning hadn’t quite pulled the fact that by December I would have my PMP certification exam, the Christmas season, the hardest part of my training cycle, and all the business of work projects about to switch over years.

In November, my grandmother came home from 3 months in care facilities, we still had to celebrate Thanksgiving without her, but the fact she was comfortably and independently at home brought so much ease.

In December, the Lord in all his goodness, allowed me to pass my PMP certification exam, finish out the hardest part of my training cycle, carry work and projects, and celebrate the season + finish out reading the Bible in a Year (I did a reading plan on YouVersion). Jon always said capacity is a muscle that needs to be stretched, and 5 years I would not have been able to carry all the Lord has entrusted me with. Now, it’s not to say that every yes was the best choice, but I am still standing proclaiming His goodness and faithfulness through all the curveballs this year has thrown.

As we hit 2023 tomorrow, my body is starting to feel closer and closer to “normal”, I am excited to hit another marathon in a week, and then just be with my family in Florida. I am excited for some time in between projects to give more of myself to those around me, and I am excited that we are home study approved and our home is open to take in foster kiddos and/or adopt privately . It will be SO hard and the peace is SO prevalent.

See you next year friends,

Jordan Woodson

Why Chattanooga with a Toddler is the place you want to be!?!

Early on in Jon and Is marriage he surprised me with a birthday trip to Chattanooga and it’s been a love affair ever since. The walkability, the intimate but enough feeling, the ease of location. It’s become an annual tradition for us to head up there for a few days, but with a toddler it might become more frequent. And here’s why:

1. Traffic.
   There isn’t much. Unlike Atlanta we felt extremely safe having Elijah follow us along the sidewalks. It gave us some relief from feeling like he was having to be in his stroller constantly, and he got ALL of his energy out.
2. Walkability.
   From the aquarium, to the pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River, to the playground along the riverwalk everything is accessible by foot. Taking away the hassle of being in and out of a carseat while you move locations. The only thing we did that we moved our car for was our hike at Lookout Mountain.
3. Kid Oriented Activities.
   While they aren’t necessarily cheap, if we were to come up more than twice a year it’d be worth an annual pass. Here’s what you have:
   a. The Tennessee Aquarium – maybe an unpopular opinion, but it is way better than the Georgia Aquarium for a toddler. It is a small walkway that guides you through the exhibit, there are multiple floors and buildings but it keeps you from feeling overwhelmed as you are only seeing one or two things at a time. This was truly Elijah’s favorite part. Check out what they have to offer here: Tennessee Aquarium Site
   b. The Creative Discovery Museum – this was partly under renovation when we went, but between the water features, the creative stations, and the giant play/slide structures Elijah could have easily spent all day in here if he wasn’t already exhausted (we spent about 2 hours). Want more info? Click here.
   c. The Riverwalk water feature – this is a true gem. We stumbled upon it walking around one day but is a gently flowing water feature that ends with a shallow pool overlooking the river. You can find it underneath the pedestrian bridge and check out my Instagram Post for a look here.
4. Ease of travel.
   Getting somewhere that can give us a change of pace and fresh perspective within 2 hours of Atlanta is optimal. Two hours is about Elijah’s limit before he starts getting antsy. The only traffic you regularly is at the I-24 split (I am not sure why on Earth they created it that way especially when there is clearly more space for more lanes but what do I know), but after you get past it you are 10 minutes out from downtown!
5. Best of both (all three?) worlds.
   You get a little city, mixed with a little outdoor adventure, mixed with a little small town feel. It makes for such a great opportunity for learning and engaging in a variety of sights, sounds, and activities. Plus almost every restaurant has the color sheets for kids which is also key for tired babes who just want to eat and have some quiet time.
   

One other tad-bit: DoubleTree Downtown Chattanooga has the BEST FREE cookies when you check in and it’s a good bribery piece for a toddler. Alright, so are you convinced enough? Have any questions/thoughts? Let me know!

Until next time Chattanooga,
Jordan

Old Key West, Epcot and Eats

Originally this weekend was supposed to take place at the beginning of January. Time away, solo, enjoying some sunny Florida weather as a way to refresh and refuel. Lately, I’ve learned how to rent DVC points and grab a cheaper option for a nicer resort. Two years ago we were able to experience Saratoga Springs for the first time and this time I decided to grab an Old Key West reservation. I was excited to check out another DVC exclusive resort and eat at my favorite breakfast on property: Olivia’s.

I stayed with some friends on Thursday night in Gainesville and then headed down to Disney after breakfast Friday. The first night I was there I stayed in one of the good neighbor hotels near Disney Springs; I love close proximity to Disney Springs. It’s so nice to have it as an option just to lounge, shop, get some Disney magic, and get incredible eats.

So after a quick nap in my room I headed towards Disney Springs to check out all the new merch, with a few stops at my familiar comforts! I picked up a new pin from Pin Traders (for Disney Visa Holders) and new ring from Pandora, and the regular grub from the Polite Pig, a barbecue joint with some incredible vegetarian options as well! I checked out a few new toys for Elijah and the latest styles and called it a day!

After settling in for a mostly restful night sleep I woke up and hopped out the door for a walk/light jog, definitely humid, but I couldn’t complain about sunny and not freezing. I made it back just in time to shower, checkout and head to my breakfast reservation at Olivia’s Cafe. There isn’t anything crazy special on the menu but if you want a family feel with cozy eats this is your place. Its located near the main lobby of Old Key West and sits on the water. I made sure to grab some mickey waffles, a LOT of coffee and I headed to Epcot for my one park day. The buses are a little crazy at Old Key West, they do not come through often like they do at a resort like the All Stars and the stops before you actually leave are plentiful. That was lesson #1! When we finally made it to Epcot the excitement was contagious. Typically when I’m at Epcot its during a festival so I am after festival food, unique designs and visuals, but this time it was the week in-between Arts and Flower & Garden so I took advantage of rides and character meets that I usually don’t! It was wonderful. Staying on property also has its advantages here since you can get in early – I was on and off Test Track and in the queue for Ratatouille before the park even opened to the general public.

Ratatouille was a one and done for me, but it’s definitely worth doing! By the time I was out of that line I was starting to get hungry so I went over to Regal Eagle Smokehouse. I was going to try the barbecue, we never have and as someone who lives in a place with fantastic barbecue I was skeptical. Rightfully so, if you live in a place that has access to great barbecue this is a no-go, however, if you don’t then you might find this perfectly acceptable. But it was nothing that a good Joffrey’s cold brew and donut couldn’t make up for! So I sipped as I walked the rest of the show case and stopped for photo-ops, all in all a great day.

After several hours taking it all on I took a lap on the monorail as a break. I had no agenda except to enjoy the ride, I stopped at Magic Kingdom to say hi and then hopped on a bus there to get over to All Star Movies where my sister in law was staying. The afternoon was just as relaxing as can be, we chilled at the pool for awhile, got ready in their room and then hopped over to Hollywood Studios for our first time at the Brown Derby. It’s considered signature dining, and the food was good, but I am not sure quite good enough for the price tag, this was lesson #2.

What happened next was extremely unfortunate and continued to paint Old Key West in a less than positive light. While my sister in law and her friend headed off to rides, I was ready to hit the hay. I walked over to catch a bus to the resort and after 30 minutes I was still waiting for a bus to the resort, it continued to paint the picture that the transportation at OKW is less than ideal. An hour later I finally did get back to the resort, moved my car over the room I was staying in (SHOUT OUT TO MOBILE CHECK IN), grabbed my two backpacks and headed up the stairs to my room, EXCEPT my digital key on my phone wouldn’t open my door. So I rustled through my bags to see if I had any of my magic bands with no luck. Thankfully, when you do mobile check in you’ll get an email that gives a number that goes straight to the front desk of your resort, clutch. So after two calls to them I finally was able to get someone to come let me in, but the process was anything but smooth. Lesson #3 : in person is always better. I should’ve just walked to the front desk myself it would have solved all my issues in a matter of minutes instead of the night and next morning ordeal it became. Who knew you could learn so much after so many times at Disney?

I was slightly disappointed in the rooms at OKW, they seemed more bare bones than the rooms at Saratoga Springs, and there is no access to walk to any parks or Disney Springs. I did NOT like the Boardwalk but the ability to walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios was clutch. Likewise, at Saratoga Springs the ability to walk to Disney Springs puts it above Old Key West for me.

But again, the food at Old Key West is top notch, and that might be reason enough for some people to still stay there, just probably not me. The next morning I went to their quick service place right on the water called Goods to Go. The harvest breakfast sandwich was hands down one of my favorite sandwiches on property. So while some of the logistics weren’t ideal, the eats were 10/10. Pick your poison.

Leaving is always sad for me, other than on major holidays when I can’t wait to get out of there its just such a fun place to dream, relax, try new things, you can really pick your own vacation! And as you saw above, you’ll learn a few things each time you go!

Enjoy the magic!

Jordan