New Years Resolutions

I will fear not this path You have lead me to and this life you have given me. I will live boldy in your Name and challenge others to do the same.

I will try not to question the bumps in the road or the lessons the detours will teach me. I will remind myself that the road was never meant to be easy

I will remember how much I have been given and how much is asked in return

I will always ask myself, if not me than who? Life is not lived if it is only lived for you

Happy New Year and My God Bless you and your family

Enough with the boring exercise updates......

Well, now that the Christmas cards have gone out with the intriguing last line, wondering if we will be a family of 6 by years end, and with enough information leaks to sink a boat floating around in cyber space, I figured it is probably due time to announce that we are at the beginning of our 4th adoption journey which, hopefully, by the grace of God, will lead us to our daughter in Colombia. This will be our first I-800a experience as we have gotten by on the I-600's for both of our last journies, and will sink us deeper into paperwork than we have ever been. A daunting task for those of us whose last 2 adoption have been to african countries! I hear a psycological exam is even part of the mix! What fun, now someone might actually certify that I am crazy! Well dear....put up the mile ticker and the Bogota weather.....we are heading south!

Back in the saddle

I've been saying it for weeks (or maybe months or longer). I've been slackin' BIG TIME since the 50k in October. Except for some treadmill running at work, there has been zippo running miles. Just not motivated to get outside yet, though I'm close..despite the cold.

Inside, I've finally decided to get the bike hooked up to the trainer. Not wanting to take up space in the new basement, or to sweat on the nice floor in there. I've relegated myself to my own personal hobbit hole in the utility room. Not being the tallest fella around, I can just fit sitting up. My head touches the cold air returns from the AC system.

Its not pretty, but its there, and more importantly, I'm using it. So I'm getting my daily dose of exercise now. And the bonus, I'm making quicker progress on Destination Kinshasa (only 7000 more miles to go!).

For the Love of a hat ... part II

If you've followed our journey, E1 lost his favorite hat. After some searching, it was recovered, much to everyone's joy.

Unfortunately, it was only about 1 week after recovery that disaster struck. On the Sunday after we recovered the hat, E2 wore the hat to church. Mama brought E2 to Sunday School class, while Papa brought the two youngin's into the church. We had our typical trip to our favorite coffee shop after Mass. Finally, in the afternoon, E2 had a birthday party at a local "fun center".

It wasn't until Monday that we discovered the hat was missing again. Did he have it at church? Yes. No. I don't remember. Was it at the coffee shop? Don't think so, as it warmed up a bit. How about at the bowling alley? It was cold, but I was spent, not sure I remember the hat on his head.

Called the bowling alley on Thursday, no luck. At church the following week, took a wild chance on if there is a lost and found at his CCD class. Nope. "but you can check it the baskets down the hall..". Basket #1. Lots of nice mittens and gloves we thought about "using". But no hat. Basket #2. still more gloves, my oh my kids lose lots of gloves.

Basket #3. Pushed aside more gloves, more hats. And at there it was. At the very bottom. I look up at J. Her face turns into a fly catcher with her mouth so wide open. NO WAY!!!

I'm telling you... this hat has a purpose. And its not yet fulfilled with E1!

Welcome home!

Tales for a tired little boy

After reading "How does a dinasour get well soon" for like the hundredth time, E2 decided he wanted to tell a story himself last night before bed about his foxy. I already know this is not going to come out nearly as cute as it was being there, but I will try. We just bunked up the boys bed, so E2 is on the bottom bunk. I turn off the light and he turns on his flashlight and starts the story:

e2: "Once upon a time.....WHAT WAS THAT!"
mama: "That was just papa closing K's door"
e2: "Oh, once upon a time there was a big monster and ....WHAT WAS THAT!"
mama: "That is just the shadow of my hand from the flashlight, see...(I wiggle my fingers"
e2: "Ohhhhh, once upon a time, there was a big monster...no..no....a little mouse...WHAT WAS THAT!"
mama: "That was the shadow of your hand silly, see, wiggle your fingers"
e2: "Ohhh, there was a big monster...no, no, a little mouse and a bunny"
mama: "I thought this story was about Foxy??" mama hands him his Foxy
e2: "WHAT WAS THAT!"
mama: "that was the shadow from your Foxy, see..." mama shakes Foxy in front of flash light
e2: "and the bunny liked to eat carrots and pink lemonade....."
mama:"pink lemonade??? I think we better finish this story up tomorrow....good night sweet pea and turn off that flash light before you scare yourself again"

In the beginning there was darkness...

Along with the darkness, there as damp, unused, void of space.

11 years ago, a few weeks before J and I got married, I started tearing up the basement. Tonight, 11 years , 6 months, and a couple of weeks later, Its done. (ok ok, so I need to hang a new door going down the stairs, but that doesn't count).

The original inspiration, was the Knight of the round table tapestry we brought back from Belgium so many years ago. J created some individual crests for each of us. They are backlit with halogen dimmers so they add a nice glow to the basement.

Its so nice to have another usable room in the house. If all those toys were strew about the house, I think I'd have already gone nuts!

Eat, Pray, Love

With our fab new satalite dish, we got to sample some free pay per view movies. I picked Eat Pray Love, not because I praticuarly enjoy Julia Roberts films, but because I thought the idea of taking a year off life and finding yourself sounded like a cool idea. I heard the book was much better and gave a lot more background into her life before she set out on her journey, but alas, I am just sticking with the movie for now. And I have to say, I get it! There was a line in the movie about how Americans, in general, feel like they need to work themselves to the bone to EARN 2 weeks of vacation. One of the men in Italy said something like Italian's don't feel like they have to earn time to just enjoy themselves, they know they deserve it. Yes, there it is, the daily grind, get up, get the kids ready, drop off the kids, work, work, work, get home, make dinner, feed kids, get kids ready for bed, collapse on couch and zone out to tv until crawling up to bed and falling asleep until alarm rings and cycle starts again (or in Ted's case, replace tv, bed and sleep with work work work) and the years roll by faster than the blink of an eye. What am I missing here? Part of me thinks about the chain e-mail that went around a few years ago about the kid that died and ended up in a room with the library rolladexes where each card cronicled his life and how he was embarrassed to see how many hours he had wasted watching tv, etc then Jesus comes along and crosses off him name on all the cards that were sins and writes his own. What will my rolladex look like? Will I be embarrased by the number of hours wasted? And what about this life I have been given? Did I spend too many hours defending "Christmas" as a Christian holiday when I should have just listen to people and "lightened up?". Yesterday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The priest talked about Original sin and Adam and Eve being banished. What I had never thought about was if they had not sinned, and we had all remained in paradise, there wouldn't have been the need to send Jesus down as our Savoir. That fact just escaped me I guess. This, my friends, is not paridise. Which probably means, life, in general, is hard, there will be frustration, exhaustion, trials, and uphill battles along with the joys, acomplishments, happiness and sucesses. Which leads me to the question, how do you eat, pray and love in your life?

Another Great Interview with the Twietmeyers

December 1st is World AIDS Day - Get the Facts - Learn the Truth, then Spread the Truth!

Turn off music before playing


You can also see our friends, the Twietmeyer's in this months issue of People Magazine.

If you don't have a Christmas Pulse..

If you are just wandering aimlessly through this "holiday season". Taking whats thrown at you. Maybe pushing back at times. If you wonder about why others make such a fuss about this "time of year". In a nutshell, if you don't have a CHRISTmas Pulse..

Perhaps just listening to this. I mean REALLY LISTEN. Let the music flow in, through, around you. This songs just has to move you. You've heard it before, sure. But have you really listened?


If more of the worlds population would be able to say "We have not Forgotten".

Well I will say it.

I, have not Forgotten. (pointing up...) thank you.

For the Love of a hat..

You know how it can be with kids. They get attached to something, a blankie, or nook, or in this case a hat. E1's favorite hat is gone. Missing. Lost and alone. Probably out there cold and freezing, without his little boys head to keep warm.

Well like a dedicated (or nutty) Papa, on my Monday errands I decided to make a couple "wild goose chase stops" during my errands on the way home from K's PT session. Nothing at the Lost and found at Petsmart. Blockbuster was closed. Nothing at the Lost and Found at Menards.
Our last chance, our last hope. Panera bread from Saturday's lunch.

Excuse me. Do you have a lost and found? (reply: What are you looking for?) A kids knit hat. (two faces light up and reply: Are you looking for this?) and from behind a cash register. THERE IT IS. PAY DIRT!!! Alleluia! E1 is going to be so happy when I surprise him after school.

As I said.. "For the Love of a hat.."

Peace

(old) Tales from the Backseat

So every now and then the kiddo's do something that just, well puts a smile on your face. What wondering little blessing these kids are. And while not in the car, its just as cute a story.

(as told by J)

E1 came over while i was typing and said there was a spider on his shoe in the bucket, i was like "oh really, that's nice honey, go get your shoes so we can put them on". typing typing and E1 gets the shoe and brings it to the kitchen and says he has to get the scissors for the spider and he picks up the shoe and shows it to me from the kitchen, at that point I am like, that is weird, scissors for a tiny spider??, so i try and convince him he doesn't need them, but he gets them anyways and sticks it in the shoe and says, "there he is". At that point, i am thinking i should probably investigate before he cuts the shoe, so I walk over there and there is a grinormous spider on the side of E2's elmo shoe bigger than a quarter! Holy sh*t! and there is E1 trying to stab him with the scissors. He was big enough that the scissors would have made an effective weapon actually. But i opted for a newspaper ad and knocked him off the shoe and stepped on him under the add. WE had to get a paper towel and clean up after there were guts everywhere!

Peace

So I followed the block of cheese

all around the maze for months only to run into a bunch of boobie traps and then brick wall! What does it all mean? I ask myself. I am being swallowed this week with doubt and confusion. One dead end leads to another and another and another. I am lost and can't find my way out. This project I am doing was suppose to be such a great thing is like a broken vase in the store, I am left trying to piece together something that was wonderful into some semblance of success. Getting a SS# for K was suppose to be simple, but due to some translation confusion, might not be obtainable for quite some time. Anyone want to fly back to DRC and get a new BC for us??? I am trying to plug holes in the dam but can't keep up with the rate at which they are appearing. Add a school full of sterotype dressed up indians and a e-mail blast about how the first Thanksgiving was so wonderful with everyone playing games in harmony and I think I am going to barf. I said I would follow You blindly, and here we are, but where is here??? I followed the cheese, but where is the door? All i see is a wall and behind that, another wall, and another.....what am I missing?

Baking time with Zzz -K

K was ripe for helping out in the kitchen in preparation for the baptism tomorrow. Sure, it started out innocent enough, but then ended up like a ride on the weird side! Leave it to K to make cooking time into an adventure of the senses! First we started with the red and yellow pepper, cool, she wanted to taste test a few, no biggie, then it was the onions, a few bites and she started to tear up. Not to be outdone, a spoon of chopped garlic! Followed by a few pieces of chicken and a jalepeno! Girls going to have some stink of breath when she wakes up from her nap! Montary Jack cheese and cream cheese, followed by artichoke hearts and spinach. After all that, she drank like a gallon of water to wash it down and wanted to help with the dishes. She had so much fun washing dishes listening to the sound of running water that when I turned around, I noticed she had sprung a leak! I couldn't help but laugh, all that water then playing in the water would have made me pee too! It was all way to cute and the most fun I have had in the kitchen in quite some time.

Love is Patient, Love is Kind..

We all know it. We all love it (ok most of the time). But as our family continues on our life journey, we've decided to take it off-road. We always loved camping and the outdoors. Some things going on in life, have decided to steer the family off road. Its a bit bumpy. J and I were a bit take back. But we supported each other. We're forming a strategy and game plan. We know we'll get through it all. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

In years to come, we hope to look back on this "FUN" more fondly.

Sunday Nov 7, 2010 is Orphan Sunday

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

Tri for Hope, Sacrifice with purpose

I started thinking about the title of this blog a lot recently. It was T that developed the original title when the blog was mostly running related and every so often I would throw my 2 cents in to stir up some comments, but I never really thought about the blog's title much. At adoration this week, I started wonder where you draw the line between trusting God regardless, performing a logic surficial analysis of the situation before leaping, or over-analysing the situation then making your decision on facts, at which point, are you still trusting God or are you trusting in yourself? How far would you go? How much would you sacrifice to save a loved one? I think most parents would agree that we would run into a burning building to try and save one of our children or jump in front of a bullet for them. But what if that child isn't yours? What if that child is a photo of a child you could sponsor half way across the world through World Vision? Do we have that same instinct to protect that child miles and miles away? What ARE we willing to sacrifice for that child? What about the children lying half dressed urinating on themselves because they are too weak to get up at the orphanage K was at? Are they destine to be nameless faceless orphans that are forgotten? They have not asked to be saved from a burning building, far less, they long for basic necessities and love. Is that still too much to ask? 147 Million, the number of children without parents in the world, 147 Million! We have been blessed beyond words with our three children, blessed beyond words. Without them, our home would be an empty shell. We did not save these children, and nothing makes me more unconfortable when people tell us this. Our kids saved us and because of them, our house is a home and we are a family. To those who much has been given, much will be expected. We have been give much, and for this, much is expected. I will sacrifice more, I will give more, I will do whatever it takes to come to the aid of a love one (any one of the 147 million) and trust in God and not myself that everything will be ok....everything WILL be OK.....

They Want Our Country - turn off music before playing

Random Thoughts on this Monday

Another blogger posted the following quote "If our poor die of hunger, it is not because God does not care for them. Rather, it is because neither you nor I are generous enough. It is because we are not instruments of love in the hands of God. We do not recognize Christ when, once again, He appears to us in the hungry man, in the lonely woman, in the child who is looking for a place to get warm." Mother Teresa. I think I have expressed in the past, and my friend at work makes it a point to me quite often how in the best of times, I rejoice in the Lord, but as stumbling blocks cross my path, I am the first to get angry and frustrated and forget that God has a plan for me and my family in all of this. In all my distress when K came home, this time around, I never lost sight of the fact that I could see this child was meant to be my daughter and that it would all work out, given time. This is pretty rare for me, that is, to see through the chaos and rationalize with myself that God has a plan for this little girl in our life. I never doubted for on second and I know today, that it was true all along. We began this journey to K in December of last year looking at the photos of 3 siblings from the DRC, while God lead us to the DRC, it wasn't those 3 siblings he was leading us to, it was K, he pointed, we followed, blindly (for the most part), and here we are with a beautiful daughter. At this point, one (and the one being me) would rationalize that blindly following God has been pretty good to us. That is we have 3 of the most amazing kids in the world! (I say world, because they are from all over the world, so of course that is a valid statement LOL!), I have a job that allows me to help people and we are blessed with family, friends and neighbors. What I find interesting in all this is that the more I relate my journey to God's will in my life, family and work, the more people come out of the woodwork and try and talk me out of it, by either rationalizing things away or developing their own theories on why something is the way it is. Where is this coming from I wonder? Does it make them uncomfortable that I profess the will of God in my life? Does it make them even more uncomfortable that I trust the will of God in my life? Is it a control issue? Or are they questioning their own faith and by doing so, question mine? To which I say, Lord, give me the blindfold, I am ready to follow you where ever you lead me.

The Return of Sanity

What a difference a few weeks makes! I was at adoration last night and journaling about my present state of mind and realized that the word that came to mind was "quiet". That is pretty extraordinary in all the chaos and high blood pressure over the past few weeks. We had dinner at a restaurant last night with all three kiddos and apart from one "get back in your chair" episode, it turned out to be a very nice meal and we were all able to relax and enjoy eachother's company. Amazingly, there wasn't even alcohol involved. K and I have been having more and more fun and bonding on our days together. I have to admit it, I was skeptical when our social worker told me to "just push through it". To which I asked her what that meant after I had just admitting to her that our time together infuriated me and was not helping the bonding process. She said I needed to keep at it, setting aside time just for the two of us. Instead of dreading a full day with just K, I found myself looking forward to it this week. We didn't do anything amazingly exciting like the past weeks when we went to the Children's Museum, we just hung out, did some errands together and took a long walk chatting and kicking leaves up as we went. It felt normal for the first time in about 6 weeks. Normal, there world I said it, we have returned to NORMAL! (for now at least!)
The craziest thing I have noticed that with the 3 kiddos, we seem to be somehow finding quality time alone with each of them, more so than with just the 2. Maybe we are doing with more intent now or I am just noticing it more, but it is really nice to have the one on one time. Last weekend E2 woke up at 6:15 and it was clear he was ready to start the day, not spend any more cuddling time. So we snuck out of the bedroom to the basement where we had a fun breakfast together while the rest of the crew slept in. Certainly could have used an extra half an hour of sleep, but afterwards, realized how great it was to just spend some time with E2. Now if we could just squeeze some couple time in (don't tell T about the dance lessons I am working on for us! )

Reconsider Columbus Day - Pause music before playing

Delayed Week Three Post

Yes I know, it is actually almost week 4, but it is busy, busy, busy with three little ones to keep tabs on. This past weekend, I truly realized how much laundry 3 kids can generate in 1 week as the piles added up to monumental proportions. Making life more complicated, all potentially giardia contaminated items all had to be kept separate.
After much fretting on my part, I finally decided to get K's hair cut into a baby fro. The large mostly bald spot on the back of her head and what looked like a mullet around her neck as well as the fact that i couldn't leave any of it loose without it looking like, well I will say it, crap, was the final straw. Being the chicken I am about cutting hair, we took her to the boys barber and he did a great job of trimming it into a cute baby fro. Excellent!
It was back to the dr. this week for K for a followup and shots, more fun when I had to get a urine sample as there was concern due to her frequency of urination that she had a bladder infection. We also found out that the TB test was not in fact negative, but that the test was never transcribed and therefore, never done, so back to the hospital on Monday for another blood draw . T said they took so much blood from her that she turned white...very funny T. They were also testing for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as she has such a problem getting going in the morning. The test came back with no indicators, but unexplained swelling in her joints that"could be from a previous infection or the stress of Africa"???? Hugh??? The stress of Africa?? Is that a medical term?? We are both perplexed by that one. PT continues and we will be getting her fitted for orthatics in the next few week as well as trying to figure out what the unexplained swelling means.
On the homefront, we are getting into more of a routine, which has helped, but the discipline issues continue and we have to keep a constant eye on her interactions with E2 as she can be quite physical with him. We are starting to wonder if there was a complete lack of routine/adult supervision in the home she was at as rules, routine and proper behavior (like no spitting at the table) seem to be completely foreign to her. The amount of rage she displays when not getting her way is quite.... how should I say....eye opening. I still believe we are making progress in the right direction, however.

Specta and my little Tweet Tweet

Now that I got the boys hooked on Big Fish, I figured I would blog about how something can look one way at one point in your life, but then when you go back and revisit it, you don't even recognize it. Its a little like Specta. The first time Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor - adoptive father in real life...see the tie in!) sees Specta it is a perfect, all be it a bit strange, town with a little white church at the end of the street and happy go lucky villagers who spend their days writing poetry and baking pies. When he returns years later, the town is a mess and one can't help but wonder if the town changed or if he did. K wanted to go through the boys scrapbooks the other day. We started with E1's, but she kept thinking E1 was E2 (E1 is Guatemalan and E2 is Ethiopian, not really much of a resemblance). After we got through E1's book, I decided to pull out E2's. It has been awhile since I really looked at his referral photo. In a word, it is a scary picture. His legs and arms are like twigs, his eyes protruding out of his head. I don't really ever remember SEEing him in that picture before, blinded by love, what ever you will call it, the picture looked so different to me that day. We went to a seminar at University of Chicago Children's Hospital this past weekend. In the powerpoint presentation, the doctor showed a photo of a little Ethiopian baby, tiny, eyes protruding, fist clenched, hanging on, barely. He plotted him on the growth curve, he wasn't on the curve, he fell on the label part of the paper where you would put the childs name as the original makers of the curve never thought a child could fall into that area. Then he said for a child plotting at that location on the chart, one ear infection and he snaps his fingers, it is over. The hair stood up on my arms as it sent a chill down my spine. In my blindness, I don't think I ever realized or believe that we could have lost E2 over some minor infection, but in reality, E2 was probably in that label part of the curve and just one ear infection away from the unthinkable. I look at this beautiful 2 1/2 year old boy that graps every moment of life and can't believe he is the same boy I see staring back at me in the referral photo. The Dr. said something else that day, that it is not a matter of the child being perfect, but is more important that the child is the perfect child for that family. I am so thankful for that little boy who has captured my heart since the first moment I met him and that I didn't see a sick little boy in that referral picture, I saw my son. God Bless you little Tweet tweet, I am so proud you call me mama!

3 mile tune up

A 4 week layoff during the peak of the long mileage training. Two short weeks to attempt to regain some aerobic and cardio fitness, while also attempting to taper. So after a 7 mile, 10mile, 13mile, 7mile, 15mile, and 3 mile tune up.... That's all she wrote

Now we are really gonna see if I can just "run" a marathon. I suspect there will be plenty of walking. No need to injure anything. So the question is not if, but WHEN will I hit the wall. Mile 18? 20? 22? Maybe earlier...

On Sunday we'll find out, as the Inaugural Fox Valley Marathon kicks off

Week Two - A Dose of Patience and Regression

Week two was T's last week home before returning to work this coming Tuesday. It was a big week for K as she went to her first PT appointment for her legs. In general, she is very weak in her core and her lower legs. Her stance, out of weakness, has caused her not to use her calves at all when she walks. We are beginning with some exercises to help her strengthen those muscles and some supportive shoes to help bring her feet back in. We will be trying the shoes for a couple of weeks and if her feet don't start coming in, then we will probably have to go to orthopedic shoes. We have seen some regression on the potty training front. She has started to become resistant to using the potty and has a few accidents of the #1 type every day. She must be horrified by the thought of #2 in her pants as she is sure to let us know when she needs to do that! OH and we confirmed the visit of the unwelcome friend from the DRC in her poo (the local health dept was right on top of that and called min's later to grill T about our occupations etc). Gross liquid given and now poo is bright green!

There have been a lot of "yam-beees!" (hugs) in the house over the past week while to boys and K get to know eachother. K visited E2 at his daycare for a few hours later in the week and had a blast playing in the sand box with him and the other kids. She kept her eye out, every so often to make sure E2 was still there. Those two were born to be brother and sister I think. She talks about him like a million times a day in Lingala. All I hear is "blah blah blah...E2...blah blah blah...E2"! Play breakthrough when she initiated play with E2 and they both started jumping spontaneously on the couch and busting a move!

It has been a tough hair week. Was hoping for some outside help as I am really struggling with to get a cute style that works with the fact that she must have had a 3" diameter bald spot on the back of her head just a few months ago, so I am dealing with 3" hair in like a halo around her head and 1/4" long hair in the back. I am certainly no expert, and the various lengths have got me pulling my own hair out. I did cornrowed twists and left the back loose for the week in hopes that it might grow in a bit. Big day on Monday with our court date for her readoption, so a new style is in full swing as of this morning. Did beads in front and will be doing box braids tomorrow. DID YOU HEAR THAT WORLD?? I DID BEADS!!!! (and am happy to report that an hour later the beads are still in!)

My mommy sense is still lighting up with the indiscriminate affection she is showing to other women who are basically strangers. We have spend a lot of cuddling time and face to face time this week, but found myself having to step in with the PT when the amount of affection she was showing towards her felt inappropriate in my option, especially given that I was sitting right there.

We have had a few battles of will this week, but overall much progress has been made over last week. In general, we are over booked horribly. After talking with a few people, I think that might be leading towards some of the anxiety I am having. For now, no more restaurants or get togethers added to the schedule. We need to crawl into our cocoon for a bit and just get to know eachother. This coming week with really be the first time K and I will be spending along together so I am looking forward to some bonding, fun and challenges.

Picture is K letting out one of her first "high pitch" girl squeals. And yes, my ears were ringing afterwards like I had been at a rock concert.

One Week Home - Trials and Triumps

Wow! It is hard to believe that K has been home for only one week! With this post, I am going to try and be as open and honest as possible because there have been some big ups and some low downs the worst of which happened two days after she arrived when I announced to everyone at work that I planned to crawl under my desk and wait for the storm to pass. It has certainly been harder on me than with the boys who came home as babies, and the fact that I am trying, this time, to juggle time at work with time at home has left me totally and completely exhausted. It often feels like I am doing an extra poor job at both, but at the same time, getting away from the house and focusing on work for a day or so have helped to keep me sane.

I guess a lot of what I am feeling has to do with expectations. As a 3 yr old, I expected K to be able to do a lot herself, like climb up stairs, into a car seat, onto a toilet, like our 2.5 yr old can do. We are quickly realizing that she is not much different than a 12 month old in her abilities. She has no muscle tone in her lower body, can't walk for long periods of time, can't run, can't climb, so it is kind of like having a 30 lb 12 month old, she is pretty much dead weight if she falls. We were able to get into a pediatric orthopedic this past week and found out that at least the physical bones, etc are ok. She will start seeing a physical therapist this week. The issues with her legs, coupled with her not knowing how to "play" have been challenging. I termed it couch potato syndrome. Even with the two boys (thank god for our 2 boys, because if this would have been our first child, the challenge to get her up and moving would be even greater), she would much rather sit on her rump than actively participate in play. We all continue to encourage her to participate, but it is clear that her preference is to sit around on the couch. On a scooter, she can only go backwards and after 2 challenging hair-don't's, I realized that there is a circle about 3" in diameter in which the hair is only about 1/4" long. Both of these seem to point to the fact that she must have been laying on her back until she was quite old.

So the good, yes, there is good and lots of it. She is funny and engaging, she loves to be tickled and loves holding your face and giving lots of kisses. She comes over for comfort and has no issues looking us right in our eyes. A lot of the issues with attachment that I would have expected don't seem to be there. She will show indiscriminate affection, which is something we are working on, but overall, for just a week home, she is doing amazing. She has slept through every night and comes in with the boys to our bedroom in the morning to cuddle. And she is making progress. She is getting stronger with her legs, her sinus infection has cleared up and we are pumping in the iron to help with the anemia. Progress is definitely in a forward momentum. E1 has shown that he is a great big brother and he has been there to help her or show her something new. E2 has shown a bit of a jealous streak, and K and E2 and had some knock down drag outs over toys, but nothing out of the ordinary. We have ventured out to a restaurant, walmart, and a city festival with all three in tow and survived to tell the tale.

Lots of challenges I am sure we will face in the coming weeks, but at the end of this one, I no longer want to crawl under my desk, so that is a very good thing.

A daily two-for..

I was torn. I was moved by the first reading, as well as by today's gospel. With so much time on my hands, its just natural to think more and reflect deeper. Of course I understand that we can never (ourselves) fully understand the written word. But we can be moved by it. The Holy Spirit can inspire our thoughts and actions by it, even if its not to be taken literally.

Lord I know I am not willfully the servant that simply buried the coin. I know I attempt in all ways I know to allow your gifts to grow fruitful and multiply. I know I have the desire for your gifts to grow in, with, and through me. But I am human. Without you I am nothing. Only through you can I succeed in serving my purpose.

Today's (bonus) Reading of the day...

Mt 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’”

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way...

We are called...

There is a song by Jars of Clay "Take my world apart" that also sums up quite well the same meaning (at least for me) that is within the message of today's first reading. But for my own take on it...

Lord I've given up all my pride (at least as best as I know how). I've opened my heart (at best as I am able). I'm raw and exposed, lifting my hands up to you. In thanks, and in petition. Speak Lord (in way that these human ears and eyes can understand) for your servant is listening. Is it time? It the cup filled yet, such that it might be poured out according to your will.. I feel that I am ready..

Today's Reading of the day is ...

1 Cor 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way...

Don't know the day or the hour..

Its been a reoccurring within Mathew's Gospel as of late. But it seems to fit the situation somewhat. Today's Reading.

Reading of the Day...

Matthew 25:13

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Close to 200 Women Raped Near UN Base in Congo

Click here to read the story:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wirestory?id=11459942&page=1

Long closing but good closing..

For those that know me, I usually close emails with "Peace" or "May the Peace of our Lord be with you today and everyday". In today's readings there is a new version of that. I like it. Its a tad on the long side. But its Nice. Today's Reading (snippet) is:

Reading of the Day...

2 Thes 3:16

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

So I'll close with...

May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times, and in every way... (nice!!!)

The Word for Today

Technically it was yesterday. Anyway..

Reading of the day...
2 Thes 1:1-5,11-12

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater. Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure.
This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering.
We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ

Peace
Ted

Things that make you go Hmmmm.

Before settling down for bed. With little to occupy a whole day, i opted to catch up on the daily daily readings i brought along. From yesterdays mass (didnt catch much as it was in French) is the 2nd reading. While its not good to read directly into things.... ahh seems pretty relevant and current. Today's reading is from Hebrews.

Reading of the day...

Hebrews 12:5-8,11
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;

for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.”

Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?

At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

Peace

Reading of the day...

wow two days in a row with a valuable message. Guess its time to listen.. The Reading of the days is:

Readings of the day..

Ezekiel 36:23-27
...when in their sight I prove my holiness through you.

For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.

I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees.

Peace Ted

Overcoming All Odds

Sometimes you get athe perfect message at the perfect time. God Bless you Es!

Overcoming All Odds
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Thursday, August 19 2010

..."Because you have prayed to Me...." Isaiah 37:21
Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn't happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel's greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened to attack Israel and wipe them out. The Assyrians were the local bullies of the region and had wiped out all other enemies in their region.
They mocked the idea of having a God who could save them.
Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you! Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, "The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 36:14b-15).
The workplace is full of "Assyrian kings" who mock the idea of a living God who delivers. Without God's help, Israel would not overcome. Their backs were against the wall. They would be destroyed.
King Hezekiah saved Israel because of one act. He prayed; and because he prayed, God moved on his behalf. In fact, God moved so powerfully that Hezekiah did not even have to fight the battle.
Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! (Isaiah 37:36)
The king of Assyria was even murdered by his own sons. Imagine seeing your enemy totally destroyed without one hand raised in battle!
God wants to act on behalf of His children if they will call on Him. One of the motives Hezekiah had in seeking God's help was "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" (Is. 37:20). This is what happened. God was glorified.
God wants to let your workplace know that God is a living God. He can deliver. Seek Him today for the crisis in your life. Keep your motive pure and God will surely answer.
 

Guest Blogger Reviews the Play "Ruined"

Today I am blessed to be able to share with you a post from a guest blogger named Kim who might also be my sister...smile. Kim was able to attend a recent showing of the play "Ruined" Set in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ruined follows a young woman's nightmarish path to Mama Nadi, a savvy businesswoman who—in the midst of a complex civil war— both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds. At once heartbreaking and captivating, Ruined pays homage to the courageous and resilient women who must piece themselves together after the ruin. and participate in the panel discussion after. Here is what she had to say:

The play "Ruined" was great. It was not as graphic as it could have been but certainly there was enough to cause an unpleasant churning in my stomach. I forgot what the review had said but basically the whole play takes place in a brothel. One of the main girls was given to to brothel by her uncle, after she has endured six months of captivity pleasuring one of the rebel groups resulting in her female organs being ruined. Another girl there was married and had a baby. She was attacked by four men while gardening, her husband was away buying her a pot. After being had by them, one of them stomped on her baby's head killing it. She was then brought back with the soldiers and spent 4 months experiencing the trama the other girl did, being used by the solders constantly. When she was released and returned home, her village turned their backs on her and her husband threw her out. Later he came back as a soldier, looking for her, carrying the pot he had
bought her, but she was pregant from being in the brothel and her husband had already called her a whore from the first event. She dies after birth, her husband was at the brothel and his anger brings him right back to being a soldier with more conviction.
The brothel served men from both sides of the conflict and in the end was at the heart of it. The brother owner had fed and housed 10 girls who worked for her on the premise that the brothel was safer than being out in the bush and at the mercy of the soldiers. She made good money, and was even going to help the ruined girl have surgery to fix her. Unfortunately the conflict was too close at the point and the girl's ride to the doctor in town (and through unpteen roadblocks). Left in a hurry for safety reasons, without the girl. At the end the war is all around them, the uncle and a few other visitors detailing horrors they saw of the conflict and the brothel is no longer making money. The uncle all along had been flirting with the owner, telling her they should go into business together and be together. In the end when she is no longer making any money he comes back again to ask her to be with him. Thoughout the play she was very much in charge,
ordering the girls, being stern with soldier, and again she refuses his proposal. Throughout the back and forth between them, we find out that she herself was ruined. The uncle comes back in fights to hold her, until she relents and falls into him in tears. He tells her again that he wants to be with her and that they will go slow and that he would always be gentle and caring.
Balled my eyes out! Donations were requested at the end of the play with 2/3rd going to the hospital that fixes the physical problems of the girls. Operations cost $500, in the Seattle run of the play to date they have raised $82,000 which means 400 surgeries. Donations can also be made be texting INTIMAN to 50555 to give a donation. I guess they text you back and you confirm and they add $10 to your phone bill to go to this purpose. The other third percent goes to continuing to expand the world/cultural plays at the theater to shed life on issues like this. Ruined was the first play to kick off this initiative.
At the discussion afterwards there was a guy from the Seattle chapter of FOTC, a woman/refugee from the Congo who has lived in the US for 10 yrs (since she was 17) and was a victim of the horrors described in the play, and a lawyer who works with immigration and refugees.
Much of the discussion was on what we can do to help. I will give organization names at the bottom of this email. but right now there are two legislative pieces. One is the "Name of Shame Bill" that forces US companies to disclose where they mine cobalt and coltan The other is an internation movement to create new "sullivan principles" which you would have to look up for the details but I think it was a treaty thing that was established to have fair working conditions ets in Africa and the rest of the world to only buy from them....basically human rights, but they need to be updated. There is also a group called the "Enough project" look online. They are trying to get all the info on where companies get their minerals etc out by Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) to help consumers know which companies to avoid. FYI hybrid vehicles contain minerals from the congo.
They also discussed rape as a long time weapon of war. In WWII Russian soldiers raped 900,000 women. The premise was explained (new to me) and I will try to explain some of it. The root of a community is the women. Rape is easy for the men committing it, it's cheap, doesn't require weapons, and is a crime of power. The women are the soul, they are raped. The husbands feel weak because they couldn't or didn't protect their wife. They feel shame for themselves, they feel disgused by what happened to the women which often translated to them being disgusted by their wives because their wives are a reminder of their "inadequacies" as a husband. So the women are the first in a series of domino, after them the men fall. They may turn the women out and/or join the conflict engaging in their own acts of rape to try and feel like a man again. Of course the effects on the women and men tear about the families, communities, and any ability to fight back
for what is right. They now have to retrain the men and there are some classes or groups that are trying to teach men to deal with what happens after their wife is raped and to not be shamed by it. This is an entire transformation in cultural thinking and no easy task.
A movie of interest "Cumo" It is actually what started the bill above "Name of Shame." A woman (from FOTC) showed this movie to a group of 12-20 people. I think a mix of adults and children. They were so enraged that a group of kids from the neighborhood decided to fill up a bag with 50 lbs of rock (what kids in the congo carry daily) and walk it around the neighborhood with posters about the issue and making as much noise as possible. Somehow this got the attention of the representative here that started this bill as an ammendment to the fair trade act. We are encourage to not limit what we think one person (by showing the movie) is capable of starting. Another book for history on teh Congo is King Leopold's Ghost.

Okay web sites organizations:
Breaking the Silence week is Oct 17-23, encouraged to host a movie, host a fundraiser, etc.... www.congoweek.org

Women for women international - they help all women around the world and help with the hospital in the congo that surgically fixes women
www.womenforwomen.org/

Thanks Kim for all the great info and links! Kim will be participating in the "Run for Congo Women". If you are able to support her, please send a check to before Oct 16th:
Intiman Theatre
Attn: Run for Congo Women
1307 N 43rd St, #305
Seattle, WA 98103

All is quiet on the Western Front..

Heat. Humidity. No AC. Its like I'm in Africa! Although some in the house would say its just preparation. When a man I know who lives in Phoenix year round says he's never felt heat and nasty humidity like he did while he was in Africa. It kinda makes you wonder.

Need I say more???

Seriously??

After a wicked sinus headache kept me up a good amount of the night tossing and turning, I finally couldn't take it any more and started moving around at 5:45 am, noticing the sun was coming up and everything was a strange yellowish hue. Surprisingly, when I finished with my shower, everything was black again??? Then it started with little warning, 50 mph winds, a tree bangs against the back of our house, and rain coming in the back windows drenching my cat and everything in the vicinity, while T is running around shutting windows, the doors slam shut from the wind. Finally it calms and just the rain is left. Thinking we somehow got out if it unscathed, I continue to get the boys ready, head downstairs for breakfast and look out the back window and notice there is a tree in our yard where their hadn't been before. Crap! "T" I yell, "you need to move that branch off E's historic oak tree before you leave before it kills it!", just then I notice the power line "Never mind, it is on the power line, I don't want you to get electrocuted before work", wait a minute....the power didn't even blink and the tree is laying on top of the line on the ground...how in the heck do we still have power? Phone line is a different story, clearly snapped in half and hanging from our house. Johnny on the Spot Electric Utility was over in about 15 min's even with all the other issues in town. The guys looked at it and somehow, it was not damaged at either the house or the pole! We must have the super stretchy Inspector Gadget kind of electric line. As I left, they were going to cut away the branches and pull the line back up. Way to start out the morning.

Life and Lemonade. Who's got the spoon?

It hot, muggy, (at least to me) downright miserable around here lately. What better way to cool off, than a nice cold glass of lemonade. Heck, whats the saying.. "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"

Got more lemons than I care to have at the moment. Its about time for some mixing...

Who's got the spoon?

Yes Virginia there is a ... (what?!?) Lawn mower fairy?

Driving home today, into the driveway, a bit weary from some long nights, the lawn in the front yard just looks odd to me. I stare at it. Shrug my shoulders thinking that with the drought (at least before this weekends storms) the lawn went dormant. But no! I notice it has got recent mower marks, and there is grass on the driveway. Thinking I've finally lost it, I walk out to the back yard. I'll be darned if its not the same thing. I start counting on my fingers the number of days since the lawn mower died. Try to factor in the heat then rain to approximate grass growth.

No explanation.

There must be a lawn mower fairy that cut my lawn. May God Bless that kind soul. (although, now I am embarrassed since I usually only "pickup" after the dog when I mow the lawn, so the back yard was a bit of a mine field. (sheepish look and shoulder shrug) sorry... :)

Good Job Buddy! You did it!

With our recent car purchase, I am still in the haggling/bargaining mood. With the Lawn mower and the washing machine both crapping out the day after we bought the car, we felt $$ strained. Especially with airfare to Africa spiking into the $3000-$5000 range. I already researched and picked out our replacement washer, did some preliminary haggling down to $800 from $1160 retail (and that's before I really hit the block stores hard for their best pricing!) J asked me to at least attempt to fix the washing machine. So to oblige her, I did. Low and behold. Looky looky.. a broken motor coupling. Saving $800 on a new washing machine, good. $20 on a new part, Better. The satisfaction of fixing a major appliance yourself. Priceless!!


To be fair though. After searching for awhile, I did find exceptional help and photos on how to fix a motor coupling. So I can't take that much credit.

Peace

All Good Things Must Come to an End

I have never been shy about quoting how others should give up their possessions and follow Christ, or pointing out to people how their possessions are getting in the way of their relationship with Christ and have always been keen to demonstrate how I live without a lot of excess, no jewelry, no air conditioning, wearing shoes and clothes until they practically unravel off me. In the last few months, I have been slapped in the face with the complete and utter error of my ways, of course I don't care if I have fancy jewelry or clothes, 'cause dugh! I don't really care about those things while some people do. I consider diamonds not only a complete and utter waste of money, but also, a means to fuel some of the deadliest conflicts in Africa, the same way the minerals such as coltan in our cell phones and Wii's have resulted in the murder of over 5 million people in the DRC and 200,000 rapes. I would like nothing better than to sell my jewelry and do something positive in Africa if not for a reluctant hubby. While jewelry, electronics and shoes are other's crosses, who was I to talk about giving something up when I was totally OBSESSED with my Mini Cooper. Yes, there it was, all wrapped up in a pretty bow with my name on it. TO J, WITH LOVE GOD. It is easy to give up something up we really don't care about, but it pretty much BITEs the big one to give up something that we do. Once I recognized that, it was hard to look at the Mini the same way again. This weekend I traded in the Mini Cooper for a Toyota Sienna, a practical family car some might say in an impractical world, which I guess makes me officially a soccer mom, and a very thankful one at that to have 3 beautiful little blessing that will be riding comfortably in back.

Every long journey begins with 14 miles..

OK so I already started the Destination Kinshasa. But that was really nickel and dime time of mileage adding up. I am starting to get into more substantial mileage. Like the first 14miler of the season last weekend, and the upcoming 15miler on Saturday. It will still likely take a couple of years to finish Destination Kinshasa, but I'm on my way.

Tails from the Backseat (part II)

This exchange was between E1 and E2. Now every parents struggles with teaching sharing. Its a tough less to learn. I'd love to take credit for this one, but I think you just had to be there to understand that full humor of the situation.

Background: At daycare the kids can grab a small treat or snack on the way out. usually saltine crackers, or individual goldfish packets. Keep in mind, both E1 an E2 have their own bags of goldfish.

E1: E2. Do you want one of my goldfish.
E2: Yeah.
E1: You're welcome
E2: tank you (yes "tank" since E2 doesn't really say "thank" yet)
E2: E1 you want fish?
E1: Sure. Thank you
E2: welcome.
E1: E2. Do you want another goldfish.
E2: Yes peas
E1: Here you go
E2: Tank you
E1: You're welcome.
..
..

This went on for close to five minutes. the sharing back an forth. Do you want two?
Yes peas. Tank You. Welcome. it had me in stitches. If only they could do that when is comes to who gets to place with the cars or the transformers. At least it was progress right!!!

Tails from the Backseat (part I)

A bit of time has passed, but its still pretty funny. As the family was heading north to go camping last week, we stopped at Sonic to get the kids some chow for the road. Some time later, pretty much out of the blue, E1 exclaims...

E1: Mama. I ate the mustard (on his cheeseburger). I like it.
Mama: Really?
E1: Yeah. Its really tasty. I like it.

Now anyone with toddlers know how picky they can be with certain things, especially
those that might look strange (like Mustard). God Bless that little man. His comments
totally cracked up Mama and me...

Today's Reading of the day... (daily double)

Some days you get a reading that just hits home. Today, on the Feast of the birth of St. John the Baptizer.. it was such a day.

Reading of the day...

Isaiah 49:4
Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God.

And for the Daily Double.. the next verse

Isaiah 49:5
For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!

Peace (and Strength) to you all today

Crash and Rebound

There has been a lot going on in the last few weeks as you can probably tell from the posts that are there and the lack of posts that aren't there. Through it all, I feel like I am getting to a point where my cup is full...all the time... and that any added stress to that cup flows out and over like a raging river of negative emotions screaming in the direction of the offender.

I am not sure of even the word I would use to describe it, but just plain rude and judgemental probably bests describes some of the thoughts that I have had. I am working on coming to an understanding:

1. Not everyone is called to help orphans in the DRC. God calls people to service based upon the cross He feels they can handle not on a worst case basis. To serve others doesn't necessarily mean everyone is served in the order of their needs either. At the end of the day, it is the service to others that God asks of us. You don't get more "points" for one over the other. And you very well may lose "points" for being judgmental of others service (note to self)

2. People just want to be helpful. It is best just to thank them for thinking of you than to ponder how on earth they arrived at a point that is so.....uniquely creative???

3. People are set in their ways. If that is the way it has always been done, they have always been doing it that way for a reason that is important to them. Trying to change that routine will probably upset the apple cart. Decide how important making that change is to you. As Dr. Phil says, if it is only a 5 out of 10, but you feel the importance of the matter to them is a 9 out of 10, it is probably best to back off and change your routine instead of asking them to change theirs.

Deja Vu... Love thy enemy?

It was just yesterday that a certain bible passage came to mind as a part of a conversation that I was having. I'm not one to quote scripture from the air as if there fruit hanging from a tree. But I do tend to remember the gist of the reading, enough to convey my point.

Oddly enough, as I read today's reading, there is it, in the Gospel of Matthew.

Reading of the Day...

Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Peace

Its came and went.. like a 9 miler on a warm muggy Saturday

7576, that's what my running log is showing. By my count that a full 13 miles of the completion marker for Destination Addis Ababa. We made it. Finally! Heck E2 has only been home with us for close to two years now!

So its time to ramp immediately into... Destination Kinshasa. 7080 miles from one page I found during a google search. Its as good of a number as any I supposed. I think its gonna take quite awhile to knock off this next 7080 miles. But each journey starts with one first step.

Onward!!!

Serenity Now. Serenity Now.

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

And while we're at it. I pray...
Today, Bless me with your Grace so that I only see your plan for our family, and not the frustration and anger in my heart.

Trust in God, trust in God

My heart is breaking for a family that is returning from Ghana this week without their 2 little girls. I can not even imagine how difficult that must be, I almost broke down crying just reading their words. Today, I am praying for faith that God has his hand in all of this and his will will prevail. I know I sometimes see our little bumps in our adoption journey as mountains, then like a cold slap of water across the face, you find yourself grieving with a family whose child has past away or after spending 3 months in Ghana, is forced to return home without their little ones. It does really make my worries seem petty as I stew in the "what if" they live every day as "it is". God's will will be done, even in light of the rocky journey we might have ahead. For today, I will focus on the mulch, the tennis and getting us to our fundraising goal!

Great Googly Mooglies!

So wrapped up in other things, that the beginning of the 18 week marathon training schedule came an went. And I'm not talking about just yesterday or the day before. By most account I'm already into week 3. WEEK 3!!!!

Fortunately. Week three is a cut back week, and most training plans have that being in the 6-8 mile range. So I'm good there. But I need to pick a plan pronto as next week will be 9-11 or so.

Giddy up!!

I'm blogging, and blogging and blogging blogging blogging

Did you know that it only costs $19.95 to re-string a tennis racket, and that cost is the cost string which comes in "here I am" yellow or clear? So why wait 20 years? I don't know

Did you know that K is getting an uber cute dress next week that she will look so fly in that you will want to puke?

Did you know that hubby T has a patch of hair growing on his face that he is so intrigued with that he is taking a poll to figure out what shape to shave it into? I think he should color it black and red and make a Chicago Blackhawks symbol in it.

Did you know that E1 has a habit of inviting everyone he meets to come over to our house and play and stay for a couple of days? It has yet to result in a sleep over of any sort though

Did you know that a little girl at the boys day care had a giant blood filled tick in her head yesterday which made me think there was something crawling around in my hair the rest of the day

Did you know I just got 8" cut off my hair that they are going to send down to Louisiana to be woven into a rug and soak up at least 2-3 barrels of oil!

Did you know I had a staring contest with a deer yesterday just before almost slipping down an embankment into the river?

Did you know I am trying to figure out how to fit a family of 5 into a minicooper?

Did you know that in just over a month we hope to be hearing the giggling of our little girl as she torments her brothers echoing around our house!

Prayers are needed for our friends in Guatemala and Central America

I have heard about a Tropical Storm Agatha. But shame on me I've been to busy to pay closer attention. Its wreaking havoc on Guatemala, which of course is a country J and I hold very dear to our hearts.

The size of this sink hole. Its seems unreal. How can it be real, but it is. Please prayer for four Central American Brothers and Sisters.

Massive sinkhole swallows building in Guatemala City in wake of Tropical Storm Agatha

That last day of school feeling....

Has is gone that fast?? Does it always go that fast??
(all you older parents are probably shaking you head.. uh huh..)

Today is the E1's last day for preK. He really loved the class, and especially his teacher Mrs V. What an Angel. E1 has grown so much. There's blue sky outside. The wicked heat from earlier in the week has taken a break. I've got great 70's and 80's tune jamming in my ears as I'm stuck behind these computer monitors. I'm energetic and somewhat in the zone. As opposed to my sleep deprived-zombie like alternate identity.
But I'm distracted. Thinking about E1, and how he's out of school. Thinking about Mama and E2. (Whatya doin?) Exciting is building about bringing K home..

Ok ok.. back to work... Back to my 70's and 80's tune... enjoy!http://www.bigrradio.com/player.php?id=35