Merry CHRISTmas!!

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is coming....

The goose is getting fat! Please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny a half-penny will do. If you haven't got a half-penny, God bless you!

Sorry, I just can't say "Christmas is coming!" without saying the rest of the song! We used to sing it in music class when I was a kid. Did you?

Anyways, I digress......Soon our Christmas festivities will be beginning. I feel like a little kid. I can hardly stand the wait. The problem with getting things like shopping and wrapping done early is that then you have to wait for everybody else to get done too! LOL!

This afternoon Mike's family will be coming over to celebrate Christmas together. Saturday we will be celebrating our own little Christmas here at home. We opted out of going to church on Christmas Eve and having our annual big Christmas Eve party this year. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, we felt there was no way we would make it to church on time if we also did "Christmas morning". So on Sunday, we will go to church and then to my Mom and Dad's.

So today we are cleaning and cooking and getting ready for this afternoon (Mike is off work). Thank goodness for PBS. They are playing all kid's Christmas specials today...Barney, Elmo, Angelina Ballerina, and much to our surprise this morning, Veggie Tales' "The Star of Christmas". So they've been entralled all morning and I've been able to get things done. (Just taking a break because I realized I never ate breakfast!)

Better get moving!

On the 12th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 11th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 10th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

Steven Curtis Chapman & family on CBS

"Millions of viewers will be able to experience the Chapman family's adoption story as the Chapmans will appear on the popular show "CBS Sunday Morning." The segment will offer never-before seen interviews with the family, a behind the scenes look at their home life, and hear touching stories from families impacted by the Shaohannah's Hope Foundation. Hosted by Charles Osgood, CBS Sunday Morning has over seven million viewers every week and has been on the air for over 26 years. The Chapman's story is set to air Christmas morning at 8:30am CST. Check local listings for airdate in your area or log onto www.cbsnews.com/sections/sunday."

Yea!!!!!!

If you've been reading this blog for a while you know that it bugs me when I post a link and it's so long that it makes the blog start way down low. (Did that make sense at all???) Well, I just think it doesn't look good and it's a major waste of space.

But today, DUT-DADA-DA, I have FINALLY figured out how to eliminate this pesky problem!!!!! Yea!!!!!!!!

All I had to do was make the type smaller in the link. How easy was that??? Wish I would've thought of that sooner!

So anyways.....problem solved! I'm happy!!

A blogger's Christmas wish list

Do you think Santa reads blogs?? Well, anyways.....here goes....

Dear Santa,

I don't know if you've been reading my new blog this year. I'm kind of new at this so I'm doing the best I can. Here is a small list of things I'm wishing for this year for my blog.

1. The ability to post all those cute little "smileys".

2. Fresh ideas for thought-provoking posts.

3. The ability to post audio files so I can share all my favorite songs.

4. Loyal readers who leave comments. (Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!)

5. The ability to block "spam comments".

6. New readers (YIKES! I can't believe I said that!)

Thanks Santa!

love,
Jill

P.S. - I've been very good this year!

On the 9th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

I remember when I was a little girl, my Grandma would play I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day on the organ. She bought the sheet music so it must have been a song she liked. I now have that piece of sheet music.

As I grow older, many songs and hymns have come to have a deeper meaning to me than they did in my youth. One of those is this Christmas song . The words were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, but the theme of right prevailing over wrong comes right out of Scripture.

I love the way this song builds up to the fourth verse, from despair to hope.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

I thought as now this day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long unbroken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men."

http://www.rienzihills.com/ChristmasSing/iheardthebells.htm

On the 8th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 7th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 6th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

Gracie and Santa!

Santa came to preschool on Wednesday and I've forgotten to post a picture until today. I was a little unsure of how Grace would react since this is her first real encounter with Santa. But she loved it. When I walked in she was sitting on his lap and I was able to snap this photo quickly. He was a great Santa....very tall and impressive, yet very gentle with the children and not "over the top".

On the 5th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 4th day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me...

Ziggy funny

Wednesday morning thoughts

Good morning!

I haven't posted much lately on the things going on in our life. I've purposely tried to keep this blog rather light-hearted and quite honestly, I don't like to talk about myself. Maybe it's a deep security thing of being vulnerable and not sharing too much. But mostly I think it's because I don't think it does any good to just throw your problems all out there for everyone to know. So I tend to wallow in them all by myself. [Picture me rolling my eyes at myself.]

But if you are reading this and going through a really difficult time, I don't want you to think that I'm sitting here posting cute little things on this blog and don't have a care in the world. I struggle...A LOT! One of our children brings me to tears almost on a daily basis. But thankfully, this child also brings me to my knees in prayer every day too. I get frustrated because God doesn't give me all the answers now. It seems to me that it would make things so much easier if we understood "why?" But God, in His infinite wisdom knows the answers and in His time he will make it known to me....or maybe not. And that is where faith comes in. More and more I realize that our lives require so much faith.

Anyways....I'm rambling. But I didn't want anyone to think for a moment that I have everything together. Most days I'm a mess actually!

If you are struggling, I pray that you would experience God's strength today.

And for some reason, this little "talk" reminded me of the essay "Footprints". So here it is:

Footprints in the Sand
by Mary Stevenson

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied,"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial andsuffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I Carried You."

And of course, I couldn't leave you without a song! Here are two, actually, that have meant a lot to me lately.

He Will Carry Me, by Mark Schultz
http://markschultzmusic.com/album.asp
[To listen to a clip, look under the album
Stories and Songs and click on #9]

I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more then I can bear
I feel so empty
Your strong, I'm weary
I'm holding on
But I feel like giving in
But still You're with me

And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me

I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
Your always with me

And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
He will carry me

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You'd see me through the storm

And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
He will carry me
He will carry me


and Take My Hand , sung by The Kry
http://www.thekry.com/2003/standardsite.html
[To hear a clip, click on "music", then "you", then
"listen to clips", then "take my hand"]

I know there are times
your dreams turn to dust
you wonder as you cry
why it has to hurt so much
give Me all your sadness
someday you will know the reason why
with a child-like heart
simply put your trust in Me

CHORUS:
Take My hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on Me alone
don't you say why were the old days better
just because you're scared of the unknown
take My hand and walk

Don't live in the past
cause yesterday's gone
wishing memories would last
you're afraid to carry on
you don't know what's comin'
but you know the one who holds tomorrow
I will be your guide
take you through the night
if you keep your eyes on Me

Take my hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on me alone
don't you say why were the old days better
just because you're afraid of the unknown
take my hand and walk where I lead
you will never be alone
faith is to be sure of what you hope for
and the evidence of things unseen
so take my hand and walk

Just like a child holding daddy's hand
don't let go of mine
you know you can't stand on your own
(repeat chorus)

Words by Jean-Luc Lajoie and Yves LajoieMusic by Jean-Luc Lajoie

Have a great day!!!

On the 3rd day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me....

On the 2nd day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me....

The 12 Days of Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.....

Happy belated birthday Samuel!!

Our sweet Samuel turned 7 yesterday!!! Hard to believe! I was busy getting ready for his big party and didn't have time to post yesterday, but here are some pictures.

Samuel chose to have a Thomas the Train party....we've been talking about it for about 6 months now!!! He was BEYOND excited by the time his birthday finally came. We got him a Thomas cake from Giant Eagle that had a little Thomas that you could wind up and it would run around a little oval track on the cake. It was too cute. Samuel had the BEST time!

[ Don't be confused by the photo. We decided to get more money out of his Halloween costume so we put the train back on his wheelchair.]

A good reminder!

In the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, this is a great reminder of how important our attitude is....and especially of who we represent at this Christmas time.

Gotta love those "girltalk girls!"

http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/

Have a CHEERFUL Monday everybody!!!!

Happy Birthday Mike!!!!!

Love you Babe!!!!!

File this under "Who'd Have Thought...?"

I don't usually post stuff like this but I read this and just thought it was amazing! God's creation surely is awesome!!

Wasps Could Replace Bomb, Drug Dogs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051203/ap_on_sc/bomb_sniffing_wasps

One last thing...

If you've stuck with me this far, on this last day of National Adoption Awareness Month, I want to share with you one last thing....a beautiful song by Steven Curtis Chapman....When Love Takes You In.

http://www.scchapman.de/Visuelles/index.php?Show=ALEGROlogy&DocPor=&DocPro=http&DocNam=Main.Htm&DocDir=/Visuelles/&DocHoN=www.scchapman.deShow=ALEGROlogy&DocPor=&DocPro=http&DocNam=Main.Htm&DocDir=/Visuelles/&DocHoN=www.scchapman.de

Follow this link and scroll down until you see the title of this song to view the video.

FYI - I've heard that SCC's new Christmas CD is great. It's titled All I Really Want For Christmas. I heard the title song on the radio the other day and let me warn you...you'll need your hankie!

Have a GREAT day!

Jill

Help save this show!!!!

I just read this morning that one of my favorite shows Three Wishes may be ending. If you love this inspiring, "family friendly" show as much as I do, please consider sending a quick email to NBC to let them know that you want this show to continue. Click the link to find out more!

http://www.amygrant.com/

Thanks!

Have a great day!

Up early with the turkey and just popped in to say,
May you have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!

(Okay, so I'm not a poet!)

Ministry to Orphans

So maybe you don't feel like adoption is for you. Here are some other ways that you can minister to orphans and other needy children of the world:

1. Sponsor a child through an organization such as Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/Default)

2. Go on an organized mission trip to an orphanage.

3. Consider giving financial assistance to a family who is adopting.

4. Find out the needs of a particular orphanage (such as blankets, medicines, clothes, baby supplies) and send them along with a mission team or a family who is traveling to get their child.

5. Participate in Operation Christmas Child. (http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC_Index.asp)

6. Give financially to other organizations who provide humanitarian aid to orphans...such as Dillon International (http://www.orphancareintl.org/) or Here I Am Orphan Ministry (http://www.angelfire.com/or3/hereiam/Missions.html)

Most of all....PRAY!!!!!

Samuel

Samuel joined our children's choir at church this year. Yesterday they sang in church for the first time. Here's a picture that Grampa took of him in his choir robe.

Happy Adoption Day!

On this day meant to bring awareness to adoption, I look at my own children and acknowledge how blessed I am. To have had your family formed by God by bringing members together from opposite sides of the world is just mind-boggling. It truly is a miracle!

I am also reminded of the work of our adoption agency professionals and government officials (yes, even them!) on our behalf. We are so grateful for all the help, advice, and support we received.

Also, I think of all the loving encouragement and support we received and continue to receive from so many people....especially our family. Thank you!

Adoption is an amazing and wonderful blessing! It causes you to look beyond yourself in so many ways. But in return, you are blessed beyond measure. I hope that as I've shared thoughts and resources related to adoption this month that you have looked inside yourself to what YOU can do to show God's love to orphans all over the world.

Lastly, I want to say to my children, Samuel, Noah, and Grace.....Mommy loves you so much!!! I don't think I could love you any more than I do!!! You challenge me every day to be a better Mom and a better person. God did an amazing miracle when he brought us all together to be a family!

Happy Adoption Day!!!!!

Great is His faithfulness!

When you were a kid, did you ever read the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day? Well, yesterday I felt like Alexander. I was doing the "ugly cry", as Oprah calls it, all over the place. [click here to hear this book read by the author - http://www.kennedy-center.org/multimedia/storytimeonline/alexander.html]

Lately it has hit home to me how we are so blessed to have a chance every morning to start over again. I've been praying that a lot at bedtime with the kids...."Thank you Lord that we have a new chance tomorrow to start over and to do a better job." Isn't it awesome that we have a God that is full of mercy and that his mercies are new every morning? (Lamentations 3)

Of course this brings to mind the words of my all-time favorite hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

http://www.cgmusic.com/cghymnal/others/greatisthyfaithfulness.htm

Have a great new day!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

We love you!!!!!!

You gotta try this!

This is bizarre!!!! Have you heard of this 20 questions game?
Try it. You'll be amazed!

http://www.20q.net/

More waiting children

Here is another photolisting of children waiting for a family.

http://www.adopting.com/photolisting/index.shtml

Updated photo of the three amigos

Samuel, Grace, and Noah!!

Ode to the pomegranate...

Last year I was introduced to the pomegranate. Pomegranate season is rather short, about November to January. In honor of having my first pomegranate of the season yesterday (thanks to Grandma & Grace - a.k.a. The Shopping Buddies), I was going to write a few tidbits about the joys of this wonderful and unique fruit.

In doing a Google search I discovered that not only is November National Adoption Awareness Month it is ALSO National Pomegranate Month....WHO KNEW???????

Soooooo.....in honor of National Pomegranate Month here is a little info for you. You can file it under "Everything I never needed to know about pomegranates." Oh, and I promise that I won't write about pomegranates every day for the rest of the month! Although.....I do have one more sitting on my counter so I may get inspired....you never know!

www.pomwonderful.com

www.pomegranates.org

America's waiting children

As you probably know there are thousands of children of all ages waiting in our country's foster care system for permanent homes and a family who will love them forever.

If you do a search, most states have web sites with photolistings of available children. Here is Ohio's.

http://jfs.ohio.gov/oapl/

Leaving comments

Okay, for all you regular readers who have told me that you don't know how to leave a comment (and you know who you are! ;o) ), here are some instructions. It is really very easy!

At the bottom of one of my posts you will see the number of comments that have been left...in my case that's usually ZERO! ANYWAYS...just click on that. You'll see the spot to type your comment. When you are done choose "Other" then type in your name. You do not have to have a web address so you can leave that blank. Then click "Publish".

And PULEEEEEZ...you KNOW how I feel about anonymous comments, so please sign your name!!!!!!!!

And if you'd like, you can shoot me an email about a particular post by clicking on the envelope at the bottom of the post as well.

Party photos

Happy Birthday Noah!!!!!!

[Noah at age 1 and today]
Our little guy is 6 today!! Happy Birthday Noah-Bean!!!!!!!
We love you!!!!!!

Hope For Orphans

FamilyLife (part of Campus Crusade) has started a ministry to provide information to those who are interested in adoption. The ministry is called Hope For Orphans. One thing they do is have all-day workshops called If You Were Mine. From the information on their web site, it looks like they cover just about everything you would need to know about adopting. I wish this was available when we first started out.

http://www.familylife.com/hopefororphans/

Helpful ideas

Things to do to help an adopting family:

1. Encourage them while they wait. (But don't continually ask them "So when ARE you going to get that baby/child?" It's like asking a pregnant woman, "Haven't you had that baby YET?")

2. Provide meals, offer to run errands, or help with housework for them after their child arrives, just like you would do for a mom who just delivered.

3. Provide financial help for their adoption or travel.

4. Host a baby shower for an adoptive family while they wait or after their child is home.

5. Ask to see pictures of the child they are waiting for.

6. Be supportive and positive.

7. Love them!

8. Pray for them!

Adoption books for kids

A Mother For Choco is a about a cute little bird who goes looking for a mother of his own.

Happy Adoption Day! is a colorful book celebrating the day a child becomes part of a forever family.

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes is a beautiful book about a mother waiting for her daughter in China.

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis is a fun book about a couple's wild trip to get their newborn baby.

Shaoey and Dot is about a baby girl named Shaoey and her adventure to finding her own mother. This one was written by Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman.
www.shaoeyanddot.com

12 years and counting

On Sunday, Mike and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. Wow....it's hard to believe! But on the other hand it seems like our wedding day was ages ago. I am blessed to be married to a man who loves the Lord and truly is a man of God.

To celebrate our "special day", Mike took yesterday off from work so we could spend the day together. We got the kids off to school and Grandma's and headed out for a day of window shopping and lunch. It was a BEAUTIFUL Autumn day (It snowed on our wedding day!) and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. It was nice to be able to share some quiet time together....that doesn't happen much any more!

Anyways, I'm thankful for a wonderful husband and a special day to share together!

Financial assistance for adoption

I think there are probably a lot of people who are interested in adopting a child but they just assume that the costs are out of their reach. Personally, I believe that if God puts adoption on your heart and you step out in faith and say "Yes", He will provide the funds. And He may do it in some very unexpected ways.

Here is a link to a huge listing adoption assistance programs.

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/adoptionhelp/adopthelp.html

You were adopted too!

Ephesians 1:3-14

3 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
4 Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
5 His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.
6 So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son.
7 He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.
8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure.
10 And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth.
11 Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.
12 God's purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God.
13 And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.

(New Living Translation)

Waiting children

Here is a photolisting of children waiting for their forever families.

http://www.rainbowkids.com/wc/viewChildren.jsp?sort=7

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans.....James 1:27

Better late than never!

Here are photos of the kids in their Halloween costumes. They had so much fun!

Favorite Link Friday - 11/4/05

In keeping with the adoption theme for the month, here is a link to a site with just about any information on adoption that you could possibly need. It is kind of a clearinghouse for adoption information and has tons of links. I often recommend this site to people who ask me about adoption or are just beginning the adoption process and are trying to decide which direction to go.

http://www.adopting.com

Oh my!!!!!

Have you seen this??? I would be on my hands and knees....that is if you could get me on it at all!! It is pretty cool though!

August 26, 2005—Fear of heights? This is definitely no place for you.
The all-glass, balcony-like "Skywalk"--shown in an illustration released this week--will extend over the edge of the Grand Canyon, 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above the Colorado River.
"The Skywalk will be an attraction unlike any other in the world," said Sheri Yellowhawk, CEO of the Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. The company is building the bridge in the Hualapai Indian Reservation on the south rim of the canyon.
The Skywalk is scheduled to open to the public in January 2006 as part of a new resort on the reservation. The resort, known as Grand Canyon West, is to include a re-created Indian village and a restaurant perched on the edge of the canyon. Tourism is the reservation's biggest source of income.
Grand Canyon West will be on the western edge of Grand Canyon National Park, about 120 miles (about 200 kilometers) from Las Vegas. But perhaps not even the Las Vegas Strip's over-the-top attractions will be a match for this glass-bottom walkway over the world's biggest gorge.
—David Braun

Why adoption?

Maybe you've never thought about adoption. Maybe you're thinking "Why WOULD I think about adoption?"

Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth shared their story of adoption on the Family Life Today radio broadcast a couple years ago. Maybe you have some of the same thoughts and questions that they did. Or maybe you've never even considered adoption. I hope you will take time to listen to this 2-part broadcast (Each part is about 20 minutes long) and maybe it will change your perspective.

http://www.familylife.com/fltoday/default.asp?id=6887&search=1&showType=&guests=steven+curtis+chapman&strMonth=&strDay=&strYear=&keywords=&image1.x=35&image1.y=11

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans.....James 1:27

Blahhhh!!!!

I'm so tired of this! I'm sick AGAIN...sore throat and chills this time. I think all that Halloween candy did me in! And I slept horribly last night...tossed and turned all night....and kept poor Mike awake too. I feel like crawling under a rock until Spring!!

It's going to be a LONGggggg winter!!!

Staggering statistics regarding orphans

According to the United Nations, there are more than
5.5 million orphans in Africa
3.5 million orphans in Asia
1.5 million orphans in Eastern Europe
Nearly 400,000 orphans in Latin America
Over 135,000 children in the US foster care system!


Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans.....James 1:27

November is Adoption Awareness Month!!

Welcome to November!!

In case you didn't know it, November has been designated as Adoption Awareness Month. Here is a little history of how this came to be.

Adoption Month History

The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in Massachusetts. In 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of states participating and the number of events.
During the month, states, communities, public and private organizations, businesses, families, and individuals celebrate adoption as a positive way to build families. Across the nation, activities and observances such as recognition dinners, public awareness and recruitment campaigns, and special events spotlight the needs of children who need permanent families. It also includes National Adoption Day, traditionally a Saturday, which is observed in courthouses across the nation as hundreds of adoptions are finalized simultaneously.

Obviously, adoption is something that is close to our hearts. Because of that, I hope to share something related to adoption every day this month. Hopefully, it will inspire someone to consider this wonderful way to build a family.

Happy Halloween!!

Quote of the day:

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!"
- Lucy Van Pelt (in Peanuts by Charles M. Schultz)

Favorite Link Friday - 10/29/05

Okay, so technically this isn't a favorite website, but do you just love this show or what?????

http://www.nbc.com/Three_Wishes/

Look what we did!

Thinking out loud here...

This week is Red Ribbon Week at school....a national anti-drug campaign that encourages kids that they are "too cool to do drugs." My first thought was "Hello!!!!!! Do kindergarteners even KNOW what drugs are?" Samuel brought home a paper he was supposed to fill in telling what HIS "anti-drug" is....something that he likes to do instead of doing drugs. Give me a break!!!!!! The child didn't even know what drugs were until you told him. I knew I needed to help him with it, but honestly I didn't even want to say the word in front of him. But sure enough, when I said that we don't do drugs because they're bad and they make us sick, he very assuredly agreed. And THEN, Grace pipes up and says "And if we see them on the ground we DON'T pick them up!" Oyyyyyy!!!!!!!

Now I have nothing against anti-drug campaigns, but MY GOODNESS, do we have to bring it up quite this soon? It just makes me a little sad that we have to take away a little of their innocense to protect them. We have to introduce them to the "bad thing" in order to protect them from it. I'm sure there is some kind of study out there to support the idea of starting these programs at such a young age, but it really is such a shame that we have to.

Okay, I'll quit ranting now. And by the way, the thing Samuel was most excited about was that EVERYONE was supposed to wear red today in support of Red Ribbon Week.

So true!

Favorite Link Friday - 10/21/05

Over the last week or so I've actually been able to work on a hobby of mine...scrapbooking. BUT, I've been trying something new. I found out about paper bag albums and so I decided to try making one. Well, it turned out kind of cute so now I've decided to make one for each of the boy's teachers for Christmas. It's really fun and addicting. So much so that I've told myself that I can't work on the albums again until I finish Samuel's Halloween costume. (That's a whole other story....and I don't want to give anything away. Stay tuned!)

But anyways....In case you haven't seen a paper bag album, for today's favorite link here's a site that has instructions.

http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_1053.shtml

Do you have days like this?

"Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed. She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button. She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry. She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair. She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse. Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution &age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails. Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said. She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework. In her own room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed." And he did...without another thought."

Here I am

For those of you who read regularly (and I thank you!)....sorry that I've been MIA. I haven't felt like I've had much to share lately and quite honestly, I'm just plain ol' tired!!!

I hate to write about my "woes" because I know there are so many people out there, some who might be reading this (?), that are in far more difficult situations than me...so I won't. I will say that being a Mom is the greatest job on earth, but some days are just heart-breaking. I draw strength from knowing that my Lord knows what I can handle and that if I hold onto His hand each day and let Him lead, He will give me strength to get through each moment. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. I hope that gives you encouragement today!

Favorite Link Friday - 10/7/05

Happy Friday!

Here are the websites of two of my favorite artists. Hopefully on this Friday you have time to sit back and enjoy a little art and inspiration.

http://www.sandyclough.com/frameset.htm

http://www.maryengelbreit.com/CuteScoop/CuteScoop.htm

Have a great weekend!!

Kid funnies

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kirsten, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. -- Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. -- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9

And the #1 Favorite is.....

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

(Thanks for the laugh Tina!)

Verse of the day

Here's a great verse to remember as you start a new week. This is especially good for moms of small children.

Galations 6:9
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. "

Here's what this verse says in "The Message":

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit."

We have one of Steve Green's Hide 'Em In Your Heart CDs. It is full of catchy Scripture songs for kids. (I highly recommend it by the way) One of the songs is based on this verse. Here's a link if you want to listen to a snippet.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=CD36521-7&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW#curr

Have a great day!!

Something Else To Share

Back in 2001 we met a couple, Jay and Suzanne Faske, who were in the process of adopting their daughter Miriam Grace from India at the same time we were waiting for Grace. We got to know them a little bit at a Dillon International India reunion in Tulsa. At that time, they had four children....two biological sons and a son and daughter adopted from India...and they were waiting for the referral of their fifth child.

As it turned out, perfectly arranged by God, we were both given the clearance to travel to India to get our daughters at the same time. We had planned for Mike to go get Grace and for me to stay at home with Noah since he was still so small. Jay and Suzanne had planned to both travel, but in the aftermath of September 11th, they decided that just Suzanne would travel and Jay would stay at home with their children. So we were able to make travel arrangements together. Both Mike and Suzanne flew to Amsterdam. They met there and were able to travel the rest of the way to Calcutta together. It was a great arrangement....Suzanne was a great help to Mike with all the "Mommy" stuff and Mike was able to take care of all the travel logistics. They both arrived home safely with our beautiful daughters.

Although we haven't been able to keep in close contact, I feel we will always have a bond with the Faskes. We have been able to keep up with all of what they are up to through their websites http://www.angelfire.com/or3/hereiam/index.html and www.foreverfamilies.org.
If you check these out you will see that they have been VERY busy! Since bringing Miriam home, they have adopted 8 more children...from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and now Colombia! It is amazing to read all of their stories. They have also started an orphan ministry called Here I Am. The Faskes are currently in Colombia to bring home their 13th child, Jonah. (I believe they are actually coming home today. ) Jonah's story is particularly amazing. I hope you will read about it here. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to read about Jonah.)

http://www.angelfire.com/az3/foreverfamilies/1FaskeFamily.html

We've been truly inspired by this family and their compassion and tireless work on the behalf of orphaned children and I wanted to share their stories with you.

Favorite Link Friday - 9/30/05

This is one of my most favorite catalogs. My heart goes pitter-patter when it comes in the mail! They have recently revamped their web-site. I haven't had a chance to really check it out yet, but you can bet your boots I will!

http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/

Enjoy!!!!

Five Finger Prayer

I received this in an email from Mike's Mom this morning. I thought it was a great idea to share.

The Five-Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Have a great day!

A Fine Evening

Good morning!

We had a late night last night. Our family was invited to a fund raising dinner for MCCD- the Midwest Council for Children with Disabilities. This is the group that so generously pays for Samuel and Noah's hippotherapy and spider therapy. They were also responsible for finding the used wheelchair lift that Mike is working on getting in our van.

We had a great time. Everyone was so kind to the kids. And as for myself personally, I was overwhelmed and humbled by people's generosity. During the day there was a golf outing. Different companies paid to sponsor holes. Individuals and companies also paid to have foursomes play. They had a raffle for a large plasma screen TV as well as a $1 raffle for smaller prizes. The fact that just about everyone went home with a prize showed that many people generously bought tickets. One lady bought raffle tickets and gave a couple to each of our kids, so even they were involved. Somehow we went home with 2 stovetop popcorn poppers, a Christmas tree ornament, and a golf shirt! Each of the kids there were also given a Halloween pumpkin bucket with a coloring book, crayons, and play-doh in it. There was a silent auction as well. There must have been at least 75 items....event tickets, gift certificates, autographed items, a bike, a HUGE stuffed toy horse. They also had a live auction for tickets in a dugout suite for an Indians game (That alone went for over $4000 I think) and also a bat that they had all the kids "sign".

We had a nice dinner and they showed a powerpoint presentation showing all the Ohio kids that they support and telling a little bit about hippotherapy. Samuel was especially excited to see his face on the screen.
We got to visit with two of our therapist/friends from Angel Acres, Vicki and Judi. And we made some new friends too.

So we had a great time, but it sure was tough getting up this morning. It was almost a one hour drive there and home so we got home pretty late. But we managed to get the boys up and ready for school and off on the bus.

We are so grateful to MCCD and Angel Acres. They have been so very generous to us.

Favorite Link Friday - 9/23/05

I just can't help posting this one today!

Look out Chicago....Here we come!!!!!!!!!!

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=cle

GO TRIBE!!!!!!!!!