I had this video once before but now I work face-to-face with kids in foster care. So . . . Many . . . Wait . . . for an adoptive family.
Today I heard the story of a girl who just turned 18--the legal age in which she is an adult and taken off the adoption register. "Hope" asked if she could please, please, stay on the listing one more year because she is still in high school and hasn't given up on finding a family to call her own.
They agency told her yes.
And so she waits, and prays, still full of hope. Still believing it can happen.
All she wants is a family.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Redundant
RE: Returning
Response?
- Groceries Restocked
- Laundry Redone
- Sock Basket Refilled
- Mending Repaired
- Cars Refueled
- Goals Renewed
- Christmas Tree Recycled
- Backpacks Reorganized
- School Supplies Replenished
- Homework Box Resupplied
- Lunchboxes Reopened
- Schedule Refurbished
- Bedtime Reinstated
Response?
I want a rewind and repeat of vacation relaxation, recreation and rejuvenation!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
40-Something
Birthday Celebration! Enjoyed our last day of vacation with dinner out--a birthday gift from my parents:
Check out the bday card from my sister:
On the inside it says that some things are more frightening than having another birthday! LOL! True that!
Will had to work but James joined us for the second half:
Check out the bday card from my sister:
On the inside it says that some things are more frightening than having another birthday! LOL! True that!
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010: Rocks, Resolutions, Relationships and Religion
Remember the beginning of 2009? My rocks?
Those beautiful stones have been a reminder on my counter ever since. They were one of the first things I unpacked when we moved.
But an interesting transformation has occurred--one that parallels the past year.
My rocks now overfloweth.
Throughout the year I would come upon an especially beautiful pebble and just KNOW I had to put it in my jar. I even found more marbles from my grandmother. If you look carefully at the picture above, you will see the rocks hold precariously to the edge--a tap sends them tumbling.
The past year was an especially crazy one with homeschooling, college, several internships, multiple trips, buying and selling a home--then moving. It was definitely one of our busier years. Even though every second seemed full, things seemed to be going smoothly enough.
Then one day in November I received an e-mail from one of my best friends. It read something like this:
"Hi Ann!
I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and miss seeing you! I was just listening to a speaker on the radio talk about the importance of friends, how we really have very few BEST friends in our lives, and how we need to keep our friendships strong.
It made me think of you. I know you're super busy but I want to have coffee together sometime soon :-) We never see each other anymore!
Hope you are well, C.
It was just a simple e-mail. No finger-pointing. Just a desire to connect. On any other day I probably would have just smiled and cybered a quick reply.
But that day? That day it just really hit me that I hadn't been spending time with ANY of my friends. And I realized I hadn't been connecting with my extended family very well either. In my quest to keep things running smoothly with those at arm's reach, I had neglected others that I loved. And I was neglecting myself in the process. It was a wake-up call. On that day, it all began to change. I started picking up the phone more, sending quick e-mails, having friends over for dinner.
What I realized was this: it doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal. Stopping by the park with friends doesn't mean I have to block out an entire two hours. I can stay for 30 minutes and still nurture our friendship. A little is better than none at all.
Relationships are my priority for 2010.
Today I began the idea of THREE. The Trinity--in honor of God and in honor of my three most important relationships--Family, Friends, and Faith. When I don't think I have time for something (and in the process someone) I ask myself if it can be worked into a Trinity. Can I strengthen a relationship in 30 minutes, like the example above? Can I make a phone call in 9 (3 cubed)? Perhaps a small connection in 3 minutes, like sending an e-mail? At the very least, a 3 second prayer--which can ALWAYS be done.
It's not like I'm going to be leaning over a stop-watch. I'm just going to remind myself to find a way to take time for those I love.
Some of the rocks will have to be taken out of my jar--the important ones will remain.
Those beautiful stones have been a reminder on my counter ever since. They were one of the first things I unpacked when we moved.
But an interesting transformation has occurred--one that parallels the past year.
My rocks now overfloweth.
Throughout the year I would come upon an especially beautiful pebble and just KNOW I had to put it in my jar. I even found more marbles from my grandmother. If you look carefully at the picture above, you will see the rocks hold precariously to the edge--a tap sends them tumbling.
The past year was an especially crazy one with homeschooling, college, several internships, multiple trips, buying and selling a home--then moving. It was definitely one of our busier years. Even though every second seemed full, things seemed to be going smoothly enough.
Then one day in November I received an e-mail from one of my best friends. It read something like this:
"Hi Ann!
I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and miss seeing you! I was just listening to a speaker on the radio talk about the importance of friends, how we really have very few BEST friends in our lives, and how we need to keep our friendships strong.
It made me think of you. I know you're super busy but I want to have coffee together sometime soon :-) We never see each other anymore!
Hope you are well, C.
It was just a simple e-mail. No finger-pointing. Just a desire to connect. On any other day I probably would have just smiled and cybered a quick reply.
But that day? That day it just really hit me that I hadn't been spending time with ANY of my friends. And I realized I hadn't been connecting with my extended family very well either. In my quest to keep things running smoothly with those at arm's reach, I had neglected others that I loved. And I was neglecting myself in the process. It was a wake-up call. On that day, it all began to change. I started picking up the phone more, sending quick e-mails, having friends over for dinner.
What I realized was this: it doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal. Stopping by the park with friends doesn't mean I have to block out an entire two hours. I can stay for 30 minutes and still nurture our friendship. A little is better than none at all.
Relationships are my priority for 2010.
Today I began the idea of THREE. The Trinity--in honor of God and in honor of my three most important relationships--Family, Friends, and Faith. When I don't think I have time for something (and in the process someone) I ask myself if it can be worked into a Trinity. Can I strengthen a relationship in 30 minutes, like the example above? Can I make a phone call in 9 (3 cubed)? Perhaps a small connection in 3 minutes, like sending an e-mail? At the very least, a 3 second prayer--which can ALWAYS be done.
It's not like I'm going to be leaning over a stop-watch. I'm just going to remind myself to find a way to take time for those I love.
Some of the rocks will have to be taken out of my jar--the important ones will remain.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Optimus Prime Speaks To My Heart
We celebrated Joe yesterday with homemade mac and cheese and rootbeer floats. His favorites! We also watched Transformers 2 because Joe was a HUGE Transformers fan.
The last line of the movie seemed to come right from Joe. A victorious Optimus Prime says,
"I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message so that our past will always be remembered. For in those memories, we live on."
Pretty cool.
Hoping everyone in blogland is having a safe and happy New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year!
The last line of the movie seemed to come right from Joe. A victorious Optimus Prime says,
"I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message so that our past will always be remembered. For in those memories, we live on."
Pretty cool.
Hoping everyone in blogland is having a safe and happy New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I Can Only Imagine . . .
Happy Birthday to Joe. Happy Birthday to me.
I don't celebrate today for the reasons I shared last year with my post on the parallel of birthmother grief.
In that post I was able to put my emotions into words--rare. I'm beginning to think Joe would want me to celebrate OUR day. But I can't. Not yet. Maybe never.
Today, I just think about him, the incredible day he was born, and the 21 birthdays that followed.
Today, I try to imagine the day we will celebrate together again--forever.
I Can Only Imagine:
I don't celebrate today for the reasons I shared last year with my post on the parallel of birthmother grief.
In that post I was able to put my emotions into words--rare. I'm beginning to think Joe would want me to celebrate OUR day. But I can't. Not yet. Maybe never.
Today, I just think about him, the incredible day he was born, and the 21 birthdays that followed.
Today, I try to imagine the day we will celebrate together again--forever.
I Can Only Imagine:
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I love Kathy . . . and Kathy . . . and Kathy . . .
It's snowing here--very unexpectedly!
I decided to use my new little Santa mug from my friend Kathy before my children found it and claimed it as their own! And of course, I needed a snack to go with it :-)
Here's what's funny. The cranberry bars are also from a friend Kathy and the Chex Mix is from another dear Kathy friend. One of my best friends from high school is named Kathy and our social worker too! And I have a few more friends named Kathy (or Kathie or Cathy or Kathi) and they are all wonderful women!
I think being named Kathy must just make a person naturally nice!
I love all my Kathys!!!
I decided to use my new little Santa mug from my friend Kathy before my children found it and claimed it as their own! And of course, I needed a snack to go with it :-)
Here's what's funny. The cranberry bars are also from a friend Kathy and the Chex Mix is from another dear Kathy friend. One of my best friends from high school is named Kathy and our social worker too! And I have a few more friends named Kathy (or Kathie or Cathy or Kathi) and they are all wonderful women!
I think being named Kathy must just make a person naturally nice!
I love all my Kathys!!!
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