I've been tagged by Rebecca, and figured since I'm putting the future 'face' of my blog in her hands, I'd better be a good sport! Just kidding, Rebecca is super talented, super nice, and she's adopting an adorable boy from China and naming him Owen. How could I NOT play! Back to being tagged. I'm supposed to list 3 random things about myself, and tag some other people. Since I'm relatively new to blogging, and tagging seems very popular lately...I'm having trouble deciding who I should actually send this to. So, if you're reading this and haven't been tagged lately, consider yourself tagged by me and play along. Leave me a comment.....I'd love to find out more about you.
1. I'm embarrassed to say, but I actually LIKE the the kids' fruit chewy snacks, especially around 3:00 in the afternoon! Who needs Dunkin Donuts coffee...throw a few pieces of chocolate in with them and I'm good to go till supper!
2. When I'm nervous or in deep thought I have a habit of twirling my hair around my index finger.
3. During my pregnancy with Nathan, I was considered the "textbook pregnancy gal" by my midwife group. When I would go in for checkups, I would always measure right on... I'd gain exactly the "right" amount of weight etc.....well, guess what???? After 48+ hours of labor, I delivered a 10lb 14oz, 23" long baby boy!!!! Thank goodness I didn't know how BIG he was, because if I HAD known, I would have asked to go directly to the ER for a C-section, as there's no way I'm doing this;-)! The up side (other than the fact Nathan was totally healthy and absolutely gorgeous, thank you God!), was I only had 8 lbs to loose after I delivered!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When...
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!).
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth (2 years!).
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
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Monday, April 28, 2008
Robin's Nest
Much to my delight, I've discovered that our deck has been chosen by a pair of robins to become a nesting site for a future family;-). The nest is more specifically underneath the deck, carefully built on one of the support beams.
It's definitely protected from the wind and rain, but I'm a bit concerned as it's not too far off the ground, and quite easily seen, so I'm hoping it will be safe from predators. As of right now, there are no eggs in it. I was able to reach up, point and shoot with our camera and get this picture.
Our labs, Sawyer and Finn (being the bird dogs they are;-) have already 'discovered' it. Thankfully, the most they do is sniff the bottom of the wood post it's on, or run after one of the adults as he/she flies easily to a nearby branch in a tree.
It amazes me as to how birds build their comfy nests out of twigs, grass and mud in such perfect form. I have quite a soft spot in my heart for robins. For those of you who read my Easter post(click here if you'd like to now) you may recall that from an early age, there's always been a connection for me to God/Jesus when I see a robin. Today, as I watch the robins fly to and from the nest, I'm reminded of another encounter with a robin, which happened 5 years ago today, that I firmly believe was sent to provide comfort during a painful time in my life. For those interested, I'd like to share the story now:
As only animal lovers can relate to, my first 'baby' was the most sweet, gentle, loyal Golden Retriever, I lovingly named Bailey. I got him as a puppy when I was living on my own, working part time, and finishing college. Bailey was wonderful company, and became my faithful companion for almost 14 years. Bailey shared with me many milestones in my life. He was with me while I finished college. Ever present through failed relationships; ready to help mend my broken heart more than once;-). Bailey moved with me 3 times. He obediently took 'second' place to John. He reluctantly got used to, and shared space with John's Maine Coon cat after John and I got married. Bailey lovingly tolerated, played and protected a small soul named Nathan who, more times than I can count, used Bailey's hair and back to help him stand, or lay against his body as a pillow. Bailey 'enjoyed' it all over again with little Owen. With my changing life, the time and attention I used to have for Bailey rapidly dwindled. He accepted the changes as only a dog can do, and was ever present, waiting with an eager heart and wagging tail when I did have time.
Bailey almost made it to 14, but toward the end of his 13th year he started to rapidly fail. When the unmistakable time came to help end his apparent, but quiet suffering, I was very fortunate our Vet was willing to come to the house and help Bailey die as I sat next to him, gently stroking his head in my lap, thinking about all the years we spent together. My beloved, faithful companion that I shared so much with, was gone.
Needless to say, I cried for the remainder of the day and then some. The most difficult time came that day after supper, when I would normally take Bailey out for 'our time' to play fetch. I sat in our family room, trying to distract my mind by playing with Nathan and baby Owen. I remember vividly, it was a beautiful warm spring day and all the windows, as well as the slider door from the room to the deck, was open. As Nathan, Owen and I played, a robin flew down and perched itself on our deck railing right outside the open slider door. What I found odd, was that the bird didn't face outward toward the yard, but it faced looking directly into the room and sang loudly and merrily. Despite Nathan running around, and the 'human' noise the bird must have heard, the robin didn't fly away, or even stop it's singing. The robin remained singing for a good 15 minutes. With tears streaming down my face, I knew, without a doubt, God had sent this robin to comfort ME in my pain.
Was it just a 'coincidence' my Grandmother told me the story of "How the Robin got it's Red Breast" on that spring day many years ago?
Was it a 'coincidence' that of all the stories I've heard over the years, this story remained so close to my heart?
Was it a 'coincidence' that of ALL the birds that could have landed on the railing that day, even more specifically that most difficult time of day, that it was a robin?
My faith and love for Jesus Christ says NO. I believe God SAW and KNEW how my heart ached on that day. Through a single robin's simple presence and beautiful song, God unfailingly, revealed his love for me and gave my aching heart peace.
Wow, this post definitely took on a life of it's own......I'll keep you posted on the robins' progress:-).
It's definitely protected from the wind and rain, but I'm a bit concerned as it's not too far off the ground, and quite easily seen, so I'm hoping it will be safe from predators. As of right now, there are no eggs in it. I was able to reach up, point and shoot with our camera and get this picture.
Our labs, Sawyer and Finn (being the bird dogs they are;-) have already 'discovered' it. Thankfully, the most they do is sniff the bottom of the wood post it's on, or run after one of the adults as he/she flies easily to a nearby branch in a tree.It amazes me as to how birds build their comfy nests out of twigs, grass and mud in such perfect form. I have quite a soft spot in my heart for robins. For those of you who read my Easter post(click here if you'd like to now) you may recall that from an early age, there's always been a connection for me to God/Jesus when I see a robin. Today, as I watch the robins fly to and from the nest, I'm reminded of another encounter with a robin, which happened 5 years ago today, that I firmly believe was sent to provide comfort during a painful time in my life. For those interested, I'd like to share the story now:
As only animal lovers can relate to, my first 'baby' was the most sweet, gentle, loyal Golden Retriever, I lovingly named Bailey. I got him as a puppy when I was living on my own, working part time, and finishing college. Bailey was wonderful company, and became my faithful companion for almost 14 years. Bailey shared with me many milestones in my life. He was with me while I finished college. Ever present through failed relationships; ready to help mend my broken heart more than once;-). Bailey moved with me 3 times. He obediently took 'second' place to John. He reluctantly got used to, and shared space with John's Maine Coon cat after John and I got married. Bailey lovingly tolerated, played and protected a small soul named Nathan who, more times than I can count, used Bailey's hair and back to help him stand, or lay against his body as a pillow. Bailey 'enjoyed' it all over again with little Owen. With my changing life, the time and attention I used to have for Bailey rapidly dwindled. He accepted the changes as only a dog can do, and was ever present, waiting with an eager heart and wagging tail when I did have time.
Bailey almost made it to 14, but toward the end of his 13th year he started to rapidly fail. When the unmistakable time came to help end his apparent, but quiet suffering, I was very fortunate our Vet was willing to come to the house and help Bailey die as I sat next to him, gently stroking his head in my lap, thinking about all the years we spent together. My beloved, faithful companion that I shared so much with, was gone.
Needless to say, I cried for the remainder of the day and then some. The most difficult time came that day after supper, when I would normally take Bailey out for 'our time' to play fetch. I sat in our family room, trying to distract my mind by playing with Nathan and baby Owen. I remember vividly, it was a beautiful warm spring day and all the windows, as well as the slider door from the room to the deck, was open. As Nathan, Owen and I played, a robin flew down and perched itself on our deck railing right outside the open slider door. What I found odd, was that the bird didn't face outward toward the yard, but it faced looking directly into the room and sang loudly and merrily. Despite Nathan running around, and the 'human' noise the bird must have heard, the robin didn't fly away, or even stop it's singing. The robin remained singing for a good 15 minutes. With tears streaming down my face, I knew, without a doubt, God had sent this robin to comfort ME in my pain.
Was it just a 'coincidence' my Grandmother told me the story of "How the Robin got it's Red Breast" on that spring day many years ago?
Was it a 'coincidence' that of all the stories I've heard over the years, this story remained so close to my heart?
Was it a 'coincidence' that of ALL the birds that could have landed on the railing that day, even more specifically that most difficult time of day, that it was a robin?
My faith and love for Jesus Christ says NO. I believe God SAW and KNEW how my heart ached on that day. Through a single robin's simple presence and beautiful song, God unfailingly, revealed his love for me and gave my aching heart peace.
Wow, this post definitely took on a life of it's own......I'll keep you posted on the robins' progress:-).
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Friday, April 25, 2008
Owen's Tree
I guess we did our part for Earth Day this year. We had a small white pine sappling take root in one of our red barberry bushes close to our house. We noticed it peeking just through the top of the bush last spring and we left it alone until now. It made it through the hard winter and we decided to transplant it in our backyard where it could grow, hopefully big and strong. By it's size, we figured it seeded itself close to the year Owen was born so it is now officially, Owen's tree!
Nathan's tree is a Balsam Fir that John and I bought as a Christmas tree the year he was born, so now both boys have evergreen trees that odorn our backyard;-).
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Monday, April 21, 2008
"Funny-isms" by Nate and 'O'
OK, had to share a couple more endearing moments courtesy of Nathan and Owen:
After sitting in one position for a while coloring, Owen starts to wine. I come in from the other room to see what's wrong, and I find him holding his leg. He looks at me and says...." Mommy, Mommy....my leg is buzzing!!!!!" (yes, this is Owen's term for his leg 'falling asleep';-) "How do I turn it off???!!"
Nathan and Owen are in the back of the car having a conversation. It goes something like this.....
Owen: Mommy, do we have school tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Nathan and Owen:(in harmony) AAAWWWWWWWW!!!
Nathan: I don't know why we have to go to school so much.
Owen:(joining in) Yeah, why?
Nathan: School is just D-U-M, dumb!
Me:( trying with all my might not to laugh), Uh, Nathan, how do you spell "dumb" again?
Nathan: (silent for a while) D-U-M ??????
Me: Honey, "dumb" is spelled D-U-M-B.
More silence.
Then we all broke out in laughter......enough said;-).
After sitting in one position for a while coloring, Owen starts to wine. I come in from the other room to see what's wrong, and I find him holding his leg. He looks at me and says...." Mommy, Mommy....my leg is buzzing!!!!!" (yes, this is Owen's term for his leg 'falling asleep';-) "How do I turn it off???!!"
Nathan and Owen are in the back of the car having a conversation. It goes something like this.....
Owen: Mommy, do we have school tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Nathan and Owen:(in harmony) AAAWWWWWWWW!!!
Nathan: I don't know why we have to go to school so much.
Owen:(joining in) Yeah, why?
Nathan: School is just D-U-M, dumb!
Me:( trying with all my might not to laugh), Uh, Nathan, how do you spell "dumb" again?
Nathan: (silent for a while) D-U-M ??????
Me: Honey, "dumb" is spelled D-U-M-B.
More silence.
Then we all broke out in laughter......enough said;-).
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Sunday, April 20, 2008
Play Ball!
Baseball is in full swing here, and Nathan is in his glory! Here are some shots of him warming up his pitching arm. 
Nathan has a new nickname....The Vacuum! His little league coaches call him this when he plays first base. They told him he just seems to suck all the balls thrown at him into his glove, even the wild ones! Of course Nathan had a smile from ear to ear!
Nathan has a new nickname....The Vacuum! His little league coaches call him this when he plays first base. They told him he just seems to suck all the balls thrown at him into his glove, even the wild ones! Of course Nathan had a smile from ear to ear!
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Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere
FINALLY, NH has been blessed with some beautiful weather! We've enjoyed spending a lot of time outside this week taking in the sun;-). I have to remember to buy some new sunscreen, and get back in the habit of putting it on the boys...I've noticed some tanning already on skin that's exposed!
As you can see, we pulled out the bubbles, and Owen had a blast! Bubbles are a spring tradition at our house, as it helps us welcome the warmer weather! Something so simple provides such fun. Owen was out there for over an hour, and I think I went through a 1/2 gallon of bubbles. AAHHHH, Spring!
As you can see, we pulled out the bubbles, and Owen had a blast! Bubbles are a spring tradition at our house, as it helps us welcome the warmer weather! Something so simple provides such fun. Owen was out there for over an hour, and I think I went through a 1/2 gallon of bubbles. AAHHHH, Spring!
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Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time Is Relative
Tonight during dinner, Owen said the cutest thing. Here's how the conversation went:
John: Wow, I thought I slept really good last night, but I feel so tired. I think it will be an early night for me tonight.
Nathan: I slept really good.
Owen: (who's really into telling time right now) I woke up last night and my clock said 12:22.
Me: I guess you must have gone right back to sleep, because I didn't hear you.
Owen: Oh no mom, I stayed up.
me: When do you think you finally fell back to sleep?
Owen: 12:23.
It was priceless! He was totally serious. I love how kids can be so amusing especially when they're not even trying;-).
John: Wow, I thought I slept really good last night, but I feel so tired. I think it will be an early night for me tonight.
Nathan: I slept really good.
Owen: (who's really into telling time right now) I woke up last night and my clock said 12:22.
Me: I guess you must have gone right back to sleep, because I didn't hear you.
Owen: Oh no mom, I stayed up.
me: When do you think you finally fell back to sleep?
Owen: 12:23.
It was priceless! He was totally serious. I love how kids can be so amusing especially when they're not even trying;-).
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Rand Representation of Ying-Yang Principle
I was going through some pictures over the weekend and found this one of Sawyer and Finn I took about a year ago. As I look at it now, with "China" being in the back of my mind most of the time, I immediately saw a great representation of the Ying Yang principle. In simple terms, the Ying Yang theory holds that all phenomena consist of two opposite aspects, ying and yang, which are variously defined as: up and down, left and right, light and dark, hot and cold, stillness and movement, substance and function, etc. Are they cute or what?!
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Sunday, April 6, 2008
Amazing individual-Nick Vujicic
I watched a very moving video on Tish's blog and wanted to urge anyone who's reading this to please take the time to experience "Life Without Limbs" by clicking here. Nick Vujicic is AMAZING and a true testament to how God can work in, and through one's life, when we trust and follow Him. Grab a box of kleenex and be prepared to be inspired!
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Saturday, April 5, 2008
The Waterbed.....very funny!
My BFF Kelli sent me this in an email, and I wanted to pass along the good laugh. This prank was conducted in Germany, and even though this is good 'clean' fun, my immediate thought was that this is something that wouldn't go over as well here in the US. Too many businesses would be thinking...."Can you say....LAWSUIT?"
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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