Happy Memorial Day! It was so nice to have a long weekend and celebrate God, family, and Country. We did everything from grill out, to canoe and got a nice tan to top it off. Today was extra special as Jim, Gabriel and Grant were all in our local Memorial Day parade with Scouts. As we were waiting for the festivities to start, we noticed an elderly gentleman sitting alone. Garrett ran over and offered him his flag and they shared some small talk. Thankfully, it looked like family joined him a few minutes later, but it reminded me of all of the vets sitting in nursing homes today. It was a good opportunity to not only pray for those who have died, but also remember those who are still with us that have heroically served.
I also couldn't help but think of Cathy, she sent me an e-mail last week. She is a FIVE star mother! Actually, seven if you count her daughter and son-in law. Anyway, she wrote a phenomenal poem that I think should be deemed a classic. Click here to check it out...and grab your tissues too!:)
That's about it on our end! Still very busy with all the adoption stuff. This week we are getting fingerprints, various state and federal papers, and hopefully receiving our dossier guidelines. Whew...that should keep us occupied!:)
P.S. If you are looking for an educational website for your kids, you have to check out Edheads.org. Gabriel has been totally hypnotized by the activities and as his mom... I am thrilled! His favorite is the virtual knee surgery. I have been learning a lot with him and it's a fantastic website to ignite of a love of learning about everything from engineering, to weather, to surgery. Click here and enjoy!
I am soooo excited to unveil a big surprise! As you may know already, I am a HUGE NeedtoBreathe fan, so when they dropped by the studio in March, that alone was memorable and exciting. I didn't think it could get better than that....until now!:) Len and I are actually in their video for "Something Beautiful"! I can't wait to show my kids! Lol. Here's the deal: when they were at our studios they videotaped us lip syncing the song and said it "might" end up in their vid. I thought for sure it would end up on the cutting room floor! Lol. Wonder of all wonders though, we MADE IT!:) It's totally one of those "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" moments, but I do show up 3 or 4 times towards the very end. The video is made up mostly of fans singing throughout the song, so it's neat to see the different faces and home video clips. In my younger days, this would've been a lifetime highlight. Well, actually, in my "somewhat older" days....it's still pretty darn cool!:) I can't embed the video, but start watching at about 2:49 (right after the tattoo girls) then again at 3:07 and a few other places after that. Len appears during the last few seconds of the song, look for him behind my shoulder with his headphones on. Be sure to enlarge the screen, you might need to blow it up to see it! Lol.
Things are hopping, sorry for the lack of updates! I was looking forward to posting a picture of Gabriel and his lemonade stand but it looks like our "Camera Bandit" (aka Garrett) struck again. Lol. Sometimes he takes our little camera off the docking station and I know exactly when it happens because I find photos of random items like the desk chair or the remote (and sometimes a self-portrait)! Ha ha. Anyway, he found the "trash" button and evidently deleted a bunch, including the lemonade stand pics. Bummer.
Well, the story I wanted to share was about Gabriel's idea to start a fundraiser and contribute to the adoption fund. Last week he said he wanted to open a lemonade stand and he did a great job. I stepped aside while he mixed up the lemonade, prepared the table and made a snazzy sign. His friend Megan also helped and before we knew it, it turned into a neighborhood-wide effort!:) The only drawback is that it was short-lived because he had a baseball game. Overall he made $9 (because he kindly shared his earnings with the other kids who helped). It was neat to witness his excitement and feel that he was contributing to bring his sister(s) or brother(s) home. In another effort to save, we also cancelled the cable. When I told the boys, Garrett actually cried! He was addicted to Spongebob, despite our best efforts to limit TV. It's hard to resist Squidward and the gang! Lol.:) We sat down and talked about why we were cancelling the cable and stressed to the boys how many people (and orphans) don't even know what cable is, and that we still have DVD's. Hopefully after the adoption we can eventually bring it back and celebrate. Also, we have set up a fund for donations (which is not easy to ask for) and I'm just throwing it out there with a prayer, and a big dose of humility and faith. Click here for the details. Thank you again for your prayers, this is a big leap of faith but it's been a blessing beyond description already. I trust where the Lord is leading and the beautiful gift(s) whom we are yet to meet!:)
Oh! I also found a great website for learning a foreign language, and it's free! We are trying to pick up Polish and it's been a great resource already. It's www.livemocha.com. You can even help people who are learning English and tell them if they are pronouncing things correctly, etc. That's pretty much the update for now. Enjoy the sun and warm weather. Pożegnanie (that's "goodbye" in Polish!):)
I can't believe school is almost OUT! Another year has flown by, and we are now counting down to the final days of school . You know what that means... a new theme for our summer reading program!:) Last year we did "Reading and Road Trips" and I think we are going to stick with that, while adding a sub-theme of "Cool Careers". Gabe announced he wants to be a surgeon, so I've already called and set up something at a hospital in our area. I figured we could read books that tie-in (especially wartime surgeons, the boys love stories with an ick-factor!:)) I also have "Pilot Week" lined up, concluding with a visit to the MAPS museum. The options are endless, and that's what makes it so fun. Once you start, the sky's the limit!
Speaking of reading, my friend Lisa graciously offered to host a
fundraiser e-show with Usborne books. 80% of the books are $10 or less and there are web deals too with special discounts of 40-70 % off. Lisa is donating the profits to our adoption fund! You can check it out and order here. Thanks again to my beautiful friend.
Speaking of the adoption, I just started a new blog and I am excited about it. I have discovered an entire world of other families who have either adopted from Poland (with our agency), or are in different stages of the process. What an amazing group! I feel blessed and inspired to be in their company. To those who have reached out, thank you again for your prayers and support. It means more than you know.
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe. Plans to give you a future full of hope"
-Jeremiah 29: 11
I am excited to finally share some news that I have been bursting to reveal.:) We are embarking on a new chapter of our lives that has already brought tears of joy and prayers of trust and patience. We have asked the Lord to unite us to a child (or children) through adoption. Whew...big news!:) I am enclosing a portion of the letter we sent to family and friends last week. I think that best sums up our heart and hopes.
Dear Family and Friends,
We love and appreciate each one of you dearly and it is because of your love, prayers, encouragement, and support that we write to you today. As some of you may know, Jim and I have prayed that we may be blessed with more children. We have been patiently waiting and listening to the Holy Spirit to show guide us as we humbly seek to expand our family. We feel the Lord has answered our prayer, in a most unexpected, but exciting way. In a series of events that we feel could have only been orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, we are beginning the process to adopt from Poland. Like many other countries, the number of orphans is staggering. In Poland, it is estimated that there are 80,000 orphans living in some 700 orphanages and foster homes. This is even more astounding when you realize that Poland is roughly the size of New Mexico (Pop. 39 million)! How could we say no?! Our decision to adopt, did not come by us easy, but rather took some prompting by the Holy Spirit.
Our biggest challenge we believe is yet to come. It was not in our leap of faith to welcome a child (or children) into our hearts and home, but is now in finding the finances to fulfill God’s master plan. However, God has brought us this far and we trust Him with all the "unknowns". This process is just beginning and we anticipate approximately a year of paperwork, classes, approval of documents, and many fees as we inch closer to our child (or children). We know that “We can do everything through Him who gives us strength (Phil. 4:13).” We are very excited about our decision to adopt and are looking forward to when we can travel and pick-up our child and be a completed forever family.
Your love, friendship, and support means more than words can say and we would like for you to consider helping us in our adoption. Below are listed two ways you can help (if you so feel called).
1. Prayer- We truly believe that when the Body of Christ prays, God can move mountains and right now, there are a lot of “mountains” that need moved. Please pray that our child (or children) are being protected and cared for until we can bring her/them home, that we will keep the faith until the process comes to pass, and that once we’re a forever family we’ll be able to raise all of our children to love and honor God.
2. Financial Support- In the coming months, we are planning fundraisers in the hope that our loving friends, family, and community will contribute to raise enough money to help pay the “ransom” to bring our child/children home. It is a difficult request to ask, but we believe in the Body of Christ and the power of faith and hope!
There is so much more to write, but for now, I will leave it at that. Over the past month we have been cramming like crazy to learn everything we possibly can get our hands and eyes on, to become "experts" in this process. That is also why my blog updates have been infrequent, but I know that will be changing!:) It's been a blessing to connect with others who have said "yes" to adopting and the way God has brought families together in such a breathtakingly beautiful way. My heart is overflowing with thoughts and reflections and I can't wait to journal them as we go along. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement. We will keep you posted and beg your prayers as we embark on this long, exciting journey!
I just wanted to share a glimpse of Grant's piano playing.:) He has been taking lessons for a little over 6 months. It's been wonderful to hear the melodies echo through the house. Even though he is still a beginner he has made strides already and, (best of all).. he really enjoys it!:) We do too. Here is a clip of him playing "The Can-Can" today.
Happy (belated) Mother's Day!:) This year was a little different for us. We had a nice get together at....at Chuck E Cheese! Lol. We celebrated Garrett's birthday and I realized that Chuck E Cheese's is not a hot destination spot for Mother's Day! Ha ha. That worked to our advantage though, the place was all but empty and much easier to keep track of where everyone was. Garrett had a grand old time with his inflatable crown and brand new light saber!:)
On my end, I received the best gifts in the world (as any mom will attest to)!:) The boys each gave me homemade crafts from school.
My favorite part of Gabe's letter was when he wrote: "Thank you for giving me food even though I don't even eat it. You are so nice. I love you".
Obviously an indication that our dinnertime battles still continue. Lol.
Speaking of moms, this weekend is out "Mom Squad Luncheon" at Hartville Kitchen. I am so excited! We are nearly sold out (again) and I can't wait to reveal a few of the surprises we have planned. Click here for more information.
Also, if you aren't doing anything on May 22, I will be speaking at St. Matthias Church in Parma. It's promises to be a day of good food and good company! Click here for more info.
Finally, did you see this "treadmill/bike" invention?! I guess it would be a bikemill, or a treadike? Too funny. I can't decide if it's weird, or cool. Lol.:)
This documentary looks fascinating (and cute)! This film follows four babies from different corners of the globe: Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia, Mari from Japan and Hattie from San Francisco, Calif.
I always marvel at this world we live in, and how we cannot choose where we are born. When we do the Radiothon and talk about children starving on the streets of India or South America, I always ache for them and think about my own children. I am sure there are more similarities than differences, but for reasons only God knows, we are able to live here and enjoy the life of abundance, safety, and freedom. Anyway, this isn't a sad piece (despite my melancholy reflection)!:) Lol It's actually inspiring and beautiful. I think the opening piece is definitely universal! Ha ha.
Also, if you are looking for a new recipe to try, check out Rachel Ray's "Spinach and Artichoke Tortellini Bake". Yum-o! We tried it tonight and it was delish. Easy to make too. Click here for the recipe.
Also, if you know anyone that loves Camp Carl (and chances are, if you are in NE Ohio, you do)! I have a gift certificate for any camp of your choice, a FULL week, for half price! We did a Half Price Deal at the station and we only had 15. The sold out instantly and I happened to get one! The problem is, after serious calendar crunching, we realized we just can't make it work. I am bummed because it's a great deal too. So anyway, I am selling the cert. on eBay. Click here to view the auction. We have good feedback, no scam here!:) Lol.
