Right Now...

I love, love, love those things called memes. You know the things that used to float around on blogs where people tell you a lot of random info about themselves and then tag other people to share. I don't know why I'm such a big fan. I guess it is because I like to learn random things about people as I get to really know them. It is important to know whether someone prefers Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke or the mountains over the beach, right?

Anywho, blogging has gotten so big and fancy and in some ways I think it has lost that downhome, smalltown feel it once had and as a result we're not getting to know one another as much.

One friend of mine (I'd link to her blog but it is private) just posted a fun meme and I thought I'd give her some major flattery by imitating her and doing one here. Out of complete frustration with my computer, I don't have any fun pictures to add with this post. However, I'll be back with my latest Project 366 snapshots soon.

Currently I am...

...loving-experiencing winter. I will admit it has been a "mild" winter so far and I'm thankful our first winter back in the east has not been extreme. I love the four seasons and seeing how the look of a place changes as the seasons change. Seeing a new fallen snow is truly a sight to behold!

...reading-Mount Vernon Love Story: A Novel of George and Martha Washington by Mary Higgins Clark. We just went to Mount Vernon two weeks ago and I realized I've had this on my nightstand for months but had put it aside because I had read other books like Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis.

...waiting for-all the tax information to come in so Don will be able to file our taxes ASAP so that we can have a little boost to our sad savings account. We're not normally the people who anxiously await a tax return. In all honesty we've always tried to make sure we don't have one because we really don't like giving the government a loan all year and waiting to get back what was ours all the time. However, this year because of the adoption being final we'll be glad to take back whatever we can get!

...excited about-how Millie continues to adjust and settle into our family, learn the language, become more comfortable in her surroundings and that she did not break or touch anything in the furniture/home consignment/antique store we spent over an hour in this morning.

...missing-Don, who is gone all week and my family and friends who are so far away.

...trying-to be more organized, plan more, and simplify my processes. I downloaded a bunch of fun organizational printables today and am looking forward to using them.

...working at-being joyful in all situations.

...enjoying-Saturdays without many commitments. The last quarter of 2011 was ESPECIALLY taxing on me physically, emotionally, and mentally. It has been nice resting some and enjoying time together as a family of four.

...snacking on-nothing. I did, however, just drink a mug of Starbucks Hot Cocoa that was super yummy and gave me the chocolate taste I needed.

...using-Pinterest for recipe ideas, decorating inspiration, and general "research."

...wearing-a red fleece shirt and zebra fleece pants. I know you're jealous.

...planning-projects of various sizes around the house. We've been in the house since the end of May but it has been rather slow going getting settled. It takes a lot of time and money to make a house feel like a home and those two are always hard to come by. Patience...

...singing-absolutely nothing. Thankfully, I got a Veggie Tales song out of my head. Please don't let it creep in there again.

...needing- a hair overhaul, an eyebrow and lip wax, a primary care physician, a female doctor and related checkups. The "good" news is I have a rheumatologist appointment this week. 

...learning-to be a "completely committed follower"and not just a fan.

...listening to-the hum of the computer. Really. That's it.

...wishing-I had gotten to go to San Antonio this past weekend to hear my cousin speak at my former church's ladies retreat. It would've been a sweet time of fellowship with friends and a great opportunity to see some of my family, too.

...doing-a lot more thinking about what I want to do than doing what I am thinking about doing. Follow that? I'm not sure I did, either.

...praying for-friends who are hurting.

...dreaming of-going to bed and curling up besides my sweet Lindy who gets to be in the bed while Daddy is away.

If for any reason you decide to do something like this on your blog, let me know. I'd love to hear from you and read your much more exciting answers and get to know you better!

xo~

Lisa

What do you say when you just don't know what to say?

I'm at a loss for words.  Really.  I am.  In the past WEEK alone I have had:

• A long-time high school friend lose her beloved father.
• A very close sister and friend lose her last living grandmother.  She experienced the loss of her other grandmother just a few months ago.
• One of my best friends hit the SURPRISE emotional high of thinking by Friday she might receive a long-awaited, unexpected referral of a son from Nepal--a country that has been at a complete standstill with referrals--only to find out on Friday that not only was she not getting a referral but the United States had suspended any further adoptions from Nepal. 
• A conversation with a friend who is facing the second year of her husband's unemployment.
• A friend and amazing adoption encourager come home with a precious baby who is now wondering if she'll be able to be his mommy because of complexities of the case.

I'm sure I'm leaving off others as I know of so many others suffering and struggling.  These were the current situations that burned the most in my heart and mind and really left me feeling so frustrated and awful and helpless and sleepless.


I so want(ed) to provide hope and encouragement and strength.  I want(ed) to help.  I want(ed) to impart wisdom and the truths I know to be true and yet I feel like I haven't done that at all.  I don't want to sound trite or insincere.  My heart feels so broken for them and, sadly, I. just. don't. know. what. to. say.  IS, "I'm sorry," "I'm here for you," and "I'm praying for you" enough? 

What do YOU say when you just don't know what to say? 

Monday miscellany

A while back my friend Sara posted about what she was reading this summer. I was happy to see that I'm not the only person with a few reads going at once.

I love to read but sometimes I go through EXTREME dry spells and don't read for months on end and then other times I read like I'm never going to be able to again.

I thought I'd check with my beloved readers to see what is on your nightstand and share with you what is on mine.

Here's what I've been reading:


I actually finished The Help a couple of weeks ago. It is a very powerful story set in the deep south in the early 1960s. I really shudder when I think about what was going on just a few years before I was born. I like to think that things have dramatically changed and shudder to think that maybe they haven't...

I'm still reading this:


My friend, Elissa, loaned me the book Going Public in May after we had talked about public school versus private school one day over breakfast. At the very beginning of 2010, I broached the subject of sending Lindy to a private Christian school with Don. (Is that sentence structure all screwy?) He was surprised by the topic as much as I was. I think the realization that in Fall 2010 Lindy would be starting school really hit. Suddenly I was feeling unprepared and worried about what all Lindy would be encountering in a public school environment. I was also concerned we'd be losing some influence, too, and possibly be facing a lot more competition.

After discussion, prayer, and consideration, we decided to send Lindy to public school. We had not been financially preparing for the expense of private school and we just couldn't do it. Also, as we were thinking about it, I heard a quote and it really resonated with me. Since then, I've heard it several times. I believe the quote comes from Colt McCoy's father and it goes something like this, "Our job as parents is not to prepare the path for our children but to prepare our children for the path."

At that moment, I realized I was really concentrating more on the path and not her heart. PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG...I am not saying that if you choose to send your kids to private school or homeschool them that you are not doing your job or that you have it all wrong. I don't feel that way at all. Really. The parents I know who have chosen those options are VERY concerned about their kiddos and are doing an excellent job parenting. So, please don't think I am criticizing or saying one is better than the other. What that quote reminded me is that no matter what, where, or who, we needed to be stepping it up and preparing her heart for that path and capitalizing on teachable moments.

The book Going Public has provided some great thoughts, ideas, scriptures, and encouragement as Lindy begins a new chapter in her life three weeks from TODAY!!!

Last but NOT least, I've been reading a less pretty version of this:


Here's a confession. I'm undisciplined. I'm a slacker. I'm a wannabe sitting on the sidelines. I can't even think of a time--recently--that I've set a goal and accomplished it. I am busy but I'm not accomplishing what I want to accomplish. I'm not being self-depracating; I'm being honest. Last year at some point I was whining to Don about how he was responsible for my weight gain and lack of exercise and he said, "So what you are saying is you want ME to be your self-discipline..." Um, yeah, basically...By the way, ouch...

With all that said folks, I set a goal. Yep! I set a goal to read the entire bible this year. I've started and stopped in the past but this year I'm going to do it. I am. Really. Sadly, I am on June 3rd and by my calculations that puts me at about two months behind. However, I WILL do this. I am not doing this with anyone else. I'm being my own self-discipline. I have no one to blame but MYSELF if I don't achieve my goal, which, by the way, I'm going to achieve. I felt like it was a more important goal than all the other quasi-goals I have floating around in my head.

I have been amazed at all I've been learning and all I had forgotten. I've been trying to read for comprehension and not just gloss over things. I'll admit it is rough at times. This approach offers some of the Old Testament, some of the New Testament, a Psalm, and then a verse from Proverbs each day. That breaks it up nicely in my opinion. God in his INFINITE wisdom gives me some great nugget for me to savor with each reading!

Along with catching up in the above-mentioned, next up for me is Crazy Love:


I'd love to hear what you've been reading or what you're wanting to read.

Happy Monday! Hope it is a great week.

Thankful Thursday

"Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life. "

Robert Louis Stevenson

No pictures. Just a quick list. Not sure when I did one of these last. It has been a while, that's for sure.

I have been thinking about things I'm thankful for and here are some that I'd like to share today:

I am thankful for health insurance, easy access to doctors and medical care, and people who devote their life to medical care and research. I have been to the doctor three times in one week (twice was adoption related and once was not) and I can't imagine not having access to the care I need. I never want to take that for granted.

Some of you may know I currently have shingles. I am thankful I got to the doctor fairly early and didn't wait like I'm prone to doing (Mrs. It's Not a Tumor). They are very painful and uncomfortable but I am managing fine thanks to medicine, as referenced above. I always figured I would get them but thought it might be a little later in life. Hopefully, this will be the one and only time. Perhaps my body is trying to tell me I've been a bit too stressed????

I am thankful for Lindy's honesty. Lindy has her flaws--like we all do--but I have always been impressed with and appreciative of her truthfulness. Last night she was a constant flow of true, from-the-heart discussion about Kindergarten. She shared her anxieties and worries and I loved that she felt comfortable to share what was on her heart and mind. I pray we'll always be able to keep the lines of communication open--even when it comes to the tough stuff. I also pray I'll have the wisdom to parent her.

I am thankful for the little, teeny, tiny glimmer of hope I got yesterday from our adoption agency. Even if we found out today who mei mei is (which we aren't), we would still be several months away from bringing her home. However, yesterday made it seem not. quite. as. far. I've truly been without hope for a really LONG time. I definitely relate to the first half of this verse: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12.

And on a little more of a shallow note, I'm thankful I FINALLY found an AFFORDABLE pair of RED mary janes for Lindy Li. I mean we're supposed to rejoice in ALL things, right? Well, I'm rejoicing over these shoes! She hasn't had a pair since she grew out of her little red squeaky shoes we bought in Guangzhou and I have been trying to find some ever since. I won a pair of See Kai Run shoes once as part of a giveaway and chose a pink pair instead of a red pair. I finally found this pair on Land's End for $14.99 and free shipping. They are leather and the perfect red! I will admit I ordered the next size up, too. I am a bargain shopper and do my best to stock up on things, too. They are kind of a casual mary jane but they'll still work for dress up, too.

What are you thankful for today?

What makes you cry?

"A woman wears her tears like jewelry." ~Author Unknown

I am deviating from all the blog posts I have told myself I'll post and writing something completely random...

I have a confession. I am a cryer. There. I've said it. I am a genuine, true blue "bawl bag." For the most part, I don't think I'm weak, extremely fragile, overly sensitive, or totally irrational. I have my moments but I did include a caveat at the beginning of the last sentence! I'm just VERY affected and moved to the point of tears about LOTS of things. Just this week I have cried at a few things--including hearing my Chinese born daughter singing, "Red, White, & Blue" the song they sang in preschool about the flag and hearing her chant "I am Proud to be an American and live in the USA." I cried as I watched Charlotte's Web--not just because of the story but because of the beautiful, breathtaking scenery, and the one that surprised me the most was boo-hooing at an OnStar commercial. I've lost it at Hallmark commercials and phone commercials but I was genuinely stunned when I found myself crying as I listened to a commercial of a panic-stricken mother calling OnStar to let them know she had locked her keys in her car with her young child. Some people could be all judgmental and think she was an idiot but as a mom I know things can happen in a blink of an eye and my heart hurt for that mom, so I cried for her. Subsequently, Don and Lindy both looked at me like I was a lunatic.

So I got to thinking about some of the times I cry and thought I'd fly my flag and list a few:

• I cry EVERY time I watch Sleepless in Seattle.
• Along with that, I cry at Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride 2 and MANY other movies--still.
• I cry at Taylor Swift's song "Love Story." Ha! You thought it was going to be "Teardrops on my Guitar!"
  
• I cry when I read I Love You Like Crazy Cakes, Shaoey & Dot:Bug Meets Bundle, and Love You Forever. Show me that blue cover of Love You Forever at a baby shower and I'm already digging through my purse searching for a tissue.
  
• I often choke back mega tears during an airplane landing (somewhere else other than coming home). Not really sure why. I think it is either because I am about to see a loved one I haven't seen in a while or I am usually going somewhere with some beautiful scenery and I'm overcome by seeing God's handiwork such as the mountains, ocean, lush greenery, fall colors...
• I cry when I see a bride.
• I cry when I hear beautiful and powerful music.
  
• I cry when we sing "10, 000 Angels," "Precious Memories," and "Because He Lives" at church because they really stir my emotions. The first song paints such a vivid account in my mind of Jesus' death that I really feel like I am there witnessing the horrific event that has given me life.
  
• I cry when I see dead animals. I don't necessarily lose it when I see the mushed up armadillos or possums but a dead deer, dog, or cat makes me sad to the point of tears.
• I cry each time I see pictures/videos of adoptive parents meeting their child for the first time.
• I cry when I watch a live production of something. It isn't always because what I'm watching is sad, really powerful, or life-changing. I think I'm in a heightened emotional state of excitement and awe over the talent I'm witnessing and then I'm overcome. It happened during Mary Poppins last year and Disney on Ice this year. Tinker Bell, really??? Strange? Wait. Don't answer that.
  
• I cry when I see the flag, a military ceremony, and military homecomings.
• I cry at goodbyes.
  
• I cry when I see beautiful things and think about people who are beautiful to me.
  
• I cry when I think about my memories of tree-lined streets during autumn. The colors, smells, sounds are so vivid in my mind. I guess I always loved that scene because I even wrote a poem about that very thing when I was in 8th grade.
• I cry when I think about how kind and generous so many people have been in my life and the many times I've received true sacrificial love.
  
• I cry when I try to do something and fail. In school it was math. In adulthood it has usually been a craft or kitchen blunder. I have a yummy, to die for chocolate chip shortbread cookie recipe that my friend Megan gave me years ago. I still haven't mastered that recipe but one day Don won't find me in the corner of the kitchen curled up in a ball crying and all my friends will feast on proper butter-filled shortbread that isn't in shards.
  
• I cry when I think about the hardships people have had to endure and continue to endure and I cry more when I realize that I'm so blessed but don't do a banner job showing God and people around me that I'm thankful.
• I think, therefore I cry. If I let my mind wander too far about a lot of things, I cry.

There have been times I've been kind of ashamed at how easy it is for me to cry. Through the years, though, I've learned that is how God constructed me and I'm okay with it. It is kind of part of who I am. I try not to judge people who don't cry a lot and hope that those people don't judge me.

Now that my remaining 3.2 readers are scrambling to remove this blog from their blog list or unfriend me on Facebook, I'm kind of curious to hear what makes you cry...

Sealed with a salty kiss~
L.

Traveling partners

June 12, 2010

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am severely behind on blogging. I have honestly thought of scrapping it and calling it quits. I may still merge the three blogs into one. I am not sure. Anyway, I decided it is easier to do random posts to catch up, rather than try to sequence them.

Last Sunday--June 13th--Don and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. That totally seems surreal and impossible to me. I can't begin to convey how thankful I am that God so carefully orchestrated our paths to meet and allowed us to become traveling partners for life. I was thinking about where he had been and where I had been before God plopped Don on a church pew behind me and my family in May 1991.

Don was born in CO, moved to UT when he was a baby, then grew up in TX. He went to college in MD and during that time he spent summers working in a lab at Los Alamos, NM, "cruising" on a submarine, docking in Israel and Hong Kong, traveling to PA for Army/Navy games, road tripping all around the country playing Ultimate Frisbee and watching Navy football (BEAT ARMY!). After he graduated, he went to Cancun, spent time in FL for his first round of flight school, and visited who knows where else. He already had logged thousands and thousands of miles in his personal travel log before he showed up in my life that wonderful May morning.

I, too, had a few miles in my log. I was born in southern CA, moved to HI at four months, moved back to CA, then moved to VA at eight, made my way to PA for 7th grade through my sophomore year of college, and moved back to CA--this time northern (Sacramento). During that time, I had been to many states, met hundreds of people, and thought I met "the one" more than once.

Though I am not sure why, it still amazes me how God chose two people who had known hundreds of people and lived and traveled all over the place to meet and fall in love. I am so thankful He did, though, and for the journey he has allowed us to continue to travel together. We have logged many miles together and prayerfully we will continue to do so. This past year has been filled with many detours and road blocks and I couldn't have survived without my traveling partner by my side.

Looking at the picture, above, I am amazed that man still loves me! Talk about crazy, big hair and chubby cheeks! Yikes. We had a great anniversary dinner at a place called Roaring Fork--sans Lindy--and a nice evening together. I ate so much, I felt like I might get ill at one point. Sorry for the visual. That NEVER happens, as I try not to eat to the point of feeling stuffed. Our anniversary is usually the only time we order an appetizer, main course, and dessert, so I totally wasn't used to the whole gamut and everything was so yummy I had to eat it all. Thanks to my sweetheart of a friend, Ashleigh, for sneaking behind my back and arranging to watch Lindy for the evening.

Since we brought Lindy home, we really haven't used a babysitter a lot so we don't experience "date" nights very often. I know, I know, all the relationship experts would get on to us about that but I truly think we have a very healthy, happy, and harmonious marriage, nonetheless. I know PLENTY of marriages that have far surpassed mine and date nights were non-existent. Ironically, though, both of us bought gifts for one another which included future date nights. I have to admit, I am kind of excited! It is a great excuse to dress up more than usual, have dessert with dinner, and maybe he and I will actually get our picture taken together more than once a year, too.

Please pray

July 2009

~~~~~~~Update to the post below~~~~~~~

Thank you sweet friends for all your prayers and concern. My family has felt the awesome covering!

I am thrilled to report Dad was released from ICU on Friday evening and released from the hospital on Saturday night. He is still struggling with his vision (because the bleeding is still there behind his eyes) and there are some other issues, such as balance, weakness, and minor impacts to his speech (specifically recalling and finding words). We are praying that with time he will experience more progress and return to his spunky and active self. We're all going to need an extra measure of patience during in the process because we want our dad/husband/grandpa back the way he was--NOW. We pray there isn't permanent damage or that any damage is minimal. We believe God is the great physician and can and will accomplish all our requests. We also know if that isn't God's will, we will adjust and make the best of the circumstance.

Often during times of trials and tragedy, people refer to the verse, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28. I use it as well but I admit there are times I just can't begin to imagine what the "good" is in certain situations. Yesterday in church our preacher referred to this verse as he spoke of the life of David and said the "good" is often our "deconstruction" which ultimately gives way to the reconstruction of a better, more godly person. So it is my prayer that I will use this event to deconstruct and then become a more caring, empathetic, patient, loving, faithful, and kind person.

Since my dad is now at home, Lindy and I are going to travel tomorrow to be with my parents and help out however possible and mainly just love on them. My heart has been heavy not being near them during these past few days.

Thanks, again, for your kind words and thoughts!

With love & gratitude~
Lisa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was gorgeous outside. Lindy played for hours outside and I had the windows open. We shared a picnic lunch. I watched the butterflies, the bees happily working around the blossoms of the Bradford Pear, and saw my first glimpse of Texas wildflowers. I donned my first "spring-like" outfit and was even having a fairly good hair day. It was close to perfection. It was also one of those days where I was reminded how life can change in an instant, that I'm not a little kid, and to always make the most of every opportunity. I was also reminded of many other things, including how much I love my dad.

At about 6:00 last night I got a call from my mom telling me my dad had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was in ICU. To make matters worse, it happened while he was driving so he was in a car accident. Thankfully, he was not injured, nor was the other driver. His vehicle was totaled.

He has lost vision because of the bleeding in his brain but is completely lucid and feels fine. He has had many tests and so far there aren't many answers. They do say this was not his first stroke or brain bleed. They don't see any signs of tumors but they aren't sure what is causing the bleeding. They also can't say whether he'll regain his vision.

Please pray that my dad will have a complete recovery and will be able to resume a normal life. Please also pray for my mom to have strength and peace as she worries about him and takes care of him. They have been married almost 44 years and are true companions.

I know this could've been so much worse and I praise God for the protection he gave my dad (as well as the other driver). I also know they could've found some really bad things in his brain and am glad they haven't. I am worried and feel helpless as I think of my beloved parents going through this trial two states away. I'm in a holding pattern and will make some travel decisions soon.

I would appreciate any prayers you would say for our family.

With love and thanks~
Lisa

Introducing our Bamboo Baby

Lindy (2 months old) in her foster mother's arms July 2005

"...learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the cause of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

I will admit, I'm not a natural born fundraiser and I'm not really very good about asking for help. I'm typically not one to publicly advocate for things and I like to keep what I'm involved with kind of quiet. However, lately, I've been reconsidering things. After a lot of prayer, I believe I'm called to do things that aren't second-nature for me and to step out of my comfort zone. Thus, the reason for this post.

There are some who think the fact we adopted Lindy and are waiting to adopt again makes us special; we've even been called, "heroes." While we appreciate the kind words and sentiments we have received through the years, we don't feel like we're special or heroes because we adopted Lindy. We desperately wanted to become parents and we fulfilled our desires through the avenue of adoption. Truthfully, it is not something we had ever dreamed of doing and it was not really an easy road getting to that point.

Insert GIGANTIC however here! Adoption is now something we're completely convicted of and feel very strongly about. Our hearts have been pricked and verses that have been in the Bible for over two thousand years now leap off the pages and have greater meaning. It is heartbreaking for us to think about the millions of orphans in this world and Don and I both agree that adding children to our family to fulfill a desire and void isn't enough.

A couple months ago, a good friend of mine went to work for Pearl River Outreach. Up until about two weeks ago, I hadn't had the chance to check out the work they are doing. I was so excited and nearly jumped for joy when I found out they were helping children who are from the same orphanage Lindy was from in Changsha, Hunan. Their funds go to help the children in the orphanage, as well as those in foster care. Lindy was in foster care from two months old until we met her at just shy of 11 months. We are eternally grateful for all those who had generously donated funds to her foster program so she could receive such wonderful care and love.

We have decided to sponsor, "Lili," one of the children from Changsha. We loved the red thread connection we have with her--her birthday is one day (and three years) off of Lindy's (May 8, 2005) and May 9, 2005 was our log-in date for Lindy. It is our prayer that it won't be long until Lili meets her forever family. Until then, we hope she'll be taken care of extremely well, just like we know our sweet Lindy was.


Pearl River Outreach is still looking for some sponsors for their Bamboo Babies. If you're interested in helping, go to their blog or web.

On another exciting note, if you feel called to help but can't commit to a sponsorship, there is a fundraiser taking place right now for the orphanage in Changsha. The Meadows Family is trying to raise enough money to send 88 care packages to the children there. They are trying to raise $1000 by December 1st or they're requesting items such as socks, hats, mittens, toothpaste, and coloring books. If you'd like to know more about this special collection, please read about it here. What a wonderful teachable moment it would be to involve young children to help collect simple items for other children thousands of miles away.

I am excited about the special work being done in Changsha! I hope you'll join us in helping out these wonderful children. If you can't financially, they sure could use your prayers!

Thank you!

Many blessings~
Lisa

Proud of our veterans

"This nation will remain the land of the free
only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

I am so thankful for the men and women in the military who have served and continue to serve our country. I know it isn't an easy road. I used to laugh when Don would tell me he was weaving the blanket of freedom I sleep under every night. I no longer laugh at that statement.

On Monday I had to go to the mall and I got there a bit early. I had 1000 things to do that day and didn't want to lose one second of time. However, I went and got a mocha and decided to walk a bit--counterproductive, I know. Anyway, it was approaching 10:00 so I went to camp out in front of the store I was planning on dashing in and out of. I sat down next to this lovely couple in their 80s and it became the highlight of my day. The man was wearing a powder blue jumpsuit and a ball cap that read, "WW II Veteran." His wife was absolutely adorable and so incredibly sweet and kind. Immediately he started talking to me and she chimed in. I asked him which branch of the service he had served in and he asked me if I had heard of General Patton and then proceeded to tell me he had fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I thanked him for his service and suddenly rushing off to complete my errands didn't seem so important. He introduced me to another one of his friends--also there to walk--who had also served in WWII and jumped out of airplanes. It was a privilege and honor that day to be with men who had served in such a huge conflict and lived to tell about it.

On this day, I hope you will join me in thanking and praying for our veterans. I am especially proud to thank my husband, father, grandfather, great uncle, and uncle for their service in the Navy.

May God bless America!

Friday Night Lights

In case you've been in a cave, high school football is a REALLY BIG deal in Texas. Perhaps you've heard of the book, movie, and TV series called Fr*iday Night Lights??? It is set in Texas and some of it is based on actual events. Okay, okay, I'll totally admit I get just a teensy bit defensive when some people (ahem, Don Osborn) think Texas is the only place where high school football is king. My high school alma mater, C*entral B*ucks High School West in Doylestown, PA, was quite the powerhouse in the 1980s. I am super proud they were undefeated during the entire time I was there and that their coach (and my really challenging Global Affairs teacher), Coach P*ettine, was a class act. His son, the star quarterback in 1984, is currently the defensive coordinator for the NY J*ets. How 'bout them apples? Did I mention two of the greatest quarterbacks who've played the game--Dan M*arino and Joe M*ontana--are from PA?


Whoa, did I digress or what? This past Friday we had the opportunity to get out and watch some high school ball--Texas style (which meant we WEREN'T freezing to death). Lindy had lots of fun hanging out with her Auntie Carolyn, going into the swanky suites, drinking "Sprout," and eating who knows what. She loved watching the band, the cheerleaders, dance team, and, oh yes, the game. Don and I call very enthusiastic people "woo hoo" people and our girl is definitely a "woo hoo" girl. Every once in a while (when she was with us in the stands and not socializing in the suites), we'd hear her cheering and she did admit having fun at the baseball game. (We're still teaching her.)


While I was in the stands, I really enjoyed people watching and taking in the sense of community. It was a lot of fun seeing little tiny children, parents, and grandparents, friends, and family assembled together donning their appropriate school colors and supporting the kids and a fun tradition. It also made me think about a man we knew from church who routinely made it his ministry to support high school football players from our congregation by attending their games. Charlie passed away last week at the age of 56 and was laid to rest on Saturday. Although I didn't know him well, I am certain he was a huge source of encouragement to the young athletes he cheered for from the stands. I also am certain the next time I see Charlie it will be light and bright because we'll be basking in the presence of God in Heaven. How wonderful it'll be to be under that light not just on Fridays but for eternity. And that, I believe, deserves a big woo hoo!

A June Bride Reflects

Seventeen years ago, I married one of the kindest and most patient people to inhabit this earth. There are many times in my life where I've felt unworthy of the good and wonderful things happening to me. Knowing God chose Don Osborn for me is definitely one of those times!


There are many reasons I love Don...Here are 17 of them:

1. He has a beautiful smile
2. His touch brings me strength
3. He is a willing helper (most of the time)
4. He is very patient
5. He has a good and pure heart
6. He still opens the door for me
7. He puts up with watching chick flicks--over and over and over
8. He is an incredible daddy--involved and hands-on
9. He has tons of common sense
10. He is super smart
11. He is accommodating
12. He rarely gets angry
13. He is a good spiritual leader
14. He doesn't tell me what I want to hear and that takes courage
15. I feel safe when I'm with him
16. I want for nothing but have learned the importance of delayed gratification
17. He puts up with me day in and day out and still loves me anyway

We've had some wonderful times and some not so wonderful times during the years and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for our relationship in the future.

Happy anniversary, Don! I love you.

A love letter

It's that time of year when love is in the air. If you're a romantic, then you love the notion of a love letter. Perhaps you've received some in the past, or perhaps you've written them. They do seem to be a thing of long ago when words were actually lovingly written on paper and not typed in emails or abbreviated in cryptic text messages.

Not all love letters, however, are from a romantic love. I've received beautiful letters of love from my parents, family, and dear friends. I've also received beautiful letters of love from God, my heavenly father. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to read them and I don't always cherish them like I should. I ran across a compilation several years ago and received it again last week at MOPS. I hope you will take a few minutes to read the beautiful love letter here. After you read it, I hope you will remember how truly loved you are EVERY single day and dwell on the words and its meaning.

Blessings!

A baby changes everything

"My whole life has turned around
I was lost, but now I'm found
A baby changes everything, yeah
A baby changes everything..."

These lyrics from "A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill remind me that not only has my life been forever changed and made better by my sweet Lindy--shown above in a self-portrait taken today--but by a precious baby boy born over 2000 years ago in a barn in Bethlehem. For me, two babies have changed everything.

Wishing you joy and peace during this special season of remembrance and celebration.

Merry Christmas~
Lisa

A little wisdom from Ben Franklin

"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing." Benjamin Franklin

During my trip to Philadelphia in October I heard this quote and it really struck me and STUCK with me. I realized I squander time doing things that aren't always very productive or meaningful. I tend to lose focus of things I should be doing by doing things that really don't amount to much and at the end of the day I feel frustrated and disappointed because I haven't bettered myself or anyone else along the way.

Some of you may have noticed I've been a bit scarce in the Land of Blog. I have been trying to cut back so that I can focus my time and energy on other things right now. A few weeks ago I saw Lindy looking for me and the first place she went to look for me was in the office (we don't have a laptop) and that was pretty telling.

I'm not sure what I write is worth the reading and I doubt that anything I do will ever be worth the writing as good old Ben states, but I do want to create a home where Lindy has memories of us doing things together and where she sees me being a servant to others and not a slave to technology.

I do miss checking in on my friends and family as frequently as I have in the past and want you to know I love you and think of you often but during this very busy season I need to work on balancing things better in my life.

Many blessings~
Lisa

Happy Birthday, Dad!

"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. " Proverbs 17:27

Dad, we wish you a very happy birthday today and a year filled with good health, lots of happiness, and many opportunities. Thank you for being a wonderful example of a Godly man. Your name means, "beloved" and that is what you are.

Thank you for being a superb father, grandfather, and friend.

Happy Birthday!

We love you,
Don, Lisa, & Lindy

How firm is your foundation?

See all this mess??? Last Monday morning a man showed up on my front doorstep with a crew of at least six other men to begin foundation repairs. I was NOT at all prepared for the extensive work and utter mess that would ensue and is still taking place.

When we first saw little cracks and noticed a bit of sticking with the doors it was easy to overlook them. We figured it was normal. Every house shifts and settles to some extent--especially in a climate as hot as San Antonio.


But then we noticed a large crack outside in the bricks and big chunks of paint falling off the walls. More and more cracks appeared. It was time to acknowledge the problem...


Just as we suspected, we did have a foundation problem and it was going to take a lot of money to fix. This was crushing news for me. For nearly 13 years I have been living with A LOT of things I've wanted to have fixed or changed in our home. Laying down this kind of money for a non-gratifying fix was not what I wanted to spend money on. However, I was reminded in order for any of the other changes to take place, I had to get this fixed first or else it is all in vain...


I don't know much about foundations. I had even wondered what would happen if we didn't have the repairs made. Would the house eventually collapse??? I doubt it... I know they are putting in 18 beams but don't ask me what that's supposed to do. I just hope it does the trick...


All of this has gotten me thinking about the importance of keeping my spiritual foundation strong. Unlike my house's foundation, I am confident my spiritual foundation was correctly laid but I need to do more to keep it strong and safe from cracks and costly repairs. One area, I know would help to prevent issues is to spend more time in the word really learning about God, His will for me, and the son he sacrificed on the cross for me.

"My body and mind may waste away, but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever." Psalm 73:26 (God's Word Translation)

Silver and gold

“Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.” Author Unknown

I love that quote and the sentiment behind it. I wonder who the author thought was gold and who he/she thought was silver. In my life, I have found that it really varies. It seems friendships carry so many labels beyond the old and new friends referenced in this quote. Here are some of mine: High school friends, college friends, Navy friends, local friends, work friends, church friends, Mommy friends, blog friends, adoption friends, etc...

The past few weeks I have been on a mission to find and catch up with some of my old (NOT age-ha) friends. It all stemmed from an exciting Friday night at the Osborn residence where I went into the depths of a cabinet filled with old directories and address books and started purging. If you know me very well, you know I couldn't complete the task without taking some excursions down memory lane. As I paged through the address books, I waxed nostalgic and wondered how and why people lose touch. Where are these people today? I even had to dig deep to remember who some of them were and contemplate why they were in my address book. As I looked at pictures in directories, I noticed how I had "forgotten" people I had once known and felt close to. I feel like I have tried to keep in touch with people to preserve relationships but realize it takes much more effort from both sides to keep a friendship strong and long-lasting.

As a result of my purging project I found my two missing bridesmaids (I only had four and one of them is my sister-in-law) and had the chance to talk to them several days ago. I am hopeful to not lose track now. Gotta love the internet!!! Ironically, one of them only lives about four hours away. I also talked to the high school friend pictured with me in the photo above. It had been a year but it really only felt like a week.

Not only have I been on a mission to resurrect some older relationships, I have also been trying to strengthen some newer relationships. This quest poses some challenges because some of them are friends whom I have never met or spoken to and many live far away. However strange that may sound, they are a source of tremendous support and special closeness. I am thankful for these newer friends and hope through the power of technology and a bit of self-discipline to maintain healthy relationships with them.

Life gives us lots of balls to juggle and sometimes it can be challenging to successfully keep them all up in the air. I am hopeful I can get better at my juggling routine by keeping up with my old friends, getting to know my newer friends better, and all the while hold onto the other friends God has blessed me with.

Has it really been 16 years?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Sixteen years ago my dad read these verses to Don and me as he united us in marriage. I believe they mean more with each passing year.

Thank you for your unfailing love, Don, and sixteen incredible years of marriage.

Happy anniversary with love,

Lisa

Thankful Thursday

Good morning~

It seems like there is always lots to do and I can easily get side tracked from doing what I need to do and replace it with what I want to do. I passed a sign on a church the other day that said, "God answers knee mail." Sure, the pun is a bit corny but the message is powerful. Sadly, I spend far more time thinking about emails, blogging, and surfing the net than I do spending time on my knees in prayer. I'm trying to change that and incorporate more balance in my life.

As I consider my blessings, I am thankful for:

The little cutie at the top of the page, my niece Brooke. She is SIX years old today. Brooke was my first niece and I remember how excited I was when she was born because there was finally a girl in the family. Happy birthday, Brooke Anne!

The opportunity to be a resource to people about adoption. Every once in a while someone will ask some in depth questions about the process and our experiences because he/she is considering adoption. Recently, I have been "helping" a friend of mine from college whom I had lost contact with for years. Somehow she found me last year and we've been in touch on and off. She and her husband are looking into adoption and I count it as a privilege and honor to share our story and be a resource. You just never know...

A super smooth first dentist appointment for Lindy. Phew...

Lindy's bible class teachers this past year. Sunday she gets promoted to the 3s. Thanks Ms. Sharon, Ms. Debbie, Ms. Ashley, Ms. Sherry, Ms. Anne, Ms. Kathy and anyone else who has helped with the 2s. These super teachers have been such an amazing part of her development this past year. She loves bible class and is really trying to obey God's rules.

A hard-workin' hubby who takes care of his girls.

Naptime! Not mine, Lindy's. My sweet child can wear me out and I am not ashamed to admit I look forward to the time she is asleep (or having semi-quiet time).

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Mother's Day 2008

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." Washington Irving

I have been blessed with this kind of mother and hope someday

my girls will say the same about me.

Happy Mother's Day!