Holiday highlights

Happy new year!

It seems I'm a bit slow getting myself into gear for the new year. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2010 is off to a good start for you.

We had a very nice but exhausting Christmas and New Year's.

For Christmas, we traveled to southern California for a week. Some of the highlights included:

A quick jaunt to the famous Santa Monica Pier. For those of you in the throes of winter, here's some California sun for you...





A fun day at Knott's Berry Farm. Sure they don't have the mouse or princesses but they have the cute beagle we all love and a world famous fried chicken dinner.





The FIRST time for Lindy to sit on Santa's lap...


LOTS of bonding time with the family. We were so fortunate to see my grandparents, parents, brother's family, aunts and uncles, and cousins.





Christmas morning at Matt & Erin's, Christmas day and evening at Uncle Steve & Aunt Pauline's, and a late celebration at home. Christmas morning included "a white Christmas" thanks to "Uncle" Kyle's HUGE box of styrofoam peanuts.











An educational visit to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley and a tour of a retired Air Force One plane.

Time at my grandparents (which somehow went undocumented in photos)...

After we returned home and had our quiet Christmas, we turned around and headed to Houston for quick family trip.

The focus of the trip was to watch Navy play Missouri in the Texas Bowl and to have some quality time as a threesome. We did a lot of driving around, a little bit of shopping, some yummy eating, and some exploring in downtown Houston.

The game was GREAT and our seats were AWESOME! We were in the 4th row on the 40 yard line right behind Navy's bench. Navy trounced Missouri which was both surprising and exciting. We got to see the elder President Bush (as we figured we would) toss the coin. If you look REALLY closely, you can see him in the pictures. He's the one with the ball cap and blue blazer.








Just composing this post has made me kind of tired, so now I know why I felt so exhausted after our trips!

We closed out our year in a wonderful way and we started the new one with many hopes, dreams, and good intentions. We don't know what the new year holds but we pray it will be one of good health, happiness, and many blessings.

Merry Christmas

We are heading to California in the morning and I still have much to do before we walk out the door. No matter how early I start, there is always that crunch at the end and the struggle to get it all done.

I couldn't forget to wish you a very merry Christmas filled with lots of love, laughter, and happiness.

Looking forward to keeping up with you in 2010.

With love~

The Osborn Family

Don~Lisa~Lindy

What are your favorite things?

A couple Saturdays ago the three of us were eating lunch and the song "My Favorite Things" came on the radio. So, in an effort to encourage some discussion and family bonding, I proceeded to ask Don and Lindy what their favorite things are. And cue sound of crickets.

Yep, that's what I got crickets! A whole plague of them. Don kind of looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language and I don't recall that he offered up one thing. Lindy didn't play either and she usually doesn't miss a moment to talk. I'm sure her answer would've been something like, "candy, chocolate, unicorns, and diamonds."

So, I'm hoping that maybe just one person will share their favorite things with me. It can be products, activities, people, places, etc. If I were a bit more tech savvy and less lazy, I'd add a Mr. Linky doo dad so you could add all your things on your blog and link right here to them. Sorry...

Hoping you'll share and that this time of remembering your favorite things will bring you great joy...

xoxo~
Lisa

PS-It wouldn't be fair to ask if I didn't play along, too. I'll work on compiling some ideas and share soon...

Breakfast with bloggy buds

A couple weeks ago I got an email in my Facebook inbox from, Jill, a friend I've "met" through blogging inviting me to get together with her and our mutual friend, Danielle. That was exciting mail! I gladly rearranged a couple of things on my calendar so I could join them. This morning I had the wonderful opportunity and pleasure to meet them for a lovely breakfast. It was a crisp, gorgeous morning here in south Texas and we went to Guenther House--one of my favorite places in town.

Jill and Danielle are absolutely precious and kind (and thin, and young, and talented). Our time together went by much too quickly. Here are a couple of pictures from our fun morning. Sorry they're so tiny...(Not sure what blogger is doing...)


I've been really fortunate to meet some great people through the blogosphere and am especially happy to have met these two young women today.

Happy Thanksgiving

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not
giving it." ~William Arthur Ward

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

May your day be filled with many blessings and much love~
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

Will hike for diamonds

November 16, 1991
See the little black box???

Today is Don's birthday. It is also the day we got engaged 18 years ago. On his 24th birthday we drove to Lake Tahoe. I knew what was going to take place that day but acted like I didn't.

Don had always said that if a girl loved a guy enough a cheeseburger should be enough and that she didn't need a fancy, gigantic diamond ring to symbolize their love. I tried to modify his philosophies slightly but, honestly, I was so smitten with him, I would've gladly accepted just a cheeseburger. When we got to Tahoe, we did stop at McD*onald's and he sprung for a cheeseburger and then we set off to go hiking.

After a bit of a hike, we made it to the beautiful and scenic water's edge of Emerald Bay at Vikingsholm. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I forgot to say, "yes" and it is funny to me that my failure to answer actually caused him a slight scare. Eventually, I sealed the deal and we were married seven months later on June 13, 1992.

Judging by my pictures nowadays, he's showered me with more cheeseburgers than diamonds. It is probably time to work on adjusting his philosophy again AND maybe even plan a hike...

I never had heard of formal engagement pictures
but this was taken shortly after our engagement.

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!

Menu Plan Monday

I remember the good old days when every once in a while I would actually get motivated enough to post my weekly menu. It has been over a year since I've done that. I guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic, so I thought I'd give it a whirl...

Monday, November 2nd-Chili & cheese turkey dogs on whole wheat buns, butternut squash, and another veggie (which honestly might be corn chips...NO JUDGING please)
Tuesday, November 3rd-Cranberry chicken over rice, green beans, garden salad
Wednesday, November 4th-Out
Thursday, November 5th-Pumpkin baked ziti, broccoli, salad
Friday, November 6th-Leftovers

I also am going to bring this dip with gingersnaps for MOPS on Friday and this salad for a potluck after Ladies Bible Class tomorrow.

I love seeing what other people are having for dinner here.

What's on your menu this week?

Weekend in Dallas & Fort Worth

Howdy~

Last weekend we took a jaunt to Dallas and Fort Worth and packed a lot in our short trip to the metroplex. Our "inspiration" event, so to speak, was the Navy/SMU football game. All other activities were planned around that blessed event. My parents hadn't really ever been to the area as tourists and they decided to fly down from Kansas City and meet us there for some fun.

On Thursday we spent a few hours at the Texas State Fair. It is the largest state fair in the country and we certainly didn't get to a fraction of it. While we all passed on this year's featured deep fried item of butter, we did indulge in a famous corny dog and tried a deep fried peanut butter cup macaroon (really a waste of a good peanut butter cup IMHO).


While we didn't have tickets to attend the famous Red River Shootout (UT/OU game) on Saturday, we did pay a quick homage to the Cotton Bowl which is on the fairgrounds. Hook 'em!

On Thursday night, my parents and I went to see the Broadway musical Mary Poppins. The only word I can think to describe it is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. It was wonderful and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes the story, the movie, musicals, and a fun time.

On Friday morning I introduced my mom to Sam M*oon. It is a mecca for me when I'm in Dallas (which isn't often). It is just rows and rows of fun jewelry and accessories. It is like Claire's on steroids. We could've stayed there for hours but the men and child got a little restless. So we decided to mosey on over to Fort Worth, specifically to the Stock Yards. We made it in time to see the 4:00 cattle drive down Exchange Street.

Lindy did not want to get on Pecos Bill but didn't mind taking a more conservative approach as shown below.

When in Rome, do as the Romans and when in Texas, do as the Texans. We all attended our first rodeo at the C*owtown C*oliseum which was the sight of the first indoor rodeo in the early 1900s. Lindy seemed to like the sparkly belts and accessories that the cowgirls wore but she was a little hesitant about being a cowgirl when Don took her down to the ring to participate in chasing the mutton (no pictures available).


After a full Friday, we embarked on super-packed Saturday. We spent a couple of hours going through the S*ixth Floor M*useum at the T*exas State Book Depository. That is the sight of where Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President Kennedy. The museum is very informative and done quite well. I liked history during school but never seemed to get past World War II it seemed. This museum has helped me understand more of what was taking place in the years just before my birth. My parents both were in high school when it happened and for their generation it is an event that they can vividly recall.



We walked around downtown Dallas and made our way to P*ioneer Plaza. I had planned this on our itinerary but had never seen or been there. I kept telling my family it was some bronze sculptures of cattle and I think they were wondering why we were hoofing it all over the city streets to see some statues. However, it was pretty amazing! It wasn't just a couple of cattle--it was at least 50 some cattle (give or take)...They were so life like and pictures can't really describe but I took a bunch, so I'll post them anyway.





Phew... After all that we headed out to Southern Methodist University to go to the long-awaited football game. You always want to get to a Navy game early because they do cool stuff beforehand like have Navy SEALS parachute in with the game ball and flag or send three F-18s to do a low and impressive flyover. You also may sit near a former president or see one (this time George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush were there).






This was my mom's first football game--ever--I think and I was concerned she'd be bored, too cold, or lost trying to learn the rules of the game and follow the ball. To my surprise I think she had a terrific time. We were sitting next to the band and all the cutie patootie YOUNG Midshipmen in their dress blues. Besides a good game that Navy won in OT, we had so much fun watching the youngsters cheer and do their special little Navy dances and traditions. During Don's tenure at the Naval Academy, they didn't have a good football program so I don't think he knows as many cheers.

The weekend was great and almost perfect. Sadly, my poor dad didn't feel well the entire time and initially thought he had a cold. It was obvious on Saturday night and Sunday morning that he was getting worse and it was more than a cold. Last Monday he found out he has H1N1. I felt terrible knowing he had persevered through the full days and nights feeling absolutely rotten. The good news is that he is getting better, my mom has not come down with it, and neither have we. Still praying for his complete healing and protection for my mom and us.

I know there is probably tons more to do in the Big D but we got a pretty good taste of it in the few days we were there. Now waiting for the next adventure...

Y'all come back now, you hear!