2012

Whew.  It's over.  2011, that is.

I'm emotionally drained.  But, I am slowly recovering and hope to be in ship-shape in not too long!

In all the sadness, in and amongst all the stress, there were two miracles.  Two little baby boys were added to our family.  Caleb Journey was born to Josh and Serena on July 27 (remember I was in Colorado in July?)

and River Arvin was born to Gana and Daja on October 3.

Oh, we do love babies around here!  Those two brand new ones redeemed 2011 for me.  Without them, I'd be hard-pressed to find the good.

Well, the "big" good, anyway.  God is always good and gives us so many every day wonders, that there is always good.  Always a gift from Him.  Always a smile to find.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  Lamentations 3:22-24

And now it's 2012.

New Years Day landed on a Sunday this year.  What a wonderfully clean slate it represented.  A new day, a new week, a new month, and a new year!

Today my husband and I sat down to map out our goals and dreams for 2012.  No resolutions, just regrouping.  We'll do it again at the beginning of February.  Either to pat ourselves on the back or to kick ourselves back into action!

For the past few years, I've been choosing a word for the year.  Naming it, if you will.  I named 2011 FREEDOM.  2010 was the year of YES.  Do I sometimes forget what year it is as the months roll by?  Well, yeah.  But, it usually doesn't take too long before the year's name comes calling me back.

2012 is being named "RELEASE".  Not the most common of names, but a very personal one.  This is our year to release pain and illness, to release negative financial concerns, and to release excess possessions.  We are also opening our hearts, hands, and bodies to receive freedom and health.

Hey, 2012 is looking pretty good sitting there all clean and new!

Summer 2011 Manifesto

Well......Spring didn't go exactly as I had planned.  I'm not sure I have any expectations that summer will, either.  *sigh* 

So, I think I'm going to go nice and simple here.  I hope having this posted in front of me will help keep me focused.  Odd that I've come to a point where I have to focus on having fun.  *another sigh*  So, without further ado, here's to my summer - with a little commentary by Winnie-the-Pooh.

I will get sunshine

and go barefoot on the grass.

“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.”

I will “just do the next thing”

without anxiety.
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry.
We shall get there some day.”

I will take each day slowly --

no matter how fast the season scurries.

“Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear,

and not bothering.”

I will have fun.

“When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out of sorts, don't worry; you're probably

just a little eleven o'clockish.”

 

National Wear Your Apron Day

Today was National Wear Your Apron Day.

What My Marriage Really Looks Like

We like to take pictures on Easter of how pretty we look in our new clothes.  Sometimes not everything is so new.  Sometimes we don't look so pretty.  But, when things come together and we do take a good picture that we both like, we are happy.  Didn't happen this year.  Nope.  I did like ONE picture, but he didn't like it.  So, no new Facebook profile pics.  At least of us together.

BUT, what we did end up with were a couple of pictures that illustrate our life together.  Enjoy laughing at with us!

Spring 2011 Manifesto

(Double click on graphic to view in larger format.)

Scripture Memorization

One of my goals for this year is to memorize one Scripture passage (not necessarily just one verse) a week.  So far, so good.  Today, via Ann Voskamp, I found this great (and free) memory aide.  I tried it out and it is awesome!  Go take a look.  Try it out with John 3:16.  I've got a widget over to the right from there with my current Scripture.

Why memorize Scripture? 

Chuck Swindoll wrote, "I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture... No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified." (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61).

Dallas Willard says in a piece entitled Personal Soul Care, "This practice of memorizing the Scriptures is more important than a daily quiet time, for as we fill our minds with these great passages and have them available for our meditation, 'quiet time' takes over the entirety of our lives."

But the best reasons of all are found in the Scriptures themselves.  Here are only two of that multitude of reasons:

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."  Psalm 119:11

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

Winter Manifesto

We weren't supposed to be exchanging "real" gifts...

But, after all the presents in the stockings were opened on Christmas morning (there were 16 opened one at a time), I was handed a letter.  It was addressed, "To our dearest Mom, Mommy, Nana, our best friend."

I was in tears before I even read past that.  And I cried through the whole letter.  The kind of letter that I can't post because then I would seem really egotistical.  But, it went straight to my heart and will stay there forever.

When I finished reading, this beautiful antique chandelier was brought in.  I couldn't believe it!  I had admired it in a local shop, thought it would look wonderful in our entry, but knew I couldn't buy it, so didn't think about it anymore.  And here it is in its perfect chippy state sitting in my living room!

Of course, when the girls came over to hug me, I started the ugly cry.

Thank you, Daja, Sarah-Kate, and Serena!  You are the absolute best daughters! 

And BFF's!

(I miss you, Serena.)

Hopefully, it will be put up real soon.  (Now looking for a ceiling medallion.)  I'll post before and after photos.

Downtown Lighting

Tonight as darkness fell, the community gathered to light up our city park and acknowledge the beginning of the Christmas season.

I love living in small town America where we don't have a problem gathering together and singing the whole songbook of Christmas carols and songs.  Seriously, we sang 14 (!) of them by candlelight.

  

By the end I felt a bit frozen, but happy.

Autumn Manifesto

Inspired by both last day of may and in other words..., I present my:

Autumn Manifesto

1. On chilly days, I will remember to drink tea.



2. I will invite people into my home to “Share the Harvest” -- my theme this season.



3. I will put thought into our meals to make them both tasty and comforting.



4. I will place pumpkins and fall decorations throughout the house – and keep tweaking it all season to keep it fun.

5. I will use pumpkin and apples freely in my cooking and baking.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies

 

6. I will light my candles and little lamps as dusk falls to make my home cozy feeling.



7. I will visit Farmers' Markets more frequently.



8. I will pay more attention to the journaling of my life (this blog).



9. I will use my Silhouette Machine.



10. I will let my gym see my face more often.



11. I will complete my 10-day Give (which I forgot about the first time around).



12. I will go outside every day just to breathe.

13. I will buy some tights. And look for a new coat.

14. I will use my stationery.

15. I will trust God and my husband as I discover grace.

Aquarium, Part 2

So, I thought I'd better post this before Part 3 happens.  Which happens tomorrow.  Part 1 is here.

Way back in May, we took the Gombojav children to the Monterey Bay Aquarium as part of their last year's Christmas present.  We took the Abdelaziz children in March, and the Correa children get to go tomorrow.  Now, it might be awhile before I can post Part 3, because we cannot post pictures until the adoption is complete.  *sigh*  Sometimes, paperwork can take forever.

So, here we go!

 Not a little excited, are they?

If you can overlook all the political environmental propagada all over, it is really a fun place.  I love that children can have so much hands-on experiences and learning.

Where there is a will,

there is a way!

Though some may think some things are just too wet and slimy to actually want to touch.

 Pure joy.

These two big ol' kids:

are these two (on the left)!

They've added a few siblings as you can see.

Belgee, second from right.

If you look really closely, you might see baby penquins in that nest.

I understand the feeling.

The following picture was requested by Israel as we were passing this store.  Just because his mom would really like it.  Enjoy, Daja!

This time we stopped for cinnamon rolls as we were walking back to the parking garage.  Nana's choice.  No one minded.