Well, it has been a long time coming but we did finally move up 2 spots on the unofficial list. It has been a frustrating month so far as in total we haven't seen that many referrals. I truly do feel for those families at the top of the list who have been waiting for almost 9 months.
I hope and pray that this families get their referral before the court closure. We are all hoping that there will be a big flood of referrals in the next few weeks.
I as always will keep you posted!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Unanswered Prayers
This weeks song is one of my all time favorite songs by one of my favorite singers, Garth Brooks. There is nothing like hearing this song live at a concert which I was fortunate enough to be able to do a number of years ago in Sacramento. This song has so many meanings for me. I am a big believer in prayer and I must admit when my prayers aren't answered sometimes I do get frustrated.
This song reminds me that there is a reason why God has chosen to not answer that particular pray. Maybe He will answer the next one. This is where faith comes in since without faith I couldn't continue to pray and praying brings me peace. It is how I end my day.
"Unanswered Prayers"
Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a link to the song or the video. It is an older song (from the 90's) but it will always be on my list of favorites. If I happen to find a clip of the song I will add it to this post later.
This song reminds me that there is a reason why God has chosen to not answer that particular pray. Maybe He will answer the next one. This is where faith comes in since without faith I couldn't continue to pray and praying brings me peace. It is how I end my day.
"Unanswered Prayers"
Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a link to the song or the video. It is an older song (from the 90's) but it will always be on my list of favorites. If I happen to find a clip of the song I will add it to this post later.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ignorance is bliss???
I have been holding off on commenting on something I saw on TV but it keeps popping up and I can't take it anymore. I admit that I watch MTV/VH1. I am the MTV generation, I was 5 when MTV started so life without MTV is just not natural for me. Now, I don't watch music videos on either channel as they hardly show videos but I do watch 1/2 hour "reality" shows and thus the reason for this post.
I watch "The Hills" on MTV. I know terrible but it is mindless and I usually have it on while blogging or cooking dinner. Well, there are 2 characters on that show that are in my mind ridiculous. They are a couple and they recently appeared on the "Tyra Banks Show" (No I don't watch Tyra but I do watch the Soup and Best Week Ever where I saw the clip) Anyway, Tyra asked them if they had names picked out for future children. The male member of this couple said he would like to adopt from Africa and then they would name their son Dunk since he will be tall and play basketball. Really?? People like this drive me crazy! How ignorant is this guy??? Apparently he hasn't entered the year 2008 where it is so not okay to say or believe things like this. I was just shocked and the fact that Tyra, a black woman, didn't say anything in response to this was even more shocking.
I have always heard the statement that ignorance is bliss but I am starting to wonder why people say that. Why would you ever want to be ignorant? Isn't it best to stay present and have as much knowledge as possible?
I also read a story today where a mom was told by a daycare provider that she needed to cut her Ethiopian sons hair as other children are interested in it and are pulling it. What? April Fools right? Since when does a daycare provider get to tell a parent how to style their children's hair. Would this daycare provider tell a mom that she should cut her little girls hair because kids are pulling it? This little boys hair isn't long, just soft floppy baby curls. What is wrong with that? NOTHING!
I was so appalled when I read this story. My heart goes out to this mom and her family. She shouldn't have to deal with this. She should be able to style her children's hair however she likes and the daycare provider should refocus the children's behavior to something more productive than hair pulling. Someone suggested that if pinching a child's arm was the problem, would the daycare ask to have the arm amputated? I know silly, but since cutting the hair solves hair pulling according to the daycare....
I think I have vented enough for one day. Stay tuned for tomorrow's song. (ok, when I start writing bad puns, it is time to walk away from the computer)
I watch "The Hills" on MTV. I know terrible but it is mindless and I usually have it on while blogging or cooking dinner. Well, there are 2 characters on that show that are in my mind ridiculous. They are a couple and they recently appeared on the "Tyra Banks Show" (No I don't watch Tyra but I do watch the Soup and Best Week Ever where I saw the clip) Anyway, Tyra asked them if they had names picked out for future children. The male member of this couple said he would like to adopt from Africa and then they would name their son Dunk since he will be tall and play basketball. Really?? People like this drive me crazy! How ignorant is this guy??? Apparently he hasn't entered the year 2008 where it is so not okay to say or believe things like this. I was just shocked and the fact that Tyra, a black woman, didn't say anything in response to this was even more shocking.
I have always heard the statement that ignorance is bliss but I am starting to wonder why people say that. Why would you ever want to be ignorant? Isn't it best to stay present and have as much knowledge as possible?
I also read a story today where a mom was told by a daycare provider that she needed to cut her Ethiopian sons hair as other children are interested in it and are pulling it. What? April Fools right? Since when does a daycare provider get to tell a parent how to style their children's hair. Would this daycare provider tell a mom that she should cut her little girls hair because kids are pulling it? This little boys hair isn't long, just soft floppy baby curls. What is wrong with that? NOTHING!
I was so appalled when I read this story. My heart goes out to this mom and her family. She shouldn't have to deal with this. She should be able to style her children's hair however she likes and the daycare provider should refocus the children's behavior to something more productive than hair pulling. Someone suggested that if pinching a child's arm was the problem, would the daycare ask to have the arm amputated? I know silly, but since cutting the hair solves hair pulling according to the daycare....
I think I have vented enough for one day. Stay tuned for tomorrow's song. (ok, when I start writing bad puns, it is time to walk away from the computer)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Give a little...
Today was my day off and I decided that I would finally get to put together the box of supplies to send off to AHOPE in Ethiopia, a care center for HIV+ children.
It was nice to go on a hunt in WalMart (not my favorite place but I could get more for my money). I was looking for things like baby shampoo, hydro cortisone cream, anti-fungal cream, first aid spray, calming creme and toothpaste. I really enjoyed it and it made me realize a few things.
1) I am really grateful for all the blessings I have in my life.
2) It really didn't take much time, effort or money to gather much needed supplies for children in need.
3) I am really committed to the people of Ethiopia, more than I ever thought I would be. I haven't even been there yet but I feel like I should be helping out whenever I can and I plan to.
4) My forum friends are amazing for organizing such giving drives as this.
So now that I have all the stuff that I bought , I contacted the person organizing this part of the giving effort and she put me in touch with the person I need to send the box of stuff to. From there it will be off to Ethiopia. It is so awesome that we can all work together for the greater good. When each person does just a little to help it really does make a big difference.
I have already committed to another box of supplies in another month or so. It is something that I can do so I should do. Sure, I could go spend the money getting something for myself, my DH or my lovely pugs but there are people that need it more than I do or my dogs do. They might disagree as they always love their treats and toys but in the end a little sacrifice on my side can help a child half way across the world.
One of my favorite movies is Pay It Forward. I feel like Ethiopia is giving me a beautiful gift of a child so the least I can do is pay it forward with supplies to help other children.
So if you have a little extra and want to give a little, let me know. I would be happy to help more people pay it forward.
It was nice to go on a hunt in WalMart (not my favorite place but I could get more for my money). I was looking for things like baby shampoo, hydro cortisone cream, anti-fungal cream, first aid spray, calming creme and toothpaste. I really enjoyed it and it made me realize a few things.
1) I am really grateful for all the blessings I have in my life.
2) It really didn't take much time, effort or money to gather much needed supplies for children in need.
3) I am really committed to the people of Ethiopia, more than I ever thought I would be. I haven't even been there yet but I feel like I should be helping out whenever I can and I plan to.
4) My forum friends are amazing for organizing such giving drives as this.
So now that I have all the stuff that I bought , I contacted the person organizing this part of the giving effort and she put me in touch with the person I need to send the box of stuff to. From there it will be off to Ethiopia. It is so awesome that we can all work together for the greater good. When each person does just a little to help it really does make a big difference.
I have already committed to another box of supplies in another month or so. It is something that I can do so I should do. Sure, I could go spend the money getting something for myself, my DH or my lovely pugs but there are people that need it more than I do or my dogs do. They might disagree as they always love their treats and toys but in the end a little sacrifice on my side can help a child half way across the world.
One of my favorite movies is Pay It Forward. I feel like Ethiopia is giving me a beautiful gift of a child so the least I can do is pay it forward with supplies to help other children.
So if you have a little extra and want to give a little, let me know. I would be happy to help more people pay it forward.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cookbook
I think I might be crazy! Someone suggested on our agency's message board that we put together a cookbook full of Ethiopian recipes and good quick family meals and we can sell them to waiting families (or anyone else that wants one) and send the profits to Care Center where our children are/will be. Well the crazy part is that I have offered to collect the recipes and get it printed.
I figured I could really use a project to occupy my time this summer. After all, things will slow down a lot over the summer so why not right?
I have a few traditional Ethiopian recipes that were submitted to the forum. I haven't tried them yet but I really want to and then there are a few others I have for great family meals. I am pretty excited about this. I have gotten the names of a couple of companies that print cookbooks specifically for causes like this.
I have already started thinking of a cover design and can't decide if we should do hardback or laminated paper. I am leaning towards the laminated paper as it is a lot cheaper and can still look nice. I have a church cookbook that is very similar in layout to what we are looking to do and that is paperback and I have had it for years and it is still great.
I think we are on to a good thing here and I am counting on my forum friends to keep thinking of great family friendly recipes as well as Ethiopian recipes that their families love so we can add them to our cookbook.
Here's to a summer of good cooking and publishing :)
I figured I could really use a project to occupy my time this summer. After all, things will slow down a lot over the summer so why not right?
I have a few traditional Ethiopian recipes that were submitted to the forum. I haven't tried them yet but I really want to and then there are a few others I have for great family meals. I am pretty excited about this. I have gotten the names of a couple of companies that print cookbooks specifically for causes like this.
I have already started thinking of a cover design and can't decide if we should do hardback or laminated paper. I am leaning towards the laminated paper as it is a lot cheaper and can still look nice. I have a church cookbook that is very similar in layout to what we are looking to do and that is paperback and I have had it for years and it is still great.
I think we are on to a good thing here and I am counting on my forum friends to keep thinking of great family friendly recipes as well as Ethiopian recipes that their families love so we can add them to our cookbook.
Here's to a summer of good cooking and publishing :)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Court Closure Decision
Well, we got some interesting news from CHSFS today. We get a monthly newsletter that gives us updates on the Ethiopia program. The court closure date is looming so CHSFS has given waiting families a couple of options.
If you receive your referral before June 1st, they will try and push your accepted referral through with the hopes that you will get through the court process before the closure in the first week of August. This will not (almost definitely) apply to us. We are too new to the wait to receive a referral by this date.
Now, where it gets interesting is after June 1st. In the past CHSFS has stopped handing out referrals around June 15th in order to allow for the court closure and so that families don't have their referral information and have to wait for the courts to reopen. The courts are scheduled to reopen in the end of September.
This year CHSFS is giving families the option after June 1st to consider a referral during the court closure. What this means is that they could refer a child to us and we can have everything checked out by a doctor, accept the referral and then just have to wait for courts to reopen in the fall before anything else could happen. In essence, we would have picture of our baby but that child couldn't become officially ours until after our court date in the fall. Yes, it would be hard to know what our child looks like and know that they are waiting for us but the plus side is that there is a chance that we could travel this year. I know, crazy but possible.
On average from accepted referral until travel is averaging about 12-14 weeks right now. If we were to consider a referral during the court closure that time would increase since nothing can move forward until the courts reopen. And then even after the courts reopen, it takes a little time for things to get up and running again since they may be new judges and a big back log of cases.
We have decided to consider a referral during the court closure. We were going to have to wait out the closure anyway so we figured we have nothing to lose. We know that if it does happen it will be hard to look at that adorable face for so long but we think the risk is worth it. We also realize that there are still a lot of families ahead of us on the waiting list so if they are all open to this option it may not make a difference. However, if there are families ahead of us that wish to wait until the courts reopen, we could skip over them. Those families ultimately don't lose their place on the list but could get skipped over during the court closure and then once the courts reopen CHSFS goes back to the master list and everyone returns to their place. So we could move ahead or if enough families elect to go with this option we could stay where we are.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and if we are meant to receive a referral during the court closure then we will and if we are meant to wait then we will wait. It is exciting though to think of the possibilities. It could make for an interesting summer or it may not. I guess we will have to wait and see.
If you receive your referral before June 1st, they will try and push your accepted referral through with the hopes that you will get through the court process before the closure in the first week of August. This will not (almost definitely) apply to us. We are too new to the wait to receive a referral by this date.
Now, where it gets interesting is after June 1st. In the past CHSFS has stopped handing out referrals around June 15th in order to allow for the court closure and so that families don't have their referral information and have to wait for the courts to reopen. The courts are scheduled to reopen in the end of September.
This year CHSFS is giving families the option after June 1st to consider a referral during the court closure. What this means is that they could refer a child to us and we can have everything checked out by a doctor, accept the referral and then just have to wait for courts to reopen in the fall before anything else could happen. In essence, we would have picture of our baby but that child couldn't become officially ours until after our court date in the fall. Yes, it would be hard to know what our child looks like and know that they are waiting for us but the plus side is that there is a chance that we could travel this year. I know, crazy but possible.
On average from accepted referral until travel is averaging about 12-14 weeks right now. If we were to consider a referral during the court closure that time would increase since nothing can move forward until the courts reopen. And then even after the courts reopen, it takes a little time for things to get up and running again since they may be new judges and a big back log of cases.
We have decided to consider a referral during the court closure. We were going to have to wait out the closure anyway so we figured we have nothing to lose. We know that if it does happen it will be hard to look at that adorable face for so long but we think the risk is worth it. We also realize that there are still a lot of families ahead of us on the waiting list so if they are all open to this option it may not make a difference. However, if there are families ahead of us that wish to wait until the courts reopen, we could skip over them. Those families ultimately don't lose their place on the list but could get skipped over during the court closure and then once the courts reopen CHSFS goes back to the master list and everyone returns to their place. So we could move ahead or if enough families elect to go with this option we could stay where we are.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and if we are meant to receive a referral during the court closure then we will and if we are meant to wait then we will wait. It is exciting though to think of the possibilities. It could make for an interesting summer or it may not. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
It's My Life
Quick update on Sebastian, he is doing great. We never did take him in to see the vet as he stopped limping for the most part. He still has a very slight limp occasionally but is MUCH better.
Now on to the Thursday song, I told you I love but country but I also love rock. So this week's song is by Bon Jovi. I have been a Bon Jovi fan going back to grade school. My first concert at Shoreline Amphitheater in CA was Bon Jovi when I was 16. It was AWESOME!! I have since seen them a few more times and always it is an awesome show. I picked this song in particular for a couple of reasons. A) I just like it and B) it reminds me of CA. When I lived there I was a Resident Director in a dorm. My DH and I (and Sebastian) lived in a dorm of about 300 sophomores and we had the great pleasure of our apartment facing the street. Now this was a small college and the street we faced was the main thoroughfare to get to all of the parties. In fact one of the biggest party houses was on the corner across the street from us and this song was their personal anthem. We heard this song I would guess hundreds if not thousands of times throughout the course of the year. One night in particular they decided to sing along and destroy their front porch in the process. Never a dull moment.... So here are the lyrics and a link to the music video.
"It's My Life"
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
[Chorus:]It's my life
It's now or never I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
Got to make your own breaks
[Chorus:]It's my life
And it's now or never I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
[Chorus:]It's my life And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
[Chorus:]It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1044&vid=18105
Now this song isn't as deep as my first choice but I really like it. And I take it at face value. It is a fun song that tells me to take full advantage of every day that I am lucky enough to be on this planet. I try to take that to heart and go from there. This song brings back memories of years past and good times that I will never forget. Enjoy!
Now on to the Thursday song, I told you I love but country but I also love rock. So this week's song is by Bon Jovi. I have been a Bon Jovi fan going back to grade school. My first concert at Shoreline Amphitheater in CA was Bon Jovi when I was 16. It was AWESOME!! I have since seen them a few more times and always it is an awesome show. I picked this song in particular for a couple of reasons. A) I just like it and B) it reminds me of CA. When I lived there I was a Resident Director in a dorm. My DH and I (and Sebastian) lived in a dorm of about 300 sophomores and we had the great pleasure of our apartment facing the street. Now this was a small college and the street we faced was the main thoroughfare to get to all of the parties. In fact one of the biggest party houses was on the corner across the street from us and this song was their personal anthem. We heard this song I would guess hundreds if not thousands of times throughout the course of the year. One night in particular they decided to sing along and destroy their front porch in the process. Never a dull moment.... So here are the lyrics and a link to the music video.
"It's My Life"
This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
[Chorus:]It's my life
It's now or never I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life
This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
Got to make your own breaks
[Chorus:]It's my life
And it's now or never I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life
Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down
[Chorus:]It's my life And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
[Chorus:]It's my life
And it's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive (It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1044&vid=18105
Now this song isn't as deep as my first choice but I really like it. And I take it at face value. It is a fun song that tells me to take full advantage of every day that I am lucky enough to be on this planet. I try to take that to heart and go from there. This song brings back memories of years past and good times that I will never forget. Enjoy!
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