PROUD TO CALL HER DAUGHTER

Blessed beyond measure my life has been since bringing this beautiful young lady home 18 years ago.  Just turning three months when we first met in that small orphanage in Vera Cruz, Mexico, I still remember walking into that dormitory and seeing her for the first time among several others.  Sweet, tiny and precious,  I hoped that she would be mine; as it turned out she was.

And she grew and grew and grew and became a wonderful daughter and friend.  She makes me proud of her so often and she has again recently when we received news that she made the Deans List at College, with a GPA of 3.25.  Congratulations! Great job...I love you so much.

NEW YEARS NEWS

At the start of the holidays my computer crashed. With the busyness of the season there has been no time for thinking about it, though I have missed this space. I am on a borrowed computer tonight and don't know how soon I will have a new one. With our upcoming travel to Southern California for two very special weddings I imagine it won't be for some time.

However, we had a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends, and received news that our adoption was finalized; of this little guy. We are very excited and thankful to God for bringing him into our lives and allowing us to call him son and brother.  The adoption finalized on December 29th; we are only waiting for his updated birth certificate giving him his new last name.  Celebrating after the return from our trip.  Delighted!

Wishing you all the very best for your New Year...

NO TURKEY FOR ME

Photo BHG

Heading to the beach house at Cannon Beach along Oregon's beautiful Pacific Northwest coast. A family dinner (that will include pork roast for those of the carnivores type) and some Outlet Mall shopping, but avoiding the Black Friday crowd.

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

• Pork Roast
• Homemade Applesauce
• Roasted Carrots and Brussels Sprouts
• Garlic Sauteed Green Beans
• Mashed Potatoes
• Mix Lettuce Salad with Grapefruit Wedges and Avocado Slices topped with chopped Smoked Almonds and dressed in a Sweet Citrusy Dressing
• Relish Tray
• Homemade Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
• Sparkling Cider, in the Stemmed Glassware

• Homemade Traditional Apple and Pumpkin Pies
• Homemade Caramel Glazed Pear Cake
• Decaf Coffee
• Hot Spiced Teas 

Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love.

WE'RE GETTING CLOSER

November is officially National Adoption Month and what better time to celebrate our adoption! There is an adoption awareness event happening at Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon, Here

I just received the adoption paperwork this week, which means we are getting closer to finalizing, and wouldn't it be wonderful if it could happen this month? The adoption worker stopped by and told me that this would be the last time she would visit, yipee!! If you think about it, please help me pray that we can finalize very soon.

The road from the day I first met my little guy until now has been a long one. Two and a half years have passed since that day. It has been a road of many twist and turns, of uncertainty and anticipation. A road to building and growing a family.  One that has been amazing and life changing.

I've had this little one for more than half of his life. He came as a foster child uncertain of his future, but we've loved him as our own and he had become a family member long before now. He has always called me mommy, which is significant to me.

As I began this journey into Foster Care, I had little thought about whether or not I would adopt again. But Gods purposes are always made known as He opens and closes doors. I wanted to help, in some small way, make a difference in the lives of children that were taken out of unfortunate situations. I wanted to give them hope for their futures, to love them and be loved by them. I wanted to give back to my community in a way that would make a difference.  Little did I know the plans God had for me when I started out on this wonderful journey.

As we celebrate our abundance and give God praise for the many blessings he pours out on our lives, we wait.

AN AUTUMN BIRTHDAY

Somebody turned 10! It's always safe with pizza and chocolate cake around here, elements that please them all. We gathered in and had a family party for this very special girl. A song of Happy Birthday,10 candles and several gifts to open on this cold Fall evening made everything feel pleasant and cozy.

And though it seems as though she just arrived, she may be leaving us soon...

BIRTHDAY

Stylish carrot cake and a snowing of vanilla cream cheese frosting decorated in an inspirational winter display,  mixed up and baked by Paree. 

An enjoyable lunch with her and some shopping.  A wonderful evening with  family enjoying the plated cake with ice-cream, presents and fun conversation.  I love birthday´s.

PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR

A simple chocolate cake made up with a large quantity of cocoa for cupcakes (the girls were in charge yesterday). These were eaten with enthusiasm by the boys. So many delicious treats eaten and gifted this holiday season.

Heading into the new year and the regular rhythm of days. Decorations are being carefully tucked away for another year as we gather in and hunker down with our daily lives. As this season passes let us remember to make some quiet time, along the way, and listen to the winter birds singing and children laughing. Some of my most favorite things in the whole world.

HAPPY TWENTY ELEVEN

Wishing you all the most pleasant and beautiful new year full of hope, joy and love shared with those you love most and best.

Reflecting on the past year...full of change, hope and growth. New roads have been travelled. New paths are being carved. We´ve added to our family, having three foster children this past year. One has found a new home and two have continued with us. How full our lives have been in 2010, many memories to be treasured and tucked away in this mama´s heart. So thankful for my older children and the blessing they are to my life. For great friends and family, and the wonderful support they give me. God has been so good to us....how truely grateful I am.

Easter

It means so much at Easter time

To keep in touch with friends

To wish them happiness and cheer

And joy that never ends.

That's why this brings a warm "hello"

Especially for you

Together with best wishes

For a happy Springtime too.

Have a wonderful and reflective day with those you love most and best.





And, let´s remember the most important part of Easter, and what Christ did for us, His resurrection.

The Message

After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb.
Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet
as God's angel came down from heaven, and
came right up to where they were standing.
He rolled back the stone and then sat on it.
Shafts of lightning blazed from him.
His garments shimmered snow-white.
The guards at the tomb were scared to death.
They were so frightened, they couldn't move.
The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here.
I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross.
He is not here. He was raised, just as he said.
Come and look at the place where he was placed.
'Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples,
'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee.
You will see him there.' That's the message."

Matthew 28:1-7