Who recieves the gift in adoption?
Adoption is truly a rare, lovely gift. It is not a quiet gift. It is decorated with many colors. You will see them all. One can imagine a sparkly package with a perfect bow. For some, years of weeping are held inside this package. Opening the memories inside can be scary. It takes years of…
Gratitude changes everything…
I am strong, because I have been weak. I am fearless, because I have been afraid. I am wise, because I have been foolish. I am blind, because I have faith. I am loved, because He first loved me. I am grateful, because of eternal life. MamaC I hear people say that God doesn’t give…
Happy 21st Birthday!
Today is Connor’s 21st birthday! We will be celebrating in Texas where he was born on a 100 degree day August 1st, 1995 at 2am. The air conditioning was out in the hospital room. I think it was a clever incentive to get me up and walking out of there, as soon as possible. Many…
Even in the darkest of night, the sun will rise again…Les Miserables
Grief has changed my life. It has made me appreciate each day we live. It has made my heart and soul feel unimaginable pain. Each day I have to consciously push forward and say “NO” to sadness. I know our loved ones would not want us to dwell in constant suffering. Grief is real, there…
Firecracker! Firecracker! Boom Boom Boom…
A question was placed before our children in the form of the following: Who do you believe suffered more from the loss of your brother…birth siblings or adopted siblings? Indeed, questions such as these were required to complete a year long process of paperwork to close out what already seemed like an eternity of grief.…
Life, loss & love…
Today begins a weekend at Camp Piasa for members of Chosen to Shine non-profit. Our mission is to give young adults hope for their future through faith, fellowship, music and motivation with the opportunity to serve others, leaving everyone in the knowledge that they matter and are CHOSEN TO SHINE! Last year’s camp was held…
Look up and ponder what’s in your heart…
Graduation is around the corner. Are you anticipating and maybe even apprehensive about your child leaving for college in only a few short weeks? Weren’t they just in kindergarten? How did this happen so quickly?! When we were looking at different schools, the larger ones worried me. Would he make it to class in time?…
Climb every mountain…
Cleaning under the couch cushions I saw something shiny peeking out of a side crevice. I pulled out a silver ink pen and wondered where such a nice pen came from. It didn’t look familiar at first. As most would, I immediately pressed the top of the pen to see if it would write. The…
What I would tell him…
Embrace the flow, the splendor, and the dance of life. This day was created for you – Cherish it. Shine your light in all that you do! Live your life with passion, purpose, respect and integrity. You are here for a reason. Make today count through all it’s surprises and challenges. Face these challenges with…
Eighteen on the Eighteenth…
Eighteen months on the eighteenth this month. It’s hard to believe I haven’t seen or spoken to you this long. I feel your presence most days in things I didn’t before. When you first left this earth, I remember thinking…time heals all things. I was quite optimistic with loss, as most things in life. Reality…
Do you see the blessings in your life?
I was in a sad frame of mind yesterday. People were getting me down and I was allowing it to happen. All the while I was telling our children not to worry, things will be okay. We all meet new friends and God gives us blessings, we only need to look for them. I was…
The real test…
Today’s society tells us that college is the answer and the ACT or SAT determines value. One test is NOT a true assessment of a person. Your future and you are not that simple. In our family we have many different ranges of test taking abilities. Tests made me nervous. I scored under a 20 on…