Busy Man...

What a busy man my sweet husband is! I wonder if he had any idea 15 years ago that his 'dating days' were just beginning? In the last 3 weeks he has taken Kendall to the Princess Ball, he has taken me on 2 separate dates one of which was the celebration of our 15 yr anniversary, and just last weekend he took Mallory on their first "official" date. She was over the top with excitement. Weeks earlier Mallory had pulled on her 'princess' dress and joined her sister and friends before they left for the Princess Ball. That event was sponsored by the Girl Scouts, and Mallory isn't a scout yet so she wasn't able to attend. She wanted to go so badly! A week after the Princess Ball we were eating at our local ChikFilA and the manager was posting flyers for the Daddy and Daughter Date Night. Bingo!! I had heard about this special event from a few friends who took advantage of this last year and knew it would be great fun! Mallory was so excited the day of her 'date', she was beaming from ear to ear! She insisted on new toe nail polish and mascara...yes I know, Diva! She and her dad met her friend Faith and her date at ChikFilA for their 6:30 reservation. The tables were covered with white table cloths, the 'servers' came to the table to take their order. The girls received a token ChikFilA stuffed cow and a carnation. Plus they were treated to a horse drawn carriage ride. (That was Mal's favorite part.) I think Brian loves doing this as much as the girls. I'm not sure if it's because he loves seeing the smiles on their faces and spending the quality time with them or if he knows he's setting the bar way too high for any little boy to come close to succeeding? I'm guessin' it's both! What a great dad and date that man is...so lucky to have him!

Happy Father's Day

"It doesn't matter who my father was;

it matters who I remember he was." ~by Anne Sexton

Let us celebrate the caring, strong, inspirational men in our lives today! I am always proud to retell stories of years past with my dad, and my girls love to hear them. Kendall is now 8 years old and she is beginning to have strong memories of times with her dad. I catch her sharing and giggling over those moments with her friends. My dad was always a source of comfort and protection for me and my family. He was, and still is, the voice of reason and calm. He showed us that 1. the adult is always right 2. you can watch t.v. with your eyes closed..dare you to change the channel! 3. potatoes can and should be served with each meal..fried is the best 4. you must finish what you started 5. Don't let them get to you...it's not worth it 6. the white-faced bumble bees don't sting..not at all true!! 7. Good cornbread is all about the pan 8. Courtesy does get you everywhere 9. Pester your kids as much as they do you, and feel free to do the same to their friends. :) 10. Have all your facts before you speak up 11. Actions speak louder than words 12. Sometimes you gotta take one for the team (for 35 years he goes to the ocean with the family and absolutely HATES sand and sun) 13. What your mom don't know won't hurt her (I must admit that was only fun as a kid eating junk for b'fast, but now I'm scared to death of this lesson!!) 14.Don't be afraid to try. 15.Family comes first, always.

So grateful for my dad (and for my mom for choosing him and keeping him!). I can't wait to hear the lessons my kids learn from their dad. My husband is a fantastic father! Love the lessons I continue to learn from both of these wonderful men in my life. Happy Father's Day to them both!

Disturb Us, O Lord...

When you use Children's Hope International for adoption you are given the gift of a weekly update. These emails include new stats, important changes, informational pieces and motivational quotes or prayers. On March 5, 2010 we were included in the stats for the Families on the Waiting List. At the end of the email was this prayer/poem written by Sir Frances Drake, a 16th Century explorer (aka legal pirate) thought to have written this while out at sea. On January 21, 2011 we left for our first of two trips to Ethiopia. On that Friday the much appreciated email went out as usual. It announced that 10 families would be headed to Ethiopia that weekend...we were one of those familes!..and it ended with the same prayer by Sir Frances Drake. Brian has made a beautiful video documenting our journey to bring home our sweet boy. This prayer meant so much to us, spoke to us directly really..we used in the video and continue to love the words each time we hear it. We have recently been asked to serve on an orphan relief committee and immediately this prayer came to mind again. I think we all can use it in many instances each and every day. The first line is so powerful....

Disturb us, O Lord

when we are too well-pleased with ourselves
when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, O Lord

when with the abundance of things we possess,
we have lost our thirst for the water of life
when, having fallen in love with time,
we have ceased to dream of eternity
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision of Heaven to grow dim.

Stir us, O Lord

to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas
where storms show Thy mastery,
where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes
and invited the brave to follow.
Amen.

Princess Ball 2011

It's their second year to attend the Girl Scout sponsored Princess Ball and they came home with smiles and stories to share. Brian pays attention to all of the work that went into it..and a lot of work goes into pulling off an outdoor, under the stars, fully catered by local restaurants, music, crafts, games, decorations, volunteers...and the list goes on and on. They hosted over 150 participants this year! Kendall's stories are accompanied with giggles, tales of dancing triumphs and not so groovy moves (rolling her eyes toward her own dance partner), her favorite part of the dinner (desert) and the fun crafts she proudly shows to me. Her feet are aching from her new high heel shoes (of course they aren't high heels..but they do have a heel and that made her LOVE them!) but she doesn't settle down for at least another 45 minutes. I am so happy for them both, and for all of the other dads and daughters who have had this opportunity. Mallory has been wearing a 'party' dress all night, dreaming of her chance to attend the Princess Ball with her Daddy. She has recently proclaimed her destiny to marry her daddy, and live with me. Kendall corrected her, told her she couldn't marry him. He's too old. (hmm...love that logic) And in her older sister wisdom reminded her of one of their favorite neighbors, Ms. Steph, who doesn't have a husband and gets to do whatever she wants..and has 2 dogs. So now... via that conversation...both of my daughters are refusing marriage, and plan to live by themselves and have all the animals they want. Mallory will have a bedroom just for her guinea pigs. Kendall will apparently have to forfeit a house, codes won't allow her to have all the animals she has in mind.