REAL HOPE FOR HAITI

To the right are links to Lori and Licia's blogs and links to their organization, Real Hope For Haiti. They do AMAZING work and their standards and ethics are impeccable and without blemish. The recent rise in the cost of food has caused them hardship in keeping their rescue center open. These people are literally saving lives EVERY DAY! Below is a video of their father. It shares a bit about their calling and their ministry. Please watch and ask God if He would have you help them. Some are called to go and some are called to send, but NONE are exempt from both.

Check out these links for more info on ways to help.
www.aaronivey.wordpress.com
www.dreamingbigdreams.wordpress.com
www.xanga.com/no_im_not_a_nurse
www.xanga.com/haitinurse4life

My Mom

I had wanted to get a post on here about my Mom BEFORE Mother's Day, but since I get my procrastination and lack of organizational skills from her I think she will understand ;-)

There is really no way to sum up or categorize my Mom. She had me at barely 18 years old, but managed to get a job, put a roof over my head and food in my belly. She had a less than ideal childhood, to put it mildly, and I know with all my heart she wanted better for me. She selflessly set aside her dreams and set out to give me the best life she possibly could. We often barely had money to make ends meet and yet she managed to make things special and kept me blissfully unaware that we were "poor"! To this day she is my greatest cheerleader, encourager and friend. She is a woman of faith, integrity and dignity. She is passionate about family. She loves the Lord. She works harder than anyone I have ever known. She supports me in that most perfect way - offering advice when it is asked for and being an ear and a comfort when it is not. I am so completely blessed and honored that God sent me to be this woman's daughter. I could ask for no better start to life and no better friend, companion and confidant along the way. Mom, I love you so much more than words can say and I could write for hours about all the specific ways that you are so amazing, but... well, let's be honest - isn't your head big enough already? Oh, I almost forgot - my Mom is also the most sarcastic person I know and if I have ever offended you in any way you can thank her for that! Hehe(: Love ya Ma!

What Makes Me Happy

The joy this child brings me is immeasurable. Is it possible for a heart to actually burst with love? I have no idea why I get to be his mom, but I am so thankful and grateful and blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Absolutely amazing.

He does this probably 20 times a day and I have to say - it never gets old(:

Better

We're off to a better start today. Last night, after a bumpy afternoon G came to me and started to hug and cuddle. This is usually his cue for saying he's sorry. He rarely has the nerve to speak it, but I know what he means. Then at bed time he asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep. So I climbed in and he snuggled with me and held my hand. I know in my head that he is so afraid that we will send him away if he is bad, which ironically makes him very difficult to live with. I know he loves us and yet it is so hard for me to not take his verbal abuse personally. Every day we are taking tiny baby steps toward healing his heart, and mine for that matter. So much of this journey with G is about God teaching ME about MYSELF.

Madi ran the mile at school yesterday and came home beaming that she had beat her previous time by 7 seconds. She was so proud and had to keep recounting the minute by minute drama of who was ahead of whom and when. It was very cute. Sydney runs hers today. I hope she does well.

If you've listened to the song on the blog you may have heard the line, "You walk in a room...and something there leaves you breathless." Well, today when I walked in the living room the only thing that left me breathless was the smell of poo. Yep, apparently Chance had an upset tummy in the night and couldn't possibly wait til dawn. I couldn't be too mad at him - he is very well housebroken and has been known to "hold it" for ridiculous amounts of time, so I know he really coudn't help it. Nevertheless he has been banished to the screen porch until we can be sure the yuckies have passed. So now I will continue to attack the carpet with soap, vinegar and lysol because I swear I can STILL smell something. Aren't you guys so glad I shared?

All I Could Muster

After G gave a tirade this morning about how he doesn't want to live with us and he's going to run away the only "hope' I could muster was a pleasant, "I HOPE you have a good day" as he got out of the car at school. And I HOPE he's in a better mood when he gets home! Please pray for us(: