I have a new nephew -Ayden John Natsis.
I'm not sure when I will have the chance to meet him, since he lives in Kentucky, but I am happy knowing he is here and healthy. My brother has loved being a dad and I know having son #2 will continue to bring out this side of him that is so fun to see.
Pictures soon to come...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Some thoughts on LOST
There's mixed emotions about the season finale of Lost last night. Yes, there's details left unknown and as viewers we now have more questions than answers. (Did Jack actually have a son? Why was baby Aaron in the church- did he die as an infant? Why was Ben outside? On and on...)
However, in it's simplest form, I am reminded that in the end, all that matters is our relationships with people. I think we will realize that some of our questions in life are actually the wrong questions and they won't matter. At the end of the day, (or the end of life) who are my "loved ones"?
Tonight I went on a walk with Liliana and thought about this. I want everyday to be about people. Seriously, if a day goes by and it is not about people, it is a waste of a day.
Last week was an extremely busy week, yet we still made sure to linger at meals and invite friends into our home. We were joking with one of the guys we had for lunch. We ate and he was ready to get right back to work with a remodeling project he was doing for our church. We told him to relax and let me start the kettle for a cup of tea. We tend to be more European in our approach to lunch. We like to linger and enjoy our meal together. That's what life is about.
I'm still interested to find out more insights to LOST because it has been a brilliant show and we have enjoyed watching it. But in the meantime, I just want to love and enjoy people.
However, in it's simplest form, I am reminded that in the end, all that matters is our relationships with people. I think we will realize that some of our questions in life are actually the wrong questions and they won't matter. At the end of the day, (or the end of life) who are my "loved ones"?
Tonight I went on a walk with Liliana and thought about this. I want everyday to be about people. Seriously, if a day goes by and it is not about people, it is a waste of a day.
Last week was an extremely busy week, yet we still made sure to linger at meals and invite friends into our home. We were joking with one of the guys we had for lunch. We ate and he was ready to get right back to work with a remodeling project he was doing for our church. We told him to relax and let me start the kettle for a cup of tea. We tend to be more European in our approach to lunch. We like to linger and enjoy our meal together. That's what life is about.
I'm still interested to find out more insights to LOST because it has been a brilliant show and we have enjoyed watching it. But in the meantime, I just want to love and enjoy people.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Culture of Kindness
Chris came home from Panera with a card for our family. Inside we found a $50 gift card to Target from one of his customers.
How kind is that?
It made me think of the customers at our family restaurant growing up. Every year for Christmas, our house would be full of gifts and baked goods from our regular customers. Right around the second week of December, I would get so excited for my dad to come home each night bearing gifts. ( Of course the night he showed up with the fruit cake was a bit of a let down.)
Also this week I received a post card. In the age of technology, anything hand written screams of thoughtfulness. Taking time to buy a post card, write it out, get a stamp and mail it. Huge deal to me.
I wonder if this culture of kindness is dying off, but then something like this happens and it revives my hope. I for one am a huge fan of the c of k. It makes life special and reminds us of goodness.
How kind is that?
It made me think of the customers at our family restaurant growing up. Every year for Christmas, our house would be full of gifts and baked goods from our regular customers. Right around the second week of December, I would get so excited for my dad to come home each night bearing gifts. ( Of course the night he showed up with the fruit cake was a bit of a let down.)
Also this week I received a post card. In the age of technology, anything hand written screams of thoughtfulness. Taking time to buy a post card, write it out, get a stamp and mail it. Huge deal to me.
I wonder if this culture of kindness is dying off, but then something like this happens and it revives my hope. I for one am a huge fan of the c of k. It makes life special and reminds us of goodness.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Love 146
My friend is working on a canvas display for Love 146 so we can raise more awareness about this organization through our networks. So I thought I would mention it on my blog today since it is on my mind.
A guy I used to work with co-founded this organization after a trip to Asia and being exposed to the human trafficking and slave trade kids are caught up in there. It ripped his heart out to see kids exploited, so he wanted to do something about it.
I've watched the awareness, support and effectiveness of this non profit grow over the years and I love supporting what they do and getting others on board. It is so easy to look away from these issues since most of us are probably not directly exposed and also because it is just hard to handle. When I read stories from their safe houses of kids who have escaped from the brothels, it makes me angry at the injustice happening.
I pray this work and others like it continue to grow until we can see the abolition of slavery.
LOVE146.org
A guy I used to work with co-founded this organization after a trip to Asia and being exposed to the human trafficking and slave trade kids are caught up in there. It ripped his heart out to see kids exploited, so he wanted to do something about it.
I've watched the awareness, support and effectiveness of this non profit grow over the years and I love supporting what they do and getting others on board. It is so easy to look away from these issues since most of us are probably not directly exposed and also because it is just hard to handle. When I read stories from their safe houses of kids who have escaped from the brothels, it makes me angry at the injustice happening.
I pray this work and others like it continue to grow until we can see the abolition of slavery.
LOVE146.org
Monday, May 10, 2010
A Year Ago Today...
we were driving to Madison from St. Louis to start a brand new chapter of life. It is hard to believe it has been a year!
Yesterday Chris and I were talking about what we have learned and how we have grown over this past year. It has been incredible for us. Starting something from scratch is kind of like having a new baby. It takes so much attention and energy. (more than we could have known until we did it). But then, these growth spurts happen and you look and think, "Wow, look where we are at now. This is amazing."
One major area of growth for me has simply been trying. I am not as afraid to fail or look stupid or experiment with new ideas. I remember reading once stats about the top baseball players with records for stolen bases. The #1 guy has held the record simply because he tried more. He was willing to have be called out and thus tried more than any other baseball player. There is a lot to be said about trying.
I have learned lots more, but I'll save it for another day. Just wanted a quick little post to acknowledge 1 year in my new city!
Yesterday Chris and I were talking about what we have learned and how we have grown over this past year. It has been incredible for us. Starting something from scratch is kind of like having a new baby. It takes so much attention and energy. (more than we could have known until we did it). But then, these growth spurts happen and you look and think, "Wow, look where we are at now. This is amazing."
One major area of growth for me has simply been trying. I am not as afraid to fail or look stupid or experiment with new ideas. I remember reading once stats about the top baseball players with records for stolen bases. The #1 guy has held the record simply because he tried more. He was willing to have be called out and thus tried more than any other baseball player. There is a lot to be said about trying.
I have learned lots more, but I'll save it for another day. Just wanted a quick little post to acknowledge 1 year in my new city!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
mom's day 2010
We had a very fun mom's day today!
Chris makes me the BEST home made cards ever- he has done that ever since we have been in a relationship. So he made a fun card from "Liliana and Daddy " and had banners hanging up for me.
We went out to eat Italian food and then Chris took us to a park he found on one of his motorcycle rides. It is on the edge of town, overlooking the beautiful countryside. We walked around, jumped off rocks and had so much fun. (I have no idea how my hair managed to get like this, but there you have it.)
After Liliana went to bed Chris had some bath salts so I could soak my feet and then gave me a foot rub with lotion. Very relaxing. (This happens to be another one of my favorite things Chris does for me).
It kind of seemed more like "Wife Day" rather than "Mom's Day", since Liliana is too small to understand this holiday. But I'll take it!
Chris makes me the BEST home made cards ever- he has done that ever since we have been in a relationship. So he made a fun card from "Liliana and Daddy " and had banners hanging up for me.
We went out to eat Italian food and then Chris took us to a park he found on one of his motorcycle rides. It is on the edge of town, overlooking the beautiful countryside. We walked around, jumped off rocks and had so much fun. (I have no idea how my hair managed to get like this, but there you have it.)
After Liliana went to bed Chris had some bath salts so I could soak my feet and then gave me a foot rub with lotion. Very relaxing. (This happens to be another one of my favorite things Chris does for me).
It kind of seemed more like "Wife Day" rather than "Mom's Day", since Liliana is too small to understand this holiday. But I'll take it!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
My daughter is fascinated with wearing winter hats. Today it was sunny and warm in the 70's. Liliana insisted on wearing her summer dress and a blue winter tuke.
Usually she just wears her winter hats when she plays outside, but today she wanted to wear it when we ran errands and went to her library class. (Oh, and did I mention they aren't her hats? They are hats that Chris or I wear. So they are way too big for her and half the time they cover her eyes and she can't see where she is going)
I had a decision to make today. Will I be one of those moms that lets her kid pick out clothes, even if it is a purple shirt, blue pants and red tights? Or am I more concerned with Liliana's image and making sure she matches when she goes out in public?
As I was waking down the aisle at Kohl's and Office Max, many people smiled at Liliana. She did look cute, even though she had to be sweating in her hat. She ended up taking her hat off at the beginning of library class, but even if she hadn't I still would have been proud to be seen next to her. I hope she always feels confident and beautiful, no matter what she is wearing!
Usually she just wears her winter hats when she plays outside, but today she wanted to wear it when we ran errands and went to her library class. (Oh, and did I mention they aren't her hats? They are hats that Chris or I wear. So they are way too big for her and half the time they cover her eyes and she can't see where she is going)
I had a decision to make today. Will I be one of those moms that lets her kid pick out clothes, even if it is a purple shirt, blue pants and red tights? Or am I more concerned with Liliana's image and making sure she matches when she goes out in public?
As I was waking down the aisle at Kohl's and Office Max, many people smiled at Liliana. She did look cute, even though she had to be sweating in her hat. She ended up taking her hat off at the beginning of library class, but even if she hadn't I still would have been proud to be seen next to her. I hope she always feels confident and beautiful, no matter what she is wearing!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Elkanah
Elkanah.
You probably don't know off the top of your head who he is. He is Hannah's husband and he is mentioned in the book of the BIble 1 Samuel.
A few years ago when Chris and I were facing infertility and our desire to have a family, I would often go to Hannah's story and find comfort in her journey of barrenness. However, as I have re-read this story last week, I am particularly drawn to her husband's journey.
Hannah cried out for a son and she made a vow to God that if she conceived that she would dedicate her child to him. She even went so far to say that she would allow him grow up in the temple to be trained and raised by the priest.
Sure enough- she had a son.
So, here is Elkanah. He didn't make any vows to God. He wasn't so desperate for a child that he promised to devote him to grow up in the temple. But his wife did. So this put him in an interesting situation. He could have told Hannah, "No way, this is my son too and he is not going anywhere". But he didn't. In fact he prayed that Hannah would be able to fulfill her commitment to God after their son was weaned. He took Hannah to the temple to give their son, Samuel, to the priest. He left empty handed with her.
It's one thing to have your own faith and commitments, but it is another thing to walk along side someone else who has a strong faith and conviction and to back them up in their decisions. This was the kind of husband Elkanah was to Hannah.
We are planning to adopt again in the next few months. The lady who gave birth to Liliana is pregnant again and decided she wants to place this baby in our family- to grow up with us as parents and Liliana as a big sister. I have such respect for any birth mom who faces these tough decisions and out of love chooses what she thinks best for the child.
Yet, as I have been reflecting on Elkanah, I know that there is a boyfriend tied in to the story, that also has to make the same tough choices about this baby. Our particular adoption story is unique, in that Liilana's new sibling -to -be is a full blooded sibling. Two years ago a very selfless, tough choice was made to place Liliana in our home; one that was initiated and driven by her birth mom. It took her boyfriend several months to get on the same page, but he came to the spot where he knew that was the best decision. Now another tough choice must be made. I can hardly imagine what that is like to do once in a lifetime, much less twice.
Granted the situations and circumstances are different, but I am praying that he has the same strength that Elkanah had.
You probably don't know off the top of your head who he is. He is Hannah's husband and he is mentioned in the book of the BIble 1 Samuel.
A few years ago when Chris and I were facing infertility and our desire to have a family, I would often go to Hannah's story and find comfort in her journey of barrenness. However, as I have re-read this story last week, I am particularly drawn to her husband's journey.
Hannah cried out for a son and she made a vow to God that if she conceived that she would dedicate her child to him. She even went so far to say that she would allow him grow up in the temple to be trained and raised by the priest.
Sure enough- she had a son.
So, here is Elkanah. He didn't make any vows to God. He wasn't so desperate for a child that he promised to devote him to grow up in the temple. But his wife did. So this put him in an interesting situation. He could have told Hannah, "No way, this is my son too and he is not going anywhere". But he didn't. In fact he prayed that Hannah would be able to fulfill her commitment to God after their son was weaned. He took Hannah to the temple to give their son, Samuel, to the priest. He left empty handed with her.
It's one thing to have your own faith and commitments, but it is another thing to walk along side someone else who has a strong faith and conviction and to back them up in their decisions. This was the kind of husband Elkanah was to Hannah.
We are planning to adopt again in the next few months. The lady who gave birth to Liliana is pregnant again and decided she wants to place this baby in our family- to grow up with us as parents and Liliana as a big sister. I have such respect for any birth mom who faces these tough decisions and out of love chooses what she thinks best for the child.
Yet, as I have been reflecting on Elkanah, I know that there is a boyfriend tied in to the story, that also has to make the same tough choices about this baby. Our particular adoption story is unique, in that Liilana's new sibling -to -be is a full blooded sibling. Two years ago a very selfless, tough choice was made to place Liliana in our home; one that was initiated and driven by her birth mom. It took her boyfriend several months to get on the same page, but he came to the spot where he knew that was the best decision. Now another tough choice must be made. I can hardly imagine what that is like to do once in a lifetime, much less twice.
Granted the situations and circumstances are different, but I am praying that he has the same strength that Elkanah had.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
