Blog Mishaps

We just realized that we had a little blog issue on Sunday and one of our links was not working properly. Hopefully that is all straightened out and you can click all of the links at the top as well as sign up to receive posts via email or RSS feed.  We have also linked a private Facebook page that is connected solely to our blog. We will still maintain our personal and individual Facebook pages.  For those of you who may not be as familiar with blogging, here is a breakdown of what you can find on our blog: 

** disclaimer- our blog will cover the below items, but will certainly cover much more than just adoption themed posts- so don't think that our blog is only about adoption. =) (though we will certainly use it to keep everyone updated on our process) 

FAQ: this section will highlight frequently asked questions about our adoption, our timeline, etc. and we will continue to add to this section periodically. 

Our Adoption: this section will highlight posts that pertain to our adoption process

Life: this will highlight previous posts that cover our day to day happenings. 

Resources:   this link will provide adoption or ministry resources that we have found 

                  helpful. We will continue to add posts to this section

Faith: this section will highlight stories that pertain to our faith and to areas of ministry

Pray.Give.Go:  this section will highlight ways that you can be involved with orphans, 

                      foster care, adoption, or support those who are. It contains prayer guides 
                      as well as a donation link.

We are excited to have you join us in our journey!

Dinner Conversations- July 29

No, I did not make a mistake today by writing "July 29" on my title. As life would have it, I had the goal of putting this post up yesterday, but unfortunately the day slipped away from me before I could get it posted.  Some days are just like that.  This date, July 29, 2011, will always hold a special place in our hearts.  When asked "What are some of the most important dates in your life?" I would imagine that this question brings up a number of different memories- Graduating from high school or college, a birthday, your first date, a wedding anniversary, becoming a Christ-follower- I'm sure these would top some of our lists. 

When Nate and I look back at a number of important dates in our lives, a very important dinner conversation occurred on July 29- one that would change our lives forever. 

It was an ordinary day actually, there was nothing very eventful about it. We had gone out of town, walked around for the day and did a little browsing, and then went to eat at 'Not your Average Joe's', a place some friends of ours had introduced us to a while ago. Quite honestly, I'm not going to lie, we might do just go there just for the bread and dipping oil. The food is very good, but this restaurant has THE best bread and dipping oil combination and it's just too good to pass up. (and trust me when I say I've had some good bread and dipping oil at a number of great places, but love the combination they put together at this restaurant)

So, we were finishing our dinner when out of the blue Nate just says at random, "I know what we are supposed to do". (this is where I give him a very strange look that clearly says "what in the world are you talking about?")  Now understand that this comment didn't make sense at all to me, as there was no context to what we had previously been talking about that I could even guess where he might be going with this.  So I did what any very respectful wife would do and kindly asked, "So what do you think we are supposed to do?" (hoping that somehow I'm going to clue in to what he's thinking right now)  It was at this moment that he led into his thoughts and asked me what I felt God was leading us to do regarding adoption, which we had been discussing off and on for months, but not as intensely as we had since the end of June and the month of July. We had been praying and seeking what God would have us do in this respect as we had really felt God leading us in this direction.  He began to share with me that He felt God had been showing him through various circumstances over the month of July that we needed to take this next step of faith and begin the process. I have to admit, I may have almost choked on whatever I was eating at the moment, but I wasn't surprised at all that this would be where God would lead, as I had really felt this leading in my heart as well; however, I truly wanted God to show Him first and allow him to lead us both in this decision, since it was such a life altering one. (and truthfully, I didn't want the fact that I work in adoption or am very comfortable with the dynamics of it, to be a persuasive factor either in our decision)

So, I don't think I need to go into the rest of the details of that night, other than to say July 29, 2011 will always be a special date for us, as God had confirmed in both of our hearts the decision to following His leading to adopt. There were several other topics of course that came up that night- "Where do we adopt from?" " What is our next step?"  "When do we start?" (of course he just laughed and said "you're the professional in this area, just tell me what I need to do")  (I think since the decision was made he would have started filling out applications that night if I would have let him)

As we reflect back to a year ago, we are both reminded that one day a little girl will come home, a little girl born in our hearts on July 29. As we celebrate this day, we want to provide her with a piece of her story. There are special days where we will continue to write to her so that as she is older, she will have letters, cards, and journal entries that will help her to understand that even though we didn't know who she was, where she would come from, what she would look like, or when she would come to be a part of our family- we considered her to be a special part of our lives, our first child loved months in advance even before we knew a face or a name. 

It's Summer Olympic Time

I might be just a little excited about today, as it is the start of the summer Olympics in London. I just love the variety of sports represented and the stories that are so brilliantly told about the lives of athletes from around the world. It's actually one athletic competition that Nate and I enjoy watching together. I always enjoy hearing the stories full of inspiration and challenges that many athletes have faced in order to participate in the greatest competition of their lives. I can remember watching the Olympics as a child and absolutely loving every minute of gymnastics and watching Mary Lou Retton win the gold for the U.S. There have been some amazing years of both summer and winter Olympics since that time, but there is just something about the summer Olympics that I absolutely love. 


The opening ceremonies last night were pretty incredible, and as always had some interesting moments, but I still have to hand it to Beijing for hosting one of the best opening ceremonies of all time. (and it's not because we are adopting from China that I say that-- it was just the incredible creativity they used in their opening ceremonies in 2008. It was nothing short of amazing.


I am looking forward to sitting on the edge of my seat, cheering on Team USA, and hoping for a lot of gold medals. Now, if only I could just sit back all day and watch these games and not have to work-- now THAT would be the perfect summer. Enjoy watching the games!

Watermelon & Summer

It doesn't take much to make me happy....really. There is one word that makes me very happy- WATERMELON.  This one little slice of sweetness is something I have been craving all summer, but for some reason I hadn't yet come across a watermelon anywhere that actually wasn't seedless. Call me crazy, but I just don't think a seedless watermelon can compete with a good old-fashioned watermelon full of seeds. Last Saturday as I was doing my grocery shopping, I even chose where I was shopping based on the fact they had watermelon on sale. Now imagine my disappointment when after looking everywhere, I come to find out that they had sold them all.  Really?  Do they actually sell out?  Needless to say, I left the store with a little less pep in my step because I just knew I was going to find that watermelon I have been wanting all summer. 

Well, look no further-- today was my day. As I walked with a friend through our outdoor market downtown, I laid eyes on the most beautiful green watermelon and yes, I got just a little excited. Ok, maybe that's an understatement- a LOT excited. I've been dreaming of juicy watermelon and wanting to make some of my fun summer recipes that call for this refreshing treat.

What happened next....well, I'll let you see if you can figure it out...

Did you really think that I ate all of that?  Ummm, nope, but I now have a fridge full of red, juicy watermelon getting chilled for later this evening.  What's more exciting--  there is another large half in the fridge just waiting to be cut up later in the week. This just made my weekend. 

Fourth of July Through a Child's Eyes

I can remember as a child that I couldn't wait to go to see fireworks with my parents and siblings every 4th of July. It's funny how years later, not much has changed. I guess now instead of going with my parents and siblings, I now go with my husband to see fireworks. I'm not quite sure what it is, but there is just something pretty amazing about fireworks.

Tonight we were laughing as we couldn't remember why we couldn't recall seeing fireworks last year, but later remembered that this time last year, we were in the middle of "no where Colorado" camping (ok, ok, so I guess Rocky Mountain National Park is somewhere, but goodness did it feel like the middle of no where to me- and I consider myself to be someone who actually does like to camp)  

As I was thinking back to last summer, I had to recall that this was the very time last year that Nate had brought up the topic of adopting, and we had spent much of our road trip talking about this idea, praying about it, and starting to read through the book 'Adopted for Life' (which, might I add, I highly recommend reading). I will be sharing more on this story soon as I know many of you would like to know more about "our story" and how we came to where we are today in this process. 

I remember last 4th of July, we had two little kiddos from Ethiopia camping beside us, who had recently been adopted (as we would later find out) and who enjoyed watching Nate and I put up our tent when we arrived. We thought it was too bad they wouldn't be seeing fireworks on the 4th (ok, maybe I was having a pity party because I wasn't going to see any this particular year) 

Typically the 4th of July is just one of those holidays that somehow caters to a kid (or to those who are still a kid at heart).  I can't help but wonder if this time next year we will have a bright-eyed little girl watching fireworks with us [that is of course if we let her stay up past her bedtime =)] 

I think one of the reasons kids might like July 4th so much is that they know it's one of the few nights during the year when their parents will let them stay up past their normal bedtime and they get to be loud late and run around outside late at night. Somehow adults kids are just always "in awe" of fireworks.

Let me take a moment to share how tonight's conversation behind us went:


CHILD:  "Mom?"


MOM:  "Yes?"


CHILD: "Mom, do you know what fireworks are made of?"


MOM: "No, I do not know what fireworks are made of." (said with exasperation in her voice because I have a feeling "little Bobby" had asked one too many questions already..)


CHILD: "I think they are made of fire that comes in different colors."


MOM: "Uh, ok, maybe so".

I think that I can understand his logic when I see a picture like this above-- it sounds like a good theory to me. The rest of the night all that ensued from behind us were "ooohs and aaahhs" throughout the rest of the show- of course complete with little kid cheers. Oh to be a child again on the 4th of July. 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Summer

Today is one of my favorite days of the year- the beginning of SUMMER!  I think of summer and so many things come to mind-- but here are a few of my favorite things -- 

What's not to like about the ocean waves and sand...

...Spending summertime with your best friend...

...and eating ice cream, yogurt, or anything that even closely resembles these two things... 

Ahhhhhhh-- HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!

One Phone Call Can Change Your Life

This past week we have been living in the reality that just one phone call could really change your life-- something that we often forget. I know we've all been there at one time or another- in some cases it is a phone call we are expecting, while at other times it takes you completely off guard.  In the last week, we've had a few of these moments. It began with a phone call about the death of someone I knew- someone who just a few days prior, was full of life and living it to the fullest. A beautiful young mother of two teen girls who had now left behind a wonderful husband and her two daughters.  Just a few days before she had been working and life was as normal, but in only a few hours everything changed.  Her story shocked everyone who knew her and wonderful Christian friends and families rallied around her and her precious family lifting up their situation to the Divine healer, asking for a miracle.  She was healed, but not in the way we all would have wished.

Several days later, we learned that another acquaintance had lost her father in a tragic accident when he was hit by a drunk driver. The stories and photos shared on Facebook were beautiful reflecting the memories of a wonderful father to twelve children and a faithful husband who had supported his family and wife during her battle with cancer just several years prior. It was hard to understand how in just a few short days, two stories of tragedy and great loss had affected the lives of hundreds.  Truly- one phone call can change everything.

Then it was our turn.  Today, Nate and I received a phone call that at the moment it first happened, we weren't sure how to process it; yet we knew it was a call that could change our lives forever, potentially. There were feelings of surprise and shock, many thoughts flooding through our minds-- there are just some things that you can't quite process fully in the moment and this was one of those moments.

I can tell you now that this call turned out to be a false alarm and everything went back to life as normal-- well, sort of.  You see, when life faces us with moments like these, the truth is, we will never  fully go back to life as normal. We are forced to look away from the circumstances and look up to reflect on God's sovereignty, His will, and His divine timing and working in our lives. We must remember that our lives are unscripted and we must continue to let Him write our story, in whatever way He sees best at the time, even in the times that do not fully make sense to us.

A Stroll Through Eastern Market

I've always loved open air markets. We decided yesterday that for our anniversary, we'd just have a casual day in the city and decided our first stop would be Eastern Market in the Capitol Hill district. 

We've always enjoyed this market when we've visited and today was no exception. It was the perfect day for walking through the scores of vendors represented, both with local and global goods.

It's always changing and there is always something new to discover. 

If we lived in this neighborhood, we would certainly make this market a weekly stop as it is full of fresh, local vegetables.

Walking through this market reminds me of when I lived in Buenos Aires, as this was just the way that you purchased your fruits, vegetables, meat, and herbs. You always had fresh food and could just walk down the street to the corner market that sold your fruits and veggies and around another corner to buy your fresh pasta, meat, or bread. At no other time in my life have I had fresh fruit like I did when I lived there. (and it was so cheap- so that was a bonus, too!)

 One of my other favorite things about large cities are the markets and street vendors that sell fresh flowers... it's every wedding planner's dream. (ok- so I'm not a wedding planner, but if I were- I'm pretty sure I would rather purchase flowers this way than through an expensive florist)

For those who love to practice their culinary skills, outdoor markets have so many fresh ingredients

and herbs.

(one of my favorite things for cooking)

One of the things I love most about coming here is the fresh food and fruit sampling. I have to say I just may have visited several of the "peach vendors" a few too many times while I was there. (it's my job to make sure they are selling good fruit, right?) 

I just might have had the best peach ever-- Really. There were fresh peaches, strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes and cherries and a number of other types of fruits- along with different sauces and salsas. (though I skipped on those since I'm not a fan of double-dipping- and before you judge, I bet a lot of you reading this are the exact same way) 

 There are a number of amazing art, photography, pottery, clothing, textile, jewelry and other types of vendors and artists represented. There were lots of vendors with fresh blocks of handmade and organic soap in about every scent you could think of.  (and as hot as it was outside when we were walking around, I could have used some of that soap)

So many types of soap- check out the one with oatmeal towards the top

After walking through all of the vendors and the Market area that sells fresh pasta, cheeses, breads, and meat (sorry- there are no pictures of the meat- just let your imagination fill in the blanks), we headed through a few more vendors and then decided to walk through some of the neighborhoods and head towards a local coffee shop in the area.

Nate has always wanted to visit Ebenezer's CoffeeHouse...

ONE. because Nate loves coffee (which might be putting it mildly) 

AND

TWO. they sell coffee that goes towards church outreach

Ebenezers was started by Mark Batterson of National Community Church, which has planted several churches in the DC area. All of the profits from their coffeehouse go towards community outreach projects for their church campuses. Since Nate loves coffee, he's always been fascinated by what this ministry has chosen to do with a coffeehouse.  It's a pretty ingenious concept.

The upper part of the coffee shop houses a seating area

as well as serves a variety of hot and cold drinks and small snacks.

while the lower area is used for various community events and small concerts.  Originally when it first opened, they held Sunday services in the lower part of the shop.

They sell Fair Trade Coffee from One Village Coffee and Nate and I decided to spend a little while in the cool AC as it was quite hot walking around today. It was a really cute urban coffeehouse, with a lot of exposed brick, so it was the perfect place to just sit back and relax.  (Sorry Starbucks, but this coffeehouse might have you beat)

Ebenezers motto is "Coffee With a Cause" and each of their coffee cup sleeves has the verse I Samuel 7:12- "Thus far the Lord has helped us". While Nate somehow was able to drink a hot drink, I opted for an iced one. I'm not a coffee drinker, so being married to one has always been intriguing to me as I just don't understand how you can drink a hot drink on a hot day. He tells me if I drank coffee I would understand. 

It was a full down of walking around DC, strolling the streets, looking at homes we could never afford in neighborhoods we'll never live in. (real estate in DC has always amazed me) We ended our evening at a great Italian restaurant for an anniversary dinner and topped it off with an amazing piece of cheesecake and then headed home.

I'm am one blessed wife and thankful to have had some down time to spend with him. What a wonderful end to an anniversary weekend.

Anniversary Reflections- Five Years

I woke up today to a sunny and beautiful day. Today we are celebrating our five year anniversary. Looking out of the hotel window this morning, reminded me of our wedding day 5 years ago- a clear day with the most perfect blue sunny skies.  It is truly hard to believe that Nate and I have been married five years. Sometimes I feel like I've known him all of my life.

• I'm blessed in more ways than I can express. 
• Nate completes me and is an incredible husband and man of God. 
• He constantly amazes me time and time again in little ways as well as in big. 
• We are blessed to be able to do life together.

As we were leaving the hotel to head towards DC, we realized that there was a wedding take place today on the hotel lawn around the same time as our wedding had taken place on this very day 5 years ago. It was an Indian wedding and the hotel was buzzing with guests and in some ways I would have loved to have hung around to see a traditional Indian wedding take place. (Yes, I was inviting myself to this wedding-afterall, we share the same wedding date, so that would make it ok, right?) 

The women who were in the sitting areas of the lobby were all dressed in their beautiful saris- if I thought I could have actually gotten away with a few pictures I would have tried, but I think it would have been a bit too obvious and Nate might have killed me, really. 

We were a little tired this morning because last night after dinner in Georgetown, we went into the city and walked through the FDR Memorial, which is one of the most beautiful memorials in DC- particularly at night when all of the waterfalls are lit up. (it is one of my favorite places to go for several reasons- none of which are political)

 We walked from the FDR Memorial to the path that circles the Potomac River, which is beautiful right at sunset.

This is literally the perfect time to see the city change dramatically.

 There is just something so beautiful about the monuments lit up at night.

 What is generally buzzing with tourists during the day slowly starts to become a place of peacefulness. It was nice after a long day yesterday, to just find a park bench along the waterfront and just sit and reflect on life, our upcoming anniversary, and enjoy the peace and quiet. (of course I got in trouble for taking too many pictures and not just enjoying the moment- haha)

Today, since it's our anniversary, we have a full day planned which I just might have to share more on that tomorrow. I can tell you that we saw several brides today while milling around the city, which was a fun flash back to this very day for us. We passed several of the photo spots where we took post-wedding photos. Here are some of our favorite shots from our wedding and DC post-wedding shoot 5 years ago today- Enjoy!