So Chris and I have been trying to come up with ways to raise money for our adoption plans. I will be opening up an Etsy store in the near future for craft items made by me to help with the endeavor. I'm excited because it's getting us closer to the point of being able to start the process as we are not wanting to finance any of it. God will provide the means if it is His will and I'm open to using the...cough, cough..talents...that He has given me.
A couple of months ago though, we started the process of already using some of those talents. I had a big order to fill so that is why we are just not to the point of being able to announce our opening one of two of our stores (hence--the thing I couldn't tell you about yet!), Oliver's Collars. I am still working on some bigger sizes for the big dogs as all but 2 of the big collars went to the big order. We will be having some custom options coming up in the near future. Of course, the name was inspired by our very own Oliver.
Isn't he the cutest?
So go and check it out. I have several more collars in the making with some new, fun summer and spring prints. So if you don't find what you are looking for, shoot me a message and we can work something out.
Sorry things have been so eerily quiet around here lately. I dare not even attempt to post all the pics from our recent adventures--not today that is. In fact over the next several weeks, I'll be in and out when I can. On top of the normal every day stuff, we move in 7 weeks and I can't stand an unorganized move!
There have been so many things I have been wanting to blog about, but feeling like there isn't enough time in the day to live it AND document it so of course, I'm choosing to live it first. Not just be there, but to L-I-V-E it.
I've also used the blog absenteeism to do some much needed thinking and reflecting about life things and getting caught up on other things. Reflecting typically throws my mind in a frenzy, but as a dear friend told me, "Reflecting is GOOD". And good it is. Reflecting is what keeps me in check. I want everything I do to be for God's glory and purpose and not my own and it some times becomes a hazy line when I'm not taking the time to step back and take it all in. Pride, envy, and other emotions have a way of creeping in and making a mess of it all. For me, reflecting and spending time with Him, is a good dose of medicine for the problem. Of course, I have some wonderful friends who help me work through them and for that I am SO thankful!
SO I suppose I have a wee bit of updating to do since I've left everyone hanging for the past few (oohhh, do I dare say it?)......weeks. I still have my special guest for Whoo's Day is Tuesday?! to post. Update on the Future Hope Project. Some Bible study stuff. Of course an update on the family. PICTURES!! Oklahoma Trip. Brother's graduation. CRAFTS!! The "thing that I can't tell you about yet" that I keep meaning to tell you about and at this point you are probably thinking their isn't really a thing.
Thanks goes to you for being patient with me and another BIG thanks to those of you who emailed or called wondering about my whereabouts. I miss my peeps when I'm gone, but some times rest is just the thing the doctor ordered!!
Well, I totally missed Whoo's Day is Tuesday on Tuesday, but don't worry it will be back next week!!! I have also failed to update the blog with things going on in our lives outside of the Future Hope Project stuff.
Speaking of--I ordered some stuff a couple of weeks ago to make a pendant that I have been wanting to make for quite some time. I ended up not making the exact one that I wanted, but varied it. It fits with the FHP logo. I finished it yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it-especially being the first one I've done. I have some other plans to make at least a few others. I still have to make the hole at the top a tad bigger to attach a jump ring and then get a chain for it.
Other than family time, FHP, third online Bible study coming up, and the other exciting thing I couldn't tell you about before, things have been pretty slow! haha! I will however be talking about the other exciting avenue we have been working on in the next couple of days.
We've been spending a lot of our family time doing more geocaching, walking/running/riding on the trails, playing at parks, and just hanging out. Chris has had his head in his school books, I've been doing a lot of craft stuff, and Aleeyah is...well...being a 3 year old!
On a bigger announcement--we have a new nephew!!! Mason finally decided to come out and play last Wednesday!! I haven't got to hold the little squirt yet, but am looking forward to seeing him in 1 1/2 weeks!
We did get a chance to go to the Royals Game with Chris' work! Gotta love the free perks that comes with his job! We had an extra tickets, so dad was able to go with us also. Aleeyah was fascinated the whole time and kept asking what they were doing as if she was trying to figure out exactly how the game is played. I do have to say that ballpark hot dogs and peanuts are totally overrated!
On another note of job perks--some of you may remember that up until we moved to Kansas, Chris and I have spent a lot of time apart throughout our marriage due to him working out of town each week with various jobs. It was rough, but we made it through it and are happy to be together now! One good thing that came out of our time apart and all his traveling is the racked up frequent flyer miles and hotel points. For the last 4ish years we have had enough hotel points to take a 7 day cruise almost free and enough frequent flier points to get us there. We've been putting it off for quite some time, but have decided it would be a wonderful way to spend our 10 year anniversary-which is this year. So we head out to... ALASKA in September! For Chris it will be like returning to a place he once called home(not quite in the same area he use to live) and for me, it will be an all new experience! One of the biggest challenges I'll face is leaving my baby home. Well, not home-with responsible adults, but not with me. I've only ever spent 4 nights away from her in all her 3 1/2 years of life. I'll miss her like crazy, but am excited about spending some alone time with Chris. So in September (almost a month after our 10 year anniversary) we will fly out to Seattle and then hop on board the ship and sail away!!
Okay, so I think that's going to be a wrap on my completely random post!
It was on page 139 that a tear finally hit the page of a new book (Same Kind of Different as Me)I had just picked up the day before. Up until that point, reading about the modern day slaves and the life of an International art dealer had merely peaked my curiosity. A few of the stories even had my eyes a bit misty. But it was page 139 that made my heart ache.
Even as I look at the page, I can see just in the corner a small stain that soaked it's way into the next 3 pages. I should have taken it as a sign of what was to follow because for the next 107 pages my I went from misty eyed to weeping and back every few pages. As the tear soaked into the pages, the words of the modern day slave turned hobo began soaking into me.
'A lotta times while I was out there, I'd see a shootin star burn across the black sky, bright one minute and gone the next. Ever time I seen one, seemed like it was gon' fall all the way to the ground, and I couldn't understand why I never could see where it went...The Word says God put ever star in the heavens and even give ever one of em a name. If one of em was gon' fall out the sky, that was up to Him, too. Maybe we can't see where it's gon wind up, but He can. .... And I found out that sometimes we just have to accept the things we don't understand.'
There is a saying that goes around that "I need Africa more than Africa needs me." and I thought about this when I read his words in the book. I thought about the rooted prejudice that keeps my mind from believing that a homeless, black slave would have something so profound to say. The same prejudice that I try to keep out of my mind, but yet it camps there and rears it's ugly head from time to time. I thought about this man, who once was considered the lowest of low, was doing more to help others in those few sentences than many will do in a lifetime. This is a man that can see life through new eyes and lives on a faith that can move mountains and who am I to think that he knows nothing.
Prejudice has been on my mind for quite some time now. I don't call people of a different color by slang names or tell jokes mocking them. I pray for all people of any color. But I've realized in the last few weeks that prejudice is still a part of my life and not because of anybody else but myself.
The other day, I took Aleeyah out to play in the lawn of our complex. There was a little Asian girl playing also. They had such a wonderful time. Neither one of them knew what the other one was saying, but it didn't matter because running, playing follow the leader, and giggling required no words. But yet, I felt content with just smiling at her mom-knowing that I would only get frustrated trying to understand while feeling bad that I was so impatient.
We watched Slumdog Millionaire just a few days prior to Compassion sending another group of bloggers to India. As the people sat at small stations being paid very little for their work of answering the calls of agitated people having problems with their electronics, I thought of the many times I wanted to curse during or after making one of those calls myself. It's frustrating when the language barrier keeps you from getting something accomplished. And I loose patience once again and my brain goes where it shouldn't go.
All to often, I glance at the beggars sign-wondering if he really wants to WORK for food or if he just heard the local station talking about how much money one can make for standing on the street corners. I wonder if their drinking and drug addiction put them there. Nevermind the cause of the addiction, but one thing is for sure-my money won't be going to support such an addiction. And I drive right on past him.
Is it easier on your heart to hear of a fire, tornado, or hurricane hit an area that "needs to be condemned anyway"? Is it easier to flip the channel when the news is talking about a young, black man being shot in the city? I mean he was probably getting into some kind of trouble...right? What about when we are devastated by 1 plane crash in the US when there is an equivalent of 180 planes crashing each and every day when you look at how many children die each day from preventable causes?
I don't know why God allowed such misunderstanding of each other and why some have completely followed in a path of hate and anger against someone who looks different than they do, but I also see that just as Denver Moore said, 'sometimes we just have to accept the things we don't understand'. To accept something we understand a situation but do not attempt to change it, protest, or exit. I'm not saying we should sit back and let poverty happen, but what we should accept is God's plan and His calling to us to help them.
Would we understand the level of compassion, faith, mercy, and love that comes with loving someone different than yourself if there weren't any slaves--slaves of man, slaves of anger, slaves of poverty, etc ? This isn't to say that we I wish bad things on good people so that we can grow, but that God is using us for a purpose.
It would prejudice of me to think because of the color of your skin or the items that you possess that you aren't doing anything or even say that you aren't doing enough. Only you know truly what you give and what you feel is enough is up to you and Him.
I've learned about the devastation in poverty, but also the faith and contentment in the hearts of the poor. I want more of that faith and contentment in my life. I'm beginning to see that the only way I'm going to get that is if I truly give of myself out of love and let God take every ounce of prejudice from my heart.
What are some of the organizations you are a part of to help those who God calls us to help? Use Mr. Linky below to link to as many organizations as you would like to share. Use the name of the organization and their website to leave a link. This will make it anonymous, but if you want us to know more of your personal story with the organization-leave a comment.
It's been only a week since we launched the Future Hope Project. And what an exciting week it has been! We have had a great response of enthusiasm through blogs and emails and I wish I could sit down and share them all with you. Instead, I'll give you some highlights.
Jill from Girls Just Want to Have Fun wrote about FHP HERE and showed off her packages HERE. Also something to note-she only had to spend around $10 for one package. Just $10!
Judy from My Compassion Experience wrote about FHP and Compassion HERE and she posted a button on THIS blog where she features crocheted blankets to benefit Compassion International.
Kimberly from Tree Huggin Mommy writes about FHP HERE. She's also loading up her two girls to join the efforts to purchase the needed items.
Sarah from Finding What I Am Looking For is talking about it HERE. Check out that good lookin' button on the right side!!
I also want to note that we have 2 large group efforts already in the works! A friend of mine that I use to work with a million moons ago is organizing a drive at her church.
Jill (also mentioned above) is also in the process of organizing a group drive with her mom's group!
I know that is several shout outs, but we are indeed thankful and excited about the support!
Thank you everyone who emailed, blogged, twittered, facebooked, myspaced, etc on behalf of the Future Hope Project this week!!
Okay, now down to the winner of the $25.00 gift card. Typically, I like to do a video of the Aleeyah drawing a name, but she is quiet in the other room and all parents know that disturbing such a thing is...well....not to be done! So this time, I did it the old fashioned way-by myself with no camera. You are going to have to trust me this time. :) All the names were written on little blue pieces of paper and then put in the closest plastic container I could find. Swirled around. I reached my hand in, grabbed one of the names from the sea of blue...and.....
JILL IS THE WINNER!!!
Congrats Jill! I'm thinking the added 6 entries for the group drive helped you out on this one!
Thanks again to everyone who helped spread the word this week! We will be needing to keep the word going so let us know if you have any ideas.
Don't forget to continue to collect items for packages and get them sent off. We still have another winner to announce soon for the Ugandan handmade craft. See HERE for more details!!
I'd write more, but my body is feeling the strange need for some Vitamin D and today is the perfect day for it! Plus Chris took a half day and we have some biking to go do!!!
Today, you get to meet another one of my blogger friends, Tracy. Tracy is another blogger I met through Compassion. She writes on Wages in the Making. She is a wife and a momma to 3 beautiful kids. She has a heart for children living in poverty and it shows through her words. She doesn't just talk about poverty because she feels that she should. I believe she truly hurts for them. She recently got back from a Compassion trip to see one of the children that her family sponsors. I enjoyed reading each post about her trip and the feelings that she went through. I was also so delighted when she offered to take a doll that I made to Ethiopia with her to give to one of the girls we sponsor.
After reading her interview-go over and say hi! She is very nice, warm person to chat with. It's definitely a blessing to know her.
When did you start blogging and why? I started dabbling in blogging back in 2007 with the extinct dinosaur that is 'myspace'. Back then I only wrote when I had a really good antidote or really felt God leading me to jump up on my soapbox and start yelling. So those old articles are really some of my most inspired. This past year, I began blogging regularly on blogger to keep my friends and family, who had so graciously helped to fund a Compassion International trip to Ethiopia, updated on my progress and my trip. Through my trip journal entries, I found that I actually had a knack for writing and have sense used it to clear my head around midnight or 1 a.m. so I can sleep peacefully. Sleep medication I don't have to pay for!!
Has your blog evolved into something other than its original intent? I think so. I started writing mainly to keep others informed about my life and my three kids as we live out of state. But now I use the computer as my own personal psychiatric couch. It doesn't talk back and doesn't charge me $100 an hour, so I'm going to try to keep up regular appointments, for my family's own good. Is there a blog post that you have written that you would like to share with us? Of course I have to mention my blogs about my Compassion trip as that was THE most memorable experience of my life http://wagest.blogspot.com/search/label/Ethiopia.
But sense that would take your readers at least a good portion of their lives to read all 10 days - I would have to pick my back-up of "Sick Days". I wrote it back in February of 2007 when my baby girl decided to throw up all over my van and the enlightening day that ensued. And who doesn't love a good throw-up story?? http://wagest.blogspot.com/2008/09/feb-2007-sick-days.html
Do you write on more than one blog? Thankfully no. As I am a procrastinator at heart and my children would never have clean underwear if I did. ** Although Abbie so graciously tried hard to get me to switch places with her and head the Bible study blog while she took my place on the way to Ethiopia. I felt God may get a little mad if I disobeyed his calling and decided to instead suck it up and take the 16 hour plane ride over to Africa. I'm just hoping I can start MY own Bible study blog up next year so she can graciously switch places with ME and let me take her place in going to Uganda. Cause fair is fair and I'm just generous like that. How do you think blogging has affected you the most? I have found a boldness I didn't think I had. It is so much easier to witness, to point out difficulties we all face, to share intimate and personal struggles with others via a computer screen. And after doing this for about a year, that boldness has sense carried through to my everyday life. I am much more ready to share Christ, to talk to strangers, to share my pain or struggles with others since I have been able to use blogging to 'dip my toe' into the water and find out that God really does bless you personally when you speak out in His name. Have you had an opportunity to meet any of your blog readers face-to-face? Only my friends and family that are contractually obligated to read my rambling. (Although my husband doesn't read my > blog, hmmmm, isn't there something inherently wrong about that??) Are there any particular blogger tools that you would recommend to others (ex. Blog readers, traffic sites, widgets)? I am still such a newbie to the blogging world. I haven't even ventured out into that world as I know I would be much more dangerous. I know it's old-school, but I do love my FeedJit traffic feed as I think it's cool I have people popping in occasionally from around the world. Granted, it's usually from a random search like "chili recipe" or "Ethiopian day wages" but hey, a girl can dream of the big time, can't I?? What is the blog you look forward to checking the most daily and why? I love reading Big Mama's blog as she is a member of my "Crazy for Compassion" club(that I just made up), was a Compassion blogger on last year's Dominican Republic trip, and seems slightly demented, in a hilarious way. Her sense of humour and wonderful writing gives me something to strive for. But I guess when you get about 23,659 hits a day, your blog must be pretty good. I'm just thankful for my 3 daily readers, at least I'm not talking to myself .... Name 1 blogger that you would like to see interviewed? Well sense Abbie is the only other blogger I keep close and personal tabs on (read as: the only other blogger that gives me comments...), I think she needs to answer these questions herself!!
Is there anything else you would like to share? Short of begging, I really would like you to take the time to read my Ethiopian trip entries. Not for my benefit but the benefit of all the children I was able to meet, hug on, love on, and share with while there. Back in the Fall of 2008, God would NOT leave me alone with the nagging message that I needed to go on Compassion's Africa trip. Compassion International is an amazing organization that is truly changing the lives of children, and I was able to see that first-hand. The sights and lessons the Lord taught me there were amazing. In America, we are bombarded with so much STUFF that clouds our vision. To step into another world and see true joy, true pain, and true love of another, is a gift that cannot be gained through a good book or a TV show. It puts your focus back where it belongs, on your own family, and on the heart of God - His children, and His love for others.
Alright guys--we are halfway to our week before we draw for the $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. Thursday we are drawing. Check HERE for more information about the Future Hope Project and on how to get entered into the drawing. There are 7 different ways that you can earn up to 16 entries.
Also, Gin from Hope Aid International is also hosting a giveaway for the Future Hope Project where you can win a handmade item made by one of the Ugandans that Hope Aid helps.
Need help finding items for your donation?--Let me know. Grab a button over on the right to add to your blog to help promote the FHP. Don't forget to add your link to Mister Linky if you posted a blog or added a button to your site.
So say for instance that Chris and I told you we were pregnant. Say that we talked about how excited we were. Say we told you that all we needed was this list of things for our baby:
3 cloth diapers 6 diaper pins 2 plastic diaper covers 1 receiving blanket 1 small travel size baby powder 1 pacifier 1 bar of baby soap
Would you tell me I'm crazy? What about a bottles, more blankets, toys? Ohh, the laundry I'd have to do with only 3 cloth diapers.
Fact of the matter is
1. we are not pregnant 2. this wasn't near enough for our comfort when we had Aleeyah almost 4 years ago 3. this is more than many mothers have around the world. Here in the US. In India. In Africa.
So remember the exciting news I wanted to share with you several times now?
IT IS TIME!
Hope Aid International is working with a maternity clinic in Uganda to help new mothers and infants and that is where The Future Hope Project comes in.
Our basic mission is to get the small list of essentials gathered together in large quantities to help assist these new mothers and infants as they begin their journey of fighting the stark statistics that are ahead of them. We are asking that you get a large, gallon size baggie and fill it with the items above and mail it to us along with $5 to help with shipping costs. Then all the collected packages will be sent the maternity ward in Uganda.
These gifts are small in comparison to what they will face, but a wonderful gift that will be a treasure for the new family.
The front page gives information about what we are doing (I'm trying to keep it short here). Click on Give Hope to find out what you can do. Click on Share for resources on sharing our project with others.
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Also, I need your help in getting the word out. So I'm going a little giveaway for a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card as my way of saying thank you. :)
For each doing, you get a point (or more where noted). Each point will be how many times your name will be entered in the drawing. The drawing will happen a week from today (Thursday, May 7th).
**Post about it with the link on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Myspace (each 1 point) **Post a Future Hope Project button (located on the site under Share with Friends)on your blog (2 points) **Post a blog about it (3 points) **Email friends and family encouraging them to get involved (2 points) **Set up a fundraiser/drive for items with your church, small group, boy/girl scout club, etc (6 points)
Come back and let me know what items you did by leaving a comment or you can email me at ahamblin@kc.rr.com. So just for doing these things, you could be entered up to 16 times!
Today's post is coming a bit late on this Tuesday! Chris has been sickly and me being the mom/nurse of our household, I have been a bit busy.
This week you get to meet another special online friend of mine, Gin. I got to know Gin when she sent me a message about being a part of our upcoming blogger Bible study and I'm glad she did.
I know she would probably keep me from saying what I'm about to say if she was sitting next to me, but I'm going to anyway! haha! She is one amazing lady! She is my age, but has done so much already. She doesn't mention it below, but she founded Hope Aid International-an organization that provides anything from school tuition to sewing machines to cows for families in Uganda. At this point, I am planning to join her in Uganda some time in the next year and a half for the ribbon cutting of their secondary school and I am super excited about it! Besides for all the work in Uganda, she also does social type work as her primary job and is all about the dog rescues. She is definitely a person who loves to serve and she does a mighty fine job at it!
So read about her interview below and then go check out her sites!
When did you start blogging and why? I started a blog a looooong time ago (in undergrad maybe?) when Blogger was still known as Blogspot and had no association with Google! I didn't really understand blogging back then and didn't write too often. It was mainly my own personal journal. It's been so long now that I have no idea how to find my old blog.
Has your blog evolved into something other than its original intent? I was actually inspired to blog again from Compassion's blog! I'd been having such a great time reading the posts and commenting... it kind of taught me what a blog could be! I'm sure that sounds a little silly considering I had one forever ago, but I feel like back then, blogs weren't what they are today. Maybe I'm wrong and was just challenged, but then again, I was a tech know-it-all back then so perhaps blogs really have changed. Afterall, now blogs aren't just blogs, there is an entire blog world!!! When I started my blog, I did it to reflect on things going on in my life. I didn't feel connected to God in a way that satisfied me. By writing about my relationship with Him and diving deeper into life with Him, I hoped to find more of what I was looking for -- I thought that by writing my thoughts and reflecting on my life through my own words, I would find more of what I needed. Whew, that was long! :) Back to the question... I've used my blog... totally taken advantage of it. I feel horrible. Blog, please forgive me! I've certainly not dished my blog's purpose, but I have used it to share things other than what I intended. I don't think my blog minds -- and I have really enjoyed meeting new friends!!!
Is there a blog post that you have written that you would like to share with us? Hmm... I don't have one that comes to mind, but when I looked back through some posts, I think I really like all of the posts from November of last year. There are some funny ones, some sweet ones, and some deep ones. Here's the archive link: http://iseehope.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
Do you write on more than one blog? Isn't there a rule that states you must have more than one??? I have a few actually... Let's see, there's Chronicles of the Bird People http://thebirdpeople.blogspot.com ... and you know what, now that I'm thinking about it. This was actually my second blog...it started as a joke because SO many people were asking about me and D so I made a blog that started as a joke. Then we actually used it because our friends would ask about it. I found that I enjoyed posting and decided I wanted to write about more things. So that combined with the Compassion thing lead to my main blog, Good Morning World http://iseehope.blogspot.com. Then I realized how much I had to say about my sweet love, Nola, so it was only fair that she had a blog dedicated to her alone. http://mydognola.blogspot.com. I'd emailed Abbie way before she was ready for the next Bible Study group and was super excited when she announced that there would be another one -- and I got in! LOL, I was really excited to be part of this! It's my first one! So I write on the BS blog http://livinginhisdesign.blogspot.com.
How do you think blogging has affected you the most? Hands down, I've met some of the best, most genuine friends I could ever have. In fact, some of my best friends I have never met. To some I'm sure it sounds completely ridiculous, and I'm sure if I didn't have them, I'd think the same of someone else... but it's true. I have loved getting to know people through the window they give me each day when I see a new post in my reader. I've enjoyed following along through the exciting and joyful times and I've enjoyed being able to pray for them and encourage them through the difficult times. Blogging is soooo much more than simply putting thoughts out there. It's an entire community, and I'm happy we're neighbhors! (How cheesy is that?!) I can't help it, it's how I feel... neighbhor!
Have you had an opportunity to meet any of your blog readers face-to-face? I have a few friends who blog but with regard to meeting new friends that I met through blogging. Nope. Are there any particular blogger tools that you would recommend to others (ex. Blog readers, traffic sites, widgets)? Seriously, you're asking me?!
What is the blog you look forward to checking the most daily and why? I'm not even going to publicly admit how many blogs are in my reader right now... however, I love them all! Some I am an active commenter on and others I am a complete stalker! The blogs I read range from every day inspiration to international adoptions, dogs, crafts, and DIYs. Is it possible to be excited about all of them?! The ones I look most forward to would definitely have to be by people that I "know" though. Friends that I've either met online or know in person. I enjoy reading about what's going on with everyone!
Name 1 blogger that you would like to see interviewed? This is tough to answer because I know such a small group of people that I would love to read anyone's interview!!! I've found that it's really neat to read the answers from people that I do know and it's also neat to maybe meet and learn about new friends this way too. Do I have to choose someone?!
Is there anything else you would like to share? Thank you for interviewing me!!! A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love and encourages you with hope. -Unknown
I feel so blessed to have met such wonderful friends through blogging and I have learned so much from each person. Some of my friends know me from shared blogs or comments and others I simply stalk. But I love each and every one! Thanks for the interview Abbie!
Well, since Easter was this past weekend....okay, so not really, but go with me....I wanted to get the pics up from our Easter festivities. Warning: This post will be picture heavy!
We went to an Easter Egg Hunt at Chris' work on the Friday before. It was nice to see some of his coworkers families and spend lunch with all of them.
Saturday, we dyed eggs. I have issues about the eggs going bad before we hide them, so I typically put them off until right before. I kind of messed up this year though. I knew we would be dying them just before bed, but then it set the whole thing off when Chris reminded me that I actually still needed to boil them first! Whooops! Let's just say, Aleeyah had a late night!
So we made eggs with construction paper while we waited for the eggs to cook and cool.
We did our family egg hunt at my dad's house after church. It was sprinkling during our time outside searching for eggs. Aleeyah's hair will attest to that as the pictures progress.
As with any holidays, the idea and concept should be practiced daily, but it's nice to dedicate a day and be inspired to do a little extra that day.
So today we are:
*Going outside to pick up trash and enjoy the nature around us *Take our boxes of recycling to the recycling container *Attempt to use the least amount of energy and water resources throughout the day *A few other crafty things, if the time allows!
It's already time for another edition of Whoo's Day is Tuesday!?
I'm having such a great time learning more about some blogger friends of mine and sharing that with you. In the same turn, it is difficult to try to figure out which blogger to go next because I want to learn about each of you equally.
Jess is another online buddy of mine. The history of our relationship goes back to me leaving a comment on her husband's parent's blog. His parents were in the process of adopting from Ethiopia and I enjoyed reading their blog. (BTW-they just recently brought their little girl home about a month-ish ago!) Jess left me a comment on my blog, emails were exchanged, and our friendship began to bloom. She decided to join our Bible study group and I really enjoyed getting to know her even more. Later, she invited us over for their annual Holiday Party. It's kind of a funny story because we both had people in our lives that were questioning why in the world we were meeting some person that we just "met" online. Let's just say, serial killers typically don't join Bible study groups.
Inviting a stranger into her home is exactly what sums up Jess for me. She such a genuinely kind an welcoming person to anyone that wants it. She a wifey and a wonderful momma to her daughter, Abby--love the name, don't you?
She also makes me cry, but in a good way. :)
When did you start blogging and why? I started blogging in March of 2008 because we were finally settled in our new home and I was working from home full time and LONELY! I found myself reading blog after blog and finally thought if they can do it why can’t I. I never imagined I would get so hooked or meet so many great people and I can happily report I am no longer lonely working from home!
Has your blog evolved into something other than its original intent? It’s original intent was unknown, it was a time filler, a way to make me feel like I was having conversation and not talking to myself, LOL! So YES it has evolved into much more than I ever dreamed it would evolve into. It has been a way to keep our families connected, to share pictures and stories about our daily life and also to share my walk with God. I have met so many amazing people who have taught me SOOOOO much in my walk with God not only by their words but by how they live their lives. I am amazed more and more every day at just how great God’s plan is, and how perfect it can be when I let Him have control!
Is there a blog post that you have written that you would like to share with us? There is no way I can just pick one, LOL! I am way too indecisive for that. If I had to pick one that I am most passionate about and that I have learned the most about myself because of it would be a topic and not just 1 post. Our Baby Boyd Dreams topic, (http://boy-oyd.blogspot.com/search/label/Baby%20Boyd%20Dreams) I think I am up to 18 posts under that label now and it is something very dear to my heart. We are going on 3 years trying to get pregnant and I have to say that it has been one heck of a roller coaster. I have learned SO much about myself and about my faith through this whole experience. I have poured my heart out without hesitation and given the process to God, it was a struggle to get to that point but I finally got there!!!!
I think my favorite recent post was the one I did to recap my first year of blogging. http://boy-oyd.blogspot.com/2009/03/current-state-of-mind.html I had fun looking back. But the blog posts that have gotten the most responses have been my Class of 99 posts, (http://boy-oyd.blogspot.com/search/label/Class%20of%201999) everyone has loved making fun of me! LOL! Do you write on more than one blog? I do…I am part of the All In His Design Bible Study group so I write there and then I have a top secret blog of mine own that I keep as a journal. Those are the only blogs that I have the “right” to post on but I am a comment junkie. I LOVE getting comments and leaving them so let’s just say I write on a lot of blog posts!
How do you think blogging has affected you the most? As strange as it sounds it has opened me up to enjoying my life more, the everyday stuff, the “to do list” or the daily activities of life. I kind of went through the motions before and just did stuff but being able to blog and journal and photograph stuff that is part of my life has really made me enjoy things much more and acknowledge how much we really do. It has been a blast.
Have you had an opportunity to meet any of your blog readers face-to-face? I have…I met Abbie which was so fun. We have great conversations and have a ton in common so we knew a lot about each other before meeting. It was great because our Husbands and kids got to meet too and it ALL went good so that was really exciting. We have met for lunch since our 1st meeting but haven’t been able to get together as often as I would like but hopefully now that the weather is nice we can have more lunch outings and park time, etc, etc. There are so many more readers I would LOVE to meet in person and I think that there are a few I will definitely meet someday, life will bring us together…God is good…He will make it happen!
Are there any particular blogger tools that you would recommend to others (ex. Blog readers, traffic sites, widgets)? Ummm…too many to list. I don’t stick to one thing very long, I love to try new stuff and see how it works and then usually I go looking for something new after just a while. You can tell that by just how much the background and songs change on my blog! I can’t ever leave well enough alone! I Google search all the time to try and fine new Blogger widgets and improvements, there are some really smart people out there that you can learn a lot from! And Google reader is AWESOME, I usually only use it when I am behind on my reading, otherwise I like to go to the blogs themselves so I can what changes they have made and see how pretty the blogs look. I think the backgrounds and styles tell you a lot about people, they are so fun to look at. What is the blog you look forward to checking the most daily and why? I don’t know that there is one in particular that I look forward to, I just look forward to seeing who’s towards the top of the list because that means they updated! Life is busy and taking the time to blog can be time consuming so really if there is a new post on my reader list I am happy because it gives me something to read! I have been so inspired and touched by the reading I have been able to do through Blogger. If I have to name one blog that I stalk for updates it would be my Mum (www.boydadoption.com) because I am hoping there will be new pictures and updates about our little sister on there!!! Name 1 blogger that you would like to see interviewed? GIN!!!! For sure. She has the A.D.D. brain thoughts thing going on and I LOVE it. She can keep me entertained no matter the subject!!! But I would also like to see your answers Abbie…you should do a Interview with the Interviewer. LOL! Is there anything else you would like to share? One thing that I have noticed or heard a lot of about blogging is that people don’t think they are interesting or that anyone will read or that they will offend someone by what they say. If there is one thing I could say it would be to do it for you and you will be AMAZED at how much you learn about yourself and life in general through blogging. I hear it all the time “I can’t blog, I wouldn’t even know what to say” or “I love reading your blog but there is no way I could do all THAT” or “Nobody would want to read about my boring life.” There is such a community out there of Bloggers, people just like you and me that have created lifelong bonds through blogs. You don’t have to be a poet or scholar or always have something profound to say, it’s just about sharing, there is no right or wrong way to do it. Push yourself to get out of your shell and start a blog and if you don’t think you can blog then start by commenting on the blogs that you read…I’m telling you, it’s fun and addictive and you will LOVE IT!!!!
And PS….Abbie is the bestest! (( no she isn’t adding this on her own either! )) Thank you for doing this and for interviewing me and for being so great. I have loved every minute of getting to know you and my life wouldn’t be the same without you. You have such a fantastic outlook on life and have such a great perspective on things that I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around. And our Bible Study that you organized has been the best thing to happen in my life in a long time! Thanks Abbie for being so sweet and caring so much about everyone else…YOU ARE THE BESTEST!!!
Today turned out to be a beautiful Spring day. We spent some of our afternoon out geocaching.
A quick description of what geocaching is: Basically, people all over the world hide small containers in public places for others to find and log their arrival. Some times they contain goodies in them that you are allowed to take as long as you place something else in the box. The boxes are found using a GPS and (for us) clues. Once you get to the Long/Lat location then the search is on. It typically takes some moving around of leaves, branches, or other material to find the cache box. It's a mini modern day treasure hunt if you will.
There are lots and lots of them here in Overland Park (and probably lots in your area-visit here to find out).
I've been wanting to do this for quite some time and keep running into information about it. I finally talked to Chris and my dad about it and decided that I really wanted to go try it out. Chris was a bit reluctant, but I knew once we got out there, his inner Eagle Scout would resurface again. Dad didn't get to go with us this time, but was very excited about joining us.
So this morning, we got Aleeyah geared up telling her we were going to go look for a box. It didn't quite work, but then we told her we were going to the trails and then she was game. Even more, we got some rain this morning and she would surely get to play in the puddles and mud.
So with my iPhone with the geocaching app loaded and an additional trail GPS, we were headed to our first cache. As we approached the cache location we parked the car and started walking down the paved trails.
The clouds in the sky were making it difficult to get a good signal and we couldn't figure out the other trail GPS. So we relied on my trusty phone to get us there....yes, a phone. Once we got to the spot, it was up to us to do some searching.
After about 30 minutes of walking in thickets, over fallen trees and limbs, and even seeing a squirrel fall from a very, very tall tree while hitting branches on the way down and finally ending in a loud thump on his side, we had given up.
Truth of the matter is, all three of us were having a great time, but ummmm...someone needed to find a bathroom with toilet paper and a sink to wash her hands-something the woods just doesn't provide. I know, I know, it does provide ground where people without toilets once roamed, BUT this city girl has not had to squat on it's soil in a very, very, very long time. As I tried to figure out how I would even do it without peeing on myself, I said it was time to go.
Speaking of city girls, can you believe I kept getting in trouble by the Eagle Scout for being more concerned about documenting the trip via snapshots than actually trying to "quickly" find the treasure box??? That is what I do. I enjoy myself, my family, and I take pictures in the process-no matter how much time it might add to our journey!
As we were walking back, I looked off to my right, there she was. Shoved in the cove of a fallen tree.
I might have yelled a little in excitement. I wanted to open it since I found it, but thought squatting down next to a tree wouldn't do much for my full bladder. So Chris and Aleeyah did the honors.
We didn't bring anything to exchange so we didn't take anything, but enjoyed looking and finding it. We logged our visit and returned the box to it's original state.
We took a shorter route to the trails and headed back to the car. Took off our muddy shoes before getting in the car, mapped our next adventure, and after a quick stop, we headed off to cache site #2 of the day.
It was only about a mile or so away from our first stop. We parked the car and headed back down the trails. Not far away from the car, but into the woods, just as we were looking at the details on my phone when it died. Since we still couldn't figure out the trail GPS, we decided to call it a day.
We were about halfway out of the wooded area, when Chris stopped and said, "WHAT IS THAT?"
Hello! Need I remind him that I am a CITY girl? Do not say those words to me while we are standing in bushes and fallen tree limbs. Yes, I can see the trail just ahead, I can hear cars going by from the nearby street, and I might even be able to see a building, BUT that doesn't change the fact that things lurk in these parts!!! I mean seriously, these are the shoes I wore to go walking in the woods and they provide no protection for something wanting to eat my feet!
Then the next words out of his mouth were, "It's a BAT!"
Me: It's a WHAT? Chris: a bat! Me: Is it dead?? (praying that very moment that the poor creature was lying dead in the brush) Chris: NO!
Yes, in that moment the incident of our untimely death was playing in my head. Three amateur geocachers went out in the woods and was bitten by crazed bat foaming at the mouth!
Chris: Come look at it Me: Is it going to bite us??? Chris: No it's sleeping Me: Oh, thank goodness....wait, will it be angry if we wake it? Chris: just come look at it!
Inching slightly forward, I saw it just hanging there on the bush that Chris was just about to walk into a few seconds before. Sleeping. From a distance, I did what I rarely do...
I handed Chris my camera.
He can roll his eyes as much as he wants, but this really could not go undocumented! I remember my first time of ever seeing a wild bat. Aleeyah should have some pictures to go with her first time!
So he snapped a few shots and after I realized that the poor sleeping creature was too beat to actually care about us being there, I got close enough to take a pic of him too.
Of course, Chris being a boy had to well, be a boy. And boys poke things with sticks. As he reached for a stick, I quickly reached for Aleeyah and went back a ways to a safe distance. Chris poked and poked and no movement. We saw him breathing so we knew he was alive.
In the video below you hear me trying to keep her with me to avoid getting bitten when the crazed creature comes out from his sleep to suck our blood! So there is a lot of crazy movement in the video which reminds me a bit of that Blair Witch movie. (don't mind my nasally voice today either-allergies suck-especially when you forget to take your medicine!)
Chris didn't listen to my pleas and he finally woke it up and it just flew to a top of a nearby tree.
Don't worry, Chris got the lecture of disturbing the wildlife....from the 3 year old! (I don't know what the deal is with her walking like that)
And we headed home.
All in all-we had a great time and are excited to go again!
