I got a message from an "old" friend the other day (basically a friend I haven't talked to in 5+ years) to talk about jobs, but also to let me know he and his wife are adopting a baby girl. It's a domestic and local adoption and things should be finalized next month. They already have one little girl and I was excited to hear about the upcoming addition to their family!
It's always great to hear about family or friends having kids, but when they (also) decide to adopt it's always a little bit more special. I truly admire those that decide to open their hearts to a child because it's definitely a conscientious choice and decision this is made to love and nurture that child. It's one of the greatest gifts a person and/or couple can give.
In my book, Corn-fed with Rice on the Side, I talk about going back to my hometown and finding out about so many of our extended family who have adopted children (internationally). I wondered if I (and my parents) had influenced their decisions in any way or if just by opening their minds to the idea was enough...enough to open their hearts and homes to a child who needed them. My dad made the comment "See what you started." and I replied back to him "No, see what YOU started!"
Having a child no matter how they come into your life is a true blessing. There are definitely too many children in need of a forever home and hopefully there will be just as many open hearts to fulfill those needs in the future. Even if adoption is not part of your path in life, you can always still make a difference in a child's life through donations, time or service. We can all make a difference in a child's life...no matter how big or small!
Blessings to you as the summer is heating up and fireworks will soon sparkle and pop in the sky! Cheers!!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Shopping Under Pressure
I recently bought a new mattress (which was immensely overdue) and with the purchase I received a $200 rewards card. I went back to the store today to shop...and use that rewards card. However, I was thinking it was a 'gift card' and it wasn't it was a 'rewards card'. What's the difference? A gift card you can use once and still have the balance to use at a later date. A rewards card you have to use the total amount at one purchase. Good thing the sales guy told me before I checked out thinking I could use the rest later.
So, I took my time (almost 2 hours...sheesh!) and walked through the store to figure out what I wanted...what I needed. This, that, no this, maybe that...ohhh the pressure! I always thought I was a decent shopper, but under pressure I'm not so sure. I went back and forth...in my mind and throughout the store...trying to calculate exactly $200 and deciding what I really "needed". I can't believe I was there for almost 2 hours! But, I finally made my purchase and only went over by $9.50.
I went through the same thing earlier this year when I bought a new cell phone. I had $480 in credits, but I had to spend the entire amount right then! If you've ever been to a major phone carrier's store there's not a ton of stuff in there to peruse, but it took me forever to figure out what to buy! You'd think if someone told you you had a certain amount of money to spend (for free) that it would be easy to pick out what you wanted, but it's harder than it sounds. It probably took me an hour to spend $480! But, I did get 7 different items. I probably could've just bought a Go-Pro or a fancy speaker and called it a day, but I ended up with 2 phone cases, a smaller bluetooth speaker, a rechargeable phone case, a fast rechargeable stand, Beats headphones and yes, a selfie stick (which I still haven't used). "Pressure" shopping it's ideal nor is it very fun....but, someone's gotta do it, right?!
Blessings for a pressure-free week ahead! Enjoy the last week of June!!
So, I took my time (almost 2 hours...sheesh!) and walked through the store to figure out what I wanted...what I needed. This, that, no this, maybe that...ohhh the pressure! I always thought I was a decent shopper, but under pressure I'm not so sure. I went back and forth...in my mind and throughout the store...trying to calculate exactly $200 and deciding what I really "needed". I can't believe I was there for almost 2 hours! But, I finally made my purchase and only went over by $9.50.
I went through the same thing earlier this year when I bought a new cell phone. I had $480 in credits, but I had to spend the entire amount right then! If you've ever been to a major phone carrier's store there's not a ton of stuff in there to peruse, but it took me forever to figure out what to buy! You'd think if someone told you you had a certain amount of money to spend (for free) that it would be easy to pick out what you wanted, but it's harder than it sounds. It probably took me an hour to spend $480! But, I did get 7 different items. I probably could've just bought a Go-Pro or a fancy speaker and called it a day, but I ended up with 2 phone cases, a smaller bluetooth speaker, a rechargeable phone case, a fast rechargeable stand, Beats headphones and yes, a selfie stick (which I still haven't used). "Pressure" shopping it's ideal nor is it very fun....but, someone's gotta do it, right?!
Blessings for a pressure-free week ahead! Enjoy the last week of June!!
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Super Dad!
Since we just celebrated Father's Day this past weekend, it's only fitting that my dad displayed more of his 'super powers' yesterday. He enjoyed a fun-filled weekend by going to the Texas Rangers game with my older brother and his two boys on Friday night and then Saturday morning my sister, mom and I took him to play Top Golf. It's basically a targeted driving range where you drive balls into different targets placed all over the range. It's a lot of fun, but we were all a bit rusty since none of us had hit a golf ball in probably 3 years! But, once we dusted off our golf swings we enjoyed the competition of trying to beat one another!
Over the past week, my dad has trucked over 2 loads of dirt to fill in a fairly noticeable gap between my foundation and the ground. Luckily it's only on one side of the house, but we got that done the week before last. Since then, he's been trying to find sod to put over it before it rains so the rain doesn't wash away all the dirt. He got the last few pieces at Home Depot yesterday and brought those over to lay, but then went to this sod farm near his house and dug up around 100 pieces of sod! Yep, he dug it up himself (because that's what you do there), loaded it all and brought it over. We spent a late afternoon in June in Texas laying sod!
Thankfully, it wasn't blistering hot...it was actually quite pleasant for a June day with the breeze blowing and finally the humidity was down...such a blessing! So after around 8-10 loads of sod we got it all laid down! An enormous amount of work...from my dad! He dug up all the sod, hauled it over, unloaded it and laid it all down! Makes me tired just thinking about it again. And, I was definitely tired last night!
But who does that?! A super dad does that! One that doesn't mind hard work and displays tenacity in getting the job done! It's amazing! He's amazing! And, I'm so thankful for all his hard work and for caring so much to do it! I'm blessed to have a super dad in my life and I really don't know what I'd do without him. In addition, he fixed my garage door as it got off track and I couldn't get my garage door open...which is part of the reason I was off and day and missed my post yesterday. I was busy laying sod for most of the day and taking two showers after both of my dad's visits.
This morning after I worked out I went around and watered all of the sod since my dad said it needed to be watered for the next 10 days....and he'd kill me if I let it all die after all his hard work! And again I realized how much work he did yesterday! I watered and watered and watered! That was a lot of sod he dug up!! I even got 4 mosquito bites on my face while watering...ugh! Lets just hope I'm still motivated to water again tomorrow.
Hoping you have a blessed weekend ahead and you continue to appreciate your dad even if it isn't Father's Day!
Over the past week, my dad has trucked over 2 loads of dirt to fill in a fairly noticeable gap between my foundation and the ground. Luckily it's only on one side of the house, but we got that done the week before last. Since then, he's been trying to find sod to put over it before it rains so the rain doesn't wash away all the dirt. He got the last few pieces at Home Depot yesterday and brought those over to lay, but then went to this sod farm near his house and dug up around 100 pieces of sod! Yep, he dug it up himself (because that's what you do there), loaded it all and brought it over. We spent a late afternoon in June in Texas laying sod!
Thankfully, it wasn't blistering hot...it was actually quite pleasant for a June day with the breeze blowing and finally the humidity was down...such a blessing! So after around 8-10 loads of sod we got it all laid down! An enormous amount of work...from my dad! He dug up all the sod, hauled it over, unloaded it and laid it all down! Makes me tired just thinking about it again. And, I was definitely tired last night!
But who does that?! A super dad does that! One that doesn't mind hard work and displays tenacity in getting the job done! It's amazing! He's amazing! And, I'm so thankful for all his hard work and for caring so much to do it! I'm blessed to have a super dad in my life and I really don't know what I'd do without him. In addition, he fixed my garage door as it got off track and I couldn't get my garage door open...which is part of the reason I was off and day and missed my post yesterday. I was busy laying sod for most of the day and taking two showers after both of my dad's visits.
This morning after I worked out I went around and watered all of the sod since my dad said it needed to be watered for the next 10 days....and he'd kill me if I let it all die after all his hard work! And again I realized how much work he did yesterday! I watered and watered and watered! That was a lot of sod he dug up!! I even got 4 mosquito bites on my face while watering...ugh! Lets just hope I'm still motivated to water again tomorrow.
Hoping you have a blessed weekend ahead and you continue to appreciate your dad even if it isn't Father's Day!
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! I hope you're having a relaxing, fun-filled day of all the things you enjoy!
That's what my dad should be doing, but instead he's been out looking for sod for one side of my house. He's been looking for the past couple of days and all the home improvement stores have been out. So, now he's digging up some sod over by his garden to bring that over since there is a chance for rain tonight. Not a very relaxing Father's Day, but honestly I don't think he'd rather be doing anything else. He likes to stay busy and active. I told him the rain would probably pass us by tonight so he shouldn't bother, but I'm sure he's out there digging as I type. What would I do without my dad?!
I have no idea and I don't want to find out! I have a lot of friends who have lost their father's already and I can't even imagine it. Just his presence, his phones calls during the week, of course all the help he gives me around my house, and all the big and small things he does for all of my siblings and I...we'd all be lost without him. Father's guide and shape so much of what we do in life and it's a day like today that we can try to show them our appreciation and gratitude for it all.
So again, Happy Father's Day and enjoy your day! May all the fathers out there be blessed with love, joy and happiness!!
That's what my dad should be doing, but instead he's been out looking for sod for one side of my house. He's been looking for the past couple of days and all the home improvement stores have been out. So, now he's digging up some sod over by his garden to bring that over since there is a chance for rain tonight. Not a very relaxing Father's Day, but honestly I don't think he'd rather be doing anything else. He likes to stay busy and active. I told him the rain would probably pass us by tonight so he shouldn't bother, but I'm sure he's out there digging as I type. What would I do without my dad?!
I have no idea and I don't want to find out! I have a lot of friends who have lost their father's already and I can't even imagine it. Just his presence, his phones calls during the week, of course all the help he gives me around my house, and all the big and small things he does for all of my siblings and I...we'd all be lost without him. Father's guide and shape so much of what we do in life and it's a day like today that we can try to show them our appreciation and gratitude for it all.
So again, Happy Father's Day and enjoy your day! May all the fathers out there be blessed with love, joy and happiness!!
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Heat and Humidity
It's that time of the year...full of heat and humidity! Ugh. No bueno! It's been hot and humid here the past several days and it's supposed to be through Father's Day this Sunday. No my favorite...probably my least favorite! I'm good with storms because you know they'll eventually pass, but humidity just sticks to you immediately and when you start sweating just standing in place it's just not right.
The heat is always going to come, that's a given living in Texas, but I remember my first work trip to Raleigh and I felt the humidity as soon as I walked off the plane up the jet bridge. It was the same on my first trip to Singapore. How come no one ever told me it was SO humid there?! And because these were work trips I was wearing suits for the majority of my time there. I remember being in awe of the women walking around in suits in Singapore. And to top it off, the first day I was there a group of women took me to lunch...at an outdoor food court! You can't escape the humidity when outside, but thank goodness for AC!
How do you deal with the summer heat and humidity? Do you like it? Do you exercise out in it? Sometimes I see people out running in this type of weather and I'm always shocked. I would pass out if I did that! Not to mention what it does to our hair, ladies, right?!
Stay cool as the summer heat kicks in! Blessings to you and your family the rest of this week!!
The heat is always going to come, that's a given living in Texas, but I remember my first work trip to Raleigh and I felt the humidity as soon as I walked off the plane up the jet bridge. It was the same on my first trip to Singapore. How come no one ever told me it was SO humid there?! And because these were work trips I was wearing suits for the majority of my time there. I remember being in awe of the women walking around in suits in Singapore. And to top it off, the first day I was there a group of women took me to lunch...at an outdoor food court! You can't escape the humidity when outside, but thank goodness for AC!
How do you deal with the summer heat and humidity? Do you like it? Do you exercise out in it? Sometimes I see people out running in this type of weather and I'm always shocked. I would pass out if I did that! Not to mention what it does to our hair, ladies, right?!
Stay cool as the summer heat kicks in! Blessings to you and your family the rest of this week!!
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Foundation Repair
Yesterday my dad brought over some dirt to help stabilize my foundation on one side of my house. Apparently my house has shifted a bit over the past 12 years and needs a little support. He's coming back again today to finish the job and luckily it's only on one side of the house. But, it definitely applies to life in general, too.
As a parent, you want to help build a solid foundation for your child to grow, learn, fail and succeed. It's the personal values, morals, respect and knowing the difference of right and wrong that parents try to instill into their children. All those building blocks help lay the foundation for a child's life that will hopefully steady them in times of need, help lift them up in confidence and allow them to lean on them throughout all of life's lessons. And it too, sometimes needs repairs along the way.
Sometimes we need reminders of our foundation, where we came from or how we got there. And sometimes we need to make improvements or adjustments to how our lives have shifted over the years. We need to provide support for ourselves for the stage of life we're in now. Things age, we age, things change, we change so we must make improvements to stay on solid ground. To ensure our foundation is strong and stable so that we may continue to grow, learn and share with others, we must build up and/or repair our foundations. And sometimes the cracks aren't as obvious, but they're there so look closely...deeper...and acknowledge what needs to be repaired/upgraded. We all need adjustments every now and again. But, we must be brave enough to realize when our foundation is cracked because it's where we find our balance to make tough decisions or help us feel centered in this crazy life. Make sure your foundation is on solid ground!
Blessings to you this week as you ensure your foundation is sound and stable!
As a parent, you want to help build a solid foundation for your child to grow, learn, fail and succeed. It's the personal values, morals, respect and knowing the difference of right and wrong that parents try to instill into their children. All those building blocks help lay the foundation for a child's life that will hopefully steady them in times of need, help lift them up in confidence and allow them to lean on them throughout all of life's lessons. And it too, sometimes needs repairs along the way.
Sometimes we need reminders of our foundation, where we came from or how we got there. And sometimes we need to make improvements or adjustments to how our lives have shifted over the years. We need to provide support for ourselves for the stage of life we're in now. Things age, we age, things change, we change so we must make improvements to stay on solid ground. To ensure our foundation is strong and stable so that we may continue to grow, learn and share with others, we must build up and/or repair our foundations. And sometimes the cracks aren't as obvious, but they're there so look closely...deeper...and acknowledge what needs to be repaired/upgraded. We all need adjustments every now and again. But, we must be brave enough to realize when our foundation is cracked because it's where we find our balance to make tough decisions or help us feel centered in this crazy life. Make sure your foundation is on solid ground!
Blessings to you this week as you ensure your foundation is sound and stable!
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Foodie Favorites
Now that we're getting closer to summer and all the festivities that take place outside during the summer....concerts, festivals, picnics, pool parties, BBQs...what are some of your foodie favorites? Or more specifically, what are some of your childhood foodie favorites that you haven't had since you were a child?
I recently mentioned to my mom that I missed pudding pops. You know, the frozen popsicles made out of pudding. I loved the chocolate ones, but wasn't a big fan of the vanilla ones. So, the following week my mom brought me a chocolate pudding pop she had made. It was delicious! Another summer treat that I totally miss and seriously haven't had since I was probably 8 years old is a soft serve ice cream cone that was dipped in sprinkles and nuts. It was only available from a local restaurant right outside of town on the other side of the railroad tracks. It was basically like a Dairy Queen. I loved that sprinkle cone! Ahh, the memories of favorite foods, places and of course people! That's what it's all about!
All the traditional summertime foods I enjoy, but again it's mainly the memories and the people that make them special. Like all the picnics we had near our creek with either my grandma bringing food or my mom making all the food. You always knew it would be good and homemade and you can't beat that! Most of our picnics were sitting on a blanket in a field, near the creek or out on our lawn. There weren't many times we were actually sitting at a picnic table as opposed to now. Times change...scenery changes....but traditions can continue and new memories made.
So, enjoy the coming summer months and try to conjure up some of your childhood foodie favorites! Hopefully they'll still be as good as you remember! May you have a blessed week ahead full of sweet treats!!
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Rain, Rain Go Away...
Although it was quite rainy for most of our DFW Holt International picnic yesterday, we still had a good turnout with a lot of new families that had never been to the picnic before. So, all-in-all it was another great event!
I've enjoyed co-hosting the picnic the past 4 years and look forward to meeting new families, as well as, catching up with the families we've met previously. It's always fun to see the little kids and how much they've grown each year! I enjoy talking to the parents of adoptees and hearing about their adoption journeys and I know my parents really enjoy talking to all the parents, too! As I've said before, each adoption journey is different but there are underlying things that are very similar for families.
And, I love that all my nieces and nephews were able to come and enjoy the day with all the other little kids. All the kids enjoyed playing in the rain, playing with bubbles, in the splash pad and of course on the playground. I'm also thankful my sister was there to capture all the memories by taking pictures throughout the day. A lot of fun and precious moments!
So, if you have an opportunity to connect with other local adoptees you should! It's a great way to share stories, feelings and any issues/concerns you may be facing. We're all in this together and should help lift up one another...no matter the issue or situation. Life in general is hard enough, so the more we can do to connect with one another and help our fellow man/woman the better we'll all become as a citizen and as a community.
Have a blessed week ahead and enjoy the first full week of June!
I've enjoyed co-hosting the picnic the past 4 years and look forward to meeting new families, as well as, catching up with the families we've met previously. It's always fun to see the little kids and how much they've grown each year! I enjoy talking to the parents of adoptees and hearing about their adoption journeys and I know my parents really enjoy talking to all the parents, too! As I've said before, each adoption journey is different but there are underlying things that are very similar for families.
And, I love that all my nieces and nephews were able to come and enjoy the day with all the other little kids. All the kids enjoyed playing in the rain, playing with bubbles, in the splash pad and of course on the playground. I'm also thankful my sister was there to capture all the memories by taking pictures throughout the day. A lot of fun and precious moments!
So, if you have an opportunity to connect with other local adoptees you should! It's a great way to share stories, feelings and any issues/concerns you may be facing. We're all in this together and should help lift up one another...no matter the issue or situation. Life in general is hard enough, so the more we can do to connect with one another and help our fellow man/woman the better we'll all become as a citizen and as a community.
Have a blessed week ahead and enjoy the first full week of June!
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