Friday, February 26, 2010

Everybody loves an award

And I'm no exception. It's still strange to me that anyone but my mom reads this, but apparently the very gracious Rebekah does too. She's given me the "beautiful blogger" award, which I'm sure must have everything to do with the cuteness of my kids or the design talents of Everyday Mommy. It surely has very little to do with my writing (or lack thereof). Whatever the reason, thanks friend!

I won't burden you with the requisite "seven random things," since I think my last post was random enough, but I will pass the honor on to a few of my favorites.

  • ErinLo was the very first blog I frequented. Her touching writing helped pass the time during our seemingly endless wait to bring Reagan home. Her beautiful daughter Selah lived in the same orphanage as Reagan, and their trip to Vietnam provided our first glimpses of the province that was our daughter's first home.
  • Christina (a.k.a. Mrs. Broccoli Guy) writes about family, parenting, adoption, and a great variety of otherwise mundane things in a compelling, insightful and challenging way.
  • Nicki over at Stepping on Legos is an intelligent, creative woman who holds many views that oppose mine. Yet in spite of our differences, I admire her skills with a camera, a computer, and especially words.
  • Merideth of Lawyerish was a tragic victim of the shut-down in U.S./Vietnam adoptions, but has handled the disappointment, and her current nearly-complete pregnancy, with humor and grace. Plus, she's a lawyer, so the girl can write!
  • My friend in real life, Anita, uses the Biedeblog to keep us all up to speed with the Lord's work in Malawi, document the growth of their precious kids, and to encourage us through her dependence on God in all circumstances.
  • Annemarie at The Day's Fashioned for Me doesn't post often, but when she does, it's a joy to read.
  • The Bex Files by Jessica documented their journey to bring Bex home from Vietnam (are you seeing a theme here?), and now serve to show just how fun little boys can be. Plus, she's posting every day this year, and what blog reader doesn't love that?

There are so many others I could mention, but the Olympics are calling! Thanks again Rebekah!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Honest Scrap

I'm considering myself tagged by Lisa, a consistently candid blogger who challenges me to love my children, my husband and my God even more. Since even I am getting tired of photo-heavy posts, I'll follow her example and reveal a few less-flattering details about myself.

  • Most mornings we all sleep until 8 am. It feels rather indulgent at times, until I remember that Danny and I are usually awake and working until long after most of the world is tucked in bed. The night owl schedule works for us. Even Alyssa still says that her favorite thing about homeschooling is that she doesn’t have to wake up at 6:30.
  • If I see someone in a public place that I recognize, but either can’t remember how I know them or aren’t convinced that they’ll remember me, I try to avoid eye contact. This is something I’m working to change, as I think that Christ was likely much more friendly.
  • I eat ice cream every night. And not the fat-free stuff. I know I could probably drop several pounds if I kicked the habit, but I’m reasonably happy with my weight and don’t care enough to quit. Someday I know my metabolism will slow down, so I’m enjoying my vice for the time being.
  • I don’t vacuum. Danny knows it’s my least favorite chore, so he has graciously taken it over.
  • I don’t mind laundry, but I fold very slowly. Once the kids are tucked in bed and before Danny gets home, it’s my excuse to sit down in front of one of the many shows I enjoy that he doesn’t (What Not to Wear, CSI:NY…).
  • I usually eat more than Danny. Except for the aforementioned ice cream: in that category he gets the gold medal every time.
  • I think tax season is fun. I enjoy strategizing and researching our own tax issues, preparing returns for friends and family, and reviewing returns for pastors and missionaries through a cool ministry associated with our church. Yes, I used the words “cool” and “tax” in the same sentence. I’m that geeky.
  • I don’t love Facebook. I have an account, I have plenty of “friends,” and I even link to my blog here every so often. I think it’s fun to see photos of old friends, and it’s easier to send messages there than to track down e-mail addresses, but mostly I think it’s a waste of time. Do people really think everyone wants to know their scores on Farmville, or to be sent a virtual hug? I get especially annoyed when people project an entirely different persona online than they are in real life. Of course I have no problem at all with the time-sucker that is blogging =).
  • I rarely read. I was a huge bookworm as a kid, but aside from the Bible and the voluminous reading I do with the kids, I save my books for vacation. It’s not that I don’t love it; the problem is that I do! If I get started on a good volume, I can’t put it down and the rest of my life suffers. Yet I’ll devour thousands of pages in a week away.
  • I would love to live in Israel again. Not for an extended period, but maybe for a month or so. I studied there in college, and want my kids to have the same experience. My dream is to spend a year teaching them a scaled-down version of the history, geography and culture of the Bible I learned that semester, and then to go visit all of the key spots as a family. We’ll have to wait a few years at least, until they’re all old enough to handle the curriculum and the travel, but it’s definitely on our to-do list.

If you're still here, and not too freaked out about my oddities, post ten of your own. Let me know where to find you in the comments so we can laugh at each other!

Monday, February 15, 2010

If you thought our snow was sad...

just check out our ice skating! Or rather, white-sheets-of-plastic-fitted-together skating. It's not exactly as slippery as ice, so you might not be able to perceive the great figure-skating prowess I achieved over years of childhood lessons and coaching. (Let's just say I was a little too chunky back then to embrace the Olympic dream.) It inspired great confidence in Alyssa though, who's now anxious to tackle the real thing without an ice walker. Danny also channeled his inner Scott Hamilton and posed for an entertaining photo or two. And yes, that is "snow" falling on us!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Snow, LA style

Those of you that are buried in the white stuff (which seems like just about everywhere but here... global warming, seriously?!), will likely laugh at the sad little patches we choose to sled on today. But then we weren't in the mood to drive to a real mountain (we Californians do have those you know), and we're looking forward to a few 80 degree days this next week. We've been able to see snow from our yard for several weeks now, and the kids have been asking us at least a few times a day when we get to go touch it. Well today was the day! As you can see from their expressions they were rather smitten with the stuff. Even when their fingers and toes started to resemble ice crystals (thanks to our pathetic excuses for winter wear) they couldn't resist digging in.

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Just so Cousin Jean knows we're still here

We haven't fallen off the face of the earth... yet. Here's a beautiful little face to distract y'all from the fact that I've been a very bad blogger.