A Simple Twist of Faith

Life is A Journey

Today, I have the honor of writing  at Mom to the Screaming Masses.  Recently, Carmen wrote about the different paths she had taken in her life, and the roads less traveled .  I definitely could relate to this post.  Life is a journey and I have traveled many paths in my 47 years.

To read more, click here 

A+B=C?

I have a friend who is older than me, and very wise.  I don't get to see her often but when I do she always gives me food for thought.

"Do you miss working?" she asked me straight out the last time I saw her.  I paused and thought, and said, "Yes, I do. But it is not for the reasons, I thought I would.   Money is tight, there is no doubt about that, but we have managed to live simpler and not go into debt.  I do miss my friends at work, but frankly my energy is now taken up with my children.  I love teaching my youngest to read and write, it gives me much joy to see her learn.  At first, I was starved for 'alone time', but I have grown use to the chaos, the unceasing chatter, and it seems too quiet when my girls are not here.  The one thing I miss is recognition for a job well done."

 

Happy Gotcha Day, Bumblebee!

Two years ago today, we officially adopted our youngest daughter. 

Happy Gotcha Day, Bumblebee.  Your personality is like your hair, like a ray of sunshine. Here's a picture of you with your sister that day, two years ago.  We all love you so much.

 

 

The Humiliation of Being Ourselves

For most of my adult life, I felt that I was in control.  I felt that all of my successes and 
failures were a result of what I did or failed to do. I was proud of my accomplishments, and frankly had little patience for people who did not exhibit the same type of work ethic as me. 

One challenge I could never win was my battle over infertility. At first, I ignored the truth, burying myself in work and other activities.  When I finally repaired my relationship with God, I began to pray and ask for a child.  I had returned to the Church, our marriage had been blessed, and my husband had converted to Catholicism.  I had consulted my doctor, and although we did not participate in IVF due to religious beliefs, I underwent every other possible procedure.  I even changed jobs so my work hours would be more regular and corresponded with my husband’s schedule.

7 Quick Takes Friday Volume 34

1. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!  This year we will be attending the annual Mother's Breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus at our church.  My husband is organizing the event.   Two years ago  on Mother's Day, we were in the process of adopting our Bumblebee, then 21 months. At the time the adoption was stalled, and it looked like we would be able to have custody, but not fully adopt her. During the breakfast that year, an older Knight gave me two Saint Anthony's medals and two beautifully illustrated prayers. Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost things  and causes.  The Knight , who can be  rather stern, told me about the adoption of his youngest daughter, over 30 years ago, and presented me these  small gifts as a comfort while I waited for the completion of our daughter's adoption. 

2.

In honor of Mother's Day , I would like to share this Pampers pro-life  commerical!  Check  it out!  Beautifully done.  

                                           3.

This past Thursday, my bible study group discussed chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, "I am the True Vine."  We discussed how God prunes us through trials to make us better Christians.   I will be writing more on this next week.  Today, I just want to say how blessed I feel to be part of this amazing group of women.  Like Saint Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-5, " There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit", the women in my group have varied gifts that they share to inspire, encourage and challenge one another to a live more fully with Jesus in our vocations as Mothers.

4.

As like a Mother's Day gift to me, my peonies started to bloom this week and now the irises are now in full glory too.  They are gorgeous.  I love cutting the flowers and having their fragrant smell fill the house.  

5.

Today, we complete the last of Ladybug's standardized tests for kindergarten.  We then send them away for grading to see how she ranked among her peers. 

6.

So what's happening in your world?  Are you struggling with spring fever like I am?  I am forcing myself to finish the Math testing, when I really want to go strawberry picking or head off to the beach!

                                                                                                   7. 

For more 7 Quick Takes, please check out Jennifer at Conversion Diary.  

Adoption is rooted in hope

For many years, my husband and I struggled with infertility.  For many years, I talked myself into thinking that my career, was enough for me.  But deep down inside,  as I became closer to 40 than 30, I knew that not the case.  The need for motherhood was  so deep in my being that all the vacations, gourmet meals and fancy coffee, that came with a dual income childless marriage, could not compete. 

At first, the idea of adoption terrified me.  My mind was filled with fact and fiction of adoption horror stories, both domestic and international.  We had personally known friends who waged an expensive and protracted court battle for their son. Yet, that small, quiet voice called me to that journey towards motherhood.

I would be a Pollyanna to say that this journey was an easy one. The two adoption processes for our children were intrusive, sometimes insulting, and exhausting. When asked about the adoption process, I jokingly say,

"Rick and I can run for public office, we are fully vetted."

Ladybug and Bumblebee with their Daddy in 2009 while we were awaiting the final order of Bumblebee's adoption. 

Lost Boys...Lost Girls of Asia

My husband shared with me this article from the Independent entitled Abortions give rise to Asia's 'Lost Boy' Generation which he first read at The Deacon's Bench.  I thought would share it with you.  As many of you know our oldest daughter was adopted from an orphanage in Guangdong Province, China.  Lost boys, yes, but what of all the lost girls?

Please read the article and tell me what you think...

Happy Adoption Day, Bumblebee!

Friday, March 18th, we celebrated the first anniversary of the official adoption day of our youngest daughter, Bumblebee.  I say "official"  because she was adopted in our hearts and was our daughter in our souls long before the courts made their final order.

 

Why did I become a Stay-at-home Mom?

 
Today, I am over at Mom-enclature writing about my journey towards motherhood and the decision to leave my corporate career last year and become a full-time mother to my daughters, now ages five and three.  

I thank Andrea for the invitation to share my story and the story of my family.   

Continue reading "Why did I become a stay-at-hom Mom?" 

Gotcha Day

Yesterday marked our fifth year with Ladybug—our fifth-year anniversary of “Gotcha Day.” I remember how nervous I was as we all waited on the first floor of government building in downtown Guangzhou, China.  There was over 20 of us in our adoption travel group, and not enough room in the elevator, so about half of us ended up climbing the seven flights of stairs to the adoption registry office. 

When we arrived on the 7th floor, our guides went into the office. At first, we all talked and laughed, but soon there was just a nervous silence that hung over the room.  We sat in the reception area for what seemed to be an