Couch fishing, the sport of parents everywhere.
For the uninitiated, couch fishing is the fine art of retrieving lost items from their hiding places under furniture. Some of the techniques include free-fishing, rod-fishing, and netting.
Free-fishing involves crouching down and reaching into the darkness under chairs and behind curtains. It's very hands-on and not for the faint of heart if you have toddlers in the house.
Rod-fishing is the art of sweeping under or behind furniture with a long pole... such as a broom handle in the hope that said items can be swept into view.
The most harrowing technique is called netting. Netting involves moving heavy furniture and sweeping everything (including crumbs and dust bunnies) out into the open where the catch can be cleaned and returned to their proper places.
Netting is the preferred method in our house. It's practiced at least twice a day. Tonight's catch consisted of:
5 shoes
1 hat (dad's golf hat)
2 sippy cups lost during breakfast
8 toy cars
3 Thomas trains
1 train track
1 child's golf club (It was released back into the darkness under the couch in the interest of peace in the house. Deacon loves to chase everyone with the club)
1 dish towel
1 lost TV remote
1 cookie
and numerous crumbs, dust bunnies, and bits of sand
Not found was Mom's sanity.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Mother Teresa
I've been reading about Mother Teresa lately. She's someone I really admire. Did you know that she started life in a wealthy eastern European country? That's just a few hundred miles from Bulgaria... where my darling is.
There are so many things that I like about her. The fact that she cared for orphans is just one of them. I also love that she focused her care and attention on those that the world often overlooks... the poor and the dying.
What surprises me is the criticism she received.... particularly about the hospices that she founded. Critics say that she was too focused on comforting the dying instead of trying to heal them. They say that if she really wanted to help them she should have founded hospitals instead.
The thing is... hospitals are for the living. They don't want the poorest of the poor. They want people who have a chance of surviving... and paying for their treatment. That's not a criticism of hospitals. It's just how they work. Mother Teresa's focus was on those who were turned away from the hospitals... those who were left on the streets of India to suffer and die alone. She offered them shelter and comfort. It didn't matter if they were Christian, Muslim, Hindu or any other faith. There was a place for them, those who had no place in society.
She said she was called to help the poorest of the poor. And she did that.
The funny thing about her critics is this... none of them founded the hospitals that they said SHE should build. None of them offered healing or comfort to the dying like she did. They fed no one. They held no hands. Her critics were journalists who did nothing to help the world in any real way. They wrote books and articles. They shouted their opinions to the media. But that's all they did.
What she did was more that speak and write. She went out and held people. She fed and clothed them. She found homes for orphans and gave mothers a place to give birth in safety. She and her sisters held the hands of the dying and helped them find peace and comfort before they passed away. She made a real difference in the lives that she touched.
She set an example for us all. The sad thing is... most of us who admire her don't understand the example she set, or WHY she did the things she did. Most of us seem to have missed the message entirely.
You see, she understood that the smallest things mean the most. She knew that she couldn't just sit back and expect others to do the little things that need doing in order to make the world a better place for us all. She followed the example and philosophy of Saint Therese of Lisieux, a 19th century Carmelite nun who pioneered the "Little Way". The Little Way was focused on doing small things, with great love, for God.
Our society today is almost completely focused on the "big picture". There is little interest in the small things. "The ends justify the means" should really be the motto for our governments and businesses here in the west. Small things and great love seem to be forgotten entirely.
I haven't finished reading about her, yet. But already I understand why many people consider her a modern saint. I wish more people could understand who she was and what she really did. The world needs more true heroes... more people who understand that the small things done with great love are the things that really matter in life.
There are so many things that I like about her. The fact that she cared for orphans is just one of them. I also love that she focused her care and attention on those that the world often overlooks... the poor and the dying.
What surprises me is the criticism she received.... particularly about the hospices that she founded. Critics say that she was too focused on comforting the dying instead of trying to heal them. They say that if she really wanted to help them she should have founded hospitals instead.
The thing is... hospitals are for the living. They don't want the poorest of the poor. They want people who have a chance of surviving... and paying for their treatment. That's not a criticism of hospitals. It's just how they work. Mother Teresa's focus was on those who were turned away from the hospitals... those who were left on the streets of India to suffer and die alone. She offered them shelter and comfort. It didn't matter if they were Christian, Muslim, Hindu or any other faith. There was a place for them, those who had no place in society.
She said she was called to help the poorest of the poor. And she did that.
The funny thing about her critics is this... none of them founded the hospitals that they said SHE should build. None of them offered healing or comfort to the dying like she did. They fed no one. They held no hands. Her critics were journalists who did nothing to help the world in any real way. They wrote books and articles. They shouted their opinions to the media. But that's all they did.
What she did was more that speak and write. She went out and held people. She fed and clothed them. She found homes for orphans and gave mothers a place to give birth in safety. She and her sisters held the hands of the dying and helped them find peace and comfort before they passed away. She made a real difference in the lives that she touched.
She set an example for us all. The sad thing is... most of us who admire her don't understand the example she set, or WHY she did the things she did. Most of us seem to have missed the message entirely.
You see, she understood that the smallest things mean the most. She knew that she couldn't just sit back and expect others to do the little things that need doing in order to make the world a better place for us all. She followed the example and philosophy of Saint Therese of Lisieux, a 19th century Carmelite nun who pioneered the "Little Way". The Little Way was focused on doing small things, with great love, for God.
Our society today is almost completely focused on the "big picture". There is little interest in the small things. "The ends justify the means" should really be the motto for our governments and businesses here in the west. Small things and great love seem to be forgotten entirely.
I haven't finished reading about her, yet. But already I understand why many people consider her a modern saint. I wish more people could understand who she was and what she really did. The world needs more true heroes... more people who understand that the small things done with great love are the things that really matter in life.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Margaret
Yesterday started out hard. Deacon woke up at 4am full of energy. I couldn't convince him to go back to bed, so we ended up sleeping on the couch until the others woke.
Then at around 10-ish I got the most wonderful news. I found out that not only had we been assigned a USCIS agent, but that agent had just approved our I800a form this morning. (an I800a is a request to adopt a child from a Hague convention country that must be filed and approved in order to proceed with an international adoption) Our process only a fraction of the time I was expecting it to take.
I was ecstatic. I was over the moon happy. I posted on Facebook and emailed my husband. Then the boys and I went to get lunch and Chik Fil-Al. It was a good day.
It was a great day until I saw this...
This sweet little girl was Margaret. She never had a home, a mother, or love. She never had someone to hold her when she was scared and kiss her booboos. She died alone, in an orphanage.
It's sad that this little girl died. Would she still have died if she had been adopted? Maybe. But she wouldn't have been alone. She would have known family. She would have known love. She would have known the comfort of a mother's arms and a father's strength.
People keep asking... "Why do you do this?" and "Wow. You must want a little girl really bad.". We "do this" because precious little girls (and boys) shouldn't have to die alone and unloved.
Then at around 10-ish I got the most wonderful news. I found out that not only had we been assigned a USCIS agent, but that agent had just approved our I800a form this morning. (an I800a is a request to adopt a child from a Hague convention country that must be filed and approved in order to proceed with an international adoption) Our process only a fraction of the time I was expecting it to take.
I was ecstatic. I was over the moon happy. I posted on Facebook and emailed my husband. Then the boys and I went to get lunch and Chik Fil-Al. It was a good day.
It was a great day until I saw this...
"Sad news, friends -- Margaret has passed away :( She's been posted on the "In Loving Memory" page"
This sweet little girl was Margaret. She never had a home, a mother, or love. She never had someone to hold her when she was scared and kiss her booboos. She died alone, in an orphanage.
It's sad that this little girl died. Would she still have died if she had been adopted? Maybe. But she wouldn't have been alone. She would have known family. She would have known love. She would have known the comfort of a mother's arms and a father's strength.
People keep asking... "Why do you do this?" and "Wow. You must want a little girl really bad.". We "do this" because precious little girls (and boys) shouldn't have to die alone and unloved.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Don't be scared.
I've heard so many people comment that we're "brave" or "special" for adopting a special needs child. Particularly one who may have FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).
We're not. We're ordinary people.
I'll admit that we do have a bit of experience with disability and behavioral issues. We have a 4 year old son who has autism.
He's the handsome little man on the left. His name is Deacon.
Having a child with a disability/challenge doesn't make anyone special. Choosing to adopt one doesn't make you special, either. All it means is you've chosen not to let fear rule your choices. You've chosen to love a child and accept them into your life.
Take a look at these children and tell me what pops into your mind when you see them. Sad, hurt, sick, scary, and unattractive. These are words that have been used to describe these and other pictures of disabled, orphan children.
Some people look at these sweet, wonderful children and all they see is the outside. All they see are the negative things in the photos. They see an unhappy child, a child with scars and bad teeth. They see a skinny, starving child who needs lots of medical care and a child with a large head. They see the surface. They see the superficial negatives.
Now I'll tell you what I see... what many of us who are adopting (or have adopted) these children see in these photos. I see soft hands and chubby cheeks. I see potential. I see a skinny, starving child who has survived thanks to her strength and will to live. I see a scared little girl who would be smilin if she had a hug and a bit of encouragement. And finally... I see a bright happy smile glowing in a small face. Despite her issues... she's smiling and her beautiful little soul shines through.
Those are the things I see.
Now I want you to look at a pair of pictures. One is a visa photo taken of a sick, starving child just before she was brought home. Some of you may recognize her.
Skinny, puffy eyes, sad, hopeless... these are the things that some people see. They don't see the love hiding inside. They don't see the beautiful, shining soul within.
Now take a look at the next photo. It was taken of her after being homefor about a year for approximately 8 months. She's had the love of a family and good medical care to help her heal.
Do you see the difference? Many of you will say "wow... I can't believe it's the same child. She's totally different!".
Me? Not so much.
You see... I know that the child you see in the second photo was there all along... just waiting to come out. Just waiting for a mama, dada, brothers, and sisters to help her show her light to the world. I also know that the children in the other photos will bloom and shine, too. They're just waiting for their families to help them do that.
The next time I (or one of your other friends) posts a picture of an orphan for you to see. Take a moment to look... REALLY look at that child. Look past the tears, the scars... Look past the fear.
Take a look and see a child who is waiting to bloom. Waiting to shine. Waiting to love and be loved. Then ask yourself. Are they waiting for me?
We're not. We're ordinary people.
I'll admit that we do have a bit of experience with disability and behavioral issues. We have a 4 year old son who has autism.
Having a child with a disability/challenge doesn't make anyone special. Choosing to adopt one doesn't make you special, either. All it means is you've chosen not to let fear rule your choices. You've chosen to love a child and accept them into your life.
Take a look at these children and tell me what pops into your mind when you see them. Sad, hurt, sick, scary, and unattractive. These are words that have been used to describe these and other pictures of disabled, orphan children.
Now I'll tell you what I see... what many of us who are adopting (or have adopted) these children see in these photos. I see soft hands and chubby cheeks. I see potential. I see a skinny, starving child who has survived thanks to her strength and will to live. I see a scared little girl who would be smilin if she had a hug and a bit of encouragement. And finally... I see a bright happy smile glowing in a small face. Despite her issues... she's smiling and her beautiful little soul shines through.
Those are the things I see.
Now I want you to look at a pair of pictures. One is a visa photo taken of a sick, starving child just before she was brought home. Some of you may recognize her.
Now take a look at the next photo. It was taken of her after being home
Me? Not so much.
You see... I know that the child you see in the second photo was there all along... just waiting to come out. Just waiting for a mama, dada, brothers, and sisters to help her show her light to the world. I also know that the children in the other photos will bloom and shine, too. They're just waiting for their families to help them do that.
The next time I (or one of your other friends) posts a picture of an orphan for you to see. Take a moment to look... REALLY look at that child. Look past the tears, the scars... Look past the fear.
Take a look and see a child who is waiting to bloom. Waiting to shine. Waiting to love and be loved. Then ask yourself. Are they waiting for me?
Thursday, July 26, 2012
It's Auction Time!
https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittleBirdsplusOneMore
It's auction time! We're having an auction on our Three Little Birds Facebook page! Come and check out all of the great items we have. The auction will run for two weeks and there are new items being added daily!
Just visit the page and click on Photos to see everything at once. Or go through them one by one on the timeline.
Here are a couple of the items we have listed right now...
It's auction time! We're having an auction on our Three Little Birds Facebook page! Come and check out all of the great items we have. The auction will run for two weeks and there are new items being added daily!
Just visit the page and click on Photos to see everything at once. Or go through them one by one on the timeline.
Here are a couple of the items we have listed right now...
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Little Ones Finding Homes
I realized today that there are only two children left on Reece's Rainbow (from Christiana's orphanage) who haven't found families. They're both newly listed, so it's very possible that they will have families soo, too.
http://reecesrainbow.org/39937/penny-2
http://reecesrainbow.org/39926/payton
Would you like to know how this was achieved and who made it possible? I'll tell you. It was made possible through the tireless work of a large group of people who have advocated for these sweet children and spread word of their need all over the internet!
Here are a few of them....
Shelley Bedford. http://www.only1mom.com/
She's a wonderful woman who has found families for so many children. She is the one who raised the funds to get medical care for the children who desperately needed it in the orphanage and who has been coordinating donations of special formula for them.
Amanda Unroe. http://lifeofthemomofmany.blogspot.com/
Amanda just returned from Christiana's home country where she adopted 5 little sweeties.
Susanna Musser. http://theblessingofverity.com/
Many of you know her as "Katie's Mom". She's worked tirelessly to spread awareness about the terrible conditions that these children suffered in.
And last, but not least... all of the amazing women in the Reece's Rainbow group on Facebook. There are way too many to list here. Wonderful, generous, loving, kind... these words don't begin to describe them.
One last thing... I was asked recently if I thought it was possible to save "all of them" (orphans). (It was asked with sarcasm, by the way.)
My answer is... probably not. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. If only one out of the 143 million orphans in the world (yes... there are really that many) finds a home, it's worth it. It's worth all of the blogging, fundraising, travelling, and effort.
This girl... SHE is worth it all.
She is my 1 in 143 million. She is my daughter. Christiana Renee Matthews.
http://reecesrainbow.org/39937/penny-2
Shelley Bedford. http://www.only1mom.com/
She's a wonderful woman who has found families for so many children. She is the one who raised the funds to get medical care for the children who desperately needed it in the orphanage and who has been coordinating donations of special formula for them.
Amanda Unroe. http://lifeofthemomofmany.blogspot.com/
Amanda just returned from Christiana's home country where she adopted 5 little sweeties.
Susanna Musser. http://theblessingofverity.com/
Many of you know her as "Katie's Mom". She's worked tirelessly to spread awareness about the terrible conditions that these children suffered in.
And last, but not least... all of the amazing women in the Reece's Rainbow group on Facebook. There are way too many to list here. Wonderful, generous, loving, kind... these words don't begin to describe them.
One last thing... I was asked recently if I thought it was possible to save "all of them" (orphans). (It was asked with sarcasm, by the way.)
My answer is... probably not. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. If only one out of the 143 million orphans in the world (yes... there are really that many) finds a home, it's worth it. It's worth all of the blogging, fundraising, travelling, and effort.
This girl... SHE is worth it all.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Getting ready to submit out dossier
We're trying to raise funds for our dossier submission. We have $9000 in payments due before we submit... and we'll have all of the paperwork ready to go in about 6 weeks.
Can you please donate and help us raise the ransom for our daughter?
Can you please donate and help us raise the ransom for our daughter?
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