Thoughts, Actions, Habits, Character, Destiny

You've heard it before....

Thoughts produce action,
Actions produce habits,
Habits produce Character,
Character determines Destiny.

It's New Years Eve, I'm listening/watching 'A Christmas Carol' (at my mother-in-law's house with my family, and enjoying a warm, cozy fire.) And of course one begins to take count of one's life, when watching/reading stories like this. We've been reading the unabridged version of 'A Christmas Carol,' and taking thought of why such spirits would come to a single man. What were the spirits trying to tell Scrooge. Even a 6 year old can understand it's important how we spend our time,what thoughts we put into our minds, what we allow into our souls, via the images and words available for our consumption. What we allow our souls to dwell upon...

This year....
I will continue to be thankful for One Thousand Gifts & wanted to take note that I have a voice to read to my children.(16) So often I take it for granted. Stupid of me. It takes 're-programming' one's thoughts to look at such simple things differently. To stop negative 'voices' in my head-- I call it 'smack talk' that leads to serious negativity. I can do it all on my own,... that's the bad news. The Good News is He will help me to 'take every thought captive'.

I haven't determined one word, but this writer has been doing this for 3 years, and has presented her 'word' for 2010. Go there. Last year Mt. HOpe Academy (see her in my favorite blogs in the sidebar) presented us with 'Lovely'. It was inspiring to me. Amazing how contagious thoughts are...

New Year's Eve 2009

We've been away from the bayou during the holiday, enjoying some really good times in Georgia. Our family here has been extremely accomodating, as we have also worked on our previous residence, maintenance & updates alike. Along with our holiday festivities, I have peeled wallpaper till my fingers are numb & painted with Eric basement walls that needed to be painted from the day we purchased this house. I have made the endless home depot runs, purchased 2 new toilets as well as paint brushes.
We have done some wonderful reading around the fire, the unabridged version of 'A Christmas Carol'. We finaaaalllly, finished 'Dr. Doolittle', not that I'm complaining, but it did take all semester. But we've hummed through 'Carol', faster than lighting. Could it have something to do with NO CABLE TV???
I have a ton of pictures, but am away from the home computer. So, for now, I'll just wish you a New Year blessing, and a prayer for all things good and profitable.
May God be glorified in all things. He is worthy of our praise.

Tis' the Season...

Thankful for (13) friends that stop by, and you end up praying over

what's really important to you both.

Thankful for (14) friends that stop by, and bring goodies for your boys, and a

special gift, just for me.

Thankful for hugs from those friends, most of all. (15)

So thankful for my friends.

Blessings

I've struggled for years with the concept of blessings. And now that I'm counting them, I'm beginning to see a pattern. Yes, these are from God. All blessings, I believe flow from God, but are all blessings directly handed from Him to us? After I mentioned adoption, in this post, I began to develop a thesis in my head. It goes like this. A blessing may be directly from God, such as His Redemptive work through Christ, Christ giving his life ransom for ours. No small thing. Undoubtedly the Greatest Gift.

But seeing a blessing, such as adoption, the conveyance of the responsibility of care for a child from one human to another, is all human kindness-- or is it?

In our home at night we sing 3 songs, You are my sunshine, I see the moon, & twinkle twinkle. Then we pray. But back to the songs... I started thinking about that moon song... why are we singing about the heavenly lights? One of them doesn't even shine on it's own... ah.. there's the thesis. Blessings conveyed through humans are a reflection of the Light shining on us. All along the way, when you adopt, you run into people who look at the bigger picture, who bend over backwards, to do the right thing, to be a part of the blessing, because of goodness shining in their heart, whether they know it or not.

So as I count my blessings, along with the Grattitude Community--One Thousand Gifts this is what I'll be thinking about. This may seem so obvious, so obvious to others, but Ann was right, counting gifts can open your eyes, and make you think, not about the gift, but the Giver and how He works in our lives. Today.

p.s. Go there today to see a journal & insights from one who has reached 1000.

Heart and Soul Reflections: Advent Calendar

Heart and Soul Reflections: Advent Calendar

If you are looking for a great variation on Advent style activities this looked like a really good one, from Cherie at Heart and Soul Reflections. It addresses the Names Of God and offers opportunity to reflect on this with your children.
We just received Ann Voskamps book via Lulu, The Jessee Tree Advent book. The Glorious Coming. So excited about this. Our church does not prescribe to advent activities so I'm a little unfamiliar with this as a tradition at Christmas. However, this book is amazing, showing the activities in daily reflection through the Christmas season to be one I'm sure will become a tradition in our household.
Thanks Ann.

By the Bushel: My 'Adoption' Dream - Thanksgiving & Laughter

By the Bushel: My 'Adoption' Dream - Thanksgiving & Laughter

A while back I had a funny dream, than got me to thinking about adoption. I don't talk much about that on my blog. I think because it's a little more difficult to navigate a post about something very personal. It's not on our table at present, and I usually blog about what is in the immediate future to help me think & communicate with friends who are thinking usually about the same things.
But it is a part of my list of blessings - so you may want to track back through the link above to dec 3... and get a laugh and or encouragment, whatever the case may be.

Home Tour: Multitude Monday - One Thousand Gifts

I spend alot of time in my laundry room. So I tried to make it pleasant.

I'm so thankful for a huge laundry sink.
And my washer & dryer. I love 'doing laundry'. I just don't like to fold it. (That's an antique laundry poster from Colgate... I'm a textile major. I know how to get stains out.)

So the other 2 pictures are of things I see when I fold laundry. That's my bedside table, I see while I fold the mounds of laundry I didn't show you in this post. And that's the 'blue bird' I love that I see when I put the clothes away. Also the dragonfly & bumble bee that match the butterfly by my bed. And my bee skep that I've never used... but would like too.

I'm thankful. These are favorite collectibles, that don't break when my kids crash into the furniture, or carry the bunny around(which is cast iron). I'm catching on to parenting wild boys.

I share these picts because 2 of my favorite bloggers challenged me. One to seek 'Lovely', and the other to be thankful.
These beautiful things, to me, in my home(3) remind me of outdoors(4), rambunctious boys(5), lots of muddy laundry(6), laundry to fold(7) detergent that smells good (8) and a comfy bed with flannel ticking sheets to rest in when the long day is over(9).

When putting Jack to bed to night, he said "I'm so happy."
I said "It's nice to have a comfy bed to rest in." He said, "Somtimes, the Sleep Army wins against the Awake Army." I'm thankful for warm, comfy beds for my kids.(10,11)

I'm Making These Tomorrow

Tomorrow I get to make these with my kids. We've been looking forward to this for about 3 weeks. We scoured neighborhoods looking for good pinecone's not squished and useless but perfect in everyway, ready to become elves. We'll see whatelse we make. But thanks to Martha Stewart, as mentioned in this article from The Inspired Room, a few of these little elves are comin' home with me. Might even take one to the ladies ornament exchange. Visit over at the 'Room' for 6 ways to simplify and refocus from the holidays. I like hot chocolate idea & Christmas Music myself. Check out Pandora.com for a personalized selection right from your own computer. I love using it to find music I never knew I liked. It's also free.

His Peace through His Presence

"What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord."

"I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works."

Psalm 116:12 & Psalm 26: 6

Lord, let me love the habitation of Your house, and may our home be where Your glory dwells.

December is Here but I'm still Giving Thanks

I won't repeat everything I've read at other amazing sites(see my blog roll), but I must say, this season seems to be one for change. I've been given reason for pause, to consider what really matters. We all have these days/months/years... I'm not unique. But I started a list like many in cyber-blog world, a while back, even if informally, & un-numbered(with Ann at Holy Experience)

About 6 years ago, and a couple of months, we started expanding our family through adoption. I just wanted to share 0001 & 0002 in one of their first ever photos together as well as the most recent. Brothers by providence. Giving thanks today, with high hopes for a blessed & peaceful Christmas season.

My 'Adoption' Dream - Thanksgiving & Laughter

Years ago, 6 to be exact, I used to compare having a dog & training it to having a child. There are similarities. Yet to say this to a mother of 4, ranging from 6-6mos... don't go there... really. She's exausted, tired, working overtime, wondering if her body will ever recover, considering how she will prepare dinner, while she nurses a baby. And yet... she will dream of another baby, (?) It's just in us. We can't help it. Even through physical & emotional exaustion, to hold a baby just triggers something.

Studies are out there regarding the similarites that adoptive mother's experience. I read one just last week in The Advocate, our local paper, not a scientific journal, about post-adoption blues, similar to the feeling of being overwhelmed, post adoptive process. I remember the feelings. It makes sense to me. I did not of course have the pregnancy related hormonal influences that a woman who gave birth did, but I remember wondering how I'd ever get pictures sent out, how I'd actually raise this child, as well as the similar things that bio-mother's experience and then the ever present exaustion from feeding, changing, & simply holding a newborn. But I wouldn't change the opportunity this experience presented for learning what it means to be a parent from the very, very beginning of a child's life.

When we met with our first social worker, she asked all of the appropriate questions including but not limited to, the age child we wished to specify we were willing to adopt. There are so many other questions, but this must be specified. One thing the social worker expressed as we discussed this, was the importance/opportunity of first time parents to experience a newborn/infant. I am laughing as I write this, with that exausted laugh, realizing now what she meant. There is no way to feel the weight of sole responsibility for a child without experiencing it. Neither is there a way to know the exaustion of newborn behavior, without experiencing it-- including, including but not limited to- sleepless nights, and all of the things that go with it--constant, seemingly unappreciated tender care... It's an experience that is different than havng an older child. One I might add often seems easier than the challenges that brave adoptive parents face when they open their hearts to older children for adoptive purposes. But no matter-- each stage strips you of the pretense one has that 'I'll do it differently, and get it right too. I'll even look pretty while doing it.' (Big Hahahaha)

So when I read articles about post-adoption depression, I don't laugh. The overwhelming sense comes from the physical work of having a newborn, but also from the added work of sorting out the details that don't come with physical delivery. And the absence of physical appearance 'that you just had a baby'. Yes, my hair went gray, but no one knew it, except my stylist. My weight didn't change, but my muscle tone did. And unfortunately, by the time a woman realizes kids aren't going to happen the 'good ole'fashion way', she's old. And things just aren't operating like they used to.

Don't hear complaint, don't even hear me making a stand, it's just not there, please don't read more into this than a good laugh. GOD is Good, His blessing's came to me in a ruddy skinned, borderline red-headed, chocolate- eyed, soon to be 6footer, and a blondy-haired, blue-eyed, sun-tanned sweetheart, than may never pass 5'8. The stars God made has made have nothing on the precious amazingness they are. Thanks be to their birthmothers, and birthfamilies who made it possible. Their choices made the blessing possible.

But perhaps for someone who is not currently a parent who is considering adoption, and is wondering, if it's selfish to consider an infant first, it can actually be a blessing to that child and all the other children adopted at whatever age, to have memories in your personal hard drive of how much that child needs you and your always present attention.

So, when I hear about difficulty in the adoption process, from a friend, I have to laugh, so hard (my old body) might wet it's pants, at the dream I had the other night, and her reaction when I told her about it.

Presently, not in the process, I dreamed I went to outer-space, on a jet rocket, with my husband, to get a baby. Yes that baby was human, not alien. Beautiful, precious as any other baby. We cut right through the clouds, landed and it was just like any other infant adoptive situation.... But my friend's response was priceless. 'I think it would be easier to adopt in outerspace, than what we're dealing with...'

You see, as a seasoned adoptive parent told me once, 'I have 4 healthy, precious children, but I still yearn to be pregnant.' God made us that way, and even if our bodies don't cooperate, we still have those dreams. And our dreams follow the path of success, to add more to the quiver.

I'm thankful, like Marlo Thomas says on the St. Jude Children's Hospital advertisements, I'm thankful for the healthy children in my life, but God put it in our hard drive to yearn, even in our dreams, for children to love and nurture. So today I am so thankful for the blessing of adoption(12). I am grateful for a social climate that is more accepting of this method of growing a family, and the resources, as daunting as the effort may seem, to share a life with children.