Long before and long after the earthquake

I know we've been so bombarded with images of the earthquake aftermath that it is easy to become desensitized to this real and unspeakable tragedy. But as it is with a gracious God, this disaster has brought awareness to a people DESPERATELY in need of our attention now and after the rubble is cleared. I'm so thankful for the many who were already deeply invested in bringing daily relief to this poverty-stricken, depraved, and seemingly imploding nation. The Restavek Foundation is one such group. Restavek, literally meaning "to keep," is a name given to unpaid child laborers--slaves. And if we think that an earthquake suddenly brought an end to child slavery, we're sadly mistaken.

Please read a better explanation from my friend, Vanessa.

You've probably already made a donation to a reputable agency, but if you have means to do more, please consider this foundation. Their work is far from over, but may this terrible situation be a catalyst for real and lasting change for the precious castaway children in Haiti.

the path to recovery

Dear Korakora,
I need to come clean about my blatant affair with your nemesis... facebook. No need to sugar coat it. I resisted the overindulgence of hoisting pure personal randomness into the cybersphere for what felt like years, but like most temptations, a tiny taste got me hooked. I tried to hide it from you only to protect you. You suspected. I dodged the accusations. You woo-ed, and I fronted. But then, when neither you nor I suspected it, the camera--the one thing truly holding us together--tired of the tension and now refuses to participate. It's cruel really. I snappitty, snap away like the world is right, but when it comes time to upload the images, nothing. Eerie silence.

With this, though, I seek your forgiveness in earnest. I want you back. I need you, and if we're both honest, you need me. And to prove it, I will seek professional help from CVS photo and won't stop even if it takes me to Wolf Camera. I will win your heart again. We shall be restored not just to our former glory but beyond.

Good night my thought, rant, subliminal agenda backdrop. How I've missed thee.

Merica

And now for something that actually matters. Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Dosen. You make every single day something to celebrate.

the short list

My camera refuses to cooperate, but I cannot let 2010 get started without some something to say about it. I pride myself on being a really optimistic person, so a new year is something to be excited about. So many possibilities and such a great time to evaluate where one is going in the next 363 days. Love it!

Obviously the most exciting possibility of the year is V-man coming home. When, you ask? I simply don't know. Not a clue. Seriously. No idea. THAT is frustrating, but that's how it rolls in adoption land. You jump in with both feet and arms flailing only to realize that most of the time those appendages are only useful for treading the waiting waters. We talk about this kiddo a LOT. We pray for him daily. I find myself wanting to set a 5th place at our dinner table and looking for him in the back seat. However, I am truly at peace that he will be here the very moment God has ordained it--long before we ever fell for him last February.

A new year is also a license to make a list. I really, really like lists. The false sense of organization a list provides is just intoxicating. However, I don't think 2010 is a list year. I have a few things that I'd like to get done, but with travel to India such a moving target, those things--like running another half marathon in April--are tentative. So I find myself with really just two items to be measured by December.

1. Make certain that the 3 fellas in my home right now know that I adore them. I feel an urgency to do my best to connect with each one in some way every day.

• I have a most fantastic husband who works really, really hard and who dreams extraordinary dreams. May he know every day that I'm the proud captain of his cheerleading squad.

• My 6 year old is scary smart but he's super sensitive, too. He needs to know I'm simply nuts about him. He'll get all the attention he'll ever want from getting the right answer, but he won't know the joy he brings to my life unless I'm diligent about showing him.
  

• And then our funny, funny Deezy. He's so easy that auto-pilot is a daily temptation with him. He's in this beautiful bubble right now, but the hard questions will come sooner than I'm ready for. I have to deposit enough in his bank now to have a voice in his heart later.

2. Thanks to the dreamer hubby of mine, this is the year for some honest surrender. I don't know what that will mean, but that's okay. I'm in. All in.

Welcome 2010! So glad you're here!