Helping Others

I've written about this before. I feel the need to write about it again.
Helping others and Charity work.
This is a subject that really never leaves my thoughts. I can't seem to stop thinking of starving children in Africa, children in orphanages all over the world, and poverty in general. Its a huge need. I know that I can't fix all the world's problems. I feel the need to try and make a difference though. I feel like if I put it out there enough with my words then others will see it and try to help. I want my children to see it and not forget it. I want to live my life realizing that there are things that I can do without so I can give. I don't want to leave this world leaving behind alot of wealth. It would be a nice thought for my children. I want them to learn to work for their money. I want them to also remember to give.
Sunday, I got to see Nickleback again. Their songs pepper certain adoption blogs, including mine. If Everyone Cared and Faraway speak inadvertently about the lives and thoughts of adoptive parents. After visiting developing or 3rd world countries, its hard to not remember that other people need basic things so badly. I read a post on another blog that sparked my interest in this subject. Here is the link.
http://justinmasterson.blogspot.com/2007/08/for-my-100th-post-id-like-to-offer-you.html
After reading it, I want to put drops in the bucket. I can't solve huge problems alone. I can, however, remind my friends and family that they should add their drops of water. It doesn't matter what bucket it goes into. Pick a cause and stand for it. Quiet your mind and listen to what God is saying to you. Find an obsession and try to get others to help. I don't care if its the Girl Scouts. Be an organ donor. Convince your family to donate their organs. Donate cord blood if you have a baby. Give blood. There are a million things a person can do that will have an impact on someone.
Open your eyes to the world around you. Make a difference.

Here are Some New Pics :o)

Ananya was feeling a little better, and she played for a little bit today.
Here they are last week. So cute together.

Anthony fell asleep at the table like this. He stayed up all night. He finally dozed off at 2:45pm.

I'm Still Here!

Not that anyone comes to visit to know about me, but I'm here. Poor Ananya is fighting a horrible virus this week. We've had 3 days of fever >102. No other symptoms which freaks me out. Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours. I hate that my baby is so sick. She has been fussy, but actually handling it well. She is a trooper.
We have an appointment in Winston-Salem on Tuesday for a pre-op visit with the orthopedist.
It has been hotter than crap around here. I'll have to drag the kids outside and take pictures soon. I just wish the temperature would stay below 95. We haven't had any rain all summer. The grass has been mowed 2 times. Its that dry here.
Well, I better get back to work. I'll try to post some new pictures soon.

Blogger Quiz

Here you go Pam...
1. How many blogs are listed under your favorites list that you check EVERY day? I think about 30. Then there are the days I go exploring, I have been lost in Guatemalan adopts before.
2. How many times a day do you "go to the bathroom" and end up checking blogs? Not too much, as Anthony hogs the computer all day and Patrick is on at night. I'm usually on 9:00-11:00am
3. Do your kids recognize the other kids from the blogs that follow?? I don't think so, but my husband does.
4. Do you keep track of how often people update their blogs and get upset when they don't keep to the schedule?? :o) I hate when people don't update their blogs, which reminds me I need to update HEHE
5. Favorite time of day to check blogs? Are you on a blog checking schedule?? I usually check in the morning but will pop back if I get the chance.
6. Who's blog is your favorite? Actually Angel's (The Voice of Adventure) I love Zoe and KK.
7. How many of the blogs that you follow are people that you have never met in person? Almost all but 3. We met Grace and Anila in India and Joy lives down the road.
Ok...now some "getting to know your online friends whom you've never actually met questions"
8 How long have you been married? 6 years
9 Fav. food? Depends on the day. When I'm dieting, strangely enough green olives are my fav
10Fav. TV show? All the CSIs, Bones, Nip/Tuck, Biggest Loser, and Crossing Jordan
11 Anything that you forbid your kids to watch on TV? Not really. Anthony has actually started to watch CSI.
12. How long was your adoption journey from beginning to end? 2 1/2 years since we first started looking for an agency.
13. How did you decide on the country you adopted from? India and Guatemala were the only countries that didn't exclude us because of my age at the time (I was 24). I love Indian culture.
14. What did you imagine your family to be like as a little girl? I figured I would have 4 kids, 2 adopted, 2 bio. 2 boys 2 girls. I always wanted to be there all the time. I have always wanted to get old and have LOTS of grandbabies (still got a while). It seems to be going pretty well.
15. Favorite Momma down time activity? Definitely a book. Sometimes, just coming to work.
16. Do you have more online friends than "in person" friends? Depends on the day and how many times I get asked the dumb adoption questions.
17. Tell us the cartoon character that you are most like: Mandy, from the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (my sarcasm seeps out ALOT)
18. What toothpaste do you use? which ever one has bright shiny things to attract my attention when I'm running low. :o)
19. Stupiest adoption comment/question that you've recieved? "Does she talk?" why don't you ask her? "She's going to be in high school before you get her" not helpful while I was waiting.
20. Fav. non-adoption website? Biblical Womanhood. Krystal was raised the exact opposite of me. I don't always agree with her opinion but its interesting to read. Her husband actually "courted" her. Like as in old fashioned "courting". Interestingggggg. (Sorry, I'm a blog stalker all the way. Who cares about news. :o)).

Please Visit This Site!!!

All you Indian Mommas (I know there are alot of you) and Korean Mommas too,

You have to visit this site. It tells the adoption story of a family that adopted a 6 year old from Guatemala.
http://www.thevoiceofadventure.blogspot.com/

Also check out this site. Its a Liberian adoption and she is travelling in 12 days to get her son.
http://bringingisaachome.blogspot.com/

You'll love these blogs. Even if you only read a few posts. And scroll dow alittle on the first to hear about Angel's upcoming mission trips.

Amanda (I'm the worst Blog Stalker)

The Things She Can Get Into! :o)

I've been slack in taking new pictures. I'm cleaning house. So far I've rid myself of 35 trashbags of things going to the trash and to charity. I've only done 4 rooms in my house!! Ananya keeps finding new things to get into. Not that I'm complaining. I find things to leave around for her. I didn't even realize that there was popcorn in that Spongebob lunchbox. Miss Ananya opened the lunchbox herself and found the popcorn. She is also waving at the camera. She is starting to understand so much that we say to her. Yesterday, she was pushing her swing in the living room. When I asked if she wanted in it, she squealed and nodded her head. I took that as a yes. She is having trouble sleeping lately. When I go to comfort her, she will snuggle up on my shoulder. She is showing more affection towards us. She likes to hug her stuffed bunny give it kisses. We are so happy about the progress that she is making.

We are preparing to finalize the adoption, hopefully this month or early next month. Life is kind of crazy in our house. We are starting homeschooling in 3 weeks. I'm excited, Anthony is excited. Patrick looked through the textbooks and seemed impressed. The My Fathers World ciriculum is exactly what I was looking for. It is very broad. We are both going to learn a little bit about alot of things.

This last picture is for Pap-Paw. Once again she has food all over her face. Spaghetti-O's and chocolate pudding. I just loved the way she propped her arm up on the highchair. I love this girl so much.

Pictures Old and New

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I finally created a slide show of our last 18 months. It has been a crazy journey. It has been well worth it.