To Sing and Dance

Just Dance!

2012-01-19T04:27:00.001-08:00

I haven't commented on this blog in a long time. Mostly because it "feels" like a blog about Camille only. There are lots of updates on The Princess & the Pope about the happening in our family since we added Camille's little brother in March 2011.

Camille continues to do well. Just last night she was invited to join the competition team at her dance school. It's still had to believe she's been dancing for FIVE years! Her teacher feels that she's got a lot of talent in ballet and jazz and could be a strong competitor. I wish I could say that I am as enthusiastic about it. I love that Camille loves to dance. I totally support that. She enjoys it... it's just fun for her. I'm worried that competition dance could ruin the fun. I guess I just don't want Camille to feel like she has to dance to win titles and trophies. At the same time, if she does have real talent, I don't want to hold her back. She's still so young. Fortunately, the competition season is already underway, so Camille wouldn't start practicing with the team until June, for next year's competition season, so we have some time to think about it.

2011-2012 School Portraits

2011-11-15T14:04:00.001-08:00

I am plesantly surprized at the way the school portraits turned out this year!

Camille - Second Grade

Jon Paul - Preschool

Second Grade

2011-11-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Growing up way too fast... More beautiful everyday.

Let's Cheer!

2011-09-19T08:40:00.001-07:00

Cheer season is in full swing. It is far and away Camille's FAVORITE activity. I don't know if it's because she just loves to perform, or because the season is short (dance lasts all year long) but she just LOVES to cheer!

Yep, she's beautiful...

2011-08-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Camille did Costume Gallery, yet again this year. The pictures, as always are phenominal. She's in 3 catagories on the website, but she's in many more photos in the actual catalog.

Here's the link: Costume Gallery. You can find her under "First Recital, Ballet Girls and Show Kids"

Sweet, Sassy and Seven!

2011-08-17T02:35:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday to our sweet Camille! We love you more every day!

Little Ambassador!

2011-08-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Jon Paul was selected to be a "Little Ambassador" for the Children's Eye Foundation. You can click on the link to see his very own page! We're so proud of you JP!

The Playground

2011-07-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Jon Paul's adoption was really expensive. Add to that his medical bills and some unexpected bills accrued by Camille this summer, and, well, we haven't had the extra money to do much of anything. There have been no extra funds to go to the zoo or the amusement park. We don't eat out or go to the movies. One place we do enjoy, because it's FREE, is our local playground! Yesterday evening JP even gave the tire swing a try... He LOVED it!

There is a suspended tire in the "little kids" section of the playground (meant for kids under 6 years old) it's not a swing, but good for climbing and exploring... JP enjoyed that too!

The next 2 photos are kind of fun... The first was taken in the big tire back in the fall of 2006, after Cami turned 2 years old.

And here's the same tire, with JP, age 3. Funny, isn't it?!

Happy Gotcha Day!

2011-07-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

Six years ago today, Michael and I met the love of our lives! Happy Gotcha day, sweet Camille! We love you more than life!

Happy Birthday, Rock Star!

2011-06-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

Early Birthday Party

2011-06-25T05:31:00.001-07:00

We're having a birthday party for Camille today. I know, I know, she doesn't actually turn 7 until August. So why have the party in June? August is a tough month around here. Most of Camille's friends go on vaction or spend weekends at the shore. We tried for the past 2 years, unsuccessfully, to have a birthday party for her in August. It simply didn't work out and Camille had a simple family party. We'll probably do that in August this year, but I wanted to make sure that Camille had a "kid" party, with her friends from school this year. So we're doing it early...

Can you stand the cuteness?

2011-06-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

As Jon Paul gets stronger and healthier, he looks better and better. He looks like a different kid than he did when he arrived here, just 3 months ago.

What a difference 8 weeks can make...

2011-05-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the quality of these photos. Both were taken on my cell phone. The first photo was taken after we'd been home for maybe a day or two. It was the first photo I took of Camille and Jon Paul together. Poor little guy, he looks so forelorn...

This next photo of Jon Paul was taken last night. He was in such a hyterical mood, that I just had to grab my phone again and take some photos. It's hard to believe this is the same little boy in the photo above, just 8 weeks later... what a difference!

A picture

2011-04-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

is worth 1000 words!

A funny thing happened...

2011-04-15T10:45:00.001-07:00

My plan was keep up this blog... blog our China trip and all that went along with that. Then continue to blog about life as a family of four... But our trip and return home (especially the return home part) were so turbulant, that I never found the time to blog. As it turned out, our little cherub had major medical issues, including eye cancer that needed immediate attention. He is very, very developmentally delayed, much more so than we expected or anticipated. He's going to need a great deal of care and love, but we are doing our best.

Exciting times!

2011-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

These are exciting times! I know I haven't posted often, we've been very busy getting ready for our trip to China. We're leaving in 8 days to bring home Jon Paul!

Camille auditioned for Beauty and the Beast at school yesterday. She said the audition went pretty well. There are no featured parts for first graders, which is fine and I think it's exceptional that the school allows the little ones to participate at all. Last year Camille was thrilled to be in the choir for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, so I am certain she will be just as thrilled with a part as a villager or castle staff for this years production.

She's in the 3rd quarter at school and she's moving along. She really enjoys school, so that's important.

Visas

2011-01-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

Mike and my dad went to the Chinese Embassy in New York City today to get Visas for our passports. One step closer to our trip to China to bring home our son... it's getting closer... it's becoming more real..

Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year. There is a very real possiblility we will be going to China in the next 4-6 weeks. While it's exciting, it's also extremely stressful because there is still very much to do.

Mike and my father are going to NYC this week to get Chinese visas. I had forgotten what a process (not to mention how expensive) this is. We need to think about getting things packed and get our paperwork in order so we don't forget ANYTHING. That could be a disaster. There is a lot to do and very little time to do any of it.

At the same time, the rest of our lives go on. Work, school, chores, things. Life moves at a rapid pace. It just does. If you can, please remember us in your prayers. It doesn't take much to say a quick prayer, but it sure helps out a lot! Thanks!

I don't want my children to be happy...

2010-12-31T12:02:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I find a blog post that I just have to share. Missy of "It's almost naptime" wrote THIS

And it so worth the read...

Why would God become Man?

2010-12-14T13:04:00.000-08:00

There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays, like Christmas.

His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That story is nonsense!", he said. "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left, and he stayed home..
A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. Then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and could not go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed.
The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It is warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and did not seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came back out with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!", he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them", he said out loud.

Then he had an idea. He went into barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn-and one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "If only I were a goose, then I could save them! Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!" Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese - blind, lost, perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"

Author Unknown

Just for fun

2010-12-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

The cheerleading banquet was last night. The girls had a great time! It was a terrific season!

Happy Birthday Jon Paul

2010-12-05T01:05:00.000-08:00

My dream, my wish and my goal was to be with you today. Either in China or here, at home, to celebrate your 3rd Birthday with you. But it seems God had other plans and we cannot be together. Perhaps He wanted to give Mike and Deena one more birthday, one more Christmas, with you. We know that you are celebrating and, with heavy hearts because we miss you so much, we are celebrating too. We hope you received the very special gift we sent to you for your birthday. Happy 3rd Birthday, son... we love you.

School Photo

2010-11-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

I think it looks a lot like last years. :/

Help Bring Jon Paul Home

2010-11-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

We've had a wonderful outpouring of support. Here's information on how you can help bring Jon Paul home. He is blind and resides in foster care in China. We are currently working to bring him home. Here's how you can help!

Here's how YOU can help bring home Jon Paul!

Click on this link for Kingdom Kids

At the top of the page click on Donations then select Family Grant Donations

Fill out the information and in the box that says designation, fill in our names, Mike & Faye Corman. That way you'll be sure you're donation will go to help fund Jon Paul's adoption.

If you would rather send a check, please mail it to:

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministry
8625 N Whitehouse Drive
Spokane, WA 99208
USA

Please include a note with the check that the donation is for Jon Paul Corman's adoption fund, but DO NOT include our name on the check!

Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Thank you for your support! Any questions, please feel free to contact Kingdom Kids!

Fundraiser for Jon Paul

2010-11-01T01:22:00.000-07:00

We were chosen by Hip Mom Jewelry as a beneficiary for their adoption cause! So what do you have to do? Click on the link below and SHOP! When you place your order, fill out the family code COR1110. You'll receive some fabulous, one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry and the proceeds will help bring home Jon Paul!
Don't delay, shop today!

Our family code is COR1110!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T06:19:00.000-07:00

Super Girl and Super Dog

School Project

2010-10-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

Camille has a school project for All Saint's Day which is coming up on November 1st. She has to do a report on a Saint. At the advice of Mike's aunt Liz (who is a Sister herself) Camille chose St. Katharine Drexel. St. Katharine was born in Philadelphia, PA and was the second American born saint to be cannonized (after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton). She is the patron saint of racial justice and spent her entire life and inheritance, $20 million, helping poor Native Americans and African Americans.

Light

2010-10-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Compositionally, not the best photo in the world, but I really like the way the light streams through. God's presence in a photograph.

Rah-Rah!

2010-09-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Camille's new passion!
She's cheers for a 60lb football team in our township... the Garnets! Go Garnets!

Kitchen Remodel

2010-09-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

I can't even say that it looks like the same place!

40 Days for Life

2010-09-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven't signed up for 40 Days for Life please do so, HERE

The New Morality

by Mary

You didn't make, Unborn Child.

They wouldn't let you be.

To your bud of life, they took a knife.

It's the "New Morality".

The didn't mean to hurt you, Love!

You have to understand.

Forgive them for what they did.

Their life was so well-planned.

They couldn't take you with them

up the ladder of success.

Money meant more to them

than a child, heaven-blessed.

Tell me, little Unvorn Child,

what did the Creator say?

Did He wrap you in His love,

and wipe your tears away?

You hover on the edge of time.

I see your faceless form.

You laugh whenever children play,

Oh, God for you I mourn!

He sent His only Precious Son

to teach us all "the Way".

Still we kill the unborn ones.

It happens every day!

You didn't make it, Unborn Child.

They wouldn't let you be.

They just expelled a blob of cells.

It's the "New Morality"

First Days

2010-09-08T02:32:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th Birthday!

2010-08-17T00:11:00.000-07:00

Someone turned 6... And we all celebrated!

A Birthday...

2010-08-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

So Camille is turning 6 in a few days. (SIX? Where did the time go? Didn't we just bring home a tiny 11 month old baby last week?)

We're having a small family party for her on Saturday and will probably celebrate her birthday with a "kid" party in September, after her friends are back at school. I have been completely overwhelmed with Mike being away, remodeling the kitchen, starting a new job at work, trying to find a replacement... it's been horrible. I just haven't had time to even think about a birthday party, much less plan one. It's also difficult when your birthday is in the summer. Families are on vacation and you don't have much contact with your friends. School starts September 8th, so I figure by the end of September, the kids will be ready for a little party.

Camille's birthday wish list includes "Sophie" the Liv* doll and a fish tank for her room that her Zayde promised her if it was okay with me. The list is not long because we don't go whole-hog on gifts for birthdays and Camille knows it. In addition, I imagine Camille will get a few things for school; some new school uniform clothing and some school supplies. A definite plus (or minus) to having a birthday just before school starts! :)

Otis' Graduation Photo

2010-08-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Visit to the Seeing Eye

2010-08-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our long awaited, much anticipated visit to the Seeing Eye. We drove up early and we were greeted by Ray, the Outreach Specialist at the Seeing Eye. He gave us a warm welcome and we met his Seeing Eye dog, a black lab named 'Mojo'. After a tour of the facility that included the history of the Seeing Eye school, we met by Daddy and permitted to have lunch with him in the dining hall. It was quite a special event. After lunch we spent some time with Daddy on the leasure path. He showed us all of the amazing things 'Otis' can do.

When it was time to leave, Camille shed some tears. We're so glad Daddy will be home in a week!

Another day

2010-08-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHEMED LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I. -Psalm 61:2

There is a lot going on. Mike will be home in a week and I'm trying to get things prepared for his arrival. The house needs a good cleaning. Although the contractors have been fairly good at keeping tidy, there is a film of debris everywhere. There is also a lot of 'stuff' that needs to be either put away, donated or thown out.

I received a promotion at work. While it's a good thing, it's not great timing. I am now trying to manage two jobs, my old one until a replacement is found and my new one. I want to make a good impression on my new boss and new team, but the workload is overwhelming to say the very least.

Camille is continuing to have frequent nosebleeds. I am taking her to the Children's hospital to see a specialist on Friday. Poor kid.

The adoption process is at minor standstill. We need to get our paperwork authenticated. I need Mike home to help. I am overwhelmed at this point.

4 years

2010-07-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

My old friend... has it really been 4 years already? I feel like you were just here with us yesterday.

Rockie was a "challenging" dog. From the very beginning she had a lot of faults. She was terribly headstrong. She was going to do what she wanted to do, right or wrong. She was extremely smart... the obdience trainer called her "crafty." And yet, she was, at one time, the greatest love of my life. I still get a little pang of heartache when I think about her, but I know we'll meet again... someday.

Rockie

March 17, 1992 - July 26, 2006

"Bad dog, good friend"

My Adopted Child

2010-07-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

Once there were two women, neither knew the other

One you do not remember, the other you call mother.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name

One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.

Two very different lives shaped yours into one

One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.

One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave you up—it was all that she could do,

The other prayed for a child—God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,

The age-old question of all the years,

Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?

Neither darling, neither ... just two different kinds of Love.

2010-07-22T06:42:00.000-07:00

A poignant post on a blog written by a 17 year old girl. I was touched... I hope you are too.

And now there are nine.

I love family reunions

2010-07-20T18:08:00.001-07:00

I love a family reunion. We had ours at the Outer Banks this year and EVERYONE was able to attend. My family is not particularly large, so it was amazing to see everyone!

Single-parenthood

2010-07-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Single-parenthood, even the temporary kind I am experiencing right now, is rough. It's so nice to have someone to help out, even with the very simple things early in the morning. It's only day 2 of the new routine, and I feel completely overwhelmed. To make matters worse, I was up past midnight, trying to get the kitchen ready for the contractors, who arrived at 8AM to start demolition on my kitchen. I failed that too. The contractors will have ended up packing up some boxes this morning. I just could not get it all done, not by myself.

I hope things go better tomorrow. Tonight I am dropping Camille off at her school for the summer reading program. I need to go to the store and purchase the appliances for our new kitchen. Wish me luck!

Matching Day

2010-07-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Today is matching day at the Seeing Eye. Mike will meet his new guide dog today. He seemed in a very good humor when I spoke to him on the phone this morning. The excitement and anticipation must be killing him! (I know it's killing me!) He'll meet his dog a little after 1:00 this afternoon. What an exciting day!

UPDATE:

So we think Mike's new dog might look something like this...

Happy 5th "Forever" Day, Sweet baby girl!

2010-07-18T03:40:00.000-07:00

These are the days you were not supposed to have...

When we brought this fragile little home, 5 years ago, she weighed 13 pounds at 11 months of age. She had rickets and MRSA infection that could have killed her...

2005

2010Today she is a happy, healthy kid. She'll be 6 years old next month. She is the light of our lives... we could not be more grateful to God for this gift. Amen.

You've got to be kidding me!

2010-07-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

The annual school uniform sale is next week? Yep! It's no joke. School uniforms, gym uniforms and polos will be sold next week! Yikes! School doesn't even start up again until September 8th! I think I'm just going to wait it out...

Down to the wire

2010-07-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Well, Mike leaves for the Seeing Eye in 10 days and I now I must admit that I am beginning to feel a bit anxious and nervous about it. I want him to go. I've been excited for him as I know this will be a terrific opportunity and adventure for him. But now that the time is just about here, it's really getting real. I guess before it was some sort of romantic fantasy... now it's actually going to happen. He's going to have a life changing experience and I'm going to be thrust into single parenthood for a month! Yuck! But we'll both do what we've got to do because I know the ultimate outcome will be well worth it. In the mean time, we've got a vacation just prior. We're leaving for the beach on Sunday. Mike's time at the beach will be cut a bit short due to the fact that he must report to the guide dog school.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Thinking of Jon Paul

2010-07-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

We're thinking of you today Jon Paul. Missing you, sadly...

1 Samuel 1:27
"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him."

The Price of Children

2010-06-30T07:13:00.001-07:00

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month,
* $171.08 a week.
* A mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is, 'don't have children if you want to be 'rich'. Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140.00?

* Naming rights . First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:

* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:

* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:

* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins, but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:

* First step,
* First word,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and communications that no college can match.

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren...

It's the best investment you'll ever make!
· Psalms 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Kindergarten Graduation

2010-06-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Camille and Mommy

Camille & Father Joe

Camille & her teacher, Mrs. Love

Camille receives her diploma from Fr. Joe.

Camille & Ian give their speaking parts durinf the ceremony.

The graduation march... so proud!

Camille's friend Hannah also graduated from Kindergarten (at another school) this year. We took these photos for fun... we thought they would be fun to have when the girls graduate from High School in 2022! :)

2010-06-23T08:16:00.001-07:00

This is our new son, Jon Paul. He is blind and resides in foster care in China. We are currently working to bring him home. Here's how you can help!

A shout out for dads

2010-06-20T05:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day... to my father, David, of course. Without him, I would just be a soul... He's a fantastic man... he taught me, and continues to teach me, so much.

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful Dad and Husband, Michael. As these photos can attest, his little girl has him wrapped around her finger!

And Happy Father's Day to Jon Paul's foster Dad, Mike. We really appreciate all that you do and how much love you are showing our son! Thank you, Mike... you're a special man...

Conclusion

2010-06-18T02:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day of a year-long celebration in the Catholic church. The Year of the Priest. Beyond today and beyond tomorrow, please pray for our priests.

One Month Mark!

2010-06-17T04:41:00.000-07:00

We've reached the one month mark. Mike leaves for the Seeing Eye in just one month! His class begins July 17th...

Kindergarten Grad!

2010-06-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

I met a woman in the park shortly after we adopted Camille. We talked for a bit. She had older boys and a little girl from China. She was a great encouragement, sharing honestly of the struggles of adoption... many of which we were also going through. As we said goodbye she told me the kids would grow up all too fast. She looked at Camille, still so young, and then glanced over to her own boys...moving too fast toward adulthood; and said to me, "they'll grow up too fast... don't blink or you'll miss it" I thought for a while, watching them walk away... and as we waved goodbye she yelled again... "Don't Blink"

And here's what happened, in the blink of an eye...

Congratulations Camille! We love you and we're SO PROUD of all you accomplished this year!

2010-06-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Michael received his commitment letter yesterday. He signed it and we faxed back. Mike goes to the Seeing Eye in just 5 weeks! He is very excited. We're all pretty excited about it, actually. We know this will affect our whole family, hopefully in a very positive way.

More photos of Jon Paul

2010-06-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

Nancy never ceases to amaze me! These photos were in my email this morning... I absolutely adore them! New photos of Jon Paul playing with his foster father, Mike! What a special guy Mike is... we love you, Mike!

You never know...

2010-06-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

You never know what you'll find on the internet! Here's a terrific article about Jon Paul's foster home... recognize anyone in the photo? :)

ARTICLE

Signed up.

2010-06-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Camille is officially signed up for 6 weeks of summer camp! Yay! She'll be attending Friends Summer Camp again this year at the Friends School located just around the corner from where I work. The commute is a killer, but she had such a great time there last year and the price is hard to beat for the excellent program! We don't have much of choice, since Mike will be away at the Seeing Eye for a month this summer, she has to go somewhere while I'm at work! I was getting worried that we were going to be too late signing her up, but I got the confirmation email today... she's in.

New photos of Jon Paul

2010-05-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Jon Paul is 2 1/2 now. I can not believe how much he's grown, and how much he's starting to look like a little boy, rather than a baby...

I will never give up on my dream... little boy, you are my dream...

Kindergarten Class Trip!

2010-05-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Camille and her classmates went on a school trip to the Adventure Aquarium
Everyone had a terrific time!

Discovering the ocean creatures!

I Heart Faces - Yellow

2010-05-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

A favorite photo for this week's I < 3 Faces contest... Yellow.

Rough-housing and Tender moments

2010-05-20T01:50:00.001-07:00

Boys will be boys... and oh boy, what we have to look forward to!

Snuggles from Sarah...

Thank again, to Nancy for another batch of new photos... we are one day closer...

Be still

2010-05-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

This week a family that I only know through blogging was 4 weeks away from going to China to bring home their 2 year old daughter McKenna when they got the news that she died. Please keep McKenna's family in your prayers tonight.

Seminarian

2010-05-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

Friends of ours from church have a son who was a transitional deacon. He was ordained into the priesthood last weekend, by the Archbishop of Philadelphia. He attended St. Charles Borreomeo Seminary for many years. According to his parents, it was not an easy road (8 years of difficulty) but his ordination ceremony was beautiful and now he can go out in the world and do his work. We will certainly keep him, and all of the newly ordained priests, in our prayers.

I realize that Catholicism is not the only religion. It's not the only church, but I believe it is the one true church of Christ. Peter was, in fact, the first pope and all priests and bishops are ordained by someone who was ordained by someone... (you get where I am going with this) and can be traced back to the original 12 apostles. The Catholic church is the one holy apostolic church. (This is also the reason that priests are not allowed to be female or marry, but that's a different topic.)

So I think seminarians should be held in high regards. It's almost more difficult for a young man to be come a Catholic priest than about anything else these days and and as far as sacrafice whoa baby! You know what they have to sacrafice!

While I realize the word "seminarian" simply refers to a person who is enrolled in a theological college, I wish there were another word to distinguish men who are true seminarians (Catholics on their way to becoming priests) verses lay people who are taking religious classes to become Christian preachers. There's nothing wrong with it, it just makes me skin crawl when I hear a woman say, "I am a seminarian." Just an opinion.

Two Month mark

2010-05-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

We've reached the two month mark. Mike goes to the Seeing Eye in 2 months! He is very excited.

Easter Photos

2010-05-13T11:31:00.001-07:00

Nancy just sent some new photos of Jon Paul from Easter. Looks like the foster home had lots of visitors! Our guy is sure getting big!

And he likes to hang upside-down!

Family

2010-05-12T02:20:00.000-07:00

A new family portrait, including Jon Paul. We hope to have you home soon, baby boy!

Making an impression (literally)

2010-05-11T03:14:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was the big day to get hearing aids. The new audiologist, Dr. Kennedy, is very, very nice. After she filled Camille's ears with the molding material, she let Camille have the extra to play with. Camille was a real trooper... completely brave and steadfast throughout the whole process.

She chose purple hearing aids and pink earmolds with glitter. I imagine they will look quite fashionable :)

The Show

2010-05-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

The show was great! Everyone did an excellent job and the kids put on a performance that would put most high school shows to shame! Unfortunately, as you can see, my camera wasn't working properly and my photos didn't turn out too well, but you can get a general idea.

The last May Crowning...

2010-05-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Our parish had their final May Crowning today. We watched with heavy hearts. The entire mass was pretty sad, even the music minister "lost it" during a song. We have one week left, then the Church closes.

The first communicants prepare for the crowning.

The priest gives a few words.

In such a beautiful time of year, it's difficult not to feel anger, sadness and frustration. This church is the cornerstone of our community. Next Sunday, we will celebrate our final mass as a parish. Then our parish closes, forever. Our priests have announced their new assignments. The nuns who live in the convent are forced to go to the newly merged parish... most seem unhappy. The community is torn. Many of our friends are moving to other parishes, as are we. It just isn't fair.

We've come a long way...

2010-05-04T04:05:00.000-07:00

The photo below is from a fundraiser Mike and I attended in 1999. We had been dating for about a year (the fundraiser was at a Harley-Davidson shop... with that same theme)

Mike and I have known each other since 1997 and began dating in 1998. We got engaged in September of 2000 and married on this day in 2002.

We've seen our share of ups and downs. We've struggled through times together, that I wasn't always sure we'd get through, but we did. God gives us the gifts of Faith, Hope and Love... and the greatest is Love. Love has gotten us through many troubled times.

Happy 8th wedding anniversary, Michael. Let today be the day I love you the least... as my love grows more and more for you each day.

Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church. Pope John Paul II

This Season

2010-04-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

I love this season. I love May Crownings and First Holy Communions. I love seeing little girls in their frilly white dresses and tiny vails, little brides of Jesus. I love seeing little boys in their white suits and the nervous looks on the parent's faces hoping their polished sons will keep those suits clean. I love to watch the priests regally bend down and present each child with his or her first taste of the host. Such a wonderful and holy experience. But at the same time, I feel a little jealous... because I never had that. I never had the white dress, or the vail or the experience at age 7... because I am a Catholic convert. I became a Catholic as an adult through the RCIA. I was baptized in the Lutheran church (where my mother's parents belonged, but my mother never practiced). My father took us to the Christian Science church when my brother and I were young, but my mother did not go with us. I think my parents tried, but it's difficult when religious beliefs between two parents are split. Religion in our house was just never a priority.

By the time I was in high school, I don't think I had any faith of any kind. I didn't believe in anything my younger days at the Christian Science Sunday school had taught me and, quite frankly, I just wasn't interested. It wasn't until I was forced to take a course in World Religions as a sociology requirement that my interest in religion was initiated. I began to entertain the idea of going to church. I was pretty sure, based on my baptism and upbringing, that I wanted to remain a Christian, so I began checking out different local churches. I started with what I knew, or at least, what I could remember. I tried the Christian Science church again. I went to the Lutheran church. I visited a Presbyterian church, a Baptist church, an Evangelical church, a Charismatic church, etc. In the mean time, I had also heard that a local United Methodist church was looking for a french horn player for their brass choir. Score! I could listed to the gospel AND play my music (eliminate the bordom, perhaps?) I spent several Sundays at the United Methodist church. I really liked the pastor and I got a lot out of his sermons. I also really enjoyed playing in the brass choir there. But something was still missing...

I found the missing piece when I met Father James Jackson. Fr. Jim and I were both in line purchasing groceries at the local supermarket. The line was long and he had accidentally bumped me with his cart, which caused us to strike up a light conversation. He was in his clerics, so I knew he was a priest. I had never spoken to a priest before. I didn't know how to address him. He apoligies for the incident. I replied, "that's okay your holiness. No harm done." He laughed like that was about the funniest thing he'd ever heard. He could tell by the look on my face that I didn't know what was funny. He extended his hand "I'm Father Jim."

We talked about religion and I told him I wasn't particularly religious. He invited me to attend my first Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church where he was a parochial vicar. It happened to be the newer, large church that was right across the street from the development where I lived. The church was modern architecture and reminded me of an ark. I sat in the back, embarrassed that I didn't know the appropriate times to stand, sit or kneel, except to watch the other members of the congregation, but I loved the splendor of the priests in their long garments, the holy water, the eucharist, the alter boys, the music... everything. It felt whole, it felt right. For several weeks I "double dipped". I did my duty at the Methodist church then hurried to St. Elizabeth's for Mass. Occassionally I would run into Father Jim who would ask me how everything was going. In late August he mentioned they were starting up a new class he thought I might be interested in. An adult Catholic education class called RCIA. He gave me some information. "Conversion?" I asked. "Information." He replied... "Conversion, only if the Lord calls you." Then he smiled. "I'm not sure I'm ready to take such a large step." I said. "I just got here." "But you are here." Father Jim said. "Sure, because of you." I rebutteled. "No, because of Him." Father Jim said.

He was right. I had found the missing pieces in the Mass. And through RCIA, I too could participate fully. Father Jim was right, because of Him, I had found where I belonged and I joined the RCIA and began my education and conversion... I became a Catholic. And one Easter vigil, way back when, I took my first holy communion and made my confirmation with Father Jim and my sponsors standing beside me. And so, to date, I have received 6 of the 7 sacraments of the Catholic church. (It's almost impossible to receive all 7 since 6 is Matrimony and 7 is Holy Orders (becoming a priest or nun) and you can not normally do both. (There are acceptions. Some people get married, lose their spouse to death and then become ordained in the holy orders, but this is unusual.) I love the church. The more I learn, the less I know and the more I wish to dig deeper into the mystery of faith.

Update on Camille's Hearing

2010-04-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted on Camille's hearing situation. Mostly because there really hasn't been anything to post. She has spent the past couple of months at school, evaluating 2 different FM systems to see if they can help with her hearing loss in the classroom. The trials are now complete and after consultations with Camille's kindergarten teacher, reading specialist and talking to Camille, it's been determined that neither the whole classroom FM system, nor the personal FM system were very effective.

I am disappointed, but not very surprised. The other day before entering the grocery store I said "Come on Camille, let's get a shopping cart." Camille replied "Why do we need a chocolate bar?" Her hearing loss is very unusual for a child. It is a high frequency loss, most commonly seen in older adults.

We now have an appointment at the beginning of May to see a new audiologist who specializes in high-frequency hearing loss to see about getting some hearing aids for Camille.

Poem

2010-04-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Every call has a beginning
A quiet moment when God
whispers a promise to a mother’s heart
A holy place where a father bows and faithfully accepts
the journey set before him.
A miraculous morning that unexpectedly dawns…
Casting its first light on a chosen threshold.
A gentle knock..
a closed door opens.
A sacred invitation sent by the Father..
Leads to the other side of the world.
Where lonely hearts stare out orphanage windows
Praying for someone to care..
And then one morning,
On an ordinary day
An orphan’s life changes...
God sends them a second chance...
Through you..

"Joseph" Rehearsal

2010-04-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a "sneak peek" from rehearsal! Even the smallest parts deserve the biggest performances, don't you agree? Tee-hee! :)

Homestudy Complete!

2010-04-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Our homestudy is complete! So what does this mean? It's in our socialworker's hands to get the draft done (we went over the draft last night and it looked pretty good) fax that draft to our adoption agency, get approval from our adoption agency to write the final report and send that final report to us so we can file our I-800A with Immigration. Yes, more paperwork, but it's a big step in the process that is now complete and we're really hoping that things will keep moving. We can't relax, so glad our little guy can! :)

HELP BRING HOME JON PAUL!

2010-04-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hot topics at our house

2010-04-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

The new guide dog is a very hot topic at our house right now. It could be nerves or excitement, for Michael... perhaps a healthy combination of both. He talks about the dog, a lot. I'm glad. I'm excited too. We refer to the dog as "Bruno" (this is a name Mike came up with in a dream... I think it's a spin-off of "Juno" which is the name the Seeing Eye uses for the imaginary dog they use to give a candidate a sample walk when they come out for the initial assessment.) We will have no idea what the new dog's name will be until Michael meets him or her for the first time. Everyone has questions, comments and concerns, including Camille. She asks where "Bruno" will ride in the car, where "Bruno" will eat and whether we will have to get rid of our shih-tzu, Riley (the answer to that question is "no". Seeing Eye dogs are often raised with other dogs and we have no doubt Riley will do fine with the new dog).

So Michael will leave for this adventure in about 14 weeks. We're really excited for him!

Home Provinces

2010-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

He has a date!

2010-04-09T11:02:00.000-07:00

7.17.2010

That's when Mike is scheduled to report to the Seeing Eye in Morristown for his guide dog school training. He's very excited! We're all very excited and proud of Mike!

Legoland

2010-04-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

We went to Legoland(r) in California today. I don't know who had a better time, Camille or Uncle Chris, but from this photo, I'd say Uncle Chris, wouldn't you?

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Remember, it's not about the bunny...

...on the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures...

We love you, silly boy!

2010-03-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Jon Paul plays with his foster brother's tutor, Dana. The two are good pals!

More playtime with foster mom, Deena. The little girl on chicken rocker on the right is Sarah. She is 10 and also blind.
Our silly, handsome boy! We love you and we can't wait to bring you home!

The beginning of Holy Week.

2010-03-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

Today is Palm Sunday marking the beginning of Holy Week. For Catholics, this is the beginning of our high holiday, which we have spent the last 40 days (since Ash Wednesday) preparing for, Easter.

We love Palm Sunday and the passion of the Lord. We also love to make palm crosses. :)

A must see.

2010-03-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

You've come a long way baby!

2010-03-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

All of this activity with Jon Paul really has me thinking a lot about Camille's adoption and her humble beginnings. This photo was taken at the hotel in Hong Kong the night before we flew back to the US. I had honestly forgotten how thin and frail my sweet girl was. We had been a family now for only about 10 days, but look at how happy she had become! So filled with loved! This photo makes me sad to look at now. She was very ill, and we didn't even know it until we got home.

But God is great, and today she is a happy, healthy, NORMAL, five-year-old who suffers no ill effects from her turbulent beginnings. Thank you, God, for this wonderful child, this wonderful gift!

May 22, 2010

2010-03-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2010... 2 months from today. That's the day they are closing the doors of our beloved St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church... for good. It's the end of an era for the people of the community, who built that Church, more than 70 years ago.

I have to be honest, when I moved here and had to leave St. Elizabeth's, it was painful. I loved St. Elizabeth's. It was a young community and we had a contemporary worship service. The priest was young (well, okay, younger) and the parish was lively. When I arrived at St. Francis, the first thing I noticed was that it felt old. The priests were old, the church was old, the people of the parish community were older... even the services had an older feel, heck they still rang the bell at communion, wasn't that practice out with Vatican II? But as I whined and moaned and attended services each week, St. Francis began to grow on me. Churches have a way of doing that. And the the priests came and went. The really old ones retired and, what's this? We got a young priest? And a really young priest, at least by priest standards... and I really liked him. And I got to know the people of the community and the old-school service grew on me and, what can I say? I kind of grew to like that bell! And while I was there we saw friends get married in that church and we had our daughter baptized in that church and we said goodbye to Michael's mother in that church and we saw our friends children get baptized, recieve their first holy communion and confirmation in that church. And, lo and behold, I became a part of that church and it became a part of me. Churches have a way of doing that. God has a way of doing that.

Where do we go from here? The simple answer is another church. It will likely be St. Rose, since this is where Camille attends school. Our church has merged with Mary Mother and St. Gregory's and the new home parish, who's name I can not recall, will be at Mary Mother. We can not afford to support 2 churches and since Mary Mother and St. Rose and equal in distance from our home (we could walk to St. Francis) we will likely end up at St. Rose.... and, I expect, again, it will be painful. But perhaps, with time, St. Rose will feel like home.

The really amazing moments...

2010-03-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy about a lot of things right now...

We have accomplished the impossible. It sounds like a contradiction, especially if you really believe that, with God, ALL things are possible, but China simply is not allowing people like us adopt again... but WE ARE ALLOWED! And this is a miracle! A true gift from God.

Camille will have a baby brother. A sibling. For a long time I really thought Camille might be an only child. While I was willing to accept this, as I will accept God's plan for her, it made me kind of sad. I think siblings add dimension to our lives.

Camille's sibling will share her same nationality. He will also be Chinese. Is this important? Maybe, maybe not. In blended families like ours, it may not be so important, but it can be something special that they can share, like being adopted.

We love you, Jon Paul, and we can't wait to have you home. Your big sister keeps a photo of you under her pillow :)

New Photos

2010-03-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

Because Jon Paul is in a foster home with folks from America and his "foster grandmother" lives here in Florida, we have an advantage. We have contact! :) I have even been able to speak to her on the phone on several occasions. It's wonderful! And we get LOTS of photos! Here's some newer photos of our little guy taken as recently as last week. We think red may be his color!

Oh Happy Day!

2010-03-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have been dying to post this, but didn't want to until we received our pre-approval from China. Today was the day we received our pre-approval. Meet our new little guy, Jonathan Paul Kuang, or simply Jon Paul.

He resides in a really terrific foster home in Fujian province in China. Yes, as you can see he is blind in his right eye. He may have some level of visual impairment in his left eye as well, we're just not sure yet and we won't know for sure until we get him home. Isn't he about the cutest thing?! We are all very excited, especially Camille who is THRILLED to be a big sister! God is great and miracles do happen!

Why Adoption?

2010-03-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is a question I get asked quite often. Why did you adopt? Can't you have your "own children"? (I consider Camille my own child... and any future children that God allows us to adopt will be considered the same, but I also understand the statement coming from an under-informed mind). There are many reasons. I think one statement sums it up best.
Love is an action word.
Please visit this blog and you'll understand what I mean:
http://www.storinguptreasures.com/2010/01/love-is-action-word.html

Where Have All The Churches Gone?

2010-03-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

Where Have All The Churches Gone? by Father Joseph Jenkins

Bill and Susan are both baptized Catholics. But they rarely went to Mass. You might see them in the pews at Christmas and Easter, but that is about it. One Easter they came to Mass and had the surprise of their lives. The parking lot was empty. Going up to the church doors, they discovered that everything was locked. Confused, they almost decided just go home but it was Easter so they drove a little further to another church. Again, they were shocked. There was no one there, either. Now the mystery was intriguing them. What had happened? Had there been a revolution and the churches forcibly closed? Were the Protestants right and all the good Christians taken away by the rapture? They traveled outside of town to a third church. Here they found cars but services were ending. Although they had missed Mass, they entered the church for a quick visit and to find reassurance that nothing else had suddenly changed. Everything appeared to be in place, although the congregation seemed a bit small from the celebrations remembered in the past. They saw the priest and approached him with their puzzlement.
Susan spoke first, “Father, we are sorry about missing Mass but we had trouble finding an open church.”
Father Flynn responded, “I take it that you are new to the area. We would love to have you register here. We can always use new members.”
“No Father,” said Susan, “we have lived here all our lives. We were married at St. Margaret’s.”
“Oh my,” responded the priest, looking somewhat disturbed and maybe upset.
Bill entered the conversation, “We went to St. Margaret’s this morning and finding no one there went over to Holy Spirit. Both places were empty.”
“Yes,” lamented the priest, “I guess you both feel inconvenienced.”
“It certainly ruined Easter, what is going on Father?” asked Susan.
“You won’t like my answer. It might even make you angry,” added the priest.
The priest motioned for them to sit in a pew next to him.
“What is it, Father?” asked Bill.
“I will tell you,” said the priest, “it is your fault.”
Taken aback by the answer, they immediately insisted that he explain.
“You and so many people like you, killed St. Margaret, Holy Spirit, and almost a hundred other churches in the diocese. You want the church for a wedding, as if the building is only a decoration on a cake. You might ask for a baby’s baptism, when grandparents nag you. But then we have trouble finding a godparent who is not in mortal sin. Everyone who comes is a stranger. No one is practicing his or her faith. You come to Mass a couple times a year, throw a few dollars in the basket and expect the church to still be here waiting for you when you feel like coming back. Some only come to church twice in a lifetime, the day of baptism and the day of final repose. You did not know about those churches because they were not a part of your life. You did not support your parish through donations. You did not add to the parish life by your participation at Mass and in the various volunteer opportunities. You did not have children or if you did, you did not encourage vocations. How did you expect us to keep the churches open when we have no priests and empty pews? You broke the hearts of your priests who gave up the possibility of spouse and children to take care of the family of God. Priests weep over their people who neglect Confession and the Mass. Priests yearn to forgive your sins. You became comfortable with sin and made excuses. You said by your neglect that our sacrifices did not matter. Some of you were even vocal in arguing for married priests and condemning all celibate men as deviates and predators. In essence, your dissent and absence told the priests that we were wasting our time. Worse of all, you were saying that you did not need the Church. You forced God to the periphery of your lives, if he was there at all. The churches closed were wonderful places once. God lived in those houses and in the hearts and souls of the people. But when you stopped coming, things began to run down. Where there were once three priests, now there was one. Eventually even that one was shared between parishes. Many young people stopped coming. The congregations got older. The average parishioner age at Holy Spirit was around eighty! God called the faithful remnant home. Grandparents tried to give the faith to their grandchildren, but sometimes with opposition from their own children. They suffered terrible guilt. What had they done wrong? Why did their children stray? Bills started to grow and resources were strained. The new Bishop had to take action. Critics hated him and spouted condemnations when he closed beautiful old churches. Many of these same voices were those of fallen-away Catholics. They still had sentiment about their childhood parishes, but nothing of a deeper or lasting value. Catholics today are twice as populous as in the old days, but less than 20 to 15% go to weekly Mass. Back in 1960, that figure was 90 to 95%. Our schools are dying and increasing expensive. Our churches are relegated to the status of museums instead of as places of worship and community life. You did not pray— you did not pay— and now you are upset that the churches did not stay. We are drowning in a sea of hypocrisy. A housing developer will be bull-dozing Holy Spirit within the month. Who knows what shall become of St. Margaret Catholic Church? There is talk that a Baptist group might buy it. Some of the churches have become condominiums with the guts torn out. What the enemies of the Church could not do, we have done to ourselves.”
The couple was silent. The priest reached into his pocket and pulled out a broken piece or marble or plaster made out as marble.
“See this,” said the priest, “this is a fragment from the altar at Holy Spirit. I was pastor there. On the morning I came by to pay my final respects, demolition men were hacking the altar to pieces. It was on that altar that bread and wine became the body and blood of Jesus. It was from that altar that the faithful received the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. I did everything I could think of to save the church. I went door-to-door in an attempt at outreach. But there was a bigger Catholic church down the road and we had no school. Even they were struggling. Most people of faith in the area were Protestants. Others spurned all religion. Many Catholics had moved away and those who remained did not come, except for my small faithful remnant. I buried most of them.”
Staring straight into the faces of the couple, he lamented, “I cried and cried after seeing that altar destroyed. Here, take this,” offering the altar fragment.
“It means too much to you Father, no, we couldn’t take that,” returned Bill.
Not taking no for an answer, the priest forced the fragment into his hand, and said, “It is okay, I really want you to have it. You are right, it meant a lot to me, but it is my hope that someday it might come to mean something to you and your wife.”

I Heart Faces - Bundled Up!

2010-03-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

I am not a professional photographer, and I know this photo has lots of imperfections, but I love it anyway and I think it really captures the spirit of this week's I Heart Faces theme... BUNDLED UP!

To see more terrific entries, click the camera below...

Catholic "Weird Al"

2010-03-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

I know we're already way into Lent, but I recently found this and I thought it was great. Inspired by today's fish sandwich for lunch, just thought I would share!

Adoption Tax Credit - Families Need Your Help!

2010-03-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

Many people need your help to encourage your Senators and Representatives to support making the adoption tax credit permanent.
As it stands now, the tax credit put in place in 2001 will expire in December 2010. If an adoption finalizes in 2010, the tax credit will still be in effect. However, as the law states, after December 2010, the adoption credit will be reduced to $5,000 - $6,000.
Adoption costs can exceed $20,000 and can be up to $45,000 - $50,000, depending on the type of adoption and country of choice for each family. Right now the credit is $12,150 with limitations based upon salary. It would be a tragedy for a family not to grow through adoption due to financial hardship from this tax credit not being permanent.
So could I ask that anyone who has been touched by adoption to take a minute to help? We need people to write to their Representatives and Senate to ask them to co-sponsor the bill that will make this credit permanent. Here is a step-by-step guide of how to help:

1. Start by contacting your Representatives first, then contact Senators. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representatives and Senators at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd . For New Jersey, your Senators and Representatives can be found here. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=NJ

2. To find the status of the bill currently, it can be found at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-213
Verify if your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. (For anyone in NJ – only one of the thirteen Representatives is co-sponsoring, so write and spread the word to others to write!)

3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future. Emphasize that the tax credit truly results in more children finding homes. Tell them that this is so important to you that you will be following the bill’s progress through Congress.

4. Family Photo: While e-mails are valuable, but there isn’t a picture. A written note with a picture of your family or your children will be most effective. When writing, it is recommended to be personal, short, targeted and informative.

5. If any of your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors, write them a thank-you note. Again, letters sent by snail-mail with photos of your children will receive more attention.

6. Send this to family and friends, so they can make contact with their Congress.

Busy, busy, busy!

2010-03-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

It's March and we're up to our eyeballs in projects! Mike and I are having the kitchen remodeled and new siding put on the house. I may have mentioned that before. We've spent the last several weeks interviewing contrators and finally found one we like. He's sent me some preliminary plans, and I like what I see so far. I'm encouraged. We should be closing on the refinance in the next week, so once that's done and we've finalized the plans, we can begin ordering cabinets! Fun! We're also working on another very special project that we haven't gone public with yet, but it's a biggie! Stay tuned for that announcement :)

Finally, I never thought I'd see the day, Mike actually made an application with the Seeing Eye! I am so proud of him! I hope he's able to go and obtain his first guide dog this fall! I think it would be wonderful for him!

JOSEPH Update

2010-02-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

WOAH...

She got the part.

Jr. Israealite.

I can't believe it. I really can't. Not when all those kids tried out. And I am SO PROUD!

Lent

2010-02-17T02:31:00.000-08:00

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving

The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The key to renewed appropriationof these practices is to see their link to baptismal renewal.
Prayer: More time given to prayer during Lent should draw us closer to the Lord. We might pray especially for the grace to live out our baptismal promises more fully. We might pray for the elect who will be baptized at Easter and support their conversion journey by our prayer. We might pray for all those who will celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with us during Lent that they will be truly renewed in their baptismal commitment.
Fasting: Fasting is one of the most ancient practices linked to Lent. In fact, the paschal fast predates Lent as we know it. The early Church fasted intensely for two days before the celebration of the Easter Vigil. This fast was later extended and became a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Vatican II called us to renew the observance of the ancient paschal fast: "...let the paschal fast be kept sacred. Let it be celebrated everywhere on Good Friday and, where possible, prolonged throughout Holy Saturday, so that the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection may be attained with uplifted and clear mind" (Liturgy, # 110).
Fasting is more than a means of developing self-control. It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God. The first reading on the Friday after Ash Wednesday points out another important dimensionof fasting. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. "This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own" (Is 58:6-7).
Fasting should be linked to our concern for those who are forced to fast by their poverty, those who suffer from theinjustices of our economic and political structures, those whoare in need for any reason. Thus fasting, too, is linked to living out our baptismal promises. By our Baptism, we are chargedwith the responsibility of showing Christ's love to the world, especially to those in need. Fasting can help us realize the suffering that so many people in our world experience every day, and it should lead us to greater efforts to alleviate that suffering.
Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked us to the poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals. It can do the same today if we remember the purpose of abstinence and embrace it as a spiritual link to those whose diets are sparse and simple. That should be the goal we set for ourselves—a sparse and simple meal. Avoiding meat while eating lobster misses the whole point!
Almsgiving: It should be obvious at this point that almsgiving, the third traditional pillar, is linked to our baptismal commitment in the same way. It is a sign of our care for those in need and an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given to us. Works of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.

i heart faces - Dance!

2010-02-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

This was a very rare occurance when I caught my then 3-year-old daughter dancing as if no one was watching... priceless!