Today in our nation's capital, thousands have gathered to take a stand against abortion and March for Life. (This is an annual event that marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which has resulted in over 50 million babies being aborted.)
When your heart has been touched by adoption, like ours has, abortion becomes more than a news story. You realize it for what it is: a choice that could have been made by your child's birth mother. This is a realization that never fails to make me shudder at the very thought. It's a realization that always causes my eyes to well with tears and my heart to overflow with thankfulness. Thankfulness that my arms hold the precious child of my heart. Thankfulness that our house rings with the sounds of a three year old. Thankfulness for the blessing of adoption and forever families.
And, most of all, thankfulness for one very courageous woman. In spite of what it could cost her, she chose LIFE. Because of her choice, our family, our lives, and our hearts will never be the same.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
did you see that? it was the finish line!
This time last year, we were in SK. After waiting for what seemed like years, we boarded a plane, flew halfway around the world, and anxiously awaited the moment when we would meet our son. We were nervous, relieved, excited, happy, scared, overjoyed, and overwhelmed. Above all, we were THANKFUL that our time of radio silence, our time of waiting and wondering, our time of expecting/hoping/dreaming, our time of white knuckle gripping our tiny mustard seed of faith was drawing to a close. Our adoption journey finish line was in sight, and not even a Boeing 777 could get me there fast enough!
Just like parents who never forget their time in the delivery room, we will never forget the day we first laid eyes on the child that we had carried in our hearts. I have thought of that day a lot during this past year, marveling at the goodness of my Heavenly Father. How amazing that He would choose two very imperfect people to parent one of His precious children.
Now one year later, we're making Korean BBQ Chicken pizza for the Friday night special and playing choo-choos like we've never been apart. Truly amazing.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3
Just like parents who never forget their time in the delivery room, we will never forget the day we first laid eyes on the child that we had carried in our hearts. I have thought of that day a lot during this past year, marveling at the goodness of my Heavenly Father. How amazing that He would choose two very imperfect people to parent one of His precious children.
Now one year later, we're making Korean BBQ Chicken pizza for the Friday night special and playing choo-choos like we've never been apart. Truly amazing.
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3
Monday, January 12, 2015
recent happenings
To keep a blog current, one needs a working computer (which I no longer have since mine finally, after threatening it for the past two months, gave up the ghost) OR one needs husband's work computer, which isn't being used because husband is watching football. Yay for football and for husband's who let their work computer be used for things besides work :).
Wanted--one long, uninterrupted nap: Let me just say that I am still tired from Christmas "break." My poor house is evidence of the fact that I'm dragging my tail feathers behind me and can't seem to catch up on sleep or housework. {I am maintaining it enough that if Sam were to eat off the floor, which he's been known to do, that he wouldn't need a tetanus shot.}
Sam's New Hobby: Sam got invited to his first birthday party, which he was very excited about. I figured out what he was mostly excited for when he said, "Open up presents?" We had to have the talk that he opened presents at his party in November, and now it's Callie's turn to open presents. Ever since Christmas, his new hobby is opening presents..even ones that don't have his name on them.
One bottle of aspirin and earplugs, please: Did I mention the party was at Chuck E. Cheese???? When we were leaving, Sam was asking me if he could play more tomorrow at Chuck E. Cheese...of course, I responded as I quickly hightailed it out of there. He doesn't need to know that it'll probably be many, many tomorrows before we return to the Place Where Time Stands Still.
Having a Party for "No Good Reason:" Sam woke up from nap on Friday crying to go to the party and not understanding that the party wasn't until Saturday. This led to us deciding to have a pre-party party for the Friday night special. After making and eating PB&J "sushi rolls," we ate cheesecake and ice cream. And, we played everyone's favorite party game, Pin the SmokeStack on Thomas, which made for some very funny pictures--you know those kind of pictures that you turn in to the yearbook or senior slideshow ;).
Wanted--one long, uninterrupted nap: Let me just say that I am still tired from Christmas "break." My poor house is evidence of the fact that I'm dragging my tail feathers behind me and can't seem to catch up on sleep or housework. {I am maintaining it enough that if Sam were to eat off the floor, which he's been known to do, that he wouldn't need a tetanus shot.}
Sam's New Hobby: Sam got invited to his first birthday party, which he was very excited about. I figured out what he was mostly excited for when he said, "Open up presents?" We had to have the talk that he opened presents at his party in November, and now it's Callie's turn to open presents. Ever since Christmas, his new hobby is opening presents..even ones that don't have his name on them.
One bottle of aspirin and earplugs, please: Did I mention the party was at Chuck E. Cheese???? When we were leaving, Sam was asking me if he could play more tomorrow at Chuck E. Cheese...of course, I responded as I quickly hightailed it out of there. He doesn't need to know that it'll probably be many, many tomorrows before we return to the Place Where Time Stands Still.
Having a Party for "No Good Reason:" Sam woke up from nap on Friday crying to go to the party and not understanding that the party wasn't until Saturday. This led to us deciding to have a pre-party party for the Friday night special. After making and eating PB&J "sushi rolls," we ate cheesecake and ice cream. And, we played everyone's favorite party game, Pin the SmokeStack on Thomas, which made for some very funny pictures--you know those kind of pictures that you turn in to the yearbook or senior slideshow ;).
Saturday, January 3, 2015
WarrenFamily3.0 Christmas Special
Last year, as we waited for the BIG day,
we were celebrating our final Christmas as a family of two.
This year, we had our sweet Sam HOME where he belongs and had an incredible time celebrating our first Christmas as a family of three. The memories we made were plentiful and will be thought of often; they'll no doubt fill our hearts with warmth each and every time we sit and remember.
To the Giver of every good and perfect gift, thank you for the precious gift of allowing us to be Sam's parents. May we honor You in the way we raise him, always pointing him to his Heavenly Father.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
friday night special: rain checked
The past Friday night special was supposed to be a go--as soon as we were finished with our Christmas shopping. In the middle of shopping, I got a phone call that made me think of everything but cooking and broke my heart. A student that I had in middle school, and who was now in the tenth grade, had been killed in a car wreck. I couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe. My mind's refusal to believe that it was true didn't change the fact that, yes, it was true. Our student was gone.
How sobering it is to realize that as he went through his normal school day, he had no idea it would be his last. Or, when his mother told him bye when he left for school that she had no way of knowing it would be the last time she every spoke to him. God knew though, and He promises to be near the brokenhearted. So, will you join me in praying for this mother? Let's storm the gates of heaven asking God to bring her heart comfort and peace, asking God to provide for her every need during this time, and for the hope that we have because of Christmas to be made real to her.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
T: it was a joy to know you; you were smart and funny. And, you kept us on our toes since we never knew what you were going to say next ;).
How sobering it is to realize that as he went through his normal school day, he had no idea it would be his last. Or, when his mother told him bye when he left for school that she had no way of knowing it would be the last time she every spoke to him. God knew though, and He promises to be near the brokenhearted. So, will you join me in praying for this mother? Let's storm the gates of heaven asking God to bring her heart comfort and peace, asking God to provide for her every need during this time, and for the hope that we have because of Christmas to be made real to her.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
T: it was a joy to know you; you were smart and funny. And, you kept us on our toes since we never knew what you were going to say next ;).
Monday, December 8, 2014
friday night special: an easy favorite
After traveling for Thanksgiving, things are finally back to normal around here (for a few weeks anyway). Part of being normal means the Friday night special, which Sam and I welcomed back by turning to a favorite--bulgogi. It's super easy to make because, unlike traditional bulgogi, it uses ground meat instead of flank steak that you have to marinate. After a day of running around a very crowded town of Christmas shoppers, it's the perfect Friday night special--quick to make and easy to eat! {It's a good recipe for anyone wanting to try Korean food while still playing it safe with ingredients well known to the American tastebuds.}
And, finally, what's a Friday night special without a surprise attack from a certain pipsqueak cowboy??
And, finally, what's a Friday night special without a surprise attack from a certain pipsqueak cowboy??
Who knew Friday nights at home could be so sweet :).
Thursday, December 4, 2014
lingering over Thanksgiving
Snow-covered houses of a Christmas village are displayed on the fireplace.
The tree has been purchased, drug home, and decorated.
The first batch of Christmas cookies has been made.
The Christmas card picture has been taken and is being readied for the cards.
And, the Christmas shopping is underway!
These things are no different than we've done every year at this time, except this year we have some help in crossing things off the seasonal to-do list. Sam is right in the middle of it all--hanging ornaments,carefully decorating cookies (more like dumping sprinkles onto each one), taste-testing the cookie dough (what's that about raw cookie dough not being good to eat??), making sure the Christmas village has plenty of trees, and looking oh so cute for the Christmas card picture.
Yes, the Christmas season is here and the chaos of getting "it" all done has begun. But, my heart is lingering over Thanksgiving as I give thanks for the dark cloud that had been with me for two years, and which seemed to get darker this time of year, is lifted. At family gatherings, there's no longer a place where Sam should be or will be. Sam is home and has taken his place at the family table--and is eating more than his share of macaroni and cheese ;).
"Praise the Lord; give thanks to the Lord for He is good.." Psalm 106:1
The tree has been purchased, drug home, and decorated.
The first batch of Christmas cookies has been made.
The Christmas card picture has been taken and is being readied for the cards.
And, the Christmas shopping is underway!
These things are no different than we've done every year at this time, except this year we have some help in crossing things off the seasonal to-do list. Sam is right in the middle of it all--hanging ornaments,
Yes, the Christmas season is here and the chaos of getting "it" all done has begun. But, my heart is lingering over Thanksgiving as I give thanks for the dark cloud that had been with me for two years, and which seemed to get darker this time of year, is lifted. At family gatherings, there's no longer a place where Sam should be or will be. Sam is home and has taken his place at the family table--and is eating more than his share of macaroni and cheese ;).
"Praise the Lord; give thanks to the Lord for He is good.." Psalm 106:1
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