Peace comes when I am completely present and engaged with my family.  Peace comes when I know that I have much to offer others and the world. Peace comes when I know my Father’s voice and I follow it confidently.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Yesterday, Hannah and I met with her first foster mom and 2 of her daughters, 2 grandchildren and new foster baby.  We met at Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC (an amusement park-tourist attraction in the NC mountains).  Thomas the Train was the attraction, but seeing this family again was the highlight of our day.

We owe so much to this family.  They took our daughter in as a baby until we were able to meet her and adopt her.  They showered her with love, compassion and the acceptance that she needed.  I have seen so many children in the foster system that have not had that early experience and it really does effect how they view the world. Even though Hannah does have some sensory needs, she knows that she is loved and accepted and we are so thankful that she has had that experience from the day she was born.

My prayer is that we will continue to give her that sense of acceptance and that she will always know that she is loved, even when the challenges come, that we will be able to show her that she is a beautiful child of God…always showing us His love, grace and compassion.

Thank you, Greene family, for being and showing Jesus to our child. This is where the chord of three strands is so evident….and will not be broken.

We love you all!

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in, …..
The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’.
— Matthew 25:35,40

This week we want to go on several play dates and visit Tweetsie Railroad in the NC mountains.  We’ll be visiting with Hannah’s first foster mom and her family.  We’re looking forward to connecting again.

The kids are each pursuing their own paths! Dylan started guitar lessons last week and will be playing golf this Friday–his passions! Hannah seeks out friends any chance she gets, loves singing and dancing and is overall a fun gal to have around!

I am learning to be a giver of love, to set boundaries in those relationships that aren’t serving me well and to realize the truth of who I am in Christ.

I am struggling with organizing my time between projects (my own) and my kids’ desired activities.  Sometimes, my projects have to be put on hold so that they can know that I am fully present with them. I am okay with that, but I am trying to find a flow that works for everyone.

This week is the first time in a long time that a play date I planned resulted in lots of people attending! Yay–so excited to see lots of people coming together–kids AND adults!

I’m so glad for this meme…it really gets me writing more on my blog (at least weekly!) and I can really focus on our week and “see” all that we are doing and want to do. Plus I get to read about others’ journeys as well! Fun

Here we go…

This week we want to make lots of vegan recipes, plan play dates and time outside, finish making Hannah’s dresses, guitar lessons for Dylan and see Steve in the opening of Beauty and the Beast.

The kids are absolutely loving life! Dylan is constantly researching new foods to try and is totally into the vegan lifestyle.  I have learned about so many new foods lately and have found some amazing recipes.  He is also starting guitar lessons this Friday with a new instructor.  Dylan is very talented and just wants to be challenged in a new direction, so I’m excited to see what comes from this experience! Hannah is totally into being active constantly, wants to socialize all the time! So, we’re trying to arrange play dates when we can, but also enjoy down time as well She has recently expressed an interest in handwriting–she wants to be able to write her name.  She is creative in her expressions, so I can assume she would want to put those thoughts and expressions on paper.  Sometimes I write out the play that we are performing—just so I know what my lines are supposed to be!

I am learning to simply enjoy being in the presence of my kids and take part in their journey. And be thankful and in gratitude for ALL that is present in my life.

I am struggling with connection with others. Being able to relate with others and have them relate with me and not get frustrated when they don’t try to understand my point of view.  Being outside the educational, parenting, spiritual mainstream way of thinking sometimes causes people to question your sanity.  Fortunately, I feel very secure and confident in who I am…

This week is the first time I traveled to a new town (about 30 minutes from the town we live in) to visit their farmer’s market. It was much bigger than I imagined (though, not really big at all) and I was able to see a section of our region that I had not seen before.  The views of the mountains were breathtaking!

I have been so encouraged by the community of Christian Unschoolers that I have found on facebook.  It really is a place of connection for me and a place to talk about those things that I just can’t talk to some people about…I’m lovin’ it

One of the things I’ve been encouraged to do is take part in this meme, I CU…it is a great way to talk about what is happening in our home each week and gives me the opportunity to brag just a little bit!  If you are interested in joining the meme each week, the info can be found at the Christian Unschooling website.

Now, on to the meme…

This week we want to make plans to go to the beach.  Yes, we are heading to SC to bask in the sun and put our toes in the sand. The kids are really excited….Hannah had a very difficult time getting to sleep last night she was so excited. We’re just sad that Steve can’t join us for this trip….he is neck deep in rehearsals for Beauty and the Beast (which opens next Sunday!). Maybe we’ll bring him back a souvenir!

The kids are having a blast exploring their passions.  We bought Hannah a swing to put in the front yard so she can swing to her heart’s content.  She is exhibiting some fears that we are trying to help her overcome. It’s a rope swing with a seat….a little different than what she sees at the playground. So, maybe with some regular swing time she’ll become more accustomed to it. Some interesting sensory issues has become more intense for her, mostly dealing with textures and the type of clothing she wears. Patience is being practiced all around Dylan is spending his time reading, playing music  and catching up on his driver’s ed course.  He’s shooting for August to have his license in hand…you can do it D!

I am learning that when you love someone and want to see their dreams realized, you put aside your own, so that you can take part in seeing their awesomeness be seen, heard and experienced by others.

I am struggling with organization….ahh, this has never been natural for me.  But I am realizing the importance of simplifying our lives….so, I am trying to wade through our ‘stuff’ and make life a little simpler.  It is a process!

This week is the first time it became crystal clear to me how much our kids are learning.  Dylan soaks up the knowledge he receives from reading, the skills he acquires from practicing his guitar and is very aware of what needs to be done in the house to help me out on those days when my focus needs to be on Hannah’s needs.  Hannah is finding joy in learning about letters, shapes and numbers in the every day tasks (laundry, cooking, cleaning and playing). In a nutshell, my kids love to learn and love to share with me what they have learned…and I may have missed that gift if I had been focusing on ‘my’ dreams. I love my family!

Lots happening on the home front:

I am getting ready to launch a new resource website for families that have children identified with special needs and also families with adopted children or children they are currently fostering.  This website is called Empower Your Village and I am super excited about launching it this Friday.  I really hope it will be an encouragement to MANY.

Steve is also launching a website this Friday.  It will be a great resource for homeschoolers wanting to track classes and create a transcript.  It is called My Homeschool Transcripts. He has worked SO hard to create this excellent program and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition.

Hannah is taking an acting class this semester and getting ready to start a yoga class that we will attend together.  She is constantly making us laugh and bringing us joy each and every day!

Dylan is continuing driver’s ed and pursuing web development …and of course playing his guitar any chance he gets!

Some sad news….my beloved grandmother, “Granny”, we call her, passed away last week.  It has been a tremendously sad time for me and my family as we were very close and this wasn’t something that was expected. We miss her greatly.  I will be writing another post specifically dedicated to her and the amazing life that she lived.

Until we meet again…

Christy

Banana Muffins….these muffins were the BEST I’ve ever had…and trust me, I’ve made my share of muffins.  AND they were gluten free!

My parents came by for a visit last Sunday and thankfully, we had a little bit of sunshine and were able to go outside.  Hannah had a fun time playing and Dylan enjoyed seeing his grandparents. Steve was working hard on a new show at Barter Theatre, so he was unable to join us.  Speaking of Barter and more specifically, the show that is opening, Xanadu….Steve thought he was going to have to wear a blonde wig and a dress for this one, but luckily his costume was changed at the last moment…he still had to shave his beard, though.  Pictures and more info on that soon.

While we were outside, Hannah brought a leaf to me with a rock tucked inside it and when I asked her what is was she told me it was a “bed for my rock”.  She is so creative…always using her imagination…I love it!  Another fun thing we did this week…We have the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum for Hannah to use and she really loves the songs on the CD.  She really enjoys Mat Man and putting him together along with the song.  I asked her if she wanted to draw Mat Man and she drew 2 pictures, one was baby Mat Man and one was big Mat Man….and you’ll notice at the top of their heads, she gave them a brain—at first, I thought it was hair—-nope, that’s his brain. Funny girl…

Hannah loves curls and having her hair done, so I thought we might try using sponge rollers to sleep in…then, instant curls in the morning.  She didn’t last very long with those in her hair, so we didn’t get an after pic….but she did love putting them in for a little while

During her OT session this week, she started learning the basic skills of jumping rope. I’m sure she’ll be hopping in no time! She also rode the “turtle”, which operates by her pulling her arms from side to side.  It was a bit challenging for her, but she did great….and was happy doing it! Her cutting skills were used so she could make a purple cat mask.  She is making such great improvement there.  She is an amazing little girl.

Dylan is doing great…playing the guitar and coming up with some fabulous music! and plugging away at his coursework for driver’s ed. Go, Dylan, go!

I am going to be starting a new venture very soon that will allow me to follow some of my passions, but is flexible enough for me to stay near and be present with my family. Everyone who knows me well, knows that I have a passion for advocating for children and especially children with special needs.  So, I am hoping to pursue that a bit more than I have been since we moved to Abingdon. I’ll post more on that later!

Steve officially opens Xanadu this Sunday! He has worked SO hard and I know will be thrilled when Sunday rolls along.  I can’t wait to see the show!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I hope you all are well, happy and finding the joy in each and every day…

Peace,

]]> http://www.untilmylastbreath.com/2011/02/04/food-family-and-fun/feed/ 0 http://www.untilmylastbreath.com/2011/01/29/a-day-in-the-life/ http://www.untilmylastbreath.com/2011/01/29/a-day-in-the-life/#comments Sat, 29 Jan 2011 07:43:05 +0000 Christy http://www.untilmylastbreath.com/?p=123 I’ve been considering for a while what exactly I want to do with this blog.  When I first began writing here, it was mostly a way for me share what was happening with me personally and my thoughts on different areas of interest.  I enjoyed it for awhile, met some great bloggers and was even able to meet some of those people in real life.  I have been out of touch lately, not because I don’t want to be here, but just because life has gotten very busy for us and I just haven’t made the time to write.  I am really feeling the need to write again and I believe I know exactly what my inspiration will be.

After spending the last 4 years helping Dylan finish his high school requirements, he has graduated!  He is still completing his driver’s ed course but plans to have his license by September.  He is pursuing an interest in web design and continuing to master his skills as a guitarist.  I love to hear him play.  I catch myself just basking in his incredible talent…he is such a natural!

With Dylan graduated and Hannah officially beginning her school requirements, I feel a need to use this blog to document our days together.  Partly as somewhat of a journal, so I can recall what we do each day, but also to really highlight the joy of just being with my kids. There is so much negativity out there regarding children in our society…I guess I want to be able to counter that a bit.  Not be adversarial, actually quite the opposite…. Children have the amazing ability to teach us so much about ourselves.  I hope that I can articulate even a small piece of what my children teach me.

So, I have spent the last couple of days taking pictures of the things that we do together and I would like to share them with you.  It is quite amazing what we do in a day, when I take the time to write it out and I feel SO blessed to be able to spend my days with my children. Are there moments of insanity? Absolutely! But we are living it out together and connecting more and more each day.  For that reason alone, I am grateful.

I am going to share some pictures with you of our past two days together.  The slide show is of Hannah and me baking and of Hannah and Dylan playing in the snow.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, you will see Hannah in her therapy session.  Thanks to Dylan for helping me with the photography!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Today, we had a great visit from some friends. Although I didn’t take any pictures, I want to say how grateful I am for this family.  To connect with family is wonderful! To be able to connect with others outside our family and bring them into ours to create a sense of community is something special indeed. Thank you, friends, for renewing a sense of hope for close, accepting friendships. When children are adopted, it is assumed that they are going to be with their “forever family”.  There are certain relationships, I believe, that create “forever friends”. You are those friends.

Peace,

The past few days, I have been trying different recipes for the holiday season.  I really do love this time of the year! All the smells and beauty of the season….all the activities and time together with the family…I just love it all!  I think that it means so much to me because my family of origin always made it such a magical time.  The excitement of Christmas morning always included the opening of gifts and time with family and in our family, this was an all-day affair….no one was left out of that special time.

I have started to ponder the importance of this day and wonder why it can’t be carried over into every day….I mean, really, what’s to stop us from making each day that magical? And I’m not talking about giving gifts every day of the year…I’m talking about the time that we set aside to really BE with one another.  We laugh, listen, sing and play together and think nothing of it—it is expected on Christmas day.  Why can’t we carry this over to every other day of the year?

Are we busy? Absolutely….but I am tired of giving and getting the answer, “I should have called you, life has been so busy”. We can connect, we just choose something else…and usually it is something that we feel can’t be avoided.

So, as I enter this season, I feel compelled to enjoy each moment with each person I come in contact with and hope to spread joy to the people I see…. and maybe carry that sense of love and joy past the holiday season and into the new year!

“Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. “  Leo Buscaglia

*photo courtesy of maple at  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

I have been in awe of the beauty of this Fall season.  The leaves, the colors, the smells…I just want to take it all in! Now that we are in VA, I am able to discover new places to see and explore, taking pictures of everything that I can…Dylan has even caught my enthusiasm and has been clicking away as well! How fun

While admiring the colors of the mountains and trails that I have traveled, I came to realize how beautiful this time really is.  That something that is literally dying, is so beautiful in it’s brilliance. I think it is such a perfect example of the changes that occur within us.  When we are making changes within ourselves, when we come to realize who we really are, who we are meant to be, there is a death that takes place….some of the old patterns and behaviors die (naturally, not forced..it is just a natural occurrence).  Yet something beautiful emerges, something so brilliant that you can’t help but be filled with joy and contentment….like it is all meant to be.  You know that feeling?

Something else that occurred to me…the idea of really paying attention to the beauty in each day. It is easy to see beauty in the changing of the leaves…the vibrant colors excitedly call to you to look at them, to surround yourself in their exquisite features.  But what about when the leaves turn brown and begin to fall on the ground and you are left with bare trees to complete your scenery…where will the beauty be then? Can you find it? I believe that we can….because I believe that there is beauty everywhere…if we choose to see it.  Sometimes it comes in the form of physical beauty, sometimes it is in a simple smile….and sometimes it is in what we can offer another person.

Seek it…it is there.

Give it…it is needed.

So…when you see the brilliant colors, hear the wind blowing the leaves to the ground and smell the scent of Fall, let it remind you to see the beauty of the season, the beauty of each day and the beauty of each moment …let it completely cover you and wrap you it in it’s arms…and let  the beauty you experience become the change in you.