What a Tennessee ice storm looks like:
Yep, that’s the extent of it! We had 70 degree weather and tornadoes this past weekend, and now icy conditions through the week. At least it’s beginning to feel like winter, right?!
I’m not a cold weather gal, so I really can’t complain. Hope you all are staying warm today!
Two years ago today we were flying home from Hong Kong, exhausted, overwhelmed, a bit scared but very excited.
That means Big Brother has been home for two entire years! What a wild, crazy adventure it’s been. Although Big Brother has come so far, he still has so much to overcome. But we’ll get there. We couldn’t be more proud of you, Big Brother!
Mommy and Big Brother, the first day we met (January 10, 2011)
Big Brother and Little Man checking each other out at the orphanage in Hong Kong
Can you relate? I have found myself repeating this quote over and over again this week! Pretty much sums up our life right now….
When I look back over the past 31 years of my life, the moments that stand out most sharply in my mind all tend to all have one thing in common-they all have that rare ability to make my stomach tumble and steal my very breath.
There are many moments I recall….like jumping into the ocean for my first dive at 12 years old or walking down the aisle to the handsome guy that would soon become my husband. Spectacular sunsets, walks on the beach and misty, muddy hikes through the woods. Also those moments when the early morning sun filters through the trees in such a majestic way that it nearly brings tears to your eyes.
Then there are those moments that not only take your breath away but usher in a new chapter of your life–like becoming a mom for the first time as I stood and held Little Man in an orphanage in Vietnam….
And that moment in Hong Kong when Big Brother first looked at me–I mean really looked at me–and smiled….
And then the surreal moment when I saw a little, tiny heartbeat appear on a monitor as I laid in the doctor’s office, wondering what I did to deserve so many blessings….
These fleeting moments that are forever engraved in my mind seem so simple but yet so profound. I love awaking each day with anticipation that I’ll have a chance for just one more…
As 2012 is winding down, I feel a little sad that my family and I have not been able to spend as much time outdoors as we normally do. With three rounds of family strep (yes, 3!!) and other medical issues, getting outdoors has been hard for us over the last couple of months. So I’m really looking forward to getting back in the groove of outdoor livin’ in 2013. To cheer myself up a bit, I decided to take a look back and reminisce on our favorite outdoor moments of 2012.
12. New Year tree huggin’ on Fiery Gizzard Trail (our fave trail), January 2012
11. Autism and the healing power of nature, February 2012
10. Nature day with mama, March 2012
9. First canoe trip of 2012, April 2012
8. Nature for all, May 2012
7. Mother’s Day Caving, May 2012
6. The Great Sand Dunes, June 2012
5. Mini Muddy Buddy Run, July 2012
4. Alone in the wilderness, August 2012
3. Adventure and the special needs child, June 2012
2. Alpine Views in Colorado, June 2012
1. Water fun and Little Man’s 1st Kayak, July 2012
So what was your favorite moment of 2012? Any adventures you want to share before the new year falls upon us?!
Have you ever thought about what you would do if an emergency struck? I often think about it now that I am a mother. Protecting my family is my number one priority and it’s hard to imagine what would happen if tragedy really did strike. Even though a lot of us try and prepare, it’s not something anyone can ever be totally ready for, in my opinion.
Imagine, however, that you live in a place where it’s already a struggle to survive. Areas that are war-torn or in conflict, developing nations where food is scarce and unending droughts make feeding your family nearly impossible. It is truly hard to imagine.
So for my final social good post of the year, I’m going to tell you about the World Food Programme and how they help feed families who have lost everything in midst of an emergency:
Drought, hurricanes and armed conflict. These three emergencies have one thing in common – hunger.
When emergencies hit, families depend on World Food Programme (WFP) for life-saving food. To ensure we’re there when we’re needed, we rely on you.
This holiday season, your donation can provide life-saving food for refugees fleeing conflict in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, families facing the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in Haiti, and mothers struggling to feed their kids due to drought in Somalia.
Here’s how you can help a family devastated by a recent emergency:
• $35 provides nutritious food for 2 weeks
• $75 provides food for 1 month
• $150 provides food for the next 2 months
If you are looking for a way to pay forward all the blessings you’ve received over the past year, this is a great place to start!
Simply go here to donate.
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I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health.
Our Motto: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children.
Our Christmas was truly blessed this year.
There were presents…
Fun with family…
And even one huge surprise…
Looking forward to the new year! I have a feeling it’s going to be a magnificent one.
Happy New Year Everyone! Wishing you lots of love and blessings in the coming year.
Do you believe in Christmas miracles? If so, please see my previous post. It would mean a lot to me if you took the time to read and act. It means a lot to me this particular Christmas….
Still trying to think of a last minute gift for that person on your list who has everything? Instead of hitting the crowded mall, why not save a life instead? You can with a just a click of your mouse and it’s certainly not too late.
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Did you know that 800 mothers die each day while giving birth? 800. Think about that number. 800 hopeful, nervous women who long to hold their precious gifts will not live to do so.
Maternity Worldwide wants to change this staggering statistic. And you can help them do it this year by simply purchasing a ‘Save a Life This Christmas’, their alternative Christmas gift of a Safe Birth Certificate for $24 and $81 for an emergency delivery for a mother in sub Saharan Africa
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The Statistics:
Having a baby should be a time of great joy and hope. But every year across the world 287,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth. That’s one mother dying every 2 minutes, 800 each day. Another 7-10 million women and girls suffer severe or long lasting illnesses caused by complications in pregnancy and childbirth. These women do not need to suffer and die; most lives could be saved relatively easily and cheaply.
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But there is hope. In fact, there’s a solution that you can be a part of today.
By ordering a Safe Birth Certificate you will enable a mother in a developing country to safely give birth to her baby. Long after the bubble bath has been used and the Christmas hampers have been eaten you will have given a lasting gift which will save a mother’s life and enable her baby to grow up with their mum.
A Safe Birth Certificate can be personalised with your own message and either sent directly to the recipient or to you to give to them. Order one here today: http://www.maternityworldwide.org/news/save-a-life-this-christmas
(Maternity Worldwide’s website is British so the amounts are in pounds. When you give, it will automatically change to dollars upon checkout.)
So what are you waiting for? Give the best gift under the tree–a chance to save a life.
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I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health.
Our Motto: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children.
2012 was so good to us. I’m very grateful today that there is a fresh, new year looming on the horizon and that we get to spend it together.
I don’t know what this new year will bring. I’m sure there will be trials and difficulties as well as joys and triumphs. Whatever is in store, I’m just so glad we will be able to face it together.
Blessings to you all on this December day. I hope that your new year will be merry and bright as well.
A global blogging adventure to visit Heifer International projects in 12 countries in 12 months in 2012
short letters to autism from a not so super SuperMom
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