Miss Cameron,
Last night your mommy decided that she needed some quality time with Mrs. Cara that didn't involve any exchange of children. I was beginning to worry that we see each other all the time but don't really get to enjoy our friendship the way we used to. Now all we talk about is your bottles and diapers and naps!
So we let the daddies be in charge last night and went out for some girl time. We had a fast dinner at Pei Wei where we both got completely stuffed (yummy Mongolian beef!) and then went to see "He's Just Not That Into You." The movie is based on a book that two male comedians wrote to get women to stop obsessing over guys that aren't interested in them. Let's just say that the movie was not what I was expecting. There were lots of different stories about relationships and they were all connected in some way or another. These two guys are friends, and then his wife works with this girl, who happens to be dating this guy, who is really in love with her... Anyway, it wasn't all that funny. And the cheating husband really ticked me off. Cara and I decided that we will have to do it again next month and hope for a four-thumbs-up kind of movie.
So here's the top five things that I want you to know about relationships that you DON'T need to watch this movie for:
1. Men don't like women that are desperate or chasing after them all the time. Let them pursue you and they will be much more interested.
2. Marriage isn't all rainbows and kisses. Sometimes it's about forgiveness and compromise, but spending your life with your best friend is wonderful.
3. Women tend to analyze every little thing men say or do. And most of the time, it means the exact opposite of what we think. Wanna know what he's thinking or feeling? You can only ask occasionally without driving him nuts.
4. Attraction doesn't tell you anything about compatibility. I remember some really cute guys that were total jerks to all of their girlfriends. Looks fade, but someone that can make you laugh and knows your shortcomings (but loves you anyway), they are a keeper.
5. Lies are always a deal-breaker. Once they are used to lying about the little things, the big things won't seem so hard to lie about too.
Cameron, you are going to be a smart, independent girl who knows what she is worth. Your Daddy is going to make certain that any man pursuing your interest had better have his act together. Your bar is going to be set high!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Making Time to Say Thanks
Hey little toot,
Quick thanks for barfing on me this morning while I was still in my pajamas. I did have to take another quick shower since it ran right down my tank top, but at least it wasn't on my new blouse that I wore to work today. I really do appreciate that!
Here we are again, the days going by so quickly that I don't even have time to post about all our excitement. Our weekend trip to College Station went so well, and you took a long snooze both ways so I could drive and sing in peace. You are such a good little traveler. We arrived a bit later than I had planned because my "perfect scenario" schedule of the day didn't quite happen. Cameron decided to wake up at 5:30 (on a Saturday!) so we didn't get out the door until 11:00. We made it to Aunt Amy's house around 2:00 and settled into her landlady's big beautiful victorian house next door. They were out of town and graciously allowed me and Mom to crash there. Amy's house is really cute, but is quite cozy (meaning cramped). But I did fall in love with her paint color in the master bedroom and have decided to steal it for when I redecorate our guest bedroom. (More on that later!)
So we did some shopping at the mall, where your Grammy couldn't seem to get enough of you! She decided to take you off for some quality time so that Mommy and Amy could do some intensive shopping. I finally found (well, Amy found) a dress that I can wear to my work's black tie event next month. It is a shimmery blue fabric and fits quite well, if I do say so myself. It is not too fancy so I hope I can wear it again for a nice dinner or party.
We got to just hang out most of the time, and catch up on family things. I got a few good pictures of you with Amy and Grammy so I will try to post them soon. Then after lunch on Sunday, we drove back home to a very lonesome Daddy. He gets bored when he is all by himself! It didn't seem like we had a whole weekend, so I wished I could have had one more day to catch up on things around the house.
But back to work! We had a new staff person start this week at my job, and of course that means that we are busy making her feel welcome and explain everything that we do. It is going to be another busy week because your Uncle Chance is showing a pig in the San Antonio Stock Show tomorrow (I think) so your Grandpa and Gigi are coming to visit! They can't wait to see what a big girl you are! Then this weekend we are helping host the Sweethearts Dinner to raise money for our mission trips through church. It is just a fun night where we cook some amazing food (well, assembling is more my expertise, not cooking) and spend time with friends in a beautiful house. The parents of our close friends have a gorgeous show home in Boerne that they welcome us to use every year.
So just in case I get too tied up to post it later, we had a wonderful weekend and another fun week to look forward to!
Quick thanks for barfing on me this morning while I was still in my pajamas. I did have to take another quick shower since it ran right down my tank top, but at least it wasn't on my new blouse that I wore to work today. I really do appreciate that!
Here we are again, the days going by so quickly that I don't even have time to post about all our excitement. Our weekend trip to College Station went so well, and you took a long snooze both ways so I could drive and sing in peace. You are such a good little traveler. We arrived a bit later than I had planned because my "perfect scenario" schedule of the day didn't quite happen. Cameron decided to wake up at 5:30 (on a Saturday!) so we didn't get out the door until 11:00. We made it to Aunt Amy's house around 2:00 and settled into her landlady's big beautiful victorian house next door. They were out of town and graciously allowed me and Mom to crash there. Amy's house is really cute, but is quite cozy (meaning cramped). But I did fall in love with her paint color in the master bedroom and have decided to steal it for when I redecorate our guest bedroom. (More on that later!)
So we did some shopping at the mall, where your Grammy couldn't seem to get enough of you! She decided to take you off for some quality time so that Mommy and Amy could do some intensive shopping. I finally found (well, Amy found) a dress that I can wear to my work's black tie event next month. It is a shimmery blue fabric and fits quite well, if I do say so myself. It is not too fancy so I hope I can wear it again for a nice dinner or party.
We got to just hang out most of the time, and catch up on family things. I got a few good pictures of you with Amy and Grammy so I will try to post them soon. Then after lunch on Sunday, we drove back home to a very lonesome Daddy. He gets bored when he is all by himself! It didn't seem like we had a whole weekend, so I wished I could have had one more day to catch up on things around the house.
But back to work! We had a new staff person start this week at my job, and of course that means that we are busy making her feel welcome and explain everything that we do. It is going to be another busy week because your Uncle Chance is showing a pig in the San Antonio Stock Show tomorrow (I think) so your Grandpa and Gigi are coming to visit! They can't wait to see what a big girl you are! Then this weekend we are helping host the Sweethearts Dinner to raise money for our mission trips through church. It is just a fun night where we cook some amazing food (well, assembling is more my expertise, not cooking) and spend time with friends in a beautiful house. The parents of our close friends have a gorgeous show home in Boerne that they welcome us to use every year.
So just in case I get too tied up to post it later, we had a wonderful weekend and another fun week to look forward to!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Your Newest Friends
Hi Cameron!
Daddy is picking you up this afternoon and we are having a special dinner date with our friends the Warshaks. We are celebrating the newest member of their family, Baby Jack! I can't wait to see him since he is just a few weeks old and will seem so tiny and adorable next to you.
And in other exciting news, the Pools have finally had their baby! The suspense is over! I was guessing that they were having a boy, but I was wrong... Their new little girl is named Olivia Paige. Hopefully we will get pictures of both of your new friends very soon!
And I think Daddy might be a bit bothered by the fact that you got him a Valentine's Day present. We said we weren't going to get each other anything since we had our (interesting) weekend out, but since it is from you and not me, that doesn't count right? I promise I am not expecting anything from him, so I won't be disappointed. I know he is totally bummed that we will be in College Station, so he will just have some belated sugars to give you when we get back. Your Grammy is so excited to see you and I know she won't believe how much you have grown!
Yeah, time to leave work! See you soon, my funny valentine!
Daddy is picking you up this afternoon and we are having a special dinner date with our friends the Warshaks. We are celebrating the newest member of their family, Baby Jack! I can't wait to see him since he is just a few weeks old and will seem so tiny and adorable next to you.
And in other exciting news, the Pools have finally had their baby! The suspense is over! I was guessing that they were having a boy, but I was wrong... Their new little girl is named Olivia Paige. Hopefully we will get pictures of both of your new friends very soon!
And I think Daddy might be a bit bothered by the fact that you got him a Valentine's Day present. We said we weren't going to get each other anything since we had our (interesting) weekend out, but since it is from you and not me, that doesn't count right? I promise I am not expecting anything from him, so I won't be disappointed. I know he is totally bummed that we will be in College Station, so he will just have some belated sugars to give you when we get back. Your Grammy is so excited to see you and I know she won't believe how much you have grown!
Yeah, time to leave work! See you soon, my funny valentine!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Baby Anythings
Miss Cameron,
Daddy was holding you up in the air the other night (he has started a new game where he says, "Hip hip hooray!" and lifts you up on hooray... You think he is the coolest thing ever.) and he said he could not believe how much you have changed in just three months. You are definitely starting to look like the round babies that I have always loved. I can't help myself and constantly want to nibble on your chubby arms and those squishy thighs. I ask you all the time, "Do you want some butter with those rolls?"
The truth is that there is just something about a baby anything. Everything is cuter when it is small and delicate. Check out this blog that I came across today - this woman rescued a baby coyote and has raised it to live with her on her ranch in Wyoming. The pictures are amazing. I will have to go back when I get home and have more time to really check it all out. But apparently she has a book now too!
Well, just a few more days and then we have some fun weekend plans in store! We are heading to College Station (maybe for an overnight trip?) to see Grammy and all the Delgados, but Daddy is going to work some sporting event here and won't be joining us. Good thing we have a fabulous Valentine's Day surprise waiting for him. He will miss you terribly. I think you are more his "valentine" this year than me!
Daddy was holding you up in the air the other night (he has started a new game where he says, "Hip hip hooray!" and lifts you up on hooray... You think he is the coolest thing ever.) and he said he could not believe how much you have changed in just three months. You are definitely starting to look like the round babies that I have always loved. I can't help myself and constantly want to nibble on your chubby arms and those squishy thighs. I ask you all the time, "Do you want some butter with those rolls?"
The truth is that there is just something about a baby anything. Everything is cuter when it is small and delicate. Check out this blog that I came across today - this woman rescued a baby coyote and has raised it to live with her on her ranch in Wyoming. The pictures are amazing. I will have to go back when I get home and have more time to really check it all out. But apparently she has a book now too!
Well, just a few more days and then we have some fun weekend plans in store! We are heading to College Station (maybe for an overnight trip?) to see Grammy and all the Delgados, but Daddy is going to work some sporting event here and won't be joining us. Good thing we have a fabulous Valentine's Day surprise waiting for him. He will miss you terribly. I think you are more his "valentine" this year than me!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Whale of a Baby
Okay, I am a nerd, and was just reading some stats on the blue whale. You know how you start reading one thing on the internet and then it links you to something else, then something else, and then you have no idea how you ended up there? (Perhaps you are thinking that about this blog!)
But this was just crazy! "Calves are 23 to 27 feet long at birth and weigh 3 tons. (That's like two adult elephants!) Calves nurse for 7 to 8 months and are weined when they reach 52 feet in length. At that time they weigh about 23 tons. During the nursing period, calves consume 100 gallons of the fat-rich mother's milk each day, gain 200 pounds a day, or 8 pounds an hour, and grow 1 and 1/2 inches in length each day."
No more complaints from me! 100 gallons? That sounds exhausting! And Cameron does seem to be growing like crazy, but can you imagine putting on 200 pounds a day? That's like a whole Daddy every 24 hours!
Okay, the nerdiness is starting to subside. Back to work.
But this was just crazy! "Calves are 23 to 27 feet long at birth and weigh 3 tons. (That's like two adult elephants!) Calves nurse for 7 to 8 months and are weined when they reach 52 feet in length. At that time they weigh about 23 tons. During the nursing period, calves consume 100 gallons of the fat-rich mother's milk each day, gain 200 pounds a day, or 8 pounds an hour, and grow 1 and 1/2 inches in length each day."
No more complaints from me! 100 gallons? That sounds exhausting! And Cameron does seem to be growing like crazy, but can you imagine putting on 200 pounds a day? That's like a whole Daddy every 24 hours!
Okay, the nerdiness is starting to subside. Back to work.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Recovering from our Minimoon
Well, our fancy night away didn't exactly go as we had hoped. We were so excited to hear from Cameron's babysitters (Aunt Amy and crew) that not only were they coming to see us, but they were going to be picking up their very first family dog this weekend too! Amy, the vet, has been searching for a great family dog for a few years now and she is super picky since she has seen a million health problems and neurotic behaviors in dogs. She found a beautiful two year old golden retriever on Craig's List FOR FREE that had been returned to a breeder by a woman that had to go into a nursing home. Funny thing is that his name is Bo! They quickly decided to change it and have settled on naming him Becks. Apparently the dog likes to play soccer with you! He has a long beautiful coat that is a strawberry blonde sort of color. When they arrived at our house in the late afternoon, we were so excited that he and Joe Dog got along well and seemed to have fun chasing each other around. Becks is going to need to be brushed alot, and we have lots of golden hair balls decorating our yard as a reminder of him!
So we headed downtown around 5:30 to get checked into our hotel, the Hotel Valencia. It sits on the same street as the Majestic Theatre and some fabulous restaurants, so I was excited that everything was within walking distance. On the inside, I was a bit taken back that the interior of the hotel didn't match the pictures that I had seen online. They have a beautiful courtyard that is the style of a Mexican hacienda, but all the rest was very modern and even industrial-looking! Oh well, the room was nice and didn't have a playpen right next to the bed. What more could we want?
We grabbed a quick drink before dinner at a restaurant on the riverwalk. I had a fabulous pina colada that I had been dreaming about for months! Then we met our friends Chad and Kara for dinner at a great steakhouse, Bohanans. (We decided that "Bo" was the theme of the day!) We shared huge steaks, had a great Riesling, and had great conversation. The whole dinner took 3 HOURS because they have a very relaxed pace of things. Enjoy your wine, have some appetizers, dive into a slow-cooked steak, then some dessert.... We had a great time. We especially laughed at how casual and unformal our bunch was compared to some other patrons. (A waiter carried a tray of tiny sorbets by, and Kara commented that someone was going to "cleanse the palette" between courses, and Bo chimes in, "They got sherbert?"
But things at the hotel sort of went downhill after that. We were asleep by 11:30 even though Bo despised the down pillows/pancakes. For some unknown reason, our phone rang at 3:45 and woke us up, and of course no one was on the other end. And here's the kicker - I couldn't go back to sleep after that. Our neighbors arrived shortly after that, slamming their door a few times and banging their stuff around. And then the fun began. From 4:00 - 6:00 am, it sounded like they were filming an.... "adult movie" next door. I couldn't believe how awful it was. We called security twice but were informed that they couldn't do anything about it since there is no hotel policy against those type of noises. Seriously.
So at 6:00 I decided I might as well get up and get dressed. I went down to the lobby since they graciously offered to give us coupons for a free breakfast in their restaurant. Then I came back upstairs but couldn't go to sleep. I sat in the big leather chair by the windows and listened to the symphony of buses, garbage trucks, Bo snoring occasionally, and a train. About 8:00, I couldn't take it anymore and forced Bo to get up and go with me to breakfast. He had a horrible headache and could barely eat. A few Motrin did him a world of good, and we decided to just head home. I was so exhausted since I had been wide awake since 3:45!
I will say that I was totally impressed with the hotel staff. They were kind about the whole situation and comped $50 of our bill as well as our valet parking. So with everything, we saved $110 in exchange for a night of sleeplessness. (Honestly, if I had known, we would have just gone home after dinner and been totally happy!) Bo felt terrible that I was so upset and was even more worn out and stressed, but I guess that situation could have happened anywhere. Fortunately, he let me take a three hour nap this afternoon, and he is currently snoozing on the couch while Cameron is asleep.
Not exactly the relaxing night away that we were hoping for! As for that couple, I could just about kill you for ruining our first baby-free night, and I will always be more conscientious about the racket I make in hotel rooms after midnight. You never know when two new parents are desperate for some sleep next door!
So we headed downtown around 5:30 to get checked into our hotel, the Hotel Valencia. It sits on the same street as the Majestic Theatre and some fabulous restaurants, so I was excited that everything was within walking distance. On the inside, I was a bit taken back that the interior of the hotel didn't match the pictures that I had seen online. They have a beautiful courtyard that is the style of a Mexican hacienda, but all the rest was very modern and even industrial-looking! Oh well, the room was nice and didn't have a playpen right next to the bed. What more could we want?
We grabbed a quick drink before dinner at a restaurant on the riverwalk. I had a fabulous pina colada that I had been dreaming about for months! Then we met our friends Chad and Kara for dinner at a great steakhouse, Bohanans. (We decided that "Bo" was the theme of the day!) We shared huge steaks, had a great Riesling, and had great conversation. The whole dinner took 3 HOURS because they have a very relaxed pace of things. Enjoy your wine, have some appetizers, dive into a slow-cooked steak, then some dessert.... We had a great time. We especially laughed at how casual and unformal our bunch was compared to some other patrons. (A waiter carried a tray of tiny sorbets by, and Kara commented that someone was going to "cleanse the palette" between courses, and Bo chimes in, "They got sherbert?"
But things at the hotel sort of went downhill after that. We were asleep by 11:30 even though Bo despised the down pillows/pancakes. For some unknown reason, our phone rang at 3:45 and woke us up, and of course no one was on the other end. And here's the kicker - I couldn't go back to sleep after that. Our neighbors arrived shortly after that, slamming their door a few times and banging their stuff around. And then the fun began. From 4:00 - 6:00 am, it sounded like they were filming an.... "adult movie" next door. I couldn't believe how awful it was. We called security twice but were informed that they couldn't do anything about it since there is no hotel policy against those type of noises. Seriously.
So at 6:00 I decided I might as well get up and get dressed. I went down to the lobby since they graciously offered to give us coupons for a free breakfast in their restaurant. Then I came back upstairs but couldn't go to sleep. I sat in the big leather chair by the windows and listened to the symphony of buses, garbage trucks, Bo snoring occasionally, and a train. About 8:00, I couldn't take it anymore and forced Bo to get up and go with me to breakfast. He had a horrible headache and could barely eat. A few Motrin did him a world of good, and we decided to just head home. I was so exhausted since I had been wide awake since 3:45!
I will say that I was totally impressed with the hotel staff. They were kind about the whole situation and comped $50 of our bill as well as our valet parking. So with everything, we saved $110 in exchange for a night of sleeplessness. (Honestly, if I had known, we would have just gone home after dinner and been totally happy!) Bo felt terrible that I was so upset and was even more worn out and stressed, but I guess that situation could have happened anywhere. Fortunately, he let me take a three hour nap this afternoon, and he is currently snoozing on the couch while Cameron is asleep.
Not exactly the relaxing night away that we were hoping for! As for that couple, I could just about kill you for ruining our first baby-free night, and I will always be more conscientious about the racket I make in hotel rooms after midnight. You never know when two new parents are desperate for some sleep next door!
Friday, February 6, 2009
The End is in (Clearer) Sight
Baby C,
Thank goodness it is Friday! Mommy is so excited! Of course, we have to go home and clean the house tonight because we have company coming... More on that later.
We got to sleep in a bit this morning because Mommy had to go to the eye doctor. I was supposed to do my annual checkup last fall, but since I was preggers, they recommended that I wait until my eyes sort of went back to normal. Apparently they can change a bit with all the craziness going on in your body! So today, I finally went in to order some new contacts.
The bad news is that my eyes keep getting worse every year. By the time I am a little old lady, I might be totally blind. Now my left eye is a bit worse than my right, which means I have to have different contacts. It was much more convenient to have the same prescription in both eyes because then I could replace one and still have a ton as backup. Now I have to be more careful about keeping them seperate! Oh well. She gave me a sample pair to wear and they are very comfy and didn't give me a headache from staring at my computer all day!
Just to give you a heads up, Mommy and Daddy are going out on a special date tomorrow night. Your Aunt Amy, Uncle Mina and your cousin Miriam are coming to visit from College Station and agreed to stay the night with you! Daddy has reserved us a very nice hotel downtown and we are going out for a fancy dinner. Mommy might even squish herself into an old dress! So be a good girl and sleep well! Your Aunt Amy isn't exactly a morning person... But she loves you and will tough it out for one night. That's why we have to hurry home and clean the house!
Thank goodness it is Friday! Mommy is so excited! Of course, we have to go home and clean the house tonight because we have company coming... More on that later.
We got to sleep in a bit this morning because Mommy had to go to the eye doctor. I was supposed to do my annual checkup last fall, but since I was preggers, they recommended that I wait until my eyes sort of went back to normal. Apparently they can change a bit with all the craziness going on in your body! So today, I finally went in to order some new contacts.
The bad news is that my eyes keep getting worse every year. By the time I am a little old lady, I might be totally blind. Now my left eye is a bit worse than my right, which means I have to have different contacts. It was much more convenient to have the same prescription in both eyes because then I could replace one and still have a ton as backup. Now I have to be more careful about keeping them seperate! Oh well. She gave me a sample pair to wear and they are very comfy and didn't give me a headache from staring at my computer all day!
Just to give you a heads up, Mommy and Daddy are going out on a special date tomorrow night. Your Aunt Amy, Uncle Mina and your cousin Miriam are coming to visit from College Station and agreed to stay the night with you! Daddy has reserved us a very nice hotel downtown and we are going out for a fancy dinner. Mommy might even squish herself into an old dress! So be a good girl and sleep well! Your Aunt Amy isn't exactly a morning person... But she loves you and will tough it out for one night. That's why we have to hurry home and clean the house!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Daddy's Little Cowgirl
Daddy took this picture of you in your pearl-snap shirt and super cute bow. You were all dolled up on Saturday and he couldn't wait to show you off around town! The only bad part is that we took the picture on Daddy's phone, so it is a bit fuzzy. But you can definitely tell what a gorgeous girl you are turning out to be!
The Orchard
Hi Beautiful,
I have been meaning to post this for quite some time and just can't seem to sit down and do it! Two Sundays ago, we had a visitor to our class at church who is now running a ministry out of California. For a time, he was living in Romania running an organization that trained churches on how to do youth camps. They had great success and the kids were getting to know Jesus and be loved and have ball. But there was a guy that continually bugged him to get involved with orphanages. And of course he said no, that they were already committed to what God had called them to do.
Over the years (still being hounded by this guy), their role changed and they were able to hand off the ministry to people in-country. So he eventually got involved with the orphanages there and fell in love with the kids. They founded Livada (meaning "orchard") Orphan Care, with the name coming from a dream God gave him where he saw an orchard full of fruit falling off the trees, just waiting to be harvested. You can check out their website here, and they even have blog here with lots of pictures and stories of ongoing ministry. After being so personally involved, he even adopted two brothers to his own family. The stories of the particular orphanage were just heartbreaking - there is a trial currently in progress for an abuser that lived there permanently. I got teary-eyed when he talked about how the children live in cribs even up to the age of 5, and no one really picks them up or holds them unless they need to be changed. He said when you would try to hold them, their body would be awkwardly rigid because they weren't sure how to be held, how to lean comfortably onto you. They needed so much attention and weren't getting it at the most crucial time in their lives.
They began to organize mission trips to visit the orphanages and had groups coming from all over the place. For the older children, they would organize games and health services, group therapy sessions, and more. The younger children were basically just given love and affection for an entire week - just being held and rocked, prayed over, and played with. The volunteers that went said that even in just a few days, the children showed new signs of life. I felt such a tug on my heart because those are some of my favorite moments with you, just holding you close and teaching you that your daddy and mommy are the ones you can trust and depend on.
Someday your mommy will tell you all about our trips to Guatemala a few summers ago. We plan to make another trip in 2010 and I feel pretty strongly that I would like to go. We will be changing some of our scheduling to make sure that we get to work with local orphans there. The visit of this man to our class reminded me that God has called all of us to care for orphans (see James 1:27), and that might mean giving money, offering prayer on their behalf, or it might just mean going and holding them for a few days. I love you so much, and wish every child could have someone to care for them. I hope that by next summer, you will be such happy girl that you will let Mommy make one last trip to Guatemala.
And one last thing - we need to start praying now for Mrs. Danielle and Mrs. Lisa. They went with Mommy to Guatemala, but since we are taking this year off, they have decided to go on a trip to Africa! I am a little jealous and can't wait to hear about all the wonderous things they see and all the beautiful people they meet. Mrs. Danielle has a big tug on her heart to adopt from Africa, so this trip will only make that stronger, I am sure!
I have been meaning to post this for quite some time and just can't seem to sit down and do it! Two Sundays ago, we had a visitor to our class at church who is now running a ministry out of California. For a time, he was living in Romania running an organization that trained churches on how to do youth camps. They had great success and the kids were getting to know Jesus and be loved and have ball. But there was a guy that continually bugged him to get involved with orphanages. And of course he said no, that they were already committed to what God had called them to do.
Over the years (still being hounded by this guy), their role changed and they were able to hand off the ministry to people in-country. So he eventually got involved with the orphanages there and fell in love with the kids. They founded Livada (meaning "orchard") Orphan Care, with the name coming from a dream God gave him where he saw an orchard full of fruit falling off the trees, just waiting to be harvested. You can check out their website here, and they even have blog here with lots of pictures and stories of ongoing ministry. After being so personally involved, he even adopted two brothers to his own family. The stories of the particular orphanage were just heartbreaking - there is a trial currently in progress for an abuser that lived there permanently. I got teary-eyed when he talked about how the children live in cribs even up to the age of 5, and no one really picks them up or holds them unless they need to be changed. He said when you would try to hold them, their body would be awkwardly rigid because they weren't sure how to be held, how to lean comfortably onto you. They needed so much attention and weren't getting it at the most crucial time in their lives.
They began to organize mission trips to visit the orphanages and had groups coming from all over the place. For the older children, they would organize games and health services, group therapy sessions, and more. The younger children were basically just given love and affection for an entire week - just being held and rocked, prayed over, and played with. The volunteers that went said that even in just a few days, the children showed new signs of life. I felt such a tug on my heart because those are some of my favorite moments with you, just holding you close and teaching you that your daddy and mommy are the ones you can trust and depend on.
Someday your mommy will tell you all about our trips to Guatemala a few summers ago. We plan to make another trip in 2010 and I feel pretty strongly that I would like to go. We will be changing some of our scheduling to make sure that we get to work with local orphans there. The visit of this man to our class reminded me that God has called all of us to care for orphans (see James 1:27), and that might mean giving money, offering prayer on their behalf, or it might just mean going and holding them for a few days. I love you so much, and wish every child could have someone to care for them. I hope that by next summer, you will be such happy girl that you will let Mommy make one last trip to Guatemala.
And one last thing - we need to start praying now for Mrs. Danielle and Mrs. Lisa. They went with Mommy to Guatemala, but since we are taking this year off, they have decided to go on a trip to Africa! I am a little jealous and can't wait to hear about all the wonderous things they see and all the beautiful people they meet. Mrs. Danielle has a big tug on her heart to adopt from Africa, so this trip will only make that stronger, I am sure!
Monday, February 2, 2009
It's the Armstrongs!
Cameron,
Your mommy was so excited that her old friend Lindsey left a comment on the blog. Mrs. Lindsey has known your mommy FOREVER and is her oldest friend in the entire world. I think I have always liked Lindsey so much because we seem to have the same taste in a lot of things- clothes, music, hobbies (we were cheerleaders together) and even men. We both married cowboys when we weren't really cowgirls! I guess in Texas the odds of marrying a cowboy are better than a lot of other places... :)
Well, Mrs. Lindsey has a beautiful daughter named Avery, and now they live on the 6666 Ranch. Mommy hasn't gotten to see her in a while, but we keep up through Christmas cards and bump into eachother sometimes when we go to visit Abilene. And now we can keep up with them on their blog! Super cute. Just had to send a shout-out!
Your mommy was so excited that her old friend Lindsey left a comment on the blog. Mrs. Lindsey has known your mommy FOREVER and is her oldest friend in the entire world. I think I have always liked Lindsey so much because we seem to have the same taste in a lot of things- clothes, music, hobbies (we were cheerleaders together) and even men. We both married cowboys when we weren't really cowgirls! I guess in Texas the odds of marrying a cowboy are better than a lot of other places... :)
Well, Mrs. Lindsey has a beautiful daughter named Avery, and now they live on the 6666 Ranch. Mommy hasn't gotten to see her in a while, but we keep up through Christmas cards and bump into eachother sometimes when we go to visit Abilene. And now we can keep up with them on their blog! Super cute. Just had to send a shout-out!
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