I posted this song a while ago but just found the video on YouTube and figured I'd try my hand at posting a video! I'm turning into a regular blogging diva! Still not a Kellie Coffey fan but man can this girl sing!
Love & Blessings, Meredith
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Family Dynamics
This past weekend Matt and I had the pleasure of visiting with some family and friends. In each instance I found myself caught up in not only wonderful conversation and fun but also in examining the actual family we were visiting.
Friday night we visited with friends A & L. They are a wonderful new family, welcoming baby N only a few weeks ago. Baby N was delightful: all cute, sweet-smelling and warm like a newborn baby should be. And as we sat sharing yummy pizza I found myself enthralled in watching this new family. The love and adoration that flowed from both A & L for N was profound and just watching A rock and bounce N warmed my soul. While holding N (even though he was only 6 weeks old and I don't know A & L as well as I'd like) I could already see who N resembled. And of course that got me to thinking...
And then Saturday morning I ventured west alone to spend the day with my brother Michael and his wonderful family. With three young boys, Michael and Annie are always on the go and while Michael coached Ethan's football team Annie chased after Jake and Sam on the playground. After the game, their whole family and I ended up at their house. It was such a beautiful day that we spent most of the time outside! Not only did I have a lot of fun but I also had the priviledge to help Jake learn how to ride a two-wheeler! Mid-afternoon Ethan and Jake found their baseball mits and wanted to play baseball. As I was watching Annie help Jake bat, watching my brother's smile spread across his face as Ethan threw the ball and swung the bat with practiced percision and seeing Sam gleefully chase after the ball, once again my heart was warmed. In that instance, they were the picture perfect family - I could see a Norman Rockwell painting in the making. Ethan, Jake and Sam physically resemble both Michael and Annie yet it is their personalities that truly show their blended genes. And that too got me thinking....
Saturday evening found us in Rocky River sharing a wonderfully tastey (if I may say so myself) dinner with my brother Matt and Caleb. I made taco's, Matt (brother not husband) did the dishes and then we relaxed together in the living room. Caleb bebopped in and out, and Matt and I enjoyed visiting with my brother. When Caleb would come down; for a cookie (they were terrific too), to ask his dad something or just to visit the resemblance of Matt (brother) to Caleb was stunning. But beyond looks, Matt and Caleb share this incredible bond... it's sweet, endearing and truly touches my heart. And the strength of their father-son bond once again got me thinking....
And if all that aforementioned thinking wasn't enough, Sunday after church Matt and I headed out for lunch. And because in my opinion 11:00 am is way too early for cheeseburgers from 5 Guys, we walked around the mall for awhile. After a few laps we decided to go eat and who did we see? Matt's brothers Justin and Chris, but actually they saw us! And surprising enough, they were also headed to 5 guys. And while I don't think the cheeseburgers are as good as Fat Burger, lunch was delicious but once again it was the company that made the meal. Watching the teasing and playful yet sometimes serious and protective way Matt, Chris and Justin interact is amazing, the brotherly bond they share goes is real and deep. And that got me thinking....
Being with all of these amazing yet different types of families made me think of what the dynamics of our family will be. What will be more prominent nature or nurture? The scientist in me says that nature will play a part but Matt and I both know that the nurturing of a child plays the bigger, more important part. So I wonder, will our child love baseball or soccer, be quiet or loud, funny or serious, love books, the outdoors or sports? Will they sleep with a blankie, a teddy or have no lovey at all? Will they love all foods itallian or love fruits and veggies? Will they have a sweet tooth or be a potato chip fiend? Who knows? But it makes me wonder... and it's fun to think about?
The only thing that I'm completely sure of is whether our children are caucassian, Ethiopain or Indian, blood-related siblings or a Safe-haven baby; they will be loved and doted upon like baby N and cherished, played with and adored like Ethan, Jake and Sam. They will have a deep resounding bond with their father like Caleb has with my brother and they will have a wonderfully real and loving bond like Matt and I have with Matt, Michael, Tony, Chris and Justin.
Who would've thought a few visits with friends and family could lead to such a long post? k
Love and Blessings, Meredith
And a prize (not sure what kind of prize) to anyone who knows what attributes apply to Matt and which ones apply to me in paragraph 5!
Friday night we visited with friends A & L. They are a wonderful new family, welcoming baby N only a few weeks ago. Baby N was delightful: all cute, sweet-smelling and warm like a newborn baby should be. And as we sat sharing yummy pizza I found myself enthralled in watching this new family. The love and adoration that flowed from both A & L for N was profound and just watching A rock and bounce N warmed my soul. While holding N (even though he was only 6 weeks old and I don't know A & L as well as I'd like) I could already see who N resembled. And of course that got me to thinking...
And then Saturday morning I ventured west alone to spend the day with my brother Michael and his wonderful family. With three young boys, Michael and Annie are always on the go and while Michael coached Ethan's football team Annie chased after Jake and Sam on the playground. After the game, their whole family and I ended up at their house. It was such a beautiful day that we spent most of the time outside! Not only did I have a lot of fun but I also had the priviledge to help Jake learn how to ride a two-wheeler! Mid-afternoon Ethan and Jake found their baseball mits and wanted to play baseball. As I was watching Annie help Jake bat, watching my brother's smile spread across his face as Ethan threw the ball and swung the bat with practiced percision and seeing Sam gleefully chase after the ball, once again my heart was warmed. In that instance, they were the picture perfect family - I could see a Norman Rockwell painting in the making. Ethan, Jake and Sam physically resemble both Michael and Annie yet it is their personalities that truly show their blended genes. And that too got me thinking....
Saturday evening found us in Rocky River sharing a wonderfully tastey (if I may say so myself) dinner with my brother Matt and Caleb. I made taco's, Matt (brother not husband) did the dishes and then we relaxed together in the living room. Caleb bebopped in and out, and Matt and I enjoyed visiting with my brother. When Caleb would come down; for a cookie (they were terrific too), to ask his dad something or just to visit the resemblance of Matt (brother) to Caleb was stunning. But beyond looks, Matt and Caleb share this incredible bond... it's sweet, endearing and truly touches my heart. And the strength of their father-son bond once again got me thinking....
And if all that aforementioned thinking wasn't enough, Sunday after church Matt and I headed out for lunch. And because in my opinion 11:00 am is way too early for cheeseburgers from 5 Guys, we walked around the mall for awhile. After a few laps we decided to go eat and who did we see? Matt's brothers Justin and Chris, but actually they saw us! And surprising enough, they were also headed to 5 guys. And while I don't think the cheeseburgers are as good as Fat Burger, lunch was delicious but once again it was the company that made the meal. Watching the teasing and playful yet sometimes serious and protective way Matt, Chris and Justin interact is amazing, the brotherly bond they share goes is real and deep. And that got me thinking....
Being with all of these amazing yet different types of families made me think of what the dynamics of our family will be. What will be more prominent nature or nurture? The scientist in me says that nature will play a part but Matt and I both know that the nurturing of a child plays the bigger, more important part. So I wonder, will our child love baseball or soccer, be quiet or loud, funny or serious, love books, the outdoors or sports? Will they sleep with a blankie, a teddy or have no lovey at all? Will they love all foods itallian or love fruits and veggies? Will they have a sweet tooth or be a potato chip fiend? Who knows? But it makes me wonder... and it's fun to think about?
The only thing that I'm completely sure of is whether our children are caucassian, Ethiopain or Indian, blood-related siblings or a Safe-haven baby; they will be loved and doted upon like baby N and cherished, played with and adored like Ethan, Jake and Sam. They will have a deep resounding bond with their father like Caleb has with my brother and they will have a wonderfully real and loving bond like Matt and I have with Matt, Michael, Tony, Chris and Justin.
Who would've thought a few visits with friends and family could lead to such a long post? k
Love and Blessings, Meredith
And a prize (not sure what kind of prize) to anyone who knows what attributes apply to Matt and which ones apply to me in paragraph 5!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Drop-off Complete!
We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.Today was a very eventful afternoon for me and Matt. At 2:00 we dropped off 22 lifebooks with MCB (adoption attorney). MCB was very impressed with our lifebook (thanks for all the helpful hints Becky!) and will be sending them out to schools, counselors and the like shortly. After reviewing our lifebook we talked about the next step in our "plan." We have a few ideas (like personalized business cards with our story and our lawyers information) but would love to hear any ideas anyone else used. During our meeting with MCB she also did a mock interview with us. MCB asked questions that she's heard birthmothers ask in the past. To say it was a bit intense is a little bit of an understatement. We definately need to prepare and practice communicating who we are in a more fluid manner. But more than anything she stressed that we need to be genuine, and that is one thing I'm certain we are.
After that meeting was over we rushed west to our church. We had a meeting with one of our pastors, Pastor B. He is the pastor of shepherding at our church and is the pastor that someone would go to if they were in a situation that necessitated needing adoptive parents. We also left a copy of our lifebook with him, for him to show perspective parents if the need arose. This was the main reason for a meeting. A secondary reason arose when conversation turned towards ways that the church itself could help us out. Matt and I don't really know how that would work, but Pastor B is going to talk to the staff and see what, if anything, they're able to do. But once again, the most important thing to do is get our story out there and that was accomplished!
Although our private adoption has now entered the waiting phase, once we get all of this house business settled we are going to have MCB begin our dossier for international adoption. We've narrowed our search down agencies (probably ACGI) that are attorney will work with hand and hand and have also narrowed down country choices. On a side note, its truly amazing the different age, marital and income restrictions other countries have but that could be an entire post itself.
So, thank you for traveling this journey with us, for praying with us and sharing our story.
Love & Blessings, Meredith
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
He Has Risen!
Happy Easter to All! And just a random deep thought... if there was no Easter, would there be a reason to celebrate Christmas?
I for one can't wait to go to church and celebrate the resurrection of my King and then spend the day with our family!
Love and Blessings, Meredith
I for one can't wait to go to church and celebrate the resurrection of my King and then spend the day with our family!
Love and Blessings, Meredith
Printed & Ready
I'm so excited to FINALLY post that something very special was dropped off at FedEx Kinko's on Monday, picked up today and will be "officially" delivered to our adoption attorney MCB Wednesday. Can you guesss what I'm talking about? Yep, you're right.... our LIFEBOOK! While I wish that it had gotten finished quicker I'm glad that we took our time and put our hearts into preparing it because, well in my totally biased opinion, it looks great! I just pray that when a birth mother looks through it, that she not only sees two people who will love, adore and give her chld the best life possible but that she would also see two people who love God. Isn't that what most Christians hope for though?
Love & Blessings, Meredith
We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.
will love, adore and give her chld the best life possible but that she would also see two people who love God. Isn't that what most Christians hope for though?Love & Blessings, Meredith
We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)