Trauma & Triumph

One of my area's of interest and passions as a therapist is trauma and grief work with children and their families. I've often experienced in my practice that when terrible things happen you come face to face with the worst in people but also the best in people. These two stories really caught my eye through following the unfolding trauma events that are continually occurring as a type this in Haiti, both involving children, both amazing in different but similar ways.

If you didn't see this picture of this boy pulled from the rubble a whole week after being buried in it, you have to see the joy on his face and those around him when the finally free him- its absolutely amazing:
http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/pdf/eyevine-haiti-rescue.jpg

This story is also quite moving, I've been impressed with many of the journalist covering these events, the usual code of journalism is don't get involved in the story your covering, stay objective, apart, but as a human being its clear to see that's been about impossible in covering the unfolding events in Haiti:
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/18/anderson-in-the-midst-of-looting-chaos/

Continued prayers for those suffering and for recovery for all touched by this devastation.

Dear baby...less than 100 days!

Dear baby girl,

I really wish I already knew your name. Your dad and I are working really hard to find the right one for you but its been slow going. We've spent hours on baby name websites, brainstorming with friends and family and tossing idea's back forth between each other but so far there's no consensus. I promise we will have a name for you when you get here. I can feel you moving all the time now and I love it. Your dad hasn't been able to feel you kick yet but I'm hoping that will be anytime. I can't believe its less than 100 days till we get to meet you. I love you already and I still can't believe how we blessed we are to have you. You've brought so much joy to our lives already as we await your arrival. See you soon!

love,
Your mama

Pants on the ground.

Ryan and I love to watch the first 4-5 episodes of each American Idol season, we usually lose interest the further it goes but we really enjoy watching all the auditions. Most people love American Idol because it gave us Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and other musical superstars, I love it because it gives us things like William Jung and songs like pants on the ground. Enjoy this video if you haven't seen it yet, I give you the musical genius that is the soon to be mega hit pants on the ground:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvCQsVcHN7c

oh and I forgot about these two cute things sleeping also...

I should submit this to that blog, cute things sleeping...

I forgot about these pictures I took sometime in the last few months. They were too cute to not post. It was a little domino sleeping arrangement with Allie leaning on Rory and Rory leaning on Chloe. I just turned around when everything was quiet back there on trip back from Broken Arrow and they were all out. So sweet!

New Spin on New Years Resolutions...

So here's what I am thinking a year is just to long to commit. We all start out so determined and then so many well intentioned plans fall by the wayside about early to mid February with feelings of defeat and sadness. So inspired by the idea of my good friends and fellow bloggers MM & AM's running a mile a day in December and the reality show 30 days. I am breaking my new years resolutions down by months. The idea is that I am just committing to shorter time and at the end of those 30 days I will have instead feelings of accomplishment, fulfillment and satisfaction. Also along the way I just might learn more about myself, grow in these areas and further strengthen my relationship with God and others. I will confess I thought of not doing much in the way of resolutions for 2010 and just survive the wild rid of becoming a parent but then I thought hey I am going to be a mom and its more important than ever to continue to become person I want to be for her, not perfect but never halting in my efforts to grow and challenge myself. So I am putting it out there for accountability and welcome any others to make their own 30 day plans for a better you in 2010!

January - Ryan and I are committing to eating out only one lunch and one dinner each week.

February- Ryan and I are committing to reading a scripture and praying together each night.

March- Limit myself to one soda a week.

April- This is having a baby month. I think I will leave this month at that.

May- Shopping fast, No extra-curricular shopping only groceries and the necessities, I admit I picked this month thinking with a newborn this will be easier to stick too.

June- No Sweets/Dessert.

July, August, Sept, - Start training to Run 5K at Race for Cure in October

October, November, Dec - Continue training to run the 10K at my work's Reindeer Run next Dec.

Reflecting and Celebrating...

I am very grateful for the many ways God blessed our lives this past year. Sometimes making a list like this is helpful to remind me of this. So here's 9 things in 2009 that blessed our lives in both big and small ways...

1. Found out we are going to have a baby

2. Trip to Key West in July

3. Painted the living room yellow

4. Celebrated 5 years of marriage

5. Ran my first 5K

6. Road trip to Chicago

7. Ryan got his new job!

8. I got a new office at work

9. I discovered Wassail: Finally a hot beverage I actually like besides hot chocolate. I tried out making my first batch at the new years party.

We said goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010 by hosting a dinner party at our house with friends:

good luck trying to take a serious picture with Ryan:

All the friends around the table:

Just the girls:

2010 here we come!