The other night we went to a going away party / fundraiser for this couple who will be traveling to Haiti on July 1 to be mission leads there for 7 months. I want to introduce you to them and their story. It's pretty incredible.

Living For A Cause from Michael Drager on Vimeo.

They also have a website: Living for a Cause -- please visit them, follow them on Twitter, donate if you feel so led.

Have you met my son? If you haven't, I'd like to introduce you to Dominic.



If you have met Dominic, I'm pretty sure you love him. As the saying goes, "To know him is to love him -- and that is very true of Dominic.
Dominic entered the world at 8am on the button on June 24, 2006. I believe we were given June 23 as his due date, which is the day I went into labor. We drove the 45 minutes into the hospital, and I really believed I was going to deliver on the way there. In fact, when we arrived, they were worried that they wouldn't even get me checked in before he arrived. Thankfully (or maybe not), he was turned sideways, which didn't put the right pressure on the right places, so he stalled out. This allowed me to sort of sleep through the night. Lucky Jon got to sleep in those ever-so-comfortable hospital chair-beds, while Amara was tucked safely into bed at our wonderful babysitter's house.

By morning, the doctor said, "Let's get this little guy outta there!" So essentially, she reached in and pulled.

The next several hours and days were a whirlwind. I'm glad that I documented them then, because now it's a blur. I remember them being some of the worst hours and days of my life. There were some scares about his health, he spent a couple hours in the NICU, a coupld days under bili-lights, and I had literally some of the worst nurses I've ever experienced. But thankfully, I don't really remember all of that. His name means, "Belonging to God" -- and I'm so thankful that we gave him back to God before he was even born, because God certainly took care of him that day.

In hindsight, none of the issues were as extreme as they felt that day -- something about hormone surges, lack of sleep, and far away family make everythign more extreme. As I sat in the NICU with my 8lb 2oz baby, looking at the tiny ones surrounding me, I was so grateful to know that it would be a short stint.

And look at the little guy now:


The labor was fast. The delivery and following hours / days were chaotic. And his life has, in many ways, continued on that "whirlwind' path. Dominic is, by definition, a whirlwind! He's a little bundle of energy that can just as quickly as he flashes by, flash back, jump in your lap, and give you a hug that melts you to the core. He's my "snuggle buggle" and he's very proud of that fact. He's quick to tell you he's not a baby, but conceeds that he will always be MY baby, and he's OK with that, too.

Last night he promised to take care of me when he grows up to be 41, which he declared to be very old. He then added that 27 is very old, too. Guess I'm old. But that's OK.

Dominic is the child who my mom promises will make my hair turn gray before hers does. I don't doubt her. He has a gift that I attribute to his father, and I do believe it's a bit of his Great Grandfather (on Jon's side of course) reincarnate -- he can walk that line and maybe even toe over it -- but charm his way out of it. He has a mischevious twinkle in his eye that tells you he's up to no good, but also assures you that he'll win you over anyway.

We joke with his teachers that we really have to keep him in line, because if we don't he will be a delinquent. He's got them all fooled, and they assure me that he's always so well behaved, polite, etc -- a charmer, I tell you! But that's just it -- he IS all those things -- well behaved, polite, kind, loved by everyone. That's why it's so hard to believe he could ever be a deviant. We'll have to keep him in line so he doesn't expose that side of himself (a side I'm quite sure we all have).

Seriously though, this little boy is a light. He is loved by everyone. He loves to make people smile and laugh. He's got a humor, a vocabulary, and a sense of other people that are well beyond his years. He's almost never in a bad mood. He's tender hearted but still tough as nails.

As wonderful as all that other stuff is though, my favorite part of him is his love for God. Several months ago we picked him up from Sunday School and his teacher was gushing over the prayer that he said. She said it was the sweetest most sincere prayer -- but more than that, she was impressed as he was the only one who would offer one. He evangelizes to his classmates. At Christmas he told them it's OK to love Santa as long as you love Jesus more. When they asked who Jesus is, he said, "He died on the cross to save me from my sins." This week he came crying into our room at 3am and said, "Mommy, I need you to pray for me." I asked him what was wrong. He said, "I need you to ask Jesus to keep all the scary thoughts out of my head." So last night we started with that prayer. And this morning I over heard him telling Amara, "Well God gave me lots of good dreams last night." Late last year, Amara gave her heart to Jesus. Dominic said that he did too. He repeated to me all the truths that are essential -- that Jesus is God's son, he lived as a man, died on the cross, rose again to save us all for our sins, and now lives in heaven. But I was kind of hesitant, thinking perhaps he memorized it but didn't really internalize it. But I'm not so sure... I know that God hold's this child in the palm of His hand. And I'm pretty confident now that Dominic has given his life and his heart to Jesus, too. Man, I really pray that the relationship my kids have with Jesus right now continues to be as close, as real, as tangible as adults as it is right now.

I do believe I could go on and on. So I'll cut myself off. In closing though, I offer immense thanks to God for the amazing gift He has given me in both of my children. I'm not deserving of such incredible blessings.

Happy Birthday, little man! Here's a special Dominic kiss, just for you!

On June 24, 2010, at 8:00 AM on the button, we were blessed with this most precious gift and our little family was complete.



Dominic means "child of God" -- and that, he most certainly is.

We love you, little D-man

This weekend I had the opportunity to go home to visit my home town, my home state -- in the NORTH.

You see, about 2 years I officially moved "south." I guess technically I did that several years ago when I moved to Baltimore, which is south of the Mason Dixon line. But Baltimore just didn't feel "south" to me. Nor did Cincinnati. Arkansas, on the other hand, feels "south." And to be honest, I've had a bit of a hard time adjusting to southern living.

Don't get me wrong -- the people are wonderful. It's never about the people. It's customs and traditions that I just can't quite wrap my head around - nor do they really fit my personality.

Here are a couple of examples:

- Many southern women will choose to dress up for sporting events. I'm more likely to paint my face! I wouldn't be caught dead in a dress at a game -- and definitely no pearls!

- While we're on the subject of dresses, many southern women love to dress up, and always look perfect when they leave their house - not a hair out of place. I'm envious of those women because they do make it look effortless, and they do always look good. But while being slightly envious of their seemingly effortless perfection - I have no desire to attain that! I'd MUCH rather go out in a pair of sweats and flip flops than heels and a skirt. If I hadn't chopped off my hair, I'd be most happy in an unshowered ponytail. :)

- China patterns and monogrammed everything is big down here. Admittedly, a wee bit of monogramming has wooed me in. But China, ugh, no way. We didn't register for China simply because I knew I'd break it!

- My latest -- the kids didn't go outside to play yesterday for long because it was too hot. It was 90. And in the winter, they don't go outside because it's too cold. It was 30. When I was a kid (aside from walking up hill both to and from school), 30 degrees was a balmy winter day that didn't require a face mask and snow pants! Seriously though - let the kids go outside. Fresh air and running around is GOOD for them!

While I was home last weekend, here are a few things I realized I miss about the north. Or at least my little corner of the north.



The daylight hours last forever! I always thought that summer seemed to last an eternity. Summer holds some of my fondest memories, and I think I entered a brief depression each year as it ended. I was excited for school to start, but summer was magical. I do think the number of daylight hours have a lot to do with it. It's still light at 10pm!



Look any direction and you have an unobstructed view of the world. The rib on SD is that there are no trees. And I do love trees. But the glory of being able to see forever is amazing there. You see the lush fields (OK, this picture shows cattails in a slough), the green prairie, God's beautiful blue sky. You realize just how big the world is. There is no feeling of claustrophobia when you have this much wide open space.



Rhubarb! Seriously, I didn't realize how much I loved this fruit until I left it. I tried unsuccessfully to grow it in both Baltimore and Cincinnati. Not going to waste my time in Arkansas. Each time my parents visit I request that they bring a bunch. My mom made this incredible dessert (not hers pictured above - but similar). She made a cheesecake and topped it with rhubarb sauce. More than one of us helped ourselves to 3rds of dessert that night. It was DIVINE. It's tart goodness cannot be matched. My Dad's cousin who joined us that evening for dinner (and who also now lives in the south) suggested that northerners really should bottle and sell rhubarb sauce, jam, desserts -- all sorts of delicacies -- and open stores in the south. It would catch on like wildfire.

I had a most wonderful visit "home" and am now back in my southern home. I will say that from an annual perspective I definitely prefer the southern temperature. And I'm not real eager to permanently return north to move out of it. However, despite where I live, I will always be a northern girl at heart.

On the way into work this morning, the radio station I was listening to posed the question, "What would you say to your 8th Grade self?"

I thought it was an interesting question. Many callers called in offering advice, encouragement, suggestions for stock purchases....

It's a question I've kind of been mulling over all day, and I find my own responses to be a bit of a study in extremes. On one hand, I'd tell myself not to take things so seriously. On the other hand, I'd tell myself to work harder and not allow myself to be lazy. Perhaps I've still not figured things out (OK, so I know that's true...)

So here I am... my 8th grade self. This picture was taken in 1989.

Dear 8th Grade Self, here are some things you really should know....

- The friends you have right now will still be among your best friends in 30 years. Value them. Cherish them. Nurture those relationships. You're blessed to be growing up in a small town with people who will be important to you for life -- this is unusual and very special.

- The things you deem as crises right now will seem so trivial to you as an adult. They are weighty, they will shape your life -- but in ways much more positive and strengthening than you'd ever imagine.

- You may think your parents are too strict and feel like "everyone else gets to do this" -- but be thankful for that. They're leading you down a path that is not always straight, not always clear, and they're buffering the pitfalls for you. You will absolutely thank them for that one day, and you will also raise your children just as strictly.

- Forget your idea about never marrying and living with a houseful of dogs. Married life and children are amazing blessings.... and dogs shed and aren't welcome in restaurants and hotels. Kidding... dogs are still great... but not nearly as much as a husband and children.

- Don't allow yourself to get lazy and settle for "good enough" -- you're better than that. And the rest of the working world will eat you for dinner if "good enough" is all the work you're willing to put forth.

- Remove your mask. People will like you even if you let them see the "real" you. You don't have to put on a false strong front.

- Don't be afraid to fail. Try new things. Don't limit yourself only to that which you know you can do well. Branch out! Perfection will never happen even in things you're good at -- so give some other things a shot!

- Believe in yourself. Stay strong. Stick to your principles and ideals. You were brought up with good ones. You were brought up to be strong and independent. But... don't be afraid to rely on other people too, and ask them for help.

- Being raised in a Christian home is not something to be taken for granted. Being raised in a solid family isn't either. You are blessed beyond measure.

- Don't be afraid of confrontation or think that people will "hate" you for "arguing" with them. If you have an opinion, voice it respectfully; most people appreciate and respect directness more than avoidance.

- Quit spending all your extra money on candy -- your metabolism will not always be what you're enjoying now!

- As much as you THINK exercise and outdoors will always be an integral part of your life -- your work life and family life will make it nearly impossible. Figure out now how to be disciplined in all things (including cleaning), so they require less effort in 30 years.

- Make your bed and clean your room.

- Fish is good. So is seafood. Coffee is still not.

- You WILL use math. Every day. Every. Single. Day. Pay attention! (And don't KLEP out of it in college.)

- The lessons learned in childhood will be as important as an adult as they were as a child: "Always remember who you are and Whose you are." and "Always leave a place better than you found it."

- Your childhood will forever be "enshrined in gold" in your memories -- cherish the moments as you live them.