tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157733422024-03-07T12:13:51.155-08:00just so you know...Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.comBlogger289125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-41187721128939603172013-04-23T19:20:00.003-07:002013-04-23T19:20:19.636-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-16079365144062756042012-04-19T21:37:00.000-07:002012-04-19T21:38:57.049-07:00lately ...<div style="text-align: center;">
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i am in middle of two fictional novels and one biography. and loving it.</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-879243388723803242012-04-15T21:20:00.005-07:002012-04-20T18:12:01.502-07:00For The BirdsI just ordered an urban chicken coop for the backyard! I am super stoked about it! Raising chickens is an idea we have tossed around for years. Both Seth and I had chickens growing up.<br />
<br />
From an early age deviled eggs was one of the first things I learned how to make. SO.MANY.EGGS.<br />
<br />
Our coop is going to be much smaller than the one I had growing up, but it is appropriate and proportional for our backyard in the city. I think it will yield the perfect amount of eggs for our family. <br />
<br />
The plan is to have three or four girls in there. We may put up some chicken wire to expand where they can roam during the day, and shoo them back in the coop at night. <br />
<br />
So anyway, here is a couple photos from online ... when we actually get everything set up I will probably take some of my own.<br />
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<img alt="" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/6936675970_55c1988672_c.jpg" width="600" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-86039491858084917972012-02-07T16:06:00.000-08:002012-02-07T16:13:00.030-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="364" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6838409713_8aa108850b.jpg" width="323" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-15987701380751415632012-01-31T17:53:00.000-08:002012-02-01T09:22:24.172-08:00Dandelion Wishes<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577195144014038270.html">FDA Approves Cystic Fibrosis Drug - The Wall Street Journal</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/kalydeco-cystic-fibrosis-cause-drug_n_1244218.html">Kalydeco, Drug That Treats Root Cause Of Cystic Fibrosis, Approved By FDA</a></div><br />
<br />
This news is big. HUGE in fact. This is the first time that there has been a drug to tackle the root cause of Cystic Fibrosis and not just a symptom. People throw around the word CURE left and right, and this my friends is the closest thing to a cure that I believe we will see.<br />
<br />
More than 1,000 mutations in the CFTR gene have been identified in people with CF. I have the classic and most common ΔF508, and one other mutation. This drug, which was approved by the FDA today is for only one of these mutations, G551D, as far as I understand. While G551D is NOT the most common, it causes CF in about 4% of the CF population, some 1,200 people in the United States. I have heard of other CF friends (G551D's) who were participants in the trial phases of Kalydeco, and who claimed it was immensely helpful.<br />
<br />
Just to clarify, since this is my blog, this drug will probably not affect me. Not only am I the wrong mutation, but I am post transplant and so my health worries lie elsewhere, such as infection/rejection. Even if they were to develop a drug for ΔF508's, in a way it is too late in my own life. At most I could imagine it helping perhaps with my sinuses and G.I.<br />
<br />
<i>But that is not what I want to talk about.</i><br />
<br />
I want to talk about my childhood prayers. My wishes on every birthday cake. My wish for every dandelion I blew into the wind. <br />
<br />
<b><i>A cure for CF.</i></b><br />
<br />
And although I am fully aware that this is not exactly a cure for all CFers, I now have hope for that dream. For those babies being born today with the gene mutation of G551D, it is coming true.<br />
This might snowball into other drugs being developed for other CFTR mutations.<br />
<br />
If just one child can be spared the suffering and pain I have had to endure because of Cystic Fibrosis, than my wish has come true.<br />
<br />
1,200 people being <i>CURED</i>. What an awesome, amazing, exciting day in the CF community.<br />
And ΔF508 is next guys, just wait and see. Correcting G551D shows that it is<i> possible</i>.<br />
We're coming up!<br />
<br />
If anybody reading this has ever donated money to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation I want to tell you, as I hold back the tears - THANK YOU. It certainly has helped a hell of a lot during my lifetime!<br />
<br />
Thank you God, from whom all blessings flow ...Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-46175764704015259122012-01-11T21:28:00.000-08:002012-01-11T21:28:12.918-08:00Lemonades<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6682801359_57ccef4507_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I love having a lemon tree. Picked, washed and squeezed up some fresh lemonade from our yard this afternoon. It was a gorgeous day, a flip-flop, walk-to-places-instead-of-drive kind of a day. And if anyone near wants some lemons, swing by, because there is still more than plenty hanging on our tree.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I love you making lemonades" - Aiden (to me)</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-41841107399111696932012-01-06T19:09:00.000-08:002012-01-06T19:15:51.125-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7l8o1gINMHU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><br />
song of the day. been slinking around the house to the non acoustic version of this song all week long. pretending i'm sexier than i really am. <br />
<br />
today is the last day of christmas break. i love levi to death - but i am so ready to send him back to school. i don't know how people homeschool. props to ya all.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-87441757404335916282012-01-03T12:20:00.000-08:002012-01-03T12:20:23.027-08:00it's more fun this way<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6630064277_e362c6cdc3_z.jpg" width="538" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-12328357815442232062011-12-30T20:19:00.000-08:002011-12-31T11:38:52.864-08:00Finalization!Hello! I am way behind on update type posts.....<br />
<br />
Aiden is adopted! Yay. Everything is done! No more paperwork, social worker visits, etc. <br />
<br />
<i>It feels good. </i><br />
<br />
Aiden is now related to us as if he had been born to us. The finalization was November 18th - oh what a fun day it was. We all came to the courthouse, told to invite as many friends and family as we wanted. My good friends Myrna and Christina came with their kids. My grandparents drove all the way up from Southern California. My parents came and so did Aiden's old foster family, Beth and Lily and their kids.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the court, I had to stash my weapons (mace, haha) in a bush on the outside of the building. We all went through the metal detectors and then crammed in an elevator to the courtrooms. The mood in the air was such a contrast to the last time we had been in court. Back in April when Aiden's biological mom was losing all of her rights to him, it was a very sobering, sad day - even for Seth and I. This time was different. The atmosphere in the air was one of happiness and joy. <br />
<br />
The county did such a great job of making it super special for us. They had a table of refreshments, they gave Seth apple cider, myself a bouquet of flowers and Aiden a bouquet of balloons. The newspaper photographer was there to capture the moment, along with two other photographers. We sat down as a family, they arranged us, took a few shots and five minutes later handed us a framed family portrait with the date printed on it.<br />
<br />
When it was our turn to go before the judge in the family court, everyone could come in. All of the normal courtroom rituals and rules seemed to be thrown out the window for this very special occasion. We did not stand as the the judge entered the room, the bailiff didn't call the court to order - everything was very casual. Every child in the room was allowed to pick out a stuffed animal to take home. <br />
<br />
The judge walked up to Aiden and asked why he was here. He said "a party"(hehehe). She then proceeded to ask who I was... he said "my mom" and then she asked who Seth was. He said "my dad"<br />
The whole thing was adorable and sugary sweet. <br />
<br />
We signed a paper to finalize (even Mr. Aiden got to sign) and then we raised our right hand as we swore to love, protect, care for Aiden and treat him as our own. Then the judge introduced us to her mother and proceeded to tell us that she was in a quilting group and they had made a quilt for Aiden!<br />
<br />
We then gathered and took a few snapshots to remember the special day by.<br />
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</div><br />
Afterwards we came back to the house and had a potluck type party. Aiden had so much fun he said he wanted to go back and do it again.<br />
<br />
Also because of national adoption day being Saturday the nineteenth the newspaper decided to run a front page story and the family they chose to feature was ours! Also the Watsonville Patch did an article about us too. Here is the link to the Santa Cruz Sentinel if you want to check it out:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_19368320">Forever family: Parents, children seal lifelong bonds in Watsonville courtroom</a></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-74413945673667931712011-12-22T16:19:00.000-08:002011-12-22T16:24:37.305-08:00to do list<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="562" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6556353025_6df8df7c79_o.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">( and finish Christmas shopping... )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="16" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6556613847_e77fd4baa3_o.gif" width="16" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-30022320328556290472011-12-20T22:16:00.000-08:002011-12-20T22:16:50.974-08:00the annoying thing about having a really bad cold is it slows you down to the point where all you can do is lay around and think. but at the same time your brain is too foggy to think. it really is a pretty lame catch 22 if you ask me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WIF4_Sm-rgQ" width="420"></iframe></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-30388319827082130932011-12-10T23:01:00.000-08:002011-12-10T23:32:19.419-08:00noëlWe chopped down a tree today! Way too late for my taste, but we have been in and out of town like a fiddler’s elbow. Christmas music, hot chocolate with marshmallows, candles and love made for a great day.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6491008267_73af5652fc_b.jpg" width="696" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-55387189882655534352011-12-07T19:24:00.000-08:002011-12-07T19:24:54.878-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="691" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6474898279_33d10489b3_o.png" width="368" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-82728917557383143722011-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:002011-12-06T22:37:58.708-08:00For MarjieFor Marjie. (She is always encouraging me in my writing)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">- - -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Fiery red hair and sparks of wildness tamed into an ever gentle sweetness. A quiet warrior - pain. heartache. Things are good, things are great, things are not so great and there a smile remains upon her face. Lips stretched across her teeth as if holding the world together, holding her family together.<br />
<br />
The amount of lullabies that have passed through those lips, the amount of stories read, memorized. Reciting without the need to glance down at the pages upon her lap. Sparking children's imaginations, feeding their artistic souls.<br />
<br />
Nurturing,<br />
Nurturing,<br />
Ever Nurturing.<br />
<br />
Her glamourous, old hollywood beauty catches you off of your guard. Timeless gorgeousness as a sunset. Grace and kindness with every bat of her eyelashes and with every giggle. A little girl, a mother, a grandmother all wrapped up. Eternal.<br />
<br />
Legacy. Children, like jewels, adorn the crown which is her glory. Strength, honour, loyalty.<br />
<br />
Blushing.<br />
Humble.<br />
Loved.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="6 mushrooms" height="214" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6470216427_64eba8629c_m.jpg" width="240" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-88532079523948876412011-12-05T20:01:00.000-08:002011-12-05T20:04:11.481-08:00my pancreas hurtsor an ulcer?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="313" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6463872327_0926a18dd1_o.png" width="500" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-82052782676530182122011-11-13T21:51:00.000-08:002011-11-13T21:51:26.906-08:00maze<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="561" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6342667601_6ed9b126fb_z.jpg" width="392" /></div><br />
- james jeanLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-69756585414780795642011-10-28T19:08:00.000-07:002011-10-28T19:14:32.154-07:00Shooting FriendsTwo of my favourite things are:<br />
1) Friends<br />
2) Taking photos<br />
<br />
Put them together and I am a happy girl. That's what this is below ... a photo shoot I did of some very good friends of mine. I have known Jalen since he was just a kid himself. He is full of attitude, determination and bursting with personality. Stacia is an awesome, responsible mom, and has a great sense of humor. And little Harmony is so cuddly and is cute as a button. I could snuggle with her all day. I love them tons.<br />
<br />
As I said earlier in the month, this October has been beautiful and warm here in Santa Cruz. It was slightly nippy the day we took these but not bad for October, not bad at all. I had so much fun shooting them, and they have asked me to take their wedding photos down in LA next summer. I am already looking forward to it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh4" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6289973847_9533d24578_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh3" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6290489912_0e7c45157e_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh1" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6290486880_cc1f9c880b_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh13" height="479" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/6289999363_e3f5c8421a_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh8" height="414" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6290499130_ae419d2735_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh7" height="419" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6290497800_9fd606af4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh5" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6106/6289976497_911cab88bb_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh6" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6290496276_8892762189_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jsh14" height="479" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6290007429_6d56c82931_z.jpg" width="640" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-90030191328287300862011-10-24T17:44:00.000-07:002011-10-24T18:06:48.195-07:00Swing<div style="text-align: center;"> This past summer after browsing the interweb, feeling full of crafty inspiration I came up with the idea that I was going to build a swing for my backyard. I saw a photo of a regular chair with the legs sawed off that had been painted, hung and converted into a nice little swing. I posted it to facebook stating my intentions to go build one of my very own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well that very same week I learned that my great grandma was about to pass away. I put all plans on hold - and traveled with my mom and kids to Southern California to go visit GGGG (for short) one last time. It was a really hard week emotionally. We had a sucessful trip - made it down to Oceanside in time to give our goodbye hugs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I arrived back up in Santa Cruz I found this chair waiting for me at the back door and attached to it an absolutely perfect card from my dear friend Julie. She had scored it from her bargain hunter landlady and very thoughtfully dropped it off for my craft project.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6278365930_fd115fe61e_z.jpg" width="427" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What a sweet surprise. I immediately went to work. Seth let me use his power tools... but I didn't want him helping me - I wanted to build it on my own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="427" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6277849487_f4443fc72e_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First I sawed off the legs. That part was fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="427" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6278375016_2ae9a2887f_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then came time for sanding. I did the large areas with an electric sander and the more intricate parts by hand. I had to take a couple of trips to the hardware store to buy primer, paint, chain and a 2x4.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6277856045_efbe8b2d0b_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
. . .<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6278380004_e9c0a8bacc_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought spray cans for both the primer and final coats of paint thinking that it would be easier that way, but if I could go back in time and do it over I would totally use a can and just brush it out. That way I could apply the paint thicker. The wood just soaked up the paint and so I had to apply way too many coats of both the primer and the final colour.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="428" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6234/6278383014_a5c2c8c3b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally settled on candy apple red. I painted the 2x4 portions to match and then screwed the chair onto the boards for a base, and for somewhere to hang the chain from.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6278387902_fc773d9d8b_z.jpg" width="427" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I <i>really</i> love the way it turned out - HAHA <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: sans-serif, arial, 'Arial Unicode MS', 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana; font-size: 28px; line-height: 56px;">↓</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6034/6278534244_78e24dc508_z.jpg" width="427" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you again Julie. I love you friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="156" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6278012325_d700c5b7f8_m.jpg" width="240" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-42032500029101893002011-10-20T10:56:00.000-07:002011-10-20T11:07:03.025-07:00skinny lovesong of my week. i love this version of this song. on repeat. and more repeat.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aNzCDt2eidg" width="560"></iframe></div><br />
and this video makes me want to watch the newest jane eyre again. i saw it at the cinema and watched it several times when it was at my house from netflix. but i enjoyed it so much i think i am going to have to buy it. <br />
<br />
love<br />
love<br />
love it.<br />
<br />
now if only someone would create a decent movie of her sister's book <i>wuthering heights</i>. i loved the book, but have yet to have seen a film that even comes close.<br />
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the brontë sisters are radLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-86407898261108226082011-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:002011-10-28T19:37:01.641-07:00note to self.<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="403" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6236326272_18281bdee7_o.jpg" width="613" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-75473310085987567992011-10-11T12:19:00.000-07:002011-10-11T12:45:26.556-07:00s.u.p.<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="554" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6235312832_e8dced7274_z.jpg" width="588" /></div><br />
I did it! After eyeing people all summer cruising in and out of the harbor, and wanting to try it, it was finally my turn to stand up paddle board.<br />
<br />
I love indian summers. I love the fact that it is sunny and warm even in October. When you expect cold and dreary and you get bright and warm... I don't know... just something about it. <br />
<br />
My adventurous friend Mayra and I met up early Saturday morning, hit up Verve Coffee Roasters and then headed for the harbor. Even though we were the last in the class to arrive, I raised my hand to go first. I had been looking forward to this.<br />
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Well it was 'easy peasy lemon squeezy' as my son Levi likes to say. Standing up and balancing came pretty natural. My arms were tired after two hours of paddling, but I would expect that our first time.<br />
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Left to my own devices, I think I would have liked to sit down on the board and dangle my feet in the water. We didn't really get wet at all. Sometimes cold droplets would splash onto my toes as I rowed, and it felt good. I tried once to sit ... Mayra joined ... but the teacher saw us and told us we were regressing, haha. So back up on our feet it was. One of the men in our class fell when we neared the opening of the harbor by the lighthouse. A swell came and he lost his footing. I was secretly, slightly jealous. It looked so refreshing. My pride is too great to fake fall though, even if it would have been nice to take a dip. Plus I imagine the harbor water is not very clean.<br />
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Mayra and I shared lots of giggles and bantering. She's great. I think we both would like to do it again. <br />
Not too much else is as relaxing to me as is the water. It was a great way to end such an anxious, hard week. Good time with a good friend.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6235275856_29911262c6.jpg" width="323" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="367" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6116/6234743435_1c48d8823f.jpg" width="500" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="350" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6235274170_9acb9c0382_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">to those who stay put, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">the world is but an imaginary place. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">but to the movers, the makers,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and the shakers, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">the world is all around them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">an endless invitation.</span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-3302873565691847842011-10-05T19:04:00.000-07:002011-10-05T19:09:28.015-07:00keep calmevery once in awhile the only thing that gets me through the day is a beer, a xanax, and listening to hymns.<br />
all at the same time.<br />
<br />
yes i know, i know. that is not very typical.<br />
<br />
<i>not very much about me is.</i>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-75277844017865158892011-10-03T10:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T07:47:59.648-07:00More About AdoptionSo I think it is about time I talk about adoption and Aiden a little more.<br />
<br />
It has been 9 months now since he has been part of our family. I forgot what I have told you thus far so I will just go over the basics of his story (and ours).<br />
<br />
We are adopting him through the foster care system. I have very good friends who have done international adoption which we considered also, but financially going through the foster care system seemed to make sense and work out best for us. I have noticed at times the foster care system has a weird social stigma attached to it. Maybe rightly so, maybe not. Maybe the few horror stories that do make it into the news taint people's views on it. I am not really sure. A lot of it seems to be hearsay or fear based. Misinformation is another thing I have noticed. Passing on rumors about things that people are not really sure about is something the general population loves to do. They just eat it up. Maybe this is true of all types adoption. I don't know.<br />
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Again I am just going off of my own experiences here, talking about my own observations. Going into this process I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't the least bit scared. In the classes that you take before you get licensed they prepare you for the worst. You learn about drug exposure, neglect, mental illness, attachment issues and the list goes on. Sometimes during the class (PRIDE class it is called in our county) you are left wondering if there is even a remote chance you will be able to adopt an even remotely 'normal' child. My imagination runs wild and there were times I felt like we may end up fostering a 'vegetable' or an extremely special needs child our whole lives. (Sorry if that is not politically correct or offensive - I can't think of a better word). The PRIDE class is a necessary step though, and is needed to weed out people who think everything is going to be only roses and butterflies. Life is rarely full of perfect circumstances and this is especially true of kids who have been removed from their home by child protective services. After learning about every possible scenario of what <i>could </i>be wrong with a potential foster/adoptive child I was a teensy bit apprehensive and intimidated.<br />
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In my experience with the county I don't think things could have gone much smoother. I realize this may not be true for every foster family - but for ours the process was relatively easy. I am so glad we did not let the fear hold us back - as it seems to with so many able bodied people. Foster care and adoption is not for everyone - but sometimes excuses people make for themselves are not really good excuses in my opinion. There are children out there who need a loving home and you are going to let some rumor that your neighbour's, cousin's, sister had a bad foster care experience shape your views and give you an easy out to not have to consider adoption? Sorry, I don't buy it.<br />
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To foster/adopt a child here in my county you don't need to be financially well off, own a house, be married, be a certain race, be straight or gay, or even be completely healthy. What is needed is to be able to provide a safe, loving home. To be over 18 and provide stability and care to a child who needs it.<br />
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Sequentially it has turned out to be a humongous blessing in our family. I will have to talk about Aiden's more specific story on a different day. While I am not saying everything went, or is going perfectly for us I want to share my side of things so hopefully more people will consider being a foster or adoptive parent. It has been yet another adventure that I believe is led by God. Our finalization date is coming up on November 18th because of national adoption day. I can't wait for that - and true to our style we are going to be partying!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-36362432517989834372011-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:002011-10-01T00:00:07.751-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="640" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6198948133_2815c1d11e_z.jpg" width="417" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15773342.post-56878223884329575372011-09-30T11:04:00.000-07:002011-09-30T11:08:10.001-07:00fun with animals. and miniature plastic toys as well.<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="449" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6197964207_4178334bc2_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
September is the nicest month as far as weather goes here in Santa Cruz. And by nice I mean <i>hot.</i> So even though I did this little project a few weeks ago when the sun was beating down I am just now getting around to putting up the photos. Oh well.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>You know those little plastic animals that kids get, but they never really seem to play with after they are first opened? I don't know about you - but I have tons of those at my house. (Not to mention green army guys, and legos) Well I froze them. I saw this idea somewhere and liked it because it is a free, easy, and possibly even educational way to entertain the kids on a super hot day.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="488" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6198493392_ef7c8897b5_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
They started out chipping away with butter knives, (I realize that is kind of dangerous - I was supervising closely) but then they figured out on their own that it may work better to pour water on it to make it melt faster.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="477" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6197971085_63fe88b8d0_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
I especially liked this project for my three year old Aiden, because he doesn't quite know the names of all of the animals yet so we got to work on learning those together. Also I liked tricking both the kids into being super excited about each individual animal that they didn't even care about before. They were entertained by the block of animals stuck in ice probably a good half hour or more. All the way until it was completely melted.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="427" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6197969665_d6cf60f1cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14573039464323432652noreply@blogger.com2