I can honestly say that this retreat and I did not get along for the full twenty minutes. During the times that I was supposed to be focusing on the past, I was thinking about the future or the present. During the times that I was supposed to be thinking about the present, I was thinking about the future. I just couldn't seem to focus my attention on anything besides things that I needed to get done. My mind would race with little details that needed tending to this weekend and also more in advance, everything that needs to be done for next week. Appointments... more

Right Here, Right Now

This retreat was calling to me today. As I have posted earlier this week, we are getting ready for Bec's 3 month visit from his case worker and we are doing small things around the house that have turned out to be a late summer/fall cleaning. Everyday we are snowballing our efforts. On Monday, we had the carpets cleaned. By today, we were putting in new flooring in our bathroom and hallway, and working on getting our second bathroom in working order. All for a meeting that is scheduled for next week!

Step 1: Entering into Retreat: Sit comfortably in an upright position, with back support if you need.... more

Cancer, Baby blog

This blog is devastating. I came across it a while ago and really wondered if I should mention it here. It is the story of Jessica and her fight for a baby and her fight for her life. The blog is no longer being updated, and will be removed in a few days. Although I'm not really sure when it will be taken off of the net, please take a look just in case it is still there.

I am not able to cross post any of her writings, as she and her family have requested that we not do so. Just... more

Tonight's retreat needed to be fast one. First of all, I didn't have much time to devote tonight to this, since both of the kids are still up and Chris just headed to bed. Lastly, I have someone in my life, actually 2 people who I need to work on forgiving. But I honestly am not ready one bit to even think about forgiveness at this point. I'm still in the thick of the emotion, haven't had the time or the space to think about forgiveness for them at all. In fact, just imagining that I'm thinking about forgiving them, gives me the creeps.

So, since... more

Last night after I wrote here, I took the book, The Bridge of Stars: 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations from Around the World into the tub with me. I randomly skimmed through the different prayers and came to one that I wanted to focus on. This was the prayer that I felt drawn to:

Mention of God Blessed is the spot, and the house. and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land,... more

The first retreat that I have decided to do is called, Inspirational Reading. I have had to choose something that holds inspiration for me to do this retreat.

Here are the instructions:

Step 1 Entering into Retreat: For the first three minutes, sit quietly in silence with your reading material close at hand. Breathe quietly. Steps 2 through 5 will take four minutes each. Step 2: Read the piece slowly. this is a different kind of reading, not for speed or content, rather... more

I'm talking all of us! For the rest of the week we will be retreating as needed. What am I talking about? This new obsession of mine titled, 20-Minute Retreats: Revive Your Spirits in Just MInutes a Day with Simple Self-Led Exercises by Rachel Harris, Ph.D. Don't have time to do these? Well, guess what? There are also 5 and 1 minute retreats as well.

When I need a retreat, I have a pajama day. I haven't had a full one of these in forever. Before the kids, I would take pajama weekends! I really needed these times while recovering from D&C... more

We absolutely adore our social worker from our agency. From the first time I spoke with her on the phone last fall, I knew that she was someone that I could count on. This initial perspective has rang true for the past year. She has helped to guide us, support us, and celebrates our family in a sensitive and caring way. No wonder why I don't get all freaked out about her visits.

This wasn't always the case, of course. The first time she came out I cleaned for almost 2 weeks, always thinking and noticing something that could be improved. That morning I went out to buy a huge variety of drinks and snacks to tempt her with. As I recall, she had a glass of water. Chris and I immediately... more

In the mix of my genetic mixture, I am 1/4 Filipino. My grandmother and grandfather met and married there while he was in the service. 12 pregnancies, resulting in 6 children is my grandmother's fertility history, one of the children being my father.

I was reading a post about the kidnapping threats of Russian gansters to Madonna and her children on www.BloggingBaby.com. I then started to click... more

Yesterday, Chris and I were able to sit down and start a movie that we have been waiting to see for a couple of months. Yep, we don't get a chance to see movies together, even at home, unless it is one of the movies that Ivy can watch. The movie was "In Her Shoes".

I am not a movie watcher. I do not enjoy going to the theater, I'll sit through a DVD in spurts at home, but only if it holds my attention. This isn't very often, I'll admit. I will normally make a decision to watch the full movie within the first 15 minutes. It drives Chris nuts.... more