Marble, surveying her kingdom. She's the princess and she knows it.
Sally (the Golden Retriever) George (the puppy) and our janitor's dog (the Chiuaua whose name I cannot say because it is unprintable, but she's really cute)
Sorry the pics are blurry, I took them with my phone :-P
Gico Birdy :-)
Leila Lu, during a long hike at Powell Butte :-)
Max, aka Moose Dog, aka Maximus, aka Maxipup on a lovely evening walk. Poor boy can't go on long walks, but we do what we can until his surgery :-)
My mind and heart have been in very deep thought lately. I've been pondering the issue of adoption again. Aaron and I are at the age where everyone we meet asks us if we 1) have kids or 2) if not, when we are planning on having children. As a couple who has decided that we have a passion for adoption and raising children from other cultures, our natural response is "we wish to adopt in 3 to 4 years." The reactions to our desire is so mixed. It amazes me, no astounds me, at times. We have heard everything from "why would you want to do that?" to "that's wonderful if you can do that sort of thing," and everything else in between. I think the strangest comments have been along the lines of "will that be fair for the child?" and "you'll change, and want one of your own." To which I reply, "is it fair to leave a child parent less?" and "we do want our own, if we adopt, the child and/or children will be our own." These comments have only strengthened our desire and choice to adopt! Now, I'm in no way opposed to having biological children, if that is what God has intended for us, but I also know that is not the only way to grow a family.
I have many of the same feelings I had as a teenager, when I was deciding what career path I wanted. I was bombarded by people who thought, just because I sing opera, that I had to become an opera singer. It was crazy for me to be anything else, in their minds. I love singing, but I do it for the Lord, not for other people. It took me a long time to realize that my voice did not define me, it was a gift that was part of me. That God had another plan in mind, and I am right where He wants me. I feel the same way about our desire to adopt. People assume that because I am a woman, I need to have biological children. That as a woman, why wouldn't I want to give birth, it's what we do. It almost makes me feel like I'm broken because I yearn to adopt. I've been asking myself what's wrong with adoption, why is it controversial, and why am I expected to give birth? I still don't know what the answer is to these questions, but I do know where my heart is. I am for adoption, I love the beauty of it, and I love how God can weave a family any way He chooses.
As Christians, how can we be opposed to adoption. Christianity is based entirely on adoption. Even our Savior Jesus was adopted by His earthly father. We who are sinners and fallen so low have been chosen by a loving God and Savior to be adopted into His kingdom. To become heirs, to truly be His children. How then, can we, who are wretched, sinful creatures, who cannot earn Salvation, but who have been loved beyond words, be against something as beautiful as adoption. Also, as Christians, we know that God created the heavens and earth, that every person on this earth stemmed from one man and one woman. Therefore, we are truly related. We share the same gene pool. Now mind you, it has become more diluted and specialized with each generation, but it still has that original blood of Adam and Eve. It flows through our veins today, just as it did 6,000 years ago.
This leads me to believe even more passionately that family does not have to be "biological." It can be beautifully woven however God chooses. God is in control of Aaron and me, our life together, and our future family. Whether that family is woven through biology or adoption. This is where my heart is, it is where God is leading Aaron and me, and I though I don't know what the future holds, I know the my God is in control.
Yesterday was my nephew Zach's 2nd birthday. I can't believe how big his getting. I love you baby and can't wait to see you in December. Love Auntie Lauren :-)
We had a glorious time at the ball last night :-) It was wonderful. There were probably 150+ people there. We didn't stay for the whole event, due to the long drive, but we enjoyed ourselves emensly. Here are some pictures, enjoy :-)
So, some of you know that my moose dog hurt his leg last summer. We had it checked out, only to be told there was nothing we could do for him. Well, he reinjured it on Sunday afternoon and I took him to see the vet today. Turns out, and this is a new vet, that he has an ACL tear. Basically it's only repaireable with surgery, quite exspensive surgery. So, we have decided we will go ahead and get it done, however, due to finances, we need to wait until September. I'm asking everyone in internet land to pray for my moose dog, and that he will hold out until September. We did have some good news, his diet is working. Big boy lost 8lbs!!!! Also, because of the type of injury, it can wait to be fixed for a little while. In the meantime, we will be restricting his activity and feeding him anti inflamatory drugs :-) So that is the story as of now. I'm pretty bummed, but I'm also glad to finally know what is wrong with him and that it can be fixed. I hope to have my boy back to his old self by next year. God Bless!
The pics of Jane Bennet's gown from the 2005 Pride and Predjudice movie.Here is my handsome husband in his shirt and waistcoat, his cravat is in the works We're waiting for the rest of the costume to come in the mail, and I'm so excited. I think he makes the perfect Regency buck :-) Enjoy!!!
I've been meaning to post these pictures for a while now. George is the sweet puppy of my boss, Dave. One of the amazing perks of my job is the pets we have in our office. Marble is our resident feline, as you know from previous posts. Sally is our owner's golden retriever, and now we have George. He's a part terrier, pomeranian mix, and he's just a sweet heart, and all puppy. Dave brings him in ocasionally to play :-) Here are some pics.
So here is a little preview of Aaron in his dashing Regency clothing. This is before I finished the vest, at the first fitting. I usually don't post construction pictures, but I thought "why not". I plan to post finished pictures tonight, I just haven't taken them yet. Here's the pre-vest pics to hold you over. God Bless!
I think that's a pretty good description of me :-) Except the piano forte, I haven't played in years.
The above images are from Katherine's Dress Site. She has amazing costumes, sewn by hand, and very well researched. I admit, I spend hours on her site studing and oogling the costumes.
Let me know what you out in internet land think :-) Have a blessed day!!!
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