Poison and Ponderings

I went for another hot and excrutiatingly painful run/walk today. Why do I do that to myself, again?! Oh yeah....'because it's good for me' (say with a whiny, mocking tone).

I always listen to my ipod which just so happens to contain songs from my teenage years. I may be dating myself, but, oh well, I'm not one to hide my age. The fact that I have a 20 year old daughter dates me, right?!

Anyway, the song Something to Believe In by Poison came on.

t's a song I heard countless times in my rock and roll teen years but never really listened to the lyrics. That's kind of the way I rolled! Haha!

Even now, I have to say that I'm not really sure where the songwriter was going with the meaning of this song, but a portion of the song had quite an effect on me today. It's hard to describe how it made me feel....sort of guilty, convicted, challenged....

See if you remember these words:

I drive by the homeless sleepin on a cold dark street

Like bodies in an open grave

Underneath the broken old neon sign

That used to read Jesus Saves

A mile away live the rich folk

And I see how they're living it up

While the poor they eat from hand to mouth

The rich is drinkin from a golden cup

And it just makes me wonder

Why so many lose, so few win

While I am by no means rich (my husband is a teacher and I'm a stay-at-home mom with 6 kids!) I still have so much more than I need while there are people living with very little--no home, little food. And, how do I look to them? Am I someone who values my stuff more than the lives of those less fortunate? How much would I give up to help? Those are (somewhat scary) questions that I need to ponder. What are your thoughts?

SAY YES--I love this video!! Must watch!!

Same Family...New Design

I decided that a new blog design was in order. New beginnings, new designs, new colors. I let Faven (who is nine years old now!) help me. :) I think she likes pink, what do you think?! I love the hummingbirds...they have special meaning to me!

So....I can check new blog design off of my list of things to do today! Now onto the next item on my agenda.....princess tea party!! :)

Pressing On

I went for a 3 mile run today.
It was HOT!!
By the time I was done, I was literally dripping in sweat!!
I'm not a fast runner (I'll never win any marathons.... or 5k's for that matter!), so I have lots of time to think on my jogs. :)
Today my topic of thought was....PAIN!!
Imagine that!!
I don't enjoy exercising or the pain that goes along with it!
Occasionally, I do the Insanity workouts with Shaun T. At the end of one of his excrutiating workouts, he says, "Sometimes, I wonder why I do this to my body. Because I want to 'look good' that's why!" Haha! Exactly!! The benefits outweigh the momentary pain.

I've learned over the years that I have a high tolerance for pain. If I can foresee benefits from it, I can endure it! This has come in handy in many situations.....staying in shape, childbirth (I've birthed 4 children), marriage (relationships are hard!!!), and adoption! I love my health/body, I love my husband, and I love my children, birth and adopted, but that doesn't mean that it will be easy to keep all of these things 'in shape'! In fact, each one has caused me a tremendous amount of PAIN!!! Yes, even my husband, and he would admit it to you, too!!! But, I've realized that if I stay the course, the benefits of the pain far outweigh the relief that comes from quitting!! What motivates me to keep going? The fact that, barring any unknown health issues, pressing on is not going to kill me and reaping the benefits will be awesome!!!

I also know from experience that sometimes, there is no hope and pressing on will only hurt us further, whether it be physically or relationally. The pain caused from this truth is overwhelming and I would never make light of it!!
And, so, we make a new goal.....

If at all possible, keep pressing on toward your goal and know that you are not alone!! Many others are pressing on along with you and cheering you on!!! :)

New Beginnings

I started this blog over 2 years ago!!!! TWO years!!! That seems impossible!!! I started it to journal our adoption process. But, so much more awesomeness came from it!! I 'met' SO many wonderful, caring, giving, passionate people who were taking or had taken the a similar path our family had taken. I grew to lean on my blog friends for support, whether it be through emails, facebook, phone calls, or just by simply reading their blogs.

Then, life happened and I fell out of the blog world. Four children all at different stages of life and two new children trying to adapt created a whole new chaos for this family!! It would seem that this would be the best time to stay connected with the people who could understand and relate to my trials. I had to choose....be honest about my trials, pretend that all was peachy, or hide. I guess in a way, I chose to hide.

But, I'm back. My goal is to first of all change the look of my blog. Any suggestions? Then, I would like to re-connect with the people who became so dear to me and who continue to share the same passion for the people in Ethiopia and for adoption in general.

~"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."~ Maria Robinson