Oh my...

My husband just pointed out the humor in this.

This is my journal sitting wide open on our dining room table:

Guess that epiphany was short lived.

mae

Adopting Children with HIV/AIDS

Two years ago, a friend and I were taking a long drive to the beach when she told me about her hopes of adoption.  I was very excited and eager to talk about her plans.  She then told me she hoped to adopt a child with HIV or AIDS.  I grew silent.  As politely as I knew how, I began asking questions.  “Won’t this put your other kids at risk?”  “How will you handle all the medical challenges?”  “What is the life expectancy of someone with HIV?”  My friend quickly educated me on the advancements of HIV/AIDS treatments and the unfortunate stigma still attached to the illness.

NO, you cannot get HIV from sharing a drink.

NO, you cannot get HIV from hugs.

NO, you cannot get HIV from sharing a bath.

AND the life expectancy of someone with HIV/AIDS can be normal if given the right medication.

She told me of a blog she was reading by a woman named Carolyn Twietmeyer. Carolyn’s family had adopted one child with HIV and another child with stage 4 AIDS, (among their 7 biological kids and four other adopted children.)  After bringing them home, Carolyn started a non-profit to help educate, advocate, and encourage families in similar situations. 

Here is the Twietmeyer family on The Today show:

Unfortunately, the stigma associated with HIV still exists, and children with the illness often suffer from isolation and prejudice due to the fear and miseducation of those around them.  One adoptive mother (whose blog I read) mentioned that many of her friends and family stopped coming to the house after she adopted a little girl with HIV.  They were fearful they would catch the virus, frustrated that she was being "too radical", and making claims that simply weren't true.  This was not only hurtful to her and her child, but infuriating, as her own network of friends/family were allowing their lives to be dictated by an unfounded fear.

Thankfully, organizations like Project Hopeful are working hard to advocate for these kids, educate the public on the REALITY of the illness, and enable families to adopt. 

You can check them out here. 

Mae Mae

Deep Thoughts... according to Jack Handey

My friend, Danielle's comment section on her blog is labeled "Deep Thoughts."  Today, I saw this section and was reminded of this guy:

Mr. Jack Handey

Remember him?  I used to think that segment on SNL was absolutely brilliant and I went through a 2 year phase where I quoted Mr. Handey daily. To my friends who listened to the same joke every day... thank you for hanging in there.  We both got through that phase together. (This was around the same time, I consistently performed my very mediocre Brian Fellow impression.)

Today, the bug came back.  I saw Danielle's "deep thoughts" comment section and thought, "My gosh.  I haven't thought of JH in years.  I don't remember a single deep thought." But thanks to Google I very quickly rounded up a few of my ole favorites:

*Disclaimer: If you're not familiar with Jack Handey, 1) I pity you... 2) These are jokes.

********************

“If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is ‘God is crying’. And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is ‘Probably because of something you did.”
― Jack Handey

“Here's a good trick. Get a job as a judge at the Olympics. Then, if some guy sets a world record, pretend that you didn't see it and go: Okay, is everybody ready to start now?”
― Jack Handey

“To me, it's a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, "Hey, can you give me a hand?" you can say, "Sorry, got these sacks.”
― Jack Handey

“If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you this, but that's another weakness.”
― Jack Handey

“Consider the daffodil. And while you're doing that, I'll be over here, going through your stuff.”
― Jack Handey

Geez.  They get me everytime.

and just for good measure:

Is there anything better than Brian Fellow talking to that impersonating parrot? I mean, seriously.

Happy Thursday!

It's settled.

After Mrs. Thriftary made me one of these for Christmas:

(That's mine on the right in the orange. Be jealous. Be very jealous)...

I decided that knowing how to sew was one of the coolest things ever.

And then, I saw this sewing room on the amazing Meg Duerksen's blog:

... and decided that sewing was no longer an option for me... it was a necessity... (since if you know how to sew, you'd naturally have a space like this.)

and then I saw that Maddie is making her very own dress FOR A WEDDING and I got a little more excited... and sketched what I would make if given the skills...

and then I saw this stack of fabric Meg is using during craft weekend...

and said, "Self. Get it together. Stop day dreaming. Learn woman. Learn."

So I'm proud to say that I'm searching the internet today for my first few yards of fabric. I figure once I have the fabric I'll be so excited to make something with it that I'll have to learn. Right?

First project? Pillows. 

Seems simple enough.

I'll let you know what fabric I get.  I'm really, really excited.

Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

mae

P.S. I'll need a sewing machine.  Anyone have any good suggestions?

No Update.

There is no update on Abiella.  We are still waiting on a court date.  After court, we will work like mad to turn in the next phase of paperwork and begin the visa/passport process on the US side.  Once paperwork is on the US side we will call, beg, email, call, beg, email, call, beg and email anyone who might have our paperwork, and pray that we're just annoying enough for them to send it along and get it off their desk as quickly as possible. 

UGH!  I need to be holding this sweet baby in my arms!!

We are hoping she is here by April, but this will literally take a miracle. 

The better question, is "what do I not need?"

Please keep our tiny family in your prayers if you think about it. 

much love,

mae