Monday, July 20, 2009

TOMS Shoes - YouTube - TOMS and Podo

Check these out aren't they the cutest!! I know you have probley seen the AT&T commercial featuring TOMS shoes, but they are a real company doing good. Here are just a few of my favortite styles... and check out the kids sections. I love them!!! And when you buy a pair, a pair is donated to child in a different country who does not have shoes at all. Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk. Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot. Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
There is one simple solution...SHOES.

Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.



Wednesday, July 8, 2009

I have been listening to this guy for many years. His is a christian artist and his songs really depict a story. Going through this rollercoaster of adoption... this song makes me cry everytime i hear it and I just wanted to share!

Mark Schultz, a Christian contemporary musician, wrote a song about his story. Mark was adopted into a Christian family 35+ years ago and his song, "Everything to Me" is part of his adoption story. Bethany Christian Services is a proud sponsor of Mark's music video, which portrays the challenging and beautiful choice a woman makes to place her baby in an adoption plan. Bethany Christian Services is the adoption agency in Iowa that we work with. They are handling Nate and I's adoption.

It’s no accident that Schultz is so intimately involved with this cause because his story extends back further than writing a song. Adopted at two weeks old, Schultz deeply understands the importance of a family and the heartbreak for those less fortunate. And even though Schultz is privileged to have been welcomed into a family at a young age, the haunting memories of childhood ridicule remind him daily why it’s important to complete this long expedition.

Schultz feels that being adopted causes him to appreciate life more. "I don't take anything for granted. I wake up in the morning and thank God that I'm alive. Adoption is such a gift."

So I definately think this is a video worth checking out!!
"Everything to Me" by Mark Schultz



You can also check out the Story behind the song! Mark speaks about what compelled him to write the song. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!!!!
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8,9

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

UPDATE-- On Adoption!

Okay hold on don't get to excited. But last week i sent an e-mail out to our adotion counseler to see if she has heard anything...(like if we are even on the waiting list yet or Not?!?) This was the e-mail I recieved today.

Nathan and Lynn
Yes! We have proof that you dossier is at ICBF headquarters (attached), so your dossier is "being studied" there. I am not sure what that means - but I know that is good! I know it is always nice to know it is where it is supposed to be - and that someone is reviewing it. Let me know if you have other questions.
Bonnie

So i guess this is good news. We e-mailed last week because on June 16th - it was our year anniversary since signing the papers and starting the road ot adoption.

That is all the information we have... nothing else.
Thanks

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Welcome Home Archie!

So Archie is home!!! The vet said he went through the surgery with flying colors. She said he whimpered once the whole time he was there. He is a trooper! They had to shave his backside to have a clean site. It makes him look so pitiful :-(
He is not going to be winning any beauty contest any time soon.
His incision site looks hurtful. He is very swollen and it looks like it hurts.
We are pampering him and giving him lots of love. It is kind of scary to know how to take care of him. Neither nate or I want to be the one to pick him up, because you don't know if he is in pain. He is on pain killers, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.

Dodger is pretty sympathetic too. he doesn't know what to think and doesn't like being seperated from his brother -- we have to keep them from getting to excited around each other. Dodger sat outside the dog room while archie was lying down. It was pretty darn cute!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Archie's surgery


Well I just got the call from the vet -- Archie made it thru surgery.

This morning he had surgery to remove the top of his femur (leg bone). He was diagnosed with Legg Perthes Disease.
While this disease is not common in Shih tzus, it does happen to very young dogs. The disease attacks his femur and tries to eat it away. They take the top of the femur out and with recovery and rehab the dog should go on to be okay. The z-rays taken have also shown significant shallow hip bones, and arthiritis. So the dr. will not be suprised if in the future Archie has to have this donw to his other leg.
Archie is the most lovable dog in the world, so I am so happy that he will be okay. Nate just says i will have to pamper him a little bit -- NOT A PROBLEM!!
Now i just have to wait for the vet to say i can take him home in a couple of days. My only fear is that the vet and nurses will fall so madly in love with him... that they won't let me take him home. ;-) He is so lovable.
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers

More Pictures of Lincoln

Well, here are some of the many pictures we took on Saturday. It is very difficult to a newborn who did not sleep a wink. So the next time we go home, hopefully we will get some cute and adorable sleeping shots. Give me any feedback so I know what you think. I have learned a thing or two!


Isn't he the cutest thing!














At baptism I will have photos for each one of you.. courtesy of scott and beth. If you have a particular favorite please let me know!







I was hoping some of these photos turned out, this was taken in Grandma Aggie's travel makeup case. I love the reflection of Lincoln in the mirror. So Cute!!



A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above- A handful of happiness, a heartful of love. The mystery of life, so sacred and sweet- The giver of joy so deep and complete. Precious and priceless, so lovable, too- The world's sweetest miracle, baby is you.


Already a Buckeye Fan!!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

It's a Boy!



Lincoln William Warnecke
June 5th, 2009
Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz.
21 inches long




10 little fingers
10 little toes
2 little eyes
and 1 Blankemeyer nose



I know Beth and Scott have been waiting for many months for this moment and it is finally here! Mom and baby are doing great, Lincoln seem to be a very content baby. He even snorts in his sleep.... and also has some serious farts!! :-)

It's an amazing experience and I can't wait to see him again..... that is the hard part in living in Iowa, we will not be there to see everything. So we are going to have to rely on Beth sending us pictures. She better!!

Babies love to cuddle, hug, kiss and snuggle.

Babies love to cry and stay awake all night.

Babies love to be held, rocked and smelled.

Babies love to laugh, smile and not be sad.

But, most of all, babies love their Moms and Dads!

Angela McGuire