Sunrise, Sunset

The holiday season has brought me two weeks of much-needed vacation time from work. What a treat to not have to get up at 5:30am and rush out the door to drop kids off at school, commute 60 miles to the office and spend the day on conference calls and emails. We didn't travel this holiday, our family came to us. I had grand ideas for posts on this blog (and my other two) but opted to stay away from the computer as much as possible, to give my brain a break and focus on my family and my kids. However, on New Year's Eve, I can't help but stop and marvel on how amazing it is that yet another year has gone by again.... already.

My family's holiday season began by celebrating Hanukkah with my husband's family. Being in a mixed-religion marriage poses it's share of challenges, but also it's share of wonderful opportunities. One of these is the opportunity to expose our children to different customs, traditions, beliefs and celebrations. Hanukkah, at it's core, is a celebration of a miracle, proof that God will always provide. The oil in the lamp was only supposed to last for one night but by the grace of God, the menorah stayed lit for eight nights. Even if you're not Jewish (I'm not), I think this is such a great lesson in faith, in miracles, in the power of a higher being. I can apply this lesson to my own life so easily. Even in the hardest, most difficult times... even when I don't know how I'll make it to tomorrow... even when I am sure the world will crash in around me... God always provides and somehow, I always make it through. I can't think of a more perfect reminder to begin the holiday season.

After Hanukkah came the Christmas celebration at my house, with all of my family in town. This happens at most once a year so it's always such a special time, to have my parents and both siblings together in the same place. I have a lot of beautiful Christmas memories this year but the one that stands out the most is the simple message the Pastor delivered at Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. It was about Joy.

He asked us to think of "joy" as standing for Jesus, Others, Yourself. He reminded us that putting those in any other order wouldn't bring us JOY, it could only bring us YOJ. The only way to have to Joy in your life (at the holidays and always) is to put Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third. Though "Joy" seems to be a word we use the most at Christmas time, it will now become a year-round word in our house and I'll do my best to keep JOYous, 365 days each year.

Perhaps the most memorable moment so far, however, was our "Sunrise, Sunset" day on the Saturday after Christmas. I thought my husband was nuts when he suggested we get up before dawn and drive to the beach (we live on the east coast of South Florida) to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean, then drive west across the state to watch it set over the Gulf of Mexico. Somehow, though, we (seven of us) all managed to get up and out of bed and in the car in time to actually get to the beach before sunrise, and we all survived the 2.5 hour car ride to the west coast later in the afternoon.

We've seen the sun rise before, seen it set before... but never both on the same day over two bodies of water on opposite sides of the state. We've taken for granted that the sun will indeed rise each day and set each night but to watch it do so in person, so intentionally, was a beautiful treat that I won't soon forget. It reminded me that if you just take the time to stop and look, you can see the beauty of the world around you, see God's hand at work. No matter what comes in between the sunrise and the sunset (of the day, the season, the year or your life), God will begin it beautifully and end it in the same manner. And hopefully, your moments in between will be just as special.

My words could never describe the beauty of these events, so since a picture is worth 1000 of them....

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean ~ Delray Beach, Florida

December 27, 2008

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico ~ Naples, Florida
December 27, 2008

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

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Blessings,

Kat

If you're happy and you know it...

I am sleepy. SOOO sleepy.

It is Monday. Mondays are not my favorite.

I have 3 long weeks ahead of commuting to the office every day (120 miles round trip) before my holiday vacation time starts.

There are cookies to make, presents to buy, year-end financials to run, meetings, fundraisers, laundry, out-of-town guests.... the list is too long to put in one place.

Yet oddly, I am happy.

It's the beginning of another new week, another new month, full of possibility and whatever opportunities I choose to pursue, all culminating in 2 weeks off with my family and friends to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Kind of nice when I stop to look at it that way. I think I'll have to look at it that way more often.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 15 - 30

No, I have not forgotten about this blog! And since I still have a few more hours left in November, I figured I'd better get caught up on the rest of my November thankfulness items! Here goes...

November 15: Quality
I did not need the vintage Singer sewing machine. I have a wonderful, perfectly good "new" Singer sewing machine. But when one of my dear friends developed the vintage sewing machine interest (obsession? said with love, of course!) and found a 1930's machine on Craig's list for an awesome price a mile from my home, I couldn't resist. I dropped it off at the repair shop for an oil and lube and without even seeing the machine (only the cabinet it's mounted in) the man offered me $150 to take it off my hands. I had to laugh since I'd only paid $40, but of course, I wasn't about to give up my new found treasure! He told me he could have her up and running in no time and she'd run another 50 - 60 years. How's that for quality!

November 16: My dog
I have the world's coolest dog. His name is Oliver, he's almost 8 years old and he's a black and white Cocker Spaniel. He doesn't bark and he only growls if a stranger comes near the kids without Craig or me giving the "stand down" signal first. He has chronic "cocker ear" and he often gets overlooked in lieu of the kids, but he's my first baby and I'm so happy to have him as such an important part of our family.

November 17: Laughter of a child
My 5-year-old is into knock-knock jokes these days and of course, the 2-year-old loves to follow her lead. They spend hours making up jokes that make absolutely no sense but keep them rolling. And of course, when the kids laugh, it's contagious. What's not to love about a child's infectious laughter?

November 18: DVR
It's like TIVO only through the cable company. It lets Craig and I tape our favorite shows and eventually (read: on nights we can manage to stay awake after working all day and getting the kids in bed) watch them without commercial interruption. It's a beautiful thing.

November 19: Eat, drink and be merry...
I was in Salt Lake City on a business trip on election day in 2000. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant and they wouldn't serve me a beer because there's a law against drinking on election day. I was baffled! Though I knew there were (must be, right?) valid reasons behind it, I bought myself a shot glass that says, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may be in Utah!"

Don't get me wrong, I know wonderful people in Utah and I certainly don't judge a whole state because of a law about allowable alcohol content on election day. And it's a good thing I don't, because one of the best friends and greatest people I've ever known lives in Utah. I "met" her online almost 6 years ago when we were pregnant with our daughters, who ended up being born on exactly the same day. Her daughter was late, mine was early and we both questioned what God was thinking at the time. Six years and the deepest friendship later, now we both know. (I blame the vintage Singer squarely on her, but still love her to death!) Today, I am thankful for friends near and far, and especially this one who means so very much to me.

November 20: Chocolate chip cookies
I'm not sure this one really requires explanation, honestly. Who isn't thankful for chocolate chip cookies? Amazing how a little bit of flour, sugar and chocolate can melt away a foul mood and put a smile on my face. Yes, I'm a girl of simple pleasures, about as low maintenance as they come.

November 21: Friday nights
My favorite time of the entire week is Friday night when I crawl into bed with my husband. Don't get any R-rated ideas, it's not that kind of blog! I just love the feeling of being cuddled up in my nice, warm, comfortable bed with my favorite person on earth, with the prospect of two full days of weekend ahead of us. What a calm, relaxed feeling it brings. No other night of the week comes close.

November 22: Lunch dates
My friends from Manila invited my family to enjoy a traditional Pinoy (Filipino) lunch with them and of course, knowing what great cooks they all are (not to mention great, fun company!) we immediately accepted the invite. Pansit and grilled pork, yum!

November 23: Church
I attended church every Sunday until I went off to college. Unfortunately, working full time to put myself through school meant weekend shifts at the mall, not conducive to church-going. Then I moved away from home and then farther away again. Worship services became fewer and farther between. Recently, Rachel (the 5-year-old) asked if we could start going to church and of course, I had her there the following Sunday. It makes my heart smile to see her so excited about going each week... waking early, picking the perfect outfit, "is it time to go yet"-ing me for 3 hours on Sunday morning. I'm so glad I've started to attend again. I didn't know how much I missed it until I started going again, and I really don't know how I got along so long without it.

November 24: Adobo and "See you soon"
When my bespren (that's Tagalog for "best friend") came onshore 2 months ago, I knew the time would pass quickly. This was the last day we'd both be in the office before he returned home and he treated me and my co-workers to a wonderful homemade feast of chicken adobo. Though I miss him already, I know I'll see him again next year and I'm glad for the time we got to spend these past few months.

November 25: A good cut and color
Yes, perhaps vain, but I couldn't stand the gray roots any longer. (I am waaay too young for gray, I might add!) Tuesday I worked a half day and spent the afternoon letting Tony (read: the greatest hairdresser on the planet!) pamper me with a great cut (similar yet just enough different from what I had) and a great color (strawberry blond... a cross between my blond and Rachel's red - it's gorgeous!). I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks. Amazing what some scissors and a little dye will do for a girl!

November 26: Changes in plans
I had planned for a long time to take off from work the day before Thanksgiving and had a long list of things I was going to do on my day all to myself. I was a teeny bit ticked off when I realized that Rachel's school was closed this day and I wouldn't get the day to myself after all, but decided to instead enjoy the day as it came, with one of my favorite people in the world. We went non-stop from 8am to 4:30pm but took the day at a 5-year-old's pace instead of my own. It was the best day I've had in a very long time and it reminded me that even curve balls can be hit out of the park.

November 27: Icing on the cake
So much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day itself, but after a nice afternoon and a great meal with family, the "new email" indicator on my Blackberry delivered the icing on the cake. It was the sweetest email from a co-worker of my dad's, telling me how my dad was so proud of me and my girls and this blog and she wanted me to know. Fortunately, I did already know, but what a special thing to see it in writing from someone else. That email now lives in my "never delete" folder and to the sweet lady woman who sent it, Thank You!

November 28: Technology
I was in the car with the girls, singing along loudly with them to our favorite Sugarland song when Craig called. From the emergency room. The cat scan showed it to "just" be a kidney stone, and it had passed, but there was another one behind it. I have never had a kidney stone myself but I hear it's like childbirth without the epidural. I'm thankful for the cell phone that let Craig call me and for the CAT Scan machine that told us it wasn't something far worse.

November 29: Sweet treats in the mail
The package arrived with no return address, but the giant Disney World tote bag and chocolate princess advent calendar gave the sender away in half a second flat. What a sweet treat for the whole family to receive some unexpected love in the mail from a very dear friend!

November 30: 24-hour pharmacies and lazy Sundays
Craig's 2nd kidney stone attacked around 3am. I knew he had gotten up, but I figured he had fallen asleep on the couch watching Sports Center. It wasn't until I got up at 6:45 that I realized what was going on, then immediately headed to the pharmacy to fill the prescription the ER doctor had given him on Friday afternoon. It took an hour or so for the meds to kick in and he finally got a little sleep, but I decided to follow his lead and we spent a quiet, lazy Sunday doing a whole bunch of nothing. I'm sorry it took him being sick to get us there, but it sure was nice to have a full day of nothing... like watching football, sewing, watching TV with the kids and finally, at long last, blogging!

I hope that you had a blessed November and that your December is the same. Happy Holidays, everyone!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 14

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Freckles

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It's Photo Friday and today, I am thankful for freckles.

Need I say more, really?

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 7 - 13

November 7: Home
No matter where you live, no matter who lives with you, home is where the heart is. How amazing to wake at home last Friday (after being away for a few days) with my very favorite people in the whole wide world -- my husband and two beautiful little girls. Doesn't matter where our house is, our home will always be where they are.

November 8: Sharing my home with others
One of the best parts of my job is working with people from all over the world. Some of these folks come onshore to work for several months at a time and on Saturday, I invited my team over for a barbecue and a bounce in the bounce house. They are so wonderful to my children, so wonderful to me, and it's always a blessing to share my family and my home with others. Even more a blessing still to watch my children learn about new places, new cultures and meet amazing new friends.

November 9: People who are as silly as I am
Maybe "silly" is the wrong word, and the backstory is too long to post here. Short version is that when I travel, my older daughter doesn't like me to be alone and always sends me with 2 of her "friends" to keep me company. I started taking pictures of them at the places I visited and made her a story book. On my trip to Atlanta last week I didn't have a lot of time so I "wished" that the concierge would help me out taking some pictures around the hotel. Not only was he willing to do so, but told me his family does the same thing and their doll has her own Facebook page! The picture below shows the princesses at Bliss Spa in the W Hotel in Mid-town Atlanta. THANK YOU to the wonderful staff there for showing Rachel's princesses such a fun time!

November 10: Gainful employment

Until this week, my job allowed a lot of flexibility in where my work got done. Since we have team members all over the U.S. and around the world, most of our work is virtual to begin with. I enjoyed the great privilege of being able to work from home 2 days/week, which was a true blessing given that my commute to the office is 60 miles each way. This week, though, for a variety of reasons, the overall policy changed and now we are all required to be in the office 5 days/week. This is a huge blow and requires a lot of adjustments not only for me and my team, but for our families. I started out bitter on my drive to work Monday morning (which should have been a "work at home day"). However, I decided to look at it from a different perspective. In today's economy, there are many, many people who would give anything for a job to go to and a paycheck at the end of the week. I have both and for this, I am truly thankful.

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November 11: Our Veterans

I have always felt an overwhelming sense of pride for and gratitude to the men and women who so bravely serve our country. Because of them, I am granted many freedoms that so many people can't imagine. For their service, their sacrifice, their honor and their heroism, words cannot begin to express my thankfulness.

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November 12: My amazing family

I was going to try to stay away from the "cliched" things to be thankful for, but I am just so blessed. Rachel had a school assignment this week to make a Family Coat of Arms to display in her classroom. It had 4 quadrants, and each needed to be decorated with something specific: A picture of the people who live in her house; a picture of where her family originally came from; something her family likes to do together; and something that makes her special. Working on this project together this week, as a family, I am reminded just how blessed I am to have not only a family, but this unique, special, amazing family who, even when times are challenging, can always pull together as one with our love and devotion and commitment to each other.

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November 13: Flexibility and Fun

I said earlier that our work-at-home policy changed and I have to be in the office 5 days/week now. Well, there are some exceptions. Rachel has an early release day from school today and her aftercare program is hosting a Fall Festival for the children and their parents. Today I'm working only in the morning (from home!) then leaving to go spend the afternoon playing games with my favorite redhead. Though I'm sure I'll still check emails this evening, I'm thankful to have the flexibility to take some time and have some fun with one of my favorite people on a random Thursday afternoon.

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What are you thankful for today?

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

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Blessings,

Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 6

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Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?

That's what I heard from the front desk attendant when I called last night for a wake-up call this morning. How often do you get to hear that in life?? I like it! With a question like that I felt I should think of something much more creative than, "may I please schedule a wake-up call for 6:00am?" But alas, I couldn't think of anything better on such short notice.

I'm staying at the W Hotel in mid-town Atlanta. Too pricey for me to ever stay at when my company is not picking up the tab, but if you ever have the chance, visit one. It's a very modern, very trendy hotel, truly a unique experience. The lobby is dimly lit like a night club. There are velvet couches with big pillows, a spa, two bars, more lounge areas... all the stuff that would have been SOOO cool when I was in my early 20's. Alas, here I am at 30-something, in my room, in front of my laptop, trying to catch up on emails instead of enjoying the hotel. But hey, it's still SOOO cool to have a young man ask, "Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?"

But guess what... it's not the hotel or the young man that I'm thankful for today, though both are very nice! Today, I'm thankful for wishing. And dreaming. And imagination. I'm thankful to live in a world where I can not only wish and dream and imagine, but where I have the power to make those wishes, dreams and imaginations come true.... not only for me, but hopefully, for those that I love and those I haven't met yet. 'Cause I think wishing and dreaming and imagining, and making wishes, dreams and imaginations come true is really SOOO cool. And for that, I am thankful.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 1-5

I had a goal for myself to blog here every day this month on something that I'm thankful for. There are so many blessings in my life and I'm thankful just to have so many things to be thankful for, really. I started keeping a daily list and alas, as has been the case for the past many weeks, time is not on my side. As I write this, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta (which is not where I live!) and I really should be going to bed. However, I've been so anxious to get back to blogging that I thought I'd post this quickly before turning out the lights. Hopefully I'll be a little more timely in my updates in the days to come but in the meantime, here are some things I'm thankful for. Some are heavy, some are silly, but all are truly blessings.

November 1: Unprompted love
My 2-year-old is now talking up a storm. She's also going through a "mommy phase" right now, after about 6 months of only wanting Daddy. She's home before I am and as soon as I walk in the door, she runs to me and says, "Mommy! Uggy!" (translation: Mommy! Huggie!) She's been doing that for a while but has recently started adding, "I mub woo!" to the end of it. (translation: I love you!) Is there anything sweeter than an unprompted declaration of love?

November 2: Running out of Halloween candy that I like
Every year I debate if I should but candy that I like, in case there are leftovers... or candy that I don't like, in case there are leftovers. This year, I opted for bags of assorted, mixed varieties, and by November 2, I had eaten all my favorites. My waistline is thankful it's over now.

November 3: An end in sight for my braces
Yes, I'm a grown-up with braces. I don't tell that to many people, it's a sore spot that I struggled with for years. About 21 months ago I decided to get braces on my teeth, for cosmetic reasons, and I've felt like the work would never be done and I'd look like an over-grown 12-year-old for the rest of my life. But on my November 3rd orthodontist visit, my wonderful orthodontist declared an end in sight. Amen!

November 4: A decisive end to the election season
My husband and I are political junkies but still, I try to avoid discussing politics here (though I'm happy to share any/all of my own personal views offline with anyone who is interested!). However, as everyone who's been alive for the past year knows, this has been a long, hard-fought, overwhelming election cycle. I did a lot of praying over the election and one specific thing I prayed for was a final, decisive victory for whomever the new president would be. No hanging chads, no recounts, no lawsuits, no popular vote vs. electoral vote debates. I am thankful that it's over, it's decisive, and we can now look beyond November 4. This is Kat and I approve this message.

November 5: The Buddy System
Ah ha! To read about this one, you have to click on a link! My good friend Julie over at The Surrendered Scribe is taking on the NaBloPlomo challenge to blog every day in November, and she has invited guest writers to post each day on something they're thankful for. Today is my day and if you click here, you can read why I'm thankful for the buddy system. Go on, you know you want to!

More to come....

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Note: I have no idea why the headings aren't all posting as pink... they're pink in the preview and I just can't make them work. Oh well... you probably didn't even notice until I pointed it out anyway! :-)

Photo Friday: At least I have chocolate!

(click thumbnail to enlarge)

Not sure you can see what I intended at the time I took this picture... though the time I took this picture was the point of the picture. 2:37am on Friday morning. I am still working. Yes, from Thursday morning. No end in sight and I'm thinking the kids will be up in the morning before I go down for the night. But hey, I know you can see the stack of Peanut Butter Cups. Sometimes, you've gotta find your own silver lining...


~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~


Blessings,
Kat

Good in the News: Ratchet Comes Home

In May, Sgt. Gwen Beberg helped rescue a puppy from a burning trash pile on the streets of Iraq. The became instant friends and the pup, Ratchet, provided much needed love and support to Sgt. Beberg as she served our country overseas. Her goal was to bring Ratchet back to her home in Minnesota once her tour of duty was over. However, the U.S. military does not allow soldiers to adopt pets overseas and bring them back to the U.S.

The story got out, and the SPCA's (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Operation Baghdad Pups (OBP) stepped in.

An online petition began (started by a blogger) and as with so many online movements, people jumped in to to lend their support. Over 65,000 signatures were obtained and last Wednesday, the military granted permission for OBP to to bring Ratchet to the U.S. However, the clearance did not come in time for the group's flight out of Baghdad that day. OBP, however, was not giving up. On Sunday, Ratchet was on a charter flight to Kuwait and Northwest Airlines has donated the remaining flights from Kuwait to Minnesota. (It usually costs $3,000 - $4,000 for OBP to bring an animal home from overseas, all funded by donations.)

Sgt. Beberg's tour is not over until November, but when it ends, Ratchet will be ready and waiting for her at home, thanks to the help of tens of thousands of people who neither the soldier nor the dog will ever meet. What power there is in the internet, don't you think?

My prayers are with Sgt. Beberg as she completes her time in the Middle East. So is my respect and my admiration and my eternal debt of gratitude for all that she -- and all her fellow soldiers -- do for all of us each day. So many ugly news that comes out of the Middle East these days... what a nice ray of sunshine this story brings.

Read the full story on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/19/iraq.ratchet.the.dog/index.html

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Looks like a butterfly, feels like a ladybug

Though I am quite certain I do not deserve this award, I am tickled that my good friend Julie over at The Surrendered Scribe would pass it on to me. What a beautiful gesture from a really sweet, amazing woman, at a time when I really could use a ladybug (or ten). Yes, it may look like a butterfly, but it sure feels like a ladybug to me!

As you may have noticed from my lack of posting lately, life has been very, very busy for yours truly. My outside-the-home job is taking up way more of my time than I care to admit, and it's been a very busy, very stressful, very tiring past 6 weeks. I miss blogging terribly, on this blog most of all (I have 2 others). However, there is an end in sight (to the chaos at work) and I hope to get back to blogging more regularly within the next few weeks.



To all of you who read this blog, thank you, especially those of you who still check in to look for updates even when there haven't been any in a while. I'll be back.... I promise!

And thanks to Julie, for passing on a ladybug that really made my day!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Meet Your Candidates

Even if you're not "into" politics, it's been very hard to avoid the 2008 Presidential Election news coverage. So many historic firsts this time around, regardless of the outcome. Some people already know who they plan to vote for -- be it based on party lines, specific issues or specific people on the ticket. Others are still trying to sort through it all and make up their mind. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, make sure you have all the facts about the candidates before casting your ballot on November 4th.

Each candidate, of course, has their own website. Obviously, these will be skewed toward each individual candidate. But, it's still a good start to read up on what each candidate says they stand for:

John McCain / Sarah Palin

Barack Obama / Joe Biden
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Even though I'm pretty sure who I'm voting for, I still listen to and question the ads and what I hear from the opposing candidate. For example, here in Florida, I began hearing radio spots by Obama, saying that McCain did not support and was opposed to stem cell research. Within a few days, I began hearing radio spots by McCain saying that he did support stem cell research. During the Vice Presidential debates, I heard a lot of "facts" from one candidate about the other, which didn't seem to make sense or sounded a bit off. How's a girl to know what the real truth is?

There's a great website that does a lot of the fact checking for you. It purports to be fair and balanced and non-partisan and from what I've seen, it is. Check out http://www.factcheck.org/, where you can read about what Candidate A said and how true (or not) it really is. Of course, the issues and comments are too numerous to list them all there, but it hits on a lot of the biggies.

You may or may not agree that this country is in good shape, and you may or may not agree on the path the new President will take. But the good news is that each of us has the power to help shape the future... by getting informed, deciding what's most important to us and our families, and casting your vote on November 4th to make your voice heard. Together, we decide our future.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Photo Friday: Tranquility

I took this picture early on an August morning at my favorite vacation spot in the world, the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Calm... peaceful... perfect, really. This picture always makes me stop and remember to slow down. Don't make waves, don't disturb a thing. Just take a deep breath and let the tranquility of the moment surround you.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Project Linus: Providing Security through Blankets

As a child, I had a favorite blanket which I called my "bye." Actually, there were two or three of them that were identical, and mom would sneak a dirty one away and replace it with a clean one while I slept. Today, one of those very same "byes" lives in my 5-year-old's bed and has been renamed the "Hugs and Kisses Blanket." Every night before bed, I fill it with hugs and kisses and wrap it around her in case she needs any "mommy love" while she sleeps.

Even though I'm "all grown up" now, I still love that bye, and perhaps that's part of what fueled my favorite hobby of making quilts. I'm certainly not an expert blanket maker but I really enjoy the process of choosing that special pattern for that special someone, selecting the right fabrics, piecing them together and admiring how yards of fabric can become something so special. Maybe that's also one of the reasons I'm so attracted to an organization called Project Linus.

From the Project Linus website:

Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapters and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Each volunteer and local chapter all work together to help us achieve our mission statement, which states:

First, it is our mission to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Second, it is our mission to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in local communities, for the benefit of children.

Together we have distributed over two million blankets to children in need since our inception in 1995.

You don't have to know how to sew, knit or crochet to become involved with Project Linus, though their website does offer lots of great blanket patterns that would be fun for people of all ages to make, including a really simple "no sew fleece" pattern. If you'd like to donate supplies, you can find your local chapter and contact the coordinator for more information. Or, you can make a monetary donation on the Project Linus Website or by mail.

What a great gift to give a child in need... the love, warmth and security of a made-with-love blankie. These are gifts that can make such an important difference that can truly last a lifetime.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Prayers, please, for The Miracle Baby in Room C

He's a fighter and he'll get through this, and so will his amazing, loving, supportive family. However, it's been a very long, difficult 9 months already and I know that some more prayers and love headed their way will make it a little less difficult.

During the night, CP got a call from the NICU. Austin had been moved back down to the critical care nursery. His belly blew up once again and an x-ray showed that his large intestine was (again) severely blocked. His breathing was fast and unsteady due to the pain and discomfort. The doctors had to put the tubes back in and the biopsy will probably be done sometime today. This is related to the possibility of Hirschsprung disease that I posted about yesterday.

Please, say a prayer. Ask your friends to say a prayer. And please, keep praying. This little boy and his family have been through so much already.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Good News: Houston, we have poop!!

The usual Tuesday topic is Good in the News but this week,

Good News works just as well!

Only a mother (or a father) can appreciate how magical the words "we have poop!!" can be. This is most especially true in the case of The Miracle Baby in Room C, Austin, who I introduced here yesterday.

For those who read yesterday's post (and if you didn't you should, trust me!), Austin has continued to make even more great strides. He graduated again to another nursery in the NICU, only 1 nursery away from "I can go home now!" Go, Austin!!

The current concern, though, has been about poop. Yes, poop. He went about 3 days without one, which is an indication that he could possibly have Hirschsprung disease. Hirschsprung disease is a birth defect not uncommon in Down Syndrome babies, in which nerve cells in the wall of the large intestine do not develop. These nerve cells, called ganglion cells, control the muscles in that area that normally push food and digestive waste through the large intestine. In Hirschsprung's disease, the muscles in the wall of the large intestine do not relax, which prevents waste from moving through the large intestine. This may lead to trapped stool, infection, inflammation, and constipation.

The doctors were waiting to see if Austin would poop so they could decide whether or not to do a biopsy to test for Hirschprung's. If he has it, he will require surgery to remove the portion of the large intestine that has no nerve cells.

Well, AMEN for POOP!!! Which Austin did on Monday. Way to go, Austin!

The doctors are still planning to do the biopsy just in case, but we're praying now that it shows everything to be in proper working order, with more and more poop coming along as Austin starts eating and nursing more and more.

Today, we're looking for "More Poop" Prayers and healthy biopsy results. Could you spare some for The Miracle Baby in Room C?

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Meet The Miracle Baby in Room C

It's been a while since I've posted but I've been waiting and praying for this very story for such a very long time... I'm so honored that my wonderful friend "CP" allowed me to share it with all of you. It's long, but I think it's the most important blog post I've ever written. Further proof that God knows what he's doing, that He'll never give you anything you can't handle, that prayers work and that miracles really do happen. I hope you enjoy this story's ending as much as I have.

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I "met" CP on a community message board on BabyZone.com. The group was set up for expectant mothers who were due in August 2003. I was pregnant with my first baby, CP with her fourth! As our pregnancies progressed, we shared the ups, the downs, the fears, the joys and everything in between. After the little ones were born, a group of us started our own virtual community and we've been together ever since, sharing more of the ups, the downs, the fears, the joys and the "everything in betweens" of mommy-hood. I feel like all the mommies in our group are sisters to me, we've shared so much and loved so much and cried so much and prayed so much and, well, you get the point....

I've had the privilege of meeting five of the mommies in person, CP is one of them.

Many of us have had more children. I had Baby #2. CP went on to have Baby #5. And then, to everyone's surprise, Baby #6.

CP's Baby #6, though, was different from all the rest. He made us pray harder than we've ever prayed, inspired us more than we ever knew possible. This little guy... he changed us. And today, I share his story with you.

From almost the minute CP became pregnant with #6, she felt the effects. Morning sickness, discomfort and unfortunately, problems. Too much amniotic fluid. Too many "off" test results. Too many needles, ultrasounds, worries, pain. All the things that could go wrong with a pregnancy seemed to be happening to CP. They wanted her on bed rest. Right, with five other kids at home. Test results came back. The baby might have Down Syndrome. They couldn't be sure. Then he didn't. Then he did. Then came the fluid around his lungs and other tiny little organs, pushing them to places they should not be. Could he hold on until 36 weeks, when it might be "safe" to deliver him? There was debate amongst the doctors... was he better off on the inside or out? Induction, c-section, natural labor? Were his lungs ready? Would he make it?

Finally, an induction date was set. October 9... only 1 day before he was due. Baby #6, though, had other plans.

Below is CP's story, in her own words, of Baby #6. You might want to grab a tissue (or ten) before you read it.

Sunday, September 21 at 6:00am I woke up and rolled over to hear a pop and a huge gush. I woke up Al and told him my water just broke. We got dressed and headed to the hospital. On a normal day it would have taken us 35 minutes, but that day only took us 20. Al was nervous something was going to happen.

We got there and they put me in an exam room where they tested to see if it was really my water, and sure enough the test strip turned very blue. Because of how much the was flipping, they called the doc in to do an ultrasound to see if he was head down. Sure enough, he was. That was a big relief. The doc checked me and I was 2-3 cm dilated.

At that point I wasn’t having any pain or contractions so they said they would wait and see if I’d start to contract on my own. They moved me from the exam room into the labor room. Got me all hooked up to the monitor and had the hardest time getting his heart beat. Not that there was anything wrong, but because he was moving like crazy.

By 11:00am I still wasn’t having any contractions and I called the nurse to come in because something just wasn’t right. Not that I was worried, but because he was moving so much and his heart beat I couldn’t keep on the monitor. The nurse came in and tried to pick it up with no luck. She looked at me and said she thinks this little man has turned breech. She went to go find the doctor. He came in and said that it wasn’t likely that the baby had turned but he would check. First he checked to see if I had changed any. I was now 5-6 cm dilated (with no pain). They got the ultrasound machine back in the room and sure enough he was now breech. There was a huge pocket of fluid below him, along with my cord. He said that if my water gushed again that my cord would come out first and that wouldn’t be a good thing. Things got underway for a c-section.

Things were moving fast and lots of people were coming in and out with meds and paperwork. The doctor from the NICU came in to talk with us. This is where it gets very emotional for me. She sat down and told us that she wasn’t going to sugar-coat anything with us. Because the has Downs and has the fluid in his lungs, there was a 75% to 80% chance he wouldn’t make it. She wanted us to tell her how much time we wanted them to work on him before they called a time.

I just lost it at that point. I couldn’t even breath. Al stepped in and told her that we would like them to do the best they could for him and work on him until they felt there was no hope. We were shocked by what she was telling us and the stress level went sky-high along with my blood pressure. When she left, Al and I didn’t know what to do but cry. We talked and ended with talk about funeral arrangements.

About 10 minutes later they came and got me. Off to the OR I went. Within 20 minutes, the baby was on his way out. At 1:03pm, 5 seconds after he was out, he was screaming his head off. Both Al and I just lost it and cried when we heard that scream. The doctor looked over at Al and gave him 2 thumbs up. Everything was going perfectly. Al went over to cut the cord and they brought the baby to me for a fast peek and kiss. And off to the NICU he went.

The doc later told us that if he was born ten years ago, he wouldn’t have made it. He still isn’t out of the woods yet. There is still a chance the fluid will build back up, but things are looking to the positive side. He is a fighter and I know he will pull himself out of this. The nurses say he’s the “Miracle Baby in Room C.” He has them all wrapped around his finger.

This is his birth story. It was a long road with a lot of bumps in it, and I’m sure there will be many more as with every kid, but we are ready and so very blessed we have a strong fighter to love and care for. I’m a mother of 6 now and have more love inside of me because of my new baby boy.

Since writing this birth story, The Miracle Baby in Room C has continued to make great strides. He no longer requires the tubes in his mouth, he's able to drink from a bottle and is doing his best to learn how to nurse. He's even graduated to the next level in the NICU. CP is at home with her other 5 "babies," but makes daily trips to visit with her newest little guy. We're all continuing to pray that he gets stronger and healthier every day, and that he gets to come home very, very soon. If you could spare a prayer for him as well, I know the entire family would appreciate it.

It is with the greatest honor that I introduce the world to The Miracle Baby in Room C, the cutest, bravest little fighter, Austin:

Austin Fredrick

Born 09/21/09

7 pounds, 2 ounces

20.5 inches long

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

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Blessings,

Kat

Don't Whine... Vote!

So many things I'd like to change in this world, and sometimes, I feel so powerless. I do what I can as often as I can, and I know which issues are most important to me. I know what I like, and I know what I want to change. But how?

It's so simple, and ALL of us have the power. One word. VOTE!

If you're not registered to vote, it's quick and easy to do online. Check out the voter registration deadline for your state, and then take a few moments to register to make YOUR voice heard!

Voter Registration Deadlines by State

"Rock the Vote" online voter registration site

We've all heard that more people than ever plan to vote this year, plan to make their voice heard. Go ahead and make sure you are one of them!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Photo Friday: And Still She Waves

Julie said it best in a recent post, that no one remembers where they were on September 10th. But September 11th, clearly, We Will Never Forget.

I know that it's September 12th already, but I clearly remember where I was and what I was doing 7 years ago today. I was on my couch where I'd been for 24 hours straight, glued to the TV, still in the same clothes I'd been wearing from the day before. Craig and I were talking about the friends, colleagues and mentors we already knew we'd lost, and praying for those we hadn't heard from yet. You see, 8 months earlier, I would have been coming into the Towers on the subway at the very time the first plane hit. The building I worked in was directly across the street.

Seven years later, I'm still not sure we can make sense of it all. We were at Ground Zero in July, and even though I've been there many times in the past few years, the shock of that gaping hole in the ground still doesn't wear off.

One thing I know, though, and one thing I praise God for, is that even on September 11 and every single day since, our flag still stands. Maybe a little more tattered, maybe a little more torn, but no less bright and no less beautiful. And still, she waves.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Good in the News: To Infinity and Beyond

Warning: You'll need a box of tissues for this one!

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Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/10/rescue.at.sea/index.html

To infinity and beyond: A sparkling survival story
By Mallory Simon, CNN

(CNN) -- Walter Marino shouted to his 12-year-old son, Christopher, as he drifted farther away in the Atlantic Ocean.

"To infinity," the father yelled.

"And beyond," Christopher replied.

After a rip current swept the boy and his father out to sea Saturday, darkness fell, and the sound of rescue helicopters and boats grew faint until they were nonexistent.

Despite the danger, Christopher, who has autism, was enjoying himself, his father said. The boy lacks a fear of death because of his autism and finds comfort in the water, Marino told CNN.

Marino finds comfort in his son. Their unique circumstances helped keep them alive for more than 12 hours in the open ocean, Marino said.

"With many kids with autism, the thing that is so dangerous is that they have no concept of fear or fear of death," Marino said. "In this case, though, it perhaps saved him -- that and the fact that water is one of his favorite things. Whenever he goes missing or tries to run away, we can always find him near water ... even at the mall if it is just near a fountain."

Christopher was laughing as the father and son were pulled farther and farther from Ponce Inlet, Florida. As the pair lunged for buoys -- and missed -- Christopher couldn't help but giggle. It was this spirit that helped ground Marino, the father said.

"It was a big entertainment roller coaster for him, that's what got me through it -- because he wasn't freaking out," said Marino, 46.

But after four hours at sea without a life vest, and after it became obvious that rescue operations had ceased for the night, jellyfish began to sting the pair. That began to "freak Christopher out," his father said.

While Christopher is almost nonverbal in his communication, he and his father use catch phases from Disney movies, which the boy loves, to communicate.

After four hours, the currents picked up, and Christopher began to drift from his father's reach. Because of the darkness, they couldn't see each other. So Marino shouted out part of a phrase to his son.

"To infinity," Marino shouted, referencing one of Christopher's favorite lines from the movie "Toy Story."

"And beyond," Christopher shouted back, pumping his fist in the air like movie character Buzz Lightyear.

The call and response went on for a while, with Marino choosing different phrases and Christopher yelling back. But over the course of an hour, Christopher's voice faded until his father couldn't hear him anymore.

"That's when I resigned myself to the fact that he was gone," Marino told CNN, saying he believed his son had been pulled under the water. At the time, Marino said, he thought about giving up, until he thought of his daughter Angela. She had just registered for ballroom dance classes, and he told himself over and over he would live to see her dance.

"I just kept thinking about her and how I was not going to leave her without a brother and her father in the same day -- not on my watch," he told CNN. "It was the visual of her that kept me going."

Marino used other tricks to keep his mind focused in the 81-degree water. He remembered going to the Ponce Inlet museum, which highlighted a lighthouse. He then set out to use the lighthouse as a guide for himself, so he would know how far he was from shore.

He alternated doing the "doggie paddle" and floating on his back with his ears in the water, the way his son loved to.

He would float on his back and watch the bright stars. He wished on four shooting stars that flew by and used constellations in the sky to know what direction to go if he drifted away.

Under the stars and in the dark Atlantic, he turned to his spirituality, realizing his life was in God's hands. A religious medal rested on his chest.

As morning turned, Marino tried to stay alert for sounds that might mean help was near.
Hearing a boat motor, he waved frantically.

Soon, a group of fishermen pulled him aboard their boat. A flash of light from the medallion had caught the eye of one of the anglers, who shouted at his brother at the helm to stop the boat, one of Marino's rescuers told him.

The first thing Marino asked was if the men had heard anything about his son, but they hadn't.

Marino began to grieve. It had been nearly eight hours since he had last seen his son, and he believed he was gone for good. He wept.

When the U.S. Coast Guard arrived, Marino asked them, too, about Christopher, but they said they had not found him. The Coast Guard crew asked if he wanted to go to the hospital, but he decided to stay on the boat so the search for Christopher wouldn't be disrupted.

But Marino chose not to watch the water as the search went on.

"I chose to be down below, because I didn't want to see them pull up on Christopher being face-down in the water," he said.

So the Coast Guard vessel steamed on. After more than an hour, the boat went full throttle, jolting Marino backward in his space below deck. Suddenly, the boat was idling, and Marino was asked to come topside.

"That was my personal green mile," Marino told CNN, a reference to what some people call the walk on death row from the cell to the execution chamber.

"I took three steps up the green mile to the back of the deck, and they pointed to the helicopter and they said, 'You see that helicopter? It has your son on it, and he is fine,' " Marino recalled a crew member saying.

Marino was so excited he began "kissing all the Coast Guard guys."

The father and son were reunited at the emergency room at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where they were treated for dehydration.

"We were both very weak, tired and thirsty," Marino said. "But I reached out and held his hand and could tell from the same sparkle in his eye that he was going to be fine."

While Christopher can't truly communicate what he felt during those hours alone at sea, his father hopes that one day, he will be able to tell him what he felt alone in the Atlantic.

The one thing Marino knows is that his son still loves the water and that the experience hasn't taken away that special comfort from him.

"It may be a while before we go back to a beach," Marino said. "But he still loves the water. He's already gotten back in a pool."

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Meet my Bad Habit

No, it's not what you think... (even though yes, I have plenty of bad habits)... my worst bad habit, I think, is leading with my heart instead of my head. Though in many cases this is not an awful thing... sometimes, well, it blurs my perspective of reality.

When I started this blog, not even 3 months ago, I had such grandiose dreams, such amazing intentions, such confidence that yes, I could come up with a daily theme and well, post daily. Alas... I led with my heart instead of my head.

Though I still have grandiose dreams and amazing intentions, the reality is that I also have 2 small children, a husband, a dog, a home, a full-time outside-the-home job and a whole buncha other "schtuff" that also demands my time. Though I had sincerely hoped to be able to maintain this blog on a daily basis, I have found, unfortunately, that I can't always make the time to research and write and post things here that are the caliber I want them to be.

So... what does that mean...

The blog is not going away. I love it too much and I believe in it too much and even though I barely get any comments here, I am a firm believer that if even one person reads one line that makes a difference to them, then it's a blog worth maintaining. And maintain I will. Just not always on a daily basis.

For my faithful readers (and yes, I know there are a few of you), I offer a giant THANK YOU for sticking with me this far. If you're visiting, please keep checking back. There will be more! If you don't want to have to remember to check back, you can enter your email address in the "Subscribe to Dancing with Ladybugs" box on the left and you'll get an email each time there is a new post here. (Disclaimer: I promise never to spam you, forward you anything and quite honestly, I can't remember my password to log on to Feedblitz to see who has subscribed anyway... so it's strictly an email to tell you when I post, with the text delivered right to you, nothing to buy, nothing to click, nothing to remember. Promise!)

So.... that said... some weeks I might post 5 times, some weeks I might post once. But know that every post I write from here on out will be meaningful, will be important, and will provide a reason to dance in the rain.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Photo Friday: Sometimes

This is my favorite hat. Some days I feel it, some days I don't. But all days, it reminds me that even when you're feeling a little bit tattered and a little bit worn, there's always a SuperGirl inside you. Have you hugged your inner SuperGirl today?

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

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Blessings,

Kat

The Ladybug Foundation, Inc.

I'll admit, it's the name that first got me. What's not to love about an organization called "The Ladybug Foundation?"

As I read more, though, I learned that this organization was started by an 11-year-old girl named Hannah, who has a big dream and a huge heart. At age 5, she saw a homeless person eating from a garbage can and decided that she wanted to make sure no one ever had to do that again. It's something we've probably all seen at some point in our lives, but here's a shining example of someone, and someone so young, who is actually making a difference.

Hannah's mission for The Ladybug Foundation is simple:

“I believe that if people know about homelessness – that there are people living without a home – they will want to help.”

Hannah does speaking engagements to raise awareness about this problem and sells bracelets and scarves with proceeds being donated to people in need. I happen to have a soft spot for ladybugs, but even without them in the picture, this is an organization I'll definitely support.

Go check out The Ladybug Foundation, you'll be inspired by the difference Hannah is making.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Penny's Project

I've blogged here before about Sharon Hinck. Sharon is a novelist, the author of Stepping into Sunlight. In this book, Penny Sullivan is a woman healing from personal struggles, and she decides to help herself heal by doing random acts of kindness for others. Sharon has created a blog called Penny's Project, where she encourages other people to share their ideas and their own kind acts.

For the entire month of September, Sharon is sharing ideas on things you can do, small acts of kindness, to brighten someone else's day. I encourage you to go check out her blog, Penny's Project, to get some ideas on things you can do to bring a smile to someone else's face. If you've got great ideas, I know Sharon would love your comments and thoughts, as well. (Note: When you get to her blog, scroll down just a little bit to see the daily posts.)

Go on, take the September Penny's Project challenge. I am, and even after only 2 days, it feels great!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Good in the News: They got it right

We've all, no doubt, heard about Hurricane Gustav and the havoc it's been wreaking on the Gulf Coast states. My heart goes out to all those impacted, whether they're still in the area, have evacuated but are unsure what "home" looks like after the storm, and those with loved ones in the area. Living in South Florida, even in an area where severe flooding is not a major concern after a hurricane, I've been through enough with our own hurricanes to know what a toll it can take.

We can't change the weather, and it's certainly awful when a hurricane makes landfall. The good news, though, is that the authorities had a plan in place to get people out quickly and safely. After the disaster that was Katrina, emergency management teams put plans in place for just such an occurrence and by all accounts, they worked.

Power is off for hundred of thousands of residents. Homes are flooded or lost. People have died. However, thanks to the hard work of the emergency preparedness teams and cooperation by the residents of these states, the loss of life has been greatly reduced.

When storms (or tornadoes or earthquakes) strike, it's always a tragedy. But being prepared, following emergency procedures and knowing how to respond before, during and after the storm has paid off greatly for people in these states. That is most definitely good in the news.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Labor Day

Today is Labor Day, the last official long weekend of the summer. It's about more than barbecues and a Monday off, though. From the U.S. Department of Labor:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Growing up in New York, Labor Day always marked the end of the summer, the return to school, and the start of another long winter. Now that I live in South Florida, we look forward to Labor Day as the time when finally, finally the weather will start to cool off enough that we can actually go outside. For us, it's the beginning of another beautiful winter.

Wherever you live, however you celebrate, take a moment today to think about the contributions our fellow Americans have made to the well-being of our country. Say a prayer for those impacted by Hurricane Gustav, say a prayer for our leaders, say a prayer for our countrymen. Say a prayer of thanks for this great nation we live in.

Whether you're mourning the end of summer of celebrating it:

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat