Sunday, May 23, 2010

864 Meals in 20 Minutes

The largest part of our decision to move back home was the opportunity I had to be part of an amazing ministry. The company I work for is a full service design and imprint company dedicated to serving the youth ministry market. The difference between us and every other t-shirt company is the fact that every product we sell we devote a portion of the proceeds to purchasing the ingredients for, and packing meals for starving kids all over the world. We are a satellite packaging facility for Kids Against Hunger. In addition we have also set up our own non profit called Change This World. Not only do we coordinate packaging events all over Florida but recently the Nation and soon the world (going to Africa in October). Each morning we also gather as a staff and package meals together. It is a reminder of why we do what we do and for who (the least of these!).

I recently felt it was time to involve Andon in not only the packaging of meals but why it is important. The best way I could find to connect Andon to what is actually happening in the world was to share with him a video that completely impacted me SAM AND ESTER. After seeing the video it leaves you with a sense of despair and hopelessness. This has always motivated me to action but for some it paralyzes. I wanted to model for Andon that while their is a scary reality to life we CAN and SHOULD do something about it. Approximately 28,000 children die each day due to starvation and preventable diseases! This is not ok with our family.

We always start out with prayer. After, we all find a station to serve. Andon and I decided to jump in at the Soy station. Their are four components to the meals. 1. Rice, 2. Soy, 3. Dehydrated vegetables and 4. Vitamin and mineral powder. The food actually assists in reversing the effects of starvation. First goes the vitamins then the veggies, next the soy and last the rice. It only takes about twenty minutes and twelve people to package 864 meals! The company and non profit have packaged over 2 million meals in just six months.

After packaging I decided to bring one of the meals home for all of us to experience what some eat every day (It's actually good). While we ate I explained to Andon that most children in the world do not have options like he does. No grocery store, no home with a pantry full of choices and in some cases no meals at all. I explained that the food we often throw away would be a blessing to them. My intention is to educate and involve him. My hope is that he not only understands what is going on in the world but realizes even one person getting involved can make a difference.

On a side note, both Sam and Ester are doing well and Laurie regularly receives meals from our efforts!





Thursday, May 20, 2010

Adelyn and I met PW

Last week Ree Drummond also known as The Pioneer Woman was in town doing a cookbook signing at Barnes and Noble. I have loved reading her blog for the couple of years so I was so excited to get to meet her!

The book signing started at 6pm so I thought I would be smart and arrive around 5:30 to beat the crowds. Well, not only was I near the end of the line but I had to wait 4 hours to meet her! People started getting there at 2pm that day to start lining up. I didn't know everyone else around here knew about her! :)

Jared, Andon and Adelyn toured the bookstore for a while then went to Chick-Fil-a to pick up some dinner then came back and read some books for a while and then drove around the parking lot while Adelyn screamed then toured the bookstore for a while more.

Thankfully the sweet girls in line with me offered to hold my place while I went and fed Adelyn, twice. :) The first time was in the bathroom, standing in one of the stalls (that was bad). The second time was out in the car, not so bad. But sweet little Adelyn was just not happy afterwards so I left the line again to go get her and have her wait to meet Ree with me.

Besides knowing my baby was screaming in the car and stressing my hubby out the wait wasn't that bad. I got to meet some really sweet girls from different parts of Florida. We talked about baby slings, breastfeeding, pizza throwing, yoyo contests, food, one of the girls friends who stood her up :) and all kinds of stuff. I love hanging out with a bunch of women, we can talk about just anything and instantly become friends.

So after four hours of waiting Adelyn and I got to meet sweet Ree and have her sign my cookbook. Here is a pic from my iphone because I forgot my camera. :)

She was so sweet, I really don't know what I said to her because I was pretty frazzled hoping Adelyn wouldn't start screaming. I do remember her asking if she could smell Adelyn's head though! I thought that was so funny because I love the smell of baby's heads too! :)

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

I had such a great Mother's Day today with my family. I am so thankful for my sweet husband for making day's like today so special for me and I am so thankful for my sweet children. That's right I said children!! I love saying that! :)

We just adore our Andon Chase. He is such a unique and special little guy. He is so creative and imaginative just like his Daddy. He loves to be funny!! If he tells a joke and realizes it made me laugh he will continue to tell it a few more times. We have had to tell him a joke isn't funny when you keep telling it. :) He has such a servant's heart, he is so precious with his sister. He takes care of her all on his own, I love that I don't even need to ask. Him and his Daddy are best friends and have the sweetest relationship. I have loved watching their relationship grow over the last 6 years.

And our sweet Adelyn Christine. She is such precious little girl. Only 5 weeks old and we couldn't be more in love. We prayed for another child for 3 and 1/2 years and she is that blessing. She LOVES to be held and snuggled and momma LOVES to hold her but we're trying to get her to like her swing and things. :) She has been the sweetest addition to our family and we couldn't be more thankful for her.

Andon and Adelyn, I love you both more than you will ever know. I am so thankful for the two of you and I am so happy and proud to be your Momma. :)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

My Daughter



I love having a daughter, that's all. :)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

She's Already 1 Month Old

I can't believe how fast time flies! Today Adelyn turns 1 month old. I tried taking some pics of her but it seems like every time I pull the camera out she turns into a little stink weed. :) I did manage to get a few though.

Here's my girl sitting in her sweet little crib that she has yet to sleep in. She sleeps in a bassinet next to my bed for now. I'm not sure when she'll move into her room. Hopefully sooner than we moved Andon into his (he was 8 months old)!! :)



And here she is sitting with her big bear. She was not happy AT ALL about this. Jared gave this bear to me when we were dating and I love that it is in her room.

At one month she is still sleeping quite a bit. She eats every two to three hours during the day and every three to four hours at night. We have gotten a few smiles and laughs out of her which are just adorable! She loves car rides and taking walks in her stroller. And she absolutely LOVES being held. This sweet girl is a snuggle bug and just loves to cuddle and be warm. I love that, except when I am trying to get some things done so right now a lot of things are not getting done. :)

Andon is such a helpful and loving big brother to her. I'll hear her fussing in the back seat or downstairs and I don't even have to ask him and he's right there giving her her paci and taking care of her. I am so proud of him and so thankful for his help.

Mommy, Daddy and Andon love you so much sweet Adelyn. We are so thankful for you and have loved every minute of this last month with you.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Going to Daddy's Work

This week I took Adelyn up to Daddy's work to meet everyone. First we went to the Dr. for her 3 week check up and to have a physical done for Andon. Everything was great for both of them and Adelyn weighed 10 pounds!! My sweet girl likes to eat just like her momma. :)

Here are some pics of my girl going to visit her Daddy. I seem to have a lot of pics of her in her car seat. I realized that's when I have her all dressed and buckled up so it feels like a good time to pull out the camera. :) And the gloves are on her hands because she was scratching her face up. I was afraid to clip her nails because when Andon was a baby I accidentally clipped some of his skin off!! But I started biting her nails and she doesn't have to wear the cute little gloves anymore. :)


We are having so much fun with our little girl. She is 4 weeks old today and we are all feeling more and more adjusted to this new life.