I found this great link to Korean American children's books! I have been scouring Amazon and come up empty handed. Thank goodness for blog rolls.
Korean American Children's Books
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Our Generation's Civil Rights Movement
On this day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, it is hard not to reflect on how far we have come and where we are going as a society. One subject that is very dear to my heart is rights and fair treatment for homosexuals. I feel in my life I have been raised to accept everyone no matter of color, race, social status, sexual orientation, etc. I know that is not the case for everyone. I feel thankful that my husband was raised similarly to me and excited to raise my son to be an accepting person. In light of Martin Luther King day I feel that everyone should take a moment and find a way to open their hearts and minds a little more than the day before.
Here are some good pieces of information for you to check out if you wanted to broaden your horizons:
GOOP - Gwen posted some information on her blog about Homosexuality and the Bible from reputable authors and exerts from their books.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality - great book to read
For The Bible Tells Me So - great movie
It is difficult for me to even be around people who are closed minded/ignorant. I usually find that these individuals not only have issues with homosexuals but other races, religions, etc. It is so much easier to just accept people. It takes a lot of work to hate and discriminate.
So my passing thought is to love thy neighbor.
I was raised Catholic and I am going to tell you I really DON'T think God wants people to hate homosexuals. I think people are naturally afraid of what they don't understand. The idea of the Bible NOT being as anti-homosexuality as generally believed sounds heretical because it's been repeated constantly for decades. The Bible has been used throughout the ages to justify racism, slavery, subjugation of women, and persecution of the Jews. People who clung to those beliefs probably had a hard time accepting that the Bible didn't really endorse those things after all, too.
Here are some good pieces of information for you to check out if you wanted to broaden your horizons:
GOOP - Gwen posted some information on her blog about Homosexuality and the Bible from reputable authors and exerts from their books.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality - great book to read
For The Bible Tells Me So - great movie
It is difficult for me to even be around people who are closed minded/ignorant. I usually find that these individuals not only have issues with homosexuals but other races, religions, etc. It is so much easier to just accept people. It takes a lot of work to hate and discriminate.
So my passing thought is to love thy neighbor.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Cy Update
It hasn't been a good start to the year for our family. First we had the accident and today we got some sad news about our little man over in Korea. Our agency emailed us that Cy was admitted to the hospital for Inguinal Hernia on January 1st. Then, he had the surgery on January 2nd and was discharged on January 3rd, 2012. The news immediately brought tears to my eyes, but after a quick conversation with my cousin Ashley (she is a nurse) I feel better about the surgery. He had his check up on January 10th and appears to be in good health.
What makes it sad is that there is absolutely nothing I can do! It makes me so upset and sad that this process continues to take a long time and it has been so hard. The situation is even more hard when you get information like this and know there is absolutely NOTHING you can do, you can't call to see how he is doing, you can't hold him, you can't feed him ice cream...you just read the details like a book you got as a gift from Barnes and Noble. Shrug your shoulders, go to your swim class and continue on with your day. So strange.
Please if everyone can just send us good vibes so that we get a call and he gets to come home soon!
What makes it sad is that there is absolutely nothing I can do! It makes me so upset and sad that this process continues to take a long time and it has been so hard. The situation is even more hard when you get information like this and know there is absolutely NOTHING you can do, you can't call to see how he is doing, you can't hold him, you can't feed him ice cream...you just read the details like a book you got as a gift from Barnes and Noble. Shrug your shoulders, go to your swim class and continue on with your day. So strange.
Please if everyone can just send us good vibes so that we get a call and he gets to come home soon!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Very Real Danger of Genetically Modified Foods
It can be a battle in our house on how much money we spend on food. However, I look at food like my health insurance. How we take care of our bodies and what we put in them is very important. I am not a person who is a band aid girl. I like to take care before something goes wrong. There ARE ways to spend less and eat more whole foods. It is more expensive then your crappy processed foods but those of us who have the time to make whole foods or the extra money needs to be the change we want to see in our grocery stores. The system is set up on supply and demand. The more we demand good food the cheaper it will get!
Quote from Food Inc. - People have got to start demanding good wholesome food – we’re good honest people. We’ll deliver that!
Here is a link to an article in The Atlantic;
Quote from Food Inc. - People have got to start demanding good wholesome food – we’re good honest people. We’ll deliver that!
Here is a link to an article in The Atlantic;
The Very Real Danger of Genetically Modified Foods
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Ode to Jer
Those of you who know me know that 7 years ago, I met the most amazing man who has literally changed my life. I really am not sure how I got so lucky. We have had an awesome time! Although, the past three years of our marriage has been very difficult and only those who are very close know the main details. I don't know why I have chosen to have some verbal vomit, but there are not many who follow the blog and it is actually quite helpful as we round closer to the final lap of our adoption process. Jeremy and I have been through a lot of ups and downs (just like a lot of people) and we continue to grow stronger and stronger. It all began in January 2009...
Jeremy and I started fertility treatments in the beginning of 2009. We were having some technical difficulties and decided to seek help. I did 6 rounds of IUI's. You might think, that is not a big deal...but the during and after effects of the whole process is brutal. Clomid was horrible and giving yourself shots of the hormone is just painful (in an emotional factor). The whole process of intimacy is thrown out the window when you start doing fertility treatments and having to have set sex times. Needless to say that this process did not work for my husband and I. My doctor did find some problems and a Laparoscopy procedure was required. My case was endometriosis and fibroids. The procedure was very painful and I was laid up for about 2 weeks. I am sure the recovery times very, however I had an infection in my uterus so that caused for some delays. The fun part was my cousin Ashley had just had a surgical procedure too and we got to chat a lot while laying in bed and I loved all of our text and conversations. This was the first few years of my marriage. I am lucky Jeremy and I were together for 4 years before we decided to get married! After all this Jeremy and I decided to adopt....
While I have never been diagnosed with not being able to have children, my age doesn't help much with chance of biological kids. I have no regrets with the chance to adopt our son Cy whom we should be going to get in a few months! There will always be this part of me that feels a tinge of sadness if we never have a biological child but I know that I will love Cy so much that he would never feel anything less. My problem now is that I just wish we had more money (adoption isn't cheap) to adopt more kids! I find myself scouring adoption websites and wondering if we will adopt again. My problem is this whole adoption process has been no picnic!
If you have never been through it, it is very hard to explain. It is such an emotional roller coaster and you have absolutely no control (and I am a serious control freak). You are at the hands or other countries governments. At first I have to say I was very optimistic and just rolling through the punches. As this process has dragged on and on I swear my optimism has dwindled and bitterness has set in. I just want my son home and I hate waiting. Do you know how weird it is to walk around a house filled with toddler things and you have NO idea when he is coming home. I can't even buy clothes because I have no idea (despite measurements) how big or little he really is. At least when you are pregnant you have an expected time...with adoption...you wait and wait and wait. One thing about me is that I am NOT a patient person and I use to think that this process is going to make me more patient...wrong. It isn't working. I think I am learning to wait. To handle disappointment with grace and humility. To cry and be okay with that emotion. To be sad and be okay with being sad. I think so many times we are told to cover our emotions, this process has taught me it is okay to have emotions. It puts strains sometimes on the relationship because you are sad and it is natural to take frustrations out on the person closest to you and not matter what they say or do or trip you go on there is nothing that can make it better that your child is not here yet.
Through all these situations my husband has been fantastic, while I know I can be a pain in the ass his constant steadfast personality, patience, optimism and strength has been my rock.We have had wonderful conversations, discussions that I wouldn't have expected this early on and great moments. Soon we will enter a new phase of our life together, parents. I am excited and nervous at the same time! I love my Jeremy and very selfish of my time with him. I truly enjoy being with him. I know he is going to be such an amazing father because of how he has been with our niece and what a wonderful husband he is to me. Every morning I get up I am so excited that he is next to me and I can't wait to see him at the end of the day! I thank everyday that he is in my life and we get to have this amazing journey together.
Love you my darling!
Jeremy and I started fertility treatments in the beginning of 2009. We were having some technical difficulties and decided to seek help. I did 6 rounds of IUI's. You might think, that is not a big deal...but the during and after effects of the whole process is brutal. Clomid was horrible and giving yourself shots of the hormone is just painful (in an emotional factor). The whole process of intimacy is thrown out the window when you start doing fertility treatments and having to have set sex times. Needless to say that this process did not work for my husband and I. My doctor did find some problems and a Laparoscopy procedure was required. My case was endometriosis and fibroids. The procedure was very painful and I was laid up for about 2 weeks. I am sure the recovery times very, however I had an infection in my uterus so that caused for some delays. The fun part was my cousin Ashley had just had a surgical procedure too and we got to chat a lot while laying in bed and I loved all of our text and conversations. This was the first few years of my marriage. I am lucky Jeremy and I were together for 4 years before we decided to get married! After all this Jeremy and I decided to adopt....
While I have never been diagnosed with not being able to have children, my age doesn't help much with chance of biological kids. I have no regrets with the chance to adopt our son Cy whom we should be going to get in a few months! There will always be this part of me that feels a tinge of sadness if we never have a biological child but I know that I will love Cy so much that he would never feel anything less. My problem now is that I just wish we had more money (adoption isn't cheap) to adopt more kids! I find myself scouring adoption websites and wondering if we will adopt again. My problem is this whole adoption process has been no picnic!
If you have never been through it, it is very hard to explain. It is such an emotional roller coaster and you have absolutely no control (and I am a serious control freak). You are at the hands or other countries governments. At first I have to say I was very optimistic and just rolling through the punches. As this process has dragged on and on I swear my optimism has dwindled and bitterness has set in. I just want my son home and I hate waiting. Do you know how weird it is to walk around a house filled with toddler things and you have NO idea when he is coming home. I can't even buy clothes because I have no idea (despite measurements) how big or little he really is. At least when you are pregnant you have an expected time...with adoption...you wait and wait and wait. One thing about me is that I am NOT a patient person and I use to think that this process is going to make me more patient...wrong. It isn't working. I think I am learning to wait. To handle disappointment with grace and humility. To cry and be okay with that emotion. To be sad and be okay with being sad. I think so many times we are told to cover our emotions, this process has taught me it is okay to have emotions. It puts strains sometimes on the relationship because you are sad and it is natural to take frustrations out on the person closest to you and not matter what they say or do or trip you go on there is nothing that can make it better that your child is not here yet.
Through all these situations my husband has been fantastic, while I know I can be a pain in the ass his constant steadfast personality, patience, optimism and strength has been my rock.We have had wonderful conversations, discussions that I wouldn't have expected this early on and great moments. Soon we will enter a new phase of our life together, parents. I am excited and nervous at the same time! I love my Jeremy and very selfish of my time with him. I truly enjoy being with him. I know he is going to be such an amazing father because of how he has been with our niece and what a wonderful husband he is to me. Every morning I get up I am so excited that he is next to me and I can't wait to see him at the end of the day! I thank everyday that he is in my life and we get to have this amazing journey together.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Homemade Enchilada Sauce
I have been wanting to figure out a homemade enchilada sauce for awhile and FINALLY made a good one last night!
1 - 14.5 oz can of Muir Glen Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
2 Tbsp of chili powder - or more. I played depending on taste.
2 Tbsp of Garlic Powder -or more. I played depending on taste.
2 tsp of Cayenne or Roasted Jalapeno (my favorite)
Salt and Pepper
2 cups of water
Few pinches of Cumin - can't remember how much I used.
1 cup of water and enough flour to make a thickening agent. You can add or take away as you see fit.
1/4 c. or more of Roasted Green Chilis
2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.
I slowly heated then blended together with an Immersion Blender. Of course I didn't stay on course 100% with the recipe but it was good! Plus, it wasn't processed!!!!!!!! Yeah! Now you can double the recipe for a larger batch!
I have been wanting to figure out a homemade enchilada sauce for awhile and FINALLY made a good one last night!
1 - 14.5 oz can of Muir Glen Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
2 Tbsp of chili powder - or more. I played depending on taste.
2 Tbsp of Garlic Powder -or more. I played depending on taste.
2 tsp of Cayenne or Roasted Jalapeno (my favorite)
Salt and Pepper
2 cups of water
Few pinches of Cumin - can't remember how much I used.
1 cup of water and enough flour to make a thickening agent. You can add or take away as you see fit.
1/4 c. or more of Roasted Green Chilis
2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.
I slowly heated then blended together with an Immersion Blender. Of course I didn't stay on course 100% with the recipe but it was good! Plus, it wasn't processed!!!!!!!! Yeah! Now you can double the recipe for a larger batch!
BAM! DING! BOOM!
Life has a funny way to rear it's head out sometimes. Last week I was in an accident that might result in my Jeep Liberty going bye-bye. While I am thankful more then anything that I am okay and the people in the other car are okay...it is such a financial bummer! We have lived with one car for over six years. Which makes it easy is that my husband bikes to work so I am able to use the car. It is also cheaper for Jeremy or myself to rent a car for a day or two if we have too then having a car payment.
As a society we live with car payments. We need cars! At least in Fort Collins our public transportation sucks, we don't have a train system and the lack of good public transportation leaves you with no choice. So these past few days have resulted in us arguing, researching and reviewing finances on buying a car/SUV. Here is where our dilemma lies, with adopting our son we always knew we would need to eventually get a second car. What we liked is that we had the Jeep payed off and then would get a second car. After an awesome phone call today with the insurance adjuster we are possibly looking at the Jeep being totaled (the auto body shop sent back to insurance some more supplements so the total cost is around 5K and our Jeep is a 2002 with 130K miles) and having to get two cars right off the bat AND go to Korea to get our son! Seriously...this is ridiculous! I want to throw our hands up in the air.
My husband who is more of an optimist then myself is being a lot more practical then me. I think I am bumming more because we just can't do it all, financially. How do people do it I question. We need a car...if not two and we have to go to Korea to get our son...which isn't cheap! It is super frustrating and we don't financially have the money to do it all so where do we sacrifice? Can we sacrifice if the Jeep doesn't get fixed...Ugh!
I guess I am writing openly about this in my blog to get my feelings off my chest and to know if anyone has ever gone through anything like this and can offer up some good old fashioned advice!
As a society we live with car payments. We need cars! At least in Fort Collins our public transportation sucks, we don't have a train system and the lack of good public transportation leaves you with no choice. So these past few days have resulted in us arguing, researching and reviewing finances on buying a car/SUV. Here is where our dilemma lies, with adopting our son we always knew we would need to eventually get a second car. What we liked is that we had the Jeep payed off and then would get a second car. After an awesome phone call today with the insurance adjuster we are possibly looking at the Jeep being totaled (the auto body shop sent back to insurance some more supplements so the total cost is around 5K and our Jeep is a 2002 with 130K miles) and having to get two cars right off the bat AND go to Korea to get our son! Seriously...this is ridiculous! I want to throw our hands up in the air.
My husband who is more of an optimist then myself is being a lot more practical then me. I think I am bumming more because we just can't do it all, financially. How do people do it I question. We need a car...if not two and we have to go to Korea to get our son...which isn't cheap! It is super frustrating and we don't financially have the money to do it all so where do we sacrifice? Can we sacrifice if the Jeep doesn't get fixed...Ugh!
I guess I am writing openly about this in my blog to get my feelings off my chest and to know if anyone has ever gone through anything like this and can offer up some good old fashioned advice!
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