Baldwin Family Day 2007

Official Baldwin Family Day

What is it?

Today is the 10th anniversary of our own family holiday. We call it Family Day.
Each year we celebrate how we all became one family...through marriage, birth
and adoption. It doesn't always have to be elaborate or expensive...sometimes
it's just spending time together. When November 17th lands during the week we
pull the kids out of school, take the day off and clear the schedule of any
other appointments. This is a sacred sabattical from outside "stuff". It is our
family day.

How did it start?

On November 17, 1997 a little 5-month old baby boy entered our home and became our son. We had only known about him for three days and had just met him for the first time the previous day. He was a gift of grace to our marriage and our family and his name was "Laughter", or "Isaac".

(pictured fr. left to rt.: Melissa, Desiree, Isaac's birthmom-holding him, and Larry)

Signs that I may need to curb my tongue...

Larry and the boys were tearing down an old fort under our patio last weekend. Maddie was watching the whole ordeal and acting as the warning system for any spiders on the loose. Suddenly a huge spider crawled out from behind a beam and Maddie let out an enthusiastic, "Holy Crap!" Which of course sent her brothers into hysterics. Maybe I should be more careful with my mouth!!! :-)

Braggin' Rights...

Next week my brother and his family are coming to visit us in Indiana. We are excitedly getting ready for their visit...the last chance for them to come see our life here before we move back to California. I am so proud of my brother...he pastors a church in San Diego but today I just want to brag on my nephew and niece (who I got to help deliver!!!)...Dakota and Shaye...are they NOT the cutest???!

They may deny it...

...but they really DO love each other!

Portrait of Halloween

Today I took the kids to get their annual Halloween photos. We took Madeline Hubbard (Emma's best friend) along. She and Emma dressed up as twin Elvis's. Here...take a look!

Sage Sisterly Snippets

"Every song tells a story, Maddie"-

Emma Baldwin

(old picture but new quote!)

My Miniature Diva...

San Diego Fire Relief

· Over 1700 homes lost in San Diego alone to date
· Hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes
· Largest evacuation in California history…larger than evacuation during Hurricane Katrina

You may be like me and watching the news wondering what in the world you can possibly do to make a difference even from a distance. I have one avenue that I would like to pitch out to you.

When we left San Diego, we were involved in a church called Crossroads Church. The congregation at Crossroads has a motto: No One Stands Alone and they live it. When there is a need they will hold “No One Stands Alone” offerings and throw themselves into serving that need. This is NOT a church with a lot of money. They do not live in suburban America with 4 bedroom homes and 2 car garages. Many of them rent and live in apartments. The majority are blue collar workers living paycheck to paycheck. They are a living, contemporary example of the church in 2 Corinthians 8:

2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

Crossroads is currently involved in the effort to provide fire relief in San Diego. They have done everything from directing traffic in front of shelters to donating water, cots and other needs. They are being the hands and feet of Jesus to the victims of the fires with their time, energy and money.

Here’s how you can help. By writing a check to Crossroads Church and including “SD Fires” in the memo line you can be guaranteed that your money will go directly to fire relief. If you are in the Michiana area, I would be happy to collect the checks and get them to Crossroads. Or you can mail your check directly to them. (You will receive a tax receipt at the end of the year)

I’ve included an e-mail from the fire relief point person at Crossroads so you can get an idea of what is being done.

Thank you already to those of you who have already contributed!

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

Hello everyone,

Matt Ortiz and I spent the morning and early afternoon visiting some evacuation shelters. From our contact with leaders there I would like to suggest a strategy for those would like to organize and help. Please forward this to anyone who is interesting in participating. If you want to receive updates on how to help, make sure you e-mail me at Daviemio1@hotmail.com or call me at 619 248 8226.


Assessment
First, let me describe the situation with evacuation centers. Almost all centers are currently well organized, supplied, and staffed. Volunteers have been storming Evacuation Centers in large numbers. Matt and I spoke with the leaders of the Chula Vista Youth Center and two San Ysidro evacuation centers today. The centers are well prepared for Evacuees. Larger Centers are the main focus for the cities and are less needy. Qualcomm and the Rock for example even have live entertainment. It is the smaller centers, especially those housing the elderly, that are the one's needing more supplies and manpower. Since the volunteers came as a spur of the moment "thing," these smaller centers may need assistance soon.

Assisting

For those who are local to San Diego: Scouting the needs of smaller Evacuation Centers might be the best use of our time. As the day(s) go on, the needs of specific evacuation centers will become clear. Perhaps the best strategy now would be to visit local centers, meet the leaders get their contact information and ask them regarding their needs. Do they need people or supplies? If so, what kind of supplies and what kind of activities are the people needed for. Basically, the evacuation centers are off to a good start, but we want to make sure we can be there if the volunteers and supplies start to die down. If you are not local to San Diego: It's difficult to see if and when we will need volunteers. So far it seems like evacuation centers have more volunteers than they actually need, but this could easily change. If you are interested in helping, please let me know what you think you can do. As we hear from individual evacuation centers I will pass that information on to you.
My email is daviemio1@hotmail.com.
My cell phone is 619 248 8226.

Summary

1. Tomorrow (Wednesday) night Crossroads Community Group will meet at Chula Vista Youth Center to volunteer from 6pm-8pm. It is on the south side of Chula Vista High School 4th and K in Chula Vista. Tim Berroth is sending information.


2. Find and visit local evacuation centers, meet their leaders, get contact information, inform them or you willingness to help, and determine their needs. As you encounter needs, please pass those on to others (and please to me).


3. If you are out of town, please let me know what you are thinking you can do, so that we have an idea of what we can rely on you to provide. Primary Needs: Cots (especially for the elderly), Bedding, Toiletries (not toilet paper - there's plenty of that), Cash (Note: See P.S. below)

Thank you,

David Looney

P.S. Crossroads Church can accept checks made payable to Crossroads Church with a memo line that reads: San Diego Fire Relief.
Mail to:
Crossroads Church
555 Saturn Blvd., Suite B, PMB#510
San Diego, CA 92154

The Sky!

We don't have any fires coloring our sunsets at the moment but you sure wouldn't know it by looking at our sky last night...do you remember that commercial a few years back where the little boy and daddy watched the sunset and then the little boy whispered, "Do it again, Daddy..."

Do it again, Daddy...

Preschool Perspective

Maddie's comments to me while we watched "Dancing With The Stars" during their samba/rhumba episode...

1. "Mommy, somebody ripped the back of her dress!"


2. "Eeewwww...she's NAKED!"

Latest Update!

According to San Diego Sheriff's 346,000 homes have been evacuated...that is NOT the number of people...that is the number of homes...the number of people is MUCH higher.

I am working with my brother's church, Crossroads, to coordinate relief efforts. If you would like to be a part of this effort, please leave a comment and I will contact you when I have details and resources set up to accomodate the help! Thank you!

Prayer Request!

Many of my friends and family live in the San Diego area. They are currently facing multiple firestorms in worse conditions than when we had them back in 2003 (our family was evacuated at that time but suffered no damage...other than smoke and ash). Some have been evacuated and others are on alert. Please keep them in prayer. The entire city is blackened with smoke and ash.

Parenting Tip of the Day

From Stephen Colbert's "I Am America (And So Can You!)" :

Arbitrary rules teach kids discipline: If every rule made sense, they wouldn't be learning respect for authority, they'd be learning logic.

Basement Burrowing

The kids and I are currently huddled in our basement. Landen has the girls watching "Annie" on Larry's laptop while I track the storms on the television. Our sirens went off a few minutes ago sending Emma screaming down the stairs while Isaac had the presence of mind to grab Maddie from bed and meet us in the basement. Poor Maddie was shaking so hard from being jolted from bed by sirens and screaming...she ran to Landen and wouldn't let him put her down. Oh...the exciting adventures of midwest living. Can't wait to get back to the earthquakes.

Finally! A Candidate I Can Stand Behind!

And I'm thinkin' the view might not be too bad from back there...hmmmm....

Yes, it's true...the illustrious Stephen Tyrone Colbert has officially announced his bid for the Presidency.

Creative, socially-conscious, intelligent housewives unite!

Geek Shriek

I have absolutely NO love for the Geek Squad at the moment!

Desert Wanderings

I thought we were headed for Canaan. We had sold our overpriced, yard-deprived bungalow in the dry, smog-filled, traffic-infested land of Southern California for a solid profit and after the purchase our new much larger home in a green, upscale Midwestern neighborhood, still had money to sock away for a rainy day. We had experienced a peace about our new adventure and not solely based on what seemed like the promise of financial security. Every door had opened wide for us and we were eager to see what God had planned for our family of five in our new community.

I have to say that the first few months were incredible. Larry was home because we were waiting for a contract he had to start. We found a perfect local coffee house to hang out in and felt a strong calling to our church. We dove into our new life with relish. Within a few months we had some significant friendships, had gone to China on a mission trip, were starting an orphan ministry and were enjoying making our new house a home. We came home from China and began the adoption process for our sweet Madeleine who was waiting in an orphanage back in Asia, a addition to our family we hadn’t even considered while in San Diego.

Then the roof caved in. Every consulting contract that appeared on the horizon seemed to dissolve before our eyes as obstacle after obstacle kept us from moving forward. We started living on our profit from our San Diego house and, with adoption costs added to every day living expenses, we started watching our nest egg evaporate. Each consulting contract soon became the proverbial carrot…always just a little out of reach. The lean months turned into a year. A year turned into two. Our money was gone and our credit was maxed. We were down to one car and struggling to pay the bills each month.

Why had God brought us here just to let us flounder? Had we been mistaken in what we thought had been his direction? We believed we had been obedient. We believed that He had plans for us beyond what we could imagine. We certainly hadn’t imagined this.

And yet we got to see God where we had never seen him before. We met him on our patio in the melting snow where bags of groceries had been left anonymously. We found him in our mailbox where two gift cards of $200 each showed up in a blank envelope at Christmas time. We glimpsed him in the eyes of our new chosen child. Everywhere we turned, expecting to find no one, we found Him.

So, here we are. Three years after arriving in what we believed was the Promised Land, we are leaving. God has provided a job for Larry in San Diego. This is where my family is. This is where I am from. What we thought was our Canaan has been revealed to us as our desert wanderings. A place where God has been refining us, teaching us to depend on His provision and increasing our faith. He has taken two first-born over-achievers and taught us how to accept help. He has deepened our understanding of the gospel and how it should affect the way we live. And frankly, we’re not sure that our big, beautiful house in suburbia is it.

While to many people it may look as if we are running home with empty hands, we have seen the sovereignty of God at work in our lives, as individuals and as a family and it has changed us. And we wouldn’t change that for anything.

I miss...

my husband.

Maddie quote...

A couple days ago, as a flock of geese flew over our house (one of the many things I will miss about living here)...

"Thems geese gots lotsa family!"

wow...

rough couple of days.

Girls' Day Out

Emma (my 8-almost-9 yr old) is best friends with Madeline ...the daughter of my best friend here in Granger, Kristine. When we started planning our move back to San Diego, the girls hatched a brilliant plan that would make their separation more bearable. They decided that the four of us (mommies and daughters) should go to Chicago and visit the American Girl Place where they would pick out "Looks Like Me" dolls and then exchange them so Emma would have a doll that looked like Madeline and Madeline, one that looked like Emma. Kristine and I thought it was ingenious idea, so yesterday we gathered up our toll money, piled into the car and made the journey to the Windy City. We had a long, wonderful day. Our first stop was the American Girl Place and then we had lunch together at the Cheesecake Factory. The rest of the day involved a visit to the Hershey Store, walking, stopping to go potty at Borders, more walking, petting the horses waiting to pull carriage rides, walking again, buying Kristine cute maternity clothes on sale at The Gap, MORE walking, buying a "short attention span" onesie for "The Boy" (how we are currently referring to the growing male within Kristine's womb), walking (sort of) a little more, throwing pennies in a wishing fountain, limping, stopping get me a Diet Pepsi fix, and then some staggering to our parking garage! It really was so fun to watch the girls just enjoy everything.

Quoted!

I answered a call from a fellow Writer Mama for a piece she was writing for Washington Parent. Check it out!
http://www.washingtonparent.com/articles/0710/healthy.html

Theatrical News...

Marcel Marceau, the silent man who brought mime to the general public, died Saturday. He was 84.

...I guess that's one box he won't be getting out of anytime soon.

(Did I mention that mimes scare me?)

Steps for Quick Cleaning Before A Showing...

1. Tie kids to the patio railing to eliminate the need to return to a room more than once and clean again
2. Move mice and stinky cat litter than you've been too busy to change into the garage
3. Grab some Grands Cinnabon rolls and put them on foil covered cookie tray (no washing later) into preheated oven for that "homey" smell
4. Remind self that "NOTHING tastes as good as THIN feels" (even Grands Cinnabon rolls)
5. Start on top story, visiting each room to make sure lights are on, blinds are open, beds are made and nothing has died in the closet, toy box or under the bed
6. During said rounds, sniff repeatedly, making sure the dog hasn't done any business where he shouldn't
7. Invest in Windex wipes and Clorox wipes for quick easy cleaning of toothpaste spatters on sink and counters and spit spots on mirrors
8. Move to main floor, picking up littered Barbie dolls en route
9. Resist urge to throw said Barbie dolls in trash and place them instead in covered toy recepticle sitting in what should be a dining room but has defaulted into a playroom
10. Grab generic Magic Eraser from under kitchen sink to clean up dry erase marker that you spotted on the office wall as you were making your way to the living room to vacuum
11. Return to kitchen to grab Resolve Pet carpet cleaner to clean up cat vomit you found when you entered the office to clean up previously mentioned dry erase marker
12. Quick vacuum on main floor
13. Fluff pillows, turn on lights, take out Cinnabons
14. Carefully replace contents of pantry that have scattered on the floor in your attempt to resist the Cinnabons and desperately search for something non-fat and low calorie that doesn't taste like cardboard
15. Untie kids
16. Move everyone to car (including dog) and leave, praying the people don't notice the new stains on the car from preschooler spilling juice as she escaped from the garage and ran back into the house to grab aforementioned Barbies for the car ride.

Disclaimer: No children, animals or Barbies were hurt (or tied to the patio railings) in the cleaning of this house although I was sorely tempted on a few occasions.

And now for your listening and viewing pleasure: Madeleine Yan Baldwin composing a song to her Barbies about our dirty house...

When I grow up...

…I want to be Berette.

Last week, before our house went on the market officially, I received a phone call in the late afternoon from our broker. She has a potential buyer who would be in town the next morning and wanted to see the house. Larry was thousands of feet in the air traveling back from San Diego and my house was a complete disaster. So, having much faith and discipline, I knelt down and prayed for overwhelming peace and energy and dug in…NOT! I panicked! My first instinct was to grab the phone and call the most resourceful person I know who has had experience with showing houses with a house full of children…Berette.

Me (hyperventilating): “So, I’m in a panic…(I explain the dilemma)…what is the least I need to do to get the house ready to show? What should I do?”

Berette (completely calm but decidedly perky): “Ok…(side note: this is not the first time I have heard this next phrase come from Berette’s mouth)…here’s what you do! I will be over in about an hour, pick up your kids, pick up some pizza, take them back to my house at which point Jeff (her husband) will be home. I will leave all the kids there, pack up my cleaning supplies and be back over. Then we will clean your house till it shines! How does that sound?”

Me (feeling guilty…this is not what I meant when I asked, “what should I do”): “uhhhhh…”

Berette (firmly, yet STILL perky): “This is where you say, ‘sounds good, Berette. See you in a little bit.'”

Me (thankful for this lifeline and the fact that Berette is not allowing me to turn away help which I am VERY adept at doing): “Ok…thank you. I will see you in a little bit.”

Let me just say that this chick knows how to clean and how to do it quickly! What an amazing woman but really this story only scratches the surface of how God has blessed me through her.

I met Berette a couple of years ago when I was working at our Father’s Heart display at church (Father’s Heart is the orphan ministry that Larry and I oversee). She was visiting River Valley with her family and immediately expressed her delight in seeing us promoting adoption through the foster care system (it was our emphasis that week). She and her husband, Jeff, are former foster parents and have adopted all four of their children AND she has a rainbow family like us! I was so encouraged just in the span of our 5 minute chat because she absolutely radiated contagious enthusiasm (those who know her, can I hear an “amen”?).

Her family started attending the church but with three services and seven (now eight!) kids between us I didn’t have any opportunity to touch base with her again. However, several months later, she showed up on the list of people who had signed up to bring us meals after we brought Maddie home from China and she had volunteered to bring us dinner on CHRISTMAS DAY! I called her and told her that mom would be in town and she really needn’t go through the trouble. I have since learned that when Berette decides to serve, there is no dissuading her! She brought us a lovely dinner and the most amazing caramel-y apple dessert.

Since that time, I have had the pleasure of calling Berette my friend. I feel authentically loved by her. I have learned that when I have a genuine need, I can call her. She must have the spiritual gift of service because she is readily available to pitch in wherever a need exists. I had the distinct honor several months ago of accompanying her to her “swearing in” by the juvenile court judge as she was commissioned as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and prayed for her as she tackles her first couple cases. I am proud of her, blessed by her, appreciative of her tenacity and spirit and will miss her immensely. But I also know Berette and so I know that our lives will intersect again and again.

BTW- I just got home from picking up my dog at her house. She volunteered to watch him while we had a showing.

Someone you need to get to know...

...my 13 year old. I've talked about my (teenage!) son before. (That's him on the far right in the "Vote For Pedro" shirt, along with his friends, Holden and Sean.) He's pretty amazing if I do say so myself. Yes, there's the sighs, the rolling of the eyes, the things one would expect from a teenager but there's also something different. I'd like you to experience what I mean for yourself. I am reposting (with his permission) a blog entry that he wrote last night about his experience last weekend at Fall Forward, a retreat our church has for 8th graders to equip them for leadership. As a parent, I was floored...as a (sometimes) writer, I was drawn in...as a Christ follower, I was moved.

Fall Forward: The Retreat that Changed My Life Forever
Current mood: reflective
Category: reflective Religion and Philosophy


Well...Fall Forward. What an experience. It all started Friday: the 14th, at River Valley Church. Right across from Penn. A bunch of eighth graders packed their things into a trailer and got in two separate vans to head to the retreat!

Before I go any further, let me explain what Fall Forward is. It is a retreat for 8th graders. It was for them to discover who they are in Christ and learn to become leaders among the Jr. High.

So, when we arrived at the lakehouse (the one that belongs to the Ryans), we all unpacked our things and the guys went downstairs, while the girls went upstairs. (The guys weren't allowed in the upper room, and the girls weren't allowed downstairs, while the main floor was "neutral". A few girls did not obey this rule. But all the boys did. haha.)

Anyway...the rest of the night was spent playing outside and watching football (a little bit). We swam in the lake for a while, and I realized after getting out that I had not packed a towel. After funtime was over, it was time for our group meeting, which was basically the only religious thing we did while at the lakehouse. That night's lesson: Giving what you have to God's will, and to others who need it most. The lesson was pretty solemn. Two girls began crying halfway through because guilt was dawning on them. Yeah, the lesson my uncle (the pastor for Jr. High) had prepared was that powerful. As we closed our eyes, and my uncle led us in personal prayer, a lady came in (unbeknownst to us) wearing mime paint and hobo clothes and carrying a bag containing bread, a candle, a little grape juice, and matches to light the candle with. As my uncle slowly asked us to open our eyes...my friends and I jumped back and began laughing. Even through our laughter though, the mime lady kept a straight face and performed her pantomime skit. The hobo-lady put down the bag slowly, and lit the candle. Even through my friends' and my constant snickering, something was itching at the back of my conscience. The lady took out her tiny bits of bread she had to eat, mimed a prayer over it, and brought it to her mouth. But she stopped before she took a bite and looked around, gazing at each of us in turn. I couldn't help but joke around, even with my uneasy feeling. But my amusement towards the skit quickly faded away as she turned to each one of us, again in turn, and gave us each a piece of bread. She smiled kindly at us as she did this, and it made me feel sorta guilty for goofing off, so i stopped. Next, the lady brought out the grape juice, mimed a prayer over it, and stopped before she took a sip. She again turned her head to look at each of us, and let us each dip our bread in the bowl of grape juice. like a mini-communion. But communion was not where this skit was going. The lady again sat up and prayed, right there in the middle of our group circle, and then slowly came up to each and everyone of us. She began wiping taking facepaint from her own face, and smearing a little bit on each of us. Before turning to the next person, she would pat us each one the back and give us each a gentle smile.

It was when she did this that I realized what was going. It dawned on me what this lesson was really about. And as my uncle had us bow our heads, he explained to us what it was: To give everything you may have to others, so that they may see God and so His will be carried out. This hit tremendously close to home for me. Since I found out I will move, I have been saying things like, "My church in San Diego doesn't have a youth group!" or "It can never teach me what I have learned here at River Valley!" and stuff like that. Yet, that night, I realized that that was the reason I had to move. The reason I was called to move. I had been moved to Indiana in the first place to meet all my great friends, and get to know God to an even deeper level than I couldn't have possibly imagined. And now, I was being drawn to San Diego to use that to bring others to Him. Even if it meant leaving everything behind. And that was what "Fall Forward" meant; at a spiritual level. It was not just learning to move forward at the beginning of Fall. But it literally meant what it says: "Fall Forward, and God will catch you". Pretty much. That was what was taught the next day.

The next day, we went to a Bible camp further into Michigan. There, we played games. Games that challenged our thinking skills, motor skills, and were just plain fun. But by the end of almost each game, each and every one of us in my group found a spiritual or deeper meaning into these games. And after lunch, they took us to the very thing my Uncle Paul had warned us about. The thing would challenge the very core of our bravery. The thing that may push us farther than we ever thought. The High Ropes Course. Basically, we were harnessed to a steel wire above us, a good distance above the ground, with a bunch of obstacles we were to traverse. The very first part, and the part that was the most nerve-wracking was climbing up a ladder, with your harnessed attached to a knot that on each step you had to move above your head, and then climbing up a pole with a few metal bars for steps. I made it up there. Then I looked down. It had seemed a little lower from the ground. It had seemed easier on the ground, too. I went to the first obstacle. I couldn't do it. I just stood there, at the first step of the first obstacle (we had a few paths to choose from), and I just couldn't do it. For some reason, I could not trust the harness to hold (although it was ensured to be perfectly safe). I ended up zip-lining down to the ground, having absolutely no self-respect for myself in me. I walked back towards the group of people who had had their turn before me, hoping they would not ask me the question I did not want to be asked "Why'd You stop?" Of course, many people asked me anyways. I was on the verge of tears. Yes, I was that ashamed of myself. But I held them in.

When the group was finished, they had a discussion of the spiritual meaning behind all this. And yes, this where they brought in the "Fall Forward" concept. They were talking about how the harness was like God. And how trusting in the harness to keep you safe was like trusting God. Being able to "Fall Forward" and he will catch you. Of course, my case was different than everyone else's. I hadn't been able to do it. And there was a reason for that...which i just realized today. (Two days after that Saturday). Being not able to trust in the harness perfectly portrayed how I did not trust in God. It showed me exactly how I had been in a direct application to the situation. The reason I had no faith to trust the harness, was to show me that I had had no faith to trust in God.

Later that day, we got to learn about spiritual gifts. Although I had already read about these before, my Uncle handed out a test, after the lesson. It showed us supposedly which gift we most likely had. My highest scores: Teaching and knowledge. Of course, I expected this. Not because I was full of myself, but because I, for the past year or so, had been reading the Bible for fun, taking deep and richer meaning in what I read. I had gotten involved in reading about apologetics, which is the process of proving through logical, scientific, and any other means, that the Bible is not false...or even to the extent that it is definitely true(once you prove to them it is not false), to non-believers. I had gotten into scientific analysis of the Bible. Risky territory, for it is easy to get too entangled in mixing up God's Word, but he kept me very alert and cautious through it. Anyways...so, i expected to get knowledge at least. But teaching was one of the things I didn't really expect. Sometimes, when I speak on stuff like that, it is hard for me to choose the right words to say to people. Yet, it came through as my other highest score (equal to knowledge). And again, it all connected to moving. It showed me that I have a gift. And that I needed to use that gift for the Lord. I needed to share the gift with others, like the mime-hobo-lady had done with her things. I needed to let go of the harness and use my gift wherever even if it is dangerous for me, because, like the harness, God will catch me when I choose to "Fall Forward". Everything tied in. Everything made sense.

Although the very next day was uneventful (spending it mostly sleeping and watching TV), It gave me time to think over the significance of the weekend. Fall Forward had been exactly what I needed to get through my pain and sadness at the exact right time I needed it. I got encouraged to move, so I did not have to live in constant fear when I moved To San Diego until I learned all this by myself. He allowed me to go on this retreat so that I may not be afraid to do all that I have written about today.

I Saw What I Saw...

My friend, Shelley, posted this on her blog earlier today. I just had to pass it along. I am wrestling right now with what I have always felt I needed to have to be a successful person and parent. I'm not sure why but it is hard for me to let go of owning a home and I don't like myself much for feeling so attached to this perception of success. I am torn between this part of me and this growing desire to simplify and be in a position to be more generous...with my time, my space and my money. I know that I've seen what I've seen and it has been changing me.

Tonight's Plans

Sit down on the couch in my clean house and watch the season premiere of The Biggest Loser ...probably with some baked Tostito chips and salsa... while I pray for inspiration!

You've not been prayed over...

until my dear friend, Tori Yoder, has prayed over you! Tori is the very picture of Christ to me. She has a beautifully, sweet spirit and when she prays I feel as if I am standing under a downpour of the Holy Spirit. She has the heart of a servant and the humility of my savior and she has the ability to bring the gospel to life for me. I absolutely love to lead worship with her. Her face shines with her love of Jesus and compels you to join in. I am so very privileged to call her friend. She even gives my love of the dramatic a boost by calling me her "edgy friend"! :-) I have never met someone so wholly beautiful and I adore her. I wish a Tori into your life...you will never be the same!

Thank you, Tori...for the prayers, the hugs, the truth, the friendship, the basin, the water, the tears, the scripture, the worship and also for the honor of being a part of Kyla's birth! I love you!

Articulating Affection...

I'm going to be trying in the remaining time here in Granger to tell you about some amazing people who have walked through my time here with me in sometimes small but always significant ways.


I'd like to start with Michelle Callahan and Anita Wade who were in a small group, along with their husbands, with me and Larry during our adoption of Maddie. Their constant prayer support, encouraging hugs, genuine interest and loving care of our family will never cease to astound me.


Michelle and her husband, Rick, drove us to the airport the morning (EARLY) that we left for China. Before we left she created a personalized, specific, daily prayer list for our entire trip and distributed it to people who would be holding up our family in prayer. Anita put together a "shower" basket for me along with various cards from other friends to open at different points in the trip. They both helped with our other three kids while we were in China, even taking them to Build-A-Bear to create a special bunny together for their new little sister. Anita then came over with my sister-in-law, Becky (more on her later!) and cleaned my entire house before we returned home so that we wouldn't have to think about anything but bonding with our baby girl! And then there was the actual homecoming! In the middle of the busy Christmas season, they were there at the airport to greet us and welcome Maddie to her new home, even though we were delayed for quite some time.


These are just a couple of the myriad of ways these women supported me through an intensely emotional time. When they say they are praying for me, I believe them. That in itself is remarkable.


(Picture is from the airport at Maddie's homecoming. Anita is the blond in the black coat on the left of the photo. Michelle is the tall brunette on the right of the photo.)

60 second vent session...

Ok...so I'm tearing around my house trying to get some rooms ready so our broker can take some photos for the listing and I keep coming across more and more to do...unmade beds, toys on the floor, dirty clothes strewn around various rooms, clean clothes strewn across various rooms, dried toothpaste on sinks, dried toothpaste on counters, dried toothpaste on mirrors, dried toothpaste on EVERYTHING...well, almost... my kitchen sink is plugged, there are these fruit fly things all over my house that I can NOT get rid of, I haven't even checked the basement yet and I know she wants pictures of it because it's a huge feature of our house (custom bar, etc)... and I'm thinking..."how in the hell am I going to sell a house with four kids, a dog, cat, 6 mice and 4 fish? I am crazy already... having to show it on a regular basis is going to be insane."

Ok...done venting... for now.

It Was A Dark and Stormy Night...

and so begins "A Wrinkle in Time" by my favorite author of all time, Madeleine L'Engle.

My soul is bruised and sad today. I found out this morning that Madeleine L'Engle has passed into the "Ring of Endless Light" and somehow I feel she is regaling our Savior with her stories as she walks with him today.

A New Adventure Begins...

Larry has accepted a job in San Diego and the Baldwin Family is going home. Time to clean out the clutter in our lives as we prepare to move back across the country. Many mixed emotions moving through the Baldwin Bungalow at the moment.

Our house (on the market tomorrow) in Indiana:

Things I Would Want To Do Before I Ever Leave Granger

1. Visit Traverse City, Michigan (where my son, Isaac, was born)

2. Attend a Notre Dame game (can you believe I haven't had the opportunity to go to one yet?)

3. Eat at the Rib Shack (just because I drive by it all the time and I've never tried it

4. Visit Mackinac Island

5. Write a song with Jess Strantz ! (are you reading this, Jess???? ROCK ON!)

6. See Wicked in Chicago (ok...I realize this is a long shot but it doesn't hurt to dream!)

7. Have my brother, Matt and his wife, Shannon, come see where we've lived for the last three years

Things I Love About San Diego

1. The Padres


2. Lamb's Players Theatre





3. Crossroads Church





4. Driving across the Coronado Bridge at sunset


5. The smell of night-blooming jasmine

6. Driving under the ivy-covered bridge on 163 near Balboa Park

7. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary (where my father is buried)



8. Rubios (fish tacos!!!!)

9. In 'n Out Burger (animal style!)

10. Balmy opening night parties

11. The ethnic diversity

12. The Gaslamp Quarter

13. Sitting by the pool at my mom's house with a book and a beer (or diet Pepsi)

14. Swinging in my grandma's old porch swing

15. The smell of salty air

16. Having my mom teach my kids
17. CYT

18. My husband is there right now.

Meet My Man...

Just want to point you toward my husband's brand new blog...we set it up last night. He's always enjoyed writing and journaling and now you get to hear his voice through blog. Tentatively titled "Narrating the Shadowlands", you will find journal entries, essays, family updates and more.

Things I Love About Granger, Indiana

1. Notre Dame University (Go Irish!) The electricity in the air on game weekends... it's crazy fun!
2. Green, green, green...green grass, green trees, green corn stalks... green
3. Wide open spaces
4. The sound of trains in the distance
5. The sound of geese as they fly over head (or sit on our roof!)
6. Big backyards (did I mention the green grass)
7. Fireflies
8. Awesome thunderstorms!
9. Driving under a canopy of trees
10. Having a corn field on the opposite corner from a Starbucks
11. The schools
12. Slower pace... it doesn't feel like everyone's always in a hurry
13. Bella Vita (our dear friends, Scott and Kristine's coffee house)