20 Weeks!

20 Week Belly shots!

Wheelchair Rugby!!

I was lucky enough to get invited to this event by Megan and Saul this past Saturday and loved watching and learning about adaptive sports. I worked with Ryan and the Bob Sierra YMCA quite a few years ago in the adaptive program and enjoyed the kids but wheelchair rugby is a different beast. First of all, most of our kids had intellectual disabilities as well as physical however the participants in this event were either born with a disability or became disabled through an accident and are completely functional adults aside from needing assistance via wheelchair, prosthetics, or crutches.

I did a little researched and learned that we have an international team that travels around the world competing against other countries and this event is also an event in the special olympics. Anyways, I wanted to share this experience with all of you because I think it deserves mention. Quite a few people I met on Saturday had experienced some sort of major tragedy or had overcome some sort of tragedy in their life and still came out on top! I don't know if there is anything more inspiring than that!

The other component that this experience has opened up is further discussion about adoption. I think Ryan's work with his kids at the YMCA has left a print on his heart about kids in need, regardless of disabilities or not. Ryan and I recently began the Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey program) at a local church and LOVE the program but also want to 'tithe' our money each month not to a church necessarily but to an organization that we feel is important. We have researched a few organizations and are thinking of donating to an international adoption program that brings children out of despicable conditions.

Megan shared a story about a girl she knows who came from such a situation and now has a wonderful, loving family and a fulfilling life. The reason I think this international organization is really speaking to us is because not all countries have de-institutionalized children and adults with disabilities. If Megan's friend had not been adopted she would be living in a home shoved full of mentally ill and disabled persons and have no family! (De-institutionization took place here in the US between the 60's and 70's and if you want to learn more about it or see for yourself check out Cropsey, a dark documentary on Netflix that touches on this topic.)

Anyhow, until we are in a position to further explore the possibility of adoption, we hope our donations will help bring children into loving families! For now, this is our way of giving!

Nesting, possibly??

It's January already and our to do list seems to get larger and larger as the time progresses towards June. However, Ryan and I are also checking off quite a few honey-do's as well and I wanted to share what we have gotten done! I've heard a few people say it takes time to make a house you buy your home... and I couldn't agree more! We have lived in our home for a year and a half now and I love how it becomes more and more a reflection of us :) So.. here are a few shots of the hard work we have put in to our house and a few of our purchases that helped along the way.

This is just really a shot of
our beach cruisers. Ryan's pride and joy! We still haven't actually ridden on the beach with our cruisers and think it will be a while longer before we do. We will have enough gear to tote with us to beach week this year... so, they are staying here! (Note the beautiful hard wood floor. )Our living room really had its makeover the early fall that included new couches, curtains and decorations.. I think all the changes have really pulled this room together! Crown molding next??? :)This is our most recent project. We repainted our bedroom from a blue we thought would look wonderful on the walls however, looked more grey than blue. So we repainted to 'golden wheat' and ordered a bed frame that not only is much nicer to wake up in each morning but also matches the whole beach-theme we have in our house. I love it :)

Well, we still have a lot to do before the summer gets here! We still have a lot of pavers to lay, (hopefully) carpet to replace and sod to lay before the end of the spring but it's gettin' there and if you are wondering what in the world are we up to.. this is it!