Holy Cow I'm Getting Married...

Okay so I'm feeling a bit bad because my life has been running at a million miles a second and I haven't been very good about keeping this blog up. To be honest when I started this blog it was to chronicle my journey to bring my amazing son home from Africa. But as you know Isaac is home, he had his first two of many surgeries (the next one is coming up on Dec. 18th, 2009), and life has started to settle again.

Since my last post a lot has happened. Let's start from the beginning. My friend Charity and I led a team into the mountains of Haiti. There was some miscommunication and the people there were led to believe that we were doctors. None of us are, but that didn't stop us from giving medical care to nearly 3,000 people... we kept a foot from falling off, we

saved an ear, fought countless bacterial battles, and delivered a beautiful baby boy! We went to Haiti just a bunch of normal people and left as "Doctor's Without Degrees." Sometimes to save a life you have to go where there are no roads!

Charity with the little boy she helped Rick deliver!

Savannah treated this boy for a very high fever...

Group of children that would gather outside the house we stayed in...

Me and Baby Marco... he was up for adoption...

Charity checking on the pregnant mamas...

Treating a baby with a fever...

We handed out 10 Water Filtration Systems to villages in the mountains and an orphanage in Port Au Prince...

This boys ear was falling off when he came to us... We were able to treat it...

Tony treating a child with scabbies...

Wilgo our friend and translator... he was a lifesaver while we were there...

Fungus infection that was easily treated with cream and antibiotics.

Gangrenous Foot that we were able to save...

The first day I treated an entire family that had a flesh eating fungal infections.

Cleaning up a deep gash...

This little girl couldn't straighten her arm for 2 years, when we left she was running around pain free and her skin was treated!

Once we got back from Haiti I started my new job which makes me commute to Maryland to work... but I am editing TV shows for an awesome company and have been so blessed to have found such a great job in these economic times. But that isn't what you wanted to hear about now is it???

Okay so... I have been dating Stephen for about 5 months and on Sept. 26th he asked me to be his wife.

It's so strange. Someone once told me that you wait and wait and it feels like it will never happen, but the moment you meet the right person something clicks. And all the years you have spent alone wishing for someone all just sort of fade away. It's as if they were there all along and you were never alone in the first place.

I do believe in soul mates. I believe they can be your family, your girlfriends, your children. I believe that God creates certain people to be in your life, to walk this road with you!

I have found mine. I have found a man who will lead my household and show me what it is to have a husband, a father for Isaac, a lover, and a friend.

I have found a man to complete my family. He loves my son as if he were his own, and Isaac adores him. He's the father Isaac has been waiting for his entire life. I am so blessed right now. I could not ask God for more, because every corner of my life is overflowing with his love and blessing. I can't wait to begin the next chapter of marriage and wife, but until then I have a constant reminder of what a real man is!

Haiti and Happiness

So I must ask, are you allowed to be this happy???  In three days I will be boarding a plane for Redeeming Waters first trip to the third world.  We are traveling 100 miles outside the city that will take us roughly 12 hours to travel (because the roads only go so far!!!)  We are going to a place that not even the UN will travel too (because it's too hard to get there).  We are literally going to a place where no one else will go!

RWI is bring 10 water filtration systems, medical supplies, birthing kits, formula, diapers, soccer balls, and a whole lot of goodness that the people in that region are desperate for.  In the last month alone 4 tropical storms have pummeled Haiti leaving these people cut off from the outside world because of the flooding!  We can't wait to get in there.

My life has been so blessed since moving back to the east coast.  I still don't have a job, but I am trusting God to work this out soon.  Isaac starts the 2nd grade on Wednesday, and I am deeply in love with the man I'm going to marry.  It's funny how you spend so much time searching, hoping, praying, and then God sends you the one you were looking for and all the time you spent looking seems to just fade away into the nothingness.  

Isaac giving crazy eyes!!!

Steve took this of me
My little Sammy David Jr...

One of the men in my life...

Both of my men... We make one beautiful family...
Too early in the morning for pictures....
Isaac was wearing ear plugs... not sure why...
Do a little dance...
Huh, me???

Getting Settled

So we are in Philly and finally somewhat settled.  Isaac and I are living with my mom and brother for the time being (just until I can get a steady job and buy a house), they are so much more affordable out here, it's kind of nice.  Milo is happy as a clam, and Isaac seems to be adjusting to more people in the house well.

This is Isaac with my friend Jessica.  She has been a lifesaver these last few weeks as we have painted rooms and unpacked.  I don't know what I would do without her.

Well there are no words for what is going on in this photo!!!  He kind of looks like a stripping cowboy...

We took the kids to Knoebal's (this cool theme park out in the middle of nowhere)... and here is a little sneak peak of my man Steve...

Isaac with Jessica's son Wyatt... they kill me!

Isaac rocking the carousel....

...and this one's for you Uncle Frank... I guess it's official he's on my blog so I must be in love... which I am!

Home again, Home again!!!

Okay first, I'm so sorry it has been so long since I posted.  It has been a crazy couple of weeks.  So take a journey back with me (let's say about a month!)

I month ago I was finishing up my job on "American Cowboy" a new show for Animal Planet.  It was an awesome show to work on and will be even better to watch (I'll let you all know when it will premiere!)  

After I finished on that my mum came out to California with my little brother Atticus and we did the whole vacation thing, Sea World, Lego Land (overrated by the way), Knott's Berry Farm, Malibu... it was an awesome week of running around.

Then my mum took Isaac back to Philly by plane and I cleaned and waited for the moving company to come... they loaded my stuff... only charged me $90 more than I thought they would (thank God) then it was off to head across America.  

I spent 3 days (17 hours-day 1, 13 hours-day 2, and 14 hours-day 3) driving across this amazing country.  My pup Milo wasn't too happy about the long days but he handled it like a pro!  I arrived in Philadelphia ready to sleep and stretch out!

I have been back in the Philadelphia area for a week now, and so far I don't miss California at all (sorry guys!)  I miss the people that have been fixtures in my life for the last 7 years but that is about it.  It's good to be home.

Next week I have an "interview" with Banyan Productions based here outside Philly and I am hoping they have something for me to work on.  I need to start working soon (I hate unemployment!!!)

I'm in a relationship with a wonderful wonderful man named Steve.  We had talked on the phone and through email for 2 months before I got back to the area, and then when I got here we went out and let's just say there was an instant spark between us.  So fingers crossed ya'all... I need some good relationship mojo with this one... he's quite the catch...

Any who that is what is going on.  I'm taking RWI and heading to Haiti in September and then maybe to Ecuador in January, but that isn't definite just yet.  Isaac is loving the East coast and the weird weather we are having here right now, but it's great to be home!  

Haiti...

So I am so pleased to be able to announce that RWI will be traveling to Haiti on September 2nd.  RWI's first project was suppose to be in Kenya, but after fundraising for almost a year we are still very short financially and unable to go over there and do what needs to be done.  In the mean time we have teamed with The Mercy and Sharing Foundation based in Haiti.  The projects we are doing for them are going to help just as many children as RWI would have been able to help in Kenya for a fraction of the cost, allowing us to act now.  We are saddened that RWI had to put the Kenya project on hold, but we have NOT given up on it.  We are continuing our efforts to raise the funds needed to go to Kenya and do what we promised.  

I will be bringing you all more information about our trip.  We will be providing 11 filtration systems along with birthing kits and donations for the orphanage.  M&SF has an orphanage as well as a home for terminally ill and handicapped Children along with a home for Abandoned Babies.  RWI will be working with M&SF to set up the filtration systems at each of their locations as well and spend time with the children in their care.

We are so grateful to all that have donated to RWI over the last year.  The money you have given is finally going to do some good!  We are so excited for this awesome chance to help.  

Home is a place where I'm at peace

A paradise safe and so serene... yeah

A wonder I love so much

Such a rich tradition

To a land of hate and violence

Where did we go wrong?

I'm caught in a war of identity

That threatens to hurt my family

It seems so cold when nobody cares

But now I know

Please won't you show some empathy

Cause if you don't help someone in need

Nobody cares

See us the same not differently

Why would you be afraid of me?

Oh yeah

Cause fear and hate held inside

Encourages this genocide

You can't kill the spirit of life

It never dies!

Ooohh

Where did we go wrong?

I'm caught in a war of identity

That threatens to hurt my family

It seems so cold when nobody cares

But now I know

Please won't you show some empathy

Cause if you don't help someone in need

Nobody cares

Nobody cares

    Nobody cares... 

There are no words... only my son will put on a hat like this in public and insist on a photo to remember the moment!
Me waiting, bored, for the doctor!

This is what your Rock Plant is suppose to look like mom!

Most important tool of my trade... besides my imagination and mind of course!

Isaac all dressed up to say goodbye to his friend and hospital roommate Thomas who passed away from cancer a few months ago.

This is what a peacock farmer calls an "oops"!!!

Who doesn't want to see a photo of a fuzzy chicken???

Isaac entertaining himself...

Me studying Anatomy & Physiology in my car... now that is dedication!

One of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen....

Isaac making his way to the water!

Someone sang this song for me....

It must be the colors
And the kids
That keep me alive
'Cause the music is boring me to death

It must just be the colors
And the kids that keep me alive
'Cause I'd wanna go right away
To a January night
I built a shack with an old friend
He was someone I could learn from
Someone I could become

Will you meet me down
On a sandy beach
We can roll up our jeans
So the tide won't get us below the knees

Yellow hair
You are a funny bear
Yellow hair
You are such a funny bear
Slender fingers
Would hold me slender limbs would hold me
And you could say my name
Like you knew my name

I could stay here
Become someone different
I could stay here
Become someone better

It's so hard to go in the city
'Cause you wanna say hello to everybody
It's so hard to go into the city
'Cause you wanna say hey I love you to everybody
When we were teenagers we wanted to be the sky
Now all we wanna do is go to red places
And try to stay outta hell

It must be the colors
And the kids
That keep me alive
'Cause the music is boring me to death

It must just be the colors
And it must just be the kids
That keep me alive on this January night.

Yellow hair
You are a funny bear
Yellow hair
You are such a funny bear 

As the time crawls by...

It's been painstaking, watching the minutes slowly pass by, waiting patiently for the time to come to load the truck and get out of this place that has been my home for almost 7 years.  If I had known that work would be nonexistent, and that I would be at home doing a whole lot of nothing waiting for Isaac to be done school, I would have pulled him out a few weeks early and just made the move at the end of May.  But I guess it is good for him to see the 1st grade through, then make a clean break.  

Since I don't have a show to edit right now, I have been attempting to keep myself busy... needless to say I've seen every new release, I'm currently reading the "Twilight Saga" (don't judge me I'm bored) and I am attempting to get a tan before I leave the sunny side of the country.  I'm also trying to do all the things that you would think living here we would do more... Like go to Malibu (only 20 minutes away!)  

So here are some photos of the last few weeks.  

Isaac in the freezing cold water...

He still looks so small to me...

Milo looking guilty for something...

Milo looks a lot smaller than he is...

Isaac has taken to walking around the house in his underwear and boxing equipment...  Don't ask!
Isaac and the Dream Team.  Dr. Tolo (his spinal surgeon) and Nurse Phyllis... They have been our knights for the last 18 months, and to be honest will be the hardest people to leave behind!

Isaac has started horseback riding.  He is really into it (which makes me really happy on the inside)... he has something special with the horses... this is something he will continue in PA as soon as we get settled!

Anti-Nester

So when a mother is getting ready for a new child whether it be through adoption or birth, we tend to nest.  We paint the walls, then re-paint them (we decided the color was just too green), then we put together furniture (those that have men have them do this, some of us not so lucky) we hang up pictures, put "Good Night Moon" on the bed side table, then we wait and wait and wait.

I did this when Isaac came home.  His room was ready and waiting.  It gave me something to do while I waited.  Well I seem to be doing it again, or not doing it.  I'm not sure what I'm doing.  Isaac and I are moving back to the East Coast at the end of June (60 days away).  I find myself at home without a whole lot to do, while I look for work to tie me over while I wait for Isaac to finish the first grade.

So... I have begun to pack!  I have taken apart all my book cases, and begun to pack all the things we don't use on a regular basis.  It gives me something to do and allows me to pass the time.  So am I nesting (for the big move) or am I the Anti-Nester???

Over the last few weeks my life has been flipped upside down.  The decision to move back home was a really hard one to make, I think my relationship has ended, and my lack of work has made the days begin to "speed" past me like a turtle in the desert (June 29th can't come soon enough).  

So let's take a vote... am I nesting to deal with a broken heart and a major life change... or am I the Anti-Nester....

Home again, Home again...

As some of you might remember, late last year I announced that Isaac and I were moving back East. The original take off date was the end of May. Then life began to change as it always does and I announced that Isaac and I were going to stay in LA for a bit longer. To be honest I have been in a relationship with a wonderful guy, Isaac needs surgery again, and at the time I had a great job right here in sunny California.

Well like all good things, some things come to an end. I finished my editing job at the beginning of March, and have yet to find another. The economy has finally caught up with Hollywood and it's hitting us hard. For the first time in 7 years I find myself with no work, and I'm not the only one.

I have begun to think about going back to school (for medicine of all things!) and it looks like I will have better luck finding a job with a production company based in Philly or with a company in Silver Springs, MD.

So on June 29th, I will be driving a giant yellow truck across country with all of our earthly possessions and Isaac and I are heading home. I have very mixed feeling about the move. One side of me is so excited to be going back east (I miss my people) and the other side of me is heart broken and sad (I have to leave my relationship with Brian behind and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to miss Los Angeles at least a little bit.)

I am the type of person who is known for jumping into the deep end with both feet without thinking about it first (this annoys my little sister Rachel to no end.) I have always been a strong swimmer and I have never doubted my decision to dive in, but I find myself a little frustrated as I say good bye to my way of life for the last 7 years and to a man that I have fallen very much in love with.

For the first time in a long time I feel as though I have absolutely no idea what the future holds, I have no idea which way is up, and I have no idea how this will all play out, and to be quite frank, that scares me just a wee bit!

But I know in my heart this is the right decision. I have complete faith that God has a plan in all this (whether it's for me to stay in TV editing or for me to go back to school full time and do the one other thing I have a very deep passion for!) I find myself at a crossroads and my choices are "road less traveled" or "road less traveled". Funny how God does that sometimes. He presents you with a choice, but takes the challenge of deciding out of it for you.

I think I'll take the "road less traveled" and see where it leads me!

Thomas...

Two weeks ago Isaac and I went to the funeral of Thomas Hugh Hearne. We first met Thomas in the ICU at CHLA after he had surgery to remove a tumor in his brain. From the moment they rolled him in it was like a presence of light rolled in with him. Over the next 72 days Isaac was in the hospital we would roll down to the 4th floor and visit Thomas and his mum Tish. The friendship that grew was one that I will never forget nor let go of. The strength that Tish had, kept me strong when I felt like giving up. She showed me what a strong woman is and how far a mother will go for her child. Thomas fought the good fight for 8 long months and in the end his daddy called him home.

I truly believe that our heavenly father got to the point that to spend even one more moment without Thomas in his presence was too much to bear, so he brought Thomas home to his side.

Nearly 1,000 people came to bid farewell to this amazing little boy. To think that an 8 year old boy could reach out and touch so many. May we all be so blessed to be able to leave a mark like that behind.

I first watched this short film before Isaac came home from Liberia and it touched my heart so deeply I have never been able to shake it. For those of you that have never seen it, I wanted to share it with you. It reminds me of Thomas. It reminds me of the love his Mother, Father, Brother, and Sister have for him.

We will miss you Thomas. You touched our hearts and there you will reside until we can meet with you again!