May 11, 2008
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow--
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky--
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)
Mothers are making a difference!!!
~~~~~~~~~~Art Notes:
Painting by Charles Edward Wilson. Twixt Sleeping and Waking, 1903. I love the gaze betwen mother and child - and the expression on the mother's face, which seems full of understanding that raising a child is a responsibility beyond measure.
May 11, 2008 ( 9:00 AM) | Mother's Day, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Happy Mother's Day!
Click below for my Mother's Day greeting to you:
May 11, 2008 ( 8:55 AM) | Mother's Day | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
A Tribute to Dr. William and Martha Sears
Dear Bill and Martha -
You have been the inspiration for many, many changed lives. Your work helping us see a better way to raise our children has made us not only better parents, but better people. You have gentled our spirits and deepened our capacity to love and to express our love to our children.
Your legacy - in changing our lives and providing a better foundation for our children - will affect generations to come.
On this Mother's Day, here are just a few **Thank Yous** straight from our hearts.
From Greta - who just had her second baby May 6.
I know that there are many others who feel the same way we do. They're just too busy practicing the things you've taught them to sit down and write about it.
May God continue to richly bless you in the things that truly matter. You have made a difference in this world!
With love and gratitude,
Barbara
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Resources for readers:
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two
The Attachment Parenting Book : A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby
The Discipline Book: How to Have a Better-Behaved Child From Birth to Age Ten
May 11, 2008 ( 7:54 AM) | Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
May 10, 2008
Mother's Day adoption giveaway
How I wish I had more bunnies to give every mom who entered a comment in the adoption giveaway!
But, alas - I have only three. Please know that I am thanking god for each of you who opened your homes or who are awaiting children even now. May God continue to bless you with the things that really matter!
The winners of the three Shaohannah's Hope bunnies left these comments:
What a wonderful blog! I brought home two angels from Ukraine on March 7th, 2008 :) Emma, 5, and Micah, 19 months joined my two bio kiddos, Kristopher, 4 and Brianna, 2. Three of our four children have Down syndrome including both of our newest additions. We are fighting for a chance at life for Emma right now as she has a complete AV canal that is unrepaired. Her lungs are so damaged that we don't know if surgery is possible. Any prayers for Emma would be greatly appreciated!!! And of course a sweet bunny would be wonderful too :)Meredith
We've been waiting for 16 months to bring our little cleft-affected son home from Vietnam. We should be on the home stretch, but nothing has been easy with this adoption and I'll believe we're going to get him when we're on the plane. (He'll be joining 6 brothers and sisters, including a brother who is also from Vietnam.)Elizabeth
We adopted our son from the U.S. on February 29th of this year at 2 weeks of age. He is a sweet little fellow. We were matched with his birthmom, but did not have the $20,000 needed to complete the adoption. Our pastor challenged our church, on Sanctity of Life Sunday, to give generously to our adoption fund. The church raised $14,000 for us and a generous couple in the church loaned us the remaining funds to be repayed as we were able. Our church then gave us one of the most amazing baby showers. We have been overwhelmed with the series of miracles that God performed in order to bring this little man home!Julie
Will you all email me with your addresses so I can send your bunnies? Thank you so much for sharing your stories- they really touched us all.
Don't forget this resource:
May 10, 2008 ( 9:01 PM) | Adoption, Mother's Day | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Celebrating Down syndrome - a Mother's Day photo album
Last year I unveiled a very special Mother's Day photo album, which has continued to grow this year - now with 95 mother/child portraits:
You can see the photos and read the moms comments at Our Little Extras - A Mother's Day Down Syndrome Celebration.
Or watch the slideshow:
Please send me yours if you'd like to be included! The more, the merrier!
May 10, 2008 ( 8:32 PM) | Down syndrome, Mother's Day | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Mother's Day greeting - funny!
YouTube Mother's Day greeting from some mother's sons. Seems no coincidence that not one but two of my sons sent me a link last year:
May 10, 2008 ( 8:10 PM) | Mother's Day | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Mother's Day gift idea - it's not too late!
Just received a wonderful surprise for Mother's Day, which I'd like to share with you.
See and hear it here.
Just wanted to share because our family has also sent gifts through WorldVision before. And I was so touched that Kari picked out something having to do with the arts because she knows that is important to me.
So, in case you're still wondering how to honor your mom tomorrow, here's an idea. You can bookmark WorldVision and use their catalogue anytime.
May 10, 2008 ( 7:50 PM) | Mother's Day | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Updating blogroll
If I am on your blogroll, you should be on mine.
Please let me know - by comment or email - if I need to add you!
May 10, 2008 (10:06 AM) | Blogging | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Looking for a graduation or Father's Day gift?
As you know, I won't recommend anything unless I personally would spend money on it myself. My daughter Sophia has made a couple personalized photo albums for friends using Picaboo and the results are priceless!
I've signed on for their affiliate program, so if you click through the button above or the one on my sidebar, it will not add to your cost, but a small percentage will go to maintain this site - just as when you use the amazon buttons here to buy anything from books to groceries (diet/organic/gluten-free stuff is easy to find and good prices) to appliances.
May 10, 2008 ( 9:05 AM) | Practical Info | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
California effort to stop Planned Parenthood/abortion funding
California citizens, reeling under their state government's rapid financial slide, are looking at Planned Parenthood's bloated budget and recently documented abuse of our federal and state grants abortion industry handouts and saying Enough is Enough.
As a 30-7ear resident of California (I returned to Virginia in 2002), I can verify the truth of the saying "As goes California so goes the nation." While this has always meant a destructive slide, some citizens of California are determined that this budget crisis may be perfect timing for finally overthrowing Planned Parenthood's grip on state finances.
Following is the beginning of an email I received last week from the Coalition to Eliminate Abortion Funding.
During this state budget crisis, when our family healthcare services and children’s school programs are experiencing drastic spending cuts, California taxpayers request the Elimination of Abortion Funding, especially from Planned Parenthood, from our state budget.The abortion industry does not need our tax dollars. As the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, reported $1 billion in income on its 2006-07 annual financial disclosure, with $114.8 million in profit and $1.12 billion in total assets (source: Planned Parenthood). One in four abortions is done by Planned Parenthood and this organization is very politically vulnerable due to several recent newsworthy concerns.
Planned Parenthood enjoys $336.7 million in government grants and contracts, representing one-third of their annual budget (American Life League). Planned Parenthood Federation President, Cecile Richards, receives nearly $1 million annual compensation (Washington Times) while teachers and librarians are being laid-off, music programs are being cut, and families go without healthcare!
Additionally, Planned Parenthood affiliates here in California, allegedly over-charged our state by at least $180 million dollars as described in this recent LA Times article. According to Victor Gonzalez, former vice president of finance and administration of the Los Angeles affiliate, he was fired for questioning Planned Parenthood’s “illegal accounting, billing and donation practices”. Planned Parenthood bought contraceptives at a discounted rate and then billed the state Medi-Cal program for 12 or more times the purchase price. An audit of the San Diego/Riverside Planned Parenthood clinic found $5 million in over billing charges in just two years. Very clearly, Planned Parenthood does not deserve our hard-earned taxpayer dollars!
You can read the rest of this position paper - plus draft amendment proposals - by contacting Wynette Sills at esills(at)earthlink(dot)net to be added to their mailing list.
Important dates:
Wednesday , May 14 - CEAF planning meeting
June 16 or 17 Stop Abortion Funding rally at State Capitol.
Please contact Wynette to let her know of your support!
May 10, 2008 ( 8:19 AM) | Planned Parenthood, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
