Thanksgiving 2009

What whirl wind couple of weeks! I was the photographer for Breakfast with Santa at Mistletoe Marketplace and we were so busy! During that time, my Dad called me and asked me to come for Thanksgiving. Mike was good with everything so we made a plan and went to Orlando for 5 days and then to Daddy's for 3 nights. We had a great time with our HUGE family and really enjoyed the time we spent together.

Landry was a dream on the long car ride to Orlando. She fussed for less than 10 minutes the entire way there AND back. It took a total of 26 hours round trip and I just couldn't have asked for more from our sweet girl. She loved being around all of her cousins and really loved being in Granddaddy's pool. He had the heater on so the kids stayed in the pool ALL day long. They barely took time to eat. We had a feast on Thanksgiving day and it was just a wonderful time to spend as a family. I cherish these times together because they happen so few and far between.
We had 26 people there and we were still missing 15 people in our immediate family. It looks like a UN convention when we all get together. We represent several countries, nationalities and denominations....all in one crazy, wild, mixed up...loving family. I wouldn't change a thing.

The Blind Side

I saw the movie The Blind Side last night and as expected, I loved it. Being from Alabama and living in Mississippi, it was familiar and pretty true to form. I had these preconceived feelings about some of the subject matter and when I saw it, my feelings were not only solidified but I ended up realizing of that there were some deeper seeded feelings that surfaced. I have faced many of the demons associated with racism. I consider myself very blessed in so many ways and know that the reason that I am is because I have God leading my journey. Sometimes I have to step back and remember to let Him but I always seem to find a better path when I am the follower. Not every story turns out as magical as Michael Oher's but I truly believe that if people would look beyond the surface of someones skin then there would be so much more magic out there. I have been spat on, called more names than you can think of, told that 'my kind' was who killed someone they loved, been denied access to events, and discriminated in so many ways I never dreamed of. It was worse while I was growing up but it still happens even to this day...and it's almost 2010! I had the luxury of spending some time with two of my sisters girls. They are both adopted and come from different back grounds. One is half African American/half West Indies and the other one is half African American/half Puerto Rican. I cannot imagine them not being a part of our family and I know that if more people were brave enough and could look beyond skin color than we would witness some really wonderful miracles. I look at our candid family portrait and think it looks like an ad for the United Nations. We are a true melting pot of cultures and races in this institution I call a family. I wonder how many people that go to see The Blind Side would actually do what the Tuohy's did. They didn't welcome him in because they knew he was going to become a star athelete and become a 1st round draft pick in the NFL. No, they did it because they could but more importantly because their hearts wanted to. As a family they faced some of the same things we all fear, especially in the South, in regard to what others would think but they knew that the greater love would prevail and it did. I love this story but I can't help but to think that that the vast majority will get their warm and fuzzy feeling from it only to resume back to their way of thinking. I hope that more people will start to look toward adopting domestically and thinking more openly about the option of bringing a child...not a color...into their homes. Before I got pregnant, we had already decided that we were going to adopt and we had very few exclusions in our list of what we would look accept in adopting a child. I have to thank my parents first of all for not having a closed mind and then my sister for acting in the same way they did. She, unfortunately, could not have biological children but has been blessed with four of the most amazing children as a result. They have been a blessing to everyone around them. I think about the ramifications that come with raising a child that is of a different race or background but there aren't any greater than the love you will find in becoming a parent to a child that needs a mama or a daddy. My challenge to anyone reading this is if you ever come in contact with someone contemplating adoption, look into the local system before you turn to international or private adoption. You may find yourself with a bigger blessing than you could possibly imagine and in turn give someone else the same. I have lived it, witnessed it and been blessed by it. It is an amazing experience to be a part of and I know without anyone telling me that my life is blessed beyond measure.

Priceless Words
Of all the wonderful gifts my Daddy has given me over the years, including a new life, the gift I received this year for my birthday was by far one of the greatest. It was simple and meaningful and it is a gift I will hopefully never be parted from. It was a book called 100 favorite BIBLE VERSES. I find great comfort in knowing that my Daddy is a Christian and that when he is no longer with us that I know without at doubt that he will be with Sophie, his parents and Jesus in Heaven. The most significant thing about this gift was what was written inside for me.
It reads:

Renee,

Your energy, determination and talents are truly gifts from God. He blessed us both when he guided me to you and allowed the process to work so that we could be together in this life. I am so grateful that we have shared our lives, and that we have such a deep love for each other. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.

Happy Birthday,

Dad & Lindsey


I don't find myself for a loss of words much but this was a time when I found myself speechless. And I guess I still am.

Happy Birthday to ME!
This morning I woke up and wasn't sure what or how we should celebrate my 39th birthday. There is a good and bad with birthdays and holidays these days because it seems that when I want something I just go and get it. I don't particularly think it's a great way to be because I don't want Landry to think that this world is all about the instant gratification factor. Most kids nowadays seem to suffer from this and it affects their grades, attitude and demeanor sometimes. We are all so connected to information or have access to people that we don't ever have to practice patience any more. Google, Mapquest, weather channel, cameras, Facebook and email are all available right on your phone and don't leave much room for patience when you need to know something fast. Getting back to my birthday dilemma, I hadn't thought much about the day. I just knew that we weren't going to sit around Orlando and not do anything. It wasn't until I read a post on my Facebook that I could get into Disney World for free on my birthday that I knew for sure. Landry got in free too so all we had to do is pay for Mike's ticket and it just seemed like a no brainer. We were taking Landry to her first trip to Disney and I was so excited! It turned out to be the BEST birthday present ever watching her enjoy all of the rides and shows. She seemed to be in awe of her surroundings. We never got close to any characters but she recognized Mickey every time she saw a picture or shape of him and she REALLY loved the castle. The weather was perfect and she did better than I ever thought she would. She passed out on the way to the car missing the huge parade and the ferry ride back to the parking lot. All in all it was a wonderful day. We capped it off by having dinner with Mike's Dad and Barb. It was a great way to celebrate the last year of my 30's and I feel so blessed to have shared it with my family at the most magical place on earth.