Re:Mind Photography

Hey Guys!!! You should totally check out my new Facebook page and Like it!

  Re:Mind Photography 

Let me know what ya think!!! :)

I love your hair

 I was able to go to Children's Mercy Ronald McDonald House tonight. It was really fun. I didnt know what to expect. I just knew a group of people from my Church go there monthly and make dinner for the families. So I went and that place is AMAZING! The kitchen is HUGE! I would love one of those! :) Anyways, I was supposed to be helping cook. But there was a mother and daughter baking cookies when we got there. I began talking to them and they were the sweetest duo ever! The mom was telling me how she was baking the cookies to be fluffy... yum! I have new ideas! :) Any ways we were talking like girls do and the daughter said, "I love your hair." This would have been a comment I would have said thank you and moved on... but I couldnt because I knew when she said it ... she meant it. You see, She had a wig. And she further explained to me about her old hair color and length. She said she and her mom died her hair before it fell out. They died it black, red, pink and whatever else they thought would be fun. And then her hair fell out from the chemo. She was so sweet! She loved to cook and had secret recipes that she loved using. I wanted to tell this story because it really made me think a little more about how vain I can be and it just really humbled me. She is so young and has cancer. And because of her treatment she lost her hair... and I worry about if my part is in the right spot. Her story has made an imprint on my heart. Thank you Hannah.

13.1 miles = COMPLETED!

So, Today was the BIG day. I've been training with Courtney, Tiffany and Dia for 4 months now in order to be prepared for this 1/2 MARATHON. I'm not going to lie, it was hard but so worth it! My legs are KILLING me now. [just a few hours later]

I finished in 2 hours and 34 minutes. Hey! I just wanted to finish! :)

This is me and my new friend Dave

 [He's 'our' guy. :) We met him at the beginning of the race. 

He and I ran together for a good half. He is awesome!]

 This is at the finish line... I thought I was going to die!

See! We stayed together! :) 

Its funny, because a lot of these pictures look like Im walking... I wasnt. :) I ran the whole thing. [Slow... but running]

And here is Tiffany and Courtney... they are awesome!!!

Me and my boo at the end! He is such a great supporter! He was more proud of my medal than I was... as you can see here. :)

Thank you everyone for all the support... it is much appreciated!

And thanks to Michaels parents and brother who traveled up here to watch and cheer me on!  

Oh! and if you ever get the chance to help or just go to any kind of race... do it! Its soooo nice having people cheering you on [even if you don't know them.]

13 days

So Im not going to lie... Im begining to get really nervous about this half marathon. Its literally 13 days away.... less than 2 weeks.... not next weekend... but the one right after! ahhh!!!! 

So far Ive run 9 miles. Im running 10 this week and then everything after the 10 mile is short runs up until the 

BIG 

SHA-BANG-A-BANG! 

I think Im more nervous because it is all new to me.... I have NO idea what Im doing. What if I end up waking up late.. the race does start really early- 7 AM. 

-OR- 

What if I miss a turn or continue running the the marathoners...eek! that would be terrible! 26 miles... Oh man..I would die!

Im sure I will be fine. And these nerves are probably normal. But holy cow... what was  I thinking!! ha!

My Heart

I feel like I should give a disclaimer... this is long... but its MY HEART.

So, if you are not aware, I work at MBCH Children and Family ministries. [The website is a little old school, but its legit...I promise.] Our office is a 'foster/adoptive' and 'case management' agency. We are contracted through the state (Children's Division). One of the main differences between our agency and the state, is that we are a 'Christian' agency. Meaning our foster homes are families who are followers of Christ. We try to put children in homes that have godly family lifestyles; full of love and encouragement. The case management workers help children who either are in the process of being taken from their homes or have already been taken out of the home. And then they place them in Foster Homes. The goal of taking children out of their homes is to correct whatever problem[s] present in the home and reunify them with their family. So many times this does not happen. 

The other day I was talking with one of my supervisors who is in charge of licensing foster families. You see, one of my job responsibilities is to take the initial call from people who are interested in fostering and tell them a little about the agency and then invite them to our monthly information meeting. One big thing I have to stress to people when I talk to them is that MOST of our kids are school aged not babies. Most people want to foster or adopt babies. This is normally not an option. I know to tell people this but never asked why. So I asked my supervisor. She said that today it is socially normal for people to keep their babies [for whatever reason their 'bad situation' is ... teen pregnancy, unmarried]. A lot of times if the mother can not take care of their baby a family member will. So, for the most part, we rarely have babies in the system. 

Most of our kids are school aged or large sibling groups. So many times people don't want older kids or large sibling groups. [Also for numerous reasons.. already have younger children, not enough house space, want babies, the list can go on and on.] 

So then I asked, "what happens to those kids who don't get adopted, who are 'too old' to be adopted?" 

-This is when MY HEART broke- 

She said they end up aging out of the system and usually end up  homeless, addicted to drugs, in prostitution... Its a cycle. If their parents have done it ... most likely they will do the same even if they dont want to. 

{How many times have we said Im never going to be like my parents and then there is that day when you say to yourself... wow Im just like my mom or wow Im just like my dad.} 

She didn't need to go on... i was in tears! 'What should we do?!' I cried shouted with tears running down my face. [literally] She said we need to let people know. Tell people about foster care and adoption. Not just with our agency... any of them are just fine Here is a way to look for them. She also told me these older kids need mentors, someone to encourage and love them. Someone to show and teach them a life that reflects Christ. Because, guys, these kids dont know any different from the lifestyle they live in. They want to be with their parents even if being with their parents is the WORST thing for them.... they simply dont know any better. They truly believe that is what life is supposed to be like. BUT ITS NOT! God has so much love and grace for us and for these kids. 

MY HEART is so burdened for these kids. We need to stand up and be advocates for these kids! Be their voice and show them there is more to life that what they have been given. If this is not something you have ever even thought about.... think about it! Pray for these kids. 

Here are some websites where you can see the children that need homes.

 http://www.kcchildren.org/

http://www.adoptuskids.org/

http://www.adoptex.org/site/PageServer

http://heartgalleryofamerica.org/

http://cornerstonesofcare.org/

http://davethomasfoundation.org/

You may call me Mrs Hodges

Today is Michael and my 2nd anniversary! What an exciting day!

 I got to leave work early to get home and get ready for our BIG DATE NIGHT! 

We went to PF Changs for the first time. Its absolutely delish! We walked in and they asked if we were celebrating a birthday. 

"No, our anniversary." With big grins on our faces. 

The manager decided to give us free dessert because of the occasion (we think they do that a lot... but hey, we are not complaining... free dessert... YES PLEASE!)

 We decided to get an appetizer (which also became free... because the manager thought it took too long for our food to come out...Hey, Thanks!) Michael got Orange Chicken and I got Honey Chicken (Mine was better! I know this because Michael ate all of his and some of mine :) For dessert, Michael had a chocolate cake thingy and I had cheese cake. It was fantastic! We would LOVE to go again! For the food and the service.

Then we walked to the movies (what a beautiful night after the rain). We saw 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'. It was good. Definitely would recommend it to ya!

It was such a great night... not because we ate out, or saw a movie... but because we were able to spend time together. I LOVE my husband! Thanks, Michael, for the last 2 years of [learning] marriage... onward to the next 50! 

Sarasota, Florida

2 days/23 hours of driving to get to what I consider 

'Heaven on Earth!'......THE BEACH!!! 

a 4 hour trip from Kansas City to St Louis... lunch...

 a 7 hour trip from St. Louis to Chattanooga 

 a 12 hour trip from Chattanooga to 

Sarasota Florida! 

The Beach is Beautiful!!! I couldnt help but think to myself "I can TOTALLY live here!" I LOVE this place!!!!

Hopefully I will have pictures to put up... I kind of forgot my camera charger so pictures from me are going to be a little limited. oops!