A Cup of Humility

(Photos by  Alacia Adrienne Photography ) Have you ever been called to do something?   Something a little scary & uncomfortable, yet simultaneously something you could not shake unless you answered?   Something that seemed completely out of your capacity, but it kept nudging you? Adoption called us.   Adoption and foster care have been woven into the thread of our relationship since the beginning.   Looking back, I am in awe at the selfless (& insane) decision my parents made to open their home to foster children after already having six biological kids of their own.   My dad had a great response to anyone who raised an eyebrow in question of our family dynamic.   “Yes, they’re all ours & with my ‘first’ wife.”      It was near my 6 th birthday that we took in my first two foster sisters, who had just turned 5 and 7 years old.   That year-long placement turned into a 10-year adventure of housing al...

I’ve spent a lot of time in the recent months reflecting on my dad’s life and the impact he had on me as his daughter; the good, the bad, the things I wish I would have done differently, and the things I will never have the chance to do with him again.   Even in his final days as his body dwindled & suffered greatly, his mind remained sharp and his gift of conversation was very present until that, too, was finally taken away.   In this season of remembrance, I recently recalled one of the most hilarious memories I have from my childhood.   It took place one scorching summer afternoon in 1991 when we attended a luau in our little town.   This event was a fundraiser for our local hockey association, so in all things hockey-related, my parents loaded up all of their tots – foster kids included - to partake in the festivities.   Hockey association supporters near and far showed up in Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, and leis for an afternoon of tropical ...

(2015) We talk about wanting more time as one of our “whys” at Eupraxia .  After Brady & I opened the West Salem location in 2015, my dad jumped into the program because he wanted to check what we did and support us!  Despite having a titanium femur due to a prior car accident AND already being in the thick of treating stage 4 prostate cancer, which had metastasized to his bones, he became a regular attendee and quickly known as the “Barefoot Ninja”.  This man in his mid-60s listened intently to the nutrition advice we gave, and overhauled his diet as a result.  He started supplementing with our Fish oil, vitamin D3, & probiotics.  He loved our workouts and the community.  He had great days and tough days, which primarily followed his chemo treatments or tests.  He was a little embarrassing sometimes because he would show up in his neon shirts, long underwear, and bare feet.  He acted like kickboxing was a legitimate box...

(google image) It’s probably not the norm to pack up and head to Las Vegas the day after ones father’s funeral.   But we did.   The trip had been planned as Brady was scheduled to attend the NAB Conference, and it presented as a great opportunity for us to flee town for a few days – just the four of us.   I hardly remember throwing our belongings into suitcases last Sunday in the aftermath of sadness that filled my soul.   After some thought, w e decided to follow through with the chance to have a “vacation” after not having been away since our last trip to Colorado in mid-2013 when I was battling horrible morning sickness while pregnant with Liam.     (WHO NAMED IT MORNING SICKNESS?) A few days away from our business, a few days away from homestudy paperwork, a few days away from responsibilities & obligations.   We had zero plans other than a scheduled flight there and a scheduled flight back.   It sounded wonderful.   ...

My dad died three days ago. Today, we have a three-month old. And three years ago to the date we were preparing for my father-in-law’s funeral.   I can’t say it ‘feels like yesterday’ that our sweet girl arrived because it doesn’t.   It feels like ages ago that we marveled over our tiny brand new baby; blissful and completely unaware of what life was going to look like in the weeks to follow.   Goodness, Skyla's birthday was beautiful and perfect.   Anger overcame me yesterday at the realization that my daughter’s first pretty dress is going to be worn at her Poppy’s funeral, while simultaneously remembering that Liam’s first size 18mo suit and tie were worn to his Papa G.’s funeral.   Some choice words accompanied the question of, “Why don’t baby books have a special ‘First Funeral’ section?   This is horseshit.”   The anger passed and sadness filled its place.   The tears flowed, and then the empty numbness. While my da...

It was half my life time ago - at the age of 13 - when my mom got the call. She picked me up from school in a rush of excitement and unanswered questions so we could make the drive to the hospital nursery to pick the baby girl up and take her home with us. Despite the Social Worker saying it was a temporary placement, I was ecstatic to know that a newborn little girl was going to be my new foster sister for the time being. I'll never forget walking into the quiet, dimly-lit room where the most beautiful little baby that I had ever seen contently lain in her hospital bassinet. A maternity nurse was examining her and trying to conduct a test by placing her tiny foot into a bowl of water. The nurse briefly glanced over her shoulder and softly explained that she was trying to make the baby tinkle because they wanted to test her urine for any traces of drugs. After a few minutes, the nameless baby cooperated and the nurse took her sample to have it checked out. It tested free and cl...

Last summer I received two issues of Real Simple magazine as part of a free trial offer. Despite not actually knowing what this magazine was about, I excitedly thumbed through the pages upon receiving my first issue in the mail. I quickly came across a page that read the following: "TELL US ABOUT THE TIME THAT YOU FIRST UNDERSTOOD THE MEANING OF LOVE. Maybe you were a child, witnessing a generous act by your father or mother. Maybe the lesson came later, as you grappled with the challenges of being a friend, a spouse, or a parent yourself. Whatever made you understand love—and yourself—better, tell us about it." Immediately I was taken back to a night that occurred many years ago and KNEW that I had to type that experience out on my computer and send it off to the editors of that magazine. The silver lining in sharing my story was that the winner of the essay contest would receive $3,000, round-trip tickets for two to NYC (including hotel accommodations...