Run for Congo

Last year about this time I got a chance to supervise my unit at work. I knew I really wanted to try something different after doing casework for nearly 6 years at the time. And when my then supervisor announced she was going out on medical leave I was excited to give supervision a try. I really enjoyed it, I was so fortunate to have a wonderful team who was very cohesive and cared about the work that we do everyday. Shortly into my supervisor stint the temp in the unit was hired permanently by another branch. It wasn't a surprise, I had given her a glowing recommendation when her to be supervisor called because I actually support people growing and I knew this was the opportunity for her. So as a result I got to try out hiring. It wasn't really the long drawn out state process, just me and the branch manager sitting down with some people who were interested in temping for the agency. We meant only with two people. The first guy was great but it just wasn't the right fit. Then in comes Ramata. A women I will never forget. She had just recently graduated from the school of social work at PSU and speaks at least 5 languages including English, french and two African dialects. Ramata was born and raised in Africa and her mother grew up in the Congo. But this was not something we covered during the interview but rather something I learned later. The branch manager and I decided that Ramata was the right women for the job. She was bright, articulate and compassionate. I was so excited to call her and invite her to work for me. She was and is an amazing caseworker but want I didn't really know when I hired her was what an incredible friend she would become. She is the type of person who will tell you like it is but is the first person to sing your praises when you are worthy of singing about. I like people with big personalities, just look at my husband Travis and my best friend Took. I am attracted to people who are interesting and make the world a special place because they are here. But that is all for another post. I digress. So after forging this friendship with Ramata she invited me to a fundraiser dinner at her church. I invited Travis along and we awkwardly sat down at our table we are not religious people and we do not typically have social engagements let alone in Northeast Portland. But we were soon joined by a lovely women named Ann Shannon. She started off talking with us about her unfortunate luck of having her purse stolen earlier that day(not in Northeast Portland). But then we got to talking about the Run for Congo. And maybe it is just me but when someone says something once I sometimes pretend like I know what they are talking about but then she brought it up again and so I asked "what is the run for Congo" and so Ann proceeded to tell us about her daughter Laura Shannon and the book that she had written chronicling the plight of the Congolese women. Horrible atrocities which are so unthinkable to the average American women that are common place in the Congo. I knew by the end of our dinner that Ann had been placed at our table for a reason. Travis gave her money for the cause and I knew that I would run in the the Run for Congo. This was such an amazing cause in general but to know someone who's own cultural experience was a part of the Congo made this so meaningful.

I along with my dear friend Took have pledge to run at least one run every month until the end of this year. Last month was the Rum run which was so much fun and my first actual race that I have ever done. But I had such a sense of accomplishment afterwards and I have really enjoyed my run/walks that I have managed to incorporate into my life over the last few months. I never saw myself as a runner. But it has been my solice in a very turbulent time in my life(again a subject for another post that I can't even imagine how I am going to actually write) But running has been what is keeping me grounded and sane I can just put one foot in front of the other and just move forward and it feels so free. So the Run for Congo means so much to me right now and I encourage all of you within range to participate.

http://www.runforcongowomen.org/

and if you can't then donate for an exceptionally worthy cause.

http://www.active.com/donate/RFCWportland2010/THowlet2

Pictures to follow

Books From the Heart

It is that time of year again: Books From the Heart

It is a month long campaign to get books into the hands of foster children in Oregon. Books can either be donated to your favorite child welfare worker (that's me) OR donate at Barnes and noble. The have suggestions right there at the check out stand. For every NEW children's or young adult's book you donate your will receive a $10.00 dinner certificate good at any of the McCormick and Schmick's restaurants.

Today was the kick off event and my favorite reading partner and I went to the Clackamas Barnes and Noble where we met up with a few special readers.

There was Margarete Carter, the Deputy Director of DHS, so like the boss of my boss's boss's boss. Ms. Carter was a long time US Senator prior to coming to DHS.

Then Elmo came out and shared story time with the kids and lead them on a Parade around the store. There was a photop but Carina was not going anywhere near that.

And then Mr Jeff "Wednesday child" Gianola came out and read a bunch of storeys.

The film crew never showed up so I shot a little footage myself.

I was so proud of her for being so brave and going up there to sit with Jeff and have her story read.

So donate! All throughout the month of May. Books are an amazing gift to share with a child.

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga featuring Carina

This video does not need any introduction. Carina loves Lady Gaga, who to say the least we don't wish our daughter to be emulating but before this she was going around singing Womanizer by Brittany Spears.

Hair by Tamara

This kid has always had hair , she was born with a head full and never really lost it.

And it grew and grew and it was long and shiny and so pretty.....

So cute......

So what did I decide to do, cut it. Cut it all off into a stacked bob.
This picture doesn't really do it justice

That's better.

Cute and very practical cause daddy was getting her ready in the morning and this is a NO fuss haircut. But I grew very sad that I didn't have my little girl's hair to play with and so one day Carina finally took pity on me and convinced me to "let me grow it out".

So the condition was we will grow it out but you have to let me style it.

There are some really great hair blogs that leave us mother not from Utah feel completely inadequate. But I tried.....

This was all I could manage until she got some length to it. That and the twistees which I can't she seem to find a picture of which I have now found out in the hair blogging community are called Sherk Ears.
Sometimes it was a hot mess.....that took way to long.

I have really been working on my braiding abilities. Which love ya mom but I did not learn from you. She once took me to a hair salon to get a simple french braid, hey but at least she tried to make me happy.

We call this Sherk Ears with wisps.

I love that little face and I love when I find it under all that hair. I finally understand my mother was always sweeping my hair out of my face, just so I could tuck it back out from behind my ear.

turn-a-bouts fair play

Hair by Carina.

Disneyworld

Here are some of the pictures from Disney world.

This picture pretty much sums up Travis's feeling about going on the whole trip.

Carina on the carousel, I think she rode it like 20 time, only a slight exaggeration.

Of course we went on the teacups and Travis steered.
Hands down the happiest I saw him on the trip.

wow I thought we were going to fly off the track

I had a little time before we went to SeaWorld where we had a private party one night so I fixed up Carina's hair. One of the great joys of having a girl.

Princess Carina in front of Princess Cinderella's castle. I have a nearly identical picture from when we went when Carina was 15 months old.

Carina got her Mickey Mouse Ear pancakes!

I met up with some bugs.

A fish at the Rain forest cafe took a particular interest in grandma's shirt that resembled his food.

All in all we had a great time, with great company and we are planning our next great escape.

Officer Carina

Apparently Carina learned about police officers today at school. She has a badge that she wrote police on and a citation book that she said was for writing tickets "for if your mean". Now don't you wish all police officers were so cute?