Call to Action

Friends,
Please call your Senators (for those in Ky, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul) and urge them NOT to cut funding for Migration and Refugee Assistance or Office of Refugee Resettlement. You can reach both Senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 and asking for either Senator. It's easy! All they ask for is your name and address!

This is an urgent need, we are already experiencing the effects of cuts and we need your help! Please call and exercise your democratic rights and privileges, it only takes a minute!

Somebody's got some splainin to do

We know they've got different mommas but I swear they could be twins

Weston and Beck

What do you think???

Bud Stephenson

I have a nephew and he is one day old today.

Just when I thought my heart was as full as it could be, it got one day bigger.

Weston David Stephenson

7lbs, 20.25 inches, and I'm gonna guess enormous head

Artisan's Guild

Since we knew Beck would get more gifts than he would ever need for his birthday (read: since we're poor), Seth and I decided we wouldn't get him any presents...

I did however, have to buy these 2 stuffed animals that 2 of the refugees I work with made... They are perfect for little ones... no buttons to pop off and small enough to carry around and love on!

meet Lili

and Hem

The women who made these stuffed animals receive 70% of what was paid for the stuffed animals, the other 30% goes to The Artisan's Guild, a local non profit that sells local artists goods. Our refugees have made stuffed animals, aprons, the bags you keep silver in so they don't tarnish and many other things. We also have an INCREDIBLY skilled leather craftsman. He owned a famous leather company in Iraq (he compared it to Pepsi here) before he was forced to flee for his life. Now in America, he is trying to make a living in the same field. He makes adorable horse shoe coasters, belts, purses, wine bags and just about anything you can imagine. I gave him one of my JCrew purses and he made an exact replica- absolutely gorgeous! I can't explain how talented he is!

The 2 women who I bought the stuffed animals from are in SERIOUS danger of homelessness come September 1st. For the first time in KRM history, we are not able to supplement rents with donation money. In fact, we are -$10,000 in donations... yikes! Anyway, if you are looking for a nice gift that will go to a GREAT cause, please consider buying something from the Artisan's Guild- you can find them at the Farmer's Market or at their store at Christ Church on Saturdays. If you'd like more information or are interested in consigning with the Artisan's Guild, please leave a comment, email me kweber@krmlex.org or call Kentucky Refugee Ministries at (859)226-5661.

Beck's Second First

A week after the first 1st, we headed to Seth's parent's house in Henderson for Beck's second 1st birthday party. The first and only (for only a couple weeks!!) grandchild on both sides of the family... how spoiled is he??? Another no themer, this time around we got tons of cute clothes (and of course toys) so the gifts couldn't have been more perfect. Unless someone got Beck the JCrew gift card that he has been dieing for...

After presents there was cake. Again... kinda a disappointment. This time around he was more interested in feeding everyone else his cake than himself. He has such good manners (my genes).

But feeding others over himself didn't last long.

And keeping in good taste he got naked at this party too...

no beer this time around,
although I think Beck was a little hung over in the morning...

Beck is so lucky to have so many people want to help us celebrate his first birthday that we had to have 2 parties. What a great way to turn 1!!

...still waiting on that JCrew card...

Beck's First First

We had Beck's first 1st birthday party at my parents house. I'm not a big theme person so we kinda stuck to the "no theme" theme. We had a crocodile cake and crocodile balloons so I guess you could say that was the theme... but it wasn't.

We opened presents... Beck got a ton of great toys! He looooved all the balls he got.

And he looooves this fire truck. It plays music that he dances to and he rides around on it all the time. It's weird because he has another thing pretty similar to the fire truck but doesn't touch it.

After presents we had cake and ice cream!

And it was really a let down. He didn't really seem interested in the cake at all. He ate some of it but definitely didn't dive in the way I expected/hoped he would. He clearly has Seth's genes in this aspect, I have a huge sweet tooth, Seth, not so much.

After that the party realllly started.

standing on the table...
half naked...
chugging a beer...

Yup, Seth's genes here too...

O.N.E.

I can't believe it. I can but I can't. Beck is one. I feel like he's one because he acts like a one year old and he's huge. But it seems like it took him 1 week to be 1 year old. When I think about this time last year it seems so long ago but also just like yesterday... so much has changed in 1 year.

At 1 year old, Beck is walking everywhere. He has 5 official teeth and one that's just cut the gums. He eats anything and everything except green grapes. So strange. He loves him some Nutty Bars and ice cream sandwiches. He LOVES dogs. He says "doggie," "whoa" "woof" and "wow." We think he's said "Cheerio." He has just started feeding Seth and I and also offering us his paci. He thinks its absolutely hilarious when he feeds us. Beck's also trying to use a spoon. He's not great at getting the food onto the spoon but once its on he's usually pretty good about getting it in his mouth. And he's really good about getting it in his clothes... and on the high chair... and on the floor... and across the room.

What a crazy year, this past year has been. There was absolutely nothing anyone could have said to prepare me for how hard, exhausting, amazing and fun one little boy could be. No words can describe the type of love or how much love I have for him. I get so excited to see him grow and change every day but get teary eyed looking back and wondering where the time has gone. And just when I thought I couldn't possibly love him anymore, I woke up today and I did.