Beautiful Spring Weekend

The weather was beautiful here in Maryland this weekend. We enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with family.
We had our Shabbat dinner on Friday night and called Bubie an PopPop to say the blessings with them over the phone. Nathan and Sela proudly receited the blessings for the Sabbath candles, the (pretend) wine and the challah (braided bread). We then watched a movie together as a family in mommy's room before going to sleep.

On Saturday after taking both dogs to the vet to update their vaccines, we went to Aunt Teri's house. Unfortunately, Uncle Jamie was busy and not around, but the kids had a great time with Aunt Teri. She let them help her pick out flowers which will planted in her garden, then Aunt Teri treated us all to lunch. After lunch, Nathan went with Aunt Teri to Uncle Jamie's old house to help paint. He was very excited to strip down to his underwear and paint the walls! Meanwhile, Sela and mommy went to the library. Sela got her first library card, then lost it. But, we did find it and were able to check out books. Later that day, after picking up a paint covered Nathan, we went to Bubie and PopPop's house to eat pizza and watch the USA Woman's National Team Soccer game.

On Sunday, we met Seth, Bret and Becca for brunch in Bethesda to celebrate Seth's birthday. We were only a month late! :) It was wonderful seeing them and the kids loved playing with the guys in the park!
Later Sunday afternoon while the kids napped at Bubie's house, Dad and I set up Sela's new bed. I learned that not only did I use this bed frame as a child, but so did my dad!! Here is Sela's room with her big girl bed:

And, on the bed is a special blanket made with love by Bubie. (Nathan got one for his room too!)

New Blog Header

What do you think of my new blog header? Did it myself! Not the most professional, but I am working with very limited skills.

Please let me know if you would like me to link to your blog as my next project is the column on the right.

An incredible morning

This morning, I was honored to be a guest in Nathan's classroom at his school, Bet Yeladim. They were celebrating Shabbat, and it was his turn to be abba (father).

During circle time, as abba, Nathan was allowed to choose a song to sing and chose The Soup Song. I had never heard it before, but it is a great song about making soup for the Sabbath and each child gets to choose a vegetable or something healthy to put into the soup. Nathan choose vitamins! Next Morah (teacher) Ellen discussed tzedakah (charity) with the students. They talked about collecting money to give to the less fortunate so that they can buy food, clothes and houses. Nathan very proudly told the class that his PopPop builds houses for poor people. It was amazing to see my son so proud of his grandfather. I had tears in my eyes and a heart filled with pride for them both!

Nathan took his spot next to his teacher and the ema (mother) for the day and together they recited bruchas (blessings) for the candles, the wine and the matzah (no bread as it is still Passover). Nathan wore his tallit (prayer shawl) and his kippa (head covering) and spoke loudly and clearly. He obviously knew his blessings well and felt confident and comfortable as we do this every week in our home.

Here are a few pictures of our special morning:

March for the Animals

The walk was held yesterday and our team raised over $1000 in checks and online donations. Thanks so very much to all the supported us. The turnout to the event was amazing and the kids loved seeing all the different dogs. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate which cut our walk short.
Here is Nathan getting ready to go: Our friend Laura (Juhani's sister)joined us for Passover and the walk and Nathan was THRILLED to have her sleep over!

Celebrating Passover

This past weekend we celebrated the start of Passover. Nathan had been learning all about the holiday in school where he prepared a Haggadah filled with all the prayers and songs and made a special wine glass and Sedar Plate.

Here are the kids excited about going to the Sedar:

Nathan and Miriam:Sela with Aunt Sherry:

Nathan plays soccer

Nathan started playing soccer this spring in an instructional league. The field is amazing and the coaches are terrific and very patient. These are pictures from his second practice when there was a HUGE improvement - Nathan was now kicking the ball rather than picking it up and running around with it. Here is getting ready for practice. Sela enjoys watching and running around on the field.

Medrano Packing Weekend

I have been preparing a shipment to be sent to the charitable organization I have been working with, MAYAN FAMILIES in Guatemala. Items have been collected at my kid's dentist office and from various friends and families. People from the group I belong to, Mayan Families Connection which supports the works of Mayan Families have also contributed to this shipment as well as many of the members of the Guatemalan Adoption Forum I belong to.



This past weekend, three amazing women who I am proud to call my friends, joined me, my mother and my sister in sorting, inventorying and packing all the items. The house was filled with kids and lots of smiles and laughter! It was a wonderful day and we got a lot accomplished.

This shipment is coordinated through the Mayan Families Connection Group which gets a very sizeable discount from the shipping company. People then donate money to the shipping fund so we can afford to send the items to Guatemala.

Unfortunately, at this time, we are still short on the shipping. If you would like to make a donation, you can paypal money to: RLK913@aol.com. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the size of the box we are shipping. 8 were packed over the weekend and a 9th is getting ready to go. The kids are standing on a 2 step ladder in front of two of the boxes we packed stacked on top of each other: