Ronan's Dedication

This weekend is a very special weekend for my family. We are having a beautiful dedication ceremony for Ronan on Saturday and on Monday he turns two! Our dedication is a ceremony welcoming Ronan's soul and being into our family and promising to teach him of our religious beliefs. Now, in addition to us he will have Godparents and a wonderful community of friends to surround him as he grows. I can't believe my baby is already going to turn two!

We have grandma and papa flying in from Hawaii and abuelita and tio Marcos from Arizona to be with us this very special weekend. We are also blessed with a connection to a beautiful family in Tillamook, Oregon. Our minister for Saturday is one of this family and is making the drive all the way up to Olympia to lead us in Ronan's ceremony.

Jonas is very excited about grandma and papa coming. All week he has been talking about putting on his helmet and riding his horse out to pick up grandma and bring her back to his house (he doesn't have a horse here but love the imagination!). We pick up grandma and papa tomorrow! From the airplane!

For those who are interested I have posted the ceremony below:



Ronan Luke Urrutia-Sheehan



Dedication and Soul-Welcoming Ceremony




Opening Song: Simple Gifts by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say, (Refrain)




Greeting and Introduction: Dr. Richard Jenks

Special ceremonies have always been significant for God’s people. Often, stones built into an altar, represented and marked the place where a divine intervention was to be remembered and honored. Today we come to celebrate an amazing divine intervention in the lives of the Urrutia-Sheehan family…the birth of Ronan. I would invite each of you to spend a few moments searching the bank of this river for a stone that catches your eye, then bring it back to our gathering place and with these stones we will build an altar to God in thanksgiving and honor of the life that has been entrusted to Pocho and Monica.

The Old Testament book of Psalms describes the miracle of birth and life: “For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth…Your eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Your book they were all written…how precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them.” Psalm 139: 13-17



And in Psalm 127 we are told that “Children are a gift, a heritage of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, presents God’s heart and perspective on the importance and significance of our children. “And Jesus called a child to Himself and set him before them and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.”

Pocho and Monica Urrutia-Sheehan, what name have you given this precious child who you dedicate to the Lord today? (Parents respond)

This ceremony and celebration is the outward expression of an inner commitment, which has already taken place in your hearts. It is a commitment of loving support in the unfolding process we call life. Because all life originated from God the Creator, it is a sacred moment. Let us enter into it by seeking God’s blessing.



Prayer: Dr. Richard Jenks

Our Father in heaven, we thank you for giving us the gift we have in Ronan. What a precious child he is. As we dedicate him to You, His creator, we ask for your blessing to fall upon this entire company gathered here in this beautiful place. We acknowledge that as we bring Ronan before you, on this significant occasion, we first bring ourselves before You as those who will have the primary care, influence, guiding light, and responsibility in raising him with love, patience, discipline, and faithfulness in Your Truth and Ways. We accept this honor both seriously and joyously. May Your Holy Spirit be a witness in what we do today. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.


Godparent’s vows of commitment

Richelle as Godmother and Hugo (Marcos standing in) as Godfather will you always listen to Ronan and offer him, when needed, the counsel your own spirituality provides? /I will /

Will you guide him throughout his life and teach him love and respect for all beings? /I will/

Will you make yourselves available to him in times of questioning and doubt? And will you also share with him all the joys and milestones of his life? /I will/



Parent’s vows of commitment

Pocho and Monica, will you respect, trust, and care for Ronan? /We will. /

Will you encourage and affirm Ronan's spiritual growth, and support the sacredness of his being? /We will/.


To all present: Will you support Monica, Pocho, Richelle and Hugo in their dedication and commitment to Ronan? Will you help them preserve this precious creation of God in our midst? Answer: We will



Reading, "River" – John O'Donohue: Monica

A River somehow illuminates the beauty of time. In a river, past, present and future coalesce in the one passionate flowing. A river is a continuous flow of future. Though it flows through landscape, it never divides space into 'sooner' or 'later,' 'before' or 'after.' The river is a miracle of presence. Each place it flows through is the place it is. The river holds its elegance regardless of the places it flows through. Though a river maintains a line of direction, it somehow turns still, fixed space into the embrace of a flowing circle of presence. It gives itself to the urgency of becoming but never at the cost of disowning its origin. It engages the world while belonging always secretly within its memory and still strives forward into the endless flow of emerging possibility.
- From John O'Donohue, "Beauty of the Invisible Embrace”




Blessing with Earth Elements: Dr. Richard Jenks, Richelle, Hugo(Marcos), Monica and Pocho

We bless this child with the elements of our common being, with earth, air, fire and water.

(Richelle-Godmother lifts a handful of earth before the child)

With earth, which is as solid as your given frame, my child, we bless you. Take care of yourself as a body; be good to yourself, for you are a good gift.

Con tierra, tan duro como tu cuerpo regalado de Dios, te bendicimos. Cuidate bien como persona, y quierete, porque este es un buen regalo.


(Marcos, standing in for Hugo-Godfather blows gently on the child's head)

With air, which is as fluctuating as your given passion, my child, we bless you. You will know sorrow and joy, rage and contentment, resentment and ecstasy. Feel your passions, my child, they are good gifts.

Con aire que siempre fluctua como tu pasion regalado, mi nino, te bendicimos. Vas a conocer tristeza, allegria, furia y tranquilidad, resentimiento y ecstasis. Sienta tus pasiones, mi nino, porque son buenos regalos.

(Pocho-Father holds a flame aloft before the child's eyes)

With fire, which is as illuminating as your given intelligence, my child, we bless you. Reason with care, test the world, and think with care, for your mind is a good gift.

Con fuego, que ilumina tan fuerte como tu inteligencia regalado, mi hijo, te bendicimos. Haga tus decisiones con cuidado, prueba el mundo, y piensa con cuidado porque tu mente es un buen regalo.

(Monica-Mother dips fingers into warm water and touches them to the crown of the child's head)

With water, which is as clear as your spirit, my child, we bless you. Grow in conscience, be rooted in good stories, and grow spiritually, for spirit too is a good gift.

Con agua, que es tan claro como tu espiritu, mi hijo, te bendicimos. Cresca con conciencia, tenga un base en historias buenas y cresca espiritualmente porque el espiritu tambien es un buen regalo.


Blessing for Ronan: Dr. Richard Jenks

"A Blessing for Equilibrium

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the music of laughter break through your soul.

As the wind wants to make everything dance,
May your gravity be lightened by grace.

Like the freedom of the monastery bell,
May clarity of mind make your eyes smile.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May a sense of irony give you perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May fear or worry never put you in chains.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
To hear in the distance the laughter of God.

By, John O'Donohue, from 'Benedictus – A Book of Blessing'



Closing Song: led by Laura and Monica

Dancing, Singing, Laughing, Playing, Living, Working, Helping..................

We are ________ in the light of God,
We are ________ in the light of God.

Repeat
We are _______ ooh ooh; we are _______ in the light of God.


Benediction: Dr. Richard Jenks

Thank you for being here to share in this ceremony of dedication, soul welcoming, and commitment. Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

-Amen.

Showcase!

It is marvelous when a day runs so smoothly and happily as last Saturday did. I got a few things done in the morning and then I took off to teach my rueda class with Christine. Our warm-up was great, and afterwards the few things that tripped us up in the warm-up we were able to breeze through quickly so that we could learn our next, and slightly more complicated, move setenta. I wasn't as nervous as usual when teaching and Christine seemed confident too! We were a great team and the class learned the two moves we taught them beautifully!

After class I had to rush home again to take over care of my boys for a few hours before returning again to the dance studio for the showcase! At the showcase students and teachers of the dance studio get the opportunity to show off what they have learned and perform in front of other dancers. Although I was a complete outsider this time (not being involved directly in the event) I enjoyed it so much! I love watching students as they progress in their dancing abilities. I miss being a part of it sometimes! Years ago I was the teacher watching a new student, or dancing with that student as the showcase unfolded. I was working on the playlist, or performing with fellow teachers. It's been years but I remember how fun it was being involved.

My fellow teacher in the rueda class and good friend since college was one of the performers at the event. Christine and Kevin put together a marvelous performance in west coast swing that was smooth and intricate with a lot of complicated moves mixed in beautifully. There was also a performance done to a Metallica song which was lots of fun, not to mention wonderful performances of Argentine tango, salsa, Viennese waltz, and many other wonderful dances!

I left early in the evening so I missed some of the dancing but I might have stumbled on a good opportunity for me as well. Pocho and I went to a local restaurant called Marimba to have desert and dance for a bit and it turns out the owner might be interested in having me teach a few salsa/rueda classes there. We basically had the place to ourselves that late in the evening so we were able to dance and enjoy each others' company.

After Marimba closed up we decided it was still early and we were actually kind of hungry (we only had dessert at Marimba) so I took him to our local Irish pub down the street. They have spectacular food and a really old-style pub feel. They even have a jam session every Monday night with Celtic musicians.

Everything Saturday seemed to turn out wonderful! What a special day!

Black, White and Salsa!

I know it's been a while since my last post. Here we go with the new one though!

Last weekend we had our first ever theme party! We tried to do a "Black, White and Salsa" party. The silly thing is, however, most "black and white" parties are elegant balls or at least dressed up. And we threw in salsa. Salsa of all kinds: dance, music and of course everyone was requested to bring their own edible variety to put on nachos.

We had a lot of fun! But I think for our next theme party we had better select the guests who will enjoy the "theme" and participate. I'm thinking, a Bond party (Sean Connery era) or perhaps a masquerade! (paper masks at the door for those who don't bring their own?).

It's fun to get together with friends in a way that's out of the norm. I do have to remember though that some of our friends might not always want to do the "out of the norm" stuff. I'll have to have an occasional pot luck or carne asada in addition to my fun themes.

Overall I think our party was a huge success though. The food was great! People loved our theme drinks (black and white Russians) and I even got to teach a dance lesson to some eager students. May we have many more successful events of this sort!

Our New Pup!

Yesterday morning I fell in love with a gorgeous black lab puppy that was up for adoption from a local adoption center. Unfortunately once I had filled out the application for her and started to get my hopes up that she would come to live with us, I got an e-mail from the shelter. They thanked me for my interest in her but told me that they had narrowed the applicants down to 3 and ours wasn't one of them. "Oh well", I thought, "wasn't meant to be."

Rightfully so! Searching through craigslist later in the day I happened upon an ad for two pure-bred labs that needed new homes. Both were very young (around a year old) and both were well loved and trained during their beginnings to life. I called about the ad. It was the breeder who had them. The young male had been returned to him because the couple were moving to England and didn't want him to have to go through quarantine. The female came from a couple getting a divorce and the woman didn't have enough time for her anymore.

After just an hour or so of thought I jumped into the car with the boys and drove about 2.5 hours (almost all the way to Portland, OR!) to go and meet this pup. He came to greet us at the car and my boys jumped for joy. The breeder introduced me to his parents and showed me many of the commands that he had mastered.

Needless to say he came home with us. We promptly changed his name (he came with the name Rusty), although many names were run by him before he liked one. And now Jacob, or Jake, is a part of our lives. I now have a running partner, a playmate for my kids, and a loyal canine friend in the house.

Meet Jake!

Puppy - Adopt or Buy

There has been a running debate in our house these last couple of months about when is the right time to welcome a new dog into our lives. Personally, I have always lived with animals. This past year, however, has been one of big transition and therefore we have not welcomed any animal friends into our new space.

Finally it has come down to looking for the right dog. This time I want to do it right. I have welcomed dogs into our lives in the past without acknowledging their past or the characteristics of their breed. We had a puppy who was a lab mix and I tried and tried to train her and work with her but she kept escaping and she would knock over my boys (not the lab in her). In order to try and tame her down a bit we added Hannah, our amazing Boxer. She required no extra training and gave kisses to the kids instead of bowling them over.

We still miss Hannah. But when we moved to Washington it was only fair to let her stay with the family she adopted (yes, she adopted them...left the sitter we hired to watch her and found a new family with a dog and kids who loved her instantly). We have also made two mistakes in adult dogs who we thought might work out. The first turned out to be extremely food aggressive (not good around kids), and the second was the weirdest Basset hound you ever saw. He would jump up on everything and had endless energy (what happened to the Basset just sitting by the fire huh?).

This time I want to do it right. I want to get a puppy. I'm struggling between buying a puppy from a reputable breeder and adopting one. I would rather adopt. But the problem is not knowing the mix when you adopt!

So here's my plan and I sincerely hope it works!

I will post an add in the pet section of craigslist. Looking for a puppy to welcome into our family. Mixed breed great but must be a family mix: lab, Aussie, golden, standard poodle,... No guard dog breeds: Pit bull, German shepherd, rottweiler, wolf mixes.

This way I can explain my concern about finding the right puppy for our family but avoid accidentally supporting a bad breeder. I don't need to pay $400 for a dog when there are so many puppies out there with no homes!

Wish me luck!