Mark Your Calendars

August 1, 2012

Opening Eyes, Minds, And Hearts Worldwide

Gay? Wear Purple.
Know/love a gay person but aren't? Wear Orange.

Hello friends and family.
I'm openly gay. I don't fit the stereotypes. I don't introduce myself as "Hi, I'm Steve, and I'm a homosexual." But nor do I shy away from the truth when asked. Most people, when they find out I'm gay, react in a way similar to "oh, I didn't know that." and move on. Some say "Wow, I thought all gay guys were girly.." and a cool conversation to the contrary begins. I'm glad to open a mind here and there. But I want a seismic shift... You see... most people walk through their daily lives not thinking about who's gay and who isn't. But when they see a "stereotypical" gay guy, they think about it. So, they don't realize that the stereotypical gay guy is just a personality type within the gay community. And there's nothing wrong with that! I would say the majority of us are just like any other guy. Same theory with women. I just think that people have prejudices against homosexuals because of the stereotypes. If they realized that 'normal' looking guys could also be gay, perhaps it would help open their minds.

My idea is this. On August 1st, wherever you are, if every LGBTQ person wears a purple shirt, and everyone who knows and loves an LGBTQ person wears an orange shirt (the two least-worn colors), maybe it would open people's minds to the fact that homophobia is the minority, it's just not talked about that much. For one day, the country would be blanketed in orange and purple, and those in other colors might stop to think about it.

No one walks around every day waving a pride flag, but we're everywhere. This isn't a protest. This isn't a battle call. This is simply about that "oh!" moment... I've heard so many times, to the affect of "I've never met a gay person... I just think it's unnatural." But then after they realize they're talking to one, they change their tune, apologize, and have that "oh!" moment. Suddenly, they're a different person in this regard.

So, let's spread this like wildfire... Invite everyone you know. Let's try to get this across the entire nation by the end of July, and come August 1, wear your purple or orange shirt, and let's see what happens. 

I'm on board!  I've already checked the closet.  Not a single orange shirt!  But I'll have one by August 1st, that's for sure.  I've already checked out some options online.

Perhaps this one?

Or maybe I'll try something super saucy like this one.

Heck, even if I have to wear this,

I will be in orange.

Join Me?

One Thousand Words

Recently I was invited to write a guest blog post for Circle Surrogacy.  Guest blogging is an opportunity that I have been longing for.  One that excited and terrified me at the same time.  You see, I'm comfortable writing for all of you.  I feel like I know you...like you know me.  To put a piece of writing out there for a whole new group of potential readers is just a wee bit scary for me.  What exactly should I write about?  Should it be serious?  Funny?  Heart warming? How long should it be?  Instead of over-thinking it, I just started to write.  The final result was a journey - from transfer to delivery - in just under 1000 words. Our journey was worth far more than 1000 words, but this was an opportunity to provide a glimpse into the world I know and love.  The world of surrogacy.

I want the whole world to see what an amazing thing surrogacy is.  People need to know how many families are created each and every day thanks to surrogacy.  The more we share our amazing stories, the more we help to open the eyes of all of those people who either don't know about surrogacy, or have a negative view of it.  My hope, my dream, my goal is to shed some light on the beauty of surrogacy.  One person at a time.  One blog post at a time.

Chalk up one more fear conquered.  

Here it is folks.  My very first (hopefully of many) guest blog post.

The Journey of a Lifetime

Everybody Loves A Word Cloud

I've seen them here and there on other blogs I follow, but I've never done a word cloud for Love Makes A Family.  It was fun to see the words that were picked and placed about in such a hodgepodge manner.  I'm sure this word cloud isn't a spot on representation of what this blog is all about, but it's definitely cool to see some of the words that mean a lot to me being represented.

Same words.  Different design.  Very cool.

Want to create a word cloud for your blog, or any piece of writing for that matter?  Visit Tagxedo  It takes 3 seconds to create and then you can spend oodles of time messing with your cloud.  That is, if you've got oodles of time.

Have fun!

Incredible Surrogacy Stories

How about this for a pretty incredible story?

Doubly Blessed

And if you think that's incredible, try this one on for size.

Let's Make A Difference

BRINGING BEAUTY HOME

Beauty Bus Foundation delivers dignity, hope and respite to chronically or terminally ill men, women and children and their caregivers through beauty and grooming services and pampering products.

BEAUTY BUS

This Saturday, June 23rd, I will be hosting a Pink Papaya Spa Party. Every last penny of the hostess credit I receive will be used to purchase Pink Papaya products which will be donated to the Beauty Bus Foundation.  YOU can help me to send the most ginormous box of beauty supplies that the Beauty Bus has ever received.  You see, for every item you order from Pink Papaya, 25% of that sale goes to hostess credit.  Credit which will be used to supply the Beauty Bus with lotions, cleansers, makeup, mens facial products, (yes, Pink Papaya sells mens products) and more!  You can order any time...now through Saturday, June 23rd at midnight.  Please feel free to share the Pink Papaya link, or this blog post with anyone and everyone who you think might be interested in making a difference for someone who is fighting for their life.  I really need your help in order to make this event a huge success.  Won't you please consider placing an order and helping to spread the word?  Thank you so very much, in advance, for your support.

Let's celebrate beauty and LIFE 
while supporting the men, women and children 
who are fighting for theirs.

Pink Papaya Party!

Happy Father's Day

There is something very powerful about a Father's love for his child.

Happy Father's Day

Go Ahead - Make My Day

Headed in to DQ for a couple hours yesterday.  Decorated a bunch of cakes. Checked cake orders for this weekend - It is Father's Day after all!  There are quite a few orders.  Mostly the standard....golf, football, etc.  Then what to my wandering eyes should appear?  This.

I have no idea what the back story is on this.  

I don't really care what the back story is on this.  

All I do know is it made my day.

P.S. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard in the middle of your DQ cake 

is a great choice.  

Today I Am Thankful

For my family.

For my health.

For my job.

For my business.

For my friends.

For my home.

For food.

For water.

For money.

For my freedom.

For opportunities.

For happiness.

For confidence.

For strength.

For my blog.

For laughter.

For my car.

For nature.

For patience.

For my sense of humor.

For my safety.

For motivation.

For a closet full of clothes.

For the quiet.

For the noise.

For a busy life.

For rest.

For comfort.

For time.

For my life.

I took 5 minutes today to sit in silence. To be grateful.  To fully experience gratitude.  I looked around me.  I looked within me.  I realized that there are so many things that I am grateful for, some of which I take for granted.  For example, I tend to complain about the noise around my busy household.  It is a fact that I do enjoy the quiet, but if you forever removed the noise of 2 little girls, a husband and a dog, my life would be miserable.  My 5 minutes of gratitude went quickly.  Undoubtedly, I could have come up with many more things that I feel thankful for.  Conversely, had I allowed myself 5 minutes to list the things in my life that I am NOT grateful for, (what a negative way to live) the list would actually be quite short.  There are those few things that I would probably remove from my life if I had a magic wand.  Then I realized, perhaps I should be feeling grateful for those things, as well?  Those things are a part of my life.  My life.  Which I am grateful for.  And suddenly, I found myself with a great big dose of

PERSPECTIVE.

7 Months Old!

Why does the number 7 seem so much bigger than 6 when referring to how many months old Milena and Gustavo are?  Is it because 7 is more than half way to 12 months old?  There is just something about 7 months!  Phew!  How can that possibly be?

That's right folks...Bogota Latin Bistro T-Shirts aren't just for big kids anymore!
www.bogotabistro.com

It's about those eyes, Milena.  Such a pretty girl.  

And this here is what it's all about friends.  FAMILY.

What Makes You Happy?

Like, really happy.

Like, this happy.

I mean seriously.  Not even an itchy nose/pesky booger gets in the way of his joy.  Pure joy!  We've all seen it. A child's ability to feel (and display) pure happiness.  They have no fear, no guilt, no worry about displaying just how happy something makes them.  You can't help but smile and feel your heart swell up when you see it.

I find a child's display of happiness inspiring.  So inspiring in fact, I am choosing to make a commitment.

Beginning right this moment, I Jeni, vow to be better about showing my joy.  I shall smile and laugh and even jump about waving my arms in the air if my happiness calls for it.  I will shout the lyrics of my happiness with pride to any and all who care to be present.  I will do this until I am completely out of breath. Booger or no booger.

I shall *NOT record this and post it on YouTube.