Trusting the Lord with our 7

Jesus Wants the Rose

2011-05-17T09:29:00.004-05:00

When we first stepped on this crazy road that the Lord directed us to it was met with many different responses. People said the normal stuff like, "Are you sure?, What about your children?, Don't you have enough on your plate?" Others told us that foster kids were bad kids. Someone told us that these children were "damaged" children.

Not everything is about fostering or adoption. But so much of fostering and adoption leads me back to the realities of my own adoption by God. For in my damaged state the Lord brought me in with loving arms into His family forever.

As I listened to this video this morning I thought of some of those comments. I couldn't help but think - Yes! Jesus wants that rose! This clip is not about the adoption of children into my family, but about the adoption of all of us into His.

Lord, may I present your gospel as you desire it to be presented. Amen

Foster Kids Should Not Be Forgotten

2011-05-02T09:24:00.001-05:00

Over 15,000 kids who wind up in the foster care system in the state of IL often wait hours in an uninviting, outdated room as DCFS searches for a placement. Visit rooms are also used when a child in care meets with their parent/s each week for their time together. We have an incredible opportunity to renovate the DCFS room in downtown Peoria to make these kids feel special and loved.

The Forgotten Initiative is an arm of Lifsong for Oprhans and is raising $3000 for new books, toys and furniture. Will you help? Necessities like a changing table, sleeping mats, and high chairs will also be purchased. We hope to complete this project in June 2011, with a tentative target date set of June 1, 2011.

If you'd like to add your personal touch to this project, please contact Amy @ levisix@frontier.com and I will put you in touch with Catherine. Catherine is in the process of getting the word out to raise funds to make this dream of blessing these kids a reality.

Checks can be make payable to:
Lifesong for Orphans (re:Forgotten Initiative-Peoria)
PO Box 40 · 202 N. Ford St
Gridley, IL 61744 T

Thank you! for Catherine Cambra

Our Christmas Letter 2010

2011-01-26T09:05:00.003-06:00

"I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date! I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!" ~The Rabbit

So this isn’t how a Christmas letter usually begins, but this year we’re happy to get a letter sent out. As we look over the past 12 months we are so thankful for God’s provision for our family. Joel and Allison took part in a mission trip to London, 3 went to summer camp, we stained our house, kept track of 3 soccer teams and the cross country squad, and have learned many lessons this year as a family. Our dog is a little tuckered out (Sophie-10 ½).

As for our 7 blessings they have been busy as always:

Allison (20) – is mid-way through her junior year of college. Finding her niche she is loving reaching out to a building of young ladies and is learning to balance her time.

Joel(18) – Actually finished high school this month, (will walk through ceremonies in May). He is taking a couple of college classes this semester and helping out our youth pastor while making pizzas for some $. He is waiting to hear from his first college choice mid-January. Joel has finished this leg of his journey well.

Daniel (almost 15) – is learning the ropes as a freshman. He enjoys reading about faraway places and animals. He is working on making his room ‘more grown-up’.

Natalie (13) – Natalie and Amy started the year with a cake decorating class, we didn’t eat cake/frosting for months afterward.  Nat is enjoying helping at a Good News Club weekly with Joel in a impoverished area. Youth group is a highlight!

Molly (9) – A reluctant pianist Molly is everything girlie. Soccer kept her busy in the fall.

Brandon (7) – Soccer in the fall, looking forward to basketball starting in January.

Nathan (3) – Loves the attention of his siblings and is adjusting to wearing glasses. Recently he is a little dismayed to hear that he shares his mom with others.

Ken and Amy – Ken continues as an engineer and Amy is the home manager. Keeping our family on track and our house in order is where we spend most of our time. We are all learning much about life these days and are very thankful to know firsthand how faithful our God is!

A Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Beginnings of Christmas

2010-12-18T21:17:00.003-06:00

Molly's piano teacher gave students the opportunity to play Christmas music at a nearby nursing home in early December.

Molly played two songs and did a great job!

The 2nd and 3rd graders presented a wonderful Christmas progam with song

and even learned to sign "Silent Night".

Here is Brandon's class dressed as snowmen.

They also did a great job and even kept their stuffing in place!

When the children were done singing the music teacher said a few words that included telling the audience that she hoped they knew The One that we celebrate this Christmas season.

It was a great start to our family's celebration of Jesus' birth!

Happy 18th Birthday Joel!

2010-12-18T20:56:00.002-06:00

Per Joel's request we celebrated Joel's 18th birthday with an apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Okay, so this isn't the most flattering picture of Joel, but he said I could keep it on here. We celebrated Joel's birthday with Chinese take-out, yummy. He also started a new job that same day, preparing to be done with high school mid-December and planning a busy semester for January.

Joel is a wonderful young man with a deepening relationship with the Lord. We enjoy him greatly! He possesses a dry sense of humor that we all enjoy.

Happy Birthday Joel!

Chicago in October

2010-12-18T20:20:00.004-06:00

My mom has been part of a clinical trial to treat her cancer at the University of Chicago. This means that frequently we make the trek to Chicago very early in the morning. Much of the time we have been a trio as Mom, Nathan, and myself have ventured out together. Nathan has even made himself a tiny little fan club of some of the staff. Nathan has been a great traveler and a nice distraction during a not so fun trip. My sister Valerie has helped out in between working and doing an internship for her class.

In mid-October the kids had the day off school on Mom's clinic day so Ken joined us and we all made the trip at 5:30am. Ken and the kids spent the morning at the Field Museum of Natual History while mom and I were at her appointment. When we were done we joined them down by Lake Michigan and had a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day!

Nathan mugging for the camera in front of the lake.

Daniel in all his coolness.

Molly and Dad checking out the water.

M0lly and Daniel keeping a close eye on Nathan.
(There are several very wide stairs in front of them you can't see.)

While going to Chicago has lost some of its beauty for me due to the frequency of our trips, it has been very nice to be able to spend time with my mom. My mom is a lovely lady whom I admire greatly. It has been an honor to honor my mom in this way.

"Honor your father and your mother,

so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12

Running Fast and Far

2010-12-17T22:38:00.003-06:00

Joel has run Cross Country the last two years. He enjoys the discipline and distance. (He is his father's son in that area.)

The group of seniors out of approximately 50 runners.

Two great coaches that we are very thankful for.

Guys in black on Awards Night.

Way to go Joel!

Fun Fall Fotos

2010-12-17T18:51:00.009-06:00

The youngest with the oldest. Everyone looks forward to Allison being home for a weekend.

Natalie (midfield in purple) getting it done for her soccer team.

Joel working hard on the computer.

Molly in the mix playing soccer.

Brandon in the goal for his team.

Allison bought these chairs at Goodwill for a few dollars, the table we had already.

Here is the finished product in her apartment building at school.

Here is what the chairs looked like in the process of re-doing them.
They had been an ugly brown color, here they are primed.

Nathan enjoying the fall festival in our town.

Daniel and Brandon about to do the swings. Brandon wasn't too sure about what he was getting himself into.

If you look closely Ken and Brandon are in the middle of this ship, with daredevils Molly and Daniel near the end.

Brandon as Nathan's buddy.

#9 Molly

2010-12-17T18:08:00.002-06:00

Molly turned 9 back in September (I know I am very slow with my posting.) Molly is the cup 1/2 full person in our house, she is the one to make us laugh with her crazy sayings. Molly plays the piano, reluctantly, loves Barbies, her American Girl doll, and anything pink. She spends many hours playing teacher. She is a girlie, girl that happens to be interested in bugs and riding her bike.

Happy 9th Birthday Molly!

Mooom, I Need Help!

2010-12-17T17:40:00.003-06:00

Molly has done her own hair for a long time and 'usually' does a great job! But one day things went wrong...

Ken and I both worked at it for a long time. Just when we thought we were going to have to use the scissors....

Ken was able to get it out. Not sure her hair ever has totally recovered. Phew!

She is being much more careful these days.

Small Road Trip

2010-11-08T11:48:00.004-06:00

Our 3 soccer teams are done, cross country has ended and we are into our school routine. We have hit some bumps at times, some larger than others. We are making it, though some days it may be more honest to say that we are enduring.

Saturday we decided that we would take a road trip but we didn't have really anywhere we especially wanted to go. So what to do?..... Natalie wrote out a bunch of directions on slips of paper. For example "turn right at the next corner" or "go 7.2 miles and then turn left" amongst others. We put them in a coffee mug and hopped in to see where we would end up!

We pulled out the directions one at a time and wondered where they would lead us. Our drive took us through much farmland where we saw horses, goats, sheep, and cows. Most of the farmers were done with their harvest so the fields seemed rather large. The kids often commented through the trip about what they were seeing. No Ipods, no toys, just us. It was a fun adventure. It didn't take us anywhere special but it was a special time. At the end we ran into a grocery we found and bought caramel apple doughnuts and juice and had a snack then headed home. It was a simple time but a great change of scenery.

Back home we are focusing on putting others before ourselves, both at home and away from home. We are also focusing on being "doers of the Word". Some of us are more successful at this than others but we continue to work on it.

As we are now in November it is our desire to have our family focus on the abundance of blessings that are surrounding us! I love the month of November when we take the time to say thank you to the Lord for all that He provides. The Lord truly has provided us with all that we need and much, much more.

.

A Tale of Two Birthdays

2010-09-08T09:04:00.003-05:00

I have shared this story before but I take some time this morning to share it again.... While adopting from Guatemala and after precious Grace went home to be with the Lord we were waiting for a referral. It was getting close to Natalie's birthday and she would pray each night that we would get a referral on her birthday. Sadly her birthday came and went without a referral. Not quite two weeks after Natalie's birthday we received our referral (a wonderful day!) and found that not only would Nathan be a part of our family but he was born on Natalie's birthday! We were amazed at how God had answered Natalie's prayer for without us even knowing the Lord had given us a referral on Natalie's birthday.

Natalie is now a teenager and Nathan is 3! Happy Belated Birthday to both of you!

Natalie it has been alot of fun this summer watching you grow closer to the Lord. I love your desire to be in the Word and to learn.

Nathan you go with the flow, as is needed in the 7th child. You are such a little cheerleader for our family.

We love you both so very much! You are both such a blessing to our family!

Happy Birthday Natalie and Nathan!

Stuff in my Head

2010-08-30T09:19:00.004-05:00

I find that I have less time to post then I used to so I have continued to contemplate why I blog and the value of the time it takes. When I mentioned to Ken my thoughts his reply was, "it is such a great record for our kids". So.... guess I'll stay with it a little longer.

Brandon's 1st day of 2nd Grade
.

Our school year has started and that is always an adjustment of sorts. Schooling is a year to year decision in our home. This year we have a junior in college, a freshmen and senior (last semester) in high school, a 7th grader, and 2nd and 3rd grader. The younger 5 in our public school. Nathan and I manage our home together. The adjustment this year has been a little bit more of a challenge as two of the kids moved up to a new school, but not bad.

Molly's new desk in 3rd grade
.

Our children are not overly involved in activities, the problem is that the one thing they choose to do is all at the same time. Right now we have 3 playing soccer - yes 3 different teams, and one running cross country. It still is rare that we do not eat dinner together, though the time changes with the schedule. It is a light and momentary time so it is doable, it is also a lot of fun to watch how each has progressed from last year.

The college move-in crew - Allison's Junior year

Natalie is very excited about being a part of our junior high youth group. Joel is filling out college applications. We are trying to get Nathan interested in potty training. Time marches on.

I have been thinking through what I want to do differently this school year to help our home run more efficiently. I have a couple of goals in mind but not ready to write them down yet.

Nathan looking cute

No Longer a Teenager!

2010-08-09T16:58:00.002-05:00

We have this wonderful young lady that lives in our home some of the time. There are clothes in her hamper, her bed is slept in and at times she comes with many friends in tow. She has been known to make yummy crepes, biscuits and gravy and many pans of brownies. She is a delight!

Last month Allison turned 20 and I wondered where the years have gone. We are getting deeper into that tender stage of life where her independence is becoming greater than her dependence on us. This is a bittersweet time as this is what we have brought her up to do - follow the Lord independently of us but it is with the realization that we have a different role in her life.

For fun here are 10 things I love about Allison (not in any particular order):

1. I love that she desires to "Trust God" in all things.

2. I love when she gets goofy when she is tired and starts doing weird things.

3. I love that she has a love for people of all kinds and acts on it.

4. I love that she is my daughter!

5. I love her beautiful dark hair.

6. I love that she is a great big sister, setting a very good example for her younger siblings.

7. I love that she has a servant's heart.

8. I love that she is girly.

9. I love her insights into people.

10. I love that she talks to me about important things in her life!

So, Happy Belated Birthday Allison! 20 years ago you were a precious gift to us and you continue to be a wonderful gift from the Lord today!

Missions on the Mind

2010-07-25T16:18:00.005-05:00

This past week our church hosted a missions conference. We had the privilege of hearing several of our church's supported missionaries share what God has been doing and where He is leading them. Some were "seasoned' missionaries while others are preparing to go the field. Each was encouraging to listen to.

Yesterday we heard a family share about their experience working in the states with refugees. They shared about how we can reach out cross-culturally in our own community. We often think we have to go somewhere exotic but really the Lord has given us the opportunity to reach others for Christ right where we are.

The missionary used the text of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37. They shared three points that I thought I would share with you.

1. Be on the same road.
*We need to love others.
*We need to be willing to take a risk to be on the road with others.

2. Be spontaneous.
*If we are running all the time it is difficult to be spontaneous.
*Be prepared to be spontaneous.

3. The Good Samaritan acted out of compassion.
*Compassion enables us to roll up our sleeves and get dirty.
*Compassion enables us to see beyond the obstacles.
*When being hospitable - remember the food is not the most important thing.

4.Involve others in service.
*(my interpretation here.) We don't have to go it alone, allow others to help too.
*Love others.

It was a great morning challenging me to think deeper about how we do missions right here.

As a side note: Please pray for our oldest two children and their team as they minister this week in London.

***

Challenged

2010-07-08T21:41:00.004-05:00

I know that it is truly summer here. The temperature this evening was 87 and it was humid, though there was a nice breeze as the kids enjoyed the pool. (the four kids that were home) And while it is summer I have been thinking lately about what season of life I am in. Actually, trying to figure out what season of life this is? With an about to be 20 year old down to an almost 3 year old sometimes I get confused where I fit.

The one thing that the Lord keeps bringing to my mind these days is "Who am I sharing the gospel with?" I feel that I could use the excuse that at this time in my life my family is my mission field, or my 4th grade Sunday School class, or the families that I come into contact with through the Orphan Ministry that we are involved with but what the Lord is impressing on my heart is that there are others out and about that need to hear the gospel.

I am being challenged to look outside my comfort zone and I am asking the Lord to open my eyes to those that need to hear His truth and secondly that when He opens my eyes to someone that then I respond by taking hold of the opportunity to share His truth with them.

Pray with me, won't you?

.

Working Together

2010-06-20T10:57:00.002-05:00

We have this wonderful cherry tree in our backyard. Early June the cherries are ready to pick. We usually fight the birds for the cherries, some years when the birds were particularly busy we hung a rubber snake in the tree to deter them - it didn't work. A couple of years ago we went to bed with lots of cherries and in the morning the tree was empty, not one cherry left. We think that perhaps a band of very hungry and satisfied racoons got into it.

This year we got to them before any little varmints did - except our two legged variety. Our neighbor has picked cherries, our kid's friends have picked cherries, we have picked cherries. We have delivered bowls of cherries to other neighbors. (It's almost like growing zucchini.) Some of the kids did a great job of picking cherries along with eating many.

Daniel eating and picking.

Nathan helping Daddy (Ken is right behind him)

Molly and Brandon busy at work.

When they were done the not so fun part was pitting them so they could be frozen. We will be enjoying them for quite a while. While it takes some work our cherry tree is a blessing.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day!

2010-06-08T22:53:00.004-05:00

From here-----

Two years ago today about a half hour after we arrived at our hotel a dear Mama from the Children's Home brought Nathan to us. What a special time that was as we were reunited with our son that we had originally met in February. I can't believe that it has been two years and yet it seems that he has been here forever.

He is talking more and more, loves to keep up with his older brothers and sisters, and has a wonderful sense of humor. He does a little jig to get a laugh and has such a bright smile.

I am attempting to upload some pictures and it isn't working this evening, I will post them perhaps tomorrow.

Happy Gotcha Day Nathan! You are a wonderful blessing from the Lord.

To here!

Love you!

Busy Weekend

2010-05-31T19:52:00.008-05:00

We have spent much of the weekend staining our house. It needs it badly and I was ready for a change.

The backyard, a little disheveled

.......The kids and I started on the back before Ken got home from work Friday. At first I was a little unsure, paint never seems to look exactly like you picture it in your mind. I thought this would be a little darker green but I really like it now that more of the old blue is covered.

While we painted some of the younger ones entertained themselves in the water. For a while Nathan wanted to paint with us so we gave him a cup of water and a paintbrush and he "painted" the bricks.

.........It was a hot day and is usually the case: heat + water = water fight!

They were all lovin' it! Not sure how a couple of the kids escaped being involved.

We continue to work on the house. A thunderstorm mid-day today put a stop to our painting. We'll keep plugging away at it. I'll post pictures when we get more done, only two upper level sides to go!

Go Fish - The Mom Song

2010-05-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T21:38:00.006-05:00

To all of you out there that are a mom, will one day be a mom, or act as a mom to someone that may be not even related to you - Happy Mother's Day!

May you be blessed by the Lord as you fulfill the role you have been given by Him.

We had a great day worshipping the Lord and being together. My family is an amazing blessing from the Lord, one which I don't feel that I deserve most days. I received a wonderful present of a new bicycle, my old one was, well, very old and needed to be replaced. I look forward to the adventures it will bring!

Happy Mother's Day!

Small Soapbox - Attachment

2010-04-21T14:09:00.008-05:00

There are many subjects that come up when the topic of adoption is discussed. Someone may wonder how to pay for the adoption, how to decide whether or not to adopt, or if you can love that child as you would any other child? The list goes on. For those who haven't adopted before this is new territory and there are so many questions. Don't misunderstand questions are a good thing. I operate with the philosophy that the more you know the more prepared you are.

One topic that comes up, sometimes in hushed tones, is attachment. We all want our children to attach to us, love us, and be happy they are with us. I think that when we think like that our hearts are showing - note the us in all of those statements. Of course we want the children that we bring into our home to be as excited about being a part of our family as we are about them being there. But the more I understand about attachment the more I understand attachment is more about being able to trust than actually attaching to parents and /or family.

We understand about broken trust as adults. If you have a good friend or family member that hasn't been honest with you or has let you down you hesitate to believe or trust what they say. Well imagine being a child who at the very start of their life may not have been able to trust those that they should have been able to trust completely. In their inner hearts they have issues with broken trust.

I could go on and we could spend a lot of time on the topic of attachment. I would say though that the ins and outs of attachment are not really the issue here. The issue is that this child's heart is broken.

How do we as parents handle a broken heart that comes out in the form of possible rejection or questioning of most things you do?

First and foremost we remember whom we can trust. It is because of the Lord and His setting His vision in our hearts that we are adoptive parents to begin with. I know that I can trust the Lord in everything. (Check out Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Secondly, we need to look for wise counsel. Someone to walk beside you as you work through the brokenness. This person will encourage you to persevere in godly ways.

Thirdly, gather your prayer warriors. Parents, we are in a spiritual battle for the hearts of our children!

Fourth, remember that ultimately as we follow the Lord it is the Lord that will heal this broken heart. Continue to parent as the Lord has commanded. Put His word before each of your children daily, teach them the scriptures, surround them with godly examples, be a godly example yourself. I do not think that God is a god of chaos, He put order to this world - keep order in your home.

Lastly, keep in mind that Jesus died for us when we were yet sinners. We were loved when we were unlovable. I remember back to my single days when a roommate was getting married. She talked about her feelings for her fiance and how she knew she loved him romantically but what she had really had to decide was if she was willing to be committed to him. It is similar in adoption, we make a committment to each of these children. Some of them are easier to love then others because some of them accept our love more readily or return their love to us. Our job as parents is to love each of our children. We have been called to love them and we have been called to be committed to each of them.

Please know that I know that this is not an easy thing to do each day. I daily ask the Lord to love my children through me because I am imperfect at my core. But we are called to daily ask the Lord to walk us through the valleys and over the mountains.

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58

Note: Please take this as encouragement, obviously this is not dealing with specific behaviors and instances but the overall task of loving a child that makes it difficult at times.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

2010-04-16T20:28:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Brandon!

I love Brandon's heart for others. We rarely hear a siren or see a fire truck or ambulance that Brandon does not ask if he can pray for whoever they are going to help. He seems to understand spiritual matters and often can come up with an application for what he has heard (he's 7 so we are still working on actually putting it into practice).

Molly and Brandon at the Louisville Zoo.

Playing in the trees.

Going down the slide was a challenge for Brandon as you somewhat land in the water blindly. He got to the point last summer when he would go down often! Pretty good for a child that was almost 5 before he would go in the M*Donalds playground.

Cool Dude!

A Self-Portrait

Happy Birthday son! We are so thrilled that the Lord brought you into our family!

We are eagerly watching to see what the Lord has planned for you.

Love you!

Easter Weekend

2010-04-05T15:08:00.011-05:00

Here are some pictures of our Easter weekend. We had an amazing time of worship Sunday morning and enjoyed some family time the rest of the day. Here are some pictures for fun.

Allison took some pictures of Natalie for fun.

Joel and Allison - note her little brother is taller than her.

Happy (Belated) Birthday Grandma! Natalie made her a cake.

Attempt at a picture - Nathan was a runaway.

Here he is! Reading the fountain informational plate.

Nathan hunting eggs. He sat his basket down in the middle of the yard and would run and find an egg or three and go put them in his basket. He was quite excited.

Our "big" kids trying to take their own picture. Walking in a mall the other day with the four of them I looked around and thought, "Where did I get all these tall kids?"

Daniel and Allison

Guess what they got in their Easter baskets?

The Girls

Nathan showing off his new glasses.

Daniel - Looking cool. :)

Brandon - Looking cute!

Girls being silly.
Natalie playing in the fountain, it wasn't working.

Molly thought she would try it out.

Fun times!

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T22:52:00.003-05:00

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)

Hoping that your day will be filled with worship and the wonder of Christ's resurrection.

.

Every Child has Special Needs

2010-03-11T13:28:00.009-06:00

(Disclaimer: This post is in no way meant to minimize those children who have the title of Special Needs.)

As I think about the needs of each of our children I can't help but think each has special needs. They do not carry the title of special needs but they have them none the less. Our high schooler is looking at decisions for his future. He has the special need of needing to lay his decisions before the Lord, bounce things off of his parents, and sort out the tons of college mail we get pretty much every day. His need for clarity with his future is huge to him right now.

Our college student is waiting to hear about an opportunity at school next year. She has the special need to know that the Lord is sovereign over all decisions and that should she be chosen or not be chosen for this position it is because it is what the Lord sees as best.

Whether in first grade and struggling with Rocket Math facts or 6th grade and working on a Science Fair project each child has special needs.

The largest special need each of our children has is for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The difficult part of that for me as a parent is that I can't make that relationship happen for them. We can teach them when they walk along the road, when they lie down, and when they get up the ways of the Lord but ultimately they have to make that decision for themselves. That's where it gets tricky. I have to trust the Lord with my children's hearts. I have known for some time that I have to hold my children loosely as they really are God's children that He has entrusted to us for a time. But when their heart does not follow your desire for them or for that matter God's desire for them it can be heartwrenching.

I do not look at my children and think "that one is adopted, that one biological". There are many, many days when I don't think about a child being adopted. They are so much a part of us. I have come to see that the heart of an adopted child has a special need though that our biological children will never experience on the same level. My relationship with them is more tender at this level because their hearts have experienced a great loss. They may not be able to put it into words and not every one of them feels it to the same degree or even continuously but it is there. Each child deals with that loss in their own way, some it rarely bothers, others it creates a protective covering over. So my job as a mom is to peel away at that covering with God's love for that child that I must allow to flow through me even though that child may be working hard to keep their cover intact.

They may play tug of war with that heart covering for a long time and so I hang on to the Lord and I remember that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) Because I know that the heart of every child has a special need.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6: 5-9 (NIV)

Untitled

2010-02-24T14:10:00.007-06:00

I've had a lot of things on my mind lately and not really sure what the Lord wants me to do about them. I thought that I would try to write this post and see what happens, if you are reading it I guess it passed.

The Lord has given Ken and I a passion for the orphan. Over the years that has taken on different forms, mostly in the form of fostering and also adoption. It has not always been an easy road but it has been one that we have loved traveling.

The last few months for us have been a challenge and so I have had to do some serious thinking and praying. I have often said that the Lord sometimes calls us to things that are difficult. I believe that still. The challenge lately has been, knowing that it is hard at times should I encourage others to adopt?

As I have thought and prayed about this the Lord re-opened my eyes to several things:

1. Satan watches and he is cunning and he sees my area of weakness.

Scripture says: "The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

2. If things were always easy I would be totally relying on myself and I would take God out of the equation. I have to rely on Him step-by-step. Oh - wait, sometimes I take God out of the equation even when things are hard.

Scripture says: "But Jesus said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. " 2 Corinthians 12:9

3. God is sovereign, we are where we are because He has placed us right here.

Scripture says: "The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness." Psalm 111:7-8

4. The Lord cares for our family and each of us so much that He sent His Son to earth for us. He hasn't left us to our devices.

Scripture says: "Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. " I John 5:4-5

5. Even with the difficulties I would not desire to change a thing. To be with the Lord in His will in difficulty is much better than thinking things are going smoothly outside of His will.

Scripture says: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalm 145:18

6. When I am tired I don't respond well to much of anything. Sad but true. I need proper rest in a trial to help me to respond clearly and properly and being in step with the Lord helps me to rest.

Scripture says: "The fear of the Lord leads to life: then one rests content, untouched by trouble." Proverbs 19:23

These are not new things I've learned but I have been gently reminded by my loving Heavenly Father of them lately.

My response to these truths is actually not very complicated. When the difficulties come I need to:

1. Pray, pray, pray. Before I call a friend or eat chocolate I need to have a solid conversation with the Lord.

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6

2. Get in the Word. The Lord speaks to me through His Word. I need the wisdom that only comes from God to live my life victoriously for Him.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

3. After #1 and #2 now I can talk with my husband, call a friend, and grab that chocolate!

The short answer to my ponderings is "yes" I should continue to encourge those that desire to follow the Lord in adoption or fostering. Because it is clear in His Word that the Lord has a heart for the orphan and so those He calls we will encourage.

.

14!

2010-02-23T14:05:00.005-06:00

As with my last post, I'm late. I'm really trying, it's just that the days move too fast! Daniel celebrated his 14th birthday in January and I wonder again where has the time gone. How is it that it seems just yesterday that this little boy entered our hearts and yet he is so tall? Daniel is our outdoor guy and loves the freedom that comes from being outside four walls.

Daniel's brain is energized by looking at God's creation and his heart is tugged by the less fortunate. Just recently Daniel saw a mailing from one of our local missions that was putting out information on how to donate money so they could feed the homeless. Daniel picked it up and asked me, "Are we going to do something about this?" We are working on helping Daniel understand what he can do to help with those situations.

Daniel with his siblings enjoying the sprinkler many years ago.

Age 4 - playing at a friend's birthday party.

Feeding the pigs at The Farm in Door County, WI. It made his day!

Soccer in his younger years.

He's Snowman in the school program!

Happy Birthday #7!

A close-up of Mr. Smee (guinea pig). Daniel does a great job of caring for him!

Enjoying a family gathering.

Brothers

Hangin' out in the tree.

There is so much to think about! We've helped him choose his high school classes and he's toying with the idea of trying football in the fall. This summer Daniel would like to run a pet-sitting business and we have challenged him to put together a small business plan which he has begun to think about.

Happy (belated) Birthday Daniel!

May you walk faithfully in the ways of the Lord all your days.

God holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones."

Proverbs 2:7-8

Joel! (a very delayed post I didn't want to skip)

2010-01-22T19:53:00.006-06:00

Joel is our oldest son and 17 years ago this past December he came into the world weighing 8# 15oz. We joke with him and tell him that I was never the same after his delivery. The truth is that knowing Joel is a true blessing and I will never be the same because I have gotten to know Joel.

Because this is a very late birthday post I thought I would share 5 things about Joel.

#1 - He is a goal-setter. Joel often has a list on a whiteboard in his room with goals he has decided to reach. I love it that often those goals have to do with his walk with the Lord. (But his bed may not be made.) This past fall Joel decided to start running and greatly has enjoyed being a part of his high school cross country team. #2 - He is willing to try something new.

#3 - He is a good big brother. Having several younger siblings that enjoy 'finding' birthday presents for each other you never know quite what you are going to get. But he was a great sport and ooohh'd and aahh'd over each one. *

Pink stickers that say "Cheers".

A little handmade pillow and a personal size tube of used toothpaste.

#4 - Joel has a great sense of humor though it may be hidden from some.* Actually he appears to be hiding in a shower display at the IKEA store here.

#5 - He is going to be a great "poor college student". He's up for a Goodwill shopping trip* to see what we can find for fun and he holds on to his money.

Another present from a sibling.

I know I said I would share 5 things about Joel but as I write this I think I should share #6 as well. It is an encouragement to me that Joel has a growing relationship with the Lord. He is disciplined to be in the Word.
.

There is a verse that I think of as I think of Joel:

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

(*Even though his bed may not be made.)

Love you Joel,

Mom*

2010

2010-01-01T10:02:00.005-06:00

Last night at dinner we were talking about what was good about 2009. As you can imagine for our kids many of the things that were good were fun things we had done during the year or something special they had received. It was fun to look back at the year with them. I am so very thankful for another year where we saw the Lord's faithfulness, good health, our kids growing and learning. There are so many things to be thankful for in 2009.

Most years we take some time in January to sit down and make some goals for our family for the coming year. Along with those goals we set a family verse for the year. It is wonderful to see how the Lord has used those scriptures in our year and how we can look to them in specific situations as we go through the days.

We don't know what the Lord has in store for any of us in the coming year but we are looking forward to watching the Lord work.

Our family verse for 2010 is:

Mark 12:29-31

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

So ready or not it's here! Happy New Year!

Memories of Old and New

2009-12-21T10:22:00.011-06:00

I love traditions. I do wonder sometimes if my love of tradition comes from my not liking change though. Christmas is filled with many traditions for many families. Over the years we have had to make some changes with our traditions to better fit our family size and what was happening in our lives at that time. One tradition we have let pass is a live Christmas tree, though we have many great memories of hunting for the perfect tree over time it has worked better to pull the one we have out of the attic. Actually now we put up two trees so we can enjoy all the ornaments we have accumulated through the years. As our children move out of our home our tree will be pretty bare as many of the ornaments belong to them. That is a tradition we have kept; each year each of the kids receive an ornament that has (hopefully) something to do with the past year and shared memories.

For fun we got into our old pictures and though some of my children will groan at these pictures it has been a lot of fun to look back over where the Lord has brought us. So I hope you all enjoy these pictures, if for no other reason than the changing hairstyles.

Our first Christmas as parents in our first house.

We remained the three of us for the next Christmas in our second house.

Joel was just a couple of weeks old here as Allison celebrated being a big sister.

Our third home and still my favorite, though it came with a lot of hard work.

Jeremiah joined us for 11 months and we watched him grow and develop.

(I've misplaced some pictures) Our family added Natalie.

.
Ken and I are getting older and not always as willing to be in the picture.

Daniel joined our family the next year.

This isn't exactly a Christmas picture but we did have a great time at

Brookfield Zoo in the winter.

(Not sure if they still have them but in the winter there were free days.)

I threw this one in because I just love the look on Natalie's face!

Daniel was a snowman in his school program.

One of the wonderful blessings received when we moved into our current home was wonderful neighbors - several of them. One family in particular has joined us on Christmas Eve for several years. Our children took it upon themselves to act out the story of Christ's birth. Some years were more serious than others but they were always a delight and wonderful memories.

Molly and Brandon became a part of our family the next year,

things were really hopping now!

Here is a picture at Grandma's house with my sister Jennifer sneaking into the picture.

Another year of the Christmas story. More 'characters' contributed this time.

Another year patiently waiting at the top of the stairs. Though we don't
"do Santa" we do make the kids wait until everyone is ready to go downstairs.

Nathan was still at Eagle's Nest the next year so we felt that part of us was missing this particular Christmas. He would be home the coming June.
Family minus one.

Celebrating last year with Ken's mom.

We enjoyed a quick photoshoot in the park this past Sunday as it was snowing.

There were cold people but lots of smiles. Another memory made.

Merry Christmas 2009!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Outside the Box

2009-12-08T21:59:00.012-06:00

I struggle with wanting to save the neat things that the kids have worked so hard on and not having enough storage space to save each and every little thing they make. I have a good-sized plastic tub for each of the kids. In those tubs we save things that represent milestones in their lives. For instance swimming lesson report cards, ticket stubs to a special concert or event, programs from the latest piano recital, or a special card they received.

It is fun to look back at things they have made and done. I hope that when they have their own kids they will enjoy sharing these momentos with them. In the mean time there are certain things that you can't store in a box. So here are a few I thought I would share..

Molly's turkey could probably fit in her box but he'd be smashed after a while.

Of course Brandon's spelling words written on the white board wouldn't fit in his box.

Joel's Great Wall of China definitely didn't fit in his box and would have been a shame to not be remembered as it took Joel quite a while to get it just right.

An Eygptian pyramid didn't fit in Natalie's box.

Could have put this picture in a box but it looks better on Joel's wall.

Joel won Third Place in a local photography contest with this picture from his trip to

South Africa.

It wouldn't be a good idea to put the meal Daniel made for his Food Consumer Science class in a box. But we did enjoy eating it.

So while it is good to have the boxes to store those special things in not everything fits in the box. That's where the camera comes in handy, because while these projects don't fit in the box, the pictures could!

(On a totally different level: I have some thoughts swimming in my head lately to blog about but I need to find the time to sit down and put them all down.)

Look Mom - I'm 8!

2009-10-30T17:28:00.002-05:00

This post is extremely overdue but I didn't want to miss a chance to blog for Molly. She turned 8 in September. Molly's glass is half full most of the time. She is growing up before our eyes and is quite a delight! I thought it would be fun to show some of the many faces of Molly through the years. She has a beautiful heart to match her smile.

Happy #8

Molly loves her Daddy!

Several pictures as she has grown.

Not so happy being a frog.

Molly Happy Belated-Blog Birthday!

We desire for you to grow in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.

I am a Mom by God's Grace

2009-10-02T12:50:00.008-05:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about being a mom. What does it mean to be a mom? How do we parent 7 children when each of them has particular needs and unique quirks? How do we be everything we need to be for each one of our children? Some days I feel that I am failing miserably, other days I find myself thinking, "that went pretty good". I feel totally inadequate on so many levels! Help!

As you read this you may notice what I noticed about my way of thinking - it's all about me. Oops. You see I didn't get to be a mom all on my own, the Lord brought me to this place. Though part of my life is a dream come true, the only reason it is what it is is because the Lord has brought me to this time and place. I had been taking God out of the equation, trying to be a mom on my own steam. I can't be everything to my children, only the Lord can. I have been in the Word and greatly enjoying a study of David recently, but in the mom department I had not been recognizing the Lord's presence. ( I thought it was men who were the ones to compartmentalize.)

So..... what to do now. Well, first I need to take in some principles from my study of David. I need to recognize that I am right, on my own I'm not the best mom. It is when I moment by moment rely on the Lord that I handle situations appropriately. Remember when I am weak, He is strong. Secondly, I need to follow Christ's example. Respond to my children as Christ would respond. He shows me infinite grace, I need to show more grace to my children. Talking with other moms I don't think that I am the only one who feels the Lord tapping on my shoulder when I'm talking to my children. And lastly, I need to ask God to remind me of the reason I am a mom. I am right where the Lord put me, being the cracked pot I am He desires to fill in those cracks and to use me in the lives of my children.

I need to seek refuge in the Lord on the days when I feel worn down, I need to rely on him fully each day. Recently our Bible Study teacher shared that she set her timer for 30 minutes during the day to remind her to recognize the Lord's presence in her day. Excuse me while I go set my timer.

Twelve and Two

2009-09-08T12:57:00.005-05:00

Don't know where the time has gone but about a week ago we celebrated Natalie and Nathan's birthday. We had had a larger family party earlier so the actual day was sort of quiet. Nathan enjoyed opening his presents and his siblings enjoyed helping him learn how to use them. Natalie had a few friends over for pizza, games, and a movie. If you can judge by the screams and giggles they had a good time!

Here are a few pictures. Somehow I didn't take many pictures especially of Natalie. I will post some of our young lady soon.

Nathan playing in the backyard- he's 2!

Natalie and Nathan getting ready to blow out their candles. Twelve on one side of the cake, two on the other. They were having some fun.

Nathan is all boy and seems to have a great sense of humor. I've been concerned about his speech but he is saying more words and the pediatrician is not concerned. It will be interesting to see if with all the other kids in school if he has more opportunity to speak. :)

We were excited to see that he is growing. He is now at the 12th percentile for height (he was at the 5th percentile) and the 22nd percentile for weight (that is up a little also). While he looks small it is fun to see him understand new things and join in with the big kids.

Last night we ate on the patio and as soon as Nathan got down he joined three of his older siblings in a game of soccer. As he was running across the backyard he yelled, "Mom!" and when I looked he smiled a big smile and took off running after the ball.

Natalie is enjoying her soccer season. She prefers defense and does a pretty good job at it. She loves baking and decorating cupcakes though Saturday I had to tell her she needed to not make them so often. Even when I freeze some they get eaten up very quickly!

Natalie tolerates piano for her parent's sake. She plays very well but would prefer to just play songs she likes - while I understand the reasoning behind the drills, scales, and learning certain songs it does make me wonder if kids could play what they really liked if some would stick with it longer. I love that it puts music in our house though. With Allison away at school and Joel very busy we don't hear the music like we used to, though Molly is taking lessons now and Brandon is in a little Joynotes class.

What a delight these two children are (as well as the others). They bring a lot of laughter to our home. Just this morning I was listening to the radio while running some errands and I was reminded how children are a blessing from the Lord. Yes, they truly are.

Happy Birthday Natalie and Nathan!

Conversation at the Soccer Field

2009-08-29T18:28:00.002-05:00

We had our usual morning of soccer games mixed in with their team picture day. The weather is beautiful and it is a lot of fun to watch. It is also a great place to meet people in our town that I don't already know.

Just as our last game was finishing up a mom with her three children spread out a blanket and started to eat lunch. The youngest little boy I had seen playing earlier and he looked to be foreign. So I decided to be brave and strike up a conversation with her, I'm not particularly good at that. As we talked I asked her about her little boy and she said he had come home about 6 weeks ago from Ethiopia. Our conversation for a short time was interrupted with celebrating and picking up lawnchairs and quilts, but then it continued. She had seen Nathan and asked me when he had come home.

This is the fun part (I think) - I asked her if she had some support around her and she told me that in our town in the few blocks around her home there are 5 families in some part of the process of adopting from Ethiopia and they were getting together for their first Ethiopian fellowship very soon! Now you may wonder why I found this exciting since we have not nor are we planning to adopt from Ethiopia. Well, my reasons are three-fold.

First, any adoption excites me as it is a chance for a child to have a permanent family and because of a mutual friend I am lead to think that this is a christian home. Second, this is a great thing for these children coming to a little town in America to have other children from their home country nearby. Maybe they won't be best friends forever, but they will have some things in common: their country of birth, the color of their skin, and the experience of adoption. Thirdly, as I spoke with her she asked me if I had support during our adoption and I mentioned our church's adoption ministry and she immediately asked me if I went to Bethany. That's how I heard of the mutual friend. It is good to know that people are aware of the ministry at church. It is a great conversation starter and also a great way to offer support to families any where in the process of adoption. I shared with her about a family coming home with their little girl just last night and how we have another family waiting for their referral any time. We were strangers but could celebrate in a small way together for these families.

It was a lot of fun watching our kids play soccer on a beautiful day. And it was a sweet time of hearing how God is using ordinary families to do wonderful things.

Off They Go!

2009-08-19T18:05:00.005-05:00

This was the scene on our sidewalk this morning as five of our children headed back to school. It's such a bittersweet time of year - the summer is over, another year is starting, the days are no longer all ours to do what we want with. But it is nice to get back to the structure and schedule.

Ken went into work a little late to walk with the younger three to school.

Joel is a Junior! Now I have no idea how that happened - it has been a whirlwind. The picture doesn't show it but he was a little reluctant to get this picture taken. Pretty soon we start college visits - yikes!

Here is our 8th grader, Daniel. His last year of junior high

and he is looking forward to be the topdog at school.

6th grade, the last year at the grade school. Natalie enjoys school and her friends.

Second grade is a little intimidating to Molly but she was very excited about her new teacher - "She is sooo pretty and nice!"

Brandon was so quiet this morning I knew he was nervous. When I asked him what he was feeling he said, "A little nervous and a little excited." He came home delighted with his morning and happy to announce that he had made a new friend.

Of course Nathan has to be in the middle of everything. Here on our front porch I think he was trying to figure out how to get into this backpack of Natalie's. He is going to miss his siblings during the day.

So another year starts. Remember to pray for your children's teacher. I would encourage you to find a Moms In Touch group for your school and if there isn't one currently meeting to start a group! What a blessing to pray with other moms for our children and school.

Here is a link for the Moms In Touch Group Locator so you can find one for your school:

http://roster.momsintouch.org/GroupLocator/

And if there isn't a group yet for your school here is a link on how to get one started:

http://www.momsintouch.org/leaderscorner/GettingStarted/tabid/69/Default.aspx

A Camping We Will Go

2009-08-11T06:33:00.010-05:00

We had planned to camp for an extended weekend all summer. The temperatures this summer have been cooler than most so it really sounded like a great idea. Well the summer days got away from us, compounded by two teenagers with differing work schedules so it wasn't until last weekend that we actually got to camp. We had jokingly said that now the temperatures would go to the 100's - really we were joking. It didn't make it to 100 but it was mid-90's throughout the weekend. But what's a camping trip without a little sweat.

What you don't see in this picture is our 4 oldest kids dancing to music on the radio in the car beside us. The entire mini-van was bouncing up and down.

Brandon going for a swim courtesy of Daddy.

The first day Nathan didn't care who he was with as long as he was in the water. He didn't wear the life jacket much, we were trying to see if he would float in it. He and Joel hung out on the inner tube for a little while.

Our temporary home. We hadn't done any real camping for about 10 years and 3 kids ago. When we got our camping gear out of the attic Ken and I got a good chuckle when we saw an old list. After ten years we still needed the sippy cup and blankies that were on the original list.

Daniel got to do some fishing. Didn't catch any thing but lost some bait to nibbles.

Ken went along to encourage Daniel and to help untangle the line.

So this is why there are weird pictures of thing I don't remember on the camera. Busted!

Doin' dishes. Camping is work!

After our last dinner at camp - spaghetti - Nathan said he was, "aw du".

Even after packing up before the storm came we had a lot of fun and made some good family memories.

It's Almost Over

2009-08-04T14:54:00.003-05:00

I remember when I was younger my dad would say that summer was almost over when the Fourth of July came. While now I think there is quite of bit of summer left at that point it still seems like the summer months are too short.

We have a couple of fun things left to do in a very short period of time but our summer is really almost complete.

This has been a fairly uneventful season for us and honestly that is nice. Nothing big has happened, but that also means we have not gotten our house stained as planned. (Now the plan is to do it early fall.) The garage sale I had thought about all summer almost happened this week but then I decided to just donate what we had and forget it. Did I mention that while I like to go to someone else's garage sale I dislike having one of my own very much.

We register the younger kids for school this week and next week they find out who their teacher and classmates are. Joel begins cross country practice next week. Though he has been running this summer with much of the team this is a new venture for him. Allison heads back to school in two weeks though she is displaced from her actual apartment until the pro-football team heads off campus.

There are things I look forward to as the new school year begins and things I am never quite ready for. Getting back in an actual routine is nice. But I cry the first day of school each year, it is such a sign of the kids growing up. It is fun to see the Lord's hand in putting certain kids in their path and in choosing their teachers. This year honestly I am looking forward to the one-on-one time with Nathan that comes when school starts. His siblings love him so much that often I have to 'fight' to get some time with him.

Many thoughts whir through my head at this time of year. I am so very thankful for our family, for where the Lord has placed us, and seeing God's hand in our lives.

Cousins

2009-08-02T22:27:00.010-05:00

Our kids love their cousins though they don't get to see each other as often as they would like. This weekend my younger sister and her family were in town so we decided to combine our birthdays. It wasn't fancy but it was fun! Out of 12 cousins 7 of them celebrate their birthday between June and early September.

Natalie, Molly, and Brandon spent a lot of time the few days before making decorations, cards, and anything else they could think of to add to the festivities. They came up with some great ideas!

Happy Birthday Cousins!

Gobbling up the cupcakes.

Jed had his day in June. For fun Natalie and I

made cupcakes that were supposed to look like a beach.

Allison got to celebrate a second time for her July birthday.

Mia celebrates her special day this week! (She was just out of the pool in this picture.)

Nathan opening some presents ahead of schedule for his late August birthday.

Natalie is 12 in August.

Molly is officially a year older in September.

I know that's only 6 cousins, Jimmy couldn't make it today. It was good to be together and to be able to share the excitement of another year. It seems time passes so quickly in each of their lives.

Happy Birthday!

2009-07-17T19:33:00.007-05:00

Allison turns 19 today! Happy Birthday! While in grade school I don't think Allison was always too thrilled about having a summer birthday afterall kids who celebrated their birthdays during the school year got to bring treats on their special day. Children who had summer birthdays celebrated their "Half Birthday". While fun it wasn't always as exciting. As has been the case with many of Allison's birthdays we have plans. The nice thing about plans is that they make for memorable birthdays. When Allison turned 1 we were in Mackinaw, Michigan on vacation. While there Allison enjoyed chasing the seagulls in the park while calling them all "kitty!".

One year we were tent camping in Door County, Wisconsin when we were hit with a downpour. It rained from breakfast through late into the evening. Allison and Joel played a game in the van while Ken and I took down the tent and everything else and packed up a gallon or two of rainwater and retired to a hotel before we left town early in the morning.

Our birthday hat was bought on vacation right before Allison's birthday and because she was young enough then she gladly wore it around town for her special day.

Six years ago we were on our way home, on Allison's birthday, from a vacation when we received a call. We made plans all the way home, ordered pizza for the kids from our cell phone, dumped all the luggage in the sunroom and went and picked up Brandon. I don't think we can top that, she'll have to work on that one.

While it truly seems like we just brought her home from the hospital in a car Ken decorated with pink ribbons she is growing up to be a beautiful young woman.

Happy Birthday Allison!

Life goes marching on....

2009-07-16T18:59:00.002-05:00

There are some times in life when some things that happen make you realize that you are not as young as you used to be (and I'm not talking about the aching joints when we first get out of bed in the morning).

This weekend we are going to a wedding. I remember when this young person was born, as moms we shared pregnancy stories and we shared milestones as our children grew and increased in number. Now this young lady is getting married and I know that she is only the beginning of many to come. Now that I think about it an old roommate watched her daughter get married earlier in the spring and just tonight our oldest daughter is getting together with a friend that has just announced her engagement - yikes! Life is moving quickly.

It's times like this when I wonder, "Are we doing a good job training our children in the ways of the Lord?" Are we teaching them all they need to know? It makes our job as parents seem so much more important when I think that in a few short years it could be a child of ours walking down the aisle to start a new season in their life.

I am excited for our friend's daughter. This young couple is walking with the Lord, she is marrying a young man of integrity. It will be a wonderful time of celebrating with them.

So while I contemplate that some day I will be the mother of the bride or groom I am struck with how life is moving on. I pray that as the days move on that my family and friends are walking with the Lord, that they are daily growing closer to the One who put our families together.

And if I wasn't sure I was getting older tonight Natalie had her first official babysitting job. :)

More Family Pics

2009-06-22T14:33:00.006-05:00

A funny picture of Joel holding a lion cub in South Africa a couple of weeks ago. I can almost hear the noise he made when he first picked it up. He told me that it felt like he was going to drop it and that is why he made the face. (He has a picture where he is smiling but I think his expression here is comical). The Lord showed Joel some amazing things on his mission trip!

Nice little pussy cat.

Ring around the rosies, a pocket full of posies, ....

..... ashes, ashes, they all fall down!

(Nathan's new favorite game to play with everyone.)

Daniel hanging out in the tree.

Sophie needed a bath so Nathan and Molly decided to help Dad.

(Don't worry we dumped the pool when they were done.)

Decision Time

2009-06-20T09:47:00.005-05:00

Brandon playing at the park.

Nathan loves the playground and thinks he can keep up with his older siblings.

Allison is teaching tennis this summer, too bad they don't teach in the dark as her shirt is so bright that it almost glows in the dark.

Our fish, Molly.

Is it possible to do anything without an MP-3 player?

Nathan spends a lot of time just pouring water into and out of things.

I started this blog towards the beginning of our adoption of Nathan as a place to share my thoughts, so I wouldn't overwhelm my husband with all of my words. :) It has been a lot of fun to share with others how the Lord has put together our family. Well, Nathan has been home a year, we are totally finished with the process and I have to make a decision. Do I continue with the blog or finish up? I am torn as, honestly, I enjoy blogging. I have some ministry things to take care of and I am wondering if it would be better to invest my time more with that. I'm praying about what to do, but while I am deciding here are a few pictures of some of our kids enjoying the beginning of their summer in between the rain.

One Year Ago Today!

2009-06-11T09:23:00.005-05:00

Ken and I have reflected quite a bit recently about where we were a year ago and where we are today. We are both in awe of the Lord who has blessed us so greatly with seven wonderful children. There were times in the journey to bring Nathan home we wondered if it would truly happen. The Lord taught us so much during that time about how to trust Him and to wait for His timing, lessons that didn't always come easy. I know for me I have re-visited those lessons in the last year.

Nathan is an active toddler and learning new things every day it seems. He loves his brothers and sisters, wanting to copy anything they do - which is difficult at times as he is still little. He is such a joy!

What a year it has been - Nathan came home, Allison completed her first year of college, Joel just returned from a mission trip to South Africa, certainly not a dull life we live. A year later it still brings such emotion to think of bringing Nathan home.

"For this child I have prayed and God has granted me what I asked of Him." I Samuel 1:27

(You'll need to pause the playlist music down the right hand side, sorry about that.)

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait on Him." Lamentations 3:22

Random Pictures for Fun

2009-06-02T15:54:00.009-05:00

Please pray for Joel this week.

He is in the second week of a mission trip to South Africa/Mozambique and is ministering through a VBS and hut-to-hut evanglism.

This is what happens when the big sister comes home from college.

She doesn't get a lot of personal space.

Molly being cool while watching a 3-D movie.

When you are the littlest
and can't reach the screen door knob from the outside.
You wait patiently.

This safari-type hat so fits Daniel. He loves animals!

We have found that since Allison has been home she can't get enough of Nathan. So we have found her playing with him after we have put him to bed. I guess then she doesn't have to share his attention. Luckily he goes right to back to bed without complaining.

Sometimes Life is a Circus

2009-05-30T15:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday some of our kids and a friend were playing on our basketball court when something unusual happened. All of a sudden the friend yelled, "a bird!" and Natalie ducked as something flew at her and tried to land on her head! I was in the house and someone ran in and yelled, "Mom grab the camera there is a green bird on Natalie's head!" Well actually he was on the basketball court. He willingly went to Daniel's finger and we made him a makeshift cage in the garage. Since he doesn't exactly look like a wild bird we put some calls into the vet clinics in our area to see if anyone reports a missing bird. This afternoon we are supposed to be making signs for a "found" bird, but nobody is too eager since everyone has decided he should stay. Actually, I keep referring to him as a he, but they are calling this bird Lola - they even have Nathan saying it.

In the middle of finding a cage for him we found that the container we wanted to use for him had a ton of baby praying mantis' (about 1/4 inch long) in it, as one of the kids had put an egg sack in the container and they had all hatched. Than Molly stepped on a bee, that didn't sting her but it upset her. Than we looked and Nathan had walked where they had attempted to let the praying mantis loose and he had several crawling on his feet. It was crazy for about 20 minutes, that's what you get when you have "wild" animals - you get "wild" kids!

Oh, and I didn't mention that this all happened when we were trying to get dinner ready because we were surprising the kids with a night at the circus.

During the Pre-Show the kids could try on some costumes.

We all enjoyed the circus, after all it is "the greatest show on earth"! And then we came home to our zoo.

Every Child Needs a Michael

2009-05-18T21:49:00.006-05:00

What's a Michael? An adult who takes an interest in the lives of your children. Yep, that's Michael. Many times while I join my girlfriends for dinner Stacey's husband Michael visits my hubby and our kids. We can't tell the younger two he is coming until that day because it is all they talk about. A couple of the older kids try to think ahead to what homework they have to make sure they don't have much that night. (Unfortunately Daniel had quite a bit this time.) Michael talks to them, plays with them, will often play a game with them. Oh, and by the way, Ken enjoys his company greatly too. :)

This visit he rode his motorcycle and Molly and Brandon got to take a ride. How fun! Brandon said he was scared at first but he did it!

Molly liked it that he beeped the horn several times. I was told that a little girlfriend of Molly's walked by and said "who's that?" watching Molly ride by. Brandon said, "It's Michael" like "of course that's Michael."

We are so grateful for friends like Michael. Adults that add to our kids' lives are such a blessing.

Re-adoption- Check!

2009-05-12T14:23:00.007-05:00

Waiting with Grandma.

Well we finally got it done. This morning we went to court and completed the re-adoption of Nathan. Because so many had met us at the airport and the hearing was in a different county a little distance away for most we decided to keep the event just our family, including my older sister and mom. It took all of about 10 minutes in the actual court room but it will make things easier for everyone in the long run. And of course he is officially Nathan Rodolfo now! Yeah!!

Our daughter Allison was the first grandchild and my dad said that my mom had waited a long time for grandkids. Today she remains a magnet for her grandkids. They love her bunches! Here some of them are hanging out at the court house waiting our turn.

Nathan decided it was time for a snack.

He's thinking, "surely someone will get me something out of here."

Daniel, Grandma, and Allison.

Outside the court house on a beautiful day.

Oh no, what happens when seven children have to wait for papers to be filed and copied. Well, the camera becomes entertainment!

The kids then decided that they would wait outside and when we came out we found them taking pictures of all sorts of things. They thought the old gun-thingy outside the court house looked interesting so here they all are hiding behind it, if you look closely you can see Molly peeking through the opening. (Just wanted you to know that we hadn't lost one.)

When our attorney walked out of the court house this is what he saw. He just smiled and kept walking.

Lastly, we topped off the morning with brunch at IHOP.

Though this court date was really a formality it brings us almost full circle as it was a year ago June that Nathan came home. He is a true blessing in our family and we are enjoying watching his personality develop. We are so thankful for the Lord placing him in our family and we pray that he will become a young man of God.

The Boys

2009-05-04T16:24:00.007-05:00

How did it happen? One day he was playing with trains and cars

and the next day..........

He had a driver's license!

Now Daniel is thinking about when he can get his..................

I hope this isn't any indication of how Brandon will be behind the wheel!...

And it seems that Nathan has a fascination with cars also.

They must be born with it!

A Quote

2009-04-27T15:41:00.005-05:00

My dear husband has posted this little ditty in our kitchen, where we spend a ton of time. It is a good reminder and I thought that I would share it with you.

"Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives. In fact, you are either in the Word and the Word is conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ, or you are in the world and the world is squeezing you into its mold." - Howard Hendricks

Years ago one of our pastor's wives was sharing at a gathering. She spoke about how we (the church) often measure how we are faring by comparing how we are doing at keeping our distance from the world. She pointed out that what we need to look at is how we are doing as far as how close we are to the Lord. You see that while we do okay at keeping our distance from the world; the world is constantly moving away from the Lord. And guess what that means for us....yep, we are moving away from the Lord at the same pace as the world if we are not very careful.

I have often thought of her analogy, it is a challenge to me to make sure that what I use to measure how well I'm doing is Scripture and not what others are doing. I fall short many times, most of the time. I am praying that the Lord gives me a continual, growing desire to grow closer to Him.

Bubbles

2009-04-23T20:40:00.006-05:00

Nathan recently received a new bubble set and was not

having much success at making his own bubbles.

Brandon went outside with Nathan

and was teaching him how to do it.

(Sorry the picture isn't very clear my batteries were going dead.)

After showing him a few times, Nathan tried it himself.

I'm not sure how many bubbles he made with the wand,

though his face was covered when they were done.

They stayed out in the backyard

for quite a while working on bubbles.

Nothing warms my heart more

than watching our kids work together,

even on the smallest of tasks.

Concert

2009-04-19T22:05:00.009-05:00

Last night we heard Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith in concert - how fun is that?! (That is a rhetorical question.) At one point in the concert I turned to my 16 year old son and said, "Those are grown men playing that!" He just quietly groaned.

It was great to hear the older songs along with some new ones and to hear how the Chapmans are doing almost a year after the loss of their little girl, Maria. Keep praying for them.

As I have thought back over the concert there are two songs that have challenged me, neither song ones I would have thought of reflecting on. Both songs have been around for awhile and both by SCC. I pasted the chorus from each song below:

Dive (chorus)

I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over my head,
I want to be
Caught in the rush,
lost in the flow,in over my head,
I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide,
the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in.

Live Out Loud (chorus)

Wake the neighbors, get the word out
Come on... crank up the music...
climb a mountain and shout
This is the life we've been given made to be lived out
So la la la la live out loud
Live out loud, yeah

After thinking about the concert I find myself wondering-Am I diving in? Am I following the Lord in the areas He is directing me? And am I living out my life in the way the Lord wants me to be living? (Honestly, I probably make my husband a little nervous asking these questions.) Last year at the Adoption Summit I think Kay Warren referred to this as "dangerous surrender", so sink or swim I'm diving in!

Both of these songs are full of life. That is the way I want to live my life - full of LIFE; that only comes when you are walking closely with the Lord!

Happy Birthday Brandon (a day late here)

2009-04-17T18:31:00.005-05:00

Though this post is a day late, we celebrated right on time! Can't believe how much Brandon is growing up. He loves anything sports related, even filled out his first NCAA March Madness bracket this year. Brandon loves to sing, just a little bit ago he was singing "God with Us" by Mercy Me.

This picture is at about 8 months old in his first boxers.

Brandon has an infectious smile and often has us in stitches. The morning of his birthday we heard him talking in his room. Ken peaked in and there was Brandon standing in front of Nathan's crib doing a little chant, "I am six today, I am six today", swaying back and forth. Nathan thought it was great entertainment.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T13:33:00.003-05:00

Christ has risen!

He has risen indeed!

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Family Fun

2009-04-12T13:17:00.009-05:00

For fun the younger kids had an Easter Egg hunt this afternoon. Nathan seemed to be getting the hang of it. But there was something not quite right in his basket.

Guess all the tennis balls didn't get picked up last fall. He still thought it was a great treasure. :)

Then we attempted a picture of all the kids, since Allison is home from college for the weekend. It seemed like it should be a piece of cake.

Ha ha ha! After this picture with Nathan so busy one of the older kids suggested just photoshopping Nathan into the picture.

Now we'll try inside. Everybody look - oops no, not that time.

You see first you have to get the attention of all of them and then hopefully you can get the littlest on board.

Or the next-to-the -littlest on board.

I think this one works. Yeah!

You are all set free ! (At least for now.)

Bunnies

2009-04-07T22:12:00.005-05:00

Molly holding two baby bunnies.

Showing one of the bunnies.

I had to run an errand this morning and took the two youngest boys with me. When we came home there was quite a stir of activity in our front yard. Seems that for the third year in a row a rabbit has made a nest in a small dip in our front yard, about a foot off the sidewalk. So here were Ken, Molly, Natalie, and our wonderful neighbor Dorothy all out discussing what to do. They were trying to rig a cardboard box over the hole with a hole for the mommy rabbit to get through. An attempt to protect the two bunnies that were still alive. Just as I was walking into the house another neighbor Tom came hustling over with a milk crate. So now we have a milk crate upside down over the nest - it has openings for the handles, with two big rocks on top to hold it in place. We'll see what happens. It is always a dilemma when something like this is found. I enjoy animals but the Lord keeps these things in order.

Shortly after we all went inside Molly announced that she would like a baby bunny for her birthday, luckily that is not for a looonnng time.

Update: As of this morning (Good Friday) our two little bunnies have left the nest. We are choosing to think that they left on their own and not under duress. The kids will miss checking on them, which is maybe why they moved on.

Boys Have Got to Have Fun!

2009-04-03T22:34:00.005-05:00

Ken took the three oldest boys to the Car Show tonight. He left with three boys and came back with two boys and a tiger!

Brandon as a cute little tiger.

He's being ferocious here! That's a little too realistic. Though I'm not sure how ferocious a tiger can be without his front teeth.

NATHAN HANGING OUT

SNACK TIME

SHARING

SPRING???

2009-03-30T01:03:00.006-05:00

This is what we woke up to this Sunday morning. What happened to spring? Isn't it funny how our perspectives change .... at the beginning of winter snow is very exciting, but at the beginning of spring I find that snow is not what I'm wanting to see out my window.

I must admit, it was very pretty.

After talking about the possibility of snow Brandon had the best perspective. Brandon prayed that the snow would remind us that Jesus makes our hearts white as snow.
.

A Small Update

2009-03-27T09:28:00.009-05:00

Update: Things are looking up at our house these days. I think everyone is feeling better with a little residual effects here and there. I still have an urge to open all the window and doors to clear the air though. :)

On a totally different note... Just last week I shared with some people about Grace (our first referral) and how the Lord had been preparing us for what ultimately became her going Home to the arms of Jesus. This week someone that had been on a missions trip to her Children's Home contacted us about the time they had spent with Grace and sent us a couple of pictures. I thought I would share one of those pictures with you.

Grace went home to the Lord on July 9, 2007. She was so tiny and so very precious and we loved her from far away. The wonderful person that sent this shared that they had taken extra time with her and prayed for her. The Lord was so very good to provide people in little Grace's life so that she would not be alone.

Not very long ago Molly said to me, "I wish we had Baby Grace and Nathan." She has not been forgotten, by our family or by others, and she will always have a special place in our hearts.

Nooooooooooo!

2009-03-23T14:20:00.002-05:00

What is that saying? March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb? I thought that was in reference to the weather! Not at our house right now. We started out the month with one case of strep throat, then a sibling came down with pneumonia, then a second case of strep throat (someone totally different). Then I got some bug that knocked me off my feet for about 4 days. That's enough! Just about that time we hit a really nice patch of warm weather and I opened up the house and scrubbed down the walls. Phew! Glad that is over!

NOT! Then my dear hubby got a respiratory thing, and Nathan got a good case of the croup - that didn't go away with all the normal remedies so to the pediatrician a-g-a-i-n (groan) to find out that he also had an ear infection. And to top things off one of the other kids got pink eye.

Why tell you all this? No idea, other than it feels good to get it out. :) Anyone want to come visit? Just kidding. I think I am hanging a quarantine sign on our door. I think that we are all on the mend and things are starting to look up, though I'm not going to be sure until we make it a week or more without some other bug.

In the mean time I am going to be cleaning like crazy! And I will continue to remind myself that these are "light and momentary troubles".

#7 & 8, possibly the final? (see two previous posts)

2009-03-11T14:11:00.009-05:00

7. Adoption is not for the faint of heart for numerous reasons. But most of all it is not without HOPE. We serve a mighty God who knows and understands not only our needs but the needs of our (His) children. He is able to bring hope and healing and that should fill us all with Hope.

"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:21-22

8. When the Lord chooses you to adopt it is not blindly or on our own. The Lord walks with us and equips us for the task that He gives us. Hebrews 13: 20, 21 says ..."May the God of peace, ....equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

So, yes, sometimes there are hardships in adoption, but that does not mean that we are not called to it. Just because something isn't easy does not mean that it shouldn't be. One time a dear friend asked me what I thought my life would be like if we hadn't adopted any children. I didn't have to think very long about her question. I told her that I didn't allow myself to think about that at all. I never wanted to allow those thoughts into my heart because I know that if we had not adopted these children that we would not have been obedient to what the Lord had called us to do and that we would have missed out on a great blessing. Ken and I have grown in our marriage relationship but more than anything we have grown closer to the Lord as we have raised our family.

In conclusion I want to leave you with just a few scriptures that have encouraged me at different times:

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Psalm 27:13

" And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

II Corinthians 9:8

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

I Corinthians 15:58

(this last verse I can not think of without hearing the Donut Man)

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Number 4, 5, & 6 on my List (see previous post)

2009-03-09T15:04:00.005-05:00

4. You've been praying for your new child before you even started the paperchasing. Some countries allow you to send pictures of your family before you complete the adoption, but many to most adoptive children have no idea who their new family is prior to meeting them. So while you are ready to love on them and become a family sometimes they have to catch up first.

5. We have found it very helpful to remind our kids that we were adopted by God when we put our faith in Christ. So while we weren't adopted by our earthly parents our Heavenly Father brought us into His family "while we were yet sinners". This is a great reminder to us that we were not sinless or even close to perfect (still aren't) when the Lord took us in. And when I meditate on that fact it gives me more compassion for my earthly children.

6. It was wonderful that we had the opportunity to be in Guatemala 3 times in a year. It gave me a great perspective on some of what Nathan would go through. The sounds, the smells (diesel fuel!), the food; it was all so different and took extra energy for me to adapt. When I consider that he did all this and then his daily caretaker not only changed in appearance but in the language she spoke - no wonder it took him a little bit to respond to our voices.

6a. When I think about our foster children they didn't come from a differenct country but very much about their culture was just as different. The way we ate dinner, where they slept, the clothes they wore. Many foster children come to your home with a kroger bag of their "stuff". What did they play with, did they have a blanket? Even the way we spoke, though the same language, really wasn't the same "language". They needed time to adjust as well.

Forgive me for continuing on my soapbox, but I am on a roll and I can't seem to clear my mind of all of this, so I am using my blog as self-induced therapy. Hoping that once I put this in print that I can step back from thinking about it. Hang in there with me!

Why Share the Hard Things?

2009-03-08T22:32:00.011-05:00

We are in the middle of an Adoption Bible Study through the adoption ministry at our church. I love the Bible Study as it is truly God-centered. We talk about such topics as our adoption by God, God's sovereignty in adoption, discipling our children.

Ken and I are passionate about adoption - and have four adopted kids to show for it. So why do I sometimes share some of the hard things about adoption? That question has a long answer but, my immediate answer is, "because there are hard things about adoption." Whether it be in the process itself, the wait to bring home the child, or after the homecoming there are some things that are hard.

I share about some of the personal struggles we have had because I feel that if I am going to encourage someone in the area of adoption I better be honest with them up front. I don't want someone to come back and ask me why I didn't tell them it could be hard. And I will insert here that not all of our adoptions have been "hard", though there have been moments in each situation that have grown us closer to the Lord. I also want someone to know that if they are going through some difficulty they are not alone.

Ken and I have often talked about what we think people should know about adoption. Here are three things that come to mind without too much effort:

1. Adoption is the bringing together of two families, even if you only meet one member of one of the families involved. Simply, adoption is sort of like marriage. It is a committment made for life and involves the blending of two families.

2. Adoption is humbling. When I think about the Lord knowing us so well, especially our weaknesses, I am humbled that He chose us to parent any of our children. Oh wait a minute, they are actually His children.

3. In a perfect world the best place for a child would be with their birth family. However, we live in a fallen world. And just as God adopted us into His family when things didn't work out as He originally had planned (see Genesis 3), the adoption of children is the best plan when it is not possible for a child to grow up in their birth family. And one of the cool benefits of both of these types of adoption is that God can be glorified in each one! Addendum to #3 - in no way am I saying here that adoption is second choice in God's plan for us or our children, see Psalm 139:16.

As I am typing this I think of several others, but I think for now I will stop there. Maybe I will return to this list later.

We want people to know that we believe that the Lord placed each one of our children into our family, just in different ways. And we are so very thankful for the opportunity to love and raise each of our children even on the "hard" days.

You Gotta Start Them When They're Young

2009-03-02T14:08:00.005-06:00

Our Little Helper:
Emptying the Dishwasher

Vacumming - Sort Of

Putting in the Laundry

Kissing the Baby

Nathan loves to do whatever someone else is doing. If you are sitting on the floor he often just sits down beside you. When he hears Natalie start to unload the dishwasher he literally comes running to help. Hope we can keep up these habits into his teens. :) He is a great little guy!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-02-27T09:11:00.004-06:00

Today Ken and I celebrate our 21st Anniversary! I don't think we could have imagined where the Lord would take us in this great adventure. But it has been wonderful!

The Lord has truly blessed us with so very much. I know that the things that Ken and I treasure the most are the relationships that we have. Never imagining that He would fill our home with seven children, or allow us many friends to share our lives with. Then there is the blessing of our extended families which we are so grateful for.

It was during our first Boundary Waters Canoe trip that we started on this path. No running water, no walls around the toilet, no showers surely married life can be easier than that! It has not always been easy, it has had some heart break, but it continues to be a wonderful life.

When I think back to what drew me to Ken I think of his gentle spirit, his faithful walk with the Lord, and his willingness to reach out to everyone. He continues to be that man and more today. I am so very thankful for him and to the Lord for bringing us together.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

One Year Ago

2009-02-22T22:14:00.012-06:00

(Note: If the playlist music is playing you will have to 'pause' it to hear the video, sorry.)

One year ago today we were in Guatemala to meet Nathan. It was a short trip but a wonderful investment. The Lord allowed us a special time with Nathan, meeting him, loving him, cuddling with him. While it was hard to leave him at the end of our trip we wouldn't change a thing. It was four days that we would have missed forever.

We left part of our heart in Guatemala when we left but we would return in June to put the pieces of our heart all together.

Meeting Nathan increased our prayer life as suddenly he was very real. Leaving him behind helped me to understand how completely the Lord loved Nathan and reminded me that while he would be a part of our family He truly belonged to the Lord.

Where's Clifford?

2009-02-20T13:59:00.005-06:00

This morning while we were doing school Nathan was busy playing in the sunroom at the play kitchen. The catch is that the dog food and water dish are also in the sunroom. So...when Clifford the Big Red Dog was brought to us as Clifford the Big Red Wet Dog we had a pretty good idea what had happened. Clifford needed a bath! Nathan was all smiles until I put Clifford in the dryer.

He wasn't sure what to do then.

We asked him where Clifford was and this is the look we got.

When we turned on the dryer light and asked him, "Where's Clifford?"; he pointed.

Reunited at last!

Happy Birthday Honey!

2009-02-16T15:00:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday Ken!!

Ken and Brandon enjoying the zoo on a sort of warmer day.

Ken and Nathan going up a hill.

Go Illini!

Happy Birthday Ken!

Young Minds

2009-02-12T23:14:00.005-06:00

Not too long ago we were in the van heading out and Molly asked, "Are there really guardian angels?" We told her we would look in the Bible to answer her question. One of us asked her why she asked and she said, "because I think that there is an angel sitting on my lap right now and it is looking all around.

Encouragement

2009-02-07T20:56:00.003-06:00

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." I John 4:12

Today was a day of encouragement. It was sunny and almost springlike, which I personally needed. It was fun to drive over to an Adoption Conference in a neighboring city with three other wonderful ladies. Those two things were a blessing on their own but we also attended a great conference on adoption.

It was wonderful to hear like-minded people sharing their hearts for the orphan. Just hearing the excitement, hearing people search for answers about where God is leading them, and hearing stories shared about how the Lord has gone before others to bring orphans into families is delightful. The Lord knew what He was talking about when He told us that we need to be in fellowship with other believers, it's inspiring. It is good to hear about God's faithfulness in others' lives, it spurs us on in our own lives. It was a good day.

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16

Please Pray

2009-02-06T16:28:00.003-06:00

Please be in prayer for Abby. Her little life has touched many and her family has a wonderful testimony for the Lord. They are in a battle for her life. You can follow the link on the side to hear more about Abby. Please pray for her family.

An Ordinary Day

2009-02-04T08:50:00.008-06:00

Yesterday was just an ordinary day. Living in the midwest in January can be sort of challenging this time of year. We have had unusually cold temperatures lately and though there is a hint of a bit of a warm-up at the end of the week I am afraid I have a good case of Cabin Fever, so do my kids. We are plugging away.

Even my devotions are feeling a little sluggish. We are in the middle of our small group time at church. We work through daily Bible reading/questions then our pastor preaches on those scriptures the next Sunday and when we meet for our small group we discuss it. Well, we are studying Revelations and while I have done actual Bible studies on this book I still find it a puzzle. So I feel that I am sort of trudging along in my devotions as well.

Recently some dear friends have experienced a very large heartbreaking time in their family. Someone from the outside might look at this family and think they were not raising their children in the right way. But having known them for years we know that is not the case, they do a great job of leading their family in a godly way that honors the Lord. But sometimes the Lord takes us through trials, times of refinement, and ultimately through those times we learn to glorify Him more completely. In speaking to my friend yesterday I heard once again that they are leaning on the Lord for His strength for the day. My heart is heavy for them and they are in my prayers throughout the day, it sort of adds to my January duldrums though.

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:1

So now that I have been a real bummer here are some pictures from our "cabin".
Nathan has decided that he has a nice view from the bricks in front of the fireplace.

How do you balance about 7 stuffed dogs on a doll stroller? Well, Nathan hasn't quite figured it out but he was pretty determined. However, each time one fell off he'd start fussing until he could get it to stay.

Here he is pushing it around and around the house. He was smiling most of the time, but I didn't catch it.

He made a pitstop in the entryway and was hollering into the crack of the closet door, maybe I should have checked to see if someone was in there (just kidding). He would holler at the door and then peak around the corner. After I put my finger up and said, "Shh" the next time he peaked around this is what I saw. (Sorry the picture is so dark, not sure why that happened.)

Neighborly Blessings

2009-01-25T13:34:00.006-06:00

We have a wonderful woman who lives next door to us. Dorothy is our prayer warrior, our friend, our "Grandma over the fence" as we sometimes affectionately refer to her. She cares about our family and is truly interested in each of our children.

Often when the kids go outside they come back in with some treasure from Dorothy. It can be anything from a plate of cookies to an article about some animal that would interest the kids. God has blessed us truly with a wonderful neighbor!

Well, Dorothy's daughter Beth has the same giving heart as her mom and she recently sent over a gift for our family. It was a Snowman Kit complete with many different parts to make many different kinds of snowmen. We had the snow but it was so cold we couldn't go out to play and the snow wouldn't pack. Well, just this past Friday the snow was perfect for packing and we got to work. What fun the kids had deciding what personality their snowman should have! Thank you Beth and Dorothy!

This was our first one, a collaborative effort.

Brandon getting ready to make another large snowball.

The final menagerie. Brandon with the little man he made. Molly's creation has a large smile.

Celebrating Daniel

2009-01-22T23:11:00.008-06:00

Today is Daniel's 13th birthday (Happy Birthday Daniel!) and tomorrow is the 8 year anniversary of his adoption into our family! I can not believe that 10 years have passed since the Lord made him a part of us. We were so excited to have him home; he was skeptical that he would stay. We wanted to embrace him and hold him close; he wanted to stay at arm's length. We wanted to shower him with all that he did not have; he was overwhelmed.

As I think about our adoption of Daniel my heart goes out to his birthmom. She knew life would be difficult, but she chose life for our son. I am so thankful to her for that choice as our life would have been quite different without Daniel and we would have missed out on so much.

Daniel has opened our eyes to so many things. Without Daniel we may never have known the many facts we know about insects. We may never have looked at up close the intricacies of the many types of butterflies that inhabit our area. Because of Daniel we now know that a gecko can have the gout, that a bull frog tadpole can take a very long time to become a frog. He showed us how to scoop out dead goldfish from small bowls at my sister's wedding reception (don't try this at your reception). We now know how to clip the nails of a guinea pig. Daniel loves animals of all kinds and reads about them voraciously. He even reads the encyclopedia.

Daniel has shown us his tender side as he has reached out to younger children at our church. He loves on Nathan often and is an awesome big brother! He enjoys putting together Bionicles, Legos, and his stuffed animals. He loves to collect things he finds along his way, anything can be a treasure. In his room is my old iron that no longer worked, Daniel took it apart to see how it was put together.

Having Daniel as a part of our family has shown us how the Lord knits together a family perfectly. We have been refined, he has been refined, and hopefully the Lord has been glorified through it all. I will never forget the day, shortly after he came, that we put his picture on our fireplace mantle next to the other children. He walked over and said, "That's me!", for some time after that he would walk over and look and laugh at the picture. Such innocence and joy, it was the beginning of him realizing that he had a family he belonged with. We are praising the Lord for bringing Daniel into our family and we pray that we would follow the Lord as we love, instruct, and train him in His ways.

Happy 13th Birthday Daniel! We love you bunches!

Adoption Conference in IL

2009-01-21T15:58:00.004-06:00

Sometimes when a family considers adoption they are befuddled by the amount of information, others are sometimes fearful of making the wrong decision. My thought is that it is great to have as much information as possible when you look at adoption. It is great to learn from others experiences and expertise. Not to say that there still will not be surprises along the way both in the process of adopting and when you bring your child home - but the more information you have the better prepared you are for the journey that the Lord leads you to.

If you live near central Illinois you might be interested in checking out this conference!

Saturday, February 7

9-12:30pm

Here is a link for more information:

http://www.connecthearts.blogspot.com/

Sledding

2009-01-20T11:28:00.006-06:00

Last week we saw record low temperatures for a couple of days. Thursday morning the thermometer read -20 degrees. Yikes, I didn't even know that the thermometer could go that low. Saturday things were warming up, a whopping 20 degrees (that's a 40 degree increase!) so Ken took four of our kids sledding. Nathan and I stayed home and played while they had some fun outside.

Get ready, get set, Go!

Molly and Natalie having fun together.

Brandon and Daniel at the bottom of the hill.

What goes down must go back up to do it again.

Call Upon the Lord

2009-01-14T18:58:00.006-06:00

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer." Psalm 17:6

Why does the Lord seem to answer some prayers and not the others? Or is sometimes His answer "not now" or "no"? There are times that it is difficult to understand. Whether He answers as we ask or not does not mean that we should stop praying. We are told in scripture to pray and even when we don't know what to pray we are told that, as a believer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. I am so thankful that He sees the entire picture that I have such a humanly perspective on.

In our own lives I think back to our first referral, Grace Paola. So tiny and in need of so many prayers. We accepted her referral in April of 2007 really feeling that she was the child we were to bring home. But that is not how the Lord answered our prayers, her healing came in the arms of Jesus in July ('07). The Lord knew that that would not be the end of our journey and He brought home to us Nathan almost a year later. We were in Grace's life for a reason, I believe it was to pray for her, to intercede on her behalf.

There are so many people that are in need of prayer. I am encouraging you to pray. Please pray for Nathan Lee. Nathan Lee's case is in a Guatemalan court waiting for a decision, not knowing when that decision will come. Please pray for his mommy and daddy as their hearts wait to hold Nathan Lee in their arms.

Please pray for Abby as she undergoes chemotherapy. Abby came home from Guatemala a while ago, but is in the fight of her life right now. Please lift up Abby's family that love her dearly and have a wonderful testimony for the Lord. Abby's very strong course of chemo started today, please pray. To hear more of Abby's story go to:

http://www.brentriggs.com/?ItemID=349&CategoryID=187

Many of you know others that need prayer, let me encourage you to take some time today to pray for them. Lift those prayers before our Heavenly Father that knows our hearts and hears our prayers, even when we don't know what to ask for.

"In the same way , the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not
know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groans that words cannot express."
Romans 8:26

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:21:00.002-06:00

We have so much to be thankful for this past year. The Lord has blessed us greatly! We look forward now to 2009, wondering what it holds for each of us. We like to set goals for ourselves and our family at the beginning of the year. Sometimes the Lord redirects us and we find ourselves not where we thought we would be, but with the Lord is always a good place to be!

My prayer as we set these goals this year is that we honestly put them before the Lord, being willing to change direction if needed. My prayer for each of you is that in 2009 you will look to the Lord through His word for direction and purpose. He often calls us out of our comfort zone to bigger challenges but He also provides us with all we need to accomplish that which He has called us to.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

It's Hard to be a Little Brother Sometimes

2008-12-30T16:33:00.004-06:00

Sometimes it is hard to be a little brother. If someone isn't holding him, they are hugging him, or tickling him, or just following him around. Don't get me wrong it is (usually) a good thing. So no matter where he is someone wants to play with him.

In the car....

The ride is sometimes exhausting.....

And then there are the times when you just have to go along with what your brothers and sisters want you to do.

And that can be exhausting, too!

Precious Memories

2008-12-30T15:11:00.007-06:00

Brandon's most precious gift - "Football clothes!"

Daddy with Molly and Brandon - I love the delight on their faces.

When Nathan laughs he uses his entire body.

Allison and Brandon have a special bond.

Nathan is goofy at times, and loves the reaction that he gets from everyone else.

We visited Grandma last weekend and Molly and Nathan took a test drive.

Ken's mom and all of our children, celebrating Christmas together.

I Had a Dream

2008-12-22T14:23:00.002-06:00

We are studying Genesis in our Sunday School class and this Sunday we looked at Joseph, and last night I had a dream. Now I do not profess to be an interpreter of dreams but I thought I would give it a shot.

In my dream I worked at a gas station that had a diner as part of it. I was the only one working at the diner and a crowd of people came in. It was 2 am and the floor of the diner's kitchen area was covered with piles of dirty laundry that had to be stepped around. As I went to prepare the food for the crowd at the diner I realized that all the food was frozen, I didn't know what was there to prepare for them and I finally had them all served at 10 minutes until 4 in the morning. They seemed to be a pleasant crowd even after having to wait that long for their food. At this point in my dream Ken woke me up and I wondered why I felt a little rushed then I remembered the dream I was having.

Now here is my interpretation - I need to get to bed earlier and quit worrying about all that the next day holds, and I need to not eat chocolate after 8pm.

Either that or perhaps I need to spread out the baking and laundry and not do it all in one day, oh and I did remember to get the meat out of the freezer for dinner. Luckily my crowd is pretty easy when it comes to what time I serve dinner, though I honestly have never tried them out at 4 am.

Enjoy your last minute holiday preparations - may your Christmas be a special time of celebrating Christ coming to earth!

In Between Post Pictures

2008-12-18T22:36:00.002-06:00

Natalie, Molly and Brandon sang in the Children's Choir Musical.

Nathan looking for a snack?

Attempting to take a Christmas picture.

Cuddling with Brandon

We have cookie dough in the refrigerator but haven't managed to bake them up yet. School is winding down for Christmas. Allison is home for break. It is a cozy night in our warm home. The Lord has blessed us greatly this year.

Beginning to Decorate

2008-11-30T17:29:00.012-06:00

We started decorating for Christmas this weekend. It is a little earlier than we usually do it, but Allison was home for Thanksgiving break and we wanted her to take part. Nathan got into the decorating some himself.

Our family has a tradition that has roots back to when Ken and I were engaged. The day we decorate the Christmas tree we order pizza when we are about finished and eat our pizza on the floor by the light of the Christmas tree. This is one of the traditions that our family has kept through the years. The Christmas before we were married (in February) Ken had moved into our house-to-be but we had little furniture, well actually none in the living room. So when we put up our tree for the holidays we ate our pizza by the light of the tree by necessity. The kids think this is great fun! For Ken and I it is a great reminder of how we got started over 20 years ago.

As a parent it is with humility that I consider how the Lord brought His Son to earth as a man, knowing what He would endure before He left this earth. May we ponder in our hearts this Christmas season all that transpired around that 'first Christmas' so long ago.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T08:05:00.008-06:00

Recently shopping in the store with one of our children we noticed how it seems like the season went from Halloween to Christmas. Now I love Christmas, celebrating Jesus' birth is a highlight in our house, but how really sad that we seem to skip over the holiday that encourages us to reflect on the many blessings we have received throughout the year. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite time of year, and it isn't because of the food. It is a great time to talk with our children about how the Lord has provided all that we need in abundance!

So here is a partial list of all that we are thankful for this year:

The Lord is in control!

The Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5

My wonderful husband who is so patient and loving and kind.
Our children: Each uniquely put together to be able to accomplish all that the Lord has planned for them.
Nathan is home with us.
A home (complete with energy improvements)- that provides us with protection and allows us to welcome family and friends.
Our Church - where God's Word is proclaimed without apology and we are being challenged to have a deeper relationship with God.
Friends - too many to list. Friends that may think we are a little quirky but love us just the same.
Extended family - that know our faults and love us anyway.
Good health.
Our dog Sophie - Molly said I had to put that.

It really is a partial list, because the Lord has blessed us greatly. My hope for each of you this Thanksgiving season is that you are able to spend some time reflecting on how the Lord has blessed your family this year.

When upon life's billow you are tempest tossed, When you are
discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your
blessings, see what God has done;
Count your blessings name them one by one;
count your many blessings see what God hath done.

Cry of the Orphan

2008-11-17T21:53:00.002-06:00

The cry of the orphan is being heard more and more these days. But how do we help 143 million orphans? My husband tells me that we can not bring them all home. But we can be a part of letting others know of the need that is there and praying for the Lord to raise up families to reach out to these children.

This past May a friend and I attended the Adoption Summit and heard of many exicting things that were being done all over, but there is still much to do.

This week Focus on the Family and Family Life have teamed up to do a week of programming (Nov. 17-21) concerning the orphan and adoption. I have posted the link to their broadcast schedule below. The Lord has spoke out clearly and many times in regards to His heart for the orphan. Perhaps there is a way you can join in caring for these precious children.

http://www.cryoftheorphan.org/radio/

Put One Foot in Front of Another

2008-11-14T15:34:00.004-06:00

Nathan has decided that it is easiest to walk using our kitchen chairs as a "walker". I am constantly putting the chairs back at the table. Earlier in the week 6 of the 8 chairs were all over the kitchen. He was having great fun, but difficult for everyone else to navigate the area.

Nathan has been walking between two people for some time but only recently is confident enough to walk to where he wants to go without coaxing. It is still easiest to drop to his hands and knees and crawl to where he is headed. Look Mom!

Compared to our other children Nathan is late in walking but I have to remember that he was barely sitting up when we brought him home a few months ago. He also has no need to walk because there is always a brother or sister ready to carry him anywhere he wants to go. Ken and I find ourselves saying, "put him down" and "play with him, he is not the toy" often. I am so glad that they all love him so much but there are times when he needs some space. Of course, just when one of his siblings decides to let him do his own thing Nathan decides that he wants to be right where they are. :)

Health History Ponderings

2008-11-04T12:24:00.006-06:00

On a normal day I don't walk around thinking "we have adopted children". But sometimes things come up because of a school assigment that bring it to the forefront. Yesterday Daniel brought home a Health class assignment regarding health histories. We were to fill it out to the best of our ability. Daniel said immediately we could just write a note that said he was adopted and sign it - not sure if this was his take on it or the teacher's instructions. There were a couple of things I knew for sure, but most of it was blank.

It was not a wasted assignment as it brought out some great discussion with Daniel about his past and being adopted. As a 12 year old he is able to understand more about what adoption really means. I think that he is mulling much of that over in his mind. There are some hard questions and some difficult answers in the future for Daniel so we are praying that the Lord will go before us as we see that he is ready and needing more information. The Lord is sovereign and for Daniel he is realizing that that means nothing in his life happened without being sifted through the Lord's hands.

Times like this make me so thankful that we go to a church that is an encourager of adoption. I am so thankful for how adoption is championed as an instruction from the Lord. It is my hope that as adoption is looked upon favorably by the church and our children see how the Lord desires our adoption that perhaps our children will have less struggles with the facts of their adoption.

We so dearly desire the Lord's guidance as we raise each of our children, for each of them have questions to be answered and instruction to be given.

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. " Psalm 37:23-24

The Gift of a Year (haha)

2008-11-02T21:41:00.003-06:00

Today was my birthday, why am I telling you that? To show you that there is still some humor in my birthdays, though the numbers keep growing.

For most of the year I had thought that I was a certain age, let's call it "x" (because there are some things not meant to be said out loud). So all year when asked by my kids, or close personal friends, I would say that I was "x" years old. Well, about a month ago when one of our kiddoes was asking me AGAIN how old I was (they were surely in awe of how good I look for my age). I said, "I'm x years old." Someone else in the room said, "No you aren't, you are x-1. So I did a little figuring and realized that I was actually a year younger than I had been saying for many months. So .... while today was my birthday it was really no big deal because this year instead of getting another year older I actually gained a year I thought was already lost!

I'm not sure if this is a benefit of growing older and not being as sharp as I used to be, or if it is a testimony to life in the fast lane with 7 children.

All joking aside, I am so very thankful for the many blessings in this past year.

Enjoying Nathan

2008-10-23T18:45:00.007-05:00

Investigating the contents of a school tub

Someone asked me the other day how things were going in our home. Nathan is doing great and is changing a little at a time. He will stand for a few seconds by himself then slowly sits down. We have a push type toy that he loves to walk behind until it gets stuck somewhere, he then abandons it on the spot. Yesterday Molly went in the bathroom and came out and said, "Why is Nathan's walker in the bathroom?" I noticed that the toilet paper had also been rearranged.

Yeah, I found something!

We have never been one for gates around our house so we have to watch the stairs because he thinks it is great fun to race you there. And of course the ever popular kitchen cabinets store great treasures for him. I have a hard time keeping track of my plastic lids since they are so versatile: steering wheels, plates for the play kitchen, frisbees, etc. so with Nathan's help I may know where to look for them next time. The other day there were three stacked neatly on a kitchen chair.

Nathan enjoys being read to and has now picked up the tendency to point to the pictures in the book. Sitting on the family room floor he was opening a book and pointing randomly at the pages. He watches everything we do.

Celebrating a succesful treasure hunt.

The tubs in the pictures are for our home school books. Closed they become a great climbing toy for Nathan during the day. He spent 15 minutes the other day putting his blocks on top of a closed box then climbing onto the box and one by one putting the blocks on the floor. Who needs Little Tikes when there's Rubbermaid! Though I have been a reluctant homeschooler, maybe some day I'll share about that, it is a blessing to have three of our older children home during the day and has brought about some great shared memories for our family.

Saturdays

2008-10-05T23:23:00.003-05:00

Molly as goalie. Yikes! (10am)

Natalie (the tall one) playing defense. (12:30pm)

Brandon following his ball. (9am)

I guess I am a soccer mom, though I am not sure that I like the connotation that has come with that term. For a while in the fall our Saturdays are busy and some of our weeknights. It is a lot of fun to watch, especially the kindergardeners.

Each time one of our children plays sports I learn lessons right along with them, though not always the same lesson. I think there are some very good things that children learn from playing on a team and sometimes some difficult lessons too (though difficult isn't always a bad thing). I am thankful for opportunities to guide our children through their season and to have fun along with them.

Please Pray Today - and Update this evening

2008-09-30T08:24:00.004-05:00

UPDATE: Susannah is out of surgery. Continue to pray for Susannah as the next day or so are very important for her precious little (but strong) heart.

Susannah is having open heart surgery today. Please pray for Susannah and her family. May the Lord guide the doctors and protect Susannah.

Read her story at : roomforatleastonemore.blogspot.com

It's Fall!

2008-09-28T20:25:00.005-05:00

Our happy one year old, he is squeezable!
Brandon, Molly, Natalie, and Nathan enjoying a beautiful day.
Time for a ride, especially in this oversized wagon.
Picking apples in style.
Molly is always on the look out for a kitty to hold.

It is fall in the midwest and one of my favorite seasons. While the weather has been a little warmer than I would like at this time of year the weatherman says coolness is coming! Life is good when you can curl up on the couch with a good book in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt - I'll let you know when I get to do that.

Ken took a day off and those that were home went to pick some apples. My goal is to make (lots of) applesauce and some apple pie filling, if we don't eat all the apples before I get to it.

On our Knees

2008-09-20T13:32:00.005-05:00

I have often said that going through our four adoptions has brought us to our knees in prayer many times. While those times were/are often the difficult times of waiting upon the Lord and His answers it is so sweet to be before our Heavenly Father in prayer.

With that said, there are two families that I ask you to join in prayer.

Please pray for Nathan Lee's family as they await the court's decision for their case. They do not have a time frame for this wait. While their faith is being stretched and grown it is difficult to wait. Nathan Lee is an Eagle's Nest buddy.

And secondly, please be in prayer for Susannah and her family. They are in China right now to bring her home. Susannah's health has not been good and she needs your prayers for her journey home to the U.S. (We met Susannah's family in Florida this spring at the Adoption Summit).

Thank you for lifting these families up in prayer.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

2008-09-19T18:38:00.019-05:00

Our referral picture.

After receiving our referral last September we mailed back our Power of Attorney a year ago today to get things moving for our adoption of Nathan. Looking back now it seems like the time passed so quickly, but back then time seemed to move at a snail's pace.

What a difference a year makes!

Back then: Weight: 5# 11oz. Height: 18 inches long

Now: Weight: 19# 6.4oz. Height: 29 inches long

(This picture was added later, Natalie had my camera in Michigan visiting her cousins with her Grandma.)

He went from the 5th percentile for height and weight when he came home to now being at the 43rd percentile for height though only the 6th percentile for weight. He is growing like a weed and learning to eat "real" food. Fruits are his favorite - what a boy!

When we first received the call for our referral we had great hopes of him coming home quickly. And by Guatemala time it was relatively quick - it was almost 9 months exactly after we got our referral that he came home. We weathered the rumors of a shut down, the stall of PGN, and the uncertainty of the end of the year. We thought our file was stuck in April of 2008 when they stopped releasing files, only to find out that we were approved about a week ahead of time. Our adoption, as most are, was not for the faint of heart.

God taught us many things in that time. I am most grateful for the lessons of trust and the encouragement of prayer during our journey. How fun to celebrate with our children as we watched the Lord provide the finances, carry us through what we thought was a closed door, and ultimately bring Nathan home. We continue to praise the Lord for His provision for Nathan and for answered prayer!

Homecoming!

June 7, 2008 - we arrived in Guatemala and Nathan was brought into our arms.

June 11, 2008 - we arrived home late at night.

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the
hungry with good things."

Psalm 107:8,9

Number Six

2008-09-17T21:22:00.004-05:00

Brandon

Here is our little boy who is growing up so fast. He brings a lot of noise and laughter to our home. Brandon has a great sense of humor - if you are using the hose outside he is the one standing on it.

He is a handsome little guy with dancing eyes when he is having fun.

Probably wishing he could play in that water.

Having fun in Chicago!
Petting a Llama! (that he did this was a small miracle)

We recently went on a field trip to this farm and Brandon was scared of the smell in the barn. We went outside and he was a different child - guess his nose is more sensitive than I thought.

Brandon misses Allison, she often was known to get him out of bed to play when she came home after work this summer. Brandon is a great snuggler.

Brandon is learning a lot about our Lord and we are working on applying that to his young life. I love to watch when the lightbulb goes on about something he has learned.

The Lord brought Brandon to our family in His special way and we are so humbled by the Lord's blessing.

Happy Birthdays! #1 and #11!

2008-08-29T15:15:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Natalie and Nathan!

We love you both bunches!!!

August 28, 2007

Natalie was so excited to share her 11th birthday with her little brother!Natalie is stylin' in our family's birthday hat.
Nathan the BIG #1! Tastin' some yummy cake.
Sharin' tunes.
Opening presents with Daddy's help.

The Lord has blessed us greatly! What a joy to celebrate Nathan's first birthday with him! He is everywhere these days, pulling up and now taking away one hand when hanging on. He has some of the funniest facial expressions, and knows it!

Natalie is now 11 years old and in so many ways is really growing up. She has such a sweet and thoughtful spirit.

We are overwhelmed by the blessings the Lord has bestowed on our family.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

A Full Heart

2008-08-19T16:21:00.005-05:00

My heart is full of emotions and my brain is a little on overload this week. The older boys are starting school tomorrow. Allison is off to college on Saturday and the Park Homeschool Academy re-opens it doors on Monday. Yikes, I better get organized!

This past Sunday we had Nathan dedicated at church. What a great reminder of the task we have ahead of us as parents and of the awesome brothers and sisters in Christ that will come alongside us to encourage and spur us on. After our usual after-church stop at McD's I had this great idea to go down the street to the Botanical Gardens and snap some pictures of the kids.

Well, as you will see Nathan slept through the entire thing. We had taken him to the nursery for the first time at church and his nap schedule was thrown off. He was like a rag doll. Oh well, we'll try again later. So, here you go, some shots of our wonderful kiddos that the Lord has blessed us with. I am in awe when I see them all together that the Lord would entrust them to us for a time.

Our Crew

Our Darling Daughters

My Wonderful Husband with our Very Tired Little Boy

Our Handsome Boys (and Nathan is still asleep).

I Want to Be Queen!

2008-08-13T16:32:00.009-05:00

Molly, Molly, Molly.

Molly is the optimist of the family. She is a girly girl. Molly loves her older sisters and following in their footsteps. She puts us in stitches often. For some time Molly had been talking about what she wanted to be when she grew up. We would talk about it off and on but her answer was always the same. "I want to be a princess when I grew up." In Preschool they were to dress up like what they wanted to do when they grew up and continuously her answer was the same - "I want to be a princess." So I spoke with her teacher and she said that would be fine, so she was a princess.

A couple of weeks later we were again talking about what Molly could be when she grew up: teacher, doctor, mommy, etc. A little bit later she said to me, "Mom, I know what I want to be when I grow up." And I thought, finally I have gotten through to her. Molly then announced to me, "I want to be Queen!" Guess I still have some work to do.

Posing in the backyard.

Who me? I didn't use Allison's camera. (Busted!)

She never misses a picture moment.

Molly often asks us to pray for someone she has heard is sick or when we see an ambulance. She continues to pray for "the kids in China", that she heard about in Sunday School. She is precious and we look forward to how the Lord will use her life as she grows in her knowledge of Him.

I

2008-08-13T16:32:00.001-05:00