A Love Story

My parents have always been in love.

When I was a kid I remember them

kissing, holding hands, laughing, and

talking with each other.

I thought every one's parents were like that.

When I got older, I realized

how lucky I was to have two parents

that really loved each other.

They have always been best friends.

They have been two parts of a whole.

You don't say Mom without saying Dad.

You don't say Dad without saying Mom.

Last week they celebrated their

38th wedding anniversary.

Seeing their love for each other this

past year has made me

love and respect them both more.

I am

so thankful for the model they gave me of marriage.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you.

Field Trips with Oma and Papa

Oma and Papa came for a visit.

We tried to do as much fun stuff together

as we could.

They came with us to a zoo class.

The kids learned about

seeds and how

animals spread them.

By far, their biggest thrill

was holding the rats, Greg and

Marcia.

Papa went with us

to a corn maze.
We rode a hay wagon out to where
the maze was. It was HUGE!!

The maze was cut to look

like an antique fire truck.

The kids had to run all through the maze

looking for mail boxes that had colored

papers in them. When

they put all of the papers together, it made

a map of the maze. It was so much fun

searching for the map.

It was even more fun having Papa along

for the ride!

Circus Day!

Every October, the Shrine Circus

comes to town.
Every fall, since our kids came to us,
my Mom has wanted to go
to the circus.
We always had something going on,
or a reason not to go.
When we found out that
the chemo was no longer working and
her time might be shorter than we thought,
it was time to go to the circus.
For the kids, it was their first "real" circus.
It did not disappoint.
There were tigers, trapeze artists,
elephants, and goats.

And of course, there were

light up toys, popcorn, and

cotton candy.

My only regret,

that we waited so long to go.

I wish that the first time Mom had asked

we would have said,"Yes, let's go."

We wouldn't have had to wonder, will this

be the last time she'll go to a circus with

the kids. I am thankful that we

did go, so that next year when the

circus comes to town, the kids will

be able to say,"Remember when

we saw the circus with Oma and Papa."

A Fall Walk and Some Donuts

I love to cook and bake.

I really enjoy trying new recipes.
Last week I tried my hand at
sour cream donuts.

They were really good, if I do say so myself.
I enjoyed using my new donut cutter.
I bought it up North. It was worth the drive.

I also enjoy morning walks with the kids.
This was on the Eerie Canal trail.

They were having so much fun

looking for leaves and animals.

I couldn't resist the picture of the trees reflecting

on the canal.

I love the Fall.

Counting My Blessings

My mom always sings this song, "Count your blessings,

name them one by one, and you will discover what the

Lord has done.

Last week, we received the news we'd been
dreading. Mom's cancer has spread.
There's nothing else that can be done for her.
Upset by this news, I've decided to focus
on my many blessings.
I'm thankful for my husband of eight years.
He came when I never thought I would
marry. He's by best friend and soul mate.
I'm thankful for my children, and
their adoption after three LONG
years of waiting.
I'm thankful for my parents who are
Godly, and raised me to
love and serve the Lord.
I'm thankful for my brother and the
relationship that I have with him.
Our relationship led me
to want to adopt siblings, so that
they would not have another

loss to add to everything else already taken

from them.

When I think of all of the things that
I have been given, the happy years with
my husband, children, and parents,
I realize how lucky I am. I realize
what the Lord has done.