Missing You

Two years ago, we spent the day

together. We went to a museum,

bought grab bags, and

ate a picnic together.

Sometimes it feels like so

much more than two years.

Sometimes it feels like so much less

than two years.

I miss the normal things of life.

I miss the parks, museums, picnics.

I miss the kids yelling,

"Oma, Oma, watch this"

I miss you watching what they were doing.

I miss the joy on their faces as they

ran to you.

I miss the joy on your face as you saw them running

towards you.

I miss the little things. The days that were

special just because they were days

we spent together. I miss all of the days

that you won't spend with us.

I miss all of the parks that we'll visit

without you.

I miss all of the things that we'll do without you.
I wish that we could have done more.

I wish that you'd never gotten sick.

I wish the kids were saying,

"Oma guess what. Oma look at this.

Oma I love you."

I wish you were here to watch them grow up.

Mom, I miss you so much.

Trenton Falls

Three times a year, Trenton Falls is open to the

public.

Once a vacationing hot spot, the

falls is now part of a power company.

The hotel is long gone, and all that

remains of the family that ran this vacation destination

are some markers in a grave yard.

The falls are beautiful.

Despite the fact that we really needed to do some

work around the house, Jon and I loaded up

the kids to enjoy a Saturday hike.

It was a perfect day to explore, laugh,

and make memories together.
Our house, and the work that goes with it,
will be around forever. Our four children
will only be this age once.
What a fun day we shared together as a family.

A Magical Kingdom

My kids love playing outside.

Yesterday, I stepped out the back door

into their kingdom.

A Storm Trooper was climbing the tree
(with a helmet-hey you can never
be too safe).
A toddler was trying to ride a basset
hound, after slaying her with a
sword.
Megatron was in another tree, keeping
his eye on the Storm Trooper.
Also in a helmet-just in case of
a fall.
Then there was the leprechaun bride,
who married Megatron,
and was only a magical
leprechaun because
of her long socks. What a fun, and funny,
kingdom to visit. I hope to return soon.

Sweet Boy

Our older two children have terrible

sleep issues due to their multiple placements in

foster care. It is a rare thing for me to see this.

My sweet boy, tuckered out, and sleeping like

the little angel that he is.

Flowers

I don't think their are any flowers as

beautiful
as the first dandelions of
spring picked by

my four favorite children.

Their gifts of love melt my heart.

One Step Closer

Last week, we celebrated some VERY

happy news.
Our family will be growing by two.
The boys' birth mother
decided that she wanted Jon and
me to adopt her boys.
A painful decision for her, became a
wonderful gift for us.
How exciting that these
two children,
who we love so very much,
will now become
our children legally.
What a night of celebrating our family did!!!

Fun At Zoo Class

Today we enjoyed zoo class.

We learned about the rain forest,
how important it is, the
animals that live there,
and what happens
each time a tree is cut down.
Today, my sweet Doodles was the
teacher's helper.

This was an EXTRA big deal, because

Doodles is usually

super shy.

Today, she bravely held a cockroach,

and carried it around.

Her job was to let each of the kids

take a turn petting it.

I was such a proud Mommy.

My baby is growing up way too fast!

A Date With The Youngest

Each week, I try to take just one kid with me

to go grocery shopping. I didn't think Baby D.

would want to go, but he did.

He doesn't like to be left out

of anything.

His two favorite words yesterday:

"NO!" and "Why?"

His favorite phrase:

"Just me Mommy. This fun Mommy."

So thankful that Jon watches the

rest of the kids, so that I can go out and

have fun with just one.

A Weekend Of Fun

Kids change EVERYTHING about

your life. They change the way

you look at life and the way you spend your time.

Gone are the days of sleeping in on

the weekends, going for a run together,

going out for breakfast, and then

doing anything we wanted for the rest of the time.

Instead, weekends become family time.

Time Daddy is home from work and we

get to do things as a family.

I miss the time before kids, when time was ours,

but I sure do love the time

we have with our kids.

On Saturday, we packed the whole group of kids up

and enjoyed some time at a local arts and

crafts kid expo.

There were all sorts of things

for the kids to see and do.

It was an activity that was

perfect for all of them.

The kids enjoyed having their

faces painted.

They spend a lot of their time during the days

thinking up various ways to

be a "gang".

Yesterday, they were "The Face

Paint Gang".

They also enjoyed making

pencil pompoms

and stringing bead

necklaces.

We spent our entire morning and part

of the afternoon at the arts

expo.

I think, if the activities had

gone on all day, the kids would

have staid forever.

We really did have a great time together.

Having kids is a TON of FUN!!

First Taste Of Summer

When the weather warms up,
the ice cream stands open up.

A good time,

was had

by all.

Roller Coaster Ride

For almost three years P. and Baby D. have

been in foster care.

Last month, a judge that had never met them, made

the decision to make their foster care stay four

years. He gave their mother another chance.

Jon and I love the boys' mother. We've prayed for

her, invited her to church, and tried to do all that we can

to welcome her into our family. We both believe that

when we help her, we are helping her boys.

Over the weekend, she messed up. She left

her supportive housing, started using drugs again,

and made the decision that she cannot raise her

boys. She wants them with us.

She feels they will have things with us that they will never have

with her. Older siblings, a father.

I can't imagine what her heart is going through. I know how

much she loves her boys. I know how much they

love her. Today, we went to court.

She was prepared to sign over her rights to them.

The judge asked her to wait until Monday. To make sure this

is what she wants. And so we wait with her.

We pray some more. We wonder about their future, our future, her

future. We pray for the Lord's will above all else.

We wait until Monday.

Just Another Morning

It started with this outfit. I laughed my

head off when I saw what she

slept in.

She kindly let me take her picture.

Baby D. forgot to wake up his listening ears,

so he spent some time naked in

the naughty corner.

He doesn't seem to realize he was being naughty,

notice his cheesy grin.

Meanwhile, they tried their best to take a test,

but really who could concentrate with

all of that noise?!

And sweet P., he decided to help me out

by making his brother's bed.
Notice what a great job he did.
No wonder the time goes so fast when
you have kids. There's just no time to sit down
and have a cup of coffee.
Hope you had a good morning.