The Awkward Parent Talks

I read a very interesting blog post tonight, along with the 80 comments that have already been posted.  It was a good discussion that I thought some of you might be interested in reading.

Stacey, over at "Any Mommy Out There" wrote a post called "Cheerleading".  In this post, she discusses the recent conversations she has had with her preschoolers about:  their bodies ... privacy ... who can or cannot touch them ...  how to respond if someone tries ...

If this topic interests you, you might want to pop on over to Stacey's blog.  And, make sure and read the comments, too ... there is a very good discussion going on.

It's A Small World

Unexpected friends at Hosanna's track meet ...


Just after arriving, and staking out a place to lay our blanket (there were no bleachers or stadium at this school), I began to look around.  There were a lot more people at this meet than I expected.  I thought it was going to be 2-3 small middle school track teams and a few parents.  Oh, no ... it was 5 or 6 track teams, and some of them were very large.  There were a LOT of people milling around, trying to find where best to stand, or lay down a blanket.  (The whole layout of the field is awkward, with the track being kind of in a hilly pit.  So, families were trying to position themselves on a scraggily hillside.)

The kids all plopped onto our 25 year old picnic blanket.  (It's a CRAZY homemade quilt ... I'll have to take a picture of it sometime.)  Papa and I stood chatting.  (Actually, a bit awkward, also.  To only see each other once a week, at a public track meet and to say, "Hi.  How are you?"  Not exactly the quality time that is so necessary for a marriage.)  I was glancing around at the other families since making out with my husband wasn't really an option when  I noticed some young African children standing in a group of women and teens.

Now, for those of you that are also the adoptive parents of black children, do you see black children and automatically wonder where they are from?  The interesting thing is that while I'm sure I used to just see black children and think "look at the cute black children", I am now getting pretty good at knowing guessing where they are from.  There are actually a lot of differences between most African Americans, Ghanaians, and Ethiopians (for example).

So hoping I don't offend someone.  I am so not up on the Politically Correct way of defining other races. Since my children were from Africa and are now Americans, than they of course are also African American, in addition to being Ghanaian.  But ... I hope you get the jist of that last paragraph.

As I noticed these children, I had to take a major DOUBLE TAKE.  Oh my ... there was a young boy that looked SO MUCH LIKE our former son, J.  Wow!  I hadn't seen him in 7 months, and he does not live nearby, but I had to really look closely to see if this might be him.  Then ... I wondered if the girls would see him.  I looked down onto the picnic blanket and both girls had their heads together, whispering.  "Girls, what are you talking about?" I ask casually.  "That boy down there."  "He looks like J."  "Is it him?"  I assured them that it was not J., but I can only imagine all of the mixed thoughts and feelings that were racing through their young minds.  So. Hard.

As I looked back up, I noticed that another mom had placed her blanket about 2 feet to my left.  She looked like a nice woman, but I didn't think much of it.  Until ... a young black girl comes up and starts talking to her mom.  "This young lady" I think, "looks like she is from Ethiopia."  She is one of the runners from the local school that we are visiting.  I wonder if this mom might be friends with the other family that has now walked to the center of the infield.  The other children, I believe, look very much like they might be from Ghana.  Oh so many similarities of this young boy, and our J.

As the young girl dashed back down to the track, and I wondered how I was going to start a conversation with this woman.  I don't usually just say, "Hi.  I noticed that you have a black daughter.  So do I."   Before I can say anything, though, this woman turns to me and says, "I believe that I recognize your daughters from a blog."  Oh my!  "Yes.  I'm sure that you do."  Wow!  This woman knew our story.  She too had an adoption nightmare story to share.  Instant bonding.  Ahhh ... someone that understands the TOUGH stuff.

(Now, I have to admit my "bad mama" part of this.  I kept looking back towards the track, to watch Hosanna run.  But ... I missed her first race.  Bad Papa ... he was supposed to nudge me and say, "Watch your daughter run."  Sorry Hosanna!)

As we were chatting, I asked if she happened to know the other family with the obviously African children.  Yes.  They attend the same church.  They homeschool together.  And, yes, the children are from Africa.  As a matter of fact ... they are from Ghana.  And ... they are from the same orphanage as my children.

Awhile later, I wonder down to the track.  I talk to the mother.  I meet the children.  (I have actually met  the mother before, and one of the children.  The little girl is the adopted sister of one of my girls' close friends from Ghana.  She was just visiting the track meet with her friends.)  And, the young boy who looked like J.?  He just arrived last month from Ghana. And, he knows my girls.  All 3 of these children know my girls.  They can't believe that I am Sarah and Rachel's Mama.  The young boy asks where J. is.

Back up the hill we head.  An adorable little 6 year old grabs my hand as we walk.  She is so excited to see my girls again.  It's been 2 years.

Yes, my girls remember all 3 of the children.  They exchange hellos.  They look at each other with a bit of wonder.  I wish I knew the thoughts going through all of their minds.  Their lives have changed so dramatically since they last saw each other.  They are new children, with new families, with new lives.  Does seeing each other bring up any of the pain from their past?  I don't know.

I can only imagine this young boy's thoughts.  He's only been in America for 1 month.  His life is a whirlwind.  He is at his first track meet, with 100's of people.  And ... there ... sitting on a crazy Picnic Blanket ... are 2 young girls from his orphanage, that he hasn't seen in 2 years.  Yes.  It is a very small world, indeed.

Hosanna's Track Meet

Hosanna is in 7th grade, and she had her Very First Track Meet today.  Yea, Hosanna!!!

She ran the 100m and the 4x100m Relay.  She was also supposed to run the 200m.  But ... the joys of living on an island ... the whole team had to pack up and leave the meet early, to catch the ferry.  So sad!

We left home at 1:45.  Picked up Papa at the ferry at 3:15. (He walked on again.)  Went to the track meet from 3:30-5:30.  Took Papa to Jack-In-The-B*x to buy dinner for he and Hosanna to eat on the ferry.  Drove him back to the ferry.  Surprised Elijah by telling him, "Oh no.  Papa has too much to carry.  You'll need to go with him."  Elijah thought that he was just going to help Papa carry the dinner bags into the Ferry Terminal, when in fact Papa took him back to the island for a special Slumber Party w/ Papa.  Anyway ... after driving the 1.5 hours home, stopping for gas (when Sarah asked what the light on the dashboard meant), stopping to pick up a T*co Time dinner for me and the 3 that were left ... we got home at 8:00.  I was exhausted!  This schedule is CRAZY!

We have another track meet tomorrow (even further away).  Then, the next 2 weeks we have 3 track meets per week.  Now, of course, we are used to having many sporting events each week in the spring.  But, we are used to living in the same town as the children that are on the sports teams.  This year, with the teens living on the island and Mama living back at the old house ... every meet is at least 1.5 hours away (and usually more).   Some Mama's would just say, "Sorry.  I can't make it."  But ... this is the only time that I even get to see my teens (not to mention my bi-weekly track meet date with Papa).  Otherwise, I could go weeks without even seeing my kids (or sweet husband).  So ... NO ... the track meets are NOT optional for this Mama (and her 4 young ones that tag along everywhere she now goes).

Not wanting to complain ... just needing prayers for strength.

Upon arriving home ... and literally dragging myself into the house ... I was BLESSED to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the kitchen counter.  Sweet Lindsey had stopped by to bring me flowers, and left me a note "Just Because I Love You."  Ahhhh ....  Made this Mama smile.

Shortly after arriving home and sitting down to eat my Chicken Tostada Salad, Lindsey came back by and the 2 of us had a nice chat.  So good to be living near Lindsey again.

Oh yea ... this post is supposed to be about Hosanna's First Track Meet.

Okay ... here are a few pics of the 4x100m Relay.  Go Hosanna!

Receiving the Baton ... 

(in the center of the pic)

Starting her sprint.

Go! Hosanna! Go!

Oh ... 

just noticed ... 

Hosanna had to do her own French Braids, 

because she isn't living with Mama right now.  

Makes my heart sad!  Just one of the little 

things that Mama likes to do for her girls.

Their whole relay team wore Crazy Socks.

So Middle School.  

I love it!

Papa took the pictures today.  

Thanks Papa!  

I was a bit tied up in a conversation.  

Crazy Story to tell you all tomorrow.  

"It's a Small World."

Too tired tonight!

Who do you think we saw at the Track Meet today?

A few people our kids would NEVER have expected to see.

UPDATE:  Oh so hard to only see my dear daughter at her track meets!  We had a couple of quick hellos, but after the meet she and the team had to race off to the ferry (as I had to take Papa to the ferry, as well).  Anyway, if you've ever been a track parent, it is often hard to know when exactly your child is doing their field event.  So, unbeknownst to me, I missed Hosanna's Shot Put.  (I didn't even know she was doing the shot put ... because, of course, I don't live with her so she hadn't told me.)  Anyway, just got an email from a friend of mine on the island who was so impressed that my daughter came very close to the middle school record for the shot put.  Mama didn't even know ....   So sad .....  Great Job, Hosanna!!!

The Mind of Brent

Brent Riggs (more famously known as "Abby's Daddy") has started an internet Talk Show.  The Guest tonight will be Lorraine Patterson (more famously known as "Chrissie's Mommy"). The show will be live at 10:00 pm (Central Time). You can listen online live to the audio, or you can call in and chat with Lorraine and Brent.


Chrissie Patterson (age 3), adopted just 6 months ago, had open heart surgery last week.  She died, not once, but twice (and was gone for 20 minutes and an hour) ... only to see God work wonders through the physicians who brought her back to life.  I have been following Lorraine's blog closely this week, and have been BLESSED to hear how they have held tightly to the Lord through this most difficult time, and how the Lord has worked miracle after miracle.


I hope you will stop by Brent's new website, to check out this new show.  I'll be keeping you updated on the show, as Brent has asked me to be a guest in the near future.  Hope you'll listen in.  


The Mind of Brent is on every weeknight at 10:00 pm (CST).


website:  www.themindofbrent.com


phone:  (347) 677-1517


If you can't listen in, or call in tonight, all of the shows are recorded, so you can enjoy them through the website at any time.




*** UPDATE:  I believe that Lorraine will be the Guest the next 2 nights, as well.  Hope you can call in on Wed. or Thurs.

A Whole Latte Lovin'

Yesterday I tried out a new topic on the blog ... and had a great response.  So, today I am going to try another something new.


I haven't ever done a Blog Carnival (and don't really know what it is).  I've never done a Blog Meme.  (I think that means a Theme for the Day).  And, I've never done a Blog Linky either, which links your post to other posts in Bloggy World.  But ... today I am going to step out and try something new.  (Hope it works.)


I have a new Bloggy Friend, who writes over at Living By Faith.  I've read quite a bit of her blog in the past week or two, and am excited to find a young woman who passionately loves the Lord and loves her husband, despite some serious trials that they have walked through.


Lauren writes a Meme (I think that's what it's called):  To Love Their Husbands ... Tuesdays.  Therefore, every Tuesday she writes a post about a specific way that she shows love to her husband.  Isn't that great?  And, she adds the Linky to these Tuesday posts ... so that we can read each other's posts ... so that we can be encouraged to always be finding new ways to love our husbands.


I thought this was a great way for me to jump into the world of Blog Linkys; because I, too, am passionate about showing love to my husband ... and encouraging others to do the same.  


I hope you will be encouraged, and I hope you will write a post and link up, too.


Today, I would like to share with you how I like to show Papa ...

A Whole Latte Lovin'

Yes ... I like to show Papa that I love him through our daily (or twice daily) ... LATTE TIME.  I like to make his favorite drinks.  In the winter it was a White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.  Recently he has preferred an English Toffee Latte or an Irish Cream Mocha.  I need to keep his foam very low, as he's a "no foam" kind of guy.  But, I put just a tad bit of foam on the top, in order to dust the top with Chocolate Powder.  Mmmmm ... just right.

When we got the new Espresso Machine last December, I studied up on how to make quality espressos. Papa mentioned a few times that he would like to make his own (not wanting to bother me), but he really didn't want to study up on it.  He was hoping I would be able to give him "Push A Button" directions.  However, in order to make a commercial quality espresso, I prefer the semi-automatic style of machine, rather than the automatic, push-button variety.  I want to be able to control the quality of the shots.

After Papa realized that I really didn't mind making him his Morning Mocha, and hopefully realized that I actually enjoyed it, he relaxed and let me do my work.  


Now, I had purchased this little alarm clock for 2 reasons:


#1  It was CUTE.
#2  I needed something to time my shots with.


It never crossed my mind that the alarm feature of the clock would come in handy; but Papa found a use for it.


One day, when Papa was ready to ask his favorite Barista to make his Morning Mocha, he decided to "Sound The Alarm".  Yes ... the little bells started ringin' and Papa said, "Could you make me a drink, please?" This quickly became our morning custom ... when Papa was ready for his Morning Mocha, the bells would start ringing.  So sweet!


Not only do I take time to make his drink "just right", but I also take time to choose just the right mug for the day.


If the two of us are going to chat during our Morning Mocha Time, I may pick out our 16 oz. Valentines mugs ... fun reminders of our deep love for one another.

If we are wanting a hot decaf. in the evening, I may use our 12 oz. Latte & Mocha mugs.

And, if Jim is heading out on the road ... off to catch a ferry or attend a meeting ... I will most often send him off with his 16 oz. Harley Davidson travel mug.

After 27 years of marriage, I've learned that it's not just the BIG things that show my love for Papa (like the Surprise Harley Davidson for his birthday), but it's the many little daily things that keep a marriage strong.

I could buy a coffee pot that turns itself on and makes Papa's coffee every morning.  I could tell him to add some chocolate and flavored creamers.  Yes. I. Could.  But, I would much rather take the time to make Papa his favorite Mocha or Latte.

I could serve Papa's Morning Mocha in a plain white mug (and it would still taste good).  But, I prefer to take the time to choose just the right mug for the moment.  (I had a LOT of fun Winter Mugs. Now I'm on the hunt for Spring and Summer Mugs.)

I could serve Papa's Morning Mocha with however much foam happens to be in the Frothing Pitcher.  But, I prefer to take the time to try to keep the foam away, for my "no foam" guy.

I could serve Papa's Morning Mocha without the little dusting of Chocolate Powder (or Coconut Shavings or Raspberry Powder ... depending on the preferred drink of the day).  But, I prefer to add that special little touch ... to let him know that I want the BEST for him ... to show him that I care about the little things ... the very little things, like sprinkled Chocolate Powder.

I hope you will take the time to find ways to Add a Little Sprinkle to your husband's life, to show him that he is worth, A Whole Latte Lovin'.

Praying that Papa and I are back together again soon.  I know he is missing his Morning Mocha and his favorite Pajama Barista.  Can't wait to have a new house on the island, to set up Mama's Coffee Shop in.

Let's Decorate

Today, I thought I would jump in with a brand new topic.  I've been reading some new blogs recently, and have enjoyed some posts about home decorating.  And, since I am dreaming about owning a new home ... I'm also dreaming about what that home might be like, and how I might like to decorate it.

When I got my house all whipped into shape for the realtor the other day, I thought I would go around the house and take a few pictures.

This got me to wondering ...

#1  What do the homes of my bloggy friends look like?  (We see glimpses into so many parts of each other's lives, but rarely do we see into each other's kitchens or living rooms.)

#2  What styles do my Bloggy Friends decorate in?  (It was so fun to see some of your homes on our Bloggy Friend Road Trip last fall ... we met 7 of your families on our 12 state tour.)

#3  What colors do my Bloggy Friends decorate with?  What do our colors say about us?

So ... I am going to give you a glimpse into my house, and I would LOVE to have some of you give a peak into your houses as well.  (Just write a post and link back to this post, to keep it fun.  Leave me a comment, telling about your post, so that all of my readers can hop over to peak into your house, too.)

First of all, though, I want to warn you ... I LOVE COLORS ... lots & lots of colors ...  Do you???  Are your walls white?  Do you use 1 color per room?  Do any of you have multiple colors in a room?  Just curious ...  I just realized that every room in our house, besides 2 of the bathrooms, have at least 2 colors on the walls.  Yes ... I LOVE colors!

Welcome to our Dining Room.

Right now we have the table rather small,

but this room does hold our expanded table,

which seats all 14 of us.

Colors:  

The Dining Room has ...

1 Rose Beige wall

1 Light Purple wall

Welcome to Our Kitchen

We LOVE our large kitchen.

We took down the set of cupboards

that separated the kitchen from the dining room,

which hung over the long bar (which holds 6 bar stools).

(The cupboards got in the way of conversation:

the most important part of the large family kitchen.)

Colors:

The Kitchen has ...

1 Light Purple wall (extended from the Dining Room)

2 Light Mint Green Walls (under the cupboards)

2 Medium Mint Green Walls (above the cupboards)

My favorite little corner of my big kitchen.

Mama's Coffee Shop

Welcome to the Master Bedroom

We just re-decorated this room 2 years ago.

I LOVE the wainscoating that Papa put up.

I couldn't do the dark walls, if they weren't off-set 

by the white wainscoating.

Papa & I LOVE the Americana / Patriotic Theme.

Colors:

The Master Bedroom has ...

1 Deep Red Wall

and ...

3 Deep Blue walls.

We got the Ikea furniture 2 years ago, also.

Welcome to the Master Bath

It's tiny, but bright and cozy.

Colors:

The Master Bath has ...

2 Deep Red walls

2 Bright White walls

Welcome to the Younger Girls' Room!

All of the kids' rooms have changed colors multiple times, 

as we have rotated bedrooms depending on current kid' needs.

How many kids do we have living at home at any given time???

This room had 2 sets of bunkbeds before we 

re-organized to put the house on the market.

Colors:

The Girls' Room has ...

2 Purple Walls

2 Light Green Walls

Welcome to the Teen Boys' Room!

This room had a loft bed over a loveseat,

in addition to the bunk bed,

before we re-organized for the sale of the house.

It was a cool Teen Boys' Room!

Colors:

These are the "official" Seattle Mariners colors.

The Teen Boys' Room has ...

2 Dark Blue walls

2 "Mariner Green" walls

(The Teen Girls' Room was dismantled 

for the sale of the house.

It has 1 Teal wall and 3 White Walls.  

They decorated with black & white bedding 

and hot pink accent pillows.  Very nice!)

Welcome to the Family Room!

This room was what sold us on this house 8 years ago.

It is a WOW room for an extra-large family!!!

The Family Room is 20' x 28',

plus an attached 2nd kitchen.

Here is the 1st half of the Family Room.

This is our Scrapbooking & Game Playing Area.

Colors:

The Family Room has ...

3 Light Green walls

This is the 2nd half of our Family room.

This is our Hang-Out / Chit-Chat room

for kids, teenagers, and young adults.

Welcome to our 2nd Kitchen!

We don't actually use the extra stove 

as often as we thought we would.  

Mainly it is used for big holiday meals 

and for Papa Murphy's Pizza nights.

Colors:

3 Light Yellow walls 

with the

3 Light Green walls 

from the Family Room

These extra cupboards hold all of our Kid Craft Supplies.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

If you want to buy a house,

just let me know.  (smile)

I'll let you see the living room another day,

when I show you may favorite decorating item.

So, how about you ???

White or Colors???

What's Your Style:

Modern

Mix & Match

Country

Americana

Shabby Chic

Contemporary

Bad Words

Child,  "Mom, _____ said 2 bad words."

Mom, "Which bad words did they say?"

Child (very seriously)  "The E word and the K word."

Mom (trying not to laugh), "What exactly did _____ say?"

Child (hesitantly, not wanting to say the bad words), "Ediot and Krap"


No, those are not words that are allowed in our house.  There will be consequences for the saying of bad words.  And ... we will continue to work on our spelling.  But ... it was precious that this young one didn't even want to repeat the dreaded "E Word" and "K word".

Living apart is SO. NOT. FUN.

Just wanted you all to know that while the kids and I are doing our best to MAKE LIFE FUN ... and we have had FUN this week ... it is SO. NOT. FUN. to not be living with my husband.


We moved a week ago.  We have tried to chat for at least a few minutes every day.  (But, he has horrible cell reception, and spotty internet in the camping trailer that he now calls "home".)


Ben had a track meet today.  The kids and I left home at 1:00 ... and returned at 9:30.  Looooong day!  We drove an hour and 20 minutes to the ferry dock to pick up sweet Papa and Hosanna.  (It is MUCH cheaper for them to walk on to the ferry than to drive.)  We back-tracked 20 minutes to the track meet.  Watched the meet.  (Quality time with sweet Papa ... NOT.  We sat next to each other for most of the track meet, but we had 2 young boys crawling all over us the whole time.  They have missed their Papa.)  Back to ferry town after the track meet.  Two hours until next scheduled ferry.  Dinner for everyone at the Mexican Restaurant.  Back to the ferry dock to deliver Papa.  (Hosanna came home with me for a couple of days.)


Good to see Papa, but OH. SO. HARD.  Spent 5 hours with him, without even 5 minutes of alone time or quality talk time.  So. Sad.


It will be another week before we see each other again ... at next week's track meet.  Hoping for a few quality phone conversations this week, and maybe a Skype chat.  

Wondering how long we will be living apart .....

Praying we will be together again soon ...

When God Makes The Plans

Do you ever have days when you know that God TOTALLY planned things, and you just shake your head in awe when you see the details laid out at the end?

We had just such a fun "planned" activity yesterday afternoon.  Some people would call it "coincidence", but we KNOW it could only be arranged by Our Heavenly Father.


While the realtor was showing our house yesterday (no news yet), the kids and I went shopping in the nearby Big City.  After accomplishing all that was on my checklist for the day, I realized that it was only 3:00 ... the sun was shining brightly ... and we didn't have any plans for the rest of the day.  I turned to the kids and said, "Let's head home, change our clothes, and head out to the beach for a picnic dinner!" Of course, the kids were thrilled.  Spontaneous picnics at the beach are always a welcome treat.

After changing into beach clothes and throwing a few items in the back of the car (towel, beach blanket, water bottles, camera, bag of chips, etc...) we headed out.  The kids were a bit concerned that we were only going to eat chips for dinner; but, I had a surprise planned.  When living in a household with 10-12 children at home ... dinner "out" is practically unheard of.  But ... with only 4 young ones ... I thought it would be fun to stop at Subway for their $5 Footlong Sandwiches.  The girls could split one.  The boys could split one.  And ... I just thought, "I'll buy one and bring home the 2nd half for tomorrow's lunch."  Elijah quickly calculated that it was only $15 to feed all of us.   (It's always good to see that my homeschooled children are learning.)

I had brought a water bottle filled with ice ... a jug of water ... and an ice tea packet, planning to make myself some ice tea when I got to the beach.  However, while at Subway, I realized that I really like their Ice Tea.  So, I bought one.  I was actually kind of embarrassed by myself (not that anyone else would know), but I thought, "Why did I just buy a large ice tea, when I have one in the car already?"  Maybe I would get really thirsty???

When we got back into the car at Subway, I took a minute to send a quick text message.  I popped off a note to Jared, Jeremiah, Hannah, & Kati that we were headed to the beach for a picnic, and that we would love to have them join us if they would like.  (Lindsey is out of town for the weekend, or she would have gotten a text, as well.)  Kati responded immediately with, "I'm already on my way to the beach."  Hmmm ...   I figured that she must be heading out to meet friends there, since it was such a nice day.

Upon arriving at the beach, we heard Kati's story ...

After work, she stopped by our house to see if we were home.  When we weren't (we were on our way to Subway already) she thought ... "It's such a nice day, maybe I'll go out to the beach."  Then she thought, "Maybe I'll see if Jeremiah & Jared want to meet me there."  Off she headed to the beach (a 25 minute drive), passing Subway while we were buying our sandwiches.

Now, it was dinner time, but she hadn't made any plans to eat.  She had nothing with her, because it was such a random and spontaneous decision.

As I got out our picnic stuff we had quite the laugh when I told her that I had brought her dinner (the extra ice tea and the extra 1/2 of the footlong sub).  Oh my!  God was definitely directing my steps, even when I myself couldn't explain the decisions I was making.  So cool!

Here are a few pics of our time at the beach ...

Kati & the Kids ... 

Searching for Treasures

Sweet Sarah ...

always smiling.

Josiah ...

"The Boy With The Green Hat"

We bought this hat for Josiah ...

... in Mexico

... when he was 4 years old 

... and he still wears it 

... almost every day. 

Little Elijah ...

always the goofy one with the grin.

Rachel ... loves to dig in the sand.

Elijah ... always looking for beach critters.

Warriors ... in a sword fight.

So glad we have a beach to explore,

even when we are not on the island.

Kati & I had some wonderful "Mama D. Time" 

while the children played.

Thanks Lord ...

... for sunshine

... for beaches

... for sword fights

... for hermit crabs

... for pretty shells

... for time with Kati

Thanks Lord ...

for planning our day.

Enjoying My Big Kids

I sure have been enjoying my Big Kids and Adopted Big Kids this past week ...


Friday afternoon ... Adopted Big Kid Kati came out to the island for the day, to help pack, clean, and fill her car with boxes for the trip home.


Friday evening ... Adopted Big Kid Jared came out to the island to load up his pickup truck with all of the "Big Stuff" ... the bookshelves, mattresses, computer chair, etc...


Friday night ... WONDERFUL late night chat with Jeremiah.  Oh how I have missed those midnight chats with my Big Kids!


Saturday afternoon ... Lindsey and a friend stopped by to play with the kids for a bit.  Yea for Big Sis!!!


Monday morning & afternoon ... a fun visit by one of our Adopted Young Families.  (yes ... we have those, too)  Sarah and the kids came over for a coffee date / play date.  What fun!  Sarah has a new little foster baby in her home.  It's been quite a while since I've held a baby.  (but ... I remembered how)  Sarah's kids, J. (age 4) and K. (age 3) were so excited to play with my kids.  So precious!  The weather was nice, and we had a picnic in the backyard.  Fun!


Monday evening ... the young ones and I enjoyed a visit to the ballpark to watch Jeremiah's softball game.


Tuesday ... a quiet day with no Big Kids ... those are good once in awhile ...


Wednesday afternoon ... Lindsey stopped by and decided that she wanted to make pizza for dinner with the kids (after playing a few games).  Too fun!!!


Wednesday evening ... got the phone call that the realtor was coming today ... texted a few Big Kids to tell them ... Josh texted right back and said, "I'm talking to Hannah.  Do you want her to come help clean house?"  Of course!   Hannah showed up about 7:30 ... I sent her to the vacuum closet.  Then, about 8:00 Kati "stopped by".  I showed her the boxes and the empty bookshelf.  The 3 of us worked until about 9:00.  Then, we sent the young ones off to bed and we had a Girl's Night Coffee Date.  So fun!  Chatting with two of my Adopted Big Girls for almost 2 hours across the kitchen counter.  Awww ... makes this Mama's heart glad!!!

I LOVE My Big Kids ...

My Adopted Big Kids ...

My Adopted Young Families ...

Thank You Jesus!!!

How NOT To Sell A House

If you want to sell your house ...




Do NOT go on a month long Road Trip, in order to keep the house clean.  No one will look at it while you are gone.  However, right when you get back, and your house is in an uproar from returning from a month long trip ... then your first potential buyers will want to come.




Do NOT move out of your house for 6 months, in order to keep the house clean.  No one will look at it while you are gone.  However, as soon as you move back in, and there are boxes everywhere, then a realtor will phone and want to show it to potential buyers #2.




Yes ... tomorrow afternoon our house will be showing for the 2nd time in the 7 months that it has been on the market, and we (as a family ... with the children) have only been home for 2.5 weeks of that 7 months.  I REALLY don't understand the timing of all of this.  I think that God has a sense of humor, and He wants to make sure that we are still laughing.  




PRAYING that these people will want to buy the house; yet, CONCERNED that it will sell and we won't be able to buy a house on the island.  Definitely mixed emotions here tonight.  TRUSTING that God has all of the details worked out, and that HE knows where we will live when the house sells.  (Homeless in "Clifford the Big Red Van" does not sound like fun.)




Well ... gotta go clean bathrooms ... empty boxes ... hide boxes that I don't have time to empty and organize ...




Just got word ... Hannah is coming over to help Mama D. ...  gotta LOVE those Adopted Big Kids ...