We decided to go to Branson last weekend to be at a meeting, so after swim lessons and lunch, we took off. I think Caleb did the best he's done in the past 5 or 6 trips, praise the Lord! No dvd players and S&C did GREAT! The meeting was great, we were in the right place at the right time. Saturday it poured most of the day, but we got to see Kung Fu Panda. Caleb actually slept through about 1/3 of it. There were some really intense parts where I tried to cover his ears to block the noise, and I think that bothered him more than the noise did! Samuel went on and on about it. What a great memory! He wanted to know if we'd get it when it came out or if we'd see it again. I told him we wouldn't have too since he could describe it in such vivid detail!
We had a nice ride home with 3 children sleeping at one point! I have a picture of the 3 "resting" but I have to find my camera! When we were about 5 miles from our house, we stopped to look at a house my friend Jeri is building and found some open houses. Well, off we went to dream a little dream. The kids totally enjoyed it and wanted to buy those houses! It's so fun to see things that can be in the future. I wish I'd have taken a camera to take pictures of what we liked for that someday...
Today it was back to swimming lessons and putting everything back in its place. Caleb drank well from a sippy cup for the first time today! It had Jamba Juice Pomagranite something or other in it and his REALLY liked it. I'm thankful.
Religion that is pure and good before God the Father is to help children who have no parents... James 1:27 NLV
Monday, June 30, 2008
12 years ago...
...I was sitting on the couch, cross stitching, not feeling very well. My friend Charissa called and invited me to dinner. Her husband John had invited a friend over and she wanted to have a friend over, too. When I got there, there was a guy there she'd mentioned before. How interesting that he was headed to Bolivia for a month on a missions trip. I'd just gone to Bolivia a few years before and had been in Estonia that spring! He was a really nice, quiet, intense guy. What was really exciting was Charissa was selling her car. I had recently decided to sell my truck (yes, I drove a truck and thought I was cool), buy something older and pay off college loans. (which I did) When I got home, I told my parents I'd met a really nice guy and someday I'd like to date a guy with such quality.
The rest is history! Thank you soooo much Charissa!
The rest is history! Thank you soooo much Charissa!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Well, we've had a great time (most of us) at swim lessons. Caleb has had the joy of being dunked twice the last 2 days and will continue to until we're done next Thursday. We sing a sweet little song and reward them in the end by dunking them! Fortunately, they change the song every 2 days so they don't develope a complex about a particular song! Catherine and Samuel are getting better each day and look forward to their time. They are ready to go about 2 hours before it's time to leave, so I have to give them projects to keep them busy! Unfortunately, I am in the pool with Caleb and can't watch the other 2. It seems I look at Samuel just as he's getting out of the pool or waiting for his turn!
Caleb started to army crawl today! He saw Samuel's Lego's and off he went! Legos are going to have to be a nap time thing. Sad for Samuel, but safer for Caleb until we get a play room.
Caleb started to army crawl today! He saw Samuel's Lego's and off he went! Legos are going to have to be a nap time thing. Sad for Samuel, but safer for Caleb until we get a play room.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Swim lessons for 4
This morning we started swim lessons for 3 kids. That means I had to find a swim suit to be presentable in the pool with Caleb. Caleb had a blast after he got used to the cold water. We made it about 30 mins and his lips were getting a bit purple, so out we went. Catherine and Samuel seemed to be fine, although with all of us in the water at the same time, I don't get to watch them. I'll have to sneak pics right when C & I get out of the pool.
I meant to tell youabout a new thing Caleb did on Staurday. After we got cleaned up from the sale we went to return tables, do a business errand for me, ate dinner at Whole Foods and stopped at the home of a couple Buddy did work for. They are a sweet couple who have a mutual admiration society with Buddy! They think he's the best and he thinks the same of them. Caleb was great entertainment and for the first time pulled his knees up under him while he was working to get Buddy's sunglasses! He is 9 months, but all his entertainment comes to him, so there's no motivation to go get anything. I've been working with him to get used to the feeling since his appt. last week and it's catching on! Look out Legos! He's surely going to find all the little ones Samuel leaves around.
I meant to tell youabout a new thing Caleb did on Staurday. After we got cleaned up from the sale we went to return tables, do a business errand for me, ate dinner at Whole Foods and stopped at the home of a couple Buddy did work for. They are a sweet couple who have a mutual admiration society with Buddy! They think he's the best and he thinks the same of them. Caleb was great entertainment and for the first time pulled his knees up under him while he was working to get Buddy's sunglasses! He is 9 months, but all his entertainment comes to him, so there's no motivation to go get anything. I've been working with him to get used to the feeling since his appt. last week and it's catching on! Look out Legos! He's surely going to find all the little ones Samuel leaves around.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Tooth Fairy is back in business!
Catherine has been asking for days if her tooth was ready to come out. Usually that was a question full of nervousness and concern. This time, she was ready. I tried yesterday, but it was still attached enough to hurt. Finally, today after lunch, I could see that it was hanging down. When I pulled it, there were no tears at all! Such a change from all the others. She was excited and wanted to know if I could bring her the money during her nap. I fell asleep and missed my chance, so I'll slip in tonight. Amazing to have 7 gone already!Garage Sale part 2c
It Is Finished!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am that we are done! It's was a long weekend, but a blessed one. Kind of fun to have it be a neighborhood sale- the kids were back and forth between our house and the neighbors on both sides. One couple had Catherine for a good portion of the day and the other had Samuel. He was so cute- he was helping, not playing. He sat in his little fold up chair with the neighbors as they sold things to raise money for the Blue Star Mothers. Samuel had lots of fun and told me it was an honor to do things to help people in the Army. And it is.
This is how Caleb spent part of his awake time.
He was so happy in his pack and play and entertained people with his chatter. People often thought we were adopting him and were surprised we were adding #4.
When all was said and done, we'd earned $490.31 for these 2 days, and a total from last sale and this was $1600! I did no advertising this time and that may have made part of the difference. We're very thankful for each person who donated things for the sale and those who purchased from us. There were several who gave us money and bought nothing. How wonderful is that?
After we packed up, this was taken to GoodWill. (I seriously need a shower!)
and this is a portion of what will go to the John 3:16 Mission. 
On another happy note, we can now put our car back in the garage! On the agenda for this week is taking a picture of the car and putting it in the Auto Trader. Time to really get ready to add another child!
This is how Caleb spent part of his awake time.
He was so happy in his pack and play and entertained people with his chatter. People often thought we were adopting him and were surprised we were adding #4.When all was said and done, we'd earned $490.31 for these 2 days, and a total from last sale and this was $1600! I did no advertising this time and that may have made part of the difference. We're very thankful for each person who donated things for the sale and those who purchased from us. There were several who gave us money and bought nothing. How wonderful is that?
After we packed up, this was taken to GoodWill. (I seriously need a shower!)
and this is a portion of what will go to the John 3:16 Mission. 
On another happy note, we can now put our car back in the garage! On the agenda for this week is taking a picture of the car and putting it in the Auto Trader. Time to really get ready to add another child!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Garage Sale Part 2b
Whew! I wasn't sure if I was going to try this by myself, but figured it was worth a shot. So, after a quick breakfast and feeding Caleb, I moved the vehicles and started pulling things out. I wanted to take a picture before we started, but people kept coming and I kept trying to make room and pull more out. Believe it or not, there were STILL many things left in the garage that hadn't come out since I couldn't get the tables or furniture out by myself. After 7 hours in upper 80's weather with 3 kids, by myself, we ended up with $332.01! We still have a pool table, a dresser, a roll top desk, lots of clothes and toys.
This is how it looked at the end of the day. It goes almost all the way back. Hey, we have a bigger path! I was ready to take a shower and sit in the AC for a while when it was over! Caleb played in his pack and play in the shade and napped well. S&C helped and played really well. We did not have a very good lunch, but we made up for it at dinner.
It was so fun to see people who had come to the first sale. They asked how we were coming along and I got to share what our progress was since the first. I enjoyed watching people's faces when we said we were adopting. Most people are happy for us. One lady made a comment about how the orphans here in the states need to be adopted, too. People do not realize what the conditions are like in other countries and how few opportunities they have. Not every place is like Russia or Ukraine, but statistics are-
~There are over 4 million orphans and homeless children in Russia and Ukraine
~There are 700,000 orphans living in 2,000 state-run orphanages in Russia alone ... that is more orphans than there were after World War II
~About 15,000 unadopted Russian orphans leave orphanages each year, once they are 16 to 18 years old
~Statistics show that after being released from the orphanage, 80% of unadopted female orphans will become prostitutes and most unadopted male orphans will go to jail ... only one out of ten Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society
~More than 100,000 children are thought to have been surrendered to orphanages due to poverty
I'd have to say American orphans have much better chances than this. I haven't really plugged for others to think about adoption, but my heart is so full some days of the need these children have.
Yes, it's a stretch financially, but when it's God's heart, too He takes care of things. Yes, people don't always understand, but your true friends and those who love you believe in you enough to be happy for you while they sort out their feelings. Yes, your life will never be the same, but wouldn't that be boring? So if you know God commands us to care for the widows and orphans, what's your part? It may not be to adopt, yourself, but maybe you could support those who are, financially and emotionally, or help organizations who care for those still waiting for their families.
We'll be up early in the morning to get things out to get the early birds. Be watching for part 2c!
This is how it looked at the end of the day. It goes almost all the way back. Hey, we have a bigger path! I was ready to take a shower and sit in the AC for a while when it was over! Caleb played in his pack and play in the shade and napped well. S&C helped and played really well. We did not have a very good lunch, but we made up for it at dinner.
It was so fun to see people who had come to the first sale. They asked how we were coming along and I got to share what our progress was since the first. I enjoyed watching people's faces when we said we were adopting. Most people are happy for us. One lady made a comment about how the orphans here in the states need to be adopted, too. People do not realize what the conditions are like in other countries and how few opportunities they have. Not every place is like Russia or Ukraine, but statistics are-
~There are over 4 million orphans and homeless children in Russia and Ukraine
~There are 700,000 orphans living in 2,000 state-run orphanages in Russia alone ... that is more orphans than there were after World War II
~About 15,000 unadopted Russian orphans leave orphanages each year, once they are 16 to 18 years old
~Statistics show that after being released from the orphanage, 80% of unadopted female orphans will become prostitutes and most unadopted male orphans will go to jail ... only one out of ten Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society
~More than 100,000 children are thought to have been surrendered to orphanages due to poverty
I'd have to say American orphans have much better chances than this. I haven't really plugged for others to think about adoption, but my heart is so full some days of the need these children have.
Yes, it's a stretch financially, but when it's God's heart, too He takes care of things. Yes, people don't always understand, but your true friends and those who love you believe in you enough to be happy for you while they sort out their feelings. Yes, your life will never be the same, but wouldn't that be boring? So if you know God commands us to care for the widows and orphans, what's your part? It may not be to adopt, yourself, but maybe you could support those who are, financially and emotionally, or help organizations who care for those still waiting for their families.
We'll be up early in the morning to get things out to get the early birds. Be watching for part 2c!
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