are you missing someone?

I don't know if you have ever checked out Adeye's blog "No Greater Joy Mom," but recently she posted some disturbing facts and pictures which you can read about here, here and here.  Anyway, it got me thinking about all of the waiting children out there.  Before we adopted Luisa, I scoured every waiting child website, and photo listing I could find because I knew we were missing someone in our family.  Ever had that feeling? 
Well, I went back to many of the same sites the last couple of days and I must tell you, it broke my heart.  So many of the same children are still waiting!  Ugh!  I can't tell you how difficult it was to see the numbers H9-06 and the description of a little girl born in 06, that is still waiting for the right family to bring her home.  Luisa was H9-08.  It kills me that she was once a number, 

 she is so. not. a number. anymore.  She is a beloved daughter 

{and sister!}

  H9-06 is someones beloved daughter, they just don't know it yet! 

So many people say that they are not 'called' to adopt, which may or may not be true, I always want to say..."Have you asked God about that?"  But I never really dare to.... But, today, I am throwing out this challenge for you to..."ask God about that."  See what He has to say, it may take a while for a definitive answer, but I am certain that He will answer, and that answer may be that indeed, you are not called to adopt, but maybe, just maybe one of you will be given an affirmative answer and be blessed beyond measure by adoption.  
I am going to start advocating for some of these waiting children in the hopes that someone out there may be their lost mommy or daddy.  If you would like any info on adoption, please feel free to email me, I have received several of these types of emails and I always make it a priority to answer them!

 Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families...  Are you that family?

skiing...

We took the youth group skiing last week, and our kids as well.  This year it was Easton's turn to learn how to ski.  I am the designated ski instructor in our family, so Easton and I started out the morning on the bunny hill, which he usually called the rabbit hill.  I had read that they had a 'magic carpet.' which I believe, is the best invention in the skiing world EVER.  But I found it wasn't running.  So, off we went to the tow rope.  Getting up the hill proved to be the hardest part!  First of all, there was a huge dip that made getting to the tow rope nearly impossible for the first time skier. I managed to get him up the hill a bit further getting him parallel with the rope, and not sliding back down the hill backwards was another trick!  Finally he was ready to latch on to the rope... Poor kid, I could barley get a grip on the dumb thing, I thought for sure he would burn a hole in his glove as he stood there hanging on to the rope and going nowhere!  I managed to get behind him and practically carry him up the hill.  Thankfully it wasn't too busy and the ones behind us were having trouble of their own getting started.  He did okay, but lets just say, we were both exhausted after only an hour of fighting with the tow rope and going swiftly down the hill only to find ourselves struggling with the tow rope again.  So, Ryan took him with to get some food and I was able to actually ski for a bit.  I was so nervous.  It was fun when I was younger, now I get all nervous and think about how awful it would be to break a bone or something!  I am happy to report that I never even fell!

Then, after lunch, look what was open!  I was so happy, my arms could not take anymore of that stupid tow rope.  4 of the kids from our group ruined their gloves on that thing, it was bad.  Easton loved the carpet too, it made everything so easy!  After that he started to get the hang of it, and was so proud of himself!  I love that part about teaching!

Spencer was an old pro and went down all of the big hills with his big brothers.  Ryan stayed in the lodge with Anaya and Lucy.  One of the great things about working with teens is there are never a shortage of willing kid wranglers! 

 It was a beautiful day, in fact we skied without coats and Easton couldn't look at the camera, it was so sunny!

Happy Day...

Happy Valentines Day, Happy Birthday, and Happy Gotcha day!  It is a happy day here as we celebrate all of these things! 

14 years ago at nearly 5 weeks premature, Dylan weighed in at 5lb. 14oz.  He had to spend one night in the NICU(neonatal intensive care unit) but he was was totally fine and healthy!  We are so thankful to God for giving us such a great kid!  He is a great big brother to all of his siblings and they all love him and look up to him.  Happy 14th Birthday Dylan!

1 year ago today, a very quiet and nervous little 2 year old was placed in our arms.  Luisa Joy has been such a huge blessing!  It has been so much fun to watch her personality just shine as the days and months went by.  Medically, she is doing very well, her numbers{amount of hiv in her blood} have gone from a million, down to around 200.  We are still hoping to see them at undetectable in the near future.  Meanwhile, her immune system is recovering and those numbers are right where we want them to be!  While she doesn't talk much yet, she is learning more and more each day, and she certainly understands everything that we say.  Once again, we are so thankful to God for giving us such a great kid!  She is a fun little gal who is adored and loved by all of her siblings.  Happy 1st gotcha day Lucy!

And of course, Happy Valentines Day to the rest of my great kids and my amazing husband, I love you all so very much! 

what do puppies and toddlers have in common?

Well, I am finding out, a lot actually!  You can't take your eye off either of them for very long or they will find trouble.  Take this for instance...
Hmm...I wonder who made this mess in my shower???

Or how about the scratches in my leather couch...{it's hard to see in the picture, but there are many that are quite obvious in real life!}

That would be quincy.
Okay now guess who was busted doing this...

That would be Luisa!  She was found in our bedroom CUTTING my comforter!  There are about 15 cuts like this all around the edge of our bed!  Good thing she didn't get hurt.  I had a very sharp scissors in my nightstand that was brand new{still in the package!}that she found and just started clipping away!  Her and her buddy Ryan also enjoyed plunking quarters down the register vent the other day!

"Are you talking about us...?"

Oh the joys of toddlers and puppy dogs!!

17 years ago...

We were married on a beautiful February day, much like today!   We were married in February, hoping to go to somewhere warm on our honeymoon and anniversaries.  Well, that hasn't happened since our honeymoon, but...maybe someday!  We are however, off celebrating this weekend and enjoying a few kid free days together!

Thank you Lord for another great year together!