Eagle Scout

Another shout out to Ryan (and Scott) for finally finishing his Eagle Scout project just in the nick of time. The project needed to be done by his 18th birthday and he finished the project on the 2nd of January. Then he had a lot of follow up paperwork and that is getting turned in today. Ryan organized a pinewood derby car race, and the entrance fee was a food donation to go to the Food Bank. He committed to bring in 1000lbs of food and came in almost to the exact pound.  He had a lot of help but Ryan did a good job organizing and running the event and collecting and delivering the food. Good Job Ryan!

Happy 18th Birthday

Really it is hard to believe that Ryan is 18. I remember thinking that he would never grow up. That he would be a little tornado running through my house forever. But I have to say that I have really loved having Ryan. He is a great kid. He was an easy teenager and he doesn't break as many things as he used to. He is sweet and caring and always is willing to help others out. He is a good brother and a great son. I am really proud of him. Thanks Ryan for teaching me patience and unconditional love. For teaching me that things are just things and can be replaced, that my house doesn't need to look perfect and that there is always something to explore and take apart. I have learned that I cannot change my children, I can only change myself.  Even when he was pushing my buttons or ignoring my good advice I have learned to have faith in my children. Faith in them and a little more compassion for myself. Life is about the journey life is an adventure and there is always time for one more run.

Six years

 Their first night in the US

It is hard to believe it has been six years since the Earthquake in Haiti changed our lives. I was talking to Destina about it last night and she started tearing up remembering how horrible that day was for her. She remembers details and feelings that have taken her years to figure out. It was truly the worst day of her life, in a life filled with nothing but hard times. She told me that she just prayed, she didn't have any religious upbringing but she had seen other praying and decided to to the same. She wasn't taught the importance of prayer she just had the desire to do more, to reach out. She is someone who knows that prayers are answered. She will often come to me and tell me that she prayed about something and her prayer was answered. She prayed that day, and her prayers were heard.  Yet, out of that tragedy where so many people lost their lives miracles happened. It was one of the worst weeks for me waiting to hear any piece of news, I was glued to the TV watching everything I could while waiting to find out if the kids were ok. Those horrific events opened the doors for us to bring out girls home. I had experiences that week that brought comfort to me that I knew the girls would be ok. In the middle of the night right before the earthquake I had the words of a song going through my head. When I woke up I had to search to figure out what song it was. How Firm A Foundation the second verse reads, "In every condition in sickness and in health, In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth, At home or abroad, on lad or the sea.." then part of verse 3 "Fear not I am with thee; oh be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid, I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand..I know this was an answer to my prayers. I don't remember song lyrics at all, so to have those words going through my mind was a miracle. During that week I often reflected back on the words of that song to get me through not knowing. Then the miracles and answers to our prayers that took Scott to Haiti and brought our girls home will never be forgotten. Heavenly Father was in the details of that ordeal. 
Sometimes we have to swim through the dark times, not knowing why but hanging onto faith that the light will come. That experience with the earthquake has taught me to keep going, even on my most horrible days, which don't even compare to that day. When life seems to be fighting against us, when things don't go our way. When expectations and dreams are not met, it is my faith that brings me through. Some days my faith feels waning, and I am unsure of my future but I rely on my faith and the hope that Heavenly Father is still in the details of my life and all this will be for my good.   I have to hang on to the hope that better days are out there and I need to do all I can to make the best of the trials, the miracle is around the corner. So many people died that day, yet over 1,000 children that were in the process of adoption were unharmed and were able to go to their forever homes. I will never forget the miracles that took place to bring our children home. When I am in doubt, or struggling because I think my prayers are going unanswered all I have to do is go back to that time and see how Heavenly Father turned tragedy into triumph, when we thought all was lost and that there was no way we were bringing our kids home, He made a way. I hold onto that faith that He will make a way for the miracles needed in my life, it might not happen in a week or a month but I trust in his timing and know that He can work miracles.

Christmas 2015

We started our morning out by opening presents after Tim and McKenzie came over. I am glad that there is still excitement over presents from the younger two children. Avrie is asking lots of questions about Santa and I am pretty sure by next Christmas she will have it figured out. We then had French toast croissants and our friend came over to join us. We never get tired of this breakfast. We all played the open a present, which is wrapped a million times, with oven mitts and spoons. I did a twist on the game this year and added several different kinds of candy and used a whole roll of saran warp to wrap it up. The game lasted longer and there were treats for everyone. Avrie got a microphone that hooks up to ta tablet or phone and she can sing along, that was a huge hit with her but Ryan gave me some dirty looks. We decided to try a new game that my sister and her husband’s family does.  We picked out a song to sing, we put the headphones on and sang our hearts out, and it was only funny when the ones that really can’t sing were singing. So I think I won the game I am the worst singer but I got the most laughs. My inner rock star came out although everyone said I sounded like a chain smoker.  There is video evidence. 

It was time for Tim and McKenzie to leave, we finished out the day playing games and working on a puzzle, and watching a movie. I made soup and rolls for dinner and it was a nice quite evening. Later Tim and McKenzie stopped by and Dustin and Chloie and Dustin’s kids they talked while the kids played for a while. We missed Katie and Jayden it was a little different without them there.

The next morning we woke up way too early and drove to Yakima to visit Scott’s parents and brother’s and their families. We thought the drive would take longer than it did but we made good time and arrived just in time for breakfast. We played pinochle, and spoons, ate dinner opened presents and talked. It was soon time to leave and make the drive back home. It was fun to see everyone and have a Christmas day with Scott’s family.