2011 in review

With the new year having arrived, I see a lot of people choosing a "word of the year". I like the idea, but for me, it is easier to do so after the year is complete and I see how God has worked and moved in the lives of our family. Looking back through 2011, we will remember it as a year of "growth". Growth in numbers, growth in character, growth in faith, growth in leadership, growth in life experiences... we most certainly did some growing in 2011.

We started the year trying to prepare our hearts to say good bye to the beloved little girl that worked her way into each of our hearts after 12 months of living in our home. The idea of "handing her over" was more than we could bear and we shed tears often and tried to help our kids through the grief. It was a time when we were reminded that He is worthy of every sacrifice. We were to live for Him, no matter what the cost. We did our best to pray, "Not our will, but Yours, Lord..." but it was a daily struggle to submit to a plan that would break our hearts.


In the midst of the pain, we were also preparing for a little boy to join our family who was in need of a forever home. We faced some fears in regards to his condition, but God pulled us right through those, reminding us to be strong and courageous and not afraid, for He goes before us and He will be with us. If God placed this child in our care, He would equip us to meet his needs, however severe they might be. The baby nursery started taking on more of a boy look, though it continued to be our foster daughter's room while we awaited her court proceedings to conclude. On the day we learned the baby boy was born, we also learned that his mother had changed her mind and was going to try to parent him. We worked through some discouragement as our hopes and expectations of holding and loving this baby boy did not turn into reality, but we trusted in God's plan. Not until later would we know how God would use the story of this baby boy in the future of our family.

Before we knew it, the court proceedings for our foster daughter came to an end - with an unexpected and surprising ruling! Because of the time she spent in our care and the strong bond that existed, the courts determined that she should remain in our home and be adopted by our family! We had not gained the son that we were expecting, but we gained a daughter, against all odds! She is a gift we did not deserve, but we thank God every day that He chose us for her - our Carys Nicole whom we love passionately. She has grown into quite an opinionated and vivacious toddler who makes sure her voice is heard, as the youngest of 4. She also keeps us laughing and dancing as we go about our days. Her story will always remind us that God's power is above and beyond any earthly power - it is He who controls all things!!



In June, while still adjusting to the incredible news of our new daughter-to-be, we had yet another call for another precious little girl. It was the last thing on our minds at the time, but we could not say "no" to a vulnerable child waiting for a family to come and claim her. She struggled with the same life threatening issues as did the baby boy we had been expecting to join our family earler, and God had already done the work in our hearts to prepare us to say "yes". A part of our family she would become, for however long she would need us. She has brought such immeasurable joy to our home with her sweet cuddles and smiles. We celebrate every precious milestone she reaches all the more, as each one is a miracle in itself. Watching her grow has been such a celebratory journey. She is a priceless treasure, made in an amazing and wonderful way.


The boys grew in their roles as big brothers and took their job as "protectors" to their little sisters quite seriously. They can often be found growing their muscles by doing push ups and sit ups for their big new role. :) They also grew as little sports fans, learning names and numbers of the athletes of all professional sports teams and grew in their basketball, football and baseball skills as they played and practiced each sport throughout the year. No matter the weather, the boys can often be found in the back yard donning Packers or Brewers attire and playing hard!! The boys have also become great little readers and love to practice their new ability on their little sisters. We love it! They also grew into a much more loud and rambunctious stage of boyhood, which we hear is completely normal... but with the 2 of them to play off of one another... let's just say we grew a few more wrinkles and gray hairs this year.





God grew our sweet Ky's character through her first gymnastics injury and set back. We hope that the lessons she learned through her experience will carry her through life as she looks back and remembers that God can be trusted in all things and that His plans and purposes for our lives are greater than anything we could imagine. Though she has found her little brothers to be, at times, a little annoying (can't say we blame her - isn't that how little brothers are supposed to be?!) she has loved having the little girls in our home and loves to care for them and love on them. She is maturing into such a beautiful young lady. Her kindness and tender, gentle and gracious ways leave me wanting to be more like her.


Jim and I were able to do some growing of our own, adjusting to our role as parents of 5 as the biggest! We each also took on new leadership positions in our church. Jim's opportunity to travel to Togo this past summer helped grow him in many wonderful ways, including a reignited passion to lead our family in ways that have eternal value. It can be so challenging to be "in the world, but not of it" and I am so grateful for his leadership of our family.


We also celebrated our first decade of marriage together this year and remembered with tears of joy as well as pain the journey that God has brought us through in those 10 years. Through every challenge and triumph, He has always been there. I absolutely adore the man God gave me for life. One of my most favorite things to do these days is to find his gaze amidst the chaos and noise that frequents our home... and smile. No matter the frustrations of the moment, the clamor that diminishes our ability to hear one another in the same room, the spills and messes that surround us, the exhaustion we feel at the end of nearly every day, we know how very blessed we are. We are so grateful for the love, the life and the family God has trusted us with.