i have a boy who loves me

My son believes wholeheartedly that I can do no wrong. Though I've given him example after example to show him that is not the truth, he quickly takes the blame for any mishaps and declares my perfection. Seriously. How he is blinded to my many faulty steps I take before him is beyond me.

According to my Kaden...

... my food and cooking are the best that there is. He declares it upon every snack, meal and treat he consumes. "No one cooks as good as you, Mom!" To him it is a simple fact that cannot be debated - we've tried.

... I am the best mom in all the world. He tells me often how nice and kind and loving I am. He thanks me often for being his mom and states proudly, "I'm so glad that God made me your kid!"

... I am beautiful. He calls me lovely, beautiful, amazing. He smothers me with hugs and loves to cuddle with me. He greets me often with, "How is my lovely mother today?" And tells me frequently that I look beautiful.

... I am a hard, hard worker. It actually bothers him that I "have to" work so much and he gets to play so much. He is my most willing chore-doer and my most eager helper and my hardest worker. If this mama needs a job done, I know who to call!

... I get all the credit for his life. "Thank you so much for deciding to marry Daddy and no one else because I really like being alive!"

... my disappointment in him is earth shattering. As a kid who is quite impulsive in his words (saying things like "that's freakin' weird" to dinner guests and "what's up peeps?" to his friends, classmates and siblings) I do often have to express my disappointment in his word choices. He quickly tears up with remorse and authentically apologizes. And I had better respond quickly with hugs and words of love or else he'll think I've rejected his apology and no longer want him living in our home!!

... my whereabouts in another 10 years will determine where he will go to college. He wants to be close to me always, close enough to visit me often when he's in college. He also states that he will visit me when I'm old and in a wheel chair too. I will take it!

I undoubtedly treasure these moments... these fleeting, priceless words. I know it won't be long until his eyes are opened to my many faults, when I am the farthest thing from "perfect" in his world. Oh how I cherish today and this little boy who loves me.

show-n-tell

It is impossible not to love our sweet little Elle. All who have met her have been drawn to her smiles, cuddles, giggles and gentle, content manner. She loves people and will flash her million dollar smile the moment we enter the room. Every member of our family, from daddy to toddler, is proud of our baby girl. It was no surprise when each of the boys asked if they could please bring her to show and tell to share with their classmates. She visited Colson's class first and he told them shyly about her and made her giggle for all to see (no one can do it like Colson!). When he was asked what 'foster care' was, he looked at me and allowed me to explain. But when a child stated, "so, she's not really your sister then, is she?" I was surprised when Colson adamantly declared, "Yes, she is!" Though I took no offense whatsoever to this child's innocent, honest question, my Colson was defensive of his very important role. Melt my heart.

When Elle visited Kaden's class, it was another experience completely. He giddily held her while he sat criss-cross-applesauce in the circle. He jumped up excitedly during his turn and talked all about her and everything she could do. When a child again asked what foster care was, I expected to explain it as I had in Colson's class, but there was no need. Kaden went right on to explain, "Well, first you have to sign up. And then, you have to take a lot of tests. If you pass all the tests then they put you a list and they start calling you and we always say "yes!" and go pick up our baby girls in the hospital!" So very matter-of-fact. So very Kaden.

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.

kaden's first love

While his twin brother had his life plans laid out by the the tender age of 3, my Kaden just couldn't quite figure out who he would marry or what he would make of his life. This fact bothered him and made him feel "behind" his brother. He would always resign to "just marry mommy because I love her!" Awww, thanks bud.

One can imagine his excitement when he finally found a young lady with whom he wanted to marry, at the age of 6 and a half. Out of the blue during a waffle breakfast on a lazy Saturday morning, he declared to all, "Yes! I finally know whom I'm going to marry! Hey, Kylee - will you come to my wedding?" I appreciated his fine choice of a sweet little girl of some friends of ours, but informed him that he needed the father's permission first to be allowed to marry her. "Well then, I'll talk to him and I'll get all dressed up in wedding clothes too!" He chose the words by himself, and practiced multiple times throughout the day. He even allowed me to video one of his rehearsals, with his chosen attire on as well.

The next day he got himself dressed up and we ran into the young lady's father in the hallway at church. He grew a little shy when attention was drawn to his tie and suit coat, but when the father knelt at Kaden's eye level, he was able to mumble through the words he wanted to say. I believe the father was taken a little off guard, but he was very kind in his response. "Well, that would be nice, but let's wait another 20 years or so. She does really like you guys and talks about you a lot." Kaden smiled big as we walked away. Upon joining the family in the van, my confident son gave a report, "Well, I have to wait like 20 years, but otherwise, she likes me!!"

all their bags are packed

they're ready to go!

This time last year, I was an emotional mess! I couldn't believe my "babies" were starting school and felt that I had come to an end of an era... and one that I loved dearly. However, little did I know what God had in store for me at that time. As my boys headed off to school, God blessed our home by adding 2 more precious little girls, and I am ever so grateful. It certainly made the first day of school a little less overwhelming for me this year! I never enjoy having the kids out of the home, but we are so incredibly blessed to live in an area with fantastic schools and we couldn't be more pleased with the education they are receiving.

Colson in Mrs. Bastian's 1st grade class
first day of school rating 4/10 (because he missed his mommy)
with the removal of the mommy factor, his first day of school earned a 7/10

Kylee in Mrs. Traylor's 3rd grade class
first day of school rating 9/10, the only deduction being that her classroom is now upstairs and with a cast, she got very tired with frequent trips up and down the stairwell.

Kaden in Mrs. Kaminsky's 1st grade class
first day of school rating 1/10. He couldn't find his locker, felt like he didn't know what he was doing, is separated from his brother and best bud, and they didn't even want to play soccer with him at recess. Yep, this mama cried. (the next day, however, earned a 10/10, but there is much fluctuation with this little guy this year - definitely having the hardest time adjusting!)

Here's to the remainder of the 2011/2012 school year!
May it be full of adventure, growth, learning and new friendships and experiences!

summer whirlwind

I cannot believe that summer has come and gone already!! I truly am shocked - it feels as though I merely blinked and the "lazy" summer months were over. However, because I'm a bit of a photo fanatic, I know that I have captured many cute kids living a lot of life in the last couple months, so more time must have passed than I dare to accept.

We started our summer with a wonderful visit from Jim's parents. It was so, so, so nice to see them and spend time with them. Though they had met her several times before, this was the first time that they were able to embrace Carys as their new granddaughter - it was a beautiful sight!!

We had so much fun!

Two days after their departure, our precious Elle arrived in our home. When I think of her, I just think "Joy". I am not going to lie, I felt rather trepidacious driving to the hospital to pick her up on that warm afternoon in June, wondering how on earth I would be able to give enough of "me" to each of the little ones in my home. However, we could not deny the fact that this little one needed a home, so we pushed on, trusting God to equip us. Oh my, has He ever!!! He has sustained us day by day, giving us the energy, strength, stamina and JOY to meet the needs of those He has placed in our care. There has been so much love and I have melted many times as I see all the tiny hearts in our home completely embrace the newest little addition.

A week after our baby girl arrived, Daddy departed to Togo, West Africa for 2 weeks. What an incredible experience he had. They made much progress on the Hospital of Hope as they worked alongside incredible Togolese men. Jim has said that their contentment and gratitude in life, despite what little they had, as well as their amazing work ethic left indelible marks upon his life. I am so grateful that Jim got to go and be forever changed.

(he's the white guy in the back with a black hat)

The kids loved hearing Daddy's stories of his time in Togo! One of their favorites, however, that has been repeated multiple times by them, is that the Togolese people are so used to HOT weather (Jim was working in the 120's!) that when it gets as low as 90, they start pulling out hats and jackets!! I cannot imagine! Well, the kids couldn't either, so the next 90 degree day we had, they wanted to try it out for themselves. :)

Have I mentioned how much I love these kids of mine?!?!

We had such a wonderful reunion with Jim when he returned. What a wonderful husband and daddy we have been given!

Two weeks later, Daddy's work took him away to Spain, for yet another 2 weeks. The kids were devastated!! However, already on the calendar prior to any knowledge of such work travels, was a planned trip from my mom, Nana, to visit us. It came at perfect timing and we so enjoyed our time with Nana!!

The kids had chosen many activities over the summer, so we did some of this:

and this:

and this:

and this:

lots of this:

and lots of this:


got to spend some time playing with the "grandmas":

got to cheer daddy on in his first wiffle ball tournament:

were able to make a Brewers game:



and when we weren't running around playing,
we got to enjoy our wonderful, big backyard!!

Near the end of summer, we got to deal with our first family bone break and all the ramifications that go along with it. It is still impossible to keep this girl down!

What a full summer season we had!!! Now onto fall, my most favorite season of all!!! :)