Sharing our family's faith and adventures in homeschooling, adoption and running the race to win! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:39:00 -0600 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:39:00 -0600 ...to find out more visit my current blog http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com We have switched programs from our agencies Guatemalan program, to their Ethiopian, due to the current situation in Guatemala with adoptions.  After 2 years of waiting, God allowed us to change courses (for now anyway).  We signed our contract with All God's Children International (our agency) last week.  And now are just waiting on our new dossier to arrive-once again paperwork! We are excited and can't wait to get the the referral stage! blessings to you! The above sign was hand designed by my talented friend Hallie...the hearts go up to the #12, as she knows our hearts. Kimmie mama to 6 one homemade and 5 adopted     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/477336/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:39:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/477336/ Just wanted to pop in, in case anyone drops by and thinks that this place is abandoned.   I do most of my blogging now at:  http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com We are adopting again...#26 on All God's Children Internationals waiting list (for a girl)...come check us out!                                                                     Kimmie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/380824/ Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:51:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/380824/ Just popping in for a moment...we are back from camping in New Hampshire and 4 days of attending the Soulfest (Christian Music Festival held outside at a ski resort). Two large tents a screened room for eating a large raccoon or bear (?) a crash in the screen house the first night and a missing box of Grapenuts cereal the next morning (my husband went out to investigate in the wee hours, only to see eyes darting back in forth in the woods...and loud heavy footsteps...DON'T BE SCARED!) beautiful weather...not a lick of rain and we have the tan to prove it! a lovely lake canoe trip to an island to pick cup fulls of wild blueberries a man we dubbed, "the snoring guy." Who should win an award for being able to make sounds like a grizzly bear...all night long. (well for 6 of our 7 nights) picnics everyday a crackling blazing fire and an ancient book on Charles Spurgeon which I finally got to crack open. well behaved children tons of laundry to do and a trailer full of odds and ends to empty ....Thank you God!   Now for those of you who have children (or know children ;-) I have a sweet friend who has a wonderful online shop full of all sorts of helpful books. Her shop is as lovely as she is, perhaps some of you could use a little something to add to this years curriculum. Her shop, Blue Thistle Books is well organized and certainly you will find just the thing that will make your heart sing. You will just love Hallie and her books...check out her blog after you browse around her bookshop. I am thinking that some of these books would make EXCELLENT Christmas gifts. She has a sale going on and also a giveaway at her website...check it out! *a hint about the giveaway...it has to do with machinery and sugar...well I guess the sugar is optional on your part, but hey- you'll have to go see it for yourself!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/369311/ Tue, 7 Aug 2007 09:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/369311/ We are busy with all the summer activities...my two oldest are due home tonight from a mission trip to W. Virginia-home for less than 24 hours and we zoom off on a family camping trip.  Looking forward to fires and reading time-hitting the Soulfest in NH for 4 days...maybe I'll see you there!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/364115/ Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/364115/ Though I am now at: http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com I am going to post that we are currently in "paperstage" of an adoption to Guatemala!  We are working on our homestudy and trying to get everything in by the end of this month.  (as you can imagine the papers are flying!) If you have any questions on adoption feel free to ask...not that I have all of the answers, but I'd be happy to try ;-) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/337853/ Mon, 4 Jun 2007 11:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/337853/   http://www.5minutesformom.com/1477/mothers-day-giveaway Just wanted to share this contest, in case any of you are inclined to try to win a shiny pink ipod.     Hoping it will be me, as my oldest won an ipod awhile back at her youth group~ for being the only kid out of the 80 kids present that had never played an organized sport. (you go girl!)   She uses it and enjoys it...would love to have one to be able to listen to bible studies as I am cleaning or doing laundry (which is constant here!)  Anyhow...check it out, you don't need to blog to enter.  May God bless you!     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/324985/ Mon, 7 May 2007 08:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/324985/ I am currently working on cutting and pasting my blog at homeschoolblogger over to blogspot at Blogger.  I am moving in hopes of sharing my family's story (our testimony) with more people.  Would love to have you join me! My new address is: http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com Come over and visit...let me know what you think...don't be a 'lurker!' with much love and an excited spirit! Kimmie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/321968/ Tue, 1 May 2007 08:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/321968/ Women should not have children after 35; thirty-five children are enough. - anonymous    Or maybe  not!    Kimmie ~with the heart of the mother of many...living in a world that doesn't understand I think a family is as many as God will send. I am a blessed woman with secondary infertility who now gets the priveledge of raising 6 children for Him. **********************************************************************   We are babysitting for another foster care family...conversation this afternoon at my house King Meemer (4 and recently adopted by us)-Do we have to give this baby back to her mother soon? (he meant the baby's foster mom) Me- Yes, the baby is only staying until Monday. King Meemer- Well, I am going to be angry! (Only God could send me such a son-his younger brother King Bonkie (3) has done nothing but Kiss the baby and ask when we can have a baby too.) ********************************************************************** ....waiting on God's timing, crying out for Him to make a way for our baby to come to us quickly...wherever our baby may be.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/317059/ Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/317059/  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether  Recently  I came across a blog that really moved me, inspired me and has made me want to change some things I do around here-home.  I wish I could say that this woman was my friend, but alas, we haven't exchanged any words.  Regardless I am thankful for her gifts and talents to shine into my end of the world.      Her blog is so inspiring to me-there is a lot about beauty, life, breathing deep and enjoying the moment.  It is also filled with orderliness and the simplicities of running a beautiful home for our mates and our families.        My home is normally clean, but as I come from a line of  'neat freaks'  (sorry~you know who you are!)  and I seem to have not acquired quite so much of this gene, you know enough to care, but not enough to be consumed by it (well except for holidays ;-(  or large gatherings...though I can hear my children say, "No Mama, it is everyday with you too!"   It seems that I am always cleaning or tidying, but honestly I have gotten some new ideas and new inspirations from my new friend.  I have been praying for a mentor, perhaps this cyber thing is what God has in mind for now, I think it will be good-until God decides to bless me with a face to face mentor friend, you know someone who will take you under their wing and gently teach you how. (with love and grace!)           Now I don't think  I am being covetous, I love my life, my home, my family, but seeing into someone else's everyday somehow can make us take a look at how we are spending our time and give us the gift of vision into how we can tweek this or that to move closer to the vision we see in our mind of our lives.                Now this girl sews (and perhaps is brilliant!)...I have dabbled in sewing, but alas, have a much better time praying my desire into a thrift shop.  Sewing makes me weepy, makes my family sad and ends up being a project my dear Knight needs to step into to save me from myself.  Something about those directions, funny, it is the same way with teachers manuals (LOL, not really laughing, cuz its true!)  I'd like to get better at it though, so maybe I will try to sew Princess Marna a new spring dress-she'd be so thrilled, as she has never had anyone dote over her in such a way. Life was hard for her, but NOW God has begun her days of blessing and favor, a new forever family!  With a Mama who is willing to walk to the edge of a cliff for her (even if it is with the sewing machine that was my husband's grandmother's in my hand!) Maybe it's a new Hallmark card, 'Cares enough to attempt sewing yet again !'          Hmmm,  sounds lovely, please pray for me, as I'd like to avoid the sobbing stage of sewing!     Much thanks and a full and grateful heart from the blessings of God...                                                                                                    Kimmie Ephesians 5:1-4  Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.   *if you want to check out my friend's website....it is                                                                           Pleasant View Schoolhouse   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/315541/ Tue, 17 Apr 2007 06:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/315541/  ♦up early to put an expander in my dd (12) mouth, in prep for braces (Dr. cancelled due to no electricity, try again early tomorrow morning!)    * should have prayed for straight teeth when we were praying for our "to-be-adopted" children! (hindsight is 20/20!)   ♦homeschool-5 of the 6 children ( the 3 year old wants nothing to do with school, besides being read to)   ♦lapbook on worms (dd ages 8 and 12)   ♦made two batches of soap in the barn   ♦took some soap that needed to be rebatched and made some much needed laundry soap (added bergamot essential oil-heaven!)   ♦cooked a double batch of pudding for dessert   ♦cleaned the pantry closet   ♦had (dd 16) clean the junk drawer in the kitchen   ♦lectured two of my dd's (who shall remain nameless) on the importance of "obeying your parents in the Lord" when it comes to completing their school lessons.   ♦talked with my mom for a bit- she lost power and we prayed for her freezer full of food!   ♦made a date with an old friend to get together Friday morning- she hasn't seen our house yet- so she is coming over with her 17 month old daughter.   ♦prayed on and off all day for a dear friend who is struggling with her health, presently she isn't able to walk.    ♦fed kids candy out of drawers and the pantry (good mama right?)             http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/315344/ Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/315344/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether                                                                     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/314822/ Sun, 15 Apr 2007 16:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/314822/   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether    This morning while I was driving my youngest to preschool,  I remembered something my Mama told me when I was very little.  I am not sure why it popped into my head again this morning, but it gave me a moment of contemplation.   ...(my Mama's voice)  "Kimmie, to have a friend you have to BE a friend."    The process of "be" is something I continue to put effort into, lately there hasn't been enough "friend" time for me, I have been very family focused and am missing my friends.    If I have neglected you, forgive me, know that I care for you and that you are important to me.  I am learning so much, as God is stretching me.  I am hopefully 'being'  transformed more into His likeness, and hopefully that will make me a better friend.     I so appreciate a kind word from a friend, a word of encouragement, a word that edifies and builds up- I enjoy doing those things for my friends, thank you for also doing them for me.                                                              (((((((HUGS)))))))))                                           A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverb 18:24 In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want. Irish Proverb What is a friend? I will tell you it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself. Frank Crane A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway. Fr. Jerome Cummings http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/313848/ Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:14:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/313848/  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether                                  I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do.                                               Willa Cather (1873-1947)     O Pioneers~ 1913 The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.                                                                                       Ralph Waldo Emerson   The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more.                                                                                       Ralph Waldo Emerson   I think I shall never see A poem as lovely as a tree, A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.                                      Joyce Kilmer   1886-1918,  Trees                                                      Today, as I ran some errands I noticed the saddest tree that I have ever seen.                                                                                   It was born to be a majestic silvery pine, it had seen a lot of life and perhaps many changes in its surroundings, during its God given life. I venture to say it was at least 40 years old, if not more and its tippity-top and lower trunk were perfectly straight.  However, it's girth bowed to the left and then it tried to bend back as it originally grew, somehow it failed and now the tree appeared to be greatly marred.   Around its roots lay all the trash the wind could hold, it had blown from the parking lot across the street and reached its destiny at the foot of this crippled pine. I think somehow this mighty tree had grown curious as to what lay across the street, as it grew it began to lean towards where the 'action' was.  Behind this giant lay a field of gold, mingled with the debry of tossed, no longer wanted items, that had managed to slip from someones fingers or perhaps was carelessy dropped.          How often that happens in this world we live in,  we forget the direction we were made to grow in, we fail  to aim straight at the purpose and plan God has for our lives~we bend and twist in our own desires and fail to become who God destined us to be.  We become careless and fall into the trap of the world.        Lord, help me to not sway to the right or the left, bowing or straining to reach all this world has to offer, but set my path to bring you honor.           How few people walk in your ways, stay rooted and established in your word and your desires.  There are so many who are spiritually dead or sleeping.  Father, we need your help to grow from faith to faith and glory to glory.  Make straight our way, helping us to fix our lives, our minds, our hearts (mind, body, soul and spirit) on You.                                                The godly are like trees that bear life giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise.    Proverbs 11:30          A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God shaped life is a flourishing tree.  Proverbs 11: 28 (The Message)               Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the  water.  Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right  on producing delicious fruit.                                                                             Jeremiah 17:7-8 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/312249/ Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/312249/                              http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether  The week before Easter we took a morning off of our traditional school to do some baking.  I spent time first with my 2nd daughter making french bread, then with my 3rd daughter, we made a multigrain bread, then with my two bread loving sons we created a oatmeal honey raison bread.    The kitchen got a little floury, but we ended up with three delicious loaves of bread. YUM!     I did teach them with a measuring cup- though I told them that isn't how I normally do it.  I explained that I just eye it and that bread dough, in particular, is very forgiving.    After we mixed it all up in our bowl and got a good size ball out of our mixture.  I plopped it down on to our floured counter and showed them how to knead it.  They loved the  kneading, though this is the hardest part of making bread dough from scratch, as your forearms get tired.  The "chant" for the girls was...'push, turn (clockwise), Come to Mama, push, turn, Come to Mama!'   (this is where we pulled the top portion in to push it into the center of the dough wad.)  The chant for the boys was...'push, turn, 'come to Papa!' , repeat for about 10 minutes until your dough feels soft and bounces back...like a wee baby's bottom!  You can imagine the giggles that arose from our kneading session.    We needed a shirt change when we were finished...but what fun we had!                                               'Come to Papa!' I think even Kings and Princess' should learn how to bake an authentic homemade loaf of bread!  Right?                Princess Sunshine eating her multigrain bread the next day for lunch. I think we are hoping to get in some more baking time before the weather gets to nice here...soon it will be time for the royal family to learn how to pull weeds in their mama's royal gardens!  (The bread will taste extra yummy after an afternoon of weeding and mulching) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/311621/ Mon, 9 Apr 2007 14:02:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/311621/ trecho {trekh'-o} TDNT Reference Root Word TDNT - 8:226,1189 apparently a primary verb (properly, threcho, cf 2359), which uses dremo {drem'-o} (the base of 1408) as alternate in certain tenses Part of Speech v Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to run a) of persons in haste b) of those who run in a race course 2) metaph. a) of doctrine rapidly propagated b) by a metaphor taken from runners in a race, to exert one's self, strive hard c) to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something d) word occurs in Greek writings denoting to incur extreme peril, which it requires the exertion of all one's effort to overcome www.blueletterbible.org htttp://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether    I love words- there is great joy for me to see the meaning of a word and thus be able to apply it to my life.      My Knight and I are definitely running a race, to be honest, we have been running pretty much non-stop for the past 11 years.   Perhaps before that we began to set the course, perhaps we walked out the course, gingerly enjoying the scenery around us.  However, when we began our adoption of 'Princess Sparky'  (our Hungarian beauty) (12) our pace picked up and since then our life truly has been at "run" pace.       I enjoy the "run", when I lived in my previous house I started running (funny, that is when our first adoption started).  When I ran I prayed, I longed to find time to run-as I ran I spoke to my Father, many times he spoke to me.  It was very intimate, something I began to crave.  As I ran I began to 'plot' how I could make my run longer, how I could add to my time of prayer.  I began to rack up the miles each week- the same is true in my spiritual run as a believer.        I love the "go" of the race-I love it when you get into the rhythm of the run-it becomes poetry.  But first you have to work past the cramps, the pain, the urge to quit and stop the run.  It requires determination mentally and physically, also true of our lives as believers.        Presently Bruce and I are 'plotting" our race's course- we have BIG decisions to make in regards to our current adoption.  I am living so my life is in rhythm with my Maker, the Holy Spirit guides me on the path, as I align my will (by surrender) to His.   The race is heavily blanketed with prayer as we set our eyes on following our leader the Holy Spirit, who fearlessly goes before us, marking the Way!  How exciting to set pace with God's perfect and pleasing will (it's like running and seeing the most beautiful sights as you glide past, enjoying them as they pass before your eyes anew-never knowing what grand exchange will occur at your next turn in the road).    May He receive the glory!                     Kimmie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/308680/ Tue, 3 Apr 2007 15:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/308680/    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether            My afternoon was shadowed by my wee son vomiting.  He calls to me from upstairs that his stomach hurt and that he just threw up.  A tender moment, when his pain was real he called to me, a few months back he would have called his sister, all of 5,  who would have cared for him in her 5 year old ability.    There I stood, cleaning up after him and asking him if he was okay.  He said he was, but opted out later for dinner.     Several hours later I sat on the couch, my stomach hurting.  He came up to me and slipped his head on my chest.  He kissed my cheek and asked me if I was okay.  He slipped his tiny hand in my shirt, trying to reach my tummy.  He offered his 3 year old comfort.  He left briefly and when he came back, he stopped and leaned and touched my barefoot...he looked up into my eyes and then leaned in again and kissed the top of my foot.      Only God could have sent me such a prince-my heart is full, though my tummy still hurts.  (I'll leave the part out about my new 5 year old daughter watching her baby brother ,then coming and licking my big toe...ehww! )  (which she though was the cleverest thing!) She must be related to my husband-they are SOOOO alike!  The funny part is that I am not a "feet" person-ask my sister in law who tries to get me to go with her for a pedicure....just the thought creeps me right out!        Not sure what it was about, but I think it was their way of saying I love you!                                                           http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307950/ Sun, 1 Apr 2007 19:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307950/                                                         http://homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether                               Over the course of time, as some of you already know, I have suffered from infertility.  Truly an ugly word, my doctors polished it up and called it ,"secondary infertility"...to describe that I had birthed one child, but no longer had that ability, for whatever reason.      Recently in prayer God directed me to Isaiah 54...it used that ugly word, not infertility, but BARREN.  It used to be awful if someone used that word within my earshot, if my Pastor used the word in his message I would find myself holding back the tears, often a few would sneak past, as I tried to squeeze the others into their secret hiding place.     The word barren is so cold, so empty, so hopeless, so heavy and weighty to me.  In the beginning I refused to accept it, but as time wore on and a few years became many, actually I stopped counting as it was just to painful to consider myself as truly barren.      Now I can't explain to you the longing my heart has had for a baby, it is deep and it never goes away.  I have prayed and asked God to remove the desire from me, but it continues to grow stronger, sometimes it grips me to the point  that I think I will wash away with the tears.            My last four adoptions have not been babies, though they were what God had for us, His will, not mine.  Before my 'three' joined us,  we actually got down to #1 on our agency's waiting list, got the phone call for 2 infant boys and after prayer, realized that they were not ours.  Again I had to pack up my dream, dismantle the newly painted crib and walk the path which God had for me.  My youngest four needed a mama and papa, though they didn't come teeny-tiny...(God did send the boys in diapers..so I got to potty train ;-)  -they became my babies,big babies mind you, but babies...however my heart still longs for a baby to hold and rock, to nurse, to burb, to wipe the spit-up off their cheek-I have a closet full of cloth diapers waiting.   Can't explain it-don't think I will try.     Again Bruce and I are on a new adventure (my husband terms it season), I hope God will answer my prayer for a baby.  I know regardless that he will bind up my heartaches and hold me close.  You see I know his plans for me are for my good, truly His desire is what I want- I need to surrender mine and trust him to lead me down paths of righteousness for his namesake.  I am praying for strength, for sometimes my heart feels weak, I wonder how many more tears will fall and why.  Sometimes the Why's don't get answered this side of heaven, I know that, but I keep asking Him.   Is. 54 :1-3 (though I recommend reading the entire chapter!) “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married (not barren),” says the Lord. 2“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. http://www.blueletterbible.org      Hmm, time to enlarge myself (by the grace of God, of course).  The Holy Spirit has been whispering it to me for months now..."Enlarge yourself, enlarge yourself."   At first I was angry when I heard, "enlarge yourself"-it meant surrender, to which I thought I had. I thought my surrender was enough, but God is requiring more.  I have surrendered the anger, confessed it to God and now I am ready to again release ~ not holding back, my life, my desires and trust in God's plan.                      New surrender-for a new season, let's GO!  I covet your prayers, help me not be a "weanie" but a warrior for Him.* (Doug your term 'weanie' has deeply influenced my life! ha!)  In His arms; Kimmie   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307818/ Sun, 1 Apr 2007 19:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307818/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether                    How blessed we are to have such a thoughtful Pastor (actually we have 4 thoughtful Pastors!) that they would take the time to send us a beautiful bouquet of flowers in celebration of our 3 new additions!  Just wanted to share the bouquet and let you all enjoy it and rejoice once again with us!                  Ain't God wonderful!                                                                     ps- thanks Michelle, I am sure you made it extra special for us!  We love it and will enjoy the thoughtfulness and time that went into our blessing.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307148/ Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/307148/  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether Psalm 32:11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!   This is the 'countdown calendar' we used to help the kids anticipate our big day!  They really got into it, Princess Sunshine (8 year old daughter) donated all her stickers for each days count off. My oldest Pirate Jacky (16dd) made the calendar- the magnets are a cheesy craft we made, though King Meemer is very proud of his green bear (he is 4 and even I am impressed by his patterning skills!)   Celebration and testimony for our cul-de-sac neighborhood!   The gorgeous adoptee-s!  Very Happy- and all spiffed up.  King Meemer wanted to be 'shiny' for adoption day.   Papa is taking the pre-adoption ceremony pictures, so alas he is missing from this new family photo      Blessings from our friends Doug and Michelle and also from the kids social worker Kerri        Princess Sunshine (8) made a cake for her 3 new siblings-she did a wonderful job and was so delighted to have a part in the celebration! She generously gave her "sprinkles" to make the cake extra special for them The official adoption-woman on the right is the kid's social worker Kerri-truly a gem among workers!  The day ended rather late -my Knight had an indoor soccer game with our church youth group at 10:30 pm -I tagged along, as I missed all the other games.  As we were chatting on the way to the facility about how amazing it was that we REALLY had 6 children, and two sons!   I am amazed-one homemade daughter,  3 adopted daughters, along with 2 adopted sons-God is so good to me!  My final comment to the day- " Honey, we should do this (adoption) more often!"                         Celebrating on a field trip (post adoption) to the aquarium-are they cute or what! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/305653/ Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:08:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/305653/                                                                                                             I have a fascination with trees, I don't know really when it began, but would venture to guess that my parents were the ones that planted the seed of this great love, which I continue to carry within my heart.  Funny what our parents give to us, sometimes it is our humor, our smile, our complexion, our eyes...sometimes through love it's deposited over time and it inbeds itself into our very souls.     My love for trees was definitely deposited over time, it began in early childhood with walks with my mother.  I remember walking down our street, there were these huge pine trees, magnificient white pines, that I just would look up at with such eyes of amazement.  I couldn't believe anything could be so tall or so mighty-I imagined that they touched the entrance of heaven.  It made me feel safe and loved, as I sat in the pile of fallen pine needles-a rusty orange bed of pine scented wonder.  My mother would stop to let me rest, before we either took the corner or started our walk back to our home.  I must have been 3 1/2 or 4 years old- as I remember it was before I was in school and we were pushing a stroller (my sweet baby sister).      I always loved getting to those trees-it was like they were waiting for me.  We passed other trees on the way, some much larger, one group of pines that didn't have the overhanging low branches in which to hide and rest under, the others were close to the elementary school's boundary fence-not nearly as cozy or inviting, somehow all to open and lacking 'my trees beauty.'  I still can stir up the joy that I felt as a wee little lass sitting under the pines with my mother's watchful eye guarding me.  Life was good, no troubles, no worries, no stresses.   My parents continued to take me to places filled with wonderful trees-parks, woods, dark forests...my Hungarian papa and my sweet American mama both loved the great outdoors.   My papa even cut two very long branches that would hold my weight and attached them way up high, between two pine trees in our yard.  I would have to straddle the branches and swing myself gymnast style, if I wanted to cross 'the bridge'  to the other tree. I remember the first time I attempted the trip across those branches-my heart all aflutter at the distance to cover and the earth so far below my dangling legs.  I would be all pine tar sticky when I came in at days end, but had a heart full of joy and arms strong by the task. Eventually the branches lost their strength and my weight became to much of a burden for them, a sad day it was when I could no longer linger between earth and sky. The trees stood as a reminder-time continued on.  Trees were my friends, constant through my childhood.     My papa made a play area in our garage loft, he added a ladder out of some old boards (reminders of trees) he had-he carved into them..."Up we go, but hold on good!" Carved by his artistic hand into the heart of those old tree boards.  We would play up there...   until a time came when storage was needed and a tree fort beckoned my name!   My dear dad then built us a treehouse in the wooded area behind our home.  It was way up in the trees, my mama must have been having heart attacks!  He made us a ladder and let us go up as we pleased, I felt so peaceful in my home among the trees. I spent a lot of time thinking up in those trees, pondering the land, the trees, my family and my home-imagining my future.  Life was good.   Today you can find me in the woods anytime I have a free moment.     My heart was so joy-filled when God gave us this new home (well we have almost been here for 2 years, but it is new still to us)- in preparation for the adoptions we would be doing.  He told us we needed to move, as we would need the space for what was yet to come.  When Bruce and I walked the property my heart nearly burst-trees, trees, more trees!  We told our real estate agent that we were so thrilled that our kids would have woods to play in.  She smiled, maybe she love trees too! As I look at our yard, our home is nestled in a total surround by trees, as if our home was in the meadow that lay in the midst of the arms of our very own forest.     My oldest  daughter,(who now wants me to call her Pirate Jackie and her best friend Pirate Will (amina)-as they plan to someday marry pirates in a dual ceremony -I guess she is outgrowing her nickname of King Bob of the Wiflesnorfs,sigh!) recently came back from Ireland.  My knight who accompanied her on her journey, said she spent a lot of time photographing trees.  As she shared her best moments that she had captured on her digital camera, my heart skipped a beat, as frame after frame were pictures of ancient trees.  God is so good-sometimes our children inherit our hearts.    Of course we know who formed the trees, it is Him we give thanks to, it is He who deserves our praise.  We don't worship the trees, but we are thankful that He shared them with us.  Trees remind me of His Power, Strength, Beauty and Love-they remind me also of the cross, my Jesus -and his never ending love for me.  Life indeed is rich and good!                                                  Isaiah   55:11-12                  It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.    You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/304667/ Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/growingalongtogether/304667/