We have had such a wonderful time together over the past week. Time off and time as a family is so nice. As you can see we haven't really had a quiet moment but that is ok. Scott and I have slipped off for a date or two. It was my prayer that the kids really know why we celebrate Christmas. Sam and Katy are just beginning to understand the things of God since they spent their lives not knowing about Him. However and interesting fact is that Katy told me she prayed every birthday, or maybe more like a wish, but she used the word pray. She would pray for a family. She has her family now and is spending her first Christmas with us. She is soaking it all up.
I love the kids smiling faces and happy hearts. I love the fact that God used this family, with no special gifts or talents to love a child that had nothing. It is a true miracle. The bible talks about God giving us power. Not the super hero kind really, or maybe it is! There is no way we could have done what we have done without it. God has given us the power to do things that we never dreamed possible. We look back at the past 5 yrs and have to laugh. We have added 5 children in five years. Who could do that accept one injected with a reckless faith and complete power from God himself. I look into their eyes. All of them. Bio and adopted and am just amazed. I couldn't have dreamed this up in my best of dreams. Ok, now if you are thinking that things are easy and fun all of the time......well they aren't. We have kids from hard places. Kids who never knew real love until they came to us. They are learning, questioning, testing and healing. I have mentioned many times before that on most days we fall into bed at night in complete exhaustion. You cannot imagine how many socks this house wears in a week and the shoe buckets are over flowing. Oh and if that wasn't enough we added Sam's golden retriever to our family in December. Her name was Annie but I think we have all decided to rename her Chewy. She loves Barbies, Ugg boots, kids hair, clothes, fingers.....well just about everything but her really nice chew toys. I have heard screams from downstairs. There are at least 5 kids sitting on the very back of the couch while Annie, I mean Chewy, is trying to play. I think it is play but it looks more like attack to all of them. I have no idea what they will do when she realizes she can jump on the couch. hmmm.
We have ice skated, built gingerbread houses, sledded, watched movies, slept late and just relaxed. After the break is over we will jump right back into it all. High school basketball will be in full swing and Josh will begin college. Leah will be playing indoor soccer and on and on.
We are hanging on for the ride but if you wanted to send a prayer our way after you read this we would love it.
Meet Annie.
Josh's 20th Birthday.
We finally all have matching stockings. A very sweet patient of Scott's made them all. They are beautiful.
Sam showing his figure skating ability.
Gingerbread houses.
Golden Santa. Joel works at a thrift store and I visited a couple of times. I guess both times I commented on the golden santa....so guess what I got for Christmas. I love it.
Scott took the brave and adventurous ones sledding at Rocky Mountain National Park.
