All the Way from California

We had visitors for the past week. My dear friend, Lisa came to visit with her new baby, Chase, and his big brother Skye. Lisa comes about once a year, and we love it when she's here. Skye plays great with Julianna and Spencer, and everyone doted on the baby. Of course, I'm running on very little sleep as our only real "talking time" is late at night after the seven little ones settle down for the night.
Lisa and I met about thirteen years ago when her husband (only her fiance´at the time) came to CrossWay looking for a church. Even though they only attended CrossWay for a few months, we became fast friends and have kept in touch through the years... maintaining a long distant friendship while they lived in Texas and now in California.
I miss my friend, but I am so grateful for her dedication to our relationship and willingness to travel many, many hours with two small boys just to see me.
I love you Lis! Thank you for coming!

Retreat

For those of you who have been wondering where I have been, we just got back from a Pastors' Retreat in Bryson City, NC. Had a wonderful time making memories as a team.
Thank you to all who served us here with childcare. We literally could not do what we do without each of you...
A few pictures...





And if you want to see MORE pictures of this fun event (isn't that why everyone's visits these blogs??? For the pictures???)... go to Jeanie's, Reba's, or Jess's blogs too... : )

The Cross Centered Life

Cousins : )

One of the things I love about adoption is, of course, the extension of our family! My brother, and his wife and son came over last night to have dinner with us. You may recognize Nicholas from the adoption slideshow presentation I posted last week. Nicholas is adopted too. Isn't he cute?! : )
I often think about the difficulties associated with adoption, primarily the unfathomable loss it represents for the birthfamily. However, I also think about cousins Nicholas, Benjamin (my sister, Gail's son) and Charlie (John's brother's son). They would not be family apart from the loving sacrifices each one of their birthfamilies made. I may never comprehend it, but we are thankful, and totally in love with these precious children. November is National Adoption Month. Can I ask each of you to say a prayer today, for each of my children's birthfamilies, as well as Nicholas's, Benjamin's, and Charlie's? Thank you. : )

Blog Happy

Don't be surprised when several days go by without a single post. Whenever I have a major project to do (i.e. CAS slideshow) I have to limit my time on here. : ) But now that that's done... check out this old video I just found of Bidgie. I uploaded it several months ago, but I'm sure it'll make you smile. : )

Hooray Spencer!!!!!

Spencer scored the winning goal today in soccer! Well, it was the only goal scored by the Tigers today, but none-the-less we're so proud of him! Best part was seeing his expression and both hands UP in the air when it went in. He turned immediately to me... Boy, did I yell! : )

Open Adoption Slideshow

Well, some of you know I was on a panel today for our adoption agency. John and I have had the privilege of speaking for them on several different occasions. Today, there was a new twist on my topic, in addition to just sharing "our story" of adopting five kids, CAS (www.christianadopt.org) also asked me to speak about our open adoption arrangements.
Open adoption has many preconceived notions in society, which make their way into the hearts of nearly every potential adoptive parent. Now that John and I have been walking through open adoption situations with our last three children, we have learned that most, if not all these ideas are unfounded. We have received great joy through our relationships with all of our children's birthfamilies, even the ones that are more closed. But there is a unique joy that comes in having an actual relationship with the people who loved our children first. To learn about their background, their personalities, and MOST of all to allow our children to feel their love, first hand...open adoption has been nothing short of a blessing.
We love and respect our children's birthfamilies deeply.
In the slideshow I compiled for this meeting, you will see pictures of several of their families. I hope to honor each of the families represented in this slideshow, may God bless them and fill them with peace.