Living life together

We have been under major attacks this summer.

We know why but still it can be wearing.

We have learned from our adoptions that attacks happen because Satan does NOT like what we are doing for God's kingdom.

But truth be told, even though we know this sometimes we forget.

The attacks seem to be targeting different people right now.

At church they are doing a whole series on Life Groups - and the importance of doing life together.

We have a great group of ladies who meet once a week (even in the summer) and walk around our school and pray.

I had to laugh yesterday as one after another spoke of attacks on their husbands.  Doing life together we were able to see that this is where Satan is currently attacking.

In addition, others spoke of attacks on older children.

And the lightbulb went off.

You see I have been toying with the fact that Morgan was injured at camp - a church camp.

a 4x4 hit fell on her (from the snack shop LOL)

But oh the nurse in me looks at this and sees how close to catastrophic this could have been

It happened the day I went up to get little man and so I am assuming that is why they didn't call - I have been toying for 2 days whether or not to be mad about it while remaining thankful that her eye was missed by inches.

And that light bulb that went off -

 jsut because they are very secluded 

in a place that speaks to my heart

Satan will and still does attack

As parents we must always be hyper vigilant and pray for our kids

And for those that asked

Brahm did awesome.

THis camp is a little more like an old fashioned camp with less rules ( and way cheaper LOL)

The nurse gave his counselors his pain meds and patches

(I thought I would be honest and not jsut slip all of it into his sleeping bag LOL)

And somehow in my worries I forgot that the counselors were all college kids

They are very typically fascinated with Brahm's brains in his tiny can do body.

I got the feeling some of the other boys weren't the most accepting of him

But Brahm blew it off and can't wait to come back next year

A WHOLE WEEK MOM!!

Heaven help me!! 

Summer Photo Dump

Ok I am so not a homeschooling mom- I need my time LOL.

So I am not to proud to admit that summer has been absolutely killing me.

BUT as I finally dumped the 307 pictures off my phone I thought I would do a quick catch - up because really it has been lots of fun!

We finally got the front yard (ok a portion) landscaped as our 23 year old house was looking BAD

The forest caught on fire

and the MAFFS started flying directly over our house

So we took photos of everything and packed our crap 

And reorganized 

And Oops what evacuated with us?!?!

celebrated Father's Day and finished up lacrosse

And met lots of new friends in real life!!

who liked riding bikes as much as we do

and bring lots of color to our once white life

and learned to share

and our friends came back (love this Jodi)

And more friends came

And even more

Until we locked the doors LOL

And we planted flowers and our crew figured the firetruck was great for watering

And we did summer school and rocked the 3 piggie opera

(and this shocked momma cried over her girl who has come so far)

And little man (green shoes) played baseball with his best friend

and got nicknamed sledge hamma

and all was right in his world 

And we were in a parade

And he walked part of the way and made us proud

and well he is jsut cute LOL

And we got major braces

and then they broke ugh

And our hearts break but our community has rallied

And the weather has been crazy

Oh wait MORE new friends

And our friends we met in CHINA getting Landon and Tao

And we found out dwarfs still don't float right side up

and watched the Jr National goalball championships 

Oh and the stinking cat had kittens while we were evacuated

and our big brother comes and goes, football, wrestling and lacrosse camps, 

mission trips and FCA

and everyday these two ask when he is coming home

Until they leave for camp

and mommy has no idea how many kids she has any longer LOL

But truly can say she is loving this new crazy life of many,

AND the incredible blessings.

Saturday we leave for the great roadtrip to the World Dwarf games!!

Spirit of Flight

We had a crazy day today - I thought maybe our school did a special "Continuation" ceremony for our 5th and 8th graders because . . . well it's a K-12th so really they don't get the joy of attending a new school next year, jsut a different part of the building.  However, it seems this is the thing to do!

So Daddy took of work, and we all went this morning to Morgan's 5th grade.  Can I jsut say I am shocked at how grown up these girls look LOL!  So proud of the young lady our daughter has become.  From the Kindergartener who had someone sit with her for 30 min every day to try and get her to learn her numbers and colors, to the 2nd grader who started the year barely able to sound out ANYTHING!  To today when she received a presidential award for academic achievement!

I am not kidding when my husband and I were not saving for college for this girl but a dowery LOL!
Tall, beautiful leader who is learning that there is so much more to the world than what she feels.  If you have a child who struggles and every color you ask her is green yet she has been accessorizing her outfits since she was two, then please hold hope in our Morgan.  THe road is NOT easy, or typical BUT it also is not the end!

(Note to others focusing jsut on Morgan was to much for Cav so he had to go home for the rest of the day.  I would not have thought this would have been an issue but the crowds, changes in schedule etc really set him off.)


Tristan ~ the boy who we were sure would never get out of middle school when he entered 3 years ago.  Not only has our family changed but he really has stepped into the role incredibly.  Our friends are Hawaiian and had Leis flown in for the continuation ceremony - what a special and amazing treat!!


In walks our son in his freshly pressed shirt, tie AND SHORTS!?!?!  Dude, I know for a fact I pressed not one but 2 pairs of your pants today and none were shorts!!

Heehee but oh did he learn a lesson on being prepared for the unexpected!!

Midway through the ceremony they called him forward - he HAD no idea what was going on nor did al the other eight kids!!  (And yes I checked the other kids outfits to make sure he wasn't being called out for improper dressing LOL!)

THe other kids were called forward for their special awards and then Tristan and the girl in the white dress were left standing there with no award and no idea what they were up there for.

THe AP told the story of how the next award was developed.

He had been at a track meet, hurdles in fact.  The boy tripped, ripping open his knee.  Instead of quitting, he looked at his knee, wiped away the blood and kept on running.  Outside the school is a statue of a child throwing a paper airplane.  Thus the name of the award - Spirit of Flight.

Sure enough Tristan and the girl were both the recipients of this award.

You know there are days I have worried about that child, I have worried about the choices our family has made by adopting these children.  Not only expanding our family, but also the needs.  THe time he has missed school so he could come to CHina with me.  The decision not to play on the competitive basketball team because the money wasn't there as airline prices soared.  The friends, the girls, the mishaps.  I think as mothers we worry in our little bubble and never realize what others see.

But you know his friends, his teachers see the boy with feet entirely to big, holding his new little brother.  His friends accepting his family, merely because this boy of ours is so openly accepting and loving.  Our son who hears the stupid comments and has learned to realize adults aren't perfect.  THey see our family cheering from the sidelines eventhough he may not be the top athlete among incredible athletes.  He is in one of those year groups people talk about - they excel at everything.

And with one award, one little plaque with his name written across I realized that he will be ok.  Sure we will still have bumps but this boy I couldn't potty train for the life of me, and I was sure would go to college wetting the bed.

He has become my hero.

And our littlest supporter in daddy's arms!

Starlight - March for Miracles

After my post yesterday

THe more I look at this picture, the more I love it -
it was a throw away and then I  did some editing and
I  noticed FeiFei looking through the window on the back side!

We woke up bright and early this morning, and have spent the last few hours seeing the fabulous in people.

I have no idea on the numbers but there had to be several hundred runners who came out to help raise funds for Starlight - raise funds for OUR kids so they all get to experience some pretty amazing things.

Starlight does not just celebrate our kids with special needs but also their siblings - always recognizing the sacrifice our amazing older kids go through whether financial, time or dealing with the stupid comments I mentioned yesterday.

THey had fun activities while we waited.
They had food which I have no idea how a 13 year old could eat that much and then run 5 k LOL!
But best of all (since daddy works Sat) were Cadets from the Air Force Academy who ran with children in wheelchairs and most importantly some of our kids!

Tristan and Morgan insisted on doing the 5K (this old out of shape momma knew pushing 3 kids that far was a no go!)

So we found a Cadet to run with Morgan in her first 5K (I was worried she would get lost)

The littles and I did the 1 mile fun run/walk

I do tear up when I think that most likely next year Cav too will be running!

Brahm had his balance bike since he was having some leg pain from his first days of all day school.

Cheering on Tristan - He did awesome!

And Morgan running with her Cadet

Awesome runners - I am so proud of!

The coolest thing of all is the Littles got these medals ~ Athletes donate their race metals for SN kids!!