Lay Family Journey

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

It is Adoption Month

A friend posted this video to my facebook page. And although I find it a very good video, it is missing the rest of the story.

Yes, there is an endless amount of children that need a mother, a father, a good home, someone to love them. They NEED it! But even though they need it, they don't always want it.

Samuel and Ruth came home on June 20, 2013. Nearly 18 months ago. The adoption was finalized on October 30. They were blessed on November 3. And our family was sealed in one of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for all eternity on December 7. Samuel and Ruth are our children. They were meant to be ours from the beginning of time and now they are officially ours according to all the paper work.

They have a mother, a father, a good home, someone to love them. They have all that they need.

But what the video misses is the rest of the story. They may need it, and now they have it, but they don't always show that they want it. In fact, sometimes it seems like they hardly show that they want it at all. There are days of fits, hitting, angry scowls, yelling, crying, falling down in complete exhaustion. And I'm the mellow one. I can't describe in words how they sometimes act. There are no words. But I am their MOM. And when I have a bad day, I pray that the next day will be better. I want it to be better for me, but also for them. I want them to be happy and feel the love that I have for them.

We have reached a point where the fits and tantrums are less. But we have a ways to go before the need and the want of love come together for us. Russ and I love all of our children, but as a parent, you know, that when that love is appreciated, it is easier to give. Our challenge that we have been dealing with is to love unconditionally, like our Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves all men, whether they love Him back or not.

November is Adoption month. You will be seeing many posts about adoption. But I have a challenge for you. Instead of just "liking" a post or thinking to yourself how adoption is so great, please reach out to someone you know that has adopted. Not in a casual "how are things going" way (you know the answer will be "just fine"). Reach out in a way that is truly meaningful. It is a hard hard hard journey............................................but so worth it. We just need a little help along the way.

And to all the families that I know who have ventured along an adoption journey of their own, I love you, I respect you, and I commend you for the love you are giving to your child(ren). They need it, even though they don't always show that they want it!!!!! May God be with you as you take care of one of His most precious spirits.

It is adoption month!

A friend posted this video to my facebook page. And although I find it a very good video, it is missing the rest of the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsf_z4urc4s

Yes, there is an endless amount of children that need a mother, a father, a good home, someone to love them. They NEED it! But even though they need it, they don't always want it.

Samuel and Ruth came home on June 20, 2013. Nearly 18 months ago. The adoption was finalized on October 30. They were blessed on November 3. And our family was sealed in one of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for all eternity on December 7. Samuel and Ruth are our children. They were meant to be ours from the beginning of time and now they are officially ours according to all the paper work.

They have a mother, a father, a good home, someone to love them. They have all that they need.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Don't miss the excitement!

So the last week had been filled with excitement and adventures and some firsts.

The kids sanded and painted our mailbox. Maybe you should send us some mail!?!

I cut my finger and received my first stitches....11 to be exact.

We met our cousins in the canyon and played in the river.

We ordered 1,000 sq. ft. of sod and the children and I got it all laid down. Instant yard. It looks alot better than the mud!

The Fourth of July!

One of the funnest holidays ever.

Summer. Independence. Freedom. Hot. River. Boats. Rafts.

What more could you ask for?

The missionaries asked us to be in the parade as a pioneer family. We pulled the handcart and walked behind the missionaries float with the Salt Lake Temple on it. We helped hand out pamphlets and pass along cards. (over 4,000)

It was hot and we hit the river. We played with our friends much longer than intended because we were having so much fun!

The next day we floated on the river, one of our favorite summer activities. These munchkins love the raft and the water!

And have I mentioned lately how much I love Russ. He is such an amazing dad and husband!!!

Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Our activities in June

It is hard to believe that the month of June is gone. Why do the summer months go by so fast? If I could have one wish it would be for time to slow down. It's not just summer that goes fast, it's every season, every month, every week, and sometimes (just sometimes) even the days go by too quickly.

Our first activity of the summer.....swimming lessons. In the past, we have done swimming lessons in January and February. There were a few things I liked about doing it in the summer and some things that I didn't. But the kids enjoy their swimming lessons either way.

A trip to my parent's also included a visit at my brother's where they have baby lambs. We also visited my other brother and his wife and got to see their horses. It was raining so we didn't get to ride the horses. Hopefully next time. I have to mention though that Samuel and Ruth are making great progress with animals. They helped feed the lambs and the horses. A year ago, they would have just screamed in terror. They have even made improvements with dogs. They are still pretty nervous about dogs and I think it is because of the happy, jumpy, frisky nature of most dogs. Too much movement for Samuel and Ruth to handle, but it's coming along.

Shooting bb guns. Love it!

First camp out of the summer was awesome. My sister-in-law's uncle let us stay at his cabin. It was beautiful. Eliza loved fishing.

June just loves life. This girl is so sweet and just goes with the flow and soaks it all up.

Chris loves nature and exploring.

My husband is a champ! He helped all of the kids catch a fish, took them on hikes and spent a few hours rowing around the lake in the boat. His feet, that hardly ever see day light, got a sunburn.

We went camping on the 20th of June, which is a big celebration day for our family. It's our year mark of having Samuel and Ruth home with us. They have both grown physically, mentally, and spiritually. They are forming bonds with each person in our family and those bonds are stronger by the day. It hasn't been easy, but every day is better. Now that we have had them for a year, I finally have a referral point. I can look back and say, "last year.........". It helps me to keep my focus and realize that they really are growing, developing properly, and settling into our family. Samuel is silly and crazy and has a really good heart.

Ruth loves being with the big kids and doing whatever they get to do. She certainly doesn't want to be left out of anything. So thankful for her big smiles (they are so cheesy).

Henry caught a fish all by himself and ate it! He is so independent. He wants to do everything. by. himself.

The other night we had the opportunity to help our neighbor stack hay. Well, it wasn't really hay. It was the super long grass growing in between the two dirt roads right in front of our house. Our neighbor owns that piece of land, but it isn't really big enough to do anything with, other than to let the grass grow long. He cut it and then loaded it up on his trailer. He needed helpers to pack it down.

These six children are so stinking cute. I am so lucky to have them as part of my family. I sure love each of them a whole bunch. I took the kids to the splash park on my birthday. We had a fantastic time. And yes, I had a birthday. I'm 35. Some days I feel old. Other days I feel like I haven't aged at all since I was 23. Then I look at my hair and my family. Yep, it's been a few years!

Last weekend we put in a sprinkler system. A big shout of thanks for our good friend Lance for helping us. Have you ever put in sprinklers? It's a lot of work. Still working on some wiring. Hopefully our sprinkler system will be functional by this weekend. Hopefully!!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

The end of May and now it's SUMMER!!!

The month of May zoomed by and now it is June and school is out and it's summer!!!!

Seriously, it's a good thing I didn't blink............I didn't have time too.

I am thankful for all of the beautiful days we had. We got our garden planted along with some raspberries, rhubarb, and grapes. The bees had a very productive month as well. We love our missionaries. Elder DeGraffenreid left us to serve in another area. The kids loved him!!

We have some fantastic neighbors that treat our children so well. We spent one afternoon visiting while the children rode around the yard. Too much fun!

School always keeps us busy in May. Henry and Eliza participated in the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Hanzel and Gretel. Their parts were perfect for them. Eliza also participated in the Great Falls All City speech meet for 4-6 graders.

June had her end of the year Kindergarten program and sang some really cute songs. Eliza had a huge Montana book project and Henry did a bug project. They both received an A and Eliza's book was chosen to be in the state fair exhibit! Henry and his friends did beat boxing in the school talent show. Eliza and her friend practiced all year on a piano/violin duet and they sounded amazing!!!

Finally some time for the two of us. One of our favorite dates is to take the canoe on the river, float down to the bridge where we left our bikes, and then ride our bikes back to the truck at the put in spot. We saw at least 20 beavers.

Some more yard work, but this time for the kids. We now have a trampoline and a slide. The inside of the shed is going to be the children's fort!

First day of summer - have to take a bike ride,

play at the park,

and hike up the hill to shoot bb guns!!!

Bees will buzz,

kids will blow dandelion fuzz,

and I'll be doing whatever snow does in Summer!!!!!!

A drink in my hand,

my snow up against the burning sand,

probably getting gorgeously tanned in Summer!!!!!!

I can't wait to see,

what my buddies all think of me,

just imagine how much cooler I'll be in Summer!!!!!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Mother's Day

Let me just begin by saying that I absolutely love my mother. There was a time in my life that I didn't feel that way. When I was in high school, I treated my mother horribly. At one point she said that she would rather potty train four more boys than have one more girl in high school. Ouch! I've potty trained three boys and I know that it's no fun. I am so grateful that she never stopped reaching out to me. As soon as I left home, I realized what a treasure I have in my mother. I hope that I can be as good of a mom to my children as she has been to me and my brothers.

My mother has and is still trying to teach me the importance of family history, genealogy, and the life of my ancestors. While I was in Missouri for my grandmother's funeral, we had the opportunity to go to the family farm. My mother said that the best memories of her childhood are from the farm. We found a height board in the old farm house with my mom, her sister and brother and a few of her cousins measured on it. We took her measurement again...........

I know this Mother's Day will be a little difficult for my mom and her siblings. But I also know that my mother will stand tall because she knows that she and her mother are daughters of God, as do I!!!!