Kiara's Dance Excitement

Yesterday we saw Kiara's dance costume and found out about her being a part of Mary Poppins. She is dancing ballet to Practically Perfect. She is so excited!

It's Been A Long Winter!

As we stay inside because of cold temperatures...everyone has more energy than they can handle. Today was no exception --we talked about big muscles....we blew some steam off by being silly. I took a few pictures if our antics...smile!

Happy Birthday Devon

A bit late with pictures but our sweet Devon celebrated his birthday his past weekend! Oh what a fun age...

Happy Birthday Jason

Today our Jason turned 14 years old. We did our usual celebrating and then headed off to a ChaD Battle of Badges...police and fire offices faced off in an exciting game. Oma and Aunt Suzy joined us so we sat in the police side since Suzy is a State Trooper. ..

.they won 5-4 in an exciting game that also raised over $200,000 for the children's hospital.

Snow and lots if it!

We have well had our fair share of the fluffy white stuff this year! The kids have had a ball and get their energy out sledding, shoveling and building snow forts!

Ellie is joining in in the fun till her southern blood starts making her shiver...when she came she was starting to shed--no more of that now!

Ellie is Home!

We picked her up from quarentine today hoping she works her magic on a sweet little hurting boy and then in turn the rest of our wonderful kiddos! Welcome Ellie!

When hearts are Hurting

Over the years as we have fostered kids who have walked through hard times in their lives, we have had to stick by them through some difficult times!  We've had littles ones who have suffered greatly by those who claim to love them, teenagers who are trying to find their way in a dis functional family, and those who have needed our family for a few days or some-for a life time.

These past few weeks have been difficult ones as one trigger after another has started our children on a roll of disregulation.  One child's memories have set off some of the others creating a snowball effect in our home. There have been difficult days and hours where we have had to come beside the ones rolling out of control as well as the ones they are effecting by their behaviors....despite our trials ...we have tried to find the lessons in these past two weeks and have looked to The Lord for answers.  As he promised, he has met us in our trials, we have learned some hard lessons of our hearts conditions as he refines us in the fire.

An amazing thing to watch is the forgiveness that has been given over and over by our precious 13 year old son.  Our son has walked through many things and has had some difficult times processing what happened to him early in his life. One of the first lessons we start teaching all kids who come here is about forgiveness and thankfully it is one he has learned well. As he was the target for one of his siblings, he has humbled himself over and over again. Even when reduced to tears over the events of the day, he has continued to offer forgiveness. As we look to the lessons to be learned, we are so thankful for his willingness to love his sibling through this difficult time!  We are grateful for his loving example.

As we begin to flush out the whys and what- fors and start building that illusive thing called trust...we will work past this difficult time knowing that we will have somehow all have grown through it. The fire has been hot but the hope lies in the gifts of refinement and rebuilding.

We recently studied thanksgiving and how we should give thanks in all things and have offered prayers of thanksgiving as our home has struggled. We have felt gratitude in dad's willingness to come along side us on a work day to help circle the wagons. We pray this soon will pass and are grateful that The Lord has kept us strog for this race and picked us up when we have stumbled.