HAPPY CHANGES

This has been a wonderful season of change for our family.  For the past three years I have parented an adorable little boy.  He and his siblings were separated when they came into care.  For three years they have been living in different homes and seeing each other from time to time.  We have recently had the opportunity to bring two of them together in our home to begin a process of bonding in order to prepare them for adoption together.

It is exciting to have this opportunity to work with these two sweet children as they get ready to move on to their forever home.  A home that sounds to be just what these children need.

There will be a transition period and then it will be a bittersweet time of releasing them into their destiny.

We'll miss these cute toes:)  

And this sweet smile:)

May your future be blessed beyond measure, you both deserve it.  

ADORABLE RED HEADS

Late February two little boys came to live with us. One four years and one eighteen months. We are settling in nicely just as the lilacs are blooming and the hostas are popping their heads up out from their winter naps.

It makes me happy to watch things grow and that's just how it is with the babes that come to share some of their lives with us.  It's magical to watch them blossom when they are given opportunities and nurture.  I never want to forget to look around to see how beautiful everything is.  As a garden is a little land of enchantment, so are these precious children with all their new growth.

And, I never like it too quiet around here:)

WHAT A SPEECH!

Finally got around to hearing the Presidential Breakfast Speech given by Dr. Benjamin Carson (a pediatric neurosurgeon).  It was great!  If you don't know who Dr. Carson is there is a movie written about his remarkable life.

He started out his speech using four scriptures, then boldly referenced Jesus and God throughout his speech.  Oh-my-word, he spoke fearlessly indeed!  In case you missed it listen to it here.

ON THE JANUARY BEACH

Went out for a wintertime beach weekend.  That's what I love about the northwest, even with the four seasons the weather is usually never severe.  We had a wonderful weekend with three of the days sharing sunshine with us.  It was brisk and mildly windy these days, but hey, never mind that, and who cares that we had to wear coats we had an awesome four days!

Such a charming place we stayed, lovely in every way.  After breakfast at the beach house each morning we did some delicious wandering down at the beach.  Found some super cool rocks and the most interesting sand art I've ever seen at the beach.

Isn't this amazing?

Apparently it was left behind by the tide.

This one made me think of  a celery garden:)

This was all up and down the beach and was some thing I'd never seen before,  it captivated me.

A walk through town and some wonderful shops then home to cook a late afternoon dinner. When we weren't on the beach or at the shops in town we were snuggled in this lovely, warm home with wonderful high ceilings and gorgeous marble countertops.  This weekend was everything I needed!

FLYING HIGH

My daughter is in the middle

My daughter and a couple of her friends hit the skies back in the fall.  It was their first skydive jump, they went tandem with some pretty awesome instructors at Skydive Oregon, in Mollala Oregon.  It was a twelve thousand foot jump and was really cool to watch.

Click on the picture to get a close up

Check out this link of my daughter jumping, maybe me this year?  Looks fun...Yep!

DECEMBER 31, 2012

This has been a very busy year here in my home. With two precious babies to keep me busy, growing, changing, turning 1 and 2.  They have gone home now to be with their bio family.  I truly enjoyed this year, busy as it was, and now I look forward to what the new year brings.

We are a family of 5 right now instead of 7, my two olders and two youngers now a 6 year old and a 5 year old turning 6 in January.  We are adjusting to the change until the next precious charge's enter our door and lives.

For now, I am taking some time for relaxing, heading to the beach with a friend, just the two of us, for a few days.  Hoping for some rainless days so that we can walk the beach and do a little window shopping. We've been without rain for the past few days, but in the Pacific Northwest it can always be expected. Mild snow visited us this afternoon and freezing temperatures are expected tonight.

We had a wonderful, but busy Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus and filled with everyone we love.  Hope yours was filled with love and joy, making memories with those you love most and best.

Have a safe and happy new year as we enter 2013.

THIS WEEK

Made a trip to the mall yesterday, while I was there and watching the activity that was going on all around me I couldn't help thinking about the tragedy that had occurred in Connecticut and here in Oregon this week and how unimportant it seemed to be there at that moment.  The children and families that have been affected during this season when the world should be celebrating is so sad, my heart is heavy.  In light of this very sad time do something kind for someone today to show the world there is some good.