In the beginning

I've been writing a blog in my mind for about a year. Today I decided to sit down and actually commit myself. I love reading blogs. Why? Well, some might say I am a nosey person. I suppose I am, but I have always been a "people watcher". I love sitting in airports, at sporting events, or anywhere and simply watching the people around me. I also love learning from other's life experiences. Reading blogs is the ultimate people-watching-and-learning-from-others opportunity.

My reason for starting a blog centers around capturing the everyday of our family life and commiting it to hard copy for my children. I'm certain they'll not read it (too boring or embarrassing). However, someday the words will hopefully be a treasure to them - sort of a memory book.

For those of you who may not know our family well - allow me to give you a glimpse. My husband and I have been married for 19 years (tomorrow) and have 5 children. Apparently we are considered a "big family" in today's culture. We receive many comments when others learn we are the parents to 5...some sweet and some not so sweet. Most of the comments center around "you must be insane". We have two teenagers, a son and daughter, who are our biological children. We have 3 little ones, two sons and a daughter, ages 7, 5, and 2 who joined our family through international adoption from Guatemala at 8.5 months, 6 months, and 4 months of age.

Becoming an American-Guatemalan family has changed our world in so many ways. Our family has fallen in love with the country and people of Guatemala. We have continued to travel to Guatemala and are committed to mission work and building and maintaining friendships.

Life is a bit crazy with toddlers to teens. Our pastor used a quote that I really identify with. He said "Everyone is going somewhere...some people go somewhere on purpose. " This is one of my hopes for our family - going somewhere on purpose.

I'll use my sister's idea when she began her blog and share a bit about myself.

*I love Diet Coke, hate mornings, and have a bad habit of staying up way too late.

*With 5 children the laundry is never caught up, the dishes never all clean, the house always a bit messy, and there is never a shortage of hugs, kisses, and cuddles.

*I love to travel and will probably spend my last dime on an airline ticket. ;)

*I love to read and get a big kick out of the fact that my children love to read as well!

*I love photography and have a goal of developing my interest into a skill. My 14 year old daughter already has a great eye for taking great shots. I want to be like her!

*I write whatever I am thinking so forgive any improper use of grammar or punctuation. I need an editor.

*A bit of trivia: we have 2 SUV's, 1 car, six carseats, 4 strollers, a zillion bikes and trikes, thousands of sippy cups (of which most are lost), and millions of unmatched socks in the laundry room.

Welcome to the adventure of life at our home. My mother once told a friend "Oh, it is chaotic at my daughter's house, but it is a house full of love." I couldn't ask for a higher compliment.