Snow madness

True story. I just overheard the 3 little ones talking in the other room. They were watching a snow plow pull into our cul-de-sac. The conversation went something like this:

"Oh no, there is a snow truck on our street!"

"Hey, no fair. Go away."

"We don't want him on our street."

Marco comes running into the family room. "Mom, can a snow truck go into our grass?" I replied, "No buddy, snow plows don't take the snow out of our yards. They just clean the street so it is safer to drive."

"Oh, thanks. Mom, can we go sledding again after lunch?"

The kids were dying to play in the snow today. It is the first snowfall of the season which allows true sledding. So we bundled up and headed out. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Enjoy!

Remind me again why I live in the Midwest

Summer in our backyard





Winter in our backyard - this morning to be exact!



Wonder which season I enjoy more? I am supposed to catch a flight at 6am on Thursday morning. We are supposed to have 10 - 15 inches of snow by tomorrow. Hmmmmm...should be interesting. I DETEST WINTER.

Working through more fears...

On Wednesday I wrote that one of my greatest fears is one of my children facing a grave illness. I wasn't brave enough to put my other greatest fear in writing. The other is that something will happen which would prevent me from living to see my children raised. I am selfish. I love my kids and I want to be around for their lives. It rattles me when I hear of a parent losing their life while in the midst of raising children.

I'll warn you - this post is raw emotion. In fact, I'll probably want to delete it in a few days.

I also wrote on Wednesday that life changes in an instant.

We received a call yesterday that one of Mark's sisters, the one who is just one year older than him, is sick. We didn't know much more than she was supposed to have surgery today for a blockage in her colon that was thought to be a tumor. We then got a call that they were taking her in for immediate surgery last night. She lives in Fresno, California and she and her husband have two young sons in elementary school.

This morning we learned that she has stage IV cancer in her colon, liver, and lungs. We don't know any more than that. The doctors are to discuss treatment options today and mentioned "treatment vs. quality of life". We are heartbroken.

On Wednesday I wrote about facing a child's illness while not even being brave enough to mention facing a parent's illness. This morning my sister-in-law is waking up to a whole new reality.

My sweet husband had to go into a meeting this morning after calling me with the news. At least I get to sit at home, tell my children I am going to the bathroom, lock the door and sob.

I realize we are not promised tomorrow...or even the rest of this day. But in Fresno, California there are two little boys who I adamantly believe will be better off if they have their Mommy to raise them.

Please pray for my sister-in-law and her family.

Pray through a fear

One of my greatest fears is facing a grave illness in one of my kids. There, I said it.

My heart is heavy for several families right now. A dear friend of mine has a young family member facing a health crisis. A former employee of Mark's has a son in kindergarten undergoing chemo for a rare disorder. Life changes in an instant.

I do not personally know the family featured below. However, they remind me of my own family - older biological kids and several adopted internationally. My heart aches for their crisis.



Will you join me in remembering all those facing such challenges right now? Please pray for them. Pray for the children who are ill, pray for the medical teams treating them, pray for exhausted and scared parents, pray for siblings who are missing normal family time.

A New Project in 2009

I love looking at photographs. Pouring over pictures is a favorite way of remembering events throughout my life. I love pictures ranging from the ordinary of everyday to significant life events.

Our family loves to pour over photos when visiting my parents. Of course the gales of laughter are primarily at my expense. What the children don't realize is that someday it will be their kids laughing hysterically at their pictures...sweet justice.

So I have decided to take on a challenge. I've chosen an additional way to document the year. I began a blog here to post one photo for each day of the year. I missed the first 18 days of the year due to the fact that I just accepted the challenge this morning.

I urge you to join me. Give it a try! Think of all the moments we'll capture for the future. Think of all the laughter we may be creating for the future...

Then and Now – a Different Comfort Zone

My 25 year high school class reunion is this summer. Reading about the planning and touching base with some of my classmates has me pondering a bit on my life. I wonder what my reaction would have been had I been given a glimpse of my life 25 years down the road when I was a senior in high school. Would I have laughed hysterically, broken down in tears, or welcomed the future?

Just yesterday I registered our oldest for the SAT and attended a preschool meeting for our youngest – all in one day! As I was touring the preschool rooms a father remarked, in a somewhat panic-stricken voice, that he was totally overwhelmed with the whole notion of preschool. And I quote “As I walk around this classroom I can’t even believe that I see SCISSORS out where the children can just grab them!” He’s a rookie…a first-timer. I thought back to the evening before when Ana Lucia, 3, came to me and said, “Mommy, I need my giraffe scissors to cut papers.” Yes, I handed the giraffe scissors to her. She knows how to use them. When our oldest started preschool he didn’t know how to use scissors. My youngest is 9 months away from starting preschool and can cut pretty well. Let's hope she doesn't use them on her long hair.

There are some nuances about our life that I have grown accustomed to which I believe would have totally freaked me out years ago.

We pretty much shop for our clothing from either clearance racks or consignment shops. Why just yesterday I purchased a shirt for Zack for $3.74 – one that he likes and is in style. I found shirts perfect for Gus for $1.48 and $1.98. I found flannel pj pants for Zack and myself for $2.48 which is especially nice due to the sub-zero temperature outside right now.

A traditional family vacation doesn't happen often for us. It is very expensive to fly. Seven airline tickets equal more than we can generally afford. A driving vacation can be mentally taxing. Packing for seven and then stuffing 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 3 children AND their car seats makes for a squished Suburban. We do not fit into one hotel room. Our choices include multiple hotel rooms, a condo, or renting a house; all of which requires a generous helping of cash. We do, however, come up with fun ideas. We just aren’t the typical “going to Disney” type of family.

This summer we are attempting a new adventure for the family vacation. I am currently researching houses to rent for a week in a foreign country. Fun. We will stay in Antigua, Guatemala. No car is needed. Once we are transported to the house we will walk everywhere. There may or may not be any television available in English which makes Mark sweat profusely. There will be no Target or Wal-Mart. We will buy needed supplies on a daily basis and carry them home. It gets dark at 6pm and we will be in for the night. We will have the evening to simply be together. During the day we will shop at open-air markets, visit with foster families and birth families of our three youngest children, learn about the history of the area, enjoy the views of the volcanoes, work on our Spanish, and who knows what else. Our oldest will be joining us after having spent the prior week volunteering in a rural part of the country. I expect this will be an adventure our family will talk about for years. Wish us luck!

Going out to dinner – it doesn’t happen very often. I’ll never forget our first dinner out after Ana Lucia came home. The kids were 5 months, 2, 4, 11, and 13. I was so proud of feeding a bottle to an infant in my lap, helping two in their high chairs, and everyone enjoying a nice dinner. My heart swelled – we can do this! Right about the time I started to believe I could handle parenting 5 children a family was seated next to us. They had SEVEN kids. They were all dressed neatly, very mannerly, and sat quietly. Oh well, I love my noisy bunch!

I do remember having career goals of achieving promotions and titles. Little did I know that "stay-at-home mom" would become my favorite title. There will be time, down the road, to explore other opportunities. I still have the desire to write a book and devote more time to mission work.

I’m not even sure if I remember most of my life goals when I was a senior in high school. I do know that I did not picture my life as it is now. I could never have imagined such joy and happiness. It makes me wonder what adventures are in our future.

I would post my senior picture but I wouldn't want you to pee your pants while reading this post or throw up in your mouth. I love you all that much!

Baby It's Cold Outside...and getting colder

The children LOVE to play outside all through the year. I often joke they would live outside if I let them. The two little ones kept begging to go outside and play today. I relented. I bundled them up. They headed out the door...and were back knocking on the door in 5 minutes. I didn't even say "I told you!"

It is cold outside and will be much colder over the next several days. I have images of hunkering down. It's too bad that Zack has 5:40am baseball workouts, Katie has choir, and Gus has gymnastics over the next two days...and then there is the whole clinker of having to go to school!


Yeah, the children have taken to walking the dog INDOORS! It keeps them all amused - children and dog. In fact after a couple of laps around the house Ella is now napping. I guess they wore her out.

After the kids fell in love with cousin Seth's indoor swing I gave in and purchased one for our house. BRILLIANT. The little ones love swinging whenever they want, Katie even swings on it, and Zack does chin-ups on the bar. It is totally cool. It is pressure mounted and can hold a whole lot of weight. Even Mommy can swing. ;) If you have young kids this is a must-have. I promise.



I really detest winter after Christmas time. I can totally understand why some retired folks head south for the winter. I hope to be a "snow bird" someday.

The only thing I can think of that is positive about this weather is that I love hanging out in my flannel pj pants and snuggly hoodie.

Stay warm!

We are not the norm

The photos and words are from a blog that I read. The blog, found at www.haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com chronicles the work of a family serving in Haiti. I put the last paragraph of her words in bold because the message is so important.

In 17 days I will return to Guatemala. It is not Haiti, but many circumstances are the same...extreme poverty, no running water, cooking over an open fire, children caring for children, etc. As Licia reminds us, our lives are not normal. We are not the norm. Powerful words.



"On a recent walk in the village I took a picture of this little girl. She is five years old and was making food for her and her siblings. She lit the fire by herself and was making something for them to eat. There were no adults around and when I asked the kids told me they had went to the local open air market to sell their produce from the gardens. This is how my first son was burned...bending down to blow on the fire to get it going. His shirt caught on fire.


These are the kids that are waiting on her to fix the food. She was also watching them until the parents got back from the market. I talked with a few people around the house and when I asked why a adult was not there, they laughed. You see this is what is expected of her. She does it daily, weekly, monthly for her siblings. They were not laughing at me to be cruel, they were laughing because this is reality for them. No stove to cook on, no running water, no nice green grass to run in and play, no toys, no pop tarts, no snacks, no floor just dirt, no pretty pink bedroom with everything matching, no …um wall to the side of the house, you get the idea.

I do not tell you this to feel sorry for them. I do not want you to say that is so sad. These kids are happy. They love their parents, the parents love them. I want you to come and let Haiti change you. I want you to realize that your life is not normal. That is not how most of the world lives. You do not need running water, ice, a soft bed, and things to make you happy. You need love. You need someone to care about you. When you go and visit a third world country, which you all should, let Jesus come out of you and go into the people. Do not go to change them, let them change you into what God desires you to be. Let them see Him in you. Love them like He would. Care for them like He would. What an opportunity we have to show His love to some that seem unlovely to us. I’m waiting on you? Are you ready to be changed?"

I am a changed person from my travels throughout Guatemala. I will most likely encounter some "unlovely" people during my upcoming trip. I will remember these words and attempt to offer care and love just as Jesus would.

Maturing...

I am maturing, as in getting older. It did not bother me to turn 40 (several years ago). To me age is simply a number. We have 5 children ranging in age from 3 to almost 17. We recently conquered toilet training for the 5th time (thank you Jesus) and are preparing for college decisions (hoping to hit the lottery). There are many days that I still don't feel old enough to be a parent to a big brood of kids.

However, there are several events that have made me feel "my age".

*Today my nephew (on my side of the family) turns 18. What? He is the oldest grandchild so it is a new phase for our family - grandchildren that are adults.

*I found out over Christmas that I am going to be a great-aunt! One of our nieces on Mark's side of the family will have a baby this summer. I shouldn't be surprised. Amanda graduated from college and has been married for several years. It is still hard to think of some of our nieces and nephews as adults - even though 4 of them are college graduates and one in med school.

*Santa brought us a Wii for Christmas. On Friday night Mark and I challenged Zack and a friend to a Wii bowling tournament. We played multiple rounds and then I did a fitness test including tennis, baseball, and bowling. Let me just say I spent the rest of the weekend with sore muscles. My glutes were screaming on Saturday and Sunday. I AM PATHETIC. I may not feel over 40 but apparently my body does.

By the way, I beat my husband in Wii bowling each and every time. HA!

So this aunt of adults, great-aunt-to-be, and mother of five needs to get her body in shape in order to match my mental age. ;)



Oh, if only it really was this simple, I would be the fittest woman around!

Some thoughts to ponder

I read the following on a blog (http://www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/) today and it got me thinking...

"What if "prosperous" was defined less by our own personal economic well being and ranking and more by our ability to care for others. If giving was the standard for prosperity, how would I fare?"

Just imagine how different the world would be if prosperity was indeed measured by serving others. Wow.

Time spent in Guatemala is opening my eyes to poverty and its impact on people. I still have so much more to learn. During each trip to Guatemala I really try to "drink it all in". Truthfully there are times when I have to remind myself that I am not on a movie set. I am smack dab in the midst of reality - and it can be very ugly. One definite lesson I have learned is that poverty strips people of the opportunity to make choices.

I challenge you to read the words below from Compassionart's website. Think about them. Join me in pondering how this information impacts us as individuals. Wouldn't it be great to challenge the world to define prosperity as caring for/serving others and observe the effect on poverty?

Bits and pieces from http://www.compassionart.tv/:

"What is Poverty?

Extreme Poverty
Right now – today, as you read this – there are people dying because they do not have enough money to survive.

According to the United Nations there are roughly 1 billion people worldwide living – and dying – on less than $1 per day. It is this level of poverty that makes simple, treatable diseases like diarrhea into a lethal killer. Floods, droughts, unclean drinking water and a lack of food become nightmare figures in a life and death struggle.

One in three of the world's population live on less than $2 per day. This is poverty too. Schooling and access to medical treatment are too expensive for many of these people, increasing their vulnerability to sex traffickers and employers that exploit their desperate workers.

Lack Of Choice
Everyone who faces extreme poverty also lacks the choices that we take for granted, yet not everyone who has limited choices lives in extreme poverty.

The truth is that poverty of choice touches even more than 2 billion of us. When choice and options are limited, lives are held back and hope is far harder to find.

Why Fight Poverty?

Isn't poverty one of those things that will always be around? Or isn't this something that's best left to world leaders and kind-hearted charity workers?

This time the answer's simple; we fight poverty because it is there and because its presence brings shame on us all. Today, poverty should not exist, but it does. Why? Greed. But that's nowhere near being an excuse for doing nothing about it."



If we were trapped in a world of poverty wouldn't we, shouldn't we, HOPE that someone cared enough to extend a helping hand? Offering hope - it can be a powerful tool.

Wishing you a "prosperous" 2009. :)

An Unexpected Christmas Gift

Have you ever received an unexpected gift? A gift that you did not ask for, one that came unexpectedly, and one that touched your inner-most being?

I received such a gift this Christmas.

To provide a bit of background I should share that we have limited contact with some of our children's birth families. We also support an organization in Guatemala which offers assistance to birth families. In December we arranged for food/supplies to be delivered to our birth families which we know of their location. Since we asked for it to be delivered through the organization we don't even know if the families realize the gift came from us. This choice is by design as we do not want to compromise the birth mother's privacy.

I had a pretty good idea of when the deliveries were being made and couldn't help but think of those birth families on the particular day of their delivery. I so wanted to be a fly on the wall and observe the visit. However, I felt peace knowing they would have additional food and supplies in their home during the holidays.

On Christmas Eve, after finishing up wrapping presents and preparing for Santa's visit, I sat down to enjoy the quiet. All of the children were snuggled in their beds, fast asleep, and the little ones were probably dreaming of the coming morning. Well, the teenagers may have been dreaming too! As I was enjoying the beauty of the Christmas tree and preparing for bed I grabbed my computer. As a habit, I checked my email. An email had arrived in my inbox just minutes earlier. I recognized who it was from and blurted out "Mark, we have an email from Marisol. I think she sent pictures."

As I opened the email I read she had made all deliveries and had taken some pictures of the birth families. As I scrolled down my eyes looked at pictures of one of our children's family. Pictures of the birth mother, pictures of extended family, and pictures of where they live. I must have looked over those photos one hundred times to drink in each detail.

As I sat in my warm home, filled with food, and full of gifts to be opened in the morning, I sat and stared at what life may have been for one of my children. I wonder if the birth mother thinks of her child? Does she wonder about the life she made possible through her sacrifice?

I did not expect to receive photos from the delivery. Yes, I hoped to. I certainly didn't expect for Marisol to be working on Christmas Eve and send the photos to us. What a sweet and surprising gift. It is one I will cherish for a lifetime and now have the ability to share with our child.

Priceless.

No stinkin' resolutions...

Resolution: A formal expression of will or intent.

Yeah, it is that time. You know what I'm talking about. The time is here for New Year's Resolutions! Everybody makes them, everybody breaks them.

I am a list maker and do like to have written goals to work toward. However, making resolutions seems too much like setting oneself up for failure. Isn't it sort of expected for people to bail on their new year's resolutions? Instead of resolutions I think I'll just make a declaration of my hope for 2009.

I hereby appoint 2009 as my year to focus on relationships.

It is very easy to get caught up in day-to-day living and fall short in devoting ourselves to relationships. The thesaurus offered two poignant words when looking up relationship: connection and association. Connection will be my primary objective this year. My desire is to devote more time, energy, and love to the relationships in my life. This includes my relationship with God, my husband, my children, and family/friends.

I believe spending more time in the word and more quiet time with God will enhance this relationship.

I hope to spend more quality time with my husband this year. Raising five children can be a time-consuming life choice! We just need to carve out more time for us.

I hope to be kinder in my words to my children and serve as an encouragement to them. 2009 will bring Zack's senior year of high school and his time living at home is dwindling. My stomach draws into a knot even I type those words. While thinking of any of our children leaving home brings sadness, I am excited to see what opportunities and experiences are in store. I recently read the quote "The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes" by Harold Lee. I agree.

I hope to take more time to invest in my relationships with extended family and friends. I cherish spending time with those I love. I hope to devote more time to game nights, dinners and evenings spent around the pool and fire pit, and general togetherness which provides such sweet memories.

I also hope to continue to grow relationships with Guatemalan friends and continue to develop my calling to serve those in need in Guatemala.

Connection. My goal in 2009.

Oh, and I want to lose 15 pounds too!

Our year in review

1 year, 12 months, 52 weeks, 366 days (wasn't it Leap Year?) - we packed it full of memories.

Here is our 2008 in review.



We are looking forward to more travels, more time poolside, and who knows what else in 2009!