Blessed!

We have been truly blessed this year, but I am continually amazed by the out pouring of love and support for my family from people that I would say are friends but are not people in our inner circle or that we talk to every day or even every week. These people have shown love to us that is so appreciated, I don't have words to express it.  A special thank you for your generosity to our family this Christmas:

Drury Family
Donetta King
Dr. Dana Gamblin
Lutheran Family Services Angel Tree Project

And to Kimberly Parker (who we do see everyday, but has blessed us unimaginably this Christmas)

We love you!

Christmas Recap

 

 

Getting some fresh air on a walk the Friday before Christmas.

Caleb and Jesse on Jesse's new trampoline

Eli was bummed he got socks in his stocking but we made up for it

 !

Abi and Anna in new PJ's open their stockings.

Dori opening gifts

Sebastians new toy

 

 

 

We had a great Christmas, even with the stomach bug that hit 6 out of the 9 of us.  With all the puke, I did not get as many photos as I usually do, but here are a few.

BFF

Anna and Vanessa are 4 days apart in age and have been best friends since they were little bitty babies.  They will be 9 in Jan.

Mary did you know..............

I love, love, love this photo my mom took at the kids Christmas program at church.  Anna played Mary this year!

Merry Christmas Tree or Traditions

Traditions-

A gal at church recently asked about holiday traditions we do with our kids, we have so many I thought I would write a few out here.  Christmas pillowcases-each one of my kids has fun Christmas themed pillow case that goes on their pillow the day after Thanksgiving.  The tree- we decorated a fake tree with ornaments that the kids made or were given to us, no themed tree here. Tree Skirt-the skirt around the bottom of our tree was made by Jason's grandma.  In 2002 (when we only had 2 kids) we stared putting the kids hand prints on the tree skirt every year in fabric paint.  The hand prints now go all the way around and have started a second row.  Nativity-  We have a very nice glass nativity on our piano that can't be played with or touched.  Each one of the kids has their own nativity made of plastic or material that can be played with and touched.  Stockings- our stocking were hand made by Richel's grandma as each child joined the family.  Christmas morning the stockings are found full of small toys, toothbrushes, socks and other goodies.  I try to stay away from candy.  Christmas Eve- We usually go to church on Christmas eve.  Even when our church did not offer a Christmas eve service, we would find one that did.  After church, we come home and the kids each get to open a new pair of pajamas.  This is the only gift they open on Christmas Eve.  Santa- my kids don't believe in Santa, we have told them the truth from the beginning.  We don't have anything against Santa, but really want the focus to be on Christ.  Christmas morning- Everyone piles in our queen sized bed, yes last year there were 10 of us in there, and we read the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  We then enjoy cinnamon rolls, I make from a can because it faster, easier and less messy, and dig in to the gifts.  After Christmas- The days following Christmas, when the kids are still on break and bored, we clean out their rooms to find homes for the new toys and we donate old toys to ARC or Goodwill.

We actually have a lot more traditions, if you can believe it, but here are just a few!

Being Thankful

For two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, we wrote down every night at dinner, what we were thankful for this year.  We asked everyone to write their own thoughts on a leaf and it had to include why you were thankful for whatever you wrote down.  We even had some of our friends and neighbors write leafs.  Eli drew us a 5 and a half foot tall tree trunk with branches and we put it up at the end of our long hall.  This was a great experience for us and I think it might be a tradition we continue.

Some of my favorites-
Caleb-I am thankful for my brother going to youth group, because then I don't have to listen to him.
Dori- I am thankful for Thanksgiving, because we can be thankful.
Eli- I am thankful for weights because they keep me active and healthy.
Abi- I am thankful for plumbing, so we can stay clean.
Anna-I am thankful for love, because love is very powerful.

Our Family...........

Explained in brief

Jason, Jay, Jay Bear, Porkchop, Daddy- Man of the house,man of God, super hard working.  Works full time and then some, almost finished with his bachelors degree, loves his wife and kids and never gives up.

Richel, Rishy,mommy, mom, mama-Taxi drive, permission slip signer, has trouble saying no (especially when kids are involved) loves to be creative, but who has time for that.  Runs on coffee with lots of creamer and Jesus.  Way to passionate about orphan care.

Eli, Elijah, Elija-juan, brother- Gamer, goofball, smartypants, likes to scare people, has awesome dance moves. 20 or so hours of labor.

Abi, Abigail, sissy, princess puddin' head- Girl after God's heart, therapist, bossy pants, sewing expert. 16 or so hours of labor.

Dori, Dorian, Dori Rae, Dori Richel- Super smart, likes to make things. Cousin turned daughter and sister. 5 months of labor.

Anna, Anna Kate, Anna banana, sister sue-can do anything, quite, eccentric, loves art and animals. 12 or so hours of labor.

Caleb, CayCay, CJ, Po-ub- Experimenter, inventor, boxer wanna be, does rad ground moves, almost born in the realtors car, 6 hours of labor.

Jesse, Roo, Rooy, Little J- Can see light, and large shapes.  Likes to push things and climb things.  Likes to be outside and loves cake.  Still in labor, it's been 25 months.

Sebastian, Sebby, squeaky toy- not ours, but lives with us for now, super cute, super sweet, grunts and squeaks alot.  Almost 3 months.

Still Waiting and waiting and waiting.

National Adoption day came and went and Jesse is not yet ours.  Jesse's case is held up in the court of appeals and we wait.  Two days before Thanksgiving last year (2011) Jesse's birth mom asked us to make Jesse ours and yet we wait, knowing always that God is in control.

Dori's 9th Birthday!

I am getting bigger!

I am 2 months old today!

Halloween 2012! Boo!

Here are the promised costume pictures:

Jesse age 3- Elmo

Anna age 8- Princess Shawsheen with Miss Newsom

Sebastian age 6 weeks- Pumpkin

Dori age almost 9- Marty the Zebra

Caleb age 6- Skeleton

Abi age 11- Owl witch

A six year olds definition of attach: glueing two things together.

Mom: Caleb, are you becoming attached to the baby?
Caleb:  Yeah, I think I am gonna glue myself to him.

Fun at Grandma and Grandpas

Anna- Indian Princess Shawsheen, Dori-Marty the zebra from Madagascar 3, Abi- Owl witch, Ellie- Homemade scarecrow, Caleb-Skeleton, Jesse- Elmo (or if you are a blind 3 year old, a rug), Eli- teen ager  More costume pictures coming soon.

To full know what is going on in this picture, go to youtube.com and search "how to pick up a girl at the gym"

YMCA October

Abigail Joyce- Fall photo

Elk at sunrise

Elijah Ryan- Fall photo

I love Fall!

Omarion

Caleb Jason

Anna Kate

Dori Rae

Jesse Dale

Ok, so I am not too fond of the wind today, but over all I really, really love Fall!  And I have tortured my kids once again by insisting on Fall photos.  These were taken about 7:30 this morning because I was afraid the leaves would blow away and I would miss the photo op!  (Caleb took the last one, he is a great photographer)

LITTLE GUY

3 WEEKS OLD

Tiger Cub Adventure Day

Daddy and Caleb, spent a cold (27 degrees) but super fun day at Tiger Cub Adventure Day in Red Feather, CO

What's up?

A little update on the Hubclub:

We have 8 kids again! 
Yesterday, we brought home an 18 day old little boy, who is perfect.  People keep asking how long we will have him and that is truly the big question with foster care.  WE DON'T KNOW! The goal for all kids is return home, but that takes time and is not always the best option, also some times relatives step forward and that is almost always seen as a less restrictive placement.  Our job is just to love on and pray for these kiddos and what is best for them, we don't get to make decisions.

Mr. O has a forever family!
Our crazy cool dude will be transitioning to his forever family on October 20th.  We are so happy for him and the awesome family that is going to adopt him.  We are also excited that we will still get to see him almost every day! Yeah!

Adoption Day!
We (and our great team) are trying hard to get Jesse's paperwork processed so that we can adopt him on National Adoption Day in November.  We are so excited to make him a Hubbard! And will keep you updated on when our PARTY is going to be.

Rock Stars!
The following rock stars had straight A's at parent/teacher conferences last week!
Eli Hubbard (ok he has one B)
Abi Hubbard
Dori Hubbard
Anna Hubbard
Caleb Hubbard
We are so proud of you all!

Potato Day

At Centennial Village
in Greeley, CO

9-11

Shawsheen Cub Scouts raised the flag to half staff on September 11th.  That Tiger Cub sure is cute!

Pre-School

Today my baby boy starts pre-school.  I am sure he will do better than I will!  Love you little man!

No ruling yet.

For those of you wondering about Mr. O, they finished testimony yesterday, but did not have time for closing arguments.  Closing arguments are due in writing to the judge by Friday and he will make a ruling at 8:15 Wed. morning.  Please keep praying for whatever is best for O and for wisdom of the judge.  Also, we are expecting an appeal if TRP is granted, God can do anything, so please pray for no appeal and quick resolution for this awesome little boy.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's........... Caleb?!?!

Welcome back Shawsheen-ers!

Anna 3rd Grade

Dori 3rd grade

Omarion (new glasses) 2nd Grade

Cool dude Caleb 1st grade