Anna's 9th birthday!

Horse's munching hay cupcakes.

Vanessa and Anna

Opening gifts

Is Everyone Called to Adopt?

Is everyone called to adopt?  After all the bible says in James 1:27 "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (NLT) Here is my take on this and my answer to the question I have been asked several times.  No.  We are not all called to adopt.  "Caring for orphans AND widows......" is just that.  "Whoa", you say, "aren't you a huge adoption advocate?!"  Yep, I am.  But, I also know that adoption is hard and not for everyone. "But the bible says......".   I know, and I do believe that everyone is called to care for orphans.  Are you confused yet?

Ok, so everyone (man, woman, child) is called to "care".  Caring can be praying for orphans. Caring can be praying for adoptive families.  Caring can be praying for birth families. Caring can be financial support of organizations or families.  Caring can be free babysitting.  Caring can be spending time helping out in an orphanage.  Caring can be posting a photo on your Facebook page of a child that needs a home.  Caring can be bring a meal, or offering to clean, or running a load of laundry for a foster or adoptive home.  Caring can be volunteering as a CASA or respite provider.  Caring can be working as a therapist, caseworker, GAL.  Caring can be fostering.  Caring can be wearing a tee-shirt promoting adoption.  Caring can be visiting at the detention center.  Caring can be letting a child know they are loved.  Caring can be sponsorship of a child.  Caring can be dropping off a backpack at a CPA or social service center filled with love items.  Caring can be sending a note to a adoptive mom or dad thanking them for what they do.

One more thing.  "AND widows"  Yep, I know old people can be grouchy, but you are called to care for them too.

I slept through the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am four months old now.  Am I cute or what?!?!

Why I don't Homeschool.

 It kind of has become the "christian" thing to do, home school that is.  It use to just be hippies, now you would be hard pressed to find a home school family that is not religious.  I attend a church where a very large percent of families home school.  And a lot of families that don't would like to, but mom has to work outside the home, so they can't.  I also know a lot of large families that home school.  We fit this mold perfectly, right?  We are Christians, we are a large family, so why don't we home school?  I could say the traditional things like, "we don't home school because we want our kids to be socialized" or "we want our kids to be exposed to more".  Truth is we don't home school because we are Christians and because we are a large family.  Let me explain.    Paraphrased, The Bible says in Matthew 19 and 20 that we are to go in to all nations and make disciples for Him, and to teach them to obey Him.  To me this verse doesn't just say go to a foreign country, it says go in to a public school.  A week long mission trip to a foreign country may accomplish the first part of this verse but how about the second part. We live in a fallen and hurting nation, city, neighborhood. The elementary school that my children attend 60% + children are eligible for free or reduced lunch, that means they fall below the poverty level. Hurting, looking for an answer.  Who will tell these children, these families, these teachers about a savior, a God that cares, a God that loves, a God that answers prayer? A heaven where there is no pain, no suffering? And then be there to teach them to obey Him.  We have been told as family, when we come into a place, we are noticed because of the sheer size of our family, we make an impact.  I hope and pray that because of the sheer size of our family, be will be able to reach more people with the Word of God.

"Dear God, please use me and my family to further YOUR kingdom, to bring hope to a fallen world.  To make an impact for you.  Amen"

My blog

So I originally started a blog because I wanted to share photos and updates with family and friends.  I also thought it would be fun to share some big family thoughts, tips, organization, etc. because I like doing those things and I also like writing.  I don't have many people that follow my blog, so I kind of dropped the idea of sharing tips and things, because there is really no one reading them.  I still love to write though and most people that know me well, know I am pretty passionate about the things I am passionate about and I have pretty strong opinions and ideas about quite a few topics, so when I have the time I am going to use my blog to grow my love of writing and to share my passions.  This said, if you don't share my thoughts and opinions that is totally fine, you don't have to read them if you don't want to.  I will continue to post photos and updates about the kids, but am adding a new element as well.  If you do read my blog and would like me to write about something specific, please let me know.  But for today, a story, a story that breaks my heart......

"Daniel"

Not his really name.

I kind of briefly met a family that is struggling.  Grandpa and grandma, age 70, are raising Daniel, age 4.  Both Daniels parents have mental illness and are not in the picture.  Daniel does not have a diagnosis, but from the short periods of time I have been around Daniel I would guess autism with additional mental illness, maybe prenatal drug abuse.  Grandpa has not had any sleep in 36 hours, neither has Daniel, who last night broke down 2 baby gates, his bedroom door and ripped up the bills grandpa was trying to pay.  Daniel is in preschool, but no body really knows how to help him and his shrill screams and rampages disrupt the other children, causing the teacher to call grandpa to come get him early.  Grandpa is old, tired, cynical and un-trusting.  Today he is thinking about calling social service and asking them to take Daniel.

Jason's 35th birthday!

I love my husband so much!  Happy birthday honey!

I am a guest blogger!!!!!!!!!

Thomas Marshall Does It All: Guest Blogger: Meet Jesse!: Today we have another guest post: Meet Jesse! He came into his family as a foster child but will very soon become a permane...

Dear Mr. President......

1.2 MILLION innocent children were murdered in the United States this year.  What laws need to change?

Jesse update

Jesse's biological father appealed the termination of parental rights at the supreme court level.  Please pray for a quick resolution. So we can make Jesse ours as soon as possible.

Anna's Christmas/birthday gift!

Anna with Coco her guinea pig!