With Fall Comes Coustumes!

The Disney store had a sale on coustumes! Since "Trick or Treating" is another first for Sege....we splurged for all three of the little girls! The cheerleader, Mulan, and Alice are all so excited, I just don't know how I can keep them out of these cute outfits for almost another month! I'm sure I will have to find just the right one for the baby too! When I do I will let you all have a peek!

Opportunity NOT Missed!

I am amazed when I consider just what God has done in my life. When He first asked me to reconsider my ideas on children, that is, that all children are a blessing, I had a 360 degree turn around at that point( see my earliest postings). Once I made the proper switch in my mind about my purpose and God's power it did not take long before my family size began to increase. I also am frightened by what I would have missed if I had not obeyed what God says is the right thing to do. Of course at first what He was asking me to do(open my heart to His children) seemed like the scary thing, but God's will usually seems that way. It's why we walk by faith and not by sight. Many people are freaked out by the number of kids I have, but I am not. God knows what is best, not the people around me. Just look at the faces of these children I have surrounding me. Three of them would have grown up in a foreign orphanage(if they had lived that long), and one would never have existed if I had continued in my "What's best for me" lifestyle!






Most of all I am eternally GRATEFUL for the awesome blessing all my children are in my life, from the oldest to the youngest. Sure, things are hectic and stressful sometimes. But when I hear their laughter and see the wonder in there faces when they learn new things I stand in awe of what God has done and I am so happy that this opportunity was NOT missed!! I know how frightening "bungee jumping" for God is, but I encourage you to consider what it is that God is saying. Your opportunity awaits...Don't you miss it!!

More Vacation Shots!

The Sea Lion Caves were a hit...









































...but they stink!!!









































Did I tell you the Sea Lion Caves stink?







The next highlight was the Trees of Mystery, the Giant Redwoods of Northern California!
























What an amazing experience!













































































Then off to the Oregon Caves!





























Last stop before heading back towards home was Rouge River! The jet boat river trip was a blast! We all started out very hot in the 90 degree + weather, but by the end we were all cooler and loving it!
















































All in all it was a fabulous and much needed vacation for all of us! We relaxed and talked and just enjoyed each other so much. We definately missed the three older kids that all have full time jobs, but life changes and we are grateful that we had this opportunity.

VACATION!!!

Yahoo!!! We are officially on summer vacation and I love it. We are traveling down the Oregon coast and it is beautiful. This is the first time beautiful E has seen an ocean(more firsts I so love to experience with my older adopted kids!).
































(forever friends!)













































One of our first stops was the beautiful sand dunes of Florence. 47 miles of natural sand dunes can best be experienced riding in a dune buggy!

A Meeting of Encouragement

I was encouraged today by a meeting we had at a coffee shop. My husband and I were asked by another couple to meet with them about adoption. I can tell you we have spoken with countless folks about this subject and have implored people to consider as followers of Jesus Christ to save a life for the Kingdom. Usually we are considered somewhere between a freak show and sainthood. This meeting was different. The first thing that struck me was the view this couple had of their family. They have a uniquely peaceful home and feel that this should be shared, that there is a child out there that needs to be safe within this peace. Most people would not want to take on this change and rock the boat by bringing a stranger into their family. The second thing was their faith that God is in control of their finances. Usually when we talk to people about adoption the first turn off, especially for the men, is expenses. But this couple was different. The husband had a quiet confidence when he spoke of God being in control of all the wealth in the world and he was certain that money would come as necessary with an adoption. Well, when a man talks like that it is certain that is heart is fixed on God and his own family. He is not controlled by men or the world. I was excited to see the first stage in the birth of a child into a family. Today this couple walked through a door on their journey to get the child of their heart. It was obvious that God had called them to this. It is hard for me to understand why more Christian couples have not heard this call. I know many others who have adopted and they feel the same way. But I cannot focus on this. For today God encouraged me. I cannot adopt every orphan in the world...but today I can rest in the thought that one more orphan will have a safe home and will come to know Jesus because this couple is not afraid to hear from God that there is work to be done. I believe they see as we do that it is not enough to just encourage others to do the action. We are the workers and the fields of the orphans are ripe for the picking. Jesus knows this and so he will continue to call those who have ears to hear and a few more children will be snatched out of the enemies hands. I thank God that he woke us up from our lethargy before it was too late and I am grateful that He has awakened others to travel this journey as well.

A Day at the Zoo With 7/9

A perfect day at the zoo with seven of my nine children!
Such fun! Thank you Jesus for my kids!



















Naked mole rats are the best!


























































































Brothers and sisters are a gift from the Lord!

Finally... a Moment to Update!!!

After only 5 months of schooling here in the States, Beautiful E passed her first grade English exams! At the end of each school year we have our children tested by an independent testing organization. This year E was able to participate and to our great joy she passed with flying colors. She basically started homeschooling in January of 2008. She passed her total battery of tests in the 79Th percentile. She is now officially in second grade English and will continue in her 4-5 grade math. We finished up the school year with bugs, snakes and lizards! The " House of Reptiles" brought their show right into our living room. We invited about 20 other home school kids to come join us for our end-of -the-year fun! It was a creepy good time!
Last week was day camp for 5 of the 9 kids. The three little girls were first-time campers and experienced all kinds of new things : canoeing, hiking, archery, the"big swing", and lots and lots of fun camp songs. Our 14 and 15 year-olds were counselors. They had a lot of fun helping with all the little ones and they were able to get tons of hours of community service. A great time for everyone.
Three of the girls were also in the ballet Alice in Wonderland. The two little 6 year old girls were ladybugs that danced around the rose bushes and A was the Caterpillar. She has been dancing for about twelve years now and she was fantastic! I never thought I would say I was proud that my child smoked(a hookah), but of course after watching her I can so that...I am. She was so funny and flexible as she danced I was truly amazed!
While the kids were at camp I was able to organize my books and buy all the curriculum for next school year. This is a huge blessing since last year I did not have my curriculum until right before the school year began. Last summer I was very involved with the adoption and the fund raiser. I am relieved I will be starting in the Fall on top of my game!
Our oldest son finished his high school education a year early at the local community college. He made honor society and held a 24 hour/wk job. Sometimes I can't believe all that he can accomplish at 17, but then he has always been focused and goal oriented. He was also just promoted to frozen food manager at the store he works at.
As for our two oldest daughters...our 21 year old is busy with work at Cold Water Creek Spa. It is fabulous having a daughter that is a professional when it comes to pedicures! I love them and she is so gracious to comply when I am tired. ( I try not to take advantage). Our oldest daughter just finished her college education. I was able to view her thesis defense. WOW!!! is all I can say. She wrote on the Filioque Clause of the Apostles' Creed. By the way, it was this clause that was the main root of the Schism between the East and West churches. The topic was difficult and controversial to say the least and I was blown away at her ability to maneuver through all the difficult and challenging questions her board threw at her. She handled her subject like a pro and was unflinching as she calmly addressed their challenges. She passed without a problem. I was so thankful that I was able to be there and witness just how far she has grown since her homeschooling days. She is a beautiful, intelligent woman who will make a great contribution to this lost world. We are excited for her as right now she is on a three week tour of Europe. She was able to go with a good friend and the girls are having a blast. Holland, France and Germany are on the lists of stops. She called today and said she toured the Louvre museum for 11 hours. What a wonderful way to finish her education!
We are looking forward to a restful summer vacation. I am hoping I will be able to update more often now that things are slowing down...or are they???? We will see. I will try to post some pics soon...