The Christian Crew

Our family headed to the Deserts of Arizona where we played with cousins, all my full siblings, aunts, uncles, ad all grand parents too! We enjoyed Hiking, Running, Biking, hot tub time, trampoline, game nights and girls nights with my sister , Mom and sis in law! This was the first time all of my family has shared Thanksgiving since my parents split when I was 4! It was wonderful- no one got sick, only little boo boos and lots of good convos with each other! Enjoy these pics! Uncle Glenn and Aunt Di fooz-ball cousin Pete singing to Slade learning to ride his new bike the feast of Thanksgiving! Uncle wade cooked a smoked Turkey this year. Uncle Glenn ( great uncle to our kids) trying out the Ladies Bike- funny guy:) the Girls and Grandpa Danny & Grandma Mary Grandma Leslie and Grandpa Carl and the kids Grandma Mary, Gpa Danny, the boys and MIMI - their labradoodle daddy's instructions and patience are often better than  moms ...

YEP, after 13 years we are still SMITTEN with each other!   and how do we celebrate???     WE go WHitE waTeR RaftInG! Of COuRse!  we went once before we had kids on our 3rd anniversary trip, so it was fitting we go 10 years later! We are the two on the Right front! we had Fish for dinner and went to an antique store! It was wonderful just to have a few hours of thrills and feel like Kids again!

I remember when Brielle had her 3rd birthday and the party we threw at our home with a bunch of her little friends, her birth family and all her grandparents from every side that could be there. We make a fun cake and large bounce house was inflated in our living room! There was FUN in the air but, also a lingering feeling of " OH CRAP- it's about to get REAL!" In our original placement agreement- we would terminate contact in person with Brielle's birth parents except for pictures and letters/emails/ blog at 3 years so, She could have a NORMAL life! Our heads and our hearts couldn't wrap around the idea of never seeing our NEW family ever again- or Keeping Brielle from knowing her birth family, in person. What kind of selfish people were we? Well, I think when we made that agreement- everything was just so unknown and new (and Yet Kara and Kyle agreed that this would be okay with them.:/) After our tiny girl dug into her presents and the last pieces of...

I really was trying to think what the title of my post today would be on. I understand that the world and values have changed. I also realize we all make our own choices in life and that's a gift we have been given- AGENCY! I could go into much detail about this but, in simplest terms: I'm using my Agency to FOCUS on my family , our hopes for adoption, advocating for adoption and loving those who are in my life. I'm not focusing on all the changes and moral shifts going on but, rather on keeping my boat steady as we parent in is crazy world. Our children (and all children that come into our family ) will know and learn the unchangeable Doctrines of God and Jesus Christ and the Love that He has for Them. I'm choosing everyday to focus on what matter's most. I may not have the latest shoes or handbag or sports car. You may not see me at the latest movie releases or trying to promote the latest fad in the economic climate. I won't waste my time on crap that...