Remember

On most accounts, we are an absolutely average American family.  Our love is fierce and strong.  We feel compassion and notice potential.  Our protective instincts are often activated.  We argue, disagree, and sometimes even speak harshly.  Apologizing and accepting the consequences of our actions are daily components of our lives.

On the other hand, we are also very different and unique.  For starters, there are a lot of us, and chaos seems to be our 7th family member.  Secondly, the color of our skin is a variety of shades of brown.

People notice.  People stare.  People wonder.  People say things.  People remember us.

A few months ago, we were shopping at an extremely crowded Aldi.  Our 2 carts were filled to the brim with little boys and groceries.  Scott and I found ourselves debating whether or not we should buy a bag of apples.  Needless to say, it was just a typical shopping adventure for our family.  A few days later, Scott, the little boys, and I were having lunch at our local Chick-fil-a when a stranger casually approached our table.  She simply asked, "Did you end up buying the apples?  I was at Aldi the other night and eavesdropped on your conversation.  By the way, your family is beautiful."  She remembered us.

Last week, Olivia was given the task of writing a personal letter to the author of her favorite book, Wonder.  The main character is a young boy named Auggie whose physical appearance elicits stares, giggles, judgement, and the pointing of fingers.  In the content of her well thought out letter, she expressed how she was able to relate to Auggie and his family because our family looks different too.  While putting the finishing touches on her letter, she placed a family photo that she was including on the corner of her desk.  One of her 27 classmates skipped by, stopped, and whispered, "I just love your family!"  I am so very thankful for a community that remembers that beauty exists in diversity.

If you happen to encounter our family, please smile and love on our babies.  We love to hear how beautiful and special they are.  Feel free to comment on how we must have a lovely story.  Please don't ask if they are our foster children.  Refrain from using the words "real siblings".  Please don't comment that you hope we actually get to keep them or that they are so very lucky to have us.  Questions similar to "Will they ever get to see their real family?" are confusing to our loves.  Please remember that our little boys are sensitive and exploring the definition of adoption at their own pace.

Our prayer is that people will see Jesus reflected in our family.  We hope that they remember observing love, patience, and immeasurable joy sprinkled in with the crazy.

BB's New Adventure

Our super sweet Brea Brea is moving to Cape in a few week to attend Southeast Missouri State. We celebrated this new adventure with a family dinner.

Caleb's birth mother went into preterm labor at 23 weeks and 4 days, and there were many false alarms over the next 16 weeks. Breanna was on constant stand-by during that time. She rushed to our home to care for Jax and the oldies multiple times with absolute joy. She will never know how much her willingness to serve our family meant to us. She is an absolute delight and blessing to this Auntie, and her cousins seriously think she hung the moon and maybe even the Big Dipper.

We L-O-V-E you BB! I can not wait to watch God continue to unfold His plan for you.

I managed to snap a few photos after everyone spent the afternoon swimming.  *smile

Daddy/Daughter Dance 2015

Olivia and Scott attended their 5th Daddy/Daughter Dance at CA on Friday night. 

 This year's theme was "An Antique Carnival".

Official 2014 Family Photos

After having to cancel our family photo shoot twice with a photographer due to unusually cool temperatures and illness, I decided to head to the park with my loves and the trusty tripod.  Of course, it started to rain as we were leaving the house, but thankfully we didn't let that fool our plans.  

It was cold.  It was wet.  It was rather miserable.  It worked out.

Mother's Day Weekend

We had an incredibly busy weekend making beautiful memories with our family and celebrating our favorite mothers.  

Friday evening we all matched so Scott snapped a few photos of me with the ones who call me mom.

Andrew and Olivia's Spring Concert was also on Friday evening.  The students performed an original work titled "He Is".  It was perfectly lovely.  Olivia even recited scripture that she had spent weeks memorizing.  She was amazing despite being incredibly nervous.

We spent Saturday at mom and dad's house.  Scott and Michael spent hours and hours fishing, and the kiddos were quite interested in being in the boat.  Of course, Andrew managed to pass the day driving the Gator around and around the pond.  Grandpa also had the train handy for spur of the moment train rides.  I think that it would be fair to say that Skipper enjoyed the day the most.  He loves to swim and be near his people.  My camera battery died really early in the day so the photos are few but the memories are many.

Sunday afternoon was spent at Dale and Jill's house.  The day was cut a little short when Andrew started to have an allergic reaction, but we did manage to celebrate the day together.

Elisha is home!  Woo hoo!  He did come home with a little extra facial hair, but we will take him anyway he comes.

I can't think of a better way to spend a busy May weekend.