Holiday Reflections...

What a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday we have had! Of course, I was a bit whiny that my colleagues in other counties had the entire week off...but we made the most of having three days and the weekend.

Thursday morning, I took LG over to her Grandma's to visit with her brothers and cousins that she hasn't seen since she moved here. She and I had a visit with her Grandma and we've visited her younger siblings. But she had not seen her older brothers and cousins.

I have to be honest, I wondered what this would be like. I had never been to Grandma's home. This was the place she and the other kids were removed from a little over a month ago. And, honestly, if it were me in my 8yo body, I probably would not have wanted to leave my family and return to a foster family.

But there was none of that. She had a great time visiting. We took pictures so she can have them for her own scrapbook/room. It was nice talking with the boys and her Aunt/Uncle who have them. And Grandma was happy to share some of the things she wanted LG to have as she prepares to move to a smaller home.

LG and I came home in time to visit with our family and begin our own celebration. It was a great day shared with the blessing of family. DH did a great job preparing the turkey as usual. We served up buffet style and brought tables in to the living room so we could share the meal together.

This year we bought "real" glasses for the mashed potato bar. The kids seemed to enjoy doctoring up their potatoes and preparing them for eating.

Here's part of the group settling in to the meal:

And here's the other part of the group:


After dinner it was great fun playing corn hole and enjoying the beautiful weather! One of the blessings this year was having DS 1 home. Last year he had just begun Basic Training. This year he was able to be here for a good portion of the weekend with us. I know DS 4 enjoyed it--he really misses the guys when they are not home.
LG and DS 2 enjoyed hanging out on the back porch and visiting after the meal.
DS 3 played corn hole in his "special outfit". Do you suppose it helped him? I think they won...so who knows for sure??

We paused to take some family group shots. I think this one is going to be our Christmas card this year. It CRACKED me UP and says quite a lot about this zany family of mine!



I hope your holiday was also filled with special memories and moments!

And the Learning Continues...

Some of you might remember last year when our church hosted a Black Friday Coffee Give Away. It was absolutely one of our best Servant Evangelism outreaches! Because of last year's success, we decided to replicate it this year.

The way it worked LAST year is this: We sent a team out to the B*est Buy parking lot (with the store manager's permission) at 3:00am and we handed out free Sta*rbucks coffee to people standing in line waiting for the store to open. After the store opened, and our coffee line thinned out, we spontaneously moved over to JC Pe*nney. While there, the manager came out to see what we were doing and he was beyond THRILLED to see us and told us we could come back anytime.

Fast forward to this year:

I called B*est Buy to make sure they were OK with us setting up out there again this year. I left three different messages for the new store manager and was told that he would call us back. He didn't. I have to be honest, I didn't expect the call. It seems to be the way they operate.

Finally, last week DS 3 and I went to the store in person to try and see him (which is how I finally got last year's OK). He wouldn't come see me. He would only speak through the Customer Service person's earpiece to tell us that we could not "solicit" in the parking lot. The employee tried to explain that we did this last year...it was not soliciting...it was before the store opened and we "even cleaned up afterwards". Bottom line: no dice.

Also in this process, I called P*enneys and the manager there said, "Thank GOD! I've been WAITING on your call!" He couldn't remember which church it was that did this last year and he was more than happy to have us return!

I really wanted two teams. Two locations. I was sure that this is what "God wanted" too. I mean why wouldn't HE want us to share his love in several locations, right?? And we all know the appliance stores are the heaviest with crowds at that hour on Black Friday.

I got on the phone and started calling around to stores that generally have a crowd on Black Friday. Some said "no". Some managers were simply unavailable. Mich*aels craft store is one place that was THRILLED to have us set up out there. They share a strip mall location with Old N*avy, so we decided to give it a go and put our second team there.

DS 3 and I got up at 2:00am and headed to get the coffee.

We were meeting the first team at 3:30 at Pe*nneys. I have to be honest, on our way to the mall we drove through Be*st Buy's parking lot. The little devil that sometimes sits on the shoulder was whispering: "Hey, they can't STOP you from offering these cold people a free cup of coffee...go ahead, try it! The manager won't even know." It was a fleeting thing as I know that I do not want to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth for the church...there's enough of that in the world without me adding to it because I want to be selfish and controlling! While scoping out the mall, we noticed a nice line in front of Se*ars as well. We ended up splitting that team in half and putting one team spontaneously @ Se*ars and the other @ Pe*nneys. It worked out perfect! Even when mall security came by he was fine...just wanted us to set up on the sidewalk so that we weren't in the fire lane. It wasn't long before these two mall teams ran OUT of coffee! We made a refill run for two more dispensers!
At 4:30, DS 3 and I headed over to get the team set up at the craft store. It was MUCH slower, but steady over there as there are several stores in the strip center.

By 7:30, our three teams of 15 people had handed out about 600 cups of coffee! We served every last drop! By contrast, last year we handed out just under 400 cups and had to discard about half a container at the end!

Shoppers were once again blown away that it was FREE! We tell people that it's simply our way of saying "God loves you." It's a simple act of kindness that opens the door for great conversations that are genuine and non-threatening.

As I pondered the beauty of it all, I was thinking about the fact that I was ready to take on Be*st Buy corporate. I was ready to write a letter to prepare for next year. It was an "injustice" and I was making my plan to figure out how to make it work MY way--which I was sure was "God's way"!

Yet, look at how blessed the time was! And gently, I could hear God's voice whisper: "See Susan? I am in the details! You thought you needed to go one direction and I sent you another." And maybe, just maybe, he's asking himself "When WILL she finally get it?"---but, because he's God, he knows the answer to that question, too.

I'm so glad that despite knowing whether this is the last time or there will be a hundred more...he loves me. It's also good to know that he can and will continue to allow me to serve despite my bent toward being a control freak!

It was a great day of service AND learning even if it happens on limited sleep at o'dark hundred!

This morning I opened my eyes and I thought, "Wow, I am so abundantly and richly blessed! Thank you God!"

I am first and foremost thankful for His love that sustains me each and every day. Without my faith, I know I would be lost and lonely. I love the shirt someone described in church last week. It was a t-shirt that read "I'm the wretch" (or something like that). It was a reference to one of the best hymns ever" "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a WRETCH like me." Yep, I'm one of the "wretches" that has experienced that amazing and marvelous grace.

Of course, right after my thanks to God I am thankful for my DH. Last night he pulled me aside and asked if I was OK. Then he proceeded to tell me that the boys informed LG that sometimes Mrs. Susan gets a little "crazy" just before a holiday...trying to make sure it's the way she wants it. (Glad they all know their wife/mother well.) Anyway, I cannot begin to tell you what this wonderful man does for me, and for us, each and every single day. He is a rock and I love him for it.

Each one of my kids are such blessings to me. I am so thankful that they are each on a unique journey and have really had no major growing-up issues that so many young people experience. They love learning. They love helping others. They love their family. I could not ask for any more.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone that once again reminded me just how blessed I am in regards to extended family! Our family has always been close. We enjoy being together. We enjoy laughing and having fun. I love that! It's hard for me to understand that this is not the "norm" for everyone. I realize it's special...but I sometimes forget just HOW special. I am thankful for each and every one of our extended family.

I could go on and on counting my blessings one by one. I won't though. There isn't time this morning. I have to get ready for this day of thanksgiving.

As I close, let me also assure each person who reads and/or comments on this blog--I am thankful for you as well. I never thought my blog would be such a blessing. It's amazing to know there is another "unseen" community of support out there. I am thankful for YOU too.

May you be richly blessed this Thanksgiving and always!!

Random Dozen: The Thanksgiving Edition

This meme is from Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee. If you decide to play along, jump on over there and grab the questions, sign Mr. Linky and have fun!


1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous? We are pretty "traditional" for our family. In fact, DH mentioned cutting up a salad and I about died last week. I said, "We NEVER have salad (lettuce and tomato kind) on Thanksgiving!" I'm sure he was thinking, "SO?????" And actually, a little later I thought, "So????" It doesn't mean we are breaking the Thanksgiving code by deviating a bit! All that to say, we pretty much end up with the same old, same old.

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.") CERTAINLY LG and her entry into our family is at the TOP of my list this year. It has been an EXCITING month for us with so many tangible moments of love and laughter and memories!

If the idea is to find a convenience that is tangible for which I am thankful then without a doubt it's air Conditioning and heat. This year it's been strangely HOT and humid for us in Oct. and Nov. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to live in a home where we can regulate the temperature.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for. Certainly God's LOVE is at the top of my list...although I sense it in quite tangible ways. This season, especially the last month, has reminded me over and over again just how MUCH God loves all of us! It's amazing. It's beautiful. It's real!

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory. A SLEW of memories flooded my mind when I read this question. Probably one of my favorites is DH's and my first T'giving. We were expecting DS 1 and DH made a bed in the back of his car and let me sleep while he drove from KY to GA to visit family. It was special for us being "poor newlywed and expecting seminary students" to go visit them that year!

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year? Hmmm....we'll make Christmas wish lists sometime in the afternoon after dinner. The adults will most likely exchange names for gift giving. Some will sleep, others will play outside.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs? If they wanted them, they could. Cats generally don't go for leftovers...although Nola LOVES ham!

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying? Yes, we hold hands and someone offers the prayer. It's often my DH cause he is our "resident pastor" and people always seem to defer prayer to them!

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing? Probably some. We'll also be watching kids play and we sometimes take in a game or two of cards.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing? Although I love oysters, I do NOT like oyster dressing! I have family members that do...but we generally don't make it that way.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving? Actually, it's funny because I DO think I am quite informed about the possibilities of what happened on the first Thanksgiving. I am also well aware of the "myths" that we often associate with T'giving in this country. The common thread that is woven through every Thanksgiving belief and story is that these people took time out to give thanks for the harvest. They shared a meal together and enjoyed each other for that time. THIS is what I take away from the holiday traditions.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying? Whatever my Stepmother brings! She'll probably bring pumpkin and cherry. Other than that, I don't know.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!) So FUNNY cause I DID feel for the fish! I don't really THINK about the turkey. If I let my mind go there, then YES I do feel for the turkey.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

It might be November, BUT...

I'm celebrating MOTHER'S DAY!

What a weekend I have had! It's been one that has taken my mind to that day in May when I remember just how proud and blessed I am to be a Mother.

Friday night my entire family (minus DS 1 who is away at school) went to the David Crowder* Band Concert. It was awesome! Although I didn't get a great pic of all of us there, you can see us there seated and ready for the music to start. While watching the kids interact, DH leaned over to me and said, "If you didn't know, you wouldn't know." He's right.

Saturday, LG and I went to an appointment for her in the morning and then to the Farmer's Market. It was as natural as could be for us to be walking downtown and enjoying the fresh fruits and veggies down there.

In the afternoon, DSs 2, 4, LG and I went to the aquarium to help DS 2 get some homework done for his Oceanography class. I loved it when LG thought the eel was saying her name. Here she is mimicking the eel's mouth movement "saying her name": Saturday night we had a wonderful dinner when DS 1 stopped over. It was the first time that we ate with all five kids at the table. For me, it was a very special moment watching the natural ebb and flow of family conversation over dinner.

This morning, we went to church and LG came out afterward and handed me a card she made for me during kids' church. I have to share it cause it absolutely speaks for itself (I covered her name in the second photo:


After church, DS 3, LG and I went to lunch and enjoyed some time together. They helped me run a couple of errands.

We closed out the weekend with an evening trip to a brand new park in town. Here is one of my favorite pictures of LG and DS 4 playing there:

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We enjoyed ourselves. We enjoyed each other. The family thread was woven through each moment. For me, the Mother in our house, it was just perfect and, in the words of LG, filled with LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

I know it's not Wednesday, but....

I wanted to be a bit more "wordless" today! Here are a couple of pics that make me smile:

:

I knew the shooter...

Monday morning we awoke to learn about a horrible shooting of a 16yo student in our city. He was riding his bike in an area known for increased drugs and violence. At 11:15am...broad daylight...he was shot. He ran into the nearest house seeking help and died there.

Sixteen.

That's a time when life is suppsoed to be so wonderful. It's carefree. It's young and energetic. It's full of potential and possibilities.

Yesterday morning the newspaper touted making arrests in the case. I was shocked to see a former student's mug shot staring at me through my computer screen. He wasn't in MY classes, but he was part of our school family. He's 14. Even younger than the dead boy.

Apparently there will be more arrests in this case. Today they are saying the shooting was drug-related.

I don't care what it was related to...it was wrong. This is an example of not one, but two lives, cut drastically short. And it breaks my heart!

I really work in a place where people care deeply for kids. We work hard to help our kids see the possibilities that are available to them. Most of the time, we succeed.

And, as this reminds me, sometimes we don't.

Random Dozen: These are DOOZIES!

1. If you could master one sport, what would it be? Hmmm...I think it would be tennis. I don't know why...I suppose cause mastering it means, to me, that you might look cute in one of those cute little tennis skorts. And honestly, right now that would NOT be true! I guess my second, more real, choice would be some sort of ballroom dancing--which I'm not sure is considered a sport...but I know you have to be fit to do it.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision? Ummm...I'm totally an impulse person. It's a good thing I'm married to DH cause HE is the researcher ad nauseum! But I'm sure it's kept us from getting some lemons and making some poor decisions in our 22 years together.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name? Michelle East or Michelle River. Our street was called by both names. I like Michelle East better.

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food? FOOD. I LOVE music and think it provides me more nourishment some days than what I put in my mouth!

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference? I like 'em yellow with a tinge of green in them still. Once they are spotty, they are good for banana bread (which I thought about this morning cause there are four spotty bananas on my counter).

6. Your favorite tree is? I love the giant old oaks that have a ton of arms. They beckon you to climb them and take a load off!

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you? Hmmm...tech savvy? I use it a lot. I am pretty good at figuring it out. As far as the HOW and WHY it works, not so much. Soooo I'd have to go with a 6.5

8. Has H1N1 touched your family? Yep. DSs 3 & 4 had it right after school started this year. My nieces had it not long ago. No one had it very severe. It was pretty much like your typical flu.

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing? Wow...I am pretty analytical when you give those two choices. Although putting me and analytical in the same sentence might make some of you spit your drink out with laughter. I DO analyze things...I just usually do it internally.


10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala? I think I'm more like a cat. I don't know why. I think it's cause I like to do my own thing sometimes. I like alone-time when I can. I love my sleep. When I want attention, though, I'm sure to find it! ;-)

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago? Thanks to Facebook, I do this more than ever. I was horrible up to that advent. Now I'm doing pretty well with a lot of them.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why? I will go to the lane with less people...as long as the groceries aren't piled in mountains on the checkout. I do it because invariably there will be someone in the express lane who has a snafu...forgot something...credit card won't work...or something else...and 9 times out of 10 I'm out the door before the last person in the express lane!

From a Rut to a Rollercoaster...

To say life had fallen into a rut of sorts around the first of October would be an understatement. It wasn't a horrible "rut of no return". No. It was just one of those seasons when life seems to plod on day by day, week by week. And things stay pretty much the same.

Then, October 12th came.

That was the day I found out about LG needing a place to stay. It was the day that the counselor at my school "just happened" to ask if our foster care license was active.

October 12th was followed by the 13th.

That was the day that the rest of my family decided to open their arms to this sweet girl and become her "for now" family. It was also the day that we were told that there is the potential to be a "forever family" to her.

And the roller coaster ride began! At the end of this week, LG will have lived in our home for one month. A month that does not feel like 30 days. No. It feels like a lifetime. In fact, in many ways, I cannot really remember life without her.

My boys continue to amaze me at every twist and turn. They love this little girl--their sister! My DH is loving having a "princess" in the house. And I love watching the whole thing unfold.

I feel like a new parent in that this is what I most want to blog about. I suppose it is not that different than if I'd have just given birth. She's still new to us. And every day is a day of wonder. As I learn more about her, I also learn more about me.

In one month's time, she's blended in well at church, begun to learn more about her new "family", started gymnastics, and enrolled in the YMCA program. In one month's time we've learned to understand "girlie giggles" a little better, remember the importance of the family dinner table, make sure everyone has time to let down and breathe a bit in the day.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches I could not be more thankful! My heart is bursting with love and joy and happiness for so many people and events.

I can hardly believe that a month ago I was feeling so "rutty"....Thinking back to the mundane rut, I can say with certainty that I much prefer the rollercoaster! As time marches on, I'm going to enjoy the ride!

It was BEAUTIFUL...

Our weekend was simply wonderful! The weather was GREAT! It was mild and sunny with no humidity. It's the weather that people who live in Florida brag about at this time of year.

Beyond the weather, though, it was a great time for our family.

Friday, DS 1 came home. It's so nice to see him and spend time visiting with him. He and his brother (my DS 2) played in a Ultimate Frisbee tournament on Saturday.

Saturday morning I took LG to an appt. with a new counselor. They use play therapy to help work out thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences. The counselor gave LG the option to have me in the session or not. She asked me to come.

While watching them work together, I was once again amazed at the power of play! I've seen this sort of session before when we had other foster children. But I just love watching it. These counselors use toys and conversation to help kids get into their own heads.

For example, LG was playing at a sand table. The counselor told her it was a story table where she could make her own story. Then she opened this drawer with a ton of toys inside...animals, trees, people, and other things. She watched LG arrange them in the sand and listened to her words. Every so often she'd ask probing questions about the characters, setting, or problem of the scene. Through these questions, the counselor (and even I) was able to get a glimpse into LG and her thought process. Fascinating.

Saturday afternoon we had our church's Fallfest. It was a free outreach event for the community. We had food, games, prizes, and inflatables. It was great fun. Here are a couple of pictures of that event:

The picture above is DS 4 trying out my "fall scene" for photos.

Here's LG giving it a try.

And DS 3 is dreaming of being in the sky rather than at the festival!

I have to tell you when my team leads these things I always worry. What if no one shows up? I mean that's a little scary! I explained to the team that it didn't matter if ONE person showed up, it was about being a presence on the corner where we are located. It was as much about the perception of the cars driving by. And it was a good time to minister to a few people and get to know our own church family.

It wasn't an overwhelming attendance, but it was a constant flow.

The thing that was so exciting was to see just how many people showed up for the church service yesterday! This is not the total purpose of the event, but it's nice to know that it was an entry ramp for some people.

The rest of Sunday was spent cleaning and digging out in some of the rooms in our house. (We steam cleaned the carpets in two bedrooms. It was quite productive.

So, there you have it, a glimpse into our weekend! I hope yours was just as lovely.

Just a glimpse...

I have so much swimming around my head that I decided to just write a "list blog" today. Perhaps it's a peek into "me"...it's at the very least a glimpse into my complex and always running thought process.

• LG is going to her second tumbling class tonight. I'm so grateful for my colleague, S, who offered the suggestion! S is taking LG home after school to play with her niece and daughter and then will take them on to tumbling where DH will pick her up.
• DH is such a great husband! He's been doing extra laundry duty with the arrival of another female in the house! I'm thankful for all he does for our family...I know it's a gift that I sometimes take for granted.
• DS 4 has really risen to the "big brother" title. He is quite aware of LG's whereabouts at school. I often get to see him check up on her to make sure she's OK. I love that.
• In other DS 4 news, some days I want to ring his neck! He is a chip off the old block for completing homework. Some days he does and other days he doesn't. I'm praying he gets the self-control he needs in this area before the big Middle School years hit!
• DS 2 hurt his wrist playing frisbee the other day. He's been dealing with doctors and MRI's all week. I hope there is no surgery involved, but we'll see.
• Today, my friend Sandy and I finish up a two day workshop at another school across town. It's always fun going and meeting other teachers and seeing similarities and differences in schools.
• Our church is hosting a HUGE block party this Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00, and I am in charge of it. I still have to shop for the food and handle the last minute stuff tomorrow afternoon/evening.
• The weather is finally not STEAMY HOT! I'm glad. I also have to admit, though, that I'd like to see just a teensy bit of sunshine today. It's been gray for three days now and that simply is not Florida norm. We love our sun here and I think I am in need of soaking up those vitamin D rays regularly to keep myself perky!
• LG commented at dinner last night that we were in for a FUN weekend! She is excited about the Fall Festival. Then Sunday night, we are having several friends from church over for supper. I'm glad she likes the hustle bustle that sometimes is our lives!
• Finally, I must comment about her nightly prayers. I love praying with my kids before they go to sleep. Every night I ask her if she has requests and she always mentions her Grandma (who has raised her). In the last few days, though, she has added Grandma and Grandpa N, Grandpa and Grandma C, and "Grammie". Last night I thought "Who the heck is "Grammie"? Then I realized...she hasn't met my Mom yet, but she's heard me call her "Gram". She translated that to a new name: "Grammie". SO CUTE and touching that she has already connected with our extended family this way!

When I take the time to just bullet list some thoughts, it reminds me of so many blessings! I could go on and on listing thoughts, ideas, feelings, observations here. But I won't. This is enough.

May we all find joy in the day-to-day happenings of our lives today!

Random Dozen: I'm BACK!

1. What was the last song you listened to? "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin...which is funny since it's the song that was on when the alarm went off! I thought, "I don't wanna' rise this morning, Lord!" But I had no choice and I'm up.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything? Hmmm...the day after I got my family room couches, which I had BEGGED DH to get, I couldn't stand them! I felt like I was swimming in a sea of burnt orange. I even called my friend, E, over to help me get over it, cause I knew I couldn't tell DH! She helped me accessorize and all was well. Here we are several years later, and I still like them.

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing) Our move to our last church appointment. I wasn't happy. I went down with my arms crossed telling God, "You can't make me like this." And I was literally in the door for five minutes before HE uncrossed my arms and showed me it was going to be a good thing! It was! We were there for five years and I can honestly say it was one of our BEST appointments.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon? I watch it most years. I suppose Garfield is one of my favorites.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately. I suppose it's Natalie Grant's song "There's No Such Thing as Perfect People". I love these words in the chorus: "There's no such thing as perfect people/There's no such thing as a perfect life/So come as you are, broken and scarred/Lift up your heart-be amazed, be changed by a perfect God!" I love it.

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating? Interesting question. I suppose the only thing I can think of is playing games on Facebook. I don't really have anything else I can think of on here.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to? ALL of it! I love T'giving food! Probably my favorite is cornbread pudding.

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book? My favorite book as a child was the story of Helen Keller. Since I read children's books for a living, I'd be hardpressed to find a favorite. My kids at school tell me, "We know! We know! It's your favorite!" everytime I sit down to read one.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.) I collect Nativities. I have more than 100 of them around the house during the holidays. I posted a photo tour a couple of years ago...of course we've added some since then. Here is "Nativities 101" and "Nativities 102" if you'd like to look at them.


10. Gift bags or wrapping paper? Honestly last year I went back to wrapping. I love the convenience of the bag, but I love the look of the wrapped gift!

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day? My brother and I would walk home from our school...probably a mile. We watched all the after school shows which included reruns of Gilligan's Island. I don't remember which other shows were on, but we loved that one!

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish?? Yes, yes I do. In fact, I get kind of sad that the "catch and release shows" catch a fish...traumatize it and then put it back for sport. I'm sure there could be some serious analysis of THAT!

"The System"

Ever since the early 90's when DH and I were foster parents the first time, I have been highly aware of "the system". There are procedures in place that are designed to protect children AND families who find themselves entangled within it. Yet, as it is with all systems, there are still flaws.

During the first few years of foster care, DH and I cared for Mallory, a toddler who had been severly malnourished, had never had anything solid, and had little motor control. Under our "watch", she began to eat solid foods--although she still choked at times--and she learned to walk.

In the Fall of 1992, the department had determined that they were ready to sever the parental rights of Mallory's parents. We were set to become the adoptive family for this precious little girl. In early November, just weeks before the paperwork was to be completed, a grandparent showed up out of what felt like nowhere!

In a matter of days, she completed a home study in North Carolina (her state of residence) and showed up in Florida to claim "her little girl"! To say we were reeling would be a significant understatement. We knew, though, that it is almost always the goal of the "system" to keep children within their blood families when it's possible to do so. Still, Mallory had never met this person and had no formal connections with her. There was limited background information and no social history completed.

We didn't feel right about it. I wasn't there when Grandma showed up to take our precious little girl away. DH had to meet her at a local Motel 6 to hand her over. It was there, in the place where they "leave the lights on for you" that the light seemed to go out for this child.

DH will tell you that he still remembers the look in our little girl's eyes as she was suddenly in the arms of a total stranger! Although it may be judgmental on my part, I still don't think Mallory was put in the best possible scenerio for her. In fact, we have no way of knowing what her life became. We only pray that she is a happy young lady today and that somehow she rose above what appeared to be her lot in life.

Today, the procedures seem a little bit "tighter", but we have still seen families lose children to out of state relatives in a blink of an eye with what I deem as low standards. We are realists. We have been there and know that this is still very much a possibility for any child who is a ward of the state.

So here we are, almost 20 years later involved in the same system. People have told me they don't know "how we can do it". They wonder "how you ever let them go". The truth is, it doesn't get any easier...but we have to trust that while a child is in care that we are making a difference in their life. We offer stability and nurture where there has been little or none. We offer love where love is often distorted or non-existent. Even if it's only for a moment in time.

As I watch LG sleep at night and I listen to her laugh and play as a little girl should during the day, I am certain that I don't know exactly what her future holds. Should the day come that she needs a forever family, I pray that we are able to fill that role. In the meantime, we take each day as it comes. We offer life, love, and laughter and stability in the moment.

And we pray that the system that is designed to protect this child works and is flawless this time!

Two Winners in the House...

Tonight DH and LG played Go Fish. She came in my room and announced, "I won! I beat my Dad in Go Fish! His little Princess beat him!"

And all I could think was, "You may have won the Go Fish game, but he also is pretty big winner tonight!"

Three Tragedies in a Week

If I were to take a more positive tone with this title, I would probably name it "Life is Precious". Every once in a while events happen that make you think just how fragile life on earth really is. This has been one of those weeks for me.

On Tuesday we learned that a co-worker's husband had suddenly passed away during a hospital procedure. He wasn't sick. He had some swelling over the weekend and was in the hospital to be checked out. It was quick and completely unexpected.

Yesterday we received an update on another colleague that has been out for a few weeks now. Initially we heard that she was going to have "back surgery". Then we heard things were "not good". Now we found out that she is in stage 4 cancer and has been moved into a Hospice house.

Then last night I came home to learn more about the Ft. Hood massacre.

Life is precious. When I reflect on these lives, the two I know/knew and those I don't, I immediately think about faith. I only know these people on an acquaintance/collegial level. I really know nothing at all about what's inside. I don't know what they believe or don't believe.

I am certain that my faith is what would sustain me through a difficult time such as this. And I know that God cares for those who have lost a husband, father, grandfather. He also cares deeply for those who are in the final stages of life. And He loves each person that witnessed, was injured, and/or died in the horrible tragedy on an army base yesterday.

My prayer is that somehow, in these days of change, that He will be revealed to each of these people in some tangible way. And, my prayer also is that if I can somehow reach out and share that love, that I will. Because one thing is for sure, a missed opportunity could only add to the tragedies!

Like a Glove...

In so many ways, LG fits into our family like a glove--a missing puzzle piece found. It has been a HUGE blessing to see her interact with each of the boys. I think she loves all the positive attention that she receives from them. And I also think that she loves "helping" me overcome the HUGE problem of being the only girl in the house! :-) She told my DS 3 last week, "It's a good thing [Susan] has another girl in the house so she doesn't have to shop alone!" I love knowing that there's someone else who "gets" me! (LOL)

It was a BUSY week last week, thus my blogging waned. I am sorry.

Friday and Saturday she spent the day with my niece, H, my DS 4, and DH's Mom and Dad. Wow, did LG have a BLAST! She barely wanted to come home! Here they are blowing bubbles in the driveway.

And here are the girls playing "Polly Pockets" and "Littlest Pet Shop"...a great thing for LG. We are still collecting "girl" things in our house for her to play with. My wonderful MIL saved the day with these finds!I have to say that LG's village is just as much of a blessing as the boys!
Friends at work helped pull the Cinderella costume together in a BIG way! It's so nice to know that there are so many people wanting to reach out and breathe positive into this young girl's life. The drama teacher had the top. LG and I found the bottom (a bridesmaid dress from Goodwill) and my sweet friend Sandy hemmed it up for us. Our ESE teacher accessorized us to the nines!
We held a Block Party/Open House at our house on Halloween night. There she was able to meet even more of our extended family. Here she is with my nieces and nephew ready to hit the street for treats! She and my niece, K, were both princesses. So fun!

DS 1 came home for the Frisbee Nationals this weekend. It was fun having him around too! Here he is in his "Ultimate Frisbee" Halloween costume!DS 3 put on his 80's Outfit from spirit week at school last week. He CRACKS me UP with all of his spirit costumes! I need to make him model each one so I can get pics. They are hysterical! Honestly some of his family have been asking if he's been abducted by aliens. He's having a blast, though, and that's what matters!DS 2 had the all important job of going to the airport to pick up DH. He's been gone for 17 days and honestly we were missing him! He did pose for a picture with his Aunt before he left the party!Here are some of my sweet friends from church who came to help hand out cold water, "adult sized" candy bars, and treat bags to more than 200 people who dropped by throughout the evening! And here are the kids "trying out" the church treat table in our front yard!

Of course, we have the annual "I-show-off-my-loot" picture! LG had melted down and turned from Princess to "wicked witch" by this time (which is a whole OTHER blog), so only DS 4 was willing to oblige me and my camera for this picture. Gotta love the beach look on Halloween!
So, there you have it...a brief update from my neck of the woods. Honestly, this whole turn of events has reminded me just how blessed I am! I have much for which to be thankful. Our extended family have opened their arms and hearts to LG as if she's always been here. My friends continue to support me in unexpected and sweet ways. Our nuclear family is just abounding with compassion and joy.

I'm telling you, there are no riches worth more than that kind of love!