Xman & Baby K

We had a set of sibs last month for 11 nights that came to us at 3am. This was our 1st middle-of- the- night placement. Let's call them Xman (age 6) and his baby sis (K, 2 months). He was a handsome, sweet boy, who could easily fool a stranger with his sneakiness! :)  He was so protective over baby K. Anytime she cried he would want to hold her and be the first to try calming her. We had a very nice time with him, and I miss him now from time to time. I just really want to know how he is doing in school. He was having a very hard time at home, but part of the problem was removed, for now, so when he went back w/mom, I'm hoping things are much better. We told him how much we loved him and about God & His son Jesus and how He loved him SOO much! That made him smile! He would say to us.. "I really love ya'll!"  *smile*
Baby K was a funny girl..she was a pretty fussy baby, but I think it was mostly because she was breastfed, and I couldn't give her anything but Enfamil in that department :( But I sure loved watching those 2 together.

Baby E

a few weeks ago we were called about a newborn baby girl! she was safe in the hospital, but had been saved by the Grace of GOD from an awful situation. We brought her home and have loved her like our own. We gave her a special name..I'll call her Baby E. She is wonderful! Our kiddos just adore her. So we got her on the 8th, and then on the 26th, just 2 days before court, we found out she has a 1/2 sister that was adopted at birth 3 years ago, and that family wants her. At court the judge ordered for her to remain in our home, but to be transitioned into the home of her sister. This news was so bittersweet!! We were able to meet the other family, and they seem great, but our hearts are broken at the same time. God is already working on repairing them, and we are cherishing the remaining time we have w/baby E. We asked the family to meet w/us this weekend so they can meet E and start bonding with her.

Our Fostering Journey thus far...

We started the process to become foster parents in April, 2010. We took the training courses & CPR classes, got the home study done, background checks, and also medical checks....and were licensed in August. We got our first placement one week later...


2 brothers, ages 11 months (little D) and 3 1/2 (B)  We had such a great time with these boys...we celebrated D's 1st bday with our whole house church at the park. Then in September we celebrated B's 4th birthday!! We played outside with them a lot since they were here during the summer months. They were reunited w/mom in October.

Starting the Foster Parenting Process

Matt and I are feeling strongly led by the Holy Spirit to become foster parents. There was a stirring inside us both as we researched the situation right here in our own community regarding the need for good foster homes for children. We have done the paperwork and fingerprints, and attended an orientation last week. We're waiting for approval to sign up for the training. When we finish training it should be about 60 days until we get licensed! We are excited to start this incredible journey and hope to impact many young ones lives' w/the Love of Christ!

Wayyy to Long!!!

So many blogs seem to go this way.. you mean well as you hope to post regularly, but life happens and you forget. :) I can't believe that it has been a year since my last post. How fair is it that I want to post an update on Nevaeh since she just had her 7th birthday, but didn't post on Elias and Livia for their's in December.. haha! So I guess I could back up and recap our school-year.

Nevaeh is in public school for the first time this year. She LOVES her teacher Mrs. Syberg (and so does Elias--see left). Nevaeh is reading and writing and learning addition and subtraction. We are soo proud of her.

Elias and Livia both go to Discovery Days and LOVE it!! Livia just goes one morning a week and Elias goes 2 x's/wk. For Halloween the kids had a great time going through our dress up clothes 2 different times that we went trick or treating. Here's some pics:

In early December we took the kids to Disney on Ice. It was a great way to distract them from the real thing...as going to Disney World was not an option this year!:)

Nevaeh & West's Bday

Happy Birthday Nevaeh and Westie!!!

My oldest daughter just turned 6 and I can't believe it! Nevaeh Tnes Edens, I love you so much!!

You are an amazing girl who is full of life and loves others. You shine for Jesus everyday and it is so neat to see. You are such a big helper at home. We are so proud of you. When asked the following questions, this is how you answered:

Favorite color: blue & pink

Favorite number: 8

Favorite movie: GiGi, God's Little Princess

Favorite book: Jenny's Surprise Summer

Favorite place to eat out: IHOP & Red Lobster

Best Friends: Rylee, Hannah, Landen, Kendall, Eden, West

Favorite thing to wear: dresses w/tights

Favorite thing to do if we leave the house: go out and eat

Favorite Bible story: David and Goliath

Favorite animal: my dog Jasmine

Favorite thing to do outside: play and run

First Day of our Kindergarden co-op was today! Wow, this summer really flew by and I didn't blog about very much of it. We have had a great summer! Our favorite trip was going to Michigan in June! We are looking forward to going to Orlando at the end of October. :-)

Here is Elias' first day of Preschool at Discovery Days. He loves it!

Loree and Hudson

Anais and Finn Bear

Isaac and Joe (Nate was there too)

Lawana (what a beautiful smile)

Zach and Gabe

Jake and Laurie

Drew, Lindsay, and Noah (Andrew is around there somewhere :-)