Growing Up...

 Wow, it has been a fun, busy fall for the boys here! Beau is busy with college, and on Tuesday/Thursday he has no classes so he has been in the field helping his Grandpa VV.  He is really enjoying it!  Classes seem to be going well for him, he does not tell us much!


Benjamin is practicing football with the Varsity, since he is JV they get the privilege of helping practice! The football team won again last night, so another week of practice for Benjamin.


It is hard to believe the boys are growing up, I do miss the days of the 3 of them sitting on the floor watching a movie or playing trains.  Brody is now filling in the trains and cars.  He is such a sweetie, and oh does he love his brothers, and playing or getting into his sisters stuff!! Brynn had a friend over Friday night, and thought it was great because Hannah is use to younger siblings! They had so much fun together!

Here is a picture of Bradyn and some friends after his last 8th Grade year of football!

This past weekend I went to Omaha with my sisters and Mom! We had so much fun!!  Did some shopping, giggling, eating and just enjoyed each others company!

Brynn was so excited to go Trick or Treating!! Brody was a sticky and chocolaty mess!

This weekend we have a Katelyn's Fund Auction and our Church has an Auction on Saturday Night! So our weekend is planned..I guess it involves spending money and visiting with family and friends!!


Volley Ball Action!
Our niece Kassidy plays volleyball tonight with her team for a chance to play at state volleyball tonight, as well as some friends daughters who also play at another place!!
Good Luck Kassidy, Morgan and McKayla!!! So much fun to see hard work pay off!




“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18 NIV

Birthday Boy Benjamin!

I can hardly believe Benjamin will be 14 tomorrow! Our feisty, flirty, fun loving boy is going to be able to get a drivers permit! Yesterday we had Mark's family come for dinner after church! The house was a buzzing with 31 people/children running all over. I made pork loin, baked beans, cheesy potatoes, bought some tea rolls and birthday cake! It was wonderful to have salads brought in, and some bars for snooping! I need to bake a birthday cake today! We will go out for supper with Grandpa Kenny & Grandma Linda and see which of my sisters and their family's can attend! Benjamin was a big boy, no wonder I was so miserable! He weighed 9 lbs, 3 oz!
He was so bruised when he entered the world! I did not put a new born picture of Benjamin, once his bruising went away, he was just a chubby, blue eyed, boy!
Here is Benjamin and Beau are with my Grandparents.
Grpa & Grma we so happy we gave Benjamin a good Biblical name!

Benjamin & Beau

Benjamin holding Bradyn

My 3 Sons

Benjamin and Friends from Church

With all this snow, I have learned that boys are so different than girls! Whew, snow days Ms. Brynn makes a list of activities to do! Learning to spell words is so much fun to see her sounds out words! Needless to say, she writes everything down! The boys never made a list!
Here is Brynn having fun after a cheerleading clinic! (She has the pep club shirt on!
Brynn loves it when her brothers have friends over. Brynn has 3 new brother, with Beau's buddies, Dallas, Gabe and Justin come over, she just loves to make things for them, and of course she needs to tell them good night also! Mark and I were talking about Beau and college, oh she got upset and said, "please stop talking about that, it makes me so sad!" Oh she loves her brothers!
Beau performing with his Show Choir!

Our back yard is filling up with snow!! The snow is level to our pool! Oh the days of warm! The Farmers Almanac predicts 40 additional inches of snow this month! Today the wind is suppose to whip up! So far, it is gorgeous outside, sun shining, at clean white snow, but cold!


Rumor has it, Liberia is/might be processing some adoptions. Of course, the man now working on our case is still looking for the man who was on our case. (Please pray that his gets done asap!)It is hard not to let your mind wander! Than you read a devotional and are reassured this is in God's hands! Yes, I am scared that the fear of unknown, what if we are not able to continue with this brown eyed little boy we have accepted as our son for the past 20 months? It is so hard not to keep a chin up and keep positive, but we need to be open minded also.
"'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:29
We have faith that God will continue to walk with us no matter the out come. I just wish we had answers. It seems we pray the same thing over and over again. You see such miraculous stories of the precious children of Haiti being united with their forever families. God has been so faithful to these children/family's. God has been faithful to us also. To see the joy and read how God worked miracles for so many wonderful christian family's, to be sitting in the embassy in Haiti, sleeping on mats, talking to officials who tell you what you want to hear, than finally being on American soil, and being in your home with the entire family! Brings tears my eyes, and know God is here and in Liberia! M's needs are being met, right now! Which is an answered prayer! We will just continue to keep praying for God's peace, patience and protection for little M in Liberia! Wow, God is good, we can see that in the newest pictures, and having Joni part of M's life!
If you get a chance, read this blog, this lady's faith, has challenged me, and encouraged my faith! God Bless this Family and the little boy who is home from Haiti! Don't know this family, but what a wonderful reminder, of God's love for all of us, and how prayers are answered!
http://debraparker.typepad.com/
Have a wonderful week!

Oprah

Usually around 4 it is very unlikely you see me sitting in front of the TV, but today.....it is a must!! I am so excited to watch Oprah today! Today some "blogger friends", who have adopted from Liberia and are also waiting to adopt Daniel, are going to be on!!! :)

I love reading my morning devotions, and today she will be on also!!

Woohoo!

Nothing is better folding laundry with the date of Oprah!!!

Praying for ears to be open, and that those who can help make a difference, do it!

Happy 13th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Yesterday it was Benjamin's 13th Birthday!
I can't believe he is 13 already! Benjamin was 9 lbs, 1 oz, when he was born!
He was bruised so badly, when he enter the world! He was(is) such a blessing! I remember

my Grandma was so relieved to have a good Bible name.
After school Grandpa & Grandma came over! Benjamin was thrilled to get something

of Grandpa's Yankees collection! My Dad, is an avid Yankees fan, and our boys are

following in Grandpa's footsteps. The boys watch ESPN or the Yankees' and they usually end up calling my Dad.

Last night, we went to the Pizza Ranch with the other Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Mark had to leave early for Consistory Meeting. We managed to get it all in before Dad left, that way we could clean up and get home to watch The Bacholer!

Despite no news on Marcus, we have been keeping busy with Beau's Show Choir last week! They received first place, in a competition! It is so fun to watch them sing, and dance! What a blessing to have such a great Choir Teacher!

Saturday Brynn and I went along with my sister and her daughter to Sioux Falls. Brynn is in awe of Kira. Kira is the coolest girl in the world. It wasn't quiet in the car with Brynn jabbering to poor Kira. Brynn and Kira had fun in Aunt Julie's salon.
While we were gone, Mark decided it was time to take down the last building on the acreage. We know there are creatures living under neath the foundation.

Our Family would like to thank everyone who has/are praying for us. We know this process is all in God's hands and Marcus will come home when it is the right time. In the beginning of this process, Mark and I kept saying we do not want to be in a situation that is long and drawn out. Oops, I guess God had other plans. We have been talking to the boys about how they are feeling about this, if it is worrying them, any concerns. Benjamin told Mark, he doesn't care how long it takes, he wants his brother to come home! God is hearing our prayers!

Thanks again for checking in on us! We pray God's Blessing's on You All!