20 about '10

20 Things about 2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you had never done before?
Flew across country and dipped my feet in the Pacific Ocean. Bought a current video game system (the Wii) Missed a midnight premiere :( Kept a New Years Resolution!!!

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I did!!! It was simple though, not to let the laundry go for more than two days. It sounds simple and silly, but I would let it get so bad it would take an hour to fold and put away. I got sick of wasting an hour of my life doing stuff like that.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Quite a few did, in real life and my wonderful facebook family.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, knock on wood.

5. What places have you visited?
FORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A vacation with my hubby! A firm decision on what to do about Foster Care.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?
Hmmm...April 17th, the day J left...May 27th, the day we got Little Miss. March 29th, my 2nd niece was born. June 30th midnight madness and of course September 10th FORKS!

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
Foster Care, continuing to homeschool successfully, and planning and following though on our trip to Forks!

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not terribly, the anxiety was the worst of it.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets to Forks and beautiful artwork from Paula.

11. Where did most of your money go?
Forks...are we seeing a theme here...and bills of course.

12. What song will always remind you of 2010?
I'm terrible with song names.

13. What do you wish you would have done more of?
Read a bit more, the Bible and regular books. Found more date nights.

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?
gaining these five pounds.

15. What was your favorite TV program?
Parenthood, DH, Grey's, Private Practice, LOST (the last season).

16. What was the best book you read this year?
Oh so very many...I'm bad with book titles too.

17. What was your favorite film of the year?
Narnia, we watched all three this year.

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
A lovely party with my favorite people, 29.

19. What political issue stirred you the most?
The waste of money.

20. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met some great people online this year. I haven't met many new people in real life. I've loved getting to know my church family more as well.

Christmas Round Up 2010

 Oh Glorious Morn! What an amazingly beautiful few days. My parents came down early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. There were doubts about the snow and when they would have to leave. We decided to do their stockings on Christmas Eve (this is usually reserved for after all presents are over). Stockings are the best and my mom really puts a lot of work into them. She once said that grownups wouldn't get them anymore, and Johnny threw a tissy. She relented so now she makes five for just my family :)

Shane playing "shake the gift"

Love Sam's face here.

Jackson.

Sam's motorcycle.

Johnny!

New Wallflower!!!

My mom and daddy gave me an early present of a NEW CAMERA!!! Mine was taking fuzzy yucky pictures. So I got this great new camera! The kids got their Christmas Eve present from us. We gave them aquarium rocks. Their faces were so funny. We then gave them the actual tank. I'm so excited to get some fish!

We then used the self timer to get a few family shots. It was quite a humorous attempt. I think we got a few good ones.

Funny Face Time!!!

Then we headed off to Christmas Eve service. It was so nice to have my parents there. We ended by singing Joy to the World outside on the front lawn of the church holding our candles!

This just makes me so sad and proud at the same time. He's not allowed to look so grown up!

I just love this one!

The kids went to bed and Santa came. We did our families gifts first. We did the gifts from relatives and then started with our new themed way of gifts. Something to read, something to wear, something to play with, and something to share. Then we did stockings and had a great lunch. After lunch we did the gifts from Nanu and Granddaddy. My parents had to leave soon after that to avoid the snow. (it's a good thing they did, we're at over 6 inches right now) It was a great Christmas, possibly one of my favorites!

Coming down the stairs to see what's under the tree.

Waiting...patiently?

He's very excited about his new jersey!

Dad's homemade chicken wings!

I was so freaking excited. It's a terrible picture, but this candle was discontinued and my mom got the very last one from the store!!!!

From Shane.

Mom's Dollar Tree gifts from the boys.

Frames the boys made.

Mom's family tree.

We thought they were like nightgown type things, but they are SNUGGIES!!!!

Excited about his Redskins blanket!

Mom and dad trying to figure out their gift???

Hmmmmm

They got it, with a clue. Laundry center!

My new frame from my mom.

The tank all set up, waiting on fish!

One Whole Hand

Well, that's it. Yesterday my baby turned 5. That's one whole hand. My baby is one whole hand! So to you, Sammy, Happy Birthday. You're the very best surprise we ever received. You're loud, stubborn, opinionated. You're loving, sweet, and caring. You're your daddy's twin and your mommy's baby. I love you more than words. Do me a favor, stop growing up quite so fast. I love you!!!

Four months old.

Six months old.

Happy 1st Birthday!

My favorite baby picture! 2 months old.

Decorating his 5th birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Do You See What I See?

So I have this friend online. I met her through a homeschool group on Myspace a few years ago. I followed her to facebook and that was where we really became friends. She was one of the reasons we became foster parents. I followed her and her husband's journey and watched as she took on her first placement of a sibling set of 4 along with her own two children. (both of her children has medical needs) It was amazing to watch. She then went on to take TWENTY kids in less than two years. During this time God spoke to them about reversing her husband's vasectomy. I watched that miracle unfold in the form of a beautiful baby boy. In the few weeks before her baby was born, she was hospitalized and then had a rough delivery resulting in bed rest. Then her baby became ill and was in the hospital. Her daughter has heart issues and was having episodes. Her baby was diagnosed with albinism (which her other son has as well). She, herself, became sick with mastitis. Then the bottom really fell out. Her husband, who is on disability for a bad injury at work, became very sick. His heart beat kept dropping. They were in and out of the ER and doctors. It's been terribly scary for her and the kids. Also, the baby has tummy issues and isn't sleeping well. After all, he's only 6 weeks old. All this has been happening to her. And this is just what's she's made public, there could be even more things.

I start this blog with all those things to tell you what's been happening to me. During all this trials, she has been so faithful. She's been worried that the devil is attacking her family. She has a rather large group of friends on facebook. There has been lots of promises of prayers coming her way. Then someone posted a way to help. They made a group on facebook to set up a way to send food, gift cards, money, cards. etc. In a mere 24 hours, God showed up! This group exploded to over 125 women all offering help. Those that live close to her were setting up a food calendar to bring meals. Those far away are sending gifts cards to restaurants. Some are sending money via paypal. Someone suggested that she make a wish list for the kids Christmas present. As we all know, unexpected doctor bills and co-pays cans strap a budget. I was thankful to receive an unexpected check this month so I was able to assist in the Christmas list and the paypal. I feel very blessed to be able to help my friend in this way. She lives a few states away, so it's all I can do.

Every time another post comes up, another offer to help, another member joined, another person listing a way to help, my heart leaps. This is truly one of the most amazing, beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. I've seen my babies born, I've seen illnesses be healed, I've seen prayers be answered, and I've seen the majesty of the Pacific Northwest,  but never before have I seen God like this. It's the most incredible act of LOVE that I've known in my life.  To see this outpouring of love from people who have never even met her in real life, there really aren't words to describe the joy I feel in this moment. It's a blessing to watch and be apart of this miracle that's unfolding in front of my eyes.