There is a quote: "LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORMS TO PASS.... IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN."
With 12 children and 5 adopted from Russia, we have had challenges and trials along with our joys. We have decided that we must
learn how to "dance in the rain." We must notice and acknowledge the joys and miracles in our lives.
They exist daily -- we just need to make sure we do not miss them!! This blog is to remind us of these miracles and joys!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

FEBRUARY 17, 2013 -- MATTHEW'S BIRTHDAY

MATTHEW'S BIRTHDAY
SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 + 4.5 MONTHS

February seemed a good month to celebrate a birthday since we weren't able to have Matthew's birthday with him back in September.  We had his preset that has sat waiting since then.
Matthew has had some challenges and has been in and out for many months.
We hopefully are finally getting some help and we are able to have a 6 hour visit with him on the weekend.
We pick him up and take him to church then back home for lunch and he is able to stay for about an hour and then back to the facility.
This was our first visit and we had a birthday party for him -- 
cake, ice cream and a skate board for his gift.
We love you Matthew.  We pray for you everyday!!!






 Mason always has to have a turn!!!  We have spoiled him!
He is excited for his birthday that is coming very soon!!!



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FEBRUARY 15, 2013 -- SWEETHEART BALL

SWEETHEART BALL
FEBRUARY 15, 2013

We had a fun time working as a family to put on the "Sweetheart Ball!"
Joseph created and ran the music -- with  my input on songs, of course, for us old people.  Everyone helped make food, Benjamin and Rebecca ran the photo booth, and the kids worked in the kitchen and served the dessert!  It was a fun evening, everyone seemed to have a good time and we had lots of compliments on how fun it was!  Yeah!!!!  We consider that a success!  

Isn't David just the cutest kid ever?????


 Benjamin and Rebecca ran the photo booth!

Benjamin doesn't care much for his picture to be taken. It seems painful for him.

 Bethany and her good friend, Miss Lizzie.

Daniel was the chief "busboy" and cleared tables all night!
Rebecca is a teenage girl -- "nuf said!" :)
 The Sweetheart Ball set up!

Dad and Mom had a great time dancing!!! I teased Dad that Joseph knew more moves that he did -- Joseph knows about 5 moves -- compared to Dad's 4!  I love dancing with Dad!!!  I love it the most because I know he doesn't love it and he would rather not be out on the dance floor, but he does it for me because he knows I love it!  Thanks my dear!  I guess I shouldn't tease him! :)
 We never went to the photo booth, so the kids took our picture while cleaning up!  Mistake:  I didn't take kitchen towels to the church -- took most of the dishes home dirty to wash the next day!

 Someone took the camera for a fun photo shoot with Mason!!!
These were a fun surprise!!!


 Candid shots of the family at work!
Yes, this is Rachel working!!!  Always full of fun!!! We love her!

THANK YOU MY AMAZING CHILDREN FOR A VERY MEMORABLE EVENING!!!





















  
 
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FEBRUARY 14, 2013 - VALENTINE'S DAY

VALENTINE'S DAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2013

Who would have guessed that in the middle of February, we could have a picnic at the park???  Well, on February 11, 2013, we did here in Arkansas!!
It was a "pre-Valentine's" outing since we would be cooking for the Sweetheart Ball on Valentine's Day!!

Left to Right:  Benjamin, David, Joseph, Bethany, Rebecca, & Rachel looking down at Louie, our dog.

On Valentine's Day, we did have a "red-ish" lunch -- we ate Mexican food that we were preparing for the Sweetheart Ball, Ranch Salsa that is pink, Strawberry soda/pop and red tortilla chips!!  The chips were not hot, just colored red.


Rachel really liked that Strawberry Soda!








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Monday, February 18, 2013

FEBRUARY 2, 2013: DAD'S MAPS!

DAD'S MAPS
FEBRUARY 2, 2013

  Dad has been dreaming about these big wall maps for many, many years.
He finally ordered them!!  Each map is made up of 3 panels that we hung with wall paper paste.  Thanks to my experience of helping my brother-in-law, Joel, hang wallpaper, I was able to help us successfully secure the maps to the wall and even line up the panels fairly well!
We did laugh a bit about the Lucy episode where she and Ethel were trying to hang wallpaper!!!  We hoped we didn't recreate that hilarious episode!
We have the USA map on one wall and the World Map in our family room!
We love them!!!!  It was a great investment!


We moved our big family picture to the sitting room so that it could be a focal point there and the map went in the family room.
Preparing to hang the world map! Not sure what dad is doing, but ......









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Sunday, February 17, 2013

JANUARY 30, 2013: COURT OF HONOR

COURT OF HONOR
JANUARY 30, 2013

Our family had worked quite hard this month to help our 
boys earn a few merit badges!
Our homeschool curriculum worked closely with some scout 
merit badges that helped out our boys!

In January, all the kids in the family earned the following merit badges:  Indian Lore and American Heritage.  The girls are asking if they can get the merit badge, too!!  They earned it!

This was Daniel's first court of honor as an 11-year old scout!
He was extremely excited!!! 


Go Daniel!  All ready with 3 merit badges!

 Daniel doesn't look excited here, but he was!!!

Joseph received 2 more merit badges and is ready to turn in his Eagle Project Report.




 Benjamin had one lone merit badge on his sash -- the other one fell off because I hadn't finished stitching it!

 


With some strategic completion of requirements and a expidited board of review, Mario advanced!!!
Watch out!  His eagle is coming soon!
We were excited for Mario to earn his Life Rank!!!
  

 

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