Adopting Ideas

February Sledding Excursion:

Growing right out of his "bucket". It won't be long.

Do any of the rest of you feel sorry for this poor little guy, bundled like a sardine?


Getting ready to take-on the hill.



Walking up with the cool guy.



He doesn't look too traumatized.





Watching the action.


Tolerating.


Scoping out the big hill. Yikes. I could only watch Ranne go down once.

The Lord has truly blessed us through the latest trials. Our miscarriage has even deepened (I didn't think it possible) for us the understanding of what miracles Ranne, Toby and Trey are. It has also made us realize how considerably, delightfully and genuinely we enjoy raising-up people! We have been mulling over adoption and have been hearing of several options toward that end: different agencies, financing, etc. I ask that you all pray for us as we pursue this. The Father adopted each of us. I can't think of a greater honor than to do the same and share our family with a child. There are a million reasons we are excited about this. We know, however, the Lord puts each person in their place on this earth and our home may or may not be in his mind for another child.


Aside from that, we have decided to home school Ranne this first year. A sister-in-Christ has offered to let us borrow her very quality curriculum for which we're grateful and blessed. To tell the truth, I'm excited to make this decision and give the Alb school the boot. No offense to our friends and teachers. I can't think of a one of you I don't trust or respect. If I could pick their learning environment and teachers and study material!


So, lots of big decisions.

On a lighter note, our family had a VERY rare day to play together last Saturday. I can't tell you the last time we've been out as a family to recreate aside from holiday vacations. We packed up the kids after their waking (too early for my taste!), had breakfast at IHOP, and then drove up the Sandias with a trunk full of snow gear and sleds. What a wonderful morning. Trey had his first ride on a sled. He seemed okay, though expressionless. Toby, perhaps, liked the thrill of the ride more than anyone and Ranne was brave, going down on his own without hesitation and doing tricks nearly every time. He'd get to the bottom, sit on the sled and watch the rest of the folks slide down. Toby was happy riding and happy sitting on the side eating snow and digging holes. Trey, well, he wasn't wild about it for the most part, not liking cold wind and ice blowing in his face. What a wonderful time.

AND not only that, but our brother and sister-in-Christ, the Schmilles, watched the boys while we had a date that same day. They also kept the older boys overnight. What a good time to decompress and digest the lastest chaos, mourn, pray and look forward to what is ahead. Praise God for Family.