Where we have been

Everyone on Facebook is doing it, and I thought it might be kind of fun to look at our family maps so that we can plan accordingly.


Bret's map... only three states to go


Erin's map.. missing the middle (and Maryland and Delaware)



Combined Kids (Grant has the most with 21; Trent the fewest with 14)

National Adoption Month

In light of National Adoption Month, I have to share this sweet, sweet photo of our dear Grace.  My friend (Dawnelle--I love you!) alerted me to a research website that happened to have uncovered this gem of a photo.  As you can imagine, our photos of Grace from the first 14 months of her life are minimal, and any picture-- any chance of adding to our collection--is an absolute miracle.  

This little picture, taken just about a month before we held her in our arms, is coming my way... and it feels like it's Christmas morning!

But, I would be remiss in light of National Adoption Month not to point out that there are almost 18 MILLION orphans in the world.

That sentence is enough to want to make me vomit.  For real.

That staggering reality makes me want to curl up in a ball or throw my hands up in the air--claiming defeat.  

But, I am here to say that we must--we MUST--be about helping the fatherless of this world.

This truth is especially relevant to my Christian comrades.  Adoption is the ultimate reality for us: we are adopted--it's the very center of the Gospel message. 

We must prayerfully consider if adoption is our call--even if biological children come easily.  Adoption cannot be the "back up plan."  It can't be reserved for those who simply can't have bio kids. We need to pray the scary and often terrifying prayer: "Would you have this of me?"  

And, if the call isn't to adopt--the call to help the fatherless, the orphans still remains.

We need to support other families, often financially, who are choosing to adopt.

We need to support organizations that are actively sponsoring children in need.

We need to pray for the orphans of the world.

This is not an option, my friends.  The call is clear, and it is a call for all of us.  

My Favorite Halloween Picture

Sums up how we adults felt about Halloween this year!

Halloween 2014

So cold.  Even the kids begged to head back in after about 10 houses.  Then, it was off to our local police station for a haunted house and the fire station to drive the trucks (which was the highlight of the night for Trent).  I feel like enduring one such Halloween is a midwest right of passage.  But, oh, it was so miserable.

Harry Potter, Elsa (complete the singing, light up dress) and our little train engineer (who was too miserable to even try trick or treating!).