Winter II

Winter is the season of Birthdays at our house. We have birthdays from early November until mid-February, at least one a month; so many that, with Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have a major celebration every 2 weeks for 3 months!

In our house we try to make each birthday a special occasion, and the only time of year that they get their "big" and most wished-for gifts. We reserve Birthdays as the time they are allowed to feel a bit entitled.

In our home we spend a great deal of time and energy serving others and thinking about how to help people who are struggling. We practice being good stewards of earth, and good children of society, and teach them the interconnectedness of their spirits with those of others. We are not only trying to raise our children with a global consiousness, but we also don't want them to loose sight of the fact that each of them are entitled to have individual preferences, beliefs, and to feel adored and beloved as well. So on their birthdays, and at other random times throughout the year, we grant them permission to be a bit selfish.

Someday I hope they are able to be servants without self-sacrificing more than is healthy. I hope they are each able to honor their individual desires, have confidence in their abilities to self-sustain their presence on earth, and be able to acknowledge their needs. I also hope that they are able to balance their desire to self-indulge with the understanding that there is work to be done in this world, and that they will accept the call with open and strong hearts.

Winter

This winter has been a very busy one. We had (and still have) 7 kids daily. We were fortunate to spend time with Aaron in March, and to have wonderful visits with family. The Lake House has been exciting to work on, and inspiring to see come together. The kids already love it, and we are all looking forward to years of memories there. Rather than sum up our Winter in text, I have opted to present a series of slide shows. I hope you enjoy them!

Things remain the same, but different...

2010 has begun. We saw a multitude of changes in the past year. We invited changes and changes targeted us. We had wonderful things happen, scarey things happen, normal things happen, and down-right unfair things happen, but we have thrived through it, and the end result has been far more rewarding than taxing. I wish everyone were to be so blessed!

Our past few months have been eventful, but natural. The summer ended with doing much work on a property one set of my parents bought. Princess E started Kindergarten in September, officially beginning the countdown until all bio kids are self-sufficient. Also in September Missy J changed her name although it doesn't affect her initials. I quit my job job in October to devote more time to Foster Care parenting and support, and we began December welcoming a group of 3 siblings into our home. We ended December sending one of our beloved sons (Monsieur M) back to his rightful mamma in a bittersweet victory for all. And we welcomed 2010, this morning, with a New Year's Baby. He is actually nearly 6 months old and is the infant brother of our December crew, but he arrived on our doorsteep a meer 12 hours ago, and we are excited to have him despite his lack of appreciation for the "nap." We are this little bugger's 5th home in as many months of life, which I know raises more questions than I can answer, but I mention it to illustrate how tough things may be for us for awhile. He should rightfully have no trust in adults, and he is, so far, quite fussy and no doubt confused.

The other siblings have been a joy, but they are a hurting lot, and need all the lovin' they can get. The Begonia Girl is 15. She is a little mother, but impresses me daily with how willing she is to let me take this lead with her siblings. She stands by, without comment, and watches how I do things far more than she tries to step in. She is helpful when asked, but is still trying to find her role in the family. 4 weeks isn't long... she has done much changing of homes too.

There is a 4 year old little girl I call Tia. She isn't really named Tia, though she doesn't seem to care. She is a sweet girl, who would be as happy as possible just to follow me and be with me all day long. She reminds me of Tink, had we known Tink at 4 years old. I have a special concern for her, seeing that similarity, and hope that everyone in her future can recognize it too.

Bubba is 2, and just about as cute as they come. He is incredibly resilient and everyone loves him when they meet him. We have a lot to work with him on, but we have already seen such growth in the month we've had him!

Missy J loves having young kids around, and is particularily interested in the baby. Princess E has decided that Tia is her "Pet Peeve," And Bman & Bubba are best buds! Zeke just misses Monsieur M right now, and feels a little lost without an equal playing partner.

Life is good, and I am looking forward to 2010 and all the wonderful things in store for us!