The past 5 weeks have, somehow, been filled with 10 weeks worth of living.
Life at our house, since August 26th, has included:
* a 2 week visit from Gregg (now back in Baghdad until June '08)
* a trip to visit Grampa (6 hours round trip, down and back in 1 day)
* an overnight trip to visit friends and the State Fair
* 2 knee surgeries for Carissa
(the first ACL repair failed and had to be redone 3 weeks later)
* a torn miniscus for Jim, while playing paintball with the boys
(now due for his 3rd knee surgery in 5 years)
* 8 doctors appts.
* 6 eye doctor appts.
* the busiest time of the year at school
(enrolling 30 new students in the 2 weeks prior to school starting)
- Jim and I have both put in a lot of overtime
* a 2 day staff retreat for Jim and I
* 3 family birthdays (Cassie, Hosanna, Josh)
* Jim, Jeremiah, and Josh completing 3 housepainting jobs
* Josh, Carissa, and Lindsey starting classes at the community college
* Ben, Hosanna, Josiah, & Elijah getting into a homeschooling routine
(yes, Elijah is in kindergarten this year)
* Josh competing in X-Country and preparing for next week's 1/2 marathon
* piano lessons starting up again for Hosanna
* Adventure Club starting up again for Hosanna, Josiah, and Elijah
* Jim, Carissa, Lindsey, and Joshua starting Dream School at church
* Jeremiah working with high school youth group
* hosting friends for dinner twice, and dessert once
* hosting an Adoption Information Night for 20+ people
And ... speaking of adoption ...
* we received our I-600A approval
(the U.S. says we are capable of parenting 4 more children)
* we completed all Ghana paperwork
* we hope to have a court date in the next week or two, for the Adoption Decree
* we are hoping and praying to bring the children home before Christmas
... on the homefront, this means ...
* we cleaned out the office and created a bedroom for Jeremiah
* Elijah moved upstairs to share a room with Josiah
* Josh and Ben flipped bedrooms with Carissa and Lindsey
* we bought 2 sets of bunks for Hosanna's room
* we bought a loft bed for the boys' room
* we painted/decorated 2 bedrooms (the boy/girl flip-flop)
* we bought all new bedding for the 4 younger girls' room
* we bought 5 new dressers at Ikea
(which Jeremiah has had the privilege of putting together)
Whew ... after writing it all down, I understand why I have been soooo ... TIRED. :)
Now that I have made my list of events, I can begin to ponder and share what some of them have meant to us ...
First of all, our time with Gregg was WONDERFUL! It has been 3 1/2 years since he left to join the army, and he has certainly grown into a fine young man during his time away. We couldn't be more proud of him.
We went the the State Fair with Gregg, and he bought BIG ice cream cones for the little guys.
Gregg's siblings "volunteered" him to assist Roberto the Magnificent.
Cassie drove up from Oregon, to join us for our day at the fair, and to celebrate her 22nd birthday. Cassie had just broken her foot (by falling off a 30 foot cliff into a river), and Carissa had just had her first knee surgery, so they took turns pushing each other in a wheelchair, or sitting on each other's lap while a sibling pushed. Quite funny!
We hadn't gotten the wheelchair yet, so they were taking a break. Notice the leg brace in the air, and the foot brace on the ground.
* * * * *
The day after we went to the fair, Papa and Gregg went to a U.W. football game, while Cassie and I took the younger kids to the 16th birthday party of the new son of some of our dearest friends. Uncle Larry and Aunt Janie had two wonderful children for many years. But, the Lord's tug on their hearts grew strong a few years ago, and they have since added 3 children through the state foster care system. It was so special to be with them as they celebrated the first birthday with this new son.
After the football game and the birthday party, we all met up in Seattle, had dinner at Red Robin for Cassie's birthday, and then drove Gregg to the airport for the sad good-byes. It is nice, however, that the airlines allow families of returning servicemen to go through security and wait with them at the gate.
* * * * *
Knee surgeries ... the disappointment and fear was great, as Carissa realized that her first surgery had failed (the metal pin came unattached and was "floating" in her knee), and that the surgery would need to be re-done. She had just lost 3 weeks of recoup. time, and college classes were to begin in 9 days. Now, after 5 weeks off work, she is back in the healing process, and heading back to work tomorrow. It has been a very long 5 weeks for Carissa. However, on a positive note, since Jim and I have been putting in so much overtime at school, it has been nice to have Carissa at home with the little ones.
With Jim's upcoming knee surgery, we will have had 6 knee surgeries on 4 knees in 5 years. (Lindsey tore her ACL 2 years ago.) So, we have told all of our kids to "watch your knees" ... papa's genetics do not seem good, as far as knees go.
* * * * *
School has been busy but exciting. We founded/created this school (an enrichment school for homeschool families) just 3 1/2 years ago, and it has grown to 167 students. We are thankful that the Lord has chosen to use us in a powerful way in the lives of homeschooling families.
It is fun having Elijah at school with all of us this year, and we look forward to having Jacob, Sarah, Rachel, and Rebekah there, as soon as they arrive from Ghana. We have one new student from Ghana, already, and are very excited that 2 other families from our school will also be bringing children home from the same orphanage this year.
* * * * *
Birthdays ... September is always a difficult time to have 3 birthdays, as we are so busy with the start of a new school year. However, we do find ways to celebrate. As I said, we celebrated Cassie's birthday with our trip to the fair. Then, we celebrated Hosanna's birthday with 3 friends who came over and made apple pies and homemade bread. Each of the girls got to take home her pie and her loaf of bread. One of the girls bought Hosanna a new apron.
Joshua celebrated his birthday today, with another day of Paintballing. Papa was disappointed that he couldnt' play.
* * * * *
Tomorrow it will be October. Fall is definitely here ... with colder weather and more rain. We are settling into all things Fall: piano lessons, youth group, kid's church activities, Bible studies, small group, etc.... October also means that we are getting closer to bringing our children home. It's hard to believe that it's only been 3 1/2 months since we started the adoption process. We are so very anxious to have our family together.
More on the adoption ... tomorrow.
Laurel :)
