A dear friend just sent me an email, with tips on how to "Love Thy Neighbor" ... the one that seems to be targeting us. I had to share her final thoughts ...
And if all else fails we can buy a large plot of land and have lots of homes built there for our own community of Jesus praising, homeschooling educatin', big family loving, adoption advocatin', multicultural celebratin'- peace, joy and harmony kind of neighborhood.
Thanks Sarah!
Welcome to Our Journey of Faith. My blog is a place where I share the joys and trials of living a faith-filled life as the mother of an extra large (12 children) homeschooling family, and my prayer is that it brings encouragement to others to live their lives as an adventure of faith, as well.
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Photography Question ...
Hello to My Blogging Friends,
I have a question for all of you adoptive parents who have children with a darker shade of skin ...
Any tips on picture taking? I have a Nikon D70 SLR ... so it's a quality camera. But, I can't always get the best shots of their faces (too dark). I just bought an add-on flash (Nikon), so am hoping that will help. But, thought I would get tips.
Do you use a flash for outside shots, too. Even many of my outside pictures don't show their faces well.
Thanks much, for any tips you can give.
Laurel
I have a question for all of you adoptive parents who have children with a darker shade of skin ...
Any tips on picture taking? I have a Nikon D70 SLR ... so it's a quality camera. But, I can't always get the best shots of their faces (too dark). I just bought an add-on flash (Nikon), so am hoping that will help. But, thought I would get tips.
Do you use a flash for outside shots, too. Even many of my outside pictures don't show their faces well.
Thanks much, for any tips you can give.
Laurel
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Are we being targeted?
Last month, we received a letter for "The City" stating that they had received a complaint regarding our property. Supposedly, we had "vegetation growing over the public sidewalk which created a safety hazard". We were completely confused. Our lawn is kept quite short, and does not have any plants growing next to the side walk (no flowers, no shrubs, etc...). The only possible explanation would be a tree that is on the corner, actually across the sidewalk from our yard, that the city has maintained for the entire 6 years we have lived here. So, we phoned The City and explained our confusion. They sent someone out to "investigate", and they determined that they might need to "cut down the tree". Fine with us ... we never considered it "our tree" anyway (and, we actually think it's kind of ugly). But ... the tree really doesn't explain any type of safety hazard for the sidewalk. The City has never returned. The tree is still on the corner. And ... we never thought another thing of it.
Then ... we began getting the weekly Saturday night visits from our New Neighbor ... the one who does not believe it is "normal" for our children to be outside after 10:00 at night. (Read last week's post, if you haven't heard the story.) On the 4th Saturday of the regular visits, we were also visited by Mr. Policeman. Nice chat with Mr. Policeman ... we thought the issue was resolved ... and, we never thought another thing of it.
Today ... I was napping when one of the children woke me up to inform me that "someone from the police department is here". What?! It's only 3:00 in the afternoon. The kids are all having their quiet time, so no one is outside. What could possibly be wrong now? On the front doorstep, I found another nice police officer. This one was driving the Code Enforcement van. Oh dear! Mr. Policeman came to inform me that there had been an anonymous complaint registered about our family (no longer a surprise) ... we "leave our garbage can by the street 7 days per week and there is garbage strewn all the way down the side street". What!!!????
Mr. Policeman asked if this is true. I said, "No." and point to the upright garbage can, not overflowing, with not one little piece of paper or garbage in sight. I explained that our garbage used to be picked up in the alley, but for the last year or so it has been picked up in the street out front. I also explained that one day every two weeks we put out our recycle, but that we do not leave our recycle totes out the rest of the time. And, we NEVER have garbage littering the street.
Suddenly ... all 3 of the above situations became very clear. Might they be related? I politely explained to Mr. Policeman that we have lived here for 6 years and never had any complaints from the neighbors. I explained that we have now had 6 complaints in the course of a month or two. I explained that the "neighbor" that has made 4 of the complaints (Saturday nights) actually lives a block and a half away. Wouldn't you think that if there were really a problem, that in 6 years we would hear from the neighbors with property adjoining our property? Mr. Policeman agreed.
Then ... I explained to this nice Mr. Policeman that I am getting quite concerned. Our family has lived here for 6 years with no complaints. But, we had a major family change this spring ... we brought 3 African children into our home (and neighborhood). Could it be that we are being targeted? Mr. Policeman seemed quite interested in this "coincidence" and recommended that I document all of these situations. We do live in a very white town ... and I am very aware of other racist situations that have taken place with adopting families. But ... I so don't want to believe it.
Maybe ...
It's the fact that we have 13 children ... which is definitely not "normal".
It's the fact that we are the "odd" homeschooling family.
It's the fact that we are the only Greek family in a town dominated by Dutch families.
But ... maybe ... it's the fact that we just adopted 3 black children. Oh how I pray that this is not so.
I am NOT a worrier ... but now I have to wonder ...
... are we safe?
... are my children safe when they are home alone?
... will our house be safe while we are on vacation?
We will pray ....
Then ... we began getting the weekly Saturday night visits from our New Neighbor ... the one who does not believe it is "normal" for our children to be outside after 10:00 at night. (Read last week's post, if you haven't heard the story.) On the 4th Saturday of the regular visits, we were also visited by Mr. Policeman. Nice chat with Mr. Policeman ... we thought the issue was resolved ... and, we never thought another thing of it.
Today ... I was napping when one of the children woke me up to inform me that "someone from the police department is here". What?! It's only 3:00 in the afternoon. The kids are all having their quiet time, so no one is outside. What could possibly be wrong now? On the front doorstep, I found another nice police officer. This one was driving the Code Enforcement van. Oh dear! Mr. Policeman came to inform me that there had been an anonymous complaint registered about our family (no longer a surprise) ... we "leave our garbage can by the street 7 days per week and there is garbage strewn all the way down the side street". What!!!????
Mr. Policeman asked if this is true. I said, "No." and point to the upright garbage can, not overflowing, with not one little piece of paper or garbage in sight. I explained that our garbage used to be picked up in the alley, but for the last year or so it has been picked up in the street out front. I also explained that one day every two weeks we put out our recycle, but that we do not leave our recycle totes out the rest of the time. And, we NEVER have garbage littering the street.
Suddenly ... all 3 of the above situations became very clear. Might they be related? I politely explained to Mr. Policeman that we have lived here for 6 years and never had any complaints from the neighbors. I explained that we have now had 6 complaints in the course of a month or two. I explained that the "neighbor" that has made 4 of the complaints (Saturday nights) actually lives a block and a half away. Wouldn't you think that if there were really a problem, that in 6 years we would hear from the neighbors with property adjoining our property? Mr. Policeman agreed.
Then ... I explained to this nice Mr. Policeman that I am getting quite concerned. Our family has lived here for 6 years with no complaints. But, we had a major family change this spring ... we brought 3 African children into our home (and neighborhood). Could it be that we are being targeted? Mr. Policeman seemed quite interested in this "coincidence" and recommended that I document all of these situations. We do live in a very white town ... and I am very aware of other racist situations that have taken place with adopting families. But ... I so don't want to believe it.
Maybe ...
It's the fact that we have 13 children ... which is definitely not "normal".
It's the fact that we are the "odd" homeschooling family.
It's the fact that we are the only Greek family in a town dominated by Dutch families.
But ... maybe ... it's the fact that we just adopted 3 black children. Oh how I pray that this is not so.
I am NOT a worrier ... but now I have to wonder ...
... are we safe?
... are my children safe when they are home alone?
... will our house be safe while we are on vacation?
We will pray ....
A Record Breaking Berry Day
Today was Raspberry Day at our house ... with a few blueberries thrown in, too.
Many times, we have picked over 100 pounds of berries in a morning. And, we have often made 30-40 quarts of jam in a day. Usually, however, we pick the berries in the morning, freeze some that afternoon, and make jam over the course of the next couple of days. Or, we freeze our mashed berries and make jam in the middle of December (actually something that we do quite often).
Today, however ... we picked 106 pounds of raspberries and 37 pounds of blueberries this morning. AND ... we made 49 quarts of jam this afternoon and evening. We would have made more jam, but we ran out of jars (since we just made 60 quarts of strawberry jam last week). We froze some berries whole (to use as ice cream toppers) and mashed others ( to make jam after some of the jars are empty). And, we got all of the blueberries into freezer bags for baking (apple/blueberry pie is our favorite blueberry treat).
Lots of good berries this year.
Jacob is having fun!
Rachel is a great little berry picker.
Elijah is showing us how big this year's raspberries are. What I didn't realize until after downloading this pic is that he is also showing everyone his complete disregard for contemporary fashion. (Please don't send in the fashion police.)
I have absolutely no idea where he came up with the stocking cap, or why he would choose to wear it on a nice summer day. And, I think he has pulled this shirt out of the Goodwill pile several times ... how many brothers have handed it down for the past 10-15 years? (Yes ... I remember back before I had children ... oh so long ago ... when I would see dirty or "creatively" dressed children out in public and say, "I will never take my child anywhere looking like that.") If you happen to be one of the wonderful young adults who reads this blog, that does not yet have children, please don't say, "I will never ..." or I will send the fashion police to your house after you've had a few kids and kiddy fashion just doesn't really matter any more. This kid seriously cracks us up with his clothing choices ... too cute!
We like going to a farm that has many kinds of berries. Today's blueberries are right next to the raspberries.
Josh and Ben are reminiscing about the years that we owned our own blueberry farm ... and all of the blueberry picking fun that the kids had. (When I first looked at this pic, I thought, "Our plants were sure a lot taller." Then, I realized that my boys are now a lot taller.)
Hosanna and Sarah are pulling out any leaves or green berries. Don't see many green berries ... our kids have done a GREAT job at picking this year.
We almost need a longer kitchen counter.
These raspberries are HUGE!
Josh and Hosanna were my primary Jam Makers today ... but Ben stepped in to help quite a bit too. (I gave him a little break today, since he helped me make the 60 quarts of strawberry jam last week.)
Many times, we have picked over 100 pounds of berries in a morning. And, we have often made 30-40 quarts of jam in a day. Usually, however, we pick the berries in the morning, freeze some that afternoon, and make jam over the course of the next couple of days. Or, we freeze our mashed berries and make jam in the middle of December (actually something that we do quite often).
Today, however ... we picked 106 pounds of raspberries and 37 pounds of blueberries this morning. AND ... we made 49 quarts of jam this afternoon and evening. We would have made more jam, but we ran out of jars (since we just made 60 quarts of strawberry jam last week). We froze some berries whole (to use as ice cream toppers) and mashed others ( to make jam after some of the jars are empty). And, we got all of the blueberries into freezer bags for baking (apple/blueberry pie is our favorite blueberry treat).
Lots of good berries this year.
Jacob is having fun!
Rachel is a great little berry picker.
Elijah is showing us how big this year's raspberries are. What I didn't realize until after downloading this pic is that he is also showing everyone his complete disregard for contemporary fashion. (Please don't send in the fashion police.)
I have absolutely no idea where he came up with the stocking cap, or why he would choose to wear it on a nice summer day. And, I think he has pulled this shirt out of the Goodwill pile several times ... how many brothers have handed it down for the past 10-15 years? (Yes ... I remember back before I had children ... oh so long ago ... when I would see dirty or "creatively" dressed children out in public and say, "I will never take my child anywhere looking like that.") If you happen to be one of the wonderful young adults who reads this blog, that does not yet have children, please don't say, "I will never ..." or I will send the fashion police to your house after you've had a few kids and kiddy fashion just doesn't really matter any more. This kid seriously cracks us up with his clothing choices ... too cute!
We like going to a farm that has many kinds of berries. Today's blueberries are right next to the raspberries.
Josh and Ben are reminiscing about the years that we owned our own blueberry farm ... and all of the blueberry picking fun that the kids had. (When I first looked at this pic, I thought, "Our plants were sure a lot taller." Then, I realized that my boys are now a lot taller.)
Hosanna and Sarah are pulling out any leaves or green berries. Don't see many green berries ... our kids have done a GREAT job at picking this year.
We almost need a longer kitchen counter.
These raspberries are HUGE!
Josh and Hosanna were my primary Jam Makers today ... but Ben stepped in to help quite a bit too. (I gave him a little break today, since he helped me make the 60 quarts of strawberry jam last week.)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Underwater in the Bahamas
Just got our pics back from the underwater camera ...
The Snorkelers ...
The Fish ...
Papa and Our Sea Kayak ...
The Snorkelers ...
The Fish ...
Papa and Our Sea Kayak ...
Fun, Fun, Fun ...
We are having so much fun this summer, that I hardly have time to blog. Sorry!
In the past week and a half ... in addition to picking strawberries and making jam ...
We spent 3 days at two of Jeremiah's baseball tournaments ...
Papa played frisbee with the kids ...
We had a family BBQ at the end of a fun day at the beach ...
The kids ran in 2 track meets ...
Josh and Ben took 1st & 2nd place in the "Adult Competitive 800m" ...
And ... we went to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
3 moms + 12 kids (in 1 big van for a 100 mile drive each way) = FUN!
1 toddler plus 11 kids between 6 - 13 years old ...
After a full day at the zoo, we had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory before driving home. All 12 kids behaved so well that an older couple came up to the table as they were leaving and thanked the children for being the "best behaved large group of kids they had ever seen". All 3 moms were actually sitting at one end of the very large table and the 4 six-year-olds were at the opposite end, behaving themselves.
In addition to all that fun ... we had 2 more Paintball Days and 2 more Saturday Late Nights with Friends ...
This past Saturday a neighbor came over to complain that our children were outside at 10:30 at night. They were not being overly noisy, and the neighbor was just watching t.v. (not trying to sleep). But ... he just kept saying, "It's not normal for children to be outside so late." We had to laugh, because our dear family has never claimed to be "normal".
On Saturday nights we attend church from 7:00-8:30. Then, we come home and have potlucks with another family or two. The misc. 10-15 children stay outside and play and/or visit until midnight (often roasting marshmallows on our fire pit), while we adults sit in the living room or dining room (right next to the open screen door where we could hear the children 4 feet away, if they were being noisy).
Anyway ... Papa and Mr. S went out to speak with the new neighbor who does not appreciate our abnormal family. Mr. S suggested that if there was really a problem that this neighbor should phone the police. So, Mr. New Neighbor went right home and did just that. A few minutes later Mr. Policeman arrived. After chatting with the dad's for a bit, he said that no one can tell us that our children can't be outside (just because it's not normal) and he proceeded to tell us that he "knows our family and is not concerned about the children's behavior". This was pretty cool ... because he actually doesn't "know" us, but rather knows that the D family has a very good reputation in town and he therefore is not concerned.
In the past week and a half ... in addition to picking strawberries and making jam ...
We spent 3 days at two of Jeremiah's baseball tournaments ...
Papa played frisbee with the kids ...
We had a family BBQ at the end of a fun day at the beach ...
The kids ran in 2 track meets ...
Josh and Ben took 1st & 2nd place in the "Adult Competitive 800m" ...
And ... we went to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
3 moms + 12 kids (in 1 big van for a 100 mile drive each way) = FUN!
1 toddler plus 11 kids between 6 - 13 years old ...
After a full day at the zoo, we had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory before driving home. All 12 kids behaved so well that an older couple came up to the table as they were leaving and thanked the children for being the "best behaved large group of kids they had ever seen". All 3 moms were actually sitting at one end of the very large table and the 4 six-year-olds were at the opposite end, behaving themselves.
In addition to all that fun ... we had 2 more Paintball Days and 2 more Saturday Late Nights with Friends ...
This past Saturday a neighbor came over to complain that our children were outside at 10:30 at night. They were not being overly noisy, and the neighbor was just watching t.v. (not trying to sleep). But ... he just kept saying, "It's not normal for children to be outside so late." We had to laugh, because our dear family has never claimed to be "normal".
On Saturday nights we attend church from 7:00-8:30. Then, we come home and have potlucks with another family or two. The misc. 10-15 children stay outside and play and/or visit until midnight (often roasting marshmallows on our fire pit), while we adults sit in the living room or dining room (right next to the open screen door where we could hear the children 4 feet away, if they were being noisy).
Anyway ... Papa and Mr. S went out to speak with the new neighbor who does not appreciate our abnormal family. Mr. S suggested that if there was really a problem that this neighbor should phone the police. So, Mr. New Neighbor went right home and did just that. A few minutes later Mr. Policeman arrived. After chatting with the dad's for a bit, he said that no one can tell us that our children can't be outside (just because it's not normal) and he proceeded to tell us that he "knows our family and is not concerned about the children's behavior". This was pretty cool ... because he actually doesn't "know" us, but rather knows that the D family has a very good reputation in town and he therefore is not concerned.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Hidden Cameras
When Jim and I left for our 10 day vacation, we joked that it would be fun to have some hidden cameras around the house, to see how the kids behave while we are gone. While our kids do love each other, and they are great kids, that does not mean it is easy for the two eldest brothers (ages 21 & 24) to be in charge of 8 younger siblings for 10 days.
Well ... the 10 kids didn't really stay "home alone" for 10 days ... they added more "big kids" to the mix. Cassie and her friend, Heidi, came up for 5 days, and they were joined for 2 days by Jami and Vicky (a couple of our youth group kids from 10 years ago). This meant they had a good mix ... 6 "little kids", 2 teens, and 6 "big kids" (of the twenty-something variety).
We discovered this week that a hidden camera was not necessary. The wonderful young ladies that came to visit not only took lots of pictures, but they also wrote all about their time here, on their blogs. So, if you want to find out what really happens at the D house while the parents are away ... you might like to pop over to the following blogs for a few minutes.
http://nondairyqueen31.blogspot.com/2008/07/morning-sounds.html
http://vickymarie.blogspot.com/2008/07/good-for-your-body.html
http://jamijanelle.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-call-me-jimmy.html
Lots of fun pics ... cute stories ... and special memories ...
Well ... the 10 kids didn't really stay "home alone" for 10 days ... they added more "big kids" to the mix. Cassie and her friend, Heidi, came up for 5 days, and they were joined for 2 days by Jami and Vicky (a couple of our youth group kids from 10 years ago). This meant they had a good mix ... 6 "little kids", 2 teens, and 6 "big kids" (of the twenty-something variety).
We discovered this week that a hidden camera was not necessary. The wonderful young ladies that came to visit not only took lots of pictures, but they also wrote all about their time here, on their blogs. So, if you want to find out what really happens at the D house while the parents are away ... you might like to pop over to the following blogs for a few minutes.
http://nondairyqueen31.blogspot.com/2008/07/morning-sounds.html
http://vickymarie.blogspot.com/2008/07/good-for-your-body.html
http://jamijanelle.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-call-me-jimmy.html
Lots of fun pics ... cute stories ... and special memories ...
A Berry Busy Day
Papa + 10 Kids + 1.5 hours at the Farm = 15 flats of Strawberries = 136 lbs. = LOTS of work for Mama
While Papa and the other kids helped flash freeze whole and sliced berries (freeze on cookie sheets before putting into ziploc bags), Ben was my master strawberry jam maker this year. He and I made 30 quarts on Monday and another 30 quarts on Tuesday. Whew!
Next week is Raspberries and Blueberries. And ... August brings Peach jam to the cupboards.
We will probably put away 120 quarts of jam this year.
While Papa and the other kids helped flash freeze whole and sliced berries (freeze on cookie sheets before putting into ziploc bags), Ben was my master strawberry jam maker this year. He and I made 30 quarts on Monday and another 30 quarts on Tuesday. Whew!
Next week is Raspberries and Blueberries. And ... August brings Peach jam to the cupboards.
We will probably put away 120 quarts of jam this year.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Pics ...
Our little 5 year old laptop computer actually let me download these pics, and post them. Yea!
Ft. Lauderdale
The Cruise Ship
Nassau, Bahamas
Our Rental Car ... Papa Plays Nascar Driver
Ft. Lauderdale
The Cruise Ship
Nassau, Bahamas
Our Rental Car ... Papa Plays Nascar Driver
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