2012 and Happy 2013!

First of all I would like to thank God for his new mercies each and every day, I could not survive this world without knowing where my treasures are. I know we seem like celebrities, so popular and well put together, in our name brands for less, various vehicles, and cheerful faces. This is not a brag letter, but proof that we are survivors! This past year brought us unexpected gains and losses, we live a tough life and we are constantly reminded our needs of a savior. Our blended family has a fair share of pain and suffering, something that is not topic for a Christmas letter. We have countless temper tantrums, from the most and least expected. We have multiple weekly appointments for various ongoing therapies; we have some long term candidates here. Things are not always pretty, but we do pull it together for the most part and this is some of the more positive things to share with you We learned in February of Matthew, one of the original siblings to our adopted group, needed to be adopted again. Lillie Marie was born March 5th. Two months later Matthew moved in and we have been figuring out our new lives since then. With much to grieve, we as a whole family have navigated ourselves in and out of learning many new things. We continue to try and be a healing home while offering opportunities for growth and development to the scattered levels under this roof. Adam has joined adapted floor hockey, what a fun game that is! He looks forward to games and getting his picture taken. David is really excelling in his academics, the best thing for both boys was returning to the larger school district. Matthew keeps busy with his love for reading and playing with cars. He has bonded well and has a great security with our connections in the community. Lexi went out for swimming this year and took some first places, we are rooting for her to join other sports and continue swimming as well. Aubrey is on the dance team again this year and is doing some performing with the JV team, she loves it. Libby has taken up sewing and is very creative and even has a British accent down. Reany has been working on her dance routine and both girls continue with piano and look forward to basketball starting soon. Noah has been doing lots of bike tricks during the summer and is now enjoying wrestling and keeps us all on our toes. Naomi is growing fast and is eager to learn. She looks forward to dance class next year when Noah goes to kindergarten. Lillie just got her 7th tooth and is a very expressive vibrant baby. Luke will have been with the same company for 13 years in work, does that make him a teenager? We daydream of both working part time jobs and better parenting this wild brood; however, there has not been much alternatives to his hard labor field at this time. He was baptized this year too, which was a great testimony and example for many. Some have told him to be a street preacher, only the Lord knows! Katie is trying like mad to hold down the fort and keep everyone fed and in clean clothes. Most days she showers, but is ever thankful for the ymca membership that allows for greater occurrences of that. Her zumba addiction is at full force. We are still living in Clearwater, also day dreaming of finding acreage in the country and teaching the kids hard work and responsibility, shoveling dung, of course. Speaking of, we lost our beloved Bruno this April and he will forever be missed. He was the best dog in the world with no possible competition. In the mean time we have begun a little cattery of ragdolls. Hoping Ms.Lola and The Fonz make some pretty kitties this summer. Hobby breeding can be a rewarding experience; we are more than thrilled at the prospects. As usual, there is an open invite to those who dare. Just promise you will not snicker or stare. Our lives are rich with emotions and experiences. You will learn much. We are well, kicking off 2013, and awaiting the promises that God has for us, that we might serve and honor him the days of our lives, that we might further the Kingdom, that we might set good example, that we might walk in light and love.