In case you were wondering.....

I am feeling the need to write ONLY because I know my Auntie Lynn reads and wants the status on our fam.
This past week was on the crazy side and I hafta say it was the first time in a really long time that I felt stress! Not just the overwhelming feeling of too much to do, but pure stress. Seems so insignificant now, but I was having a rummage sale at my sister's over the weekend and if you've ever had one yourself you'll know why I felt the need to hurl myself out my car window a few times. But it's done and gone and we made some money ta boot!
I also began the process of searching for an agency for our adoption and all of the facts and figures were beginning to twist around my brain like a blood-sucking leech. In the midst of it all I was given a generous offer for financial assistance and I felt the need to jump and try to figure that all out right away too. While the mounds and mounds of rummage junk was piling up in my dining room needing to me marked and moved, I was worried again about the details of bringing a little girl home. And really nothing got accomplished and still hasn't. That's how I roll.....give me more than I can handle and I shut right down. The boys did get to to and from school and to their soccer games, which is totally amazing and I am trying to undo the mounds of accumulating clothes, toys, etc that may have gotten a little neglected over the week. I may even make dinner tonight!
Feel Peace

God is telling us, "YES"....it's time

"The reward for considering the helpless is not just the end result, but the pain, the heart pain, that accompanies it. It is cleansing to hurt when God Himself hurts; it is a good thing."

Adopting...time to cross the line....

I have been wanting to post about this, but we haven't really been at a point where I thought I could state it as fact. We are beginning the adoption process. We are at that last point where we may have one more line to cross before it's official. I can't stop thinking about it....I can't stop reading about it....I can't stop talking about it. So many emotions involved and I am excited, but scared to death. Our friends waited so very long for their little girl in Ethiopia, one family I follow just found out that their little girl has tested for HIV and cannot be taken from the country of Uganda with such a medical condition, and then there is the money.....OH YES, the freaking money!!!! So this is what I've been faced with when I tell people we want to adopt from Africa: Why wouldn't you adopt from the U.S.? We have needy children here! Or if you can't give your own children the luxuries, why would you bring more into your family? And then there's this....Oprah and the U.S. take care of the people of Africa...they'll be fine.

If you see your comment in here...well, sorry...you've hit a nerve. Here is my answer for the four-hundreth, fifty-sixth time!!!! It is our choice to take a child from poverty and bring her into our home as one of our own. When God said care for the needy did he say only those who live in your city? Your state? Your country? No, he said to care for the helpless. We are all God's children. Can Oprah take care of all 147 million orphans? I think not. And they won't be fine....they are dying every day because of conditions that can be prevented (a whole other subject). And yes it IS sooo expensive!!! Is that right? Nope! But who would have to pay for that if we didn't go for it anyway? Those sweet babies! We DO live pay check- to- paycheck, but we have descent cars, a nice house (we think), and we have each other. Our kids are not neglected, they have the necessities, and they don't go without on too many things. So if I have to teach piano to them instead of getting them lessons....so be it! If instead of them getting riding lessons we try to figure it ourselves....so be it! They are loved and we do our best. I don't know how we'll do the money part. it's the one BIG thing that is holding us back, even though we are told that the bills don't all come at once. We are not accustomed to debt and we really don't want to start now. But God is pulling us in this direction and if we wait for the money to come we could be passing up an opportunity for our whole family. We don't want this after our own kids are grown and gone...we all want this experience now. The boys have been praying for this for months! I think I may have gotten a sign yesterday when I stumbled upon this blog. This was the first thing that popped out at me:

"He didn't put us here so we could have big houses, drive nice cars, have fancy clothes, and care about materialistic things. He put us here to love the orphaned and widowed, and love those around us. If just 8% of those who profess to be believers FOLLOWED what God wants us to do and adopted an orphan OR cared for a child in need, there would be no more orphans. That's 147 MILLION children without homes and love that would be given a family, and people to love them. "I'm too old"...Better an old mom than NO MOM right? :) and "It's too expensive" isn't an excuse because God will provide. I have seen him provide for the Oatsvalls, who started out without ANY money in their adoption fund and are now waiting to travel to go get their TWO children."

I decided this must be it....

God is telling me it's time. Time to cross that line.

Scared to death, but excited as ever.

Cole's 11th Birthday

Cole's Birthday is always close to Labor Day weekend.....and he loves to camp...and hunt

(see hunter dude).

So we compromised on the glorious cake and made cupcakes....with a hunting theme
(lots of deer and elk and such on them)!

Notice the sweet deer droppings
(sweet only because they're buttercream:0))

These are some of the friends that either camped with us or drove to celebrate with Cole--can't beat a good party!
Happy 11th year of your life, me boy!!
Your MaMa loves you!

First Day of School

This first morning of school went rather well with all three boys completing chores and morning rituals at top-notch speed. I'm not so sure this has ever been done! :0) Cole is now in fifth grade with two of the best teachers you could ever imagine, (You should hear some of their stories about shark-bites and going to the moon--yes my kids believe them all). Zachary is in the third grade with one of the teachers he had last year (she is so sweet and patient and we LOVE her) , and he has a new teacher we will surely adore equally. You all know Luke's story, but one crucial tid-bit for his first day is that he chose to lay his mohawk down... to make a good impression, I suppose. :0)

This photo was right before he said, "Goodbye, Mommy!!", and I asked. "Don't you want me to come in for awhile?"(we have ALWAYS done this with the other boys). He answered with a big "Nah" that made my heart strings go weak. We walked in with him as the teacher explained some of the hallway rules. She then proceeded to encourage the kids to wave goodbye to their mommies and daddies. This is where the flood-gates opened. I don't think the tears have ever come soo easily without much thought. My sweet husband comforted his bawling wife as I entered my first day without one of my babies by my side.

At last!! I finally stopped driving endlessly and greeted my sweet boy--he missed me....I'm sure of it. :0) I may have picked up some chocolate to comfort us both. Dic and I, traditionally, take the boys out to lunch their first day of Kindergarten (Olive Garden was Luke's choice).

And a treat for the big boys too to celebrate the new school year. I'm excited for a routine, but will miss those fun summer days of wearing our jammies 'til whenever we like. Luke only goes one day this week for small groups, and then he returns again next Tuesday. You don't suppose I'll have to go through the same all over?!

Can I Homeschool you some more???

I know he's big enough.......

I know he's wise enough......

I know he's sweet enough.......

But here it is the night before my baby goes to school for the first time and I'm having a difficult time letting go. I know he will have a blast and I know he is in a safe, loving place. Is it about him? Or is it about me? Maybe I'm afraid to let go of this chapter in my life. I have, very fortunately, been home with my boys every day of their lives and I wouldn't have it any other way. It has been the most precious gift I could have ever asked for. And, now, even though Luke will only be gone for 2 hours and 55 minutes, it will be so different. I know he is looking forward to this new journey and I am excited for him. Each of my boys have told people that they "homeschool", when they are asked if they go to preschool. And I say "yes you are". They are the brightest, sweetest kiddos I know! :0) So even though I don't have a camera (because I dropped mine), and I'm not really sure if I want this little man to leave me yet, I will wake up cheerful and happy on his first day of school.....my last day of "homeschooling". I really am sad. Being big enough and wise enough and sweet enough doesn't take away the little pangs I'm feeling as a momma.

Making Memories

We took a week off early August and went to Denver. It was a much needed vacation from all of our business at home. We got to visit the Aquarium, Water World, Botanic Gardens, and our very first IMAX movie, "Africa Meets the Ocean". These are our sweet memories to keep forever, but we have enough to share...
ENJOY!!

Chiolis meets Africa

Time has come and gone and now I am trying to catch up and post about some really great things that have happened in the last couple of weeks. We had the awesome opportunity to host the Matsiko Choir from Uganda for a few days and it was a truly beautiful experience. The day before they came we were notified that we didn't have enough host families and we were saddened that we were going to miss out. But God laid it all in our hands and I got on the phone and homes for all 25 kiddos were found. There was some reluctancy with busy schedules and conflicts, but I know I can say that all who participated wouldn't have given it up for anything.

We had the honor of being with three sweet girls, who in the few short days taught us soo much about their culture, but also opened our hearts and eyes to the beauty they possess and their positive look on life despite their circumstances of the past. We were told right away that none of the children are up for adoption....that they came from places without hope, but they have hope now.....that they get to go to school...that they WILL go on to the university....that they will become teachers and doctors and mechanics and lawyers. They look only to the future.
They're amazing!!

The first night the girls insisted on cooking for us--they made flatbread "Chipate"and we cooked chicken on the grill as well as beans and rice. They weren't real excited about our American food, although one likes pizza and the other two french fries. :0)

This morning we had three more friends come to hang out before choir practice--Dic and I decided we could have hosted all of them--they are all soo precious.

They had never seen an apple tree before and even though the apples were not ripe they "dug in". They said they have lots of mangos and plantenes, but no apples. We went through 2 huge bags during their 3-day stay! :0)

They performed at Mount Rushmore and it was a sight to see/hear. With smiles on their faces they danced their little hearts out. What an emotional experience--one little girl shared her life story that spoke for all of them. My tears were flowing.

This is our youngest, Belinda. Is she cute or what???

Anita (12), Sherome(12), and Belinda(8).
America and Africa coming together!

Our car-ride home was a blast! I think exhaustion was beginning to set in for all of us, but the girls joined in with stories and giggles. On the way home we stopped at McDonalds for french fries, Little Caesar's for Belinda's pizza (she ate all but two pieces herself--and those we made her keep for lunch the next day), and some fried chicken. We went by my sister's to see some relatives and the girls were asked to sing for everyone......they danced and sang a whole song from their program----sooo awesome! I felt pride, even though they don't "belong" to me!

Anita and Cole having some quiet time our last morning together.

~~~OUR FAMILY~~~

Cole and Anita became very close in a short time. She wrote him a letter that said he is the best brother she could ever ask for. He has a little hole in his heart and says he is saving his money so he can go to Africa. We are hoping to keep in touch with the girls.

All of our children--they so fit our family. They will be missed, but we will continue to think about them, pray for them, and support them. We offered to take this all on again next year and want them to stay longer so we can raise some money for their cause. Most of these kids will not be returning, but there will be a whole other group to love on. We can't wait!! God brought them for a reason.
My eyes are open.

quiet days reserved.......

Life is so fragile and these are the times to embrace....peace and tranquility. More to come in the week ahead--we have the incredible chance to host a few children from Uganda who are coming here to sing on tour. We are blessed and it makes me wonder.....oh, it makes me wonder....is God trying to tell me something? I think of it daily with theses opportunities He is giving. I will keep my eyes and ears open.

Togetherness

We had a really great weekend with LOTS of friends and FUN!!!
We met up with some friends from high school--they were having their 20th year reunion and invited us to the festivities.

gett'n a little crazy!!
A little singing & playing
(Nathan & I sang together way back when)

Me & Amy--it's been sooo long since we got to hang out!
Jamie & Niki, Brian & Dar, Me & Dic


We spent the rest of the weekend at the Hills Alive Festival and even got to watch our friends play in their band (forgot my camera-dang!)
Luke & buddy Wilam
Everyone!!
It had been a sweet, but long day (see hair).
Holly & Jon
Big Jon & Mimi

Cole & Zach found the perfect spot to jam out!

randomness with a downward swirl

Feeling like there's soo much I still wanna do and the summer is almost over. I can't seem to keep a handle on the house and laundry, just so I can get to the pool and park and Reptile Gardens with the kids. We haven't taken any big bike rides yet or even hiked any trails. And lots of friends that we have promised time with and haven't gotten there. Okay, so that's Miss Negativity talking.

• Positive Notes

Our yard is beginning to look oh-so-fabulous, but still much more to do AND we took off after church yesterday to go to the Angustora Lake with some friends. Now THAT was fun--thanks Tanya & Kyle! :0) We also had my little nephew, Jace, for the day last Friday and my sis came over with Shayna to play in the pool. I'm soo grateful for that (even with screaming, tired kids).

I am trying to get just a little more caught up with the laundry and then a possible trip to the pool with some other friends today. We'll see......I told my mom today that if one more person calls and asks us to do something for them I think my head will spin! Not my normal reaction when my peeps need help...usually I'm offering, but I'm overwhelmed again...so is Dic. He was asked to coach Zach's baseball team in a tournament this coming weekend. He said he would do it, but couldn't commit to having practices. After much decision-making Zach and a few of the other boys went to play with another team. And they have had practice several days in a row. I know Dic is feeling torn because he feels like he should help, but he also put in his couple of months as coach and dropped everything in the meantime. He can't be leaving work early anymore, especially during his busy time and it would be nice if he could just come home at night and enjoy his family (how could you not LOVE being with US). Plus he has a church board meeting and an out-of-towner this week on top of eveything else. Anyway, those games are scheduled from Tuesday to Saturday...and this is also the weekend for Hills Alive, which we love love love. So how do we fit it all in in.......with a happy face....with a happy heart? In the meantime we are looking for an open day to get sod for the chicken coop so we can take lots of chickens off of our friends' hands. Not looking good. My mom needs me to come mow her lawn......not really feel'n like it. My MIL wants me to come babysit the dead donkey until Bear Country gets here (a whole different story!)......don't have the stomach for it. And my favs. girlfriend wants us to do the pool today, which my boys would love!!! OKAY--so I know it will all be here when get back---that's my problem!! It's always here...there's always soo much to do and never enough time. Guess I'll take the first step and get my butt out the door to get the poor, hungry dog some food and the real skinny lizards some crickets. And I'll take that run tomorrow......tomorrow I'll get my exercise regime started. Ha!!

Independence Day 2009

This was our Fourth of July---it went on for days!!

This day is always fun, but also my big brother's Birthday.....just a good reason to make a cake!

Dic was inducted into the Post 22 Hall of Fame this weekend. He pitched from 1982-1985 and this is the 1984 team that went to the World Series in New Orleans together. Such a special honor.

The infamous Thompson/4th of July picture. This is the only time of year we can get everyone together, especially since oldest nephew Jacob lives in Arkansas. :0)

My 3-day jello we (I) couldn't bare to cut into! :0) It was just decoration for a couple of days, but eventually it was a delicious treat! Oh, and my cute nephew, Brody, think'n he's gonna get in on the action! :0) Not today, Brode!

The Chiolis, Washburn, and DeWitt boys (& girl) watching the fireworks from our deck. We think we have the best seat in the city for firework watching. We can see them from Arrowhead Golf course, Memorial Park, Elks Golf course, the racetrack and everywhere else they can be shot. The sky lights up and we love it all!!
Good times!

Clearing Out!!

The calendar is clearing...only 2 more full weeks of baseball and I'm soooo ready. It's been fun, but also chaotic. Now we have many projects started in the yard. We have yet to finish our back walkway that we started 2 summers ago, but last year Dic put in a new porch (which is also unfinished), and now he's working on the garden he's always wanted. We decided to only put in half this year since it's late in the season. Sooooo we were going to go camping for Father's Day weekend, but decided the fence must be finished around the garden so we can actually plant some veggies. It's on the outside of the yard so the horses, donkeys, and goats have full access if they want....which we DON'T want!! I have purchased more flowers this year than I think I ever have and I'm having a blast planting and moving foliage where needed. Pretty soon our yard will be one big garden!! :0) I have several things I'd like to do (like put a railing on the back deck and add pergalas to all three porches), but the one I know I am getting done is the chicken coop. We are going to add several inches of top soil and seed the nasty, muddy mess so I don't have to deal with that every time it rains or snows. We are down to 3 grown chickens so now's the time to do it! We have 3 turkeys and 6 chicks who are teens and are waiting to be added to the coop. And we just bought another 7 chicks to be added later. This is something we WILL get done. Maybe it's good that we're staying home this weekend. Oh so much to do!! I'll post picts of my pretty yard later--it's coming along! :0)

13 YEARS

It has been the hardest and best
13 years of my life and I am sooo grateful!

Dic and I were married June 8, 1996....
13 really long, wonderful years ago.

We met when I had just graduated from high school at age 17 at the city softball fields. He was a stalker...I was sure of that! I had been visiting with my dad and after I left Dic came up to him and asked who the girl with the nice a** was. You can imagine what my dad's response was....not so sure of the words, I just know that Dic got a really hard elbow to the gut. My parents knew him because of Post 22 Legion baseball, which it seems we went to watch every summer for most of my childhood. I never thought I would ever hook up with one of those studs who were oh-so-cute, but soo much older than me. I tell people Dic was pitching for Post 22 and I was swinging on the monkey bars! Five years was a BIG difference back then. Anyway, back to my story.......Dic followed me home at some point and asked me out. I was still seeing a guy from high school and so I declined, as flattered as I was. But he kept at it throughout the summer....asking my brother and sister when I was gonna drop the loser I was dating. But that was the end of that for awhile. That next winter I was attending BHSU and he came to Spearfish for a basketball game, as he was going to SDSM&T. I was lifting weights to prepare for a body-building competition and he saw me so we talked for awhile. That next summer I was determined to hunt him down at the softball fields and that I did. He asked me out, just as planned, :0) we were engaged a year after, and married 5 years to the day.

Marriage is never what it's expected to be, and you never really "get it" when people tell you it will be difficult. It's one of those things that has to be experienced to truly understand, and some just never get it right.

We have had soo very many ups and downs that sometimes I thought we would never make it......but every day has made us stronger. He has turned into a more loving, caring, spiritual husband than I ever thought he was capable of, and I know I have changed enormously since we came together. We're even different than 5 years ago......2 years ago. We talk more, we listen more, we definitely challenge each other more and respond to each other's needs. Things are good and peaceful and I think we both cherish every day more than the last.

13 years of love, laughter, tears, and growth........
and I am grateful.

I love you, Dic.
Every day, I love you.
Kendra