We are a walking billboard......

 I guess I never thought about it much before we started fostering/adoption.  It never really worried me and yet it was something that happened.

 Now I joke around about it, but today I thought I would share my thoughts with you on being a walking billboard. 

 It is something that became apparent to us since our first official visit with Abigail.  We took her to Burger King so we could eat and play on the playset.  Come on people this was our first chance at being parents and we couldn't wait!  Couldn't wait to show her off to the world.  Couldn't wait for people to notice we were parents. 

 Couldn't wait to play with her on the indoor playset (since it was early March in Iowa and still pretty cold outside- that was before we got used to southern weather). 

 See.....this is a "hidden mickey".  They have them all over the theme parks.  Some a lot more obvious, and some more hidden.  This is your average family. 

 Blending in......sometimes really well.  There are even families that choose to keep it that way with adoption, and I can't say that I blame them.  After all it takes a lot to step out of the norm.  To take on your families (some of you do this daily - we never had that issue) and some of your families would even disown you completely for it :( and that is horrible.  Some people want a child that looks like them because that is the way it usually happens having children biologically :) and there is NOTHING wrong with that!!! 

 Well, needless to say on that first visit with Abigail....we found out quickly that we would not blend in anymore.  We heard right off the bat as we were in line with her to order our food, "look that white couple has a black child".  BAM!!! 

 THERE IT WAS!  WE WERE NOW A WALKING BILLBOARD! 

 We took it in our stride.  Didn't even jump across the restaurant and smack that person- which believe me we wanted to do that!!!!!  NOT JOKING!!!!!!!!!!! 

 Instead we talked about the incident.  It didn't slow us down or make us change our minds, but something in the back of our heads told us that we would never be the same.  That our family would never be the same.  That we would always stick out. 

 People that is well before we continued to add more children to our family!  That was when we had one child....who just happened to not have my skin color or my hair.  She didn't share eye color with my husband.

 As soon as we added even a couple more children it was even more obvious to people that we are a Target as we go out in public.  We are the family that people just can't stop looking at.  Oh and it is really funny when some of our summer staff members took our kiddos out to eat, or better yet when your mother in love and your staff member look after your kiddos while you fly out to do interviews - umm yeah. THAT was funny!  To hear them both go on about the stares....a younger man, older woman, and 3 children that looked nothing like either of them ;) he he he he he......HILARIOUS! 

 However, when it gets really personal.........that is when it gets tough!  Like with social workers who believe that dark skinned children shouldn't be in your home.  Or a CASA worker who says your children shouldn't be adopted by you because you just don't have enough pigment in your skin.  Or when your neighbor talks to your other neighbor and says...."better watch out they have a lot of black kids over there".  Or when you child hears the N word for the first time.  Or when boys come and say racist nasty remarks through the fence.  Or when your neighbor cusses at your children, and yells at them because you have "too many" children and they are not the right skin color! 

That will tear you apart!!!!!  That will eat you up for dinner!!!!!  BUT GOD!!!!!!! 

 You have to make a choice.  A very conscience choice right then and there to not take junk, but to do it in a way that is Christlike as well.  That is really hard.

 You see from the beginning we have taught our kiddos to know that when people stare at us there are several reasons: 

1) We obviously have drop dead gorgeous children!  It's true!  I mean who wouldn't stare at children who are so beautiful?

2) They are normally (ha normal isn't a word we use often, and doesn't mean it always happens) pretty awesomely behaved in public!!  People are amazed that they are polite and respectful. 
***Note to others:  If you see children acting wonderful in public - please compliment them.  You should see my children's eyes beam.  In the same breath when my children or other people's children are having a rough time- DO NOT CONDEMN and DO NOT STARE!  Children NEED a safe place, they need space, they have sooo many needs a lot of people do not understand....and that could be a whole separate post altogether. 

 3) Obviously now we drive a 15 passenger and have 9 children with one in a wheelchair.  One of our children is the same skin color and the others are obviously different shades.  We just don't fit any norm of any kind anymore.  So it's ok.  It just is.....

 BUT it still means we are a walking billboard! 

 It's like these flowers if you looked at all the flowers individually they would be beautiful, but together they look amazing with the patterns you can see across the lake.  I love it.  Sometimes people get this idea that they have the right to nose up in your business.  THAT STINKS!  Sometimes you get people who are going to hate.  THAT HURTS! 

One thing though.....as a walking billboard we always get the "floor" to speak to others in love about how GOD CREATED OUR FAMILY!  About our passion for families and children who need help!  About children across the street, single moms down the road, and families across the world that need THE CHURCH TO ARISE!  We "GET TO" share about our family and answer awkward questions over and over because it educates and helps others to change and shift their views. 

WE are a walking billboard.......that gets to share CHRIST with others who may have never asked about our faith or God, but we gladly get to tell them anyway! 

WE are a walking billboard that speaks volumes about the fact that skin color, physical and mental ability, and DNA doesn't determine family!!! 

THAT we can handle!  With God's amazing sense of grace and love to others who need to hear the Gospel of Love lived out through this very imperfect family. 







***NOTE:  I do not in any way condone those who ask awkward questions and are not respectful!  We have a generic way of telling our story that is not revealing, but still allows us to talk about adoption in a healthy way.  We do talk with our children often about sharing our story with others, and want their input.  We also don't put up with nasty comments that hurt our children's feelings!  It is so very important to allow your children to tell you when they are uncomfortable, or when their feelings have been hurt.  It is also important to talk together how and when to share things as a family!  :)

More about meme and an indoor surprise

 So just finished a meme.....and got tagged again....by Laurel over at Our Journey of Faith.  Since I was just tagged....I won't be tagging anyone, but will answer the questions just for fun :)

So we went to IKEA.......and got a fun toy, I mean something for the kids.  You will find out what it is as you scroll down and read. 

1.  What is your Favorite Dessert?  Soft, Big, Cookies!!!  Specifically Chocolate Crinkles- which is my recipe on the last post :)

 2.  What is your Favorite Book (not the Bible)?  Why?
I love several books.....which I have to say is strange considering I never really liked to read books that much as a young adult.  But I am loving Kisses for Katie- by Katie Davis.  Why?  Because she inspires me!!!  She is REAL about life and her faith!   


3.  What is your Favorite Book of the Bible? Why?  I Love the book of Acts....the early church, how we should live, I learn from it more and more!

 4.  When did you give your life to the Lord?  **answered in the last post :)


5.  What is your Favorite Childhood Memory?  Living on the farm- playing with the animals...we had pigs, cows, chickens, kittens, a dog- playing in the hay loft...looking for new kittens.  LOVED IT!!!!!! 

 6.  What is your Worst Childhood Memory?  Ummm....also last post :)


7.  What Character Traits make your Best Friend your Best Friend?  Christian, great listener, supportive, and faithful. 

8.  What do you see as Your Most Important Character Trait or Virtue?  ***8,9,10 all answered in last post :0

9.  What person in the Bible do you most relate to?

10. What Scripture Verse do you cling to in times of trouble?

 11.  List the 5 Top Defining Moments of your life.  1)  Giving my life to Christ, 2)  having cancer and surviving, 3)  Meeting and marrying my best friend, 4)  Camp - being a camper, being a counselor, and directing, 5) Each one of my children!  I know those are all "moments" but they are the biggest things in my life that have defined who I am in general. 

 Responses from the tagging in my last post:  Here is Jennifer's responses from Peterson Ponderings

 Soooo.....guess what else God has done for our family? 

 We haven't had professional photos taken of our family since we only had 5 kiddos.  he he he.....I mean that money was always put towards then next adoption :)  So we would set the camera on it's 3 legged stand and beg the kids to look at the camera.  Those who didn't look every time- daddy photoshopped!!!!!!!  So there you have it.  Some of our greatest photos of all the kids or our whole family - were photoshopped!!!  It's true!!!!

As far as photos of Jason and I....ummm.....well......let's see.....when Tracie Loux was helping us with our profile for this last adoption.  Let's just say she was asking about where our photos were???  Did you know we had to scrounge for ANY!  I mean we had some, but well....the kids are so cute, and we are not?  So we went through the last several years.  And found....maybe 3-4.  :)

So AGAIN God gave us a hook up :)  YEA GOD!!!!  My grandma's room at the nursing home happens to be across the hall from Alexis Marie's grandma's room.  So she had seen us there, and then we met again at church too!!!!  She said that she wanted to photograph our family right away, but thought we might think she was a big strange.  :)  (aren't we all!!!)

SOOOO this last Sunday- she took our pictures!!!!!!!!  Check out the facebook page or my page to see more.....and of course once we get even more pics- I will be posting them.  THANK YOU GOD for provision even in things that aren't necessary, but still a WONDERFUL BLESSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

THANK YOU ALEXIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YOUR TALENTS HAVE BLESSED OUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tagged in a MEME and now you get to find out....

The meme…
 
The (bendable) rules:
You must post these rules.
Each person must post 11 things about herself on his/her blog.
Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in her post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
You must choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
Go to each blogger’s page and mention that you have tagged
him/her.

***First I want to admit to the world- I had no idea that is what it is even called! :)  Whew....now I do THANKS Debi!!!

 1. Word association. I say “tender”, you say ______________.
Loin...he he he....oh yea- tenderloin!  :)  Haven't had one in a long time, but I guess I am blogging while hungry ;)

2. What is the most important virtue you possess?
Compassion.  Let me tell you this is something that GOD grew in me.  Not something I just had.  Trust me, but I am sooo glad HE has grown this in me.

 3. Favorite song and why?
Here In This Moment by Bekah Shae  although.......I have to say I LOVE MUSIC so pretty much I have a million favorites!!

4. If you had to choose someone from the Bible that most closely represents you, who would it be?
 Some days Mary some days Martha.  Now if I could get it to equal out that would be GREAT!

5. A quote or inspirational verse that you turn to when times are tough.
Hebrews 12:1 is my favorite verse...."Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen"   This verse used to be on a refrigerator magnet growing up and it always pops in my mind when I am really going off the edge.  It reminds me that God has everything planned for me and will get me through it- even when I feel it is all falling apart.  HE KNOWS THE UNSEEN!!! 

6. What is your favorite recipe?
Chocolate Crinkles- YUMMY!!!!!
4 unsweetened baking chocolate squares
1/2 cup veg oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup powdered sugar

Melt chocolate squares.  Mix chocolate, oil, and sugar.  Blend in eggs one at a time until well mixed.  Add vanilla.  Stir in flour, salt, and baking powder into mixture.
Chill several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Shape dough into balls and roll in the powdered sugar.
Bake in oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  DO NOT OVER BAKE :)  (Should still be a bit like gooey brownies)
Cool on a wire rack.  EAT THEM ALL- Or in our case make a double batch so you have enough to go around at least twice!

***He is a thumb sucker.....awwwww......

 7. Most dramatic childhood memory.
When I was 8 years old I had cancer.  It ripped my family's world apart!!!  It has shaped a lot of things in my life.  READ HERE.

8. (for a school throw-back question) If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
Oh dear?  An Oak.  Just because I like them.  They are big trees and strong, and kids love to climb on them!

 9. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Easy take off all the pounds I have gained with moving and our last adoption.  I am totally an emotional eater :(  yikes!

**OK disclaimer about this picture....he ummm....does not like getting his hair cut :(  poor sweetie.  Don't worry as soon as daddy was done I whisked him up, cuddled, and gave him a bottle :)  Awww....the world was good again!!!!

10. Coffee? Iced, frozen, hot or not?
NOT- I don't do coffee of any kind.  Sorry.  MT DEW- is my poison.  Yes, I know.....

11. A moment in time that changed your life?
When I was 4 my parents took our family to hear an evangelist.  I saw him speak and just thought- he really really loves and is sooo excited about God.  I knew then I HAD TO HAVE HIM!  I accepted Christ and have been clinging to HIM ever since that moment!!!  THANK THE LORD!!!  AND NOW I KNOW WHY HE WAS SOOO EXCITED ABOUT GOD!!!  Thankful every day that I belong to HIM.  Oh and if it weren't for that moment.....I have NO idea how I would have survived the most dramatic childhood memory!

SO HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS:
1)  What is your greatest food weakness?
2)  What is your favorite activity?
3)  If I gave you $1,000 what would you donate it to?
4)  What is one dream you had that has changed since your childhood?
5)  What is your favorite book of the Bible?
6)  What is something you like to do by yourself?
7)  What would be your dream vacation- if you had any kind of money?
8)  What would you do with a whole day to yourself?
9)  What is the "worst" chore you have to do?  (or as my grandma wold say you get to do ;)
10)  Who is the person who has influenced your life the most?
11)  Why do you blog?

People I am tagging:
Melissa at fostering love, 
Kathy at Cassel Crew,
Lisa over at mountain top memories,
Kelly at minus one project,
Jennifer at Peterson Ponderings,
Jill at Camp Funk,
Anna at from the heart,
Chrissy at Injera and chocolate gravy,
Megan at living to welcome His least,
Jean over at there's no place like home,
and Shonni at nations around our table.

Irresistibly Sweet....

 Like this.....

 I mean who could ask for anything more?  So sweet....

 This is Joanna's idea of helping mommy pack.  I do have 63 boxes packed so far :)  YEAH!!

 Of course I can't pack because I am snapping pictures and making sure she doesn't fall of the boxes.....

And her response is - look mom my cheeky face :)  he he he

So I was nominated by Andrea to have the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award.  Again being completely illiterate when it comes to many things...I can't figure out how to copy the pic for the award....he he he....guess I'll have to wait until my kids are a bit older and have them show me :)

Ok. The rules for this one is to list five guilty pleasures.

1) Mountain Dew.....my favorite drink in the world :)
2) Candy, ice cream, and fudge- what can I say I have many many many sweet teeth!
3) I LOVE reading blogs :)
4) Sometimes when the littles are taking naps, and the kids are doing their afternoon quiet time rotation....I sneak in a nap.  And it always feels amazing!
5) Love going on long walks or hikes..........

PRAYING & Honesty

PRAYING RIGHT NOW- http://allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/ PLEASE PRAY WITH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so this award says I have to say 10 things honestly about myself....hmmm......

1) I Love being in control- he he he- that is honest, but not always good.

2) I LOVE TO TALK- again not really rocket science, but very very true!

3) I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, that was not a shocker either- sorry.....not really wowing anyone am I? Being a mommy is my favorite thing and is a great act of worship as well :)

4) I have at least 4 lists going at all times! Prayer list, family to do list, things to buy list (grocery etc.), and work to do list. I am a list person. It is how I try to keep sane :)

5) I love Mt. Dew & candy!!! I can't help it. I have stopped my addiction before, but I really don't want to so I don't long term. Hey, I don't do coffee.....so this is my caffeine fix :)

6) I pray that God will give us as many children as HE thinks we can handle. However more that may be???? Can't wait to find out.

7) I am the kind of person to say what I think. Again, not really a stretch if you have ever met me ;) It gets me into lots of trouble, but there you go.

8) I love talking about God, miracles, adoption, knowing Christ, children, my husband (who is the BESTEST EVER!), camp, and ministries in general! I will speak in front of large groups, small groups, or individuals!

9) I am a financial controller- I sometimes have a love/hate relationship with money. Right now - personally - not stressed, but hate having a loan. We did this for Joanna's adoption. I HATE doing loans, but if I could think of any reason to have one- it would be a child! They never depreciate, they always gain interest, and ALWAYS WORTH WAY MORE THAN the loan price :)

10) I love the blog world. No surprise there- have said this before, but the support we feel. The love sent over the computer world.....BLESS us more than you can imagine, unless of course you feel the same. It has inspired, uplifted, held us in prayer, helped us survive hard times, and surrounded us when we needed it. Some of you have said thanks for leaving a comment or supporting us, etc.- but there is nothing that tops a community of believers that stick together!!! Thank You ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So 10 more to be tagged......later- need to hold the baby :)

Things about the Wrights & family planning

1) We live and work at Uskichitto Retreat Center. Our home is a few hundred yards from one of the cabins.

2) We have 4 sets of bunk beds. Our king size bed has a log frame.

3) We normally shop at Sam’s & Walmart. Easy pretty much you can get everything at these 2 places.

4) Our home has 5 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. It is wonderful, and we are very thankful :)

5) We have the camp’s playset literally within clear view of our living area window.

6) Uskichitto Retreat Center has around 100 acres- and is surrounded in loads of trees- oak, pine, &

7) Our kids love to climb trees. I have to tell them that while other campers/retreats are here they can’t do that because we can’t have them doing it too.

8) I LOVE SWEET things!!!! Candies, cookies, rice crispie bars, no bake cookies....mmmmmm

9) We have 3 computers in our home. 1 belongs to the camp. The other 2 are side by side in our dining area.

10) We have 1 indoor dog- small terrier mix, 1 indoor cat, 2 gerbils, and one outdoor dog- flat coat retriever. All of them were rescued pets (except the gerbils).

You know those books with lovely pictures of homes in them......we used to dream of a beautiful log home. I have to admit if something came up for housing someday in the future that involved a log home.......I would not pass it up. The closest I have come is one time we rented a log home while on a vacation.

When we used to think of our future home we thought of how in the world could we save the money for a log home? How could we plan it & get all the information etc. ?

Now when I think of planning for our future home.....I think of things like.....how many bedrooms does it have, and how many children can I fit in it! Seriously. There have been plenty of times we will drive by a large home and I will make the usual comment of- oh I love that house because I could have many more children if we lived there.

You see - I don't really care about how big it really is, but really I know there are guidelines for homestudies etc. So I would have to have something big enough to hold more children. So you see my family planning is simple. Have as many as your house can hold......(for homestudy sake) and then when one leaves.......you start doing another adoption :)

I find it sad sometimes to think that there are soo many people who are the opposite. Don't get me wrong. I know there are many who don't want a large family- I am not opposed, but I pray that every family- ENJOYS the children they have. Whether it is one or several.

Just for us....our family planning ideas have changed from a nice log cabin on a great piece of property to how many children can we raise up for the Lord? How many will God bring us? When will they come? What will their story be? How is God going to use all these miracles? I can't wait to find out!!! LOVE our changes in family planning.......

More about me & our family

Well...here goes some more things about our family :)

1) We like to go to the zoo on a day out. It is pretty cheap for a family membership for the year :) Good to get away when you work where you live, and it is fun for all.

2) My main instruments clarinet/bass clarinet.

3) I taught band in a small town in Iowa for 4 years before getting into the camping ministry.

4) Our vacations go back and forth usually between National Parks & Theme Parks - we love both! Of course visiting family is usually a part of vacations too since we live so far from them all.

5) We love to go on walks- usually daily as a family....around 1-2 miles worth...sometimes more. The longest hike we have done as a family- 8 miles in a day. Tough, and at the end (this was before Jonathan came home) Elizabeth was in our backpack.

6) Jason has a huge fascination with airplanes! He loves to watch them, learn more about them, study pictures of the inside and outside, watch them land & take off......loves planes :)

7) We were married in England at Jason's church he grew up in- Brighton Road Baptist church. Exactly 11 days after Jason's birthday, and 11 days before mine! July 19th, 1997.

8) We spent less than $3,000 total on our wedding and honeymoon.

9) We spent more on our honeymoon than on our wedding- that is the important part my friends!!! Time together :)

10) If you put all the actual time we spent together before our wedding- it would have been about 5 months worth. That is the same time frame my parents spent together before they were married. :)

11) My mother in love- made with a hand crank sewing machine- my wedding dress. At one time I heard a sharp shrill coming from upstairs- It was my mother in love- almost having a heart attack because she tripped and almost spilled coffee on the dress :)

12) We had 6 weeks from the time I landed in England until our wedding happened. We were going to get married the following summer, moved it up the the coming summer, and then moved it up again- because we wanted his pastor to do our wedding and he was going to be out of the country for our the later date.

13) We had a HUGE miracle in that we were able to come back to the States together. A friend of a friend in immigration got us our appointment & paperwork moving for us. Our apt with immigration happened a day before we were to fly home!

14) We had a friend in the church- make our cake, do the food, do the flower arrangements, pay for the flowers, and my brother was the DJ & the best man. NOTHING was fancy!!! But it was truly fun & enjoyable.

15) We purposely had the venue in the church hall & our in the States reception when we came home - so there could be no alcohol. We wanted people to remember our wedding :) We walked to our reception back home- in the school gym of the school I worked at, and we walked there in our dress & tux. It was fun to walk in our tiny town (population 800)- in our wedding clothes.

16) I did the Taking Care Of Business song- clapping, clapping knees, clapping the ground, rolling over etc.- In my wedding dress. My thoughts: It was long- wasn't going to be inappropriate, and hey I am never going to really use it again so I might as well have some fun!

17) I purposely had everyone in my family & my bridesmaid bring over Mountain Dew for me, and I had brought over some myself....to help sustain me through the summer & especially for my wedding & honeymoon (our vacation together). I had a large 20oz Mt Dew on my table at the reception :)

18) We did not plan our honeymoon get away very well....and didn't leave our reception until last.....and it was fun!!! It was a last goodbye to most of Jason's family & friends as well as a wedding.

19) We each shared our testimonies at our wedding. We also had a skit about different kinds of love performed during our wedding. We had an original piece of music written by our pianist for our wedding. We sang "Thank You" by Ray Boltz to our family during the wedding- yep- lots of crying there (and it was a surprise that only a couple of people knew about)! During the signing of the register- which you do at the end of the service- my parents in love played Buddy Holly Songs for us :)

20) We took the wedding party- my parents, bridesmaid, brother, parents in love, and us of course to London the day before our wedding....and ended with surprising them all- long story- with seeing "Buddy Holly Story" Musical in London. We ended the evening decorating the church- late that night together......with pictures, American & British flags, and a few simple bits and pieces. **True story my mother almost was run over by a motorbike- because they drive on the opposite side and she didn't look the right way and stepped out- THANK YOU JESUS- she wasn't hit!!!!

So there......ended up being about our wedding mostly, but stay tuned for more about our crazy crew & lives in the future! :)

Things about me (and my family)

So a friend decided to post some things about her in a list....so I decided to do the same:

1) I accepted Christ when I was 5 years old.....and boy have I learned A LOT since then!!!

2) I had cancer at age 8- had a total hysterectomy, and am here to tell you about it 28 years later- PRAISE GOD!

3) I am married to an incredible man who I a great leader in our home

4) Just in the last week we have stopped diapers during the day in our home....for the first time in 9 years!!!!!

5) At one time we had 4 children during the day in diapers.

6) Our 7 children are within 8 years of age

7) We don't watch tv (ok maybe super nanny or olympics- but it is very rare). Instead we choose to watch movies or tv series - like Little House of the Prairie - something that we know will be good.

8) Our kids don't watch tv either. Movies that are approved by us like Veggie Tales, few educational movies, etc. They watch an average of 2-3 hours a week maximum.

9) We only have pay as you go phones. Because we live in the middle of no where - you can't get cell reception.

10) I love my Mountain Dew. It has been my favorite soft drink since I was allowed to even have pop (as we called it up north- here it is called coke irregardless of what kind it is) when I as a teen.

11) I graduated college as a Music Teacher. I am a 4 year allstater from Iowa :) I also did many other honor bands during high school.

12) Jason & I met at a Christian camp....and now we are co-directors at a Christian camp :)

13) I LOVE sharing my testimonies :) (Not necessarily living them)

14) I have kept a journal of our lives since Jason & I met! Not until recently I discovered blogging.

15) If there were items in my home that I would grab in a fire- besides husband, children, & pets- it would be- pictures, letters from Jason when we were dating, adoption gifts, and our trinkets from Ethiopia.

16) I love to sing & so does our entire family! Jason plays keyboard too- by ear (makes me a tiny bit jealous).

17) I LOVE to teach my children- even on those hard days :)

18) I LOVE ADOPTION- the kind that God does & the earthly adoptions as well. There is NOTHING to me more wonderful than having a child (of any age) accept Christ into their hearts. There is also something so wonderful about seeing a child COME HOME to a family- FOREVER!

19) I am a penny pincher- MOST of them time. Jason- is not. :)

20) I LOVE tickling, singing to, tucking in, talking with, playing with- MY CHILDREN!!!!!!

OK. That was fun. Hopefully you have learned something new about me.....may try that again.

Although I have been crying daily (which is very rare for me until recently).....I know that God is starting to heal our hearts.....and we pray that there will be a door opened to us to adopt another child.

Thank you Lord for my best friend in the World- Jason. Thank you Lord that he is willing to stand by his family, help us heal, and head up this crazy home. Whatever happens....I am always thankful for your gift to me God of my wonderful husband & children :)

Our Schedule

Play time in our little play toy room....
Abigail doing reading....her BIBLE (that's my baby!).....
Joshua doing leapster games............
Sarah doing Leap Pad books....................
Matthew doing writing time................

I have had lots of people ask me- How do you do it? My answer is always - lots of Prayer & GOD!

But seriously I am a list and schedule person....I have to be!
So this is a typical (he he he) day at the Wright home....

6am- wake up- Jason & I do our devotions & prayer time

6:30ish wake up the kids- do baths, hair, dressed & sometimes even I get to take a shower :)

7:30 Breakfast

8 Devotions led by daddy & praise & worship time too (with daddy on the keyboard)

8:30 quick brush teeth & start school
**School of course is a little crazy with 7 children...and not all of them really doing lots of school time. We do have a 1/2- 1 hr break where we play or most days GET OUTSIDE!!! I believe exercise helps the brain development and without we would not function! We do some group studies with everyone, and some individual, and some 2 by 2. Save that maybe for another post :)

12 kids help get lunch on the table after lunch or at the end mommy reads a book that is a continuing story. At least most of the time. Lately we have been reading about different missionaries - short stories. Which the kids and I are loving.

1 little kids (both Elizabeth & Jonathan take a nap now)
Older kids- Abigail, Andrew, Joshua, Matthew, & Sarah do a quiet time rotation.
Every 1/2 hr they switch. They do QUIET play time in the toy room, leapster games (which are highly monitored and only include a puzzle game, math game, & spelling game), leap pad - which is a reading tool with games on math, etc. as well (and they have a great series on how to help kids read with phonics which we love), writing, & reading.
***This is my limited time to work- which I can do A LOT with no interruptions. I of course have to work evenings sometimes, and days when we are not doing school as well.

3:30 little kids get up & big kids pick up their stuff too
Then on to some play time for everyone. This is where I get a lot of one on one time as well as in the mornings. Reading with them, playing with them, hanging out :) Sometimes we go outside for more outdoor time too- I love the quote kids are great in wide open spaces!

5- pick up toys time, the other kids sometimes watch a video or sometimes we do other things while we wait for dinner too.

5:30ish dinner time

7ish bed time for all except Abigail & Andrew (our rule is when you turn 8 you get to stay up until 8) The day ends with daddy reading to all the kids together and more prayer time.
The older 2 play a game, read, play with a few toys quietly, play with us, etc. Again this is a perfect time to spend with the older 2 alone as well.

So there you have it our schedule....kind of.... he he he. Now although this is ideal....as we all know in the real world. It doesn't always happen, but we try our best because hey- schedules help security issues, and temperaments as well.

***We are still praying over our paperwork, immigration, and a timely answer. Some days I cry for hours, and some days I am numb, other days I am both......I would love to say I am doing fine, but that would be a lie. I know our GOD is BIGGER than all of this, but my heart still aches. All we can & should do is PRAISE HIM IN THIS STORM! So that is what we need to do. Thanking the Lord that we have a home, food on the table, and a beautiful family. My arms ache to hold our next child, but I know that child is not mine anyway- he/she/they are God's!

Blog award.....

Mama in Uganda, nominated me for a blog award. How fun is that! So, here it goes.

The award states you use only one word to answer the following questions. Then, pass this along to six other bloggers you enjoy and let them know.

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? shoulder
3. Your mother?fun
4. Your father?quiet
5. Your favorite food? pizza
6. Your dream last night? Naomi
7. Your favorite drink? Mt Dew
8. Your dream/goal? GOD
9. What room are you in? family
10. Your hobby?children
11. Your fear? losing
12. Where do you want to be in six years? hmmmm
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. Something that you aren’t? quiet
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. Wish list item? Naomi
17. Where did you grow up? Iowa
18. Last thing you did? eat
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your TV? there
21. Your pets? 5
22. Friends? few
23. Your life? Wonderful
24. Your mood? enjoying
25. Missing someone? Naomi
26. Vehicle? 15 passenger
27. Something you’re not wearing? jacket
28. Your favorite store? Walmart
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When was the last time you laughed? earlier
31. Last time you cried? today
32. Your best friend? husband
33. One place that I could go over and over? mountains
34. One person who emails you regularly? agci
35. Favorite place to eat? Roadhouse

I will let you lucky people who get to do this next know in a comment..... :)

No news today......maybe tomorrow. The eternal optimist! Hey, when you have an eternal HOPE you should always expect miracles :) Did I mention we have been without water for several hours now? Yeah, well thank you plumbers who just showed up...praying they can fix it tonight? Hey, reminds you to be thankful that we have safe drinking water!

Tag you're it! Here goes.......

The above picture is one we took at the zoo this past week, and if you notice the place we are looking at- Ethiopia where our precious Naomi is right now..... :)

I was tagged...you are supposed to answer in one word, but hey, I am not perfect :)

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? straight
3. Your mother? FUN
4. Your father? Trucker
5. Your favorite food? pizza
6. Your dream last night? Naomi :)
7. Your favorite drink? Mt. Dew
8. Your dream/goal? Save Orphans :)
9. What room are you in? dining room
10. Your hobby? Children
11. Your fear? something to happen to my children (cheated)
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? God's Will
13. Where were you last night? HERE!
14. Something that you aren’t? Serious
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. Wish list item? Naomi- home!
17. Where did you grow up? Eagle Grove, IA
18. Last thing you did? movie
19. What are you wearing? pj's
20. Your TV? on
21. Your pets? 5
22. Friends? true
23. Your life? Wonderful
24. Your mood? Happy
25. Missing someone? NAOMI!!!
26. Vehicle? 15 passenger :)
27. Something you’re not wearing? perfume
28. Your favorite store? Wal-Mart (simple person)
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Your best friend? Jason
33. One place that I go to over and over? Lake Charles, LA
34. One person who emails me regularly? All God's Children Int.
35. Favorite place to eat? Texas Roadhouse

Watch out bloggy friends you may be next :)