Gratitude Day 1 -- The River

Many days find us walking or biking along the beautiful and Willamette River. Every time is different depending on the seasons, wildlife, water level at the time. Over the years I've enjoyed quiet moments alone, chasing kids on the playgrounds, family picnics and family pictures, Bike rides, birthday parties, babies in strollers, early morning talks with my sister, anniversary walks with Scott in the Rose Garden, the kids baptism, and feeding the ducks. I like that our house is only a few blocks to being able to feel miles away from everything. Today, we added another memory when Ryland kicked his soccer ball into the water and I was able to rescue it with a long stick while the little boys cheered from the bank!

Peaceful

Our favorite duck is all green

This summer my sister and I walked early in the morning

Making friends with Ducks and Geese

Wildflowers

Kid's Baptism

Adoption Day!

                                                               Christmas Ornament

In March Ryland will have been in our family for a whole year. Today, January 20th, 2012 is his  "signing ceremony" in which all the legal paperwork has been completed and his last name is changed to ours! 

I have been reflecting back on our time with him so far and the adoption process, and I have many things I'd like to take the time to write about. But for today, I just want to say that I am grateful to be his mom, to have the honor of knowing and loving him.

My hope for the first year was simply that we get to know each other and he would begin to attach and trust us. Advancing in other areas would just be a bonus. I truly feel that our prayers were answered--he fits right into both our small and extended family perfectly. He has come to believe that he will stay with us and that we love him unconditionally and he returns that love. 

There have been many challenges-- I am proud of him and every one of us for continuing to persevere through them. I'm so thankful for the  prayers and support for our family, friends, teachers  and Ryland's family members who are still involved in his life. I often remind him how many people love him and it's really true!

It's scary and humbling to become responsible for a little person who has a heart that needs healing. He is teaching me a lot. People say he is lucky to have us, but we are the most blessed to have been chosen for him. 

His smiles and hugs melt my heart every day. He is a boy that is full of energy and curiosity and the desire to be constantly interacting. He is growing in his faith in God's power. He loves to joke and has quite an imagination. He is beginning to trust us to comfort him when he's hurt or scared and help  to handle his anger.   He is having fun making friends and trying new things.

Oh, there are many plans for celebrating in the next few weeks, but today he woke up early, full of excitement. He will have his new name! He will eat pizza and his Grandma will make a cake! He will wear his favorite plaid shirt with a snake on it! He will see some of his other siblings!  (I hope he takes a nap on the drive this afternoon because he hasn't slept much the last two nights)

I have to say I am also very glad to be done with the paperwork and visit for the state--that was a long process!

We love you, Ryland! We are glad to have you as our son and happy to make it official today!

Whipped Syllabub Recipe (New Year's Eve)

When Jessamyn was in 3rd grade, she took a class based on the American Girl books. One day they made several recipes, including this one called Whipped Syllabub. We really liked it and somehow it has become the one tradition we make every New Year's Eve. Otherwise, our tradition is to try a new recipe or activity every year.

Syllabub is from old England, "bub" for bubbles and there are many variations, but most will have some kind of citrus juice, bubbly drinking-either alcoholic or not, sugar and whipped cream folded in.

The following  is the recipe from the American Girl book, but I tend to add a lot more sparkling cider (usually peach) to make it more of a drink than a dessert. Enjoy!

Whipped Syllabub

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 lemons
• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup sugar (we added another 1/4 cup or so after initial tasting)
• 1/4 cup sparkling white grape juice

Beat whipping cream in mixing bowl with whisk until thick (we used the whisk attachment on the stand mixer). Juice the lemons and orange. Add the sugar and grape juice to the lemon and orange juice and stir until blended. Pour the juice mix into the whipped cream. Sir just enough to blend. Should be thick and frothy! Spoon into glasses and enjoy!

A New Year

Our traditional drink of "Whipped Syllabub" on New Year's Eve

The month of  December was full of  family time, games, cooking, crafting, wrapping, keeping secrets, lighting candles, and celebrating. As we turn the calender to a new month and year, I look forward to more simplicity and renewed dedication to the things that are  important, though not as exciting as the holiday season!

This was Ryland's first Christmas with us and we tried to prepare him for each thing that we would be doing. I tried to plan for calm time between his wild happiness and his anxiousness. By Christmas Day he really did settle in and enjoy the day. We kept trying to put ourselves in his place, with everything new--that's a lot to take in.

The girl's had beautiful dance performances in Narnia again. My brother and his wife and baby were here for several days. We had days of crafts and cookies making and tamale making with family. 

One of my favorite moments was on Christmas Eve. We went to church (Scott was playing drums in the band) and the final carol was "Go tell it on the Mountain" which Ryland had learned in his class. He turned and asked to sit on my lap and I was bouncing him while he sang at the top of his lungs and snapped his fingers. All my kids were right around me, happy, together, safe and peaceful.  Jessamyn started clapping and pretty soon the whole crowd was clapping. It was such a moment of  joy in my heart. We walked out into the cold clear night and headed home to light the fire and feast on tamales and dream of "the coziest morning of the year". 

It's been a big year. Adding to our family. Having our oldest overseas. Travelling. Adjusting. I think my word for the year last year was growth and, yes, there was some growing! 

Thankfulness Day 24: Love

Photo by Peace

I am so thankful to day to have the unconditional love of God as my Heavenly Father. I am thankful to be forgiven and set free, and to have His peace and strength throughout my days.

I am thankful for the love of my family and friends. It means everything to me to have all of you in my life! 

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Thankfulness Day 23: Thanksgiving Past

Two years ago- trip to Mexico and my last picture with my grandparents while my Grandpa was still with us.


Thanksgiving is full of traditions for most people, but in our  family, plans tend to change every year. My parents have often spend Thanksgiving Day working at a community dinner and my siblings usually spend the day with their in-laws. Most years we do have a special dinner together, but on a different day and sometimes it's enchiladas! Several times we have used the long weekend as a little vacation with just our kids--to Portland, or the mountains to play in the snow. Twice we have celebrated in Mexico with my cousins (turkey and tamales!). Last year my brother started the first annual "Crepesgiving"--the day after when you make a huge stack of crepes and stuff them with all your Thanksgiving Day leftovers. Although it's always  a little different, I am thankful for the fun and special memories over the years.

Thankful Day 22: A Cup of Tea

My favorite mugs with my favorite animals, given to me by my family

Today, and everyday, I am thankful for cup after cup of steaming tea! 

Thankful Day 21: Laughter

Gabriel during his Age of Inventions

I came across this picture and it's just how I feel with a cold tonight. I am thankful for my family who keeps me laughing!

Thankfulness: Adventures in Narnia

2008 Mrs. Beaver

Peace's dance group performed at the mall today to promote their upcoming holiday showAdventures in Narnia . It was a fun surprise for me when she filled in last minute for someone else and played Mrs. Beaver, a role she had a couple years ago. It was such a cute comical part and we all just loved seeing her as the fussy, roly-poly, grandmotherly character in the show.

Today I am thankful for the opportunities the girls have had to dance in "Narnia" , and the things they have learned along the way, including being willing to jump back into an old part unexpectedly!

2010

Thankfulness Day 19: Sisters

I'm thankful for these girls, who spend a lot of time laughing together!

Thankful Day18: Brothers

I'm thankful for these boys!

Thankful Day 17: A Little Break

Today I'm thankful for a couple hours break while my mom takes Ryland to his Karate class-- I really needed to relax a bit!

Thankfulness Day 16: A Warm Home

It's so chilly today, cold rain and maybe snow in the next few days (which you can be sure will inspire a post of great thankfulness from this Canadian girl). As I open the door, glad to be able to stay home the rest of the day, I think of those who face the night without shelter. Those who bundle up the best they can under a bridge or in an alley, or in a city of tents. 

Tonight I am thankful for the warm, safe and comfortable home my family has. I am also thankful for the many people who work so hard to help the homeless, both here and overseas. Whatever the reasons are that brought  a person to their place of need, I am thankful for those who offer them grace, a warm meal and a place to sleep- just enough hope to make it through another day, and maybe for some, the strength or resources to move toward a different  life. 

I am thankful for my parents who took us along  to rescue missions, to give out food at reservations, and good news at rehab centers. I'm thankful that they took us to an orphanage in Mexico, and to the surrounding tent camps where families  lived under tarps, searching daily  for food and wood. We held babies and scooped oatmeal for the children. I'm glad they didn't keep us from seeing poverty and they showed us how to put our concern into action. 

I am thankful for the experience of living and working in a teen shelter in Hollywood. I learned to see tender, broken hearts underneath the desperate situations the kids were in. Sometime we were able to help them get on a better path, sometimes they could only handle a meal, a blanket, a hug, a place to sleep it off and they were back to the street in the morning. But for a night, they could be safe and warm and part of a family of sorts. 

I am thankful for having had enough hard times that I can have compassion.  To have had  times where we didn't always know how we would pay our bills and to have been blessed by the care of others. Once we were on a trip back from Colorado in our old car and ended up stranded a hotel in Wyoming in a snowstorm for several days (not fun at all with 2 little kids) and thinking without the gracious help of family, we would have run out of money and been really stranded. 

I'm thankful for my parents, who have a non-profit called Free People . They get people  involved in helping the needy in all kinds of ways. They give of their lives-feeding, listening, lending help, offering spiritual guidance each week. I know there have been many who have simply needed someone to be there and treat them with dignity and not just look right through them. ......It's tiring and it's heartbreaking and only sometimes there's a happy ending to a story. But  it's always a good day when the Free Food and Music sign is up at the park or the Wow Hall!

I'm thankful for my husband who gives of his time and sound business to provide support for this ministry and others. Last night he provided sound for a fundraising event for the cold weather shelter. His generosity and that of many, many others who give indirectly  is what makes it possible to provide help to many.

I am thankful for the moms who make muffins and cookies and kids who make scarves and sandwiches. I am moved to tears when we walk down under the bridge and volunteers are cooking for 500, playing music, sorting clothing donations, cutting hair, painting kids faces and filling balloons. I am reminded that we are all the same on the inside. We all want  to know  like someone cares.

I am also thankful for many who serve the poor in other countries. Our friends the Clays, with Apparent Project, work in Haiti-- finding  ways for families to be able to work and keep their children and to provide housing for those affected by the earthquake.

Tonight as my family members come in out of the rain, eat a warm meal and curl up under a soft blanket, I am thankful for our cozy home and I don't take it for granted.

  Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Thankfulness Day 15: Even When I Don't Feel Thankful

The beauty of looking at things a different way           Photo By Peace


Over the past two weeks I've written about things I'm thankful for, the easy obvious things, and  it's true that I am very blessed. More than just looking for something to add to my my list, I have been trying to change my attitude my having a  grateful  heart in all things. When I find myself unhappy, frustrated, disappointed or overwhelmed, I have been trying to shift my thoughts to a place of thankfulness--not a feeling, but a choice of where to put my focus.

When I feel like I am failing
When I have more to do than I can do in a day
When my child is angry
When messes pile up
When plans fall through
When my family is sick
When things break

I can choose to be thankful

 For the place I'm in, the struggles that will strengthen me,
 For all things working for good
That I have these loved ones
That I have these things
That I have these opportunities


So as I look ahead to this day: cooking, cleaning, teaching, driving kids to things, getting groceries.... an ordinary day, but there are so many things I can thank God for and that is what will make today feel like the amazing gift it is.

Thankfulness Day 14: Ryland

I am thankful to have Ryland in our family! At this time last year, we had seen his picture and said that we would be interested in finding out more about him. Now it sometimes feels like he's been here forever because he fits into our family so well.


Ryland has a big personality-- talkative, curious and silly. He knows what he wants and likes to be in charge! He loves to learn and asks a lot of questions. He is very affectionate and likes to wrestle with Dad and Gabriel every chance he gets. He loves to hear stories and make up his own. He loves to run and is interested in all kinds of sports and super heroes. He makes friends everywhere we go. He loves animals, especially dogs. And, as I write this, he wants you all to know that he likes ice cream!


Ryland and I have fun playing games, getting outside and cooking together. I love his smile,and his happy singing and dancing. He has a precious heart and I am blessed to be his mama!

Thankfulness Day 13: Bethany Peace

Today I am thankful for my daughter Peace, who changed her own name at three years old!  She is a peaceful girl, gentle but fierce when she wants to be. I love to spend time with her.


Peace is unique and confident and doesn't worry about what people think of her. She's not afraid of anything and  wants to travel the world. She is a thoughtful friend and kind to people, enjoying babies and time with grandparents. Peace never stops dancing and when she's on stage her face lights up in such a beautiful way. When she gets a role in a play, it's always the sweet but sassy one. She is creative, always drawing, taking photos, painting and writing and full of ideas. I'm proud to see her working hard to balance her artistic side with being organized and dependable.


Peace looks for beauty and finds it in nature. She reads constantly, drawn to stories of  fairies and dragons and strong warrior girls. She has many dreams and I am enjoying seeing her grow into all that she is meant to be. I'm excited to see where her adventurous spirit will take her in life!

Thankfulness Day 12: Gabriel

Today I am thankful for my 16 year old son, Gabriel. I am a blessed mama in that he gives me a couple of really great hugs every day, and when he does, I am amazed at how tall and strong he is!


Gabriel is my quiet one. He really enjoys time alone, but when he opens up it's a gift we all enjoy. I am always interested to hear his thoughtful opinion on things. He has a quirky sense of humor and makes us laugh so much. He has the biggest imagination and is always full of all kinds of ideas. He is an example to me of a person who doesn't judge or criticize, but always finds the good in people. He is serious and very disciplined about the projects he works on. He is quick to help around the house without being asked and do his schoolwork without complaining. He is playful and patient with his new little brother. He is a gentleman to me and his sisters.


Gabriel has a wide range on interests and talents--many of which involve computer things that I will never understand, but like to hear his enthusiasm about them. I  like to see his creativity when it comes to writing, art, graphic design and music. It will be interesting to see what opportunities he has with all these things as time goes on. But for now, I am just enjoying these years with him, buying a lot of groceries, and treasuring every hug and smile!

Thankfulness Day 11:Jessamyn

I am thankful for my first born girl, Jessamyn . I love her as my daughter and my friend and it's so nice to have her home from her world travels, at least for a while!


I admire so many things about Jessamyn.She is independent and confident and honest. She is so creative and has a unique style. She loves to be with people and knows just how to put together a fun party. She is a beautiful dancer and passionate about her beliefs. She is brave and takes  risks. She is thoughtful and generous and has a great sense of humor. She is organized and dependable. 


Jessamyn is the first child I've raised to adulthood and I am proud of the young woman she is becoming. She uses her strong will  to make good choices (something I sure prayed for many days when she was young!) She has an open heart to learn and grow, and love those around her. 


I am thankful for her beauty and sparkling personality and I look forward to see all she will be in her life!

Thankfulness Day 10: My Kids

                                                        Picture by our talented  friend, Dodi

One of the big kids said something about them being The Three Gingers and Ryland quickly added that he was the Gingerbread Man! 


I'm honored to be the mom of these four amazing kids. Every day they inspire me, make me laugh and teach me things. I'm thankful to have the relationships that we have and the time to be together. I am truly blessed by each one of them!

Thankfulness Day 9: Scott

Today I am thankful for my husband Scott. He makes me laugh everyday. He calls and tells me to look at the sunset or the moon rise or the snowflakes or rainbows. He watches the roadside wild flowers and picks me a bouquet at just the right time. He brings me his morning espresso for a sip because he knows that's all I want. He is generous and hard working and is a fun loving dad to our kids. He encourages me and supports me in the the things I want to do.  I appreciate how he has been willing to grow together through our 21 years of marriage--richer and poorer, sickness and health, better and worse-- and how he loves me for who I am.