The big 3-0

I think I'm going to start counting the years by anniversaries rather than birthdays. 30 sounds so much better than 51.

But here we are, after 30 years, and, well, that escalated quickly...

9 permanent kids

25+ foster and Safe Families kids

6 places of residence, including 1 apartment, 1 3-month stint house sitting, 1 trailer, 1 house of my dreams where I never wanted to leave, and the most recent of which we have been in for almost 18 years

3 dogs, 4 guinea pigs, 2 gerbils, many fish, several hermit crabs, and 1 snake that outlived all the rest

2 master's degrees, 1 almost-master's degree, 1 almost-there master's degree, and 1 doctorate

14 years traveling with The King's Strings which included the chance of a lifetime on a NYC stage with 3 judges, a wonderful audience, and 5 seconds of fame on National TV

Yup, that definitely escalated quickly.

Reunited again

We enjoyed our weekend with Andrew and Sarah. Other than a wedding in September, we had not seen them since Christmas of 2019. It was great to get this trip in before they head out to work at the Olympics in a few weeks. 

It ended up being the vacation of bridges. We met in Cincinnati and walked from there to Covington, KY and back.

Smale Park where Victor was too concerned about

the cicadas to really enjoy himself. After 30 minutes

to work himself up to go into the water (where every drop

on his head was assumed to be a cicada), he lasted about 15 minutes 

before he screamed bloody murder that there was a cicada 

on his shoulder. 

There wasn't.

Peacefully swinging and waiting for our Kentucky kids to arrive

The oldest and youngest reunited for the

first time in 9 months

We found what appears to be the oldest known

statue of a man taking a selfie.

Who knew they had cell phones when

this guy designed the bridge?

The siblings spent the night together watching Star Wars, of course. Not everyone made it til the end.

The next day we walked the bridge from Louisville, KY to Jeffersonville, IN and back.

A rare smile in the midst of thousands of

"There's nothing to doooooooooooo."

Another water park. For some reason, this time

he was not as aware of the cicadas and

certainly not as terrified.

The highlight for all (other than the company) was a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum where they need to be commended not only for a top-notch museum and tour, but also for their accommodations for the visually impaired. We enjoyed our family's own private, hands-on tour.

One last dinner together, then breakfast in the morning, and we were off for home. A quick trip but a much-needed trip to see Andrew and Sarah. Have a great time in Japan!

Buddy Ball

I've never been a fan of trophies for all.

But when it's the kids who never get the tropies who get the trophies, it changes one's perspective. 

One of the older Buddy Ball kids told a friend, "I love Buddy Ball. It's the one place where I can feel like a normal kid."

So thanks to everyone who goes the extra mile to help a child feel like a normal kid.

Whether it's a smile or a conversation or a hug or a chance to play baseball. 

Victor's current TVI came to cheer him on

Thank you.

(I'm not crying. I don't cry. It's allergies.)

It's Jake's birthday

You might think we only keep him around for his long-arm skills when taking group selfies.

Or to fetch things off the top shelf.

But that's really not all.

We so appreciate Jake's compassion and concern for everyone he meets. 

I'm especially thankful for the way that he loves our youngest. Not everyone can do that which we've learned the hard way.

Most importantly, thank you for the way you love Ana. 

Have a great birthday!

Second anniversary, second fiddle

I guess you only have yourselves to blame. Since you planned a wedding on your sister's birthday, only one of you can be celebrated at a time. You're the older child, I hope you can handle it. I also hope that yesterday was a great day of celebration. You know, if you had waited just a week, you'd be celebrating after the school year ends each year. 

I'm glad you survived another school year, another out-of-the-ordinary school year.

We will be praying for this next year as you each look forward to classroom changes. May God give you grace to accept the changes and to find you actually enjoy them more than you could have imagined.

We are praying also for a restful summer to connect in beautiful ways, to see people and places you're looking forward to visiting, and to prepare for another school year.

We pray that God continues to draw you closer to Himself, to His plans, and to each other. 

We pray that your lives and your marriage is a testimony to many, that others will see the Lord through you, and that they will be drawn to Him.

15 years

Feeling all kinds of nostalgic today as I think back to 15 years ago. 

Fifteen years ago on this day we were approved to be foster parents.

Fifteen years ago on this day we waited.

Little did we know...

That fifteen years ago on this day a baby was born and that baby was going to need a home.

Little did we know that when we got the call on June 6, 2006, and when we said yes, that we were saying yes to so many beautiful moments and beautiful memories...all because God gave us you.

We know that when God brought us you that meant that someone else was broken inside. We don't take that lightly. We understand all that comes with foster care and adoption. We grieve the loss and brokenness for you and for your family members while at the same time rejoicing in permanency and family and the blessing that you are to us.

Happy birthday, HopeAnne!