tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46251616134877008462024-03-05T01:43:02.253-06:00Livin' It To The Fullest..."You don't have to have much before you give, for the little you have can make a difference in the life of others"
- Edem Richard AdjordorBen, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-28308706426430956622016-03-14T02:23:00.000-05:002016-03-14T02:23:43.516-05:00The Hand Of God Holds All Things<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time has come to share what our family has been going through. We've all heard the phrase, "God never gives you more than you can handle" and I used to cling to that in times of need. Ben and I have realized in the past year that God will give you more than you can handle, He just promises to be there to help carry the load when we can't.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found out in the fall of 2014 that Ben had reduced kidney function. This was a complete shock to us. His diabetes had been under great control, and he had zero of the symptoms that he should have had. To keep a very long story short, we learned that Ben had reacted poorly to a medication that is routinely used to "prevent" kidney damage. The nephrologists in Iowa were still convinced that it was impossible that Lisinopril had done anything and blamed it on the diabetes alone. We ended up fighting a 6 month battle while they refused to take him off the med (which he now needed for blood pressure control due to the damaged kidneys) and we switched to a nephrologist in MN. It was then confirmed that Lisinopril did in fact cause severe damage in Ben's case and he was switched to a different medication.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The outlook was good at that time and we were told he could sustain at that level for many years with a good diet and careful blood pressure control. We were glad we knew and could make a few changes to keep Ben healthy. We jumped into healing mode and used supplements, homeopathy, juicing, and exercise to encourage Ben's body. He still felt great and at times we saw improvement in his numbers and felt we were on the right track, and that there was a chance God would choose to heal Ben's kidneys. In July that all changed. We packed our moving truck to MN on the hottest day of the year. Ben ended up getting severely dehydrated despite pushing fluids and stopping for many breaks. He ended up in the emergency room with extremely high blood pressure, heat stroke and was unable to do much more than rest for the next few days. That caused some sort of shift and his kidney function rapidly declined throughout the rest of July, August, and September. In September we found out that we could not avoid dialysis.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctors were baffled, and we were in a state of shock. The nephrologists had felt that since Ben was so healthy that he could avoid dialysis completely and when the time came have a transplant. Sadly, dialysis was quickly arranged and Ben had a catheter placed in his abdomen to prepare for peritoneal dialysis. We chose this method so that he could dialyze at home while sleeping and have his day free. It is also a chemical free method and more gentle than hemodialysis. When he started his kidneys were still doing the majority of the work and he needed very little dialysis. This further baffled the doctors, and they kept trying to add too much dialysis...repeatedly dehydrating Ben and landing us in the ER and hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this further damages his remaining kidney function and makes his blood pressure harder and harder to manage. Along with bp control, the kidneys also perform many hormonal and enzyme functions. Now we are trying to mange severe anemia, calcium, vitamin D, and B-vitamin deficiency, and fluid shifts that make his sodium/potassium balance all out of whack. Friday night he took a medication to encourage red blood cell production to help with anemia (a synthetic version of the hormone the kidneys usually produce) but this raised his already touchy blood pressure, and exacerbated some fluid retention he had. This is what led to his inability to breath properly and I had to call 911.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the midst of this we tried desperately to be the best parents we could be, move into our new home and unpack, work on a few projects, and help our kids through the transition of a new school and friends. Thankfully, God had prepared the perfect job for Ben in advance. He now knows he never would have been able to continue teaching throughout this journey. He had struggled with the call to administration three years ago. He still loved teaching (especially Kindergarten!) and couldn't understand why God seemed to be so clearly telling him it was time to move in a different direction so soon. When we packed up his classroom in May he was so excited for the new challenge, and yet so sad to be saying goodbye to the most fulfilling work he had ever done.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the biggest struggles for Ben has been accepting that there is no longer a chance for healing on his own, and that a transplant could affect someone he loves. He's a protector, and an advocate for others. All of you who know Ben well, know he is rarely ever sick but when he is he catches something rare, weird, or intense. He hates sick days and will push through anything with shear will power. Letting people down is not in his DNA. He didn't want to share what has been going on, because he didn't want to be treated like he was sick and he didn't want people asking our kids how he was doing. He loves his new job, and wants to do amazing things, and be a support person for the new staff and school he represents.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Ben's wife, I am asking for prayer. He is my best friend, the best daddy to our kids, a great provider, and a man called by God to be an advocate for all children. Now he needs support, compassion, understanding...and a kidney. I will be tested this week, our oldest son (Braeden) is being tested, and we have had a couple other people offer to donate if they are a match. Ben is beyond humbled by these offers to give him the greatest gift of love. I am also looking into the paired exchange program if I am not a match. That would allow me to donate my kidney to someone who has a family member that was not a match for them, but is a match for Ben. We believe the hand of God holds all things, and He sees this great need. Please join us in praying that the right match is found quickly, and that if we are meant to meet another's need as well that we would see that quickly and clearly. We are also praying for stability while we wait. Ben's blood pressure needs to stabilize to protect the rest of his body for transplant, and the constant trips to the ER and hospital are very stressful and hard on our kids. We are SO thankful for our family, friends, church, community...all of you!!</span><br />
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Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-28527156592398655642012-01-16T16:15:00.001-06:002012-01-16T16:18:34.247-06:00God's sense of humor...the rest of the storyWell, a few days ago we posted on facebook about God's sense of humor. <br />
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In our marriage we have experienced this many times! You know what I mean, you say "oh yeah right, that would never happen" and next week it does. As believers we have always had total faith in God and His decisions for our lives, and never once have we regretted that faith and trust. There have been many times we have questioned His timing, or reasons but knew that in the end life is a Gift and our time here is really not our own anyway. Through the toughest and most blessed times in our marriage we have seen God do things that we didn't even think were possible!<br />
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Here we stand in complete awe again. <br />
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11 years ago when Ben was bitten by the brown recluse spider he had many health complications. Most were overcome with time, healing, and God's grace. But Mayo clinic told us we would never have kids again. We were pregnant with Christian at the time they told us this and were just praying Ben would survive. It was okay, I had always wanted to adopt and Ben and I had talked about it the night he proposed. <br />
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Through Ben's illness he felt that he had been ignoring God's calling for his life and living for the wrong reasons. Nine months after the spider bite he enrolled in college again and pursued his degree in elementary education. One week before Christian was born Ben climbed the stairs at the Crosslake Super Slides, and went off all medications Mayo had prescribed. Mayo told us he may never work again, regulate his blood pressure again, drive again, or resume normal life. Our God knew different! Ben says to this day that he was just too stubborn to go back to school without a big push (he felt he was doing fine in insurance)...I continue to tell him not to wait so long when God speaks to him!<br />
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While he was in school we decided to look into adoption since we had heard it takes a while to be matched with a birth mom. Two years later we adopted our sweet Isabelle, and Ben was almost done with school. When he graduated we headed to Texas to have a better chance at job stability and higher first year teacher pay. <br />
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When Isabelle was 2 1/2 we decided she needed a sister. At that time we knew we wanted to adopt again, but also wanted to make sure that there was no chance that we would "accidentally" have any homegrown surprises. We saw one of the top specialists in Austin and he again told us that we would not be having any more children. The next week we contacted Lutheran Social Services and excitedly pursued our second adoption. Eli came in April of 2007 and we were beyond ecstatic! We couldn't have asked for a smoother adoption and felt so blessed to have our 4 kids.<br />
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September of that same year we saw a program about adopted older kids from foster care and the great need there is for families for these kids. We prayed about it and decided we still needed one more girl, so again contacted LSS and had our homestudy transferred to the foster-to-adopt program. That program was heart wrenching. We poured through case studies looking at kids and praying to God to ask us to show us who was to be ours. There were several times that we asked about kids we thought might be right and then knew it wasn't. The need was SO great and our heart just broke each time we couldn't be the family for a child.<br />
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April of 2005 we had a nice big garage sale! We had moved to a home closer to the school that Ben taught at, and the boys attended. The house was much bigger and yet it still felt good to purge all that stuff we all seem to accumulate over time. We sold almost all of our infant stuff because we knew that we were adopting an older child and that Eli would be our last baby :-) God was chuckling the whole time. May 19th Luke arrived at 2 days old with a hospital band on and a little white t-shirt. We had 1 hour to gather up baby supplies. They needed a family with a stay-at-home mom to take him for 2 weeks because he was too young for daycare and they needed to contact extended family. Long story short...2 months later we were told he was ours!<br />
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Now at this point, many would say "wow, they must not be meant to have another girl". We had the same thought! We love our boys, and Isabelle is such a beautiful princess. On the other hand we had seen the need for older child adoption and we couldn't ignore and walk away from that any more than we could help breathing. We still left our information in the foster-to-adopt system and waited. In December we got a call that we had been chosen to adopt a sibling group of 2. Yes two. They were 10 and 8 and beyond amazing. We had room in the house, needed a bigger truck anyway, and Ben could be there everyday for them at school. Finally, another girl and a little guy with the biggest smile we had ever seen. They flew home to us and arrived on December 30th, our 13th wedding anniversary! <br />
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We had a long wait for finalization with that adoption. It was very hard on all of us, when we were just ready for no more court dates, home visits (although we all LOVED all of our case workers!), and the worry that something would change in the case. Once again, that was God's plan. If we had finalized when we thought we were going to our file would not still have been open and active at the end of summer 2009, and that is when we found out about our Riya girl. A five year old beauty that needed a forever home. We finalized Max and Elly's adoption, made room for one more, and she moved in the day Christmas break started and just in time for a trip home to MN to meet family and friends!<br />
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While on that trip home we realized that we were going to need family support and encouragement while raising this crew of 8! We also wanted to enjoy our summer breaks with the kids instead of spending all summer dripping in the TX heat. We checked out schools and small towns all around north Iowa. We accidentally drove through Garner and commented on what a nice little town it was. When we got home in January Ben started applying for jobs, and was hired in Garner, Iowa.<br />
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June of 2010 it had finally been 6 months (it has to be this long before you can finalize an adoption) and we could be all done with court! The same judge that had finalized our last 3 was there to do Riya's too. It had been a long, crazy, joyful, stressful journey and we were so happy to move forward as a family and make a new start in Iowa. <br />
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We arrived on 4th of July weekend in Iowa with my mom driving the moving truck, Ben in the poor limping suburban (the U-haul trailer had issues and had wrecked both of our newer rear tires), and me in the excursion with the other trailer. Our sweet home with a white picket fence, perennial flower gardens, and front porch was all we had prayed and dreamed for. The town was beyond welcoming and helpful, and the school everything we had hoped it would be!<br />
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The last year and a half has been a blur of busy and fun. Settling into a new town, making new friends and relationships, losing both my grandma and Ben's grandpa within 2 weeks of each other, and kids all involved in activities now has kept us crazy busy. All the kids love it here! They have made good friends, they have new freedoms in a small town, and we have all finally felt settled.<br />
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So, on to God's sense of humor? After 10 years of no "prevention" and no babies, after selling and donating all of our baby stuff, and me planning to go back to school (I had even visited my first college) and finally get that degree...God has decided to bless us with a new life. A homegrown one again! <br />
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You see, during all of our adoption stress I started having some health issues and decided to try eliminating food from my diet to see if that was my problem after doctors could give me no answers. After a month of no wheat, sugar, or milk we discovered that I was not the only one with food issues. Our whole family reacted to wheat when we tried to reintroduce it, but Ben and Braeden had severe allergic reactions and we found out that they have celiac disease. This explained many heath issues of the past and was actually a total relief for all of us. I also found out that I have a major thyroid problem (the worst numbers my doctor had ever seen). Two things known to cause infertility: hypothyroidism and celiac disease. We know that now. Two years off of wheat and 4 months on thyroid meds, and surprise! The doctors were wrong about the cause of that infertility, but God knew all along :-) He makes no accidents!<br />
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We all feel great, and are excited to be welcoming a new blessing around September 13th. We know it is early so we are asking for prayers for a healthy mama and baby. There are a few extra risks with my thyroid issues, but as always we are in God's hands and following His plan. Honestly, we would have waited until 14 weeks to tell everyone but while there are some easy things about being a size 4, hiding a huge chest expansion and baby bulge are not one of them. Since I am already hot all the time now I am not about to run around in layers! <br />
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There have been so many God sightings over the years that I wish I could share with all of you! So many times that it couldn't have possibly been just fate, or that "Johnston luck". I would need a whole book, and the permission to share our kids full stories...maybe some day. <br />
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May we all remember to live life to the fullest, in God's grace, and for Him!!!Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-38136427105552418872010-08-14T01:44:00.000-05:002010-08-14T01:44:01.725-05:00Goggle Girlies...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGO9goVsVAOgVAP-8-Q0XI8zpzobd5op8rrJMS_4a-M_nOWP_CIcVh8VBhI0tLvC_oAu_H7Y-n9hpLFE5kPIaIc0_71WvXItpe-bKOKvxubmbcP91GraeoCi4meF7RpX6lNPC1R5zxDI/s1600/goggle+girlies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGO9goVsVAOgVAP-8-Q0XI8zpzobd5op8rrJMS_4a-M_nOWP_CIcVh8VBhI0tLvC_oAu_H7Y-n9hpLFE5kPIaIc0_71WvXItpe-bKOKvxubmbcP91GraeoCi4meF7RpX6lNPC1R5zxDI/s320/goggle+girlies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you look at those smiles? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-37794317690436812172010-08-14T01:40:00.000-05:002010-08-14T01:40:25.198-05:00Summer Blessings<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This summer started off with a bang. On June 1st we completed our final adoption...and Riya Kendi Monique became ours forever! This little girl was smiling from morning til night and her joy was contagious. It was truly a special day...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiDV4ivwIJKujwDSMvbaROEvbv5PWthXBTN_y-yiVr27kCG4FwV9xXh-En1erYNvg4RR53h2olRceNlwlUIZB0IQRuhtavaw8FZwjcNS6dwd57Z29RIp5IWJR2LzdKIdN_gO5DiIcFF0/s1600/Waiting+for+the+final+decree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiDV4ivwIJKujwDSMvbaROEvbv5PWthXBTN_y-yiVr27kCG4FwV9xXh-En1erYNvg4RR53h2olRceNlwlUIZB0IQRuhtavaw8FZwjcNS6dwd57Z29RIp5IWJR2LzdKIdN_gO5DiIcFF0/s320/Waiting+for+the+final+decree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for our Adoption Decree<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLy1_8XvmgMIGF5VawsJHIR9W-zPs-2VGEWctIIV102KFmDqRPZ5HUB_vzJd1qAfDyF5mT_4ne3xgVE-z6OS8xAUcQgVcApcJ8-kZHRzE0L-dkMXD7yGBj1p6Fl_gHNX-yJpi9SBEQg0/s1600/Her+new+friend+from+judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLy1_8XvmgMIGF5VawsJHIR9W-zPs-2VGEWctIIV102KFmDqRPZ5HUB_vzJd1qAfDyF5mT_4ne3xgVE-z6OS8xAUcQgVcApcJ8-kZHRzE0L-dkMXD7yGBj1p6Fl_gHNX-yJpi9SBEQg0/s320/Her+new+friend+from+judge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;">The judge gives a stuffed friend to all the kids, Riya went for the biggest!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT91knzLP40dPpJlj7u1pDSLlG79noTBIZefqlVvcWshyWHO7O8WKgruj-eCdx3bgjwsfFMh-qGGj-ICAo75TbwBhAzI5gH1vN7uZzeMNw6Y-UWpNAoIV12wruKvEj5o_77gDF1ncbxA/s1600/Adoption+Day+Thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT91knzLP40dPpJlj7u1pDSLlG79noTBIZefqlVvcWshyWHO7O8WKgruj-eCdx3bgjwsfFMh-qGGj-ICAo75TbwBhAzI5gH1vN7uZzeMNw6Y-UWpNAoIV12wruKvEj5o_77gDF1ncbxA/s320/Adoption+Day+Thoughts.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoption day thoughts, so many for such a little mind and heart...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbU_C-s9eV91ZUdnWAsA7V832LsNprmO63U7FF2sXfzsv-77AX61_ZjLvL5HD41syqOWV2Ab8-2Wbzx8vXCI1_rAI12eDM_fXSUaDqCAzrcyEl0cNNdSsdt1mDZrFKZg-c1o0OUrow5Q/s1600/Court+in+session....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbU_C-s9eV91ZUdnWAsA7V832LsNprmO63U7FF2sXfzsv-77AX61_ZjLvL5HD41syqOWV2Ab8-2Wbzx8vXCI1_rAI12eDM_fXSUaDqCAzrcyEl0cNNdSsdt1mDZrFKZg-c1o0OUrow5Q/s320/Court+in+session....jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court in session!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sTgHLrgHBitxdhrzszCXV7-p44l7PuY66h4uFOv3OkRa4Pt2aLTRV4_NfBbVakAgSgdL6DW6uEoilWJ9hlwxVP1IxblvE3YhnKRYfai-SVHGJac7wR2YCFRqJe5blC-ADZZ1-sAiVS0/s1600/Adoption+Day!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sTgHLrgHBitxdhrzszCXV7-p44l7PuY66h4uFOv3OkRa4Pt2aLTRV4_NfBbVakAgSgdL6DW6uEoilWJ9hlwxVP1IxblvE3YhnKRYfai-SVHGJac7wR2YCFRqJe5blC-ADZZ1-sAiVS0/s320/Adoption+Day!.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the same judge who made Luke, Elly, and Max forever Johnston's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-79581888967087763252010-05-25T22:34:00.000-05:002010-05-25T22:34:37.930-05:00Update #1So, for those long ago promised updates...<br />
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The red truck was broken into last month. I know it happened while I was in the shower, which makes it all that much more creepy and unsettling. I found out when I went out in the rain to throw out a poopy diaper and noticed the front passenger door open on my truck. How odd, I thought. <br />
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Then comes that sickening feeling as you get closer and just know your personal space has been seriously invaded. I got up to the door, cautiously looked around, and then peered in. Yup. They got the GPS, both DVD players, a lot of movies, an Ipod, some cords for the sound system/GPS that Ben was seriously annoyed about (hard to find), and my peace of mind regarding humanity in general that day.<br />
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However, peace of mind was returned when...we realized that the movie that they found when they opened their "new" DVD player was none other than Eli's favorite Veggie Tale. God Made You Special! So chew on that one for awhile thief, and let's hope that God uses that ugly situation to turn some lives around. Nothing like a picture of a smiling big, red tomato to throw your specialness/usefullness in your face!Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-47488792181481526862010-02-18T08:36:00.000-06:002010-02-18T08:36:07.490-06:007 Smiling Faces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Finally some new photos to put up! I can't believe how much the kids have grown and changed in just one year. We are so thankful for each moment we have had with our babes, all of them have such amazing qualities...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Each of these faces are a blessing from heaven!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Almost 2</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYloGX0MWJ6UkZfB_g1VBVKQJSE607E_jwdjEQPdo-nGHzF4pm1dxS998tDf9uw2rwMqOi2dpm1iPrsuLzoCa9e4rUAseSN0yweGYlQjFKZnzwFGi4G7495DgfbkO9jttdUkQe0D5LP3Q/s1600-h/Luke+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYloGX0MWJ6UkZfB_g1VBVKQJSE607E_jwdjEQPdo-nGHzF4pm1dxS998tDf9uw2rwMqOi2dpm1iPrsuLzoCa9e4rUAseSN0yweGYlQjFKZnzwFGi4G7495DgfbkO9jttdUkQe0D5LP3Q/s320/Luke+Resize.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw1EH4KcyWnYw6Ebmp2mG7t2AZX_fSjA20LFYpItUNK9W0KYbf1ZQZWxjlMWswa8X-7i00F87W3jdI5UrY7cz62WZczzWjgv07ilKA0Viwy-apflq_X1Ti6G0wy1GQj9DRCIogKlC_N0/s1600-h/Eli+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw1EH4KcyWnYw6Ebmp2mG7t2AZX_fSjA20LFYpItUNK9W0KYbf1ZQZWxjlMWswa8X-7i00F87W3jdI5UrY7cz62WZczzWjgv07ilKA0Viwy-apflq_X1Ti6G0wy1GQj9DRCIogKlC_N0/s320/Eli+Resize.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Almost 3</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Kinder</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YDqQqXhBDmh3IGQo9UYWMqx8GvzWILGX6tAOHMTUp15VI88_85UB3FAsIrnyUNM7wE_nNqQa7HflZnw5CRn65ro9SqSKBKDY5WPt_dIWXKZThJTWwr6NYjx4AIgrCRQBl-fp71NbMdE/s1600-h/Isabelle+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YDqQqXhBDmh3IGQo9UYWMqx8GvzWILGX6tAOHMTUp15VI88_85UB3FAsIrnyUNM7wE_nNqQa7HflZnw5CRn65ro9SqSKBKDY5WPt_dIWXKZThJTWwr6NYjx4AIgrCRQBl-fp71NbMdE/s320/Isabelle+Resize.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2zqLSXtX3MVuXsyxWn9wmpmmSE4c2uNEB89xJeTYbW7t9DWpWtdHyidkkBLgQXGNhY8T1cpGawwZV0dstvtmv8u7rfIRFMMxnTkCkHfjQOyM7h-blGAKoGkHlJfCCTsBV1_oM7z8EYw/s1600-h/Max+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2zqLSXtX3MVuXsyxWn9wmpmmSE4c2uNEB89xJeTYbW7t9DWpWtdHyidkkBLgQXGNhY8T1cpGawwZV0dstvtmv8u7rfIRFMMxnTkCkHfjQOyM7h-blGAKoGkHlJfCCTsBV1_oM7z8EYw/s320/Max+Resize.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">2nd Grade</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">3rd grade</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IqNDTGHHbMEiaXlpUZITCnBvkDPk7jxbopOXSfFG2fmaD9aTVOthm-mg6QfLAE-KwCMWomm2gGa8QR-8oPk1FOSOmxF6N3NWFilZ0Bmq5hMwBk-oZGG-K7NPiF2O3ZlvvWLNpqLABMY/s1600-h/Christian+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IqNDTGHHbMEiaXlpUZITCnBvkDPk7jxbopOXSfFG2fmaD9aTVOthm-mg6QfLAE-KwCMWomm2gGa8QR-8oPk1FOSOmxF6N3NWFilZ0Bmq5hMwBk-oZGG-K7NPiF2O3ZlvvWLNpqLABMY/s320/Christian+Resize.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitViBc7SwkrYA7Iz-3kwk5hk1mVMGKi3HFLx6uvX_uWOJzVDN3FIQh9P1UwO-_RK_Qwa9TMSMMNNY8XLLvJXmEmRzulXG_tHP8qTwC0EYmoxeh9swqSHF8bqBg1c8FmIfZPJUROlOo73U/s1600-h/Ellyana+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitViBc7SwkrYA7Iz-3kwk5hk1mVMGKi3HFLx6uvX_uWOJzVDN3FIQh9P1UwO-_RK_Qwa9TMSMMNNY8XLLvJXmEmRzulXG_tHP8qTwC0EYmoxeh9swqSHF8bqBg1c8FmIfZPJUROlOo73U/s320/Ellyana+Resize.JPG" width="213" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">5th grade</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7NPyXPpJLjlqy56SHuknZCtwa0IUcAcosIghbOP4f1LMsF2MzjH-5ZhhRK6C27lV1XgpSavDsktx68JyyXEN8rqPYMXthWY0hY3pCzcQA_HID_8GIPQxR8Yu83gPsmB1jLUZn9CBASA/s1600-h/Braeden+Resize.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7NPyXPpJLjlqy56SHuknZCtwa0IUcAcosIghbOP4f1LMsF2MzjH-5ZhhRK6C27lV1XgpSavDsktx68JyyXEN8rqPYMXthWY0hY3pCzcQA_HID_8GIPQxR8Yu83gPsmB1jLUZn9CBASA/s320/Braeden+Resize.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">7th grade</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-57107566604686511632010-01-27T11:20:00.000-06:002010-01-27T11:20:15.492-06:00My Sweet Ben<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am constantly writing blog posts in my head. I know that it doesn't seem that way from the serious lack of posts...but one post that keeps running through is a dedication to my sweet man.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's funny how having 8 kids can really help you appreciate the man God has given you as a life partner! He could have blessed me with anyone but he picked Ben, and I am so thankful for him. A man who shares my love for kids, chaos, and spontaneity! This Christmas Ben was given a poem by a student in his class that just sums it up. </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mr. Johnston Is Cool!</span></span></i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mr. Johnston is my teacher.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He is awesome in every way.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He helps me with each subject, so that I get an A.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He helps me with my diabetes even though I am new.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">'Cause guess what, he has it too!</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He helps me with my "gluten free" which means I can't eat wheat,</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">but he can't eat it either...isn't that neat?!</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He taught us kickball and football.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">It is SO Fun!</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">We give him a high five when we are done!</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">He can kick a ball farther than anyone in the school.</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">There are 4 words I want to say:</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mr. Johnston IS COOL!</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Love,</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Fidelina</span></span></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Lord for blessing us with this super cool man, we love him!</span></span><br />
</div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-47574720291206718422010-01-25T23:58:00.001-06:002010-01-26T00:00:23.082-06:00Just what a Mommy wants to hear<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">As I was tucking the girls in tonight Isabelle said she had a problem. She just "COULD NOT get that team member praise song out of her head from church on Sunday"!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Wow! Now that is exactly the kind of problem this Mommy wants all her kids to have. Thank you Lord!</span></span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-80549903629389540142010-01-25T23:53:00.000-06:002010-01-25T23:53:41.474-06:00The kids DO listen...sometimes anyway...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Tonight I was watching the one show that seems to have sucked me in, The Bachelor. Now I know this is due to my inability to avoid a love story even if it does have a ridiculously crazy beginning. I just can't help myself though, so back to the point.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">TV commercials are just plain horrid. They are one of the biggest reasons our kids should not watch, and don't need TV. Even my two year old knows that. Eli walked past as a yuck commercial came on and before I could change the channel he says, "dis not appropriate Mama". Well said Eli!</span></span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-79351976087922994882009-12-14T10:05:00.000-06:002009-12-14T10:05:33.259-06:00Jesus loves you!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">Last week was quite crazy and stressful, and I had been sending up many prayers for peace and patience. As I was heading off to grocery shopping a little harried I hear Eli say from the backseat..."meshmush muves wu". So I say, "what was that honey, could you say it louder"? This time I hear..."JESUS LOVES YOU MOMMY"! Melt my heart. Just what I needed to hear and something I have never heard come out of his mouth before so I know it was a message sent special delivery.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">*update* He has continued to tell me this everyday, and even brought me his bible and turned to the page with Jesus in the manger and said "see mommy, I'll show you" and he points to Jesus with a stubby finger..."Jesus loves you"!</span></span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-21730884577976701802009-10-16T15:19:00.000-05:002009-10-16T15:19:27.852-05:00Beauty<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Sometimes living in the city can just make you feel so boxed in with all the roads, buildings, cars, and concrete. At those times I find it difficult to see God's creation in my surroundings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Today is a beautiful day here in TX. The sun is shining, the air has a fall chill, and there is a slight breeze. I decided to take the boys up to have lunch with Daddy. As I was sitting at the same stoplight for a couple of turns due to a stalled car in front of me, I turned my head and looked out at the slope down to my left and was just stricken by the beauty of God's creation. There next to me was some 2 foot tall grasses waving in the breeze and for a moment I totally forgot where I was and just saw God's hand brushing the tips of those grasses. Such a feeling of peace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">What a simple reminder that God's creations are all around us if we just slow down long enough to see them...</span></span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-893487739609199982009-09-17T23:11:00.004-05:002009-09-29T22:30:18.351-05:00Prayer Request<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">All summer I had plans for great blog posts. Fun pictures, little stories, prayer request, and answers to prayer. And before I knew it September was here!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">I have to confess that I was going through a kind of rebellion...I know that sounds crazy since this is my own blog, but I am so ANNOYED that I can't post any pictures of our Max and Ellyana! How can I put up vacation pictures or summer fun and leave them out? This is our family blog and they are part of our family! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Their adoption should have been final by August, but unfortunately we have not been blessed this time around with an adoption caseworker who is at all motivated. Legally we could finalize anytime after June 30th, yet here we sit without a court date. I have emailed and called several times with no response from her personally. She did call our attorney and ask her if we would be interested in a phone finalization?! These kids have been through SO much and they are so excited to go to court and have the judge make their names officially Maximus Louis Johnston, and Ellyana Victoria Irene Johnston. If the dang caseworker would have done her part in July like she said she was going to we would already have our finalization done. Grrrrr...a phone finalization is not enough, they need their fresh start with a day at the courthouse and a celebration after. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The kids ask every week when they get to go see the judge and be adopted forever, and Max still sleeps with a little stuffed friend that the judge at Luke's finalization gave him...every night.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">So this family is asking all of your families to be praying for our judges, caseworkers, support staff, and attorneys. We pray that if it is God's will, that mountains would move and we would be able to finalize on November 17th here at National Adoption Day. We pray that this case would not sit on the back of anyone's desk any longer, and that hearts would become motivated! We also pray for peace for Max and Elly...and a little more patience for Mom and Dad.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Thanks for the prayers and lack-of-posts patience...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-73719988925377100242009-05-31T00:54:00.002-05:002009-05-31T01:03:51.491-05:00Girly Stuff!For all my girls...head to this website and have fun! <div><br /></div><div>www.everydayminerals.com<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This mineral makeup company is from here in Austin, and while I am not a big makeup person this stuff is fun, cheap, natural (no yucky chemical additives) and works amazing! I have been using the FREE samples they sent me for 2 months now and still have more than half left. All you have to do is go to their website and click on the "Free Samples Get 'em Now" link, then add the samples you want to your cart. I did purchase a long handled Kabuki brush to go with my samples but have continued to use my old blush brush, and and eyeshadow brush for the concealer. You just tap a little powder in the lid of the container and brush it on!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have never actually enjoyed choosing makeup before...maybe it's sitting at home, lack of squirmy kids in carts, no husband asking "how long can choosing a color possibly take?", but this rocks!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-44817933972512019572009-05-17T13:03:00.003-05:002009-05-17T13:13:55.609-05:00Lowe's Mascot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuCOx0KtEUxS3lzl-NnWFbbfk3mc4L0oBwDbDKVx6xVByngxwL_rpSOwbWFxT7-JvEwsqXUkpkRO83sRUSpHHKAdim4uK-xnOC_s2ftXDpp8Z6ykcwve2MC8up9NORxJeisMabfyVOCU/s1600-h/eat+your+heart+out+Lowe%27s.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuCOx0KtEUxS3lzl-NnWFbbfk3mc4L0oBwDbDKVx6xVByngxwL_rpSOwbWFxT7-JvEwsqXUkpkRO83sRUSpHHKAdim4uK-xnOC_s2ftXDpp8Z6ykcwve2MC8up9NORxJeisMabfyVOCU/s320/eat+your+heart+out+Lowe%27s.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336855594011180994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of Eli showing off his 1st Lowe's building project! All the boys went to Lowe's on a Saturday morning and made birdhouses together. Eli was even more proud of his goggles and apron than the finished birdhouse.<br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-33885106460844505392009-05-16T17:00:00.004-05:002009-05-16T17:30:46.111-05:00UT vs. UCLA<div>Ben has a great friend here who shares his tickets to UT basketball games when he can't make it. Thanks Lane! Those tickets are a BIG deal in the Johnston household and Ben rotates kids each game so that all will have a chance to go. When it was Christian's turn to go they arrived a little early to the game and were checking things out when they were approached by someone from UT and asked if Christian would like to be part of the half-time show. Christian was really excited and the pictures below are from the game and show.</div><div><br /></div><div>The half-time show was a race between Christian and the boy in the picture. They were to put on a team member's jersey and HUGE basketball shoes and dribble a ball to the basketball hoop at the other end of the court, make a basket and then turn around and come back. The boys did awesome running in those huge shoes and then Christian was the first to make a basket and head back. Both boys were given a gift bag with a UT towel, can cooler, team pennant, and t-shirt. Christian also received 4 tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters game that was coming up. We found out after that the other little boy was a special guest that night. He had been given a short time to live diagnosis due to a brain tumor. Christian was very touched by the boys courage and strength and immediately asked Ben if he could give him the tickets to the Globetrotters. Ben was very proud of Christian and encouraged him to run over and give them to the family. Christian said "he could go to game another time, but he wanted that boy to have a chance now". It was a good game, with good life lessons too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdhpszGUa-rF8_Ia60nFa_duLf4L9vIALtdQQSdOVQu1o_SgTlumuBPNSzFuF0SO-8NgyKXbQMJjhkhGi4iBxY5UV3E1vncp1pe6W4KPBqmcLhUOSuEhJPaQW_BLJpmFjMT-QRdfFNk/s1600-h/ut+game+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzdhpszGUa-rF8_Ia60nFa_duLf4L9vIALtdQQSdOVQu1o_SgTlumuBPNSzFuF0SO-8NgyKXbQMJjhkhGi4iBxY5UV3E1vncp1pe6W4KPBqmcLhUOSuEhJPaQW_BLJpmFjMT-QRdfFNk/s320/ut+game+7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336546504341294642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRqdKJfsM-TT5DSr4y6GclCSA7F8fx2FQaMkQGqMXqx_VHrY8E3ZQzn20l3IQW4u6-3x5M8QW_B3_oWLJM2VLSulq38dt4rpX6pkMEwY5CZzX5ZfLvjq2bckx17rcwJy54SMlSF34aEc/s1600-h/ut+game+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRqdKJfsM-TT5DSr4y6GclCSA7F8fx2FQaMkQGqMXqx_VHrY8E3ZQzn20l3IQW4u6-3x5M8QW_B3_oWLJM2VLSulq38dt4rpX6pkMEwY5CZzX5ZfLvjq2bckx17rcwJy54SMlSF34aEc/s320/ut+game+6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336546497224291906" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE-bVclslqkQMfu-JOtDJlI8C_iR3fJnG-tZDFO_JrHQPyu_dZsZuMJLCkTQe4lX1a1CP-dgw0_iyynI34U2T_W6WZwLasSZBp8vCQtqoN1mzNUb75se7bwpYb_KpoAR47n3SMZ6OVoc/s1600-h/ut+game+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE-bVclslqkQMfu-JOtDJlI8C_iR3fJnG-tZDFO_JrHQPyu_dZsZuMJLCkTQe4lX1a1CP-dgw0_iyynI34U2T_W6WZwLasSZBp8vCQtqoN1mzNUb75se7bwpYb_KpoAR47n3SMZ6OVoc/s320/ut+game+5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336545791484209266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpX-m1HkGLsA7_2V0MJGFVuNeoL3EowJ3FT4DXemO1WMjsfV_AlrWWPHBtFFfKzVOstENyoOTKCFKbeGGefFKFsb531f-7x-Yc-FLXWuzwzRW5BCyGMLPUyVpnEmHF3Y2iKBpbaLXxI0/s1600-h/ut+game+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpX-m1HkGLsA7_2V0MJGFVuNeoL3EowJ3FT4DXemO1WMjsfV_AlrWWPHBtFFfKzVOstENyoOTKCFKbeGGefFKFsb531f-7x-Yc-FLXWuzwzRW5BCyGMLPUyVpnEmHF3Y2iKBpbaLXxI0/s320/ut+game+4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336545784916830722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXKfHCrDpG3AwM8zd9C_5-f276Br19G9Zd3Yx_rFwh_WhXpzscias1RUZX90KNZ-bO6PhD3leVX-_3xhuw9-cDAAHL4KPfyxy8J5InLdvudDx3JdbgqIPYVbzDKpOpfTWYdP5Y2EK7s0/s1600-h/ut+game+3+ben+and+christian.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXKfHCrDpG3AwM8zd9C_5-f276Br19G9Zd3Yx_rFwh_WhXpzscias1RUZX90KNZ-bO6PhD3leVX-_3xhuw9-cDAAHL4KPfyxy8J5InLdvudDx3JdbgqIPYVbzDKpOpfTWYdP5Y2EK7s0/s320/ut+game+3+ben+and+christian.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336545774472767986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkAGqW_hFrtZSrAM2xR7QW8xDjY87aMuu84x5So1Y0XRPot2RKXCAxkDyMQp_00S9HsUvwK582w8Ir9ASFhfQ5yeJ-SofSFMBFcY9gT2963UCQ8riZPtF8542SmipXhdQzMla9VyS7U4/s1600-h/ut+game+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkAGqW_hFrtZSrAM2xR7QW8xDjY87aMuu84x5So1Y0XRPot2RKXCAxkDyMQp_00S9HsUvwK582w8Ir9ASFhfQ5yeJ-SofSFMBFcY9gT2963UCQ8riZPtF8542SmipXhdQzMla9VyS7U4/s320/ut+game+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336545770659999442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3kc1HPmteHvRi3Y-1K1RTd-EtHFXpOVoT60amJV14nEQV7BmCLF8ZSegJDT8m4irpz_TETYvF2zJVisJa2_Sl8ZKbfDW96drDMjj_pLzM0zsLBe56eR6kaKaLTnrfog3b2vRcOw4eJU/s1600-h/Ut+game+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3kc1HPmteHvRi3Y-1K1RTd-EtHFXpOVoT60amJV14nEQV7BmCLF8ZSegJDT8m4irpz_TETYvF2zJVisJa2_Sl8ZKbfDW96drDMjj_pLzM0zsLBe56eR6kaKaLTnrfog3b2vRcOw4eJU/s320/Ut+game+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336545769858613154" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-68338816370935053082009-05-07T00:38:00.002-05:002009-05-07T00:56:49.319-05:00Sprinkles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">I am </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">THE</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"> mom.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Why, you ask?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Because I use Sprinkles on top of our cream cheese frosted carrot bars! When the 2 newest arrivals walked in with everyone else on Tuesday after school they were greeted with a fresh after-school snack. All the other kids smiled and said yum. But these 2 were awestruck! "Wow, mom you are AWESOME"! Two sets of eyes just stood there staring at the bars.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">People say it is too hard to adopt older children, ha! They just don't use sprinkles. It's the little things in life people that add up to the most impact!!! Kids who have had so much negative in their lives appreciate all the "sprinkles" with a freshness that inspires the whole family.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Below is our Grandma Vona's yummy Carrot Bar recipe, because you all deserve some sprinkles!:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">4 eggs beaten</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">2 C sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1 1/2 C oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1 tsp vanilla</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Mix, then add</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">2 tsp baking soda</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">2 1/2 C flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1 1/2 C grated carrots</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1 C chopped walnuts</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Mix and pour in a greased and floured jelly roll pan. (I actually use my Pampered Chef 10 x 15 baking stone with no grease or flour) Bake @ 350 for 1/2 hour, cool completely then frost with cream cheese frosting.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1/2 C butter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">6 oz cream cheese</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">4 C powdered sugar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">1 tsp vanilla</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';">Mix, spread, and then add sprinkles!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-30408592559686581702009-05-04T22:59:00.007-05:002009-05-04T23:24:59.205-05:00More "Meet Luke" Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfKI3_cPp1K14lCpWa3MIWA-JBJUEKZoAH_phh02WjOjbm1cRjNrdlOC-EfLOvofRfJ_RENQuJhekUxmjO6F0muFZB8OK56TmAME3v_4qwiGQ5mN1HLmdt9WAVT1NXGQ7RCxTLBGI-zM/s1600-h/sweetness.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfKI3_cPp1K14lCpWa3MIWA-JBJUEKZoAH_phh02WjOjbm1cRjNrdlOC-EfLOvofRfJ_RENQuJhekUxmjO6F0muFZB8OK56TmAME3v_4qwiGQ5mN1HLmdt9WAVT1NXGQ7RCxTLBGI-zM/s320/sweetness.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332190575245311010" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At this point in his little life, everything is about his siblings! He loves it when the bigger kids pile in after school :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H73Xa261qE9UHdZqERqlJQNIaVVK0FU1SUZem2lwCuCS_z86fv05v8VY65V3MOQzv96kEZH9tGEQovfXCeFrux7LUOnE6_AeilKObHEqzJBXus-scu3ngvoUAYypQey_mpHQQgbjzhA/s1600-h/Boys+in+Burley.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H73Xa261qE9UHdZqERqlJQNIaVVK0FU1SUZem2lwCuCS_z86fv05v8VY65V3MOQzv96kEZH9tGEQovfXCeFrux7LUOnE6_AeilKObHEqzJBXus-scu3ngvoUAYypQey_mpHQQgbjzhA/s320/Boys+in+Burley.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332187848740711874" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><br /></div></span><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Twg1NFoUT9FKLS_jWlMcdCpftJSvE2gycBukGf1zE6GL1wVSmttXhxDOdPNJmfL_VeuKpn52YiL9vpkZYJUpV8XGiRlF5tC52dvXNO1Xp9JlIcyxfqpn1DIqASdh5BhntYuUIVs2T00/s1600-h/Swinging+together.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Twg1NFoUT9FKLS_jWlMcdCpftJSvE2gycBukGf1zE6GL1wVSmttXhxDOdPNJmfL_VeuKpn52YiL9vpkZYJUpV8XGiRlF5tC52dvXNO1Xp9JlIcyxfqpn1DIqASdh5BhntYuUIVs2T00/s320/Swinging+together.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332187848341812050" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div></span><div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYgY2y2EOvywA_2_pQJe7Ls9IviDCj30y0CvlEjs1rJNPT0rXo98qAG85I06UWdnNWOcUbw6Dn20hZaOSIZ2IyB3HladBfWyZMXgkiewOhPoRQc0R7Mm7tC5i3tSkevRWibtV1hWbWpg/s1600-h/xmas+kids.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYgY2y2EOvywA_2_pQJe7Ls9IviDCj30y0CvlEjs1rJNPT0rXo98qAG85I06UWdnNWOcUbw6Dn20hZaOSIZ2IyB3HladBfWyZMXgkiewOhPoRQc0R7Mm7tC5i3tSkevRWibtV1hWbWpg/s320/xmas+kids.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332186034642537762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_kZr-hvKG5AfVg7f5QI0cBBGwbgDqukz1NaC4RYo3Z_SJQMok6dnKcUKyrnVfZDhSAhcVMEysbJjzV3jTCLhFFXUNtAGS9uUmD11xgHoWh0y5QI_ztg4gsKJRqzOcfMTjpiN0Er-3as/s1600-h/braeden+and+luke.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_kZr-hvKG5AfVg7f5QI0cBBGwbgDqukz1NaC4RYo3Z_SJQMok6dnKcUKyrnVfZDhSAhcVMEysbJjzV3jTCLhFFXUNtAGS9uUmD11xgHoWh0y5QI_ztg4gsKJRqzOcfMTjpiN0Er-3as/s320/braeden+and+luke.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332186034041753714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJLps2qh54secp1-4RZeVjX1kDKO_-uOsGveoibsdIm7tzxFDFKnSjAnunC-5jQiOMU222I6V-WMxu1C3yWyJ07YbItTT97PnVvPlBR-FF8QZnRkNXfrppU2aGBtHYXw8nw0eDL6f60/s1600-h/Christian+%26+Luke.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJLps2qh54secp1-4RZeVjX1kDKO_-uOsGveoibsdIm7tzxFDFKnSjAnunC-5jQiOMU222I6V-WMxu1C3yWyJ07YbItTT97PnVvPlBR-FF8QZnRkNXfrppU2aGBtHYXw8nw0eDL6f60/s320/Christian+%26+Luke.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332186030380854050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgQDPWpvgDXc9p-OU57hNtHL8f0-3QrwFMwbhDoPeck_nSjdpxk4BHvhfvLHmHcB3Tmt2-riRRTQ6R7AJ7IsFu7S8Smq7IpnhW4VcERuVmlWmeyCDJyKKzj8pVPWx7VSIfnLXbBIkZ7s/s1600-h/Isabelle+and+Luke.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgQDPWpvgDXc9p-OU57hNtHL8f0-3QrwFMwbhDoPeck_nSjdpxk4BHvhfvLHmHcB3Tmt2-riRRTQ6R7AJ7IsFu7S8Smq7IpnhW4VcERuVmlWmeyCDJyKKzj8pVPWx7VSIfnLXbBIkZ7s/s320/Isabelle+and+Luke.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332186028179384242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKZwHcmUpuHjW7zm72tY0fZMPA5KQH9i6knDvjYcjxhgcXHJpihJ7V2oZLrQApdRdIxnBr9ZUWv1y_bpAKBzS-LMQMoh4jbIQaHyWTodU7dy7a4EMAzlkCsi656oglZ_yVQExOMqYF_0/s1600-h/multitasking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKZwHcmUpuHjW7zm72tY0fZMPA5KQH9i6knDvjYcjxhgcXHJpihJ7V2oZLrQApdRdIxnBr9ZUWv1y_bpAKBzS-LMQMoh4jbIQaHyWTodU7dy7a4EMAzlkCsi656oglZ_yVQExOMqYF_0/s320/multitasking.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332186027541725410" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-71842177528563035072009-04-29T23:40:00.002-05:002009-04-30T00:04:56.839-05:00Today's little funny...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Okay. At the risk of messing up my "I can't believe you handle having all those kids so well" image everyone says I have (ha, ha), I am going to share the funny of the day. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">So most of you who know me well, know that I am slow as a turtle. I am a bit of a perfectionist and as my darling Ben put's it...I have one speed, "slooowww". I call it relaxed... This does not always help me with being on time for things, but I do honestly try really hard to do my best and have really, really improved with age.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Now, one would ask why God would bless such a slow women with 7 children? Who knows. I am guessing He thought it would be amusing to watch me take an already ridiculous get ready routine to new longer length levels?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To get on with the story...today I took Isabelle to preschool as usual. We arrived "right on time", and I waited at the door while she went in for the wave of "goodbye, I see my teacher". At the door she turned to me and said "my class isn't here". I told her that was silly, and that she needed to get further than the door to determine that. She waved me off then and I started home, at which point I looked at the clock and realized that it was off by an hour. Hmmm? I proceeded to RESET the clock (brilliant, eh?) and pull in the driveway with the boys. I get in the house and realize that the clock in the living room is the wrong time too...hello! Race back to my phone to double check the time and finally figure out that I actually dropped Isabelle off an hour early to school! I don't believe in the history of my life I have ever been an hour early for anything, thus the clear questioning of all the clocks around me...imagine my shock when I realized I had an extra hour in my day!!! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Luckily we live around the block from the school, and I was already pulling in the parking lot when the school secretary called to let me know that Isabelle was patiently waiting in the office for me. Knowing her mother very well, she laughed and told me I was "silly" and asked what we were now going to do until school? Well, we did A LOT in that hour. It was clearly a gift from God Himself and I was certainly not going to waste it!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-86392048170120094582009-04-22T23:17:00.007-05:002009-04-23T10:24:29.900-05:00Luke's Blog Debut<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Adoption Finalization Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">March 31st, 2009 we finalized Luke's adoption. This day was so incredible for us, after all we didn't ask for this incredible blessing, and yet he's ours! On May 19th, 2008 we got a call from Lutheran Social Services. They asked us if we would consider taking a 2 week placement of a 48 hour old infant boy? He was to go with birth family after child protective services contacted them. Ben happened to be home early from school that day, so I turned and asked him what he thought. "Two weeks?" he said..."why not?". Probably some of the most memorable phrases uttered in this household. Luke arrived 1 hour later in his little hospital t-shirt and bracelet. That night I went in to find a verse on my dated bible study...Isaiah 9:6 says: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Birth family was not a safe option for our little Luke, and after we met his birthmother in June she relinquished her rights with the understanding that we would adopt him. God's plans for us are so amazing are they not? We certainly did not know we were to have the honor of raising another son last May, but God has known all along! Now that the adoption is final I can finally post some pictures of this adorable little man!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Blog world, meet Luke Nathan...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Born: May 17th</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Weight: 7lbs 8oz</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Length: 19 3/4 inches</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV4gX-7jrR4M-HvmcoyYIPMfVuRfuYfJlOmEEbW9N2rdTFlmOL1H_Jhc5sjPuxj5BmsZDm8OCQGrQzgU5vqDwmCb-P6gbFc65LRNq71Wr5e3_pckNv1HG1OJhNEuJ9_BujnwsY3CxLw0/s320/adoption+day+judge.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327736851387627314" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJEPTp6RaY6XBggJppR_L3f9QFdBKbp5Cbl2ec-9DxT4d5oZKEjAsQJQ4aZeOlD88q2-B73SmmTUesCQQA9I9kwQna4QDHG790g9JENKLTpprmpbkKwNl1wZzJaeaZfQZ5k1tZ8joAfw/s320/eyes+open+Luke.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327739478130559698" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU-mGocPJm1pUKKeiHhPRix1NbOjUGyqorsXAUFN3smPvFG0Z_fV_XcFVJjs05XMpO6Sg4VoYPpsJRcC5ZEm5z192jc5-v14XoL1SralKMdkACTFhubLzxYp8VFaKMSjz3hJ3-aF1ERw/s1600-h/1st+days+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU-mGocPJm1pUKKeiHhPRix1NbOjUGyqorsXAUFN3smPvFG0Z_fV_XcFVJjs05XMpO6Sg4VoYPpsJRcC5ZEm5z192jc5-v14XoL1SralKMdkACTFhubLzxYp8VFaKMSjz3hJ3-aF1ERw/s320/1st+days+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327737159722786754" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBq9frzMPa6KiefT140jL4cw0Cvb6eiFCcPhEKa1Xp-FNlFphNaTvPvSwctg99TvlnBdV3i5nzbgESiZS2ArlznxRVnUSQOKsUETpHiEgJmDDRP9njsysg5sHaoiw_LsQgJQ2oYLoH8A/s1600-h/1st+days+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBq9frzMPa6KiefT140jL4cw0Cvb6eiFCcPhEKa1Xp-FNlFphNaTvPvSwctg99TvlnBdV3i5nzbgESiZS2ArlznxRVnUSQOKsUETpHiEgJmDDRP9njsysg5sHaoiw_LsQgJQ2oYLoH8A/s320/1st+days+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327736851070201058" /></a>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-86690708571903598942009-03-05T00:44:00.003-06:002009-03-05T00:50:54.081-06:00New Wheels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjK529RaVZU1n9Wj1rW-Br5VQPYKpiTvxCQ8EGiNXBDdSDN31ub75ucawgDrzKSov9EKMmZbIISUD9wOPfw38Wu0LxfCYVtT0LGCh-7kbAUk_WUumElrQ_S34PCXgapYrxHzB9dTW1as/s1600-h/the+beast.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjK529RaVZU1n9Wj1rW-Br5VQPYKpiTvxCQ8EGiNXBDdSDN31ub75ucawgDrzKSov9EKMmZbIISUD9wOPfw38Wu0LxfCYVtT0LGCh-7kbAUk_WUumElrQ_S34PCXgapYrxHzB9dTW1as/s320/the+beast.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309592216707115426" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">I just realized I never posted the photo of the new "beast" in the family! We did end up getting a nine passenger Ford Excursion and will be putting in a "little seat" for extra seating. At one point in our marriage we owned a Ford F-250 truck and that had seemed big, but nothing compares to parking this thing with all of us loaded in there, LOL!</span><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-42113902176224938002009-03-05T00:40:00.002-06:002009-03-05T00:44:02.482-06:00We survived!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">We did all survive the horrid flu bug that came through. I really should have counted laundry loads due to sheets and bedding. Luke had it the worst with 10 days of diarrhea and vomiting, not fun when they can't hold a bucket or warn you it's coming ;-). Mr. Man was the ONLY one who did not get it!</span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-20586477768047108022009-02-11T23:52:00.004-06:002009-02-11T23:57:09.023-06:00...on, and on, and onOkay. So for those of you who were laughing before...now Ben's got it, Braeden, and we thought Eli was better until tonight at bedtime when he threw up again. Six down, 3 to go. I have completely disinfected the ENTIRE house, and took away hand towels in favor of paper towels (got some hilarious looks from the 3 who aren't sick)! <div><br /></div><div>Look out for this bug, it's nasty!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-71559686277958274252009-02-11T00:29:00.002-06:002009-02-11T00:33:01.911-06:00P.S.Just thought that I would add that this experience has given me an even greater appreciation for the family of Abby. Abby has struggled with months of chemo with horrible side effects, my pitiful few days doesn't even compare!<div><br /></div><div>But, it did feel better to vent and laugh at the absurdity of all of us being nursed by Ben at once.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-36272776645395441992009-02-11T00:02:00.003-06:002009-02-11T00:34:24.294-06:00I'm a grumpy old troll...What. A. Week. I intend to whine and complain, so feel free to leave at this point if necessary...<div><br /></div><div>My mood tonight reminds me of that song from Dora that has a cute ring to it and talks about the grumpy old troll, who lives under the bridge. Those who know me well, know that I cannot handle vomit. Just the word makes me gag. I inherited this dislike from my father, who also instantly gags at the sight, smell, or mention of it. I will be taking up this issue with my heavenly father when I go home for good...why on earth did he feel the need to torture all of us with this yucky bodily function. Honestly, I would rather have strep throat any day!</div><div><br /></div><div>So we start out with Eli on Sunday night, me (Mom) at 1:30 am last night, Luke at 9:30 pm, and Isabelle at 10:30 pm. This is the first time I can remember that we have ever had this many sick ones at once. Usually one or two will get it and I manage to disinfect well enough that the rest escape. The most unfortunate part of this viral bug is that only one of us so far has known to use the toilet. Thankfully we have lots of wood floors and I had thought ahead to remove crib bumpers and extra bedding just in case.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanking the good Lord for Ben! He doesn't do <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">diarrhea</span> (head to toe doesn't even phase me), but he rocks when it comes to kids and stomach contents. He came home early from school today, and is going to stay home to help tomorrow. Definitely wins the Daddy of the year award!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ahhhh, thanks for letting me whine. I'm off to me warm, flat, coca-cola...</div><div><br /></div>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4625161613487700846.post-33097581588392786252009-02-07T13:05:00.003-06:002009-02-07T13:20:18.894-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WeH5BNYBa1VtT157bCZa0n3WFmD9VLprT-RfOf-CLWBwqbl0h_nVsk5mNOO-7dR_N1oWegWCLCM3tt_o_Wv1aQ634DGbUsUN9HQDwiz24Oix0aakrY3Krl_lTDaNUPiIIJtj7dgRGkM/s1600-h/precious+Abby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WeH5BNYBa1VtT157bCZa0n3WFmD9VLprT-RfOf-CLWBwqbl0h_nVsk5mNOO-7dR_N1oWegWCLCM3tt_o_Wv1aQ634DGbUsUN9HQDwiz24Oix0aakrY3Krl_lTDaNUPiIIJtj7dgRGkM/s320/precious+Abby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300136540186814114" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 25px; font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is an update that was posted on the Riggs family blog this morning...please continue to pray! It does not matter that we don't know them personally, our Lord will hear all the prayers for this sweet girl and her hurting family...:</span></span><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"This morning, Abby is about the same. Her little tummy is so swollen, she looks like she is going to explode. The infection area on her stomach around her feeding tube covers about the area of a dollar bill... red, blistered, inflamed. Just touching Abby's feeding tube sends her into a tailspin. The sores have not begun to improve yet and she can barely tolerate even wearing a soft diaper or panties. Going to the bathroom is torture.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Michelle is really tired but patiently tends to every need Abby has... taking her to potty, changing her clothes and bedding, feeding her, putting medicine and cremes on her, monitoring her I.V.'s, getting her drinks, keeping her distracted... watching the same video over and over 50 fifty times because that is what Abby wants to watch. (when Abby is done with chemo, I'm burning "Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast")</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Michelle is the epitome of a mother willing to give up every comfort, all her time and ignore her own needs... to take care of her child. For those who hold the opinion that "adopted" kids are "not as much your child" as biological kids... well, I don't have to make any comments about that. Everyone who has ever adopted knows how absurd that is."</span></p></span>Ben, Angie & the greatest kids :-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/10210791105511562527noreply@blogger.com0