Independence Celebration.

This Independence Day we finally had a backyard to barbecue in and play in something I have been dreaming of for a 7 years. With grass in and our patio mostly done Brad was busy with his new favorite recipe find

BBQ Shrimp Skewers

(recipe below).

He cooked up 6 pounds of yummy yummy shrimp.

I make 7 layer dip and 24 hour salad and or course.... burgers.

Brad's family joined us in our feast and celebration. We all had a great time feeding our faces and visiting with one another.

Brenley started doing designs on everyone's faces.  Then Haley jumped in and joined her.  Pretty soon we had neighbor kids and their cousins popping in for a little cheek design.  We decided Brenley and Haley should do this more often!  The designs turned out really good!  It was awesome to seem them work as a team!  

There was something extra sweet about this July 4th...
maybe it was my kids... they are older now and get excited for special occasions.
I am not sure what it was exactly but I loved every moment of it! 

I am loving this summer so far and so thankful there is plenty more of it!!!

BBQ Shrimp Skewers
(recipe from Cooking.com)

RECIPE INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup Wild Oats Olive Oil 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves, chopped 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 lemon, juiced 2 pounds raw Wild Oats Shrimp, peeled Your favorite organic vegetables, chopped into large pieces and ready to be skewered.

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the shrimp then thoroughly coat shrimp with the seasoning mixture. Let the shrimp sit in the mixture while you prepare the grill.

While the grill is heating, thread the shrimp onto 4 to 6 metal skewers alternating with organic vegetables. Place shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn pink and are lightly charred. Be careful not to overcook.

How we play in the rain.

We have had storm after storm at our house this past week.
We have LOVED it!!

On Saturday evening we decided it was time to play in the rain while there was no lightening and was just misting.

My kids along with our neighbor friends joined in a bunch of random wrestling matches (sorta reminded me of a kid version of "Eclipse" fight lol).

Then they jumped to "Red Light, Green Light" and then a funny game of tag.  This is when I couldn't contain myself any longer and I jumped in and joined the fun.
Good thing no one was taking at that point.  :)

We have had more rain today as I have sat and typed this.  

I say bring it on!

Summer Plans.

With Summer coming on quickly I thought I would share this post from last June. 
I am still working on my plan for this summer.  
What are you planning to do with your summer??
~

Each year I say to myself....."This summer will be different!"   "This summer I will keep my kids reading and doing math a little bit everyday!"   "This summer I will do XY and Z with my kids!".    It never happens and by the end of each summer I feel like I failed my children.   So this summer I made a plan so by the end of our weeks together I can send my kids back to school knowing we made memories that will bring joy to recall!   I have had a few people ask for a list of what we are doing.    Here it is!

Weekly Themes:
"Let's Have a Ball!"  (Sports week)
Bowling/Miniature Golf/ Softball game/Dance Team tryouts/Soccer Sign up/ Sports Movie Afternoon and Write review.

"Splishin' and a Splashin' " (Water week)
Splash Pad/ 7 Peaks/ Water Fight/Wash Van/ SOS/Run through the sprinklers/ Movie Afternoon and Write review.

"All About Family" (Family History Week)
Make a summer album together/Visit Family History web site for youth/look through scrapbooks and photo albums etc/take trax to temple square/watch family movies

"Let's Go Wild" (Animal Week)
Zoo/Wheeler Farm/Dinosaur Museum/ SOS/Madagascar movie afternoon and Write review.

"Freedom Week" (America's Birthday)
Still in planning mode for this week.

"Book Week"
SOS:  Book donations to our library/Trip to riverton library/SOS story time for neighbor kids/write story together/Spiderwick movie  and Write review.

"The Great Outdoors"
Family Camping trip.

"Utah/Church History Week"
This is the place state park/Church history museum

"Hollywood Week"
Create a family movie/Movie Critic Activity/Go to a movie/Hold a Horrocks Film Festival/Rent a Redbox movie.

"Getting Away" (Vacation Mode week)
Trafalga/Play restaurant/ Swimming pool/ Digi Day/ Relax Day

"Back to School"
Hang up back to school banner/ Start prepping for school wake up time/ School clothes shopping

Explanation of some of the activities above:
SOS: stands for "Summer of Service"  So any week I have that listed we are doing some act of service.   Our Bigger projects are:  collecting preemie and newborn clothes and blankets for Utah Valley Region Medical Center's NICU and a book collection for our local library.  But we are also doing things like taking treats to someone in the neighborhood or helping in a garden etc.   I don't think it matters what the act of service is it is just good for kids to learn to do it.  :)
Movie Review: I have my kids (and I do it too) write up their own thoughts (review) about the movie and give it a rating 1 star being ok to 4 stars being terrific!
Movie Review Activity:   We hold our own "show" where we share our movie reviews and ratings.
Horrocks Film Festival:  Inviting friends over for an afternoon of movies and popcorn and hopefully lots of fun!
Digi Day:  Veg in front of your favorite tech gadget/tool etc.   So my kids can spend loads of time on the computer and they don't get in trouble (as long as it is mom approved content lol). 

Breakfast and Lunch Menu:
I got this idea from my creative friend Holly Moore.  Thank you Holly!!!!
Mondays:  Muffins/Mini Pizzas
Tuesdays:  Cereal/Mac & Cheese
Wednesdays:  Waffles/Dino nuggets
Thursdays:  Toast, Eggs etc/ Sandwiches
Friday:  French Toast/Out of a can
I make different versions of the foods each week so we aren't eating the same muffins each Monday (for example).

Reading to my children:  We are trying to finish 1 book a week together.....this isn't working so well so I have extended it to 2 weeks per book unless it is a really short one.   We are currently reading "The Witches" by Roald Dahl.   If the book we are reading has been made to film we watch the movie the end of the week.

Reading/Math through the summer:
My kids are working on 1 math sheet (front and back) a week and have read for at least 20 mins each day.  It has been easy and do-able! 

Cooking/Baking/Crafting with my Kids:
I sat down with my kids (ok actually I talked to them while we drove to Idaho in our van) and asked them what types of foods they wanted to learn how to make this summer.  So, for June when I made our my dinner menu before our big grocery shopping I included the dinners that they wanted to learn how to make.   To give you an idea this is what they are learning this month.
Brenley:  Barker pasta, salad and garlic bread/Chicken Cordon Bleu
Haley:  Meatloaf (picture to the left) /Tortellini soup
Camden:  Mac and Cheese/chocolate milk (seriously...this is what he asked to learn lol).
Spencer:  Mini Pizza's.
They all want to learn how to make cake/pies/candy/cookies/waffles and suckers.  Not sure if we will get to them all but I will try.  :)

My One Big Rule:   Be flexible!
This past week our water week kind of went out the window due to my allergies and Brenley's fever.   So we will add some of those activities to a slower week.

A tender heart, and unexpected life.

My heart has been tender recently about many things...life, infertility, my sweet family and many other things which have weighed heavily upon my heart.   I am working on my weak places and I know which the Lord's help those places can gain strength.   I see blessings all around me.    Sometimes it is good to be reminded that life will not always go as we wish but when we turn our hearts to the Lord will we become what He sees we can which is greater than anything I could dream up.
I needed this reminder today....the reminder that I was meant to be who I am.   My place in this world has meaning and importance to the lives I may touch and those lives who touch mine have great meaning and importance to me.   I will never be that woman who gets pregnant and gives birth because I was never meant to be that woman.   I have a different role with just as much value.   Sometimes it is good to be reminded of that value.   I will never be that woman who never struggles with weight but this helps me become soft hearted to those who struggle with the same issue.    There are so many things I will never be....but even when it hurts to know this, as long a I know I matter to my Heavenly Father and He is guiding me to be the best me I can be, I can move forward and see the blessing of an unexpected life.  



"My Heart’s Garden"
I liken my heart unto a garden. In my garden was planted a seed called Desire. As I continually worked on my Desire I watched for it to grow but nothing happened. Weeds called Pain & Frustration entered into my garden....I wondered why I was given desire if it was not to produce? Over time a bigger weed called Hopelessness began to take over my garden. I struggled to overcome the pain, frustration and hopelessness. I felt so alone in my garden! I cried out to the Master Gardner for help!
As I asked for help I began to see the soil of my garden was becoming increasingly soft. The Son was sharing its warmth and I started to feel a new seed being planted. This seed was very delicate and needed a soft place to grow....it is called Faith. My seed of Faith began to grow slowly and as it grew I began to feel hope for my garden. I still felt pain from my first seed but I began to have understanding. My Faith continued to grow as I looked at the Son.
After years of working and growing I look and see a beautiful garden.....my Heart’s Garden! I see now that the seed that caused so much pain in the beginning helped my soil become soft and it was the soft soil that gave my Faith a tender place to grow.
From my seed of Faith grew love, understanding, hope, more faith, knowledge, testimony, compassion, joy, happiness and charity! Maybe someday my other seed will begin to grow but regardless if it does or doesn’t my garden is a masterpiece, a blessing, a miracle and a gift! Through my Heart’s Garden I have come to understand more fully promises given to Abraham and his seed. I especially have a deeper understanding of my Gardner and what He did for me in His Garden......called Gethsemane!

Written by:
Brenda Horrocks
2004

Getting Ready...

Brad and I have a new responsibility coming into our lives.
This new adventure came as a big surprise to us.I will share that information with you when I can but I just wanted you to know
I haven't gone MIA.  
I am here....dejunking my home in preparation for busier months ahead.
Dejunking is so hard for me....I get "attached" to items that bring memories.
I want to get back into my "grove" with house chores.  Back to an awesome system I learned from Emily Cushing.  I posted about it a couple years ago.  Go here to read more.

Wish me luck and I will be back soon.

What your kids want for dinner is YOU! ~ Creating your own Oasis.

I have been thinking about these exact things lately...I thought I would give this post another go.
~
Originally posted in 2011
Last month I attended the BYU Women's Conference with my sweet (and extremly talented) friend Holly.   We had a great time and came away from the experience with some incredible information.   If you ever have the opportunity to go to Women's Conference.... take it and don't forget to bring a note book to take notes....it is like having a "how to" guide on various topics!   I love it!!!!

One of the classes we took was titled "What your kids really want for dinner is you!" 
It was taught by two great women:  Heidi Bartle and Christine B. Christensen. 

sorry this pictures is a little blurry but I love it!
I wanted to share some of my notes with you and if I ever find transcripts to their talks I will let you know.

There were three different talks spoken of during this class.
1.  Courageous Parenting by Larry R. Lawrence.

2.  Good Better and Best by Elder Dallin H. Oakes
3.  Take Especial Care of your Family by Elder Neil A. Maxwell.
Here is an article which relates to the information given:  Recipe for drug free kids: Family Dinner

Here are my notes from the class:

• Dinner is not about the food it is about the relationships (this could go for any meal).

Heidi gave three important points:

1.  Create then Consecrate:  Consecrate means to make or declare sacred.

• The "Swing Shift" is the most important shift we need to protect this shift and bring our "A Game" to it!

• Keep our eyes on the big picture and don't let unimportant things shield your vision.

2.Connect, not Correct: 

• Invest full effort into connecting rather than correcting.

• What is said at mealtime is more important than what is eaten (July Ensign 1990 Improving Family Talk)

• Dinner table is an Oasis from life.   Think of the scripture that says "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"  Matthew 11:28

• Encourage Family to use uplifting words during dinnertime (mealtime).

3.  Minister instead of Administer:  Administer means to perform duties, to manage.   Minister means to focus on people and principles not program.  

• Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

• To Minister you give service or aid.

• A person is acting as an agent of the Lord.  Example:  Jesus washed the Apostles feet. 

• Grasp unique and spiritual opportunities.

• Emulate the Savior's example.

Christine Christensen said the following:

• Ask Youself - How, where and when can we share ourselves with our family when we are running around doing our own things?

• Do simple things together (like family dinner).

• Think precise not perfection.

• Family Dinners make a difference!   Kids need 5-7 meals with family each week.  Wethere the meal is breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner or dessert they need 5-7 a week.  Family dinner can act as an intervention for a child who is depressed.

• The Spirit and Body are the Soul of Man.

• Christine talked about Dr. Debra Moore and how "touch" helps premature babies.  Can apply same principles to our children...they need hugs etc.

• Family meals provide physical benefits :  teach children how and what to eat, helps intake of veggies and fruit.  Children watch what we eat.

• Family Meals provide Spiritual benefits:  Children pick up on parents values.

• Family meals provide Intellectual benefits:  Disscuss world events (some people have a world map by their kitchen table), lessson at church, school etc.

• Family meals provide Social benefits:  Can talk about the "rose vs thorn of the day"  or what "burst vs bubbled" in the day etc.  Family meals helps to devbelop the abillity to act rather than be acted upon.

• Children need to help prepare meals.    She quoted King benjamin "teach your children to love one another and to serve one another".

• She also stated;  "God hears and answers the prayers of Mothers."

In closing she quoted President Hinckley:
" What can I do better today so that the Lord can bless me?"

When I take classes like these I usually end up with tons of notes.   Many times I recieve thoughs and ideas while the teacher is speaking and if I don't write them down right away I forget them.   So I always have a little symbol I use to help me when I look back at my notes know what was spoken by the teacher and what was spoken just to me by the Spirit.   It was during this class that this idea for a family home evening lesson came.   It is a short lesson and it is combined with dinner (or you could combine it with any meal).   I wanted my whole family to understand a few of the things I learned in this class in hopes we could incorporate it better at home.

While the kids were at school I took some random paper fromt he basement and cute it out  in 4 sections to put each piece on each side of the kitchen table.   I wrote on one of the sections "Horrocks Island".
I then printed typed up and printed two different items.   The first page said "Family Tabletime is our Oasis"  Underneath that I put the defintion of the word Oasis.   The second page had the quote from Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".    I placed these on the table using something hard behind to allow it to stay up.    I could have spent much more time decorating the pages, table floor etc but I choose to keep it simple.  



For dinner I made sweet and sour chicken and rice to go with the theme of "Island".  
Once we had asked a blessing on the food and started eating I started talking about mealtime and how it benefits us.   We talked about what an Osasis is and how our mealtime is a place of rest for our family....rest from the hard things from our day and how eating meals together gives us the opportunity to share our feelings and talk about those things that are important to us.    We also talked about how it is good to laugh together and enjoy one another company etc.   I used the quote I printed out and we spoke about the hard things we face each day....I let the kids take turns sharing what is hard for them sometimes.   At the end of this discussion I shared with them how we were going to have more meals and the dinnertable etc.

The lesson was rather short but it went well and the kids have been different about mealtime at the table since then.   We eat dinner alot at the table but now we eat more meals at the table and my kids seem to be more enthusiastic about helping me set the table.  

I learned so much in this class and was able to bring some of it home and share.   I have been able to share even more as I set a good example.  Sometimes it is hard but I try to remember to see the big picture and I am trying hard to
"Bring my A Game to the Swing Shift!". 
I hope you find something useful for you and your family in this post!  

Hooray for Disneyland!

The plans have been going on for a long time but 2013 was finally the year we made it happen!

On March 22nd we pack the kids and all the fod-er-al and fiddle-dee-dee in the van and after making  a stop for our girls Dance Competition in St. George we headed to sunny California!
We stayed one night in Cedar City
then drove down to St George for the competition  then headed to Mesquite for the night.  On Sunday we headed to Anaheim.

Even as I type this I can remember how I was feeling.   I can remember the air and the heat as we drove.   It was bliss!!!   Having our windows open while we drive and have it feel refreshing rather than freezing was just what I needed.....I needed a break.....I needed "refreshing"!  Our entire family needed to be together away from all the pressures and responsibilities of work, school, church responsibilities and the everyday stuff that takes up space in our brain.  We don't over schedule our kids but even with just dance classes once a week, church activities, Brad's work schedule and calling, life feels like it is moving pretty quickly.   Our Disneyland trip was all about being together and going to a place we all would enjoy without interruptions. 

In Anaheim we stayed at the Raddison Suites hotel in Buena Park.   It is a bit older but decor didn't feel outdated and it was clean.   We were also greeted with smiling faces from the staff who helped us with every little need.   When we first walked into the hotel to go to our room we found ourselves in our own little oasis.   We had a pool side suite so out our door we were in an open space with huge tropical bushes and tall palm trees.   The pool and hot tub were hidden behind all of the plant life.  It reminded me of being in Porto Vallarta where the pathways through the hotel were open  and you were surrounded by beautiful greenery.   I instantly felt a peaceful ambiance!

After resting we got up ate a yummy breakfast at the hotel and headed to "The Happiest Place on Earth".  We purchased 3 day hopper passes for our family.   For the first two days we ended up just playing in Disneyland park and then the third day we spent a few hours in Downton Disney buying our items we had been eyeing up  and then spent the rest of our day in California Adventures.  Our first day the park was NUTS!   I couldn't believe how many people were there.   The lines were 2 hours plus for the more popular rides and 1 hour or 45 minutes for the kiddie rides.  I was frustrated at first but then remembered why we were there.....for our family...for the kids.   Then the frustration left me and I enjoyed every moment....even when my feet were so sore I didn't think I could walk or stand any longer.   When we were in California Adventures the lines weren't nearly as long with the exception of the Tower of Terror and the Radiator Springs Raceway. They were two and one half hour wait.   We skipped them and enjoyed ourselves in Cars Land, Bugs Land and spent time at Paradise Pier...but stayed in the low key areas. We had a huge yummy shake at Flo's Diner and enjoyed our time looking around in shops. One place we found which was really neat was called Disney Animation.  It wasn't a ride but a place where the kids learned about the magic of making Disney movies, creating art and even learning about acting and singing.  That was one of my favorite places in California Adventures.  

On Thursday we headed out to Hollywood and saw the Chinese Theaters and walked on the "Stars".  There was some type of movie promotion happening for the new GI Joe movie and people were lined up everywhere to with signs to welcome Bruce Willis.  The excitement in the air was palpable!   We hung out in the Hard Rock Cafe and shopped a bit then grabbed a bit at McDonalds.  

Our next stop on our sight seeing day was a drive through Beverly Hills.  The houses were beautiful and we had a good time driving around seeing how the other half lives.  :)   We even past a street called Camden Place.   Camden thought that was pretty cool!  

Our last stop of the day was about a 4 hours drive thanks to some terrible traffic.  We went to Newport Beach. By the time we got there it was dark and windy but the kids (excpet for Spencer ) still loved the sand and they looked for seashells with flashlights.   I took Spencer for a walk on the pier.   He wasn't loving the sand and hated the water on his feet.   But he loved looking at it all.  We then headed back to our hotel where the kids crashed after four days of crazy busy fun!
On Friday we headed home and drove straight through so we got home in the wee hours of the morning.   I was sad to have our vacation over but so thankful we got to go and make memories!   I was also thankful we had no illness while on our trip.   The day after getting home Camden came down with a horrible high fever, sore throat kind of virus.   Then Haley got it!   It stinks but I count it as a huge blessing it didn't happen in California.  

There is something so special about being together....just the six of us.   I am so glad we got to make this dream come true for our kids ( and for the parents too)!   There really isn't anything better than being with each other!
Family IS the Happiest Place on Earth!


Here are a few more pictures of our trip.

Brenley LOVED the Mad Hatter shop!

A Stitch hat for our little "Stitch".  Love this kid!

Waiting in line for a ride in Bugs Land.

Haley in the Lego store in Downtown Disney.

I LOVE Spencer's face in this picture!  Pure Joy!  He was so excited to drive!

Days with my kids.

My girls won 1st and 2nd places for their lyrical and hip hop routines at their first dance competition of the season. 

Brenley has been learning about fabric production in the 1800s.

Haley and Camden dressed up for Dr. Suess Day.  Haley went as Cindy Lou Who and Camden went as "ish" from The Foot Book.  By the time these pictures were taken it was after school and Haley's hair had gone flat (the curls anyway) and Camden took off his
"ish" sign and the plate with the fish.  But I had to at least snap a picture to remember this fun and silly day!

Spencer has been busy being curious.
As you can see he loves to play in soap bubbles.
I found him in the bathroom with a sink full of bubbles and water all around.  He was soaked completely.
But who can get upset with a kid for just wanting a little fun?
My sink is extra clean now.
Spencer has also been busy with a few new things....throwing temper tantrums at Costco and at the Doctor's office.  This was not so fun for me...I will take the bubbly mess over the tantrums anyday.   We also tried some potty learning but that ended when I found poop frosted on my carpet in 10 different places.   He stepped in it and tried to wipe it off.  I was so happy with the way I handled it...I took care of him and then faced the stinky mess on the floor.   I didn't even get angry. 
Giving myself some drops of awesome for that!

Life has been busy at our house.  We have still had to deal with bouts of sick bugs but it seems to be slowing down.   We have some fun family plans coming up and summer fun heading our way!  I am so thankful for a full life!

FHE: Showing love for the Lord through Modest & Appropriate Dress

This week for *Family Home Evening (FHE) we talked about modesty and appropriate dress and behavior.
We decided to touch on this subject because we are getting new questions from our children about what they can and cannot wear to church.
Mom, can I wear my flip flops?
Mom, why can't I wear my leggings?
Dad, why do we wear ties to church?
The list could go on.

I am happy to say that most of the questions are just that....questions.

But there are some items that have been hard for my kids to accept....lets just say leg wear has been an issue.

As I was preparing the lesson for our family night I found this great talk titled
"Modesty Reverence for the Lord"
from Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

I LOVE this talk and I feel like he teaches using great examples that helps illustrate the point "Modesty is a gospel principle that applies to people of all cultures and ages."  "Modesty is fundamental to being worthy of the Spirit.   To be modest is to be humble, and being humble invites the Spirit to be with us."
Quotes taken from the text of Elder Hales talk.

We had a great discussion about what is Modest and what isn't and what is Appropriate and what isn't.   There is a time and place for modest casual apparel and a time and place for our "Sunday Best".
Elder Hales states
"When we know who we are - children of God - and understand that our outward appearance affects our inward spirituality and ultimately our behavior, we show respect for God, for ourselves, and for those around us by being modest in dress and behavior."
After our discussion we shared this clip.   The girls loved it and Camden even found some interest.  The girl that is potrayed in the clip, Charity, is a great example of exceptional youth of our day.

We closed our family home evening with dessert of course....Jello Poke Cake with pudding frosting.

The lesson was a hit!
This makes for a happy Mom!
*Family Home Evening is a once a week event where we gather  for a short lesson, games, a favorite movie or anything else we enjoy doing together.
Note:  If you have daughters working on their Faith in God or Personal Progress this FHE lesson works with "Learning and Living Gospel" section in the Faith in God booklet.  Works with Value Experience#1 in Integrity in the Personal Progress booklet.
For more information on ways to strengthen families visit Mormon.org/family

Adoption Changes Things

I wrote this a few years ago but felt impressed to share it again today.  We are at the end of November and National Adoption month and what better way to end a month of adoption posts that to share with my family's story in a nutshell.

Goodbye National Adoption Month...we look forward to seeing you again next year. 

I am looking forward to December and have some guest writers lined up to share some special Christmas thoughts with us.   Today I am excited to share with you an article I wrote as a KSL Contributor.  It is my first publication on KSL. I hope you enjoy it.  

You can find it here. 

 _______________________________

Adoption Changes Things

by Brenda Horrocks
(written for and published in  Utah's Adoption Connection Newsletter Nov. 2010)

When Brad and I got married 16 years ago we never dreamed the journey we would take to bring children to our family.   We thought we would do what everyone does…..get pregnant and give birth.   When our expectations weren’t what we wanted them to be we started to question life. I especially had a hard time with the diagnosis of infertility….it felt like a death sentence.   At some point during treatments we came to the realization that being parents was more important than being pregnant.   It was during this time our hearts turned to adoption and we started to realize we weren’t like “everyone”.

We had a special journey to make to become parents.

Our oldest daughter, Brenley, was born July14, 2000.  Thirty six hours after her birth her Birth Grandmother placed her in our arms.   It was an incredible feeling to hold her for the first time.   We already loved her and from that moment forward the love just grew.   On October 31, 2002 our second daughter, Haley, was born and then two days later placed in our arms by her incredible Birth Parents.  Just when we thought we couldn’t love more….the love multiplied again and we wondered how we lived without these two sweet daughters.

After returning to fertility treatments again and developing a life threatening complication we were happy to say goodbye to treatment forever and felt incredible peace as we tried to adopt a 3rd time.After an internet scam and a failed placement Camden was placed in our arms by his sweet Birth Mother…not as a newborn…rather an 8 month old baby boy.   Camden’s Birth Mother searched for a family to place her baby with while pregnant.  She contacted us and we felt an instant connection and developed a friendship…. but after considering and reconsidering her decision she decided to parent.   We continued our friendship and to our surprise she called us and told us she felt Camden belong with us.   A few days later on December 17, 2006 Camden joined our family and was welcomed by two big sisters who couldn’t have been happier. After his Birth Mother placed him in our arms she followed us home where we celebrated Camden together in a special placement dinner in her honor.  We love having openness with her and our other Birth Mothers and we can see how we all benefit from these friendships.

It was during our journey to a third child that our eyes were opened to being foster parents.   After taking classes and getting approved we became licensed and in 2007 we had our first placement.  After a couple of weeks these children left our home.   A few months later we welcomed a newborn named Ashanti.   Ashanti changed our lives forever.  She was a special gift to our family for 8 months.   Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing we have ever done but the memory of caring for her and having her part of our family is something we will always treasure.    We ended up saying goodbye to 8 children…all were incredible and we still feel love for each of them.  We miss them….especially the 2 babies we had for a longer period of time.

We were still hoping there would come a day we would get to adopt again but we had developed a love for fostering so we were moving forward.   Early in August of 2009 we received the call of our dreams.    A young woman who had been in foster care herself wanted to give her baby a Mom and a Dad and a happy life.    Something she stated that she never had.   In August of 2009 our youngest child was placed with us at the hospital while he was in the NICU.   Our joy was full….our entire family rejoiced as we welcomed this little tiny boy into our family.  Here we are a year later enjoying the blessing of being together and enjoying our little 13 month old as he learns new things!   After seeing children come into our home and hearts and then feeling sad as they leave, we feel like the luckiest family in the world to have our little guy with us to stay!

Once we became foster parents I started browsing the internet to learn about children who were waiting to be adopted.   I was heartsick by what I saw…..so many children who needed a home.   I looked through sites from every state and the realization of the need that is out there touched me deeply.   As I tried to sleep at night the face of these beautiful children haunted me and I wondered what I could do.   Out of desperation to try and help even in the smallest way I put links to a few children on my blog.  Overtime this turned into what I have named “Matching Mondays”.  Each Monday I feature a few waiting children on my blog hoping someone’s heart will be touched and changed and people’s eyes will be opened to these children and the need that exists.  I thought only broken teens were the ones available for adoption but what I found was incredible children of all ages who were hoping for a family of their own and for people who will help them become what they dream.  I quickly saw that while some of these children have been through a great deal there are no broken children…..only broken promises.

Adoption has changed our lives forever.  It has brought us a beautiful family.  Adoption opened the door to becoming foster parents.  Fostering children has also changed us…we are no longer blind to the needs of children around us.   We have witnessed families struggling, drug abuse and neglect.   But we have also witnessed the miracle of a fresh start and hard work that brings lasting change and touches a family in a way that leaves them better than before.  We have also come to realize that just as we dreamed of a family all our own we know there are children with the same dream.   We realize had we been able to build our family “like everyone else” then we would have missed out on so much learning and so much joy!  Our journey to parenthood has been a roller coaster with huge ups and downs but we are better people because of the ride!