I can't believe that another year is gone. And although there have been some trials that have tested my faith and broken my heart. I am so thankful for them, they have made me stronger and have brought me closer to God. I am able to start the new year with an overwhelming feeling of peace. Because there is so much more than what we can see, or understand. This passed year I have learned that faith means letting go of everything, and giving everything to God. And then waiting for him to unfold the plan that he has for me. I have learned that my timing is not necessarily God's timing. This has been a very hard lesson for me. I want things to happen now and the way I think they should. I am sure this lesson will continue on through the year 2012. I am so thankful for all of the good things that have happened in 2011. I had an amazing opportunity to go to Bulgaria. My eyes were opened to a world I did not know existed. I made some new friends and cannot wait to see them again when we go back in March. I am thankful for my foster son and for my Job. I have seen Mariah grow and learn so much this past year and I am excited to see what she will do next. My youngest is 4 going on 17. Miranda has grown into such an amazing person. And, soon she will graduate and face the world on her own. Chandler is a Junior. He has such a caring heart. I love watching him with my grandparents, he is the one who says we need to go visit them, and he is the first to sit by my grandpa and ask how he is doing. Savannah is a freshmen, and doing so well in school, I love how she is a friend to everyone. Travis and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. And, I am grateful for his support and being such a loving and caring Dad to our little girls. My motto for this year is from psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God" this scripture brings me great peace in a world that is so uncertain. I am looking forward to 2012, I can't wait to see what God has planned for our family this year.
We had a really good Christmas. The older kids were with their dad so it was just the little ones. Cianna got a pink scooter and rides it everywhere. Mariah got a basket ball hoop but, won't let me play with her because I am a girl. she keeps telling me she needs a boy to play with her. Chandler got a gun and the big girls got makeup and clothes.
Donate to Reece's Rainbow and give a child with Down syndrome a forever family. In Eastern Europe when a child is born with Down syndrome they are told that there isn't any place for them in society and that they are better off in the orphanage. Even if the family decides to keep their child most end up taking them to an orphanage because of lack of support. and resources. Reece's Rainbow is ran by a mom who has a child with Down syndrome she has dedicated her life to helping these children. I have been following Reece's Rainbow since 2006. And every time I look at those little faces my heart breaks for them. I see my daughter who also has Down syndrome and I can't imagine what her life would have been like if she was born in a different country. My hope is that someday I will be able to be a mom to one of these little angels but, until that time I will do what ever I can to help these children find families. The sadest part of this story is that if these children are not adopted by the time they are 4, 5 sometimes 6 they are transferred to institutions where many can no longer be adopted. The conditions of these institutions are horrible and many of the children die within a year of being there. Click on the picture below and it will take you to the site where you can make a donation. Your donation will be saving a child's life. No amount is to small.
