Thankful

Everyday things, we see them so often we fail to appreciate--the trees, the flowers, our family, and even the really simple things in life. Today and every day I am thankful for this life I have been given.

For star-filled skies---I am in awe of our God who who placed the tiniest of details in our lives for our enjoyment. I am thankful to live in the country where I enjoy the stars and am thankful for the opportunity to spend time at our summer "house" on the lake where there are even more stars that fill the skies. There is nothing more beautiful or restful.

For good health---I work with so many with ills and resulting stress in their life. I am thankful we have sustained good health. Cariyana's health has done nothing but improve each year. I am thankful.

For family--you are who made me who I am today. Thank you for the love and care during the difficult days of then and now. Thank you.

For a loving husband and father-- who does not mind going to work each day. I cannot ask for a better provider. Steve spends more time working than I with who I teasingly call his "other wife", Mrs. John Deere. He works the awful hours of 4 am to 2:30 and more often than not gets shorted on sleep. Why? For the love of his family so that I can stay home with the kids lest we leave them unattended or miss an activity. I likely don't thank you often enough, thanks honey!

For my dear friends--who attentively listen to my tales of whoa. Tehy accept my flaws, listen to understand, and share in our joys and sorrows. You know who you are... thank you!

For my children--each and every one who fills my days with lots of activities and who are growing each day to be the individuals we want them to be. My biggest challenge is letting you go to fly on your own!

For the silence--I must have at the end of each day to face the next days chaos.

For the four seasons--I love teh anticipation of each season of change. This time of year we anticipate snowfall, sledding, and days home from school and work together in our jammies. Yes, I am thankful for the changing seasons of Iowa.

For Jerry and Joann--our work weeks would be much more hectic without you! We try to say it every day THANK YOU!

And last of all I am thankful for the love of God who made this wonderful life. You sacrificed your life for mine. We poor peasants still seek to understand your goodness.

Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever!"

Blessed

There are days Steve and I wonder what we have done... a large family, later than most in life, children from questionable backgrounds...some days are challenging and long. Amongst those challenging days are the joyful moments we will cherish forever--the firsts, the fights, the STORIES, the laughs. Each child is unique.

Nick--our first, our dream, our promised one. A great son--good looking, sophmore at Augustana, doing his best to navigate our complex world. He likes cars, is articulate, and could probably sell you his shoes. We have not met anyone yet who hasn't told us what a great kid he is. We are very proud.

Alexis--Nick prayed for years for her...I remember the day we picked her up (age 3 1/2 months) from her Grandma Kathy...we celebrated with the best angel food cake we ever had complete with pink icing...we are in the car with Alexis all strapped in and Nick says "This is the best day of my life!" A daughter, a sister, our love.

Charley--arrived at age 3 1/2 with the longest hair, flip flops, and a pair of plaid shorts. He did not like that first bath! His memories then were of cheese sandwiches at St. Anthonys window in downtown Davenport. When they picked him up he had just one toy...a man. Oh how your world has changed. Charley looks amazingly like Nick at the same age. And such a mild mannered good little (not so little at age 10) boy. Mom's very best helper around the house! And ALWAYS with a cheerful heart!

Xavier--we thought you would never stop crying. You cried for 2 years every night. You arrived to us just 6 weeks after Charley at age 8 months. You still are overly sensitive at times but are blessed with that middle child position in the family. You are our daily challenge but can be so loving to all around you. And handsome!! Oh my. The girls one day...we better prepare now.

Joe--you are the only child to receive a new name. There were just too many Roberts already to have another Robert Cummins in the Quad Cities. It took us a week to decide whether to take you. We thought with 4 children we were done... but you were a brother! Age 7 weeks, a full head of hair, and a totally different disposition than your brother. Daddy slept with you in the chair for the first 2 years and it was a rare night you did not awaken him from sleep. Poor Joe, also very sensitive. There was a time they did not know if you could see, you received daily physical therapy for the rigidity the cocaine left in your body. You did not speak....but just this past week you graduated from your speech IEP at preschool! Yeah!

Cariyana--an interesting meeting...respite complete with 16 hours of nursing care per day. What were we thinking? We could make a difference of course! The run has been more than challenging but you have risen to the challenge--no more feeding tube, just oxygen at night now, and no more nurses! Its rare they say that this can be accomplished. We say its environment...now if the rest of the things straighten out so we can give you wings to live on your own one day!

We are so blessed. We have a unique family. Not once have we ever regretted adoption. Not once have I ever thought these children did not come from my womb. My love for each of them is amazing. God give me strength to see your will be done.

He created them male and female and blessed them. --Genesis 5:2

The Cucumber Stand

Grandpa Grell had a great garden and this year a surplus of cucumbers. There was no way for mom (or me for that matter) to do something with all of them. I suggested the kids open a vegetable stand at the end of the driveway. They stood at the end of the drive so patiently (all 5 of them!) in the heat. It was 90 plus degrees by late afternoon, hot by anyone's standards so they even had an umbrella.

They had so much fun--making signs, putting up the table, all in the interest of making money. Alexis is the creative one in the group. At one point Alexis even wrote "tips please" on the sign "Cucumbers 20 cents". I had to tell her that was a bit over the top. Note the cross-out in the photo.

Another idea of hers was to dress Joe up in green construction paper as a cucumber. He wanted nothing to do with it! So, Cariyana being more agreeable she dressed in all green clothes and put her at the end of the driveway holding a sign selling the cumbers.

On the second day of the sale, Ruth next door called and said "They should sell some cold drinks--send them over". Over they went and back they came with a small cooler of pop. Now they could sell pop and cucumbers. At this time Steve is mowing. I am gone somewhere...

Xavier (I guess he is the entrepreneur of the group) had a great idea. If we are selling pop, we should sell beer too. He goes to the garage refrigerator, helps himself to a few beers, and goes into the house to get some large plastic cups.

He is now pouring beers at the end of the driveway...Our Sunrooms By Design contractor stops by to discuss a few details, Steve gets off the mower, and Rod says "It's great they are selling cold drinks, but do you think they should be selling beer?"

Happiness is...

I have been pondering what makes me happy. There are many obvious things (family time, good friends, a rewarding career) but there is an underlying theme that seems to be the core of me. I like order.
How do you accomplish that with 6 children, a dog with separation anxiety, and a husband who spends more time working with his second wife (Mrs. John Deere) than he does at home?
One way I conquer happiness (and less stress) is with planning and organization. But, don't look in my closets! This organization does not necessarily filter into all aspects of my life though I wish it would!! I like order. I am a planner. I try to plan everything from meals to chores. I am a list person even if I never look at the list.
Working really cramps my style but it is necessary to be able to provide our family with the extra things we enjoy as a family--private schooling, extra activities and lessons for the kids, camping, preserving our memories, and hopefully a more comfortable retirement.
To make the days of work more palatable one must be organized! I am fortunate to have some help with laundry, baking, and meal prep. Joann and Jerry Ray to the rescue! They come 3 days a week to watch the kids after school. I do the planning and they carry it out. I am so blessed! This makes especially meal time (nightly and always together even if its quick) less stressful and definitely more healthy.
I used to gather regularly with friends to make food and freeze it for future use. Instead now I will make two of something (like lasagna or enchiladas). Eat one, freeze one. Or sometimes on a Sunday afternoon I will spend all day in the kitchen making the weeks meals. I also freeze ground beef already cooked. A big time saver. I freeze diced onions and sliced green peppers. Anything to help cut down on meal prep! Another big timesaver is my crockpot. I had to upgrade recently so I bought one with a delay timer. I could not live without my crockpot!

A Relaxing Fourth

We spent the extended Fourth of July weekend at the lake where our camper is parked permanently. The kids love it there! We park our 5th wheel trailer at Kochs Meadow Lakes Campground. Its a private campground for members only so life is predictable and safe. We know everyone and they know us. Less than 40 campers, so its small and nice. Its also undisturbed with plenty of wildlife and plenty of fish to be caught in the lake.

This weekend, other than a mishap of lost eyeglasses (Joe's) and an episode of vomiting (again Joe) it was a great weekend. The weather was nearly perfect with low humidity to start the weekend and just a bit of rain that did not spoil too much on Sunday night and Monday. The worst part about camping is packing to go home.

Alexis was absent from our weekend as she traveled with Grandma and Grandpa and Lauren to the east to visit the Bobkas. She is having a great time of her own.

Joe and Xavier spent much of their time with our new campsite neighbors who have 2 boys--Cody (16) who loves to fish and Travis (11)--finally an age appropriate friend for Charley! Joe caught a blue gill on Friday evening and was so pleased with himself! He awoke at 7:30 on Saturday morning and said with pole in hand "Mom, I'm gonna catch you a fish, pinky swear!" and off he flew with his pole following the older boys to the edge of the lake.

Saturday night was family night--food, games, and friends. We shared a mexican themed feast with our neighbors and good friends the Durhams and new friends the Gilhoulys. Tacos, tostadas, jalepeno rice, and of course margaritas (virgin ones for the kids!). Absolutely delicious!