Steve and I are headed back to Iowa early Wednesday morning for Al's funeral service. We decided not to take the kids so I've got them all divided out among friends and relatives for two days.

We have two main reasons we are going by ourselves: 1) We just got back from a long, highly emotional trip and the kids are tired and need some consistancy. This trip would be almost 8 hours in the van there and back, plus a lot of sitting quietly while we are there. And 2) The boys biological mom will be there. This isn't the time or place for additional emotions to overpower the situation. Riley might do ok but as of two years ago, Zeke was still scared when we mentioned her name so I'm not sure how he'd do in person.

So for now, the trip will be just us adults.

Sunday Morning

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Even in the midst of tragedy, we're so thankful that this family has allowed us into their lives.

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Please continue to pray for Grandma Lori.
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This picture was taken today at the hotel waterpark. The gentleman sitting beside Steve is Grandpa Al. After a fun day today, we went out to Grandma Lori & Grandpa Al's for a cookout and fireworks. Grandma Lori headed out first to get the supper started and the girls (Brittney, Taylor and cousin Kayla) rode out to the farm with Grandpa Al. We (Steve, Anthony, Riley, the baby and myself) stopped by the lake house for a few minutes and then drove out to the farm. When we got there, the boys jumped out of the van as soon as we pulled into the yard, but it took me a few minutes to get the baby changed. As I was walking towards the house, Taylor came running towards me saying something about someone falling. I didn't really understand what she was trying to tell me so I kept asking her to repeat herself. She said that Grandpa Al fell and pointed. I looked and saw Grandma Lori bent over in the grass beside her house an then I saw Al on the ground. I started running. He appeared to be unconcious. We tried to call his name and pat his face to wake him up but as soon as we saw it was having little effect, Lori started dialing 911 and I sent Taylor into the house to try to get some more help. Time slowed down and rushed quickly, all at the same time. Al was breathing very spuratically and had a very faint pulse. Eventually, we couldn't find a pulse at all and he was turning blue. Steve and Nate started CPR with chest compressions. Eventually the rescue truck arrived and they took over. Finally the ambulance came. They hooked up the di-fib.

During the CPR, I could do nothing but pray and try to comfort Lori and Brooke by holding them. The prayers of my heart started coming out of my mouth. I prayed for healing. I prayed for peace. I prayed for the medical team. I prayed for Al's heart and body. As the team continued to work, I continued to pray. After the ambulance left, I went inside and talked to the kids. After I explained what was going on, Taylor suggested we pray for Grandpa Al.

 I wanted to write this blog and tell you that God started Al's heart and healed his body. I wanted to tell you that this event brought us together as a family. I wanted to tell you that this has drawn everyone into a closer relationship with God.

I can't tell you any of that. We got the phone call that Al passed away. Grandma Lori is not doing well emotionally. Most of the family is still at the hospital.

Please pray with me for the family. Specifically, Grandma Lori (our boys' biological grandma), who is now without her husband. Also, her daughter Liz, her daughter Brooke, and their husbands (who were there with us during the course of the evening.  I'm not even sure how to pray right now except that this is when they will need God the most because it's when they will feel the most alone and question God the most. I'm not sure why God allowed this timing. I know it definitely wasn't my timing.
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Met with my beautiful friends for our Friday morning bible study, home for a few minutes before my 8am VBS meeting (when I was typing this quickly, I missed the V, which made it appear that I was attending a BS meeting!), then into the car for our 4 hour drive to Iowa.  Since everyone else is packed, I better go get my stuff thrown into a suitcase :)
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We've been on the go this week, as usual. In addition to the regular stuff, here's some of what went on this week:

On Monday, Brittney went to Valleyfair with the church youth group, Zeke had his first day of summer school, the baby had a visit and Steve had softball.

On Tuesday, Zeke had school, speech & physical therapy, the baby had Early Childhood, Brittney had Tumbling and then later Stunt/Cheer, Riley was supposed to have baseball but it got rained out.

On Wednesday, the baby had early headstart, Riley had piano lessons and in the evening Steve had a meeting/training for work.

Today, the baby has Physical Therapy & a visit, Riley has baseball, Brittney's going to a dance and I have PPRT's (foster care case reviews) all afternoon.

All week, I've been packing the kids as they do their laundry. I just have Zeke and myself left to pack. We're going on our final summer trip this weekend! We'll leave Friday morning right after my VBS meeting and head to Iowa to see Grandpa Mike, Grandma Glenda, Grandma Lori and uncles and aunts. After our trip down there last year, we all decided to make it an annual event and the kids love it! I probably won't post much over the weekend but there will be plenty of pictures when we get back.
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I got to have lunch with some of my dearest friends on Saturday!

They look like they could be sisters, don't they?!

After last year, we've now officially made it an annual event. We drive a few hours and meet in the middle at a McDonalds. Then we spend lunch/afternoon talking, crying, laughing, and crying because we're laughing so hard. I've known these guys forever and I can't even begin to express how wonderful it is to have friends that not only know who I was and who I am and love me anyway, but  also share my love for God and family. We can share our joys and our struggles and leave feeling refreshed until the next year when we meet again. This year, we even had an elderly gentleman approach us and jokingly tell us we were having too much fun! This will always be one of the highlights of my year!
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Happy Father's Day Dad!

This is one of my favorite pictures!

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Gotta love the '70's outfits. I think my mom made them for us.

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My wedding - August 1997

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I think this is shortly after they adopted me, '74 or '75.

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My dad and his siblings. He's the one standing by the dog.

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My dad and mom

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And last but not least, Grandpa and the boys on Father's Day today.

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Final Pictures from Camp K

Most of Taylor's class

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Zeke and one of his awesome teachers.

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Zeke and Anthony taking a break and enjoying the view

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Zeke and Anthony ringing the giant triangle for dinner

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The staff singing "Happy Trails" to bid us farewell

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Bonfire at Camp K

Anthony helping Dan build the fire

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Riley (with the bandana over his face)

and Taylor (in pink)

and some of their camp friends

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Zeke and his buddy Zeke from last year.

They love to tell you that there are two Zekes!

The other Zeke's (adopted) dad just shipped over to Afganastan the week before camp so we were glad that the rest of their family made it to camp this year.

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We had a family of musicians leading singing for the campfire and praise time Sunday morning.

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Brittney roasting her marshmallow.

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Camp wouldn't be complete without S'mores!

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Family Fun Rodeo at Camp K

It wasn't really a rodeo in the typical sense. This was actually fun games set up at different stations around the camp. You competed as a family against other families.

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Our first event was the horseshoe toss.

It moved along really quickly since there were only eight minutes per event and then you moved on to the next one. Here's Steve and the kids walking to the next event.

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Riley taking a quick roll down the hill.

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Riley roping the calf.

Notice the little black head sticking out of the bales.

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The ever famous frying pan toss.

We thought Brittney had bad aim until Steve threw and almost took out an entire row of staff spectators!

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Taylor running the stick horse race

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Brittney and Riley were awesome in the three legged race! They currently hold the camp record. Riley even wanted to try it blindfolded, so they did. And they still won!

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Seed spitting contest

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Milk the cow.

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"It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers,
but for powers equal to our tasks,
to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal." ~ Helen Keller
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The director of Camp K, Crystal, had connections with McCrossen Boys Ranch and she arranged for them to bring their horses and wagon to camp. The kids loved the wagon rides!

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Zeke waiting patiently for the horses to arrive.

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The horses pulling up in front of the lodge for wagon rides.

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 Brittney, Steve, & Zeke getting up close.

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Ready for the ride.

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Steve & Zeke enjoying the ride!

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Family Projects/Crafts at Camp K

Here are a few of the things we did together as a family:

These are the boxes we made in our parent's group for each one of our children.

Then we presented them at the conclusion of camp.

Here's the saying we put on the top of each box and read to the kids:

This is a very special gift

That you can never see

The reason it's so special

It's just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely

Or are ever feeling blue

You only have to hold this gift

And know I'm hugging you.

You never can unwrap it

Please leave the ribbon tied

Just hold the box close to your heart

It's filled with hugs inside.

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The Main Lodge at Camp K

Here's Taylor heading up to the main lodge.

Notice she's left her shoes behind, as usual.

 Brittney is unaware that I'm taking a picture of the lodge.

I got yelled at shortly after this because of it :)

 Each family gets it's own table at the main lodge for the duration of the weekend. We'd meet there for meals, family projects, singing and announcements. The meals are set up as a buffet and, let me tell you, the food was spectactular, as always. They always have lots of food and snacks, and by the end of the weekend, we were all stuffed! Here's a picture of the boys finishing up some tacos.

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Cabins at Camp K

There were 13 families who participated in Camp K this year. Each family was assigned their own family cabin. Ours had bunk beds with 5 twin size matresses and one queen. I brought the Pack & Play crib for the baby. Each cabin is fairly large and has it's own kitchen, bathroom with a shower, microwave, coffee pot and air conditioner. Here are some pictures of the family cabins.

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Camp K

Camp K had a western theme this year. When we checked in, we all got hats and bandanas.

Don't worry, I took lots of pictures.

Keep checking back and see what fun things our family was up to this past weekend!

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Camp K

It's harder to blog in the summer than I thought! I'd much rather be hanging out with my kids than sitting in front of a computer :)
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Today we're heading off to Camp K! It's our third year and the whole family looks forward to it. In case you're unfamiliar with the camp, it's actually called Camp Kaleidoscope and it's put on by Children's Home Society. Here's the info: This is a therapeutic weekend camp that focuses on adoption issues through workshops and fun activities for all members of your family. The intention is to support adoptive parents and their children throughout their lives together. Adoption is a lifelong journey an we want families who have adopted through DSS to know we are there for them.
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The kids and I are hoping to get out of town by noon today and Steve will drive down when he's off work at 5pm. I just have the baby and myself left to pack. We should arrive at camp by 3pm today and then return by Sunday late evening. I'll do my best to remember to take pictures and get them posted them next week.
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Steve heading off to his new position as a retail bank coordinator with First Bank & Trust.

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