Wax Museum

The 6th graders at Brittney's Middle School did a Wax Museum. That means they each had to research a famous deceased person and then write a story of their life. Then last night, they dressed up like that person and 'froze' in place. When someone dropped a quarter in their container, they came to life and told 'their story'. . Brittney was June Cash. Here's Riley, Aubrey and Taylor listening to President Rosevelt's story. Johnny Cash (Haley Patrick) and wife June Cash (Brit) Riley, Tay and Aubrey hearing the story of Elvis. In the background lot of other characters waiting to tell their story. Brit's friend Shelsta was Florence Nightengale.

Tough Morning Ahead

The funeral is this morning for my friend Dawn's mom. It was just a couple weeks ago that I attended the funeral for her brother. Dawn is carrying a lot on her shoulders right now and I'm praying for strength and comfort for her. Her faith is strong and she knows God will carry her through but it's still a difficult time as she is the one left behind. I'm going over to the church this morning to help get the lunch ready. It's one of the tangible things I can do right now.

Tennesee?

I'm tired and the week has barely started. I think I'm still playing catch-up from staying up too late on Sunday night. But it was worth it! The movie was excellent. . Yesterday I definitely didn't accomplish all the loads of laundry I should have but I did get a lot done anyway. My motivation was gone. Now that I think about it, it's pretty hard to get motivated about laundry. I just like the satisfaction that comes when I finish it all. Of course, by the very next day, there's more, but for that one night a week, it's all done. . What I did accomplish yesterday is adult conversation. While Anthony played and the baby slept, Jen and I were able sit and talk. She brought the Papa Murphy's Pizza and I provided the oven. Good pizza and great company! Can life get any better? They leave this weekend to see their new baby and it looks like I may be going with them to Tennesee. . Right now the kids are eating breakfast and singing. Since the younger ones are close in age, they know the same songs from school. It's like my own mini choir. . Zeke lost his glasses on the St Paul trip so time after school was spent trying to find out if he can get a new pair. Our insurance will pay for a new pair only every 15 months and Medicaid doesn't pay at all for lost glasses anymore so we have to be really careful with glasses. That can be more of a challenge than you think with an active 7 year old. Fortunately, it's been over 15 months so this afternoon we have an appointment with the eye doctor and after the check-up we'll order another pair of glasses.

Sunday

We had a great day yesterday! . *Grandma Sandy was still here Sunday and went to church with us. Pastor Rick had a great message, as usual. . *I was able to visit in Sunday School with some very dear friends, one of which just returned from China. She was able to go with her step-son and his wife to pick up their new son. She had lots of amazing stories but the one that got to me the most was the story she shared about one of the other couples that was also there to adopt. This couple had been to China a few years ago with their daughter and son-in-law to help adopt their grandchild. After that trip, they decided to adopt themselves. So they came back and adopted a daughter. But that's not the end of the story. Their new daughter had a best friend at the orphanage who she missed, so on this trip, one year later, they were back for a third time, to adopt their new daughter's best friend! . *We went to the potluck dinner with other adoptive families in the church. We hadn't planned on staying for lunch since we didn't bring any food to share. But I wanted to make sure to visit. There was plenty of food and insistance that we stay, so we did! It was great to be able to visit for a while and fun to see Claudia again. . *The Vikings game didn't start until 3pm so I was able to watch almost the entire game. GO VIKINGS! . *I fed the kids and had them get their PJ's so that they could play until bedtime. Brit babysat for us so we could go to the church to hear Claudia's Presentation. She and her husband have adopted 12 children in 12 years. Here's a clip from the back of her book: "This book is the account , with helpful wisdom along the way, of an adoptive family's first 12 years, recounting how each child was claimed. Five children are Hispanic. One is biracial. Two are Asian. Four are Caucasian. Ten are from four state foster care systems from across the United States, two are from a Guatemalan orphanage. At the writing of this book, they range in age from 10-22 but they arrived between the ages of 9 months and 12 years. Together the family has confronted (and in some cases resolved) a myriad of challenges. Each is a unique individual with special gifts and contributions to make to the world." The presentation was very insightful and interesting and it was fun to meet her husband and 5 of their kids. I wouldn't have missed it! . *After that, Steve and I checked in at home, grabbed a bite to eat. Suprise, suprise. Turkey sandwiches. Then we went to see the movie The Blind Side. I would highly recommend seeing it. Sandra Bulluck was amazing! She's like my dream mom! But you know I wouldn't trade my two moms :) Tim McGraw was great as her husband. And the movie had football! Anyway, the movie tells the story of a black teenage boy who is homeless and a wealthy white family who ends up incorporating him into their family. If you cry at movies, be prepared, it has some very emotional moments. It's also a true story. And a great way to end a great day.

Great Quote of the Day

"What makes children get better following a trauma is connection to other human beings: human beings who are present, who are patient, who are kind, and who are sensitive. They don't need to be necessarily psychologically insightful. They need not to know anything about trauma. All they need to know is that they're right there with this child, they're trying to be comforting, they're trying to be supportive, they're trying to encourage. Those kinds of interactions end up being much more therapeutic and healing than many of the other things that we try to do with kids." -Bruce Perry

Singing Video

The kids kept themselves entertained while waiting for the parade to start. They played the CD from the kids christmas program and sang along at the top of their lungs.

Parade of Lights

Waiting for the Parade of Lights in downtown Brookings. It's a post-Thanksgiving tradition. Heather and I parked our vans downtown around 4pm and then walked back to my house. We wanted to make sure we had spots were the kids could sit in the back of the van and still see the parade. The roudy kids all hung out in the red van!