Last Night

Last night I spent the night at the hospital. We finally convinced my Mama to go home and get some rest. Of course she called me wanting to know how he was, etc. I can see that it's not easy honestly for her to go home and not be with him. I can understand that. I can only imagine I would be the same way were it Glenn in that hospital bed.

It truly sounds strange to say I enjoyed my time with my Daddy, but I did to a degree. I enjoyed being able to be with him since this is the new reality we all must face.

After having a "good" day yesterday, he had a really bad night last night. Today he slept most all day. Mama and I spoke with a representative of Hospice to learn more about what they are all about. We have some decisions to make. We are leaving the final say so up to Daddy. Pray that all is according to God's will. No easy answers right now.

Please also pray for my oldest brother (lives in Paraguay) to be able to get here soon. He's working on changing his ticket (which is currently for Dec. 4th, arriving here the 5th). He needs to get here a.s.a.p. Daddy is waiting on him.

Tomorrow, church. Glenn is going to have a service with Daddy at the hospital. I think that will be nice for them both.

I will go back one night this coming week and stay the night again. In about a week, we think Daddy will come home. We have a lot to do in that time though to get their house ready. Pray for us.

Florida

I couldn't post about it on Monday, because we didn't tell my family... but we are now in Florida. We left Sunday afternoon after church, spent that night in Illinois, Monday night in Georgia and made it in on Tuesday evening. Tuesday evening, we already had it set up with my inlaws to eat supper with them and for the kids to spend the night there. We rode down to my parents' house (8 miles) before Mama left for the night (to go to the hospital).

We had chosen not to tell my family, because as Glenn said, "why give them anything else to worry about- worrying about us while we travel, etc." What an emotional time it was when we arrived at the door! I am so glad we came now instead of later.

Yesterday was when I saw my Daddy. I spent several hours with him, and from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., it was just us. That was certainly special, even though it was heart breaking at the same time.

Today, I am at 'home' (where I grew up), doing some cleaning, going to make supper later for everyone, etc. Glenn and Cala have gone now to see Daddy and pick Mama up for the evening. We will take her back at 10 p.m. I however will be spending the night tomorrow night, alone with Daddy. I want my Mama to rest here at home. They've been married 51 years. This is surely taking some adjusting to, I am positive.

As I sat there last night I began thinking back to when I was a kid... hearing Daddy snore made me feel safe, at least knowing that he was there, and all was well- he could and would fight off any 'bad guy' should there be one to appear. Here however, last night, as I sat in the hospital with him, listening to his bi-pap machine (for sleep apnea), I thought about how while I still knew he was there, all was not well. There indeed was a 'bad guy' in the room, by the name of Cancer. This is a monster that Daddy can't take care of, and soon, I will be without my Daddy that I love so very much.

Grief has begun.

The Past Three Days

Cala's party on Saturday went very well! Most importantly, Cala has a great time! When all was said and done, there were 20 kids here and one adult that stayed a few minutes. The adult was one of our neighbors that we had yet to meet. That was really nice. They moved in while we were in Florida this past summer and although I kept meaning to get over there and meet them, one thing after another would keep me from doing so. Now, I wish we would have met weeks ago. We really had a good time talking Saturday!

Cala got lots of nice things and one funny thing she did: After everyone sang the traditional "Happy Birthday", they went into "How Old Are You?, How Old Are You?". As soon as they were done, Cala blew out her candles and said, "I may be small, but I'm 9 years old!" It was priceless and everyone laughed!

Following the party, I thought my feet would break. The invitations read 1-3 p.m. and so her classmates went home right after 3. The neighborhood kids though all stayed and played until I finally had to tell them Cala had to come in. That was near 6 p.m. Of course, I like having them here. I like knowing where my daughter is :o)

*****

Sunday: A lady came to church, stood in the back during the message (arrived late). She got gone before we could speak to her, but the building attendant said she told her that she had seen one of our flyers. We are uncertain as to whether or not she received an invitation at her home, or if she had seen a flyer at a local business. (we've checked, and thankfully our flyers have pretty much stayed put around the area).

God is working! He reminds us this just at the right time it seems. We are thankful for this.

*****

Today (Monday): Due to Cala having a fall break this week, and it being her actual birthday, we stayed on the road throughout the day. We had a great day celebrating her birth! We had a picnic type lunch and Cala chose our restaurant for supper. Tomorrow, we are planning to be gone most of the day again, taking in the fall colors and cool weather. This week is all about family. :o) I want our children to have great memories of times we spend together.

My Daddy: All continues "status quo" so far. I will continue to update as I get word.

There's a Party Goin' On Right Here

Yes, you read that right... amidst the sadness here, we are today having a Birthday party for Cala. She turns 9 years old on Monday! I absolutely can't believe she's this "old." She's been our daughter since she was 2 years 7 months old, but at that time she was much more like a baby than the toddler she was chronologically.

We've invited her class from school as well as the neighborhood kids. I wrote on the invitations "RSVP appreciated but not required". (I personally would hate to have someone not come because they didn't rsvp). We have had at least 7 classmates RSVP and about the same amount in neighborhood kids. I will be interested to see how many we have in the end.

I will try to post pictures a.s.a.p. It will be a nice distraction from everything else.

Following the party, we will clean up, then collapse for awhile (lol) before heading to Wal-mart to buy some things we didn't get yesterday, for the coming week.

Dates on a Calendar

I am writing this after 1 a.m. so technically it is now Wednesday, October 10th. So, yesterday, the 9th is what I want to talk about- It was fourteen years ago that day that I called my Daddy. Strangely enough, he was in the hospital then, and I was calling him with the sad news that I had miscarried my first baby.

Here we are fourteen years later and oh how I wish he were in the hospital for something "simple" as what they called back then a "bleed out" (from an ulcer). We were worried about him then, but not as we are now. No, now we know we are faced with our Daddy dying. I can't even type those words without breaking into tears.

Usually at this time of year, I have some down days due to so many tragic things happening to me in this month of October. I should have known it would be October when we got this terrible news.

My daddy is dying... my heart is breaking... I am fighting to not cry all day...

I cried myself to sleep last night. Now I pray I will rest tonight. I was in bed long before this last night- now it is the exact time I was sobbing last night. I think I will try getting some rest. I pray I can.

Prayer

So last night I'm feeling low as I was coming back from a grocery store. I felt kind of silly, but hey! We have church services in a school, and so I pulled to that school parking lot (since that was the city where I chose to go to the store!), and prayed. It just helped to be near "my church".

Then as I was coming home, I called my Mama. We talk two to three times a day, many times more. Daddy told her to tell me he loves me, and I asked if he was able to talk to me. HE prayed with me! Let me tell you, that broke me down. I took a few moments to compose myself and be able to drive.

This is going to be hard, so very hard. HOW on earth do folks without Jesus get through times like this?

Life Upside Down

I really don't know why I took so long to update this blog, but as of yesterday life has been tured upside down.

This is a picture of my Daddy with Cala, taken this past June when we were in Florida. Daddy is a Pastor in Florida, at the same church since I was 6 weeks old, and I am now 36. Over 7 weeks ago, on the way in the door from church, Daddy fell and has spent his time in the bed, ever since. Two days ago he went to the hospital and is now on the Oncology floor. Yes, we've known he's had prostate cancer for nearly 15 years. In the past year, he's taken chemo as it got a little worse. We were all coping with that and doing well. Because of the fall though, he has had no chemo, and we assume during that time is when his cancer spread. They found out yesterday that his cancer is now in the stomach and his back.

This Daddy's girl is not doing too well right now with all this. I feel as if I can't breathe. Please pray for us all.

I Said I'd Be Back....

Thanks to those who sent me cards on Monday or emails telling me they were praying for me. I sure appreciate it!

Today I just wanted to take the time to announce the arrival of my great niece, Michelle Faith. She was born today to my second oldest niece, in Oklahoma. Baby Michelle joins her big sister. I also have a great nephew from my oldest niece who also lives in Oklahoma. I didn't really feel old until I got to thinking that it seems so weird this brother of mine is a GRANDPA three times over now! HA Now that for some reason seems strange. Our family is funny like that though- our oldest brother has the youngest child, his youngest daughter being just 20 months old. Then the next brother is the one who has the oldest child, just 7 years younger than me :o) He's the Grandpa. We have one other brother who has 2 older kids (a 20 yr. old and a 14 year old) and then there's me with my brood. Wish we could all be together in one place some time. That would be interesting!

In other news: ever feel like you just can't escape for a moment's time? If you're a Mama you know what I mean. At least I certainly don't think I am the only one with this going on! ha I'm in the bathroom tonight (no, I'm not blogging from the bathroom, silly, I mean earlier), and the kids were upstairs brushing their teeth. I suddenly hear, "Where's Mama?" from Seth. He had come downstairs and if Mama isn't around, well, all is not right in the life of this 2 year old. "Where's Mama?" he repeats, and Glenn chooses to not answer, only to tell him to go do something he was previously told to do. I start almost laughing as I hear him go upstairs saying, "uh, Papa said I was a BAD BOY!" (which Papa did NOT say). I laugh because the next thing I hear is "Where's Mama?" from Ethan, and then Cala. I keep thinking that at least I know I'm missed. Glenn told them I was in the bathroom and they went about playing. Seth on the other hand comes and waits outside the door, and when I come out says, "Oh Mama! I didn't notice you were in the bathroom. I thought you went somewhere!"

Ah, one of these days I shall report that I actually made it to the bathroom unnoticed. Certainly it's possible????????? Please tell me it's possible?!?!

For now.....

Today I'm just sad. I'll be back happy again, probably even tomorrow! But for now, I'm just sad. You see, it was four years ago today that I miscarried a precious baby that I didn't even know I was carrying. We were living in Russia and that day was terrible.

Yes, I had a miscarriage back in 1993, and while horrible too, the one in Russia really affected me in a different way. I think a lot had to do with being so far away from everyone I loved most. Some of it had to do with not even knowing about the pregnancy. Still more had to do with seeing the baby when I miscarried. Sorry if too much info!

Any way, I just am sad. It is on days like this, I visit the website I made soon after that day- http://www.angelfire.com/blues2/evanfaith It helps, it really does.

I am ever thankful for a couple of friends who never forget these days! October 9th will be the 14th anniversary of my first miscarriage. Yep, I have a few sad days this time of year, but rest assured, I'll be back. I always am.

Time Flies, yeh, it really does......

I have often said that I feel as if yesterday I was 17 years old, turned around and now am 36. Time really does fly! I felt as if I posted here yesterday, but alas, it's been 10 days! Yikes. A lot has happened in that short period of time:

Seth had his 2nd Family Day- what a special time it was celebrating this precious baby man being a part of our family. One of these days I'll post the pictures from then, as well as the pictures from Ethan's Family Day last month!

Our missionary helpers left this past Monday- he called today to check on us; they are now in Michigan for a few days.

I am enjoying babysitting a neighbor girl 2 to 3 days a week. It's extra income that's nice to have, plus it's just fun to have her here honestly. I say it's sort of insight into how it will be like having another girl when we adopt again. (in a couple of years or so).

Today- well, today was a strange sort of Sunday. The devil was after us I am here to tell you... I often tell my kids to not let the devil take place and he seems to want to do that the most on Sunday mornings when we're getting ready for church. It usually starts with Seth and Ethan fighting. Today was no different, but it was quickly (as Barney Fife would say), "nipped in the bud" by their Papa and me.

We got to church and as Glenn was taking the pulpit in, a piece chipped off when going in the door. Instead of getting radical about it, I tried to remind Glenn that we could glue it. We got inside only to learn our normal room was being used for testing, but we had been moved to another room for today- let me just say a much nicer room! (more expensive, and I LONG for the day that we NEED that much space and have to rent it!). No one came, no one other than us. That was discouraging... I'd be lying if I didn't say it was.

While I'm singing with the keyboard, my book slips completely, I grabbed it, never missed a note I might add, and held it by one hand (obviously playing the keyboard with the other). I quickly said, "ah! if you don't believe that's the devil!!!"

Glenn had a good sermon on salvation (which by the way, those working there can certainly hear us so we know we're being a witness in some way!). When we got everything loaded back in the van, we took off only to find our sign was down!

Someone had obviously knocked our sign down from the side of the road- impossible for the wind to do it, never mind the fact that it was not a really windy day at all. This was just about all we could handle and the car ride home was quiet. I felt today as if we were all, all five of us, including the kids, discouraged! Even little four year old Ethan said today, "We sure need some people here." Cala was already upset because she consistently invites folks only to be told, "not today", etc. (and this happened this morning).

Glenn spends every weekday passing out invitations, doing his part and so I know he must feel down. Yet, he has never admitted it- until today when I plain out asked. He said, "yes, I guess I am discouraged a bit today."

And yet.. God is working. Our Sunday School lesson was on Gideon and not being a quitter even when it seems what's the use! Wow did that speak to me! To top things off during our family prayer time, Ethan prayed, "God send people to our church in Big Lake". That had me crying! God is working. We believe that.

Pictures Anyone?

Our Last Summer Hurrah on Monday: We enjoyed a picnic supper at one of the local parks. I love this picture of my kids walking hand in hand.






Seth tried his hand at baseball


First day of school came on Tuesday and as is "first day of school" tradition, Papa made omelets for breakfast. Soon it was time for Cala to get ready and she was sure excited to be going off to Second Grade!




Ethan's bus comes for him in the afternoon. He has pre-school Special Ed (here his class is called SR or School Readiness... in Florida we would call it K4) 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. He couldn't wait to get back to school, although he's had a hard time realizing that things are different this year, with a different classroom, a different teacher, etc.




As soon as Ethan left, it was time for Seth to start K2 here at home.
It has been really fun teaching Seth! What a difference there is in him and Cala at that age! ha ha I used to wonder if Cala was getting anything I said, but realized she was, she was just in need of being on the move. Seth is the typical two year old, into everything he can get into, but for school, he sits and listens intently:
That's refreshing!

In other news: I'm not exactly taking it easy with just Seth at home. I took Cala to the bus stop her first morning and came back with a babysitting job for one of our neighbors! I'm taking care of her daughter on the days she's not in Kindergarten (here they go two to three days a week). SO, I'll have her (she turns 6 soon) either two or three days each week as long as both her parents work those days. She keeps me hopping!

Tonight however, Glenn and I are going on another date. Our missionary helpers are leaving us on Monday, tomorrow is the local high school football game and Glenn and the missionary are going, Saturday is Seth's Family Day (but we're celebrating Sunday). Cala is going to Brownies camp tomorrow night and we have to go pick her up Saturday evening. So, tonight is our date night. I better go make sure I have clean clothes to wear! ha

Not as we planned

Unfortunately Sunday came and went without any extra people at our new meeting place. HOWEVER, we are not totally discouraged- disappointed, yes, but not down and out. A- this was Labor Day weekend, not the best week to expect people to come as it is such a cultural thing here as the "last hurrah of summer". Many, many people are at lake homes on the weekends (or cabins), and we passed a whole lot of folks at local lakes and beach areas at the lake. SO, we press on, expecting good things next Sunday!

AND we heard some more yesterday about a group that's meeting in a city 25 miles away that are of our same beliefs. Part of the group moved to that city from another town close to 2 hours from here. They moved from the only other church in the state of Minnesota, that's a part of the same Association we are. They are meeting (we assume in homes?) as they couldn't find a church they felt led to. We will be put in contact with them this week- this could very well work into us having services with them, as well as where we currently are meeting! This would be exciting to us! We should know more in the coming day or two.

On a personal note: I woke up with PINK EYE! Never a dull moment! ha We are heading out right now to have a picnic supper for Labor Day- last day before school starts. Catch you later :o)

Lost on a Saturday Evening

Glenn and I had a nice date Saturday night. (I am writing this at almost 2 a.m. so technically it's Sunday now). I had been wanting to go to eat at Baker's Square for quite awhile (for those who know Perkins, well, it's a step above to me but the best I can describe it). HOWEVER, while we were on our way, I said, "you know we haven't had Mexican food in a long time now!" It seems our guests do not care for Mexican food (gasp! I can't understand that! lol) and so I haven't made it in weeks which is highly unusual around here.

We ended up at what turned out to be a GREAT Mexican restaurant run by real Mexicans-which usually means it's going to be good and not Tex-Mex. We were happy anyway and will definitely go back. Who knows? Maybe next week?! I say run by Mexicans. They were cooking- Americans were the waitresses and ours did as many do and asked me where I am from. When I responded, "Florida, and I get asked that a lot", she said, "I bet you do!" We told her we've lived here now a year and she asked, "and you've still kept your accents? That's neat!" ha Turns out she's lived in Georgia before and said when she would ask for a "pop" they would say, "what?" We got a good laugh from that. We completely understand! :o)

We needed to go by Wal-mart (don't we always?!) but alas I have this terrible curiosity that leads me to often ask, "where does that road go?" So, off we went on one of those roads tonight and uh... got lost! ha Let me clarify a bit: there is a certain city we have heard about that we have wanted to visit for a few weeks now. We saw a sign that pointed towards it and went off the highway to see how far away said city was. When we got off the beaten path (or on it?!), we quickly saw a detour sign but no sign stating how many miles it was to this place. We kept going- through mile after mile of beautiful rolling pastures, farm land everywhere, beautiful red barns, beautiful cows, you get the picture- we were completely in the country. We loved the drive, but we never found the place we were looking for, but DID end up in a "township" as some are called here that we had never heard of. However, we were passing a house that had several men out on the deck. One waved at us which is quite common here in Minnesota. Knowing how friendly most Minnesotans are (and I do mean friendly!), we stopped and asked them how to get back to a town we go to often and would eventually lead us home! After finding out just that, we were back on our way through the country- and uh... did I mention we needed gas? Gas light comes on, we are a good 13 miles still from the next city that we know of. IF we were in our van, we would have never made it to a gas station, but we were in Glenn's truck. Thank the Lord! We made it to another small town we had heard of but never been to (so that was neat to now know where that place is!), and got gas. I should insert here that the first gas station we came to was a brand of gas that if we had been in the van, it would have cut off- it has 4 times with that brand so needless to say we don't run it in the van. Yet again, this was the truck and it took it just fine.

On our way we did go, found our Super Target, decided it would do just as well as Wal-mart for the things we needed and in we went. Cell phones are a great invention as Glenn could go one way, me another and we could call to find out where the other one was, and oh, uh, honey, what do you think about us buying _________ ? lol

We had left our home at not quite five. When we got home tonight, it was after nine. The kids were sleeping, all but Ethan and after checking on him, telling the missionaries we had truly gotten lost on the way home, we came downstairs. Glenn printed out our church bulletin for tomorrow, I practiced the song I will sing, "For Such a Time as This", and then practiced on the keyboard for the songs we will sing as a congregation tomorrow.

So why am I up at 2 a.m.? Couldn't sleep after all the excitement I guess!

Sign

I think we were all very excited today when Glenn came in with the above sign! Cala stood by it pretending she was at church... I heard her say, "Welcome to Maranatha Baptist Church! We're glad to have you here today!" That's the PK coming out in her for sure! I think at some time or other, ever PK plays "church!" Cala did have a good idea though when she said we need to get our family picture by the sign on Sunday. We'll be sure to do that- of course on Sunday, it won't be here in our bedroom! It will be in front of our new meeting place!

By the way, it's a cream color- not sure how it's showing in this picture- not exactly true to form. And you see where the crosses are? In between there, Glenn is going to make something that will say the room number where we will meet.

I dreamed last night we had 50 show up for our first service there. Now, that would be wonderful! Of course in my dream a cousin of mine from South Carolina was there. When I asked why, he replied, "Of course I'm here!" ha ha

It will be neat to see what God is going to do!

Miscellaneous happenings.....

Staying busy around here gearing up for our church to begin meeting outside of our home for the first time! (this Sunday). We are excited about the possibilities and praying to see many people come!

Glenn and the missionary staying with us have been busy daily and today was no exception. They were able to pass out many invitations today and talk to some folks. Monday, they got our sign ordered and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. I spent this morning making phone calls. I first called one of the local newspapers to see how we can get our church listed in the church directory. I got that taken care of but need to remember to call some other papers tomorrow.

I also made some calls to the school and to the immunization clinic, where Ethan will need to get a shot taken care of tomorrow. I am just sure Ethan will be thrilled tomorrow afternoon! ha I originally thought Seth needed one too, but they said no, so he dodged the needle for a few more months anyway!

It is really nice having the missionary couple here willing to watch the kids for us in cases like this- tomorrow, we will be able to just take Ethan and leave Cala and Seth here with them. They also want us to go out by ourselves so Glenn and I will have a date Saturday night and then again next week sometime. That's a blessing.

In other news: Open house was last night- Cala is excited about school starting again next week, and really enjoyed seeing her friends from last year. Ethan had a good time meeting his teacher for this year and seeing his new room and the other two classes where he'll go part of the week. He's in Pre-school, special ed. AND while we were there yesterday, Ethan's teacher mentioned that there are preschool classes there for even Seth's age. He turns 3 the end of November but would be in the 2 year old class this year. He has no known delays so would be in regular pre-school. I mentioned that while we knew about this class, we simply can't afford it. She explained that we can have the fee completely waived if I'll volunteer every now and then! No problem! It's just a 2 mornings a month class for Seth but he will love those 2 times. The other days, I am home schooling him in K2 through A Beka. He's excited!

Got to go....... yawn.....

Melancholy Day

Today was the last Sunday morning service we will have in our home. Next Sunday begins us meeting in a nearby city, the city we feel God leading us to plant this church. It's exciting to us to see God working! This coming week, Glenn and the missionary staying with us will be super busy getting more invitations out, etc. Tomorrow, they are actually going to buy the materials needed to build a pulpit we can transfer with us to and from the meeting place.

We will still meet in our home on Wednesday nights for prayer meeting. I titled this "Melancholy Day" because I guess I know that this past year will be looked back upon as a special time in the life of this church, a time when God worked in our lives to draw closer to Him, praying for His direction for the church.

This past Friday our neighbors were supposed to come for a cook out but were unable to. They did so last night. We had a really good time! It's nice to be able to get to know our neighbors, something that we have missed. In Russia, I can recall our first apartment, where we knew very well the elderly lady next door whom we called, "babushka" or "Grandma" and the mobster across the hall. Lest you gasp, we lived next to a mobster in each of the four apartment buildings where we were in Russia. It was just expected! ha..... memories.......

And so it continues....

Today (or yesterday really since as I type this it's 1:15 a.m.)- Tuesday, Glenn and our missionary helper spent several hours passing out invitations to our first meeting. They were touched by an elderly man who invited them in his home. He explained he already has a church home, but that his wife just died this past Sunday. Glenn asked if they could pray for him and he readily agreed.

They also visited Wal-mart where they will soon know if they can pass out invitations there. The woman they spoke to believes they'll be able to. They said there was only one woman who literally ran as they were walking down the street towards her house. She was getting out of her car and looked scared by our helper.

*** As for the kids: Our daughter had a very full day as a neighborhood girl showed up asking her to play. She popped her head in for some water, and to ask me if she could now go across the street to some other neighbors' house to play with their daughters. It seems today, she was very popular. She's already asked if she could return there tomorrow, and funny girl- she got a bath tonight and put on shorts and a shirt so she can eat breakfast and be ready! ha! My girl is a mess! ***

Company, Church, Family

We have company here for the next four to six weeks. I really look for them to be here for six weeks. That's great with us! This couple is in their 50's/60's and our kids are already calling them Grandpa ______ and Grandma ________. It's good for the kids having "grandparent" figures around for this long. Of course the kids are really enjoying "Freckles", the dog they brought with them. I've never been an indoor dog person, but Freckles will make you fall in love with her.

The purpose of this couple being here is to help us in our church plant. We have held services in our home since we moved here last year and that's been with limited success. Oh! Folks have been asked to come, but alas, there are many excuses given, blah blah blah. We were recently given the go ahead by a school in our "chosen" city to hold services there. Those begin on September 2nd. We are excited by this!

Glenn and the missionary helper spent the day today nearby our meeting place, visiting businesses, putting up fliers and telling people about church. They were thrilled that every single person they spoke with was very friendly and readily agreed to place the flier. I have said all along that Minnesotans are noticeably friendly! They then returned home where Glenn spent awhile making door hangers that they will use in their outreach next week. Things are getting exciting around here!

**** Family Night: Our Friday tradition is family night. We traditionally spend this time playing a board game, or playing basketball, or in the past we even had a water gun fight, and another time we played "Hide and Go Seek". However, we recently decided that until the weather gets "bad", we will go to a park each Friday following supper. Tonight was no exception. Our missionary helpers decided to enjoy some quiet time (I imagine they were happy to have some peace- ha) and stayed home. We enjoyed the break from home and watched the kids play and play. They had such a great time this evening. Their laughter is infectious! It was cool though. As I write this, it's a nice 54 degrees. Ah.... fall is just around the corner.

Two Years Ago......

Two years ago this past May, this was the boy we saw in Ethan, a small 2 year old happy we were there to show him attention.



He got to spend the week with us and we were all thrilled to have that time together. It was so very hard saying bye after that week was up and leaving not really sure when we would be back for him (and Seth).


It would be in August that Glenn would return for Ethan and August 13th when they flew to the states. This is the night we were reunited as a family. We spent that first night together in a motel to have some down time together.


This is our family picture- before Seth arrived a little over 3 weeks later. I am not sure but I believe this is our only such picture before Seth. Either way, it's precious. Ethan was going through so much at this point, just arriving in a foreign country with foreign sounds, foreign smells, white people everywhere! I would love to know what all was going on in his mind at this time. I am just so thankful that it all worked out and he is now a genuinely happy boy. Oh, we still have our moments, he still is working through some issues, but he's a precious gift and I am so thankful he's "mi papito."

Yesterday, we celebrated his 2nd Family Day. I was in tears as Glenn prayed thanking God for giving us Ethan. I hugged Ethan and he actually said, "Mama, thank you for adopting me!" My heart melted as I said, "son, thank you for being mine". Tomorrow I will post pictures from our Family Day celebration. Tonight, I leave you with a poem I wrote (and posted here) a year ago for the boys' dedication:

THROUGH A WHOLE LOT A LOVE
- Amy Barker McCarver (aka Mama)

We dreamed of a son to call our very own.
By the miracle of adoption, he would come into our home.
Where he would come from, only God knew
Then suddenly we felt Him saying, “not one son, but two.”

Once we were sure Guatemala was the place,
Much had to be done, so we began the paper chase.
Home study to be done, our life stories to be told.
Our sons were now a small baby, and one 2 year old.

We got to meet you both in your birth land,
Got to hold you, look deep in your dark brown eyes, and walk hand in hand.
The day we had to leave, it seemed our hearts would break.
To not have you with us, seemed more than we could take.

Then months passed and finally the time came
Papa got to bring Ethan home, our lives would never be the same!
Just three weeks more, and Seth came at last
The heartache of waiting was all in the past.

Genetics? No, but he’s simply your father, I’m your mother.
Cala’s your sister, and you each are the other’s brother.
And today as we dedicate you to the Lord above
May you remember you got here through a whole lot of love.

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