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The tree is up, and we had a good time decorating. The kids all get so
excited (both the little ones and the big ones). This is Isaac's first year
to celebrate Christmas, and he is making up for lost time. He just goes
right along with the other kids and does what they're doing, and with
gusto. This is another reason why I always say that these siblings are
the best thing in the world for new ones when they come home. I think
that Eden and Isaac especially have just thrived because of Maggie
and Silas. It is a joy and privilege to watch it all happen.
excited (both the little ones and the big ones). This is Isaac's first year
to celebrate Christmas, and he is making up for lost time. He just goes
right along with the other kids and does what they're doing, and with
gusto. This is another reason why I always say that these siblings are
the best thing in the world for new ones when they come home. I think
that Eden and Isaac especially have just thrived because of Maggie
and Silas. It is a joy and privilege to watch it all happen.
It's more exciting than she can stand!
smirk...
giggle
giggle....
(I guess
those pants
are still a bit
big on her.)
giggle
giggle....
(I guess
those pants
are still a bit
big on her.)
Here's Peapod's angry
face. I am not sure she
likes us keeping her from
playing in all the Christmas
stuff. (cracks me up.)
face. I am not sure she
likes us keeping her from
playing in all the Christmas
stuff. (cracks me up.)
The girls decorate the ceiling of the front
room each year with hundreds of snowflakes
and paper chains. Each year the
snowflakes get more intricate and detailed.
There are also tiny lights hanging from all
over the ceiling. It's hard to capture it in a
picture. It's like a little winter Wonderland.
This year Hannah added several paper
cranes as well.
room each year with hundreds of snowflakes
and paper chains. Each year the
snowflakes get more intricate and detailed.
There are also tiny lights hanging from all
over the ceiling. It's hard to capture it in a
picture. It's like a little winter Wonderland.
This year Hannah added several paper
cranes as well.
This cracked me up. Hannah is always saying how the childrens are
not imaginative enough. Then I came into the living room this week
and watched this unfolding. Silas and Maggie were putting Eden and
Isaac's blankets around them and pretending to cut their hair. But
they only had toys from Silas's toolbox to work with, so he was
hammering and drilling Isaac's head, and it was really entertaining to
watch, and see their expressions. (guess you had to be there, but
here are a few shots...)
not imaginative enough. Then I came into the living room this week
and watched this unfolding. Silas and Maggie were putting Eden and
Isaac's blankets around them and pretending to cut their hair. But
they only had toys from Silas's toolbox to work with, so he was
hammering and drilling Isaac's head, and it was really entertaining to
watch, and see their expressions. (guess you had to be there, but
here are a few shots...)
Isaac exercising with
Canaan. So cute...
Canaan. So cute...
12-10-08
Yesterday we made Christmas cookies! It was a lot of mess, but a lot of fun. Thankfully I had saved all the
leftover sprinkles and candies from last Christmas, so I did not have to go out and get much for us to have
a full afternoon of fun. As expected, Eden and Isaac got tired first, and made the most mess, but when
they left to go watch Frosty the Snowman, the big kids moved in, and all seven kids got in on the
decorating!
Isaac had his little surgery today and is running around like normal already. He's a tough little kid!
Next Tuesday Silas goes to a new orthopedic surgeon to see what he thinks of Isaac's spine. We are
praying for a good visit.
The card has been sent out, so if you are interested, check out the Christmas card page for more about
this year's card. If you have not received a card and usually do, it should be coming or soon, or perhaps
we do not have your address. Feel free to let us know!
Yesterday we made Christmas cookies! It was a lot of mess, but a lot of fun. Thankfully I had saved all the
leftover sprinkles and candies from last Christmas, so I did not have to go out and get much for us to have
a full afternoon of fun. As expected, Eden and Isaac got tired first, and made the most mess, but when
they left to go watch Frosty the Snowman, the big kids moved in, and all seven kids got in on the
decorating!
Isaac had his little surgery today and is running around like normal already. He's a tough little kid!
Next Tuesday Silas goes to a new orthopedic surgeon to see what he thinks of Isaac's spine. We are
praying for a good visit.
The card has been sent out, so if you are interested, check out the Christmas card page for more about
this year's card. If you have not received a card and usually do, it should be coming or soon, or perhaps
we do not have your address. Feel free to let us know!
12-08-08 Update
We did not take many photos this week, so there is not much to add, but I did update the kids' pages, and finally managed to
finish Isaac's page, which seems to have taken me a long time to do. He's been with us seven months today! Amazing. I don't
know if anyone who hasn't adopted can truly understand how miraculous that transition is; it seems like he has always been with
us. I have to remind myself that they were not born here!
We had asked for prayer for Art's exam this week, and unfortunately, he did not do well and will need to try to take it again. It was
more difficult than he had thought it would be, and all of those taking the test struggled with it. But he now knows what the test is
like, and what is expected, and what he needs to study for the next time. But this made for a discouraging day on Friday when he
came home. We also learned this week that the two jobs he had hoped to begin work on in December do not want to start until
the new year. The holidays are a hard time to not have work, because many people put things on hold until after the holidays.
We continue to trust God to provide for us. I have my moments, and my meltdowns. I do not have a problem with downsizing. It
is not fun, but I look around and lots of people live with very little; and we have lived with much less in the past. When we moved
to NC just over two years ago, things seemed they might be on the upswing; it is hard to go backwards again. We have never
lived extravagantly, but I was appreciating things like being able to go out to dinner once in a while, or bring my kids to gymnastics
class. Adopting four kids in five years does not leave you with a lot of extra money for things like that. But there are always ways
to cut back, and I have learned to be very creative with what we have. But I do struggle with the unknown. God will take care of us,
yes, but will He let us stay here in this house? Will we have to move? How low will things go? We were talking yesterday about
past wars, and we were saying how when we look back and study these times, we tend to underestimate the fact that those
going through those wars did not have the advantage of knowing how things were going to end. They didn't know how long the
war was going to be, or who would win, or how bad it would get. The fear of the unknown is very powerful. I have lived with Grief
and I have lived with Fear and they are both horrible roommates to be sure. Grief is a heavy dead weight that drapes over you,
making everything you do difficult, to where you think you can't even breathe at times. But Fear is alive, constantly pursuing you,
lurking around every corner, wanting to suffocate you in your sleep. It is at these times that I try to remind myself that God has not
given to us a spirit of Fear, therefore I know where the fear is coming from. So we continue to pray for encouragement and for
good news. I cannot believe that God would call us to bring these children home, and then not be able to provide for them. We
will wait on Him.
This Wednesday Isaac will be going in for a small, out patient surgery. We pray that all will go smoothly and he will be running
around again in no time.
A bright spot in our lives lately has been our church. We have begun to go to a church that has just really been a blessing to us.
Some know how long we have struggled with trying to find a church, and this has been very important to us. I have been working
on an essay called "The Search for Church" which I hope to post someday when it is finished. We have many thoughts about
this. Last night we attended the Christmas program for children and youth and it was really fun. The kids have all been enjoying
their classes, and the pastor's sermons and the friendly people have just been so refreshing. This has definitely been an
encouragement to me.
The Christmas card is done and waiting to be mailed. Look for yours soon!
We did not take many photos this week, so there is not much to add, but I did update the kids' pages, and finally managed to
finish Isaac's page, which seems to have taken me a long time to do. He's been with us seven months today! Amazing. I don't
know if anyone who hasn't adopted can truly understand how miraculous that transition is; it seems like he has always been with
us. I have to remind myself that they were not born here!
We had asked for prayer for Art's exam this week, and unfortunately, he did not do well and will need to try to take it again. It was
more difficult than he had thought it would be, and all of those taking the test struggled with it. But he now knows what the test is
like, and what is expected, and what he needs to study for the next time. But this made for a discouraging day on Friday when he
came home. We also learned this week that the two jobs he had hoped to begin work on in December do not want to start until
the new year. The holidays are a hard time to not have work, because many people put things on hold until after the holidays.
We continue to trust God to provide for us. I have my moments, and my meltdowns. I do not have a problem with downsizing. It
is not fun, but I look around and lots of people live with very little; and we have lived with much less in the past. When we moved
to NC just over two years ago, things seemed they might be on the upswing; it is hard to go backwards again. We have never
lived extravagantly, but I was appreciating things like being able to go out to dinner once in a while, or bring my kids to gymnastics
class. Adopting four kids in five years does not leave you with a lot of extra money for things like that. But there are always ways
to cut back, and I have learned to be very creative with what we have. But I do struggle with the unknown. God will take care of us,
yes, but will He let us stay here in this house? Will we have to move? How low will things go? We were talking yesterday about
past wars, and we were saying how when we look back and study these times, we tend to underestimate the fact that those
going through those wars did not have the advantage of knowing how things were going to end. They didn't know how long the
war was going to be, or who would win, or how bad it would get. The fear of the unknown is very powerful. I have lived with Grief
and I have lived with Fear and they are both horrible roommates to be sure. Grief is a heavy dead weight that drapes over you,
making everything you do difficult, to where you think you can't even breathe at times. But Fear is alive, constantly pursuing you,
lurking around every corner, wanting to suffocate you in your sleep. It is at these times that I try to remind myself that God has not
given to us a spirit of Fear, therefore I know where the fear is coming from. So we continue to pray for encouragement and for
good news. I cannot believe that God would call us to bring these children home, and then not be able to provide for them. We
will wait on Him.
This Wednesday Isaac will be going in for a small, out patient surgery. We pray that all will go smoothly and he will be running
around again in no time.
A bright spot in our lives lately has been our church. We have begun to go to a church that has just really been a blessing to us.
Some know how long we have struggled with trying to find a church, and this has been very important to us. I have been working
on an essay called "The Search for Church" which I hope to post someday when it is finished. We have many thoughts about
this. Last night we attended the Christmas program for children and youth and it was really fun. The kids have all been enjoying
their classes, and the pastor's sermons and the friendly people have just been so refreshing. This has definitely been an
encouragement to me.
The Christmas card is done and waiting to be mailed. Look for yours soon!
12-14-08 Update
This week we enjoyed another Baker Family Christmas tradition of making
gingerbread houses -- or as Isaac calls them: "jinglebell houses". We have made
gingerbread houses every year since Jordan was a baby. Some have been big,
elaborate affairs, lit inside, with candy windows, and some have been tiny. One year
the kids made shops and a gas station and a pet store, with a cobblestone path
winding through the town. One year when we were teaching a junior high class we
had a Christmas party and I made a couple dozen houses, each about ten inches
tall, and they all decorated them. It was a lot of work! But, like in many things, I am
much wearier this time around with all these little ones, and we settled for these little
simple houses, and they all had a very good time decorating them. I am always very
interested to see each child's personality emerge as they decorate their house. I love
to see the concentration and creativity. Eden took a large pink oval hard candy and
pasted it right on a window and said it was a football going through the window. On
Saturday morning we went out, and we came home to find what was left of Maggie's
house all over the dining room and foyer, two very guilty looking dogs, and a very
innocent looking cat. As near as we can figure, the cat probably knocked it down "by
mistake" (Peapod has the "who me?" expression down pat), and the dogs figured
since it was already on the floor, it wouldn't hurt to clean it up. Happily, Maggie was
not really upset, partly because I had made an extra house, and now she gets to
decorate another one.
Gingerbread is not hard to make, and if you save your candies each year, you don't
really have to buy much of anything!
This week we enjoyed another Baker Family Christmas tradition of making
gingerbread houses -- or as Isaac calls them: "jinglebell houses". We have made
gingerbread houses every year since Jordan was a baby. Some have been big,
elaborate affairs, lit inside, with candy windows, and some have been tiny. One year
the kids made shops and a gas station and a pet store, with a cobblestone path
winding through the town. One year when we were teaching a junior high class we
had a Christmas party and I made a couple dozen houses, each about ten inches
tall, and they all decorated them. It was a lot of work! But, like in many things, I am
much wearier this time around with all these little ones, and we settled for these little
simple houses, and they all had a very good time decorating them. I am always very
interested to see each child's personality emerge as they decorate their house. I love
to see the concentration and creativity. Eden took a large pink oval hard candy and
pasted it right on a window and said it was a football going through the window. On
Saturday morning we went out, and we came home to find what was left of Maggie's
house all over the dining room and foyer, two very guilty looking dogs, and a very
innocent looking cat. As near as we can figure, the cat probably knocked it down "by
mistake" (Peapod has the "who me?" expression down pat), and the dogs figured
since it was already on the floor, it wouldn't hurt to clean it up. Happily, Maggie was
not really upset, partly because I had made an extra house, and now she gets to
decorate another one.
Gingerbread is not hard to make, and if you save your candies each year, you don't
really have to buy much of anything!
This week Canaan made marshmallows from scratch! Canaan loves
to watch Alton Brown on Good Eats on the Food Network, and often is
inspired to try some of the things he does. When he saw him making
marshmallows, he thought it was cool and wanted to give it a try. It
was very cool, and they turned out great. Fun!
to watch Alton Brown on Good Eats on the Food Network, and often is
inspired to try some of the things he does. When he saw him making
marshmallows, he thought it was cool and wanted to give it a try. It
was very cool, and they turned out great. Fun!
And here are a couple shots of Hannah
doing her exercises. Art came downstairs
and she got him involved, and he could
hardly stop laughing. Jordan is standing on
Hannah's knees to help her stretch out.
Hannah often gets the kids to help by
standing one on each leg.
doing her exercises. Art came downstairs
and she got him involved, and he could
hardly stop laughing. Jordan is standing on
Hannah's knees to help her stretch out.
Hannah often gets the kids to help by
standing one on each leg.
12-14-08 Update continued:
There has not been a lot of progress with Art's work -- not a lot is expected until the holidays are over and people are back to
thinking about business matters again. However we have been greatly encouraged this week by the outpouring of love from
some friends and family who have richly blessed and encouraged us with their generosity. It is a very humbling place to be, on
the receiving end of things. I have not sorted through all my thoughts about it yet, and maybe when I do I will write something, but
for now, we are profoundly humbled, and very thankful. I was thinking how the past several months have kind of been like a roller
coaster, only with the track not appearing before you until you are almost upon it. As I look forward each month, everything looks
quite bleak, but as we keep going forward, somehow God continues to place the track beneath our wheels, and even though it is
scary, we do not fall. For our hope and security is not in income, or insurance, or our plans, but in the Creator of all things, the
Owner of the "cattle on a thousand hills". He is the one who has "held us together" these past months, and always, but it has
been so much more evident this past year. The song above, "Breath of Heaven" was shared with me by my sister, and we have
both experienced many of the same challenges and sadnesses in life. We have both been in a place where we simply pray,
"hold me together". It is a beautiful song, and I think hard about all that Mary experienced. What a scary and difficult thing to be
asked to do.
For those of you who have helped us, please know how very deeply we appreciate your help and your prayers. There are no
words...
There has not been a lot of progress with Art's work -- not a lot is expected until the holidays are over and people are back to
thinking about business matters again. However we have been greatly encouraged this week by the outpouring of love from
some friends and family who have richly blessed and encouraged us with their generosity. It is a very humbling place to be, on
the receiving end of things. I have not sorted through all my thoughts about it yet, and maybe when I do I will write something, but
for now, we are profoundly humbled, and very thankful. I was thinking how the past several months have kind of been like a roller
coaster, only with the track not appearing before you until you are almost upon it. As I look forward each month, everything looks
quite bleak, but as we keep going forward, somehow God continues to place the track beneath our wheels, and even though it is
scary, we do not fall. For our hope and security is not in income, or insurance, or our plans, but in the Creator of all things, the
Owner of the "cattle on a thousand hills". He is the one who has "held us together" these past months, and always, but it has
been so much more evident this past year. The song above, "Breath of Heaven" was shared with me by my sister, and we have
both experienced many of the same challenges and sadnesses in life. We have both been in a place where we simply pray,
"hold me together". It is a beautiful song, and I think hard about all that Mary experienced. What a scary and difficult thing to be
asked to do.
For those of you who have helped us, please know how very deeply we appreciate your help and your prayers. There are no
words...
