Off...

To Seattle to see Drew run Pac-10's!

What to do?

About 2 weeks ago Caleb had an amazing tackle at practice!

His coaches were all like---ouch!

They were amazed he jumped back up and went at it again.

When we picked him up he had an amazing lump on his wrist!

We iced and that was the last of it....

or so we thought.

Bring on trauma affected child who does not really complain of pain.

And today 2 weeks later we end up here...

Thankfully it is not broken.

I really had the 'bad mom' fears this morning when his wrist got hit and he winced.

Then I started prodding.

The doc thought it might be broken, but guess just looking at some really deep bruising.

NOTE TO SELF>>>>

Check and recheck with a child of trauma about pain.

Then check again.

He never told me between then and today that it hurt anymore....

but it had.

A View From?

Such a beautiful sunrise!

Kinda like David's beautiful picture in eastern Oregon.

But....

This comes from a little farther away!

Yes, the other side of the globe!

Michael has sent some pictures home.The land of Bible times.

A mix of beauty and war.

A Thought...

Just a thought as we come up on Orphan Sunday, November 7, 2010. What have you been called to do to "defend the cause of the fatherless." Isaiah 1:7

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

A Puzzle...

Our little Hannah can be such a puzzle....

Kinda like her not understanding that straight pieces need to go along the sides of a puzzle....

We are constantly twisting and turning to figure our treasure out.

So the last few days we have seen a quiet, not right Hannah. Try as we might to draw her out, we get uncertain answers.

She does not always express to us pain, so we have to really ask if she is hurting.

She does not always express confusion, so we try hard to seek is she understands.

She does not always express fear, so we have to ask pointed questions.

She does not always express sadness, so we look deeply to see if she is upset.

So the question remains...

Why so quiet?

This morning after stuffing cheeks full of oatmeal and finally saying she is full...

Erinn and I watched as it took her a long time to chew what she had in her mouth and swallow, then..

she had to unpack all she had stored in her gum line and do the same.

I wanted to cry.

This is behavior we have not seen since the first year home :(

She said she did not feel well and took a nap for an hour.

Was that really all the problem?

My guess is---No it is not.

Something is bothering my beauty and she does not have the words to share it at this point.

My 'little bit' is complex,

but like her puzzle,

we will take it piece by piece,

prayer by prayer,

knowing there is a beautiful design being unfolded before our very eyes.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

Rain or Shine!

Today was the football in the rain--a new experience.
What an amazing thing to see--

When Drew hung up his football togs we were not even in the process of bringing this treasure home.

We thought that with the end of Drew's football we would not see Jordan on the back of a jersey again.

But God.

Yes, He knew there was another journey for us to take and it lead us to this.


Caleb, the tough, and Grandma Mae.

Yep, that is our tough man getting the hang of tackling finally.

And again!

Yep, again right on top of the pile!

OK, guys we got this. Our #20.

And this one is all by himself!

Another shot of the same tackle by himself.

My parents, Marsha and Loren, trying to stay warm in the stands.

And Grandma snuggling with Hannah, who is not too happy being cold. I guess my African princess does prefer the warm life!

What's Up?

We just got these pictures from David's brother from this summer.

Looks like they are having fun!

Just a regular old game of cards with the family.

David's brother, Stephen, and his wife are on the other side of the table.

David is wondering why he is getting beaten so badly by his brother!

Next photo!

Stephen was taking these and David was not even paying attention.

Can you see why he is loosing?

Yep.....

There is the evidence....

Right in the glasses!David...

Note to self...

NO mirrored glasses when playing cards!!!

It is very funny though!

Erinn and Michael part 2

The beginning of a beautiful day!

Erinn's big 'fluffly' dress.

My favorite shot of Erinn.
Erinn and Hannah

Erinn and Danielle

Erinn and Drew

Danielle, Kenna (college friend), Erinn, Robin (Michael's sister), Devynne (friend)

Drew, Erinn, Josh

The wedding party missing the two army buddies who at the last minute could not come.

The men in black.

My favorite!

Here we all are.

This is so very Erinn and Michael.

David's family who made it early. His parents, sister and son, and Grandma Mae.

Erinn and Michael Part 1

Finally a part one on Michael and Erinn's wedding photos!

Here are her beautiful table decorations--yep--fish!

My family, my sister's family on the left and my parents on the left.

Another of my mom's beautiful cake creations!
Aren't they cute! Hannah's fluffly dress!

We talked to David about trying to make it look like it was not killing him to give away his treasure. I think he did a great job!

The KISS!

I think they make a wonderful couple--who looks extremely happy!

The food! We had the most amazing people helping! Thanks Linda and Debbie!

Caleb digging in!

He accidentally leaned in to dip his strawberry and stuck his whole plate in the fountain!

Your guess is as good as mine as to what this face is showing!

Michael was really lost on all the in's and out's of weddings! I think this cutting the cake thing was scary.

That amazing first dance.

No words needed.

Another smiling David. They were beautiful together.

Danielle learning to dance with her grandfather.

Handsome Drew dancing with Brenna.

Off goes the bouquet.

Erinn with her Great-Grandparents, my mom's parents. They got stuck on the road and made it just in time for the wedding.

And off they go to the fun of sparklers---which by the way almost set off the smoke alarms in the church.