Baby It's Cold Outside!

And inside! "The weather outside is freezing, and the fire is so relieving! Since we've no place to go, let it snow let it snow let it snow!" :) Not to make light of the situation here in Texas, we are record cold temperatures. I remember 30 years ago when it got down to 6º. Today it got down to 1º. ONE! DEGREE!

Our chickens are inside the coop with extra hay and a heat lamp, as long as the electricity stays on. But unfortunately, many we know are without power! Apparently Texas was not prepared for such a time as this and many homes are electric only. So there are rolling power outages. The problem is, they haven't been so rolling and seem more permanent! One friend has had power out 23 out of 24 hours, on for 1 hour and now back out! It is in the 40's inside their house. We know others without power. Some may be headed our way to get warm, which is great with us! When I go out to feed the chickens and give them unfrozen water, it is amazing how many animal tracks I see! I never knew there were so many animals roaming at night through our property! One for sure was a rabbit! The others my guess would be possum and raccoon. Our little wood stove is keeping us warm, but if this weather doesn't let up soon we will be like Little House on the Prairie's "Long Winter" where Laura Ingalls Wilder and Pa twisted hay to put in the fire all night long. There is a special beauty to snow. Mike and I, being new empty nesters have been all alone in this, and it is so quiet! We have had time to sit and talk and have coffee longer than usual. He IS however working as he can inside the shoppe while trying to keep things warm in here and make sure pipes don't freeze! Here are some photos of our adventures!

Me! Headed out to give the chickens water! Below, our wonderful wood stove busy keeping us warm!

We put plastic sheeting on the windows to keep drafts out. It has REALLY helped! Below are photos of snow from yesterday. We are expecting more tonight and tomorrow!

Learning Eyes and Nose

Sebastian is doing so well. He is such a content and happy little guy. Albina is a good mama and is teaching him all kinds of words. He can talk quite well! He is also understanding "Your nose" and "Mama's nose" I love it when she sends little clips like this to me! :)

The Library

Since the girls have moved to their new apartment, I have been busy creating a library. I have had So.Many.Books that have been waiting to come out and visit from the attic! Things are not quite finished yet, as I have a lot of organizing to do, but I'm really liking the new room that is a combined library/computer room. I need to put in an area rug, (until we get wood floors in) and arrange the top shelves and get things dusted! As a homeschooling mom since 1992, books become old friends. You just don't want to let them go! So here are some photos of the not quite finished library/computer room. :)

I'm also planning to sew some curtains. :)

Albina

Our little Albina has grown up! She came home at 11 and it has been almost 10 years! She just had a birthday and sent me some photos of herself. :) We are so proud of her! I started writing about her coming home to us in March of 2011. What a journey it has been! We have all learned so very much! Albina is a very talented artist and it comes out in all kinds of ways. Right now she is really getting into aquariums. She has a talent to make them look just beautiful!

Albina is a wonderful mama to her little boy who is going to be 2 years old pretty soon! He is talking up a storm and is the sweetest little guy. He loves cars like his daddy and his dog. And of course, he ADORES his mommy!

I am so excited to see where the Lord brings Albina in the next decade! A LOT happened in 10 years for all of us and what a time it has been! We were taken to places we never expected and the Lord was there with all of us! Ten years ago at this time we had no idea that in less than a month we would be adding another little one to our family. I'm so glad we answered the call. God does not call us to the easy, He calls us to be faithful. What a WISE and LOVING heavenly father we have!

Her Perfect Nose.....

Is now pierced! I watched it happen! Let's just say she is much braver than I am! And, it does look pretty cute. :)

WE HAD COVID

In Mid December, 3 out of 4 of us wound up with Covid 19. Thankfully we have a very good doctor who stuck with us on the phone and in video call to help us through it. I wound up having it the worst, and this week was my first real week back to work with Mike, and work is just out the back door! Our symptoms varied, but for all of us we lost taste and smell. From there, headaches and cold symptoms. Then for me, severe body aches, shortness of breath, oxygen levels dropped, brain fog, ( I still don't remember much about Christmas) fever, severe chills, nausea, dizziness, and just feeling AWFUL. We were given Ivermectin, steroids and antibiotics. Taste and smell have not fully returned but if I concentrate, I can get a whiff of something. I'm so thankful that we all recouperated. It could have not been so, as for many in our country who did not live. I'm praying that if you are reading this, you and your family stay well!

AND We Are .....

EMPTY NESTERS!

It has happened! Erika and Sarah are now sharing an apartment together with a dear childhood friend. Going into those empty rooms was so weird! So much has happened in this home together with the children! But it is a GOOD STEP. They are both responsible, wonderful young adults and this house holds memories of them that I will cherish forever! They aren't very far away and I know we will visit often. In fact, they have already been back. :) What a blessing being at this stage in life, watching your children bear the fruit of love. I'm proud of each one of them. And now, I turn to writing and helping Mike fully with the business. And of course! GRANDKIDS.... :)

This Photo Took My Breath Away!

This is a picture of a young Olivia De Havilland.

She looks so much like somebody else we know and love!

FUN RANDOM PHOTOS

Just some random photos taken recently. The oil painting of Erika and Sarah was a gift to us from one of Erika's friends. We are blessed with so many people in our lives to love on and who love us. :)

Reflections on Adoption

When we adopted our youngest daughter, she was 11. All of our adventures are still here on this block starting back in 2011.
I have watched a very seriously hurt young girl, who had more tragedy in her life than I could imagine in a lifetime, turn herself around and embrace life and choose to live it!
I had talked to her so many times and shared with her to look forward, to embrace the now, and not let the past rob her of her future. There were times when we weren't sure if we were going to make it! Her trials were too much for her little heart to bear.
BUT GOD....
Today, she is a beautiful young adult and one of the best mommies. She loves her little boy and it shows. She is living her life and loving those around her.
She has blossomed and become brave and has not just "dipped her toe into the pool of love, but has chosen to take the dive, and I am so proud of her.

THINGS WERE HARD...VERY HARD when she was younger. We were the safe people for her to take all that hurt to. I remember one of the many people in our lives at the time who was working in the court system. He tearily came out after seeing some of her art work she had presented and said, "Don't Give Up!" We had no plans to give up. But we also had no idea what the future would be either. God brought ALL of our sweet girls into our lives for a purpose and a reason; NOT just for them! But for US! We have all been changed by the blessing of adoption. Our lives brought together and mingled with the past, the present, the future and the hope of LOVE and acceptance, a purpose, a belonging, and the truth of the Gospel has changed us all.
Adoption as I have always written is a 2 sided coin. It is one of huge blessing, but the other side of the coin is huge tragedy. Isn't that like life? Part of loving, part of living, part of being in this world is Love and Pain. To fully LOVE you must be willing to HURT. To fully LIVE, you must be willing to take challenges.
A couple of our girls have asked, "Do you regret adopting me?" The answer is a resounding NO! I am so thankful that you are in my life! I am so thankful to be your mama. I am so thankful that Mike and I have walked this path together, along with the rest of our family and watched pure MAGIC and healing unfold before our eyes.

But it didn't happen overnight and it didn't happen in our timing. It IS STILL happening, and we are now watching as each of our 8 children's lives are unfolding before us.
Oh how lovely are the blessings in our lives.... Each of them Unique, each of them meant for a purpose. Each of them have touched our hearts.
Sometimes, I look at the photos I have on the walls and feel teary with joy at the memories that unfold as I walk past. Life is calmer now, a little quieter, unless you consider our Sarah is still home. LOL
BUT.... LIFE ISN'T OVER! We have much to do and accomplish.
To Be Continued...
Albina's little guy.... second generation on the horse swing. :)

Well You Can't Be Silent Forever!

These past few months have been shocking, I'm sure not just for us, but for many people world wide. Covid19 has wreaked havoc on our lives in ways that we never expected.
It isn't that we have been sick, but how our lives have been changed.
We had to cancel going to our 31st wedding destination due to being exposed to Covid. We had to cancel taking my mom's ashes to be buried in CA due to Covid and fires, and lockdowns.
So I actually had to mail my mom to CA. When all this is over, I will go and visit where she, my dad and my sister are buried, along with other loved ones in the same cemetery.
I do know this! God is in control of all things and this was no surprise to Him! I'm getting used to bringing masks everywhere with me, but I cannot stay long in a store as I start to feel dizzy wearing the mask. People say it isn't a reality, but for me it is. I've tried different ones and I still have the same feeling.
I also have not purchased a new pair of pants, other than stretcy leggings (which I won't wear in public) because who buys pants you cannot try on?
The stores all have their dressing rooms closed!
The good news! My friend gave me some pants several months ago and I forgot about them. The pair I tried on fit great! SO YAY!

So, I'm sitting here at my computer typing. I talked to my daughter who lives in Reno yesterday over text. We were reminiscing about boating, and skiing. She was also VERY excited about finding a store that has Russian food! It brought back memories for her and I was so happy to hear that! :)

My brain is so full of things to write.... but it is hard to sit down and focus, as life is sooooo busy right now.
Erika took a new photo of me and I actually like it. :)
So, I'll post it. :)

Getting ready for the Holidays.... I LOVE FALL!

I Have No Words

The Events of the last few weeks in our country have left me speechless, but not without hope.