The Hearts of the Children

Dear Joseph or Victoria or Claire or Braxton or Xander, Jr., (I'm sure there will be quite a few of you!):

This is your grandpa! I had a really beautiful epiphany this morning and I want to share it with you. It started last night. I took several of your parents (Sophi, Lexi, Calais, Graci and Conner) to a Chinese New Year dinner. It is a wonderful tradition that began last year. A non-profit called the Utah Chinese Civic Center wanted to provide a venue for local children who had been adopted from China to connect with their culture. They had heard specifically about our family and called your grandma to ask if we would be interested in coming to a Chinese New Year feast and if we knew other families who would also be interested. Grandma Christi reached out to several friends directly and also posted on Facebook and the inaugural dinner had 13 families attend. This year, that number increased to 21 families who, like ours, have been blessed to bring wonderful children from China into their homes. After the dinner last night, there were several moms that came up to me and commented on how much our family meant to them. They had seen us in Find Me, or had read our blog, or had just noticed something that one or more of their children had in common with ours. One particular mom mentioned how much her girls love reading about our kids on the blog. As has happened on previous occasions, I felt a bit guilty for not posting more regularly. Grandma Christi and I have seen so many people blessed by observing our kids (your parents!). In fact, one of the great unforeseen blessings that adoption has brought to me is this: our kids bless other peoples' lives pretty much every time they go anywhere. It is a wonderful thing to observe and be a part of.

So last night I determined to write more frequently on our blog. I wanted to share our amazing kids with anyone who might benefit from reading about them. This morning I woke up way too early for a Saturday. (The older you become, the harder it is to get good sleep-enjoy it while you're young!!!) The good part about getting up early is that you have the house to yourself for awhile. I wandered into the living room and opened the shades. I enjoyed the sunrise over the beautiful mountains to the east. Then I took some time to pray and read the scriptures. As I was pondering, I was hit with the most beautiful thought: YOU are my most important readers! And I don't even know you yet!!! The thought filled my heart with joy. A few years ago, Parker and I were working on his genealogy merit badge. The 1940 census information had recently been made public and we found the page with information about my maternal grandparents, Roy and Elita Lind. I was amazed at the emotions that filled my heart as I found the line for Grandpa Lind. Living at 4335 NE 68th in Portland, OR, they owned their $1,700 home. He worked full-time as a local truck driver making less than $1.00/hour. In 1940 they had two children: Joyce, my aunt who passed away when she was 16, and Stephen, my uncle who I have had many fun interactions with. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of my Grandpa as a 25-year-old trying to make ends meet for his growing family.

And so, sweet grandchildren (and children and great-grandchildren), I am thinking of you this morning. I am looking forward to meeting all of you someday. Hopefully in this life, but meeting in the next life will also be amazing! I hope that as you read this blog you will find wonderful glimpses into your parents' lives. Funny stories. Inspirational moments. A greater understanding of some of the difficult trials they went through. And hopefully, your understanding of your grandpa's life when he was 35 and 45 and 55 will be more expansive than a few lines on a census.  I love you all!

Grandpa Jeremy

What I love about this picture is how perfectly it captures my favorite side of Graci: her ability to fill everyone around her with exuberant joy!

Lots of wonderful friends at this event!

Conard and Ilah Green family begin on line 70. 7118 SE 72nd Ave, Portland, OR

Roy and Elita Lind family begin on line 28. 4335 NE 68th, Portland, OR

The Lily Challenge

Here is Christi's Facebook post introducing our new commitment for this year.  We're so excited for the memories we're going to make. We already completed experience number one! Check out the website: www.lilychallenge.com.

Happy New Year's Eve! I have something fun to share! Our kids have been asking (begging) for years to have a vlog. I keep coming up with all the reasons we shouldn't, but they have persisted. And if you know Sophi, you know she is particularly insistent. (; In the meantime, our family sat down months ago and decided that we needed to use our time more wisely (ie, stop being glued to our screens so much). After lots of discussion, we came up with a fun idea that helped with both problems. We brainstormed 100 experiences we wanted to have during 2019 (starts tomorrow!) and decided to make a vlog of sorts (youtube channel/website/whatever you want to call it) to help us stay motivated and share the fun. We're calling it the "Lily Challenge" and the kids would love if you want to follow along, or have your kids follow along. Even better, you can create your own Lily Challenge-- a list of experiences you want to have this next year. If you do, tag us or let us know so we can follow your journey too!!

You can read more about it and see our intro video on our new website (still needs some tweaks) at www.lilychallenge.com. #lilychallenge#liveintentionally #2019goals #happynewyear

"The Bye Bye Summertime Blues" or, "Thanks to Simon and Lucy"

The Green family summer officially ended last week.  How do we mark this sad occasion on an annual basis?  It's the week that American Ninja Warrior and America's Got Talent both end 😿.  

There are not many shows we watch together as a whole family.  Besides the logistical difficulty of getting 12 people together at the same time, there is the challenge of finding programs that interest everyone.  Our first foray into a true family television experience was I Love Lucy.  One Sunday afternoon several years ago, the kids were bored.  I invited them to watch one of my favorite comedies and see what they thought.  When I told them it was I Love Lucy, Parker asked if it was in black and white.  After my affirmative response, the invitation had to become a mandate.  One episode was all I would require. Then they could take it or leave it.  We have the entire series on DVD, and before the evening was over, we had watched 11 episodes:).  The kids were hooked.  In the several years since, we have watched the entire series and have come to view the Ricardos and the Mertzs as close family friends.  Thank you Lucy (and Ricky and Fred and Ethel) for providing us so many laughs together.

We would watch these episodes of I Love Lucy on an intermittent basis when we could find the time, but it wasn't until a couple of years ago that we began having must-see-TV nights as a family.  Taylor and Parker had started watching American Ninja Warrior.  I had seen clips of it here and there, and was definitely impressed with the strength and the agility of the contestants, but I had not yet caught the vision.  It wasn't until I came across Jessica completely engrossed in an episode that I realized I needed to take note.  Jessica detests watching sports.  She won't watch basketball, baseball, tennis, or anything else even remotely similar.  She decries our Saturdays-in-the-fall college football watching with vehemence.  And yet here she was, cheering on some guy she had no real rooting interest in with all her might.  What was this program that could transcend the pink force field our Jesi had surrounded herself with?  I sat down next to her and the rest is history.  Monday nights through the summer, anyone who is free gathers on the couch to watch these tenacious athletes cheer each other on through brutally difficult obstacle courses.  Sadly, the inspiration they give me to get into shape is counteracted by the bowl of ice cream I'm eating as I watch. 😏

Christi and I started watching episodes of Britain's Got Talent many years ago on youtube.  The American version was ok, but they struggled to get the right mix of judges and hosts.  If you're a fan of BGT, you know that Simon Cowell makes the show and that Ant and Dec are the best hosts ever.  Given that it is very difficult to find BGT episodes online any more, we are so glad that Simon has brought his unique mix of Evil Stepmother and Fairy Godmother across the pond.  Now our summer Tuesdays (and Wednesdays once they drag out the live shows into two nights) are filled with adolescent singers, death-defying rollerskaters, geriatric crooners and all manner of magicians, dancers, ventriloquists, dog acts and other novel forms of really spectacular entertainment.  It has become a very fun tradition that just about everyone in the family can enjoy.  Thank you, Simon, for sharing your creative genius with the world and giving us such spectacular fun.  

It's not the best family picture, but it is a good representation of a large group of us chillin' on the couch, grateful for a big screen TV:).

Grateful for Insurance!

I was on our insurer's website and noticed that as a family we have submitted 138 claims year-to-date!  74 medical claims and 64 prescriptions.  That doesn't include any dental, orthodontic or vision care visits, of which there have been many.  Nor does it include the three surgeries or the three wisdom teeth removals that need to be done by the end of the year.  Are you kidding me?!?

-Jeremy

Family Picture

We haven't had professional pictures taken since 2013 and we really hadn't even taken a good family photo of all of us since we got back with Conner two years ago.  So a few weeks ago we stood in front of our garage and took a family photo.  I think it turned out remarkably well for an amateur shot.  This was right after church, but you can see that we had already changed Elli into her Houdini jammies:)

Hello Summer!

This past Friday was the last day of school.  The kids are excited to be done and are looking forward to lots of fun adventures in the good weather.  Christi and I thought that with the lack of homework, concerts, sports teams, parent-teacher conferences, periodic grade reviews with the kids, early morning scriptures, getting 10 kids out the door with lunches in hand, and calls from frantic children who forgot this or that, our lives would be a little less hectic.  We could set the alarm clock a little later.  No pressure to get people places at any given time.  Yeah, right!

Here are some of the things we've been involved in during the first two days of summer break:

-Lexi is attending a braille day camp for two weeks (30 minutes there and back each morning and afternoon.)

-Xander has soccer camp at the high school two hours each day.

-Taylor and Parker have basketball camp at the high school two and a half hours each day.

-Graci had a routine but significant surgery that required a full day a Primary Children's Hospital.

-Taylor and Parker have started a lawn aeration and fertilizer business which required help from me in purchasing a used aerator and a few other miscellaneous items.

-I had a dentist appointment.

-Family Home Evening

-Christi had two doctors appointments (everything is fine:).

-Lexi and I attended a fun daddy-daughter date at church.

This, of course, is on top of breakfast, lunch and dinner for 12 people (two of whom are currently doing the Whole30 diet, making meal prep that much more challenging), working full time, managing the nearly constant barrage of requests and needs from our wonderful kids and of course making sure that Elli is getting the attention and supervision she requires.

In other words, WE'RE EXHAUSTED!

Fortunately, we really are enjoying the chaos.  We're getting to see more of our kids than we do during the school year, and that is truly a pleasure.  It's fun to watch them grow up and to see them become more independent.  It's also so fun to see their personalities develop.  They really are a fun group to hang out with.  And things will slow down somewhat.  We just started vacation with a bang;).

Happy Summer!!!

-Jeremy

Blessings Both Ways

As a sales rep, I call on physicians' offices throughout the southern half of Utah.  Having been in the same territory for the last seven years or so, most of the staff in most of the offices know at least a little about our family.  When I walk in, I will often be greeted with, "How are the kids?" or "How is the family?"  Once in awhile someone will ask specifically about Sophi.  Something about seeing her picture or video really resonates with people.  If there's a new staff member in the office, I get a variety of introductions:  "This guy has like 87 kids!"  or "You have to hear about his family!" or perhaps my favorite, "This is Jeremy.  He adopts."  And I guess that's a fair characterization of me.  Or rather us.  We adopt.  And to express how it really feels:  "We adopt!"  

As people learn about our family, one of the most common statements they will make is: "those children you've adopted are so blessed!"  My response to that is, "The blessings go both ways."  And how true that is.  Certainly it has been a blessing for our adopted children to come to a loving home.  They have been given spiritual, educational and recreational opportunities that would never have come their way had they stayed in the orphanage.  They have been blessed with the opportunity to live in the United States of America, the most accommodating place for people with disabilities in the history of the world.  Yet the blessings they have brought to us as parents and to each other as siblings are even more profound and powerful.

I was talking with a friend today who has a brother with muscular dystrophy.  As he is aging, the disease is progressing, and his capabilities continue to diminish.  He walks with difficulty and with a cane.  He tires quickly.  Stairs and other obstacles can be very difficult and may require assistance.  And yet the love and closeness this woman has with her brother was very evident in her words and demeanor as she spoke about him.  She said that her siblings were extraordinarily close, and that she believes a large reason for that is because of how much they love and sacrifice for their brother with disabilities.

I see that so strongly with our kids.  It is so sweet to see Parker focus on Sophi.  He loves her hugs and she loves to give them.  He pays attention to her and helps when she needs it.  Conner and Graci are particularly attentive to Elli.  They will often go out of their way to talk to her, hug her, try to make her feel a part of the family.  Xander is amazing with Sophi and Lexi.  Every school morning I drop the three of them off and watch as he puts Sophi's backpack on her back, hands Lexi her cane and leads her into school.  Cali helps Conner access things on the computer and will sometimes help Lexi and Sophi clean up their room.  Taylor lets Sophi wrestle him and surrenders to her clearly superior skills.  He lifts Cali's wheelchair into and out of our van on a regular basis and even lifts Cali herself when necessary.  Jesi is often like a little mother to Lexi and Sophi, helping them do their hair, pick out their outfits and get ready for adventures. And Sophi and Lexi brighten all of our lives on pretty much a constant basis.  Their sweetness and love of life lifts all of us.

These are just a few examples among so many.  Watching our kids patiently pitch in when one of their special-needs siblings needs help is an incredibly rewarding thing for us as parents.  There are the typical teenage moans and groans and sibling spats, but overall, working together as a family has provided our kids tremendous opportunities to grow and learn compassion, service and other important life skills.  And without a doubt, these wonderful kids have helped remove (or at least smooth out) some of my rough edges.  Christi was pretty much perfect from the get go, but I entered marriage with some serious deficiencies.  I still have a long way to go, but I am truly grateful for the lessons I continue to learn from my kids.  Some of those are subtle and observational.  Others, many others, come in the form of pretty direct suggestions.  Jessica:  "Dad, you're being a little bit stiff."  Taylor:  "Dad, you're being too hard on so and so."  And many other coaching tips that continue to help me progress as a father.

So the blessings definitely go both ways.  Or really, all ways.  It's a non-stop, crazy, roller-coaster of a life we have, but we sure do love it!

Grocery Budget

Woke up this morning...

...and realized our children are ages 17, 16, 15, 14, 14, 12, 11, 10, 10, and 7!  I crawled back under the covers and hid for a few minutes, but was shortly called to action by a little one who came into our room with an urgent need for parental assistance.  I read a facebook comment yesterday from a parent of a child who had been adopted at an older age.  Someone had asked her how she did everything she needed to do on a day-to-day basis.  Her response:  "Lots of prayer and lots of liquor!"  I wonder how my teetotaling religion would respond if I got a little help from Captain Jack on occasion.  Hmmm. I call on doctors all day for a living.  Perhaps an out-of-the box thinker could prescribe me a little liquid courage.  On second thought, I need to be stone cold sober at all hours of the day or night.  One  never knows when one of our munchkins will have an emergency requiring my utmost and completely focused attention.  Like when one of our hypochondriacs comes in and says, "Dad, if I stand on one leg and tilt my head just right, it hurts in my big toe."  I must ever be on the alert so I can assuage the pain and suffering of poor souls in agony!

Still, I must admit I'm a bit jealous of her prayer and liquor strategy:)

-Jer

Blessed

I often contemplate the unique path that our life has taken.  There are many blessings and many challenges that go along with a large, multi-special-need family.  Many members of our family have increased responsibilities simply because of the sheer number of people in our home.  But they also have increased opportunities for growth and a unique platform to develop understanding of the beauty of diversity.  We share different cultures and backgrounds, experiences and abilities in a way that most families don't.

Some of the blessings we experience, Christi and I anticipated as we started our adoption journey.  But many of the beautiful blessings we continue to receive come as complete surprises.  One of these is the ability we have to bless the lives of others simply by being us.  When our family goes out to a restaurant or to church or to the bowling alley or to Disneyland or to one of our kids' sporting events or pretty much anywhere, we almost always observe someone who is clearly touched as they watch our children interact with each other.  Often people observe us on their own.  Just as often, they are drawn in by an invitation from Sophi or Lexi, who are gregarious little ambassadors to the world.  Either way, we receive so many comments about what wonderful examples of strength and goodness our sweet children are, both those with obvious special needs and those without.  It really is a privilege for Christi and me to watch this unfold in our lives.  We are stewards over these fine young people, but it is God who has blessed them with their diverse and beautiful talents and abilities.

This morning I was reminded of how people love to hear about what our kids are doing.  Love to hear about the successes and the shortcomings, the fun and the angst of our family.  We received this email:

I am a fifteen year old girl and fan of your blog, writing from India.

I love to hear about all your children and I think they are amazing!! Christi and you are wonderful parents!!!!!!!! You guys are such an awesome family!! :D

I read your blog religiously and every post brightens my day :)

I wish I lived there, so I could help out, but unfortunately I can't do much - a fifteen year old from India...

I've told all my classmates about this blog and most of them read it - it is so nice to see such a bond within a family with so many exceptional children :) We've had so many discussions about how nice it is that you have created an amazing life for seven other children and love them unconditionally :)

The bond which exists within your family has inspired a lot of people here! :)

Usually, you guys blog pretty regularly, but it has been over a month since there has been any written material. I'm not sure if I missed something or you guys are just busy over there

I know it seems selfish, but I've been dying to hear the latest news and would really really really love it if you guys could update your blog :)

I really wish I could offer some help, but not much is possible from here! :(

Hope you have a great year ahead!! :)

Warm regards and greetings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

- Jwalika :)

Thank you, Jwalika, for your reminder that blogging about Sophi's sophistication, Lexi's laughs and Parker's pratfalls not only acts as a journal for our family, but also brightens the day for many readers throughout the world.  Each of our children bring such precious and profound moments to my life on a daily basis.  I am truly grateful for this platform to share them with our extended family and others who love to follow along!

-Jeremy

Poetic License

We invited Jen to do a guest post for the blog as the culmination of her nine days of caring for our kids.  So here is a fun synopsis of the week from my talented little sister:)

Ten children, nine days, 1 dog, and a spinster:

It sounds like some dumb Lifetime movie.

But this was real life, and while certainly hard,

The experience mostly was groovy.

The kids are amazing; they’re helpful and sweet—

My wonderful nephews and nieces.

But if you’re like me, without kids of your own,

Handling 10 can reduce you to pieces.

It’s 10 little lives all dependent on you!

It’s 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners!

It’s Cub Scouts and dance class, voice lessons and B-ball.

It is simply not made for beginners!

There’s homework to check, school projects to do.

There’s housework and cleaning, dog-walking.

There’s family prayer, and bedtime routines.

For 10 kids! The commitment is shocking.

And let’s face it, this family is not quite the norm.

It’s not just 10 kids you are facing.

It’s all kids of special requirements and needs

That those watching them must be embracing.

From blindness to wheelchairs and Soph without arms.

And really, it’s all quite amazing.

But this family just works as they all help each other.

These kids, I’ll forever be praising.

So yes, it is work, and yes, it’s exhausting,

And yes, my feet hurt every evening.

And yes, I admit as the days counted down,

I was not so depressed to be leaving.

Back to my life of my sweet spinsterhood!

Back to no kids and to quiet.

Back to a full DVR and my bed.

Away from the racket and riot!

And yet…those sweet children, they enter your heart.

And quickly, quite quickly, you miss it.

You’re missing the racket and riot and work.

You’re missing the time of your visit.

Because you discover, while caring for them,

That your trials in this life are tiny.

To complain about trivial problems you face

Just seems awfully silly and whiny.

And you miss all the hugs that those children give out.

And you miss all the smiles and kisses.

And you miss the cute things that the little ones say.

There’s a long list of the things this Miss misses!

And so, I will do it again, I am sure,

Giving Christi and Jer a vacation.

‘Cuz they do this all YEAR, each day in, each day out.

With barely a moment’s cessation.

So I’ll sign up again and be happy to help.

And I’ll go and play “Mom” at my best.

 Just maybe don’t ask me for several months

‘Cuz I’m still catching up on my rest!

Jennifer

Our Hero!

I have several heroes in my life.  The one I am currently amazed by is my younger sister, Jennifer.  Christi and I had the AWESOME blessing of going on a Caribbean cruise last week.  We went with Christi's parents, three of her siblings and their spouses.  No kids!  It was a much appreciated opportunity to relax and get away from the challenges of daily life.  

Who in the world, you may ask, stayed with your kids?!?  Aunt Jenny:)  Jen is a wonderful woman.  She is extremely organized.  She took Christi's 12-page document of instructions for the week and doubled it, making sure that every minute of every day was accounted for and that as few surprises as possible would pop up.  The kids had a great time with her and they were all alive and accounted for when we returned.  Pretty incredible!  Thanks again, Jen, for a wonderful trip.  Thanks for being such a great sister and aunt.  We love you!

While on the cruise, we had limited email access and received a few updates from Jen.  Here is my favorite:

It is 9:50 p.m. All the kids are in bed, some of them long ago...some of them not so much. It snowed today. This added an element of wet, muddy mess to Molly. And the snow meant I had to drive Jesi to dance and Xander to his pack meeting because I just couldn't let them walk there and get freezing cold and I had all sorts of time to spare because this happened on a night of Elli absolutely breaking down and screaming and fighting so hard it took Taylor, Parker, Graci, and me to get her into PJs. And she bit me hard. Even drew blood, believe it or not.  But that's okay because this was the night that I found out Sophi had an animal project that was already due today, so had to be done tonight in order to be turned in only 1 day late (tomorrow). But that's okay because this was the night  I had already promised Cali I would try a couple different hair coloring things she had to see if they would work because I know she wants to color her hair. None of them worked anyway (none of them were permanent). But I didn't want to back down on that promise because there's not a lot I can do to connect with her and I wanted to keep my commitment to her. But that's okay because this was the night Sophi and Lexi needed their baths and I really just couldn't move it tomorrow because tomorrow is New Beginnings. But that's okay because this was also the night I had to edit Taylor's paper because it's due tomorrow. I had asked him Sunday and Monday if I could edit it because I don't like to procrastinate, but he kept putting me off and since it's due tomorrow, finally had to be done tonight.

All-in-all, I'm quite impressed it's only 9:50.

Oh, but I still have to clean the disaster of a kitchen 'cuz I told the kids I'd do it because they were all behind on their chores and homework because Matt and Carla and their 6 kids visited today until about 4:30. Which was great, of course, but pushed schedules back.

I deserve a freaking medal.

Love,

Jennifer

You absolutely deserve a medal, Jen!  We can't thank you enough:)

-Jer

A quick trip to Walmart for the Greens:)

Family Home Evening

For years our church leaders have encouraged us to hold a weekly "Family Home Evening."  Each Monday night is set aside for time with our family.   No church meetings are planned for Monday nights.  We try the best we can to avoid scheduling other conflicting events as well.  The format for the evening isn't super important.  What is important is spending time together.  Our typical family home evening goes something like this:

Opening Song

Opening Prayer

Lesson

Activity

Closing Song

Closing Prayer

Treat

One child is in charge of conducting the meeting, and each of the above items is assigned to a different family member each week.

For the most part the kids love it and look forward to it.  Even the older ones are engaged most weeks.  This is video from two different weeks of activities.  The first week we played a game where everyone is assigned a color.  One person stands in the middle with a rolled up newspaper.  Mom or Dad calls out a color and the person with the newspaper has to remember whose color it is and whack that person on the head.  The person who is about to be whacked has to call out a different color before the person in the middle gets to them.  Once the person in the middle whacks someone in time, that player becomes the new person in the middle. With our group, some accommodations need to be made.  For Sophi, one of us would hold her and she would hold the newspaper with her feet.  Then Parker got a better idea...

The second week we played the dice game.  Very simple.  Everyone has a piece of paper.  There is one pencil in the middle of the table.  Each person takes turns rolling two dice.  When somebody gets doubles, they pick up the pencil and start writing out the numbers 1 through 100.  When somebody else gets doubles, they grab the pencil from the previous person and they start writing.  The first person to write every number up to 100 is the winner.  As you'll notice, it can get pretty animated (especially when you're playing with Graci:).  Conner and Christi were a team.  Christi rolled the dice, and when she got doubles, Conner would braille the numbers.

LOL

Last week Christi took Sophi and Conner to Lexi's school.  Lex was part of a dance concert was dying for mom to attend.  After a cute and entertaining show, Christi went up and congratulated Lexi.  Standing there surrounded by Lexi, Sophi and Conner, Christi was approached by another mom.  This woman looked at the three kids and asked, "Are these ALL yours???"  She was incredulous.  Christi had to fight back a giggle.  "Yes," she replied.  The woman sweetly told Christi that she thought it was wonderful and amazing that Christi could handle so much.

My sweet wife just smiled and said thank you, never mentioning that she had seven more at home.:)  We had a good laugh when she told me the story that evening.

Jer

It's a Wonderful LIfe!

Over the last few weeks there have been so many times I thought, "I MUST blog that!"  But I didn't.  I hate it when I go too long between posts.  There is some sadness that people who enjoy reading about our family miss an opportunity to hear a fun story.  But my primary regret is that I so quickly forget the things I intended to record.  I am truly grateful for how easy it is to record not just thoughts and feelings, but pictures and video as well.  This blogging adventure has been the only time in my life, other than during my mission in Thailand, that I have regularly written in a journal.  And it's so neat to me that my kids (and hopefully grandkids) will not just have access to this when they blow the dust off of it after going through a dusty old box from the attic.  Instead, they have access to my thoughts and feelings in real time.  They know me far better than I knew my parents.  And they enjoy the re-creations of events, activities and misadventures that they themselves have been part of.  Technology has so much potential to bless our lives.  

Everyone should give Christi a HUGE "Way to go!" for holding down the fort the first week of January.  I was in Orlando from Monday morning to late Friday night for our national sales meeting.  Christi got the kids to school, got them to practices and games and scouts and youth group and art club and who knows what else without anything but a "Good luck, hon!" from me over the phone each night."  That was on top of the everyday tasks that keep us both busy during a typical week but are insanely crazy when one of us is gone.  Bedtime, mornings, meals, homework, keeping the house clean, etc.  I really am proud of her.  She is amazing.

While in Orlando I read her post, "We Can Relate," during a short break in our meeting.  I also read the beautiful post she linked to.  I'm sure a couple of my coworkers wondered why I had tears streaming down my face as everyone else came streaming back to our meeting room.  Oh, can I relate to the "After the Airport" post.  What a wonderful description of our lives.  For the bulk of the post I kept thinking about our fun, crazy, overwhelmingly challenging family.  I thought of how many tears we have shed, how many fun moments we have had, how much we have prayed for help and how many people the Lord has sent to give us that help.  But as I finished the post, the author's powerful challenge turned my heart outward.  I was enlightened with the thought that we are all living After the Airport in some fashion or another.  We all need to be loved and served by those around us.  I felt a great desire to look for those whom I could lift and be an answer to their prayers.  (That's a lot easier to think when one is all alone for a week at a meeting and living in a hotel room where the lights can be shut off, earplugs put in and a good night's sleep virtually guaranteed!:)

Saturday evening we had an experience which, while small, was an example of one of those angels in human form that Father in Heaven sends to do His work.  After Taylor's basketball game (10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals in a winning effort!) we decided to brave a restaurant as a family.  This is only the second time in the last year we've taken everyone out to eat.  Well, it actually wasn't everyone. Parker and Graci were at friend's houses, but not having them there actually added to the workload for Christi and me.  We walked into IHOP, one of the kids' favorite places to eat.  "Table for 9 please."  The hostess took us to a section where nobody else was seated.  It was kind of nice.  We were far from our nearest neighbors and felt it a bit less mandatory to keep everyone talking in restaurant-friendly tones.  We got about halfway through the meal and everyone was doing great.  At that point, another family was seated near us.  Mom and Dad and three or four kids.  Christi's and my ears started to listen more intently for loud or impolite voices from our kids, but I must say they were all very well-behaved.  Sophi gets pretty animated and loud from time to time, she's so doggone cute she gets some leeway.  After finishing our meal, the waitress brought out the check and I gave her my credit card.  While she took it to the register, Christi escorted all of the kids out to the car so she could get them loaded while I finished paying.  Once the waitress came back, I stood up and started to leave.  The father of the family that was seated nearby said to me:  "Dude, you have an awesome family!  That's just fantastic!"

Such a simple act of kindness.  Two small sentences.  But I had to fight tears as I exited IHOP that night.  In conjunction with the kind words uttered in passing by this father, the Lord spoke to me:  "How lucky you are to live a life that lifts others simply by being lived.  What a blessing to be able to share joy and inspiration simply by going places with your family.  What a blessed calling you have, to brighten the lives of disadvantaged children and to brighten the lives of so many who meet them."  He added some words of counsel: "Don't forget what a blessing this is.  When the hard times threaten to overwhelm you, remember that I have called you to this work.  Glorify me by doing it with love, laughter, smiles and patience.  And most of all, remember that you, your wife, and all of your children were first my children.  I love you and will lead you through."

A thousand thanks to the gentleman from IHOP.  And thousands more to all of you who continue to lift and support our family through our incredible journey.  Our road would not be nearly so beautiful without all of you.

-Jeremy