SCHOOL AND FOOTBALL

The boys started their freshman year!  A few bumps in the road as they get use to a new building, some new teachers, and higher expectations being in high school.  But I think they are finding their groove.

Jonah also started his high school football career.  He is on the junior varsity team, but he also gets to suit up for varsity games.  He hasn't had a JV game yet because he is only going to attend the home games.  But he has attended 2 varsity home games so far.  He absolutely LOVES being able to run on to the field with his team!  We are so excited for him!

1st day of school- 9th grade

1st Varsity FB game

Ben got to sing the National Anthem with his choir.  Can you see his face circled in the back of the group?

The teacher gave Jonah a birthday party at school

Ben got to enjoy the festivities also!

 

THE THINGS I TRY NOT TO WORRY ABOUT

Click HERE for article

The above article really touches on points that cause me concern when I think about our future with our boys:

1. The guilt of having someone else take on the responsibility of caring for them if something happens to us.  

2. Hoping we are setting aside enough money to care for them thru their adult life.

One thing the article doesn't really address is how faith can help us with these concerns.  I believe the Lord led us to adopt our boys.  So I have to trust the Lord will provide care for them and all the logistics surrounding that care if we can no longer be their primary caregivers.  We are trying to be responsible and organized in setting up a good plan for the future, but we can't know for sure how this will how work out.  So that's where faith comes in- I may not know what the future holds, but I know who hold the future in His hands.  

THE WORLD LOST A GOOD ONE

Click HERE for Video Tribute/Funeral Service/Obituary

My dad was a Korean War veteran, and he was able to be on the Honor Flight in the Fall of 2023.  

Two people very in love even after many years together and a massive stroke

My dad passed away on Tuesday.  The past 1-2 years he had been  experiencing a decline in his health.  In June he entered into hospice care but still was able to to remain in his home until his last 24 hours.  

My grief of losing a parent isn’t as intense because it isn’t a tragic loss because of being unexpected and/or too young.  My dad lived to be 93 years old and 90 of those years he was very healthy, strong and active. 

My grief is more about it being the end of an era.  I can't believe it's over.  I've had him in my life for 55 years, and now that part of my life s done. But I keep telling myself the sadness is actually a blessing bc it means the memories were so great❤️.  And he’s with Jesus (and my mom) and whole in heaven again- what a miracle!

Here are 2 things about my dad:

1. He was a great dad: he taught me how to live out my faith in Jesus in my day to day life.  He taught me how to be hardworking and to treat people with kindness and respect.  

He expected much from me, but he also gave me much love and support as I tried to do my best.

2.  He was a great husband: My parents were always a team that worked and had fun together.  My whole life I was able to observe how they loved and respected one another.  However, when my mom suffered her stroke in 2019, my dad stepped forward as the most amazing caregiver.  He worked hard to help my mom through her therapy so that she would be able to return to their house.  This was after a year of being in a nursing home trying to regain strength and relearn basic skills.  When she came home, she needed 24/7 care and that is what my dad provided, with some help from caregivers and us kids.  But he was the primary one to care for her.  And he did that hard work with love, patience, and kindness.  He was an amazing example to me and to our kids.  

He will be dearly missed, but we are so happy that he is in Heaven rejoicing with His Savior.  He is healthy and healed and will never have to experience pain or suffering again.  Thank you Jesus!

The world lost a good one this week!

WHAT A GOOD UNCLE!

These past weeks we have watched Ben really step up and show sweet and appropriate behavior towards Baby J.  He’s showing a very sweet, gentle and nurturing side of himself.  How exciting to observe!  

Jonah is still learning how to be gentle and give Baby J some breathing room.  It’s getting better, but definitely Ben is showing more baby smarts than Jonah at this point.  

Baby J seems to enjoy both his uncles although is more relaxed with Ben.  But both guys get big smiles from the little guy!

SUMMER SUMMARY

As the summer enters into its last few weeks, here is a summary of what Summer 2025 has looked like: not very close to what we had planned.

We had lots of camping planned, but because of my dad entered in-home hospice care in early June, those plans changed.  

June camping became boys-only camping so I could be with my dad.  We did get our week of camping in for July as planned!  And August camping was cancelled.  

Just the season in life we are in right now.  My dad did a lot for us kids over all the years and then was an incredible caregiver to our mom for her last years of life.  So he deserves all the care we can give him at this time in his life and that is what we are trying to do.

However, we still got Miracle League baseball in and lots of swimming!  And the boys must be having fun because Jonah keeps telling me, "Fun summer, mom."  

We also have been enjoying our new grandson "Baby J".  The boys are loving being uncles and are showing some good skills playing with the baby!

ANOTHER "ORPHAN TO OURS" ANNIVERSARY

7-15-2010: Ben arrived at the orphanage in Vilnius

7-15-2016: Judge rules that Ben is officially our son and no longer an orphan.  

From orphan to ours on the same date, July 15th, six years part. 

Last week we celebrated our 9th anniversary with Ben as our son!  We love you Ben and are so happy to watch you grow up and become your own little person.  You have so many talents and abilities.  Your future looks exciting!

Ben's orphanage ID photo at 3 weeks old, 7-15-10

Picking up Ben after our court hearing, 7-15-16

Ben rocking it at school this year during 8th grade.  High school in the fall!

FINALLY SOME FAMILY CAMPING!

 For the month of June, our camping plans changed, and Andrew ended up camping with the boys, and I stayed home to help with my dad.  

But for July, we finally got to camp with all four of us.  Although honestly, I think the boys were a bit disappointed to not have it be "boys only" ...

Governor Thompson State Park near Crivitz, WI- we love this park.  Very deep in the northern woods and very clean and well kept.

We enjoyed one bear cub sighting, many deer sightings, hiking, swimming, mini golf, campfires, and ice cream treats!

Isn't Ben a handsome young man?  He's growing up!

Jonah saluting for the American Flag boxes