Fall Sunshine

As we left church 2 weeks ago it was so beautiful outside we decided to take a few pictures of the kids in front of the church building amongst the autumn leaves. I adore how Alyssia is hugging Andrew so affectionately!

Sharing Andrew's Helmet

If you are a toddler friend of Andrew then you're bound to be found looking like ...

(Donte 2009)

this...

(Alyssia 2007)

this....

(Micah 2005)

or this!

Thank you for sharing your cool helmet Andrew!!!

Visit to Boulder, CO

In the middle of September, Kent, Marilyn and Karter were able to go visit Kent's sister, Kelley and Marilyn's brother, David, in Boulder, Colorado. We had such a great visit together. We did a lot of site seeing, hiking on several mountains, and we went to a Colorado Buffalo football game. And yet, the best part of the trip was simply being with David and Kelley! We are so thankful for the opportunity to go and for those who helped keep the other children here in Michigan!! Karter could possibly be one of the Buffs biggest fans! Because... If Uncle David thinks they're cool, they MUST be cool! The highlights of the game were the two times the live Buffalo named Ralphie took a high speed lap around the football field as the fans cheered Ralphie on!!

Hiking up to Red Rock.

The gorgeous fall colors captured on a hike at Rocky Mountain National Park.

We thoroughly enjoyed our "field trip" to Celestial Seasonings tea factory. We were able to choose between over a hundred varieties of teas to taste test. Seeing how the tea is processed and packaged was also educational and interesting!!! A perfect outing for our rainy day!

"Mom, close your eyes...

...and come in the living room." Karter called.

And this is the message he had for me! :)

Written proudly in Bendaroo style!

Thank you, Karter! You sure know how to make me feel special!

Tyler and Donte

On August 31st we received a call from our foster care agency regarding the need to place two brothers, Tyler and Donte, into foster care. The very next day, we welcomed them into our home. Tyler is 3 years old and Donte is going to be 2 on November 30th. Alyssia and Tyler

Donte and Micah

Unexpected

It is with great sadness that we share with you that in August our foster daughter Carmen was not stable enough to stay in our care anymore. The foster care agency along with the hospital placed her in a psychiatric ward for care, therapy and supervision.



This was an extremely difficult and completely unexpected change in our lives. We miss her and so desired to see her through into adulthood.



She has since been discharged. We do not have direct contact with her however Marilyn has been in touch with Carmen's biological grandmother. Carmen is doing okay. Please pray for her mental stability and for the possibility of a successful kidney transplant. Her biological 22 year old sister is in the process of a series of tests in pursuit of donating a kidney to Carmen. We also look to the Lord and ask for Carmen's spiritual development to continue. Pray Carmen will continue to learn more about the truths about God and that her faith will deepen.

Thank you for checking in on our family.


When darkness seems to
hide His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.



On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

Elijah's visit

Clockwise around the table starting with Carmen, Micah, Kent, Elijah, Andrew, Marilyn's empty chair :) , Alyssia, Karter and our friend and neighbor, Sydney.

Last week Elijah came to stay with us for four days. (In case you do not already know, Elijah was our foster son two years ago. Elijah is 3 1/2 years old and he is blind.) We were all excited to have him here with us. Carmen was especially excited. She has heard so much about him and had yet to meet him. She was very considerate of Elijah and loved being silly to get him to laugh! What a blessing to spend time with Elijah and see how he is growing!