I can't believe I'm actually awake!

So let's see . . . life with a newborn and a 6 month old. The first night we got to sleep around 4a.m. (I think Miles was somewhere closer to 5a.m. before he could fall asleep). And last night I got between and hour and 2 hours of sleep in between feedings. Miles has been wonderful in helping with both children when I need it, in spite of trying to still juggle his business and a job interview today. We're adjusting. I also have some wonderful help from my H.S. girls. Some of them have been here both nights to just help me with things like holding one baby, feeding and changing another one, putting together the new pack and play, and washing our dishes. One girl even stopped by while we were all gone at an appointment yesterday and straightened our house and washed our dishes. They are amazing young ladies with hearts for serving God and others. Believe it or not, I even went to 2 appointments yesterday, by myself, with both kids in tow! And it wasn't that bad. Although they did get hungry at the same time while we were sitting in the office, so the lady who was doing the medical tests fed one baby. God has placed wonderful helpers in our lives and am so thankful. Miles' mom is going to come down this weekend and help us out. She loves being Grandma. So in a nutshell, I'm tired but I'm happy. And now I have to go wash some bottles and try and eat some breakfast since they're both sleeping!

New addition

Today we picked up our new foster child, J. He was born yesterday, the 22nd -- the same day as my nephews Logan and Dawson. We have no details right now about his status, so as usual we take it one day at a time. What an adventure -- a newborn and a 6 month old!!

Update from 2006

Well we had grand plans of getting a newsletter out to all of our family and friends, updating everyone on the events of 2006. It seems that time just keeps getting away from us so here's a quick update for those of you who may not be caught up with the whirlwind known as our lives.

We are still living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. As I write this, there is roughly a foot of new snow on the ground. One of the major reasons our lives are such whirlwind is that we have so many kids. No, Brenda did not give birth to any children! God has blessed us with kids in a different way. Soon after moving to Idaho we learned that we are "infertile." Although I believe that God may still choose to bless us with biological children, He has different plans for us right now. At the start of 2006 we became licensed foster parents, with plans of eventually adopting through the foster system. We have provided mostly short-term care for kids from 3-15 years of age. On October 18, a precious 3 month old girl was placed in our home. Thus the pictures of the cute little baby on our page. She has been such a blessing to us and a good introduction to full-time parenthood. Although we do not foresee us adopting her, we truly enjoy having her for now.

Most of the kids whom we care for come and go to our house at will. Miles & I both volunteer with the high school ministry at our church. WHAT AN ABSOLUTE BLESSING!! I lead a small group of h.s. girls on Thursday nights, and together Miles & I lead a co-ed bible study on Monday nights. We have teens at our house just about every day. I can't tell you how many times I've received a phone call saying, "I'm sitting in your living room. Where are you?" Unfortunately they know how to get into our house even if we're not home! We even had one girl living with us for 3 months while her mom was working out of state temporarily. I want to say that I feel like I'm just "one of the girls" when I hang out with them, until I remember we're old enough to be their parents. Well, Miles more than me since he turned 40 this year!!

On top of that, our lives are full of trying to build up our respective businesses. Miles was laid off by Yahoo in February of this year and has been pursuing his photography business. I became a professionally licensed counselor and opened a private practice. I only see clients part-time so I can devote more time to the teens and foster kids.

Well, I think that is most of the highlights. Sorry we didn't get that newsletter out in a timely manner, but it might still hit your mailbox sometime before the summer!

T update

Wow! This is great. I don't have to send individual emails to everyone to give updates on T. There is not a whole lot to update today. March or April she'll have a 6 month hearing and the hope is that by that time there will be a clearer indication of whether she will work toward reunification with dad or dad's cousin in California. She is growing by leaps and bounds. You will all be pleased to learn that she now goes to sleep every night between 8 and 8:30 and doesn't even have to be asleep when I lay her down for the night. YEAH!! No more nightly fights or staying up until after 10. She is eating baby food, but still prefers her formula. And she LOVES that walker that Aunt Becky gave us.

This only took about 25 days...

... to come up with the name, "Trekking North."

GOOD GRAVY.

At this rate dont' be surprised if you never hear from us again.