4 X 4 Tag...

My friend Heather P. tagged me...

I must reflect and ponder on FOUR THINGS that were new to me or that I learned, experienced, or explored for the first time in the last four years, and then...

I must look ahead to the NEXT FOUR years for things I want to try.

So here goes:


Last 4 Years:


1. I became a foster parent and adoptive mother. Due to my huge wake up call of a heart condition God was able to prod Brian and I into doing the things that we had talked about since before we were married. It was time and boy did God have a plan. We thank Him for that.



2. I, the very nice but truly anti-social, stay out of my business gal, turned into Miss Social, I'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know gal! LOL I founded a Countywide Homeschool Group. It was born out of my need to get outside my comfort zone and my children's need for group fun outside their immediate home-grown community. That has been one big adventure that has proven to be one of the best moves God has led me to accomplish. I've gained so many friends through this experience.. 1 2 3 4 5 ...those are just the ones with blogs...and I just wouldn't change a thing! One of the best decisions of my life.


3. I've sent a child to college! In January our little 5 pound 7 ounce Kazz began college courses at his Uncle Dan's and Aunt Mary's old stomping grounds. It's a community college that his Lawyer uncle and Teacher Aunt used for the first two years of their education before he transferred to a bigger college to get his law degree/her teaching degree.
Our little one...who is not so little... ...took his first two classes at the age of 14 and attained an A and a B. He's on his way to becoming a robot programmer for Automotives...unless he changes his mind. LOL

4. I've learned a lot about different families.

I used to think love was something that was given to birth families freely, no holds barred. I've, sadly, learned that some parents do not love their children unconditionally.

I've also learned that it's very hard to be adopted. Whether it's by non-biological parents or being married into a family. Sometimes you just don't "fit" and after many a try you realize you're just not ever going to "fit". I've seen foster parents give up on kids and I've even seen adoptive parents give them back! It's been a hard pill to swallow.

I had rose colored glasses for so long that I couldn't fathom a parent telling their own child that they will never call them again. But alas, I've witnessed it. I could never have imagined a mother choosing drugs over her children but alas...I could never have imagined a father being presented with his son and choosing not to take him, but again...I've witnessed it ALL. Those are hard things to watch. Much harder than one may think. Sadly Some families/children will never know love. They'll never know what they missed.

Lesson Learned: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Our family? STRONG BABY! :-)

4 THINGS TO COME...

1. I would imagine that we'll have one leave the nest. He'll be 18 in 3 short years. As he leaves another will begin his college journey. That conveyer keeps on turning and I have mixed emotions as I watch our boys roll along. I know I'm not raising children, I'm raising adults. I do love having them home though. It's my hope to adopt a couple more children but hope may be all I have as Brian has put his foot down and declared that he is more inclined to accept grandchildren in 6 or so years, rather than children. He may well be right, as he usually is. We'll still have some at home so I may indeed be happy with that also....but you never know. :-)

2. I forsee my Social Work/Psychology degree and Brian's bachelors degree. Only because I love to take classes, those A's are such a great boost to the ego. LOL

3. Much more homeschooling, planning, vacationing, living the fun life we've been so very blessed to have.

4. Buying our vacation home. We've spied a few places we like. We have to decide for sure whether we want one big house with a huge yard and pond or whether we want two homes in different states/weather. Choices, choices! LOL

I Tag HISchild, My New Knoonellog Friend, and Roneth (if you can figure out how to pastorize it) LOL, and Stacy, and Bob