Adopting whole families..

Isaac and Mama Cheryl talking about old times together. 

Twelve years ago when we were adopting our 5th child, the foster mom who was caring for our son told us that as foster parents of babies that were waiting for their adoptive homes, they did not let babies go...instead they adopted whole families! That quote has stuck with me as we did foster care and it was our privilege to adopt some very special families along the way.

That same foster mom, took care not only of Brennan for 7 months 12 years ago, but she also took care of Isaac for 7 months as well. She is truly family to us. And Isaac has a whole host of Moms in Alabama who have prayed for and supported Mama Cheryl as she took on not just an ordinary baby but one with immense challenges in his young life. When Miss Patsy came to bring a meal over when we were staying in Alabama waiting to bring Isaac home, we told her that she too was part owner of this little guy as well...and she accepted the challenge. This group of prayer warriors did not stop caring for Isaac when he came to Minnesota. They have been praying for him and for us and his whole team of caregivers (doctors, teachers, nurses..)

Miss Patsy and Maisy enjoying their time together!

We stopped at the Mall of America on the way home from the airport..

We were thrilled when both Mama Cheryl and Miss Patsy came to Minnesota to visit last week! We were so excited to have them come. They took the time to get to know each of the kids and it was so special to watch the bonds formed between each of them and our Alabama relatives. The kids were so sad to have them leave. They are already making plans to have them return.

We went up to the Clemens/Munsinger gardens in St. Cloud--it is so beautiful there!

Maisy made a special bond with Miss Patsy....always asking for some "itsy bitsy spider" time with her. Isaac loved his time with Mama Cheryl...and all of the kids did.  It was truly a precious, precious time.


We are so blessed to have such incredible, faithful servants of Jesus Christ to share our lives with. What a gift each of them are to our family...

Lost video of Maisy's decannulation!

Hope made a video with the digital camera of Maisy's decannulation. When we went back through the photos and videos, we couldn't find it and we thought it had been deleted. Tonight when I was uploading photos from a very busy week, I found it!

What a blessing to have this moment recorded.
I have had computer troubles so I haven't been updating the blog...but now I have lots of share....stay tuned!