about me

I am a Mom to 11 kids and wife to Mark--my incredible husband.. Tyler(19), Aaron (19), McKenna (18), Hope (16), Jordan (14), Brennan (12), Kaden (6), Evan (passed away July, 2006 at 13 months old), Elijah (5) and Maisy Grace (3 years old) and Isaac (1) --the newest addition to our family! Lest you think we are either crazy or saints, we are neither--just followers of Jesus Christ who desire to follow his commands to take care of the orphans and widows. Any thing that we do is from Him not of our own strength. . I serve on the STARS Children's Mental Health governing board and recently began volunteering at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota.
I blog...not because I think I have something profound or particularly helpful  to say...but because I need to sort out what is going on in my life. When I begin writing a post, I often do not know where it is will end up...but in the process, I discover what I needed to know...what I need to remember and apply in my life. I am also thankful that I have this journey recorded in written form. My parents passed a way many years ago...and when they were here, I didn't listen to what they had to say like I wish I had. I didn't know them as people..just as parents. I want my kids, when they need it most, to have something to look back on...I want them to know that I didn't have all the answers and I knew that.. and that I just wanted to live for Christ Jesus a little more each day...I want them to know how much I love them and how precious my time with them is...even though each day has not been even close to perfect.
I think in blog posts....I see a sign, read a verse or hear someone on say something on the radio and I think "that would make a great post." Some make it into a blog post and most end up by the way side in parts of my memory that get taken up by other stuff of the day. So thank you for stopping by and wandering around along with me in the midst of my thoughts...
I just want to make the life that God has given me...reflect not upon me but illuminate Him.

 We share our home with two dogs and a cat who thinks he is a dog. I love preserving memories through photography, writing and scrap booking.  Adoption, children's mental health issues and serving kids with disabilities are my passions. I love supporting families who have children with special needs through education, support, mentoring and lots of prayer.

a few examples to remind me why I love scrapbooking...capturing the everyday moments of our life.i

photography reminds of the beauty that is all around us...

My great nieces--I love taking their annual Christmas photos.

Blessed by 10 and then some...
The lesson I have learned recently: Don't think you have God figured out. When we had 9 children, I named this blog "blessedby10" sensing that God wasn't done completing our family quite yet. Who knew that the 9 kids would turn into 11! So, I've decided to keep the name of the blog the same...reminding myself that just when I think I have my life planned out...God may just have a few unexpected surprises in store..