November

Steph and Ben came to visit

Who needs a baby swing?

The whole family

Is this Nate or Isaac?!

Driving to FL

The "pink house" we rented had a cool tub to dance in

Sarasota National Cemetery

Siesta Key beach with cousins

Grandkid train ride with Grandpa

Eating at Grandpa's house

Thanksgiving Day

 November began with a visit from Steph and her boyfriend, Ben.  We had heard much about him and were happy to meet him!  Before Ben arrived, Stephen declared that he did not like Ben.  Well, Ben changed Stephen's mind fairly quickly.  All of the kids (and adults) decided Ben is a pretty cool guy and Steph should keep him around.

Nate and the boys went on the cadet campout and the soccer season ended.  I think the younger three were happy about that, no more games to sit through!

Mom was nearing the end of her life so our family skyped with Mom and Dad on November 7.  The kids saw Grandma briefly on the screen and then Grandpa held the phone next to Grandma's ear.  The kids said a Bible verse and gave Grandma their love.  She was not able to talk anymore, but Dad thought she was still hearing what people said.  Nate and I also said our goodbyes to Mom.  She died on November 8 while listening to their church service online.

We had bought tickets for Nate and the older 3 kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa on the 11th.  We decided that just Nate would go down for those couple of days and spend time with Dad.  On November 19, we began the drive to Florida.  It took us 14 hours to reach Atlanta and we stayed overnight with our friend Julie Melendez and family.  The next day it took us 10 hours to reach Ft. Myers.  The drive was hard, but the kids did really well.  We had lots of snacks, movies, books on CD and activities.

Mom's memorial service was November 21.  It was hard and beautiful at the same time.  We saw many extended family members we do not see very often.  Our family rented a house with Colleen's family for the weekend.  It worked well for our families to have some space and the cousins could play together.  On November 23, Mom was laid to rest at Sarasota National Cemetery. The weekend was full of sadness, but also good memories and stories.

After the extended family left, our family moved into Dad's house for the rest of the week.  We spent time at the pool, played games and Thanksgiving Day we went to the beach.  The first of many holidays that will feel different and bittersweet.

We left for home the day after Thanksgiving.  We stayed with the Ramsey family in Atlanta.  We had met them in China and it was fun to see their little girl and Lexi together again.  And then we did the final push home.

October

Grandparent's Day

Grandparent's Day

Soccer baby

Bethany meet up with Shiyan and Charlie

Went thru our old home state on our way to FL

"What Cancer Cannot Do" quilt

Last visit with Mom

Hey, I'm eating table food!

Scarecrow day

Love this picture of the kids exploring

Hiking

Walking up then running down the ski hill

Selfie 7 

Boyne Mountain scenery

Julia rode a horse

Family vacation 

Visit with Great Aunt Judy and Great Grandma Jongsma

Halloween

Grandma Jongsma made it to Grandparent's Day with the 3 kids.  Unfortunately Julia's teacher didn't get a picture of Julia and Grandma that morning.  The kids enjoyed sharing a little of their school life with Grandma.

I was surprised when Bethany told us some of the Chinese adoption workers would be at Bethany's Grand Rapids office.  I took the younger 3 kids and saw Shiyan and Charlie again.  Shiyan is Bethany's employee in China and she was our guide/adoption worker for 10 days in Guangzhou.  We really appreciate Shiyan and it was great to see her so soon after leaving China.  Charlie is Bethany's contact person/Chinese adoption caseworker from Lexi's orphanage. Charlie does not know much English. When he saw Lexi he said, "she is fat!"  Shiyan told him the correct English word is "chubby" or "healthy." Yeah, Lexi is far from fat.  Ha ha.  Charlie did not impress Nate and I when we interacted with him at Lexi's orphanage.  So, I wasn't sure how I felt about seeing him so soon.  But, he was very excited to take pictures and videos of Lexi to show the orphanage nannies.

Through the help of friends/family caring for our children, I was able to fly to Florida with Lexi to visit Mom. At that point she was eating a little food again and could sit and have conversations.  Mom and I went through her recipes and pulled out family favorites to share with the family.  I am thankful for the conversations we had and that I could be with her for a couple days.

Lexi decided to stop eating baby food.  Which is good, but left me scrambling to figure out what she would eat.  Right now she eats eggs, chicken, yogurt, PB&J, sweet potatoes and a couple of fruits.  She is getting better at trying new foods instead of automatically rejecting it.  At the advice of our pediatrician, she will continue formula til her 2nd birthday.  She drinks 12 ounces a day.

The day after the outage ended, the kids had fall break.  We took advantage and drove up to Boyne Mountain for a family vacation.  We rented a condo and the kids thought it was awesome! The weather and scenery were beautiful.  We did some hiking, played games, watched TV, and relaxed.  We also went to the indoor water park for one evening.  Our family needed this downtime in the middle of a stressful season of life.

On the way home from Boyne Mountain, we stopped at my parent's house.  My Grandma, Aunt Beth and Great Aunt Judy were visiting for the weekend.  Aunt Judy was enthralled with the kids and Stephen and Julia cuddled up to Great Grandma, which she enjoyed.  Visits with my grandparents are usually too short, but I always love seeing them!

For Halloween we had a football player, ninja, Queen Elsa, bunny and Snow White.  It was cold and rainy so we did about half the neighborhood, which is just the right amount of candy.  Stephen really got into running up to houses and yelling "trick or treat!" And who can resist a cute bunny?
   

Caleb is 11

Difficult to get a non-silly picture

Football cards

Whoa- a kindle!

Packers cake

First concert

Caleb is 11 years old!  Since Nate was working night shifts we did a birthday breakfast.  Caleb requested a Packers cake.  Caleb always likes getting football cards, but the real surprise was the kindle.  He was pretty excited.  He doesn't have internet access on it, but there are some sports apps, games and of course books on it.  

Caleb played soccer again and this year the soccer teams did a type of draft.  It was neat to hear that Caleb's coach saw a good player in Caleb.  He continues to improve every season.  His coach had Caleb play goalie fairly often, which was a new challenge for Caleb. He is playing indoor soccer for the first time this winter.

Caleb is in 5th grade and reports there is a lot more studying and work required.  He is doing well, but also being challenged.  He began playing the trumpet this year and had his first concert in December.  As a former band geek, I am quite happy to see my child playing in band too! I hope he continues to enjoy playing an instrument.  He is not taking piano lessons anymore as he has to practice his trumpet now.

Caleb is growing in many ways.  He is now 100 pounds and 62 inches tall.  He enjoys reading comic type books, like Garfield and Big Nate.  He recently read thru the 39 Clues book series.  His closest friend is Jason.  Caleb is very helpful with the younger kids and sometimes gets paid for his help.  He began mowing the grass this summer for pay as well.  Caleb is a responsible, loving and respectful kid.  Grandma DeMaster's sickness and death was very difficult for Caleb.  He wrestled with many questions about God and fairness and how to handle prayers that aren't answered the way you want. Heavy stuff for an 11 year old.  Our prayer for Caleb is that this experience somehow draws him closer to God.  We know that God, who began a good work in Caleb will be faithful to bring it to completion.

We love Caleb very much and we pray God's blessings on his 11th year!      

September

Playing at the park

Sisters

I love blue ice cream, until it makes me sick

Hanging out during Caleb's soccer practice

Apple picking

Nate's 36th birthday

Cheese

I don't know why he poses like this

Everyone wanted to pick apples

September found us back in the school schedule.  For Labor Day weekend we stayed in the area.  I took the kids to Hastings for a visit.  Nate and the older 3 also spent a night camping in a friend's backyard.  It was hot and not much sleep happened.  But the kids enjoyed the giant slip n slide and playing with friends.

Nate and I were interviewed and filmed for a documentary that Bethany is putting together.  The documentary is going to follow 3 families as they adopt an older child.  The goal of the film is to dispel myths and fears people may have about adopting older children or kids with special needs.  Our little interview might be used in the film or it may not.  Either way it was pretty cool to be asked to share our adoption stories.

The outage began in September.  Nate had a different position this time so he had to work continuous night shifts for 30 days.  It was as fun as it sounds. He was exhausted by the end and so was our family, but God brought us through again.

In early September, Nate's Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  It was a devastating and shocking blow.  Nate was able to fly down and spend time with her in the hospital before the outage began.  Mom was then released to hospice at home.  Trying to process what was happening with Mom while working the outage was challenging for Nate.  It was hard for all of us.

Caleb celebrated his 11th birthday in September, but I'll write about that in his birthday post!

Nate celebrated his 36th birthday.  Since he was working night shifts, I made cinnamon rolls instead of a cake.  We had his birthday meal at breakfast- right when he got home from work, before the kids went to school.  I am proud of Nate.  He worked extremely hard during the outage and it was noticed and appreciated by the higher ups.  Nate also received his shift manager status, something he has worked towards for awhile.  Nate is just a great Dad.  He appreciates each of the kids uniqueness and strives to show them love in ways they understand.  And he is one fantastic husband- supportive, funny and loving.  We love him very much!

I took the kids apple picking a couple times.  They love apple picking and they pick alot of apples! Which I then have to do something with when we get home, usually applesauce.

Nate is a cadet leader again this year.  Isaac was excited to begin cadets and Caleb is in his last year.  We wanted Julia to attend Korean language school again, but it was too difficult this fall with a new baby and Nate working the outage.  We are hoping to find other Korean language options.

Lexi became a teething maniac. She came home with 4 teeth, but soon grew a mouthful. Which meant she was crabby, not sleeping well and had a runny nose for about a month straight.  She loved being outside and Caleb could watch her for a little while.  The weather in September was awesome and the kids spent alot of time outside.  

Isaac turns 8

Ropes course

Minion cupcakes

Birthday presents!

Minion cake

Happy Birthday to you

Legos

He's growing up so fast

Isaac had a birthday party this year!  "Finally!" he said.  And Julia was jealous and feels like it will be FOREVER until her 8th birthday.  Isaac chose to have his party at BAM!  We did a ropes course, laser tag and played in the arcade.  We ate pizza and I made minion cupcakes for the party.  Isaac invited Luke, Ben, Andrew, Patrick and Cardale.  And Grandpa and Grandma DeMaster were visiting so they got to party too!  Nate and I appreciated their help with Stephen and Lexi and their company. The ropes course was intimidating for the boys, but most of them conquered their fear and did it.  They all loved laser tag and playing in the arcade.  For Isaac's actual birthday I made a minion cake.  Some of his gifts were legos and an electrical circuit set.

Isaac brings joy to our family.  He is silly and enjoys telling jokes and playing jokes on people.  He plays well with Lexi and Stephen and Dallas thinks he is the best.  Isaac is loving 2nd grade. He excels in math and enjoys science.  His reading has taken off and he gets along easily with his classmates.  Luke Catton is his closest friend at school.  Isaac likes playing with Patrick and Lydia in our neighborhood.  Isaac and Caleb are buddies and spend most of their time at home together. Isaac and Julia do have the ability to play well together and sometimes it happens.  Isaac played soccer again this fall and improved quite a bit.   He is 65 pounds, 53 inches and healthy.  I love hearing Isaac's heart when he prays.  He thinks about others and loves Jesus.  We are so thankful for Isaac and look forward to another year!