Still living.

Wow. It's been months since I wrote in our blog! and so much has happened.

-Nick retired from the military. Still looking for a great job in the area, but has a part time job that he enjoys.

-We fostered Amy's (8) newborn sister for 2 months. She is now living with her mom and doing great so far. We babysit for her weekly.

-We now have custody of 3 young children that we fostered last summer. Sweet Gherkin is newly 3, Dilly is 2 and 'Lil is newly 1. Beautiful children. We are very thankful that they are in our lives. We are also working with their birth mom, facilitating visits and such while she tries to give it (yet) another go. Court hearing this Tuesday to determine if they remain in our custody for 6 more months.

-I am currently in school again. Very much enjoying it. I am hoping to finish my BS in Social Pyschology, and the goal would be to attain my MSW so I can counsel adoptive families. My interest lies in attachment/ bonding. For now I am satisfied with learning alongside my children, and finding new ways to help them recover from their own traumas. I don't intend to work while my children are in our home. I also teach an Awana group and absolutely love seeing those sweet faces every week!

-Kori still plays fiddle and has a contest coming up in a couple months. She really wants to take the Running Start college entrance exams and go to culinary school next winter. Our local community college happens to have a great school, and we are thrilled that we pay nothing for tuition!

-Kristianna and Sara are in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella". I've been on the parenting committee and thoroughly enjoy working with the kids. The play is at the Met for 9 consecutive showings. Kristianna is loving up the babies, and working towards the goal of also testing into Running Start next winter.

-Hayden is working at a job he loves, taking college classes (just finished English and Geography, taking sports, Communication and French 1 next quarter), and volunteering at a raptor rehabilitation center. He is currently taking a break from Civil Air Patrol.

-Amy and Kyla are taking theatre classes and love it. They are also both in Awana, and have a county wide game competition in March. Both girls are doing great.

-Trey is also taking theatre and is excited to audition for "Joseph" next month. He was asked to audition for a big production of "Miss Saigon", but we've decided that it's not for our family. Trey is in Awana and gearing up for the older group of games. Ever the gardener, he is growing several things and planning our spring garden.

-Sweet Linnea is doing so well. She loves her school work and piano. This past Saturday Linnea scored 100% during the county wide Awana Bible Quizzing! She was so proud to receive a beautiful purple Highest Honor ribbon!

I'm doing okay. Very tired from all the running around, but things should (hopefully) settle down at the end of February. I'm really looking forward to spring and spending more time outdoors. I'm very thankful for what we have, and that the Lord has given me to strength to carry on.

Much love,
Nicole