Christmas Letter 2011

Merry Christmas,

This year has been a wonderful and challenging year for our family. As the New Year began we eagerly anticipated Jordan getting a full time job. We felt that something had to turn up soon. Here we are at the end of the year and he still can only find part time work. We are grateful though for the work he has been able to find, and we continue to trust that the Lord will take care of us, as he always has. Even without a full time job, all of our needs have been taken care of, and we even enjoy many wonderful extras.

June was the month that turned our year completely upside down. I was checking e-mail one morning and saw an e-mail from the adoption agency in Michigan. I couldn’t’ believe it when I opened it and learned that our birth mother, Kim, was expecting again. The major shock was the announcement that she was also HIV positive. I went to Jordan and told him the news. We were stunned. Another child was a wonderful idea, but we were unemployed, our savings was almost gone, and this child could potentially have HIV. We prayed, and discussed everything with our families. After about 2 weeks we let the agency know we were going to go forward with the adoption.

Then the miracles of Levi’s adoption began. We let family and friends know that we were blessed to adopt again, but that we would need help with fundraisers and donations. By the time Levi arrived we had been blessed to raise all the necessary funs to pay the adoption agency fees, and travel expenses. We were so touched by all the many offerings, prayers, and out pouring of love for our family. We will never forget all that was done for our family.
Levi joined our family the end of August. The boys loved our family trip to go and get Levi. We were able to spend a month with my family working and playing on the farm. We then drove up to get our little Levi, where we spent 13 days in Michigan. We took the opportunity to have a family vacation, as we couldn’t keep 4 boys locked in the motel for that long. We went to Lake Huron, the Zoo, lots of parks, to a Christmas Village, and for a few short drives. It was a great time.

The end of the year finds us all happy and excited for Christmas. Levi has had 3 negative HIV tests. He is healthy and growing so quickly. He loves to be held, and talked to. He smiles a lot and laughs with us.
Derek and Nathan are doing pre-school at home with me. They enjoy it, especially Derek. Derek loves crafts, coloring, cooking, riding his bike, and playing it the dirt. Nathan loves camping, hiking, bikes, being outside, and anything active.


Daniel, well, he is a 2 year old. Full of energy, frustrations, love, hugs, and is our sweet big, little boy. He is almost as big as Nathan and Derek, but he is very gentle and loving. He loves Levi, and takes every opportunity to smother him with love, sometimes for real. (We have to watch him closely)

Jordan and I are so happy to have each other, our sweet boys, family, friends, and the gospel. Our lives are full of many wonderful blessings. We hope this year has been good to you and that you have taken the time to see the Lord in your lives. We know He is there for each of us and loves us. Jesus is the Savior. He is always there for us. May the Lord bless you.

Love,

Jordan, Lisa, Derek, Nathan, Daniel, and Levi

Levi Growing Up

Horse Time

We were able to go and visit Jordan's aunt last week. She lives on a ranch and the boys were so happy. Especially when the horse, Sugar, came out.

School

I decided I would try to do home school with our boys. Derek was unable to get into pre-school, due to late registration, and wanted school so bad. This idea has been in my head for a while and terrifies me. I have never seen myself as a homeschool mother, and have always been amazed at mothers who choose to do this. But after a lot of thinking on it and prayer I realized I needed to give it a try.

We started on Monday and this is our first complete project. We have studied deserts for 3 days. The boys loved it. They also have a friend who joins in our group, Emily who is right between Derek and Nathan in age. These are their projects.

Halloween

Dinner!!! Grandma always hosts a Halloween dinner for the grandkids. It is lot of fun, I especially enjoy the fun food idea. We had spoooky shepards pie, a scary salad bar, worm jello, spider cookies, and dragon puff balls.

Nathan is 4

MY BOYS!!!

When we as Nathan for a "Thumbs Up," this is what we get. So cute.