Our Boatload of Dreams.....
Welcome to Our Place Called Simplicity.
We invite you into our lives with one goal in mind: that you would be encouraged to live simply and truly love one another.
Married for 33 years, we are the parents of many. Eleven {so far} children. Eight of whom are adopted. We also have four sons and a daughter that we are parents of in Uganda as well. They were raised on the streets and had no parents until we "adopted" them 3+ years ago. So we really have sixteen children total {with more on the way}.
After 7+ weeks in Uganda, Emma {18} and I recently returned to the United States with our newest addition - a baby girl named Ruby Grace. Dw and Emma were leading a missions team in June 2011 where they had the privilege of meeting Ruby - a tiny 11 month old gem weighing only 6 lbs.
Our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband finally{!} allowed us the privilege of being Mimi and Jaja by bringing us our very first grand baby {from Uganda}...making us now, officially, a multi-generational adoptive family. Proof that adoption is a very, very good thing!
We've had the privilege of adopting our treasures from all over the world, some dubbed "special needs" we are convinced that the only TRUE special need a child has is to have a family.
Our peers are empty nesters, but we are certain that given this option to any orphan - "old mom and dad" or "no mom and dad", all would still vote for the old ones. So here we are - the old ones....doing it again....
If you are need of encouragement or wonder if God is able to move your mountain, please head over to the sidebar where Special Posts are listed. Start at Our Wild Adventure Part 1. You will be reminded of Almighty God's deep love for the orphan and how He will move mountains on their behalf....we call Him the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God!! Yippee Jesus!!
I am humbled beyond words and ever so grateful that the Lord is fulfilling a promise He gave me way back in 1982..."making the barren woman to be at home - the joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9). How I praise His name!!
Our Famous Homemade Ice Cream "Cake"
Cowboy Necessities for our Colorado Cowboy
Sweet Sisters
Since it was Isaiah's Birthday and we got to eat a special dinner, 
Skyping with Abigail & Ryan
Uncle Mark LOVED Skyping too....
We even pinky-promise over Skype....
Skyping with Abigail & Ryan
Then all of a sudden Abi realized her picture was being taken.....
Yes, indeed a good day was had by all....
And a really, extra special thank-you to all who wished our treasure Happy Birthday!!
And a really, extra special thank-you to all who wished our treasure Happy Birthday!!
.JPG)
21 Simply Sweet Words:
What a precious day! Isaiah has a special place in your family. It does me heart so much good reading about him. I love his adventures with Elizabeth, Elijah and Jubilee. God is an amazing God to knit the hearts of this crew together into a family. My heart is full. Happy Happy Birthday sir Isaiah.
His smile is precious and it looks like there is so much joy in your house!
Can't think of a sweeter birthday to celebrate. What an amazing little guy! Surely you guys have more birthday parties than anyone in Durango!
is he just not the cutest thing ever?? (and his little "baby" picture… oh, so cute i could just nibble!) and all the other little (and big) ones in your home. what a special place to call home. . .
blessings to you all!!
Looks like a fun time was had by all. You have the cutest set of little ones - it warms my heart to no end to see them celebrating their day of birth in a loving Christian family rather than the alternative they faced. I loved going back and reading many of your posts about your journey to adopt Isaiah. I have two girls from China as a single parent, one adopted as a baby and one at 7 from the special-needs program with hand defects similar to Isaiah, I think, (syndactyly), and I SOOOOOOOOO want one more. God seems to have placed a child in my heart that I miss deeply and long for incessantly. It doesn't have to be China and of course can't be at the moment. I was aiming for Ethiopia but I heard they recently closed to singles also. But there are many more places if only I could replace my job that is not producing enough work to support the kids I have.
At this point, with Haiti heavy on my heart, I am drawn to adopt from there. But I am worried that at nearing 50 and with newly diagnosed diabetes and hypertension since my last adoption that I will not be allowed to adopt from anywhere. Your story was inspiring that God was more powerful in the end than the rules. Of course I knew that but sometimes I don't remember to be confident in my faith and it served as a reminder that God guides our lives, not govt. bureaucracy.
Anyway, I just so love seeing your beautiful family grow and your posts always inspire me as a Christian homeschooling single full-time mother with almost too much going on to deal with financially and employment wise. You have overcome many obstacles with faith, grace and a wonderful sense of humor. Yippee Jesus indeed! Happy birthday to Isaiah!
The smiles, the joy, the laughter and the challenges I can always see God's love shining through your family, your home, your hearts. Sharing in your joy today.
Heather
Love the birthday boy's bow. Love Uncle Mark's grin, Abbi's peace sign, and ALL the baby holdin' that goes on at your house. Bigs and littles cuddled together. Always. Simple sweetness . . . at a Place Called Simplicity!
Love to all ~
Tina
What a precious day!! Happy Birthday sweet Isaiah!! Skype...such a beautiful thing :)
Blessings, stacy
WOW Linny, I had never read Isaiah's story before...amazing! We had something similar happen with our sweet Cana...isn't it something to watch our Lord literally MOVE the mountains!!! Here's her story: www.mycupoverfloweth2.blogspot.com
Truly our miracle babies!!!
OKAY...EVEN CRAZIER...that was the exact timing we were petitioning for CCAA to change their mind about our Cana... unbelievable!!! Two days after you received your good new, we received ours! HEHEHE...God was working overtime on Director Lu!!!
aw, I'm late.
Happy birthday, Isaiah!!!! Hope it's the best ever! Loving you all the way from Florida!
I am tickled pink, just time it with my trips to China and you will forever remain my VT!!!! Hurry and tell me so I can erase whatever else is on my calendar!!!!
Life just keeps getting better!!!!
Ohh so wonderful! That Isaiah is such a treasure, it looks like he had a very special day! I love the bow! :)
Looks like a great birthday! So, what is VT, and you have to share your icecream cake recipe!
Wonderful celebration!
What a special day for a special little guy. I always love seeing the pictures. Hugs
What a precious day for a precious 6 year old. Always so full of smiles! Happy Birthday Isaiah!
She's holding up two fingers, does that mean there are going to be 2 grandbabies???
Oh, happy belated birthday to your precious Isaiah!!! Every time I see his sweet face I think, "Dear Lord, can we have an Isaiah, too?" What joy he clearly adds to your home.
Praise God that he already has an understanding of Christ as his Savior. Not only have you blessed him with a family, you have loved him to the feet of Jesus. Such a beautiful story of God's goodness.
With Love,
Kathie
LOVED your comment about how your scratched and sniff hard on your computer screen and couldnt smell the candles...haha! cute! thats exciting that your first grandchild will be from uganda...do they have a blog?
he is SOOOO sweet!
Post a Comment