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!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

OK, Fess Up, Who Snitched On Me?

This morning I was in the midst of my Confiding Time and all of a sudden I felt like I was suppposed to turn on the computer.  I have a general rule that I don't check the computer {email, twitter, FB, blog} until I have spent my Confiding Time with the Lord. 

So I stopped my Bible study and went and turned it on and there it was - Abigail was online!!
WooHoo! Talk about a happy Mimi! 

Abi told me that they had taken Finn to the hospital and it turns out that he has Bronchial Pneumonia.  He has one nasty cough!  Ryan came in the room and before long I heard him say something to Abi like, "Hey did you ask your mom?..."...and then she said, "So is it true Mom that you told people you weren't allowed to put Finn's picture on your blog, but if they were your facebook friend....." 

I started to laugh so much so that I couldn't even talk. 

At all.

I was doubled over. 

Yup.

Totally busted.

Dw had said to me last night, "What if Ab finds out that you put it on the blog inviting people to come over to Facebook to see Finny?"   I said, "Well she said I couldn't put his picture on the blog, but I am allowed to on FB, so techincally I'm just doing what she said I could...and besides, she'll NEVER know - I'm just gonna' delete the post!  She won't see it."

Aye-yi-yi!

Little did I know that Abi and Ryan would meet someone in Uganda yesterday who would say, {something like} "Hey! I know you!!  I read your mom's blog.  And hey, did you know that your mom invited people to be her FB friend so they could see Finn's picture?"

Okay, so whoever you are - FESS UP! 

Don't worry, it's all good. 

They were laughing and I was laughing.

I told them how Mimi just couldn't stand people not seeing her little baby boy!!

I also told them that when I put it out there to "friend" me on Facebook I would have guessed maybe 40 would come forward.  Little did I know that there would be a boatload!

I'm still chuckling and shaking my head.

Who knew?

All day long yesterday we pressed, "confirm", "confirm", "confirm". 

I told Abi & Ryan that Finn is probably the most sought after little guy in all of Africa!!!

I told ya' he was gorgeous!

And for those who don't have Facebook...

I now have permission to officially post his picture....

so if you missed FB - here you go!!




and here we are skyping with them a few hours ago...

.  










The African landscape

59 Simply Sweet Words:

Jessa said...

Oh my goodness - he is SO adorable ! Loving those dimples!! He looks like a very happy little guy for being so sick! Praying he is healed up very soon!

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

Oh that is too funny. He's adorable- love those yummy cheeks!

No Greater Gift Mom said...

Sweet, Sweet Jesus! Tears streaming looking at that beautiful face!! Thank you so much for sharing. A true testimony of our Father's LOVE here on Earth! AMEN!!!
In Him,
E

Renee said...

You sure made me smile today to see all these photos of Finn...Adorable. He is on my prayer list for healing!

Chris and Sarah said...

That is sooo funny!

Oh....his smile! Oh I knw you can't wait to kiss those dimples.

Sabrina said...

Linny,

I am glad you didn't "get in trouble" for your little invite! :) You were one popular chick yesterday!

And he is so precious! Kind of gives me that itchin' to get moving again.

Shauna said...

LOL! You are love Linny and so is your grandbaby!

Peggi said...

Sweet baby dimples, he is so cute.
Hope they are home soon and praying he gets better soon. Thank you Jesus!

Jean said...

Oh My! Too cute! Seriously adorable!!

Those dimples are incredible!!

Congrats to all of you!!

Wasn't me- I'm not really on FB and I haven't visited Uganda lately!

So Happy for you! (((HUGS)))

Mandie said...

Look at that gorgeous smile he gives when he gets some smooches from his daddy. You can see the love all over it!

Tiffany said...

I have to say, I am still cracking up over your "Linny Saunders is now friends with .... people" barrage on FB yesterday. It was crazy to watch the number jump every time we got on last night!

What an amazing little boy Finn is. I will be praying for the pneumonia - I know how bad that stinks!

tinacd said...

I know that boys aren't supposed to be "beautiful", bit he sure is!

Congratulations!

triplehmoms said...

Too cute! He's a keeper for sure! He looks SO big too.
I've never traveled to Uganda, but in Guatemala, they often say that someone has bronchial pneumonia but by US standards, we wouldn't call it such. Not saying that your precious baby isn't sick, but it might have a different/lesser diagnosis here.

Beach Mama said...

My oh my! Look at those dimples!!! He is beautiful! No wonder you were about to bust. Thank you for sharing!

Christy said...

Oh so precious! Has anyone fessed up yet?

Karen Dawkins said...

VERY FUN!!!!
I wasn't the one who turned you in. I'm thinking it was all Dw's idea anyway - that whole legal loophole thing!

He's simply adorable!

Congratulations, everyone!
YAY GOD

Jocelyn-Chris said...

Beautiful! You were surprised? Why wouldn't EVERYONE want to see a beautiful picture of adoption?! :)

Shonni said...

He really is a beautiful little baby!

Chrisann said...

So very precious! I could not be happier for them and for you and Dwight. Love you guys.

Carrie said...

HE IS PRECIOUS! I haven't been able to get on FB and am so glad you posted pictures! Praying he feels better soon and you get to hold him too!

M. said...

He's just SO.BEAUTIFUL.!! So glad you finally posted the picture. I was dyin' over here. =) Congratulations to all of you! God's abundant blessings on the new family, too!!!!

Cammy said...

What a cutie!!!

Is he your first grandchild?

Lauren said...

OHh Linny what joy you must be feeling...he is just beautiful and looks so happy. Blessings to all of you and prayers for a safe trip home.

valerie in TX said...

I am cracking up that your kids go half way around the world and run into someone who says, "Hey, I know you!" That's hilarious!

Finn is adorable, Linny! Just precious! So amazing. How sweet of our Jesus to bring Finn to his forever Mommy and Daddy while he is young enough that he will never remember life without them. Yay Jesus!

Sherri said...

So funny!

But seriously, you have about 1400 followers of your blog. Why were you surprised to have so many hop on over to facebook?

Our 7 Blessings from God said...

Oh my word!!! What a beautiful family they are!! You are one blessed Mimi!
In His grace,
Karen

Janet said...

He is so beautiful!

Karen said...

Oh so sweet. He is absolutely adorable.

Tammy said...

Yeah! I finally was able to see Finn!!! I too love the picture of his Daddy loving him up and that big smile on his little face.

Congratulations! I hope he feels better quickly.

love said...

i love it.

and that finn. and your abi. so happy for them. will continue praying...especially for his health & home soon!

Jenn said...

Sweet, sweet Bright Eyes!! And that smile! Wowza!

Congrats to all of you!!

Mary McG in TN said...

When do they get to come home? I am anxious to get them in the States. Just feel a whole lot safer when the babies are on our soil!

CARE Families said...

OHHHHHH!

This is THE BEST!

Ha, yesterday, our sweet friends got a call to go get their baby girl in Denver!!!

I LOVE WHEN BABIES/CHILDREN GET YUMMY "SQUEEZES" FROM THIER FAMILIES!

Welcome home prayers and praises to God for Finn, Grace(Betty) and Analiese!

Hugs to you Mimi!

Lisa

scrappy quilter said...

OMG he is just the cutest little guy. Look at those eyes. Beautiful baby. God is so good. Hugs and love

WilxFamily said...

Oh my goodness! He's such a cutie and looks like he has more personality packed into one pinky than anyone could have in their entire body! LOVE IT!

Congratulations on the new addition. I'm so happy for you!

Shonya said...

Oh wow!!! My little boy is absolutely gorgeous, and your little one is giving him some stiff competition! :) What a blessing he'll be to your family!

Suzette said...

He is so sweet and those dimples are sure to get him anything he wants! What an absolute blessing from heaven. So happy for your family.
Suzette

Abby said...

Ummmmm, so I take it that Abi doesn't know that her fb privacy settings aren't set very restricted? I clicked on hers from yours yesterday and I could see all the pics she had posted on hers too. Might want to let her know! =)

Holly said...

Oh my goodness, that is soooo funny! And I wondered why you all of a sudden had like 300 people requesting to be your fb friend! lol : )

Oh Dear said...

PRECIOUS!!!! I think he was trying to get to his Mimi!!!

~Truly Tina~ said...

Finn is adorable!!! His smile makes me smile! :) Look at those cute little dimples and beautiful big, brown eyes. I think he's smitten by his new mommy and daddy...and I'm sure they (and your entire family) are equally (if not more) smitten by him. God Bless!

Shelly said...

Ohmy goodness... what a PRECIOUS boy he is! Lovin' those dimples! Congrats to all of you!!!

Kathryn said...

Oops! Sorry, it was me...

But it went more like this:

"He Abi, did you see that your mom added 391 friends yesterday?"

"What??!! That's crazy! I wonder why?"

beans spilled from there.. Sorry. Trust me. WE were laughing hysterically at it all!! No harm done! But sorry I 'snitched'!

~K

bytheriver said...

He's Definately a Cutie! Congrats Grandma and Grampa, and all you aunts and uncles!

bytheriver said...

He's Definately a Cutie! Congrats Grandma and Grampa, and all you aunts and uncles!

Jennifer B. said...

Busted! LOL. Your little man is too precious. I love that big smile on his face but his eyes tell it all. He is happy & loves his new mommy & daddy!
Congrats to the whole family again

Amy said...

I was excited to get a personal invitation to be your friend on Facebook and I bet a lot of other people who read your blog were too. I asked my husband to guess who I was now friends on Facebook with? When I told him he knew right away who you were because you and your blog are talked about a lot in this family. I bet you are dying to kiss those adorable cheeks of your grand baby!

Andrea said...

Oh my goodness!!! He is SO SO stinking cute!!! Congrats mimi :)

The Gotch 5 said...

He is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The one day I did not have a chance to check the blog....yup that was the day you finally posted the pictures!! They look so incredibly thrilled!!!!!! Congratulations on adding another beauty to the family!!!!!

Paul and Jackie said...

Love that your daughter and sil chose to start their family with adoption! They look so happy! Praying Finn gets better soon! Thanks for the pics!
Jackie

Mike and Barb said...

What a precioius little face!!! Congratulations on your FIRST grandson!
Barb

*Overflowing* said...

Ohhh, just look at him..he's gorgeous! I am so happy for all of you!!!!

Kathy said...

He's just beautiful. Love the grin and dimples. I'm so happy for all of you.

Colette said...

Finn is so cute! He looks just like his Auntie Elizabeth and Uncle Elijah.

Corrie said...

He's totally cute! Congrats!

Sarah said...

Mr Finn is too cute.

Melodie Monberg said...

I am always reduced to a bucket of tears when I see children with their forever families. Your grandson is no exception. Congratulations to all!

Melodie

Shelly said...

Congratulations! What a precious gift from God! He is such a cutie-pie! I'm sure you can't wait to squeeze him and kiss those baby cheeks! Blessings to all of you! :)

God's Girl said...

Great story! : ) How funny, I just returned from Uganda! Small world.

thanks for sharing! You continually bless me.

Love,
Julie