Play Therapy

It's amazing what you can learn about your children while watching them play. Many times observing them will offer insight as to their strengths, weaknesses, ideas and goals. For instance...

...today I noticed that Solomon is grasping the concepts of diversity...

...and sharing.

More Snow!

From Mommy: Whew! That was a fun morning, but I'm very cold. And wet. I just got the boys out of a steaming tub and into bed (after convincing them that Brier would not enjoy a warm soak with them - no, not even if they held her carefully and didn't let shampoo get in her eyes.). Now it's off to fold laundry......heh. Yeah, right. More likely I'll light some candles in the bathroom, grab my book and take a nice warm bath myself. At least I can say that I had good intentions, right?

IT'S SNOWING!!

Although it's difficult to tell by the pictures, it's snowing over here in Salem, Oregon! Our principal and teacher consulted together (does everyone else's principal and teacher kiss like that?) and decided that a an official snow day was needed! So fun!

Black Friday

Note from Mom: Yes, I joined the lemmings this year (there's a 4:30 AM?). Off the cliff I flew and into bargains, sales, and hoards of humanity with absolutely no civility whatsoever. What's sad? I actually relaxed and enjoyed the time "to myself". Now there's a paradox only Mommies can grasp.

Closure. Sort of.

From Mommy: We're happy (and sad) to announce that Rayna and her brothers are being adopted by an Aunt. Although losing her is heart-breaking, we have peace about this arrangement. Looks like Rayna will be transitioning to her family very soon. She has left a hole that none can fill and will forever be in our hearts. Please keep us in your prayers as we pack up all her things that are still where she left them, frozen in time. We never got a chance to say good-bye. That's the hardest thing.

You will ALWAYS be my princess, Raynie. Always.

Hoppy Birthday, Daddy!

This is Malachi with his favorite of Scott and Lori's bunnies, Chunky-Bum. We went out to the farm Saturday to have a "guys day/birthday party" for Scott and Daddy. It was so much fun for us all! Mommy got to chat (and eat about 3 pounds of chips and cabbage salsa) with Lori and Lisa and the men got to hunt pigs and cook them luau style. Then we had wonderful chocolate cake and sang "Happy Birthday to You!" Times are a bit lean over here until Daddy graduates, but with friends like these we always feel rich.

This is me with the new addition to the Hedlund-Lunde household, Laith the Lucky Explorer. Laith is a Flemish Giant (the type Mommy's going to get when she finishes losing 50 pounds - half way there, Mommy!) and will grow to be over 20 pounds (to give you an idea of the size this bunny will be, Brier tops out at 13 pounds). Laith is such a sweetie and we can't wait to have a "monster bunny", SO HURRY UP, MOMMY!

Me, Cayman and Ava playing with chunky-Bum. Tile floors rock!

Ear Infections, Double Ear Infections and Strep - OH MY!

After being sick for 2 weeks, Mommy got the call that our friends were testing positive for Strep. I went from feeling "yucky" to being in excruciating pain in the span of an hour and Daddy and Mommy sped us to the hospital. Mommy has now reached the parental milestone she has avoided for four and a half years: antibiotics. Both of us have ear infections (Kai has a double) which were likely to have begun with strep. We're feeling better this morning and are sticking to cuddling up in blankies and relaxing, at least until Mommy's doctor appointment. She has a very soar throat...

(PS - We all laughed as we envisioned Nana's reaction to this pic:"ONE! Get off the table!!" Ha ha - that's exactly what you said, isn't it Nana? :)

Love at First Sight

From Mommy (again): If I can say so myself, I think my sister's belly-fruit is the most beautiful little creation ever! It's so amazing to see pictures of this tiny human getting all ready to be my niece or nephew. The boys think it's a girl (Malachi seems to know this for sure and wonders why it isn't just as obvious to everyone else). The ultra-sound also exposed a little secret that baby's been keeping: he/she is older then he/she has been letting on. A full month in fact. Don't worry, sweetie, you don't look a day over 12 weeks!
It was still too early, though, to tell if Auntie Nee` can begin scoping out pink or blue onsies, so the little one can keep it's final secret. For now.

*********Ecclesiastes 11:5 *********
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how a body is formed in it's mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." What an amazing Creator You are, Lord! Thank you for the blessing of new life for our family! Please keep this child safe and strong. Please usher it into the world at just the right time. Please grace it's mother with peace and health, it's father with strength and wisdom. And the rest of us with patience! Amen.

Some updates...

This is Solomon and Malachi's new piglet, Pigglywinks! He lives at Scott and Lori's but we visit as often as we can, offering him love and friendship until it's time for Christmas dinner. Yup. The boys know all about this and are fine with it. After all, what more can anyone hope for than to be loved until death arrives, then be taken quickly and painlessly having enjoyed his life with friends? Just consider Christmas dinner his inheritance to 2 boys who think he's really swell...


An update from Mommy: Sigh. Our adoption worker just called to inform us of an unexpected change in Rayna's case: Her 3 half-brothers (ages 7-13) have come up for adoption. Seems that their Dad is no longer in the running to gain custody of them and the State has decided to adopt them out together as a sibling group. After much consideration and prayer, we have decided that we won't be able to adopt all 4. If our boys were older we would seriously consider it, but our boys are still small and impressionable. All that influence coming into the home would require spiritually and emotionally strong young men - not 3 and 4 year olds who we're still shaping and training. This will be a daunting challenge for any family as these boys have been through so much. PLEASE pray for protection for Rayna. Pray for healing and the right family for her and for her brothers. Please pray for us. We are frustrated by a system which seems so unfair to a baby girl who will find it challenging to live full-time with her brothers, although she loves them. We want her safe, we want her protected, we want her home. God is big and so are His plans for this precious girl. We're keeping the faith.

Battle Weary

From Mommy: I know - long time, no blog. As most of you know, the time between the last post and this one has been real tough on our little family. We have been forced to reconsider the meaning of friendship and are thankful for true friends who have rallied to our side to support us and shore us up with prayer. Also, for our family who continue to hold us up even though they grieve with us. Let me be clear: God's plan for Rayna hasn't changed. Yesterday, today and forever He remains the same. We believe that, by God's grace, we are called to raise this beautiful child. We will fight for her not only now but through any battle that may come in her future. Yes, this is a trying season. Yes, we are anxious. Yes, her presence is missed to an insane degree ("The 3 Musketeers" are down to 2 and they keep asking after her). But we are standing together in faith ("Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1) and God is already at the finish line. He's all-powerful and He's got this.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, submit your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:6-7 Amen.

"Dogs are the best Nurses..." - Peter Pan

This blustery weather finds us sick with a cold. Members of the household can be found curled up together in different compilations throughout the house. Jadis faithfully makes her rounds tending to all her sick people. What a good girl.