10 Year Anniversary and an Announcement

 
I have been thinking a lot about the past ten years and I feel like it needs to be marked in some way. Ben has a much better way with words, but I thought I would try anyway...
The last 10 years have held countless adventures. We have lived in 2 countries, 3 states, 5 cities, and 9 different homes. We have gone from students, to employees, to employers, to parents. Our relationship has grown and changed in a way that isn't measurable but it is remarkable. 

What I most like to look at about our relationship is who I was went I married Ben and who I am now. I can't believe how much as changed and how much has still stayed the same. I love who I am and the potential for what I can become, being married. We are in this together, always. The main struggle of our first 5 years was infertility and the main struggle for the second 5 years has been parenthood. A bit ironic huh? 
I honestly don't know how to convey the impact the choice I made 10 years ago has made on my life. But it is my life, my whole life and I love it.


For the Announcement:
Many of you know that we have been fostering a baby. That baby will soon be placed back with his parents and Ben and I have decided that we will continue to foster. We feel that they Lord has blessed us with talents and resources that many children need and we hope we can provide. To answer some of your questions...

• Yes this is hard. We are going into it with our eyes wide open. We know the pain that comes from fostering but we also know some of the joys. We have faith that with the Lord's help we will be able to take some of the more painful situations and make them good. 
• We will not be able to talk about our foster children's backgrounds, please don't get offended if I say I can't tell you. They are free to share with you the details they are comfortable with.
• We can't post pictures. I can't even post and cover their faces (I know I have in the past I had to remove them). I might post something and cover them entirely just to document they were there but that is all. I wish I could do more...
• These children will have had some trauma in their lives. Your love, support and prayers are always welcome! I will also need advice and encouragement. 
• This will also be an adjustment for our children, remember them in your thoughts and prayers. (Although they are excited and keep asking about when they will get more kids) 
• If you are interested in fostering or adopting please feel free to reach out! If you know someone in a similar situation please pass on my contact info, I would love to chat. 

Dear Arianna, (4 years)

Dear Arianna,
I can't believe how much you have grown in the last year! When I was getting ready to write this post, I went through old pictures. You looked at them with me, and it was so fun to remember all those times. 
At this time last year, you had just learned how to write your name. You now can write anything if I tell you the letters, and there are even some words you know by heart. You are starting to read and were very proud that you sounded out the word "but" during scriptures :) You have gotten very good at riding your bike and scooter but have yet to find the brakes on either one. Your shoes are taking the brunt of it. 
You are obsessed with animals. Specifically turtles and cheetahs, but you love all animals. You love to run around the house pretending you and an animal--digging, grunting, making funny faces. We have recently discovered fabric tails and you like to wear them out in public :) Wild Krats is your favorite show.
We got our dog Charlie this year and you love to run with her and boss her around.
This year we got a foster baby. You and he are best friends. He always looks for you in the room and you are always the first one to make him laugh when he cries. You are a big helper and never complain when I ask you to do something to help me with him. (Now when I ask you to do something else...that is a different story.)
You are almost always happy and cheerful, even though you throw an occasional tantrum. When you do throw them, they are a doozy. You have started primary at church and you have mostly good days. You have made friends, Joel and Emily in particular.
Your understanding of the world blows me away. You listen and absorb all around you. It usually only takes one lesson for you to learn something and there are many times you pick up concepts all on your own. 
This year you have also started to understand or at least talk about your adoption. You talk about your birth father and mother very causally, like it is normal. I am excited to see you develop a relationship with them.
Arianna, We love you very much and love the little girl you are turning into. Keep loving and being kind. 
Love 
Mom

4 years old

2 Years old