Saying Goodbye to 2010

Well another year has come and gone! I have to say, although I wouldn't change anything about last year (because of the things we have learned and ways we have grown), I am glad to see it go!

I started this blog with the intention of keeping friends and family updated on the events in our family. So here is a recap of the events of 2010... to the best of my memory.



As a family:

We have moved to a new house, right next door to our church! We actually went through a foreclosure on our home this year. It was a little rough, but we are making it!! We are so thankful to our church, Valley View, for renting us this house. Our new home is a huge blessing to us. It is bigger (and less expensive), than any house we have had. For the first time since Kayla was an only child, she has her own room. We have lots of space and save a lot of money on gas :) In the process of the foreclosure we were able to declutter and purge. We moved here with only what we needed. It has been wonderful. A sort of parallel to the events that were going on in our life. Purging and keeping only what is dear to us!

Here is a recap of each individual:


Bryan

Bryan is still working at Maryhurst. Over the past year he has gone from a Senior 1 at a community based girls home to the assistant PE teacher on their campus. This move has allowed him to be home with us in the evenings, something we haven't had in YEARS! As most of you know, working for Maryhurst does not pay much money. While Bryan realizes his family here, and providing for us is a priority, he feels that this is where God wants him. In some ways we feel like this is his calling to ministry. He has an amazing gift in dealing with children. He has tried many times to pursue higher paying jobs. Gone on interviews for the "sure thing". Some he was over qualified for with his military experience. Put in resumes all over the place etc. Every time, the door closes. We have prayed so many times for God to only open the door if it is His will. In the past we have asked for things we thought we needed.. well, begged :) without regard to what He wants for us, and He gave them to us. Let's just say.. lesson learned! What do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul! Mark 8:36 So while our monetary income is low to say the least, the spiritual pay off is priceless! In being obedient, Bryan has overcome a childhood of abuse and addictions, and become a beautiful MAN of God!! I would rather be poor in the eyes of the world for the rest of our lives, and live a life RICH in Spirit and Truth!
As for the Army National Guard.. February will mark his 15 year anniversary with the military! I am so proud of him for this. He loves his soldiers and is a living testimony to them of the transforming power of God. We have heard rumors of a deployment to Afghanistan over the next couple of years. We will see what happens. You never know with the military. Their unofficial motto is "hurry up and wait".
This year has been a year of trials, lessons, healing and growth!


Jessica

I have spent the past year trying to get my health back on track after being diagnosed with hypothyroid at the end of last year. I am seeing a doctor at a health clinic here. I know they are over run with patients that don't have insurance and I understand why they are not as thorough as I would like. I feel like I need more answers. My doctor says my thyroid levels are normal, but I am not convinced. I have been taking B12 shots in my stomach and taking my meds diligently and still do not feel 100%. I know a lot of it is the weight, but short of starving myself, (which I have tried), I just can't seem to get the weight off either. This is another symptom of the illness among many. I am also showing signs of insulin resistance. Which is why I feel I need to see an endocrinologist. So, prayerfully, when we get our tax returns, we will purchase health insurance through the military and get some answers.
I do know that being sick and tired has made me depend more on my family. It has been a huge blessing to see how all of my childrens' gifts are coming out as they are needed more. Kayla is the entertainer. She can make me smile no matter how tired I am. Bryanna is my cleaner and organizer. I know I can depend on her to "do it like mommy". Lina is "mommy #2". She can take care of Bella as good as, and sometimes better, than me. Jeremiah is a lover like his daddy. He never runs out of hugs and kisses to brighten my day. Seraya is so smart! When I am feeling like a horrible "homeschool mom". She picks up a 6th grade reading book to read for leisure, and gives me the boost I need to press on. Bella, well let's just say she is grand finale. The last of our biological children and making it for all it's worth :)
I have some awesome friends that have really been there for me this year. Thanks so much for listening, and helping.
Bryan has become my rock (after God of course)! He is my bestfriend and husband for life. We have been through so much, self inflicted and otherwise. There is no one else I would rather walk alongside but him. Our marriage is stronger now than ever, and I thank God every day for him. It has been a joy to see him lead our family and to be his "help meet" Genesis 2:18-20.


Kayla

Kayla turned 17 this year!! Where has the time gone. After being homeschooled in middle school, we decided to let her go back to public school for high school. She is a junior at Lousiville Male High School. We gave her some guidelines to follow for this to happen. I must say, she has exceeded our expectations. She is not only a social butterfly, but an excellent student. She has earned lots of scholarship money and become quite the actress. She will be attending a special school this summer (GSA) to pursue the arts and see if that is where she wants to move forward after graduation.
Everyone knows where you see Kayla, you see Shelby, and vice versa. We love Shelby, Kayla's best friend. Their personalities are completely different, yet balance each other so well.
This is a big year for Kayla! Driver's License, 1st car and 1st job!! She is a nanny for a single mom a few hours a day.
Although we butt heads the most (because she is a "mini me") I am so proud of the beautiful young woman she is becoming.

Bryanna

Bryanna became a teenager this year! We celebrated her birthday with some of her girlfriends at a hotel this year. We rented a couple rooms, got lots of junk food and caffeine and swam in the indoor pool. It was a lot of fun... for the kids :) She has always played soccer, and is very good at it. This year she found that she is gifted in softball. She has never played before, but is a natural! She also played basketball well this year. Like her daddy, she is an athlete. She can play just about any sport well.
Bryanna is also gifted with music. She can play any instrument you hand her by ear. We are going to work this next year on getting her some formal instruction in music theory. Bryanna did get some of her momma! She is a natural cleaner/organizer. The move this summer would not have been as smooth without her help. Love it when we are both.. "in a cleaning mood" at the same time! Everyone else runs to hide :)
Bryanna is in 8th grade, but started on some high school classes this year. We are taking it slow, but want to keep her challenged. For right now, we will continue to homeschool her through high school, possibly sending her to CEC for a few classes next year. She has made a lot of friends through sports, church and our homeschool co-op, thus fufilling the social need to be in school.
She is a beautiful, quiet and self motivated young lady!


Lina

This year Lina started playing basketball and she is awesome! Like the other children, they have always played soccer and done great, but basketball is truely her gift. She is just starting a new season and this will be her last year before moving to the older league.
She is doing great in school. Trying to get through all this middle school curriculum and ready for high school. She has a lot of friends, and may possibly attend CEC next year as well. She also got her braces off this year and loves flashing her pretty smile.
Lina has the gift of taking care of younger children like her daddy. She is going to be a great mom some day. The move we made this summer would have also been difficult without her. She was and still is a huge help with Isabella. She definitely has her momma's attitude. We are both working on that :)
She is a beautiful and nurturing young lady!


Jeremiah

"Bubba" is 8 and growing like a weed! He is going to be really tall. Starting at 10lbs at birth to 30lbs at 6months!! He is barely much more than that now! The biggest event in his life this year was his baptism. You can see the story in a previous blog post. It was an awesome blessing to see Bryan baptize his only son!

Bubba tried football this year, but wasn't really feeling it. He continues to play soccer. Not quite what daddy invisioned for him.. futbol instead of football! But he is proud, none the less. He will be playing basketball over the next few months.
He has made huge strides academically over this past year. He had decided that he is ready to read and has taken off!! He has always done well with math. Since moving to the new house, Bubba is able to escape some of the overwhelming estrogen in this house during the day. He spends a lot of time outside playing, riding his bike, and fishing in the pond behind our house. He has a lot of friends, but his favorite is Jack Britt, his brother from another mother. (or at least the fight like brothers)

He is "all boy", yet at the same time so tender and loving (just like daddy). Can't wait to see what God has in store for his life. Bubba says he's going to be a pastor :)

Seraya

Seraya is 7 this year. Just 11 months younger that Jeremiah. Which means they are the same age for a month, and she doesn't let him forget that! She is full of spunk and personality and very tender hearted. She easily gets her feelings hurt. According to her.. all her friends are her BFF's.

She has done amazing with school this year. She continues blow me away with the things she is able to do. Her reading skills are phenomenal! I love to watch her read to Bella.

She has been playing soccer, but doesn't seem interested this year. She really wants to do gymnastics, but that's not in the budget right now ;)

Seraya is definitely a physical touch girl. She shows her love by hanging.. I mean hugging on you :) I love her beautiful smile and her hugs.

Isabella

Bella is 2!! I can't believe that it has been two years already! She is a complete mixture of all my children. So full of personality. She can carry on a conversation like a 5 year old. She has grown a lot over the past year. Most people say to take the bottle away from babies when they are 1. Well, Bella just got rid of hers yesterday. She only took it at bedtime, but still. She is also potty training. We are mostly out of diapers during the day, unless we are out, but still wearing them to bed. She is so proud of her big girl panties! Now the pacifier, her "pappy", that's going to take some time :) Not choosing that battle right now!

She is the last biological addition to our family. It's kind of sad to say that, but it's time to move to the next phase of our lives. We have all enjoyed spoiling her, hopefully it doesn't come back to bite us!

She reminds me of the poem.. "There was a little girl, with a little bitty curl, right in the middle of her forehead...." you know the rest ;)

Well, that about sums up the past year of our lives. If you've continued reading this far, you must really love us! And, we love you too!! Be blessed in 2011!!