It's been a thrill the past 6 weeks as we learned we were "expecting" a 12 year old! Her name is Madison. We are so happy to be transitioning her from her foster home into our home. She seems thrilled too. She is bubbly, full of life, loves to DO stuff, loves to dance, and is so excited to be adopted! I hope the thrill lasts for her for awhile. I'm sure it will for us, though we totally get we're in the honeymoon phase. In some ways it may even be easier when we're more into real life. This week we're headed to Washington DC for my brother's second marriage to Janet Leavens (his first wife died of cancer four years ago). We're taking Madison and making it into a little vacation. I think it will be a bonding experience for the three of us. (So glad Mark had all that frequent flyer mileage saved up!)
Every time we add a new member to the family, there are gentle creaks and groans and thrills as we make room for the new addition. I think everyone is accommodating her so nicely, though. The grandkids may feel a little pinch as they get a little less one on one time with us, but I hope all in all they will also benefit from a fun new young aunt to add to THEIR lives too.
We're grateful!
Life is all about the ups and the downs also. The sad times are when friends pass away as has a cute young woman, Emily Dutson, from Mark's student ward. Emily died just three days ago. So the sadness from that lingers, but we're glad for our testimonies, glad to know where she is. Still we ache for her family. Take care Emily, we will see you again someday. We pray for her family.
