Grandma Combs

Today we lost Grandma Combs. She's been sick for a long time and although we are happy that she is in peace and no longer in any pain, we are grieving her loss. She was an amazing woman. She was a strong, loving Christian woman. She had polio as a small child and wasn't expected to make it. She defied the odds and made it through with only a limp to distinguish her. Because of her battle with polio, she was never able to run and jump like everyone else. Aaron and I picture her running through heaven without any pain, meeting her parents and siblings and her two babies that she lost. Although she is Aaron's biological Grandma, I couldn't love her any more if she were my own. They lived in Rockford and they were the first family that welcomed me into the family in 1997. We spent lots of time there while we attended Grand Valley. They were a home away from home and they loved me with open arms. Please pray for all of us as we learn how to live in a world without our "Matriarch".

Another New Year and Look at the Last

Although last year was another year I wish we could forget, there were some pockets of truly precious times. I again, am very thankful for my two healthy girls and my awesome husband who works so hard! Dec. 21st Bella lost her first tooth. She was very reluctant to pull it out, so I reached in and grabbed it and she was surprised to find that it didn't hurt at all;) She's about to lose her second any day now - not a big deal to most people, but Bella's been waiting for these days for a long time! She still loves first grade and recently became a strong swimmer. For her AWANA points that she had earned for the first semester, she got to shop in the "store" and ended up buying me a cupcake box, because she knows I collect them! I was so impressed that she, at such a young age, could think about someone else above her own wants and desires. Natalie is doing really well also. She is finally turning a corner in her naughtiness and is able to be a rational human being - most days anyway;) She had a great year by potty training this past spring and then finally staying dry through the night by late fall. I thought the day would never come so I say Hallelujah!!!!! She loves gymnastics and is getting a little better at swimming. Although the death defying acts have become less frequent, that have not stopped coming. We went home to Joliet for Christmas and my sister had to do the Heimlich maneuver on her, because she was choking on a cookie. (sigh) At least they are fewer and further in-between:( We had a wonderful time in Joliet and I say a great big thank you to my dad "Pop" for getting up with my girls while we stayed with them every morning. He fed them and kept them busy, which allowed us to sleep in and relax. I couldn't have been happier:) The girls got everything they wanted for Christmas thanks to them and of course that makes me thankful, because it takes the stress off of us. I am most thankful that we still get to celebrate another Christmas with both of my grandmas who are so incredibly healthy and agile - one of which is about to turn 90! Aaron's grandma Combs is doing better, so thank you for your prayers! She and Grandpa just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary - congratulations you guys! We didn't think that she would make it until Christas, so that was a wonderful gift. Speaking of gifts....... we welcome the newest member of the Combs family - Aaron's sister Shannon had a baby girl on December 23 and her name is Rebekah Marie Buys. She is so sweet and everyone has loved giving her kisses. Congrats to Shannon and Adam who are awesome parents - we are so proud of you! When we got to the hospital to see Becca for the first time, Natalie says "this where we go to visit sick granmas". We have been there so much over her lifetime, that she recognized the parking garage:( Another funny Natism of 2010 (when she had a headach) "my forehead hurts". I wish I could keep a better record of all the funny things she says. I hope everyone is staying healthy enough this season - we have had a lot of sickness in our household since the fall. God bless you All!

Merry Christmas

Jesus humbled Himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary's finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that's what love does. The gift of God...... The birth of Christ. This is Christmas..... This is love. - Max Lucado Blessings to all of you and have a Merry Christmas.

The Wedding

We had a wonderful time on our trip! The girls were awesome on the planes and were well behaved for the most part the whole time. The week went so fast, that I feel like we just left, but we packed a lot of adventure into the time we had. The first two days were busy with wedding things, but I was so happy for my sister Carrie and her husband Lee. The wedding took place at a resort, outside, over-looking a mountain, at sunset. It was a beautiful pink sunset and the weather was perfect. The food was awesome and the atmosphere felt like a fairy tale. My grandmas weren't able to travel, so they were greatly missed, but my aunt Lissa and Uncle Terry came in from Texas, so I was soooooo happy to see them. I hated my dress, sorry Carrie if you read this, but it wasn't her first choice, so I didn't include ANY photos of me at the wedding. (Just in case you are wondering) We did some hiking in the hills, did a lot of swimming, shopping, eating at yummy restaraunts, and traveled to Sedona for half a day of hiking and shopping and did the Grand Canyon in record time. Luckily I had already done the whole Arizona trip with my sister ten years ago, so I didn't feel bad about the bad weather at the Grand Canyon, but I felt bad for Aaron and the girls. The weather wasn't quite 40 and it was snowing!!! The clouds were so low, that we didn't have a very good view until we were leaving. We did not stay long - everyone was shivering. When we drove back through Sedona though, it was beautiful and the sunset was breath taking again. After traveling around the world, I can safely say, that there is no more beautiful a place at sunset, than Sedona! We had a couple of near drownings in the pool with Nat. One was funny, but the other was pretty serious. I didn't get to relax much on the trip with her. I always have to be surveying the surroundings looking for potential life-threatning situations. She must have gotten Bella to take her life jacket off while they were in the kiddie pool, because all of a sudden she jumped into the deep end of the big pool and forgot her life jacket wasn't on and Aaron had to jump in and save her. It took him a while to get to her and we were freaking out. I think she swallowed a gallon of water:( I can't wait until we can get to a time in her life, where she can be more responsible. She is scarry dangerous. Well, congratulations Carrie and Lee - I hope you have a wonderful marriage full of love and happiness!

Good-byes

It seems like every few month lately I am saying good-bye to another dear friend. I'm not talking about seasonal friends, but the kind of friends that you consider family - some of my closest friends. This is how it has been for the last couple of years or so. I don't think it has been by chance, that these have been the toughest couple of years in Aaron's and my life. God calls us over and over in the Bible, to come to him first during the trials in our lives. He wants us to cling to him for comfort, but often times the first thing we do when sorrow hits, is call our friends to hold us up - physically, spiritually and or emotionally. I know I have been very guilty of this. Sometimes we just need to feel God's love physically from our friends. Sometimes a hug feels like just what we need instead of opening up God's word. For me, one of these people is my friend Nikki. When Aaron and I were grieving, she came to my house and challenged me to listen to God's words, even when that was the last thing I wanted to hear. She is a true picture of Christ to me and a hand to hold when I hurt. She inspires me to be the best version of myself and I'm going to miss her painfully so. She is following, where God is leading and for that I am happy, but for those of us who will be left behind - we are sad. I guess the challenge for myself is that not only do I remember to go to God first, but that I learn how to suffer joyously through this grief in my life. I know that doesn't even seem possible, but I have hope, because if I have learned anything else from Ms. Nikki,it is to hope and my hope is in Jesus!

Our Big News

Well............... we have some pretty exciting things that will be happening for our family in the next six months or so and we wanted to share them with our friends. We have decided to persue adoption through foster care. We will not be doing foster care, but finding a sibling group to adopt through the foster care system. Yes, I did say sibling group. We would like very young children and we would also like to help keep a set of 2-3 children together. There isn't a need for adoptions of one-child families, but because it's a much more difficult a job trying to place a multi-child family, there are many children in the foster care system. This is something that has always pulled at my heart strings. Before Aaron and I were married, we talked about doing foster care, so this isn't anything new for us. It's just a big descion to finally start the adoption classes, which total 30 hours and get the paper work done, which will take six months. People have asked us what the girls think and they are thrilled. Bella wants me to tell you guys that she is super duper happy! She wants at least one baby boy. I told her, that if that happens, that baby most likely won't be an infant, but more like nine months to a year. We are looking for at least two boys under the age of five. I just ask that you all will pray for our family as we begin this new journey in our lives. Depending on what family we go with, the kids will have some set backs and some emotional issues to work through. It may be a lifetime of challenge, but we our up for the challenge and are excited to see what family God has chosen to become part of our own. Thanks, and God bless!

School Has Begun And One More Birthday

I can't believe that it has been less than two weeks ago that Bella started first grade. It feels like a month ago at least. Bella is my good sleeper and I've always enjoyed her allowing me to sleep in, but now that she has to go to school all day, it's pretty rough on her. I have to wake her up everyday - I was hoping that her internal clock would click in by now. She's getting faster everyday, but she's still walking around the house like a zombie and still has circles under her eyes. She's one of those kids who needs a full night's sleep to not be emotional, so I'm dealing with a lot of melt downs. It's hard on us to get used to our easy going kid acting like someone else. She's also making new friends, so it's interesting to watch some of her mannerisms morph into someone else. She loves her teacher and gets to see her kindergarten pals on the playground, so I think that's her favorite part of her day. Today is her birthday and she just turned six. She was our lunch time baby. She came into the world at exactly 12:00. This is the most significant day of my life, because this is the day that turned us into parents. It's a very profound day for me because of the difficult road we had to take to get her. No matter what happens in the rest of my life, I will never be more thankful than the day that Bella was born. She had a Curious George birthday party on Saturday and the kids had a blast. They were so cute! Tonight we are heading to the circus and the kids can barely contain themselves. They have been bouncing off the walls with excitement. Natalie and I are going to get Bella from school and take her to lunch for her big day. It's really rough being away from her all day now. I don't think I'll ever get comfortable with that. I miss her so much! Last week, Natalie Jane kept asking me to go pick Bell up because she missed her too much:( "We need to go get her!", she kept saying. This time alone with me has been really great for her though and she's doing great. She's behaving herself and hardly ever tells me no! I never thought I would see this day. I have to keep her busy, because she's used to Bella entertaining her, but she's actually letting me teach her sometimes, so I am excited to see what she is capable of. We are thinking of doing gymnastics preschool two days a week starting next week. It has lots of openings, so we are still thinking this over. She would love it! I hope everyone who has kids has survived the start of another school year!