A Sweet Birthday Surprise for Levi Ryan!

I have a precious friend from FMSC who happens to be one of the luckiest (blessed) people I know...

She wins more contests than any other I know... And we were so blessed to be on the receiving end of one of her sweet WINS:)

Meet my friend Alyssa... We work every Monday together and not long ago when it was her birthday, I had 120 of our closest FMSC volunteer friends sing to her... I introduced her as one of the most generous people I know... I meant it...If there is a task, she willingly takes it on, and generously gives from her heart.  Whether it is cupcakes for my parties, games for my littles, or sweet birthday surprises...  She is always giving...

She knows how much Levi loves the CUBS so she entered a drawing at her local library for 4 tickets to a cubs game... She said people were buying up tons of tickets...

She bought her 1 ticket, said a prayer for Levi... and BAM!!! She was the winner:)

And then she told me she wanted to give the tickets to Levi for his birthday... I DIED!!! 

Here we are together with the amazing basket she created for Levi to give to him on his birthday... Did I mention she is incredibly talented and creative... Seriously, she is so artistically gifted... something I am not... so I love it!

One of the reasons Levi Ryan's  love for the cubs is so special to us, is that his biological dad Ryan was a CUBS lover.  He had Cystic Fibrosis and was even chosen to throw out the first pitch at a CUBS game when he was little... I couldn't wait to take Levi to a game... 

A big Happy Birthday to Levi as he was unwrapping all of the goodies in his basket, CUBS W car flags, chocolate, fan finger, T-shirt, and more:)  He was thrilled!

Last Sunday, game day FINALLY arrived.  Levi was able to pick who he was going to take with to the game. Unfortunately Greg had an injury the day before so Jojo got to take his spot, and Anna had never been to a game so she came too:) 

We battled the Chicago traffic to the free bus shuttle and made our way to Historic Wrigley Field!  What an atmosphere!  It is such a special place!

And what a game it was!  13-5 Cubbie win for the books! It was such a fun game to watch!  

Levi enjoying some cotton candy while Anna and Jojo were enjoying the game:) I seriously, loved watching them all have so much fun!  It was the perfect distraction and pick me up after a tearful goodbye to Caleb as he headed to OK for 6 weeks... 

One of the most precious parts of the day was seeing Levi as we found Ryan's brick outside Wrigley Field!  Ryan's mom had told me a rough area of where it was, and it was surprisingly easy to find!  I look forward to the day when Levi will understand more of who his bio dad was and how his life came into being. 

 I remember before we adopted Levi as an embryo, I was talking with a dear friend... She loves us deeply and walked closely with me through everything we had been through with the stillbirth of Samuel, the stillbirth of baby Joel (the baby we were going to adopt) 8 mos. later, and my miscarriage.  She sweetly said, "If you do get pregnant, no one would have to know this baby was adopted???"  

I immediately replied, "I couldn't do it. If a baby was conceived, how could I keep that miracle to myself?"  It would be a part of that child's story, and something that deserved to be told  

I still feel that way, and Sunday was another full circle moment for me...

It is like God smacks me over the head in these moments... "Do not miss the miracle of this moment Sara!!" 

This brick at Levi's feet with Ryan's birth and death date, was lovingly placed there by a family missing their son, brother, father, and husband...  Ryan...

And there Levi sits, with that same brick at his feet... This living breathing Levi Ryan... 

 His WHOLE life made possible by this sweet man, our donor mom, AND AN AMAZING GOD WHO IS SO FAITHFUL through it all! 

It seriously blows me away...

What a miracle and what a special day it was!

So friends, don't miss the miracle of the moments that God gives you as well...

 I pray all of our eyes are wide open so we can take in and appreciate all the sweet blessings God has for us to take hold of each day! 

How did we get here so fast??

A few weeks back we took Caleb to visit the University that he hopes to attend... Concordia University in Wisconsin... Never in a million years would I have thought we would have any kids that would attend the college we met at... but here we are...

More importantly... HOW ON EARTH DO WE HAVE A CHILD THAT COULD LEAVE FOR COLLEGE IN THE FALL!   

I am totally heartbroken (that our time with him at home is coming to a close:( and...

TOTALLY thrilled and excited for him all at the same time.  We are super proud of him!

We are still waiting on financial aid numbers, but do 100% feel that this could be a great fit for Caleb.  He is currently working really hard taking 3 dual credit classes online through CUW right now so he is getting a good taste of what it will be like:) 

He met with the soccer coaches and hopes to be able to play for them just like his dad:) 

All in all, we would be thrilled with him being in a safe Christian environment and his very best friend just got accepted and we couldn't be more thrilled with the 2 of them taking this journey together! 

Most likely he has another really good friend, a couple seminary friends and His partner in crime, his cousin Callie, who will be there also!  I know they are going to have too much fun!  I am so excited  and happy for him... The time has passed entirely too quickly for this mama!

My sweet friend Katie lives nearby so were able to meet for a super brief visit just one day before her new little one arrived.  Katie and I met because her daughter Emily is probably hanging out with Samuel in Heaven. 

 Wow, what a full circle moment for us... I tearfully prayed for the safe arrival of her little man in the parking lot.  There is just something about these HUGE life events that are FULLY understood by one another because we both have lived through the loss of baby, that just can't be denied.  We rejoice that he is here safe and sound... and is downright precious!  We are thanking God for Jonah's safe arrival... something that is never taken for granted by us! 

Life is moving at mach speed... So I hope to be a little better about updating... mostly for my own families sake as in the years ahead they may like to look back upon their busy life growing up:)  

God's AMAZING provision ALWAYS!

Good Morning Friends!  I have the most amazing story of God's faithfulness! 

In this broken world it is SO good and SO IMPORTANT to recall the faithfulness of God through the little and BIG moments of life. 

Whether it is recalling…

The times that he walked us through challenging circumstances in each adoption journey…

Or the time he literally moved in my heart to contact a complete stranger, our embryo donor mom, with the strangest question of all… “Would you consider our family for your embryos?” And then came Levi… and some most precious relationships to my heart….

Or the time he literally moved a stranger’s family all the way from Sweden… because He knew it would be the family that we “needed” to help walk along side our broken hearts as we begun to heal after losing our sweet Samuel.

Or the time we arrived at our new home here to find the refrigerator stocked upon our past midnight arrival… Breakfast for 9 coming right up after we woke up exhausted after literally dodging tornadoes in the van and moving truck on the move up to Illinois…

Time and time again I can recall His incredible faithfulness to protect and provide for us… and this past fall and Christmas has been no different…

The adoption journey is a stretch for most people… It is costly, both emotionally and financially… 

With each adoption we have opened that door saying, “ Yes Lord, we are willing to open our hearts and home to another precious child to love… Move if it is your will…”  And move He has…  At times I look back and am amazed at the fact that He multiplied our finances to allow us to adopt Hope, Isaiah, and do Levi’s embryo adoption all within 4 years… It should have been impossible on a pastor’s salary… But that is always when God moves…

And moving mountains is exactly what God has been doing behind the scenes as of late.  Let me explain our recent car situation… We have a big van that carries all of us, a small car that gets good gas mileage, and a vintage 1993 jeep that came to us at a steal of a price from church members that were moving.  (Caleb did recently purchase his own car that is up on blocks in the garage providing the perfect bonding opportunity for Greg and him as they work to fix it up)

This past fall, on my way to work I literally phoned a friend asking to borrow their moped… The car I was driving was making me deaf (muffler troubleJ) and almost had me asphyxiated by the time I got to work… It just so happened that our cars were having trouble all at the same time and we only had one working car… And with Greg’s job, me working very part time for FMSC, 2 teens with jobs, a busy houseful… it just wasn’t cutting it on a daily basis while Greg worked to get the cars repaired.  These friends were so very gracious to loan us a car till we had ours up and running again. 

We knew we had to do something because all of the cars were getting high in miles and replacing them all at the same time wouldn’t be feasible for us financially… So Greg began to look at different options for replacing our smaller vehicle… After a few months of looking we did find a good deal on a car with good gas mileage… We were so grateful that now we could have one newer very reliable car.

That brings me to the present… On the 23^rd of December Greg, most of the kids and I, and a close friend went down to the city to give a Christmas party for about 30 kids at an inner city school.  We arrived home and right before dinner our head pastor called and asked that we all bundle up and meet him up by the front of church in 10 minutes.

We all got ready and headed up to church across the snowy parking lot… When we got up to church we were greeted by the head pastor’s family, a few more close friends, the church communications director, and a gal that works for a Lutheran Charity organization near by…

The kids were all asking what was up... and I told them I felt like there must be members coming to Christmas carol to us or something...

They had us all lined up by the door…

And up drove a brand new 2017 Ford Transit van…with a huge red bow on it...

There before us was a gift for our family from a very generous donor… a gift from God… a new van…

 It has so many things on it that I would never think we would have in a car… It is beyond my wildest dream of what I would think we could ever own…

We were absolutely floored! It took Greg 5 minutes to pick his jaw up off the floor… I was in tears as well as a few of the kids…

I was just totally blown away… How could someone be so very generous?  Why would someone do this?  We are so undeserving of this amazing gift…

And just like that God knocks our socks off with His continued provision for us… And as usual, it isn’t just a van that works, but He goes above and beyond to give us so much more than we thought possible…

I spoke with the donor last week and the wife said, “We have been so blessed!  It is from God, our money is your money.”  And she meant it… She knows that their financial security is a gift from God and they wanted to share with us what really has come from HIM… Wow, it seriously reminds me of the early church where everyone shared what they had with those in need... That doesn't happen that often anymore... and most have a very different view of their own money certainly being their own... I was blown away by their amazing view on their finances, their kindness, and their tremendous generosity to us!!! 

So I share this not at all to boast about this gift, that couldn't be further from my heart... I share rather to encourage your hearts…

Don’t ever underestimate the power of God to do whatever it is that you need him to do… If you feel Him leading you to do something... GO FOR IT!  Take that leap of faith... I know HE will be faithful to you, just as I have seen his faithfulness time and time again.  

Early on January 1st, I was reflecting on all the ways He has taken care of us and all that He is to me… He has taken me from broken hearted and redeemed my shattered life... 

He is my healer, my comfort, my salvation, my rock, my daily provider. 

He will do the same for you…

Save you…

Comfort you…

Heal you…

Be your joy and rock…

And be your PROVIDER!!!

Things certainly don’t always come to pass as we would think or hope that they might.  His ways are certainly not our ways… but His ways are best for sure…

Rest in the promises of His love for you… and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt He wants to take care of you… Never does He leave or forsake us… and so often He will blow us away with the amazing ways that He takes care of us in the best ways possible for us…

His way… 

Life

Currently Life is full of...

Beautiful tender moments..

Big brothers helping out...

Packing operation Christmas child boxes...

Concerts...

And more concerts... (LANY, need to breathe, and Mat Kearney were AMAZING!!!)

Special thanksgiving tea with sisters and daughters...

Huge bonfires and worship with loved ones...

And tired Black Friday shoppers...

Greg just returned from a week in Haiti and has spent the whole day sick in bed...

Honestly, I am a bit tired from a week alone with the 8 kids amidst traveling, school, and Christmas decorating... But yet, I am so thankful for the full days and the people and things that fill them up!

Every single day is a gift to have the chance to live... 

Beans and rice day three...

I have been struggling a bit as life moves full speed ahead... College applications, fafsa forms, soccer games, work, ministry needs, keeping track of Louis as he travels the nation for FMSC's mobilepack team, homeschooling, laundry, laundry, more laundry:)  

I am constantly trying to keep the priorities in place that we value the most... Our relationships with Jesus, our relationships with each other, and then all of the other things that get thrown in with life as a family of ten!:)

Can anyone else relate to trying to balance it all... Get it all done... Keep what is truly important at the top of the to do list??

Just yesterday we had to make a decision to not participate in a winter activitiy for the sake of limiting the schedule... There was some sadness... Some guilt on my part... but lets be real... With 10 people in the house even when we limit outside activities, the schedule can get out of control... 

So in an effort to keep our hearts and minds in check this holiday season... We started our beans and rice challenge just a few days ago... 

And the expressions on day one say it all...

Gosh I love these hilarious kids!!! I am SO THANKFUL that they are mine!

It has been a couple years since we did this before Thanksgiving... We started it as a way to be able to even in the slightest bit prepare our hearts for Uganda and to try to get a gut check on our over abundance here in America and in our family...

That over abundance affects us in every aspect of life...

We literally are busting at the seems with our "stuff" and need to do a major overhaul in purging... This goes for everything... Jam packed closets, jam packed pantry, jam packed freezer...  I could go on and on...

Truly I am extremely frugal... My dad used to say my mom was frugal and could stretch a buck to $2... But that I could stretch it to $10... But yet when I find a good deal, and with a large family, I buy in bulk... Good on the pocket book, but there still comes a time to clean it all up... 

So we are intending to eat beans and rice for lunch till Thanksgiving... (It will do our  hearts good to realize what many have as maybe their only meal of the day)  we plan to give away what we will save on lunch food to one of our favorite ministries. 

We intend to eat from the freezer, pantry, stockpile of food... Only running out for essentials.  This may require some creativity, but I am determined! 

We intend to purge... Taking a room at a time or closet at a time... And I intend on getting everyone involved!!😳😳 Really... Everyone!😊 

I know this will take longer than just making it to Thanksgiving, but I am hoping and praying that it sets our hearts in a better place before the holidays... 

We intend to focus on the gifts we have and not on what we don't have... 

I am all about simplifying, savoring the moments (even more needed as these kids get bigger and more involved), and treasuring each precious person in our lives... But sometimes the clutter can distract, overwhelm, and really take away from our happiness and the beauty set right before us...

Anyone else need to hit the reset button on life before the holidays? 

Join us in getting rid of the non essentials and instead on focusing and cherishing the beautiful precious things around you!!  To God be the glory!

What a difference a YEAR makes... and then there was JOY...

 A year ago we posted these photos sharing that we were hoping to expand our family through adoption... We were waiting to be matched...

Little did we know that a mama had already contacted our agency after seeking out alternatives to carrying her baby full term... but it was too costly for her to end her pregnancy... She had now decided to seek out to make an adoption plan...

Little did we know what the Lord had already put in place and that just a mere 3 1/2 weeks later we would get a call that we had been chosen by this sweet mama to raise her baby...

Little did we know that in less than 3 months we would hold that babygirl in our arms...

All we knew that day was that we had opened up the door for the Lord to work...

We were just going to step forward in faith waiting on God's plans to unfold and His will to be done...

(Truth be told when we first had started to pursue finding an agency to do our Illinois homestudy, I was flat out told that "NO ONE would pick our family with 7 other kids in the house" 

Truth be told, I was discouraged that day... but within minutes of that really downer conversation, our case worker from Isaiah's adoption agency had called to talk to me about something new their agency was going to possibly try in a different area of adoptions... 

God knew I needed to talk with her and my heart was immediately encouraged in what I already knew but needed to be reminded of... It was all in His perfect hands... The BEST place for it to be...

Little did I know that He was already working much out behind the scenes... 

And work He did... and fast!  

And just like that (with a whole lot of added drama, a birthmom changing her mind on Christmas day, an extended 5 week stay in Arizona to get paperwork through... ) She was in our arms!!!

Kaliyah Joy, is just that! Filled with JOY!  She is such a little sweet heart! 

She has become a bit more serious as of late and she checks out people who aren't family with a little more intensity than normal:)

But she knows her family... She knows loads of attention... Loads of hugs, holding, kisses, snuggles, laughs, and LOVE!  

We can't get enough of her and her sweet squishy self! 

God knew she needed us...

And more importantly, God knew we needed her just as much!  

She is a perfect fit for our family! 

Adoption isn't ever easy... but worth every penny, sacrifice, heartbreak, stretching, and beautiful moment along the journey! (I have a story of God's incredible faithfulness to provide that I will share soon! We are blown away!) 

We are BLOWN away by the gift of this sweet sweet baby girl...

BLOWN away that He chose us for her...

And that just like we have adopted her and taken her as our own...

God does the same for us...

adopts us as HIS children...

Just like we love her... He loves us a million times more!

Just like God saw sweet Kaliyah so close to not ever having a chance to live a full life outside her birthmom... 

God saw us with out any chance of living a full life in eternity and He redeemed us through His son...

She is ours... and we are HIS...

My heart is full... 

My heart is overflowing...

Just a year later... What a difference HE can make in our lives... 

The fourth

And we were off...  the kids and I to celebrate the fourth of July with all the extended family on my side... 

Dad planned on joining us in a few days:)

We had the strangest weather on the drive up... a huge storm that we nearly skirted... blinding sun, 5 rainbows, 2 double rainbows... loads of rain... It was down right bizarre... but thankfully we arrived safe and sound in the north woods.

Morning one... Paul Bunyans for their amazing to die for donuts with grandma, grandpa, cousins and family from St. Louis!  Seriously, the best!!!

All the teens hammocking by the water's edge... so beautiful!

It is always a tradition to watch the local waterski show... The minocquabats!  What a fun night!

Some of the teens on the fourth :)  It is the best when your cousins can also be your best friends!  I am so thankful that they have so much fun together!

The Neumann crew!  We were only short one niece on the fourth of July... What a blessing to have almost everyone together for the day... It is a rarity, but such a treat!

Dad and I with the little boys down by the lake!  These two played in the sand all weekend, loved the kayaks, and enjoyed lots of cousin time!

Uncle Josh and Aunt Lyndsey brought up the BIG JOE!  It was the perfect addition... it was almost like having extra pier to hang out on... The wrestling matches that went on while playing on this were hysterical! Everyone loved relaxing on the BIG JOE!

Aunt Katy hanging out with Kaliyah... She was all passed out from lots of fresh air:)

The fourth of July always ends with a pow wow and  the fireworks show in the local town close by... And literally it is like you are a part of the show... The embers literally are falling right on the crowd... It is the craziest thing... 

We had a beautiful weekend! I think it is one of the kids favorite places on earth... On the way home Levi kept saying he wished the cabin was his home... It is beautiful, relaxing, and the perfect place to spend time together with family... Gift from God!

Wedding time...

This is a bit overdue... but with the busyness of life these days, I am finally getting around to posting this... 

Can you believe the handsomeness in this picture??? So sweet!!!

Beautiful wedding bouquets!

My people!!!  They amaze me!!! 

When you have a wedding reception for 200 in your backyard there are last minute jobs upon jobs to take care of and they literally went from one task to the next willingly and with a joyful heart! And truth be told we still have a few jobs to take care of from the take down of the wedding:)

They amaze me!!

Finally at the wedding...

Louis and the bride, my sweet friend Katie and Anna at the reception under the big tent...

(Katie and I share a special bond of each having a baby in heaven and hence my kids share a bond with her as you can see in the picture). We all love her!!!

I am so happy for her that she has found someone to share her life with...

Ending the night with snuggles with this sweet boy!!!