Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanskgiving is on our doorstep yet again.

Last year, we had much to be grateful for. We gained 3 children, brought them all home full-time, bought new furniture, so everyone had a bed and we had a real couch and dining table with chairs. Those were a big deal for us, because we've always had mattresses on the floor and inherited couches/tables or purchased at Goodwill. We were so grateful last year, we couldn't imagine being any more grateful.

Well, this year we've gone and outdone ourselves. We still have 3 beautiful children, whom we get to watch grow into beautiful adults on a daily basis. We've finally found a good child center that is providing our entire family with the therapy we need to move on in our lives. We get to talk to our missing 4th child on occasion and hear directly from him how he's doing in school, how much he misses us and loves us. This year, we got to take a family vacation and travel a significant portion of the Northeast of this country.

It's funny when we talk to people about our roadtrip. We were out for three weeks visiting family and seeing the U.S. When we mention it to other parents and/or people who know our children and the troubles they've had, we get asked, "How did the kids do on the trip, being on the road for so long?" I always respond with a quizzical look and, "They did just fine." Honestly, I didn't expect any different from them. Folks are amazed when the children report that they loved the trip and had no problems sitting in the car for long periods of time.

This was a far cry from our roadtrip from Oregon to Texas with the kids, though. That's what we're thankful for this year. Through our many blessings, our children's loving spirits, and of course, some even handed love from Mom and Dad, our children have already come such a long way, that even if their spiritual/emotional growth stunted today, they would be decent adults.

This year, we find ourselves giving less thanks for material things and more for love and for family. Each member of our family has their health and only one friend doesn't. We've told you about him before, his name is Isaac. Click on his name to refresh your memory about who he is and how you can help him and his family have a truly blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Even if you can't help monetarily, please pray for them.

So with love to all of our friends and family, Happy Thanksgiving!

Dharma Family

Happy Birthday Joshua!!

Yes, we have yet another August birthday. Last post we mentioned that our nephew/cousin, Bryon and Christine's son was due in September. Well, it just goes to show that due dates are truly an estimation.

Bryon and Christine welcomed Joshua Michael into the world at 5:20 EDT this morning. He is the first boy for this happy mom and dad. Reports are that it was an easy delivery and Joshua comes in at a healthy 6lbs. 14 oz. His dad says he has strawberry blonde hair and possibly gray eyes.

Plans had been made for a home delivery with a midwife and one can only assume that things went according to plan since Christine had a smooth delivery.

Congratulations to Bryon, Christine, Mikayla, Rachel, and Joshua!! We hope to come up and visit with the new baby soon.