amazing video

video on autism

old song...New meaning

Blake just got back from a neat school trip for his business class on virtual enterprise.  I am staying up late tonight to help him finish an English project that he kinda   procrastinated  forgot about!! He is writing and I am typing.  Despite the few times I couldn't read his hand writing, I have loved every extra minute of reading his writings.  It has really made me stop and reflect.  It is a pretend journal entry of a man that took the journey west with many other Latter Day Saints.  He has had to do some extensive research about real happenings and then his fictional character through his journal tells the story.  

It sure makes my life look so simple!

One things that really struck me was the words to a song that was written on the journey.  It is amazing how the words are so effective in my life today even though my journey is a cake walk compared to the journey these amazing people traveled.  I am thankful for their wisdom and their example that leads on today. 

"Come, Come, Ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;  But with joy wend your way.  Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day.  Tis better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive;  Do this, and joy your hearts will swell-All is well! All is well!" 


Oh how sweet those words mean to me in so many walks of my life in the past two years and now...the loss of Dad, finishing school, new career, adoption journey...I love the part of "All is well!"  What a great reminder of how sweet it is......

Some Solomon Fun!

 We had an amazing football season this year. The season ended on Friday night.   It was a wonderful memory for these guys. We went on into the playoffs and won again. This past Friday night we gave up our 11-0 win and ended our season. 

One of our biggest highlights of the season was Trace Adtkins singing the National Athem!  He is a part of our small town community and cheered our team on throughout the season!

His only request was a good sound system.  Steve worked hard all week getting it up and ready for the big night.

Caroline's basketball season began with a bang!

She is ready to roll this year. 

 Blake has been a little under the weather. Having my mom close by now makes our family have easy access to her witch doctor potions of garlic and junk! 

Celebrating Caroline's art work got chosen for our school cookbook this year.

Caroline also is in the middle of her goat training. She is learning all about a goat!  This girl cracks us up!  (didn't take this interest from her mama for sure)

New hair cuts for this boy.  When age 15 hit his straight as a stick hair turned into some major curls. We finally talked him into chopping some of those golden locks off! He's not so sure what the girls will say!

 

 

Youth night at church...Human Foosball...that turned into a major dodge ball night. Love our youth!

This is our latest worker! Leah has picked up two new jobs. She had a big babysitting job last weekend and she is now the official Solomon house cleaner. I am loving having a paid assistant. This is after the job picture!

Adoption updates:  As of late...we are still not active on the American Adoptions but we have decided to still pursue adoption.   We have inquired on several children throughout the US.   We have felt so lead throughout this entire process to children that need a family in the US.   We are just going to see where it takes us.  It is not very common for a family to pursue adoption without DCS becoming involved but it does happen.  We are on several agency list-in Arizona, Utah, TN, and many more.    It is not a coincidence that we have seen 5 profiles in the last 3 weeks when we saw maybe one before Brent and Colin. They are just rare cases.     We are very reserved and very nervous but still praying and trying to follow.  It is still hard to understand why we were placed in the lives of Brent and Colin but we did learn a lot especially about the mother of an older child that has done all she can do and feels that she just can't go on. I gained a lot of respect and love for parents that pursue adoption after already trying to parent.  I feel like it is one of the most selfless acts and amazing gifts of love to their child. I guess I had thought a lot about a mom that found herself pregnant but not really put a lot of thought into a birth mom that gave all she could and still didn't have enough to take care of the needs of her child.    We are not sure the next step yet but this is where we are right now! 

I love November.  I think it is just a time to reflect for me and really spend time giving thanks.   

 

Wrestling season begins Monday and I am ready to see my boys on the mat!

NEED HELP-easy request-make-a-wish!

I received an email today from a family that is trying to pay it forward to the make-a-wish foundation. This is such an easy request.

 Their son was a recipient of a make-a-wish.  Because of this wonderful gift they were given they decided they wanted to give back and bless another child and their family.  They found out that Macy's department store will donate $2.00 for every letter to Santa Claus they receive up to 1 million dollars for them to provide this make-a-wish.    This is huge!  That is approximately 142,800 recipients that would receive a make-a-wish. 
It's so easy...they need letters to Santa Claus. I was so touched by this wonderful gift I wanted to spread the word.

So get your kiddos writing a santa letter and send me your letters. IT'S THIS EASY!

If you are interested please email me solomonfamily6 at yahoo.com and I will send you my address.  They are picking up the letters from our school the first week of Dec. so if you could have your Santa letters to me by Dec. 1.

thankful 5 and 6

#5

My four crazy kiddos!  I love being a mom! They are by far the best thing that has ever happened to Steve and I.

They bring me joy every single day. I am so thankful.

#6

My Church...I 'm so thankful to have a wonderful church and support and knowledge that God lives and loves me. My life is full and blessed because of it. 

I am thankful for:

My iPhone!

It's one of those things that you lived years without but then once you tasted of the luxury you realized how much you missed!

I am thankful!!! Day 3

My JOB!!!

I love being a kindergarten teacher. It has to be the world's best job. There are a lot of things with teaching that many "outside of school people" don't really know that teachers do.  Believe me---it's a lot! I was raised by teachers so I was well aware of what I was getting into.  Teaching is not a 7:30-3:30 job at all  BUT lucky for me  I love my school and administration.  They are wonderful to work with but my favorite part is watching eyes light up when a new skill is learned and the excitement kindergarteners have for life.     I love being at the same school with my kids.

People say...don't you miss pictures. I really don't at all. It is so fun to ride to school with my kiddos and run into them throughout the day, be on the same holiday schedule instead of working every weekend and holidays.  I love it. I was made to be a teacher. It just feels right.

Thankful post!

Yikes I'm already a day over my goal of posting my thankful list....How did that happen so fast!

NUMBER ONE!!!

I am thankful for:

My husband!

Steve is the hardest working and most dedicated daddy.

I have known him to work two jobs 60-70 hours a week while at the same time never miss an event the kids are in and juggle callings of many sorts. During this time he has attended college, served in many different callings like bishopric, ym presidency and scout master, seminary teacher and sunbeam teacher was my favorite.   He amazes me how he always serves with full heart and especially his service to our family.  He is such a dedicated father. He works extra hard to make sure his children get every opportunity they want to try new things and succeed in all they can and while they do it he never misses the sidelines even if it means driving 12 hours one way and sleeping in a tent!   I love how he makes sure we take a family outing even when money is tight and my favorite part is our early morning dates!  I am so lucky and thankful.  

I am so thankful to be raising a family with someone that believes as I do and has the same goals in life.

NUMBER TWO!!!

I am thankful:

My mom has moved to town!  I love that she is close to us and even when we eventually move to the land she will still be so much closer.  I love that we can go get our haircut at the same time. I love that we can go goodwill shopping and watch our Thursday night shows!  I love it!