Dinner with the Dentons!

Really cute photos!

We have that tractor and my husband has the boys do the same thing! So funny!

Hello. My mom started reading your blog and has gotten me hooked. I have felt that I needed to share our story with you as there are some similarities…we adopted our first child – Isaiah (it means “the Lord saves”) from foster care when he was 15 months old. It was written on his medical chart “this is a severely defective child.” He was given three years to live…moved to many different locations…had a dx of CP, meningitis, deaf, blind, MR, defective kidneys, heart and lungs – I’m a feeding therapist and began seeing him when he was 3 mo old – he had a g-tube and lots of eating issues…He had curvature of the spine so badly (from neglect) that he could hardly sit and back surgery was suggested. His one arm did not work because it had been tucked behind him and not used regularly. It was suspected that his kindeys would calcify by his third year. Anyway, I’m crying now because our son in 5 now…he’s perfect…I feared that he would always have trouble walking – he runs so great, plays soccer, climbs trees, races and jumps – I feared he would never talk…that’s really hard for an SLP mommy – he argues and sings and talks all day long now…he can see and hear and is beginning to read – his organs are all perfect…I tell you this as an encouragement…I pray that your outcome is the same…I actually know it will be…we have a son who is loved for all of his abilities all of the time who was perfectly placed in our family because of the Lord’s plan for him…you have that too…your son is beautiful (we could argue about the cutest…our son is Guatemalan and our daughter is biracial…and they are both incredibly beautiful) – I pray that this comment today is encouraging from a mom who has been there as a mother and as a therapist – the days are very hard and the progress is hard to see…but our God HEALS…I have thought much about the hurt of the Father in what children have to endure…it must be great…He has a plan and a purpose – today during Bible time I asked my son what he thought God’s purpose was for him…he confidently replied “He made me and I am beautfiul”

Hi, Andrea! I found your wonderful blog and story thru the blog world of “this one looks neat, let’s check it out” and I have never regretted it. I read your post on football mania and I agree why don’t we and what if we all cheered for God and pursued Christianity like we want those 50 yard line tickets. My husband and I do agree that you need to atleast be a graduate of the paritcular school/team you obsess over. We aren’t big football fans either, but only because my husband coaches basketball. I just wanted to throw this out there so you might see how my husband uses his job and college basketball to promote the way God wants us to use his abilities and knowledge to serve HIM. Not all coaches feel this way or are Christians,so I am going to speak from and aobut our hearts. Many student/athletes have never been introduced to Christ and coaching is a great way to do that to some that “ball” is everything and the only way to a formal education. My husband may not preach the scriptures each day at practice, but the little things like examples, accountability, and fellowship can plant the seeds of what being a Chrsitian is all about. I just wanted to shed a little light on how a sport to some could be an avenue for the players to learn about life and our Savior. We feel God put us on a campus with a team for this reason. Please continue your wonderful entries. You always make me feel like my many emotions as a parent are normal and it is all okay. Have a wonderful day and I pray for you a full nights sleep 🙂