Surprised by Wonder

When our home was added to the emergency foster care placement list,

I expected the bickering over toys that came when we had two four-year-olds, or over my lap when we had two almost two-year-olds. 

What has surprised me is the wonder.

I will be brushing my teeth or driving to work and find myself wondering about those who came and left our home. 

I wonder if he is having a good day (or moment)or if wherever she is makes sure she has her bear with her when she goes to bed. I wonder if they know how much she likes blueberries. And when each child is picked up from us, I include a note with details about such things as bears and blueberries. 

I catch myself wondering, even though I will never know the outcomes. 

I wonder about outcomes over which I have no control; I'm not even a character in those chapters of these children's lives.

It has been messy and beautiful and well worth the wondering.   

J's Second Birthday Letter

Dear J-Man, (nicknames include Jbird, JB and little man),

Your second year on Earth has once again been full of smiles. You have figured out that cameras and cell phones are used to take pictures and you often flash a goofy grin when someone wants to take your picture. Of course, you want to see it right after as well. You love to scroll through pictures on anyone’s cell phones that will let you, and like to pretend to make phone calls by holding the phone up to your ear.

While your words are still somewhat limited (Mama, Dada, and hot), you can clearly communicate with sign language, pointing, mock siren noises, and lots of umms, grunts and loud screams. We love how expressive you are becoming in every day interactions.

You love babies and often walk around the house looking for people to give hugs and kisses to in a rotating and repeating manner.

You want to interact with kids of all ages, even if that often comes in the form of too hard hugs, pinching of cheeks and bonks on the head these days. You run most places, and often have a matchbox car in your hand.

Your love for things that move is deep. Trains top the list, with buses, trucks, planes, and motorcycles as favorites as well. You love to point out planes in the sky and run straight to the front door to see passing trains.

You like to alert others around you that there is a train or plane by patting their arm and pointing, and often pat the ground next to you when you want someone to join you sitting down to watch what interests you, or join you in playing. I hope this desire to invite others into your world remains as you grow older. I feel grateful every time you have extended the invitation to me.

These days spray bottles, grabbing anything on the kitchen counter, buckles, and books about trucks fill your days. Carolyn Thompson remains a favorite at church and you hang out with her on Thursdays.

We pray that as spoken language comes, your caring nature translates into your words.

We thank God for the blessing of last year, and look forward to more to celebrate next year.

Love,

Dada

Camping 2017

For years we have been looking forward to going to 'family camp' but this was the first time our children seemed to be the minimum age to really participate. This August we joined the family of a former professor of mine/current marriage mentors of ours (as well as about 200 others)for a week in New Hampshire.

We were also treated to a grandparent visit half way through the week.

Due to her age, Sophia was able to participate in more activities this year than her brother, such as archery and painting a snake at the craft shack. However, all four of us did get in a canoe together with the youngest member up in front.

Everyone enjoyed the lake including swimming, wading and playing in the sand. 

And both kids enjoyed the music, with one child jumping on the stage and the other pressed up against it.

New Jersey 2017

The annual trip to Ocean Grove, New Jersey for 2017, meant:

Blueberry pancakes on the balcony:

 Playing in the sand and the surf:

Watching Thomas the Tank Engine when it rained:

Feeding (and chasing) the seagulls:

Family backyard bbqs (and ice cream trips):

New York 2017

I met these friends when I was seven.

I saw them every summer from that point on, as well as every winter once I had a home of my own for them to visit.

Now my children are making memories with them as well.

Building a fire to make dinner:

And preparing toast in the morning with Sophia's selection of one of the several hundred antique toasters:

were just a few of the highlights this summer. 

Onset

This year for Archambault-Wegrzyn family vacation we traveled to Onset Beach, Cape Cod. 

Playing cards on the wrap around porch:

A Cape Cod Canal Cruise:

 Walking to get ice cream:

Playing in the Ocean:

And finding snails:

16 years, three pregnancies, two fosters, and one adoption between us....we are grateful for these friends.

Ohio & Indiana

Every Summer we travel to Salem, Ohio where both sides of my Mother's family lived while she was growing up. This was James' fiance Rachael's first trip there.

This year we celebrated my Aunt Betty who after 96 years of life well lived would have enjoyed the party that was given in her honor.

We shared stories, looked at pictures from her childhood and admired the artwork she created from a forty year career in newspaper advertisement.

The main annual event is the Schaeffer Family Reunion with 39 in attendance this year. Smaller gatherings occurred at the Salem Community Theater and the hotel pool.

As members of our family traveled back to Louisiana and Pennsylvania we continued on to see our friends Stan and Mary in Indiana.

We enjoyed a day at the Indianapolis Children's Museum and lots of fun playing at their home.