Three Years Ago Today ...


LuLu and Jr.--three years ago.


Three years ago today, LuLu and Jr. joined our family.


They were 5 and 9 at the time--and staying in temporary care (The Christmas Box House) for children waiting to be matched with a foster family.


We were a family of 6 (Dave, me and our 4 kiddos) who'd recently certified as a foster family. At the time, Jay was 14, Bam was 12, Papaya was 9, and ZuZu was 5. PS: Dave and I were over 35. Ha!


Looking back now, I realize none of us knew what we were doing that day when this all began.


We didn't know how long we'd be together.


We didn't know how well we'd get along.


And we honestly didn't know if "we could do it." (Well, do it well. Yanno?)


For Jr. and LuLu, it was SO much to ask: 


-- separate from loved ones (and grieve)
-- join a new family, a new community
-- change schools
-- accept new siblings
-- and adjust to a life where your long-term decisions are not in your own hands (they're in the judge's)


For our own children at the time, it was SO much to ask:


-- welcome 2 new siblings
-- change rooms (share rooms)
-- help Jr/LuLu adjust (cope with sadness/loss)
-- and adjust to a life where our family's long-term decisions were not in their own hands (again, in the judge's).


It's just incredible when I think about it all. In three short years we have climbed some pretty big metaphorical mountains. (Not run around them ... CLIMBED them. Boo-ya!)


I'm just so grateful for the whole experience.


I'm grateful to Dave for being open to foster parenting, and ultimately adopting 2 more bambinos. (You are truly, THE best dad. I feel like our kids are so lucky to have you as their dad.)


I'm grateful to Jay, Bam, Papaya, and ZuZu for opening their hearts/lives to Jr. and LuLu--in ways I never imagined.


I'm grateful to Jr. and LuLu's biological family for giving us the opportunity to legally adopt them (and technically adopt us--in return!).


I'm grateful to our parents for opening their hearts to two more grandkids.



And I'm grateful to our judge, caseworkers, and the Utah Foster Care Foundation for all of their help during the process.


But most of all, I'm grateful to Jr. and LuLu for teaching me/us that life can be beautiful ... even when it's difficult and hard.


Have a beautiful weekend. Much love to you and your family--from ours!




October 2011. R to L = LuLu, Jr, Papaya, Jay, ZuZu, and Bam.


ZuZu, Jr., and Papaya.

Disneyland's Club 33--this December
(thanks to the Conleys and Harris' for making this happen!).



Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon.
LuLu, ZuZu, Bam, and Papaya.

THE DAY after I returned from Survivor/Samoa in July, 2011.
I came home ready to climb mountains ... literally!
Papaya, Bam, Jr., ZuZu, LuLu and Jay.
Y Mountain in Provo.
LuLu and ZuZu
(Who are inseparable. I'm convinced they were twins separated at birth, reunited in Kindergarten.)


Ozzy the dog.

LuLu.

Survivor finale'--Bam, LuLu, Jr., ZuZu, Jay and Papaya.

Dave--with Cowboy Rick's wife and Sophie's dad.
Survivor finale'.


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