Through the years.......

It has always been challenging to unite our family together under one roof for any length of time....then to get us all dressed and maybe even smiling for a picture.....now that's a miracle. Since I'm already mentally gearing up for the holidays....making menus,  thinking about placecards,  seating, decorations and the like,  I thought I'd show you some of our family photos through the years.   Can we do it this year?   It seems unlikely given all the schedules of all the children (some of whom are adults with real jobs who are just learning about PDO's),  but we do always long for the brief moments we're all together.    It's funny how after gathering at the table with 10 people,  a few days later when there's only 6 or 7 of us,  it can feel so lonesome and quiet.

                                              Summer 2002
                                             Christmas 2004
                                                   Summer 2005
                                      Summer 2006
                                      Christmas 2007

So,   there we are....our unique little blended family of  Malachi (25),  Savannah (24),  Marcus (21),  Nicholas (18),   Taylor (18),   Caiti(16),  Emaleigh (8),  Elea Grace (6)......and Steve and Edie who will remain ageless and timeless.    Just kidding.  I wish.     Given the ages of our children,  can you guess how old we are?  And for those who don't know us.....the first four children listed  are Steve's,  the next two mine,   and the two little ones "ours".   It's hard to believe the changes that life brings from year to year.   It also might be hard to believe that we often speak of adopting.   Maybe some people were just meant for big families!   Maybe certain people think it's just as easy to make four loaves of bread as two or two pans of lasagna as one. We are both just 'those' kind of people who will never quite fit the mold....who will choose to be home over almost everything else and who will choose the road less traveled.   Nearly every time.