December 2011

Grandpa John came for a visit this month and we had a good time hanging out, playing rummy and making raised beds for a garden next summer.

Adler, Grandpa and Erik

Adler was asked to MC his scout troop's Advancement Ceremony. He did a great job! He is really enjoying any opportunity he can to 'take the stage' and improve his public speaking skills.

Our Formal Adoption application was submitted this month. We have also opened an Etsy shop in order to raise money for our adoption. Check it out at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ransomedredeemed

July 2011

Happy 12th Birthday Erik! Turtle Cheesecake!
(there is a little glimpse of the broken arm)

This is the cake he had at his cousin's house. He loved having more than one party. We also got to make our own pizzas for this party. It doesn't get any better than this!

We took a big family trip this month to Minnesota to go to the Severson Reunion at Mavis' cabin. It was so good to see my
cousins again and get to meet their families. We also got to camp with my brother and sister and their families.

We took a day to go to Blackduck and visit Grandpa and Marion on the lake. It was a special time to go back to a place I hadn't visited in many years and for my family to see the places I tell them stories about from my childhood.

2011 the year in review

It has been nearly a YEAR since I posted anything. I wonder if I really should be a blogger! I think about doing it a lot, just never get it done. Sounds like a great New Year's resolution! Joe and I are on a business trip and I have the whole day to myself, so I am going to attempt to recap the whole year, TODAY! Enjoy!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I have been feeling a bit like Charlie Brown this year and getting frustrated with the commercialism of Christmas. We decided to forgo most of our decorating this year, and only put out a few manger scenes. We also decided for the most part to forgo the gift exchanging at our house. Sounds pretty boring. But my kids tell me it was their best Christmas ever. Just before the season, I somehow happened upon a very inspiring blog. www.aholyexperience.com. Their experiences were the impetus for our celebration.

For the last year and a half, I have been doing books for a local ministry that provides a chaplain to a facility that serves children who have been removed from their homes for some type of treatment. The chaplain and his family decided that they were going to spend the day on campus and invited us to join them. Thanks to several generous donors, we brought some bounce houses and stockings for each of the kids who were unable to leave campus to be with family. We were blessed.

Happy Father's Day!

Joe and his boys
My Dad 1967

I am thankful for all the great guys in my life!