Family - It's a Vivas Thing!

Oct 25 2012

Adoption Day!

We waited a long time for today; it’s been over 10 long years. There were times when we gave up. And then, God would bring them back. There’s a story to tell…another day.

Today, I want to share with you the joy of our adoption.

They were so excited...waiting to go in and get this thing over with!

"Miss Cathy" our very dear friend...thank you for being there for us!

"MIss Elaina"....God placed you here for a reason...to bring these children home, no matter the cost to you. Forever we are grateful!

Taking pictures helped with the waiting!

Standing before the Judge, waiting to start! (Comical Moment: Our son lets the judge know he is matching today!)

Attorney explaining to the judge why we are asking to adopt...almost there!

This is the point where I lose it... Cathy and Elaina cry along with me!

Thank you, Cathy, for capturing the moment!

While they pick out gifts from the judge...

They're smiling...because "no one can ever take them away from us again"

It is with the deepest, heartfelt gratitude, that we thank you all. Thank you for praying for us throughout the years. For holding us when we lost them again and again…and for rejoicing with us each time we got them back. I can’t imagine going through this without our “prayer warriors.”

For those of you who share “Thankful Thursday” with me…this is mine! (I love you, sisters!)

It’s sinking in…it’s real…I guess we’d better figure out how to add some more rooms to this house!

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in Hope

Be Patient in Tribulation

Be Faithful in Prayer

Oct 18 2012

Birthday Girl!

It’s my girl’s birthday today, and I can’t believe how much she has grown up!

In our family, the birthday member gets to choose family dinner. Tonight, it was Cafe Rio.

As I sat there looking around the restaurant, I wanted to shout out,

“This is my family….all 10 of them. Yup, they belong to me, and I love them.”

I love celebrating special occasions because I know that we will all make an effort to be there together! It’s what makes our family special.

Ok…and a little weird. This picture says it all…one son with gold foil things folded up into his new “earrings’ and the other son making faces behind him while I snap a picture.

Yeah, It’s just a Vivas Thing!

Jul 21 2012

Life with Chicken Noodle Butt

Today I am working on re-finishing my parents porch. I’ve been sanding away while the youngest brushes away the sawdust. Once we finished, we moved on to putting the wood filler in the cracks. It was getting pretty hot, so I went in for a glass of water, explaining to him that we need to make sure we are drinking plenty of water if we are going to be working out in the hot sun all day.

Next thing I know, he brings me a glass of water because I need to keep drinking. I’ll be a pool before the day is over!

He then decided to make me breakfast of cottage cheese and peaches…all…by…him…self.

He proudly came out a few moments later with a bowl of cottage cheese and peaches. He forgot to get himself some, so since I had to go wash up, I got to observe how he did it.

The cottage cheese container was covered in cottage cheese, which he was promptly cleaning up.

I asked what happened.

“It imploded when I opened it up.”

I asked, “Do you mean it EXploded?”

His reply?

“Yeah, that’s what I said. It imploded.”

Ya gotta love this 8 year old!

Jul 14 2012

Oreo

Oreo was a Christmas surprise almost five years ago. My parents had come for a visit and then next thing I knew, I had several rabbits. Mom took all but one back to Colorado with her; Oreo. The Talented One couldn’t part with her, and so she became part of our family.

Oreo loved to run around the back yard. (Except for that one time when the dogs decided to chase her and we chased the dogs…but that’s another story!) She like to dig holes in the back yard; and when she was done, she go back into her hutch. She liked carrots and loved to be petted when we’d go out on the back porch to visit her.

Yesterday, we lost Oreo. My heart goes out to my children for the loss of their Oreo. I remember someone sharing this poem with us before and so I’ll share it again.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together. . . .

Jun 27 2012

Chipotle and Sister Wives

So it started out ….

So seriously, after a long day of preparing for my son’s engagement party tomorrow, I was conned into taking certain girls to Chipotle for a late dinner on the way home. We were having a lively conversation, when it somehow turned into “Sister Wives”…

And the next thing I know…totally NOT making this up…they all walk into the restaurant! As I try to calm the three girls down, they are about to bounce out of their seats.

“Can we ask them for a picture?”

“Can we ask to take a picture with them?”

They could barely contain themselves as I replied,

“No! They are here to eat, not be bothered with pictures.”

“No, leave them alone, don’t bother them.”

And then, one of them, Christine, walked over ever so friendly and states,

“We’d love to take a picture with them! And they didn’t ask…I was eavesdropping and offered!”

The next few moments were spent with the girls googling the poor wives as they scarfed down their food in anticipation of a photo moment with the Sister Wives! And then, Kody walked by and sat right down at the next table. Poor man was trying to eat his burrito and my children were about to jump out of their seats!

Finally, Christine told him that she’d told the girls they could have their picture taken. They were very nice and all stopped eating their dinner to take a picture with the girls. I tried to bow out gracefully, but was told to join in the picture.