A Special Adoption Day

Our dear "Marie",


Today we celebrate your 11th adoption day. We can't forget the day we met you at Micky D'S. Your sweet little face was expressionless; almost as if you were depressed. Your little life had already experienced way more than it should have. Within weeks there was a light in your eyes that hadn't been there before.


Your grew in leaps and bounds, but in the past ten years you have grown in an area that is the most important. Your walk with God.

God has does a gracious work in your heart. You have such a close relationship with Him and I stand in awe at what He is doing. Though God created you with all sorts of struggles and delays in what the world would deem as needful, you have proven to us that God can do abundantly above all that we ask or think. 


Our prayer to you, dear daughter, is that your relationship with your Savior will continue to be the most important thing in your life. That you would strive to love Him and continue to have a soft heart for the things of the Lord. Keep seeking Him. Keep asking for His will to be done. Keep living for Him.


"Marie", you sure do amaze us. We love you and are so grateful to the gift that God gave us so long ago.

My Beautiful Little Woman turns 11

So much has happened in the little life of my oldest daughter.

Her journey began 11 years ago today, in not so good circumstances. Though I did not know her then, I can guarantee she was a fighter. She came into this world weighing 4pounds and measuring 16 inches. She appeared little, but inside she was gargantuan.
Joustled from home to home, there was not much stability in her life.

We met her 20 months later; she moved in a couple months after that meeting. Already having two rambunctious boys, little "Marie" brought a much needed respite to the Ponderosa. There were many hurdles for this little one to overcome. Developmentally she gained 15 months in the first 6 months she lived in our home. One and one-half years after she became our daughter, we discovered she had ACC. This added to the already present struggles, which included, FAE.

But my girl is a fighter. She has confounded the doctors time and again. God has truly performed many miracles in her little body.

When thinking about my precious now 11 year old, these are the things that come to mind:

~ always thinking of others
~ deep, insightful prayers that are way above her age capabilities
~ sweet spirit
~ inner driving that pushes her to not give up
~ her desire to be a mommy one day (I like to remember this one as the righteous anger builds up in me of the memory of our OLD pediatrician giving me the "talk" concerning birth control for HER, at 8 years old, stating that, "She won't ever be able to take care of children". This Dr. doesn't know my God!)
~ hearing her sing during chores

~ Most of all, her reading the Bible, something that other doctors said she would never be able to do.

Much time has passed. Many special memories have passed, too. But we continuing making them. Our sweetie and her love for Jesus make each day worth the struggles of teaching her.

Things are hard for her...lots of times....but I keep reminding her that Jesus can do far more than anyone ever expects...even in her little life.

Happy Birthday, Princess Star, Mookey Bear! We love you!

Happy Gotcha Day, "Marie"

Our beautiful, oldest daughter celebrated her Happy Gotcha Day this last weekend. She has been with us for 9 years and , oh, what a wonderful 9 years that has been.

Our dear "Marie",

God is preparing you for a special life. He has given you such compassion and love for other people, while trying to do your best to make your Heavenly Father pleased.

Watching your baby video this last weekend reminded us how very far you have come. Having ACC has not kept you down. God has truly performed a mighty miracle in your little life. Every time I see you read your Bible reminds me of what our Great God has performed. Your desires to be "just a mommy" is seen as precious in his sight. Don't ever let anyone look down on you because that is the highest ambition a young, godly woman should have.

You have been such a prayer warrior, especially in light of your oldest brother not being in your life right now. Keep praying and believing, Princess.

Thank you for all the love and joy you bring to our home. We are blessed beyond words. Our prayer for you is that as you grow physically, you will grow even more spiritually and your light will shine brighter and brighter.

We love you,
Daddy and Mommy