Got A Friend

S.B. comes to visit Hawaii once a year.  We have lunch.  And talk and talk and talk.  Catch up on our families.  Known her for 25 years or so.

The kind of friend you learn from.  The kind that has been such a role model in my life (and she's waaaay younger).  I always feel better after being around her - been that way since the very beginning.

Thankful for her.  When I grow up I want to be just like her.

Can't wait til our next lunch date - February 2014.

Gabe

Temple Morning with Mossman Cousins

Best. Session. Ever.

Michelle's Musings

I found Michelle's notebook from school.  She had to write sentences using specific vocabulary words. Here are some of them.

Sulk - Hannah was sulking at mom because she scolded her.
Evidence - I had evidence that Hannah was playing with my iPad.
Occupation - My dad's occupation is being a temple worker.
Contradict - Hannah contradicts herself by saying she doesn't want her baby but now she wants it.
Chronic - Hannah has chronic seizures.
Insufficient - I have insufficient sonic toys.
Maintenance - I did maintenance in my room by picking up my perler beads.
Gullible - I felt gullible when Daddy tricked me.
Famished - I feel famished for dinner.
Acquitted - I acquitted Hannah after she returned my sonic toys.
Vacate - I vacate the bathroom so Hannah can go in.
Malignant - I'm worried that my mom has a malignant beauty mark.
Expelled - Mom expelled Hannah from the car.
Lean - I have a very lean body.
Domestic - Dad shows domestic skills by washing clothes.
Reluctant - I am reluctant to lomi Dad's feet.
Abdomen - Gabe has a soft abdomen.
Beligerent - Gabe was beligerent to Jacob.

One Day More

Til these 2 super cousins arrive for a week of PLAY!

Mark-n-Nancy

Love My Mossman Ohana

Hi I'm Ginny and I'm A Mormon

So I was asked to submit my profile to Mormon.org and I finally did.  You can see it at (and my picture) at http://mormon.org/me/BNCH/Ginny

But here it is below as well.

About Me

My husband and I have 5 children ranging in age from 12 - 25 years old. At age 59 and 62, we are also older than most parents. All of our children are adopted. Four of our children have disabilities. Our youngest 2 girls have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Their birth moms drank alcohol while they were pregnant. Both girls are friendly, loving and love to be helpful. Michelle is 15. She likes babies, dogs, pizza and rice. She has mental retardation and a severe hearing loss. Hannah is 12. She likes singing, dancing, playing outside and candy. She has mental retardation and a very severe seizure disorder. We didn't know that our children had disabilities before we adopted them. Although several of them were slow to make milestones as infants, we believed that if we just gave them enough love they would "snap out of it." But what happened instead was that WE "snapped out of it" and came to love and value them for what they are - beautiful, wonderful children of God. What a privilege it is to be their mother.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because it brings me joy. I am a Mormon because it teaches me how to be a better parent. I am a Mormon because, while I do have trials come to me, facing them and everything else in life is easier because of the gospel teachings. I am a Mormon because it gives me peace.

Personal Stories

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

Knowing that this life is a preparation for eternity gives me comfort and peace. I know that our family can be together forever. I know that the physical and mental disabilities and limitations that my children have are not permanent. I know that our Father in Heaven watches over us and loves us. I know that we are never a lone.

How I live my faith

I teach toddlers at church on Sunday. The children in my class range from 18 months to 3 years old. I LOVE being with them each week. I think my experience raising my own children has helped me be more patient with my toddler class and their energy and excitement keep me feeling young. I keep active in my community by working on task forces and committees focusing on people with disabilities. I think it is important to help everyone see how much people with disabilities contribute to the richness of life. I want to live in a community where my children are cherished just as much as the Savior cherishes them.