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Showing posts from 2009

The new babe...

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So our Sweet William has experienced many first in few short days with us. Christmas, meeting family, going home, and as of today...his first snow. Our precious boy is healthy and happy. "Thank you Father for the blessing of a new life. Thank you for giving him the breath of life. Thank you for blessing our life and our family with this new little boy. Bless him oh God with Guidance, wisdom, health, happiness and love. May he live a long life, one full of Family, Friends, and LOVE!" William A. H. Getting ready to go home from the hospital Meeting his aunts and uncle

A big ending

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So our year here in the Porter house is ending with a big bang! Not only did we get a new grand baby but we also got a new son in law. My daughter, the new mommy, married her love on Monday the 28th. Our pastor conducted the ceremony. It was quiet, small, and yet sweet. My poor hurting girl (remember, C section just on the 24th) after a crazy morning, came hobbling into the church to put on nylons (which she ran in the process) and a pretty black dress she bought while pregnant. The husband to be came in, threw on his Navy uniform and realizing he forgot the white shirt that goes under it (and show at the top) and his dress shoes. But they did it...they became husband and Wife. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez... The circumstances for which any of these past events in their life happened may not have been of Gods design, but I know God can turn all things around. I know He can use these past events and ones to come into eternal life changes. I know that God can & will use them for his K

My favorite day of the year...

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Christmas Eve....this has always been one of my favorite days of the year as far back as I can remember. That's the night we would attend church and be reminded of the sacrifice of our King...being born part human in a lowly state. The night I would receive earthly gifts like Baby Dolls, Barbies, nightgowns, slippers and such.....BUT today I received one of the greatest gifts...a treasure really! Today in a hospital in Portland Oregon my grandson..... William Arnold arrived at 1:15 via C'section. Too precious for words. Tons of black hair. It was a grueling labor towards the end but all turned out well. She is now laying comfortably in her hospital bed, holding her first truest love and enjoying every moment. Here he is....prebath...better pictures later.....

Waiting....

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Still waiting for the grandson to arrive...looking more and more like a Christmas baby? I will suffice it to say 'she is HEAVY with child.' Waiting for Christmas to arrive....I can wait, the kids barely can. I love the week before Christmas. It's so full of excitement and joy (ok...for many or for some). I enjoy the lights and the warmth of the decorations. I love receiving cards. It makes it a joy (the only time of year) to go to the mailbox. I love the music...it plays 24/7 in our home. I quite often find the kids playing around the Christmas tree. Not with it but around it...with Barbies or Batman or whatever...they just enjoy being near the tree. Enjoying the soft glow of the lights. Waiting to see what comes of the trials God has allowed us to be in the midst of. Waiting on the Lord....sometimes it's a joy...sometimes it 'longsuffering' that I have faith will turn to joy. Random pics of recent...... Christmas Party and the arrival of our Sailor...My girl is

Win an HP

Kelly's Korner 'blog' is a pretty amazing blog. Such fun and interesting stuff to read and pics of her gorgeous family. NOW she is recieving amazing products to review which and has turned into give aways . Today her post is an HP giveaway...go check it out . Yep I am posting about this to increase my dim odds of winning one....but not like I haven't posted about Kelly's blog before. There are others, like Boomama on her blog giving away an HP also. So....here we gooooo.......

Soon....

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My 'adult' daughter K is expecting my grandson on the 27th BUT...just last week I told her I 'felt' like she wouldn't make it that long. I have felt she would have him early. We went to her check up on Monday and she is dilated 2cm and her cervix is thin...sooooo....I'm thinking our little guy will be here way before Christmas. The dad is still in training at Great Lakes Illinois and will be coming home on the 18th but I don't think my grandson will wait for that date either. I know this is a heavy burden for them because they so want to share the end of her pregnancy together and especially the delivery...but as we know...these babes make their debuts when the heavenly father says it's time. So this 'Nana' is on alert. The baby shower is Saturday so it would be respectful of the little guy to wait until that's over but if not I'm ok with that. I'm ok with all of it...it's those pesky parents who want plans to go as....welllll...u

Shortcomings

The last few writings I have posted have been kinda trivial...probably just because I wanted to just focus on simpler stuff, but it's not because there isn't heavy 'stuff' on my mind and heart. Daily I 'work' at keeping my focus Godly. The waves just keep crashing in...pounding. Then there comes the rogue waves. They can be killers but fortunately I have my life vest on. Jesus keeps me afloat. Doesn't mean I don't get big ol' doses of salt water in my face but He keeps me from sinking. What has been hard this week, and it's not the first time, is the weariness of treading . Oh how I want to be free....free falling! Just floating through the air knowing that I have 100% confidence in the one who gave His life for me. The one who suffered unbelievable torture and pain. The trials I suffer are NOTHING compared to what others suffer....NOTHING! My kids are not starving, my kids are not ill and dying. My kids drink clean, clear water. We are not livin

Great Game but moving on...

So the Civil War game was fantastic...we knew one of the Oregon teams would be going to the Rose Bowl....we were neck to neck the entire game and then.....our top receiver was injured...broken leg! Poor guy...his senior year too! So long story short...we lost but not by much. 33-37.....I love Oregon so I am happy at least one of our teams will be going to the Rose Bowl. It was a fun night with family and a great game night for Oregon. That will be the last of my football talk for the year.....now on to Christmas!!!! I LOVE Christmas! I am not a huge decoration fan....maybe I am just too lazy to set it all out just turn around and put it all away again. I love to look at them though. I had a fake tree for a few years...LOVED IT...then I remarried and he insisted on a real tree. We have had some great times going out to the tree farms and picking out a tree (we never go to the same farm) and cutting it down. The kids have loved it but to be honest....I miss the fake tree. No mess...you

Civil War

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So I'm not a huge sports fan. I do enjoy sports if one of my kids is participating or if I am watching the Americans win in the Olympics but other than that...nope. It's just annoying noise on the tv. BUT there is one time a year I enjoy football on TV and that is 'CIVIL WAR' time. That is when Oregon State University Beavers vs University of Oregon Ducks! We have a couple in the family who are Duck fans and a couple who are Beaver fans. Well, today is the day. Today is Civil War so i have plans to gather the 'huz,' the 'boy,' and myself and duke it out in the family room. The huz and I have a bet even....we win a 2 hour uninterrupted nap if our team wins. Big stakes! So this evening will be the annoying noise of a TV football game on and the sound of my huz and son whining in defeat and me yelling with victory as the BEAVERS conquer the field!!! !Go OSU!

Looking for....

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I thought about posting about family traditions, and I don't think there is much I can add to traditional Christmas except to say we have a nice dinner on Christmas Eve, a beautiful Christmas Eve service at our church where I sing 'O Holy Night' and then we come home to open presents. On Christmas morning the kids' stockings are awaiting them full of goodies and surprises...usually too heavy to hand on the mantel. BUT....this does bring me to m y posting. For several years I have had stockings for myself and 4 of my kids that was home made and given as a gift to us. They are knitted and personalized with our names on them. Each stocking has a different picture on them. Through the years things have changed. I am remarried, I have a step son, each of my adult children have significant others, I have one grandchild and one on the way and 3 foster children. We so would love to have personalized knitted stockings for all the newbies! I can not find anyone who can knit them

What I am Thankful For and What I Would Be....

Wow....it truly is not an easy task to document what a person is thankful for....truly thankful for. We go from being thankful for our home to being thankful for water and sooo on but the truth is...I am thankful for my home and I am thankful water....oh so very, deeply thankful. So I will give a run down.....these are in now way in order of thankfulness..... Jesus The Bible My parents My grandparents, though they have all gone 'home' My kids My home My dogs My husband Jobs The State of Oregon Clean yummy water Clothing Our wood stove All the free wood my husband has gathered My siblings My nieces and nephews and the greats too My grandson and the grandson on the way Education Books Washer and dryer Showers Hot water Missionaries International orphanages Humanitarian organizations Thanksgiving Dinner so see the list could go on and on....life is amazing! There are a few things I WOULD be thankful for.... Self control with eating and exercise Spouse who would get on track and st

Thankful

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Created and provided free by Rich Gifts

My Mutts

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Today on Kellys Korner she is highlighting pets. Ahhh that's near and dear to my heart. I want to share about a couple of my fourlegged friends. I have always loved animals and as a child I dreamed of the day I would get my very own dog. I was dog deprived growing up so I feel my love for dogs comes from my parents depriving me of mans best friend when I was younger (I had to blame someone! haha) As soon as I moved out of my parents house I got a puppy. I was young, inexperienced and broke. The puppy was free, adorable and dead within a year. That's what happens when you don't get them immunized. So I have had hard lessons to learn....many lessons over the years. have had many friends over the years and I have enjoyed them all. They gave me laughs and happiness and have taught me lessons, but I am going to post about my best friends. I will tell you about my two best friends Dolly and Sirion. Dolly was a mutt (a mix) Sirion however is a purebred dog...I just like to call hi

Checking it out...

I am checking out a new blog called Lolidot s and on this blog they have giveaways . Who wouldn't want to win something...I never do but I try. Most of all though, I love checking out blogs. Getting insight into other believers thoughts and how they live their lives. Most of the time it's encouraging. So, occasionally I will post about a new blog I am checking out and this happens to be one of them. They are having a giveaway of Kerusso products. I so love business' that help to spread the word of God and this company does just that. They also donate a certain % of their sales to Compassion International . One of the things that has me the most excited about Kerusso right now is the fact they have 'FREE Shipping' if you spend 30$ or more....I love free shipping. So, once you are done checking out Lolidots Blog , head over to Kerusso and Compassion International and see what gifts you can give this Christmas.

Birthday Girl turns 9 today

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So our precious MK turns 9 today. I can't believe a year has already passed since her last birthday . I pray daily her and her brother can return or remain where God knows is best. I am so thankful to have had them in my life and will not be sad in the least if I get to share the rest of my life with them. How precious they are! So here we are...another birthday! Thank you Jesus!

Tester

Woohoo...I am so happy to have learned that someone I know and trust will be able to be my daughters 'Tester' for the state test. Since I homeschool we are required to test our kids every so often. I was a little worried about this. I don't know the people who are on the list of 'Testers' and that's a little unnerving. Well, now I know someone and I am so happy. We won't be testing until early next year but just knowing that is taken care of has lifted my shoulders. Our 'tester' lives in Oregon City so if you are need of a 'tester' please let me know and I will joyfully give you her name and number! Praise God!

His Good Purpose

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Life has been a whirlwind...again. Time passes so quickly and is so full. How thankful I am for my life though. Busy everday trying to create lessons for my girls and their homeschooling. Busy with the public school kids and their activities, homework, and half day kindergarten. Busy creating lessons for the 'Kids Klub' at our church. Busy trying to clean up this house on a daily basis. Working at cleaning out and up. Busy making plans for my home and plans for my life. It's just busy....but who's isn't these days!?! Those who serve God and those who don't. The memory verse for the 'Kids Klub' kids at my church (Woodland Park Baptist, Portland Oregon) this week is...." For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." So, the question is...is He working through me? YES! to act according to His good purpose? YES! I believe it in my heart. All things are set into motion within my life that God has allowed. Am I co

Fun never ends....

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The saga with the adult daughter has finally leveled for the moment. This is the one who is unwed and pregnant . We had an issue with the midwife she was seeing, neither one of us cared for her. She never acted like she had met my daughter before. She never would answer our questions. She never addressed the concerns my daughter had in regards to her back. So KR asked to be transferred to an OB. They said we had to meet with the midwife again to state your concerns...we didn't feel we needed to have another visit with said midwife but the "policy" was to meet with the provider and discuss the issues. Due to work schedules, we did not feel we should have have to waste our time and money on another appointment. Soooo, they made a decision to close her file and asked her to leave the clinic...per "policy." WOW...I had never heard of that before. So, it has been over a month since she had any prenatal check ups. Drama with finding a doctor who accepts her insurance.

Weekend Recap

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Feel the need...

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Just feel the need to talk. Nothing much on my mind...or maybe there is TOO much on my mind. Good opportunity to just ramble and to also share some of my pictures. Had a review hearing for two of our kiddos. It was a referee and not a judge and I must say I was very impressed with her. She seemed genuinely concerned for the children. I must of stood up about 5 times to answer questions and share about the kids. Usually with our other little one, I get about 30 seconds air time. Tell them how wonderful they are doing and then that's it. No questions. So it was refreshing to see the concern. Neither parent attended the hearing....not sure why they didn't, but everyone in attendance was surprised they were not there. Nothing new came of the hearing which can be a good thing. We will just continue doing what we are doing. Pray Gods will be done, take each day as it comes, and loving on the kids always. On another topic: I hate Halloween. I never have liked it really. I have always

The Brave and the Strong....

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Here we are in October. The big occasion in our family for October is My parents anniversary. This is last years ANNIVERSARY blog...giving history and such. Well this year, my parents celebrated their 57th. How fantastic is that?!? The day of their anniversary was Sunday and a special Sunday at that. It was recital day for my two girls and for my MOM! My Mom is so brave. She is 71 years old and taking piano lessons for the first time in her life. Our piano teacher is also the organ player at church...so she arranged for my mom to play her recital piece during offering. My Mom was over the top nervous. She did lose her spot one time but otherwise she did just fine. As she finished and was coming down the steps towards the pews my husband, my kids, and my dad met her there with a beautiful arrangement of lavender roses and red roses. Surprising her greatly. It was sweet! That afternoon my parents took each other out to lunch. That evening was recital time and I was so proud of my Mom an

Made a dent...

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No I didn't back into my husbands truck again...oh wait, I don't think i have confessed that one on here before. I have, however, made a dent in the 'stuff' that has accumulated in my home. I have family coming over in a little while to help haul it off. It will be nice to get it out of here. I still have a BUNCH of stuff to go through...but it's a start and I won't let the serpent (you know how much I HATE snakes) take away the joy I have for getting a good start. I'm not looking ahead...I am focused on today...and today I have a BUNCH of 'stuff' going out the door!The load on my shoulders has lifted a bit. I spoke with a dear sister in the Lord yesterday and mentioned how I am 'spring cleaning,' trying to get my house in order and she shared something with me. She said collecting stuff (hoarding, stock piling, and etc) is a generational curse...one which she suffers from and she decided the other day, after working on her Dad's house (h

Starting off....

So, today is Monday and I have decided to start fresh. These are my goals for the rest of the year and into next. I am going to give some effort to getting some of this weight off. Honestly (and I am being transparent about this) and I am not in the mood to focus on eating healthy and losing some weight. It is a great stress to do this. I know I know...it's suppose to help a person feel better and I am sure it would in the long run but in the LONG RUN...I have been on this road more than I can count. I have been a failure at this more than I can count sooooo...it is stressful. It causes great stress in my life to focus on planning, buying, cooking, and eating healthy meals. I won't even go into the exercise realm of it righ now. Ugh! BUT I have to do something. So i am sharing it here. I hope maybe whoever reads this would pray for me and my family as I give this a attempt. I did get on the scale for the first time in months. Good news is I am still the same weight I have bee

Sunny Fall day

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Here it is a beautiful fall day in Oregon. The sun is shining and the air is cool and leaves are changing color. I think this is the first time since I graduated from school that I am not ready for summer to end. I do not enjoy the heat but I do love the sunshine and I love making plans for activities which include being outside. I'm not ready but it's going to happen no matter what. Two of the foster kids had a great day the other day. They were able to have two visits. One with their dad and one with their mom. The visits went great and they so enjoyed it. I am so happy for them. As much as we love them and would love for them to stay with us....I am so thankful they have parents who love them and show them that love. The system is draining to work with but having the opportunity to share a life with these kiddos is a most excellent blessing. I am so thankful. They have brought so much to our lives. I do continue to pray for healing of their parents....if not for the sake of

Random pics

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Top to bottom: My Son with his Son, my grandson-future soccer star?, BG following her shadow, Two sleeping baby's, My step grandson Ky , the kids at Oaks Park, the family at the zoo in front of an exhibit being remodeled.

Why is it....

Why is it there are times when journaling, e-mailing, Facebooking, Blogging seem to go to the wayside. I know there are times of busy-ness....but sometimes it seems more that there doesn't seem to be anything to share. Events happen daily...there is always something I 'could' write about but can't seem to organize my thoughts enough to write. Sometimes 'things' just don't seem worthy...worthy to bother others with. Though I love reading others Blogs. I love reading about their 'regular' days or their not so good days. But lately....say for the last two months I get on my Blog, read my favorites, consider writing....and then....don't! So...here I sit...with so much I could write about, just can't seem to organize my thoughts to write about anything. So, I choose to give the 'lowdown' on the family. Oldest to youngest..... The huzb...he is back to working full time since his knee surgery. We had a little 'bump' with finances wh

Sigh.....

My very favorite Christian Rock band is in town tonight....AND I can't go. It's CASTING CROWNS! I did not have enough money. I could have bought a ticket for me in the cheap seats but I couldn't bring myself to do that. I have 6 kids, 3 of which are huge Casting Crown fans and 1 who is new to them but would love to go to a concert. BUT...I could not afford a ticket for all of them so I chose not to go myself. HUGE bummer! I so love their music and greatly appreciate their ministry. Oh well....I know...there are worse things in life...BUT it is a huge bummer. Here is a previous post about them... Casting Crowns Just had to vent a little........

Much about nothing

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Haven't really had anything of value to post about lately. Have been feeling pretty whelmed with life as of late. Some of what goes on in my world can't be posted about because of confidentiality...sadly. But I will someday. I can say this....we will be pursuing adopting our foster children. If all goes well all should be said in done in February and possibly March. Lots of hills to climb at this time though. I need some huge changes in my life or death may come early. I think my body would just give out. Some of the changes are these....my faith. I have to learn to let go more. Let go and let God so the saying goes. But so true. When my marriage sucks and decisions are being made I do not agree with I MUST learn to place my trust in God....because HE will not let me down. Other changes are my eating habits. Enough is enough. I am not fat and happy. I am miserable and I am not sure how to get to where I need to be mentally. I am asking God for wisdom on that one. I must get mor

In Memory of 9-11

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Wow...it seems so long ago, and yet ....not, that the day which shook all of America and many in other parts of the world occurred. The day innocent lives were lost because of evil. This is my memory of that day..... The year was 2001. I was a single working mother of 4. As was my routine every morning when I worked full time at the American Red Cross, I turned on my bedroom tv to catch the local news for traffic updates. The morning of September 11th the difference in the sound and sights that came from my little tv in my bedroom was immediately different. With a towel on my head (from my morning shower) and makeup bag in hand I sat entranced on the side of my bed. Trying to get my mind to understand what was being said and shown. It was Matt Lauer speaking and there the one of the WTC Towers was on fire. Then suddenly there was a quick glimpse of something across the screen and then a huge explosion on the other tower. The second plane had hit. I felt frozen in time. None of it seeme

Northwest Adoption Exchange

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As some of you know I like to make a posting highlighting a few of the kids in the Northwest who are in need of a loving, safe, and happy home. Checkout the website to see a few of the other kids listed Northwest Adoption Exchange . Pray and see if your home would be the home for one or more of these kids! Here are just a few in Oregon: Here are a few in Washington: and Idaho: