Thursday, January 3, 2008

2008 Family News Letter


Our first Family newsletter

The 2007 year has been a very interesting year. We are grateful for Family and Friends. Without our Family and Friends 2007 would have been even harder then we thought it would be. We want to Thank each one of our Family and Friends who lend an ear, encouraging advice and a hug when needed. We are blessed to have you as part of our support system.

We started the year off as a Foster Family for a sibling group that need a home. It was not easy going from nine years of marriage and have placed with us a little boy 4 1/2 and a little girl 3 years of age. They were placed in our home October 2006. The honeymoon was over the first hour after having them in our care. It started out to be a hard adjustment. We wanted so much for this to be a positive experience and share our home with children who need a safe and loving environment.

We have been told things will come around once you give unconditional love. That was one factor in the equation. The problem we did not know how to give unconditional love to not one but two children who so much did not want it. They did not know what was going on and why they were not with their family. It was hard to see them and their sad brown, teary eyes look at you and not understand.

These two silly monkeys brought the good, the bad and the ugly all at once and it seemed a little to overwhelming most of the times. For a couple, who did not have children for 9 years of their marriage; it made you think of the years of not having children look better and better.

We did not want to spoil them, but we want them to have some good memories and some fun experience. Things changed because we were not giving up on them. We took them to meet our Family and go on a Family Vacation. Things were looking good. Both Ryan and Lindsay were growing and learning to play catch up to all the other kids.

Ryan and Lindsay are both happy to be adopted and sealed to our Family. They can't believe how many cousins they now have. Ryan is almost six years old. He is in all day Kindergarden. There are days he wishes he could stay home and play instead of going to school. He enjoyed playing soccer when it was not cold and rainy. Lindsay just turned 4 years old and is in preschool a few hours durning the week. She enjoys her ballet class and just had her first receital. She loves telling everyone we are married now.

We are happy they are able to be adopted and stay in our home as a part of our family. We thought that day would never come. We are able to start 2008 off with a new start as a Family and put some of the unhappy memories behind us and move forward. We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

And may your dreams and wishes come true.....For us it has, especially now we have finished the downstairs basement as a playroom and a functioning toilet. The toilet started off as a joke, "What would you like for Christmas? A toilet." Thanks to my Mom and Dad for letting that happen. And to Dan's Mom and Dad thank you for your contributions for a soon to be bathroom sink. I am just waiting on Dan to finish hooking it all up. This joke finally came true and makes a good family story.

Of course, we will still be sending stories and photos of our Dogs; Koda and Bauer from time to time. Just because there are grand kids from us now; doesn't me I am going to stop with photos of just the kids. Let's see I will have to send the update on Koda's Hello and tricks. Oh! and Bauer can crawl. We are still working on Bauer's Hello. Our two cats have hit the up tight old maids.

Again Happy New years from our Family to yours.
Dan, Mel, Ryan and Lindsay.
(koda, bauer, parie, and pacey too! we can't forget them too!)






4 comments:

Kristine Van Buskirk said...

Congratulations! What exciting news! What a blessing! They look so happy. Thank you for sharing your story. (Not sure you remember me, Tracey Louis' little sister.) My mom sent me your link. Ryan and Lindsay are beautiful. What a blessing that they get to stay together and to be sealed to a loving family. Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Ginger Rogers said...

Melissa! Hey, it's Trisha! Congratulations on your sweet little ones! What a beautiful family and what an amazing story. I was so EXCITED to get your blog! It was so good to see you in the photos and hear your latest! Thanks for sharing! You will always be a very dear and wonderful friend! Love, TRISHA

Shad said...

I don't think I've ever seen a blog with more encouraging content. This is REAL news. Thanks for sharing.

Mad Queen said...

Wow, I guess I am not the only "Louis" to leave a comment... watch out when you invite a Louis to read your blog.. ha ha! So fun to hear from you. Congratulations on your new family. Your children are beautiful. You are very blessed. Hey, your husband is a hunk too? Lucky on both accounts. Did you get to pick your children's names? I was curious because one was Lindsay... precious. Checkout our blogs too when you get a chance. May 2008 be a great year for your growing family. Love always, Tracey