Tales from Teunis Ranch: August 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Homestudy and more tales of summer 2010

I know it has been a while since I have updated the goings on for all things Teunis.I will start by saying that although we wrapped up our adoption homestudy on July1, we are still waiting on the finished report to send off to America World and then to the state of Illinois, so that we can move onto the next waiting phase of this wonderful journey. Part of the reason for the wait, is that our social worker is quitting the agency and he is now handing off our homestudy to someone new, by the way....someone we have never met. Although this is not supposed to be casue for alarm, it kind of has me feeling a bit anxious. I am trying to keep it under control, I know God is in this and He isnt going to allow for one more delay than He sees necessary and that makes me breathe a bit eassier.

We have spent the summer making some fun memories. I fell in love with Shipshewanna Indiana ( a sweet little Amish community and a real treasure of a place). Steve and I spent his birthday weekend in July there. S-L-O-W pace doesnt even come close to describing it.

We moved the kids bedrooms around and gave Zack's new room a makeover, baby's room will be next. I have spent alot of time reading. Lots of time on the porch swing.

We did some swing dancing on the wharf in Mystic Ct, as we caravanned with several friends on a road trip out to CBC (Christian Believers Conference....http://www.cbconference.com/) in Boston. I have been learning to crochet and spending more time cooking and baking.

I guess you might say, I have been making an attemp at being more dileberate in my enjoying the sweet little moments and not getting so caught up in the busy-ness of life.I guess that thought is captured well in the theme song for my summer...America Honey ( I fell in love with that song this summer, it will forever represent Summer 2010 to me).

So as school gets back into full swing now, and football season is upon us....Here comes school concerts and crowded calendars and soon enough the snow will start to fly......I am so grateful for the sweet days of summer.

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Ricky is in full swing of the college search these days. This is a really exciting time for him and for me. I am so overjoyed to see the young man he has become. I remember so clearly that first moment, almost 18 years ago, when I held him for the first time and the feeling of complete joy and devoted love that just flooded me. I had dreamt my whole life of being a mommy and the moment I held my precious baby, I remember very vividly telling him that he is my very first dream come true. I am so proud of him and look forward to watching his dreams come true. He is a tender heart and a hard worker, a good friend and a fiercely loyal big brother, (sometimes just fierce, but you'll have to talk to talk to Zachary about that.) He is an exceptional young man who has a good head on his shoulders. He is kind and generous and compassionate. His smile lights up his whole face and his seriousness towards just about everything cracks me up daily. Just today he told me, 'Yeah Senior Year is probably gonna be fun', Almost like he had to give himself permission to enjoy it. He is the kind of kid I would want to know even if he wasn't mine. I have spent many years and countless hours praying for the wisdom to lead and direct this boy. I know for certain that the good in him is the God in him. I simply loved him and made choices that reflected that love. I am beyond thankful that God has designed Ricky's heart with a thirst for Him. He is an exceptional human being and it is an honor to be his mom.

Zachary is busy training up his mind and body for football season. He is starting a new school this year for high school and has joined their football team. I am in awe of the dedication he has put forth in this program. I really thought his might just be some passing interest and the hard work would eventually ware him out and he would rather spend his summer days doing other things. Nope. He is committed and focused and I am so proud of him. I am really excited to spend Friday nights under the lights. As I watch the effort he is putting out for football, I am so proud of the whole of who he is. Where Ricky is a pretty serious guy, Zachary is the complete opposite and he is definitely the life of the party. He is smart and kind and funny and he has a memory that baffles us. He can recall information that he was only exposed to briefly and recount situations EXACTLY. I know he is going to accomplish great things. He is someone who cares deeply for others and has such empathy and concern for others. He is intuitive and kind and happy. I think that is the thing about Zachary that really stands out, he is a happy soul. Whether he is whistling or making jabbers with his baby brother or laughing about some random thing that crosses his path, his joy fills the space he is in and then overflows to us all. I do get concerned that someone is going to come along and take advantage of his giving spirit and that life and situations will try to squash that joy in him, but I pray that God guards his heart mightily. There is a country song that has always reminded me so much of Zachary and how he is and who he is, Look Heart, No Hands. Its about embracing all of life and love and living Wide Open. Zachary has always been like a fresh breeze blowing through my life. He is full of life and he's loud. He is such a devoted person, to me and to his brothers and to whoever is lucky enough to know him. He is quick to defend those he loves and has no trouble fighting and standing up for whats right. Where he sometimes has to learn things the hard way, he is open to the lesson and that is the main idea isn't it? He loves The Lord has a big heart for serving Him. He has always been my little bundle of snuggles and rough and tumbles. He is a free spirit and a grounded Oak Tree all at the same time. His thoughtfulness is such a joy to me. He is always writing little notes or making drawings or giving to others in some way. He is one of the most giving people I have ever known. Im so grateful that of all of the choices in the world, God made me his mom.