Last Post for 2010

Here in my last post of 2010, I really wanted to recap our year.  This year has been an incredible year.

Claire-turned 13 this year, so we offically have a teenager girl in the house.  Claire has got to be the best big sister anyone could ever have.  She loves Macie & Conner and helps them out so much.  There are many times that I have walked in to see her playing baby dolls & Barbie with Macie  or seen her playing cars & firetrucks with Conner.  She also helps out a lot with our newborn babies.  I haven't seen too many "tweens" that will feed, clothe, change or allow a newborn to spit up on them, but not Claire.  I'm not sure that she doesn't love babies more than I do...and most of you know how much I love babies.  Claire played softball this year after only playing at 6 years old.  She loved playing fall ball and is going to play park ball again in the spring.  Claire is in 7th grade this year and is loving homeschooling.  She doesn't want to go back to public school next year because she doesn't want to be a participate in all of the drama.  Doesn't sound typical does it?  I told you Claire was in incredible child.  She would much rather spend her day at home, working at her own pace and helping me out with day to day routine than to "chat it up" at the lunch table with school peers.  All I can think in my mind, is that God has an awesome plan for her and she will be a great wife & mom one day.

Macie-oh, Macie.  Macie is 6 and is all girl.  She is very strong on her feelings, expresses herself extremely well, and can convience a tin can that she's got what it takes to run the show.  She often flips her head around to pose for anyone willing to look and will dance to only the music in her head.  This is one child that has no problem being a leader and bringing as many along with her as will follow. She is a huge helper during our day and will gladly load the dishwasher, take out the dog, fold towels, feed a newborn, talk on the phone, or shower 3 times a day.  However, she will be quick to tell you that she WILL NOT change diapers, fold clothes (only towels), take out the trash or dry her hair by herself.  Homeschooling has been fun with Macie this year, as she loves doing her schoolwork and showing Conner She played fall softball as well and says she had lots of fun.  She plans to play again in the spring.  Macie is a great encourager and constantly tells me that she loves me and how beautiful I am.  Macie wants to be a mommy when she grows up and wants to be a vet.  Macie still can't say vanilla, but says a-limma instead.  However, I think the correction is coming near because she struggles to say it right each time.  My baby is growing up too fast and her sweet little pronunciations are changing into correct word forms.  Macie asked Jesus into her heart and was baptized this year. 

Conner-Our youngest child by only seconds.  Conner is one tiny strong kid.  He played football this year on the Helena Wildcat 80lb team and weighed in at 38lbs.  It is said that he is the smallest child to ever register to play football in Helena.  However, even though he was tiny, he never backed away from the football field.  He loved every minute of it.  As a matter of fact, the harder they worked, the better he liked it.  He struggles with school but homeschooling has been great for him this year.  He works better if we school many different times during the day instead of all at once.  I have been known to be schooling Conner at 9:30 at night because he seemed interested to learn right before bed.  He doesn't mind homeschooling and isn't sure if he wants to go back to Helena Elementary School.  Conner is a great "play by myself" child and will sit for hours and play with some cars/trucks/firetrucks.  He can mimic the que sound of a fire engine perfectly.  Conner is very inquisitive and will ask lots of questions about "deep" things.  He also remembers things very well.  He can give details of an event from months ago and remember even things such as words spoken during a routine conversation.  Conner helps out in many ways here at home.  He doesn't do much without being prompted, but he will do just about anything you ask him to do.  He loves the newborn babies and I can't think of a time that he isn't asking me if he can hold or feed one.  Conner is the only one of my children that willl come sit in my lap and hug me at various times during the day anymore.  Conner wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.

Heath-my loving husband... He has had a very productive year in 2010.  He was just awarded EMT of the Year for Shelby County.  He works his 24 hour shift at the firestation and then spends a lot of his time off working with the explorer group or offering classes to the community.  He teaches CPR/First Aid to anyone needing/wanting the certification, works with the Helena schools to provide Risk Watch to the children, teaches Remembering When to the senior citizens, and helps out at just about any public event here in the city.  As his wife, I am very proud of him and am very proud to say that he is my husband and the daddy of my children.  He has even been known to have his nails painted just to make one little girl happy.  As a matter of fact, Macie made him a necklace and he vowed to wear it for a week 24/7.  Macie was so proud. 

Pierce-our newest family member.  Pierce is a 6 month old dalmation.  Pierce is very much a part of our family but is also so much more.  Pierce came from a breeder (Lakeshore Dalmations) and was already being trained in obedience when we got him.  Heath plans to use him to help teach fire prevention/public education.  He attends classes each week to prepare him for his future goals.  We feel like Pierce will be a great asset to the fire department.  Until he's able to go into the schools, he just visits the fire station, attends public events and runs around our house seeing what kind of trouble his little puppy self can get into.

Leslie- I hate talking about myself.  It's hard.  But, if I had to reflect back on 2010, I would say that I have had an interesting year.  I still love fostering the newborns just as much today as I did when I first started.  No suprise there, right?  We even had a set of older siblings (1 and 2 years old) this year.  Since we began forstering 2 years ago, we have loved on 36 children.  For the short time (5-19 days) that they are with us, we are able to love on them, meet new adoptive parents and pray for all families involved.  I believe this is one thing that has moved my family to a  measure of closeness that we otherwise woudn't have had.  There is nothing more sweet than to tell my children that we have a mommy that is going to have a baby that she is going to place for adoption.  They immediately ask if they can pray for that mommy. So, we begin praying specifically for that mommy, the baby, and the adoptive family.  Their prayers are always different and often bring tears to my eyes.  I school our children and love it.  It has been so great to see them learn a new concept as we go throughout our year.  I'm not sure who has learned more...me or them!  I am still a terrible housekeeper and often wonder when the maidfairy is going to stop by and decide she wants to make this her permanent residence.

Well, that about recaps the year and I am sure I forgot tons of stuff, but I promise to do better in 2011.  We are getting together some goals as a family for this next year and will work together as a family to get them accomplished.  So, if I had to sum up the year to just one word, it would be*****AMAZING******.  I pray that you all have a Happy New Year and a blessed 2011.

Christmas 2010

Time is flying by and before I lose my thoughts, I decided I better sit and type.  I think the kiddos had a great Christmas.  We exchanged gifts with my parents on Dec 23.  Then, we did our tradition of going to grandmother's and to the YMCA.  The picture above is my grandmother's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Santa came and once again this year, it looks like ToysRUs here.  I took my tree down yesterday and finished cleaning up the mess today.  Heath's mom isn't doing too great and has been in the hospital twice in the last 3 months.  Hopefully I can sit and blog more frequently in the coming days.  It is a new years resolution. So, hold me to it! 

Where Have We Been?

For those of you that are new, welcome!  For those of you that thought I had quit blogging, you're right!  But, after a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to pick it back up again.  I have lots of information, pictures, updates, news, and happenings.  Right now I'm trying to get everything together and ready to post.  Check back later today for an updated blog---

Updates

Ok, I have fought for a few weeks trying to load pictures from the summer, but I am giving up. My blog doesn't want to load the pictures, and I am tired of trying. I will just recap the summer and start from here...

Our summer was BUSY and lots of fun. Claire got out of school at the end of May, and we took our family vacation to Myrtle Beach at the first of June. Since this was the last vacation before all 3 of my children were in school, we decided that we would "go all out". So, every time we saw something we wanted to do, we did it. We went to a waterpark, played putt-putt golf, went to the campground, bought lots of goodies, had lots of ice cream, ate at lots of places and spent lots of money... but, my kiddos were happy and that's what mattered at the time.

The summer was busy at church as well. We had lots of swim parties, worship gatherings, baptisms, fellowship and fun. The theme for summer at The Church at Ross Station was "Owatasummer". We had a blast learning about some of the children in the Bible that God used in big ways. We went to church camp and had a blast. All 5 of us went this year, and what a wonderful family time we had together. This was the only time all of us would get to go, because Claire moves up to the youth department in September.

We went to Alabama Adventure a good bit, had lots of family time and I actually got a tan for a change. Heath started up the explorer program for the Helena Fire Department. He has 7 guys ages 16-21 that are dedicated to the program and meet every week to learn about the role of a firefighter. Most of these guys have a desire to be firemen when they graduate school, so they are just getting a headstart in their career. Hopefully they will go to some competitions and be a great asset to the city. Speaking of city, the City of Helena is hosting a "Smoke & Gun Poker Run" and concert featuring Bo Bice. The events are benefitting various groups including the fire explorers. If you are interested, please visit www.jamminatthejunction.org.

School has started, and the kids are loving it. Macie and Conner are in separate classes and are really getting along well without each other. I, on the other hand have the "empty nest syndrome". I miss them when they are at school. Claire started middle school, so she has 8 different teachers this year, but seems to like it.

It was a slow summer for foster babies. We took the time to enjoy each other, but I am excited to say that I have a baby that should be coming home from the hospital today. I can't wait to love on me a newborn sweetheart. Oh yeah, if you are interested in what I do with my newborn babies, and would like to be a foster parent (just like me) please let me know. The other foster family that we had has given it up, and we are looking for another family. Please pray that
God will send the perfect family to work with us. It is hard work, monetary pay is minimal, but the blessings are abundant.

I hope everyone has gotten adjusted to their schedules since school is back in session. I am making it a goal not to stay away from the blog for so long again. I am paying for it since I can't load my pictures. Happy Hump Day and thanks for sticking with me.

Haircut, Camping, 5th Grade Day, Tucker Beam is my Hero

I got a haircut and highlights...

Back View

Here is where I got the idea from (yes, I took a picture of the TV screen)

Claire's Graduating class of 2016-

Claire getting her Presidents Achievement Award-

My mom wanted a good picture of her and my dad (my dad wouldn't cooperate ;-D )

Macie & Conner's Birthday Cake from Edgars-

Tucker Beam is now cancer free. He is also in the presence of Jesus. Tucker passed away early Sunday morning. The funeral was the most incredible service I have ever seen. Over 700 people attended and over 50 salvations. What a celebration! Thank you Tucker for touching so many lives and being such a witness for God. I love you and miss you very much. Please continue to pray for Tucker's family....

Our Camping Trip-we went with Brian & Cris Ryder camping... we had a blast... enjoy the pics.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

Please take the time to pray for Tucker Beam. He is the strongest little boy I know. If you don't know Tucker, take time to read his story. You will be blessed, I promise. I can not imagine what his parents and family are going through at this time. I am so honored to be Tucker's Sunday School teacher. He has taught me so much and I can only imagine how much joy, laughter, teaching and loving he has brought to his family. He needs a miracle right now that only the great physician, God, can provide. I am believing that God can heal Tucker's body. God has the perfect plan for Tucker, whether he heal him here on earth, or takes him home. Please join me in praying for:


Tucker's comfort-no pain during this time

Tucker's family and friends: for peace

Tucker's doctors at Children's Hospital: for the right amount and types of medicine to keep Tucker comfortable.

Our pastor, Randy Norris and his family: The Norris' and Beams have been friends for a long time. I know this time is difficult for them, as well. Pray that God will give them everything they need.

Please visit Tucker's caringbridge site and post a message. www.caringbridge.org/visit/tuckerbeam

I love you Tucker Beam and I am so proud of you. You are the most strong and courageous person I know. I am praying continually for you during this time.

Thanks for praying,
Leslie

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish every mother a Happy Mother's Day today... Here are a couple of cuties that I g0t to give to their mommy and help them have a very special Mother's Day. This is Owen. He was a big boy, biggest I have had so far, 9lbs 3oz. He has moved to Wisconsin.




This is Brielle and her mommy and daddy meeting her for the first time. She has moved to Wisconsin also.

Sleeping Angel Brielle

I am so blessed to have 3 of God's precious miracles to care for. My ultimate goal is to make sure that they know that their Heavenly Father loves them and is preparing a special place for them. I still get emotional from time to time thinking about God allowing me to care for his children. What an honor that is.

Otherwise, we have been busy with lots of family time. Heath is getting ready for his first meeting with the Fire Explorers this Tuesday night. We have now been for our first meeting at Helena Elementary for Macie and Conner and how to prepare them for Kindergarten. Heath and Claire are home from their Washington DC trip, and I hope to get some pictures to post of that soon. We went to the Buck Creek Festival yesterday, and saw the ducks. Macie isn't feeling well today, so we didn't make it to church.... I will be looking for the podcast soon. I sure miss my church friends when I can't make it. Also, please continue to pray for Tucker Beam. Tucker is on a new drug that we are praying for awesome results. He is also getting ready to travel to Minnesota for a bone marrow transplant. Please, Please, Please pray for him, his family, and his doctors. Thank you so much for checking the blog.