Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Well, Maybe not

For Everyone!

Groundhog day is upon us and for us folks from Punxsutawney

this is a BIG day. It's a day full of fun with our community. We get to hear laughter on the

streets. There is opportunity to meet the inner circle. I however will be working at a Head Start booth set up at the Mary A. Wilson school. We are recruiting more students for our 2009-2010 school year. We are hoping that Punxsy Phil will not see his shaddow. As you can see by Elijah's expression we are getting tired of winter.

Caleb brought home his report card this week. I am so proud of him. His average is a 94%

Elijah said a new word this week. The way he says it is abowl- which means apple.

Each day he is growing and learning. Life is full of adventure when you have kids as many of you know. But we waited so long to have children that each moment is a treasured one.

We had our home inspection for Foster Care yesterday. Things went well. Many of you may remember Kitona. Well, we asked about her and the response was not as we had hoped it would be. The response we got was "Things are not going so well for her." "As you probably already know this family will always have issues" I don't want to go into details as to my response, but I will say that the agency knows Kitona will always have a home with us. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

An exciting thing happened on Sunday. I must share. My biobrother (Eugene) came to church.

He brought his daughter (Sue Ann). This is not the first time he came. They have been coming off and on for special things like our Play & Praise at the park and also bible school.

Well, anyway, Eugene asked Christ into his heart and life! So did Sue Ann who is 15.

It's exciting to see loved ones meet Christ! Please continue to pray for this family. I know the christian walk is not an easy one, but I believe that God will do GREAT things in this family.

Well, May God Bless you all and remember today that you are loved!

Mandy

Oh the many hats!

In life we wear many hats. Elijah has just begun liking hats. After 19 months of struggling to keep hats on him, now he wears them. I remember I used to buy the cutest outfits with hats, but he would never wear the hat. Now, he will wear anykind of hat. Baseball hats, tasel caps, and even the bonnet at daycare (don't tell his daddy). Both the boys have enjoyed the snow this year. Caleb has enjoyed teaching his little brother how to sled ride. It is so fun to watch my children in the snow. Often I too like to go out to "Play" in the snow. There is something relaxing about playing outdoors. I have so many fond memories of being outside growing up in Pennsylvania. I sure do miss snowmobile riding. My brothers and sisters always kept life interesting for me. usually my face was planted in the snow. Oh well, I often say if I can survive my brothers then I can pretty much handle anything life brings me.

A funny story about Elijah. The other day at daycare the teacher had brought in some snow for the children to play in. After they were done the teacher noticed that Elijah was walking funny. When she picked him up she noticed that Elijah had stuffed his socks with snow. At the end of the day when I picked Elijah up the techer asked me if I might know why Elijah would do this. My only answer was this because he's Elijah and a boy. You see boys do odd things like this. Infact many times all I can do is laugh! Elijah is beginning to notice fish. Infact this is his newest word. He says it like "SHHHHH". Because Elijah is delayed in speech we have him in speech therapy. This has been a good thing for him. He is starting to use sign language also. Just 4 or 5 simple signs, but I am always amamzed at how fast he learns.

Caleb has been busy with his nose in his quizzing they are studying the book of Exodus. Please continue to pray that he will make it to world quiz. I know he is sure striving. He is definately blessed with a good memory. Well, We hope and pray that all of you will stay warm as we trudge through winter. God Bless, Mandy

Life is full of Blessings!

Happy New Year!

As 2009 is upon us we would like to take some time and reflect on our 2008 year!

In September of 2008 we adopted our second son (Elijah Dale). We choose this name for our son for many reasons. He has the name Elijah because of his name sake in the bible. Elijah is a GREAT Man of FAITH! God's word speaks often of the faith of Elijah. He has the name Dale because he is named after his Grandpa Dale and also after his Daddy. Gary's Dad passed away in August of 2007 and we wanted Elijah to be like Grandpa in many ways. Caleb is overjoyed(most of the time) about being a big brother. Many of our family came to Elijah's adoption celebration. It was a time for making memories. This is our second adoption through Children & Youth Services and it always amazes me how each adoption is special and unique. We have had Elijah in our home since he was 6weeks old. He was so tiny and so very sickly. God's hand has truly been on Elijah's life. Infact if you ask Caleb what he thinks about adoption he always says "God has saved me!" for Caleb, Elijah and myself this is a matter of fact! When you look at adoption the way our family does you don't see children as "outsiders" or the "black sheep" of the family, you see them as unique individuals wanting as each child does to be loved and accepted. My parents always opened their door to people. Through example they have taught us to do the same. Love the unloveable!

On Christmas morning we began our morning with reading the Christmas story then we slowly opened gifts. I had to laugh, Elijah is one and he would open each gift so slowly piece by piece where as Caleb was bouncing in his chair ready to tear into each gift. Because there are so many years between our boys we often have adventures like this. As I told Caleb, I think God will teach you patience through the life of your little brother.

When we were done with our morning at home we were on our way to Nana & Papa Hetrick's home when we decided to stop by Grandma Wolf's grave site. We had never done this, but for some reason this was very enjoyable for the boys especially Caleb. We sang Christmas songs and told stories about Grandma. Caleb gave Grandma a candy cane. You never know how much someone means to you until they are gone. Grandma touched many lives. She touched my life, Gary's life and more importantly Caleb's life. He often remembers her loving ways.

As I said before I am adopted. This past year I have reconnected with my biological family. I didn't realize this, but each Sunday I pick up a woman in our community and bring her to church. This woman just happened to be my bio-mom's foster sister for 5 years.

Reconnecting with my bio-family all came about by me attending a bridal shower. This couple in our church is getting married and me as the pastor's wife, and friend attended. The couples last name is McCoy which is the name I had before adoption. As I talked to a woman at the shower named Aunt Kathy she started hugging me and saying OH My, your baby Amanda! She remembered me. Her next statement shocked me she said" I took you for dead". I didn't quite know how to react to this. In my mind I believe that had I not been taken when I was by Children & Youth Services I would be dead. This first encounter has lead me to many more encounters with my bio-family. WoW, I know now why God choose to bless me by giving me to the Hetricks!

2009 has just began and we have already made a trip to the emergency room. Elijah fell off the dining room chair and bite through his bottom lip, I mean clear through! We spent an hour and a half in the emergency room. Within 15 minutes of his fall he was ready to go again. But I'm glad we took him to the emergency room. The doctor glued his lip then proceded to tell us that he used to see this when he was a doctor for the WWF guys. He said this is common for wrestlers.

Well, Elijah is a climber, wrestler, hitter, headbutter, and as cute as he can be, and I belive this little guy will keep us all on our toes. Caleb liked to brag to the doctor that he had never needed to go to the emergency room before. This is true, however Elijah on the other hand has been there three times since he has been in our home. The doctor hit the nail on the head when he said "Boys will be boys" . NO matter how hard I try I can't explain boys!

As we approach this 2009 year Caleb is working on making it to another World Quiz. He went 4 years ago in Indianapolis, IN (He had a perfect Quiz). This will be Caleb's last year for children's quizzing. Our Nazarene General Assembly will be held in Orlando,FL this year and we are planning to finally take Caleb to Sea World. He is so excited, he is counting down the days. As many of you know he has a love for Ocean Animals. Please continue to keep Caleb and our family in your prayers.

May God bless you and your families throughout the 2009 year!