Merrill and Roberta Simon and Family

Boy howdy did we ever have a wonderful Christmas. Our family is blessed beyond measure with people that care about us and reach out to us. Merrill and I so firmly believe that God called us to the ministry of adopting His Special Children. We know that He has always provided for all of our needs and most of our wants. To God Be The Glory. Once again He came through for us. Christmas is a harder time for many and we are no exception. We plan for it, work towards that goal and then do the best we can. Still to provide Christmas for so many is hard no matter who you are. For many years we have had a Secret Santa. This year was no exception. A wonderful group from Reno picked our family and the elves got to work. They asked for what each person wanted and also a list of things they needed. They worked tirelessly and then delivered more gifts than we could have ever imagined. It was wonderful. Everything was wrapped up so beautifully. Then on top of that, they bought grocery's. There wa...

It is hard to believe that McClain is now a six year old. Today I went into his room at about 6:15 AM. He is very sick so I was not only checking on him, but wanted to greet him the second he opened his eyes. When he woke up, I said, wow, you did it, you turned 6 while you were sleeping. He smiled that no top teeth for all these years smile and said...." I have waited my whole life to be a 6 year old." "This is going to be the greatest day." How on earth can you argue with that? McClain is just the light of this families life. He was our very first honest to goodness baby. He was born 10 weeks premature and was put on methadone to come off the drugs that his birth mother fed him while he was in utero. He is an amazing boy. He keeps us laughing with his McClainisms. Today he said maybe he was allergic to his birthday that is why he is sick. He loves Grave Digger and it was a year ago that this community got together to make him the bed that he loves so dearly. McCla...

Another year, another visit to see Santa at the Mall. We just love this Santa. He is there every year and he always remembers the children. He does not rush them as they try to all talk to him all at once. He does not seem to let on that he might not understand every word that comes out of their mouths, he just listens and talks to them. Then we get ready for the picture. Mordachi and Joseph come out of their wheelchairs and Jericho and Micah are positioned where they can get the help they need....then poof, in just a matter of minutes the the Magical Visit is over, but with a picture to enjoy for a life time. The children rush when we got home to compare the pictures of the past. They see everything. They look at how they have grown and how Santa is getting smaller...poor Santa, we just dwarf him so much. LisaMarie notices how last years picture was up close and this one is far away. Yes, Christmas is a magical time. Our hope and prayer is always that even in the hustle and bustle of ...

We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving. It was really rather different for us and we have never chosen to go anywhere for the Holidays. It is easier to stay at home and do it at the children's pace rather than ours. We tend to do the actual Holiday at a much slower pace than most families and that has worked well for us. That being said, it was important for Merrill to go see his Mom for Thanksgiving. The reality of just one parent between the two of us is a harsh reality. So, being that we do enjoy going places with the children, we planned ahead and took off for a 450 mile drive on Wednesday before the big Turkey Day. It was really rather fun and it amazed both Merrill and I just how well all the children traveled but the best part was the two Great Dane puppies....they traveled well also. We arrived and went right to Merrill's brother's home for pizza.....tell me, is that not fast becoming the traditional meal before Thanksgiving dinner :o) It sure is for the Simon Family...

I am sitting here and wanting to write in our blog, but I feel that this post will be such a downer really. It is about intense feelings and sometimes feelings that are this intense are better left unsaid. Still, I want to say it, write it, get it all out. I miss my Daddy. I really just plain miss my Daddy. My Mom has been gone for over 21 years now and I did not think I could go on when she died. I mean she was my Mom for crying out loud. She taught me so very much. She taught me how to loose a child and survive it. Still she never lost a parent, while she was alive. When she died, I still had my daddy. I guess that is what made it all okay in the long run. Now, he is gone too. I miss him. I miss telling him things, both good and bad. I miss talking to him about the Holidays and about life in general. I miss trying to figure out what I was going to give him for Christmas, His Birthday and Father's day. I miss his laughter and how he was always joking around. I miss how he answered...

We have always said that we only do girls one at a time. We have always said that we really felt we were not going to adopt another girl. We know that we do much better with boys. Now what one earth would go and posses us to not only adopt a girl, but go out and adopt two of them??? It did not take long. We fell totally in love almost as fast as we saw them. It is a done deal....and they are big girls at that. Welcome to the family. BATHSHEBA and DELILAH The girls are 7 weeks old and yes, they are Great Danes.We have forgotten just how fast they really grow and how sharp puppy teeth are. So far we have lost one shirt and one night gown to playing. We will keep you posted and post pictures often. To quote McClain...."This is going to be fun!!"

It is just exciting to see how well this family can actually "clean up". We live in an area that is very casual and no one really ever wears dress up clothes. LisaMarie has her selection of dresses and for the boys it is all about jeans and maybe a polo type shirt for when they are really looking "sharp". Considering all that we have to deal with, Merrill and I find this way of life so much easier than if we really had to dress up. Now, that being said, we were invited to the Governor's Mansion for a "dress up" more formal affair. WOW, did we ever have a lot of shopping to do. True to Simon fashion, we hit every thrift store between here and Reno and let the children run wild in what they chose to wear. The end results were nothing short of fun and I think everyone was looking rather sharp for the big night. Here are just a few of the many pictures taken last night.

Some times in life all you can do is make a few faces......many silly.... And sometimes sad.........

Seems at times that we are on the fast track and to be honest we love it. Since last posting to our blog I have turned 50...whoohoo for me...Merrill and I went to a marriage enrichment retreat in Nashville, Jericho has joined out family, we took our yearly trip to Apple Hill and Miss LisaMarie has turned 8. There is always things going on here. I have to say, I am amazed at the world of second grade girls. LisaMarie wanted a sleep over party this year. We said that was good. First hurdle...why can't the boys come to the sleep over. So we got that one settled....they went home at 8 PM and the the girl fun began. I was so apprehensive about trying to figure out what to do with so many girls in the home at one time....lets face it, Merrill and I really only do one girl at a time. We did a princess party and we planned for crafts, fun make up and nails and more crafts and girlie movies. It was great. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. Some of those wee ones were still wide awa...

WOW, first of all, I am in shock with the email that I have received. It is unreal that someone even thinks this highly about this family. We see us as a mom and a dad to many children...that is true....but something this wonderful...well, I am not sure about that. Rather than try to explain it, here are excerpts from the email.... The nationwide famous and wealthy PEW Foundation contacted us at Sierra Association of Foster Families.. they asked us to give them info on a family in Nevada who has adopted children and who is AN OUTSTANDING ADOPTIVE FAMILY in our state.. I wrote the nomination about you two.. and your family WHEN you win.. you will be invited ( i'm sure all expenses paid) to Capital Hill to receive the CONGRESSIONAL COALITION ADOPTION ANGEL AWARD and a big dinner with the politicians including maybe... First Lady Laura Bush..so.. you are nominated per us at SAFF... tell your children.. put it on your blog..to us the Merrill Simon Family is the OUTSTANDING ADOPTIVE FA...

You know, even when you are tired and worn out by life, as sometimes it does wear thin, it just keeps on keeping on. Once again I did not want to post this, as it is not all that good really. On September 4, we had to make the very hard decision to put King Solomon to sleep. What a great dog he was!! I mean, we thought we had picked out the runt, so as not to have a huge Great Dane. BUT NO...that boy got up to 242 lbs and that is where he hung out for most of his life. Our vet told us that we would be lucky to get him to 8 or 9 years old....when he passed, he was about 6 weeks from his 12th birthday. Did I mention he was a great dog? He is the only pet we had that lived with all of our children. I for one shall miss him the most. He was after all, My Dog, Given to me for Christmas 1995 by Merrill. You just can't go out and get another King Solomon.

I have dreaded writing this post as it would make things seem even more real than they are. It is like putting it in writing would make it hurt worse. Still I know that I must do this, both for me and also to share with you. Yes, it is true, My daddy went to be with our Lord and Savior Aug. 19, 2007. It was really not expected. He was doing really pretty good, yet it was his time. I wrote a poem and managed to read it at his Memorial Service. His wife, Sandy, gave the order....no tears. My oh my, what a tall order that was. I think I did my daddy proud, but more than that, I think for the most part I did as Sandy had asked. I could go on and on, but instead I just want to share what I wrote. Love to all, Roberta A DAY TO NEVER FORGET The choir was fully assembled The banquet table ready and set The Mansion finished and furnished The angels running around without fret. The gates were ready to swing open The trumpeter had his horn ready to blow All of Heaven was filled with excitement Th...

These are some of our favorite pictures of Malachi. He was a funny little boy. Please continue below for our tribute to him and His Poem.

Malachi Isaiah-Jacob Simon October 22, 1990 to July 29, 1997 Today it has been ten years since Malachi passed away. Who would have thought that life would continue to go on...not me. I thought it would end that very day or soon there after. No parent should ever have to loose a child so young, but they do, every day. It is hard and your heart aches so much so you know it will break and never heal....but it does. Somehow life goes on and with each day that passes you get a little stronger and your become a better person because of the one that you loved so very much. Malachi taught us so very much and he gave us the courage to become the parents that we are. It was Malachi that taught us we could do what we thought to be the impossible. He showed us that we could love what society says was the unlovable. He showed us that if you just laugh and take life at a much slower pace you could actually have fun with it all. He taught us that tires really do not taste all that bad. :o) Malachi sh...

Whoa Nellie, it is nearly then end of the month. I just can't believe how fast time fly's by when you are having fun and enjoying life...well for the most part...enjoying life :o) Jesse turned 18 on July 10th. It is hard to believe that our children are growing up and fast I might add. He had a wonderful birthday spent with family and his girl friend, Sara. She is just a wonderful young lady and they are too cute together. Jesse is learning about separation as Sara is now in Canada for six entire weeks. That is hard on young love, well it is hard on anyone I guess. Birthdays are even more fun when you are surrounded by so many brothers and a sister. Thank goodness Jesse is really easy going and a wonderful big brother to so many younger siblings. Merrill and I are so pleased with the young man that Jesse has turned into. He has chosen to let his light shine and it is a joy to watch him as he continues to grow and mature. We love you Jesse!! After Jesse Birthday, we got a call f...

Everyone enjoys the Carnival and this family is no exception. Last night we loaded up the children and away we went. We really had a lot of fun. The children wanted to ride all of the rides and not leave even one out. That is hard when you are a tad on the short side and so you have no choice but to watch. McClain had it easier than Joey, but all in all they had a good time. Micah was eager to join in on most everything. It was fun to watch him, at first unsure than the huge smile spread across his face as he started to enjoy the thrill of the ride. This was LisaMarie's first year to get to do it all and boy howdy did she. It was extra nice that she hooked up with a school friend, Peyton, and they spent the rest of the evening riding every thing they could get their daddy's on. Here are a few pictures of a great evening . Forgive the one blurry one, but it includes almost all of the children, Merrill, Peyton and her dad, Snap. Towards the end of our fun filled ev...

Here we go again!! Merrill entered his Boss Hoss in another car show and once again that boy won first place. He really enjoys doing this and it is nice to see him win. These are always fun events and it is a nice family affair type of thing. The kids have a great time looking at all the old cars and motorcycles and Roberta enjoys just hanging out and sitting in the shade....have she ever told you how much she hates the heat?? :o) We also celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. WOW, that is an accomplishment in and of itself. It is hard to believe that in this day and age when marriage is about as disposable as anything else, we have managed to make it work in spite of all we have gone through as a family. Our life has been hard more times than not, but our love for each other has just grown stronger and our commitment greater than the day we made those vows. This year we did not have a sitter, so we did the next best thing, we bought the children's favorite expensive food, tha...