Merrill and Roberta Simon and Family

IN NEED OF SOME SERIOUS HELP!!

2011-11-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am the first to admit that our blog is in need of some serious help. Hang in there and I will get working on it this week. So many things to update on. See you soon. Hugs!!

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BITTERNESS...Not from God

2011-08-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Oh my this is a hard post to post. It is about bitterness. Yes, BITTERNESS. It is an ugly word. It even sounds ugly. It is not how I wish to feel or even for someone to say...that Roberta, She is a bitter person. Yet, I have to admit, bitterness got a hold of me and I am working now to break free of it. I feel that it is not a reflection of the Saviour that I serve, but more of the evil that I want to run from.

Church, I was a child who was raised in church. That is the wonderful thing about growing up in the South, church. They are everywhere. No one has a hard time finding a church to go to or friends to go with. They have things called Revival's and during a revival, you go all week, every day and no one thinks a thing about it. I miss that so much.

Church, we were "reorganized" right out of our church. We have not been to church in 9 months. Funny thing about our family, we stick out like a sore thumb. We can't just slip in the back pew and no one notice. We loved our church. We loved the early service. We could get up, get everyone dressed and get to church. It worked for us and it worked for the kids. Then that all changed and we could not really make the later service work. So we had no where to go.

Kids, they have missed church. They have missed all that goes with belonging to a church and going to church. They have missed camp, VBS, Youth Group, being on the Children's ministry team...all of those kind of things.

Bitterness...it reared its ugly head when it involved the children. We have a baby who is a year old and he has only been in church a handful of times. The twins have only been once. Bitterness, it hardens the heart..the same heart where Jesus lives. That does not go together at all.

Blessings...a dear friend suggested I look at the blessings that were coming from other people and change my focus.

I did.

We have made friends who come over to our home and help us with the things Merrill NEVER has time for, I mean really, he is a daddy to 13 kids still at home four of whom are 3 and under and four more who are total care. We have a dear lady, whom we did not know before hand, that makes dinner for this family once a week. Talk about a BLESSING!!! She seems to always choose a night when I am running around in circles going nowhere fast.

Another friend has help us with childcare here in our home, as in blessing us with the funds to afford extra help. We had our home cleaned from top to bottom, again funded by someone who loves this family. My goodness, another church came out and sanded and stained our playground and cleaned up the "winter" from our yard.

Camp, while they did not get to go to church camp, the Military took 6 of them, three of those who are total care, and sent them to Camp Ronald McDonald for 6 days. There were real blessings. Kids who would never get to go to camp otherwise got to go to camp and be loved for who they are...not the mold they don't fit into.

God has ALWAYS provided for our family. He has always been there as we have done our level best to honor His calling. And while we have not been in church, there have been a few church members who have stayed in touch with us.

It looks as if the church is going to "reorganize" us back into the early service sometime next month.. While we have not been told this, we have "heard it through the grapevine". We hope and pray it is true. You see, there is not a church on every corner here in Northern Nevada. It is not easy to find a church family that loves this family for who they are...exotic for sure, but still full of God's children.

The bitterness, well with patience, love, support of friends and prayer, it is leaving. My life must be a witness to the very children that I have been blessed to call my own. While on the surface I started to crumble, the foundation that was laid so many years ago at The North Dallas Church of the Nazarene, is a firm foundation. The Christian schools my parents sent me to were not a waste of their time and money. I was prayed for by such Saints as Jess and Rosie Tanner and Elmer and Bessie Woods. My parents, while not perfect showed me the way. I will stumble and I will fall, but as long as I can, I will get back up and dust myself off and go after all that I believe in again.

Thanks for checking back.

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WARNING...Full Of Cute Kids

2011-07-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Maverick 3 Years old

McClain 9, Jeremy 20, Joey 8

MacGyver 5, Micah 18

Joey 8

Joey 8, McClain 9

MacGyver 5, Maverick 3, McCoy2, Macylea 2

Micah 18, Joseph 11

Macylea and McCoy 2

Jericho 13, Mordachi 14, Macylea and McCoy 2

LisaMarie 11

What on earth is Merrill doing??

Joseph 11

MacGyver, Montana 11 months and LisaMarie 11

Maverick 3

Our Monkey, McClain 9

Thank You Tammy for taking these wonderful pictures of the children. It was a great day.

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GOODBYE GAYLE

2011-05-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is a hard post to write. We said goodbye to our last parent on April 21. Gayle Simon ended her earthly journey, but oh how happy she was as she started her eternal journey. Merrill and I feel certain we will see her in Heaven on day, walking those streets of gold. Who knows, my guess is that Gayle will be running and skipping her way around Heaven. Her earthly body caused her such pain and in many ways was nearly useless, but she made the best of it.

While she and I did not always see eye to eye, I have to tell you that she had more sheer guts and determination that anyone I have ever known. She sure did life "her way". With the power of only a few words, she had the power to get things she wanted out of people who did not want to do whatever it is she wanted done. Now mind you, that is not always a good thing but it was her thing.

I would have laid money on her going first...I know, sad but true. She just had a host of medical issues. Not Gayle...my mama went first, so young at only 58. Merrill's dad went second, in 2001 just three months to the day after we lost Jason. My daddy came from a family that is known for long life, but he went on at 80. Then there was Gayle. She just keep on keeping on. She turned 82 in January. Sadly, do to many things, we were not able to get home to see her...then our life just got more crazy.

We took most of the children to California when she had a stroke. Again, sadly we just did not make it in time. Merrill's siblings were with her when she passed away. We got there about 45 minutes later. I am thankful that they waited for him. I am so thankful for the hour or so they spent in her room saying their goodbyes. I was not allowed to have that time with either of my parents. I think that is a much needed time in the healing process.

It is funny, we never think we are going to loose someone and then we do. We think in our human way that they will be here when we need them or when we want to have a chat with them...and then they are not. We know in our hearts that life will end, but in our head it is never going to be anytime soon.

I think we need to stop and say I love you just a bit more, reach out and touch more often, tell them you care and hand out those hugs. So that when the end does arrive you do not have regrets. Easier said than done. It all takes work...but in the end, the rewards will be great.

You are missed Gayle. Your touched lives in your own way. We are all a bit better for knowing you...each in our own way.

JUST TRYING TO CATCH MY BREATH

2011-04-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

As I have stated before, I am not sure why people still come here to visit. I get so far behind and then I try to catch up. It is a never ending cycle. The other big thing is I feel that I need to post pictures, but I know that is not true. It is all about how I feel I guess.

While Merrill and I were able to get away for a few days in February, I did not really take the time blog about what all has really been going on. We have been through some really trying times to say the least. On Super Bowl Sunday, Merrill tripped over a garden cart and broke his kneecap. Now mind you, leave it to Merrill to really do it right, he not only broke it, he punctured it from underneath and ended up in surgery that required a bone graph to fix it all. Sadly he has had a rather long recovery, in part due to his sheer size and has had to be on catastrophic leave until around June 1. He has not been able to drive, bend his leg or even dress himself. He is now getting better and has the brace totally off. He is well on his way to a full recovery....Praise the Lord.

The fun did not stop there. Right after our little getaway, Montana went into the hospital for his soft palate repair. While he did in fact stay for two days, he did really well with it all. Now we are waiting for hard palate repair. I think that will be in about two more months.

Before we could take a break, it was pretty much decided that seven of our boys would need surgery...lets just say.."boy" surgery. So because we do things in a big way, Merrill and I just said "let's do it all at once". It was all falling into place when Micah was sent to the hospital with an infection in his neck glands. He was there for three days and then sent home. He was home two days and went back in for three more. How can this be happening? So many hospital stays at once. Wait, there is more!!

So the boys did in fact have their surgeries and for the most part it all went really well. We had a few that had mild complications, but nothing that was not handled at home. Even when we were busy doing all of the above, we had to deal with negative interactions with the twins social worker. The bottom line for us is she did not do her job so she has tried to turn it on Merrill and I. The good news is that we have had an outpouring of support from the social workers that know us and deal with us in an ongoing capacity. It has all been okay.

Montana was referred to a pediatric Neurologist who determined that he needed to sleep. If you follow us at all on facebook, then you know that he never sleeps....LOL. He was put on a compounded medication. The first time we gave it to him, he was rushed to the hospital the next morning. It was a very hard time for us. It was determined that he had a fast moving infection and was put on high powered antibiotics. He was in the hospital for four days.

During that time he was put on the medication to make sure that he was okay with it and that it did not hurt him at all. The only thing we needed to do was to increase the dose as it was not strong enough for him. So we came home on Monday and that night gave him double the dose. The next thing we knew he was being rushed back to the hospital and then sent to a Reno hospital due to and OVERDOSE of the medicine. Again, we were there for four days. The medicine was not compounded correctly and he was getting way to much. That has to be every parents nightmare. Again we give God the Glory that he is okay and we are back home.

The funny thing, the afternoon we came home, I ended up with Micah in ER with a complication from his surgery. I was able to laugh and to see the humor in the situation. Good news, we came back home the same day. I am not sure why the road we are traveling right now is rather hard, but in each and every day there is always a bright spot. It is nice we can laugh at a lot of it, but we have also cried more than our fair share of tears.

The road ahead is still long. Merrill is not back at work and I am so far behind it is not funny, but one day at a time, one hour at a time if need be and it will all get back to where it needs to be.

Thanks for checking in on us. I will try to get back here more often. Who knows...maybe pictures will follow soon. Hugs to each of you.

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NO COMPLAINING ON MY PART!!!

2011-02-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

I AM IN HEAVEN!!!

2011-02-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

RAW FEELINGS

2011-02-05T21:25:00.000-08:00

So, today it was about raw feelings and an outpouring of love, confusion and many responses. I posted on Facebook how sad I was that there is no place for us in church right now. Face it, it is sad and it is a harsh reality of our family. We just do not "fit in" in the normal scheme of life. It takes a lot of work for us to even begin to "fit in" and even then we stick out like a sore thumb. Sometime I wonder about this path we have been chosen to be on. It is never easy, always full of so many things, but most of all it is our faith in God that this is our chosen path. So walk it we do.

I guess my post was rather confusing to say the least. Our church is a wonderful church filled with many caring people. they reorganized and we got totally lost in the shuffle. While we have been in contact with the powers that be, nothing has happened and we are not in church. Again a harsh reality of our family. It is nearly impossible for our family to actually pull off what they want us to do. It boggles our mind and I really feel that it boggles theirs also now. I have made mention several times that I believe it was easier to move the Children of Israel than it is to move our family. It takes more planning and behind the scene work than anyone can really know. We make it look easy on many levels, but that has come over time and again takes a ton of preplanning.

Now, all that being said, I am not really sure how they plan to pull this off, I am not sure they have a real clue what they are up against.

Our hope and prayer is that something works out. The last three months have been a ride of a life time for our family and we have needed our church family. Thank Goodness in times of shuffling, God is right here with us. "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Look Full In His Wonderful Face and the Things of Earth Will Grow Strangely Dim In The Light Of His Glory and Grace!!!"

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2011-01-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I find it hard to believe that it is the year 2011. It will take me some time to get accustomed to writing out that one. I love many of my friends. They were able to put out an end of the year post and a post about all of their new year commitments...many chose not to use resolutions...haha. Here I sit, just happy to have a few minutes to blog at all. I will just tie it all in together.

So, as we wound down the year 2010, Merrill and I did manage to reflect on the year. All in all it was a pretty good year. We did some things we have never done, like take several of the children to Monster Jam in Las Vegas. We went dog sledding and it was so beautiful and fun. We also took all of the children snowmobile riding. Now that was great. Hard as it is to believe, we added three more children to the family.

We found out that we have many people that love and support this family that we really never knew before.It has just been an amazing journey to get here. Can you even believe it, we have people willing to come over to hold and play with the younger children. It is a great help to us when they are here.

Our children really wanted for nothing for Christmas as so many people blessed our family. It was overwhelming at times for Merrill and I to even get to be a small part of all that took place.

Now as we have moved into the New Year. We have high hopes just like everyone else. We have dreams for the children and their pathways to success. We have high hopes for our health and our abilities to be the best parents that our children could have ever had, not perfect but the best we know how to be. We hope to grow and to change.

No huge goals, no big resolutions, just to be the best we can be. To face every day to be our best. Now, we know that we will fall short, but one can only pray for a positive out come.

Thanks for stopping by. Maybe next time we will even have pictures.

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Three Babies, One Doctor, Overwhelmed

2010-12-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

Well, the appointment we waited so long for arrived today. I took Macylea, McCoy and Montana to see the Gastrointerologist. I have to admit, I was looking for answers...and I was hoping against hope that I would come away with a lot of answers :o) You see, Montana has a lot of feeding issues. It seems that he is always in pain after he eats. We have switched his formula several times already.

Now, I would not always run to a specialist for that, but in come his two siblings with their issues. Macylea throws up a lot and she also has diarrhea more than we care to think about. We were told that she had a weak stomach, but it seems to be much more than that. Now, add poor McCoy. He also has gastrointestinal issues. Both he and Macylea have distended tummy's. Now you get why we went to the specialist. We are seeing some family history perhaps here.

So, nearly three hours later we now have more questions than answers. Montana is getting his formula changed to one that has higher calories with less volume as he can't handle more food. Also he is being put on one that is hypoallergenic as it is suspected he has food allergies. No other tests at this time due to his young age. We will go back in 6 weeks to check his growth and how he is adapting.

The twins have to go in for a battery of blood work as he feels we are dealing with a lot of food allergies there also. Okay, I am okay with all of that...but now for the other stuff :o( It is felt that Montana has scoliosis along with all his other issues. Macylea needs a chromosome test to rule out Downs Syndrome as she has all but one marker. She does not need all markers. He explained to me that about 15% are not diagnosed until after their first birthday. McCoy is being sent first for a liver x-ray and his blood work includes liver testing. His liver is rather enlarged. The doctor is concerned.

So, looks as if the next few weeks will invlove a lot of testing, hopefully giving us a lot of answers. We know that God is in control and that He knows the outcome. Your prayers are always appreciated and as always, we will keep you posted.

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AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM.

2010-12-16T15:03:00.000-08:00

I am not sure if it is the....."my age" .....or if it is just that so many things touch me in ways it is hard to fully explain. Some things are hurtful, some are just hard to grasp, some involve the children and so it hits me in my heart, and then there are the things that happen that make you wonder what you ever did to deserve something this good. That is the one that I want to blog about today.

McClain brought home his Christmas letter to Santa. It really was not that big of a deal. Many of the children get a chance to do these each year at school. I try to read them all, but I know that I have missed one or two over the years.

McClain just handed me his...no biggie...nothing special. He was telling me about it so I was not reading it but was listening to him. He says to me, "Mom, they did not really answer my question. I still do not know." I said Who? He says, Judy, Santa's elf.....So I read his letter....and cried. Here it is...I hope you can read it, but I will type in at the bottom.

And then here is the reply...without the answer McClain was looking for.

Yes, I cried. McClain fully understands that Christmas is about Jesus and His birth. This is what we believe with all of our hearts and he has taken hold of this and has put it in his heart. As parents, Merrill and I can ask for nothing greater for McClain...for all of our children...for everyone for that matter. We love you McClain and better than that, God loves you.

For those that could not read his letter, this is what McClain wrote....

Dear Santa,

Do you believe in Jesus and God? How do you go around the world so fast? I really like your red clothes. I have been kind to other people. I have been good at school. For Christmas I would like a Nintendo DS game of The Mario Kart. Love, McClain Simon

The aanswer he received form Judy.....

Dear McClain, This is Judy The Elf. Santa goes around the world so fast because of magic. Santa says Thank You for commenting about his clothes. I am glad that you have been kind to others. And I am glad you have been doing good at school. Love, Judy The Elf. Merry Christmas.

CATCHING UP....AGAIN

2010-12-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

WOW, Here as of late it seems I am always coming in from behind. I guess it is more about tending to the needs of now 15 people at home with 4 of those being only 2 and under, than anything else really. We have had Macylea and McCoy for just a little over a month now. It has been on heck of a ride.

They seem to have many more needs than we originally thought. We work with an agency called Nevada Early Intervention. McCoy was already receiving their services, but it was felt that Macylea did not need them. After some rather extensive observation and testing, Macylea is now getting 9 hours a month with them and McCoy is getting 9 hours a month also. This is including speech, feeding, behavior and developmental. We are also working with some attachment issues with Macylea. McCoy seems to be able to attach and bond but Macylea is going to be a tough nut to crack.

We have also set up an appointment with a Gastrointerologist as all three of the children seem to have some gastrointestinal issues. We first felt that it might be the difference in our food verses the home they lived in...you know my Tex-Mex Southern roots....LOL...but it seems to be much bigger than that. They have had their milk changed and Montana is on his forth type of formula, so it is felt it might just be something about their genetics. Hopefully we will find out soon. We are tired of the throwing up, the diarrhea, and the gas. Poor babies...now we're are fighting diaper rash. Their doctor is wonderful. She is helping us every step of the way.

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. While we have many already, these are just a few of our favorite ones.

Micah lovingly holding McCoy. Now mind you, we sat McCoy on his lap, but he put his hands on him and went in for the hug. It was precious.

Jesse with Macylea at a Christmas Party

As we are busy getting ready for our first Christmas as parents to 21 children, we want to pause to say thank you always to God first for blessing us with our children, each and everyone of them. We also want to always remember the many people, both known and unknown who have supported this family. I know that we would never be able to have the family of ours if it was not for each one. Just last week some new yet dear friends dropped off a case of wipes for us. What a blessing. We are going through so many wipes it is unreal. We have had clothes sent to us from near and far just to help with dressing this family of ours. Again, just a small example of people showing us God's love through their love of us.

Please check back soon. I promise to have new picture's posted of Montana post his first round of surgery and his cleft lip repair. He looks wonderful. He still has such a long road ahead of him, but we are all there for him and he will do great.

Love to all.....

LISAMARIE SINGING AMAZING GRACE

2010-12-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

We have been so busy this past month. I know that we must catch up here on our BLOG. So much with the new babies and all. I promise to do just that in a few days. BUT FIRST...I must share with our blogging community....LISAMARIE sings Amazing Grace for her recital. We are so proud of her and we want to share her with the world. I hope that you enjoy this and will post a comment or two for her to read.

Hugs to all.

WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITY

2010-11-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! Are we ever living life in the fast lane right now....well, many that knows us think we are always living life in the fast lane....but this is different :o) In my last post I told you how Montana is getting ready to have his surgery here soon. Then, the call we have been waiting for arrived. It is time for us to meet the twins.

Some of you are scratching your heads saying..."twins"? When did that happen? When did they tell us about twins? Well, as luck would have it, Montana has twin siblings, a boy and a girl who are just 13 months older than he is. They have been in foster care and waiting for their forever family.

When we were approached about the possibility of keeping the three of them together, well, how could we say no? We are so excited about this it is really had to explain. Just a few months ago we were thinking it was unreal that we were adopting yet another baby and here we are really getting three babies.

So, back to the twins. Looks as if we will get to meet them for the first time the day after Montana has his surgery. Then the very next day, on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, we get to bring them home. Now tell me, isn't that exciting??

I have a ton of "fears", but I think my biggest fear is Barbie. You see, we have not had to look at a Barbie for several years now. It has been rather nice. The dolls are gone from LisaMarie's room...she was never a big doll person anyway. All of the tiny little demon toys that take out your foot in the dead of night...gone. Now we are about to embark on all of that again. It is really my greatest nightmare.

Girls clothes!!! Another huge dilemma. I am all about jeans and shirts....black jeans if it is a dress up occasion. Girls hair...some moms are great at it. Their girls hair is just beautiful. I can do hair in two ways, pony's or not....well make that three if you want pig tails.

Girls shoes, girls tights, girls accessories, hair ribbons, all the foo foo things that girls need...are you starting to understand why we have 18 boys and now only three girls?? Where is my sister when I need her?? She is good at all of this stuff.

Please check back soon. I mean Montana and his new face...sad or not it is going to be beautiful. The new babies, new names to add to our family...like I said, a whirlwind of activity...I hope you join us.

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SAD...HAPPY...CRYING

2010-11-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

So many emotions and it is hard to deal with it all. I wish that I had a cleft palate support group to lean on, but here in Carson City you do not always have what you wish you had. You see, my conflict has arisen from the fact that Montana is getting ready for his first round of plastic surgery. Oh, do not get me wrong, he needs these surgeries and in the end it will all be wonderful for him. He will "look normal" and people will not cast that strange first look. He will be able to suck on a bottle and hopefully get rid of this tube feeding sooner rather than later. Yes, all of the surgeries he will face are for the good.

Now, my conflict. I love his little face. I love seeing his wide open grin, his little tongue working over time in that mouth of his. I love how his little face looks like Popeye with that flat nose of his that has no defined nostril on the one side. He is the baby we were given and we are in love with him.

Now, this next Tuesday, Nov. 9th, all of that is going to change. His wide open smile will be closed. His gum line will be brought back together. His nostril will be formed. His entire face will change. We will still love him, but I feel that at times I just might find myself thinking of that little face now gone and maybe even missing it now and then..

I am so thankful that Montana can have this surgery now and not wait. He will not even remember all that he must go through. I am thankful that Merrill and I are here to help him, to hold him through this journey. This is such an honor to be chosen to be with him.

Now, all we need from each of you is your prayers, your good thoughts, and to share our joy as we travel this path.

Thanks for once again checking on us.

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PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS LINK

2010-10-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All:

So here is a link that will take you to an article about our friend MaryAnn. She is the blind/deaf specialist that is a godsend for parents of blind/deaf children. Our precious son, Joseph is in two of the pictures. Please enjoy and let us know what you think.

Hugs.

http://www.unr.edu/discover-nevada/nevada-stories/features-2010/demchak/

OOPS AND UH-OH

2010-10-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

I love facebook. You can just put your little bleep there for all of your friends to see. Then I forget to come over here and share our life with others who care enough to follow us. So, I guess it is time to share about oops and uh-oh. I am not sure if that is really their names, but who cares.

Maybe some will remember that back in April our three "boy" chinchillas managed to give us a baby chinchilla. Needless to say, we found out that "POPTART" was a girl. Thank You Jeremy. :o( So we read up and became really good "parents" to "SURPRISE". Since he was a boy, we charted everything and moved him away from his mama in the proper amount of time. It was all good.

Well, on LisaMarie's 11 birthday, I was passing by the chinchilla's cage and was shocked to see that "POPTART" now had three tails. Yes, you guessed it...we did not get "SURPRISE" out soon enough...so now we had two more babies. Thus the names of "OOPS" and "UH-OH". In a short amount of time we would discover that we really had three, but sadly one did not make it.

To be perfectly honest, I spent the day crying. We had been trying to find a home for the two chinchillas and now I had to find a home for a mama with two babies. Yep, crying was the order of the day. Somehow my cries were heard and we got the call for "SURPRISE" and he went to his new home. I felt a small weight lifted off of my shoulders. He went to a good home who really wanted a chinchilla. Now we had the bigger problem of mama and two babies...the only upside...they were all girls. :o)

Well, I got an email from a lady in Oregon. She actually wanted all three of the chins. WhooHoo. Then she backed out. BooHoo. I am tickled to say that Star bought them for Michael for his birthday. We spent the afternoon tearing down the cages and switching them around to better serve the needs of all the chinchillas.

I am tickled to report that we are now the proud owners of only two male chinchillas. They are such fun pets. I have to tell you, if you are thinking about this kind of pet for your family....go for it...but keep it girls only or boys only...they can reproduce faster than anything I have ever seen. IT was fast turning into a nightmare for us, but it had a very happy ending :o)

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ENJOYING THE MORNING...LOL

2010-10-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

So this morning I got up knowing that I had to take Montana to see the doctor. All of the other children were in school all day, so I had a rather weak moment. While getting Maverick up, I asked him if he wanted to go bye-bye with Mommy and Montana. Of course my former number one sidekick said "YES!!!" This is his idea of a good time. He gets sick and tired of being at home. The world is his playground and he loves nothing more than being out and about...anywhere, everywhere......just not at home.

There you have it, mistake number one!!

We made it out the door on time. Maverick chatted all the way into Carson City. I was beyond joyful that I had thought to bring him along. I enjoyed my time talking with him and catching glances of him in the rear view mirror. He is such a cute boy. He has a smile that makes everyone else around him smile. He has long, black, straighter than straight hair that I refuse to cut. Everyone calls the cut we do have a Mullet. All I know is that it suits him to a tee. I failed to see the horns rising up from the back of his head. I drove on, unknowing the fate that lie ahead.

We arrived at the doctors just in time. I get Maverick out and we walk hand in hand to the other side of the van to get Montana out. All was well. Then Maverick plops rights down on the ground and before I knew it, his shoe and sock was off and he was showing me a boo boo. Okay, I can make up that precious few seconds, but then he tosses his shoe back into the van just as the door was shutting. WOW he is good. Now we are going to be late.

We get through Montana's appointment with Maverick being his cute little self. It is all good. Now on to get my TB testing done. Why oh why did I really want to take two children to do all the things that need to be done. It is not like I am a younger mom heaving and hoisting these HEAVY children, not to mention that one car seat that seems to have to go with us everywhere. Oh yes, lets dare not forget the diaper bag and feeding machine.

We pass McDonald's and Mavericks face lights up...he wants french fries. It is all good. They have a drive thru and this was one of the things we loved doing when we did everything together. So I drive thru and get his order. I pull over out of the way, get out of the car and give him his french fries and get back in.

Please no, tell me no...not Mother Nature giving me a call right then and there. All right then, now park the car, get out Maverick who is now mad because he has to leave his nice hot french fries in the car. Over to get Montana and hurry back into the store that we just drove thru to hit the ladies room. Whew the handicap stall is open...in we go. We are safe.

NOT!!!!

I go about my business talking to Maverick and Montana. They are smiling. Then at the least desirable moment, Maverick opens the door wide open, that I can not reach, to say "HI" to the gathering washing their hands and others waiting to rush in. I calmly say close the door and he laughs and says "NO", walking out and holding the door wide open.....please note he is still laughing and I am the one dying a slow death while sitting on the toilet. Life at this very moment is NOT good.

A dear grandmotherly type helps Maverick back into the stall, closes the door, says nothing and holds it shut until I could finish up. With a really red face, I manage to show myself, wash our hands and get back out to the car. Do I dare go about my day or take this two year old of mine home?? I choose to continue the day with him.

Mistake number 2.

TB testing went fine. All was well. Maverick got the Teddy Bear and he was happy. We went out all smiles and headed to WalMart. I had all but forgotten about the bathroom humiliation of earlier. I find a kid cart and everything that could be broken on it was. Still it was the only one so we were going to have to make do...haha. One itty bitty strap was all that was between a contained two year old and a wild, running free two year old. Still I forged on. Montana was sleeping peacefully...it will all be good....it has to be.

Off we go...Maverick decides to show me that foot boo boo again. Shoe goes flying. Another dear lady says, oh honey, your little GRANDSON lost his shoe. Well, I did not even address the little grandson bit, I did however tell her he threw his shoe and was being a bit naughty. I smiled and bent over to put on Mavericks shoe and he decides to start yelling "HELP" at the top of his lungs. I mean over and over. We had several people rushing over to "help" him.

I just smiled and said here, you want to put his shoe on for him?? Why did I even continue shopping? Needless to say, after the forth throw of the shoe, we left it off. He hung by the strap, testing every ounce of my being. Then Montana hit the high note. NO, please tell me no. Do we really have to go into another bathroom again...the answer was yes. So off I went like a mad women to the back of WalMart to the "family" bathroom....only to have it padlocked shut. I mean really??? What are we to do...go into the big bathroom??

So I unhooked the one strapped, one shoe, two year old, hoist the baby, diaper bag and feeding machine and rush into the bathroom. Yes, there is a diaper changing station there. I wipe it down, lay down the pad and get the baby up there. I hold him down while I sit Maverick on the floor...do not even talk to me about sanitary. As I undress a screaming Montana I hear that sweet voiced two year old of mine say "HI". I panic, it is not coming from right below me...nope, he is peeking under the first stall. When I say Maverick, he backs out fast and then slides under the second stall to join a 20 something young lady who is now laughing at him.

Trust me, I am not laughing.

I gather up a half dressed Montana and go retrieve my not so precious two year old. Back to the changing table, finish business and get out of there....to the not so happy screams of the two year old saying "wash hands, wash hands". At this point, I did not care about any ones hands.

Somehow we manage to get out of WalMart...with our groceries and a few other things. We also forgot some things....forgive me Neal if you read this :o)

Back to our car. Unload Montana first, Unload groceries second. Unload Maverick last. Yes, you've got it.. It is his turn. A dirty diaper. Ah ha....I have him beat this time. We can take care of this one car side. So I change it. As I am pulling up his pants I notice I need to wipe his nose.

Final mistake.

He starts screaming again...."help....help". A man comes to the car and asks if I need help? I am sure he really wanting to know if I was killing my son. At that very moment Maverick yells...leave my boogie alone. I just busted out laughing. The man started laughing and we ending the outing with a whole lot of laughter.

I hope that the next time I want to take Maverick somewhere, I think about today and reconsider. Or maybe it can all be like childbirth....I will forget, take him out and face the day, ending with laughter and something else to blog about.

In the immortal words of a man I truly admired......"GOOD DAY".

Thank You Paul Harvey...you are missed.

..

JUST THE FACTS MA'AM, JUST THE FACTS.

2010-10-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

There seems to be so many people wondering about our family....so much so that at least one of our children is grilled at the High School about "Family Facts". While this nearly angers Merrill and I mainly because we feel if you want to know something, then just ask. We also feel that it is best not to get your information from a person that has a hard time expressing himself well and also does not know the facts, so to speak.

Still we also understand that people for the most part are curious. Merrill and I have found ourselves tuned into "19 kids and counting" more than once and we can't hold a candle to what that family seems to pull off.

So, in order to help stop the grilling at school and to also help the ones that are just beyond curious, I will try to list the facts of the family.

Merrill and I have been married 32 years. We do not have any biological children. We chose to not let that stop us and to grow our family through adoption.

At present, we have 19 children, that includes 17 boys and 2 girls. Yes, we find boys to be easier. Our children range in age from our oldest, Michael who is nearly 32 down to our youngest who just turned 7 weeks. The rest of the children fit neatly in between. We have a total of 11 children living at home with one of those being an adult child. Six of our children are adult children living independently and two have passed away, one to cancer and one to his disabilities. Yes, it is a crazy life, but it is our life and we love it.

We do in fact go through nearly 20 gallons of milk nearly every week. We also do an average of 40 loads of laundry a week. We cook meals big enough to feed an army, or so it seems. Never do we eat with only our family at the table as we welcome anyone to join us who is here and someone is always here.

Yes, it is true that our newest member of the family, Montana, does in fact have twin 15 month old siblings, a boy and a girl. We are all working together to get them home with us. It does appear that it will happen but the decision has not been made just yet.

Merrill does work outside of the home, full time with the State of Nevada, Department of Transportation. He has also served 36 years in the Military, through active duty, National Guard and the Army Reserves. He loves that area of his life. Roberta has been a full time mom for so long she is not sure how to work outside the home...:o) An empty nest does not appear to be in our future and we are okay with that. Besides, it would be way too quite in this home that has always been filled with children.

Our children have a very wide range of abilities and disabilities. We have adopted seven children that are total care children, 24/7 care. At this time, four of them are still at home. This is where our family shines the most I think. The rest of the children have learning disabilities that we have learned how to help them with. All in all, they are a very mixed and diverse group of children.

We drive a Dodge Sprinter that holds 15 and also a mini van which Roberta LOVES!!! We live in a 2 story home, we need an elevator and we would give anything for a handicap bathroom, but we managed really well without. The downside is the kids are getting bigger and we are getting older. :o) Seems as if we always are in need of home improvement and that is not where we shine. Still the Lord seems to send people our way that are willing to help us through.

Lastly, we feel very strongly that this is what we were put on earth to do with our lives. We feel that God brought the two of us together to adopt these children and to make them our family. While many people call it a ministry, we really do not see it that way. We just really see our family.

The most challenging issue we face has been and will always be the school. I am not sure that they really have the best interest of the children at heart...but more the bottom line. The talk at school is unreal, never ending and forever ongoing. It seems that the people who need to talk take greater joy in ripping apart rather than lifting up. Personally I wish I had the greater ability to Home School the children, but that may just be the one area we do not have the ability to really do.

For the most part, we have felt love and acceptance for what we have done with our lives. There are always those that are willing to criticize and to put us down, but the reality of that is that there are people willing to do that no matter who you are or what you are doing.

We give God the Glory for this family because without Him we are convinced that this would have never worked. Most days we do not fully understand why it works, but somehow it does. Our children do well despite the odds that are stacked against them. They face a life that is unsure but they forge ahead and go at it the best way they know how. They are all doing things we were told they would never do and again we know that that is because of God.

So I end this post with these words....

"To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!!!!"

.

WHO HURTS WORSE?

2010-09-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

I belong to this message board and they have been chatting back an forth about things that are said to them. Let me start out by saying all of these parents have been to hell and back with medical issues concerning their children. They have hurt, they have watched their child/children go through many surgeries and have worried if their child might not make it till the next day.....or maybe even the next hour. Their road has been painfully traveled.

The tone of the chit chat has been about how they seem to feel that a parent to a "normal" child with just the "normal" childhood ups and downs has no right to complain or maybe the reality is they have no right to complain while in front of them. I am not really sure. What I do know is that it has made me feel a great sadness for them. They are a great bunch of parents. They have really traveled a hard journey with their child. Most of their children are now doing okay...still involved medically, but all in all, okay.
Now, how do we decide whose pain is worse? I for one hope that I never have to really try to figure that out. I never want anyone to loose a child "just so they can know how it really feels". I have a friend who has lost her desert tortoise. She let him out to sun and low and behold he decided to go for a walk. She is just sick over this. Do I compare her loss to the loss that I have suffered. I think not. It is painful to loose a pet. I want to hurt with her and to rejoice with her if and when she finds him.

I have posted about a friend from church who is going to the NICU everyday with her son. He came early despite her best efforts. I want her to know that we care and are there for her. As a family we pray for them and lift them up. I never want to act like this is no big deal, babies survive who have come weeks and weeks earlier. Reality is, she is not thinking about those babies, she wants her son to live, to come home to her arms and to his family.

I hope that these parent, the ones on the message board one day fully understand that all things are important to people no matter how big or small we may think they are. We may be coming at it all from our perspective, but so are the parents of that more "normal" child.
Thanks for letting me "get it all out".

.

POWER...I CAN FEEL THE POWER.

2010-09-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

How do you "Feel The Power"? Funny how everyone "Feels The Power" in a different way. I think Maverick feels the power in his little trucks that he plays with and then tucks neatly under the fruit and vegetable basket so he can find them fast later in the day. He "vrooms" and honks and toots with his trucks while knowing that no ones trucks are as good and as powerful as his. He can push them faster than anyone else and they have just the right amount of speed.

Now Joey feels the power in a very different way. He knows his hero, Superman, is as powerful as anyone around. There is none better. I mean face it, Superman can do anything to anyone at any time. HE can save the entire world and he never lets us down. Maybe Joey knows where the real power is....SUPERMAN!!

McClain knows where the power really is. Anyone that knows McClain knows that it is all about GRAVEDIGGER!!! DIGGER TIME. Graver Digger can crush anything in his way. He knows it, the others "fear" him. He is the Monster Jam world final winner. HE is real, not a cartoon like Joey loves. Yeppers, it is Grave Digger hands down. Just ask McClain.

HA, now there is Merrill...can he possibly know the real meaning of power. I mean he owns a BOSSHOSS. I think it is the biggest stinkin motorcycle around. It has a V-8 engine, two speed auto transmission, 385 horse power, 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds, cast iron block with aluminum heads...like who even knows what that means?? and it weighs 1200 lbs. It is full of power. Here is our favorite picture of it as he is a daddy first.

Even with a box of Huggies on the back of it, grown men stop to talk to him about it. Complete strangers know more about it than I do. It is a conversation starter for sure. I have to tell you...even those old Harley Guys want to know about it. Yes, Merrill thinks he has the power hands down.

Now, I want to share with you the real meaning of power. I know that anyone who gets it, will know that this truly beats all of the others without a doubt. It makes you feel weak in the knees with the amount of sheer power here. It makes you cry. It makes you grateful just knowing it is yours. You can hear the hum as it purrs with precision fine tuning. There is no greater joy in the world as you know the real power it brings.

Yes, that is right...the joy of both sets of my front loaders washing and drying all at once. Their motors humming along as they tackle the average of 40 loads a week that this family dirtys. The thrill of knowing that these machines are the most powerful machines in all of the Simon Family. I can rest knowing that they will continue to do their job while I sleep. They are beautiful and sleek and yes, POWERFUL. Best of all, they are all mine. No one is fighting to take them away from me.

Now we are talking!!!!

.

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL...author not known to me.

2010-09-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when

you heard the news On September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I

held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the

peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it

is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed

breakfast to their children. I held her up as she

tried to understand his words and as she realized

he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a

woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been

knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.

'Of course I will show you the way home - only

believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest

ministering to the injured and devastated souls.

I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He

heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,

with every prayer. I was with the crew as they

were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the

believers there, comforting and assuring them that their

faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .

I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew

every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me

for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the

smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take

my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You

may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were

there in that explosive moment in time, would you have

reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey

for you . But someday your journey will end. And I

will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may

be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are

'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

.

SCHOOL TIME AGAIN

2010-09-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Here we are, it is school time. No time to stop for anything. Meetings, homework, teachers calling, automated school calls, IEPs, nurses from school calling, notebooks to fill out, lunches to make. It just never stops. The kids are excited. The calendar fills up faster than fast. It is just on turbo speed at all times.

Funny, it seems that all of our children love school. They get up ready to go and they just like being there. This year the school hours changed and I am really not liking that at all. The younger children do not leave until 8:30 and if you can even believe it, they get home at 4:45 pm. Merrill beats them home most days.Of course just to keep you on your toes a bit more, we now have late starts every Thursday morning. So they all go one hour later. At least last year they were on Fridays and that was better all around.

All of this change is for the betterment of the education system. I have to wonder that when you are sitting at number 50 as a state in education, how will it really effect the children in the long run. Will we move up to....let's say.....47. In the meantime, homework seems to go later, kids seems to be hurried more, mom is not getting dinner on the table at 5:30 as before. Change. I guess the only real thing we have all come to expect is change.

The up side is always that they love school. Back To School night was last night. They were excited to go. Each teacher was greeted as if they have known them for their entire lives. The smiles were a mile wide. The book fair is also at school so each child got the treasured book to love, unless you are Joey and then you got the "must have" poster and it did not even include Superman.

It was a strange evening though. This time we met on the blacktop outside of the school. No chairs, just parents standing while each teacher introduced themselves. It was cold and really not at all comfortable. But to their credit, rather fast.

So we are off. A new school year, children a bit older, wiser and ready. A new baby to brag about to all that will listen. I am looking forward to a great year.

.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

2010-09-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

At least that is what we would like to think :o) So, Mr. Montana has been home for three full days and nights. So far so good. The children still love him and trust me, that is a good thing. Every time he cries, Maverick offers him his binky. Please note that a binky solves all things for Maverick. MacGyver still wants to "pet" him and is willing to wash his hands so he can "pet" him. Joey still is talking himself through the fact that Montana needs love and clean hands to touch him. McClain is mostly concerned about the fact that he can only make out one nostril and really wants to make sure that the doctor will make his second one. McClain also proudly introduces Montana to his friends and tells them that before you meet him, he looks funny, but we love him. Face it, you have to love his down to earth manner.

LisaMarie is really into mothering him and really is trying to help whenever she can. Micah just keeps checking him out, Jericho and Joseph do not seem to know he is here and Mordachi is a great "watchdog" to make sure no one touches him when he has been asked to keep an eye on him for a minute. Jesse just has a ton of patience and does not even act like he hears him cry, which is often.

I think that the best over all comment came from none other than our funny comment guy, McClain. McClain told me that he could not wait to get to school because no one he knew had 17 boys in their family. I asked him if anyone he knew had 16 boys and he said, well no Mom, but no one has 17 boys either. Good point. So then I said well you also have two sisters, meaning there were actually 19 kids in this family of ours. McClain calmly looks at me and says..."Mom, a lot of kids have two sisters." Okay, I get it....I am a bit slow, but in its own way, that makes sense.

I am also having a bit of fun with the knowledge that very few people at the children's schools know we have a new baby. In the past everyone knew it before the child arrived home. This time we are just enjoying having a bit of a surprise as they see him.

Again, thanks for all the support we have felt here and in person and in emails. Here are a few more pictures to enjoy. Hugs to all.

Maverick Loves on Montana

First bath....He hated it.

So, this is how we are going to feed Montana.

ONE THING WE KNOW FOR SURE

2010-08-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we bring Montana home. We are going through all the emotions and then some. Sleep is not fast in coming. While I wonder why, while I ponder how, while I go through the what ifs.....I keep hearing a song that I love. An oldie but a goodie, one we do not hear in church any longer. It says it all. I hope more of you know it than do not. Thanks for checking on us.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
words and music by Ira Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

.

QUESTIONS...BUT NO ANSWERS

2010-08-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Merrill and I were able to both go visit Montana today. Our little man is not so little. Matter of fact, I am pretty certain our baby is the biggest baby in the NICU. Today he topped the scales at 9lbs and 6ozs. Looks like he will get to come home Tuesday or Wednesday. Needless to say, this entire family is excited about his homecoming.

At church this morning we were asked to pray for a family. The mom to be had been been in the hospital trying to keep her precious baby inside as long as she could. By this morning it was too much for her and the baby and she gave birth to a little boy 11 weeks too early.

While getting settled in NICU today with our rather big little man, I couldn't help but to notice the tiny little bundle who was now one of Montana's roommates. So little, so precious, so helpless. Imagine Merrill's and my surprise when the daddy we had prayed for walked in. It brought tears to my eyes. I will never really know their pain. I will never fully grasp how all of this must feel to them. We talked, we shared, we stood in awe. We got to meet one of the grandmothers. We already know the other one. We were there when Mom got to come and see her baby for the first time. Again we were in awe to be in the same room with this family event.

BUT, now my mind runs with questions. Questions that have no answers. Just Questions. Why does a baby whose mom did nothing but hurt him while inside her go full term and live? Why does a mom who does everything right, struggle to keep her very wanted baby have to now go through all of this?

I would give the world if these moms that do these things to these babies could really grasp the life long problems these babies/children will have. How they will struggle even in the best situations to fit in and have a good life. Then there is this precious little boy, wanted so badly by a family that did everything right...will he struggle too? Will it all be okay for him if he just has a little bit of time?

Funny, in NICU parents are all there for the same reason, whether they be birth parents, foster parents or even adoptive parents. We just want our baby to get healthy enough to go home.

I know I ask alot of each of you, but again I ask you to pray, pray for these babies, all babies and the families who just want to take them home. Names are not important, for every day, probably every hour of the day, the names are changing.

A MILLION REASONS WHY NOT

2010-08-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

You know, there are a million reasons why Merrill and I should not adopt another baby...trust me, we know them all. We have talked about many of them and each and every one of them are very good reasons. We were not looking for Montana or any other baby for that matter. But I guess Montana was looking for us.

It is funny, when you do something just a bit different than most people, for example, adopting a whole lot of children rather than 2 or 6 or even 8, there is an entire group of people that want to tell you why you are wrong to do what you do. It happened yesterday. Someone asked me if I had even stopped to think about how old I was going to be when Montana was 18. Why ask that question? I know how OLD I am when he is just shy of three weeks, of course I know how old I will be in 18 years. Thank Goodness my parents were able to afford a great education for me and Merrill had the same :o)

Is it really necessary to suggest that he would be better off with younger parents? Merrill and I already know that we will have to do things differently than our much younger counterparts. We will move a bit slower, maybe forget a thing or two, even look like his grand parents. Still when Jesus has a plan, He will give you everything you need to fulfill His Plan. Yes, there will be bumps and yes there will be roadblocks and yes we will even be old. But we know His plan is perfect. We only wish that we were also.

Montana will grow up surrounded with love and a lot of brothers and sisters who do not even see his so called problems. He will have parents that are not afraid of his needs and are willing to roll up their sleeves to help him become all he can. We are ready to help him in school to get whatever help he needs.

Yes, JESUS. He is the reason Merrill and I do what it is we do. We love our family and we love this life. Trust me when I say there are more harder times than it easier, but usually that is about dealing with the outside issues and not here in our home.

When you think of our family, will you pray for us? Will you just lift us up when our name crosses your mind? God has always provided for us. He sends in the people we seem to need when we really need them. Right now the needs list is on the rise again and we are trusting Him to work it all out.

Love to each of you and we will pray that God pours out His blessings on all.

.

I MUST TO LEARN TO NEVER SAY...NEVER!!!

2010-08-20T22:50:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that every time I say NEVER, I eat those words rather quickly. When Michael was little, I said we were lucky as he really NEVER spilled his drinks. I think he spilled every glass of milk for the next six months. Of course I had not clue about that then, so I said we were lucky he NEVER wet his bed, that he potty trained almost over night. Well, he went on to wet the bed for months. Next it went on that Michael NEVER bit a child...yeppers you got it, he started biting. Merrill asked me then to stop saying NEVER.

Well, I am a rather slow learner. About 11 or 12 years ago I said we would NEVER adopt another girl, unless of course God delivered her on the door step with the adoption certificate signed....never underestimate the humor from above, before you knew it, We had LisaMarie and the rest is history.

So, why am I writing about this. Well, let me tell you. We were 50 and 52 years old when we were gifted with Maverick. Who would have thought that Merrill and I would get to adopt a baby at that stage in our lives. He has brought us so much joy. He is funny, full of life, as stubborn as the day is long, loving, adventurous, and as his name stated, furiously independent. Really, there is no way to better end this adoption run that with a child like Maverick. Well, lets just say that you are too tired after adopting a child like Maverick :o)

So, for the past year I have cleared out the baby things. All clothes smaller than Maverick...gone. Baby toys....gone. Baby blankets.....gone. Baby towels....gone. Anything that says infant....gone. More room, more freedom, more time on my hands. It is all good :o)

I have told everyone I know that we NEVER adopt another baby. Yes, we would more than likely adopt again, just not a baby. There is that word again...NEVER

Now, let me introduce to you the youngest member of our family.....MONTANA

Montana is two weeks old and he is working hard to get to come home. His entire family is so excited about getting him home. About the biggest hurdle he will face once home is that MacGyver thinks his name is one word..."HannahMontana"...LOL We will keep working on that. So now this Mom is busy getting baby things again. Blankets, sleepers, towels...everything that says infant.

In the mean time your prayers are, as always appreciated. Montana has a lot of medical things he must go through and he will need this family to help him every step of the way. We know that we can count on you.

Love to all

BLESSED BLESSED BLESSED!!!

2010-08-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

I am not really all that sure how Merrill and I have been so blessed with each one of our children. Now do not get me wrong, some days are just so much longer than others. There are days that I am not sure just how we will get to the end of the day, but God always is faithful to us and somehow we make it. IT is a wonderful feeling.

Then, as with every other parent out there, you get a "WOW Moment". That time when you hear something that just makes you go "WOW". That happened to me just the other day. It was actually the first day of Vacation Bible School. I had upset McClain by asking that he be moved into the older group as that was the group he belonged in. He was totally worried about it and let me know he was disappointed. Really, what was a Mom to do?

Towards the end of the morning, I asked him how things were going shooting him the thumbs up sign. He shot back a rather sad face. I felt like a total heel. So, knowing that McClain sure knows how to get to me, I ask his now new teacher how he did that morning. What she told me just blew me totally away.

She told me that our 8 year old son was probably going to be a preacher. She said he had down theology in a way that she could have never explained to the children that morning, but he did and they understood it. She went on to tell me that McClain explained to his class that it had to be Jesus' blood on the cross because it was without sin. Every other man's blood had sin in it so it was no good. Just Jesus and His blood.

"And A Child Shall Lead Them"

Thank You so much Lord for this child that you have given to Merrill and I.

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN??

2010-08-10T21:46:00.001-07:00

Well Lordy be, I have sure neglected this blog of ours. I am surprised to see that we have any one following this blog...LOL This family has stayed busy this summer and I have done my level best for them to have little to no down time. I will have to take the time to share with ya'll all about it. We have done Tahoe Tuesday where we have gone up to the lake nearly every Tuesday for the day with a few other large families. So much fun.

We have done summer school for most of the children....a few I kept home due to disagreements and my feeling they were better off at home rather than school. School starts in two and a half weeks...we shall see. The children did a month of swim lessons and we have traveled to California for Merrill's Military Duty had family day. So, we all went and enjoyed ourselves. Plus we got to hook up with Mallroy for about three hours. WOW. It had ben nearly 5 years since we have seen her.

So, I promise to sit down later this week and get this all back in order. The children love looking here and this mama needs to do better.

See ya soon.

LisaMarie01.mp4

2010-05-31T21:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, It Happened At Wal-Mart

2010-05-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

Time just seems to rush by, more so in the month of May since it seems to be non-stop for us year after year. It is just such a busy time. So, here we are with a rather busy weekend. We had Joey's birthday party on Saturday and then switched gears so we could have Jesse's graduation party on Sunday.

This switched involved a fast trip to Costco and then hopefully fast trip (haha) to Wal-Mart. Now mind you, this was at 6PM on a Saturday night...no such thing as fast. McClain had the check list and he was crossing things off as we put them in the cart. It was going really well...that should have been our first warning...LOL.

As we were pushing through, the twelve pack of Lemon Lime soda fell off the cart and broke open. No big problem really, we just gathered them back up and I put the box in the cart. being extra careful.

Merrill and LisaMarie were gathering up the last of what we needed and we all met up at the check out. Now, you have to really think about this as you read it...:o) We were all unloading. The check out lanes were crowed as can only happen in Walmart. The checker is ringing up things. McClain bends over and unloads the very last 12 pack of root beer in the store...HIS 12 pack of root beer. As he lifts it up almost to the conveyor belt, the box just falls apart. The cans go everywhere. But the absolute best part, the funniest part is three of those little cans burst open and just started spewing root beer everywhere. I am talking on the next cashier, the candy bars, the items that they want you to buy as you are checking out. McClain is trying to stop it, I am laughing and feeling bad all at once.

McClain is nearly in tears saying this is the worst thing that has ever happened to him in his entire life. Our cashier is rather mad but she keeps trying to ring us out. Root beer is dripping on everything. It was a total mess. The poor lady who had to clean it up did not even know where to start. She also did not look to happy with us or the mess we had just created.

The family behind us is laughing. The teenage girl states that this exact same thing happened with her twin brothers who by the way are 8 years old also. She tell us where it happened in the clothing aisle. It did little to help McClain but it made Merrill and I feel a little better while standing in root beer.

So there you have it. It really did happen at Wal-Mart.

BIRTH PARENTS

2010-04-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Merrill and I have entered a new dimension in this process of adopting children, it is about Birth Parents. I have come to feel that no matter what you know about a certain subject, there is always so much more to learn. We have actually dealt with birth parents before now. We have had open adoptions, legal risk placements where the birth parents were still involved, and for that matter, birth parents that were involved with a few of the children that we only fostered.

All in all, the dealings have been okay. Until now.

One of our adult sons has had some ongoing legal and mental problems. To be honest, it has just gotten to the point where we did not even have a clue how to help him any longer. This is a harsh reality to even have to look at as parents. One of his former foster parents has really never been supportive of the adoption of he and his siblings. She withheld all of their pictures taken during the five years she had the children. It was hard as we tried to help them piece together their past. Well, she managed to put this one son in touch with his birth dad.

Really, Merrill and I took a positive look at this. We thought that maybe this might just help this one son with all the things that he never really could put together. I am not sure how it is all going, but on the surface it has not turned out the way we had hoped. You see, now two of our adult children are living with their birth dad. What started out as possibly positive has taken a really negative turn.

Rather than go into all the sorted details, I just want to share the wisdom of a dear friend who works with foster children, adopted children, birth families, social workers, troubled teens and really just anyone and everyone. I wrote to Joseph and shared the pain Merrill and I were feeling...with his permission, here is his answer.......

***********************************
Each of us, each and every one of us, has to follow our own journey through life.. as parents. we do what we can do to help each of our children have the best journey... and yet.. each child must fall and rise on his own along the way

you can't push yourself to be perfect.. you can't be his mom and social worker and Merrill can't be his father and social worker .. neither of you can be his counselor, therapist, pastor, etc. all you can be are his parents.. and at his age.. your role as parents is simply to love him.. but that does not mean you have to sacrifice your safety, spirituality or sanity for him.

Sometimes when we do nothing about a problem.. the problem solves itself.. at times when I want to rush in and rescue and solve the problem.. I find it solves itself as Fate decrees

my ancestors believed in a spiritual concept called FATUM.. which means "each one of us is born with an assigned destiny."

the secret to life is to discover what is our assigned destiny and accept it.. the downfall is when we fail to discover it and fail to accept it..

your destiny is, has been and will be to be the parents that you are to the children who have suffering as part of their destiny..

but, you can't be THE DESTINY OF YOUR CHILDREN... you can guide them and offer them elements to help them fulfill their destinies.. but you can't be their destiny. perhaps that is what you are forcing upon yourself with J.????

he's out there in the world right now and you dont' know where he is. Just remind yourself.. that he has to discover the world himself... you can't stop him.. as painful as it is.. you should convince yourself it is his destiny...

in the end.. all roads lead to God.. even the shortcuts and the detours and the washed out roads with pot holes

so the journey may be treacherous.. but in the end.. in one way or another.. all of us including J will reach the Source of Destiny.. God.

*******************************

Thank You Joseph for taking the time to care, to reach out, to help us see the bigger picture. Merrill and I will continue to pray for all of our children. You continue to amaze us with your wisdom and your ability to see things when the rest of us can't. You see the beauty in all things. The family loves you.

.

BIRTHDAY'S

2010-04-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

You know, birthday's have never really bothered me until this year. I am not talking about my birthday, I am really talking about some of the children's birthdays. Over the years Merrill and I have grown nearly weary of people that seem to just not understand that our main goal with our children has always been to first give them a family that loves them and wants them and then to give them the childhood that they deserve.

Well, part of that mission includes birthdays. While we do not feel that each and every year there needs to be this outlandish party that involves everyone they know, we do feel that the birthday needs to be about them and them alone. This is one of the reasons that by the middle of May we are all so sick of cake and party stuff that we are all just going.....oh wow :o( another birthday. We have nearly non stop birthdays from mid March until mid May.

Okay, so this brings me to the real reason of the blog post. Joseph had his birthday March 15. He was 10 years old. First off, we had to wait until last week to have his party. You see, I had taken the time to find just the right gift for him, one that he would really love and that he would be able to enjoy. Little did I know that it would take forever to get here from England and that it would be damaged in shipping and thus sent out again....all while we waited.

Good news, Joseph did not grasp that we had skipped his birthday. Therefore he did not mind the month delay.

Now on with my dilemma and my "under the radar" sadness. We took time planning his party. We picked out the brightest of reds, the shinnest of yellows so he could see them all. McClain announced that Joseph wanted an ice cream cake this year. We fixed that "special" dinner. It was all festive.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. WHY??? Joseph can't even taste his special birthday dinner, muchless eat it. He sure can't taste his ice cream cake. You see, along with all of the other things that makes Joseph, Joseph, He can't eat and he can't drink. He does not process proteins nor can he really swallow. He has a trach and it is felt that he really does not have a sense of smell and add to that he is blind/deaf. Now you put all that together and it just made me feel really sad for him. I wonder, what is it like for him to have this birthday? Does he grasp that this special time is all about him? Does he understand at all that we want him to know he is a tad bit more special on his birthday? Does he begin to get that his life is a miracle and we are so blessed to have him alive and doing really pretty good?

My guess is that I will never really know the answers to these questions. All I know for sure is that we as his family will always try to make his life better. We will try to find the gifts that he will enjoy no matter what. So now as I move forward, it is time to plan yet another birthday celebration. Micah's birthday is in a few days. The good news, while Micah is a hard person to buy gifts for, as he is not on target at all for a young man who is about to turn 17, he does in fact enjoy food and he loves his cake and ice cream :o)

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IT IS NEVER GOOD WHEN MORE ARE SICK THEN NOT!

2010-03-04T16:02:00.000-08:00

Nothing funny about this post. Today I woke up to more sick kids than we have had in a long time. Not a good thing at all. I mean the reality of parenting is that you should only be required to handle so much barf at one time. This time though I had Merrill's "help". He is such a great dad. He helps me no matter how long his day has been. He can recover from surgery faster than any person I know. He will run errands on his lunch hour so I do not have to get back out with the little ones at nap time. I mean really, what more can I ask for?

For starters, can you rinse the sheets before you tell me that they are ready to go and all I have to do is turn on the machines? How about not putting the blanket that was full of the child's present on top of the bed netting. What about acting like you are really sorry you have to leave me with this mess for 10 hours while you go to work? A biggie for me would not smiling so hard as you are driving to work...yes, a co-worker told on you.

So today I have washed bedding till I am going nuts. Strange how long it takes when you have to wash it twice, not to mention scrape it after the first washing...yuck. I have washed the well placed towels that think goodness they have hit. I have poured gallons of Gatoraid and handed out two boxes of saltine crackers to the crew. Sponge Bob is about to make me sick myself.

The best part, I mean the very best part is that a caregiver I called to ask is she could come over earlier is....are you ready for this....asleep on the floor!!! I mean, I guess I really do not care. It is that kind of a day.

I still think that my all time favorite line from a movie is from Finding Nemo....Dory says, "Just Keep Swimming." No better words were ever spoken.

.

The Children Go Snowmobile Riding

2010-02-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, this was about the most fun we have ever had with the children. I think that we smiled and laughed the entire time. While Merrill and I were away for a few days, we saw a family friendly snowmobile riding place. We got out and talked to them and told them all about the children. We worked things out so that they could accomodate the many special needs. This was going to be a huge surprise for them.

So, they all expected that we were going to take them tubing, so it was no big deal that they got on their snow clothes. We headed up to the lake, excitement building. Nearing the last few minutes I asked them who wanted to go tubing and they all yelled with joy. Haha....I then said we are not going tubing. Many were getting upset...but before they got too upset, I told them....who wants to go snowmobile riding. Oh my...they got really excited at that point.

Here are some pictures so you can enjoy our day as much as we did.

McClain, Joey, LisaMarie and Mordachi waiting for their turn.

Jesse letting LisaMarie drive. He has nerves of steel.

McClain jumping off so Joey can jump on. Mom driving.

Jericho is waiting his turn.

Merrill facing reality that his daughter will be a speed demon.

Joey driving?? McClain riding...not.

Reality...really this is!!

This is how Jericho rode the entire time. Gotta love a boy who can suck his thumb in the face of danger.

Mom and McClain

McClain acting silly

Notice the tongue.

It never goes in.

LisaMarie and Jericho. She is such a great sister.

Micah was so happy to do this.

A HAPPY, HAPPY Day!!!

Yes, that was picture heavy. We had a wonderful time. I really can't express how hard Merrill and I try to give the children a normal life. It would be easy to just leave them home and take the easy way out. Still we have lived our lives believing that they have a right to a childhood. It is what drives us and it is what brings all of us so much joy.

Now, for a few highlights...

LisaMarie when she said...going about 2 miles an hour around a corner "Hold On Mama"

Micah leaning hard to the right when we needed to lean hard to the left. He nearly flipped us.

Mordachi killing my hips due to the CP and the fact he can't spread his legs very far....still laughing with real happiness.

Jesse overcoming his fear of driving the snowmobile to then become a leader and help some of the others drive.

Joey waiting his turn calmly and not getting upset

McClain yelling faster mom.

Jericho sucking his thumb and just taking it all in.

Jericho accepting that the helmet was a must.

Micah not knowing how to get on, but then getting on with ease before it was all over.

Micah leaning backwards like he was just kicking back in the recliner. Talk about a hard way for Mom to drive.

Races with all of us.

Such a wonderful day...........

Merrill and I Get Away

2010-02-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

Merrill and I were able to get away for a few days this past weekend. We had so much fun. The winter months are just the best for us. I love the snow so very much, so anytime we can spend time in the snow is a great time. This go around we chose to just plan two main activities. We did our snowmobile riding. I am not sure how we came about to take our first snowmobile ride many years ago, but we knew we both loved it. This time we took a backroad type of trip. It was nothing like the one we were able to take with friends a few years ago, but it was still a lot of fun. We went up to Hope Valley and it was really beautiful. We will have to add this to our list of places we love to go to.

The next day Merrill and I got up and just decided to do whatever we wanted to do. Those that know us well would not be surprized by the fact that we spent several hours just going to thrift stores. It is something I enjoy doing and believe it or not, Merrill actually gets into it when the time is right. Then we just kinda looked at each other and said lets drive to Sacramento and eat at one of our favorite places, Joe's Crab Shack. It is always a good time when we can enjoy seafood. For those of you lucky enough to be near a Joe's Crab Shack, I encourage you to go try it, if you haven't already. It is like a seafood party.

On Sunday, we had one more thing that we really wanted to do....a Dog Sled Ride. WOW!!! I have to admit that when we got there, I was a little concerned about those dogs. I mean I have never been a small person, but Merrill is just down right HUGE. Being me, I expressed this concern to the very nice man who owned the entire operation and he said not to worry. He explained the entire process and told me that the dogs would have no problem taking us for a wonderful ride. So I chose to trust him and then went on to have the time of my life.

Merrill and I were lucky enough to take the sunset ride. Oh my, how can I even begin to share with you how beautiful it was. I mean I love snow and to be out in the cold, in the snow, riding carefree and the sun setting behind the beautiful mountains of Squaw Valley. It was breathtaking. The pictures do not really do it justice, but here they are.

Getting ready to go

All bundled up with Merrill

What a ride this was.

Break time for the dog...pure beauty with the sunset.

As you can see, Merrill and I had a wonderful time away. We also have a huge surprise for the kids but we had to get home first. We headed back home ofter the dogsled ride. I will try to get the surprise up later. It was just great for the children.

WOW, So that is what Hacking feels like.

2010-01-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is short and sweet. I have been working on a new blog post that was near and dear to my heart. Today when I got on to work on it, I was shocked with what I saw. Someone with rather poor spelling I might add, had hacked into our blog and really wrote some rather sad views on our life. I hope that no one read this, but if you did, I am so sorry.

Parts of it were my thoughts....like the very first sentence and then the words to a song that I love. Other than that, who really knows. I have taken precaution to stop this and I hope that it does not happen again.

Check back in a few days as I hope to have this all fixed up again.

Thanks for your support and as always, your words of kindness to us.

.

I AM PROUD OF THE HOUSE WE HAVE BUILT

2010-01-14T22:56:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the post I was working on before this blog was hacked. It has been in my heart and soul for weeks. I hope and pray that it comes out the way I want it too, with sincerity as well as a bit of pride.

My brother Bobby, called me once and said that when he listened to this song by Brooks and Dunn that he always thought of Merrill and I. To be honest, I had never even heard of the song before. So Bobby, being the top notch brother that he is, sent it to me. Then he sang with it to me. Gotta love him. Anyway, I fell in love with this song. Every time I hear it I think of him and then of Merrill and I. If you do not know it, please find it and listen to it. (words folloing this post)

Anyway, on with my thoughts. So many of you know Merrill's and my story. I believe with all my heart that we were put on this journey of adopting long ago. I was only 8 years old when I told my mama that I was never going to have children, I was going to adopt. Merrill and I were the perfect couple for that. He really can't produce children, but more than that, I can't concieve a child. So adopting became our way to build our family.

Our children have come to us in many ways. They have come to us as mixed as children can get. They have found their way home no matter how hard the climb. Merrill and I have face obsticals that many would never understand and yet also many that others have faced as well. I felt for years that I had let my parents down because they had owned their own business and here I married just a regular guy. At first my parents really did not get Merrill at all. They had a hard time even liking him. I am so thankful that before my mama died, she really fell in love with Merrill and knew that he was the best person in the entire world for me. My life was not as she had invisioned for me, but it was perfect for me.

Merrill and I are a team. We are one and we are commited to God first, each other second and our family next. Merrill has proudly served his country for 36 years and counting. We are all so proud of his service. While we really do not have a life that is without worry, we have a great life. I have so often wished that we had the money to improve our home, to add on to it, to build that handicap bathroom that I have dreamed of for years. The reality of it all is that it will probably never happen. I can still cling to a dream that it might.

People find it funny that we have saved change in a five gallon jar for years. We call it our Dinseyland fund. We were almost to the top about a year and a half ago when someone took about half of it. I cried for weeks on and off. There went our dream. But you know, we are almost there again. Merrill thinks we might just make it this year, taking all the children to Disenyland. WOW. It will be fun.

You know, I think it is so much more important that our children know God first. That is more important than a home that is added onto. I am so thankful that over all of the years our children have come home from school to a mom at home, waiting for them. I know that is not possible for all parents as many have to work. It has just been a blessing for us that I have been able to be at home for them. They know that their daddy will be home at 4:30 sharp. That is a good feeling for them.

It is great that they now have parents that are together and not hit by divorce. Oh they have known more than their fair share of sadness, but they are survivors and that is what you see when you meet them. Their lights shine rather than having been put out.

As a family we have been critized by many. I really feel that it is because they do not understand how this family works. Face it, I really do not understand it myself many days. All I know is that it does and that is what matters. Merrill and I have always tried to say to ourselves how can we do something with all of the children, rather than we can't do this or that because this child can't do it. So far that works out really pretty good.

People often ask us if we are done now. To be honest, I thought we were done when we only had six children. Then I knew we were done when we had twelve. Now here we are with 18 and I am not going to answer that question any longer. My guess is we may never really know.

Now, this brings me back full circle to the song. Thank You so much Bobby for telling me about this song. A special thanks to Brooks and Dunn for writing the song. You see, I am proud of the House we have built. I want to share it with the world. This is a great place to be.

Love to each of you.

I dropped to my knees in that field on your daddy's farm.

Asked you to marry me, all I had to give was my heart.

While other kids went diving into swimming holes,

You and me dove off into the great unknown.

We were barely gettin' by, takin' care of each other.

Then I became a daddy; you became a mother.

Was an uphill battle nearly every day,

Lookin' back I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm proud of the house we built.

It's stronger than sticks, stones, and steel.

It's not a big place sittin' up high on some hill.

A lot of things will come and go but love never will.

Oh, I'm proud.

I'm proud of the house we built.

Still workin' our way through the land of milk and honey.

At the end of the day there's always more bills than money.

I close my eyes at night and I still feel

The same fire in my heart I felt out in that field.

I'm proud of the house we built.

It's stronger than sticks, stones, and steel.

It's not a big place sittin' up high on some hill.

A lot of things will come and go but love never will.

Oh, I'm proud.

I'm proud of the house we built.

Oh, look at us today.

Oh, we've come such a long long way.

I'm proud of the house we built.

It's stronger than sticks, stones, and steel.

It's not a big place sittin' up high on some hill.

A lot of things will come and go but love never will.

Oh, I'm proud.

I'm proud of the house we built.

I'm proud of the house we built.

It's stronger than sticks, stones, and steel.

It's not a big place sittin' up high on some hill.

A lot of things will come and go but love never will.

Oh, I'm proud.

I'm proud of the house we built.

REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST TEN YEARS.

2010-01-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

Here we are, in a new decade, a new beginning, a whole new world. As I look back on the past ten years I can honestly say it has been on heck of a ride. Our family has changed, we have grown, we have had a fair share of ups and also our fair share of downs. While I am sure this is not really any different than most if not all families, it is still something to look back on.

We started this decade with 12 children, we now have 18. Up close, we lost Jason, our 14 year old son, whose life was really more of a miracle than one filled with sadness. Merrill and I have both said good bye to our dads and I said good bye to a brother. Death is never easy but it helps you realize how wonderful life is and how you need to live it to the fullest. Funny, we all say this, the hard part is remembering it and doing it. Merrill is blessed to still have his Mother alive. Lord willing we will go see her for her 81st birthday in a few weeks.

I myself nearly died. I was in the hospital for three months. As I look back this was a near impossible time for us as a family. It once again showed what this family is really made of and that this family is full of suviviors. I know that I would have died had The Lord not brought in Lee Trotter to take care of me and to save my life. He has never once given up on me and it helps me that he believes in me.

I have to say that while there were many wonderful events in this life of ours, by far the greatest for this entire family was getting to bring McClain home from the hospital, our very first infant and one that had no past but us as his family. I am sure that if you are a follower of our blog, then you get tired of reading that, but it was huge and even to this day, it is still something that we have never done again.

Merrill and I know that some of the most challenging children that we have are not the ones that most think are, they are our children that have all of the emotional issues. They are the ones that each and every day need the stability that this family has to offer. We know that for whatever reason God has brought them home to us, His plan is perfect and He will see us though.

Personally I am just amazed that Merrill and I have been married as long as we have. Now, this is not because of our commitment to each other or because of our love for each other, it is more based on the fact that so many of our friends have not known this wonderful blessing. If there is anything that I have learned, it is this, marriages are disposable, but so are children. I wish that family would become the priority that it needs to be.

As I look back on the children I am just amazed at how they have grown and changed. So many of them are doing things we were told they would never do. We had our first ever high school graduate. We have become grand parents many times over now. For the most part our adult children seem settled in their lives. It is not always easy for them, but they are doing some good things. They have taken it in stirde that their family continues to grow. It is such a great feeling when we can all get together as a family.

It is also with great joy that I look back on the many people that have come into our lives over the past ten years. People that have become friends, people that have believed in this family and what we stand for. Trusted people that have helped us with the children and who know what it is like on the inside of this family. It is not easy living in a fishbowl, but somehow we have grown accustomed to it. It is wonderful to have them in the water with us. They know who they are and I know that we love each of them.

Looking ahead, who knows. Goals, I am sure that we have many. I find great laughter in that one ongoing goal we always have is cleaning out the garage and I can honestly say that in the past ten years we have never once been able to park a van of any size in our three car, over sized garage....:o)

As I look ahead, I have no idea what the next ten years will bring. I love these words of truth, "I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow".

Happy Birthday McClain Cordell-Walker Simon

2009-12-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

Hard as it is to believe, Our "baby" turned 8 years old today. You see, we call him our "baby" because he was our first infant and he was the only baby we ever got to bring home from the hospital. McClain was the 12th child we adopted and he just somehow brought the entire family together as they loved on him, doted on him and we all just downright spoiled him. It is amazing that he has turned out so well :o)

McClain loves to play computer games. From the time he was two years old he just seemed to know what to do with them. This has been a blessing and also cause for pain as at first we only allowed learning games, but now he has learned all of those so he is now realy for the "real" game....not sure we are, but we will have to adapt.

McClain makes us all laugh. He loves Grave Digger and has a room full of that Monster Truck. It is hard to believe he is 8 years old. We are so proud of him and the person he is becoming. We are all excited to see where this boy is going to go. Thank You Lord for the Blessing we call McClain!!! Happy Birthday Son!!

MAVERICK WINCHESTER-SLOAN SIMON

2009-11-21T21:23:00.000-08:00

Maverick Winchester-Sloan Simon

What a great name!!! It embodies all that I miss about Dallas. More than that, it means unconventional, standing up for what you believe, going against the grain. This much we know, adopting a baby at 50 and 52 is all that and more. We are in love with this happy little man who keeps us beyond busy. He just knocks our socks right off. He makes us all laugh. It is worth it to have him.

Getting ready for the ice cream party. Whoohoo,

Gary, LisaMarie, Pat and dad taking on the earthquake. They won. LOL

A tender moment with dad sharing the ice cream,

Sharing our first family photo, with everyone except Mallory. So that is 14 boys and one girl. Such an amazing thing really. I am so proud of them.

OUR VISIT WITH SENATOR ENSIGN

2009-11-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

Our family was asked to meet with Senator Ensign. I have to say that it was just an unreal visit. He is such a neat person and he took the time to talk to us, to share about his family and his son and to actually play with the kids. It is hard for Merrill and I to fathom why someone of his importance would even want to take the time to meet us and the children. We are still tickled as we think about just how special that day was.

Below is a picture, although not that good of the plaque that he presented to the family. We are truly humbled to have received this recognition.

A BROTHER TWO SISTERS and A VACATION

2009-11-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

I am not even sure how to write this BLOG. It feels so undeserved and for the most part nearly selfish. I went on a seven day vacation without Merrill or the children. Yes, you read that right, no other members of this family went with me. WOW!!!

It all started nearly a year ago with a email sent to my brother and sister. For any of you that follow this blog, you know that our daddy passed away just a bit over two years ago. Our mama has been gone for most of our adult lives. The harsh reality that it is just the three of us, well it was really settling in at that time. Bobby called us, put us on speaker phone and told us that he was going to take Tammy and I anywhere in the United States that we wanted to go. It was our choice.

Well, it took a few months, but we decided that we wanted to go to Disney World. On many levels, that is just plain funny, but it turned into a trip of a life time. It was so way over the top that it was nearly unreal. It involved first class airline tickets, first class accommodations, first class restaurants, relaxation and fun, not to mention Disney World and everything else.

Bobby pulled out all stops to make this the best thing the three of us have ever done. After two nights at Sarasota Springs, he moved us to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I just can't begin to imagine that it gets any better than that. It is done as a theme of Africa, with the wild animals so close you almost feel you could attempt to reach out and touch them.

We laughed, we had fun, we talked and we got mad :o) after all, we are siblings first. This was such a great time for each of us. Thanks You Bobby for making this a great time.

Press Release From Senator Ensign

2009-10-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Press Releases

Media

September 25, 2009

ENSIGN: CARSON CITY COUPLE TRULY ANGELS IN ADOPTION

Washington, D.C. – Senator John Ensign is proud to announce that his nominees for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Program have been selected to represent the state of Nevada for the extraordinary contributions they have made on behalf of children in need of homes. Roberta and Merrill Simon, of Carson City, have adopted 18 children over the past 30 years—most of whom have been special needs children.

“When you come across people like Roberta and Merrill Simon, you see what good there really is in the world,” said Ensign. “Having been adopted by my dad when I was a child, I know what an amazing gift adoption is. For the Simons to open their homes and their hearts to 18 children is beyond extraordinary. There is no better word to describe them than angels.”

The Simon’s children range in age from 15 months old to 30 years old. They have adopted children with short life expectancies and extreme disabilities.

Roberta Simon explained that the couple is humbled by the recognition but feel that there are many others that deserve it more. “We were brought together by tragedy, but we try not to define ourselves by those events in the children’s lives,” she stated.

The Angels in Adoption Program works to draw attention to the difference that adoption makes in a child’s life. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute educates federal policymakers on the barriers that prevent children from being adopted. Deanna Workman & Denise Gernant were also selected to represent Nevada in this program.

FROM THE NEVADA APPEAL...written by Teri Vance

2009-10-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by Cathleen Allison. Nevada Appeal

Two years ago, 16-year-old Micah Simon weighed 129 pounds and didn't have the stamina to make it through a shopping trip.So his mother, Roberta, made changes to his diet and worked with Dayton Intermediate School to increase his exercise. Now, he weighs 106 pounds and keeps up with the family on regular outings.

“He's like a new kid,” Roberta said. As Micah, who suffers from Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and low-level cerebral palsy, made the transition to Dayton High School, his mother wanted to ensure he remained active.

Vice principal Tim Logan approached River Vista Fitness owner Phil Cowee about allowing Micah to use equipment there. As the conversation evolved, Cowee agreed to donate a recumbent exercise bike to the classroom and allow the students access to the gym.

“It started as something for Micah and blossomed into something wonderful that benefits the whole class,” Roberta said. “I was tickled to find out they were going to do it.”

Cowee said he was happy to provide the service. “We're a small community so we try to help out where we can,” he said.

Curtis Bent, who teaches comprehensive life skills to students with multiple handicaps, said the bike will help students maintain fitness and increase their longevity and quality of life. “It needs to part of their life's rhythms as it should be part of ours,” he said.

Although Micah cannot verbalize his feelings, Roberta said his smile and other gestures let her know he enjoys his time on the bike.

Aubrie Robards nodded vehemently when asked if she liked the exercise bike. And her mother is grateful.“Fifteen minutes on a stationary bike may not seem like much to most of us,” Wendy Robards said. “But for Aubrie, it means a chance at standing up longer on her legs to walk. More strength to hold her arms up to complete tasks, and the muscles in her heart will keep pumping blood.”

As the adoptive mother to 18 children with special needs, Roberta said she works to keep all of them as physically active as they can be. “It's easier for everyone to be sedentary,” she said. “They need exercise just like anyone else. They just go about it differently than you or I.”

Bent said in more than 30 years as a teacher he's always helped his students become fit. It complements other programs he's implemented where students, who range in age from 14 to 22, volunteer or work in the community to help them gain necessary skills.

He said by increasing their fitness, the students are setting a good example for him to follow.“I should be doing what I'm expecting of them,” he said.

Our Baby Girl is Growing Up....too fast!!!

2009-10-07T21:40:00.001-07:00

Our beautiful little girl, our angel, Miss LisaMarie, born October 8, 1999. Time has flown by as we have had the joy of watching her grow.

She has always thought she was born a princess into this home and had had a very hard time accepting she was a mere commoner :o)

She loves sports and really loved taking swimming. My guess it was the crush on the teacher that brought her the furthest. She could have been in the Olympics if he had kept it up. It was wonderful.

She is our pride and our joy...our Rose amongst the thrones as he daddy says. Yes, today she turns ten and life is passing us by fast. All to soon she will be a lady. We will have to cherish the days and years ahead.

We love you LisaMarie. You are one of God's greatest gifts to our family.

All our love, Mom and Dad.

Pity Party, Maybe...just not really sure

2009-09-11T20:53:00.001-07:00

Today has been a busy day. This family is always busy on many levels. I have been at the schools so many times in the last four weeks that it nearly makes my head spin. IEP's out the yingyang. We have made the choice to have Micah moved out of the school he really needed to be in and have him start High School. Yes, he is 16, but he will be in school till he is 22, so we did what we felt was best for him. It became obvious to all that it was not and he had to make the move. He starts next Tuesday.

Also last week Merrill and I got word that we have been nominated to receive the Angels In Adoption Award. While we really do consider it a very high honor, why do they only give you three weeks notice? In that three weeks we are to secure travel to Washington DC, get care providers for 11 special children, get the time off from work, make arrangements for a place to stay while in DC and on and on the list goes.

As Merrill and I faced the task at hand, it has become clear that it will not happen for us. The children need to have someone we trust stay with them and this go around that is not going to happen on such short notice. I guess one of the harsh realities of this journey we travel is that respite care is hard to come by. For some strange reason no one calls up and offers to watch the children for the day, much less for five days....LOL.

Still, life it was it is and for the most part it is a pretty great life. I am not sure that I would have handed picked this journey for myself, but I am tickled to be on it. Thanks for sharing a small part of the ride with us. Hugs to all.

Another Amazing Gift...a Blessing for sure.

2009-08-20T22:11:00.001-07:00

Merrill and I have always said that God has always provided for all of our needs and many of our wants. We sometimes never know where the blessing come from, but we give Him the glory. We have wanted and dreamed of a larger play set for the children. Lookie what arrived at our home!!!! This play set is huge and the children have been so happy with it. Mordachi can use his arms to pull his body up so he can slide down. It takes work, but he has such a sense of accomplishment and the joy on his face is priceless. Adults can even go up and slide down and they can swing on the swing.

We have ordered a ground cover so that Joseph can go out and enjoy it also. Right now there is too much dirt to kick up so it is not safe with his trach. Micah had so much fun in the dirt, but hey, he had a blast. Jericho enjoys the swings. Maverick is eyeballing it already. It is fun to watch his 15 month old mind going to work already. He will be ready to go soon enough. Enjoy the pictures. I promise to post more soon. This is a work in progress and we fix it all up.

Again, To God Be The Glory. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

Taken from our deck

Oh man, the dirt...LOL

Up Goes McClain

McClain and His Friend Nolan

Up Goes Joey.

LisaMarie on the climbing rope/swing

ALL IN THE FAMILY

2009-08-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

Story by Master Sgt. Michael J. Lacuesta

Sgt. Merrill Simon is a force to be reckoned with. Standing an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, he is looked up to more than people look up at birds in the sky. This resident of Moundhouse, Nevada, a small community east of Carson City, is looked up to with respect and dignity.

Simon was born on October 18, 1955 in Long Beach California. Simon met his wife, Roberta at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977. Roberta and Merrill were married on June 30, 1978 and are the proud parents of 16 children with one more on the way. Early in their marriage, Roberta and Merrill Simon learned they would not be able to have their own children, along with events early in Roberta's life, they decided to look at Special needs adoptions. Each one of these children has severe emotional and/or physical special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to more severe medical needs such as blindness, deafness, tracheotomy, Cerebral palsy, wheelchair dependent and many require 24 hour care. These special parents do everything they can to provide a loving and nurturing home for these children and are committed to the lifetime care many of these children will require in the future. Due to their medical conditions, two of these children have passed away, each having left this world long after the doctors had predicted they would pass. While the family dearly misses these two little ones, they feel their mission has always been to provide the best possible home, with as much love and care as can be provided.

Simon has a total of 33 years, to include 25 years of commissioned service in the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. His present assignment is working with the S6 at Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC). 5th Brigade, 75th Division. His civilian occupation in an I.T. Technician with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, Nevada.

Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to help others. The 5th Brigade is proud to call him one of their own. He is living up to the motto "Army Strong."

********************************************************

This article was published in the Bulge Buster. Winter 2008/2009. Needless to say, we really got two children for the price of one...LOL. So that gives us the 18 wonderful children.

Here in the Simon household we are just lucky and blessed to call him husband and dad.

We Love You Merrill and We are Proud of You and All You Stand For!!!!

JASON KOEHLER SIMON 11-12-86 to 08-12-01

2009-08-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Gone From Our Lives, NEVER From Our Hearts.

2009-07-29T09:53:00.001-07:00

Malachi Isaiah-Jacob Simon 10-22-90 to 07-29-97

How does a family ever really have to say goodbye to a child? How do they watch the suffering from something as painful as liver cancer? How do they move on from that place in their lives, the place that hurts so deep in places you never knew you could hurt? I am not really sure, but I know that God plays a huge part in that painful recovery. We loved Malachi more than life itself. He was a part of what made Me Roberta. When he died a part of me died also.

Today we celebrate his life. We celebrate that in his passing, we have indeed become a stronger family. We enjoy his memory and all that he brought to this family. We find joy that his siblings that never really knew him, now know him. We take great pride that he chose us to be his family and allowed us to help him though his toughest days. He taught us to be strong and to cling to the fact that one day we will see him again. Yes, he was ripped from us at such a young age, but his life had meaning. He touched so many people. He will live on through all of us.

Merrill, Marshal and Malachi

The Family and Cloudy

Roberta and Malachi at Disney World

Hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail. Michael with Malachi.

Malachi's Last Christmas...at the Hospital

In PICU

The Kids...Mallory Maxwell, Jason, Marshal, Michael, and Malachi.

Malachi

Acting Silly :o)

JULY 10...We can run, but we can not hide!

2009-07-10T15:26:00.001-07:00

This is a very busy day for us as a family. It is always a day of happiness and a day that requires reflection. If you have been following our blog for any length of time, you already know about today. This is Jesse's birthday. This year he is now a 20 year old. He is out making new friends at Wild Island. I know that he is having the time of his life. We love to go to Wild Island, but is is a rather costly outing so we do not get to do it all that often. Jesse will have his birthday party once Jericho gets out of the hospital.

July 10 is also Sandy's birthday. She was my daddy's wife for nearly 20 years before he died almost two years ago. I need to remember to go and send her an e-card.

But the biggest thing for me is that July 10, 23 years ago, my mama died. It is hard to believe that mama has been gone so very long. I think about her often. I miss her really badly sometimes. She was the strongest person that I have ever met in my entire life. She had a strong belief and moral value system. She held herself to very high standards. She would tell you in a second if you had not given her the right amount of change, but at the same time she made sure that you did not get her back too much change and if you did, she returned it to you promptly. She really spent time in her prayer closet and many countless hours on her knees talking to God. She showed us how to believe in God and she set the example.

She showed us that all people were important, no matter their skin color and no matter their so called place in society. She believed in equal rights for everyone. She was way ahead of her time. I sure do miss her.

So today I will say, Happy Birthday Jesse, Happy Birthday Sandy and I miss you mom and I am still thinking of you today and always.

Love to you,
Berta

WE ARE BLESSED

2009-07-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

We have been through a lot this past week. Merrill and I took the children to family camp. It is a beautiful place way out in the middle of nowhere, NV. It is called Cowboys Rest. You can google it :o)

Anyway, Jericho got really sick. I mean the poor little guy was so sick we took him to ER in Elko. As luck would have it, he was still very sick. So when we got home, we had him directly admitted to Carson Tahoe. I was thinking we were finally on the right trail here. Nope. They had him transferred to Reno's Renown. Here were are, Thursday, and he has had a ton of procedures and then today he finally had a double surgery. He had a fundoplication and a g-button put in. All in all he is doing well.

Now, why are we blessed. To be honest, no matter what I write, I will forget someone or something, so I ask in advance for forgiveness.

We are blessed because so many people stand by our family and believe in our family. While we were gone, Shelley took on the task of putting tile in our downstairs hallway and the boys bathroom. It looks wonderful. Amanda starting painting the boys bathroom and redoing the cabinets. It is a work in progress, but it looks so much better. With their love and support, we are getting a few things that are much needed done to the home. It is a wonderful feeling!!

Merna, Amanda and Marie have been watching the children this week as I have been at the hospital for very long hours every day. Even at the hospitals, we have made friends over the years that look for us, go the extra mile to take care of each of our needs, and make our stay almost enjoyable.

School teachers have called us just to touch base. The church has called to see if Jericho is okay and is there anything that we need.

This path that Merrill and I have traveled with our lives has not been without pain, but the support we have is unreal. Lets be honest, we have been criticized by some that choose not to see our family for what we are....a family. Those poor people just do not get that it is okay to do something a bit different with your life.

Still they pale in comparison to the support and the love we feel from so many. Teri, if you are reading this, you will be so greatly missed as you head back East. You have helped us and been there for us for so many years.

You know, God promised to take care of all of our needs. I believe with all my heart that He has taken great care of us as we try to do our best with the mission He has given Merrill and I. I love the phrase, "To God be the Glory, Great Things He hath done."

A BASKIN ROBBINS ANNIVERSARY

2009-07-01T21:49:00.001-07:00

Yes, that is what Merrill called yesterday, Our "Baskin Robbins Anniversary" We celebrated our 31st anniversary. It is hard to believe that we have been married that long. Our life together has sure been filled with ups and downs, but we have always been committed to each other and I can say that our love for each other has never wavered. It has grown and matured, just like the two of us.

It is fun to reflect on our life together. Where we have been, where we are and where we hope to go. I honestly feel that our life together has been nothing short of amazing. I loved the fact that we have been really rather stable as far as a couple. We have lived in this very house for nearly 20 years. It is a wonderful feeling for us that all of our children have lived in this home. It is really our roots that we have given to them. It is our hope and our dream that this will always be their home, the place they remember and the place they love to come back to with their families.

Yesterday was a rather simple day. It is the kind we enjoy. We drove over to Sacramento to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. I love crab, Merrill on the other hand eats it because I love it. He hates how much work is involved :o)

We did a little shopping and then drove back home. It was just nice to have a little time to ourselves. It is something that we rarely get. Okay Merrill, we have set the bar high....Here is to many more years together.

I sure do love you. Matter of fact, I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow!!

A TRULY SPECIAL FAMIILY

2009-06-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Not for the weak!!!

I have had to face reality, we really are a family that is full of special needs, and we are all okay with it. Let me explain a little bit better.

Last night the kitchen/dinning room is beyond busy. Dinner is being served, kids are eating, children are talking, life is going at full speed. Then it happens, Jericho starts throwing up. I am talking projectile vomiting, right across the floor. Bless his heart, he was throwing up faster than we could get it cleaned up. His PCA was running back and forth to the kitchen sink and I was rinsing out the towel as fast as I could.

Now, here is when reality set in....the children kept eating, some were asking for seconds, LisaMarie was scheduling a play date, Micah was wanting more to drink. No one even seemed the least bit bothered by the fact that Jericho was throwing up. They were walking around him and it, they just kept on keeping on.

I knew then that this family is really different. Funny thing, I am okay with it.

Jericho does have a lot of intestinal problems. He eats too fast if not watched like a hawk. He drinks even faster and that is more than likely what happened last night. He never ran a fever of any sorts. He stopped after he got everything out of his stomach. He was fine this morning.

One more example of Life in The Simon Family.

Now I did warn you. I hope that you are not sick now. I love this family of mine. We are who we are.

IT REALLY PAINTS A PICTURE :o)

2009-06-13T21:20:00.001-07:00

Our oldest Michael and our youngest, Maverick. Total age span, 30 years.

Jeremy's Graduation...WOW!!!

2009-06-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

You know, my daddy always talked about how fast life was going. I just thought he was a bit nuts, but you know, I think that I have to agree with him. It seems like the first half of this year has flown bye. As a family we have been going nonstop. We have had a lot of fun, but it has just been crazy busy.

The most wonderful of times happened June 4th at 7PM. We were seated at Dayton High School for what was the start of Jeremy's graduation. There was the Simon Family, beaming with pride as we watched our very first graduation. Oh, we have many adult children, just none that have graduated from High School. Each of our children have faced obstacles that many children do not. We understand that and we love them for who they are, not because of the road they have traveled.

Now, back to Jeremy. As he walked into the arena with all of his classmates, I am sure that he heard his family cheering as loud as we could. His smile was a mile wide. About a fourth of the way through the ceremonies, they started with all of the awards. They told the crowd what each one meant. Next up, The Presidential Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. And the winner is....Jeremy Simon. What Merrill and I say to each other? Did they just say our son's name? Is that actually Jeremy getting up to walk up front? Well I will be, it sure is. Just how much prouder can we be?

This award is given to one male and one female. It names who has shown the most growth in high school. We have to agree, Jeremy has sure grown up to become a mighty fine young man. He has had his eye on the prize and he has fought his way through. It has taken sheer guts and determination, but he has done it. Jermey, you have made this family very happy. You will go far in life. You are a natural.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

To the one who helped to make me all that I am, both good and bad. To the one that believed in me when things were very hard for her. To the one that had the strength and courage to forge forward when many would have quit. To the one that I have missed saying Happy Mother's Day to in person now for 23 years. To one of the greatest Christian's I have ever known.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!!

I love you and miss you.

OUR VERY FIRST PROM!!!!

2009-05-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Well, this family did it again, we had another FIRST and it was wonderful. Let me start out by saying that we have six adult children and one who is about to bust his way to adulthood in about two weeks. That would be Jeremy and tonight was his first night to out shine us all. He is the first one to go to a real honest to goodness Prom. When I went to school, it was a Junior Senior Banquet. As for our other adult children, none of the others have done this, for many reasons. Jesse is still in school, so his prom will be coming. Tonight it was all about Jeremy!!!

He started out just clowning around with Michael, our oldest. They had fun just messing around and have fun, shooting a few hoops and joking all day. Michael told him just how proud of him he really was. It meant a lot to Jeremy.

Then we have Jeremy all showered and really kind of nervous just waiting for the time to get here to put on his Tux. He is rather anxious to see Kayla and to get this show on the road. We are tickled as we are not use to seeing him this way. It was really cute.

What a handsome young man. Jeremy really looked nice. He is dressed and the count down till Kayla arrives is now here. It is hard to tell ya'll just how anxious he is. I just love him so much.

It might have been better if I knew how to pin this thing on. But Jeremy was still happy and again just ready for Kayla to get here.

Another silly moment with his little friend. Hurry up Kayla......LOL

Here she is. They are just beyond a great looking couple. They are both so happy and yet there is still more pictures to be taken.

Finally, the last picture. The night they have been waiting for is just ahead and as all adults know, it will be over fast. Still the joy of watching them and the excitement of listening to them plan for the big evening.

Well, it is a little hard to write, but I cried when they were leaving. I held it together and then as most of my friends know, I am a crier, so I did my thing and broke down and cried. Jeremy will never probably really know just how proud Merrill and I are of him. He was thrown on a path that was not always easy. He became ours at age 7. He has taken everything he was given and he has run with it. He has done all he knew how to do to make his path work for him. This next month is a whirlwind of excitement for him and for his family.

He will fast be turning 18. Then he will have his graduation party, next his graduation and then if all goes as planned, he will start working in a field he loves and is so dear to his heart. That is working with adults and children with disabilities. He is a natural.

We love you Jeremy. We are so proud that God brought you to us and allowed us to be your Mom and Dad. We are so excited about watching you grow. You have turned in to a mighty fine young man. Thank You for letting us be your parents.

BIRTHDAY's BIRTHDAY'S SO MANY BIRTHDAY's

2009-04-30T16:05:00.001-07:00

This time around it was Happy 16th Birthday to Mr. Micah Simon. WOW, our boy is 16. It just amazes me how he has grown and how much he has changed. Micah has a wonderful sense of humor. He has learned the fine art of flirting and let me tell you, he does not care if you are 18 or 80, he will flirt away. It is just funny to watch him. He laughs so hard when you help him put on his deodorant or when you have to help him shave. We all just get the giggles.

As parents, brothers and sisters, we are all so proud of Micah. He has done some things we never thought he would do and he is learning more every day. It is neat to think about what he may actually do with all that he learns.

Yes, our milestones are measured a bit differently than most parents of 16 year olds. Still we beam with pride in all that he is and all that he does. Bottom line, he brings us a lot of joy.

Micah and Mom

I wish you could hear him laughing!!!

Gotta love a good farting machine.

Just a moment full of laughter.

McClain loves the fact the candle kept relighting.
Micah was not too sure about it.

We are all ready for cake.

EASTER PICTURES :o)

2009-04-20T14:44:00.001-07:00

I'm Late, I'm Late, for a Very Important Date...LOL

2009-04-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

It is just like us to be busy and not take time to come here and update for everyone. I love it here, in my own little corner of the net, but still this family just gets so busy at times and all of a sudden I am way behind here. Oh well. We have been busy celebrating birthdays with several more coming fast. Joseph turned 9. That was fun and also quiet. We did manage to make about 50 cupcakes for him to take to school and to have with his siblings.

Almost as soon as we got done with his birthday, it was time to have MacGyver's first birthday with us, which was his third birthday. It was fun also. As you already know, he has Celiac's Disease. This was our very first time making gluten free cupcakes. I have to tell you, they were really pretty good. WE give a huge thank you to Deb for helping us learn which ones are really good. MacGyver LOVES Handy Manny so it was a Handy Manny Birthday for him.

Merrill and I took the children go-cart riding. It was a blast. The kids are getting much better at it. This time the owners just let our family on the track. That was a lot more fun. Everyone just went at their own pace. The older boys really got into racing.

Last but not least for now, MacGyver started Early Childhood, His first day of school. He loves school, but I am not too sure that mommy and daddy do. He has only gone three days and already he has stopped saying thank you and please and he is throwing huge fits. At this rate, we may have to stop school. :o( We will be talking to the teacher if things do not improve this next week. BUT, he sure is a cutie-patootie in his pictures.

I will have to post the Easter pictures later. They are too funny. Till next time.....

APRIL FOOL'S

2009-04-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Any parent knows first hand how much fun can be had on April Fool's Day. The kids start out with all kinds of fun things. The spiders that are not really there, the shoes that are not really untied, the dog that is about to bite you from behind. On and on the list goes with child's laughter and pure delight as they "get you" each time. I love it. I love to hear them laugh.

Today I have to admit that I got taken for the day. It was rather funny after the fact. First off I set the entire thing up. I called our PCA, Amanda, who is off work until the 20th of this month, to get her to report to work and tell the kids that she was back. Then she was going to tell the replacement PCA, Marie, that she was back and didn't the office notify her. All was going according to plan. Kids were happy she was back, Marie was a little upset and called her boss, Jodie, to ask what on earth was going on. It was going beautifully.

Then Jodie called Amanda....told her she was fired for being here. At first I knew it was a joke...but they kept on. Amanda looked shocked, nearly in tears, asked me to talk to the boss. That is when I fell. I got on and said that she did not do any work, it was only a joke and the boss said to me...April Fool's. GOT YA. And she did too.

Turns out Amanda had called Jodie to let her in on it all and they decided to get me.

What a great day for kidding!!!

SADNESS...it comes with living

2009-03-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

His Name, Jonah. He is gone now. His life cut short due to many issues. His parents, profoundly sad that he was taken way too soon. Who did he touched? Way to many people to even count.

I met Jonah through the Trach Board. It is a message board for parents of children that have tracheostomys. Actually just about anyone can join, but there is common bound and that is the trach. I fell in love with Jonah the second I saw him. I wrote to his mom to ask her questions. She was gracious enough to answer them for me.

Jonah had a full life for a medically fragile little boy. He did many things and one of the really big things was he got to go to Disney World. I loved looking at all of his pictures. Each time I checked in on the message board, I looked to see if his mom had posted. I loved reading about his days and what he was up to. He was just a wonderful boy.

I can't even tell you how fast my heart sank into my lap the day I read that he had passed away. It is a post that we get to read on the message boards more often than any of us care to. Medically fragile children, all of a sudden gone for whatever reason. It is like ice cold water being thrown into our face, unsettling the life we have created for ourselves. The life that starts to think that our child will be immune to this sudden death.

As parents on this board, we have said goodbye to too many of the wonderful and precious children. I remember the very first one that I read about. Little Moe. A mere baby. He wore a shirt in his picture that read "Chick Magnet". Let me tell you, he really was. His mom posted for awhile, but then she stopped and we do not hear from her any longer. There have been other children, Mattie, Tommy, Diamond, Kylee, Colton and of course little Jonah. There are many I did not know about, some I have forgotten about, still children gone early. Of course many of you know we too have lost Malachi and Jason.

While I am profoundly sad that these children are gone, I am blessed that we as parents got to be a part of their wonderful lives. While I know that Becca, Rene, Judy and others are hurting from the loss of their dear sweet children, I know in my heart of hearts that they would rather have been these children's parents if only for a short time than not at all.

I remember hurting so badly when Jason passed away. I asked my daddy why would God allow a second child to die and my daddy said, "God lets a lot of people be parents, but He only allows a chosen few to see children to the end of their lives. " Like most other things, My daddy was right. Painful as it is, it is an honor to be a part of a life filled with courage, strength, intestinal fortitude, happiness, faith and joy. These children are fighters and they are success stories from day one.

Good Bye Jonah. You will be missed. But one day we will all meet again. We will all hold our loved ones dear in our hearts and the memories will last us a life time.

I pray that anyone that reads this will hold their loved ones close, for none of us know when that moment will come when we will leave this world. Nor do we know if our children will go before us.

Love to each of you.

IT'S A HARD KNOCK LIFE FOR US!!!

2009-03-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Need I say any more??

A Message From Heaven..22 years later

2009-02-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

My Mom, my Mama....She died July 10, 1986. I really miss her every now and then. When my mama passed away Merrill and I had only adopted Michael. She knew how much we wanted children. She knew our dreams and she knew our struggles. As Merrill and I have traveled down this road of adopting children, I have often wondered just what my mom would think about us. Would she be proud of us? Would she think we are nuts...like so many people do? Would she have loved the children with all that they have going on in their lives.....wondering, wondering, wondering.

Then, out of the blue, she sent me the answer to all of my questions. A note from her to me, sent by way of my brother, Bobby. Bobby was reading one of her books that he had. A paper fell out of it. A blank check that she had written a note on the back of it. In her own handwriting, short, sweet and full of everything I needed to know. These are the exact words she had written down...

"I'm so proud of you and Merrill and ? What's his name? Oh! yes Michael T James R S"

Nothing more, nothing less and all I needed to know. She is proud of us and she has told us so. She would always tease us about Michael's name. He helped to pick his own name out and it is a mouthful.

This means more to me today than it could have ever meant over 22 years ago. I believe that the timing is perfect as Merrill and I continue to answer God's calling for our lives. It is not always an easy road, but it is the road we travel, it is the road we love and I now know that my mama is very proud with us. That matters to a daughter, it really does.

I love you Mom and I still miss you. One day I shall see you again and what a day that will be.

SNOW, SNOW....I LOVE SNOW

2009-02-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

I love this picture that Merrill took of me. You can see my smile which is a mile wide and you can see that it is snowing. Just how fun is all of that???

We did it again. It is one of our most favorite things to do....go to the snow. Many people love the warmer weather, but my oh my, I so love the snow. Merrill and I took a few days off from the hustle and bustle of children and our life and went up to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the snow and the snow activities. This was the view outside of our cabin.

I have to admit, this just makes my heart sing. Inside and out. There is nothing I love better than all of this snow, a fire in the fireplace and getting all warm and snuggly. That is just what we did. Merrill had booked a snowmobile ride for us on Valentine's Day. We went to a new place that we have never used before. Again, it was another winner.

That night we went to a local resort to have dinner. Instead of getting a little quiet, out of the way, romantic table, we sat right next to the end of the bar. My, what another wonderful choice for the two of us, non drinkers....LOL. We enjoyed the flurrie of activity as the bartenders were making drinks left and right, fast as they could. We got so caught up in watching them that we were there for over two hours and time just flew bye.

For our next day there, Merrill had made arrangements to go on a dogsled ride. This is something that neither of us have done and it seemed like it would be a blast....well, maybe not for the dogs, but oh well. Anyway, the ride was cancelled to all of the snow that was happening everywhere. I guess that the dogs need to have a path way to go on and with the snow there just was not one. Well, maybe next time.

Before we knew it, it was time to head home, back to life as we know it. The children were glad to have us home and the reality of it all is that we were happy to be home. NO matter how much you love getting away, there is something about being in your own bed, with all of your own noises to hear and to worry about, your family and your routine. It is great to get away, but it is great to get back also.

Not to mention, Merrill was tickled to have DVR to tape Daytona. HAHA.

A DOWN SIDE TO ADOPTIONS

2009-02-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Today my heart has been heavy. I am not really sure why I have started thinking about this subject. Maybe the reason it has started to weigh heavy on me is that I have sure been enjoying Jericho these last few days. Jericho is a boy with many challenges. He has Cornelia de Lange and to be honest, it is a rather nasty syndrome to have. In most cases it includes things like small stature, overgrowth of all body hair, profound retardation, heart problems and digestive problems, shortened life expectancy and on and on the list can go. Bottom line for us, Jericho is just that, Jericho.

He can be a very funny boy. He can be loud and obnoxious. He makes the funniest sounds that you can imagine and yes, he does it at the most inappropriate times. He can drink a persons Starbucks so fast you wonder why you spent the 5 dollars on it. He can down a soda faster than you can walk away from it. You learn how to hide things as he loves getting into everything. Poison Control is now on speed dial. They know us by his name.

But none of that explains why adoptions have a down side. You see, Jericho has a sister. Her name is not important. She loved him. We could tell how much she cared for him by her gentle nature towards him. She asked wonderful questions about him when she came to visit. It was a joy to watch her with him.

The two of them had been separated. They were placed into different adoptive homes. The reasons are not important. It might have been because it was unknown if a family would step forward to adopt Jericho. His sister on the other hand is a healthy, beautiful and typically developing young lady.

His sister has been adopted into another home. I am sure she is loved and well cared for. We got to see her towards the end of last year. She had changed. She no longer hugged Jericho. She no longer asked questions about him. She seemed to have grown detached from him. It has been evident that her adoptive home has not encouraged her to have a relationship with this one time brother of hers.

This is truly a downside to adoptions. Two siblings forever separated by something that was never either of their faults. This happens. The system tries to keep siblings together, but there are times it just does not work out. In this case the part that hurts is this young lady just needed to know it is okay to still love this brother that she loved so much. That in loving him she would not take away from the family that now loves her and calls her their own. Jericho may never fully understand that this sister of his is no longer in his life, but she will always know that in gaining her new family, she totally lost her brother. My prayer for her is that one day she finds him again and learns to love again all that he has to offer.

MERRILL LOOKS GREAT IN GLASSES

2009-02-05T10:14:00.003-08:00

It took my main man a long time to admit he could not see, but hey, once he did it, he looks wonderful. Here he is....well really here we are......

Hit Us Like A Ton Of Bricks

2009-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

WOW, when this family goes down, we really go down. It started last week, colds, respiratory issues, snot galore and then some more, fevers, on and on. I thought it would never let up. Little did I know it was the calm before the storm.

Joseph came home from school with a fever last Thursday. He started needing O2. I worked with him nearly round the clock. Dr. was working with us on the phone. He seemed to get better. No fever, but still needing O2. Wham, kids started passing around the flu. What is this...so many kids sick when many never get sick.

Now we are talking barf in beds, on floors, even walls....too many that do not know how to hit the toilet. Then we had the runs like we have not seen in a long time. My sleeves stayed rolled up and the carpet cleaner ready to go at all times, washing machines running non stop...thank goodness we have two of each.

Back to Joseph, he was doing so well yesterday that I called his school nurse to let her know he could go to school today. At 6 PM last night that boy took a dump, o2 needs were shooting through the roof in just under two hours, suctioning was nearly non stop. Off to the hospital we drove like crazy.We ran in and they just took one look and we did not stop to get to a room with 5 people following us. Yep, he was admitted. Strep induced pneumonia. I got him all settled....helps to know most of the staff. Came home and crawled into bed at 4 AM. Only to be awoken at about 4:30 with another barfer. Thank goodness this one knew where to run :o)

Whew. Today Joseph is holding his own. The barfing children have change as they are rotating through this mess. The school has come to expect the phone call to inform them who is staying home. We are taking it one day at a time as we juggle this all. All in all, life is still good.

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY

2009-01-19T21:41:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, January 17th, Merrill's Mom, Gayle turned 80 years old. WOW!!!. It has been a joy and a privilege to have Gayle visiting with us since December 18th. We decided to try to make the day special for her. We started the day off with a trip to the beauty shop. She told Lloyd only one inch or I will have to kick you. He listened and did as she requested.

After her morning at the beauty shop, we took Gayle to Reno to go to Swensen's for an Earthquake. She enjoyed the ice cream, but then again so did everyone else. LOL.

Much to my dismay, Gayle wanted Liver and Onions for her Birthday Dinner. True to this Simon Family Tradition the Birthday Person gets to pick out the dinner. So that is just what some of us had....okay, lets get real, who in their right mind likes Liver and Onions??? So the kids had hot dogs and they were very happy about that.

After dinner, we were all treated to a pleasant surprise. One of our PCA's, Marie, had her Mom bake the best homemade carrot cake for Gayle. It was beyond wonderful. You can bet we will be asking her Mom for this recipe so we can make our own one day.

After cake came the gifts. Gayle got all kind of goodies. I think her most favorite gift was the paper cake banner made by her sister Dian. It is something like 13 feet long with a full 80 candles on it and friends and family from all over wrote their birthday wishes to Gayle on it. WOW. The picture below does not do it justice.

All In all, I think Gayle had a very nice day. She loved the phone calls from her children and even one from a friend who found her visiting at our home. It sure is a mile stone to reach 80 years of age. Not everyone gets to do it. Our hope is that she has many more great birthdays.

Thanks for sharing our day with Gayle.