Merrill and Roberta Simon and Family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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