Christmas 2008 update

In the letter that went out with our picture, there were instructions to see the blog for more info on the family. Finally, here is the 411 on the Indiana Lind's.

HANNAH

"This year was full of blessings, excitement, and drama. We were blessed with the birth of Roman and Rya adding numbers 7 and 8 to our family. They are so much fun, I love every minute spent with them. I finished my freshman year and started my sophomore year at Bluffton High School. I was voted vice president of my class. I had the amazing opportunity of visiting New York City for the first time with my mother for show choir. I saw saw two Broadway plays and sang in Central Park. Dad, Spencer, Sterling, and I went to Cedar Point and camped out. My friend's mom surprised her daughter, me, and two other girls with a trip to Orlando, Florida Universal Studios where we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel for her sweet 16!!! I started my first job, working at the Boys and Girls Club. My Yorkie Miley got hit by a car (which was devastating). Although, for an early Christmas present, my boyfriend Bill got me my current Morkie (Maltese and Yorkie mix) Chloe whom I love to death. I was probably the least excited about moving to Minnesota...although with passing time, the thought is growing on me. Those are some of the great things that happened to me in 2008."


SPENCER

"2008 was a year full of laughs and good times. This past year my family and I adopted Rya and Roman on March 13th. They literally changed my parents, siblings, and my own life. I made the "Show Choir" at Bluffton High School after 2 years in the middle school choir. Being in show choir has brought me closer to many different friends, among these people was my sister Hannah. Hannah and I have grown close again because of show choir. Having her there for me always helps alot."

STERLING

"Wow!2008 was such a wonderful year! I've met so many awsome people. I WILL NEVER EVER forget the day that we got Roman and Rya. I remember crying when I held Roman and saying " I already am in love with you baby boy!"! It has also been a year of tears! With school there are tears, with family, with tryng to find myself, and of course with friends. Speaking of friends, I have met a couple good ones! I met Storm Betz the summer of 08'. We have been hanging out since then. I have also met Brady Johnson! We just met a few weeks ago! This year I struggled with finding myself. I didn't feel right, so I started hanging out with a couple of different groups of people. I started hanging out with the punks. My parents did not approve of this or of my friends. I am now back to being that very hyper and random Abercrombie kid. I still hang out with all of the different groups of people and we have lots of fun! 2008 has been a great year and I hope that 2009 brings the same love and happiness!"

LINNEA

"This past year I have been very social with friends. I've gotten to play soccer and softball. I've helped serve food to people at church. I also made the high honor roll at school. I am in 4th grade this year. I have gotten 2 more siblings".

RYA AND ROMAN DECIDED TO CLIMB THE STAIRS FOR THE FIRST TIME @ 11 PM ON CHRISTMAS EVE

A POEM

"WHERE I AM FROM"

I am from "Remedy"
From youth groups
I am from a legacy of belief
and new found faith

I am from inviting friends
I am from immersion on May 4th, 2008
washing me clean
I am from gospel hymns
I am from Doxology

I am from painful piggyback rides
I am one of six
I am from hair dye
and hair clippers
I am from receding hair
to bald with razors
I am from the two little angels
that just joined the crew

I am from toe head
to dirty blond
I am from ice-cream and movies
I am from the smell of cedar,
complicated pergolas
and uneven measurements
I am from deep sea fishing,
fishing bait and fishing line

I am from a world of chaos
and busy schedules
I am from nice shoes
and clean cloths

I am from six
and I know love

By: Spencer Lind

Halloween 2008

THE BESTEST SNEEZER I EVER DID SEE

"LOOK WHO'S TALKING"

He looks like me!!

ADOPT - Webster's dictionary states that the word adopt is from the Latin word adoptare, which is formed from the two root words: ad- which means "to" and optare - which means "choose". Adopt is then defined as "to choose and bring into a certain relationship".


The legal validation of the inclusion of Rya and Roman into our family occurred over a week ago. This was a wonderful, albeit short (10 minutes in the court room with the Judge), occasion in this process we started almost one year ago. The signing of documents and the filing of papers with the appropriate state departments in no way increase or decrease my love and commitment to these two children. In the same manner, the filing of birth certificates and registering for social security numbers does not make me more or less caring for my other children.

I love ALL of them.

I love all of the same.

Love is a choice...............! Yes, for those who have not had marriage classes or read any books regarding the issue of Love, it is a choice. I chose to love my wife and she chose to love me. We choose to continue loving each other each and every day, with the bonds of that love growing with each passing moment.

I did not "Fall in love". I am very sure on my feet and rarely loose my balance, either physically or emotionally. I could choose to stop loving her, this is how divorce happens usually. I have never stopped choosing to love her, nor will I.

I choose to love my children.

Some parents do not.

These are the unfortunate children who get neglected and abused. If you love someone you care for them, sacrifice for them, place them first and never hurt them.

Love is a choice.

We have choices every day with almost every situation we find ourselves in. I choose to love my children whether they obey or disobey me. I choose to love them if they get good or bad grades. I choose to love them NO MATTER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE. This is a choice.

I have SIX children. All of them were created by God. I have chosen to love and care for each of them. I have chosen to sacrifice and impart God's truth to them. I have chosen to accept them every day for who they are, not based on what they do.

Children are gifts from God.

As parents, especially as Christian parents, we are charged with taking the responsibility for teaching and modeling God's truth to them. It is a choice we make. It is not that we "can't help it", it is a purposeful task that we choose to make and keep making. I am often told that Sterling looks like me. I am also sometimes told that Spencer looks like me. Occasionally I am also told that Hannah and Linnea look like me. Certainly, when these comments are made they sometimes refer to the genetic, physical similarities that exist with regards to facial structure or other physical attributes. More often these comments are the product of people noticing similar mannerisms, ways of speaking and acting. These latter attributes come not from biology but from exposure and influence. My children have been exposed to my speaking, acting, walking, behaving, etc. These things are what create the essence of a persons character and personality. I have chosen to be daddy each and every day to Hannah. When Spencer came along I began choosing each and every day to be daddy to him. Sterling was the third life entrusted to me and I am daddy every day to him. Linnea then arrived and another life was entrusted to me to show what being a man means and what she is to expect in a husband. God then saw fit to entrust me with two more lives to care for and instruct in truth.

Love is a choice.

I choose to love all my children, and I love them all the same.

I am now often told that Roman looks like me. This is usually by those who do not know us well, or strangers who stop us to look at the babies when we are out. I feel no need to correct them and inform them that they "are adopted". In time, both he and Rya will, like their siblings, look like me.

I am proud of my children.

I am proud to say thank you whenever I am told any of the children look like me. I am proud of who they are and proud to be their dad. Parenting is about committing your priorities to the most precious gifts that are given to us. Who we are will manifest in those we are entrusted with. It is this legacy that we leave behind that matters most.

I have chosen to love my children. They are gifts from God. It does not matter that I did not make them. I did not make any of them, God did.
He wants me to care for them......all of them, and I choose to honor his request. So, if you feel the need to tell me that any of the children look like me, I will be honored by the gesture.


In Christ, Kevin

Growth

I am a work in progress. I am aware of this everyday. I have been especially aware of this in the past several months. God has given us many blessings. We have also never been under so much stress. I like to be in control, no shocker for those of you who know me well. I have no control over many things that I wish I did. I am wondering why after so many years would God give us this opportunity to move to Minnesota amid the worst housing market? I am learning things about myself. I have many areas where I can grow. I know God loves me and wants more from me. Growth is painful. I made the mistake of asking for patience once a long time ago. I am still learning. Gina