Geography fair 2009

Guess what country we chose for the Geography fair.... You got it....Russia!

18 and 10

November 2009 brought a sad, yet joyous time for us. Our oldest turned 18! Josh turned 10 (double digits, are always sad for Mom). Garrett is a wonderful, compassionate guy ready to spread his wings. So, he needs much prayer in making wonderful, right choices for his future. Josh is a quiet now 10 year old who loves the color orange and really likes the OSU cowboys. He will need prayer to speak up when needed. They both continue to need prayer to be able to grow spiritualy, mentally, physically and emotionally in the path God wants them to go, as do we all.

Christmas funny

I asked the children to make a Christmas list, my requirements included - it needed to be written in English, must be legible and not be greedy. Lists included jeans, shoes, video games, MP3, then one stood out! Jacob wants a milk cow! I couldn't believe it. We explained to him that it wasn't just the cost of the cow to think about, it's the feed and the every day, twice a day milking. He understood, he let us know that he took care of the milking at his orphanage and he really liked the milk!!

New family pictures

We had family pictures taken, since we have new family members this year! Take a look if you like: http://vickimadden.zenfolio.com/paytonfamily

We were able to attend a Christmas party with a few of the other Tulsa area families that have adopted from Russia. The kids looked forward to seeing their Russian friends and had a great time visiting!

Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for!!! Sometimes I think we take the Thanksgiving season for granted or at least don't think about what it truly means to be thankful. Thinking about missing so many of Losha(Jeremiah) and Jacob's first's, saddened me a bit: their first words, their first steps,their first birthday, etc. Then it hit me, I have so much to be thankful for! We've seen so many of their firsts, without even thinking about it! Their speech in the past (almost) 4 months, has grown exponentially! Their interest in learning about Thanksgiving and the first time they've eaten turkey, happened this season! The excitement of Christmas decorations has been exhilarating and brought my heart to such a thankful point.
My Mom has finished chemo, had her petscan and we go Tuesday for the results. I'm thankful we will now just be going for checkups!
A lady backed into me and totaled the mini van a couple of months ago. I'm thankful we have the big van! Although, I did enjoy the gas mileage of the mini van, I'm still thankful!
As of tomorrow, we will safely have been home from Russia, with our boys for four months! That is news to celebrate!

Normal?

Mom has finsihed chemo. We've been home from Russia with our boys for 3 months now. I'm hoping we return to a normal life (whatever that may be). I was thinking the other day, how in the world did I make it through the last year? The fundraising, the cancer treatments with Mom, going to Russia, returning from Russia, feeding two more kids, clothing two more, schooling two more...... Last November I
spent many hours crying when the boys had to go back to Russia and I couldn't see them or talk to them. I have them here now, always talking :-) Now that I think about it, I didn't make it through it, God did it all!

BOYS

Our excitement for the weekend:Josh (our 9 year old) was riding Garrett's horse last night, before we'd started the hayride (Church hayride at our house). As everyone got there, we told him to go in the front pasture to ride (away from people). We don't know what happened, but we heard Josh yelling whoa, whoa!!! Jacky looked up, the horse is bucking and Josh ends up flipping over her head and lands on his back. Our pastor and his wife had just driven up, she sprints to check on Josh and Jacky's running, I'm frozen, and I keep repeating "in the name of Jesus' he is not hurt!". Then I looked at a friend and said "I need you to pray right now, with me, before I go up there!" She did, I walked up there expecting the worst and he's standing up, walking, talking and seemingly okay. Although I know God works miracles, I almost couldn't believe he was really okay until he was still walking today :-) Everyone that saw it said he was flying in the air and it was good that I was standing where I couldn't see him or I would've freaked out! We are truly blessed beyond belief!!!!! Guardian angels! My boys keep the angels very busy!!