May blog challenge–Day 17

OK…another huge challenge!

A favorite photo of yourself and why.

I don’t do well with being in photos. I’m not photogenic either, that’s for sure.

So my favorite photo of myself will have to be this one:

Why?

It is where I got my start in training to be a mom.

I like being a mom.

I believe it has always been my calling in life. Mom even once said that when my baby sister was born (I wasn’t quite 5 then) I claimed her as “MY” baby.

I’ve always been more comfortable around babies and kids.

I began babysitting when I was 12 and my charge was only a year old. By 13, I was watching a sib group of 3, and the baby was a newborn. I’d even take them to church with me when I watched them on Sundays (I was the only one in my family going to church and I’d find the closest one to me to walk too. I had no clue about denominations back then.)

I even babysat a family of 7 kids once. The oldest being only a few months younger than me and was quite upset I was babysitting and she wasn’t. She ran off that night to her friend’s house. That was scary.

I babysat three kids once, twin 6 month old boys and a 2 year old girl. Mom didn’t come home for three days! I was 13/14. I LOVED being the full caretaker for three full days. On Sunday, Mom called the police department (I had to go to school on Monday). They came and interviewed me. Asked me if I’d stay until they got someone there to get the kids. I never saw them again.

I made enough money babysitting that mom stopped buying all my clothes, shoes, and other wants when I was not even 14 as I could afford them myself.

With some of my babysitting money, back in the day when you could send cash in the mail and not have to worry….I sponsored a girl in Honduras. I did that for several months. I inquired about adopting that child. I asked about sending gifts not just money.

My answers all came back as no (I did get info on adoption tho).

I decided that I was no longer comfortable with sending them the money, not sure she was getting any benefits from it, and made it my goal in life to adopt.

Even to the point of thinking I was not even going to “have” my own kids, just adopt them all.

You know the LORD has blessed us with three biological kids. Even blessing us with the first one when I was quite young. By the time I was 20, I had three kids under 3 years of age.

Now, 8 adopted kids later, and waiting on at least 7, possibly 10 more, to come this year….life is good and dreams do come true!

Now you should see the looks we get when we walk into church with our 8 and then sometimes have 4 of the grandkids with us.

Not quite as jaw dropping as walking in with three when I was 13, but still jaw dropping because our family is larger than typical.

I love my life!

God’s Blessings

Vickie

May blog challenge–Day 14

Today’s challenge:

Ten things that make you really happy.

I don’t know that I can stop at only ten, so we’ll see where I get LOL

1. Being a child of God
2. Knowing that I am saved by the Grace of God and not by my own doing
3. My awesome husband, Dave
4. My kids (I won’t list them individually)
5. My grandkids
6. Tacos (OK…most any Mexican dish)
7. Being lost in a good book
8. Adoption
9. Homeschooling
10. Cooking for a crowd (even before our family grew to be a crowd)
11. Rainbows
12. 4-wheeling (had a blast today!!)
13. Hugs and sloppy kisses
14. When my hair is having a good day (natural curls…never know what kind of day they’ll have)
15. Watching kittens play
16. Sewing
17. Crocheting
18. Long drives just because

That’s it for now. I’m sure I could keep going and going and …… so many blessings. So many things make me smile. Most of the time, it is just the little things in life.

Have a blessed evening,

Vickie

May blog challenge–Day 13

Today’s challenge:

Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

I would like to publicly apologize for being a

……..MEAN MOM!

While other kids ate candy for breakfast, you had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, you had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess I fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had too (and we had to eat at the table as a family).

I insisted on knowing where you were at all times. You probably thought you were convicts in a prison. I had to know who your friends were and what you were doing with them. I insisted that if you said you would be gone for an hour, you would be gone for an hour or less.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making you work. You had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry (hang it on the line), and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think I would lie awake at night thinking of more things for you to do.

I always insisted on you telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. By the time you were teenagers, I could read our minds.

Then, life was really tough!

I wouldn't let your friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so I could meet them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, I made you wait until you were 16, and mature enough to handle it.

Because of me you missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of you have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing another's property, or ever arrested for any crime.

I made you use your manners in all situations. You had to absolutely respect the elderly and all authority over you.

I made you boys open the doors for us girls. I made the girls let the boys practice their chivalry on them.

I made you boys protect the girls. I wouldn’t let you wrestle in the house.

No crude teasing was allowed. No bullying was permitted.

You weren’t allowed to be on the TV all day every day, and other electronics could be used only on the weekends IF you had a good week.

It was all my fault.

I’m so sorry!

NOT! Hahaha

I believe that's what's wrong with the world today. It just doesn't have enough mean moms anymore.

And for that, I AM sorry!

May blog challenge–Day 11

Big challenge today! This one is super tough.

Sell yourself in 10 words or less.

May blog challenge–Day 10

Today’s challenge: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.

I’ve decided I’m not going to do this one….at least not today. I have other news I’d rather share today, and Mrs. B has been waiting for an update

As most of you know, we’ve adopted a kid or two or ……

….today, we finalized the adoption of our two newest sons.

Austin David (14) and Cody John James (12) are now officially Butterfields!

No turning back now.

They are stuck with us forever and always.

They had their chance to tell the judge they didn’t want to be adopted (since they are both over 12, they are given the choice). The lawyer asked them if they were sure.

We were questioned individually in court….Dave went first. Then me then each boy. After that, the judge allowed all of us, including our other kids, Brandy and family showed up, Cody’s mentors from church were there, and our caseworker came too, to go in the courtroom.

Then we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate. Came home and rode 4-wheelers for a couple of hours and pizza for dinner.

It has been a great day. One we’ve been waiting for for eight months.

One the boys have been waiting for for more than eight years.

I am thankful the LORD chose us as a forever family for these boys. They are truly great.

We’ve been matched for a sib group of 7! After court today, I handed our worker our papers for updating our home study so we can move forward on the next group. I also learned today that we are 2nd in line for a sib group of 3 too.

Our worker will allow us to do dual placement, but the sib group of 3’s worker will not. I do not know about the group of 7’s worker.

Yes…we could fit 10 more in our house and yes, I’d LOVE to have both groups.

Praying the LORD’s Will be done.

We were 2nd in line for the group of 7, but we already know the 1st have decided not to pursue.

We do not know about the group of 3’s 1st in line yet.

Praying the LORD makes that decision because I’ll have a hard time choosing.

That’s my update Mrs. B.

God’s Blessings

Vickie