More Christmas?

A back ordered gift arrived prolonging the exciting joy of opening gifts for a kid!
Thank you, Aunt Erma, Uncle David and Kyle for my Zippy Zebra! I love all the colors!

Thank you, Mammy and Pappy!

Thank you for the tub toys, Mammy and Pappy. This is what I like to do with the rubbery sea creatures. It's good for--for-- uh, well, I just like to do this!

Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland - - Are You Kidding?

We are being buried in a snowstorm and you can bet your bottom dollar, we sho' ain't doin' no walkin' anywheres! We is hibernatin'!!
And it is still snowin' as we speak! My camera is just not fancy enough to pick up the itty bitty snowflakes that are still falling.

If you have been following our blog, then you know that Nevaeh LOVES to watch the snow. The last picture posted of her doing this, she was actually sitting in the window in a Bumbo seat.
She's a big girl now and can stand at the picture window to see out.

Thrilled with her new station in life!

Nevaeh Re'

These are some of the pictures that I took of Nevaeh on Christmas Sunday morning. I put them in the computer and used a program to make adjustments and add enhancements.
I snapped pictures for about 10 minutes (if even that), had no high pressure sales pitch, was missing the guaranteed headache that accompanies a studio appointment, played with the pics on the computer, burned my finished work onto a cd, and printed out what I wanted at Walmart!
Best of all, I still have change jingling in my purse!!

Peace In YOUR Hands

Nevaeh's First Dress Up "Recital" At Home!

"So," she wants to know, "How did I do?"

"Beautiful, baby, just beautiful!"

How do I start? What do I say? I'm all mixed up and I need help to pray.
My heart is hurting, and I can't seem to breathe.
Oh, how am I going to make it through another dark day?

Will you pray with us and for us one more time? We had hope to share our exuberance over the results of the hearing that was held Friday, Jan. 23 as Nevaeh's birth mother was to go before the judge and relinquish her parental rights and seek adoption placement for Nevaeh and the unborn baby in our home. We prayed that she would do just that and God did answer our prayer. Birth mother did just that, but before there could be any rejoicing, paternal grandparents stated before the judge that they desire the custody of our little girl. This plea does not affect the unborn baby as a father has not been named for him. The plan is that I (Laura) will go to the hospital and bring our new baby home when he is released. These latest developments only affect our little girl, Nevaeh.
There are specifics regarding this case that would be unethical for me to post. Last week, the "grandparents" called the charge case manager in response to the notification of the pre-adoption hearing asking questioins about the family of Nevaeh's placement. They wanted to know if the home she was in was an adoption option. The charge case manager assured them that Nevaeh was placed in the best foster home that she could be placed. She had everything that she needed and was loved very much by her family. And YES, that family wants to adopt Nevaeh. They stated that they were glad to hear this and "Thank you, very much." Nothing else was said and no further communication was made. Then they entered the courtroom and immediately following the birth mother's relinquiment of parental rights, stated their intent. The caseworkers have assured us that their belief is that Nevaeh belongs here. God has truly worked miracle after miracle already for Nevaeh's sake. I know that He is in control! And I know that He is aware of where we are at and what is taking place in our lives. We know that we will be okay. However we are human and there are moments when fear threatens to overtake us. There are times when the emotions build up and errupt. Sometimes I can't breathe, sometimes I can't help crying. There are times that I've caught the boys hugging her extra close and I hear them telling her often, "Veah, I love you."
I have to tell you that after hearing about the court appearance of Nevaeh's paternal grandparents and their plea, the mail was picked up and a package had arrived for me. Of all days that this particular package had to arrive, why this same day? The contents of the package was a special ordered Adoption Baby Memories Book that I had ordered from and adoption education and counseling center via the internet. On this same day, also in the mail, arrived our recertification to be permitted to care for children in need.
Anyone who really knows our family knows that music is in our blood and we sing or hum without thinking about it. Daryl was doing this while sitting at the computer in our kitchen taking a mid-term exam in Spanish. I was processing apples to be made into applesauce and apple butter. He wasn't paying a bit of attention to what he was singing under his breath, but his repeating it over and over, broke through my concentration. I stopped to listen and this is what he was singing.
"Children, let not your hearts be troubled, With things you can't do nothin' about; For if His eye is on the sparrows, then He sure wonta' let you down."
God's ways of speaking to us are remarkable. His love is immeasurable. And I know that I can live with peace, sweet peace, when I leave it in His hands.

Time and time again I've bro't my burdens
I've prayed and prayed that I could lay them down
But walked away still bearing on my shoulders
A heaviness and heartache
He never meant for me to carry 'round.
But there's peace when I leave it in Your hands
Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands
Just leave it there and never pick it up again
There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

I wouldn't say I've gained a lot of wisdom
But I have learned this much along the way
Lord, that you are always there to bear my burdens
At first I might not feel it
But if I learn to trust you come what may
I'll find peace when I leave it in Your hands
Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands
Just leave it there and never pick it up again
There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

When I'm tempted to Doubt and question you
Lord, just keep reminding me
There's peace when I leave it in Your hands
Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands
Just leave it there and never pick it up again
There's peace when I leave it in Your hands
SUNG BY LEGACY FIVE

GOD'S PROMISE TO US
JOHN 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.

CHIPS-N-DIP!

This post is intended for one specific person! Uh huh! You know who you are. The rest of you, well-- I guess you'll just have to wonder, UNLESS, the person that this post is really intended for fails to respond as directed. If that happens, I'll have to start posting other pictures..........And I'm not talking about tuna fish either.
I have something that I want to mail to you, so here's what I need you to do!
On the side of this page click on "view my complete profile" under "About Us." When the profile page pops up, click on "e-mail contact." Then I need you to type me an e-mail giving me your snail mail address.
The clock is ticking. How long will you take to respond?
Mark was sure that this would get your attention!

Happy New Year!

Mama and her two sweethearts.

We met Byron and Julie and their kids at an ice skating rink on New Year's Eve. I LOVE to ice skate. We figured that it has been at least 12 years since I was on a pair of skates. Mark had knee surgery this past summer and has had a lot of trouble with it so he sweetly offered to "sit it out" and take care of Nevaeh so I could skate with my boys.

We skated for a couple of hours and then we all headed back to our house. We ate the traditional pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes and hot dogs for those who didn't like sauerkraut for our supper. We played games, talked, watched videos together and the guys made plans to go muzzleloader hunting the next morning. We have a full basement and so we hung out down there with wide open space for the kids to run and play.

Robert put a campsite together in the basement to make a fun place to play for all the kids. All of the kids (Daryl considers himself past the kid stage and I think that he really wanted to sleep in his queen sized bed instead of on the hard floor!) slept at the campsite. The boys had one tent and the girls had the other. The Christmas tree was still lit with white lights from our church dinner and Robert used it for the nightlight. It also lended an air of reality to the indoor campsite.

Do you like the creek next to the boy's tent? Rob used a big piece of blue fabric and polyester fiber fill to make this snowed creek bank and water. He then carried in large rocks in a big bucket so he could make his campsite more authentic. The camping cookware was one of Robert's Christmas gifts. Notice the Ajax bottle of dish soap.

The tripod was also a Christmas gift. Rob went to great pains to create a "fire" without the flame, of course.

This was the boys' tent.

Lissy is stoking the "fire."

The girls' tent.

KIMMY'S HOME - Uh, James Too! :-)

Kimberly got to "come home" for Christmas! We were so happy to see Kim and James too! Actually, James was the sweetheart who brought Kim and the more time we get to spend with James the more we love him. He would be blushing right now, to be sure! Please pardon the pic if you think I don't quite look put together. This was taken in the morning before Kim and James left to head back to Indy. I think I did at least run a comb through my hair but don't quote me on that.

Nevaeh and Auntie Kim were fast friends.

We got to sing together again. It felt so right!!

And these are the guys. James with Rob and Daryl. They were building something with Rob's new K'nex. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. At least my two guys really did.

Stoner's Selebration!

Okay! I know you're tryin' to figure out what is going on here. Believe me, their just being Bobs!
This is my Robert Eugene pictured with my dad's youngest brother, Robert Eugene.
Yes, this is intentional. My Robert is named after my uncle Robert. My uncle Bob saved my life when I was a young girl. He rescued me from drowning in the ocean. I thought I was a'goner but my hero was there to "sweep me off my feet"--uh--it was more like grab me by my scrawny neck. Regardless of the details, God chose to use this guy to save me so He could use me for something. Suffice it to say, I wouldn't be here if not for my uncle Bob. When our second son was born, I knew he had to be named for my hero. Just before this picture was taken, Bob wanted to know if he was the "RE" and Rob was the "TARD." I think it is a very good thing that there are soooo many years between them!! They would have been an earth shaking combo!

This is my Aunt Marsha. She shared dinner with us on Christmas day and then felt inclined to work for her "supper." Aunt Marsha is a cancer survivor and I admire her for walking that scary road courageously. Y'know, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather choosing to do the hard thing when fear threatens to paralize us into running the wrong way. Aunt Marsha's cancer is back to breathe fire and blow smoke in her face again, but God is gracious and merciful. He WILL provide what she needs over and over, again and again. God is faithful.

This little bit of dynamite is my little niece. She is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind package!

The best gift I received this Christmas was the opportunity to be with my family. I missed my big Sis, David, and Kyle, but every one else was able to be together. As I grow older, my family becomes more precious and I realize anew just how blessed I am!

The Original Fultz Family Christmas

Mark was asked to read the account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2 before gift exchange.

Nevaeh exploring one of Grandma's many nooks and crannies.

Aunt Wanda & Nevaeh


















David Fultz

Daryl and his cousin Ryan

These two boys were born a month and a half apart and they are without doubt a very dangerous combination!

Nevaeh & Daddy
(That little girl looks like that Daddy!)









Mark's brother Ken and his wife, Miriam, adopted twins. Toni and Stephanie are sitting with Aunt Wanda & Uncle Larry. The girls are wearing their gift from Aunt Laura. There's another whole story behind the girls' footwear. They fight over who's going to wear Aunt Laura's funny shoes.

The adopted cousins

Our oldest nephew has joined the Army Reserves.
This fact made our Christmas together even more special.
"Our prayers will follow you, David, and our love will always be there. We are so proud of you, Buddy. We admire your courage. Go with God." Aunt Laura & Uncle Mark

Treasured Traditions

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The stockings were hung on the fireplace with care--
In hopes that their Papa would fill them right there!

A TWINKLE--










A sPaRkLe!!

A Glow Quite Remarkable!

And memories to last you, all of forever!

A childhood tradition that I still treasure was this. My mama taught us that since Jesus was with us in spirit and wouldn't eat cake the way that we do, our tree would be His "cake" and it was important that we do our best to decorate it with great care doing the best job as we were able. Then on Christmas morning, with Great Grandma Bessie and Meema present, we would all gather around the "cake" tree and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Imprinted in my memory is the sight and sound of Great Grandma Bessie getting blessed in her soul and shouting. Daddy was even able to capture this experience on film. This year, I was feeling quite sentimental and decided to decorate our tree to honor my childhood memory. Our tree is decorated to look like a very large Christmas gift! A picture of our family as it is now is hung above the bow. And the gift tag reads, To: Jesus, From: Our Family.





























Realizing the importance of these kinds of traditions and knowing what they have meant to me, we decided that we wanted to start a new tradition for our own family. For every year since Daryl began to experience Christmas, Mark reads the entire scripture account of the real Christmas story all the way through to the wisemen. Then we share our gifts with each other. Since Nevaeh's favorite Christmas song is "Away In A Manger," we added this song to our family tradition. Our Christmas was very special this year with the presence of our beautiful little dark haired, dark eyed angel!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!