Danica turns 23

Today is Danica's Birthday. This is the first year in 23 years that we are apart on her birthday. It feels really weird and sad. When I talked to Danica this morning she said it didn't feel the same either. At least she is around family.

Haven't talked about her since she left for Germany September 8. Her main focus for going was to learn the language and immerse in the culture. So Danica is over there living with my mom. My two sisters and brother live near by. The following Monday she got there she accepted a job immediately teaching English. Unfortunately she only gets about 15 to 20 hours per week. We will see if she has enough money to last. I hope so for her. At least she is living with my mom and doesn't have to per for house and food. So far we have talked almost every weekend via skype.

She is coming home for Christmas for 2 weeks. Right now she plans on staying until next summer. We all just miss her so much, its really hard but its all good for her to venture out on her own.

Last weekend. Danica at a club posing with some random girls.

September 8. The day Danica left for Germany.
This picture below really cracks me up. We were trying to adjust the camera to take a picture of us in the car. We both had our tongues sticking out and didn't even know it, lol. I always tease her for sticking out her tongue yet I do exactly the same.

Danica's graduation and glimpses on her future

haha, gotten way behind with all my pics. We have been so busy the last 3 weeks. Danica had her big graduation on 6/11 and last weekend 6/18 was her party at the house. At the graduation 45,000 people watching, 11,000 students graduating, about 5000 walking. It took about close to 4 hours. What a huge university. We are so proud of Danica. I am constantly blown away that God has blessed me with such an amazing easy going kid. She makes me so happy.

Her adventure now continues to Germany and teach English for at least a year. (yes I am absolutely heart broken) She wants to immerse in the language and culture and hopes when she returns to only speak German to me, lol. Yes, really, I never taught Danica how to speak German for specific reasons. She will leave in September and stay with my parents until she finds her own place or stay with them. Her work place will not be further than an hour from all of my family there. That was Danica's decision as she felt she was going to be really home sick already.

So another big chapter of her life has finished and a new one is beginning, really soon.

U WA Seattle 6/11/2011

Danica's out of state guest, uncle Fred, Grandma Hill and Grandma Kurzbach

The little ones wanted a picture with Danica before bedtime

Danica's Department Graduation and 2 surprises for her

One week done, one more week to go. My Danica has graduated from the UWA Seattle over the weekend. The picture below are from the department graduation of her major. Her degree is in environmental studies. We are the proud of her.

The one thing Danica didn't know is that my mom and her uncle were coming. She was so excited.

My mom and Danica. My mom was sneaking upstairs were is was and surprised her.

Danica receiving her degree

Family from left to right. My mom, myself, Kevin, Danica, Uncle Fred, Kevin mom.

My mom with us

Danica and my mom, we call her Omi.

The Love of a Daughter

Danica is a very special kiddo. I always invisioned us being close but not this close. Even though she is in college and about to graduate, our relationship has gotten deeper. She does so many small things for me that are huge for me. She has that husband part women want (like we want them to read us but they don't) cuz I surely don't get that from Kevin. He is the typical provider. I think my cell phone is for her because she is about the only one I use it for. Anyways, when she went to Germany in December she intended to surprise me big time. She kept teasing my while over there telling me she found something I always talk about but I had no clue. To most of you this gift seems so weird but to me its a priceless possession. I have this clothes stand that is 23 years old (yes I line dry my clothes with 8 people except for towels). Thank you, I know I am nuts. It has rusted all over and is very fragile but I am still using it because I cannot buy this one over here. Yes I could buy one at Ikea but those are fake. Cannot stand them. When Kevin puts a book on it or the kids run into they all get blasted because this stand is so fragile and about to break any minute. So Danica bought me a new one in Germany which is below. But here is the kicker.. She couldn"t put it on the plane because the measurement were too big They said she would have to pay $500.00 to put it on the plane. So her and my sister finally figured out a way to ship it for less but my sister had to drive it all the way to Lufthansa to the airport to ship it with the cargo. The German post office wouldn't let her ship it either because the measurements were too big. I know the story is lame but I am just amazed by her how well she knows me and listens to me. Mind you she is just a broke college student and she still did it. I love her so so much.

December

December highlighted two big events. Danica went to Germany to visit my family and Misrak and Micah celebrated their first Christmas in America. Danica went for 10 days and came back Christmas day. She was able to celebrate with my family there and with us right here at home. She was also so very blessed not to get stuck at the airports in any snow storms because they were all around her, in Belgium and on the East Coast.

My family in Germany was calling Danica an angel. Here is why: I guess when you live around family all your life you often don't appreciate what you have. I, for instance, am envious every year of everyone that is with family, yet the people that have family tell me don't envy me it gets old after a while. Well Kevin and I haven't been with family in nearly 25 years for Christmas or most of the holidays so its always just us 8 and before us 4.

Anyways, so my folks in Germany really haven't been spending that much time with each other during the season but when Danica came they were all together, everyone, pretty much every day until she left. So they are calling her the little angel that brought family together. Danica insisted that everyone needed to be together during her stay.

They welcomed her so incredibly like she had lived their all her live. Even though she hasn't visited in nearly 10 years, they took her in like she was me, just because she is my daughter.

Misrak and Micah were amazed to celebrate their first Christmas. I tried REALLY HARD to teach them the real meaning of Christmas how we celebrate int his house "Jesus Birth". Although it looked like we had lots of presents, we really didn't. After all, we are a family of 8.

Misrak really wanted a bible and Micah really wanted something from Toy Story so they both got what they asked for. I let the 2 of them open the first gifts and then everyone else got to dig in.

All in all it was wonderful and I really enjoyed this month of December for once just enjoying my family and not being pre-occupied with another adoption.

IN GERMANY

Everyone went bowling (my oldest brother and his family are not in there, he is in Scottland)

They all went on the sleighs being pulled by a car. Very common in Germany during the winter.

My mommy received the throw of my family for Christmas

My sister Pia and her family, minus Vincent who belongs to my other sister.

My sister Nicole and her husband and my baby brother

Danica and my baby brother Svenni

Danica with Svenni's girls. One of them is missing in the picture

My mommy and daddy

Hanging out in the city for a late night shopping trip

Micah's in his new robe and slippers

Misrak and her new boots

Misrak at the ceramic store with her special friend

Christmas party at my work

Another Christmas party for the children

Danica turns 22

Uggghh, Danica is going to kill me but oh well, that's life, lol.

November 5, 2010

My precious daughter Danica is another year older. I am crazy in love with that girl. Its funny because when she was young we used to fight so much (she has my temper) and now the older she gets the more identical we are. Kevin keeps telling us that it freaks him out just how much we are alike. I think the only thing we don't have in common that Danica is really reserved when something is on her mind and she wants to speak up (except with us of course) while with me when I am hurt it just comes out, actually flying out.

Also when I was 22, I was the mother of a 2 months old daughter, Anastasia. Years ago it grossed me out to think that my daughter could possibly be a mother that young. All I wanted for her is have a great career. Now on my walk with God, nothing would give me more pleasure for my baby to get married and have children, such a gift from God. We will see what her future holds and I cannot wait to see. Whatever she does will make me happy. I hope I taught her right.

Danica and I were reminiscing the other day that with the land we have next to our house we might as well give it to her so she can have her family right next to me. To some it might seem crazy but not to Danica and I. We would truly love that.

She has also fallen so in love with all of her new sibs from ET. I never thought this would be possible but it is truly amazing and makes my heart melt how she love those precious kiddos.

Ughh on a side note: Her roomis from college made her two cakes. They looked like 2 breasts. She said they made them for her because she flashes them just to get a reaction. That girl of mine is just crazy:) Hopefully one day she will release the picture so I can post it here.

25 Years (August 27, 2010)

My dear husband and I have been married for 25 years. Although many say it doesn't seem that long, all I can remember is Kevin and I.

To be truthful, this last year has been very hard. Going from 2 to 4 to 6 children is moving fast. Mainly because of the LITTLE time we have together anymore and Kevin is very selfish of the time he has with me. Plus the work is never ending and at the end of the evening we both just fall into bed exhausted. But it is all so rewarding and we both know that. If you were to ever asked him why no more kids or any reluctance to more kids, it would only be because it takes away from his time with me.

Anyways, this weekend is good. Really good. We are nestled away at a little cottage in nowhere land. Guess what I can hear? Nothing except the noises of geese and birds. I am blown away that after over 25 years of being together, we can still conversate non stop and have the best times of our lives. Nothing has changed except we are older and more mature now. We can go from hectic life of 8 to as we were still dating..

Danica is watching her 5 siblings and that is the biggest gift we could have received. Having my little ones in the care of immediate family is good. As Kevin and I were driving away to our getaway, Danica called and asked me to open up the glove box in her car which we are driving. In it was a precious card that said this:

Dad and Mom:
Happy 25th Anniversary. Half way to 50 so keep trucking. Anyways, I am so very happy that you two have been married this long. I am always grateful to say my parents are still together! You guys have come a long way since day one and been wonderful parents. Obviously the close relationship we hall share proves that!:) The little ones are the fortunate and I wish they only knew. Having the two of you as parents I have gotten different things that are all equally important. So thank you so much for working through the tough times and remaining committed to each other. I do hope that when I get married I will be celebrating this very day. As for you guys' trip, please relax and enjoy each other's company! This time is so important and I think it should happen more often. Dont worry about the kids we will all be fine and there is plenty of back up if needed. She also left us $100.00 and kept insisting of not spending it on anyone else but us (she knows us too well). She wanted us to go to a very nice restaurant just this once because she knew that we wouldn't have done it unless she forced us into doing it.

Gosh, summer is almost over here in WA state. Our summer wasn't all that great re: heat wise but I am not complaining at all. I am glad the children went on summer break shortly after the newest ones got here. That way they got to know each other really well spending the day together all day for nearly 2.5 months. Our school doesn't start until Sept.2 We decided to hold our Amira one year back and re-do Kindergarten. I have always said that if I could have stayed home she would have started this year anyway and not last. She is not being held back for intelligence but rather her maturity. She is just not there. Now that we have Misrak and Biruk to compare, its pretty evident. We are trying to get Micah started in a pre-school program.

We really didn't do much this summer except go to Idaho and a short weekend trip to the ocean but that's about it. We have one more thing to do and that is our annual camp on Labor Day weekend. I think that will be the highlight of the summer for the kids. Oh and Kevin and I will go away for a few days for our anniversary.

Danica's friend Willis came over last weekend to have dinner with us. He is off to Korea for a one year mission trip to teach English. I loved being in his company, he is such a godly young man. He even brought me flowers. His mama raised him well. Danica met him at her summer camp when just in 7th grade and they have been friends ever since. Well I guess I am reminiscing for a future husband for my daughter but she is not interested, unfortunately.

Amira

Danica and Willis

Micah loves pastries
Misrak and Micah (She is so protective over him)

True Friends

True friends are when I call them last minute:) and say "Joy, would you mind seeing my daughter while she is visiting your State"?. She replies "Yes, of course". Just like that and end of story.

Joy has been my friend since July of 2006 when we were on the journey of adopting from Zambia. Our friendship has only grown stronger through our deep love we share for God and the way we believe in raising our children. We also have our inter racial marriage in common which can have its interesting conversations, right Joy:)

Anyways, Danica loved Joy's family and I thing the feeling was super mutual on Joy's side. They went to a restaurant and had dinner and went to a fun place afterwards. Joy brought her whole gang. Husband is not in picture, he was taking pictures:) . It very important to me for Danica to get to know my very dear friends who have more than just one kid and know its still possible to live happily and peacefully and not like the family on TV "Cheaper by the Dozen". There is still this persona going around that if you have lots of children you are odd or low income.... yeah right.... Danica was amazed (I told her prior to meeting) at how well behaved all the children were. They were so well behaved because they don't get to eat out often so this was a serious treat and they knew how to be thankful. For the longest time (16 years) Danica was raised on being an only child and spoiled rotten. When we started the adoption journey, her heart had to change, slowly but surely and she is now very, very understanding and loving for what I am living and breathing for. Danica also had the opportunity to have met my dear friends in Idaho, Lisa and Signe, and she was amazed and in love as well.

Thank you Javier and Joy for hosting my baby girl. I really appreciate it.

Look at Danica and Janae. They are both on the far right. Don't they look like sisters?

Danica turns 21

November 5, 2009

On Thursday Danica turned 21. Because she was at school we couldn't celebrate so we had her present and cake yesterday. Danica didn't have much time to do anything because she has so much homework and upcoming tests that she was studying downstairs from morning to night and I am sure today will be the same. Poor thing but that what happens when your in college.

We are just so proud and blessed to have Danica. She has turned into an amazing young lady and we wouldn't want to have her any other way. She is very focused, humble and thankful. Even this last year she has matured so much. I hope she always stays close to us so we can have her all the time. I can't wait to see what the years ahead of her have in store for her.

We started this thing on birthdays where the little ones can buy one gift each from the $1.00 store to give as a present. I have noticed that they always buy a gift that they like for themselves and not what the birthday person might want:) But its okay I am teaching them and they learn eventually.

Spending the day with Danica

Today I met up with Danica in the big city. She is in her third year of college and actually had to move out of her dorm to get her own house. She is sharing the house with 5 other girls and its really nice. She got her own room and bathroom. I am a bad mommy though after realizing today how bare her room was. So we went and bought some decorations for her room and her bathroom and got it all set up. Well we still need to hang up decorations and curtains. She has been there for nearly a month but it took us this long to set it up. Anyways, it was awesome. Danica and I have a very deep and intense relationship and the older she gets the more it freaks me out just how much we are alike. She has even inherited my bad parts such as irritations and short temper. I often have to hear from Kevin, you and your daughter are just alike because she calls Kevin as much as she calls me when frustrated. But she has many great aspects of her daddy. She is very, very outgoing and her best feature truly is that she doesn't give a care what people think about her. Its extremely important to her that people judge her from the inside, not the outside and that is probably why she goes to school mostly in sweats with her hair up in a pony tail. That is why I put the picture below because I love when Danica gets dressed up sometimes than her outside beauty comes out too.

She is turning 21 just a week after me and its right around the corner. What is really weird to her is that many of her friends, right and left, are getting married. So she often wonders where her Mr. Future husband is. I keep telling her that God has the perfect man already picked for her with Danica written all over him and one day he will reveal himself. Danica goes to a Christian college and her University is known for producing many marriages at the college. She hasn't found anyone just yet but to be truthful I think my Danica has shutters on also from her previous person she was seeing. Anyways, she only has one more year and a quarter and than she will be done (if she doesn't decide to go to grad school) so she really needs to study hard this last year. It was just good spending the day with her.

I like to add one thing and that is for her not being raised under biblical expectations for the first 16 years of her life, she turned out amazing. To top it all off she really wants to follow God the way I do. That is why I know God will protect her and the right spouse will be waiting for her that desires God even more than she does. Gosh, I love this girl.

Danica was going to a wedding

Summer Camp

This was our second year at camp. Last year the little ones weren't here so we only stayed for a day. This time we stayed the whole time, from Friday to Monday. Anastasia stayed at her favorite respite place where she hasn't been in over 2 years. She was thrilled to go there. The camp would have been too overwhelming for her. We had such an amazing time, words simply cannot describe. ALL the kids love to go to this camp no matter how old they are and look forward every year to returning. They have so many activities planned throughout the day. The kids did horseback riding, went on a train ride, in the evening we got to have a Hawaiian night and and Cowboy night. The parents got to have special parents nights were we just got to talk to the adults. It was a little sad this year because many of the new families but also the old families weren't able to return. The good thing was that we as adults made wonderful new friends and three of the families are from this area. I especially missed my Signe.

Danica even had the time of her life. We really didn't see her at all except when sleeping but when she came we were already sleeping. What was so awesome is that I knew Danica would enjoy this camp but she thought I was crazy and came along for the ride expecting a dumb camp. She like really misses all the friends she made already. Last night she even told me that she had wished she came to Idaho with me when we visited Lisa and Signe because she really connected with Lisa Q's oldest.

Everything was just so perfect and wonderful and we are so incredibly grateful to have this camp and hope we will always have it.

Kevin playing a game with the kids in the room during break time

Face Painting and Amira made a skirt

I just pray Danica doesn't look at my blog cuz she might kill me for putting up this picture. The young adults had a game in the mud.

Danica rough housing Biruk for fun

Danica swinging her sissy

The crew with Nes missing

Hawaiian night

My son got some serious rhythm

Lisa and I. How I loved seeing her again.

Amira and Stephanie, the camp director

The kids made me beautiful flowers

Biruk and his new friend

This 16 old boy was so amazing with all the little kids.

Danica and some of her new friends