Hey! It's my blogiversary! It took me 10 minutes to find the date this morning in the archives, and what do you know? It's today! I started blogging Jan 5, 2007. Back when my kids looked like this:
They're so little and cute! (Biased, I know.)
A Blogiversary calls for a giveaway, and though I don't know what I'll be sending yet... it will certainly include Lindor Truffles. (That's enough reason to enter, right?) And I'll pull together some other fun things, too. (I'll post a photo as soon as I get it together.) Want to enter? Leave a comment with... a question! Anything you want to know about us or how we do things around here. (Oh, this could be scary.) I don't guarantee to answer them all, but I will pick some over the next few weeks to answer in upcoming posts, and I'll pick a winner at random from the submissions to win my giveaway. I'll leave the comments open until Friday.
Good luck! And thanks for reading!
Wow, they are so super cute in this one! OK, question for you... How are things going with Hallie and the ODD-- did you ever get a second opinion with evaluations?
Posted by: Melissa | 01/05/2010 at 11:18 AM
Two questions: When is your next court date with Nat? How is it going with the lice mess? Praying you have better luck than I did when we had it here.
Posted by: Steph :o) | 01/05/2010 at 11:39 AM
Been here from day one...and before that when I found a random post ABOUT ME on your old blog...you'd never mentioned you had a blog and when I stumbled across it, that day's post was about our family. Weird. Question: Do you have a recommendation for a great photographer? I've noticed your wonderful photo on your side bar, and am having a baby in 2010 :)
Posted by: Renee | 01/05/2010 at 11:46 AM
Have you struggled at all with attachment issues with your foster or adopted kids?
Posted by: Marty | 01/05/2010 at 12:02 PM
Congratulations, Hilary!
What I would like to know, if it is not too personal, is, do you think a child could be so different from you that it could not thrive in your family? Or do you believe love could always overcome these differences? What makes me ask is that as a child, I was rather different from other children, but thankfully I had a family, where I felt like I belonged, and there were other people like me. I would really like to hear about your experiences in this area :)
Posted by: Eliza | 01/05/2010 at 12:48 PM
Love reading your blog. I think I originally found it linked to Bakers Dozen, which I found linked while reading another adoption blog. I have been encouraged over the past few years with your experiences as a mom and homemaker.
So...what is your favorite 'go to' meal on those un-inspiring nights?
Also- how are you so darn creative with celebrating little holidays? I will never get over your spread for your hubby for last years super bowl. Seriously impressive!!
Posted by: anya | 01/05/2010 at 01:39 PM
I love reading your blog. You inspire me to be more fun and more creative. I wish I was as good as a crafter as you are! I really mean that I am not just trying to suck up.
I appreciated your comment to yell less, my question (because I want to yell less too) is how do you plan to follow through with that?
Posted by: Carolynn Slocum | 01/05/2010 at 04:06 PM
Congrats! I don't always comment but I read your blog faithfully.
Question...how are you enjoying being in your little bedroom. I was amazed when you guys build that.
Posted by: Debbie | 01/05/2010 at 04:52 PM
I too read your blog faithfully and have loved reading your journey through fostering and adopting.
In the midst of life, how do you keep your marriage strong?
Posted by: Chantel M | 01/05/2010 at 06:03 PM
Carolynn~ Too bad they don't make mom bracelets that are sensitive to the sound of your voice...so that when you start to yell...it zaps you! Haha. It might just be a best seller. :)
Hilary~ I'm impressed with how you are able to keep track of the grocery deals each week. My question is how do you keep record of your kids school work? Do you keep examples of their work for each grade? Do you have a system?
Blessings, Kristie
Posted by: Kristie Hubbard | 01/05/2010 at 09:30 PM
You inspire me with your mothering and your fun ideas and how you seem to find time to do so many crafty domestic things! And you always keep it real. That's probably what I like best! My question is....how often and how do you go about doing your meal planning? Do you have a masterlist or do you go by what sounds good and go from there? Or is always just whatever is on sale?
Posted by: jess | 01/05/2010 at 10:22 PM
Okay, here's my question: What are some ways your church/friends/family could do to support you and your husband as foster/adoptive(?) parents?
We aren't currently looking to adopt or foster but I would so love to help those who are.
And I l o v e Lindor Truffles!
Posted by: rebecca m | 01/05/2010 at 11:10 PM
I have been reading you for a little over a year now. I don't comment often. Or to be honest I may not have commented at all.
I was wondering how things were going with the adoption of Nat?
Also your pajama pants... do you use a pattern? I have just ventured into the arena of sewing and was curious if you had some tips for me.
Thanks!
*Shay B*
Posted by: Shay Brewer | 01/06/2010 at 07:37 AM
Love the blog! I discovered you a few months ago, and have been checking in daily since. I get a lot of creative ideas to help me with the nursery and youth group at my church, thanks! The question I have for you is this, did your husband ever live in the Grand Rapids Michigan area? I seen a picture you posted and believe that I new him when he lived here, if he is the same Brian that I knew that is!
Posted by: Jessica in Michigan | 01/06/2010 at 07:46 AM
I love reading your blog and following the journey of your family. My question is have you always wanted to adopt or was it a result of a combination of life circumstances?
Posted by: Angie | 01/06/2010 at 08:39 AM
Happy blogiversary! My question...I know a while back you were clearing out the school house to reclaim it for school. Were you able to move back in there?
Posted by: Merriann | 01/06/2010 at 09:50 AM
My question is - even with all the pain, do you ever wish you hadn't signed up for fostering?
Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Rebecca | 01/06/2010 at 12:38 PM
Congrats on 3 years!! I found your blog through Bakers Dozen. I can't think of a question right now. My 3 year old foster child is on a screaming jag and making it hard to think.
Posted by: Kylie | 01/06/2010 at 03:36 PM
I think I found your blog through A Baker's Dozen, and have been reading for about a year now. I have a pretty simple question- how did you pick Hallie and Sam's names?
Posted by: Michelle | 01/06/2010 at 10:33 PM
I found your blog through the Baker's Dozen and have enjoyed following. You've gotten us very interested in adopting through the foster care program. My question- are you signed up to provide care to any foster child sent to you, or only those with the chance of adoption? I'm not sure we could handle the "reunification" process.
Blessings,
Karen
Mama to 7 blessings
Posted by: Karen Butner | 01/07/2010 at 12:09 PM
Congrats! I actually want to say that I admire what and how you do it. Your children are happy, and healthy DESPITE the lice :) I thought that being a teacher and a mom and wife was hard. You are all 3 with no seperataion. I have always wanted to adopt and am facinated at how you manage it all. Why did you decide to be adoptive and foster parents?
Kim
Posted by: Kimberley Ernst | 01/07/2010 at 10:29 PM
I know I am late, but that's ok...I am seconding or thirding the question about your menu. I am just now getting back to being domestic after almost a year off due to circumstances beyond my control (at least for some of the time), and have realized that if I make a menu, I do better at making the meals vs having (my)Brian pick something up on his way home. I'm curious to know if you plan a month or a week or what and how often do you grocery shop. Thanks.
Posted by: Carrie R | 01/08/2010 at 08:36 PM