A little girls hair

We've made it through six weeks of Foster Parent classes and the class has been extremely informative as well as reflective in more ways than what I was prepared to learn.

We've learned about our role as FP's is to reconnect children with their parents.  The task seems large as we learn about the process in which children go through when they are being placed in foster care.  Something I am familiar with, yet not what I've wanted to relive.  

I'm unsure of my role in processing familiar emotions tied to the pain these children go through, therefore, I come to my favorite place to share such feelings, memories, and document what this process is like for me.
For example: the latest story was on a little girl who had long hair that one foster mom combed frequently, and when she was adopted by another foster family, they cut all of her hair off leaving the little girl to feel as though she was ugly.

I don't correlate that exact emotion, but it sparked a memory of when I was little and after my mom had  passed away, one of the women my dad was seeing took me in to have all of my hair cut off.  I had forgotten all about it as I don't recognize it as devastating, however, the memory rings strong in my mind the fact of this matter. 

Heavy Heart with Hope

     My day began like every normal Friday morning at House of Hope.  It was a typical restless night as each night is when I stay with the girls, which is every Thursday night.  Since it was around 4 am, I knew the girls would be sound asleep and I decided to take a quick shower before beginning my early morning work load that I find myself doing each Friday morning.  Once dressed, I pressed the "Start" button on the coffee and went into the staff office to begin paper work.

     My heart was heavy and I didn't understand why, but my emotions seemed similar to times when I encountered PMS.  However, I hadn't encountered any such emotional mood swing since my hysterectomy in December of 2010.  I couldn't shake it, the knot in my stomach was about to push tears up through my eyes and I was not prepared to have an early morning bawling session.  Instead, I decided my emotion must be coming from a minor frustration I felt towards the Director of House of Hope and I began typing her an email in regard to "Time" and her disrespect of my time.  Many times I wiped tears from my ears as the thoughts swarmed through my mind how ridiculous I was for being so emotional over something so small.  I mean it isn't as if Ms. Marilyn was any different than she had been for the past year so why was I so overwhelmed with emotion?   I for one am usually very 'in tune' with my emotions and why I feel certain ways.  Today was unlike any other day however, I simply could not put my finger on the reason for my burdened heart.

     The rest of the mornings routine was similar to every Friday morning.  The girls got ready for their day as any other day, but instead of doing our devo's in the living room, I chose to have the girls read 'out loud' while I prepared them breakfast in the kitchen.  Then, in normal routine of HOH, the girls quote 1 Corinthians 13 and we normally carry on about the morning with breakfast chores, and individual chat time I make for each girl.  But this particular morning I quietly told the girls my heart felt heavy and asked them to bow as I prayed for the day, for each of the girls.  My heart remained somber as we sat quietly eating breakfast.  Each of the girls look to me for fun table talk, but this morning was not the typical morning.  This morning I was holding back tears, and while I'm sure the girls could tell of my  nature, none of them questioned me, but ate in silence.

     It wasn't until much later in the morning and after I arrived home from my long night at HOH before I heard the startling news of Newton, Connecticut.  While I personally was sad for all that these families would be facing, my heart remained heavy in ways I still could not identify.  

     Through out the evening, and even after my husband inquired, I was not in the mood to talk much.  

On my way to the salon the next morning, I took my 'time' as I drove in even though I was running behind.  People sped by me as though they had somewhere special to be and all in an obvious hurry.

     It was in that moment I realized why my heart was so heavy the day before.  Without sounding or feeling arrogant to my emotions, I knew without a doubt my heart was in tune with the Holy Spirit.  The sorrow was not mine, it was God's and that minuscule amount of sorrow I felt Friday was obviously small in comparison to  God our Father, who gave His own son that we may have life.  

     My heart is left humbled by this connection, and yet I believe maybe I should have intervened in prayer for what was about to unfold had I understood why my heart was in the condition it was Friday morning.

For now, I pray for the families and the sin that occurred effecting so many onlookers as well.  We have  no control over other's and their actions from their sin....but we do have an opportunity to surrender our lives to Christ because none of us know when our time is up.

Twenty eight lives were snuffed out in one instant on Friday the 14, 2012....So many more will be impacted in ways the enemy desires...which is his purpose, his only purpose.  For me, I cling closer to my Father in Heaven...the ONE and only safety I have in this cruel world.  I pray other's too will surrender to Christ, our free will for His wonderful plan... A plan of Hope, and prosperity, not with things one can see, but with what is unseen.

20 little six and seven years old are now Angels in heaven

Nora Lee Wright

I began this post some time ago, but have struggled to put it together.  Being a mother is such a beautiful thing and delivering a baby is a wonderful gift God has blessed women with.  There is  no greater joy than giving birth to a baby and I'm so thankful I was able to witness that very joy when my first born gave birth to her first born.  

I'll never forget how much excitement flowed through me with thoughts of my first grandchild being born on my birthday...the 19th of May.  Heck, Amanda was due on the 22nd so why not hope to share my birthday with Nora?  After all, I really don't want to celebrate another birthday anyway and it would be a great distraction to always plan a party for my grand child.  

Amanda tried her best to go into labor on my birthday.  She came over to our house and cleaned like crazy with her sister Alicia.  But, it wasn't to be...Nora deserved her own special day, and on the early early morning of May 20th (3am to be exact), Alex came knocking on our door.  Amanda had apparently tried calling to tell me she thought she was in labor, but I didn't hear my phone.  Heck, excitement oozed from my pores once I knew Amanda was in labor.

We arrived at the hospital around 6 am to Amanda hooked up to the monitors and I could see immediately the pain Amanda was in.  It was the most difficult thing to see her in that much pain.  Funny thing is when I think back to Amanda saying she wanted a natural delivery.  I'll never forget when Amanda told me this because I felt a sense of jealousy that she could have an epidural when I never experienced one.  I thought for sure she was silly to try and have a natural birth.  Then, I realized how silly I was to even think she couldn't get through a natural delivery.

But, I was witnessing all the pain Amanda was in, I was not surprised when she asked for the epidural.  (Smart girl I thought)

Oh how funny Amanda was once she got that epidural, and I was jealous all over....lol...sheesh, if only I could have had an epidural, I probably would have had a dozen kids...or maybe have given the 19 kids and counting mom, a run for her money..hehe.

At 5:53 pm, Nora Lee Wright was born into this world, and the room was filled with enormous joy.  She was perfect!  And, beautiful!!

These past few months have flown by, and Nora is now nearly 4 months old.  She is just the most beautiful little baby and when I look at her, I see her mommy all over.

 

Here she is!!

Nora Lee

Three months old and oh so beautiful

My baby is all grown up

A new dawn unfolds as we took our baby girl to college today.  The last of our beautiful daughter's to move out and move on in their lives.

Alicia packs the last of her things for college.

Of course I am thrilled and super supportive of Alicia going away to college to discover her life dreams and witness her reaching life goals she's set for herself.  Yet, it came with a few tears that never fully formed, they just filled my eyes.  "She's my baby, my precious little girl who has been sheltered from most of life's yuck."  

Alicia was a great sport as we helped her unpack her belongings.  She didn't mind that I hung her bath towels neatly in her closet, and I didn't mind when she simply took them back down.  She's all grown up, a young woman, a beautiful high spirited soul ready to soar in her world.  I just stared at her, wanting to memorize everything about her beautiful self.  Her room warming smile, her pretty brown hair flowing over her shoulders.  The red high school sweatshirt she wore to stay warm proved evidence she was not too proud and still had some high school humility.  Her short shorts....oh yes, she could have left those behind, but she really does have the most beautiful legs...and I'd much rather her keep them covered than to show them off to any wandering eyed boy.  I hate to let her go....I hate to see her change....I hate the thought that something may happen to her....but I trust we've prepared her to stand proud and stand firm in a good up bringing.

Alex, Alicia, and Anna

came to help get Alicia settled in

This is it....the first time Michael and I have ever been alone....just the two of us.  Not even when we first got married as Amanda was 2 years old when that happened.  I think we're ready, I think we'll be okay, and I hope to stay focused on all the good things, but I won't stop praying.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

These past few months have been busy times as the newest addition to our family arrived leaving us all so busy.

GIRLS R Us!!  Here we are to prove it.  Preparing for the baby shower is like shopping for Christmas but maybe I went a wee bit over board.

Nursery theme is in Elephants.

Just a few of the gifts I passed by while shopping for 

this baby shower.

I even knitted a baby blanket

All the shopping for gifts and opening gifts is fun and all, but in reality, all we are wanting is the baby to hold and love.  I remember how time dragged on during the last month of Amanda's pregnancy.  

Heck, I wasn't the one who was pregnant but the anticipation was time stopping in my opinion.  So, I started on a nursery in my house.  Something to consume more of my time, which is why I have struggled to post anything on my blog.

I love keeping a blog so I can reflect on the events that happened during the year, and this one was the highlight to our year.

Journal entry from 2011...remembering my time in Kelly Flats

.....Each year I've made it a goal to memorize the drive up the Mountain that leads to Kelly Flats Campground.  Including every rugged rock, every winding road and the beautiful Poudre River that escorts us up the mountain and the sound of it's raging purr that greets my ears alerting me "we've arrived."
This year however I managed to gain a terrible and very painful bladder infection as I chose to pass by every rest area as I eagerly longed to be in these mountains and as soon as possible.  Not a good choice as each bounce in the road causes agonizing pain within my bladder.  Thankfully I brought antibiotics with me in the event something should occur with one of my girls.  Who would have thought I'd be the one in need of these emergency held capsules?  A moment of distraction as we traveled up the mountain and stopped at every out house we could find along highway 14.
The first morning is always my favorite as I exit our little pop up camper and bask in Gods Glorious beauty held within the walls of the mountains.  "I'm HOME" is the one thought that rushes through my mind as I look up each tree, listen for any wildlife.  "This is where I belong"
Once a year visit is just not enough for me anymore, and while my mind thinks more of the luxuries you find in a condo, the work and effort it takes to pack up our camper, along with preparing a menu for 12, buying food for a week and it's expense, unpacking the camper, setting up camp, the work is soooo worth waking up to this gorgeous place.  All to have yet another moment in Poudre Canyon, nestled in Kelly Flats campground.


I love nature, and I am in awe and very much in love with these Mountains.  You can bet I will always be the first one up in the morning, sitting in a chair, breathing in the aroma of the pine trees and calling out praises to God for creating such a beautiful and peaceful place.

Day 2
This morning has been the most unusual morning with clouded overcast and the temperature is rather mild.  Normally, I start morning coffee and build a fire while I bask in all of Gods glorious beauty within these mountains.  It's quite dark still with just a wee bit of light casting silhouettes of pine trees all around.  Alicia has joined me this morning to embrace the beauty of the mountain sun that is about to top over the ridge of the eastern mountainside.  My hope is the clouds will part so she can witness God reflecting His light  as He shows off His wondrous creation.  I fell as though I am on the grandest of dates with God.  While man may want to show off his car, house or whatever may be his beloved treasure, God too is revealing a portion of his beloved treasure...these great and marvelous mountains.

To think that these mountains could sit here all by themselves and I'd still be in awe, yet as the raging Poudre river rushes down the mountain, it's voice bounces off the rocks that hold it in it's place.




"Oh Lord, how beautiful You are in my heart, in my mind, in all that I see around me...You alone have created all things, the grandest of all technology which no man can take credit for.  YOU, Oh Lord, have made everything so wonderful.  No camera can capture the beauty of all you've made.  When I'm here in these Mountains I hear your voice, I feel your presence...Not with specific audible words, but I feel your presence.  Here I am, Fill me Lord with your love, with your Holy Spirit....I am yours."


How interesting to stare at our campfire and it's bold yet contained fury.  While it provides warmth, it's flames climb high trying to get out, longing to reach and spread it's sharp arms.  It's popping sound snaps me out of my comfort as the wood screams out in pain while being devoured by the flames.  While the flames may devour all in it's path, it cannot devour the earth.  The earth is the foundation for all to live, to grow,, to flourish.  What a picture that is painted here for me..............


I never realized the power of those words would actually be a reality in Roosevelt Forest one year later.  This journal entry was originally written in my quiet time book Beth Moore wrote on "Breaking Free"....

Photo's of Kelly Flats and Memories behind our camping there

A wildfire is currently devouring Poudre Canyon along with Roosevelt National Forest.
This Canyon has held generations of memories for Michael's family and it began with his grandparents who started this family tradition.
Ironically and heartbreakingly, both Michael's grandparents have passed away. His grandfather, who passed away on my birthday last month, was a retired firefighter in Brush, Colorado.  While he taught us all about the joys of camping and shared many stories of the years they spent in Poudre Canyon, I can't but thank God he passed on before knowing of this fire that is about to consume their longtime family getaway place.

Each morning during our camping trips, I spend praising God for the wonders and beauties of the Mountains.  Last year, I took time to journal and intended to post that journal exert on my blog.  Of course, time and distractions prevented that from happening.  Before I post what I wrote, I want to remember some of the wonderful moments we've had in these Mountains.

Entrance to Kelly Flats Campground

The Poudre river surrounded by Gods greenery

Alexandra, Amanda, and Alicia at Kelly Flats

I took senior pictures of Alex in these Mountains

Our girls bring friends each year to these Mountains

I bask in the beauty each year of the Mountains

We bought all this camping gear specifically for 

our trips to these Mountains.

We all made new friends here in these Mountains

Michael baptized Alex at Kelly Flats within

these Mountains

The memories are endless.....

K is for Keely

Keely's first day at House of Hope, was also my first day "shadowing" the House Staff as a potential sub.  I remember Keely looking somber and scared as she began settling in as a resident.  She quickly became a favorite of mine because we were both new to House of Hope.  


Within weeks of her arrival, Keely expressed anger, frustration, and a desire to go home to her parents. (All which is normal for any new resident teenage girl)  She confided in me her thoughts and anxieties, and I encouraged her to talk to her counselor and to pinky promise me she would keep it together until she could.  By the end of that night, I would be face to face with Keely as I got a knife from her grip.  A knife that another resident was about to use to cut potato's.  I looked in Keely's eyes as I pleaded with her to please let me have the knife.  Keely let go but did not let go of the ideas she had to hurt herself.  


The Police were called, and Keely was taken to the nearest hospital for potential "psych" evaluation.  She was back at HOH the next day, and she did not look pleased to be back.


It wasn't long where Keely would move up in the phase she was in and get opportunities to see and talk to her parents.  A position each of the girls earn as they do work requirements by HOH, and show themselves trustworthy.  However, it didn't seem to encourage Keely overall as she would run away and call her parents to come get her.


Throughout Keely's stay, she has rebelliously bucked the system, but my heart still favored the potential I saw for the breakthrough I believed Keely could in fact have.


Unfortunately, Keely continued to fight an emotional battle for her own control....to the point she has run off yet again.  Only this time she has not called her parents, and has now been missing for 3 days.


I pray to God she is found safe and sound.  Keely is from Wisconsin and her parents are heartbroken and scared for her safety, as any parent would be.
I too worry for her safety, and can't even imagine what her parents could be going through during this time.  


Here are a few pictures I have taken of Keely during my time at HOH.  I love this girl, and I sure hope she feels the love that really is felt for her, and for her safety.

taken during one of my volunteer outings I had with a few of the HOH girls.

taken at the horse ranch the girls go to twice a month

J is for Jammies

No surprise, I love Christmas traditions and one of the annual traditions is the gift of "Jammies."  No joke, every year I meticulously pick out the girls jammies.  Yeah, I'm a bit neurotic that they match to some degree.

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2011

I'm not sure if the girls love their jammies, but they sure strike the most precious of poses each and every year.

I is for Inspiration

My favorite Christian singer was and is to this day Sandi Patti.  From the time I was 12 years old, I began listening to her music and she inspired me to sing as well.  I loved her praise and worship music to the Lord and her voice was such an inspiration to my personal walk with Christ.

A few years ago, I attended a women of Faith conference where I got to meet my musical inspiration, Sandi Patti.  I'm sure she has met many people and my introduction of her music and it's inspiration it had in my life was probably a dime a dozen, but it made my day to finally meet her.  When I was in my 20's, I sang many of her songs in our own church at that time.  My favorite of all was when I sang her song "More than Wonderful" as a duet with another singer from our church.  I was able to hit every high note Sandi herself does so flawlessly.  It was a moment and time in my life God used my voice to sing praises to Him, and I pray that it somehow inspired others.

H is for House of Hope

Two weeks ago, the two house staff hired to alternate taking care of the HOH girls, quit their job without notice.

However, two weeks ago the two house staff walked off the job leaving a mess of emotions for all to clean up. No one saw it coming and the office staff was unprepared for the gap it would leave.

Since then, I have offered up my time to substitute as a fill in house staff.  The mess of emotions the teenage girls were experiencing were beyond overwhelming and I can't believe I am still going back each week.  These girls have an abundance of potential and that is obvious to me, yet the enemy has been attacking their thoughts, the office staff thoughts, and even my thoughts.

Last Thursday night, there were three girls who graduated from HOH program which was refreshing to witness as they, along with their parents shared their testimony of their lives.  With a room full of tears at the victory from their perseverance, my heart was filled with a renewed hope that my time served is important.
But, things change moment by moment when you're surrounded by seven teenage girls with their individual emotions and heartaches they face every day.
Sunday, one of my favorite girls ran away from HOH and two days later, has still not been found.  My heart aches for her hurting heart, and for her parents who I am sure are in distress because of this event that has unfolded.  
I am two days behind posting this simply because I spent Easter evening driving around looking for "K".  My husband and Alicia as well also took their cars to drive around and look for her as well.  
While I love working at HOH and helping where I can, I am overwhelmed with my own selfish emotion and  what I will walk into tonight as I go and serve as House Staff.  
I'm not sure how much more I can do, or how much longer I can serve.  God is Big, He is Great, but I am small, and oh so exhausted.

G is for GOD's Son

I'm writing this a day late, so I find it fitting that G should be God's Son who is risen from the dead!


Thirty years ago, I heard God's voice in a small town in western Wyoming (Kemmerer).  Of course it wasn't an audible voice, but a small subtle whisper in my heart that was very clear to my young twelve year old self.  It was the moment I asked Jesus into my heart, and decided to be a follower of Christ himself.  The Son of God became my savior of my sins, who bore the pain, the shame, and became the sacrificial lamb.  


My life was no longer my own, however, it would be years later that simple prayer would grow and become fruitful.  God's grace and mercy would take a deep root in my life and today I celebrate God's Son Jesus.


I have lived through many valleys, and experienced much pain, but the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for my sins and the life He has blessed me with in spite of the hardships, I am thankful for my Lord, my God.

F is for FAMILY

And a crazy Family at that.  I LOVE my Family that God has so blessed me with.  Family doesn't have to be those just we are related to alone, family can be those who join in by spending time with you, just because they love being with you.

Every year, we take our family and friends to the mountains just to get away from life and BE with one another....no outside interruptions, just us.  We have so much fun and have bonded more closely because of it.  This last summer, my nephew Casey and his wife Nicole joined us along with Alex and Alicia's close friends.  Sami Mallory (in the center front of pic) has gone every year with our family and even though she's graduated high school, she won't miss the trip.

Michael's family started the tradition of going to the mountains, and they make it a point to join us every year as well.
Our family is still growing as our girls grow up, get married, and have children of their own.  But, our immediate family and friends will always have a wonderful connection.

E is for Empty nest

I never dreamed Empty nest was more than a word phrase until I began experiencing it for myself.  There wasn't much dialogue with other's on the impact empty nest would truly be and it seems to be such a taboo topic when discussing it with others.  All I hear is "it gets better, it gets easier, keep busy, volunteer, spend more time with your spouse...etc..etc....bla...bla..bla...bla.


Empty nest is very real, an experience we all face, and yet most are unprepared for the emotions empty nest causes one to feel.


While I watch my girls go through life and experience adult decisions they have to make, I too have to make a conscious decision to "keep my mouth shut" and let them learn from their own decisions.  However, it is a crappy feeling to keep quiet and it leaves me feeling helpless and nearly useless.


There isn't much more I have to say about empty nest other than I wish I understood the experience other mothers have had as they've gone through this themselves.

D is for Dogs

.....and lots of them.  Five Dogs in fact live in our home, and we love every one of them.

 First we have Autumn, she is our almost 11 year old Blue Tick Beagle, and our very first dog we bought right after 9/11 happened in 2001.  You can see her face aging as it is mostly white where there was once a pretty rich brown color encircling her sweet face. Our Dog Autumn is the smartest of all five dogs and she is not your typical beagle barking dog either, which makes her the favored dog when visitors come over.  She is pretty docile and demands very little of our family other than a wee bit of snuggle time.  Who can refuse snuggling with a cute beagle like Autumn.

Oh, my sweet Annie, who is 10 1/2 as well and who's name was given from my maiden name Anderson.  Annie is my precious baby, the dog of all dogs, if there ever was to be one.  (I love all our dogs very much)  When we bought Annie, I had no intention of getting another dog because Autumn was only six months old and we were still getting use to having the one dog.  But, Michael knew my dad had always wanted a squished faced dog, so Annie was it.  He put her in my arms and I just carried her around with my mind made up we were NOT having another dog.  But then, I asked to see her papers, to investigate how long Annie had been at this pet store. TEN whole weeks, my precious Annie had sat in a kennel, I'm sure being picked up, played with, then put back in the cold lonely kennel.  She was 16 weeks old when we brought her home, and she was scared of everything.

Annie nearly died at age 4 of renal failure from a misdiagnosis of a vet.  Therefore, my bond with Annie has only grown stronger because I feel I must protect her from dumb vets who only care about making a buck. (I'll save all that for another blog entry) 

She is still a scaredy cat dog, but she puts on one heck of a front as an "attack dog" (which is just like me), and most people won't mess with her.  

Oh Cody, what a ham of a dog he really is.  A daddy's boy to say the least.  Cody is nearly 9 years old and was purchased from an actual "breeder."   He was the new dog meant to fill a void of buying a new home and the depression that comes from leaving our former home.  Cody is a character and I nearly believe he tries to be a REAL BOY.  He's a cuddler with anyone who wants to hold him and spastic when it comes to our laser pointer which we just call "the Light."  Cody LOVES "the Light" and here is the reason why.  The light is to Cody what crack is to a drug addict.  He goes nuts for it, and if he sees the light, will go ballistic trying to capture the light.  Needless to say, we don't bring out "the light" very often, but even if was say "Cody, I've got the light", he will come running from any adventure he may be on.  He's a good boy and while a bit of a dum dum, we sure love him.

Isabelle, our French Bulldog is our one year old ham of a dog.  She is a product of empty nest, intending on only buying one puppy from the litter of 10. Isabelle came home with us at just 8 weeks and and was the youngest puppy yet for us to bring home, and yet she was the most expensive dog we've purchased.  She is a character with her vocal demands she is less than shy of expressing.  Her photo says it all of just the kind of fun she is to our family.  

Deklan is Isabelle's brother and makes for our fifth dog.  He was the puppy originally chosen by our daughter Alex but was denied as the breeder was going to keep Deklan for future stud breeding purposes.  He would be the perfect dog to breed from as Deklan is the most perfect French Bulldog.  Once the breeder changed her mind of further breeding, she offered Deklan to us first. It was a tough call as this breed of dogs are super expensive due to their breeding process.  All the same, we're thrilled to have our little ham bone added to our herd of dogs.

Here they all are looking like the loving dogs they are.

C is for Crying

I wish today's entry could be one of happiness and joy, but instead it is one I've spent crying.  My heart is to be one that encourages other's to see the rainbow at the end of a storm and know it will be better with each new season.  Therefore, while I cry tears of sorrow, and feel beaten down, I will get back up and I will regain composure.


What comfort I find knowing God counts my tears, and He knows my heart in which I carry this sorrow.  A reality check that I don't get to keep protecting my children from painful life experiences but it hurts to know the world is chiseling away at them.


A humbling reminder that I am not God, but I feel a sense of the agony He must have felt to bear the pain upon Himself to die for us on Calvary.  That is all I can say with today's post as I cry for things I cannot control, for lives I can no longer protect, and trust God's goodness will shine through this pain. 

B is for the Blessing of Baby Nora

Baby Nora's exciting expectancy came in September 2011.  This news was most wonderful to hear after a tough year for all.  Here is Amanda and Jason at their first sonogram at just 6 weeks pregnant.  

What a Blessing to watch our first born expecting her first baby and know she has a healthy pregnancy.  We are all super excited to meet this precious little one and time seems to drag on for her special arrival.

Baby Nora, we are most anxious to see your pretty face in person.  To hear the beautiful sound of the cry that comes from your mouth solidifying your safe arrival.  The countdown has begun as your due date draws closer.  You will bring much joy to our family as God chose you Nora, to be your parents first born, our first grandchild.  

My first born baby is expecting her first born.

We will rejoice with your parents when you arrive in this world.

Baby Nora, you are a blessing!!!

ANDERSON to ALLEN

I've been so busy, this A-Z challenge will be difficult to follow to it's completion.  But, I am going to make my best effort.

A is for Anderson, the last name I was born with and the whole reason I began my blogging to begin with.  What's in a name really?  For me it means everything.  After all, it was the name I was born with, and the name I carried for 21 years, until my dad gave me to the one he trusted to take care of me.

June 30,1990 was my last day as Tracy Anderson and my first day as Tracy Allen.  I love my married name and this year has crossed the point where I have been an Allen longer than I was ever an Anderson.  


I have loved my married name as well, and have embraced my new name with pride, especially as each of our girls were born.

I'm sure most can tell my favorite letter in the Alphabet is in fact A  for the simple fact each of my girls names begin with that letter.  Amanda, Alexandra, and Alicia all given names that specifically begin with the important beginning letter of the alphabet.  While each of their last names will one day change, their first names will be a reminder of the wonderful letter.

We can't forget the infamous A Team that was traditionally started to represent our last name.  Each summer I make our shirts to display the bond we really do have with one another.  We love the letter A and it is sure to carry it's legend long after our girls take on a new name.