Yes, we DO still have a blog and it's time I give it some attention, before it ceases to be a family journal for the ages. ::snort:: I am once again homeschooling (and I need to go back and capture the feelings of having completed homeschooling before I forget) and so while our student works on, I plan to sit nearby and blog...or at least organize photos... This should keep me available to Melia.
January 1, 2026!
Allie, Krista and Luke are all still home for Christmas. I have memories and pictures to sort.
Michael, Stacia and I drove into Eagle River early to bring Melia home.
Backstory - The day before Thanksgiving we were asked if we ever have provided a safe haven for children/teens.
We have. We spent some time considering taking in 3 girls. Our family raised valid concerns which helped us see we simply aren't in a season where we can commit as many years as would be required to raise 3 girls. We committed to pray and to be a short-term solution if a longer-term solution wasn't forthcoming.
Time blurs but sometime in December we were asked if we'd consider taking in one, 16-year-old girl as a permanent placement. Again, we prayed and discussed the situation. We can commit emotionally and financially to one teen. We also have the stamina and health for one extra person in our home. We met with Melia and the guardian she had had since late October. We met with her father and signed papers and Melia moved in on January 1st.
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| Millie loves having another girl in the house |
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| First selfie - certainly not the last. ::snort:: |
Stacia, Melia and I sat down to get to know each other and to have our first tea party. I am a firm believer there are healing properties in sharing tea and table fellowship.
It was a crazy time to move into our home; we had three extra guests and lots of activity. Melia was thrilled to be on an air mattress in our study. Moving in now gave her a chance to get to know Krista, Luke and Allie. Luke and Krista moved the treadmill out of the guest room before they left. Krista rearranged the guest room, so it looks much bigger, and Melia is now comfortably at home in what used to be the guest room. Guests can stay on the air mattress in the study. LOL
Krista picked up this diamond art kit of a pug for GG. We all enjoyed sitting, talking and working on it. Here we see Melia, Krista, Stacia and Nolan working on the psychedelic pooch.
Even the moose came out to greet Melia.
I will not be sharing much more about Melia's story here but here is one amazing fun fact. Melia's grandfather was a Japanese man who immigrated to Hawaii. Her father is of "full Japanese descent." She is interested in learning and visiting Japan and in learning the language. We contacted Kim, who gave many of our children Japanese lessons. Melia was able to immediately begin Japanese lessons. We have hopes of being able to visit Luke and Krista and see a bit of Japan this year.
2026 is off and running in ways we hadn't expected. We are excited about what God is doing in our midst. My word for this year is restoration, and I can't help but notice a sense of purpose and activity has already been restored to our lives this year.
