A tribute to my Dad.

My dad has been gone for 10 yrs. and we still miss him. He was a big man - in build and in heart. He was who he was (take it or leave it) - simple of speech - "happy go lucky" - (he'd seen sorrow in his day - lost all 3 of his brothers prematurely) - kept his emotions close to his chest - had a great sense of humor (which saw us 11 kids through many tough spots) - generous (found out later some of what he gave in secret) - a good steward (liked those good deals! and always took care of his cars) - loved to take trips with his family - we all knew we were loved. My father at his graduation.My parent's wedding picture -he got his black eye in an accident on the way to the wedding! When they went to get their marriage liscense - he pointed over to my mom - blaming her for the black eye! As "newly-weds". My 6th birthday ~My dad "dancing" at my wedding! And below - our wedding day - with the siblings that are younger than me. The only time I've seen my dad's face contort in tears, was when he said "goodbye" to me after our wedding. The 2 songs that you hear when you first get on this blog - I love because it makes me think of my dad. The first one "With Hope" by Steven Curtis Chapman is about a young person dying - and my dad wasn't young when he was tragically killed in an accident - but he wasn't old either, at 53 - in perfect health and never got to live long enough to raise all of his 11 kids.

"Finally Home" by Mercy Me speaks to me too - Dad's being in heaven - makes it more like "home" to me - and I look forward to speaking to him again in that place...

If you listen long enough here - you'll hear "Give My Love to Rose" by Johnny Cash - that was my dad's favorite song when my mom was pregnant with me - after having 4 boys, he was pretty sure I was a girl - and he already had "Rosalie" picked out for my name.

What inspired me to do this, is that I put some of these on facebook, and the response was overwhelming - comments from people far and wide about how they remembered and loved my dad. You can read these by going to my pictures on my facebook page.

Dad and Zeke having a chat.

Be sure to pause the music off to the left before you play the video.

me

One of those days when your husband thinks you look beautiful even when you spent a total of 7 minutes getting ready for the day, and are surrounded by laundry. God bless him.

To "parent"

Wow - the job of parenting. Unlike others, this is a job so serious, that it has eternal consequences. It is a "job" with the longest discription - from the cradle (or before that, if you want to get technical) to well, beyond graduation - though the responsibility shifts after that - hopefully. It consists of fullfilling the constant needs of an infant - providing for them their basic needs and being there for them, when after you've fullfilled those needs - they still "need" you. Teaching your toddler how to use the potty, how to walk, talk... the list goes on. Then your school age child how to become responsible - do their chores before fun, how to treat one another (the never ending one), to do their homework... again, the list goes on. I don't know anything about parenting beyond the school age. Time will teach me that. I am finding out that it is one "job" that - to do well, you have to be intentional. It doesn't just "happen" and turn out great. (Although I'm convinced that God can take a child of a worthless parent, and make something beautiful out of his life. And my prayer is that He will make up for my child what I lack as a parent.) Having those little people in our lives who are our children, is the most eye-opening experience to ever happen to me. I find out how really short tempered I am - I discover an anger problem I never would have thought existed. Where did that come from? I begin to find out that how difficult mundane is. The list goes on here too.
There is the flip side - thankfully. One discovers intense love in their heart for a person that they never thought possible. And when there is another child, they discover the same intense love equal, yet different and special for that person. Even when a person's "surprised" (as I have been!) when finding out they're having even another, (6 in our case!) that love multiplies. It's like they're are holding their own frail humanity - and as the child grows, they see in him pieces of their own personality/interests/skills, etc. And as with adopted kids, a sense of disbelief that God has crafted them to be an intrinsic part of their own family - having great hope for their future and joy at the thought of what God will do in their life. Part of your life is now wrapped up in your children. They are truly part of you - their joys become your joys, and their sorrows yours also.
How does a person do this "job"? What training is there out there? For anyone who reads this and has experience - I want to hear any advice - please!! Creativity is key right now for me - and I lack it! Creativity vs. Underachievement: Approaching a need, a task, an idea from a new perspective (Romans 12:2)
I have recently got some ideas from a friend and am trying them - and am pleased with the success. Being my kids are age 11 on down, this suggested system works well. We have jars and beads. When the child does a job - the expected ones like clean their room - do homework - or the extra ones - like unload the dishwasher - fold clothes - vacuum, etc. - they get a bead in their jar. They have to spend the beads to watch TV, play on the computer, or if they want to save them, 10 beads are worth $2.50. It has been interesting. I had a daughter who was constantly asking me if she could watch TV. Now, she is the greatest saver of beads. Last night she was folding clothes in the living room, where another child who spent their beads, was watching TV - and she kept her eyes down the whole time, careful not to get a glance at the TV, so she could earn $ instead. Wow. She's outdone all the others, and now I'm wondering if I'm going to go broke. My oldest son has always had a terrible time keeping his room clean - and now after a few days of not being able to watch TV for lack of beads, his room remains clean - or as clean as you would expect an 11 yr. old to get it.
Another thing I've just discovered, is that I've been shooting myself in the foot, by not getting down and seeing life through the eyes of my 2 yr. old. Hello!?! Where have I been? I am frustrated by the mess he makes and at his constant sticking to me like a cold fly. Then I discover that our toy cupboard is impossible for him. The toys that are good for him to play with are hard to get to, or once they are spilled out, they are hard to put away in the zipper bags that they go in - some of his cars are out of reach, so he climbs up to get them, and drops the whole thing everywhere - denting our hardwood floor, and his head... So - I ordered tubs - and more tubs - (IKEA is the best) and now my husband has a project - redo our toy cupboard. I'm thinking I'll have a happier 2 yr. old - and a happier me. It's done - and here's a picture of the finished product!
So I'm wondering what else do I need my eyes opened to? A person should start a blog just for parenting advice and experience. Would love to hear it all!!!

Zeke @ 1 month

the unfinalized article for "The New Era" - the Pembina newspaper

Neche's Newest Resident Brings Excitement The day that Stuart and Rose Symington of Neche "brought home" seven-year old Serena and nine month old Gabriel, their two family additions from Ethiopia, two years ago this April was a day that would be difficult to beat for excitement. But Wednesday, January 28 sure comes close. The Symingtons already had three children when they adopted Serena and Gabe, and several months ago found that they would be expecting a new bundle of joy. Being an active "stay at home" mom, Rose decided to investigate water birth. What she found out was that most organizations in the state, and the hospital in Altona where she was seeing a physician, do not support this type of delivery. Not easily detered, Rose sought the Internet for a midwife who would be willing and capable to assist with this process. She was led to Paulette Efimenko from the Peace Garden area, who has assisted with 441 births, including that of triplets and breach deliveries. Ms. Efimenko drives to her patients, and her resume includes deliveries in Bathgate and Park River.Everything was ready to go. About nightfall, Jan. 27, Rose began to experience some labor pains. Not wanting to be too hasty, she went to bed, not mentioning it to Stuart. About 2:30, Rose knew she had to contact Ms. Efimenko, and promptly did so. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication. Rose thought the midwife was going to leave her home in one hour; the midwife thought Rose would call her back in one hour. About 4 a.m., Rose woke Stuart. His first thought was, "The time is finally here." He wasn't worried at all at first, but thought it was unusual that he could not reach the midwife by her cell phone. He tried again, twenty minutes later, and still could not reach Ms. Efimenko. Little did he know that the midwife was spending a fitful night at home, concerned about Rose, and didn't have her cell phone on. Thankfully, Stuart has been trained as a volunteer firefighter with the Neche fire department. He credits his experience with the fire department for his ability to stay calm during stressful events. He sheepishly admits that his farming background didn't hurt, either.After things had progressed so far, there was nothing to do but deliver the baby by themselves. Rose was a bit scared...mostly "just wondering if you're doing everything right." She credits Stu with being a great support, and Stu enjoyed not only being a support, but being "just the two of us" during the delivery. "We prayed a lot," Rose admits. Ezekiel Stuart Symington took his first breath at 6:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. He weighed 8 lbs. and 11 oz. Stu reports that the only time he felt really nervous was when he had to cut the umbilical cord. "It's really tough to cut, and no one else was there."After the birth, the other children were awakened to greet their new brother. Thinking quickly, Stuart got their reactions on video. They were finally able to reach the midwife, and she arrived about noon to give mom and baby a thorough check-up. Zeke joins his brothers Damien, 11, Garret, 8, and Gabe, 2 1/2, and sisters Serena, 9, and Kira, 6. Grandparents include Sharon Symington of Neche, Roy Symington of New Jersey, John Landrum Kenimer (deceased), and Marcia Kenimer of Ohio. Rose beams, "Thankfully all went well and we have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. God was so wonderful to us, and we give Him the glory for seeing us through." Special thanks to Kim Symington of Mandan, sister-in-law to Stuart, for the photos.