Just in case you've missed it...

I'm working hard on my 41 for 41 campaign. Trying to reach out to everyone by every means possible so it case you have some how eluded all my other social media attempts to reach you here is just one more. 

I'm trying to reach 41 new sponsors for children through Compassion International by my 41st birthday.  Hence the 41 for 41. If you would like to help or would like more information on Compassion and my campaign you can head on over to my little blog at John's Blog. 

Thank you and God bless,

John Raymer

Our Family Just Keeps Getting Bigger

                          Mimi protecting her new babies.

The Boys Reading Great American Literature

I'm so proud!  The 3 boys decided they wanted to be "cool" like Daddy and read what he reads.  For those of you who are observant you'll notice that they each have a Calvin and Hobbes book.  Perhaps the greatest of all American literature.  I'm overflowing with joy.

The Education of Adopted Older Children

I want to write this as a bit of encouragement to parents who are considering the international adoption of older children.  Obviously there are a lot of factors and issues involved in adopting older children that are not as relevant when adopting babies.  One issue that is often a concern is how will the older child adapt to English and to the American education system.  This concern is true for whether you are planning on having your child attend school or homeschool.  Well, I just want to let you know that our 15 year old son, a sophomore in a public school just recently made a 93 on his United States History exam.  When you consider that he is still learning English and that just 6 months ago he did not know who Robert E. Lee or Ulysses S. Grant were, what he has accomplished is nothing short of remarkable.  This isn't to say that it has been easy.  It has required a great deal of work but it can be done.

I know that this doesn't address every issue of concern that prospective parents have but hopefully it will encourage you on this one. 

The Santa Scheme

Thursday night we had the official tree lighting ceremony at school. So we went and enjoyed some holiday music while the kids gathered around the tree waiting for the tree to be lit. Soon after they officially lit the tree, the big guy arrived- Santa. Feromsa and Bereket were REALLY excited about this and all of the boys immediately start scheming. They decide that they should all ask him for an X-Box 360 w/ Kinect to increase their odds of getting it. (Mom and Dad had already said no since we already own a Wii and a ton of games.) Joshua told them he wasn't going to see Santa- after all, he is a big 5th grader. So Feromsa went first (somehow he ended up at the front of the line- I'm sure it was his charm!) He asked Santa for the X-Box 360 w/ Kinect and was feeling good. Bereket finally arrived at the front of the line (after giving the advent calendar that was only given away to the first 50 families to the girl in front of him that didn't get one.) He intently spoke with Santa and finally it was time to go home (12 hours at school is a really long time!) So as we're walking out I asked Bereket "So what did you ask Santa to bring you?" Bereket excitedly responds "Toy Story 3 and Toy Story glasses." Feromsa then shouts "WHAT?!?! YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO ASK FOR AN X-BOX!! WE MADE A PLAN!!"

So much for scheming against Santa. ;o)

A Party at Our House

Hannah and I were at Walmart this evening getting a few odds and ends.  I decided that while we were there that I would go ahead and get something for tomorrow night's dinner.  Now tomorrow is Wed. and with having church I always like to make sure that Wed. night dinner is something easy to fix.  So, for tomorrow I decided to simply buy something that was heat and eat.  We went to the frozen foods and I grabbed a thing of Mexican style lasagna.  As I picked it up I said to Hannah, "Look we don't even bother getting the 'family size' anymore.  We go straight for the 'party size.'"  She didn't exactly agree though with my sentiment that, "Without even inviting another soul, every night in our house is a party."

The Noise

Last night I was tired.  I'm always tired on Sunday night.  For me Sunday is a work day and I get tired.  Last night was no exception.  Despite this, I was sitting at the table with my wife, some kids were wrestling, some were arguing with me and mom about, well, I can't even tell you what we were discussing.  I can tell you this, the house was loud.  There was noise coming from everywhere it seemed.  It was sheer chaos and I was tired.  Never the less, there was this little smile on my face.  Never the less, I wasn't going anywhere.  My little house seemed to be just one big crazy loud mess last night and it was wonderful.  Even with everything, even with all the noise, there was peace.  I love my family.  I love my wife.  I love my kids.  And just between you and me, I often joke with my kids about looking forward to them moving out so my house will be quiet, but really I'm going to miss the noise.