Richnigthder's first communion today

I find it hard to believe that my second to youngest child, who's only been home with us for a mere 18 months, who was just baptized 16 months ago, made his first Holy Communion today.  My sweet little Richnigthder has had so many new experiences in his relatively brief time with us.  I am in awe of how well he has adjusted and adapted to a completely new and foreign way of life.

Last year at this time we were preparing for his first birthday party ever as he was about to turn 7.  The Haitian community here in town held a get-together and had a party complete with massive soccer ball shaped cake.  Our dear friends, Mike and Tifanni Watkins and their children, Aurrora, Peterson and Adlerson drove 15 hours to join us for this big event.  Now with his 8th birthday approaching, we will be heading to Polson, Montana to visit them.  They have just returned from a week long mission trip to Haiti and we all look forward to hearing about their experiences and most importantly, sharing time with their great family.

Where does the time go?  My kids are growing up and seeing them grow, both physically and educationally is a wonderous thing.  Richnigthder has matured so much and still works at relinquishing control and just being a kid, but my sweet little boy, the one I prayed for everyday since I saw his picture and said yes to his dossier, is becoming an outstanding young man. 

And just soz ya know, having a 13 year old daughter aint all it's cracked up to be everyday!  Uffda....now there's a challenge!!  :) Fortunately she is only unpredictable and moody while she is awake!  Tomorrow she will be blissfully happy as she has her dressage lesson, which is immense fun for her and work for me.  I have to not only load the horse and drive her there, but pack the living quarters of the horse trailer with goodies, drinks, games, coloring books, etc for the little boys in an effort to keep them occupied while she is training.  I am thrilled she continues with her passion and drive for riding, but as her new instructor pointed out, her Arabian mare she is riding now, will only take her thru her training phase and then she will need a new dressage horse. 

Great!  We have 2 nice reiners and now she'll need a new horse?  All that translates to is M.O.N.E.Y!  Got love kids and their expensive passions!