Where Would We Be Without Our Friends?

Back row: John, Kym, Debra and David. Middle: Bryce, Oleg, Danielle, Chris, and Mike -Front: Taylor, Aidan, Delaney, Jacob and Teresa.

Have you ever had friends so dear to your heart that you would do anything for them? People that you look forward to seeing every day of your life? I know most of us all have family, and family always has a piece of your heart because - well, they're FAMILY :) And to see them is always good - But these other people I am talking about are the ones that catch you when you fall and your family is not close by to help. They pick you up when you need it, or look to you to do the same for them if need be. They treat your children like their own, and you plan trips and volunteer for projects just so you can share good times together!

Whether it be praising God, camping in the mountians or the beach, working at a church camp or other function, or the biggest of all 'raising a BARN!' LOL - John and I are blessed to have the best friends in the world! The Copelands, the Wolfs, the Steens, the Beasleys, the Beebe's and Mike Minton mean the WORLD to John and I both. Ever since we came together as a bible study group 7 year ago they have been there for us. When we brought Aidan home from the hospital they were honorary aunts and uncles - he adores them! When Aidan had open heart surgery they were there. When my older boys graduated from high school they were there. When my boys needed to make $MONEY$ they were given jobs with opportunity! And when Oleg came to visit they were here for him. Showering him with love (and of course gifts) they made him feels like part of a family, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Oleg basked in the glow of their kindness and love! These people will forever be part of my childrens lives and I do not know where we would be without them! They are our support during all of this adoption process. Marie Beebe knows pretty much everything there is to know about the Ukraine and Stephanie and Greg Steen will take care of Aidan while we are gone and he will be loved and spoiled to death! Mike Minton spent hours assisting me with this blog so that John and I can stay in contact with them and our families while in the Ukraine. Teresa Copeland buys all sorts of 'goodies' for the orphans that we will take over with us when we travel. They all wrote personal letters for the nerve wracking home study which took a lot of time out of their days to complete - and they had to overnight most of them!..I love my friends! They all are the best! We could not be making this trip without them! THANK YOU GANG!