Ten Years.Ten Wonderful, Blessed Years

Timeline….

August 30^th, 1996-email from a stranger

October 3^rd, 1996-meet stranger face to face

October 4^th, 1996-proposed to by stranger

November 16^th, 1996-marry stranger-who is now best friend

November 18^th, 1996-move to NC

January, 1997-find I have sleep apnea

February, 1998-buy house

Summer, 1998-pet cat (thought I’d never get)

February, 1999- best friend has tumor in lung

March, 1999-find I have diabetes

Spring, 1999-2^nd pet cat (thought I’d never get)

August, 1999-best friend has tumor removed

November 1999-pet dog decides she lives with us

January, 2000-take MAPP classes to adopt/be foster parents

July 1, 2000-first foster child-13 yr. old troubled kid

November, 2000-foster child runs away

February, 2001-foster child put back in group home, foster child’s father dies

September 14^th-brother of foster child comes home to us, foster child back 2 weeks later

November 7^th, 2001-adoption final of foster child and brother (f.c. #1 son, brother #2)

January 2002-#2 son in mental hospital until March

April 2002-#1 son back on probation

May 2002-mother of boys back in picture on Mother’s Day

June 2002-#1 son goes back to Social Services (attempted to hurt Best Friend with 10" knives)

September 2002-#2 son goes back in mental hospital until December

February 2003-#2 son back on probation

February 2003-December 2005-ongoing drama with both sons

August 2004-#2 son quits school

October 2005-Granddaughter (from sis) born

December 2005-#2 son decides to be “out on own”

January 2005-back to college for master’s online

December 2005-#2 son back to mental hospital, threatening to kill police

March 2006 (? On date)-best friend’s Aunt dies in Florida

April 2006-best friend has sleep apnea

May 2006-#1 son graduates from high school

June 2006-#2 son damages house, fakes attempted suicide back in hospital 1 week, jail

June 2006-sis of sons has medical probs, trauma with neighbor

July 2006-sis moves to Atlanta, #1 son moves back in

July 2006-best friend’s dad dies of cancer

September 2006-my dad dies

November 2006-#1 son moves into own apartment

November 2006-10^th anniversary

As I look back on this, I see my best friend as my rock, my steady companion. Without Jesus, neither one of us would have gone through all this. Without Him, we would have never gotten together. I am hoping and praying that the next ten years will not be heartbreaking as the past five (since adoption)…..no matter what, as long as I have my best friend with me---and never forgetting Christ is the head of our house---everything will still be wonderful….