Happy Birthday, Tony!

Tony, our first son, who came to us at 20 months is turning 17 today. Crazy isn't it? Time has gone by fast and he's definitely been a challenge. I tell people that he is the poster child for the phrase, "Younger doesn't mean better it just means longer!"

Tony is the kind of kid who is charming and fun when he isn't around someone who is in authority over him. Last night we had a great time with friends from church who have become good friends of Tony -- it is what he wanted to do for his birthday. He wanted to try the famous "Duke Burger" - 2 full pounds of ground beef on a huge bun. Our friend Nate shared it with him so he didn't eat the whole thing, but he ate his half very quickly and then ate a bunch of fries as well. Our pride and joy. ;-)

We had a good time though. Today we will eat out as a family -- though only 4 kids are home this weekend -- to celebrate his milestone.

We now only have 1 sixteen year old and he will be 17 next month, the month before Dominyk turns 16.

Because of my health issues I have been doing a lot of relaxing and I'm getting better at it. It's funny how much easier it gets to relax when you don't have energy to do anything else.

Yesterday I started reading the book orphanology and am finding it fascinating stuff. It's interesting that before the refresh conference I hadn't been in tune with this new subculture of adoptive parents who have been motivated in the last 10 years or so to adopt orphans. I am hoping to find ways to be able to help that next generation recognize the importance of early attachment and brain trauma work for their kids ... stuff we didn't have access to 15 years ago.

Off to church now, and then possibly visiting the jail.... Hopefully i'll have energy to do that before napping. And then maybe I'll join the rest of the country in watching the Super Bowl, though I usually don't.

SO that's my day.... hope everyone else has a great one as well!