April 2013~
Can you believe it?? It's been two years since I last wrote in here! Where has my head been lately? Oh, yeah .... busy chasing kids around and taking care of my husband. That's where it's been. LOL Please forgive me for not writing sooner ....
Anyway, this is Amy Brenner from Fostoria, Ohio. I am glad to see that spring has finally decided to show her face around these parts. We have had an incredibly cold and very snowy winter; for a while I didn't think that spring would ever come, but now the trees are budding and the first flowers are peeping through the soil. It's still coolish out, but I am hoping the snow is over for good. I've seen enough snow to last me the rsst of my life!
Jim (husband) and the kids (Gregory, Gina, and Freddie, who are six, 18, and 14) are well. Gina did have appendicitis and had to have her appendix taken out last September, but she's since recovered and is back to being a normal young college student. She is going to Cleveland State University and she loves it. She wants to be a teacher to kids with autism; she has been volunteering at the local autism clinic, working with the kids, and she enjoys it emmensely. I am very proud of her.
As for Freddie, he is busy with baseball and track; he's always been our resident athlete. He is a typical teenager: sweet and loving one minute and moody the next; at times Jim and I both want to wring his neck, but deep down inside, we know he is a good kid. That's just part of being a teenager: the moods. We will just have to bear them as best as we can.
Meanwhile, Gregory Jans, our baby boy, he is busy playing with his friends at school or on the weekends; nothing, not even falls, slow him down much. It tires us merely to watch him: kid is always moving and on the go. Even with having spina bifida and being on crutches or wearing braces on his legs, he does anything he sets his little mind to. He is very determined; he is one of the most courageous little boys we have ever seen!
Gregory has officially been adopted: we signed the papers and went in front of the judge just before Christmas; what a Christmas present! Our Christmas was truly memorable, and adding Gregory to the family made it even more special! He is now known as Gregory Jans Matthew Brenner. He is truly our son. OURS!!
God has truly been good to our family!
Speaking of adoption, we have applied to adopt a child with special needs from China. We would like to have another girl, to balance things out, but even if we do end up with another little boy, that is okay. As long as there's a child to love, we'll take him (or her). We would adopt domestically, but most of the kids on the list are in foster care or children with severe behavioral issues, and I honestly don't think I could handle a child like that. Having a child with severe orthopedic impairments is challenging enough, but if it is God's will, He will probably allow another child to come into our lives. I pray that happens.
Jim was out of work for a while (company downsizing), and it was really hard for a while, but God saw to all our needs and Jim has since got a new job; he is working for H & R Block as a certified tax accountant, and he loves it; this is his busy time, so he has been working a lot more hours, which only means more money for us in the long run. Meanwhile, I run the ship at home and take care of two active boys (Gina comes home on the weekends to help me out, which I greatly aprpeciate; she has really turned into a resourceful and capable young lady!).
Well, that's about all that is new with me. I hope to write in here again soon; I don't plan on waiting for two years like I did, but now you can see why I haven't written. Until I write next time, take care, and may God bless you always! I will keep in touch as things develop regarding our possible future addition to our family; stay tuned!
~Love, your Ohio friend, Amy. :)
