Happy New Year from the Rose Family 2010!!

We had such a harried Christmas that we decided to send you a “Happy New Year” letter this year. We hope that your Hanukkah and Christmas was beautiful. Lisa and Jason spent it on the couch being sick while Steven and Russell played nurse! Russ cooked our Christmas meal all by himself and did a super job. We were very blessed with the generosity and love shown to our family this Christmas through family and friends.

So, in a nutshell………

Russell has been with Chappy’s Deli for 2 and ½ years now, though consistent hours were not there, he still can’t saying anything bad about his place of work. With the economy the way it is, it is what we have for now and wait for some company to see the wow factor in his skills in Administrative Assistance. He has been praying all year for an opportunity to open up for in 2011 and he has called it” MY year for a new career”. He finished his first year as a deacon at our church and has started a men’s ministry there. Our highlight was seeing all the family this summer in New Hampshire and driving up the 8,000 foot narrow road to the top of Mt. Washington. This Christmas we were able to bless several families, which included a coworker. All in all a year filled with growth and many blessings.

Lisa spent the year working hard at Montgomery Baptist Association finishing up her 4th year there in August. It is hard to believe it has been almost 5 years have passed since we left NYC and headed south. WOW! She is doing well and has joined Curves losing to the date of this letter 22 pounds. The whole family is on the Rose Road to Better Health this year and we have pledged to donate in cash the number of pounds we have lost… to charity. All four of us have changed our eating habits and have seen significant difference in the boy’s behavior as well as Russ and Lisa feeling great!! She finished helping organize and implement the 2nd annual Toy Sale for Montgomery parents and they served over 200 families who represented about 1000 people. Many families had lost jobs this year or were working but the salaries were not helping meet financial obligations. Four people that we know about received the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior. Lisa was thrilled!

Jason turned 16 in June and has blossomed in so many ways. He also started high school and has had a big time adjusting to the fact that the teachers will not fall for his charm and wit in order to get a good grade! Hard lesson learned but he is getting on track. He has some good teachers this year who really care that he succeeds. He also has been attending the Montgomery Therapeutic Rec Center and working on his muscles. He played baseball and was on a bowling team this year. He is really into all sports and we love that he enjoys being so active. He was diagnosed this last year with Asperger’s Syndrome so we are adjusting and shifting sails in his treatment and lifestyle. Again, the diet we are all on has helped his focus and behavior immensely! We are very proud of his hard work last year and he ended junior high on a good note.

Steven has been growing by leaps and bounds and turned 15 in September. His health overall is great and we continue to watch and monitor his Marfan’s. He has finally HIT puberty and is it is in FULL FORCE right now. Steven is typically pretty even tempered and quiet but he is stretching his wings and finding his place in this family (sometimes the rough and bumpy way). He became OFFICIAL on July 22 of this year and we are so happy to have him fully a part of the family. Overall he has done very well this past year and is as smart as a whip. He too started high school and has had some challenges adjusting to the grueling schedule but doing well. He took a cooking class and other fun classes at the MTRC and enjoyed that immensely! Our favorite moment was when we were eating dinner one night and asked him what he cooked that day and he said, “Caucasian Salad” and we finally figured out that he was meaning Cajun Salad!! We laughed and laughed over that one.

One of the great things about our family is that we try our best to eat supper together every night. When we get that chance, we have some lively conversations and some doosies pop up like the conversation above. Those will make great memories and certainly we foresee these stories “popping up” if they get married one day! Hehe We have learned a lot about blending these four families this year. Everyone comes into it with old habits, traditions and ways of thinking about the world. It has been sometimes challenging to know what to keep, what to discard and then making new memories.

One thing that has been a theme with our boys is that they are learning that when they take things into their own hands, they end up getting into trouble. We thought about how we are like that with the Lord. Instead of following his Word, we take our lives into our own hands and then a lot of times end up screwing things up. A lot of times, God asks us to trust that He is in charge and He will guide our steps. We get too frantic or anxious and do it ourselves and it turns out to not be a great idea! We are thankful that through our boys lives, Russ and I continue to learn lessons about our relationships with our Lord and Savior through our boys. They keep us on our toes for sure!

We continue to appreciate your support, love and prayers as we continue this journey of life. You can follow us on Facebook OR our personal website www.theroses3.blogspot.com for updated information on our family journey! Let us hear from you as well. May God’s peace fill you up in 2011 and may He be even more real to you as you journey through this life.

Steven, Lisa, Russ, Jason

Week 2

Russell  -1 

Lisa -4

Jason +3 

Steven +1

WOOHOO another good week!

WEEK ONE

Russ  -2 punds
Lisa  - 10 pounds
Steven +2 pounds
Jason  -2 pounds

YAY!

The Rose Race to Better Health!

The Roses(all of us) are getting healthy this next year and we want and NEED your support!!! Sign up and PRAY, CHEER, APPLAUD us but NO BADGERING!!
Here are each of our plans!

Russ-Needs to lose some weight but more than that monitoring his cholesterol....he is OVER 40 you know!! He is changing his eating habits(yes he is actually trying some NEW FOODS) and walking the dog every day!
Lisa-Losing A LOT of weight and reducing stress since the 1/2 century mark is coming up next summer!! She is changing her eating habits and going to CURVES.
Jason-Normal weight but because of medical conditions, needs a very healthy diet and exercise. He is changing his eatling habits and goes to Rec Center every day!!
Steven...okay..this one..he needs to GAIN WEIGHT!! Go figure! There is one in every crowd! Anyhoo... He will be eating more and goes to Rec Center every day!

We found a nutritious plan that caters to all of our health needs and we each have chosen an exercise plan!

Follow us and we will be checking in every couple of weeks with our successes!!
THE ROSES WILL DONTATE A DOLLAR FOR EVERY POUND LOST (OR GAINED IN STEVENS CASE)TO A CHARITY OF OUR CHOICE!

These pictures are our beginner pictures 10/03/10

Great Book to Recommend!

Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman is a good read. For those of us who are "planners" of our life, it is encouraging to read this womans journey of reaching a point where she is following God's plan instead of her own.

School Has Started!!!

The first week of school is always the hardest.....forms to be filled out...fees to be paid and students getting settled into a routine again.  The guys are in 9th grade this year and have had a good first week. Some things have been challenging and strange to them but they will adjust. I have faith in their ability to do that.

Both boys have come a long way from where they were when we brought them home and we are so proud of them. When you think of us...shoot up a prayer for the guys as they navigate this new territory and find their place in the world of "HIGH SCHOOL" ................

Just thought this was a cool picture

4th of July night before fireworks! Hot and sweaty! Brothers all the way!

Happy Adoption Day Jason!

Happy Adoption Day dear Jason! Six years of stretching and growing!! We love you.

Mom and Dad

The Roses May 2010

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

A couple of weeks ago, my son #2  (who is slightly OCD and has some stealing issues)got fixated on a cheap version of some travel computer game at CVS. He asked me if he could have it. I told him I would be happy to give him a few extra chores to earn some money. He curled up his nose and with a grimace on his face, walked away. I knew we weren't done with this but waited to see what he would ask next(he likes to push things).

A few days later I got up and was trying to get everyone else out of the house on time(hubby had already gone to work)and as I was checking everything, I noticed that the $40 that hubby left on the table was missing. I called him to see if he had laid it somewhere else and he said no, he had left it there. I KNEW then what had happened. Son#2 had stolen it. When I confronted it, he denied it. He then decided to blame his older brother(whose M.O. is NOT stealing but crying to get what he wants)and then proceeded to make up various stories. (In our house, if you tell the truth and fess up about the crime....the "time" is less than if you continue to deny something and we find out later! ) He continued to deny it and then finally after a stare down, he went and got the money and handed it over. I gave him the consequence, I told him it was wrong and he went off on me. He did what he usually does when he doesn't get his way...scream, holler and run around like a 3 year old. Well, we finally got off and although everything was crazy..we made it out of the house.

Later that day..he came and apologized. We talked some. He told me he had prayed about getting the money and God didnt seem to be doing that.

 I told him God had actually answered him in two ways:


1. I had offered him a way to earn the money and
2. I had actually by the end of the week decided to stop by CVS and get it for him as a gift(the day he stole the money).


He threw his hands up and was very embarrassed. He had decided to take things into his own hands and "take" the money that did not belong to him to get what he wanted instead of taking the honest way out. We talked about trust and waiting (neither of which is his forte').
I thought about that. When we have a need, how often do we "take things into our own hands...only later to see that there was a better way"? If Son#2 had waited, he would have been pleasantly surprised and would have enjoyed the game as a "gift" rather than stealing the money AND had no bad consequences. He didn't think and he didn't trust. I wonder what would happen if we "thought and trusted" before we did things that end up getting us painful consequences?
I see that a lot in ministry. People come to us at the ministry centers or the church AFTER they have made some big mistakes and are reaping the pain! They had acted impulsively and not "waited" for what could have been a more pleasant ending.
Philippians 4:19


But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We Are Off to the very very NORTH EAST!!

Getting ready to go here for vacation baby!!!  Can you name this state????(without looking!!)

Happy 16th Jason! Let's Review!!

A little montage of Jason over the last 6 years!!

Funny for Today!

The purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

Steven's new braces and a few other things!

Yesterday started the very long process of braces and then major oral surgery. Luckily, we have to wait till his bones stop growing and so he will be 18/19 years old. But until then.....braces and some minor surgeries along the way.

These next pictures are from Teacher Appreciation Week at Capitol Heights.....the Roses hosted each morning and it was fun being with the teachers for the last time before we go to High School!

There is actually LIGHT at the end of the tunnel

     

                  


Picture 1     April 08      62 pounds/ 4 ft 10in            
Picture 2     April 10  90 pounds/5 ft 2 in

We found out today, after 2 years and 5 months, we are going to court on July 22nd to FINALIZE Steven's adoption...what a long wait but he will finally be LEGALLY ours.

Happy Earth Day......

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

You shall not pollute the land in which you live.... You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell..." (Numbers 35:33-34)

He Loved Us...........

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Hallelujah! He Is Risen!

He Gave It All For You........

Roses Selling Coffee!!!

Russ and I are selling coffee. For every purchase you make, we get $5. All monies will go toward expenses for Jason and Stevens medical issues, schooling and other expenses incurred for their special needs!

1. You can buy it ground or beans

2. It is Free Trade Friendly(which basically means the workers are paid fairly)AND organic

3. We would suggest a Sampler at first and you can try it and see which ones you really like

4. This is an open ended store so you can purchase ANYTIME....

5. For every purchase, we receive $5 from the sale.

We REALLY appreciate your help and support!

http://www.justlovecoffee.com/theroses4

Eat FREE Pancakes in honor of Childrens Hospitals!

IHOP National Pancake Day - February 23, 2010 - Pancake Day Details

Do it honor of these two! We have benefitted A LOT from Children's Hospitals!

Calming Spot

Today, Russ and I spent time in J's room getting it ready for his return from the hospital. We have come to accept (at least as much as we can right now) that our son has a major mood disorder and some developmental delays which means that we are having to readjust our way of living AGAIN. He has been in the hospital the last 3 weeks getting meds adjusted because he keeps growing!! (that is a good thing(that he is growing) since he is only in the 5th percentile for his age(15) in height and weight-that is ANOTHER health issue we are working on conquering!!)

Anyway, we have been working on helping him learn organization AND have a "calming spot" when he gets out of hand so he can go to and rest and regroup. We did some research and found that a number of our friends and cohorts in the "special needs" kids category have specifically designed their kids rooms to be comfortable, safe and clean. We have taken away a lot of things that would be harmful to him if he tried to hurt himself and freed things up to feel some space yet feel comfortable.

I thought about how "cluttered" our hearts and minds get sometimes. Mine has been extremely cluttered lately. I have had all kinds of thought and questions for God about why all this has happened to our son, to us as a family. And I know all the cliches'(this will make you stronger, God is in charge, you are a blessing to J-what if he had never had you). All those things are true....but in the midst of suffering and pain, it is hard to feel comforted by those words. I have to admit, I have been very grumpy lately(ask Russ and Steven), I have been extremely tired while nursing a cold, I have been overwhelmed and depressed some moments with thoughts of
the "rest of our lives".

......then today... I had asked a friend who is an interior designer to come over and help us make do with what is in J's room and help us to "de clutter" his room. As I went through the act of de-cluttering, throwing away things that had been broken, old papers, reading through old cards and notebooks of my son and seeing where he was even a year ago, my heart began to wake up and all the horrible, self centered thoughts of "poor me" "poor Jason" poor us....seem to float away as the room came to be the new "calming room" for J! I had been reminded of all that he had come through over the last 5 years and I felt "hopeful"...

I went on to work feeling exhilerated and refreshed..not tired and grumpy....a new beginning of a new phase of J's (and ours) journey. He will come home and we will teach him a bit more on keeping his life a bit more organized and also on how to calm down when he is upset and angry.....hey...maybe Russ and I need a "Calming Spot" in our bedroom!!! hehe

God is good...Russ and I both feel good about J's coming home. We are ready.....now we wait and anticipate the goodness of his return home. We will be complete again!

And as I learned in Al Anon....ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!!

Lisa

PS Will post pictures when we get all the little last minute things done!

Happy Valentines Day..Dont forget Haiti!

Our Special and Handsome Boys.....Early Valentine's Love Notes!

These guys have brought many blessing to our lives!

Brothers Forever!

Pondering Life!

We love you guys even when you are stinky!!!

We Need M&M's

Russ and I NEED some M&M's!!! It has been that kind of week! Jason is back in the hospital for med changes and we are exhausted after 2 months of a mania! Getting some rest....going to a movie today with Steven...thinking that we might have to buy some.

This Is Us at Our House!! HAHA!!

Thought you might enjoy this funny on a colleagues blog...this is us in the mornings!!

http://joshgreatstories.blogspot.com/2010/01/becoming-radiant-christian.html

Thank You Dr. King for being an example of Christ!

... I watched the Rosa Parks story again last night. It was interesting watching it now that we live in Montgomery....made it more meaningful. I thought about today and how it is so important to promote peace and reconciliation. I hope that I can do that in my life. I am called to help the poor have dignity and a voice. I think that I probably won't have to die for it..at least I don't think I will. Of course, I wonder if Dr. King thought his life would be sacrificed? Jesus calls us to "lay down our life for those we serve". Sometimes it is literal..sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is putting aside all our expectations, our comfort and our agenda for God's agenda. I realize as a believer that EVERY DAY, I have to lay down my life for others. Lord, help me to do that in a way that shows love and care for every human being.

Dr. King was a passionate, devoted follower of Christ. I hope that when I die, that is what you will see in me. For all of us as believers....we are to "lay down our life" for Christ. Sometimes literally...sometimes figuratively. What is for you today?

"Everyone has the opportunity to be great because everyone has the opportunity to serve." MLK Jr

Becca is coming home!

YAY!

How You Can Help Haiti Today!

Continue to pray for Rebecca. She is still not able to contact her dad. Phone service is still down and battery power is going fast! Pray that she will be the Heart and Hand of Christ as she works.

This is from missionaries in Haiti. It seems to be what everyone is saying down there. Read and take note!

Please be respectful of missionary requests...they are there and know what is needed. After 9-11-01 in NYC we got so much stuff we didn't need and it went to waste! Please try and help in the exact ways these folks and others DOWN THERE are suggesting. Thanks, Lisa ********************************************************************

You are asking what you can do ... we are going to need Diesel, Water, Food ... things you cannot really easily do. SO - give money. The two organizations Troy and I work with and for both need help and are both reputable. The giant organizations are fine too if that is what you prefer. Money is the number one need (and ability to purchase the supplies) and MEDICAL PERSONNEL. Coming down if you are not willing to risk and get in and clean out horrific wounds would just tax an already taxed place. Medical professionals should contact organizations with the ability to coordinate efforts and try to get here. It won't help to have more non-medical people to feed and house. Hope that does not sound harsh - but it is truth. Troy and Tara
Livesay

Follow news and suggestions on
http://www.livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/

Some organiations that will use your monies for relief efforts:

Check with your local church or denomination first. They may have things set up too!

Alabama State Board of Missions
http://www.alsbom.org/

http://www.wmufoundation.com/
A note from WMU Foundation President David George: “We are collecting funds to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Please send your generous contribution to: WMU Foundation, WMU HEART FUND – Haiti, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242

www.haiti-relief.org Direct ministries to Haiti

American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
From your cell phone TEXT: "haiti" to 90999

Becca's Mission to Haiti

Anticipating hearing more about our niece's mission trip to Haiti. She is 15 and chose to go on her own with some folks to work at an Orphanage in Port Au Prince. It is run by Sisters of Charity (Mother Theresa's mission) and from what I have read, it will be a life changing experience.

Pray for Becca as she is down there right now during the devastating earthquake that happened yesterday. We got word that she is ok but that is about all we know right now. She is a spunky girl and I think the Lord will work through her in many ways and change HER life as well! We are very proud of her and look forward to hearing about and seeing what God has done for her.