Anniversary {21 Years}

Last month on February 19th, my amazing parents celebrated 21 years of marriage! It is absolutely incredible to be one of their kids and get to witness them do life together and love each other unconditionally at the same time. Let me tell you, they are not afraid to show each other that they care for one another and at the same time they may or may not "gross out" 5 other people. ;) 

 It is so important and I am so blessed by them and the example they have set for me and my siblings. In our world today, it isn't very often that you see couples who have been together almost their whole life and continue to share their love. They not only love each other, but they also love us (their kids), extended family, many many friends, and even strangers. My mom & dad constantly put people above themselves and humbly give to others before they give to themselves. Watching the two most important people in my life have such humble and serving attitudes, makes me want to mimic them as I continue to grow.

          

Mom & dad I love you...WE love you sooo much that it's almost impossible to describe what you mean to us. Yeah a lot of days we drive you crazy, and you have to ask 10 times for us to do something, or we're all together in the car and we are so loud that you would probably rather walk home. BUT we know that you love us too and that's all that matters!

 

Thank you for being such incredible parents, setting such wonderful examples for us, and teaching us some of the most important lessons in life. We wouldn't want anyone else to help us in our life journey!

xoxo,

~Michlyn 

In 2014...

Hey blog world! Have we lost you yet? Crazy to think that it's been over a year since either one of us has written here. My mom and I both enjoy writing a lot, so it surprises me that it's taken this long for the blog to get a face lift and some words jotted down.

2014 was a crazy year and time really did fly by! To think we're already 3 months into 2015 blows my mind. Life has journeys and adventures and they all seem to come and go so fast. We can never catch a break before the next thing comes up. But with a family of seven life just gets busy and you have to keep your priorities straight and put what's most important at the top of the list.

Some memories that we did enjoy were:

Celebrating mom & dad's 20th anniversary
Our angel baby, Laura Grace, turned 10 years old in heaven
E & M went to their first prom
The summer was full of soccer games and a break from school
We moved again
E & M went on a youth group trip to Kansas City
August started my (Michlyn) senior year of high school
Mom & I went on my senior class trip to Wisconsin Dells
Finished high school volleyball and that was so bittersweet
I got accepted into my #1 college for this Fall (2015)
Celebrated Christmas as a family & welcomed the new year

In between all of that we fit in work schedules, dad coaching J's soccer team, co-op/adoption groups, school meetings, volleyball games, projects, searching for a house, everyone's birthdays, seeing friends, driving all around to get everyone to the right place, going to church & youth group, and any other possible event that we could fit in.

Thanks for following along for all these years! We'll be trying to post more and keep the blog updated through 2015, as it will be a big year full of new transitions and fun times ahead!

xoxo,
~Michlyn

Looking Back

Blessings,

~Michlyn

From Our Family to Yours

Wishing you and your families the best this Christmas and through the new year!

Blessings,

The Fishers

Memories through Pictures

Hi everyone! Where do I even begin? My oh my it's been a long time since I've posted. I was looking back at some of our last posts and I think it's time to look back on all that has happened in the last couple months!

Our family isn't always busy but when there are 7 people in the family, it can be pretty hectic with all the different schedules that need to be maintained. School has been going very well for the 4 that attend a charter school and 'T' continues to grow and learn at home. Sports have been put on hold currently, until next month when Erin will start her season of indoor soccer. Christmas is coming up fast, and thankfully all the holiday shopping has been done. We also got plenty of snow that now covers the ground...so it will definitely be a white Christmas. :)

I thought I would go back and highlight on some of the key memories that took place this Fall. :)

MICHLYN

Michlyn finished her volleyball season in late October. It was her first year of being a captain on the varsity team and she will hold that role next year as well. She finished her season named "Defensive Player of the Year" and received all-conference honorable mention. She also was the person to have the highest amount of "digs" (volleyball term) and that 84!! Her best friend 'B' (pictured above) went to a new school this year and that has been a hard transition but they see each other as much as possible. She also celebrated her 17th birthday this year! To celebrate - Her, mom, and Erin all went out for pedicures, shopping, and dinner. :)

ERIN

Erin finished her soccer season in September and it was very successful for her! She made the most goals out of anyone on the team and that was 7! She was also named the team's "MVP" and received all-conference honorable mention. She loves soccer and continues to play it all year round except for the occasional 1-2 month break in between seasons. She excels in school and is especially good at math. Her best friend 'N' (bottom left picture) and her do everything together and they are so funny when they're together. She took her permit test a few months ago with 'N' and they both passed so they can both legally drive with a parent. Stay off the roads around here... :)

'J'

'J' is our shy and quiet one. He likes to observe things and watch from the side until he's comfortable and then he'll hop right in. He played soccer this summer and is so good at it. To think he's only been playing a few years blows my mind because he's got such great control and coordination. School has been a little tougher this year but he's been working hard and with mom's awesome studying help, he's been passing with flying colors. 'J' just turned 11 years old! He got a sweatshirt, sports bag, and new game that he really wanted. It was so fun to see his reaction when he opened them. :)

'S'

As I've mentioned before 'S' is our little comedian! He makes us laugh everyday and comes up with his own cute little jokes. He recently turned 8 years old! Wow that's crazy...I was only 9 when he was born so this birthday really made me feel "old". :) He had cupcakes and crazy ole' dad decided it would be fun to add a sparkler to his candles. He was born on Thanksgiving and we called him "our little turkey" so when he made a turkey hat at school, we had to get a picture of him wearing it. :) 

'T'

'T' continues to be homeschooled. She also goes to a co-op that my mom helps out with and twice a month attends a class called "LEAF Club" (Learning, Education, & Fun). Mom especially loves those days because it's a much needed break and quiet time for her. We were also able to attend our cousin/niece's wedding in October as a whole family! It was a great wedding and we were blessed to be there on the special day. 'T' continues to keep us on our toes but our life would not be the same without her. :)

Hope everyone stays safe during these busy holiday weeks and that you can find time to remember all that God has blessed you with! Remember the reason for the season :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Rewind | Time Flies

So it's been a really long time since anyone has posted here and I apologize. But life happens, and you get busy and blogging isn't one of those priorities anymore. I'll give you a big catch up post and possibly some pictures but we'll see. :)

The summer was crazy busy but very fun and memorable! LOTS of soccer, driving here and there, visiting family and friends, and just taking time to relax before school and more sports would start again. The weather seemed really funny this summer as winter decided to last until May. As of this week in early September, it's been HOT.

Michlyn's summer included a job as a nanny with Erin, driving her siblings around, hanging out with friends, reading some books, and relaxing before school starts. She found out some of her best friends were leaving the charter school we attend this summer, so going back to school has been extra hard this year. She is a Junior in high school this year and that's kind of scary and exciting at the same time. That means this year and only one after that until graduation comes. (let's not talk about it) She is playing volleyball again for school and is one of the captains on the varsity team. She is thoroughly enjoying it!

Erin enjoyed her summer with playing lots of soccer, seeing her friends, going to a One Direction concert, having a nanny job with Michlyn, and sleeping in. :) Erin started school as a sophomore this year! Crazy how another year has gone by already...She and her best friend 'N' do everything together. They are some of the funniest and  craziest best friends I know. They are the same age and have a lot of classes together at school, so school has been pretty fun for her so far. She is also playing soccer again for school and although their team isn't as experienced, she does a fantastic job and I don't think I could tell you how much she loves her sport. She took Driver's Ed this summer and plans on taking her drivers' permit test soon. 

'J' had a really fun summer too! He played soccer for the 4th summer and he improved so much! He even got suggested to tryout for the traveling team for next summer. :) He is our shy and quiet one...just tries to take everything in and it scares me how fast he's growing up. He started 5th grade this year. He, again, has a new teacher and was a little extra nervous on his first day, but he loves her. He's doing all his homework and already learning a lot! He has quite a few friends and usually always has a good day! 

'S' is our early riser and loves to play. So more often than not, this summer, he would be up early asking me if he could play on my iPod or I'd hear him in our living room at 6:00 am. It seems he has this un-ending supply of energy. :) He's our little comedian and is always making us laugh...I think him and Erin got most of the funny genes. He started 2nd grade this year! I can't believe it...I always say this but my brothers are getting so big and it's so great to see them grow up. He has the same teacher as last year and likes her a lot! He's best friends with the school Janitor because I always see him talking and giving high fives to 'S'. :) 

'T' is going to be home schooled again this year. It's the best decision for her and for our family as we continue to work on bonding and attachment. This summer, in July, was 'T's 3rd gotcha day. She has been in our family for 3 entire years. Although adoption was one of the hardest things we've ever done, we know that God put her in our family for a reason. He only knows when each step will get easier. Neither adoption or parenting is easy though and we're putting our faith in him to help us teach and help 'T' to grow and learn. 

I promise I'll be back sooner than later next time! Thanks to all our friends and family that read along on our family's journey. :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

3 Years

It's been 3 years since we brought 'T' home! (last week) It's been 3 years since we've been on this crazy journey that God chose us for. Although it hasn't been easy, we've been so blessed to have friends, family, and strangers support us and pray for us.

Happy 3yr Gotcha Day 'T'!

Blessings,

~Michlyn