Koon Family Blog

8 months old

2011-09-21T14:27:00.000-04:00

Now that Kenleigh is 10 months old - maybe I should post her 8 month photos! Hopefully we'll get some 10 month ones this week (and I can post them before she turns 17).

Livin' the Dream

2011-07-23T07:33:00.000-04:00

Well let's see, the last time I blogged Richard was in Bismarck and the kids and I were practicing life with him absent...

He is back home now (has been for a few weeks) ~ after Bismarck he was sent to Minot to assist in the flood fight there. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see a town we all love going under water ~ my heart still breaks for those who have lost their homes and belonging to the flood. However, I was happy to see everyone band together in these tough times and do what they could for their neighbors. I am so proud to be a North Dakotan in times like this.

We did have some excitement this week. Kyson and Korby woke up in the middle of the night and decided it was playtime. The kids all love it when Richard throws them onto the couch, and since Kyson is so excited to grow up (thanks Grandma Pat) ... he thought he could do the same for his little brother. Well, it didn't work out so well ...

Kaden's Head Wound

So we made a 1 AM trip to the emergency room. Three stitches later and we were home by 2 AM (HAHA @ my Williston friends & family). He did so well ... only whimpered when he was getting the last few shots of numbing medicine.

Kyson got to have an adventure this summer. He got to make his first trip to the farm by himself. He stayed with Grandma & Grandpa Larson, went to Bible Camp and UMM, and even got to have a sleepover with his cousins at Aunt Cindy's. This is where his obsession with growing up came from. Timothy and Kyson helped Grandma on the farm while he was up there and Grandma paid them for their help - well T John got more money than Kyson & Kyson being 6 wanted to know why he was getting ripped off. Grandma explained that because T John is older, he can do more things, thus earning more wages. So, now all I ever hear is Kyson asking me if he is grown up yet.

4th of July weekend was a family trip to the farm so Richard could get some yard maintenance done for mom and dad. Dad is doing SO well! He sounds like himself again now, and gets around like nobody's business with his cane. [Do any of you remember that blow up cane Dad got for his 50th birthday party that said "Don't tease me about my age or I'll beat you with my cane?" ~ Well, it came true! The boys were acting up at the farm & grandpa took after them with his cane - he will be taking off without it before we know it!]

It's hard to believe it has been almost 9 months since the stroke. It seems like it was just yesterday we were all down in Bismarck praying that God would give us more time. Well he did! I cannot thank Him enough for all of the amazing things He has done for our family.

Speaking of months - Kenleigh is 8 months old today! She is our little red headed beauty.

Kenleigh Grace

You can't really see it in this cell phone photo, but she has the cutest red hair and blue eyes. I will try and remember to get a photo shoot in with her today & share it with you all.

That is all I can think to write about for now. Have a beautiful day everyone!

A few photos

2011-07-23T06:48:00.001-04:00

On the trip home from Williston

Devils Lake

4th of July @ my birth mom's

haircuts & toe sucking (just a day in the life!)

2011-06-01T01:29:00.002-04:00

It's been a long time since I've posted! Life happens & I forget that I need to be blogging it (not just to keep people updated, but because I love looking back on the memories this way). So here ya go - a few photos of what's been going on around here.

Richard, Kenleigh, & my newest niece Tamara

I did my little sister's hair for prom this year ~ Richard got stuck with baby duty.

Korby turned 4!

My little sister Dani & her boyfriend Garrett

Prom 2011

Grandma & Grandpa O'Nail

(Tina's mom & dad)

I cannot begin to tell you how much I cherish these two people. The love they have for each other is amazing. They are a beautiful example for love - both as a couple & in their love for the Lord.

Kaden - Easter 2011

Aunty Cindy bought colored bubbles ... the kids thought they were great....

the adults ... not so much.

New Feats (no pun intended)

Kenleigh found her toes! Nuff said.

New Friends

I started watching the neighbors kids so now Kenleigh has a playmate. Trinity is 2 months older than Kenleigh.

Hair Cuts
Summer is here! (Even if it doesn't feel that way most days) This means hair cuts around our house, so here are a few photos from haircut night. Korby thought it sounded like a fun idea, until he felt his head. Poor kid cried & kept asking why daddy was taking his hair.

hair in the mouth is never fun

My boys!

Kyson, Kaden, Korby & Daddy

We will be taking and posting a lot more photos in the coming months due to new circumstance that have come up. Life is just going on all around us ~ not much of notable happenings to post. One new thing is that I am currently a single mom thanks to mother nature. Richard is currently in Bismarck fighting flood waters with the National Guard. He will be transfered to Minot tomorrow & may have a chance to bring me back my van tomorrow night. I can't wait to see him & actually get to say bye to him since he was called away at 5 am and I wasn't all that coherent. I have been blessed with great neighbors who have offered their help in the way of child care so I can get to the store when I need to while Richard is away.

That's all I have for tonight - but I'll leave you with a quote I saw on the Minot news facebook page tonight that sums up how I feel about all the flooding going on in our state:

‎"Some days North Dakota is a hard place to live... But the weather underestimates the the wonderful, compassionate, kind, caring, giving, helpful people we have here in North Dakota!! There is no question the quality of people we have here... just look around! I am proud to call myself a North Dakotan!!"

School Fundraiser

2011-04-02T01:28:00.000-04:00

Hello Family & Friends!
School fundraisers have gone high tech. You can now support Kaitee's school by purchasing fundraising items on-line and have them shipped to your house.
I've been sitting here looking at the catalog and they have some pretty great items ~ I can not wait to place an order!

Our Goal ~ If Kaitee sells 25 items she will win a VIP night out (pizza and the movies) for our whole family! Obviously taking our whole family out for something like that would be expensive, so we're excited that we might get to do it for free.

I hope you will take some time to check out the website, and see if there is anything you would be interested in purchasing. Orders are due by April 6th.

The Chip Shoppe

If the link doesn't work:

Go to www.thechipshoppe.com

Click on the shopping link and enter student ID number "1186936"

(All purchases made on the site will be credited toward Kaitee Koon and will directly benefit the MINNIE H ELEMENTARY 3830S)

Thank you in advance,

Kaitee & Family

To My Friends & Family

2011-03-17T03:18:00.000-04:00

An Irish Prayer
May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you
And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

I am going to send an angel in front of you, to guard you on the way...

Exodus 23:20

Blessings to you from the Koon Family

Proxy Visit?

2011-03-14T04:25:00.001-04:00

We have a fun project going on in school. Stop by our homeschool blog and check it out! My School Home

"When I see your face...

2011-03-11T04:10:00.000-05:00

there's not a thing that I would change
Cuz you're amazing
just the way you are..."

Call me bias, but I think I have the most amazing family. I love all the little things. I am so blessed that these little souls were sent to me.

Korby being silly.

He's using Kaitee's blanket from Grandma Pat as a superman cape.

Kaitee's 5th Birthday Cake

I love the little bug gummies we found for our Kaitee Bug!

Kenleigh & Daddy passed out.

Poor Kyson is sick.

Ear infection & Fever :(

Sick kid and all, I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

No Facebook? GASP

2011-03-08T21:04:00.004-05:00

"I have called you not to the secular journey

where you must make everything in your life now as pleasant as possible.

I have called you to the spiritual journey,

to a process of enlarging your heart to desire Me above everything else"

Tomorrow marks Ash Wednesday. The beginning of the Lenten Season.

What is Lent? Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.

I have never given up anything for Lent in the past, but this year a friend of mine post on her facebook that she intended to give up facebook for lent. At first, I thought WOW kudos to her, but I could never do that. However, the rest of the day as I was checking and rechecking my facebook (I might miss something you know!) I had that post in the back of my head.

Why do I spend SO much time on facebook? If facebook was a drink - I would be a raging alcoholic. If facebook was a drug - I would be living in the gutters begging for my next hit. Why do I spend so much time on facebook? Because I am addicted. Pure and simple.

I have been putting my time and energy into a social network site instead of investing that time in my marriage, my children, and my faith. That stops today! I have already had Richard change my facebook password. Yes, I would still be able to get a new password via my email, but I planned it that way. Just having him totally lock me out of my facebook would not help - it merely keeps me from forgetting that I have given it up and accidentally logging on. I need to have access to get my password to have accountability.

I can't wait to see what I get done in the next few weeks without having to check status updates all day long.

So check back, as I will be posting to my blogs (here and My School Home) and letting you all know what amazing things are happening around here now that I have more time for all the little things!

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism——become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement——be full of hope.

Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred——return good for evil.

Give up negativism——be positive.

Give up anger——be more patient.

Give up pettiness——become mature.

Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy——pray for trust.

Give up gossiping——control your tongue.

Give up sin——turn to virtue.

Give up giving up——hang in there!

Photos

2011-03-02T05:18:00.012-05:00

A few photos. I thought I had more, but I guess they are on my laptop hard drive. I'll try and get them this week.

In no real order...

Kyson's old school bus

Kyson after school.

Our home grew by 2 feet this winter :)

Kenleigh Grace Koon

5 lbs 12 oz

Donna cutting Kenleigh's cord.

You'd think we were related or something.

My birth mother Donna and me while I was in labor with Kenleigh.

Our little Christmas Tree 2010

Our frozen window.

The awesome design that frozen window made.

Wouldn't Change A Thing (Adoption)

2011-03-02T05:04:00.003-05:00

I'm proud to say I'm adoptee. I feel blessed to have 2 very different families that love me. I don't feel cheated, abandoned, or taken.

I also realize not all adoptees have great experiences, but I don't know why that means they have to dog adoption. I don't see why we can't come together and support each other in a positive healthy way.

Those who know me know I'm an avid facebooker ... I enjoy groups and am a member of several adoption groups. None of these groups makes me happy. So I started my own. One for support.

The Description:

I've joined quite a few adoptee pages here on Facebook, but have yet to be impressed with the overall tone of any of them. So I have decided if I want to find like minded positive people who’s lives have also been touched by adoption I would just have to start my own group and find them.

This page is for adoptees, first families, adoptive families, and potential families who want to seek support, offer support, and share their stories about adoption and reunion.

This page is not for people who loath adoption. I realize not everyone’s story is all sunshine and roses, but I believe we can help each other with positive comments and support.

If you want to join in on the discussion, we'd love to have you. My Life Has Been Touched By Adoption

Back!

2011-03-02T01:29:00.001-05:00

This mama is back on-line! We're all moved into our new place ... now I just have to find time to unpack it all! I'll post photos of our new pad later this week!

I broke it :(

2011-02-25T15:43:00.001-05:00

Well my posts will have to come from my phone for now since I fried my laptop. We move next week! Shouldn't be too difficult since we really didn't unpack much because we knew the move was coming. We'll now be in a 4 bedroo 2 bathroom place. I am SO excited to have my own bathroom - it's the kind of excitement only another mom will understand. :) The kids will share 2 bedrooms and the 4th room will be transformed into a learning room. Go read my other blog for updates about that http://myschoolhome.blogspot.com I probably won't post on here until after the move - need to get the kitchen packed up and shampoo carpets this weekend. Hope your week is going well!

My School Home

2011-02-23T04:09:00.003-05:00

So there was a time I thought a certain member of my family was a bit.... how do I say this... crazy. Oh how the tides have turned ... I now find myself turning into her.

We've started home school for the boys. Kaitee will still be going to public school because she loves going and is thriving in that environment.

I'm not going to go into the specifics on here as to why, because some of it is personal and the other reasons you can find on my home school blog My School Home.

And to that certain family member, you know who you are, sorry I thought you were crazy. Now I know you're a mother who loves her children and would do anything humanly possible to help them succeed. And that my friends, can make anyone feel a bit crazy at times. I owe you a great big thank you for setting a great example on what a mother is.

Come back tomorrow for a proper where are we now post.

Real

2011-01-27T18:50:00.004-05:00

I can not tell a lie ... I love reality TV! That said, after watching an episode I always find myself thinking "why can't they show REAL reality?"

On the way home from Bismarck on Monday night I heard a song on the radio that says how I'm feeling better than I ever could. So, without further adieu, Real...

Real

James Wesley

Five-hundred channels and there ain't much on tonight

Except reality shows about some folk's so-called lives

A pretty girl cries 'cause she don't get a rose

But she'll find love next year on her own show

And they call that real

Real is a hand you hold fifty-seven years

Real is a band of gold tremblin' with fear

It's the first long tear down an old man's face, watchin' his angel slippin' away

His heart's so broke, it's never gonna heal

I call that real

Where I live, housewives don't act like that

And the survivors are farmers in John Deere hats

Our amazin' race is beatin' the check

Prayin' that the bank ain't ran it through yet

Real, like too much rain fallin' from the sky

Real, like the drought that came around here last July

It's the damn boll weevils and the market and the weeds, the prayer they're sayin' when they plant the seeds

And the chance they take to bring us our next meal

I call that real

Real, like a job you lose 'cause it moves to Mexico

Like a mama and a baby with no safe place to go

Like a little dream-house with a big old foreclosed sign

Like a flag-draped coffin and a twenty-one gun goodbye

I call that real

Man, I call that real

Oh, I call that real

Home Sweet .... Days Inn??

2011-01-27T18:32:00.005-05:00

We're Moving! Not by choice though. The house we were living in is old and the sewer lines collapsed. I'm bummed that we'll be leaving our little oasis in the country, and bummed that I had to pull my kids out of a school that we LOVED.

However, it's not all bad. The kids will be going to school in Devils Lake now where:

Kaitee will have more services accessible for her autism.
Korby will be able to attend Head Start.
Kyson will have more classmates. Being a social butterfly he will enjoy this tremendously.

For right now we are residing at the Days Inn, but thanks to Richard's amazing boss we will be

moving into a new apartment on Tuesday. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we have been truly blessed Richard was able to find a job with such a great boss. I don't know how we'd make it to all of the appointments we have for Kaitee and myself (when I was pregnant) if he wasn't so understanding.

In other news ~ We lost our Aunty Sabana this week. Savannah has moved in with Mom & Dad to assist in Dad's recovery.

Yes ^ that means DAD IS HOME!!! Praise God! He is doing so good, and getting stronger every day. We were able to spend Sunday night with him, mom, and Susie as they traveled back home. It was wonderful being able to actually visit with them without nurses being called and therapy appointments cutting into family time. (I am very thankful for those appointment though,

because of the awesome therapy crew at Altru we now have dad back and on the mend.)

FYI I updated my blog page today and added a listing of my favorite blogs. Check them out, you won't be sorry.

Savannah, Dad, & Mom

Dad stole my laptop last time we went to Grand Forks so he could check his farming blog.

I'm Dreaming...

2010-12-19T19:12:00.005-05:00

of a white Christmas. We got a nice heaping (literally) pile of snow dumped on us this week.

My lone rose bush (usually you can see 4)

I must say I love living in North Dakota and all of the snow is one of the reasons I love it so much. Savannah and Richard do not share my sentiments this week thanks to getting stuck. Savannah couldn’t drive home and was stuck in Cando at work, and Richard was literally stuck on the road trying to drive to work. One of our neighbors was able

to help free him though. (Another reason I love living in North Dakota!)

The kids and I just stayed at home. I cleaned my house, something I haven’t had much time to do since I was anemic at the end of my pregnancy and then had to deal with being tired after child birth. The kids spent the snow day watching movies and playing.

This week was also Kyson’s first Christmas program. He did a great job singing a selection of songs with his class and the 6th graders. Korby and Kaitee did really well listening to the bands play. Once the singing and talking started they got bored and did

what bored 3 and 4 year olds do best - annoy their parents and make everyone else giggle. After ever song Korby would announce (loudly), “Time to GO.” That brought out a round of laughter from everyone around us, and embarrassed cheeks on Aunty Savannah! All in all they did pretty well for their age sitting through an hour long program. During the last song came Kaden’s big moment. While sitting on this mommy’s lap with his baby sister, the Heavens opened up and said, “Take this Bekah!” … Kaden got sick all over me. Yep, the flu had hit my house in that moment. I did a one armed hand off of the baby to an already busy Aunty, and headed for the bathroom with Kaden. It wasn’t all bad though because everyone around was so helpful and understood that’s how life is sometimes. Kyson’s preschool teacher helped me with clean up and found a paint shirt for Kaden to wear. When we got back to the gym the Superintendent had the mop out cleaning up the mess. So, like I said, it wasn’t all that bad, but I was sure happy to get in the van and drive away!

Because of the lighting and all the commotion this was the only photo I managed to get, but Kyson’s class took photos so I will have to try and get my hands on some of those.

I got some super news this week as well. Kaitee was to have her psychologist appointment last week, but the doctor got sick and had to cancel. I got a phone call from the school this week saying the doctor was going to come to the school next Wednesday and do the appointment and team meeting! Praise God. I can’t wait to see what she has to say about Kaitee’s development and set up a new plan to help Kaitee.

Well, I hear Kenleigh saying, “feed me,” and that’s mommy’s cue! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Welcome Back!

2010-12-19T19:11:00.001-05:00

Last winter I had been email a guy who was interested in purchasing our camper and when he came up to see it he mentioned that he had clicked on the link to my blog in my email signature. He asked me why I didn’t write on it anymore, because I was a good writer and it was a shame to let it go to waste.

Well, almost a year later, I’ve decided it’s time to quit procrastinating and get back into writing! I hope you’ll enjoy reading the new blog posts as much as I enjoy writing on it.

An Introduction and Update:

While reading my old blog posts I realized I’m more behind than I thought I was - We lived in Ohio, Kyson was 2, and Korby was our baby! My oh my how life has changed.

The Koon family once again lives in North Dakota, but this time near a very small town called Egeland. We did live in Williston for awhile when we ventured back, but the housing crunch forced us to look else ware. I must say I’m happy with our current arrangement (not to mention that our rent here in less than you could rent a closet for in Williston!).

Richard drives about 80 miles a day round trip to work in Devils Lake at Sears. The love he has for his job and rapport he has with his boss makes up for every gallon of fuel it takes to get to work. He is still a member of the North Dakota National Guard and continues to attend drill in Williston. The kids and I took advantage of his drill weekends to spend some quality time with my parents this summer at the farm. Richard also took numerous trips on the train this past fall to Williston to help my dad with harvest. We missed having him home on his days off, but he and dad got a lot of work accomplished and spent tons of quality time together.

Like I said before, in my last blog update Kyson was just 2 years old. Now our little boy is the ripe old age of 5 (turning 6 in February). He attends school in Munich where he is a kindergartner in the morning and a preschooler in the afternoons. Munich is such an academic school (the main reason we chose to go outside of our district and place the kids there) that he was already behind the kindergartners, but rather than pull him out the teacher suggested we do this arrangement and then kindergarten again next year.

He loves going to school and has made a lot of friends. Sometimes these friendships get them into mischief though. Last week I was getting ready to go out and wait for the bus when I got a phone call, it was Dexter’s father calling to let me know Kyson would not be getting off the bus at my home because he had already gotten off the bus at their home. …. Excuse me? …. Apparently Dexter had been telling his mom for days that he wanted to have a party, but she really didn’t think much about it and told him that yes one of these days he could have a party. Well that particular day Dexter decided was a good day for the said party and proceeded to invite his buddies…. So, Kyson and another little boy ended up at Dexter’s! We all got a good laugh out of the inner workings of 5 year old brains that day! (PS The school is now making sure this doesn’t happen again)

Kaitee is now 4 and also attends Munich School. She rides the bus with Kyson and attends speech therapy and special education classes on alternating days. For those who do not know, Kaitee has some developmental delays that we are working on finding the cause of. She recently had a tube placed in one of her ears and our next step is going to see a children’s psychologist. Her teachers are amazing and very supportive ~ I don’t think we could have asked for a better team!

Since her tube placement she has started mimicking people when they talk or make sounds. She loves mocking facial expressions in the mirror with people and loves songs that have actions that go with them.

He latest WOW moment was the other day while I was vacuuming, I came back in the living room to check on the kids and Kaitee was putting a diaper on the new baby. She had unbuttoned her onsie, taken off the old diaper, and put a new diaper on perfectly. She did this all without waking up the 3 week old!

Korby …. Need I say more? Oh, that’s right, some of you don’t know him yet! Korby is no longer our baby but our loving, wild, sometimes crazy, but always comical 3 year old. Korby’s current nickname in our house is Rain Man, because the kid is never quiet and will repeat the same 5 things to you 50 times an hour. The other night he was trying everything he could to get out of bed; “I have to go to the bathroom,” “I need a drink,” “I’m a good boy,” “I’m chocolate cereal,” (don’t ask, because we don’t know) “daddy, guess what, I love you.” Rinse / Repeat!

However, for every time he annoys us with his chatter he makes up for it ten fold with his love and charm. Korby is the child who always has a hug, kiss, and I love you ready for you. He’s the child who tells you he’s sorry even if he didn’t do whatever happened in the first place. Today I was busy in the kitchen and the baby started crying, so he hopped up on the bed and stroked her cheek and said, “it’s ok, we’re all here.” I could list off a thousand more reasons why I love this little boy, but I think you get the picture!

An now we get to the part of the post where I introduce the blog world to our newest additions!

Kaden Richard joined the Koon family in May of 2009. We were living in Williston at the time, but had made a trip to Ohio for one of Richard’s best friend’s wedding. We knew I would probably have the baby on the trip because I was 40 weeks, but this was a wedding we were not going to miss! So we loaded up the kids, a birth kit, and a car seat and managed to make it to Ohio without having to pull over for a birthing! Caleb had told me if I didn’t have the baby before the wedding that I had to wait until he said, “I do,” well apparently Kaden listened because I started having my first contractions as people we leaving the Church for the reception. I attended the dinner, dance, and even a bit of an after party with my husband while in early labor. Then I drove my husband home and tried to get some sleep, but ended up sitting up in labor until early morning when I woke Richard up and told him it was time to hit the hospital. Most probably think I’m crazy, but I wasn’t going to tell Richard he couldn’t attend a wedding that meant so much to him, I wasn’t going to stay home and have a baby without my husband, and I would not trade the memory of Kaden’s birth story for the world!

Kaden is now 18 months old and thinks he runs the show. He has figured out how to get into just about everything in our house and has a current obsession with flushing the toilet. We tease him about being naughty and he’ll just turn around, give you one of those charm your pants off grins, and then spank his own bottom! “woop-a-butt”

And finally, the baby! Kenleigh Grace entered our lives on November 23rd. She weighed in at 5 lbs 12 oz and was 19” long - by far our smallest bundle of joy. She is now 3 weeks old and does all the fabulous newborn things - like nurse, sleep, nurse, sleep … etcetera, and so on, and so forth. Just like all of my babies she is not a big crier and loves to snuggle. Kenleigh was born at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake with her daddy and grandma (my birth mother) in attendance. Nothing completes an adopted woman’s life like having her birth mother being able to attend the birth of her own child.

Another story worth mentioning here is about how Kenleigh got her middle name (up until the following events Kenleigh didn‘t have a middle name we could agree on). My dad suffered a massive stroke in early November. His brain was swelling bigger and faster than the doctors had seen in a stroke patient at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, so all of us kids rushed to the hospital to be at his and mom’s sides. They ended up taking him in for a life saving surgery to remove the entire right hemisphere of his skull the night after the stroke. While sitting in the waiting room with my siblings and other extended family we began talking about all of the trials and health issues our family has overcome. Cindy’s stroke, Matt’s accident, Ken’s burns, Mom’s Parkinson’s (still an issue but she’s doing well with her treatments), Susie’s health, ect… Cindy finally said, “Our Family sure has a lot of grace” - BAM that was it, the light bulb went off! Kenleigh Grace.

Mom & Dad both loved it, both because of where it came from and because it goes along perfectly with the middle names they chose for Savannah and I, Hope & Joy.

And now for my update/intro. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom to these 5 little ones and a wife to the man who makes that possible. I found out shortly after moving here why God had this move as part of his plan for me - I now have an amazing Church family in Egeland at LakeView Lutheran. This Church and the pastor are just what I had been looking for to grow in my faith.

I am adopted. (You can read about my search and reunion on my old blog) Thanks to a Facebook page that I am no longer a part of, I realized that a lot of adopted people despise the fact they were adopted, this is not my feeling at all. I am thankful each and every day that I have two families who love me. I have a birth mother and birth father who loved me so much that they did what must be one of the hardest things to do - they gave me to another family so I could have more than what they could provide me. I have this amazing family who accepted me with love and never made me feel like I wasn’t every bit as much a part of the family as they were. I truly feel sorry for other adoptees who don’t know what blessings I know through the adoption process.

We now live about 30 miles from my birth mother and her other children and I have enjoyed getting to spend time with them over the last year. I hope to get to spend more time with my birth father as well, but his job includes a lot of travel that hinders that a bit right now.

That’s enough about me for now, as you’ll get to find out more about me through my posts.

I hope you’ll continue to come back and enjoy this crazy ride of life with me and my family.

FOUND!

2008-04-09T13:54:00.001-04:00

My birth father contacted Cindy last night! He’s very open to contact. He told her when I turned 18 he waited.... when I turned 21 he waited .... but since I didn’t contact him, he gave up on the hope that I would.

He has a 3 1/2 year old little boy and a little girl who was born just 13 days ago! (so I have 5 - 1/2 brothers & sisters)

He lives in Texas. Theresa is going to fax him the contact forms today and he is going to fax them back.

Oh ... and his name is Barry.

Oh and yesterday Donna (mom) sent a letter via email to Cindy & she put it in the mail to me.

I’m so flipin excited! It’s finally going to happen!

Video

2008-03-16T02:33:00.002-04:00

a video of Korby & his dad. (you'll have pick up both parts of the web address and put them together - it was messing up when I had them together on here.)

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/
new%20album/?action=view&current=korbykoon.flv

Paperwork In

2008-03-14T17:49:00.002-04:00

Talked to Cindy just now - she got my birth mom's paperwork today. She is writing a letter to me - Cindy will forward it as soon as she gets it. She signed the consent for contact, but Cindy still needs to talk to my dad & get the ok from him before we can exchange addresses.
Cindy also said she talked to who she thinks is my dad's wife & left a message for him to call her. It's kind of a pain in the butt since she can't say who she is or where she works. So if he doesn't call back, Cindy will just have to call again.

She said everything is going along at a great pace - Donna (birth mom) got her paperwork back really fast in the realm of adoption searches.

something I sent to Cindy

2008-03-11T02:34:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share an email I sent to Cindy. It talks a bit about where I am right now.

Wanted to share my new tattoo with you. I've wanted to get it for awhile, and now felt like the perfect time.

The triangle is for me (the adoptee), my birth family, & my adopted family.

The last week has been a very though provoking time for me. I've been reading through all my books about adoption again - not 'manual' books or anything, just stories about adopted people. One of my favorites I came upon by accident. I was at the Minot train depot & the library leaves old books there for people to take on their train journey. Well I just grabbed a book off of it for something to do... turned out to be about a girl who found out she was adopted & she decides to search for her birth mother. Molly by Any Other Name

Mom & Dad enjoyed reading my non-identifying information. Dad cried as I predicted. - They said they remembered it like it was yesterday as they read through about the day they came to get me. This whole search has brought us so much closer together - mostly because I can't wait to call and tell them every little bit of new information when I get it from you. I'm sure they feel like they are a part of the process. I hope one day we'll all have a chance to meet (mom & dad, me, and Donna).

adoption tattoo

2008-03-11T02:27:00.006-04:00

I've wanted to get this tattoo for a long time and now seemed like the perfect time. The triangle represents me the adoptee, my birth family, and my adopted family.

This is where the idea came from - a piece of adoption jewelry.

Adoption Update

2008-03-11T02:18:00.003-04:00

Well I just realized that I forgot to post my updates in my blog. In fact I've missed a lot of updates in this blog, so I'm going to try and get back into the swing of things.

Non-Identifying Info (March 2, 2008)

I got my non-id info today... here's what I got if you want to read it.

I'll post some 'feelings' and things about it tomorrow. (if you click the first one ... you can just hit back (right next to the photo of the page) and read through the rest of the pages.

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0001.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0002.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0003.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0004.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0005.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0006.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0007.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0008.jpg

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view&current=nonidinfo0009.jpg

Maybe?! March 3, 2008

Cindy wrote again today:

Hi! Not sure if I answered your question or not... Yes, you can just email the letter in for your birthfather. Most people do say that they hadn't thought much about the birthfather. It is nice when we can search so at the very least you can have both sides of your medical information.
I do have a possible phone number for your birthmother and I left a message for her to call me today.I will call you as soon a s I have more news.
Cindy :)

OH MY!!!! This could happen SOON! I hope she has the right number - I'm so flipin' excited!

Letter to my birth father

some parts are the same as the letter to my birth mom... but here is the letter I sent to my father.

And when the night wind
Starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping
Underneath the same big sky

March 5, 2008

Dear Birthfather,

I called Cindy last week and she informed me that paternity was established in my adoption case, and suggested that I write a letter to you. I tried to start writing that night, but I couldn't think of anything to put down. The idea contacting you was so new for me - I don't know if it's that motherly connection I feel for my birth mom since I now have children of my own - or the fact that I never knew that you were a part of the picture until now. So I put off writing to you for days.

And then…

Monday (3/3/08) I got my non identifying information in the mail. I started reading it by myself until I got to the part that talked about you, and I decided to go visit a neighbor and finish reading it with her - I had so many feelings rush in at once that I couldn't cope with them on my own. From what the paperwork says you were every bit a part of my mom's pregnancy & my adoption process as she was.

It was really neat reading all the little blurbs they could share about what you were like and liked to do. I was reading them to my husband tonight and he said, "he sounds more like he should be my dad."

So I guess what I'm trying to say is - I hadn't really thought about having the opportunity to get to know you … but now I'm really excited that I might be able to now.

Let me tell you a bit about my life - Since I've already mentioned my husband I'll tell you about him first. Richard and I were married in April 2004. He is a mechanic and a member of the Army National Guard. He plays guitar and likes playing on his four-wheeler.

Richard and I have 3 children. Kyson just turned 3 - he is our little wild man. Kaitee turns 2 this month - she is our little princess (and she knows it!). Korby will be 1 in May - he is turning into quite the little ladies man (always flirting with the girls in our complex.)

Ok, now about me: I grew up on a small family farm in western North Dakota. I have 4 sisters and a brother. My little sister was also adopted - so it's been nice being able to talk to her about different feelings we both have. I grew up going to a Lutheran Church and loved going to Bible Camp every summer. I go to a Wesleyan Church now - though I don't get there as often as I should or want.

We now live in Ohio. I enjoy things like knitting, sewing, reading, playing on the internet, writing letters to friends back home, and texting people on my cell phone. I spend my days playing with my kids & talking to the girls in the complex where we live now.

I hope one day we can have a relationship with one another , though I realize that could take some time. There are so many things I want to share with you, and so many things I want to know about you. I imagine the decision to have contact with me is probably just as difficult as the decision to give me up was for you. Please know I don't want to intrude on your life. I'm not here to make you feel guilty - I would just love to know you. I have so many questions I want to ask you… like: What were you like when you were my age? Did you ever get married? Do I have any siblings?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Love,

Bekah

And the best news for now...
March 5, 2008

Cindy talked to my birth mom today! Her name is Donna - she has 3 other children (16, 13, and 10) they don't know about me yet. She still lives in North Dakota. She told Cindy there hasn't been a day she hasn't thought about me, and she wants to have contact.

So now Cindy is sending the paperwork to her tomorrow & we'll go from there.

She hasn't talked to my dad since I was born, so Cindy still has to try and find him.

when i know more... i'll post again

more adoption info

2008-02-27T19:13:00.002-05:00

I got an email from Cindy today:

"Paternity was established for your birthfather which means that I will need to contact him too. Can you send me a letter for your birthfather? It can be the same one as your birthmother's but different start.Have a good day!"

It's strange, but I never really thought about having contact with him. It's not that I wouldn't like to have contact, but it never crossed my mind.

I guess it's that bond between a mother and baby that can never really be broken that makes me want to know her so much.

Well... I'm off to start working on a letter to him - I'll post it when I finish.

My Adoption

2008-02-27T02:23:00.002-05:00

I talked to Cindy today (Cindy is the one doing my adoption search). She said she just worked on my file yesterday & got ahold of an obit for my great grandmother - so now she is going through the uncles to find a number for my birth mom or grandmother. She had my file on the desk right infront of her ... do you know how painful that was for me? She has a million bits of information about my adoption... but can't tell me anything. I crave so much to know something... anything.

She said I should have my non-identifying information next week - so I'll be like a vulture on that mail man!

If you know me at all you know I'm not a hurry up and wait kind of person ... so this is driving me crazy!

I'm not looking for a new mommy or anything.... but there is this whole other family out there that looks like me.... that shares my blood line.... the deepest parts of my soul yearn to know them.

I so much want that phone call from Cindy saying she had contact with my birthmother.

I so much want her to agree to some kind of contact with me...

so if your reading this ... and your the praying kind... pray she'll find her.... pray my b/m will understand my need/want/craving for knowing her...

Dirt Road

2008-02-25T11:33:00.003-05:00

What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved.

There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.

People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride.

That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.

We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.

There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.

Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun.

And there were no drive by shootings.

Our values were better when our roads were worse!

People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.

Dirt Roads taught patience.

Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk.

For your mail, you walked to the mail box.

What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.

At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap.

Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.

At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.

At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.

Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...at the end of a Dirt Road!

~by Paul Harvey~

mom & dad's visit

2008-02-04T03:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a slide show from mom & dad's visit with us (Dec 31-Jan 11) I have more photos to add when I find the disk from mom & dad's camera. I'll write up a real blog later today.

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k62/koonfamily/?action=view¤t=7cdd636b.pbw

Fire

2007-11-27T09:33:00.000-05:00

I woke up smelling smoke at 5:45 this morning. I couldn't figure out where it was comming from - so I checked to make sure it wasn't going in the kid's room. When I opened the door I was hit with a huge smoke cloud. Kyson turned the heater all the way up last night & caught the room on fire (kaitee's pillow case started it)

So we've had an eventful morning with the fire dept. & ambulace here for Kaitee (because of her asthma)

Looks like we'll be the first ones getting new carpet in the new year.

What a wonderful day to be ALIVE!

2007-11-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need

A friend sent me this in an email a few weeks ago & I added it to my signature on my emails. So now, about every day I get to read it - I am SO glad I put it there! Isn't God amazing!?!

This morning I did something I haven't done in years - I sat out on my patio with my coffee & watched the sun rise! I've decided if I do nothing else with the rest of my life - I vow to get up early enough at least once a week to do this. It was great having that special moment between God & I. I had a chance to really sit and think of all the things I am thankful for & my personal relationship with God.

Well it's almost time that I can call mom & dad - so have a beautiful day everyone!

Don't forget to stop and thank God today!

What's New

2007-10-29T02:08:00.000-04:00

Thought I would take a few minutes to update everyone on our family.

We're all moved into our new place now - it's quite a bit smaller, but that works out better for our family. When I get a chance I'll post some photos of our new 'crib'.

Richard began working for Walmart in May of this year. He is employed in the tire and lube center and enjoys putting some of his skills to use again. He reenlisted with the National Guard this year also, so it's another six years of driving to McConnelsville once a month for drill. However, we have been talking about him enlisting in the active Army sometime in the future. There could be some major changes for the Koon household in the near future - we'll be sure to keep you posted. When Richard is not working he enjoys riding the new 4-wheeler or playing X-box.

Kyson is 2 years & 8 months old now. He loves Thomas the Train and Cars (or 'Kachow' as he likes to call it). He also enjoys picking on his little sister, but we see the end to that comming soon as Kaitee has started to fight back in a big way! Kyson is mommy's little helper when it comes to Korby. Whenever he sees his brother crying he'll run over and put a binkie in his mouth and make sure he's covered up. Every morning when he gets up he goes over and gives Korby kisses and he says, "hi bubby!"
Kyson's hero is his uncle Shawn (or 'aush'). When we're at home all I hear is 'aush' this and 'aush' that, and when we're at Tina's it's always c'mon 'aush'. He looks up to that boy so much! He loves it when Shawn takes him under the house to play trucks in the dirt or when they play guns - I guess you could say Shawn has a two foot tall shadow right now!

Kaitee is 19 months old. She use to be our little princess, but now she's more like our little brute. She finally started walking a few months ago ... and now we can't stop her! She has also figured out that she can fight back against Kyson's attacks, and sometimes I think she's out for blood. With Korby she'll be all lovey to him, but then she'll steal his binkie and RUN! Kaitee is a papaw & mamaw Koon girl ~ but if papaw is around you'd never know she likes mamaw! She has started talking ... though we don't understand much of it. One of the things that she says that we do understand is Shut Up Dogs - which she picked up from mamaw yelling at the 50 million dogs in Doanville.

Korby will be 6 months old Thursday. I can't believe it's been 1/2 a year already! He is my big boy - far outweighing his brother and sister at this age. He rolls over now and can sit up with help. Korby is definately a mamam's boy - that could be because I'm his food sorce though! He doesn't really 'do' much yet other than normal baby stuff, but he really enjoys watching Kyson and Kaitee play ... you can just see it in his face how much he wants to GO with them.

I'm keeping busy with the kids and really enjoy being a stay at home mom. I'm working on getting things lined up so that I can start selling PartyLite candles next month. It will be nice having a little extra income for our family as well as having some adult time for this mommy! (And if things go well I might even be able to go on some vacations with my sister thanks to PartyLite!) My days are filled with playing with kids, working on the internet, talking to family on the phone, and sometimes I even get some housework done!

Something we're really looking forward to is my mom and dad comming down to visit next month! We haven't seen them since Jan. 4th so we're all super excited to see them again. I can't wait to have photos of my kids with my parents ... to show them where we live ... and just enjoy having them around. I get so homesick sometimes and it's going to be nice having a piece of home here for awhile. *sniff* I miss my mommy & daddy! I only wish EVERYONE could come down here! *hint hint*

Well if I'm going to get anything done tomorrow I better get off this darn computer and get myself to bed.

so.... incase I don't see you good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

My growing babies

2007-10-28T19:13:00.000-04:00

We moved again - if you want our address and phone number email me at richard.rebekah.koon@gmail.com

Some photos from 10/27 & 28th

Trick or Treat

2007-10-25T20:57:00.000-04:00

Kyson and Grandma Tina

Shawn (Richard's brother)

Korby & Great Grandma O'Nail

yummmm!

A few more photos

2007-10-25T12:35:00.000-04:00

Kyson and Korby a few weeks ago at Richard's mom's

Korby and his cousin Iris (2 months age difference)

Korby (5 months old)

Kyson (October 07)

Pumpkin Carving

2007-10-25T12:08:00.000-04:00

Richard carved our pumpkins last night - all freehand.

Traci & Peter's Wedding

2007-10-23T17:18:00.000-04:00

October 13th Traci and Peter were married. (Traci is Richard's step sister) I took a few photos for her that day. I wanted to share some of my favorite photos with you all.

That morning we went to the salon where Traci had her nails, hair, and make-up done.

Here is where they were married - itsn't it beautiful?

Traci had the coolest idea - instead of buying the same old wedding favors and instead of spending tons of money on toasting glasses - she bought thrift store wine glasses. They tied a note that said Traci & Peter 10~13~07 on the stems. It looked so neat!

This is my 2nd favorite photo of the day - the wine bottles.

Peter's parents did all the flowers for the wedding. Here are the center pieces - the 'vase' is a pumpkin.

Traci dressed Iris up in this silly outfit as a joke when she gave Peter his wedding gift. The next photo is when she showed Peter the outfit - it is my favorite photo of the day! Peter's brother is holding Iris. (Iris is Traci and Peter's daughter)

The cake was Italian Creme Cake. Soooo Good, Soooo Rich!

The mothers of the bride and groom and baby Iris brought the rings down for the couple.

Traci's maternal Grandpa sang a song as they exchanged rings. Traci and asked him to do this, but he told her his voice couldn't handle it anymore (he use to sing for everyone's weddings). It was so sweet ... it was the talk of the evening!

I miss you to the moon and back

2007-10-20T02:41:00.000-04:00

It's 2:41 Am, and I can't sleep ... I'm homesick tonight.

We finally have our phone and internet back after the move so I've been catching up with my family ~ talking to them again makes me miss them so much. I wish my family could be around to watch my babies grow - they have never met Korby and he's going to be 6 months old soon.

I'm adjusting to life in Ohio, but I doubt one can ever adjust to being away from the people they love. *sigh* If only I could move this state ...

I use to say Williston was the black hole - because I didn't think anyone could ever get out .... well now I'm out ... and I long for that black hole to drag me back.

Well ... I guess I should get to bed - we have a long day ahead of us and I'll need ever ouce of energy I can muster to chase Kyson and Kaitee around.

Check Back for photos soon!

Moving

2007-08-30T14:04:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! We're not going to be on-line much right now due to moving. If you need to get ahold of us send me an email richard.rebekah.koon@gmail.com ~ I'll try and get on-line at Tina's about once a week until we get back on-line.

Here are some photos from the end of August.

Ok ~ I guess I have some time while these photos load. Not too much has been going on in the last few weeks ... Kevin sold the trailer so we have been working on packing and trying to find a place to rent. It's crazy trying to find a place that will 1 - rent to non-students (dang college town) and 2 - doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
I still haven't heard anything about Brian's death, but I'll update when I do.

We had a mini birthday party for Richard on Monday. He loves this dirty desert that his step grandma makes - so I made it into a cake (see the photos). Caleb came over and had cake with us ... I have a feeling I'll be making that cake alot now! I bought Richard a tool box so he can start his collection. He's going to be looking for a new job once he gets a real set together - he likes Wal-Mart, but they don't give him the hours we need to get by month to month.

The kids are growing like crazy - I wish I had the money to make a trip up to North Dakota so you could all see them! Since it sounds like mom & dad will be comming down here this year I don't think I'll be able to come up there until next May. (Everyone is more than welcome to make a trip down here though!) Korby has started smiling and laughing and is working on rolling over, but he's not quite there yet. Kaitee is still out little porker! She reminds me of Jada - anytime she hears a cupboard open she comes running no matter where she is at! Kyson is growing up too fast! I can't believe my little boy is 2 1/2 ... it's great watching his personality develop - he is such a joy! By this time next year he should be starting head start! It's amazing how fast time flys - I just try and savor the little moments with all my babies ... I know these years will be gone before I know it.

ok ... photos

The Cake

I had more photos ... but they didn't load ... so I'll have to post them when I get my computer back up and running ...Tina's computer is SLLLLLLLOW!

Happy Birthday

2007-08-30T13:50:00.000-04:00

This is a little late because of being out of town ... but I wanted to say Happy Birthday Baby ~ I Love You!

Richard turned 26 on the 28th ...

History Lesson

2007-08-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

For those that don't know a lot about history...Here is a condensed version...
Humans originally existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunters/g atherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in the winter. The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups: 1. Liberals; and 2. Conservatives. Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early humans were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed. Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative movement. Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement. Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girlie-men or wussies. Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs, and the concept of voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided. Over the years Conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth; the elephant Liberals are symbolized by the jackass. & gt; A few modern liberals like Mexican light beer (with lime added), but most prefer a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc,with passion fruit and kiwi aromas which are marked by grassy notes, then rounded out on the midpalate by peach flavors. Crisp and refreshing, with a hint of chalky minerality on the finish; or Perrier bottled water. They eat raw fish but dislike beef. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal & gt; injury attorneys, Ivy League professors, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated-hitter rule because it wasn't fair to make the pitcher also bat. Conservatives drink Sam Adams, Harpoon IPA or Yuengling Lager. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines, and generally anyone who works productively. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living. Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to govern the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tamed and created a business of trying to get more for nothing.
Here ends today's lesson in world history: It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to angrily respo nd to the above before forwarding it. A Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other true believers and to more liberals just to tick them off

What I made today...

2007-08-19T23:24:00.000-04:00

I've been playing around with signatures for my different forums ~ so I thought I'd post the one I made today ... I love it!

Does anyone read this?

2007-08-17T02:46:00.000-04:00

If you read my blog.... leave me a comment... I'm not trying to say I 'need' them....because I'd post regardless.... I like the on-line journal it's creating of my kid's lives. .... but I'd like to know if anyone actually reads this blog.

summer poem

2007-08-12T22:07:00.000-04:00

I found this beautiful summer poem and thought it might help

make your day.

It did me, and it's very well written.

" Summer "
a poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre

SHIT!
It's Hot!

Keep Brian's Family in your Prayers

2007-08-11T16:56:00.000-04:00

Many of you know my family suffering a difficult loss as Brian Dilworth passed away last week in somewhat of a mysterious manner. Rather than answer all of everyone's questions, this is the easiest way to post.

There has still not been a cause of death found and his body will not be released for some time, however a memorial service has been scheduled for this weekend and his obit and guest book are set. Attached is his link. Please keep Missy, the kids and Gerrity's in your prayers and keep you and yours safe and let them know they are loved it may change in the blink of an eye.

http://obit.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com/obit_display.cgi?id=447250&clientid=wilkirsonhatchbailey&listing=Current

Brian W. Dilworth

Born in Pennsylvania

Departed on Aug. 6, 2007 and resided in Waco, TX.

Brian W. Dilworth Brian W. Dilworth of Waco passed away Monday, August 6, 2007. Memorial services will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Highland Baptist Church, 3014 Maple Avenue in Waco, with Rev. Barry Camp officiating. Brian was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He served a tour in the Navy in Cuba, and was a member of the Naval Reserve. In May of this year he graduated from the Dealer Academy of the National Association of Automobile Dealers in Washington, D.C. He had just celebrated his third anniversary as Fixed Operations Director at Allen Samuels Chevrolet. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Waco. Brian gained great joy from serving others, both in his profession and personally. His joyful attitude uplifted those around him and he touched far more lives than he ever knew. As a member of the Allen Samuels Chevrolet management team, Brian exhibited a can-do attitude. He inspired those around him and helped them grow in their profession. Because his focus was always on what was best for the customer, his employees, his employer and his customers trusted him. Brian always spoke with great respect and love of his wife and best friend, Missy. He sparkled with pride whenever he talked about his family. Brian enjoyed the great Texas outdoors, and often explored the back roads and highways on his motorcycle. He is survived by his wife, Missy Dilworth of Waco; sons, Cole Dilworth, Brian Ritzke, and Mickely Matthews; daughters, Gabrielle Dilworth, Amanda Ritzke, Abigail Ritzke; brothers, David and wife Ann, Chris and wife Carol, Dan and wife Lara, Eric and wife Melissa, Ben and wife Wendy, Bill and wife Melanie, Andy (Paul); sister, Jennifer Mininger and husband Korey. Brian is also survived by his parents, Fred and Millice Dilworth, father and mother-in-law, Dan and Connie Gerrity; sister-in-law, Tami and husband Jeff Berger; brother-in-law, Josh and and wife Michelle Gerrity, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made in memory of Brian to the Brian Dilworth Trust Fund at Texas First Bank, 101 Santa Fe Drive, Waco, TX 76712. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.

A day at the Fair

2007-08-11T12:06:00.000-04:00

Richard and I took the kids to the Ross County fair this week. We actually stayed at his mom's for 3 nights this week.

Here are some photos from our day.

Kyson getting his airbrush tattoo ~ he closed his eyes the whole time!

Kyson's Tattoo

Daddy & Kyson's Tattoos (Richard's real tat is the reason we got Kyson the skull & cross bones)

Kaitee getting kisses from the sheep.

Kyson letting the sheep OUT of the pen!

Kyson on the train ride (he only did one ride that day because the same outfit is doing our fair next week and he'll go on rides with Shawn)

This thing freaked my kids out! You should have seen the look on their faces when it TALKED!

Korby

Kaitee & Kyson enjoying some strawberry lemonaid.

It was a LONG afternoon... Oh... and I think we spent $40 on the spiderman & turtle! We fell hook line and sinker!

We left the fair and took Kyson and Kaitee to grandma's house for the night ... Richard and I went back to the fair with Korby and had some beers with his buddies Chris and Caleb (old school friends) and Caleb's new girlfriend Sarah. Chris also had his daughter Liz with him. I think we finally left at like 2 AM .... but it was great to catch up with them.

These are of Korby & Liz hanging out with us.

Korby's Birthday Montage

2007-08-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

My Montage 8/5/07

This is still a work in progress.

Military Mama's

2007-08-05T16:04:00.000-04:00

As many of you know ... I'm a forum junkie! I have a new fave place to hang out ....

I'm happy I finally found a place to talk to people about what it's like being in a military family! And if Richard gets sent somewhere... I'll have alot of girls to support me though it!

Home

2007-07-28T15:31:00.000-04:00

I miss North Dakota!
I miss my family! Even my crazy sisters ...

I want to see my Kobee and my Jacalyn ... well everyone... but I really really miss those two girls!

I want to see how my sister in laws surgery went...

I just miss home so much! I hope everything works out and the kids and I can actually drive up there after summer.

Smiles

2007-07-27T14:30:00.000-04:00

Korby started smiling in the last 2 weeks.

What's new?

2007-07-27T14:25:00.000-04:00

Not much is going on our end ~ how about all of you? I never hear from any of you anymore! email us at richard.rebekah.koon@gmail.com

The kids and I are planning on coming up to North Dakota in late September. I can't wait to see everyone!

Thumb Sucker

2007-07-23T15:15:00.000-04:00

I have my very first thumb sucker! Korby loves to suck his thumb now ... it's so cute! I just hope he doesn't turn into my little sister ~ Savannah sucked her thumb for YEARS!

More Pool Fun

2007-07-23T15:11:00.001-04:00

Shawn and I had a blast in the pool the other day.... we were jumping in and splashing Kyson... Kyson started diving in his little pool trying to do what we were doing.

Iris

2007-07-23T15:01:00.000-04:00

Tina, Korby, and I went out to visit Iris and Traci the other day. She is getting so big already!

Family Day

2007-07-23T14:54:00.000-04:00

The National Guard had family day last week ~ We spent most of the day fishing with daddy ~here are some photos:

Korby Darrell Koon ~ birth story and photos

2007-07-17T22:23:00.000-04:00

Richard and I got up at 4 am and got ready to leave for the hospital. We had to go to a gas station and buy something to eat because I was starving and I knew once I got there they were not going to let me eat anything until baby was born. Well, we got to the hospital and 6 and got checked in and what not. At 7 they started the induction and I was still at 2 cm like I had been for the last 2 weeks. Richard and I just hung out in the room watching TV and waiting for the contractions to start. I had a few of them, but nothing big until around 9 am ~ after that they started coming one after the other so I had her check me and I was still at 2 cm. I decided to get a shot of pain killers since I wasn't dilating and was having really strong contractions. I don't remember what it was but DAMN it was good! At 11:30 Dr. Porter came in and broke my water and I was still only at a 3. My shot wore off then and my contractions were getting really bad so I asked for an epidural. Somewhere between 12 and 12:30 the anesthesiologist came in and ran the "you can die from this" drill ~ and then finally gave me the needle! Right after he got done I laid down and had a really bad contraction ~ I told her… "you need to check me that was A LOT of pressure." So she did, and I was at 8 cm. Dr. Porter told them to call Dr. Coats. We all (Richard, 4 nurses, Dr. Porter and a resident) sat and visited … well they did… I was dying from contractions and pressure. It wasn't very long after she had checked me and I told her she better check again ~ I was complete … Dr. Porter started getting suited up and was telling me not to push (like hell!) … Dr. Coats walked in the room *yes, she ACTUALLY made it this time* but Dr. Porter was already suited up so we started. I don't know how many pushes it was because I was trying to get the woman to get the mirror right. Before I knew it Korby was on my belly! I probably didn't need the epidural, but I'm glad I had it because I actually got to enjoy watching him come into the world. The doctor asked Richard if he was going to cut the cord, but he said she could do it since he was busy taking pictures ~ I told her "I want to do it then!" … So I got to cut his cord even though I couldn't see over Korby to see what I was doing! We just laid there and cuddled ~ I actually had all these emotional feelings this time (I really didn't with the other two … with Kyson I was too worn out from 15 hours of labor and with Kaitee I was in PAIN because I didn't have any drugs) … She had to fix a second degree tare and then they had some problems with me bleeding… I don't really remember most of it. Korby stayed with us for a really long time before Richard took him down to be weighed and measured and all that good stuff. It was great having all that bonding time. Korby Darrell Koon was born at 1:09 PM he weighed 7 pounds 1.1 ounces and was 19 ½ inches long. I had the best hospital experience of my life, because I told them what was going to happen with my body and my baby.
I don't think Kyson has put 2 and 2 together that this baby is here to stay. He just kind of looks at him and once and awhile he'll point and say "baby." Kaitee is in LOVE with him. She's always touching his cheeks and nose and gets very upset when I make him cry! Daddy and I are both madly in love! Our family is perfect for now and we couldn't be happier.

**update ~ Kyson now LOVES the baby too... he always wants to hold him ... he says MY baby!**

the last photo of my big baby belly

He's Here!

I'm in LOVE

MY BABY!

My Life!

Kaitee loves her baby!

Korby Darrell Koon & Darrell Richard Koon (Grandpa)

Korby & his Grandma Blankie (made by Grandma Pat)

The shirt daddy picked out for going home in

Happy Birthday My Angel

First Walmart trip on the way home to get all the things we forgot we needed

Alot of Nothing

2007-07-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

Not much has been going on with us lately. Richard is working at Wal-Mart now for anyone who doesn't know. He is a tire & lube tech there. The kids and I either sit a home and play or head over to Tina's to spend time in the pool.
Kaitee & Korby LOVE the pool! Kyson itsn't all that fond of it ~ he's fallen in a few times, so he pretty much stays away now. He does enjoy playing in his sandbox & really likes going under Tina's house with Shawn and Justin. (they have some dirt tracks under there that they play dirtbikes on)
Richard got a new 4wheeler this year so on his off days he and Kyson are usually out on that.
Tomorrow we're heading up to Seneca Lake for the Guard Family Fun Day. It sounds like they have alot to do up there so I'll have alot of photos to share with you all tomorrow!

Hope everyone's family is doing well ~ drop me an email and let us know what you are all up to!

Oh... and my new niece is here! Traci (Richard's sister) had Iris Maya on July 5th at 2:46 AM at Traci & Peter's home. Pete's mom, Traci's mom (Tina), Pete, and the midwives were all there for her birth ~ Pete's dad, Traci's brother Adam, Traci's dad & step dad were all downstairs waiting as well. Iris actually had perfect timing as Pete's parents didn't get there until midnight (they live 8 hours away in New Jersey) and Adam & Darrell had to leave for work at 3 am!

Pool Fun

2007-07-11T17:30:00.000-04:00

Last fall Tina and Darrell put in a pool. Here are a few photos of the kids playing in the pool - many more to come!

Zoo Photos

2007-07-11T15:34:00.000-04:00

June 14th ~ Richard, Tina (step mother-in-law), Shawn (brother-in-law), Kyson, Kaitee, Korby, and I went to the zoo. Here are some photos of that:

Playing with the lorikeets

Playing in the water

Boat Ride

Don't Ask

Playing with the Goats

Train Ride

Koon Family Blog

8 months old

Livin' the Dream

A few photos

haircuts & toe sucking (just a day in the life!)

School Fundraiser

To My Friends & Family

Proxy Visit?

"When I see your face...

No Facebook? *GASP*

Photos

Wouldn't Change A Thing (Adoption)

Back!

I broke it :(

My School Home

Real

Home Sweet .... Days Inn??

I'm Dreaming...

Welcome Back!

FOUND!

Video

Paperwork In

something I sent to Cindy

adoption tattoo

Adoption Update

more adoption info

My Adoption

Dirt Road

mom & dad's visit

Fire

What a wonderful day to be ALIVE!

What's New

My growing babies

Trick or Treat

A few more photos

Pumpkin Carving

Traci & Peter's Wedding

I miss you to the moon and back

Moving

Happy Birthday

History Lesson

What I made today...

Does anyone read this?

summer poem

Keep Brian's Family in your Prayers

A day at the Fair

Korby's Birthday Montage

Military Mama's

Home

Smiles

What's new?

Thumb Sucker

More Pool Fun

Iris

Family Day

Korby Darrell Koon ~ birth story and photos

Alot of Nothing

Pool Fun

Zoo Photos

No Facebook? GASP