The Brown Family

I saw this on etsy and made my own family tree.
Waiting to get it matted and framed. 

Today is a very special day for our family. I've had to wait till today to tell you some big news.
But to tell you the big new I have to tell you the whole story. From the beginning. (Well, I don't have to, but it's my story, my blog and I want to. Plus, you'll get see God at work in our lives).

Once upon a time there was this family, only they didn't know yet that they were a family because they'd never met. They were a people with hurting hearts. Broken dreams. Questions for God.

The mother in this story clung to God desperately. She was FAR from perfect. In fact, she was a big mess (literally and emotionally). She witnessed God's provision for her little family. She prayed for a husband, a manly man who would love her like she loves. A man who loves God. A man to be a loving, godly, manly influence on her four small children. A man to put her cold toes on at night. A man who takes pride in providing for his family (i.e.: a steady job). A man with his own transportation, didn't smoke, not hard on the eyes, could cook, wash, change diapers . . . Hey, if your going to give God a list don't hold back . . . just remember that he answers in His own way, His own time, and often with His own humorous twist.

The father in this story loved God but was pretty mad at Him. He prayed, but found it superficial. He loved to read. He had NO intention of EVER tying the knot again. He had two little kids.

The mother's oldest daughter made a friend on the bus and wanted to play with her. This friend just happened to be the father's oldest daughter and they lived right down the street. Knowing their children desired a relationship the two parents attempted unsuccessfully to contact each other. Then one day while the mother was carrying in groceries the father happened to be driving home from work and saw her so he pulled over and rolled down the window. They exchanged the necessary niceties and information and he drove home. Neither was all that impressed in a romantical way with the other.

So the children got to play together. Sometimes at the mother's house. Sometimes at the father's house. They each had a daughter and son around the same age. The father found he was very fond of the mother's younger two daughters. She learned that he could cook and wash. He found that she was a good cook and he didn't mind looking at her. At all.

So, they got married. It was the natural next step in their friendship - since they couldn't get rid of each other and missed the other's children when they weren't around. They entered the Crock-pot.
Families who build by re-marriage don't blend, they simmer and bubble and meld their flavors together.
Like a good roast, it takes time and no two are ever the same. You blend cake batter and TA-DA! A cake.
Life is NOT all cake and sweetness. (but eating cake and sweets can help).

Well, with all second marriages come major baggage. Often referred to as "Fringe Benefits" (at least that's how we refer to them around here). These fringe benefits include everything from past memories that don't include the new spouse (hurtfully) to extra in-loves to those lovely people we call fringe parents. Now to clarify their are different classes of "fringe parents": those who try, those who don't, those who think they do, those who would like to.
This family had a couple of  fringe parents who were completely disconnected but claimed to be and thus fall into the "those who think they try" class. However, comparing the two fringe parents would be like comparing apples and oranges - they are both round . . . and that's it.

One fringe parent tried to make life as uneasy as they could. It seemed they enjoyed spending mornings at the local courthouse, calling the Department of Family and Children Services because there are children actually being murdered in that house, and doing other annoying things.
The other fringe parent, eventually came around and realized they had messed up. They visited the children about twice a year. They paid a little child support when it was taken from their check. They didn't really cause problems and were willing to compromise. They were friendly and grew to love the family that had grown from their departure. And they were loved as a hero by all the children.

Through all the ups and downs this family experienced they began to seek God more diligently. And God drew near to them. They began to serve passionately. And God put them places to be used. What once was a couple of hurting people are now healed souls with a hope, and a future they can't guess but are ecstatic about.

This past summer those two fringe parents fell on hard times. The one was about to go to jail for having NEVER paid child support. The other just couldn't and things began to fall apart.
So the mother and father talked, prayed and offered these fringe parents an alternative, "What if you sign over your rights and mother/father will adopt your children?" To their great astonishment they did. Within two weeks both fringe parents had signed the papers. (It was like getting a positive pregnancy test - with less pain in the end). The children could still see the fringe parents sometimes. The in-loves and extra in-loves were supportive and involved. Everyone was happy. No mess, no fuss, no ugly. Just happy.

At the court house. The big girls are 14 so they had to be there consenting.
And this is the cute, happy little judge.

So, the mother and father called their attorney. And TODAY all the children got the same last name. They
are no longer yours, mine and ours. They are just OURS.

We had Congratulations cake with Grandmother and Papa to celebrate this milestone in our life.
It's a big deal.

Of course, nothing much changes. There are some new names to get used to. But we've considered ourselves parents of these children for . . . a long time.
Was there ever a time they weren't ours?
And every body's happy.

The Goof-balls . . . aka The Brown Family
Thank you Grandmother for taking pictures and thank you Papa for being sat on while we went courting

Let me re-introduce you to OUR children:
Ava Love Brown (new last name)
Autumn Aleisa Faith Brown (new middle name - one from her first mother and one from her forever mother)
Elijah Eugene Brown (poor thing, he and his forever mother tried to think of something - can't fix perfect)
Joseph Alexander Brown (new last name)
Lora Joy Brown (new last name)
Jorja Grace Brown (new last name)
Jacob Nataniel Brown (the knee baby)
Elry Josiah Brown (the baby) (these two babies were just happy to get cake).

And the goofy mother and father, Mama and Daddy, Erin and Gene, they are VERY blessed indeed.