A Letter From Dad

Dear Justin,





Since this blog will end up in published form, I have decided to write you a letter that you can read a few years from now. You have only been home for four weeks but it feels like you never left our home since we hosted you last summer in 2007. I don't think that this feeling is strange; after all, God knew that we would be a family before He created any of us. You were always in my heart even when you were half a world away in Ukraine.

Someday, I hope that you understand just how much we endured to adopt you. Our enemy, the devil, used every physical, mental, emotional and spiritual weapon at his disposal to hurt us and get us to give up. I confess that there were times that I did want to give in but God gave me enough strength to stand through the trials. He blessed me with a godly wife, supportive family and a church of faithful friends.

Our hope and prayer is that we can love you enough to make up for the first nine years that you spent in the orphanage, that we can be the family that you wished for and that the miracle of your deliverance will lead you to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

I can't promise you a perfect life but I will promise that you won't be bored. The Greers are a loud bunch and we can be as different as peas and carrots but deep down we all love each other. America will be different than Ukraine but I hope you will grow to love your new home as much as I do. It's not the same America that I grew up in but it's still the best and most free country on Earth. Whatever you choose to do, put your whole heart into it and success will follow.

This letter is a mini time capsule from me to you. I don't know how old you will be when read this. Today is January 1, 2009. It's a new year filled with new hopes and dreams. May all that is good, free and beautiful come true in your life!

I love you, son. Dad

Grandpa and the Kids

Justin on the neighbor's Harley.

Grandpa and Grandma got Justin a new bike for Christmas. They decided to give it to him early. Justin was very excited, he has never riden a bike before.

My Dad with all the grandkids! Trying to get a decent picture is futile.

Annual Christmas Lunch

Yesterday, my Mom took "The Girls" to lunch for our annual getaway. My Dad took care of all five of the boys. It is always a treat to enjoy lunch together, just the girls. Morgan is the only girl in the family so she gets to come with her Aunties, Grandma and me. Sometimes we go to a tea room, this year we went to Elephant Bar. We all enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Mom!

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Sausage Making!

Today we made 20 pounds of Polish sausage. The kids look forward to making it with Kevin every year. I like to be the photographer. We always have a sample sausage after it is all made. Our house smells like garlic for a week after we make sausage. We have learned from past experience going to church or any place in public after eating sausage is bad, really bad!

Christmas Sunday

Wygillia

Last night was Wygillia at Kevin's brother Tom's house. We had a very nice evening together with Kevin's family. Justin did very well and enjoyed meeting everyone. He said "Big family". I told him this isn't even half of it! Kevin's family has 12 children in it. We are hoping Justin will be able to meet most of the other next spring when we take a trip to North Carolina to meet his Nana.

We had a traditional Polish meal of Sweet Bread, fish, beans with sourkraut, perogis, baked potatoes, prunes and mushrooms. Justin loved the food, it probably reminded him of the food in Ukraine. Uncle Tom and Aunt Michaely did a fabulous job of cooking and decorating. We all had a great time! Thanks you guys for making this a special day for all of us, we love you!

Cookie Deorating and Ginger Bread House

Today was a big baking day! Since I got short notice on Christmas, I am trying to make up for lost time. Every year we decorate cookies (usually cut-outs, too tired this year) and make a ginger bread house. Last year's ginger bread house didn't last long. Our dog Buster climbed up onto the counter, knocked the house down and had it eaten before we could make it to the kitchen! He was thrown out of the house only to be sprayed by a skunk! (What a day!) The kids love decorating, Justin was no different, he loved it too. Tomorrow night we have Wygillia (traditional Polish dinner, usually celebrated on Christmas Eve) a little early this year with Kevin's family. So Christmas officially begins for us tomorrow. Sunday after church we will make our homemade Polish sausage and Sweet bread. The days are packed from here on through the new year! Next week we will celebrate Christmas with my family. I usually have Christmas at our house and really enjoy doing it; however, this year I wasn't sure I could pull it off. My parents offered to have it at her house this year

and I didn't argue much. =)

Grandparents and Cousins

We went to visit my parents and sisters last Tuesday. Justin had a fun time spending time with his new Grandpa, Grandma, cousins and Aunties. The kids were sweet to him. They taught Justin how to play handball.

Christmas Preparations

Believe it or not, we got my tree up last Saturday. We are trying our best to make this a special first Christmas with Justin. I feel like I got short notice this year in my preparations. It is so nice to have the decorations up. We all enjoy seeing them.

Justin is adjusting so remarkably well. He is very happy and gets along great. He is communicating better and better every day. He loves his sister and his brother and takes turns playing with each of them. Morgan loves having her independence to go into her room to draw and listen to her cd player. That is when Justin entertains Garrett. Garrett and I are the social ones in our family. He really reminds me of me. As Morgan would say "I am glad I don't have to be the only entertainment committee!" Garrett is a good big brother. He likes to help Justin with his English lessons. He is also teaching Justin how to build with the Legos. Morgan likes to read to Justin. Today, Garrett was up with Justin before I got up and I heard him on the telephone talking with Kevin. He was saying "I am trying to be the dad and it is hard." I called him into my room after he got off the phone and Garrett said "I was trying to get Justin to sit still and be quiet so he didn't wake anyone up. Being the dad is hard." I told him he didn't need to be the dad, just the big brother! Morgan said "he always trys to be the dad!" I told her that is what the oldest kid always does. I know because I was the oldest too!