The Vanderburg Family
As we are nearing the three year mark with our new daughters I can’t help but stand back and look in wonder at all that God has done in our lives. He has made us a family. At times it has been hard but God has truly done an amazing work. As we start this new year I want to be the best mom that I can be. I want to try a little harder, love a little more, give a little more and watch God at work. He is so good. Happy New Year to you all!!!
On October 1st Jessica turned 17. It is so hard to believe that she has lived with us for almost two years. The time is going by so fast. She has made remarkable progress in all areas. Her English is beautiful with the most darling accent. She has a very sweet personality and everyone loves her. She is in 10th grade at our local high school and she is giving it her all. I have to say, my hat is off to her. She is so helpful around the house, which I really appreciate. She has started babysitting for some families at church and they are so happy with her work. The best part of all though, is that she has surrendered her heart to God and she knows the gift He has given her. A little old Russian couple have been coming to our church for the last few months. They don’t speak any English. I think they live near the church and they walk to it. Well, Jessica visits with them and encourages them. The woman’s eyes well up with tears when Jessica is talking to her. I think she loves to hear her own language, which I can completely understand. Anyway, I have told Jessica that this is how she can give back to God. She is there for this couple to help them and encourage them. My heart is full.
Jessica Rose
With four lunches to make every morning I’m trying to find easy and tasty sandwiches to make. One of the lunches has to be particularly fortified as my son is playing Freshman football. He is hungry all the time!!! This week we are having turkey hot dogs and grilled onions all on a French baguette. They are a huge hit. This mom is so thankful!!!!
Onion Dog
Gee, does time fly. The girls have been home for one year now. One year!!!! An incredible year. They are growing and thriving and living wonderful lives. They love going to school and they love going to church and they love all of their family. Christmas was very special with lots of family coming into town. The girls were simply jubilant!!! You can tell they love their lives. We love them. God has done marvelous things in all of our lives. Praise Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karina and the Jack O'Lanterns
All Dressed Up For Halloween!!! What Beauties!!!!
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!!!
Here is a recipe that people have been asking me for. I was looking for something that was fast and easy in the morning and good for you too. I hope you like it. My family does!!!
On Saturday my oldest son got married. My husband Jim did the ceremony. It was an amazing day. One of my favorite things about the day was getting ready for the wedding. I had hired a girl from our church who does hair to come and help us get ready. It was wonderful. She showed up early in the morning and got to work. The girls loved it. They watched every little thing she did. They were so interested in everything. It was cute. It was just a great time of mother daughter bonding. I loved it!!!!!!!
It is Sunday morning and I am tired. Yesterday was Ian and Ariana’s wedding. Such a beautiful, God glorifying evening. Words cannot express how special it was. 
My second son Luke has had many exciting things happen to him lately. A couple of months ago he got his pilot’s license. We have always known since he was a little boy he would be a pilot like his dad. He is fascinated by anything that has to do with aviation. I even went up with him on his first flight after he got his license. He is a very good pilot. I am so proud of him. He wants to use his pilot skills for the Lord.
Luke just recently got his black belt in karate. This is something that he has been working on and off for the last eight years. As a family we have moved around a lot so it was hard to stay focused but he finally found a good dojo here in the Temecula area and got to work. He has even influenced his little brother and my sister, Amy, to join the same dojo and they are on their way to being black belts too.
Last but now least, Luke turned 18 on May 29th. We had a big party for him to celebrate. We all had a good time. His new sisters joined in on the fun. It was a big success!! Luke works part time at Sky Dive Elsinore. He helps around with whatever they need for him to do. He fuels the plane and he puts jumpers on the plane. He has never been able to jump because you have to be 18. Well, for his 18th birthday they let him jump. He already knew who he was going to jump with and everything. My husband Jim sometimes flies the planes out there so on this special jump Jim flew the plane. My mom rode in the right seat and Luke was in the back ready to jump out. I was on the ground with the camera! My sister, Jennifer, and my dad were with me. What a day!!!! Of course, Luke loved it and he is ready to go again. What a life!!! I am so happy and thankful that I get to be the mother of all of these amazing kids. God is good!!!! Well, what is next…. Oh yeah, Ian is getting married on Saturday!!!!
On May 23, 2009 my oldest son, Ian, graduated from Biola University. He graduated with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. The graduation ceremony was a wonderful representation of God and how He is actively working in the hearts of these graduates. Jim and I are so proud of and so thankful for Ian. Oh baby, this is just the beginning of an amazing life. We love you so much!!!!
I am amazed at how long it has been since I posted my last blog entry. I guess I have been a little busy!!! 
I don’t even know where to begin to tell how things have been going since the girls have been home. I know what I thought would happen. I know I had certain expectations but I didn’t know how I would really feel or what would really happen. How can you know? You just have to live it.
I am so thankful that God allowed us to adopt three of the sweetest girls you could ever meet. They are so beautiful, caring, loving girls. They are simply a delight. One thing that hasn’t changed since they have gotten home is how thankful they are when I give them their clean laundry. It is so cute. They always let out a little gasp and thank me for giving them their clothes back. I was surprised at their reaction at first and now I love it. It is certainly different from when I give my boys their laundry. They also love going to church. At first they were shy because so many people wanted to greet them and hug them but now they love all of the attention. I am so thankful that they enjoy church. I even hear them try to sing the worship songs and it brings tears to my eyes. Our hope is that they will truly come to know Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him.
Some of the things that I didn’t expect were how I would react to certain situations. When these girls came into our home they completely made themselves at home. I know that sounds like a great thing but I wasn’t ready for my reaction to it … Like, ” that’s my chair and this is my house and who do you think you are? “ I was totally not ready for my reaction. It surprised me and I didn’t like it at all. I felt I was in my home with strangers walking around. At first it was so hard!!!!! I would go in my room and ask God what was wrong with me? Where did these feelings come from. I felt terrible. Thankfully, I have other friends who have adopted older kids and they were able to tell me that my reaction was normal. They had felt the same way. I have to say, time does make it better. I just have to get to know them and I am. It is wonderful.
This adoption has made me strong. My husband has said to me recently that he is seeing a side of me that he never knew. I am too. It is weird. God is growing me. I am doing things I never knew I could do. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God wanted us to adopt these girls. That is how I am able to get through some of the hard days. This is for His glory. I know He has some great things in store for all of us. I am looking forward to seeing what they are.
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