|
|
My name is DeAnna, My family and I are Waseca transplants, moving here from the metro in the fall of 2006, after finding a home on the internet that accomodated our family perfectly (did I mention we had no plans to move at the time?).
Initially we were quite concerned about how a small, rural community would respond to our unconventional family. My husband of 20 years and I have 10 children, ranging from age four to twenty-one, four by birth and six by adoption. Our children are ethnically diverse as well as diverse in their abilities.
To say the least, our concerns were completely unfounded. The community has been wonderful, accepting our children for the amazing individuals they are. We can (for the first time) go out to dinner and receive only positive comments. Many people have come to know us as "that big family with the green bus.
We have met so many wonderful families in this community, to say we are happy in Waseca would be an understatement. We have found an amazing church family in Grace Lutheran Church and even our children with unique needs have been able to find activities to be involved in. You are likely to meet our children at horseback riding lessons, gymnastics, police explorers, junior firefighters, community events or submitting items to the fair.
You are likely to meet my husband in his role as a Waseca firefighter, or Waseca police reservist. He has a strong talent for fixing just about everything, my children will tell you "if Daddy can't fix it, it's not broke". That would explain the garage so full of power tools I have not parked a car in a garage for twenty years. Please bear with us if you drive by the house and the garage door is open, revealing the mess.
I am likely to be found grocery shopping, driving children to and from school and activities or scrap-booking. I have found digital scrap-booking and paper scrap-booking to be very therapeutic, as well as a wonderful way to show my children how unique and treasured they each are. My husband is highly tolerant of my hobby (addiction) but warns the children not to stand in place too long or "Mommy might use you as an embellishment".
Our current endeavor as a family is opening an upscale children's consignment shop and boutique in Waseca (Child of Mine). This is something I have wanted to do for many years, We find ourselves a bit overwhelmed at opening in just 5 weeks (Nov first) but things always seem to fall into place.
I think the one thing I would most like to convey is that our family is more like yours than you may think. We share good times and bad, do our best to raise our children in a Godly fashion, and mow the lawn on Saturdays. (OK, so you have driven by and it's not mowed as often as it should be, but we try for every Saturday.) I hope this blog comes to reiterate that while family cultures are different, and those differences should be celebrated, we have much in common with our joys, griefs, struggles and triumphs.
Blessings! -DeAnna
|
| |
|
|
|
