"To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3

The Burckhard Family

The Burckhard Family

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Woman's World Magazine to Feature our Family...

We are so excited to share with you all that our family will be a feature story in the February 1st issue of Woman's World magazine. It actually hits the stands on January 25th...if you'd like to take a peek while waiting in line to pay your groceries! :)

Way last September, an editor from the magazine called and said that they had seen the clip done by our local TV station on our adoption and were wondering if we would agree to be interviewed and photographed for their magazine. I told them that we would but that maybe they should go and look at the Reece's Rainbow site because there are many families on there besides us who are much more inspiring. But, she said that they wanted to stick with us.

One thing I was adamant about was that Reece's Rainbow would get some publicity out of this. I can't wait to see if they did put the website information and how people can pursue adoptions of children with Down syndrome.

Over the next few months, we didn't hear from them, so I figured it wasn't approved as a story and that was that. However, we got called two days before Thanksgiving with them wanting to interview me and have a photo shoot...all on the Thanksgiving weekend.

I was interviewed over the phone and they read our blog to put together the one-page story. Also, a local photographer (Otis & James) was hired to do our photo shoot. The photographer said they normally wouldn't be able to squeeze this type of thing in their schedule because Thanksgiving weekend is so busy because of family portraits and so on. But it just so happened that the only time that worked for us, they had a cancellation. The photo shoot was emotionally draining because when Grace was happy, Bella wasn't. You know how that goes...

So here are a few sneak previews of the photos the photographer took to send to the magazine. The writer contacted me later and said the photos were exactly what they were looking for, and that she thought the story turned out to be inspiring.





It was a very exciting thing for our little family to get to be in a magazine. Guess that is our 15 minutes of fame! More importantly though, we hope and pray that it may lead others to look into international adoption of orphans with Down syndrome from around the world. Let's pray that it will have that affect!!

Woman's World Magazine to Feature our Family...

We are so excited to share with you all that our family will be a feature story in the February 1st issue of Woman's World magazine. It actually hits the stands on January 25th...if you'd like to take a peek while waiting in line to pay your groceries! :)

Way last September, an editor from the magazine called and said that they had seen the clip done by our local TV station on our adoption and were wondering if we would agree to be interviewed and photographed for their magazine. I told them that we would but that maybe they should go and look at the Reece's Rainbow site because there are many families on there besides us who are much more inspiring. But, she said that they wanted to stick with us.

One thing I was adamant about was that Reece's Rainbow would get some publicity out of this. I can't wait to see if they did put the website information and how people can pursue adoptions of children with Down syndrome.

Over the next few months, we didn't hear from them, so I figured it wasn't approved as a story and that was that. However, we got called two days before Thanksgiving with them wanting to interview me and have a photo shoot...all on the Thanksgiving weekend.

I was interviewed over the phone and they read our blog to put together the one-page story. Also, a local photographer (Otis & James) was hired to do our photo shoot. The photographer said they normally wouldn't be able to squeeze this type of thing in their schedule because Thanksgiving weekend is so busy because of family portraits and so on. But it just so happened that the only time that worked for us, they had a cancellation. The photo shoot was emotionally draining because when Grace was happy, Bella wasn't. You know how that goes...

So here are a few sneak previews of the photos the photographer took to send to the magazine. The writer contacted me later and said the photos were exactly what they were looking for, and that she thought the story turned out to be inspiring.





It was a very exciting thing for our little family to get to be in a magazine. Guess that is our 15 minutes of fame! More importantly though, we hope and pray that it may lead others to look into international adoption of orphans with Down syndrome from around the world. Let's pray that it will have that affect!!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Dump Truck Dollies....

What do you get when you spend 4 1/2 years in an orphanage with a bunch of boys...



Dump Truck Dollies!!!

Dump Truck Dollies....

What do you get when you spend 4 1/2 years in an orphanage with a bunch of boys...



Dump Truck Dollies!!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Dreaming of a White Christmas..... But Not THIS White!

Hello. I'm Sam. I finally decided to do a guest blog for my mom. Well, in either October or November, my dad and my grandpa decided to purchase a bobcat. So they were wishing for snow. Well, they got their wish, and about 10 times over at that! Most houses in Minot are snowed in, the snowbanks in our backyard almost reached the top of our fence (It's a reletively tall fence), and the sky is still dumping out cold in powder form! My dad says "SNOW TRAVEL ADVISED!!!" It's been snowing since the 23rd. This snow is probably going to prevent me from seeing my best friend/cousin today. He's in Minot until the 2nd or 4th of Jan. So this is bad for me. Thanks DAD!!! <-- Sarcasm. Well, if you're in Florida, Equador, or any place with heat, don't come here. You'll be found in a block of ice the next day. Well, my mom is probably going to put pictures now, so, bye!

Dreaming of a White Christmas..... But Not THIS White!

Hello. I'm Sam. I finally decided to do a guest blog for my mom. Well, in either October or November, my dad and my grandpa decided to purchase a bobcat. So they were wishing for snow. Well, they got their wish, and about 10 times over at that! Most houses in Minot are snowed in, the snowbanks in our backyard almost reached the top of our fence (It's a reletively tall fence), and the sky is still dumping out cold in powder form! My dad says "SNOW TRAVEL ADVISED!!!" It's been snowing since the 23rd. This snow is probably going to prevent me from seeing my best friend/cousin today. He's in Minot until the 2nd or 4th of Jan. So this is bad for me. Thanks DAD!!! <-- Sarcasm. Well, if you're in Florida, Equador, or any place with heat, don't come here. You'll be found in a block of ice the next day. Well, my mom is probably going to put pictures now, so, bye!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

I love you, Barney!


Bella and Great Uncle Victor...


The infamous guitar Sissy fought off other moms for on Black Friday...


Don't let the cat out of the bag...


Our traditional matching nightgowns...Bella included :) ....


Sissy with her surprise Kindle...she loved it...


Sam with reading--the old-fashioned way--real books (The Warriors series)...


The "Snowmen" in matching pj bottoms...you tell they were very excited about them "yes, Sam, that is sarcasm"...


Grace and her first hand-held game system. She said, "This is the best Kwistmas eber!"...


Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkids...


Our family of SIX...


Grandma Lucille with Grands and Great-grands...


Grandpa with his little Bella...


And the real reason for the season..."BABY JESUS"...Bella placing baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning...



FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN...GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!

May God bless you and yours this Christmas and in the upcoming New Year!

Love, Paula

Merry Christmas!

I love you, Barney!


Bella and Great Uncle Victor...


The infamous guitar Sissy fought off other moms for on Black Friday...


Don't let the cat out of the bag...


Our traditional matching nightgowns...Bella included :) ....


Sissy with her surprise Kindle...she loved it...


Sam with reading--the old-fashioned way--real books (The Warriors series)...


The "Snowmen" in matching pj bottoms...you tell they were very excited about them "yes, Sam, that is sarcasm"...


Grace and her first hand-held game system. She said, "This is the best Kwistmas eber!"...


Grandpa and Grandma with the grandkids...


Our family of SIX...


Grandma Lucille with Grands and Great-grands...


Grandpa with his little Bella...


And the real reason for the season..."BABY JESUS"...Bella placing baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning...



FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN...GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!

May God bless you and yours this Christmas and in the upcoming New Year!

Love, Paula

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Family Fun Night....

Our whole family was able to partake of a delicious meal out at Applebee's tonight courtesy of a dear friend from church. We had so much fun visiting and listening to the 80's music playing in the background.



Thanks, Jim, for the gift certificate! We had a wonderful time!!

Family Fun Night....

Our whole family was able to partake of a delicious meal out at Applebee's tonight courtesy of a dear friend from church. We had so much fun visiting and listening to the 80's music playing in the background.



Thanks, Jim, for the gift certificate! We had a wonderful time!!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Two More Firsts....

Bella has two more firsts!

Sledding with Sissy:


Swimming at the Y with Grace, Jen & Anne:

Two More Firsts....

Bella has two more firsts!

Sledding with Sissy:


Swimming at the Y with Grace, Jen & Anne: