A lot of people write us and ask questions about... whatever: our life, our background, our kids, what I do, who we are, whether we fold or wad the toilet paper, whether or not we secretly dress up in space suits and have fake birthday parties. We answer many inquiries via email so we thought it would be fun, or dangerous, to play "open season" today and answer questions publicly.
About noon, I'll check back and see what kind of embarrassment or torture I've opened us up for and post some answers. Ask whatever you want. No rules, no limits. No guarantees we'll answer your question. :)
Leave a comment, ask a question about us, or about ANYTHING... our life is an open book. A comic book, but an open book.
~ Brent
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51 comments:
OK open season huh?
So how do you as parents deal or have dealt with the crabbiness or misery of a teenager daughter living at home? Now we all know it isn't all day every day so don't use that as your answer but when things get down and dirty with the girls how do you cope? Give me some advice please soon.
How do your four older children respond to your three younger children's "blog fame?" Do they opt to stay out of the bloglight?
You and Michelle demonstrate an amazing reliance on God during your season of trial. How do your kids respond to this season? My parents had their own season of trial and it took me about 20 years after to realize that their response to their trial was a shining example for me as I begin the walk of parenting, etc.
If you could go anywhere in the world (when all of you children are well) where would you go?
Do you still have time to have friends over at night for a meal or something?
How is Landi doing?
How are you two older sons?
Are you sometimes angry at God?
I better stop here and let the others ask something too.
Thank you!
Kathy
hansenboston@gmx.de
Brent,
I remember a few posts back you mentioned not hearing from your oldest daughter for a while. I was just hoping that you were able to get in contact with her. I've been following your blog for a few months now, and your whole family amazes me with everything you juggle, and make it look like everything flows without hiccups. I know that isn't the case at all, but you guys do everything with such grace.
Praying for you guys.
How did you and Michelle meet?
When did you decide that she was the one you were going to marry?
How did you all come to the decision to adopt? (My husband and I have talked about it a bit, and I'm interested in seeing how the idea/seed became reality in someone else's life.)
your kids seem SO good! how do u discipline them?
What is your occupation Brett? I have read on your blog that Michelle is a nurse, does she work outside of the home in this occupation?? I can't imagine her having the time!!
I guess other people have sorta asked this already, but I too was wondering about your other kids. How old are they? How do they deal with Abby's luekemia? I have another question but I forgot it right now. Thanks!
I know one time you mentioned that your income got cut in half after Abby got sick. You don't ever ask for donations on your blog. How are you doing with all the expenses? Could you use help? You might not be comfortable answering publicly, but I thought I would ask since its "open season".
How did you develop (not sure that is the word I want to use) such a deep faith in God? How do you seem so upbeat when things are so grim especially with Abby? Do you ever wonder why me?
Is there anything special my family and I could do for the other older children? Even if it's sending them a card? I pray for them often too. I would love to hear your views on bible studies for teenagers (we have 2) seems like they zone out at this age.
Thanks for taking the time to answer all our questions!
Maria Jeffries
I would love to hear more details about your adoptions- we are wanting to adopt, and are looking for places that would be less expensive and take less amount of time...?
Also was wondering about your older daughter who you hadn't heard from - just praying this morning for her. Have you gotten in contact with her since you mentioned her a few weeks ago.
Also was wondering about your older daughter that you hadn't heard from - was just praying for her this morning.
How do you find time for just you and Michelle. How do you keep your marriage alive even after many years? You have so many challenges facing you and yet seem to have such a strong marriage.
Oh, these are fun! I'm always amazed at what people wondering... myself included! :)
Can't wait to read the answers!
Britt
What about your other kids? You never talk about them or what they do while you are all at the hospital. Who takes care of them and why not any pictures?
I was wondering how the oldest of your children feel about all the attention on Abby and her illness. Do they ever feel left out from the parents love? I know that you love them, but teens can feel left out even in the best circumstances. Do you as parents find time to get one on one time with each chid? Taking turns going to the store, resturaunt etc.???
What do you do to get a break??
Thank you for all that you write and your testimony:)
Since you offered :) I would like to know about your adoptions, how old the kids were, what prompted the decisions etc... I know that Sami came home last year and really seems to be doing so great. If you have already posted this info, then a link to the post would be great! Thanks!
I have only been reading for a few weeks, but I was wondering when/what made you feel you were called to adopt?
Hello, I was wondering how you make a button??
Also, has Abby asked if she is going to die and how do you answer that?
Where do your other children live?
Thank you so much..
Could you maybe do a blog post about your whole family!!?!?! like even the older kids??
1) Where did you get the spiderman outfits, my kids are drowling over them!
2) We have always tried to send a little money to St Jude's every month-because my parents did when i was growing up and have never reallythought about where it goes, does it actually go to help families like you, is there another organization you know of that helps kids with cancer?
3) How do you feel as a Christian and a parent of a child with cancer about stem cell research?
4) How/or do you at all... discipline a child that is sick?
And Thank you for sharing your joys, pain, and laughter with us...
familyrootedinlove@gmail.com
Do you and Michelle ever get a date night? I think you deserve a few together!
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
Not sure that I really want an answer here, but I thought it'd be fun for you (or the kids) to see how many it took for them!
My question is just about Abby. With getting so many torturous needles, visits to the hospital, drugs and absolute pain, does she ever just rebel against having things done to her? How do you all help her deal with it all over and over again?
Is a bone marrow transplant an option for Abby? I've been wondering about that.
I was wondering about your other kiddos. I am new to reading your blog (in the past month) and was wondering their ages. Are Abby, Landis and Sammi the only ones still at home?
I too was also wondering about your daughter that was "missing" in action.
How do you make time when the needs of your children are so different, with having such an age gap? Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to discuss tough and sensitive topics with the older kids? I know it is a struggle for me, having a 9 year old and then the day to day care for a 1 and 4 year old.
Also, did you always agree on the number of kids you were going to have?
Please tell us about all of the older children. Where do they live? What are they doing with their lives? Do you feel like you're "one big family", or two separate families (with so much focus your blog places on the little ones)
Laurel
What kind of camera do you use? Your pictures are beautiful. I am adopting from Kazakhstan this year and want a great camera to take along. I pray for Abby and wish nothing but the best for your beautiful family. Erin
positivetherapyservices@yahoo.com
Do you do anything, individually and as a family, to become closer to Christ during the 40 days of Lent?
Someone mentioned a fast for Abby a while back. Has anything been organized? If not, may I humbly suggest fasting for Abby each Wednesday of Lent (3/4, 11,18,25,
4/1 and 4/8). If anyone would like me to send them a reminder on Tuesday send me a request (aliciashj@yahoo.com).
Blessings,
Alicia
Hello riggs family! I just wanted to take a minute to let you all know I am thinking about you all and continue to pray for abby and your entire family! you all continue to amaze me with all you have going on and you still manage to keep us all updated! God is so good and I hope you all have a blessed weekend with abby home. Also yes it would be good to hear about your other children as well :-)
Id like to know how your older kids deal with all this. Do they feel left out, abandoned or do they choose to stay out of the spotlight? Im just curious, because if I was the teenager I would want to be included. Dont get me wrong you and Michelle are awesome parents and Im sure there is just alot we dont know. Ive always wondered though about your older kids, especially your daughter.
thanks for taking time to let us get to know your family better. you are true angels on this earth!
What is your love language?
Tell us about your older children. Where do they live? Are they "into-the-Jesus-thing"? Are they close to Sami, Landis and Abby? Are they in college?
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Where did you and Michelle go to college?
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Praying for you all!
You really don't talk about the older 4 often, so how old are they and what are their names? Did you adopt them too?
What's the best part of having an sdopted child?
I've always wondered where you found the time to blog and write and run a publications, and, and, and. :)
I have one blog and follow several and I have a HARD TIME finding the time for that!
Give me some pointers. :)
um just wondering if your children are home schooled
Brent and Michelle,
Your family has been in our prayers daily since last August when we came across your blog. Our Guatemalan daughter prays for Abby and Landis. I love reading your posts and find that your journey has been tough and your reliance on the Lord is what is encouraging to me as I read daily!I can not imagine a sick child and know God is doing great things through your magazine and blog posts! My question is specific to your adoption of Abby. I think I saw you adopted Landis through Eagle's Nest Orphanage ---we to adopted our 3 year old from Eagles Nest and am thinkng it was around the same time frame (She was born in Oct. 2005 and we picked her up April 2006) Was Abby at Eagles Nest Orphangage? Just curious?
Keep running the race and blogging has been an encouragement to so many! In our prayers Lee Christine and Gretchen
I also have to add--the videos and words from other children to Abby was such a great idea---we loved listening to the stories read by other children!!
I came to this blog via another out of concern for Abby, so have not been here from the beginning.
I am curious as to why you seem to want to "socially network" so much beyond prayers for her.
It's seems you're always asking for tie ins to your blogs (again, beyond getting Abby's cause known)offering to link others, making up contests and special days to keep people here, asking readers to involve themselves actively, to go to your facebook, twitter etc etc.
I have never come across another blogger who does this (and I am the total opposite), so it's very foreign to me.
Care to address my curiousity?
labadeegirl@hotmail.com
Looking forward to answers to the previous questions already mentioned. older kids(where are they/do they visit/how are they)? bone marrow/stem cell transplant possibilities? can you be my online pastor?most of all... THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIVES WITH US, IT HAS RESTORED A STRONGER FAITH AND LOVE FOR GOD'S WILL IN OUR LIVES. I AM TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN YOUR FAMILY, EVEN FROM AFAR. susarahw314@yahoo.com
How is your marriage doing during this time? It seems you two get very little time together, let alone just the two of you!
Have you heard from your oldest daughter????? I was very concerned and prayed about that. If you have heard, what was her reason for no communication? Is that common for your daughter to do that? Just wondering, I'm 26, and my parents would still freak out if they lost contact with me! Blessings
You have been asked often about your older children , yet never responded to any of it before...why???? I am curious about the other tie ins to your blog as well....why??? How long have you been married? How long have you been Christians?
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? That has to be answered. Thank you for sharing your faith and family with all of us. Still praying for your entire family, from biggest to smallest.
Shannon
I've followed your blog for a few months. I love reading about your kids and think of you often...My question. Since I don't have a "relationship" with God, how do I get one/start one? I'm struggling with letting myself have faith, I guess I'm afraid, but I need it.
~Becky
Ooh I was going to ask you if you would do a question and answer day, and you did it! So now of course I can't think of questions...
Ok one thing I was wondering, you don't mention the older 4 kids much. Is that because they don't want to be on here, or just because the younger 3 are more entertaining to write about?
You also mentioned awhile ago about a teenage boy who was struggling, and hinted it might be one of your boys. How is he doing now?
I'll go for a bit of a controversial question: As a Christian, what is your attitude to homosexuality?
Looking forward to all your answers!
Marie.
Does it bother you when people refer to your children separately...as in adopted and not adopted, as if they are not all part of the same family? Does it bother you when people say "he/she is adopted" instead of "he/she was adopted"? Do people ever ask you if you love your children who were adopted as much as you love your biological children?
It seems as though you are constantly coming up with material to write about. How do you think of it all the time? Are you writing blog and magazine entries days in advance to keep up? Or are you just a pretty creative person?
I have only been reading your blog for the past couple weeks. As others I was wondering about your other adoptions & childrens ages.
Also did you ever stay at the Clarion hotel in Guatemala during Dec 2006 or April 2007? You look very familiar and I thought maybe we met at breakfast during one of our trips. Our daughter just turned age 2.5 yo
I am inspired by your deep faith and nack for writing. Praying for Abby daily!
Whose side of the bed is your alarm clock on? How many snoozes before you get up?
Nilia
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