The House's

A Dream Coming True

2012-02-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

Dream: a cherished hope; ambition; aspiration

We met Kole 7 months ago on our trip to adopt Gabe and Levi. It was on one of our visits while we were out walking with Levi that Genesis saw a group of children that looked to be from Levi's room. We made our way over to them, not knowing if that was ok or not.

The workers didn't mind at all so we started to interact with the kids, blowing bubbles, taking pictures and video.

There was one boy in particular that caught my eye and stole my heart.

Kole.

There he sat looking lonely but hopeful. Genesis sat beside him and he instantly reached for her hand, content to sit and hold it tight. He wasn't aggressive at all but very calm and quite. Nothing brought a smile to his face more than when he could just be next to you.

I remember when a couple of my friends went to this same orphanage and told me how they had seen a sweet boy with down syndrome in their boys group. They said that unfortunately he wasn't able to be adopted because his parents hadn't signed over the papers to release him.
When I saw Kole I instantly knew this must be the boy they talked about and I thought how sad it was that he would never have the opportunity to be loved in a family.

Genesis and I loved on Kole every chance we could. Guy never did get to meet him as he was caring for Gabe off in the distance.

Fast forward to us coming home. Without going into details, it was found out that Kole was actually available for adoption. His paperwork had been mixed up with another child's.

This was wonderful news and now that I know this I should be advocating for him. I just knew that once someone saw his sweet face he would be snatched right up!
But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I was torn between knowing that finding him a family would be the right thing to do and wanting us to be that family.

Everyday I dreamed of him. I could picture him fitting in perfectly with our crazy bunch.

Several weeks ago I was sharing with a good friend how much I would love to adopt Kole, but I knew that it wasn't an option for us. Or so I thought;)

I started to think if maybe it was possible. Could there actually be a way?

I talked to Guy seriously about the possibilities.
I then learned that there were inquiries being made about him from other families.
This was it, if he is meant to be ours, now is the time to make it happen.
After consulting with other wise families and friends I knew that we could definitely do this.

Guy gave me the green light to proceed and we are on our way to beginning the process of making Kole ours!

This is not something that I sought out. I honestly did not see us returning to UA anytime soon! But man are we EXCITED!!!!

And for those of you thinking, another BOY?!? Well, again, if it wasn't for the fact that we met Kole and fell in love with this particular child, this wouldn't be happening right now.
No worries though, I'm sure Genesis' dream of having a sister will happen one day as well.

So what now? Fundraising, paperwork, phone calls, organizing the house, babysitters, etc. I will post about all that and more soon!

Seriously, don't you just love this sweet face???

Happy 6th Birthday Levi

2012-01-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

Levi, this December we celebrated your 6th Birthday!
You have only been home with us for less than 6 months, but in this short time we have many reasons to celebrate you.

As I thought many times about your actual birth day, I wondered if it was ever celebrated?

I only know a few things about when you first came into this world, like the town you were born in.
I know your birth mother actually brought you to her home.
She named you Vitalik.
I know that their is no record of your birth father.

I know that at 3 months old she brought you back to the hospital because you were sick

and then she left you there.

You were then brought to the orphanage where you spent the next 5 years.

When I think about your birth mother I can't help but feel that she loved you.
I picture her holding your tiny body in her arms and planting sweet kisses on your bald little head.

How could she have not fallen absolutely in love with you?

Why then were you abandon at just three months old?

What kind of mother would do that to their own child.

I really don't have the answers.
I could be totally wrong, but what I feel is that when she brought you back to the hospital due to what the records show as maybe a sickness, that is when she found out that you had down syndrome. And in your country there is absolutely no available help for single mothers with a child that has special needs.

How I wish for your birth mother's sake there was.

Was your birth celebrated that very day? Was it celebrated every year later at your orphanage? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Here is what I do know my little Levi,

You are LOVED
You are Cherished
You are Celebrated

Your birth was NOT a mistake.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. -Psalm 139:13-16

Here are the only photo's we have of you as an infant and toddler.

This was the first photo we saw of you on the Reece's Rainbow page. Your Daddy thought you were oh so cute.

Photo's given to us after we committed to you.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27

Signing "I Love You"

We can't wait to celebrate MANY MORE birthday's with you Levi!

Gabe 7 Months Home

2012-01-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

June 2011 -7 months ago-

January 2012

June 2011

January 2012

June 2011

January 2012

June 2011

January 2012

When we first met our Gabe, as you can see HERE, he was frail, scared, could hardly sit up, only ate from a bottle, rejected touch.

Today, just 7 months later, Gabe is over 10 pounds heavier, crawls, climbs, he's happy, laughing, and desires nothing more than to be held.

He signs "eat" and is starting to eat pureed food from a spoon.

Next week he is getting fitted for braces for his legs.
I know he will be walking in no time!

We have seen many specialist since bringing Gabe home. On his medical records from Ukraine it stated that he had a heart condition that would most likely need surgery.
What we found out is that the hole in his heart has healed up on its own and there is no surgery needed!!
After all the many doctor visits and blood test we basically found out that Gabe is 100% healthy!

Now of course I am very grateful for that.

But it does make me angry in some ways.

Angry because the Gabe that we adopted 7 months ago was that way solely due to neglect.
Yes he does have down syndrome, but that alone would not cause a child to be in the condition he was in.

Neglect.

Neglect caused this 6 year old perfect child to weigh only 20 pounds.
Neglect caused him to not have a clue how to hold or play with a toy.
Neglect caused his eyes to be weak because after only having white walls to look at the muscles were not able to strengthen and develop.
Neglect caused his teeth to completely rot away leaving his mouth to bleed every time we brush his teeth.

In the book, The Connected Child, it states that "isolation is more damaging to an infant than early mistreatment."

So Gabe would have been better off being physically abused!

It goes on to say,
"An infant who is rarely touched or spoken to during the first weeks and months of life can suffer critical mental and behavioral impairments, even death.
That is why the orphanage system - in which children are left lying in row after row of cribs unattended - has been phased out in the United States in favor of foster homes, which provide a child with social and sensory nurturing he or she desperately needs."

NO CHILD DESERVES TO BE NEGLECTED

I've said it before and I will continue to say it.

We are not called to care for the orphans. We are commanded to care for them.

Go ahead and look in the Bible for yourself, you'll see.

Does this mean everyone should adopt a child? No.

But do something.

Donate. Pray. Advocate.

Something

If you are wondering where to start, you can go to Reece's Rainbow and look at all the beautiful children waiting. Donate to a child of your choice or go to the "Sponsor a Family" page and choose a family to help bring home their child.

IN DREAMS

AND IN LOVE

THERE ARE NO IMPOSSIBILITIES

Thankful for YOU

2011-11-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

This year at Thanksgiving I have so many things to be thankful for.

But the one thing that I think about almost on a daily basis is how thankful I am for all of you that helped to bring my sons home.

Your Prayers. Support. Encouragement.

Your Giving of Time to help with fundraising.

Giving of Money. For many of you I know it was sacrificial giving. Maybe you didn't even have a dollar to spare, yet you gave.

I do not, and never will, take any of it for granted.

I want you to know that your $5. Your $100. Your $500. It was a gift that will go on for eternity.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for giving my boys the opportunity to have a HOME. To have a mommy and daddy, a sister and brothers. To feel love.

This is what YOU made possible

Gabe then

Gabe today

Levi then

Levi today

Placed by God's hands

2011-10-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life

But those who make their journey home

Across time & miles,

Growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them

Are carried on the wings of destiny

And placed among us

By God's very own hands

Kowboy

2011-09-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

My 24 year old brother Luke decided to make a trip into some woods one day in our little city of Brooksville. He had a bag full of burgers and decided to see if anyone living amongst the trees would like some.

That was the first of many visits and the beginning of a genuine relationship with a man that called himself Kowboy.

Kowboy passed away this week.

My sister Tanya wrote this:

No one probably even noticed when this happened yesterday in the morning. It happened in the woods. In a tent. Probably alone. Kowboy was a homeless man who lived in the woods in Brooksville. You have probably seen him stumbling down the sidewalk a time or two. Not someone you would look at and give a second thought to, except maybe that he really needs to do something with himself, and then look the other way.

A few people did get to know him though. Luke, April and Alex got to know him a long time ago and had frequent visits since. They got to know this man who's real name is Claude, but everyone knows as Kowboy (with a K). April even made him a cowboy hat of his own, with his name "Kowboy" stitched on the front.

Over the past two years Luke and Kowboy became very close. Sharing meals together. Drinks. Stories. Luke listened to the man a lot of people would simply wave off. He learned that Kowboy had a sister, a family, loved ones. He learned that Kowboy served this country many years ago in Vietnam. That he was haunted by memories of things he saw, things he did, regrets.

Luke also learned that he just met one of the most giving and caring people he would probably ever know. A man who had nothing, but would give you everything. A man who looked out for others that came wondering into his "camp" looking for shelter, an extra tent to sleep in. Kowboy was a man who never once asked for anything for himself, but if someone he knew had a need, he would call Luke up to see if it could be filled. "So and so needs a sleeping bag. Someone just got their tent ripped up, could you get one for them?"

Kowboy would just randomly stop by Luke's work, just to talk. Or maybe show him a new chord he learned on the guitar that Alex gave him. When he was sober he could actually play pretty well.

Once he did need a ride back from the jail. He got kicked out of his spot in the woods and then arrested for loitering. This was a common occurrence for him and his friends.

One time when he was caught at another spot in the woods he called Luke to see if he could bring his truck so they wouldn't have to make so many trips. While moving stuff it looked like it was gonna start storming. Kowboy started to get angry at God for allowing this to happen, so Luke suggested praying that the rain would hold off, at least till they were done. Kowboy almost laughed at this, "why would God even care about us enough to do something like that?" God cares, Luke said, very much. "Sure, go ahead" said Kowboy.

Luke prayed, and the rain didn't come until they were finished. I think that was the turning point for Kowboy.

One day, out of the blue he called Luke up. He was going to stay with his sister in Georgia. He wanted to get sober. (Something he had no intention of doing, and had not been in years). He was so proud to tell Luke, and Luke was just as proud to hear it. Like a parent that just found out his kid wants to go to college, this was a huge milestone.

Time went by. Some of his friends would come by to see Luke, check in, maybe get some supplies.

Then out of the blue Luke got a phone call. It was Kowboy. He was with his sister in Georgia and he was doing great. Sober. Feeling better than he had in a long time. He just wanted to call and check on Luke to see how he was doing, and to let him know that things were going great. Again, Luke was so proud. In fact he beamed for the rest of the day like a proud dad. More time went by with a few phone calls here and there, just to check in.

Not long ago he called to tell Luke he was coming back to Florida for a bit. He missed his friends and just thought he would visit for a while. He was still doing good, so Luke wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to come back and be around the same crowd again, but Kowboy won out.

Visits were few and far between. Time went on. Kowboy still stayed in Florida.

Then on September 21st, around 10am, Luke got the news. Kowboy was found in his tent, no longer awake on this earth.

Luke and Alex went by the campsite that evening to bring dinner to his friends and just sit and share stories, memories, tears and laughter. No one wanted to move anything in his tent or touch any of his belongings. They all brought flowers to surround his tent with. They celebrated the life of a man who was once someones baby. Someones brother. Someones friend. A man who usually wouldn't get a second glance beyond the first glance of judgment. But those who knew him, and took the time to sit with him knew what kind of man he was. He was a man of honor. A man of dignity and hope. A man who was selfless. A man of compassion.

The one comfort that we now have is that we know where he is.

A place with no more tears, no more hunger, no more pain and no more suffering. There is a place that was set for him at the banquet table that he is sitting at and enjoying every moment. He has probably already joined the angel choir singing praises at the top of his lungs. I can see Jesus beaming at him like Luke used to, like a proud father, happy to see his son again.

He may not have meant much to that many people, but he meant everything to one person. Jesus.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The thing I love most about what my brother and his friends did was that it was not about "religion". They made a point to build RELATIONSHIP. They knew they didn't need to preach to Kowboy and the rest of the camp, or stand in a circle holding hands to pray. No, they wanted to SHOW Jesus to them by their actions. By coming out into their world. Their dirty, smelly, uncomfortable world. To simply play cards, talk, and share meals together.
It's funny, I remember someone else in the Bible that would do the same (well maybe not cards) and the "Religious" had a real problem with it.

I'm sharing this with you to encourage you to think twice when you see someone on the side of the road looking for a handout. Don't worry about needing to preach to them. Maybe they just need a smile.

I know there are a lot of thoughts about what the homeless do with the money you may give them. My take on that? Read the Word. Did Jesus, in the hundreds of times that He talks about helping the poor, did He ever say that you better know that when you give to them it better be going to good use?

I highly recommend reading the book, "Under the Overpass" by Mike Yankoski

It is about a young man that steps into the life of a homeless man living on the streets for months. It will open your eyes and really help you understand what your role could be in helping the homeless.

But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him ? Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. - 1 John 3:17&18

New beauty waiting to be born

2011-09-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

I know many of you are asking about the boys and how they are doing. I do post updates often on my Face Book, so if you would like to add me feel free. Just let me know that you are a blog follower:)

I have so many blog post rolling around in my mind and I so wish I had the time to write them down! In the meantime I thought I would do a quick catch up post and of course have pictures for your enjoyment.

We have been home 3 months today!

Gabe and Levi are doing really well. Far better than I expected really.

Gabe is gaining more energy everyday. He likes to crawl throughout the house and even pulls himself to stand in his playpen. He is a cuddler and would spend the whole day with his arms wrapped around your neck, snuggled close to you if he could.

Health wise he has gained 4 pounds. He does have a heart murmur and is scheduled for the cardiologist this Thursday.
We went to the dentist and most of his teeth will need to come out. The rot and decay is due to 6 years of lying down with a bottle. The pain he must have went through is hard to even think about.
Thankfully they are all baby teeth.
We cannot have that procedure done however until we find out the condition of his heart.

Levi surprises me everyday. He is learning sign language fast. I can sign "shoes" when it's time to go and he will go and take his shoes out of the cubby for me to put on. After one time of showing him to take his shoes off once we are home and to put them away, he now does this as soon as we walk in the door.
Levi's main issue right now is over stimulation when we go out in public. He gets so excited with all the new sights and sounds that he works himself up to a place that is hard to bring him down from. At home though during our normal routine, he is usually calm and happy.
I love that he is getting attached to me and Guy. If I am in a room with others, he will usually prefer me. He comes to me constantly throughout the day to be held and snuggled.

Levi has also gained 4 pounds. He is overall healthy.

Both boys will start speech, feeding, occupational, and physical therapy next week.
The therapist said that Levi falls in the 16-19 month old developmentally and Gabe is around 3 months.
They loved the boys and were excited to have "happy" kids to work with:) They said that I am going to be tickled to see how much and how quickly Gabe advances.

So how is life at the House's House?
Well, I went from looking for something to do during the week, to: schooling a 6th grader and 2 first graders, a little side job once a week so Jude and Zane could take Karate class, drum and guitar lessons (thanks to 2 wonderful Uncles), the gym 5-6 days a week (I am addicted to spin class!!!), co-op, church, changing more diapers than I can count, doctor appointments and therapy appointments. Whew!

It is also filled with this:

First trip to the beach

When he saw the seagulls he ran flapping his little arms wildly after them

Looking at this gorgeous face everyday

Hugs from GG (Great Grandma)

Of course naps are always nice

Last month Gail Hollenbeck, Times Correspondent came to our home and wrote a beautiful story on our family. You can read it here:
A Brooksville family shares the love, adopts boys with Down syndrome - St. Petersburg Times

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition,
there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."

Angels Singing

2011-07-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

Did you hear them?

The angels.

Singing, every morning last week at 8:15AM when I walked out of our house with all 5 kids fed, teeth brushed, bathed, dressed and ready for VBS. It was definitely a miracle.

This last month that we have been home I have basically been hanging around the house because of the simple fact that it takes a LOT to go out. Not just because there are now five kids, but with Gabe and Levi being more like a toddler and an infant, it takes a lot of planning and packing to be out for the day.

It was a long week, but a great one. My husband was the director this year and I helped with the photography. The kids all had a blast.

In the middle of this crazy week I thought a photo shoot was in order.

My boys just LOVE to let mommy take their pictures

Yeah right!!!

"Why is mommy making me stand in this stuff?!?!"

"It's not that bad Levi"

"Well, this is better being off the ground, but I still wouldn't call this fun"

Extreme Home Makeover

2011-07-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Cards given to us from sweet Matanya and Makayla. Love those girls.

I have been wanting to ~~show off~~ share what we came home to after our trip to get our boys. It was something I never even imagined. I am not one that you can pull surprises on very often. I almost always find out.

Not this time...

We could not wait to get HOME. Our boys. Our beds. Air condition.

When we walked in to our house I couldn't believe my eyes.

First of all, every womens dream. My house was spotless.

I didn't leave it too out of order, but knowing that it was used by several different friends and family to watch the boys I figured it would be in need of a good cleaning when we returned.

Then the next thing I noticed was my table. This wonderful table was handed down to me from my Grandma. I have memories of all the family on my Dad's side, sitting around the table for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
It now fits perfectly in my dinning room and is used for everything from meals to boardgames to Home School.
As perfect as it was, the medium brown wood color wasn't my style. And neither were the blue striped country seat cushions.

(One of our Science days)

I had dreamed and talked about painting it black someday. Of course I knew it was just talk because there was NO WAY
I would ever get around to painting it.
Way to big of a project for me.

Oh yes they did!!!! My amazing family and friends refinished my table.

It is far more awesome then I could have even imagined it to be.

They even re-covered all the seat cushions.

I LOOOOOOOOOVE it.

- A little side note. My sister Tanya has had a burden for awhile now to minister and assist with orphans in some way. She wrote about it HERE After working on my house she decided that she wants to refinish furniture and sell it having 100% of the profits going towards orphans and those adopting.
So if anyone local has old furniture you'd like to get rid of, I know just the garage you can dump it in! -

But the surprises didn't stop there.

Tanya said she had this idea for awhile, to fix up my house while we were gone. She actually said that she had many more things she wanted to do but we came back to soon. I told her she should've told me that and I could have arranged a long layover in Paris so she could finish.

So Tanya, along with my sister Kara & her husband Stefen, my brothers Luke and Adam, and friends Amber and April spent countless hours in the evenings after work putting little touches all over my house.

Refinished the "ugly desk"

Painted the light above the table

Filled once empty frames all over my house with photo's of us in Ukraine.

Refinished this old door that Tanya bought and hung it as a frame to hold photo's.
I can't wait to fill it up!

I had really wanted to decorate the boys room but ran out of time. They added these cool touches which made the room perfect for my four boys.

Genesis' room had special things all over. She was thrilled and shows it off any chance she gets.

A painted tree and bird to match her bedspread

Wall decor

Painted above her closet

It didn't end there

Kara had 2 quarts of fresh goats milk in the fridge for Gabe. Two large zip lock bags full of homemade baby food in the freezer. Juice boxes, baby cereal.
Special toothbrushes and toothpaste, and digestive vitamins for Gabe and Levi.
She thought of everything.

And to top it all off

A big bowl full of chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallows and strawberries, of which I ate most of that night.
Hey, my clock was still in Ukrainian time so to me it was dinner time. And yes, chocolate covered strawberries make the perfect dinner.

Don't tell my kids that.

I cannot express to you how wonderful it was to come home to such blessings.

Although I didn't birth Gabe and Levi, the whole process felt like labor and delivery in so many ways. Coming home with these two new boys not knowing what they like, why they might be crying, etc. Top that with being thoroughly exhausted from the weeks in country and now the long plane rides and jet lag.
I am so blessed to have family and friends in my life that get it, and are willing to make sacrifices just to take the load off of someone else.

The next morning Kara brought over my long awaited Dunkin Doughnuts coffee and breakfast.

I'm tellin ya, my family rocks.

Then two days later my childhood friend Dawn and her family drove two hours from Orlando and showed up at my door with bags of grocery's.
The chocolate chip muffin mix. Oh so good.

Diapers keep showing up by the boxful which will save us hundreds of dollars a month.

I know that most of you reading this have or are in the process of adopting.
If you happen to be someone that isn't but you know someone in your church that is, a family member, neighbor, etc. Please try to consider helping them out when they come home. Coming home is exciting but is also full of emotions from exhaustion, being back with your other children that you've been separated from for weeks, culture shock, emotions over what you experienced over seas, leaving all the hundreds of children behind. It's roller coaster ride for sure and it doesn't end as soon as you get home.
It breaks my heart to hear about other families that come home to no support. I don't know where I'd be without mine.
We need each other. There are such small ways that we can show love and trust me, it won't soon be forgotten!
EVERY TIME I walk by my table or the kids rooms, I am so grateful. As I devoured the chocolate chip muffins I was really thankful. I told ya, very similar to pregnancy. I am STILL craving chocolate;)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Tanya, Kara, Luke, April, Adam, Stefen and Amber I will be forever grateful. No, I will not refinish your furniture when you have babies, but I will do unlimited photo shoots of them for you;)

Peggy Savory and all the wonderful people at Community Bible Church, THANK YOU for the never ending supply of diapers and wet wipes!!!

Those of you that have given me clothes for the boys. What a blessing, thank you!

~"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."~

Do you believe in love?

2011-07-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13:7&8

~ Love

Always protects

Always trusts ~

1 month ago Gabe rejected our touch

~ Always hopes

Always perseveres ~

Today he begs to be held

1 month ago Gabe had spent his entire six years laying down in a crib

Today

~ Love

never

fails ~

FREEdom. Means so much more this year

2011-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

We had a fun, HOT 4th of July. We spent the day at my sisters house in the pool. Gabe tried it out but any movement of the water drives him crazy.
Levi on the other hand LOVES the water.

My brother Luke "teaching" him a few moves

My boys love their Uncle Stefen

We then headed over to Papa and Nana's house. The first of many visits.

Gabe's silly face

Time for fireworks

The louder the better for Levi!

I'm not kidding. We had some of THE loudest, screeching fireworks.
Look at Guy in the background holding his ears. Genesis face behind Levi, hysterical.
Kara holding her ears.
Levi... enjoying every minute.

Of course the 4th isn't complete without sparklers

Jude's moon

Genesis' smiley face

and heart

Dictionary:
"Independence implies not only lack of restrictions but also the ability to stand alone, unsustained by anything else"

This year, I am so thankful for the Freedom we have. Freedom to go over seas and rescue our two boys.

If you know me at all you know I can not stand when people talk about "us and them". God created us all and cares for us all. The whole world.

That doesn't mean I am not grateful for freedom and for having the privilege of being an American.

Only I don't think that just because I live here that gives me the right to think I am better than anyone else or that I somehow deserve better.

No, I fully believe that when we are blessed by growing up in a place like America, God intends for us to use that blessing to reach out to others.

We have that ability. We have the funds. We have the support.

If you think for a second that we don't, just take a trip over seas. You will quickly change your mind.

Freedom: the power or liberty to order one's own actions

So what are you doing with your freedom

Levi and Gabe
FREE. Free to live.

Free to be loved.

Free to laugh

Free to dream

One.At.A.Time

2011-06-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

Who are these 2 little people in my house???

2011-06-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Many people ask, so here is a little insight

G.A.B.E.

6 years old

Weighs 25 pounds (gained over 2lbs since we got home)

Spent his whole life laying down in a crib

Doesn't stand or walk

Sits up on his own and crawled for the first time this week

Is not vocal at all

Doesn't cry unless he is in pain or frightened

Doesn't take naps, but does sleep through the night

Does not eat solids, doesn't even know how to chew and swallow

Eats blended fruits and veggies mixed with baby cereal and goats milk or formula, from a bottle

Health wise, his teeth are a mess. Very decayed and will probably all need to be removed. He will need glasses. His medical record stated that he needs heart surgery.

He has blossomed in just a weeks time!

He connects with all of us

Reaches his arms up to be held

Loves to snuggle

L.E.V.I.

5 years old

Weighs 30 pounds

Was in a different building than Gabe (they were not biological brothers) and was thankfully in a group of children that was able to be more mobile

He walks...and RUNS if the door is open :)

Is not vocal at all

Has the most pitiful little cry and will usually do it when he is tired and wants food

Naps and sleeps through the night

He did eat anything while we were in Ukraine,

but as soon as we got home he became very picky. He rejects almost anything but yogurt, oatmeal, banana's and spaghetti

Health wise he seems pretty healthy. He does appear to have cavities but not nearly as bad as Gabe.

He has the.BEST.laugh

He learns fast, already signing "more" and obeys when I call him to come. Sometimes

I love when he comes to me and backs up to my lap for me to hold him

And how he clings onto my neck, or plays with my hair as he sucks his 2 fingers

Both boys seem to have several institutionalized behaviors such as rocking, banging the head, constant rubbing the head, hands twisting and in the mouth.
We have seen these already get less and less everyday already.

Levi seems to get overstimulated with activity but calms right down if we put him in a secure environment such as a stroller or playpen.
Gabe gets very nervous and will cry at certain sudden movements or new surroundings.

We plan to get both of the boys hearts checked as heart defects are common in children with DS, and Gabe's medical records indicated he needed surgery.
We will also have their ears, eyes and such checked out. In time we will look into therapies for sensory disorders and speech. Right now we are using good old fashion love and nourishment.

Both boys are fitting in wonderfully. Of course Sissy is totally attached. She will hold Gabe for hours and loves to get them dressed everyday.

Jude is sweet and caring with them and will ask me again, "who was in a crib their whole life? where did they use to live?"
Zane is kind of indifferent towards them.

He doesn't like when Levi yells, but will stop and let Gabe wrap his little hand around his finger. That makes him very proud:)

Life around here has totally kicked up several notches. With all the diaper changes, food and bottle making, baby toys sprawled all over the living room floor, it feels like having twin newborns or toddlers at any given moment.
Oh but do I Love these boys!! I had wondered if I would at first feel like I was babysitting an would eventually feel like these are MY boys. But it has never felt that way. Gabe and Levi feel just like my other three to me.

They are my sons and I thank God for allowing me the privilege of being their mommy.

What's in a name

2011-06-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

A fellow Reece's Rainbow family left a comment on my blog today.

To say I was touched would be an understatement.

I love to see how God works. I love that my fragile, precious Gabe is already being used to make a difference in this world.

Here is the story

Where Mercy Met Grace

HOME!

2011-06-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being MIA. Things were go-go-go at the end of the adoption in Zap and then once we had the boys during our stay in Kiev our hands were full! After we got home I would finally have a moment to sit at night and blog but it was like reading a book when I'm tired. It just put me to sleep.

I will go back and write in detail about all our adventures with court, gotcha day, the dreaded train ride, our first days with the boys in Kiev, and our welcome home. I even have a video up my sleeve :)

I'm serious, I will. Eventually...

First things first. We are HOME!!!

Brothers
Jude-6, Gabe-6, Zane-4, Levi-5

We flew out of Kiev Thursday morning at 6:45AM. Knowing that we had to be up at 3AM to head to the airport I decided to not go to sleep the night before. (Bad idea!)

At the airport with our favorite driver/facilitator Nicco
Yes, I am half asleep

Our first flight was about 3 hours to Munich, Germany.

We were all very concerned with how Gabe was going to do. I was ready for a non-stop screaming, frightened child.

While we were driving around to appointments I discovered that when I laid Gabe down in the seat (there are no car seats) he instantly stopped crying. He had also gotten used to being in his stroller. So what we would do is wheel him up to the end of the gate, hold him to our seat, and then lay him down on his seat.

Once in his seat he didn't cry ONE BIT!!! He actually laughed every time there was turbulence. All the adults would have a look of panic on their faces and our boys would be laughing. It was quite funny.

We had gotten 2 different medications to give Gabe to help sedate him but didn't even use them. We did give both boys Melatonin which just helped to calm them.

We had a short layover in Germany which gave us time to eat and change the boys.

While we waited to board the plane there was a father with his sons that looked to be about 12 and 6. They got a big kick out of the way Levi sucked his fingers. The dad was telling his oldest that that was exactly how he used to suck his fingers when he was little.
Levi was getting anxious so I stood up with him and was showing him the planes out the window. He was laughing and snuggling.

The father then said, "There is nothing like mommy".

Wow. He could already tell that I was his mommy.

Next was a 9 hour flight to Dulles, Washington.

Guy, Levi and Genesis were in the seats right in front of me and Gabe.

We also had an extra seat next to Gabe which worked out perfectly for him to spread out.

Believe it or not I would say that that long flight was the best out of all of them.

As we were getting off the plane a gentleman said to us, "Your boys are as delightful as their mother and as tolerate as their daddy". He went on to say how well behaved they were and how he enjoyed watching them.

The real fun began when we arrived in Dulles. We had only 2 hours to get through customs and board our last flight. We stood in the very long passport line, Gabe cried the entire time.

I hope that kind gentleman wasn't in our line;)

We made it through customs with some time to spare and then loaded our last plane for Tampa, FL.

As we looked for our seats we realized that all 5 of us were in seat "B". That meant that we would each individually be seated one behind the other. I told the Flight attendant that we obviously had a problem, unless of course strangers didn't mind taking care of our boys the whole flight;)

We all stood in the very back of the plane while the attendant worked at getting people to move. I was surprised to see people say no, even after he explained our situation. I was itching to just say never mind, keep your seat, and then put my little guy right next to them.

We finally had our seats. Gabe and daddy were in one row. I and Levi were behind them and Genesis was behind us in the middle of a row with an adult on either side.

Then comes the dreaded news before take off. There would be a delay due to weather. You know it's bad when the pilot says, "It's going to be a long wait".

Two hours we waited. That, I believe, was the worst part of the whole day. By this time I was SO exhausted. I found myself trying to keep Levi from touching the man beside him and propping his feet on him, to my head nodding down heavily. Over and over and over again.
I was also feeling so bad for all those that I knew would have been waiting for hours at the airport.

We landed in Tampa at 9:30PM.

Finally we were walking down the hall to all our waiting friends and family!!!!!

We are so happy to be HOME!

I have a ton of video and pictures but I still have to organize it all and get it loaded on my computer. SO many more details and blogs to come...

It's a Boy! Well, make that Two!

2011-06-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

There is this little thing that happened today, I became a mother of FIVE!

I will have to do a whole post on the details of our day, it was quite the ride.

Sorry this will not be a picture post. My family is dying to know details so I need to catch them up! Pictures will come later I promise.

We had court at 9:30 this morning. All went well and we were named parents of

Gabe Artem House (Artem is pronounced Are-tea-M)

And

Levi Vitalik House (Vitalik is pronounced Vee-Ta-Lick)

After court we had to race, and I mean race, to get to the boys separate places of birth and get their birth certificates.

We then drove to the notary to get the application for the boys passports.

Then we booked it back to Zap to turn in the passport applications. We were in such a hurry because Monday is a holiday here and the offices said they would not be available tomorrow. With the holiday that would mean we would have had to wait till Tuesday to get all these things done. We are very glad we made it today!

Tomorrow we have to pick up the passports, buy our train tickets, and then we will get our boys out of the orphanage!!!

Because of the weekend and the holiday we have to wait till Tuesday to finish the paperwork that needs to be done in Kiev.

Our plan as of now is to stay here until Sunday night. We will take the train to Kiev arriving Monday morning. We will have Tuesday and Wednesday to do our paperwork and plan to board our plane Thursday to come HOME!!!

Off to go book our plane tickets!!

A day she will never forget

2011-06-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

Childhood memories. We all have them. Some good, some bad.

What is one of your favorites? What is one that you never forgot?

My 11 year old daughter wrote this about our visit at the orphanage today.

She titled it,

"The Day I Will Never Forget"

This morning we drove to the orphanage where Gabe and Levi have spent their 5-6 years of life. We're allowed to visit them twice a day. So first we went to Gabe's building and brought him outside, then my mom and I walked over to Levi's building/room... One of the nannies opened the door, we walked in and saw all of Levi's groupa sitting in what I call "the waiting room". As soon as they noticed us, the kids got so excited! Waving, smiling and laughing... The next thing I see is our little monkey walking out :) My mom and I got down on his level with arms wide open. Guess what he did? Hugged ME. (have I told you how much I love that kid??).

But the best part is still to come.

All of the nannies were taking the children outside... I wanted so badly to go with them! After we brought Levi outside to see his daddy and brother, we took him over to his groupa. Right when I set Levi down he ran to the other lil' ones... We had bubbles and of course a camera in our hands. They absolutely LOVED the bubbles and a couple of them got so hyper that we decided to put it away. We didnt want the nannies getting mad at us. Man were they upset! But after, I played with them and gave lots of hugs =) I wanted to take them all home!!

This little sweetie loved when I would take a picture and show it to her on the screen. She would point out who was in the photo smiling proudly

This little guy was craving attention

Levi's buddies

I especially wanted the little boy with down syndrome that Levi sat by most of the time.

I'm not sure what his name is but I would go tickle him, sit with him and he wanted to hold my hand. So sweet!

All of those special angels are just dying for love and attention! Levi's nannies are really nice. They let us take pictures and in fact, they were telling the kids to look and smile at the camera!

And that was the day I will never forget. The hugging, playing, and making those lonely children all smile and laugh was the best feeling.

147 MILLION

Genesis wristband says "147 million" which is how many orphans there are that are waiting for a HOME

Genesis Holding Gabe

MINUS ONE

I know that many of you look at these orphans and have compassion. You want to help in some way, even if it's small. You know you can't just sit by and let these children continue living without a family.

Our friends Jenny and Eric Monier are about one month away from rescuing their son from an orphanage like ours. Their son also has down syndrome and is seven years old.

Seven

Could you imagine not knowing what it's like to ever feel a mommy's kisses or the warmth of daddy's big hugs.

Seven years sweet Dima has waited.

As I sit here in another country waiting for the day I can run my boys out of the orphanage for good, I also miss my two boys that are back at home with family.
My Jude is six years old. I miss him like crazy. He is my sweetheart boy. Very kind and caring towards others. He is such a great big brother.

I can't imagine missing out on those six wonderful years of his life.
He told me tonight on skype that he cries for me and wants to know how much longer before we come home.

Is Dima saying the same thing.

How much longer mommy? When will we be together as a family?

Boys+with special needs+over the age of 3, rarely ever get chosen.

Dima WAS chosen. The Moniers are only waiting on a travel date and they also still need 10,000.

If you have felt that desire to do something. Make a deference in the life of one of these precious children. Here is your chance.

Please visit the Moniers blog. They are doing a color nook give-away along with other things.
That neat blue wristband Genesis was wearing in her post, they are selling those for only 2 bucks.

Help rescue Dima.

My Gabe and Levi can't wait to have a play date with him:)

Brothers

2011-06-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

I decided today that if the Nannies insisted we take Gabe outside like they did yesterday that we would go, and keep going.

No, I didn't make a run for the gates, but don't think it didn't cross my mind.

Yesterday we just sat right out in front of Gabe's building and that's why the Nanny came out and interfered. I wanted to avoid that today.

As soon as we walked in they quickly brought Gabe out already buckled up in a stroller. I did just as I planned and walked him right outside. But instead of sticking by his building I told Guy we should walk on down by Levi's building, out of eyesight of Gabe's workers. We walk the whole grounds with Levi so I know that it is allowed.

Now, I don't want to make the Nannies all sound like terrible people. Actually I have been VERY touched by their compassion for our boys. I had heard stories of how most of them can be towards the kids and that is what I expected. Honestly though, I can tell that they do care about my boys. Whenever we walk by with Levi they always yell out his name, waving and smiling happily at him. Gabe's Nannies have held him, sung to him, rubbed his face.
The problem is not that they don't care, I feel it's simply lack of knowledge on how to care for them.
The last thing Gabe needs is harsh and sudden movements, or to be spoken loudly to.
I keep thinking that if they just had more education here on how to treat the different needs of these children, and of course if they had more workers, it would be life changing for these kids.

We all sat down on a bench and did our usual routine with Gabe of letting him sit to the side of Guys lap and not confine him, while talking quietly to him. I really don't think he has ever been outside. They told us that since he always cries they never took him out of the orphanage for care and would instead have the doctors come to him in his crib.
How often an actual Doctor came to see him I don't know, and how one could possibly leave him in his condition. Well, lets not go there.

He sat on Guy's lap and cried for one hour straight.

Guy didn't want to let him go and so he decided to keep him while Genesis and I went to get Levi and bring him out for his visit.

We were told the first day that we couldn't visit the boys together because they didn't want them in each others rooms to prevent cross contamination.
We get two visits a day from 10-12 and 4-6. Because of the no mixing thing we get each boy for only one hour per visit instead of the whole two hours.

Except for today.

Hey, they never told us we couldn't have them together outside.

When I came down with Levi, Gabe was content. Guy said he stopped as soon as I left. Thanks a lot Guy.

At the second visit I brought Gabe directly outside to the same bench and he stopped crying as soon as we sat down. Progress!

Genesis and I went to get Levi who promptly ran to each of us and gave us a big hug. Oh how I adore him.

We had a wonderful visit. Gabe was full of smiles. He kept smiling whenever anyone would walk past us, it was the neatest thing.

It was so nice to have a full two hours with the boys, TOGETHER.

Brothers together for the first time.

My sons.

To say Daddy is attached would be an understatement

Check out them boxers. This boy is stylin

Gabe's life

2011-06-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today's visit with Gabe went fairly well. He started to get tired at the end and began to cry. He then snuggled his face right against my chest and for the first time he stopped doing all of his nervous behaviors.

I didn't want to let him go. I hate that we only get one hour twice a day with him.

When we came for the second visit I decided that we should attempt to bring him outside. For him to get used to it and for us because sitting in the lobby is not enjoyable at all. The smell of urine and vomit is overwhelming and the constant screaming and moaning of the kids locked in their cribs is heart wrenching.

I took Gabe in my arms and quickly walked outside as the Nannie was rambling off something in Russian. He of course was crying and panicked. He will cry with the simplest movement, forget trying to stand up and walk with him. I don't know if he feels like he is going to fall, he doesn't like the change, I don't know but I sure wish I could help him.

He continued to cry while clinging tightly to me, burying his face in my chest. A few minutes later the Nannie came out with a bottle of what looked like tea. Gabe refused to take it. This is the second time he refused the bottle when it was just a liquid. It has me concerned about him getting dehydrated.
The nanny kept rambling on about who knows what and then she took Gabe from me and put him in his stroller. She buckled him in and motioned for us to push him back and forth. All the while of course Gabe is upset. We kept shaking our heads no, knowing that the last thing he needs is fast movement.
The nanny then takes Gabe and pushes him inside. She takes him out of the stroller and says, paka paka paka. I recognized that word meaning goodbye. We had only visited at this point for maybe 10 minutes. I looked at her, shook my head and said "nyet!" I took Gabe out of her arms and sat on the bench with him. After several minutes he calmed down. He ended up in Daddy's arms and by the end of the visit I had to get up and walk out (we were past due for our visit with Levi) to get Guy to hand him back to the nannies.

We have a hard time keeping ourselves from being angry. We look at our 6 year old and wonder how anyone can allow such trauma.

We feel his spine and hip bones poking out and want so badly to feed him. It's all we can do to sit there and not get up with Gabe in our arms and run out of that place to freedom. I can't imagine having to spend my life in the condition that he has. Starving, scared, dirty. Hours and hours enduring the wails and cries of the other children in his room.

Soon Gabe.

Soon you will know what a full tummy feels like.

Soon you will sleep in a comfy,clean bed of your own.

Soon you will feel safe in YOUR HOME that is filled with laughter, and fun.

You will soon know the love of family and friends.

Soon.

It shouldn't have taken 6 years for you to experience this. We are so sorry.

This is what a visit can look like. He actually calmed down really fast here. Typically it takes longer to get him to relax. We found that if we sit him facing out and don't put our arms around him right away, giving him space, he will eventually feel safe.

This is his reaction every time we move him. And yes, his Daddy thinks he is a comedian. We take Gabe's condition very seriously but we found that we have to laugh or we would go mad

His food. 6 years old and this is it.

A cool night in Zap

2011-06-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

It's so funny how one day here feels like several long ones! When I think about what to catch everyone up on, it seems like days ago, and yet it was just today.

We decided that we would spend the first hour with Levi and the second with Gabe this morning. Our boys are at the same orphanage but in different buildings. They told us we are not allowed to visit with the boys together because they could contaminate each other. Although one day we did have them together when we had our facilitator with us. Shame on us;)

We walked to Gabe's building and tried to go straight back to his room like yesterday. The nannies were all new today, a different shift, and they were pushing us back out to the lobby. We got our translator on the phone to explain that we need to visit where he is comfortable but the nanny argued and said no because there are very sick kids in his room.

I was not happy to say the least and I let them know it by looking at them angry and shaking my head. Oh yeah, THAT showed them.

A worker went over and closed the window. Thank goodness, it was a whole 90 degrees it felt like in there, I'd hate for Gabe to catch a cold.

They quickly brought Gabe out and as expected he started crying and shaking in fear. They put him in a stroller, buckled him up and wheeled him over to us. Guy was able to get them to turn off the lights, we aren't sure if he is sensitive to them being so bright. We all just sat quietly and tried talking with him. After that didn't work, I decided to take him out and hold him. I sat with him on my lap, his face full of tears, hands wringing. We talked, hummed, played music. 30 full minutes went by. I decided to try and see what he thought of the orange, squishy ball I had brought for Levi. I wasn't sure if it would be over stimulating for him. I held it out at a distance from his face and all the sudden he stopped crying. He stared at the ball then turned and looked at me with a smile.

For the next 30 minutes he was calm and interactive. At the end of our visit the nanny brought out a glass bottle with a nipple that had a huge hole cut in the top. It appeared to be filled with some kind of soup. Tomato maybe. Whatever it was he drank it in less than a minute. When it was gone he began to cry and shake. My heart broke. My baby is starving.
I hated to leave him so upset but our time was up.

On our second visit Guy sat and was prepared to hold him. They brought him out to the lobby again but this time he didn't cry! He looked like he had just woken up. He was full of smiles for us.

Half way through the visit Guy tried to hand him over to Genesis and me but he instantly began to cry and get scared. The moment he went back in Guys lap though he calmed right down. It seems that ANY form of change throws him off. Even just simply standing up with him.
I do feel that he is beginning to feel safe with us.

Our visit with Levi was as joyful as always. I think all 3 of us have a smile on our face the entire time we are with our little monkey.

He now goes straight for his favorite spot in the parking lot where the flag is flying from the building. He will look at the flag then walk away, then turn around and come back. I gave him the orange ball and it is now his new favorite thing. We found that he loves anything with a string of sorts. On the ball he can pull out one of the "strings" and hold it.
We fed him a banana and he loved it.

We have to work on manners. He will find out quickly that yelling won't get you far in our house:) I do understand that right now this is the only way he knows how to communicate.

On our second visit we gave him a cookie and juice. I am pleasantly surprised at how well he chews. His tongue doesn't seem to be a big problem for him. At first he couldn't drink from the juice box and I knew he would need something else. Then he surprised us by actually sucking from the tiny straw! By the time he was done however he had juice all down his shirt and on his hands. Then he would put his hands on the road and the dirt stuck to him and made the worst mess. He then touched his face with his sticky, black hands. The poor nannies must have wondered what in the world he was up to to get so dirty in such a small amount of time. But, he is a boy after all, they have that ability.

Funny story. We decided to buy a fan for our room last night. We have no AC and it has been pretty hot here. It's especially hot at night and hard to sleep.
We found a store in walking distance to our apartment so here we are walking with a big box, complete with a handle made out of tape by the service guy at the store.
We couldn't wait to put the fan together and finally have some cool air. Come to find out that the box is missing the fan blades. The funny thing is that we could see at a distance that before the guy sold it to us he took everything out of the box to be sure all the pieces were there and then carefully re-packed it.
Back to the store we went tonight hoping to be able to explain and get the blades. Try doing that in a foreign country! We called our translator and explained the story to her. She said she didn't understand the missing part we were talking about, she didn't have that word to be able to tell the worker but would try to explain our situation. We walked up to the front desk and after several minutes of complete confusion I told Guy to just hand the lady the phone with our interpreter on the line. After they talked, Guy was able to point out the part we needed.
We walked home with the fan blades in hand.

Finally, some cool air.

Guy gets the blades on only to find out that we have 2 front pieces that house the blades instead of a front and back.

I am lying here enjoying the cool breeze anyway. Just be careful not to get to close as the blades are not covered;)

Sorry there are no pictures tonight. This post already took me several hours to write and to upload the video. It's after 1AM here and I really need to get out of this habit of going to bed after 2AM. I do that at home and I thought I would be able to get out of that routine with the time change here. But no such luck.

Goodnight from Zap

Trials and smiles

2011-06-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind this has been! We have only been in "Region" since yesterday morning and yet it feels like its been a week!!!

I now need to play catch up, so if you wanted details, here you go! If you just stopped by for pictures, you can scroll down now:)

Monday morning we had our SDA appointment. It was very short and formal, they asked why we wanted to adopt and why we wanted children with special needs. I wasn't prepared for the wave of emotions I had after seeing my boys baby pictures (they have them attached to their original information on file). We learned that Gabe's parents really wanted to have children and had Gabe after failed attempts and a miscarriage. However after he was born they saw that he had down syndrome and left him at the hospital and signed over their rights. They were 27 & 28 years old.

The only information they had about Levi is that he was brought back to the hospital when he was 3 months old and left there by his mother. They do not have her name or any other information. We believe that after the mother had him home and realized that he was down syndrome she brought him to the hospital because she felt she could no longer care for him.

Monday night we were able to meet up with four other Reece's Rainbow families. We had a wonderful evening at TGIF's hearing each others stories and talking about our families.

Tuesday we knew we needed to be at the SDA office to get our referrals by 4:00. We decided to sleep in Tuesday since we hadn't really tried to catch up on sleep from the plane ride and time change. We slept till 11:30 when we got a phone call telling us we needed to be out of our apartment at 12:30. We quickly all showered and packed our mess of bags. I was hoping to nicely organize everything for the transition to "Region". That didn't happen! Our driver met us and put all our luggage in his car until that evening at the train station. We spent the next few hours at a cafe having brunch and trying to connect online.

4:00 came and we got our referrals. Niko then drove us to the train where we had to wait for several hours. Usually we would have another facilitator helping us but they were all tied up with other families so Niko took their place for a bit. He ended up riding the train to Region with us and starting the adoption process Wednesday. He was a wonderful companion and we were spoiled to have him along to translate for us.

The 10 hour train ride was better in some ways and not in others. We ended up in first class cause that's how we ride;) Niko said they were sold out of the others and since he was coming along Guy and him shared one room and Genesis and I in another. I tried desperately to sleep but the constant complete screeching to a halt stops over and over made that near impossible. Last I looked at the time it was after 2am and I woke up at 4am.

By the way, the sun sets here at 9:30pm and rises at 4am.

We crammed ourselves and our luggage into a taxi like clowns in a clown car and arrived at the Catholic Church where we will be staying thanks to some wonderful friends suggestion! I will write about our stay with pictures soon.

We had less than an hour to shower and get ready to meet our boys.

We arrived at the orphanage and found it full of activity. There were adults and children everywhere and the outdoors was decorated with streamers, balloons, chalk drawings on the roads. They had the children putting on a musical complete with costumes and dance. We were told that June 1st is "children protection day".

Because we had Niko as our stand in facilitator our first day wasn't near as crazy as it could have been. We were able to have a good amount of time with the boys and many of the workers were around talking to us and telling us about the boys.

When we first met Levi he came running out to us. They told us that he is very active. They also said that he is kind, sweet, and happy.
On our second visit that day (we get to visit twice a day for 2 hours each visit) Levi was so excited to see us. He came right out and gave us each a big hug. They told us that he had been "searching" for us after our first visit.

We have now had 4 visits. Levi loves to go outside and we are blessed to be allowed to take him all around the orphanage grounds. While we walk around, anytime a worker goes by they yell out Levi's name and wave and talk to him. They seem to really enjoy him here. We don't feel he is as hyperactive as they made him seem. He will sit on our laps peacefully or sit still if we need to put his shoes on and such.
Levi is 5 years old and probably the size of a small 3 year old. He seems to be healthy. He doesn't talk at all but does understand when spoken to. He is so full of life, and smiles and laughs constantly. He has totally captured all of our hearts. We can hardly wait to get back to see him in between visits and we find ourselves sitting around talking about all the cute things he does.

Gabe's visit was very different. After yesterday I wasn't even going to post about it. I was scared and not sure what to do. BUT today was a better day thanks to the many prayers that went up for him after I personally shared with a few friends and family. I honestly believe God answered and gave us wisdom today.

On our first visit they brought Gabe to us and he screamed the moment they walked in the room to us. He is 6 but probably weighs 20 pounds. He is long, about the same length as Levi. He is very,very thin.
I took Gabe hoping to calm him down but he continued to cry. He would wring his hands constantly and he looked absolutely terrified. Finally they said that they would lay him back in his crib so we could look at him because the crib is the only place he doesn't cry.

Here is the video I didn't want to post yesterday

On the next visit we decided to take him outside. He again was terrified. He screamed and cried, tears rolling down his little face the whole hour. His tiny body trembles the entire time as if he is in the worst kind of pain. If I even slightly touched his foot he would scream and withdraw it instantly. If I put my hand near him he would shove it away.
I came away from him yesterday worried and drained. I worried mostly about how in the world we were going to get him home with the long train and plane rides. I was desperate to know what I could do to help him not knowing if he needed space or should I be forcing him to be close to me.
We have no internet until late in the evening so I couldn't even look things up online. Needless to say it was a very hard day with a few rays of sunshine from our Levi.

Today's first visit with Gabe went the same. He screamed and trembled in complete fear the whole time. Our facilitator asked us after seeing him with us if we are sure that we want to continue with his adoption. If we felt this wasn't what we were hoping for we needed to back out now. She said that if we don't adopt him he will go straight to the institution (where we know he would die within a year) but she wanted us to be sure we were happy with whatever we choose.
Guy told her that we committed to him 5 months ago and he was our son then, and still is.

After that visit I began thinking of one thing I had noticed. While watching the ladies get him dressed he was fine while he was in his small room, even with me in his sight. As the ladies walked him out and turned the corner to the lobby, that is where he instantly began to cry. I had thought it was after seeing us since we were new faces, but it seemed to be the room. I asked my interpreter if on my second visit I could call her and have her ask the ladies if I could please stay in his room while we visited. Now, they never let you do that normally. They do not like people to be back in the rooms at all and will make them stay in the lobby only. Thank God though that they agreed to let us come back. We sat right in the small hall by his crib and when they handed him to me he acted a little afraid, wringing his hands strongly and on the verge of crying. We sat very still and talked quietly to him. He slowly started to relax as Guy made silly faces at him and copied his little movements. Then, amazingly, he LAUGHED.

I honestly didn't think he even connected to people. We sat there for an hour not moving him and he began to relax more and more, even stopping wringing his hands. Eventually I would touch his face and after a few times of him moving my hand away he actually took my hand and placed it on his face.
His eyes are severely crossed and flutter constantly, I don't know how much vision he even has like that. I am also sure that his ears are bad. 6 years of laying in a crib drinking a bottle cannot be good.

We plan to spend half our visit tomorrow in his room again and then the other half we will walk to the next room. If that works we will do it again on the next visit and start moving further and further from his room. My hope is that he will find his comfort in us and not fear when we take him away from the orphanage. We will also try some music tomorrow, maybe the constant sound will help him.
Gabe will definitely need a lot of care. But after today I believe that he will one day flourish. He seemed to connect with us and bond after just an hours time. Imagine what weeks will do.
Please keep Gabe in your prayers. Pray that he will continue to bond with us. Pray that we can get him home without major problems. Pray for direction for Guy and I on what the best treatment is for him to help him feel secure and safe.

I just went and read all the post from many of you on Facebook. I am now sobbing thank you very much. I could not ask for a more sincere, loving, encouraging, AMAZING group of friends and family. Your words about Gabe will carry me through this journey and I will hold on to the promises of my faithful, loving God. With Him, and your help, we will see His will be done in our lives and our boys.

Love you!!!

And now for the best part

How can you not smile around this boy???

Gabe warming up to us

He was very comfortable with Daddy

Daddy kept making him laugh, music to our ears

Sissy wanted to hold him so badly and so we tried it with the last 5 minutes of the visit. I'd say he didn't mind at all:)

Levi LOVES to go for walks! He has these shoes, (girls sandals but we won't tell him) they squeak when he walks and he gets such a kick out of them.

He discovered the flag today and all he wanted to do was stare at it. He would get up to walk away from it but then turn right around and sit and stare.

Levi makes this sound that I said sounds like a rapper so daddy started to do it and then would yell his name "Levi!". He would just laugh hysterically!!

I think someone is in love:)

"For this child I prayed"

2011-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

And the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of him - 1 Samuel 1:27

Levi

Gabe

We are here!

2011-05-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

We made it!!!

We flew out Friday at 1:30PM and arrived in Eastern Europe at 4:30PM (9:30AM YOUR time, we are 7 hours ahead of you) Saturday. Our driver Nicco Picked us up and drove us to our apartment. I was pretty wiped out so we stayed put for the evening.

I went to bed at 11:30pm (4:30 your time) and had a great night of sleep. We woke up about 9AM, got ready and headed out for McDonalds.

We did a ton of walking today. The weather is great, 24c, which would be around 70 degrees.

There is a huge festival going on. I heard it is a celebration of this city's Birthday.
There are live concerts, rides, balloons. SO fun seeing all the people everywhere.

I absolutely LOVE it here!! I love seeing the different culture, hearing the language, seeing the different styles.
It's really funny, all the little boys I see look so much like my Gabe and Levi :)

Tomorrow at 9AM we have our SDA appointment. This will be where we hear all the information they have on our boys like why they are at the orphanage and their medical.
It is also where we will get our referral for the boys so we can then get a court date.
We will get the referral papers Tuesday and board our train Tuesday night to make the 12 hour trip to our boys region.
Wednesday morning when we arrive we will be taken to the orphanage where....

We will meet our boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know you are all dying to see pics so here you go!!!
These are a mixture of Genesis' pics and mine. And yes, it is killing me that I can't edit mine. Never before have I posted my pics straight out of camera. Count yourself lucky;)

I was hoping to sleep on the 9 hour flight from NC to Germany but no such luck. We were all pretty tired after that flight and had a 5 hour layover before flying the last 2 hours to EE

We needed coffee bad

Unfortunately it would take 10x this cup to do the job

Lunch/breakfast not really sure at this point what time our bodies think it is. Guy and Genesis got this pancake wrap with sweet cheese. Looks way better than it taste

Hello *K

Our apartment

View from the balcony

At night

My dinner last night

Fireworks!!! The view from our balcony

Our walk around the city

COFFEE!!!

The McDonalds did taste different but wasn't bad. It wasn't too expensive, I actually think it was cheaper than ours. We got 2 whole meals, 1 chicken sandwich and a coffee for under $12.

Found the electronic store to get a card reader for Genesis camera card

iPad 2 Just released

Sound close to what you spent Tim and Lisa???

Jude and Zane, Kung Fu Panda is here too!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beach

Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging hello's! We treasure each one.

A HUGE Thank you to my sister and bro, Kara and Stefen for watching my kids and helping them with this transition.
Kara even made a blog that is a day to day of the boys at home. What a gift.

Buckle up!

2011-05-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

It's almost 2AM. We leave in almost 6 hours to head to the airport.

I am excited, anxious, and sad all at the same time.

Excited to FINALLY hug my new babies.

Anxious because I didn't get my list of things to do done.

And sad leaving my Jude & Zane for so long.

*For those that are wondering, we are bringing our daughter Genesis with us, and our boys who are 6 & 4 will be staying with family. They really encourage you to not bring young children with you as some of the days can be painfully long and tiring with lots of running around, literally, and no time to stop to eat or rest.
Genesis is 11 and very mature for her age and we knew that she could handle the trip. She also has a big heart for orphans and the poor so we felt this trip would be life changing for her and will be a foundation for the calling God has on her life.*

I have a feeling this month is going to be one big roller coaster. Good thing I really like coasters.

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for all your support & prayers.

Now buckle up..... this is gonna be an incredible ride!!

2 short days!

2011-05-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

*This is a t-shirt I designed for my boys to wear home*

I honestly cannot believe we are at THIS very moment in our adoption journey. Everyone keeps asking me if I'm excited. YES, I am.

BUT, mostly the feeling is incredibly surreal. I have so many emotions going on that sometimes I can't think straight. SO much to do. Packing, cleaning the house, getting the house ready for 2 little boys, photo shoots, researching the country that we are going to, preparing to leave behind my Zane and Jude......so much.

When we moved here to FL from TN 6 months ago, we hit the ground running!
November we moved into our home, my sister got married, Thanksgiving, and I had MANY photo shoots.

I knew that as soon as we moved I wanted to begin the process of our adoption and on December 15th we committed to Gabe (a few weeks later we added Levi). It has been a whirlwind of activity ever since.
I continued to book photo shoots to raise money. We had lots of fund raisers including Chick-Fil-A, T-Shirt sales, Bowl-A-Thon, BBQ Dinners, Yard sale, auctions, Lori Annes, Adoption journals...to name a few.
Couple that with the hundreds of legal forms to fill out and you have yourself a busy few months!

I know everyone's adoption journeys are different with many highs and lows, but I will say honestly that this process was FAR easier than I ever imagined!!
And super FAST!!
I have a long list of times throughout this process that had God's name written all over it. I hope to blog about that soon.

So here we are. Boarding a plane in two days to fly to EE. We have our SDA appointment on Monday at 9AM their time (they are 7 hours ahead of us). We will hopefully be meeting our boys that Wednesday.

I hope to be able to keep up with this blog and fill you in on everything step by step. Of course there will also be lots of photo's and video's, internet service willing.

Thank each one of you that got us to this place in our adoption journey and helped make a lifelong dream of mine, and a command of the Father, a reality. We love you!

The Amazing Race

2011-05-15T07:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the reality show "Amazing Race"

I knew I would never be a good candidate for that show. I am direction impaired.

Ask my dad about "the tree" sometime. It was the beginning of my diagnosis.

I also don't have a lot of patience.

But after these last 5 months I feel like I am starring on the show.

And guess what? We are approaching the finish line!

Guy and I are running as hard and fast as we can.

We can see the finish line.

We hear Phil saying,

*Insert crowd cheering on the sidelines*

"5 months, hundreds of pieces of paperwork, hours of prayer and fasting, hard work, sacrifices, fund-raising....Guy and Lindy, you are the official winners of the Amazing Race to Gabe and Levi!!

Our plane tickets are booked. We board our plane in 12 days!!! We will be hugging our boys in 2 weeks. I can hardly believe it.

There are so many emotions right now.

Excitement to meet my boys. Getting the long list of things to do done. Not wanting to leave my 2 boys behind for the weeks we are gone. Soon we will be a family of seven with 2 special needs sons.......

For all of you adopting parents out there, you can just mark the last month of waiting off your calculations because it totally FLY'S by! Trust me.

Two Words _ ___

2011-05-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, May 4th, we got the long awaited phone call that we have our SDA appointment in EE!!! It will be Monday, May 30th at 9:00AM.

Instant excitement. Instant relief. Instant reality that we still had $5,000 to raise in 3 short weeks.

As I called and texted the family, I found myself beginning to freak out about how in the world I could raise the $5,000 we needed in such a short time.

I logged in to Facebook to make our announcement and the very top comment on my wall was this:

Imagine Jesus saying this to you about today - "I will equip you as you go, so that you can handle whatever comes your way. Trust me to supply what you need when you need it."

Throughout this whole adoption process God has spoken to me so clearly at different times. Just when I've needed it.
It made me think of all the times in life that I asked, no, begged God to talk to me and never really felt like I got answers.
Now in the last year I have heard Him more than ever.

Maybe it has something to with finally being at a place where I am listening. A place where I have said this life is not mine, it's not "All about me". God, whatever you want, however you want. Use me.

"I will equip you as you go, so that you can handle whatever comes your way. Trust me to supply what you need when you need it."

That evening I received an email. Someone anonymously donated $4,000 to our Reece's Rainbow account.

Seriously God. You are amazing.

Guy and I sat down to calculate where we were at with funds. We had several donations that had come in including a $300.00 check from Lori Anne's fundraiser.

The result?

Two words:

FULLY FUNDED!!!!!!

"Trust me to supply what you need when you need it"

THANK YOU, each and every one of you that donated in some way, big or small.

This was never about giving money to Lindy or Guy. This wasn't about giving us money so we could simply grow our family. No, this was bigger than that.

It was about this:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

Adoption is at the heart of God.

In Russell Moore's Book "Adopted for Life" it says

"The scriptures tell us there are unseen beings around us who would rather we not think about who we are in Christ.

They would rather we find our identity, our inheritance, and our mission according to what we can see and verify as ours - according to what the Bible calls "the flesh"- rather than according to the veiled rhythms of the spirit of life.

That's why adoption isn't charity - it's war.

Adoption is not just about couples who want children - or who want more children.

Adoption is about an entire culture within our churches, a culture that sees adoption as part of our Great Commission mandate and as a sign as the gospel itself."

Off to start our packing list and practice some Russian

Grass is Greener on the other side

2011-05-03T23:19:00.000-07:00

The other day my 11 year old, Genesis, said, "Mom, if we had nice green grass in our yard I would play outside more".

If you know Genesis you know that she is not like her tomboy mother was at her age.
I loved to be outside playing with my older brother, making guns out of sticks, building forts, and cooking up some yummy mud pies.

Genesis, not so much. She is all girl.

The truth is. No matter how lush our grass is, she still would not choose to go outside. It's just not her thing.

I had that "grass is greener on the other side" thinking all the time. And still do sometimes if I'm not careful.

I would walk into someone else's clean home and think, "If I had a house like this then I could have a better family".

Why is it that when someone else does the work, it seems SO much better.

Someone else can make me a sandwich the exact same way I would, and yet it taste far better since they made it. Why is that???

I digress

I would think things like, "If I had her looks I would be more out going, if I had that talent I could do more for God, if I had more money I would help others...."

Last year one of the things God taught me is Don't Wait for the If

I grew up in church and learned that it is better to give than receive.

But when it came to finances I would always say that all I wanted was to make enough money to provide for my family comfortably and have some left over so I could then bless others.

The problem is defining comfortable. But that's a whole other blog for another day.

God finally got ahold of my heart and changed my thinking. I stopped longing for the neighbors house. The nice cars, the great paying job, dressing my kids in the cutest clothes. And even stopped waiting for "enough".

The moment I decided that we actually had more than enough, and decided to start giving now, my life has changed.

Now I am not into prosperity teaching. I don't believe that we give to receive.
But God is so awesome that He does bless us.

No, we didn't all the sudden receive a nice car or get a six digit salary.

We are blessed with contentment.

Blessed with a wonderful family.

Blessed to be adding two amazing little boys to our family.

Blessed to really start to Know God.

Blessed to be happy living on our side of the fence.

The grass may not be greener, but the mud pies are incredible.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.

An angel hears his plea and appears to him. "Sorry, but you can't
take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.

The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.

Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to
greet St.Peter. St.Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you
can't bring that in here!"

But, the man explains to St.Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St.Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."

St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims,

"You brought pavement?!!!"

The eagle has landed

2011-04-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

We shipped our Dossier off on Tuesday via FedEx and it has officially arrived in our boys country today!!

Now to pray for a quick translation and to receive a traveling date!

And for some more great news. Yesterday I received 2 donations from 2 beautiful young ladies.

As soon as I saw the amount, $300.00, I instantly thought, "Oh I bet they messed up and accidentally put an extra zero, I'm sure they only meant to give $30.00".

Funny how quickly I can doubt God when I think that I have been fully trusting Him.

$600.00 in one day. Yep, that's the God I serve.

Approved!!

2011-04-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

We have been approved! And do you want to hear something really neat?
This approval process usually takes 2-3 months. We were approved in TWO WEEKS.

What does that mean and what's the next step??

We have our approval from USCIS here in the states which means that we can now send our Dossier (huge packet of paperwork we have worked on for months) over to EE.
Once it gets translated we will be given a traveling date. Usually the time frame once you send of your Dossier is about 4-6 weeks to be in country. That means we could be holding our little guys in a little over a month!!!

My mind is going a thousand different directions. Although that is nothing new :)

We have been working on getting our home ready for the boys. Their beds all set up and we even got Gabe's coming home outfit. I cannot wait for you to see it!!

Things we still need to do:
Get a dresser
Make a family photo album to show the judge in EE
Raise the last of the needed funds

And speaking of funds ;)

I kinda miscalculated what our balance left to be raised is. After talking to my facilitator and a friend that traveled to our same orphanage, I realized that I didn't budget enough for our stay while in EE. Instead of being only $5,000 short we actually need $8,000.

But guess what? God is still God. We have seen His hand in this whole process and I know He wouldn't let us get this far to not have the money right at the end.

I am talking with a few people and getting some fundraising ideas. We only have a month to raise the last of our funds, but I know that we can do it!

If you haven't already, check out the fundraiser tab at the top of the page. I will be listing new things weekly.

"Deciding everything is falling into place perfectly as long as you don't get too picky about what you mean by place. Or perfectly." - Story People

Fundraisers, Friends and Funds

2011-04-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind these past weeks have been! I will start out by telling you where we are at with our fund raising.

Drum Roll please.........

Out of the $30,000 total that we need for our adoption we have raised

$25,000

Leaving us only needing to raise $5,000!!!!

Can you believe we started this adoption process only 3 short months ago?!?!?

So what is our fund raising secret?

~~Playing the lottery~~
~~Bill Gates is my BFF~~
~~Money Tree in my back yard~~

Having THE BEST friends and family ever!

And I do have connections with the ONE that owns the cattle on a thousand hills

The support that we have received from DAY ONE has been overwhelming. I mean, I knew that I had great people in my life, but everyone has absolutely blown my mind with their love and support.

Every.Single.Gift has touched my heart.

From 9 year old Alexus giving up her birthday gifts and instead having guest bring donations for our adoption, raising $240

To a wonderful church, Cross Point, in Selma Alabama, that we had only visited once giving $1,000.

To two young girls, Makayla and Matanya, handing me their zip-lock baggies filled with coins.

To a husband matching his wife's gift making a $1,000 donation.

To many people I have never met, giving online from all over the world.

I could go on and on and on and on.

I wish I could write each one of you a Thank You card.

Unfortunately, even if I write them they will sit here on my desk for months never making it to the mailbox. Because you know that walk to the end of the driveway is so long ;)

THANK YOU
Thank you for not just reading James 1:27
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
But actually doing what it says.

~Thank you~

And now for your enjoyment I bring you photo overload!

Our first fundraiser at Chick-Fil-A was great!

And what does a 6 year old boy do after being at Chick-Fil-A for 4 hours?

Rearrange the ketchup packets of course

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Our next big fundraiser was put on by Jillene Husted, owner of Dunedin Lanes.
Jillene, along with my amazing cousin Paula, put on a wonderful bowling event complete with snacks, games, and giveaways.
I still talk about what a great job they did and how blown away I am at their generosity to our family.
They raised $1,000!!!

Wonderful friends that traveled hours to support us

My always supportive family getting in on the fun

Even the littlest ones had fun:)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The amazing people at our church had a spaghetti dinner for us and raised $800!!
I walked off and forgot to bring my camera, but this is what you would have seen

Only it was better, with homemade sauce and all

Thank you to all of you that put so much thought and effort into that night. From the advertising to the cooking, serving and clean up.
You all ROCK!
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever met someone that truly has the heartbeat of God? I have. And what beautiful people they are.
Jana Knox is one of them. Her, her family, and her church have the most amazing hearts. Generous, loving, hard working. Never asking but always giving.
Jana reached out to us as soon as she heard about our adoption and put together our "Market on Main Street" fundraiser. For weeks she met with other wonderful women, Cindy Mcmillan and Cindy Boyer to plan and organize the event.

And what an amazing event it was!!!! Raising $3,000!!!

The bake sale brought in over $400

Yard sale brought in $500

We even had a guest join in and sing with the band :)

And the winner is...

It was a long but very successful day!

There are so many of you that came together to make this day a success.
Jeff Statkus generously donated and smoked ALL the meat. Which by the way was extremely delicious and got endless complements.
Many people baked, donated yard sale items, raffle prizes, and their time to set-up and run the whole day.

Something I heard all day was how nice it was to have people from all different walks of life and different church's, coming together as one. People said that that alone was so rewarding and they were glad that they were a part of it.

It's time like this that I wish I was an eloquent writer so that I could fully express what is in my heart. I am overwhelmed by everyone's support. Please know that even though I might not mention each one of your names, I have them all written in my heart.

Hey, that was kinda eloquent wasn't it???

Gabe and Levi, we are so very close to being able to come and get you!!!

Life is short, do something LASTING with yours

My sisters like to make me cry

2011-02-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

One of my last blog post was from my sister Tanya. Tear jerker. She shared her heart, it was beautiful.

Now my other sister Kara went and posted. Another tear jerker for me.

OK Maybe there are other reasons I'm so emotional lately, but still.

Here is her post. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you all to be involved with this!!!

100 Prayers Quilt

I am totally stealing this idea from some friends of mine that adopted a super sweet little girl from China a little over three years ago. I hope they don't mind=)

There's an old Chinese tradition that some of you may have heard of before, its called "bai jia bei", "100 wishes quilt", though we might want to call it “100 prayers quilt”. The way it works is that we ask friends and family to pick out a fabric of their choice (it can have some meaning to you or just be a pattern you happen to like), and mail two (four, 2 for Gabe & two for Levi) 7" squares of that material to us along with a scripture verse or prayer you would like to pray for Gabe & Levi.

Once I collect all the squares, I will begin to sew a quilt for Gabe & Levi. The reason I ask for two squares is that one of the squares will be used for the actual quilt, while the other I will use to cut a piece and place in a scrapbook along with the prayer, scripture, or note you include.

Stefen just bought me a new sewing machine and I've been waiting to use it for something awesome, so I'm really excited about this!

*Please don’t worry about the fabrics matching anything, it will be exciting how God puts it all together.*

Since there are two little boys, I will be making a quilt for each of them.

So, in a nutshell, this is what I’m asking of you:

• Mail 4 (2 for each boy) 7” fabric squares (100% cotton is preferred), along with a scripture or prayer (or both) for Gabe and Levi (one for each boy, please!)

• Mail it to me at: 8137 Crystal Brook Circle Brooksville, FL 34601

If you have any questions just send me a message on facebook or email me at karajoelle@gmail.com.

Thank you and God Bless,

Kara

Gabe is 6 today

2011-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday sweet Gabe!!! You are 6 today just like your brother Jude.

Just a couple months ago we celebrated Jude's birthday with friends, family, cake, and gifts. Papa got Jude a huge dump truck. He and his friend ran outside and played with it for hours.

I wonder what you will be doing today on your birthday. Will anyone even know?

Will someone pick you up today and snuggle you, whispering in your ear Happy Birthday Gabe?

I think I know the answer to that.

But don't you worry buddy. Your mommy and Daddy are working non-stop to come get you.

Your Sissy is working at it too. She is even getting a gift together for you!

Hang on sweet boy. I promise your next Birthday will be different. You will get so many hugs and kisses you won't know what to do!

If you would like to see what Genesis gift for Gabe is, go to

http://mydreamyourhelphistime.blogspot.com/

Mend a Broken Heart?

2011-02-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

I have several blog post yet to be made. I am excited to report where we are at with our fund raising and I have lots of pictures to share!!

But since I am the worlds biggest procrastinator and don't have the photo's loaded, I thought I would share a post made by my sister, Tanya.

Tanya's gorgeous family:)

You all know where I stand and how passionate I am about the orphan and poor.

Sometimes it's good hear someone else's heart.

Mend a Broken Heart?

So, I have to be honest, when I first heard that my sister (Lindy) was adopting a child with down syndrome, my first thought was "Why?". Why a child that you will most likely have to take care of for the rest of your life? Why add more work to your already crazy days. Why not a child that is "healthy" and "whole". Do you really know what you're getting into?!

Selfish, I know, but I'm human right? Don't I have enough to worry about already in my own life?

I decided to make my own judgment without the full knowledge of why she and Guy made this decision. Why special needs? Why from another country instead of right here in the USA? Don't we have enough orphans here?

Then, my naive and selfish self decided to actually read one of the many posts that she has put up from from Reece's Rainbow, and check out some pictures and videos.

After that I don't think I could've kicked myself in the butt enough to make up for my first judgment that I made when I had first heard the news they were adopting.

I read of a little boy that was raised by his birth family till he was 3 months old, then given to the orphanage when he was diagnosed with an illness that he would have for the rest of his life.

I read of a beautiful little girl that was full of smiles but very low functioning with multiple health issues because her mother was an alcoholic.

I saw picture after picture of sweet babies, toddler's, 5-7 year old's with down syndrome that were given to this orphanage because if they're mother kept them, she would become an outcast among her family and friends for having a child with this "condition".

And now my hearts breaks. It breaks every time I see a new post about one of these precious babies about to be sent to an institution where they will likely die soon after their arrival.

It breaks every time I see them smiling even though they are in the conditions that they're in.

It breaks every time I compare them to Noah and all the love, family, friends, food, toys, health and a future full of possibilities that he has, just because he was blessed enough to be born into that.

It breaks every time I think that these poor babies had no choice about how their life began, and because of that, they have no choice about how it will either continue, or end.

To answer, why there and not here? I'm writing this as I'm holding Noah while he is sick with a fever. I was able to call his doctor today, go to the store and get him medicine, knowing that if it doesn't get better I can take him right to the doctor where he can help make him all better.

These babies don't have that kind of help. There are no doctors treating them for their illness. No loving arms holding them while they are uncomfortable and sick with fever. They don't have a doctor on speed dial. A local store where someone will go and get them what they need.

Their resources are here, in the USA, where their Strabismus (crossed eyes) can easily be fixed. Where the meds for HIV are more accessible. Where their malnutrition is easily fixed by our easy food availability.

That is why there, and not here, where our country doesn't neglect the children and uses every resource possible.

I want more than anything to storm into these countries, swoop up all these sweet children, and rescue them from whatever fate they are facing....

But I can't. I can't save them all. At times I feel like even saving one won't make much difference.

Will it?

The answer is YES. Even though it doesn't seem like it, there is some hope. 147 million orphans, minus 2. Gabe and Levi will soon be home, safe and sound, and they don't even know it yet.

My heart will continue to break, but I don't want to mend it. I don't want to this hurt, these tears that won't stop every time I read about them, to go away. I don't want to just forget about them so that I will "feel better".

Without knowledge, we will parish. I had to come out of my box, my comfort zone, my little world of me and my family and remember just how much hurt there is out there.

My heart is heavy, but I don't want it to be light again. With this broken heart I now have a passion. A passion to fulfill what God has called us to do, feed the poor, clothe the naked, shelter the orphans.

No longer will I turn away to protect myself from how it might affect me. No longer will I ignore the cries so I can be more comfortable. No longer will I pass over the posts about lost babies because it's the millionth one I've seen and I don't have the "time".

My heart is breaking and I pray It never mends until I am with my Savior, along with all the orphans, in the safety of the arms of Jesus for eternity.

Adoption Questions

2011-01-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

As we continue on in our Adoption I meet lots of people with questions.
I don't mind the questions at all. I know that if you don't have much experience with international adoption it can seem confusing.
I will list the questions and statements people have made below.
If new ones come up, I will post those too.

Why are you adopting?

I have had a desire to adopt since I was a young girl

Why are you adopting a special needs child?

I knew also at a young age that I would have a child with Down Syndrome

That's a BIG commitment, taking on a special needs child. You may have them live with you forever and they require almost all of your time.

Having kids period is a big commitment. Each time I was pregnant I didn't know the kind of child I would have, but I knew no matter what, they were MINE sent to me by God. These boys are no different.
As far as being with us forever. I think it's GREAT. I never did understand when I would hear couples talking about how they can't wait for the day all their kids were gone. It just doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure I get that from my Dad. He hates to have us kids too far away. We all know he is going to go nuts when the last child leaves. We also fully expect him to find ways to talk or visit us all week. Oh wait, he already does this:)

Why aren't you adopting from America? We should be taking care of our own.

~~Well go ahead then, YOU adopt from America~~

FIRST of all, I do not believe in "Our Own" We are ALL created by God. Period.
Also, that's where my sons are. I can't help that they were born there.

I am not against adopting from the states or fostering. It may even happen for us one day. But for now, this is what God has planned for us. Yes the conditions over seas are MUCH worse due to lack of resources and education. But I believe every child deserves a loving family and there are millions of them out there waiting for a loving family.

What about your kids at home now, you are robbing them of a better life.

~~Yeah, we all know that material possessions makes our kids the best they can be~~

To quote a mother who was asked this question after adopting,
"Yes, I am taking away the illusion that life is all about them"

Why does it cost so much?

I posted the cost breakdown HERE

When will you be going to get the boys?

I really can't say exactly, but if all the paperwork goes as planned I hope to be traveling by April/May of this year

How long will you be in Eastern Europe?

They say to plan on at least 4 weeks to as much as 6 weeks.

Why so long?

When we first arrive we have paperwork and then have to wait for an appointment to see the judge, that can take up to 3 weeks and then we have to wait on approval.

Are your kids going with you?

No. They advise strongly against that due to all the running around, long car and train rides and such. We are hoping to find someone that could come stay at our home with the kids while we are gone. We also have all of my family close by. They will be helping out a lot.
I know it won't be easy for the kids or us being separated so long. But I know that years from now one month will seem a small sacrifice compared to the reward.
Skype will be our friend!

Hello my name is...

2010-12-31T12:48:00.000-08:00

Knowing that we were going to be adopting someday, we had several names picked out for our future children.
Genesis keeps the running list.
I have a girls name (I've had picked out since my teens) I cannot wait to use someday, but I am keeping it a secret so no one steals it! haha

We had several boys names, but two of them were our favorites.

Now I know that most everyone is use to calling "Gavin", Gavin. Most of my family said they prefer that name. But "Gavin" was only given to him as a screen name. And as much as it has grown on me, I kept thinking that just wasn't it.

After much thought, we decided to use our two favorite names. Which, as you will see are perfect for them.

Our "Gavin" will be

GABE

Gabe is derived from Gabriel. It's meaning is: to prevail, be mighty, have strength.

Very fitting I would say

And our second newest addition will be named

LEVI

Levi means: to join, unite

I will be keeping their given names they have now as their middle names but I can't share those with you until the boys are legally ours:)

Gabe, you may be small, but I know you WILL prevail. You will grow up to be a mighty man of God full of strength and love. We cannot wait to hold you in our arms.

Levi, you waited so long to have a family of your own. One that loves you unconditionally. We cannot wait to be joined together soon! I also know that through you, many will be united together with Christ.

Tanya sent me this song last night. It was perfect for my boys. I just had to make a slide show for them:)
"Love Me" by JJ Heller

We are coming soon for you Gabe and Levi!

House family of seven!!!

2010-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

We had hoped all along that we could bring home 2 children.
We had our eye on both Gavin and another little guy, we just were not sure if some legalities would work out for us to be able to get both.

Well, our dream has come true

Meet our son

He just turned 5 years old in December. His information says that he is a very active little boy, but is facing the institution VERY soon.

Hold on buddy, mommy and daddy are coming!

Our children's cries

2010-12-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

I was riding in my friends van last night. It was a van full with my friend, her husband, and their three kids. Guy was at my parents house with the boys and Genesis was with me.

It was loud as any van ride with 4 children would be. Genesis and I were sitting in the back seat. It was nice outside so the windows were open and the wind was whipping our hair in all directions.

We were driving over a long bridge overlooking a huge body of water. The waves were crashing on the huge rocks.

I was trying to get Genesis to look at the water below but she couldn't hear me with all the noise. Finally she realized what I was showing her and she lifted herself to the big window to see.

Next thing I know she was falling out of the window and into the water below.

I screamed at my friends to stop so I could go save her. They were instantly concerned but continued to drive.

I kept trying to scream. It felt like I had been punched in the gut and couldn't get my words out.

My friends kept driving. Further away from my drowning daughter.

They wanted to help but instead of just turning around and going towards the water, they talked back and forth about what would be the best direction to take to get us there.

My daughter continued to struggle.

I kept yelling, no one payed any attention.

Finally they stopped the van. I jumped out and took off running towards the water. All along I was yelling for help but everyone was to busy to even listen. I frantically ran by people as they stood there. Some were enjoying a cup a coffee while others were in a group talking about how they could help me.

Eventually I made it to the water. I didn't see my daughter anywhere.

I climbed over the huge rocks and jumped in.

I heard a small voice crying for help and swam blindly towards it as fast as I could.

Reaching out my hands I felt her, pulled her to me tightly and started for the top of the water for life saving air.

Mommy, Mommy.

I heard the little voice beside me and felt a hand tugging at my shirt.

I opened my eyes and saw Zane standing beside my bed.

It was 3:30AM and he wanted a cup of milk. He also had a big jar of peanut butter and large spoon on the floor ready for a middle of the night snack.

This nightmare would be the first of many I have had over the past year. Sometimes it's Jude, other nights, Zane. Usually drowning. Always I can hear their little voices, always I am struggling to get to them, always everyone around me is either too busy to help or wasting time discussing how to help. But no action.

This past week my nightmares were proven wrong.

This past week people from all over heard the cries of my son with me.

YOU HEARD!

And you moved to action.

Julia

We have never met. I found her blog and followed her stories of rescuing her son and then advocating for Gavin.

Julia heard the desperate,little,drowning voice.

She put down her coffee and RAN

No time to discuss how

Just took off in an all out run for her life

For my sons life

Then you all joined her in the race

Friends, family, people I have never met or seen

You ran!!!

THANK YOU

Thank you for running with me

You gave over $5,000. WOW

This race isn't over

Thank you for continuing to run beside us

We will save Gavin

Together we will pull him from the drowning waters into the arms of the ones that love him

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be

2010-12-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

Last week after we chose "Gavin" and were waiting for the paperwork in order to go public and be completely committed to him, I received an email from the director of Reece's Rainbow. It read, "Gavin is quite delayed, and has some sensory issues....you need to be prepared for these things. He has tremendous potential for blossoming and growth, but he is struggling right now."

She sent this picture that was taken just days before. He is going to be six in February. SIX.

That would be my Jude. THIS is a six year old.

My heart skipped a beat and fear set in instantly.

What in the world are we getting ourselves into?

Did we make the right choice?

Minutes later after almost letting those thoughts take over my mind, I talked to God about it.

I know, I'm brilliant.

PEACE. Instant peace. Completely took over.

YES, we made the right choice!

Life is full of questions. Nothing is guaranteed on this earth.

Should that stop us from doing what God calls us to do?

I remember when Guy and I had marriage counseling. Our good friends and mentors, Pastor Jeff and Cheryl asked me a question I will never forget.
They asked that if Guy never changed one bit from that moment, would I still what to marry him? And what if Guy completely changed after marriage, would I still want to be with him?

Lots of people go into marriage thinking, "Oh, after a few weeks my spouse will be doing things the way I want..."
Or, they think that their future spouse is going to be the same person 20 years from now and never change.

Boy are you in for a surprise if you go into marriage with these thoughts.

Marriage has many ups and downs. Lots of learning of each other, patience, love, commitment.

It's a covenant. You know that God brought you together and you must be faithful and put your trust in Him for all that lies ahead.

We know that God brought Gavin into our lives. We had our eyes on 2 other children but when we went to ask about them other families already committed to them.

I had been following Julia's blog as she brought her sweet Aaron home from the institution. Julia wrote stories of what she experienced and what the fate of Gavin would be if he gets transferred.
I sent her blog to Guy one day at work for him to read, along with a picture of Gavin.

Guy wrote back shortly and said, "Lets get him!"

We do need to work quickly. Gavin is next in line to be transferred out of the baby orphanage. We need to bring him home before that happens!

Guy and I feel more than ever that this is our son. We will work as hard as we can to raise the funds to bring him home.

We do not know all of Gavin's needs, but God does.

We will love him if he never changes.

We will love him if he changes completely.

He is our son.

"House, family of SIX"

2010-12-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting months for the day to come that I could finally announce that we will be adding another child to our home. I thought over and over about what I would write and now that it is here, I hardly know where to begin!
I think I will give you the short version right now and then come back later to tell the story from the beginning.

For now I will tell you that we are beyond thrilled to be adopting a little boy from Eastern Europe. He is a beautiful, blue eyed, blond hair, 5 year old boy with down syndrome.

Down syndrome, how exciting is that!!!

Yes, I said exciting!!!

Anyone that really knows me knows that I was always drawn to down syndrome. Ask my childhood friend Dawn, she will tell you that ever since I was little I would say that someday I would have a child with down syndrome.

And if you know me, you know that I always planned on adopting.

Then one day my friend Maria
posted a picture of a beautiful boy from Reece's Rainbow that needed to be rescued.

I fell in love.

I immediately went onto the Reece's Rainbow site and spent hours scrolling through all the different faces of the children.

I knew I would be adopting one of these children someday. That was about a year ago.

That someday is finally here!!!!

We have committed to adopting "Gavin" (not his real name) and so our adoption process will begin.

Our sweet boy

Our family's page on Reece's Rainbow

I cannot wait to see him smile

This is the part of the story where you all come in. And this part I will write about now because time is short and this is why.

By God's grace Gavin is still in the baby orphanage. But he will be transferred if we don't get him out of there QUICK.

In Eastern Europe they only keep the children in the baby orphanage until about the age of 4 or 5. After that time they transfer them to an institution at which point 80% of them die within the first year.

Please read about this from a family that recently rescued their son and witnessed the institutions first hand.
The Sad Reality
Part 2

This journey we are about to be on is going to be rough at times.

It cost around $25,000 to complete the adoption.
(I will post a break down of the cost soon)

We also only have one car, and as nice of a car as it is, complete with my sons name on it,

it only seats five. So we will also need to raise money to purchase a van.

I know, if I didn't loose you at the "adopting a child with down syndrome" part,
you are now thinking we have totally lost our minds.

How in the world do we expect to raise over twenty-five thousand dollars!?!?!? In a few short months no less.

Good news.

I know someone.

And this SOMEONE owns a cattle on a thousand hills.

$25,000 = A drop in the bucket for Him

Van = Drop - in - the - bucket

I KNOW that this is God's will for us.

Actually, it is God's will for EVERYONE to care for the orphan.

The particular way in which a Christian feels led to care for orphans is
'optional' (adoption, sponsorship, volunteering, etc)
CARING for them is not.

We will be doing many things to raise our money fast.

I have already been taking on as many photo shoots as possible and 100% of the money is going towards our adoption.
Lindy House Photography

I plan on selling T-shirts, jewelery, etc. And some of my prints like this one

Guy and I are no strangers to fund-raising. We have done more car washes with our youth groups then I care to think about.

But we will do whatever it takes to save our son. Our SON!!! :)

If you are a parent, you know exactly what I am talking about. You know that if your child was hurt, sick, kidnapped, you would do ANYTHING to help them and get them HOME.

Whatever it takes.

We would love for you to join us on this journey.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE watch this below
(Scroll to the bottom of my page and pause the music box first)

If you want to jump right in and start helping, please visit Julia's blog where she has already been raising funds for Gavin before anyone ever committed to him. Isn't that awesome?!?! Julia blesses my socks off.
You can enter your name in a drawing with as little as $5 to win an iPad!!!!

"House, family of SIX"

How we are celebrating this year

2010-11-22T17:42:00.000-08:00

Have you ever given something up for a cause?

How about gone for a month without, say, chocolate. Or TV.

We do these things sometimes so we can focus on what's important. Maybe we feel that we have too much of one thing in our life and it's distracting us or holding us back.

Maybe we feel we need to retrain our bodies and our minds to not have to have certain things all the time.

Does it mean that chocolate is a bad thing? Absolutely not. And the darker the chocolate the better:)

Does it mean that the people around us that are eating the chocolate are horrible people? Absolutely not.

This December 25th we as a family have decided to give up Christmas as we've known it.

Are we not celebrating Christmas all together? Absolutely not.

We love the family and friend gatherings, the lights, and of course the eggnog!

I feel as a parent it is my responsibility to train my children. MINE. And if I don't, the world is more than happy to do it for me.

The world says that my kids need more toys. They need to open 10 presents on Christmas morning. They need to know the happiness that comes from walking into the living room in their cute PJs anxious to tear into all their gifts.

Am I saying all of that is wrong? No.

I say they must know that the Bible says,

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?"
- Jeremiah 22:16

They must know that JOY comes when we are helping others.

And for the Word to really sink in deep I feel that we will need to give up Christmas for the Cause this year.

I know that history tells us that many of the things we practice at Christmas were pagan. I know that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th. It was not even in the winter time. The three wise men did not come to see Him the night of His birth.
And so we teach our children the truth.

I also know though that this is the one time of year that most of the world see's as a time of Jesus's birth. So I don't think we should ignore that. We instead should take the opportunity to be an example of God's love at a time when people are more open.

What did happen the night our savior was born was an angel appeared to the shepherds and said,

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people"

Then, a whole group of angels came and said,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests"
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them"

THIS is what we want to do with our Christmas.

Spread the word about the saviors birth.

It was a celebration the day Jesus was born.

But how should we celebrate? By making Him a cake and singing happy birthday?

Or is there something bigger. Something more lasting then that.

Is it wrong to exchange gifts with the ones we love? No.

For me this year I feel we have enough. MORE than enough. We are blessed.

When almost half the people on earth are living on less than $2.00 a day

We are BLESSED.

My children are BLESSED.

So now, am I going to judge everyone around me who is celebrating Christmas different than us? No. I promise.

Why even share this then?

I debated for months over sharing this. (ETA - I actually wrote this months ago and left it unpublished until now.)

Then I thought that maybe, maybe we can start something here.

Maybe we can challenge others to make our Saviors birth something far more than eggnog and presents. You may not need to go to the extreme that we are this year with no gift exchange, but maybe there is something you can add or change.

Maybe when December comes around our children will talk about the excitement and joy of feeding the poor or making a list of ways they can collect money for orphans, instead of a list of all the toys they want.

Maybe it's a long shot.

But we are giving it a try this year.

It's not what you believe that counts; it's what you believe enough to DO.

With some two billion Christians in the world, almost one-third of the population, changing the world by addressing poverty and injustice does not seem by any means beyond our grasp. - The Hole in our Gospel

I hope your holidays are filled with family, friends, and great memories. And most of all, that God will really shine through all that you do.

Love,
Lindy, Guy, Genesis, Jude & Zane

On the Road Again

2010-10-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

Whatever You're doing inside of me,
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving into something Heavenly

2 years ago these words to a song by Sanctus Real played loudly in my head.
After 6 years of being out of full time paid ministry (I say it like that because I believe every Christian is in ministry in some way, just not always as a vocation) we agreed it was time to return to that call on our lives.
We accepted a position at a church in East TN for a full time youth pastor.

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will?
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills?
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything
I surrender

I believe with all my heart that it was truly Gods plan for us to be here in TN these last 16 months. Was the plan what we had envisioned? No. It was so much better.

Our family grew tremendously in this short amount of time. God revealed many things to us for our present and future. We are stronger for the time we have had here. We have a passion like never before. I feel so honored and blessed that God would allow us to come to these beautiful mountains and reveal Himself to us.

Now, it is time for us to move on.

Those that know us know our track record for moving.
Some people have a big spring cleaning day once a year.

We move!

With every move I have said I just want to settle down. I want to have a home and stay there!

This year I decided that if God wants to move me, then so be it.

Sorry to my family that is sick and tired of packing and unpacking us. Maybe you should start putting money away every month and just buy us movers???

Speaking of family. I would always struggle when we moved to be away from family.

My family is very close.

I have dreams of sipping coffee with Tanya as we watch our children run around and play. Luke teaching Zane to play the drums. The kids tent making & Mario playing with Kara and Adam. Genesis and Nana sitting side by side with their ipods for hours. The boys sitting on Papa's lap at his desk.....

I would always say, God gives you the desires of your heart. And my hearts desire is to be with my family.

God, you know that so why do you move us away?!?!?

This year, I finally learned what God meant in Luke 14:26
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."

I had never understood this verse before.

It was actually one of the verses I tried to pretend I didn't see in the Bible.
It made NO sense to me.

Until now.

No I don't hate my family, even if they did say they will never move us again;)

I found out that the love I have for my Father is so deep that the love I have for my family is like hate compared to it.

I could finally say to God that I want what HE has for me.

Whatever that is.

Wherever that is.

And THAT would be the desire of my heart.

We had several interviews and offers. We turned them all down. I knew that the next place God had for us was crucial. For what He has in store for our family and what He is going to do in the community we were headed to.

I do believe that too many times we are waiting for God's perfect will and therefore we sit around being ineffective. His word has it in black and white. No need to wait.

But this time, I felt that there was a specific plan in store.
So we continued to fast and pray.

And guess where God has us going?

Sorry Luke, it's not Colorado. you will have to find other friends to visit there.

We accepted a position at Ridge Manor Church in Brooksville FL.

Now I know that it would seem obvious that we would take a position there. Honestly though, I fought it.

Yes my family is there and some of my best friends. But I wanted to be SO sure that I was going for God and not for me.

God begin to make it VERY clear that this was HIS choice for us.

Is it the easiest place of all the choices? No. We will be stretched and challenged.
But that will keep us right were God wants us, on our knees.

I will miss these mountains. Being able to walk to the creek with the kids.
Watching summer turn to fall and all it's beautiful colors.

I will miss it all.

I am grateful for the time I did have here. We can't always live the kind of life we dreamed of on this earth because it's not about us.

This is not our home.

Whatever You're doing inside of me,
It feels like chaos but I BELIEVE
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life
Something Heavenly

I cannot wait to tell you the things that we are embarking on soon.

So EXCITING!!!

Stay Tuned

TN Photo Album

"Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real
*Scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the music player first*

Super Zane

2010-08-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

All of you that know my 3 year old know that he is pretty much Mario crazy.

You also know that he could totally take you in a game.

Seriously.

I don't know if I should be proud of that or seek help.

If you ask him his name he will probably say something like this

Sometimes he's just Mario and some days he is just SOOOONNNNIIIIC!!!

But everyday he is my

And because he loves his mommy SO much he happily allowed me to practice on him for a few minutes tonight before bed, with my new lens.

Mosquitoes and all.

I'm sure the lollipop played no part in his cooperation.

Oh those beautiful Blues

And because I can never decide between color or black and white

I love you Zane Man Mario Sonic House

This little piggie went to the market...This little piggie had faith

2010-06-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 20th we were at our church for a staff meeting. Our kids were playing house and Jude decided to push a table over for their "home". Zane was standing there watching in his bare feet as the table landed right on his little foot. His foot swelled immediately and began to bruise. I held him as he cried and he soon fell asleep.

I figured we would know if it was serious when Zane woke up. If it wasn't, he would have forgot about it and would be off playing as usual. Well, as soon as I put him down he instantly held up his sore foot and cried out that it hurt. This must be more then a bruise.

I had Jude, Genesis, and their friend pray for him. Such sweet prayers:)

We were able to get a script to go straight to X Ray at the Hospital.

The report? A broken foot. The 2nd metatarsal.

We were told by his Pediatrician that they take these breaks very seriously in young children because their bones are not fully developed, and if not set right he could have problems later on. We were set to see a specialist in Knoxville the following Monday.

As I was talking on the phone to my mom about all that happened she asked me, "Why don't you take Zane up front on Sunday so the Elders and Pastors can pray for him?" Now why didn't I think of that?

I know many of the healings in the Bible were specifically for the unbelievers that were standing by observing. I started to excited at the thought. I told the kids to remember that through their prayers and our faith as a family to believe God for a miracle, God may just heal Zane's foot. I really wanted them to know and see God in an awesome way.

Zane continued through the weekend not ever setting his foot down. He would wince if anyone touched it by accident. His mood was great though the whole time, such a tough boy. He figured out how to crawl around to get what he needed.

Sunday at the end of the service we took Zane to the front and Pastor laid hands on him and prayed for a healing.

James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

Monday afternoon we went to Zane's specialist. They needed to take more X Rays since they didn't have the original from Thursday. The Doctor came in and started talking about how Zane may have a break in his leg which was causing his pain. I was so confused. I asked him what about the break in his foot? He said there wasn't one.

WHAT???

I asked again.

He looked right at me and said (kind of aggravated) "There ISN'T one".

But what about the first X Ray? He said he doesn't know, but what he knows is there is absolutely no broken bone in his foot.

He wanted another X Ray of his leg because he said there could be a break there. They see that sometimes due to the child turning sharply when a heavy object falls on them.
Well, that X Ray came back and again NO breaks! It was a strange feeling of, I knew it! and WOW.

The Doctor suggested a cast for just 2 weeks because Zane still had bruises and he didn't want him to re-injure himself. I agreed mostly because Zane was so excited about getting a blue boot!!
He was hilarious while the nurse put it on. He kept making her laugh by making sound effects as she wrapped the tape. He excitedly wiggled his toes and squealed, "Look, I can walk now!!" He got off the table and INSISTED on WALKING out of the Doctors office. I asked him if his foot was all better and he said yes. I reminded him how we prayed, and reminded Jude and Genesis how they prayed, and Jesus healed him.

Now this may sound like a small miracle, if there ever really could be such a thing. But I believe that God showed up. My children got to witness His power from their simple faith.

I also remembered how God showed up 2 years ago when Genesis was in the Hospital diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome. She is perfectly healthy today. And the time that while I was pregnant with Jude they found a cyst on his kidney during my first ultrasound. After the prayers of many I went back for another ultrasound and the tech said. "I don't know what they saw, but there is absolutely no cyst here".

What an AWESOME God we have. I thank Him for showing up so that maybe someone that is reading this will be encouraged or even come to know Him for the first time.

I'm thankful that my children will know Who to put their faith in.

I Love God.

Not for what He does, but Who He is.

Because if He chooses to never do another miracle in our lives I will still know that He is in control.

We're Expecting!

2010-03-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well, kinda:)

Our family just sponsored a 10 year old little girl through Compassion International. Her information will be here in two weeks!!

We sat down as a family today and I asked the kids if they would want to sponsor a child from another country. I told them that for just $38.00 a month (the equivalent of a wii game, for Jude's understanding) we could help 1 child with food, education, medical care, and more.
They happily agreed, and then Jude ran back off to play with Zane.

Genesis excitingly sat down at my computer and browsed all the waiting children. She finally decided on 10 year old Awino Agatha from Uganda.

She was hesitant at first because Agatha has 9 other siblings in her little hut. Genesis didn't want the other children to be left out.

"What about her brothers and sisters, who will help them?"

Hmmmm

She liked that Agatha had similar interest as her like art, singing, and playing with dolls.
That will give them a lot to write about:)

Here's the thing. I grew up in church. So of course I heard all about sponsoring children. Heck, even if you don't go to church you hear about it on TV or at concerts.

Well, for some reason, I always had the idea that when you sent money only a few dollars actually went to the child. I also thought that they really didn't care about letters you may send since they couldn't read them anyway.

After researching Compassion International, I learned that is so far from the truth. Over 80 percent of your donation goes to the child. And they LOVE to receive your letters. Most of them keep them for years and even memorize every word.

Check out this awesome story. Watch to the end, and have tissues ready!
(Scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the music player)

God has really been shaking my world this past month. I have so much to share, but will wait for the right time.
Until then, I will leave you with some great reading found on these blogs:

Kisses from Katie

We are that family

And a great book - "Crazy Love"

Double Digits

2010-01-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

Ten. Count them, all your fingers. That is how old my first born is today. TEN.

That's three short years from being a teenager.

Five years from driving.

And lets just stop there, I don't even want to think about the rest.

Genesis. Her name simply means "Beginning"

She was our beginning. Our first little bundle of joy. And now she is 10. Wow

We love you so much Genesis. You are sweet and kind. You love to give and create new things. You are are wonderful big sister to your brothers, they miss you terribly when you are not around. We are blessed to have you in our family.

Thank you God for such a wonderful beginning.

Winter at it's finest

2010-01-08T19:27:00.000-08:00

I was really hoping to get some good shots of my kids in the snow today.

I had to pull out all the bribes. You can't really blame them for not being overly excited being that it was only 10 degrees outside.

AND they couldn't wear their jackets.

Bad mommy.

It's all about "The Shot" hehehe

OK, so we were only out there MAYBE 10 minutes and they had many layers on.

The funny thing is, they were in tears within 5 seconds. Seriously. BUT, later that day they had no problem throwing themselves down the snowy hill for almost an hour. The whole time getting snow in their clothes, freezing their little toes and fingers.

I guess my camera just can't compete with a flying saucer.

I think my camera is a ton of fun :)

And this is what Zane thought about it

I hope you are all enjoying your winter as much as we are!

Our first snow fall in Tennessee

2009-12-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

We heard earlier in the week that we may have a chance of snow on Saturday.

When Friday came the percentages were almost at 100%. They said the first flakes could fall by midnight.

Genesis was so anxious that evening to catch the snow falling.

She thought that it was only going to fall for a short time then melt quickly and was afraid that she might miss it.

I'm pretty sure that she came into our room while we were sleeping about every hour and asked why there was no snow.

I reassured her that it was coming. Now go back to sleep!!

To be honest, I probably looked out my window at least 5 times in the middle of the night looking for it too:)

Around 6AM Genesis came in again, I told her to just go sit out in the living room and watch a movie.

A few minutes later I looked out my window.

There it was.

Falling softly from the sky and starting to lightly dust the ground.

I went out to the living room where Genesis was watching TV with her back to the window and said, "Turn around".

I woke the boys up, put on their new (Thank you April!) winter jackets and we all headed outside.

Nothing like a snowball fight before sunrise

Later on Daddy joined in

The kids spent most of the day outside. We didn't have the right kind of gloves, just the knit ones, so they would take a break once in a while to come in and put their gloves in the dryer. Then back outside they would go.

After lunch Guy made us "Snow Ice Cream"

Fresh Snow (yes, we stayed away from yellow snow)
Milk
Vanilla
Sugar

It was a wonderful, snow filled day.

Even Sage loved being outside

Our house

Genesis said she was copying Jude's face :)

And now, enjoy the view

Cannot wait for our next SNOW DAY

Jude Man turns 5 today

2009-12-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

Five years ago we arrived at Labor of Love Birth Center in Lutz a few minutes before my Midwife. I delivered Jude less than 1 hour after arriving. My wonderful big boy came into our lives at 10.1 pounds and 21 inches.

Jude was such an easy baby. At 3 months he was sleeping from 7PM-7AM every night.
(That is probably one reason I got pregnant again so soon! Haha)

As a baby, he always had a smile on his face.

One Year Old

Two Years Old
(You can see his eyes starting to cross here, he got his glasses soon after this)

Three Years Old

Four Years Old

And Today

Jude,

I love you so much! You have more energy then all of us put together. You can't stay still for even a second. I cannot wait to see what you are going to use all that energy for when you grow up. You drive us crazy always asking if it's time to eat. We will have to take out a loan to pay for grocery's when you are a teenager I'm sure. Every night you ask me to come see you before I go to bed and kiss you, and pray for you. You have always been a momma's boy and I couldn't imagine my life without you.
Happy Birthday Jude Man
I love you

We celebrated in FL while there for Thanksgiving weekend.
Kara made him a Little Big Planet cake.

Of course no birthday party is complete without pin the tail on the donkey.

Papa's turn

Zane blew out the candles before Jude even opened his eyes! LOL

Take two

Of course Uncle Luke had to get him the biggest gun he could find

Happy Birthday big boy!

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.

A Year Ago Today

2009-11-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here today thinking back to last year at this time.

Monday,November 24th.

Genesis had been complaining about an earache. She had no other symptoms at first so we thought it would clear up on its own soon. After weeks of her not getting better I decided to take her to the doctors where I was told it was just earwax. He cleaned her ear and sent us home. Genesis then started to really complain about pain and a few days later developed a fever. I took her back to the doctors and by now she had lost a lot of weight, was pale and very tired. After looking her over they still told me that she was fine. After the weekend her fever didn't go away and she was in a lot of pain. I took her back AGAIN to be told there was nothing wrong, but this time they suggested she get some blood work done just to be sure.

What I thought was going to be a normal Monday turned into being admitted to All Children's Hospital.

After much poking, prodding, MRI's, and Cat scans, they found that Genesis had a blood clot in the jugular vein in her neck and an extreme infection. They were not sure what caused the blood clot and told me that they really didn't know what to do exactly since they had never seen anything like it.

We spent 10 days in the hospital, including Thanksgiving.

We were SO blessed to have many visits from family and friends.

The nurses got a kick out of this

A gift from Jude

A good friend of mine, Marianne, brought Genesis a wonderful little stable with horses.

Even Tinkerbell came by:)

Our Thanksgiving meal

Genesis was eventually diagnosed with Lemirre's Disease

-Lemierre's syndrome is currently a very rare disease, but was quite common in the early 20th century before the discovery of penicillin. The reduced use of routine antibiotics for sore throats by doctors may have increased the risk of this disease, with 19 cases in 1997 and 34 cases in 1999 reported in the UK. The incidence rate is currently 0.8 cases per million in the general population,leading it to be termed the "forgotten disease".The disease is known to affect healthy young adults. The disease is becoming less rare with many cases being reported, however it is still known as "the forgotten disease" as many doctors are unaware of its existence. The mortality rate was 90% prior to antibiotic therapy, but is now generally quoted as 15% with proper medical treatment, although one series of cases reported mortality as low as 6.4%.
The low incidence of Lemierre's syndrome has not made it possible to set up clinical trials to study the disease.

Her infection was treated with weeks of antibiotics and she had to get blood thinner injections in her stomach twice a day by Daddy.

Today she is off of all medicine. She will continue to have an MRI done once a year to keep an eye on the blood clot that remains the same in her neck.

So this year I am Thankful.

Thankful for God's peace that passes ALL understanding that I had the entire time Genesis was in the hospital.

Thankful for the crazy amount of prayers from all over while we were going through this.

Thankful for all the support and love we received.
From Grace tagging along that first long day.
Aunt Trisha's bed and shower.
Tanya's phone call and Paula dropping off a much needed Dunkin doughnuts coffee.
April's nanny service.
Jill Coffey's text just checking on us and spreading the word for prayers.
The Jordan family making a long drive just to visit us.
The Bradley's many visits to help cheer Genesis up.
All the ladies from the homeschool co-op that blessed us with tons of coming home presents and a gas card to help with all the doctor visits.
Stephanie and the Moen's sweet generosity.
My family having Thanksgiving dinner out of styrofoam while sitting in camping chairs crammed in a small hospital room.

And this was just to name a few.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

And thank you God, for your love. We don't deserve it.
Thank you for friends and family.
Thank you for peace in the storm.
Thank you for healing.

Dusting off an old lens and dirty faces

2009-11-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to study, practice, study, practice with my photography. I decided to take out my very neglected lens today and see what I could get.

The kids were outside playing for hours.

I LOVE that they do that! It brings back so many memories of when I was little and made many delicious mud pies at my bakery.

They have been walking down the trail on our property and collecting things for their "house". I should have gotten a picture of their set up. I will try to next time.

I did take some shots of what's left of fall around here

Then I saw a perfect opportunity to grab a few when Zane was in time out. Is it wrong to take advantage of the fact that my 2 year old might be standing still for a minute??? :)

It was a wonderfully relaxing Sabbath today. We ended it all with a campfire and marshmallows. To the kids delight, before dinner:)

I was thinking I should edit out the dirt on Zane's face, shirt, and little hands. But this is real life.

When my boys play outside, they actually get dirty.

Crazy, I know. And I love it:)

The last days of Fall

2009-11-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

My friends came all the back up to see us and try to catch some fall colors before they were gone. They arrived Sunday night and left early Wednesday. For such a short visit, we had many fun times!

First things first. Uncle Luke sent the kids silly string and Jude could not wait to use it!

We headed out for a drive towards Cherokee. On the way, we pulled over for a little lunch.

As we were driving I looked up to see this little cub in a tree directly above us!

Then we saw Elk!

THE MILL

We were upstairs and Zane said, "Look, Conner is in the hole!"

The kids did not want to leave the Mill. They had so much fun just watching the leaves travel down the water and putting their hands in the FREEZING COLD water!

Jude living on the edge as always

What's left of the fall colors. Sadly I was not able to get many pictures when the colors were at their best due to the many days of rain we had. Now the color is almost gone. I think the leaves will all fall off by the end of this week.

We pulled over and I quickly tried to get some fall pics for my friend. It was getting VERY cold and dark by this time

Girl Friends

Good Night Moon

A taste of fall

2009-10-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

We took the kids out yesterday to get some pictures. It's VERY rare to get all 3 of the kids together in ONE picture! I was able to get of few, although only one has all three of them looking at the camera at the same time.

Fall colors are just starting to come out. I'm told that the bright oranges and yellows are yet to be seen.

Can't wait for that!

I will definitely be going out again.

"PK"

2009-10-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

Nope. Not Pastors Kid, Photographers Kid
Yeah, I might have a lot of snapshots of my kids, but how many deliberate shots do I have? I checked the past few months and there's none.
So I decided it was time for my kids to get their own photo shoot.
I had lots of things in mind. Clothes ready, location picked out.

Jude was the first lucky one to face off with my camera. I pumped him all up about it. He was ready.

We drive, pull up to our spot. It starts raining. Then pouring. Photo shoot canceled.

TAKE TWO

This morning we all go in to the church for Bible study & work.

I run up the road with Jude while Guy stays at the office with Genesis & Zane. Jude lasted maybe 30 minutes. Oh well. We came away with a few at least. I told him that wasn't the end of his shoot, there will be more. But he already knows that since he is a "PK" :)

And I had to try to grab a couple of my blue eyed boy:)

Bradley's and Rasmussen's Come to visit

2009-10-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

My childhood friend, Dawn, her husband Mark, and their children came to our home to spend their 10 day vacation. She has 3 children close to the same ages as mine. All things considered, the kids got along really well. I was very disappointed in the weather. It had shown that it would be cool and sunny. I am learning, as some locals have told me, that you can't believe a thing the weather says because it changes all the time. It literally rained EVERYDAY which meant mosquitoes and mud. That didn't stop the kids from playing outside though. Jude's poor legs look like he has chicken pox with all the bug bites he got.

We visited many places all around TN. The funny thing is, Dawn and Mark knew far more then we did. They have visited many times and took us to all their favorite spots. We had a delicious lunch at the Apple Barn. Got some very fattening but worth it, fudge after walking around Gatlinburg. On Friday our friends Lisa, Tim and their five children (yes, I said five. If you are adding this up that makes 11 kids altogether!) drove 4 hours to meet us at Cades Cove. The night ended with a sleepover at our place. Seventeen people, a record so far!

Enough chatting, time for pictures! I'm sure there is a "blogging rule" about how many pictures to post at once, but I have not heard it yet. SO, get ready for picture overload.

All worn out

Picnic at Cades Cove

Jude spent his money he had from Papa on a bear at the general store. Thank you Papa!

Someone asked us if we were on a school field trip with the size group we were. Nope, these all belong to us!

Discoveries

We visited an old mill. Mom, this is for you. It was much quieter then your mill! Although many more hours I'm sure.

Listening to the Ranger talk about wolves, coyotes, and bears, oh my!

I was SHOCKED when the Ranger called on my very shy Jude to help, and he WENT!

The next morning we took the girls down to our creek. We were reluctant to have them go in because it was flowing strong due to all the rain. Little by little the girls made their way in.

They even found a rock to slide down

"You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again."

They had a blast! I think these memories will last far more then any toy or trip to Disney World.

Time to say goodbye

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart"

2009-09-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Jude was so excited that Daddy's Vikings hat fits him now. Before I tucked him in last night he put the hat up on his dresser. I said to him that Luke is going to be upset that he is now a Vikings fan.

What team does Luke like, Jude asked.

The Bucs, I said

Well, I haven't decided what team I like yet. What team is winning right now?

There are a lot of teams winning.

The Steelers won the other day, so I think I'm going to be a Steelers fan. Yep, I'm going to paint Daddy's hat so it's a Steelers hat!

2009-09-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

A taste of Tennessee

I don't know why, but I LOVE watching my boys play in dirt. I think it's easier to clean off the boys then to clean up all those annoying toys.

2009-09-13T16:47:00.001-07:00

2009-09-13T16:43:00.001-07:00

My baby boy

2009-09-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

I always hear moms say that they get so sad when their "baby" starts to grow up. Their chubby cheeks start thinning out, their chunky little bodies get long and thin. I didn't really experience that with Jude because he came into the world looking like a little boy! 10.1 and a full head of dark hair. He never had that baby look.

Well for the first time, I had that, "My baby is growing up" moment with Zane. Maybe because he is my last (by birth), or maybe it's because he has always had that little baby look about him. Now those chubby cheeks are disappearing and he's getting taller by the day. I'm so glad he still has all his little blonds curls:)