tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20649625219553290962024-03-18T23:27:37.591-04:00One more makes four....hmmm, let's make that FIVE!!!"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice when He could do something about it. But I'm afraid God might ask me the same question."Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-59016981936486663132016-01-18T17:15:00.000-05:002016-01-18T17:15:16.671-05:00Now THIS is Shanghai!<div>
Just arrived and checked in. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fortunately</span> both <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wifi</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">VPN</span> are working...that's reason to celebrate in itself! The flight was actually great! We upgraded to something called Economy Plus seat slightly bigger and about 6" more leg room...still a grade below business, and then there was still first class...BUT I will say that section of the plane was half empty and Mike moved up to the seats in front of me and we each had 2 seats!!! I actually <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">LAID</span> down and slept! Now don't get me wrong, it was kinda like sleeping 7 hours on a park bench...but considering the other option was sitting up, I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER! and to be honest I feel better than when we arrived in Beijing. My first impression of Shanghai is cleaner more modern and less crowded than Beijing. Our hotel is nice and right smack dab in the middle of the action! We are going to shower and hit the streets in just a bit. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Unfortunately</span> the weather leaves a little to be desired...it's only 40* and sprinkling....kinda yuck. BUT it maybe an omen....last time we landed in Beijing on the tail of a monsoon...(no kidding a real monsoon) and we had a great trip and Sam did fab! So if a little rain to welcome us to China is necessary...I'll be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">superstitious</span> and take it!!! Three days to Will, it freaks me out a little how close we are to him now...can't wait!!!</div>
Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-42380358384429975972013-01-05T11:44:00.001-05:002013-01-05T11:44:43.094-05:00I hate New Years Resolutions....I general, I think they just set most people up for failure....in the past, I include myself in that statement...I just quit making them a few years ago. Don't get me wrong..I love how positive they make New Year's Day...I love how everyone is so hopeful...and I will say...I am VERYVERY hopeful for 2013! I'll just say it...<br />
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2012 was officially the worst year of my life<br />
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I am a thankful person...I am very thankful everyone I love is healthy and alive...and I am very thankful The Lord has blessed me with so much...I DO count my blessing...BUT last year was filled with the biggest, worst most awful challenges I've faced thus far...I'm not going to relive them here...I was just VERY happy to toast 2012 goodbye....I've set some personal goals for 2013...and I've started this new year out smilin', and grateful and positive...somethings I've let slip away...somethings I miss about myself and my house...<br />
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Thankfully things have been looking up....<br />
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pulling Sammy and Will out of school was a fabulous choice....it has really simplified and created alot of calm in our lives....Sammy has been a lot less aggressive, is sleeping in his bed @75% of the time, seems just more comfortable in his skin....I'm glad I trusted my gut...trusted that sometimes you have to pull in closer before you let go....sometimes you have to foster dependence to blossom independance...and I'm SEEING IT!! and I LOVE IT!!! and bottle therapy and been amazing! for him....who knew???<br />
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Will however, is needing a bit more patience...I think he has felt stifled, and as happy as I am to see him stand up for himself....aggressiveness is coming out...I'm praying hard it's just a short phase....<br />
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Not sure this Mamma has the patience to go through this again...(please NO)<br />
and a wonderful consequence of being able to let Will and Sam play alone unsupervised for longer than 3m is more time for my girls...games of 'Sorry, Headband" American Girls...reading Harry Potter....and Mike and I went out for dinner ALONE!!! seriously for the first time probably 3-4 years....amazing!!!<br />
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So please pray for our families continued healing....I'm feeling hopeful!<br />
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BRING IT ON 2013!!!<br />
<br />Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-47802318932171514712012-12-04T01:15:00.000-05:002012-12-04T01:22:29.699-05:00Sunshine...because I say so!!!!It's easy to get hung up on the 'rainy' parts of life...so I've decided to make a sunny post, just because I said so!<br />
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So here are some things to feel 'sunny' about around my house<br />
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1. I have a near 16 year old who still really likes to hang out with me or is the best actress ever...Don't get me wrong...she's a teen. She can be a bit moody, a bit dramatic and sometimes I'm not sure WHY she appears randomly chronically miserable to be alive...and I've actually had to train myself to stop trying to investigate her every misery to help perserve my only happiness and sanity<br />
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LESSON TO SELF: teens sometimes are miserable, let them be...they will likey snap out as quickly as they regressed in!!!<br />
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That being said we still laugh together ALOT...we watch our TV shows and both really look forward to it and go out of our way to make it happen...we intentionally see all the coolest movies TOGETHER...even if other friends come along (even her's) I'm talking...Breaking Dawn and Harry Potter Premiers even! And the greatest thing is not once is it ever Disney or animated and I actually LIKE ThEM!!! <br />
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We go to concert together....YES! Music concert! Ichtus (christian Rock) Taylor Swift...and tickets for Pink later in the spring...(I know her lyrics are awful and she has a foul mouth, but i just love me some Pink...so I'm human - sue me!)<br />
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Feeling Sunny about that!!<br />
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2. My 12 yo is growing into this fabulous young lady...we were a little worried about middle school for this little angle! She's had some struggles with her academics, attention, organization...but her first report card showed her best grades EVER! Only one tiny annoying B! All A's otherwise!! Boy did we happy dance!! That girl worked HArD! PROUD Mamma! She's also maturing so nicely...a little more inconsistenly than I'd like but HEY! Rome was NOT built ina day and we are being sunny here...I just wish the chore consistensy was a little better and the boy interest a little less...just sayin! But she sure makes me smile...and brings alot of energy to the house<br />
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3.I have the most loyal pup ever!!! My fur baby is the best...I love her mad...yes I'm crazy dog person...you might not know how nuts I am about my 2yo old Cavalier Spaniel...and she's nuts about me...I apparently am NOT as annoyed by some of her less than charming habits since I'm blinded by her devotion....she barks at the front door to much...squirells, people, blowing leaves some days...It can be annoying...but she just beautiful..and a love sponge....for example..over the weekend I was VERY sick with a GI virus...literally! in the bathroom for SOME reason or another 3x anhour all night! Not only did this sweet baby lay on the couch with me, but she got up and walked to the bathroom every single visit ALL NIGHT LONG! at about 3am...she'd drop on the bathroom rug with a heavy sigh and just look at me with exhausted eyes like "REALLY>>AGAIN!" but not until my husban got up at 6am did she stop the trots down the hall...sweetsweet little fur baby!....sunny to have a fur baby by your side while you retch in toilet...right??!!<br />
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On that sunny note, I'm calling it a night...<br />
My hubby on a work trip in Vegas and I'm single parenting it...is it awful to admit I'm enjoying it just a tiny bit??SHHHHH I did tell him on the way out the door...If he found a tiger in bathroom or a naked guy in the trunk he was on his own...but a baby in the hotel room...CALL ME...I was on my wah...THAT ONE...he might need me for :)Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-48431429115123307622012-11-27T04:10:00.002-05:002012-11-27T04:10:58.222-05:00Growing, Learning....and great improvements!!!!We've been hard at work here in our house for what feels like a veryveryveryveryvery long time. We've been rewarded with some wonderful progress lately...REAL progress...stuff you feel in your heart is different....the good stuff....the STUFF you've been waiting for....praying for<br />
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Behavior changes are easy to report..less hitting, no rages, less tantrums, sleeping through the night ect....they have predictable...sort of..OK not really...they have been 2 steps forward, 1 step back...then 3 steps back and 4 steps forward...a good month here, then a crash and burn for weeks...sometimes explainable, sometimes not. We have tried our best to parent through it...I've failed horribly at times and just turned the whole thing over to faith and the Lord...I've celebrated and crumbled...as you know it's been a big strain on our family at times. But we have been so blessed with sure wonderful kids...such amazing boys, it's hard to give up.<br />
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But I feel so joyous inside about something that's just hard to explain....it's like the day you realize the terrible two's are gone...hard to explain, but your child has just changed...their different. This isn't like a 'maturity' thing...it's like the tools, the therapy, it's clicked...my SWEETSWEET Sammy suddenly seems calmer, safer, more secure in our home...it really bring me to tears to type this...it's a small healing of his heart, what we pray for...<br />
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The few months we did some BIG things in therapy and at home...we started home school. I think this was a GREAT decision for Sammy...he's been much calmer and has learned tons!!! He 's so very smart...spelling and sight reading in just 6 weeks...Mamma is so very proud!!<br />
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We put him back on a bottle...yes a bottle...a baby bottle..it's been 3m now and I was soooo nervous about this...did tons of research to make sure my therapist wasn't nuts...made sure others out there had put older kids BACK on bedtime bottles for attachment....and it's been fabulous..giving him nurturing it missed out on..and bonding you only get once when your a tiny baby...and I learned tons how that 'dance' that feeding eye contact nurturing is SOOO important for human connection and how many of us just DO it....we remember the warm feelings with our birth kids...the smiles...the sweetness...but don't think about how propping up the bottle in a row of cribs while looking at that same ole ceiling, with no human to hold you, look at you and give you that 'baby talk' MIGHT affect you...and for Sammy it did...he LOVED it...I saw him just melt in my arms the first time...I could just see the that tiny baby just DYING to be held and loved on in his eyes...I cried so much those first few times..he.even said to me once "babies feel special love when they get their bottles"...and my therapist told me the time would be limited...he wouldn't 'graduate highschool taking the bottle' and he's already telling me he doesn't need it as much..not asking for it every night anymore....and he's different now when have 'bottle time'...more chatty...less 'baby sucking'...it's provided what he needed...and I'm SOOOO grateful for my brilliant therpist who really does know her stuff!!!<br />
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We have some work to do still...especially with our sibling relationship...but I want to celebrate this!! Want to share THIS, because my heart feels this is something fabulous! and I've shared so much of the ups and downs...the hard work, the persistence...I REALLY see a change and it's soooo fabulous to feel like you've helped start some healing in a little heart that never deserved to be broke in first place....There have been time when I've felt so very defeated...so sad at what our decision to adopt has done to my relationships with many of those I love the most. But this, THIS is God's work...I feel the reward, inspired by my boys courage....inspired by my girls willingness to love uncondionly...<br />
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Feeling very blessed today...and hoping this makes sense as I type away at 4am after not being able to sleep all night from a migraine...sure this will need editing tomorrow...but also wanting to encourage those who visit for my 'keeping it real'....keep fighting...advocate for you child....take care of yourself, your family...the rewards COME...and celebrate when they do!!!! <br />
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Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-28405995629207747032012-10-30T08:26:00.003-04:002012-10-30T08:41:56.963-04:00Boy did my sense of humor need this....Life is welll, intersting around here! But isn't it always! We are living our journey, blazing our path and grateful for our blessings. <br />
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The girls are shinning stars!!!<br />
Jessa is Happily! back at Catholic and being a teenager in the gentlest way possible..<br />
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.Kenna - still! taking middle school by the horns! Love how she is growing and learning! and looking so darn grown up!!! <br />
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Brynn...."the one who doesn't drive me insane" ;) that sums it up!!! and still a little girl at 9, and in no hurry to grown up!!!<br />
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We are giving homeschool a shot for preschool....we decided preschool just shouldn't be stressful for the boys or the family...and so far, good! Will is such an amazing little guy...he's so smart...so TOLERANT.....Sammy, personality plus, FUNNY!!! We are stumbling, bumbling, falling, rising, celebrating, crying, along this path withan attachment disorder....we never dreamed....but we'd do it again...NO regrets. It's just awful to see how the early neglect, and experiences you will never know hurt your little one's heart hurt so much and how it affects them nose to toes...and affects your family, your relationships your sanity....we pray...<br />
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<strong><em>The most incredible love and rewards come from the most selfless acts and sacrifices.....</em></strong><br />
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BUT....here's the real reason for this post....a GOOD LAUGH!!! I wish I could tell you I have gone out in public with boys just ONCE in the last 3 years and not heard at least one of these comments!!! As an individual, we KNOW you mean no harm, and are only curious...as a population...it gets a little tough on a mamma's nerves sometimes!! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFp61HAj-nk&feature=player_embedded">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFp61HAj-nk&feature=player_embedded</a>#!<br />
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Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-56792751908144076952012-08-23T14:07:00.002-04:002012-08-23T14:53:15.808-04:00Another...Keeping it real!!!First of all, I would like to welcome back another school year. It came back dispite my protests. It hasn't been as awful as I feared though. (Did I just say that out loud?) My kids are doing reallyreally great so far. I am a 'preparer' I've learned it's best to be ready and not need it, than to be scrambling last minute trying to clean up a preventable mess. So I MAY have done some unnecessary prevention work for my kids...but ain't it great to be wrong about that stuff? GO DELUCA KIDS!!!! <br />
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Sammy however is pretty miserable. Poor guy has had to wait an whole TWO weeks to start school after everyone else. It's genuinely tough to be little and watch everyone else go off to school when he is soooo excited about going back to his beloved Co-Op. Let's just say the 'Popcicle Social' on Monday to meet his teacher was the highlight of the month of August so far!! As predicted, the new schedule has left him a bit disregulated, but I DO think I'm getting better at this!! Again...pro-active pays!!<br />
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<strong>MY BABIES (MINUS SAMMY) ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL</strong><br />
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I also wanted to share a REALLY great keeping it real post! I'm by far NOT the best blogger...but I have gotten alot of wonderful responses and 'thank you's' for my honesty about our difficult second adoption, our first adopted son 'spiral' after bringing home our second, our experiences with attachment disorders ect.... Unfortunately, I do think there is a painful shortage of those willing to be real and share the difficulties of adoption. But MANY of us need to know it's normal, it's ok, it passes, and there IS someone out there to reach out to. We are still growing and learning in our house. It's a rollercoaster. But I am more confident, my spouse and I are more on the same page; we have more and more family member that I THINK 'believe us' that this IS real, attachment disorders do exist and it's not just my bad parenting. (yes, I have had that said to me) All of it helps. However, my point is...THIS post is very well written...we have experienced <strong>everything</strong> this woman expresses and I'd love to add a few paragraphs from our four walls. I would have LOVED to have read this about a year and a half ago!!! I'm providing a link to the entire post...and below is my favorite highlight!! I hope someone reads this and finds comfort, inspiration and knowledge!!<br />
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<em> You need to remember how your dear social worker told you on your 3-month visit, as she looked into your bloodshot eyes and you burst into tears, that attachment takes time…for everyone. Adoption is not the normal way, biology is, which helps us love that screaming, no-sleeping baby just madly, irrationally. <b>But in adoption, it takes everyone time to fall in love.</b><br /><br /> And that’s okay.<br /><br /> So in those first few stages, you might feel like you are raising someone else’s hysterical kid. You might be chockfull of resentment, anger, disappointment, and regret. Love may feel elusive, even impossible for awhile. You might wonder if God called you to something then left you.<br /><br /> Normal, dear ones. So very normal. You are not a terrible person, nor is your new son or daughter a lemon. <b>There is so much hope for everyone.</b><br /><br /> I read this paragraph by </em><a href="http://melissafaygreene.com/news-blog" target="_blank"><em>Melissa Fay Greene </em></a><em>on the first year of adoption, and I’ve never forgotten it:<br /><br />"Put Feelings on a back-burner. This is not the time for Feelings. If you could express your feelings right now, you’d be saying things like, “Oh my God, I must have lost my mind to think that I can handle this, to think that I wanted a child like this. I’ll never manage to raise this child; I’m way way way way over my head. I’ll never spend time with my spouse or friends again; my older children are going to waste away in profound neglect; my career is finished. I am completely and utterly trapped.” You see? What’s the point of expressing all that right now? Put Feelings in the deep freeze. Live a material life instead: wake, dress, eat, walk. Let your hands and words mother the new child, don’t pause to look back, to reflect, or to experience emotions. “Shut up, Emotions,” you’ll say. “I’ll check back with you in six months to see if you’ve pulled yourselves together. But no whining meanwhile!”<br /><br /> Here is the good news: eventually, you can pull Feelings from the deep freeze, and you’ll discover surges of genuine love sneaking up on you for this kid. You’ll find out: Oh! He’s funny! She’s sassy! He’s good at science! She is compassionate! I had no idea! You’ve mothered with your hands and words, and God did the heavy lifting, just like He promised. <b>You don’t have to be a miracle worker; that has always been God’s territory.</b> You just have to be the ordinary disciple who says yes.<br /><br /> Is adoption easy? No it is not. Is this simple? Nope. Complicated and long-term. Will bonding be immediate and seamless? Maybe, but probably not. Will you struggle with guilt and fear that first year? Yes, but you shouldn’t. You’ve agreed to partner with God in some difficult, heart-wrenching work, and it’s no kum-by-yah party. Give grace to yourself; God already has.<br /><br /><b>Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting through, and adoption is one of them.</b> I can hardly think of something closer to God’s character, who is the “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Certainly, we are his difficult children who spaz out and pull away and manipulate and struggle. We distrust His good love and sabotage our blessings, imagining our shame disqualifies us or that God couldn’t possibly be faithful to such orphans.<br /><br /> But He is. We are loved with an everlasting love, and it is enough to overwhelm our own fear and shame and humanity. <b>In adoption, God is enough for us all.</b> He can overcome our children’s grief. He can overshadow our own inadequacies. He can sweep up our families in a beautiful story of redemption and hope and healing. If you are afraid of adoption, trying to stiff-arm the call, God is the courage you don’t have. If you are waiting, suffering with longing for your child, God is the determination you need. If you are in the early days of chaos, God is the peace you and your child hunger for. If your family feels lost, He is the stability everyone is looking for. If you are working hard on healing, digging deep with your child, God is every ounce of the hope and restoration and safety and grace.<br /><br /><b>In Him, you can do this.</b><br /><br /> He is enough for us all.<br /><br /><br />Where are you in adoption, and how has God shown Himself to be enough? Our stories give each other hope and courage. Thank you for being truth-tellers for one another.</em><br />
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AND, if this tiny glimpse leaves you hungry for more...here is the link for the whole post...which is equally as yummy!!<br />
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<a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/08/21/the-truth-about-adoption-one-year-later">http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/08/21/the-truth-about-adoption-one-year-later</a><br />
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<em> </em>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-58904316793727197722012-08-10T21:22:00.003-04:002012-08-10T21:22:57.011-04:00Happy Gotcha Day Sweet SammyIn some ways the last three years have flown by and it feels like you just came home, but most of the time I don't remember life before and it feels like you've been here forever....<br />
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You defiently taught what all the fuss about a "Mamma's boy" was. It only took about 5 minutes actually. They'd coached you to say "I love you Mamma and Babba" in English, and you were obviously quite proud, and my heart was obviously gone....<br />
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Today....my handsome guy can still get on his Gotcha Day shirt....and is the source of MANY of my funniest tales. His personality is such a HOOT! AND is Mamma is as crazy about him as ever, and is wrapped around that charming little finger most days!!! We LOVE you sweet boy....more than you know, and for all the ups and downs, smiles and tears, growth and groans...I'd do it again in a second! We just can't wait to see what God has in store for you!!!<br />Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-60306038440135781602012-08-05T09:05:00.002-04:002012-08-05T13:01:18.724-04:00PLEASE don't go....DON'T go....OH, sweet summer! How I love thee!!! <br />
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Every summer I get the 'back to school blues'. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to be excited about. New things for the kids to learn and discover. But I LIKE having layed back days with the kiddo's. We ban all extracurricular activities during the summer. Just maybe 1 camp per kid and that's it. We hang out...ride bikes, play with neighborhood friends, go to the pool, the park, play sidewalk chalk. It's kind of heavenly. Even with 'the ban'...we still end up running and going more than I intend...appointments!...getting 5 kids caught up with dentist, check ups, and SB clinics, regular pt/ot stuff...still BUSY...but at least there's no sports/drama/running to school 3 x a day...which gives us LOTS of fun times!!!<br />
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SO, I get the back to school blues..... sniff, sniff......<br />
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PLUS, Sammy tends to get all out of sorts with schedule changes so I have to 'toughen up' and anticipate ALOT of melt downs, and tough times with his attachement issues. Poor guy! We will need to do lots of attachment work to help him cope with him new routine and everyone elses's new comings and goings.<br />
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BUT, we do want to be upbeat...so here's lot of photo's of all the fun we've been having!! I'm including the May wedding of my nephew in Florida that we just got the pics of...JUST LOVELY!!! My family was beautiful if I may say so myself ;) AND a fabulous meeting of some adoption friends! Our children are from the same orphanage in Jiangsu China...and when we traveled for Will, we took gifts for this families daughter Kimi. I had a wonder meeting with her and have stayed in contact via phone, email, and yahoo groups! They traveled through our town via the interstate while vacationing and we met for an afternoon and picnic lunch! What a blessing and a joyous afternoon!<br />
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I hope everyone has a great last few weeks of summer...soak it in friends, it's slipping through our fingers!! and may all your children LOVE their new teachers and new school years!!! PRAYERS for nothing but the good stuff!!!<br />
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Oh yeah, I bet you noticed I gotta a tattoo...yes you read correctly...a tattoo. It's a long story, but the short of it is I've wanted one since I was 25, but my VERY conservative hubby has alway squished that idea QUICKLY!! For some reason, her pulled in the tattoo parlor on vacation and said "go for it"...so I did. and yes, it hurt, and yes I like it...so what if I'm a 40 year old inked Mamma!!! hahaha!<br />
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Jessa was in "Seuscial the Muscial" that's her in the orange! It of course, was fabulous and I was a very proud Mamma!!</div>
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Crazy face painting at an adoption fund raiser! <br />
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These three all had their start at the same modest orphanage in Huaian China...but BOY look at them now!<br />
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Myra and Kimi, Kentucky July 2012<br />
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Myra and Kimi, Huaian China January 2011<br />
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As many of you know, we adopted mamma's, like our families big! This play date only had 4 mamma's claiming this big group of kids! But boy did we have fun!!!!<br />
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Like many of you, we too had a CRAZY heat wave this summer and did just about anything to stay cool!<br />
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Yes...I HAD to buy this sign and it's now hanging in my basement!<br />
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Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-38244140240189277662012-07-09T10:02:00.001-04:002012-07-09T10:02:06.556-04:00The good stuff....The Lord send's us messages when we need it, sometimes we just have to be patient...and we ALL know that's not always my best personality trait...here's what I got at Mass yesterday. One of the cool things about being Catholic is we may hear the some readings, but each time you experience them...you get something different, the one you NEED for where you are in your life journey grabs your heart.....<br />
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2Cortinthians 12: 9-10<br />
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> 9 but then he said "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I
will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. </span></td></tr>
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<td align="right" valign="top" width="40"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">10</span> </td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="400"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For the sake of Christ, then, I am content
with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am
weak, then I am strong. </span></td></tr>
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</table>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-47377928215656747512012-06-21T21:57:00.004-04:002012-06-21T22:36:54.175-04:00Icthus!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SWITCHFOOT!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yeah, his outfit is completly made of duct tape!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Christian Music Festival the size of "mini Woodstock" landed 30 minutes from home!!! As usual, our weekend of sweat, getting our faces rocked off and adventure has just begun. We sat tonight out.. we're missing Tody Mac, and my hearts aching a little now. But my stamina just MIGHT be showing it's age <strike>alo</strike>t alittle from yesterday. So when my $$ hungry teen had a babysitting offer, I told her to TAKE IT! We still have two full sweaty days to go!!! In case you are wondering the girls are hugging <strong>ICE </strong>in the above pic on the left...did I mention it was 92*??? When I noticed the guy opening the semi to the ice truck....we made friends QUICK! and volunteered to help him fill all his coolers! This Mamma ain't no fool!!! ;)</span>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-81978095359210148222012-06-18T02:56:00.001-04:002012-06-18T03:04:32.847-04:00Who else could Father this crazy herd?!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">They are exhausting, they are breathtakingly beautiful, and they are ours....and I'm so grateful that he's the one I'm trying to figure it all out with!!! Happy Father's Day!!! (and I just realized I haven't taken a picture of my husband since Christmas ;)</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlV1wJBBgPlP3bphwQwUMavqIBRRtXXTM1PFHwkTyc3Yr5RVG_osF6QlCCmoc6yp-E_RmAjx4JcxBPIDdWvIXpATTnMn-F4xMhYyPCzswJ699EnqDVLsrXYCJ6l7iszfIhM6EQlIg0flt/s320/IMG_7612.JPG" width="240" /></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-40909155217841009752012-06-15T08:04:00.003-04:002012-06-18T15:58:33.277-04:00Why We Need Each Other......As you know I am a 'keep it real mom', and this is a keep it real blog....I love my family, my children are the greatest gift I've been blessed with, but adoption is hard, raising five kids is hard. But it's defiently more fun than challenge.<br />
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But I'm also an advocator...and I don't think it's fair to just paint a picture of rainbows and butterflies of adoption...or life with adopted kids. Goodness knows if you want that, their are thousands of blogs to find out there with happy smiling kids and happy smiling captions! (no offense!! I LOVE them!)<br />
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Our lives have been a challenge the last year or so since our second adoption, but especially the last six months. I find my self riding a big roller coaster ranging from rock solid 'bad ass' to curl up in a ball 'I can't take this any more'. While, the storm seems to have setteled the last few months, I've found myself in a darkdark place the last month. I've had ALOT of prayer recently, some sleepless nights, a few pity parties...and then I've realized something big and wanted to share it with my other adoptive moms...<br />
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WHY WE NEED EACH OTHER!<br />
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Adopting a child is a risk, it's a leap of faith from day one...it's a HUGEHUGE journey. I never imagined how big and I'm more certain than ever we have only just begun. Not long ago I got very focused on our 'loss'. The friends that seem distant now or the ones we just don't see anymore... The family members who have just broke my heart, shocked me with their lack of interest, cruel words ect... How lonely I've felt at 'pretending'...grinning and smiling that all was well when I was really dealing with a child who has an attachment disorder and at times wears me down to the bone and how I have to reach down for every bit of strenght I have to care for my kids...one with SB, one with ADHD. How those around really don't seem to get it or care or want to get it that parenting adoptive kids IS different and we need DIFFERENT support.... Then through prayer I've relized this isn't loss, but really growth. <br />
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We changed, they didnt. How can I be angry, sad, lonley with them when this OUR jouney, OUR calling. Deep down I want them to be more open, more interested...but really....it wasn't their choice, it was ours. At times I was angry they didn't understand what it ment and how profound it was to us to be CALLED by God to do something...we didn't expect it to be easy...but we are humans, who feel tierd and frustrated and alone and want those who love us most to come to our rescue and give us a break, be understanding....and it's been hard for me to come to understand that there are some very important people in my life who AREN'T going to do that.....(a few DO try to their ability..)<br />
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I do have an 'internet support group'. I chat on adoption sites. I superficially share my stories and sometimes 'let it out'. We have a therapist for Sammy, and we have each other. But lets be honest, all of this is a strain on a marriage too, and while we do pretty well, there's ALOT my husband doesn't get because he's not here, and as those of you with attachment kids know...they give us mom's their very best and their very worst. I have a handful of adoption friends, but I'm prideful...I want to be 'supermom'. I share more with them than anyone else, but am I honest? AND I don't have real friends with attachement kids. SO I decided I'm starting a support group, I'm approaching my therapist who works locally with ALOT of attachment families...and I decide I'm pretty smart, pretty 'pro-active'..and .as I find myself slipping into depression at times the last month ...crying ALOT the last month...I decide I will 'fix it" 'What do I need?? What's missing?" 'I'll fix myself - because I'm a survivor, and to be honest it's my way...I try to 'fix myself' alot...<br />
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( WELL, I need a break too, but that's another story!! )<br />
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I had a 'playdate' planned yesterday with a dear friend Becky...one of my adoptive mom friends who since 2008 who has gotten to know the 'new me' better than most....and I wake up in 'melt down mode'.....my sweetsweet Sammy is having a horrid attachment day....he spits at his sister...literally tries to tear down the house....terrorizes his brother, the dog, ect to name a few......and I start crying about 8am...and I CANNOT STOP~~~ like, I have to cancel the dentist appointments CANNOT STOP....I call her and don't think I can come to the park CANNOT STOP....so what does she do?? Calls and emergency 'whine and cheese' party.....she calls two other adoptive moms that have also called her before in crisis , ones I know more casually....and she comes clean and tells them how difficult of time I'm having and how I really need support....one the mom's also has an attachement kid....and I come to the park anyway...tears and alll....and I get some VERY accepting hugs and support from mom's I really 'don't know that way'....and we laugh ALOT throught my stupid tears....and we swap stories about how we all feel totally insane somedays....and it was soooo liberating and such a blessing!! 19 kids...4 moms....<br />
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WE NEED EACH OTHER GIRLS!!! If you read this and you wish for this...find your support group....CREATE IT!!! <br />
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I'm still approaching my therapist about forming an official support group for mom's with attachment kids...and I still woke up today a little teary...but I know have two new real life friends to call on if my day gets too heavy!!Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-28075646358322771332012-05-20T20:52:00.002-04:002012-05-20T20:58:33.389-04:00"Mr Blue Bird's on My Shoulder"T<br />
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Things are looking up around here!! ( Zipity do da, Zipity yah!) The Lawsuits over...after a long a painful 5 weeks (My Oh My what a wonderful day!) So we are staying in our current home, the kids seem overall happy about it, and to truthful - I'm glad I'm not packing up the house right now. Summer is JUST around the corner!! (Plenty of sunshine headed our way!) and I think maybe best of all....Our teenage daughter is feeling better!!!! (ZIPITY DO DA ZIPITY YAH!)<br />
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Ok...I'm done with the song reference I promise!!! It's even getting on my nerves!! LOL!<br />
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I wish Mike were feeling GREAT with his A fib, but I can report he's ALOT better...we just wish it would go away - But it's not quite in the cards for us yet. Just thankful he feels better on the lower dose of digoxin.<br />
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There are a lifetime of stories to share and tales to tell...but this blog would just be too long...pictures are much more interesteing...so I'll just post those instead with brief description<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAP1_G2hY1vtWELIGAbwpVkw1KY__w6SJP90DPSSj6zBWAD_IubYgIEk30tkOdOFYNHfplOi7oIw4eGAXdXvw-AD35Nx-UXLqAgIYY-ABp7azW1QwB-7t3HpC74SRT7Hf_1UWSHonQRbkn/s1600/IMG_8741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAP1_G2hY1vtWELIGAbwpVkw1KY__w6SJP90DPSSj6zBWAD_IubYgIEk30tkOdOFYNHfplOi7oIw4eGAXdXvw-AD35Nx-UXLqAgIYY-ABp7azW1QwB-7t3HpC74SRT7Hf_1UWSHonQRbkn/s320/IMG_8741.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Will REALLY busted his lip (sorry for the graphic pic for those with sensitive tummies!) , Our Nephew got married! in Florida....Mike was a groomsmen, Jessa a bridesamaid, Brynn a flowergirl and Kenna a wedding attendant...I missed it :( but the pics look beautiful! multiple school field trips, soccer, Brynns First Communion!!! and lotsLOTS more, just don't have photos of it all ...the best news is the stress level is lowering around here...and we are sososososo GRATEFUL and humbled for the prayers, emails, phone calls ect...we received! We were overwhelmed and the prayers were felt and I truely believed they made a difference in the positive outcome! THANK YOU......and God Bless!!!Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-13719422326217484882012-04-14T07:36:00.018-04:002012-04-14T08:29:04.150-04:00An update....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzPLNERF2c9guk6e-lsBxWLxRRISjzPIz8eOlVUC4GvBmNz484m45rT_Yy7jNOk5mOFCi7CCr6PbpKMkKRpyqT8qiOdx_pTXh1iZibVFqaz_a_RCuhTtL8MncZLi9daqjo3rKQJjnDunL/s1600/IMG_8200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 150px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731228848162156994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzPLNERF2c9guk6e-lsBxWLxRRISjzPIz8eOlVUC4GvBmNz484m45rT_Yy7jNOk5mOFCi7CCr6PbpKMkKRpyqT8qiOdx_pTXh1iZibVFqaz_a_RCuhTtL8MncZLi9daqjo3rKQJjnDunL/s200/IMG_8200.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbbBIXgzOYlJbUyTIq44Im5gT1Cf3PuG6Qf9ufT-zmYhysxCMORfghJhsYceuYKIDcsC8ZGO9bMliEtp6KZVWIpShk4sfi-W2bT6rOhV_m8TN6ZCxdWxyAawFLvrL-lbPmWB5SHfIo0ry/s1600/IMG_8228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; 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In a nut shell, Mike is having episodes of Afib his body is correcting without him knowing even with the Dig. He has a pulmonary vein abnormality that he was likely born with that just shows itself as we 'age'. He has to stay on the icky digoxin for now...his doc says nothing controls AF from the Pulmonary Vein issues like Dig....so we are going to be hopeful and prayerful he feels better on it soon....He also have HORRID! cholesterol and his BP was higher than it should be for someone with a 'heart condition'...kinda crazy for a guy who is in pretty good shape and eats pretty well!!! Darn Genetics!! So we have some work to do...more meaningful excersize and an even better diet....</div><div> </div><div>Nothing new to report on the housing issue....both our internal med Doc and his Cardiologist wrote letter outlining the lifestyle recommendation...specifically decreasing stress...one even came right out and said buying and selling a new home was too much for now and it was NOT recommended....HOPEFULLY...with the prayers and these specific recommendations they will rethink their stance. I can't imagine legally a judge would give them much and I've got some pretty ticked off and sympathetic neighbors...not sure they will get much 'love' if they move in after forcing us out...We've lived in the hood for 11yrs now!</div><div> </div><div>On a better note...we are still trying to be positive and enjoy the most out of things...here are some cute Easter, Spring Break and puppy pics....Sadly, my sweet Nelli's pups died...but her mamma had a litter @3m ago and we went to check them out for some folks who were interested in my sweet babies pups. We were fortuate enough to be invited by Jesse's family (Jessa's boyfriend) to visit them at their cabin at the Gorge...it was fabulously relaxing and TON's of outdoor fun for all!!! Mike and I did NOT rock climb..but boy did the girls love it. We made 2 trips to the cabin for climbing adventures!!</div><div> </div><div>Keep the prayers coming...they have REALLY helped. We are both feeling more peaceful that this situation is out of our control and we've just turned it over to the Lord. THANK YOU all for the overwhelming response with emails, calls, prayers...it was JUST what we needed.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-37677471687098946132012-04-09T16:42:00.007-04:002012-04-09T17:53:43.951-04:00Calling all PRAYER WARRIORS!!Oh, where to start.......many of you know the DeLuca family has had their fair share of trials the last year and a half...we are pretty hardy souls...but there are lines in the sand when you just have to throw up your hands ...for us, it's our health. Despite the stresses life may throw at you...we've always stayed true to one thought..."as long as everyone we love was healthy and on this planet, things will be ok". Lately, Mike has had some health challenges that has lead us to a very difficult situation that we desperately need prayers for.... andI'm going to try not to make this post an hour long!!!<br /><br />Mike was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation about a month ago. We spent a LONGLONG day in the hospital getting his heart rhythm normal. It involved a lot of 'unpleasant' medications. He was started on a prevention medication, and the cardiologist was hopeful this was a 'flukee'. Many men in their 40's and 50's will deal with a-fib, and most don't have reoccurance. He was hopeful after a month, he'd come off his meds and we'd carry on as usual. The medication has had some side effects...nausea, fatigue ect...but we were hopeful this would just be for a month and they would lessen with time.<br /><br />For my non-medical friends, A-fib is an electrical condition disorder of the heart when the top part does not pump...it 'vibrates' as opposed to contracting like it usually does to pump blood. If not treated and dealt with there is a risk of blood clots/strokes ect... Fortunately these are fairly rare occurances, most are controlled with medication...but it deserves serious attention to say the least.<br /><br />We had already placed our home on the market to sell with this occured....it's no secret we were feeling a bit cramped here with our big'o family and small zoo. Also, our oldest had a "HORRIBLE" experience at high school that lead to having to a withdrawl and change schools mid-year. She's not been happy despite doing very well socially, and we were hoping the move would get her into a different school district. When Mike had his first heart arrthymia, we considered pulling the house off the market, but after the cardiologists mostly optimistic prognoisis and hearing the stories of many who had also dealt with this situation with very few reoccurance....we we hopeful it would be a one time thing .<br /><br />AND THEN APRIL 3rd HAPPENED.<br /><br /> It started off as a fabulous day! After a great open house....we received 2 offers on our home resulting in a full asking price offer with a end of May closing - which was EXACTLY when we wanted to move.... We were very excited and a bit nervous as it was time to SERIOUSLY house hunt again! Unfortunatly we had a complete dejavu experince that night with Mike waking up from sleep with his heart out of rhythmn...he had 2 runs of Afib but they both 'converted' on their own and we were able to avoid the ER. We went right to the doctor the next morning...a bunch of tests are being ordered and a medication adjustment is planned once the results are in...Sadly, it didn't look like this was going to be a one time fluke as we'd hoped and this would be more complicated than we thought...and just as last time, the afib left Mike feeling drained and very fatigued for a few days.<br /><br />We made the decision to not sell our home. While the exact cause of Afib is unknown, there were specific lifestyle modications the docs recommended including decreasing stress, caffeine and alcohol! (does anyone else find that recommendation as funny as I do!!!!!!!) Moving IS stressful, it demands a lot physically and emotionally especially when dealing with our 'atypical' group of kids who don't always respond to situations like most. Mike is NOT a 100% right now and when your health is uncertain it doesn't take long to forget about all your motivations for moving! Home size, property values and school district don't mean a thing if you don't feel your best!<br /><br />In my heart I felt certain with our motivation for withdrawling most individuals would be understanding. Our realestate agent felt this way, and we heard stories of individual 'changing their minds' for alot less legit reason than ours without incidence. After all, they did not even have the contract 18 HOURS! when we notified them of our situation, and the housing market offers alot right now.<br /><br /> Sadly, they are feeling motivated to push us to withhold our end of the contract. At first I felt certain when they got over the shock and disappointment, they would realize our decision was not made to cause them harm...we strictly are protecting my husband's health. They are suing us.... their intent is to force us to sell our home to them reguardless of our reasons for withdrawling. From the first time I approached my agent, I expressed how we regretted the inconvience and emotions it caused the buyer, and even joked about sending a note once everything was finalized...but lets be real...it wasn't even 24hours! We of course have also sought legal counsel and while contractual law is complicated, EVERY attorney I've spoke with has reinforced how noone but the attorney's win (via a paycheck) in these types of suits - and how they are hopeful time and more information will make them see this.<br /><br />Despite this hopefully good news from our attorney's, our intent to de-stress has done just the opposite! So here's where the prayers come in<br /><br />PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS FAMILY TO HAVE A CHRISTIAN HEART AND SEE BEYOND 'LEGAL RIGHTS'. PRAY THEY REALIZE WE INTENDED NO HARM OR MALISE TO THEM AND THIS CAN BE RESOLVED WITHOUT UNDO STRESS AND EXPENSE TO BOTH OF US. PRAY FOR GOD'S WILL IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS SITUATION, AND MOST OF ALL PLEASE PRAY FOR MY HUSBANDS HEALTH AND WELL BEING<br /><br />I will keep everyone current on Mike's health. We are still hopeful he will soon be his best again without long term ill effects - But it's MOST important we do everything we can to keep him healthy and get off medications as soon as possible; and this involves time and destressing.<br /><br />Thanks to all!!! PLEASE pray, I am a strong believer in the power of prayer!!!!!!<br /><br />Bless your heart for getting to the end of this post!!!!!!Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-3421963067287327352012-02-26T10:03:00.014-05:002012-02-26T11:26:26.654-05:00Cakes and Cats and Dances...oh my!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv86RhtomQCmvfSR2KTkqZS0bwdwAW10-QRfrtzI-IeoyNt_68CkHLnvCbAgvJ2wInbL_njgQ8GpnD_E3QmOambZef-cx39ac81HsrgQqJTy3VZGsYjOTWHYaeVaMWg0uOg6Vl6HX4Yxkd/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713480671622470194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv86RhtomQCmvfSR2KTkqZS0bwdwAW10-QRfrtzI-IeoyNt_68CkHLnvCbAgvJ2wInbL_njgQ8GpnD_E3QmOambZef-cx39ac81HsrgQqJTy3VZGsYjOTWHYaeVaMWg0uOg6Vl6HX4Yxkd/s200/IMG_8085.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZcqEd6spnW_8fLoH_XKKMwFrJ_Eano8BNL1PZy8x8rNPU0cwFiQU5Ej-UY-m7kEzw7GcExbaLnBvjlY49nej_B8TArHiHnNa54F2_dI-NUZyDoykm0fsQIIM-CSM-byF9Hwj88ozBP9p/s1600/IMG_8097.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713479877316339618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZcqEd6spnW_8fLoH_XKKMwFrJ_Eano8BNL1PZy8x8rNPU0cwFiQU5Ej-UY-m7kEzw7GcExbaLnBvjlY49nej_B8TArHiHnNa54F2_dI-NUZyDoykm0fsQIIM-CSM-byF9Hwj88ozBP9p/s200/IMG_8097.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD7Usyrp47wAc00iCiM_nAeIbot_ddBHf5H5tYMyNi1tw9BEYi6X2T8uzObXWmbL10hgGqjSvdtIPNDezIUAACGg2u5aFz_GikIeU7TorSsY6bi3aZO0bF0sjLdB3POwFH1O0GKFWLJEP/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713479698580587410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD7Usyrp47wAc00iCiM_nAeIbot_ddBHf5H5tYMyNi1tw9BEYi6X2T8uzObXWmbL10hgGqjSvdtIPNDezIUAACGg2u5aFz_GikIeU7TorSsY6bi3aZO0bF0sjLdB3POwFH1O0GKFWLJEP/s200/IMG_8123.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-EbWRCXKqz42qM1BrfCDJGVm9u_SjL5gdOtlEmY6mj233oqjSCj9vNFs_gCSEgMJBSwgrVUhx78KfeasSzFrXZa3-4nbslxfud5ycxPDwTnl6TplQ_DWLE-7jMLAwBZvsWyEojJCc06w/s1600/IMG_8091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713472743365583234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-EbWRCXKqz42qM1BrfCDJGVm9u_SjL5gdOtlEmY6mj233oqjSCj9vNFs_gCSEgMJBSwgrVUhx78KfeasSzFrXZa3-4nbslxfud5ycxPDwTnl6TplQ_DWLE-7jMLAwBZvsWyEojJCc06w/s200/IMG_8091.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn47aziM-lht8VfQ-5fIONL-HksyzhXiF8h1Yfpu1px8qSEYnwVBSHrs8CFQUL5VPOFdefwlcJ5M7BkrFZ_QeuukN3mDibC-uBdDoddzKRkCFEw_dWqAQpRNjhaudncTwKkm25Pm6moFgc/s1600/IMG_8107.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713471731864595506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn47aziM-lht8VfQ-5fIONL-HksyzhXiF8h1Yfpu1px8qSEYnwVBSHrs8CFQUL5VPOFdefwlcJ5M7BkrFZ_QeuukN3mDibC-uBdDoddzKRkCFEw_dWqAQpRNjhaudncTwKkm25Pm6moFgc/s200/IMG_8107.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSaW4t8BsE7uOJsdfFK_vzp-uDZoC3Pboacq6YM3DcdWHBSD-_NVu2CEbXY4M_p9QBRZU37YLAMrKTzi-RqVwf4F2aTBtc_1Cxv_lGAIyRW6lchTqaFv4FZIOu8P1yqGZJJIpg9_-WorG/s1600/IMG_8068.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713471134293105330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSaW4t8BsE7uOJsdfFK_vzp-uDZoC3Pboacq6YM3DcdWHBSD-_NVu2CEbXY4M_p9QBRZU37YLAMrKTzi-RqVwf4F2aTBtc_1Cxv_lGAIyRW6lchTqaFv4FZIOu8P1yqGZJJIpg9_-WorG/s200/IMG_8068.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKmj6qIIOZ595VDcB4_bY_r4GhXouv7L0xye1B1wSu5JkTXf4q_tQkrZgEBYTSqgC7elYFgpc0lwxPlMxfxfYUti-Ls7CPaoL4GJpb69RfeHLzvtT8ZGfLoo3k0bnw0J2TiKs8Z1EHvAu/s1600/IMG_8078.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713470935929200082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKmj6qIIOZ595VDcB4_bY_r4GhXouv7L0xye1B1wSu5JkTXf4q_tQkrZgEBYTSqgC7elYFgpc0lwxPlMxfxfYUti-Ls7CPaoL4GJpb69RfeHLzvtT8ZGfLoo3k0bnw0J2TiKs8Z1EHvAu/s200/IMG_8078.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Kh19iMAL4U-61wb7f9aK7bRralDmjLc-TV9BCieftclWal0vv01YWfOSZxMdDAp6zYETgk1Fewe2tQQ8X0CmpWkz4pw214Y4sCuXYbLmK3A01xk4gxXlByII0zukn8EZHd-UX5SxhZg/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713470740984798642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Kh19iMAL4U-61wb7f9aK7bRralDmjLc-TV9BCieftclWal0vv01YWfOSZxMdDAp6zYETgk1Fewe2tQQ8X0CmpWkz4pw214Y4sCuXYbLmK3A01xk4gxXlByII0zukn8EZHd-UX5SxhZg/s200/IMG_8069.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKlb67nMpwad2DwMo1pn2pG1UC2IfF8pz5vKDfCpQD8-sED0Jp8Av9tJHX9PjWZ2Vvg1lL8YLklNr_xW-jE6Gp7b41fFNvTwFQBJ49ONd7oFiAaZX4LYDPBgrYh5CZQkKGt05UbVKRLxZ/s1600/IMG_8046.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713470491276418178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKlb67nMpwad2DwMo1pn2pG1UC2IfF8pz5vKDfCpQD8-sED0Jp8Av9tJHX9PjWZ2Vvg1lL8YLklNr_xW-jE6Gp7b41fFNvTwFQBJ49ONd7oFiAaZX4LYDPBgrYh5CZQkKGt05UbVKRLxZ/s200/IMG_8046.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We have ALOT of birthdays around here in January and February....five to be exact...makes for alot of cake! We've have two more since my last post...and two more smiling girls...and two more birthday parties!!!! Poor Jessa got a tummy ache after our HUGE lunch and just couldn't stomache birthday cake...so we did what any reasonable family would do, we waited until the next morning and had cake for breakfast!!!! We were the coolest parents ever for at least 4 hours after that~~ This morning I sit with a house full of 11years olds...and enjoying my middle girl soaking up her day...and secretly thinking "THANK GOD" we are done until June....</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>and Cats....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>WELLLLL....we are a bit nuts around here, that's no secret....my oldest baby has had a tough few weeks....I mean TOUGH...she could really use prayers! and everyone knows nothing heals an aching heart like a kitten...so says her DADDY!!! ( Can you stinkin believe that!!!) Her DADDY!!! thought a kitten would be good! I about had a cow...we do have puppies due around here @March 15th...but my sweet Nelli will be gone for 10 weeks and I could use a new baby to ease my pain...so to say the least it only took a week to convince me...sadly the little gray kitten with big green eyes that stole Daddy's heart had a home already. (well, not sadly...good for her) SO! GiGi and I go to the Adoption Fair at the Pet Store to get a "kitten"...this is a girl who has her Mamma's heart...in the midst of the kittens we see this 2 year old HUGE! FAT! BLACK! cat with the greenest eyes I've ever seen...obviously someone's pet...an owner surrender - lost their job in todays economy, couldn't afford her anymore, sitting in the shelter for 2m because EVERYONE wants a kitten...SWEETEST cat ever...never flinched in the noise of the barking dogs...did nothing put purr as load an outboard motor on a speed boat, and literally wrapped her arms around her neck...no kidding I think she hugged her...we DID NOT come home with a kitten!!! She said the kittens would get homes...adult cats usually just sit there....OMG she SUCH her Mamma's girl!!! SO! We are the proud owner of the fattest furriest black cat I've ever seen...her name is Jade/Jady (the eyes) and really is the biggest love bug ever...</div><br /><br /><div>Yes, I AM well aware of the animal count here now...nice comments only please!!! and Yes, we are shopping for a bigger house!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>and Dances..</div><br /><br /><div>.Mary Queen had a Valentines Family Dance...Mommy missed it...I was shacked in my hotel room by myself for MY birthday present, but my sweet family had a blast...and my hubby got some great shots of the kids!!</div><br /><br /><div>and last night was the "Father/Daughter Princess Dance" - they rode in a limo...dressed up in their finest...had chicken nuggets for dinner in a castle and a huge selection of desserts including a chocolate fountain!!!!!....every 8yo's dream!!! and they looked SO SWEET!!! Sadly, Princess Pouty face got a Paper Cut!!! it was quite dramatic but quite cute to see such a worried sad face over such a little bit of blood! </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-21799404066427902242012-02-15T16:04:00.014-05:002012-02-15T16:58:22.616-05:00One month later.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvvhenFXVCqIvk6mr_0RZ3_A5scL8Yjx7_i8dmgeKEYgLqrVVAgkOFZNTxUYtgwETYo0c83HRDaDa35Eb8qOURdIk_8pYtjLD3JqkDmuvgT-K_3kquPONOYRmYONhVq1xXhkh0XUJ1yJT/s1600/IMG_7990.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709481765730340370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvvhenFXVCqIvk6mr_0RZ3_A5scL8Yjx7_i8dmgeKEYgLqrVVAgkOFZNTxUYtgwETYo0c83HRDaDa35Eb8qOURdIk_8pYtjLD3JqkDmuvgT-K_3kquPONOYRmYONhVq1xXhkh0XUJ1yJT/s200/IMG_7990.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8bZl68GWTIVAulvPnHgBmf5K1c1bqbsekBzcOKWpg7vhaq7mndP4z20cu1DDUql_0CYQF6CfwNA21gtzLz7Vs9h6T0BCK1aUNcD4OfRzXz9VrTdtRXVd1Wj2jOwWnarl9b1PIqdYw5HE/s1600/IMG_7985.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709481537068033554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8bZl68GWTIVAulvPnHgBmf5K1c1bqbsekBzcOKWpg7vhaq7mndP4z20cu1DDUql_0CYQF6CfwNA21gtzLz7Vs9h6T0BCK1aUNcD4OfRzXz9VrTdtRXVd1Wj2jOwWnarl9b1PIqdYw5HE/s200/IMG_7985.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuK52A7V_0rIBcmNWRU8DyujXV3jF87SU0-RoRAojCPvecr9zi4MVl7nBqpXjg7T8BNnHj1pVTkGc0MjzqMXtnyXmbJ7oz1c4RbmCxcA0U9Agjnf6kCguqjldWHqyc-7NiwfXXIpqhDPn/s1600/IMG_7946.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709481259146170706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuK52A7V_0rIBcmNWRU8DyujXV3jF87SU0-RoRAojCPvecr9zi4MVl7nBqpXjg7T8BNnHj1pVTkGc0MjzqMXtnyXmbJ7oz1c4RbmCxcA0U9Agjnf6kCguqjldWHqyc-7NiwfXXIpqhDPn/s200/IMG_7946.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and I'm finally making another blog post!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br />Well it's been busy! Here's what's up....</div><br /><div>1. Sweet Sammy turned 5!!!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He's sooooo much fun to have a birthday with! It was a very deja vu day!! Same cake (shoulda thought to go to a different baker for another Lightening McQueen Cake), Same McDonald'a Lunch, Same LoMein Dinner...but what two unique wonderful little guys! Sammy is such an A+ personality kid! He literally shook with excitement everywhere we went and announced to everyone at the top of his lungs that "TODAY IT IS MY BIRTDAY AND NOT WILL'S I AM FIVE" It's really hard not to find him cute if I may say so myself! (and as predicted Will took it much better!)<br /></div><br /><div>2. I turned 41....I am not so cute on my birthday, nor did I want a cake, or LoMein...I actually decided to boycott the whole thing and even took it off my FB page I was pouting so horribly! Don't get me wrong, each year above ground is a wonderful gift and I'm grateful...but gettin old ain't easy! I still feel good and don't look TOO bad, however gravity has still found my neck and the J-Lo fairy visited my butt!....and I did get some new glasses ON my Bday and didn't relize I'd slowly been going blind since my last eye exam in 2008 and had NO! idea I'd developed so many lines creases bags ect....vanity sucks....and I'm guilty. BUT I did have some sweet friends who remembered anyway and sent me well wishes via FB, text, left cake on my front step and my dear hubby and BFF sent to a HOTEL!!! for an overnight ALL BY MYSELF! It was the first time I've been alone or in silence since 1997! Heaven I tell you...pure Heaven!</div><br /><br /><div>3. My oldest daughter has self imploded. Anyone who has ever parented a teenager will understand. Pray for our survivial. Teenagers are just like two year olds who want driver license and they are scary....VERYVERY scary!!! I remember being one, and I'd rather have my toe nails pulled out than ever live through high school again....</div><br /><br /><div>4. Nelli my fur baby is having four puppies!! She is due March 15th!!! I'm going to have Grandpuppies!!!</div><br /><p>5. Mike went to Denver on a work trip and kicked butt! I was very proud!...I hope he gets a job there! I'm ready to move and have a new adventure! Time will tell!</p></div><br /><div><br /><br /><p>That's all...............................</p></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-34334842994137290762012-01-17T07:28:00.005-05:002012-01-17T07:40:03.863-05:00Happy 1 Year Gotcha Day Will!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq6CBZ-5Db6CWszRLck2kRzc0VK9YoGUP1tnokR2gImm-lbYHX-vbAzI2x0K-vMvyjY8QObSEo305qM2R7sAsRZmYr9Yg7JDXC2Pjk04m9TKj3O45w6QK5AFn8gia6M0czGVLCwbsMfwg/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698578847281561874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq6CBZ-5Db6CWszRLck2kRzc0VK9YoGUP1tnokR2gImm-lbYHX-vbAzI2x0K-vMvyjY8QObSEo305qM2R7sAsRZmYr9Yg7JDXC2Pjk04m9TKj3O45w6QK5AFn8gia6M0czGVLCwbsMfwg/s200/IMG_4743.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4oyJcDRvRKm7KFUaJzGhkT5KkIZsUzPpY0jwxi7n6voUooyo58_CoRecFerpnkQjM7UbGDoTgIAhtBdn_HSX0JPYIQNFUntOsWynxw0mgQtp6tErlNOGK2K1P1SW5emSLAfhAVP1_eL5/s1600/IMG_4735.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698578680384492914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4oyJcDRvRKm7KFUaJzGhkT5KkIZsUzPpY0jwxi7n6voUooyo58_CoRecFerpnkQjM7UbGDoTgIAhtBdn_HSX0JPYIQNFUntOsWynxw0mgQtp6tErlNOGK2K1P1SW5emSLAfhAVP1_eL5/s200/IMG_4735.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAgnOcNCSX5W3Wya9JYe6VEX9NsjaojcC4nGOBpGuXdb6g5C0ZhsmNlG_x2TFLABNfB9jC5bobxEBM9LwW8lxbHtvZLnI9vDeDeA7aP_uqbCXcDGXwCj3jpAQ5my06YHzGaO3BuWwR1sq/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698578488716421842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAgnOcNCSX5W3Wya9JYe6VEX9NsjaojcC4nGOBpGuXdb6g5C0ZhsmNlG_x2TFLABNfB9jC5bobxEBM9LwW8lxbHtvZLnI9vDeDeA7aP_uqbCXcDGXwCj3jpAQ5my06YHzGaO3BuWwR1sq/s200/IMG_4731.JPG" /></a><br />One year ago today we met a very frightened and overwhelmed 4yo in a freezing Civil Affairs office in Nanjing China. It's hard to believe that's the same child we love today...my how we have all grown! I made this video shortly after arriving home...it still brings tears to my eyes and butterflies to my stomache....I hope you take the time to watch it!<br /><br />As our family celebrates, my heart aches for those that still wait, for the Sammy's and their zanny personality that sit undiscovered, unloved. CONSIDER PUTTING ALL RESERVATIONS ASIDE, ALL THOUGHTS OF WHAT YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR YOUR LIFE, AND CONSIDER PRAYING....JUST PRAYING IF GOD HAS A CHILD OUT THERE THAT NEEDS YOU, THAT IS YOUR! CHILD. TAKE ONE MONTH...THAT'S ALL...ASK... AND BE OPEN TO WHATEVER GOD ANSWERS. Once adoption gets in your heart, you are never the same!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=daf1ad01f7e78182df2de9&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url">http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=daf1ad01f7e78182df2de9&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url</a>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-45388199046435102132012-01-14T04:54:00.010-05:002012-01-14T10:24:30.903-05:00Back to the good stuff : Will's Big Day!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6vNRT069gC3ODLM9YMsYOgw_-5kEQ1SGwCvdCzet-TbL87UR6GJEFpJcDE9Z9_kio6YfQ1Jd-fykA1yYTQ8B0rkJf5ApUntfQ7ZrdzIw9RXDZwbGxY3PvELrHmqGp83Bjm57MMr6fjL-/s1600/IMG_7920.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697432473792665682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6vNRT069gC3ODLM9YMsYOgw_-5kEQ1SGwCvdCzet-TbL87UR6GJEFpJcDE9Z9_kio6YfQ1Jd-fykA1yYTQ8B0rkJf5ApUntfQ7ZrdzIw9RXDZwbGxY3PvELrHmqGp83Bjm57MMr6fjL-/s200/IMG_7920.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPsatiLDOd0ZZmn7QQ8IvLw0sDctw70Xx002NDG7EUJ5EaMwP8nxLTkkdjNlYfoMH57tzu4BYEToS3PcyC3ExHzdhYsKmQArcgHOk8ZfTMdownnGOxxlVf1hpz1F5IyM8Niy-ulM9anD_/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697432317859224242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPsatiLDOd0ZZmn7QQ8IvLw0sDctw70Xx002NDG7EUJ5EaMwP8nxLTkkdjNlYfoMH57tzu4BYEToS3PcyC3ExHzdhYsKmQArcgHOk8ZfTMdownnGOxxlVf1hpz1F5IyM8Niy-ulM9anD_/s200/IMG_7904.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsV1lHSGDeXiWhdG9zo0WDOa1Cx8IzV3YynO7iEK2bHWFfRBnkCKQF6EgMOgdUYdmOiCgDt4jtMNGATlxaLhOtEg5GNz6qkJ3w8NbXK3wKxz9WkAH7lATG5isyOQE0GjOFzvlFYOWfp-M/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697432154989692130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsV1lHSGDeXiWhdG9zo0WDOa1Cx8IzV3YynO7iEK2bHWFfRBnkCKQF6EgMOgdUYdmOiCgDt4jtMNGATlxaLhOtEg5GNz6qkJ3w8NbXK3wKxz9WkAH7lATG5isyOQE0GjOFzvlFYOWfp-M/s200/IMG_7907.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4Z4TghwSDWmnSPAYN7Ef0n2si71l-ekdQw2C_Gr65fcGE9KRhObeCG5Kor1TAPHosQb1wuSwiI4D_aIKb0g1YBE_-RkKtC446C-wacQo1JniHdwLaIGKgxyYS_F45HhgL2cXqtmV4giZ/s1600/IMG_7909.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697431983684959554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4Z4TghwSDWmnSPAYN7Ef0n2si71l-ekdQw2C_Gr65fcGE9KRhObeCG5Kor1TAPHosQb1wuSwiI4D_aIKb0g1YBE_-RkKtC446C-wacQo1JniHdwLaIGKgxyYS_F45HhgL2cXqtmV4giZ/s200/IMG_7909.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_Ju71BI2n7Dz11uD_kHY6mjjbXTGpr7WEN2IGtfv0bbT9t4WeAR75otu05dP3jWtEus9UiBq-jkxUFBmnS4oqZtECqoNp911sFsGEoitAQShKVeZ4nTEtb9fTNYfJRpQ2sm3BK7cbtIb/s1600/IMG_7922.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697431772391239682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_Ju71BI2n7Dz11uD_kHY6mjjbXTGpr7WEN2IGtfv0bbT9t4WeAR75otu05dP3jWtEus9UiBq-jkxUFBmnS4oqZtECqoNp911sFsGEoitAQShKVeZ4nTEtb9fTNYfJRpQ2sm3BK7cbtIb/s200/IMG_7922.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfIcf-CB2cmR54Wr0ngwigFgkiRAFNNUSyozoHoahrln3qkGd4q-ykiavc0jXea6Ib3wtr821uIUCMOF4fxkv0Sndkc02uoNj6ZlX5OvWD8HHQGRoQJp53LdPJpTn1tOGWMnAzvzO1u-o/s1600/IMG_7924.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697431527851510114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfIcf-CB2cmR54Wr0ngwigFgkiRAFNNUSyozoHoahrln3qkGd4q-ykiavc0jXea6Ib3wtr821uIUCMOF4fxkv0Sndkc02uoNj6ZlX5OvWD8HHQGRoQJp53LdPJpTn1tOGWMnAzvzO1u-o/s200/IMG_7924.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>**One last comment about my previous post, then on to the good stuff....<br /><br /><br />After reading it, I didn't want to sound whinny, ungrateful, or wimpy. Life is just hard sometimes, but for those of you who didn't know, we did have a lot of 'challenges' in a short time in addition to adopting and adding a new child to our family. From February to September the attachment/Sammy issues, Wills health issues, Mike starting a new job, then having hernia surgery, a water leak in our kitchen and a complete kitchen remodel, the death of just about every appliance I owned, starting high school and middle school for 2 of our girls and the ADHD worsening this year. (wonder why??) SOO I'm done whining...I HAVE been counting my blessings more and trying to simplify...but just wanted to share all the reasons for the "Keeping it real post"<br /><br /><br />NOW...the GOOD STUFF!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />As I mentioned in my last post, Will turned five a few days ago!!! It was a sweet special day!!! I just love firsts, and I just love how excited kids get over their birthdays, and for Will this one was something else. In a family of five it's really something to get to pick, to be 'in charge'. This was something poor Will didn't understand, he'd obviously never given this privilege, even in the whole year home with us!<br /><br /><br />I asked, "Will where do you want to go for lunch?"....(it was just the two of us mind you, a special Mommy and Will date) All I hear is silence from the back seat....."Will, honey...what do you want for lunch?"<br /><br />"Cheeseburger, Mommy"<br /><br />"Where do you want to go eat your cheeseburger, you get to pick since it's your birthday!"<br /><br />silence again...finally he says<br /><br />"Mommy, what's You Pick??"<br /><br />Poor little guy! I got very specific after that, of course we ended up at McDonald's, followed by a trip to ToysRUs. He PICKED! "Chinese Noodles" for dinner (Mom made Lo Mein) Which he LOVED! Check out the pics! What fabulous chop stick form in the beginning, but then he decided he could shovel more in using two hands after a few bites a few big YUMS!!! Lightning McQueen still rules the little guys in our house and the highlight was singing and blowing out candles..twice!! A BIG DAY for Will indeed...one I hope he really will remember!<br /><br />It wasn't so easy to be Sammy however. He put on a brave face most of the day, but had to be reminded over and over his Bday was in 10days. Whales of "NO SAMMY" could be heard periodically throughout the day.... *sigh*<br /><br />This is the tough stuff. I really struggled with caving and having a small gift for the other at each party...but opted to hold my ground and give each their own day from the beginning. Will will tolerate it better, watch and see ;) </div></div></div></div></div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-88944428613125035312012-01-10T15:12:00.002-05:002012-01-10T16:06:50.756-05:00Keeping it real.....part 3AWWWW..keeping it real posts. These always feel heavy, liberating, necessary. I'm very sentimental, and reflective right now. Today's Will birthday!!!!! My baby's five ...his FIRST birthday with a family. I've been an emotional fool the last few days. I've wanted to see him smile - BIG and frequently, and so far so good. It's the simple stuff when they are little. Line leader at preschool, McDonald's date all by himself with mom and a trip to Toys R Us to pick out ANYTHING he wanted. (it's still safe to do that when your 5) He's napping now...but he still has alot to come..."noodles" for dinner (his fav - Lo Mein) and 'Matter' Cake for dessert (translation - Pixar "Cars" movie...you know, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater???)<br /><br />It's hard to believe it's been a full year since he's joined our family...WOW, a year. It's been a hell of a ride. He's come sooo far, we all have. I could easily sit here and candy coat it for you...hit the highlights, focus on only the positive...but if I did, I wouldn't have titled it "keeping it real" huh? Truth is, this has been one of the most challenging years of my life. I'd do it again in a heart beat....but there were times I wondered if my sanity, marriage, and finances were going to make it. It's been a big year....there have days even weeks that I've convinced myself that I must have been crazy for doing THIS. Times when I was just SICK of APPOINTMENTS... doctors appts, for Spina Bifida, for ADHD for Asthma, OT appts PT exercises, breathing treatments and 3 or 4 trips to the school a day, and organizing everyones schedule and falling asleep everytime I sit down, and not having seen an adult movie in 6months, giving up bathing so I can answer emails and read blogs, the VOLUME of noise in my house, constantly hearing "MOMMY", the never ending laundry, my house never ever ever being clean, the damn budget...did I mention I have a job??? when I think if I didn't have so many kids we could travel and have the house paid off...and God was INSANE when He thought I could handle this!!!!!....weeks when I felt so damn selfish and the thoughts in my head where soooo far from Christian....My husband was useless, and how can I try this hard and my kids be so ill behaved and FIGHT all the time and scream everytime I leave the room...God wouldn't cross my mind for days. I hated it all....I felt alone, overwhelmed and sick of faking it!!! Because Lord knows when you CHOOSE to have five kids you better put on a happy face and be the best darn mother around....if you complain or have a bad day, you get that half smile "LOOK"..... OR sometimes if your related they can just come right out and say it.......<br /><br />"What did you think would happen you adopted all those kids"....it was a very lonely year at times<br /><br />BUT then......You get on your knees and count your blessings.....you ask for strength......you remind yourself WHY..... you see it in their faces....in their toothless grins....their morning snuggles....bedtime stories....Saturday night dance parties under the disco ball....homemade "I love you" cards....Thursday night "vampire diary" dates.....Stories of "the first kiss".......Walks to Starbucks....Watching them ride their bikes for the first time......Jump roping in the front yard....Watching a boy who had NOTHING just weeks ago get his first bike......Gotcha Day Celebrations.....Celebrating first birthdays with a family...<br /><br />THEN you Dust off your knees, wipe your tears, focus on what matters and realize God didn't say it would be easy....He just said He would be there.....<br /><br />BRING IT ON 2012!!!!!! I'M FEELIN BULLET PROOF!Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-46319286986229050202012-01-08T08:01:00.015-05:002012-01-08T09:54:07.323-05:00The worst blogger award goes to......(drum roll please).....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFJgT7PdywRhz28uPPFicizfNTFFmquqWEGNpSCMI5W73c7vgX2EO53P-yq5ypGD4DpoqkrC_LY1qJtUNOUtikjQ53HaEVw5oEyntyh1O_rWCgYC2ErqvCNStDb42E2EwIUwMMNLGiQ17/s1600/IMG_7892.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695272112294391298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFJgT7PdywRhz28uPPFicizfNTFFmquqWEGNpSCMI5W73c7vgX2EO53P-yq5ypGD4DpoqkrC_LY1qJtUNOUtikjQ53HaEVw5oEyntyh1O_rWCgYC2ErqvCNStDb42E2EwIUwMMNLGiQ17/s200/IMG_7892.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk2P3C10PDVlEtaPxCEhntycICf-r-m1r9OpaK3pdYSSltL8X8CJLQlpDqX90kpgEruP9O1wpAvPQdrnLsnR6V1H2elBuqpzKgfCDgDiemdEiGhHJLyVAnaB38TNWIzD88AQpVEFt0qmg/s1600/IMG_7828.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695271739580207938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk2P3C10PDVlEtaPxCEhntycICf-r-m1r9OpaK3pdYSSltL8X8CJLQlpDqX90kpgEruP9O1wpAvPQdrnLsnR6V1H2elBuqpzKgfCDgDiemdEiGhHJLyVAnaB38TNWIzD88AQpVEFt0qmg/s200/IMG_7828.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzlbzV8VlnWLsWLIjtFPjiuNpHlWSC7as2dykI6d2mBwIqii8Gh8ly15qKa7wFo_OROluoCWvZGz3klueO5KLSwEcmEqBnewxCWrD4Hqstnd_zw9BzoexuJtaKNjmwead4NBr_Fkn8zV2/s1600/Nelli+christmas.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695271299885815474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzlbzV8VlnWLsWLIjtFPjiuNpHlWSC7as2dykI6d2mBwIqii8Gh8ly15qKa7wFo_OROluoCWvZGz3klueO5KLSwEcmEqBnewxCWrD4Hqstnd_zw9BzoexuJtaKNjmwead4NBr_Fkn8zV2/s200/Nelli+christmas.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3LAHSLBFTuLDN4e2GMPh6SlFoqWeiGZIKyTxt2wsjD984wOH3HPh01JnZhiOqx-2qVB9FR1xBKHROhf6GHI1AgetDQoVczcLZe8NQOKoiaoALQa2sfIRy5-wZAz2lCbGmq-epQ8oGWrR/s1600/IMG_7845.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695271114862974162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3LAHSLBFTuLDN4e2GMPh6SlFoqWeiGZIKyTxt2wsjD984wOH3HPh01JnZhiOqx-2qVB9FR1xBKHROhf6GHI1AgetDQoVczcLZe8NQOKoiaoALQa2sfIRy5-wZAz2lCbGmq-epQ8oGWrR/s200/IMG_7845.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwdkioqdXvl2pz9gOgkEbNUqOmwkvyKtTi7_kFP_Bl5Y9lc8JO-DcsArEO5KAw8sYiCZYgrYmpM0OkY_MABpGOYbmqOJp3MmAZOMQOcycp0k7RZLQp-AnN9w57Kkvx7e6CEU2T5Vb1UQR/s1600/IMG_7814.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695270844862628274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwdkioqdXvl2pz9gOgkEbNUqOmwkvyKtTi7_kFP_Bl5Y9lc8JO-DcsArEO5KAw8sYiCZYgrYmpM0OkY_MABpGOYbmqOJp3MmAZOMQOcycp0k7RZLQp-AnN9w57Kkvx7e6CEU2T5Vb1UQR/s200/IMG_7814.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_tNUU8rDjtaSVCAGcjtPS9TWYnsRpN_gr6aAity_G6y-HXVavyMc1FI0zXin323cDfETHxGfIduRYK4GL65PLN07uLz4Oed-BqUoakFOaXgUFTAFvv9tn2xfibJRoL5JdMInKEoLD3NN/s1600/IMG_7830.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695270525932851618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_tNUU8rDjtaSVCAGcjtPS9TWYnsRpN_gr6aAity_G6y-HXVavyMc1FI0zXin323cDfETHxGfIduRYK4GL65PLN07uLz4Oed-BqUoakFOaXgUFTAFvv9tn2xfibJRoL5JdMInKEoLD3NN/s200/IMG_7830.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUdRKgscJdWQZwNp6AsZIzHap6eDvOc0MZfoZzJpiT1XSQDUXpqvZuqT_p_qfa7XuETpyFnY-v66AI-ETi5rJM3L8Uike2zXi0gxiCZe4JDl8ZFLc_Jy4VAO3CjNqQdV3b9vvOABjfek6/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695270254179515730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUdRKgscJdWQZwNp6AsZIzHap6eDvOc0MZfoZzJpiT1XSQDUXpqvZuqT_p_qfa7XuETpyFnY-v66AI-ETi5rJM3L8Uike2zXi0gxiCZe4JDl8ZFLc_Jy4VAO3CjNqQdV3b9vvOABjfek6/s200/IMG_7783.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cVs9m52jpPH5vP4UTnorul79JWMP7yGK0AP0LaHFuxrhoFmgzU0iebKObaT8ULojqyl-tF266usHhQyl82yGFL5XarKOtf4Cd41TtlAwYjcz8gNcBP2vmNLu2GhsXaoxks-ICfRQlbXy/s1600/IMG_7767.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695270002523617410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cVs9m52jpPH5vP4UTnorul79JWMP7yGK0AP0LaHFuxrhoFmgzU0iebKObaT8ULojqyl-tF266usHhQyl82yGFL5XarKOtf4Cd41TtlAwYjcz8gNcBP2vmNLu2GhsXaoxks-ICfRQlbXy/s200/IMG_7767.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_goQn_mqBG1xnHW4oyHxHktAqXF0mO3Snlj7s4powQtypC3k-KV6DfjVikmjyhYNx1ucANecm2p2AQEhL9G6Mk3kAiWmMlmmUbjGkluXAFUHBa7pGSqa9ljb052o7G3A8pGuMpPFVQWR/s1600/IMG_7599.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695269586035890930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_goQn_mqBG1xnHW4oyHxHktAqXF0mO3Snlj7s4powQtypC3k-KV6DfjVikmjyhYNx1ucANecm2p2AQEhL9G6Mk3kAiWmMlmmUbjGkluXAFUHBa7pGSqa9ljb052o7G3A8pGuMpPFVQWR/s200/IMG_7599.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well me of course...</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'm not even sure how to paraphrase the last 2 month...they were big ones!!! Thanksgiving, Christmas, School plays, finals, OT/PT Wills first holidays, a White Trash New Years Eve Party...a blissfully uneventful week after Christmas...and now, back to the grind! and crazy me did a small bathroom remodel the first week back to real life....but never forget a chick CAN use powertools....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The highlights....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Will is doing well with his PT...balance is getting better, he maybe looking a brace for his foot to help him not twist his ankle...He also went through a 10 weeks "observation" time at our states "Early Start" preschool. He just missed qualifying so he was 'observed' It was a fabulous place, really in touch with sensory play ect...HOWEVER, he didn't qualify so after 10 weeks they told us goodbye. I had mixed emotions. It's a good problem to have that your kid with Spina Bifida is ready for main stream preschool 8m off the plane...but it WAS a great school! He's just starting his new school and doing great!</div><br /><br /><div>Sam was referred to OT by preschool. Once there they dx him with a sensory issue. I've shared some of the difficulties he and Will have had, such as Sam being aggresive and regressive. After 10m I felt like transition time was over and something still wasn't right but I just couldn't put my finger on what it was. When I filled out his evaluation forms, they picked up on sensory stuff right away and I was relieved to talk about it something "not sitting right" with me. His therapist feels some of his excessive volume might be a sensory issue!! I told her if she could make his quieter I'd kiss her feet and give her a FAT bonus hahahahaha!!! We are already seeing some good improvement, he's learning some great calming techniques. He's still the sweetest kid ever and Mommy's boy through and through! He tells people I went to China and got "the cutest boy in China"!! Love it and how true!!<br /></div><br /><div>Brynn....she's just BRYNN! When people ask me about her I say she should just have "YUMMY" over her head in a big bubble :) She's sweet, affectionate, funny...she fights with her sister WAY! more than I'd like, but other than that...I'd love to freeze her...she's kinda perfect....**sigh** </div><br /><br /><div>Kenna is growing up and up and up!!! I think she's a foot taller than this time last year and ALL legs! She'll be eleven in a few weeks and wears a bigger shoe than her soon 15yo sister..and is almost as tall, and stealing her handme downs from last year!!! She's fabulous in soccer and had a great season...just joined the art club which is SOOOO her. She was also chosen for selective choir and got to travel and spend an entire day out of school at KMA learning from some of the best conductors in the state!<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Jessa is rocking out high school...now that we are half way through her freshman year, she's got it!!! (change isn't easy for my big girl) Just a fraction short of straight A's (BUT in two advanced classes!) Active in every club that would let her in, and acting and singing her heart out! My favorite club she is in is "Harry Potter Club" They have a sorting hat and everything!! She's in Slytherin and was actually happy about it since Gryffindor is so passe'...hhmmm who knew?? It's basically a philanthropy club and they do community service and try to throw in the Harry Potter theme when they can, but have fun HP themed meetings, games ect...I WANNA JOIN!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>and how about mom and dad??<br /></div><br /><div>WELL...I drive ALOT. 3-5 trips to school a day is the average...The boys appts, the girls extracurricular activities...At one time I was shopping for a minivan with a toilet in it so I could just never get out...I've figured out how to travel with food and clothes already..but unless I buy and RV...I'm still going to have to get out for THAT reason!!! hahah....Christmas was more challenging than usual this year...but the restful week after I enjoyed more than usual because I was tierd more than usual...I enjoyed my kids...OH, and I'm going to have Grandpuppies....my furbaby Nelli left yesterday to be bred to a beautiful tri Cavalier...I'm missing her already...but the babies will be stunning....I just hate that she will be gone @3m while her puppies nurse and get old enough to be placed.....Luckily, she will be close and I can visit alot!!!<br /></div><br /><div>I'm not sure how I manage to work two days a week in all this....and did I mention we are considering moving....I guess it's no surprise with 5 kids, 3 dogs a cat and a goldfish the house feels a little 'tight'??? Wouldn't life be dull if we chose the 'easy path'?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-78992308330360484232011-11-12T07:35:00.005-05:002011-11-12T07:55:47.444-05:00Catchin' Up a little...and more advocating!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4-JqFxmx89lAz-fs5iJUs7SiycOMkNQZPIdh9hyphenhyphenWejgsgBOkpgiefXcip9FmhQxGtQ7kjXB638AelBjWFnHuHQ8nLiCeodw62X2GfdD0UL_PmvINdA8FYV1ElI8sZOo6wrMV57bw_3JY/s1600/Charlie_pouts.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674089347132693490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4-JqFxmx89lAz-fs5iJUs7SiycOMkNQZPIdh9hyphenhyphenWejgsgBOkpgiefXcip9FmhQxGtQ7kjXB638AelBjWFnHuHQ8nLiCeodw62X2GfdD0UL_PmvINdA8FYV1ElI8sZOo6wrMV57bw_3JY/s200/Charlie_pouts.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqG9_dVK_uGntLF2WKeaVguUQW7v5ICr5cukhiV9UDxboPUWkmeqXKVDjt7RPxJ8_EI8bKluNlBR3xhftjfLoJCeeSrE_UpvMA20LYj5k6vMefm6p8qOpAdMf1Ni-d-gHgtAe6s1w3VAm/s1600/update+photo1-10-2011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674088458500563074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqG9_dVK_uGntLF2WKeaVguUQW7v5ICr5cukhiV9UDxboPUWkmeqXKVDjt7RPxJ8_EI8bKluNlBR3xhftjfLoJCeeSrE_UpvMA20LYj5k6vMefm6p8qOpAdMf1Ni-d-gHgtAe6s1w3VAm/s200/update+photo1-10-2011.jpg" /></a><br />First of all, one of my favorite China homes...Eagles Wings has put out a really touching video about their work...they do such wonderful things for the special needs kids in China and I've seen so many of their milder kids come home, they give such great care there!! and if you visit my blog regually at all, you know my love for sweet Charlie...this is where he lives...there are a few glimpes of him in the video! Check out the 'tude in the photo of him! He's so stinkin cute...he was pouting at one of the volunteer and put his little hands on his hip and told her ALL about it!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otUn6LmXYd8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otUn6LmXYd8</a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>the little girl in the photo next to Charlie is Lilli DOB 12/09...I've advocated for her before and she is available for adoption again with Wasatch...she had a family that chose to release her file for complicated reasons. I have tons of info on this beautiful baby...her eye tumor and file has been evaluated by @3 different pediatric optholmoligist specialist thanks to my wonderful doctor who has forwarded it on to different specialist. The latest is at the "Wills Eye Hospital in Philidelphia" !!!!! Fortunately, they are all giving this little doll a cautiously optomistic report about her tumor being of benign and not cancerous and easily treatable!!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>PLEASE email me if you are interested in any additional info in either of these sweet children!!! Charlie is on the shared list and can be accessed by any agency! PM me for his chinese name and dob!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>and please....someone explain to me why all week, I drag, kick and plead with the children to get out of bed and get moving and here at 7:45a on Saturday morning when mom's trying to blog, have a little coffee and quiet time they are all standing before me bright eyed, bushy tailed and wanting breakfast!!!!! GGGRRRR family catchin' up to come later!!!!</div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-85181798957820037982011-10-20T05:45:00.012-04:002011-10-20T06:01:38.433-04:00Just pictures....because I'm to lazy to blog!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmceD0LwXBtf1tu6rI0Pug0xwtm2wd9bf4Woj_Z1bb1Vkrvp8wJI6_8Xma7v2xb9yVGdFVmb6t4H7t316-jkN_VMn0tE93WU0wkllvNsQUJgIF_G0rjv6kjVwyj760Qx37tVWwzHhL3M_A/s1600/homecoming.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665512022793774594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmceD0LwXBtf1tu6rI0Pug0xwtm2wd9bf4Woj_Z1bb1Vkrvp8wJI6_8Xma7v2xb9yVGdFVmb6t4H7t316-jkN_VMn0tE93WU0wkllvNsQUJgIF_G0rjv6kjVwyj760Qx37tVWwzHhL3M_A/s200/homecoming.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UPM0h7bvxjfHEjkAdc-YIgORSLAe74HQBhTKJiqogJZ4Qh1mY_hxcCmBNxRY2bd4xXu8ipLgen5nX0jaxfB87imegSTyZddqlnqD4ZbFrBB8jKgufBxnmDMKYplNBmuaJImooG7ZPZiz/s1600/homecoming1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665511885166179570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UPM0h7bvxjfHEjkAdc-YIgORSLAe74HQBhTKJiqogJZ4Qh1mY_hxcCmBNxRY2bd4xXu8ipLgen5nX0jaxfB87imegSTyZddqlnqD4ZbFrBB8jKgufBxnmDMKYplNBmuaJImooG7ZPZiz/s200/homecoming1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSunxam6IvZOW5PsUvMFer0o_ZCFl9L17uMmb3rAmdOupBthhkeNJUpc1ydxznUUaGW8R8RZVzGpuoVLAGts5IK0KXFmIlk4XJygmDK1H1MnlCWZWHOZIwrwjWpXtpKQXKxLzRLBe-ySm/s1600/IMG_7338.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665511188296027794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSunxam6IvZOW5PsUvMFer0o_ZCFl9L17uMmb3rAmdOupBthhkeNJUpc1ydxznUUaGW8R8RZVzGpuoVLAGts5IK0KXFmIlk4XJygmDK1H1MnlCWZWHOZIwrwjWpXtpKQXKxLzRLBe-ySm/s200/IMG_7338.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9W9iVmpUXOMHW9QVTnV3Dx9b9Y-dfPu3qIBupzXN_PBrpDyZqqHmcsBr3lWMLr44W4a0_yj_1zkicixc1a3S0DsqGUh-LjM9hPctJLBXynLF-jE746ozeyW_puyb5kGwyDd8_vvl0Bfu/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665510868423234898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9W9iVmpUXOMHW9QVTnV3Dx9b9Y-dfPu3qIBupzXN_PBrpDyZqqHmcsBr3lWMLr44W4a0_yj_1zkicixc1a3S0DsqGUh-LjM9hPctJLBXynLF-jE746ozeyW_puyb5kGwyDd8_vvl0Bfu/s200/IMG_7371.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CYesJg4m47JfLC9f4EGDs_2GaZuyP2CGZ7VCOaSdaIBLg-oRfMzb2pTxSSXPJl7FYQpELWngWiGGUHNx1sxEXG8O3NGM6U-cGzAZPHFLS3ASE-f88VwRj3QC0W36vs2aZJimv-lbh4Q/s1600/IMG_7374.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665510575183923474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CYesJg4m47JfLC9f4EGDs_2GaZuyP2CGZ7VCOaSdaIBLg-oRfMzb2pTxSSXPJl7FYQpELWngWiGGUHNx1sxEXG8O3NGM6U-cGzAZPHFLS3ASE-f88VwRj3QC0W36vs2aZJimv-lbh4Q/s200/IMG_7374.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb30UzpE9N_VRYGq5xwe0R1U_QXbQnU25diuHdr8wtjZqTxMXBPR19nABg2Y-Lfo-lILcxsKFPm_OHJ2mWy9ysabuPp7tv_EPM_zX_rFOXbaHfVgH6-lTLTCs7jh_oYHsxxJDb0oF67VBT/s1600/IMG_7369.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665510280020298754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb30UzpE9N_VRYGq5xwe0R1U_QXbQnU25diuHdr8wtjZqTxMXBPR19nABg2Y-Lfo-lILcxsKFPm_OHJ2mWy9ysabuPp7tv_EPM_zX_rFOXbaHfVgH6-lTLTCs7jh_oYHsxxJDb0oF67VBT/s200/IMG_7369.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLwAmy4lacP9F4WyL8tCOWtThUmPdJ7P2cvJCpTaCEJVm0gQsYWfCGuHT6k8ftFCD4i84OSrmp6cBdFS9ceJoVGUGuhvauIj2EnOgEknN_UvnRprSmPVAo4MecJFmA_26LamnWXCzzQQw/s1600/IMG_7364.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665510002565238098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLwAmy4lacP9F4WyL8tCOWtThUmPdJ7P2cvJCpTaCEJVm0gQsYWfCGuHT6k8ftFCD4i84OSrmp6cBdFS9ceJoVGUGuhvauIj2EnOgEknN_UvnRprSmPVAo4MecJFmA_26LamnWXCzzQQw/s200/IMG_7364.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTOaCMM_eZ3dgr0X9oP6HSRSv0aMSBBXIkVP0u0h08WV83QIM4yRv2JWn3LcFuvThyBByiUtva0x0DZOANQ5_dT_I9FdDnP_3c-V7GaW7rmza3d40WvKdXVPj1Y6xnWimLPUsTl4lFTvZ/s1600/IMG_7362.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665509715102599570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTOaCMM_eZ3dgr0X9oP6HSRSv0aMSBBXIkVP0u0h08WV83QIM4yRv2JWn3LcFuvThyBByiUtva0x0DZOANQ5_dT_I9FdDnP_3c-V7GaW7rmza3d40WvKdXVPj1Y6xnWimLPUsTl4lFTvZ/s200/IMG_7362.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQQM0cRx_3Zqqr-acenIud-ImMsCEDK0GiopUf8Rl_qzmJf5AUYfO1eZOHR-2n0cePHQMPkqdelxBEOBhjOjYOTwUocSpg3X4fea3MtKo4OLsRHM_ZwjgJwV6734PO4dFO4yGgoUTn2BC/s1600/IMG_7347.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665509476325881858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQQM0cRx_3Zqqr-acenIud-ImMsCEDK0GiopUf8Rl_qzmJf5AUYfO1eZOHR-2n0cePHQMPkqdelxBEOBhjOjYOTwUocSpg3X4fea3MtKo4OLsRHM_ZwjgJwV6734PO4dFO4yGgoUTn2BC/s200/IMG_7347.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK_vKPx9ZH9kqIswXS0mp3k3YucnQPWXnBlSD_76qlMttjKIHivZWh6dg2To9BzN5oizIYt95hyphenhyphennfssr-72zW4GtLS7vFSnQsj1bnnKaZEcI2nJvV4LqMOyMcPT9A5n35NbVdNm35AlQd/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665509217256163186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK_vKPx9ZH9kqIswXS0mp3k3YucnQPWXnBlSD_76qlMttjKIHivZWh6dg2To9BzN5oizIYt95hyphenhyphennfssr-72zW4GtLS7vFSnQsj1bnnKaZEcI2nJvV4LqMOyMcPT9A5n35NbVdNm35AlQd/s200/IMG_7342.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyavBgi98P4bi2Oow6qYWDmS24kRWJpyfJaoP5Wwry9zanhQn1gRn4vU0sD3Bb1TIoDS8PV8z8j6otMBUA8_L2EIQsZgspHzCry1N5oetbmFaoiwMabcW1FKmvCOBs1uJslHnsWWUCULIF/s1600/IMG_7332.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665508945129795026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyavBgi98P4bi2Oow6qYWDmS24kRWJpyfJaoP5Wwry9zanhQn1gRn4vU0sD3Bb1TIoDS8PV8z8j6otMBUA8_L2EIQsZgspHzCry1N5oetbmFaoiwMabcW1FKmvCOBs1uJslHnsWWUCULIF/s200/IMG_7332.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-31518378948609389292011-10-11T14:21:00.003-04:002011-10-11T14:27:18.889-04:00I could have SOOOOO written this, and really wish I had!!!!Man I wish I could take credit for writing this article...I can't TELL you how many times I've heard this....and I'm going to say it now...THE DESIRE TO ADOPT AGAIN HAS NOT LEFT MY HEART....SO THERE!!! <br /><br /> Will it happen again...shrug...can't say right now, but I can't tell you how many people said the first few weeks off the plane with Will <br /><br />"how sweet, your family is complete"<br /><br />Like we'd already surpassed the social norm so there just was NO WAY we'd ever do THIS again!!! CRAZY!<br /><br />I know it wasn't ment in harm...but..just read - she says it so well!!!<br /><br />BRAVO!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Over the years, starting even when we had just two kids, I have heard statements (from friends, family, and strangers alike) such as “you don’t need any more kids,” “you have enough kids,” “well, surely now you have enough kids” and “why would you adopt again? You have enough kids already!”<br /><br />These types of statements used to make me feel like I had to explain our decisions or they used to make me feel like I needed to be a better parent because maybe if they saw that I was the best parent in the universe, they would think that I could “handle” more kids.<br /><br />I have tried (in vain) to explain to people that we are adopting children WHO DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY, kids who NEED A HOME, but this does not seem to matter to those who continue to make this statement after or before each addition we have made to our growing family. I know that some of it has been said by those who are concerned because they do not want to see us overwhelmed or having a harder life than we could have if we chose the easier path, but this is the path we have chosen, and all we need need is support. <br /><br />Recently, a family member said to me again, “you have enough kids” and for the first time, instead of feeling like I needed to justify our decisions and make excuses and explanations, I felt angry. I thought about all the other times that people have said to me similar things and I realized that many of those things were said before the addition of some of our kids, kids who those same people now love and adore. Kids who now have a home and a family. Kids who are no longer orphans. Kids who I could not be more proud to call my children. Kids who have made our lives richer, not harder. Kids who have taught me more than I have taught them. Kids who have given me more than I have given them. Kids who we would not know had we thought of our family in terms of “enough.” And, I was angry.<br /><br />I have listened to well-meaning friends or family members over the years say things that have hurt, badly, and for the most part, I have remained silent. Some people said this when we only had two kids or three or four, if four was “enough kids,” then what does that say about the last three?<br />Another reason it has me so upset is that we are talking about human beings here, precious children, not possessions. To say that one can ever have “enough” children sort of sounds like they are shoes or something. <br /><br />Another is that I have never seen how it is deemed okay for people to question our personal decisions and give unsolicited advise and judgments, but it is not okay for us to do the same to them. What I mean is that when it comes to things that go against the norm, things like adoption, having a large family, and homeschooling, it seems that everyone and their neighbour thinks it’s somehow acceptable to tell us what a terrible thing we are doing.<br /><br />Can you imagine how inappropriate it would be for me to say to a friend that I thought it was a selfish decision to go back to work full time when their baby was 4 months old because they wanted to pay for a nicer vacation or to say to a family member that it sickens me to think of all the starving children who could be fed for the cost of one of the brand new vehicles they buy for themselves every year? People judge it wrong that we went into debt to pay for an adoption of two children, but think nothing of going into debt themselves for a newer car, a bigger house, or even the latest computers, gadgets, and fashions!<br /><br />I do not walk around telling people that they should not move because the house they have is “enough” or that they should not get another TV because the two they already own are “enough” or that they should not buy the latest iPhone because they just bought the last version and that should be “enough.” And, if you are shaking your head thinking, “yeah, but those are things, not children” then you are starting to get the point here! It is actually pretty uninformed to say “you have enough kids” as though they were objects. If there were ever anything I would want “too many” of, it would be children. Children are a blessing.<br /><br />In response to the inevitable question, “are we going to adopt more kids?”, the answer is this: I don’t know. If you look only at logic, then the answer is…probably not. Logic dictates that seven children is nowadays, in North America, a huge family. Logic dictates that seven children is a huge expense. Logic dictates that I have a husband who is much more rational than I am and is less apt to make decisions based purely on emotion. Logic dictates a lot, but it does not dictate the size of our family. For now, we are done. That could mean forever. Or it could mean that tomorrow we will start the process for another adoption. Because God trumps all logic in my mind and in my heart. Our family size will be determined by God. He has called us to adopt, and I know that He is still working in our family. <br /><br />As a message to our friends and family and to the friends and families of others who choose paths that are less socially acceptable…<br />Please support and love us where we are at, on the path that we have chosen. Pray for us, because the path that we have chosen is not an easy one. We know that you did not choose this path and we are not asking you to adopt yourself or have a large family yourself. We are not even asking you to understand or like the path we have chosen. If you choose to come and visit us on this journey once in awhile and ask how we are or offer your help, we would appreciate it greatly, but if you can only offer judgment and harsh words, please heed the wise advise of Thumper in “Bambi”…”if you can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all”!</em>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064962521955329096.post-57650329210692871242011-10-01T11:41:00.014-04:002011-10-01T13:00:39.253-04:00Oh my aching Advocating Heart....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYEnRahFp2V95A8OzNHtzWn1fscXDm4KpAhn-60c6R2PN0z7xd5bykT_vBFDPj40zca2gUBsNMLiaT7nkREHSfTu9zd7UPoY1HF-5YLc6ek-YPBQN06bx8dFWslINY3NMnIzPTBi0HiFc/s1600/charlie3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 72px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 96px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658556567987891138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYEnRahFp2V95A8OzNHtzWn1fscXDm4KpAhn-60c6R2PN0z7xd5bykT_vBFDPj40zca2gUBsNMLiaT7nkREHSfTu9zd7UPoY1HF-5YLc6ek-YPBQN06bx8dFWslINY3NMnIzPTBi0HiFc/s200/charlie3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Oh, sweet Charlie, how I'd love to add him to the DeLuca clan...he still waits, click below to read about him or copy/paste the link didn't seem to work, sorry</div><br />http://onemoremakes4.blogspot.com/2011/06/im-advocating-again.html<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrTrwbhtzSGd0Qa5H7u_DhWCTLlmrHeG63Tf4of41nUMJ6JNMolDB7rv5gvRIF1MHbr5Uz_9E0AKWsb_Yn-W3kk172j1l0t-gTgD__WdLBYYHcgMdv-gTk65HCPHk7k9wVt2IKSG6Z8AT/s1600/fu+yan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658556153749201106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrTrwbhtzSGd0Qa5H7u_DhWCTLlmrHeG63Tf4of41nUMJ6JNMolDB7rv5gvRIF1MHbr5Uz_9E0AKWsb_Yn-W3kk172j1l0t-gTgD__WdLBYYHcgMdv-gTk65HCPHk7k9wVt2IKSG6Z8AT/s200/fu+yan.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>What a sweet smile this 6yo boy has!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sNVH5bbk8iH5hKwy6izfH1FuY42IsVNJkf0XPrPn80KDnX7Lz5EA9DzSywpPtbBm6n7f-8dIh_6MFm9Pm8prgKXqIr7nXdm9SjObI_T7CuMGKipHndqafxntVFpiIWAlVmH6NfmsRsbv/s1600/lillianna%252Bagainst%252Bwall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 96px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 87px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658555350516539826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sNVH5bbk8iH5hKwy6izfH1FuY42IsVNJkf0XPrPn80KDnX7Lz5EA9DzSywpPtbBm6n7f-8dIh_6MFm9Pm8prgKXqIr7nXdm9SjObI_T7CuMGKipHndqafxntVFpiIWAlVmH6NfmsRsbv/s200/lillianna%252Bagainst%252Bwall.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Remeber Lillianan? Click below to read about her story...she's still waiting....<br />http://onemoremakes4.blogspot.com/2011/07/lillianna-needs-us.html<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwSDMh3SmpfCg3S4En3pKMr4hMEcjOZxm7DVFViMYZ7CqYoXzWWjYMSe_ox1vriZyqrbPwZBZHzt5Y3AhkpOrPT2-mgjQs07oK9IHo2_wsnQq9HBpNV9-jUkgBruU3pXi_EOe4bz-Vcr1/s1600/ReedMarch2010Hypospadia82-vi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658554773278545698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwSDMh3SmpfCg3S4En3pKMr4hMEcjOZxm7DVFViMYZ7CqYoXzWWjYMSe_ox1vriZyqrbPwZBZHzt5Y3AhkpOrPT2-mgjQs07oK9IHo2_wsnQq9HBpNV9-jUkgBruU3pXi_EOe4bz-Vcr1/s200/ReedMarch2010Hypospadia82-vi.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is Reed, he just turned two in March....be steal my heart!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br />First of all, sorry for the absence. Blogging sometimes slips to<br />the bottom of my priority list. I wish I was one of those really cool bloggers that could slip in a few fab pics and a few well written lines that seems to sum up all things going on in their lives, but I just haven't seemed to master that talent yet. You'll figure it out when I do. Then only thing that sums up our lives right now is I'm shopping for a minivan with a toilet in it so I don't ever have to get out and could be more effiicent since all I'm doing this school year is driving..constantly!div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>BUT what hasn't slipped to the bottom of my priority list is my love of advocating for the waiting children in China. I still take time most days of the week to answer questions, offer medical advise when I know what I'm talking about, review files when appropriate and sometimes fall in love with a few and really push for them. I enjoy it...I love seeing families formed, and I'm getting better I'm a "slueth"now if you will. I can help pre adoptive families find information. I know things, I know yahoo groups, which agencies are involved where, who's doing what...I just love helping...I'm not the BEST out there, but I help....I've said before, I knew the second I met Sam and traveled to that orphanage in China God had opened my eyes to a big my passion in life..I wasn't sure WHAT all I was suppose to do, but I knew I was forever changed.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes it's hard though, sometimes your heart just aches, sometimes you just want to scream and yell for the precious ones sitting there "WHERE ARE YOUR FAMILIES? WHY ARE YOU STILL THERE?" I cry for them sometimes....I pray for them alot. You hate to watch the ones you get attached to have a birthday. A day likely noone recognized, another year older, statistically now less likely to be adopted, a sad day in a way....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Adoption isn't easy, it's not for everyone, but I just want to shake people sometimes and say...can't you see, don't you care, how can you leave them there, it's not THAT expensive, ....and then I think...how can I leave them there? and then my husband threatens to divorce me and take away my laptop if I show him another baby that needs a Mommy - **sigh** How many kids CAN you have and pay your mortgage and be sane??? shrug?? Truth is, we are maxed........you just feel so helpless sometimes....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Thanks for letting me vent, and cry a little on this gray Saturday while I sit with a fever and bronchitis missing soccer games listening to Will and Sam play at volume 1 million...why ARE they so stinkin loud?? could I handle the noise of another child?? Good Lord NO!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br />div>As mention, the faces above are those who wait who have stolen my heart....please contact me if interested..... </div></div>Myrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03427454981626204491noreply@blogger.com3