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Just as I would begin feeling good again over the last month and a half I would come down with something else!
After 4 days on Prednisone for out of control asthma due to a very long cold, a nasty flu then seasonal allergies I feel almost human!! What a feeling!!
Well I will start with updatets on my neice and our adoption...
First of all for the past month my 2 nieces and nephew have been living with us about 85% of the time if not more...My sister is not capible at this time to watch the children. Her boyfriend does nothing to help with the children so they come here. C - the oldest at 2 has spent at least 75% of his life with us. A is next being only 15 months and having lived here over half of them and baby M has been with us for 2 of her 4 months. We did get great news on A as far as her growth hormone - Normal!! She has an appointment on the 2nd of May and one on the 5th.One is with her neuro dr and the other is her opthamaligist.
Now on to the adoption - Our paperwork has made it back to TX. We are setting up a meeting for us speak with the SW, her boss, the kids CASA, and the fosterparents (the boys are in one home the girls in another). We are thinking mid May and then to interstate paperwork. I think that takes a month - or it did last time anyway. Our hopes now are to just get the kids here by the end of July. |
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Today was a Monday all over.
We were out the door and in Kansas City by 10:30. We picked up Grandma and she rushed to the gas station with us so she could visit the 3 children I had with me. We rushed her back home and raced to a dr appt for my niece.
Addi sees 3 different drs every 6 months. At 15 months she is a bright shining star in her auntie's life. She was born 3 months premature. She was so tiny that her legs were no bigger than my thumb. On top of being premature by so much she was also born with a very rare disorder - SOD. She is missing the middle "wiring system" in her brain. Her hypothalamus and pituitary were underdeveloped as were her optic nerves. She is blind in her left eye and we are unsure of the vision in her right. In spite of all this, she is such a happy baby! Eveyone comments on her beautiful smile as it just lights up her entire face.
Today there were some concerns with her growth and so the normal bloodwork, to ensure all her hormones are working right, was filled with much anticipation. We should know within the next 2 weeks if all is on track or if she must start growth hormones.
I often think of all Addi takes in stride. I thank God for her incredible fortitude. I only pray that I would do as well. |
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Our adoption paperwork has arrived from TX.
It states all the information that the state has on why the children were taken from the home. It has all the health and mental information on the children. All the issues of abuse and neglect. All the ugly details.
In spite of having grown up dealing with the emotional fallout of my adopted sister's issues with abuse and neglect, I am overwhelmed with this information on my new children. It is heartwrentching.
Anyone whom feels that most children in the system are taken from good homes has never dealt with the emotions of a 10 year old girl who was sold by her birth mother for drug money. They have never dealt with the 2 year old who does things to other because they were done to him. They have never cried to themselves while holding a baby who was so withdrawing that it felt like his poor body was going to break in half backwards.
It does happen to good families - sometimes. We have a family that we are praying deperately for whose children were wrongly taken.
There are cases of horrible abuse of the power of some social workers, some police and some judges. That goes without saying. It happens in ANY profession where there is a large amount of power. There are also some amazing workers out there who really DO care!
But I must say after seeing the children that came into my parents home in the 15 years they were foster parents - I didn't see one child that came from a good home. I seen shattered children, left to pick up the pieces that an uncaring or unwilling adult left behind. Some never can. |
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Why is it that spring always seems to wear me down? Is it allergies? The extra work I begin to put out in the yard? The fact that I have been a slug all winter? Not sure, but really hope to get to feeling better soon.
In my living room right now is a definite sign of spring at my house. 6 Baby chicks are cheeping away. Boy I forgot how noisy they can be. Also how ugly there are after they lose that fluff and begin getting real feather. Much like our young people as the begin to lose their fluff/childish behaviors and become a young adult. How gangly their body is and how strange they begin to behave.
As I set here I ponder on why some people grow up and mature so much faster than others. I have a sister whom is going to deny me the privilege of seeing my nieces and nephew because I had sick children yesterday and was unable to watch her kids at the last minute. Now mind you I watched her children for 7 months while she was on bed rest, but ok.
I am praying for wisdom and maturity on my behalf and hers!
On better news - in regards to our adoption - our children are now all legally free. Meaning that although a judge ruled that birth mom and dad were unable to parent due to instability in the home or what ever reason, 1 parent fought. He lost his appeal on Friday. These kids have been in the system at least 2 years - the appeal should have never lasted that long. |
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The answer to that is no. This will actually be our 3rd adoption....or would that be 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th?
Our first adoption was domestic - our nephew/son.
The 2nd adoption was a foster adoption through TX. ND was a very delayed little guy. He was such a handful that I wasn't sure that we'd do this again. He hit, bit, raged and still toileted in his pants at 5 1/2 when we brought him home. At 11 months later he talks, tattles, giggles and wrestles. Oh! And he toilets in the stool
For those considering adoption through the fostercare system, please pray, pray pray. I have been blessed in that I am aware of alot of issues that may come up because of my parents being fosterparents, then later adoptive parents.
I would strongly suggest reading blogs from people who have been there done that, so to speak. Cindy Bodie is one such person. She has adopted 38 children. Her blog is fascinating, and very real! http://thebodiebunch.blogspot.com/ She also has a link to Claudia who is also an adoptive mama of 10. Claudia has one to Paula, also a adoptive mama of 19 now I believe.
I also believe that there are many good books out there on the adopting pioneers - The DeBolt family 19 Steps up the Mountain, Also The Family Nobody Wanted about the Doss Family. Both have a tremendous amount of merit and wisdom.
But again pray for the Lord to guide your family and pray for these children. They need your prayers more than anything. |
We have come along way!|
Well, we will now wait for the paperwork trail to begin. We could be talking 3 to 4 more months, but the ball is now rolling!!!
First there is paperwork to go to our sw for us to review. This is the paperwork describing all that we need to know or at least that the state of TX feels we need to know about OUR children. I just love that thought - OUR children
I had told our last SW that ND could be green and have horns and we still wanted him. We still feel that way. These kids could run us ragged and we'd still want them.
Then the paperwork between the states begins. This could take a month or more depending on how quick our SW fills it out.
Then, when that is approved, I will be authorized to fly down and meet the children so I can once again say YES!!!
Hopefully, prayfully, the kiddos and their SW will fly back home with me. We are looking at the end of May or sometime in June.
Thank you God for my abundant blessings! |
After we read through it, we'll give another "Yes, we'd still want the kiddos here."
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We were chosen as the children's family!!! What more can I say |
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And still nothing, nada, no word from any social worker in Texas or Kansas.... That is wrong.....errrr....I think it is wrong anyway! I have no fingernails left and have a pretty clean house. My laundry is almost caught up - which is a HUGE feat with 5 children most of the time.Call, call, call.....Do you think staring at the phone will help??? |
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Tomorrow is the placement hearing. We are still a top choice family, as far as I know. The social workers in TX will get togeather and decide which family will be the best one for these children.
If we are chosen then paperwork will begin in earnest. TX will send KS interstate paperwork having our Social worker agree that he will moniter us....
It will depend on the social worker there of course if they get to come home then or shortly after.
I know we are ready for them, but I would honestly be quite surprised if it took less than 2 months for paperwork. Then about 3 more weeks for dh and I to get everything in order for me to fly down. I think it could be the end of May before they get here. BUT - God could surprise me and get them here sooner! |
and the normal paperwork that will follow his monitoring us will be approved. Then after 1 to 2 months - depending on how fast this thing is moved - or not - I will be given the go ahead to come and meet the children. I then have to give my official "yes! We'll take them." (Ummm.... if I am getting on that big thing that could fall out of the sky...I am bringing them home 
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Will I make it thru the night. Can I remember to breathe?
Did I mention that my social worker goes on vacation for a week starting Wed |
Tell me that even if these children go somewhere else it was God's will 
I don't do this part very well 
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As I have waited this week to hear more from our SW and to wait until next Tuesday for the placement meeting, I wonder.....
I sit here thinking about these children. What do they like? What about dislikes?
We live so far from where they are in TX, will it be hard for them to adjust? We have COLD weather, they have beaches. We are in the country. They are in the city. We have rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats. Will they enjoy the animals? I worry about cultural differences. I mean, I am white, they are black. Will they feel that because I don't look like them, I can't love them for who they are, as my children.
K is the oldest. At 10, almost 11, she will have formed many opinions about life already. Will her view be like ours? I somewhat doubt it, but will love her so much anyway. I can't wait to see what she brings to our family.
They will be an adjustment period. I do know about this. You see, my sister S was 10 when she came to live with my parents. She had an attitude from here to China. We had weird food, weird clothes, and weird beliefs (We were Pentecostal, she was agnostic). We lived in a small town. She was from the innercity. We smelled funny she once told me - ummmm... I believe we smelled clean
L is the next child. She will be 7 in Sept. She looks like she has spirit. Will she fight me about clothes and all. Will she keep me on my toes?
I think it is the boys that worry me the least. Maybe they should the most. Adding them to the boys already here will give me at years end - a 4 year old, a 5 year old, a 6 year old, a 7 year old and my 11 year old to lead the testosterone march on
Wow! What an amazing thought - 8 children, ages 13g, 11g, 11b, 7g, 7b, 6b, 5b, and 4b. Will my quiver yet be full?? I surely hope and pray not! |
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I am not a schedule type person, but my darling husband must be. He has requested that as we are doubling (possibly) the size of our family that a schedule would be nice. Now I know what needs to be done everyday, but I don't need a schedule - do I???
Last night, being the nice
Guess this ol' dog best keep up this new trick
And I shall add that darling husband was right once again....Just how does he always know...
BTW - Today makes 14 years of marriage |
I like it. 
Regardless.....Thank you God for giving me such a smart and wise man! 
to this wonderful friend.|
We may be looking at our last day as a family of 6. On Tuesday the 28th, we might, God willing be a family of 10! WOW!
Growing up, I belonged to a small protestant family. One of only a few in a small Catholic town. I could not understand why eveyone else got a dozen siblings and I got 2
I always dreamed of Mr. Charming and I and our crew of an even dozen. Sounded totally delightful to me.
Now I know I weird my extended family out by not even batting a lash at the thought of adding 4 more to our family. I am so thankful that they still love me |
And although I may be weird and wired strange I am one hopeful and excited mama.|
My, oh my! How time does fly. I can so remember his little fuzzy head
The first time I held him was sweet bliss. You see it had 7 years since I had been blessed. But the first time I held him *I* still had not been blessed. My sister had.
At 17, she was so young and immature, that she was not even close to the responsibility of a baby. She had never been allowed to be a child herself in her birth home. She was so amazed and yet so terrified of this little guy that she was afraid that she would do something wrong. Ultimately she did do something wrong, she quit trying.
At 4 months old we brought G home - for good really. He had already stayed with us several times and this was just supposed to be another week. My sister lived at home yet, so mom helped alot. But mom was recovering from breast cancer, still raising my youngest sister and taking care of my great grandma. She was exhausted and needed a break. That had been the longest week ever! At just under 3 years later he became one of us legally.
For the first 2 1/2 years we had tried to reintegrate this baby back to my sister. So much time had passed between visits at first though, that they never bonded. She eventually seen this, and as painful as it was to her, she knew that he needed to stay with us
My sister has grown up so much in the last 4 years. I am so proud of how hard she tries. There are still times, due to her mental illness, that she cannot seem to function for herself or her other 3 children. But I pray that God will heal her. I pray that she will see what blessings God has once again offered her. But I also thank God for the blessing that was offered to us through her |
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I was in the Dollar store on Sunday and happened across 2 women whom seemed at first uncomfortable standing in line behind me. I am sure it was very apparent that we thought about life very differently and from very different points of view.
They had their daughter with them and she was autistic. As the mother of 2 children who fall on the autism spectrum I understand how going out some days just puts a mom on hyper alert. You just have no patience to deal with the "looks" that come when your child acts out, but is having his best day all week.
My husband and I have laughingly said we desired a shirt that says, "He has autism, what is your problem??" Not that we would ever really wear it, but it really makes you wonder what people are thinking when they glance your way. Are they just the curious? Do they understand? Do they feel that you are freaks to be hid away?
My sons are so dear and precious to me. I explained to our son with Asperger's syndrome that he has NOTHING wrong with him. God chose to make him special and He just wired J differently than mom! ND has more issues than just the autism. His birthmom choose to do drugs while pregnant. She also drank. Because of these things our ND may never live away from home. That is ok. He will be my gentle giant.
I turned around at the dollar store and spoke with the women. I asked if they homeschooled, as it was during school hours. They stated "No, but they had considered it. That she went to a "special" school and was out for the day." And then they proceeded to tell me that she was autistic. I let them know that I knew, and added that I understood, as I had 2 sons with autism of my own. At this, they smiled and visibly relaxed. They knew. They, too, understood.
As different as we are, we stood as a united front for our autistic children that day. Knowing that our love for them comes from a deep well of faith that we have. Faith that will try whatever is needed or necessary to help our special children. |
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Our staffing for the children below in the Whoa! post is Wednesday.
Please pray for wisdom for the social workers, grace for our family regarding this decision, and mostly for these sweet children. |
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Most of the time I would say that I haven't done this enough. I still have my comfort zone
I feel that we cannot give enough to God's glory. I mean, do I give everything to the Lord. Honestly though, I find myself sadly lacking in doing it with a cheerful heart somedays.
Tonight I could have cheerfully given all on a task, but I don't feel I did. I feel as if I could learn to hold my grumble, regardless of how small, I would do the Lord a better service and be a better witness
So do you count yourself among the meek and the mild? Or are you like me, and take a task and grumble, even a small grumble, when you could be a wise woman whom rejoices in all that the Lord sends her....
I seen a book in the grocery store tonight -30 Days to Learning to Hold your Tongue. Why is it that when we own 2 or 3 copies of the only book we should need, that we buy this? God gave me a book. He gave me all the lessons needed to aquire a meek spirit. So why do I have a problem getting it?
Lord, my prayer to you is to ask that you help me to have a meek and quite spirit. To be a woman after your heart. Help me Lord daily in this walk. I talk to much in general, and chatter where it is not needed. Guide me and lead me Lord. Amen. |
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As much as my family (certain ones anyhow) make me absolutely crazy, I wouldn't be without a one of them.
This weekend I have my db's (dear brother's) children. R1, J, and R2. They are so fun!
R1 has gotten so grown up. She is such a little lady. So much a big girl, that I cannot believe that she is just 5!
J was having a hard time with mom and dad being gone. I snuggled him into a toddler bed that we have in our room for sick kiddos and ones that have had bad dreams. He looked up at me with his big sad olive-brown eyes and asked when Aunt Traci was coming to her room to go to sleep. He is such a big tall boy that I often forget that he is just 4.
R2 is just 2 in Dec. She is a cuddle bug. She and my ND will just play and play. Tonight they wanted the same toy. ND put it down and R2 ran for the opportunity
When we lived in CA, only R1 had been born. I was so sad to leave my family. During the time we were gone (1 year) J was born as well as a niece on dh's side. When we moved back, I babysat for my brother's children in exchange for rent on a house he owns. I was so thankful to the Lord that we could be back and be able to really get to know and love these wonderful little people.
Over the last 4 years we have been blessed with a nephew, now our son, another nephew (4) and niece (2) from my brother. A nephew (22 months) and 2 nieces (1 year and 2nd niece is 2 months) are my sister's children. And also blessed by another niece from yet another sister (sept '05). These are just the children on MY side. We don't see the children on my husbands side very often, which is so sad to us as they all live within an hour.
So as much as MY siblings/ HIS siblings sometimes make us crazy, their children make it so worth it (We really do love our sibs |
ND then wanted it back and succeded in getting himself into trouble. He must learn to share and does SO well most of the time. After a long day yesterday, however, and a busy afternoon with the cousins, he was on a downward spiral by 5 pm. I made him tell R2 he was sorry. He did. She looked up at him, gave him the grandest smile I have seen, and said, " 'sok. I'se sorry." 
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We received an email yesterday in regards to our adoption journey
This is what it said: remember a sib group of K, M, T and L? An AA group from Austin, TX? Well you are right now being seriously considered for them and your worker should soon receive a phone call from (the SW) regarding this group.
OH MAN!!! I guess I need to be ready for this ride once again!
I really am very excited, but once biten twice shy. So I will sit back in God's hand and just let Him do His work. |
