tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71816503398378504562024-03-14T02:48:16.837-05:00Trust and ObeyChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-73829092794093931082016-05-08T17:32:00.000-05:002016-05-08T17:34:42.643-05:0016 years of being a mama-celebrating, and humbled<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it has been over 1 1/2 years since I posted. I know I should be giving lots of updates,</div>
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posting lots of pics, and telling you all how wonderful life is with our 7 treasures.</div>
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I have often wondered, would I keep writing? Would I just let it hang out there in cyberspace for years, like so many long-lost adoption blogs?</div>
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Our life has become more than just adopting orphans and loving the fatherless.</div>
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Its become a REAL, fulltime job, mothering, discipling, training and loving 7 unique, wonderufully created, not easily meshed together, children who were lovingly placed in our home by an all-wise, all-knowing loving Father.</div>
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Lets just say, 16 years ago, when we celebrated our first Mother's Day with Kendell, and she was a petite, busy 2 yr old, and we were in process for our 2 1/2 yr old, super-busy Nick, that I never knew parenting could be SOOOOOO hard, yet so rewarding, so heart-breaking at times, yet so soul-stretching.</div>
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Life was about loving on our toddlers, enjoying all their antics, spending lots of time with the grandparents and extended family, and lots of friends also loving on them.</div>
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Life was pretty simple, and we knew it was what we had been waiting for for 10 long years.</div>
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But, life changed.</div>
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They grow up-and we added a few more children, some not quite so easy to bond with, and love on, and life became a game of "I'm not sure I can do this", and "I'm really not sure I am getting this thing right".</div>
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And you know what? </div>
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I found out I'm not getting it all right, and I'm not winning "Mom of the Year" award any time soon.</div>
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I sometimes wonder if they even know how much they are loved, when there seems to be constant contention and strife, and who ever knew parenting teens meant rewriting your parenting ideas completely? And, I'm not a really quick learner. I tend to want to keep dong the things I did when they were little, and hugs and kisses and a story at bedtime were all they needed to feel loved and cherished.</div>
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I do love being a mom.</div>
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I do love my children, fiercely.</div>
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Each one of them, in their own way, is such a blessing to my mama's heart.</div>
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and I guess the old adage, "no pain, no gain" certainly applies to raising children.</div>
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They expose my weaknesses, I learn how to lean hard into Jesus, and draw strength and wisdom from Him, and quit trying to do it all on my own.</div>
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But, it does hurt, and sometimes, it really isn't fun.</div>
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BUT, it is all profitable, and necessary, and humbling, and stretching and growing.</div>
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SO, as I look back over the last 16 years of parenting, I am thankful.</div>
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And I want to look ahead to the next year, a little smarter, a lot more humble, and a lot stronger in the Lord.</div>
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Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there, whether through adoption, or by birth-this parenting thing isn't for cowards, or quitters, is it???</div>
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We used to say adoption is not for the faint of heart-</div>
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well, in truth, LIFE is not for the faint of heart-</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-56186848851041183082014-10-08T05:51:00.001-05:002014-10-08T05:51:33.500-05:00Family fun pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
Well,things have been quiet on the blog for the last 2 months, for MANY reasons, but today, I wanted to share our fun family pictures we took while on an afternoon outing to our nearby state park.</div>
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The weather was cool and breezy, and we opted for FUN and casual over formal and "not a hair out of place"(as you will see from the photos:) )</div>
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I promise to be back soon with updates from our end of summer, early fall busy season on the farm.</div>
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Overall, I would say, not too bad for using the self-timer with the camera on a tripod, and keep in mind,these are unedited.</div>
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We have a unanimous favorite, what do you all think? Which one is YOUR favorite???</div>
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It was a very fun afternoon, and even though we took LOTS of pictures, everyone stayed happy and cooperative throughout the time.</div>
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We took many individuals of each child, I'm not sure what their individual favorites are, but here are mine:</div>
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Isaac, age 5 1/2</div>
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Isaiah, age 8</div>
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Lilianna, age 9</div>
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Lili was doing the squished eyes smile all day, there was only 1 of her with her eyes open, but she is still CUTE.</div>
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These littlest 3 are usually the hardest to get really good pictures of-so all in all, I think their pictures turned out really good.</div>
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Next up is Tyler-you hardly ever get a BAD picture of Ty-he loves having his picture taken, and comes up with lots of his own ideas of WHERE to be:</div>
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Tyler, age 10</div>
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He is such a joyful guy, a tad mischevious, and VERY loving.</div>
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We can't imagine what life would be like without him.</div>
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Rosalyn, age 16 1//2</div>
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Rose has come a long way in the last few months, and I think she has many more happy days than melancholy ones. She is finding her groove, and adapting to life in our busy family, and we are thankful for God bringing her into our life.</div>
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Next is Kendell. Home the longest, hitting 14 years the beginning of September, she is really into farming and cows, and loves being outside working in the barn or helping at the neighbor's farm.</div>
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I miss my baby girl who loved all things purple, bible stories before bed, and snuggles all day long.</div>
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Enter, a teenager with distinct likes and dislikes, and not afraid to tell you them, loves to read her own choice of books, prefers a pat on the shoulder to an all-out hug, and don't even mention purple or pink being added to her wardrobe:)</div>
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I love her in all her stages and ages, and I know God has some big things for her. She's creative, loves photography and writing, and can talk to anybody.</div>
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Kendell, age 15 1/2</div>
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Last but not least, our almost 16 yr old son, home 13 years in July, able to fix about anything that breaks down on this farm, or in the house, lover of knowledge, serious-minded, not a huge talker, but a deep thinker. He is also following hard after the Lord, and is eagerly searching out what God would have him do with his life.</div>
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Nicholas, 15 3/4</div>
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I love our family, and am feeling very blessed to have such wonderful, loving children.</div>
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True gifts from God!!!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 ofus</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-20499196522300944172014-07-16T21:32:00.000-05:002014-07-16T21:32:23.181-05:00When Delays become Disabilities--Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our 7 gifts from God!!</div>
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I will say something up front--this has been a harder post to write-it has been on my heart for a LONG time, yet, to put it out there, for the world to see, is hard!</div>
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BUT, this last adoption has been hard from day one, and for those of you who read this blog, or correspond with me via email, or know me in real life, you already knew that, so, here goes...</div>
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Our last 2 additions to our family, Lili and Rose, came home at much older ages than our other children.</div>
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Even though we had done the parenting seminars, and read the books on attachment, and re-read the stuff on orphanage delays and scoured the web for blogs about older child adoptions, and "thought" we were ready, we were extremely humbled to find out, we were NOT ready for what was about to transpire in our home after returning in Jan, 2012 with an almost 7 yr old and a 14 yr old.</div>
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I suppose we went into it all with some pretty vague assumptions/hopes/dreams that they would be ready to be parented and become part of a large family.</div>
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After all, they had both been in foster homes, instead of orphanages, and we had been skyping and connecting with Rose for some time, so we HOPED there were some bonds being formed already.</div>
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Truth be told, I don't think either girl had a CLUE what being part of a family was really all about.</div>
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Lili was mainly an only child in her foster home, but the foster parents were more like grand parents, and seemed QUITE permissive, and of course she came home very sick with a months' old sinus infection, so I was not too sure she was even getting the best care she could have, being she was the only one in the home.</div>
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Rose was in a loving foster home, and for that we are thankful, but it was only for a couple of her years, not MOST of them, and where she spent most of her years is largely a mystery, although we do know it was MANY different places, and so, knowing how to give and receive love was not something that would come easily for her.</div>
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Lili did not like being in a large, noisy family.<br />She was a loner, liked her space, and wanted ALL the attention.</div>
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Rose was used to a quieter home, although there were many with more severe needs than we had in our home, yet we were there, IT WAS MUCH QUIETER than our little boys ever were.</div>
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Rose was scared, and although she put up a good front, the fear really came out when it was time for goodbyes. And who can blame her?</div>
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Just saying goodbye to our guide in China put her into a tail spin, and she had only know him for a week.</div>
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I learned very quickly that Rose hid lots of pain behind a false smile and though she was very eager to please, she also wanted lots of control, and soon became quite manipulative, pouty, and emotional.</div>
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We had bouts of both girls wetting the bed. We had kicking and clawing and refusing to do what they were told. I expected to see some of this with Lili, I was totally unprepared to see it in Rose.</div>
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We tried havimg them sleep together, but that was a disaster, because Lili would be the most impish little thing when my back was turned, or the lights went out, and that would IRK her sister to no end, causing a whole morning of bad behavior.</div>
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Then we put them in different beds, but the 3 girls were all in 1 bedroom-another mistake.</div>
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Rose seemed to want to bond with Nick-she had a couple foster brothers she was very close to. Nick had lots of compassion on her, yet soon became weary of the drama, tears, lack of cooperation, and feeble attempts to learn english. Since she had been with english speaking Americans for over 2 years, we hoped she had a better "basic" understanding of english, but we figured out that she would not respond to the english very well in the foster home, so then they would relay everything in Mandarin, and then she was happy.</div>
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We had been told Lili had speech delays, and since both boys had apraxia, I didn't think a speech issue was a big deal. But, as we got closer to travel, we got a rather scary video of her, that sent up huge red flags as to the extent of her delays, but what to do?? We were traveling soon, and I had read about parents leaving children behind after meeting them, and DID NOT want to be that parent ( no offense to those who did this, I TOTALLY GET IT), it was just my pride, you know!!!</div>
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We had been told Rose was "slow".</div>
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HOW I wish I had inquired more deeply into this.</div>
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I was prepared for being behind in school, for "slow" in school, yet I was NOT prepared for the social slowness, the actual physical slow moving, eating, talking, the emotional slowness, or the behavioral issues that came with the whole package.</div>
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Rose wanted BADLY to conform to our ways, and FIT IN!!</div>
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She put on a head covering without any hesitation, and I know she still has no idea why we wear one.</div>
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She wanted to dress like Kendell, and quickly shed her skirts and tops she came with.</div>
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It took me a couple months to see past the eagerness to conform into a heart that had NO parameters, and wanted NO boundaries put on her.</div>
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Even though she was in a fairly strict Christian home when we got her, she was compliant, went with the flow, and did what was expected of her, without any real "drive" to do better. She just did what she did, because that's what she always did!</div>
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Once she came into our home, lost her mandarin fairly quickly, failed to acquire english for a LONG time, and lost all desire to 'fit in' and became quite controlling, rebellious, and manipulative.</div>
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<br />Well, DUH, you may be saying, she was 14, that's what happens with 14 yr old adoptees, MUCH of the time.</div>
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Yes, DUH, How could I have been so ignorant, thinking it wouldn't happen to us?</div>
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They came from HARD places.</div>
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It's called trauma parenting.</div>
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I had read about it, but I hadn't LIVED it, and once you live it, it's called SURVIVAL!!!</div>
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Soon, blogs like <a href="http://onethankfulmom.com/" target="_blank">ONE THANKFUL MOM </a>and <a href="http://urbanservant.com/" target="_blank">Urban Servant </a>and <a href="http://empoweredtoconnect.com/" target="_blank">Emppowered to Connect</a> became my lifeline to moms who had been there, done that!!!</div>
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Another HUGE lifeline for me was an email group of adoptive mamas of children from hard places who homeschool. Talk about a MAJOR bonus for me!!! I could connect with many other moms almost instantly after sending out an SOS email-it was HUGE when we were in crisis!</div>
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And it was incredibly helpful to have those other moms in that email group that had so many of the same issues, and could give me instant support, help, and prayer.</div>
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There is nothing like someone who is walking the same walk, to be able to come along side you and lend a shoulder, or an ear, or a prayer, suggest a website, a book, or a possible professional to seek help from.</div>
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This is getting long enough, so I will have to continue this into Pts III and IV.</div>
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I will get into the actual delays/disabilites of our girls next time, and then, in the final post, I will discuss what we are doing now, and what our plan of attack is to make life work with our 4 special ones!!</div>
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Until next time</div>
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Be Blessed</div>
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Chris</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-83463886071360832302014-07-09T21:19:00.000-05:002014-07-09T21:19:11.021-05:00Saying Good-Bye to an old friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our beloved boxer Sadie passed away 2 weeks ago, Friday night.</div>
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She had been sick since the week after Mother's Day, and we suspect cancer, altho the blood work showed MANY things wrong with her, probably all stemming from a tumor inside.</div>
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She was such a wonderful, trusted, reliable, loving friend.</div>
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We miss her terribly.</div>
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I still look at her rug by the door and wonder where she is.</div>
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She has been with us for 10 1/2 years, and for boxers, that is a pretty long time.</div>
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We are thankful she was happy and healthy up until the last 6 weeks, and I am very thankful she did not seem to suffer or linger at the end.</div>
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I suspect our hunting cross is missing her, but the 2 young boxers are really showing her lots of attention and keeping her busy with their 2 yr old antics:)</div>
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We are no longer the crazy family with 4 dogs, now we only have 3, and who ever heard of having a hunting dog in the house???</div>
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Ever since we moved, Reggie has not adjusted to sleeping outside again-so, we deal with it, as she is 9 too, and someday, life will only consist of the 2 "nuts" as we affectionately call the younger 2.</div>
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Only in OUR home would you find 4 dogs sleeping on the kitchen floor!!</div>
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Or penned up when there is company here.</div>
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Sadie, we miss you, Boxers are such great companions, and they LOVE children.</div>
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She would never have hurt one of the children, no matter how obnoxious they behaved to her.</div>
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She got a proper burial the next day, between 2 trees.</div>
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Nick said he is saving a spot next to her for Reggie someday:)</div>
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(I'm not too sure what Reggie would think of that???)</div>
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She almost made it to her 11th birthday.</div>
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We miss our old friend-even our special kiddos have asked where she is, although it took them several days to notice she was not around. Zaya still asks about her, but the beauty of growing up on a farm is that they do experience life and death more often than children in the city, so it is a fact of life, animals do die.</div>
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AND, there are no plans, at all, for adding to our brood of dogs.</div>
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THREE is more than enough, especially when 2 are "the nuts"!!!</div>
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and Part II of the series will be coming shortly, its in the works now:)</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us</div>
<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-29276893801424337962014-07-05T16:35:00.002-05:002014-07-05T16:35:05.480-05:00When Delays become Disabilities--Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Precious Blessings!!</div>
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I never in a million years ever expected to be a mama to 7 treasures.</div>
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When our infertility issues lasted for so many years, and we didn't become parents until well into our 30's, and most of my high school friends had children graduating when I had baby showers, I would have thought, 2-3--</div>
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But God!!</div>
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When we first began the adoption process, our farming was our lifeblood, and we insisted on "healthy" children, because we were sure, due to the demands of farming, that we NEEDED healthy children...and were tremendously blessed with Kendell and Nicholas-both have had excellent health, they both have tremendous minds, and came home at 1 1/2 and 2 1/2, both within 365 days.</div>
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I was an instant mom of virtual twins, and loved it.</div>
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They were TOTALLY loved and accepted, instantly, and there was never a question about their future. They were bright, they were healthy, they were joyful, they were FUN to be around, and our little picture of "NORMAL" was as we envisioned-<br />
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Then we moved, and didn't think any more children were in the plans, when all of a sudden, both Chuck and I had just a HUGE desire to add to our family.</div>
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Kendell was baby nuts, at 8 yrs old, and we began the process again, this time with a different agency, and a different country.</div>
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After MUCH prayer and seeking God's direction, we selected an infant program in Taiwan, thinking a baby was surely in our future.</div>
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Within a few months, altho there were many referrals to other families of very little babies, we still waited.</div>
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Until a wonderful day in early Aug, 2007, when we got a call about a little lad who had JUST turned 3, and had JUST been relinquished by a very young birth mom. "Would you consider a 3 yr old?" our agency asked us???<br />
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Almost without hesitation, because the NIGHT before, we had prayed for God's direction, and to hear Him clearly, we KNEW this was for us, and we began the wait to bring home Tyler, our totally joyful, healthy, and creative now almost 10 yr old!!!<br />
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Surely, our parents thought, we were done now!!!</div>
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I guess we thought, "Well, maybe???"<br />
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And then, I got a HUGE yearning for a baby girl, and we thought, OK, maybe one more???</div>
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As we perused the internet, considering available children, we both began to feel something different this time.</div>
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We felt so blessed to have 3 such wonderfully healthy children, what if God was calling us into a special needs adoption?</div>
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We fell in love with a little face, and our journey into the world of Special Needs was off and running.</div>
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We bathed this decision in prayer, we sought godly counsel from godly friends, we begged God to make this clear for us.</div>
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And everything went so quickly-the placing agency in Taiwan said YES to our request in 1 day-unheard of!!!</div>
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Funds fell into place, in the midst of one of the WORST years of farming we had lived through!!!</div>
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We searched the internet about brain injuries, and heart issues, as our treasure had a baby brother who had a supposed heart condition, and we waited an excruciatingly long time to finally get a picture of our littlest son,</div>
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Who had no diagnosis, other than tachycardia-an extremely fast heart rate, and he was on HORRID meds to correct that.</div>
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We knew so little about them, but we knew the birth mom had issues, so we were prepared (or so we thought) for more cognitive issues for both boys.</div>
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In the beginning of this adoption, I had agreed with God that 2 boys were for our family, and I readily laid down my dreams for a baby girl. If this was what God wanted for us, then I was on board with Him, 100%.</div>
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Once we traveled in May and June of 2010 to bring our boys home, we found an extremely TINY little baby, who could not even sit up yet at 16 months old, without support, and who could not tolerate many food textures and who had no idea how to receive love and attention.</div>
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Isaiah was a sweet boy from day one, very gentle, very quiet, very compliant, while his baby brother was, definitely the poster boy for the slogan, "Dynamite comes in small packages"<br />
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We did have reservations about his delays, but without any concrete diagnosis, and virtually no medical info other than about his heart condition, we resolved to give both boys the best home we could, and hope and pray for the best.</div>
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Well, Isaac made little bits of progress over the next year, but was quite delayed, and we finally agreed to take him to a neurodevelopmental clinic his second year home to determine the extent of his delays, and see when he would "catch up"</div>
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Isaiah had been diagnosed with cognitive issues from the same clinic a few months earlier, as he had a double whammy, a piece missing in his brain, and a brain injury. He would proceed, slowly, to hopefully a 12 yr old level, and we hoped Isaac would fare with a better test result.</div>
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However, we were quite shocked when his chromosome test came back abnormal.</div>
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Our little man, our baby, was going to receive a label too, with cognitive impairment, severe speech apraxia, extremely small stature, and extensive delays of motor skills, like dressing, potty training, etc...<br />
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A brain MRI showed no similar damage as Isaiah's, so we had to begin attributing all of his behaviors to the chromosome disorder. The ADHD, the obsessive, compulsive attitudes, the extreme LACK of impulse control, the poor oral motor skills, including eating and speaking, the obsession with throwing things, and spinning things, and WATER!!!!(probably not an official diagnosis for this, but it sure ties into the lack of self-control our little man has!!)<br />
As we sat in with the Dr's when they gave us all their findings, we were floored.<br />
Not because we didn't know something was off kilter, but because they made it sound SO BAD!!!<br />
They said he could easily be the most impacted by disabilites (as they had already met our 2 girls, but we didn't have a diagnosis for each of them yet).<br />
Our heads were spinning, our emotions were on overload, and all we wanted to do was scream, NO!!!<br />
Not Isaac. He will grow up, he will speak, he will stop some of those incredibly insatiable habits of his-someday!!<br />
Now, 2 years later, we see things a bit differently.<br />
We see that many of his quirks will only get more intense.<br />
His impulsiveness gets more alarming the bigger and quicker he gets.<br />
Although he is learning many things, he is probably on a 3 yr old level for many skills.<br />
He is learning simple things like the letters, and their sounds-and I think his love affair with an ipad is having some huge impact on this-his cuteness is still carrying him through many rough behavioral days, Isaiah's laughter is still overriding his need to hit Isaac.<br />
They are still little, they are still cute.<br />
But what will the future hold for them, and for us?<br />
To be continued....<br />
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Our 3 Little Buds!!!<br />
Tyler is soooo good with them, and loves them, no matter what!!<br />
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Blessings<br />
Chris<br />
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-75581129895714902582014-06-01T06:07:00.000-05:002014-06-01T06:07:05.743-05:00A disability meets a duckling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have 4 children with disabilities. Some days it seems to go smoothly, some days it doesn't.</div>
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Since Rose had her surgery, Lili has been filling in on the chore end, helping Tyler with calves and chickens, and she also has to fill up the silage cart with silage so the milkers can feed the cows.</div>
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The first 10 days, she did a FABULOUS job. The last 10 days, NOT SO GOOD!!</div>
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In fact, each day has had some sort of ISSUE with her chores.</div>
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Mostly, she is just lazy, and doesn't want to do much, but still, we always require a certain amount of chore help from all the children-it builds character:)</div>
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It seems that she has gone backward in comprehension, as well as desire, and almost looks for ways to be difficult. Dawdling would be a very KIND word to use-and I do have a purpose in all this, so bear with me!</div>
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We also had a set of ducklings born about a week ago, and we are so thrilled to see them waddling all over the yard with their mama.</div>
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Lili's cognitive impairment ranges quite a bit, as does Rose's, and so sometimes, we just get commplacent and forget that inside, there is a brain that wants to be independent. Most of the time, we see the total dependence on us for SO MUCH, like bathing, washing and doing hair, instructions in most daily tasks, issues with vocabulary, etc...and then there is a day when she tries something totally out of character, and we are flabbergasted.</div>
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Like trying to catch a duckling...and they DO NOT want to be caught-it is a real challenge for any of the bigs to catch one, so how she actually chased one down and was able to pick it up, we will never know.</div>
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All we know is the outcome was a squished, thrown down, dead duckling. And so now, instead of watching the mama hover around her 7 babies, she now has 6, and we were all quite sad.</div>
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And yes, Lili was supposed to be doing a job when she decided to tackle the duckling, and no, she was not having a good morning already, as NOTHING was getting done well, even with supervision.</div>
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SOOOOOO,</div>
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My question to all my bloggy friends with disabled children,</div>
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How do you handle their laziness, their lack of direction even when doing simple chores, and their lack of comprehension that they did something really wrong????</div>
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Lili has been showing SO MUCH language lately, using words that just floored me, and then, she just goes TOTALLY backward.</div>
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All of a sudden, even simple things evade her.</div>
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I look forward to some help here, as it is an issue that kind of runs through all 4 of them,</div>
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the serious ups and downs in comprehension, ability, desire, etc...</div>
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But, this is the first causalty, and we really hope to keep it that way:)</div>
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My sweet little girl, almost 9 years old, I so wish I could get inside your head and see what makes you tick!!!</div>
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We love you, we want to guide you to as complete a life as you are capable, but we are stumped sometimes.</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us!</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-14470111580519335972014-05-29T07:10:00.002-05:002014-05-29T07:10:30.668-05:00A bit of a scare...<div style="text-align: center;">
Tuesday night, I was sure I was the worst mother that ever walked through a bone graft surgery with their child!!!</div>
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Rose told me she had pain in her front gum, and when I looked, I about had a stroke!!! I saw LOTS of white, and after last week's Dr's visit, when he said most of the sutures were dissolving and would be gone soon, I never expected to see any at almost 3 weeks post-op!</div>
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I was sure the tissues were separating over the bone, and she was running her tongue over it alot, because it hurt, but, still not something you want to do.</div>
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After a very sleepless night for me, I called the clinic right away the next morning. The surgeon got us in that afternoon at 1:30, and....</div>
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He was thrilled to report that the tissue was looking FINE, it was simply some badly deteriorating sutures that should be gone, or almost gone by now, that were mushy, and getting infected. There was even a little pocket of pus above the sutures that he opened up. He then proceeded to remove all the remaining mushy stiches, and Rose feels like a new girl now:)</div>
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And I am one happy MAMA---She is on antibiotics, and we will go back to softer foods for another week, which she is NOT happy about, she is dying for a tortilla chip!!!</div>
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We are all smiles, as we see God's protective hand in this, as I really was sure she was going to need new stiches, or something, to pull the tissues together again over that bone-ya know, sometimes, our minds are our WORST enemies!!!</div>
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Rose has been doing SO well, and with limited activity, still able to be a part of our farming operation, even if it only involves watching the little boys, but she is outside, walking around, picking rocks in our new garden, and today, she wants to help plant the potatoes.</div>
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Her hip has healed so nicely, she is walking completely normally now, and even picking up the pace from her original protective shuffle:)</div>
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She is all smiles, and I am feeling blessed.</div>
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Have a great day friends!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-22603386577943035932014-05-15T06:15:00.000-05:002014-05-15T06:15:16.633-05:00Coming up for some air...and some pics<div style="text-align: center;">
We are one week post-op, and things couldn't be going better!</div>
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Praise the Lord, Rose has had,so far, a model recovery.</div>
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She is happy, loving all the attention, not complaining ONE BIT about the pain, or the food, or the 'no chores', and other than speaking very softly, has better articulation already:)</div>
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We had some yucky hours between Friday at 4pm and Saturday night, just the usual upset tummy from all the meds, anesthesia, and no food, but by Sunday morning, she was MUCH better, the swelling in her cheeks was going down, and she was definitely over the "hump" of bad days.</div>
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We travel today to the Dr, our 1 week post-op, and I can't wait to hear what he has to say.</div>
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I finally am taking a minute to post a few pictures of our surgery day, and day 1 recovery, and will be back soon with our Mother's Day.</div>
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There is so much to process after something like this, and life has been hectic without our big girl's help in the house and outside, but we are surviving, and if we make it through this long weekend, we are definitely on the downhill side of rough days:)</div>
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ok, on with the pics</div>
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thanks for all your prayers, kind emails, and even gifts, we are truly blessed, and I know Rose feels blessed!!!</div>
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she was ALL smiles, until the needles came, and then she maintained her smiles, just not quite so sunny and bright</div>
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EVERY nurse commented on her smile, even in the midst of post-OR recovery time</div>
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Starting to feel a little droopy, but still smiling!!!</div>
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Once I got the call she was out of surgery, I expected a call any minute saying she needed me to come to recovery, which they say happens sometimes, but not often...</div>
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BUT, I got the call saying she was headed up to her room, and I was thrilled it was going so well for Rosalyn.</div>
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Ice packs on her cheeks, ice on her hip, and lots of pain meds helped us navigate through those first 24 hours!</div>
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And a stuffed puppy, courtesy of her Aunt and Grandma that visited with us after surgery:)</div>
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I was super thankful we were on the pediatric ward of the new hospital-talk about roll out the red carpet for her...we had the BEST nursing care, and such love and attention they showered on Rose-I was sooo blessed.</div>
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And I was also super thankful for a DVD player, as it helped pass the time and kept her focused on something else besides uncomfortable pain and feeling cruddy!!!</div>
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There is a time and place for children's movies, in my opinion:)</div>
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On the morning following surgery, we had a visitor-a 4 legged one--there are 14 different dogs that visit the hospital throughout the week, and we were blessed to see 3 of them-Kado was a super friendly Alaskan husky cross, and her owner was a wonderful visitor, smiley, happy, sharing lots about her dogs, and helping us to pass the long wait to being discharged---another story:)</div>
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After we got home Thursday afternoon, Rose rested, alot, but didn't spend much time outside her room the first 24 hours. The next day, she was blessed to see a huge box of gifts from our church</div>
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we call it a Sunshine Box, and was she ever happy to have a little something to open each day</div>
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and now, we are blessed with lots of artsy/crafty materials including colored pencils, markers, crayons, construction paper, drawing paper, playdoh, workbooks, puzzles, lots of hands on, thinking projects, etc...</div>
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She is in heaven, and it takes her longer to decide what to do than she has time to do her projects:)</div>
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On Sunday, she really felt good, and was out of her room all day, interacting with all of us, and loving having 2 grandmas around for the day and 1 grandpa too!!!</div>
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Isaac has never shown much interest in stuffed animals, but ever since Rose got home with puppy, he has become enamored with HIS puppy, and it has added a word to his vocabulary---Puppy, and he says it SOOOO clearly...</div>
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Tyler has been so sweet to want to include Rose in most anything he is doing, and always makes time during the day to play with her-they all had colored pictures and a welcome home sign on her door-bad mama that I am, I neglected pics of that-</div>
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But...</div>
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More to come late!</div>
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We are blessed</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us:)</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-64267272447140677472014-05-08T10:11:00.000-05:002014-05-08T10:11:45.995-05:00morning 1 so far, so good<div style="text-align: center;">
We are off to a good start in the healing process with minimal bruising, swelling and pain this morning!!</div>
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After a relatively good night's sleep (in the pediatric ward, they only interrupt your night twice, midnight and 4) we both had our breakfast, called home, had a Dr visit, and are waiting for the head Dr to tell us we can go home.</div>
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She is showing a bit more interest in doing something besides a movie, so that is also a good sign.her meals come through a syringe, so they are pretty limited now, but with a blender at home, we can be more creative!!!!</div>
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When we get home, I will post some pics, as my iPad won't let me use any of its pictures...sigh...so much for modern technology:)</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-78934694266739623462014-05-07T17:02:00.000-05:002014-05-07T17:02:10.807-05:00Bone graft surgery is OVER. <div style="text-align: center;">
And so far, all is well.</div>
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After getting to the hospital at 7am, we were all ready for the 9:00 surgery to begin, and had to wait, and wait, and wait.</div>
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Finally,around 10:30, Rose was taken in, and I was very impressed with how quiet and compliant she was throughout.</div>
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it is very nice to get updated phone calls every hour from the OR, it made the wait seem MUCH more bearable..that, and having 3 sweet friends come and sit with me until 3 when she went to her room.</div>
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Šo far, pain os not over the top, and she is happy to be snuggling the teddy her aunt and Grandma brought her.</div>
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The reality of no food has not set in yet, but I am confident God will go before us and keep her calm and content with her juice and broth.</div>
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If I can get a picture uploaded, I will, bit me and iPads, not so good:)</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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And thanks for praying</div>
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Chris <span id="goog_601670461"></span><span id="goog_601670462"></span></div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-59085643613358354472014-04-16T17:22:00.004-05:002014-04-16T17:28:08.459-05:00Spring has sprung:BUT... we need to do a bit of a recap on the winter activities around here, as we did have ALOT of winter!<br />
Way more winter than I needed this year. At one point, weathermen told us we had 55 days of below 0 temps, and that was followed by at least 10 more.<br />
When the temps started staying above 0 around March 10-15, I was THRILLED!!!<br />
It is pretty sad when 15 feels balmy.<br />
Still, we had lots of fun sledding in our backyard. The little boys learned lots of new things on their sleds, and ENJOYED them to the max.<br />
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Isaac was just a trooper this year on the sleds-he marched up our backyard hill 100's of times, would throw himself down on a sled, and squeal all the way to the bottom. He gained tons of muscle control this winter:)<br />
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Lili learned to balance and stand up on the, while it was moving-thanks to Tyler and Rose holding her hands a few times to help her get the feel for it-I was quite proud of all of them<br />
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Tyler would continually come up with new ways to keep them all entertained-the train was comical, and they LOVED it:)<br />
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Isaiah tried standing on his sled too, I was impressed he even wanted to, his balance is so bad from his head injury, but he was actually staying up for a couple feet before sheer fear drove him to the ground-but he gets an A+ for effort<br />
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The dogs all had fun on the nice days, but most of the time they were cowering on the back step begging to com in-it was such a brutally cold winter, they could only stay out most days for minutes at a time<br />
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And then, when Daddy started pulling them around the yard with the Gator, oh my, then the big ones got into the act too, and did you hear squeals and laughter from all of them then--even Dad!!<br />
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Those foolish dogs would chase the gator round and round the yard, yipping and barking all the way...they think they should be riding:)<br />
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The battery died so I only got 1 shot of the gator sledding party they had each night after chores for a week or so-the big ones really had a blast then, and the littles loved riding in the gator!!<br />
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We had a new experience this past January.<br />
Dad became a stay at home Daddy again-and we are so thankful for that.<br />
Farming without Father was not a lot of fun for me, stressed me out, and put a lot of pressure on Nick to be "in charge" of lots of things, which he did very well, but still, its way better when Dad is home, and can make a lot of the calls about the days' activities:)<br />
It was a long 11 months of farming with Chuck working off the farm. We probably didn't gain much from all his time away, as it led to issues with cow health, issues with children who needed the strong arm of their Daddy around, and attitudes that needed reining in due to mom and dad pulled in too many directions to deal with issues properly.<br />
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Jersey twin heifers-born on a COLD day in late february-we are so happy they survived, and are thriving<br />
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Our calf nursery was filled to overflowing for much of Jan, Feb and March-I am glad we can get calves back outside into hutches now-it is SOOOO much easier to feed them<br />
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Kendell's heifer is 1 yr old-almost, and has grown so much-she loves to be led around the yard, farm, and barn-she is such a barn baby, LOVES to be in the barn!!!<br />
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We are quite happy to all be home and working together. We are seeing some real growth in Kendell and Nick in their abilities outside-they both do so well with the outside responsibilities. Tyler has days where he acts like he is 15 too, and then, poof, he has a day of, "oops, he is only 9" but he really loves having his dad home all the time, he would spend his whole day with him if I didn't insist on SOME schooling.<br />
When you begin life without a Daddy, it's just hard for me to limit their time together too much, and I consider all the things they do together LIFE LESSONS-things they would NEVER learn if they went to public school every day, all day long!!!<br />
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We also had 2 February birthdays:<br />
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Rosalyn turned 16 on the 5th, and Isaac turned 5 on the 9th.<br />
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He's so little, we still consider him our baby, but he surely proves that dynamite comes in small packages!!!<br />
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He is so delighted with so many simple, little things-the slinky only lasted a couple days, but it sure was fun while it was around!!!<br />
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This year, they each had their special day, and then we had an anniversary the next week, so there was LOTS of cupcakes and cake around this house for about 10 days-LOTS!!!!!<br />
Good for the sweet tooth, not so good for the waist:)<br />
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We did some testing with our Rose, and though we don't have the results in hand yet, the Dr spent ALOT of time with me telling me where we stand, and what we will be dealing with in the future.<br />
I will save all that for another post, as it is ALOT to process, and I am still not OK with everything I heard-it is hard to hear some things, and we are still trying to figure out what life will look like for her down the road.<br />
Rose will also be going thru a surgery in May, a bone graft to repair the clefts in her gums, and I am beginning to process everything that will entail for her and our family, for a couple months. I know it is a necessary repair for her, but boy, how I wish it had been done in Ch@na at the appropriate age, like 10 years ago!!! Actually, what I really wish, is that she would have had a family a lot earlier in her life-it would have meant so many less issues for her ---<br />
Well, I will close for now, as it is supper time, and there are littles that need some tending to-<br />
I am sure this is the most neglected blog around...but...its just LIFE for us these days-<br />
Thanks for checking in, and enjoy your spring!!<br />
Blessings<br />
Chris for all 9 of us<br />
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Well, we thought it was spring-Satuday and Sunday we had 3 inches of rain, sometimes torrential, and then Monday morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland again-2 1/2 inches of snow accumulated, and I WAS NOT HAPPY!!!<br />
Nor were the children-<br />
we were all sure the snowpants were washed for the last time!!!<br />
NOT!!<br />
oh well, this is life in Wisconsin.<br />
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-63340967353010301972014-01-28T22:02:00.001-06:002014-01-28T22:09:26.322-06:00Some GOOD things from 2013<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't just let the whole year be washed away in all the confusion, chaos and crisis that we walked through-</div>
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There were some really GOOD things that happened, and that is the stuff that makes a blog a happy place to be, so here goes, in no particular order:</div>
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Tyler, our energizer bunny, snuggle bunny, class clown, love bug, love note writer and middle child turned NINE!!!!</div>
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He is our go-to guy when we need 2 little boys entertained for awhile, and if you ever want to see a legos creation completed, in record time, without any pictures except whats in his head, Tyler's your man-he has created some of the most elaborate drawings of machines, and he has a complete understanding of how and why he is making it the way he is-I'm not sure what his future will hold, but creativity is definitely his strong suit-which leads me to believe I have a right-brained learner on my hands, in a household of logical thinkers--uhoh!!!</div>
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On Aug 31, we celebrated Chuck's parents' 50th anniversary.</div>
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It was a surprise party, and were they ever surprised!!!</div>
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We were so thrilled to have pulled off the surprise part, and the party itself was a huge success, lots of family and good friends and lots of great food and fellowship-on top of a terribly HOT afternoon, but it was SOOOO worth it:)</div>
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The first week of October was beautiful weather, and we made our annual trek to Madison to take in World Dairy Expo. It was a quiet day on the grounds, lots of cows everywhere, and tons of farm exhibits to walk through-it was a great day, and it is one of the highlights of our fall each year.</div>
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the whole family got into the act when it was apple sauce season this year.</div>
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It was our only real canning effort this year, and we were able to use our new kitchen in the basement, which was SOOOOO nice!!!</div>
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We needed the whole crew helping out as we, for the first time, did a whole bin of apples, which is 20 bushels, which is over 350 quarts of applesauce-and yes, I was ready to be done with it by the time we finished.</div>
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We split the sauce-making days into 3 days, and the Cortland apples make a delightful pink sauce, and itis so worth it, but that was a HUGE project for us this year, but a good way to break in that kitchen. Next year, our garden will be in full force, and we will be canning everything again-I sure do love a 2nd kitchen though, and it was some cooler since it was in the basement, but what I love the most, is the MESS stays downstairs:)</div>
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In Novermber we had a homeschool field trip to a cranberry marsh.</div>
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It was COLD, in fact, they were fearful the hard frost would hit before the harvest was in, and it was so late this year due to the funky weather we had all spring and summer, but it was a fascinating afternoon on the bogs.</div>
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We learned about cranberry history, the nutritional side of the berry, how they are grown and harvested, and got to watch them loading the berries to take to the loading station.</div>
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Afterwards, we enjoyed cranberry snacks and juice, and we able to purchase some "fresh from the marsh" cranberries, and for this happy mama, it was the first time in about 15 years I had fresh cranberries on hand over the holidays.</div>
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Besides baking, I finally broke down and make cranberry sauce-ridiculously simple, and sooooo tasty-a new go-to side when I need something in a pinch, seriously, it takes no time at all to whip up a batch of sauce.</div>
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The end of September, we finally took time to have a picnic at our nearby state park-and I mean "nearby" !! Its only 8 minutes away, and it was the first time all year we had a picnic there-but it was a great night, the view was fantastic, and we made it for the sunset-</div>
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A must for this year is another year-long pass, and MANY more picnics and hikes-it is something we all enjoy, and it is not that hard to have a picnic meal ready to go by the time they are done with chores and head on up the road!! Here's to many more picnics this year:)</div>
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Isaiah turned 7 in September-he is our birthday boy-he LOVES birthdays, every time we celebrate one, he is sure its his!!!!</div>
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He has grown so much this past year, filled out, and has gained so many new skills-some day I need to do a post on him and all the wonderful gains he has made!!!</div>
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Rose turned 15 in Feb and Isaac 4 a few days later. SOOOO, we celebrated together, because we were in the midst of milking cows on a new farm, still trying to get the house ready to move in, still packing and cleaning and still working chores for hubby's boss-it was CRAZY, and it was February for goodness sakes-who ever moves in February???</div>
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Talk about nuts-it was so cold-but it was SOOO fun to be moving into our new farm:)</div>
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Kendell turned 14 in April, and is growing into such a lovely young lady-she is sure a farm gal, and daddy's right hand girl-but for all her cow-lovin, she was thrilled to get a sewing machine for her birthday, and has put it to use, and has gained lots of knowledge over the past year, and isn't afraid to try anything-</div>
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she is another creative one-HATES patterns, would rather come up with something on her own!!!</div>
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Lili turned 8 this past summer, and is growing sooo much.</div>
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She has turned into a pretty good helper in the house, and on a good day, does her fair share outside, although she would rather play on the swing set than feed calves-</div>
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She will keep Kendell busy sewing though, as she is growing like a weed, and LOVES birthday parties too:)</div>
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I don't have any pictures on the computer of Nick's birthday last Jan, so we will jump into his 15th birthday---can you believe it??? Our first son, our long-awaited little baby from a Russian orphanage, that we waited over 2 years to bring home at 2 1/2, is now FIFTEEN!!!</div>
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And such a fine young man he is growing into-</div>
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He has a kind, compassionate spirit, is gentle, logical, our Fix-It Guy, and lover of all things with 4 legs:)</div>
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He is a very hard-working young man who has shouldered a big load this past year with Dad's working off the farm all year-and he has grown physically as well-he is 5'6" and 110 pounds, and ALL muscle.</div>
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He is not afraid to work, is always looking for ways to be a help to someone, and is the kindest soul, with a real love for learning-I mean, HE LOVES school.</div>
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I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord does with his heart in the coming year, I KNOW it will be wonderful things!!!!</div>
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Kendell's calf is approaching a year old, and is SOOO big for her age, and this daughter of mine, the one who LOVES cows, is in love with this precious red and white heifer.</div>
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Nick and Kendell each got the animal they are leading in the picture below, and Kendell's cow is the mama to her calf above-Nick's heifer will freshen this year, and even tho she is having a bull calf, we look forward to many more calves out of her, and yes, hopefully, they will be heifers!!!</div>
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The hottest days of summer brought yet another house project, one I was not eager to begin, and I hate to think what the spring thaws will make it look like, but...</div>
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we tiled all the way around our house to eliminate any water problems-and there had been PLENTY of problems before, so, NOW, we should be dry, all the time...</div>
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Isaac loved watching the excavater digging right outside his window..</div>
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OH, If I could JUST TOUCH IT!!!!</div>
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It was a very good project to get done, and after the dirt was all put back, and after we backfill a bit more this spring after it all settles, we will be ready to start some serious landscaping...</div>
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and I am ready for some green, and floral, and maybe a pretty porch on the front, and a patio on the back:)</div>
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and yes, that was my son and husband down in the trench digging, and it was about 100 degrees in the shade, and they were right out in the hottest sun, all day long, as we only have 1 shade tree--so far!!!!</div>
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And, to end this LENGTHY post, Just a glimpse from my front window of those awesome sunsets:</div>
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and out the back door, the beauty of the sunrise in the early morning</div>
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"From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised"</div>
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Psalm 113:3</div>
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May you be blessed, and thanks for stopping by!</div>
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It was fun to look thru the year, and see the good that was in our lives, even if it gets hidden by the yucky stuff sometimes!!!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-35296546044546261032014-01-14T22:10:00.001-06:002014-01-14T22:10:07.562-06:00Happy 50th birthday, Mom & Dad!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OH MY GOODNESS!!</div>
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Can it be true?</div>
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We are 50 years old!</div>
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There are days when I KNOW I am 50, and then there are a few days when I think maybe I am, um, 45??</div>
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Our children always plan a wonderful birthday party for me, but this year, since Mom and Dad both were turning 50, they decided to do a joint party.</div>
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For various reasons, we ended up celebrating last Saturday afternoon, and it was WONDERFUL!!!</div>
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Kendell and Nick are such gracious hosts, and LOVED treating us to a special dinner, in our own little alcove, all beautifully decorated, and yes, that is FIFTY candles burning on that silly cake:)</div>
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Kendell has attended enough parties at our church to be gettting a good idea of how to use what you have on hand, and for this party, that meant baby pictures of both of us, some Christmas decorations that had been put away, ( at least, I thought I put them away:) ) and LOTS of ribbons tied, twisted, and strung everywhere</div>
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and they snuck one of the computers downstairs, (which was Nick's idea) to be used for a slideshow and mood music while we waited to be served our delicious homemade Sub sandwiches</div>
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We got to include the little boys at our table, as they kind of needed a spot out of the way of all the hustle and bustle, and it was a good way to keep entertained while we waited for our food!! and the phones were to be used for intercoms, since they were working on our lunch upstairs, and we were seated downstairs-they think of everything!!! :)</div>
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The planning started back in early December, got stalled out with Christmas, a major arctic blast, and a few other things, then, come Jan. 10, when Dad celebrated his special day, we decided, no matter what, the NEXT day, would be the party!</div>
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The 2 planners, greeters, decorators and sub makers extraordinaire</div>
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3 of their willing accomplices</div>
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our annual treat of the "5 ft thing", better known as a ball run fro KNEX-Nick has this down to a science now, he can put it together in about 1 evening-we all LOVE watching it, but especially Isaac</div>
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The serving team gathers to take our order:)</div>
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A break in the action for a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace-Rose LOVES this song, and can sing it perfectly!!!</div>
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One of our sandwiches, with all sorts of fixins on it-and we kept the sides simple-chips and apple sauce</div>
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Happy 50th birthday honey-and MANY more!!!</div>
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I'm pretty sure I don't look a day over 49, (but I often FEEL about 70) but I sure did enjoy my day!!!</div>
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The 7 candles across the top are for our 7 treasures</div>
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Nick lit the candles, and he said, it GOT HOT-</div>
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I was sure glad to see them blown out-talk about wax running:)</div>
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Here's to another 50 years, OK???</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris, for all 9 of us</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-82701795704009127822014-01-05T17:00:00.000-06:002014-01-05T17:17:55.807-06:00the year of RECLAIMING!!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello friends!</div>
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I trust you are all well into your New Year's resolutions, plans, hopes and dreams for 2014.</div>
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We have spent a bit of time contemplating what we need to change for the new year, and 1 word came to mind the other morning. I considered several, but after a night's sleep, and deciding, if it wasn't God's word for us, it wouldn't work, I needed to just wait and hear from Him.</div>
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And then, while milking the next morning, I heard it.....</div>
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RECLAIMING!!!</div>
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WOW, I love that word</div>
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There is much hope</div>
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there is much expectancy</div>
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there is much "YES" in this one little word.</div>
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After coming to the unhappy conclusion that our life is a mess, and that our messy life needs fixing, and that we have 4 children who will always be with us-Lifers-precious, sweet, and lovable, yet</div>
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it does give me moments of panic to consider what the coming years will hold, and how much ME will have to die to self to make our family whole....</div>
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yet,</div>
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Reclaiming.</div>
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Joy</div>
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Jesus</div>
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Faith</div>
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Health</div>
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Love</div>
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Peace</div>
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Hope</div>
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Marriage</div>
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Home</div>
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Vision</div>
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Attitude</div>
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LIFE!!!!!</div>
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I think it is a marvelous word, full of promise and future and HOPE!<br />
BUT<br />
if we are reclaiming the good stuff, it also means letting go/purging of the yucky stuff:<br />
anger<br />
frustration<br />
anxiety<br />
stress<br />
impatience<br />
hopelessness<br />
unhappiness<br />
despair<br />
harshness<br />
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It has been a brutal year, with many good things, yet SO many yucky things going on with the emotional/behavioral/developmental issues with our 4, but particularly the 2 girls.</div>
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Now that we have hit the 2 year mark with them, and we are truly seeing who they are, and we are truly seeing the extent of the issues they both have, and truly "getting it" that they both do have significant issues, both mentally, emotionally, developmentally, and behaviorally, AND we are deciding to quit feeling hopeless and defeated, and take the bull by the horns and begin some intensive work to help them heal, as well as the rest of us.</div>
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Do I FEEL like doing this? </div>
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No, but through our desire to make our family whole again, and to regain some sense of "normal" for our other children, we HAVE to be aggressive and stop letting them dictate the direction of our days and begin leading them down a long road of healing to a place called family.</div>
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It is my desire to share our life and its varied travels with you all, and that is another thing I plan to reclaim, some computer time for ME!!!</div>
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I have been pouring so much time into the children, dealing with THINGS all day long, that there has been no energy, or desire to share anything by the end of the day.</div>
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Yet, for me, it is therapeutic, this writing, journaling, remembering the snippets of life that happen here each day.</div>
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So, altho it may start out slowly, I hope to have time each week to share what is going on in our life, both the good and the ugly, and I hope you will share our journey with us, and hold us up in prayer, and by all means, check in on us if I am absent for awhile-</div>
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It has been a huge encouragement to me to receive emails after a long stretch of no blogging, with kind words, hopeful thoughts, and mention of prayers being prayed for our family.</div>
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I have to admit, I had no idea our family would be so torn after the last 2 adoptions, or that the issues the girls have would be so intense, continuous, or life-changing.</div>
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I guess, ignorance is bliss, because if I had known the twists our life would have taken 3 years ago, I am pretty sure I would not have chosen this path. And yet, on the GOOD days, I have to admit, having them home, knowing they are in a family, knowing that they are not orphans, does make my heart smile.</div>
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Anyway,</div>
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Time to move on with a few pictures of our holiday time.</div>
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We kept it simple, quiet, and low-key, but it was GOOD!!!</div>
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Blessings on your New Year</div>
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Chris, for all 9 of us:)</div>
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the first group shot of my 7 in a LONG time</div>
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Christmas time at my mom's back at Thanksgiving time</div>
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Who knew a simple little World Dairy sweatshirt could be the hit of the day???</div>
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simple little lights, greenery and nativiy scenes and ornaments as we tried to simplify and keep our focus on Jesus, and not on gifts</div>
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Rose enjoyed selecting gifts for her siblings-it was a GOOD day when we did our shopping together!!</div>
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Tyler enjoyed getting his first BB gun from us, and has been using it in the basement to target practice:)</div>
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Nick got a John Deere hat from Tyler-they all had fun picking out gifts for their family members</div>
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Kendell LOVES her headlamp-really helpful for doing chores outside after dark:)</div>
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Kendell made this blanket for her little brother-she LOVES John Deere, I don't think Isaac could care, but He loves his blanket because his sissy made it for him!!!</div>
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Hoping 2014 is a year of more pictures, healing, and more family times:)</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-30424156418046668152013-11-06T17:41:00.001-06:002013-11-06T17:41:43.458-06:00Serenity? or CRISIS!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
WHEW, just trying to catch my breath, and realizing it has been so long since we updated anyone on what life has been like around here!</div>
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I would like to be writing long, eloquent posts about how WONDERFUL life is on our little farm, and how quaint, quiet, and peaceful it is....</div>
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BUT</div>
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that is not our life.</div>
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I am one super-stressed out mama, trying to figure out how to mesh personalities, emotional, mental and physical differences and call it FAMILY!!!</div>
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SO far, it has not been good, and we are barely surviving.</div>
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We have spent most of the past 6 months in crisis mode, and while I feel I have been reeling from crises for the past 6-7 years, there have been some very REAL challenges the past few months that have left me empty, black circles under my eyes, an ache in my heart for dreams lost, and emotions so overloaded that I don't know a good day from a bad one anymore, they all run together, and they usually aren't very good.</div>
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Life is about surviving a crisis EVERY DAY!!!</div>
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The emotional crises that drive a person to their knees, or else makes you bitter and hard, and I have been heavy into bitter and hard lately.</div>
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The dream of farming along our children has not taken the route we had hoped for, as there just isn't enough of any of us to go around to do everything that needs doing.</div>
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Marriage woes, older child worries, young child issues, financial concerns, and you add it all up, and one would have to wonder, WHAT HAVE WE DONE????</div>
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Years of adoptions, selling farms, and moving have taken their toll on our pocket book, our emotions, and our physical and mental strength.</div>
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I have read that many marriages don't survive all the crises that we have been thru, and while we are holding on, and knowing God has better in mind for us, how to get there is unfathomable at the moment.</div>
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God seems distant, older youth are growing distant, newer additions are constantly adding challenges, most recently, continuous MAD cycles, where EVERYTHING makes her mad, and now she is mad at God for bringing her here from China.</div>
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The anger, somberness, orneriness, and lashing out at the little ones has us quite concerned.</div>
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The emotional peaks and valleys she goes thru are mind boggling to a parent, much less a sibling.</div>
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Then, there are the non-verbals, and how they interact, and how they seek attention, and how they DEMAND attention, in the midst of a crisis.</div>
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This is not a nice post to write, and it has not been a nice life to live.</div>
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This is not how we dreamed it would be.</div>
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But, this is our life right now, and boy, I want OFF!</div>
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I am venting, in hopes of getting some clarity as I write. Keeping it all inside has been a KILLER to my mind and heart this summer. But who do you talk to, when no one close has been thru anything like this?</div>
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I scour blogs looking for hope, for ideas, for inspiration.</div>
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yet, time is so limited, resources are quite minimal at the time, and desire is sorely lacking, as I have seemed to settle into a complacency that is kind of scarey-or maybe its got a medical term like anxiety or depression, neither of which I really want to deal with either.</div>
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I do know who is in charge, and I know He has a bigger plan, but how to get there from here is beyond the scope of my understanding.</div>
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Will you stand in the gap for us?</div>
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Will you pray?</div>
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Will you offer wisdom if you are btdt??</div>
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We are a family in CRISIS, hurting, wanting more, but not knowing how to get it!</div>
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Thanks for listening.</div>
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Much Love</div>
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Chris</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-26617483448135399212013-08-02T20:29:00.000-05:002013-08-02T20:29:09.492-05:00Summer happenings on the farm<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is PRICELESS!!!!What we have been waiting for for 8 years!!!<br />
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Is there anything cuter than a jersey calf? and then, 2 of them???<br />
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We really like our barn<br />
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It sure feels good to be able to write, ON THE FARM!!!</div>
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We are loving dairying again, altho it is a LOT OF HARD WORK, and we are tired every single night!</div>
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But, it is a good tired, and we will take TIRED, over not sleeping because we aren't doing enough with our days to get tired:)-BTDT!!!</div>
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Settling into a new home has proven to have lots of challenges with challenged children-as I should have been more prepared for,(and was too optimistic for my own good) but it is progressing well.</div>
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We would do anything to have a Grandma around the corner to help out with the littles during the day, and even tho we have tried help from some older girls at church, when you have children with attachment issues, suffice it to say, in-home help won't be continuing around here any time soon.</div>
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There is always plenty to do around here, but 2 big projects we accomplished this summer include a new set of canning shelves built by my Dad and Nick, and our Rainbow playset purchased on Craigslist which was dismantled, moved across the state, and re-erected in our yard by the help of 2 other families:)</div>
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We are slowly but surely getting the yard/house/barn put together the way we want it, altho there will be some projects that will be waiting for a long time.</div>
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Haying season has been here, amidst a very rainy April, May and June.</div>
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We curtailed a large garden this year, I just don't have the energy or stamina, or childcare, to do a big garden justice, altho we are getting flowerbeds in place, much to my enjoyment:)</div>
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The kiddos are loving their big yard, the sloping driveway gives Lili and Tyler lots of space to fly on their bikes, Isaiah is doing very well with pedaling his trikes, and wants desperately to ride a bigger bike-maybe next year-</div>
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Isaac is still a tiny turbo-terror on 2 short legs, and is gone in the blink of an eye, is into everything, and screams loudly whenever someone tries to stop him.</div>
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Nick and Kendell handle all the everning chores, as Dad is still working off the farm, and Rose smiles(most of the time) thru her dishes, laundry, and chasing Isaac. She is not fond of chickens, altho collecting eggs is on her job list too. She prefers to shovel poop or cornsilage, and likes to spend time on the swings too!</div>
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There is so much more to say, and I will really try to be more faithful in blogging-</div>
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Life has not been easy this spring and summer, and those in the older child adoption world will understand, it ain't all roses,in fact, really, we have been in CRISIS mode most of the summer, which is a step BELOW survival-- but that is for another day.</div>
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I will post a few pics of some of the happenings around here, hopefully enough to draw you back-I know I have a few faithful friends who keep checking, hoping for updates-thanks for the emails to encourage me and push me to do a brief update, I promise=there will be more!!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris for all 9 of us!!!<br />
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SOOOO nice to have this in our own yard now<br />
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I so enjoyed watching them work together<br />
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what a great team they make<br />
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the finished product-good thing I don't need to can anything much this year:)<br />
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too cute-they heard the kids take off in the Gator, and were MAD they missed out<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wEZ6EArm6Jk/UfxDm5Zt8AI/AAAAAAAADKw/ap7jgy1kddg/s1600/DSCN3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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can you say, "ARE YOU CRAZY?? 4 DOGS???"<br />
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just a super cute picture of Zaya-he is growing and really filling out<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" /></a>Little Isaac-he's not too sure about the calves, and they aren't too sure of him either-and rightfully so:)</div>
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Tyler-he loves tractors, gators, fast bikes, anything that MOVES!!!!<br />
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moving our chicken house home-finally!!!<br />
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Good Bye Gross Valley Lane<br />
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watching the chicken house come home<br />
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Happy Daddy's Day!!!<br />
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-80477835704739186862013-03-21T05:33:00.000-05:002013-03-21T05:33:19.493-05:00First day of spring???or maybe NOT!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't think it's looking much like spring around here...</div>
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Or FEELING like it, with -15 wind chills Wednesday morning, and temps hardly reached the mid teens-boy, winter just does not want to let go this year.</div>
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We are all ready for some warmer weather, and green grass again.</div>
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Buying a farm, and moving in the winter has made this feel like the longest winter on record for the Waughtals, and we have had more snow since we started moving than we had all last winter all together:)</div>
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Hopefully, it is a huge help to the ground water, drought conditions we have experienced in the past 12 months, but for the morale...not so good!!!</div>
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WHAT"S NEW????</div>
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WE MOVED!!!!!!!</div>
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I don't have any good pictures yet of the whole place, but this is the view out my kitchen door-a few weeks ago, before the last series of snow storms:)</div>
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And the house pictures I found, I am so glad Kendell took some of our moving process, because I have been so busy doing the move, unpacking, etc, that using a camera has been the last thing on my mind.</div>
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They are very accurate as to the mess we lived in while moving-boxes, and stuff, EVERYWHERE...and still, it just felt more roomy, and definitely lighter than where we were before.</div>
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AND, the children managed to settle in and dig out some of their toys and found ample places to sprawl out and enjoy each other while they began the "getting to know you" time of their new home.</div>
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I am amazed, in looking back, how far we have come in 1 month.</div>
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The house DOES look more homey now, less cluttered, and more organized, and there is a full basement, that we completely remodeled and finished off, that is our main "holding tank" for stuff that still needs a home, but our hope is that it will be the main play area once we have shelves up and "STUFF" is off the floor, and out of Isaac's path of destruction.</div>
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While there is still "little boy" mess in here, it seems so much more manageable when it isn't right around me and under me ALL the time. I feel I have more space to move, more space to put things, and THEY have much more space to play and push trucks, and ride trikes, and wear off energy than we had in 1 little room where we all were, ALL the time.</div>
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The next 2 pictures were our "temporary" sleeping quarters, while we waited for the 2 bedrooms to be complete.</div>
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The girls slept on mattresses on the floor in Kendell's room, and the boys slept on mattresses on the office floor.</div>
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They are all in their own beds now, but we don't have any pics of that yet-maybe Kendell will find some time soon???</div>
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It was all pretty cozy for awhile, but it sure beat the driving from 1 farm to another to milk the cows, and then going back after chores to fix meals and be mama.</div>
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Our cows have been here for over 6 weeks now.</div>
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We pieced a herd of 33 cows together from several sources, and while they aren't all going to make it thru the long haul, they are a good starting point, and they are putting milk in the tank, thus there IS a milk check coming in 2x a month:)</div>
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AND, we love having cows again.</div>
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We really ARE farmers at heart, as we just really love having cattle around again, and my 2 14 yr olds just love having the responsibility of milking each evening.</div>
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Things are going very well in the barn, and the increased activity level has been very good for Mama and Daddy's bodies too-WOW-pounds really drop, and muscles develop again, and THAT feels soooo good-so, an added BONUS to all the hard work that goes into making a farm work:)</div>
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We have mostly Black and White Holsteins-they make a lot of milk, and are easy to come by...</div>
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We have 1 Red and White Holstein-she is a favorite of Kendell's and Dad's, and we will try to find a few more...</div>
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We have 4 Jerseys, and we really like them-they are so little, and give such rich milk</div>
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and they come in different colors too...</div>
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She is SOOO dark compared to the lighter one above-can you tell we like variety??</div>
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and then, we have our beloved Brown Swiss...the breed we began farming with18 years ago, they are still my favorite...:)</div>
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Overall, I have to say, the adjustment has gone very well.</div>
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We had some grieving issues with Isaiah and Lili-they both really seemed to have some issues after the move, much like when we brought them home.</div>
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Isaac was soooo aware of what was going on, if Kendell would say, "do you want to go home?" he would get alll excited, clap his hands, and go running for his shoes.</div>
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He recognizes the road we turned onto each trip between farms, and he complains when we go past it now on our way into town-so cute, and so impressive that he is aware and comprehends-if only he had some words to express himself....</div>
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Actually the 3 little ones all recognize the roads, and they all have a bit of a time when we drive by our turn-off road-we are only 15 minutes away from the other farm, so we made that trip MANY times in the 2 months we took to move and start milking cows there, and while we always said, we are going to the "NEW" home, and they always got excited to GO, now that we STAY, it brings issues, and loss, and we have had to dig deep for added measures of grace in the midst of our physical tiredness and emotional stress to help them adjust.</div>
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Rose seems to have taken it all in stride. She likes the newness of the new house, and she doesn't seem too shook up about the move-sadly, I think it indicates HOW MANY times in her young life she has been moved from place to place.</div>
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Tyler misses all the adventure of the 136 acre farm-the bluff, the creek, the spring, and all the places we had to ride our Gator, yet he is very happy for spring to eventually get here so they can fully explore the land around here. Though we only have 20 acres, there is lots of woodland around us, and I think once we get to know the neighbors, there will be plenty of land for them to ride on, go for hikes, and hunt for all their treasures.</div>
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BUT, he loves being outside and helping with the chores, even though he is probably more tired than he has ever been before.</div>
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Nick and Kendell have varied responsibilites outside, and though I miss Kendell's help with the littles, she is LOVING being outside with the cows, and has new interest in bloodlines, breeding info, and the record-keeping side of the herd that I think will be a real blessing as she learns how to do some of the bookwork that goes along with owning cows.</div>
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Nick is really handling his work well, and loves the variety of things he does each day. He handles much of the feeding, bedding, etc... as Daddy still holds down a job and is not here every day.</div>
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I had better close for now, as it is chore time, and I need to get outside.</div>
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As I have been writing this post, it has reminded me, again, of why I do this-it is such a great way to keep a record of the things that go on in our lives, and such a great visual reminder of our lives, our famiy, and our home.</div>
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I NEED to do this more often-but my, the time issue...</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris, for all 9 of us</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-62485147502174646082013-01-20T20:52:00.000-06:002013-01-20T20:52:11.137-06:00ONE YEAR HOME AS A FAMILY OF 9<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Where does the time go?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe we have reached the mark of our first anniversary HOME with our family of 9!!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Today, when we should be in church, and 5 of us have a flu bug, maybe the dreaded influenza, but it gives me time to ponder a bit and remember what was going on 1 year ago.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">All month, I have been remembering where we were 1 year ago, what we were thinking, how we were feeling while in China, and now that we are HOME for 1 year, I think it is time for a NEW beginning.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Rose and Lili have been thru SO much in the last year.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">EVERYONE has been thru a lot. And it hasn't all been sweet or fun.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">There have been so many days of despairing, of disagreements, of disappointments.... YET, thru it all, we have seen how sweet it can be when we are all clicking and things are going well.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">There HAVE been good days, in fact good weeks. There have been lots of smiles, giggles, sharing, learning, loving, and bonding.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">There have been moments when we see, AHA, it WILL work out some day.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">What I need to keep in mind, is that what I expected, and what is reality, do not mesh, and I NEED TO ADJUST my expectations.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Reality is not THAT horrible. <br />It is not unliveable.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">It is not unbearable.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">It is just hard, BUT whoever promised me a simple life?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Who ever said parenting 7 children would be easy?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Who said parenting 7 children, 4 with special needs, would be a storybook fantasy?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I have been doing some real soul-searching lately, and while I still lose patience, and want things easier, I am trying to have a better attitude, and realize, its really not about me, or the family we were 2 years ago. Its about who we are now, and what Jesus is trying to do thru us and with us and for us.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Rose really enjoys days when life is predictable, and she knows what will be happening. When she can get up, dress, make the beds, and come down and help in the kitchen, without lots of rushing and being pushed because we are headed out the door for some unknown reason, she has a lot better day.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">SCHEDULE is crucial for Rose.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She likes routine, and she likes doing things the same every day.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">When we upset her routine, she does not do well.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">SOOO, we need to work harder at having a better schedule, and FOLLOWING it.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">WHICH, while we are moving, will be a challenge, but hopefully we can keep our eyes on the end result, a new farm, a new house, more space, and we can all work towards that, and keep our attitudes in check, even in the midst of the flu bug.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Lili is doing very well lately.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She ADORES her daddy, and needs a ceratin amount of time snuggling with him, holding his hand while he was sick, sitting beside him by the parlor stove, anything.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She has been trying very hard to be a good sister to Isaiah and Isaac, and seems to really want to help with little chores with Isaac.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She loves being outside, but chores, especially egg chores, are not good for her unsupervised. We usualy end up with scrambled eggs when she is collecting eggs:)</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Her speech is really not doing very well tho, and tho her comprehension seems pretty good most days, there are days, when I am sure she does not understand a thing we have said.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She has this horribly nasal speech, and many sounds are just about impossible for her to even try.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">She loves the one on one time of speech therapy, and we have nick-named her little sarge, as she certainly likes to be in charge-even with the speech pathologist-who loves her anyway, and is always eager to praise her and tell me how hard she has worked during her session.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I often wonder what the next year will bring for the girls.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Moving must be unsettling to them, yet neither has the words to express what may be going on in their minds and hearts.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">YET, we have such hope that more space, and more time working as a family for chores, and more school time will make a difference for everyone.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">There have been times in the past year when I honestly felt like, "why did we do this!!"</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">YET, today, I have peace, and I know that I would have done it all over again, even knowing how hard some days are, how the emotional battles and behavioral battles can be sooo draining and frustrating, how the lack of communication skills for BOTH girls can hugely impact the family dynamics.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I really need to keep MY focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who put our feet on this path, and who WILL give us all the grace and strength and wisdom that we need to make this family a cohesive unit.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Satan is dead-set against adoption.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">We know he hates it when the fatherless find forever homes.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">SO, we know he has been having a lot of fun with our family in the past 6 months, as we have been wallowing in pain and pity and despair, instead of looking up and claiming VICTORY!!!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I will always be brutally honest about older child adoption-IT IS NOT EASY!!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">BUT, I will always stand behind the decision we made to follow Jesus and do it-it's like marriage, thru thick and thin, good and bad, sickness and health, we will survive, and be the better for it someday down the road!!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">We are hunkering down for the arctic blast that is headed our way tonight-windchills of -35 are expected for up to 3 days-sounds like some good nights for snuggling, reading, and loving on our children-can't even think of moving on days like this, its all we can do to stay warm, and do the simple chores we have around here right now, and pray no one else gets the BUG!!!</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings to each of you</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Chris, for all 9 of us</span></em></div>
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one year ago on gotcha day!!</div>
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gathering to sing Happy Birthday to Daddy via the web</div>
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from the lobby in our first hotel in Guiyang</div>
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I think they have all grown up a bit since last year!!!</div>
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Blogger is not letting me upload any new pictures tonight, so these will have to suffice for a quick snapshot of where we were 1 year ago!!!</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-88886176675477389392012-12-10T23:14:00.004-06:002012-12-10T23:14:37.360-06:00The summer of Dr's appts-part 1<div align="center">
I have been such a distant blogger of late.</div>
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I so appreciated the feedback after my last post, and decided it was time for some lengthy updates on each of the children.<br />
This post will be about Isaac.<br />
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Our little peanut, our little man, our baby, our walking 1 man destruction team, our non-stop, revved up, little terror on 2 short legs!!!</div>
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He is a one in a million.</div>
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He is energetic, playful, LOUD, loves to throw, Loud, loves to be outside, LOUD, and loves IPAD and any other technology he can get his little hands on, and did I mention he's LOUD??????</div>
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BOY, if those sounds ever get channeled into words, we are going to be in for trouble-the guy makes noise all day long-but due to his lack of language at the moment, most of it is just loud shreiks, screams, squeals, and babbles.</div>
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He loves his family, and has graduated from his crib to his sister Kendell's bed, and boy, does he feel like a big boy now. She, of course, adores him, and is a very good second mommy to him when mom #1 is running others to Dr's appointments or doing other mom duties.<br />
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Isaac is very little, and still only weighs 26 pounds. He is wearing size 24-2T clothes-FINALLY.</div>
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He will be 4 in February:)</div>
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He moves-FAST-and he moves all day long-he wears us out trying to keep him out of trouble.</div>
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He has decided he is bored with most of HIS toys now, and wants only the school toys-and protests, LOUDLY, whenever he can't have what he wants-about 20 times a day:)</div>
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Isaac underwent a 2 day neurodevelopmental assessment back in July.</div>
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They look at speech, physical and occupational therapy areas of concern, neurological, genetic, audiology, IQ, and nutrition, just about anything that a guy can have tested, Isaac has had lately.</div>
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He also underwent a sedated brain MRI in August as part of this clinic.</div>
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PRAISE the Lord, the MRI showed NO physical issues with his brain.</div>
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That just leaves us with more questions tho, as we seek to find out why his neurons aren't connecting the way they should be for a guy his age.<br />
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YES, this is a mud puddle-did I mention heLOVES water? Especially COLD water???</div>
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He also had lots of blood tests done, including a test called CGH-which analyzed the chromosomes in his body's chemistry.</div>
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Little Isaac has a chromosome disorder.</div>
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It leads to cognitive delays, speech delays, and short stature.</div>
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WOW</div>
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an answer-of sorts!!!</div>
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NOW, the fun really begins, as we try to put more pieces of the puzzle together, and try to figure out how best to help him achieve all he is meant to achieve in life.</div>
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Will he ever live independently?</div>
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We don't think so.</div>
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How far can he go?</div>
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We have no idea yet!</div>
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BUT</div>
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I have stumbled upon an organization in PA called</div>
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<a href="http://www.familyhopecenter.org/" target="_blank">Family Hope Center</a> that specializes in empowering parents to heal their children!!!</div>
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NOW THAT MAKES ME EXCITED!!!!</div>
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I love their philosophy of assessing the things a child is doing, and by that, determining what areas of the brain aren't working properly, and teaching parents how to help their children's brains work better.</div>
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It is on my wish list for early in 2013 to spend some money on their DVD program and work my way thru their coarse.</div>
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I have also found out there are 2 women in our state who have some training from this program-and one is only about 30 minutes away-NOW, THAT MAKES ME REALLY EXCITED!!!!</div>
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I can't wait to contact her, and see what advice, help she can give us.<br />
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Isaac receives weekly speech therapy at our local clinic-actually, he is one of 4 that I take once a week-it is a long morning of shuttling children to and fro-and Kendell is my helper at home, preparing the next to leave, and keeping things on an even keel while I am gone.</div>
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Nick helps out when he is around, but these days are usually Kendell's and mine to "make it happen"</div>
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I can't say Isaac is responding well to therapy so far.</div>
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He has a few signs--but his preferred mode of communication is screaming, grabbing, and crying.</div>
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We have seen a change lately-from his very happy-go-lucky little guy antics to a more frustrated, I'm not getting what I want attitude.</div>
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It is frustrating for all of us.</div>
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He just doesn't receive instruction well.</div>
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No just has never meant NO for Isaac.</div>
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It doesn't help that he's the baby-and LOOKS so baby yet, that it is hard to treat him like an almost 4 yr old.<br />
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(SHHH, his photographer sister doesn't know I know these are on my laptop! It's a birthday surprise for me-but it's just too cute to pass up)<br />
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He has no interest in potty training.</div>
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His table skills are minimal.</div>
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Some days he eats wonderfully, most days he is a trial to endure at most meals.</div>
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He can be hyper, does not sit still, SOME part of him has to be moving at all times, and the only rest we have is when he is napping, or sleeping at night.</div>
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He is just always on the go, and he really controls our household at the moment.</div>
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We really do love him to pieces, but it is time to reel in this monster, before he becomes totally uncontrollable.</div>
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I'm just not sure how to go about it!<br />
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did I also mention he loves bouncing things? Even things that aren't meant to be bounced:)</div>
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ANY advice is welcome, because public school is starting to look like a real option for him next year. I just can't get anything done, and he won't let you work with any of the others without pitching a first class fit if he's not included.</div>
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He definitely knows what he wants-unfortunately, it's usually not what we want at that particular moment:)<br />
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This has not been an easy assessment for Chuck and I.<br />
We had such high hopes that his delays were simply due to orphanage life and a heart condition that left him malnourished and under-stimulated until we got him at 16 months old.<br />
WE still have hopes, and we love the progress he has made, and is trying to make.<br />
Sometimes, its just hard, hearing stuff about your kids!<br />
I mean, really hard!!!<br />
When you watch your child go thru these battery of tests, and come up lacking, and you don't know for sure what to do to really help him the best-it can bring some sleepless nights.<br />
But I am certainly thankful for the Dr's that I have gotten to know quite well over the last 2 years, and especially this summer, with 3 going thru testing. They care, and that really helps.<br />
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we sure do love him, and he can be such a ray of sunshine.<br />
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There will be 2 more parts to this little series, as I address both Lili and Rose's evaluations-stay tuned:)</div>
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Blessings<br />
Chris for all 9 of us!!!!</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-72258143876388847702012-11-27T23:31:00.002-06:002012-11-27T23:31:32.428-06:00almost 6 months since a post....<div align="center">
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<em>I find it hard to believe it was June the last time I wrote a post, and put pictures on this blog. YET, I know the last 6 months have been more busy than I could ever have imagined, with more ups and downs than I would have dreamed, and life has yet to find a "new" normal for our family.</em></div>
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<em>I have always loved blogging, and sharing joys, dreams, fears, discouraging times, and meeting new friends along the way. I have gone back and read all the comments since the first of this year, and it has brought me great joy to know that we are NOT alone on this journey.</em></div>
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<em>Adoption is SOOOO not for the faint of heart. It is exhilerating, it is exhausting. It is joyous, it is sad and filled with hours of grieving.</em></div>
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<em>It is painful, yet it is like giving birth (or so I 've been told :) )because you do forget all the pain when the hours of labor are behind you.</em></div>
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<em>It is bone-wearying, soul trying, and mind stretching.</em></div>
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<em>It is days of peaks and valleys, hours of training, training, training; it is minutes of praying, Help me thru this moment!</em></div>
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<em>This past year is like nothing I/we have ever been through before.</em></div>
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<em>To say there haven't been times when I wanted to just throw my hands up and say, I GIVE, I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE would not be an understatement.</em></div>
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<em>It has been a hard year. </em></div>
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<em>It has been trying.</em></div>
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<em>It has been filled with moments of defeat, yet hours of great WINS.</em></div>
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<em>I have spent more hours on the road to or in Dr's offices ( and don't even go there with the $$$ for gas this year) and the year is NOT over yet.</em></div>
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<em>I have spent more time looking at symptoms, analyzing behaviors, asking questions and researching chromosome deficiencies and talking to genetics specialists than I EVER thought I would be doing.</em></div>
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<em>There have been days when we were sure we were tearing apart our family, instead of building a new one.</em></div>
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<em>There have been times of deep grief over the family that was.</em></div>
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<em>There have been days of deep pain over the family we are trying to become.</em></div>
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<em>It has been hard.</em></div>
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<em>no 2 ways about, just plain HARD!!!</em></div>
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<em>and it hurts.</em></div>
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<em>BOY, does it hurt.</em></div>
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<em>The sleepless nights worrying about children's issues, worrying about siblings not loving one another the way we had hoped, worrying about why I/ we don't feel the way we THINK we should be feeling by this time into this new family.</em></div>
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<em>The days of trying to stop 3 little dynamos with LOUD mouths from destroying the house,(and my sanity) yet trying to school 3 who don't have any issues, and trying to figure out how to school our oldest daughter so that some day, she can GET IT!!!!</em></div>
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<em>Do we regret the past year?</em></div>
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<em>I don't think so.</em></div>
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<em>Do we wonder what would have happened if we hadn't gone this route?</em></div>
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<em>I think we do sometimes.</em></div>
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<em>Yet, I hate to say it, but those are the times when my selfish, what about me attitude really comes to the front, and I want to say, WHAT ABOUT ME.</em></div>
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<em>Yet, it's not about me, or Chuck, or the 5 who were home first.</em></div>
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<em>It is about 2 new girls, who are still trying mighty hard to find their way in a world that still leaves them quaking in their shoes.</em></div>
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<em>It's about 2 sweethearts who, until 11 months ago, did not have a forever mommy and daddy, sisters and brothers.</em></div>
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<em>Its about trying our hardest to blend all our lives together, and to give honor and glory to our Father, who orchestrated it all from the beginning.</em></div>
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<em>The tears can come easily some days, but there are days when the laughter, giggles and simple joys win out over the night's tears.</em></div>
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<em>We still have lots of diagnoses to ponder, lots of issues to work through, lots of PAIN ahead, as we continue to forge this thing called FAMILY.</em></div>
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<em>Please keep us in prayer. Please continue to check in, leave encouragements, and keep loving us from afar.</em></div>
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<em>We don't mean to be distant, we are just busy about our Father's work-even on the days when I think I have done everything wrong-and there are alot of those kinds of days around here-I am a very fleshly creature, I have discovered, and don't like to have so many unknowns, so many what ifs, so many unanswered questions still hanging.</em></div>
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<em>And for those of you who knew we were buying a farm, the deal is off-yes, another MAJOR disappointment-and another MAJOR unknown as we ponder what next!!!</em></div>
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<em>What is next for us Lord?</em></div>
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<em>We are really trying to listen-even when our flesh gets in the way!!!</em></div>
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<em>Blessings and love</em></div>
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<em>Chris for all 9 of us:)</em><br />
<em>A few pictures from the last few weeks-</em><br />
<em>I'm not going to try to recreate the whole 6 months, blogger is way too slow for me!!</em><br />
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enjoying some fall fun in the leaves<br />
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a homeschool fieldtrip, and daddy got to go along too:)<br />
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the joy of cows in the barn, fresh milk in the fridge, and making butter and cottage cheese<br />
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another field trip-and a chance to hold a skunk</div>
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good byes are hard, and our beloved Speech Pathologist had worked with Isaiah for 1 1/2 years-but her schedule did not allow for 4 kids in Hillsboro on Thursday morning anymore-sigh!!!<br />
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yes, that's FOUR dogs-2still very much all puppy!!!!<br />
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fun on the gator this fall-all 7 fit!!!!</div>
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our first Christmas for this year-and 9 cousins gathered together at Grandma and Grandpa's house:)<br />
I think we are stretching them a bit!!!<br />
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Rosalyn just discovered a BABY in her box-and she LOVES her<br />
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we might have a way to make these 2 best friends yet-they both LOVE dolls, and Grandma sewed some awesome clothes for the new dolly-who is named Jessa<br />
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after Christmas at Thanksgiving, some of us hit the woods with my Dad to bring in some wood for him-and it was a COLD day</div>
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mama duck hatched 4 ducklings, and did we enjoy watching them grow over the summer<br />
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I w as thankful to find pictures of the fireworks I missed as Isaac screamed through the whole show-the ONLY thing he is scared of, besides a car wash:)<br />
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a family picture at the park after the girls' readoption in September</div>
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Double the trouble, but 2x the amount of sweetness and cuteness!!!<br />
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2 little boys playing cars<br />
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gathering at the waters for baptisms this fall</div>
Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-55831511433891301682012-06-04T22:50:00.000-05:002012-06-04T22:50:27.375-05:00Calls for Rejoicing, and some somberness!!<div align="center">
I am THRILLED to say there are 2 families stepping up to pursue Daniel's adoption!!!</div>
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Did you hear that??</div>
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TWO!!!</div>
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and guess what? </div>
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They know each other!</div>
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They are in the same church!!!</div>
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How great is our GOD!!!</div>
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I love how He works!</div>
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I love how He answers prayers!</div>
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I just LOVE Him!</div>
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I LOVE the song "Dare to be a Daniel"-dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known-Our Daniel, the Bible reading, Jesus loving, compassionate and emotional Daniel!!!!!!!!</div>
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I am so happy that somewhere in the not too distant future, Daniel will have a mama and daddy of his own!!</div>
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They both sound like wonderful families, and I LOVE getting connected with others and we all love the same childen-and love adoption, and love the Lord!!</div>
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This leads me to my note of somberness-some sadness-some sense of loss-</div>
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I am a pretty relationship oriented person-I love people, I love others walking the same road, I love being connected with them.</div>
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One of the neatest things in the last year has been some of the relationships that were built while we were in process.</div>
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NOW, when the process is done, and our girls are home, I feel a sadness to not have notes and updates from the ones who had become so important to me during our journey.</div>
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There were so many along the way, and now, wow, hardly any.</div>
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Yes, I know life is tough once we all get home, and I know we are all super busy, and I GET that-but I MISS my friends.</div>
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I miss the connections, the times of sharing, the specialness of walking thru something together, the privilege of PRAYING together and standing together for a cause, a purpose, a call on our lives to change the lives of the fatherless!!!!</div>
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I HATE goodbyes, and I always cry when I have to say goodbye to my folks or any good friends that come for a visit-life is just so unsure, you never know when you "won't" see someone again-</div>
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SOOOO, if you are on the adoption road, and you find yourself making new friends along the way, make it a priority to keep in touch?</div>
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sometimes a note of love from someone who KNOWS what you have been thru can mean the world to them.</div>
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In this day of social medias, I don't do facebook, twitter, or any of the others available.</div>
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I like email-so I am old-fashioned-it's just the way I am.</div>
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But I do love my friends, all of them, whether I have heard from them in the last 6 months, or not!!!!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-28400617678438228282012-05-04T07:27:00.002-05:002012-05-04T07:27:31.387-05:00CONFESSION TIME!!!!<div align="center">
I have a confession to make-and it HURTS!!!</div>
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Before we went to China for Rose and Lili, we were pretty sure we would be heading back this year for one more-</div>
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I had fallen in love with one of Rose's foster brothers-actually, we had all become smitten with him-</div>
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It just seemed like something we would FOR SURE be doing-</div>
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but alas, I wasn't very far into our trip last January when something dawned on me-I didn't think I had it in me to do this again-it would be too fast, too soon, too much, and the mere thought of starting all that paperwork all over again made me about want to throw up.</div>
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Now, was this just my flesh? <br />Had God been calling us to move out in faith on this young man?</div>
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Or did we let the emotions of his circumstances sway us?</div>
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I still don't know</div>
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BUT, what I do know is that I have 7 at home right now.</div>
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We have 2 little boys with pretty intense needs-between speech, developmental delays, and cognitive delays, behavioral issues, and such, they keep me BUSY!</div>
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Then, we have Rose and Lili-home only 3 months-Lili with speech issues, health issues, motor skill delays, and quite a bit of behavioral attitudes that need lots of work.</div>
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Rose needs lots of time with schooling-her speech/vocabulary need lots of time and work, and she is facing some surgeries this summer that will be quite intense for all of us.</div>
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Then, we have our 7 yr old, Tyler the Tornado.</div>
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He is still a tornado, and really doesn't enjoy school, so it can be quite a process with him each school day-and throw in a bit of speech/vocabulary with him too.</div>
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Then we have Nick and Kendell, happily going about their 7th grade school work, but Mom NEVER has time to look at what they are doing.</div>
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Now, this doesn't really seem fair to Daniel, that these issues would keep me/us from wanting to add him to our family-except for the fact that he has CP which affects his arms, his speech is not very clear, altho they say his English is more clear than his Mandarin, altho he had learned to walk, and then ride a bike within a short time of arriving at the B's-that is pretty amazing-</div>
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YET I just don't know how I can try to do any more in a day than I do already.(yes, that's my flesh talking)</div>
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Are we just making excuses? Sometimes, it may feel like it-but sometimes, I think it would be a huge disservice to bring him home into our family, at this time, and not have the energy, excitement, and time that he would need.</div>
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Adopting older children is not an easy road-we have not had a horrible transition by any means, but it is still not easy.</div>
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YET, my heart is heavy for him.</div>
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He was returned to the orphanage last November out of Rose's foster family-strictly due to "business" decisions the orphanage was making to try to fill their new facility.</div>
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I HATE that he is not with the B's in their home.</div>
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I HATE that he chose to go, so one of his little foster brothers would NOT have to go.</div>
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I HATE that he wants to read his Bible, and was doing well with learning English, and is probably not able to do either right now.</div>
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BUT</div>
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I love that he is now being advocated for by the waiting children yahoo group.</div>
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I love that his paperwork is close to being sent to CC#WA to be added to the shared list.</div>
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I love that people are aware of him, his kindness, love and compassion, and that he may not spend very much time on the list without a family choosing him.</div>
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I love that the orphanage director will return him to the foster family once a family steps forward for him.</div>
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I so wish we had the resources, time, energy, space and DRIVE to add him to our family-but I am sadly lacking in all of those at the time.</div>
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We are also looking down the road to an imminent move to one more farm-hopefully the place we will finally put down roots, and raise our family and do what we love, loving God, and our children, and dairying.</div>
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I don't think Daniel is in our future, except to keep lifting him up to the Lord, that He would find him the perfect home, and in His perfect timing.</div>
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Please join me in praying for this special young man.</div>
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He so wants a family, he so NEEDS a family.</div>
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Are YOU his family?</div>
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God Bless you as you search your heart and pray for this sweet boy!</div>
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Feel free to <a href="mailto:waughtal@mwt.net">email me</a> if you want more info on him-there is a ton available-lots of pictures, videos, and stories that will warm you heart.</div>
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In Him</div>
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Chris and family</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-11295389394920298622012-04-25T22:50:00.001-05:002012-04-25T22:50:03.857-05:00Our NEWEST family member!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
We have been invaded!!!</div>
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Puppy kisses abound</div>
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and oh my, there are so many giggles and squeals throughout the evening-hopefully we don't have too many yelps through the night :)</div>
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It's a new puppy for the Waughtals.</div>
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WHAT we are thinking, who knows for sure.</div>
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BUT, Maggie is adorable, we all love her to pieces, Sadie loves her, and Reggie is a bit jealous, but she fits right in!!!</div>
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8 weeks old yesterday, we found her Sunday night, hemmed and hawed about spending money on another dog, but in the end, her cuteness won out!</div>
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I am thankful her sister sold before we got there-2 may have put me over the edge:)</div>
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Puppy pictures galore, and such serious cuteness-and a bit of naughtiness thrown in for good measure!!</div>
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taking time out for a little snooze</div>
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what is it about puppies and little boys???</div>
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doing laps around Sadie-it's so cute when they "box"</div>
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that's an awful lot of sking to grow into Miss Maggie Mae!!</div>
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Blessings</div>
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Chris and family</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-1026744697289863012012-04-23T23:18:00.002-05:002012-04-23T23:18:53.120-05:003 months HOME<div align="center">
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That's ALOT of wheels!!!!!<br />
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What does HOME for 2 months look like? OK, This was going to be 2 months-but it has turned into THREE months home-where did the last month go??</div>
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Well, for each family achieving this milestone, I am sure it looks very different.</div>
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On any given day, it can run a whole gamut of emotions, reactions, events,</div>
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BUT</div>
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I have to say, again, we are truly blessed. </div>
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While not issue-less, it has been a very good transition.</div>
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Rosalyn and Lilianna are doing well.</div>
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They know they are HOME.</div>
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They know we are mama and daddy.<br />
they know they have cousins who love and accept them!<br />
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They know they have 5 other siblings, which brings with it the issues of sharing, chores, sharing, playing together, sharing, and more sharing.<br />
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I think, for Lili, the hardest obstacle to be overcome is the need to share, and get along with others in the same home.</div>
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She is used to being spoiled, having everything to herself, including mama and daddy, and doing whatever she wants to, whenever she wants to.</div>
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Structure, sharing, and being told "no" are not things she has wanted to adjust to, but, yet, schedule and structure are 2 things that I see really making a difference in her life.</div>
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She loves her 2 little brothers. They are together much of the day.Yet, without a moment's notice, she can decide she is "done with them" and get quite ornery with them.</div>
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They play, then they need to be separated. Then she can't stand it, and HAS to be back in close proximity to them again, then she gets mad at them again and wants her space.</div>
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She is really feeling her way along here quite slowly.</div>
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It is hard to give up that ME-centeredness that she has lived in for 6 years.</div>
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I am so thankful for her foster family. She clearly loved them, and grieved for her losses.</div>
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It had to be rough going from the only 1 to 1 of 7 overnight.</div>
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And throw in 4 boys, 3 who are rough and tumble, and oh my, her little world can be in a tail spin for hours on end some days.</div>
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Yet, the beauty of it is that when I can't stand it anymore, and actually separate them (especially she and Isaiah) SHE initiates the "lets play together" every time.</div>
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SHE always comes to him altho, it could be more worrying about what he is doing in that other room without her, than actually wanting to be by him:)</div>
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We love her spunk, her energy and her quick wit. She picks up on routines very quickly, and has a HUGE desire to be mama's helper. Not so of the others-she would rather hang laundry with me, or set the table with me, than anyone else-I suppose from that 1 on 1 time with her foster mama that she had for 6 years.</div>
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Doing chores with a sibling usually brings frowns, sneaking away, and outright fits of despair.<br />
BUT, she is starting to like being with the others doing chores outside,<br />
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Her language is slowly coming-I believe her comprehension is coming along pretty good, yet there are times when I feel she has not gained much from the first month home-and her expressive is very slow-her speech is not clear at all, and of course, her sounds she makes are very unclear and not like the english sounds we are trying to teach her.</div>
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We are pursuing some physical issues throughout April, so hopefully we can clarify if it is sinus or throat related, or speech related soon.</div>
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But she sure gets an A for effort.</div>
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At school time, when I work with Isaiah on his speech, she is right there, trying everything.</div>
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She gets some concepts like matching, and "the same", can match colors altho she can't name the colors, can button, put pony tails in her own hair, and scribble feriously for a long time. Her coloring skills aren't there yet-if she initiates coloring, it is usually scribbling-if I say, lets color, she can pout, do a horrid scribble job, and look away, and has very little interest in coloring a picture so that it resembles the picture.</div>
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Seems to be one of her little Lili-isms-when it's her idea, its a good one, when it's someone else's idea- NO WAY!!!</div>
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and pout, oh my goodness-she can stick that lower lip out yet-altho we don't have the tantrums we saw in China. She has figured out that screaming and such get her NO WHERE-</div>
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She is not good at sitting still. Not even to eat.</div>
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She bounces, twirls her hair-yes even with syruppy fingers-lays her head on the table, wolfs her food and then can't stand to sit there till we are all done, drinks gallons of milk at a time, and is a bit of a picky eater-she is not always so fond of our American diet, and altho she will eat most things put in front of her, we can really tell when she doesn't care for it-it takes FOREVER to disappear.</div>
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We love her hugs, her loves, her excitement over one of us coming home, she clearly loves mama and daddy, and we know she loves her siblings, it is just been a hard adjustment to learning how to love them and live with them 24/7.</div>
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guess who's pigtails???</div>
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waiting at the clinic today for one of Lili's appointments-more on that later!!!!</div>
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Rosie watching out for her little sister!</div>
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<br />Lili learned to ride her bike in about 2 afternoons of trying diligently to master it-she is a hard worker when it is something that interests her-and she LOVES her bike-except for the other day when it "happened" to veer into a mud puddle, sucking her down and throwing her off, and giving her a good bump on the head-she was MAD at her bike, kicked it, and took it to the garage to be done with it for the day, grumbling at murmuring at it the whole way!! She is fine tho, although it was her biggest bruise so far!</div>
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NO, it really wasn't that bad, but Kendell thinks ACE bandages make everyone feel better-a regular size bandaid actually covered the scrape just fine but we love her big sis's show of compassion:)</div>
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She is truly a diamond in the rough, and we look so forward to smoothing out her rough spots, and loving on her and teaching her what FAMILY is all about.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ROSIE</span><br />
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Rosalyn is just a gem. She has the biggest smile, and it shines on her face MOST of the time.<br />
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She has made a smooth transition to having 6 siblings, as she was so used to all the action of her foster home, and all the children that were cared for there.<br />
Rosie loves doing dishes. That is one job we can hardly give to anyone else-that may be when we see a pout-yet, while she loves doing them, she can dawdle, and take quite a bit of time, so sometimes, due to time issues, Nick or Kendell (or Mama) will insist on washing.<br />
Being outside is definitely a favorite event each day. She is doing quite well with feeding the calves, and carrying grain and water to the calves is something she can do on her own now, without much supervision or guidance.<br />
Playing with Isaac and Isaiah outside are tops on her list too-she really likes to be involved with them, altho we do have to be careful, as Rosie gets quite into her play, and sometimes forgets there are little ones who are trying to sneak away from her:)<br />
School time is also something she really seems to like-of course, I really think it is the structure and "sameness" of the days when we are on schedule and do what we did the day before.<br />
There is really something about structure that is freeing to children. Days without school time can be unsettled for her, and even put her in a bit of a funk for awhile.<br />
Yes, she is a teenager, we see some days of emotional ups and downs.<br />
Sometimes, its just plain crossness and crankiness. Some days, it might be just over-tiredness rearing its ugly head. Rose is a girl who just seems to need that downtime of an afternoon nap/rest each day.<br />
She is MUCH happier in the evening on days when she gets that rest time.<br />
Rose is not afraid to go places, yet it can be quite unsettling to her "schedule" and even days with visitors, or going to church, while lots of fun, can throw her next day off completely.<br />
Eating is something that ebbs and flows. Some days she eats anything, some days she picks at everything-I suppose emotions and hormones can come into play-sometimes I want to think its just a bit of contrariness-it certainly seems like it could be some days.<br />
We are doing lots of 1st grade math right now-lots of repetition, lots of drill work, lots of going over and over the same stuff-some days skip counting flows, some days it's gone.<br />
Some days she can identify dimes, nickels and pennies, some days, it's gone.<br />
We started working on time-that seems to be something she really wants to get-so I think it will come quickly.<br />
The highlight of Rose's last month has been the new BIKE!!!<br />
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She LOVES her bike, and after an entire afternoon of working on it, she became quite provicient. She was very proud of herself, and beams from ear to ear when we are watching her.<br />
Even after an afternoon of heading into the ditch because steering and balance came, but they came slowly, she was still beaming!!<br />
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Venturing down our long road is lots of fun, even with all the hills, as it is a pretty quiet road, especially on Sunday afternoons.<br />
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Rose had a bout of influenza for a week, and that developed into pneumonia.<br />
Oh the cough she had for 10-12 days-and she was miserable too.<br />
But misery loves company, and she and Nick were both sick at the same time, and my, that is a pair I don't hope get sick together again-they are 2 peas in a pod, and it is all we could do to deal with all the moaning and groaning, sighs, and some more moaning and groaning :) I think they played off each other's misery-trying to outdo each other:)<br />
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Really, I know they were both sick, and I don't downplay it at all-it was just interesting to see how similarly they respond to illness-they are quite a bit alike in many ways.<br />
Some of the things Rose doesn't like would be:<br />
Blowing her nose-really I can't figure that out AT ALL!!!<br />
not taking naps<br />
staying inside all day<br />
not doing school<br />
she is on a kick of no butter, syrup, jam or anything on her biscuits or pancakes<br />
getting up too early in the morning<br />
staying up too late at night<br />
She is a very agreeable girl-she is game for about anything, is very gentle, kind, soft-spoken ( and she is outnumbered in this household on that count)<br />
and wants to please.<br />
We have much to be thankful for, we have lots to work on, and we have lots to learn.<br />
This older child adoption is not an easy road, it is not all thorns, but it is not all roses either.<br />
It just isn't like scooping up a toddler into your lap, or your arms, and loving on them, snuggling with them, and bathing and dressing them-those are all the things we are used to doing to help with the bonding and attachment, and learning to love one another.<br />
We are treading on new territory and sometimes we don't make the right decisions, sometimes we feel like we just stepped on a hidden mine, but most of all, we feel like we are mining for jewels, and that we know it will be hard work, sometimes downright dirty work, sweaty, tough, grit-your-teeth kind of work, but in the end, we always know it is worth it, and we wouldn't have it any other way.<br />
We are family-we are blessed, and we love one another-even though it is different, and we have not been down this road before, we know the love is there for both girls, and for all of us, and that makes all the "issues" and detours navigable, because <strong>LOVE</strong> covers a multitude of things that can and do go wrong in a day.<br />
Family-all NINE of us-and loving it!!!<br />
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Blessings and love to you all<br />
Chris for all 9 of us!!!<br />
</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181650339837850456.post-20791174491482629592012-04-08T08:00:00.000-05:002012-04-08T08:00:57.392-05:00He Is Risen!!!<div align="center">Halleluah!</div><div align="center">We serve a risen Savior!</div><div align="center">He's in the world today.</div><div align="center">I am so thankful that Jesus opened my eyes, I only wish I could</div><div align="center">keep it all in focus.</div><div align="center">Lord, turn my heart towards you, so the things of this</div><div align="center">world grow strangely dim!!</div><div align="center">Celebrating today, with all Christians, in our risen Savior!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8KX2-J6uS-o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center">In Him</div><div align="center">Chris and Family</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07694801486700259654noreply@blogger.com2