Happy New Year to you all

2011 was an amazing year for my family, for my church family (our Pastor is CLINICALLY CURED of Stage IV throat cancer), and for many of my friends as well. As this year passes, if you are out and about, be safe. Be responsible. Don't drink and drive.

Yesterday, December 30th, was my mom's 55th birthday. She's not here with us, she died at the age of 37 (same age I am today) after several years of fighting breast cancer. It is odd to think I am her age. I am the very age she was when she left this earth, so surreal. It hurts to think what this past year may have been like for me with her here to support our adoption journey. Fully support it...alas, it is something I will never know. I am grateful for the support we did have, but really wish she had been here for this journey.

I am eager to move on to 2012 and see what is next for my family. What boundaries we will grow, what ground we will conquer and most importantly, see what God has for us too.

Happy New Year to you, in just 6 days, Jadon will be having surgery to remove his tonsils, adenoids, clean his ears and possibly place tubes. He got his glasses yesterday from the generous people at 20/20 Vision. He can see and, literally (as I type this), just took 3 steps unassisted on his own towards the family room TV!! It is amazing what sight can do for a person. Such a shame no Ukrainian thought he was worth the gift of a family, or nutrition, or sight, or...LOVE. Thank God we went when we did and we have him now in our family. Our little Ukrainian Prince. We are blessed.

When we came home, Jadon was small...to say the least. We came home 77 days ago. He could not see (he can now). He could not drink from a cup (he can now). He would not bear much weight (he does frequently now). He could not handle touch (he craves it now). He weighed 19 lbs (he weighs 23 lbs now but I am guessing he is closer to 24 lbs today). He was 28 inches tall (he is 30.25 inches tall now). He had a cranial circumference of 17 inches (today his noggin is 18.25 inches round).

Love, food, family, GOD DID IT!

If you are thinking of adoption, whether you believe in my God or not...listen to that voice prodding you. Listen. And ACT. The orphans, here in the states or overseas, ARE WORTHY. There are agencies that can help you. Child matching sites to guide you.




If you do believe in my God, and Christ the Messiah, and consider yourself a Christian...then you are commanded to care for the orphans and widows of the world. Period. Find what your family can do, adoption is not for everyone, but we, as Christians, all have a role we are commanded to claim in caring for the orphans and widows.

James 1:27

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence. This is the kind of worship that God accepts as pure and good.

Psalm 68:5-6(a)

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) 

God, who lives in his holy palace, is a father to the orphans, and he takes care of widows. God provides homes for those who are lonely.  

Happy New Year!!! 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Our year in review...

So much has happened for our family, God's goodness has rained down over us. Is it all cherries and butterflies? Uhhhh, no. But He is always good. Always.

January saw the new year ushered in, a fresh start..

February, we were called to adopt and committed to Alexander 20 on Reece's Rainbow.

March, we were told by the agency we were using and the social worker, JD, that we would not be approved by their organization and would likely never find someone to approve us. Thank God they were in the wrong for starting with us, period. They were illegally contracted with us since we were not using a Hague accredited agency to complete the adoption and all they "said" was moot. And, hey, we got a free water sample done on our well :) BONUS!

April, we found Gateway Woods for our homestudy thanks to Tonya (THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!) and I began to suspect that Alexander was not available after talking with one person in particular. I began to search frantically to locate the institution this child was said to be in. Jared started baseball this month :) Love watching my boy WHACK that ball!! Shawn was baptized on Easter Sunday...does it get any better?

May, it is confirmed by me that Alexander is NOT available, waiting confirmation from Reece's Rainbow (this will take many months yet still). School is out!

June our homestudy is completed in just 33 days total :) Take that JD! LOL We are approved for one child with Down syndrome ages 0-7. I find pictures from Lindy's blog this month that have Alexander in them! It is true, he is not in an institution. He is in the baby house still in his region. The original Alexander 20---now is listed as Sasha 50 on RR. We do not choose to adopt him, we continue to pursue Alexander 20, the boy we know only by video and pictures.

July, the twins turned 4!!!!! Where or where has time gone??? This month on July 6th, it is confirmed by Reece's Rainbow, there indeed was a mixup of information between the two boys. It seems Alexander's mother has not terminated her rights. We selfishly say we want her found and ask her to allow him to be adopted--thusly, signing away her parental rights.

August 3rd, our dossier arrives in Ukraine!! We still have not heard anything about Alexander. We are ready to complete our adoption. We have done all we can, we are ready. Shawn and I wrestle with our reality, do we wait indefinitely or do we let go of Alexander? Do we give him back to God and pray He leads us in the direction He has held for us all along. Mid-August, we terminate our choice to seek out Alexander and ask our team to file our dossier, we will be seeking a referral for another child. Jared turns 9 this month!!! Unbelievable how big my baby boy has gotten. School starts!!! Our days are busy for sure. All three boys attend different schools and mommy is driving lots these days.

September. Mom has been gone for 17 years on the 5th...I can hardly believe I've not had a mother for so very long. I need her now more than ever these past 17 years. My family is fixing to grow, family support is shotty at best. I want my mom. We learn of our travel date...September 25, our SDA referral appointment is Septemer 28. Geneva and Cliff will keep the kids for us while we are gone. We are praying for travel mercies and a swift process.

October...AWESOME MONTH!!! We adopted our 4th child, Jadon Andrew Taylor on October 6th. Joshua (my nephew turned 8 the day before). We arrive back home in the states on October 15th. Jadon celebrates his 3rd birthday with FAMILY on October 18th. We learn, once stateside, we had the fastest adoption in team history :) GO SERGE and TEAM!!! Just 8 days after meeting Jadon, he was legally adopted :)

November, our adoption was formally recognized in the Indiana courts. Jadon's American birth certificate arrives and was printed on Daddy's birthday (November 22nd). Janae (niece turned 6 on the 14th). We celebrated Thanksgiving with Shawn's family. Life is good.

December, my BFF Julie learned she will be traveling this month to Ukraine to adopt her son, Peter. Christmas season is upon us. Shawn and I have been married 5 years!!! And, my children are learning the true meaning of Christmas--we will not teach the twins or Jadon about Santa and Jared knows that Santa is not real. The persona of Santa exists, each day in amazing people willing to give just to give...but the man in the red suit means nothing to my boys. We will start a new tradition this year, just 3 presents a piece for my children. 3? Why 3? Well, Jesus got three gifts--gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why should my kids be any different? They are certainly no better than the wee, tiny babe born in a manger over 2,000 years ago. There will be no Black Friday madness in this house. Simple, grateful celebration. That's it. That's what we will have.

Today, in reflecting I am in awe of all my family has experienced this year. Five years ago, I was a single mom of one child. I had just bought our home and was working 40+ hours a week.

Today? Today, I am a married woman, proud to call Shawn my husband, mother to 4 boys and stay-at-home-mom.

Amazing.

God is good.

All the time.

Even in the funk, when it comes, He is good. Just let Him show you.

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

The REASON for this SEASON

I found this on Facebook on one of my friends page...it made me tear up. I thought I'd share because it remainds me why I celebrate Christmas with my family and children.




Recently, on The View, Whoopi told the most incredible story I feel more than compelled to share it with you. The story highlights the true meaning of the Christmas season. Reminding us all that we are all at one point in our lives, Keepers of the Inn. 

Here goes:

Every year, there is a Christmas pageant a very big and famous church in NYC. This year, the pageant's Inn Keeper was played by a young boy with Down syndrome. This boy's parents were very happy that there were many rehearsals for the pageant as they were concerned he would not remember his one line.

On the evening of the pageant, as the children playing Mary and Joseph walked up the aisle of the church, the boy stood up for his big moment. As they got closer, he very eloquently said, "There is no room at the inn." As he said his lines, the crowd collectively breathed a sigh of relief knowing the child was met with great success, then, as the boy and the girl playing Joseph and Mary started to walk away, he yelled out, "But wait"! 

The crowd and the boys parents looked on, not knowing what to expect next from the young man. "But wait", he said again, "You can stay at my house." 

The crowd, of course, fell silent knowing his sweet blunder sent the best, truest message of all. The Pastor, William Sloane Coffin, at that point, stood up and said, "Amen".

Amen, indeed...

I am in tears, once again, as I type this out. Pure love. That's what children like my boys have to offer. Real insight, is what they know. They do not know what jadedness is like. Pure love, real love; we all need it. I am not painting my boys into a box, I am not being stereotypical. I am stating what I KNOW to be true. Jadon, even, Jadon--my sweet boy who was neglected for nearly 3 years of his life...loves now. Purely. He gives kisses now. He seeks comfort now. He knows the love of the Father now.

Praise God he does. We know pure love, blameless love, true religion because of Him and our adoption journey. Our family is all the more for it. Those who don't know this blessing in our family, by their own choice...my heart hurts for them.

Merry Christmas to you all. May you be blessed during this Advent Season. 

 
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

OUR son's opthalmology appointment

OUR son, saw the opthalmologist today. Seems Urkainian eye exams are spot on in this case. Jadon has significant strabismus (no biggie, I've walked that mile for 9 years with Jared now). He has severe hyperopia and will soon be wearing coke bottle glasses and also does exhibit latent nystagmus when his "good eye" is covered.

We will be purchasing some MiraFlex frames, getting lenses made here in town by 20/20 vision and get my boy seeing the world around him clearly for the first time in his life.

love,

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Our Tree is up :)

Shawn got the tree down from the garage shelf for me today. I set up the tree then allowed the boys to shove the ornaments on it after I got the lights on it. Jackson's new baby Jesus on a star that he made today in Children's Preschool Church is our tree topper this year. He was very excited to put it up on the tree. But, the little bugger, would not get in on a picture. Weird kid. ;)

I wish I could say I enjoy this stuff, but I don't. I really, truly, have NO memory of ever decorating a tree as a child. Not sure we ever had them in our house either. I know we did at grandma's house, always. I know my mom had them, but I don't remember them at my house with my dad--not until he was sober anyhow. Now, we may very have had Christmas trees, I just don't remember them (or much of my childhood for that matter). I have pictures of Christmases. I know I got tons of toys. But remember the times? Nope. I just don't remember them. I want the boys to remember doing this stuff, so I do it (best as I can) for them.

Here is our tiny tree full of homemade decorations and hung with love by my kids.

I still am amazed at how much Joseph and Jared look alike :) 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Sharing Santa and reality

For a family that does not "do" Santa, last night was a rare treat for my kids. Santa Roy came out to our house and brought two homemade rocking horses for the twins and Jadon and an R/C car for Jared.

Santa Roy had seen our article in the Tribune and wanted to give Jadon his very own rocking horse for his 1st Christmas as an American with a family. How sweet is that?

Once he made it here, we learned he knew the old owners of the home. We also learned his sister-in-law lives down the way from us. And, he also worked at Chrysler for 35 years. Shawn's worked there for nearly 20 and I did for 7 years too before taking the buyout.

So, Santa Roy spent some time holding Jadon, gave Joseph a high-five and trying (ever so unsuccessfully) to get Jackson to shake his hand! LOL I did mention we don't do Santa, right? :)

Jadon knew exactly what to do on the rocking horse too!! So sweet, we just put him on and he began a rockin' away!!!

Now, for those of you who don't know our reality. Let me share with you, I've told friends and family members how delayed Jadon is...I guess it didn't really sink in with some. So here it is.

Our youngest son is 3 years old. AGED to 3 YEARS. He is LITERALLY the size of a one year old child. His shoe size is SMALLER than a size 2 baby shoe. His foot is not as long as my palm is wide. He is delayed to that of 3-6 month old. Darcy was evaluating his this past week for OT (occupational therapy) and I was prepared for this, I've told people all along he is developmentally equivalent to a 6 month old. I was not wrong, not surprised but it still angers me.

That place, the baby orphanage, did NOTHING with him. My child still has no concept of play, though, now, he will willingly, freely explore the house, his surroundings and occassionally grab a toy. He will not watch signing videos. He will not sit happily for a book. He will not willingly do puzzles. He cannot/will not push a car back and forth. Balls make him giggle but he cannot truly reciprocate the return of a ball.

I am not complaining, I am sharing. 

What Jadon can do is: Giggle with fierceness when something strikes his fancy. He can babble with "da-da" and "vuh-vuh". He can drink from a cup. He can splash in the bath. He can crawl. He can bring himself to stand in the middle of the room unassisted for about 5 seconds at a time. He can choose between Shawn and I and freely comes up to us (or the boys) for interaction. He can use a fork, pretty well but only after I have "poked" the food for him.

Jadon can also rock in a corner, rubbing and banging his head for stimulation to bring himself down from too much action or for not enough too. He can fall and bang his head and laugh because he does not know that he should be crying. He can suck his thumb til it is raw with patches of skin missing (he is not chewing to self-soothe or to mutilate, but sucking with fierce abandon to self-soothe). He can steal food and shove it ALL IN his mouth like a rabid raccoon eating it's last meal. He will grind his teeth too for the sensation.

These behaviors, this "survival mode" is sickening. The potential was/IS there for Jadon. The damage is so unnecessary and it angers me. Time will help, redirection helps, therapy helps, massage helps, holding him helps and then, at times, just letting him be...helps.

It is the reality of many adoptive parents, one that must be made aware for those walking this mile. You absolutely cannot expect to bring home a 3 year old orphan and it be like bringing home your 3 year old cousin and watching them for the afternoon. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE LIKE THAT. There will be challenges, frustrations, exhaustion, anguish, pain, sadness, the list goes on and on; but, the flipside of of that is knowing your family has the piece that was missing. We brought home our son, we did not do this to "save" a child. We see Jadon growing each day, gaining each day, learning each day. The anger for the damage that's been done, is still there; but, that is not Jadon's fault. It is the fault of his circumstance.

There are children in other baby orphanages that have Down syndrome that can self-feed, that get therapy at their orphanage, that get to play. Not all children will be as delayed as Jadon, some will be further damaged. That fact is heart breaking. If you are feeling the call to adopt, please listen. Your child is waiting. 

love, 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

For the love of Peter and Ty

I am writing today with great urgency. I am begging and pleading for donations for the Kehm family. They are leaving Texas on December 3rd to go overseas to an Eastern European country to ransom 2 children born with Down syndrome.

Peter and Ty

These boys are in the same orphanage and Cam and Julie want to bring them both home. They committed to Peter in February but Ty has been on Julie's heart from the beginning. In November, while waiting and waiting, and waiting for their referral appointment date, Julie and Cam committed to Ty. Within days of committing to BOTH BOYS, they learned of their travel date, December 3rd and their referral appointment is December 6th. Julie and Cam thought they had a couple MONTHS to raise Ty's ransom, not a couple days.

Julie frantically began working overtime. Socking away all she could. They are leaving in 2 days, short on funds and trusting it will all work out.

I am praying for her fund to jump another $2500. 

Patti is hosting Pure Love Giveway 2 right now on her blog A Perfect Lily  

Patti has over $1,000 in gifts available for just a simple donation.  Simply donate to the Kehm FSP and you have an opportunity to have a iPad2 gifted to you, maybe a Kindle Fire (or two), a $500 giftcard, Scentsy products....all sorts of great gifts! And the bonus is they will be gifted on December 13th.

Please, if you don't have the money to spare, SHARE THIS BLOG POST PLEASE. If you don't have $10 but you have $1.00, please donate. I've been down this road myself, I know, I KNOW each and EVERY single dollar makes a difference. I promise you, Julie will be eternally grateful. 

Prayers are free and much appreciated!!!! 

love, 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

WOW, starting December off Thankful, still

We lost power around 5:45 p.m. November 29, 2011. Our power was restored at 12:46 p.m. December 1, 2011.

I had but one prayer, for my babies to stay warm. God provided. We stayed home, ate out for each meal. We showered at our church. Thank you New Beginnings Christian Fellowship for being there for us.

We have lost all of our food in two refrigerators & two freezers. But that is ok, we can replace all of our food, my babies were warm. It was an adventure, for sure. Certainly, the conditions were not ideal, by no means, but we made it.

THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON (FAMILY OR STRANGERS) WHO OFFERED TO HELP US.

love, 


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)