8 Days of Thankfulness

Today, I am thankful for two things forgiveness and the ability to rejoice, even in the face of hurt and sadness; I can rejoice in the blessings God has given our family. Because of Him, I can forgive freely. Sometimes, it takes some time to give that forgiveness. Sometimes, it is easier to hang on to it than to give the situation over to Him and offer up forgiveness in place of the hurt and sadness.

Thankfully, coming to a place where I know I can only pray for whatever the issues at hand are, whether it be with family, being letdown by a friend or a loved one, or my heart aching for the orphans we left behind---I know that praying is all I need to be able to forgive, let go and rejoice.

I can rejoice in my Heavenly Father, who is always there for me. I can rejoice that my heart is full of love for my boys and my husband. I can rejoice in the journey that led us from Alexander to the Ukraine to bring home our son, Jadon; not just a child, we did not do this to save a child. We brought home our son, and believe me, there is a difference. I can rejoice that our transition here at home has been full of supports and love. I can rejoice that Jadon has eased into our family with such simplicity that I stand in AWE of what He has done for our family, even though that meant leaving another family forever changed as well.

I will continue to pray for the situations I know I have no control over and rejoice in knowing they are HIS job to handle and not mine.

It is truly great being here, now, and knowing....that I have been given the hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places and I KNOW that HE is my LORD. My adoption prayer was answered.



"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)

Day 7 of Thanksgiving

Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to dress more femininely and in a God pleasing manner. There is much to be said for modesty on behalf of a woman.

I regret it took me going to a culture whose women dress very much in a provocative manner. Traveling was quite an eye opener in many levels. But, the one thing, I am grateful for is the call in my heart to be modest in my dressing from now on. I am thankful I will be able to do this slowly but surely. I loved that I was able to dress for church today in a new skirt, that came mid-calf, opaque tights, 1.5 inch heels, a longsleeve shirt and sweater shrug. I looked nice, and felt great.

My Pastor's wife, Donna, even commented that I looked nice today. I explained why I was dressed the way I was--it was a pleasant conversation. I have been lax in wearing what I have to church, our church is laid back, no one cares if I wear jeans (indeed, many people do) but I won't any more. Skirts or slacks. Period. I want my best for Him in all manner of my life and that includes how I dress.

Thank you, God, for that message.



"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)

6 Days of Thankfulness

Today, as I have definitely not gained an hour of sleep, I am thankful that our two early risers are playing. Playing?

What's the big deal? Why be thankful? You see, one of those early risers is Jadon (Joseph the other, Jackson loves his sleep). Jadon is playing and not sitting in a corner, rocking, and rubbing his head against the nearest piece of furniture sitting at a 90 degree angle from the wall he is rocking against.

Jadon is progressing, beautifully. He is BONDING! He LOVES when his Da-Da comes home and proudly calls out for him (yes, the wee peanut says Da-Da with meaning just like all my others did long before they acknowledged me by name).

Jadon will dance and make sounds with Da-Da, including new vocalizations he will NOT make with me or for me...stinkpot.  Jadon is now willingly, spontaneously crawling over to us and up into our laps. He will engage with the boys spontaneously. He is getting less and less greedy at the table and learning to "chew and WAIT" for that next bite when self-feeding.

He knows what eat means, and comes a scootin' fast as he can with a beautiful 4 point crawl. He can sign more and drink. He will wave bye-bye. It's always late of course, and, yet, it's right on time, just like any other little one just learning to wave!

He LOVES to take baths. LOVES to take baths. I was so worried he would be terrified of the bath. And, even when Joseph dumps water on his head--he doesn't seem too bothered by it. Joseph LOVES to get in the tub with Jadon.

I have to say, most all of the things I read that we could encounter when we got home have not come to fruition. Is he delayed? Yes. Can we get past that? Time will tell. Do I believe he is capable of learning? You betcha! We are, quite frankly, more set in growing bonds and attachments that the therapies are not burning right now. I've contacted a local servicing center, we shall see if they take our insurance. I should know Monday and if so, we will start the process for therapies for Jadon and see what else we can get for Joseph too.

I've had people ask, "How delayed is Jadon"? Truthfully? He is doing many things a 6 month-9 month old would do with ease and not much more than that. BUT, his abilities (or lack there of if you prefer--but I do not) do NOT matter to me. He is my baby boy, my son and he is no longer wasting away in the babyhouse. He is home and BLOSSOMING!!!!!! And that, is precisely, what I am THANKFUL for today.

and remember "Love makes everything grow"

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)

Day 5 of Thankfulness

Yesterday, I learned that I have two sons, both born with Down syndrome AND BOTH born with WHOLE HEARTS!!! I am so happy.

I've never lied, I don't think I am cut out to be a heart mom. I was/am terrified of it. I am in awe of the wee little heroes and their mommies that have walked that mile and come out the other side AMAZINGLY stronger. My dearest online sisters knew my fear for Jadon's heart, especially with his size being so very small.

Here are the facts on heart defects and Down syndrome. "Abnormalities of the cardiovascular system are common in Down syndrome. Approximately half of all infants born with Down syndrome have a heart defect. Many of these defects have serious implications and it is important to understand them and how they may affect the child so that appropriate medical may be provided" (NDSS website).


I know how blessed we are to have not been in the half of children born with defects, but, I also want to acknowledge our blessing does NOT mean those children/families battling defects aren't blessed. They are, there are lessons to be learned through those challenges, lessons God did not have in store for me apparently.
I am ok with that, I am more than grateful for that. I give praise to HIM for that. I don't mind learnin' but I am grateful that is something I may never know about.

My sister, Cathy, is a heart mom---Lily is a warrior. My sister, Penny, is a heart mom---Wyatt is a warrior. My sister, Deanna, is a heart mom---Ragen is a warrior.  My sister, Anna, is a heart mom---Ellie is a warrior. My sister, Julie, is a heart mom---Kai is a warrior and she will be doing it AGAIN when Peter comes home. I am in awe of her!!!

I have many more "sisters" who are heart moms....I bow to you, you have my utmost love and respect! But today, I am thankful I am not a heart mom.






"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)