It's Post Placement Report Time!

Oh MY!  Why did I think this month would be a good time to refinance the house??? MORE PAPER WORK!
Tomorrow our favorite social worker comes for a visit, as a friend.....:)
I cannot believe it is time for Alli's post placement report for NC and RUSSIA.....
I'm almost a little relieved that the time has come and we can give a good report.
I still need to put together everything for tomorrow, after I go to the house for the inspector to inspect. UGH
I am also going to miss a baby shower I needed to attend....
BUT.... it is all in a day's work!
Oh yea, Sarah's post placement report is due on Wednesday. I'm almost finished with it, and will mail it tomorrow.
So, in order for us to get ready, we started with the girl's room! Oh yes, they LIVE in this room, A LOT!

I miss my old bathroom.... but it is what is best for now. :)

Whole Fish and Eye Balls

Anna requested that we make whole fish instead of just fillets.... So, I got brave and bought some fish with heads and all....and boy was she excited!
I thought they were rather pretty on the dish!

 We don't usually kiss our fish, but this was a special occasion. :)

 Note, the inactivity of Erika and Sarah..... :)
Anna asked if she could eat the eyeball.  Alli wanted to try it too.   The other two girls..... thought that was a rather disgusting idea. LOL
So..... if you ever want to know what a fish eye tastes like.... you will have two opinions here:

And all the fish was gone!  It really did taste delicious, much better than just buying the fillets, even though the bones were a little annoying......

This Old Quilt

Over a year ago, we purchased this quilt at an adoption garage sale, for another Reece's Rainbow child. When I bought it, I thought it would be cool to send it all around the country, through personal auction to help others bring their kids home.
I haven't thought of how to do it until now.....

This old quilt is old. It is very similar to one my gramma made in the 1930's..  It has some very worn areas, but if you love antiques like I do... that just means it has been well loved. :)  This is it on my queen sized bed. It is a little small for a queen, but would fit  quite well on a double or on a quilt display rack. That is usually where I keep it.

So, Katya NEEDS to come home, and her family is desperately trying to raise the funds for their final trip back to get her.
I would like to hold a silent auction for the Deucks, so they can go back and get Katya without debt.
Just email me privately with any amount above 50 dollars.  I will close the silent auction on Monday and the quilt will go to the highest bidder.

I love this adoption quilt. :)
I pray that it continues to go around the country and serve in silence and warmth. :)

You can also go to Hope Anne's blog: , and donate on her side bar.  They need around 8,000 more dollars. They have 740 the last time I checked.
my email address is in my profile. :)
Here are some more pictures of the wear areas: You really can't tell unless you are up close.

Lake Days

Lake Days are here again! We miss Katie and Lillian, but we are having a great time!

Yesterday the girls brought a friend with them.  I love living close to the lake. It is just a few minutes away and so relaxing.

What Ever My God Ordains is Right

Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right

1. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all

2. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day

3. Whate’er my God ordains is

right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart

4. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care
Is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

©1998 David Braud Music.

More Thoughts on Special Needs Adoption

I wrote a post a while back called "The Importance of Adoption and Special Needs"....
Today, I was compelled to write more thoughts on this issue.

A cyber friend is adopting right now, a little girl from Reece's Rainbow, and it has been suggested that this family needs to rethink their decision to bring a special needs child home.  Mind you, this person didn't say anything until now, after the court date, DURING the 10 day wait! ugh

I have to say, I am deeply saddened by this.  I read this a.m. that another family is being attacked verbally by a neighbor WHILE they are gone, getting 2 children with special needs.  They are in the EE country during the waiting time, and are hearing awful things... Folks these are terribly stressful times to be in, without having to deal with ugliness.

I just wonder, if maybe these people who attack in such ways are in a way personally feeling guilt because they would not do such a thing?  I don't know.  But the heartache it causes for those families already stressed by the process can be unbearable.  Yes, unbearable.
What families in process need is our support, love and encouragement.  Children who are traumatized by abandonment, neglect and deprivation and are physically different than the "norm" DESERVE JUST AS MUCH to have a LOVING FAMILY as any other child.....They NEED so much. They need  our coos, our adoring looks, just like any other child does.  They need our unconditional love and assurance, our continued support and energy...our joy and affection.... they are PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS !

But oh, I forgot, we live in a society that truly FROWNS on the handicapped. We don't like to see them. It makes us uncomfortable.  We don't like to think, that there are MANY, MANY children both HERE in the United States and in other countries that are systematically NEGLECTED because of their disabilities, and many have spare rooms, HUGE homes, sitting EMPTY.

How could anybody argue against loving another person ??   
One of my most memorable experiences in dealing with this sort of thinking, was when we were at the American Embassy in Ukraine. We walked in with our daughter and some man turned and saw us. And with a look of "disgust" as if he must have thought he was God's gift to humanity (LOL)  he said, "Oh brother, how much is THAT going to cost me!" 
I have to say, I felt a fire burn within me that I had never felt in a long time. (Not since somebody said something rude about our son)  Mike whispered in my ear, "Down girl"...... I was searching in my purse for a quarter to throw at the guy...... just IN CASE she might cost him a quarter. She hasn't cost him a penny.
But that attitude, UGH, makes me so fuming angry.  What makes us think we are BETTER than another human being? What makes us think a "beautiful child" deserves more love and attention than a child who isn't beautiful to look at?  And who decides what is beautiful anyway????

As parents we FIND beautiful things about our children to admire; sweet baby toes, cute little noses, sweet noises they make, an expression, the way they hold a bottle, the way they give hugs, or the look in their eyes."  There is something beautiful about each and every person who lives and breathes.
The IMPORTANT type of beauty is what is inside, in the heart.... as we all know the quote, "Beauty is only skin deep", or "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"..... the truth is:  "HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL in HIS time!"
I can't wait to see the little ones who are coming home, flourish..... That my friends is BEAUTIFUL!

So, if you know somebody who is adopting a child with special needs, please ENCOURAGE them, so they don't have to say, "Get thee behind me Satan!"  Please give them the benefit of the doubt that they MAY have thought this through, and are intelligent enough to make a decision that might be different from your own!
Honestly, I worry more about people who want the "perfect child, under a certain age, with no history of alcohol, abuse, neglect, with blonde hair and blue eyes and that will adore them from day one. And don't forget the measuring tapes to make sure head circumference is correct and they are on some sort of "chart"....."  I call this "FANTASY LAND....
EVERY CHILD from an orphanage has had NEGLECT, many have been abused, they are ALL traumatized no matter HOW many toys the workers show you, they HAVE ALL been rejected......
AND, there are NO PERFECT CHILDREN, bio or adopted.
Babies do not rock back and forth in cribs in repetition because of the great care they have received.
And yes, there are many good workers in the orphanages... .but they are underpaid and overworked and there is NO WAY they can care for so many children.

God has not given us life to use just for ourselves. He calls us to serve, to love, to give.......
Our lives are NOT our own.  And there is deep and great joy in the service of the King.
And an added benefit?  LOVING, HAPPY,CARING  and THRIVING children! :)

Why would any loving human being want another child to sit and rot?

This Morning

Today  when I woke to Sarah's sweet hug.... and the smell of Fresh Coffee, I decided it would be good to spend a little one on one with her.

 She is so cute.  She has recently struggled with being a little embarrassed about her leg and has wanted to wear her prosthetic in the lake.  It makes me nervous, because if she does, it would be very hard to find if she were to lose it. 
Also, I wanted to encourage her to not be embarrassed!  She has nothing to be embarrassed about.... I love her little leg. :)
Yesterday, she surprised me! She took it right off and hopped into the water. 
Then, this a.m., she sat down and said, "You know mama, I have lots of things to be thankful for, including my prosthetic leg!"  I said, "Well tell me!"
She said,
"Well, when I fall, it doesn't hurt. I slammed it into the door and it didn't hurt.  A bike fell on my leg and it didn't hurt!  LOL

 It is Erika's week for kitchen duty.  However, Anna decided she would help, to Erika's shock. LOL
I love lake days.... everybody wants to pitch in and help so we can head to the lake to swim. 

 And then, there is sleeping beauty..... life is going on, and she is still asleep. :)

The big question is:  Where did the sheets go?????   (they are laying next to the bed for some reason)...
I think Alli and Sarah need a new lesson on how to make sheets stay on a bed!

Summer Fun

It's Blackberry Season Again!

I'll add these to the ones already pulled and make a pie!

Wild Flowers

Anna and Sarah went for a long walk today and on the way home, Anna picked these flowers from an obliging field.  I think they are just beautiful! The one of the right was especially interesting.... it is flower on top of flower on the same stem.....  This year has been a very good year for wild flowers. :)

My Short Wearing Days are Over

I put on a pair of cutoffs today..... the girls were looking at me and then started the commnets:  "Mom you have strange knee caps.... you have  a bruise..... those shorts are kind of old fashioned......
I looked in the mirror and they were right.
So, I'm in my favorite jeans.  It will be hot, but I won't look like the white legged lady with a bruise and bad knee caps. :)

No picture is necessary. :)

Dogs and Cats and Kids

 Alli loves playing dressup, and today was Guess's turn to be her dress up vicitm. He took it in good humor and even posed for a lovely picture! :)

This is Mr. Spoiled Cat.... note the closed eyes as he eats CHICKEN! LIKE A HUGE CAN OF CHICKEN!  Anna asked if she could give him some tuna because we were out of cat food.
I said yes...... The next thing I know is she says he is enjoying his tuna!   Then I see my  3 dollar can of Chicken being devoured!  Hope you like it Mr. Kitty....because that won't happen again! I promise!
I made sure Anna saw what the difference was between the two cans. LOL  It is always a good idea to read labels! :)

Visiting Old Friends

Today we visited our old church.  We have missed so many faces each week, and we thought after a year, it really is time to go and visit.... We know many who pray for us on a daily basis and we are so thankful!
Alli also had the priveledge of meeting some very precious people to our family. :)

I was so happy to see them! We were able to share once again how God has brought us on a new journey.
It is wonderful to encourage and be encouraged by the body of Christ.

What a precious day.  We love those we worship with now....and they too are precious to us....
But in our old church, they were with us from the beginning when we brought each of our girls home.
They were instrumental in praying for us, and one man in particular was instrumental in Erika being able to come home.
It is quite a drive to our old church.... so we were singing in the car on the way.....

We are truly, TRULY blessed!

Peter Pan

This was our Friday Night Movie..... It was really fantasic!  It was closer to the book, and the girls ALL enjoyed it very much.... There was some violence that was a little intense, but it is PG.... so it may not be for all audiences.... however we REALLY enjoyed it!

Gardening Failure

Yep, that is my new title! I am a gardening failure!  I have wanted to plant a raised bed garden for awhile.... and it seems that time gets ahead of me, and then it is planting time, and then it is beyond planting time, and then it is just too late.... and with Sprouts, right down the street, with good prices..... UGH.... yep, I'm a gardening failure!

We had gardens 10 years ago that were envious. Loads of veges and fresh tomatoes, and fruit....
and now, weeds. 

My body has not cooperated with my mind for a few years now. If I bend over to weed, I'm stuck.... with a bad back.  If I try to pull weeds, I'm stuck with a stiff hand.....and the list goes on. UGH   Getting old is getting OLD!
I would much prefer to garden to oblivion!  But..... with weeds..... I can't keep up.

So, the raised bed garden would be a blessing, as I wouldn't have to bend over so far, AND, there were be much fewer weeds.... and then even Erika could help, as she wouldn't have to bend.   What a glorious idea! 
I think I will plan NOW, for NEXT year, and slowly get things started and built.  A little landscape timber at a time.....   And then, maybe I can  start to CAN once again!  I still have a can of pickled broccoli, but I don't want to open it.... as it is my last canned project in the cupboard. :)

I also have visions of a winter garden where we can grow some cold veges like cabbage and broccoli....  Who knows! Maybe by winter, my plan will be put into place and I can square foot garden in raised beds! :)
We'll see.  In the mean time.... Sprouts will be my favorite store.....

AND... I'm going to try shredding zucchini and using it to replace cheese on tacos.  I have been doing REALLY well on my near vegetarian diet.... once I get dairy out of my life.. it will be all vegetarian

The Love Of God

Blog Visitors

I received a very nice note from somebody in Iceland! Welcome my Icelandic Friend. :)

If anybody is reading this, know that I love to hear from those who read, and find it fun that somebody would. :)  You are MORE than welcome to read and comment. 

So here is a BIG TEXAS HOWDY!  To all my readers!

What Is Up With This?

I thought Corell was supposed to last forever!

I poured hot water in my cup to drink, and it did this! Somehow, I feel a blog post of observation coming on. :) But not today.... to much to do!

3 Months

We have been together for 3 months now. Our adoption should be finalized in the next 2 weeks and we are very excited!  We haven't mentioned the date to Alli, so she doesn't get nervous.
We are so thankful for our new daughter.  She is doing so well. 


This month has been especially eventful.  We have made HUGE strides in attachment for all of us.  Alli has really become comfortable.... she isn't worrying like she did before. She knows she is here to stay. Tomorrow Alli will attend her very first Birthday Party.... yesterday, she walked with her sisters to the store for ice cream....she is so proud of herself.

What I have honestly seen is the transformation of a little girl who was tossed around and had no stability, into a happy child, who knows she is loved and is actually BRAVE enough to love us back.
I am seeing the labels disappear..... Instead, I'm seeing her cute personality come out.... her temperament is part of her personality, and she is learning how to use her self control tool.....

I no longer have to coax her to me if she is upset. She comes willingly. I no longer have to tell her to take deep breaths.... she does it on her own. :)

She has learned to admit wrong, and apologize, and also, and really more importantly, she has learned to forgive others when they have offended her.
This, in my opinion, is HUGE. It prevents holding things in and harboring anger.  She is quickly learning to let it go.

Today, she and Sarah had a little squabble about hair bows.  Silly? Yes.  Alli decided that she didn't want anybody to use the hair bows she brought with her.  Of course, she decided it in the middle of Sarah doing Erika's hair.  Oh my, Sarah was mad.... "That isn't FAIR! You said they were for everybody to use!"
Alli put them in her drawer and closed it, ending the hair do session.

I brought both girls into the living room. Alli had her turn to say what happened without interruption, then Sarah had her turn without interruption.....
And then Mommy, had to be Solomon.
"Sarah, I know you got frustrated, but it is not ok to raise your voice at your sister." You need to tell her you are sorry.
She did right away, and Alli forgave her.
BEFORE I could tell Alli her timing was bad, and she should have waited if she REALLY wanted to save those things for herself..... she VOLUNTEERED "Sarah, I'm sorry, I was wrong to do that."
"You can use the hair things if you want."

That is when I asked her if she really wanted to save them. We have other hair things I have bought for the girls. She said she did want to save them. So I got out the other hair things, and Sarah used those.
Then Alli put her things in a zip lock back and put them away for good.

And there was no anger harbored or resentment harbored.  Only 2 little girls who decided to play dressup and do toenails and fingernails and dressup, and they have been happy to play together.

These things may seem like small things to some, especially if you do not understand the neglected and abused child.  But for the child who has that background, these things are huge!

For a child with a history of anger to put that anger away, laying down the tool that they have use to  keep a safe distance, speaks volumes!
What can I see in the future?
Security!
Happiness!
Joy!
A life fulfilled!
Healthy Family Relationships!

Alli is the oldest child we have adopted, at 11.  Mike and I both were talking about what is considered "older"..... Mike said, "Really, how much do you remember of being 9 or 11?  Not much! :)
As Alli grows up, we pray that her memories of torment and destruction, will be replaced with Joy and healthy growth, emotionally, spiritually and physically! 

These last 3 months have had their times of struggle and triumph, and we rejoice that the Lord chose to use Us, in spite of all our short comings and failures,  to reach a very scared little girl.

To GOD be the Glory! Great things HE has done!

Lilly Bean!

Oh My Goodness! Our Lilly Bean is almost 7!  I haven't had a new picture in a while and MY she has changed! What a sweetie!
Ya-Ya loves you Beanie Baby!

My Daily Egg

A friend gave me this antique nesting box a few years ago. Mike hung it for me a while back and I love it...... I put hay in it to make it look more authentic.  The last several weeks, a wandering chicken has decided this is a much better area to lay her eggs than the coop....so we are getting back door delivery once again! LOL

A Giant Step part 2

I posted here that the girls went on their first venture alone....

I cracked up.... Our neighbor called about 30 minutes after the girls left and said, "Did you know the girls were going to cross the street at the signal?"  LOL 
I told her we did. Her daughter saw them, called her mom and her mom called me.
I am thankful for neighbors who watch out for us! :)

We were all excited when they came walking back within sight. Erika ran down the driveway to greet them.  Alli made Daddy's day by running down the drive way screaming "Daddy!" and she jumped into his arms. :)
She here are our hot sweaty girlies, all home safe and sound! :)  I am really proud of them!

Oh ya, here are our blackberries! We've made 2 pies so far. YUM!

A GIANT Step!

These three little darlings just left for their first walk ALONE to Walmart......It is about a mile walk 1 way.  They are going to get an ice cream, or soda, and then after sitting and visiting, like ladies, they are going to come home.  Anna has my cell phone.  They are SOOOOOO excited! 

And they are growing up!  I believe each of them have proven themselves trustworthy and they will do just fine.....
Where is Erika?  She really cannot walk that far safely.... so she is going to enjoy a soda at home, and spend some alone time with Mama.

Erika wasn't thrilled that she could not go. but this is one of those difficult decisions. I do not think it is safe for her to walk a mile on country roads with no sidewalks.  The girls can easily walk in a ditch... Erika cannot. 
This is how life is sometimes. When Tim was little, I did not apologize or feel sorry for him when his brothers could do some things he couldn't.  It is life. And it is the reality of having a severe disability.
HOWEVER, things get worked out..... Erika goes to Camp soon.  And Anna and Alli will not be going. They are blessed with all their limbs.  :)
I don't apologize to them either.  :)
Sometimes...... being a mom is just hard, having to make decisions.
So today, we CELEBRATE the first adventure of I'm sure MANY..... of girls going shopping. :)

Root Canals and Such

UGH !!!

Alli finished all her dental stuff and looks great. ME? I just went for a simple checkup....how is it, EVERY time I go, I have some horrible thing happening!  SO, my buick of a tooth was fixed today.
I really do like the new dentist. She was VERY good.  She also listened to me when I told her No Hydrocodone, it makes me feel awful......
So I'm on antibiotics and Tylenol 3 for now.  Apparently there was a pretty bad infection brewing....besides needing the root canal.  Oh my, I've been so busy with life, I didn't even notice.
Glad it is fixed!

The Princess Bride and Google

We watched "The Princess Bride" on Friday night and the girls loved it. Ever since then, they have been coming up with the silliest of rhymes AND, I always have to say, "No more rhyming I mean it!" So they can all say, "Anybody want a peanut?" And then they all roll with laughter. :)

Today, I was looking for a book to find some information.... Anna was observing me and said, "Mom, you are wasting your time! Google it!" LOL

It is amazing....to me how much information we have at our fingertips..... and the truth is:
I  LOVE google! LOL

The Best Token Spent At Chuck E. Cheese

For All My Girlies and And Some Boys I know :)