An update on Isaiah

For the first time since accepting the referral of the boys we got an update as to Isaiah's weight etc. When he entered the orphanage he wieghed 26 pounds he is now at 30 pounds! He is 35.2 inches tall, has a 6.3 inch foot and his head circumference is 19.7. He is about the height of Malakai, I'm guessing and only weighs 6 pounds less than Alana so that is good! The e-mail I got also said that he has quite the personality and is a humorous little fellow like his little brother. Such good news! Can we go get them yet? Pretty please, with cherries on top!

An update on Judah

We got an update that Judah started crawling! He now weighs in at a hefty (not) 16 pounds, is 27 inches long, has 4 " feet and his head is 17.5 in. in circumference. On the US charts he is below the charts for weight but in the 10 % for height and head circumference for 9 month olds. My baby is growing up and I'm not there to see it... I'm sad.

The waiting game

In 5 days we will have waited for 2 months since our referral of the boys. It saddens me a great deal that we still have a long way to go and that the adoption won't be final until at least April, God willing it won't be longer than that. Passports are still moving at a snails pace and all we can do is pray that things will be moving quickly and smoothly by the time our turn comes up. It is so strange to have these boys that you know are yours and yet they know nothing about you! They have impacted our lives in many ways but they still don't know what is really coming. We see them each day when we open our refridgerator because their cute little faces are taped up there and also on the stairs. My in-laws bought Alana and Kai there own black baby dolls and Malakai sleeps with his every night telling me it's his baby Judah and that I need to cover him up with a blanket. No one ever alluded to the fact that this baby is "just like Judah and Isaiah" he just picked it up on his own. When we are having something really yummy to eat or went on a fun ride at Disneyland one of the kids might say, "I wonder if Isaiah would like that ride?" or "Do you think Judah will like this soup?" It seems that they are already a part of our family and yet they are so far away. We haven't been waiting half as long as many of the families who are still waiting on their kids' passports but I still want this wait to end. All in God's timing but I am a selfish human being and want them here now; our lives just seem to be missing something because they are not here. It seems like we are always waiting when it comes to our kids. You'd think I'd be used to it by now! Sigh... I miss them.

A revelation

Maybe it's not so huge as that but as I was reading my Bible this morning I came across something that made me think.

Luke 9: 1-3 says "Now as Jesus passed by he saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, ' Neither this man nor His parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.'

What an amazing passage on so many levels! What struck me the most was the fact that this man was born blind and had lived life without sight for only one reason, 'that the works of God should be revealed in him.' The road of infertility has been one of much pain and agony as Jonah and I have dealt with it over the last 3 years. We have often cried out to God asking, "Why us? Why? When we wanted to have many children and raise them up for you!?" Now the answer seems very clear to me, ' that the works of God should be revealed in us.' Jonah and I fully believe that God can heal us and allow us to carry biological children. We believe that wholeheartedly, but maybe for the time being He is doing a work in us that cannot be done unless we go through the "blindness" of infertility. What an amazing God we serve! For the first time since we were told by a doctor that there was no way we could ever concieve I feel at peace about it. I know that no matter what my desires are God is using this to fulfill His works!

As a side note I want to add that I in no way wish I didn't have my children so that I could have had biological kids. I love my kids more than anything and couldn't imagine my life without them. That said I will quote something I heard once that is very true, "Adoption doesn't cure infertility; it only cures childlessness." The desire to have a biological child does not magically disappear when you adopt a child.

Good night; it's late!

A bunch of random things

There are a few things that I wanted to share so I'll just put them all on this blog post.

- We took the kids to Disneyland yesterday (got season passes for Christmas). The Matterhorn was open for the first time since we had been there 3 months ago and we were all excited to go on it. Alana and Kai were tall enough but we weren't sure how they would react. Kai LOVES the little roller coaster in Toon town and it's pretty fast so we knew he would probably be OK. Alana on the other hand was terrified. I asked her if she would be brave for me and not cry. She said she didn't want to go on it. I said that was fine but how would she know if she didn't like it if she never went on it? It took a little coaxing and the promise that she would be held super tight the whole time to get her in that bobsled. As we took off I wasn't so sure. She surprised me though. I thought for sure my super emotional girl was going to burst into tears but she just held on super tight with big eyes and rode it out. After it was over Jonah and I told her how proud we were of her and the smile on her face could have lit up the park. Her first response, "I wanna go again!" Such a proud moment. Kai loved it too and was laughing and smiling the whole time.

- This morning while I was getting breakfast ready Kai was trying to wrestle Alana to the ground and she was screaming. I asked her if she was hurt and she said, " No, I just don't want him doing that." I told her that he was just playing with her and she says, "Mama I'm not a toy!" I burst into laughter as she goes over to Kai and says with all seriousness, "KaiKai, I am not a toy for you to play with, please stop." Oh the drama of a 3 year old girl. This one is going to give us a run for our money. Oh wait, she already does!

- I wrote an earlier post about Malakai and his injuries. Well, there are 4 more, and yes, they are all on his face. 1 new scratch on his forehead, a bruise under each eye and just this morning he rammed his tooth once again into his lip and made it bleed. Oh the joys or raising boys!

- For Christmas Sarah got her very own sewing machine and today she made her first project, a bag! She still needs to work on sewing straight lines but she did really well and I am proud of her. She asked if we could go get some more fabric and ribbon and she can make them for friends who are having birthday's, what a great idea! Don't be surprised if you get a handmade bag from Sarah one of these days.

- A prayer request- As many of you know Jonah has been sick off and on for a very long time. Well, finally his doctor is working on trying to figure out what is going on. He just can't seem to get completely well. There are some question marks on his blood work which worry Jonah and I a little and we would just like to know what we can do to make him well for GOOD! Of course what we would like to have happen is for God to miraculously heal Jonah, so if you could pray with us for that. Also, he leaves in 2 1/2 weeks for Liberia. Pray for traveling mercies and that he will have a huge impact on the people there in whatever aspect he will be working. He is beyond excited but also nervous about being sick when it's time to go or getting sick while he is there.

 

My sweet smiling Isaiah

Look at that sweet smile. What a beautiful sight that is for his Mama! Melodie, the orphanage director said that all the kids were tickling him and trying to get him to smile and so that is why all the hands around him. She also said he seems to be enjoying life much more and has kinda come out of his grieving a bit. I can't even believe this is the same boy as the last pictures which were awful. He is such a cutie and looks so much like his little brother. I absolutely cannot wait to go get him! Seeing him makes me all the more jealous that Jonah will be getting to meet this little guy within the next month. At least I will get lots of pictures and maybe a video or 2. 

Birth certificates

Yesterday we got the girl's new birth certificates with their new names and our names on them. Somehow it seems strange to me that they would issue a new birth cert. with their birthparents names taken out and ours put in. It just strikes me as odd. I mean the fact is that J and M were Sarah's parents at the time she was born(no I don't like it but it's fact) and for 4 years after that for the most part (depends on what you define parent as). For Alana it's a bit different just because she was so young but for Sarah it just doesn't seem right. I showed them to her yesterday and told her how strange I thought it was. Her response? "But Mom, J isn't my Mom anymore and right there (pointing to the BC) it says Mother's Maiden Name. That's you." I am glad that she sees it so easy, I just cannot.

My poor boy

I don't know what the problem is with Malakai but it seems that the last week he has been getting hurt a lot more than usual, and all on his face! First it was a scratch that I gave him next to his eye while we were playing and he literally lunged at me, I put my hands up to protect myself! Then he happened upon another scratch somehow about an inch below the previous one. A few days later and one more scratch next to his nose. Yesterday he fell and got a major rug burn on his forehead down to the tip of his nose. Today, I just finished dealing with it, he tripped and rammed his tooth into the edge of the footboard of his bed. He did it so hard that the wood is splintered now where he hit it. Of course there was lots of blood and him being Malakai ran away from me screaming in pain but wouldn't let me comfort him or hold him. I was seriously thinking I should call Jonah to come over because it started swelling really fast and now he has a fat lip and cheek. I finally just let him alone and watched him while he cried and gave him some juice. I don't know if there was any damage to the tooth, I pray there isn't, but I looked(when he would let me) and all seemed fine except for a gash on his bottom and top lip (guessing from his tooth). I don't know if i'm ready to handle such injuries. Not looking forward to my first broken bone or open wound! Thank God Jonah is just around the corner now.

It's too cold!

For the last few nights it has been freezing outside. The result? Our plants are dying! It makes me so angry! It has been so cold during the day that the ice cubes Jonah threw out in the dirt 4 days ago are still there and whole. Don't look like they've melted hardly at all. I just pray that our plants won't die completely so that we won't have to spend a fortune to buy new plants. God knows we can't afford "plant money" right now! Ha! I'm tired of being cold. Wish I was in Atlantis with my parents, brother and sis-in-law soaking up the sun. Here's to dreamin'!

Karate times 5

Yesterday was Sarah's fifth Karate class since starting and I can not tell you the difference in that girl. We had a bit of a problem the first 3 classes as she was not trying and just kinda there, if you know what I mean. Many of you know that Sarah is extremely shy around those she doesn't know and it was carrying over to Karate class. Well on her 4th class I sat her down and told her that if I didn't see a difference in her I would be pulling her out for good because if she wasn't going to try her best there was no reason for us to be paying for it. That was all it took! I was amazed at how well she did and she even got her first stripe that day on her belt (they get 5 stripes and they get to test for the next belt) because she tried so hard and Sensei saw the difference. I am proud of her. You can see her confidence building and she is wanting to practice all the time at home. Jonah has her do her drills and they spar a little back and forth. Before she would just run away but now she is blocking his blows and trying her own punches. The best part is that it is teaching her to keep her hands off her face and in her mouth which has been a habit of her's since we got her at 4. Sensei told her that it is disrespectful to keep your hands on your waist or crossed while with other people and especially in Dojo (studio). She hasn't had a problem since and I've even noticed it being a bit better at home too. That's all for today. We're going to sit around in our cozy house to stay warm, it's COLD outside today!

A poem that touched my heart

The Waiting Child
by Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
``Does no-one want a child of three?"

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.
Can this be true?I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.

Poem Copyright1997

I cannot read this poem without tears in my eyes. Many of you may or may not know that if Jonah and I had the resources we would adopt every single child that needed a home(Jonah says I am addicted). Alas, we are only human and only have a certain number of bedrooms and financial abilities. We have prayed and thought many times about the older kids waiting for adoption and how they must feel, this poem shows that in a small way. Maybe in the future we will be adopting an older boy or girl, I do not know. Until then maybe one of you has it in your heart to adopt an older child? There are SOOO many that just want a home and a Mom and Dad to love them and call their own. There are 500 kids(age 4-15) alone in the Dixville orphanage in Liberia waiting and waiting for someone to claim them and give them a family. That is not to mention all the others in Liberia as well as Sierre Lione, Ethiopia, Russia, China, and the list could go on and on. My heart is heavy today for the fatherless, I wish I could do something more.

Missing my boys today

Just wanted to say that I am really missing the boys today. Some days are fine and I hardly worry about it. I see them all the time in the house since their pictures are plastered everywhere, wish I had some more of Isaiah though. Tonight before bedtime Jonah and I had a wonderful playtime with the kids, actually I was playing and Jonah was watching as he is sick. It was a blast and alas it got me thinking of how much funner (I know it's not correct but it's "my" word) it would be to have 2 more little guys there with us. We just enjoy our kids so much and can't wait till the joy is added to by 2 new boys!
Note: Got the suitcases out today to start slowly packing supplies for Jonah starting with necessities and then things the orphanages really need right now. Thanks too all the donations from friends and family we have a bunch of stuff to take over. We are actually very lucky Jonah is going this time and will be able to bring one whole suitcase of just donations.

Time for bed, night!

Our clinic experience

First off I will tell you that Jonah is going to Liberia February 10-26 to help in a medical clinic connected with ACFI (african christian fellowship international) and will possibly be also working with Children Concerned who helps place the kids at Shephard's Village where Randall is. Jonah is not sure exactly what he is doing while he is there but is going with a servants heart to help the people of Liberia however he can. In order to go they require that travelers are vaccinated against yellow fever. Since Jonah only has a short time till he travels we decided to go and get our shots done together. It is very hard to find a travel clinic and the closest one we could find was 35 mintues away.
A clinic is a different experience, it is really an emergency clinic but they also do travel vcaccines. They seem to be in no rush to see you. Our appointment was at noon and we were finally brought to a room at 1. There we waited 20 minutes for the doctor to come in. Jonah was fuming and very restless. He had just gotten off work that morning and was tired, the last thing he wanted to do was spend an hour waiting. And of course all the kids were with us too although they were amazing! At 1:20 we were told that they only had one vaccine so they couldn't do us both, of course making us even more mad but we said alright, Jonah needed it first. At around 1:35 the doctor came in and sat down (we weren't sure why the doc needed to see us as the nurse was the one giving the shot) and asked why we were going to Liberia. Jonah told him and then he asked us if we knew what countries surrounded Liberia. We told him and he got a huge smile on his face and said, "You are correct and I am from Sierre Lione!" Right then the whole wait was worth it. He spent 20 minutes with us answering questions, giving us advice and telling us a story. He was a doctor there and had a hospital. During the fighting in Sierre Lione (over diamonds, new movie out about it and he says it is accurate except the attrocities were much worse than in the movie), the rebels stole all the medicine, burned the hospital to the ground and then used it for the rest of the war as their head base. He says he was lucky to escape alive. That is when he came to the US. I will be going back when they get the next shipment in and am looking forward to it actually. Of course this time I will be by myself without the kids which always makes it much easier.
One piece of advice. If you ever go to a clinic be prepared for a LONG wait even if you have an appointment.

Karate

Today was quite the adventure for Sarah. I signed her up for an intorductory karate class to see if it would be something she would like to do. So far nothing has hit her fancy; gymnastics, ballet, tap. We went to the studio with her asking questions the WHOLE way! Because I have never done Karate before I couldn't answer most of them but the one I could answer was, "No, you are not going to fight with the other kids, no one will hurt you." She seemed very concerned with that. When we got there the room was filled with about 6 boys all punching bags hanging from the ceiling. I saw the terror in her eyes and reminded her that she would only have to see what it is like and if she didn't like it would never have to do it again. The sunse' (spelling?) came out to meet her and brought along his assistant who was thankfully a girl and about 15. She tied Sarah's belt and showed her how to bow before going into the studio. Well Sarah turned to me with a frightened look and tears in her eyes and said, "I'm not going to do this!" I was surprised but told her she had to (with her insisting and shaking her head no) and I promised she was going to have fun. After about 7 minutes she was having a blast but still not sure about the whole thing. The thing that turned her around was the punching, she LOVED this! And because Jonah has taught her how to throw a punch she did quite well at it too. We will see after the next 3 classes if this is something she would want to do but for now I am just proud of her for sticking out the class and trying. She was very impressed with the young girl and that she was almost a black belt and asked if she could be a teacher like her one day. So we shall see...

Also, Kai just sat and stared at the kids the whole time. We may have another little Karate student in our future.

Some sweet news

We got an e-mail today from the director of the orphanage to tell us some good news about Isaiah. She wrote to say that he is slowly opening up. She caught him talking excitedly with another little boy and later actually laughed when she tickled him. I guess this is something he fought very hard before and this was the first time the director saw him smile. She said she will get us a picture of him smiling when she has the time but for now it is so wonderful just to hear that he laughed and is making friends. It's all in the little things...

Oh, and one more thing. I also learned that they had a BIG party on Christmas day with all the food the kids could eat because of someones generous donation to make the day special for all these kids waiting for their families. Supposedly the Kool-Aid was a big hit and many of the kids had to lay down after because they had belly aches! Ha! Such fun to be had, I am so grateful for the wonderful staff there that love on my kids while they are not with me.

Happy New Year!!!

I pray that all of you will have the best year ever. Talking about it last night Jonah and I decided that this was definitely the best year we've had (from Jan to Jan) since we have been married. In Feb. we went to Hawaii for 2 weeks with the kids and had a blast. In March we finalized the adoption of our 3 kids. In April we moved to So Cal and into a GREAT house that we love. In June we started the adoption to Liberia and in December we got Judah and Isaiah's referral and Jonah moved to the fire station right over the hill from our house, he loves it. In between that there was lots of laughs and joys we shared as a family and so it has been dubbed our best year yet. Of course we are praying that 2007 will surpass 2006 by far and hope that it does for all of you too.

This morning we talked about what to look forward to this coming year and here are some things we came up with...
Jonah is turning 32 this year
I am turning ththththirty this year (YIKES!)
Sarah will be EIGHT! Alana will be FOUR and Kai will be THREE! My babies are getting too big!
Isaiah will be 4 and coming home to his forever family this year
Judah will celebrate his first birthday this year, we just hope he will be with us for it
Who knows if there are any other kids in our 2007 future but we're not putting it past God to blow us out of the water with lots of kid blessings. :)

May God bless you beyond your wildest imaginations this year!