That is what I want for my son to be mine completely, for Christmas. I wonder if I will get that?
Some of you may not know how the adoption process works. So even though legally Noah is our son we have had to wait 6 months to finalize. No this does not mean birthmom can come in and take him away. Certain things have to happen before we finalize. The first is six monthly visits from a social worker to make sure all things are good with us and Noah. We have had 5 so far. Also because Noah is special needs his caseworker wanted to make sure he got a medical card to help with all the costs associated with his care. When the final stage is done we can fly back to Texas with all our children and have our day in court where they proclaim Noah to be ours and his name is officially changed. No more calls saying, " Are you Mrs. *******?" To which I reply, "No,but I am Noah's mother." No more visits once a month and we can finally breath.
I must say though that I have not worried about finalization. I am very confident in a few things, my God, our agency and his birthmom. My God knew before I was even born that Noah was my son. Our agency dotted every i and crossed every t. They know their stuff and were so good to us, still are. Noah's birthmom knows this is what is best for Noah. She chose us for a reason and stands behind her decision.
I must say with the recent news of Grayson (and also more updates on their facebook page) it concerned some family members. We got frantic calls of people asking, "They wont take our Noah will they?" No they wont take Noah. Our trust and reliance is in God.
But to be ours wholly and completely before Christmas....oh what a gift.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
8 months old?! No Way!
Noah is 8 months old. My oh my how fast they grow, huh. He is just so perfect. Let's see, what can I tell you about our Noah? He is 16lbs 6oz and 28 inches long. Yay! That means he is in the 5th % for weight and 75% for height. Noah still seems so small to me. When we brought him home he was 3 months old and 3 months delayed today Noah is 8 months old and only a little over a month delayed. What a difference!
He sits independently for several minutes at a time. He rolls over back to front and front to back. We are starting to put him on his knees to get ready to crawl and he will stay there now. After his braces we will focus on standing. Noah is very verbal. He likes to babble and "sing". He says mama and dada and nuhnuh he shakes his head yes and says nuh uh for no, lol. He hits his sisters and pulls hair :) He just got his first tooth and first cold :( He is the absolute light of my life(as well as my gals)
Tonight I did a shoot with Noah, take a look. He doesnt look bad for being sick.
Be blessed
He sits independently for several minutes at a time. He rolls over back to front and front to back. We are starting to put him on his knees to get ready to crawl and he will stay there now. After his braces we will focus on standing. Noah is very verbal. He likes to babble and "sing". He says mama and dada and nuhnuh he shakes his head yes and says nuh uh for no, lol. He hits his sisters and pulls hair :) He just got his first tooth and first cold :( He is the absolute light of my life(as well as my gals)
Tonight I did a shoot with Noah, take a look. He doesnt look bad for being sick.
Be blessed
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Answered Prayer
I love how God knows the desires of my heart and wants to give them to me. What a great daddy. I never ask God for these. I don't think I told this person that I wanted these either. But at 9pm last night I got a knock on my door and little did I know she was an answer to a prayer in my heart.
These shoes are great for kids with braces. I can put these over his braces when we get them. I was talking to Nancy yesterday and I told her they were something I wanted for him but when I went to the store they had all large sizes. I couldnt even tell her what the name of them were. I told her I would google them later and never discussed it with my friend who brought them over. I was so glad she was coming because I was giving her a dress I really liked that my youngest didnt get to wear much. Turns out she had that dress for her daughter when she was 3-6 months old and really loved it. She was excited to get it in a size her little one can wear.
God is so good isnt he. As she left vomiting ensued so please keep us in your prayers.
Be blessed
These shoes are great for kids with braces. I can put these over his braces when we get them. I was talking to Nancy yesterday and I told her they were something I wanted for him but when I went to the store they had all large sizes. I couldnt even tell her what the name of them were. I told her I would google them later and never discussed it with my friend who brought them over. I was so glad she was coming because I was giving her a dress I really liked that my youngest didnt get to wear much. Turns out she had that dress for her daughter when she was 3-6 months old and really loved it. She was excited to get it in a size her little one can wear.
God is so good isnt he. As she left vomiting ensued so please keep us in your prayers.
Be blessed
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Thank YOU!
Thank you moms out there who take your kids with the stomach flu to parties and church so other kids can catch it. Bless your little heart! I am so grateful to you for spreading that germ because you should not be the only mother that has to deal with vomit and poop!
Thank you for thinking of us and giving us the lovely little bug so that I can have 5x the amount of poop you had seeing as I have 5 kids.
Having to deal with a special needs child was becoming too much of a piece of cake so I am so glad you gave me something a bit more challenging to deal with. It is nice to know how strong you think I am am and seeing just how much more I can handle without breaking.
I now know that I can handle waking up to 2 children drenched in poop and in puke. That I can successfully keep up on my son's tube feedings and meds while changing a screaming toddler that has had more diaper changes than I can count and now has a red and burning bottom. I also know that I can keep doctors appointments and run to the pharmacy with 5 sick children and we can get to and from the car with minimal vomiting. Although I have found that I just cant keep the house clean while changing diapers, clothes and bedding 5x a day so if you come over I really would appreciate you not mentioning how bad I and my house look. Thank you for giving me a reason to spend more and more time with my Lord. I guess I really wasnt spending enough time and we missed each other. So, Thank you.
In all seriousness...
If you could please keep us in your prayers as if you couldnt tell we are dealing with the stomach flu and also Noah has an upper respiratory infection. He is on meds and pedilite. The problem is he refuses to take anything by mouth so he can not take the meds or water or pedilite orally like the doctor would like. He said if we gave him a bunch of water by mouth he would get this flushed out of his system but since that can't happen we wait and pray.
Also as if you couldnt tell by the above post most of the children are dealing with the stomach flu. AJ has it the worst right now. I don't remember the last time I have changed this many diapers. I got everyone dressed and ready for the doctors and right as we were leaving the house AJ needed changed. I backed up and changed her and then while heading to the car Noah vomited everywhere. Oh Happy Day! Then I came home to about 2000 fruit flies and am thinking I am either doing something wrong or something right to have this plague on my house.
Then Paul walked into the door while I was screaming and fake crying,gagging and hitting myself like my overtired 3 year old. Im so pretty :)
BUT This IS the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it!
Be blessed
Thank you for thinking of us and giving us the lovely little bug so that I can have 5x the amount of poop you had seeing as I have 5 kids.
Having to deal with a special needs child was becoming too much of a piece of cake so I am so glad you gave me something a bit more challenging to deal with. It is nice to know how strong you think I am am and seeing just how much more I can handle without breaking.
I now know that I can handle waking up to 2 children drenched in poop and in puke. That I can successfully keep up on my son's tube feedings and meds while changing a screaming toddler that has had more diaper changes than I can count and now has a red and burning bottom. I also know that I can keep doctors appointments and run to the pharmacy with 5 sick children and we can get to and from the car with minimal vomiting. Although I have found that I just cant keep the house clean while changing diapers, clothes and bedding 5x a day so if you come over I really would appreciate you not mentioning how bad I and my house look. Thank you for giving me a reason to spend more and more time with my Lord. I guess I really wasnt spending enough time and we missed each other. So, Thank you.
In all seriousness...
If you could please keep us in your prayers as if you couldnt tell we are dealing with the stomach flu and also Noah has an upper respiratory infection. He is on meds and pedilite. The problem is he refuses to take anything by mouth so he can not take the meds or water or pedilite orally like the doctor would like. He said if we gave him a bunch of water by mouth he would get this flushed out of his system but since that can't happen we wait and pray.
Also as if you couldnt tell by the above post most of the children are dealing with the stomach flu. AJ has it the worst right now. I don't remember the last time I have changed this many diapers. I got everyone dressed and ready for the doctors and right as we were leaving the house AJ needed changed. I backed up and changed her and then while heading to the car Noah vomited everywhere. Oh Happy Day! Then I came home to about 2000 fruit flies and am thinking I am either doing something wrong or something right to have this plague on my house.
Then Paul walked into the door while I was screaming and fake crying,gagging and hitting myself like my overtired 3 year old. Im so pretty :)
BUT This IS the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it!
Be blessed
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
So Who Sinned?
His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:2-5
Do you ever look at a person with a disability and think something to the affect of, "Wow, what did they do to tick off God?" I read those verses this morning and just was in awe of what Christ said. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Does that just make you sit back and go wow? Maybe it is just me. I look over at my son and I always knew God had a plan for him but I never thought that God made him this way so that God's works might be revealed in him.
For me on those long days where I have dealt with vomit all day and poop and stimming behaviors that I am sure Noah knows just drive me crazy and not eating or sleeping or swallowing, cleaning the endless goo from his mickey button and seeing that more granulation tissue has grown, calling doctors and specialist, having 5 therapist a week at the house, taking care of or at least trying to take care of 4 other kids and do schooling for 2 of them, getting everyone fed but not having time to eat and the list goes on..on those days when I feel like I bit off way more than I can chew and that I will never be able to have anymore children, I can look at that verse and know that Noah was no mistake. Doctors can tell me that it was a fluke or that a biological parent has the gene and that is why my son has Trisomy 8q2 but now I know that God made him this way for His glory. That Noah's life is a part of God's plan.
Perhaps people will see all the miracles happening in Noah's life and know now without a shadow of a doubt that there is in fact a God and just how great He is! Maybe people can learn about Noah and his condition and find the courage and strength to deal with their own issues in their lives. Maybe someone will say YES to adoption and YES to a child with special needs. Maybe through reading about our lives they know that they can do it too. And maybe there will be one less orphan in the world because of our story.
If you want to look into an adoption of a special needs child there are many resources. Reece's Rainbow helps families adopt kids with down syndrome and other disabilities. Andrea the founder was voted People Magazines Hero of the year 2010.
Adopt America Network. They were the ones who told us about Noah. The woman we worked with Mary Gayle Adams, is a fantastic woman she actually has 24 special needs children she has adopted herself.
Gladney was who we worked with for Noah's adoption. They were so wonderful. They truly care about their children.
Rainbow Kids has a list of waiting children available for adoption as well as great articles an resources.
One agency I would not use is Kids to Adopt out of Washington state. I had personal experience with them and it was hell and others have come to me and told me their horror stories as well. They have had children on their website that have been on hold more than a year now.
If you had any questions for Paul or I feel free to leave us a comment.
Be blessed
Do you ever look at a person with a disability and think something to the affect of, "Wow, what did they do to tick off God?" I read those verses this morning and just was in awe of what Christ said. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Does that just make you sit back and go wow? Maybe it is just me. I look over at my son and I always knew God had a plan for him but I never thought that God made him this way so that God's works might be revealed in him.
For me on those long days where I have dealt with vomit all day and poop and stimming behaviors that I am sure Noah knows just drive me crazy and not eating or sleeping or swallowing, cleaning the endless goo from his mickey button and seeing that more granulation tissue has grown, calling doctors and specialist, having 5 therapist a week at the house, taking care of or at least trying to take care of 4 other kids and do schooling for 2 of them, getting everyone fed but not having time to eat and the list goes on..on those days when I feel like I bit off way more than I can chew and that I will never be able to have anymore children, I can look at that verse and know that Noah was no mistake. Doctors can tell me that it was a fluke or that a biological parent has the gene and that is why my son has Trisomy 8q2 but now I know that God made him this way for His glory. That Noah's life is a part of God's plan.
Perhaps people will see all the miracles happening in Noah's life and know now without a shadow of a doubt that there is in fact a God and just how great He is! Maybe people can learn about Noah and his condition and find the courage and strength to deal with their own issues in their lives. Maybe someone will say YES to adoption and YES to a child with special needs. Maybe through reading about our lives they know that they can do it too. And maybe there will be one less orphan in the world because of our story.
If you want to look into an adoption of a special needs child there are many resources. Reece's Rainbow helps families adopt kids with down syndrome and other disabilities. Andrea the founder was voted People Magazines Hero of the year 2010.
Adopt America Network. They were the ones who told us about Noah. The woman we worked with Mary Gayle Adams, is a fantastic woman she actually has 24 special needs children she has adopted herself.
Gladney was who we worked with for Noah's adoption. They were so wonderful. They truly care about their children.
Rainbow Kids has a list of waiting children available for adoption as well as great articles an resources.
One agency I would not use is Kids to Adopt out of Washington state. I had personal experience with them and it was hell and others have come to me and told me their horror stories as well. They have had children on their website that have been on hold more than a year now.
If you had any questions for Paul or I feel free to leave us a comment.
Be blessed
Angel Tree Kickoff
It's time for the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree! It kicked off yesterday, November 1st. I will be fundraising for Warner. The children on Reece's Rainbow each have their own grant fund. The larger the grant fund, the more like a child is to find a forever family. A typical international adoption of a child with Down Syndrome is approximately $25,000 (average). Most families are more than able to financially support a child once they get home, but most families do NOT have an extra $25K laying around upfront. Think of it this way, what if you had to come up with $25K before you could have a child the "normal" way? Most people wouldn't have kids, would they? Remember, there is no shortage of families who are willing to adopt these precious children with Down Syndrome, only a shortage of funds to do so.
To donate to Warner's grant fund, simply click on the ornament on my sidebar with his beautiful picture on it. If you give $35, you will receive an Reece's Rainbow ornament with Warner's picture on it. I have never done this before so I can not wait to get an ornament. Eventually, I want to have a whole tree just for my little RR angels! Watch the video below before you decide if you will give or not.
Also if you want to sponsor your own angel CLICK HERE
To donate to Warner's grant fund, simply click on the ornament on my sidebar with his beautiful picture on it. If you give $35, you will receive an Reece's Rainbow ornament with Warner's picture on it. I have never done this before so I can not wait to get an ornament. Eventually, I want to have a whole tree just for my little RR angels! Watch the video below before you decide if you will give or not.
Also if you want to sponsor your own angel CLICK HERE
Monday, November 1, 2010
Outside my own little world
In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population: me
I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
It’s easy to do when it’s
Population: me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world
when i Stopped at a red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”
And above that sign was the face of a human
and I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
i thought how many times have I just passed her by?
I gave her some money then I drove on through
And my own little world reached
Population: two
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
Outside my own little world yeah
My own little world oooh
Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
and Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
and i know theres a bigger picture
I dont wanna miss it now
i know theres a plan and a purpose
I can be living right now
Outside my own little world
Outside My own little world yeah
outside My own little world oooh
So, are we living in a population of one? Does this song inspire you as much as it has me? Do you want to change the world? You can change the world. You can change the world one orphan at a time. Follow my blog if you don't. Tell your friends. 100 follows by midnight at Warner gets $100. If you follow my blog and want to do something more. Donate on our chip in over on the left and that money goes straight to Reece's Rainbow in Warner's account. The more money he has in his account the more likely adoptive parents will come forward and take him home.
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12
Be blessed.
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population: me
I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
It’s easy to do when it’s
Population: me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world
when i Stopped at a red light, looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign, said “Help this homeless widow”
And above that sign was the face of a human
and I thought to myself, “God, what have I been doing?”
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
i thought how many times have I just passed her by?
I gave her some money then I drove on through
And my own little world reached
Population: two
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
Outside my own little world yeah
My own little world oooh
Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
and Put Your light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
That I could be living right now
and i know theres a bigger picture
I dont wanna miss it now
i know theres a plan and a purpose
I can be living right now
Outside my own little world
Outside My own little world yeah
outside My own little world oooh
So, are we living in a population of one? Does this song inspire you as much as it has me? Do you want to change the world? You can change the world. You can change the world one orphan at a time. Follow my blog if you don't. Tell your friends. 100 follows by midnight at Warner gets $100. If you follow my blog and want to do something more. Donate on our chip in over on the left and that money goes straight to Reece's Rainbow in Warner's account. The more money he has in his account the more likely adoptive parents will come forward and take him home.
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12
Be blessed.
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