Christmas ideas for all!

Some of you might have seen on other blogs that Shutterfly is doing a special promo for bloggers who want to blog about Shutterfly for 50 free Christmas cards. So I thought given my experience with Shutterfly I would join in. I order from Shutterfly several times per. Of course I love the holiday cards and the photo books the most. I have even already started looking at the adorable baby girl birth announcements that they carry.

Some of you know that I do photo art (a recent picture is shown above). Basically my customers email me pictures of their children (individually typically) and then I cut them out on the computer programs and rearrange them in cute backgrounds. The final pictures can be used for holiday cards, for wall art, gifts, or even for birthday party invitations. I regularly upload my customers portraits once complete onto Shutterfly for them to order prints/posters/cards etc. With the low prices, high quality and fast shipping its really the best place to order photography related items from.

If you want to check out some more of my boutique photo art- you can visit this link:
http://www.boutiqueportraits.shutterfly.com/


I am always hearing from customers how difficult it is to get a good family picture and that's why they end up coming to me for me to pick and choose different pictures and make one final perfect version that is shared with family and friends. Shutterfly also has a great option with their photo collage Christmas cards. Especially for big families or those who take lots of pictures and want to be able to share many different photos on one card. The selection of multi photo cards at Shutterfly is endless!

And please don't be intimidated about using Shutterfly. Its truly easy to use their website to order your cards and photo gifts from. They even have some basic editing tools right within their website should you want to see what your picture looks like in black and white or cropped.

A favorite gift to the grandparents has been photo calendars from Shutterfly. Then each month is able to showcase the adorable grandchildren and you can go through each month to add important family holidays like birthdays and anniversaries. I know many organizations that do a yearly fundraiser with calendars from Shutterfly as well. Its a great way to get the word out about your organizations needs and the work that they do.

This card I found particularly fun because it incorporates enough space to share some fun family facts from the past year. It would be a good way to send a card, share some pictures and share family news all in one!

And fellow bloggers... don't think that I was going to leave you hanging! Check out THIS LINK to find out how you too can earn 50 free Shutterfly holiday cards for blogging about Shutterfly this Christmas season.

Lots of Stuff

“I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11

Joys "old" family left on Thanksgiving evening with tear filled eyes. We had a nice week with them and it was great for Grace to get to know them better as well. There was a few awkward moments where I wasn't sure what the boundary lines were or where to draw lines. (For Joys sake.) But I think that we all kind of just took each moment in stride and handled them as they came. It was really a blessing to have them here seeing how well she has adjusted to our family and to hopefully give them a sense of peace about their decision.

My Mom barely made it into our town on Thanksgiving. We had about a half foot of snow that day on top of the ice that was already on the roads from the weekend before. The local airport literally has a snow plow attached to a riding lawn mower so it was clearing the run ways as fast as possible. One of the airlines that flies into here canceled all the flights for the day so we though for sure that my Mom was going to get stuck in Seattle. Then as late afternoon approached they allowed her to get a plane into town. It was a blessing to have her arrive just shortly before Joys old family was leaving and to provide an ample distraction and new excitement for all the kids!
We are so glad to have her here.

Yesterday we had some leaking downstairs in the boys rooms from the ceiling and my hubby shut the water off to the house and we called a plumber. There was a water break in the wall. It was likely dripping all week from the freezing cold temperatures and howling winds we had and then burst sometime on Friday night. There are portions of two walls and ceiling that had to be ripped out because they are so wet. The pipe repair itself wasn't as pricey as I thought it would be but the walls and the folks who now have antimicrobial equipment downstairs drying out the wall are going to cost us a fortune. We filed a claim with our insurance but aren't sure what they will cover or not. But we are praying and hoping that they will cover everything over our deductible. Or else we will figure out a barter with someone local who might be able to help us hang some new drywall and then repaint it ourselves. Woe is me.
Breathing deep and taking it all in stride. :)

No- I haven't actually ventured downstairs yet to see all the damage. I am in a bit of denial and that's all right by me.

Friday hubby and I did go out with some friends for early morning Black Friday shopping. It was fun and we did find a few good deals. We are definitely not going crazy this Christmas and I have been blessed to be able to get most of the shopping done online but those few good deals and fun time were definitely worth the lack of sleep.

Other than that- things are going well. Just enjoying this long weekend with hubby and the kids and hoping to do something fun this afternoon since yesterday was a bummer with the wall and repair people coming and going all day. How was your long weekend?

30 weeks and more...

Peanut is still transverse. But unlike the image above she is flipped the other way. Meaning that her head is on my right side and she is facing downwards. Her bum is UP and her legs and down... way down I would guess based on the kicks I am feeling in my nether region. OUCH.

Turn baby turn.

I am now going to the doctor each week and today my doc was away on vacation so I got to see one of his buddy docs. I am still VERY dizzy most of the time and its taking me a lot longer to get anything done than it used to. I talked with thec buddy doc today about feeling dizzy and he agrees that it could be from a number of things and then he said...

"Do you have much stress in your life?"

Now let me pause here for a moment.

This is one of the reasons that I really like our family doctor. He sees our entire family- even my hubby. He knows everyones stories, everyones meds, everyones histories, he knows our family dynamics and he would NEVER ask such a silly question like- do you have much stress in your life. HA.

I pondered for a few moments unsure what to say in response without sounding like a total and complete freak show. And then the only thing that I could get out was... 'Um...'

And then like the Niagra falls- it came out in one asshat run on sentence.

"We have 15 children and this baby is number 16 and then we have a child who is 12 who has some serious mental health issues and its been really trying and difficult with her for the past two years and then being pregnant and having the gestational diabetes is worrisome and of course we have added three new children to our family in the past year the baby will be number four and we have crap loads of paperwork to get done by the end of the year and my husband has been working a ton of overtime and I really need his help and want him home more and then theres the other family thats visiting right now- you know one of our kids old families- and more coming tomorrow and I think that we are having 30 people over for thanksgiving and angeline has a UTI and adding another med to the some odd 14 that I have to keep track of each day and I need new tablecloths for my table for tomorrow because I want my table to look good."

And then he just stared at me.

He wasn't really sure what to say.

And the room felt real awkward. Real real awkward.

Then he came out with some great medical advice...

"Sometimes stress can cause anxiety and that can make you dizzy."

This man is a revolutionary.

However...

I am thinking more that the dizziness is from the diabetes and the pregnancy but yes... it could be the stress. I wonder if he has a prescription for that?

Not likely -so I didn't bother asking and I don't really think that the insurance will pay for spa days or vacations to tropical places or even a nanny so I can sleep more.

And on my way home as the van slipped all over the road (you know is snowed four days ago and they just like to wait for the ice to melt here instead of treating the roads)... I pondered over what I had said, and how I had made my life come across- and I wanted to take a slightly different perspective on it all.

"I am so blessed that my husband has enough work this holiday. That we have so much food its going to take hours to get it all cooked and be SO enjoyed to be eaten. That I will have many people over tomorrow and be so blessed by having them all here. And we have clean water and Angeline has medicine for her UTI. And here I sit with you Dr.- world class health care in a first world country. A miracle life growing inside me and moments I get to spend just in silence and peace feeling her move about and my love for her immense already. And a dear child struggling with who she is and where she belongs in this world and my opportunity to help her through that (however painful it might be for all of us at times). Then lets mention that Jude's 2nd birthday is also tomorrow a day when I am so thankful to have him in my life and so thankful for all that I have. And how I won't ever be lonely or lacking for something exciting to do. AND 10 lbs lost in the past month because of the diabetes and really learning how to eat right. How can I complain about that? Stress what? What's that?"

However I still do need a new tablecloth big enough to fit. lol

I hope your all having a wonderful day.

Back to the kitchen I go.

Turn baby Turn.

xoxoxoxo

Yesterday

Yesterday this is what my people were doing on the mountain.
Brrrr.
My husband is a NUT. Glad I wasn't there to panic.
(yes he is the man who broke both arms playing basketball)

Congress must pass Help HAITI Act

Please turn the sound off on the right.
Watch the video.
Understand the issue and how this is affecting so many families and
1200 orphans from Haiti.
Take action NOW. Email or call your congressman.
Help get the Help Haiti act PASSED.

Today its your big day

Today is your big day.

And girlfriend, you have been a wreck the past few days.

Testing every boundary and every newly learned skill you have learned over the past nine months.

We know that your nervous.

We know that your excited.

We know that your worried.

We know that your confused.

But we promise you, its all going to be ok.


Today is the day that "your old family" comes to visit.

All the way from the other side of the country.

And really they aren't your "old" family at all. They are also forever going to be your Aunt and Uncle, cousin and brother. And someday all of this will make sense to you.



But for right now, we will find our deepest level of patience and stand by your side. As you struggle to understand, and eventuallly you will figure it all out. Now you have more people who love you. And more people who will be there for you. And your family has gotten BIGGER. And your LOVE is HUGE. And the LOVE that we all have for you is EXPLODING- its so hard to contain!

And what I ask of all of you is that you pray for dear Joy as the week goes by and we have an extended visit with our extended family and that they find continued peace, that we know the right words to say and are able to be honest and forthcoming with them, and especially that little Joy doesn't lose her way and once she gets over the initial awkward hurdle of anxiety that she knows she is FOREVER loved by many, and forever a part of our family- no matter what. We want her sense of security to grow and never diminish.

Family needed.

Time is getting short for CHARLIE to be posted as a Special Focus Child with Children's House International. Charlie's file will return to the CCAA Shared List on December 2nd. With already there being close to 2,000 children on the Shared List, it may be that Charlie may not be advocated for again. He is a handsome, strong little boy who was born with a form of Spina Bifida and he has already had surgery. He is young and growing well.

Charlie is a child of magnificent Sha'anxi province, also the home of the Terra Cotta Warriors. He comes from one of the cradles of ancient China. But he is in true need of a cradle smack in the middle of a family.

Charlie was born with a special need that many families are unfamiliar with and it sounds scary and complicated. Therefore there are far too many children with this need still waiting for a family of their own. For more information from parents raising an adopted child from China with Spina Bifida please take six minutes to watch the following video from Love Without Boundaries. http://www.youtube.com/lwbvideos#p/u/0/RF8V3iJ9F2Q

Charlie's file was updated on 10/12/10 and is pasted below. Please take a minute to get to know Charlie and become his advocate too. For more information about Charlie, please email Heidi Hawkins at heidigoestochina@msn.com and put CHARLIE in the subject heading. . His pictures are located in the Photos section, Special Focus Folder on CHIWaitingkids yahoo support group.

Sha’an Xi Province
“Charlie” Growth Report

1. Background

Charlie, Male, was born on May 4th, 2009 and abandoned at on July 26th, 2009. He was found by local people and sent to police station on the same day. No relatives were found after search effort was made, then he was sent to the Bao Ji City SWI for custodian care.

2. Heath information when admitted into the SWI

Charlie was examined by our SWI medical doctor and was found healthy. He had good energy, loud cry, good reaction, good appetite, and normal bowel movement and urination. His head skull was normal and no deformity was found. Both eyeballs moved freely. His neck was gentle and throat was in the middle. He was found normal on chest, heart and lung. His abs was soft. His liver and spleen were normal. There was 2x2 cm lump in lumbosacral position, soft, but no movement. Limbs were found normal.

He has physiological rachiocampsis (curvature of the vertebral column). Diagnosis: rachischisis. (Rachischisis (Greek: "rhachis - ῥάχις" - spine, and "schisis - σχίσις" - split) is a developmental birth defect involving the neural tube. In utero, the neural tube fails to close completely. The vertebrae overlying the open portion of the spinal cord do not fully form and remain unfused and open. Thus, the spinal cord is exposed. Patients with rachischisis can have motor and sensory deficits, chronic infections, and disturbances in bladder function. This defect often occurs with anencephaly)

3. Development
(1) Daily life

Charlie lives a group style life. He has regular life. He gets up 5:30 AM, naps 12-2 PM, goes to bed 7:30 PM. He sleeps well His meal time: 6:00 AM, eat rice cereal 240 ml, 11, 5 PM eat rice or noodles with green vegetable, carrot, tomato, eggs, winter melon etc. The amount is half a yellow bowl. Add meal at 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM: steamed egg, bread, juice, crackers, cookies etc. The amount varies. Every Monday and Thursday morning, he has tub bath. He normally cries in bath. It looks like that the surgery had no effects to his bowel movements and urination.

(2) Growth

Height: 76 cm, weight 12.2 kg, head circumference: 48 cm, foot length: 10.5 cm, teeth 16, chest circumference: 51.5 cm.

(3) limb and intelligence:

His face is healthy, eyes moves around. His personality is not outgoing. When he sees food, he is excited and waves his hands, yelling “mom, mom”. He can drink water with bottles. He can eat crackers by himself. He can walk inside walker.

He likes caregivers talk to him and play with him. He will follow the voice direction and looks when his name is called. He likes bright color toys and toys with sound. He likes to read books. He likes peek-a-boo. His development in mental and physical is good.

Charlie can not walk independently. He needs to hold something and walk or use a walker. His legs can move. It looks like he does not need a wheel chair.
(4) Vaccine:

Hep B 3 times, TOPV 3 times, DPT 3 time.

Children Social Welfare Institute seal

2010-10-12

More about Sha'anxi Province from TravelChinaGuide.com:

Shaanxi Province is located in the very heart of China. Boasting a population of more than 36 million in an area of over 200,000 square kilometers (about 77,225 square miles), Shaanxi includes most of the middle stretch of the Yellow River. It borders Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Gansu and Ningxia.

When to Go

Shaanxi Province's climate is temperate and semi-arid in the north and subtropical and humid in the south. Annual average temperature of Shaanxi is between 8C and 16C and its annual rainfall averages from 400 millimeters to 1,000 millimeters. Spring and fall are the best times to visit Shaanxi, since the winters are cold and summer is often rainy.

History

Shaanxi Province is one of the most important cradles of ancient Chinese civilization. As far back as one million years ago, some of China's earliest inhabitants lived in this region, and began spreading their culture along the life-sustaining Yellow River. Throughout the province's long history, there are 13 dynasties who established capitals here, including the Zhou, the Qin, the Han, and the Tang. Because of this rich history, cultural relics and ruins are plentiful, and may be found preserved both above - and underground. So Shaanxi is called the 'authentic history museum' in China.

What to See

There are many historic places to be seen. One of the oldest is the Banpo Village Remains, the site of a 6,000-year-old village which belongs to the Neolithic Age. In the capital city, Xian, you can see the City Wall, which was begun in the Han Dynasty, a century before the Christian era, and is now the largest and most well-preserved ancient wall, existing in China. Xian Forest of Stone Steles Museum boasts a largest collection of the stone tablets in China, 114 of which are engraved with 'classic' texts. In or near the city are 72 ancient tombs and remains, including the mausoleum of the Tang emperor Xuanyuan (the Yellow Emperor), who initiated Chinese civilization. There are many more ancient structures and temples such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652, Famen Temple, Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. The highlight of a Shaanxi tour for many visitors is the amazing Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses who guard a site honored as the Eighth Great Wonder of the world.

Shaanxi is also abundant in natural beauty beyond its rich historical legacy. As one of the five best-known mountains in China, Mt. Huashan, 120 kilometers (or 46 miles) east of Xian, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and awe-inspiring landscape. The Hukou Waterfall on Yellow River, the second biggest one in China, is very overbearing and magnificent. And Moutain Lishan and the nearby Huaqing Hot Springs are very attractive. Their beautiful legends will bring you into a moving love story between emperor Xuanzong and a beauty named Yang Yuhuan.

Shaanxi is both a base area of Chinese new-democratic revolution and a place with unique folk customs. The loud resounding Shaanxi opera, the joyous clattering of gongs and drums, the exquisite papercutting art and the peasants' paintings full of a rich flavor of life attract more and more tourists' attention from home and abroad.

For more information about Charlie, please email Heidi Hawkins at heidigoestochina@msn.com and put CHARLIE in the subject heading.

Hey Julie!!

Hey Julie-
If your Julie and you left a comment on the contest like this one:
I love thinking about vacation this far away from summer! San Francisco is my dream getaway - I want to show my kids the Golden Gate park and Stow Lake!
I am looking for YOU.

Your the BIG winner of the $65 gift certificate to CSN stores.
But I can't find your email.

So email me: sisters3designs@aol.com

Congratulations Julie!!

Just another day.

Just another day, another meeting, another hope gone.
We all met today to talk about RAD with some folks who we thought might be able to help and basically unless something changes drastically- like she tries to kill herself or someone else there isn't much help for her. We had some suggestions of things like more respite, DBT therapy and a neuro psych eval that people are working on and we have a long application for hospitalization that we will begin to work on even though we have been told "its hopeless" and they likely won't take her. Apparently our state is seriously lacking in resources!

So nothing too newsy. Just another day. Another disappointment. Another moment of wondering what will become of RAD as an adult and if there is hope for her life and for her to find happiness in our family.

Tomorrow- I will pick a winner for the contest below and we will carry on.
We always do.

RAD during the Holidays

This came from another Mom in a group that I belong to and I thought it would be helpful for my relatives and friends to read and also might be helpful for some of you to have your friends and relatives read.
Blessings and Thanks for understanding!
__________________________________________

Respect our boundaries - all the time, but especially during the holidays.
Know that if we have to opt out of a family event, we are just as bummed about it as you are and don't need additional guilt about our decision.
Trust that we ALWAYS have the best interest of our child and our immediate family in mind, even when you don't understand or agree with our parenting methods.

If you have parented a child with similar mental health issues, we want to hear about it.
If you haven't, please don't offer unsolicited advice.
And, please, only ask about therapy if you're inquiring as to how you can support us.
If you're just curious or looking for an opportunity to be critical / wise / advice giving; please don't ask.

Telling us that he just needs 'lots of love' implies that we're not giving it to him and that's why he's not better.
Speaking negatively about him, his behavior and/or our parenting in front of him is never acceptable.

Listen to us. Our family story is painful and we need to processes with those who love us the most.
Tell us that you love us and that your heart breaks for us.
Remind us that God is driving this ship and we can't really screw it up as long as we are honoring him.
Offer to take our other child off our hands for a while when SHE is struggling the most.
And, please don't be offended that we don't want to leave HER alone with you. It is still very triggering for him to be separated from us.
I know that this will sound more harsh that it's intended - but, when it comes to our child, your needs (extended family and friends) are not even on our radar.
Celebrate our successes (even if it seems remarkably minor to you).
And, encourage us when our family is experiencing painful regression.

Know that we have broken the bank financially and will continue to do so until we trust that our son has a foundation of healing.
We are not available to spend lots of money on entertainment, travel and/or visits - likely for a long, long time.

Remind us to foster our marriage. It's easy to drift apart when our child's needs are so severe.
Help us to be healthy - I don't need a chocolate cake when I'm hurting (and the shame that follows a binge). I need you to initiate taking a walk with me.

Tell me that I'm a good mom (if you believe that I am) even though I'm not parenting my child the way you parented / are parenting yours.

And, if you can really only hear one thing about parenting a child with mental health struggles, please know that I suffer deeply as his mother - whether I let you see that or not.

7 month ultrasound

I had my 7 month ultrasound today.

Peanut is measuring just a few days ahead

of where she should be.

With the gestational diabetes we

have to keep a close eye on her size.

She is 2lbs 15 oz.

And has a FULL head of hair already!

Above you can see her profile.

And below her chin, lips and nose.

(I think she looks like me)

Today I get to have a new glucose monitor.

Mine is the bare bones worst brand

and also calculating my blood on

average 27 higher than the doctors does.

Not good.

So today we will get a new one.

We monitor things for the next week

and then I might be put on oral insulin

next week... and if that doesn't work then

I go to inject able insulin. (Which is sitting

in the fridge just in case!)

So far I have been able to stick to the

diet but that alone sometimes isn't enough.

Gestational diabetes is a result of the placenta

and you can never really predict what will happen.

I will have weekly doctors appointments.

Non-stress tests every two weeks.

And likely be induced at 37 weeks.

And I get an OB soon that will be

there for backup should we need a

c-section or more intervention.

Sometimes this all seems overwhelming.

And I have been having horrible vertigo

for over a week. But then I see that cute

little girl on the ultrasound screen

and its SO worth it.

I just hope I can keep calm.

Not panic.

And not worry too much.

It's all in HIS hands, right?

Isaac

Yesterday Isaac stood by me for a long time while I was laying on the couch. He was watching TV and also had his hand on my shoulder. He looked upset about something but when I asked if he was OK, he just sort of stared at me like a deer in the headlights and said, "I'm Ok."

After awhile he said... "Mom."

I replied, "What honey?"

"I, I, I, don't even know how to hold a baby." he mustered up the courage to tell me in his own little way.

I explained to him that it was OK and that I would certainly be doing most of the baby holding but that I would also teach him how to hold a baby when his baby sister arrives. Angeline heard the conversation going on and wanted to pipe in with her two cents about not knowing how to hold a baby either. They were so adorable and the conversation was so mature. I can't believe my two little sweeties are going to be in kindergarten next year! The time just goes too fast.

Isaac has been doing very well the past months. He has grown a couple inches and most of his pants are getting far too short. He still is very thin for his age but he has gained several pounds- he is just going to be a skinny guy.

His speech skills are amazing. He has a vast English vocabulary and is able to pick up and explain appropriate social cues that once were lost in translation. He does stutter frequently and we hope to have his hearing testing soon and then we will go from there. It could be something he is going to need speech therapy for or something that he will outgrow once English truly becomes his first language.

Isaac eats almost everything and I am working hard to keep it that way. Frequently he will share a meal with me while the other small children are having bagels for breakfast we will have eggs with turkey sausage and lots of vegetables. He loves salsa and anything a little spicy.

Isaac loves his preschool where he attends two days a week. For now he attends three hours on each of those two days but as spring arrives he will be going to full days per week to get him ready for Kindergarten. He writes his name and knows most of his letters. We are working on letter sounds at home and simple addition and subtraction. He loves to learn so having him pull out an activity or workbook while Joy is doing school work has never been a problem.

He loves to play, to read, and to watch the TV. This has been one issue since he came home he will choose watching TV over most everything, except playing soccer outside with his big brothers and sisters. So we have had to limit the TV watching. He loves to play the Wii Dance and of course has amazing rhythm and memorizes most songs (interjecting his own lyrics which can cause mass hysterics with his Sib's) and he will dance the day away if he can.

Isaac is kind and gentle to others but at the same time isn't hesitant to stand his ground and tell Mom if someone is doing something naughty. He is good at sharing and loves to cuddle like a much younger child and we are working hard to catch up on all that missed time that we grieve. Isaac has a chore that he does each day, like sweep the bathroom or give the dog food and water. He also makes his own bed and loves having his own responsibilities that he can complete all by himself. He is such a big boy.

Not a day goes by that I don't find myself drifting off and remembering all the months that we spent waiting for him to come home- well even wondering if he ever would be able to come home... and I have to pinch myself and remind myself that we are here! We made it! We are all together! He is everything I knew he would be and then so much more. He fits perfect like a long lost puzzle piece that was waiting to be found. We are truly blessed.

Between now and the end of the year we have a social worker visit to do his post placement report, then we will file his re-adoption and also be doing his citizenship piece at the same time. So its going to get busy for Isaac and we can't wait for it all to be FINISHED for good, finished forever. So we can just be... as we have been for many months.

Punkins, Apples and Fall Oh my!

One day... several weeks ago.

We decided that Dom and Lulu could skip school.

And that we would invite some friends.

And go to the apple orchard.

This also happens to be the pumpkin patch.

The place where you can ride around on

golf carts and explore the farm.

And where you can even walk along a guided

tour of the river to hear about the salmon.

So we loaded up the van.

(Lauren and I)

Dom, Lulu, Isaac, Angeline, Joy and Jude

and 2 friends... E. and K.

Isaac and his good pal E.

just wanted to RUN.

And RUN.

And RUN some more.

Isaac wasn't to sure about the dirty
pumpkins. But he picked one anyhow.

Lulu was a great helper to Angeline

when she wanted to hop off the golf cart

and walk around the pumpkin patch.

And Jude couldn't resist

getting a close up view either.

It was truly a lovely day to be outside.

And we even saw THREE eagles.

All flying low, overhead and two were

either mating or fighting.

We sat in awe for many minutes

watching them. They were HUGE

and AMAZING.

(and I wish I had gotten a picture)

Dominick falls quickly into the role

as biggest brother on the outing and

loved pulling the kids in the wagon.

And Joy helped keep E.

on task. :)

What a lovely morning to skip school.

Have honey crisp caramel apples.

Cider.

And take out lunch.

While spending time in the sun

and with friends.

WE are SO blessed.



(Be sure not to miss your chance

at winning a $65 gift certificate BELOW)

Darn you Toddler Time

We had an ah-ha moment!
Why are just Jude, Angeline and Joy sick?
and NOT Isaac. Well- not yet anyway.

Then Lauren remembered the child vomiting all over the floor at Toddler time last week. Isaac was at preschool so only Jude, Angeline and Joy were there. And now they are all miserable... and we are on day 2, 3, and 4 of the illness for each of these kiddos. :(

My kids love going to toddler time but now I remember WHY we don't go too often.

This would be a good time to tell you about something I read over at Watching the Waters. Bath and Body works (including hand soaps and antibacterials) are on massive sale and there is a 20% off your total order coupon and $3 shipping. Its time for us to stock up at our house! (And maybe think about some teacher Christmas gifts!) And if you visit Corey's blog she is having a lovely BBW give-a-way!

Here's the scoop from Corey:

Bath & Body Works is having a crazy good sale right now too. (Did I mention they are not paying me for this? I just love a bargain!) The body creams are buy 3 get 3 free (which brings them down from the normal $12 to $6 each) and then you can get $10 off any $30 purchase (use code 30HOLIDAY). OR get 20% off your entire order and a flat $3 shipping using code 20HOLIDAY. (Seriously.. the deals make me swoon.)

Some words about life and anonymity

So when you visit my blog I track who you are and where you are from. It just so happens that when Anonymous left me a comment yesterday they were the only person on the blog at the time. I was able to narrow down what server they are using and the location of that server, the state and town where they are, and I have their individual IP address that wouldn't make it too hard for a nominal fee to find out who they are. Now each time that they visit my blog, I can track them if I wanted to. Not that I much care what people really think about my children and I, but I do wish that comment hadn't come across so accusatory and hadn't come yesterday of all days. It was already a DOOZIE of a day and the comment served as the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake. Good Grief!

If you want to be angry and upset about something or someone or have extra energy to expend- please stop and say some prayers for Haiti. Did you know that they have a hurricane "Tomas" expected to hit there soon? Did you know that 1.3 million people are living in tents? And that Cholera hasn't stopped moving through the countryside and to the northern parts of Haiti as well? And did you know that DAYS ago the word went out in the tent cities to tell the people to "seek shelter elsewhere in safer places." Certainly if these people had anywhere to go, they would have gone already don't you think?

And certainly you must know that Haiti has MASSIVE environmental issues that mean heavy rains and wind will most certainly bring major mudslides? And mudslides mean more destruction of non existent infrastructure, death, despair, hopelessness and lets just guesstimate the continued rampant spread of cholera through the even greater infectious river system throughout the country. And then there are those people who have been able to rebuild since the earthquake living with the looming fear and knowledge that what they build may not be strong enough to withstand the floods and wind that are expected to happen over the next few days.

Be angry and pray about THIS. And THIS. And THIS too. (Do you see the trend here?) And be sure to look at these pictures HERE.

So after thinking about Haiti, the struggles that still can't seem to shake my children's native land, and the future that seems so bleak for many- I can't certainly whine and complain about my day yesterday can I? One broken truck, one day of missed work and wages for my husband, one possible shunt failure for my sweet Angeline, and three little ones terribly sick with fevers, vomiting and "the runs"... and the looming real possibility that insulin might have to be started soon to keep me going and baby Peanut healthy... (Five pounds lost in the last week and this darn restrictive diet that makes me SO grouchy!) All of my woes are so minor in comparison to what my friends, beloved families we have worked with, and children are going through in Haiti right now... STILL.

One good thing that came from yesterday was starting a new kind of therapy with Sophie and her therapist... Lifespan Integration Therapy. And because my husband, Sophie's Dad happened to be home fixing his truck we were able to BOTH attend her first session all together. It was a calming, powerful time for us to help re-write Sophie's years from birth until now. For her to learn to treasure herself and to care about herself more and for us to have some moments alone with her to work on our bond. And that was worth any amount of headache, stress and worries! They are only going to be doing this LI Therapy with her every other week, or even every three weeks but I am hopeful and excited that this might truly help her to breakthrough some of the hard stuff she has been going through lately! (Praying!)

I have a massive amount of pictures to get on the blog soon. I promise. Have a great day, I have to get back to my sick little ones!

Hey Anonymous

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The final day":

I don't want to "burst your bubble", but I'd love to know how you managed to KEEP a baby who came to the US for medical care when it was the intention of his parents for him to come back home... An earthquake doesn't just give you the right to not send him back... and international adoptions done privately are technically illegally... So I'd be curious for an explanation, and I'm sure hundreds of other people would be too... Because if my count is right... this is TWO children you've had come to you for medical purposes that you've kept... It does make one start to wonder.

Have you read my blog completely from the beginning?
I would love to open a transparent conversation with you. Feel free to email me:
sisters3designs@aol.com
(actually this goes for anyone- if you have a question for me feel free to email me)
I certainly wouldn't be publicly blogging about my children if I was doing something illegal. I assure you we have worked with local, state and the federal government with every child we have helped.

We applied to adopt Angeline even before we tried to get her a medical visa. We were nothing but transparent with our local government (regarding our intention to adopt) and worked WITH our USCIS (filing the appropriate documents and forms) in order to make sure we could bring her over for life saving medical care, process her adoption LEGALLY, and ensure she was eligible to become a US citizen.

It was because of the struggle that Angeline's biological mother went through trying to help her child find medical care that we even started working to help more children. She is an unknown woman who someday I hope to be able to find and let her know that her child lived and is thriving.

Jude's circumstances with his parents changed after he came for medical care and that is his private story for him to share someday should he desire to do so. It is not BECAUSE of the earthquake that he is now our son. Again, we worked with local attorneys and the government to ensure that we were doing everything legally and transparent for his case as well.

I am sorry that you feel the need to bash our family and I am not even sure why I am bothering to give you an explanation. I am sure that if there are 100's of other people wanting to know their minds may be put at rest to know that we did not do anything illegal.

I am far too busy to find the time to commit crimes on top of everything else going on. :)
Have a blessed day.

Hey ya'll

THANK YOU

Thank you

THANK YOU!

You helped Jude and I raise

$252 for the

SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

lots of hugs and kisses

Angeline and Jude