As the year draws to a close, I reflect on the goodness and graciousness of God this year. Never would I have thought at this time last year all that this year would hold. We have been blessed with another child. We are understand Mr. M and his complexities more. Z, J and T have thrived in the midst of mommy and daddy's attention being diverted towards the Elizabeth's adoption and getting Mr. M help. Though our house did not sell, everyone fits and we have rearranged to optimize our space. Our hope is still to be on our land someday, but right now we are thankful for what God has already provided.
May you have a blessed New Year (and remember in ALL things, give thanks).
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas Shopping
Well with $$$$ in medical bills lately I've gotten creative for Christmas and www.southernsavers.com has helped me. I've scored great deals at CVS and Walgreens. So much to share, but no time now. Gotta make cookies for tomorrow! Hope to get back to posting soon. We see the ENT 12/23.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
What's so special?
Yesterday, at the day surgery "hospital", we heard once again how special we are for having adopted. Giving her a chance she otherwise wouldn't have, so caring, so special, she's lucky... I try to respond, but words sometimes fail me. And at 6am it's even harder to know what to say.
This isn't our first adoption, but it has been by far the most noticed one. Yes, it was expensive to adopt, but God provided what we needed when we needed it. Yes, she is getting a family she didn't have and medical care that might not have been otherwise accessible, but we are the lucky ones. Elizabeth is such a precious girl and blesses us with her smiles and kisses. Now, don't misunderstand, not every minute is great. Life with five children 10 and under, all with some sort of unique need is CRAZY! But even though I am sitting among PILES of clean laundry and have PILES of dirty laundry to deal with and a sink FULL of dirty dishes, my heart is full with thankfulness. Is this where I imagined myself 13 years ago as a prepared to marry Mr. Incredible? No. Is this where I imagined myself after the birth of Mr. Z or Mr. J? No. Do I want to always have these piles of laundry and dishes around? No. But God will get me through this too. Someone once told me some years ago, "God will never give you more than you can bear."- this was said to be well meaning of course. I replied, "But I didn't bear Mr. M!"
Our day yesterday was full of Elizabeth feeling unwell. Yesterday was a result of our decision to adopt again. I can look at it as another chance to promote healing for Elizabeth or a chance for me to be even further behind with all the "stuff" I "need" to do.
Over the weekend our van went into the hospital and wasn't seen again until last night. I could dwell on the fact that we thought it was still under warranty and fight the dealership- I distinctly remember 7 years and 100,000 miles once WE bought it- the contract is ambigious, they were a day late fixing it and we have been taking two vehicles wherever the whole family needed to go or me just not going with the kids anywhere since the loaner was only a five seater. Or am I willing to just pay the $$$$, move on with other more important things- like the kids- and know that God is just and will provide for EVERYTHING we need. Am I happy that the van has required so much this year, or in the last six weeks we have spent $$$$ on medical bills? No. But life isn't necessarily what we expect and we will be further ahead if we pick our battles and trust God. Do my best and let God do the rest. Will this be a Christmas where each child will be lavished with many presents? No. Is that really what they NEED anyway?! Our needs are met and we have many of our wants. And maybe at some point before Christmas we can get some decorations and our Christmas tree up.
We didn't adopt Elizabeth to be noticed by others. We are nothing special or noteworthy. We simply wanted to follow God's heart in providing for the fatherless and His commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our neighbor might be right next door or it might be a child waiting for a family thousands of miles away.
This isn't our first adoption, but it has been by far the most noticed one. Yes, it was expensive to adopt, but God provided what we needed when we needed it. Yes, she is getting a family she didn't have and medical care that might not have been otherwise accessible, but we are the lucky ones. Elizabeth is such a precious girl and blesses us with her smiles and kisses. Now, don't misunderstand, not every minute is great. Life with five children 10 and under, all with some sort of unique need is CRAZY! But even though I am sitting among PILES of clean laundry and have PILES of dirty laundry to deal with and a sink FULL of dirty dishes, my heart is full with thankfulness. Is this where I imagined myself 13 years ago as a prepared to marry Mr. Incredible? No. Is this where I imagined myself after the birth of Mr. Z or Mr. J? No. Do I want to always have these piles of laundry and dishes around? No. But God will get me through this too. Someone once told me some years ago, "God will never give you more than you can bear."- this was said to be well meaning of course. I replied, "But I didn't bear Mr. M!"
Our day yesterday was full of Elizabeth feeling unwell. Yesterday was a result of our decision to adopt again. I can look at it as another chance to promote healing for Elizabeth or a chance for me to be even further behind with all the "stuff" I "need" to do.
Over the weekend our van went into the hospital and wasn't seen again until last night. I could dwell on the fact that we thought it was still under warranty and fight the dealership- I distinctly remember 7 years and 100,000 miles once WE bought it- the contract is ambigious, they were a day late fixing it and we have been taking two vehicles wherever the whole family needed to go or me just not going with the kids anywhere since the loaner was only a five seater. Or am I willing to just pay the $$$$, move on with other more important things- like the kids- and know that God is just and will provide for EVERYTHING we need. Am I happy that the van has required so much this year, or in the last six weeks we have spent $$$$ on medical bills? No. But life isn't necessarily what we expect and we will be further ahead if we pick our battles and trust God. Do my best and let God do the rest. Will this be a Christmas where each child will be lavished with many presents? No. Is that really what they NEED anyway?! Our needs are met and we have many of our wants. And maybe at some point before Christmas we can get some decorations and our Christmas tree up.
We didn't adopt Elizabeth to be noticed by others. We are nothing special or noteworthy. We simply wanted to follow God's heart in providing for the fatherless and His commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our neighbor might be right next door or it might be a child waiting for a family thousands of miles away.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Surgery Day
We, or should I say, I began my day at 4am. Prepped for leaving and we left the house this morning at 5:25. Surgery was at 7:15, but we had to check in at 5:45. There were several other children there to get tubes put in. Elizabeth went through surgery well. She still had a bad infection in her right ear and her adnoids were enlarged. Post op reminded me of the civil affiairs office in China with all the screaming children, but this time Elizabeth was also among the screamers unlike on the day she joined our family. The Tylenol with Codine is our friend right now and we are praying that this is the beginning to getting her ears healed and getting her hearing well.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tubes!
Elizabeth still has an ear infection, we have been through one round of antibiotics already. Surgery has been set for next week to place tubes in her ears and get her adnoids out. The doctor will also clean out the massive amounts of wax in her ears that remains. In the meantime, she has started a second round of antibiotics. Why suddenly the surgery? Well there's a few factors involved. We don't know exactly how long Elizabeth has had the ear infection (possibly all her life?), she's over two and should be talking (at least some) already, we need to get her hearing as good as possible before being fitted for hearing aids. Part of me holds out hope that she won't need them after all.
I am a little upset the our pediatrician didn't catch the ear infection 2 months ago, but life goes on. What is happening on other fronts?! Lots!!!! We have six doctor appointments this week, a visit with ECI, basketball practice starts, piano lessons and trying to get school done.
I feel extremely overwhelmed and like there will never be enough of me to go around again. But then I am reminded -
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I know that He placed our children in our home and has equipped me to be able to be the best mommy they need. This is just one of those stretching times :)
I am a little upset the our pediatrician didn't catch the ear infection 2 months ago, but life goes on. What is happening on other fronts?! Lots!!!! We have six doctor appointments this week, a visit with ECI, basketball practice starts, piano lessons and trying to get school done.
I feel extremely overwhelmed and like there will never be enough of me to go around again. But then I am reminded -
Deuteronomy 31:8
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
I know that He placed our children in our home and has equipped me to be able to be the best mommy they need. This is just one of those stretching times :)
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