Who knew one piece of paper could make me so happy?!
Today in the mail, I received the notice that we have received final approval from the U.S. government to bring Dex into the country. There are still a few more steps in the process, but we've cleared a major hurdle!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Hardest Thing I've Ever Done
I think what I had to do tonight trumps all of the terribly awful hard things I've ever had to do as a mom!
Brandon behaved absolutely deplorably at the gym tonight for the childcare worker. And when I say deplorably, I mean deplorably! In a completely un-Brandon manner, but unacceptable nonetheless. So, in addition to apologizing to the worker and getting a spanking before leaving the gym, I also told him that he would come home, eat his dinner, get a quick scrubbing in the bathtub, and go straight to bed tonight. Then, as we pulled into the driveway, my heart sank for the little man.
Nick had unexpectedly put up the tent in the front yard, with the intention of "camping out" with Abi and Brandon, which Brandon has been begging to do for quite a while. Unfortunately, Brandon had decided to be a stinker on the wrong day. Needless to say, only Nick and Abi are sleeping in the tent tonight, and there is one very sad little boy in his own bed tonight.
Bless his little heart.
Bet he'll behave a little more gentlemanly in the near future.
Hard to be the mom tonight.
Brandon behaved absolutely deplorably at the gym tonight for the childcare worker. And when I say deplorably, I mean deplorably! In a completely un-Brandon manner, but unacceptable nonetheless. So, in addition to apologizing to the worker and getting a spanking before leaving the gym, I also told him that he would come home, eat his dinner, get a quick scrubbing in the bathtub, and go straight to bed tonight. Then, as we pulled into the driveway, my heart sank for the little man.
Nick had unexpectedly put up the tent in the front yard, with the intention of "camping out" with Abi and Brandon, which Brandon has been begging to do for quite a while. Unfortunately, Brandon had decided to be a stinker on the wrong day. Needless to say, only Nick and Abi are sleeping in the tent tonight, and there is one very sad little boy in his own bed tonight.
Bless his little heart.
Bet he'll behave a little more gentlemanly in the near future.
Hard to be the mom tonight.
Refreshing
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Proverbs 25:25
God gave me this verse a couple of weeks ago during my quiet time, and it was the perfect encouragement to me. I've been frustrated, of course, with the snail's pace of all the paperwork involved in getting our little man home. I was just wanting to see him and hold him, and we hadn't received any feedback from the orphanage on the questions we'd submitted through the adoption agency. Then, I read this verse, and I felt refreshed and hopeful again. So, we've still been waiting to hear any word on him.
Today, finally, we got a little information about him. Below are the questions I asked of the orphanage caretakers that they answered.
* Have either his cleft lip or cleft palate been repaired? If so, when was the surgery done? If no surgery has been completed, can we wait and have the surgery done upon arriving home in the United States ?
His cleft lip was repaired on 6/16/2010. His cleft palate has not been repaired.
* How is he fed his milk (by bottle or cup)? If by bottle, what kind does he use?
He drinks milk with ordinary bottle.
* What do you do that soothes him?
We hold him and pat him.
* What kind of foods is he eating now?
He eats congee, milk, noodles, egg cake, rice cereal, fish, fruits, etc.
* Does he have any problems eating or require any special methods of feeding?
Yes, sometime he will get choked if he eats fast because his cleft palate has not been repaired.
* What makes him upset or angry?
If you do not pick him up quickly.
* Has he had any health problems or allergies?
Not so far.
* Was a note or other momento found with him?
No.
* What are his sleeping habits?
He gets up at 6 am, nap from 9-10 a.m., and 12:-15 am. He goes to bed at 11 p.m.
* What is his favorite food?
He likes food with strong flavor, e.t. steamed fish with soy source.
* Do you have his finding ad? Can we have a copy of his finding ad?
Yes. a copy when you come to adopt him.
* How would you describe his personality?
He is active and outgoing.
Proverbs 25:25
God gave me this verse a couple of weeks ago during my quiet time, and it was the perfect encouragement to me. I've been frustrated, of course, with the snail's pace of all the paperwork involved in getting our little man home. I was just wanting to see him and hold him, and we hadn't received any feedback from the orphanage on the questions we'd submitted through the adoption agency. Then, I read this verse, and I felt refreshed and hopeful again. So, we've still been waiting to hear any word on him.
Today, finally, we got a little information about him. Below are the questions I asked of the orphanage caretakers that they answered.
* Have either his cleft lip or cleft palate been repaired? If so, when was the surgery done? If no surgery has been completed, can we wait and have the surgery done upon arriving home in the United States ?
His cleft lip was repaired on 6/16/2010. His cleft palate has not been repaired.
* How is he fed his milk (by bottle or cup)? If by bottle, what kind does he use?
He drinks milk with ordinary bottle.
* What do you do that soothes him?
We hold him and pat him.
* What kind of foods is he eating now?
He eats congee, milk, noodles, egg cake, rice cereal, fish, fruits, etc.
* Does he have any problems eating or require any special methods of feeding?
Yes, sometime he will get choked if he eats fast because his cleft palate has not been repaired.
* What makes him upset or angry?
If you do not pick him up quickly.
* Has he had any health problems or allergies?
Not so far.
* Was a note or other momento found with him?
No.
* What are his sleeping habits?
He gets up at 6 am, nap from 9-10 a.m., and 12:-15 am. He goes to bed at 11 p.m.
* What is his favorite food?
He likes food with strong flavor, e.t. steamed fish with soy source.
* Do you have his finding ad? Can we have a copy of his finding ad?
Yes. a copy when you come to adopt him.
* How would you describe his personality?
He is active and outgoing.
Monday, July 19, 2010
WooHoo! Poo #2
Cam is now telling us when she needs to go to the bathroom, rather than me having to remind her every 30 minutes ... and she went poo in the potty for the second time! We went on an hour and a half drive yesterday with no accident. She woke up during her nap today and went pee-pee (and then went back to sleep)! I think we're well on our way! This is almost too easy! (spoken in a hushed tone)
She's now sleeping in her big girl bed, went to bed tonight with no milk baba (and never even mentioned it), and is doing great in her potty training! Wow! Big changes in the past 2.5 weeks!
She's now sleeping in her big girl bed, went to bed tonight with no milk baba (and never even mentioned it), and is doing great in her potty training! Wow! Big changes in the past 2.5 weeks!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Not for the Faint of Heart
We had a major milestone in Cam's potty training today -- her first poop in the potty!! She's been holding out since Sunday night.
I always take a picture of the kids and their first potty poopy -- Gross, I know! When Abi saw Cam's picture, she asked to see her first poopy picture. So ... here they all are.
There was no smiling on Camryn's part (probably because she's been holding out for four days), so no pre-poopy smiley photo!
I always take a picture of the kids and their first potty poopy -- Gross, I know! When Abi saw Cam's picture, she asked to see her first poopy picture. So ... here they all are.
There was no smiling on Camryn's part (probably because she's been holding out for four days), so no pre-poopy smiley photo!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
1.5 gallons
That is how much pee is now filling Camryn's carseat! Ahhh!
She was chatty Cam in the car until about 1/4 mile before we got home, and she got really quiet. I asked her if her panties were dry, and she just smiled that Camryn smile. So, I thought, I'll get her out really quickly and put her on the potty we now carry around in our car and let her finish ..... no need. She had peed out everything she's drank for the past four days! Yuck! Filled the carseat, run through the cracks onto the seat protector, run over the sides of the seat protector and onto my seat! I just had that kid on the pot 15 minutes earlier.
I hate!! taking a carseat apart and putting it back together. I have seriously considered tying her wet little butt to the top of the car and driving to Wal-mart to just buy a new seat. I'm not sure this one is salvageable!
She was chatty Cam in the car until about 1/4 mile before we got home, and she got really quiet. I asked her if her panties were dry, and she just smiled that Camryn smile. So, I thought, I'll get her out really quickly and put her on the potty we now carry around in our car and let her finish ..... no need. She had peed out everything she's drank for the past four days! Yuck! Filled the carseat, run through the cracks onto the seat protector, run over the sides of the seat protector and onto my seat! I just had that kid on the pot 15 minutes earlier.
I hate!! taking a carseat apart and putting it back together. I have seriously considered tying her wet little butt to the top of the car and driving to Wal-mart to just buy a new seat. I'm not sure this one is salvageable!
Flat Ice Cream
How did B's ice cream cone get flat on one side?
Oops!No worries! He scooped it right up and continued on eating it!
Eeew!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
What a Difference a Day Makes
Brandon was so excited yesterday when he saw the bulldozer working at the clinic site, so I thought we'd go check out the progress early this morning and let Brandon watch the bulldozer in action for awhile. A lot has happened since lunchtime yesterday!
Brandon had the best time watching the bulldozer, backhoe and dump truck this morning and has already asked if we can go back after naptime and watch some more. When the dump truck had to leave and dump its load, Brandon said, "Momma! I could help them with my dump truck and scoop!"
I think he would have watched from his little perch all day!
Brandon had the best time watching the bulldozer, backhoe and dump truck this morning and has already asked if we can go back after naptime and watch some more. When the dump truck had to leave and dump its load, Brandon said, "Momma! I could help them with my dump truck and scoop!"
I think he would have watched from his little perch all day!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hallelujah!
Yes-sir-ee! That is a bulldozer you see working on our clinic lot!The dream Nick's had since we were teenagers is finally happening!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Holding it Together
I think the dirt I just steam cleaned out of the car was what was holding the whole thing together -- there was certainly enough of it to cement it all together ...... the Proof!
Now, that's just nasty!
Now, that's just nasty!Saturday, July 3, 2010
Cam is so BIG
Today, we changed Cam's bed from a crib into a toddler bed. She loved sleeping in the toddler bed at Grandma's house, and we're trying to make some of these transitions before Dex comes home. So, since it was a rainy Saturday morning and we couldn't go to FreedomFest like we'd had planned, we decided it was a good day to do it .... my tears could just blend in with the raindrops. :o( Camryn loved it, and is napping in there right now!
"How many times have we done this now?" asks Dad.
Camryn thinks she's so big lately since she's wearing panties (still often wet panties) and dressing herself. She even thinks she can dress other people!
Camryn loves music, and loves singing songs for us. Her favorites right now are "ABCD's, Jesus Loves Me, B-I-B-L-E, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
"How many times have we done this now?" asks Dad.
Camryn thinks she's so big lately since she's wearing panties (still often wet panties) and dressing herself. She even thinks she can dress other people!
Camryn loves music, and loves singing songs for us. Her favorites right now are "ABCD's, Jesus Loves Me, B-I-B-L-E, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."Friday, July 2, 2010
Let My House Be Built Out of Wisdom
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:2-4
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Almost 32
Not my age anymore, unfortunately, but our status toward our goal for Dex's orphanage!
31.5%
Yippee!
We want to be able to raise $5,000 to deliver to Dex's orphanage when we're in China to bring him home. I know how far they are able to stretch the money in caring for the kiddos there, and I am so glad we'll be able to play a part in making their lives better while they wait for their forever families.So, thank you to all of our friends, family, and church family who have contributed to his orphanage fund already!!
If you haven't contributed but would like to, you can use the secure Chip In button on the blog or send your donation to our home address. I can't wait to be able to share how your generosity has made a difference in the lives of these precious children! Any amount, added with the dollars of others, will make a difference for the children -- and the workers, called ayis. I can't imagine trying to care for kids every day without having enough of what they need, without having enough help because of fund shortages, without having the funds available for medical procedures the children need to thrive or even survive. Talk about going to work at a tough job!
I've done some background research on the orphanage he's lived in since he was a day old. It's the Fuzhou City Social Welfare Institute, located in Fuzhou City, the capital city of the Fujian Province in southeast China.
The orphanage is in the GuLou district of Fuzhou, very near to the shores of the East China Sea. It is a humid, tropical-feeling location with long, hot summers and short, mild, dry winters.
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The orphanage is home to about 300 orphans at a time, most of whom have some kind of identified special need, physical or cognitive. Below are some pictures of the "social welfare institute" that I found online.
We can't wait to be there in person, seeing our little man's first world, his life before us.
If you haven't contributed but would like to, you can use the secure Chip In button on the blog or send your donation to our home address. I can't wait to be able to share how your generosity has made a difference in the lives of these precious children! Any amount, added with the dollars of others, will make a difference for the children -- and the workers, called ayis. I can't imagine trying to care for kids every day without having enough of what they need, without having enough help because of fund shortages, without having the funds available for medical procedures the children need to thrive or even survive. Talk about going to work at a tough job!
I've done some background research on the orphanage he's lived in since he was a day old. It's the Fuzhou City Social Welfare Institute, located in Fuzhou City, the capital city of the Fujian Province in southeast China.
The orphanage is in the GuLou district of Fuzhou, very near to the shores of the East China Sea. It is a humid, tropical-feeling location with long, hot summers and short, mild, dry winters..gif)
The orphanage is home to about 300 orphans at a time, most of whom have some kind of identified special need, physical or cognitive. Below are some pictures of the "social welfare institute" that I found online.
We can't wait to be there in person, seeing our little man's first world, his life before us.
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