Saturday

We finally had a free day.  

And it was glorious!

Sometimes I Just Forget

As of 2 days ago, we've officially been home 1 month!  How quickly time passes.  I suppose it seems so because we are in the final month of school (banquets, trips, testing), softball and track, graduation planning, wedding planning.  For whatever reason, sometimes I just forget to post.

Little man is doing fantastic!  As in, I can't believe how smoothly the transition is.  He is b.u.s.y.  From the minute he wakes till he crashes, he's moving.  And it's my job to keep him moving in the right direction, because he really likes to explore.

Hershey's, thank you for saving the day!  You are the end of all quarrels...as long as there is enough of you to go around.

This happens regularly.  We have to go outside to play before we're 'ready' for the day.

His new 'cheese on demand'.  He sees the camera, he cheeses.

Devising a plan of escape!

Oh, Kohlby, you are a hoot!

Buy a Tee; Make a Deposit

My friend Gayly has received TA for her little man!  That means she'll be traveling very soon to bring him home, but her family can use our help.  They are still selling these awesome t-shirts.  Check them out on Gayly's blog!

I'm pasting her full blog post here so you can see the shirts.  We can help a family and get a cool tee to boot!

We are selling shirts to help cover upcoming costs. Currently, I have a supply of everything listed below.  They are already printed  and ready to ship to your door step immediately! If more are ordered than we have of the regular t-shirt styles, I will order more and let you know that I am waiting on printing. 

ALL pricing includes shipping.
You can order here with Paypal or if you want to email me at quiltnmama2@gmail.com (if you are local or want to pay another way.) 
Thank you!

Boys "DEFEND" t-shirts, $20 

The back reads, 

"Learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed, defend the orphan, please for the widow." ~Isaiah 1:17

Size

Small $20.00 USD    Medium $20.00 USD    Large $20.00 USD    XLarge $20.00 USD

 

Girls "DEFEND" t-shirts, $20

 The back reads, "Learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed, defend the orphan, please for the widow." ~Isaiah 1:17 

Size     Small $20.00 USD    Medium $20.00 USD    Large $20.00 USD    XLarge $20.00 USD

Adult & Youth LOVE t-shirts, $18 

"Do everything in LOVE" 1 Corinthians 16:14

Size     Small $18.00 USD    Medium $18.00 USD    Large $18.00 USD    XLarge $18.00 USD    1X $18.00 USD    2X $18.00 USD    Youth Small $18.00 USD    Youth Medium $18.00 USD    Youth Large $18.00 USD    Youth XLarge $18.00 USD

 Women's LOVE- fitted 3/4 Sleeve t-shirt (brand), $25

"Do everything in LOVE" 1 Corinthians  16:14

Size

Small $25.00 USD  Medium $25.00 USD  Large $25.00 USD  XLarge $25.00 USD

 

One Month!

It's hard to believe that one month ago today we held Kohlby for the very first time!

I didn't even see the gal walk in with him because I was watching the other 25 families receive their babies.

In one month, this little man has experienced a whole lot of FAMILY, and come so far.
He celebrated his first Resurrection Sunday!
(Well, he might not have understood the significance)

He's taken possession of a car.

He's gotten into construction.

He's taken long, windy walks.

He's begged to stay outside.

And he's watched a lot of softball.

And we've had our first post-placement visit.

But most of all, he has transitioned into the family incredibly well!  He still prefers to have Mama to himself, but he's much more tolerant than before.  He and Khloie play hard all day long...until it's time for their 2 1/2 hour nap.

Some of the typical two-year-old-boy behaviors have gotten less extreme, thank You, Jesus!

Kohlby was described as "active," and that is putting it mildly.  From the minute he wakes to the minute he crashes he lives life in high gear.

He still allows me to give him a bottle and to feed him.  I've just learned to give him bigger bites :)  

We've just requested his medical records from the New Hope Foundation so we'll have a base line before we see any specialists.  

Kohlby can say, "Mama, Dada, hot, uh-oh, bye-bye, night-night and hi," as well as lots of cute toddler gibberish.  I'm amazed at his transition.

I've had to set my alarm a little earlier just to get my quiet time in, but so far I've had the energy to do it.  I feel great, and so does he!

This post would typically take 10 minutes, but I've spent over an hour with multiple interruptions...so I'm out.

Adopting a Child with HIE

I was blessed to write a guest post on HIE for No Hands But Ours!  You can read the full article here

Two of  our treasures are affected by Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, and it's my desire to get the word out that these children must not be passed over!

No Hands But Ours is an informational and advocating website that may help answer questions if you are considering adopting a child with medical special needs.  There are not only resources, but also stories of families sharing the daily joys of their children with special needs.

The Lie

Sometimes I see things that leave me speechless.

And breathless.

And wondering.

And heartbroken.

And shaken.

And changed.

At least for a time.

And then I venture back into my comfy life, and it's almost as if I never left it.

I see orphanages full of children.

They seem happy enough.  And a week later I believe the lie that they are.  Except...

 ....this time is different.  I asked if any of these children had families committed to them, thinking I would take a photo to send to the waiting mommy and daddy.  The response:  "Some of them are 'stolen.'"  What?  They were taken from their families and have been recovered, but the families haven't been located yet.

We know it's real.  
Trafficking.  
Now an orphanage is a haven for recovered children?
I am thankful for this orphanage, and I'm even more thankful that children have been reclaimed.  I pray they are reunited with their families!

Church, what will we do?
About oppression?
About orphans?
Some think we need to 'take care of our own'.
Great!  What are you doing to 'take care of our own'?
I'm not suggesting that children on another continent are any more important to the Father than others.  Not at all!
But really, are we just too busy or too lazy to take care of anyone but ourselves?
We believe the lie that we are:
*too busy
*too poor
*too limited 
*too old
*too young
*too ______ 
*the problem is too big

And it's not just orphan care.  Maybe it's your neighbor.  The widow down the road.  The single parent.  The veteran.  The impoverished.  The differently abled.  The addicted.  The imprisoned.


Perhaps the biggest lie we can believe is that this life is about US!

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  

Ephesians 2:10