'JOY'ful News!!!!

Thank you for praying for Kasidi Joy!

I'm so glad to have professionals fighting for her.

And I'm so blessed by awesome gals like Jennifer (the most courageous and ambitious young woman with SB I know!) and Ginna (an awesome godly mama to the most adorable little man with SB who God just happened to plant in our small church family!).

And for the good news: Kasidi's normal tendency is to walk on her tiptoes (maybe because her ankles are tight). The AFOs don't allow her to do that, and she's compensating by turning her feet inward. (I'm sure the large size of the shoes affects her step too.) We notice her losing control particularly when she's tired so this makes loads of sense!

What does this mean? We have to be more intentional about building her muscle tone so she won't get so tired and will eventually be able to carry her weight and walk. We need to keep a daily walking regimen on her schedule, as well as stretching exercises.

It also means we don't have to squeeze in another two-day trip to St. Louis before Christmas, thank You, JESUS!!!!

Fill Their Stockings

Look what my friends Stefanie, Diana and Lisa are up to! Fill Their Stockings is a unique fundraiser to help support orphans in China through the amazing organizationAn Orphans Wish!

Something's Awry

Baby Joy has had her AFOs for almost two weeks!

She doesn't really want to walk :(

I don't know if it's that the shoes are 3 sizes too big, she's just not used to the appliances or what...but she does not want to walk.

Last week I noticed that when she does walk, her feet turn in, especially her left.

I didn't think much of it cuz I'm just ignorant like that.

But her therapist noticed it right away today!

We tried putting the shoes on the opposite feet and even taking off the left AFO...but there is a problem.

She told us to take the braces off asap and call the orthotist.

I see another trip to St. Louis on the horizon.

We are praying this is a 'simple fix.'

Kandles!

These are simply elegant, handmade candles made with high-quality ingredients that go with any decor! Both are delicious winter/holiday aromas.

I have two scents:

Buttercream Crunch.

Comes in a 3" jar

$12 + Shipping = $18.95

Available: 5

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Comes in a 2.5" jar

$9 + Shipping = $15.95

Available: 12
Here's the size difference
I will try to get the Paypal button made today, but until then you can leave a comment to order.

Or email me so I can reply and get your shipping addy.

It Was Like Christmas!

When I got today's mail, it was like Christmastime!

My sweet friend, Jodi, sent a box of adorable clothes for my two girls who are growing like weeds ~ Kennah and Kinley!

Jailyn and Jorja, thank you for handing your stylin' duds down :)

And speaking of Christmas, I'm whipping up a small batch of Kandles for sale!

Details as soon as they're done.

Gotta run ~ Kasidi and I are making kandles...

Terms I Never Wanted Thought I'd Need to Know

PTSD ~ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Major Depressive Affective Disorder
PIBS ~ Post Institutional Behavior Syndrome
Hypervigilant
Control/Avoidant Behavior
Self-parenting
Extreme Attention-seeking
Feelings of Entitlement
Repetitive Emotional Traumatization/ Developmental Trauma Disorder
Social/emotional immaturity and/or mixed maturity
Extreme emotional instability
Cumulative Cognitive Delays
Abandonment 
Deprivation
Neglect
Maltreatment
Institutionalization
Low self-esteem


We're learning.
Some of these terms are familiar, but others are very new to us.  We have changed some things about our parenting; we have let some things go (including some hopes and dreams); and we are willing to take the subtle and not-so-subtle steps outlined in Dr. Gindis' report once we get it.


I've written and deleted three posts on our visit, and I've come to the realization I don't know enough of what I'm speaking about to explain it...yet.


There is something I do know ~ my God is bigger than all this!  There is no thing and no one beyond His redemptive power.  That, I know.


And there is something I believe ~ when adopting an older child internationally, we aren't just discovering and dealing with the culture of their birth country, but also the culture of institutionalization.

Teens in da house

10th Annual Hanging of the Greens. What a privilege to hang out with these amazing kids!

Especially this Krew :)

Thank you for allowing me to pray for you. It's not too late if you'd like to send me your requests. You may leave a comment or email me.

Their Christmas Wish

My friend Mandi and her husband Matt have been waiting a long time to bring their 10-year-old daughter Kalia home from China! 


They are praying for travel this month.  They've been fundraising this entire journey, and they are still in need of travel funds. 


I know it's time for Christmas shopping and convenience eating (mostly due to the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping), but would you consider giving to a family whose Christmas wish is to have their daughter home?  It would be an eternal investment, and much more fulfilling than a fast food meal.


You can check out their fundraiser here.

Cuts, Hoops and Bedlam

It's Saturday!
We started with haircuts for half the Krew...
Next we'll watch high school hoops...
And finally, Bedlam with the youth.
I'm tired :)

Your Prayer Requests

Okay, ya'll, it's time to add to or update your prayer requests!

It's been amazing to watch God work as only He can in your lives.

Some were praying to move forward in the adoption journey, and you are now ready to travel!

Whether you need prayer about adoption, health issues, a job, family, relationships...whatever you'd like to share with me, it would be my privilege to pray for you!

Please either leave a comment or email me.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thes 5:16-18

Just What the Dr. Ordered *updated*

*see the update at the bottom!!!!*

I'm totally consumed with what's going on 10 hours away today!

Daddy and Kasidi Joy are at Shriner's (as if you haven't seen it posted all over my FB and received my prayer requests via text ;-).

She's got her cute new ladybug braces, and her rockin' daddy sent me two pictures!

I've been praying about these appointments and thanking God for what He is doing...and what He's already done that we don't even know about!

Now that the braces are fitted, Daddy and Kasidi are on their way to Children's to have her urodynamics tests done. My very basic understanding is that right now we are trying to maintain healthy kidneys and see if she has bladder/bowel control.

We will have answers this afternoon, and I'm thanking God in advance that Kasidi will have full control and will not need a catheter!

Thank you for your prayers!

*UPDATE*

Clayton just called me with the best possible news!

First answered prayer ~ all the tests were moved up so they are leaving 2 hours early and will be home late tonight!

Second ~ Kasidi has two completely healthy, functional kidneys!

Third ~ her bladder is also healthy and functional, and by the looks of things she will not need a catheter!

We couldn't have asked for better news today! Isn't that just like our God!!!!!

Thank you for joining us in prayer, and will you please join us in praising Him!!!

We.Are.Family

We so enjoyed hosting our big ole' family yesterday! Kelsey, Korbin, Paittan and Sean, we missed you! Grandma has 20 grandkids! You could say she's responsible for all this ;-)

Some of the teens ... and the young adult!
The ornery bunch.
The newest duo.

Yep, it was a good day!

So Thankful!

Happy Birthday, Kasidi Joy!

Last year we celebrated half a world apart and only had pictures of you. Not this year! We have the real deal!

How blessed we are!

Some assembly required.

No problem for Daddy!

Two, really?

For good luck? Big brother is such a good sport!

So many secrets to share...

Nah nah nah nah boo boo

Our non-traditional Thanksgiving celebration (having family here tomorrow!)

After clearing the table, I noticed the 12 cups, and it just made me smile.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Change My Mind Heart!

Here it is the eve of Thanksgiving, and I've been complaining all day! One of my precious friends (to protect the innocent, I will not mention names) knows how I feel...because I've been so honest with her today. I love you, sister!!!

I'm not at all proud of how I'm feeling. In fact, I've been saying to myself, "I SO need to change my mind about how I feel today." Like that's gonna happen! I'm so human...and my mind isn't the problem. It's my heart!

For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34

So that's why my words are so ugly today - ack!

Truth is, I can be thankful just because God is who He is! Never mind the indescribable amount of blessing He has heaped upon me! Even without all of that, I can still praise Him just because He IS!

If I just weren't so stinkin' human and caught up with what's going on right in front of me at this very moment as if it's going to last a lifetime: One child would rather stand on the sidelines sucking her thumb than play with her sibs; one can't find a single constructive thing to do; four are competing for the l.o.u.d. championship...blah, blah, blah.

See, I'm imagining that everyone else's home is so much more pleasant, peaceful and...well, Thanks-giving-y.

And the Lord stopped me in my tracks!

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17

I need to stop whining, turn to Him and gain perspective! This Thanksgiving we have 2 more Treasures home! My college kid is home! My family is well! We get to host Thanksgiving on Friday! We are celebrating Baby Joy's birthday tonight! But above all else, my God reigns!!!

Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5:6

I'm reminded of this beautiful Josh Wilson song, Fall Apart:

Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give You praise

Now it all seems upside down

‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart

My goodness, though my life is far from perfect, I have so very much to be thankful for. And today I am especially thankful that God changes my heart, not just for eternity...but moment by moment!

My sweet friends, from our imperfect home to yours, may the Lord bless you in this season of Thanksgiving!

The Pendant Winner is...

Rebecca Speight!

Congratulations, Rebecca!

Please leave a comment or email me so I can confirm your contact info with Gayly!

THANK YOU again to all of you and to Gayly for holding this fundraiser! The jewelry is beautiful!

So, It's Monday

There's so much I want to say, a lot I need to say...and yet I keep coming up empty. Either I don't have the time or the words, so I figure it's the Lord's way of keeping my big mouth shut so I can listen to Him.

First, for the pendant drawing, we will have a winner! Gayly has a very important trip early this week, and as soon as she returns I can get the names of everyone who ordered pendants...and then I promise I will announce the winner! We just don't want to leave anyone out!

Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word and who purchased pendants! The fundraiser will pay for more than half our hotel!

We are still soaking in what we learned in NY and taking one day at a time. But every day is surely different because of Jr. High basketball, high school basketball and Thanksgiving this week - yeah!!!!

And I can't possibly say who, but some little lovey has a birthday tomorrow ...

...and a trip to Shriner's next week for her AFO braces!!!

Because Sometimes...

...we just need a little perspective!

Pendants till Midnight Friday!

Thank you for purchasing Gayly's beautiful pendants and helping raise funds for our trip to BG Center!  So far, 20 have been purchased.
Gayly is extending the fundraiser to midnight Friday so there's still time!!!!  They truly are beautiful.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Answers and Shades of Grey

This is going to be a therapeutic blog post for me. We have answers from
BG Center.
That's good, right?!?
It is. The news could be much worse...and it could be better. Right now we have to process the information and prepare for lots of hard work.
There's no time to sit around, pouting and whining, although as a Mama I think I am grieving. This information doesn't change who my son is; it helps me understand where he's been and why he does the things he does...and doesn't do the things he doesn't do. And that makes me sad.
Over time, as we process the information and begin putting one foot in front of the other, I will share more. After all, the purpose of this blog is to
glorify the Lord, bring hope and encouragement to families considering adoption, families who have already adopted and to chronicle our journey of faith in parenting a Krew, (which will hopefully, ultimately, glorify the Lord).
I am overwhelmed right now, so I'm turning to the only One I know who can bring the perspective, hope and strength I need.
Proverbs 22:6 is a familiar passage ~
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.That's truth. Only thing is, instead of 18 years, we have 5, at most, with our Teen Treasure. Like I said, no time to sit around whining :)
I think this journey will take our faith to a new level. Romans 3:3-4a says,
"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all!"I know the Enemy will fight like mad, so we must constantly arm ourselves. We must remember who we are in the Lord, and we must remember the power given us by the Spirit residing within us!
We don't want to misplace our hope. It is in Him alone.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5We should not be afraid; rather, we must draw strength from the One who gives it perfectly:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19
I know that just as a single candle brings light to a dark room, the Lord's promises will bring light to my gloomy heart.As for our impression of Dr. Gindis and the BG Center, we are very impressed and thankful for the service they offer to families of internationally adopted children! If you would like more specific information, please email me.Thank you for praying. My guys will return in the wee hours of tomorrow morning.
(I'm having trouble with Blogger adding cute ladybugs when I post so bear with me...)

Country Boys in the City

My boys are doing great in NY, despite having to pay $13 for a burger!
You're not in Kansas Oklahoma anymore, Toto. 

Really, I miss my hubby terribly, especially when I need to transport a bunch of small people.
Ahem...
I'm getting good reports about the sessions.  Clayton is really impressed with Dr. G and Dr. C, and our Teen Treasure is doing well.
Tuesday afternoon we will have a two-hour conference call where Dr. Gindis will discuss his findings with us.
It is confirmed that we face much hard work, but we are willing...because time is not on his side, and our boy is worth it!

Speaking of hard work, my friend Gayly is prepared to make as many necklaces as ya'll order.  Thank you to those who have spread the word and purchased yours!  She is offering this fundraiser through this Thursday, the 17th. 

It is so very hard to ask for help, but we've been humbled a lot lately.  The BG Center fee is $4500, and the trip expenses (airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation) are over $2000.  We obviously weren't planning for such a venture, but it was such a God thing how it came to be, and it just seems so necessary to help our son begin to heal.  So we jumped in with both feet, and the Lord has really blessed us!

We are praying that 45 necklaces would be sold, which would almost pay for the hotel.
And the Lord has proven over and over that He gives us far more than we can ask or imagine!

You can also get chances to win the beautiful pendant pictured above by sharing on your blog, on FB and the purchase of other pendants.
Please see this post for details.
Most of all, thank you for lifting us up to the Father!

There is no thing and no one beyond His redemptive power!

Down to the Wire

It's only a matter of hours till Clayton and Kooper fly to NY for our appointment at BG Center...and we need your prayers.

We have a child who has completely shut down.

He's disrespectful and disobedient...and not because he's a teenager. It's because he's afraid. This is what our traumatized kids do.

He's going to be spending many hours with two doctors who get kids like him.In his mind he's lost control.

There's a lot of hard work required, not only for this visit, but afterward.We are willing, but we don't know if he is.

We would very much appreciate your prayers for~

Travel mercies

Kooper's willingness to cooperate with Dr. Gindis

Answers

Mama and 8 kiddos at home :)

The visit goes something like this:

*A 2-hour visit with a Chinese psychologist Sunday evening

*A family session and intake for 1 hour Monday morning

*Dr. Gindis and Kooper do testing throughout the day with a lunch break

*A morning session with Kooper Tuesday

*A family session Tuesday afternoon where Dr. Gindis will explain his findings

*Fly out of NY late Wednesday night (without a 3 day gap between flights the tickets were $1400 each - good grief!) so they have a full day of nothing, just to reduce the ticket price.
Thank you for your prayers!

Beautiful Pendants..for a Purpose

We are so humbled by our sweet friend, Gayly, and her generosity! She is making these beautiful pendants and donating the profits to help fund our trip to BG Center (the guys leave early Sunday the 13th and return late Wednesday the 16th).

She's set up a website with all the details, order and payment information here.

This beautiful brass pendant with freshwater pearl charm will be given away after the fundraiser which ends November 17.

There are several ways you can enter to win this beautiful pendant:

For every necklace you buy, you get 5 chances

For posting on your blog, you get 1 chance

For posting on Facebook you get 1 chance

For being a follower on my blog you get 1 chance

Here are samples of some of the pendants available.


It's no coincidence that these pendants say HOPE! The Lord has given Dr. Gindis the skills and experience to equip families, and we are praying for HOPE to be restored to our Teen Treasure.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for joining us in this journey of HOPE. And, Gayly, we thank you for your sweet and generous heart!

The pendants are available from today to November 17th, and the website is here.

Please leave a comment or email me if you've shared this on your blog or Facebook.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Heb 10:23

Sneak Peek ~ Christmas Shopping for a Cause!

A sweet friend is putting together a short-term fundraiser for us.

She makes beautiful pendants like this one~

And to sweeten the deal, you can have a chance to win this very pendant!

I'll post the details soon...but in the meantime one of the simplest things you can do to get a chance to win this pendant is to be a follower on my blog.

Then get your Christmas shopping list ready :)

"I Can't Do This"

I posted on Katelyn's Fund blog today.

It's short and sweet, but this is my heart at the moment.

Check it out.

Win This!

From the Meadors' blog, The Adoption Call:

Here's the deal. We need to broaden our blog readership in a big way. So we want to reward you for helping us. This package - 1 of our custom adoption t-shirts, 1 copy of Matt's book "When You Come Home" and one copy of "Lovesongs and Lullabyes" can be yours!

Here's how.

1 chance for simply becoming a follower on our blog

1 chance for doing a facebook post referencing our blog

2 chances for putting our blog button on your blog

2 chances for sharing on your blog

Please email us at mmeadors23@yahoo.com or send us a facebook message to let us know you've done these things so we can give you credit.We will be randomly selecting a name on November 14. Let's get this party started!

It's so simple! There are 4 ways to enter, and they are all FREE!

We've been praying a long time for this family to add another child through adoption, and the Lord is answering our prayers. Maybe we can help them???