What to post....

Well, many start their adoption adventures with a blog.. this helps people really feel connected to your adoption for awhile after your children are home it is very interesting to see how the children have progressed.. then we get to where we are now. What to post? In the past weeks we have just been hangin out watching it snow. Henry and Camille have just blossomed. Henry has for some reason had some feeding problems. Yesterday he was admitted to the hospital with Pneumonia. At home it is all going great. My back ups are the best. The children have been trained well. 8)
Yes I could elaborate yet, does anyone want to know? It seems to me that blogs/facebook/myspace/caringbridge while yes they do keep people connected. In my life anyway it has caused more disconnect. People go to their computers in a few minutes catch up and well this eliminates the need for phone calls or actually making contact after all your are up to date. Now I know not everyone who checks on our blog do I have phone contact abilities with. And I like that our out of town family and friends can check in on us. So for that reason I will probably continue to blog.. not as well as before but still blog none the less.
Have a wonderful day.
~Blessings Tiffany

Join the Virtual March for Life~~

To join go to http://www.virtualmarchforlife.com/

What's up??

Well lots and lots of immeasurable stuff. You know laundry, dished, diapers,baths, and again wiping noses....just a couple but a couple to many in my book.
We have had a lot of snow here. Matter a fact Gary was unable to come home for several days. We just hunkered down and had some hot chocolate. It was all good. Funny how we all want snow and then after about three days all we can do is complain about the snow. Oh we humans never content. Since our Ethiopian beauties have been home we have had seemingly one thing after another.. I think it is like this in some home all the time but not typically in ours. Hmmmm Satan alive and well. I think so.
Our latest is some weird splotches on Camille, when they first came home we did have ringworm and some other stuff. Now she has something. We can't seem to get rid of. It seemed to be coming from her scalp... sooooooo Wednesday eve..well we did it. We shaved her head. Oh my goodness... she is so cute.. It was interesting. She just sat so still. When we were done she hopped in the bath and was happy as a lark in the spring. Now we can see her head is covered with these little pencil eraser size spots. We have a couple creams we put on them and have a Derm appointment soon. She used to just scratch her scalp and cry now no more. Her hair is already growing back. It had grown about two inches since her arrival in America so it will grow fast she is not shy eater so her vitamin intake is good.
Perhaps if I am brave later I will post a picture.
In the last few weeks we have really seen a tremendous change in both Henry and Camille for the better. Henry still cries at night but does go typically without a bottle in the night. Camille only wakes up about every third night and refuses to go back to sleep without some comforting touch and milk. She was screaming out in the night about every hour so we have made great progress. Henry's latest thing is his belly. He is bloating up a lot, he is ok till afternoon then he just bloats up like I took a pump and pumper him full of air. He has also been spitting up which is not normal for him but seriously he is all bloated up. No, no diet changes, yes he poops occasionally, and no I don't overfeed him. Just to rule those out. 8) We'll pop him by the Pedi's office on Monday and see what she thinks. They are both amazingly non picky eaters. Not like Peter who just wants applesauce all of a sudden. Applesauce and crackers that is..... Silly boy.
Hope you have been able to find some pleasure in the cold weather and snow. Our kids have .. our lake only freezes every so many years so you can only play on the ice if we have a winter like this. That is my joy in this cold their excitment to live dangerously on the ice... That and all the Hot chocolate breaks we have taken together.
Have a wonderful Lords day, Remember Jesus loves you....
~~~~Tiffany~

Happy New Year!!!

We celebrated our New Years day by doing something not so ordinary for us. We went out in public...Now this is probably a dumb comment to most however if you have ever had a medically fragile child then you understand how quickly a cold can turn into a hospital stay. So our practice for the last four years has been to enjoy more of home then of the public world. However someone had sent us a check to spend on Christmas Cheer so in a moment of obvious delusion I said lets get up really early drive an hour and go to Science city. So we did. We had a wonderful day... this was the first time Henry and Camille have really ever been out except for Dr.'s appointments and Christmas at Grandmas. Yes being out there with all those germs makes me well nervouse. Yes I may be weird however I am a self professing germaphobe. Mainly becasue so many do not stay home when they are sick and It is one thing to have one or two children with a cold or the stomache flu... but eleven people with a cold or stomach flu well that's a hole different story. At this time we are all well and we had a wonderful time it was a great day. Camille enjoyed getting to walk around in the big world. Henry just enjoyed watching it all go by. Christy and Garrett loved it.. they are the perfect age to enjoy the activities we did... We had not been to Science city in over six years the big kids have fond memories of the last time they went and had fun helping the little ones explore all there is to do.
We also saw the grand Canyon on the Extreme screen. Some of us went to the planatarium and saw the holiday laser show that was very nice.. One thing that was refreshing in Union Station... was the music.. Peter and I do a wondrful duet of Silent Night which we proudly sang together at Union station because they were playing it... along with O come all ye faithful, O little town of Bethlehem and many more traditional Christian Christmas songs.
It must work to not take the kids out to often because they were all great. No complaining no fighting. Just fun and happiness. On the way home we stopped by Grandmas's and helped her finish up her holiday leftovers. Visited with the kids Uncle,Aunt and cousins who were also helping to deplete the food supply. Then we headed home.. most of the kids were asleep before we got home and you can bet naptime on Saturday was welcome by all. Today Gary took the bravest out to go sledding. We figured they would be gone for thirty minutes however they were gone for three hours.. Wow tougher then I would be. Cold is not my thing.
This Christmsa season our famliy experienced the most laid back season ever. Thus making it the most enjoyable in many many years.
Hope you were able to get away from the crazy expectations of the season and set aside some time to enjoy the reason for this time of year... Jesus...The birth of our savior...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Tiffany
Below are some pictures from our day out...

Henry... so cute in glass's

Peter in a sewage tube...

Christy and Maggie in a Helicopter

Gary afraid of a Dinosaur.
2"
Water current table sooo fun.....

Garrett digging for fossils

Still open while under construction.

Well, I am going to give it a go. By no means am I a computer person however over the next couple weeks our blog will be under construction. This will be a DIY job. So bare with me as the changes come and surely go.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
~~T~~

More important then surgery

If you are able to watch the news, perhaps you are aware that the only Man keeping the Democratic party from having all 60 votes on the Health bill is Ben Nelson. Nebraska Senator.. Praise God for him. He is a conservative Democrat. I am not sure of the exacts but it seems he like God is against abortion. It has been requested that we send him emails of encouragment and support. Oh can you imagine the pressure being put on him? The anger towards him from his own party?
Today I have become a fan of facebook and twitter. If you have one of these or a blog could you please add his link and a message on your pages about this? Regardless of where you stand on the "life" issue. You surely don't want your hard earned money to be taken from you to pay for someone elses abortion. We also need to pray for this man's continued resolve as well.

http://bennelson.senate.gov.email-issues.cfm

Ms.sunshine

This afternoon Ms.Sunshine will join Henry and I at the pokey for a bit. She will be getting her third set of tubes. Hopefully Henry will nap while she is in surgery.
She was so good at pre-op.

Fix-a -heart week

SO far so great. What an amazing little guy Henry is. Wow, truth be told I did not think he would get to have surgery Monday. Mid week mmy husband came down with a cold.. then another child then another... well I was just sure Monday am we would wake up and Henry would be then next to drop but praise be to God once again he just smiled as usual.
He was first up for surgery on Mon which wsa great I think both Maggie and Peter ended up having to wait hours beyond hteir scheduled time and oh the screaming and crying form hunger. Maggie was the worst she likes her food more then the boys do.
Henry was given some Versaid.. a litle pre happy juice. In ten minutes it did the job. They took him to surgery where his little body performed beautifully. They kept him sedated until Tues then slowly weined him from the sleepy juice. Took him off the vent and at that point my almost always happy little fellow turned not on us. He flailed and cried best he could, he actully flipped over at one point.. He was regretful immediatly. That little move cost him his freedom at that point we put the cuffs on him. He did not really calm down but because he was doing so well they took his Art line out, those scanners that were on his head and kidneys area. Then he was even allowed to tinkle like the bigger boys you know in his diaper instead of through a tube.. At this point it was like well THANK YOU PEOPLE.. basically his eyes rolled back in his head and he was out. He knew that was an out hole not an in hole..... See he is sooo smart.
Through last eve and the night he has had five ounces of formula. So progressing. He really is just plain out of it. I did get him to crack a smile last eve and he talked to me just a bit. He is a trooper.. he stick that lip out when he is displeased but overall he is just so pleasent.
Thanks so much for all your prayers... when you spend much time here you daily become more and more greatful for the little things.. You become very aware that although you only got half your Christmas cards done before surgery it's ok. If you did not get the teachers gifts done to send with the kids.. that's ok. Yes everyone is still appreciated and thought of. Just the tangible items will be well perhaps given out at Valentines day... Yeah that's it..
Ok anyway..when you see the what if's and the could have's and the if we had only's come to be here. Well your thoughts change..Hopefully for a long time.. but sadly for some just for a bit. For that time anyway.. you appreciate time more.. you appreciate people..you are closer to God. It is good to come here.
Merry Christmas
Tiffany

Little update

God is good and always greatly to be praised. If you say or think this enough.. Satan has a tendancy to see if you really mean it. So you have to say it more. Amen!

We had an interesting week. We always have stuff. you know check ups at the ENT, Cardio, therapy, just stuff. We do not do a lot of activites.. Afterall we are an activity. I do not believe that if my childen are not enrolled in activities by age three I will have short changed them of their lifes calling. So often we just hang out here together. With the Llamas and this week puppies.

However this week, has been a little different. I do not have permission from my daughter to go into detail so I will be brieg and hopefully she will approve pictures. Two of my children were in a roll over and make your truck fly accident this week. I did not realize the magnatude of the fact that they walked away until I saw the pictures of the truck the next day. Yes I made it to the scene but was in the ambulance with the girls so I missed it. They walked away,, because God said they could. He showed grace and mercy to them. For his purpose... Amen? Some have tried to get me to be saddened by this.. Yes I have perspective..yes I knwo they would have died, been taken to the hospital be bed ridden. Yet when you say God is good and greatly to be praised you must say it in everything.

Like when the five year old comes to you and says I cold not get the lightbulb to work so I put it in my moouth as blood leaks down his chin.. Ok this one I just made a plain old weird face. WHY?? This is a smart kid.. Ok but little water spit it out rinse, repeat. all good and again God is good and greatly to be praised.

Then there is today. All is well yes it's only 645am so there is still time. :):)
Actually we don't normally have such things happen. Since Henry and Camille have been home we have had a bit "more' then normal for us. That's ok.. we can handle it.

On Monday we will have Fix-A-Heart day. Finally Henry will have his heart repaired. Yesterday he and I went and did the prelimanary three hours of testing that precedes Open Heart. As of yet no call backs so first thing Monday am. he's up.

We will be spending the next couple days getting it together best we can. There is really no sign of Christmas inside the house. Gary did put up a tree in the front yard... What isn't that where you put your Christmas tree. Oh I will let him know..
This am for a treat we are having muffins and some kids will even get frosting.. Ok make fun but this is a big deal around here. I am a germ a phobe and a "that kid doesnt' need sugar queen".
We have taken literally three hunderd pictures of the kids trying to get that perfect Christmas card picture. Let me just give the disclaimer before the card goes out today. It did not happen..
Here are some samples..



Everyone enjoy hte rest of this season it is so brief. Jesus is the reason we have this season. On Christmas, have the biggest Birthday Party you can have. Don't forget gifts for the King.

Merry Christmas everyone.
~~Tiffany~~
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/henryninemire

Nine Years

A few weeks ago I took my two year old to his pace maker/Cardio appt. When we go it is very laid back, our Cardio clinic is great. This time Peter was not so receptive to all the little probes and clips placed upon his chest. While the pacemaker was being checked the Cardio Dr and I visited about Peter which was minimal because overall he is in good shape since his repair. So we chatted about Henry... who I can not even imagine taking to the Hospital sess pool at all before his surgery. The Dr agreed he should not be out and I was thankful for that validation. The Dr and I were still talking when the pacemaker checker (she's not a Dr so i am not sure what to call her) she leaned in and said everything looks good he has nine years of battery left on his pacemaker and that was all. On the way home that hit me. NINE YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I know what that means is that in nine years if his heart has not returned to beating completely on it's own then Peter at roughly around age 11 will need to have surgery to replace his pacemaker. They do not just change out the batteries they replace the whole pacemaker. Now that said... just to let you know this post now becomes controversial. Changing the pacemaker alone should not be a big deal. I am not afraid to have one of my children undergo the knife! It did cause my mind to wander to the "first" proposed Health Bill. It took my mind to socialized medicine. It took my mind to a conversation I have had with many ... when a person proposes that the new "health care plan" would be a gift to us all.... yes some rally believe this. Then my question to those people is WHY??? If you place my beautiful son with Down Syndrome and in need of a NEW pacemaker in front of the "benifits board" to deceide if he should get a pacemaker why would a system wtih socialized medicine replace that pacemaker????? Now I know how much the first pacemaker cost. I assume it will be a bit more in another 10+ years. So far the only answer I have gotten is well because he is human. Now that may have suffices them but not me. Nor should it suffice others. Do not be fooled into thinking that our children with special needs that we love so much will have health care taylor made just for them if the Health Bill as is passes. They surely will not. If they are allowed to bog down the system it wil be at the Goverments discression. Did you know the all so common Strabismus is a "Non-Covered" item in the current health bill? Look deeply there is so much more. How many of you use supplements? Guess what you will need a script to get these for your children from a Dr. That of course agrees with why you have not vaccinated your child and why you are giving them supplemts instead of going to a Dr. No more Gummi vitamins for the kids. Nope Nope Nope.
Because I believe in an Awesome God that loves Peter and the rest of my children so, so much more then I could ever begin to imagine I am comforted slightly. Afterall no parent under any circumstances wants to see their child denied anything that will allow them to prosper in their lives.
It is my prayer that the eyes of the American people will be opened. That we will all stand up for what so many fought and died for in war. Our rights and our freedoms. As of today this is the United States of America The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I for one want to see it stay that way.
How is God to protect us if we do not ask him. We need but take the time to pray, ask God for direction for protection. Yes how is God to protect ua and give us direction if we fail to ask, or if by our life choices we loose our ability to listen. We are such a blessed nation even in our bad economic times, we are so much more blessed then other nations in their best economics times.

Please be in prayer for those who are in charge of our nations health plan. Pray their eyes will be open to all people not just those who "fit the mold." That they will actually do what is BEST for the people.
Those of you who have children with Special Needs know that our what our children teach us is of more value then many will ever see. Maggie taught me more in her first two months of life then I could have gotten out of college in a year I am sure. And it has been my honor to be her student.
Unite in Prayer for our country.
~~~There is none as blind as one who refuses to see~~~
~~T~~

The Lesson of the Leper.

Whew, that was the quickest three months of my life. Yes our Ethiopian beauties have been with us just a few days short of three months. Wow has the time gone by. Probably spending a whole month sick and two weeks of that bed ridden did help the time go by. Samantha is doing great and as I predicted tomorrow will be my first yellow free day. Hippie... By afternoon I am beat though not that it matters my title is Mom is it not?!?!?!
We have tried to have a good attitude about our illness and creepy crawlies we have killed over the past months and see the positives in it. Knowing that even before we commited to Henry God knew we would also commit to a daughter, that Camille would be that daughter that they would bring us Hep A and that Samantha and I woudl get it helps tremendously.That all knowing thing.Can bring you great peace if you let it. And yes I have to apologize to the Mexican restraunt I blamed for the Hep. Sorry Mexican Restraunt..
However I got an unexpected lesson and I truly was not even going to say anything, then in the inbox was a great missionary letter sharing that today is National Aids day. Hmmmm of course I think Africa. It's a county close to my heart with a astronomical death rate due to aides. Ok so how is this the lesson of the leper? As I read the story about Naomi who has three little children one being a five week old little girl. She told the misisonary who was there to teach Aids awerness and to test those who wanted to be, that her husband goes away on business often and seems distant. Hmm well Naomi had the missionary test her and her test came back positive. Three little ones to care for and in her community as in so many community's, when they find out you are HIV positive or you have a difference of almost any preportion you are shunned. See they are ignorant of how you get HIV. Until someone teaches them they don't know. So in turn they might think you can catch Aides from a handshake, or a hug. Nope that's not how. My point is they are ignorant and so they are afraid.
Since we began doing foster care then adopting children with Down Syndrome we have come across a lot of people who just don't understand the why's. Sadly most don't bother to ask any questions. So they stay in the dark about the answers. Sad for everyone. Knowledge is power you know?!.
So what was my lesson. Well every Dec I attend a function. This is sooo my favorite "adult lady" function well typically the only "adult lady" function I attend all year. Well many of you have it figured out already. You got it I got a call and was asked not to attend because there were others who just could not "risk" being around me. They just could not "risk" being around me because being around me automatically makes them a candidate for catching Hep. Hmmm I thought. Wow I thought. In the past I have called this function MY FAMILY REUNION. Because the function is with most of the women who watched me go from an unsaved insecure little girl to a born again, slightly more secure women. I explain this only to help you understand how fwd I look to this day. When I hung up the phone I thought this is what it feel like to have Aids. To be a leper. To have a disability that people just do not understand so you are excluded because of fear.
Did I feel bad ya.. for a bit. Then I remembered what I just wrote. It's just because of fear and ignorance. They don't know so they are acting out of fear. Hey I'm a germaphobe so I kind of understand yet becuase I am a germaphobe I also know how you get Hep A so at the same time I don't understand. It's ok, I'm not angry I should not even be sharing so as to not make anyone feel bad or angry this is so not my point.
The Irony of the whole thing is with Hep A you are most contagious the week before you even realize you have it. That week my daughter was at the church most all these women attend clueless she was even sick along with many many strangers at a judgement house. (like a haunted house just Christian)
It really is ok if I don't go after all Henry is to have his surgery that next Monday and I really should not have planned to go in the first place. Now I have that Saturday free to be with my family. So another reason to Praise God. The lesson of the leper does not have to be a bad lesson. How many of you woul pay for a free day this time of year??? :):):)
So do me a favor next time you don't understand a disability a disease or illness just ask the person if they would mind telling you about it? The worst that will happen is that they will tell you they don't want to talk about it. More often then not you will find most are happy that someone cared enough to ask and then listen while the explanation is given. Time is a commodity you know.
On the light side Henry and Camille are doing wonderful. They have both gained a whopping four pounds each. They sure have added much to our lives since they have been here. To watch then smile laugh,love and be loved by our other children is worth Hep A at least once a year....
Enjoy this season and remember Jesus is the only reason we have this month to celebrate.
And if you have any questions about Hep A. Feel free to ask.
To read Naomi's story go to http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/world-aids-day-inspiration
Blessings Tiffany

Reality

Good Evening,
Thank you for all the well wishes. It has been requested that I blog more. The reality is I can't. My energy level is returning at a slower then snail rate. It is frustrating. My family is handling it well. My SIL and MIL are sharing a couple of my beautiful children for a couple days which helps with the noise/need/stress level in the house. It is allowing Morgan to regroup a bit. Today was my target date for getting better. Not happening. I did take a good nap today. We have not gotten the results of Henry or Camille Hep A test back yet. We are eager to get those back. Overall everyone is good here. Cabin fever has been tolerable so that is good.
Please continue to pray for those doing my job. And that whomever is supposed to be learning a lesson from this learn it so I can get better.
T

Yup it's true.

Shortly after my last post. I thought I had pulled something in my back. Couple days on the couch little ibuprophen and well it was tolerable. My oldest Samantha was in bed for that time as well.. truly in bed.....sleeping close to 20 hours a day. She had a sleeping sickness a few years ago so I really thought not a lot of it. So for the next week (as mothers do) it was an up and down sort of thing. I even took a trip to the Chiropractor thinking that would help. By the next Sunday Samantha and I were basically eating and drinking nothing. Our abdominal areas were so tender to breath, touch, cough, nausea and dizziness when standing was the norm then Morgan noticed a yellow sheen about us. Uh oh!!!
The Friday before I had made an Dr. apt for Samantha hoping that would jinx her well, Mon am I made one for myself. We had(as Dr's love) already self diagnosed before we got to the Dr. Hep A was our diagnosis. The Dr said with the jaundice it surely was just which kind. So mother/daughter went to the lab and back home to bed Oh the bonding. The next day the Dr's called to say that Samantha's levels were off the charts and that mine were double hers. So the suggestion was made that she and I go to the Hospital our Dr's work with and do labs. This did not please me because they had said I might need to be admitted and this is not a Hospital you would "choose" to go to. However the Dr assured me she would send her own daughter to this hospital(should have asked her if she liked her daughter) and that is was just for labs after all. So we reluctantly went. They did labs.. assured me I needed fluids I agreed because I was drinking and eating nothing and really wanted the magical effect that fluids seem to have on my little ones. So I gowned up and layed waiting for my magic treatment. Samantha was drinking water fast as she could to escape the same fate. My hesitancy for this hospital was proven shortly after they ran the fourth bag of fluid into my body in a very short period of time. After using the facilities man did I feel SO MUCH WORSE... so what do I hear them say from the galley "Admit her" NOOOOOO I think.. not here... So I calmly prayed that God would make it clear to me why I would need to stay there, I prayed he had someone for me to talk to about Christ, Down Syndrome whatever just a good reason.(He did) The hospital stay was so unsettling I broke out the next day although I would have really benefited from another day. I kept pretending I was in Africa and in the lap of luxury. :)
To come to date.. Samantha was up most of the day yesterday.. today, I am able to blog then perhaps a nap.:) Samantha has less and less of a glow each day.. we keep saying I am a couple days behind her. I pray.. All this said God is great and greatly to be praised. He always is isn't he? Amen!!
Now to clear up some of the where did you get it?
Initially it was thought a local Mexican restaurant that I took Samantha to the day after her birthday she and I had a quick lunch and are the only two with Hep. It was my understanding that Henry and Camille had been checked for this when I took them to the adoption clinic. However I was wrong. They have now been tested so we will see if one of them is the carrier. The Health dept has been out to give those who needed immunized the IG shot. Not the Hep A vaccine as it is grown in aborted fetal tissue. www.cogforlife.com
No this has not been a fun two and a half weeks. Morgan has had almost full duty since Gary works and is now in charge of running us all around to do labs and see Dr's. Our friends have been amazing and my fridge runneth over. What peace of mind this gives a Mom to know her family is eating wonderful food, even though she cannot:):):):) Samantha and I can basically eat bread without angering our livers.We like bread so it's ok. However the meals brought in look so good.
And NO I am not sorry to have brought Henry and Camille into our home. Perhaps I should spend more time in prayer for the binding of Satan against my family. Yet Henry and Camille are still gifts from God.. the scabies,ring worm, Hep A, Impentigo, all just bonus learning experience. It's how you handle it that counts. With each child in our home birth or adopted..there are not mistakes....human error has certainly caused their stories to be "off society's norm book" the uniqueness that brought each child to our home makes me so proud to be a part of. How one could look into the face of a child knowing we are ALL created in the image of God and say whew you are to much trouble, you are really not worth it. Well I am a diamond that has taken many many years of polishing and I am just starting to shine a little Oh how grateful I am that Jesus has never looked at me and said " Tiffany you, you are just to much trouble." Sorry I'm not going to be there for you anymore.
Praise God for his Faithfulness, Praise God for his Mercy, Praise God for his Grace.
Then remember Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.... Then Praise God again.

Seven weeks

Good Morning,,
Wow! It has been seven weeks since Gary and Morgan made their way with many other couples to Addis, Ababa to pick up our precious Henry and Camille. It has been an honor to be a part of their coming to the USA. Boy does time fly when you are changing diapers, wiping faces, feeding bottles, going to Dr appts. over and over and over and over.... Their are so many who helped.. there are those who prayed, those who had soup supper/bake sale/auctions for us, and those who chose to give a monetary gift. Each day and especially when I look into those beautiful little faces, I am thankful for all who helped and supported us on this adventure. In truth so many are still supporting us. Meet and Greats, Baby showers, surprise gifts arriving in the mail and one women who just handed money to Gary as he walked past her at church. Wow we have been so blessed by everyone. Thank you so much..

So how are the kids doing? They are great. Henry is off O2. PTL!!! He is still a little wet towel.. he just has NO muscle's or tone. He has only gained a half pound since getting here. I know he has been sick but I really expected he would tank it on a bit faster then he is. We tank him full of high calorie food all day and night. Really this just validates that he needs his heart repair. We have scheduled his surgery for December 14th. So little Henry will be enjoying the holiday season from the confines of his own home and the rest of us will be going out as little as possible, in hopes of keeping him well. This means our church family who has been SOOO supportive may not see him in person until after his repair. It was initially discussed that he would have his repair the week before Thanksgiving, the change come because the surgeon is taking several weeks off around that time. So Dec 14th it is. Henry is still very personable.. he is very smart as well. The other day I was holding him and cracked a joke.. he rolled his eyes and chuckeled. So I asked him if he was really four or five to that he again looked at me an chuckeled.. so who knows what my floppy boys DOB really is. For spending all his days in a baby bed he has attached very well and seems to realize at least that I am the head lady in charge and not just any old nanny.

How is Camille? She is also great. Camille is a little rougher around the edges then Henry. Last night my husband took the older five to our friends home they have a Dairy farm and each year have a Fall Festival. That left me with the younger four. So we hunkered down in the Living room and played.. Camille who is short, stalky yet a solid muscle(she must have Henry's tone also) she crawled up the couch then down, up the toddler picnic table that is in the LR for just such a reason then down the other side.. under the picnic table up to Dad's recliner over the side.. ok this might not seem like a big deal to a lot of you, those of you with children that have DS well you will understand. Remember it has been 5 years since I had a plain ol regular kid and well her development just blows me away. Camille is taking longer to feel comfortable.. I do think she thinks I am just another nanny even if she calls me mama. Ocassinally she calls Morgan mama also we agree in her mind we are all just nannies. Last Saturday we did spend the day outside in the sun it seemed to really put her in a better mood. That said I am ready for spring.:):):):):) Or to move to South Carolina!!!!

Overall we are doing well, keeping our heads up anyway.. I am well behind the "proper" timeline in getting my thankyou's out.. sorry... we are busy mainly doing those everyday things.. just in mass quantity.

Have a wonderful weekend.. turn your clocks back and enjoy the season...
Tiffany

Sit back relax and enjoy!! You might recognize someone!!!

Reece's Rainbow

The rest of the story.. a day late... :o)

So here we are at the Tokoul orphanage waiting(could we possibly wait any longer.
There was laundry hanging on the lines, lots of laundry the poor ladies who must wash all those clothes by hand.:( We stood there ready to take the children in our arms as soon as they appeared. Then it happened three nannies with three babies whose were they?? The Waits got there twin girls so cute and the Peobles' little girl were the first to arrive, what a beautiful moment seeing families united after such a long wait. Two more nannies two more babies would they be ours, no the two precious little girls went into Ms. Moore's waiting arms. The Peobles and Ms. Moore went into the little visiting room while the Waits and ourselves hung out outside. Where were Henry and Camille???
They came and asked us again what our children's names were we told them Metesabia and Meskerem. One of the Waits little girls was also named Meskerem and they pointed to her and said this is Meskerem. Well the girls were obviously twins, that wasn't our girl. The nannies went back inside when they came out a few minutes later they told us we could go in. We walked past the laundry lines to the back door to the building Dad had his video camera out but they asked us to turn it off because of the other children. On the left side of the hallway we could see babies and toddlers in the different rooms.
A small room on the right side of the hallway is where we were told to wait. They closed the door when they left and I was praying they would open it any minute and there would be our kids. A minute later the Waits came in to feed there babies(the nannies had brought them bottles). The nannies and Tesfaye(our driver) came in again asking for Henry and Camile's numbers, thankfully we had been told we would need the numbers so Dad had them ready, then we were left to wait again. I was dying inside could they be at another orphanage, could they have already been adopted, Where were they?!?!?!
Then the door opened and there they were Camille was given to Dad and Henry was placed in my arms, as I held him I thought I never want to let him go. I looked into his beautiful eyes and stroked his soft hair, as my fingers touched his forehead he looked up and smiled. He was beautiful his smile made all that waiting worth it. How could we have lived without him? The Waits were very kind and took some picture for us even though they too had there hands full. I then had to give Henry up though it was only to Dad. Camille looked at us like who are you and what is going on here. Poor thing her face was swollen and she had just had the chickenpox so she still has scabs all over her.:( She didn't seem to impressed with me, but she did like the bubbles Mrs. Waits had brought. While we were holding Henry and Camille it started to rain OK pour outside. I felt so bad for the poor nannies as they ran to get the laundry off the line, all that work.:(
Our time with the kids seemed to fly by(unlike all the waiting before)I didn't want to give them back, but I knew though i would miss them and couldn't wait to see them again they were happy because this was their home. So i kissed them goodbye and gave them back to their loving nannies.
On the drive home we all talked about the kids, how old they were how beautiful they were and of course how we couldn't wait to go back tomorrow. Back at the guesthouse we had dinner and headed up to our rooms. I repacked my diaper bag though I knew we wouldn't be checking them out for a few more days, I was just so excited. I was in another country in a beautiful city with beautiful people and now the children we had been waiting for for so long were real and not too far away. As I laid in bed and prayed for my family close to me and across the world I just couldn't believe how blessed I was. What a wonderful first day in Ethiopia.
Morgan

Morgan is back..

O+ where did I leave off, yes we were at the Guest house and had another three hours to wait till we would be driven to the orphanage. Oh what would we do, how could we wait... So after being told repeatedly Do NOT eat fresh vegtables or fruits. We went downstairs and what did they serve us for lunch??? SALAD.. and bread..What do you do? They were watching us.. Over and over in our paperwork it warns travelers against this. So we ate it.. (then ran upstairs and had probiotics and prayed)
After lunch we hung out a bit and then our driver Tesfaye (TesfI) took us to the Toukoul Orphanage. It was about a 15 minute drive on the way there we saw lots of people it was amazing the difference in the Ethiopian people alone there were people dressed in jeans and tshirts, suit coats, tattered clothes and traditional Ethiopian garb. All walking the streets together.. some with somewhere to go, some with nowhere to go. Many of the billboards were in English. This is because there are a lot of tourists. Along with the people there were cattle, donkey's, and lots of goats. The goats were obviously unaware that they would be dinner come Thursday which was he Ethiopian New Year.Do you know what year it is there? There were many tarps laid on the ground people were selling anything and everything. books, banana's, meat. The streets in the city were made of asphalt, the road to the orphanage was mud. There are no street lights and many lanes of trafic. There was really no guides for driving you just did. The drivers used there horns to communicate not to just say get out of my way.. kind of like saying I'm over here with your horn. Our driver Tesfaye said everyone gets in about five to ten fender benders a year. However you just move on no insurance calls, no police, no anger no it's your fault you just move on. As we turned onto the mud road and saw the Blue gates of the Toukoul orphanage I could hardly wait to hold Henry and Camille. We know that some wait much longer then we have but when it's your turn... well it's your turn. The man opened the gates, we parked all got out out of the van not really knowing what to do. There were some french people waiting, after about five minutes their children were brought out. There was one couple who got a little boy about two.. he was just clueless that this was his mommy and that she had come to get him and take him to his forever home. He kept looking back at the nanny's for guidence.
It was a good to have this to watch while we waited for our little ones. The question is where are our little ones???????
Unless Henry goes to the Hospital I'll see you tomorrow for The Rest of the Story.
Dictated by Morgan typed by her Mom

How's it goin?

Well to most it would be hectic, to much work and we have even had a couple people insinuate that it is not worth it...WHAT!?!?!? not worth it.. Oh my my my, what some people miss out on .. Now I must be honest the one thing I prayed to not get was those little scabies.. and oh did we get them.. along with ringworm, Giardia, ear infections, colds, a short hospital stay, a little girl that wants to be held every second of the day (yes we do hold her) and a little boy on Oxygen. Nope would not trade it for the world.. my comment is often "What else would I be doing?" and I mean it. My next response is, always better to obey God then to not.. (learned this the hard way) do I get an Amen??
It has been a lot of work so far. Somedays I wonder if we should have gotten an older little girl, but then we left it up to the Lord to choose out daughter so no worries.. Just a few more diapers.
They are both wonderful last night we were all in the living room, this is where we spend a lot of time, especially since little Henry only has fourteen feet of tubing for his O2. Henry was in his bumbo and Maggie had her hands on his cheeks just talking so sweet to him. When Camille cries (which I must say is kind of often) she pats her and says it ok baby it ok baby... She is such great big sister. Praise The Lord...

One special treat I received when Henry and I came home from the hospital. Was a particular little man I love soooo much stood up and walked over to me.. My little Peter is a very cautious little guy so walking well is just to edgy for him. He is doing a great job and although he does not walk full time yet.. he is getting there. To be honest I am grateful to have one boy that is not all dare devil..

Back to Henry, I am not pleased with his breathing. since coming home instead of weaning him from his O2 we have actually bumped him up a bit. There has not been much time in the last three weeks to look over his medicals from the orphanage , so yesterday was the day, after looking them over it appears he has spent a fair amount of his life on oxygen. Not sure how this affects us at this point however I am a bit unhappy that the Dr did not tell this to Gary especially since he was on oxygen just a few days and possibly up to the day Gary and Morgan met him. That is not nice and really the only complaint I have about the whole process.
Today Peter goes to the Dr (ear infection/low grade fever) I am taking Henry with me.. you know slip him in.. Dr's love that don't they?? Just for a second opinion. Better go get breakfast just gave Henry is bottle, Peter is looking like if he does not get a cheerio he might fly away
Have a great weekend
Tiffany

New news

Well first let me say that Morgan is waiting patiently to continue her Note from Morgan column, however, Henry's Pneumonia has got the best of him so she is at home doing I am sure a better job of being me then I do most days.
Yes Henry has had his first Ambulance ride.. I think for his second birthday we will take him for a train ride then he will have covered several methods of transport by a young age.
Henry has been on antibiotics for a couple weeks and breathing treatments several times a day. However it's just not cutting it so Sat am I guess his tiny body had enough and when checked had a temp of 103.5 so the Dr said take him in.. There is a frustrating story that finally got him downtown but I will share that later.. the hospital is so full we are actually in the original wing so I have come down to the Ronald McDonald room to shower. So my Henry is waiting for me.
Please pray for complete healing for Henry's lungs. and any and all bugs we have inside and out..
Happy Lords day,, Praise God he is in America where there is a hospital for him to go to...
Tiffany

Technical Dificulty

Just a little not to say that Morgan has run into technical difficulty... which trasnslates as we were at the Dr's all afternoon and our wonderful friend had a get togther for us and some of our friends so the could meet Henry and Camille tonight. By the time we got home... all the kiddo's were out so Morgan went on to bed. So Morgan's post today will be post-poned to tomorrow.
Goodnight
Morgans Mom.......

Today's post from Morgan

We have been home for a few weeks now and they have been wonderful. Yes I said wonderful even with the scabies, ear infections, ringworm, and pneumonia. It's great to be home, seeing Mom with Henry and Camille..... that's wonderful.

Our trip really was an eye opening experience. The beauty of Addis and the Ethiopian people, yet the devastation and trials they endure. On the plane ride to Ethiopia there was an aire of excitement, people going to visit family, people going home, and people like us going to pick up the new special member or members of their family's. We met several families who were also adopting on the plane one of which was with our agency, the Waits. We also met a couple named Travis and Shannon who were adopting a 10 month old little boy, they were with a different agency. Shannon was wonderful to talk with and I was very disappointed that we would not get to have the joy of spending the week getting to know them better.
When the plane landed people clapped, it made me wonder how much louder the clapping would be when we landed in the U.S. after the long flight with babies.
We then went through the airport and got our visas, next they looked at our passports and we went to claim our luggage. Dad left me by one of the luggage carousels with our carry-on luggage while he went to find our checked bags and a cart to carry them. While he was away three of our four bags showed up, I hurried to pull them off the carousel before they disappeared. The last bag didn't show up thankfully until Dad came back , we then got them on the cart and headed for customs. there were three long lines so we picked one and were set to wait but then a security guard asked us if we had any valuables Dad showed him his Camera and he let us go around the people in line. I'm not sure why we got to go around but I am thankful.
We entered the terminal and started searching for the sign with our name [which it turns out they didn't have]. We were standing in the terminal thinking we would just wait until it cleared out a little bit when someone asked if we needed to call a taxi we told him not yet. As soon as he walked away a man came up and asked if we were Americans coming to adopt. When we said yes he pointed to a group standing a ways off to our left, the Waits were in it so we knew it was the right group.:)
We headed out to the parking lot and loaded the bags into the two vans that were waiting. The guest house was just a few minutes away. When we got to the guest house the "guards" and drivers carried our bags to our rooms. We were on the fourth floor and by the time I reached our room I was out of breath( I think it was the elevation not my being out of shape.) :):):)
We had to wait until 3:30 to go visit the kids because that is when they would be up from their rest. The next three and a half hours seemed to take longer than the plane ride, we were so close yet we couldn't get to our little ones fast enough. Tick Tock Tick Tock..... I'll be back tomorrow.....
Morgan

Progress...... I think!!!

Well it has been what almost three weeks since Gary and Morgan returned home from Africa with our two newest additions.. I say newest because we have learned never to say "last" additions. Gary said they had a conversation with many on the plane... everyone agreed you don't say "this is IT" on the plane ride home or soon after getting home. (Good plan) Gary will be the first to admit you should not ever say things like, "We are NOT getting a little boy with Down Syndrome!" that just may not be God's plan and your next son will be blessed with Down Syndrome... His name is Peter... :):):):) Then you should also not say "We are NOT going all the way to another country and spending all that time and money to get another child" comments like that will get you TWO children from another country... (right Mike?)
So those of you reading this, well you should just smile and say yes that's right... it would be best not to pause to long on the thought or go to www.reecesrainbow.com and look at all the beautiful children (especially those blessed with DS) who need forever homes...

Ok the adoption plug has been made now... an update on the kids.. Oh my Camille is getting more beautiful everyday.. perhaps because all he pox scabs are about gone so we are able to get a comb through her hair. Her ears must be getting better because she is starting to sing and smile more and more each day. She is quite the opinionated little one.. (she'll fit right in) she is on the verge of walking. We have a little song we sing to her and in a very concrete stand she bounces up and down on her knees. Then falls down but she gets back up and bounces some more. Yesterday Maggie patted her on the shoulder and said Maggie's sister...... that was very nice... Peter also is able to pat them or touch them and smile now. He has been having his own battle with allergies lately so is not 100% either. Then there is little Mr. Henry.. he has now been on 6 days of antibiotics and every four hour breathing treatments.. he still sounds like he smokes and today his fever played bouncy ball with me and would be up then not then up then not. We will go to the pedi on Fri and get an xray to see if his lungs look better. If not it would seem to me that a little trip to the kid pokey to get some IV meds would be in order.. he is still so happy though.. wow so happy..
My battery is running out so bye for now'
Blessings to you all
Tiffany

Having a go at it....

Well I am sure many of you are aware of a service called Caringbridge. Although we have enjoyed keeping updated on many through this service, we have never used it ourselves. Actually for some reason I did not know it exsisted while Maggie and Peter had their surgery's.
We have created a Caringbridge http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/henryninemire site for Henry and hope this will help keep you, our friends and family updated on Henry's story.
If you want you can sign up for Journal updates then each time we update Henry's story you will be notified via email.
Hope you all had as wonderful of a weekend as we did.
The kids are so wonderful, Maggie is still pleased as punch with her new sibs and Peter is coming around slowly but surely. He can even say Henry with a smile.

Blessings ~~Tiffany~~

Second opinion

Good afternoon,
Just a little update to say that when you feel as a mother that a Dr has not listened to you.. it is always good to get a second opinion. Long story short that nice Dr. on Monday from the International clinic we saw that thought perhaps Henry had swine flu and although he was concerned about the large welts on her scalp said nothing really about them. He was a nice guy however it turns out that Henry has a significant case of Pneumonia in both lobes. Camille still has a double ear infection and either scabies in her scalp ( we could not see them initially because of her pox scabs) or she has had an allergic reaction to the last antibiotic she had. So Henry got a nice shot of antibiotics at the Dr's a couple breathing treatments, that we will continue for several days and a nice 10 day antibiotic to take at home. Hopefully he will respond well to this treatment. Camille also has a new script that we hope will take care of her ears and has had her bath in that nice insecticide cream.. yes that means more laundry.. however I have learned that it is true if scabies were as contagious as my OCD believes they are we would all be covered.Praise God for OCD!!!!
That is what we are up to I must say despite how Henry must feel with 7 days of fever , bad breathing and constant coughing he still smiles every time you look at him..
Can't wait to see how the little ones are next week it will be like having different children.
~~Blessings~~
Tiffany

The whole gang

Here is a picture we quickly clicked at the airport right before taking off to the Dr's. This might be as good of a picture as we can get without going to our favorite photographer Brandi. She just has a way with us all.

Just thought I would share.

Tiffany

Camille

Little Camille. She is so beautiful and a wonderful snuggeler. Camille is so tiny yet so capable. She seems cognitively right on. Yeah!! We expect her to walk on her own anytime. Camille is a bit clingy. She certainly expects to be help when she wants to be held. So in turn she is held a lot. Can't remember if I have already said this but, there ability to attach is amazing and a total credit to the wonderful Nannies at Toukoul Orphanage. Morgan said Camille had three Nannies and after they had given Camille to she and Gary one came and took her back kissed and talked to her some more then they passed her around again all telling her goodbye and kissing her. What wonderful women they are to nurture our children for us until they come home. Camille is now eating solid foods and is none to picky. She sits in her bumbo with her hands resting on the sides looking at you thinking keep it comin keep it comin.... Oh she is also sleeping through the night with one great nap during the day. Praise God for this. She is still very congested and has a bad runny nose. Surely we will get that taken care of tomorrow at clinic. This will be her first outing.!! Her next outing will not be until Oct 2nd when a friend is having a little meet and greet for Henry and Camille. We are hoping to collect some shoes to send back with friends to the children of Toukoul. I am hoping when Gary feels better and Morgan and I are done doing laundry they will post about their time in Addis Ababa.. They both enjoyed their time there very much.

Until then

Tiffany

Henry

Ok so maybe this is not the best picture however it does capture his honery personality. Henry could be the poster child for Down Syndrome. You know when people say those Downs kids they are so loving,,,,, then I say you don't know anyone with Down Syndrome do you?? Because we all know they can be just as if not more strong willed then those plain ol regular kids. However those with Down Syndrome do have what I say is the purest closest to Jesus Love I believe you can find here on earth. They love most people regardless of age, size, race, social status.. if they are going to like you they are going to love you. Henry is just that he smiles and flirts with you so you must smile back at him. He does not like his bath however as soon as you put the towel around him he just smiles at you all forgiving. His skin looks so much better,, have you ever slathered your child with Olive oil? It makes them soooo soft. Henry is holding his head up a bit better now. He also rolls pretty around pretty good. We are working on eating solid foods. Even with milk he tends to push some out with his tongue. Making for a messy meal time. It also takes him about an hour to finish a bottle... any suggestions anyone??? Peter is still trying to get someone to return these beauties. Overall I think what ticks him off the most is that he wants their bottles. He is a lover of the bottle. Henry is a joy. Every once in awhile I look at him and just say.........WOW your the boy in the picture... Amazing.
~~~Tiffany~~~

A bit of an update....

Well, I know it is about time and sadly I just want to go to sleep so I am going to try to be brief...
We have had a great week. As of Saturday we will be repasting on the insectiside to all those who need it. Just to make sure any little guys working on hatching do not succeed. Yuck! Last count we are at 38 loads of laundry this week. (just to make sure they are all dead) you can't see them you know?? If you know me well you know this kind of thing makes me a bit OCD.
The kids are great. Henry is the most laid back little guy I have ever met. Not sure if this will be long term or just until he realized he can ask for stuff. He is already doing much better at holding his head up. The bumbo is his friend. Took him to the Cardiologist yesterday. His Cardio says he has a little hypertension.... is that like he has a little Down syndrome? So reality is that he needs his heart fixed sooner would be better then later however we are going to snuggle him a bit longer and try to fatten him up. Thought we were doing pretty good at that, then last night he started in with the water poo. So as it goes in,, it also comes out no ground gained. We do go to the International Adoption clinic next week so we will check for internal creepy crawlies.....aughh....Henry is very popular at our house even with water poo. :)
Little Camille, she does have the most beautiful voice it is high pitched but not fingernail on chalkboard high. Just a beautiful sound when she babbles... she is tiny however just on the edge of walking. It will be so cute to see her take off at her size. Canille will still not eat solid foods. She will go to the Pedi tomorrow because she has the worst wheezy cough. She is not as laid back as Henry and knows how not only to ask for stuff but to demand a bit as well. The voice is not so cute at these times. She is a smart little cookie and has even said a few words.. like mama..YES!!! It has been a long time since I have had a plain ol regular little one, It different but good. We are so pleased God led us to bring her home along side Henry. Camille has taken to her big brother Timothy very well. When she is being demanding I put a front pack on him and he walks her around the yard naming things trees, fence, dog ect. It's nice for us all.
Many have asked how Maggie and Peter are taking to their new siblings. Well Maggie is good, she likes them and is very nurturing. Peter has been going around to different people asking for help finding the receipt for them.. he is pretty sure it is around here and would like to find it so he can return them both. I did get him to greet them both with a handshake yesterday .. that was it one smile, one hand shake one nod of the head for each he was giving them no more.
Gary and Morgan are still a bit run down and it will be nice when they are up to par. This week was kind of a wash with the scabies, ear infections and the time change. We are hoping in the next couple weeks to fall into a better routine. At this time Henry is waking up once at night for a bottle then goes right back to sleep. Camille also wakes up once anywhere between 3:00 and 4:45 for a bottle however she then STAYS UP!!!!!!!!!!! This does not float my boat but we get to snuggle together alone and that is nice. And God has honored me this week by giving me several extra helpings of energy.
We will be keeping Henry and Camille home and away from people for another couple weeks, they can't wait to meet all their new friends and realitives . Again we thank you all for your support and especially your prayers. God has been faithful in ways we don't even know and we praise him for it..
Thank you Lord for all you have entrusted us with may we be pleasing to you in all that we do... Amen.
~~~~Tiffany~~~~

600mph poopie diaper!

From the beginning, bringing home two unfamiliar infants half way across the world seemed to be the most concerning part of our adventure... and it was. Every day of our trip seemed to be a big day or a big step toward our end goal. Just getting there and finding our ride to our guesthouse/hotel; getting to see our new kids for the first time; meeting with our Ethiopian lawyer to go over the multiple forms and documents to file with the Embassy; filing our papers with the Embassy and paying our fees; singing out our kids from the orphanage and seeing thier cribs and meeting their nannays; actually recieving our kids visas and passports; celebrating the Ethiopian new year; packing up and preparing for the long arduious flight home.
My dredded fears confirmed - the ride home was no fun at all. Camille has been on antibiotics which cause very runny stools. She also can't eat solids for some reason and tends to gag and vomit - put those ingredients in a metal tube with 180 of my fellow humans going 600 mph at 36,000 feet - yeeeha - an experience I shall not soon forget. 5 poopie blowouts between Addis Ababa and Washington DC - thanks to a plastic liner - no clothes had to be disposed of. Camille was not a happy child. She did not sleep more than 15 minutes at a time before she had to change positions in my lap. My knees were up aginst the seat in front of me and the older woman next to me had a terrible cough. They wouldn't let Morgan and I set together due to some 'rule' that a row can't hold more than 1 lap infant at a time - she was only 2 seats away however. I counted 52 hours between sleeping in a bed. with only 15 minute naps between... Exhausted! Then we had to clear customs, immigration and reclaim our luggage - a bueracratic ordeal. Our flight out of DC was delayed 2 hours to add to the fun - that made a 9 hour layover in Dulles airport - but they do have a Chipotle and a Duncan Donuts - I think I could live there for a while. One step at a time and we made it! Camille and Henry are here in America - quite a first birthday for Camille! It was sooo good to see my family at the airport to greet us - Little Maggie went crazy about seeing her morgan once again.
An unexpected joy of the week was meeting some fellow adoptive parents from across the nation with the same hearts for kids - truly some wonderful people - Tom and Annie from Colorado, Travis and Shannon from Michigan, and even from just up our road, the Peoples form Lawrence Kansas.

And now the easy part is over. On to helping our kids to blossom into the Christ centered, serving people they were ment to be.

None of our adventure could have been possible without the help and prayers of so many of you
out there. From the unknown lady in Dulles airport who I talked with and who prayed for my family, to my friends who prayed and supported us, to organizations like Shohanna's Hope foundation and woods chappel church, and Reeces Rainbow, and many many many other folks out there who also have a heart for orphans. I can't thank you all enough - America is full of very good people who care. We took over 3 full suitcases of donations - 135 lbs of items such as ziplock bags, medicine, clothes, toys,vitamens and school supplies. The orphanage workers were so amazed how much we were able to bring over - thank you all!!!! You have made a difference.

There are so many sights and experiences which have changed my preception of our world. How can you not be changed by watching a man butt scoot down the sidewalk in tattered clothes because he is crippled. Men uriniting in public because there are no facilities. People begging for our protien bars through our van windows, goats, sheep and cattle marching down the street in this country's capitol, major intersections without working streetlights, hords of people walking the streets - everywhere... YET the people of Ethiopia are tough and mostly very polite and kind. Our guesthouse staff were great! I did not loose any weight thanks to our Italian trained chef 'Wendy'. The country is not a desert, yet a beautiful country of palm trees, exotic birds, and mild tempratures. I would have loved to stay longer to see some more of the countryside and some of the beginnings of civilization on this earth - now this is the old part of the world. It is my dream to see Camille and perhaps Henry to go back to their homeland and serve the people of Ethiopia and experience the world from which they have come.

I am still Exhausted but excited for the future

May God bless you as he has blessed our country and my family...


Big Dad

Home at last.....

First we want to just Praise God for his guidance and watch care over Gary, Morgan, Henry and Camille. Also for not allowing any "major" issues here at home while they were gone for the eleven days. God is good and greatly to be praised...

Then to re-cap a bit. My younger children got up at 6:30ish asking if it was time to go to the Airport? So we talked a bit about time. Then we went out for lunch, drove really slow the hour to Grandma's so they can all take a nap in the car. Took Grandma out for ice cream for her Birthday!!! Went past a friends house to pick up something (this next sentence is supposed to be then off to the airport) BUT NO, Gary calls and lets us know there is a two hour delay. At this point they have been traveling about 25 hours. So we hang out at my friends house, go across the street to the school play on the swings ect, a squirrel falls out of a tree in front of my teenage son who scoops it up and starts asking can I keep it pleeeeease...? So he did. Stopped by the store to get sandwich fixins.. to eat in the car on the way to the airport, now at this point my incredibly coordinated nicely dressed children.. intended to match the precious little outfits sent to Africa for their new siblings are not lookin so good. Oh well we head to the Airport. We get there when we are supposed to, but hey there is no one getting their luggage,,, so we think hmm not here yet and as I look to my right there they are "already" here with bags and waiting. Good grief... it was wonderful though there was my handsome husband was with his front pack on looking all dashing with his new little brown daughter. To the right was my beautiful second born with her front pack with her new little brown brother. Maggie realized it was her mogen.... and hollered as she ran to her. The children are beautiful... we chatted a bit hugged passed around the babies, called the Dr. to let her know we were on our way, clicked a quick picture of all the sibs and were off.
Now the goods on the kids.. I will start with Camille.. she is a beautiful, capable typical little girl. Today is her Birthday so she spent her first birthday traveling to the USA. She is not the 20 pounds that her med report said but a petite 16. She does have an ear infection and such water poo that I am sure the antibiotic she will take for her ear could not possibly make it any worse:)

Then little Henry... yes he is covered in Scabies. He does not crawl like the med report said, and he certainly only weighs 22 pounds with a wet diaper and several sleepers on.. tonight he weighed in at 14 pounds. His lower body looks like that of a newborn... his waist is sooo tiny.
However we fixed the no eating problem with a change of bottle/nipple. The big advice when going to Ethiopia is take the Playtex bottles with the disposable liners..great thinking then you don't have to worry about washing them so much. Well Henry obviously does not care for the Playtex nipple. Thus refusing to eat, even when starving. Oh those strong willed little people.
He ate 7 ounces at the Dr and another 7 three hours later at home. PTL Morgan was just beside herself with guilt. I should feel bad I am the mother and should have known to send more then one kind of bottle but really I assumed the orphanage used a mishmash of bottles you know whatever was donated so figured they would just eat. Well lesson learned. So Henry eats has no water poo and is as is the whole rest of the household fast asleep.
I had better hit it as well, tomorrow we all get to treat ourselves for scabies and wash ALL the bedding.. Count it all Joy right??? Oh and they both grind their teeth.. what's up with that?
We keep looking at Henry saying hey you are the little boy from the picture.. In my living room...
Anyone else know the feeling???
~~all is well tiffany~~

Almost Home

Well, I just talked to my not so happy travelers a bit ago. Whew what a flight...without doing any quick adding I believe their flight form Ethiopia to Rome to Washington was 18 hours long.. 18 hours with two little ones (although Morgan said there were 20 on the plane under two. WOW
Anyway neither one ate on the flight..Gary slept a bit. Camille is no longer puking however was very restless on the plane and still has water poo. Henry on the other hand has not eaten at all since being in Ethiopia. Not good. So all this said I do praise God for their safe travels so far and trust he will bring them the rest of the way home safe as well. Morgan says both she and Henry have red dots on their skin.. so is this creepy crawlies or are they getting the Ethiopian Chicken Poxs.???? Morgan has already had the American Poxs ... we will see.
Thank you to all who were going to come help us welcome them to America at the airport today, and thank you for understanding that instead we will be doing a very quick exit to our favorite Pediatrician who will be having Saturday eve hours just for us... God is good. She never saw this coming when we became her patients I bet :):):):):)
I am sure Gary will be a great blogger after he gets some sleep.
In Christ
Tiffany~~~~~~~~~~~~

9/11 Tribute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxJiiWo0JbE

For we said we would never forget.. so let's not..........

Ethiopian New Year!!

Yes today is the Ethiopian New Years Day! I am not really sure what that means other then a lot of goats and sheep will loose their lives today and their will be bonfires all over the city. Wonder if they have to get a permit???(not)
I have spoken with the travelers a couple times since my last post. I called on Wed am because I was sure I had solved the Camille puking problem. Figured it was what ther were feeding her. However Gary let me know that when they took her from the Orphanage after lunch for the last time as they walked out the door again,, poor Morgan got covered. So the nannies took Camille back in the Orphanage and changed her.. thus the new jacket we had gotten her (you know to match Maggie) Gone....Oh well maybe I will one day see someone else's child in it on their blog.
Gary said the ceremony at the Orphanage was short and informal. The kids each got an Authentic Ethiopian outfit and a hand made backpack. Neat... Then Gary informs me that they left Henry at the Orphanage..WHAT they left him... Henry was to get an injection that eve. So they did not pick him up until Thurs at 10am. (a potassium shot he could have done without) Anyway he says Camille is not able to keep any solid foods down and very little of anything else. Last I heard Henry was not eating for them either. Gary also says he is very congested in his chest. Typical for kids from Ethiopia. Then to add a bit of humor to the pot.. as I lay down last night to pray for Camille to stop vomiting, safe travels, for Henry to eat. for them to have enough clothes. Oh that' s the other thing.. they are washing the barf covered clothes int he sink and hanging them out to dry but remember it's the rainy season. So they are taking two days to dry..So if you are going to Ethiopia buck up the extra for the bigger adapter and take a hair dryer. Could be handy. Ok back to my story.. keeping up? As I begin to pray last night what do I hear from down the hall no I think,, really Lord..?? SERIOUSLY....Peter is in there throwing up so from 10pm to about 3am about every 20 minutes he barfed... Not to worry he just does that sometimes.. about every 5 weeks or so.. No good reason No residual affects he gets up at the same time as usual wants to eat breakfast and never really wakes up during the night. But remember he is special:):):):)I would not trade him for the world.
So all that said, Their plane leaves from Addis at 2pm our time which is 10pm Addis time they arrive in Washington 7am Washington time. Then after a small 7 hour layover they arrive home at 5pm. All the kids especially Maggie are very eager for them to be home. Now will the little ones be so excited to see their new sibs... well that's another post isn't it?
Today may we remember this 9/11 those who died needlessly, those who lost their daddy's and mommy's, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters. For those babies born that never met their daddy's because of selfishness,hate and bitterness. Rember them today.

~~Tiffany~~

Spud

Just thought I would share with all the photo that started our African Adventure. At this time we could not pronounce his real name so Gary always refered to hin as Spud. He has grown much as you can see from the picture below of He and Morgan taken Sept 5Th. We are told that he is around two months in this picture. This is the only picture we had for about five months. We ended up with a four different pictures of Henry while waiting. It was both neat and sad to watch him grow in photo's. However four photos and as many medical updates is so much more then many get. We are very thankful to those at the orphanage that sent the reports they were always so exciting to receive. I will share our first photo of Camille soon. ~~t~~

American Embassy

Yesterday am Gary Morgan and three other couples set out to do their final paperwork at the American Embassy. It is the rainy season in Addis Ababa so it was yes raining when they arrived. As soon as the van door opened a whole bunch of little street boys popped up with umbrellas to keep everyone dry. So Morgan was handing out money to them while another lady was handing out snacks. I cannot wait for Gary to get home and post about some of what they are seeing it is so hard to even believe.

So at the Embassy a nice English speaking man did clear up the extra fee misunderstanding for Gary. He did have to pay the fee because they are non-related siblings. Gary was overly prepared in the area of paperwork and did not need many of the notarized documents he had. Paperwork wise it all went very smoothly so Gary's trip to the Embassy was both positive and satisfying.
Morgan on the other hand will not remember the Embassy so fondly. As they got into the Embassy Camille oh beautiful Camille decided to unload.. yes she puked then blew out some of that fine water poo I have herd so much about. So there was Morgan cleaning it all up while Gary was in doing paperwork. Bless her heart. I am praying that Camille was just a bit car sick.. Oh please Lord.
Out of the four couples there Gary and Morgan were the only ones that sent their children back to the Orphanage. I am sure Morgan felt bad but Gary says Henry was not eating for them. Gary also says it is very noisey so it is hard to get much sleep at night.
So prayers for firm poo, no vomiting and for Henry to eat.
Have a wonderful day... If all goes well they will be back on Saturday.. I can't wait.
Tiffany

Just a little catch up note.

Well I am still sleeping with the laptop.. because I figure every am I should wake to a new picture and an update. WRONG! They did call again yesterday. Sunday they visited with the kids again at the Toukoul Orphanage. Same for Monday Morgan says Henry has the most beautiful smile. When you run your fingers through his soft hair he just smiles so big she says. Gary spent most of his time playing peek a boo with Camille. She really like him. They say her poxs are almost gone so this is good. (still praying no poxs for Henry)
They had their first glitch yesterday when the attorney our agency is using asked him to pay about 700$ more for Embassy fees then we were told they would be. We have some trusted friends in Ethiopia that were going to call Gary at the guest house and help him sort this out. By the time I post this it will all be taken care of. Their Embassy appointment was this am at 8:30am. (they are eight hours ahead)
They will check the kids out of the orphanage for the day today. They will take them back to the guest house and be a family for the day. Tomorrow they will go to the orphanage where a ceremony will be performed (can't wait to hear about this) and they will check them out for good.
Everyone can have a silent chuckle about Gary being half way around the world with a baby to care for. He told Morgan she gets to take care of the fussy one. Nice guy.... He has never claimed to be a "baby" guy. Isn't it funny that the man that said after Christy we were not adopting any more children is over in AFRICA picking up his TWO infant children. Oh does God have a sense of humor or what? Let this be a lesson to those of you who actually believe you are in control of your life. NEVER Say NEVER!!!! That is your lesson for today.
Thank you all for you prayers it is obvious that God is keeping them safe/healthy as they travel
~~Tiffany~~

A boy and his sister!!!

Does she look proud or what? Morgan emailed me and shared that Henry is not as developmentally ahead of the game as our medical records state. She says he does not have very good head control. The med records stated he could crawl he must crawl while draggin his head. Must have been thinking of another kid. However as you can see he is very much a snuggle bug. She also says he has a beautiful smile.
Not to worry Henry we have some of the best just waiting to help you become so much more then many think you can be!!!!!
Can't wait to hold him myself. However for now he is in great hands... Morgan is the best.
Have a great Lords day..
From A very Beaming Mother~~~~

A little girl and her Daddy

Here she is Poxs and all. Oh she is much more beautiful then her last picture shows. When Gary and Morgan arrived at the Orphanage all three other couples had their kids but no kids for Gary and Morgan. They told them what the kids names were and they told him our Camille was gone... That she had a twin and was with someone else. Oops... Well after about a half and hour they brought Henry and Camille into the room with Gary/Morgan and Camille had been found.
A nice couple let Gary use their laptop..today technology is wonderful..
~~T9~~

Note from Morgan and Gary

We are at the hilton in Ethiopia AFRICA!!!! We had a couple of wonderful days in DC. We saw as much as we could in a day and a half. We saw all the big memorials, and especially enjoyed the Holocaust museum. Our flights were smooth, yet crowded. It truly is another world here. So many people on the streets - selling shoeshines, banannas, books on tarps, repairing cars in the street, urinating wherever, diesel fumes, well dressed folks walking next to those with no shoes. There are modern office buildings with mirrored glass next to shanties built of sticks and rusty metal held together with ropes and wire. We had no electricity for several hours yesterday. But the treat was seeing and holding our newest members of my family - Camille and Henry! Camille has chicken pox and Henry is cute as a bug. Camille snuggles up nicely and Henery has the biggest eyes. The food is plentiful and cooked with spices - very good so far. I did see a donut shop today - so I think I could live here... The office people will be at the orphanage tomorrow so we can present them with our 3 suitcases of donations - Thank you all! They really will use them to their fullest. We are all doing great and have met up with 3 other families here and it is comforting to have some fellow "ferenge" - white forigners to hang with.Try and talk to you all laterG9 and Morgan
Pitcures are coming........

And the two became four....

Gary and Morgan just called.. they have become four!!! They were able to see and hold our newest family members...there was a bit of a scare. There were three other couples and they all their children had been brought out to them... Where were Henry and Camille?? Gary finally gave him his paperwork...and another half hour later they brought in Henry and Camille. Morgan says Henry is adorable... does not have a ton of head control but we will work on it.
Camille also adorable is a bit of a spit fire.. was already testing the boundaries and she has Chicken Poxs... They say they are pretty scabbed over so hopefully it will not interfere with their return home.... They were able to hold the kids for about an hour and will go back tomorrow. They will try to send pictures tomorrow. I will post as soon as I get them.
I do not know when they will call again today's call was about 70$ and we did not talk that long. 12 minutes.....or so..
The trip over was smooth... they have their Borax... and all is well. :)
thank you for your prayerful support...
Selam...(peace)
tiffany

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.......

Well yesterday we were all out of the house by 730am dropped Christy off at school, stopped at the store to get Borax (I'll explain in a bit) then dropped Maggie, Peter off at school (therapy) Timothy stayed to oversee. Then while Gary drove to the airport to get there by 10am I spooned Borax into baggies..... to line their luggage with. Hmm think that's gonna fly?!?!? I guess soaking in a warm bath of Borax kills creepy crawlies. But really baggies of white powder. No arrests yet... I did write laundry soap on the baggie so surely it will be fine. :-0
Today they are in Washington, they just called after going to a Holocaust Museum.. Morgan was explaining to me what they saw... it is all very difficult to hear however listening to her explain what was done to the "mentally challenged" was horrid especially since my beautiful Maggie Sunshine was in my arms...During Morgans explanation of the museum I did manage not to throw up . When they called they were at the Thomas Jefferson Monument when we hung up they were going into the Museum of American history.
Tomorrow am they will board a plane and off to Rome then Ethiopia to touch, hold and look into the faces of our son and daughter.
They are both very excited to be in Washington but they are even more excited to head to Ethiopia.
~~Tiffany~~

Cholrea alert

I am up well past what I should be..getting ready to be a single mother for a time.... :) Not to worry I can handle it.. We have joined a new yahoo group affiliated with our agency..Very nice however I am now even more panicked about water poo and creepy crawlies... Oh I am itching already. They truly have all they can take in their suitcases,and all the two of them can carry, or I certainly would send more bug killing stuff. Morgan is tough but two 50 pound suitcases one 16 pound carry on and a back pack. Hope she has ant strength she will be definitely be carrying more then she weighs. Also our agency just TODAY sent us a nice email stating there is a Cholera outbreak in Addis.. probably always is but for some reason they felt need to tell us today this afternoon.. I went out and found Pedialyte strips. Sent extra foprmula got rice cereal with yogart in it??? and probiotics for everyone. We have thought of everything we could dream up.
Please pray that God has protected Henry and Camille from the bugs that go bump in Africa. Both inside the body and out. I am not worried... just no longer ignorant... about many things.
Through this adventure we have definately had our eyes opened to so much...The two taking the trip are about to become very, very wide eyed... gratefully so... it makes for more work but it is oh so worth it.....Praise be to God in all things.....yes in all things, even creepy crawlies and water poo.
We will keep you updated to the best of our ability.
~~~itchy Tiffany~~~

To pack it or not to pack it??/Prayer is key.

Well this is the main question around our house. Gary is known for his overpacking,,, Morgan and I are not. Really if you are traveling with Gary there is no need to pack much of anything over basics. If you need it he probably packed it!!
At the airport they may check four suitcases. I am proud (in an appropriate way) to say that 3 and a half of these are filled with orphanage donations. We are touched by all who wanted to help in this way. Even the "school" where Maggie and Peter receive therapy put out some suitcases to collect goodies. This really helps on the what to pack or not question. Due to so much kindness in giving there is not much room left.(good problem) What a blessing all these items will be to the children of Toukoul Orphanage.

They leave tomorrow for Washington were they will spend a day and a half sight seeing the Fri am early they are off to Addis. They should arrive at 8am Addis time(which is 7 hours ahead of us) Their Embassy visit is on Tues the 8th. They leave Addis Fri night to make it back Saturday Sept 12th which happens to be Camille's first Birthday. Kinda cool..

Donations are wonderful but we all know this trip is only possible with and outpouring of God's straight and Grace. If you would join us in prayer for our two travelers that will quickly become four. We would be most appreciative of this gift to our family.

Peace be with you...
~~Tiffany~~

Worshiping with new friends!

Sunday a few of the kids and I (tiffany) hopped in the car as we do most Sunday's to go Worship our one true God (that's a song you know?) anyway , we have some friends that are Native Ethiopians. Morgan and I have enjoyed making friends with Selam and Tesh the have a beautiful daughter also adopted from Ethiopia. They have been so kind giving their time to teach us some Amharic so we can communicate not only in Addis but to the kids a bit as well. I should also tell you that when you go to the home of someone from Ethiopia unlike here you are able to drop in un anounced which we have done a couple times. They also feed you something each time you stop by. Whatever they have will do however we have had many wonderful authentic Ethiopian meals. But back to the church.... we thought since Gary and Morgan would be leaving in LESS THEN TWO WEEKS we would go to the Ethiopian Christian Church in Olathe. Their service was wonderful. We had to wear earphones and a nice guy interpreted for us the whole service and some songs. It actually was very nice to listen to his smooth calm voice tell us that Jesus Loves us, that there is no other God but him, that we are a possession of the Lord and he has a plan for your life. If you close your eyes and even say those words to yourself out loud they have a wonderful calming effect. After service which by the way started at 10am and did not get out until 12:30ish. No little 45 minute sermon here folks. Oh before the sermone started it was so wonderful to see each person walk into the sanctuary greet their neighbor and then personally bow ones head and pray to right their own hearts before the Lord and before the service began. There were also many people who raised their hands to God even shed tears as they heard of God's wonderful Love and Jesus's ultimate selfless act. It was refreshing to see that they could be open with their emotions before their friends and family with no concern of being stared at laughed at. it made me wonder how much closer each one of us might be if we were able to be completely open with our emotions before the Lord. It was a wonderful experience and yes we were the only light skinned people there. After worship there were trays of bread with Cayenne pepper rolled in and cinnamon tea that was wonderful while you ate and drank you of course had fellowship no worries and no one hurried to make it to a restaurant. They just had fellowship We were greeted and treated like an old friends. Next time we go we'll let you know, maybe you would like to join us.
Blessings........ Tiffany

Amasegnaloue.Thank you..

Wow we are vey busy with school starting, therapist coming back to see what progress has been made throughout our summer and help us to achieve some more milestones. Christy hopes to learn cursive this year. Samantha and Morgan are looking fwd to graduating. I get to have Timothy and Garrett home with me this year for schooling. We are looking fwd to Maggie Progressing in speech, Peter to walk and well we will see what wonders Henry and Camille bring.
Sorry starting to ramble... we wanted to thank everyone for their donations to the Toukoul Orphanage. At this time we have 28 bottles of Childrens Vitamins, 60 baby sleeper, hmm 40 or so baby onsies. Many hats, bibs and some cloth diapers. There are a few mini magnadoodles,toothpaste,school supplies and I am sure I am missing something. We also have some great medical supplies or did I say a bag of urine cups and at least a thousand Ziplock bagies. Thank you so much to everyone who has given because we live in the USA we will never know how much they will appreciate every single item we take over. We still have one more suitcase to fill. We would love to take over some water soxs any size any color, hair pretties, combs and size, hair grease found in your local ethnic section. Yes walmart has one. New socks and underwear. Really anything will be appreciated. They are only allowed to take four suitcases and two carry on bags. We are going to use all four suitcases for donations. What that means is Gary and Morgan will most likely have the same outfits on in every picture taken during their week in Ethiopia. The need is so great over there you just cannot justify not taking all the donations you can. They leave on Sept 2ND. If you have donations just let us know we will be happy to pick them up.
Have a wonderful weekend. ~~Tiffany~~

Tenaystillign!!! (Greetings from Camille)

And this is Camille. Isn't she beautiful? I can only imagine how beautiful she will be when she smiles. Camille does not have Down Syndrome or any other known special need. She is what we call a plain ol regular kid. We have not had a typical little one for awhile , not to worry I have gotten out my little chart so I can have an idea of when she should do what developmentally. :):):)
Initially we had thought we would bring home another son from Ethiopia about 5ish... We thought Garrett would be thrilled. He said no thanks I like girls better. Well glad to hear it we said!!! Then after much research and finding out the realities and well tortures that are done to little girls in Africa that "age" out. We decided on a girl. We did think she would be a titch older but again God is in control. One of the coolest things is that she will turn one Sept 12th... the day their plane is scheduled to touch US soil. (also my mother n laws birthday...she is a bit older then one though:) Thank you for welcoming our little ones so lovingly alongside us. May your next weeks be as joy filled as ours will getting ready for our children to finally come home. PTL!
~~~~Tiffany the very proud mother~~~~

Tenayistillign!!! (Greetings from Henry)

Introducing Henry...... This is the little guy God used to open our families eyes to what is going on "not in our own backyard!". We are so grateful to God for entrusting our family with such information and allowing us the means to do something about it. This is our fourth picture of Henry since starting our Paper pregnancy back in January. He has grown so much in the past months. It is beyond me what it will be like to finally hold him in my arms. We give Praise to God for holding our hands /hearts during this process. Just think in three short weeks he will be here, our son in his home with the family God knew would be his even before Henry was born God knew Gary would be his earthly Father and I would be his earthly Mother. If you know me very well you know I do not use the word Awesome much. It a word I reserve only for what I see as God works that are so far beyond my comprehension. Thinking about God knowing even before the earth began that one day Henry would be our son and that we would need to go to Ethiopia to get him well I think that is Awesome.~~~~~T~~~

That Book I was talking about!!!

Just an FYI because I cannot remember who all I was telling about the book "A Perfect Persecution" by James R Lucas. Well I found it on Amazon.com the direct link (if I grabbed it right) is http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0805423001/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250213837&sr=8-1 I first read this book I think a couple years ago. I could not believer the Authors insight. It was written in 2001 and at that time the publishers thought Mr. Lucas was writing WAY out of his time. Well it is only 2009 and well read it you'll be amazed at the insight God gave him so long (hehe) ago...
They start at .01 not a bad price.. I myself bought three. I have been loaning my borrowed copy out and have a waiting list to read it. Perhaps you can grab your own copy at Amazon.
Chow, Tiffany

~~~~Off To Ethiopia~~~~

Praise the Lord, we have passed the transition phase and are preparing for the final push... Well boarding a plane really! Last week we were given our travel date.. or was it the week before? Anyway Gary and Morgan are to be in Addis no later then Sept 5th. They are so excited. We have packed and repacked the little ones bag several times. Oh I just cannot imagine actually holding them for the first time. It is amazing to think that in not even a month we will have them here, in our home playing with our other children that have all prayed for their new little brother and sister for so long.
We now have computer at home and I am hoping by tomorrow I will be able to figure out how to introduce the kiddo's to you all. So check back and you will be able to see our two little beauty's. Oh by the way the little girl has been named!!
T

Whew! We are OFFICIALLY off bed rest!

We have passed Ethiopian courts!!!
That means we now have custody of a couple of precious little children - our children - half way around the world! Still seems bizarre. Now all we have to do is do the physical job of going and getting our little ones. We do not know exactly when we go - but we are going - I am so excited and a little anxious - so much to do now and a lot to plan for - we do expect to travel somewhere near the last week of August of the first week of September. There are several other families adopting and making arrangements and this has to all be coordinated. I can't keep the moment out of my mind of the first time I get to see and hold our precious little kids - I have informed Morgan that she will be in charge of the crying one! When one has traveled so far and put so much thought and effort in an endevor, it is hard to comprehend just how to state how I feel at this moment - but the feelings are one of excitement, joy and relief. Praise God and glory to Him!!! We covet your prayers for the next few weeks for our new children, that all things and activities will fall into place and the trip will go as smooth as possible. Well I gotta get to packin and we will certainly be in touch...

Amaseganalou - Chow (Thank You - goodbye)

Big Dad -

What's up!

Well as we are waiting we are finding it hard to celebrate openly our new arrivals. This is because we are choosing to be tight lipped in front of our foster daughters so as not to make them feel bad. However they were visiting a friend yesterday so we were free to talk about names. (Still working on naming our little girl) We were able pack the diaper bag Gary and Morgan will take over. Look through all the clothes we have and try to decide what will work and what will not. It is so fun to look at all the little outfits that very soon will be on our new son and daughter. We are so grateful to ethiopia for sending pitures so often. Wonderful to be able to "see" them. Next we will clean out the closet where we keep diapers/wipes, baby gates ,booster seats ect. It is evident we will need to get a LOT more diapers and wipes. Maggie is not at all interested in potty training. I was thinking I could wait till next summer and do all four at once. Think that will work??? Hmmm anyway now we just wait until July 30th. Pray we pass court get a travel date so we can purchase those plane tickets. Sixteen days is not a long set back in the big picture. If we pass on the 30th still less time then a normal pregnancy and remember no stretch marks on the outside with this adoption :) However there is much change that occurs on the inside. Do I get an Amen from those that know what I am talking about. Oh to be stretched on the inside God's timing is perfect and that makes it easier to breath each day.
Have a blessed day everyone.
Tiffany

News!!

Well we have been having VBS this week so this am a couple of times I bummed off their computer to check and at 11:30 I saw a email from our agency. It said NEW COURT 30,July. That's it.
Court in Ethiopia closes Aug. 6th for a month or two. So we need to pass court on the 30th. There is much we do not know about his process so we will patiently wait trusting God with our children and this process he has asked us to be a part of.
Your prayers for the health of our newest additions would be appreciated.
Tiffany

Almost......

Well it is almost here, the court date day..... although it is not like if we pass Gary and Morgan will just hop in a plane that day and take off knowing in only two days we will have a much better idea of our time frame does help the energy level in our home. Last week we received updated pictures and medical info on both children. That was very nice. They are growing. Henry has a bit of a crossed eye and an eye infection so I am especially anxious to get him home and get his needs tended to. Our little girl who remains unnamed looks great. Yesterday Gary was nice and took the majority of kids out of the house for about oh 6 hours that allowed the big kids and I to do one of my favorite past times... clean, clean oh clean. Yes the wood is polished for the first time in two years..I even managed to get the vacuum upstairs. We also took advantage of the quiet time and sorted through all of the donations for the orphanage. We have had lots of great donations. We filled one suitcase three to go. There is some strategy to getting as much as you can in each suitcase and make it weigh the magic 50 pounds. We have a friend that donated a ton of new sleepers Morgan made the comment that it will be neat to possibly see a picture of a future child being adopted from Ethiopia wearing one of those sleepers... Thank you all for your continues prayers and excitement for us. We cannot wait to get them home.
We will update Tuesday and let you know if we are on our way to get our little cuties. As well by Wed we should be able to "legally" properly introduce them to you and show you their pictures. Perhaps our little girl will be officially named by then. Oh I hope.... (wonder if anyone has every been divorced over naming a child?)
Blessings, Tiffany

Who has a court date???

WE DO!!!! ~yes~ this it probably the most exciting news since the INS approval... The court date is July 14Th. (nice Birthday present for me) if all goes well we will pass court that day. At that point in the eyes of Ethiopia those little cuties are all ours... just residing in Addis. I am not for sure how the next step goes, however I figure shortly after that we will be given a travel date... then WHAM OOOO. The nesting energy will be just seeping out of me. So in short.. not to much longer. If all goes well it will have taken less time then a normal pregnancy.. with Bonus...No stretch marks. :)
I do have a prayer request, at this time we have a sibling set of foster daughters. Great girls.. they need a forever home. Please pray along side us for Gods perfect timing for all involved in this. For our kids in Ethiopia, and our foster daughters that God would make it very known who their forever family is supposed to be. They are really lovely girls. However they like all children need a forever home to call their own.

Blessings, Tiffany

What do you know?

This is the most common question we are being asked right now. The answer is we are waiting on a court date at this time. We do not have to be there for court... we have people you know!!
For court all you can do is pray everyone that was supposed to get their paperwork turned in did and that is was all done correctly. Please God.... Once approved a travel date will be issued and well the rest of the story will be lived out one day at a time.
Thank you to all who are praying and rejoicing along with us each step forward we take. We look fwd to getting Henry home. We look fwd to bringing our little unnamed girl home as well. Gary and I are having a difficult time coming up with a name we both agree on. :)
Have a Christ filled week everyone.
Tiffany

What are you known for?

Yesterday on Kansas news there was the telling of yet another murder. Why is this "one" murder gaining such attention. The man murdered was somewhat known, not only in Kansas but across the nation. Some say he was known for his compassion. Some say he was known for how much he "helped" others .... But mostly he was known for his work, everyday he got up out of bed went to work thinking he was going to help others... who were those others? Well women over the years these women add up to hundreds and thousands of pregnant women. Wow someone to help pregnant women.. what a nice man??!!?? His job was one that most would not do as a matter a fact one of the comments made on the news was how he was one of the only people who did such work in our nation. If you hear all this about the murdered man your initial emotional reaction may be one of sorrow. Mine well I have not fully decided how I feel about this murder. The man I am writing about is George Tiller ...known to many as "Tiller the baby Killer" He was a 67 year old many with a wife and two daughters. In 1973 he opened a clinic to perform abortions and is best known by many as the man that helps women by performing late term abortions...... After that statement I hope you heart turns to sorrow for the hundreds and thousands of babies he kept from having life on this beautiful Earth. Also there should be much sorry for his wife and daughters. One of the real shockers is that this man was shot in his Church.. yes I said church......It amazes me to think that almost all my life.. I was born in 1970.. every work day this man got up and killed babies.... the first thing I thought as I turned and looked at my beautiful Maggie and Peter is oh soon they will have more friends like them. Just think of all the women who had prepared themselves to go to Tiller this week and have their babies aborted. So does that statement make Tillers death a reason to celebrate? That at least some if not many will have their babies because they are so far in their pregnancy's that they will not be able to find anyone to "help them". Praise God for this. Two things were commented to me yesterday that I would like to share. One it was said that if a gunman had taken out Hitler that man would have been called a hero... is abortion not a war? The other was this.... Do you think Tiller had to walk past the estimated 60,000 babies he had killed as he walked to judgement? Oh that thought alone sends chills down my arms and causes me to immediately make sure I am in check with my God. I am sure it is clear...we are a Pro-Life family......not for our Glory but for HIS....
May we all hold not only those who loved Tiller up in prayer, but we MUST remember all the women who "were" on his books to be "helped" by this man....
So What are you known for???
Tiffany
Planned parent hood as assured the public that they will keep their clinics open to "help" those who Tiller was not able ....... May God open the eyes to all who desire to do this work.

The Third Trimester has begun!!

Well we have arrived. As of May 18Th, we are in the third trimester of our paper pregnancy. I must say the emotion sickness has been very real with this pregnancy, but what do you expect with paper baby twins. On May 18Th at about 2:30 in the afternoon it came. Our second referral. What this means is that the picture (which I can't show you) and the information for our second child just showed up on the computer. No fan-fair, just a note saying see attached, and let us know if you will accept this referral. Well attached was a picture a beautiful little girl in a purple dress, she is laying in a bouncy seat on a coordinating purple blanket. She looks as though she is a good eater (squeezable cheeks) and is growing well.For sure it was an exciting day/week in our household. (We would have posted earlier however posting from our home computer is not possible I am at a friends now.) Anyway we now wait (hopefully not long) for a court date. If we pass on the first try, then it is only weeks until our new little ones come home. Just FYI as soon as we pass court we can post the pictures of both little ones. Who because of age/development will basically be twins. Maggie was especially excited to see the picture of her new little sister, she kept patting herself saying mine, mine, aggie's.......:) Hope she is just as happy when our unnamed little one is sitting in the living room with her.
Never know.....We do give praise to God and thanks to those who have prayed for this to be a speedy process. Although I am not nervous, I would really like to get Henry home to a Cardiologist that I know to take a look at his heart. That said he does receive medical care and meds for his heart issue in Ethiopia. We receive regular updated pictures and medical info on him and for that I am grateful. Again all Praise to God.
We are looking fwd to spending the next couple months getting all the rooms, closets ect organized and ready for our new additions... we have also bought a couple matching dress's for Maggie and her little sister.... very fun!!!!
Again thanks for your prayers we will let you know when we have a court date.

Waiting and more waiting

No real news to report... so I'll keep it short for this week. Just sittin twriling our thumbs keeping in touch with our worker - who is suppose to be in Ethiopia at this writing. Maybe he'll get things rolling a little faster - it is certainly out of our control.
One major request however - Just pray for our family and our african children earnestly and often. Henry especially needs to be here as soon as possible. We know God answers - may the glory be all his. Thank You

Big Dad

Under Attack!

When one is walking through life trying to walk hand-in-hand with Christ and listening and doing his will, I am pretty sure Satan is not happy about this situation. And so it is with our mission and family. As this blog tries to convey, our mission is very clear according to scriptures and God speaking to our hearts. We have felt and witnessed forces which have and are trying to pull apart our convictions through unforeseen delays and selfishness. Our goal is to bring back an identified little boy who needs a heart surgery as well as a second unidentified child. The second child was not suppose to delay this endeavor according to our expert - yet it has - and the delay may be one of several months - not in the best interest of our #1 child and certainly not what we expected. We have to be politically correct during this situation as not to put off those who have more work to be done for our mission. Being politically correct is not my best thing - but I'm working on that too.
We are also being challenged within our family and are going to work through our individual situations to bring resolution to any ongoing issues which should make us stronger in the long run. Alright somebody out there is praying for patience for us - please identify yourself and stop it! We just have to remind ourselves that God is in control and his plans are perfect every time - period!

G9

EECA Conference

It was our uncommon pleasure to praise, worship, fellowship and break bread (injera) with the wonderful people attending the Ethiopian Evangelical Christians Association in Olathe Kansas last Saturday night. We were warmly greeted by pastor Gizaw who organized this fundraiser. Tiffany and myself attended with Morgan, Timothy, and Christy. It was 4 hours of blessings through music, preaching, and fellowship. We were all blessed to hear pastor Bark tell of his visions and many stories of his many many years as a missionary to the Ethiopian people. It was very insightful to hear how he viewed the Ethiopian immigrant's mission was to minister and lead the American people back to Christ. He also encouraged the young folks and their parents to have a heart and mission to the unreached people of the rugged southwest part of Ethiopia.
We were honored to have a wonderful couple who both were physicians to share our table with, as well as a young business analyst from Iowa. The conversations were wonderful and insightful. The warmth of these folks was beautiful to witness. Many hugs and kisses were shared despite the dredded swine flu just lurking around the corner - at least according to the news and our gov't.. I am not much of a touchy feeley guy and this is hard for me to get use to - but I'm working on it. What a better world it would be if we could greet each other more affectionately and with more love and care.
The best part - well you know me - was the food! It was great! Very Very interesting selection of various stews and cassarole type food eaten with a spongy brown flat bread called injera... as mentioned before in this blog - with no utinsils and eaten with the right hand only. There was a very spicy chicken that had just the right amount of heat with a bounty of flavor - MMMmmmmm.
The dissapointing part of the evening for Tiffany and myself was the absence of my friend and co-worker John Gross. John was "enjoying" or enduring an outpatient procedure of which he has some really cool, yet gross pictures of his insides. He will be fine but was missed Saturday night. John and I have worked at the same large manufacturing facility for many years yet we never have known of each other until recently. John is an amazing man, although he may deny it. I could go on and on about his ministry but instead I will encourage you to mentally and visually taste his ministry at his website: HouseOfFriends.org John is an excellent example of the average person doing great great things through the strength of Christ in his life and works. The organization John heads up ministers to the poor, orphaned and widowed in the US as well as in Africa. John has also written a book "The River Runs Down", which addresses world missions and Christ's work - I have not yet read it because my wife and daughter have stole it and have both read it before me! Now that ain't right.

G9

Is there a right adoption?

After having a chat with a dear friend of mine yesterday. Some questions were posed and really the title of this post should be "The value of a Human ". Our family has done foster care for seven years. (rookies we are) My dear friend well in excess of 25 I am not sure of the exact number of years. They have done a wonderful work in the lives of so, so many children.
Foster care is what has opened our eyes to the fact that there are children in need. Before that we for whatever reason were just unaware. I knew there were bad ladies that could come take you from your home but that is all I knew. Foster care also opened our eyes to the many children out there with Special needs. Thus softening our hearts allowing God to lead us to our little ones with DS and off to Ethiopia where we will expand our family. :)
Anyway during this conversation with my friend we discussed as I do with many people during a discussion on International adoption, of course the cost. This is a question that very few seem to ask when you are adopting from the foster care system where there really is no cost. Nor do I remember really ever being asked when we adopted our two little ones through Domestic adoption. Where there certainly was cost involved. No not as much as with International adoption but certainly the process was not free.
However when it comes to International adoption cost is certainly at the front of the conversation field. The how's and whys are so often overlooked due to the fact that many are blinded by the yes very large cost associated with the International adoption.
The question was asked could better good be done with the amount of money being spent on the "International adoption"? If the money that would have been spent on the adoption were donated to the orphanage could more children be served. So basically this brings us to the question, Is there a dollar value to a child's life/freedom? Do we "cap" this value at any point? If so what is that point? Why do so many choose to go the International route when there are so many children in our own country that need homes? Why don't more people get involved in doing Foster care? Especially when it is said, someone correct me - is it 1% or 7% --- of all those who "claim" to be Christians would just adopt one child, we could clear the "Child in need of home" section of the paper! But again it brings us to the question Is there a value to one life? ..........................

I have posed that question " Is there a value to one life?" to all of my children. My 16year old daughter without hesitation answered, "obviously God believes a life is worth the death of his own son". Well said my Morgan.

I believe for those of us who feel they have truly been called by God to adopt be it through the Foster care system, Domestic or Internationally the barriers don't matter. The cost, the time, well when the child God ordained before the world began to be yours is in your arms. The labor pains however you got them all fade away.

Ever just expect your child to obey you without question just because you know. you know better than your child? Well don't you think God knows better then we? Sometimes logic must be tossed and Faith must take over. The decesion to adopt obviously lies between your family and the Lord. It should not be guided by the opinions of others. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understandings.......................................
May Christ guide your steps today and every day.
Tiffany

Forgivness, Mercy and Song

Penn View Bible Institute and the lesson on forgivness.
Last night the kids and I attended a musical performance. The college students of Penn View Bible Institute came to little Ol Ottawa Ks to help me personally Praise God in a couple of ways.
First was in song/music. Oh they did a fabulous job. They sang praises to God and testified to their own faith in God between songs. Phil gave his testimony of where he came from and what plans God has in store for his life. You are going to be a great Pastor Phil. They really ministered to our family.
Second was the act of forgiveness and mercy a particular girl so kindly showed to me. I did not get her name but when we left the church last night I did it... I backed into her car... yes good job Tiffany.. now it is not easy to praise God for this kind of thing... so I went and got a trusted man I know since my hubby was not there. When the owner of the car came out she just chuckled... I guess my trusted man's brother had already backed into her earlier... poor girl.. Well some guys removed her car from my van. I was getting my information for her and what does she say.. don't worry about it. Well you know I am thinking oh the insurance higher premiums.. ect, ect, ect.. and she says no worries. I could not apologize enough.. they just kept saying stuff happens.
So whoever you are Thank you for your show of Forgiveness and Mercy.

If anyone ever See's a poster for Penn View Choir go you will be ministered to for sure. I know for us it was a wonderful way to start the Easter weekend.
Oh my husband does not know yet, so please let me tell him:)
Happy Good Friday everyone, Jesus Loves You,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Tiffany

Just for you.......

This past week I have been listening to a song by Nicole Nordman I believe it is titled "Why". The song starts with a little girl telling about she and her father riding horses and after a little while they hear it... they hear the noise of Jesus carrying the cross up the hill, the screaming and cursing, the spiting on the only perfect person that has ever walked the earth. Her father tells her to go inside that it is going to get stormy. However her curiosity gets the better of her and she goes out anyway. She has to find out what is going on so she followed a crowd of people to a hill where she new men had been killed. She thinks to herself there is that man that my Dad said" he loved" she sees her dad and says Daddy "why" are they screaming, why are their face beaming, why are they casting their lots for his robe, oh that crown of thorns hurts him more then he shows... she says Daddy you said he is stronger then all of their lies..... Why does everyone want him to die?... Well the song goes on and Jesus then tells his father in heaven, he though he could handle the cross of that size then he asks his father "Why does everyone want me to die??? The God speaks and tells his son I hear them screaming and I to am watching the faces of the enemy Beaming, but soon I will clothe you in robes of my own, I know it hurts you much more then you know..but in this dark hour I must do nothing.. I hear your unbearable cry.......Then states "The power of your blood destroys all of their lies soon you'll see past their unmerciful eyes.... look there below see the child... trembling by her fathers side?? Then he tells him Why... he says She is why you must die.............
Oh that song gets me every time... remember YOU are why he died. Yes you no matter where you are in life,,,no matter what you have done in your past or what you are doing right now. That only perfect man carried that cross for you, he chose to bear the weight of all of our sins. He chose it.... that was his gift to you to me, all Jesus would like in return is to have a personal relationship with you. If you choose to except this gift you will never be sorry, you will never be alone you will always have a friend in Jesus.
If you would like to ask Jesus Christ to be your personal savior all you have to do is ask him to come into your life, it's that simple.. really, He loves you, I am praying you accept his gift today,
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not parish but will have eternal life
John 3:16

So Honored !

Last Sunday we were honored to be invited to attend an adoption support group at WoodsChappel church in Lee's Summit Missouri to give our testimony regarding our call to adopt. Dave Coffman leads these efforts to support the cause for adoption. We listened to some wonderful success experiences as well as challenges we all face in the process of bringing orphans into our lives. It was a real honor to share our calling and what we know to be the will of God for our lives and our world. We were given a couple of hand-made quilts made by a group in the church for our new kids. What a wonderful gesture - it touches our hearts to know of others support for our quest.

WoodsChappel church is able to give to, and support adoptive families through a single fundraising event - a golf tournment held June 15, 2009. This is fantastic event which raises much needed funds to be able to help families like us. Thank You ! Thank You! Thank You!

Big Dad

One more small step in our LARGE quest taken...

The dossier is finished and delivered!!! A dossier is a large bundle of paperwork (2"thick) which consists of every imaginable type of personal document, letters, forms, applications, histories, and even pictures which identifies who we are and our ability to adopt from the great country of Ethiopia. Each one of these documents are notarized and certified by the Secretary of State from which the document originates. Each official certification is verified by the respective Governor of that state. I think it would be less trouble to have Tiffany's hysterectomy reversed!

While making copies of our dossier, I found a certified cover sheet which had the wrong notary listed. AND it of course was attached to the most important document - our home study... So I took off work a half day to take the whole dossier to Topeka and have the Secretary of State re-certify our home study's notary and then to FedEx it overnight to Portland Oregon to our agency. At this time our dossier is in the hands of the Ethiopian authorities in Washington who will translate it into their language - Amharic - they will then authernicate the same documents we just had certified and send it to Ethiopia the Ethiopian Government will then either grant us two young lives or deny us our little children. Our agency has 'people' working on our behalf.

And now we wait, and wait, and wait...

Big Dad

Second Trimester of our Paper Pregnancy has begun!

They came back, my fingerprints which is what we have been waiting for. Yes!!! We could not even understand why they were taking so long. So what's next. Well the Home study becomes "officially" complete and we now have copies, yes official notarized copies. Those of you who adopt understand. Nothing, really nothing happens until you have this step totally completed. So what does that mean? It means we are in our Second Paper Trimester! Yeah and Praise the Lord. So what next well the humorous part is more fingerprints. This time Gary, Samantha (because she is 18) and I all headed off to our not so local INS office. No biggie bring piles of paperwork and wait. Then go back to get your super duper cool digital fingerprints done. After the nice guy did my prints repeatedly he finally said that he needed to do a copy in ink also so that when my digitalis were rejected the would have the ink to check them with. Turns out I have a slightly scarred pinkie... all my hard work in life just holding up our adoption.
So now we wait, wait for our INS approval. That is when the real fun begins. I can't wait until that approval comes. When that comes you rush to the bank, make sure everything is there and notarized. Then up to Topeka, over to down town Mo. All of your Ks, documents have to be certified in Ks. Any birth certificates from Mo. must be certified in Mo. Thankfully there is an office downtown. I thought I would have to go all the way to the Mo. Capital to get them certified. Whew. Saved a day of driving. Then overnight them to the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington then.. Wait. However at that point it is almost like waiting for labor. Hopefully nesting will begin at that point. I can't wait for nesting. So much adrenalin so much organizing getting done... whew love that!
Thanks for following along with us on our African Adventure, what an adventure it is...................
Tiffany

What NO Fork??????

Well the oppertuntiy comes but once a year. The oppertunity for we the parents to go out together, no children. Yes 24 hours of alone. Thanks to our local Down Syndrome Guild and the planning of a yearly Mind your Marriage conference,that this year lasted a whole two hours... Don't tell our babysitters though. We need the extra 22 hours to discuss what we learned at the confrence. You all understand right??So I only had two things on my wish list this year.. first eat authetic Ethiopian food. What do you know there was a lovely restraunt called the Blue Nile Cafe only moments from our hotel. Problem Gary did not really want to travel by car. We had the priveledge of this year staying at the Westin Crown Center and there are lots of great places to eat that you can walk to without having to ever go outside. I was supportive I assured him (as I called the front desk to get directions) that we could go anywhere for dinner he wanted. So after the nice lady gave me directions we jumped in the car (alone) and took the five minute drive to the Blue Nile Cafe located at City Market. It was just a little place it filled up quickly on a Saturday night which was nice because that gave us a chance to watch other people eat before we gave it a go. We had a waitress who is Native Ethiopian. This was great she was able to explain everything wonderfully to us. She even took the time to answer questions that had nothing to do with food. Very helpful Ethiopian food and education. We had the Sample Platter which consisted of 8 different vegetarian entrees and one each of chicken, beef and lamb. All served on top of Injera a soft, spongy, national bread made from teff and wheat flour. Ehtiopian food is traditionally served in communal platter and eaten using injera bread instead of utensils. Yes we ate with our fingers... sorta. You tear off some injera (with your right hand only) then kind of pinch the bread around the food and eat. The injera has sort of a sour dough taste but not to much. I don't care for sourdough and I liked it. We bought some extra and I made fake Ethiopian food for the kids the next night they all took a shot at eating with injera instead of forks.
At the Blue Nile the uniform shirt has a fork with a red circle and a line through the fork.It was a really neat experiance and really great food. We now know Gary and Morgan will not starve.The owner of the restraunt Daniel also a Native Ethiopian must have just known we were going to adopt. He asked if we had a baby picked out and told us about his trip back from Ethiopia last month. He said the plane was half full of babies (children) coming back with their new Mom's and Dad's. He sure helped us to feel good about our choice. Some have asked if we knew how the people of Ethiopia felt about white Americans coming over and adopting their children. Daniel said it was an honorable thing for us to do. Although God is all the reasurance we need. It was nice to have him to valadate our choice. If you have time be brave and try the Blue Nile Cafe. www.bluenilekc.com/reviews.html
Oh what was the second thing I wanted to do... having this oppertunity to not have to feed anyone else take anyone to the potty, or change a diaper during a meal...all alone with my husband.. for our one overnight a year... you guesed it.............. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for joining us on our adventure.
Tiffany

Why Why Why??? or Are you crazy?

It was the year 1999 and I was single and minding my own business - living the life of a 30 something bachelor - when in walked the love of my life... Tiffany. My how life can change! Fast forward 9 years and seven kids later and WHAM! Look at who I am now... Living on a ranch in the beautiful countryside with more animals than I want to count on the outside, seven children on the inside, and knowing God has even more blessings for me yet! After having no biological kids of my own, It was a 'fun challenge' living and establishing a nuclear family with Tiffany and her 3 GREAT kids at the beginning of our marriage. Then God began making us 'aware' of a serious problem in our community. Hundreds of kids in our state had no family to call their own. Our hearts went out to them. It seemed a perfect fit for putting action to our faith. Our faith in God is made complete by what we do.
At first we brought in kids at a safe level - through our state foster care system - no real commitment and we get to positively influence some kids lives that need to be shown a little love. God's will - a good feeling. 1John 2:17 says "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Next we sense Gods hand in the decision to adopt of a couple of our little blessings (#4 &#5) whose parent could not take on their responsibility. I feel we can make a positive difference in these lives and in our world that will last much more than my lifetime - creating a legacy which glorifies God. James 1:27 states "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

THEN came #6 Maggie - a beautiful little girl with Down syndrome. Maggie makes those people around her better people - she is now 3 and we are so blessed to have her in our home. People ask "how can you do this?" and our answer is "How can we not". The Lord has made us so vividly aware of the desperate needs of children of this country and in this world. See Proverbs 31:8 ""Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute."

After Maggie, came #7 PJ. PJ also has an extra 21st chromosome or Down Syndrome. He is the cutest little boy who is quite the lover. He loves to go to therapy and enjoys the love and attention he receives wherever he goes. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him.
James 1:22"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
So now on to Africa to bring in one (or two) young children to allow them to grow in the fertile soil of our home and country. We have been blessed with a wonderful loving environment to raise kids up to their greatest potential. So so many need a stable, safe home with a loving family. 1John 3:17 says "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"

Our family has chosen this path which at times is not an easy one. We have of course denied ourselves some of the selfish pleasures of living in America. We have instead chosen to give our time and resources to the mission... For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40.

So I hope to have given you the answer to 'Why?' . Am I crazy? Well in the eyes of the world - of course I am. And at times I reevaluate our mission with God's will. I try not to worry knowing that is not of God. Philippians 4:6 says " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
I would not trade that selfish single life for the one I have for anything in this world. I want others to join us. Please consider adoption. There are 120,000 adoption eligible kids in America that desperately need a loving home. There are 4,500,000 orphans in the one country of Ethiopia.
Focus not on the things of this world (career, cars, vacations, homes, sports, hobbies, TV, education, 401k, etc., etc., etc.) But set your mind on the things above - What would Jesus have you do? The harvest is great yet the workers are few... Come join with us in this field - Please support us. These rewards will not perish! Please pray for us - hard and often!

Big Dad

Step one Complete????

The First Step... What is the first step? The first step is what some refer to as your first trimester "First Paper Trimester" of our adoption pregnancy. Yes I am tankin on the pounds . Pounds of paperwork that is. The first step consists of writing and then telling your life story to the Social worker of your choice .We chose the lovely Rachel Crews. We worked with her when we were blessed with Maggie. She is great. Step ones means you will need to gather birth and marriage certificates. Figure out a budget and your net worth.(nice economy to be doing that) Get all the Dr's to quickly fill out physical forms for everyone.The best thing was we can now say that we have seen the inside holding cells of our local police dept. Not because we were arrested but because this is where they do the fingerprinting necessary for international adoption. So yes Gary, Samantha and I are all "IN THE SYSTEM". Last week we thought all right we are done with step one the Homestudy is complete. So off to INS approval we think. But NO Tiffany's fingerprints were rejected. Was this because she has a record? Had she been living a lie. NO it's becaue in our fine little town the guy doing the fingerprionts also is a public school bus driver and was in a hurry. So again we are waiting. .So although we have made many trips to Rachels home to drop off paperwork so as not to waist even one hour. Here we are waiting. We hear this is the name of the game. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. A game many of you will certainly understand when I say Tiffany does not hurry up and wait very well. Surely God has a reason for this and in time we will understand.

So praying that this week we will advance on in our paper pregnancy.

Why adopt from Ethiopia?

Why adopt from Ethiopia?
Probably the most compelling reason we chose to adopt from Ethiopia is that we ran across these statistics from another blog and were just utterly broken for these children. Read the list below and just let their situation sink in....and then pray for this country and all the little ones who are precious in His sight but are having unbelievable times surviving.
1. One in ten children die before their first birthday.
2. One in six children die before their fifth birthday.
3. 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old
4. 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition.
5. The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years.
6. 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world).
7. 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.
8.Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa.
9. In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%).
10. Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals).
11. Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school.
12. 88% will never attend secondary school.
13. Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002.
14. Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
15. In 1993, after 30 long years of war, Eritrea broke from Ethiopia and became an independent nation leaving Ethiopia landlocked without any major seafaring ports.


The above infromation was Stolen from the adoption blog of our "followers "Mike and Sandy Mayfield who have also been called by God to adopt a child or children from Ehtiopia as well.
Yet we agree wholeheartedly with the words they have written and we add Jerimiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not harm you. ....
Perhaps you are a part of Gods plan to prosper one of the little ones in Ethiopia.....Either through prayer, through financial help or perhaps God is also calling you to go to Ethiopia and give even one a forever familiy.

Myths and Truths of Down Syndrome

TRUTH!!!
85-9o% of babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome while still in the womb are ABORTED!

Myth: Down Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
Truth: One in every 800 to 1,000 birth is a child with Down Syndrome condition. This figure represents approximately 5,000 births per year.

Myth: Most children with Down Syndrome are born to older parents.
Truth: 80% of children with Down Syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. However, as the age of the parents increases, so does the incidence of births of children with Down Syndrome condition.

Myth: Children with Down Syndrome are severely retarded.
Truth: Children with Down Syndrome have an I.Q that falls between the mild to moderately retarded range. Children with Down Syndrome can be educated. However, educators and researchers have not been able to verify and document the full educational potential of Down Syndrome children.

Myth: Most people with Down Syndrome are institutionalized.
Truth: In recent years, Down Syndrome children are seen in the public together with the families, going about their educational, social and recreational activities. Some adults with Down Syndrome have also seen to work in café and fast food chains.

M yth:Adult with Syndrome are unemployable.
Truth: As society’s acceptance and understanding towards adults with Down Syndrome children increases, businesses around the world are employing young adults with Down Syndrome for a variety of positions.

Myth: Adults with Down Syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationship leading to marriage.
Truth: Many adults with Down Syndrome are able to socialize and form ongoing relationship such as courtship and marriage. Although women with Down Syndrome can have children, but the chances of getting a Down Syndrome child is 50%.

Myth: People with Down Syndrome condition can never be cured.
Truth: As the medical research advances, it was identified that the gene on chromosome 21 is responsible for Down Syndrome. Scientists believe that there is a possibility in the future to improve, correct and prevent the varies problems related to Down Syndrome.

Garrett

Christy

Peter James

Here is PJ playing 'peek-a boo'

Maggie Sunshine

Squishy Face!!!

Our Family as we are

Here is a pic of our beautiful family. Somehow our favorite photographer - Brandi - through the magic of digital manipulation, got all of us not only to smile but to look at the camera at once - it makes Tiffany cry...

Here We Gooooooo !

December 14, 2008 was anything but a typical Sunday...

It was the date I had given my family as to my answer to the BIG question... To go or not to go? After much prayer, consideration, and searching God's will, well the answer was clear. "Lets go get him".
"Him" was a little one year boy in Africa - Ethiopia that is, which somehow has survived with a heart defect and an extra 21st chromosome otherwise known as Down Syndrome. We have already been blessed with 2 kids with the very special chromosome (Maggie and PJ). He has yet to be 'officially' named - but I am leaning toward "Spud" - my wife winces at that. We have started climbing the mountain of paperwork and have even submitted our fingerprints to our local police department - very entertaining. We are all very excited to get on with this life adventure. I must admit I am confident of our direction, yet a little anxious also. We have adopted from of our state foster care system, and even an out-of-state adoption. Africa is certainly a little bigger trip full of more uncertainties and questions.

So we begin our quest for "Spud" and are so very excited for our days ahead - I hope you enjoy our story - hopefully one with a happy ending.

Gary (Big Dad)