New Column
You can read my new column at the Beacon-News today: One Voice, One Song, One World.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Vote for Life
For those of you who will be voting in the state of Illinois this November, you can find out how the candidates stack up with respect to issues such as abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and related topics courtesy of Illinois Citizens for Life.
And while we're talking about life today, tomorrow pro-lifer across the world will NOT be talking about it...on purpose! See for yourselves. Will you be silent?
For those of you who will be voting in the state of Illinois this November, you can find out how the candidates stack up with respect to issues such as abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and related topics courtesy of Illinois Citizens for Life.
And while we're talking about life today, tomorrow pro-lifer across the world will NOT be talking about it...on purpose! See for yourselves. Will you be silent?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Coming Up For Air
Saturday mornings--at least for now--seem to be my quiet time. Granted, there is peace and quiet around here in the evenings, but there always seems to be so much to do...preparing lessons, running out to the store--alone!, meal planning, housework catch-up (now there's an oxymoron if I ever heard one!), column writing and, of course, sleeping!
For now, if Saturday mornings are all I get for blogging, I'll take it; knowing that this too shall pass. A few important updates to share:
Saturday mornings--at least for now--seem to be my quiet time. Granted, there is peace and quiet around here in the evenings, but there always seems to be so much to do...preparing lessons, running out to the store--alone!, meal planning, housework catch-up (now there's an oxymoron if I ever heard one!), column writing and, of course, sleeping!
For now, if Saturday mornings are all I get for blogging, I'll take it; knowing that this too shall pass. A few important updates to share:
- We had our first post-placement visit and it went very well, even though Baby Girl decided to have a messy diaper right in the middle of it all! Our case worker wondered what our *intentions* regarding adoption were and we told her that we had no plans in the near future to adopt again. (I have to admit that just writing that out loud scares me. I know how God feels about me and my plans!) However, she seemed relieved because of the number of children we have and that whole snafu with DCFS approving our homestudy and getting an exception for this adoption and yada yada yada. The whole thing still leaves a sour taste in my mouth and presently, I simply don't have any additional energy to direct towards fighting it.
- The Captain took Baby Girl for her labwork and although we found out that she needs one MORE vial of blood still, the one they drew that day went off without a hitch! Praise God! And...more of a praise even still...ALL of her blood work results thus far have come back normal!
- Speaking of medical results, we also finally got in to see the ENT. He's the same ENT who helped us with Hannah's hearing loss and with Mr. T's tubes in his ears. When he examined her, he found both of her ears to no longer be actively infected, but to be full of fluid. So, she's on allergy meds and nasal spray to try and clear that up. More importantly though, we were looking for information on the *special need* that allowed us to adopt her in the first place. In Ethiopia, she was diagnosed--by observation--with a floppy airway, something which is not uncommon and children typically grow out of by their second birthday. In the first year, however, it can cause multiple breathing problems and failure to thrive symptoms. But in the US, this diagnosis is made by scoping the throat to actually see what the airway looks like. And when our ENT examined her, he felt that she was not showing signs of that diagnosis, but that her problems seemed to be centered more in her sinuses and ears. He ordered several xrays and they called us with the results this week. It seems that the funny Darth-Vaderesque breathing she makes is not being caused by her airway, but from a pair of extremely enlarged adenoids, which is totally manageable! We have a follow-up exam in November to do a re-check on her ears and create a plan of attack. Once again, The Captain and I have been privileged to see God's hand at work here. Without the original diagnosis in Ethiopia, she would probably not have been on the "special needs" list, which would have made her ineligible for us to adopt due to our family size. As The Captain said, this one just slipped through the cracks so that she could join our family. Otherwise, she would have been scooped up in no time. God has been so very good to us.
- Speaking of God's goodness to us, I have to publicly thank all of you who have sent meals (or coordinated sending meals!) our way over these last few weeks. It has been a godsend and I'm not sure how it is I will ever be able to thank you all enough. Just know that I've been singing some serious praises for you all. We love you and God loves you more.
- In other news, Mr. T seems to be coming out of his Baby Sister funk little by little. He actually sits and plays with her every once in a while now.
- As for homeschool, I've been fairly silent about it what with everything else going on, but I have been so pleased with the girls' progress thus far. We are only a couple of weeks away from the end of the first quarter and so far so good. We've been able to do some wonderful projects and are enjoying reading real literature together. I'll try to share more about this sometime.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tell Me How You Really Feel
I made the decision (whether wise or foolish only time will tell) to jump right back into school the Monday after Baby Girl was home. If it makes you think I am any less insane (it does for me!) I scaled back on some of the typically robust plans that come from my out-on-parole teacher's mind after its long time in the slammer.
I justified my decision by rationalizing that if we waited too long to start back up we'd become complacent. My home would be full of children whiling away their days lounging around the house while their brains turned to mush faster than an old jack o' lantern. So, we began. And it was fine, I guess. We accomplished all of our work, but it didn't happen at the scheduled times or in the designated areas as is typical of our school day. In fact, many of our lessons took place on the family room floor this week, where I doled out vocabulary for Caddie Woodlawn or read aloud from Hattie Big Sky while trying to keep the baby from orally inspecting ever speck on the floor---of which there seemed many.
One day, out of habit, we found ourselves on the family room floor sans baby. Just Beulah, Hannah and myself along with Mr. (he's no longer the baby) T. As we worked, Mr. T walked around giving a weary eye to the baby's things. He walked from Bumbo seat to excersaucer, from empty bottle to Dr. Boudreaux's you-know-what paste. His scowl grew deeper and deeper as he made his rounds. Finally, little face drawn up in a sullen knot, his circuit completed at my side, he announced, "Mommy, my no like that Baby Girl."
My poor little guy. The stark reality of his situation had finally hit him. No longer the baby of the house, his territory had been usurped by this interloping vomit queen, who didn't smell too good most of the time, and cried more thanmost of us he felt necessary. I did what any mom would have done and picked him up, cuddling his toddler-sized form in my arms-marveling at how much bigger he suddenly seemed to me--and reassured him that he was still mommy's little boy. Turning his big brown eyes upward, he smiled and asked for a fruit snack. The moment had passed. But for me, it was an important lesson from my littlest man. It was his actions that gave me permission to feel the adjustment. To know that things were--again--changing on the Ark and that we were all trying to figure out our place in this new normal. And it would sometimes be hard...or confusing...or uncertain...but when the dust settles, the important familiar things will be there still. Steady and unchanging. Held by the hand of my most loving Parent.
I made the decision (whether wise or foolish only time will tell) to jump right back into school the Monday after Baby Girl was home. If it makes you think I am any less insane (it does for me!) I scaled back on some of the typically robust plans that come from my out-on-parole teacher's mind after its long time in the slammer.
I justified my decision by rationalizing that if we waited too long to start back up we'd become complacent. My home would be full of children whiling away their days lounging around the house while their brains turned to mush faster than an old jack o' lantern. So, we began. And it was fine, I guess. We accomplished all of our work, but it didn't happen at the scheduled times or in the designated areas as is typical of our school day. In fact, many of our lessons took place on the family room floor this week, where I doled out vocabulary for Caddie Woodlawn or read aloud from Hattie Big Sky while trying to keep the baby from orally inspecting ever speck on the floor---of which there seemed many.
One day, out of habit, we found ourselves on the family room floor sans baby. Just Beulah, Hannah and myself along with Mr. (he's no longer the baby) T. As we worked, Mr. T walked around giving a weary eye to the baby's things. He walked from Bumbo seat to excersaucer, from empty bottle to Dr. Boudreaux's you-know-what paste. His scowl grew deeper and deeper as he made his rounds. Finally, little face drawn up in a sullen knot, his circuit completed at my side, he announced, "Mommy, my no like that Baby Girl."
My poor little guy. The stark reality of his situation had finally hit him. No longer the baby of the house, his territory had been usurped by this interloping vomit queen, who didn't smell too good most of the time, and cried more than
Adoption By The Numbers
1 baby it took to completely turn the Ark on its ear.
2 infected ears Baby Girl has.
3 calls from the nurse trying to decipher her shot record dates written using the Ethiopian calendar. "What do you mean it's just beginning 2001 in Ethiopia? They have how many months each year?"
4 feet distance champion in the projectile vomiting category.
5 trips to the doctor.
6 older siblings at her beck and call.
7 children on the Ark...and the biblical number for completion or spiritual perfection. Who knew?
8 prescriptions filled.
9 sticks for the blood draw...and still one more tube to collect. Sigh.
10 wonderful days that The Captain worked from home during.
11 extra loads of baby laundry
12 hours of sleep each night...for her-not for me!
13 months old according to the paperwork.
14 days happier and more complete than we were two weeks ago!
1 baby it took to completely turn the Ark on its ear.
2 infected ears Baby Girl has.
3 calls from the nurse trying to decipher her shot record dates written using the Ethiopian calendar. "What do you mean it's just beginning 2001 in Ethiopia? They have how many months each year?"
4 feet distance champion in the projectile vomiting category.
5 trips to the doctor.
6 older siblings at her beck and call.
7 children on the Ark...and the biblical number for completion or spiritual perfection. Who knew?
8 prescriptions filled.
9 sticks for the blood draw...and still one more tube to collect. Sigh.
10 wonderful days that The Captain worked from home during.
11 extra loads of baby laundry
12 hours of sleep each night...for her-not for me!
13 months old according to the paperwork.
14 days happier and more complete than we were two weeks ago!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
New Column
You can read my new column at the Beacon-News today: It Takes A Village...Especially in Adoption.
You can read my new column at the Beacon-News today: It Takes A Village...Especially in Adoption.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Not Forever...
Just for now.
Thank you, my dear friends, for your kind words of support. I wanted to assure you all that I haven't completely jumped ship. This adoption is just taking more adjustment time than I had scheduled (Okay, God, I can hear You laughing...).
This particular baby has been--shall we say--not as easy as our last adopted baby PLUS a multitude of minor health issues. (As someone who is pro-life, I should not be surprised to learn that God's way is not always the easy one. But I hadn't considered just how much physical work goes into putting my money where my mouth is.) When I started adding up the time it now takes to do the "usual" laundry, meals, cleaning, chauffeuring (which Pat is doing most of now, but goes back to work next week!), writing my column, homeschooling, bible study, etc...I just had to cut back a little until we get ourselves on an even keel again. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later!
I'll be back! Possibly even tomorrow with the link to this week's column...
Just for now.
Thank you, my dear friends, for your kind words of support. I wanted to assure you all that I haven't completely jumped ship. This adoption is just taking more adjustment time than I had scheduled (Okay, God, I can hear You laughing...).
This particular baby has been--shall we say--not as easy as our last adopted baby PLUS a multitude of minor health issues. (As someone who is pro-life, I should not be surprised to learn that God's way is not always the easy one. But I hadn't considered just how much physical work goes into putting my money where my mouth is.) When I started adding up the time it now takes to do the "usual" laundry, meals, cleaning, chauffeuring (which Pat is doing most of now, but goes back to work next week!), writing my column, homeschooling, bible study, etc...I just had to cut back a little until we get ourselves on an even keel again. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later!
I'll be back! Possibly even tomorrow with the link to this week's column...
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Something's Gotta Give
And, after some time alone with God, I clearly heard His voice saying that this blog (at least for now) did not make the short list.
For some strange reason, God has chosen the Ark to entrust His precious daughter, aka our Baby Girl. This new arrangement is full of new and uncharted territory that we are learning again to lean heavily on God to chart our course.
So, until He says otherwise, I'll be working deep within the bowels of the ship, forging ahead through stormy seas, and waiting for our first port of call.
If you haven't had a chance to sign our virtual baby book, please don't forget to do so. I've read and been so grateful for each and every note, prayer and blessing bestowed upon our darling daughter.
And, after some time alone with God, I clearly heard His voice saying that this blog (at least for now) did not make the short list.
For some strange reason, God has chosen the Ark to entrust His precious daughter, aka our Baby Girl. This new arrangement is full of new and uncharted territory that we are learning again to lean heavily on God to chart our course.
So, until He says otherwise, I'll be working deep within the bowels of the ship, forging ahead through stormy seas, and waiting for our first port of call.
If you haven't had a chance to sign our virtual baby book, please don't forget to do so. I've read and been so grateful for each and every note, prayer and blessing bestowed upon our darling daughter.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Post-Rant Adjustment
Thanks for all of your nice comments, emails and phone calls---and dinners from equally rant-worthy folks. How blessed I am and how much God has already (and continues to) provide for me.
We are coping with an additional pneumonia diagnosis courtesy of the chest x-ray. We have both of our specialist appointments scheduled over the next two weeks. And we'll be making a return trip for bloodwork on Monday. Even the stool sampling is coming along nicely. (How could I not keep you all fully informed? ;-))
I do have a deadline later today, but perhaps I'll be able to sneak back on and share some of the more humorous and touching adjustment stories later today.
Thanks for all of your nice comments, emails and phone calls---and dinners from equally rant-worthy folks. How blessed I am and how much God has already (and continues to) provide for me.
We are coping with an additional pneumonia diagnosis courtesy of the chest x-ray. We have both of our specialist appointments scheduled over the next two weeks. And we'll be making a return trip for bloodwork on Monday. Even the stool sampling is coming along nicely. (How could I not keep you all fully informed? ;-))
I do have a deadline later today, but perhaps I'll be able to sneak back on and share some of the more humorous and touching adjustment stories later today.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
The One Where I Come Undone
Today's doctor appointment left us with more appointments (ent and orthopedist) a stool sample, chest xray, and many vials of blood plus a tb test. He confirmed the chicken pox diagnosis and announced a bonus ear infection. Then, after changing her antibiotic (to something called cedifnir?) I arrived at the pharmacy to find that the insurance couldn't locate her in their files. And, The Captain is just not feeling well, despite his antibiotic. He actually took his own temp today if that is any indication of how he's feeling. Almost everyone is asleep now, and I am in desperate need of a trip to the grocery. We are out of such novelty items as milk, bread, eggs and juice. Then, I am coming home to crash. I need all my strength to return to the doctor's office tomorrow to do the blood draw that they couldn't do (after two BIG sticks!) today.
I think I feel a pity party coming on. The invitations will be in the mail.
Today's doctor appointment left us with more appointments (ent and orthopedist) a stool sample, chest xray, and many vials of blood plus a tb test. He confirmed the chicken pox diagnosis and announced a bonus ear infection. Then, after changing her antibiotic (to something called cedifnir?) I arrived at the pharmacy to find that the insurance couldn't locate her in their files. And, The Captain is just not feeling well, despite his antibiotic. He actually took his own temp today if that is any indication of how he's feeling. Almost everyone is asleep now, and I am in desperate need of a trip to the grocery. We are out of such novelty items as milk, bread, eggs and juice. Then, I am coming home to crash. I need all my strength to return to the doctor's office tomorrow to do the blood draw that they couldn't do (after two BIG sticks!) today.
I think I feel a pity party coming on. The invitations will be in the mail.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Down Time
The travelers are weary tonight. It's 8:30 and everyone on the Ark is asleep 'cept for me and Baby Girl, who--by the way--slept from 9pm last night to 7am this morning! She seems better and better to me each day. We have our first doctor appointment on Wednesday and a precautionary ENT appointment set up for Thursday, so the jury's still out on any official diagnoses for her (minus a few sketchy ones from Ethiopia). She is sleeping and eating well and has a fiery temper--especially when she's hungry and my spoon-feeding isn't as rapid fire as her royal highness demands. Who says all things are passed on through genetics? *grin*
We said our good-byes to Grandma (who will henceforth be known as Gram-cracker per Naomi's nick name assignment) and Grandpa (who is Baby T's new best buddy...every time the door opens he calls out, "Grandpa?" and sulks off sullenly holding his football). Fortunately, the blows of our typically weepy good-byes were lessened by the knowledge of an upcoming holiday visit!
Baby Girl is finished watching the White Sox highlights (Go Sox!) and her voice beckons. It is music to my ears!
My big girls kept some lovely journals from their trip. I'm going to offer them a "guest blogging" opportunity to let you all know their impressions of the trip. If you have any questions for them, let us know.
The travelers are weary tonight. It's 8:30 and everyone on the Ark is asleep 'cept for me and Baby Girl, who--by the way--slept from 9pm last night to 7am this morning! She seems better and better to me each day. We have our first doctor appointment on Wednesday and a precautionary ENT appointment set up for Thursday, so the jury's still out on any official diagnoses for her (minus a few sketchy ones from Ethiopia). She is sleeping and eating well and has a fiery temper--especially when she's hungry and my spoon-feeding isn't as rapid fire as her royal highness demands. Who says all things are passed on through genetics? *grin*
We said our good-byes to Grandma (who will henceforth be known as Gram-cracker per Naomi's nick name assignment) and Grandpa (who is Baby T's new best buddy...every time the door opens he calls out, "Grandpa?" and sulks off sullenly holding his football). Fortunately, the blows of our typically weepy good-byes were lessened by the knowledge of an upcoming holiday visit!
Baby Girl is finished watching the White Sox highlights (Go Sox!) and her voice beckons. It is music to my ears!
My big girls kept some lovely journals from their trip. I'm going to offer them a "guest blogging" opportunity to let you all know their impressions of the trip. If you have any questions for them, let us know.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Remembering How Much I Like My Sleep...and My Babies
The Ark is whole again.
Our newest little arkling has, indeed, developed a case of the chicken pox. Spots are popping out with each stroke of the keyboard. In spite of her pockiness, her teething, the time change and the nasty sinus-style infection she has, we are overjoyed to have her home.
Not so much concentrating on the lack of sleep this particular arkling is allowing her new mama, but instead focusing on the *quality* time she's saved for me---even if it is six hours planned between 9pm and 3am!
One of the sisters at Mass this morning (my apologies to those who attended hoping to meet our little sweetie!) upon hearing of our mother-daughter late night bonding session said to me, "Well then, I guess you got to walk the talk of your article last week, didn't you?" Yes, I did, sister. Thanks for the reminder.
But, I know you didn't stop by to hear about my so-sleep-deprived-I-forgot-to-put on make-up-this-morning day. You stopped by for a glimpse of a few of the firsts. So, without further ado, here are a few to tide you over. (You'll have to wait for the airport arrival pictures because my digital camera was with the travelers and we were reduced to using--gasp!--throwaway cameras that need--deep pitiful sigh--developing.)
The Ark is whole again.
Our newest little arkling has, indeed, developed a case of the chicken pox. Spots are popping out with each stroke of the keyboard. In spite of her pockiness, her teething, the time change and the nasty sinus-style infection she has, we are overjoyed to have her home.
Not so much concentrating on the lack of sleep this particular arkling is allowing her new mama, but instead focusing on the *quality* time she's saved for me---even if it is six hours planned between 9pm and 3am!
One of the sisters at Mass this morning (my apologies to those who attended hoping to meet our little sweetie!) upon hearing of our mother-daughter late night bonding session said to me, "Well then, I guess you got to walk the talk of your article last week, didn't you?" Yes, I did, sister. Thanks for the reminder.
But, I know you didn't stop by to hear about my so-sleep-deprived-I-forgot-to-put on make-up-this-morning day. You stopped by for a glimpse of a few of the firsts. So, without further ado, here are a few to tide you over. (You'll have to wait for the airport arrival pictures because my digital camera was with the travelers and we were reduced to using--gasp!--throwaway cameras that need--deep pitiful sigh--developing.)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Departures and Arrivals
We're departing now for the airport!
We'll be arriving home later...one larger than when our journey began!
Meet you at the baggage claim!
We're departing now for the airport!
We'll be arriving home later...one larger than when our journey began!
Meet you at the baggage cla
Publish Post
Friday, September 26, 2008
Destination USA
Ed. Note: Some of you may remember this from a few years back. It is as true then as it was now and I wanted to recreate the same virtual memories for our new Baby Girl. Please join us by leaving your well wishes in the comment box.
Their flight is officially in the air and headed for the US. There was a going away party scheduled for this afternoon at the orphanage, even though our darling girl was the only one departing. I'm sure they took lots of pictures. I can't wait to see them and hear all about it. For now, however, I'm fully focused on their arrival tomorrow---less than 24 hours away!
One of the things that I've seen done before, and I thought was a GREAT idea, was to have friends and family *sign* the new child(ren)'s memory book. Since this blog has become a virtual memory book to share with our Baby Girl as she grows and wonders about her journey to our hearts and home, I'd love for each of you to share a thought, a hope or a prayer with her so she knows that you all, too, were part of her story...each in your own unique ways. Thank you so much for being a part of such a special time and thank you for the great welcome you've given our newest family member!!!
Ed. Note: Some of you may remember this from a few years back. It is as true then as it was now and I wanted to recreate the same virtual memories for our new Baby Girl. Please join us by leaving your well wishes in the comment box.
Their flight is officially in the air and headed for the US. There was a going away party scheduled for this afternoon at the orphanage, even though our darling girl was the only one departing. I'm sure they took lots of pictures. I can't wait to see them and hear all about it. For now, however, I'm fully focused on their arrival tomorrow---less than 24 hours away!
One of the things that I've seen done before, and I thought was a GREAT idea, was to have friends and family *sign* the new child(ren)'s memory book. Since this blog has become a virtual memory book to share with our Baby Girl as she grows and wonders about her journey to our hearts and home, I'd love for each of you to share a thought, a hope or a prayer with her so she knows that you all, too, were part of her story...each in your own unique ways. Thank you so much for being a part of such a special time and thank you for the great welcome you've given our newest family member!!!
More Good News
I just have to mention that when we first relocated here, The Captain opened a local bank account for us. While leaving the bank (located in the middle of a strip mall) he noticed that there was no obvious drive-thru lane (a must-have for a mother of small children!). We called the bank and much to our dismay, found out that there was, in fact, no drive-thru service there. So began the rigmarole of closing that account, finding another bank and opening another account. But today, I am counting my blessings. You might be familiar with the first bank we tried. They've been in the news a bit today.
Let's start with the fact that Baby Girl's cold seems to be improving. The lone spot on her cheek disappeared and seems not to be of the pox-variety!
Then, let's add that Hannah, Beulah and The Captain had a mini-reunion of sorts with Hannah's aunt, uncle, cousin and godmother! I am eagerly awaiting more details and pictures (that goes without saying, I suppose).
Not to mention, that the travelers are less than an hour away from boarding their flight for home! Look for a very important post coming soon about that!
Finally, I just discovered (Thanks, Dawn! Now go have that baby!) that the African Children's Choir is coming to the Chicago area! We saw them a few years ago at Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville. They'll be there again (as I expect will we) on October 5th. If you'd like to check their Chicago area schedule, click here. They tour in other locations (including Canada) and that schedule is available here. If you've never seen them before. Take a look at them here...
God is good, friends. All the time.
I just have to mention that when we first relocated here, The Captain opened a local bank account for us. While leaving the bank (located in the middle of a strip mall) he noticed that there was no obvious drive-thru lane (a must-have for a mother of small children!). We called the bank and much to our dismay, found out that there was, in fact, no drive-thru service there. So began the rigmarole of closing that account, finding another bank and opening another account. But today, I am counting my blessings. You might be familiar with the first bank we tried. They've been in the news a bit today.
Let's start with the fact that Baby Girl's cold seems to be improving. The lone spot on her cheek disappeared and seems not to be of the pox-variety!
Then, let's add that Hannah, Beulah and The Captain had a mini-reunion of sorts with Hannah's aunt, uncle, cousin and godmother! I am eagerly awaiting more details and pictures (that goes without saying, I suppose).
Not to mention, that the travelers are less than an hour away from boarding their flight for home! Look for a very important post coming soon about that!
Finally, I just discovered (Thanks, Dawn! Now go have that baby!) that the African Children's Choir is coming to the Chicago area! We saw them a few years ago at Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville. They'll be there again (as I expect will we) on October 5th. If you'd like to check their Chicago area schedule, click here. They tour in other locations (including Canada) and that schedule is available here. If you've never seen them before. Take a look at them here...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)