Where Were You?

A year ago today my family, along with Andreas' parents, loaded a van with lots of suitcases, hopes, dreams and excitement.  We then borded a plane on its way to Ch*na.  This was the end of a 3 1/2 year journey and the beginning of a new lifetime journey.  

For all of you that are waiting, and waiting, and waiting... for that precious child to be in your arms the day will come.  God loves the orphan and raises up families to place the lonely in.  Are you suppose to be one of those families?  Is God putting this on your heart?  Listen, Respond, Love.   

Blessings,

Laurie

P.S.  This is a double post day, so don't miss the video below.

Boys Being Boys

Yes, they are covered in mud!

Enjoy,
Laurie

Little Moments

Every mother has her doubts and wonders if she is doing a good job.  As an adoptive mom of a toddler there seems to be many more things to consider.  Is he bonding?  Is he happy?  Does he understand our love?  Does he know he can come to me in time of need?  Does he feel secure?

Now, in our daily lives there are little moments that I know we have solidified as a family. I absolutely know that he is becoming a ''normal'' little boy (if any of them are truly ''normal'').  Today I had one of those moments.  Samuel and David were playing with their stuffed animals and David's teddy got ''hurt''.  Immediately David brought his crying teddy (imagine the sound effects) to me for reassurance and a kiss that seemed to solve the whole problem.  To David it was fun and normal kid play.  To me it meant that he simply knows that mommy will soothe him and kiss his hurts away.

Thank you Jesus for helping me realize these precious moments!

Laurie

His 4th Birthday, but 1st at Home

On April 14th, my beautiful David turned 4 years old.  It was his first birthday home with us.  On his 3rd birthday we were getting ready to go pick him up in May 2010.  

I started the morning of David's birthday by laying in my bed and thinking of his birth mommy.  I know that she is thinking of him around this time of year...  wondering where he is, if he is okay or happy or if someone was able to help him.  I know that her heart is grieving and missing him. I know she probably thinks and rethinks her decision, or grieves because the decision was forced by circumstance.  So now it is also I that grieve for her.  

I watch this precious child grow and learn.  I have the privilege of kissing and hugging him goodnight.  I am the blessed one that gets to hear him call me mommy.  Don't get me wrong I am truly thankful for all of that, but I hurt for her.  She carried him in her belly for 9 months.  She was delighted to give birth to a son (the gender so desired in Ch*na).  Then, to her grief (I am sure) she saw that he had cleft lip/palate.  This amazing, strong, beautiful woman raised her son for a whole year.  I cannot imaging the pain as she could not find a way to help him and as he got weaker because he could not feed.  Oh how I wish I could let her know that he is beautiful, wonderful and thriving.  That her sacrifice and pain has allowed him this.  How I wish I could hug her and hold her as she cries and grieves.  

All these feelings and thoughts bring me to this...that I (we) as adoptive mommies have the responsibility to honor her.  We must remember her and pray for her and share her love and sacrifice with our children.  OUR child...her's and mine...there would be no him without her and I will remember and honor that.  

I am so thankful for David. He is gorgeous, happy, stubborn, and mischievous.  He is a blessing from God.  He is a reflection of his birth mommy...so as I love him, I love her.  

David,
You are a precious son,  loved for who you are and what you are becoming.  Daddy and I could not be prouder of you.  We have spent this last year in wonder as you have infiltrated our hearts.  You have learned to be a son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin, a playmate and a stinker.  Your smile can brighten any day and your laugh is infectious.  You have opened up and started to become social.  You try your hardest to talk, and even continue to talk when we don't understand, but I love that.  All of this shows us your tenacity for life.  I think my favorite is when you sing.  You love to make noise and in the car you sing to yourself.  I have no idea what you are singing and you may not either, but continue my precious boy.

You are dearly loved by many and have been since your conception.  I am looking forward to another amazing year as you head towards 5.  Happy Birthday love.

love,
mommy

First try on blowing the candles.  David still has two holes in the roof of his mouth, so it is hard to get the air to flow properly.  However, he is doing a great job, you can see one of the flames bending...that is progress. 

After a few tries of mommy plugging his nose so he could blow, I helped him so he wouldn't get frustrated. I am not sure he knew I was helping him because he seemed pretty excited that they were out.  

Happy Birthday Baby!

laurie

Guest Post from Cydil Waggoner...Advocating For Joel

ad·vo·cate  (dv-kt)

tr.v. ad·vo·cat·ed, ad·vo·cat·ing, ad·vo·cates

To speak, plead, or argue in favor of

Orphan advocacy is something I approach with a feeling of great responsibility.  To be a voice for 

one who can't speak for himself means that if I don't speak, that individual essentially doesn't get heard by those within hearing distance of me.  Rather than trusting in God's plan, I'm tempted to worry that if nothing comes from my sharing about a need, what does that say about me? Did I 

share this information too late?  In the wrong way? Will I disappoint those who have placed their 

trust in me to be an advocate on their behalf?

I know that after coming home from our adoption trips we would share how much we wished we could find homes for all the kids in Ellie's and Reni's orphanages. While we would still love to do that, but I've only been given permission to share about one particular child (actually, I've been implored by Sister R for nearly a year -- though not released to officially do so until February) and the responsibility feels heavy.  I know there are numerous websites that advocate for specific, adoptable children.  It's honestly difficult for me to see those photos and read about those kids.  Now that I've joined a Y*hoo group for families of children with limb differences, I DAILY receive e-mails of adoptable children with a variety of limb issues, many a lot less significant than Reni's, and my 

heart hurts.  What is my responsibility to do with that information?  For now, we do what we can 

to live out a testimony of the beautiful picture of adoption and pray that it touches others' lives to consider the need and open their hearts to that possibility.

Today, though, I'm going to share about one little one who I don't believe is being advocated for anywhere else.  Would you join me in sharing about this little guy and praying that his family 

finds him?  You can e-mail me at the address listed on the sidebar of this blog for more information about him and the Albanian adoption process. cydilwaggoner@gmail.com

This little boy, Joel, turns 2 this month.  He is being cared for by the Sisters of Charity in Elbasan, Albania.  We met Joel the summer we adopted Reni, when Joel was just a few months old.

After bringing Reni home, Reni's sweet godmother and primary caregiver, Duzi (photographed 

above in the pink scarf),  'adopted' Joel as her next 'project child' after Reni.  Together, with the 

special love of Duzi and Sister R (who was his primary caregiver during his first few months), Joel has made strides developmentally, though he still lags behind his peers.

Here is a list of some of his milestones (sent to me by the Sisters on March 15, photos captured on February 11):

• He can walk around the wall of a room without help
• He has started to take two steps alone.
• He is excellent at climbing up and on a chair (we witnessed this in February, can attest to his agility, and have video)
• He climbs out of his bed
• He can hold things in both hands
• He can hold a spoon, trying to feed others (but not himself)
• He can hold a crumb of bread with 2 fingers
• He points to things which interest him

 

• He presses music toys with his fingers
• He understands 'goodbye' and waves
• He calls 'come' with his hand
• He claps with hands when he is happy
• He is starting to speak 'ga-ga'
• He is looking for the companionship of bigger children
• Most of the time he eats only mashed food, and small pasta soup (not able yet to swallow harder food)

This is how they fed Reni because he wouldn't sit still in his high chair! ;-)

• He is a very joyful child, loved by others
• He likes to play hide and seek
• He can hold a pen in the hand
• He can pass things from one hand to the other
• He likes to play with other children and is a very sociable child
• He likes to move around a lot
• He likes to go out and see new things
• He is capable to learn new things
• Shows with finger 'okay'

At the end of their last correspondence with me they wrote:
"It is a miracle [he] is alive. [He] gives much joy and love to others...

With love, Sisters from Elbasan"

Thank you for praying with us that Joel's family finds him! For more information about Joel, 

e-mail me at cydilwaggoner@gmail.com or you can link to her at http://waggoner.blogspot.se/

Easter Times, Family Times, Happy Times

There has been a definite lack of posting for a while.  I am still alive, but my mother came for a visit!  By the time I hit the bed every night there was no energy left for a post.

I am doing well.  My scars are healing and I am feeling stronger.  I am starting to lift my children again and thinking of starting to exercise again...amazingly enough, I miss it.

The kids really (REALLY) enjoyed the visit from their Nonna (my mom).  She stayed for about 11 days and they milked every minute they could with her.  Samuel keeps trying to think of ways to move her house over to Sweden.  This was the first time that she was able to meet David and he took to her pretty quickly.  He called her Yoda or Yoga...that was the best he could do for Nonna, but it was sooooooo cute.  I know that she really enjoyed being with her grandsons also.  It is a reminder how hard it is to be an international family...there are always family members that miss out.  However, we know that we are suppose to be here, so we will be faithful to our calling and remain in Scandinavia.  Not that it is a hard life (we quite like it here), but there are times that we do miss Wilmore greatly.

The was David's first Easter with us.  He did not quite understand what was going on, but he played along and I enjoyed watching him mimic Sam's excitement and wonder. This Easter was a bit different for me.  I really like the preparation for Easter.  I have a special devotional, we have certain traditions to help us remember how dark Friday was and the despair that was felt on Saturday by the disciples and then the glorious Sunday when Mary came running to tell the news.  However, since I had the interruption of my surgery, I felt like I lost a lot in my own preparations, so instead I am a little off kilter, but eternally grateful that He is no longer in the grave.  Where would we be without our hope in Christ, without the knowledge that we can be his children, without his guidance and love. I would be in udder dispair....you may think that is a bit harsh, but it is perfectly true without any dramatics.  I am here because my Savior picked me up and has brought me thus far.  PRAISE be to HIM and HIM ALONE.

Enjoy the pics.
Laurie

Mom and David having a jam session

We always dress in our international duds for Easter and Pentecost.  I was pretty impressed that I still fit in that sari.

just precious

Nonna's glasses were always a fun item to play with.

He loves his Nonna

Family pic in the church

Just too good looking...watch out girls.

My little ninja...he was so cute!!!

I took my mom and the kids to Grebbestad and this was one of the sunsets...stunning.

More of the same sunset.

We also got the chance to pop up to Mysen, Norway (where we are moving to), so my mom could see the church.  This is the cross on top.

My husbands new charge as of August.  

I couldn't help sharing this pic, my mom gave me these microfiber turbans to put on wet hair and he looked so adorable.   

End of March...Start of Spring

This post will mainly be pics because those have been lacking for a while.  I just downloaded my card with 600 photos on it.  They went all the way back to before Christmas.  Guess life has been busy. 

I will say that in the past month or so we have really seen David blossom.  He is definitely feeling more comfortable here and learning the boundaries.  It is not all rosy, but he is doing really well.  I love that he really wants to pray with us, he loves to read books with us and in general horse around.  I have seen him get a lot closer with Andreas since I have been incapacitated for a little while and he is generally a joy.  

I have also noticed that my two wonderful boys are now truly brothers, PRAISE JESUS!!!! I am not sure when it changed from butting heads to brotherhood, but it is wonderful to see.  I will try to do a whole post on that soon.  We are about to come to our 1 year mark of being home and next month will be celebrating David's fourth birthday (first one at home).  

In other news my mother arrives here tomorrow.  It will be her first visit here and her first time to meet David.  We are really excited to have her (well David has no idea, but the rest of us are excited for him).  

Enjoy the pics,

Laurie

He is such a character.

I am amazed I actually caught him looking at me, it is not so easy.  He thinks it is fun to look away when I am trying to take a pic.  

Brothers, doing what boys do well.... playing in dirt and rocks.  I love the sherpa hat that David is sporting.

Don't these parents teach their kids not to open their mouths with food inside....sheeesh.  

Typical!

Blurry signs of spring...snowdrop flowers.

Actual greenage...it is pretty amazing to have this so early this year.  

David looks a little distressed, but he must do what his brother does....so arms up!  They had torn up their beds behind them and made a fort.  YEAH...they are playing together!

This is so typical David he is such a jokester. Is think this one is going to pull the pranks in the house.

Why is it that I cannot get a normal pic of my 7 year old?

Such a cool cat!

Do you think we wore them out or something...classic!

Another goofy face!

These two are such a blessing...what amazing gifts from God.  

Birthday Surprise

I promise that I will get pictures back on my blog soon.  But for now I would like to tell you about my Birthday surprise.

On March 14th, I turned......okay.....38.  My husband had some well thought out plans for me and was really excited to reveal my gift to me.  So let's go back one day.  March 13th around lunchtime.  I had one of my favorite lunches which was pears and a type of mildew cheese.  It was a new type for me and I wasn't sure I was suppose to eat the rhine, but it was good so I did.  I thought as I was eating it that...I might have to pay for this later.

So let's skip ahead to March 13th at 3:00 or so.  I took Samuel to a friends house for a play date.  It is a good friend of mine so I was excited to get to sit and talk with her for a while.  I realized my stomach wasn't feeling so good.  Lots of cramping in the top of my stomach.  We had to end our time a little early and went home.  I called Andreas and asked him to bring me a coke because my stomach really hurt.  He hurried home and said maybe we should take you to the hospital.  No, no, no.....I was pretty sure I was paying for that cheese earlier.  We called the nurse hotline and asked and they said see how it goes for a little while and if it doesn't go away then come in.

So I waited (still thinking it was the cheese) the cramps were at the bottom of my stomach at this point, but I had spend many miserable hours in bed that night.  Around 1:30 I woke Andreas up and said, I need to go to the hospital.  The pain has settled over my right ovary for some time by then.  Andreas called his parents (who where absolutely wonderful).  The drove 30 minutes at 1:30 am to be with the boys as Andreas took me to the ER.

Alingsas ER is actually about 1 minute by car down the road from us.  However, at 2:00 am it is closed! Yes, you read that right!  We did get into the waiting room, which apparently we were not suppose to be able to do (I really think the Lord did that for me because I was at the end of my pain rope).  Andreas got on the phone with the nurse hotline and they got nurses and a doctor down to us.  They checked me, put on IV in me, told me you might have an appendicitis or a kidney stone, put me in an ambulance and drove me 40 minutes to the bigger hospital in a city nearby.

So there it is folks, my birthday surprise was an appendicitis!  Happy. Birthday. to. me! I was operated on the night of my birthday after a million tests to confirm what it was.  They tried to do laproscopic surgery, but it didn't work as far as being able to do it safely.  So I have lapro scars and a rather large incision.  I came home on the 16th and feel very sore right now.

I am thankful for doctors that are thorough and a medical system that is free!  I know the Lord was with me and protecting me through it all, sending wonderful people to take care of me.  My husband has been absolutely amazing...reaffirming how amazing I have always thought he was.  My kids have been sweet and trying so hard to be with me, but not be on me.  My friends have been encouraging and helpful and I am a very blessed woman.

Thank you Jesus, even in the hard times, that you send caring people and you place your arms around us.

Laurie

Slow Brain

I can't believe it is the middle of March and I haven't posted since Feb.  All I can say is...exhaustion.  But, I have a little story that happened this weekend with Sam.

We were all sitting at the table playing with cards and cars and drinking tea.  Andreas and Sam were going back and forth teasing each other.  Sam got it into his head to put Andreas in his place a little.  However, Sam messed it up and...well I will let the dialog tell the story.

S: Daddy, you have a medium fast brain.
A: Oh really.
S:  Yeah and mommy has a slow brain...

At this point Andreas died laughing (and so did I), but of course I had to act a little offended.

Me:  Hey, wait a minute, are you saying I'm dumb?
S:  No, no, no that is not what I mean!  I mean that daddy thinks too fast, but you take your time and think things through!  (Andreas is still laughing hysterically).  Daddy, stop laughing, Mommy is smarter than you!

Although it did take Andreas and I a while to stop laughing, Andreas knew that Sam was trying to say that I was smarter just to get his Daddy.  But now, I have heard several times from Andreas that my brain is slower and then he goes into a good belly laugh.  So there you have it folks, right from my sons mouth (and he's not even a teenager yet), moms dumb!

Laughing,
Laurie