I love how she can smile through the medical appointments now! It wasn't that long ago that she SCREAMED when she saw anyone who vaguely resembled a doctor.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Growing Feet...
Growing feet leads to this:
Don't worry! Jen didn't break a leg. She is simply outgrowing her AFOs. (Ankle Foot Orthosis) She was casted at therapy this week to measure her for new ones. She chose a kitty cat design with yellow foam this time. Snazzy.....
I love how she can smile through the medical appointments now! It wasn't that long ago that she SCREAMED when she saw anyone who vaguely resembled a doctor.
I love how she can smile through the medical appointments now! It wasn't that long ago that she SCREAMED when she saw anyone who vaguely resembled a doctor.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Jennifer is NINE!
She anticipated the day for weeks, and it was finally her turn! Happy Birthday, Jen!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
More Goodies for the Orphanage School!
I wasn't expecting any deliveries today, but it appears that Amazon was in a hurry to get them to us! Thrilled to have more educational things to take to the school in Pat, Abigail and Jen's orphanage! Thanks gals! Keep them coming and I"ll keep finding room in the suitcases! http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=1BEFGESV2THMA
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Educational Goodies are Arriving!
Wow! This is awesome! Look what was delivered to my door today to take
to the orphanage visit! I just posted the link a couple of days ago,
and already goodies are arriving for the kids! Thank you so much for
responding to the need!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thank you, Pyramid Educational Consultants!
Pat, Abigail and Jen were fortunate to have an NGO (Non Government Organization) set up a school in their orphanage. You see, in China most orphans aren't allowed to attend school, especially if they have some sort of a physical or mental challenge. Our children were so blessed to have this school within their orphanage, and be given the opportunity for stimulation and to learn.
Once we received our Travel Approval I contacted the director of the school to ask if there was something they needed to help with their work there. She told me about their hope to begin PECS = Picture Exchange Communication System - with the non verbal children so they would have a way to communicate.
Abigail's adoption file indicated that she could not speak. She has come a very long way (to the point that she has earned the pet name from me of "Gabby Gail") but she still has severe speech issues. She understands everything, but her brain is not able to tell her mouth how to get the words out. So, the PECS system immediately got my attention, and I knew right away what our family would be taking to donate to the school.
Ahhh! I'm so excited! After seeing on Amazon that the PECS Starter Kit might take up to 25 days to get to me I tracked down the publisher. I shared the story of how I NEED this very soon so it can go to an orphanage in Southern China. They listened to my story, took my order (and will ship it today!) PLUS they are also sending some donations themselves to help the non verbal kids. So a big call out to Pyramid Educational Consultants for their customer response and their generosity! I'm so excited to be able to take this with us as we travel next month!
Would you like to donate some educational materials to enrich the lives of the children? We were given a list, and I have tracked down similar things on Amazon, and put them in a registry. Most of the things are in the $10 range - starting at about $5.00, with the most expensive being less than $50.00. And most require no shipping fee if you have Amazon Prime. This is such a practical way to help orphans, and can make such a difference in the quality of their lives. When you order you can request it be sent directly to me (they have my address on the registry) so it really is EASY and affordable. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=1BEFGESV2THMA
I'll be sure to post a picture of what comes in, and what I HOPE is a suitcase full of things for the school to use. Thank you for your help!
Once we received our Travel Approval I contacted the director of the school to ask if there was something they needed to help with their work there. She told me about their hope to begin PECS = Picture Exchange Communication System - with the non verbal children so they would have a way to communicate.
Abigail's adoption file indicated that she could not speak. She has come a very long way (to the point that she has earned the pet name from me of "Gabby Gail") but she still has severe speech issues. She understands everything, but her brain is not able to tell her mouth how to get the words out. So, the PECS system immediately got my attention, and I knew right away what our family would be taking to donate to the school.
Ahhh! I'm so excited! After seeing on Amazon that the PECS Starter Kit might take up to 25 days to get to me I tracked down the publisher. I shared the story of how I NEED this very soon so it can go to an orphanage in Southern China. They listened to my story, took my order (and will ship it today!) PLUS they are also sending some donations themselves to help the non verbal kids. So a big call out to Pyramid Educational Consultants for their customer response and their generosity! I'm so excited to be able to take this with us as we travel next month!
Would you like to donate some educational materials to enrich the lives of the children? We were given a list, and I have tracked down similar things on Amazon, and put them in a registry. Most of the things are in the $10 range - starting at about $5.00, with the most expensive being less than $50.00. And most require no shipping fee if you have Amazon Prime. This is such a practical way to help orphans, and can make such a difference in the quality of their lives. When you order you can request it be sent directly to me (they have my address on the registry) so it really is EASY and affordable. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/ref=?ie=UTF8&lid=1BEFGESV2THMA
I'll be sure to post a picture of what comes in, and what I HOPE is a suitcase full of things for the school to use. Thank you for your help!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Exciting Times!
If you have followed our adoption journey, you know that Pat and The Little Princesses were babies together and grew up in the same orphanage. There is already a sibling type relationship there. The girls are so, so excited for him to come home!
You also know that Pat will be our fourth addition to the family since April of 2013. Our family has gone through so many changes and adjustments in the past couple of years. We are doing very well but feel that it is important for our children to be involved in this next transition right from the start.
To that end we have been praying and researching and saving and cutting corners literally for months in hopes that our kids could go with us to bring Pat home. On January first of this year I asked you to join us in prayer about this situation. (see the post 3 Big Ifs )
So it was with MUCH excitement and thankfulness that we received a call from Laura Valentine's Ministry on Monday morning informing us that we were the recipient of their Valentine's Day Sweepstakes to help us with the expenses of the adoption!
In an amazing "coincidence" an hour or so later our agency called with the news that our Travel Approval had arrived at their office!
I am amazed, grateful, and honestly quite stunned. Our primary concern with adopting again so soon was funding. But God has shown Himself to be faithful over and over in this journey, orchestrating it right down to providing traveling funds for us on the very day we received our travel approval! Here are the kids when they got the good news of the day.
International travel with several children is going to be stressful. Add in wheelchairs in a country that is largely not handicap accessible and it may be downright tricky. But looking at all the factors that had to come together to even make this trip possible for us, then possible for our children, and the plan seems crystal clear. We're all going to China! We would appreciate your continued prayers as we prepare for this long trip!
You also know that Pat will be our fourth addition to the family since April of 2013. Our family has gone through so many changes and adjustments in the past couple of years. We are doing very well but feel that it is important for our children to be involved in this next transition right from the start.
To that end we have been praying and researching and saving and cutting corners literally for months in hopes that our kids could go with us to bring Pat home. On January first of this year I asked you to join us in prayer about this situation. (see the post 3 Big Ifs )
So it was with MUCH excitement and thankfulness that we received a call from Laura Valentine's Ministry on Monday morning informing us that we were the recipient of their Valentine's Day Sweepstakes to help us with the expenses of the adoption!
In an amazing "coincidence" an hour or so later our agency called with the news that our Travel Approval had arrived at their office!
I am amazed, grateful, and honestly quite stunned. Our primary concern with adopting again so soon was funding. But God has shown Himself to be faithful over and over in this journey, orchestrating it right down to providing traveling funds for us on the very day we received our travel approval! Here are the kids when they got the good news of the day.
International travel with several children is going to be stressful. Add in wheelchairs in a country that is largely not handicap accessible and it may be downright tricky. But looking at all the factors that had to come together to even make this trip possible for us, then possible for our children, and the plan seems crystal clear. We're all going to China! We would appreciate your continued prayers as we prepare for this long trip!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
TA!
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