Matroishka Dolls

What is that you ask? It's those darling nesting dolls that are made in some European and Asian countries. I am bidding on a set brought back from Russia by a family that was there adopting one of their children. The money that is raised by these auctions (there are 3) will go to help finance a trip to Eastern Europe to provided much needed surgeries for children that would otherwise have little to no hope. For more information on Little Loaves and Fishes click here. For more info on the darling Matroishka Dolls, click here.

One of the ugly things that can happen in adoption

I have several internet friend's that have adopted children with Down Syndrome, and like us, have the desire to adopt more than one. Charissa and John are one of those couples. They adopted Ava from Ukraine and were hoping to bring home another daughter from Africa. They found out that this little one had two siblings, so after much prayer decided to adopt all three. There were many questions that they had that did not get answered by their adoptions agency, Celebrate Children International (CCI). I will just link to her blog and you can read their terrible ordeal for yourself and in Charissa's own words.

Rejoicing among sorrow

Today a real advocate for children, primarily orphans, was called home to be with his Lord. I am copying a post from a friend's blog, Meredith, she said it beautifully. If you have a chance, visit their blog and offer a word of encouragement to Renee, Derek's wife and their ten children.

"The Loux Family... prayer request

From the beginning of our time in Ukraine we were made aware of a family who was coming to adopt the little Misha. They were a family that saw so many obstacles in their process and continued to overcome them, but they were the real reason that I ever saw a need in the Ukraine program and stepped in to Reece's Rainbow. The Loux family completed their adoption and brought home three sons all with special needs. They almost simultaneously adopted 2 girls from the Marshall Islands. This family of faith and with the biggest heart for the orphan that I have ever met... has met today with tragedy.

Derek Loux, when driving home from a conference to learn about combating child trafficking, died in a car accident when his vehicle hit black ice.

Renee (his wife) and their ten children along with his brother John and wife Tracie and family are now mourning the loss of their husband, brother, father... and we mourn the loss of a wonderful friend and advocate.

Please be in prayer for the Loux family. This kind of loss is difficult any time of year, but two days before Christmas is so much harder...

http://www.louxfamilyblog.com/ "

Slacker

Yes, I admit, I've been a slacker when it comes to my blog. I've been reading others and keeping up fairly well, just not writing on my own, I guess it would take too much thought on my part. It's not because I don't have enough going on, haha, couldn't be further from the truth, just can't organize my thoughts, so I'll just post randomly as things fly into and out of my head.

The living room is painted and Bob is starting on the dining room...I know,three days before I have to have a big Christmas dinner in there, but I refuse to become anxious over it...really I do, lol.

The tree is up and that's about all we can say about it, oh and the lights are on...maybe today we'll decorate it. I refuse to be anxious that the tree isn't done three days before Christmas...really I do.

I have to go to the mall today to pick up gifts that are only located there, did I mention I hate the mall? Even on a nice quiet day I dread it, so I refuse to be anxious that it is only three days before Christmas and it will be like a zoo...really I do.

I have to pick up some toys from one friend (an hour away, hoping to meet half way) and deliver them to another friend so she can bless her children with them for Christmas, and I refuse to be anxious that there are only three days before Christmas....really I do.

Baking....hmmm, knew I forgot something, turkey from freezer to fridge, stocking stuffers need bought, presents need wrapped, bring Anah to therapy/school, continue to potty train new puppy, bring presents to teachers and therapists....only three days to Christmas and I refuse to be anxious...really I do.


"Phl 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Ahhh, yes. Lord, I am thankful that You lowered Yourself to come down to earth in human form, to be born of a poor virgin, to be raised as a simple child, to have an earthly ministry that changed the world, to be persecuted for our sins, to suffer, die, be buried, and RISE again, to ascend into heaven and sit at the right hand of God the Father, to send the Holy Spirit to be our comforter and to promise to come back for us. Yes, Lord, I am truly thankful and shall be anxious for nothing because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Lord, I am thankful for: You, my Godly husband, my children, my parents, my family, my friends, my church family, the roof over my head, the food that I eat, the many provisions that you give me that are more than I need and certainly much more than I deserve. Yes Lord, You have made me a blessed/thankful woman. I pray that I can grow more in You every day, knowing I am unworthy, yet thankful that You are greater than my unbelief, weakness, self doubt and anxieties.

Praying you all have a blessed Christmas, I know I will, and I will be anxious for nothing!!

Need a camcorder or GPS?

I know I would LOVE a camcorder to take pics of the kids! So, I entered in for a chance to win it! I actually got 3 entries for a $10 donation and 1 for mentioning the fundraiser!

What is the fundraiser for you ask? Well, I'll tell you, it's to help the Jones family bring home their "Little One". All Amanda can share about "Little One" is that he is a boy and has Down Syndrome. More info will follow as she is allowed to share about him.

Adoption is COSTLY, believe me, we know full well, so in an effort to help with that, Amanda is having a fundraiser to get the last of the money they need to complete their adoption.

You can enter to get a chance to win either the camcorder or GPS, or enter to win both! Wouldn't that be an awesome Christmas present for yourself or someone else?

So head on over to Amanda's blog and check it out, you won't be sorry!

Big News

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am a HUGE supporter of homeschooling. For most kids I think it can't be beat! I didn't get the opportunity to do that with my oldest three (unsaved first spouse), but was determined to do it with my youngest three. That was until Anah.

I love my daughter with all my heart, as does her Daddy, that was why several months ago we started praying earnestly as to what would be best for Anah. Of course, I convinced myself that it was STILL homeschooling, I could teach her all her life skills and everything she needed to know, I still can, but.... The Lord put something else on my heart. He showed me that Anah did not respond to typical children, her siblings, church friends, homeschool co-op friends, children that she is with in the elementary school that she goes to for therapy, family and friends children; she only REALLY responded to other children with Down Syndrome. At first I didn't think anything of it, I just thought she was that way with Jonathan because he is a "baby" and her brother, but then I saw it, she started to play and interact with my niece and her friend M., both with DS.

I watched as she colored with them, played games with them and even had pretend play with them!!! I know that may not seem like much to some of you, but anyone with a child with SN's knows, these things can be huge! I heard her giggle, run off with to play and hold hands with them. I saw her face light up and true joy. How could I deprive her of that?! Oh sure, she can have fun with R and M, but how often is that, a couple hours at most a week or so? She deserves joy, fun, laughter and friends of her own that are like her.

With that thought in place I started to review our options: we have a program through the school district, it is a contained classroom in a typical public school (not our school, one 30-35 mins away). She would be in either a class with other developmentally delayed children, only two with DS, or a class with physically and developmentally delayed children that had one child with DS. She would be in that school for the remainder of this year, then d/t her age and the NYS law saying there can only be an age span of 3 years in any classroom (irrelevant of the developmental age) Anah would have to be moved up to a middle school next year! A typical middle school with a contained classroom! NOT happening! Firstly, she is not familiar with schooling at all, secondly she comes from an institution and this will be strange for her, thirdly, she is not proficient in the language, fourthly, she is nonverbal, fifthly, she is mentally delayed, sixthly, she is the size of a second grader!!! NOT happening!! Did I say that already?

To be fair, I did tour both facilities, I am not saying anything negative about the programs, on the contrary, for a child that is used to school, English and has not been traumatized by institutions, it is wonderful! The programs themselves and the teachers and aids were terrific, it just wouldn't work for Anah.

So then we have School of the Holy Childhood , that is where my niece goes. I was the one who encouraged my sister to go on the tour there, I have been there several times and know it is an AWESOME place! It is a private school specifically for children with developmental delays. It goes from 5years old up to 21, then they can transition into the adult work program there. It is the happiest place you could imagine. As soon as you walk in the door you know there is something special going on. Every adult and child is happy. It is common to see hugs and high fives all the way up and down the hall. Laughter rings out yet there is so much to be learned! The children have a NYS certified education program for their age, which is then modified to their special needs. There are ST, OT, PT, MT, crafts, swimming and every teacher is a special ed. teacher. The classrooms are technically 12-1-1 (12 students, 1 teacher, 1 aide) but several students in each room have a one on one and the ST, OT, PT are in the classroom for part of every day, rotating through, so there is usually a minimum on average of 12-4, more in the younger grades. If you go to the website, you will be blessed.

We toured that school this pas Friday, the other two this past Wens. and I had Anah's CSE meeting this Tuesday. The head of the CSE called me Mon. morning and asked me what we had thought of the programs (she was referring to the Wens tours, she didn't know about the Fri. tour until I told her) I explained my concerns and our desire for Anah to go to SHC. During our CSE meeting on Tues., she asked me to tell the board/committee, whatever you want to call them, about our tours. Anah's teacher, ST and school Psychologist were there and know Anah, as was a SE teacher, they all said they were so excited for Anah and how she responded during her tour of SHC (which by the way was with joy, happiness and dragging me and her daddy around!). As soon as I was done the head of the CSE said "Well, I'd like to officially recommend that Anah go to SHC". You could have knocked me over with a feather!!!

I had expected a battle, everyone else I've ever heard of has really had to fight for their school districts to pay for such services. It costs the school district about $25,000/yr/child to attend there, then they also have to pay for busing them there! It's a 45min drive and she would be the only student on the bus. Actually, Bob and I have pretty much decided we will probably drive her and pick her up. So you can only imagine my utter shock and elation when I heard that!

I filled out and handed in the application for Anah to attend SHC, got the referral from the school, now we just have to have the school eval. Anah and PRAY she can get one of the four slots that are available for the whole school next year! We do have a fairly good chance however, we have our application in early and our school district is supportive, so I am hopeful. Plus, I know whenever she is accepted, even if it isn't for next year, that it is all in God's timing.

I guess I can't be considered a 100% homeschooling mama, but I can be considered a 100% child focused mama and THAT is what God has called all of us parents to be.

Double Pickles!!

I just deleted all my buttons on my side bar, as well as my scripture of the day and various other things....ugh! I thought I was removing a couple of buttons of children that came home, Praise God!, but instead removed the entire area...can someone say "just shoot me"?