Monday, November 30, 2009

NO NEWS!

I have received no News from the Senator's office so i sent her an email this evening.I have been so depressed i just want our little boy home where he belongs.My darling husband has also written the senator himself.I was asked what i wanted for a Christmas and my reply..My Jaxson he would be my Christmas Miracle.
I pray every night for our little boy.I pray he stays healthy... i Pray that he can come home soon to us.I know God can move mountains and i know this can be done.The catch is finding someone truly willing to help us make it happen.
I pluck along everyday in hopes my Miracle call comes. Not allot to report.. normal everyday life... waiting waiting to hear something good coming out of Liberia.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS!

Today we put the tree up and the decorations out .Tomorrow Michael is hanging all the lights and yard decorations tomorrow.Yesterday Michael and I ventured out to do some Xmas shopping.No i did not do the early morning killing each other to get those buys.We waited until later in the day.I also got online and finished Landen's online got some good deals too.The problem is i am just not into it this year.I am doing the tree and decorations for the children But in truth i would prefer to skip it this year.
I have been in a funk over Jaxson not getting to come home.Yes i am still working on it.But the outcome is looking like end of January early February.I have been depressed about it.I did hang Jaxson's stocking that i bought him last year.He is part of the family so his stocking will hang with all the kids.
Jax is on my mind allot the last few days.I ache to hold him and love him give him the nurturing he deserves.He will be on my mind as Christmas draws near.I am still praying for a miracle and that the NOT so nice Consular has a heart and realizes our boy needs to come home .I am praying for some good news this week.

Friday, November 27, 2009

THANKSGIVING DAY!

LANDEN AFTER HIS BATH THANKSGIVING MORNING!LOVE THIS PIC!
MY PRETTY GIRL REBECCA!

MY LINDA GIRL SHE IS SO PRETTY!


MY FARMER BOY BRIAN!



MY SON WILLIAM AND HIS GIRL FRIEND HEATHER!




MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER HANNAH AND HER FIANCEE ANTHONY!





MY ADORABLE FUNNY HUSBAND MICHAEL!






MY MOM LOVE HER BUNCHES.





JAYNE MY MOTHER INLAW!








We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day!All 6 kids were here.. 2 oldest with their fiancee's my Mom and Dad and my mom in law!We had a wonderful day ate lots of food and enjoyed each others company.somehow we did not manage to get a pic of my dad.I am sure he was running from the camera lol.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

THANKFUL!

I have so much to be Thankful for.I am Thankful that my little one waiting to come home has remained healthy.Although he is missed this Thanksgiving.He will be in our hearts and on our minds as we celebrate health and family.
We have had a very tough year this year!But have so much to be thankful for.Thankful for the love of family and good health to all of us.I am thankful for My husband who has had a year of ups and down with his health .For all who don't know...My husband is a soldier and fought for our freedom in Iraq.He came home in a way no one ever wants.He was injured in a Mortar attack.He has endured allot in the past 2 years but has overcome allot of his health issues(medication problems).He will always walk with a brace or a cane but am so happy he is alive.I am proud of him for fighting for what is right.My children I am thankful for watching them grow up into young adults and prepare them for their future.
I am thankful for my Parents who i love dearly!They are a BIG BIG part of our lives.I am thankful that they have maintained good health .I am thankful for my Mother in law Jayne who has also maintained good health and who is an amazing woman.I am thankful for Michael's extended family(his bio mom ) who he has found after 20 yrs of searching and her family that they are healthy and happy.I will miss not having them here for Thanksgiving.
I am also thankful for my 2 brothers and 4 sisters and their families.I hope they all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.This is the second Thanksgiving we are all not together.Our families have all grown now and we have went our own ways.NO ONE has a home big enough to hold our large families ha ha.
I have so much to be grateful for and could write a book about it.I am looking forward to the feast that God is providing us with and to share it with 6 of our 7 children my wonderful parents who raised 6 kids(7 with oldest sister) My dad's daughter from first marriage. and my lovely Mother in law Jayne. I will be saying an extra prayer for the youngest member of our family who is far away from us but so deep in our hearts and always with us.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

ANOTHER ER VISIT NOT HUBBY THIS TIME

Linda has been sick sense last Thursday! She got worse this weekend was crying tonight her ear was hurting.It had ewwwy fluid coming out of it.So i took her to the Emergency room tonight.Her throat is really swollen you can tell when she talks.
The doc thought maybe it was strep throat so he took a swab sample and nope not strep.Its MONO!She is out of school for 2 weeks now.They gave her anti for her ear which is infected and a pain medication for her aching ear.Mono there is no medicine for and it has to work itself out on its own.I am worried because she shared some bites of her ice cream with Landen.I am praying he does not get it.
I am praying hard to get some news on why we cannot get a visa for our son.I also hope to hear from our state rep this week.I left him a message and am sure he will call back.I have to be up bright and early in the morning to take Michael to the VA.He has 3 appointments but we want to go early so he can get this cath out.He is miserable at this point.I feel the cath has been in to long and worry about infection.Although they did put him on an anti.
On a good note..This evening Landen was playing and i said what is your name?He has never answered me before but he did tonight he said my name is Landen Le Roy.I was doing dishes when i heard a little voice counting..ONE..TWO...THREE!I was so happy i stopped doing dishes and hugged him.I told him good job and was trying to get him to count to 5.Maybe next time i will hear 1 through 5.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

ER VISITS AND EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS

This is how it has been for 2 days.Yesterday we got word the U.S. consular is not issuing visa's because they are short staffed.We are finding out there is more to it.So i am fighting back.On top of this my husband has been dealing with some issues from one of his medications.
Yesterday we were at the VA ER and i was handling phone calls trying to get help to get a visa issued fro our son.Today we went back to the ER.Husband has a catheter in and was suppose to get it removed today.The doctor decided it best to leave it in until Monday.So I have have very busy days.Tomorrow is my shopping day.I have to get all our thanksgiving dinner groceries bought.I wont have time Monday.All day at VA get hoe just in time for the kids to arrive home from school.
Tuesday i have to pick my sister up bright and early and take her to the hospital to get a MRI of her broken Knee for the Orthopedic surgeon.I have told everyone else..WEDNESDAY do Not ask me to go anywhere because i have a house to clean and pies to bake.I have had no time and Laundry is piling.I need a day to get tings done at home.I feel like i am being pulled apart.Driving husband,sister and Fiancee to all their appointments as well as when my kids have appointments and taking them.Linda has 3 this week.I am exhausted!Tomorrow is grocery shop come home and get some of the mounds of Laundry done.I have tried to keep up by throwing a load in here and there but its not working.Awwww the business of a mom ,wife ,sister and taxi driver.

Friday, November 20, 2009

BIG VENT!

We were told we could bring our son home on october 12th.Everything the embassy has asked for including the letter they were waiting on is done.Now we get told sorry embassy is short staffed and will not issue visas until January.WHAT?I set and cried but now i am ANGRY!
This is the MOST ridiculous excuse i have heard.I have called our senator and state rep i also have calls into other places as well.I am mad and am not stopping until i get results.He is legally our son now what in the world is the problem?Our son sets and waits and time is ticking by.I am so upset with this all.
Our fingerprints expire in January as well as our visa's that we have done twice now and i Refuse to pay for again.They are not cheap by far and to keep having to do it just is ridiculous.Please say prayers that these people listen to me and help us get something done.
I thought about flying there and dealing with this myself..But someone already attempted that and came home without her children.She has also complied to everything the Embassy has asked of her.We are all distraught and frustrated and do not understand why they are not wanting to let our babies come home.
Lots of prayers needed right now.I am a MAD mama bear and will go to ends of earth to make this happen.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

HANDSOME LANDEN'S HAIRCUT!

I am by far no good at cutting hair.But i didn't do to bad this time.Usually i just buzz it all off.With it being winter it is to cold.So i thinned it,trimmed bangs which were almost in his eyes,trimmed the back and sides around the ears.I forgot to take a before.Believe me he needed a hair cut.wanted to share a pic of my Handsome Landen.

WHAT TO BELIEVE OR WHAT NOT TO BELIEVE!

I would like to get honest answers to what is going on with the GOL and the Embassy in Liberia.They tell us yes Jax will be coming home as well as the other children who have completed adoptions(this is from the Embassy).Then i get told told the Embassy is waiting on a letter from the GOL giving permission to process the cases.
The U.S. State department says a whole different thing.The site states its only on a case by case basis that kids will get to come home.Why cant the Embassy give straight answers to the families who are waiting and waiting to bring their children out.Who get excited thinking their children are coming home and preparing for their arrivals.
I understand there is allot of unknowns with adoption but feel that we are just getting in my words here "head games"from everyone.I just want an accurate answer.Will he be able to leave soon?Or am i stuck waiting until the total Moratorium is lifted?Our child needs medical care and everyday ticking by is harder on him.Please pray there is a breakthrough and we hear something soon! I am hanging bye a thread here of not flying to Liberia and handling this mess myself.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

SLEEP ISSUES!

I have been having sleep issues for awhile.It got worse after we got news that Liberia was letting Jaxson come home.I battle going to sleep.I sleep 2 to 3 hrs and that's it.It is starting to effect me in many ways.For instance this evening i went in kitchen to get a cup of coffee I walked out without it.I poured it but the cup and all was missing.I put it in the fridge haha.
I feel like i am losing it!My mind wonders all the time wondering things like are we ever going to get him home?What is taking so long for this document the Embassy is waiting on?How much longer do we need to put ourselves through this before we hold our angel forever?
I was putting laundry away in Landen and Jaxson's room.I looked over at the crib all ready and waiting for him.Tears just started flowing.How i ache to hold him.This is getting harder with each passing day that we wait and wait for the call.
I am on edge every time i open my email or my phone rings thinking this is it.This is the call or email we have been waiting on.I feel like we are getting the run around .I am definitely getting worn out with people asking me.You have not got that baby home yet?What is the hold up?
Even worse is my parents who say are you sure he is coming home?I am afraid you will never get him home.Things like that does not help.I don't want to leave my house because i don't want to hear it from friends and family anymore.The adoption is complete I don't know what is taking so long.It is time for Jaxson to come home.
Michael and I have decided if Jax is not home before January we are making the trip to Liberia to be with him.I NEED to hold my son.

Monday, November 16, 2009

ADOPTING A FAMILY!

We are adopting My sister and her fiancee this year for Christmas!They were the ones who were in a car wreck.My sister Lori had a job and is now going to be off for 6 weeks or more.Her fiancee has been unemployed for many months as his job was stricken with the economy.My sister has a broken Knee.Chad her fiancee had a shattered hip in 5 places and a severe concussion that did cause him some thought process and speech problems.I am thankful they are alive.I need to post pics of my husbands truck and show it to you.
Now they are Broke as my sister cannot work.She is so upset as she don't like help or handouts.This has been a big thing for her.But Christmas is coming and i want them to have a happy one as they have had such a hard year.My best friend Dee who was also recently lay ed off is crocheting a beautiful Afghan for them and making homemade soaps for Lori.I am putting Money back so they can have Christmas dinner and money to pay lights and things.I also have some shopping to do my sister needs clothes and chad needs sweat pants and pj pants that are easy to get off as he will be down for many many more weeks.
I was upset when i told my oldest sister.. I asked her if she would like to help.Her response was...Why? no one helps me.I was taken aback by this as my sister has a JOB her husband has a JOB.They both have really good jobs and their children are raised so they don't have the expense of kids.I said you cant give 20 dollars to help your own sister?My oldest sister and I have always knocked heads.She is the one who thinks she is better then everyone in our family.She always has and went as far as calling our mother white trash.My mom cried for days over this.But when a family is in need i really thought she would be wiling to help out more.I guess that was the wrong thing to ask.
Anyway i am feeling great about helping another family.Years ago when Michael and I were having a hard time we were adopted.I could not thank the people enough who adopted us.We were very grateful for their help.We were also adopted a couple years ago when Michael came home from Iraq and was injured.Things were tight then as we were running back and forth 2 1/2hrs away to get his medical care at ft.Riley.We paid for all those expenses as well as hotel room stays on days he was having surgery early in the mornings we would stay in hotel night before so we would be n time.
I want to help her.I know what it is like to be down and out.If anyone deserves it its my sister who has always worked hard to take care of herself and her girls who are now grown ups.My sister who has a big heart and would do anything for anyone in their time of need.Even if it meant she did not have money to pay her bills if someone needed it worse she was there to lend a helping hand.So i am excited and am working on a list to make their Christmas a happy one this year.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

WEEKEND!

We have accomplished allot this weekend.I am preparing the house for Thanksgiving dinner.I am excited as this is our second year having dinner in our home.My Mom and Dad are attending this year i am excited.My mother in law Jayne and all our kids.We are still waiting to hear from Michael's sister to see if she is coming or not.
Landen is a bit under the weather today and has slept allot bless his tiny heart.I hope he feels better soon.He has a doc appointment tomorrow trying to get him into see an ENT.My husband has also not felt well today.I went to my sister's last night to take them some house hold supplies..dish soap,paper towels,toothpaste,bath soap and Laundry soap.My sister is having a hard time setting still she is a busy person always doing something.So keeping her off her broken Knee is a challenge.
I did not have to go out today!My oldest sister went and took care of them.She also cooked up a storm and they have meals cooked and in the freezer for the next few days.She also picked up the house for Lori and Chad.Now my niece..Lori's daughter is staying the night and will take care of them.I wont be able to go back out till tomorrow evening.
Right now i have a pot of homemade veggie soup cooking and just finished the remainder of the Laundry.We are suppose to get snow tonight 3 to 5 inches.I am so not ready for snow at all.Hope to get great news regarding our adoption this week.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

BRAGGING TIME!

My little boy who has come so far and has amazed me .My little boy whom his country marked as an invilid.My little boy who has taught his mother patience and to enjoy everyday to the fullest.To see the sunshine on a day its dark and dreary.Landen has given me life lessons and i am grateful for that.He is such a wonderful child one that i am so blessed to parent.To think when he came came home to us 5 yrs ago at the age of 4 1/2 he could not talk or feed himself he was very much an infant.Now to watch him blossom right before my eyes is just the most wonderful thing.
Just this last couple months his vocabulary has doubled.He is talking in full sentences now.He is a joker and loves to do little jokes and giggle about it.He is funny and sweet and so so CUTE.He is always happy and always has a smile .I am bragging yes i am,to see this child sohappy and full of life bursting at the seems.I am so happy i am his parent.If you met him you would know what i mean.He is a child who leaves a mark on a person .Landen is loved by all including his classmates and other peers.I am the luckiest parent ever.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

ANSWERS FINALLY!

I now know what the hold up is and can accept this better then the "unknown".The Embassy is waiting on a document stating they can finish the process of completed adoptions.Please pray this document comes quickly.I am so ready to bring our precious little boy home.I am praying it is not much longer that i will be holding our son in our arms forever and always.
I am excited but scared as things have been moving so so slowly.I don't want to get to excited as it could still be many weeks away.I am praying this is not so but with adoption and the Unknowns and the slow process it could be.Please pray this document arrives quickly to the Embassy and that we can leave to get our ANGEL.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

BUSY BUSY BUSY!

That is how it has been here.Running back and forth to the hospital has just plain wore me out.Chad came through his surgery OK.Its was a long surgery over 5 hrs.He was up today with a walker i didn't go down to hospital today as i had things to do here at home.
We have never remodeled our kitchen sense we bought this house.It has always been a touchy spot with me.My kitchen is NOT functional and its hard to cook in.I have no counter space at all.It has always been an area in our home i have DISLIKED.We knocked a partial wall out and put a small breakfast bar there for counter space.Our kitchen is tiny and it is shaped weird.
We are going to gut it out all the way down.We need a new floor in there badly.I have been making a list of my wants for this kitchen.WOW is it ever going to be pricey.I have dreamed of having a dishwasher my kitchen is so small we decided we will have to get a compact in order to have a few extra cabinets in there.
I am excited about the kitchen being redone.We wont get to do it until summer.Its going to be to cold soon so we have to wait to tear it out.We also need to save some money for this.We have some saved but not near enough.I wish i was loaded and would have a kitchen designer come in and figure out how to fit more counter and such in the kitchen.I have great ideas but my husband is not so hip on my ideas.Its not much of a change just makes more room for extra counters and cabinets.
My husband knows a man who builds cabinets he is suppose to come give us an estimate.All we want is to have them built we will finish them and add hardware ourselves.This is our LAST major remodel.We are also tearing out the breakfast bar and the bottom wall and making open kitchen to dining room.
I have not heard anything of when we will travel.I don't know how much longer this is suppose to take but ya ask me its plain out Ridiculous.I have no idea what the hold up is.Maybe if they would tell me something i could accept it better.I am frustrated,angry and sad i don't get what is taking so long.We want to go and go now.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

BAD WEEKEND!

My sister has been borrowing my husband truck.Her car was broke down and found out it was not worth fixing.So she went job hunting for a second job so she could buy a new car.Friday morning around 9 30 am my oldest sister Robin called me.She told me Lori was in a wreck she was on her way to a job interview.I wasn't worried about the tuck we were worried about her and her fiancee.
I rush to the ER to find her being xrayed and getting ct scans.The wreck was bad.A semi truck ran a stop sign and my sister was doing 65 on the highway and hit her breaks but it was too late.The truck driver was knocked out cold.My sister was hysterical but luckily she is OK.Her Fiancee did not escape so good.He was life flighted to Missouri to find his hip is shattered in 5 places.He had a concussion too and is really banged up.He is due to have surgery tomorrow .
The truck is totalled... i went and looked at it.Wow were they lucky they were not killed God was with them.I will be taking pics of my husband's beloved truck.He has had this truck for many many years now.He babied his little ford ranger to have to say goodbye to it was hard on him.He is not mad just sad about his truck.
Tomorrow i am headed to the hospital to be their for Chad as he has his surgery.My sister Lori has been with him sense Saturday evening.I worry about her as she is so sore and is walking with a cane.Please say prayers for chad and that he recovers well.He has a long road to go .

Thursday, November 5, 2009

LANDENS IEP WAS TODAY!

I walked away totally happy.They had to change his status from Developmentally delayed because of his age.He is now under his real diagnoses which means he will get FULL benefits.I am thrilled that he has a speech therapist that i like so so much better then the last one.This one really cares and sees that Landen wants to communicate..so he is getting speech now before he was getting observation.This is HUGE for Landen.He so badly wants to communicate and he says some words and the rest is babble.The best part is she listened to me and AGREED he can learn signs as well.The last speech argued and told me he could learn them at all and i pushed the issue and was shot down.
He still gets occupational therapy and adaptive P.E. the blind school still works with him and they are amazing.He has came so far sense the blind school started working with him.The teachers and therapist agreed we will be talking with the blind school about starting to teach Landen his ABC'S in Braille not so much recognition yet just sounds and feels in braille.He is not ready for recognition but i am sure it will come before we know it.
We also changed his goals as he had mastered the others.I love the new goals set for him I got a big say in the goals and feel good about them all.I felt like a parent at this IEP and was more involved then usual when the team would ignore me.I have fought with many therapist and teachers.I can truly say he has a great team working with him now they really care and they really listened to what i had to say and did incorporate those things into is new teaching plan.I am happy for My Landen and i will be happy to see him make big strides the rest of this school year.
This school system has not been easy to work with at all.But with new therapist and a new phsycologist and an awesome special ed teacher who has ALWAYS agreed with me on everything and was shot down too.I am so excited for my son and cannot wait to see the changes evolve in him.I do have to take Landen to the doctor...I took him awhile ago and she told me to put wax drops in his ears to see if that didn't help his hearing.He has wax badly in his ears.But at this time i feel he needs to see an ENT .We do feel there is possible hearing loss which is causing allot of his words to sound like babble.So i will be calling the doc to see if we cant get a referral.I am so proud of my boy and so happy that FINALLY he is getting the services he needs deserves.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

UGHHHH WHAT NOW?

I have been gearing up to Travel to get our Jax.We are ready,We have our Visa's and paperwork gathered,Luggage packed and now we WAIT WAIT WAIT.What the heck are we waiting for?We have no idea and are waiting for answers.
So here i am its 1 14 A.M.and i cant sleep.The Embassy is saying they don't want parents to travel in just yet.OK what for?What is the reason? why does it TAKE so long ughhh.I Hope we get an explanation soon.I pray this does not take much Longer!I feel like we are in Limbo here.It is not easy planning to leave at a drop of a hat either with the kids and our home to have in order.Lining up sitter and all why we are gone.
I would love to hear Plan to travel in so and so weeks or something.GIVE me SOMETHING to look forward to other then the heart ache of every day that passes by without Jax here.I am getting so blue.Everything is ready for him.We are ready for him we have been ready sense the first time we saw him.
I love this little boy so much! Please PRAY this Insanity comes to an end soon.Its been almost a month that the moratorium was lifted for completed adoptions and special needs children that's Long enough LET these kids come home.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

HALLOWEEN PICS!

My Girl being silly!She would Not let me get a pic of her in costume.She was the most prettiest chleopatra ever.
My pirate !He refused to look up at camera.He also would not wear his pirate hat.

My pretty in pink fairy!She dressed up to take her brother.She is to old to trick or treat but never to old to dress up.

Monday, November 2, 2009

RECHECKED OUR LUGGAGE!

It is a good thing i did too!I did not pack a warm outfit for Jax.What was i thinking i mean shorts are fine in country.Pants and tshirts too for in hotel and sleepers with footsies.Nothing warm for when we hit U.S. soil where its cold.So i picked to cute outfits and 2 onsies to go under them.Now i believe we have everything packed that we need.
Now i am getting impatient as we wait to see whats going on now.I mean what could possibly be holding up Our sons homecoming?It has been almost a month ago now we were told we could bring him home.I am so ready to hold him in my arms.
I think about the first time i see him and how i am going to react.I am sure i will cry happy tears as i did when our other 2 came home.But i don't want to scare him so will try to keep my tears at bay.I done told my darling husband he will have to stand in line because Jax will be in my arms first.I just want to go get him and take him home.I have everything packed including the cp book i will finish reading on the plane.It is loaded with stretches and messages i can use with Jax.I will start these when we take him to the hotel and give him his bath(massage during a bath) and after the bath.
I am so ready for this.Yes i am scared about flying (i have flown once) and i did not like it.I am scared about going into a foreign country.I am happy that my husband will be with me.He has prepared me for the culture shock and smells and surroundings.To be honest i don't think anyone can be prepared until you are in that setting.
OK i am rambling now i am just ready to get our son.

THERE HERE!

Our Visa's thats is.I am happy this step is done...Now for the news of when we can travel.Please say a prayer.We are witing to hear back from the embassy on what our next step is.Say a prayer that its we can travel to our angel.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

BEAUTIFUL DAY!

It has been an amazing weekend here.The sun has been shining and not to cold .It was a great night last night for trick or treating.I wore a light Jacket and walked around with Landen it was so nice.Although 7 houses was enough for him he wanted no more of it.
Today the sun is bright and beautiful and its super nice outside.I have not gotten to enjoy it as always i am doing chores inside rather then out.So here in a bit i am going out to sweep my porch off and watch Landen play.He loves to be outside and with winter coming less of these days will keep him confined to the house.Hope everyone is having a great weekend.I pray we get some good news this week Including Fed ex showing up with our visas.I would love to get the news his week.I want our so home.