Digest 11

Lacia said...
I hope Dennis did well at his surgery today. I'll be looking for an update.Also, I wanted to let you know that everytime I see a pomegranate, I think of you guys! I used to eat them alot as a kid, but not so much these days. I saw a recipe on tv for a yummy looking pomegranate vinaigrette. You take 1 1/2 cups of pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp of lemon and you blend in a blender until pureed. Strain through a fine sieve and season with salt and pepper. YUM! Also, I'm not sure how you seed the pomegranates, but this show I watched showed a great way to do it. Get a large bowl filled with water, quarter the pomegranate and immerse in water and pull apart while under the water. The seeds sink to the bottom and the skin floats to the top! Easy, and keeps your fingers clean too!

Awww, thanks Lacia. You are not the first to tell me this. It is neat to know that we are thought of every time pomegranates are eaten. As for the dressing, it sounds yummy! I just learned the floating trick from my brother-in-law's girlfriend.

Anonymous said...
i had BRAIN SURGERY two weeks ago today and i'm still recovering so i'm especially praying for the little guy! my "you'll be home tomorrow" turned into nearly a week, i have complications including some minor brain damage. three incisions, one of which is still incredibly painful. saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and all is okay, just gonna take awhile to adjust to life with an implanted device in my brain. :-P best of luck - will be checking back for an update on Dennis!- michellewashington, dc

Thanks you so much for praying for Dennis. Hope you are doing better. You are an amazing woman!

Anonymous said...
Hi,I started following your blog through the Cornish's blog since before you went to get Dennis! Your family is awesome! I love the new family picture. I do have to say it is hard for me to understand adoptive families giving up there adoptive child. You don't give up a child by birth if there are difficulties. Isn't the commitment the same? Aren't we suppose to love our children unconditionally, like God loves us.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. You are right in that it is hard to understand disruption. Before adopting through a disruption myself and working with so many families, I didn't understand it either. Yes, we are supposed to love our children unconditionally just like God loves us...... but we are not God, and we can't do everything He does nor do we have an infinite amount of love to give. For some of us, the biggest act of love is acknowledging that we can't give a child everything we know deep down that they deserve so we set them free.

Tami said...
So glad you are home. Looking forward to more updates:)I nominated you for an award:)Please visit my blog to pick it up.

Thank you Tami. I appreciate your encouragement... really.

Tina in CT said...
What good news that all went so well for Dennis with his surgery. What exactly did they do? Do you now have a few months off before the next surgery?Love seeing how his little legs and feet have porked up after being home since the summer.

Dennis had his cleft palate repaired on December 18th. He still has stitches that should come out on their own. His next check-up is on January 6th. His next major, major surgery will be March 6th..... this gives him just enough time to recuperate and gain back the pound he lost since his surgery. You are right about his legs----- he has gone from 18 pounds to 25 pounds in less than six months.

Debbie B said...
Your posts regarding these children that need homes and loving parents make me want to adopt again sooner then we plan. I have a question though. What are your thoughts on adopting out of birth order? I feel that our daughters age will always hold us back from adopting an older child for many years.

Like you, adoption is something near and dear to my heart. I have to remember that my plan or the world's plans are not always His plans and rarely are, and so it is very common to feel the urge to add another beautiful child to your family. We have adopted out of birth order four times, and we have been blessed each time. If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask.
Susan said...
I sent a gift to Reece's Rainbow yesterday, in honor of my own two young cousins who came home from Ukraine, and asked that it be used in Ukraine wherever the need was greatest. I hope it will help a child (or children) find their forever family...and I pray that this precious little boy's family finds him very soon.

Thank you Susan. Alexsey is running out of time. He will soon be transferred to an orphanage that leaves little hope for the children there. I am so frustrated that money stands between willing families and children who need a home. May more people like you donate to help bring home more children this year. I know that the generosity of others made it possible for us to bring Dennis home. I am still very thankful to those that helped out financially and I know that your gift will be much appreciated.

QuEEn oF tHe cAstLe said...
Is there a way to find out MORE info on a child featured in this montage???

You can click here, and here.

Amy Waldron said...
I posted this video that you shared on my blog as well! Thank you!Be Blessed,Amy (Honestly)

Keep spreading the word!

Joy said...
I have a great recipe for a simple ice cream cake homemade.*one large box of ice cream sandwiches. *one large aluminum pan lined with plastic wrap up the sides*cool whip topping Spread a layer of cool whip in the bottom of the pan layer in the sandwiches cool whip in between. Then put into the freezer. Flip over onto a platter and ease out using the plastic wrap.Happy Birthday,Joy

Now you tell me!

Denise said...
Happy Birthday! Why do your kids have to be 13 to drink soda??

They don't have to be thirteen to drink soda every once in a while, but they do have to be thirteen to be able to have one can of soda a day with whatever meal they choose. It is kind of like a rite of passage. Some kids get to start wearing make-up, some get cell phones, some even get to start dating....... as for my kids, they graduate to being able to drink one soda a day! And believe me, this is a big privilege that the kids look forward too.

MamaPoRuski said...
I almost thought you brought home child #12 when I saw the header! LOL!

I wish!

Washer Mom Val said...
Dear Heavenly Father - please keep this family in your prayers. Please give good health to all, especially little Dennis! Amen

Thank you for all of your prayers! Not just Val, but to all of you! Dennis is doing much better.

Amber said...
Question for digest: I love the tie blankets. I have been looking at fleece in the fabric stores. It seems like most fleece sells for about $14 per yard. Which would be one expensive blanket. Where did you get the fleece for the blankets?

I got the fleece at Joann's craft store when it was on sale for $2.99 and $3.49 a yard. Each blanket was around 5 yards making each blanket around $17.00. Make sure you double knot the ties--- we learned the hard way and had to retie them all.

melonie thompson said...
Christine,Care to share the how too of making the bacon wrap jalapenos!!! They look so good lol Melonie

They are so easy. Cut a jalapeno length wise, clean out the seeds, fill with cream cheese, and wrap with a piece of raw bacon. Cook at 400 degrees until crispy.

Kristin said...
I am not trying to be mean but are you honestly surprised by the child's reaction? The child should be taught to be nice but you are used to seeing Dennis everyday--not his eye but Dennis. I have to admit that when you first posted Dennis' picture on FRUA, I thought it was a cruel joke. That is the main reason that I came to your blogsite and have since come to look forward to your posts. I think your kids are all adorable but I can understand his reaction but not his words upon meeting Dennis. This is one of the main reasons that I feel you owe it to Dennis to do as much cosmically as possible. Keep up the good work. Kristin

Yes, I am surprised at how this child continued on and on with his rudeness and total disrespect for what I was trying to tell him. I am used to the stares and initial comments that can be kind of mean and rude, but until now all the other children have seemed to have a change of heart once I politely informed them about Dennis. I am sorry that you thought that I was playing a cruel joke when I excitedly posted a picture of my new son---- I had never kept his condition a secret and think he is one beautiful little boy!

As far as owing it to Dennis to do as much cosmetically as possible, I disagree with that. Of course I will do the surgeries that are necessary to give him a not so shocking appearance, and that are beneficial to his health, but I refuse to put him through so much pain and suffering for the sake of vanity alone. If he makes other people uncomfortable because of the way he looks, I think it is their problem, not his. Unless you have a child who has undergone numerous surgeries with more to come, it is hard to imagine how loving and teaching your child that they are beautiful no matter what would actually take precedence over any cosmetic surgery. There is such a thing as too many surgeries and Dennis has now had two in Ukraine, and two here, with a very major cosmetic one scheduled in March.

Alexandra Mikaela - Awareness Warrior said...
Mrs Reed! Mrs Reed! Look, you made the list! You're officially one of the top mom bloggers!!! I was led to this link by MckMom (she was on it too) and I saw you there!!! Congratulations!"#47 Smiles and Trials Devoted mom of 11, Christine is the epitome of an unselfish and loving parent. Spending her life focusing on adoption of children that need not just any home, but her home. Watching Dennis grow and all the ways the family has helped him, leaves us somewhere between wonder and amazement. This is a family that has made 2008 worth blogging."Here is the link.

Suzanne said...
You've been nominated!!!!!Go to momdot.com and you will see that you are among the top 50 mom blogs of 2008!!!They have wonderful things to say about you.

Thanks for telling me Alexandra and Suzanne! You mean I didn't get number one? Just kidding. I am very honored and blushing just a bit. Who would've thunk? :)