The World is a Battlefield

I seriously thought that things had changed over the years. I had chosen to belief that people were finally getting it.

All people are worthy.

No one is trash.

Life is not about survival of the fittest.

Abortion isn't a method of dealing with unborn children with special needs.

Someone who is different should not have to hide in a closet just so that you don't have to deal with them.

I mean just look. Slavery is no longer. Everything is handicapped accessible at least here in America. And life is supposedly all about equal opportunity.

Or is it?

Here are two very disturbing articles. Some very misinformed person wrote this and one selfish thoughtless parent's comment inspired this article.

I can go on and on about my own thoughts on this subject, but I am more interested in reading your thoughts.

My Big Helper Boy!

Today I went grocery shopping. Jonny was my big helper! Thank goodness for that........ the amount of groceries that I was piling up in my cart was becoming a little overwhelming for me. There is good reason I shop Winco twice a month instead of one---- the time and energy spent alone on buying two weeks worth of groceries at one time is hard enough!

But like I said--- I had my big helper boy with me!

On my other blog, I shared about the little things I was doing in order to save for our adoption. Avoiding Starbucks happens to be one of those things. Not that I went there that often, but every penny counts right now!

My lovely friend Tina at small group last night, made me the most delicious cafe latte with instant coffee and warmed milk. It was way better than any Starbucks I have ever had!

So I decided to copy her and make my own version for a fraction of the cost of a Starbucks coffee. I don't have a milk frother, but a mixer works pretty well in a pinch!

Here's to my friend Tina! (Notice all the groceries in the background?)

Dennis is at the age where he wants to help so I am teaching him how to be a big boy! Here he is politely handing me his bowl instead of chucking it off his tray onto the floor.

**************************
I am finally responding to those that had asked me about readoption. Every state is different, so I am not sure how things would be done outside of California, but here, the process is literally a piece of cake! Reading this should answer all of your questions. In addition to the documents listed in the link, you need to fill out an Adopt-200, 210, 215, and 230 which can be downloaded here. Do this in triplicate and file at your country courthouse. Pay a $20 filing fee and ask if there is a phone number where you can follow up in a few days. The family law officer should give you a call with a court date. Once you have court, you will need to file the court order where you filed the petition. You will also need to fill out a court report of adoption so that you will get a delayed registration of birth.

I know this is vague..... please feel free to email me if you need help.

His Blue Bear

Dennis got this little blanket bear from a neighbor for his first surgery. It is soft and cuddly, and brings Dennis comfort. He likes cozying up to it at night and often wants to carry it down to breakfast with him in the morning. Of course, I wanted to take it for Dennis when he went in for this last surgery. He held it during the whole drive up to the hospital and I was sure that I grabbed it when I got him out of the car.

It wasn't until the nurse carried him back into surgery that I realized that I didn't have it with me for when he woke up. Not wanting to panic, I was sure I had left it in his carseat. When I saw that it wasn't anywhere in the van, I felt sick. I started to retrace my steps.

"Lord, please help me find Dennis' bear. Please."

I walked back into the hospital, up to the security desk just about to ask if they had seen it, when I looked on a chair next to the officer and saw it!

"Thank you Lord!"

Guranteed to Make You Smile

Dennis has become quite the dancer!

So did you smile?

A Few Days Later

The kids have been helping with the meal preparations more and more. Now that they are older, not only have they expressed an interest, but I think it is time that they learn the basics. One of the simple things I think the kids should know how to make is spaghetti.

So Caleb fried up the ground beef for me and learned how to drain the fat.


Adam and Rachel are both thirteen. While they are two complete opposites, I am blessed with a little treat every now and them---- seeing the two hanging out together just because.

As a Mom, I think that is cool.

Dennis is back to his old self. I kid you not, he is back out riding his push car, swinging in his chair, and insisting that if his siblings could go swimming, he could too!


So, I allowed him to get his feet wet and thankfully he didn't push for more.

I think it was a little too cold for him.

But Sveta----- she wants to swim everyday despite the freezing temperatures and is disappointed when the sun isn't out. She knows that if the sun is not shining I will not let her swim. Since she can't understand temperatures yet because of fetal alcohol syndrome, this helps her to gage on her own when swimming is appropriate.

Now that Dennis has been home a few days and is up and running around, I have been able to take a much better look at what the surgeon actually did. Not only did he he get rid of alot of the scar tissue that ran across his face from the amniotic banding, but he also raised his left ear and got rid of the huge scar patch that was behind his ear. The scar's diameter was 2 inches and prevented any hair growth in that area. Now it looks like he will have a fairly normal hairline and his ears will be even when he wears glasses. In the future the surgeon will operate to cup this ear so that it is like the other one. This will likely be one of his last reconstructive surgeries, or so I hope, when they fine tune everything else.

This picture definitely says it all!

This little boys personality is one in a million----- no gazillion!

You Keep On Pressing On

We all want the best for our children. I know I do. And I think we all try to instill in our children that they should try to do what is honest and meaningful and truthful so that they could not only be content with themselves but also be a blessing to others.

Yet, this is not something that happens overnight. It can takes days, months, and for some children years and years to understand. Not to mention play out in their everyday lives.

While I know that, and have learned more patience than I thought I ever would, I still can't help but think to myself, "Come on child. Isn't this the day that you are going to realize that what you are doing is self destructive and of no benefit to anyone including yourself? Aren't you tired of living this way? Aren't you tired of having to live with yet one more ridiculous lie under your belt, one more disruptive day at school, one more day of having a particular privilege taken away?"

One of my daughter's is famous for lying. How embarrassing to say that about my child. Often, I want to give my child the benefit of the doubt---- she must have finally had something click in her head-- right? This has surely got to be the last time she lies to my face.

But I am wrong. My daughter is just not there yet. I guess you can call her a late bloomer in the honesty department. Just take a look at the other day.

I asked two of my daughter's to hang up their jackets. One had a few more of hers to hang up-- a few in the hall closet and a few in her bedroom closet. I supervised her hanging up the jackets in the hall closet and followed up with her about remembering to hang up the ones in her room. She not only acknowledged that she knew, but she promised that she would, so I went into the kitchen. A few minutes later I saw my daughter heading outside to play.

"Did you hang up all of the jackets, even in your room?"

"Yes Mom, I promise."

"Great thanks. It is times like these where you didn't argue with me and did what was asked that helps to earn back trust from me."

So I let her go out and play. I thought I covered my bases. I followed up, praised her outside of conflict, and let her know that her honesty and hard work earned back some of my trust.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful for her except for forgetting once again to put her dirty clothes in the hamper.

Fast forward to the next morning. I walk into the girls' bedroom to find a pile of jackets on the floor.

"What's this?" I asked.

One girl quickly answered, "I found these shoved in the back of the closet behind my shoe box."

After further investigating, I found out that they were the jackets I had asked you know who to hang up.

So, I went to talk to you know who.

I told her about the pile of jackets on the floor and asked her if she indeed hung up the jackets yesterday. She answered yes and yes repeatedly and even offered to show me.

I must tell you, she was convincing.

When she saw the jackets, she started acting like she had no clue how they got on the floor. As she went round and round with her excuses, she admitted to having only hung up two of the jackets and hiding the rest.

This is classic. Admitting that half of what you said was a lie---- as if that makes you look somewhat honest. We had no doubt what the truth was and let our daughter know how silly she sounded admitting to hiding only two of the jackets--- as if the other two jumped off their hangers to hide with the rest.

Eventually the whole truth and nothing but the truth came out, but the damage was done once more.

By lying to us while looking into our eyes, our daughter once more was at ground zero in the trust department.

By lying to us--- her sisters have little faith in her that she is capable of being truthful. Yet, they compassionately give her new chances almost everyday.

By lying to us, she has shown us that she is not ready for more responsibility.

By lying to us, she has broken previous promises to not lie anymore.

The list can go and on, but I know you catch the drift.

This happens on a regular basis still and often times it is worse than the example I gave.... but this child has come so far so I have faith that she will eventually get there. Our whole family can now leave money out on our dressers-- rest assured that it won't go missing. I can trust that she won't wittingly try to convince her teacher that I don't pack her big enough lunches. I can see that she is making effort and that it is a very hard step in the right direction for her. To unlearn behaviors that she has depended on for many years to get her through life has been tough-- like rocking, overeating, tuning people out....... but I do see improvement. I constantly tell her about the positive differences that I see and how that is how I know she is so darn amazing. I have went out on a limb and also told her that I noticed that when I used to comment on how pretty her nails looked because she wasn't biting them, she would go and intentionally bite them. I honestly told her that her doing that made me sad. She acknowledged that she did indeed go and sabatoge all of her own efforts if I postively commented about it, and because I have pointed it out, she is actually more accepting of my praise and allows herself to feel proud of herself.

To be honest, this child is a handful for both John and I. But to be honest, I am learning to be a better parent because of her. And for some reason, God keeps showing me over and over why He put her in our care. I won't question Him---- not now-- not ever. He loves this child and so do I.

A Recap

Annalyn and Anna love being outside! The weather has been so nice this past week, it is easy to see why!

We have been busy the last few weeks, so I'll recap with a few key points.

*Julia and Adam are practicing for a big recital coming up at the end of April. They will be playing a duet!

*Caleb is going to another school dance tomorrow! He is so outgoing!

*Julia and Rachel are practicing for a track and field event at school.

*First Adam got the chicken pox, then William, and now Julia.

*Great report cards from all the kids.

*Dennis' two surgeries went great and he is on the road to a new blue eye!

*Jonny is registered for kindergarten.

*Adam registered for high school.

*Alexsey's adoption paperwork is almost complete.

*Sveta is being re-evaluated for her IEP.

Feeling Refreshed!

Yesterday wore me out. I don't know how other than getting up at 4am, but it did. I was not a very helpful Mom to my kids. I barely had enough energy to go over Sveta's homework and address two of my children's discipline issues--- which is a whole 'nother post I have been putting off writing about.

So, I was glad to see that I was the only one that Dennis wanted. It was a good excuse to snuggle on the couch with my little boy and fall asleep. Three of my girls made pancakes for dinner and cleaned up the kitchen afterward. Have I told you lately, how awesome my kids are?

Anyway, back to the snuggling part with Dennis. He would not fall asleep unless our faces were touching. His nose was pressed into my cheek so that he felt my warm breath on him. One daughter commented how it must be yucky having to smell Dennis' breath. Awww, how wrong she is! I told her that she will not understand how heavenly this is until she has her own child. She looked at me with doubt like I was a bit looney.

Dennis got up to eat, while I continued to sleep.

Little did I know they took this attractive picture of me.

Today is a much better day! I have my energy back and so does Dennis!

He Wanted to Go Home

Thank you for all of your prayers. Dennis is home. Everything went well! This surgery only lasted two hours-- and our surgeon thinks it is time to give Dennis a nice break.

Up until he had some "sleepy juice" he was all smiles. What an incredible spirit Dennis has.

This time I got a picture of the nurse carrying him off to surgery. It was nice to see a familiar face. She was his OR nurse last time and when she saw that he was scheduled she requested to take care of him. This was comforting to hear... I knew he was in good hands.

The surgeon said that Dennis' skin graft that was under the sponge took 100%. He also said that his incisions look really good despite them being red. He promised to discuss ointments to help lessen scarring at his 2 week post- operative visit.


Dennis wanted to go home so bad that he kept giving the nurse his arm that had the IV indicating that he wanted her to take it out. Bless his little heart.

He loved the wagon ride to the car.

Now he is sleeping in the comfort of familiar surroundings---- where he calls home.

And I saved the bestest news for last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have been referred to an eye prosthetics specialist! Dennis is going to get an eye!

Does He Even Know?

Well, it's already here. Tomorrow Dennis is having surgery again--- to remove the stapled sponge dressing, and to address the scarring on the left side of his face. After three surgeries in the eight short months that he has been home, you would think that I would be used to this.

The truth is, I am not. I am concerned for my baby. Right now, I can kiss the left side of his face without being worried that I am hurting his incisions--- but soon both sides of his face will have stitches. Poor little guy--- I just can't wait till this is behind him!

Sometimes I feel so selfish thinking about how emotionally stressful it is on me---- just look at Dennis. He never seems to skip a beat! He has life exuding from him---- as if he is telling me not to worry because he is going to be alright!

He is constantly joyful, and his smile melts all of our hearts! He is my reminder to slow down and take notice of even the smallest things--- and enjoy them. They are here one moment and gone the next. So often people tell us how "lucky" he is to have us. Lucky isn't even the right word---- and I wish that people could realize that it is our family that is blessed to be allowed to have Dennis a part of it!

Please pray that Dennis will go through this surgery with flying colors! I am also praying for the scarring to lighten up. It is redder than I thought it would be and with summer coming-- I am concerned with him getting sunburned or being irritated with the sunscreen. Maybe he needs a cute hat. What do you think?

***** Surgery is scheduled for 6:00am.

Respite Families Needed

Adoption is a huge commitment. There is no denying that. That is why I personally think that it is crucial that adoptive parents have fellow adoptive parents that they can communicate with, talk to, and confide in. It is like a community... a support group.... someone else who truly understands what you are going through.

That is why I am so passionate about helping other families. I need them as much as they need me. Just to know that someone else can relate to what I am going through everyday is so huge for me. To know that I could confide in someone without feeling like I am looking into a blank stare because they have no clue as to what I am saying--- is priceless.

And honestly, because I feel this way, I believe that struggling parents feel comfortable coming to me--- because they feel the same way and often times have no where else to turn. Well with that said--- this is an open invitation to reach out now if you have been hesitant to do so up until now.

With that said, not all families that contact me are looking to end their adoption. Some just really need a non-judgemental ear to talk to. Someone who will just listen and let them know that they are not alone. Often times, they end up asking me if I can provide respite. My gut reaction is to say, "Sure, I'll do it! Bring them right over!" But, I know that at this time, I am really not in a position to "babysit" another child.

Sooooo...... I am reaching out to all of you. Have you ever considered providing respite for an adoptive family who simply needs a break from their child so that they can recollect their thoughts, rejuvenate, and better prepare themselves for when their child comes back home?

This is not a long term commitment.
This is not permanent.
This is not adoption folks.

This is agreeing to help another adoptive family by taking care of their child for a set amount of time. This is an invaluable way to get involved with helping adopted children and families with the goal of keeping the family together.

Each situation will be different. Some children will stay for just a weekend... while others may have up to a one or two month stay in your home. Some children will be a handful.. while others may make you decide that you want to adopt afterall. A child may be as young as three years old... some as old as fifteen.

I can tell you from experience that providing respite can be a win win situation for all involved...... please contact me if you are interested. There are families that are in need of respite that have contacted me.

Now That's a Big Bone

I love to cook for my family. Absolutely love it! Mid morning, I made a coconut cake for dessert tonight. But it looked so yummy that we had it for dessert after lunch.



For dinner, I needed the rest of a whole leftover ham to be deboned and cut up so that I could make my corn and ham chowder .

So I enlisted the help of my two oldest boys. John cut the meat off the bone, and the boys cut it into bite size pieces. I commented to them that they would get so good at working with meat that they might want to grow up and be butchers. Caleb promised me that that was the last thing he would ever grow up to be, LOL, because the meat grossed him out.

Our dogs were in hog heaven!

We are Declared His Parents.... again!!!

Today we readopted our son Dennis! Now we will get an official U.S. delayed registration of birth certificate for our little one! Not that his Ukrainian birth certificate wasn't good enough, but for us, it just makes things easier. Now, if Dennis ever needs a copy of his birth certificate, he can get one locally instead of requesting it from Ukraine.


** I have done all five of my children's readopts without a lawyer! It is very simple.... at least here in California. I would be happy to walk anyone through the process if they would like.

Oh Yes He Did!!!!!

"What???"

Digest 14

Michelle said...
...... on to my own question... it's about Dennis. 2 questions, actually! in the first picture of Dennis (i believe it's the baby one you put on his blog), his damaged eye is very clearly blue. it's blue and the rest of it is white. in recent pictures, it appears to be more red/pink. is this temporary, or is it getting worse over time? maybe you've not even noticed it, it's just something i've seen. also, does Dennis have any sort of internal damage? like brain damage, hydrocephalus, organ damage, etc., as a result of the amniotic banding?i was in the hospital again yesterday & haven't been well enough to get that card mailed out to Julia with the donation for her... brain surgery complications have been out of control... but i promise to do it as soon as i can! :-)- michelle

Very observant Michelle. Back in November, an Oculoplastic Surgeon preformed an eye evisceration so that Dennis' eye would not rupture and become infected. Now it has an orbital ball inside so that there isn't a hole. According to the CT Scan and all of the other testing he has had, everything appears normal. He is catching up very quickly developmentally except for speech. But again he had a cleft palate so this is to be expected. Hope this week is better for you. Hopefully whoever reads this can say a prayer for you too.

Kristen said...
Dennis has to have food coming out of his fistula until he is 5?

Kristen, thanks for your concern. Too bad your tone and lack of sincerity makes you seem like such a bitter person. (This is not her first post) Of course no one wanted this to be the case, but at the time that I wrote the post where you made this comment, yes I was told that this would happen until a bone graft filled the fistula. Still, I would have loved him no matter what! Praise God that the doctor was able to correct it during Dennis' last surgery!

mommytoalot said...
....... I still cannot get those children out of my heart.

That is a good thing. :) There are so many ways to help orphans even though you may not be able to adopt. Pray for them, donate supplies to their orphanages, help another family to adopt one of these children, go on a mission trip, etc. I know that God can use you in a powerful way!

Chris said...
Just a quick comment to the first answer you posted. Having had an abortion at 19, living with guilt for many years, and finally surrendering both my pain and my guilt to God; I believe that I know first-hand how horrific abortion is. My entire family lived and breathed guilt, and it wasn't until I made my peace with God that my mother was able to let loose of her guilt. It took awhile though, I couldn't believe that God could forgive something so huge, I was limiting Him to my own puny expectations. He is so much bigger, so much more EVERYTHING than I could even imagine. I just had to let go, lay myself at the foot of the cross and accept that my Saviour just wanted me to ask.And just a quick note that if education and family planning was the issue, abortion rates would decline, I don't know the numbers but I certainly don't feel this is the case. Raising them for Him,Christi

We have a lot in common. Thank you for your honesty. I have no doubt that God loves you, forgives you, and will prove sovereign as always, as He uses your story to extend His kingdom.

Amy said...
{{{HUGS}}} .......... And don't BUY strawberry jam.. send my your address and I'll send you some HOMEMADE strawberry jam. lol

Is that offer still good? Homemade jam is the best! :)

Rebecca said...
Christine, I too have recently been dealing with the loss of a friendship because of my honesty. I keep telling myself oh-so-logically that "we can't have been that great friends if my honesty results in the loss of our friendship," but sadly, emotions aren't all that logical, and it took a toll on me for a little while.Hoping and praying that you continue to be able to lay your burdens at the Lord's feet.--Rebecca (longtime reader, but I think a first time commenter)

Thanks Rebecca. So glad you decided to comment. Things are better between us now, I think.

Grannysaurus said...
You make dieting look yummy. My problem isn't diet. My weight never varies much, but I wish there was a 'yummy' way to exercise. It doesn't get any easier as I get older.You are doing great!

You surely mean, I was doing great. I have since stopped dieting. I found that it was taking too much time to prepare the food. I have gained back two pounds, but overall, I am eating healthier.... and less food.

Tilly Cat & Pip-Squeak said...
Christine, would you mind inviting me to your blog where you talk about how you became a Christian? (Am I right remembering you had such a blog?) I find the way you think inspirational often, and being a very new Christian myself, I'd love to read it. My email is abadop at yahoo dot com. Best,AnnaPS: You have to come over and have a look in my blog, because every time I see Dennis I think he looks like the twin of my little boy, Philip (without the scars, but same eyes, same colouring, same hair, same expressions...)

I decided not to do a private blog. I will email you with my public one. And I will definitely check out your blog. :)

adoptandoenucrania said...
We will have your little son in our prayers next week!. Best wishes from Plasencia, Spain!Marcial, Libia, Alexei & Karlos

Wow-- all the way from Spain! I hope the translator I put on my blogs work. Thanks for your well wishes!

One Crowded House said...
I would love your mushroom soup and stuffed caps recipes... please do share!!!

I hate to tell you, but I can't remember exactly how I made them. I usually always alter a recipe and this case I added flaxseed to the mushroom caps stuffed with herbed cream cheese and I sauteed the mushrooms in butter and olive oil before mixing them with broth and cream. I bet any basic recipe for either thingswould be delicious.

Anonymous said...
Hi, I was wondering if you have any tips for the tantrums. What do you do if they refuse to go to timeout or their room? Or if they start throw things, hit people, destroy the house? I adopted an older child and its getting out of hand. Once the tantrum is over, its like an instant change, so our relationship outside the tantrum is fine. I think she's having flashbacks and also testing to see if I will leave her also. But its getting out of hand, and I worry as she gets older.

Thankfully my kids don't tantrum like that. My one daughter (once in a blue moon) will beg over and over to not go to bed for a timeout in a loud like whine while she tries to grab onto my leg so I have to physically pick her up and set her in her bed and insist she stay there until she calms down. Another daughter is usually always with me when I do this so that there is never the opportunity for her to say that I was too rough with her when I put her in her bed. This is important for one daughter who still feels the need to run in and check on things anytime a sibling starts crying. She needs the reassurance still that her sibling's crying is a result of stubbing a toe, play fighting with a sibling, having their hair rinsed when taking a bath, or having an empty bowl of ice-cream taken away so that he doesn't put it on his head. A few times Dennis collapsed onto the floor to have a tantrum and I firmly told him that he better stop or I would pick him up and take him to bed for a nap. After he realized that I was serious, he stops immediately now. Sveta used to have crying tantrums over school work but not any more. Even still, none of my kids have ever had a tantrum in public. I have found that what works best is that if I say I am going to do something as a result of their tantrum, I follow through..... even though I might feel like giving grace. I'm all for grace but this is a time when I need to stay firm.

I think it is important to be firm and consistent with everything you do. The rule in our home is to always try your best and make schoolwork a priority. I check this by occassionally giving a "pop quiz" when a child says they have studied and yet I see them watching tv. If I stay firm at all times with my expectations and don't wait for things to escalate, when that same child asks to go to a friend's house later that week, she is more accepting of my "no" answer because of the earlier incidence. I guess what I am trying to say is not to let things build up---- or sooner or later you are going to have a blow up!

If I was in your shoes and had a teenager that was throwing things, hitting people, and destroying the home, we would have a serious talk with them when they were not having a tantrum. I find it is always better to parent and discipline outside of conflict. I would not handle this on my own. My husband and I are a team and our children know that they cannot come between us and play us against each other. If this doesn't work, I would let my child know that if they have another tantrum that results in broken items, I will expect them to make restitution for all that they destroyed and that I would get to choose three things of theirs to give away to charity. My kids already know that if anyone is violent in our home including them or us, authorities need to be involved. A lot of my kids came from abusive homes and the last thing they need is there to be violence home. This does not include the occasional spank on the bottom or hand for reaching for the stove or running out into the street.

Your daughter needs the reassurance that no matter what she does she will always be your daughter, but she needs to choose how she is going to live her life--- grounded in her bed writing sentences or out and about living happily because she is choosing to be the amazing girl that you knew she always could be.

Laura said...
Christine: I just read what you wrote on Melissa's blog (about her son who came home last week and is now pulling away from her, not wanting to snuggle, etc.) and all that you said really touched me. We're awaiting the call to go back and bring our little girl home and I will take all that you said to heart in preparation for similar reactions.In the meantime, I pray for your beautiful little Dennis as well as your family. You truly are amazing!Many blessings,Laura

Please refresh my memory. Can I have the link to the blog? Seems that I can't recall what I wrote. Thanks for the prayers!

Shelley said...
What a wonderful update. It always amazes me how tough kids are and how fast they seem to bounce back. Praying that your entire family doesn't end up with chicken pox!

Shelley, I thought that no one else was going to get it-- but I was wrong. William has them now--- but very mild compared to Adam. Note to self--- the varicella vaccine does not work!

Jillene said...
The granola looks SO yummy!! And where are the recipes for the granola and the cookies? Are you going to share? Hope so!!

Sorry, again both of these recipes have been modified so I don't have the recipe on the computer. I will eventually be starting a recipe blog. Eventually.

Debbie said...
I'm sorry to hear about this little girl. I hope God provides her with a wonderful family!

She now has a wonderful family! I am so happy for all of them!

Amy said...
You need to do a side by side (Before and After) to really show the results of the surgery. He looks wonderful. And yes, he looks so happy.

Yes, he is one happy little guy!

A.R.Williams said...
We've never met, but I feel connected to your family's story. I am inspired by your love for your children. It is so rare to find such large, functioning families with two caring parents. And Dennis is such a cutie! Thank you so much for allowing readers across the country to watch your family grow and change. -Anna

Thank you. Honestly, it is a blessing to get these types of comments once in a while. I feel strongly that I should share about our family's ups and downs-- and how we manage to keep our family unit strong. Being part of a large family is such a privilege and through all of our smiles and trials, I am glad you can see that!

Kelli said...
Hey Christine, whats the best way to explain to young children about not staring or talking when someone has a visible disability. I trust you have the right answer and my little ones see me looking at Dennis all the time and think he has an owie.

If I overhear a child commenting about Dennis, I usually take it upon myself to go up to them with Dennis and let them know that Dennis is okay and that he is not in any pain. I encourage them to ask questions rather than stare and wonder about him. I let them know that even though he looks different, he is just like them. I joke and tell them that he can even give them a high five! I usually plant a few big kisses around his whole face to show them how much he is loved. Kids usually find this explanation to be sufficient. It is rare that a child will continue to be rude---- usually I assume that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

me and my son said...
I'm not a complainer, and I love reading your blog, but what is with the music today? I never thought I'd hear (or my son) the N word here.Dennis does look very good, We've been praying for you all.

I apologize for that music. I didn't realize that the N word was in it until you pointed it out. Afterall, it is sung by an African-American. I changed the music temporarily when I posted about a very rude commenter. I played the song because this poster seems to be living her life with the wrong values by the way she was bashing me, adoptive children, and letting me know that my life was going to hell in a hand basket because I was chasing the wrong things. I thought the song was appropriate by the words that I heard and it wasn't until you pointed out the lyrics that I realized it was not. I am sorry.

Trouwbottom said...
Christine I am so touched by your heart! You truly have a gift from God when it comes to adoption disruption and it is great that you are following God's call! Welcome to the "I'm old enough to have a high schooler" club!!!!

Thank you! I'll be in the club for at least a decade or two! As far as continuing to help adoptive families who are having a hard time--- if there continues to be a need for this, I will continue to help out.

Expat Mom said...
You know, I think a lot of boys think jumping out of planes without a parachute is cool. Unless William is actually DOING dangerous stuff, it might be good to encourage him to talk about it. Let him know that talking about stuff is fine, but that you would really be sad if he actually did it. You are doing such a great job with your kids. Anyone who thinks you don`t have time for them really should take a good look at your blog, I don`t see ANY signs that your kids are missing out on parental interaction!

Since I will be spending alot of time with William for the next two days because he has the chicken pox, I think I will take the opportunity to talk with him about his fascination with doing dangerous things. Thanks for reminding me that alot of boys like to do daring things! Did I mention that now William wants to jump over twenty buses with a motorcycle?

Anonymous said...
Hi Christine!This is my first time to comment, after being a long time reader! I love your beautiful family. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us. I just wanted to let you know that one of our children (a. from Russia with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate) had a very difficult time sleeping after his repair. No infections or pain, but we were told that it sometimes takes a few weeks to get all of the anesthesia out of their systems after surgery. Maybe Dennis is experiencing something similar. He looks incredible... and just wait a few more months! I was heartsick before my son's surgery (not wanting to "lose" his beautiful smile). It is amazing to look back two years later at the amazing things God has done through skilled surgeons. Enjoy the blessings of spring...

This makes a lot of sense to me. It was really comforting to read that our situation with Dennis is not unique. Glad to hear your son is doing so well!

andrea said...
without the fire, the dessert may not have been as memorable, right? it does look very yummy! I press a shortbread dough base as my fruit pizza crust, what kind on cookie base was yours? looks amazing!i think my kids could eat all day and everything in sight! very cure pictures!

I cheated and used ready made sugar cookie dough from the refrigerated section in the grocery store. I bet your crust was way better!

Jill said...
Oh Christine...sorry about the mess and I am glad the chowder turned out...but I HAVE to say...Cauliflower and Cod?? Oh dear!

Yes, the combination was very tasty-- and I don't normally eat fish. The recipe also called for cream cheese which made it nice and rich. I omitted the Parsley because I didn't have any.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Here One Day, Gone the Next": Hi Christine. Anna DOES look taller to me too! Glad to know the medication is working. By the way, I wanted to let you know that I have been praying more ever since I found your blog. I want to learn more about Christianity. Take care!Katie (who used to be prochoice, do you remember? :)

Hi Katie! I think you're right! It looks like Anna is growing! At least her hair is! I am so excited to hear about your relationship with our Heavenly Father. Growing in your faith is a lifelong journey, believe me I know. One thing I can promise is that He will always be there for you and desires for you to spill your heart out to Him. Just let it all out! You will feel a burden lifted off your shoulders and besides-- He already knows! If you ever want to talk offline, please drop me a private email.

"Copy Me, Dennis"

Caleb and Andrew tried to get Dennis to copy them so that I could take a picture of him doing a little pose.


They were not very successful......

but the pictures still turned out cute!

Dennis' incisions are looking great and he has slept better the last two nights! We are gearing him up for another surgery this coming Tuesday.

Notice the green? Happy belated Saint Patrick's Day!

**Digest to follow.