Pure Joy

I love to see the PURE JOY in Caleb's face when he plays in this stuff!:)

Being Thankful

Elijah with his Thanksgiving wreath on his head:)

I am so thankful this Thanksgiving that Elijah is home with us. Last year at this time, I had just got back home from meeting my little peanut. I was missing him so much, and I remember how we prayed for him before dinner. This year, he will be sitting at the table with us, his family, eating his first Thanksgiving dinner. God is Good!!

This Thanksgiving, I am praying for my little Christmas angel, Gibson and all of the other orphans who desperately need a family now. I'm praying that this will be their last Thanksgiving spent alone and that this time next year, they will be home celebrating with their own family.

Now that's a first

I received a call this morning from Caleb's teacher. She told me that he had tossed his shoe and it had landed in the toilet!!:( I have to say, that none of my other boys have done that one! You learn to expect the unexpected with Caleb, and sometimes have a good laugh about it!:) Luckily I had time to run home and pick up Caleb's other shoes and take them to him. When he saw me, he waved, smiled and yelled "Hi Mom!" I sure love that boy!!!!:)

Shaving Cream Sunday

Playing in the shaving cream has become a favorite of Caleb and Elijah's. It's also a fun reward to help make it through the last couple hours of the weekend.:) And in case you haven't guessed, they get very excited to play in it. They both start jumping up and down when I bring it out. Another thing we have been doing that they absolutely love and also get very excited over is when we sing the "L song". It is sung by Ernie and Bert. Their favorite part is toward the end when Ernie is singing "So why not, La,la,la,la,la,la,la,la,la,laaaaaaaa with meeeeeeeee!!" This is also when I snapped these pictures!
If you aren't familiar with it, I posted it for your enjoyment!

So far this week.....

Elijah has finally decided that Tickle Me Elmo is pretty cool!

Aaron's puppy getting acquainted with Caleb


Another awesome creation by Jimmy:)

Caleb's "sticky" situation. See that little loop on top of Caleb's head? It's being held in place by Sticky Tac! You see, Caleb has this thing about putting things in his hair.

A year in the life of Jimmy at OneTrueMedia.com

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Christmas Angel, Gibson

An updated photo of Gibson. Isn't he precious?



This is Gibson.

He is 3 years old and lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe.

Although he is completely unaware, his days are numbered.



Why? Because he was born with Down syndrome.



Gibson has less than a year before he will be transferred from the only “home” he has ever known, to an institution. What does this mean for Gibson? It means that he will be traumatized and scared. He will miss the caregivers who have taken care of him each day since he was an infant and wonder where they have gone. It also means that he has an 80% chance of dying (yes, dying) in this institution within the first year of his transfer due to lack of adequate medical care, proper nutrition, love…….



Almost all children with disabilities are placed into orphanages shortly after birth in Eastern Europe. It is extremely rare that a family will keep their disabled child. Sad but true, I am unable to comprehend that, but that is because here in the U.S., our children with disabilities are provided an education, and life saving medical care, and opportunities to reach their full potential in life. Not so, where Gibson lives.



During this holiday season, I am asking you to pray for Gibson (pray that he will be adopted within the next year), pray for his health, and pray that whoever cares for him right now will take the time to hold him, kiss him, and make him smile.



I am also asking that if you are able, to please donate (no matter how small the amount) to Gibson’s grant fund. This is a grant fund that will provide much needed help to a family that may adopt Gibson. International adoption is very expensive, but so well worth it. I can testify to that. My two precious little boys that I have adopted from Russia (whom also have Down syndrome) are truly a BLESSING to me! I can’t imagine my life without them. I treasure every little hug, kiss, smile, giggle……that they give me each day.



Please won’t you consider donating to help Gibson come home?



Just click on the ornament below to go to the Angel Tree. The Angel Tree is Reece's Rainbow annual Christmas fundraiser to raise grant money for children with Down syndrome all over the world that are waiting to be adopted.



To make your donation for Gibson, please include his name.



If you make a donation of $35 or more, you will receive a beautiful ornament with Gibson's picture on it to hang on your Christmas tree.



****And your donation is tax deductible****











Thank you and God Bless you this holiday season!

Amy Lucas

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Jimmy showing us his Michael Jackson moves!





It's hard to believe that 23 years have passed since Jimmy was born. And WOW, what a ride it's been! Jimmy has been an inspiration to me his entire life.

As I watched him try to do the simplest things like learn how to jump, I was reminded that there are so many things that come naturally for others but Jimmy has to really try hard to succeed at! And he tries hard! I still remember that day he learned how to jump. After jumping on a mini trampoline several hundred times and lifting him up in the air, it was Elmo that finally got Jimmy excited enough to jump! Jimmy was three years old and watching Sesame Street. He was standing behind his little table which he had pushed over to the TV. He had each hand on the table as he watched Sesame Street. Then Elmo came on and Jimmy got so excited that he jumped up and down! Then I jumped up and down, screaming, "You did it!" He jumped a few more times again, while I had tears in my eyes and excitement in my heart! I was so proud of him!

Jimmy I love you for all that you are! You are my Hero and my Inspiration!
Happy Birthday Buddy!!:)

Gibson

This is Gibson.

He is 3 years old and lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe.

Although he is completely unaware, his days are numbered.



Why? Because he was born with Down syndrome.



Gibson has less than a year before he will be transferred from the only “home” he has ever known, to an institution. What does this mean for Gibson? It means that he will be traumatized and scared. He will miss the caregivers who have taken care of him each day since he was an infant and wonder where they have gone. It also means that he has an 80% chance of dying (yes, dying) in this institution within the first year of his transfer due to lack of adequate medical care, proper nutrition, love…….



Almost all children with disabilities are placed into orphanages shortly after birth in Eastern Europe. It is extremely rare that a family will keep their disabled child. Sad but true, I am unable to comprehend that, but that is because here in the U.S., our children with disabilities are provided an education, and life saving medical care, and opportunities to reach their full potential in life. Not so, where Gibson lives.



During this holiday season, I am asking you to pray for Gibson (pray that he will be adopted within the next year), pray for his health, and pray that whoever cares for him right now will take the time to hold him, kiss him, and make him smile.



I am also asking that if you are able, to please donate (no matter how small the amount) to Gibson’s grant fund. This is a grant fund that will provide much needed help to a family that may adopt Gibson. International adoption is very expensive, but so well worth it. I can testify to that. My two precious little boys that I have adopted from Russia (whom also have Down syndrome) are truly a BLESSING to me! I can’t imagine my life without them. I treasure every little hug, kiss, smile, giggle……that they give me each day.



Please won’t you consider donating to help Gibson come home?



Just click on the ornament below to go to the Angel Tree. The Angel Tree is Reece's Rainbow annual Christmas fundraiser to raise grant money for children with Down syndrome all over the world that are waiting to be adopted.



To make your donation for Gibson, please include his name.



If you make a donation of $35 or more, you will receive a beautiful ornament with Gibson's picture on it to hang on your Christmas tree.



****And your donation is tax deductible****











Thank you and God Bless you this holiday season!

Amy Lucas