He started it

Jimmy did.

Let's just say that Jimmy was one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. Jimmy took hold of my heart as soon as I held him in my arms. From day one, I loved that boy more than I could ever imagine. I never knew you could love someone so much. In fact, when I was pregnant with my second son Ben, I found myself worrying a little. Worrying..... would I love him as much as Jimmy, if he didn't have Down syndrome? I mentioned that I was feeling a little down to an OB-GYN during one of my appointments. He rudely asked me if I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Excuse me?  How could I tell him that I was afraid (using his insensitive wording) that the other shoe wouldn't drop?

Jimmy and Ben

Then Ben was born and he didn't have Down syndrome and I loved him just as much, of course.:) But I still had an intense love for children with Ds, and that love would continue to grow through the years.


 

Later in life, I found my children growing up too quickly for me. I was also divorced and not in a position to have another baby. Hmmmm, what to do? I began looking at adoption. Jimmy was 17 and Ben was 13 at the time, when I discovered that children with disabilities were not accepted in Eastern Europe and in many other parts of the world. They were put into orphanages, then transferred to  institutions, with the majority dying before adulthood. Seriously? This is still happening in this day and age? Sadly yes. So if you're one of these people that think this is not occuring anymore, you are in denial. Once, I realized this, I knew international adoption was what I was being called to do.

Jimmy has always been fond of babies and he really got interested as I started researching adoption.  I explained to him, that there were some children that had no mommies or daddies to care for them. He didn't ask why, he just simply said, "That's sad." I would share with him their beautiful faces, and he would smile and tell me to go get that one, and that one, and that one. LOL! He began telling people, even complete strangers that he was getting a new baby brother. :)

My handsome Jimmy

Caleb

Liam

Elijah

So our adoption journey began, and over the course of 7 years, Jimmy got not one, but three new little brothers. All because of him. He started it.  I love Jimmy more than I can put into words. He is my world, my inspiration, my love, my buddy.:) And his sweet little brothers have stolen my heart as well.

Blessed

Is this not the cutest expression ever? :)

Elijah is quite the little artist and he is very creative. Here he is showing off one of his adorable creations. :)

Jimmy makes some pretty cool stuff and I just love that he makes them for me. I am so blessed!

Caleb LOVES balloons and he was such a good boy this week, that he earned quite a few:)

I am always in awe at how precious my boys are when they are sleeping.

LOVE

Happy Birthday Liam!

Yesterday was Liam's 8th birthday. It is the second birthday spent with Mama and the first birthday here in the U.S. with our family. Last year, I was told that I could travel to pick Liam up on January 14, 2012. My facilitator said she could do some necessary paperwork before I got there. But I told her no. I would be coming on the 11th. Why? Because Liam's birthday was on the 13th and I wanted so badly for him to not spend another birthday inside of an institution. So, I arrived on the 11th and took him out of the institution on the 12th and celebrated his birthday together on the 13th. Last year he started his birthday off bright and early with a visit from the Dr. who would okay him to come home. Then we went to the Embassy for our interview. Crazy but very exciting way to celebrate his birthday. He didn't realize the importance of it all, but I did.

He wanted absolutely nothing to do with his cake. He kept pushing it away. But he did eat a little chocolate ice cream.:)

This year Liam is home with us right where he belongs. I am so thankful for this cute little pint-size 8 year old of mine. He is precious beyond words. We love you so much Liam Josiah. You are such a blessing to all of us!

Happy First Gotcha Day Liam Josiah!

A year ago today, I walked into an institution outside the Russian city of Sergei Posad. I walked down the hall and handed a small bag of clothes to a caregiver so she could change Liam out of his institution clothes and into his OWN clothes. As I waited for him to be dressed, a little boy with Down syndrome darted by a caregiver and into my arms. I held him close and told him I loved him and then the caregiver pryed him away from me. :(
On a day that I was supposed to be incredibly happy about (which I was), I was also reminded of the little ones left behind. That little boy knew I was a Mama and he desperate wanted to be loved.

Seconds later, Liam walked out to me with his arms stretched out. I scooped up my precious little boy and we proceeded to walk back down the corridor toward the side door which we had come. I had a stinging feeling in my stomach for all of the  children who will never have a Mama come for them. I teared up and held my precious little boy tight.

Liam had no idea what was really going on . He just knew that he was being held onto and loved by this woman who called herself Mama. He had no idea what that meant,.....he had gone 7 years without a Mama. I bundled him up, walked outside into the bitter cold air of a wintery, Russian afternoon and we left that institution for good. Once in the van, I seatbelted him in and took one last look at the institution that lay hidden outside of the city. A big, cold, lonely building that held some of God's most beautiful and precious children. I prayed that more families would come. I prayed that Liam would not be the last child to leave with a family to call his own.

Liam getting ready to leave with his Mama.

Leaving the institution for good.

It's only by the grace of God, that Liam is home with us. There is no other way, I could have possibly brought him home by myself. God called many people to help me bring Liam into our family. Every step of the way, manuevering my way through endless adoption requirements, and climbing what seemed like a financial mountain, God was in control. It happened all because of His love for Liam. It is not His will that any of these precious children perish. Thank you Jesus for all of your blessings and especially for Liam Josiah.

Adoption is truly one of God's Greatest Miracles.

Liam knows what love feels like now. He is happy and safe and he brings us so much joy!

January....so far

Well, after a flurry of sickness in November and December, the boys are all holding their own.....so far.
All of the boys were excited to go back to school, but not as excited to get up so early...Mom included! The Christmas tree is down but all of the rest of the decorations are still up around the house. I always find it sad to put it all away.

Liam has been really cruising along in the accomplishments department but that will need to wait for the next post. His One year Gotcha Day is Saturday and his 8th birthday is Sunday. Big weekend coming up for him! :)

Caleb showing off his own hand drawn mustache.

Pretty handsome! Caleb has me seriously thinking that I should invest in GE light bulbs  I buy them every week. Thank goodness he doesn't break them, but he does shake them (the lamp and all) just enough to make the little thingy come lose inside which blows the light bulb.

 

Elijah brought home a book today to read to me. I still can't believe he's reading. Mama is so proud!:)

 

 

We are big fans of Trisha too!

Jimmy has started the New Year off right by going out to dinner with one of his favorite girl friends today. He also has been practicing for the next Talent Show in March. It's a song by Garth, but that's all I'm going to say.

2013 is another year for us to come closer to Jesus. He loves us and is ALWAYS here. His love never changes, no matter what happens in this world, His love stays the same for each of us. How awesome is that?  Happy New Year everyone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!