We are blessed!

I am always so touched by who God uses to bless our family...often those people who we don't expect. I don't mean because these individuals or families aren't generous, quite the opposite! These are amazing people, some of them are in the process of their own adoptions, some don't seem to have a lot of "extra" to spare, some have their own personal struggles, and yet they feel led to bless and encourage us! We are so humbled and touched. This week I have started to send out weekly adoption updates and shared specific prayer requests as well as some needs. I am overwhelmed by the response. We have gotten offers for half of the needs listed (so far we have a toddler bed for Irina, a high chair, and one car seat)and we have also gotten a financial contribution. Wow! Thank you Lord, for the provision of these needs, and for the blessing of these wonderful people in our lives!

Please pray for Mattea!

I am sharing this from meredith's blog. Meredith's daughter Emma had the same heart condition as Mattea and had a miraculous outcome, so let's pray the same for sweet Mattea!
This is Mattea Olena! Isn't she adorable?? Mattea was adopted from Ukraine just a short time ago and today she is undergoing a heart cath procedure. You see, the heart condition that she has is the same that Emma had. Typically this is an 'easy repair' for children under a year old. Once a child's body has dealt with the pressures of the condition for many years it causes damage to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). With Emma after her cath we were told she was inoperable and would likely live about 6 more months. We struggled and pushed to get her surgery and the rest of the story you all know-- Emma's pressures have DECREASED and the pulmonary damage that we were told was irreversible is, in fact, correcting itself.

Emma's heart was the first unrepaired AV Canal defect in a child that old that our WONDERFUL surgeon has seen in 25 years! Mattea is a bit older that Emma already and her family is facing similar things to what we did. This first cath will help evaluate the lungs and the doctor will give their 'recommendation' as far as care/surgery go.

I hope this helps to direct your hearts in prayer :) Please agree with me in prayer for Mattea!

If you would, please click over to Mattea's family's blog and let them know you are praying!

I'm whining...

I want to be done, I want to be done! Oh this paperwork is hateful, and people who are uncooperative make it so much more difficult. EE is very specific about how things are written, notarized, sealed, and I feel badly asking people to complete things with all the specifications, but I have no choice if I want to bring my children home. Some people are so incredibly gracious and helpful, like our mortgage guy! He did a required form ASAP and even dropped it off at our home! He is wonderful! Others...well, not so much. I guess they see it as not their problem, but a little kindness goes a long long way. I had planned to mail a big packet for state seals today, but it isn't go to happen because I am held up by an unhelpful person. Boo hoo! Please forgive my whining....I also have another sick child home from school today:( I can't wait for winter to end!

Getting Closer...

We are really truly nearing the end of the paperchase and I am chomping at the bit to be done! I can't wait to send this dossier on its way and be officially logged in. My next step is mailing everything off for the apostilles (state seals). I am waiting for just a couple more papers. Pray they come SOON! We could use prayers for good health as well. Ugh. First the flu, and now a stomach virus...spring can't get here soon enough for sure.

While we were...in memory

This was written by meredith, and I felt compelled to share it on my blog as well. It was especially sobering as I just got over the flu myself and am now caring for my sick little ones...


While we were eating...
... they were hungry

While we were playing...
... they were restrained

While we were tucking our kids into bed...
... they were alone

While we turned up the heat...
... they laid in the icy cold

While we wrapped our children in blanket sleepers...
... they laid in their own excrement


While we sang songs and listened to music...
... they listened to the screams and cries of those around them

While we rocked our babies...
... they silently rocked themselves

While we hugged our kids...
... they scratched at their own faces and pulled their own hair for stimulation

While we cried over scraped knees...
... they moaned in their loneliness

While we brushed our daughters' beautiful hair...
... they had their heads shaven to stave off the lice

While we fought off the flu with love and nourishment...
... they got the flu and went Home.

No longer suffering... but so many more still are.

In memory of those that have never felt the love of a family, but have passed away alone. Today we learned of the passing of these two girls in Eastern Europe.

My First Blog Award!!

Thank you so much Lu, for giving me this award! The description of the friendship award and the rules:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."


Okay, so the 8 bloggers I chose:

LindsayKids7

Abiding There

Our Path Less Traveled

The Cullimore Girls

ggaggle

Wee Ones Little Things

PJ Academy

Embracing Life as Household Six