A dream is wish your heart makes......

well I have dreamed of taking my kids to disneyworld since we had them, but for some reason or another we never seem to make it. I had decided that for my graduation present next december we would go to disney but we got the opportunity this past weekend to benefit from another family's trip, they had bought 5 days but only used 3 so we used the last 2!! (thanks Rebekah) It was a whirlwind trip it really was a dream come true the kids were the perfect age and loved it the favorite ride of the weekend was splash mountain except SH she loved its a small world!! :) We are definitely saving our money to go back in a few years but what a great weekend spent together as a family Shane and I had never been either so it was a first for us all!! I promise I will try to catch up soon but right now school is overwhelming....we are all good just very busy!! we have some really cute pics but right now I have to study so here is a group shot!

Happy Birthday Savannah-Hope!

Look who's TWO!!!!

It's been a year.....

.....Since our family puzzle was complete.


Savannah-Hope is a truly a miracle. We continue to thank the Lord daily for allowing her to become part of our family. We fall more in love with her each day. She was worth every minute of the journey. We are blessed!

Happy birthday sweet girl!

Ok computer issues I can not get my post up but want to wish Amelia the best birthday and more to come hopefully the real post will be up soon!!! alos happy birthday to my sweet neice Rayna our dear friend Rick and happy gotcha day to miss Emily Rui!!

Witnessing a miracle...part 2

Joy, December 2008

Faith, December 2008

Joy and Faith, February 2009!

Thank You Jesus for restoring life into these precious girls.

Witnessing a Miracle

March 2008 (couple weeks before their 3rd birthday)
Joy on Left, Faith on Right


March 2009 (couple weeks before their 4th birthday)
Faith on the left, Joy on the right


Yesterday we got the wonderful surprise of an updated picture of Faith and Joy. This is the first glimpse we have had of them in a year. We are Praising the Lord! What a miracle these two precious girls are! Faith is about an inch or so taller than Joy, but you cant tell in this picture because Joy is standing up higher on a slope. Their faces are so precious.

Special thanks to Grammy Sheila and her wonderful husband Chuck for taking and sending the pictures to us. We are so thankful!

A year ago today

A year ago today I had the privilege of meeting Tamandani-Joy, Sadala-Faith and Jameson, the full biological siblings of Savannah-Hope. It was a very emotional day. You can read about it here.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about those children. They are truly the children of my heart. A year later, Joy and Faith are living at the Good Samaritan Children’s Home staying in the same room that was home to Savannah-Hope for 7 months of her life. They are being lovingly cared for by two nannies and are thriving. They have monthly well-child checks. This month’s exam was on 3/20/09 and they had each gained a pound. Joy now weighs 23 lbs and her sister is 27 lbs 5 oz. They have only been at the Children’s Home for two months and have made tremendous strides in their health and development. A loving family from New York has sent a generous financial gift to Jameson so that his needs may be met in his village. God is so Good! We are so thankful to the Lord for these three precious miracles and for allowing us to be a part of their lives, even if it is across the world. Thank you so much for your prayers!

We are heading out of town for a few days of fun in the warm sunshine with our children and extended family.

Please pray for my Nana as we got news today that she is experiencing a medical problem with her eyes. We are hoping for more conclusive information tomorrow. Please lift her up in prayer.

Gotcha day 1 year

March 18, 2008

March 18, 2009 (Savannah-Hope is saying cheeeeese)

Savannah-Hope,

My beautiful African princess, words can not express the emotions I have on this day. One year ago I held you in my arms for the first time and my heart literally grew. It seems silly, I worried when I was pregnant with your big sister Izabella if I could possibly love another baby like I loved your big brothers Zach and Zander but out she came and my heart grew. Then a few short weeks later I worried what if I can't love your big sister Amelia as much as the others she was afer all my first adopted angel, but I held her in my arms as she stepped off the plane and again my heart grew. Now I knew I could absolutely and unconditionally love as many children as God would bless (and I always dreamed it would be many) us with no matter what route they took to get here. So you my sweet angel were no surprise.I knew my heart would expand to love you!!!! Savannah-Hope, you have brought joy, laughter, tears and so much more to our lives but mostly you truly brought Hope. As we stood together and watched your Dad receive the ultimate gift, his salvation, again my heart grew with an new love for you. Because you sweet girl were simply the straw that broke the camels back, and now as a whole family we celebrate our Faith in the King together daily. There is new Hope for the future of our family. I look forward to many more years of anniversaries happy gotcha day baby girl!! I love you.

Love,

Mama

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

An apple a day....

keeps the doctor away!!!!

obviously Savannah-Hope is eating her way out of any more trips to children's hospital :)

Please Pray for Savannah-Hope

UPDATE: Monday March 9, 2009
Savannah-Hope is at home and is slowly recovering from her pneumonia. She has completed her antibiotic injections and will be taking oral antibiotics for the next 10 days. She is currently taking 3 medications to manage her breathing. Thank you for your continued prayers for Savannah-Hope.

Savannah-Hope has been hospitalized at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for respiratory distress due to severe pneumonia in both lungs. She was given an antibiotic and steroid shot prior to admission and is already showing some signs of improvement. Please continue pray for our littlest angel.

Target twins

Well Shane is always asking why it takes me so long to run errands with the kids and others always ask "how do u shop with all of them?" well here is the answer we never just shop and we look in every aisle and we take pictures in random places!!! (but hey we are making memories)

Thanks for your prayers.

Maggie’s surgery was successful. She is at home now resting. She has external ports on her head that leave her at risk for infection. Please continue to pray for my sweet niece. This is a long and painful journey for her, but she is one tough cookie. Thank you Lord for brining this precious child to our family.

Savannah-Hope has been battling lung issues since she was placed in my arms 11 months ago. She was seen today by a pediatric pulmonologist. The doctor made some changes in her medications and ordered some new tests. Please pray for the Lords healing and for wisdom for the doctors who are treating her. At her appointment today, Savannah-Hope weighed 22 lbs, measured 31 inches in length and is in the 5th percentile.

UPDATE ON THE TWINS: Joy and Faith had well child exams on 2/20/09. Joy now weighs 22 lbs and Faith weighs 26 lbs 4 oz. Both girls have gained 2 pounds in exactly one month. Praise the Lord! When Joy and Faith arrived to Good Samaritan their condition was critical and we were updated frequently because of their critical status. Now that the girls have stabilized, we will be updated about once a month. We are grateful to the Lord for His provision and goodness! Thank you for your continued prayer and interest in these two precious miracles.

I have a great big test tomorrow and would appreicate your prayers.

Prayers for Maggie

My adorable niece Maggie joined our family in November 2007 from China. I remember seeing her face on the computer screen when my sister in law was in China picking her up.

These were the images I saw:

My stomach sank as I saw these pictures and could see fear and sadness in her eyes. She had obviously been mistreated. I am so thankful that she found her way home. She has blossomed in the love of her forever family. Adoption is a miracle....and our family has been blessed abundantly with the addition of Maggie.

Our sweet Maggie Moo suffered a severe burn to her scalp while in foster care in China. Maggie checks into the hospital on Monday February 23rd for her 1st of her 3 surgeries. She will be having scalp extenders implanted into her head. This will obviously be a traumatic and painful process for her both physically and emotionally. Please lift Maggie up in prayer this week.

Daddy and Daughter valentine dance

So last week Shane and Amy had a a dance. I know I am partial but she looked beautiful!!! and her Date was pretty hot too!!! :)They had a great time and we are waiting on the pictures from the dance but here are the ones I took before the dance. My girl is getting so big.

Dream House

So Zander has been carrying a piece of paper around for a couple days now and working on it in the car etc. so I asked him and he says it is a surprise! Well monday night he brings me the "blue prints" of his dream house it is awesome with a movie theatre, toy room, indoor swimming pool and even a room for Mimi to visit. I am telling how much I love it when he says "oh no" and I asked him "what is wrong" and he replies "I forgot to make a bathroom!" so I said "its ok we will just "pee in the pool " :) he looks horrified takes the paper away and says that I can not swim in his dream house!!! then he modifies the plan it now includes several bathrooms!! ( I wanted to add a picture of the drawing but he has it with him)

College bound

Okay so we will stick with funny things the kids say! Sunday afternoon the kids were wrestling with Shane he says "hold on somebody just kicked me in the lip accidentally" Zach says very matter of fact "well that is not good" at which point I crack up then proceed to tell Shane "well put that extra money for that kid he is going to be the one we need to send to college he is the smart one!!!" I thought the kids were already out of the room but then I hear Amy run tell Zach "did you hear that you are going to get the most money because you are so smart!! then we both start to crack up we came out of the bedroom to let the kids know how smart they all are and that they are all going to college because when they grow up they cant live with us anymore:)!!! they said OK they would go to college but then when they had kids they will come back and live here so we can see them as much as we want!!! since Zander says he is having 10 kids i am not sure this is good!!

man I love these monkeys!!!!!!

Abigail and Joseph

Please click on the picture below and help support my brother and sister-in-law as they begin the journey to bring home my newest niece and nephew. Please pray for Abigail and Joseph as they wait in Ethiopia for their forever family to come and get them.

Barbie pins

So yesterday after school where I had an exam (I made a 86) followed by a surprise quiz (8 out 10) I met Shane as usual to get the little girls so that we could get in line to pick up the big kids at school. We then go directly to dance followed by cub scouts!! So I pull up beside Shane and he is putting the girls in my van and I of course see does Izabella have everything for dance tap shoes, ballet shoes, body suit, pony tail holder and a brush? Izabella says from the back seat I do not need a pony tail holder already put barbie pins in! I can't see her so I said OK and I am thinking did someone buy her new barrettes? but I just forget about it and get the kids so we get to dance and I am getting her ready thinking i do not see a barrette in her hair so I ask her where is the pony tail holder/ she says I already have barbie pins so I look closer and see that she has pulled her bangs back with "bobby pins" I start to giggle and put her up in a pony tail not messing with her barbie pins she worked hard putting in!! Just thought I would share my funny girl with you all!!

Have a great day!

"chips"

Today the girls had their first taste of "Chips" (French Fries). They were homemade and I have had them before…delicious! Sidala-Faith stabbed her fries with a fork and ate them. Tamandani-Joy picked up her fries, put them on the fork and then ate them. They didn’t know that it was okay to eat fries with their fingers. So cute! The girls are now being taught to say “zicomo” (thank you) when they are given something. In Malawi it is custom to receive items with two hands and bow. They are also learning this. In the beginning the girls would snatch what they wanted and quickly run away. The nannies gave them grace on this issue, but now that they are more stabilized and getting comfortable with their surroundings, they are beginning to work on their manners.

Today the girls were riding a tricycle. Both of them sharing the same seat, one behind the other. They crashed and took a pretty good tumble, but got up and got right back on the bike. The nannies were shocked that the girls didn’t cry or get scared. Such brave and resilient girls.

Laughter

Today I was able to talk to Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith on the phone. They didn’t talk back to me but I was able to hear them talking to each other. I was also able to hear them laughing which was music to my soul. The girls are doing so well. Such a miracle! The girls are playing and giggling and just so happy. This is not how they were in the village. They had such somber faces and the saddest eyes. Now the girls are telling their nannies that they don’t want to go back to the village. They had their first experience on a trampoline the other day. They didn’t jump but enjoyed sitting on the trampoline while the bigger girls jumped near them. Peace loves the twins to pieces and has been doting on them every chance she gets. Tonight at church Peace took them by the hand and lead them to Children’s Church. Thandie said that these two little girls have brought such JOY and increased the FAITH of the staff and children at Good Samaritan. They are living up to their middle names. It’s so nice to hear that they are adjusting well. Thank you so much for praying and giving to these precious angels.

On the home front: I was able to get out of school a little early today due to the weather. The schools were closed today so the children were able to enjoy the morning at home with their father. I am looking forward to snuggling with my kiddos and getting a much needed nap. With work, school, studying and being sick…..a nap and extra time with my kids is just what I need.

Newest Fans of the VeggieTales

Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith spent some time today with Peace while the nannies were doing some chores. (Thandie was at a funeral for the tailor who died on Wednesday). The girls sat in Peace's room with her and watched a VeggieTales movie. It was the one about David and Goliath. Thandie said that the girls could be heard outside giggling and laughing. They started to make their voices sound like the characters and then would crack up laughing. It is so good to hear that they are having moments of laughter. A couple of teenager girls from Good Samaritan peeked in the door to check on them and of course they both went mute. The only person so far they feel comfortable talking to is Peace. They even told Peace that they needed to make a #2 and she helped them on to the potty and then cleaned them up afterwards. Peace is so pleased that they are coming to her for help. She did a great job too. Peace is 8 years old.

Tamadani-Joy is suffering from severe sweating. Its possible that it could be Tuberculosis, since that is what their birth mother died of. But she isn't coughing or having any other symptoms of TB. Its more likely a symptom of refeeding syndrome. People with severe malnutrition have high levels of sodium in their bodies. When they start to refeed, this sodium starts to release in their blood causing all kinds of issues. At this point they are removing salt from Tamandani's diet and increasing some of her supplements to counteract the high sodium levels. Hopefully this will help. Salt is typically added to nsima (main staple food in Malawi) and poridge because otherwise it is very very bland. Reading about refeeding syndrome....just promotes fear in our hearts. We need the knowledge so that we can help her, but there are just SO many things that could go wrong during the refeeding. Please keep Tamandani-Joy in your prayers. These next too weeks are very critical. We are thankful though that her spirits seem high and she has moments of playfulness and laughter. That's gotta be a good thing! We are putting our faith in the Lord who has been sustaining the children since their birth and has now opened the door for this opportunity.

Do you remember Clifford? He was mine and Savannah-Hope's guard while we were in Malawi. I just learned today that he is expecting his first child. Please pray for Clifford as he embarks on the responsibility of parenthood.

As for life on the home front......

Savannah-Hope is still receiving breathing treatments but not as frequently as before. She has a very runny nose now. Seems like she is still adjusting to our weather. Bella has a bit of a cough but otherwise the big kids are doing well. I am slowing recovering from strep throat and a sinus infection, but still working 7am to 7pm today.

Water comes from Up

Thandie states that both Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith are weak and very ill. However, she is starting to see some improvements. Sidala-Faith is still suffering the effects of Malaria and is not a fan of her quinine treatment. She puts up quite a fight when it is time for her medication. She has no appetite and has to be hand fed.

Tamandani-Joy is suffering from severe night sweats. She will be tested for Tuberculosis in the next couple of days. Both girls are scheduled to have a thorough medical exam on Saturday 1/24/09.

The girls are responding to the staff’s questions by nodding and shaking their heads but are still refusing to speak. Both girls are speaking fluently and intelligibly to each other.Today Joy was heard telling Faith “look the water is coming from up! How is the water coming from up? It’s not coming from down”. She has never seen a water faucet before and is intrigued by the water coming out from “up”. So cute!Today Thandie showed the girls a squishy ball that was left behind by Savannah-Hope. You squeeze the air out of the ball and when it fills back up, it makes squeaky noises. Both girls enjoyed watching the ball deflate and inflate and listened for the noises. Tamandani-Joy laughed out loud. This was her first laugh! Thandie is pleased with the care the nannies are providing to Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith. We are very thankful to the Lord for providing the right ladies for this delicate and special job.

Thank you for your prayers, especially during these first couple of critical weeks of their transition.

Wellness update....or should I say sickness update

Sidala-Faith’s fever continued throughout the day Tuesday and the staff began to fear she had Malaria. The doctor didn’t take a blood test in the morning because he was certain the fever was caused by the flu that is plaguing Malawi. Sidala-Faith was taken back to the clinic Tuesday night for a blood test and diagnosed with Malaria 3+. This is a very serious form of Malaria. She contracted it in her village prior to her arrival at Good Samaritan. We are so thankful that the Lord lead us to her when he did because her family would not have been able to get her to the hospital in time for the anti-malaria treatment. Sidala-Faith is receiving this life saving treatment now, and responding well. She still has a loss of appetite, but otherwise is improving.

Tamadani-Joy was suffering from severe constipation and worms. Her stomach became so distended that she was unable to swallow food. She was given treatment for the worms and a suppository. Her constipation has resolved and she is much more comfortable, and probably a pound or two lighter. She is receiving a high protein porridge along with a specialized food program that has her eating every three hours during the day. So far they haven’t found a food that she doesn’t like.

Both girls saw themselves in the mirror for the first time today and were smiling at themselves. They are still interacting more with each other than with the staff but that is to be expected at this point. Thandie’s daughter, Peace was home from school today recovering from Malaria 1+ , so she brought the girls into her room to watch a DVD. The girls had never seen television before. Tamandani-Joy was very scared of it at first, but then relaxed when she realized that nothing was going to come out of the television. They watched an educational video that was made by Disney to teach the English language to children in foreign countries.

On the home front, I have been diagnosed with a sinus infection and strep throat. Not a fun combination with nursing school, freezing temperatures, working and mommy duties. Savannah-Hope has been suffering from chronic respiratory issues. She is currently requiring a breathing treatment every three hours throughout the day and night. It’s a busy over here, but we are blessed :) We appreciate your prayers and support!

First 24 hours

Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith were tucked into bed after they were bathed and had full tummys. Both girls responded well to their formula and drank it right down. (Because of refrigeration issues and their severe malnutrition, both girls will be drinking formula for the time being). The girls were quiet in the evening, talking only to each other. Thandie and the nannies could hear the girls planning an escape back to their village. It really is so heart breaking that the girls have had to be separated from what is left of their birth-family in order to have a chance to live.

Their first night consisted of Tamandani-Joy crying all night long and Sidala-Faith spiking a fever. Thank goodness there were two nannies last night.

Both girls were transported to the hospital first thing in the morning. With clothes on, the girls weigh:

Tamandani-Joy 19 lbs 8oz

Sidala-Faith 24 lbs 0oz

(They will be 4 years old in April)

Sidala-Faith was diagnosed with the flu. Tamandani-Joy was diagnosed with Marasmus (severe malnutrition). The hospital informed the Good Samaritan staff that Tamandani-Joy's condition warrants a hospital admission for months of in-patient monitoring. But because Tamandani-Joy has not been vaccinated, it is too dangerous for her to be hospitalized. The doctor who cares for the Good Samaritan children recommended that Tamandani-Joy remain at Good Samaritan on a special diet and he will be closely monitoring her there.

The next two weeks are critical for Tamandani-Joy. There is high risk of cardiac arrest in the re-feeding and treatment of Marasmus. The balance of electrolytes and nutrients in the body are critical. Her case is even more serious as she has a worms, and battles intense grief. The stress of the grief can cause and a chemical imbalance in her body and if she becomes over come by her grief and refuses to eat or drink, her situation will become even more concerning. Please lift these little girls up in prayer. Please pray for wisdom for the medical staff, the Good Samaritan Staff and especially the nannies who are providing the direct care to the girls. Please pray that Faith and Joy will feel the love of God through the staff and caregivers. Please pray that they will transition well to their new home at Good Samaritan. The children will be having visits with their birth family. Please pray for wisdom for the timing of these visits. Thank you for your prayers for Sidala-Faith and Tamandani-Joy.

*************************************

Answers to Questions:

1. Are they adoptable?

No, at this point the birth-family is not willing to relinquish the girls for adoption. Malawi does not have an open international-adoption program. The current long term plan is for the children to remain at Good Samaritan. But in our hearts, we hope that the Lord will one day open the door for the girls to know the love and care of a forever family through the miracle of adoption.

2. How can I help?

• Pray- for their health, their transition, their emotional and spiritual well-being, the nannies and staff, for financial support, their birth-family

• Care Packages- There are items that can not be easily purchased in Malawi. These items must be shipped. For more information on the care packages please click here.

• Financial Support- Malawi is going through a great famine. The cost of food and fuel is outrageous. Good Samaritan can not afford to provide for these girls. Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith must be independently supported in order to remain at Good Samaritan. The funding for the girls will be managed by Missionary John Fullford who is full-time on the field.

If you feel lead to give, please send your tax deductible donation to:

Bible Baptist Church
Attn: Good Samaritan Orphanage
32 Adak Ave
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Please make the check payable to “Bible Baptist Church”
On the memo portion of the check please write “orphan twins”

Thank your for your prayers and support!

Daughters of My Heart

This morning Tamandi-Joy and Sidala-Faith officially became members of the Good Samaritan orphanage. The transition went well. One of the grandmothers really broke down, but was still very grateful for this opportunity. Tamandani-Joy was frightened of the vehicle (bless her heart) and both girls were very hungry. I talked to the Thandie and the girls and things are going well. The girls had been fed and were preparing for a bath. I am so very grateful to all of you for your prayers and donations to help us bring these girls this far.


******Tamandani-Joy*************Sidala Faith*************

Dear Tamandani-Joy and Sidala-Faith,

My heart is heavy today as always to kiss your precious faces and hold your sweet little bodies in my arms. I know God has big plans for your little lives and I hope to always be some part of it. Although you may never physically or legally be ours you are indeed the daughters of my heart. I will pray for you, support you, love you, and advocate for you like any other child we have. I carry your needs in my heart and whisper them as prayers daily. Whatever your futures hold, always know you are prayed for, you are loved, you are treasured, you are adored, and you are always in our thoughts. I love you two more than you will probably ever be able to comprehend and I am so grateful for you both. You precious girls have the most amazing father anyone can have for you as are first and foremost daughters of the KING. May you always feel loved, safe, nurtured and spiritually full.

I love you!

******************************

Special Thanks,

Again I just want to take the opportunity to thank the Gentry's and the Fullford's for their willingness to allow the girls to have a safe and nurturing enviornment to grow and be loved. Thanks to Thandie for overseeing all the daily living and supervision of the girls and and their nannies. And of course Aunt Chrissie who supports us any way she needs to. We love all of you and thank God for you and your help.

Again I am humbled and amazed by a God who moves mountains and by allowing us to serve Him by loving and supporting these precious little souls (His children).

*********************************

Please continue to pray for these girls and all the support they will be needing. I will try to update often and hope to talk to the girls often as phone connections permit.

5 Year Gotcha Anniversary

5 years ago today Amelia joined our family. She had already joined our hearts, but we were so grateful to finally have her in our arms. Click here to read the details about this great day.

My 'Amy girl" has it really been five years? I can not believe it has been that long I still can not believe we we have not always had you. You continue to amaze with your your funny sayings and view of the world. I am so grateful that God gave you to us. I am in awe of the blessings you have brought to our lives. I love seeing you try new things and grow into such a beautiful smart young lady. I love that as you learn how to fall as much as you skate but you just keep getting up!! i love your determination and cannot wait to see how far in life it will take you. I love that you think boys are gross and you say you are never getting married (that will not last long!!) because you do not want to kiss a boy. ewhhh There are just too may things I love about you to list but mostly sweet girl I love you more than words can say!!

PS Amy is a girl scout this year if anybody is craving cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on the girls

We got word this morning that one of the nannies has been hired for the twins. She starts tomorrow. We are thrilled to hear this news because it’s another step closer to bringing the children to Good Samaritan. It has been difficult to find a nanny that can read and write. Thandie found a nanny last week that had a wonderful testimony and heart for the Lord however she couldn’t recognize any numbers or letters. This can cause a safety issue for the twins. They need to have a nanny that can take accurate readings of their temperatures especially during malaria season. The girls will be drinking powdered milk and formula that will need to be measured requiring basic math skills. There will need to be records kept of the children’s daily progress as well as long-term weight gain. We were also hoping the children would have the opportunity to be taught preschool skills. We also are praying that the Lord provides Nannies that are trust worthy, patient and loving towards the twins. Thandie is pleased with this first nanny and is interviewing another prospect tomorrow. We are hoping for at least two nannies. The missionary would like to see three nannies available so that there would be coverage during vacations and emergencies.

The nanny that will be starting tomorrow will assist in the cleaning and room prepartion for the twins. They will be staying in the same room as Savannah-Hope but needs to be adjusted to accomidate two toddlers. We are hearing that the twins should be moved next week.

Thank you for continually praying for Tamandani and Sidala. Our current prayer requests include:

Securing their nannies
That the Lord would prepare their hearts for the move
Their health
Their financial support as well as supplies.