Growing Pains & Hidden Disabilities

For the last year I've been having this internal struggling between keeping my children's lives as normal as possible and at the same time keeping them safe.  I am particularly struggling as my children move into their pre-teen years and their hidden disabilities become more evident. 

I have a daughter who for those looking from the outside see a typically developing 11 year old.  However, if you get to know her a little more you will discover that her social and play skills are that of a 6-7 year old.  Her cognitive skills are at the same level but her decision making skills are even further behind.

Last year it was easy to hold her back a year in the children's program at church.  Our church also has a great program for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Here is where I struggle.  Do I place her in the group for individuals with disabilities or send her to the middle school group with peers her age?

We have always taught our children to treat their siblings and others with respect and dignity.  Our children are taught to help those that need help.  They are taught that God created all people and each one has gifts and talents to share. (sometimes I need to listen to my own lesson)

Here is what I LOVE about my children.  They really do care about each other and want to see each other succeed.  My 12 year old daughter knows that my 11 year old really wants to do what everyone else is doing.  She overheard a conversation between my husband and I and she volunteered to help her sister out if she goes up to middle school. 

So in the fall I will take a big leap of faith and send her to the middle school group knowing she will have the wonderful church staff and a watchful big sister looking after her.

Lifesong "Mission Moment"

Faith. Family. Home.In caring for orphans, our hope is to instil faith, family and a sense of home deep into the hearts of every child we are blessed to serve. Please enjoy this month's Mission Moment highlighting the fruit of God's work through us.

Baptized in the Name of the ONE True God...

In a country where the worship of many gods is commonplace, lives of children are being changed and transformed by the working of Jesus Christ, the ONE true God. Lifesong India provides homes for almost 600 children who are all being exposed to the gospel of our loving, merciful and kind Father God.
Baptism has always been a powerful symbol of Christianity. This symbol is especially notable in this culture because through this outward testimony of faith, children are publicly turning away from false gods to rely only on Jesus! Witness the baptism of the girls from one of our homes below. Learn more about Lifesong India >>

"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38 

Building Children's Home in Guatemala

It's exciting to see the progress of our new orphan care initiative in Guatemala. Construction has started on the family homes that will one day invite orphans with special needs into their doors to give faith, family and a future to children in need. Thanks to many of you for your support in this exciting new project!

Please continue to pray for safety and wisdom as construction continues. Learn more about Lifesong Guatemala: Village of Hope >>

Read more about Faith, Family & Home...

Orphans in Ukraine Find Forever Families -- Through Adoption with Borders, like-minded families and churches in the USA connect with Christian families in Ukraine who are seeking to adopt.  Read Full Story

Planting Spiritual Seeds in Liberia -- Our aim is to help children develop a personal relationship with the Lord and to keep that relationship growing.  Read Full Story

Mehesh, A Life Changed -- "I don't want to think about what my life would be like if I didn't have the opportunity to live at that home (Chitty Memorial Home in Lifesong India)..." Read full story

Help Reece's Rainbow win $50,000

We have two children with Down Syndrome through adoption. We are so grateful to Reece's Rainbow and their ministry to help orphans with Down Syndrome.

This beautiful young lady has written a song about her siblings with Down Syndrome. She wants to donate $50,000 to help more children with Down Syndrome to find families.  If she gets 700,000 hits on her video she wins $50,000 for Reece's Rainbow. You can read more about her quest to win $50,000 for Reece's Rainbow HERE.

New ShowHope Video

Blessed to be Called Mother

I wanted to say "THANK YOU" for voting for Jacob to receive a handicap accessible van.  Today is the last day of voting.  If you have not voted you can go to the Mobility Awareness Site and vote before midnight.  If this is your first time voting for Jacob you can also use the dealer code 968 to get extra votes for Jacob.  You can only use the dealer code on your first vote.  If you have already voted using the dealer code you can still vote but not with extra votes.  

Tomorrow we should find out if Jacob made it into the top 10% of vote getters.  If he is in the top 10% he will move to the next round, where a committee will choose THREE people to receive handicap accessible vans.  These winners will be announced on national television!  Please be praying for this committee over the next couple of days.  I know that this has to be a very hard decision.  There are so many deserving people out there who really NEED handicap accessible transportation.

picture by Nina Mullins Photography

Today is Mother's Day.  I am so honored to be called mother by my children.  All of my children have touched my heart, each in their own way.  However, Jacob has touched my life in a way that I don't think anyone else could.  God does not make any mistakes and Jacob is no exception.  The joy in this child is indescribable unless you meet him in person.  Joy that can only come from our Heavenly Father pours from the depths of his soul.

Let me tell you why this is so amazing to me.  Jacob has quadraplegia cerebral palsy.  When he was about 6-9 months old, he was living in an orphanage, his health drastically deteriorated.  At the time they had no idea why.  When we saw his picture we just knew he would not survive if he was not adopted soon.  It was not until we got him home did we find out that Jacob was a living miracle.  Mind you Jacob was born in a third world country.  His very young mother lived in a very remote village and probably received no medical care.  Jacob's brain did not completely form.  He has a large cleft on one side of his brain.  The remainder of his brain did not completely form outward.

Jacob is unable to sit without full support.  He can hold his head up for a short time unassisted.  Jacob is also nonverbal.  He requires total care.  Jacob's neurologist said that Jacob should also be blind, deaf, on a feeding tube and have seizures.  Here is the amazing part!  Jacob is not blind.  Jacob is not deaf.  Jacob has never had a seizure.  Jacob is eating from a bottle and has just started eating baby foods.  Jacob is taking steps using a very special walker that fully supports his body. 

Now for the most amazing part but also the part that breaks my heart the most.  Remember Jacob's brain?  It is not all there.  BUT I have been talking with Jacob's therapist recently about his progress.  Jacob is almost developmentally on target cognitively for a four year old.   Did you hear that?  Jacob is cognitively a typical four year old boy.  Here is the part that breaks my heart.  Jacob is a typical cognitively developing four year old stuck in his on body.  Can you imagine being completely aware of everything going on around you but unable to move or speak?  Can you imagine knowing what you want or need but unable to tell anyone?  Seriously, I am bawling just typing that.

Here is where Jacob inspires me the most.  He is such a strong little boy.  He works so hard during therapy.  You can just see his determination.  He has learned how to communicate with eye gaze and grunts.  He very rarely gets frustrated.  Did I mention the absolute joy that just bubbles out of him?  If you have ever met Jacob in person you will never forget the smile on this kid's face.  Oh, the laughter.  He starts laughing and it is just contagious.  He loves life.  Every part of it.  I am so blessed to be called his mother.  God is so good!!

Mother's Day Challenge

Mother’s Day is this Sunday.  There are some extra special mothers out there that I would challenge you to remember this Mother’s Day.  These are mothers that have chosen to love those who everyone else has turned away.  A typical day may consist of being yelled at, being bitten, and kicked.  Very rarely will they hear a “Thank You” or “I Love You”.  They are on-call 24 hours a day, this is not an 8-5 job.  They are up all hours of the night holding children that are having night terrors.  Some of these mothers are parenting medically fragile children.  Every day these mothers deal with the reality of death, but also the beauty of life.  What an emotional roller coaster!  They are in the trenches, loving and healing children with the love of God. 

They are not just moms, but during a 24 hour period they may also become advocates, nurses, teachers, pharmacists, therapists, dietitian and more.  They wear many hats!  I am talking about mothers who have adopted or are fostering children that are hard to place.  These moms are humble and they never ask for recognition, in fact, it probably makes them uncomfortable.

If you know one of these moms consider making Mother’s Day a little extra special for them this year.  I bet they would be overjoyed just to get a note of encouragement.  Maybe a gift card to pamper herself?  Maybe a gift basket of items just for her?  Chocolate?  I have a feeling you can take it from there and come up with some great ideas.

Help Jacob Get New Wheels

I entered Jacob into a contest last month to win a handicap accessible van.  You can read my post about the contest HERE.

The contest is in honor of National Mobility Month.  The first round of the contest ends on May 13th.  We need to be in the top 10% of vote getters in order to move to the second round of the competition.  We are so very close to being in the top 10%.  This would be a HUGE blessing for Jacob and our family. 

All you have to do is go to this SITE and vote for Jacob.  You can vote once every 24 hours through this Sunday May 13th.  If you use dealer code "968" on your first vote Jacob will receive 5 VOTES instead of just one.  This only works ONE time.

For people with mobility issues a huge obstacle in gaining independence is transportation.  Take our sweet Jacob for example.  Jacob received a fancy new wheelchair last year.  It supports him in all the right places and is super durable.  It is also able to hold his communication system.  However, Jacob is only able to use this wheelchair when he is at home.  There is not a lot of storage space in the back of our van and his wheelchair is super heavy.  For that reason Jacob is currently using his old stroller type chair when we are away from the house.  This poor chair has about had it!  Jacob has broken it 3 or 4 times.  We have had to place brackets on the back to keep it from breaking further.  This chair is not very supportive and frankly too small.  What a blessing it would be if Jacob could use his super duper big boy wheelchair ALL the time!

Love this little guy!

picture by Nina Mullins Photography

Jacob is my HERO

This is Jacob at 10 months of age when we received his referral.  Jacob weighed just 10 pounds and was on the verge of death.  I still cry every time I look at this picture.  I cannot picture my son like this. 

This is my Jacob almost four years later.

He is a survivor and a fighter.  Although Jacob is non-verbal he continues to make strides in communication.  He is using eye gaze and grunts to say yes or no.  He is working with a communication device on the ipad to begin more advanced communication.  He does not give up. He is working really hard to control his body and gain controlled movement.  He is starting to roll over and is walking with a supportive walker for a short amount of time.  He is beating the odds and doing it with great joy.  This is why Jacob is my hero!

Last fall Jacob got a wonderful sturdy wheelchair that gives him the support his body needs. The picture is of him in his new chair.  Unfortunately, this chair does not fit into our passenger van so when we go out he uses an old stroller type wheelchair that is too small for him and that also does not give him the support he needs.  He is getting too big for his car seat and it would be safer for him to remain in his wheelchair during transport.

I am entering Jacob is a contest to win a handicap accessible van. National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association is giving away handicap accessible vans as part of National Mobility Month.  Click on the link below to vote for "Jacob Maas" beginning April 10th.  When you vote use dealer code 968 to get Jacob extra votes.

 Life Moving Forward

Jacob is the most joy filled child you will meet.  Very rarely will you find him without a big smile on his face.  Thanks for taking time to go vote for my hero!

New Pictures and Package for Lily

How cute is she?

I love getting to send our new children a package introducing their new family. 

Here are the contents of Lily's package.

Moving Forward but Never Forgetting

Thank you for all your kind words of sympathy.  It may seem strange to those who are not adoptive parents but you do begin to attach with your child as soon as you see their picture.  You dream about "gotcha day".  The first time they smile at you.  The first time they allow you to touch them without screaming.  The first time they let you console them.  The first time they fall asleep in your arms.  It is in so many ways like seeing your birth child in your ultrasound for the first time.  Then, for months you dream about the day you will meet your baby. 

The kids all dealt with Daniel's death in their own little way.  They are all very sensitive and caring.  I will never forget Ethan's response.  He was very quiet and I could see tears in his eyes.  He walked to his room and a few minutes later he came out with a small piece of paper and pencil.  He sat down very quietly and intently at the kitchen counter.  He began to draw.  Then he asked how to spell Daniel.  He handed me the small piece of paper and said he wanted to send it to the people who were with Daniel.  He had drawn a picture of himself, Daniel, and Jesus.  He drew a big sunshine on the next page.  I can only think he was drawing the moment they would meet in Heaven. 

We are praying that God will send us another little boy to love.  I dare not get my hopes up.  We had seen Daniel's picture for the first time five months ago and were still waiting on his file in order to proceed with the adoption.  This is a unique relationship between our adoption agency and this orphanage.  Because of this relationship our agency knows the children and has pictures before they receive the actual file.  There are a couple of little boys on our agency's list, one that I have been smitten with from the beginning.  Unfortunately, they are ones the agency has not received files on.  Since we have already commited to Lily we have a time restraint in which we can add a second child.  We know that it will all work in God's perfect timing.  Trying to keep myself busy and not think about it.

Great Sadness

During the course of our many adoptions we have experienced several lost referrals.  Although it was frustrating, I never really felt grief or sadness about loosing a referral.  We knew for whatever reason God had a plan for our family and we were trusting in Him.  This week we experienced a different kind of loss.

Many of you do not know that we have actually been in the process of adopting TWO children.  We could not announce our referral of Daniel until we were given approval by China to adopt him.  Daniel was 10 months old and also had Down Syndrome.  Friday I received a call from our adoption agency, our baby Daniel had passed away.  I never expected to feel so much sadness.  Although we had never met him, he was already a part of our family.   We loved him.  Many tears have been shed.  The one thing that brings us peace is knowing that Daniel is now in the arms of his Heavenly Father.  We can’t wait to meet him some day in Heaven.

Another picture of sweet Lily

Now that we have pre-approval we can send our Lily a package. 

 I love being able to send our new kids a little something from their forever family.

Somehow it just makes it feel a little more real.

Where to begin? 

Back in October I followed a link from a friends facebook page. 

I called JUST to ask some questions. 

Husband and I talked and prayed. 

God confirmed our decision in some big ways!

WE

HAVE

PA(pre-approval) from China

Disney Wish Trip 2011 - Part 3

SPOILER ALERT!!!!  If you don't want to know secrets behind the Disney Christmas Parade do not read this post.





We happened to be at Disney the weekend they were filming the annual Disney Christmas Parade.  Yes, you heard me right the Christmas Parade does not actually happen on Christmas Day.  It is taped during the month of November to allow for proper editing.  Taping is an ALL day affair.  It is a tedious process and they film the same section several times.  The taped version on Christmas morning is definitely more magical! Christmas morning see if you can catch a glimpse of us on the parade route.  There were so many cameras there is no way to know if we were actually taped. 

Disney Wish Trip - Part 2

We spend six days wondering around the Disney Theme parks.  The kids had a blast and Sera's face was priceless when she met the Princesses.  She also fell in love with Mickey & Minnie Mouse.  We were able to attend two special Christmas event while we were there; the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional which was narrated by Michael W. Smith. 

Disney Wish Trip 2011 Part 1

We chose to take Sera's wish trip during the holiday season so that Sera would be able to experience all the lights and decorations at Disney. Well, Siemen's heard about Sera's story and decided they wanted to do something special for Sera. On one night of our trip Sera was given the honor of turning on the Christmas lights at the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Siemen's at the Disney Hollywood Studios Park.   We are so grateful to Siemens, Disney, and Give Kids the World for making our trip unforgetable.

It was a very special night and Sera was treated like a princess!

Legoland in Florida

Last week we traveled to Florida for Sera's trip from The Lexington Dream Factory. We spent nine days in the Orlando area. I am going to start posting pictures from our trip. The below pictures are a day trip we took to Legoland. The kids had so much fun there and the adults were amazed by the lego creations.