Monday, May 30, 2011

Sun., May 29th - Dedication Sunday!

Max was dedicated in church today! HOORAY! Annie went forward with us since she is a member of the church and such an active part in his life. Max immediately took a dive for Pastor Ron - he absolutely loves him! Ron tried to handle Max, a mic, his Bible, his glasses,... it was kinda commical. I was able to relieve P.Ron for a little while, but Max wanted to go back to him. Next thing - Max reached up and planted a big wet one right on Ron! It was really sweet. Pastor even said, "if you hanen't gotten to meet Max or haven't had one of his kisses...". This was followed by a wonderful service. It was great!

The afternoon just kinda flew by - lunch, dishes, laundry, nap,... then got Annie back to church for youth group. Now, time for bed. Bunches to do tomorrow!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Sat., May 28th - La Cucaracha!

Happy Birthday to my friend, Robin!!! Other friends hosted a birthday party for her - a Mexican theme. I was excited - I can actually cook Mexican! But, then I looked in my pantry. Uh, oh. Missing many needed ingredients. I told Annie that if I couldn't find enough ingredients to throw the cassarole together, then I'd just make green beans. "But Mom, green beens aren't mexican." Before I could stop them, the words "I'll sing La Cucaracha while they cook" came out of my mouth. She laughed so hard I thought I was going to have to administer resue breathing! The neighbors were saved from the dogs barking and the shreek of my horrible voice, and I was able to throw together a dish that was sufficient at best! I have some stocking up to do in my pantry.

Anyway, the party was so much fun! I always enjoy getting together with these friends! Max was a bit fussy until he discovered that he could open and close the kitchen cabinets. Then, he was entertained for an hour! Another wonderful and blessed day! Tomorrow is going to be a great day, too. Max is getting dedicated at church! God is great!

Friday, May 27th - Congratulations Class of 2011, but Excuse Me Please

Tonight was graduation. Whew, it's over. It all was going really well until I misnamed one of our board members and completely forgot to read an introduction given to me by my boss. Ugh! I try so hard and fall far short. Just thought I'd let everbody know, because come Tuesday morning I could be standing in the unemployment line with the graduates. I can here me now as I make my way passed them in line ... "congratulations, but excuse me." I'm kidding. I have a great boss who extends a lot of grace and gives people room to be human.

Annie and Max were both at graduation and did great! They are great kids and I am so blessed!

Thurs., May 26th - I'm Seeing Double!

As a school counselor, it is my responsibility to figure out who wins as valedictorian and salutatorian. Well, after much praying, panicing, trying to figure out where I went wrong - I didn't! We have two salutatiorians! Whew! And this wasn't the most stressful part of my day...I was able to miss two tornados!!! Annie wanted to come straight home after school rather than stay for athletic conditioning. I encouraged her to stay since I had a lot to do to get ready for graduation. We had nothing at the school, but everything looked terrible as we drove home. There were leaves all over the road, hail the size of baseballs, wind was whipping,... I told Annie, "it looks like a tornado went through here. Well, I was half right - TWO tornados had gone through our area. People's houses were damaged, our next door neighbor had a couple thousand dollar damage to each of their vehicles from the hail! Had we not stayed for conditioning, we would probably have been right in the middle of the danger. THANK YOU, JESUS!!! Max, in all of his childhood innocense, sang "la la la" all the way home - not a care in the world and had no idea the danger we had just missed. Annie, my little scientist, on the other hand was totally fascinated by the size of the hail and the whole tornado process. Me, well, I'm making an eye appointment - two salutatorians and two tornados, I THINK I'M SEEING DOUBLE! lol

Wed., May 25th - A Russian with a Southern Accent

Typical day at work - busy and a little more stressful than usual since graduation is this week. But, then I got to spend the evening with my kiddos. Annie is just precious and Max is sweet. I'm so blessed! My oldest daughter called. I put Max on the bed and answered the phone, "hello." Max immediately picked up the remote, held it to his ear and said "haaa." I have a Russian with a southern accent! How does that happen?! lol It was a good night. A busy day tomorrow...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tues., May 24th - You're pulling my leg...

Wow - it has been two months! I was quite spoiled in Russia by the high speed wireless internet. Now that I'm home, I only have dial-up. So, I have updates, however, they haven't make it into the computer. Rather than bore you with two months worth of daily updates (like any of us have time to read that much!), I'll simply do one update and then keep everybody current from here forward.

First, I want to explain the delays. I became very sick when we got home from Russia. I ended up fighting pneumonia for over a month, and then bronchitis and a horrible cough for over a week. Four antibiotics and a heavy duty cough syrup later, I am finally able to maintain a normal schedule. Up until now, I have worked and take care of the kids - that's it! I am now surrounded by laundry and dust, but it was worth it to invest what little energy I had into my kids. God has a way of allowing us to be slowed down, especially during the times when we think we should be going the fastest. Anyway, that is the biggest reason for the delay in updates.

Now to the imoportant stuff - Annie, Max, and I got home on Satuday, March 19th. Max was not much more than a manaquin at that point. He didn't eat, didn't drink, didn't go to the bathroom (probably for the previous two reasons), didn't babble, ... I could go on and on. I think he was only ever sponge bathed because he was absolutely terrified of the bathtub, which is now one of his favorite places to be. He acted as if he had never seen his feet before and he was hypersensitive to them being touched. He also didn't know that he had hair. At one point he accidentally pulled is own hair until it hurt - the look on his face was priceless!

Keep in mind, we took this little boy from everything he had ever known. His life basically consisted of the same restrictions that we put on our kids when they are sick, but without the nurturing. He spent his days in the orphanage, usually in three layers of blanket sleepers, on a soft diet of porridge and a strict schedule. His living conditions, as well as his diet, were both very bland.

Then these two strange people came along and we suddenly threw him into a world of "firsts". We put him in street clothes (a rarity in the orphanage), put him in a snow suit and coat, hat, boots, mittens (none of which he had ever had on), strapped him in a carseat, strapped that carseat in a car, took off at 55mph, strapped the carseat in a train, went to a strange apartment, was traumatized by a bath, and then put in a strange bed.

Now, well, let's see... he tries to dress himself, laughes, loves his bath, loves music and playing on the piano, laughes, tries to talk (is doing really well with mumma, hair, bye-bye, and mocking sounds), cruises around furniture and is trying to get up the courage to let go, laughes, oh, and did I mention that he laughes? lol He is such a happy baby and fits so well into our family. He sleeps in the car, enjoys music, and gets really excited when we go to church! I am so blessed!!!

Medically, Max is doing well, too. He was quite malnourished when we got home. He has gained about 8lbs, has completed his OT and Speech evals (still waiting on physical therapy and eye appointment), had perfect bloodwork, and the hole in heart grew closed. God is the healer of broken hearts in all ways!!!

So, as you can tell, life is just one blessing after another! Not just with Max, but Annie is fantastic, too. She is so special - I don't deserve her! Easter Sunday, Annie spent most of the day hopping around on one foot. I asked "what are you doing goofball?" Here's how the conversation went:
Annie: Practicing.
Mum: Forrr???
Annie: Well, you know how we were talking yesterday about donating our hair to Locks for Love...well, I was thinking. There have to be kids out there that don't have any legs and if I donate one of my legs and use a prosthesis then another kid could have my leg and use a prosthesis and that would be one less kid in a wheelchair.

Oh, her heart! Traveling to the other side of the world to what once was the most feared place on earth and bringing home a baby isn't enough - she wants to donate her limbs! She is such a testimony of faith and love, and I am daily challenged to live up to the maturity of her heart! I am so blessed!

Well, this is it in the nutshell. Feel free to ask questions. I have been blessed to be able to share our testimony with several different church groups. This is always good for me - it reminds me of who is in control, where we've come from, and how blessed we truly are. I am the luckiest mum in the world!