Humor

I can't always catch the funny things my kids do that I'd like to cherish forever. But today this got me good.

I have been preparing my kids on how to set the table and put Wyatt up on a step stool in the sink to wash strawberries for breakfast. Lucy on the task of cleaning and setting the table. 

Then there it was...

Just take a wild guess at where he sits! 

Totally hilarious. The sad part is when I asked him why I only get one strawberry and daddy and Lucy get two, him 4? He laughed! 

Little booger:)

Kindergarten

Today my sweet Lucy came home from school with this photo in her back pack.

There isn't a day that passes as I drop her off at school that I don't pray for her. She truly has changed my life forever!

Kind, smart, sweet and so good hearted. 

Her presence in my life, our marriage and our home is indescribable.

For now I am just going to enjoy this special time ( kindergarten year) with her!

I thank God for being so blessed.

Perfect!

A month ago Lucy ran over Wyatt's foot with a bicycle and he cried and told me "mom, my foot no working"!

So off to the ER we went. It turned out to be just a sprain and miraculously within two hours the kid made a full recovery.

Running thru the yard! Ugh. $100 copay down the drain.

Two weeks ago I received a call from the physical therapist at Wyatt's school that he fell off the small one person trampoline during his session and hurt his right arm, didn't  cry but said it hurt. My response was passive and thanked her for calling.

A day later he had an outpatient procedure unrelated and recovered without any pain medication. Tough dude!

For 10 days he eat, drank, colored and played with his right arm, no complaints. The following week during therapy I received another phone call to state that something is wrong with his arm. 

So having a follow up appointment for the procedure the next morning I didn't bother going to the ER!

Dr suggested an X-ray, then the verdict! Right arm is broken. Off to the orthopedic! 

Oh did I mention the night before I sent him to gymnastics and he cried? Yup. After ten minutes the teacher and I agreed to remove him from class. I not only lectured him the entire way home for being a brat, cry baby and other words but reprimanded him at home as well for wasting my time and money! 

Mother of the year! 

Feeling pretty good about myself I was encouraged all week but nearly everyone I told stating a similar story but still felt bad.

Today Wyatt came home from church to tell me that he learned gods ways are perfect and that he has a plan for me. 

Brought me to tears! Even when we mess up, fail and are humbly reminded of how we are all sinners, God loves me and has a plan for me. I love how his timing is perfect! All better now:)

You found me "home"

Last fall my idea of knitting items to sell came out of somewhat a desperation to raise money for our trip to get Wyatt.

I had a friend at work Elyse who asked me to make her a couple of gifts, then within a few days of that another friend gave me a box of cloths that her son grew out of. (marie Bond) one of the tags on the shirt read "you found me"!

Right there in what would soon to be my sons bedroom closet I broke down and cried. As adoptive moms would know the emotional ups and down of the process take the best of you.

As the idea of knitting gifts for donations came into play I raised a total of $3,700.

thank you to all the friends, family and random strangers who supported my mission. In addition to a couple of friends who helped me knit.

February our mission was accomplished and with only Gods hand in it Wyatt was found and brought home to our forever family. As the last 6 months played out I have truthfully become a little sad that our family is complete. The adoption road has a closed sign :(

So if you know me this is not how it should end!

I began knitting and for a new purpose. To pay it forward! I have decided to donate 50 + headbands to each family that I know in the paper process who could use the financial support. If they sell all 50 that would bring in a little over $500 each. A little help can go a long way! Maybe pay for a passport, visa or part of a plane ticket home:)

Today I delivered a starting package to my first family! My heart is full.

If you get a change to "like" my face book page You Found Me and share I really appreciate it.

Also keep me in mind if you can knit and want to help, want me to send you a box to sell or want to donate yarn. I'll look forward to hearing from you:)

Wyatt starts preschool

Today Wyatt started preschool. I have been preparing him for this for months. Honestly being concerned by him not behaving and having a meltdown in the parking lot going to be my prediction.

So what if his back pack is bigger than 

than him... He loves it because his name is on it! 

So the day was a success. Lucy and I laughed because it was so smooth and easy and he was so happy! What a blessing.

Tonight at dinner he told us his favorite part of school was getting to pee in these really little baby toilets. He is hilarious!

The best part is that I got it all on video.

Minnesota friends:)

Three and a half years ago Brad, Michelle and their son Jackson Wiger from Minnesota boarded a plane for China to adopt their son Joshua. We met them in Beijing with several other families. Instantly we connected with these complete strangers. Funny how a little word called adoption brings a common bond that no one can explain.

The trip was a success and we said our goodbyes. All 7-8 families departed Hong Kong back to america with their children. It has been so fun following FB and blogs seeing what progress a little love can do in the life of an orphan. And deep down I am sure all families want to  have a reunion one day.

A few weeks ago Michelle contacted me stating their family was relocating to North Carolina and that they were passing thru our part of Ohio. Instantly I got excited to see them again and an invite was extended.

What is kind of special that I never got to share with Brad or Michelle until now is that from the moment I met Joshua I instantly was drawn to him. Something back then spoke to my heart about wanting a son. Who knew this bucket head would be a result of that

This Saturday night they arrived at our house. My kids along with her two boys ran thru our yard roasting marshmallows, playing football, fishing and blowing bubbles like they have known each other forever!

We can't wait to see them on our way to Florida. My kids already miss them!

I loved every minute of my time catching up. So so fun. Here are a few photos of the visit!

Ear

I wouldn't normally share such personal info but I have felt led to , just so others may be encouraged to dive in.

Almost 4 years ago we reviewed and accepted a referral of a beautiful 2 and 1/2 year old girl named You Meng Ke. When we considered a special needs child we actually had a check list of medical issues to either accept or refuse. I remember reading it and the things that bothered me didn't remotely bother john and vise versa. Hours and possibly days it took us to get through it. When Microtia an ear deformity came up we agreed to accepting a minor outer ear issue but nothing more. I felt a bit uncomfortable thinking we were like ordering Girl Scout cookies or something! 

As most of you know our understanding of you Meng Ke was that she could hear normally out of her small special ear. To me it looks like a tootsie roll:) I love it. There is not a day that goes by that I don't tell her that God made her special. To which her response is almost always, " I know mom"!!

Fast forward You Meng Ke is now Lucy Brown and while getting her kindergarten  physical she fails a basic hearing test. With some question to weather or not she hears there is no question in my mind that she does and perfectly. No speech problems, doesn't speak loud and certainly after 3 years of preschool has never had a concern. In addition, she loves to wear ear phones and listen to music on my iPhone.

So last week a referral to the ENT, then after kinda passing but failing her testing we are sent to find out for sure by getting a CAT scan.

Verdict is in and yesterday he reports that she does NOT hear,she has no ear drum.

Hmm. Gulp! Sick? Want to cry...

As I humbly drove home I questioned Lucy to how she was doing. Her response was so eye opening. She literally didn't understand that anything was wrong. Then it dawned on me that she doesn't know any different and surly doesn't feel sorry for herself.

I drove home in silence. Questioned God and wondered what good could come of this news. What Joy?

Then just as the days sun, the answer. If we knew she couldn't hear on the referral report we most likely wouldn't have accepted her file. That's the honest truth.

There is not a doubt in my mind that God 's plan was perfect. Lucy is our daughter and what could be more beautiful than us loving her just the way that she is. Wow! We would have missed out on her beauty, her gentle way of bringing so much joy to our marriage and our home. In addition, we only pursued Wyatt because of Lucy and the positive experience we had.  God knew and had that planned and in that I am filled to the top with Joy!

This Monday is her 6th Birthday. Naturally every year this week I think of her Birth mom. I think of how brave she was to chose life and follow through with giving this child away. I wish there was a way she could know that she is safe, loved and part of our family. What a gift. We are so fortunate, so blessed and surly  grateful!