Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1 Year Later....
Today we celebrated ONE YEAR with our beautiful daughter. You can go back and read our thoughts on that day, but one year out, we are even more grateful to the Lord for leading us on this journey. Ashley is a joy and a blessing...and fits right in here at home with her sisters. God has taught us so much through this process and we are STILL learning things! This much we know is true....she is home and she is loved. As much as we love her, the Lord loves her that much more. We cannot wait to see all the ways that He uses her and all our girls, for His glory! If you come across this blog and want to contact us, you can email us at rebsandhogs@juno.com. We'd love to share our story and encourage others that feel like God is calling them to adopt. One thing we know for sure, God blesses obedience and had we not listened and obeyed, we would have missed out on the blessing of this child. We cannot imagine our lives without you Ashley Mel!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Onto the next leg.....
As we close this part of Ashley's journey home, there are so many things that need to be said. When Jay and I began to seriously discuss adoption two years ago...we never could have imagined the road that was before us. One thing was for sure. We were scared, excited, anxious, and totally unprepared for what was to come. One thing we did know...God was calling us to this mission and He had never led us down a path we ever regretted.
Exactly two years ago to this day, we sent off for the information packet from American World Adoption. It arrived on April 18, 2007, and shortly after that, the Lord spoke to us through this verse:
"Now the God of Peace, who raised Jesus from the dead, will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, and HE will get the glory." Heb. 13:21
So much Truth!
He was the God of Peace, ....even when we waited and waited for our LOA.... He equiped us to do His will...financially, HE provided every dime we needed....that which is pleasing in His sight....God commands us to take care of orphans, and is a Father to the Fatherless...and HE will get the glory....it has always been our desire that GOD would get the glory thru this process, and I believe He has!!!
Over and over we have seen the hand of the Lord, guiding and protecting us, even when we had HARD days. Adoption is not for the weak! People are constantly asking me, "was it a hard process to adopt?" That is a tough one to answer, because I want to be honest, but I don't want to scare someone from being open to adoption! So most of the time, I simply answer, "Yes, it was a long a difficult process, but totally worth it!"
People also ask us if we will ever do it again someday. Honestly, at this point we feel our family is complete. But we are totally open to whatever the Lord has planned for us. We have been SO SO blessed by the miracle of adoption, and for now, feel like God has given us a platform to tell people about these precious children and communicate His desire to place them in families.
This blog will continue to remain open in the hope that someone will read it and consider what their family can do for the orphans in this world. By some estimates, in China alone, there could be as many as 3 million children without a family to love them.
The "starfish" poem that is used over and over, may sound a little cliche, but as the story goes.....the man was walking down the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean....faced with thousands of starfish, a passerby asks him why he is throwing them back when there are so so so many....what difference does it make??
His reply....."it made a difference for this one...."
"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family,
Exactly two years ago to this day, we sent off for the information packet from American World Adoption. It arrived on April 18, 2007, and shortly after that, the Lord spoke to us through this verse:
"Now the God of Peace, who raised Jesus from the dead, will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, and HE will get the glory." Heb. 13:21
So much Truth!
He was the God of Peace, ....even when we waited and waited for our LOA.... He equiped us to do His will...financially, HE provided every dime we needed....that which is pleasing in His sight....God commands us to take care of orphans, and is a Father to the Fatherless...and HE will get the glory....it has always been our desire that GOD would get the glory thru this process, and I believe He has!!!
Over and over we have seen the hand of the Lord, guiding and protecting us, even when we had HARD days. Adoption is not for the weak! People are constantly asking me, "was it a hard process to adopt?" That is a tough one to answer, because I want to be honest, but I don't want to scare someone from being open to adoption! So most of the time, I simply answer, "Yes, it was a long a difficult process, but totally worth it!"
People also ask us if we will ever do it again someday. Honestly, at this point we feel our family is complete. But we are totally open to whatever the Lord has planned for us. We have been SO SO blessed by the miracle of adoption, and for now, feel like God has given us a platform to tell people about these precious children and communicate His desire to place them in families.
This blog will continue to remain open in the hope that someone will read it and consider what their family can do for the orphans in this world. By some estimates, in China alone, there could be as many as 3 million children without a family to love them.
The "starfish" poem that is used over and over, may sound a little cliche, but as the story goes.....the man was walking down the beach throwing starfish back into the ocean....faced with thousands of starfish, a passerby asks him why he is throwing them back when there are so so so many....what difference does it make??
His reply....."it made a difference for this one...."
"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family,
that you have brought me this far?"
2 Samuel 7:18
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thanks so much!
Thanks for all of you that emailed me about the header....you are all so sweet to respond and be willing to help! The blog is *almost* done and i'm looking at Friday to stop posting on this one. That gives you a few days to email me and ask for the address...I will not be posting it here, but it will not be private, either. If you are a part of the AWAA WC yahoo group, I'll post it there and if you read the other blog (confessions) then i'll post it there as well. And maybe on facebook...still thinking that one over. Check back for a wrap up post (maybe a few:) as we close this chapter in our journey!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
MRI...and Ashley, what does the tiger say????
Thanks for your prayers, everything went very well!! We were VERY (long story) concerned about her having the MRI at our local hospital....they are the most UNfriendly hospital for children I've ever been in....but God answered prayers and put the most wonderful people in our path all morning long. Where have these people been??!!!
The MRI itself lasted about 2 hours because they spent the first 45 getting an IV inserted...which they never accomplished after trying....are you ready for this?? NINETEEN times. YES she was already sedated with gas and felt nothing....but she has 19 little places on her hands (6 in each), feet, ankles, and forearms....they used her like a baby pin cushion! She's all bruised up over it all.
However, she came out of recovery great, and wanted mama, and snuggled in and didn't blame me for anything!! I was very concerned about all our great attachment/trust progress and that it was going to be washed down the drain....but the Lord covered her heart and she was oh so happy to be with mama and daddy afterwards.
We haven't been told anything that they saw, as it was a Friday. I'll update when I can! Thanks for the prayers!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Prayer Need and a Request
Hey Friends!
Just a quick note to say that Ashley will be having an MRI of her spine in the morning at 7am. It's just to see what was done before she came to us, and check the condition of the surgical site from her repair in China. She will be sedated so that is a good thing...but I always get nervous anytime they have to put my children "under" so prayers would be appreciated for me too :)
Also, I am in need of someone to make me a header for the new blog. The person that was going to do it originally cannot, and i've surfed the web for someone to do it....but all the really good people have a TWO month waiting list!! So if you are good at this, and wouldn't mind helping me out, please let me know!! I am TERRIBLE at stuff like that :) I'd actually like a total re-do but I know that takes hours and right now I am really, really wanting to open it up....it already has posts:)
Thanks, in advance, for going to the Father for us!
Just a quick note to say that Ashley will be having an MRI of her spine in the morning at 7am. It's just to see what was done before she came to us, and check the condition of the surgical site from her repair in China. She will be sedated so that is a good thing...but I always get nervous anytime they have to put my children "under" so prayers would be appreciated for me too :)
Also, I am in need of someone to make me a header for the new blog. The person that was going to do it originally cannot, and i've surfed the web for someone to do it....but all the really good people have a TWO month waiting list!! So if you are good at this, and wouldn't mind helping me out, please let me know!! I am TERRIBLE at stuff like that :) I'd actually like a total re-do but I know that takes hours and right now I am really, really wanting to open it up....it already has posts:)
Thanks, in advance, for going to the Father for us!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Can't Fix Stupid
Yes, I said stupid, and No we don't allow our girls to say that word but I'm assuming that not many small children are reading this so I said it. Stupid.
Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate Avery making the honor roll!! yeah Avery! This is normal for her, however, with missing a total of 14 days of school to go to China and having to make up a zillion tests....it was cause for a celebration! She has worked so hard and we are very proud!
Now back to stupid.
We got the normal questions...Are they all yours? FOUR girls? *grin*
Then she came. The waitress. Here was one for the ages....
"So are ya'll doing that thing on TV where you like, sponsor a child for $15 a month...is she one of those kids?"
Really. Really? Ya'll I was good. I could have seriously come back with something sooooo sassy...
(yeah, she's just 15 bucks a month and we can send her back whenever we want...you should do it!! It's so much fun!! Make a difference...they actually let you go and GET the child you sponsor!!")
I wasn't sassy...there were children around and you know, they watch how I react to *STUPID* questions. Praise Jesus Ashley isn't old enough to understand what they're saying. Yet.
"No, she is our daughter and the Lord led us to China to get her....isn't she just the cutest thing? Now could you bring us some more rolls please?"
Can't fix Stupid. But with the Lord's grace and some "Holy Duct Tape" (ash), maybe we can educated it.
Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate Avery making the honor roll!! yeah Avery! This is normal for her, however, with missing a total of 14 days of school to go to China and having to make up a zillion tests....it was cause for a celebration! She has worked so hard and we are very proud!
Now back to stupid.
We got the normal questions...Are they all yours? FOUR girls? *grin*
Then she came. The waitress. Here was one for the ages....
"So are ya'll doing that thing on TV where you like, sponsor a child for $15 a month...is she one of those kids?"
Really. Really? Ya'll I was good. I could have seriously come back with something sooooo sassy...
(yeah, she's just 15 bucks a month and we can send her back whenever we want...you should do it!! It's so much fun!! Make a difference...they actually let you go and GET the child you sponsor!!")
I wasn't sassy...there were children around and you know, they watch how I react to *STUPID* questions. Praise Jesus Ashley isn't old enough to understand what they're saying. Yet.
"No, she is our daughter and the Lord led us to China to get her....isn't she just the cutest thing? Now could you bring us some more rolls please?"
Can't fix Stupid. But with the Lord's grace and some "Holy Duct Tape" (ash), maybe we can educated it.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Two Months Home
We've had a busy few weeks at our house!
Nana and Pop came for a weekend and Pop got to meet his newest granddaughter for the first time! I was a tad bit nervous about her reaction to him, but she did FABULOUS! She just "knew" that this was her pop and let him hug and cuddle and rock her! I really think the only other man that she has ever let hold her is her daddy so this was big! Nana and Pop were here for three (short) days and we can't wait to go to their house once school gets out.
Tammi Nowack also did a shoot for Ashley. When she gets nervous she puts her fingers in her mouth and apparently she was nervous a lot. Or maybe she was cold. It was about 45 degrees the morning we did pics and this bad mama made her wear a summer dress:) Go check out Tammi's site....she is AMAZING! We were honored to have her photo Ashley...and wish she could have been with us to take pics IN China :)
Well, today marks two months home with our Hunan "spicy" girl. In some ways, it seems like it's flown by and in others, I can feel everyday. I know things appear to be perfect and rosy with her, but I can assure you they are not. SHE of course, is a tremendous blessing whom we adore, but adoption is hard. This 21 month old has been through more in the last 2 months than most of us could ever imagine. She is still grieving her life in China and will for some time.
The only way I can wrap my brain around it is to think of Annalyse. She's 2 years and 4 months old. Think if one day, someone picked her up, drove her to a Chinese family, dropped her off and then 13 days later, flew her to China to live forever. Changed her diet, her language, her clothes and took away us...her mama and daddy. Ashley has experienced just that. (remember she was not in an orphanage, she was in foster care.)
For the most part, things are going beautifully....but she still has hard days. Overall, she is a JOY and we love her to pieces....and we continue to pray for her heart to be healed and mended.
The other night as Jay was praying over us, God reminded me that this was a CALLING on our life. Not some fun, cool, "idea" or a quest to "save" a little lost orphan. It was something that He called us to as a family, and being called requires sacrifice. And hard work. As a family who is called to full time ministry, I can tell you that in many aspects it is the same. God never said it would be easy....He only said it would be worth it. And even on the hard days...it is worth it.
Stay tuned....she's discovered chocolate ice cream and it's one huge, hilarious mess :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Annalyse's favorite three words....
"ASH A LEE DID IT"
"Annalyse, who got mama's diet coke and poured it all over the floor?"
"Ash a lee did it!"
"Annalyse, who got the lotion down and rubbed it in the carpet?"
"Ash a lee did it!"
"Annalyse, who pulled out 172 wipes out of the box?"
Funny....."ash a lee" was asleep.....
"Ash a lee did it!"
"Annalyse, who got mama's diet coke and poured it all over the floor?"
"Ash a lee did it!"
"Annalyse, who got the lotion down and rubbed it in the carpet?"
"Ash a lee did it!"
"Annalyse, who pulled out 172 wipes out of the box?"
Funny....."ash a lee" was asleep.....
"Ash a lee did it!"
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Quick Update
I have only a few minutes of silence during nap time so this will be quick.
Ashley continues to blossom and let down her guard with us. She laughs more often and is sleeping great! 12 hours straight or more at night and a 1.5 hour nap...couldn't ask for more. I really believe that she understands everything we tell her...even little specific things like, "where is your baby? Go get her stroller! Take this cracker to Annalyse, etc..." Everytime we put her shoes on she says, "bye bye" and just last weekend came to the kitchen to find her sister standing on a chair and boldly proclaimed, "SIT!" "SIT DOWN!" HA!
She went to the nursery last Sunday night (she's in annalyse's class) and I got to attend worship!!! Praise the LORD! I hadn't been to a service without her since Jan 8 and I was hurtin, if you know what I mean! She really did good and was all smiles when I came to get her....she quickly turned to the worker and said "bye bye" over and over!
The new blog is still in the works, again, please be patient with my tech. friend, she is a supermom and these things take time! Rest assured it will be good:)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
We ARE having fun, right?
WOW.... I looked at the calendar this morning and all of the sudden it's Feb 20th...how did that happen? Things have been moving fast and furious around here now that all the sickness has left the house. We're back on a more normal schedule and looking forward to SPRING!
Between potty training Annalyse, Dr appointments with Ashley, and school things with the older two, the blog has not been feeling some love! I know I promised the new one would be up this week....did I mention that I can't believe it's Feb. 20th? Yeah, it'll happen one day soon :)
We spent two days in Atlanta last week and Ashley checked out just PERFECT! The Dr up there isn't even sure what she had on her back was Spina Bifida. As I try to process that and the amazing, overwhelming blessing that is...words fail me. Only God.
Ashley continues to adjust great...instead of having bad days, she's only having bad "moments" now. She has a lot to go in the area of Annalyse...she simply cannot STAND me to hold or love on Annalyse. She has no problem with Avery and Ally, but Annalyse is her rival. I am constantly taking it to the Lord in prayer and asking Him to give them a special bond. I have faith it will come, I know it just takes time. Annalyse, poor thing, has really no problem with Ashley, but she's used to sharing her mama, and trusts me and my love for her. She is confident in her place in our family. Ashley is not. How long will it take? Who knows. It will come, and she really has made leaps and bounds since we've had her.
Wanted to share a quick video of Ash eating her first Popsicle! She has "tasted and seen that American food is good!" She can put down some Mexican, and loves just about all we put in front of her. She's saying about 10 words now, and yesterday, when Elmo came on, I heard her say" na na na na...na na na na" to the "Elmos' world" song!!!!
WOW.... I looked at the calendar this morning and all of the sudden it's Feb 20th...how did that happen? Things have been moving fast and furious around here now that all the sickness has left the house. We're back on a more normal schedule and looking forward to SPRING!
Between potty training Annalyse, Dr appointments with Ashley, and school things with the older two, the blog has not been feeling some love! I know I promised the new one would be up this week....did I mention that I can't believe it's Feb. 20th? Yeah, it'll happen one day soon :)
We spent two days in Atlanta last week and Ashley checked out just PERFECT! The Dr up there isn't even sure what she had on her back was Spina Bifida. As I try to process that and the amazing, overwhelming blessing that is...words fail me. Only God.
Ashley continues to adjust great...instead of having bad days, she's only having bad "moments" now. She has a lot to go in the area of Annalyse...she simply cannot STAND me to hold or love on Annalyse. She has no problem with Avery and Ally, but Annalyse is her rival. I am constantly taking it to the Lord in prayer and asking Him to give them a special bond. I have faith it will come, I know it just takes time. Annalyse, poor thing, has really no problem with Ashley, but she's used to sharing her mama, and trusts me and my love for her. She is confident in her place in our family. Ashley is not. How long will it take? Who knows. It will come, and she really has made leaps and bounds since we've had her.
Wanted to share a quick video of Ash eating her first Popsicle! She has "tasted and seen that American food is good!" She can put down some Mexican, and loves just about all we put in front of her. She's saying about 10 words now, and yesterday, when Elmo came on, I heard her say" na na na na...na na na na" to the "Elmos' world" song!!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Finally warm enough to play outside!!
Well, the temps finally got above 30 degrees and we spent about 4 hours outside Saturday! Ashley went exploring around the yard and pushed her baby doll stroller....a favorite toy! Such a favorite I had to get another one at target because it was the only toy causing a major meltdown between Annalyse and her. New stroller, no problems :) Well....not totally true....the little ones are taking awhile to warm up to each other. There has been hitting, screaming and a biting incident in the bathtub....please pray for them that they will get along better soon....and I will stay sane in the process!
Ashley continues to amaze us...she's picking up new words each day and this morning I said, "where is your nose?" and she pointed to it! We had only done that with her the night before right before bed. She can say "Asheeeeee" and follow all sorts of simple commands...sit down, come here, take that to da da...
We've had a sick kid here since about 4 days after we got home...two strep, one ear infection and two stomach bugs...I guess having a big family means big sickness? Thankfully, mom and dad have been spared but it's made for some more sleepless nights and missed school days.
This week we head to Atlanta to have her evaluated by the Spina Bifida clinic at Eggleston. From our standpoint, she seems to have zero effects of the SB, but we'll be seeing the experts to see what they say...i'll keep you posted. I will say that our pediatrician says that CHINA GOT IT WRONG. The form of SB they said she had, our Dr. says, NO WAY. ISN"T GOD AWESOME!! He says her tone, muscles, reflexes and strength in her legs and ankles, is PERFECT. WOW.
We serve a faithful God, folks.....and all the glory goes to Him.
Lastly, if you 've emailed me about the new blog (and if you have BEGGED....not that anyone has...diane...) i'll be sending out the new link soon. It's still in the works :)
Ashley continues to amaze us...she's picking up new words each day and this morning I said, "where is your nose?" and she pointed to it! We had only done that with her the night before right before bed. She can say "Asheeeeee" and follow all sorts of simple commands...sit down, come here, take that to da da...
We've had a sick kid here since about 4 days after we got home...two strep, one ear infection and two stomach bugs...I guess having a big family means big sickness? Thankfully, mom and dad have been spared but it's made for some more sleepless nights and missed school days.
This week we head to Atlanta to have her evaluated by the Spina Bifida clinic at Eggleston. From our standpoint, she seems to have zero effects of the SB, but we'll be seeing the experts to see what they say...i'll keep you posted. I will say that our pediatrician says that CHINA GOT IT WRONG. The form of SB they said she had, our Dr. says, NO WAY. ISN"T GOD AWESOME!! He says her tone, muscles, reflexes and strength in her legs and ankles, is PERFECT. WOW.
We serve a faithful God, folks.....and all the glory goes to Him.
Lastly, if you 've emailed me about the new blog (and if you have BEGGED....not that anyone has...diane...) i'll be sending out the new link soon. It's still in the works :)
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