Time for an update

Jacob had his first corrective cast last week. I mentioned in this post that Jacob has some trouble with range of motion in his legs. We tried stretching for about 2 and a half weeks. The stretches were working, but to the detriment of our relationship. For a little boy who is now trusting who mommy is and why she is important, any activity that stresses that relationship is not ideal. Jacob hated the stretches. Can't blame him, no matter how gently you stretch it is going to be uncomfortable. So, I stopped the stretching completely and quickly won back the trust and admiration of my little boy.

Turns out the week of stretches I did made improvement. He gained a full 5% in range. We need at least 20% and since I did not feel the stretches were the best way to accomplish that we tried a cast. The cast does two things: #1-It helps him stretch through normal motion and play. Every time he extends his little leg it stretches the muscles in the back of the knee. And when he bends down it stretches the muscles in his calf. He doesn't even notice it because he's playing. And the stretch continues during sleep too. #2-The cast also prevents him from fully flexing his calf muscles to point his toes. He is incredibly strong. And every time he lifts his little body up on his toes he is giving those muscles a little workout. The cast will force those muscles to become more relaxed and function more normally.

From the very moment we put him on the ground with the cast he began walking "normally". He bent his knees and lifted his toes. Even though only one leg was casted the nerves in his legs are still developing so many times the other leg would correct itself just because of the stimulation the casted leg was receiving. It was amazing to watch during the week he had the cast. No more bloody toes dragging on the ground. No more road rash on his face from tripping.

Unfortunately, he got a pressure sore from his cast and has to take a 2 week break before we try cast number two. And he's right back up on those toes strengthening and tightening the muscles we just worked to relax. So orthotics are likely in his future. We'll see.

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My boys are brothers. In every sense of the word. They love each other intensely. And they beat up on each other intensely. Never before have I witnessed a "brotherly love" so true.

 Can I share?

 Just a little closer...

 Hold still...

I love watching their relationship. They can both be so very sweet. Watching them snuggle in bed together and hearing Drew's sweet little voice full of love and tenderness for his 'baby' melts my heart. And I have a strange feeling of equal joy when I see them trying to butt each other out of the way, swipe each other's toys, and wrestle in a barely-safe manner giggling all the while with the inevitable cry of foul just around the corner. I am loving the oh-so-different world of boys! Grungy, dirty, messy, mischievous, physical, busy, loud little boys. Bring it on.

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And lastly, we went to the zoo. The teeny, perfect-size-for-preschool, Folsom Zoo. The boys had a great time. And Drew even got to ride the train thanks to his "Grammy".

I got a kick out of the fact that despite all of the big, majestic, and impressive animals at the zoo (think bears, mountain lions, tigers, wolves, etc.) Jacob was most impressed by the rooster. Figures.

 



I am so looking forward to school being out so I can spend some time with my girls. I miss posts and pictures about doing stuff with my girls too...

The Red Sea

I wonder sometimes about the Israelites. They witnessed the plagues. They were protected during the Passover. They knew God had delivered them from Pharaoh. And then they witnessed the parting of the Red Sea. They watched as the waters parted and they walked through on dry land. They saw Pharaoh's army swallowed up behind them on the very same path they had just passed through. I don't know that I can imagine a more awesome sight to behold. It would be a memory that would be etched into your mind forever, right?

So then, when I keep reading the story of those Israelites, I wonder how they could continue to question God. Didn't they just see the Red Sea parted? Hadn't they just seen miracles before their very eyes?

Then I experience my own "Red Sea" miracle and still I find myself feeling the very same fear and hesitation. "It's not possible" my brain will say. But then my heart reminds me, "You just saw the Red Sea parted! How can you doubt?" Those Israelites are not as unusual as they seem. They are me. Imperfect man (woman) with finite understanding. God can do all things. From grand and unbelievable miracles to simple provision through daily manna. All things are possible.

Today was the day we felt we needed to have our agency fee prepared. But our Father did not ask us to prepare alone. And He has provided. Our agency offered to accept a half payment to begin the necessary paperwork with an agreement that the second half will be provided at our next step. And nearly every penny of the first half of our fees has come to us over the past 6 days. Our Heavenly Father provided.

The Little Guy

Do you ever feel like the little guy? You know, when you feel like you are up against something bigger than you belong doing? I picture something like this:

Lately I've been feeling like the little dog staring the big dog in the face. I'm thinking, "I have no business being here. I wonder if the big dog noticed me yet, maybe I can't sneak out without him noticing..."

Everyone knows the story of David and Goliath. Little guy takes on big guy against the opinion of everyone around him, right? And because of his faith and the power of God, he wins in a big way. Lately I feel like Jr. Asperagus in "Veggie Tales" version of this story when he has the king's armor on. That image makes me think of myself girded about with armor that is too big, peeking out from behind the breastplate and helmet. I have no business wearing it, it doesn't fit. And everyone around me is pointing out the obvious: I'm too little to fight goliath. And yet there is God saying clearly and repeatedly, "With me, all things are possible."

I have faith. I know the opinions of others and logic of this world do not matter when God is on your side. But I wish I had the same kind of faith that David had. I wish I could single handedly march onto the battle field with nothing but my sling and without the support of those around me.

The field is before me. We have a challenge and have chosen to move forward. I may not be marching out in confidence, staring Goliath in the face. But I have committed to put together $800 in the next 7 days and follow that 48 hours later with another $1750 (our agency fee). This was a goal I originally set to have complete by July 4. Because July 4 felt comfortable, doable, even logical. I've been around the fundraising block before and thought I could put together some fun events by then. But God's time is rarely our time. And this is my Goliath.

I cannot count on our running team to put this together. I cannot count on a big garage sale like last year. I have 9 days to come up with $2500. And while Goliath is looking kinda big, I do have faith the size of a mustard seed so I know I can move this mountain through the power of God.

Why am I sharing this here? Because I am not David. I need a few people to rally around me and show God's power. Do you know God? Do you have faith? Do you believe He can do all things?

This is a blog that gets a lot of in-person comments. I love hearing from you guys. But this is a time when the world needs to see our faith. Will you leave me a comment right here on the blog for all to see? Will you spread the word and invite friends to view this post and comment too? Will you proclaim your faith with me and watch as God does something amazing?

I have commented before about the power of prayer, and we need that too. But I know the power of testimony to be equally moving. Proclaim with me your faith and let us raise up a mighty praise to our Father. I'm marching out onto the battle field. Will you rally behind me and let out a mighty battle cry?

Leave a comment. Your testimony, a scripture, or simply the words "I believe". Show me God's army.




You can also visit our other blog www.adoptingwithoutdebt.blogspot.com to watch the fundraising thermometer rise.

Being a Mom of 4...

Being a mother of 4 children means not remembering the last time you woke up and got out of bed when you wanted to.

Being the mother of 4 means doing at least one load of laundry every day... sometimes 4 loads in one day.

Being the mother of 4 means doing an entire kitchen full of dishes only to turn around and find more dishes in the sink.

Being the mother of 4 means crumbs... lots of crumbs.

Being the mother of 4 means not remembering life without a toddler.

Being the mother of 4 means if someone is up sick in the night, you will likely exit one child's room and enter another to tend to the next interruption of sleep. Some nights, when its really bad, you may not even make it back to your own bed.

Being a mother of 4 means its been years since you didn't have to get up during your meal to help someone in the bathroom.

Being the mother of 4 means helping with homework while holding a cranky toddler while cooking dinner while playing referee while taking a phone call while making a grocery list while...

Being the mother of 4 means anytime there is silence your heart skips a beat.

Being the mother of 4 means you can tune out the ruckus in the car to sing along to your favorite song only to discover someone has been trying to get your attention for the last several minutes. It also means you can drive one handed, looking in your rear view mirror, changing lanes, talking to someone in the third row of the van, and not miss a word of your favorite song on the radio.

Being the mother of 4 means the occasional day when you take inventory of the day's events and realize you have personally handled every type of bodily fluid possible...

Being the mother of 4 means you surprise yourself often with the ability to immediately locate all of your children in an open public location. Sometimes you really do feel like you have eyes in the back of your head.

Being the mother of 4 means there is rarely a time that some one does not want your attention. And on the daily occasion they all want your attention at the same time you wonder if cloning is actually possible.

Being a mother of  4 means feeling pride and joy like no one else.

Being the mother of 4 means feeling a true sense of self worth. While they may be able to live without you, you know their lives would forever be changed if you were gone.

Being the mother of 4 makes you grateful for your own mother...

In fact, being the mother of 4 makes you so very grateful for your own mother that you write this little diddy to trick her into ready something that was really intended to be about her...

Because being the mother of 2, must have meant a lot of the things listed above: sacrifice, effort, love, joy, pride, and mostly: teaching this mama what it means to be a great mama.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

I have an 11 year old...

Oh, my.

Today my very first baby is 11! It doesn't seem like 11 years have passed since this day:

But they have.

What can I say about my Caity...

You are the most beautiful 11 year old I know.
You have always blown me away with your ability to understand and your maturity.
There is not one part of you that I can call my "baby" anymore, but I'm glad you still like to snuggle and goof around.
I love to watch your girly side. The way you express your feelings and the passion you have often makes me cock my head to the side, but I admire it and wish I understood it better.
Your loyalty to the ones you care about is inspiring.
You make me proud.
I cannot wait to see you grow and watch you navigate this big world. You are going to do amazing things. And someday when you're all grown up and rocking this world, I'll be there to say, "I knew she'd do something big someday."

I love you, Caity bug!

Feast

Lately Brad and I have been trading every other Sunday who will go to church and who will stay home for naptime. (Yes, we think naps are that important) Today was Brad's day to take the big three to church and my day to stay with the sleeper. But today was one of those days. I was hungry for church. Hungry to feel the spirit. Hungry to feast on the Word. Fortunately, before church, while I was studying the scriptures, Brad was looking at videos and found this monstrous feast:

If you don't have 15 minutes to listen to the whole thing, here are the parts I needed to hear:

(6 min 30 sec)-Be true to the faith you have.
Sometimes we act as though an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not.

(7 min 3 sec)-Do not let questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle.

(9 min)-Except in the case of his only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it.

(11 min 18 sec)-Be not afraid. Only believe. (John 20:27)

(14 min 20 sec)-Hope on. Journey on. Fan the flame of your faith because all things are possible to them that believe.

Mark 9: 24 "Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

6 months home

That about covers it!

Trouble maker...

Can you see it?

 

 Look closely...

Figured it out yet?

It got quiet during homework this evening... too quiet. My Mommy radar started to go off and I knew trouble was afoot. Low and behold, Jacob was attempting to climb into the fireplace. Charcoal everywhere.

Look at him, all proud of himself:

Ooooo, trouble maker!

 

 

He's pretty cute... I guess I'm over the mess...

 



 

 

When it hurts

Sometimes, being a mom hurts. Like when you have to hold your baby (or toddler, or kindergartener) while a nurse administers vaccines. Or when you see your child falling but can't stop them and you can almost feel the skinned knees and hands with them. Or when you hear your first grader bite down on a loose tooth during lunch and there's nothing you can do to help the tears other than say, "It will come out soon."

Other times watching our child's discomfort is even harder. Because sometimes we are the ones who have to cause the discomfort. Jacob has a new little challenge and to help, I have to be the bad guy.

Several weeks ago a friend of ours mentioned Jacob walks on his toes (not something I thought was a big deal) and we could do some stretches to help. So, I started stretching his little calves a couple times a day. I was surprised to find how hard it was to stretch him, his muscles were SO unusually strong and tight. And his toe walking seemed to get worse not better. He began dragging his toes and tripping constantly. So I mentioned my observation to his pediatrician last week. We decided it would be a good thing to have a closer look with a specialist in Physical Therapy.

I'm so glad I went. Our first attempt to help his little legs will be more stretches (turns out I was only doing half the needed therapy). But, because he fights the stretches so much and is so incredibly strong, we will return in 2 weeks to see if we need to try a more intense approach.

I know what you're thinking: "My son/nephew/friend's son/neighbor/grandson/stranger in the park walked on his toes when he was little and it was no big deal. Jacob will just grow out of it right?" Again, our son's upbringing in an orphanage changes the equation. His ankles are not currently able to flex in a normal range of motion because the muscles and tendons have not developed properly. No matter how hard I push, his ankle cannot flex beyond a neutral 90 degrees. This means that the muscles in his lower legs are not developing evenly and his joints are becoming weak.

What's that got to do with the orphanage? When a baby spends extended amounts of time lying on their back their toes naturally point down. Orphanages typically use play equipment like walkers to get children into vertical play. Because the baby does not need to support their own weight they typically move about with their toes pointed which further encourages toe walking. As their little bodies grow the muscles and tendons naturally become shorter and shorter because they are not being stretched. This means that Jacob cannot walk and bend down normally and will not just do it on his own later. We have to lengthen the muscles and tendons first.

So for the next two weeks we are trying frequent (almost constant) stretches to see if he gets worse or better. But its not as easy as it sounds 'cause stretching hurts. You know that feeling the day after a physical challenge? The stiffness? The sore muscles? Jacob's lower legs feel like that every time I stretch him. And while we adults can feel a sense of release in a good stretch, Jacob only feels the discomfort of the stiffness.

I'm the one who has to stretch him. Many times a day. And while I try to make it fun by singing songs and playing with toys or sneaking it in during snack in the high chair, strapping into or out of the car seat, or even just in mommy's arms walking into the grocery store, he is a smart little monkey and knows exactly what I'm up to. His patience for my distractions and games is running out. It stinks being the bad guy...