Glasses, Cars, Trips to ER

This song could be for my husband & all my kids Steve made this beautiful video of Sarah. April 4th was 10 years since we met Sarah & Selah. Our story was a college friends of mine shared a blog about a family who had adopted a special needs child from Eastern Europe. I read the blog & then looked at the organization that posted pictures of orphans from all over the world who have special needs. And there was Sarah. I really can’t explain, we had absolutely 0 plans to the adopt again. We had our three boys - life was pretty good…. But that picture literally haunted me. Within days we started the process to adopt her. During the quick 4.5 months that the adoption took we decided to add another child. We heard some pretty horrific things so we wanted to do more. At first we were going to adopt a little boy along with Sarah but he got adopted (very strange story) Then we were told about Selah a few weeks before we left to get Sarah… Both girls fit into our family so perfectly once we were home. As you know just a few months later while we were in NY on a medical/vacation the accident happened. I don’t even try to understand everything- all I can do is hang on knowing that one day everything will be redeemed. Today I went & took some things to Selah & visited with her & the staff. I told her I love her & am glad she’s our daughter.

Adoption is a wonderful thing. To me it’s just like marriage, it’s a commitment. And it’s very magical. You take these people who don’t even know the other ones exists & somehow they become family- real family! It’s an amazing thing & Im so lucky to have gotten to experience it with 3 children. And experience the births of our 2 biological children. What a blessed life Ive had!

Get the tissues ready!

Sarah 10 years 

Sam has really struggled all this year.  We've been extremely worried about his actually since November.  He's had gastric issues.  He's had xray/cat scan and lots of blood work everything comes back normal but he is just "off"  He's always had constipation issues off and on although at times we find an answer but then his body doesn't respond to the various meds or concoctions after awhile.   These past few months he goes through days we have to coax him to eat or drink.  Other days he acts normal.  The past week has been rough!   He is scheduled for a barium swallow next month to check his gastro tract.  But we think alot of it more depression/anxiety.  One of his chromosomal things actually has a component of seasonal depression.  Sam has always had issues with illness/anxiety January-March....  CRAZY!  That's always when he'd get sick and have issues as well as be "off"   When the genetics doctor told me I was shocked!  WE try and give him extra time and rides in the car just to spend time with him during these days.  We hope they will pass soon this year has been really hard because of all of Sarah's problems and Selah' moving.... Sam did get new glasses that we are working with him on wearing.  So far he's doing good.  

Car #3!  In 3 months Shad totaled 2 cars....we are hoping the 3rd one is the charm!  Neither of the mishaps were Shad's fault at all!  But it is not easy to find a gently used car in this day!  Thanks to a friend we made a contact Whitestone Auto Sales in Lakeland Florida 863-686-3385  We were very relieved to find this car at a good price.  The owner is a Christian and he even prayed over the car and Shad   I thought that was so sweet.  Shad is doing great in his new job & he is loving it  We are so proud of him.  

Sarah is doing good.  I'm still very paranoid about everything that goes in her mouth since finding out how lactose intolerant she is.  I've modified all our recipes for Sarah but I have to watch out because Jon can't have anything with high fat..... so I do some separate dishes!   She has done fine so far but we are still very careful!

Selah is doing great in her group home.  She had a little scare last week when she had one of her episodes that ended up in the ER  It's not a seizure or a neuro storm....but it looks similar.  Her heart rate goes either very high or very low and her oxygen level goes low.  It's not related to any pulmonary problem although it seems like it is.  Our neurologist feels her brain stem is deteriorating.  So she got a trip to the ER.  By the time we got there everything was fine.  The doctor expects this to happen more and more frequently and she will pass away from it.  That's hard to hear but the only comfort is that most people who have had near drownings pass away long before this point from other more painful issues.  We have no timeline and she's not on hospice.  We are just continuing to love and take care of her.  

This past week I helped organize  a group of volunteers from a friend's church went to her group home and did some outside spring cleaning.  Our church provided the supplies and their church provided the man power!  Our church is doing baskets for all the residents of the group home for Easter.  I've had fun putting them together.  It's challenging because only one resident can have anything by mouth but I'm used to doing Easter baskets that are a little different.  We are also able to supply some equipment to help start a therapy room!  I'm so excited about that!!

Our oldest Steve is doing great.  There is so many great things happening in his life.  He gets to travel with his job and do what he loves which is videography.  Next week he's in Miami for the week and part f it he will be interviewing Ben Carson!  Two of his best friends are also working this conference so he is looking forward to being with them. We adore his girlfriend and are so happy to see him in love:)  Last night I was in Lakeland dropping Shad off to get his new car and Steve called me to meet them for supper.  It's fun having adult kids!  He even paid LOL

We continue to keep contact with all of our loved ones in Ukraine and now some of them are in other countries for safety.  Please pray for them.