Leaving on a Jet plane....

One year ago today we left for Ukraine......we had many concerns about the travel itself, the accommodations, taking the kids with us, how the girls would react, how we'd handle being at a MENTAL INSTITUTION  daily for weeks,  we left having NO idea when we'd return home,  we left Shad with a close friend, as he had a scholarship for the private Christian school that only allowed him to miss a total of 18 days of school and we knew he'd miss more than that.  We also thought it might be too hard on Steve to watch both boys as we'd be gone for a few hours a day to the orphanage or at court.   We had some real fears of the unknown. 

Dropping off Shad really upset me, then I had to drive to the airport.  I usually HATE to drive into the airport but I felt like my whole life was going to be totally out of my control for the next months or so so I wanted to be the one in control of the car.  It's so out of my character to want to drive through traffic, we just laugh about it now.  We flew out of Tampa to Charlotte NC and from there straight to Munich Germany.  We were  so packed.  Our facilitator (who became a great friend) suggested some gifts for the director of the institution.  He thought he'd like a Map of the US.  So I carried a big map through three airports and two train stations LOL   We also took suitcases of clothes and other things to leave for the institution and a wheelchair.  Coming home was easier :)

 

In Tampa, notice Sam would NOT wear shoes back then!  Somehow he FINALLY started wearing them in Ukraine and has ever since

TIA

 

 

See the map? 

 

I HATE to fly, but once I'm on the plane, I'm fine.  We had a smooth trip until we were over Ireland and those little elves shook up the plane.  The food was AWFUL- we flew on the German airline and they served German food...'Nuff said'....  We had a few hours layover in Munich and the guys were wanting to sleep...  My mantra was "STAY AWAKE or you will have jet lag"!  We also experienced the economy of Germany...$16 for a small bowl of awful soup! 

 

Munich Germany

 

STAY AWAKE!!

Jon was o tired, I told him to keep walking Sam to stay awake, he was not thrilled. 

Then we flew to Kiev, Oh happy day!  One thing I loved on the flight to Kiev, as soon as we taxied off, EVERYONE in the plane did the sign of the cross.  Steve and I looked at each other and did the same!  We thought they might know something we didn't know LOL 

We got to the airport around 4pm on Saturday  and met up with a few other families.  We waited for our drivers to take us to our various apartments.  In Ukraine no one I knew stayed in hotels, they stayed in apartments.  We were lucky and stayed in a ministry's apartment (supported CBN) for the first few days.  It was in the OLD section of town and OLD really means OLD in Ukraine, the buildings there were hundreds of years old and some of the streets were 1,000 years old. 

 

from our balcony the first night and yes that is a little snow

 

Across the street from us

 

 

Steve and Sam on their sofa bed

 

 

 

Today we worked at the church and boy do we have a surprise for Grace Church tomorrow:)  We also ran and got all the things for the egg hunt after service.  While we were in Walmart, we saw some friends:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love Duck Dynasty:)

 

 

Selah had a good day today but last night was rough.  She had to be suctioned or changed about every hour.  Jon and I were exhausted this morning.  She is not sick, she seems to be able to make herself sound like she needs to be suctioned at times.  It is odd but in a way we are glad because she makes the gurgle noise and yet her oxygen rate is normal.  Usually when she does it she wants to be changed.  Almost without fail!  So in a way she does communicate with us. 

 

she looked so cute today.  She has on a skort, one of my favorite things to wear:) 

 

And here is our other princess...Sarah STANDING!

 

 

 

Love the dress, found it at a Salvation Army store on Half price day for .99 cents

 

Sarah clapping

 

She pushed away from the wall a little bit and scared me.  She can stand up by herself as long as she has something to hold onto or to lean against. 

 

Please say a prayer for Selah tomorrow, I can't help but pray that God will give new life to our little girl on Easter Sunday....

 

So tonight is bittersweet when I think back to where we were last year (over the Atlantic Ocean)  on our way to get our girls.  Who would have ever dreamed all that laid before us?  But the God who sustained us throughout that trip has sustained us throughout this whole year!  I'll be writing daily about our trip from this point forward with lots of pictures that I couldn't put on my blog last year.  I had issues loading and I was afraid of something going wrong in court if I did anything wrong or said a word wrong on my blog.  I wasn't sure of the privacy laws, everyone told us different things but now I can tell the stories and share the pictures.  I hope you will enjoy it.

 

Good Friday

Good Friday has always been hard for me to wrap my head around.   I believe everything in the Bible, but I don't understand the "why" of everything in there.  It's hard to fathom that someone, God Himself had to die for my sins!  I am thankful for the Cross and what it means....

Yesterday Jon brought home a beautiful picture of Selah that one of the inmates drew.  I love it, it's in her room, sitting right by her bed! 

Jon and the boys spent most of the afternoon outside.  What gorgeous weather today.  They did target practice wit the bow and with the BB gun.  Then they got a game of basketball in.  I love seeing them outside and playing...

Although this is Steve a few minutes ago ....  he plays Xbox with his friends.  One of his friends lives in NY so they can talk to each other via the headsets.   I prefer him playing outside!

 

Selah has had a good day today, no issues.  She had PT and did well.  Please keep her in prayer, next week is a big week for her!  Last night we had to suction her about 6 or 7 times during the night, deep suction.  That is unusual for her and we are sleepy today. 

 

A year ago today we were frantically packing last minute things, realizing we were leaving the next day for a trip that would change our life and grow our family.  It was a warm evening and one of my good friends Jean came and took us out to eat at "5 Guys and a Burger"  It was one of my last good meals for weeks:)  Jon worked late at the prison, tying up loose ends, since we had no idea how long we'd be gone!  I could barely sleep as I was very nervous about the trip and all the obstacles that laid before us.   I had an inking of what lay ahead and it was very scary to me.  Go back and read my blogs of March of 2012!  I was petrified of taking my kids overseas for an extended amount of time, afraid of all the emotional issues of being at a mental institution for weeks, the travel itself, ...oh gosh...everything was flooding my mind that night!  It was an overwhelming place to be at....

 

So tomorrow starts the pictures and stories that I couldn't share last year.....

Lazy Thursday!

 

Here is Shad practicing with Steve's old bow and arrow.  He is so excited and loves it!  He does pretty good with it too.  Now he wants the BB gun LOL  Now Steve wants a cross bow!  GEEZ!

Shad Hood

 

Look at that!!!!

 

Here's my garden today, the collards multiply like rabbits LOL

 

 

Selah had a restful night, no issues and has been fine all day.  We are just assuming that whole high heart rate and heart beat was just an oddity....

 

Today she got a gift from another dear dear adoptive mom who I have just come to love!  Shelly sent her some dresses and leggings.  She sent so much, some of the leggings were solid colors and some had designs on them.  What was amazing is they match things already in her closet.  Her nurse was amazed at all her clothes:)  Selah went from a size 3T  at the time of the accident (we'd only been home 14 weeks) to now a size 6, 7 or 8 depending on the clothes!  So we had to start all over with her closet!  It's been a little challenging to find the right things for her but I love for her to look cute:)  She has an amazing summer wardrobe...we just need SUMMER!!!  BRRRR!  It is COLD here in Florida!  We had frost for the last 3 nights, and we've had to cover the plants. 

 

 

Here is Selah's closet:)  I love to dress her nice:)

 

This is her new bath chair.  It had been ordered for months and I wasn't sure if it was ever coming and then SURPRISE I got a call this morning!!  A sweet reader had sent me her daughter's chair and we've been using it.  It was much larger , I'm almost worried this one will be too small!

 

Thank you again for your prayers for Selah1!!!

 

ps...some more Shad pictures!

 

 

Sharp Shooter Shad!

 

Don't worry it is just a BB gun:)  He loves it

Henry and BJ...Henry has beome tame and is fixed.  BJ can only be petted sometimes.  I sure miss all my cats!  I just keep hoping these guys will survive whatever is taking/killing the cats!

 

 

 

Unexpected Problems

Last night Selah had a near "storm".  Nothing was out of place but around 7:30pm her heart rate and Blood pressure just soared!  The nurse called for me and we worked together to get all her meds in her quickly.  It took almost an hour for her to get below 140 beats a minute.  That is where her machine is set for alarms.  She shook some but didn't raise her arms and get rigid.  She also didn't sweat like before.  Thankfully it only took about 10 minutes for her blood pressure to respond, it originally was like 173/96!  All night as we got up to check on her her heart beat stayed at 115!  This morning the same.  I had planned on meeting one of my BFFs to go out to eat and do some things and everyone said for me to go...as soon as I left, her heart rate went under 100 ....LOL  was Selah mad at me? 

We don't know what happened.  Her nurse went back and reviewed all the notes since Selah has been home and it seems every two weeks or so she has a small episode but usually lasting only a few minutes.  It was discouraging:(

She is doing perfect now, asleep and calm!  We are happy!

I did get to go out with my close life long (about 26 year old friend-we've been friends longer than we've been married) friend Jackie and we had some good laughs!  We also ate...first Olive Garden then later Krispy Kreme doughnuts!!!!!!!   I've only been one time to a KK shop and that was back "in the day" when I didn't believe in eating ( during college)  Today I made up for that LOL  I'm ashamed to say how many we ate but they were fresh and just melted in our mouths!  I did take some home to the kids so everyone was happy:)

Please pray for Selah that this is not the beginning of new issues for her!  Monday her casts come off and we have lots of things planned for her as far as therapy goes.  Thank you all!!!

Therapy

Our Pt decided to try Sarah on a regular walker...

 

 

she worked hard

 

 

 

 

she was very determined  See how she crosses her feet over each other?  That is what hangs her up from walking good.  No one knows why she does it or how to explain to her NOT to do it.  Sarah's receptive language skills (what she understands ) is probably about a 9 month old level. 

 

 

 

Go Sarah Go!

 

 

 

For some reason this picture just grabs my heart....

 

So the little ones had PT this morning and all did good.  Sarah really enjoys the new walker and looks so cute in it!!!

 

Selah is doing good, haven't seen the independent movement like we did yesterday.  Her PT thought Selah smiled at her! 

 

Late yesterday I finally spoke to the doctor who is over the HBOT center and he'd like to see Selah off the trach if possible before she starts HBOT.  So this morning I hunted down all kinds of leads and may have found someone at our local hospital that could work with her!  She was out today but should be in tomorrow to talk to us about it. 

 

I got tons of errands done today and am feeling quite productive....I had a long list and went right down it:)   This is unusual for me anymore!  Before the past year I was the energizer bunny but now I feel I've accomplished something if I get a shower and dry my hair.....  I don't like feeling like that but that is how I've felt, just absolutely overwhelmed.  Hopefully, with God's help, I am overcoming that heaviness and being able to get back to the REAL me!

 

Thank you for all your prayers for us!  We appreciate each and every one!

 

 

ps...I feel a blog coming on....I'm very concerned about the direction this country is hurling itself

 

 

Monday Madness

 

 

Starting this Monday and every Monday until this little girl comes home, I'm going to feature her!  This is Patricia who we met and fell in love with at the girls' institution.  We called her "Sally" in our minds.  The first time I saw her, I anxiously asked about her adoption status...was she available for international adoption?  We were registered for THREE kids (just in case) and I'd love to have added her to our family.  At the time there was some confusion about her status and things weren't clear until after we'd gone to court.  By that time, we couldn't start all over again.  We had hoped to go back for her but now that would be impossible.  A sweet family has stepped up for her and we are so very thankful!  This family may be going within the next two months and they really really need help in raising their support.  You can give to her grant at  http://gracehavenhome.com/?p=639  just go up to the GIVE section, click on there and give....in the section that asks what the gift is for, just write in Patricia.  I know I present many needs in my blogs BUT it gives YOU the opportunity to be involved with actually helping REAL orphans get REAL families!   If you can give, even if it's just a few dollars it will help her!  I'd love if you'd give in honor of Selah and Sarah.  Thank you!

Today was a banner day for Selah!!!!   She had PT and worked OUT, then her nurse worked with her for hours.  She actually was making some "purposeful movement" with her left hand/arm.  The nurse was so excited she came and got me so I could see.  It almost seemed like she did it on command.  We haven't seen this type of movement much at all and it was thrilling. 

On Saturday night she had to be suctioned (we thought ) several times.  She made a noise so we'd get up but as soon as we took her nose off (the cover of her trach) the noise would stop and there was nothing to suction.  The whole time her oxygen rate was 99-100% so we didn't have any concerns.  It was just odd.  Well when our nurse came in Sunday morning, he noticed her "nose" (the cover) was all gunked up and she was not getting any air through it.  That means she was having to breath through her mouth/nose which is great!  I felt really bad about not checking the "nose" but then I remembered both of the hospitals she was in each had a time when her trach was clogged up completely and they found her breathing through her mouth/nose on her own.  It is a REALLY good sign that her oxygen levels stayed normal and she was not straining or upset at all.  It shows again she is a great candidate to come off of the trach. 

Today I called several places to try and find a speech therapist who is qualified to bring her off of the trach.  It looks like we will have to drive her to Tampa to St Joe's for the therapy.  I'm thinking we'll do the HBOT (which we are still working on setting up) first since it is for 20 straight days 2x a day and then do the ST to work her off the trach.   Selah has lots of things in her future:)

One week from now the casts will be off!  she is to the point it doesn't seem to bother her much!  We hardly give her the Tylenol w/codeine but we are still giving her the Valium until next week then we will wean her off again.  I like her to be as free as possible from drugs. 

Thank you for your prayers for Selah.  I blog daily and mention all the things good and bad so I have a record of everything.  I'm very realistic about Selah's progress, I report what happens.  I don't get really excited until she has consistency, that is the KEY!   She has had two other times when she was doing some independent movement like this, that clearly was not "postering" So please keep praying for my sweet little girl! 

And I'm proud of myself, I finally got the girls' paperwork for school and for Children's Medical Services done.  I also had to reregister Sam in school also as they had unenrolled him.  He was on the home bound program.  I expect the girls will be on the home bound also.  I'm not a fan of public school espicially with children who can not tell me what is going on with them!  That mountain of paperwork was stressing me out!  So glad it is done!!

When the Roll is Called Up Yonder I'll be There!

http://kacirek.blogspot.com/2013/03/link-to-help-lucia.html  If you would like to help Lucia, the little girl that must fly home on 1st class due to her disability.  This is the link you can give to.  She is being adopted from the girls' institution and she is badly deformed from years of neglect but has a happy heart.   Some have asked how to give to her and now there is a link up.  You have to scroll down and click on it.  Then on the donation write the Kiack family!  Thank you!

Today we had a sweet service at our church.  Dr & Mrs Charles Estridege spoke.  They formerly were teachers at Southeastern where Jon and I graduated from.  They are now missionaries to Togo and are teaching at the Bible College there.  We'd always had loved them but hadn't seen them in many years.  When you are a minister and you have friends all over the globe that happens sometimes.  The times you are together are very poignant. 

Well this morning the a/c unit of our church wouldn't click on!  Early this morning I had my poor son go up in the attic to see if the switch had thrown, that has happened.  It had NOT so we have no idea what is going on...GULP!  So we had to open all the windows.  Yes we live in Florida and today is a balmy windy day.  It was nice:)  As a child I grew up going to "camp meeting" at open air tabernacles, I loved it back then even tho it was hot sometimes and sometimes there were bugs:)  But there is noting like belting out the old hymns under the ceiling fans!  So this morning reminded me of that time in my life.  Our music director sings a great mixture of new songs, old hymns and choruses from the 80's/90's, no one can say they didn't like some aspect of the worship.  So this morning we sang a "few oldies but goodies" and finished up with the song "When the Roll is Called up Yonder, I'll be there" 

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll, is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

 

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Refrain

 

you can hear Twalia Paris singing it here.....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bk3gwyw5ps


That song spoke to me, maybe because we had our former teacher speaking ( although they didn't call roll in college lol)  but just thinking of various friends all over the world who are fulfilling their destinies serving the Master till life is over.....and how we will all stand before the Master one day.....  I'm not a big emotional person but I cried throughout most of the service. NOT because I was sad, but heaven & eternity seemed so close and the need of this earth seemed so great.....  Do you have those moments when you feel like for a second or two you can grasp "eternity"...  I do have those times, when I get that glimpse  of eternity.  That really keep me going....  Thinking of the day when we stand before the King, and all is made right, the tears are wiped away forever, where there will be no more suffering, no pain, no death, no goodbyes....  On that day there will be no more orphans..... What a day that will be.....  But the song reminds of to labor for the Master until our life on earth is done....  I want to do that, I want  my life to be a life that is busy about the Father's business.   I feel I have had so many wasted opportunities ...I've wasted years of my life.  Years I can't ever get back. 

So that is what is in my heart tonight.  My heart is stirred, I'm thinking of various friends who labor for God throughout the world, some in countries I can't even mention, because their lives could be in danger.....

So on that day, when the Book is open, and my name is called....I will answer...I may be battered, bruised dirty but I will answer.  have you ever seen the movie "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness"?  It is a movie about a missionary to China, Gladys Aylward.    Here is a clip from the movie....one of the very last scenes is what just touches me as Gladys walks in with her band of dirty, tired orphans...she walks into safety from the Japanese, to the sounds of a cheering throng of folks who can hardly believe this white woman made it through all the hardships to safety for herself and the children.  The first time I watched this movie I sobbed like a baby at this point.  I can so relate to it.  I picture waling into heaven a bit like this scene.....  And I hope that is how I do walk into heaven, a bit torn, ragged and dirty with a band of folks with me....    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHUSIJx3630


Often I write my blog more based on my life and based on the readers who would normally follow me , who may be believers.  If you are not, I would be remiss not to tell you how you to can have the faith that has sustained me.  Just reach out to God, confess your sin, and believe on Jesus.  Ask Him to lead you to a good church where you will get more teaching.  I can recommend one if you'd like to write me personally at theclanton5@aol.com    You won't regret giving your life to Christ, it won't just be empty words, He is a real and living God.  I KNOW because if I can feel His substaing power during the darkest times of my life, then it is real.....   Can't fake the presence of Jesus when you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.  I didn't have anyone there preaching me a sermon, or singing some sweet song to me or even praying for me as I sat night after night by my daughters bed.  It wasn't emotions that brought me through that horrible time and that is still bringing me through.... emotions won't carry you but Jesus will.    I'm so very grateful to God for His help.  The bible says that "God is our refuge and God is our strength, a very present help in trouble"  and I can testify to you that He is all of that and more. 

Thank you for praying for Selah....today we had special prayer for her.  She sat through church.  She has been strangely relaxed although we have cut back on her pain meds.  In this Easter season, I can't have but renewed hope for Selah.  We have many things in the works for her therapy wise but I believe God can do in one minute what man can never do.  Please keep her in prayer!