Good update on Selah ---Museum trip - Train ride!

Great news on Selah, she is totally responding to the antibiotic.  Her culture grew out a bacteria today and thankfully the doctor had already guessed the right antibiotic to put her on:)  So she is really doing great!  Looks like she maybe able to come home tomorrow:)  She has been sleeping alot, like me, making up for the past few days.  Her heart rate is back in the 90's thank God! 

We were leaving to go over today and "someone" lost my keys....I won't "out" the person on here.  I was pretty upset.  Thought about calling Jon but it's hard and a big deal for him to leave the prison, so I went ahead and put Sam down for a nap (he was at his crib crying to get in- I have such odd children)  and I had started supper when the keys were found....  I hate to miss seeing her today but by that time it was almost 5 pm...so we'll go in the morning and bring her home:)  I spoke to her sweet nurse and she said she was sleeping again anyhow.  Selah was literally awake for 3 days.  I doubt she got as much sleep as I did which was nothing.....


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A year ago today we got up rather early and went and got our REFERRALS!  I can't believe I didn't take a picture of them!  I was thrilled that they were in my hands!  I knew then the girls were ours!!

Since we got an early start our facilitator had time to take us to a WWII museum.  Our whole family finds WWII interesting.  It was awesome to be in a country with so much history from that time period, although most of the history was very sad.

We took the bus to the museum.  That was an experience in and of itself. 

 

Look at what is behind Steve's head....Dominoes Pizza!

Jon and George discussing history

 

Lots of steps....Sam began walking steps in Ukraine:)

 

 

 

 

the entrance way is lined with those stone statues

 

Huge statue  We went up in it.

It was cold on the top of the hill

 

I've always found the Nazis interesting NOT that I think they were good, but just how ruthless they were!  they were really hell bent on taking over the world

 

 

 

In the statue

 

George and our guide for the museum and Jon

 

 

symbol of peace

This was the KGB headquarters.....

 

 

The museum was very interesting.  I learned how Kiev was practically destroyed by the Nazis.  There were many stories of horrific killings including one of a whole orphanage that was killed outside of town.  One room had various pictures and a machine that was used for beheading.....very sobering.  i could not bring myself to take pictures in that room and fought tears....

 

Ukraine is very proud of their fight against the Nazis.  It was made mentioned to us several times by various people that we all fought on the same side of WWII.  Unfortunately there was no freedom for Ukraine following the war....

 

 

After we left the museum we went back to our apartment and got ready for the "train ride"...Oh the stories I had heard of "the train ride"...yep it was all pretty much true and rough!

 

We got to the train station, our tickets were already bought.  We had an hour or so wait so we went into the McDonald's.  (I didn't know that was going to be where the girls would first taste McDs on our return trip!)  We ended up running to the right train and compartment.  We had a ton of luggage, the wheelchair (nothing is handicapped accessible there) and Sam to carry.  I was sweating by the time we got to the train! 

 

 

Jon once we got settled

 

This is what Steve really thought!

 

 

 

Me and my little buddy who was a MESS all night on the train!  the kid who sleeps like a rock was all discobulated on the train going...

 

Not quite the Orient Express!

 

I won't lie the train ride was not easy. It was hot (why is it all these cold places think the heat has to be 100 degrees in side)  it was loud, the bathroom.....well it was rough....

 

BUT we were just 14 hours from meeting our girls!!!!!!!  It was the home stretch!

 

So we rode all night long.....I woke up for good around 5 am, and watched the countryside.  I loved seeing so much of Ukraine.  I hated not being able to take a shower or even brush my teeth but that's just how it was.  We'd meet the girls in the clothes we'd worn all day the day before and all night....  by the time we got to them, it did not matter to me anymore!

 

Tomorrow will be one year since the day we met our girls.  I can hardly believe it...what a year it has been!  Out of this past year, we've spent 30 weeks of it away from home if you combine the Ukraine trip and all the time from the accident....More than half the year away from home....

 

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My biggest question has been "why did God let us get Selah knowing what lay ahead?"  Everything fell into place so quickly to get her, it just seemed ordained for her to be our daughter also.  The adoption and time in Ukraine went so well.  Obviously it was different than being home but I truly loved every minute and really wasn't ready to leave when it was time to go.  Selah's adjustment could not have gone smoother for a child with as many developmental delays and institutional autism.  She was such an easy child, different than Sarah but easy in her own way.  We were so happy.  I can't adequately describe how thrilled we were with the girls and the whole adoption process.  It was like a dream SO MUCH EASIER than Shad's.  I had anticipated many issues that never ever came up with the girls.  I was actually in one of "those fb groups"  you know the kind, that someone adds you to...and it was a post adoption group....  I got so annoyed with the moms in there because I felt like all they did was complain.  I left the group ( and of course you know I had to tell them how I felt before I left LOL)  I couldn't even relate to them.  Not that I thought we were such great parents...I just was so happy and content with the girls I didn't even like the negativity I read in the group.   I felt like the others should remember how hard they worked to get their kids home from the various countries and quit whining! 

 

Anyhow it's hard for me to wrap my mind around the whole situation still.  Somehow I still believe that our princess's story is not over....this can't be the ending....she will have a miracle.  Everything was so like a beautiful dream.

 

Please pray that for her....

 

 

Selah update....DAP appointment

Selah had a much better night in the hospital although her heart rate stayed around 120 which is high.  she was able to sleep thank God as was I!!!  Last night's sleep was WONDERFUL!  I will never take sleep for granted again!

The doctor didn't make rounds until late this afternoon.  I was home, with the kids trying to figure out what to do.  I was afraid they'd send her home and I felt like there was something going on with her.  Well they got back more of her tests and she is growing a bacteria!  Thank God....I'm thankful there is a REASON for all of this.  My fear was the meds were no longer helping her.  See she takes medicine for her blood pressure and heart rate not because there is anything wrong with her heart but because her brain was damaged in the area that regulates those things.  So the worse case scenario was that the meds were not working.  So now she is on an IV antibiotic until more of the bacteria grows and they can tell exactly which antibiotic she needs.  Right now she is on a broad base antibiotic.  The doctor said her body has fought very well on its own so far.  For a child who is as compromised as she is, she has done very well.  She probably won't come home until Thursday at this point but she should be on the road to recovery by then. 

So please keep our girl in prayer....

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So a year ago today was our DAP appointment...the appointment we waited for so long....

We got up early, was picked up by our driver, and took to the even older section of town.  We got out on the old cobble streets my heels got stuck in the road.  I hung on to Jon's arm as we walked around the construction of the government building.  We walked into the most nondescript small door, into a small old hallway.  There were a few other families there waiting also.  Most I knew from our on line chatting.  We were all excited, a bit nervous..we didn't know what we'd be asked in the appointment.  Our name was called and we went up the stairs to a dingy little waiting area and into a crowded office.  We were given their files and saw their baby pictures that were passed to us and it was indicated for Jon to put them in his jacket...(talk about feeling like we were in a spy novel)  We really weren't asked any questions, just told to come back on Tuesday (the next day) to pick up the referrals (that are typed on thick paper and sewed by hand-remember this is official paperwork) 

 

the church behind the government building

 

view of Kiev it's set on 7 hills.  I love Ukraine!

 

Jon and me:)

 

statue outside building

we bought this hat for Steve

 

inside...we look chubby all bundled up LOL

downtown

 

 

 

 

 

We were so very happy to have that appointment behind us.  Now we knew the paperwork was being prepared for us and that the girls were 100% available for international adoption.  Also while we were in the appointment, a call was made to the institution to ensure they were there and alive....

We were scheduled to come back on Tuesday afternoon ( the next day) for our paperwork.  Our facilitator was planning on taking us to a WWII museum that morning, we'd get our paperwork and then jump on the train to head out to our girls!  What an exciting time....


I almost forgot to add their baby pictures.  Sarah had more....

 

Sarah as a newborn....

 

 

At the baby house where she could stand up against the wall like she does now.  When we got to her, she couldn't hold her head up and only could roll on the floor

Standing at the baby house

 

Selah when she came into the system, around 2 years old

 

 

My little girls...wish I could have had them from their birth....

Hospital and more of our story

Last night was the worst yet.  Selah couldn't keep her heart rate below 130 and her alarms went off all night long.  She had to be suctioned over & over.  I again had to give her an extra dose of her blood pressure medicine because she got crazy high...it was awful.  This morning she had an appointment to have her casts taken off at the medical center within the hospital.  I decided to get the casts off and then just take her to the ER.  As I was in the shower the nurse started yelling.  I jumped out with conditioner in my hair and didn't even dry off as I grabbed my robe.  Selah had started throwing up which can be very dangerous for a person with a trach. I called 911 and she was transported to the hospital.  Thankfully Jon was dressed and ready to go to work so he could just go with her!  I looked a SIGHT I'm sure to the EMT guys with conditioner in my hair! 

They have ran all kinds of tests and we've gotten no answers but her heart rate is high still.  She has been admitted for further testing and observation.  I'm thinking that she has a bit of a tummy virus and that's what has had her all out of whack but it's been going on since last Tuesday! 

I'm very sad and wish she didn't have to go through all of this.  It is extremely hard for us to know something is wrong and not know how to help her.  Her sweet day nurse went with her and has been with her all day.  Thank God for her.  She can answer things as well as I can and she is a good fighter too:) 

PLEASE pray for her!


More reflections on our trip.....

Today a year ago was Sunday and we were determined to go to church.  Let me tell you it was quite the job to get there!  We had gotten in to Kiev around 4pm their time on Saturday and hadn't slept for a day and a half.  So to get us up and going and to find a taxi driver who could find the church....wow...it was something else!  We were as far away as we could have been in the city too of course!  We attended the International Christian Assembly, pastored by an Assembly of God pastor (our background)  He had a special speaker who taught on Creationism and it was one of the most interesting teachings I'd heard.  The speaker was very learned, with a PhD.  Our oldest son sat on the edge of his seat listening.  It was well worth the time and expense to go! 

Sam and Steve at church

Steve on our balcony with a tiny bit of snow falling

Then we took another taxi back (quite an experience) and stopped at a McDonald's!  We got back and our facilitator came over to meet us.  We were already friends on the Internet and he had walked us through the heart ache of losing the one little boy we'd hoped to adopt and he led us to Selah...so we had a bond already.  It was wonderful to meet him face to face and connect with his sweet spirit.  George formerly worked in the Ministry of Propaganda under the former Soviet Russia...now he helped families connect with their new children:)   We met many former communists and even a few former KGB folks...it was very interesting. 

That night Steve and I walked around in the COLD, trying to find something we'd like to eat.  he & I are extremely picky.  We got some pizza but it tasted sweet...yuck!  but it was neat to walk around in the old section of town.  I tend not to be afraid to go places, even at night..

We did laundry after figuring out the washer but NO dryers anywheres in Ukraine! 
We were so excited the next morning we were to be at the DAP at 10 am to have our interviews and get our referrals on the girls...Up until the point you have the interview and the referral is in your hand there is NO way to "hold" a child.  Some folks have very little info about their children and don't even know their status or where the child is located up till that point.  We had more info than most.  But we were still nervous.  I was actually afraid someone would have an earlier appointment and get the girls referrals for themselves.  Thankfully our facilitator checked on them on Friday so we knew all was well.  I just had a few more hours to wait.....


Well I can say that a year ago today I'd never would have dreamed where we'd be at now....  I worried more about Sarah since she was so obviously small and weak.  Selah was "the strong one"  Now it all seems reversed.

Please please pray for our little girl.  I'm relieved that she is in a good hospital and I believe they will get to the bottom of this.  I am beyond exhausted as we haven't really gotten more than 2 hours of sleep at a time since Thursday night.  I can not believe I am still on my feet.  Since I was home, I cleaned the house from top to bottom, mopped, vacuumed, cleaned her room completely washed everything....that's what I do when someone is sick.  I at least have a clean house and I am so looking forward to sleeping tonight!   BTW, Steve and Shad really helped out too!!!

Easter 2013

After a rough night, somehow the day turned out good.

Here is our big surprise for our church .....

 

 

 

The chairs we ordered almost three years ago....came in Saturday night at 6 pm.  the company went bankrupt right after we ordered AND paid for the chairs.  I was SICK about it and fought as hard as I could sending letters to the judge etc....   Well they reorganized and we finally got the chairs...  I was so happy that they got delivered in time for Easter.   I really had doubts that we'd ever see them so I am so thankful that everything worked out!  Now our big remodeling things are done for the church.  My next goal is the yard!  A few years ago the company that did our new sidewalk brought in bad sand that had weeds in it and it has taken over the property.  We are going to work at resoddening the yard one part at a time.  I actually think it's supposed to be done in winter and it will be a big job but we've handled worse:)

 

Here's my crew on the front row

 

This is where Selah sits during church.  She likes the bean bag chair

 

Guy, Anita & Ziggy, Jon singing "The Old Rugged Cross"

 

 

After the Egg Hunt

 

Easter 2013

 

 

 

Sarah

 

This afternoon Shad enjoyed his "new" refurnished bike a friend gave him.  It's his "grown up" bile and he loves it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

the guys were going to go bike riding but then my husband's van had a flat....but they got to bond over that LOL

 

 

I sat outside with Selah in the swing for over an hour.  She seemed so happy and relaxed but seconds after this picture was taken she threw up on me!  We think (hope) she had a bit of motion sickness!  She got a bath and so did I!

 

She was given several new outfits today (thanks BJ!) and she is modeling one in this picture.

 

Since the nurse has left her alarm has gone off several times already.  Her oxygen levels are a bit down (the machine is set at 92 %)  Her heart rate is still a bit too high 110-120  Please pray that she has a good night and that nothing is going on with her. she had a slight temp around 8 am but nothing since except some sneezing and throwing up once.  No gross mucus or anything.   I am so tired, I only got about 3 hours of sleep last night.  Tomorrow she has an appointment for her casts to come off!!!!!!!!!   I want her well for that appointment! 

 

So hopefully tomorrow will be the end of the casts!!!!!

 

 

Ps....Easter is more nostalgic for me than Christmas...I was thinking of my family that are passed away.  Many folks I grew around are all gone now.  I can remember singing some of the same hymns we sang this morning, many years ago with my new dress and usually a hat on.  Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time for just a few minutes to see all our loved ones?  Today gives me that HOPE that one day I will see them all again and we'll sing around the throne together.....

HE is Risen!

This morning I've been up for hours with Selah.  She kept having high heart rates and so I checked her Blood Pressure and it was extremely high.  She didn't "storm" but I had to give her meds  I've never had to give before to get it down.  It came down to normal within 30 minutes but her heart rate has still been all over the place even tho she is sleeping.   Every now and then it will shoot up to the 140's and set off the alarm.  She is pretty much staying in the 120's now but that is high.  My heart rate is in the 120's when I'm speed walking so I know how that feels. 

So with nothing to do but sit, I've been reading FB, amazed that anyone else is up!  LOL  I mean who is up on a Sunday morning at 4:30 am?  Not me!  I can say neither me or my husband have ever been guilty of going to a Sunrise Easter service LOL.   Anyhow, I regress, the posts are all so positive, I mean it is Easter Sunday morning....  my posts are not so positive.  I'm sad and disheartened that we are dealing with this again and unfortunately I understand it shows that her brain is not healing, it can't regulate the blood pressure/heart rate system without help. 

BUT He is still risen.....that is what I hold to....even as her alarm goes off once again....

We have an older gentleman and his wife who attend our church.  They were children in Germany during WWII.  Anita's mom had a child with Downs that they successfully hid from the Nazis.  (he lived to be in his 60's)  Then Ziggy and Anita fled East Germany after they were married.  they have many interesting stories.  But one thing Ziggy always says "Where could I go but to Him?  "There is no one else in heaven or earth..."   That is so true, there is no one else to go to....no one else who can bear our burdens.  I have lots of friends but really who can I go to in a time like this?  No one but Jesus.  It's lonely and yet it is not....

So this Easter Sunday morning, I'm still clinging to the Risen One...

Please pray for Selah....hopefully we will have some good pictures later with the children.