Life Changing...

Quick note....  Bay News 9 did an interview with us today and it will air at 5pm, if you get the channel in the Tampa Bay Area.  For those of you who do not get the channel, I'll post the link when it goes up.  The cameraperson and I remembered each other from meeting somewhere....couldn't remember where until my famous SAM walked in the room:)  LOL  she shot and interviewed us at Easter for the Lighthouse for the Blind 's Easter Egg Hunt. 

Update on appeal...the appeal has been in Tallahassee since last Monday....6 business days and has not been picked up from the post office.  I had to send it through the post office as it is a post office address.  I found the number for the appeal office and called it today.  The receptionist said they'd go get it....not feeling really happy with them!!!!

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Today I picked up the mail and I got a package....I thought someone had sent me a book.  But when I opened it all that was in it was brochures for a women's meeting in another state.  Yeah like I'll be going to that LOL!  In large letters it said "LIFE CHANGING".... so I'm on my way to run errands and I started thinking about that term "life changing" and how it is thrown around nowadays....

I do not know about you, but speaking  for myself my life changing moments have not been in a crowd at some silly event....Call me cynical (which I am) but I've been to my share of conferences.....and my only "life changing event" has been to vow NOT to go to anymore of them LOL!  And I haven't!!!!  

But I've had life changing events....real ones, not ones where there is beautiful music playing and emotions are being worked on....no fluff, no teary altar calls that are forgotten in days.....

My life changing events have usually happened alone....some have been happy exciting ones like the day I innocently walked to my mailbox as a 17 year old girl and got a letter from Southeastern College and "heard" God tell me that was where I was going to college.  Some have been hard ones, where I had to cry out to God from deep inside of me, like in the corridor of the hospital when I had a sick little blind baby and I was determined NOT to become bitter but rather to trust God. 

Another life changing event happened while I was in an orphanage room surrounded by the most disabled children, trying to keep the tears in as I hugged little ones, gave them smiles for a few moments...knowing that my time would be short with them, wanting to give them all so much more....  I swear I could feel angels in that room that day....I almost can not think back to that moment without choking up. 

Don't be fooled by worked up emotions or fluff....God can and will give you some life changing events....it just probably won't be advertised by some slick ad agency and probably will cost you a lot more than the $150 registration fee.... it might cost something much more dearer to you.... it might cost you a lifestyle change.....it might cost you some friendships, that has happened.  It might cost you your ambitions..... but it will mean so much more to you than some worthless fluff..... don't be fooled!  

Let God change your life....right where you are...that's reality....

Love changes everything!

    Hopefully you saw my last blog and saw Sarah Joy walking IN to church....here are some pictures of her walking out!   LOVE this girl!

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE this picture!  Look at her sweet determined face!

 

Just think Sarah was considered useless...she was bed ridden, in an adult mental institution.  When we got to her, she could barely lift her head.  I remember being shocked at how weak she was, even tho I thought I was prepared for the worst.  More than anything I think it was the neglect of love.  She was malnourished, very malnourished but within days of us visiting her, she began to move more and not be so weary.  Now when I think back to that poor little girl, it's almost like it was another child, not my happy go lucky, determined, sweet, daughter! 

 

LOVE changes everything!!!!!

 

We are so blessed to call her our daughter.  She inspires me:)

 

 

 

Today was not a kayaking Sunday so we all got to go to our fav local restaurant Sunrise Eatery

It's Zephyrhill's answer to "Cheers" without the bar :)   Love the food and the folks there!

 

picture from my end of the table

 

 

picture from the other end of the table

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selah is enjoying a peaceful weekend.  No problems except for needing a little more suctioning. 

 

Please keep her in your prayers!

Sarah walking into church!!!!!!!

Look at our precious girl!  This little one that had no hope, was kept tied to a bed  in an adult mental hospital....could hardly lift her head up when we got to her...now...walking on her own... 

Jungle

We keep having lovely rainy days here in Florida.  In fact today I think I got rained on at least 6 different times...we certainly are a sub tropical area this summer.

This is the view out of my bedroom window, the elephant ears have grown huge this summer

 

 

 

I love having them there, it gives nice shade and our big dog likes to sleep right under my window:) 

 

 

Sarah and me in front of the Elephant Ears

 

 

 

 

Is it huge or what?

 

My GRAPE vine...the only grape I saw LOL

 

it looks good tho

 

 

behind our house.  Last year when we cut down the elephant ears (you have to do that once it gets cold or they rot)  the boys threw the out in the woods...they came back to life LOl

 

 

This is behind the back fence, looks like we live in a jungle.

 

 

 

 

 

Took this picture last night of the boys.  Everyone had had their baths, the house was clean and we watched "Creature from the Black Lagoon"  It was filmed in Walkulla Springs up near where I'm from.  Jon and I spent one of our anniversaries there at the lodge.  Not the most comfortable place but very old with lots of character. 

 

 

 

Today we went to Tampa and got Shad's school uniforms.  He has grown so much.  We also went to Chick Fil A.  A lady came up to me almost in tears and was so sweet about Sarah....she didn't really ask any questions she just commented on me and Sarah interacting...it was so sweet.  When we walked in CFA, Sam started dancing:)  he loves it!

 

Then we drove down to Brandon to pick up Selah's meds.  We have to go to this one pharmacy Bill's that can do the compounding.  They are great folks.  During our ride down I-75 we see helicopters everywhere, one was hovering over the exit onto Hwy 60...I find out later there was a terrible accident in that area including several cars/trucks.  Pray for those involved! 

 

Selah has had a good weekend.  She has been calm.  Last night we got up at 3 am to take care of her but she was sleeping so soundly we didn't bother her and waited till 5 am to change her.  I love when she sleeps straight through the night and is so peaceful.

 

Monday we will have Bay News 9 coming to interview us about our insurance issue.  I'm looking forward to it and am thankful to find a station that was interested in what is going on with our fight!!!!

 

Hope you all are having a good weekend!

Please remember to pray for Selah!! 

 

 

 

Meet the Nachtmann Family and their new twins!!!!

Today I want to tell you about Chet and Amanda Nachtmann .  They are adopting these precious BLIND twins from India.  The girls are 18 months old.  They do not have a specific diagnosis other than blindness but I think one or both of the girls maybe missing an eye (it's called anophthalmia and that is what Sarah has on the left side)  They may also have microphthalmia ( smaller than normal eyes/eyes that is what Sam has on the left side and actually the right eye also is smaller)   But it could be how the picture was taken....it is HARD to take a picture of a blind child!  I should know LOL!

Anyhow this crazy wonderful family is so excited to adopt these beautiful little princesses and I know we all want to help!!!!!!! Take a look at these sweet girls, can you imagine them left alone, in an orphanage, bullied by other kids....no future.....that is what will happen if we do not get behind them and help them!

 

 

When Chet and Amanda married they discussed adoption because Amanda had read a book in Junior High School called "19 Steps Up the Mountain"  It was about a family who adopted 19 special needs kids back in the 70's.    So they became foster parents and waited for a placement, it didn't happen so they thought about pursing international adoption.   They were drawn to blind kids.  Amanda actually works as an aid to a visually impaired child and that inspired them to adopt a blind child.....but as they started that adoption in Ukraine, they were drawn not to one but TWO blind girls ages 7 and 9!!!!!  

 

 So they brought them home and have enjoyed being their parents.  The love they have for their girls, and the knowledge they've gleamed has prepared them to adopt these little ones!  One thing with their older girls that they regret is that they are fighting the years of neglect and lack of intervention.   I so understand that feeling!  Having Sam as a biological child, we got services for him as soon as he came home from the hospital.  In fact I look back and wonder if I didn't overwhelm him at times BUT his skill level is so much higher than Sarah who had no therapies or interventions.  This time the Holmes family will be able to do that with these girls they are still so young. 

 

 

 

Here is their blog header from

 

http://www.theresoneless.blogspot.com/

 

Go there and read their blog...it tells the story of their life now and the journey to their girls. 

 

I love the story on April 2013 http://www.theresoneless.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-we-went-for-1-child-and-ended-up.html   of how they went for one girl and ended up with two.....read that!

 

So again you all have a chance to bless a family and to bless two little girls!!!!   Please reach down and help out...I get an average of 2500 hits a day on my blog ( I do not understand WHY LOL)  if everyone would send us a check for $5  that would be $12,500!  Can you imagine?????    I'd love to be able to give a family a check that size!!!!  WOW! 

 

So please remember whatever you can give will help out! 

 

You know my heart is towards any adoption whether the child is special needs or not but for a blind child I have such a soft spot.  I know the vulnerability of  a child who is blind... they are special little ones who do need more help in so many ways.  Orphanage life is hard, when I think of a child like Sam or Sarah in an orphanage it breaks my heart.  They are vulnerable in ways other children are not.  Please think about helping this family to quickly raise the money.  They have a lot of money to raise but God is faithful to the orphan...we have seen that to be true.

 

So please pray that this family will be able to raise the funds quickly!  Pray for safety for these little ones and that God will prepare their hearts for a family.

 

Please send a check to Grace Church 7060 Berry Road, Zephyrhills Fl 3350!!!!  Mark it adoption fund! 

 

You can also give to their fund at  ajholmes21@aol.com   They will be setting up a Family Sponsership page on Grace Haven Ministries soon also .

 

 

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To give an update on the families you all have given to thus far....

 

The Kacirek family  is home with their son and daughter....  http://kacirek.blogspot.com/

she also put out a darling video of their son dancing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2A7UfUmwww&feature=player_embedded

 

it is amazing to see this little guy moving like this.  He has spinal bifida and was basically in a bed for 15 years.  We spent time with him at the girls' institution. Listen to him picking up English!!!

 

The Burman family have their paperwork in to their children's country.

 

The Monier family has their homestudy scheduled.

 

I have directed you all to several other families over the past year or so but I can't remember all of them.  The Burman family and Monier family are the families that we have given to through our specific fund.  We had planned on giving to Selah's sister's family but they were at the end of their adoption and things were a bit unclear.  Still waiting for an update from them...

 

It's such a blessing to be involved in families who are adopting.  Thank you all for being a part too!

 

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Everything is going good at home.  Selah remains stable, no issues other than a little bit more secretions.    We are thinking now it is just a reaction to the new drug.  She has had some really good days lately!

 

Sarah is really working on walking.  She was mad when her therapist left yesterday and hopped over (she really doesn't know how to crawl) and got her walker and walked across the living room!!!  She is just amazing.  We are going to take her walker out with us this weekend and give us a chance to use it other places.  I love how determined she is !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipes

Well we made it a week without eating out (except Sunday and that is a given if the guys don't go kayaking!)  I had been blessed with some gift cards so me and the kids went to Panera's to eat.  First we all got our hair cut so now my kids don't look like waifs.  Then we went out to eat and then to Barnes & Noble Bookstore, a perfect afternoon:)  Instead of books I bought Season 3 of the Hardy Boys (the show from the 70's) Creature from the Black Lagoon (an old cult film that actually was filmed on the Weechie Wachie River where my guys go kayaking LOL)  and a Dance DVD...yes so I can learn to line dance ROFLOL!  Jon and I want to go dancing but not to a bar....found a restaurant in town that has a live band on the weekends and we are planning on going there with some friends some day.  He is a great dancer...me, I can hug to the music LOL!  So I'm going to get in practice.  Maybe.....

So since we haven't eaten out all week, what have I been cooking???  Some yummy things....I'm going to share some of the recipes here...  But first is a 'recipe" that I used to have to recite as a child at church....


"Take a cup of Kindness, mix it well with love,
Add a lot of patience and faith in God above,
Sprinkle very generously with joy and thanks and cheer
And you'll have lots of "Angel food" to feast on all the year"  By: Helen Steiner Rice


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Easy & Healthy Chicken Parmesan (thanks to my friend Jean who is a great cook!)

start with Boneless Chicken Breasts pound them
sprinkle salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on it
next spread a generous amount of Marinara sauce on one side
sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and then a slice of mozzarella cheese on top
You can roll chicken and use toothpicks to hold it in place.  (I didn't have any toothpicks so I did not roll it. 
 Then brush sauce on the outside
add 3/4 cup of Panko of bread seasoning and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese on the outside
Place chicken on parchment paper lined pan and cook for 20 minutes at 425 (I cut the chicken to make sure it was done)
Place a dab of butter on top

serve with a salad and other pasta (I used refrigerated cheese pasta and used olive oil and pesto as the sauce)

It was GOOD!

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Shrimp Fettuccine

1 cup of heavy whipping cream
2 Table spoons of butter
black pepper ( I use a lot)

melt butter in pot
slowly add the cream and pepper, stirring often)
bring to a lite boil and reduce heat slowly stirring.

Cook Fettuccine according to box  (we use either whole wheat or the "Garden/Veggie type that have a serving of veggies in each serving)  Drain

cook shrimp until they are nicely pink ( I only use a little shrimp last night, think I'll have to cook another box to go with the leftovers)

Add everything back into the big pot that you cooked the fettuccine in and mix

Serve with a salad and garlic bread

(on this one I doubled the sauce)

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Shrimp Jambalaya

cook Shrimp till no longer pink

Buy a few boxes of  Zatarains New Orleans Style Jambalaya mix     follow the directions....

I do it in the microwave and add the shrimp after the 5 minutes of full power.....  I usually do 3 boxes and divide the shrimp between them.  ( I buy a big bag of shrimp at Publix LOL  don't know the size but about $12) 

it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO  easy and good:)

I make homemade corn bread to go with it YUM!!!!!! 

The cornbread is not from a mix as many mixes have some bad stuff in them.  In the Zatarains's jambalaya mix there is nothing bad and I use EXPELLER pressed vegetable oil to mix it.

In everything I try to get the healthiest organic food as possible.  Yes it is more expensive....but maybe not in the long run.  And really not more expensive than eating out....plus you have great left overs if you make enough. 

Today I looked for a good cookbook with recipes that my kids would actually eat.  Some of the recipes, I don't even know what the heck they are talking about and I have a college degree LOL
I'd love to find a book that has easy, from scratch recipes.... Maybe that is the book I should write LOL!!    I don't like complicated recipes with crazy ingredients... I like comfort food made healthy:) 

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Thought you'd like a picture of my husband feeding our pet gator.........

 

 

JUST KIDDING....borrowed the picture from Gatorland's page:) 

 

 

Thanks for your continual thoughts and prayers for Selah!!!

 

 

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Our new focus family is finishing up their vacation and don't have much internet access.  They can't really send us pictures till they get home but you will love their sweet story and all the pictures.  They are an incredible family!!!  I can't wait to share about them with you!!!!!!!

 

 

Sleeping Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some sweet pictures I took last night....

 

 Selah's room is done now, I finally found some great curtains (in purple of course) and one of our nurses' brought in some shelves and put them up .  It looks so nice .  She fell asleep last night with her hand in/by her mouth and looked so precious. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture of Sarah is from Tuesday night.  She was tired out from swimming lessons and then PT.  She is never still like this:)  and still under the covers. 

 

 

Love my little girls!