Our Angela in Ukraine

We got a report on "our girl" Angela the child we sponsor in Ukraine.  We had the opportunity to spend time with her when we were adopting our girls.  She is a beautiful soul.  At the time, she could not even sit up but in the past 2 years, she has come a long way.  Right after we adopted the girls, she was transferred to the orphanage Druz ( the one we raise money for)  There she received therapy and better care despite being in a war zone.  We pay $40 a month for her to have an individual care giver Monday- Friday.  Obviously it helps Angela but it also helps a local women to be able to have a job.  This caregiver works with her, ensures she gets fed, changed bathed etc.....   Both of our girls had an individual caregiver through Life2Orphans.  We truly believe it made a difference in their lives.  I'm not sure that Sarah would be alive if it were not for L2O......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also sponsor a child through Life 2 Orphans.  I can say with 100% certainty that they are a great organization and do what they say they will do!   We have personally seen them in action, day after day!  I don't put my money or confidence in an organization unless I trust it and I trust L2O.  They have many children that need a sponser.  You can go to their various sites or contact the director personally....
                     
 Megan at   MeganF@Life2Orphans.org,
 Face book page     https://www.facebook.com/Life2Orphans
 web site     http://www.life2orphans.org/cms/    

the website it a bit hard to find things on but they don't waste a lot of money on websites!  They spend their money on the kids.  I don't think anyone in the US gets a salary with their organization. 

This Christmas season, I would like to encourage you to give to this wonderful compassionate organization that does so much for the children left behind......  the ones that will never have a family, are shown love and given help through L2O!!!!   I'm so thankful for all they have done over the past decade with the orphans in Ukraine.  I'm doubly thankful for what they did for our girls and for what they do for Angela. 

I wish we had adopted Angela.  Right now, it would be almost impossible for anyone to adopt her as she is in the Donetsk region & travel there is dangerous.  I pray that she will be adopted.  She needs so much help still, although she has come a long way.  Please pray for her health and safety along with the other children there in Ukraine!!

(really hope the pictures are not wooky.....LOL they don't look right on this page to me!)

Random Pictures

 

Sarah looking like "Miss Beasley"

yes I had the doll!

 

 

 

 

 

 Brownie posing as a "dead" dog in her dog house!

 

 

Selah and Rose- doesn't Selah look beautiful?  Her and Rose match!

 

Selah and her two grandmothers

Lynn and Rose!

 

 

 

Haha!  Jon taking a pretend shower at the new house

We drove by Sunday- he hadn't been there for a couple of weeks and was pleasantly shocked!

In fact I did not notice on Saturday that our shower was built.

I'm so appreciative of our contractors, originally a small shower with a door was to be put in but I can not handle those!

I have a real phobia and a real reason...

on one of our early anniversaries, we stayed in a beautiful hotel right on the beach.

The shower was one with a door....

and while I was taking a shower, the water went from normal to boiling and I could not get out of there!!!!   I was so upset and can't stand those showers ever since!

So I'm so glad the guys were able to help me and my phobia out!!!!!

They built it with walls and a small opening, I'll just have to cut down a shower curtain to fit it which will be fine:)

 

 

Work Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another work day at the house!  We were only there for a few hours but it was great to see the HH staff and meet all the volunteers who came by to work.  I did find out today our target date to move in is Mid March.  In the beginning the idea was floated that it would be done by Christmas or early January.  But I think just the size alone, will add extra time.  As anxious as we are to get moved in, it seems like things are going very fast.  Part of the roof will be delivered Tuesday and then the rest of it will come on the 22nd.   Once that happens, the windows and doors will be put in and the house can be locked up. 

Well tonight is a movie night for the Fam and I'm ready for a nice hot shower.  For some reason I just ache all over, there are days like this and then all the pain goes away.  It seems the more I take my walks, the less pain I have.  I've not been on schedule this week, which is a SHAME!  I can tell the difference.  Jon went out this afternoon walking, I should have made myself go with him, I'm sure I'd be feeling MUCH better if I had!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

A Stalking we will go.....

Ok I REALLY try NOT stalking the new house.  But the kids always want to go by it...that's my story at least.  We went by today and wow- it 's a house!!!   It seems like the house is progressing so fast.  But of course we can hardly wait till it's finished!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I can't see the pictures as I blog but they always show up when I post.  How odd! But as you can see all the outer wood walls are up and the windows are all cut out. 

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So many thoughts going through my brain right now.  One thing I'm thinking about is my gratefulness to God for all He has given me.  My husband and children fill my heart more than I could have ever imagined when I was younger and so alone.  I never dreamed I'd have so many people to love.  I believe every good gift comes from God and they all have been "good gifts".  No matter what lies ahead, I am so blessed that I've had them with me.  Every night I thank God for what He has given me in them. 

Often I write quite interesting blogs in my head that never make it to the blog....LOL  otherwise I might have to hire a few body guards!  I've been writing a few lately IN MY HEAD only but one or two might make it on here if I ever get the time. 

Another thing is I'm FREAKING out about our upcoming trip to NY.  We've not gone back as a family since we left there December of 2012-two years ago.   I found it very hard emotionally when I flew up with Sam in 2013 and I'm dreading the whole emotional thing it may bring up.  Chances are we will stay in the same room that we spent 5 months in.  

If you've not figured it out yet, I'm not one who likes to deal with emotions.  I deal by pushing things down and going on with life.  Don't knock it, it works.....that's how I get through life.  I do not dwell on things or I should say I don't deal on things for long.  Personally I do not think it is too healthy.  So I do not let myself be put into emotional situations if I can help it.  Obviously I can't help this.  Sam must be seen by Dr A and Sarah needs to be seen too.  It is way cheaper for us all to drive up together than to fly.  Plus this way the boys (Shad and Steve will come too) 

Traveling over the Christmas holiday is totally stressful in and of itself!  I'm worried about snow, ice and other drivers!!   The only good thing is we are all looking forward to seeing our NY friends and making sure all is well with Sam and Sarah's eyes.

Sarah is being seen because her eye seems to be shrinking and it's often blood red.  I'm also afraid of what that might mean to her tiny bit of sight. 

Well I think I'll go and take one of my anxiety pills tonight!!!!!  LOL.....  I've not taken one for months but it sounds like a good idea now!

I would certainly appreciate prayers about this upcoming trip! 

A Day in the Life of Me

What a whirlwind of a day.....just to recap....

Jon was off from work!
Steve had an early morning dentist appointment so I got him and Shad up and out.  Steve dropped Shad off.
Make two crockpots of chili
Nurses' shift change
Sam and Sarah up, changed and given breakfast...
Physical therapist arrives for Selah then Sarah.
Vision teacher arrives for Selah, Sam and Sarah
Steve gets home, now needs two wisdom teeth out.....
(he did manage to get our cell phone bill corrected at the cell phone store)
I go to get my nails done and hair trimmed
ENDURE having my nails done (love the outcome- can't stand anyone touching me and really really hate the little electric file!)
Run to Publix for a few things
Leave Publix $56 poorer with just 4 plastic bags of groceries!
Drive home, call husband to have kids ready to go
Get home, get kids
fill up with gas
turn around and pick up Shad from school
take all kids (except Shad-he got his last week) to get their hair cut
Have Sam Shaved
Cut off over 3 inches of Sarah's hair
Get home and cook grilled ham & cheese to go with chili
Make sweet tea
FEED ME!  LOL
Feed family put Sam to bed
Finish eating.....
Steve leaves for classes, one is the Final for the class-good luck!
'Relax" by reading facebook
Do blog-it's only 6 pm!
Still got to fix a small supper
change a few diapers
give Sam and Sarah their baths and get them ready for bed- brush teeth....
pick up house....
watch the news
fall asleep!

I couldn't have gotten as much done as I did today but Jon was home so he changed diapers and did eyedrops!

Well I'm tired....this is just a regular medium day in my life....

New House pictures

Last night was the annual Volunteer Banquet at the Prison.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to go since Steve had a class but luckily he got out a little early and I made it.  Being a little late, I missed somethings but got to hear the end of Jon's sermon/speech and see the  Volunteer of the Year get his plaque.  Jon gave all his volunteers certificates, including me!  LOL  I only make it in once a year or so but I did help serve the meal:) 

We went by the house today...TWO times LOL!  First with Steve, Sarah and Sam.  So much work has been done on it the last few days.  Then Shad wanted to go so he, our nurse and Selah went by, by that time the workers were gone for the day.


The pictures I took are going to be all wacky again so I can't see them.....hope you can!
Basically the house has a "T" shape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

part of the roof will be put on next week!!!!!!   this is so exciting and fun to watch!

Gator Bait!

This is a CRAZY picture that a friend of mine posted today.  It was taken yesterday by a family on their way home from church.  This is from the East coast of Florida in the Palm City area.  The gator is eating a wild hog.  The big vultures are hoping for a scrape or two. Thought this was a wild picture!!!  The joys of living in Florida!

Good thing I didn't see this picture yesterday!  Jon & I wanted to go to the woods to hike but the day flew by.  We finally had time right after the sun set.  So we loaded up and went.  We included flash lights, head lights (lights worn on the head) and MACE (the real stuff not the $10 kind you can buy at Walmart)  There is a preserve right near our house so we went there.  After all the crazy little tiny trails we went on Saturday, we went on a nice big one, made by a machine with some shell on it so it was nicer.  Anyhow we got out there and it was pitch dark except for the moon.  After I got over being nervous, it was really quite the adventure and I'm glad I went with him.  Wish I could have taken pictures but it was too dark.  We could feel cold air streams, then we'd walk into an area with warm air streams.  Jon kept telling me there were ancient Indian burial spots out there.....  I did refuse to go down by the river with him!  It was not a night to run into gators!!!

Well hope everyone is having a good start to their week!!!!