Hospitality?

Please visit this blog! I need to be reminded of this each day! I admit, I am not good at this. I want PERFECTION! And when I don't get it, I just don't want anyone over!

Abigails leftovers

Pic of my Yana!

Nope, this isn't new. This was last year, but it is a picture I don't have! And look, proof that yes, she is able to stand with support all on her own! I can't wait to hold her! But boy, we need to help with that haircut! I am thinking bows or a headband. :)

Now for a bit of update info:

Yana will be 7 in March. She currently weighs 25.5 lbs. and she is 37.8 inches tall. None of her development "measurements" such as physical, emotional, social etc are above 11 months. Her lowest "grade" was 4 months! She shows preference for only one little boy who is in the crib next to hers. That makes me sad to think of leaving him behind. He is like her brother. :(

Tavi just turned 4 in November. She currently weighs 24 lbs. and is 34 inches tall. She is at 18 months for her development level. She is WALKING and TALKING a bit. Considering her prematurity, I find this amazing! Also, it was noted she enjoys being around other children, which is good!

As a comparison, Luke, who will be 4 in February weighs 32.5 lbs. and is 38.5 inches tall. He is in about the 30th percentile for his measurements. So that gives you a clue just how tiny these babies are!

On the upside, they should be able to wear my nieces hand me downs, and even some of the neutral stuff of Lukes. At least till we get their health improved!

A family for Aaron?

Allow me to introduce you to a beautiful little boy. His name is Aaron, he's 5, and he has just been transferred out of an orphanage to an institution. The orphanage has been his home for 5 years. It lacked so much, and yet it was all he knew, it was it's own kind of security for this little orphaned child.

Now this 5 year old boy is in an institution. An institution for the mentally and physically ill and disabled. A 5 year old is ripped from the arms of the only family he has ever known, to be taken away by strangers to another "family". Only this family has less love, less food, less medical care, less laughter, and even less hope. And let's face it, when I say family I am only saying the word. This is NOT a family, it is a holding cell for those with no hope of ever getting out. The likelihood of Aaron being adopted from here is slim at best. Each day he spends here he will regress until so much hurt is locked inside that only a shell will be left. The smile you see on his face will be one of his last if he is not soon broken free from walls of this orphan prison. He needs his mommy and daddy to ransom him NOW!

I just have this feeling in my heart that Aarons family is out there. Maybe they are a little out of the box as far as their view of what makes a good adoptive family. Maybe they look at their finances and think it isn't the right time. Maybe they have "raised" their kids and think they are too old to start over.

But maybe, just maybe they will turn to God and ask what HIS plan is, what are HIS thoughts, where does HIS heart want them to go. Maybe, because they know how awesome God is, because they know that ALL THINGS are possible with GOD, just maybe they will "leap knowing that they will either be taught how to fly or there will be something solid for them to stand on!"

It is my prayer that Aaron cries at night for a mommy to come and love him. I pray he cries because that means hope is still alive in his little boy heart. He wants a daddy to take him fishing, he wants a mommy put a bandaid on his skinned knee, he NEEDS a mommy and daddy to say "YOU ARE WORTH IT!". He needs to hear them say, and live out the attitude of, I will "walk through any fire for you" my son, for you are worth it!

Do you have the courage? Do you have what it takes to walk this journey? Are you willing to let God, by grace, fill in your cracks so that Aaron gets his family? Don't be afraid, Gods heart is for the orphan! God's strength is sufficient. Be the vessel through which God gives Aaron his miracle!

Personally, I think everyone should be looking at themselves in a mirror and asking God "Will you send me?" You need to realize that Gods glory shines brightest from imperfect situations, not perfect ones. So don't look at the can nots. Pray to God to reveal to you the CANS!

And if I don't have you yet, I think Aarons mom and dad should take a look at this picture of their son, dont' you?

[the picture is big, so click on it to see it all!]



And here is a little more info: Aaron is a darling, blonde haired and blue eyed boy who was born with arthrogryposis. He is very high functioning, cognitively normal, and is able to walk on on his own. His feet are nearly normal, and his hands are only minimally affected. He stands straight and tall and is very active! Aaron has recently been transferred to the institution, so we need a family for him FAST! He deserves to have a loving family, not to be stuck behind 4 walls for the rest of his life!

If you are still uninspired, listen to this:

Prayer for good news!

Our facilitator is picking up the girls full referrals tomorrow. I am praying that there is good news in them, or at least nothing new that is bad! I am also praying there are new pictures. It has been a year. I know I will be meeting them soon, but I want to be as prepared as possible. And I just can't wait to see them, meet them love on them, and see with my own eyes just what is goign on with them.

So please keep them in your prayers, and the referrals as well! I should be able to post some info and maybe even their pictures if I get them via email!

Thanks.

It's Christmas in Bulgaria....

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY SWEET GIRLS!

Here it is, Christmas day in Bulgaria. I wish I was there with you, I wish even more that you were here with us. WE LOVE YOU! I like to think many people are praying for you two this day. You have a loving family here who can't wait to hold you in our arms. You have a birth family, and I know that in their hearts they grieve for not being able to raise you. I like to think, this day of all days, that we all bow our heads in prayer for you, praying blessings to rain down upon you. I like to think that they will know you are soon to be adopted, and that their hearts rejoice at answered prayer.

I love you both.... more than I ever thought I could considering we have only met in my dreams and in my heart!

Again.... Merry Christmas girls. You are never far from my thoughts.

Mommy Loves You!

Greatly saddened today....

I just heard that Derek Loux has passed away due to a car wreck this morning in Nebraska.

This man had such a passion and heart for orphans! He and his wife adopted 3 boys about a year ago. And almost at the same time adopted 2 older girls from the Marshall islands as well, making their family a family of 10 kids?, 8 of whom were adopted.

He was a part of IHOP in Kansas City. The world has lost a champion, but heaven has gained a saint.

My heart goes out to this family, 2 days before Christmas. I can only imagine their sorrow in wanting him here and their rejoicing in knowing he is seeing his savior face to face! I will be remembering them in prayer.

God does't always make sense..... but He is always good!

The Loux family blog

If its about the finances.....

As for financing an adoption, I want those who are doubting or have questions to understand the love in Gods hearts for these little ones! We put the initial $3500 we had to pay on our credit cards. We already had a credit card debt of $13,000. That debt currently, even with the $3500, is around $10,000... so it is going DOWN!

We were prepared to put the whole adoption on our credit card, or take out a loan to if need be. We figured about $22,000 of new debt because of the adoption. Considering our less than desirable financial position, I still always felt a peace about the money coming from somewhere. Thinking if it was Gods will that we put it all on a credit card, then that is what we would do. Always trusting He would help us pay it off.

As things are progress via fundraising, we may end up not having to put ANY of it on a credit card! It blows my mind! Praising God!

I am not saying that regardless of financial position, one should just jump into an adoption. But I AM SAYING to PRAY A LOT! And to take Gods leading seriously and put your hope and faith in Him!!! It is when there isn't an obvious road, or there are pitfalls, or mighty struggles that Gods glory is able to shine most brightly!!!

This journey of adoption is possible only because of Gods love and presence at work in the hands and lives of all who have been a part of our journey!!!!

Praying Gods blessing over all of you in the process of adoption, or those who are considering committing! May God lead, and may you forever be a willing follower!

With 3 days left until Christmas, the birthday of my Savior, I pray that all of you are feeling His love and peace in your hearts tonight!

moving right along

I have made, courtesy of my facilitator, hotel reservations in Bulgaria! How exciting is that I ask you? The hotel even has a web site!

Hotel Budapest

The menu in the hotel restaurant has me drooling! :) [except for the lamb, I don't eat cute things!]

I have too much free time... not really

But I was bored, so look what I did! :)





Hey, be nice. I never claimed to be a professional! :)

FUNDRAISER SUCCESS!!!!

Our church was praying to raise $1000 tonight with the murder mystery/taco dinner fundraiser. Drum roll please.... We were able to raise over $1600!!!!! That puts us over the $5000 mark with all combined grant donations, and we still have almost 4 weeks left to go! Praising the Lord! :)

WOW! Our matching grant....

So we have a matching grant of up to $5000. "My" goal was to be half way there by Christmas. As of today we are just $1270 SHY of $5000! Way past our goal!!!!! AND our church's big fundraiser for us is tonight! We are praying for it to bring in $1000!

What I am feeling is indescribable. I pray that all who have contributed in time, money and/ or prayer are greatly blessed by GOD because of their selfless generosity! What I can never fully repay, I put in Gods hands and ask that he generously rewards those who are answering His call to give! From the bottom of my heart.... THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

I bought plane tickets!!!

I am freaking out in a good way!!!!!! :) 2 round trip tickets to Bulgaria! Hooray!

Don't you love feeling loved? :)

I am married to the most wonderful man! He brought me the nicest gift! He brought me a calf! John was at a cattle sale yesterday and they were trying to sell a little weaned calf that no one would bid on. He was sickly looking, skinny, his head hung real low. John felt so sorry for it and thought, Kelly would love to love on this little guy. So he bought it for me!!! And just to share the sad price of this little calf... he paid $15 bucks for it!

Luke named it for me. He wants to call him Kuma. :) I have no idea why, but he was very proud of his creation! LOL

Here is our newest little guy: [please excuse the messy pen, it is a very temporary holding!!!!]

hosting opportunity... desperate need!

I have a friend who is needing to place 2 girls, separately or together. They are foreign exchange students from China. They would need to be enrolled in your local highschool. Currently they are in California, but can go anywhere in the US. Their host families both lost their jobs and the deadline to hvae them moved is this Friday.

If you are at all interested, you can call Sudy [rhymes with Judy :)] @ 1-877-238-8729.

I can also get you her email if you need it. I had almost taken a job with her a year ago, but then we committed to the girls and I just couldn't handle anymore paper work! She is easy to talk to, and some day I might just take her up on the job offer. :) ... when my life finally slows down. LOL

A Good day = one dead mouse :)

Good news! Our mouse is dead, the cat got him. However, this is after the poor thing was caught in a trap. But hey, I'm not picky. :)

ARRGGGHHH, Mondays!

What a lovely cloudy, cold and windy day! NOT!

Sometimes you just want a break huh? To start this lovely day we have 1 working toilet, the other one is broke because Luke flushed his brothers tooth brush down it. In his words..."I didn't flush MY toothbrush down the toilet." This was said AFTER he blamed the cat! 1 working toilet with 9 people on a school morning isn't easy, and the boys all proclaimed it too cold and windy to go outside!

Then we also have one sink, as the other sink is clogged. But it is the sink in the bathroom with the broken toilet that works so that actually was a blessing ...

AND to make things really, really great... there is a MOUSE in my living room. One of my cats tried to get it, but she just succeeded in chasing it from one piece of furniture to the other. So now I have a mouse trap under our TV stand, since that is the only place the cat can't get under. I don't want to know how many mice I don't know about!

AND all my kids are ready for Christmas break, as not one of them wanted to go to school this morning. They get on the bus by 6:45... so let's just say it took some convincing! Oh, and James has lost the computer and x=box today... he decided being mouthy was good entertainment at 6 in the morning.

I am tired. When is bedtime?

Interested in international adoption?

Think outside the box, get out of your comfort zone, stand up and fight for a childs life, make a real and lasting difference in the life of a child, take it to God and let Him lead!!!!!

**** I know most of my blog readers are adopting or have adopted already... but in case someone else comes along and God starts to move in their hearts... here is some information to spur them on:

1. Visit www.reecesrainbow.com

2. Play around the site, learn a little, inquire if you have questions... it a commitment free learning time. :)

3. As you do this, pray, evaluate your life, where is it going?, what is Gods will for your life?, Have you sought His will lately?

4. Look at the photos of waiting children, the angel tree link is a good place to start. Remember that these are REAL children, in DESPERATE situations, and that you REALLY CAN make a difference in the world of a child.

5. Throw out the logic of the world, and pray to God for HIS wisdom on the choices you make.

Thats a start anyway... :) In the meantime, here are some photos of little ones that pull on my heart [well, they all do, but some just speak louder. :)]

Intricately designed by God

Every now and then there are children listed on Reeces Rainbow, and they are in the same orphanage AND somehow in my mind they become siblings that just have to be together! Vera and Alina are 2 such girls. They are both darling. Look at their beautiful smiles. Add the the fact that they both have CP, and to me look alike, and they just need to go home together. Ask your husband today how he would feel about adopting 2 little girls with blond hair, CP, and gorgeous smiles... 2 little girls that need a mommy, and need a hero... er I mean daddy. :) Ask your husband, but ask God first! :)



Vera (19)
Girl, Born April 8, 2005
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!

GRANT in the amount of $1171

Vera is a darling, energetic and happy little girl. She has mild CP and is able to walk on her own. She is very capable and smart. She is already 4 and needs a family quickly!

UPDATE: Infantile cerebral paralysis, double hip dysplasia, systemic violation of the speech (middle level) She is very friendly and smily girl. She eats herself, can walk holding somebody`s hand. After spending some time with her you start understanding Vera`s speech. According to caregivers words she is
very prospective girl, she only needs individual support and treatment.
*** Vera is facing the mental institution soon, please someone give her the life she deserves! *



Alina (19)

Girl, Born April 2, 2007

How about this ittle pixie doll? Alinahas blonde hair and giant blue eyes. She has mild CP, and is diagnosed with hydrocpehalus, but I don't see that in her. She does have some strabismus, but she is a very happy, affectionate little girl! Working on her walking!

Question for large families...

How do you deal with your kids wanting friends over, and to spend the night? I love my kids friends, I enjoy kids. But having friends over is always so hard... I suppose being as we live in the country, esp. when weather is cruddy there is not as much to do. It is always crazy. The thing is everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, wants to come over ALL the time! I feel so guilty for saying no, but John works every single day but Sunday. Saturday night we go to church. ....

It woudl be so easy to live in town and just invite someone over for a couple of hours. But we live about 15 miles from town and the kids go "ballistic" if I suggest a short visit. :( ... and so then I feel guilty.

Do you just not have friends over? Do you look at this as just part of your life for now? In our house there are diverse interests and personalities... so nothing is ever easy. ... :)

We have 3 friends over tonight. 2 fpr Quincy and 1 for James. Figured it best to "get it over with". They are all sweet kids! I just wish I could get away with doing this once a year!

T.R.A.V.E.L.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Houston, we have lift off!!!!!!!!!!

OHHHHHHHHHHHH, you want to know when???? Well, it's not yesterday like I really wanted...;) BUT....

JANUARY 17TH THROUGH JANUARY 23RD!!!!!!!! This will work out wonderfully as the last day for our matching grant is the 11th and all country fees will need paid before we travel! Praising God!

Some days my heart just aches....

I don't know what makes some days harder than others. But there are those days that my heart refuses to be stilled and just aches all day. I wonder what the girls are doing. What did they eat today? Are they warm? Have they been held or talked to? Have they smiled or laughed today? Were they excited about anything?

But mostly, I just sit and wonder how long before I never have to wonder about these things again. Because they will be home... being loved, fed, played with, and held. Someday their world will be radically different than it is right now. At first they will not see the blessing they ahve been given, because they will greatly miss the only "home" they have ever known. But soon the love of a family will help heal their hurts, and life will be better than ever before.

Missing them a lot today. Wishing I could show them the beautiful snowfall!

SNOW DAY! uh... make that 2 snow days!

ARRGGHHH!!! I LOVE my kids home! BUT SHEESH! You would think they were all on a sugar high/caffeine kick! And 3 of them were outside from 6:30- to almost 9:30 this morning! What happened to nap time?!

Just heard: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW! Maybe we will make gingerbread cookies?!

Family photos... sort of...

Ha! Not really. But I always take a picture of all my kids in front of our Christmas tree. Some years it isn't too hard, others it is impossible. This year resembled the impossible. And they are all getting tall enough, pretty soon we won't even be able to SEE the tree!

Oh I got it done. And sadly, these are the best 3! Sorry if they are kind of dark, I couldnt' get my editing to do any good!

We had just finished decorating the tree so excuse what they have on. Pay no attention to Logan. He HATES pictures, and refuses to "pose" for family pics. I may have threatened him a bit... :) YES, Cale is wearing his halloween ninja costume. He wears it all the time, even though he is 12! LOL And YES, my lovely 9 year old daughter loves her skull shirt, at least is has a good message about recycling! And YES, it was a high of 25, but James thought shorts and a t-shirt were plenty warm enough. You get the idea... I was taking this pic one way or another!!!! :)








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These are photos of John, our oldest son Logan [15], and our next oldest Nolan [13]. Nolan has not hit that major growth spurt yet, but he takes after Johns side of the family so may not reach the heights that Logan and most likely Cale will. You can see that at 15 Logan is taller than his dad! I found it pretty impressive that my 80 lb. Nolan can hold my 140 lb. Logan!








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This is a great picture of Nolan. He is your quintessential middle child. Kind, responsible, laid back, friendly, a good care taker and a total sweetheart [don't worry, he doesn't read this blog so his "teenage manhood" wont' be offended :)]. I don't talk enough about him. He is a joy to parent, and an integral part of this family running smoothly... or at least our version of smoothly. :) Isn't he just adorable!? He frets over not having a girl friend. My kids are not allowed to "go out" with someone until the 8th grade. Well, here he is in the 8th grade and no girl friend in sight. I tell him not to worry, he will have plenty of opportunities for girlfriend as he is respectful, nice, funny, good looking, smart, you name it! But hearing that from your mom doesn't go to far when you are 13! :)

Lovin' Life....

Did you know on our next anniversary I will have been Kelly Mayden for as long as I was Kelly Dean? Cool huh?! I have never regretted my choice of marrying John a month after I turned 18. What can I say? I LOVE MY LIFE!






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And I just had to include this 'cause I think it is a cute one of Luke. :) I love his eyelashes. It just isn't fair that those lashes are on a boy!

Specifically chosen....

Most of my "friends" that are adopting 2 at once, or more, are adopting with similar disabilities. Many of them are adopting children with Down syndrome. I have often thought, maybe it would be better to do that so that Yana would have a "sister or brother" as a pal for life! But to do that... we would lose Tavi. And I can't do that!

You see, when we first committed to the girls, we did so with both of them at once. God had given us a sign that these two were who he had in mind for us. We had inquired about 7 other children as well as Tavi and Yana. Initially we were just going to commit to Tavi, but then we talked about adopting 2. So we decided about a few that we were both drawn to, and who our "first pick" was. But we also were wanting to adopt from the same orphanage, which saves you $2000 plus!

We then inquired about if any of them were in the same orphanage. There were 2 boys. BUT then there was one girl, while not in the same orphanage was in the same city and there would be no extra fees involved. That little girl was Yana, and wouldn't you know she was our first pick!

But her "issues" on top of Down syndrome were BIG! So we asked if our facilitator could find out any more. She called the director of teh orphange who invited her to come and meet Yana for herself. And she let her take pictures! This is very, very RARE! What a blessing! We were able to find out some positive news, and saw how totally adorable she was and our hearts were no longer in limbo. We committed that very day... February 19th, 2009!!!!

Now some say coincidence, some say this could have gone any way we wanted, but we knew... this is what GOD had planned for us! We would become a family and these 2 girls, who don't have any idea the other exists will soon become sisters! It is a glorious thing to SEE God at work so lovingly and so specifically! It gives me such joy and comfort!

What are we going to do with 2 special needs girls, both of whom have very different special needs. Truthfully, I am goign to love them with every ounce of love and strength GOD gives me, and pray... A LOT!! He doesn't always call the equipped, but oftentimes equips the called!!!! And do we ever need equipping! But I have every faith we will get there! God's timing is rarely early, but it is never late! Praise God!

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This little one is on my heart. What can I say? I am a sucker for a red head!!!
Are you being specifically chosen by God to bring him home?



Ilyas S.
Brothers and sisters no
Date of Birth: December 2007
Gender: Male
Eyes: Gray
Hair: red
Nature: Passive
Down syndrome

Here's his country info:

2 trips
Both parents for 2 weeks
Wait 2-3 months for court
Both parents travel for 2nd trip, one can leave after 4 days, the other waits one week longer
No family size restrictions
Both parents must be younger than 60 years
Total program and travel fees under $25k
Fee includes a $500 orphanage donation
Married couples and single mothers may apply

AND he currently is eligible for a $1700 grant!

Find him here: http://www.reecesrainbow.org/waitingchild3.html

Flights...$$

Looking into flights to Bulgaria in January. They are not as bad as I thought they would be. I know there are places that offer discounts to adoptive families, so we will be looking into those. Praying that as we get closer to the dates, our flight costs stay lower too! Can't wait to find out WHEN we will travel!!!! I have felt like it was Christmas Eve, and I am 6 years old ALL DAY! Makes a long day. LOL

Grant donations are slowly coming in, but we have been greatly blessed by those that have come in. AND we have been so blessed by encouraging words and promises of sending in donations after Christmas!

Prayer Requests:

Please pray with us that we reach our goal of $5000 for the matching grant!

Please pray that our lawyer in Bulgaria is able to obtain the needed signatures easily and quickly.

Please pray that we get our travel date soon so we can plan... I am a terrible planner, but even worse at waiting! LOL

Please continue to pray for the health and safe keeping of our girls.

Thank you all!

We are OFFICIALLY REFERRED!

My dear friends, my dear, dear blog world friends... I can not wait to share with you one of the most exciting emails of my life!

We were officially referred the girls today... a WHOLE day earlier than we thought! I had everyone praying for Friday! LOL... Gods too funny! :)

Join me in praising GOD!

Luke is a natural! LOL