Kicking off Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Today kicks off the first day of spina bifida awareness month.  When I was 22 weeks pregnant, Madi was diagnosed with spina bifida.  I had no clue what spina bifida was and I was so scared.  I felt like my world was crashing down.  I had no idea what it meant for her and the doctor made it sound like a death sentence (literally).  I remember pleading with God and telling him that I could deal with anything He threw our way, but to please let her make it through the rest of our pregnancy and in to my arms.  Not long after Madi was born I realized how much of the story the doctor left out.  Sure, there would be surgeries, therapies, appointments, wheelchairs, etc...., but more importantly there would be smiles, laughter, joy, determination,  and LIFE.  He forgot to tell me the “stuff” would all start to feel normal, and it would all be ok.  Fast forward a few more years and Madi’s diagnosis also brought us Ramya, because we had learned over the years that spina bifida and wheelchairs really aren’t scary.  Now we get the privilege of watching both girls grow, thrive, and live their lives abundantly. I hope by sharing our lives we have helped everyone see that we aren’t defined by our list of “cant’s” (and trust me, every person on this earth has a list in one form or another).  That list doesn’t rob us of our joy or keep us from living our lives to the fullest.  We don’t live life on the sidelines.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.  

Beauty from Ashes

From best friends and crib-mates to sisters. My girls lost everything. They lost their families when they were brought in to the orphanage. They lost their friends, caregivers, language, and culture when we brought them here. Though they now have the medial care they needed, a family that loves them fiercely and advocates for them, more than enough food, new friends, a good education, etc...., we can’t take away the loss or trauma they experienced. Adoption can have gain, but it’s deeply routed in loss. I’m thankful that they will always have each other.

(For those of you wondering, Deena was in Ramya's third orphanage.  They were best friends for the almost year that Ramya was there before coming home.  I met Deena on my trip to bring Ramya home.  Shortly after my return, we decided to try and adopt Deena.  The process took about 2 1/2 (very long) years.)

Our Family Photos

My amazingly talented friend, Michelle (http://www.michellepraskins.com/) took family photos for us this weekend. She did an amazing job, like always, and I just love how they turned out!!  The kids did great, but Deena was especially proud and excited to get photos of our family.  I cannot wait to hang them on the wall and help her feel at home!

Our Family:

The Kiddos...

The Bird...

David and I....

Deena requested photos with just me...

And these were just for fun, though Ramya did not want to participate...

Thanks for taking a peek, I just love my beautiful family so much!!

Five Things I Love About Madi

Today my sweet girl turned five.  FIVE!!!  Can you believe it??  I think I am still in shock.  When I look at my little girl, I am in awe of her perfection.  She truly is an amazing little gift from God.  In honor of her fifth birthday, here are five things I love about Madi:

1)  Her heart that overflows with love.

Madi doesn't just love.  She loves with her whole heart.  She literally overflows with love.  She is fully accepting of others and has a deep compassion for those around her.  She likes to help people and feels saddened when they are sad.  She sees the beauty and uniqueness in others.  She is also so very, very loved by so many.

2)  Madi is full of Joy

Madi's middle name is Joy.  She was named after my mom, who also has the middle name Joy.  Madi radiates joy. When you look at her, you see eyes that sparkle, a smile that is always lit up, and you don't have to be around her long before you will hear giggles and laughter.  It doesn't matter what situation she is in, she will find a reason to be joyful.  When you are around Madi, you can't help but be joyful yourself.  Her joy is contageous!

 

 

3) This girl is full of personality!

 

Madi has such a huge personality for such a small person.  She cracks me up.  She is always making up little songs about what we are doing, where we are going, how much she loves us, and pretty much anything else you can think of.  Songs about vasectomy's?  Yup, we have those.  Songs about going to the grocery store?  She's sung those before.  She is such a ham, and very creative!  She is also so very sweet, loving, compassionate, spunky, hard-working, intuitive, smart, and..... the list goes on and on!  She is a uniquely crafted little one and is so full of life.  She is a like brightly shining star!

4) She always finds a way.

When Madi looks at a challenge facing her, she doesn't say "I can't".  Instead, she finds a way.  She is creative and smart, and she doesn't let any obstacles stand in her way.  When she decides she is going to do something, she does.  She is determined to live life to the fullest and will not let anything, or anyone, stand in her way.  Madi does not miss out on life; she does not sit on the sidelines.  She is involved in everything going on around her, and wouldn't have it any other way! 

5) Madi loves herself.

If you tell Madi she is beautiful she will either say, "yeah, duh!", or "yeah, I know."  Where the world looks at her and sees limitations or differences, Madi does not.  She loves herself and is proud of who she is.  She knows that she was perfectly made and does not let anyone feel sorry for her.  If someone asks her why she uses a wheelchair, she tells them she was born with spina bifida and her legs aren't as strong.... then she asks them if she wants to see a wheelie or wants to see her race. She is confident of her abilities.  A few weeks ago I was helping Madi fill out a student of the week paper and it asked what makes her special.  Her answer was, "I am a rock star", and those words couldn't be truer.  She is a true rock star!

(showing off her pirate smile)

 

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

 

- Pslam 139:13-14

 

Passion

Lately I feel sort of blah, like I'm going through the motions, but like my life is lacking in passion.  My kids are well fed, but I don't enjoy the craft of creating the meals.  My home is clean, but cleaning it feels like a chore, not a privilege.  My prayers and devotions have felt "routine" and lacking in zeal.  I love my family, my life, those every-day mundane things we do and call life, but lately I just haven't felt that passion and joy that I normally do. 

Life has felt busy and rushed lately.  David is struggling at work.  Money is tight.  I've had doctors appointments for myself, on top of what I have for the kids.  Yet there is still just so much to rejoice in; so much to be thankful for.  Tonight I was reading a book I really like called Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe and the words on the page really spoke to me, as they often do when I am reading this book.  I rarely cry, yet I found myself brought to tears, because it spoke so well to exactly how I am feeling.  I thought I would share those words with you, in case any of you are feeling how I am.

 

"God lives in my home, but sometimes I ignore Him and don't hear the music He is playing just for me.  This journey of mothering is a challenging marathon of moments, hours, days, months, and decades.  And yet, in each moment, God has sprinkled across our paths beauty, love, and joy.  We have only to cultivate eyes in our hearts to observe this Artist's work of life...  All of these moments and passages have the mystery and grace of God in them, just waiting to be unpackaged as evidence of His love."

 

- Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe, pg. 160

 

 

I pray that God will help me to see the joy in all of those little tasks and duties that make up our life.  I pray that I will not only go through life, but that I will live it with purpose and with zeal.  I pray I find the beauty in the mundane and pray that I will be thankful for every little moment I have, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.  Today I am praying that I live each day with purpose, joy, and passion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I love you, Momma"

I've been waiting for those words.

 

"I love you, momma."

 

It's amazing how much good those four little words can do for a tired mommas heart!

 

 

I had been staying up late to get ready for a garage sale and keep the house tidy-ish.  I was tired, feeling sort of "bleh", and was trying to get ready and get my act together.  Ramya was in the room with me talking and playing while I got ready.  That's when I heard it...

 

"I love you momma."

 

Ramya usually repeats me when I tell her I love her ("I love you, Ramya." "I love you, momma.") but this was the first time she told me just out of the blue.

 

The next day, David got to hear those wonderful four little words too.

 

"I love you dadda."

 

 

Well we love you too, precous girl, and we have since the moment we saw your photo.  We have always known that God planned for you to be a part of our crazy family, and we are so thankful that you are!

My Something Special from India

When I was looking at this photo, I realized I never told the very cool story of the ring you see on my right hand.

My grandfather (poppop) was in the military and traveled.  He liked to bring my grandmother (Nana) home jewelry and precious stones from his trips overseas.  He brought her many unique and beautiful things.  The ring you see on my right hand has an opal in it that he got for her in India many many years ago.  When my Nana passed away, my mother gave it to me.  I love the memories it brings back of my grandparents, how loving they were, and how many fun times we had together. I love that it reminds me of my angel waiting to come home to us from India.  I also love that it will soon remind me of my own journey there and the blessing from there that will forever be ours. 

A story of love

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I thought I'd share my and David's love story, as it is pretty cute and mushy.  David and I were in the same first grade class, though we do not remember each other that far back.  If you remember this ornament I posted in December...

... those are from our the first grade teacher that we shared.  Both of our moms kept them for us.  We have others that are the same too, but these are the earliest. 

David and I became friends in sixth grade, and that is where our story really starts.  We used to hang out together, get snow cones at the local shaved ice place together, and we even played a clarinet duet together (we got third place :)).  We hung out a lot and always felt different around each other, like we had a future together that we did not know or understand.  I thought the idea of ever kissing him was yucky, though, because, you know, boys have cooties.  I remember that David really wanted to kiss a girl, so my friend Becca and I used to tell each other to kiss him.  I remember saying that was really gross and that I just could not do it.  In junior high our school did a fundraiser where you took a compatibility test and it told you who you were most compatible with.  Yes, David was at the top of my list.  We are over 80% compatible.  I recall getting the results and having a good laugh.  Boy, that computer had NO idea what it was talking about, none at all!  I had actually forgotten all about this until I was packing up my room right before our wedding.  I found it and thought it was pretty amazing.  I have always wanted to write the company and tell them just how right they were!  I'll have to try to find it and scan it in for you.  I put it out at our wedding because it was just too ironic.

 David and I became very close friends our sophomore year in high school.  We hung out with all the same friends and saw each other all the time, but were both seeing other people.  The summer before our Senior year we were up late talking on the phone, which is something we did quite often (I hate to tell you this mom, but I'd hide in the closet with the lights out so you did not know.  I was quite tricky.).  I was leaving for Australia the next morning with People to People Student Ambassadors and would be gone 2 1/2 weeks.  He asked me if there was anyone I liked and I kind of giggled and asked if there was anyone he liked, and he kind of giggled.  Eventually someone admitted that they liked the other person, and that was that.  We met for an early breakfast at McDonalds, talked by the lake, and kissed each other.  I thought it was the weirdest kiss in the world because we were such good friends, but never really saw ourselves becoming more.  I went home and boarded a plane for Australia.  David and I talked a few times while I was gone and wrote each other cards.  Things were sticky, though, since I had just broken up with his best friend (not a good guy for me!) and that was still new.  I don't remember when we officially started dating, but it was shortly after I returned. 

We had our ups and downs, and had a lot of growing up to do, but we stayed together through it all.  After high school we started college and decided we wanted to finish before we got married.  We dated 4 years and then started talking about getting engaged.  He kind of talked about it like it was still very far in the future, but changed his mind after I left for Costa Rica to study Spanish for 2 1/2 weeks.  While I was gone he talked to my parents (who had him over for dinner and talked to him for 2 1/2 hours, which I think is funny because they both really loved David, so I know they were just doing their job) and asked me to marry him about a week after I returned.  We had a year engagement as we finished up school.  I was insanely busy student teaching, going to school, writing my honor's thesis for the honor's program, working double shifts waitressing on the weekends, and planning the wedding, but we made it work.  We got married two weeks after we graduated from college on May 31, 2003.

It has been an amazing 7 years, and God has blessed us tremendously!  I am so thankful that God brought me such an amazing man and look forward to what the future has in store for us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.