ONE STEP CLOSER!!

Rejoice with me! Today we got news that the paperwork was received by the orphanage. The last step is to apply for Ramya's passport, and then I get to hop on a plane and get my girl HOME!! It could still be between 2 weeks and 2 months, but we are officially 1 step closer and on our final step!  I read all the paperwork, and I have to say, this is my favorite part....

 

 

... shall consider her as their own child...

 

I like the sound of that.  She is my child, now and forever!



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. 

My New "Maternity" Photos

My friend, Marissa, sent me an awesome picture she saw on the blog Adding a Burden.  I fell in love with it and my amazing friend, Colleen, who just so happened to have gotten a new camera lens she wanted to try out, offered to take a few similar photos of me.  She did a wonderful job and I just had to share!

 

 

P.S.  If you like the canvas I am holding, it was purchased from One Wing Boutique

 



P.S.S No adoption updates yet :(.  I spoke with WACAP today and basically they have e-mailed the orphange twice to ask about Ramya and they have not heard back.  I'm praying they at least have the court paperwork so they can now apply for her passport!

 

A Research Study Opportunity for Those with Spina Bifida Living in Arizona

The University of Arizona is doing a research study on children (under 6 preferred) living with spina bifida.  We participated and it's a great opportunity to help the world see how amazing our kiddos are!  You will be given $50 for participating in the study.  Here is the information....

My Little Joy, Full of Joy

 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

- Psalm 118:24

 

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful..."

- Proverbs 15:13a

 

 

Madi's little heart overflows with joy.  I love watching her every little move, and you very rarely see her without a smile.  She is always singing, smiling, laughing, hugging, and is so very sweet.  She doesn't let a little thing like spina bifida get her down!  Here's a recent video from Jumpstreet, a local indoor trampoline play place.  That girl lights up the room!

 

 

(We hold her and jump, but her favorite thing to do is go down the trampoline at the top, so she does it about 100 times each visit :))

 



 



A Christmas Chair for Madi

Madi picked out all her own decorations and loves her new look.  I'd still like to put lights on the wheels, but need to buy battery-operated Christmas lights.  Without further-ado...

 

 

(Little covers David's mom, "Grams" made for Madi.  They are padded so when her legs rest against the bar, it doesn't put pressure on her legs :))

 

 

Oh what a day!!!

Today did not go how I envisioned it would!  I'm beat! 

A few nights ago, Conner woke up saying "ow" and saying his knee hurt.  I brushed it off as growing pains, as he seemed better in the morning.  That evening, he was limping and wanting to be held, and last night he was up alllllll night long upset about his hip hurting (right hip).  I gave him Tylenol and it didn't even seem to take the edge off for him.  This morning I called the pediatrician and brought him down.  Conner's hip hurt so bad he wouldn't walk and I had to just carry him around all day.  He said his hip is definitely off, but wasn't sure why. Because it was only one hip, he didn't think it was growing pains. We did a blood draw to test some of his numbers and see if it could be viral and he also sent us down for an x-ray to make sure nothing was off there.  Nothing happened to Conner's hip (as in he didn't fall down on it or anything like that), so it would make more sense to me if it was viral.  He's been more sensitive and off the last few days as well. 

His x-ray came back fine, so he thinks he either sprained or pulled something, or he thinks it still could be something viral.  Once we get the blood test results back, we should know more.  For now, we're icing it and I'm going to give him some motrin before bed.  I'm praying it just starts resolving itself quickly!!

After I got Conner home we ate and I left him with David so I could take Madi down to Phoenix Children's Hospital for a neuropsych evaluation.  We are participating in a Spina Bifida research study and this is part of what they needed from us.  The study took about 2 1/2 hours.  Madi thought it was fun, because they "played games" the whole time, but I was bored out of my mind!  I should have prepared better and brought something to do.  I talked to the guy who is organizing the study the whole time, though, so at least I had someone to talk to.  They paid Madi $50 for her time, so I am debating if I want to let her do something fun, like a movie and dinner, with it, or if I should be practical and put it in her medical fund ;). 

So that's our fun today!  We are just now sitting down to dinner (it's 7:00) and then I think we are all off to bed :).  Please keep my little dude in your prayers!