Getting healthy

I am taking on the challenge of getting healthy.  I spent the last year focusing on the adoption.  Not really caring about anything else...other then being a mom.  I choose not to do anything because it was work...and anything outside of what I had to do was just not worth the energy...an adoption is hard work.

So, here I am ready to start my journey.  I know it will not be easy but my hope is that is will get me to where I need to be.  If you are interested in how I am going to do this, please check this out.

In the eyes of an Irish Dancer's mom

We are a class all of our own.  We don’t scream at our kids like some ‘dance moms’ and we don’t say not so nice things to the other competitor like some soccer dads (maybe moms).  We get up early…and I mean O’dark early…to help our daughters get their hair ready.  We make sure our son’s ties look just right.  We are always on the sidelines silently waiting to clap for all the competitor but secretly we are clapping just for our child.  We don’t always get a thank you, and usually have to deal with tears.  We do it not for our enjoyment but for our children. We have been known to help out in other ways, even after are children are long gone from the sport.  We are a community of friends who even when we don’t get first, we congratulate those who do.  We are proud of our children, just for getting on stage and dancing.  It is not about the win but about the confidence it gives our children.

 

I have seen older dancers mentor the younger dancers, they must have rocking moms because they are raising their children to be there for other, even when it is not going so well for them. I love this about the Irish dance community.

 

We, moms, don’t ask for much…we just want our children to have fun and fully enjoy the entire experience.  I know some kids are super competitive, I have one of those kids, but being competitive and still caring about the other competitors is an amazing quality and lessons my dancer will take with her forever.

 

From the outside, is looks scary and somewhat intimidating, but once you come into the community we are there to support each other.  If you are new, there is always a mom that could help answer the questions. 

Why not

I have written this blog post a multiple of times..changing things...added things...not sure on what to say...if I was saying it correctly.

It just pains me that I even have to write this.  Why are older children looked at in a different way?  Why are children with dwarfism in other countries looked at as unadoptable, or uneducatable? Why do they see these children as delayed or dont send them to school while they are in the orphange?  It truely breaks my heart.  Our daughter sat on a list for 8 months before we saw her picture.  I am still amazed that she was not snatched up as soon as she was put on it.  She is a healthy child, she is super smart and sharp as a tac.  She is equal to her sister who is only a few months older then her.  

Did you know that child, when they turn 14, are no longer able to be adopted from China?  Wow...to know that on your 14th birthday..if you do not have a forever family, you will not never get one.  That just breaks my heart to know that so many children, every day are passed by just because they are older then 5.  Had we focused on what we wanted, we would not have our third daughter today.  I am so glad that we folled what God wanted.

There is a young man who waits on the other side of the world.  He will age out very soon and needs a family.  The only things is, he has dwarfism...to me, a totally easy need when it comes to all those special needs.  Maybe he needs a step to brush his teeth, but really...it that a reason not to concerder him?  Please consider an older child.

A new look

After three months of being in the family, she is slowing adjusting to everything.  Just last night she wanted to go to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed.  This is HUGE.  Many times our girls just want to fall asleep with us, and we rarely say no. So, for her to request to fall asleep next to mommy was a big deal.

The other day we went shoe shopping, because the one pair she got from C just was not working anymore. She needed tennis shoes and a pair of dress shoes.  I am sure it was the first time she had ever been in a shoe store trying on NEW shoes.  We walked out with shoes that fit her wide feet and a large smile on her face.  She now has shoes of her own, that did not belong to someone before her.

And to add to all the first, we got her first hair cut.  Yes, we finally did it.  After three months of her slowly not wanting me to sit and fix her hair up every time we washed it, and her always pointing to her older sister and asking to have their hair, we did it.  She kept requesting, and I kept saying I was going to wait.  But she kept requesting. 

Here is her new style.

By the time this picture was taken, she had brushed her hair multiple times and put in multiple clippies.  She LOVES having the ability to do her own hair with out the assistance of mom.  She is slowing learning to do things for herself.  Some things she just need a little help but she is getting the hang of things and adjusting well into the family, as if she had been with us for years.

Showing Jesus to the Forgotten

"If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."  Isaiah 58:10

The Forgotten Initiative, Lifesong's foster care ministry, exists to bring joy and purpose to local foster care communities through mentorship, service projects and family support organized by local TFI Advocates. With a holistic approach they reach out not only to foster children, but also agency workers, foster parents and vulnerable adults. Read along to learn more...

JOURNEY BAGS {For Children Entering Care}

The Forgotten Initiative (TFI) has many different ways to get involved. One is creating "Journey Bags" for local foster care agency to ultimately reach foster kids in your community.


What exactly is a Journey Bag? Children often come into foster care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Journey Bags are backpacks filled with personal items for kids to have when they are abruptly taken out of their homes.


Listen in to the impact of Journey Bags...

"Last night at midnight, three precious little beauties showed up on my doorstep. They each had with them a blanket, a stuffed animal, and a book bag, their Journey Bags. I kept waiting for more, anything more, but nothing came. The investigator told me this was all they had.

Our 5-year-old came with shoes so worn, they had to be thrown away. One of our two-year-olds had no shoes, the other had two left shoes. When I asked about getting anything out of the home, the investigator said it wasn't possible. The kids had nothing. There worldly possessions consisted of Journey Bags. As I stared at those bags, I began to cry. What if no one took the time to fill those bags and deliver them? What would our children have then? Absolutely nothing. Nothing to claim as

their own, nothing to protect or cherish. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for my kiddos Journey Bags." 

--Heather, foster mom

Learn more about tangible ways you can serve your foster care community>>

PROJECT RENOVATE {Supporting Local Foster Families}

Go on a local "mission trip" with Project Renovate!

Often foster care families feel alone and overwhelmed. Spend a day reaching out to families in need while at the same time raising support for The Forgotten Initiative with projects like deep cleaning a home, landscaping or giving a room a makeover!


Check out this new promo video & see how you can get involved at www.theforgotteninitiative.org/projectrenovate.

Join us this year for a Project Renovate in Central Illinois:

June 7th -- Clinton, IL

July 12th -- Creve Coeur, IL

Learn more about who YOU can be involved in this year's Project Renovate>> 

Read More...

Journey Bag Testimonial - Listen in as foster mom shares the impact the TFI Journey Bags had on her and her foster children. Watch Video


Showing Jesus to the Forgotten - Learn what it means to become a TFI Advocate for your local foster care community!  Read More


ReMoved - Originally created for the 168 Film Festival, ReMoved follows the emotional story through the eyes of a young girl taken from her home and placed into foster care. Watch Video

Coming This Spring...

Celebrate Life Tour - Featuring Cheri Keaggy & Zambian Children's Choir! This concert will be an excellent opportunity for the whole family to hear how they can help care for orphans and vulnerable children! Learn more about dates, locations & where to buy your tickets>>



Christian Alliance for Orphans CAFO2014 {May 1-2; CHICAGO} - CAFO2014 inspires and equips Christians to care for orphans with

wisdom-guided love. Register today! Learn More & Register

Learning to write

Things are settling down, finally, and we are getting back into the grove.  We are changing the way we work the day so we can all learn.  J is learning the new way of writing and doing very well in the process.  She amazes us everyday at how much she is picking up. 

We are still not up to big events or family visits but hope this will change soon.  She tends to act out more when around those who draw attention to her or me.  Yes, this is strange.  If you ignore me and her...and act like she is a long time friend...nothing happens, but the moment you start talking to me (especially about her), the poor actions come out.  Other then this, we are all adjusting well.

Celebration

Every year (well, when daddy is not deployed) he takes his daughters on a date. At first it started by going to McD's because what can you really do with a 3 year old. Things have changed and our girls are growing up.

Happy birthday S