tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436804363606375582024-03-13T17:02:07.343-05:00Chaotic & ComfortableSometimes life doesn't go according to plan. Sometimes you find yourself on a road you never imagined you'd travel. Sometimes it can scare the pants off you. This is the story of how our little family came to be, continues to grow and how we (attempt to) manage the chaos.Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.comBlogger350125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-53529006403441640502014-02-22T12:47:00.002-06:002014-02-23T09:54:53.435-06:00Kards for Kamila<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Breaking News</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.....</span></i></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxQbMmkEktIPLwnH-gIGb7dFtI_8ZgCX5bWaBcfGA0rQhmD3drx525QGnZxrzv4wx1vduvSrXeGdLVLWLuWlx5JVhJMMo6Sbo26ydqCGTkjHjSAP1_fliFePVi5xBLuq6KOddAulruA/s1600/100_7882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxQbMmkEktIPLwnH-gIGb7dFtI_8ZgCX5bWaBcfGA0rQhmD3drx525QGnZxrzv4wx1vduvSrXeGdLVLWLuWlx5JVhJMMo6Sbo26ydqCGTkjHjSAP1_fliFePVi5xBLuq6KOddAulruA/s1600/100_7882.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">YOU can help bring THIS BEAUTIFUL girl home and have a chance to win some pretty incredible gift "Kards" in the process.</span></i></div>
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Here's how it works:</h3>
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*1 entry for each $5 donated. </h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>HOW TO DONATE</u>: You can donate via her <a href="http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/bring-kamila-home/129872">youcaring link here</a> (button also on the right) or via Kamila's Lifesong account: Lifesong for Orphans PO Box 40/202 N. Ford St Gridley, IL 61744. Include in the memo: FENSKE #2453; or online at <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/give/donate/">Lifesong for Orphans</a>. </span><br />
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*1 additional entry for each share on Facebook, Twitter or Blogspot</h3>
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*Comment here after to let me know you've entered/shared so I can credit you the appropriate number of entries. </h3>
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Here's what's up for grabs:</span></b></h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor1dOVQqh3f1-RUl2Y8s5KAYuDNlSNC6RXOmiyrQPR9WP_GL0fwJ3wjpmTfXn9HJMbZO5Sd6PxVsKAnv-Cjf2OmH49KawSOp7J6m5-_Vc13S7oyR5diDq3yijl-nLKYv_nqaBZkSvBw/s1600/Thirty+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjor1dOVQqh3f1-RUl2Y8s5KAYuDNlSNC6RXOmiyrQPR9WP_GL0fwJ3wjpmTfXn9HJMbZO5Sd6PxVsKAnv-Cjf2OmH49KawSOp7J6m5-_Vc13S7oyR5diDq3yijl-nLKYv_nqaBZkSvBw/s1600/Thirty+One.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$40</b></span> <a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/scheel" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">THIRTY ONE</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"> Gift Certificate - donated by Jes Scheel</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCnoDomoFEVbopi9qRGIIdPZtu_5PYWTBt0vVy-UjgU9kWi387H3TMo0BWxFYx6uI78RzHXtslrHLxzWRG1H6VdWokIsRKJcv4bMie2B94aLekzPL16Rey9V9VRUGKfKiqlNFkEPjWw/s1600/DoTerra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCnoDomoFEVbopi9qRGIIdPZtu_5PYWTBt0vVy-UjgU9kWi387H3TMo0BWxFYx6uI78RzHXtslrHLxzWRG1H6VdWokIsRKJcv4bMie2B94aLekzPL16Rey9V9VRUGKfKiqlNFkEPjWw/s1600/DoTerra.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$40</b> <a href="http://www.mydoterra.com/scheel" style="text-align: left;">doTERRA</a> Gift Certificate - donated by Jes Scheel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxWvRritwEUpEj96oLW6ztbXiubc9FrswK9uRJvm4BGsG2sh-7EKLR7gfZUW8g74cQeCkbYxSud7ptdj96ZCBpUOJGrShKi2e5EO3BR0rE15xs5H_GEwshS8N6AZGX640rR9nXsDL8A/s1600/Hodgepodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxWvRritwEUpEj96oLW6ztbXiubc9FrswK9uRJvm4BGsG2sh-7EKLR7gfZUW8g74cQeCkbYxSud7ptdj96ZCBpUOJGrShKi2e5EO3BR0rE15xs5H_GEwshS8N6AZGX640rR9nXsDL8A/s1600/Hodgepodge.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$30</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hodgepodgeshannon" style="text-align: left;">HODGEPODGE</a> Gift Certificate - donated by Shannon Fenske</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZXztLh-WapsYkfV9dGw3IYwd2g05MaFDbI1HyK8BMCpNg5KKy5lzvHjIGZzpfpBZieT3wPTseMha7jzeMmY8IEO6QPUDj1rHnkeDucPkd2BbgvW0rtrDD9-DDd7xoUkNJ52gXtf15A/s1600/JCPenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZXztLh-WapsYkfV9dGw3IYwd2g05MaFDbI1HyK8BMCpNg5KKy5lzvHjIGZzpfpBZieT3wPTseMha7jzeMmY8IEO6QPUDj1rHnkeDucPkd2BbgvW0rtrDD9-DDd7xoUkNJ52gXtf15A/s1600/JCPenny.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$25</b> JCPenny Gift Card</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5fyFoIXKWzVlMhyphenhyphenF3neaPoLj4yv0h_QQc6IQFLInDtkxPF8eSFpSmHa5diLlg1uz5CEC6FtgmFGe2sfNY2-oV_RItePIk7J8gt6dc59mTsn8gTUZNvMxfOWZXQeEkO10NzmBNt9uaA/s1600/Kwik+Trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5fyFoIXKWzVlMhyphenhyphenF3neaPoLj4yv0h_QQc6IQFLInDtkxPF8eSFpSmHa5diLlg1uz5CEC6FtgmFGe2sfNY2-oV_RItePIk7J8gt6dc59mTsn8gTUZNvMxfOWZXQeEkO10NzmBNt9uaA/s1600/Kwik+Trip.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$25</b> Kwik Trip Gift Card - donated by <a href="http://wooddreaming.com/">Wooddreaming, LLC</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7LBPd5l0BatAXr6zId_RSu0Ri4A4fzN4qoLO6XGS-j4wSAvRl2BMIIHR_g6CTfNDcpnnVR1wHQSs0myJU2xb-dWKdwEeNLOL-BcwmFFFWxVud5ZYH7Q9uq5mpdoT6vEhkeigyuEFkw/s1600/AMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7LBPd5l0BatAXr6zId_RSu0Ri4A4fzN4qoLO6XGS-j4wSAvRl2BMIIHR_g6CTfNDcpnnVR1wHQSs0myJU2xb-dWKdwEeNLOL-BcwmFFFWxVud5ZYH7Q9uq5mpdoT6vEhkeigyuEFkw/s1600/AMC.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$25</b> AMC Theaters Gift Card - donated by John & Maureen Brom</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5NFXXELpUS7OGK31F-EwXez8x079WLpWN4f9NL0n3_EiHliRavCRrrjY9D09EeMVhaXGVJwEBQr2h4AglFoGEjW6qq5tnAATyCGC7t0kM3q6RNggVkWRD3qqMFmmejdJ1JkfbD2zeg/s1600/Benvenutos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5NFXXELpUS7OGK31F-EwXez8x079WLpWN4f9NL0n3_EiHliRavCRrrjY9D09EeMVhaXGVJwEBQr2h4AglFoGEjW6qq5tnAATyCGC7t0kM3q6RNggVkWRD3qqMFmmejdJ1JkfbD2zeg/s1600/Benvenutos.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$25</b> Benvenuto's Gift Card - donated by <a href="http://www.benvenutos.com/">Benvenuto's</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlkOPVJYvL_zooIJygP_aR7bBKj9F4yyKX-R6wogdUVDLlPjnSGny-gqOVE7T0RFwwgORnf885WWSESgedJxg86olONkF5n0xOmg2CrfBMD0AgS2KXH0JLcQmxCDs6QhLZ6vHvRW4cw/s1600/Shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlkOPVJYvL_zooIJygP_aR7bBKj9F4yyKX-R6wogdUVDLlPjnSGny-gqOVE7T0RFwwgORnf885WWSESgedJxg86olONkF5n0xOmg2CrfBMD0AgS2KXH0JLcQmxCDs6QhLZ6vHvRW4cw/s1600/Shell.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$25</b> Shell Gift Card</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLhzdjtmkzKvMYtMRvqp5SQ-UyyOlixley0wuR8jN95m6pCaab5SryUAZLaR-d6l8YRWOYExliqGuEnOxB-RPeJgeCQRfOjWmKNdEm8Hc2Kl2yfNWD_mmFz388gjq0wHra_aFYqGxcg/s1600/Target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLhzdjtmkzKvMYtMRvqp5SQ-UyyOlixley0wuR8jN95m6pCaab5SryUAZLaR-d6l8YRWOYExliqGuEnOxB-RPeJgeCQRfOjWmKNdEm8Hc2Kl2yfNWD_mmFz388gjq0wHra_aFYqGxcg/s1600/Target.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$20</b> Target Gift Card - donated by<a href="http://carlsonmassage.com/practitioners/jean/"> Jean Carlson @ Carlson Wellness</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGNq2-MEtZQMN4mFbHD0DOyLGhyphenhyphenOxTHQ1RmBX_VmAPOyzlIW8gDuhq8adodfb2IrSaLL3Kfjc3EMiPDIohMv8rlrnCE8kr0HdL8TyyPFEkPzyGQm5ehXEdDlA0RRnoPUVVD-PK8Bzzg/s1600/Carlson+Massage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGNq2-MEtZQMN4mFbHD0DOyLGhyphenhyphenOxTHQ1RmBX_VmAPOyzlIW8gDuhq8adodfb2IrSaLL3Kfjc3EMiPDIohMv8rlrnCE8kr0HdL8TyyPFEkPzyGQm5ehXEdDlA0RRnoPUVVD-PK8Bzzg/s1600/Carlson+Massage.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$20</b> Gift Card to <a href="http://carlsonmassage.com/">Carlson Massage</a> - donated by <a href="http://carlsonmassage.com/">Carlson Massage, LLC</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9CnaFdBC_v_Ff0B-f5kAUwoy4eNU7p7ahqBZfKhBAM4OExH010nO9F7BJLp1HK4Ww0MxiL8y_DdLh4OZLxzb8gnrjL2KCvHoUXxfiNypqaUuHQm88ktOHQGWht8Baaj4lLAXsusQRw/s1600/Starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9CnaFdBC_v_Ff0B-f5kAUwoy4eNU7p7ahqBZfKhBAM4OExH010nO9F7BJLp1HK4Ww0MxiL8y_DdLh4OZLxzb8gnrjL2KCvHoUXxfiNypqaUuHQm88ktOHQGWht8Baaj4lLAXsusQRw/s1600/Starbucks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>$10</b> Starbucks Gift Card</span></td></tr>
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Winners will be drawn at random by randompicker.com - date to be determined. </h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for supporting Kamila's journey </span></i></h2>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and Good Luck!!</span></i></h2>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-60964962372747031032014-02-17T20:48:00.001-06:002014-02-17T20:48:21.448-06:00This girl...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This baby we promised to love forever...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyIhyQBGyW2haHOog-UoFUxYlovx87jcDqE9SE6K-IMO4Vpi1_BZFX59K95YCLWyYH8Jd9QFYwNTK6ORL7X_6E5BNLSvxInx0b7Ggc7g2ASbdzl_1NXDool2zJ4_e2PyUwdyxoh7B_Q/s1600/18677_102033929824693_8136802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyIhyQBGyW2haHOog-UoFUxYlovx87jcDqE9SE6K-IMO4Vpi1_BZFX59K95YCLWyYH8Jd9QFYwNTK6ORL7X_6E5BNLSvxInx0b7Ggc7g2ASbdzl_1NXDool2zJ4_e2PyUwdyxoh7B_Q/s1600/18677_102033929824693_8136802_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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That was almost six years ago - SIX YEARS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2xYlLjnOQfDwQtf_RPWZbGkobD9MDwy_77-3WESa22PVx-k6CUA7dsdE7CyhNqRYFzMzTA7qxGyn724pR0J50abGJIaTqhmhSaQMMATCB0hkR7rPQ817bE__ti1G9C27AH9_JE5kXg/s1600/Dec2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2xYlLjnOQfDwQtf_RPWZbGkobD9MDwy_77-3WESa22PVx-k6CUA7dsdE7CyhNqRYFzMzTA7qxGyn724pR0J50abGJIaTqhmhSaQMMATCB0hkR7rPQ817bE__ti1G9C27AH9_JE5kXg/s1600/Dec2009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-UZWYeBFqxU-kzkgySOaMetjpIeEXhMEQLNblT_mufOjyLGt37p8bU8CNs9SiPjWmdjMlF8ND6YlTaEhf9wprJajFFHVvo7BEEK0LkVmalRJATUVa5qQyBPEMxw7DvX9yZIkaJxGsA/s1600/Nov2010-1stSurg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-UZWYeBFqxU-kzkgySOaMetjpIeEXhMEQLNblT_mufOjyLGt37p8bU8CNs9SiPjWmdjMlF8ND6YlTaEhf9wprJajFFHVvo7BEEK0LkVmalRJATUVa5qQyBPEMxw7DvX9yZIkaJxGsA/s1600/Nov2010-1stSurg.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>I'll spare you the long, sad story since most of you reading probably already know it, but if you don't and you want a refresher, you can go back <a href="http://chaoticandcomfortable.blogspot.com/2009/10/andwe-wait-some-more.html">here</a> and <a href="http://chaoticandcomfortable.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-waiting-angel.html">here</a>. I haven't had much to say the past couple of years because there simply hasn't been much. We've been promised more times than I can count and we've stood ready every second of every day. I go to bed at night thinking of her and wake up every morning thinking of her because that's what do when you are parents of a child. Despite what some people believe, you CAN actually love a child who is not in your home, not in your arms. It's a different kind of love - one that still has to grow in the traditional sense, but it's still very real. My heart has been broken for this little girl for six years and a piece of my heart has been on the other side of the world since the day we said "yes." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbxb35qqdCxzHya9LBSgWFuuNrYHNB_zHCKBSbRAMUYInViSSuVCeziVJsravdw3Talpl_BwvNDlP-g8EPDK8M35UAFQQP6u843NU94-T_DO5iziMbAdpuJqxROMpGpqxxtrZpnUbXA/s1600/101_0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbxb35qqdCxzHya9LBSgWFuuNrYHNB_zHCKBSbRAMUYInViSSuVCeziVJsravdw3Talpl_BwvNDlP-g8EPDK8M35UAFQQP6u843NU94-T_DO5iziMbAdpuJqxROMpGpqxxtrZpnUbXA/s1600/101_0744.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a>Lest you think I have been the one suffering here, let me assure you, what I have been through is nothing compared to what she has been through. She lives in a state of constant physical and emotional distress. She may have a roof and some clothing (although none of it is hers), she may even have an occasional toy to play with. She receives food and water even though her diet is inadequate to ensure proper growth and nutrition. She doesn't go to school or experience the ins and outs of daily family life. She doesn't HAVE a family to call her own. She doesn't have someone to tuck her in at night, say prayers, hold her when she's sick, respond to her cries, share successes and dreams with, teach her to speak, or celebrate holidays with. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOENaaLelsw1gM7GR_bQtwBn4U56ST9vAIsykvf1lilDGLSfkoVu4SJGopILxSqEQLPRzDGUQMlm5_-7yI3uZfTyarwBTbcyK7L0gb5X83aSrTho__fNNVT__rhplhLVbHiFamipuqTg/s1600/101_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOENaaLelsw1gM7GR_bQtwBn4U56ST9vAIsykvf1lilDGLSfkoVu4SJGopILxSqEQLPRzDGUQMlm5_-7yI3uZfTyarwBTbcyK7L0gb5X83aSrTho__fNNVT__rhplhLVbHiFamipuqTg/s1600/101_0516.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It has been almost two years since we've seen her - an eternity. We told her we were coming back - we PROMISED. I wonder sometimes if she thinks we lied to her or abandoned her and if she hates us for that. I pray that she will eventually forgive us and that in time can learn to love us. I wonder how deep her emotional scars are and if her heart can be softened again. I pray every day that we will have the chance to try. </div>
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The Kyrgyz government is once again in the process of reopening adoptions. We are beyond desperate to free her this time. She needs us and we need her. Over the coming weeks and months we will once again redo all of our paperwork, sign on with yet another agency and put our trust in the hands of people who will hopefully guide us to bringing our sweet little girl to redemption. We pray you will follow our journey and support us along the way. </div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-3593379436589120412014-02-07T13:58:00.000-06:002014-02-07T13:58:01.379-06:00The Lowdown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Friends, I owe you an update - yes I do. Stick with me and I promise you lots of photos! It's been a crazy few months as always, but we have survived. Praying winter ends soon, though. I am craving some sunshine and warmer weather - as are the children!!<br />
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In my last post, I told you about <a href="http://chaoticandcomfortable.blogspot.com/2013/11/ulyssesmy-angel.html">Ulysses</a> and I'm happy to report that during the Angel Tree period, he had over $1000 added to his Reece's Rainbow fund! Now, we just have to find his family!! Thank you to all who supported him!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZvJ-DPfZYmOn_PIQgeXf3EELBBji8cSxTqryGudqtVj7XcPH2tWJAKiWV5OFuAiOhb6WKfEHivjJ4zoPRDDCeSYgYA-9sYpDsjd1kfz10KAOTbcInQ5HqUmc3srINRBq06WFmQ7iLQ/s1600/1488347_746653848696028_1489348949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZvJ-DPfZYmOn_PIQgeXf3EELBBji8cSxTqryGudqtVj7XcPH2tWJAKiWV5OFuAiOhb6WKfEHivjJ4zoPRDDCeSYgYA-9sYpDsjd1kfz10KAOTbcInQ5HqUmc3srINRBq06WFmQ7iLQ/s1600/1488347_746653848696028_1489348949_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcoBQiIPvfe9cqjdFOpSQ70G8sSecZ4azAt1NfwhtHX1JbEuH4_b1mtg5uVha_CTeqtdz8BOHBWUm1j6yE56kiTuwoibfa6gfjPk6T6G3a6Evfo_XoltRj9lb3cnVkHZldi1xc1lJdQ/s1600/Xmas2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcoBQiIPvfe9cqjdFOpSQ70G8sSecZ4azAt1NfwhtHX1JbEuH4_b1mtg5uVha_CTeqtdz8BOHBWUm1j6yE56kiTuwoibfa6gfjPk6T6G3a6Evfo_XoltRj9lb3cnVkHZldi1xc1lJdQ/s1600/Xmas2013.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>December brought winter and Christmas! This was our very first Holiday Season <i>completely and totally outside of the hospital</i>. Seriously, folks, this was foreign territory for us. I was on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop. We were knee-deep in a medication wean, all the kids were healthy, I had a hard time believing everything was just going to be....NORMAL. But, it was and it was great!<br />
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January brought frigid temperatures and bit more <strike>insanity</strike> spirit to the house. While it was good for the kids to return to school and for everyone to try and get back into their routines, not having an outlet for our pent-up energy proved challenging.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm96zVwjHCjdjwFMRetWntPzbqyo_rT-6SaUJjsYT-CjirVeMutQxZt0C-6S296nft8HvS12gx9xVjppriJGxvLVuaV8BtO1SZ1V8DB23bfEfayZkLDDt7oih3SFFkoZX0ettOIbuyw/s1600/Esen+Donut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm96zVwjHCjdjwFMRetWntPzbqyo_rT-6SaUJjsYT-CjirVeMutQxZt0C-6S296nft8HvS12gx9xVjppriJGxvLVuaV8BtO1SZ1V8DB23bfEfayZkLDDt7oih3SFFkoZX0ettOIbuyw/s1600/Esen+Donut.jpg" height="159" width="200" /></a><br />
Esen has been struggling with school...A LOT. We're amping up his PT/OT sessions to weekly and extending them to 3 hours to make them more intensive. He's also undergoing some more evaluations to see if additional services might be beneficial. Academically, he rocks, but socially/emotionally, he has a hard time holding it together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZuO-a2ClFuU0QgLyuVEee6W8LrnD2lSDsuRLBS6otydMKVINItAVlTnyNZeyh0wdGv1F8GljKeg8jvTluxFFDv99VMZ3NvkGQFTj6H0NXrGKoCBC25OoxXsTx2VCcbiKeBw5I-Ie1w/s1600/1608564_766566443371435_773276485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR617B6pbde-k7Hg6F8_Gt85OiOcJa8r5VVgt41lA6CMc-uYeEB9Y74Bi_Ry8DhjMMNHMTkXeI72gqDSziqfAJiK34_X3stqoGHdthr5sMToNPmH_1NbtBk_C-MeX9WKcPmWcZlCtLpQ/s1600/1543786_766584476702965_272808584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR617B6pbde-k7Hg6F8_Gt85OiOcJa8r5VVgt41lA6CMc-uYeEB9Y74Bi_Ry8DhjMMNHMTkXeI72gqDSziqfAJiK34_X3stqoGHdthr5sMToNPmH_1NbtBk_C-MeX9WKcPmWcZlCtLpQ/s1600/1543786_766584476702965_272808584_n.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a>Miss Noodle gave us quite a<br />
scare toward the end of January when she took her very first helicopter ride. On a Sunday morning, she started seizing and it went on for quite a long time. Her rescue medication did not stop it. We called 911 immediately since we are in a remote area and response times are long. We have first responders who are very kind and sweet, but unfortunately are not super helpful in a real emergency. They are very limited to what they can do. In this situation, they can put an oxygen mask on her, gather all of the info for the Paramedics and basically stay out of my way so I can treat her and prepare her for transport. By the time Paramedics arrived 30 minutes after our 911 call, I had accessed her metaport for venous access, spoken to her neurosurgeon and neurologist and had everything ready to go. The decision was made to transport her to the local hospital and immediately transfer her via MedFlight to our Children's Hospital in Madison. The entire process took 2 1/2 hours!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZuO-a2ClFuU0QgLyuVEee6W8LrnD2lSDsuRLBS6otydMKVINItAVlTnyNZeyh0wdGv1F8GljKeg8jvTluxFFDv99VMZ3NvkGQFTj6H0NXrGKoCBC25OoxXsTx2VCcbiKeBw5I-Ie1w/s1600/1608564_766566443371435_773276485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZuO-a2ClFuU0QgLyuVEee6W8LrnD2lSDsuRLBS6otydMKVINItAVlTnyNZeyh0wdGv1F8GljKeg8jvTluxFFDv99VMZ3NvkGQFTj6H0NXrGKoCBC25OoxXsTx2VCcbiKeBw5I-Ie1w/s1600/1608564_766566443371435_773276485_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>This, my friends, is why I am so very old. We have been desperate for years to move for this very reason. The distance and inaccessibility is downright dangerous for her. Had she arrested (which she has done in the past during these events) or had she been having a massive shunt malfunction, that amount time passing could've caused severe damage or could've cost her her life. Happily, she is home and has recovered. While she is struggling some to adjust to new medications, she has not suffered any permanent effects from this seizure. We'll be scheduling surgery in the next month or so to add an additional valve to her distal shunt. <br />
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Other than those things, there are a lot of inside activities happening - donut making, football playing, movie watching, and general silliness going on. <br />
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I promise another update soon - next time on our sweet Kamila and the hopeful progress that we might soon be making in bringing her home!! </div>
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There's a newish button the sidebar of my blog. I decided this year to become an Angel Tree Warrior for a Reece's Rainbow kiddo after I stumbled across <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/38123/ulysses"><b>Ulysses</b></a>. Read his profile and I think it'll be apparent why I fell so hard for him. He reminds me of someone pretty special in my life. I just know he would be a very loved and welcome addition to a family. Unfortunately so many of the families like ours who are willing and able to adopt children like Ulysses are not in a financial position to do so. That's where we as a community can come together to break down those barriers and pave the road to freedom for a child. This little boy can thrive, he CAN and he WOULD. I have living proof right in front of me. Please consider a donation of any amount to Ulysses' Angel Tree fund. It is 100% secure, tax deductible, and 100% goes to him - just click the Angel Tree button to the right. Help us reach our goal of adding $1000 to his fund by Christmas. </div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-2486599262893616402013-10-26T20:29:00.000-05:002013-10-26T20:29:07.030-05:00Would You Join Me?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's that time of year again when people begin to plan for their Holiday Season. For some it means planning trips to visit family, for others it might mean planning extravagant meals or decorating their homes. For many it means making gift lists and heading out to the stores. Unfortunately, for too many families, it means facing these special times without loved ones they've lost. It means hanging empty stockings, visiting gravesites, wondering what could've been.<br />
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My dear friend, Amy, lost her precious son, <a href="http://chaoticandcomfortable.blogspot.com/2011/11/brave-little-soul-lost.html">Sam</a> two years ago. Amy and her husband, Matt, celebrate Sam's life in so many amazing ways throughout the year. They are two of the most incredible parents I have ever had the privilege to know. Last year, they sent out letters to family and friends asking for help honoring Sam. It was simple really, in the whole scheme of things. Would we consider doing Random Acts of Kindness in his memory? Near Christmas, would we send a letter to Amy and Matt so they could fill Sam's stocking with all of the Random Acts of Kindness that were done during The Season in his memory? I was touched so deeply by this gesture. It changed me not only for those couple of months, but forever, really. This year, before their letter even arrived, I had already begun thinking about all the great things we could do leading up to the Holidays and hoped that maybe we could spread this further. What if even more people were involved? Sam had such a huge impact on those who knew him, and now he's having an impact through those people on so many others. What if he could have an impact on people who didn't have the honor of knowing him?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bT8G9k5Xo/UmxrRJPuk8I/AAAAAAAABeI/lmRAlKQzlas/s1600/1381325_10201708420780010_792418118_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bT8G9k5Xo/UmxrRJPuk8I/AAAAAAAABeI/lmRAlKQzlas/s320/1381325_10201708420780010_792418118_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> So friends, I'm humbly asking you to consider joining me in this journey. If you have a little kindness to spare, perhaps for the next two months, you could share it in Sam's memory. It doesn't have to be big, it doesn't have to cost anything. Hold a door for someone, visit someone who is lonely or ill, donate some of your unused clothing or toys, cook a meal for someone who needs one. If you have some spare cash, buy a coffee for the person behind you line or leave some change at the soda machine for someone to find. There are so many things you could do to bring a little happiness and kindness back into the world. Let's stuff Sam's stocking this year. After all, the world could use a little more kindness, don't you agree?<br />
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If you'd like to participate, you can reach me via email or PM on Facebook.<br />
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-29776233945792075282013-10-12T09:00:00.000-05:002013-10-12T09:00:00.502-05:00One Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello, poor ol’ abandoned blog o’mine. I’ve returned for what could be a brief stint. No more grand promises of keeping up with my writing. I’ve grown smarter than that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02_G4YCeqPM-jj0lwrSXaqg6ImGSJ0W1BiQgoTLc7Etxb4hZsYa1y_V_h7aFBExXIy1BeVtLjDyC3LDSPrGK4lwJCz7wJQd9D83kmV1_Rgbc-riinkQJqvstue5hxY8qrtNJsz7zWow/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02_G4YCeqPM-jj0lwrSXaqg6ImGSJ0W1BiQgoTLc7Etxb4hZsYa1y_V_h7aFBExXIy1BeVtLjDyC3LDSPrGK4lwJCz7wJQd9D83kmV1_Rgbc-riinkQJqvstue5hxY8qrtNJsz7zWow/s200/021.JPG" width="200" xsa="true" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkA0dIwhZueduEr45tOxKczbur-SOMelsoUu7Roas3mlhfJDf2MY7lrctNIYCdLeZSQ8Pg6TVWYpJDBHyv683GXYfNLbga7KRnXhheCoIXq_XxCy1__Iwdq3tPngW6gcW4m6f5p2XVQ/s1600/973214_637362596291821_410422198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkA0dIwhZueduEr45tOxKczbur-SOMelsoUu7Roas3mlhfJDf2MY7lrctNIYCdLeZSQ8Pg6TVWYpJDBHyv683GXYfNLbga7KRnXhheCoIXq_XxCy1__Iwdq3tPngW6gcW4m6f5p2XVQ/s200/973214_637362596291821_410422198_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today, though, I need to write. I have so much swirling around inside me. You see, it was one year ago today that I sent my baby girl into the operating room for her 50th surgery. One year ago today, she had a “temporary” shunt placed. Only one was placed that day because that’s all he could do. She needed three; she’s always needed more than one to survive. She’s a complicated mess in that little head of hers and one just doesn’t do the job. We (and by we, I mean he being kind pretending that I actually had a say in the matter) also opted for a pleural shunt this time which probably wasn’t going to work, at least not for long. This surgery would be the finale to a three month battle during which we came so close to losing our precious girl several times. It came after several ‘sit downs’ with our neurosurgeon discussing the options (or lack thereof) and the after hard question was raised – “How far do you really want to go?” The outlook was often grim and many days were very, very dark during those three months.<br />
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October 12, 2012, we had some hope. We had our two favorite surgeons poised and ready to place a ventriculo-pleural shunt that was meant to stay in place for a brief period while her tired and damaged brain took a little more time to heal so that a permanent, multi-shunt system could be devised and placed. In the days following surgery, we hit a few snags, but overall, our little Noodle rallied. Dr. B made it very clear that he was guardedly optimistic that this shunt would give us about a month or so and that we needed to be prepared to walk this road again soon. Over the coming weeks, we were watchful and stayed prepared. No plans were made, the suitcases stayed packed. We planned on spending the Holidays in the hospital.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFAdvQIyjdylcvaIPAtzgM6ik6t9YfUwDB7Dt7zKHMJ8bWK63NBbUKaKJwhNHEFJSCK-4CXt4onT3KhIMdEk3_rl35NmcQv6uOwd951qFvDLSElmzkPpWEpCdjq0jqCmFmYde4GgLrA/s1600/1071466_660045404023540_1872443238_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFAdvQIyjdylcvaIPAtzgM6ik6t9YfUwDB7Dt7zKHMJ8bWK63NBbUKaKJwhNHEFJSCK-4CXt4onT3KhIMdEk3_rl35NmcQv6uOwd951qFvDLSElmzkPpWEpCdjq0jqCmFmYde4GgLrA/s200/1071466_660045404023540_1872443238_o.jpg" width="200" /></a>November came and went, then December and January, February and so on. We dove into therapy and Noodle worked harder than ever to heal. We've explored several alternative treatments as well. It is now one year later and while we have questioned the function of Noodle’s shunt a few times over the year, we have come to trust that beautiful piece of hardware more and more. When she falls ill, I find myself jumping to other things that could be wrong as a first guess and putting shunt malfunction lower down on the list. Perhaps I, too, am finally starting to heal.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJAdVUxKz4Sup1_YGFTBdMXLP6QhMeD2S8CAwt6FT4uylN7RRCl8fUhqMiyoAP5qIlzImw93AXolwz6F-y-0C-EoCMIxB3qNWWB-jMvE2iuUl93M99DEChZpa2qviGuJgYX8Y-SAdOw/s1600/1061843_656661537695260_2096828634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJAdVUxKz4Sup1_YGFTBdMXLP6QhMeD2S8CAwt6FT4uylN7RRCl8fUhqMiyoAP5qIlzImw93AXolwz6F-y-0C-EoCMIxB3qNWWB-jMvE2iuUl93M99DEChZpa2qviGuJgYX8Y-SAdOw/s320/1061843_656661537695260_2096828634_n.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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This past year has been quite remarkable for our little Noodle. She has never in her life been given such a long opportunity to heal and just “be”. Life for her has always been about pain, illness, surgery and fighting. This past year has been about growth, happiness, laughter, firsts, and just being a little girl. I won’t lie; there have been some tough days and she has had to work very hard; but she has faced it all with such grace and spirit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBCh9iD9STyCgKdCicMW3PuhsEuYd92BjprM_oAmLgopLt9oGsjKwpEmCuwvagIyZ7QN7cl60AHLimlllTCj-U7uq0yUUVh56keQo1d-lUdcZbB_ZDmAQBZ7HdsR2Elh-rJlj_jXnDQ/s1600/1371587_696393930388687_1949575839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBCh9iD9STyCgKdCicMW3PuhsEuYd92BjprM_oAmLgopLt9oGsjKwpEmCuwvagIyZ7QN7cl60AHLimlllTCj-U7uq0yUUVh56keQo1d-lUdcZbB_ZDmAQBZ7HdsR2Elh-rJlj_jXnDQ/s320/1371587_696393930388687_1949575839_n.jpg" width="226" /></a>We have not seen her neurosurgeon in a year. It has not been an accident or an oversight. It’s not because I’m a bad mom or negligent in her care. It has been a conscious decision, maybe a bit on the superstitious side, maybe a bit irrational, but my decision nonetheless. We are, however, paying Dr. B. a visit in two weeks to check in and celebrate this one year shuntaversary. May he be delighted and amazed by the beautiful young lady he will see before him as she certainly has changed from the sick, lifeless girl he treated a year ago.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdlVI1n3EhptvAu8dNdx2Vh4XJg_ejePi1FwfZI_amDUqWLqMwrfESyi7G-4V7fHEnj3Zpz_G-WL11FbZ5kQTdtv2NvRrrD9NwARuYFrLOGqK66U20PbbwZ2jp4NzvAcUHEPg3SB2rQ/s1600/1305311_690082041019876_781549255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdlVI1n3EhptvAu8dNdx2Vh4XJg_ejePi1FwfZI_amDUqWLqMwrfESyi7G-4V7fHEnj3Zpz_G-WL11FbZ5kQTdtv2NvRrrD9NwARuYFrLOGqK66U20PbbwZ2jp4NzvAcUHEPg3SB2rQ/s320/1305311_690082041019876_781549255_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Today, I celebrate the life of my daughter. Today, I am filled with gratitude and amazement. Today, I thank her for choosing to fight so hard when I know it would’ve been easier to give up. Today, I thank all of those who believed in her even when things looked hopeless. Today, I pray for another year. </div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-3063020122162988022013-06-14T12:04:00.000-05:002013-06-14T12:04:01.789-05:00Therapy, teeth & injuries....oh my!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our first week of <a href="http://www.wisconsinhyperbarics.com/hbot.html">hyperbarics</a> went amazingly well. Expect the worst, hope for the best.....that's kind my approach to new and potentially scary things for Noodle. I arm myself with everything I can that has the potential to soothe her and we jump in. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisafZnAl1RhshmbzZXau40j29oTToKVJDy9nxnkmlc1WfsMAl3aL0SniP1CaBVUHNUnRZ97J0V8-CoDffJxI-mLDBFT3rWLm5DkDwvqxZnA9lECRV2pLGohLAczsEMojXB65vXYHuhjg/s1600/collage_5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisafZnAl1RhshmbzZXau40j29oTToKVJDy9nxnkmlc1WfsMAl3aL0SniP1CaBVUHNUnRZ97J0V8-CoDffJxI-mLDBFT3rWLm5DkDwvqxZnA9lECRV2pLGohLAczsEMojXB65vXYHuhjg/s320/collage_5.png" width="320" /></a>Day one was a little rocky, but overall so much better than I expected. Noodle got fitted for her hood and tolerated getting into it and into the chamber with me. When we started going up to pressure, she got pretty upset. It was challenging to keep her from head-banging & thrashing around a lot, but with lots of singing and squeezes, she calmed once we made it up to pressure and settled in. For the next hour she vacillated between happy/content with a few outbursts of agitation, only becoming very upset again when we depressurized. She was thrilled to have the hood taken off. For me, the experience was fine. I didn't really have any time to think about being trapped in that tiny space with no way to get out in a hurry or all of the things that could potentially go wrong since all of my energy and focus was on keeping Noodle calm and happy. My only real complaint - the heat...my God, the heat - it has to be well over 100 degrees in there! Since Noodle doesn't thermoregulate, it is a bit of a concern, but I know know to strip her down to just a light one-piece dress, no pants and as long as she's calm she's okay. We keep the lights off to help cut down on the heat as well. </div>
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Day two was great! Noodle was <strike>in a drug induced stupor</strike> sleeping when we got there and we managed to get her into her hood and into the chamber without waking her!! She slept the entire time! I may or may not have taken a short nap myself - I'll never tell, but judging by the Albert Einstein hairdo I had when I emerged, it probably happened.<br />
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Day three was absolutely incredible. There was a small bit of fussing with the hood, but once we got into the chamber, Noodle just laid back and this amazing sense of peace came over her. Those who know her really well know that she is not the type to just sit and take it all in. She's kind of "on guard" all the time. She's tense and unless she's in a deep sleep, she's always moving, fidgeting, "talking," etc. But Wednesday, she was just lying there and her whole body felt relaxed. Times like that I wish so much she could tell me what she was feeling and thinking. It was as if she knew she was going to feel good and was just waiting for it. When our dive was over, she was mad - really mad! She did NOT want to get out of that chamber! I'm so excited to see what next week brings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintTIBYdI2YW_Z04aLdziIG7uKUzClVjsm38pE5mF8QHpGt4WSlSbcnKNtqdTKwIuLYKYJC0vW5H5QJ-05Bf-VDBfTWQoIkNhXhuf7ReZak5Z_cFF5sJyv7XPjYHgwQdcjLaAYjxvDIA/s1600/collage_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintTIBYdI2YW_Z04aLdziIG7uKUzClVjsm38pE5mF8QHpGt4WSlSbcnKNtqdTKwIuLYKYJC0vW5H5QJ-05Bf-VDBfTWQoIkNhXhuf7ReZak5Z_cFF5sJyv7XPjYHgwQdcjLaAYjxvDIA/s320/collage_6.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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In other news, all four kids visited the dentist this week and we had four perfect reports! How amazing is that?!?! We are so incredibly blessed on the dental front, especially considering that 2 kids had no dental care for their first 5 years, 1 kid had failure to thrive and 1 kid is tube fed. All 4 should have some sort of dental problems, but so far so good.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zsb_35dgbhBxVFcQweMGfwbHMAU9cIoy-NHQglQqhgaSNMugHHNK1tJpcNQiF3z4sP8iFbDV_0Lo9_KyUSaQYRFqQzPKyMXuZIMILy11b8V-_tGrTH4uMul_GKMgkW_kXjSQTwaGGA/s1600/collage_7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Zsb_35dgbhBxVFcQweMGfwbHMAU9cIoy-NHQglQqhgaSNMugHHNK1tJpcNQiF3z4sP8iFbDV_0Lo9_KyUSaQYRFqQzPKyMXuZIMILy11b8V-_tGrTH4uMul_GKMgkW_kXjSQTwaGGA/s320/collage_7.png" width="320" /></a>The big kids are loving their summer programs so far. Spare time is filled with ball playing, water fights, and of course - injuries! Boys - I swear, they'll have developed a complete second skin before they hit adolescence. Noodle is spending most of her spare time at therapy and Esen is also doing extra OT and PT. It's been a wild start to the summer!<br />
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-5010313110846012432013-06-05T13:10:00.000-05:002013-06-05T13:10:14.785-05:00Let the Madness Begin.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Summer.<br />
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The kids have been counting the days.<br />
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I've been counting the days.<br />
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It seems like I have a ton of laundry with school clothes and play clothes.<br />
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I'm over it - school, that is. I've been pretty checked out for a while now. Not the best "school mom" this past month or so. Apparently, that anticipation for summer break never really goes away as you age. <br />
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I would love for someone to come and do all my laundry.<br />
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Unfortunately, summer isn't going to be a super-relaxing time for everyone. The 'big kids' had big dreams of lounging around at home, playing in their little pool, riding bikes and having camp outs every night. Unfortunately, I, being the big bubble-burster informed them that they would, indeed, be attending Clubhouse and Daycare on the weekdays.<br />
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I will likely do laundry. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cVwoBc6oil4Lu3UGA313nTYRDy9dHT-oQcCxpsJ56LLcQFDYk1mSyQZ6RTRZaI1I0rcUmWcOhxujDuGkt6y43MNoXjnmz_WKVean1_uxZWt6G7aEo_wtMjofQ66gECKraDKZdvvvbQ/s1600/pic5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cVwoBc6oil4Lu3UGA313nTYRDy9dHT-oQcCxpsJ56LLcQFDYk1mSyQZ6RTRZaI1I0rcUmWcOhxujDuGkt6y43MNoXjnmz_WKVean1_uxZWt6G7aEo_wtMjofQ66gECKraDKZdvvvbQ/s200/pic5.jpg" width="200" yya="true" /></a><br />
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We are, instead of staying at home to play all day, embarking on an exciting new journey. Next Monday, thanks to the outpouring of love and support of friends, family, & perfect strangers, Noodle begins her Hyperbaric Treatment at <a href="http://www.wisconsinhyperbarics.com/">Wisconsin Integrative Hyperbaric Center</a>. We are so excited about this opportunity and, as with any new treatment, are approaching it with guarded optimism. Many children have experienced amazing outcomes. Our greatest hope for her is and always has been comfort and happiness. If we can achieve that, we have won! If, by some miracle, this treatment helps her to progress with skills and make gains, well then that is a huge bonus. Along with her hyperbarics, we'll be doing added PT, OT and cranial sacral therapy to try and get the maximum benefits. It will be pretty intense few months. </div>
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Esen will also amp up PT and OT this summer and all of the kids will have various medical appointments to get out of the way. </div>
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July will bring three weeks of Summer School for all four kids and the first time riding the school bus for Noodle! Another very exciting milestone. </div>
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More school clothing - more laundry.</div>
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Kevin and I are trying to carve out some time here and there to work on some home projects. <br />
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We do laundry - a lot of laundry.<br />
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Did I mention the laundry?<br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Happy Summer Everyone<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">!! </span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-37413393652395009892013-04-24T08:56:00.000-05:002013-04-24T11:37:21.243-05:00Happy Gotcha Day, Esen!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Six years ago, our lives were forever changed. Of course, the addition of your first child always changes your life in the typical "holy crap, we've a kid now" kind of ways, but six years ago today, for me anyway, I had my single most life-altering experience. Six years ago today, I walked into an orphanage. I needed that. I needed that reality. I not only needed my son; my too small, too sick, too scared, painfully damaged son; I needed life to teach me that I was selfish and closed off; that I was on the wrong path. I needed my eyes opened to the larger world around me. I credit one, little person for changing my life for the better and that's Esen. <br />
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Who knew I would learn so much from this one, little person. Who knew that as the days passed and the healing slowly began (and still continues) that our hearts would open and change in such big ways.<br />
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Esen, you are the greatest gift the world could've ever given us. You make me smile and laugh every day. You always keep me guessing and definitely keep me on my toes! You have taught me patience, gratitude, humility, forgiveness and courage. You are a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit. <br />
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Thank you, my little monkey, for allowing us to be your Mom & Dad - it is an honor, a privilege and I am truly grateful every second of every day. I love you more than you can ever know!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Happy Gotcha Day, Buddy!!</strong></em></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-52046267072090978622013-03-22T11:17:00.001-05:002013-04-04T16:22:25.351-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><br />
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 36pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Thirty-One for Noodle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Marissa (aka "Noodle") was born at 25 weeks old on July 20, 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has endured more in her short life than anyone should ever have to endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many times, we were told that she wouldn't survive. Twice I've stood by and watched as a team of doctors and nurses fought to bring her back to life. Too many times, we were told to prepare for the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many times, we were asked how "far" we wanted to go. We have always opted to fight because SHE has always opted to fight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Noodle struggles with very complicated diagnoses including:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, hemiplegia and cortical blindness to name a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has endured 50 surgeries and has spent around 300 days in the hospital so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no cure for any of her conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She works so hard every day to overcome the obstacles placed before her and she is living proof that miracles do exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has been an inspiration to all who have met her and she brings a smile to the face of every person who is lucky enough to cross her path. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We have been given the opportunity through a generous grant to try an innovative treatment for Noodle that could not only relieve some of her pain and discomfort, but that also just might help give her some freedom by restoring some of the function she has lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grant we received covers two-thirds of the total cost of treatment, but we need to fund the remaining one-third by raising an additional $2,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We owe it to our little fighter to give her this chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you for considering supporting Noodle by participating in this fundraiser and by sharing it far and wide with friends, family, co-workers and anyone else you can think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, I know we can do this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ORDERING INFO</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*Online at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/eventhome.aspx?eventId=E3073057&from=MYEVENTS&verify=true">THIRTY-ONE for NOODLE</a> - event closes 4/10/13.</span></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-70744658431339503372013-03-01T14:41:00.001-06:002013-03-01T14:41:08.159-06:00Flashback Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Hair - it's a constant source of frustration for me....always has been. It's been long, short, straight, curly. It's been brown, blonde, black, red, multi-colored. It's been highlighted, lowlighted, chemically processed and damaged beyond repair at times. For quite some time, I've enjoyed it short. I went nearly completely gray several years back and the constant salon coloring and cutting became too expensive and too time-consuming so I just let it grow and took to coloring at home. Now, I'm sick and tired of it again and I need professional help!! So.....what's it gonna be - help me out or I just might do something really drastic! <br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Please never mind that I have aged A LOT and lost and gained the same 20+ lbs MANY times over the years)</span></em></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-12877200540256063882013-02-22T11:28:00.001-06:002013-02-22T11:28:21.342-06:00Flashback Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>One year ago this weekend I boarded a plane...</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>And soon after, we went from this...</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>To this...</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Our home is full, our hearts are even fuller. Though we are challenged some days, we are grateful everyday. We are still learning and growing. I can't believe it's been a year already. I can't wait to see what the next year brings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><strong>Have a Happy Friday and an Amazing Weekend!</strong></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-75080067009404210842013-02-08T06:00:00.000-06:002013-02-08T06:00:14.229-06:00Flashback Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Winter has me down - waaaay down. I'm so sick of the snow and the cold and the driving....blech. I dug back into winters past..........who could be crabby looking at this cuteness from 2008?<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><em>Happy Friday - enjoy your weekend!!</em></span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-47583266778368761812013-02-02T21:06:00.000-06:002013-02-02T21:06:28.553-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQBRGe34b_ubQUEq_uy2WQtlW8vx3H5Q3hKRvkF8KhSluCbIp7V5w91K-1ipXvTUN-53n5pKVdB05P8x_AEUj003EE07ul1HGPSWpaa67sgSMtoa3NNDtiRoRLMeA1q28CQpOCSw2lg/s1600/101_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQBRGe34b_ubQUEq_uy2WQtlW8vx3H5Q3hKRvkF8KhSluCbIp7V5w91K-1ipXvTUN-53n5pKVdB05P8x_AEUj003EE07ul1HGPSWpaa67sgSMtoa3NNDtiRoRLMeA1q28CQpOCSw2lg/s320/101_0641.JPG" width="320" /></a>After FIVE, long years, it's hard to get too excited, but we are preparing for the doors in Kyrgyzstan to open once again. Hope is never lost completely. It can't be - there's a little girl there who depends us and frankly, if I may be completely honest, I depend on her. You see, my heart isn't whole without her. I love my kids, ALL of them and yes, I <em>am</em> happy with "the ones I have," but she is mine, too. She is my daughter and I can't stop fighting for her. We have reason again to be hopeful and that means getting our ducks in a row, getting our paperwork updated and raising funds so that we can storm that little pancreas-shaped country at a moment's notice and get.her.out! </div>
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A lot of people believe we should've given up years ago. A lot of people are tired of hearing about it. Some are no doubt unbelievers. I can't say that I blame them. BUT, for those of you who have it in you to fight with us and to believe in miracles, there are ways you can help. Every penny we raise gets her closer to home. You can check out our fundraising tab for ideas. You can watch our sidebar as well. Very soon, there will be something super exciting happening over at <a href="http://altynailegacyfund.blogspot.com/">Altynai's Legacy Fund</a> so please pop over and catch up with Suzanne. You can read about many of Kamila's friends who are still waiting and some of her friends who have been lucky enough to make it home already! <br />
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned..................</span></strong></em></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-23754189799396755262013-02-01T08:11:00.003-06:002013-02-01T10:03:21.557-06:00Flashback Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For today's Flashback Friday, it seems fitting to focus on the entire past five years. January marked five years since we began Kamila's adoption. FIVE.LONG.YEARS. Incidentally, today, an article was published by David Crary for which I was interviewed. Here is one of the versions - the one that I think has the nicest photo gallery (be sure to check out the link on the left of the story). <br />
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<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation_world/20130201_ap_for5yearsusfamiliespursuekyrgyzadoptions.html">For 5 Years US Families Pursue Kyrgyz Adoptions</a><br />
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<em><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Happy Friday - enjoy your weekend!!</strong></span></em></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-19715256837809178952013-01-25T13:18:00.001-06:002013-01-25T13:18:56.849-06:00Flashback Friday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m starting a new feature here on my little blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve <s>stolen</s> borrowed the idea from my friend, <a href="http://www.lifewithjack.com/">Jessi</a>, whom I highly recommend you visit over at <a href="http://www.lifewithjack.com/">Life with Jack</a>. (But don’t click over yet, because once you do, you’ll be hooked forever – Jackpants couldn’t get any cuter and Jessi is multi-talented)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Friday I’m going jump back in time and revisit something…..anything….could be a time that was fun or sad or life-altering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’ll just post a picture or maybe I’ll feel like writing a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is to at least show up every Friday and post <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week, thanks to my dear friend, <a href="http://anincrediblejourneyhome.blogspot.com/">Jes & her husband Ryan</a>, who are in Ecuador at this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very moment</i> adopting their incredibly beautiful daughter, E; I am feeling nostalgic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been in contact with them this week about their experiences with E and the bonding process and it’s taking me back to our experiences those first days with each of our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s crazy how quickly memories fade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't get me wrong, I can still remember every single second, but the ‘hardness’ of it has softened over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drama and the fear that I know I felt in those first minutes, days and weeks isn’t sitting front and center anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOYQTAkambliIXaEXoxoNEbgFrl-GOGESP7fpYXe8KrmI9CgtB3XTuNE-4wgN14uoWdht_p4M0SCIvGuC1xLj2_CYM3F7jENPllqfUWjlJ_aZeTIcpqNjgaMrwaObOhZp3A_gabkJCg/s1600/18677_102033929824693_8136802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOYQTAkambliIXaEXoxoNEbgFrl-GOGESP7fpYXe8KrmI9CgtB3XTuNE-4wgN14uoWdht_p4M0SCIvGuC1xLj2_CYM3F7jENPllqfUWjlJ_aZeTIcpqNjgaMrwaObOhZp3A_gabkJCg/s320/18677_102033929824693_8136802_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kamila - July 2008</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those who have adopted children from hard places, children who have experienced trauma, older children, children with medical needs, you know what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parenting in general is hard work, but it is compounded when you have to travel to a foreign country to bring home a child who does not speak your language, who is older, perhaps has medical issues, physical pain, emotional issues that stem from years of neglect or abuse; and to be on your own with no family or friends to drop by and help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re also away from the comforts of home while trying to take care of said child who incidentally may want nothing to do with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re managing all of this after waiting and fighting for years to be with your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re trying to do what’s best, trying not fail, while trying to manage your own feelings of rejection and exhaustion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a lot to overcome and it’s hard and it’s painful, but it’s also joyous as you watch your child begin to come out of their shell and grow to trust you and like you; and as the weeks and months go by, actually begin to even love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCmL2hmlxSAqEGassgehlyUO_9y2kJwAS41nlVg8BH41EQ1Hbk-kgmKvcTOp4vsMC9ysiYzI1KBJ0hpyX4hLKsJpaCRorjopleIpBniX_XRCmOLr5ymwcJrU0eOB4LTE6Ze2lZMApIQ/s1600/232323232%7Ffp53247_nu=3497_7_7_;4__25887_7_3;234ot1lsi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCmL2hmlxSAqEGassgehlyUO_9y2kJwAS41nlVg8BH41EQ1Hbk-kgmKvcTOp4vsMC9ysiYzI1KBJ0hpyX4hLKsJpaCRorjopleIpBniX_XRCmOLr5ymwcJrU0eOB4LTE6Ze2lZMApIQ/s320/232323232%7Ffp53247_nu=3497_7_7_;4__25887_7_3;234ot1lsi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll never forget walking up to Esen’s orphanage that first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was filled with excitement and anticipation until they brought him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, my instinct was to turn and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so scared because he looked so sick and so small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no way I can do this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, I didn’t (run, that is) or we wouldn’t be where we are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That experience and those feelings made me stronger. Acknowledging them and allowing myself to be open to the experience opened a whole new world for us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Meeting Marissa for the first time - October 31, 2009</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two and half years later when we walked into that New Orleans NICU to meet our fragile, little Noodle, I felt ready for absolutely anything the Universe had to throw at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did I know the ride we were about to go on, but we have managed and we continue to grow strong. Some days, I have it all together and things go smoothly and some days I can't tell my you know what from a hole in the ground. I've learned that it's okay. I've learned that I am so not Superwoman and that my kids are okay with that. I've learned that I can screw up and the Earth continues to rotate on it's axis. </span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Court Day - December 7, 2011</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess my point is, hold on tight, but don't be afraid to let yourself go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let yourself feel the the good, bad and ugly feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let yourself ‘fail’ (you’re probably not actually failing anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe how many times over the last 6 years there’s been a little voice in my head that has said “you can’t” or “you’ll never be able to” or “that’s crazy” or “you shouldn’t,” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and we’ve done it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that we’ve persevered in spite of those voices and the negativity is the only reason all of our children are here. And, it's the reason we continue to fight for the one who's not. </span><br />
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<em><span style="color: purple;">Happy Friday - have a great weekend!</span></em></h2>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-54473203820189710242013-01-17T22:09:00.000-06:002013-01-17T22:11:25.259-06:00Looking Forward<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only a little more than halfway through the month and I’m behind on my New Year’s post. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say I’m right on track! No doubt, 2013 promises to be a year full of surprises, in true Fenske style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mantra going into 2013 comes from a necklace that I received for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have long coveted many of the amazing items over at <a href="http://www.funkyfishdesigns.com/apps/webstore/">Funky Fish Designs</a> and this one is especially meaningful to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is the basis for how our little family came to be and continues to thrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the days get long and I feel like I can’t even breathe, I reach up and hold this in my hand and It reminds me where we’ve been, where we’re going and what our family is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me that this world is so much bigger than little, old me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me to be humble, patient and try and live a life of service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’re starting out the year with medical issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noodle has developed a pleural effusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first response was “oh shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, oddly, as I sat and listened to Neurosurgeon Extraordinaire discuss our options, I was strangely calm (he has that effect on me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we are running out of good options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that anything we try is risky and I know that the odds are stacked against us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, she ALWAYS beats them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ALWAYS proves everyone wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel, to the core of my being that she is going to be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he talked about our absolute wild card option – you know, the one that you don’t pull until the bitter end , the one where he says “I’ve always wanted to try it” and the one where if it fails, he uses words like “incompatible with life” – I found myself having an out of body experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I politely said, we’ll talk about that some other day and I tucked the information away in some file cabinet deep in the recesses of my brain; hopefully never to be used again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, we keep her comfy and stable and wait for all the surgeons to work out their schedules and pick a date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my intentions this year (I stopped making 'resolutions' years ago) is to slow down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really desperately want to try and focus on not having commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been really inspired by a couple of other mamas who have taken steps to declutter their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, is it critical to attend every single function?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want our kids to be able to just be kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to know the value of having time to just BE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to rush through life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see too many people doing it and it makes me so sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I wonder if they're going to look back someday and be sad that they missed out on simple things. </span>I want my kids to have time to develop a sense of who they are and what they like and don’t like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to be individuals and not cookie-cutter kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to be able to make decisions for themselves and be creative and know how to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I’m learning to let go and that is hard for me because I am a total control freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I have let them go to school on the rare occasion in weird socks and mis-matched clothes because it is what they wanted to wear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Builds character, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another one of my intentions is to reclaim my health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have definitely let go of myself in taking care of everyone else. I was reminded by someone recently that although I do strongly believe that “It’s Not About Me,” sometimes I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> to make it about me or I won’t be around to take care of the people who matter to me most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I have been diligently making changes and focusing on caring for myself like I care for my little ones. Hopefully I can shed this extra half of a person I’ve been carrying around and build up some extra energy to keep chasing my little animals around! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We received word just this week that things are once again looking up in Kyrgyzstan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since we signed that first document starting our second adoption from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FIVE YEARS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two agencies, five dossiers, and tens of thousands of dollars later, Kamila is still waiting for us and we are still waiting for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People call us crazy (not so much to our faces anymore), but we made a promise to her and we intend to keep it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all goes as planned, she could be home this Spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can check out the Fundraising tab and the sidebar for ways to help if you’re so inclined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a loooong ways to go to reach our goal of what we need to complete her adoption, so your support is greatly appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The school year is flying by and I’m amazed at how much the kids are learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esen is a math genius!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s obsessed with numbers and is forever quizzing me, which isn’t a good thing considering I barely made it through freshman algebra by the time I graduated High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His behavior has improved at school with the addition of some more challenging work, but if he gets bored, it’s hard for him to keep it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hiwot loves everything about school, is a social butterfly and practices her letters and songs religiously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has such a strong desire to soak up knowledge and learn everything she can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never stops asking questions and never, ever stops talking – which will be her downfall in the classroom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bamlak is struggling some and we’re feeling the guilt for pushing him into Kindergarten when he probably should’ve been held back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a tough call, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really did not want he and Hiwot in the same grade and definitely didn’t want to hold her back for 2 years so we took a leap of faith in placing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t as motivated as his siblings and doesn’t seem to have the ability to retain information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s patched into ELL and a Reading program, so we’ll see what the rest of the year brings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marissa recently started her EC program and they are coming to her right now since it’s a bit safer than her joining her class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an opportunity for the teachers and therapists to at least get to know her one-on-one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With impending surgery, she’ll be taking a break again, but we hope that she’ll at least get to join her class for a bit later this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, I spent the bulk of my day arranging schedules around surgery, doctor appointments, and therapy appointments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marissa is receiving outside Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Craniosacral Therapy; and is going to begin Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as soon as we have funding secured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esen is going to begin outside Physical and Occupational Therapy next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marissa sees 12 different doctors/specialists; Esen sees 3, Bamlak and Hiwot each see 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I figure that out for a week or two, I plug in the school schedule, work schedules, special activities, then figure out daycare, transport and busing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always think I have a really good system until something unforeseen happens to throw a wrench in things, then it all falls apart and I forget something and feel like a big idiot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to hear others’ management systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my intentions for this year is to get a little more organized and to communicate better (yes, with you, my dear husband who always feels like I don’t tell him anything – because I probably didn’t and not because I don’t want to, because my brain has probably melted).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have absolutely no idea where we’re going to end up this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have hopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have fears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try not to let any of those things get in the way of the right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself feeling very restless and very small at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I should be doing so much more than I’m doing, but yet, I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking forward, I’m going to try not to look back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to try to focus on the minute that I’m in and make the most of every second……</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the famous words of a very, wise man:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #269b9b; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regrets. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” ~Dr. Seuss</span></i></b></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-82553030453374200882013-01-05T19:11:00.000-06:002013-01-05T19:11:40.527-06:00Looking Back......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure how to even begin to describe 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly went through a lot of change
individually and as a family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent
the first couple of months preparing to welcome two new members to our little
clan, wondering the whole time what it was going to be like to double our
kiddos overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In March, Bamlak and
Hiwot came home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transition was far
from seamless, but in time, everyone settled in and found their niche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Months later, it was like we had all been
together forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv9c9DEq8h0IwISMdSlZp6TyzAJZ0oNlsyvAduZo9fFayE5AtC4LrCI6HEJ2-Phs4gCNDRr_HeiM-JahfrAnoI2JQRsQo2r8XjEORDAJOQKN4_w0g66hm8KMOFR1uzBFQ5E8bM0m_xQ/s1600/101_0634+%2528800x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv9c9DEq8h0IwISMdSlZp6TyzAJZ0oNlsyvAduZo9fFayE5AtC4LrCI6HEJ2-Phs4gCNDRr_HeiM-JahfrAnoI2JQRsQo2r8XjEORDAJOQKN4_w0g66hm8KMOFR1uzBFQ5E8bM0m_xQ/s320/101_0634+%2528800x800%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In June, we hopped on a plane and travelled 6,000+ miles to
Bishkek, where we spent two weeks bonding with our little girl – the little
girl who still sits alone in an orphanage 1639 days after we promised to be her
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Esen went with us and it was
absolutely surreal to take him back to where he was born, to where it all
began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking into that orphanage on
April 23, 2007, changed the course of our lives forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changed what we thought we knew about what
we wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It changed what we thought we
were there to do, what we thought our plans were for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It set the wheels in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As bitter as I am sometimes about that
country, the government and the whole process in light of what we’ve been
through this past 4 ½ years, I have no choice but to be grateful because we
have Esen and because all of this has shaped what we’ve become.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012 also afforded us the opportunity to serve through a
<a href="http://bothhandsfoundation.org/kevin-and-shannon-fenske.aspx">Both Hands Project</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such an
amazing experience (and a lot of work) to see what happens when people come
together for the sole purpose of helping another human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outcome was amazing and we raised funds
for Kamila’s adoption as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I highly
recommend anyone out there looking to fundraise for an adoption consider a <a href="http://bothhandsfoundation.org/">BothHands Project</a> through <a href="http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/">Lifesong for Orphans</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a life-changing experience not only for the crew, but for the
widow being served. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvqE-d1i_HdSInGFaObddOdyulfUtChUeWy1a-IJ7BYXaofMRNefVHpAaUly8MavuCaJkVNXFdX6UFnef9a5FdYf7d1j4HluN9buucwmReH718sRK5M9-sfzO_szJed5GQNAA86nLRA/s1600/100_1556+(640x456).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvqE-d1i_HdSInGFaObddOdyulfUtChUeWy1a-IJ7BYXaofMRNefVHpAaUly8MavuCaJkVNXFdX6UFnef9a5FdYf7d1j4HluN9buucwmReH718sRK5M9-sfzO_szJed5GQNAA86nLRA/s320/100_1556+(640x456).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The summer was filled with water fights, scraped knees, new
foods to explore and two kiddos who had never even touched bicycles learning to
ride two-wheelers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord help me, I’ve
got three dare-devils under the age of 7! The boys had a blast riding up and down the street while Hiwot enjoyed peddling around the driveway. I couldn't believe it when they took off since in March they couldn't even pedal tricycles! We stuck pretty close to home over the summer and really just focused on getting to know one another and having fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2012 wouldn’t have been complete without some hospital
drama.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I’d like to say that I’m
going to forget it and put it in the past, but a mama can never really do
that.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three months in the hospital,
multiple surgeries, life-threatening infections, seizures, discussions about
your child dying, respiratory arrest, those are things that when I close my
eyes at night are there as if they are happening right now.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The end of 2012 brought a new, troubling
diagnosis that we haven’t even begun to peel the layers off of yet.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still, I have hope because I have to.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t give up because my heart won’t let
me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were so blessed to all be home together for the
Holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas was nice and quiet
and for the New Year, we decided to take the kids to a mini-indoor waterpark in
Wisconsin Dells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had so much fun (as did the grown-ups)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no idea what 2013 holds for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some wishes and I have some intentions
(I don’t do resolutions), but I know better than to make plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up next……Looking Forward<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-32130133108241958402012-12-13T15:29:00.000-06:002012-12-13T15:29:22.518-06:00I Am That Mom...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know the one…the one you might have said you’d never be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I said it a million times in my “old life”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m the one you looked at in disgust yesterday or shook your head at or pitied last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who is carrying around the child with no socks and no hat in the twenty degree weather</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who’s kid doesn’t seem to follow the traditional course</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who wears yoga pants out in public ALL.DAY.LONG.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who may or may not have washed her hair this morning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who sent her kids to school on a breakfast of pop tarts and oranges</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who used to be perpetually early for everything, but now is late to every single appointment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who forgets lunches and special school dress up days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who has never taken her family on a real vacation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was pretty sure I was going to be the mom who was always put together, whose children were always dressed perfectly and sent off to school with bellies full of a delicious, nutritious, hot breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty sure I would serve on the PTO and volunteer in the classroom, accompanying my children on every field trip and spend hours at night discussing the day’s events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What happened?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a hard time convincing myself most days that I’m not a total failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Balance is really, really hard, but for moms of kiddos with special needs, I think it is compounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are doctors, specialists, therapists, behavioral issues, medications, and then the modifications you need to make to general life to accommodate kids from hard places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not complaining and before people jump down my throat and feel the need to remind me that I <u>chose</u> this life, shut it – I know full well I chose it and I don’t regret it for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, for all the things that I may not be as a mom, I am so much more as a woman and as a human being because of my children and what they have taught me to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past six years I have totally transformed from the person I was into the person I am right now and the person that I am continuing to grow into. I truly owe them my life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That child with no socks and no hat – she’s my daughter who has severe brain damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not supposed to alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not supposed to be able to interact or move her limbs, or make sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not supposed to be able to eat or drink, much less have an opinion about anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell you something – girl’s got some serious opinions; about a lot things!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one, she hates socks and she hates anything on her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I put them on her – she immediately takes them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a pretty huge accomplishment for her and we celebrate it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I put them back on it also sends her into a rage and frankly, trying to carry a 35lb head-banging, biting, giant noodle and getting her strapped into a carseat or wheelchair for the 5 seconds she’ll be outside isn’t worth the tantrum so sometimes she wins the battle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kid who some think is a little off-course – he’s my oldest son and he is amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never met another human being like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve yet to meet anyone who can fully explain him or the way his brain works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he grows, he seems to be more in touch with how it works, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know that anyone will ever know or be able to understand the amount of damage that he suffered, but for him to have overcome and to be where he is today is truly a miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He struggles – A LOT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He frustrates me, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also intrigues me and he makes me laugh and he makes my heart soar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t wait to see what he’s going to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The yoga pants – they were cleanish and I found them, and my butt’s not hanging out – enough said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My kids eat pop tarts and dammit – they LOVE ‘em!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m late – AGAIN – I’m sorry I messed up your schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, before you get upset, you should know that I might’ve been dealing with a major poopsplosion in a parking lot somewhere; perhaps my kid had a seizure or threw up, or pulled out her G-tube. I might’ve been on email desperately trying to match up an orphan with a family; I might’ve been dropping off a hot cup of coffee to a homeless person as a random act of kindness; I might’ve been ordering flowers for a friend who lost her baby; so cut me some slack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a good person trying to do some good things, trying to make this world a better place because my heart has been stretched to the limit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thing is, I try so hard every day and I’m pretty sure my kids see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I fail I let them know and I say I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to be rubbing off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are learning grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are learning it’s okay to be imperfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are learning that the world is not always a fair place and that it’s more important to help others than to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are learning that <strong>people</strong> matter – isn’t that what it’s all about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have a long ways to go – I am my own biggest critic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hard on myself, always have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This next year I really want to take a step back and slow down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am that mom….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who loves her family fiercely</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who will protect her kids and fight for them with total disregard for your rules</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who is at peace with the fact that others have chosen to walk away rather than accept us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who has been around the world, who has seen <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true </i></b>need and <strong><em>true</em></strong> suffering, who has held children that will die alone and who has allowed herself to be changed by it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">…the one who has watched her own children suffer unimaginable emotional and physical pain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">...the one who will never take a single second for granted</span><br />
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-72623453057506022762012-11-08T13:03:00.000-06:002012-11-08T13:03:05.903-06:00Hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I apologize for my absence and my silence. After Marissa's last surgery, things were a bit of a whirlwind. She recovered quite well and although the surgery didn't go as we had planned or hoped (when does it ever), we have absolutely nothing to complain about right now. On October 20th, we came H.O.M.E.!!<br />
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Marissa is rounding out her last week of IV antibiotic infusions and preparing for a minor procedure next Monday. She'll be having her G-tube converted to a GJ-tube because she's not been tolerating G-feedings and also will have a pH probe inserted for a 24 hour period of monitoring. Other than little upper respiratory infection last week that her brothers and sister thoughtfully shared with her, she has been doing fairly well at home. We have no idea what the future holds and I admit I have a very hard time not looking ahead. We're trying to just live in the moment and enjoy every second we have. Right now, we are choosing hope over fear. </div>
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All the kids were able to go trick-or-treating together for Halloween. All that candy was quite exciting for Bam and Hiwot! <br />
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Last weekend, we were blessed to have our friend, Janiece come and take some family pictures and they turned out so beautifully!</div>
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I promise to update very soon!!</div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-90230923618699052592012-10-11T14:42:00.004-05:002012-10-11T14:42:57.774-05:00Nerves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tQrT82Xxy2bdVAUrnX5UmBYr9XrmAArAZrvgRG4GCwoIgxpMXyE6Hc0qhibHL7TLDkl5YR0wuY-RyI-XTQ7lol6OtuFoKwWGKGh1MteIJC0SXUQGnexgKE6l1l8YkyCUKP-h59hH_w/s1600/do_i_look_like_a_bundle_of_nerves_neuron_synapse_sticker-p217481003419102373en7l1_525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tQrT82Xxy2bdVAUrnX5UmBYr9XrmAArAZrvgRG4GCwoIgxpMXyE6Hc0qhibHL7TLDkl5YR0wuY-RyI-XTQ7lol6OtuFoKwWGKGh1MteIJC0SXUQGnexgKE6l1l8YkyCUKP-h59hH_w/s400/do_i_look_like_a_bundle_of_nerves_neuron_synapse_sticker-p217481003419102373en7l1_525.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em></em>Yup - this about sums it up. My stomach is in knots, I've had a headache for four days, I can't think straight, and I crashed my van into a pole yesterday.......(I'll save that for another post).
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Tomorrow, the best-of-the-best surgical minds will come together to try and create a functioning shunt system for my little Noodle. <br />
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A month or so ago, we had a lot of reasons to believe we'd never make it to this point. We were "prepared" for the fact that it might prove to be impossible, that she would not survive. We have tried to live day-to-day and not focus on the end of the journey, whatever 'the end' might be. <br />
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Now, here we are - at this pivotal moment. It feels like there is so much riding on this one surgery; probably because there is. There is no room for error. She cannot withstand more malfunctions, additional surgeries, more infections, more insult to her brain. I have no control over this situation and I hate it! Tomorrow, the OR team will see a side of me that they don't usually see. I usually hold it together when I leave her (at least until I'm alone). We have our routine of singing songs until she's asleep. I am strong and optimistic. Hell, after 46 surgeries, 46 goodbye kisses, 46 times walking out, 46 times looking back and saying "take care of my girl;" I have to be, right? Tomorrow - I will cry like a baby. I will have a very hard time walking out, leaving her behind.</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-75660868614656622332012-10-07T22:19:00.000-05:002012-10-07T22:19:14.308-05:00Noodle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Where do I begin. I have started this post no less than ten times and in my exhausted state, quit each time. Partly, I simply can't accurately recall the exact events of the past several months, but mostly, I just plain don't have the energy or desire to lay it all out and relive it. Doing that means I have to face it - again - and that it makes it real. <br />
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Reality sucks! <br />
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Sometimes I just want butterflies and rainbows and the last three months have been pretty dark. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVPF3ViMgOvQBbCRBnu7qf5u_GDY7vw8F7pIcuN6OMcrIBjgWp1Bertmde6wmBDL5wOSeLYbTXNUmVSBtZxb6a26hxc9KmT7OvFEjPcXGdNFa9QOGqzxfKS4dMlj8muSLT52sTlDZ3Q/s1600/021+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVPF3ViMgOvQBbCRBnu7qf5u_GDY7vw8F7pIcuN6OMcrIBjgWp1Bertmde6wmBDL5wOSeLYbTXNUmVSBtZxb6a26hxc9KmT7OvFEjPcXGdNFa9QOGqzxfKS4dMlj8muSLT52sTlDZ3Q/s320/021+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a>In mid-July, we found ourselves in and out of the clinics and ended up visiting our friends over at MRI and Ultrasound for a suspected shunt malfunction. MRI confirmed a slight dilation of one of Miss Noodle's ventricles so her neurosurgeon opted to revise her shunts. The revision went fine, but recovery did not. She came out of surgery very rough. Hours passed and she did not improve. We transferred to the PICU, she was administered some sedation for a CT scan and shortly after we returned to the PICU, she suffered respiratory arrest. Prior to the arrest, she had been awake and comfortable. The 20 minutes that followed can only be described as a living nightmare. This is the second time in the past 3 years that I stood by and watched as a team of no less than 20 people fought to save my daughter's life. In those moments, I would've sold my soul to the devil to ensure that she would survive. Marissa was intubated and stabilized on a ventilator before I, myself, began to breathe again.<br />
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In the days that followed, no one really was able to come up with a great reason for her arrest. She was weaned off the vent, extubated and continued to do quite well. We went home about a week later.<br />
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Unfortunately, we returned just a few days later and Marissa was diagnosed with a shunt infection. Her shunts were externalized for two weeks, during which time she was treated with IV antibiotics and then shunts were internalized. We went home again, only to return a couple of days later when she leaked CSF out of her incision sites. The leaks were controlled, shunts revised, spent another week - went home.<br />
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Are you noting a trend at all?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y2xaDJGuIhMs1nD7mbBGJyjTzQ5t__L4PPjS0_5_KGp2w2RroaXKatKYnT1PwR0QPEzMR6hyphenhyphenR8eaS-JZ0tJrJZGwzFv3o1hKnANUIte87QhkjOWljU9y6Q3raBjLlIig8fTyIpxKcA/s1600/100_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y2xaDJGuIhMs1nD7mbBGJyjTzQ5t__L4PPjS0_5_KGp2w2RroaXKatKYnT1PwR0QPEzMR6hyphenhyphenR8eaS-JZ0tJrJZGwzFv3o1hKnANUIte87QhkjOWljU9y6Q3raBjLlIig8fTyIpxKcA/s320/100_1354.JPG" width="320" /></a>A few days later, Marissa went completely blind - yup - malfunction number.....who am I kidding.....I don't know. This was a Sunday and she wound up in surgery late Sunday night. Dr. B came and met me after surgery, as he always does, but this time, things were different. Instead of coming out and telling me everything went great, he sat down quietly and looked utterly defeated. I swallowed my heart and waited. I know there are so many parents out there who have had this experience. They've had "the talk" with their kids' doctors. They've sat there and listened, stared blankly while statistics were recited and doctors told them that the odds were stacked against them. They've listened to phrases like "there's nothing else we can do" & "I don't know how much she can take." I know Marissa is lucky. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the fact that she is still here and still strong. She shouldn't be and I know that. she shouldn't be able to smile and laugh and eat and roll over. Every little thing she does, every minute we have with her is truly a gift. That said, for some reason, even though I watched her suffer a near-fatal hemorrhage two years ago and respiratory arrest just a couple months ago, I have never really allowed myself to believe that the day would come when I would be faced with her mortality. Now, here I was at midnight on a Sunday, in a dark waiting room, by myself, being slapped in the face with it. <br />
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So, what's a Mom to do? I pulled up my big girl pants, dried my eyes, and vowed to fight like hell. That's what we've always done and we weren't going to stop now. Noodle came through that surgery, did great, did not regain her vision, but followed a healing course. We were discharged - again.<br />
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Fast forward a couple of days. I found my sweet Noodle with a big 'ol goose-egg on the back of her head (pocket of CSF) and took her to see Dr. B once again. He tapped her shunts, ordered an MRI and I expected to be admitted. Her pressures were good, MRI looked okay so we went home. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFgt5H-TjP88G8xcA2UaR_ITJ-J9LtBtRvCBwjUVD2paT7ZXVTDRz7uwNQVC23SI0NeGk7tloAPJdYQsYc4uvQhmUtpcbW11bmZJoqMKP9tIVDZx7biOG40VSdO5aVh1ZlsmeVRGPSA/s1600/100_1530+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFgt5H-TjP88G8xcA2UaR_ITJ-J9LtBtRvCBwjUVD2paT7ZXVTDRz7uwNQVC23SI0NeGk7tloAPJdYQsYc4uvQhmUtpcbW11bmZJoqMKP9tIVDZx7biOG40VSdO5aVh1ZlsmeVRGPSA/s320/100_1530+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a>Two days later she spiked a fever, started vomiting and we headed to <strike>the Emergency Room</strike> shunt kid purgatory. I avoid it at all costs, but this time, we had to go. I have NEVER had such a horrifying experience in.my.life. For the next 14 hours, we saw no fewer than 80 different people who had 80 different opinions, none of which included a shunt malfunction, shunt infection, infected gall bladder, or septicemia (all <em>my</em> dumb ideas). I was repeatedly told she had a simple gastroenteritis (aka: the stomach flu). We were treated like crap, refused pain medication, and my blood boiled hotter and hotter as the clock ticked. I told off way too many doctors and residents that day. Despite what people probably believe, I don't like being ugly & mean, but cross me too many times, belittle me and make my kid suffer needlessly and I will turn it on. Eventually, through a small miracle (and after some irate phone calls) we ended up in the PICU. Eventually, she got every test I wanted her to have from the minute we walked in early that morning. Eventually, she was diagnosed with: Shunt malfunction, shunt infection, and septicemia. But....I'm just a stupid parent! Oh, and a week later, her infected gall bladder was removed, too. </div>
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I digress.<br />
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Shunt infection becomes meningitis....meningitis morphs into ventricultis and cerebritis with a nasty abscess in the left temporal horn. Following the trip to the OR where the abscess was discovered Dr. B came in for another heart-to-heart. This one was long and much harder. I was more ready, though, or so I thought. There are so many things I appreciate about this man - I've shared before how much we love him <a href="http://chaoticandcomfortable.blogspot.com/2011/03/vgb-update.html">HERE</a>. I appreciate his honesty, compassion and the time he always seems to have to give to us even though I know he is being pulled in a million directions all the time. I so appreciate those things about him. We talked at length about decisions and when to make them and that it's okay not to make any right now. We talked about her prognosis, which was and continues to be guarded at best. It is statistically unlikely that she will grow to be a young adult. It is statistically likely that because of the insult her brain has suffered, she could die from a seizure, a fever, another shunt malfunction, a bump on the head or any other myriad of things that we simply cannot predict. How does a mother who loves her child more than anything, begin to process those words, those thoughts, those feelings? I can't help but think about finding her lifeless in her crib some morning, about having to tell her brothers and sister that she's gone, about having to call family members, about planning her funeral, about having to go on living without her. I don't know how parents survive the loss of a child - I really don't. <br />
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Today, we are 12 weeks into this "event." There is no end in sight. Noodle remains externalized, but in fairly good spirits, for which we are thankful. Other than her eyes, she has not appeared to have suffered permanent losses as of yet, which is quite astounding considering the extent of her infection, amount of surgical intervention she's had and the seizure activity she has suffered over the past three months. She truly is a living, breathing miracle.<br />
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I will admit that I am struggling a little more each day. I am tired - more tired than I've ever been. I haven't slept more than a couple hours straight in 3 months. I worry constantly - about Noodle, about the other kids, about how we're going to pay our bills, keep a roof over our head (living in a PICU is not cheap), my job, my marriage, whether everyone who's been lending a hand is going to get sick of doing so.......<br />
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I worry. I can't help it. My worrying won't change anything, won't help anything & I know that, but I'll do it anyway - it's who I am. <br />
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Meanwhile, I wake up each day, fold up my vinyl couch, prepare for the barrage of doctors and residents who will start descending on our room & I take a few moments to look out the window at our gorgeous view and remind myself that we will face today and not worry about tomorrow. It gets pretty lonely sometimes. My heart hurts that my family is apart. I miss my other kids something terrible and I long for the weekends when I get to see them again. Then, the weekends come and I miss Noodle. Most days, I'm strong and optimistic and my sense of humor carries me through, but other days I feel like I could curl up in a ball in the closet and just cry. <br />
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Who knows where this path will lead or when we will get there. If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop on in - we'd love to see you!<br />
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-67850464218875438962012-09-21T12:22:00.000-05:002012-09-21T12:22:22.617-05:00The Great Tuberculosis Fiasco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://drmommyandherpumpkins.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> requested I play the TB card first so here goes.<br />
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All children who are adopted internationally must undergo a physical exam and some blood testing prior to being issued a US visa. Some children, based on their background, medical diagnoses, etc., undergo more rigorous testing. Bamlak and Hiwot fell into this category and had to undergo extensive testing for Tuberculosis (TB). This testing began in December and involved TB skin tests, chest x-rays, and serial sputum cultures. I later found out after much investigation that the sputum cultures were actually gastric aspirates. It is routine that these cultures grow for 8 weeks before they are deemed negative and the US Embassy clears the child/children for entrance to the U.S. <br />
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Backpedaling a bit; when we visited Ethiopia last December, I left saying that I was 99% certain Hiwot would test positive for TB. For the year prior all of the monthly updates we received indicated she was generally sickly, never gaining weight, usually losing one month, going back up the next and continuing that cycle. She had frequent colds and GI illnesses. Spending a week with her, it was obvious that something was going on. She was just weak and didn't have any stamina. She would break out in cold sweats with no warning, had a persistent cough and runny nose and just didn't look super healthy. A positive TB test would be a pretty huge setback in that she would in all likelihood not be released to our custody without receiving months and months of treatment. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrcsQfPULUWaJ2mtfWBaupD2UooB7sbZXYIiwJk9H5yPToMHT_8GXf9WGnxuGBv_bpzLVmeo5QQWA5MmJkol_vZLZWYNvexB7ml9_OBP8IMbVVcrJqklG_tjmnRj0NDsCo1LffGfBFw/s1600/100_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrcsQfPULUWaJ2mtfWBaupD2UooB7sbZXYIiwJk9H5yPToMHT_8GXf9WGnxuGBv_bpzLVmeo5QQWA5MmJkol_vZLZWYNvexB7ml9_OBP8IMbVVcrJqklG_tjmnRj0NDsCo1LffGfBFw/s320/100_1500.JPG" width="240" /></a>We were on pins and needles once testing started waiting for 'the call.' I was shocked when our agency called to tell me that the children received Embassy clearance. I told our coordinator to get an appt as soon as humanly possible and that I would book a flight within days. She tried to convince me to wait a week or two, but something in my gut told me we had to hurry. Maybe I felt burned from our experience in Kyrgyzstan, maybe Mommy Instinct kicked in, maybe I just desperately wanted them home, but we threw it together and I was down there in a few days. <br />
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Fast forward to the day after week got home. The phone rings and it's our coordinator calling to tell us that the US Embassy made a horrible mistake. They neglected to let the kids' cultures finish growing before clearing them. Hiwot's TB culture turned positive in it's 7th week on the day that our agency wanted us to arrive in Addis. Thankfully, I hadn't listened to them and we already had the kids home!<br />
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I immediately got on the phone to Pediatric Infectious Disease, our pediatrician, the health department and got the ball rolling with testing here. Hiwot began treatment based on the positive culture in Ethiopia. We sat and waited for weeks and weeks for the drug susceptibilities to come back on the organism they isolated from her cultures. They were unable to get anything so they forwarded it to Nairobi. Meanwhile, all of the testing we had been doing here has come up negative. Hiwot had skin tests, chest x-rays, blood tests, bronchial washings, even a biopsy of her lymph nodes. Everyone, including the CDC is baffled. IF she truly had TB anywhere in her body - those tests certainly would've found it! Hiwot is growing stronger and her symptoms are subsiding. <br />
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Many more weeks pass and we receive the devastating news from Nairobi that Hiwot's organism is multi-drug resistant, otherwise known as MDR-TB. Now everyone's undies are in a bunch! Think choppers over the house, men in white suits..........<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9qNYxybBJFTEbQNjqQlCCQHTTa8bbmTGAeqy1X710wnjKgnHfaWwagLXWm3Tn0luo3DVn_Pj8w-jQPpjvPnmgnWFpoT31hXnyLrhUIoRhwN3CxbiKAPdqaGH5lZ-vxIHQZAfnuLZBQ/s1600/100_1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9qNYxybBJFTEbQNjqQlCCQHTTa8bbmTGAeqy1X710wnjKgnHfaWwagLXWm3Tn0luo3DVn_Pj8w-jQPpjvPnmgnWFpoT31hXnyLrhUIoRhwN3CxbiKAPdqaGH5lZ-vxIHQZAfnuLZBQ/s320/100_1555.JPG" width="228" /></a>The CDC and the health department are pushing us to start treatment immediately. I politely declined since treatment involves intravenous medications for YEARS! Yes, you heard it - a PICC line, IV infusions that are extremely hard on the organs, and a ton of trauma to a little girl who just arrived home a couple months earlier. Still, we have NO POSITIVE CULTURES on anything here in the US. None of it made sense. How could they expect that we would subject her to that type of risk based on a positive culture from a lab in Africa when the highest quality testing HERE was unable to prove anything?! It got ugly, but luckily our Peds Infectious Disease team is amazing and offered incredible support and advocacy.<br />
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Eventually, everyone just kind of backed off. We will never know what really happened. It is entirely possible that she is harboring a TB infection somewhere in her body, although unlikely. This very well might not be the end of the TB story, but we're prepared to deal with it if it rears it's head again. For now, she's happy and healthy and sassy and we can chalk this up to one more medical mystery for our family!</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-20060169633379125132012-09-19T12:24:00.002-05:002012-09-19T12:24:21.043-05:00Quickest Recap Ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4TkYiz2S34IDrf60V2f7KEJXsHslFellaVGuUc4sZVeCzfD33Fk-UY2wWRNqmjkpEiCQBNq5jdySeB0VbHpUiumLeSLPIS8AdqRPr-o4z-rT1zO3UGC5s8sG3vUVlgsFy9xala-sUQ/s1600/100_7146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4TkYiz2S34IDrf60V2f7KEJXsHslFellaVGuUc4sZVeCzfD33Fk-UY2wWRNqmjkpEiCQBNq5jdySeB0VbHpUiumLeSLPIS8AdqRPr-o4z-rT1zO3UGC5s8sG3vUVlgsFy9xala-sUQ/s200/100_7146.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZbgE66JjkLwhGVHBwdLyp369WfSNMkefVY9KljfNhGpcjU6vr5m-B2biOF5F_yGko_Jkaif3KPxVmyUYgc80CI3rItye4ivwW4KaKgPvEopWFIWS3UXrnwO1MI_GOPt87MrsX9-uiw/s1600/100_2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZbgE66JjkLwhGVHBwdLyp369WfSNMkefVY9KljfNhGpcjU6vr5m-B2biOF5F_yGko_Jkaif3KPxVmyUYgc80CI3rItye4ivwW4KaKgPvEopWFIWS3UXrnwO1MI_GOPt87MrsX9-uiw/s320/100_2500.JPG" width="320" /></a><strong>March</strong> - Bam and Hiwot came home. They acclimated incredibly awesome! Esen had the hardest time with the transition, but now is the greatest big brother on the planet. He has grown so much over the summer! Bam and Hiwot are super healthy after being treated for giardia, campy and a having a TB scare. That's a really looooong story. Marissa took to her new siblings right away - loving the attention and the added chaos. We also celebrated Bamlak's FIFTH birthday!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP0matJFHgRMw1jph9inwTgYgoNwXwbEEghisXFMr9gB3jG0OSnOVsrZ1CYl9OcytYEJ-VOyMZD07fsAcWsXsXni8MO2bsz35N7QLFIaOnchH9omSiBPaZaYAnYhYyfpjCCWPbmWsrw/s1600/100_7448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP0matJFHgRMw1jph9inwTgYgoNwXwbEEghisXFMr9gB3jG0OSnOVsrZ1CYl9OcytYEJ-VOyMZD07fsAcWsXsXni8MO2bsz35N7QLFIaOnchH9omSiBPaZaYAnYhYyfpjCCWPbmWsrw/s320/100_7448.JPG" width="228" /></a><strong>April</strong> - We focused on settling in and getting used to being a family. Esen celebrated his SIXTH birthday. Yes, seriously, I don't know what happened - he's so.dang.old.! Bam & Hiwot started attending daycare and absolutely loved it. Their English really blossomed as did their personalities.</div>
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<strong>May</strong> - I enjoyed my first Mother's Day as Mom to FOUR KIDS! It was surreal. The kids continued to learn how to get along with each other and developed great relationships. We learned a lot about parenting these new, little people and personalities really started to come out!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt78zzCJmnkggLsFbkaybdmLvC8w9xN9zKit7R_-i4KX1lbI4rww6lRY0fVH42Z85nkEUwQAxYLCU8SHE8fnrMKe2OlZX09A0eRkvCM74OV6oDIiczS-ipOlrbY8wMv1W4q6luMHCTtg/s1600/100_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt78zzCJmnkggLsFbkaybdmLvC8w9xN9zKit7R_-i4KX1lbI4rww6lRY0fVH42Z85nkEUwQAxYLCU8SHE8fnrMKe2OlZX09A0eRkvCM74OV6oDIiczS-ipOlrbY8wMv1W4q6luMHCTtg/s320/100_0954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>June</strong> - The start of summer brought lots of fun outside activities and.........a trip to Kyrgyzstan for Kevin, myself and Esen! We spent 2 weeks in Bishkek visiting Kamila on our required bonding trip (i.e., trip 1). She is incredible and feisty and beautiful and so ready to come home. We celebrated her 4th birthday while we were in country. The trip for Esen could not have come at a better time. He really needed something that was just for him that didn't involve Bam and Hiwot. He was so proud to be back in "his country" and handled the travel like a champ!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zyP01NrXEURKm8DXDLJw0hEvZH7XCpYyf_qcl9cv4tWzDyQatE39pxBm9k3472sgdyucgqe9aRXNAXaO7LVAKpWRIKYdkZyi4UnWWYPnI-zWpB2DXoRIXQg-YZCOgO4lNHkp1ljfuA/s1600/100_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zyP01NrXEURKm8DXDLJw0hEvZH7XCpYyf_qcl9cv4tWzDyQatE39pxBm9k3472sgdyucgqe9aRXNAXaO7LVAKpWRIKYdkZyi4UnWWYPnI-zWpB2DXoRIXQg-YZCOgO4lNHkp1ljfuA/s320/100_1186.JPG" width="212" /></a><strong>July</strong> - Marissa celebrated her THIRD birthday! Unbelievable to me that she is already three. I look back at the past three years and how much she has changed and accomplished and I am truly blown away. Not to mention the lifetime of lessons she has taught me in the past three years. July also brought the start of a very difficult time medically for Marissa. She was admitted to the hospital on 7/17 and with the exception of a couple of very short trips home, remains hospitalized. More on that in detail in later posts.</div>
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<strong>August</strong> - School preparations for all four kids combined with Marissa being in the hospital monopolized most of August.<br />
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<strong>September</strong> - School started - Early Childhood, 4K, Kindergarten and First Grade - geez!! Unfortunately, Marissa didn't start with her EC class and who knows when she will, but the others did start school on schedule and are loving it so far. </div>
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That brings us up to date, in a nutshell. I'll try to elaborate on each kiddo more and get caught up, but at least you know a little of what we've been up to.</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243680436360637558.post-75397018538047805902012-09-18T15:03:00.000-05:002012-09-19T12:24:51.277-05:00It's Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well....the photo is quite obviously not me, but I am here again. It's been six months - SIX! In some ways it seems like a really long time, and in other ways I can't believe all that has happened in that short span of time. I've often wanted to start writing again, but life gets in the way and the words don't seem to want to come. At least not words that make sense or seem to have any sort of profound meaning. I need this, though. I need the therapy it provides - the outlet. I need a place to log what goes on with my family because I know I won't remember it all and frankly I suck at life books and photo boxes and journals and everything else I thought I'd be really great at as a mother. So, I'm back to blogging (I hope). I have no frickin' clue where to begin to catch up, but sometimes you just have to jump, right?</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07076402530390916615noreply@blogger.com3