The Young Family Farm

We are home…and ALL FOUR little ones are napping AT THE SAME TIME! I’m working on a Wiphan video to share SOON…and I also have MORE helpful pointers and details on the “It’s a Girl Thing: Pad Party Project”. SO…that comes tomorrow:). Sorry for the delay. Babies come first at our house…so now that all is well with tubes and rest might happen–I can catch up on my “to-do” list! FIRST though—I wanted to document our morning!!!

We arrived at the hospital at 6:30am…which means we LEFT at 6am…which means we got up at 5am…which really didn’t matter because guess who did NOT sleep a wink last night pulling on his ears?! BUT he was all smiles before surgery this morning. And he even got to pick out a special prize to take back with him.

He was a HIT among the nurses–and he showed off by smiling, waving and even being a big boy and doing another breathing treatment before anesthesia. We have been doing breathing treatments every 4 hours around the clock for almost a week now…so it’s old hat to him and he will even some times HOLD the breathing mask to his little nose and mouth himself. SWEET thing! They didn’t allow Richard or I to go back at all—so we didn’t get to stay beside him while he went to sleep. His wheezing had started back, and they said it was best if we weren’t there in case breathing problems occured and they had to insert tubes…that mommy or daddy might be in the way:(. This news brought the dreaded LUMP IN MY THROAT. I held it together…and the anesthesiologist came to get him and he cried as they walked away with him…another lump in my throat.

Then we headed back to recovery and waited and waited and waited…and I endured 15 minutes (possibly more;) of Isaac’s daddy’s goofiness. If you want to be entertained–you really need to be stuck in an empty hospital room with my husband. The man isn’t right. He proceded to tell me funny stories and then finally they brought our baby back. He was very hungry since he wasn’t allowed to eat before the surgery since the night before…

My friend Tiffini who has endured many hospital visits with her sons and procedures much like we have, encouraged me in all the craziness that although you would think this would make bonding harder–it really makes you closer. I’ll agree. This was one of those moments that no one else in the world was there—and time stood still…and I just wanted him to feel better…

How I love my little man–and moments like this…really does make me realize how deep our love is for him.

We came home–and Isaac and I CRASHED. We slept until the alarm woke us up at noon telling us to go get Frank from preschool and Laney and Parker from my friend Christy who was doing carpool today. We had to run in the dance store real quick to get my niece something for her dance class–and ironically after this mornings bonding–the clerk asked me a question that didn’t throw me off…but instead made me a bit sad that she doesn’t know what adoption feels like. I was standing there with my 4 children listening and she asked about our son…

“Is he yours?”

“Yes, he is.”

“How?” (Trust me…people ask everything. And it’s most interesting to watch Parker and Laney’s faces during these ‘adult’ conversations…I am thankful that THEY get it!)

“He is adopted, and we love him so.”

“You mean, really? You love him as much as much as you love your own?” (Really–in front of Laney and Parker…this could be confusing–and I could probably get upset…but this sweet clerk doesn’t know any better–and she doesn’t know the miracle of adoption…so I just smile…and think, “Bless her heart.”)

“Absolutely. I love him as much because HE IS my own. He is my son…of course I love him just like I love all of my children…” At this, I hold him higher…and can’t help but kiss him all over the cheeks…not to show her my words are true–but because I just can’t help but kiss his big cheeks almost every moment of the day. Then…Frank interupts my fog by throwing hair bun nets and a tutu across the room. Parker is dying laughing at Frank, and Laney is asking if we can buy the tutu…which I respond with my famous, “No–hun…put that back—we’ll make one at home.” (You know ME;). And with all the craziness from my other three, I can’t help but bask in Isaac’s sweetness and offer him two more kisses—because we all know in just a year or two he’ll be right there with them.

As I drove home, I thought about the clerk’s question–and I felt so thankful to be blessed with ALL of my children. I felt a bit sad for her too that she didn’t know how much a mother loves her child no matter how the Lord chose to bring that baby into their life. But then again–who can blame her. I can remember being pregnant with Laney and being SO worried that I could never love another baby the way I loved Parker…oh the tears of worry make me smile now at my not knowing. And then she came…AND MY HEART OVERFLOWETH! Really, I just didn’t know it was possible. ONE DAY…I know Isaac Temesgen will ask that SAME question. “Well, do you mom? Do you love me just as much?” And one day Isaac Temesgen will read these words. And if I could go to coffee with that sweet clerk I would want to tell her about what she didn’t see…and for Isaac T to read this…

Sweet lady behind the desk—all you got to see in our 5 minutes together was our differences…but what you didn’t get to see was…the almost 365 days of my heart’s longing to bring him home…the tears that fell throughout the WAIT–not even KNOWING or UNDERSTANDING why I ACHED for a baby I didn’t know YET so much–yet God knew the ache was because he was born the week our journey officially began and He miraculously caused my heart to ache–and to LABOR through desire, prayer and longing for our baby…

She didn’t get to see the paper chase across town for nearly four months…the juggling schedules so I could be at every appointment…definitely more appointments and hoops than my past pregnancies…but already–I loved him so much…

She didn’t see me on my knees in December crying…only a month officially on the waitlist but I KNEW in my heart something was happening…and just a few days later our son was at Bethzatha waiting for us…God was miraculously lining up our hearts with what was happening in His world…she didn’t see how I struggled to focus on the “now” and the routines of my children already home…I was utterly distracted by my love and longing for a son I had yet to lay eyes on…

She didn’t hear my voice on the other line with Kiersten, our case worker, said, “I have a little boy I want to talk to you about…” or the tears as Richard and I were on that plane after the phone call…we had YET to see his picture and all we had was his name and a medical review that told us this 8 month old miracle wasn’t holding his head up yet–but he was smiling–and when Almaz saw his face she saw the grace and power of God…and not knowing what the future held…and BEFORE seeing his pictures…our hearts said YES!!!

She didn’t see my tears as we finally saw his face…knowing he was our son. And that already–I would do ANYTHING for him.

Oh and if she could have been with me as I walked away from my entire family to board a plane to bring him home…there was fear in my mind boarding that plane with “what if something happens”…but all the while my heart was shouting “YOU ARE WORTH IT!” Because…already…I loved him. Or the moment I didn’t know what to say when he was placed in my arms…so like a crazy mommy I bounced him up and down just hoping he wouldn’t cry. Already longing to ease his heart and mind…just wanting him to be okay and happy.

If she could have seen the tears I cried with every poke and test upon returning home…wanting to look away but knowing I could not and instead pressing my cheek to his and reminding him, “Momma’s here. Momma’s here.”

I’m afraid if she had seen those moments…and then compared them to the scene of Frank throwing bun holders, Parker laughing at him and Laney begging for a tutu…her question might have been worded differently;). Yes, I do love them all with an unexplainable, deep God-given love…although to be honest with you clerk lady–I’m really working on my patience with the older three;). Hmmm…I think I might just have come up with a new response to raise the eyebrows of the next clerk lady who just doesn’t know.

To those of you waiting on waitlists for your little ones you have yet to see or hold…I get your heart—your longing—and I promise, in time…it will all make sense and it will be worth it. Your feelings are real, valid and for a purpose. It’s labor…yes, a long one–but God is preparing your hearts for one of the greatest miracles to ever grace your life! To those of you already home–wasn’t it worth it…and isn’t it AMAZING the love that abounds with being a mommy again…and through the miracle of adoption?! What a blessing to get to be a mom over and over and over again…I can’t imagine a better job…a higher calling or any other way I’d want to spend my time. I think I hear one stirring…so my time is up. But just in case you ever wondered…there is a deep miracle in the wait and longing and the love that God gives a momma for each child no matter how they come into her heart…and I’m just thankful my quiver is full (…oh but–Richard, if you are reading this…don’t you think there MIGHT be room for JUST one more?!)

Hope you all have a blessed day.

FIRST—for all of you participating in the “Pad Party” project—I’m still working on emailing the pattern to all of you. So far…we’ve had probably close to 80-100 ladies respond…I’ve lost count–and that’s a GREAT thing! Here’s the dealio. We are setting the final deadline for pads to be mailed in for October 1st. We have 2 seperate ship locations to make shipping cost effective for you–so when you are completed with your project, email me and let me know where you will be shipping from–and I’ll send you the shipping address. We are SO thankful for all of you helping…and with SUCH A HUGE response–I am confident we will NOT ONLY have enough for our Korah and Wiphan students—but we will be able to do outreach to BOTH the Korah and Wiphan community!!! Just think how THIS ADDITIONAL outreach is going to bless those living in Korah and the Wiphan compound!!! THIS IS HUGE! AND WE ARE THANKFUL! (Thank you for being patient with me as I respond to the many emails and questions relating to this project…and thank you Sarah for answering the ones I can’t!)

SECOND—this week, Wiphan will be launching an amazing project that is going to BLOW YOUR MIND. It is literally keeping me up at night (when Isaac is not;-) and the more I consider the orphans of the world—the less I am concerned about the silly little problems of fairy land (aka-my life). I have food. I have shelter. I have a bed. I even have an alarm for goodness sake—and I also take all of these things for granted. OR at least I DID. Until I started working on this NEXT project. I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THE LORD TO RAISE UP 400 FAMILIES TO JOIN ME IN ONE WEEK FOR THIS NEXT PROJECT. It will cost each of these 400 families $45…what some of us pay for a babysitter or a night out. I can’t WAIT to tell you how $45 is going to change the life of OVER 400 families. I can’t WAIT to see who those 400 families are that the Lord brings forth to join us…and make a lasting impact and literally SAVE a life! I hope to have everything ready by WEDNESDAY to share. Please pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of 400 families to join us—for a one time gift of $45. I know the Lord can do this—and I believe He will!!! Please pray that this need is quickly met—and that in one week we can make a phone call that need has been met and the little ones and widows that live in 400 mud homes lives will be forever changed…

THIRDYou just have to see our latest tricks. NOW…for you physical therapists out there–I KNOW this is NOT how he is “supposed” to sit up…but he is doing it none-the-less and he is going from on his belly to sitting. Now…if you ever wondered exactly what hypotonia looked like…here you have it at it’s best! Richard is convinced his hypotonia is going to make him a better athlete…I told him he’d be a great gymist and Rico Suave quickly corrected me that he’d be a better golfer. Regardless…our boy is going places people;). And of course you have to see his precious wave…again:)

Hope you all had a great weekend!!! Please pray we get clearance tomorrow for surgery on Wednesday to get tubes!!! We are set for tubes on Wednesday as long as his chest is clear! Hoping and praying we get the go-ahead tomorrow!!!

As I near the end of what just might be the craziest week of my life (it was a crazy one!) I am reminded that I have SO many things to be thankful for!

I am thankful…
1. Approximately 75 ladies are joining us to make a difference in Korah and Wiphan with Project 1: A Pad Party! If you are are wondering, “What the heck?!” Read my last post. If you emailed me requesting the pattern–you should have gotten a response from me by now. If you have not–please contact me through my contact page and request it again. It’s been a crazy week and I THINK I got in touch with everyone that wants to help–but I am sure I missed someone–so please contact me if that is you! I definitely think we have enough ladies helping…and I am SO excited to have you all join us in this way!!!

P.S. For those of you sewing and coordinating a pad party—DEADLINES and shipping. We have some travelers going in September, October and November to Addis—and we have travelers going to Wiphan in December. Let me talk to Sarah Titus about dates—but my inkling now is choose the date that works best for you and contact me when you are ready to ship. If you life on the west side of the US you will ship to Sarah. If you live on the east side–you will ship to me. We would like to have as many pads as possible for each travel group so they can be spread out in luggage. I will get more firm dates next week and share:).

I am thankful…
2. That Isaac has OFFICIALLY been in my arms as of today for TWO MONTHS!!! Happy 2 month gotcha day to my baby boy!
Man, it seems like yesterday I was in Ethiopia—but it also seems like FOREVER since he’s been home!!! I feel like we have bonded well…and we have definitely been through the ringer! In 8 weeks we’ve been to the pediatrician enough to earn our own parking space, to the ER, physical therapy, OT, urologist, radiologist…we’ve had 2 ultrasounds, 3 x-rays…blood tests, allergy tests, couldn’t count the viles of blood…or tears shed by both him and his momma every time he has to be held down and I press my cheek to his and just say over and over “momma is here”. Finally, I think we are at a turning point! THIS week alone we ended up having EIGHT (8) doctor visits for Isaac! CRAZY. BUT after 3 visits today…and breathing treatments around the clock…I think we’ll finally be clear enough for tubes on Wednesday! We are hopeful that relief is around the corner for Isaac!!! We are up most of the night every night since antiobiotics don’t really ease his ear pain–so Wednesday…we say, “Bring it on!”

I AM THANKFUL HE IS HOME! HE IS GETTING THE BEST CARE OUT THERE…AND WE ARE ALL DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE HE IS PROGRESSING AND COMFORTABLE! It breaks my heart to think not every child gets this care…or to think how he would be feeling if he were not home…or how long he felt like this before we got him home. AND THEN…I’M MORE THANKFUL!!! SERIOUSLY—look at those big eyes…SO happy and bright…I can’t imagine how happy he will be when he is finally is rid of ear infections!!! I just look in his eyes and melt…when he sleeps in my arms I hold back tears…thinking, “You are finally home! You are getting the care you need and deserve! Precious baby boy–how I love you!”

I am thankful…
3. For good friends—who make it possible for us to thrive being home with Isaac…to make it to all of his doctor visits and not worry about the other three kids because they are HAPPY with your friends!!! We went swimming on Wednesday with the Elphicks—who I must say is one of the answers to the question I often get, “How are you doing this right now with all the doctor appointments?” My friend Christy has held on to my kids during this CRAZY, SWEET but also trying time—more times than I can count…and she even texts me to make SURE I have sitters lined up for Isaac’s doctor appointments for the other kids. I love friends that make it easy for you to ask for help when you need it. Yes, today–I am so thankful for good friends! (I’m also thankful our kids love each other’s kids so much!!! AND they go to the SAME school! AND they help with Wiphan!)

Let me say this—NOT EVERY FAMILY IS CALLED TO ADOPT. Some are called to CARE FOR families who are called to adopt and foster—and it is the ministry of these families love, support and service that make our obedience to the Lord possible. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER…and I am so thankful for families like the Elphicks who have loved us well. AND GET THIS–we have ONLY known the Elphicks for a little over a year…yet they have served us as if they ARE FAMILY to us. For those of you reading this that do NOT feel called to adopt or foster—how might God use you to make it possible for other families to follow Him and thrive doing so??? The Lord may be calling many of you to love orphans and widows by actually caring for families who adopt! The widow who had to relinquish her baby…who became an orphan…will one day see in heaven how the Lord made it all possible. AND…it will be some of your faces and hearts—who supported families adopting—that she sees one day! SO THANKFUL today for families who follow the Lord in serving families called to grow through the miracle of adoption!

I am thankful…
4. That I wouldn’t trade any of this for the world… It is near to impossible to get a family picture now (set the camera on timer to try and get pictures for our post-adoption paperwork)! YES our lives are absolutely crazy right now…but we are having so much fun in between the crazy:).

I am thankful…
5. That Frank loves being a big brother…
He NOW has someone to play with…OK…so maybe Frank still likes to be the baby—but Isaac doesn’t care and loves Frank just the way he is!!! And Frank REALLY DOES love having someone to play with…

I am thankful…
6. We are making precious friendships with families in our area who are also called to grow their family through adoption…and from AFRICA! SO…to end our crazy week…we invited lots of families over to cookout, chill out and unwind together! The kids had SO MUCH FUN!!!!(Isaac hit the hay EARLY…he was tired after his crazy day at PT, setting up ear stuff and xrays to make sure we were ready for next week!)

We are so excited about these some old and many new friendships in our area!!!

SO many things to be thankful for this weekend!!! NOW…off to bed…and a BIG day tomorrow celebrating our 1st baby’s 6th birthday party with friends! We have THREE birthday parties to attend tomorrow…one being my niece…another a dear friend…and then ending the night with Parker T’s! It’ll be crazy…and the only one chillin’ will be Isaac as he rests up at our house and Richard and I take turns staying with him. We are bound and detemined to keep him germ free and well so he can have tubes on WEDNESDAY!

Thanks AGAIN for everyone volunteering to join us in making a difference across the world! We can’t WAIT to start putting kits together for the women/girls of Korah and Wiphan!!! I have an AMAZING opportunity for you to help BOTH girls and boys to share on Sunday!!! Working on last minute details now—but this one is AMAZING!!!! Hope you all have a GREAT weekend!