The World's Best Big Sisters!!

These girls totally ROCK!!

In Him,

E

My Big Boy

My oh my how this little guy has changed in the past few months!! I know that part of his "bigness" comes from the fact that he has a sister that is less than 1/3 his size, but he really is growing up. And as much as I want him to stay little and snuggle with me every morning, I am so incredibly proud of his new found independence!!

**WARNING** I usually don't write "bragging " posts, but this post is an exception. He has been working so hard and deserves to be bragged on!

About 2 months ago Charlie started walking (and for those of you counting the months, he was 17 months!!). Not walking as in 20-30 feet but walking a good 10-15 steps. I am 100% confident that it has much to do with his amazing PT, Ms. Linda, and her years of working with these kiddos. I also know that Charlie's success was aided by Ms. Linda's suggestion and force that he use the walker and master turning. Think- core muscle strengthening. Linda is NDT Certified and a genius as far as I am concerned.:)

For about 4-6 weeks now he's been on a mission and noone can stop him. He is walking EVERYWHERE (close the potties and all doors!!). The next goal? Mastering kicking a ball- he's so incredibly close to doing it 100% of the time. Oh, and hands down by his side.

Charlie also go this first big boy haircut that his sisters love fixing "cool". Yep, look at that cool dude!

I love you, handsome boy!! But slow your growing down just a bit. Mommy's not ready to lose her snuggle partner.:)

In Him,

E

Doesn't he deserve a family?

I LOVE THIS BOY!!

If God's plan for our family was to be on the next plane to Uganda, you can bet that's exactly where I'd be!! But right now, I feel like we need to focus on Celia's health and getting her to a place of stability with her heart, weight and feeding.

My prayer over and over and over is "Does sweet Jonathan not deserve a family, God?". I cry out to Him about this precious one. Just look at this treasure! Oh my GOODNESS! I love him! And how my heart swelled and broke all in the same instant when I saw him playing with this toy. Guess who sent it to him?!?! Yep, our family! And evidently it's his favorite.:) But, I wished he were here playing with it instead.

Let's face it, though. The odds are stacked against him. #1- He lives in Africa. #2- He has Down Syndrome. #3- Something is going on with his digestive system and he NEEDS medical attention soon. #4- Jonathan is HIV positive. A big deal? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! HIV is NOT what it used to be. Feel free to mosey on over to Project Hopeful to learn how incredibly easy it is to care for and live with HIV. NOT A BIG DEAL! And guess what? This is what God intended for Jonathan. He KNEW this would be a part of his life. And guess what else? He already knows who his family is and is just waiting for them to step forward. Could it be you? Please, if you are interested in learning more about Jonathan, email me nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com. I long for this boy to be home. Amazed by HIS grace, E

On Celia's Wish List....

Again, I'm not a buyer of new things but when I saw these at Brianna Beans Boutique.....well, let's just say it was love! And until tomorrow (April 2nd) they are 50% off making them $10 pair.

She has the teeny tiniest feet, and I just know they will look absolutely perfect with some new slippers wrapped around them.

Now just to decide which pattern is her favorite.:)

In Him,

E

My Obsession

I know I promised an update about a certain little squishy one, but my brain is turning to mush between-

1. Cardiology visits
2. Lasix, Captopril, Reglan, Zantac
3. Reflux
4. ATTEMPTING to order Neomed feeding tubes and dealing with the "customer service" rep who keeps telling me she'll call me back after she talks to her supervisor.. We are now on day 2 and a certain treasure needs a new tube in 3 days.
5. Social Security Administration- need I say more?!!!
6. Medical Insurance customer service representatives- need I say more?!!
7. Bending and bending and bending a certain little boy's glasses after he took a tumble several days ago.
8. Pediatrician visits and nurses who just aren't very chipper!
9. Legal paperwork
10. Homestudy update paperwork.....and obtaining pet vaccinations, septic tank approvals, medicals for entire family x7, 911 call reports, fingerprints....you get the picture.
11. Obtaining proper documentation for home health providers.
12. Picking up prescribed formula for little bit.
13. Obsessing about every. single. ounce. that a certain precious girl digests.
14. Homeschooling.
15. Guitar lessons.
16. Visiting SS office.
17. Applying for transfer of Medicaid for our newest treasure.
18. Scrubbing and scrubbing reflux yuck out of beautiful newborn clothes.
19. Trying to decide how often Charlie still needs PT. Did I mention he is walking like a mad man?!!
20. Filling out and scheduling therapy evals for little bit.
21. Working on putting coins in the piggy bank (with Charlie! and he is GOOD!).
22. Covering pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed with my middle.
23. Contacting (and harassing!!) every doctor and therapist Charlie has for "statements of need" to prove he has special needs. Really?! Is that necessary?
24. Visiting post office. Or at least thinking that I need to every single day. Anyone want to be my courier?
25. Laundry.
26. Searching for nose pieces for a little boy's glasses. Where in the world do they go?!?!
27. Planning and scheduling a visit to a cosmetology school with our 18 year old. And gathering all needed paperwork to go with us. So crazy that our youngest and oldest are 18 years apart!
28. PT, OT, Speech
29. Recycling and taking trash
30. Cleaning my garage
31. Going to the playground and enjoying leaving my phone, dishes, vacuum and laundry at home because more important that #1-30 are 6 people whom God has blessed me with!!


Oh, and did I mention that a super cute little boy's favorite place is NOT strapped down in a stroller or car seat?! So, visiting place to place to place is not his idea of fun. Nor is it mine.

Please- I AM NOT COMPLAINING!! Don't leave me nasty comments about how selfish I am or "why do you have 5 children if you are going to gripe about it!". I LOVE my family and EACH ONE OF MY CHILDREN! But, a girl's gotta have something to take her mind off the madness, don't you think? I'm not a buyer of new things, but when I discovered this I was ecstatic! So now, once a day I check my amazon account to find out where it is. And guess what? It will be here tomorrow!!!! Sad, I know. If only it would come with a free bag of peanut butter M&Ms (right, Dawn?!:)!!

I think I might just name her. Or should it be a him? Now, if only he/she would clean my floors without any assistance!:)

In Him,

E

Desperation...

You know you are a mom when, out of desperation, you begin tearing off paper from the exam table to make hats. Sorry, Dr., we may owe you a roll of paper. Notice how giggly he was though, right?
This was to appease a certain little boy during Celia's 3 HOUR cardiology visit today. And boy, did he think it was the greatest thing ever! Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes.:)

I'll write a Celia update later today. Things are good but not so good. We are head over heals in love. Please, pray for our precious angel.
In Him,
E

Where I have been...

Praising HIM for the blessings in this life!

Sweet Celia

Our newest blessing

GOD IS SO GOOD!!

Celia is now 3 weeks old and joined our famly when she was discharged from the hospital 11 days ago. Sorry we had to keep the secret so long.:) We are so blessed by her!

It makes me laugh how so often we have our lives planned out and God intervenes. Thank goodness! Our plan was to begin the process of adding to our family near the end of the year. Over a month ago we were contacted about a specific situation that began preparing us and softening our hearts. And then out of the blue came our sweet Celia! This was not something we had on the agenda this month, and now......we cannot image our lives without her! Once again, tangible proof in my life that His plan is perfect!

Oh, and YES- she is rockin' that little something extra!!

In Him,

E

URGENT PRAYERS!!

Precious Ana was moved to the ICU around 1am this morning. Her heart rate was dropping into the 30s. MAY GOD HEAL THIS PRECIOUS ANGEL!! She's a fighter and I know God has mighty plans for this treasured one. Please, join me in praying for total healing for sweet Ana.

I'll update as I get more information.

In Him,

E

Mini Photoshoot

She was afraid of what might happen next- look at his face!

Look of love, admiration....or a stare down.

He's still staring.:)

We didn't realize it was so cool out Friday in the late afternoon. Our goal was to get a few good shots but that goal was quickly forgotten with the wind whipping around.

The shed is now my favorite color red!! As is our front door....finally!! Thank you, babe- I love them both!

In Him,

E

Love Notes

I love suprises like these. This one was from our oldest daughter "just cause" this past Friday night. She also left one for her Daddy. Notes like these are regular sightings around our house. I wrote more about our love notes here. I encourage you to participate. You might just change someone's day!

In Him,

E

Happy Heart Day!

National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day,

that is!!

**CAUTION graphic pictures below**

Remember this-

Because of the phenomenal team of doctors who knew just what to do in order to fix our little one's thumper 9 months ago, we are blessed to be able to enjoy this tiny package of goodness every single day.

Praising God for guiding the team last May 21st. We know without a doubt that He gave us the best cardiologist and cardiology team around. Love to each of you on this "Happy Heart Day"!!

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day, too.:)

In Him,

E

Dear Staci,

I think it's safe to say that OT is working. Maybe we should lay off the pop beads for a while. Charlie has the pulling apart down pat.

Love,

E

*Note to self- markers need to find a new home high upon the shelf.:) It is very scary.....

This is the face he gives us when we ask him "Is it scary?!" He has

the funniest little personality.

Waiting til it's warm...

That's what he told my husband this morning. His exact words, "It's bad when you have to wait for a warm day to bathe." My heart broke when I heard these words. Paul lives around the corner from us. Literally.


Late last summer we were headed home from church when my husband spotted them. Hot and sticky weighted down with groceries. I was talking and not paying attention but knew exactly what was happening when he began to turn the car around. Another person walking. My husband does this fairly often but only when he feels the Lord nudging. So, we pulled up beside them. Hubby got out and asked if we could drive them home. He was greeted with brief hesitation before agreeing. The kids were silent as Paul talked. He told us a bit about his life and how he used to work in the landscape industry. Of course, when the economy tanked so did construction and everything related to it. Since then, Paul has been unable to find work. "Everyone says I'm too old" were his words to us. He is in his 50s.


Paul often walks to businesses close by to apply for jobs because he has no car to travel long distances. He also has no phone so interested potential employers have no way to get in touch with him.


When we drove up to him home that day, my girls' eyes were opened. Paul and his wife lived in a very small, run down trailer. Dark and dirty and in a bad neighborhood. But they were both very upbeat and told us to have a blessed day as they got out. We drove away in silence. Humbled to have met such a wonderful couple.


Hubby has seen him and picked him up several times since that hot summer day. Each time Paul reveals a little more about himself. And then this morning...


It was cold outside. In the 30s, I'm sure. Dragging a propane tank behind him, Paul was making the trek home. Hubby saw him and pulled over. Paul's face lit up with he heard his name. They loaded the tank into the back and were turning in the direction of Paul's house when he told my husband they lost that house. The house they are now living in wasn't far. Pulling down the drive my husband's heart sank. Paul's new house is falling apart. There is no electricity. They cook on a small propane grill. There's no heat and it's cold. As in it's suppose to snow tonight cold. And they "....wait for a warm day to bathe."

My husband invited Paul and his wife to dinner tonight. We're seeking God's clear direction for our relationship with Paul and how we can help his situation.

What does God call us to do? How can this be the reality right around the corner- in my small little corner of the world?! Praying for God's clear direction.
In Him,
E

She cracks me up!!

I know I've said before that our middle daughter is probably the funniest person I know. Seriously, she makes me laugh all day! Just a few of her random thoughts-

"Mom, what would you do if someone with no arms tried to steal your bracelet?" Seriously!?!


"I think Tina Turner and Michael Jackson should have traded voices. That would have been a
much better fit."


Okay, now it's no secret around our house that skinny jeans make me crazy. No judgements here if you wear them, but they make me crazy- Probably as crazy as my pegged pants and bird's nest hairdo made my parents. But our middle loves music, plays the guitar and likes hanging out with musicians. Musicians around here where skinny jeans. So....hubby was kidding (or maybe not:) with her the other night about skinny jeans and boys. Today she said to me, "Okay. So, Dad says I can't bring a guy who wears skinny jeans home. That means I can't date someone until I move out of the house. But, I'm not moving out until I get married. I think I have a problem! If I can't bring a guy with skinny jeans home or date him, then how am I going to get married?!" I told her she is welcome to live here forever, and she just rolled her eyes.



In Him,

E

Happy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA!!!

This is what it looks like when my sister's family and mine get together to celebrate my Dad's 65th (YIKES!) birthday! Only it wasn't the same without the last cousin, sweet Ms Stella Rose, there.

My girls and Charlie in the back, and my sister's 3 boys in the front. Good, good times.

In Him,

E

Donation list

HUGE thanks for being so willing to help! Here is an expanded list of needed items. Items need to be shipped to an address in Texas so they can fly across the Atlantic together with Robin's parents. They will be heading to Uganda mid February but need time to pack everything for travel. If you wish to join us in blessing these precious treasures, please email me privately for an address- nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com. Please, join me in blessing their socks off! Robin is truly God's hands and feet to so many precious ones.

Items must be in Texas by February 9th!

blank CDs
2 Better Homes& Gardens Cookbooks (spiral bound)
roll of drawing paper
Kumon activity books (especially cutting, pasting, mazes, number games etc)
Craft kits for kids 4-7 (like ALEX)
Seeds (lettuce, cilantro, bok choy)
Baby toys for ages 6-18 months
Macaroni & cheese
girls shoes size 9.5 (for Deborah whose is unstable)
Bath&Body works (or similar) lotion/body spray
Men's size M t-shirts or Polo (for my guards)
rat tail combs with metal tail
Reese's PB cups (bite size)
Girls bikini panties Size 8
Girls ankle socks for size 2 shoes
Black Mary Janes size 2.5 (big girls)
Tostitos (we miss chips&salsa!!)
Herdez salsa
Green chile enchilada sauce (mild)

In Him,
E

So BEAUTIFUL!

I told you, didn't I?!?! Isn't he beautiful?!

He reminds me so much of my Charlie. He has the same feet. The crossed eyes.

Those short little legs and arms. But they live worlds apart.

I LOVE this boy and have promised to spread his name to the ends of the

earth until his Mommy and Daddy find him.

J is blessed with Down Syndrome. He also has some GI issues that need some attention but the best place for that "attention" would be here in the USA. You see, J lives in Uganda. Uganda- a beautiful country. But a country that holds very little hope for J's future.

No therapy. Medical care is minimal. A society that usually cannot accept differences.

Email me privately if you would like more information about this treasure.

He needs to be home!

In Him,

E

BREAKING GROUND!!

I have been blessed beyond my wildest imagination this past year by people God has perfectly placed in my life. One of those people is Dawn. I cannot imagine what my past year would have been like without her. She is a woman of faith and a rock. Time after time she lead me back to scripture for the truth.

Dawn is a fellow adoptive parent of some perfect treasures with some extra chromosomes. Remember Ana? Yep, Dawn is her mommy.

God is truly rewarding her and just guess what HE has done?!?! Tomorrow she and her awesome family are being blessed at the ground breaking of their new home built by Kingdom Builders. We call it "Extreme Home Makeover...God Style!!". I am beyond excited for this special, well deserving family! This new home will enable them to continue and expand (right, Dawn!!:) their ministry to those the world has cast aside. They will be able to welcome them into their Christ centered family with complete love without worrying about space. I know that He will be glorified tomorrow and in the coming months as the build continues and beyond.

If you wish to learn more about this awesome family or Kingdom Builders or if you'd like to help fund the Campbell family's new home, please visit their blog here.

Just another "YAY GOD!!" moment in my life!!

In Him,

E

PS- Tomorrow something so beautiful that only GOD could create!! Oh, I can't wait to share!

I'm BEGGING!!

**Click on the word "their" in red further down in the post to see who these gifts will be benefitting. BEAUTIFUL treasures of our Father!

Please, please, PLEASE let me know if you have any therapy type or fine motor skill toys you are willing to part with. Items of the greatest need are those that do not require batteries. Batteries are kinda hard to come by in Uganda. Simple, fun toys is what they need.

Here are just a few ideas. Send me an email if you have anything you would like to include with our shipment- nogreatergiftmom@yahoo.com

I want to bless their socks off! Items are needed by the end of next week so that they can be packed and ready for delivery.

Yay! We are so excited to share God's love with these treasures!

In Him,

E

Captivated

I am. Captivated. Is it possible to love someone so deeply.....someone you've never met? Someone you may never meet this side of heaven? My heart is there tonight and crying out to Him for direction. For strength. For peace. Oh, how I love him! And I pray for him continuously throughout the day. While cooking. While driving. While playing cards with the girls. While rocking my sweet, sweet boy. And when I'm alone, I cry. My heart cries out to God to move mountains and hearts for this precious one.

I've had a tough year- it's no secret. But through my Holy Father I am in a place of peace and growth. And believe it or not I am so thankful for this past year. The heartache and anguish I felt about not adopting Ruslana was part of His perfect plan. Total reliance on Him was the only way for me to get to this place. And for that I am so incredibly thankful.

I have prayed this prayer many, many times over the past few days. I pray these verses will be just a few that they'll know from beginning to end and carry with them everywhere. Thank you, Luke, for writing it down so we know.:)

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 4:23-31 (NIV)

Boldly. Boldly.

In Him,

E

New Video about Adoption Tax Credit

Please, take 7 minutes to watch this video. I know that every time I mention to someone that you actually get money BACK at tax time for adopting, their eyes almost pop out! An adopting family can very well (and easily) get up to $13,170 per child!

ADOPTION IS AFFORDABLE! And our country is stepping up to help make it financially possible for more children to come home. The tax "credit" is now a refund (HUGE!), and although that part is a new change, the credit has been around for a while. So, no hidden catches- it is true!

Praying til all children are home,
E

Here goes.

I think that I'm probably the last one. At least that's how it seems. Quite a while back I began hearing about it. Radical. by David Platt.

Wow.


I'm glad I waited, though, because God was working on me. Still is working on me. Will He ever be finished working on me?:) It's hard for me to sometimes write about things beneath the surface on the pages. Superficial is much more comfortable for me. But I've been struggling. It's nothing new to most of you, probably (yes, here I go.....again).



Comfort. Being a Christian isn't about being comfortable. Being a Christian isn't about saying "yes" on a certain day then living life as we choose. It's about sacrifice. It's about being so in love with Him and so passionate about His word that "comfort" as we know it is a thing of the past. It's about being in a place so out of your norm that you MUST rely on Him.

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Matthew 16:25-28 (NIV)

It's been said to me "You can't beat yourself up because you were born here (USA)." "It's not your fault that you have the luxuries most of the world lives without." "E, you can't change the world!" "You can't save all the children." And on and on and on. I've heard most of the things that people say to make themselves feel better, and honestly, THOSE WORDS MAKE ME ANGRY! Some are said by people I hold dear who just don't get it. And I usually don't have the nerve to stand up and fight. Not fight as in blood and guts. But fight as in fighting for the orphans. For the oppressed. For those our Lord calls "the least". We are called to fight, people. It's not something I just feel like saying. The Bible says it. Today I made yummy (OH SO YUMMY!) chocolate chip pancakes while hundreds of thousands of children starved. And guess what?!

THAT BOTHERS ME!! IT MAKES ME ANGRY!!

I DO BEAT MYSELF UP ABOUT IT!

GOD WANTS US TO DO SOMETHING!

HE WANTS US TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE SO THAT

WE DON'T FORGET!

There. I said it.



As I type this on my (GASP!) 5 year old computer while sitting in my comfy chair, fully clothed and warm, my heart breaks. And that's how I feel. Too many Christmas gifts to count are scattered around our home. So many clothes that I must do laundry daily. That is sad. Or even sadder is that I can do other things and NOT have to do laundry for days and days.

But in this same moment, there is music filling our home and my heart sings! Because my daughter gets it and is PRAISING HIS NAME through song!

God is stirring my heart and I LONG for the next big reveal.


This is the year of change. I PRAY that the Lord will use our family for something RADICAL. Not radical in His eyes because He expects nothing less. But something RADICAL in the eyes of society. Not for our glory. Not so that we can be in the spot light. But so that the Lord will shine and the lives of His least will be changed.


Lord, please use us. Radically.


In Him,
E

I was feeling good.....

.....about breakfast- yummy, homemade pancakes full of flax. Then I dumped in the chocolate chips. And breakfast never tasted better!

In Him,

E

Go Deep Rather Than Wide

"Go Deep Rather Than Wide." I love this statement.

It's been hard, but we have made the decision that it is time for our family to move on. For me, it was the same for 33 years. I attended the same church from the day I was born until very recently. Just typing those words are painful for me. There was a sense of loyalty that both my husband and I felt to the place and the people who supported us for so long. But, even with all of that considered, it was time.

I will not go into why we felt we should leave. For those of you who went to church with us there, we love you!! It was NOT you! Our faith was being stretched and we heard the whisper that moved us along.

I do want to share the message we heard at the church we have been visiting the past few weeks. I was in tears. (I know, what's new, right?! I know what you are thinking- she seems to cry at the drop of a hat these days! No, I'm not pregnant.) It's long. Almost 40 minutes, I think, but I urge you to go and listen or watch. You can do that here. Just click on "one. not everyone.".

I pray that this year my family is able to see our "one".

In Him,

E

Burdened

I am burdened. It's no secret. Millions upon millions of children wait. Alone. And why can I not do anything about it?!!

There's a little dark face that beckons to me. Over and over I see him. In my dreams he visits. I have seen him in real life, too, though only in pictures. His eyes are dark and deep. They seem to say "when will it be my turn?".

I love this boy, and my heart aches like part of me isn't here when I think about him. Maybe soon I can share his picture, but for now will you join me in praying. Above all else, he needs a family. He needs to hear "I love you, I love you, I love you" over and over. He needs healing- both emotional and physical. He needs to be home.

He is old to many in the adoption world. Old at the age of 3! Can you believe that? Too old for many. He is absolutely beautiful and of course, rocks a little something extra- that 21st chromosome! He lives across the sea in a country where he has no chance. The medical care just doesn't exist there, and he desperately needs care just to survive. His mother loves him but is no longer able to care for him. What love she has for her boy- to be willing to release him so that he may survive somewhere else. Tears.

I pray that God will move many mountains this year both in my life and yours. I can't wait to see what He has in store!!
In Him,
E

Charlie update

Thank you to each of you who have been praying for our little one. He has had a cold for a couple of weeks now and just hasn't been able to shake it. Yesterday, I decided to take him to the doctor to have it checked out. Now, he has had no fever and has acted 100% almost this entire time. His ears and lungs were perfect. The doctor put him on an antibiotic (and I am anti medicate unless necessary:) to cover a sinus infection just in case. There was no concrete way to determine it was a sinus infection without an xray, and we weren't going there.

He acted fine all day and evening and went to bed like usual. Around 11:30 he woke with a scream like I've never heard. I flew into his bedroom to find him GASPING for breath. I will never forget the look on his face- absolute fear. And panic swept over me. I knew immediately. It was croup. That terrible sound. Our youngest daughter had it many times when she was young. After a few moments of trying to console him, into the steam filled bathroom we went. Hubby found the pediatrician's phone number. To make a long story short- the steam helped tremendously, he fell asleep, we talked to the pediatrician who called in a steroid. Hubby made the trek to our only 24 hour pharmacy (Thank you, CVS!!), and we avoided the ER.

Charlie is a happy guy this morning, but I'm afraid of what may come when he goes to sleep. His room will be filled with warm steam for the next several days until this nasty croup is gone. I hope this isn't what our future holds when C gets sick.

And I will just say "oh, how I love steroids!!".
In Him,
E