Archive for the ‘Maisey’ Category
-
Surrounded by miracles
Many people look at my life and think it’s crazy. They tell me they could never do it. They see only the health issues. I don’t see those things when I look at my children. I see beautiful, happy children full of life and compassion. I see miracles all around me. Here are just a few of them.
Recently we learned more about Maisey’s story. We knew her time in the orphanage was rough. We had heard stories of babies who weren’t able to feed right. We knew that the House of Hope had found her, took her to their foster home and nursed her back to health. What we didn’t know is that when they found her she weighed 3 kilos (6.6 pounds) at 6 1/2 months old. My poor baby was starving. I hate to think of her lying there crying and not having any comfort. She is so sweet and so funny. She has brought so much joy to my life. The miracle that is her life is so amazing to me.
Becoming an Iowa girl!
We had also learned that our sweet Benjamin probably shouldn’t have been put on a list. They’ve opened up the special needs category a little, but we have been told that China doesn’t put children who have poor prognosis on their adoption lists, but somehow Benjamin found his way onto one. Don’t know how it happened but I’m so blessed that he did.
He sang "Happy Birthday to me!" all the way through Target.
We were told numerous times that Codey wouldn’t make it past the week, then a month, then a year. I don’t know how many times we called family down because they said he wouldn’t make it through the night. We were told he would be blind (he isn’t), deaf (he isn’t), and in a vegetative state….well, see for yourself.
He's a happy boy!
Then there is Hope, whose biological parents lived in the south, came to Iowa to deliver for pre-adoptive parents who lived on the east coast. I don’t understand it, but I’m so happy that it happened. On top of that is the miracle that Dan was in the unit and heard her story. Not to mention the miracle that she made it through all her open heart surgeries. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
She is such a pretty girl!
Or the fact that I just happened to have a routine ultrasound where they picked up my blood vessel rupture with Grace. I was having no pain and no contractions. Everything felt fine. They said just a few more hours and she probably wouldn’t have made it. Our doctor and Dan’s friend said after he pulled her out, and now that he knew she was all right, he could say that was the most blood he had seen and had a baby come out okay. Add to that, the fact that I was 40, had my tubes reversed after 12 years and got pregnant the very first month. The doctor asked if I wanted them tied again to which I replied a resounding YES! He said good because I don’t know how you got pregnant any way. One tube is way too scarred and the other doesn’t even look like it’s hooked up. The GRACE of God is alive and well in my life.
Grace has the most compassionate heart!
My life is full of happy, wonderful miracles! I am so very, very blessed every day to get to be their mama.
-
Every day is a choice.
I’ve had an interesting few weeks. It’s hard to put into words, but I’ll try. Dan and I have both had in depth discussions about our children with others. It’s hard sometimes because even if you just start out saying we have 7 (never 8 unless you are standing in a line at a store and you can safely assume no one will ask you to list your children and their current ages) it usually leads to something more. A question gets asked and you explain, but that explanation leads into another child and more explanations are needed and it goes on and on and then people just stare at you. I try hard to keep it short, but that isn’t always easy.
Dan and I don’t see our family as unusual but others do. I don’t walk around all day considering their medical issues. I play with them and teach them and love up on them just as much as I can. But the reality is….
Kyle is gone and my arms will remain empty.
Codey has had so many shunt surgeries that they couldn’t place the drainage tube in his abdomen anymore.
Hope’s ventricle is still gone and she has a major scar down the middle of her chest.
Gracie’s lupus is not behaving as well as it should be and she’s not very happy about not being able to do the usual summer activities – like play outdoors for hours on end.
Benjamin has very few, if any options.
Maisey will always have a hard time hearing and will have to deal with issues from her small chin and misshapen ears.
Every day I have the choice to wake up and see the condition or the child. I choose to see the child. I choose to hear the laughter. I choose to be happy. Some days are definitely easier than others, but I always have a choice. Every day I have the choice to turn it over to God and let Him handle it. I was once told that it was interesting to see the interactions in our house because they knew of all our children’s medical conditions but that we didn’t act like our house was full of sick kids. That was a nice comment.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
The issue I am having now is telling others our story. Last month I bought Benjamin a train at a garage sale. The lady was talking about how everyone looked at the $30 price tag and wouldn’t pay it. She was unwilling to come down on the price because there was over $200 worth of train there. She said she was glad that someone was buying it who understood how much it was worth. She was so upset about having to sell this train set. I almost told her that it was going to a little boy who has been in an orphanage for over 3 years and who was very sick. I stopped though because I hate saying things because I worry that others will think I’m looking for praise. After I got home and was thinking about it, I realized she probably would have felt better hearing who it was going to. Plus, by not telling their story, others who might be encouraged to adopt or to pray for or to support an orphan, don’t get to hear the best part – how absolutely wonderful it has been to adopt. I try hard to make the conversations about how God has worked in our lives. God placed these children on our hearts. God brought them to us. I choose to praise this God for all that He has done.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name … 1 Chronicles 29:13
Every day with these guys is a wonderful gift. Imagine Christmas every single morning. I just put a brand new sheet on Ben’s crib mattress and he rolled around on it like it was the best thing he had ever seen – laughing and rubbing his hands all over it. He loves everything – bubbles, trains, chicken nuggets – you name it he loves it. He is so thankful every time he gets something. He dances around and sings. It really is the sweetest thing. He runs up to you and says thank you over and over again and hugs you so tight. I am so blessed by being able to love these two (and my other 6). It is such a sweet gift.
Every day you have the choice. What will you choose today?
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
-
Sharing cuteness today…
We usually say prayers as a group with the little ones and Grace, but last night I had Ben just say his prayer by himself. He folded his little hands and at the end he said “Amen”. He then looked at me and said, “Mama, Mei Mei Amen.” He had to make sure Maisey was included. Maisey yells and throws her hands in the air at the end. She’s pretty emphatic about her amens. 🙂
Today I was sitting copying Facebook posts about Ben to his journal. I was listening to Casting Crowns So Far To Find You and Maisey climbed up into my lap. A second or two later Ben climbs up in my lap and grabs Maisey’s hand and my hand and lays his head on my shoulder and says, “love you mama”. I’m a sap. I cried. I feel like those are the moments that God gives us as a gift for trusting Him. I don’t know any other way to describe just how much they touch this mama’s heart.
-
Maisey Meilyn
The mission statement from the House of Hope that took care of Maisey.
“To comfort always, to relieve often, and to save sometimes.”
Have I mentioned how blessed I feel to be able to love this little girl?
-
People…
So if you read my previous post, please disregard. It was a hoax. People have been posting on this Warrior Eli Facebook page for years and it was all a hoax. What could you possibly get out of that? This world and the people in it are so confusing sometimes. On that note, we will go to something much dearer to my heart.
It has been 2 months since we have gotten our little people. Life is definitely busier and everyone is figuring out there place in the family, with much more ease than I thought possible. Cassie has stepped up to help out where ever she can. Her oatmeal at night routine is nice (except when Maisey decides to use it as a exfoliant). Zach is definitely the wonderful big brother as can be found by the pink car he bought Maisey. Hope & Grace are the best big sisters. Right at this moment, Gracie is teaching Maisey how to properly bundle her Maisey doll and feed her a bottle. It’s pretty darn cute.
In two months, Benjamin & Maisey have found their place. They are happy-go-lucky little kids. They laugh all the time. They are exploring everything. I love how God brought us children so like our other children. Benjamin is quiet and curious and loves to build and play video games – just like Zachary. Maisey is all compassion and loving up on her babies and reading – just like her sisters. It’s very sweet watching them all play. They don’t hoard food. Benjamin does cry when we pass a KFC (so like his daddy). He loves KFC. Really any type of chicken. We have pretty much given him any kind of chicken he wants each and every day to help him grow. It’s like Hopey all over again. We had to add cream and butter to everything she ate to try and help her grow. Maisey is a different story she will try anything and everything. If she doesn’t like it, she will wait until you aren’t looking and throw it to the dogs, but she will at least try it.
Maisey wakes up laughing and giggling, ready to take on the day. I love that she will probably not remember any of the orphanage. I pray that she won’t. I’m afraid it won’t be that easy with Benjamin. He still has moments of post-traumatic stress like behavior. Sometimes something little will trigger him and his eyes just glaze over and he sobs. It doesn’t happen very often, but it breaks my heart every time it does happen. Once he wet through his diaper and it went through his little jeans, he hid from me in the corner and just hung his little head. We had to tell him over and over again that it was okay. That accidents happen. It happened when he spilled his drink too. He was so afraid. I’m not sure how much trouble he got in the orphanage, but I don’t think accidents were handled with grace that’s for sure.
It seems like they have been here forever. People ask me if I worry that they are delayed. Worldly things and goals aren’t really all that important. You help your child find their purpose in life and lead them the best you can. The best thing you can do is give them a good foundation in doctrine so that when life gets tough they turn to the Lord. In reality, what I want most is to lead them to Christ and build their faith. Then I want them to figure out their purpose, why God has them here, and help them achieve that purpose. The rest is just icing. They will learn their multiplication tables. They will figure out the states and capitals. If it takes them a little longer than others, it doesn’t matter. That is why I love homeschooling. No one judges them on other people’s standards. They are allowed to grow in their own time.
Mother’s Day was wonderful and relaxing. Cassie watched little ones all day. People treated me to all my favorites. Dan got extra bonus points for the best Mother’s Day presents ever….two little ones. Wonder what next year will bring?
-
One of the most awesome days ever…
This has truly been the most amazing day. The ENT office called and after fighting with our insurance company, making a billion calls, and talking with the BAHA people, they decided to let us have a loaner. We went in and they placed it on her head. The processor (hearing aid) clips onto this little pink headband ($160 headband). We will leave my medical complaints until another day because today is too wonderful. They turned it to the lowest setting and we said her name. She proceeded to cry and laid her head on my shoulder and just sobbed. BUT THEN Dan said, “I love you Maisey” and she figured out what was going on. They slowly turned it up while we played with many noise making toys to see if anything upset her. She did great. Nothing really stressed her out.
When we walked out of the office, she heard a bunch of cars on the interstate. The office is right by Interstate 235. She just stopped and her little mouth dropped and she pointed at the cars. She kept pointing and looking and me and pointing some more and smiling really big. It was the best moment. Truly the best. Then she heard a bird and her head turned straight towards the sound and she laughed.
We celebrated with a stop at a local convenience store to grab her favorite powdered sugar donuts. She placed one in each hand and celebrated with great gusto. We went home and she played the guitar and was so happy. We played music on the I-phone and she danced and sang.
Tonight when she took her bath we had to take off the headband. She was so upset and she usually loves her bath. She kept pointing at her headband and signing please. She hasn’t touched her headband all day long. It fell down to her neck once and she signed please to have it put back on. I think it is official my girl likes to hear. This mommy is one unbelievably happy and blessed mommy. What a wonderful thing to get to be a part of. Praise God!
-
-
Maisey’s a star….
Maisey update – Saw ENT today they are assuming she hears at 60 decibels. Normal talking is about 40 decibels. They are ordering her BAHA. PRAISE THE LORD!
On a sidenote: Maisey is in a book “The House of Hope” on page 216, they talk about their 1,000th baby helped and it was Maisey. They called her Chaya while she was there.
Dan and I have been praying about what group to help. I didn’t feel I could start my own foundation. I just don’t have enough time or truly feel that is the right thing to do. We both feel very pulled to help orphans. Every since we decided to adopt Maisey, God has placed something on our hearts. We just couldn’t pinpoint what it was. It is interesting to me that the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through has placed me in the position I am in today. Living through Kyle’s death and fully trusting in the Lord’s plan for Kyle’s life allowed me to open my heart to a child/children with a shortened life span. I realized this with Hope, when we decided to take a chance. I felt it even more with Benjamin. I knew he was my son and I would go through anything for him – just from seeing his picture. Kyle’s death taught me many life changing lessons. Every day is a blessing. Every moment is to be treasured. Don’t take things for granted. Don’t assume people know you love them. Trust in the Lord! Pretty big lessons from a little boy that lived only 5 days.
When we got back from China I felt something was still missing. I am supposed to do more. Over and over again I dreamt that my life is about to change. I remember thinking I thought my life had already changed. But I know there is supposed to be more. Am I supposed to adopt again? Am I supposed to support some group. Should I sponsor some orphans through Show Hope. Should we pay for surgeries? What is God asking me to do? I dreamt that I couldn’t find 4 of the 6 children that I adopted from China. I woke up frantic and in tears. I think that one freaked Dan out a bit. Cassie joked that we were like Noah’s ark. 🙂 I keep praying that God will make my path clear. That He will show me what I am supposed to do. Our house is chaotic, it’s a mess, there have been blood draws and doctor appointments – why do I feel like there should be more. It doesn’t make sense yet I feel it to my core. God is calling.
I wanted something I felt a personal connection to and here it is. The Chapman’s and Show Hope obviously have a special place in my heart. It was Mary Beth’s fault I had adopted in the first place. lol Actually, her daughter’s quote about is it better for an orphan to have an older mother or no mother at all was the final deciding factor for me. I had been dragging my feet thinking I was to old to adopt and then I read her book and God slapped me up along side the head. I’m sure He gets tired of doing that. But I wanted something I felt a true personal connection to. And then it happened.
I love how God works. I just happened to send a Facebook message to Show Hope thanking them for all their volunteers. There were tons of posts that day. Why did Cathy respond to my post? Cathy looked into it and found out that Maisey was one of their kids. She asked me to let them know when we get her home so they can celebrate another forever family. I send them a picture and they send me the newsletter stating Maisey was the 1,000th baby helped. Someone just happened to remember she was in the November 2010 newsletter. Dan reads about the New Hope Foundation in China on line and he orders the book about the House of Hope and turns directly to page 216 and their is our little Maisey’s name. These people, the Hills, take in the sickest kids and try to bring them to health. Their vision is “To comfort always, to relieve often, and to save sometimes.” A place after my own heart. I will continue to pray for God’s leading, but I can tell this one is gonna be big. I wonder what He is asking me to do.
-
Good news and bad news….
Would you like the good news or the bad news first? We’ll go with the good…
The good news — Maisey really truly seems to hear. I can’t wait until her appointment on the 12th. I don’t want to get my hopes up too much, but more and more people, including the doctors we saw today, agree that it is a strong possibility that she is able to hear out of her right ear. Today she took my phone because the music was playing and put it up to her right ear. It paused and she stopped and handed it to me and signed please.
The bad news — Benjamin has a temp of 104+, his platelets are 28,000 and we now have an appointment with hematology in Iowa City on Monday. Poor little guy. Hopefully, we will still be able to do the cath on the 18th. Prayers are appreciated.Benjamin and Maisey are truly the sweetest kids. I can’t believe how much they love and trust us all ready. I get how much I love them. I’ve had a year to dream about them and to fall in love. Benjamin and Maisey have both had numerous blood draws and they are really angry while it’s happening, but as soon as it’s done they let me comfort them and they hug me so tight. It’s only been 2 weeks since we’ve been home. It hasn’t even been a whole month since we met and yet it seems like they have been mine forever. I truly don’t understand why I’ve been blessed but what a gift these two are.
Maisey is so funny. She is just this petite little ball of fire. She makes about 100 different faces. My favorite is when she tilts her head and puts a palm on each cheek and just grins this huge grin at you. She knows she’s adorable. I remember when we talked about adopting her and how it would be to have people comment on her facial defects. I was worried about how to handle it and what I would say. But none of that has happened, everyone keeps talking about how cute and sweet she is. Don’t worry about what might happen because many times it never comes to be. You’d think I’d learn. Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Benjamin is sweet, kind, generous, and so loving. He tried to help unload the dishwasher today. What 3 1/2 year old tries to help like that? He loves to sit on my lap and just rock. He asks “What is it?” all the time and just takes it all in. He is learning so much each and every day. I took him outside to walk around our path because he was so hot and it was cool outside. We pointed at the moon and the stars. He leans in and kisses my cheek and hugs me so tight. No matter what happens in the months or years ahead, everything will have been worth it, just to have these moments with him. He is just so happy and his giggle melts my heart. It is the sweetest sound! There will be no worrying about tomorrow today. 🙂
-
Maisey hearing.
I have a couple of drafts saved that I have been working on that talk about our trip and adoption, but I don’t seem to have a ton of time to just spend on the computer these days. First off, trying to keep everyone happy and fed is a major feat some days. Secondly, Benjamin has been pretty sick and we’ve had numerous doctors visits and lab draws. It turns out his blood work isn’t great and we had to postpone his heart cath until April 18th. His platelets were only 40,000. He bruises very easily and has had many bloody noses. We are trying to get all the blood work done, but they are trying to not make him anemic while doing said blood draws. They think it may be ITP – don’t ask me what it means. I’d just have to Google and copy and paste for you. So we’ll keep it simple and let you Google it. 🙂 It just makes things a smidge more complicated as we try to figure out what to do to make him feel better and to get his sats up.
Have I mentioned lately how thankful I am for my husband? He has researched everything possible trying to figure out what it could be with Benjamin. He has consulted specialists, spent tons of time on the phone trying to get it figured out. He has reviewed AAP guidelines for international adoptions and what labs need to be done. It just makes me sad for other families who are just left hanging. It has made me think a lot about how this can be fixed. It’s just plain frustrating.
On a slightly disgusting note, (this will be a TMI for most) I had to do stool samples for the kids. It was a first for me and not something I care to do anytime again. Praises to all the nurses who have to mess with everyone’s bodily fluids way too often in their line of work. No one gives you enough credit I’m sure. My hat is off to you for all that you do to care for your patients.
But on to what this post is supposed to be about, Maisey hearing. Her actual appointment to get her hearing checked is April 12th. I do hope we get good news at this appointment. We truly do think she can hear some things. She responds differently than what we have been told a deaf baby will do. She says sounds that they usually don’t make and she isn’t monotone. I’m going to attach a video of her with Dan and the guitar. It was wonderful. Not sure if she was truly hearing it, but it seemed like it. It was a good, good day.
Thanks again for all your prayers for our family and our two new ones. They are truly, truly a blessing. I cannot believe how well they have fit in with our family and how much they love the other kids already. I am truly blessed and grateful every day for the blessing of them in my life.
-
So it’s official, I’m a lucky, lucky mama…
I get to wake up to these two sweet faces every day. I’m amazed that all the things I worried about never came to be. Yes, I said I learned my lesson, but obviously I had not. As a mama who loves her children and their cuddles, it was hard to think that Benji and Maisey may need time to warm up to me. But that worry never came to be, the kids both came to us that first day and have been attached ever since. Benjamin said “Dada” just two days in and while we were still in China he told me, “Wo ai ni Mama!” My heart just melted. Last night he looked at me at said “My mama” over and over again. He giggled and giggled. I love that. I love that they adore all their siblings already. How is that even possible? It’s like they have always been a part of this family. I was truly amazed at how all the children in our group were so attached to their parents and how quickly it happened. They obviously wanted to be loved, but it was so much more. Maybe God does what Dan had prayed for and He gives them a glimpse of who their parents will be. Dan prayed over and over again for Benjamin and Maisey to dream about us.
Benjamin and Maisey have played really well together. They both patiently wait for me to feed them. Benjamin shares his toys with her and there hasn’t been any hitting. I look at how bright Benjamin is and I wonder how they couldn’t see it. There was nothing said about that in any of the papers we received. He has said 50 or more English words already. He points to things and says “What is it?” and repeats whatever we say. The best news about Maisey is we truly think she can hear a little bit. Dan put the headphones on her right behind her ear and turned it up. She danced around and when he turned off the music she got upset. It was a repeatable thing. What a blessing that would be to be able to give her hearing. Benjamin is pretty sick. Our cardiologist wanted to do the heart catherization right away, but Dan and he agreed that Benjamin probably isn’t healthy enough to just do it. We have an echo, chest x-ray, and EKG on Wednesday. The cardiologist agreed to work him in on Wednesday when we are over in Iowa City getting Grace’s chemo done. It is nice having connections, but I think it should work that way for all parents.
I can not believe how blessed I am to be able to be a mother to these two sweet little kids. They have wonderful spirits and they laugh all the time. They melt my heart over and over again. What a gift God has blessed me with. I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful beyond measure!
-
Archives
Blogroll
Links
- Chinese Children Adoption International
- Hats for Gracie
- Love Without Boundaries
- New Hope Foundation China
- Show Hope
Categories
- Adoption
- Adoption Questions
- Benjamin
- Cassie
- China 2013
- China 2014
- China 2016
- Codey
- Congenital Heart Defect
- Elijah
- Elyse
- Evangeline Faith
- Faith
- Family Life
- Food for Thought Friday
- Grace
- Homeschooling
- Hope
- Jasmine (Shuang Shuang)
- Jasmine's Blog
- Jasmine's Dream
- Jessica
- Kelly
- kidney transplant
- Kyle
- Lainey Rae
- Love Without Boundaries
- Maisey
- Making a difference
- Max
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Orphan Care
- Photos
- Thoughts to ponder
- Uncategorized
- Videos
- William
- Zachary