Problem Child Scratches...err Strikes Again!

So, our sweet free little kitty has had more trips to the vet since we got her--just under a year, than any kitty should. She is overdue for immunizations. What can I say, we've been a bit busy. But lately she's also been scratching her face mercilessly! We though she had some kind of rash in her ears and on her face, but it's bruises and scratches!!! This prompted a quick visit!

Turns out, she had swollen lymph nodes and pale gums. The Vet gave her an antibiotic and wanted to see her after the weekend. Well, today her lymph nodes were less swollen, but her gums are totally white. And her temp is slightly elevated. Also, she scratched even more. So, she received a steroid shot and had blood drawn for tests. Almost $300 so far, don't know what's wrong yet, and still haven't had overdue vaccinations. (They're not a good idea with a probably compromised immune system!) At least she was given a free pedicure out of the deal!

We are thankful to have a Vet who cares so much for the animals, but is also very up front about the affects (cost!) to us. Any probable treatments are going to be rather costly. We're not sure what we're going to do yet. We should hear back about her bloodwork tomorrow.

Elizabeth: Why did you rearrange your room? So you could fit the crib?
Mommy: Yes. But Josiah isn't using it anymore, is he?
Elizabeth: Well, then you can take it down. Or leave it up in case God tells us we can adopt another little brother or sister!

Halloween and more

Yesterday, we decided to take the kids to "Trunk or Treat" at a the church where Elizabeth goes to pre-school. It was small, but cute. They decorated the cars in order of the creation story. Some people went all out! Elizabeth decided before we went that she would rather change costumes, so she dressed as Snow White. (We didn't see any others last night, but on other blogs, I see that Snow White was a popular costume this year!) She kept asking, "Don't I look beautiful in my costume?" Of course she did! We did our best to convince her that she looks beautiful all the time...whether she is in a costume or not!

Today, somehow the temperature was up in the 70s! So we decided it was a good day for some haircuts outside. Josiah wasn't so sure at first (neither was Mommy!) But once we started Daddy's hair, he was excited to have his done. He kept wanting me to do more and more! It's not the best job, but it works. I didn't really want to do it. I love his curls! However, he's had some scalp issues that we figured would best be healed if we cut his hair short. I think it makes him look a lot more grown up :-( What do you think?

After haircuts, we put up the bouncy house for the kids. We figured Josiah would LOVE it since he was jumping on the couch this morning! He wasn't so sure at first and wanted to get out.

With a little bit of help, he had some fun :-) Elizabeth had a so much fun her hair was even jumping! ;-) Okay, maybe it's just static.

Tonight we had a pizza and game night. Elizabeth loves games,and Josiah is learning to take turns.

Happy Day

Elizabeth dressed up for school this morning. We decided not to go out and buy something, but to use a costume she already had. She chose to be a "hula girl".

I decided to go ahead and put Josiah in a costume this morning, too, since Elizabeth was in one. You don't get too many hand-me-downs that work from sister to brother, but I'm so glad this one did! Seriously, he is just really cute! ;-)

Did you catch the tail? Love it!

Two Months...

...ago today, we met our son! It was not a long meeting, and though we already loved him, we did not all warm up to each other right away. But it was the start of him opening his little heart to us.

This is his ultimate pouting pose. I am so glad we see less and less of this all the time!

Today...

was a better day! Tonight was better, too. I made a determined effort to be more patient with him as he fell asleep. And it doesn't hurt that we were shopping and got home later than normal, so bedtime was later. He didn't have as much energy to fight to stay awake. :-)

P.S. Will you please pray for us as we are considering a possibly pretty big change for our family? Right now it seems right, but we want to be following God's plan and not our own. I promise I'll share more later.

What did I do?

So, I'm not sure if I messed up or what.

I wrote about going to Delaware last week with Elizabeth and Josiah while David stayed home. Josiah has adjusted so well in most areas, and since we were going with my parents who we had seen the past few days, I thought it'd be no problem. He did so well in the car, and even sleeping in the hotel with Elizabeth and myself. The trip was great!

It's been since we returned home that he's been different. Both of my kids are more of "mama's babies", but he's been even more so since we've been back. He's not been running to kiss and play with David like he was. Bedtime is the one are we kind of struggled with before, but it seems a lot more of a struggle these past few days. Last night he was up past 11pm with me, and just didn't rest as easily when he did fall asleep. Before, when David put him to sleep, he would fuss, but fall asleep pretty quickly. Since we've been back, he's been full out screaming and fighting sleep as long as possible. (He does not have these responses when lying down for naps.)

I'm not sure if the trip just kind of threw him for a few days, or if this is related to attachment--brought on by our night away or just because he is at that stage now. I'm wondering even more than I was before if something happened during bedtime in Ethiopia.

The kids and I were going to spend some time with my mom after her surgery in a few weeks, but I'm really not sure that's a good idea now, especially since David won't be there for the entire time. I'm just not sure what to do. Anyone have advice about bedtime or the trip?

It's Finally Fall!

It's finally starting to feel like fall around here! I love the cooler temperatures and the leaves changing. We've had a busy week!

Early Sunday morning, my parents came flew into the area and met our family at church. We came home and had lasagna for lunch. Dad and David worked on fixing the Saturn (we're returning it to them after a few years of use). The rest of us baked EASY yummy pumpkin cake--seriously just a can of pumpkin, cake mix, and one egg-- and watched Nancy Drew. Then Mom and Dad headed over to Dover, DE as Dad was on a business trip there.

Monday, Elizabeth had school. We decided to go check out the new coffee shop for hot chocolate and chai latte.

Tuesday, Mom and Dad came back after work. We had dinner, and Dad did some more work on the car. Dad headed back to Dover again, but Mom stayed to hang out with us for a few days.

Wednesday was Elizabeth's field trip to the pumpkin patch! The kids learned about how pumpkins grow and how bees make honey. They also visited a petting farm, picked pumpkins, went on a hay ride, and had fun on rope swings in the barn. We spent the rest of the day shopping and then meeting up with one of Mom's friends.

Thursday, we spent the morning around the house. Then my mom stayed with Elizabeth as David and I took Josiah to his Dr.'s appointment. He did better during the examination part. He whimpered a bit, but no crying. However, this was the appointment where we had to do bloodwork. Thankfully, we could have the blood drawn in the office instead of needing to go to a lab. Unfortunately, the nurse had trouble finding good veins. Our poor little man ended up having to tapped twice in the hand (and the still didn't get ALL they needed), his toe pricked, a flu shot. He screamed like never before, and looked completely insulted each time they finished. He has not discovered the "magic" of band-aids yet, so he wanted them off as soon as they were put on. I can't wait until we start immunizations! (Rolling eyes)

~~After all this, the kids, Mom, and I packed up and drove over to Dover to meet Dad. Our trip took about two hours longer than it should have...apparently the Saturn isn't totally fixed. We arrived in time to get ready for bed.

Friday, we spent driving around Delaware. My family used to live there when I was in elementary school. We took Elizabeth to see our old house, school, and church. We met Dad for lunch, and then headed down to the beach. It was only about 55 degrees. Elizabeth was so excited on the way down, but when we arrived, she was not so into it. We only ended up staying about twenty minutes. But we walked in the sand, found some rocks, saw horseshoe crabs, and took some pictures. I got Elizabeth to touch the water...it was SOOO cold! The kids and I headed home. The kids slept most of the way! Mom and Dad headed up to Pennsylvania to see Grandma and Grandpa Smith.

Today, we're all taking a sick day...we've been feeling kind of icky all week. Hopefully just colds. David took some medicine and is asleep. Elizabeth is watching t.v. Josiah is playing but a bit cranky. Hopefully a day of rest will be just what we need.

Please Pray!

Now is probably not the best time to write this, but please bear with me, as my emotions are just all over the place. But, I am asking you dear friends and family to pray with us!

Just as we were coming home from Ethiopia, several families with our agency received referrals for precious little boys. They were more than overjoyed! They prepared to bring new members of their family home. Unfortunately these babies have been very ill, and have been in and out of the hospital.

Around two weeks ago, one of these angels went to be with his Heavenly Father. That was heart breaking for the family, as well as our adoption community. Praise God, the family trusts God with their decisions, and they have received a referral for another son. It is a joyous and painful time for them.

Now we have learned that two boys were again in the hospital, and that another sweet baby went to his Eternal Home.

Please pray for these families who have lost their sons. Even without meeting them and holding them, the boys are their sons in their hearts! Both families also have young children at home. Pray that God would comfort them and hold them as they grieve. Pray that they would know God's will and follow it.

Please also pray for the boys still in the hospital and the transition home. Pray for their healing and strength. Pray for the families waiting for them. This is so very scary...especially being on the other side of the world!

Pray for the caretakers and staff who are there with the children. They do have such hearts for these precious little ones!

Bedtime Prayer

Last night Elizabeth said this prayer:

Dear God,
If you choose, give us a brother or sister
'Cause there are so many kids
But not too many!
Amen

I asked her to expand on this (some snippets from our conversation):

M: What do you mean not too many?
E: Well, not too many kids because we don't have enough room.
M: How many is too many?
E: (Thinking for a minute) Well, there are three beds in Josiah's room, so three boys including Josiah. And I have three pillows, two girls can sleep on my bed and one can pull out the mattress under my bed. So Six! Three boys and Three girls!
M: How are they all going to join our family?...Through adoption or being born into our family?
E: You can have more babies?
M: You were born from my body. Mommies can have more than one baby.
E: Okay, so some born in our family, and we'll adopt some.
M: Would it be okay if some are older?
E: Like 7, 8, or 10? Can a 10 year old stay in my room?
M: Where will they be adopted from?
E: Wherever God chooses.