Foley Family Adoption Journey

A Different Journey

2011-01-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

It's amazing to me how you can hope & pray for something that you know you desperately want, & then you have that "ah-hah" moment. I think I had that through the end of 2010 as I know I had that "ah-hah" moment & God basically pulled out all of the stops to get me to see HIS plan for the Foley Family. I'm not exactly sure how it really will unfold out as I write this entry, but I know that any ideas I had of expanding our family have been put on hold.....and I am at peace with that. That's a good feeling. God has us on a different journey right now....I think we will know for certain the exact path in the coming weeks, but if there is anything I know for sure it is that God put Hunter & Kyan in our lives for a reason...to love them, teach them, & care for them & that is exactly what we will do! I hope to share a new journey with you very soon...thank you for your continued prayers, love & support.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Catching Up

2010-11-08T15:26:00.001-05:00

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I have a confession: I have let my Foley Family Adoption Journey blog "slide" a little bit!!! I am going to rebound from this though & do my VERY BEST to keep you all more updated, as our family ALWAYS has a lot to share!!!!

Hunter & Kyan are growing so much, it's incredible!!!! Hunter will be 4 in a couple of weeks, & he is reminding us daily that we need to be "getting his bir'day party ready." I think the next couple of weeks may be extremely long if he keeps that up!!! Kyan is doing his best to keep up with Hunter....he is so busy & into absolutely EVERYTHING! Joe & I have rearranged furniture, removed furniture, boxed up books, breakables, etc. just so Kyan's curious little hands don't break something, tear something, or hurt himself!!! Hunter & Kyan have completely opposite personalities: Hunter has the potential to be a future politician or professional Walmart greeter....he speaks to EVERYONE; Kyan is little bit more laid-back & reserved...he lets the people come to him!

We have had a busy Summer into Fall, from Papa's 90th birthday celebration, trips to the park, Hunter's 3 year Gotcha Day celebration with a trip to Disney, Blue Angels from the boat, & a little Trick-or-Treating. There is never a dull moment in the Foley house!

AND, with all of that busyness, you wouldn't think that Joe & I consider doing it one more time, would you? Well, we're talking about number 3....just talking right now. Joe & I both would love to have one more mouth to feed in our house :-) & we would really love for the boys to have a sister. The timing has to be right, & we really have to explore all of our country options at this point. With me being a stay-at-home mom, finances are a little different when it comes to adopting a 3rd child. Joe & I feel that we have enough room in our hearts for another child, even if room in the house might get a little tight! I am praying about it daily & know that if it's supposed to happen, God will make it happen....I mean look at our other 2 blessings!!!!! Keep us in your prayers, & I will keep you posted!!!!

Foley Family Vacation

2010-08-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

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We just returned from our first Foley Family of Four Vacation & had an AMAZING time!!! We met my parents in Destin for a long weekend & enjoyed every second of it! Even though it rained every day, we still played in the pool, went to the beach or an exciting trip to the Bass Pro Shop...who doesn't love that, right???? (Just kidding for those of you like me that have absolutely no interest in outdoor hunting, fishing or camping). From Hunter's determination to build a sand castle to Kyan's absolute "giggle-fest" every time he ran toward the ocean, it could not have been more entertaining to watch our sons! Nana & Poppi were the icing on the cake....when it was time to leave, Hunter wanted to leave with Nana! We CAN'T WAIT for our next beach vacation!!!!

Happy Gotcha Day, Kyan!

2010-08-10T21:35:00.001-04:00

Believe it or not, Kyan was happy, but just ready for the picture taking to end & the cake eating to begin!

We celebrated Kyan's 1 year anniversary of coming home this past weekend. It's hard to believe that he has been home with us for 1 year now....time flies when you are having fun!!! What an amazing little boy he is...so happy & content. Joe & I often hear how people have never seen a child so laid back as Kyan! He is an incredible blessing for our family & I thank God every day for him.....we are reminded daily that "every good & perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17).

Hunter is a proud big brother

Road Trip to Auburn

2010-07-20T19:57:00.004-04:00

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Well, we spent my birthday last week in Auburn & it was WONDERFUL!!! It is so great to spend time with family & friends, & especially to watch Hunter & Kyan play with their cousins. Of course, by the end of the week, the boys were definitely showing signs of home-sickness through defiance, crankiness & just plain tired; and, there is no doubt that my parents are basking in the peace & quiet that has returned to their home! Overall, it was a great trip & a great birthday....I am so blessed!!!

July 4th

2010-07-08T22:08:00.002-04:00

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We just spent a wonderful weekend in Naples with Grammy & celebrating July 4th. This might be the first time I actually reminded myself that Hunter & Kyan were not born in America....I have to remind myself sometimes that I actually didn't give birth to them either! But, seriously, to know that all of the paperwork, multiple background checks at every level, home studies, etc. all helped in the process of allowing our sons to be US citizens. How wonderful is that?!?!?!?!

Kyan's 1st Steps

2010-06-29T19:35:00.003-04:00

I was able to experience one of the greatest moments as a mother today...I saw Kyan's first steps. He is pretty delayed in this milestone so there really are no words to express its significance. I am just so happy that I actually was here to enjoy this priceless moment!!!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T21:50:00.007-04:00

To all of the special father's in my life:

Joe - Hunter & Kyan could not ask for a better father & teacher, & your love for them is beyond words. How did the boys & I get so lucky???

My Dad, aka "Poppi" - you are an incredible father & grandfather & I am forever grateful that you are here today to appreciate & enjoy being just that....plus Kyan needs a "nap partner".
Charlie, my brother - what an awesome father you are...I never would've imagined after years of fights, hair pulling, shoving in potholes & putting holes in my door that you would be such a great father to my favorite nephew & a super uncle to my sons.
Papa, my grandfather - your love, kindness & faith are an inspiration to all of your children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Billy, my father-in-law, aka "Bucca" - you are a wonderful father-in-law & the laughter & smiles that you bring to your grandsons brings joy to me & is truly priceless.
Mr. Dennis, my father-in-law, aka "Grandpa Foley" - you are undoubtedly here with us in spirit always, & I know that you see your precious grandsons everyday & smile. I can only imagine how proud you must be of your son!

I LOVE YOU ALL.....HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

Brothers!

2010-06-19T14:23:00.003-04:00

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Without a doubt, these boys keep me busy but they sure do keep me smiling too! Kyan is determined to keep up with Hunter & Hunter is determined to make Kyan laugh....most of the time!

PLEASE remember that if you stop by Wendy's anytime this Father's Day weekend & purchase a Frosty, they will donate $.50 to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Lesson Learned

2010-06-11T22:36:00.005-04:00

So, I came to another conclusion today....doctor's REALLY DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING & I probably know just as much as they do. Ok....maybe not so much the last part, but I would like to think that all of my years watching ER at least counts for something....right?
We went to the Ear Nose & Throat specialist today with Kyan....for the second time in 3 months. In March, I had decided that after 5 ear infections Kyan needed tubes in his ears. Yep...I decided that, because after all, this wasn't my first trip to the rodeo. Hunter came home from Guatemala with chronic ear infections that led to hearing loss that led to tubes in his ears & still led to 9 months of speech therapy. Of course, he's all caught up & you can't get him to stop talking now. I figured that I knew the signs & we just needed to "nip it in the bud" before it got too bad with Kyan. Well, in March the ENT didn't want to do it because "there was no hearing loss." If you are anything like me, you thought to yourself, "Ummmm....so, you want to wait until he can't hear until we put tubes in his ears?" I left that office in March completely frustrated & dismissed, with a doctor that made me feel like I was some crazy, over-reactive mother - & this was the same ENT we used with Hunter!
I KNEW that inevitably Kyan would have another ear infection. Bless his little heart because he is such a trooper & his tolerance level is like none other. The only reason we ever know he has an ear infection is because his nose will start running...no fevers, no ear pulling, nothing. I've just figured it out....FINALLY...I know what to look for! When we went to the pediatrician last week she confirmed that he had an ear infection & couldn't believe he had tolerated it so well. When I told her of our last visit to the ENT she assured me that I was within my parental right to voice my concerns to the ENT, & in fact, with as many ear infections as Kyan has had, we were surely looking at speech delays.
I immediately phoned the ENT, scheduled the appointment, & today went in ready for whatever he was going to throw at me. I went in with a speech evaluation performed on Kyan last week that spoke volumes...I meant business. Wouldn't you know it? He talked to me like I was his colleague....as if we went to med school together! Maybe it was because Joe was with me this time & the doc might not have been so quick to dismiss me with my husband in the room. I would like to think that my no-smile demeanor & my cut to the chase attitude was threatening & intimidating, right? ANYWAY, Kyan has a double ear infection now, which OF COURSE warrants tubes, in addition to possible removal of adenoids & tonsils!!!! Unbelievable!!!!
All of this leads me to the question: Why do doctor's think they know everything & why do we allow them to think that way? I've been SO guilty of this! Doctors DON'T know everything, & they certainly don't know our children better than we do....no doctor EVER will! Note to self: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!!! Even with the double ear infection, tonsillitis & congestion, Kyan is as happy as a pig in slop, which is amazing. He will be fine & this will all be resolved in another month or so, but it's just another lesson learned along the way....

Need to Know

2010-06-10T14:53:00.004-04:00

I have to tell you...there are sometimes I seriously have to ask God, "Hey, can you tell me what EXACTLY your ideas are for me, so I can plan accordingly?" Obviously, God has me on a "need to know" communication agreement & if HE thinks I need to know, then He tells me. Why? Why? Why does it have to be that way? I ask the question kind of laughingly because I know why but then again sometimes I just NEED to know. Yes, I am fully aware that I have absolutely no control over the plans God has for me & my family...but sometimes I just wish He would say "Yes, this is what I want you to do," or "No, not in my game plan for you, Mary."
Joe & I have been seriously marinating over adopting our 3rd child....& this time, it would be a girl. Don't get me wrong, we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our boys more than ANYTHING, but, I guess Joe & I both just have our hearts open for a little girl to be added to the family. Of course, I think that would pretty much complete the family - 3 is a good number, right? And, the only reason Joe & I are thinking about just getting the process started is because we are coming up on some age restrictions as far as Joe's age goes - he's not near retirement or anything, but if you've adopted before you know that once you're over 40, age starts to play a factor in some countries. We are certainly not looking to bring home a child by the end of this year, but in the next year or two....I think we are patient enough as far as that goes. The catch is that every country has something that eliminates the possibility for us: Guatemala - still closed; China -4+ year wait for a healthy child & they expect that wait to extend; Haiti - closed & you have to be married 10 years (although it's probably been an eternity for Joe, we've only been married 5 years); Russia - minimum of 18 month old referral with a required 3 trips before you can bring her home. AND, before you ask yourself, "why not Ethiopia again?"....well, we would LOVE to adopt from Ethiopia again; however, if you know me, you know that since becoming a mother, my fear of flying has escalated to a whole new level - 1 trip to Ethiopia was hard enough, but now they have a 2 trip rule & I just don't think I can pull it off. Of course, I look at Kyan & think wellllllll....
All of these little glitches have made me realize 2 things: 1 - Joe & were EXTREMELY fortunate to bring Hunter & Kyan home just before MAJOR changes were implemented in their programs, and 2 - maybe God is trying to tell me something. Something like, "Mary, you can hardly handle to 2 children I gave you, & you want 3"? or "Mary, you're kind of emotional & little boys are better for you. I did give 2 precious little boys, you know"? Who knows???
I know that there are certainly days that I am definitely NOT up for "Mother of the Year" - I get frustrated & raise my voice (to put it mildly) over something completely ridiculous, or the house looks like I opened the door & welcomed the tornado, or I don't take the boys outside & play because it's TOO hot & I'm TOO tired...I'm just being selfish, I know. But what I do know is that I love Hunter & Kyan more than my words could ever describe, & I know my heart has enough love to give to another child....& I would love for it to be a daughter!
I'm really not so sure what the purpose of this blog entry was....maybe I'm looking for thoughts, ideas, words of wisdom; maybe I will discover that no one really reads this anyway; but, if nothing else, I put it all out on paper, so to speak, & sometimes it's just better for me to get it all out there & not keep it all bottled up in this crazy brain of mine. This kind of all goes back to my original question, "What EXACTLY do you have planned for my family & me, God?"

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2010-05-09T14:40:00.002-04:00

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Well, it's been a BUSY month or so, & I've neglected to post anything!!!! FINALLY, things are settling a down a bit & I had to post the pictures & give updates of my boys growing up!

We went to Auburn for 1 week at the end of March...it was WONDERFUL!!!! It is the longest trip we have actually had up there & friends were able to meet Hunter & Kyan for the first time!!! And, Granny was able to travel from Nashville to meet Kyan for the very first time!!! It was nice for us not to be pressed for time & trying to cram everything into a long weekend. Unfortunately, Joe couldn't come so that was a little too long for us to be apart & Hunter missed his Daddy TERRIBLY!!! When we got back to Jacksonville, though, he missed his Nana & Poppi, cousin Will, & of course, Phoebe (the dog)!

We returned from that visit, pretty much going non-stop, fighting off sickness & sinus issues, & finally Kyan having some minor out-patient surgery. HE'S FINE!!!! :-) Kyan is such a trooper....an incredibly happy baby!!!!

Hunter talks NON-STOP now & you never know what will come out of his mouth! He has started saying his own blessings before meals - this week I heard: "Thank you God for my daddy, my brother, my mommy & my Hunter. Amen." I LOVED IT!!!!! Kyan is determined to be walking any day now...he's not quite ready to let go, though! He is definitely a momma's boy & has some separation anxiety when I leave him with friends or in the church nursery...of course, he's back to "happy Kyan" after about 30 seconds!

Anyway, I think we're all caught up now & I'm celebrating my first mother's day with my TWO sons!!!! What a blessing!!! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

One year ago today

2010-03-26T23:45:00.005-04:00

I was just getting ready to lay my head on the pillow when today's date popped into my head....March 26. Exactly 1 year ago today, we received the phone call that we were going to be the proud parents of Baby Kyan! It's so hard to believe that it's been a year already....where has the time gone? I thank God everyday for this precious little blessing in our lives & cannot possibly imagine what life would be like without him here!

Kyan has gone from 5 lbs. to 24 lbs. in a year's time....believe me, I now have biceps of steel. He has 4 teeth that could probably sever your finger if you're not careful, but a smile that truly lights up a room. He's SO CLOSE to walking...he pushes his little truck through each room but not quite ready to let go. If you take your eyes off of him for even half a second, he will climb on top of the coffee table (it's amazing the resources a 1 year old will use), have something in his hand or his mouth, or be hidden in between or underneath furniture. Kyan LOVES his big brother Hunter...usually only a step or two behind him! I can only imagine what the future has in store for the two of them!

This time last year I was giddy with excitement & could only imagine how great it would be to have Kyan home. Praise God he is home, he is healthy, & oh so happy! He not only has the entire family wrapped around his little finger but everyone else he comes in contact with as well! AND, I think he just might be a "momma's boy".....I'm ok with that! :-)

Just a little note....literally

2010-03-14T15:44:00.004-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted....I feel like I have neglected my poor blog & I don't want to do that!!! BUT, I figured what better post than this one....

Hunter is in church preschool twice a week....it is SO WONDERFUL & he LOVES it! Well, this past Thursday I went to pick him up & pick up was a little different because it was raining, so parents don't have to get out of their cars & go inside, instead we drive thru & the teachers put them in the car for us. The draw back to that is that we don't get to actually speak with the teachers to find out how the day went....this was a day that I wish I had that opportunity! Every Thursday there is a little note in Hunter's bag that tells what he enjoyed doing the most during the week - usually playing on the playground with friends, playing with trucks, throwing the ball, etc. etc. Thursday's note was a bit different....

I have NO IDEA what led up to Hunter praying for his Daddy but it should come as no surprise that reading this note brought tears to my eyes. The look on Joe's face when he saw this note was one of shock & confusion, but at the same time I knew how proud he was of his 3 year old son. He hugged & thanked Hunter as if he had just given him the best present ever! Anyone who knows Joe can appreciate how precious this note truly is....it reminds of the passage in Isaiah, "....and a little child will lead them."

Kyan's Birthday Pics

2010-02-09T15:51:00.002-05:00

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Kyan had a couple of birthday celebrations...one in Auburn & one here in Jacksonville. We are so grateful to all of our family that shared the special occasion with us! I think it's safe to say that Kyan may have developed his mother's sweet tooth!!!! :-)

Kyan's FIRST Birthday!!!!

2010-02-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe, but Kyan is 1 year old today!!!!! It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home from Ethiopia!!! He has grown SO MUCH since the first pictures we saw....even since the first time we met him! He has such a personality....sometimes he laughs for no reason & it's absolutely contagious....we can't help but laugh ourselves!
I think about where we were in the adoption process this time last year...anxiously awaiting a referral for our child, with no idea if it was a boy or a girl or if he/she had even been born yet. Little did we know that almost 2 months later we would be matched with our beautiful & incredible son!!! We don't know all of the circumstances & we probably never will, but I am so thankful for the birth mother who knew she couldn't take care of him & wanted a better life for this incredible baby boy....our son. Kyan is a most precious gift that God has blessed us with....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KYAN!!!!

Kyan's First Haircut

2010-01-19T21:33:00.003-05:00

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Ok...I have to admit I DID NOT want to get Kyan's haircut, BUT not only did my husband insist on it, but when we passed the barber shop, the barber pretty much told me that I had better bring Kyan back for a haircut because he needed it. I didn't have my camera with me or I might have given in right then & there but I had 24 hours to get used to the fact that Kyan was about to have another "first".

We did have a great barber, Ernest, who was SO GOOD with Kyan. He tried to pick out his hair but the curls were so tangled he said he couldn't do it because it would hurt Kyan....which, you know, would hurt me just as much!!!! Ernest said he would try not to take "too much" off....well, you can see what happened to that idea.

When it was all said & done, Kyan handled the experience much better than I did. Ernest did give Joe & I some pointers on taking care of Kyan's hair - what little there is now - & he said he planned to watch Kyan grow up...I think Ernest has a long time customer. Kyan looks a year older & about 5 pounds lighter, but he's still my precious little baby!

Tidbits

2010-01-16T21:43:00.003-05:00

It's only 2 weeks into 2010 & it's already been exciting for me!!!! We started out the year with me getting the official Mommy-Mobile....a minivan!!!! Honestly, I know most people wouldn't be that excited, but I knew from the day we brought Hunter home, I WANTED A MINIVAN!!!!!! The Honda Odyssey was like my "dream car".....sad, isn't it???? Well, some would argue that Joe lost a piece of his manhood, but he traded in his pickup truck for my dream car....he is admired & adored by the wives & mothers of the neighborhood while shunned & ridiculed by the men. BUT, he hasn't let it bother him at all.....only requesting that I have the windows tinted darker so that no one will see him driving it. Hunter likes it because he can actually see out the windows & it goes without saying that I LOVE IT!!!!!

I'm sure you're thinking, "How can it get much better than getting a mini-van, Mary?"...ha, ha, wink, wink...right? Well, this week Kyan started saying "Momma". It was like music to my ears....he says it quite a bit so I know it's not a fluke! He usually says it when I'm feeding him or I'm changing his diaper, but it's cute no matter what we're doing! Honestly, hearing him say that for the first time made it worth me losing my job. I can only imagine all of the firsts that I missed out on with Hunter that I will now have a chance to experience with Kyan...what a gift!!!

I close out this blog entry with a thought that has been on my mind all week. Joe & I are told frequently, usually by strangers that ask the obvious questions when they see us all together, what a "beautiful thing" we have done by adopting Hunter & Kyan. Of course, Joe & I always respond by telling them how truly lucky & blessed we are to have them. But, someone made this comment to us this week & it made me think: yes, adoption is a beautiful thing & people can see that "in person" when they see our family or any other adoptive family, but God did the same thing for us & that is an even more beautiful thing. As the Bible says in Ephesians 1:5-6:
⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

A look back at 2009...

2010-01-02T14:15:00.008-05:00

As I look back on 2009, I think "Cheese crackers!!! Where in the world did the time go????" It's hard for me to believe that this time last year we were still anxiously awaiting a referral from Ethiopia....I specifically remember trying so hard NOT to bug our case worker & ask "Where are we on the list?" Here we are, 1 year later, with our precious 11 month old son, Kyan, adored by his big brother, Hunter. Our year went through a variety of emotions but in the end, I must say we came out on top!

After adopting our first son, Hunter, I was kind of used to the roller-coaster of emotions that you experience when you go through this process. So, the beginning of 2009 was a bit anxious as we waited for our referral....I kept my cell phone with me at all times, never knowing when I might receive that call. As anyone who knows me well can tell you, patience really isn't one of my strong points, although I'm certain God is trying to help me out with that DAILY!!!! March 26, I received that all important phone call at work telling us we had a precious baby boy.....I remember it like it was yesterday.

Of course, the next of couple of months were a lot of "what ifs" as we knew that the next big obstacle was Kyan's court date. We didn't know when it was....that was the next phone call/email we were awaiting. If you've been through the adoption process in any country, your mind starts to ask a lot of "what if" questions, especially when you know it's at a "make or break" point your case. While waiting for a court date, we had sort of a little bomb drop on us: the company I worked for was shutting down & I was soon to be out of a job. I cried for days.....of course, the first thing that came to my mind was "How in the world are we going to pay for plane tickets to Ethiopia at $2,000 per person????" A LOT of "what ifs" came into my mind now....SO MANY I wouldn't know where to begin if I listed them all. My wonderful & incredibly patient husband told me not to worry because we would get through this....I still wonder how he could be so calm.

It took me a few weeks to get over the initial shock of losing my job....it had been an INCREDIBLE job where I made some wonderful Christian friends, & I had probably one of the best bosses anyone could ask for. While working the last few weeks at my job, I received THE CALL.....the one we weren't expecting because we thought we were still waiting for a court date. Well, we never received word on the actual date but it happened & Kyan was officially a Foley!!!! I look back on it now & know that there was a reason we didn't know the court date: if we had been told when Kyan's court date was it would've been around the time that I found out the company was shutting down. I would've been an EVEN BIGGER mess....worrying not only about the effects of losing my job, but what if Kyan's case was or wasn't passed through court???? I would have worried myself to death....God knew that!!!

Fast forward to August 7 when Joe & I brought Kyan home from Ethiopia!!!! And, by the way, Joe & I had an incredibly generous gift to us: 2 round-trip tickets Ethiopia & 1 one-way ticket home for baby Kyan. The whole experience brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. I remember kneeling down in the airport with Joe as I held Kyan & hugged Hunter for the first time in a week.....we were the Foley Family....party of 4.

I'm now a full-time stay-at-home mom with the hardest but greatest job in the world. I thank God that I get to watch my sons grow up & learn new things everyday. I still have moments of worry & "what ifs", but I have God & an incredible family to help me get through those moments. My favorite verse in the Bible is Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I read that verse everyday & I believe it!!!

2009 was an incredible year.....Joe, Hunter, Kyan & I can't wait to see what 2010 holds!!!

Funny Moments & Cute Pics

2009-12-15T14:55:00.007-05:00

I've been on a bit of a hiatus for a while. We returned from spending Thanksgiving in Alabama & within 24 hours I had the flu. IT WAS BAD!!!!! I was out of commission for a week, & I couldn't see my little boys for 4 days. I have been playing "catch up" since recovering & have had some funny moments with Hunter & Kyan. Now perhaps these moments are ones in which you really had to be there, but they REALLY made me smile....or in one instance, try & speed up my recovery time!!! The pictures are not reflective of the moments just ones I wanted to share!

* I knew after 5 days of being confined to my bedroom, there was going to be LOTS of house work to do. Poor Joe got a dose of what it was like to be a "stay-at-home" Mom & I think he wants to keep his company job. I finally had enough energy to get out of the bed, so I took a look at the laundry. The boys were in serious need of clean clothes, so as I picked up Hunter's basket of laundry & proceeded to add them to the washing machine, I discovered it....one of Hunter's worn pull-ups still inside a pair of dirty pants as well as one of Kyan's diapers?!?!?!. I knew at that point I needed to recover FAST!!!!

* Hunter woke up one morning before Kyan, which is a bit unusual. So, we ate breakfast & as we finished, I started to hear on the monitor some rumblings of Kyan moving around. He wasn't fully awake yet, so I started to get his breakfast ready too. Hunter got up from the table & I thought he had gone to his room to get a toy. A couple of seconds later, I could hear a conversation over the monitor: "Hey, Baby Kyan!!! Are we pals? Are we pals?" I wandered around the corner, & there was Hunter in Kyan's room - with the lights turned out & him standing on a stool at the end of the crib. Kyan was fully awake then.

* Hunter is in the process of potty training. Not a lot I can say about that other than it's hard work! The other day I told Hunter he needed to sit on the potty, so I went to get the little portable potty chair we have for him. I got the potty & turned around....no Hunter. I looked in the living room & the kitchen & there was no sign of him. I called out his name....nothing. I took a few steps & looked into our sun room where I found 2 little feet poked out from underneath the sofa. Needless to say, Hunter didn't want to "go potty." Lucky for me his feet were sticking out or else I would've never found him!!!!

* Kyan has his moments too. He usually eats his lunch about 15 minutes before Hunter. The other day I finished feeding him a big lunch & gave him his pacifier as he sat in his high chair. I got up to make Hunter's lunch - which took about 2 minutes. I turned around & Kyan was "out cold" in his high chair.....sound asleep. I tried to wake him up but was unsuccessful in my attempts....his eyes would open & give me this look like, "yeah, right." So, Hunter & I sat at the table & ate our lunch while Kyan sat in his high chair sleeping peacefully. I kept thinking surely he would wake up since nap time wasn't for another hour, but he didn't. I picked him up & layed him in his crib without the first peep!!!!

It seems like the moral of my stories is that I should never turn around!!!! :-)

Hunter's 3rd Birthday Party...in Florida!

2009-11-22T22:27:00.004-05:00

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Even though Hunter's birthday isn't until Thanksgiving Day & we will have a party in Auburn, we decided to celebrate with some GREAT friends here in Florida. We went to St. Augustine & rode the carousel & played on the playground....Hunter had a WONDERFUL time!!!!

This year we decided to do something a little different for Hunter's birthday. Joe & I were really impacted by our trip to Ethiopia to bring Kyan home & how little they truly have over there. So, we decided that instead of giving Hunter toys & things that we would collect money to go towards our adoption agency's campaign Care4Kids. Christian World Foundation (part of Christian World Adoption) is building a facility in Ethiopia to house children & pregnant mothers, as well as families bringing home their children. They hope to have the childrens wing completed by spring, but need toys, books, clothing, health care items, etc. to provide all of necessities. Joe & I saw just how truly wonderful our friends were today as they not only showed up to share in Hunter's birthday celebration but supported our efforts to help a countless number of children in Ethiopia. THANK YOU DEE, RIDGE, DIXIE, JENN, MIKAYLA & JACKSON!!!!!!!

If you want to find out more, click on the link: Acacia Village

I am SO THANKFUL!

2009-11-19T20:25:00.006-05:00

I think it is SO appropriate for National Adoption Awareness Month as well as the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving. For the past few days I've been thinking about EVERYTHING I am SO thankful for....I really think the list could go on & on, but here are just a few that I wanted to share:

I am thankful for a husband that loves me & loves his sons more than life itself.
I am thankful for my two precious sons that God chose especially for Joe & me.
I am thankful that Hunter & Kyan are happy & healthy & HOME!!!
I am thankful that God chose ME to be their Mommy!!!
I am thankful for parents, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws that love Hunter & Kyan more than I could have ever possibly imagined.
I am thankful for parents, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws that not only love us beyond words but have supported Joe & me through the roller-coaster ride of 2 adoptions.
I am thankful for our friends that love our children as their own, unconditionally.
I am thankful for all of those people who supported Joe & me in our adoptions of Hunter & Kyan - through prayers, monetary gifts, orphanage donations, baby-sitting, ears to listen, shoulders to cry on, & any other possible way we could have been supported...I assure you we were.
I am thankful that my two sons will never have to live in the kind of poverty that surrounds their birth countries.
I am thankful for the birth mothers of Hunter & Kyan that for various reasons, wanted a better life for these babies.
I am thankful for the roof over our heads, the food on the table, & our electricity....all things that are often scarce where our children were born.
I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to stay at home & watch my sons grow up....instead of letting the daycare tell me about their "firsts," I get to see it myself!
I am thankful to God EVERYDAY for blessing me with an incredible family & friends that are truly treasures in my life!!!

I really do have so much to be thankful for that it could take forever for me to write it all out! These are all things that have really been on my mind lately & I just wanted to share them so everyone knows....I AM THANKFUL!!!!! :-)

Brotherly Love

2009-11-18T20:51:00.000-05:00

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:10

Happy Baby!

2009-11-10T21:22:00.004-05:00

Well, Kyan went in for his 9 month check up today. First, I must say that taking Hunter or Kyan to the pediatrician's office is always like going to the park...except for getting the shots. Seriously, I rarely ever hold Kyan when we go...he gets passed from one nurse to the next with a smile on his face, & Hunter gets all kinds of love, stickers & lollipops from the nurses. It's really quite comical. Today was no exception...as soon as I signed Kyan in, the nurse asked me to pass him through the window!!! He made his rounds, smiling at every nurse.....except the poor nurse that always gets stuck giving him shots. He took one look at her, poked his lip out & started crying....just pitiful!!! After he was weighed & measured, the doctor walked in....she stopped in the doorway & just laughed. She said, "If you were not standing right next to him, I would not have recognized him!" She then showed me his charts documenting height & weight & the difference from our very first visit until now. The first visit, three days after we arrived home from Ethiopia, Kyan wasn't even on the charts for height or weight...he was 11 pounds. Today, he was in the 75th percentile for weight & 50th percentile for height....HE IS 19 POUNDS!!!!!!

We are so truly blessed....Kyan is such an incredibly happy baby. How in the world did Joe & I get so lucky....twice????? And, I will tell you something else....there couldn't be 2 more precious brothers in this world than Hunter & Kyan. Joe & I were a bit worried about how Hunter would respond to Kyan, since he had been the center of attention for 2 years.....actually, I was EXTREMELY nervous. Once again, I have had no reason to be nervous!!!! Hunter is the BEST big brother....he constantly tries to entertain Kyan with funny faces or silly sounds, he wants to feed him & help me change his diapers (can you really believe that???). The best part is watching Hunter stop what he is doing, rush over to Kyan immediately if he starts to cry & ask him, "Baby Kyan do want your passi?" His sweet little tone of voice usually erases whatever he has done earlier to land him in time out! Kyan watches every move Hunter makes & his face just lights up whenever we pick Hunter up at church. I'm not naive now....time will surely change this little honeymoon phase between brothers....but it sure is fun to watch!!!!

What a pair!!!!

As Joe celebrated his 42nd birthday today, I thank God for an incredibly awesome husband & father that loves me & our precious sons with all of his heart, & for blessing me with them in my life! Thank you, God!!!! :-)

Meeting Kyan

2009-10-27T21:20:00.002-04:00

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These pictures are so precious & priceless to Joe & me....the very first time we met Kyan. We were so lucky to have another family with us who could capture these moments. Ironically enough, the batteries in our camera had gone dead after our very first picture & our extra batteries were packed in Joe's luggage....that briefly visited Nigeria before being returned to us in Ethiopia! THANK GOODNESS for the wonderful family we met that was there picking up their precious sons as well! Every time I look at these pictures it brings tears to my eyes....it seems like just yesterday!