When Love Takes You In

Aches and Pains

2011-02-20T09:47:00.000-06:00

She really thinks ballet is worth it!

Cullen Willgers uses a heated rice pad to soothe her aching knees after practice at Bonnie Cokinos Dance. Tammy McKinley/The Enterprise Photo: Beaumont Enterprise

Soccer Champions

2011-02-18T11:49:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to the Mudbugs for winning the 2011 Houston Express soccer tournament!

Jane Kurtz

2011-01-27T10:11:00.000-06:00

Jane Kurtz will be in Houston this weekend. She will be signing books the following dates/times/locations:

Thursday, January 27th

5 p.m.

Blue Willow Book Store

Friday, January 28th

7 p.m.

Memorial Barnes & Noble

Saturday, January 29th

3 p.m.

Town & Country Barnes & Noble

Sunday, January 30th

12ish*

DSM Ethiopian Orthodox Church

So who is Jane Kurtz? Jane is the author of numerous award-winning children's books, such as Pulling the Lion's Tail, Trouble, Only a Pigeon, The Storyteller's Beads, Faraway Home, and Saba. [And yes, I have everyone of them signed. :) ] She spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia and has based many of her books on her memories of Ethiopia, such as the ones I named above. Most recently though, she authored American Girl's Lanie and Lanie's Real Adventures. She works with a company in Ethiopia called Ethiopia Reads which helps bring books to the children in Ethiopia.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

2010-12-15T11:57:00.000-06:00

Make lemonaid!

I'm just not sure how to do that just yet. :) I finally took my hubby's advice on having a plantar fascia release. I had been having problems for awhile, tried many conservative treatments, then decided to finally take the surgery route. That was a couple of months ago, but now the pain is worse. Not only is it still in the same area, but now I have pain in part of my foot that wasn't hurting and have paresthesia along the bottom of my foot. So I had an MRI of my foot, and what do you know? The radiologist apparently tells my husband that the surgery really screwed me up. Uggh!!! SO does anyone have any suggestions on how to make something good of this? I don't blame my podiatrist. He is a great doctor, and mistakes happen. I also don't blame my hubby. He thought this would help because it does on most people when conservative treatments fail, but my problem has been since birth. I was born with club foot. Now, I haven't had problems all through life. I guess my prior gymnastics career, cheerleading, and gym work outs have caught up with me. We'll see what another specialist says tomorrow.

Two Years Ago Today...

2010-12-12T06:08:00.001-06:00

Two years ago today I got the most wonderful phone call from Grace that we had passed court and Maritu and Mamush were now officially part of our family!

Here's a picture of Mamush:

And Maritu:

Finally!

2010-12-07T11:47:00.000-06:00

Yes, It's been awhile. I guess ADD keeps me from focusing on keeping this blog updated. But I've decided to share some news. Mamush had PE tubes placed in his ears in October. For those of you that know how minor this is for most children, I feel you rolling your eyes, but this was huge for us because this was his second try at tubes. You see, his ear canals are like a preemie's. Our local ENT sent us to a friend of his in Houston, Newton Duncan, who deals with Down's children on a daily basis. Apparently, they also have small canals. We thought we were going for a consult for hearing aides, but after examining Mamush, Dr. Duncan said he has dealt with smaller ears! And now he can hear!!! Imagine the tears that streamed down my face in the recovery room when Mamush said, "That's too loud."

But that's not all. Mamush has also been seeing a new pediatric endocrinologist at UTMB in Galveston. Unlike the resident at Texas Children's Hospital, Dr. Lee has listened to our concerns. Mamush just had an MRI of this brain a few weeks ago, and Dr. Lee said that it showed he had a very small pituitary. So now what? He'll have a return visit in January, and Dr. Lee will begin working on getting growth hormone approved for him. Surely Blue Cross will see his need. He is no where near the bottom percentile on a growth chart, he hasn't grown a centimeter in 18 mo., and we have ruled out any other possible causes. And let me tell you how much of a trooper he is! The anesthesiologists were commenting on how well behaved he was, and saying that they wished every child was like him. He has made me proud, and I'm sure his bio parents would be too.

Jingle Bell Ball

2010-12-04T23:32:00.008-06:00

Here's my beauty:

But this is really how our family rolls...

Johnson Space Center

2010-05-18T20:42:00.025-05:00

Today I got to ride the charter bus with my son's class to Johnson Space Center in Houston. Was I thinking clearly when I agreed to chaparone third and fourth graders? :)

What did you say?

2010-05-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love when children learn a language? They are so stinkin' cute sometimes with the things they say. This morning I was taking the sheets off of our bed, and Mamush says, "Momma, what's that all about?" He had me rolling!

Doctor Dolittle

2010-05-16T21:25:00.002-05:00

I am a lover of classics, and Doctor Dolittle is just one of them, so now you can see the connection between this pic and my title. You see, Curran was on a break in between soccer games, so she wanted to go look at these animals. Some people that are regulars at that park said these nutria are always here but never come up to you. Well, my husband commented that Curran talks to the animals, and right at that moment, one crawled right up to her! She fed and petted it! Oh my!

Needless to say, we did play all of our games today. We won the first 2-0 against the Dallas Texans from Austin. Then we dropped the second 0-2 against the Lonestars. I was told it was heart-breaking! Apparently, the first score came from a PK awarded from a yellow card against one of our girls. Even the other team's parents said they didn't see a foul. Then the second goal came when the opposing team held our goalie's jersey in the box. I don't mind losing, but not like that! I have to place blame on bad officiating! You know it's just not you when the other team's parents agree. But we came back with a 6-0 win for our third game which sealed a second place victory. The best comment of the day was when a few of the Lonestar parents came up to our parents and asked why they hadn't heard of us before. (I guess we are like Grandma's secret recipe-a well hidden secret!)

Here's a better pic that one of our parents took of the Nutria:

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2010-05-15T23:18:00.013-05:00

Little Curran wants to play! Soccer that is! My husband made a trip to Houston for Curran's Director's Cup State Championship games, but as soon as he pulled into the park, he got a message that the games were cancelled due to field conditions. So, it was another two hour trip home, not to mention the price of gas! Yikes! That was okay with me though because we both were able to attend Cullen's dance recital... My how she's grown!

Eugenics and Modern Racism

2010-05-13T12:12:00.000-05:00

Please visit http://www.maafa21.com/ . Click on the link and watch the trailer for this documentary. I believe You Tube also has a couple of trailers too. (This is especially important to the African community.)

3 Amigos

2010-05-06T10:29:00.003-05:00

Frustrated!

2010-05-04T10:14:00.017-05:00

Sometimes I just want to oull my hair out in frustration. What is going on in the world when we can justify our agency's unethical actions just so we can have a child? Are we that selfish? Do the ends justify the means? Ever? Do you think that by bullying another person to keep quiet is going to change reality? One day, the truth WILL come out. Then, what will your answer be on why you chose to stay silent?

Paboos for Africa

2010-05-02T22:01:00.026-05:00

Today Sheridan is 4 years old. I thought she'd be past the "terrible two" stage by now. Boy, was I wrong! But she never ceases to amaze me with the things she comes up with. We have been preparing Sher for taking away her paboos for awhile now on her 4th birthday. We tell her that she is a big girl at the magical age of 4, so she told us this morning as she handed her paboos (6 of them) to us that she wanted us to send them to Africa so all the babies will have something to make them not cry until they have a family.

She did cry for them tonight when we put her to sleep, but we reminded her that she wanted them sent to Africa. She really is a big girl! :)

No More Shots!

2010-04-30T15:44:00.001-05:00

This cartoon made me think of our public school system. In Vidor, I was told that I couldn't register my children for school until they had all their shots. I explained that we are on a catch-up schedule as this person already knew they were from another country, but the special education teacher said there were no exceptions. Well, she obviously hasn't read the TEA manual, so I didn't bother arguing. I guess I'll educate the educators when the time comes...

Good news is that Maritu got her last vaccination today. She is officially caught up! This reminds me to tell you to ask your pediatrician to do a catch-up vaccination schedule. There really isn't something official, but just ask that doctor how they'd like to receive 6-8 shots at a time! Not I! So, I can't do that to my children either. Besides, there really is no concensus on what causes autism, so why take the chance? I just asked that they get no more than two at a time. I think the only drawback is that I've felt like our family needs their own room at our doctor's office...

Next, it's Mamush's turn...

Update:

2010-04-26T15:52:00.000-05:00

Well, now we are officially back into soccer season. Curran's team is trying to petition for a place in the Super II division. We have been a Division II team, but we combined with our rivals, the Jasper Twisters, and I have to brag that we have a great group of girls! We are kicking girl's butts in Division I in tournaments, so there shouldn't be a problem, but we have been told that it depends on how we place in the Director's Cup. Right now, we qualified for State through our district games, so all I can say is, "Go Xtreme!"

As for Mamush, the last we were told is that the doctors are going to watch his growth for 6 months to a year before deciding on starting treatment. We were going to have genetic testing done, but we have to wait until we get our insurance straightened out. What a mess! Well, Obama's plan that no child would be denied due to pre-existing conditions hasn't taken effect....So much for that....

What I love about Spring

2010-04-25T09:54:00.012-05:00

Sorry for the silence. I sometimes want a little silence in my life, but now the days are growing longer and the temperature is increasing which inspires me to talk again. So here's a few pictures of why I love Spring:

Sher peeks around the trellis.

Maritu is showing off Mommy's first blooms.

Test Time

2010-03-06T13:07:00.000-06:00

We are here at Texas Children's Hospital for Mush's growth hormone stimulation test, and of course the first thing he asks for this morning is food. He did not like that I ignored his request. But as he soon saw, food was going to be the least of his problems. I say that because he got stuck twice for his IV line. The first one blew immediately, but so far the second one is holding up. We are half way through.

UPDATE: What's worse than getting stuck again? Answer: Mom leaving you with the big, bad nurse that stuck you! :) I had to pee, so I had no choice but to ask the nurse to hold Mamush. He was a real trooper throughout the test. First, he was given clonidine which made him drowsy. Then he had an iv of arginine and his blood was drawn every 30 minutes. The nurse had to flush his tubing with saline several times which made him scream, and if you have ever experienced that, it hurts! The nurse, however, was able to make all of the draws except for the last one. That darned iv line just plugged up tight, but it's over now. SO now we just wait for the results and see what we need to do next. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 3 months for the results. (I think he has to have an MRI of the brain to make sure he doesn't have a tumor on his pituitary gland that could be causing the problems.)

More Sticks

2010-02-10T09:40:00.019-06:00

As if Mamush hasn't had enough "owies", we received a letter in the mail from Texas Children's Center stating that Mamush's labs require further testing. You think?!!? We only had those labs drawn in November...! Good thing he is young because if we were in a race to begin growth hormone treatment before puberty, we'd be in trouble. So, Mamush now has to undergo a growth hormone stimulation test next month. After fasting for 12 hours, he will have an IV placed in his arm. The staff will then draw an initial growth hormone level. After that, he will receive periodic IVs of arginine and something else (I can't remember.) which is supposed to stimulate the pituitary gland into producing growth hormone. They draw blood samples over a 6 hour period. I guess I have to be thankful that Mamush is the one undergoing this test because Maritu would have a fit if she couldn't eat for 18 hours! She likes her food! I just hope I don't have to wait another 3 months for those results.

Meet Jane Kurtz

2010-02-07T16:57:00.000-06:00

Jane Kurtz, the daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Ethiopia. She is a talented author that writes children's stories based on her life in Ethiopia. She is also on the board of Ethiopia Reads which is a non-profit organization designed to bring Ethiopian children books. And today, I had the privilege of meeting her in Houston and having her sign some of her works I had purchased!

Athlete of the Decade

2010-02-06T14:10:00.006-06:00

Here's to you Bekele of Ethiopia for this outstanding accomplishment!

What Did I Say?

2010-02-05T12:03:00.000-06:00

I did say I would return to the Social Security office armed with their documents on Monday, but the laugh is on me because apparently there is another social security document that contains their policy. So, while the Child Immigration Act of 2000 states that I won't need to obtain a US passport or Certificate of Citizenship, this SS document says otherwise if I want the kid's citizenship to be changed in their system. I will be applying for the US Passport because it is the cheapest, but I also strongly urge everyone to obtain a COC because that is the "ultimate" proof of the children's citizenship status!

Will The 3rd Time Be The Charm?

2010-01-30T10:14:00.000-06:00

Thursday, I had my 8 year-old son and husband at home with a GI illness (so that's 2 sick children ), so what did I do? I left! :) I thought I'd have the kid's social security cards changed. We needed to change their names, birth dates, and citizenship status since we readopted them a couple of months ago. (Oh and the new birth certificates took 8 weeks.) So, I drove to the nearest SS office only to find that it "cappeared" as my 3 year-old would say. Luckily, my hubby remembered that he saw a new SS building on the far side of town. So once again I drove off. Next, you have to sign in via computer and get your computer-generated number. When my number was finally called, I met the lady that would be helping me. (I think I'm going to eventually help her!) She asked me why I was there, so I pulled out all of my paperwork and stated that I needed to change my children's names, dates of birth, and citizenship status. She exclaimed in a haughty manner, "My that's a lot!" I wanted to reply, "Just do your job!" I didn't though. I kept my comments to myself while I kept reminding myself of the madness she must see on a daily basis. Remind me to never work for the SSA if that's the attitude you adopt. Well, she got out of doing all that work because my lawyer had given me copies of our court papers and not certified copies. I still didn't want to go home to two sick kids, so I decided to make that drive to the court house. I would eventually need certified copies anyway. So, I hop in my car and head back in the opposite direction to a different county. When I went in and asked for the papers, the lady helping me looked wide-eyed and said, "Your adoption isn't sealed?" Heck, I don't know. Wasn't she the one looking at the records? What was I going to do if the records were sealed and I needed these papers? I guess the lady seeing the stress on my face said, "Don't worry. We'll get it straightened out." I did get those certified copies, and I headed once again clear in the opposite direction. The wait at the SS office wasn't nearly as long, and I happened to get the same girl. Oh lucky me! She was more pleasant this go round, but this time she asked, "Why are you changing their birth dates?" I was prepared! I pulled out my Ipod and showed her our Christmas picture and asked her if she thought my son looked like he was 3. I sensed the shock on her face. She called in another person, and I felt I had to educate them about another country. Don't take this the wrong way. I actually enjoyed this part. However, I still didn't get the stuff changed. Ugggh! They claimed I needed a Certificate of Citizenship or a US Passport. Bull! I stated that the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 states otherwise, and they claimed they looked it up a couple of days ago. I left defeated and second guessing what I knew, but just wait until Monday!!! I looked up the Act, as well as the Social Security policies . They were wrong, and I will go in Monday armed with copies of those documents. I mean, they can't possibly know everything. Foreign adoptions are still very few and far between....

Long, Awaited Mamush Update

2010-01-18T14:03:00.001-06:00

I've been trying forever to get my husband to make another post. The first reason is because I love the way he words things, and the second reason is because he knows all the medical words and explanations. I didn't want to sound stupid, especially if some medical professional is reading this blog. And guess what!??! I finally get to share it today! Enjoy!

"11-12-09

Finally, after a lot of research and string-pulling, we saw the Pediatric Endocrinologist at Texas Children’s hospital. This was quite a battle, considering that every physician that has seen Mamush so far seems to think that he is “normal”. We found Dr. Morey Haymond who is chief of the division of Endocrinology at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) via an internet search and convinced our pediatrician to do the referral for us.

Today, we saw an Endocrinology fellow, followed by a whirlwind appearance by a guy named Dr. Jeha. His opinion was that Mamush is malnourished and that we can follow up in three months. Now, I know that I wasn’t the most dedicated student and didn’t make it to every lecture in medical school, but I must have missed a lot more than I thought I did, because this revelation didn’t make any sense to me at all.

Up to this point, we knew that Mamush was below the growth chart for weight. Also, when plotting his height, his dot fell in the middle of the weight chart (below on the same page), somewhere close to where his weight SHOULD be. He also has coloboma, which is a malformation of the eye that involves the pupil and the retina, making him functionally blind in his left eye; This condition is almost always associated with some type of genetic syndrome or growth abnormality. Luckily, his heart, brain and kidneys, the most frequently associated organs, all have turned out to be fine.

We had also brought along labs that I had done in my office under the advice of a friend who is a big-people Endocrinologist. Mamush’s insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was unmeasurable. IGF-1 is produced in the liver and is responsible for normal growth. IGF-1 is only produced in the presence of human growth hormone (HGH), and therefore is a good measure of HGH levels. All of Mamush’s other labs have been normal so far including blood counts, liver functions, kidney functions and thyroid hormones.

Dr. Jeha mentioned more than once or twice during the visit that some of the same things that we would expect to see in children with HGH deficiencies are also found in children who are malnourished. He also asked several times how long Mamush had been in our home and seemed to imply that prior to his migration to the US, he somehow was deprived of nourishment. I tried to tell him that we knew that Mamush had been in the transitional home since he was less than a few months old and that there had never been any evidence that he was EVER malnourished. I even tried to translate it into big, important, pompous Doctor words so he could understand more easily. He also explained away the non-existent IGF-1 level by saying that hormone deficiency can be a result of severe malnourishment. (Did I mention that ALL of his other labs were normal? I wonder if this was a case of selective malnourishment that only involved this one hormone…..)

Now, there is a saying in medical school that if you hear hoofbeats in North America, you shouldn’t expect to see a herd of zebras. Also, I think my dad used to say something like: “Don’t pee on my leg and then try to tell me that it’s raining.” I guess if Dr. Jeha had been raised by my dad, he would have been less likely to assume that a non-existent IGF-1 level had NOTHING to do with a child that wasn’t growing.

I have to be fair to Dr. Jeha. Not that I want to, but because my wife tells me to be nice. He did concede that Mamush’s food intake had been adequate, and we had also mentioned that Mamush suffers from frequent (and rancid, in my opinion) diarrhea. Dr. J was concerned that his malnutrition might be as a result of malabsorption of nutrients from a gastrointestinal issue. He recommended that we get an appointment with Gastroenterology (GI) before we follow up. Also, our pediatrician’s records were HIDEOUS when it came to following height and weight over the past year. We agreed to see GI and keep height and weight records until the next visit. We also left with a lab order for more tests, including a repeat IGF-1 level to see if it had changed. (Dr. J obviously didn’t pay attention to the date on the current level that was drawn the previous week. I know, be nice.)

We left the Endo clinic and went to GI to see if I could flash my Dr’s Club card and get us a walk in appointment. No such luck. They were all out of town at a conference except one doctor who happened to know me…..he wouldn’t see us either. He said he was too busy, being the only Pediatric Gastroenterologist in the largest children’s hospital in the South. I think it was because he remembered me. Holly probably would agree.

12-14-09

We finally got to see the Gastroenterologist today. There was no fellow today, and the Gastroenterologist, Dr. Redel, arrived at her opinion faster than Dr. Jeha had at the previous visit. (I wish I could do that. It would make my days a whole lot shorter. Maybe I can take some classes from them.) The difference this time was that Dr. Redel didn’t see any zebras. She walked in the room, introduced herself, looked at Mamush and said, “That kid isn’t malnourished.” She then took the next several hours (it seemed like) to explain why she didn’t think we needed to be in the GI clinic at all. The labs this time showed a non-existent IGF-1 (again), a normal IGF-BP3 (a binding protein for IGF-1 that is also produced in the liver), marginally low prealbumin (an indicator of recent, short-term calorie intake) and a high total albumin (a protein that is a very good measure of nutrition status over the long-term). Dr. Redel said that a marginally low prealbumin is common and has no significance. She also said that Endocrinologists like to blame the GI tract for Endocrine problems and it’s not uncommon for them to get all worked up over a low prealbumin. She told us to go away. She did, however, order some more labs: a RAST panel for food allergies, a t-Transglutaminase (tTG), and a stool alpha-1-antitripsyn (both to look for celiac sprue, a gastrointestinal gluten sensitivity). All of these eventually came back normal.

After leaving the GI office, I happened to say something about that I wish I could talk to Dr. Haymond. Holly said we should go look for him. This time, my Dr.’s Club card did us some good. We were directed to Dr. Haymond’s academic offices where everyone was more than helpful and soon we were talking with Dr. Haymond. We told him much of what had gone on so far. He looked at Mamush and whatever labs we had with us. He told us that he would look into it and that he would call us. We went home feeling like we might actually get some help this time.

12-26-09

Dr. Haymond called the house tonight?! It’s the day after Christmas and the man has nothing better to do than to call our house? He actually apologized for not being more prompt with his followup….WHATEVER! I wish I could get that kind of customer service at WalMart! He told me that he was very sure that Mamush had some type of dwarfism and that it was likely primarily and Endocrine problem. He had looked at the labs and was sure that the low HGH was responsible for the growth issues. We discussed some details about the labs, etc. that (I hope) I already knew. I just needed to hear it from him to put it all together. IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 are both produced in the liver when HGH is present. Hormones are very tricky to figure out when there is a deficiency. Since IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 are dependent on HGH for their production, one would assume that a deficiency of the first would always mean a deficiency of the other. This is not the case. The HGH has to bind to a receptor to exert its influence. There is also the possibility that the receptors can be defective or blocked by an antibody. What we are missing is an HGH level to match up with the deficient IGF-1. Either way, we know there is a deficiency of some type. If the HGH is normal, then it’s a receptor problem and what Mamush will need is IGF-1 replacement therapy. If the HGH is low, then he will need HGH replacement. Dr. Haymond also wants a “micro-array for gene deletion” lab done. This would be to look for genetic abnormalities responsible for all of these problems. He said we can try to get it done here, but recommends that we wait to get it done at TCH, because he only trusts their lab. We will also need to get an MRI of the brain, but Mamush will have to be asleep for that, so we will also do that at TCH.

So we finally got past all the zebra hunters and got an answer.

I think I’m going to write a book for medical professionals. The title is going to be: QUACK! No, Not You, It’s a Duck, You Idiot."

Happy To Be Nappy

2010-01-17T10:28:00.019-06:00

Want to win this first edition, hardcover book ? Check out the blog Happy Girl Hair and register by February 4th!

Feet On American Soil

2010-01-10T17:47:00.011-06:00

One year ago today we were finally home. We all made it together, and have been changed forever by our experiences.

Melkam Genna

2010-01-07T17:35:00.005-06:00

One year ago we had our first taste of an Ethiopian Christmas...sheep and all!

Hospital Day

2010-01-05T17:20:00.017-06:00

One year ago today we were taken to Hyungsung Children's Medical Center to get a chest x-ray for Maritu and sputum culture so we could obtain her visa . Mamush also had to be tested. After waiting for hours, we learned that the Embassy would not hear Maritu's case until we had 3 negative gastric washings. It wasn't enough that she had a negative chest x-ray. We really weren't sure now if that was even possible with the doctors on vacation for the Ethiopian Christmas.

Gotcha Day...

2010-01-03T16:52:00.038-06:00

Not! One year ago we pulled into Hope's care center awaiting that picture perfect moment when we see the kids for the first time. I burst into tears from the anxiety. Okay. Reality check. It wasn't picture perfect but definitely memorable. We pull in and walk inside. We meet Tseday, Hope's nurse, who tells us the kids aren't there. She then hands us some prescription bottles. Ken looks at them and his eyes get big, and then he shows them to me. They are TB meds for Maritu! What the heck? We find out for the first time that she has been receiving treatment for a month. These next few days really seem like some plot from a soap opera. I didn't know what to say or do. We were already there, so I just thought I'd do what I do best...take pictures! Soon Tseday comes to us and says the kids were back, so I told Ken to turn on the video camera because it is a motherly moment. Oops! Someone forgot to tell Maritu. She took one look at us and started screaming! Not quite what I wanted to capture on camera, but it is something we can look back at and laugh.

The Day We Arrived

2010-01-02T15:45:00.018-06:00

or was it night? It was really hard to get adjusted to the new time. I remember being so excited to have survived the plane ride and land in a new country. What did the future hold? I have to laugh now and you must excuse my dry humor, but our first experience in Africa was scary. Our agency failed to have anyone at the airport to pick us up, and it was very late when we arrived. I guess I trusted my agency, so all of my contact phone numbers were packed, but how was I to call anyone anyhow with no phone? We finally got a taxi that was willing to take us to Bole Rock Guest House for $20. Little did we know that we could have walked, and we just got "took"! We were safe, and that's all that matters, right?

One Year Ago Today:

2009-12-31T15:27:00.026-06:00

We were on a KLM flight in route to Ethiopia via Amsterdam to pick up Maritu and Mamush. In honor of our glorious event, I think I'll post re-caps of our time in Ethiopia.

This is my "other half" at George Bush Intercontinental airport waiting to board our flight. There aren't any pics of me for two reasons: 1. I'm always the one taking the photos and 2. I was so nervous!
I don't like flying, much less flying for 16 hours. I had never flown over a few hours before, and I wasn't sure if I'd have a panic attack or what. Needless to say, airport security wasn't called on me for any panics, drug overdoses, or drunkenness. Of course I didn't sleep the entire flight! I do have to say that flight was the smoothest I had ever been on! What I would suggest to anyone that may be a novice like I was, is to drink lots of water, and avoid caffeine because I battled nose bleeds from the dry air. Don't worry about packing any drinks if you fly KLM. They feed and water you so much that I was sure I had sprouted a few inches. (Okay, maybe I did sprout laterally!)

Sorry

2009-12-26T00:02:00.003-06:00

I just noticed a few hours ago that my Blog's template went nuts. I'm not sure what I did to it, but I guess I did it when I signed up for posting via my cell phone...oops! Not only did I have to remember how to revise my template, but now I'll have to rewrite some of my lost posts, so bear with me and check back over the next week for posts that happened between our court date and Christmas. Until then, I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday spent with family and/or loved ones...

As you can see, we had a great morning with the family on Christmas Day. We were only missing my sister and her family who have such a hard life living in Hawaii...NOT! But after looking at this picture again, I can see now why my sis doesn't claim me.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T10:28:00.000-06:00

29 and Holding...

2009-12-23T23:21:00.001-06:00

Holding on to every body part that sags! I need a few more hands because I can't keep up anymore. Not really. This is just Holly's silly attempt at humor on her birthday.

Here is our "girls only" picture that day. Everyone is smiling because we were all joking about hiding my real age, but I found out later that the joke's on me. They were laughing because my oldest was busted for posting my age on MySpace.

This picture is Sher with her friends Mark and Rodney.

Two things that don't go together:

2009-12-07T15:41:00.003-06:00

Snow and Soccer!

Last year, I blogged about my kids playing in the snow with all of our neighbors at 5 o'clock in the morning. So, I thought I'd never post about that again, but boy was I wrong! It snowed Friday! In southeast Texas! No, our kids didn't get to enjoy it this year because Curran had her district soccer tournament in Houston, so I had to drive in that mess. Uggghhh! Me driving in the snow, is like people in San Diego driving in the rain...we aren't used to that kind of stuff! We did make it safely, and I left the kids home with Daddy so they could stay warm. I'm not sure who got the better end of that deal? Me with Curran's first came at 7:30am when it's 29 degrees outside, or Daddy with all the kids and no electricity! Anyway, we dropped our first two games 1-0, so it didn't matter that we won our next two. The fun part was knocking Jasper out of the State playoffs in our last game. They deserved it after one of their girls was talking smack on the field about hurting our goalie, and then did (fractured hip)! I guess what comes around.....goes around. And people think soccer isn't a "real" sport! :)

Oh Happy Day!!!

2009-11-19T12:47:00.004-06:00

Today was the day that Maritu and Mamush became US citizens! We went to court this morning and the process was simple. We even had their names and birth dates changed. The hard part will be getting the Certificate of Citizenship for them with the changed dates of birth. If anyone is interested, I'll post as we cross that hurdle. It was really neat for us because we had the same judge that we had for our older girls when they were adopted. He even remembered us! We brought him a picture taken on that date to post on his bulliten board because it's not many times that judges get to see good cases. Also, he got to see that the decision that he made 10 years ago was a great one!

District Playoffs Or Bust

2009-11-16T08:58:00.003-06:00

It's official! Curran's team will be vying for a seat in the state soccer tournament. They can win this seat by placing first or second in the district tournament. Gooooooooooo Panthers!

No Answers Yet

2009-11-13T09:03:00.002-06:00

We finally pushed and pushed until we got our consult from the endocrinology department at Texas Children's Hospital yesterday. It wouldn't have taken near as long if my adoption agency could or would have given us any information on Mamush. You see, if you didn't know, Mamush was in my agency's care for 14 months, yet, we have zero information on him. There is not one weight or length measurement! I made a post over a month ago pleading for anything to help our doctors figure out why my 2 1/2 year old still looks like he's not even a year old. I immediately received an email from Grace that sounded concerned. She said she would try to get me what they had, but I have heard nothing since. (I didn't expect any info.) So, we will be playing a real-life game of Clue...with very few clues.

Here's what happened at our appointment...Nothing! No, really we knew that this would be unproductive because of the lack of information. Now, we have to rule out causes for his lack of growth hormone, and the next step is waiting for a GI consult. GI will have to determine if Mamush is not absorbing his food, thus causing his body to be in starvation mode, hindering his growth hormone levels. I do not have Job's patience...

Trick-or-treat

2009-10-31T22:11:00.000-05:00

What fun! Halloween on a Saturday! And this was Sheridan's first year to trick-or-treat, along with M&M. You know, as I'm sitting here writing this post, I just realized that I should have dressed M&M as "M&M's", since that is how I refer to them. Darn! Maybe next year... Anyway, this day started out as a typical "soccer Saturday." Skylar won his game, but Curran's team lost their game. This puts them in second place, and we don't know yet how many teams will advance to district playoffs. :( So, we wait and see, but this is a plug to not get yourself in that position. Every game and every point count. Bummer! Next, I frantically came up an idea for a costume for Maritu and threw it together. I am NOT a Suzy Homemaker, but I have to say that I didn't do half bad. Maritu was a precious Minnie Mouse; Mamush, an adorable Pirate; Sheridan, a batty Bat Girl; and Skylar, Anakin Skywalker (Anakin was good for a short time. He just let greed and power cloud his thinking, but you see, I believe he turned his life around in the end.). Curran helped Daddy and I with the babies but then had to leave her uncool family and attend a party. Poor Cullen was stuck at a band competition until about 10pm. I guess she could have gone trick-or-treating because some pre-teen boys thought it okay to ring our bell shortly before 10pm!

More pics...

2009-10-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

In my haste, I forgot to add these pics from the parade. The one where Maritu has her hands on her face is because of the sirens from a firetruck...

Homecoming Events

2009-10-24T10:28:00.001-05:00

Last week was another busy week for our entire family. On Thursday, Cullen had Lights Out practice. Let me just tell you how amazing Vidor's homecoming halftime show is! I'm not sure of the year that the tradition began, but I know that Vidor had a lights out halftime since the 1960's, and here is how it goes: First, the homecoming court is announced and the queen is chosen, then on to the exciting events... All the lights in the entire stadium are turned off and the band, drill team and twirlers perform their routines. SO, you wonder how they do this in the dark? Well, the band has flashlights strapped to their legs and glow sticks on their hats. The brigs do something similar, and the twirlers twirl with fire! But the excitement doesn't stop there because fireworks that rival those at July 4th explode in the sky during the performances. You just have to see it to appreciate it! It is a standing room only event. Oh and no the babies did not like the show. Maritu hid her face in Curran's chest under a blanket and screamed the entire time. Mamush was feeling the effects of catching the "bug," so he was disinterested. We were praying he wouldn't vomit at the game...

What Goes Down Must Come Back Up

2009-10-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

That was true for food that Skylar and Maritu ate today! UUUUGGGHHH! Both kids are sick, and I just hate when kids vomit. I hate to vomit myself. I get so emotional. I don't know how people become bulimic. Yuk! And this was Maritu's first time to vomit. She was so pitiful and scared. She just cried and cried.

Soccer Saturday

2009-10-03T17:19:00.000-05:00

I think this will become a regular Saturday title...

The only bad thing about soccer Saturdays is when your kids have games at the same times in different cities! That's what happened today, so Ken and I had to split up. He got to take Sky and Sheridan to their games, while the babies and I watched Curran's game. First though, I had to pick Curran up from region choir try-outs. (Curran says she cracked. Well, if her choir teacher would change her from a soprano to an alto, she'd do better because she's NOT a soprano!) Then it was straight to the game. I expected her team to not perform well because it was homecoming for Lumberton last night, (I hate to say that Vidor rained on their parade...) and I was right, at least for the first half of the game. I'm not sure if that's why the kids couldn't get anything done, or the fact that the coach changed up positions. Curran played mid-field in the first half. Thank goodness, however, the girls woke up in the second half. Curran ended up with another Hat Trick and was the only one that scored!
Sky and Sher's game didn't have the same outcome. :( Sky's team lost 0-6, and Sher's team played a U-5 boys team, and there's a world of difference in that one year.

Things People Say

2009-09-30T13:23:00.002-05:00

After the last post about people asking if my children were my grandchildren, you'd think I had my share of crazy questions, but you'd have "thunk" wrong... :) So, here's my list to date with what I thought in parenthesis:

1. Are those your grandchildren? (Do I really look old enough? ...yes, I am technically)

2. Are you a foster mom? (They can't be mine?)

3. Are those your children? (I don't kiss my neighbor's kids like that.)

4. Who are you baby sitting for?

#4 was actually the latest, and it came from a black man, where as the others were from white people. He was a cop at a volleyball tournament for my daughter. I didn't hear what he asked at first, but after he repeated it, I chuckled. He was shocked when I said that M&M were mine. He even asked me what my neighbors thought. Truthfully, I don't know, but they all know that I was adopting from Ethiopia for a year before the kids actually came home. I guess they know me well enough that they know better than to say something to ignite my spark (or spunk). (I'm like a lioness protecting her cubs, as I imagine most mothers are.) No, really, I live in a neighborhood filled with children of all ages. "Family" is very important to those that live around us. And, I think the man had a new found respect for me after I graciously answered his questions. I don't really get upset when people stare or ask questions. Actually, I'd rather they ask. Hopefully, I can touch someone's heart with my answers...Maybe I can change their preconceived notions...Hopefully I can teach M&M how to respond when they grow up and face these same questions...

Time For Botox!

2009-09-28T11:16:00.000-05:00

You know it's time for Botox when...

You are asked twice in two weeks if your children are your grandchildren! Oh my!

When I finally got over myself, I realized that people probably ask that, not because I look old, but because my children are a different race. Still a convincing arguement for spending money on needless things... lol!

Soccer Saturday

2009-09-26T23:31:00.000-05:00

Another busy weekend filled with soccer games, volleyball tournaments, and Olympic Development Training.

Just Pics

2009-09-25T11:11:00.000-05:00

Wins, Wins, And More Wins!

2009-09-19T16:22:00.003-05:00

Well that title is just a tad deceptive because Skylar lost his soccer game 2-0. He did get two shots on goal but just couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. Also, Sheridan's age group doesn't keep score, but she played the entire game for two kids that cried. Now Curran was the day's big winner. They beat Jasper in soccer again! The score was 2-1. That was Jasper 3rd loss ever! I have to say that their team showed better sportsmenship with this loss.

As soon as her soccer game was finished, we had to rush to Austin Middle School in order to make it for her team's 2nd game in the volleyball tournament. Vidor lost their first game, but came back and won the next two to get the consolation trophy. Whoohoo! I guess I might date myself because I am surprised at how much the game has changed. When did the scoring system change where you could score when you weren't serving?

Another Sport

2009-09-18T16:12:00.002-05:00

Yes, my 12 year-old is finding time for another sport...volleyball! She begged me to try out, and since the majority of her soccer team plays volleyball, I knew we wouldn't have a hard time with scheduling. What I didn't know was if she'd actually make it. Sports are so competitive these days, but she made the "A" team. What I like that our school does is that no team is set. You can move up to "A" team, down to "B" team, to the alternate team, or no team. That means that the girls have to work to keep their positions, and those that work really hard have the chance to move up, just like in our capitalist society. (I do hope we keep this as opposed to the move to a socialist society. It encourages hard work!) And for the record, we lost our opening game to PNG...Bummer!

Soccer Update #1

2009-09-17T15:20:00.002-05:00

You know, if I wouln't let myself get so far behind, I wouldn't have so much to say!

Soccer kicked off the last weekend of August with the Beaumont Youth Soccer Association's Kick-off Classic tournament. Curran has a new soccer team this year. We decided to go with Hardin County's team because I felt the coach had the qualities Curran needed. Tommy, her coach, has just the right mix of being able to push her but also praising her efforts, and it showed this weekend. Her team won their U-13 division by defeating every opponent. She had to play against her old team, but they all hugged her and said they missed her. Awww! She also pulled a soccer "hat trick" in the second game by scoring 3 goals! We even beat Jasper which is ranked 2nd in the state in Division II. Their only loss ever was by us! Now if we can just beat them Saturday during our regular season play...

New News!

2009-09-17T14:07:00.002-05:00

Yes, I know I haven't posted lately. I get so busy with my children's activities and medical visits that I procrastinate to the extent I feel I can never catch up! However, I received some news today that prompted me to post. First, I have to say that Mamush's CT of the head and renal and heart ultrasound were normal. That's great because I am always prepared for surprises. We did have some drama around the CT of his head though. His pediatrician ordered it without contrast, but when I went to the office for the procedure, they informed me that it would be with contrast. Instead of calling my husband and fussing for not preparing me for Mamush's stick, I just assumed all was okay. The nurse (I guess) tried 3 times unsuccessfully to get iv access for the contrast, but I guess the good Lord was watching over my little man. You see, he has abnormally small airways, and the contrast could have, unbeknownst to me, caused life-threatening airway constriction due to the dye. When we were finished, and I called my hubby to fuss, he became alarmed and "---- hit the fan". That's when I learned of what could have happened... Yikes! So anyway, all is okay and the tests were normal. This just means that we haven't found another birth defect which is a good thing! What we did find out was that Mamush has growth hormone deficiency! Well no wonder why he looks like he's not even a year old! Yea! This is something we can treat, although daily GH injections aren't fun for anybody! How much will that cost? That is the $50,000 question right now, but we will find a way. That's all I know at this point. We are STILL waiting on getting a pediatric endocrinology consult, and I guess we will need to go back to the genecist now too. (We were waiting until Texas Children's got their new equipment.) Thanks to all who said they would be praying for our family. I finally have some more answers and am thankful for that...

More Tests

2009-08-17T17:09:00.002-05:00

Today was supposed to be another routine catch-up shot day at our pediatrician's office. We go every 4-6 weeks for a couple of shots because I can't bear to inject a child 4 or more times, and also because I don't feel that there is certainty with respect to the causes of autism. I'm trying to be safe, not sorry. Well, the week before school starts is NOT the time to decide to get shots! Thankfully, our pediatrician always gets us in a room quickly, but today we spent 2 hours in the examining room! Uggh! Two hours in a small, bare room is not fun with two two-year-olds that didn't get a nap or lunch!

So anyway, our pediatrician decided that Mamush is not growing properly. Duh! He's no where near the growth chart. Can you imagine the stares I get when people ask M&M's ages and learn that Mush is two, but looks like he might be 8-12 months? And I can't offer any explanation because I don't know why. Well, Mamush is now getting a consult with a pediatric endocrinologist at Texas Children's. I don't look forward to the drive or the madness of the Houston medical center, but I'll just have to make a pitstop at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. Mamush also is getting a CT of his brain, and an ultrasound of his heart and kidneys. If you are reading this post, then please say a small prayer for us. I'm really not even sure what to ask for?

How You Change

2009-08-14T09:16:00.002-05:00

Funny how after learning about something and then actually witnessing it that your attitude can change from indifference to passionate. I know how I've become aware of situations, but I got to witness how this adoption experience has changed my husband. You see, Wednesday night he picked up two of our children from a church function where these teens and pre-teens were having a food fight for "Crud Night." This really struck a chord in my husband's heart, so much so that he texted our pastor to express his concern about the message of wasting food when so many people in the world are starving. My husband had "diarrhea of the mouth," as I do most of the time, so I can bet that his wording wasn't as eloquent as I know he can be, but he was passionate. Anyway, he received a reply that seemed nonchalant, which added fuel to the fire. Now, our pastor is a very caring man that would give someone the shirt off his back in the blink of an eye, but that is not the point of this story. The point is that I can see how this experience has changed us. I even cringe now when I see a news report about how someone broke the world record for baking the largest cake or what not. What happens to this cake? Does it get thrown away? Even food-eating contests bother me... I have seen first-hand what malnourished children look like. Maritu's first pictures showed a child that was emaciated. I would bet she was days away from dying had she not been abandoned and taken in, but she's a fighter. Those pictures serve as a reminder of the plight of many children and the hope that we can shed awareness to this problem. In light of what we have experienced, I hope our family can become better advocates to help people become conscious of these kinds of things...

6 Months Home

2009-08-13T10:19:00.002-05:00

Maritu and Mamush have been home for 6 months! I have another post-adoption visit scheduled. It still feels like yesterday that we were blessed with a great trip (if you disregard our agency's mahem) to Ethiopia and two amazing children. They have grown so much! Well, Mamush hasn't physically but that's not what I mean. We are working hard on their language skills. I'm so glad I have used "Baby Sign Language" with my other children, so I had already planned to use it with M&M. They pick up signs so fast! I wish I knew more. Yes, they talk more, but still not as much as they should, but that is where ECI comes in. We now have a speech therapist once a week, for now, to help out. She has suggested that the kids should attend a Mother's Day Out program to interact more with kids there own age. I wonder if this is too soon. I guess I have to read up more on bonding to ensure that their needs are met first before I worry about speech.

Anyway, just a little medical update: Maritu and Mamush are allergic to milk! No, not just like you get as you get older, but the kind of allergy that manifests itself in other ways. When we took the kids off milk, Maritu's junk in her lungs cleared, and Mamus's eczema and diarrhea too. Mamush cannot even eat anything prepared with milk, or we face Montezuma's Revenge! So, I have learned to read labels well. Now, our problem is Sheridan. Sheridan loves to feed the babies, so we always know when she's gone behind our back and given them a bite of her food or left her sippie cup lying around. Well, I guess that really is not our only problem because I forgot to mention how mobile the kids are. God must have been preparing me for the babies with Sheridan because they are much like her! They will find the least little toy to push or stack in such a way that they can reach in places that they don't belong. Any food left on cabinets is free game! One would think I starve my kids, but if you doubt me, then you are welcome to spend 5 minutes carrying Maritu! She's solid!

Yikes!

2009-08-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

What could one hate more than snakes? A snake in my house! Yes, this is the 3rd snake that my husband and my Pops had to rescue me from. It was coiled up on a bath mat near our shower, and I probably came within inches of stepping on it when I turned the shower on. I saw it when I went back to the shower to see what I had heard fall to the ground. I guess it's time to get a cat or something...

Can't Keep my mouth shut!

2009-08-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but it is me. So, I must have split personality disorder because I have decided to make my blog public again. So what gives? I dunno. I guess I feel the need to share with others my experiences, good and bad. Many others keep their experiences within their families, but I feel that others need to hear the good, bad and ugly in order to make informed decisions, or maybe just to know that there are others out there with similar stories. So, once again you will be able to read my non-politically correct musings.

(And Dad, if you decide to see what's going on in my world, know that I'm praying that God will touch your heart.)

It's Only Been Two Months...

2009-05-01T13:03:00.000-05:00

I know. I know. I've received a zillion emails about why I've stopped posting. I guess the number one reason is that I didn't want my absent-tee father reading my blog anymore and I've fixed that by making my blog private. If he wanted to know what was going on in my life, then he needed to make that phone call! He has 4 grand kids that he has never seen, and one of those is the spitten image of his childhood photos. Let's pray he doesn't grow up to act like him!

So how have things been? Hectic! Well, what do you expect with 6 friggin children at home? lol! There's definitely never a dull moment. Well, Mamush had surgery. He went in for ear tubes and a circumcision. It seems a circumcision is very controversial nowadays, and let me just say that Mamush had phymosis, so the procedure had to be done, BUT we had planned on doing it anyway! Both procedures are simple routine procedures that take about a couple of minutes each, but for Mamush, it wasn't all that simple. He had to be intubated and had an IV placed in his arm after being put to sleep. Why? Because is circumcision was a complicated case and his tubes too! He didn't get tubes. His ears were too small. They just cut his ear drum and drained the fluid. We also found out that his airway is like a preemie too. The anesthesiologist told us that he will probably have issues all his life. I am heart-broken! It hurts to know that you cannot fix some things... Other than these medical issues that we are dealing with, Mamush is a great kid. He is curious, happy, loving, stubborn, and determined. I have to say that he has even grown 3 inches! He still is no where on any growth chart, but at least he's growing!

Maritu has her issues too. She still has junk in her lungs. Breathing treatments and antibiotics have not helped. Next comes allergy-testing... She also is still having food issues. She stuffs her mouth like she hasn't eaten in weeks. She also doesn't chew her food. You would be amazed at what she can swallow whole! I think I'm going to bring this up at our next pediatrician visit. Other than that, she is a big and precious girl! She has a smile that lights up the world!

Butt Dust

2009-03-01T14:10:00.000-06:00

What, you ask, is 'Butt dust?' Read on and you'll discover the joy in it!

"The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'"

Hope it made you smile!

Before I Was a Mom...

2009-02-26T14:26:00.001-06:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts..
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him/her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Catching Wild Pigs

2009-02-25T10:05:00.000-06:00

A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time.

One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson

When Our Babies Hurt

2009-02-24T22:08:00.000-06:00

It's tough parenting when everything is okay, but even harder when our babies are sick and we have to make unpopular choices in their best interests. Today Kenneth and I had to do just that because Sheridan has been really sick, and we suspected pneumonia. Sure enough, when Sheridan was examined, her pediatrician confirmed that diagnosis. I was just hoping to skirt by with the lab stick, but after the doctor saw her results, it was two more shots for her-Rocephin and Decadron. If any of you have ever had a Rocephin shot, then you'll understand the pain involved. She cried. I cried. Then she threw up. Ewwww!

ECI

2009-02-23T22:18:00.000-06:00

Today we began the Texas Early Childhood Intervention program (ECI). This is all new to me, so if anyone has questions, then email me because I am learning as I go. If you are in Texas, then you can get more information at www.dars.state.tx.us or call 1-800-628-5115.

ECI is a state-run program that promotes development in a child under the age of three.

1. First, you get a referral, usually from a heath-care provider, but if you suspect your child is developmentally delayed or has a medical or physical condition, you can contact the agency.

2. You have an Intake Evaluation in your home. (This is what I had today for M&M.)

3. Service Plan Meeting (IFSP) and family cost share agreement. If your child qualifies, then there is an income-based cost chare. If you agree to let ECI bill your health insurance, you will incur no fee for 6 months, even if your insurance denies payment. After the 6 months, then if your insurance even pays a dollar, they still will not charge you.

4. Delivery of Services which can include but not limited to assistative technology, audiology, family counseling, Health services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and transportation.

5. 6-Month review of the service plan

6. Annual assessment of the IFSP and cost share

Houston Amharic Class

2009-02-21T22:46:00.000-06:00

Ethiopians are truly amazing! Debbie, our Houston-area planner, put together monthly gatherings for families with Ethiopian children. I missed the first event last month because I was in Addis Ababa picking up my children, so there was no way the fever I had the night before was going to keep me from February's gathering! I left the children home with Daddy because he had baseball tryouts (hehehe), and I cruised on over to the DSM Ethiopian Orthodox Church for an Amharic language class given by Dr. Mammo Woldie. He is a professor at Texas Southern University that teaches statistics. What an awesome and patient man! Well, it seems his wife and several others had prepared a fabulous lunch for us too. We dined on yesiga wat, gomen, yemisir alich'a, iab, and injera, of course. The Ethiopian saying is that a woman worth her salt values her cooking, and Dr. Woldie's wife is truly his crown! I even had a doggy bag prepared for me, and boy did Maritu and Mamush devour the contents.

So what did I learn in the class? Well, I learned that Amharic is crazy hard! Okay, well I already knew that! Still... I did learn that even though Ethiopians may have lived in the US for many years, they hold on to their traditions and value their culture. We felt welcomed, and there was concern that our families are given the means to help instill the Ethiopian culture into our children's lives. Once again I have evidence that I chose the right country!

My Weeds Are Growing!

2009-02-15T09:22:00.000-06:00

Two weeks ago I measured the kids because I have heard stories about children coming home and growing like weeds, and it is truly amazing how much these two have grown. They have sprouted an inch and a half each in the last two weeks! See what a little love and some nutritious food will do?

Just Beginning

2009-02-13T13:44:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was our first pediatric specialist appointment in Houston at Texas Children's Hospital. In case you aren't aware, the hospital is phenomenal! We had our ophthalmology consult at 10 AM, but I just have to laugh at this because I just can't believe it keeps happening to me. No, obviously, our appointment did not go smoothly. Somehow we were signed in by the receptionist under a patient's name that had cancelled their appointment. Don't ask me how this happened! We filled out paper work, gave an insurance card, and even paid our co-pay with a credit card. After waiting two hours and noticing that people that had just signed in were getting called, I made my husband find out what the problem was, and that was when we had found out the error. Somebody is truly trying my patience, and I'm failing the test miserably... Anyway, we didn't learn anything really that the opthamologist here didn't already tell us except for the fact that we need to patch Mamush's bad eye for 2 hours a day in order to get the best eye sight that is obtainable to him which probably won't be much. So, his next visit is with the genetics department in March. On a good note, Mamush amazed me again. In the waiting room, there was a fish tank, and Mamush signed "fish". I only signed this to him last week when he was in my OB-Gyn's office with me. Can you believe he picked it up? Truly amazing!

Of course we ate at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant while in Houston. It is the first time we have taken the children to a restaurant, so I guess that Ethiopian food was appropriate. You ought to have seen Maritu doing the shoulder dance in the restaurant, not to mention that both kids went to town on the food! We had several people ask us about the kids. One older lady even came from in the kitchen and spoke Amharic to the kids. I wonder if they understood...

And The List Goes On...

2009-02-10T14:15:00.000-06:00

My babies amaze me constantly. Here is a list of English words they say:

1. Momma

2. Daddy

3. Bye

4. All done

6. Nose

7. No

8. Mamush says "sister" and "Skylar"

They also can sign the following:

1. shoe

2. sock

3. eat

4. bath

5. milk

So, as you can see, we've had no problems with communication. They seem to understand what we say and follow commands. They are just little sponges!

Free and Clear!

2009-02-09T14:25:00.000-06:00

Gosh, I wish we were "free and clear" with debt, but I'll take the kids being free from and clear of that nasty parasite known as Giardia! Yes! I forgot to mention that if any of you have children that ultimately test positive for Giardia, then find a compounding specialist. No, don't go to Walgreen's or CVS. All they do is crush Flagyl tablets and mix the powder with syrpalta. That will NOT mask the hideous taste. Trust me on this if you don't believe another word I say! So why a compounding pharmacist? Because they usually belong to a group called PCCA (Pharmaceutical Compounding Centers of America) that formulates recipes for situations like this. There is a certain form of metronidazole (not tablets!) that they use with less taste problems. I had absolutely no trouble getting the children to take their medication for 14 days. The downside can be that some of these places don't accept insurance, but that was an acceptable trade-off!

Look! I can do it!

2009-02-07T13:09:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to share with everyone, especially my beloved family in beautiful Hawaii, how far my Mamushay has come. Here is the proof!

On A Sad Note...

2009-02-06T16:04:00.000-06:00

(Sorry all. I assumed, and we all know what happens when you "ASS-u-me", that my readers would see that the above text is a clickable link... So, just click on the words and you will be brought to a news article from Ethiopia.)

Update: It gets even worse because the darn link disappeared. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29034065/

Locked up

2009-02-04T14:47:00.000-06:00

We had to put these gates in our house last year because Sheridan was a "busy" child. Here's what Maritu and Mamush think of being confined to only 2000 square feet of our house (Life is so hard!):

Look Mom! No Hands...

2009-02-03T23:57:00.000-06:00

Mamush showed me today what a lot of hard work and a new environment can do for you. We were in the kitchen tonight when Mamush just went from a bear position to standing on his own. Then he took 8 steps to me! Oh my goodness! I was squealing. He was squealing. What a wonderful surprise! I guess the playing (Don't tell him that it's really "exercise.")that we do is strengthening his muscles. I'm just assuming that he hasn't been walking before now due to his lack of musculature. I don't think the fact that he is blind in one eye would affect his balance? I have a cousin who is blind, and he was walking at a normal age. Heck, we used to play hide-and-go-seek. Trust me. It wasn't cruel to play that with a blind child. I was always amazed that he could find me!

Maritu is also walking better. She started as soon as we got home, and I made the comment about her looking like a drunk Michelin baby, but my husband said she walks more like Frankenstein. He's right! Don't tell him please. I don't say that much.

I Need Help!

2009-02-02T13:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, if you have never commented before on my blog, please speak up now! I don't know what to do with a picky eater. Mr. Picky is also known as Mamush. He now refuses most foods which he didn't do when we first brought him home. The only things he will eat are oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, and cottage cheese. Period! He will go without if I don't feed him one of those things, so what do I do? Do I not give him one of those foods? He is iron and protein deficient. He gets a daily vitamin plus his iron supplementation. If he was malnourished, he has been well-fed for the last year. I did witness him doing the same thing at the transitional home, but I don't know how they handled it. I don't have a problem with him just eating 3 foods. It makes it easy for me, but what is best for his health? He is a stubborn little boy. I'm so torn.

I almost forgot to mention that Maritu has no problems eating what Mamush won't. We have yet to see her turn down any food at any time! In fact, she starts screaming when she sees that she is half-way done. It's just like clock work. Maybe that's because she was grossly malnourished when she was taken into custody? Does that stay in a baby's mind for over a year? Or does she just like to eat? I do! ...especially chocolate!

The Two-Letter Word

2009-02-01T13:26:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry if anyone wanted to see the video from last night's encore performance. I will get it up if I can find a spare minute. It's just that I can't seem to learn to say that two-letter word "no." Each year I get asked to take photos of the dancers during their performances, and I make a DVD of the pics (Yes DVD! I take that many...) and Beaumont Civic Ballet sells them for a fundraiser. I have yet to finish my photos from December... I told them I wasn't sure I could do it in a timely manner due to the children coming home, but they still wanted me to do it. Then, I also took on the task of taking pictures of the high school girl's soccer team. I had to do that one! If I didn't, then those girls would never have their pictures in the paper. Girls sports always gets the shaft! Maybe soon I will learn to use that two-letter word.

Encore

2009-02-01T01:48:00.000-06:00

Today was a long day for all of us. I actually had the better end of the deal. I took Curran to watch the Vidor varisty girl's soccer team play in the Central tournament while Daddy got some bonding time with the little ones (hehehehe). Well, they're still alive, or should I say "He's still alive," so I guess everything went okay. Here's a pic I took of a controversial "high kick" call.

If that's not a "high kick" coach, then show me what is...

After the tournament, it was off again to watch Curran in her encore presentation of "Hard Knock Life". I have to say that it was just as good as last year!

Watch for yourself...

Never Fear, Sheridan is Here!

2009-01-30T20:46:00.000-06:00

If Mom can't fix my hair, I'll ask my older sister!
I'm sorry I didn't have time earlier to post much other than Mamush's "Michael Jackson" moment. I brought the 3 younger kids to the pediatrician for shots, and I ended up having chest x-rays done on Maritu and Mamush at the hospital. I even had Kenneth come with us, so maybe he would pull some strings to lessen the wait time. By the way, he's just worthless!!! lol! We had to have this done though, or the government might come and take our kids and put them in foster care because they feared they had TB. If they really did have TB, then I'd hate for the Health Department to know that the 400+ people in church the last two weeks, all the people on the KLM flight from Amsterdam and Ethiopia, and all those poor immigrants that were in that long line at immigration in Houston will have to be quarantined too! No, I'm just joking, but the Health Department said that they wanted a chest x-ray. I was thankful they didn't make us go to the Houston health Department for another TB skin test. That was a posssibility too. I mean, how many tests does one have to go through before the result will stand? Well, hopefully the phantom TB issue will be resolved now. Then we just have to get through all of these consults that Mamush's many doctors have requested: genetics, opthamology and neurology.

I Want To Be Like My Family

2009-01-30T16:32:00.000-06:00

I couldn't help snapping this picture and making a joke about it. You see, I heard my teenager yelling , "Mom, they made a mess!" So, I went to see what all the fuss was for, and I was tickled when I saw that Mamush had gotten into the chalk for our pool table. Maybe he just wanted to look like his family?!!? lol!!!

Things I Miss About Ethiopia

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-06:00

1. Simplicity of life

2. The food. I love Ethiopian food. I'm not a big pizza fan, but I miss the killer, Ethiopian style pizza. The sauce and crust are completely different. Yum!!! (I wonder if I can find home delivery? lol!)

3. The warm sunshine and cloudless skies

4. Ayele

5. The music and the Ethiopian shoulder dance (I'll have to visit Kristine's blog.)

What's Life Like...

2009-01-26T11:08:00.000-06:00

...with 6 children? Come visit me to find out. Well, there's never a boring minute, of course! I was busy before bringing the two toddlers home... I do have advice for anyone considering two children at one time. I would not recommend two unrelated siblings. I might be wrong, but it seems that related siblings have a bond that unrelated ones do not? Hopefully Maritu and Mamush will develop that bond. Right now, they fight terribly! Maritu whacks Mamush over the head with toys any chance she gets. I thought she was a brute, until I caught Mamush. That sneaky devil bites, so don't pity him! I guess they remind me of Cullen and Curran, although they are bio siblings. I guess I just ruined my own theory...

Other than the fighting, it seems just to be a constant battle of who gets my attention. Maritu seems to be more independent though. Mamush would be content to just sitting in my lap all day long. I've been working on strengthening their muscles. Maritu walked a few steps for me in Ethiopia, but now she walks every where, but she still walks like a drunk, Michelin man. I think that huge belly is the problem! On the contrary, Mamush has no desire to stand alone, much less walk!

Hot Hearts

2009-01-25T11:00:00.000-06:00

Anyone with teenage children needs to look at this site: www.hothearts.org . Hot Hearts is a high energy "Heart" pumping weekend for students all over Texas and Beyond. The conference is designed with youth in mind and reaches deep into the Heart of what students are dealing with and what they need to know. The conference has changed over the past years but the vision has always remained the same: to provide students with a chance to hear the word of God in an exciting and cutting edge environment. Hot Hearts has always combined the messages of the most effective youth communicators and the very best in Modern Christian music with state of the art video and lights for an unforgettable weekend.
My teen attended Hot Hearts this weekend with many other churches, and thousands of other teens. I wish there would have been something like this when I was a teen...

Medical Update

2009-01-19T10:24:00.000-06:00

My little Mamushay has an array of issues. I was told by my agency on several occasions that Mamush's eye problem resulted from a parasite and that he had been treated for it. I'm not sure where they got that information since I never saw a profile on him. I was also told that it was AWOP's responsibility for his medical. You'd think that my agency would ensure that he actually had a medical assessment when they took responsibility of him... Or is this another case of incompetence like Maritu's story? I don't know the answer, but I can say it's bad business... So, what's going on with Mamush? He has a congenital eye problem called coloboma. He never had a freakin parasite! You can tell because he has no residual inflammation in his eye that would be expected had he had a parasite. He is blind in that eye, and it is not treatable. This wouldn't be too bad, and the outcome the same as our worst case senario if his "parasite" diagnosis were true, but a coloboma in a child is indicative of other problems. Now 2+2 is adding up. Here is some information on this condition:

What is Coloboma?
A coloboma is a gap in part of the structures of the eye. This gap can be large or small and is normally in the bottom part of the eye. A coloboma is caused when a baby’s eyes do not develop properly during pregnancy. The eyes develop between the fourth and anything up to the fifteenth week of pregnancy, though development is usually completed around eight weeks. This condition occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births.
Coloboma can affect one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral). Coloboma can affect a number of different parts of the eye. A coloboma does not mean that there is a hole in the eye, but that certain structures or parts within the eye did not fully form.
Which parts of the eye does a coloboma effect?
A coloboma can affect the iris which is the coloured part at the front of the eye. It can affect the lens, the part of the eye which helps focus light onto the retina. Coloboma can also affect the choroid which is a thin network of blood vessels which help to keep the retina healthy. Finally, it can affect the retina at the back of the eye. Very rarely coloboma can also affect the optic disc or the eyelid.

Does it only affect the eyes?
Sometimes children with coloboma may have other problems and some 'syndromes' which include coloboma, such as CHARGE, a rare condition which stands for:
C - coloboma
H - heart defects
A - atresia of the choanae (problems with the nose passages)
R - retarded growth and developments
G - genital hypoplasia (undescended testicles)
E - ear abnormalities.

Now when I said that 2+2 was adding up, that was because Mamush has most of the Charge problems... I believe this labels Mamush as "special needs." This makes my heart ache for him. It also upsets me because our fees should have been discounted. Now, I guess I'll see how my agency handles this situation. I'll post if they make good on their claim of discounting fees for special needs children... If not, I've got a loud voice... I think this is the test of a good agency, but until then, it looks like we spend our days in the offices of our pediatrician, ENT, urologist, pediatric opthamologist, and cardiologist.

So how's Ms. Maritu? Well, her TB test was negative. So, she never had a difinitive diagnosis of TB. She has also had a negative TB test, negative x-ray, and 3 negative gastric washings. What more could the Health Department want? They've been calling the house but don't leave messages. I've called and left voice mails to no avail, so we'll see how this ends. Surely, they will accept all of this proof and not make her take any more medicines. She has already been exposed to 4 TB meds for a month that she did not need.

On a good note, we evaded lice, scabies, and ring worm! (but not Giardia) Yea!!!

Tests, Tests, and More Tests

2009-01-12T09:32:00.000-06:00

So what's the first thing Maritu and Mamush did on their first day in the US? Go to the doctor! Poor kids! Besides a routine check-up with poking and proding, they had an array of lab work:

a. Antibody Titers (children over one year of age) measure the presence and amount of antibodies in the blood to determine immunity developed from previous illness or vaccine. Your pediatrician uses this information to determine which immunizations your child has already received and which are needed. Most Adoption Medicine specialists use titers to measure antibodies in order to avoid re-immunization. Titers are not used for children under 12 months because they are likely to carry antibodies from the birthmother. Titers are used in concert with the immunization record from the country of birth. (You should receive a copy of your child’s medical records from the agency.) You should discuss this further with your pediatrician.
Diphtheria
MeaslesTetanus
MumpsPolio
RubellaChicken pox (varicella)

b. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differentials and platelets counts the number of red and white blood cells, the total amount of hemoglobin, and other data about the red blood cells. For example, a high number of white blood cells indicates infection, and low hemoglobin indicates anemia, which is common in about 25% of children adopted from abroad.

c. Hemoglobin electrophoresis – tests for different types of hemoglobin (including sickle cell disease); unusual hemoglobin levels may indicate anemia, malnutrition, lead poisoning, heart disease and other issues.

d. Lead levels – determines the amount of lead in the blood. Exposure to lead-containing gases from gasoline and the burning of coal are the two most common causes of elevated levels; this appears to be a rare medical issue for Ethiopian adoptees.

e. Hepatitis – Hep A, Hep B and Hep C. Hepatitis is a liver inflammation -- A, B and C are common viruses that cause liver inflammation. The children are tested for Hep B during the intake physical.

f. Liver enzymes – checks the composition of liver fluids

g. Rickets screen – Rickets is a disease involving softening and weakening of the bones, primarily caused by lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. The Rickets screen tests for these substances. Rickets may also be associated with premature birth.

h. Syphilis – Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease easily treated with antibiotics. Infants may initially test positive for syphilis if the birth mother was infected.

i. Thyroid screen – Checks the thyroid. A number of parents have reported a slightly enlarged thyroid at the initial exam, but not necessarily an elevated thyroid function test. The enlargement could be related to malnutrition and/or iodine deficiency. This is very common in Ethiopia. Parents have shared that the thyroid was normal size when rechecked after several months of improved nutrition in the U.S.

j. HIV – In addition to an arrival screen, the HIV test should be repeated about 6 months after arrival. The test used could be either an ELISA (tests for HIV antibodies) or PCR HIV DNA (tests directly for HIV presence). The ELISA can be less accurate for children under 24 months because they may test positive for HIV if the birth mother was infected with. The ELISA looks for antibodies, which babies may receive from an HIV-positive birthmother and carry for 18-24 months. The PCR DNA test is more accurate for these children, and also for the few people who have HIV but for some unknown reason do not produce antibodies that can be detected by the ELISA assay. (For more information on these tests, consult your doctor, local Health Department, or one of the online medical resources below.) Due to the prevalence of HIV in Africa and its long incubation period, pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Jane Aronson recommends the HIV ELISA with confirmatory Western Blot, followed by a PCR DNA test for all children coming to the US from Ethiopia. NOTE. Within her practice, Dr. Aronson orders an HIV ELISA with reflex Western Blot as well as a qualitative PCR HIV DNA at the initial evaluation.
Note regarding HIV testing in Ethiopia: As of January 2007, the ICL laboratory in Addis recommends children to be tested with the ELISA, with a follow-up PCR. Children under about 18 months should be tested a third time, with the ELISA, prior to traveling to the US. Dr. Jane Aronson believes that PCR HIV testing is the gold standard for HIV testing in youngsters under 2 years of age, which is the standard in the U.S. That said, the resources are limited in countries outside of the U.S. We are indeed fortunate to get any PCR HIV testing outside the U.S. The only countries with international adoption programs where it is available are Ethiopia and VietNam. With this understanding, Dr. Aronson supports the use of a step approach using the HIV ELISA and the PCR as noted in this section. Finally, however, all parents must recognize that there are scientific circumstances wherein a child may have a negative ELISA and turn out to be infected with HIV. This is why Dr. Aronson tests every child on arrival in the U.S. no matter what the age with an HIV ELISA and confirmatory Western Blot as well as a PCR HIV DNA qualitative test.

k. TB – A tuberculin skin test (TST) is also called a Mantoux or a PPD (Purified Protein Derivative). The test involves injecting a small amount of inactivated – harmless -- TB bacteria under the skin (usually on the forearm), forming a small bubble. The bubble disappears and the skin must be checked for a reaction 48-72 hours later by the person/agency who administered it. It is strongly recommended that your child be re-tested 3-6 months after arrival -- false negatives may occur when the patient is affected by malnutrition or an immunodeficiency of some kind, and there is a possibility of exposure shortly before travel to the U.S. Children may receive a BCG vaccination at the Intake exam if they have not already received one. Be aware that some doctors will not want to do a PPD on a child with BCG, but adoption medicine practitioners and the RedBook on Pediatric Infectious Diseases say the PPD should be given even when the child has a history of BCG vaccine. (See the “Tuberculosis” description below under “Common systemic issues and treatment,” or your health professional for more detailed information.)
NOTE: Dr. Aronson recommends that anyone traveling to Ethiopia have a PPD test 2-3 months before travel, and again about 3 months after travel. Because TB is prevalent in developing countries, travelers could easily be exposed to a contagious individual without being aware of it.

l. Ova and Parasites and Girardia Antigen. You will need to collect stool samples from 3 different bowel movements, each at least a day apart, to check for parasites and other gastrointestinal abnormalities. Three samples are used because there is not always evidence of parasites in every bowel movement – and sometimes parasites are missed even with three samples. Most children from Ethiopia are treated for parasites. Your doctor will check the lab results with medical reference books to determine if your child needs treatment and which medication(s) will be most effective. To avoid spreading parasites to other family members, practice very good hygiene – wash hands well with soap, use antibacterial hand sanitizer when out and about, etc. Some families use the antibacterial or disinfecting disposable cloths to wipe down “public” surfaces, such as toilet seats and levers, sink levers, doorknobs, remote controls, etc.Adoption Medicine specialists generally are very aggressive in treating even the slightest abnormality because there is a high prevalence of bacteria and parasites in the water in developing countries. If a child shows a failure to thrive or lack of growth/weight gain over time, this is an indicator that parasites should still be considered. *Although some parasites are sufficiently common in the U.S. that U.S. children are not treated unless the child is symptomatic, this does not apply to children adopted from Ethiopia *Some parasites are more easily transmitted than others, and some medications cannot be administered concurrently. *Some children may be symptomatic even if their stool samples are negative, so your doctor may choose to prescribe treatment based on the symptoms (i.e. empiric therapy).
Older children. For many children this is a significant source of embarrassment. Be prepared to give positive reinforcement or a special treat for willing compliance. Be alert to times they are likely to defecate – after breakfast is typical.
1. The doctor or lab staff will give you a plastic “bowl” to lay over the toilet for your child to defecate (“kaka” or “arrr”) into and vials with comprehensive instructions. 2. After your child has used the bowl, you will open a vial and use the scoop inside to collect small amounts from different parts of the sample and place them inside the vial. Close and shake – the fluid inside preserves the sample and prepares it for examination. Label accurately.
3. Collect samples for 2-3 vials on each of 3 days, at least 24 hours apart. 4. Take the vials to the doctor or lab – some facilities prefer that you bring all samples in at one time, some allow you to bring them whenever ready. Results may be available within a week, depending on the facility.
Babies and toddlers. If your child is out of diapers, try the procedure above. For children in diapers, your doctor will probably ask you to use plastic wrap to obtain an “uncontaminated” specimen. This is easier if you are able to predict somewhat when a bowel movement will occur. Lay plastic wrap inside the diaper before putting it on your child. Be prepared for mess -- urine will leak out, and if your child has diarrhea, it may not be contained very well. Test of cure (Re-check). After the course of treatment is complete, your doctor may ask you to re-test your child. Also, if your child continues to have symptoms or if any family member begins to show symptoms, your doctor should retest the child and/or family members. A few children have needed a second treatment or different medication to eliminate symptoms. If your child is gaining weight, has formed (if stinky) stools, tests negative for parasites, and otherwise appears healthy, she may simply have bacteria in the colon that is indigenous to Ethiopia, which can take years to change.

m. Malarial test

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website has a standard immunization schedules as well as a “catch-up” schedule at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/menus/vaccines.htm#Schedules

We didn't even consider immunizations at this visit because both kids have respiratory issues...

Welcome!

2009-01-11T21:07:00.000-06:00

Welcome to "When Love Takes You Home." I created this new blog to share with anyone interested (or bored) what life is like after adopting children. If you didn't already know, I took the line from Steven Curtis Chapman's song "When Love Takes You In." If you haven't heard the song, click on my Minipod on the right side of my blog to play the song. In the meantime, here are the lyrics:

I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true.
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you
So one more night you cry yourself to sleep
And drift off to a distant dream
Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in
And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
And this love will never let you go
There is nothing that could evercause this love to lose its hold
When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

I hope you enjoy my posts, and maybe learn a thing or two. Feel free to leave me warm fuzzies,or email me with questions.