He's our son!

I was having a discussion with my mom the other day. It struck me as kinda funny, and wonderful. She was telling me about an old friend of mine that also has a little boy- 1 month younger than Elisha. My friend is an excellent football player, and really looks the part. I don't really know the positions well- not a sports fan- sorry!! But he's a line backer ( I think that's the part)

SOO, anyway, Mom was telling me that their little boy is almost 15 pounds heavier than Elisha. I jumped in and said that it wasn't surprising, since my friend is so much bigger than Tim. Mom asked if I just heard what I said. Well, I haven't been feeling well lately, so I repeated it, thinking I'd said something backwards. My friend has a larger frame and bigger bones, so it is really not surprising that his son would be bigger than Tim's son.

He, he, he, I guess we really can't compare Elisha's genes with Tim's. In my mind the adoption is over and complete, and he couldn't be any more our son than he is. Thank you God that the bonding process we prayed so hard for has gone so well, both for Elisha as well as us!!!

Giving Thanks

It is really hard to realize what we have this day set aside for, isn't it? Seems for some the gathering together is becoming more stressful, and both the tables and our bellies are groaning under the weight of our food.

I've been pondering a lot lately. Nothing new, I know, but Thanksgiving has been one of my favorite topics. The Bible tells us to "Give thanks with a grateful heart," and I was thinking the other day of some of my Mom's favorite advice to me when I call her as I'm in the "depths of despair," as Anne of Green Gables would say. "Think about your blessings- Thank God for all the amazing things He's done in your life...."

There is a song whose chorus goes something like this:

Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done!!

I got to thinking- if I truly did spend my time counting my blessings- I really wouldn't have any time to dwell on things that allow bitterness to take root in my heart. Not that there aren't hard times- I'm not trying to say there aren't. But I've been thinking that it really comes down to what I dwell on- what I allow to occupy my mind the most- that directs my thinking.

Hmmmmmm--- suppose Satan realizes this weakness in me and uses it to its fullest? I find I so often skim over the superkalafradgelisticexpialadocious (sp?) blessings (I couldn't think of a word to contain or even begin to describe it....), and focus on something minor and petty in the whole scheme of things- so I don't even enjoy the wonderful gifts my Father has given me. What an amazing thing our former President did, when Abraham Lincoln made this day set aside for thanking the Creator of the world for life and survival in this new land a national holiday.

So- there are soooo many things that come to my mind when I think of things I am thankful for. I am so thankful for the journey we were on to become a family- it has made me feel closer to God and more understanding of our relationship with Him as we went through the adoption process ourselves. I am so thankful that God gave us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us-

I am often amazed that God put me in the family He did. No one is perfect, but my childhood was rather ideal- My husband's a wonderful, generous, talented, caring man of God, our son is so amazing I'm not sure where to start- we are surrounded by family and friends that have become like family, while carrying ties to our family further away that have become even stronger over the last few years.

I am thankful that a young woman, halfway around the world, chose to give birth to a beautiful little baby boy, even knowing that she couldn't care for him, and then gave him up to be adopted. Her following God's leading in her life to not "terminate" her pregnancy allowed our family to be formed.

I am so thankful for all the people who have joined us in this journey- whether in person, processing documents, appearing in court, preparing us for the journey, praying with us, consoling us, crying with us, sharing our joy- what a blessing it is to be able to come alongside our fellow mankind and bless them.

And all the "stuff" we have is just icing- but I am thankful for all that, too!!

I'm sure this could be "the list that does not end, it just goes on and on, my friend....." but I will pause now in my thinking to allow you to also contemplate all God has blessed you with. I pray He will open your eyes, just a little bit wider so you can be filled with the wonder and joy that the One that created you and knows everything about you, also chooses to bless you. Thank you, God!!

Impotent Fury

Just a few ramblings today....

We (Elisha and I) went to the local branch of the library today. Before we went, I applied more drops to my poor little baby's eyes. He squishes them up tight and tells me it burns as he whimpers a bit in my arms. It is so hard to do this for him- something I know needs to be done- for long term healing- but causing short term pain.

I got down his snowsuit jacket we bought while in Russia. When there, in March, we had to roll the sleeves up several inches- it fits just right now!! I tried to zip up the jacket. It made it all but 1 inch from the top- which then holds his neck like a whiplash collar. He said, "Too tigh!!" I remembered us having a problem when in Moscow, where the zipper got caught on the tender skin of his throat, so I had my finger behind the zipper. Well, he struggled away a little to loosen the zipper, and it began to unzip on it's own. Down..... down..... and then he starts crying- yelling it was "too tigh!!"

I tried to get it to unzip and realized it had, again, caught his flesh in the zipper. Aargh!! I was so furious with myself, since I was trying to be so careful, and also with the jacket- imagine that- fury at an inanimate object. I finally got it off, and he lay crying in my arms, my heart breaking with every whimper. He let me hold some ice in a paper towel on it for a few minutes, and then seemed fine.

I can't wait to sew a little strip of something so very soft on the inside of the jacket, so the zipper CANNOT do this any more.

Quick update.... he was playing with his jacket tonight- and really seems to like it- as long as I don't try to zip it up "Tigh" or tight :0) and his neck looks fine- just a few little red spots..... lol

After coming home from the library, it was time for drops again. This time he cried. He is so good, though. He'll lay on my lap and let me put them on his eyes- but this time he wouldn't open them- he just kept whimpering about how it burns. I am praying it will very soon ease and the burn will stop.

Today, I am praying for all those amazingly gifted parents of children who are very ill and for strength for those parents who have to do things for them that cause pain for the short term to enable long term healing. My deal with Elisha is so very minor compared to most- so I'm praying for those who have to deal with this on an ongoing basis. May God strengthen you and keep you in the palm of his hand- giving you strength to go on- and courage to know what needs to be done.

As we approach Thanksgiving time, I have been pondering more and more in my heart about all the blessings in my life. I put a note on my Facebook about a realization I had as I was thinking the other day...... If I were to truly count my blessings, naming them one by one, seeing all the Lord has done in my life, there would be no room to harbor bitterness, strife, envy, or even anger. I would be in a continual state of awe as I realize just what all my precious God has done for me. May you also be blown away as you take a few moments to reflect on all He has done for you.

Birdies in the ear, snowflakes on the tongue

Ahh the constant change of childhood. Great alliteration there, don't you think? What's it mean today? Well.....

Elisha's had some sort of allergy thing going on with one of his eyes for the last 3 weeks. Coming and going- and finally getting worse and spreading to his other eye. So, today we went to visit Ms Rose- his nurse practitioner. Amazing to see how different he is now with her, compared to how he was in March. He was looking forward to visiting, and would have tromped off with her without me if she hadn't stopped him.

Nothing major with the eyes, and so amazing that he sat very still and looked all around for her, as she instructed, shining the light in his eyes, giving her a great view of his eyes and eyelids. Rose then went ahead and checked him out all over- she does a bird type whistle next to his ear (very soft sounding) as she checks them out. Elisha, as he was running around the room once we finished and were discussing treatment for his eye, found the small black ear piece she had used- he held it up and said, "Birdie??" as he looked inside it. He pointed to the stack of new ear pieces as we were walking out- "Birdie??"

He has grown from 10th% height and 3oth% weight when we brought him home in March, to 50th% for both. Wow! He's grown several inches and only put on a couple pounds since he was there in June and we did our 6 month post placement report. How amazing!

Sunday was our first snowfall of the season here in Ohio. It found Elisha and me out on the porch before church, faces upturned, trying to capture some of the flakes on our tongues. I wonder if he even remembers the snow???? I think all too soon, we'll be putting on his great snowsuit and heavy boots we got in Russia. He can't wait, and, honestly, Tim and I can't either- we all love snow and are looking forward to having some snow this year.

Chuckle, chuckle- beginning of this year saw us in South Central Siberia in the middle of winter...prepared for a Siberian winter. Instead, we had balmy 30 and 40 degree weather with a few flurries- no accumulation.... while, at the same time, back home in Ohio they had blizzards and several FEET of snow. Even made the news in Russia....
Gotta love the humor in that....... *grin* :0)

St Croix week

So, you all have heard us talk a little bit about St Croix and our great timeshare there. We have found ourselves in a position having a week left that must be used before the end of the year.

If you or anyone you know would like to go down for a week to this great 5 star resort, we'd love to GIVE you our week. We hate to see it go to waste. And the good news- hurricane season is now over:)

Let us know... leave a post and email me your info at debfox@hotmail.com with Carambola, St Croix in the subject line.

If you'd like to see it- check this out Click here
click on "Visual Tour" and you can see panoramic views of several different areas around Carambola Beach resort.

Pictures added :0)

I was able to download some pics from Tim's computer- look back at the vacation posts for the pictures to go with those posts.... :0)

Here are some for your enjoyment now :0)
Here he is taking a "Ki-Ki ca nap" in the hammock- pretty good job for his first time in one :0) (translation- kitty-cat nap)

Here is our little trouper as we headed out the morning after the storm. He had fun picking up the sticks, stepping over all the palm leaves strewn all over and just being a boy. The weather was absolutely beautiful that day!

Here we are walking back to our room- he enjoys life so much- especially outside. It is such a good reminder as I watch him, to treasure each and every moment. When do we forget that and begin rushing through life to "just get it done"? Lord, help us to remember you are in control and you planned the journey just as much as the completion- help us remember to stop and enjoy the trip :0)

Elisha and Papa- taking pics in the bathroom mirror- Photography 101.....

Here we are making the lack of a tub a fun thing. Elisha loved it!! He is continually saying he wants to take a shower now. He has such a zest for life!! ( no shower pun intended here- suave of me, eh? You'll have to dial in for more :0)


Here he is, all greased up to go out and play in the sun- complete with his great beach hat- thanks, Mamaw!!

Amazing

I know all moms and dads must feel this way, but I am continually blown away by how amazing our son is. Few little stories....

The week of vacation, Elisha was so entertaining for us (most of the time- he's not perfect :0))
He played "mule" most of the time- where he would sit on the porch with me and make motor noises, doing everything one would do on a mule (small all terrain-type vehicle- like a golf cart on steroids....) in order. That is to say, he begins by getting in, turning on the engine (with great starter noises), moving the gears, releasing the parking break and steering the wheel.

He stops frequently to get the mail out the nu baauux (mail box) and brings it over to give it to whomever is riding with him. This would go on for hours at a time- usually it was limited only by Mama and Papa's patience :0)

I don't think I mentioned our travel for our vacation. I was concerned about him worrying that we were taking him back to the orphanage, since it was our first big trip since he came home, so we left a ton of things undone at home, so he knew he was coming back- He helped scoop out Baka's food to take just enough for the week, we left some clothes out for him to help put away when we got back, that sort of thing. He did so well, though, I think it may have been God's way of reassuring me that he is attaching very well and is not afraid that we are going to leave him, too.

He was soo encouraging to the plane staff. Each landing was preceded by him clapping and giving the captain and crew a thumbs up- "Gooo Joob, Capin!!!" he would say as we left each flight (3 down, 3 back) He was so encouraging and seemed to really be a blessing and joy to those seated around us.

I was soooo happy that we were able to distract him this time so he wasn't playing with the tray table. He had his own seat and seatbelt and we explained that he had to keep his seatbelt on when the light was on. He checked that light- we realized how much when we went on a smaller plane- it only had the fasten seatbelt light every 4 or 5 seats or so. He didn't see it above us- so he said, "See bel off????" and began unfastening it- until we pointed out the different location. He seems to follow rules so well, it is, yes, you guessed it, amazing!!

We also found that if we could get him to relax for even a little bit- he'd take his nap.... Yeah!! Here is one of the photos we got of him nodding off.......Tim got him to play with Gabby, his little cell phone. It has a lot of great features, is not very loud, and was just the ticket to help him dial into dream land :0)

Sometime last week it clicked for him what "beating" someone meant. Since he came home, I would tell him I was going to beat him up to his room, or I would beat him to the bathroom, and then give a great demonstration of racing. This last week he finally got it. Now he says, "Beat Mama baa room!!" and takes off running, and he sometimes beats me for real!!!

I think about some of these little things and realize a lot of kids learn this from older siblings or family and know it when they are quite small. It is so amazing to watch as he just "picks up" all this stuff by simply observing what goes on around him in this new culture, with new language.

As far as personality- boy has he been developing that!! It is soooo ..... you guessed it.... AMAZING!!

Papa Gene (Tim's dad) went to the doctor last Friday for a check up- chest pains and the works- was admitted and spent the weekend in the hospital. We went in to visit, traveling in Elisha's new Jeep Liberty jogging stroller. It is so nice!! Any out there with a boy may want to look at it :0) (Babys R Us) It comes with cup holders, snack tray and a little steering wheel, car attachment- how much fun is that?


It even has ibaby- a speaker with a cord attachment so you and your child can listen to your ipod while you run around. I haven't taken up jogging- but this is sooo easy to push and pretty all terrain, which is good for living out in the woods like we do. Talk about the works!!

The little car part has an on/off button so you can use the ignition switch, play music and honk the horn. When we explained to Elisha that we had to be quiet when we went into the hospital, he sat very quietly- "driving" around the halls, making sure the unit was in the off position so we didn't disturb anyone. On the way out, after reminding him again that people were sleeping and we had to be quiet, he held his finger to his lips almost the whole way out. It was precious!


Papa Gene had a heart cath done on Monday, so Elisha and I went to Kidsville ( a great little park set up for kids of all ages in Zanesville- down along the river) to blow off some energy while Tim, his mom and siblings waited for news on Papa and the procedure to finish. We are continuing to thank God that all went well and Papa "passed" this test.

While we were there I was pushing him on the swings. Underdoggy became our thing :0) (If you don't know what an underdog is- the person pushing goes all the way under the one being pushed running out the other side) He would laugh hysterically as I would look up in the sky and all around and not find him until I turned all the way around. I love that he laughs so freely now!! Well- the humor part- My family is pretty well known for our corny sense of humor and love of puns and plays on words. We love it!! So after several (dozen????) underdoggies, he looks at me, grins that mischievous grin he has, and with a twinkle in his eye, says, "Baka????" instead of "underdoggie??????" Baka is our dog. What a hoot!! I laughed so hard I thought I might cry- way to go son!!

A Year.....

It seems so hard to believe that we met our son just one year ago last week.
I've been thinking about it for a while, and it just blows me away. What seemed so distant a year ago is now, amazingly, something I could let myself come to take for granted if I'm not careful. It seems he has always been with us, we've always been together as a family. So- here is our current family photo- along with one of our first family photos, taken just a smidge over a year ago. I will try to get more pics up soon- but they are all on the laptop (Tim's), so sometime soon, hopefully :0)



October 2007



October 2008