A video that makes your heart cry,and open your eyes

I came across this video on another bloggers site. It is graphic so I will put that warning out there. I sat,watched,cried and prayed. I thought WOW how much a difference I had,even though it is small, on 2 children's lives and how or what would have happened to them if adoption was not a option. The Lord gave us the blessing and the guidance to adopt and expand our family. 30,000 children die a day of starvation and preventable diseases.Can you imagine that for a moment, that large number of children, hopeless children. My heart bleeds for all people that struggle,and my heart is in Africa as visiting a few times and seeing it face on is a lifetime experience. I thank God that he pointed me down the road to adopt my 2 angel God has blessed me and Jon with. The simplest things we take for granted like food or water now looks different to me, I look at it when we have left overs and think, there are people that have nothing and I wish I could help and change the world,I want to scream out loud and help the land, help them build a wonderful country that they can provide for themselves and not have to let their people die. We are blessed, whatever you might be going through in life and this economy, we all need to remember that there is always someone that has it worse and pray that God heals,helps and bring more people to open their eyes to what goes on in this world. I wish I could help and save them all, take them all home with me, and its so hard to leave the blue gates of the orphanage knowing that you cant save them all, and pray that others will get the calling and find Africa in their hearts and go after it in full force. This journey to bring my babies home has been a long process mentally from the beginning to the end and I would not trade a single minute of it. Now I get to watch these amazing children grow up and become something outstanding and impacting to the world all from a stack of paperwork,notarized,state sealed, and mailed off. God has more planned for me, I don't know what it is yet but I wait anxiously for the road to be open and I will follow with all that I have to give and all that I am able to provide. Hug your kids tonight,love your family, appreciate what we have. Blessings...

Aslynn's First Video Walking

"You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourself any direction you choose." ~Dr. Seuss

Since May we have had a step here and there, but now we are walking, and even with shoes on this week. It's amazing how just one day she decided, "OK I will walk for Mom instead of teasing her with a step or two." Aslynn also got ONE tooth in! Its too cute, about half way in, or she has tiny teeth, and its on the bottom, of course the tongue is in the way for a picture but, she is starting to grow into the tongue, and when asked to "please put your tongue in" she actually does it! :) She is growing up so fast, and fits in so well with our family. We are all fully bonded and its like she has always been here...and we know she always will be! xoxo

Had to Share the little bear

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.
Isaiah 1:17

My friend Mona went to get her daughter Janissa the same time I was suppose to be in Ethiopia in June. She took photos of Bryce for me and said he is developing very well, sitting up, smiles, laughs and so much more. She said he is like a regular little boy and she doesn't see any problems with him mentally! I am excited to get him and finally get our family together and start bonding and attaching with him.I love these pictures, I cant believe they cut off all his hair, but wow has he put on a few lbs! He is like a little bear, snuggles.

These photos bring such a smile to my face.

My Trip

I tried,I failed

I have been planning and preparing for awhile now my trip back to Ethiopia to get Bryce. Jon cant take off anymore work days right now,so I went alone. I had everything in order from a sitter,to meals,and then of course my luck I didn't make it there. I took off the day after my birthday on the 26th and while flying there was a storm in NJ where I was changing planes to go overseas. The plane circled and circled and then the pilot said he had to stop in Pittsburgh because we were low on fuel. After landing and waiting at the terminal,I was not feeling well,I had the worst stomachache and was on the phone with Jon almost in tears. I went up to ask the attendant when we were taking off again, and all of a sudden I passed out.
When I woke up I was surrounded by people and airport paramedics, then a ambulance came to the gate and they took me down and loaded me up inside. I went straight to the hospital and the doctor came back to my room after tests and told me that I was so anemic I needed a blood transfusion as my levels were so low they were shocked I was alive! And I had numerous bleeding ulcers and they had to go in and do surgery to repair them.
My trip of Independence and going to get Bryce, failed! I ended up alone in Pittsburgh with a 8hr blood transfusion,surgery,and so disappointed.
I flew home Sunday when the doctors got my levels up a little,but I have a appointment this week with a specialist and I can feel my levels have dropped already,I know I will need more blood. I am OK and glad to not be stuck in a hospital out of state.But this puts a hold on Bryce until I am OK to fly again. I am praying I get the OK soon :)
Had to share my trip,as I attempted to go and get Bryce again.

4th of July weekend,and a Adoption Meet Up

Friends,Family and the Pools

The ugliest picture,but too funny,I say "say cheese" and she sticks her tongue out, so far closes her eyes,and puts her head back.. oh my..pizza shirt and all!But she is with her 2 Ethiopia buddies Jeremiah and Josiah from the same agency and orphanage.

Joy and I

Watching the fireworks

Some of the kids enjoying dinner outside

The girls,Kenzie had a blast with her new friends

Mona french braided their hair

Me, Happy 4th

Loves and Hugs

Mona,Tania,Joy and I with the kids (1 more of Joys sleeping)

Mona and Aslynn

Tania and Aslynn (Tania was in Ethiopia the same time we were when we picked Aslynn up,so it was great to get Aslynn and Sabah got to see each other again)

Aslynn and Sabah,both picked up from Ethiopia at the same time meet again!

Mona,Me and Janissa

Pool Hair!
Sunblock,way too much!

Over the weekend we met up with some girls from the same adoption agency as us. It was so great to get the kids together and get a picture of them and have them all see each other. They were at the same orphanage and saw each other there during their time there. We got 5 together in AZ all of them around the same age, 2 and under.

We had a nice time enjoying the pool,firework,our friends the Diaz's and just relaxing and taking a deep breath with life right now. Happy 4th of July!

I have a fingerprint of smear on my camera,you can see the blurry spot in some pictures, I hate that I didn't notice it when taking them,bummer,but they still turned out ok.