Saturday, December 30, 2006
Tagged/Happy New Year
There are so many versions of this floating around, here's the one I was tagged for.

A- Available or Taken? Taken - Married for 15 1/2 years
B- Best Friend? I have been blessed with several good friends, but one in particular is always there and will always tell it like it is- Thanks, T!
C- Cake or Pie? Pie
D- Drink of Choice? Pepsi
E- Essential item you use everyday? My dishwasher- I know this is a luxury, but life would be so much harder without it! I am grateful.
F- Favorite Color? I like many, but favor blues and greens.
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? worms- sour!
H- Hometown? Depends what you consider hometown. The first hometown I remember is Monett, Missouri.
I- Indulgence? Huh? No- I like chocolate and nuts.
J- January or February? January- my gwins were born then
K- Kids and Names? 6 of them- Nicknames: Tex, Ed, Slim, JB, Stas, and Little Drummer Boy
L- Life is incomplete without? Jesus and my family
M- Marriage Date? June 15, 1991
N- Number of Siblings: Legit or not? One sister
O- Oranges or apples? Either
P- Phobias or fears? Something happening bad to my kiddos or hubby
Q- Favorite quote? Hebrews 13:5- "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
R- Reason to Smile? My family
S- Season? Spring, I used to love summer, but I'm getting older and it is getting hotter!! :-)
T- Tag 3 or 4 people? Whoever would like to do this
U- Unknown fact about me? Can't really think of one. I'm pretty open. I'd love to try rock climbing sometime.
V- Vegetable you don't like? Turnips
W- Worst Habit? Snacking
X- X-rays? Broken collar bone when 3, Broken back when 15, Compound ankle fracture from car wreck 33
Y- Your favorite food? I really don't know. I like most everything.
Z- Zodiac: Don't really pay attention to this, but I think it's leo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! I hope this year brings everyone joy and peace and happiness!!!! I can't wait to hear of all of the new families and kids who come home this year. It's going to be a good one!!!!
posted by 6blessings @ 5:23 AM   5 comments
Friday, December 29, 2006
Mirror Image?
I will post more about Christmas later, but right now I am fixated on researching something and would like to hear anyone's input.

It has been suggested by several people that the bwins might be mirror image twins. The first suggestion came from my mom's doctor who met them just briefly in October at my parent's church. He off-handedly questioned my mother at a later date as to whether we knew if they were mirror image twins. I didn't pay much attention, it kind of slipped my mind, until the other day.

Last Sunday at church, we were talking to a group of people and a lady asked if they were mirror image twins. I told her we didn't know and she said, "Well, their cowlicks are on different sides of their head." I was kind of embarassed because we've had them home for 5 months and had never noticed. My dh even gives them their haircuts. She said this was a classic sign of mirror image twins.

This got me to thinking and I decided to research. I really can't find out too much. All the info seems to be the same and is very little. Mirror image twins are monozygotic, one egg, identical twins. Basically, the egg divides extremely late, at 9-12 days, so late that they are almost cojoined. It divides straight down the middle so one becomes the left half and the other the right half. They share not only the same sack but also the same placenta, which is extremely rare. Only 25% of identical twins are mirror image. The biggest marker is the hair swirls on the back of their head. In addition, one is usually left handed and one right handed. Birthmarks are in the same place, opposite sides. They sometimes have one eye that is thinner in appearance than the other. Basically, one's left side is like the other's right side and vice versa.

To us, the boys look different, but the orphanage insisted they were identical. We always said we thought they were fraternal because they had slight differences. We have had some suggest that even identical twins have some differences. Now, there have been times I've been pretty freaked with the boys because they looked so alike each other. I would see the other one even though I knew which one I was looking at. Each of those times, it was when I saw them from the side. If you take the pic below from the 5 month update and cover up the middle, they look like one face. BTW, El is right handed and L is ambidextrous, usually favoring his left hand. I have also noticed a smaller eye, especially on L, since the first referral picture. We can find no birthmarks.

Okay, what do you know? What do you think? Am I just seeing things? Is there any way to really know? Let me know what you know or even what you think. It's got my curiosity up.


(BTW: A little piece of side info just because it is on my heart today and I need to tell someone: Today is I and B's 3rd birthday. They are our first Russian sons, the ones we originally thought would be home with us for their 3rd birthday. Say a little prayer for them and the grandma who is caring for them if you think about it. Thanks.)
posted by 6blessings @ 1:59 PM   13 comments
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Christmas Eve
Before church on Christmas Eve
(Aren't they lookin' good?)
(L's sure showing off those teeth!)

D- reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Everyone in their new jammies

Had to throw in this goofy pic of course!

(Sorry H, I had to post it!)


Before we had kids, D decided that once we did have kids, we would always reserve Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day morning for our house. At first, I wasn't really hip on the idea. I had spent a lot of Christmases at my grandparents on Christmas morning and loved it. Over the years, I have grown so thankful for his decision. It is such a special time for us. This year we started the celebrating by going to church.

On Christmas Eve, the kids get to open up one present from us. It is always some form of jammies, of course. They change into their jammies, have a quick photo shoot at the Christmas tree and then we start our Christmas Eve traditions. First, D reads "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids. Now this isn't read out of just any book. It is a copy he received for Christmas in 1971. It is copyrighted 1964. It is all but totally falling apart, but cannot be replaced for the memories it carries.

Next, he reads them the Christmas story from Luke 2 in the Bible. We also give "gifts" to Jesus. This is a tradition that holds great value for us and our kids.

A new tradition started a few years ago and it has become one of my favorites. Throughout the season, each of my children ask to be taken to the store to purchase gifts for their siblings. This is not something we have ever made them do or even suggested that they do. They just do it. We do not give them any money. They save their own money and purchase the gifts on their own. Well, 6 kids times 5 gifts each, one from each sibling, makes for a lot of gifts!! They are so excited to give the gifts that they've purchased or made that they have started asking to give them early. The last few years, we've let them exchange their gifts for each other on Christmas Eve. Let me just say that it is such a blessing to watch their eyes sparkle with the joy of giving when they hand each gift to their brother or sister. Most gifts are from the dollar store or are handmade, but each is specially picked or made with that person in mind. To me, it is amazing and one of my most favorite times of the season. Even the little boys handed mini Snickers bars and gum out to their siblings. The joy of giving was sparkling in their eyes as much as the joy of receiving on this, their first Christmas.
posted by 6blessings @ 4:06 AM   8 comments
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROM OUR FAMILY
TO YOURS!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!!

We have so much to be grateful for this year, like so many others. Of course, our biggest thing this year is that our sons are home and our family is complete. Throughout our adoption journey, we have learned so much about our adoption by God. Many of you know that I'm a Christian. During this time of year, we celebrate what I believe is the greatest gift ever- the birth of Jesus Christ.

I'd like to spin the story of Jesus a little- to an adoption blog world.

Romans 8:14-17: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

I am adopted. I have two biological parents, but I have been adopted by God into His family. Over the past year, I have discovered so many parallels that I just wanted to share a few today- the day we celebrate Jesus' birth.

1. COST-
It costs a lot to finance an adoption, less for some kinds, more for others, but costs nonetheless. It costs not only money, but also time and many other sacrifices. The cost for our adoption into God's family was the life of God's only son, Jesus. He paid the price so that we might become God's children.

2. CHOSEN-
We were able to choose/approve of our kids before our adoption. We had to sign letters of acceptance. Christ chose us. He knew who we were and what all of our problems were and still chose us to be His children.

3. BAGGAGE-
When we lost our first boys and were given our sons as our new referrals to accept or deny, we found ourselves going through all of their problems. They were older, language would be a big problem, they had many health issues, etc. As we were mulling these over trying to decide what to do, D said the most profound thing. He said that he sure was glad God just accepted him with all of his baggage and didn’t sit around worrying about whether he was good enough or if He could handle all he might throw at Him. Of course, as humans we cannot handle everything, but God can. We realized that we came with so much more “baggage” than our sons would come with, yet God loved us and took us in with no regard to all of the baggage that came with our dirty selves. Our past, no matter how complicated, didn't weigh in on whether He accepted us or not.

4. ACCEPTANCE-
Before our court day, we had to have a social worker observe us with the children. During that time, the boys were asked if they wanted to accept our offer of going to live with us in America and having us as their parents. Obviously, they answered positively. We, too, are given the duty of just accepting the gift offered to us. We can accept or reject the gift of joining God’s family. The decision is totally up to us. It is one that is only made in two ways – yes or no. It is a free gift, with no strings attached.

5. NEW CREATION-
The only thing we took from the orphanage on the day the boys finally became ours was our kids. We had to strip them down, leave their old clothes behind, and put them in their new ones. This struck me heavily. They were taking off the old way of life- orphanage clothing, and putting on the new- sturdy, well-made clothes and shoes that lit up. We come with nothing when we come to Christ. We take off the old way of life and put on the new. We become a new creation.

6. NEW NAME-
At first I had very mixed feelings about changing the names of five year olds. We kept their Russian names as their middle names, but gave them new names, including a family name that showed they belonged to us. They are C's, part of our family forever. When we accept Christ, He gives us a new name, a family name, Christians.

7. WAITING-
Anyone who has been in the adoption arena for very long knows that the most excruciating thing is the waiting. Some wait longer than others, but everyone has to endure the wait. God is waiting. For some he waits just a little time, for others he waits a long time. His desire is to be united with each one of His children in a relationship. He aches for us and longs to have fellowship with us, just as each of us long to meet our referral or bring our child/children home. Just as we long to make them fully ours, so He longs to make us fully His.

These are just a few of the comparisons that have been shown to me over this adoption journey. Maybe I will share more later. My heart was just burdened to share. I know many of you out there have heavy hearts today because your child isn't home yet, or maybe you've lost someone this past year, or maybe you just need some hope. My prayer is that this post today might lighten someone's load. God cares for you and wants to walk with you on this journey of adoption and the journey of life. All it takes is a simple yes. My purpose in this post was not to offend, but hopefully to help and encourage. I hope you each have a very Merry Christmas!!! Happy Birthday Jesus!
posted by 6blessings @ 1:33 PM   11 comments
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
5 months

I can't believe it has been five months since our plane landed in the OKC airport. I have been doing updates every month. You are pretty much up to date on the boys, but here's a quick rundown.

* Both boys have gained approximately 2 pounds. El is close to 28 pounds and L is around 27. It seems to fluxuate.

* They are very good eaters.

* They haven't had a night terror in the last few weeks, but they grind their teeth something awful, especially El.

* They are in size 3T clothing now, with a belt cinched very tightly, but they're getting taller!

* El is all done with the dentist and L has only one more visit, probably.

* We're still waiting to hear about L's tests and the new doctor.

* They are speaking totally in plain English sentences. It is absolutely amazing to listen to!!

* They are so excited about Santa and Christmas. They want to know if Jesus is coming to His birthday. They love holding the baby Jesus from our nativity set.

* They get along well with all of their siblings and don't know anything different.

* We got a letter from their Russian gma the other day saying that she hasn't received anything from us, even though we have sent 3 letters and some gifts. That's so frustrating.

Overall: nothing short of a miracle! God has been so good. We are so thankful for our little guys.
If anyone wonders if they are happy, just check out the picture above.
posted by 6blessings @ 2:12 PM   3 comments
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
All I Want For Christmas is My 4 Front Teeth
Okay, maybe this is a post that only a mother could love, but I'm so excited for my baby. As many of you know, both boys had severe dental problems when we brought them home. El's was only in the back of his mouth and was taken care of quickly. L, on the other hand, had 20 teeth, every one of them rotten. L has been having weekly treatments done and is nearing the end. Yesterday was momentous and I have to tell you about it.

The dentist decided that he would rather crown all of his teeth, even the front ones, instead of pulling them so that he would be able to eat and hopefully gain some weight. The pretty white fronted crowns would not fit because he did not have enough tooth structure left. He did all of the back teeth first because he said the front would be more sensitive and difficult. Yesterday, he did the top front. L was a trooper and did terrific. When they were done, they handed him a mirror. The look on his face was enough to make not only this mama cry, but also the dental assistant. His eyes got really big and he opened his mouth wider. Soon a smile spread from ear to ear. He was so proud and so happy.

He showed everyone his "new teeth". If you remember, they call the crowns "money teeth". He was bragging to his twin that he had money teeth in front and El didn't. El was so sweet, as usual, and said, "I like L's teeth." L came up to me later in the day and said, "Mama, I can eat." He could actually bite into his food for the first time. He was thrilled beyond belief.

Most people will look at the metal mouth below and not think it looks too attractive. However, to this mama, that silver smile is golden!

BEFORE: No teeth structure, only rotten stumps
(Please ignore the ice cream on the mouth.)

At the orphanage: a toothless grin

AFTER: Teeth to chew with
A silver smile

One proud little boy with new teeth

posted by 6blessings @ 6:25 AM   9 comments
Thursday, December 14, 2006
He's Making a List...
You better watch out...

You better not cry...


You better not pout...


I'm telling you why...


Santa Claus is coming...

... to town.

posted by 6blessings @ 6:10 AM   7 comments
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
More doctors visits

Here's the pics of the candy cane cast that I promised you. If you look really closely on the pic of just the cast, you can see Santa's signature. It is right in the middle front in cursive.

E went to the doc yesterday to recheck her foot. They really thought that she had just sprained it and so they took off the cast and re-x-rayed(spelling?) . It's broken. The x-ray showed a break in her growth plate this time. They tried to put her in a walking boot, but it was just too large and bulky. She couldn't walk in it. Therefore, they recasted her(purple this time) for another 3 weeks. She is so disappointed. Gymnastic competition is in full swing, and believe me, she is a competitor. She wants to be out there with everyone else.

In other medical news, I was feeling a little left out of all of the doctor visits, so last Thursday, I threw my back out. HA! HA! No, it really wasn't funny at all. It has been bothering me for a while, but it really went out when I reached to the side and picked up L that day. The chiropractor says it was the right combination of twist and lifting that caused the problem. I couldn't move off of my hands and knees for about an hour. I finally made it to my back and pretty much stayed there the rest of the day. I thought it would get better on Friday, but it didn't. I ended up going to the chiropracter. My x-rays were quite interesting. My spine was a straight line all the way down my back until the bottom where it took a sharp curve to the left. He said my muscles were so spasmed up that it was completely pulling my spine over. Ugh! That's why I hurt so badly.

I went again for another visit Saturday and they have me scheduled 3 times a week for 3 weeks. That's great, except that I don't quite know what to do with all my kids while I run off to have my back fixed. I have a few people that have offered to watch them some. I'm so appreciative. I just hate having to have help. I'm under some restrictions- no lifting, no spotting at gym, etc. The boys don't quite understand. I usually go sit down and have them come to me. My back is getting better every day, but is definitely not normal yet. Boy do I hate getting old. :-)
posted by 6blessings @ 6:05 AM   7 comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
Christmas Claus
The bwins are so excited about Christmas. The kids have been buying each other gifts and starting to put them under the tree. Every day L asks, "Presents, zaftra(tomorrow)?" They know that Santa is coming and bringing them gifts. They just don't understand when or how. Hence comes the following story.

Preface: L still doesn't say Santa Claus. He calls the jolly ole guy Christmas Claus.

Story: Last Friday our doorbell rang and everyone went rushing to see who it was. The kids were just ahead of me and opened the door. Standing in our doorway was a gray-headed and gray-bearded man holding two boxes. All of a sudden, L exclaims, "Christmas Claus! Presents!" Then he got quiet and was looking around. Then, in his usual bold demeanor, he says, "Where's bike?"

The man in our doorway looked highly confused. I explained that L thought he was Santa and was looking for the bike that he had asked him for earlier in the week. He just laughed and handed me the packages- Priority Mail packages. You see, it was our postman.
posted by 6blessings @ 3:56 AM   6 comments
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Odds and Ends
1. Voting Results: Thank you so much for voting. I had 19 comments and my kids asked who won. I told them that I was waiting until there were 20 comments to tally the votes. That afternoon, H snuck off and soon I had 20 comments. Hmm? Wonder who comment 20 was from? Wonder who she voted for?

Here are the final results: Snowman #1: 4 votes, Snowman #2: 8 votes (1 from a snowman maker), Snowman #3: 4 votes.

2. The awards D and I gave for the snowmen:
Snowman #1: Most Festive- Received Peppermint Patties
Snowman #2: Best All-Around- Received Swoops Chocolate
Snowman #3: Most Creative- Received Candy Canes

3. L had another test run yesterday morning. Long story short: He has some backup and may need medication. They are also referring him to another doctor. They want him to be put under general anesthesia and have the endoscopy done again.

4. E is sporting a really cute candy cane striped cast. She was tumbling into the foam pit at gym a little over a week ago and was injured. Her foot and all of her toes were swollen pretty big for about a week. They are calling it a sprain at this time, but has the possibility of being a growth plate fracture. She wasn't walking on it at all so they decided it was best to cast it. We go back to check it again next week. BTW, the white part of the candy cane glows in the dark. The guy who put the cast on surprised her with it. It's really a very cool cast.

5. The first signature on E's cast: Santa Claus! We went to the mall right after it got put on. Santa actually sat her in his chair and got on his knees to sign it. The bwins loved Santa! They said he didn't ever come to their dietsky dom and are very excited that he comes to Mama's dom. I'll post pics of both the cast and the kids with Santa later.

6. El is all done with his dental work (L still has a ways to go). He is really starting to gain weight. He has gained 3 pounds since we brought him home 4 and a half months ago.

7. El finally said, "I love you." Up until about a week ago, he would look at you deeply and say, "I like Mamka" or "I like Papka." He just recently transitioned to the word love. It is such a sweet sound in our ears and big progress on his part.

8. Thanks to my SBP for the great book. I am reading it and it is very good. I also appreciate your kind comments on the envelope. You are great!

9. I am trying to stay caught up on everyone's blogs, but time seems to be so limited recently. I promise I'm still reading, but I may not always comment. I am praying for kids, court dates, and referrals. I feel so blessed to have met so many wonderful people through adoption. It is an incredibly rough process, but also incredibly wonderful! I pray everyone has kids home very soon. Hang in there!
posted by 6blessings @ 4:56 AM   5 comments
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Snowman Contest- Vote Now
The Crew is holding a snowman contest. Vote now. D and I already voted and have given out awards, but I thought it would be fun to see what you out there in the blog world thought. Please vote by leaving a comment.

Snowman #1
E and L

Snowman #2
H and J


Snowman #3

Z and El

BONUS PICTURE

Ice chunks E, El, and J retreived on day one of the storm.

posted by 6blessings @ 6:12 AM   19 comments
 


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