Traveling Families

There are 3 families currently in Ethiopia meeting their children for the very first time!

Savage Family
Sparr Family
Tennant Family

Happy Birthday Jesus

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We love you!

Follow the Journeys

Traveling Families Dec. 20 - 27

Tennant Family

Caldwell Family
Sloniger Family
Stager Family
Burk Family

Hurray - The Referral Line Is MOVING

Well, it's been kinda depressing for waiting families because there hasn't been any word of referrals for awhile. It is normal for the little boy line to move even when the little girl line sits stagnant for weeks but we have had NO NEWS PERIOD...very, very depressing.

Yesterday, three families (that we know of) received referrals for little boys! Two infants and one toddler were referred to their forever families....praise God! Congratulations to the Whitakers, Whipples, and Richardsons!

Just in case you are just tuning in and learning adoption lingo, a referral is when a child is matched to a waiting family. The family receives a phone call from the agency who tells them that they have been matched with a child. The family is told of the child's medical testing results, current health, and if known, the child's family history. The referral is also accompanied by a photo and if you are really lucky, two or three photos!

The current anticipated wait times for an infant boy is 5-7 months and the wait time for a an infant girl and toddlers (both boy and girl) is 7-9 months. The wait time for sibling groups varies significantly, so that is harder to determine. Yesterday, an e-mail was sent to the top families waiting for infant girls that stated that right now, there are just not as many girls available for referral so the wait time is more like 10 months.

Please pray that the children will be quickly united with families and not left in orphanages for extended periods of time. Once the transition home (basically an orphanage managed by our agency) receives a call that a child is available at the orphanage, America World's staff picks-up the child and a battery of medical testing is begun. After all the tests results are available and the legal documentation is completed, the child is then available to be referred to a waiting family. Sometimes a child can be at the transition home for a month or more before he or she is referred to a family because of the medical testing and legalities.

Where are we at? We are waiting in the infant girl line. Our paperwork was submitted to Ethiopia on July 25, 2008, so we are expecting a referral between the end of February and the end of April. We are praying diligently that our wait will not be any longer because we are so ready for our child!

Great Cardiology Results

Last Wednesday, my heart was tested to determine whether or not it is still functioning within normal limits. Awesome news - no sign of the return of cardiomyopathy!

I am having another test on Monday that will verify the results that I received moments ago. As much stress as I have been under this last year, I was concerned that maybe it was beginning to weaken. I am so excited with the results and am praying that the MUGA scan will concur with the results!

For those of you who don't know about my heart, after I gave birth to Ashton in 2004, I was diagnosed with post pardum cardiomyopathy (this is a type of heart disease). Apparently, my heart was weakened during the delivery. There is no known reason for this occurrence, other than it just happens sometimes. Anyway, I took the diagnosis as proof that God did indeed want our family to grow via adoption!

The latest Santa....My Father

Now, tell me that a huge grin didn't spread across your face as you viewed this picture?!

My Dad was shopping at Walgreens and ran across this Santa suit. Isn't he adorable! Ashton is going to flip when he sees his PaPa!! I just couldn't help posting this little "happy" for you today. Now, if only Santa would bring me my Ethiopian princess!

"A Night in the Toy Store"

A definite must see for friends and family members of ALL ages!

Northside Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is pleased to present the Christmas musical "A Night In The Toy Store!"

Performance Schedule

Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 PM

Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Come enjoy the Christmas story told in a unique way, with 70 toys coming to life on stage! The cast is joined by the Northside Orchestra in this Christmas celebration for all ages. The event is free and open to everyone, with nursery provided for birth through 3 years.

Last year, we took Ashton (he was only 3) to two performances because he enjoyed the play so much. It tells of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord and presents a very clear and easy to understand description of how to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Don't miss this show!

For more information on "A Night In The Toy Store", call (615) 896-6440 or click on "Northside Baptist Church" under the picture.

One Month Today

We miss you, Momma!

The Big Question - How's the adoption going

We seem to be getting asked a lot of questions about the adoption lately...I suppose that's because there's been a lack of news to report or blog about. Right now, we are just waiting. Our paperwork has been in Ethiopia since July, so we are paper pregnant. Our pregnancy is more than likely going to be the typical 9 month pregnancy, so we aren't "due" until around the end of March. Now, don't get me wrong, we would love an early delivery, however we are being realistic. Also, it is possible that we will wait even longer than that but we hope not!

If we receive a referral in late March and there are no problems in court, then we could feasibly travel by May or early June - this would be awesome! Right now, there seems to be problems with the proper paperwork being ready for the court hearing and some families are having to go to court multiple times. On Dec. 5, America World's current Ethiopian coordinator is actually moving to Ethiopia to help on that end of the adoption world, so we are hoping that her presence in-country will make the process flow more smoothly. We'll let you know all about the court process when that time comes, but for right now, let's just all pray for the referrals so that our family can move-up on the rather lengthy list of waiting families!

Getting Ready for Christmas

Thank you for all the e-mails, phone calls, and cards encouraging us through Thanksgiving. We had a nice steak dinner at my parents' house and then went to the cemetery together. When we arrived at the cemetery, we each randomly selected a scripture to read that was typed-out on a slip of paper. The scriptures were perfect for us and very uplifting for our broken hearts. Daddy led us in family prayer and then we went our separate ways for the evening. My heart felt so much lighter when we drove away. I miss Mom every second of every day but God is helping me get through this time. He has helped me to realize that Mom wouldn't want any of us to cry and be sad, she would want us to enjoy life to the fullest.

We've gotten 2 of the Christmas trees up at Mom's house, so we're making progress in getting ready for Christmas. Now, we are trying to locate gifts that we know Mom had already purchased. She was great at stashing gifts...so great in fact that it wasn't uncommon for her to locate a gift AFTER Christmas because she would forget where she hid it. On Thanksgiving, we never did locate the giant wooden acorn that contained praises for the year. Mom would write on a slip of paper what she was thankful for throughout the year and place it inside the acorn container to be shared with the family at Thanksgiving. Most of us never thought to write down our praises but she did....when we find the acorn it will be interesting to read her praises.

On Friday morning, we went to Georgia to visit Nanny (Mom's mother). While we were there, Nanny let me read a note from a close friend. The note stated that although Mother is not in our present, she shared in our past and will share again in our future...I found that statement so comforting. We put-up Nanny's Christmas tree and just enjoyed one another's company. We had a really good time together.

When we got back home on Saturday afternoon, we put-up our Christmas tree. Last year, Nanny, Mom and I had went shopping after Christmas for some new ornaments, so it was fun getting to use the new items. Also, it helped me to feel a little bit closer to Mom because I could recall the stores and the fun we had last year.

One thing that we ask of friends and family - don't be afraid to talk about Mom around us and don't become antsy when we mention her. Even though Mom has passed, she is still very much a part of our memories, hearts, and family. For us, talking about her isn't sad, in all actuality it is very therapeutic. We like talking about Mom. She was a hoot to be around!

Now, let's get ready for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

Our Little Pilgrim - Ashton

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Taking Things Day by Day

The holidays are here and our hearts are still breaking. We are trusting in God alone to carry us through this time and to heal our broken hearts. One year ago, we arrived back from Ukraine without a child (we are still healing from that journey) and now my best friend/Mother has entered Glory...our hearts and minds are just overloaded right now. We've got to remember and focus on God's promise....

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to proseper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back...to the place from which I carried you into exile." Jeremiah 29:11-14

Today's a Rough Day

Peace - that's what my family needs right now. We're struggling with broken hearts.

Today's a rough day because I'm missing Mom very badly.

My mind knows that she is so much better off in Heaven but my heart breaks just the same. Today, her death certificates arrived and I helped Daddy complete some paperwork...that was hard for both of us. Lately, my tears fall without rhyme or reason and it seems like my heart is constantly breaking.

Just last night and again this morning, I had to explain to Ashton why Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead but won't do the same for his Granny. I said a quick prayer each time and then jumped into the conversation. The best that I could tell him was that when Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus was walking here on earth and wanted his friend with Him. Now, Jesus is in Heaven and wants Granny, who is also Jesus' friend, there in Heaven with Him. You have no idea how many times a day I hear, "I miss my Granny."

Also, Ashton asked me what would happen to him if both Jason and I die too. I never thought I would be discussing custody issues with my preschooler, but this morning that's just what I did. The next question was what will happen to him if Jason, me, and his next guardian dies. He seemed content with my answers and let it drop from there. I think he needs reassurance that if something happens to those closest to him, he still will be loved and cared for. Ashton said, "You have a plan, Mommy." I said, "Mommy has a plan." That was that!

Nothing can prepare us for these conversations with our 4 year old. Your prayers are very much coveted during this time.

Extended I-171H Received

When I got home yesterday evening, on the table was a letter from U.S. Homeland Security. I was so excited because in all the events of the last weeks, I had completely forgotten that we were waiting on an extension of our adoption approval from the U.S. Government! I was slightly concerned that we would have difficulty because we received an e-mail from our agency over the summer that stated that the new social worker was not putting all the necessary information in our home study and as a result, the US Gov. was requiring more info before allowing extensions. After having said several prayers over our application and home study, I sent it to the Memphis office the first week of October and figured I would just see what happened. God came through! No extra info was required so that meant that we didn't have to pay an additional $485 for an update to our home study! What a great day and a HUGE relief. Now, come on referral!

Cleaning-out Mom's Office

Last Friday, November 14, we went as a family to the Alvin C. York Veteran's Administration Hospital to clean-out Mom's office. She had worked there for 15 years and did x-ray and mammography. She was the tech who actually got the mammography program going at the VA, and in her memory the mammo suite is being dedicated to her. There will be a dedication program in about 2 weeks and her picture will hang in the suite. Also, a mirror was dedicated to her and hung in the dressing area of the mammography room.

Friday was a really, really hard day. To be honest with you, we weren't ready for our trek to the VA (the question is, would ever be really ready and it was time) but we knew that her co-workers had to begin healing and moving on with patient care. Mom was an avid decorator for the seasons, so they had already boxed-up most of her stuff and had it loaded on carts for us...this was a HUGE help because I fell apart when I practically walked in the door. Mom's death still doesn't seem real and cleaning out her office seemed so final.

She loved her boss, co-workers, and patients. She just outright loved life. The new mammography suite was opened this past summer and a new digital machine was put into use. When Mom was in the hospital at the end of October after her surgery, one day when I spoke with her, she was crying and thanking God for a huge praise....she had passed accreditation for the new machine. For those of you who don't know much about accreditation, it is a very difficult and time-consuming ordeal. Accreditation lasts for 3 or 4 years and then you have to apply all over again. The tech that Mom had been working with is a relatively new tech but Mom adored her and often praised her for being such a fast learner. It gave Mom such peace to know that her patients were being cared for in her absence. Mom knew that Brenda (her special co-worker) could do the job and would take care of any problems that might arise with accreditation of the new machine, but Mom sure was glad that they passed on the first time. She actually was so excited about the passing that she had me join her in praying a prayer of thanksgiving just for the accreditation - I laughed and asked Mom if she hadn't already done that and of course she said, "Yes, but let's thank Him again." I sure love my Momma!

One thing that I learned today was that one of Mom's friends, Sharon, from x-ray school and her first job at Tri-County Hospital in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, passed away right about the same time that Mom did. Even all the years (over 25) since they last worked together, Mom used to talk about Karen and Sharon (they were twins). I can only imagine how surprised Mom must have been to enter Heaven and see her friend join the grand tour with her! Isn't God good!

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Thanksgiving Program at Daycare

Last Friday was the Thanksgiving program and luncheon at Ashton's daycare. He was a pilgrim. The kids did so well! Our pictures turned-out dark, but they are still cute to view. On Monday, the kids did the program again for a senior citizens group and did great again. I received a call stating that the little boy who was going to be the corn on the cob didn't come to school, so Ashton was the corn on the cob! It was his first speaking part in a play and I didn't have time to run home for the video camera or regular camera ;( Fortunately, one of the teachers did have a regular camera so I will be able to get pictures of him in the corn on the cob suit. He's still having trouble saying "c"'s, so he said "torn on the tob, torn on the tob". We are definitely working with him on this, but it's still a work in progress. I was so proud!

One Year Ago - Kiev, Ukraine

Looking back, it is so hard to believe that one year ago, we were in Kiev, Ukraine waiting for another appointment with the adoption officials so that we could request another referral for a child. It seems like a lifetime ago that we were sludging through snow and ice and boarding trains in order to skirt across the country. Kiev was a beautiful city and the journey was unforgettable - heartbreaking but unforgettable. Actually, I think about the little girls that we visited and my heart breaks knowing that more than likely, they will grow-up in an orphanage. They were so sick, and we did not have the financial means to care for them like they needed. In our hearts, we know that these children were not meant to be ours, however it was so difficult to turn around and walk away from them. You can read about the day we met them by clicking here. Boghdana and Ivanka, our prayers are with you and hopefully one day, you will find a forever family.

Thank You Family and Friends

Well, Mom has been in Glory for almost one week. I can't post this without telling you that I miss her more today than yesterday, if that's even possible.

The events of the past week have been like a horrible dream. We still feel rather robotic as we go through the day. I think Daddy summed it all up last night when he stated that he finds himself constantly walking in circles and feeling lost and empty. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that my precious mother is no longer on this earth. She was only 56 years old - way too young to be deceased.

Many of you were not able to attend her visitation or burial, so here are some pictures for you to see.

The visitation line was solid with people for over 3.5 hours - what an amazing testimony to Mom's life! Her casket was draped with a prayer quilt that was given to her by the members of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. On the quilt was thread tied with hundred of knots which represented each time a person prayed for her. Mom used this quilt daily to cover her legs while reading her daily devotion and enjoying her prayer and praise time. She used to say that even on days when she felt so sick and lonely, she could always feel the power of prayer and was reassured that people loved her because she could look down and feel the hundreds of prayer knots. Our family had a spray of red roses, and Ashton had a spray of red roses and four golden roses representing the four golden years that he was blessed by his Granny (pronounced Grau (short o sound) - knee). Dr. Dean Sisk, pastor of Belle Aire Baptist Church officiated and I gave Momma's eulogy. Music for the funeral was provided by Rev. George and Janet Pinion and by the choir CD of Northside Baptist Church. For those of you who were not able to make the funeral service, her service was a celebration of her life and homecoming to Glory. What a celebration it was!

My most memorable moment at the service was when Ashton joined the other pall bearers (Daddy, Jason, Brent Shields, Donnie Shields, Ronnie Shields, and Babe Tudor) in carrying Mom's casket. That morning, he stated that he wanted to help his PaPa and Daddy carry Granny's body. I'll never forget seeing my four-year old little boy as he lifted on the end of the casket with all his might and walked just like the rest of the men and carried her body to the grave. He later said, "Momma, carrying Granny was hard work. My muscles are tired." Each morning since, when we pass the cemetary, he calls out, "Good morning, Granny's body." Then, he proceeds to tell me about when Christ returns and Granny's body will shoot-up out of the ground and we will all be in Heaven together forever. Praise God for using Momma's death to teach Ashton more about loving God and living for Him! Momma wouldn't want it any other way!

The outpouring of love from family, friends, and even perfect strangers has been overwhelming. It is amazing how many lives Mom touched. Actually, the rest of us should be reminded that no small act or deed or even smile are ever wasted - everything we do affects someone (positive or negative) somehow. When Mom entered a room, it lit-up with energy and love. We will never forget her smile or laugh. I feel her all around me and hear her voice cheering me on each day and reminding me that she's okay and that she still loves me.

I keep recounting her last hours and find myself wishing for one more squeeze of her hand and nod of her head. One thing that brings a smile to my face is when I think back to when I first arrived in her room last Wednesday and told her of the outcome of the Presidential election. I said, "Well, Mom, Obama won the election." Her eyes were closed (I never saw her eyes opened on that day) but she was very much alert, and she threw-up her right hand. I told her, "I know, Momma, but God is still in control and we'll just have to pray that much harder for the next 4 years." She nodded her head and then Daddy said no more talk of politics. That was the most movement I saw from her that day. If she could have, she would have fussed and fussed about the election results....I would have given anything to hear her say something, anything, on that day.

Another special memory from last Wednesday is the last family prayer that we had together. Leigh was on speaker phone at Mom's ear, Daddy was holding Mom's left hand, Nanny was beside Daddy, and Jason was at my side while I was holding Momma's right hand. Starting with Leigh, we poured-out our hearts to God and thanked Him for allowing us to be a family and for giving us such a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, and grandmother. We prayed that God would give Mom peace and comfort, and that she would feel His presence and His love. Even more importantly, we thanked God for allowing our family circle to be complete at this time because each and every one of us have asked Christ to forgive us of our sins and enter our lives - making us family not just here on earth but in Heaven as well. We prayed that when Ashton and Julianna and other grandchildren are old enough, that they too will make the decision to ask Christ into their hearts. When Mom was sick in 2004 with lymphoma, her prayer was that she would be around to see Ashton grow up to know Christ as his personal Savior. It was important to us that she know that we are going to do everything in our power to be sure that he grows up knowing about Christ so that one day when he is mature enough, he will make the choice to know Him personally. "Mom, we will carry-out the legacy that you left for us" - we all promised her that.

I'm not going to lie - the days are horrible and the pain is severe. I don't really remember a lot about the visitation or service because my eyes were focused on my Mother's face because as I looked at her, I was reminded of God's mercy and compassion and love. God knew the days that would be ahead if Mom had lived and His plan is perfect. I can't imagine getting through this or even living for a moment without the assurance of knowing that one day I will be united with my mother in Heaven. This may sound all rather cliche to you, but in my heart of hearts, I KNOW that this separation is only temporary. I've always pictured Heaven as a beautiful city in the clouds, but I will never think of it this way again. Now, I see it as a magnificent home in which my Lord and Momma are waiting for me at the gates.

Thank you for all the prayers, food, flowers, framed prints, quilts, angels, etc. that were shared with our family. Mom would have been so pleased and rather humbled to know that she impacted so many lives and that so many people love her. I could just hear her watching us from heaven and exclaiming to God, "Would you just look at so and so! I haven't seen her/him in years." As many of us were shedding tears, I'm sure she was wishing that she could have wrapped her arms around us and told us of the beauty of Heaven and given us assurance that she is healed and full of strength and quite happy now. One thing that you might like to know is that flowers from the arrangements are being dried and will one day be used by Leigh at her wedding. Now, she's not getting married any time soon and no, that wasn't her boyfriend at the funeral service (he was actually our cousin, Shane, who met her on the Marine Base and actually told her of Mom's death), but when God brings the right Christian man into her life and they unite as husband and wife, some of Mom's flowers will be used in the service - what a special way to include her on that day. Also, some of the angels and the pink bows will be used at our house whenever Julianna is brought to America and joins our family. Oh, Julianna will be named "Julianna Deborah" after Mom. Julianna never got to meet Mom but she was certainly prayed for and loved by Mom!

The days and months and years ahead will be difficult because we miss Mom so badly, and frankly, I don't think it will ever get any easier, however Mom is rejoicing in Heaven and we must release her back to Christ. We each have a plan for our lives - sometimes our plans don't coincide with God's, so we must be willing to relinquish control to Him. As Leigh, Daddy, and I prayed over Mom's body one last time at the beginning of her homecoming celebration (and I do hope that you left that service feeling as if you indeed had been celebrating Mom's life and God's glory), as difficult as it was, we released Mom back to Christ and acknowledged Him as the giver and taker of life and that His plan is perfect.

Mom, we will love you for the remainder of our lives. We look forward to seeing you at Heaven's gates and worshipping with you at the feet of our Lord and Savior for all eternity!

Mom's Life Verse:

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

Last Two Pictures of Momma

I'll never forget your smile or your personality .... I see both each day when I look into the mirror as well as when I look at my son!

We love you!

Funeral Arrangements for Mom

Friends and Family,

We just wanted to let you know that we have made funeral arrangements for Mom. Visitation will be on Friday, November 7, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. CST. The funeral will be Saturday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m. Both will be held at Woodfin Funeral Home.

Woodfin Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro
1488 Lascassas Pike
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
Phone: 615.893.5151

Click here to driving directions.

We understand that many of you are out of state or have prior obligations and will not be able to attend, however we did want to let you know of the arrangements. Your prayers and support - even from miles away - mean more than words can ever express.

We love each and every one of you!

Jim, Erica, Leigh, Jason, Ashton

Mom has gone to Heaven

Family and Friends,

I just wanted to let you know that Jesus called my mother, Debbie Tudor, home last night at 11:05. I think this is positively the hardest e-mail that I have ever written...part of the reason is that I can't even see the screen as I type. I woke-up this morning, with one thought, "I want my Momma."

When Mom had to be taken back to Centennial this past Tuesday, she was laughing and joking with the medical staff. She did have some difficulty which was most likely the throwing of the clot on the way to the hospital but once she was in her room in Cardiac Care, she was acting normal and had a pleasant and joyful demeanor. The nursing staff and doctors repeatedly stated to us last night that she spent her last hours in which she could speak telling of Christ and all that He's done for her and means to her. Right up to the end, her love for Christ was evident. Around midnight, she began to complain of having difficulty breathing and by early morning, she had to be placed on a ventilator. Mom has horrible gag reflux and when the nurse told me last night that she had warned them about that but that she didn't fight them at all, I knew that she was really struggling.

Around 9 or so last night, we were asked to leave the room because some tests needed to be ran and the doctors were in with her. I'll never forget the look on my father's face when his cell phone rang as we were waiting in the cafeteria because it was evident that something very serious was happening...we had to make some decisions because Mom had once again started on a downhill path. We all have our estate planning documents and have talked freely about what each of us wants as far as life support, rescesitation, etc. so we knew what Mom would want - she was tired, very weak, and very anxious to see our Lord.

Our big decision revolved around what do we do until Leigh (my sister) can call or get here from Officer Candidates School in Virginia. I had traveled to M'boro to the Marine Recruiters office early that afternoon to figure out what we needed to do to be able to contact Leigh. Let me just say this, ultimately God worked everything out, however dealing with USMC and the Red Cross was a nightmare. Leigh left Virginia this morning. When Mom was still able to somewhat respond and definitely could hear, we all said our goodbyes, sang hymns, recited Bible verses, and read from God's word....just like Mom would want us to. Leigh and Ashton were able to speak with Mom and it was very obvious that she knew their voices. It was so hard to have to tell Leigh, "Leigh, you need to talk to Mom because Jesus is taking her to heaven tonight." Even harder was hearing Ashton ask, "Why does Jesus need my Granny?" and "Meet me at Heaven's gates one day" and then for him to tell her over and over, "I love you bunches and bunches." Mom needed to know that it was okay for her to finish her earthly journey and began her eternal life.

We couldn't help but laugh about 15 minutes after her death and wonder if she was talking Jesus' ear off. Our hearts are completely broken and we have so many questions, but from the onset we have had faith that God is in control. We certainly prayed for healing and that is exacty what God did - she will never have pain again. Mom has been so sick for weeks now. She was so tired. We wanted her to be able to have a good quality of life and not be sick. This has been so hard on Mom and all of us.

We want to thank you for all the cards, calls, visits, and most of all prayers. We still need them - especially Daddy. The bond between my parents is remarkable and the love that they share is one that most people only read about in fictional novels...it was a love based upon Christ. We are going to make the arrangements this morning, so we will be sure to forward you the info when available.

Please pray for Leigh's safe travel home. God moved a mighty mountain last night in that He allowed our cousin, Shane, to be able to leave his Navy base and unite with Leigh on the Marine base around 2:00 this morning. She will be driving home with Shane's wife, Shayna. Thank you, Shane and Shayna, from the bottom of our hearts. God, we thank you and love you more than we could ever express!

Those of you who have sent cards, she got them and she heard their message. I read each and every one of them to her yesterday afternoon.

Thank you for your prayers!

Love,
Erica

Mom is Home

Just wanted to let you know that my Mom did get to come home from the hospital today. She was more than ready to leave Centennial!

For the next couple of weeks, Mom is specifically requesting minimal visitors and phone calls. She is very, very weak and wants some time to just relax and regain strength. Our grandmother (Mom's mother) is coming on Monday and will stay for the next 2 weeks and will assist in Mom's care. A home health care nurse will also be attending to her needs. Many, many people are asking what they can do and if we have enough food - okay, so we're baptists and everything is made better with food ;). Food is also an adjustment because of Mom's colostomy, so we are still trying to figure out what she can and cannot eat. Right now, what we need more than anything is prayer.

I will continue to update the blog as much as possible. Thank you for all your concern and prayers!

Traveling Families

Once again, families are traveling to meet their children! It is amazing to read of their journeys and view their pictures.

Britton Family

Hammond Family

Laughner Family

Nunez Family

Terwilleger Family

On the Road to Recovery

Just to update you on Mom's health, the doctor thinks she may be able to come home tomorrow. She did really well walking yesterday and is feeling better. It appears as if the blood transfusion really helped as well. For the first time in over a week, she slept soundly last night.

Dr. N stated that Mom's file will be reviewed next week at the "tumor board" meeting. This is where about 24 doctors get together and brainstorm over patient files. Dr. N stated that the cancer was ovarian and appears to have stemmed from endometriosis that was left in her body by her physician who performed her hysterectomy in 2002. Although I know that physician did the best she could at the surgery, she is never touching my body. This is too scary - who would have thought you could get ovarian cancer when you don't even have ovaries or a uterus or any female reproductive organ or part!

Once Mom is over the surgery, she will begin 6 rounds of chemo. The drugs will be different than she received last time, so please pray that she will respond positively. Also, her bone marrow will have to be tested again to make sure that she will be able to receive the chemo - please, please pray that it is healthy.

Mom has a long road ahead of her, but we know that she isn't going to be walking it alone. First, our Lord will be carrying her and secondly, all of her family and friends are encouraging and praying for her. We thank you for your prayers and concerns!

Latest Word on Mom's Recovery

Well, I spent the night with her on Monday night and it proved to be a looooooooooooong night. When I first got there, she was chatty and in a relatively good night and then the pain set in and things turned nasty quick. Her colostomy began to cause her some serious pain and that was just the beginning. Her blood pressure also dropped very, very low and she didn't want to wear the oxygen. The night ended-up with my having words with the nursing staff because she needed assistance that I couldn't provide. I about blew when the nurse gave me 2 towels, sheets, blanket, and washcloths and progressed to tell me to do her job. I'm sorry, but Mom has too many tubes coming out of her body as a whole for me to provide the kind of care that she needed at that time. I told them that (kindly, mind you), and then after I heard the huffing and puffing I became very irritated and told them that I went to law school not medical school and I'm not trained to do the job. I told them that she needed assistance as soon as they were available, so I didn't mean that they had to stop right then and do it immediately. Now, if the floor was full of patients I would be more understanding but the floor only had 3 patients on it! It was so slow that the maintenance men had pulled all the furniture out into the hallway and were waxing floors. I became rather agitated to say the least but I did hold my tongue and checked my temper.

Actually, I didn't have to blow because I talked to Dr. Numnum when he came in that morning for rounds and he talked to the nursing staff about the situation. Her bandage had not been changed since surgery and he had written orders 2 days ago for it to be changed. Needless to say, after Dr. N talked to them, the next nurse was rather clipped in her dialogue but Mom was taken care of.

Yesterday, Mom was made to get up and walk more frequently. When I left the hospital that morning, her feet were very swollen because of fluid retention. Dr. N was very plain with her that she had to get out of the bed and walk. We know that she is in severe pain and would prefer to stay still but if she is going to get better, she must walk. Thankfully, the physical therapist as well as Dr. N didn't give her a choice. She was supposed to walk on Sunday but most of the nursing staff went home due to the lack of patients, so there wasn't enough staff available to work with her. When Dr. N found this out, he called in the therapist and made sure that she was going to walk. By the end of yesterday, Dad reported that she was walking and it was becoming a little easier for her.

According to Dad this morning, Mom had another rough night. The good thing is that the staff did cooperate and made sure that what needed to be done was done without hassle. She is moving better today and isn't putting up such a fight about walking. Hopefully she is starting to understand that if she doesn't get up, she is only going to hurt more. Mom is ready to go home but there are still certain milestones per se that she must meet before Dr. N is ready to release her. Please continue to pray for her.

Happy Belated 4th Birthday, Ashton

Happy 4th (Belated) Birthday, Ashton!

Things have been pretty crazy around our house and I just realized that I forgot to wish Ashton happy birthday on the blog! He turned 4 on October 13th! We had a family birthday party on Sept. 27 so Leigh could join us before leaving for OCS. He also had a birthday party at school on Friday, October 10th. On his actual birthday, Jason and I took the day off from work and we spent the day doing fun stuff. He is fascinated with the "Justice League" and especially Batman and Superman.

Here are pictures from his family birthday party at our home:

Here are pictures from his party at school:

Here are pictures from his actual birthday:

On his actual birthday, I completed the preregistration forms for a local school and then we headed to The Discovery House and then Demos' for lunch. It was so weird walking into the school building because I can't believe he is actually old enough to start thinking about kindergarten. Because his birthday is late in the year, he won't actually start until Fall 2010, but still....my baby is growing up!

Waiting on I-171H

Well, the first week in October, we sent our paperwork to Memphis USCIS requesting the one-time free renewal of our I-600A which is our Petition to Adopt an Orphan. Our original paperwork was valid for 18 months, however it has expired and must be renewed before we will be allowed to bring our new daughter to America. Just last Saturday we received a letter from USCIS stating that they received our application for an extension and are reviewing it. We are praying that Memphis will be as fast this go around as they were the last time because it only took 3 weeks for the document to arrive once we received a letter stating that our application was being processed!

Sitting at the hospital .... and stalking blogs

Well, tonight is my turn back at the hospital with Mom. I brought the laptop so we could both get caught-up on adoption blogs. Mom is a faithful blog follower, so the past 6 or 7 weeks without reading them has left her feeling out of the loop. How exciting to read about the traveling families!

I am glad to report that today was a better day for Mom. She has been up and walking the hallway, so that's a good start on the road to recovery! Also, when I came in tonight she had less tubes and machines hooked to her body. She is talking again and isn't loopy any more. She still isn't feel like herself and is in pain, but she is better compared to the past 2 days. Hopefully tonight will be a good night and we will both get some sleep.

On both Saturday evening and yesterday, we were able to speak with Leigh. It was so good to hear her voice. She is having a hard time at Marine Officer Candidates School, but she's not giving-up. Her biggest problem appears to be her short stature because it is harder to climb the rope and propel her body over walls and logs. When she started OCS, there were 84 females and as of yesterday, there were only 38 remaining in the program. Today was a voluntary drop-out day and she expected at least 5 of the girls and possibly a 6th to withdraw from the program today. Your continued prayers for her are appreciated. Also, any notes from home are very inspiring and uplifting, so please write if you can. Feel free to e-mail me if you don't already have her address.

Well, I know Mom is doing better because she is wanting a bath and her silky gown. She just said that if she had a knife, she would cut-off the hospital gown because it doesn't slide in the bed and makes turning over even more difficult. She is quite chatty right now, so it is really good to know that she's getting back to her normal self.

Now it's time to update the OCS blog and catch-up on e-mails. I'm in the dark now because Mom has just taken her pain medicine and an Atavan...sleep tight, Mommy. I had to raid the empty room across the hall for a pillow (per orders of the attending nurse) because Mom has 4 in the bed with her right now. Any more pillows and there won't be room for her!

Successful Surgery

Good evening Friends and Family,

Great news - Dr. Numnum thinks that the surgery was a smashing success! The surgery itself lasted a little over 4 hours. Mom didn't get into her room until after dark last night and she doesn't remember most of yesterday.

First of all, when Dr. Numnum opened her up, he discovered a rather large hernia which had to be repaired before he could do anything else. Mom already knew about the hernia but none of us had any idea as to how large it was. According to Dr. N this morning, it will never bother her again. Due to the damage of to her abdominal organs from the radiation in 2004, it took an 1 1/2 hours before he located the mass. He had to be very careful in handling the precariously thin intestines and bladder. Unfortunately, the bladder was slightly damaged because it was so paper thin. This is the part that Dr. N is so concerned about because he had to repair the tear and this area is very susceptible to infection.

Dr. N was able to lift-out the masses. The largest mass was approximately the size of a man's opened hand and it did rupture as he lifted it out, but he was able to get it all. The wonderful news is that the cancer was contained and not detected anywhere else! Can I have an "Amen"! ?!

He said that other than the cancer, Mom is very healthy and should recovery completely. We are not discussing chemo right now because we first have to focus on Mom's healing and prevent infection and pneumonia. She will be in the hospital for about a week.

Your prayers, concern, and support are greatly appreciated. Dr. N told us that the next couple of days will be the worst, so please don't stop praying now. Your cards and e-mails have been so uplifting - thank you! Mom requests no visitors or phone calls at this time due to her extreme pain. We appreciate you for being so understanding of Mom's inability to socialize very well right now. Truly, I have never seen her in so much pain. God brought her through a difficult surgery and we know that He is going to bring her through the recovery as well.

Thank you!

Prayers for Traveling Families

A team of families is leaving for Ethiopia this week! Some left today and others will be joining them between now and Saturday. Please remember these families in your prayers as the flight is about 18 hours in length. Their emotions are running high but they are pumped and ready to meet their children. Be sure to follow their blogs for pictures of their journey.

Redfern Family
Lusse Family
Schmidt Family
VanWetten Family

Surgery Scheduled

Friends and Family,

I know you are checking the blog for updates on Mom, and we truly do appreciate your prayers and concerns. The truth is, there has been nothing to post because we have still been stuck in the waiting game. She had a scan last Monday and some other areas in her pelvic and abdomen regions showed-up as possible cancer sites but the doctor does not think it is cancer because none of the other tests have had the same outcome. The PET scan could have been picking-up on the areas where she has had recent surgery and nuclear testing. We'll have to wait until this Friday to find out which one is right - Dr. Numnum or the PET scan.

Surgery is scheduled for Centennial Women's Hospital on Friday, Oct. 24. We're not sure of the exact time but think it will be around noon or so before they get started. Mom is having a really tough time right now. She is very scared. Dr. Numnum has been very upfront with us and has made it very clear that this is very risky surgery, however we really don't have a choice if Mom wants a good chance at complete recovery.

I don't think it helps any that Friday marks 15 years since the passing of Mom's father to cancer. She was very close to him and grieves for him still. Also, we are supposed to hear from Leigh on Saturday but her latest letter stated that she may or may not be allowed to leave the base and call home. Needless to say, Mom's nerves are shot right now.

I'll be sure to post again once there is more news to tell. In the meantime, please don't stop praying.

Update on my Mother's health

We basically spent yesterday in Nashville at an appointment with Mom's new gynecologic oncologist. It was determined that Mom has a form of ovarian cancer. The good news is that the prognosis is good and that her condition was found while in Stage II whereas most ovarian cancers are not diagnosed until Stage III and all too often, Stage IV. Ovarian cancer is known as a silent killer of females because it is not easily detected and does not show-up on pap smears and often is very progressed before the individual begins to suspect a health condition.

The ideal treatment plan would be chemotherapy then surgery then more chemotherapy, however due to the fact that Mom has already received chemotherapy and radiation for lymphoma back in 2004, her bone marrow is not as strong as it once was. The oncologist, Dr. Numnum, is of the opinion that the best treatment plan would be surgery first then chemotherapy. He is afraid that if her body does not react well to the chemo, then he may not be able to do the surgery due to failing health, so this is why he is planning to proceed with surgery first. Mom is scheduled for a PET scan on Monday to see if the cancer has spread to any other part of her body. We were told by Dr. Numnum to expect a call from him on Tuesday with the results and a date for surgery.

The surgery will be rather extensive and as he termed it "very risky" because of the number of organs that could possibly be affected and/or in the way of removing the masses. We feel very confident in Dr. Numnum and most of all in the fact that he acknowledges that whereas he will do everything he can for Mom, there is another Physician who can do much, much more.

Dr. Numnum is rather confident that the size of the masses and the early detection will contribute to a great response in treatment. We feel at peace with the situation before us and know that God is in control. Back in 2004, when we were told of the lymphoma we were devastated. God has exhibited His strength and love in our loves so extensively and maybe it's just because we've grown in faith but we know that everything is going to be okay. We all acknowledge and respect that God is the giver and taker of life and that even if Mom's health doesn't improve as we all are praying so diligently for, then it's still going to be okay. You see, we are not only family here on earth, but we are also members of God's eternal family.

Call me crazy, say I was dreaming...it doesn't really matter but here's the way God has comforted me. The night after we heard that it was likely a reoccurrence of cancer, I tossed and turned and cried and prayed....it was a miserable beginning of what I thought was going to be a very long night. I was laying in bed with Ashton trying to get him asleep when all at once I felt a presence in the room. I had been praying for comfort and peace but wasn't feeling that way YET. Normally when I feel this way, my arm hairs raise and my heart beats fast until I realize that it is only Jason trying to check on Ashton. Well, none of these sensations occurred and it wasn't Jason in the room. I felt a soft but firm pressure on my shoulder and I opened my eyes. All I could see was darkness before me but it wasn't a darkness like the lights are out, it was more of a cloud/form of darkness. I heard the softest words, "Be still, my child, know Me." All at once the figure was gone and I could see out the door and into the playroom like usual. I have never felt such a sense of peace and tranquility in my life. It was as if I could actually feel the worries leaving my body and the heaviness in my heart lifted. I know, it sounds crazy and maybe you think I was dreaming... maybe I was, although I don't think so because I hadn't been asleep yet...the important thing is that whether through dream or reality, God granted me peace. I turned over and held my child and thanked God for life, family, and most of all His love. God speaks to us in different ways and according to our needs. What did I need that night? I needed to feel the reassuring touch of my Father.

Ethiopia Court Tomorrow

As you may recall from earlier posts, Ethiopian courts have been closed since August 1 and reopened on October 1. There are 7 America World families who are on tomorrow's docket and they really need our prayers. Last year, it was reported that the courts were a zoo upon reopening and paperwork was not ready for some of the adoptive families, so the families did not "pass court" (this means the adoption was approved) the first time around. Please join us in praying that the paperwork will be ready and the families will "pass" on the first time around and be able to travel in just a few weeks to pick-up their new children!

Once the families "pass court", then they will be able to post pictures of their beautiful children. The following is a list of families on tomorrow's docket. The families in green have blogs, so be sure to watch for pictures!

Redfern

Wempe

Wistrom

Schmidt

VanWetten

Lusse

Hutchinson

Also, the Forrest family is requesting that their case be expedited and heard tomorrow because their precious little girl is very, very sick. She has pneumonia and is on oxygen and IVs. Please pray a very special prayer for this little girl and that their case can be heard tomorrow so they can go be with their little angel!

Praying for Adoption Costs and America World Adoption Agency

Yesterday afternoon, a fellow adoptive family put a post on the America World (AWAA - our agency) Yahoo chat board that described a rather significant fee increase that will affect families effective Nov. 1. The vast majority of us never received this e-mail from AWAA and were quite alarmed because we were learning specifics in a chatroom. Basically, for us, we are looking at an extra $3,000.00 that we now need to pay. Furthermore, AWAA is changing the timetable in which fees have to be paid which would result in over $4,000.00 being due on Jan. 15 when before we did not expect to have to pay the money until next Spring when we receive our referral. With the economy right now and most of America already being strapped, this is not a good thing!

When we committed to the Ethiopian program, we were given a fee list and payment schedule. We depended on this information in order to budget and finance our adoption. We are already out thousands upon thousands of dollars because of the failed Ukraine adoption, so we can't afford to take much more of a hit. Our hearts are torn right now because of many different factors. The first being that this is not the first time that we have had to tango per se with America World about money and standing by their word and the second is that communication - or lack thereof - seems to be a problem. When the overall Ukraine program went belly-up and families were left in a mess, it took time but the problem was rectified and AWAA ultimately ended-up standing by the families and the families also defended AWAA...the same thing needs to occur again in that we must come together as an agency and family and that's certainly what we're praying about. With the economy doing so poorly across the globe, we know that many adoption agencies are shutting down. America World has already slashed much of their staff in order to lower overhead and stay afloat. According to the CEO of America World, the overhead of AWAA has drastically increased because international adoptions are taking longer so the staff members are handling larger case loads than in previous years.

In Ethiopia, America World operates a transitional home that houses orphans who have been referred to families but the families have not yet been to Court and arrived to pick-up the children. Just yesterday, an announcement was made that AWAA is sending another worker to live in Ethiopia and take care of the adoptions from there. I think this is a good thing because the individual is actually the lead person in Virginia for the Ethiopian program. She has traveled several times to Ethiopia this year and each time, we have seen improvements and movements in the program. Also, a nurse has been hired as well as several new staff members and a social worker from TN (she's been there almost a year now and is fabulous) who are also working for AWAA in Ethiopia. The cost of diapers and formula are quite high, and apparently AWAA's old fees just are not covering the new expenses. We definitely do not want our children to suffer and not have their needs met, however there are a lot of questions centering around why such a HUGE increase of fees. We want the program to grow and we want our children cared for, but as a two year pre-adoptive family with AWAA we need to learn about the fees and have them explained by AWAA and not by a post in the chatroom. This has definitely not been handled appropriately and hopefully we will receive clarification and explanations soon.

It does not seem fair that families who are already very committed to the program should have to absorb the new costs. Basically, we entered into an agreement to pay the costs as stated in our documentation at the time we signed our contract with AWAA and in turn, AWAA agreed to provide services for a stated amount. In the past when there have been fee increases, the families who were already in the program were not affected because the agency acknowledged that families were contracted for specified amounts. Apparently, AWAA is taking a different approach this time around and the result is that families are completely up in arms. Our agency has not dealt with this issue in a very professional manner because of the way that most of us discovered the fee increase, and as a result a lot of questions have surfaced. As an adoptive community, we need to be able to resolve this issue and reach an agreement quickly before irreparable damage is done. If there is no other way to keep AWAA afloat, then we will absorb the costs. Right now, I'm praying that God will soften all of our hearts - both those of adoptive families and America World - so that we can work together. Ultimately, we have to focus on what's important - the children.

Last night, I was frustrated and digging through mounds of adoption paperwork for contracts when Jason sighed and told me to put it all away. He "kindly" reminded me that God is in control and already knows where the money is going to come from - even if we don't. He pulled out a CD and said that I needed to watch it with him. Boy did I need to watch it - it was footage set to music about a Nissan family's very recent adoption from China. Mayme and Bo, I watched the videos with tears streaming down my face. God used Emma to remind me that He is in control and that in the end, what does it matter that we've spent enough to buy a small house to bring Julianna home....because she will be worth every penny! Thank you for sharing your story with us! I truly needed that reminder last night!

Basically, please pray for our orphans, America World, all adoptive families, and finances. God will provide - I've told myself that at least one hundred times since last night and am determined that I will lay my worries at Christ's feet and completely relinquish control to Him.

Home from the Hospital

At 7:30 a.m., Mom was told that she could go home as soon as the paperwork was processed. Well....she got home at 2:50 p.m. She was so aggravated. Last night just wasn't a good night. She had a horrible nurse who basically forgot about her. She couldn't get anyone to help her to the restroom or give her medication in a timely fashion. The nurse "said" that she had given Mom all her meds but Mom told her exactly how many pills she was given and the names and then proceeded to tell her what she was NOT given - her pain medication. The nurse brushed Mom off but then must have realized a few moments later that Mom was correct because she waltzed back in and said, "Oh, you're in luck, the doctor has authorized more meds." The pain medication that she is on does not allow for such frequent consumption, therefore we know that the she "wasn't in luck" but that the nurse messed-up and got caught. This events occurred throughout the night from water to pillows to bathroom help. Let's just say that the staff better be glad that it was Mom in the hospital and not my sister, Leigh, because she would have been throwing things out into the hallway in order to get their attention.

The important thing is that she survived the night and is at home now.

Surgery Update

Well, we basically have no news to report. We're at the same place that we were 3 weeks ago...still waiting on biopsy results.

At the onset of the surgery, the doctor sent a slice of the mass to the lab which in turn stated that the results were inconclusive because the mass could be any number of diseases or complications. The lab did mention a couple of types of cancer including lymphoma. Lymphoma is not treated by removing masses but instead through chemo and radiation. At the mention of lymphoma, the surgeon took a larger slice of the mass to be sent for further testing and then decided to end the surgery and wait for the results. If it is not lymphoma, then more than likely she will have to have surgery again in order to remove the mass, however if it is lymphoma she will undergo treatment again. We were told to expect the results in 3-4 working days, so basically towards the end of next week. The surgeon did drain a significant amount of fluid from the two masses, so he hopes that the pressure on her colon will be reduced. Also, the masses were connected to her colon, so he disconnected them. Mom has an appointment with her oncologist scheduled for next Friday, so maybe we'll have more directions then?

She is spending the night in the hospital tonight and will likely be released in the morning pending no complications. When I left the hospital tonight, she was feeling okay and had eaten some soup and jello. Her blood pressure is low, so the hospital is monitoring her closely. She was not in any pain, however she was medicated, so we'll see what happens when that wears off.

Well, it's very late and we're exhausted. When I know more, I will certainly post. Please continue praying for her and for the doctors who are treating her.

Oh, Leigh has arrived in Quantico and is pretty beat as well. Her departure was very emotional for everyone, but we are very proud of her and support her decision to join the Marines. She has a very rough 10 weeks ahead of her as she endures Officers' Candidate School, so please continue to lift her up as well. After Saturday morning, we will not have any further oral communication with her for 3 weeks. I know she is going to be wondering about Mom's condition, however she has to focus on her training and will need a lot of prayers from family and friends in order to be able to do so.

Thank you for all your prayers!

Surgery on Thursday for my Mom

Friends and Family,

We have received so many e-mails and calls over the last week - thank you. The scripture passages, prayers, and words of encouragement have overwhelming and very much needed. We have laughed, cried, and most of all, experienced God's peace over the last week or so. My e-mail has been on the blink allowing me to read but not send messages, so I apologize for those people who did not receive responses to their messages, but please know that we are very thankful for such wonderful friends and family members.

Today has not been a good day for Mom. I have never called my parents and been told that I couldn't speak with either of them - today, I was told that I couldn't speak with Mom because she was in such pain and was trying to rest. Her pain has seemed to escalate over the last 24 hours, so she isn't up to talking much at all. We still don't really know anything. The surgeon stated last Friday that the area was suspicious for malignancy and that he wanted to schedule her for surgery in order to remove the mass, however he didn't schedule the surgery yet because he wanted to wait on her oncologist. Today, her oncologist stated that he can't treat her because he doesn't know what he's treating. He is recommending surgery at this point as well. What's so frustrating is that we are getting recommendations for action but until moments ago, no one had scheduled surgery. She is going for pre-op tomorrow afternoon and will have surgery sometime on Thursday. Wouldn't you know it, I have 2 trials on Thursday morning and then a hearing at 1:00 p.m. that afternoon so it is very doubtful that I will be able to wait with my dad except for running in and out. Also, Leigh (my sister) leaves for the Marines on Thursday - what an emotional day this will be for all of us but especially my mother.

Your prayers and words of encouragement are appreciated beyond words! THANK YOU!

Update on Mom's Health

For all of those who have e-mailed and made comments on our blog, THANK YOU! My e-mail account is allowing me to read messages but not reply, so I'm sorry that I haven't been able to get back with many of you. Your messages have been so uplifting for all of us. We certainly can feel your prayers!

We still haven't heard anything from the doctors - we are VERY FRUSTRATED to say the least. My mother is in a lot of pain and needs relief soon. From what my parents were told yesterday afternoon, the lab was not able to conduct all the tests that the doctor requested, so the specimen had to be sent to a second lab. We may hear something today but it is unlikely. I will post here as soon as we know something.

Calling all Prayer Warriors - My Mother's Cancer May Be Back

In 2004, my mother as diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma, and in 2005, she ended her chemo and radiation with wonderful results because the cancer was inactive/dead. Since that time, she has maintained regular appointments with her oncologist and as late as May of 2008, she has been deemed cancer free. Last week, she began experiencing extreme pain in her lower back and ended-up in the emergency room and then various doctors. She had a CT with contrast on Wednesday and a colonoscopy with biopsy this morning. At first, we thought the suspicious area was the hull of her last tumor and that her colon had not been affected. Just moments ago, I received a call from my father stating that the suspicious area had grown and had actually grown into her colon. She is in a lot of pain, and surgery is inevitable. We were initially told that the suspicious area may be infection, but the surgeon just stated that he thinks the lymphoma may be back (not 100% positive but very likely). The biopsy results are expected back on Wednesday, so hopefully the news will not be as bad as we have been told to expect.


Our family is reeling with this news. Please pray for comfort and peace for my mother, Debbie Tudor. We know that God is the holder of life and that He is in absolute control of this situation. God tells us to pray specifically and to tell Him our hearts' desire - of course, it's our desire that her body be healed completely and that we can all enjoy decades upon decades of memories together here on Earth as well as in Heaven! We know and accept that sometimes our plans don't coincide with that of our Father, however we know that He is in control and we see us through this season of life.


In the meantime, my sister, Leigh, is scheduled to leave for Marines Officer Candidate School on October 3, 2008, so she is absolutely at a loss as to what to do. Leigh was in Spain while Mom was fighting cancer in 2004, and her heart is breaking with whether or not she should leave in October. Please remember her in your prayers as well because she truly needs God's guidance and peace.

Your prayers are coveted and very much appreciated.

My mother reads our blog (and many, many more) faithfully. She loves to read comments, so if you are willing to pray, please take a moment to post a comment so that she'll know people everywhere are praying - she needs all the prayers, love, and support she can get!

America World Conference Call

Today, we had our monthly conference call with the America World Ethiopian program director, Duni. Some families seemed to be discouraged after the call, however we felt like the call was positive and showed promise that the Ethiopian government is very much pro-adoption. Just to keep you updated on the program, here are some of the highlights from the call:

• Currently, families spend 6-7 days in Ethiopia and accommodations are made at the Hilton. Our agency is now looking into the possibility of securing accommodations for traveling families at guesthouses or bed and breakfast establishments. The purpose of this change is to provide families with more personal, intimate space within which to bond with the child. Hopefully the accommodation will have a gathering room that will contain toys for the children as well as an office area that will provide Internet access. Personally, I am excited about the change because I have spoken with other adoptive families who used other agencies and this was the accommodations that they enjoyed and highly recommend because it provides more of a “home” environment in which to bond with your child.

• One big change that was announced is that the Ethiopian government is requesting that adoptive families not spend a significant amount of time in the public environment with their children. The Ethiopian culture is very rich and they are very proud people, and many people do not appreciate the fact that their children are being taken to other countries. While it is true that many Ethiopians do not adopt children themselves and that the children are being adopted so that they can have more opportunities and most of all, be a part of a family outside of the orphanage, I respect that many Ethiopians do not want to see the children go. It was discussed that perhaps families will not remove the children from the transitional home until right before the Embassy appointment. I completely respect the wishes of the Ethiopian people and even more so appreciate the fact that the Ethiopian government is being sensitive to the feelings of the citizens while at the same time allowing adoptions to continue so that children can find forever families.

America World families are torn as to some people being happy with the change and others not so happy. Please pray for all of us so that we can seek God’s guidance and that we can seek to be more like Him. Also, please never stop praying for our agency, Ethiopia, and most of all…the children.

Let’s sit back and watch God work!

Ethiopia Fellowship Group 09-06-08

Rachel Ward holding a card and gift certificates that are from the America World Yahoo group. We wanted to show our appreciation to them for all their hard work and dedication.

This past Saturday, Jason and I went to a cook-out for local families who are adopting from Ethiopia. We're kinda shy, so it was a little overwhelming at first because so many of the other families already knew one another, but by the time the evening ended, we were really glad that we had attended. We were able to meet lots of people who are in the process at some stage and then lots of families who had already completed their adoption.

The highlight of our evening was being able to see Rachel Ward again. She was our social worker until this past February when she moved to Ethiopia to run America World's transitional home with her newlywed husband, Barrett. They are absolutely wonderful. They are our link to our child between the time that the child leaves the orphanage and then is united with his or her new family. Once a child become available for adoption, Rachel receives a call from the orphanage and she makes arrangements to have the child transported to the transitional home which will become the child's new home until parents arrive from America. She provides families with updates on their children and assists the families during their stay in Ethiopia. When asked how long she and Barrett will reside in Ethiopia, she stated that right now they plan on staying until at least next Spring or Summer but that nothing is definite at this time. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to return to Ethiopia in the next week or so.

We were really excited to meet the Redfern and Hawkins families - both are active in the Yahoo group, so it was great to finally meet in person! The Redferns have Ethiopian court on October 8, 2008, so let's pray extra hard that they will pass on the first round!

Decorating the Nursery

Message over the baby bed

A close-up of the baby bedding

The window treatments


A close-up of the floral arrangement

The mural over our changing table. This area isn't completely finished yet, so more pictures of this wall later.

Jason's favorite part of the room

The chandelier - my favorite part and Jason's least favorite (that's an understatement)!

Cradle that was built by PaPa Tudor

Cradle bedding and Julianna's first dolls from her Aunt BoBo and Granny Tudor

Not completely finished - still needs the adoption figurine on the shelf and of course, Ashton's picture will be replaced with Julianna's picture!

It was quite a productive holiday weekend at our house. We cleared-out Ashton's baby items and started painting and decorating for Julianna. The painting was a pain because I stink at it, but fortunately my mother doesn't...she was a HUGE help! Ashton was running around everywhere and of course, "helping". The pictures are adorable but can't be shared because he was running around and trying to help with floral arrangements in his underclothes.

The room isn't finished, but it's almost there! We still have to finish the hair bow holder and buy the adoption figurine but we have several months to complete those tasks. Mom and I did the majority of the work and had a blast. When I was pregnant with Ashton, Mom didn't get to help a lot because she was going through chemo for cancer and was very sick. I am so thankful that God has healed her and allowed her to take part in preparing for Julianna's arrival.

A HUGE thank you to Jason and my Dad for putting up the "tacky, gaudy chandelier" (Jason's words). Personally, I think the chandelier is adorable and completes the nursery by giving a very girly look. Jason says that chandeliers are for dining rooms. We received a magazine entitled "Post Tots" which featured lots of very elaborate chandeliers in baby rooms, so he rolled his eyes which I showed him but I think he's beginning to come around.