Summer Fun 2010

Butter Love

My little Butter is sweet to love on. He helps us all smile just a little bigger and welcomes the snuggly loves from his brothers and sisters. (well, perhaps he is just a BIT cautious of Chloe's most fervent loves) I was so tickled to get these on my camera. I love his and Ellie's smiles in the last photo.

Meet Monroe

For those who want to be apart of adoption - but the financial committment is overwhelming, here is your chance to save a child. Monroe has a FULL grant of $20,000. You are literally just looking at spending out of pocket for a committment fee, homestudy, your USCIS application., and passports. Please - help save Monroe - upload this info and picture on your blog and facebook - let's get the word out. He only has six months left, and the paperwork process needs to be started NOW! You can go to http://www.reecesrainbow.com/ for more info.

Monroe (12)

BOY, Born February 4, 2005

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

Monroe is a sunshine of a little boy! He is already 5 and blessed to still be at the baby house. He needs a family right away!

From a missionary who visited with him in June 2010: I met with the doctor in his Groupa House who brought me back to meet him. The Head Doctor wanted me to meet the children who needed equipment. While measuring him for a chair, she explained to me what was more important was that he get a family. He will be traferred in six months to the worst institution, restrained in a crib in a dark room. She broke into tears! Monroe has spastic cerebral palsy in all four limbs and is globally delayed. He is able to recognize the voices of his careworkers and understand simple directions. However, due to his spacitiy he is unable to do much of anything. No speech. With therapy he can improve but will always have limitations. I measured his head circumfeence and once home will check with a doctor regtarding whether ir not he is microcephalic as well. I will try to gather more information on him today. His temperament was sweet and his eyes twinkled. He needs a family fast!

From an adoptive family who visited with him in June 2009: Monroe has CP. It appears that he is unable to use his arms and legs and is not sitting up on his own. He has the most beautiful smile and I don't think there is much of a cognitive delay. He loves to be held and his whole face lights up when you come near him."

*** Monroe has an incredible benefactor who has offered a FULL GRANT of $20,000 for his adoption. He is facing imminent institutionalization, and will regress quickly once he is transferred. Families who are qualified (www.reecesrainbow.org/newfamily.html) to adopt internationally and who are approved to adopt a significantly delayed child should contact Andrea for more information. This is a very fast program and it is very possible to have him home before the end of 2010! ***

MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE ~~~~ go to http://www.reecesrainbow.com/
Monroe has $20,000 in my grant fund towards the cost of his adoption!

Teeth

Justus has TWO teeth! They just came through a couple of days ago. He has been a bit grumpy. He is also fighting a bit of a cold. His doctor went ahead and put him on a heavy duty antibiotic to try and keep it from becoming pneumonia. My sweet Justus is getting so big. Fourteen months old, two teeth, and sitting up on his own. He also can maneuver his own sippee cup now! Next thing I know, he'll be asking for my car keys!

Adoption Blog Auction ...

... EnDs ToMoRrOw at midnight. Go check it out at http://www.anextraleaf.blogspot.com/

Lots of great items and wonderful creations by friends up for bid. I am truly astounded at people's generosity. I so appreciate those who have given of their time and talents to help bring Matthew and Ivanna home.

THANK YOU!

*pictured above is a beautiful 16 x 20 styrene mounted portrait that is available on blog auction.

Jessica is engaged!

Lucas Burchett asked my little sister, Jessica, to marry him this fourth of July! What a wonderful way to start the firework display! We could not be more thrilled. He is an excellent addition to our family and we are very excited to see how God molds this young couple in their marriage! Let the wedding plans begin!!!

Dirty Birds

A couple of days ago we decided to let the kids sit outside with the chickens. It was quite peaceful to watch as the chickens scratched away at the dirt and chomped on grass. Peaceful ... until one of those little chicks decided to do what birds do best - lay a stinky. Only this stinky landed right on Ethan's leg! He wasn't to thrilled about it. Of course, I thought it hilarious. So I grabbed my camera to document the whole thing. Chickens are fun, but they are also dirty little birdies - so make sure you handle with care! ;)