A post in honor of the long silence. . . .

Can't think.

Brain dumb.

Inspiration won't come.

Bum ink, Bum pen.

That's all. . . .

Amen.

Sick, Sick, Sick !

O. K.  So I know you've all been curious as to how things are going around here.  And also, I've had some hints that you all might think I am just keeping the hard times from the blog.  I am not.  There truly have not been any major incidents.  However, I think we may have stumbled onto something serious.  I have discovered a FLAW . . . . And tonight,  I have reached the end of my tolerance for this flaw.  I will no longer tolerate it.  Are you ready?  Drumroll. . . . THE burp !  I am so grossed out I can hardly stand it.  And now, two of my other boys also think it is neat, and are taking up the sport.  I have officially declared war against the burp.  Burp, YOU'RE GOING DOWN!

p.s.Lest some of you readers can't detect the humor and sarcasm, I do not see burping as a serious flaw! ! ! ! HOWEVER, flaw or no, it is gross though!

The happenings of the day

Some changes to the diet. . . . .

 

 

Some Sourdough starter. . . . Yep, smells formented  :)

 happily sharing the bowl of dried beans. . .

Ahoy, Matey. . . . Care to sail on the "lake o' beans?"

And. . . . some new additions to the family.  I think I shall call them:



Large. . . .

. . . . And. . . . . .



In Charge! 

Winter tradition:  Arlyn pulls them around and around the house behind his truck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sledding on our slides!

Maybe if I follow these footprints long enough. . . . . .

 

 

 

 

 

The "Project"

 

The girls wanted to make these little animals for Myah's birthday!  Sierra is making the daschund hound, and Evie is making the caterpillar.  Me thinks this is a big bite to chew, but they are doing great!

My 4 "men"

Update on Willow

We received this email from the agency:



Dear Families,

Thank you for your overwhelming interest in Willow!  Since posting her story last week, her story has had 3,000+ shares on Facebook and I have received 150+ individual emails inquiring about her. Amazing!!

At this point we have been able to identify a number of families who fit the eligibility requirements outlined by the Thai government, which is important so as not to have delays in seeking approvals.   We are hopeful that we will be able to match her with a family soon, and will be sure to share this exciting news on our Facebook page when this happens.

I realize that each of you sent me individual questions regarding Willow, the adoption process, fees etc.  Due to the large volume of inquiries regarding Willow,  I want to apologize in advance for a generic response to your emails.  You can learn more about the country programs that we are currently working with, sign up to attend a free webinar to learn more about adopting a child through Holt, request an application packet,  and view other children like Willow whom we are currently home finding for on our Waiting Child Photo listing by visiting our website here: http://www.holtinternational.org/

I would be more than happy to answer any questions that your family may about adoption, please feel free to contact me. 

Thank you once again for your wonderful support in helping Willow find her forever family!

Erin Anderson

(previously Erin Mower)

Waiting Child Program Coordinator

Holt International

541-687-2202 ext 150

888-355-4658

Fax 541-683-6175

erinm@holtintl.org

Praise the Lord !

Willow

URGENT UPDATE ON WILLOW

40

Willow Will be Returned to the Orphanage in One Month!

 URGENT UPDATE ON WILLOW (February 21): For the last 3 years, Willow’s story and beautiful photos have graced our blog and Facebook page. We had hoped that in that time an adoptive family would come forward for her, and provide her with the loving home she needs and deserves. But, still, she waits. We at Holt recognize that adopting an older child isn’t for everyone, but we still hold onto hope – still pray – that a family can be found for sweet Willow.
Just a few hours ago, we were informed that Willow has exactly 1 month to find a family in the United States. If a family can’t be found for her by March 21st, she will have to leave her foster family and return to a government-run orphanage. We can’t let this happen! If Willow returns to the orphanage, finding an adoptive family for her will prove almost impossible.
We have just one month, and we need your help! Please share Willow’s story and photos with your family and friends, on your blog and Facebook page, and at your church! We know that a family is out there for Willow, but we are running out of time – Willow is running out of time. So please do all you can!
Adoption eligibility requirements for Willow may be flexible regarding parent age limit and number of children in home.  Willow will need specialized attention upon coming home, so we are seeking an adoptive family with 0-1 children younger than Willow currently in the home.   A family that has parented past her age is also recommended.  There is a $5000 Special Blessings grant available for the adoption fees. Please contact Erin Anderson at erina@holtinternational.org if your family is interested in adopting Willow.

In 2011,  Jessica Palmer, director of services for Southeast Asia, traveled to Southeast Asia to meet children living in Holt-supported foster and institutional care.  Here, she reflects on her visit with Willow*, whose referral is posted as G10_8 on Holt’s Southeast Asia photolisting.
Date of Birth: October 13, 2002
The smell of incense wafts from the front porch of Willow’s foster home – a small, wooden house that sits beside a river. The incense is especially important this afternoon, as the thunderstorm that came through this morning has caused some flooding in nearby areas.  The incense keeps the mosquitoes away.
For over six years, Willow has lived in this house, patiently waiting for her forever family. In a house nearby, a close friend of Willow’s once also waited.  But she has since left to join her adoptive family.  When a post-placement photo came in, Willow eagerly asked to see it, no doubt missing her friend.
And wondering, when it will be her turn.
Found as a newborn in a rice field, Willow spent the first 4 years of her life in an institution.  She knew nothing else.  So when, in July 2006, she went to live with a foster family, her adjustment was not exactly smooth sailing. But time has  passed, and the change in Willow is visible.  She is thriving as a member of this family and has learned productive ways of handling frustration, such as walking away from a situation.   As we sit on her front porch, we talk with Willow and her foster mother about her friends at school and in the neighborhood, how much she helps her foster mother around the house, and about her most recent interest – jigsaw puzzles.
As we hear more and more about Willow’s personality, I begin to notice pieces of myself in her foster mother’s descriptions.  When Willow finishes a jigsaw puzzle, she loses interest and doesn’t want to do the puzzle again – she’s already solved it!  Sometimes she needs to be reminded to make the bed.  She is quite helpful to other people and is a very patient girl.
In September 2012, Willow met with a psychiatrist for a regular follow up visit.  The psychiatrist determined that Willow is doing well both in school and at home.  Willow also regularly meets with a speech therapist and is now able to clearly recite short stories. Her foster continually encourages Willow to tell longer stories, with more complex sentences, and Willow is improving in this area.   Willow always works hard in school and gets along well with other children.

Willow in August 2013.

Willow and I are so similar in personality, and so different in circumstances.  I wonder what I would think if I were in her shoes – what hopes and dreams I would have for my future.  Would I ever go from foster child, my information posted on a photolisting for over a year, to the permanent daughter of a loving adoptive family?  If I were her, I wouldn’t give up on that hope.
As we walk down the porch steps, away from the incense and back down the muddy path to our vehicle, I see Willow, quietly blowing bubbles and watching as they float to the ground.
For more information about Willow, contact Erin Anderson at erina@holtinernational.org.
*name changed



Some pictures that have been awaiting an occasion. . . . 

Lost my britches, what'll I do. . . I'll walk around with one red shoe. . . .



Ezekiel and Myah with Harold and Charlotte

w

Let brotherly(sisterly)love continue.

 

Here Zeke, let's comb out this tangle right here.

You peel 'em and I'll cut out the bad spots.

Look at Graydon's amazing cake.

Me? Snitchin?. . . how did you know?

No more cryin' over the onions, mama.  We've got it covered.

 

Maybe there's room for one more gumdrop on here.  And another. . .and another. . .

 

It's squeaky clean , mama !

Also, thanks so much for the comments!  It is so fun to see who is reading!  Love to all!  Joyfully His, Lanita

How is it going?

The question everyone wants answered is, "How is it going? "  Well, pretty much like life with 7 children normally goes!  When I look at circumstances it seems like a lot of work!  When I look at the Lord, it seems like heaven!  I know this will sound strange to someone with fewer children, but truly it doesn't seem much different than 6 children, or 5.  Once you reach a certain noise and chaos level, there doesn't really seem to be much increase!  Unless some are with their papa.  Then you notice it is quieter!  We are really enjoying Cenya being a part of our family.  I would say the honeymoon is ending for sure!  However, there has not been anything at all that we haven't dealt with in one of our other children.  Seems pretty much like a rowdy eight year old boy to me!  The children love having him around and he seems to enjoy having so many to play with.  At first, he found some of the littlest members of the family to be kind of messy and gross.  They also didn't understand personal space!  And I don't think he was used to a two year old cuddling in real close with a runny nose or messy hands!  And let's face it. . . it usually takes mama love for that anyway! !  He really enjoys the little ones now and thinks they are hilarious.  His laughter encourages them when they are being naughty "(  Maybe we do need to work on that!  We went to co-op yesterday and that went really well.  He was very attentive and followed directions.  I made sure I was in all his classes to make sure, but I don't think we will have problems. 

Thank you all so much for your acts of kindness and for your prayers!  Things are going swimmingly! 

In Christ,
Lanita