Just a little bit busier these days!!!

Wow, I cannot believe I haven't posted since September!!!!   Well, I guess I have a pretty good excuse.....the twins are HOME, and that means I am just a wee bit busy!  And I love it!   Here is a brief update on life at the Castle Norwood over the past few months:

We met the twins in China, and instantly fell in love! They were so much happier, healthier, and more active than we ever imagined!  They were VERY tiny.....we had packed them size 2T and 3T clothing, since they are 3 1/2, and we ended up having to buy them size 12 months in China!  They cried when they first met us....they were so afraid!  The room was full of people, full of nervous kids, and it was overwhelming.  But after playing with them few minutes, they finally relaxed.  We quickly realized that we had them pegged wrong.  From their descriptions, we expected Wu (who is more disabled) to be the more timid, more needy one.  Not the case.  He is all about being the boss.  He is smart, sassy, and he definitely takes care of his brother Wen.  Wen's nannies told us he was the whiney one, and they were right!  LOL  He is goofier and silly, but also the one who needs someone to love on him and take care of him.  They are so well bonded.  They talk to each other constantly, encourage each other constantly, and cannot stand to be apart.  There was a time in China, when they snuck behind a floor lamp, and they were having this adorable conversation about us.  It was so cute.  They were pointing at us, and chatting back and forth.  They must have decided we were ok, because it wasn't long before they were jumping on daddy and snuggling me!  They have adjusted SO well it is amazing.  They are absolutely beautiful, loving, sweet boys, who are incredibly smart and talented. They love to sing and learn.   Yes, we have had some rocking temper tantrums, mostly out of Mr. Wu, but nothing that we cannot handle.  And he is always ready for a snuggle when they are over!

Daley Faith had some surgery this month.  Her seizures have become a huge issue, with the intensity and frequency increasing over the past few months.  So, we had a Vagal Nerve Stimulator inserted into her chest.  It was just activated 2 weeks ago, and we are already seeing a difference in the length of her seizures.  Every 2 weeks we will increase the intensity of the VNS until we have a good control over her seizures.  I am very encouraged that this is a much better answer to the epilepsy than increasing and adding more drugs, which just make her dopey and tired all of the time.

Meng Yan also had some surgery!  Shortly after bringing the twins home, she began to complain of belly aches, especially at night, after dinner.  I kinda thought it might be a bit of jealousy, so I spent some extra time snuggling her and reading with her in the evenings.  The pains continued, so we finally did an ultrasound, to check her belly, and low and behold, we found gall stones.  LOTS of gall stones.  An unfortunate side affect of having Beta Thalassemia.  So, last week she had her gall bladder removed.  She had a lot of pain for a few days, but today was mad because I would not let her play at her basketball game!  She is a trooper!

Keagan and Bronwyn have been insanely busy, as they are both playing basketball for Decatur Christian and UPWARDS with our church.  Toby, Rory, and Meng are also playing UPWARDS basketball.  I LOVE going to basketball games, but I think I have seen my fair share this year, and I am looking forward to having my nights free again!  But they have all had a great season!

Brianna and Britt are doing well.  Brianna continues to be the class clown, and Britt is certainly making a name for herself with her amazing artwork.  Britt has been struggling with a lot of garbage from her past, but we are praying hard that satan would be bound, and her spirit would heal.  God has big plans for these girls, and I am excited to be a small part of it!

Patrick has also been struggling.  He and Danyne broke up while we were in China.  I did not take it well, as I dearly love Danyne.  Always thought I would have her as a daughter-in-law (and secretly still hope to!).  Patrick has struggled finding a job.  He was hired by a company before Christmas, but they currently have no welding contracts, so he has yet to begin work.  He interviewed with another company last week, and has some more testing to do for them on Tuesday.  I pray God puts him in a good place, the right place where he will have the influence of Godly men.  He is trying to figure out his path in this world, and it needs to be a Godly path.  He has such amazing potential!

Brian is doing well at Hoyleton.  He was able to come visit over Christmas, and it was really good to see him.  For a while he was calling me every night, which was great.  Lately, however, I have not heard from him as much.  He told me he "forgot about me", which broke my heart!  But, I guess that it is good that he is staying busy and active.  Despite everything that has happened with Brian, I do miss him very much.  I hope he can someday come back to our home, but if not, I hope we will always maintain a healthy relationship with him.

Brogan, Zachary, and Landon will be visiting next week!  I am SO excited!  They are moving to Minneapolis, and will be staying with us for a week, while they wait for the moving truck to meet them.  I am so excited to see them all!  And I am also so excited that they will be so much closer!   They will be 7 hours away, instead of 17 hours away!  Still not close enough, but I will take it!

Ok, now here is the crazy news.  No, I am not adopting again,  At least not yet!  There is this little boy named Teddy, that Dale and I have been sponsoring for about 4 years.  He is from Meng's orphanage in China.  Teddy is a lot like my Daley.  He cannot speak, sit up, and does not interact much.  He is dying.  He is 7 years old and weighs less than 14 pounds.  It is KILLING me.  I actually send his info to my caseworker and begged her to approve me to go get him, but she cannot.  I cannot even apply to adopt him until the twins have been home 12 months, which would be October.  He won't be alive in October at the rate he is failing.  I cannot just let him die.  So, with the help of some friends, I have made arrangements to get him a high calorie nutrition supplement in China.  IT is expensive....about $350 for a 2 month supply.  I am seeking donations towards this formula, as it is too much for me to pay for alone.  I had a lot of wonderful people contribute last month, so we have the first 2 months paid for.  If this formula does not help him gain weight, then it will cost about $1200 to have a tube put into Teddy, and another $150 to train the nannies to use it.  And the crazier thing is that I totally feel in my spirit that I need to go spend some time with him.  So, the last week of May, Meng and I are heading to China!  She will get to see the nannies who loved her and cared for her, and I will get to meet and love on Teddy.  And Dale will get to hold down the fort while I am gone!  LOL

Ok, I have SO much more to catch up on, but I gotta get some sleep!   Love you all, thanks for checking in!
A

Here we go!

China Bound!

 Yes we are!   Flights are booked, hotels are booked, and we are beyond excited (and incredibly nervous).  We are leaving on October 10, flying our to Chicago.  Flying in to HongKong, where we will stay over night, and take the train the next day to Guangzhou.  We will meet our boys on October 13!  All the paperwork takes place the next day, the consulate appointment is the 20th, and we will be back home on the 22nd.

My mind is racing.....so many things to do, to get ready.  So many arrangements to make for the kids who will be staying home with big sister, Brogan, and my grandson Landon.  Everyday I think of something else I need to do or prepare.  But I am blessed that so many of my family and friends are pitching in to help out.  My biggest concern is leaving Daley for so long.  But, she is stable right now, and outside of having too many seizures, she is pretty predictable.

Lord, thank you!  Thank you that after praying for these boys for almost TWO YEARS, that we are so close to making them ours!  Thank you for providing the finances necessary, and the helpers who are pitching in as needed.  Please calm our nerves, help us think clearly, and bless and protect our flight, our trip, and our children, who will be waiting at home.  And please prepare our hearts to be parents again, and Wen and Wu's hearts, to become a permanent part of our family!  You are an awesome God!   Amen!  

Waiting (not so patiently) for TRAVEL APPROVAL!

China is getting closer and closer!   Yesterday we got notice that our Article 5 was picked up, and delivered to CCCWA.  Now we wait on Travel Approval, which generally takes 1-3 weeks.  Although 2 families have gotten theirs in less than a week recently!  The timing is bad, unfortunately.  All of China is closed for a holiday Oct 1-8.  And beginning Oct 15, there is a trade show in the province we are going, which will drive all of the hotel and restaurant prices UP.  But we don't even care at this point!  We will go to get the boys the minute we are able to!  Hoping to leave for China Oct 11, Gotcha day on Oct 13.  Prayers please!  

For anyone wanting to follow our journey to bring home Wen and Wu, we will probably be posting most information and photos on the boys FB page.  Just search for "Always Room for More".  I am trying my best to keep that site updated.

Everything else is good here!  Six Flags roast has finally died down somewhat.  Kids are doing well in school.  Dale is loving his new job.  Brian is doing well at Hoyleton.

Here are some new pics to enjoy!

The gang, visiting Brian!

Daley Faith, enjoying her new bed!

Keagan, Bailey (his honey-pie) and Timothy

Happy 14th Bday Bronwyn~

Britt and Brianna's volleyball team!

UGH...

Well, my blog is now private.  We have officially filed an American with Disabilities Act lawsuit against Six Flags, on behalf of Rory.  Flip back to the 2012 Momma Bear post, if you don't know what this is all about.  We are the 4th suit to be filed against Six Flags for the same reason....discrimination against children and adults with hand/leg differences.  Well, our attorney warned us about the press, and boy was he right.  We have been completely roasted in the press.  People automatically assume the worst.  That I am a terrible mother, with too many kids, who is looking for free money.  This could not be further from the truth.  And to make matters worse, in the first Chicago Sun Times article, the reporter printed my private blog info as well as Rory's FB page info.  So....to keep from being ripped up on my very own private media spots, I have closed them.

Anyone who takes 5 minutes to research, with find out that ADA suits can ask for legal and filing fees only.  We can only ask for damages (which we would not) in a private suit.  An ADA suit is basically for policy change, and for equal treatment for people with disabilities.

I cannot even go online, to read the posts from readers.  They are SO mean.  SO hurtful.  I guess I am pretty naive, because I sure didn't expect so much hate.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is SO small compared to what Jesus endured.  But it is still pretty hard.

So....in the meantime, I am keeping very busy.  Putting the kids in school has been good, but OMGOSH, so much time is gone!  School til 3:30, then sports til 6, then homework til bedtime.  I miss them!  We literally went from spending ALL day together, to barely having any fun time together!  Hoping we get used to it, and that their days begin to run more smooth, so we have more time together.  They are really liking it, though!     And it is such a weird feeling only homeschooling 3!  Wow, it has been a while!

News on Wen and Wu.....our DS-260 has been filed, and we are waiting on Article 5 pick up.  And then Travel Approval.  We are being told we should travel by October 1, but most timelines I am looking at seem to be a little longer.  Regardless, we are READY!  I cannot wait to love on those boys!

Enjoy some new pics!

A GREAT new photo of my honeys!

Arent't these Ts adorable?  For Daley and the twins

Keagan's first football game.  He is number 10

Me and my dear friend Darcy, in a 5K we ran to benefit my nephew David, who is battling cancer

Shunnichi's last evening with us.  He made us a great Japanese dinner

A little step closer to China

Well, we have our Provisional Approval to bring the boys home now!  This means we are literally less than 2 months from bringing them home.  We are waiting on a few last things to happen in the process, and then we will need to apply for both our visas and the boys' visas.  I cannot believe it is SO close!  I have little by little been gathering things they need.  I think all that is left is carseats.  And of course, some more toys!  Also waiting for a new video of them.  We sent them a photo book of our family, as well as a cake and some toys.  Any day now I should be getting the video of them, when they see our photos for the first time!!!

We have 2 families from our church, who will be heading to China in the next few weeks, to bring their daughters home.  I am SO excited for them!  One is a Beta Thal gal, like my Mengy, and the other has a mild form of dwarfism.  They are both beautiful!  And 2 other church friends in process from China, including my sister and her family......working hard to get Shazhou home quickly!!!

Brian is settled in at Hoyleton Ministry Residential Home.  He most recently got very upset with me over a conversation in which he told me I needed to come get him.  He began that all too familiar yelling and accusing, and immediately my stomach began to churn.  I do help this facility can help him control his rages, either through medication or through behavioral therapy.  Please keep praying for him.  We hope to visit him in the next few weeks, but only if his conversations are a little less aggressive.

We have been fun winding down our summer.  We went to the state fair, bought all of our school supplies, and have been taking Shunnishi souvenir shopping before he heads back to Japan in just a few days.  Meng had her surgery to replace her port.  There were some complications, and it was a little rough, but she is a trooper, and is recovering well!  Dale is really liking his new job.  It is SO nice to have him so close to home!  He is able to have lunch with us several days a week.

Well, to close, I want to do something I used to do, years ago, in my prayer journal.   Basically, list prayer requests and praises.   You don't have to read them if you don't want to, they are basically reminders for me....and a cool way to follow later and see how God has worked!  Blessings friends!

Praises:  Prov. App for the boys!  Travel so close for Browns and Powells, kids ready for school!, Mengs surgery is over, Daley has been so happy and healthy, a nurse that prays over Daley and truly loves her, Dale's new job, Patrick's new job, my kids sports involvement in their new school, friendly families are the kids' new school, my wonderful church family and friends, our new basketball court

Prayers: Celia Bethard family (she recently passed) , Preparation for our heart and our boys', Finances to complete the adoption and to afford private school for the teens, Patrick's heart and future, Brogan and Zachary - job opportunities closer to home,  David Joel, Anita, and Todd-battling cancer, Greg Scott-mother recently passed, Pierson's-need PA for Shazhou!

Children here in IL needing a family! And an update on my crazy family!

Hello friends!   So, have you felt that tug on your heart to adopt, but haven't quite felt like jumping on a plane and spending insane amounts of money to do so?  Well, here is your chance to be a family to some little boys who desperately need one!

Situation #1:    A 5 year old bi-racial boy, whose mother has passed away.  He has been living with an aunt, but she wants to find him an adoptive family.  He had some prenatal alcohol exposure, and has had several years of physical therapy and speech therapy, but his SW says he is 95% on target.  He will start kindergarten this month, and is happy and healthy.  Very reasonable fees and immediate placement possible.

Situation #2:   7 and 10 year old brothers, who need to stay together.    Both are happy and healthy, will be in 2nd and 4th grade.  Their birthmother suffers from some mental illness/anxiety and no longer wants to parent.  They are staying with a grandfather, but need immediate placement.  Again, reasonable fees.  These boys would qualify for a non-ward subsidy, which would give them a medical card and a monthly stipend to help with their expenses.

Please contact me if you are interested in either of these situations!!!

Ok, news on us.   We had an amazing visit with Bronwyn's birth brother, Brandon and his family.  Also had the opportunity to meet her Uncle Jerome.  They are awesome people, and we are blessed to have them as a part of our extended family!  Hoping to see them again this fall!

Exciting news about my sister and her family.....they have decided to pursue adopting Shazhou!!!!  I cannot tell you how much this news blesses me!  He is a wonderful little man, and he seems to fit right into their family.  He had to go back to China last week, but they are working hard on their paperwork, and hope to have him home permanently by spring.  Don't they look great together!

We have very good news about our situation with Brian.  First of all, our charges have been dropped. Praise God!  This news is like a million pounds being lifted off of us.  And more good news is that he was accepted into Hoyleton Ministries Residential Program, which is a great placement, and only about 2 hours from home.  Bad news is that his aggression continues to be a huge issue.  Please help us continue to pray for his mental health.

While we were in Chicago, we had the awesome opportunity to visit my "kinda of sort of son", Chris Bradham.  He has been a wonderful part of our lives for many years.  He recently had some reconstructive surgery on his leg/hip, and is in a rehab hospital in Chicago.  We had a very fun visit with him.  He is just as crazy as ever!

Other news.....we have Shunnichi here visiting us from  Japan.  He is our 6th Japanese student to stay with us, through the Labo/Lex program.  He is extremely polite and kind.  Hope we are not driving him crazy!  LOL

Other kids are well, getting ready for school to start.  My curriculum is bought and waiting.  Bought the teens supplies tonight and their official registration is Thursday.  They are excited/nervous about this new adventure called DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.  They are gonna do great!

God bless you all!

Oops, I almost forgot!  I just completed the Decatur to Peoria St. Jude Run!  I didn't die!  It was actually a lot of fun, and so touching.  We stayed for the ceremony this year, and got to meet and greet lots of St Jude kiddos and their families.  It was awesome.  I am gonna run it again next year, and then my goal for the following year (my 50th bday) is to run on the Memphis to Peoria team!  

In our hands!

Yep, our LOA from China arrived today!  Countdown to China has begun!  It finally seems real!  And now I have to wrap my head around being a mom again.....to two three year olds!  EEK!