My Caleb turns 11, today.

Caleb is growing up on us so fast.  I can remember him toddling around as a two year old, those were some rough years.  He was a sick child in and out of the hospital every month or so because his oxygen levels were so low.  There was one point that he spent several weeks at children's hospital in Omaha.  I remember how closely that time bonded us together as mother and child.  I saw my child lay there struggling to breath just lifeless in a hospital bed.  The thing is this would reoccur and no one could tell us what was wrong with him other than when he was a bit older they would diagnose him with asthma.  This was so hard on this mamma who at that time was full of worry and anxiety about it all.  I remember taking him to daycare as I was teaching at that time and daycare would say he would cry all day long.  Something was wrong with my little guy.  Then I was introduced to a book by Dr. Rapp, called Is this Your Child?  This book shows a parent how to find out if your child has allergies to different foods, or chemicals in the environment.  Needless to say we started Caleb on this diet to find out if he had any food allergies and found out he was having reactions to tons of foods as well as different chemicals like bleach.  So my 2 year old couldn't eat anything with preservatives, added colors, milk, sugar or wheat. As well as many ingredients in household cleaners. Man I remember him sneaking cupcakes in the laundry room because he wanted something sweet to eat. And I remember trying to avoid clorox but I love the goodness of clorox in a clean house. However, when we started him on this diet he went a whole year without being in the hospital. It was a success.  After a year we backed off a bit to see if he had outgrown some of the allegies and noticed he was straight back in the hospital.  So after a few years we slowly stopped with the different foods and he did much better.  But even today I can't use any form of plug in without it bothering him and I can't use a ton of clorox in the house or he needs an inhaler, but for the most part he is completely healed of the food allergies.

Caleb is now a very loving compassionate eleven year old boy.  He loves on my daycare kids, play with them and always has an attitude to help out with them whenever I need help.  I know that he is going to have an extra special bond with his sister when we get her home.  I see him as her protector,  if anyone messes with her they are going to have to go through him.   I just love this kiddo so much, and the person he is growing up to be.

Garage Sale

Okay we are having a garage sale September 9th and 10th, to help raise money to bring Nellie home.  If you live in Kearney, and have anything laying around that you would like to donate, that would be great.  Let me know, and I can come by and pick stuff up.


On another note we have our finger prints almost done.  We went in Friday, but have to go back tomorrow and finish.  We also scanned in our first forms to Reeces Rainbow and I got an email at the end of Saturday that 3 of the forms needed to be redone. I'm not even sure what is wrong with them something about a number that didn't quite look right.  I think next go around I will get an extra copy of each done so I don't have to keep going back.  Who new how tedious all this paperwork was going to be.  I took a break today and didn't think about it at all.  Now I'm ready to try and tackle a bit again tomorrow.  I have been reading blogs for a while now and I read how awful the paperwork can be at times, just never realized that it was going to demand so much of my attention.

FUNDRAISING

I am not one who is good for asking for help, I have always been one who does it all on my own. However, with Nellie's adoption Dan and I need to raise money to bring her home.  We just can't do it by ourselves.  So here I humbly ask  you to help us bring Nellie home.  Also, keep tuned for as the weeks go by we will be having more fundraising events.  

I have 10 sets of cute marble magnets.

I also have  8 codes for FREE shutterfly 8 X 8 photobooks. You can check out shutterfly.com and see how beautiful and personal you can make photos books.    Here's the deal, I wanted to jump start Nellie's fundraising so the first 18 people who donate 15.00 or more can choose a set of magnets or a code for a free shutterfly book and I will send it to them.  All you have to do is make a comment on this post so I can get a hold of you and send you your set or your code.

The marble magnets are on the next post.

FUNDRAISER

                                                   

                                        

                                              

                                             

HomeSchooling off track before it has even started.

I wanted to start school this week but that didn't happen.  So my new goal is next week.  However, I have a huge problem with that. Yes, I admit I haven't finished ordering my curriculum.  I got overwhelmed with moving, and with initial paperwork to commit to Nellie and school got put on the back burner.  So this weekend I am going to finish ordering school stuff.  I am trying a new approach to school this year.  I'm hoping it is going to be great.  I have done all the research and have decided to give Sonlight a try.  I want my kids to love learning and for our family A beka just wasn't working for us.  I think Caleb felt overwhelmed with worksheets last year.   I purchased Switched on Schoolhouse for Zachary last year and by the end of the year we both were pulling out our hair.  It was just to independent for us and not enough review to learn concepts well.  Then he wasn't reading and writing as I would have liked.  Then there was grammar, and we were both in tears by the end of the year.  Let's just say that grammar is not my strong area, and Zachary takes after me.  In fact, Dan took over in that area about half way through the school year. 

Having taught in the public school system I felt when I started homeschooling I had to do school the same way that the public school did.  What I have come to realize is that I only have 4 students not 30 and school can be completely different.  So I decided that maybe a literature based program would work out well for us. So I decided on Sonlight after several people recommended it. So here we go on a new adventure especially now that Noah is in the mix.  I can't believe all my boys are in school. How did that even happen??  They just grow way to fast.

More photos of Nellie

What a day.

You know I knew that during this process that my God would mold me and shape me.  Just didn't know just how quickly He was going to say hey Beth,  I'm in control, slow down and listen to me.  Hey, I'm going to tell you I am one emotional girl, and a people pleaser.   So deciding to adopt and having people not understand was already difficult because I am wired not to let people down.   I am here to glorify Christ with every breath, and every action.  It's simple I am here to glorify God.  My life isn't about me, it's about Him.  I so often forget and have  to remind myself all the time.  It is not about me, it is not about me, it is not about me.  So instead of fretting over what the critics are saying about our family adopting a little bundle of joy, I will rejoice in my Lord for trusting us to provide for such a sweet sweet child.  Yes, I shall not worry, instead I choose joy.

Meeting Neighbors.

What a humbling day it has been.  Our family just moved across town, in fact today is  our first real day here.  We have a few last things to move out of our other house but were here now.  Meeting neighbors has been very encouraging.  Yesterday a family was walking by and they yelled from across the street are you the family adopting a little girl with down syndrome.  I wasn't prepared, for how welcoming they were and how encouraging they would be about us adopting.  I guess I should have known that if my boys are going door to door selling cookie dough, and telling our story, that people are going to remember and ask about it.  It is just so humbling and overwhelming, I get ansy because I am so excited, but then struggle when I talk about it and people have no reaction especially those close to us.  I guess I understand that not everyone is going to get us and what the Lord has put on our hearts.  Anyways, just wanted to praise Him for neighbors who get us.

Meet Nellie

Meet Nellie, I am so glad to introduce you to a special little girl.  Nellie lives in Eastern Europe and we so excited about the newest member of our family.

COOKIE DOUGH

My kids have been having a blast today.  They have been going door to door selling cookie dough to raise money to bring home there little sister.  How amazing it is to see my kiddos so passionate about orphans and in particular the one that they will get to love and adore when she comes home.  If you would like 3 pounds of cookie dough from Eileen's cookies leave a message and I will get back to you.  It cost 12.00 for 3 pounds and there are several kinds.  Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Snickerdoodle, M@M, sugar, and Monster.

I'm pretty sure I can share pictures on Monday at least that is what I am told.  I'm so excited for you to see photo's of our daughter.

Always Amazed

I'm not sure why I'm always surprised. Yesterday, I posted a link to another blog post.  A little girl named Liliana desperately needed funding so that when a family steps forward to adopt her they don't need to worry about the financial part.  I am completely amazed that in 24 hours God's people have come together and completely funded her adoption.  For over a year I have been reading and watching stories just like hers.  First the funding comes through, then a family, and several months later you see blog posts of kiddos growing, thriving, and learning  in loving families.  How faithful, my God is.  I just sit here in awe of the one who created me.  So I will put my faith in Him and let Him guide my way on this new adventure in our life's.  It just doesn't seem like the words I give are enough to describe how wonderful, awesome, powerful, He really is.  I'm so overwhelmed and thankful for His love and kindness.
In case you miss it, you can read the post at   http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/

On another note we have gotten a bit further in the process.  However, I am waiting on one more piece of paperwork be be turned in by our social worker before I think I can put her photo up.  I was feeling really good at all I got finished this week.  However, I got a huge packet for our home study in the mail today.  Tons more work to do. My goal is to get it all finished by the end of the weekend.  Well all except our fingerprints.

This Breaks my heart.

http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/08/because-it-is-our-problem.html

A blog that I have been reading for a while shows exactly what breaks my heart. Please read and donate if you can and pray for this child and millions like her.

Just One.

My concern when we knew we were going to adopt was how do I choose one child out of millions. I couldn't do it, I had no idea how. Good thing I didn't have too. The boys and I often go to Reece's rainbow and look at all the photos of kiddos. They will mention that this child is cute and often we would pray that the kids would find forever families. However, one day a few months ago we were scanning through photos and came to this one little girl, and my boys thought she looked like someone on some tv show. All four of them kept asking me if we could adopt her. They pleaded with me. They said, they would give there allowances to help bring her home, and they would help raise money anyway they could. It was really really sweet. My answer to them was perhaps she wasn't to be our child but lets pray that she finds a family. Well, at that point Dan and I were looking into adoption agencies. This one particular little girls photo went away and we were hoping that she found a family.
In the meantime we found an adoption agency and started going through initial paperwork to see which countries would be good matches for us. My heart sank a bit when we were told that Eastern Europe would probably not be a good match. So at this point we decided that we would send in paperwork for Haiti. For some reason things kept coming up and we didn't get the paperwork sent in for two months. We had health stuff come up, family stuff, and a move. So finally about a week ago I sent in the initial application to adopt from Haiti. Only to have the agency say before she could send it on we needed a letter from our physician stating a few things. (Which we still do not have) So the Haiti application never made it to the orphanage because we were drawn back to Reece's Rainbow, and the little girls photo that had been gone for a few months was now back. I immediately contacted Reece's Rainbow to see what had happened and to see if she was indeed available to be adopted. After several inquiries we were sure that we were to adopt her. Other people in the past have said that you just know when a child is right for your family. We know she is to be part of the Cole Clan. We are in the middle of filling out paperwork to commit to her. First thing tomorrow we will go get some paperwork notarized and send it in. At that point we will be committed to her, yeah. Then I think we can tell you who she is and show you a photo. So I can't wait to do that.

When should we adopt.

Matthew West, One Less.

I have been ready to adopt for a while now. However, it was a bit more complicated for Dan. For him he wasn't against the idea, it was just something to do later. You know when the kids are older, when we are better off financially. He knew how I felt, and I just needed to wait until he was ready. So I prayed, daily. Anyways, a few months ago we went to a Matthew West concert in Kearney. During the concert Matthew West played the song One Less. We both sat during that song, and I just knew it was time. Afterward, we both just looked at each other and he said, He was ready. After the show, we watched this couple. They had five girls I think, and they were chasing after the cutest little boy ever. We were listening and watching them and they were talking to their friends about his adoption. Right there Dan and I just felt like it was right, we knew that the Lord was calling us to reach out and adopt a child into our family.

Why are we adopting? Why a child that has down syndrome?

When you have four boys, many people keep asking me why.  The simple truth is we feel  it is our calling.  We feel like God is calling us to bring home one special little girl.  Not only bring her home but to spread the word to others that there are millions of orphans that desperately need families.  A while ago I read the book, The Hole In Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns.  Which by the way is one of those life changing books at least it was for me.  He quoted Bob Pierce, who said, "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God."  Oh yes, those words are ingrained in my head and in my heart.  This is so personal for me, my heart is broken and I am so ready for our family to love on this little girl and to welcome her into our family.  So we say yes Lord, in obedience take us on this journey.  There are so many unknowns but I know that as long as we listen to Him, He will provide everything we need.

Now if any of you know me at all I already have a huge heart for those with special needs.  I started reading blogs a little over a year ago about these sweet sweet children, so many of them with down syndrome in orphanages half way around the world.  My heart breaks and aches for these children. Why pick a child with down syndrome?  It's simple because every child deseves to be loved no matter what.  It doesn't matter how developmentally delayed a child is or how severe their needs are.  I know that with love all children thrive, and grow, and are capable of learning.  


Just to let you know I finished my paperwork  for our home study.  I have checked the first thing off from my list.  I am finishing up our paperwork for our commitment to our little girl and by Friday I should be able to show you a photo.
Blessing,
Beth

Who are we?

 We are just an average family of 7 living in Kearney, Nebraska.  Dan and I have been married for 13 years and we have 4 children. Zachary is 13, Caleb is 10, Nathan is 7, and Noah Paul is 5.  We have another member of our family, Sherry and she has been living with us for the past five years.  We also have a Maltese puppy named Abraham.  Dan is a bivocational pastor of our small church, Crossroads, SBC.  He also works at YRTC, working with troubled youth.  I run a daycare from our home, and I home school my four boys.