Monday, March 22, 2010
We have a Soccer player Video
We put a ball in front of her and she started kicking it and not missing.....
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Friday, August 07, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
My First Mother's Day
For many years I lived out the scripture, "hope deferred makes the heart sick". I longed for a child to love to this degree. At times I felt as though my heart would burst.My heart still feels like it will burst, but now it is out of great joy and her name is Natalie. She is my sunshine. I cannot even fathom life without her now and I am completely amazed at the sublime goodness of my God for this amazing gift in my life. He chose Natalie for Steve and I, and He chose us for her. Knowing that we all needed each other and that together we are stronger for the Kingdom.
Everyday Natalie teaches me how to love without judgement or bias. She teaches me how to appreciate all that God has created (even bugs; dead and alive). She is fearless and compassionate, strong and tender. I pray daily for wisdom and grace as this little girl looks to me for nurture, protection and love.
I love being a mom, more importantly, I love being Natalie's mom. This is the first of many Mother's Days where I will stand and give God all the glory for bestowing me with such an honor. God is faithful!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Natalie's been home for almost 11 months!
Natalie is growing up so quickly! She now has close to 200 words in her vocabulary and parrots almost every word we say. Tonight she said "pickpocket" because that's what Steve called her when she took his pen out of his shirt pocket. Makes you very aware and careful of what you say!
Everyday is a new adventure for Natalie and I love seeing the world through her eyes. She wakes up saying "good morning" and "hello" and is quick to greet everyone in her path with "hello, goodbye, and have a good day" as she leaves restaurants, church, shopping malls....you get the picture. I think we have finally taught her that kisses are for family and special people, although I believe all the waiters and waitresses in the past have enjoyed her sweet smooches. So much love in this little girl she can't help but give it away.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
February 7th: Then and Now
February 7, 2008 was the first day we held our daughter at an orphanage in the small town of Pavolvsk, Russia. We shared three hours together and knew that we would be a family forever. One of the hardest things we ever had to do was to give her back to the orphanage caregivers. But four months later, we returned to the orphanage and brought her home with us.
Below are pictures of Natalie on the day we met in 2008 and now in 2009. What remarkable growth and progress she has made in only seven months. We were at the adoption specialist today and Natalie is finally on the charts for weight and head circumference. Praise God! Her milestones for motor and verbal skills are right on target for her age group. We are beyond blessed.
Some of her new words include: morning, oh man!, dude, what's that?, and no way! She has also learned that she can climb out of her crib (such fun for mommy and daddy!). Natalie also loves to imitate animal sounds. Her favorite is the lion, but her monkey imitation is too cute (oo oo ahh ahh).
Thanks for all your continued outpouring of love and prayers over our little princess. Take a look now for yourself at how much she has changed.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
January 2nd will always be special.
On this day, in 2008, our lives changed forever. It was a Wednesday night, before church. Steve and I were eating dinner together in the fellowship hall downstairs when his phone rang. It was our family coordinator from America World Adoption. She told us that we had a referral for a little 15 month old girl. After our initial shock and then tears of joy, we ran up to my office to open the email. We were given three pictures, one of her at around 4 months and two recent photos. I remember feeling connected to this little one, but remaining guarded as we had no real idea of her health issues. It was so hard not to tell the world (especially all our friends at church that night), but we had to keep things quiet until we consulted with our adoption specialists. I do remember Steve and I calling our family and I did pull a few coworkers in to see the picture of my possible daughter.
Today my heart and mind has been flooded with flashbacks of the people, places and circumstances that God orchestrated as He was weaving us into a family. It is too much for me to wrap my mind around. I can only stand in awe of His greatness and remain humbly thankful at His goodness.
Natalie is a complete joy (yes, even though she is two---I'm a new mom, humor me!). Steve and I are amazed at how she is constantly babbling (wanting to talk like us so badly), climbing like a monkey (even out of her crib), and making friends wherever she goes. One of her favorite things to do is to dance with us in a little circle. She totally cracks up! Then she likes to push Steve's neck and mine together so we can kiss each other and then kiss her. Too sweet. At night we say our prayers together and then she proceeds to shut her eyes tightly and babble out her own prayer, ending with an 'amen'. Brings tears to my eyes every time!
2008 was our miracle year and we anticipate what God has in store for us in 2009.
May we all trust Him more, love each other deeply and live to please our beautiful Jesus.
Blessings,
Karen
Today my heart and mind has been flooded with flashbacks of the people, places and circumstances that God orchestrated as He was weaving us into a family. It is too much for me to wrap my mind around. I can only stand in awe of His greatness and remain humbly thankful at His goodness.
Natalie is a complete joy (yes, even though she is two---I'm a new mom, humor me!). Steve and I are amazed at how she is constantly babbling (wanting to talk like us so badly), climbing like a monkey (even out of her crib), and making friends wherever she goes. One of her favorite things to do is to dance with us in a little circle. She totally cracks up! Then she likes to push Steve's neck and mine together so we can kiss each other and then kiss her. Too sweet. At night we say our prayers together and then she proceeds to shut her eyes tightly and babble out her own prayer, ending with an 'amen'. Brings tears to my eyes every time!
2008 was our miracle year and we anticipate what God has in store for us in 2009.
May we all trust Him more, love each other deeply and live to please our beautiful Jesus.
Blessings,
Karen
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Four months and a week
Well, we've been home over four months now. At times it feels like we've together forever (in a good way), and other days only yesterday when we traveled to get Natalie from the orphanage. We cannot imagine our lives without her. She is such a precious gift.
Today I want to give God the glory He so deserves. Steve and I still remember getting off the train in Voronezh after traveling for over 24 hours, our translator meeting us with a hearty hug, looking us in the eye and saying, "the girl may not live...do you still want her?" Without blinking an eye we both said "Yes!". Whether she survived with us a day or a year, whatever time we were given to love her, she was ours and we knew it.
Well, 'the girl' is very much alive and on her way to great health. The issues that were so very grave and life threatening only four months ago are under control and under the hand of our beautiful healer, Jesus. Natalie's left kidney is very tiny and will never function over 7%, but the right one is enlarged and compensating for the left one. Both kidneys have grade 2 reflux, but no surgery is needed, just antibiotic daily, tests every six months and the prayer that it will lessen once she is potty trained. Last week we received a report on the MRI we had done a couple of weeks ago. Natalie's head is very small (according to growth charts) and not growing the way the doctors would like. The MRI showed no major reason for the small head size. It did however show that very early in her little life there was injury/possible abuse, inflammation from injury or infection. This thought is heart-breaking, but I want to praise God that there is no obvious evidence that she is at risk for decreased cognitive processes as she continues to grow. Praise God for all His touches on our little girl's life and thank you for all the prayers you have lifted to our King on Natalie's behalf. She is two inches taller, several pounds heavier and talking up a storm! God is good!!
I was told (while in Russia) that love can make a miracle. I believe that and with all my heart, I believe in the Miracle Worker.
Today I want to give God the glory He so deserves. Steve and I still remember getting off the train in Voronezh after traveling for over 24 hours, our translator meeting us with a hearty hug, looking us in the eye and saying, "the girl may not live...do you still want her?" Without blinking an eye we both said "Yes!". Whether she survived with us a day or a year, whatever time we were given to love her, she was ours and we knew it.
Well, 'the girl' is very much alive and on her way to great health. The issues that were so very grave and life threatening only four months ago are under control and under the hand of our beautiful healer, Jesus. Natalie's left kidney is very tiny and will never function over 7%, but the right one is enlarged and compensating for the left one. Both kidneys have grade 2 reflux, but no surgery is needed, just antibiotic daily, tests every six months and the prayer that it will lessen once she is potty trained. Last week we received a report on the MRI we had done a couple of weeks ago. Natalie's head is very small (according to growth charts) and not growing the way the doctors would like. The MRI showed no major reason for the small head size. It did however show that very early in her little life there was injury/possible abuse, inflammation from injury or infection. This thought is heart-breaking, but I want to praise God that there is no obvious evidence that she is at risk for decreased cognitive processes as she continues to grow. Praise God for all His touches on our little girl's life and thank you for all the prayers you have lifted to our King on Natalie's behalf. She is two inches taller, several pounds heavier and talking up a storm! God is good!!
I was told (while in Russia) that love can make a miracle. I believe that and with all my heart, I believe in the Miracle Worker.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
3 months and a day.......
Well, Steve and I have tried to keep you updated with pictures of little Natalie, but it has been awhile since I actually posted something. Here we go--
I can't believe we've been home 3 months already. Natalie is doing so well in her adjustments and transitions. She usually takes everything in stride and is quick to let us know if something is amiss in her world. Her vocabulary is growing and if she can't actually say the words, she uses the vocal intonation and the correct number of syllables to get her point across. She has said her own name using two words she has down pat: dada and wee (for when she is on a swing) become "dadawee" for "Natalie". I think she is genius! :)
This week in particular she has eaten like never before. Every meal she cleans up and I know she is growing because some of her 12 month shirts just won't fit. YES! Finally getting into those 18 month clothes! Natalie continues to try new foods but she still has her favorites. I keep her snacks on the lowest shelf in the pantry and she'll go get a box and bring it to 'mama' to open. We want her to know that she can have food whenever she wants it and I am thrilled that she is understanding this concept.
The end of August brought transition as I returned to work on a full time basis. On Tuesday she is with her Aunt Angie who is spoiling her every chance she gets. Natalie adores her. Natalie has playtime with cousin Jake before he heads to afternoon Kindergarten and then she gets to play with JP and Jake when they come home from school. On Wednesday she is with Miss Kitty and also has playtime with Danica. I would love to be a little girl at Miss Kitty's house---she is soo much fun!
Other things Natalie loves: the carousel rides at Dulles mall; tunnels, slides and swings at the park---any park; chocolate milkshakes; watching 101 Dalmatians with Daddy; singing with Mommy; giving slobbery kisses, sealed with a 'mwah'; petting her 'deacon' dog; being chased; tickle time; bike riding with Mom and Dad in her new 'tyke trailer'; having her hair blow dried; trying on shoes; playing, playing, playing!
Everyday we are humbled and blessed by this little girl God has chosen to share with us. She belongs to Him and yet He has entrusted us to love and nurture her as her life unfolds. Wow!
Have I mentioned that I love being a mommy?
Karen
p.s. Please keep us covered in prayer for Sept. 30. Natalie will have an MRI of her head/brain at Children's in DC. The doctors are concerned with the lack of growth as far as her head circumference. We will keep updates coming.
I can't believe we've been home 3 months already. Natalie is doing so well in her adjustments and transitions. She usually takes everything in stride and is quick to let us know if something is amiss in her world. Her vocabulary is growing and if she can't actually say the words, she uses the vocal intonation and the correct number of syllables to get her point across. She has said her own name using two words she has down pat: dada and wee (for when she is on a swing) become "dadawee" for "Natalie". I think she is genius! :)
This week in particular she has eaten like never before. Every meal she cleans up and I know she is growing because some of her 12 month shirts just won't fit. YES! Finally getting into those 18 month clothes! Natalie continues to try new foods but she still has her favorites. I keep her snacks on the lowest shelf in the pantry and she'll go get a box and bring it to 'mama' to open. We want her to know that she can have food whenever she wants it and I am thrilled that she is understanding this concept.
The end of August brought transition as I returned to work on a full time basis. On Tuesday she is with her Aunt Angie who is spoiling her every chance she gets. Natalie adores her. Natalie has playtime with cousin Jake before he heads to afternoon Kindergarten and then she gets to play with JP and Jake when they come home from school. On Wednesday she is with Miss Kitty and also has playtime with Danica. I would love to be a little girl at Miss Kitty's house---she is soo much fun!
Other things Natalie loves: the carousel rides at Dulles mall; tunnels, slides and swings at the park---any park; chocolate milkshakes; watching 101 Dalmatians with Daddy; singing with Mommy; giving slobbery kisses, sealed with a 'mwah'; petting her 'deacon' dog; being chased; tickle time; bike riding with Mom and Dad in her new 'tyke trailer'; having her hair blow dried; trying on shoes; playing, playing, playing!
Everyday we are humbled and blessed by this little girl God has chosen to share with us. She belongs to Him and yet He has entrusted us to love and nurture her as her life unfolds. Wow!
Have I mentioned that I love being a mommy?
Karen
p.s. Please keep us covered in prayer for Sept. 30. Natalie will have an MRI of her head/brain at Children's in DC. The doctors are concerned with the lack of growth as far as her head circumference. We will keep updates coming.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
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