Trick or treat

Pretty sure that we only have treats at our house! 

And they are cute ones, too!

Transformer Matthew

 I could gobble this little M&M up so easily!

Keeping busy with the kids

Appointments for the kids have kept us on the run already this week. But thought I would just share a brief update on how things are going.

Maia - She saw the developmental pediatrician yesterday. Her evaluation was not unexpected, but still a bit sobering to hear. Dr. S last saw Maia earlier this year and was so pleased with how well she was doing. Her sadness over Maia's illness and loss of function was evident. She confirmed that Maia is functioning at around the 9-10 month old level. She's pleased with how far Maia has come since leaving the hospital, but isn't making any predictions about how much function Maia will regain. Dr. S plans to see Maia again in four months. 

Maia also saw Dr. D, the neurosurgeon yesterday afternoon. The surgical incisions have finally, almost healed. He is satisfied with her progress. We've been a bit concerned because Maia seems to be a bit more unsteady over the past week and not quite as strong. If we don't notice improvement over the next couple of weeks, she will have a short MRI just to make sure there are no issues with her shunt.

Today, Maia saw her regular pediatrician. We had requested the appointment because of the unsteadiness and feeling like Maia just hasn't been quite herself. She has been fighting a cold and Dr. A saw fluid behind her eardrums. Nothing concerning for infections, but it could certainly be affecting her balance.  We also met with a county social worker to see if there are any services that Maia might be eligible for and benefit from. Unfortunately, I think we may be in that "donut hole" of making too much to qualify for most services, but not enough that we can afford them on our own. Lots of paperwork to fill out, then wait to hear their determination.

Tomorrow, she will have therapy as usual and next week, some urology testing and appointments.

Matthew - He's been struggling a bit lately. I don't feel comfortable sharing a great deal at this point, but we are concerned that he may have some attachment issues. Given his "pre-Hansen" years, it certainly is understandable. Last week, I received an email from an adoptive mom who met both of our kiddos when she was adopting from their orphanage. This was a few months before Maia's adoption. She confirmed something I had suspected from the moment I met Matthew. Again, I don't want to get too specific, but bottom line... Maia was the darling of the orphanage, Matthew was not. When I think about what both my children have endured in their short lives... oh, my heart breaks. Anyway, we are doing everything we can to help Matthew heal the emotional scars and learn what healthy relationships are all about. 

Because I was concerned about some of the behaviors that Mark and I have been seeing, I asked to meet with Matthew's pre-school teachers - just to see how he was doing socializing with the other kids and how he was doing from a learning standpoint. I'm so glad that I did. It was wonderful to hear that Matthew is doing well at school. They are not seeing any of the behaviors that we are seeing at home and tell me that they enjoy having him in their classrooms. He is making progress in his language skills and can write part of his name "Matth" (working on the rest of it)! I can not even begin to express how much it means to me that his teachers are so committed to Matthew. I've said this before with Maia and it is only reinforced - we are blessed beyond compare with the teachers working with our kiddos - they are AWESOME!!

And that's what's happening with the kids. Matthew is looking forward to Halloween tomorrow and I will try to post pictures of trick-or-treating later in the day.

Winding down

Our time here in Duluth is coming to an end. It has been a wonderful, much needed get-a-way for Mark and me. Last night, we walked to a restaurant just down the street. Enjoyed a couple of adult beverages and relaxed. Even though we try to get out every now and then at home, we sometimes still carry all the daily stresses with us. On this trip, we've been able to leave that behind for the most part. Hopefully, it will allow us to return home tomorrow feeling little bit renewed.
Mark got the floor installed as planned and we will stop at the cabin tomorrow morning to pick up the trailer before heading home. I'm excited to see how things look! The conference has been good and I learned a lot about dermatological conditions.
And on a very cool note, I met a man who will be leaving for Ukraine very soon (next week, I think). He and his wife are adopting a little girl through Reece's Rainbow! Isn't it fun to see God make connections like that?
Although I have enjoyed our time away, I have to admit that I am eager to see our kiddos again. They could not be in better hands right now, but I still am ready to hear their giggles and look at those precious faces. I'm thankful today that the kids have been loved on by their grandparents, thankful for my hubby, and thankful for the many blessings that God has given me.

Thankful Thursday a bit late

I was too tired and yes, a tad lazy to post last night but I do have a huge amount of gratitude for Mark's and my parents right now.

Matthew is enjoying time with Grandmama and Grandpa Jerry (and Suki). Maia is being spoiled by Nana and Papa. Mark and I are spending a few days up north. I'm attending a Dermatology conference and the location is such that Mark is going to be working at our cabin during the day. Now that Maia is more mobile, we need more than just the plywood floor down so she doesn't get slivers. We had bought flooring several years ago, but had not installed it (somehow we've been a bit busy - lol). That's Mark's project for the next couple days. And we get the opportunity for some couple time which is a rare luxury these days.

So, thanks to our parents for this special gift!

OK for the people laughing at the cardboard and pizza. PAPA MURPHY's does this and I thought it was a new thing that pizza cooking was going to. That is the best excuse I can come up with right now. When I think of a better one I will post it.


Mark

Faith, hope, and love

Faith is...

believing that God creates families.

"Father to the fatherless...God places the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6

Hope is...

trusting that healing is possible.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

Love is...

unconditional and sometimes requires us to make a conscious commitment.

"Love is patient and kind...  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13: 4, 7

Happy Anniversary!

To the amazing man that I married 7 years ago today!

I surely never imagined the journey that awaited us. 

There is no one else that I would want by my side. 

Thank you for asking me to share your life.

I love you!