Welcome to Taylorville

2011 was an amazing year for my family, for my church family (our Pastor is CLINICALLY CURED of Stage IV throat cancer), and for many of my friends as well. As this year passes, if you are out and about, be safe. Be responsible. Don't drink and drive.

Yesterday, December 30th, was my mom's 55th birthday. She's not here with us, she died at the age of 37 (same age I am today) after several years of fighting breast cancer. It is odd to think I am her age. I am the very age she was when she left this earth, so surreal. It hurts to think what this past year may have been like for me with her here to support our adoption journey. Fully support it...alas, it is something I will never know. I am grateful for the support we did have, but really wish she had been here for this journey.

I am eager to move on to 2012 and see what is next for my family. What boundaries we will grow, what ground we will conquer and most importantly, see what God has for us too.

Happy New Year to you, in just 6 days, Jadon will be having surgery to remove his tonsils, adenoids, clean his ears and possibly place tubes. He got his glasses yesterday from the generous people at 20/20 Vision. He can see and, literally (as I type this), just took 3 steps unassisted on his own towards the family room TV!! It is amazing what sight can do for a person. Such a shame no Ukrainian thought he was worth the gift of a family, or nutrition, or sight, or...LOVE. Thank God we went when we did and we have him now in our family. Our little Ukrainian Prince. We are blessed.




When we came home, Jadon was small...to say the least. We came home 77 days ago. He could not see (he can now). He could not drink from a cup (he can now). He would not bear much weight (he does frequently now). He could not handle touch (he craves it now). He weighed 19 lbs (he weighs 23 lbs now but I am guessing he is closer to 24 lbs today). He was 28 inches tall (he is 30.25 inches tall now). He had a cranial circumference of 17 inches (today his noggin is 18.25 inches round).


If you are thinking of adoption, whether you believe in my God or not...listen to that voice prodding you. Listen. And ACT. The orphans, here in the states or overseas, ARE WORTHY. There are agencies that can help you. Child matching sites to guide you.




If you do believe in my God, and Christ the Messiah, and consider yourself a Christian...then you are commanded to care for the orphans and widows of the world. Period. Find what your family can do, adoption is not for everyone, but we, as Christians, all have a role we are commanded to claim in caring for the orphans and widows.





 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

So much has happened for our family, God's goodness has rained down over us. Is it all cherries and butterflies? Uhhhh, no. But He is always good. Always.

January saw the new year ushered in, a fresh start..

February, we were called to adopt and committed to Alexander 20 on Reece's Rainbow.

March, we were told by the agency we were using and the social worker, JD, that we would not be approved by their organization and would likely never find someone to approve us. Thank God they were in the wrong for starting with us, period. They were illegally contracted with us since we were not using a Hague accredited agency to complete the adoption and all they "said" was moot. And, hey, we got a free water sample done on our well :) BONUS!

April, we found Gateway Woods for our homestudy thanks to Tonya (THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!) and I began to suspect that Alexander was not available after talking with one person in particular. I began to search frantically to locate the institution this child was said to be in. Jared started baseball this month :) Love watching my boy WHACK that ball!! Shawn was baptized on Easter Sunday...does it get any better?

May, it is confirmed by me that Alexander is NOT available, waiting confirmation from Reece's Rainbow (this will take many months yet still). School is out!

June our homestudy is completed in just 33 days total :) Take that JD! LOL We are approved for one child with Down syndrome ages 0-7. I find pictures from Lindy's blog this month that have Alexander in them! It is true, he is not in an institution. He is in the baby house still in his region. The original Alexander 20---now is listed as Sasha 50 on RR. We do not choose to adopt him, we continue to pursue Alexander 20, the boy we know only by video and pictures.

July, the twins turned 4!!!!! Where or where has time gone??? This month on July 6th, it is confirmed by Reece's Rainbow, there indeed was a mixup of information between the two boys. It seems Alexander's mother has not terminated her rights. We selfishly say we want her found and ask her to allow him to be adopted--thusly, signing away her parental rights.

August 3rd, our dossier arrives in Ukraine!! We still have not heard anything about Alexander. We are ready to complete our adoption. We have done all we can, we are ready. Shawn and I wrestle with our reality, do we wait indefinitely or do we let go of Alexander? Do we give him back to God and pray He leads us in the direction He has held for us all along. Mid-August, we terminate our choice to seek out Alexander and ask our team to file our dossier, we will be seeking a referral for another child. Jared turns 9 this month!!! Unbelievable how big my baby boy has gotten. School starts!!! Our days are busy for sure. All three boys attend different schools and mommy is driving lots these days.

September. Mom has been gone for 17 years on the 5th...I can hardly believe I've not had a mother for so very long. I need her now more than ever these past 17 years. My family is fixing to grow, family support is shotty at best. I want my mom. We learn of our travel date...September 25, our SDA referral appointment is Septemer 28. Geneva and Cliff will keep the kids for us while we are gone. We are praying for travel mercies and a swift process.

October...AWESOME MONTH!!! We adopted our 4th child, Jadon Andrew Taylor on October 6th. Joshua (my nephew turned 8 the day before). We arrive back home in the states on October 15th. Jadon celebrates his 3rd birthday with FAMILY on October 18th. We learn, once stateside, we had the fastest adoption in team history :) GO SERGE and TEAM!!! Just 8 days after meeting Jadon, he was legally adopted :)

November, our adoption was formally recognized in the Indiana courts. Jadon's American birth certificate arrives and was printed on Daddy's birthday (November 22nd). Janae (niece turned 6 on the 14th). We celebrated Thanksgiving with Shawn's family. Life is good.

December, my BFF Julie learned she will be traveling this month to Ukraine to adopt her son, Peter. Christmas season is upon us. Shawn and I have been married 5 years!!! And, my children are learning the true meaning of Christmas--we will not teach the twins or Jadon about Santa and Jared knows that Santa is not real. The persona of Santa exists, each day in amazing people willing to give just to give...but the man in the red suit means nothing to my boys. We will start a new tradition this year, just 3 presents a piece for my children. 3? Why 3? Well, Jesus got three gifts--gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why should my kids be any different? They are certainly no better than the wee, tiny babe born in a manger over 2,000 years ago. There will be no Black Friday madness in this house. Simple, grateful celebration. That's it. That's what we will have.

Today, in reflecting I am in awe of all my family has experienced this year. Five years ago, I was a single mom of one child. I had just bought our home and was working 40+ hours a week.

Today? Today, I am a married woman, proud to call Shawn my husband, mother to 4 boys and stay-at-home-mom.




 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I found this on Facebook on one of my friends page...it made me tear up. I thought I'd share because it remainds me why I celebrate Christmas with my family and children.




Recently, on The View, Whoopi told the most incredible story I feel more than compelled to share it with you. The story highlights the true meaning of the Christmas season. Reminding us all that we are all at one point in our lives, Keepers of the Inn. 

Here goes:

Every year, there is a Christmas pageant a very big and famous church in NYC. This year, the pageant's Inn Keeper was played by a young boy with Down syndrome. This boy's parents were very happy that there were many rehearsals for the pageant as they were concerned he would not remember his one line.


 
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

OUR son, saw the opthalmologist today. Seems Urkainian eye exams are spot on in this case. Jadon has significant strabismus (no biggie, I've walked that mile for 9 years with Jared now). He has severe hyperopia and will soon be wearing coke bottle glasses and also does exhibit latent nystagmus when his "good eye" is covered.

We will be purchasing some MiraFlex frames, getting lenses made here in town by 20/20 vision and get my boy seeing the world around him clearly for the first time in his life.

love,

Shawn got the tree down from the garage shelf for me today. I set up the tree then allowed the boys to shove the ornaments on it after I got the lights on it. Jackson's new baby Jesus on a star that he made today in Children's Preschool Church is our tree topper this year. He was very excited to put it up on the tree. But, the little bugger, would not get in on a picture. Weird kid. ;)

I wish I could say I enjoy this stuff, but I don't. I really, truly, have NO memory of ever decorating a tree as a child. Not sure we ever had them in our house either. I know we did at grandma's house, always. I know my mom had them, but I don't remember them at my house with my dad--not until he was sober anyhow. Now, we may very have had Christmas trees, I just don't remember them (or much of my childhood for that matter). I have pictures of Christmases. I know I got tons of toys. But remember the times? Nope. I just don't remember them. I want the boys to remember doing this stuff, so I do it (best as I can) for them.





 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

For a family that does not "do" Santa, last night was a rare treat for my kids. Santa Roy came out to our house and brought two homemade rocking horses for the twins and Jadon and an R/C car for Jared.

Santa Roy had seen our article in the Tribune and wanted to give Jadon his very own rocking horse for his 1st Christmas as an American with a family. How sweet is that?

Once he made it here, we learned he knew the old owners of the home. We also learned his sister-in-law lives down the way from us. And, he also worked at Chrysler for 35 years. Shawn's worked there for nearly 20 and I did for 7 years too before taking the buyout.

So, Santa Roy spent some time holding Jadon, gave Joseph a high-five and trying (ever so unsuccessfully) to get Jackson to shake his hand! LOL I did mention we don't do Santa, right? :)



Jadon knew exactly what to do on the rocking horse too!! So sweet, we just put him on and he began a rockin' away!!!

Now, for those of you who don't know our reality. Let me share with you, I've told friends and family members how delayed Jadon is...I guess it didn't really sink in with some. So here it is.

Our youngest son is 3 years old. AGED to 3 YEARS. He is LITERALLY the size of a one year old child. His shoe size is SMALLER than a size 2 baby shoe. His foot is not as long as my palm is wide. He is delayed to that of 3-6 month old. Darcy was evaluating his this past week for OT (occupational therapy) and I was prepared for this, I've told people all along he is developmentally equivalent to a 6 month old. I was not wrong, not surprised but it still angers me.

That place, the baby orphanage, did NOTHING with him. My child still has no concept of play, though, now, he will willingly, freely explore the house, his surroundings and occassionally grab a toy. He will not watch signing videos. He will not sit happily for a book. He will not willingly do puzzles. He cannot/will not push a car back and forth. Balls make him giggle but he cannot truly reciprocate the return of a ball.




love, 

I am writing today with great urgency. I am begging and pleading for donations for the Kehm family. They are leaving Texas on December 3rd to go overseas to an Eastern European country to ransom 2 children born with Down syndrome.



love, 

We lost power around 5:45 p.m. November 29, 2011. Our power was restored at 12:46 p.m. December 1, 2011.

I had but one prayer, for my babies to stay warm. God provided. We stayed home, ate out for each meal. We showered at our church. Thank you New Beginnings Christian Fellowship for being there for us.

We have lost all of our food in two refrigerators & two freezers. But that is ok, we can replace all of our food, my babies were warm. It was an adventure, for sure. Certainly, the conditions were not ideal, by no means, but we made it.

THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON (FAMILY OR STRANGERS) WHO OFFERED TO HELP US.

love, 


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today, I am thankful that even though we've not had power for 2 hours now our house is still warm, the boys are all in bed, and I was able to prepare dinner and feed everyone before we lost power.

Praying it is back on soon. Lots of sirens tonight, which is unusual in our neck of the woods--snow storm 2011 is wreaking havoc.


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today, I am thankful I have finished our adoption story. Twenty-two pages, 14 sections, one journey, and it is just beginning.

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today, I am thankful for the awesome article Dan Human, Kokomo Tribune staff writer, produced as a follow up of our family's adoption journey. Dan did an awesome job, spoke with Andrea Roberts of Reece's Rainbow and used people first language--all while capturing our story during the craziness of lunch hour in our home. Tim, the photographer captured a great photo of Jared and Jadon too. I am so happy with this follow up. I hope you all enjoy it too. Just click on the picture of the boys and it will link you back to the story.



love,

Today, I am thankful for another day. Another chance. Another 24 hours.

I learned last night, my cousin's dad, John Myers, past away November 18th. Yes, I realize that is 8 days after the fact; but they live in Fishers/Westfield area and we don't talk regularly and Uncle John and Sherry were down in Florida--recently retired in the past two months. He was 61. He had 9 children, 22 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and 3 sisters.

I have many memories of Uncle John. Most of them involve my dad, Sherry, Kaycia, Dion, Shane, Aunt Jenny, my mom (gone too), Denise Polk (though I am sure that is not her name now), Patty and Joe Stahl and Crazy Joe (gone too) just to name a few. Those memories are from a day and time in my life that I look back on them now in amazement I lived through them.


Love,
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I am thankful that in one month we will be celebrating the birth of my Risen Savior. I am thankful for NO CRAZY BLACK FRIDAY shopping. I am thankful my shopping was all done online in a short amount of time. I am thankful for my family. MY FAMILY. Shawn, Jared, Joseph, Jackson and Jadon. MY FAMILY.

God is so good.


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I am thankful for many things. Big, small, amazing, bland...it does not matter much these days. I am simply thankful.

Today, I am especially thankful for the word I received last night from Serge's Facebook page...the new adoption ministry will be issuing dates and revealing those dates starting TODAY!!!!

I am so thankful for Patti hosting the first Pure Love Giveaway back in February. February is when it all began for me and for Julie. I saw Peter's picture on Patti's blog for the Giveaway...she was raising funds and trying to find his family. God used ME to find that family. Julie's family.

I am so thankful Julie saw my crazy email in the wee hours of the morning that first week in February. I am so thankful Julie woke up her husband, Cam, to tell him she found their son, Peter. I am so thankful Cam agreed. In the next few days my own adoption story began with one boy, the boy who opened our hearts to adoption--yet, he is still in Ukraine and I am thankful our family found our Ukrainian Prince.

I am so thankful Julie has had it on her heart to bring home another child from nearly the very beginning of this journey. I am so thankful Julie and Cam have committed to bring home this second child, Ty, now...not a year from now like they had "planned" but NOW---like God has planned.

I am so thankful for Patti...yep, Patti. You see, Julie is short on funds to ensure they can bring home Ty. Adoption is never cheap and it certainly is NOT inexpensive to ransom TWO orphans. You see, Patti is hosting the SECOND Pure Love Giveaway starting tonight. Watch her blog A Perfect Lily for PURE LOVE GIVEAWAY 2.

This giveaway will be hosted with over $1,000 in donated items. This giveaway will help 2 children. Robyn  and Ty. Julie's Ty. The second child born in her heart.




I have much to be thankful for today. I give praise with a grateful heart---thank you, Lord, for each way you have worked in our adoption stories. I am humbled to have been an instrument in bringing a family together. Thankful for my testimony.

love,




 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

As my dear friend, Julie, gets ready to head to Ukraine for her adoption. I am thankful for our adoption journey and that the first parts of it are over. I am thankful for the fastest adoption in our team's history of adoptions (just 8 days from meeting Jadon til we adopted him!) and for having been home now for 39 days today!! It is amazing. We have much to be THANKFUL for. I am counting my blessings, naming them one by one and I am, indeed, surprised at what the Lord has done.

love,

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today, I am thankful for Julie's  (and all families waiting to adopt from Ukraine) family getting GOOD NEWS!!!

From our facilitator---
"Update from Ukraine:
According to the unofficial information that we have received today the new Department for Adoptions will start giving appointments for dates starting December 5th or December 12th. They are negotiating it right now. So those whose dossier were submitted and approved please be ready to travel at short notice. We'll let you know immediately once the invitations are issued. This is all the news we have right now. God bless you, Serge"






It is COMING!!! The boys are coming HOME!!!!!!  Please, do all you can to help this family. Donate--any amount helps, even $1.  Share their FSP page www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorkehm and above all else, PRAY!!!!!!!!


If you need Christmas shopping done, and have someone that loves candles, why not give Scentsy a shot? I am now an Independent Consultant and you can see my Scentsy page by clicking the Scentsy logo on my sidebar to the right. I am hosting an adoption fundraiser for Julie Kehm too. It is under the "My Parties" section listed as Kehm Adoption. Julie will get 100% of my commission from this fundraiser.

Please, share!! Please, donate, if you can. And PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

love,

Sunday the 20th we Dedicated Jadon at New Beginnings Fellowship Church. We did this with family and friends there to support us.

I am thankful for my sweet cousin, Patty, she and Ben (her son) came and shared with us--she came to represent mom's side of the family. It truly, truly, made my heart smile to see her there. I had no idea she was coming.

I am thankful for my friends Angela and Kelly that came. Kelly took the pictures and video for me. Terry and Nancy A. were there too. Terry is Shawn's best friend and Nancy is his wife. Matter of fact, Nancy's brother, Doyle, married Shawn and I nearly 5 years ago, right in this very spot I am sitting in while I type this up to share.

I am thankful for Amy L ("Sweet P & Amy" in my links) for the outfit, the perfect outfit, Jadon wore yesterday for his Dedication. The shirt has Psalm 36:5 on it, "Your love O Lord reaches to the heavens". Oh, how true it is.

Now for some pics and videos...(today I am thankful for technology to be able to share this with you all).







"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Xanax, today I am thankful for xanax...that is all.


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today, I am thankful for a vehicle to run all over the place each day. Man, I drive A LOT!

Each day, my mornings start off with us leaving around 8 a.m. to take Joseph to school, then I drive to pick up my niece and nephew and take them (and Jared) to school, then I drive back into town to take Jackson to school. I then do whatever running/errands I can in an hour and then pick up Joseph from school and, after that, we drive to get Jackson. We drive home and have lunch around 12:30 each day.

Then naps for the kids and I do what I can for an hour and half. Shawn comes home and then it's time for dinner, baths and bed for everyone in the house but me. I get to clean while they sleep, catch up on my blog, place orders for Scentsy, and do coursework for my degree.

Busy much? LOL But thank goodness I have a car that runs...I feel for my sister right now, her car died the day after we got home from Ukraine.

Love,



"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I am thankful for the orders coming in to my Scentsy page so that I can donate to Julie in a month. Thank you to those who have purchased some items and are helping to bring home TWO orphans!!!!




"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

Today I am thankful our insurance will be covering two large pump vats of SimplyThick for Jadon. Moore's Home Health just delivered it to us. While I am thoroughly disgusted by the Dippity-Doo like gel that I must mix in my son's drinks, I am grateful, even THANKFUL there is such a thing.

I am also thankful he is on the mend, his fever is gone, and he is taking the Augmentin better today (hidden in his applesauce).

If you don't know what SimplyThick is....here you go. We don't have individual packets (though we may buy some to have on hand when we travel). You will see the big vat we have ;)

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I am thankful for my husband.




"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

I am thankful today to have TWO families share with me their adoption journey. I want to share them with you. I am thankful for the opportunity to GIVE BACK to these families. Each family supported MY OWN FAMILY's adoption of Jadon. Now I have the opportunity to raise funds for them through Scentsy sales.

Both families are, ever so quietly, moving forward with adoptions. I cannot tell you the children's names, show their pictures BUT I can tell you they both are male and both have Down syndrome.


Please click on my "Independent Scentsy Consultant" link/logo to the right on my sidebar here. Once you are on my Scentsy page, under my picture you will see a link to My Parties just chose one of the adoption fundraisers and shop to your heart is content :)  Both parties will run through the end of December.

Thank you!!! Lets help spread the love and get some great products to make your home smell wonderful! 


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)

If you are looking into adoption, if your heart is burdened for the LEAST OF THESE....PLEASE, PLEASE look at this blog.

There is an opportunity to give a little boy named Dwayne a FOREVER home. He is 6. Just 6. Dwayne has Down syndrome too.

This is a chance to adopt a child with NO FEES involved. You can ransom him, save him for no fees. His family MUST BE OUT THERE.


"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)