31 for 21 Challenge!

I'm taking the 31 for 21 Challenge here at Psalm68. This is a challenge to post every single day for the month of October to raise awareness for Down Syndrome. After all, October is Down Syndrome awareness month!

If you know someone with DS, give them a hug in honor of DS awareness month. If you don't know anyone with DS, I'm sorry.

Really, I am.

Taking a break.

I've been taking a little bloggy break. But, I'm working on a couple of neat projects. Can't wait to share them with you. Soon. Don't give up on me.

Putting the "fun" in!

Project TLC's first major fundraiser is coming up next weekend in Kearney, Nebraska.

Check out this news story: Cupcakes for a Cause. The paper even published a cute photo of Carrington, who is looking might chubby these days!

“If you’ve seen ‘Cupcake Wars,’ that’s what it will be like,” said Thompson, an organizer of the event. “We’re asking people to enter their cupcake displays, 48 cupcakes that are baked and decorated however they want and then the public is asked to come in and vote on those displays.”

Those awesome event organizers put the FUN in fundraising. Thank you ladies!

Here is Theo tearing into some cake. He's working on some chub, too.

Sharing Theo and Zhen

It is nice to be able to show Theo and Zhen going places and doing new things.

Yes, Theo is stuck in a stroller. He will be walking one of these days and will have even more freedom. Here he is at my son's triathlon last weekend. Afterward we had pizza for lunch. Let me tell you, Theo can pack away some serious pizza!

Zhen is in love with our ice cream maker. He turns the squeaky handle and he knows how to break up the ice with the stick. He's showing so much progress lately in understanding English and in good behavior.

We have a long, long way to go. Sometimes it seems impossible, but we still put one foot in front of the other and press on. Thanks for letting me share. :)

A Sweet Anniversary

A year ago on August 16th, I spent a few hours here. Waiting. Waiting for the "wizard" to bestow two magic passports upon me.

Successful at last, we raced to the orphanage to collect Theo and Zhen. I begged for a photo of Theo in his bed. He was in bed number one.



The ladies getting Zhen dressed to leave forever. What? No shoes?

Nope.

We walked out the front doors. No one was around. I could have grabbed a few extra kids and no one would have known. That's how many people cared that these boys were leaving forever.


I found that the ladies had decorated Theo before we got away with him.


I found out that he did in fact have the strength to roll over. And not much in the trunk to hold his diaper in place.


Our friends Bob and Judy helped us get our bags and children up onto the train. We pulled out of town just as the sun set in Simferopol.


On the train for 15 hours. I'm beat. Look at that tiny four year old!


Almost home, little dudes. Almost.

Happy got 'em day!

Surgery Tomorrow

Thank you for supporting TLC's efforts to help Andrei from Crimea. He is blind in one eye due to a horrible mistake by an eye surgeon several years ago in Ukraine. With your help we collected $575 to help this young man keep from losing sight in his other eye.

Andrei and his mother arrived in Chicago late last week. Here he is enjoying some Olive Garden. I wonder if he might gain a few pounds before he heads for home?! His surgery will take place tomorrow at 12:10pm Central Time. Please pray for him, his mother and the surgeon as well.

I learned a little more tonight about what Andrei is facing. He must remain in a face-down position for 2 weeks following the surgery. Can you even imagine? He is not a baby, so he understands what is at stake, but it's going to be very difficult for him and his mother. Eating, sleeping, everything...face-down at all times.

Also, please remember Andrei and Marina's host family. The family thought they would be hosting for one month, but the doctor informed them that Andrei cannot fly for at least two months after this surgery. A pretty huge change of plans there. Also, though the doctor has reduced his fees, the hospital is proving to be more costly than expected. Much to pray about.

Thank you.

If you wish contribute, checks may be mailed to:

Calvary Baptist Church
1017 N. School St.
Normal, IL 61761
And they will also send a tax deductible receipt. Please mark the check "PROJECT ANDREI"

Make Me Smile Monday!!

Still waiting on photos from Belogorsk, so here is something to make you smile...

From this:

To this, in one year:

Go ahead, you know you want to smile! Do it!