full of life

Homecoming Dance 2011

2011-10-05T22:18:00.001-05:00

J, L and I, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

J. didn't go to the dance, but she and her boyfriend went out to dinner. And yes, that is a 3rd and different dress that I is wearing. The turquoise gown she wore to the football game was her sister's prom dress from last year.

Getting ready to leave for the game

2011-10-05T22:16:00.001-05:00

Brother and sister, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Sister and Brother

2011-10-05T22:15:00.001-05:00

299302_288952561115142_100000012006007_1291831_371075732_n, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

How beautiful are they?

Homecoming 2011

2011-10-05T22:14:00.001-05:00

D, I and L Homecoming 2011, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

After much agonizing, I decided to have her brothers walk her out onto the football field instead of her dad. He didn't mind at all, and many of the other girls did the same thing (which is most important, unfortunately, when you are 14!)

Siblings

2011-10-05T22:13:00.001-05:00

J, I, D and L, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

This was taken at halftime of the football game. You can't tell but it was extremely cold, about 44 with whipping wind and pouring rain. I is a marvelous actress, but you should have seen her once the cameras stopped!

Freshman court

2011-10-05T22:11:00.003-05:00

I in purple, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

sisters

2011-10-05T22:11:00.001-05:00

sisters, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

J and I. I was on Homecoming court. This was what she wore for the parade and school assembly.

Tie DYe

2011-07-29T20:12:00.001-05:00

The shirts were all dyed by my two oldest daughters, J and I.

Me

2011-07-29T20:10:00.001-05:00

280792_2310006913468_1348214653_2778882_3833941_o, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

WIth My Best Friend

2011-07-29T20:09:00.005-05:00

WIth My Best Friend, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Enjoying the Sunset

2011-07-29T20:09:00.003-05:00

Enjoying the Sunset, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

The Love of My Life

2011-07-29T20:09:00.001-05:00

The Love of My Life, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Summer 2011

2011-07-29T20:08:00.001-05:00

Summer 2011, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

2011-07-23T10:02:00.001-05:00

IMG_7805, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Beautiful girl

2011-07-23T10:01:00.003-05:00

IMG_7815, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Close up Z

2011-07-23T10:01:00.001-05:00

IMG_7816-Edit, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Wow! Look at those eyes.

Smiling again

2011-07-23T10:00:00.005-05:00

IMG_7864-2, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Z and M

2011-07-23T10:00:00.003-05:00

IMG_7865, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

2011-07-23T10:00:00.001-05:00

IMG_7872, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Happy Boy

2011-07-23T09:59:00.005-05:00

IMG_7876, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Z and M--future models

2011-07-23T09:59:00.003-05:00

IMG_7912, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

M. in his Ugandan clothes

2011-07-23T09:58:00.005-05:00

IMG_7933, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

2011-07-23T09:58:00.003-05:00

IMG_7953, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

2011-07-23T09:58:00.001-05:00

IMG_7958, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Z dancing in her Ugandan dress

2011-07-23T09:57:00.003-05:00

IMG_7959, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

3 musketeers

2011-07-23T09:57:00.001-05:00

IMG_7806, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

J and M

2011-06-04T23:26:00.001-05:00

J and M, a photo by PaulaK on Flickr.

Prom 2011

Lately

2011-06-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

There is so much to tell that I can't say it all except that our lives have been very chaotic since my return from Uganda with M and Z. They are doing great. She has adjusted remarkably well, speaking Enwglish as well as big M. They are still the dynamic duo, loving and hating one another simultaneously, and making mischief whenever they can.

Little M. has begun walking and running and talking! He is a very early talker but knows many words and speaks very clearly. I am hoping this will make him a happy toddler since he can make his needs/wants known. Unfortunately he is now at the age where he wants things he can't have, which leads to tantrums.

D. is home from college for the summer, which we love. He did extremely well--Dean's list first semester and 4.0 gpa second semester. He is currently enroute to Wyoming where he will be taking a 3 week experiential geology course.

J. is working hard at school as usual. Track is finally over and finals are next week. The last day of school is June 10! Hopefully she will be able to relax a little this summer before beginning an even busier senior year.

L. is playing soccer and will probably have a 4.0 at the end of his freshman year. As I said, finals are next week, so it's not over yet!

I. has done tremendously well this year. Her leadership position at school has fueled personal growth. She is outgoing and responsible. She has switched musical instruments from clarinet to saxophone and will be in marching band next year.

T. has become an adolescent, and is struggling a little with her "tweener" status. She still doesn't really enjoy teen activities, but now feels too mature for younger kid interests. She is a great big sister and a good student as well.

K. celebrated his First Communion recently, is a great student and always has his nose in a book! He is also a great big brother, so patient with his roommate M., who is easily the most annoying family member at this point in time.

A. has grown up a lot and loves school now. She has begun horseback riding and participates in Daisys (youngest scout group--below Brownies) which she really enjoys.

M. has had as tough of a year as I have. First his momma left for a loooong time, and when she came back she brought 2 interlopers (siblings) who usurped his baby status. I think he is just now realizing that I am NOT going to leave again and starting to accept the change in his spot in the family. We have seen a LOT of acting out, as well as being ringleader of mischief, but he is starting to mellow out a tiny bit.

It took me a long time to get over my health issues and feel "normal" (whatever that is) again. I'm still not in perfect health, but much better than the beginning of the year. My biggest problem currently is joint pain, probably a part of the autoimmune disease as it is symmetric (pairs of joints) rather than just one joint at a time, mostly my hips and shoulders, occasionally my knees. Some days it's really painful, others not much at all, and I have been unable so far to discern a pattern.

Daryl is working as hard as ever, and has had some recent exciting developments in his business. I can't say more than that at this time, but hopefully there will be more good things to report soon.

Problems and solutions

2011-02-03T14:46:00.000-05:00

It has been a wild month or so.

I had a lot of weird and unpleasant health symptoms going on since roughly Thanksgiving, that got markedly worse over the past few weeks.

The first problem was a flareup of my autoimmune disease dermatomyositis. I got progressively weaker until over the holidays i had trouble lifting my bath towel over my head to dry my hair and was also having occasional trouble swallowing. My rheumatologist put me on high dose steroids, started me on a new drug called methotrexate, and resumed my IVIG infusions every 2 weeks for now (which we had discontinued in Oct. to test if I was in remission--clearly I am not). I am feeling slightly stronger already from the steroid treatment.

Then in early January I had some bloodwork done which revealed high calcium, low phosphorous and elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Here's what I learned today. I saw an endocrinologist who says I definitely have hyperparathyroidism, which is a benign growth or enlargement and overactivity of one of the 4 parathyroid glands (totally different from the thyroid gland). He has arranged a specialized scan of my neck to see which one it is. That should resolve the problem, which occurs in about 5% of perimenopausal/menopausal age women. Symptoms are abdominal pain, muscle weakness, kidney stones (I have one already) and bone thinning/osteoporosis due to calcium loss. After the problem gland is removed I will have a bone scan to see how much bone thinning/osteoporosis has occurred, especially when combined with steroids which also cause calcium loss.

The endoscopy revealed gastritis (inflammation and lesions of my esophagus and duodenum and stomach inflammation (the latter could be due to or exacerbated by the meds I am currently taking). For now he put me on a prilosec type medication and said no drinking alcohol. The colonoscopy revealed multiple lesions in numerous areas of my large intestine and he did numerous biopsies. The pathology report revealed that it was ulcerative colitis, and a stool test showed it was being caused by the bacteria C. Diff. I had been tested for various bacteria and parasites previously, but not that one.

I couldn't believe that I had developed 3 separate health problems. The colonoscopy surgeon emphasized that I have a complex set of health issues, and that I need to take really good care of myself, get as much help and as little stress as possible, because I could get sicker. Cheerful viewpoint, eh?

In the few weeks since then, I have taken a round of antibiotics to kill the C. diff (which is normally present in our bodies but I had developed an overgrowth). Don't know if I'm completely healed yet but I feel good.

This morning I saw a surgeon about the hyperparathyroidism. The enlarged parathyroid gland was able to be visualized on 2 different scans, which will make it easy for her to remove, so I scheduled that surgery for Feb. 16. It is outpatient and I will need about a week to recover.

Meanwhile, I continue to get IVIG infusions every 2 weeks for the dermatomyositis. My strength is somewhat better but still not normal.

Boy, do I miss my wine and martinis! Otherwise, I feel SO much better and am so much happier. I am so blessed that these problems were so easy to fix.

My birthday boy

2011-01-01T19:19:00.003-05:00

SAM_2557, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I won't reveal his age, but Daryl did have a birthday recently.

Enjoying that cheese and crackers

2011-01-01T19:19:00.001-05:00

SAM_2859, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Traditional Christmas Eve dinner

2011-01-01T19:18:00.002-05:00

SAM_2858, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

At our house, we always have gourmet cheese, crackers and fresh fruit, accompanied by either wine or "kid wine" (nonalchoholic sparkling juice) after mass for dinner.

Upside down kids

2011-01-01T19:17:00.001-05:00

SAM_2610, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

D. has enjoyed playing with his new siblings while home from college for Christmas break.

Roughhousing Baby M

2011-01-01T19:16:00.001-05:00

SAM_2568, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

L. always does this and he loves it!

The tree from above.

2011-01-01T19:15:00.001-05:00

SAM_2528, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

We have a tall ceiling so we can have a tall tree.

Attempting to make cookies

2011-01-01T19:14:00.001-05:00

SAM_2524, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

If you look at the expression on my face, you will see I am grimacing with effort. The dough was stiff and my tool was broken. I did manage to squeeze out about a dozen with effort.

T. joins the crowd inside the snow fort

2011-01-01T19:13:00.001-05:00

SAM_2926, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Inside the snow fort

2011-01-01T19:12:00.003-05:00

SAM_2923, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

L., K, and Daryl inside the fort they built.

Got a new bike for Christmas!

2011-01-01T19:12:00.001-05:00

SAM_2917, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Enjoying his new Ukelele

2011-01-01T19:11:00.002-05:00

SAM_2910, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

L. was priding himself on wearing as many of his Christmas gifts at once as he could, which is why he has on a sweatshirt and a hat.

Helping her brother open a present

2011-01-01T14:04:00.003-05:00

SAM_2886, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

J. assisted baby M. with opening his gifts.

Christmas card

2011-01-01T14:04:00.001-05:00

SAM_2906, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

T. made Daryl and I this very sweet card as a gift.

Headlamp and chocolate

2011-01-01T14:03:00.001-05:00

SAM_2897, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

M. wearing his new headlamp and sporting a chocolate mustache on Christmas morning.

Paula in the Kitchen as Always

2011-01-01T14:00:00.001-05:00

SAM_2957, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Z. with puff ponytails

2011-01-01T13:59:00.001-05:00

SAM_2951, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

T. enjoying her new ukelele

2011-01-01T13:58:00.003-05:00

SAM_2946, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Naughty toddlers going to time out

2011-01-01T13:58:00.001-05:00

SAM_2942, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Talking on the Phone

2011-01-01T13:57:00.001-05:00

SAM_2936, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Baby M. enjoys his pretend phone too.

Baby M. loves the rocking chair

2011-01-01T13:56:00.001-05:00

SAM_2934, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Riding Together

2011-01-01T13:55:00.001-05:00

SAM_2927, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

M. and Z. each got a new plasma car for Christmas, but enjoy riding together sometimes.

Introducing Z

2011-01-01T11:16:00.001-05:00

Z., originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Arrived home from Uganda Oct. 2, 2010

Adoption Announcements

2011-01-01T11:15:00.001-05:00

Baby M, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Introducing Baby M., arrived home from Uganda Oct. 2, 2010.

Our Family

2011-01-01T11:05:00.001-05:00

P1040495_2, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

In left to right order, back row: D. (18), J. (16), L. (15), T. (10), I. (13), Paula holding baby M. (13 months), Daryl.

Front row: M. (3), Z. (2), K. (7), A. (6).

Happy New Year 2011!

2011-01-01T11:02:00.001-05:00

Dear family and friends,

We hope that 2010 was a good year for all of you. It was a year of changes and excitement for us, so our newsletter update is somewhat longer than normal. As you may recall, we were planning to adopt 2 children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It turned out that we were not actually eligible to adopt from the DRC because we had too many children in our family already. We ended our relationship with that adoption agency, since they were unaware of that restriction and wasted a lot of our time and some of our money. I began researching other countries and discovered that there was a great need in Uganda.

We contacted various orphanages and settled on Welcome Home, located in Jinja, Uganda, home to 65 children ages 6 and under. One of their requirements was that families adopt 2 children, which was exactly what we wanted to do. Other orphanages only allowed families to adopt one child at a time. The children are lovingly cared for by the women who work there, who are affectionately called “mums.” Each child is assigned to one of the mums as his/her primary caregiver. We were also impressed by WH’s commitment to the community. Only about half the children residing there are eligible for adoption; the others have parents who are not able to care for them at this time. WH provides small business loans to parents to assist them in becoming self supporting and able to care for their children, and gives them livestock when the children return home to help feed the family. They also do daily community outreach to area villages, spreading the word of God and identifying people in urgent need of medical care, for which they provide transportation and pay the medical fees. (There is no health insurance of any kind in Uganda). WH uses the money that adoptive parents are required to donate to do this. They also use the donation to provide adoption services to the parents while they are in country, including paying for the children’s passports and medical exams, providing all transportation to the families (a 2 hour drive each way to the capital, Kampala, where the court and embassy are located) and act as a liaison with the attorneys. See welcomehomeafrica.com to learn more about this wonderful place.

In February 2010 we were matched with our new children. Our United States adoption paperwork was totally complete at this time so we hoped that the process would be quick. We initiated the process of requesting a court date with our Uganda attorney, hoping for a date in early April. Unfortunately, just at this time the United States embassy began to have some concerns about the wording that Ugandan judges were using in the court orders, which grant parents permanent legal guardianship of the children and permission to adopt them abroad. As a result, the embassy stopped granting adopted children visas to come to the United States, which meant that parents now had legal custody of their children but could not bring them home. Due to this, we did not request a court date until the matter was resolved, which wasn’t until late June. Ugandan courts close for a month long summer holiday in mid July, so we ended up with an initial court date of Aug. 28.
The entire story of our trip can be read at www.meetingourkids.blogspot.com, but the abridged version is that D., J. and I headed to Uganda on Aug. 23, arriving Aug. 25. D. was only able to stay a week, during which time we began getting to know our kids and did some sightseeing and adventuring. J. and I remained for another 2 weeks, at which point Daryl joined us. Ugandans don’t conduct business the way we do, so there were numerous delays involving things like the judge deciding that she didn’t have time to see us that day, despite the fact that we had an appointment with her and that we’d risen before dawn, dragging the children with us, and traveled hours for our hearing. We received our verbal rulings granting us guardianship of the children about 2 weeks after we arrived, at which point they began living with us full time. J. left a few days after Daryl arrived, as she had already missed the first two weeks of school and needed to get back. Daryl stayed 2.5 weeks and then returned home, as several of our children were really missing us, despite being lovingly cared for by their grandparents and babysitters, and he had to get back to work. This left me there alone for the remaining few days, and meant that I had to travel home alone with 2 small children, a trip that involved 3 flights, 2 of which were 9 hours long and one that was 2 hours, and an 8 hour layover. To say that I was unraveled by the time we arrived is a huge understatement. I was in Uganda for almost 6 weeks, after we’d hoped and planned for a stay of 3-4 weeks.

Uganda is a beautiful place, and the people are mostly very friendly. It is, however, a lesser developed country where most of the people live in mud huts with straw roofs in villages without electricity or running water. The larger cities still experience frequent power outages which can be quite lengthy. The infrastructure is nonexistent or totally disintegrating in many places. For instance, there are no traffic lights anywhere, including the capital, which leads to massive traffic delays. The roads are full of potholes, which is a generous term, as in many places they more resemble trenches that must be swerved around. The capital has been nicknamed Kampothole instead of Kampala. There is no air conditioning in any building, despite the warm weather, and public restrooms are routinely without warm water, soap or toilet paper. American chains and fast food restaurants have not penetrated Uganda.

While in Uganda we did almost everything with a wonderful couple who were adopting 2 beautiful girls, ages 2 and 4, from the same orphanage as we were, and we soon became close friends.

My extended absence was very hard on the family. I was missed very much. When I returned, exhausted beyond words, becoming ill my second day home, I had to jump right into the normal routine, while helping both my new and old children get adjusted to one another and to our new family life. I had anticipated that it would be difficult having 3 children age 3 and under, but it was even more challenging than I had imagined, especially at my age. M. in particular has been acting out and coming up with naughty pranks, like flooding bathrooms and coloring on walls, which Z. enjoys assisting him with. We’ve never really had a child create so much mischief, so that is new and unexpected, and requires more constant monitoring than I had anticipated. Things are beginning to settle down a tiny bit at this point, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have also hired a wonderful mother’s helper to ease the transition.

D. graduated from high school last year at the top of his class, and much to our delight, chose to attend the University of Michigan to study engineering, despite a generous offer from another school. He has both had a great time and done really well at his studies this semester. He is living in a dormitory suite with 3 roommates. He has been missed by parents and siblings alike, but has been able to come home for several visits.

J. began her junior year of high school this fall with a monumental task ahead of her, which was catching up on all of the schoolwork she missed while in Uganda. It was very difficult, but she did a great job of meeting the challenge. She got her driver’s license in August, and is now able to shuttle herself to and from school and various activities, like cross country. It was a joy to have her with me in Uganda, and a transforming and maturing experience for her.

L. is a freshman in high school this year. He played on the JV soccer team this fall and had a great season. He continues to be an excellent student and a lot of fun to be around, a help to me and very sweet playmate to his younger siblings. He is currently playing basketball but longing for soccer to begin again! He was confirmed in the Catholic church this fall.

I. is in the eighth grade. She earned a position as a Junior Advisor at her school, which is a leadership group similar to student council that plans and carries out many school activities and community service projects. It has been a great experience for her. She also played volleyball and continues to play the clarinet in band, and will be learning to play saxophone this coming semester. Always the social butterfly, she has a very active social life.

T. is in the fifth grade this year. She continues to love to read and is an outstanding student. She is also still involved in horseback trail riding. She is a terrific big sister to all of her younger siblings and is the favorite of several of them.

K., second grader, is easygoing and very smart. He is another bookworm who loves reading and school. He enjoys helping Daryl with projects and has a very analytical “engineering” mind.

A. began kindergarten this year and loves it. She is also a great big sister and roommate to her new sister Zariah. Her first love is art and writing. She is constantly making cards and pictures for all of us.

M. is 3 and in preschool. He still has his blond curls. His big achievement this past year was learning to talk. When I departed for Uganda he did not talk except for a few single words, and when I returned home he could speak in sentences! It was remarkable and somewhat unnerving for me. We think that not having someone around who understood his every need, want and gesture (me) motivated him to begin speaking so he could communicate with grandparents and babysitters. He is currently working on potty training.

Z. will turn 3 and will begin preschool in January. She is a bright spark in our lives, lively and very affectionate. She is astoundingly resilient and adaptable, handling all of the recent changes in her life with amazing ease. She is petite but very coordinated. Her behavior is typical for her age--she hates going to bed, and is doing some testing of us as parents. This is a good sign, however, as it means she trusts us. She is a little bit of a princess--she would prefer to be carried around and babied, but since she is not the youngest that isn’t possible, so she is learning to accept it. She is potty trained, and knew a little English when we met her, but since then she has acquired language skills at warp speed, now speaking in short sentences and making all of her needs and wants known.

Baby M. is a happy little boy of 13 months. When he arrived home at 11 months, he was somewhat delayed physically. He could sit but not crawl or pull himself to standing, nor could he get from laying to sitting or vice versa. He did not feed himself at all and had not developed the pincer grasp with index finger and thumb to pick things up. Since then, he has learned to army crawl, traditional crawl, pull himself up and cruise furniture. He is not walking yet but has begun to let go and take 1-2 steps, so it won’t be long. He developed the pincer grasp and can drink from a sippy cup and feed himself finger foods, although he is often still reluctant to, but we are working on that. He is not talking yet and does not know all of our names, and is just beginning to say mama. He loves music, however, and can clap, sway and “dance” to the beat and will do so to even the briefest melody. He has also begun trying to whistle and occasionally succeeds! He is very attached to me, as most babies are to their mamas, which is amazing to me since he has not known me very long.

Z. and Baby M. were baptized on Dec. 11 with siblings D. and J. as godparents. The family photo in our New Year’s card was taken that evening.

Daryl continues in his positions as Professor and CEO. His current favorite activity, besides building things around the house and property, is mountain biking on the many forest trails in our area.

As for me, my trip to Uganda was the most challenging experience of my life. I have never wanted to travel to Africa, and I faced numerous trials and obstacles, ranging from the hot and humid weather, large insects, “rustic” accomodations, to the Ugandan way of both life and business where nothing is ever seen as urgent or done in a hurry and appointments are not viewed as firm commitments. I am thankful that God gave me the grace to handle all of it and bring home our precious new children. Now I have recovered from my stay in Uganda, and am working harder than ever in my position as mother and household manager. With my rheumatologist’s permission, I attempted to discontinue the monthly IV treamtments for my autoimmune disease, hoping that I was in remission, since I felt excellent and my only symptoms were the lingering rash, (which often takes longer to cure than the muscle weakness). However, since Thanksgiving I have begun to notice myself getting weaker, which seemed to accelerate in the past week, so I called the rheumatologist, who told me to take large doses of steroids again (after taking many months to slowly wean off of them!) and I will see him again next week, at which point I’ll either resume the IV treatments or try something new since I unfortunately am clearly not in remission. I have also developed a hernia, which may have been caused by the muscle weakness, ironically as a result of attempting to lift our Thanksgiving turkey! I am scheduled to have this repaired in February.

Our wishes for all of you are a healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2011!

Hair

2010-11-08T21:42:00.001-05:00

SAM_1893, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Jasmine and I did Zariah's hair yesterday in twists. I think it came out pretty well for an amateur.

Opening Presents!

2010-11-08T21:40:00.001-05:00

SAM_1889, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

He had lots of help.

Mmmmm!

2010-11-08T21:38:00.001-05:00

SAM_1880, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Didn't each much, but enjoyed playing with it.

Getting Started

2010-11-08T21:34:00.001-05:00

SAM_1871, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here he is, trying out a cupcake.

Turning One!

2010-11-08T21:33:00.001-05:00

SAM_1864, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Yesterday was Micah's first birthday. We celebrated with a party with the relatives.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-08T21:30:00.002-05:00

SAM_1770, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Back row: Pirate Tessa, witch Anya, Firewoman Jasmine, dog Micah, and Firewoman cousin Maddy.

Front row: Fairy princess Zariah, Builder Mateo, and dementor Keegan.

All of Us

2010-10-11T14:59:00.001-05:00

All of Us, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

For those of you who don't know, I spent the past 5 weeks in Uganda adopting 2 children, Zariah age 2.5 and Micah age 11 months.

Now here we are, all 12 of us!

If you want to read more about it, I have an adoption blog www.meetingourkids.blogspot.com

Joining the Club

2010-08-06T22:47:00.001-05:00

university-of-michigan_logo, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Daryl and I are thrilled to announce that Dillon has decided to attend the University of Michigan. Not only will he be close to home (and we are elated about that), we are both alumni. Actually, believe it or not, between the two of us we have 7 diplomas from the University of Michigan! So of course we think it is a terrific choice!

I Just Want to Scream

2010-08-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

Our summer has been terrific. Lots of relaxation. We spent a week lounging on the shore of Lake Michigan. The water was unseasonable warm, lots of waves and sunshine. The only thing that could be better is if our new children were here. This would be the perfect time to bond with them as a family, when everyone is at home more and much less busy.

I can't go into any of the details, but there has been delay after delay and problem after problem with the adoption process. It does not have to do with us specifically, but with the country we are adopting from. Other people who are adopting from this country are experiencing the same issues. But it is SO frustrating! I just want to bring them home! Our son is now 9 months old and our daughter is 2.5 years. I want to be able to squeeze that boy while he is still a baby and I want our daughter to get to know us before she gets too much older.

I just want to at least know when we can go and get them. We have been told every other day for over 2 weeks that we would REALLY find out our travel date (which is supposed to be later this month but I'm starting to doubt it) in another day or 2, but when that day comes we STILL don't know.

Anyway, just venting. Sigh.

Sleeping cutie

2010-06-08T22:30:00.002-05:00

Sleeping cutie, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Passed out on the couch after a looong day with no nap.

M. and J.

2010-06-08T22:29:00.003-05:00

M. and J., originally uploaded by PaulaK.

They are just so beautiful.

Sisters

2010-06-08T22:29:00.001-05:00

Sisters, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

My family

2010-06-08T20:21:00.003-05:00

My family, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

The 5 of us

2010-06-08T20:21:00.001-05:00

The 5 of us, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

My sister Laura came into town for Dillon's graduation. Here is the family I grew up in.
From left: Mom, Dad, Laura, Pam and Paula.

2010-06-08T19:50:00.001-05:00

close up grad and sibs, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

We are so, so proud of him. He gave the welcome speech at the beginning of graduation.

The graduate

2010-06-08T19:49:00.001-05:00

The graduate, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Family at Graduation Mass

2010-06-08T19:45:00.000-05:00

100_1127, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Our oldest child, Dillon, graduated on June 6. Here we are at the graduation mass held at our church.
From left: L., J., Daryl, Dillon, I., and me
Front row: M., T. K. and A.

18th Birthday!

2010-06-08T19:44:00.001-05:00

DSC_0169, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Dillon turned 18 and received both a ukelele and a guitar as gifts.

Our first adult

2010-06-08T19:43:00.000-05:00

Our first adult, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Our oldest child has turned 18!

Senior Honors Night

2010-06-08T19:42:00.002-05:00

DSC_0114, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Dillon received his NHS cords, the ribbon signifying that he graduated summa cum laude, 2 scholarships, and numerous other honors.

Mother's Day Brunch

2010-06-08T19:41:00.000-05:00

DSCN6287, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

The day began with a beautiful brunch, prepared by Daryl and the kids. Both my mom and my mother-in-law were there.

Kids and I

2010-06-08T19:40:00.001-05:00

Kids and I, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-06-08T19:39:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day 2010, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

From left, D., me, M., J., L., I., and T.
Front row: A and K

Soccer nut

2010-06-08T19:38:00.001-05:00

Soccer nut, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Great action shot of L. playing soccer taken by a friend of ours.

More after

2010-06-03T11:47:00.001-05:00

after, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

after

2010-06-03T11:46:00.001-05:00

after, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath for the "after" photos! LOL Here I am. I still have some abdominal swelling in front and on the sides, so I will be even thinner in another few months.

Cousins

2010-05-10T22:03:00.001-05:00

Cousins, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Sisters

2010-05-10T22:00:00.003-05:00

DSCN6247, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I. and J. on J's 16th birthday.

Guitar

2010-05-10T22:00:00.001-05:00

DSCN6239, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Daryl, D. and L. have all been learning to play the guitar.

More Before

2010-05-10T21:39:00.001-05:00

DSC_0698, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Before

2010-05-10T21:38:00.001-05:00

DSCN4119, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here is a picture of what I looked like prior to surgery.

Updates

2010-05-10T11:29:00.000-05:00

Post surgery update: Although they only removed 7 lbs. (3 of breast and 4 of belly)--I guess since the rest of me is thin and it was targeted weight loss it made a huge difference. I am wearing pants 2 sizes smaller than I was! I can wear normal bras and shop at stores like Victoria's Secret for bras now, and even go braless if I want! It was a painful recovery, and I developed an infection in one of the permanent interior abdominal sutures at about 3 weeks post surgery which made it take longer, (I had to take double strength antibiotics for 14 days and even then the surgeon said I had a 50% chance of it going away and a 50% chance he'd have to go in and remove the suture--but it went away!) but now I feel and look great.

Adoption update--We are tentatively/hopefully going to Africa in late June to get our kids! I wish I could post pictures or more details but I can't--once they are ours I will though!

Illness update--I still receive monthly IVIG treatments which keep it under control, but it is not in remission. Remission is no meds/no symptoms. I just began a new drug last week which will hopefully get me at least into a drug remission, which is no symptoms with drugs. I still have the rashes, and I imagine if I discontinued the IV treatments the muscle weakness would return. This drug is an immune suppressant that they give transplant patients, so it will make me slightly more prone to illness, which will hopefully be offset by the IV treatments which are other people's pooled antibodies.

So please pray for complete remission for me and that our adoptions and adjustments at home afterward go really smoothly!

J and M

2010-05-06T21:55:00.001-05:00

DSC_0305, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

D and M

2010-05-06T21:53:00.001-05:00

DSC_0324, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Prom 2010

2010-05-06T21:51:00.001-05:00

DSC_0316, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Siblings going to Prom

2010-05-06T21:50:00.001-05:00

DSC_0319, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Not together! D. went with his girlfriend, and J. went with her boyfriend.

J attends her first Prom

2010-05-06T21:48:00.001-05:00

DSC_0375, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Beauties

2010-05-06T21:36:00.001-05:00

DSC_0346, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

This is our daughter J before prom, with her sisters I, A and T.

We couldn't be prouder.

2010-05-06T21:35:00.001-05:00

nhs, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

This is my oldest child, D, speaking at the National Honor Society Convocation last week. He is President, so he gave the opening speech summarizing the group's astonishing list of service activities. Despite his reluctance, he did a great job!

Prayers Needed

2010-04-02T16:52:00.002-05:00

Just as I was feeling almost totally back to normal, my abdominal scar became infected. I didn't know that scars could get infected, but I guess all the healing is not complete on the inside. I am taking antibiotics, and the dr. said I should see improvement in 48 hours, which it has almost been, and no change. It both itches and hurts a lot, and is rather swollen. I'm also extremely fatigued. If it doesn't heal soon, I may not be able to go on spring break with my family!

Consoling the Heart of Jesus

2010-04-02T16:49:00.000-05:00

That is the title of a book I have read over Lent that has truly changed my life. Written by a priest, Michael Gaitley, it is based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Faustina. It teaches all about prayer, about having a trusting relationship with Jesus, what he really wants from us, and how to give that to him, in a way that is clear, easy to understand, and not overwhelming. It has changed my life. I can't recommend this book enough.

One Week Post-Op

2010-03-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

The first 3-4 days post surgery I felt a little better each day. The next 2 days seemed more painful, as though I was going backwards. I actually cried on day 5. My strategy had been to take as little Vicodin as possible, only when I needed it. As I got better, I thought I needed it less, so I was taking less and letting it wear off in between doses. Then I would be in a lot of pain. I was worried the surgeon would tell me to "suck it up". Daryl said, "He will tell you to quit trying to be tough and take more pain medication" which was exactly what he said. He exact words were, "So, I hear you have been tormenting yourself." Apparently the nurse had shared with him what was happening since I had already told her.

Now I am back to alternating Ibuprofen and Vicodin every 3 hours, which works great. Leaves me slighty fuzzy, but not too bad. Hopefully by the 10-14 day mark I can stop using the narcotics, but until then, drugs are my friend!

How Many Homes Have You Lived In?

2010-03-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

I was just thinking about this and decided to add mine up.

During my childhood I lived in 2 homes.
In college, there were 5.
After getting married there have been 9.
Grand total = 16

Leave a comment and post your total.

I survived!

2010-03-06T17:02:00.002-05:00

Home now. VERY sore. I lost 3 lbs. of breast and 4 of belly.

Don't Cry Because It's Over. Smile Because It Happened.

2010-03-02T08:22:00.000-05:00

I am trying to keep the above quote by Dr. Seuss in mind as I traverse the next phase of parenting, but it isn't easy. As senior year for D. draws to a close, and he gets closer and closer to leaving home, I have very carefully avoided thinking about how it will FEEL to have him gone. Now, however, I have been confronted. Spring break is coming, and D. would rather go to a cabin in northern Michigan with his buddies than on a family trip with us. Since he is almost 18 and has always used good judgement, we are allowing him to do that, but I had no idea how sad it would make me feel. I'm not sure which makes me sadder--that he won't be coming with us, or that he doesn't want to.

This is just a prelude to how I will feel next fall, I imagine. Heartbroken.

News

2010-02-26T19:50:00.002-05:00

I have 2 news items to report.

The first is that we have been matched with children, a 2 year old girl and a 3 month old baby boy. We will hopefully travel in May to get them (many things are up in the air right now so it is not definite). I can't give any more details or show photos at this time, but we are all very excited!

The second news item is that I have decided to have a breast reduction and abdominoplasty. My chest size has caused me discomfort my entire life, and they are much larger than they used to be, so now that I am done using my breasts for their intended purpose (my baby is weaned!) I am ready to remedy the problem. As for the abdominoplasty--let's just say that carrying 8 full term babies weighing approximately 10 pounds each leaves you with a drooping flap of skin that no amount of exercise will fix. The surgery is scheduled for Mar. 5, 2010. I am nervous and excited! Please keep me in your prayers that the surgery goes smoothly and that I recover easily.