The latest around here...and a prayer request

Well, where to begin...

Tyson continues to just be himself. Loud. Demanding. Sweet. Mischievous. All boy (except for his fascination with pink) and all OURS. One day Kacie said, "Mom, I forget that he's adopted!" I do too, and I never thought I'd say that after that horrible wait and the difficult transition after getting home. That now seems like a big blur, thank goodness.

A few weeks ago we had to put our 12 year old lab to sleep. We got her when I was pregnant with Kacie, so Kacie has never known life without her. It was rough, but we now realize that it was for the best.

We have started a kitchen remodel! The cabinets are ordered, counters are chosen, and we have ordered two new appliances. We weren't going to order a new range, but low and behold, our range died yesterday. This is definitely a remodel on a budget, so no fancy counters or anything like that, but we are certainly happy, as it will be much better than what we have now!

At the current time, I have lost 33 lbs since last August. I'm feeling great! The injury bug bites me all the time, but I just keep going. I still have my other blog going, and if you'd like to check it out, feel free. This link is in light letters below.

Running With Love

We are now in the chaos of fastpitch season. Kacie is on two 10U teams: one rec league team and one tournament team. It's a lot of fun, great families, and fun kids. I am blessed that she has had the opportunity to meet kids from all over our area. First game should be tomorrow, but I have a feeling it will get rained out.

Our area has had a disproportionate number of suicides lately, especially among young people. Tomorrow our staff will be wearing shirts that say "Life is Tough. You are TOUGHER." This will be a large movement in our area to help show people how much they are loved and that there are people who are willing to listen and help.

And to end with a Tyson dilemma...we are debating where to have him go to preschool next year. Although he will be 5 in June (yes, can you believe it?), he is NOT starting kindergarten. He is just not ready. But I have options, and I'm trying to decide what option will be best for all of us. Of course his needs are important, but we are finally at a place where we need to look at all of our needs, not just the needs of one for the rest of us to work around. And like I said, they are options, and they all have pros and cons. So if you wouldn't mind saying a prayer that we can make this decision with a clear mind and that God will show us our path, we'd sure appreciate it.

Have a great week!
J

Help support my TeamLWB half marathon fundraising goal!

Dear Family and Friends,

On June 23rd, I will be running in the Seattle Rock n Roll Half-Marathon. I am running to benefit orphaned children in China on a team for Love Without Boundaries (www.TeamLWB.com). The funds raised by Team LWB in the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon will go directly to provide life-changing medical care for an orphan in China through the LWB Medical Program. I am commited to running for this important cause and I am asking for your help to make an even greater difference.
There are over a million orphaned children in China, many of them living in institutions. Throughout the orphanage system in China, there are babies who need medical care. Through LWB’s Medical Program, TeamLWB will help provide funding for many types of surgeries and medical care, including:

• Heart surgery • Cleft lip and palate surgery • Colorectal repairs • Tumor and neurological issues • Club foot casting
• General surgeries, such as hernia repair and intestinal issues • Orthopedic care and evaluation • Preemie care

I am running on behalf of a child like Almudena. Almudena is from Tongren in central southern China and was born with cleft lip and palate, which is the same congenital birth defect my son Tyson was born with. Normally an infant will have their cleft lip surgery when they are 4-8 months old, but sweet Almudena had to wait much longer than that. When she was 2-and-a-half she finally had her lip surgery. She loves sharing her beautiful smile! Now, at age 3, Almudena needs to have her cleft palate closed so she can eat more easily and her speech can develop appropriately.

Will you please help me reach my goal of raising $500, which will help sponsor a child like Almudena who needs cleft lip or palate surgery? If you would like to help, you can donate online specifically for me by going to www.TeamLWB.com and click “Donate” under Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon. Or you may send a check directly to LWB, P.O. Box 25016 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0016. Please make the check payable to Love Without Boundaries and note my name and Seattle Rock 'n' Roll 2012 on your check.

Thank you for partnering with me to give the priceless gift of hope and healing to a child like Almudena, or even a child like Tyson. Tyson’s cleft lip was repaired in China, but I don’t know who provided Tyson’s surgery. Therefore, this is my opportunity to pay it forward to help orphaned children in China who need medical intervention right now. Your donation will truly change the lives of orphaned children, and I cannot thank you enough for your support!

With great thanks and blessings,


Jolene

Love Without Boundaries is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-exempt. In 2011, 152 children received surgery through their medical program. LWB holds Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating and less than 10% of your donation goes to administrative overhead. For more information about Love Without Boundaries, visit www.lovewithoutboundaries.com.

And it was a Good Friday

Good Friday, 2008.

I had been researching adoption agencies, going through the packets and charts that had been sent to me. My heart was in China, but my husband asked me to keep an open mind to other programs. But after all the research, China was still the fit for us. One agency in particular, Faith International in Tacoma, invited me to come up and meet with them to go through the process.

I was on my way, listening to Christian music, and I don't remember what song came on, but I remember the tears welling up in my eyes, and just feeling God's presence and knowing I was starting something big...something beyond the scope of what I could understand, almost like an out of body experience. I didn't personally know anyone who had completed an international adoption. Sure I had met people, but this was a foreign idea...and somehow, it felt right. God was preparing my heart for sure.

I remember being at the agency, and of course I was inquiring about the non-special needs program, and most likely adopting a girl. I remember being asked if I would consider special needs, and I remember saying, "No way." But I do remember just being really excited about the process and I just couldn't wait to get started. In fact, we set up our first home study visit for less than a week from that day! I had so much to do!

And little did I know, that at about this same time, there was a little boy 10 months of age in China getting ready for a cleft lip surgery...

Well, we all know how the story unfolded, but for those who may not, this is the short story: As we took the Hague classes, we learned about special needs adoption. We had no idea that minor or correctable needs were considered "special needs", and suddenly, our world opened to special needs adoption. Our paperwork was held up A LOT due to Hague rules being implemented, and there were days I'd cry so hard and just want to quit. But God said no. God kept me going.

So I look back to four years ago, and it was the beginning of a life-changing journey. It truly was, A GOOD FRIDAY!

Happy Easter to everyone, and remember Jesus loves you!