Jasmine and I did Zariah's hair yesterday in twists. I think it came out pretty well for an amateur.
Neglect
2 years ago
All of Us
At I's wedding in July 2019. Back row from left: My oldest D (27) and his wife B (27), My 6th K (16), My 3rd L (23), My 5th T (19), and my 7th A (14). Front row from left: My 9th Z (11), My 10th M (9), Me!, My new son-in-law L (23), My 4th I (22), my love D, My 2nd J (25), and my 8th M (11).
Monday, November 08, 2010
Halloween 2010
Back row: Pirate Tessa, witch Anya, Firewoman Jasmine, dog Micah, and Firewoman cousin Maddy.
Front row: Fairy princess Zariah, Builder Mateo, and dementor Keegan.
Monday, October 11, 2010
All of Us
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
Friday, August 06, 2010
Joining the Club
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
The 5 of us
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.
Family at Graduation Mass
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.
Senior Honors Night
Dillon received his NHS cords, the ribbon signifying that he graduated summa cum laude, 2 scholarships, and numerous other honors.
Mother's Day Brunch
The day began with a beautiful brunch, prepared by Daryl and the kids. Both my mom and my mother-in-law were there.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
after
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.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Updates
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!
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!
Thursday, May 06, 2010
We couldn't be prouder.
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!
Friday, April 02, 2010
Prayers Needed
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
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.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
One Week Post-Op
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!
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?
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.
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.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Don't Cry Because It's Over. Smile Because It Happened.
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.
This is just a prelude to how I will feel next fall, I imagine. Heartbroken.
Friday, February 26, 2010
News
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.
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.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Your Mothering Style
I love Meyers-Briggs type personality quizzes and this seemed like a good one. Here are my results:
 I'm a "How To" Mother!(Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) Organized and comfortable being in charge, I know .how to. get things done, make things happen, and accomplish much on behalf of my children. What's your mothering personality type? Take the MotherStyles quiz at FamilyEducation.com! |
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Making Progress
Yesterday we got word that USCIS (Dept. of Homeland Security/Immigration) has approved our application to adopt. One step closer! Now we are awaiting our referrals. Once we have them, it will be approximately 2 months until we travel to pick up our children.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Happy New Year 2010!
Dear friends and family,
We hope that 2009 was a good year for all of you, as it was for us. Here are some highlights:
D. (17) is finishing his senior year of high school. He played his final season of varsity football, and then turned his attention to college applications. Thus far, he has applied to the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona. He has been admitted to the University of Michigan and awarded a modest scholarship. He plans to also apply to Stanford, Case Western, and Carnegie Mellon. D. was elected president of the National Honor Society, which is a very active service group at Dexter High School, and he now spends many mornings getting up extra early to attend NHS meetings before school.
J. (15) continues to run, and competed on the cross country team again this fall. She did well, improving her times significantly from last year. She continues to play the flute and march in the marching band. Jasmine works hard at her studies and does well in school. She is also involved in the church youth group, and last summer she went on another National Relief Network service trip. In addition, she began dating this fall. She wins the award as our busiest family member!
L. (14) continues to be a multisport athlete, participating in football and soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. He trained to become a soccer referee last summer and is now able to earn some spending money refereeing younger teams' games. He is also an excellent student, and has a constant flow of visiting friends and invitations.
I. (12) began middle school this fall, where she is doing very well. She played volleyball this fall for the first time and really enjoyed it. She plans to play basketball this winter. She continues to play the piano and also has a VERY busy social life.
T. (9) is now in the 4th grade. She is an extremely avid reader. She also participates in a horseback trail riding group where she is learning riding skills and how to care for horses while having a great time going on long rides to fun destinations.
K. (6) began 1st grade this year, and has begun to read! He played soccer for the first time last summer, with his Dad as coach. He continues to be an extremely friendly and inquisitive child.
A. (5) is completing her final year of preschool. She has really blossomed there, becoming more confident and less shy. She took karate lessons this fall and was a natural at it. She knows all of the letters and their sounds, and can read and write many words on her own.
M. (2) is a boy of few words, literally. He has not really begun to talk, but has a "vocabulary" consisting of 3-4 words and many sounds and gestures, which enable him to communicate quite well, and of course he understands everything we say. He continues to be really large for his age (Nickname: Clifford) and to love motorized vehicles more than anything. He calls them all "vroom vrooms" and has been known to stroll through a parking lot patting each car on the hood while sighing "vroom vroom."
Paula has had an excellent year. She began IV immunoglobulin treatments at the beginning of the year, which have kept her dermatomyositis in check. It is not in remission yet, so she continues to get a treatment once a month, but she has been able to wean almost completely off the steroids and her rheumatologist assures her that the disease will eventually go into remission. For now, she is feeling excellent and enjoying her good health.
Daryl continues to work very hard in his dual roles as a Professor at the University of Michigan and the CEO of his company, Neuronexus Technologies. He is also the lead 'sports fan' and went to many games and meets through the year to watch the kids compete. Daryl stays busy around our old/new house, with its myriad landscaping and handyman projects.
The major home project we completed last year was finishing our basement. We converted it from a dim, dusty room with a pool table and foosball table surrounded by cardboard boxes to a well lit, brightly painted teen hangout/kids playroom/exercise area. We built storage closets and bookcases, installed a drop ceiling, lighting and drywall, painted the walls and covered the concrete floor with a combination of carpet and paint. Once it was complete, we allowed the kids to pool their money and buy a Wii, our first and only video game system.
We need the finished basement, because any time that school is not in session, our household slides into nonstop party mode. With the older kids, the party gets started around 9pm when they seem to come alive, and it goes into the night, generally past the time that Daryl and Paula call it a day. The younger kids begin playing early in the morning and it goes on all day from room to room. This year we hosted a Halloween party in which each kid had unlimited invitations for their friends. This resulted in a crowd of 60-70 guests, roving bands of kids of different ages and a traffic jam in our driveway.
This past year we took two family trips. Over spring break we drove to Asheville, NC, where we visited Daryl's brother and sister-in-law, saw the local sights and did some hiking. Then we traveled on to Myrtle Beach, SC, where we enjoyed a few days on the ocean. This past summer we went on a family vacation to Northport, MI, where we spent a week on the beach of Lake Michigan, which was very relaxing. Unfortunately, during both beach vacations we had unseasonably cold air and water temperatures. Luckily, we had invested in the wetsuits you see in the photograph.
Our family made an important decision this year. We have decided to adopt 2 children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We began the process in August, and at this point are awaiting approval from the United States immigration department, which we anticipate receiving in early January, and awaiting referrals of specific children from our adoption agency. We have requested a 2 year old boy and an infant girl. The most current estimate is that we will probably be able to travel to get our children in Feb. or March 2010. Daryl, D. and J. will be making the trip, which will take about one week. We are all extremely excited and it is very hard to be patient!
We wish all of you a happy and healthy 2010 filled with many blessings!
We hope that 2009 was a good year for all of you, as it was for us. Here are some highlights:
D. (17) is finishing his senior year of high school. He played his final season of varsity football, and then turned his attention to college applications. Thus far, he has applied to the University of Michigan and the University of Arizona. He has been admitted to the University of Michigan and awarded a modest scholarship. He plans to also apply to Stanford, Case Western, and Carnegie Mellon. D. was elected president of the National Honor Society, which is a very active service group at Dexter High School, and he now spends many mornings getting up extra early to attend NHS meetings before school.
J. (15) continues to run, and competed on the cross country team again this fall. She did well, improving her times significantly from last year. She continues to play the flute and march in the marching band. Jasmine works hard at her studies and does well in school. She is also involved in the church youth group, and last summer she went on another National Relief Network service trip. In addition, she began dating this fall. She wins the award as our busiest family member!
L. (14) continues to be a multisport athlete, participating in football and soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. He trained to become a soccer referee last summer and is now able to earn some spending money refereeing younger teams' games. He is also an excellent student, and has a constant flow of visiting friends and invitations.
I. (12) began middle school this fall, where she is doing very well. She played volleyball this fall for the first time and really enjoyed it. She plans to play basketball this winter. She continues to play the piano and also has a VERY busy social life.
T. (9) is now in the 4th grade. She is an extremely avid reader. She also participates in a horseback trail riding group where she is learning riding skills and how to care for horses while having a great time going on long rides to fun destinations.
K. (6) began 1st grade this year, and has begun to read! He played soccer for the first time last summer, with his Dad as coach. He continues to be an extremely friendly and inquisitive child.
A. (5) is completing her final year of preschool. She has really blossomed there, becoming more confident and less shy. She took karate lessons this fall and was a natural at it. She knows all of the letters and their sounds, and can read and write many words on her own.
M. (2) is a boy of few words, literally. He has not really begun to talk, but has a "vocabulary" consisting of 3-4 words and many sounds and gestures, which enable him to communicate quite well, and of course he understands everything we say. He continues to be really large for his age (Nickname: Clifford) and to love motorized vehicles more than anything. He calls them all "vroom vrooms" and has been known to stroll through a parking lot patting each car on the hood while sighing "vroom vroom."
Paula has had an excellent year. She began IV immunoglobulin treatments at the beginning of the year, which have kept her dermatomyositis in check. It is not in remission yet, so she continues to get a treatment once a month, but she has been able to wean almost completely off the steroids and her rheumatologist assures her that the disease will eventually go into remission. For now, she is feeling excellent and enjoying her good health.
Daryl continues to work very hard in his dual roles as a Professor at the University of Michigan and the CEO of his company, Neuronexus Technologies. He is also the lead 'sports fan' and went to many games and meets through the year to watch the kids compete. Daryl stays busy around our old/new house, with its myriad landscaping and handyman projects.
The major home project we completed last year was finishing our basement. We converted it from a dim, dusty room with a pool table and foosball table surrounded by cardboard boxes to a well lit, brightly painted teen hangout/kids playroom/exercise area. We built storage closets and bookcases, installed a drop ceiling, lighting and drywall, painted the walls and covered the concrete floor with a combination of carpet and paint. Once it was complete, we allowed the kids to pool their money and buy a Wii, our first and only video game system.
We need the finished basement, because any time that school is not in session, our household slides into nonstop party mode. With the older kids, the party gets started around 9pm when they seem to come alive, and it goes into the night, generally past the time that Daryl and Paula call it a day. The younger kids begin playing early in the morning and it goes on all day from room to room. This year we hosted a Halloween party in which each kid had unlimited invitations for their friends. This resulted in a crowd of 60-70 guests, roving bands of kids of different ages and a traffic jam in our driveway.
This past year we took two family trips. Over spring break we drove to Asheville, NC, where we visited Daryl's brother and sister-in-law, saw the local sights and did some hiking. Then we traveled on to Myrtle Beach, SC, where we enjoyed a few days on the ocean. This past summer we went on a family vacation to Northport, MI, where we spent a week on the beach of Lake Michigan, which was very relaxing. Unfortunately, during both beach vacations we had unseasonably cold air and water temperatures. Luckily, we had invested in the wetsuits you see in the photograph.
Our family made an important decision this year. We have decided to adopt 2 children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. We began the process in August, and at this point are awaiting approval from the United States immigration department, which we anticipate receiving in early January, and awaiting referrals of specific children from our adoption agency. We have requested a 2 year old boy and an infant girl. The most current estimate is that we will probably be able to travel to get our children in Feb. or March 2010. Daryl, D. and J. will be making the trip, which will take about one week. We are all extremely excited and it is very hard to be patient!
We wish all of you a happy and healthy 2010 filled with many blessings!
Peace and Love
This was our New Year's card this year. It had our names but I removed them for privacy.
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About Me
- Paula
- SE Michigan, United States
- Mother to 10 fabulous kids, ages 9 to 27 years! Mother-in-law to 2 more awesome young adults! Married for 32 years to my best friend.
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God Will Make A Way5 years ago
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Zootopia is Cute as a Bunny, Sly as a Fox8 years ago
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Week 1 2013/2014 School Year11 years ago
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