Remembering...

Tonight, we sat around the dinner table and began talking about babies. Andrew began talking about how I used to take care of him in Colombia when he was a baby and he wore a diaper and I would hold him in my arms and rock him (he gestured this). Hmm...how do you reply to that?

Not sure if it were the best one, but I said, "No, baby...that was your foster mami who changed your diaper and took care of you...but only until Mami and Papi could come and get you...and bring you home with us."

He seemed to accept that well with an "Oh! Okay!"

And then immediately, he began sharing all these things we did in Colombia when we first met the children even right down to the color of car we gave him and Diego! He was remembering details that I had forgotten! It was neat to hear him talk more about when we first met him. It seemed for a long time that they had forgotten what had happened. I just dismissed it thinking that it was way too much for their tiny minds to handle at the time. But he remembers!

I stopped trying to explain the birthmother - adopted mom stuff, and just be "mami". I figure Andrew will ask me when the time comes and that will be the time when his little mind will be able to comprehend it. Plus, I think God will open doors for those conversations and I pray that He will give me the right words to say at that time as well.

It's been almost a year! We are so absolutely in love with our children! They are great! Tonight, after dinner, they were playing in Tatiana's room. I was lying on her bed while they were playing beside it. Diego was the doctor and Tatiana and Andrew were babies! Diego looked so serious as he tore color book pages into strips and pretended it was medicine. He would command them to do things and when one baby would disrupt him, he would abruptly say, "Be quiet, no talking!" Precious moments! Then later Ben came in, and the kids decided to start doing flips and cart-wheels! Andrew can now do a flip, instead of a flop! Tatiana is trying to get the cart-wheel down pat, as is Diego. Diego taught Andrew how to flip!

Then, we read a Bible story about Jesus healing people. I asked them who they knew who needed healing. What's healing? Duh! So, I explained that, and they each named persons including our little friend, Isaac, our cousin, Mami (sinus), and then named some people in the church, as Papi reminded us. I asked them if God healed the person in the story. Yes, they shook their head. He did, in fact, he healed several people. My next question was -do you think he can heal us and all of these other people? "Yes!" they each said excitedly. Then, one by one, they began claiming healing over several of those whom we are close to and even mentioned things they were thankful for and their owies that were healed in the past. God still heals today! I can't wait to see those miracles come forth!

Ben preached yesterday about being serious about prayer...about prayer being the Cinderella of the church...about if our financial life looked like our prayer life, we'd be bankrupt! and maybe if we spent as much time in prayer or devoted to the word as we did work or spend in front of other objects of worship (tv and computer, for me!) that we might see some of those miracles that were promised...are we desperate enough? Hmm....it was quite the sermon...very piercing to the soul. I had to evaluate my own spiritual standing...am I right with God? He was so right! We started off really strong with the kids and seemed to have slacked with the school and work schedule made Bible and worship difficult each night...and we have let some nights slip...but why not put in a worship DVD instead of cartoons? Why not send them to their rooms 15 mins early to look at their Bible (because they aren't able to read it yet) and to think about all that God has done for them throughout that day? And then, Ben and I could go in and share by reading the Bible and praying...I definitely want to be more Christ centered and family focused. So, I have been cutting back the time I spend on the computer while at home. At work, it is easy for me to check my other blogging buddies and post comments, but at home, I am going to try to be more sensitive about my time and focus more on God and the family...anyways, if you guys have any tips on how you teach your children about the Bible, I would love to know. Or if you are aware of any Bible video series that are good to help them understand more...please comment. Thanks!

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman Family, Also!

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Thursday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Worship In Colombia

Did you know Hallelujah is the only word pronounced the same all over the world?

Some calls we never want...

Today, Ben called to tell me that a Youth Pastor friend had called him and asked him to go to the High School to be available for counseling before, during or after the memorial service being held for a Senior who was killed last night after his car broke down on the Interstate while walking to get help. The television station reported that this child had been standing in the middle of the westbound lane of the Interstate and was hit by an 18-wheeler.

I cannot even fathom the idea of what I would feel or do if I got a call telling me my baby was dead...I remember too well my response of the news of my sister...total disbelief...I don't know how my Mother did it! Wow! Even at 32, she was still her baby!

Anyways, please pray for this family and people close to him. He was 18, and scheduled to graduate Friday night. His father is a Pastor at a local church in Pascagoula. Pray that the body of Christ stand strong with this family and support them in a time when they may be overcome with grief in the next few weeks, months, and even years. And pray, too, that we never get a call like one these parents may have gotten last night, and that God strengthen the ones that do, and use it all for His glory-some way. Thanks.
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=8359338

What is a "DS"?

Ok, so, I'm a little dated...but for the longest I could not figure out what Beth (another adoptive Mami) was talking about when she was sharing on her blog how she rewarded her children with time on their "DS"- with the pics I guessed that it was some gadget similar to the gameboy.

Before Andrew graduated, I talked with Ben about getting Andrew one for a gift for his graduation. He totally opposed it at first. After he told me how much they were, I agreed...he's just in kindergarten...that's way too much money!

We have the LeapFrog LeapMax; but they don't play that too much. I thought if they began playing something like the gameboy or computer game that it might exercise a part of their brain that maybe we weren't by doing worksheets, etc. We window shopped anyways...and once I saw SuperMario Bros...I had flashbacks of when I was in highschool and me and my brother spent hours at a time trying to conquer the monsters to save the princess...I had an idea! We could get it as a prize, but also a family toy!

However, what games would be age-appropriate for them? I bought the Mario Bros but that is so difficult for him that he gets easily frustrated and quits! Zelda has too many phrases in it that must be read...It's not even fun for me. So, Beth, if you are out there...what games did you get for Jessica and Joaquin? Or if anyone else has any ideas? Leave me some comments...

Well, we are using it as a reward for good behavior with Andrew. Tatiana and Diego are using the Leapster & LeapMax Leapster. I am excited that Diego is actually playing with it too. And he's even using the pencil to try to write! Yea! He is a little stubborn and will not listen to us when we try to explain how to play a certain learning game. Tatiana is a quick learner! She is able to identify her numbers, now we are beginning on addition and subtraction facts!

Did I mention that...

I had the coolest, bestest and most creative boss ever?

Beverly is so very thoughtful! You are so super awesome! I am so blessed to have you as a boss! Thank you again for showing your generosity through words and acts of kindness!

Beverly made Andrew this graduation surprise and even packed a bag of goodies for all the children! It was so cute when he read the top...He said, "G-O, Andrew...GO Andrew!" And then when we opened up the goodies for an evening snack, there was a cute little bear on top with a graduating cap and gown...he took it and kissed it! How cute! They all loved the jumpropes! Diego really liked the boats for the bathtub! Thanks so much, Beverly! You're awesome!

Wow! Look at all the goodies! They each had their eye on something...Tatiana was really excited when I gave her the purple jumprope...Diego never got the boat, but I will talk to Andrew more about sharing. When Papi came home, he asked who sent all the gifts, the children chimed in "Ms. Memervly!" For some reason, they could not pronounce Beverly's name!

This was the bear...that now has a new home on the boys' dresser.

Kindergarten Graduation! Go Andrew!

Kindergarten Graduation 2008

It is so very hard to imagine we've grown so much in the past 11 months! We are so amazed at Andrew and each of the children each day...They have really blessed our souls! They are awesome children! This was Andrew's day! Here is a picture of him in his cap and gown. (It's not really my picture. Well, I guess I took a picture of the picture to put on here, if that counts! My camera was doing funny things and I think I needed to recharge my battery. But I got a few good shots at the ceremony...)!

Here is a picture of Andrew standing at the mic. He led the kindergarten class in saying the vowels. He talks really fast, but he was so cute!

This is one side of the class! The class was made up of 16 students. All the little people are so cute to me! Mrs. Forehand and Mrs. Patteson were their teachers. They were so God-picked for our little son. I am so grateful to each of them for their kindness and patience throughout the year! Andrew has grown with leaps and bounds...much to do with the help of Beamie and his awesome teachers at school. You guys will never know how you have blessed us... I just hope you are there when Tatiana and Diego come around...it will be a whole lot easier, because Beamie already has them writing their name, identifying letters, colors, numbers and more! You are awesome Beamie! So glad you've got to spend this time with us. I love you, Mother!

Andrew won an Improvement Award in recognition of outstanding improvement in all areas this year, a diploma for the best student in the Spanish class, and Honor Roll all year!!

And guess who got Very Important Parent Award? In recognition of faithful and devoted service while participating in Andrew's first school year! Thanks, Mrs. Forehand! :o)

Who Made You So Beautiful?

That is something that Ben often asks Tatiana...I usually say, "God. And Mami helped some!" She agrees most of the time. However, this particular day, she sighed and said, "Me!" It was a humorous moment!

My First Mother's Day!

Tatiana and I actually went to a Mother-Daughter Banquet yesterday at our church and I was able to talk about MY daughter...It was neat to see her name printed on the table...all those years I have prayed for a child...to now have that one next to me...the fruit of prayers answered-so much more than I ever imagined, and I love it! ...Thank you, Father.

Tatiana would repeat her name over and over...spelling it and then trying to remember the signs for each of the letters...Andrew has taught her most of the letters! They are so smart!

Before the banquet officially began, the boys snuck (is that a word?) in the front of the Church and surprised me each with a bouquet of 3 roses each! What are they up to?!?! They had BIG grins and so Tatiana and I followed them out of the Fellowship Hall into the sanctuary where we found Papi! The boys had two gift bags for me...guess what!

I GOT ROCKS!

I GOT PEARLS!

LOVING THIS CARD!

Diego and Andrew and Papi signed the card. I asked Tatiana did she write her name here. She said, "NO!" And then that's when Andrew said he wrote it. Tatiana was very upset because he did not capitalize the "T" in Tatiana. "Andrew- no right, Andrewwwww!" It was cute.

I love being a Mami! I have three of the most awesome gifts of God. Today, I thank the Father for blessing me and giving me the honor to raise these children up with their Papi. I also think of their birth-mami and I pray that she can rest in knowing her children are cared for...I pray that she come to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ...I pray that God begin to supernaturally heal her mind, body, and soul...I pray for peace...I pray for those who have a mother's heart and are waiting or without child...I pray for those who are called Christians to answer the call and give hope to an orphan...I thank you God for all the wonderful blessings of being a Mother...please continue to give me wisdom in how you would want me to raise these children, your children.

The Mom Song

Field Day! With lots of pics!

Andrew had field day today at his school! Ben and I were only able to stay an hour or so; it was really hot, and those kids were busy! Hats off to Mrs. Forehand and Mrs. Patteson! Here are some pics of the fun! The kids wore doggie hats...Can you find the "Big Dog" on campus? Smiles!

Water break!

Relay Race! In one race, Andrew passed the baton and ran back with his teammate! Too cute!

He ran with the girls. This is him cheering on his classmates.

Who's this dog? Ben is wearing Andrew's hat!

A Proud Papi! Our first Field Day as Parents...(and we only made it an hour! Sheesh!)

Waiting to run....

These are some talented Munchkins! They were sitting in a little group doing this. They were so cute!

Mrs. Forehand & Mrs. Patteson make a great team!

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week! With our busy week, we were negligent and did not honor our teachers. But Monday's coming! We appreciate you very much, Mrs. Forehand and Mrs. Patteson! You guys are awesome and are very special people who work some of the most important little people in the world!

another special thanks...

I'd also like to extend a special thank you to Charlie, a colleague at work. He was so very generous to give each of the children a $100 savings bond. Thank you, Charlie!

the coolest, bestest boss ever

Before I left work on Wednesday I found this in my box on the door! How cool is that! I love it! I must say I have the coolest, most creative boss ever! I am sure this is one of her creations! She is so very thoughtful! Thank you so much, Beverly!

Beverly also found some really nice dresses for Tatiana, too! She purchased and gave those to us when we first got home! Tatiana is still wearing them! She found some letter blocks that the children initially used for learning their alphabet, too. I appreciate you, Beverly! Thanks for all your sharing your wisdom and encouragement!

I am Yours, and You are Mine.

It's official in the State of Mississippi! They are ours! It is our honor and pleasure to be chosen to be their parents! Andrew, Tatiana, and Diego are ours FOREVER! We are so blessed!

We started our day bright and early and got to the courthouse in downtown Pascagoula. Let me tell you I had some sharp looking boys! And Tatiana was a doll! We made it to the courthouse early. Met with our lawyer who told us how the court session may play out. Adoptions in Mississippi are closed or sealed. No one outside of the family is allowed in the courtroom unless special permission is allowed or granted by the Judge. Sometimes, the Judge will call those involved to the Chambers. That's where we went!

We were number two on the docket! Judge Jaye A. Bradley presided over our case. She was very nice! Our lawyer had prepped us for questions that she may ask according to how previous adoption cases she was involved in. Well, she didn't ask us anything! It was really quick. At first, the Judge said according to the State of Mississippi, a family that is adopting is required to have a home study done. Our lawyer argued that since technically we are already related and this is a re-adoption, that the law has already been required and that is unnecessary. The judge agreed and signed our adoption decree! The lawyer had told us this might come up before we went into the Judges' Chambers, and I had told her we had a home study done as well as post placement reports done to fulfill requirements of our Adoption Agency. The Judge asked for us to include that in the file.

Since the file is sealed and no one will have access to it unless they petition the court and stand before them and a Judge allows them to see it. Our lawyer held the file while we raced home to get a copy of the home study. We finally returned then made copies of the home study and got certified copies (10) of the adoption decree. Since it is closed, our lawyer requested 10- ya never know! Anyways, it costs like 25 cents per page and we had over a 100 pages copied --the clerk did not charge us anything! Ben said we had the cute factor going on! I brought my camera and the case in...the lawyer was surprised I got past the Security/Sheriff Deputies. She said they don't usually allow people outside of the media...guess it was that cute factor thing going on...or God's favor I'd like to think! Since we saved that money, we spurlged and got some extra birth certificates! The new birth certificate was $50 and each additional one was $5. We got two add'l ones for each child. The total cost of our re-adoption was $1,156.36. Paid!

Can you believe this pic was actually one done using a timer and a tripod?

Andrew Steven Wood

Darly Tatiana Wood

Benjamin Diego Wood

Whew! Now, we only have to wait for the birth certificates back and complete the final post placement report. Then we will have fulfilled all of Colombia's requirements as well as our Adoption Agency. It's really hard to believe it's almost been a year! It definitely has been an adventure! What a ride! Love it!

Papi, Tatiana, and Andrew

G-Mami was able to come and be part of the Re-adoption. Unfortunately, G-Papi was unable to get off work. Thanks to G-Mami and her purse packed with toys (a seasoned Mami! -I'm learning still!) the kids were able to distract themselves somewhat while we waited for the judge. Thanks for coming, G-Mami!

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."

Ahem, what's that you say?

Manners matter! Another funny moment: We were getting ready for court today, and I had all the kids dressed and began to get ready myself. I was putting on pantyhose (The support hose- the ones that are really good at hiding all the cottage cheese, but are incredibly hard to get on!)...and Tatiana came in and said, "Oh, Mami...tight!" I said, "Yes, Tatiana...tight." As I began pulling them over my thighs, she said, "Mami, gor---" I immediately looked up! For I knew what she was thinking before she could spit it out, "GORDO!" But without prompting her, she stopped herself, and tried to smooth over just by saying..."big..." I couldn't help but laugh! Children are so honest!

*We are back from court. We were gonna take the kids out for lunch and a movie and popcorn, but Diego got a little testy, and we decided to come home and put them down for their naps. We may just do movie and popcorn here later. I will post again tonight with more pics and court details. Quick version: Everything went fine; we have the adoption decree in hand! Thank you, Father!

Another Funny Diego Moment!

Left me preface this by saying I have severe allergies. I sleep with a box of Kleenex on my bedside table. One night when Diego was sleeping with us, I had to blow my nose in the middle of the night. Immediately afterwards, Diego chimed, "Train!" I rolled over and said, "What?" looking at him thinking I had woken him with my nose honker! That boy was asleep! How funny! Apparently, the sound of me blowing my nose disturbed his sleep to some degree...I can only imagine what his little mind was dreaming about!

He is totally fascinated by "Choo-Choo" trains. He loves that Thomas the Train video series. It is so funny when they are looking for a DVD to play. He loves Thomas, and the older two hate it! They whine if Diego wins over! I agree with Andrew and Tatiana; Thomas is kind of boring! Scooby-Doo and the Cars Movie are some of their other favorites that sometime can suede Diego to put Thomas aside!

Tips on potty training bedwetters?

Diego, Diego! What is up with the bedtime wetting? For some reason, he has seem to regress a little. I was and still am waking up throughout the night to take him to chi-chi. Well, even with my late night efforts, he's began going in the bed! I don't understand what's up with that! He was dry for weeks! This is the confusing part- I put him in our bed and say to him, "If you sleep in Mami and Papi's bed, you cannot chi-chi in it." He responds with a great big smile,"No chi-chi!" AND HE DOESN'T CHI-CHI! Ben thinks already the boy is manipulating me so he can sleep with us... He's a smart guy, but I just don't think he's that smart. I have cut back on late night liquids. I get up in the middle of the night and usually right before I go to bed...any other suggestions? We do use a pad in the middle of the bed, but when he does chi-chi it seems he's rolled off it or are on top of the comforter! (We do have one of those plastic sheets underneath the fitted one, also.) Open to suggestions!

Yeah, that's MY baby!

Just another quick note about tonight. The kids have already picked up on so many of our behaviors it is funny. They really are a mirror of who we are! No, we don't look alike, but they are beginning to walk and talk like us!

Tonight, we were at a Mexican Restaurant. I absolutely LOVE queso! So, do the children. We give them each a portion of chips and dip out some of the cheese dip onto a saucer or they share it with one of their sibs. Ben, always makes fun, and even did it tonight about me "hoggin' " the cheese dip and eating it all up! He even tells me sarcastically, that I should just lick the bowl and get it over with...Which I do scrape the bowl, usually! Right after he said that, I had looked away talking with Andrew, Ben called my name, as soon as I looked toward him, Tatiana abruptly put her cheese bowl down! She had began licking it!!! It was funny! That's MY GIRL!!! God sure is the best match maker ever! I love my kids! I love Mami-hood!

Just another quick note. I have been asking Ben for pearl earrings for the past 2 years. So, for this Mother's day, I dropped the hint again! He laughed...I asked the children each if they felt Mami deserved some pearls for Mother's Day (not sure they totally understand what M-Day is), and Diego immediately said "yes!" and still sticks to it! Tatiana and Andrew initially said yes, but Papi convinced them that a few rocks would befit me much more! Ha! As I pointed to my finger (wedding ring), I told Tatiana that "This is a rock, Tatiana, and it is much more expensive than pearls..." then laughed and peered at Ben...and he just said that he was thinking more about the rocks in the front yard! Hmph! Well, Mother's Day should be interesting...hadn't got those pearls in two years, not sure that this year will be any different, BUT I have the best thing ever this year and it's my three beautiful Colombian children, and I don't have to have anything else!

Well, wishing you all many, many smiles...and Hoorah, to those in Colombia adopting! (Adelmans' I have had probs posting comments, but you have a gorgeous girl! Derrs', Jonatan looks like a lot of fun! Boyacheks, can't wait to see you this summer! Hollis' hoping you can come home this week! Yes! Praying for you all!)

A shopping dilemma!

Tatiana and I woke up really early for a Saturday morning to go to Belks for a Charity sale. Not really much of a sale to me, but we bought a few things. Including a couple of outfits, one for Tatiana and one for her friend, a skirt for Mami, and a picture frame. We then went to Walmart and found these cute little boy pant and jackets that were clearanced for like $7 bucks! Of course, they were size 6! It was way too big for Andrew. Diego is finally in a size 3, but they had no 3's. In fact, the more I noticed, they didn't have much selection at all for boys! At first, I thought that was just Pascagoula-Gautier for ya...BUT then, we went to Mobile later and same! Looks like the majority of clothing is girlie-garb! Does anyone else see this problem?

So, tonight we did find another dress for Tatiana and some shoes and a swimsuit (she's grown so much her other is too tight in the torso!); we did find some black dress shoes for the boys....We are still on a mission to find them some black dress pants and possibly jacket-suit for our court hearing. Tatiana has a cute red polk-dot short set! Can't wait to post a pic from Thursday! Woohoo! It's almost here! And then one final post placement and we're threw! Yippee!

Our day in court is scheduled...and mucho mas!

for this Thursday, May 8th! Then, Andrew will officially be Andrew Steven (name change, original birth name Andres Stiven), and Darly Tatiana (we chose to keep her birth name) and Benjamin Diego (his name was changed in Colombia from Diego Fernando-since he was under 3 years) will be OURS!!! They are ours already, but after we meet with the judge and he signs the papers whereas the State of Mississippi recognizes they are our children, we can apply to get their birth certificates! How exciting! And to think it has taken this long to do that! Ugh, Mississippi takes forever! But the lawyer says it's to safeguard us...so, okay.

Can you believe it has almost been a year? Wow...in some ways it seems like just a few weeks ago, and in others it seems like we've been with them for years! They are the greatest!

Tatiana and I are going shopping tomorrow for one of those fundraising sales where you get a discount card and for four hours before the store really opens up to the public you get to shop. That will be an adventure! We are shopping for a friend's birthday! How fun! I love birthday parties now! This one is going to be a medieval theme! I can dress up everyone! Ben will be going with--do ya think I could get him to play along????? Haha...will let you know!

Also, my very first Official Mother's Day is coming up!!! Yea! We will have a Mother-Daughter Banquet that Saturday. The ladies usually talk about their mothers and honor them. This year they have requested that the mothers talk about their daughters! I'm really excited to be able to share my thoughts about the blessing of my daughter, Tatiana, to her and to others. Of course, she's not gonna know or understand really what I'm saying but I thought, I could type it and make a scrapbook page or something out of it!

I have always been a big advocate that all women should be celebrated and honored on Mother's Day. Even though, you may not have a child, do not look down on yourself. God has given you a Mother's heart....in many ways, you have mothered others. So, be honored, be proud, and I thank you for mentoring and loving others...as a mother would. God bless!

My little girl is growing up!

Tatiana has grown so much in the last 11 months! Can you believe it? We've been so blessed by these children! And what an awesome blessing to be able to watch them grow up and just be their Mami and Papi! We really have some wonderful children! We are so very thankful! And look at my girl--these pants were some we picked up in Florencia' because most of the pants we brought were too big. These actually had to be worn with a belt because they were big when we bought them. I think they are equivalent to 18-24 months. When we bought them they were well past her knees, and now, as you see they are to her knees! She is our princess jewel!