They will be home for Christmas !

It has been a week since we heard from the embassy that our children's visas were going to be approved. We had to do their medicals and Kofi, our coordinator will take them along with birth certificates, and the passports to the embassy tomorrow and we should be given a print date for their visas. We are expecting that date to be within the week...and because tickets are expensive and would be even more if we had waited...we have the flights for their pick up trip - Woo Hoo! This will be their first Christmas celebrated and Jr's bday is also 12/26. We are all very excited to get them home.

I have more to share about their process ... after they make it home though. Paul flies out Dec. 17 and returns with them very early, Dec. 21. Their rooms and beds are ready .  Paul will be traveling to an orphanage to visit and carry some supplies. I will be staying home this time because it is too costly to send me this time...We have spent lots of time with the kids and feel bonded well enough  that just Paul is traveling. I love traveling and sharing this time but the timing and the cost of tickets has made this necessary. We have been amazed at the Lord's provision for this trip and are very grateful to be at this point in the adoption. Praising God for being in this journey and now we begin another one....the transition into the family.

The day we have been waiting for - Jubal got his legs

At home showing off his new legs...He has always been interested in our feet and toes....I love now he has his own.

Getting fitted just right. They ended up lowering the legs even more than this. We waited while she reduced them to a better height for him . 

A physical therapist came over to teach us how to help him walk in his legs. She and our orthotist were great and very helpful. I love that they are local too- RPI in Martinsburg, WV we recommend.

What a stinker ...but you can tell he really did enjoy the new legs of his and especially those feet and toes.

We stopped by Mary Kate and Keith's house on the way home ( only 9 houses from ours : ) The kids were so happy to see Jubal and his new legs...Lucy and Lucas were precious- giving him hugs.

It was the day we have been waiting for....He has been home just 6 months...What a change. He will be walking on his own soon I am sure of it. Stay tuned for the next post about that.

Today he stood : )

We had Jubal's appointment today and they tried on his first legs...They are not the "real" ones because they are tweaking them. We all decided they need to be shorter for many reasons but one being it is easier for him to fall if they are not as tall. Also he can sit easier and move around with them shorter....Next appointment the "real" ones.

He loved standing and I know he will take off running as soon as they are done. Just thought you all might like to see - My heart overflows today seeing him stand for the first time.

Orphan Sunday - A Story that has been written 31 times so far in our family

Jubal in Ghana - months old

Jubal when I picked him up in May

Jubal - Loved, healthy, happy, content and given opportunities to be all that he can be. 

A story that has been written 31 times in our family so far - Each one was an orphan but no more. Loved and cherished - Miracles happen all the time, watching a child grow, overcome many obstacles and past lives to live healthy, happy and loved. Some continue to struggle thru their past but they are surrounded by a family who loves them and supports them.

So many people to love on them in our family. So many to encourage thru tough times and times of pain and hurt as they work thru the issues in their past...but always loved and always ours. Some have moved out and on to their adult lives, 25 at home for now, and waiting on at least 2 more to join us soon.

Life is crazy, intense and loud most of the time. However, watching the child learn they are loved and valued, seeing them transform into a healthy child and eventually knowing about a God who loves them is the only life I want to live.

Update about Jubal

Pre op the week before his surgery

Waking up in recovery

Paul, Joseph, Leah and I went to the surgery with Jubal....Can you say he is pretty special. 

He did so well at the hospital

Coming Home !!!

2 weeks post op and getting the splint off...looks great.

His stumps have healed well with no issues....We met for his first prosthetic appt. and got his "shrinkers" ( very tight socks to help keep the edema down ) He goes next week for his fitting for the liners to his legs....and then we choose the foot size and our little guy is ready to walk.

Just trying on some shoes.....He seems to enjoy that .

We are very excited to see him walk with his new legs/feet. His prosthetic feet are actually called legs instead of just feet because he has a short lower leg. He is very mobile now and everyone knows he will take off running once he learns how to use them. He has so much personality he keeps us all laughing at his antics....What a joy he brings to our family.

Tomorrow begins a new part of life for our Jubal.....

This was Jubal back in March when I visited him.....

This was him in May on his pick up trip ....

My how he has changed......He has gotten healthy, chubby, mobile and really wants to walk and run . 

This was him at his pre op with Dr. Standard, our favorite peds. orthopedic surgeon. Tomorrow morning at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore Jubal will have this "foot" tissue removed and his r leg smoothed for the ability to fit prosthetic feet and then he can begin to take his first steps and eventually run......He is so ready to be more mobile ...to be able to walk and run ... to keep up with his brothers and sisters. Tomorrow begins that journey towards this . We are very happy for this next part to his journey but, we would appreciate your prayers for our little guy. He has a reflux issue and please pray that it won't be one for him during his recovery. Changes to his diet , and different things happening to his airway may trigger some of this ...We are hopeful he will do just fine.