Beautiful, Blessed, Honored, Clear and Bright - That's my Emi Claire

Emi Has her FIRST Tooth!

But she's not showing anyone!

Chloe and Chi's Pre-k School Pics

Awwwe it's hard to believe that Chloe and Chi are finishing Pre-k and heading to Kindergarten next year.  Time flies!  They love their school and their teachers.  They have done so well.  I am proud of them.  School will be out on May 25.  I am getting excited to have my kiddos for the summer. 

Chloe turns 6!

After weeks of trying to decide the theme of her cake she settled on 'Hello Kitty'.  Don't laugh at the candle, its last year's five that we had to convert to a six.  Mom forgot to get a six.  First we went to Applebee's at Chloe's request.  She thinks it is so cool when all the waiters come out and sing.  She got her birthday cake there.  Later we went to grandma and grandpa's house and ate more cake and opened a few presents.  The next day she had one of her friends over and was planning to open more gifts but they played so hard we all forgot about the gifts.  So she opened them the next day.  All in all I think she was able to drag her birthday out for a total of three days.  Jeff teases her that since she had three birthdays she must be eight years old now.  Hard to believe my little Guatemalan rose is six.  That's one third of the way to graduation day.  yikes!!!

Baby Girl is Nine Months Old Today!

Emi is a joy and delight.  I can't believe its already been nine months since we brought her home.  Oh I knew it would fly by but here I am posting a nine month marker.  It just amazes me.  She is really developing her personality.  It is happy, obstinate, bossy, and a little bit mean sometimes.  She loves her mommy and we are having to work out a bit of total ownership of me.  She is not happy to share.  She can say 'kick' while she's pounding you with both feet.  She can say 'daddy' and yum!  She is hitting her milestones.  Her head is in the 90 percentile while her body is in the 10 percentile but doctors are not worried.  She's just a little bit of an egg head. She knows how to charm everyone she meets and lays a happy smile on anyone who will make eye contact with her.  She is a joy to take places as she steals everyone's attention.  She is not crawling yet but I blame myself there.  I hardly ever put her down to learn how.  She wants to be everywhere there's action.  I think she could do the laundry or cook a meal by now with all the watching she has done.  Everyone in the family loves her dearly and she has been a blessing to us all.  We thank God for the gifts He gives us on this earth!  We are so undeserving yet so thankful for the honor that God lends these children to us.  May we be worthy to carry out the task before us!

Mrs. Beasley?

Emi's First Hair Extensions

Not likely to fall into her big sis's pageant shoes. She kept pulling them off and throwing them to the dog. She never gave me a smile only smirks and scowls so I'm thinking basketball player for now :)

Then and Now

Fifteen years separate these two photos.  I scarcely know where the time went.  The sweet chubby cheeks and innocent smiles along with the inquisitive little minds of then are replaced with a confident smile, a mature face, and minds full of knowledge and wisdom.  Dreams of being a secret agent, an army man, and a paleontologist are replaced with Chemical Engineering, Law degrees and figuring out how to get 'rich'.  Cowboy boots and wrangler jeans are replaced with Buckle, AE, and Miss Me.  Jeff and I who were giant role models and superheros of then are now competent, older, less invincible but still holding the anchor sort of clueless to the times parents.  Being awesome in their eyes back then has been replaced with a grownup friendship that is just as rewarding.  I can't choose the most favorite time I have had with my children.  Every phase has been full.  Holding them as infants gave me a euphoria not unlike a drug.  Watching them grow and learn filled me with pride.  Seeing them make choices both right and wrong allowed me the let them grow.  Letting them go allowed me to grow.  Now I cherish the memories, value the time we have together, and look forward to going along with them as they live their lives.   

Decision to post a final farewell to Josiah Creed Sanders

The sweet face you see is the one that stole my heart nearly a year ago.  The journey to make Emilio from EE a part of our family was a heartbreaking event.  Miraculous things happened, mountains moved, prayers were voiced, people helped but in the end it was not to be. The country closed to his adoption.  We waited for things to change but as of now they have not.  I was given a 0 probability of completing his adoption from the people who facilitate adoptions there.  They did everything they could.  They tried to get his diagnosis changed to a disease that was on the 'adoptable' list but when they took him to the doctor to be evaluated (and this is the best part of this whole journey) he had been healed!  He no longer showed any signs of osteogenesis imperfecta!  He is a completely healthy little boy.  I am not surprised.  Many people were praying for him.  Now his chance for a family in EE is high.  As I write this he may have already found a forever family.  It was no accident that Emi became part of our family.  If it had not been for the process of trying to adopt Emilio we would never have been considered for her.  I feel like he is a part of her from her name to the way they look almost like twins.  Two worlds apart and completely different nationalities and they look so much alike.  God does things like that to remind us of where we've been and to never forget the blessings He has for us.  We will always hold him dear to our hearts and pray each night for our sweet 'baby cottontail'.

Adoption Timeline for Josiah Creed Sanders

May 25 Set up FSA page

June 1 Medical report arrived

June 1 Dossier work begins

June 2 Told the world we were adopting

June 3 Medical done

June 6 Home Study visit

June 7 New Law signed into effect / future uncertain

June 8 Apostilled most of dossier

June 9 Sent in I600A without HS complete

June 9 First Draft of Home Study

June 10 Final Draft of Home Study

June 13 Baby Cottontail was moved from New Commitments to Compiling Dossier

June 14 First Documents arrived in country

June 15 USCIS receipt for I600A.

June 15 Sad to say my adoption might not complete at this time. New law that will close adoptions in country indefinitely.

June 16 Home Study arrived in mail.

June 16 Mailed USCIS all documents needed for my I171H.

June 17 Documents arrived at USCIS office at 9:30a.m.

June 17 All dossier apostiled except for the I171H .

June 17 Only ONE document is holding up my adoption from getting through............ come on I171H!!!!!!!!!

June 17 Called USCIS office for help. Not looking so good.

June 17 I797 C Notice of Action came in mail with the SIM number.

June 20 Got fingerprints done.

June 21 Sort of getting processed, haven't lost all hope yet.

June 22 An officer has been assigned to our case.

June 22 We got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The golden ticket!!!!

June 23 Dossier is en route !!!! pray pray pray!

June 29 Dossier is delivered!!!

June 30 Dossier not submitted

July 9 News that SN list adoptions will continue.

July 11 SDA closes.

July 14 Reopens but under the new Family Code rules and Josiah doesn't qualify at this time.

August 17 Heard from his country that he is not adoptable until two years from now if nothing changes between now and then. Wait we will.
 

EMILIO for the Sanders family — Altus, OK

Jeff and Lisa have been married for 24 years.  They were high school sweethearts.  After having three biological children, Cason 22, Kelissa 18, and Kade16, it became evident that there was more to give.  In March 2006 Jeff and Lisa began to search their hearts and after having been on a mission trip to Guatemala several years before, decided to adopt a little girl.  Once into the journey they decided to adopt a little boy that same year.  On October 2007 they became the proud new parents of virtual twins Chloe now 5, and Chi now 4 1/2.  This was a family decision.   Looking back everyone can say that adoption has been the one single greatest blessing that has allowed them to see the heart of God.
Believing their family was now complete they have been heading to wrestling tournaments, cheer practices, dance lessons, t-ball games, school programs and getting their older children ready for college life.
One evening Lisa came across of story of Vanya , The Boy From Baby House 10, and was so broken in heart  and spirit for the children who face institutionalization that she could not shake the idea that God had a spot for just one more little Sanders. Finding RR was the special avenue that God allowed them to find the way into the life of Emilio from Eastern Europe.  Now excited and expectant they can’t wait to add a little brother to the family!

6/23/11—DOSSIER EN ROUTE

Follow the Sanders family’s adoption journey on their blog at http://sanders07.blogspot.com

$50.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Make the most of your gift, consider sending a check! PayPal donations over $500 to a family's fund incur a 3% fee.
Donations are tax deductible.

Too Many :"Firsts"

 First tooth loss.

 I can sit up!

 I know how to kiss!

 I can even pull up!

I had my first sucker!

Chloe lost her first tooth! Where is the time going?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!

Emi Claire Sanders - It's Official

Yesterday at 11:00 my lawyers along with my SW met Jeff and I at the court house to finalize the adoption of 'baby girl'.  It was a wonderful closure on this long awaited day.  As many of you know this was a contested adoption.  I can't explain how it felt caring for this little blessing for four months not knowing if she w0oul4010
 (Emi did that)  would ultimately be ours.  I'll never forget the day I heard we were going to have to go to court and fight for our parental rights.  I came home and as I was driving in my driveway my dear friend pulled in behind me.  I was distraught to say the least.  I remember the first words out of my mouth were, Pat, I don't even know how to love this child.  What if we lose her?  HOW do I love her?  She calmly said "love her with your whole heart, just love her with all you have".  It was the best thing she could have told me.  I let down my guard and loved her with all of me.  I knew it would tear my heart out if we lost her but I also knew she deserved to be loved to the fullest even if it were for a few short months.  There is a song that sums up how this time was I hope I can find it and play it on here.  I still find myself just uttering under my breathe "Thank you Jesus"!!!
Emi had her six month check up today.  She weighed 14.2lbs., her height was 25 in. and her head was in the 75 percentile.  Her body is catching up with her head.  That is a good thing.  She is still meeting every one of her milestones and keeps amazing her doctor.  She is tolerating her three shots well so far today.  She had learned to growl, and squeal, and is trying to use several different speech sounds.  She loves to eat and begs for food worse than my dog Lizzi.  She knows how to kiss, hug, and give you five.  She is waving bye bye and giggling at funny things.  She loves books and music.  She is just amazing!!!!!!  My precious Emi Claire...............Beautiful, blessed, honored, clear and bright.  You are all these things and more.  We love you Emi

here is the song

All Of Me

Matt Hammitt

from the album Every Falling Tear

Buy on Amazon | iTunes

Afraid to love
Something that could break
Could I move on
If you were torn away?
And I'm so close to what I can't control
I can't give you half my heart
And pray He makes you whole

(Chorus)
You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
You're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love
Even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me is where I'll start

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose
For every moment I share with you

Chorus

Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

Chorus (X2)

It's where I'll start

Play it over in the margin to the  r i ght

                       KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

This is the very first picture I took of Chloe.  She was seven months old. It was instant love.  It was a fifteen month ordeal bringing her to our family.  It was seven trips to Guatemala where we had to leave her behind on six of those trips.  'Kisses in the Wind' most tells the story of what it is like to love two worlds apart.  It was heart wrenching as I write this I remember.

 Last night I was holding Chloe beside me and Emi was sleeping soundly on my chest, I recalled the child in the photo above I had met and fell in love with.  I began telling Chloe that when she was a tiny baby no bigger than Emi I used to go outside every night, and standing on the patio outside our bedroom door, with  the stars in the night sky I would look south toward Guatemala and blow kisses in the wind to her.  I showed her how I sent them and placed them on her cheek.  I told her I wanted her to know that somewhere in the world were people who loved her.  As I was telling her she 'got it'.  She began to weep.  I began to weep.  We lay there holding each other and weeping over things that only the soul knows.  This was an encounter not an emotional moment.  This went far beyond the physical.  It was a spiritual and soul felt moment I will never forget.  All the kisses I had sent five years before had finally come to rest on the heart of my little precious Princessa Rosa Maria.

Ho Ho Ho!

Oh yes I Did just Eat a Holiday Oreo

Even the Dog Adores Emi

Emi Had Her Four Month Checkup

Emi had her four month checkup this past week. Wow! I can't believe she is already four months old! She weighed 12pounds and 4 oz. She is 23 inches long. Her head was 42 cm. She is meeting all her milestones. She is trying to sit up. She is using her hands well. She is cutting teeth. She is babbling, singing, having tantrums and responding properly to stimuli. She has very good head control. She rolls over. She is just amazing to hear me tell it. Her immunizations went well,just a bit of soreness in one leg. She is very mobile. She sleeps well. Last night she only woke one time for about five minutes. Yeah!! I'm getting to sleep! By all accounts she is developing at or above average, what a miracle yet again!

My Two Heros

KADE-This is my Baby. Yes, he was the baby of the family for eleven years and by all accounts he still is. He’s my video gaming couch potato. He can beat any game that comes out in less than a day. We never get our money’s worth at Game Stop. Favorite breakfast-pancakes, lunch-chicken strips and french fries, dinner-spaghetti. Needless to say he has always carried a bit of ‘baby fat’. Two summers ago he began searching his future and determining what was important to him. He laid down the video games, took up p90x and lost ALL the ‘baby fat’. Realizing he was size deficient for football, he transferred schools, didn’t know a soul, and signed up for wrestling on the number one ranked team in the state. Not smart for the average kid. He was advised against it, told he would never last. He didn't win a match his first year. He had bruises from head to toe. He practiced 3 1/2 hours a day. He lost 4% of his body weight in every practice.  We were told by someone last night at the duals that anyone who could wrestle under the leadership of this coach could easily go through a boot camp of any kind.  I agree.This year he has won a few matches.  He no longer gets pinned in the first round.  Last night he went into extra rounds.  I stand in amazement of his accomplishments.

CHI- This is my other baby. He started wrestling this year. It is not his favorite thing to do. His real passion is working at the salebarn and sporting boots and a cowboy hat. But, he is gifted. He places in every tournament. Kade coaches him. Although Kade will stick with wrestling for the remainder of his high school, he does not wish his lot in life on anyone else and demanded that Chi start early. So at age four and weighing 37 lbs. he is a real bulldog. I am so proud of both my babies.