Anticipation

I can't believe it!  I woke up early this morning & found peace and quiet!  A precious commodity around here these days!  I must say though that there is a certain joy to the noise throughout our halls these days with four precious children!  God is so good and I am working on remembering how grateful I should be for his blessings. 

During my quiet time, it dawned on me - Rammy's birthday is Tuesday!  Oh my goodness!  He's going to be 4!  My baby is going to be 4!  Of course, we've been talking about it for weeks, but to actually have a moment to think about it was precious . . . things have been so fast & furious around here that I hadn't had a chance to reflect.  It has been a precious two months since my last post (still busy & chaotic & stressful but with many sweet moments also).  And now! Now!  Now, I anticipate celebrating the birth of our precious son.  I anticipate smelling my most favorite aroma - birthday candles & sweet frosting - as I set the cake in front of my son on Tuesday.  I've often told Matt that's my favorite moment . . . carrying that cake with candles lit, smelling the wax melting & the sugary frosting & seeing my sweet babies looking with anticipation - WARMS MY HEART!  I can't wait to share that moment with Rammy! 

Every month for six months after bringing him home, I have to complete a brief form & send pictures of our family to our agency, Chrisitan Adoption Services in NC.  Every time that I have to sit down to do this, I feel so burdened and annoyed  that I have my child & I'm STILL doing paperwork.  And EVERYTIME I do it, I go through all the pix for the month and my heart is warmed by them.  All the guilt I feel for not quite doing everything perfectly diminishes as I see their faces.  My sweet babies!  I may not be the most perfect mother, but it made me realize that at the end of the day there is joy.  And, memories are being made.  So here's a few updated photos & I encourage you to take a moment & just go through some photos (I would say albums, but since I haven't put any photos in an album for who knows how long . . . perhaps just scan through some files?  :-)    ).  God bless.

Also a quick update on the sweet one I know you have all prayed for.  Rammy has been on so many doctor visits since his arrival here and now attends speech therapy every Friday.  It has been a busy schedule for him.   He is taking it all in stride!  Since his hearing aids on May 20th, we have enjoyed hearing him say more words which is so fun.  We were told in reports he was nonverbal, and it is so neat to see him pick up new words and better communicate.  He is getting into that stage of repeating what he hears even though he may not be able to understand it's meaning or use yet, he is getting better at forming words.  For example, last night I sat him in  his booster seat for some ice cream (he finally started eating it Memorial Day weekend - a joyful moment for his sweet tooth mama!), and I said "oh boy!" and plain as day Ram said, "oh boy."  I don't know when we'll hear him say it again, but he is showing great signs of being able to communicate.  For now, we're at just one word at a time & working on animal sounds a lot in therapy.  He is a TOTAL CHAMP in therapy every week!  He is one smart cookie and a quick study!  Our whole family goes to the therapy, so we can model well for him (this will end once school starts which is making me sad).  We visited an incredible rehabilitation specialist and physical therapist a couple weeks ago.  The only sign of Cerebral Palsy is a little elasticity in his legs.  He ran for them & did many other things which wowed them (including lowering the physician's stool on wheels while the PT was sitting on it!); he's a master at figuring out how things work!  They both said to just keep him active and do what we've been - there is nothing (no therapy!) they would do for him - he's great!  What a relief!  We will see an Occupational Therapist to address some concerns regarding eating.  I've kept a diary & he appears to eat about 1000 calories everyday which is good but we are a little concerned at the length of time it takes him to complete a meal, etc.  So we will go for some feeding therapy.  In a nutshell, the kid is magnificent!  He has an incredible playful spirit & is so inquisitive & affectionate & such a fighter.  In the pool, he's a fish!  He even went off the diving board while his cousins visited!  Yes, that's one cool thing this past month, he's starting to meet his extended family finally!  Uncle Greg visited along with Tito Mike, Tita Michele & their 5 kiddos!  Cousins!  Yes, cousins rock!  :-) 

God bless you & yours!
Kim

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

Isn't that what "they" say?  Well, I know it's been a while since we've posted, and I could probably type thousands of words about the past couple of months, but who has the time for that? 

I will try to be better and post about once a month around the 15th to keep you all updated.  You won't get a notice of my post from what I understand; you'll just have to check on us if you think of it.   

It has been wonderful and joyful and so much more!  There is much laughter in our home and much cheer and so many hugs, kisses & squeezes that you would think our address was Whoville, Alabama.  I just don't have the words to express it.  And to keep it real, it's also been hard.  There have been moments that I've wanted to run into my closet and just cry because I feel so overwhelmed or been so desperate for this little boy to just eat or look me in the eye for more than a few seconds.  Try just one Flintstone vitamin PLEASE!!!!  There have been some challenges but countless blessings!  Joy wonderful joy!  Rammy is indeed filled with joy and kindly shares it with all who come in contact with him (as many of you have already seen).

Some of the joy...

• Hearing him call me "Mah-ummm" just like his older siblings call me!
• Singing him to sleep at night & him knowing just when to give me a kiss during the Barney song (even if I'm only humming it).
• Watching him run - fast I might add.
• Watching him prank his Daddy.  He especially delighted in squirting Dad with a water toy & loves running up to him, pinching him & then taunting him to chase after... cackling the whole time. 
• Seeing him put his hand up next to his mouth as he calls his "oooh-wahhhhhh" (translation:  Kuya for Jack)
• Trips to the Dollar Tree for Elmo balloons (we're on our third but could use a new one!).  :-)  He loves "Mo-Mo." 
• Watching him tuck in his big brothers & sister at night and wake them in the morning.  He loves them so much; I can see it in how he looks at them (and they are in love with him, too!). 
• Watching the older three and how each has their special way with Rammy has just been so precious to me.  Mary Beth is a second mother (and some days a better one than me!), Jack is the safe zone/go to if Mom & Dad aren't available, and Nicholas is the fun guy who doesn't ever want Rammy to cry & immediately tries to make things better.  

First Sunday to church. 





Keeping busy at Kuya Nicholas' soccer game. 




Matt strikes again!  A bathtime tradition of spiking all Dicen babies' hair. 




Kuya Nicholas leads story time.



A trip to the zoo!  Kuya Jack pretty much carried me the whole time because I was anxious about this new place.



I did love the new African exhibit though! 



I got to go to Kuya Jack's class & thank them for the nice cards they made me. 

I colored eggs.

I ate eggs. 

I hunted eggs...

Easter Sunday!  Boys are in traditional Filipino dress clothes - Barong Tagalogs.

Hey Mom!  We need more bananas!  I love bananas! 
I now do the sign for banana & say "nuh-na-nuh."   

Like my new jammies?  I do!  "RRRRoahHhhR!" 

URGENT: Prayer Request

Hey folks!  I've just become aware of a precious family who was in Moscow to adopt their son, Kirill, who has Down Syndrome.  Their agency has never seen a denial once a court date is given; however, they were denied because of his condition and told they could certainly have a different child but that this child would be better off in an institution. 
Please lift them up - they are appealing.  Kirill would be the FIRST child with Down Syndrome from his region to be adopted.  Please pray & check their blog for updates.  They are an Alabama family! 

http://oureyesopened.blogspot.com/

Rammy is doing great.  We went to church today & he grabbed hold of the nursery door & pulled himself in.  I went in with him, and he sat in my lap the whole time.  He was quiet but ate snack & I just hugged on him and kissed on him . . . he was slightly off this afternoon & I think it may have had something to do with the nursery.  Maybe brought up some memories... I think we will need to stay close to home more so.  Things are going so well right now & I don't want to mess them up.  I think we just had too long of an outing today.  Church & lunch then home for nap.  We've tried to limit our outings & if we do, just to a couple of hours.  As always, we so appreciate your prayers.

God bless, Kim

Welcome to America, Baby!

Ok, folks.  Forgive me for the delay but here are some pix of our trip  home and arrival on US soil!  As you can see my blogging is waivering.  I will probably let go of this responsibility.  I am grateful to all of you for keeping up with us while in the Philippines & for your prayers.  Please remember us in the coming weeks, months and years.  Rammy will begin lots of tests to see how he is doing health wise, CP wise and so on.  I appreciate your prayers for him to endure this time.  We know he will be wonderful & God has great plans for him.  Enjoy the pix!  God bless. Kim

Rammy leaves says goodbye to Manila - for now . . . the first wimper we ever heard from him was at the airport and was quickly calmed by his worldly posession - a cabbage patch.

 3-2-1 Blast off!  He did great the whole flight.  Slept maybe 8 hours or so but just enjoyed time with us & playing with the Delta kids movie - he LOVED the Dumbo movie and we also played a memory matching game. 

 Welcome to America!  I think?  Detroit in the 30's with snow on the ground still - a little cold for our shivering buddy!  But, he's always smiling & happy to be getting closer to home!  We spent some time going through our journey book on the layover so he could be prepared for the carseat & siblings.  He enjoyed reading the book & then it was off to Birmingham.  Yes, we tried chicken nuggets!  No dice!  Fries?  Success!  :-)

 Slept all the way to Birmingham, so our arrival in Alabama was at first a little lack luster...

 We are home!  Still not sure about Alabama but glad it's warmer!  :-)

 We arrive home to balloons, signs & happy Kuyas and Ate!  Rammy took a few minutes to warm up but was all about the big Elmo balloon they had waiting for him.  Mama & Aunt Cyndi had the house looking great (until we arrived home!).  It was good to be there & see our kids.  I wept as I embraced each one - I missed them so.  I think they grew a foot!  All the kids were pictured here in the "Big Sis"  "Big Brother squared and cubed" t-shirts!

Come on in, Rammy!  Let's have some fun!

 Welcome to America, Rammy!  It's Saturday morning and that means SPORTS!  Let's go to Kuya Nick's 8:30 am soccer game and have a family dinner that night!

 Monday morning - Rammy, do you like popsicles?

 That would be a yes!  (he did share with Mommy, too!)

 Now, let's play outside!  Have some fun! He proceeded up our very sloped driveway on this - with me behind him of course.  He worked and worked to get to the top.  He's a strong little guy and a bit adventurous!  He also managed to do the zip line at the fire station park by our house - of course, we held him but he held himself up - we didn't have to!  Strong little guy. 

 Finally, it's time for an art lesson with Ate - the craft master. 

That's all we've got for now.  There's more pix but everyone just returned from carpool so I must go.  Rammy loves his family & screamed yesterday when we dropped the kids off at school and then again this morning when Matt pulled out of the driveway to take the kids to school, so I ran him to the car & buckled him in.  He is precious and we are so enjoying him.  He brings much joy to our home and much chaos!  We are all hands on deck & every waking moment is consumed by Rammy or my taking a moment to be with one of the other three adjusting to our new life.  SO, I LOVE YOU all very much but please know I probably won't post much more - maybe once a month or so!  Thanks again for everything!  We are doing great & our church is taking great care of us with meals & even babysitting the others when we take Rammy to the doctor.... God is so good and faithful in this adoption process.  I would love to share what an incredible experience it has been but I just can't right now!  Rammy's back from carpool & Dad's heading down to work - gotta run!

God bless!

We're Home!

Greetings from Alabama!  It's good to be home with all four of our children & we are so grateful to God that we made it through Japan before the disaster hit.  We went from Manila to Nagoya to Detroit to Birmingham. 

When we arrived in Detroit and people started turning cellphones on the word spread quickly - the flight attendants said we were one of the last two planes to leave Nagoya Airport in Japan before the disaster.  I have no idea of the damage and haven't seen any news footage but understand we are very blessed to have made it out.  I did notice as we taxied on the runway that we were right on the water.  I could see large ships out to sea. 

Rammy was incredible the entire flight!  We played some, watched some & he napped a total of about 7 or 8 hours.  Not a lot when you consider we were travelling for 24! 

He warmly received his big brothers & sister and they were all over him.  He handled it much better than I anticipated.  The Elmo balloon they had waiting for him was a big hit and he also is fond of Sam our dog.  So far - so good. 

We are going to try and catch up on some sleep & will share some precious photos from our trip here when we have a moment.  AGAIN, I can't thank you enough for covering us in prayer.  What a true blessing!

God bless.
Kim

We're Off!

Good morning!  It's 3:00 in Manila, and we are up and preparing to leave for the airport by 4:30am for a 7am flight!  The flight will take us through Tokyo-Narita airport, to Detroit, to Birmingham.

Please pray for a smooth travel for Rammy.  He's only been in a car a handful of times and never a plane!!!

Also, please pray for our first encounter with Kuya Jack and Nick and Ate Mary Beth.  We will be coming off a 24hour travel experience and they will be eager to greet all of us!  Precious ones...

Last night, we all sort of hit a wall and were so tired and sort of mourning the end to this special time.  A little post-adoption depression maybe?  I have a feeling it won't last for long. . . Rammy has a contagious smile and personality.  We are so blessed.  Not to mention I will have all four of my children together tomorrow!  We leave this morning which is Thursday afternoon for you Americans!  We will get home around 5pm - please don't call us!  ;-)  hee hee  With 280 traffic, Rammy should meet the rest of his family around 8 or 9!  :-)  not to mention his first ride in a carseat - please pray for this also.  He may be quite frightened when we try to strap him in; although, he seems to like the buckle on the stroller at least...

God bless you for praying for us and encouraging us along the way!  Here's some pictures from ICAB day and the "Beibering:"  :-)

We've been Beibered!

Well, today we went to the InterCountryAdoptionBoard offices today to receive Rammy's passport and US Visa.  The office was very nice and we were able to take some precious photos of Rammy there.  He received a Filipino flag, Jeepney (a popular mode of transportation here in the Philippines) and a book about the Philippines.  I thought that was a really nice gesture.  It really didn't last long.  We were told who to hand what to when & were given a sheet to write a note to Rammy & leave for him in case he ever come searching for his birth mother here.

Then, it was time to celebrate!  Matt and I were a little nervous because it didn't feel like a done deal until we had these papers and worried something wouldn't be ready or available and delay our departure.  We so miss our kiddos at home.  Luckily, all went well.  So, sweet Tito Gerry took us to one of the best buffets I've ever seen!  There was Japanese & Filipino food and even Turkey!  We had a delightful time watching Rammy enjoy his Sinigong broth and rice.  Then, it happened... we were Beibered!  Tito Gerry kindly asked the strolling musicians to serenade Rammy with a Justin Beiber song, "Baby, Baby, Baby"  Oh, yes, we have video!  Rammy loved it!  He was captivated by the musicians and singing & at moments was completely embarassed and would hide his face.  Then, he'd emerge again to enjoy the music.  I was fine until they sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which made me tear up.  Precious... Rammy then proceeded to follow the musicians to the next table and get in the way of all the waiters because he so loved the music.  Quite a celebration dinner!

I couldn't imagine anything better happening today, then as we returned to the hotel for afternoon nap, I had a precious moment that warmed my soul as a mother.  Matt went shopping for a few packets of oatmeal for the plane ride for Rammy and I laid down to wait on him to fall asleep.  He was on his pallet bed but restless.  He kept sitting up, rocking a bit & tapping his knees with his hands, so I asked him if he wanted to lay down in the bed with Mommy.  I tapped on the edge of the bed and held my arms out to him.  He got up, climbed up on the bed and laid his head on my chest and fell fast asleep.  I could never have imagined this happening - especially not this soon.  Nor, do I even expect it again anytime soon.  For now, it's a precious gift.

After a three hour nap, he's up snacking and ready for the pool and officially off schedule!  Leave it to the Dicens to mess it all up!  :-)  I think the excitement of the week finally caught up to him.

I will try to post some of the photos from today later on.  For now, here's some swimming from the other day . . .

What a day!

I get just tired and confused thinking about today!  It was a busy one - not quite sure that today was what the classes and books have told us to do these first few days, but I have seen some serious bonding between father and son.  I must go on the record though to state that Matt started it!  :-)

After breakfast, we played a bit in the room with toys and books then skyped with Kuya Jack, Kuya Nick and Ate Mary Beth. It was good to hear their voices & see them - a little blurry though.  They sound great and are just going to be wonderful for Rammy.  Matt was spinning a football on the floor and Rammy immediately began to try and do the same.  Then, I through the ball up in the air and caught it, so Rammy through a notebook up in the air.  oops!  We had a good time playing with the recorded storybook I had sent him.  He kept pushing the record instructions & I would press stop.  He kept swatting me away, so I picked up the book and placed it on my head and walked away.  He followed and  proceeded to try and climb up on me to get to it.  A funny silly time together - bonding.  He is a little ham!

After that, we rested & took in a little Sesame Street downloads - Matt was wise to bring the Ipod for the flight home.  We have Sesame Street & Diego to watch!  Rammy loved the Ipod and used the earbuds no problem.  Then, Mom knew it was bubble time.  We went to the roof and Rammy was a natural!  I've never scene a toddler figure out how to blow bubbles so quickly - of course, he also figured out how to poor the whole bottle on himself, too!  ;-)  It was fun.  His fighting spirit came through in this activity because he wouldn't give up on the bubbles even when it was all gone!  He turned to Mommy to wipe his bubble hands - need met.

After lunch and a nap - staying on schedule still, the Dicen adoption journey took a wrong turn off the "what to do the first week with your new child" path . . . I know they don't recommend taking your child to Disney, but what about the Manila Ocean Aquarium Park?  I mean that's not Disney, right?  Anyway, so he touched a starfish - he liked it!  Really!!!!  Except when he tried to touch by himself and startled and turned and ran into my arms.  I loved that moment - need met.  I also loved the moment where he wanted a stuffed octopus but Mommy didn't have the pesos, so I told him we had to ask Daddy - show him what you want.  He took Daddy by the hand & went straight to the octopus.  Needless to say, we are the proud owners of a mint green stuffed octopus.  :-)  Daddy meeting a need - I mean every kid needs a mint green octopus!   I enjoyed hearing him growling at the fish and crocodiles with confidence while in the safety of his Daddy's arms.  Precious.

Then we were off to the Aristocrat, a long standing restaurant known for it's Filipino delicacies, for dinner.  I must be the first to admit - Matt started it.  The food fight that is.  Ok, it only took place at our table but for sure was a food fight.  Matt has been aggravating Rammy since yesterday - just asking for trouble!  So, like any good Dicen boy, Rammy brought it!  :-)  This is the part where the mommies from Gentle Hands will cringe because they have done such an amazing job raising their children with excellent table manners - sorry girls.  Rammy began to try and get his Daddy's attention at the table (this may have been after I gave him some tastes of the cake his Lola Baby gave him before dinner - oopsy!).  He kept teasing Matt thinking he would get his attention - Matt thought it would be a good idea to see how far Rammy would go to get his attention - well, let's just say that might not have been a good idea? Rammy first took a piece of his scrambled egg & dipped it in the Shang Hi Roll sauce (mimicking his daddy's actions) and threw it at him.  Matt didn't react (again, waiting to see how far Rammy would go - don't ask me why.  I don't know.  Guy think I'm assuming).  So Rammy, proceeded to take his hand and place it in the shang hi roll sauce and grab Matt's arm with it!  Matt again did not react other than clean himself up (please know that I was busy eating my Halo Halo with Ube ice cream and didn't see any of this but kept hearing Rammy laughing hysterically!)  Finally, Rammy grabbed Matt's arm and leaned over and drooled on him!  That was the last straw & Matt caved!  As I listened to my husband's re-cap, I'm sure I haven't done it justice.  Need met - male bonding!  :-)  Even as I walked him around & tried sitting on a bench to cradle him, Rammy looked at me and said Dada & touched his head.  I took him to Matt and he crawled right up in his lap.  He loves his daddy.

Of course, it is Ash Wednesday in the Philippines, so traffic was heavy.  It took us a long time to get home, but Rammy was on my lap the whole time playing with his octopus that he conveniently could suction cup to the window (I don't know how he knew to do that but he did), and I cuddled, caressed, squeezed and loved on my third son.  It was a most precious time - even though it wasn't written in the books. . . and I feel a little guilty about running about with him so soon . . . it was nice.

We were in the room an hour past bedtime & he went to sleep.  But tonight was different... I leaned over and kissed him good night, prayed over him - basically tucked him in.  Matt was busy doing something else.  I grabbed a shower. I thought for sure he would be out by the time I got out of the shower, but Rammy was still awake.  I couldn't believe it.  As I laid down, I looked at him with a mint green octopus over his face laying on his pallet and heard, "Dada, Dada, Dada, Dada..."  I looked at Matt and asked him if he tucked Rammy in - you know, Matt - did you kiss him goodnight?  Matt said no.  So, he got down on the floor and kissed and squeezed on him just like he does our other three.  Then Rammy went to sleep right away.  I think he was waiting for Daddy to tuck him in - it was a good day.


A good day not because we're awesome parents or because we went to awesome places or because Rammy has been in an awesome orphanage (although it is an incredible place) or because we've been in an incredibly wonderful hotel - it's a good day because we serve an awesome God who is sovereign and who has blanketed in His grace because you have blanketed us in prayer.  Thank you!  Tomorrow we go to ICAB to get Rammy's papers.  Prayers appreciated.  We will fly home Thursday night US time and be home Friday!