ONE Year HOME

     One year home for Maggie equals one year of learning for this momma. And I have to admit, I am tired. Not just from Mags though...the other two contribute as well. It's a good tired, and I'm thankful for a husband that I can LOSE IT with at times! He talks me through so many things!
     I am learning that self-sufficiency needs to be hung out to dry & blown away by the wind, replaced with only the power of God in my life. I have a saying taped to my computer..."Here in the power of God I stand." I think that sums up my life right now.
     Natalie went through a couple of weeks of gripping fear going to school, so each morning was a struggle to get her out the door. That seems to be subsiding, but we still daily pray for wisdom with her as she tends to be pretty opinionated, leaning towards the negative. I struggle b/c we don't model negativity, so we are learning how to handle that. On the other hand, she has a sweet heart that is learning to spend daily time with Jesus and loves, loves, loves to take care of her three geckos.
     Jaydn is intense and his persistence at times brings me to tears in my closet. On the flip side he has the most loving/serving heart.
     Maggie has changed so much in this past year. Her vocabulary has blown up, making us laugh often. She is starting to throw a LOT of fits and therefore spends time daily in the corner.
    Nehemiah 8 says the JOY of the LORD is my strength. I grew up singing a song in church about that, but these past few months I feel like I am seeing it a little differently. Strength is not something that I have to conjure up to reap the benefits of joy. GOD's JOY is given to me AS strength. The obstacles don't leave just because I have Christ's spirit - His spirit gives JOY in the midst of the obstacles.
     I love my husband. I love my kids. God has started a work in them that helps me to know that He will take their personalities and use it for good. I look forward to one day learning what Nolan's personality will be.

Maggie's First Christmas Season

     This Christmas season has been so fun, watching Maggie. Really watching Maggie react to Natalie and Jaydn's joy. If they are excited about getting a Christmas tree, so is she! If they enjoy making a gingerbread house than she does too! 

     I think the best part has been listening to Jaydn and Natalie tell Maggie the real story of Christmas... "This is Mary and Joseph and they had a baby named Jesus. Jesus was born to save us from our sins."
     Maggie has been a Barcalow for 9 months now. Crazy how the process seemed so long to go get her and then before you know it 3/4's of a year has gone by!
     She had her first post-op CAT Scan on Friday. That was an experience! Ten minutes of sheer panic for her. When we came out of the room, several asked her if she was ok. I told them she would take a good nap! Whew!
     The scan showed that only minimal fluid has drained from her head, so they adjusted the shunt so the fluid will drain a little quicker. It was amazing how they adjusted the shunt - just by holding a small box thing to her head that magnetically changed the setting. It literally took 10 seconds.
     We continue to thank Jesus for His provisions for our family. Maggie was approved for TEFRA, a part of Medicaid, so most of her medical costs will be covered! H-U-G-E blessing!

Attempting to sleep by the Christmas tree...it was not a success.

Telling her the Christmas story

Our Video, shown on Orphan Sunday

     I don't want to be redundant, or to bore anyone. I  know several of you that follow our blog are also on Facebook, so you have already seen the video on our adoption. But I wanted to share with those of you who do not go to our church or follow FB.

https://vimeo.com/52444461

Your support of our family is a gift from our God!

She loves to sit next to Matt and listen to music

Maggie's first Halloween. Natalie & Jaydn showed her the ropes!

On the other side of the surgery

     Last week at this time we were in the hospital room, just relaxing as Maggie came fully out of the anesthesia. By the end of the night she was riding in the wagon, talking as if nothing happened. Crazy. We are so grateful for Dr. McLanahan and his team!

     One week later she is off all meds and only seems uncomfortable after naps, but even that is maybe twenty minutes of "hold you" time. Her first follow-up appointment is next Friday. 

     Matt and I were talking today about how we just can't imagine our family without her! We are so glad God changed our hearts.

Wanting her sister to give her ducks back.

First hay ride.

Maggie's surgery

     We went in for a pre-op appointment today at Levine Children's Hospital, getting all the paperwork done for Maggie's surgery coming up Thursday, Oct. 18. Matt and I feel good about it; Maggie was thrilled to sit and eat two bags of goldfish and to receive a "doctor bag". We feel very blessed to be able to take her to a top rated hospital for kids! 

     For those of you who are detail people... Surgery is scheduled for 8a on Thursday, lasting about 2 hours; we will be in the hospital for 24-48 hours. Our home recovery should be one week or less (amazing huh?). Her surgeon is Dr. McLanahan. No, her entire head will not be shaved, just a small section. Yes, she will be asleep before they give her IV. She will have one shunt inserted into her brain and a tube will go down into her stomach, which empties the fluid. Yes we can have visitors, once she is in a normal room. (Can you tell what questions we have been asked a lot? HaHa)

     We covet the prayers!

Maggie and....Nolan???

     Even after six months, I find it odd that I am buying diapers and wipes again; That I am mom to a 2-year-old again. Although, I have to say that I love having older kiddos and a younger one. There is something special about enjoying both "seasons".
     This afternoon Maggie came running up to me in the kitchen singing her favorite song - "Mom, Mom, Mom...eus (Jesus) ove (love) ME! Yes eus loves MEEEE! Bible tell me so!"  I melted.
     For those without Facebook, Maggie's surgery is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 18th at 8a. Instead of two shunts, she will only get one. We were told her ventricles are open, so no need for two.

Carowinds!!!

     They tell us that when it comes to brain surgery, shunt placement is very routine. I am happy about that, but can't figure out how I feel about the fact that my daughter is having BRAIN surgery.

Bed-Head

Ready for the day!

Washing the care with daddy 

Learning to spit

Playing in the rain with Jaydn

     Most of you probably noticed the name Nolan in my "title". He is the little guy with dark skin that we are praying towards finding. Early on with our journey to Maggie, we both said we felt we could adopt again. Well, that thought became real in our hearts and at this point we, well, I, am researching (Matt is busy with work and seminary and being a dad) different agencies to work with, and whether or not to look in Haiti or domestically. My heart these days is, not consumed, but very aware of a little guy out there, or soon to be out there, that will be our son. When Matt pictures our four kids together, he always pictures Nolan with dark skin. That is why we say possibly Haiti. However, we are also aware of the huge need domestically. 

     So, we covet your prayers for clarity for us on this journey. That God's spirit would reveal to us, His timing. We fully expect our God to hand us some more miracles, as He did with Maggie Mei. : )  (We are hoping one of those is a van...seriously).

God is still showing off...

...and we are so incredibly GRATEFUL!!! I had to share what God is doing in our home.

     We have been hit pretty hard with some bills as of late. And on top of those bills we received the initial statement, before insurance, for Maggie's MRI - close to $12,000. Can you believe it??? I can only imagine what her brain surgery will cost! So, we have in the back of our minds that, medically, the bills will always be there.
     Anyway, since I don't work much in the summer, we have been super tight, not even knowing where the money was going to come from for some things. HOWEVER, in faith, we journaled in our Jehovah Jirah book (where we write every way that God provides for us) that we were laying all of the bills down before Christ, believing that although we cannot see where the provision is coming from, it will come. That was August 31, not even a week ago.
     Yesterday at church I shared with a friend our journey with the finances.
     Today, that friend dropped off a check that covered all of the bills we were struggling to pay and then some!!! We were floored! Humbled! She said that the money wasn't really hers to give...they were just waiting for the Lord to share with them what it was for!
     Y'all, Jesus did a lot of showing off on our journey to Maggie, and now He continues to remind us that He still owns it all and we can just know that His provisions are absolutely unfathomable!