Somewhere far far away...

In a orphanage, far, far away sits Ali. At 5 years old she should be preparing for kindergarten, but there she sits, alone, wondering if she will ever have a mom and dad. This is her sweet face.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly: defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

Ali was born with a cleft lip (has been repaired) and she is HIV+, she will die in an institution if not adopted. Here is where we come in. I have special place in my heart for this sweet girl in piggy tails. I have committed to pray daily for her and to help raise $5,000 to her adoption fund. Could you join with me in prayer? Could you donate so that the financial burden of adoption could be eased for her future family?

"Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf, is welcoming me." Matthew 18:5

Please visit this page and donate directly to her adoption fund. Right now, there is $15 in it. I am praying to see $500 in it by the end of the month!! 

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." James 1:27

Her clock is ticking, her time left in a orphanage is limited. Tonight when you tuck your children into bed, remember this face: 

Somewhere far far away, Ali goes to be tonight waiting for a mom and dad to kiss her good night! 

Reunited

This past Friday we went to a Easter Party at Gigi's Playhouse (A down syndrome awareness/education center). It had been a few months since our last visit so the boys had a blast playing with friends and running around. Malachi was also reunited with Ava, his girlfriend and one true love! We met Ava shortly before Malachi and Ava turned one. Here is a photo progressions of their reunion!

 So good to see you Malachi!

 You too Ava, I have missed you!

Let me get a good look at you! 

 Your beauty knocks me off my feet!

 Mom, get a picture!

It's been to long my love. 

A kiss? 

 How about a French kiss?

 Malachi! Our mothers are watching, lets keen this PG.

 Reunited and it feels so good!

A BIG think you!!

A year ago today, we were sitting in the hospital worried about Malachi. He had just suffered a MAJOR stroke and his future was so unknown. We cried, we prayed, we worried and we trusted that God would guide our journey and protect our sweet boy. In the weeks that followed we were surrounded by prayers from friends and family. We stayed focused on his recovery and continued to believe everything would be okay.

Today I am so happy to report that Malachi is not only doing well, but he is thriving! He continues to fight and works hard to improve the movement in his hand/arm (This is the only place we still see effects from the stroke). He recently had an MRI to evaluate the progress since surgery in June. The doc. reported that things look well and there are new blood vessels forming from the transplanted superficial temporal artery! This is the best possible news for Malachi and our family. The more these vessels grow, the less likely he is to have another stroke. We are beyond grateful! It is a true miracle that God chose to work in our son! There are truly no words to express the joy in our hearts. We are preparing for our final trip to Boston this summer where Malachi will have another Angio and the final success of the surgery will be measured. We have no reason to doubt that these next results will be anything less than perfect! God is so good!!

So today, I am not writing this nearly to update you but rather to express our extreme gratitude to each of you! We honestly could not have done this without your support! Each one of you has walked this journey with us...crying, laughing and worrying. Some of you made meals, others prayed for us, you sent cards, email and text messages, you sat with us while we shared our fears and held our hands while we waited for answers, others watched Eli so we could be at the hospital, Co-workers wrote lesson plans while Josh was out, and most of you gave financially so that we could go to Boston and have the life saving surgery done by the worlds best surgeon. Thank you will never be enough! I wish I could repay you for the gifts that have been given to us this past year I would, but there is nothing in the world that holds enough weight. But please know that each time Malachi walks up to us, a big smile on his face, wraps his arms around us and gives us the best hug in the world, I think of you! It's because of your faith, your prayers, your hugs and mostly our almighty God, that Malachi is here today!

So from the bottom of our hearts....THANK YOU!

Erin, Josh, Malachi and ELijah

Spring has Sprung...almost

We have fully taken advantage of the nice days here, although they are few and far between still. We've gone to a few parks, blown bubbles and even flew a kite! We are so ready to the weather to warm up, the grass to turn green and the flowers to start growing! 

A few months ago Elijah decided he HATED baths. The look on his face when you brought him anywhere close to water was that of sheer terror! We have been bathing him in the sink ever since. Tonight we decided to try bath time in the tub again....and this was the result.

This is the Eli we have been missing! Splish splashing all over the tub! I am so thankful our little water bug has decided to swim again!