Blake's Perspective...Part 5

Well, evidently mommy had no idea how many things I had to say, but you see, I've been holding all of this information in the past 2 years of my life.  Now that I'm in a loving, thriving environment, I feel like I can openly express myself and not feel suppressed.  I'm really learning a lot of things about me.

I can laugh...out loud, actually.  This great feeling comes over me sometimes, like when daddy tickles me under the chin with his whiskers, and I can't help but let out this sound and I giggle and giggle...until my eyes water.  I just can't help it!  I had NO idea how good it would feel to laugh like this, well, honestly, I've never had a good reason to laugh so hard.  Then on the other end of the spectrum, I'm discovering another emotion I've kept inside.  Crying.  I'm becoming quite an expert actually, thanks to that chubby little round girl.  She can cry at the drop of a hat.  It seems she has really practiced.  But sometimes when I fall down, well a lot of times, I hit my head on a wall or table, and it sends this pain through my body.  I used to just rub the sore spot and move on no matter how bad it hurt, but now I'm realizing a sound erupts out of my body in response to pain now.  When I let out a cry, Mommy usually runs right over to pick me up and kiss my 'ouchy' spot and I magically feel better.  Crying has never been effective before.  I remember crying in my bed as a baby, when I was hungry and lonely.  I would cry and cry and cry.  Yet no one would ever come pick me up.  I soon realized that it was ineffective.  Crying wouldn't gain a response, so why do it?  Most kids begin to realize this after living at my old house for a few months.  Wow, I wish I could go back and tell all my friends who still live there about all the new things I'm learning.  If they only knew there is a whole other world out here!!

And in response to the stupid Santa complaint letter that the chubby girl wrote...I only write about what I see.  Give me a break!  I'm still learning about what having sister's is all about.  There are good things and bad things.  There are some good things, actually happening between us. In fact, I don't know when she wrote that letter, but yesterday when I woke up for the morning, mommy was getting me dressed for the day, and that little girl came over and gave me a big snotty kiss right on the face.  She had her mouth wide open, so I opened my mouth wide open and we touched faces.  I think the only thing we accomplished was swap boogers, but we did it a few more times and then she left.  I can't say I want to do that again any time soon, but at least she is attempting to show me kindness.  I still prefer mommy and daddy's kisses to hers...she has some more practicing to do, which includes blowing her nose first.  Sheesh!

Notice I'm sitting on the steering wheel? Think this car isn't made for 2!

Another good thing, I'm realizing if the chubby girl and I work together on some things, we can get a lot done.  Like this morning, the big red-headed girl left the bathroom door open again and mommy was on the phone with the pediatrician (those are always long conversations), so I saw a great opportunity to do something I've been wanting to do.  I pointed my finger and said 'eyy' to get that chubby girl's attention, luckily she wasn't crying so she could hear me for once.  We snuck our way into the bathroom and unrolled 3 rolls of toilet paper, tore them into bits, and threw them into the bathtub...it only took a few minutes with the both of us working together.  Then, the chubby crazy-haired girl in yellow ducky pajamas, showed me something I hadn't seen before.  Band-Aids!  They were in the bottom drawer of the bathroom cabinet.  She showed me how to tear the wrapper off and use them as stickers.  They worked great!  We stuck them all over the towel storage doors, the bathtub and floor before mommy came in and shrieked!  I held my hands up in the air like "what?" and crawled out of there in a hurry.  Little chubby girl didn't catch on to what was happening as quickly and when she got caught, she tried one of my moves and fell backwards on the floor kicking her feet and doing what mommy calls 'throwing a fit'...haha, it was a poor attempt if you ask me.  Big red-headed girl had to help pick up the mess because she forgot to close the door...again. Heheheh, I bet she doesn't do that again.  I'm realizing bathrooms are hidden treasure chests.  That chubby girl is always carrying around these long things in wrappers that she gets out of a box in mommy and daddy's bathroom, I'm not sure what they are, but they are kind of fun to try to open.  They make a crinkly sound.    

She also showed me where mommy hides the raisins, unfortunately we didn't get any eaten before she found us.

She also tried helping me stand up all by myself the other day.  I keep watching how she does it to try to learn.  She rolls over on her tummy, bends her knees around her tummy, and pushes herself up with her arms.  So I keep practicing.  I've done it a few times now.  I skip the part about bending my knees, though, I push up with my arms and keep my legs straight with my behind sticking straight up in the air.  It does help if someone is close to help me straighten up, or if something is near I can pull up with, but I am getting better at doing it myself.  Next thing: walking!  All I know is, she better watch out, I'll be running alongside her soon.

I met a girl named Katelyn yesterday too, mommy says she is going to be our babysitter when she goes back to work in a few weeks.  She fed me some food at lunch, so if she keeps doing that we should get along fine.  I'm just not sure I like the sound of babysitter...sounds painful!  We'll see...

Christmas Card 2011

 

 

 

 

2011...
Was beyond what we could have imagined or asked for..
Filled with milestones, changes, and a journey across shore.
For starter's Leah turned 5 and started kindergarten half a day,
She told us her main focus was at recess to play!
She is on a junior cheerleading squad and performs at the Tabor games,
She is always jumping and cheering around the house leading us in chants and waves.
Autum turned 1 in October and is on the run,
She is getting quite the personality and loves following her big sis around for fun.
Now in May of this year we made a decision to adopt a 2-year old boy Internationally,
He stole our hearts at first sight, so we signed the papers, and off we took across the sea.
We spent 4 1/2 weeks in his country building a relationship that made our hearts soar,
And on Nov. 4th, the court made Blake Andrew Woods an orphan no more.
We arrived back in Kansas on Nov. 23,
Making Thanksgiving a special one by expanding our family tree.
Our house is filled with kids and is chaotic, crazy, and loud.
But we are thankful for God's blessings that abound!
I am only working out of the house Tuesday and Thursdays,
I exercise with adults with developmental disabilities.
The rest of the time is filled with entertaining 3 children and my spouse,
Yes, I even find some quiet time now and again, with the man of the house.
Jerad is still a Journeyman Lineman at Flint Hills Electric Coop. here in town,
He still finds a little time for his hunting and fishing, and loves to take Leah around,
It is a blessing to see a daddy and his daughter building a bond,
Even if it is just fishing for a few minutes at our city pond.
2011...no words or ways to describe what has been,
Only that God's hand has prevailed and lead us once again.
His grace, provision, and wisdom far abound our understanding or know,
But we continue to trust in Him for another year to come and go.
His will be done, and our daily Bread be given,
As we pray to glorify Him, a Savior born and risen!
God bless you all!
Love, Jerad, Anna, Leah, Blake & Autum

Another Member of our Family

Today I learned of another member of our adoption family.  It is a sweet 11-year old little girl that lives all the way up north in Canada.  You see, she chose Blake's little face as part of the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree project last year. She vowed to pray for him and advocate for him to be adopted by a Forever Family.  Her mother sent me an email saying they chose 3 ornaments for their 3 children, last year, as part of this campaign, to teach them that not all children have the same privileges as them and that they should help others out whenever they can.  And their oldest daughter was able to see the power of prayer and hope come true as she prayed, because in May of 2011 we committed to be Blake's Forever Family...and here we are now!!  Her mother and I have corresponded through email and she said her daughter was in tears as I expressed my thankfulness for her prayers, and she said "That is one lucky boy! God must have something big planned for him!" 

Ohh, to have the faith of a child.  My heart is warmed by her kindness and faithfulness to boldly approach the throne of Christ and intercede on behalf of our little boy.  What a great lesson for us all...to see the importance of prayer come to life and be answered.  Praise be to God!  I feel like I am forever indebted to this little gal as her prayers were part of the reason we found Blake, and the reason we heard the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts, and the reason we had the courage to step out in faith to adopt him, and the reason we had such amazing peace throughout. 

So thank you!  I am anxious to tell Blake all about you someday and the sweet innocent faith you had in him being rescued.

If you want to be a part of the Angel Tree Project, go here to find out more.  It obviously works!  We are a true testament to it's effectiveness in saving these children. 
Angel Tree Project.

• The goal of the Angel Tree is to raise $1000 or more as an adoption grant for each waiting child with Down syndrome listed below.  Ornaments are only available for the children listed on this page.
• Advocate by praying, posting to Facebook, Twitter, on your blog, and by sharing with friends and family. 
• In only 5 years, more than 500+ orphans with DS and other special needs have found "forever families" through Reece's Rainbow.  Your donations WORK!
• A new "gift basket" (shopping cart) has been implemented. Questions can be directed to michelle@reecesrainbow.org.
• The minimum donation to receive an ornament is $35.  You can give more for your child by adding additional funds in the empty box.  $5 of each donation goes to our Voice of Hope fund, and the remainder to the child's grant.
• Checks can be mailed to  Reece's Rainbow  PO Box 4024  Gaithersburg, MD  20885

Autum's Complaint Letter to Santa

Before I clear the air on some things...Mommy wanted me to say something about a party for that little crazy man that has been running around our house.  She said to mention it is Sunday at 3 pm in Hillsboro.  It's come and go, so if you are like me, and can only take so much of that noisy little boy, then you can leave when you want.  I wouldn't blame you if you did.  No gifts, unless you want to bring something for me, I look good in purple...and snacks are always welcome!  Anyway, instead make a donation for the Farley family's adoption of Sergey.  He is pretty cute, you can read more about him here: www.farleykids.blogspot.com.  Here is a picture.  His mommy and daddy are working to bring him home like we did our ornery little stinker, but they need our help.  You can make an online donation at http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=Farley+family&x=0&y=0 or you can mail a check to my mommy and she'll get it where it needs to go.  Make checks out to Reece's Rainbow.

He has his tongue out like Blake always does, wonder if he makes as many silly faces?  Must be a boy thing.

Dear Santa,

I am really disappointed in you this year.  For some reason, this skinny-leg, stinky little person has taken over my house.  I know for a fact I did not mention I wanted this for Christmas this year.  I told him I was going to write a complaint letter to you if he did not leave.  And alas, HE.IS.STILL.HERE.  I said I wanted a baby doll, all my own, that I did not have to share with Big Sissy.  I didn't even care if she cried or poo-poo'ed.  But I did NOT want a real-life little man that takes up half my room, and hogs all the water under the bathroom faucet for Christmas.  SO I am asking that you take him back.  Here are my reasons why:

He keeps calling me a crazy-haired, chubby little girl.  That itself should get him on the 'naughty' list.  I'm thinking coal in his stocking would be the least you could do for that.  And while you are at it, throw in a few Kleenex or burp rags because that boy has boogers coming out of his nose the size of my right thigh--every morning.  And it gets worse...he eats them!!  You should see the lump come up in Mommy's throat every time he sucks one of those slimy things into his lips and proceeds to chew on it before swallowing.  Mommy thinks he raises his hands up in the air to be picked up to cuddle, but what she doesn't know is he uses her shoulder as a rag to wipe up the remaining drippage.  Sidenote: Don't bring her anymore black shirts, the snot stains show up the worst on that color.   

He throws all the toys you brought me last year for Christmas down the stairs AND he bangs them against the wall and the kitchen floor.  I have no idea what he is trying to accomplish except for making a LOT of noise.  So do not bring him any toys, he will not treat them very nicely, if you do.  If you do like I suggested and put him on the naughty list, he won't be getting anything anyways.  Maybe some ear plugs for the rest of us would be nice.

Also, he won't eat his vegetables, specifically green beans and peas.  He smashes all of his peas between his fingers and throws them against the wall.  And the green beans, he just throws them on the floor.  Mommy is always telling Big Sissy that people in other parts of the world don't get to eat whenever they want, so we should all eat the food God has blessed us with.  You could blame that reason in itself for the 'roundness' that little boy keeps describing me as having.  Who wants to waste food when you hear something like that?


He pushes me a lot.  If I decide to get on the toy slide because he is, he pushes me down.  I'm still not real steady on my feet, you know, and so when I try to climb over the top of him to get up the side of the slide, he pushes me and I land on my bottom.  Not nice!!  Same thing when he is playing with a toy I decide I want to play with, or when he sits on Mommy's lap to read books with us...he pushes me.  Again, tell your elves to stop making whatever gifts they had in mind for this little monster....a spank on the behind should be all he gets. 

Then, he posts pictures like this one for everyone to see.  He didn't even ask for my permission. This happened while Mommy was putting that little stinker down for a nap one day, yes, during the time that used to be just mine and Mommy's part of the day.  I had a bowl full of Puffs to eat as a snack, I guess to keep me quiet while he was nearing sleep.  So I finished all of them and decided to put the bowl on my head like we do the peaches, to see if it was as fun, and this is what happened.  The crumbs from the bowl coated my face and shirt...even my eyelashes were caked.  Mommy just thought it was the funniest thing and took this picture.  If she wasn't the one to feed me, I would say put her on the naughty list too, but I can't ruin the good thing I have going with her.

Finally,  instead of the new gun Daddy wants for Christmas this year, bring him some air freshener and trash sacks.  He woke me up at 5 am the other morning, because he was gagging and throwing up in the Diaper Genie, while trying to change one of Blake's disgusting, horrible, knock-your-socks-off diapers.  Poor Mommy has to change his diaper's from now on so Daddy can at least eat breakfast before going to work each morning. And could you please bring Mommy another pair of sweatpants? Daddy keeps trying to throw away her favorite pair of maroon sweats from high school softball but she keeps finding them and wearing them.  Thanks!

If you need anymore proof that this little man needs to leave...look at this.  Traitor!!

 Thank you for taking all of this into consideration, I look forward to you taking care of this situation as soon as possible.  Send Rudolph to do your dirty work if you are too busy, I don't care, just help me out.
Love, 
Autum

PS If you don't take this crazy little maniac away, then don't expect to find any Dr. Pepper or sugar cookies waiting for you when you arrive.