The Arnold Family

Friday, March 11, 2011

LOVE

SO excited....

Are you going to tickle me?

I LOVE IT!

More????

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Yes...Brad and I got out of the house tonight! This really is a rare occurrence and we were looking forward to it. This wasn't a late night run to grab a gallon of milk, or pull ups....this was a legitimate date. We even had the privilege to dress up for it. Good-bye 147million t-shirt and yoga pants, I'm leaving you behind for purple taffeta tonight!

Libi was angry that I had on a pretty dress and she did not.

Haddie wondered where my pants were.
Joel thought I should have gotten a spray tan.
When Brad walked through the door and saw me all dressed and beautiesque Jack thought he should have asked me if I was going to get ready....
Jacob was speechless when I told him this was the dress I was wearing for his prom!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Fat Tuesday

Okay...I really don"t know a lot about Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, but today my sweet Libi celebrated at school. Libi goes to the absolute, best school! We are so blessed to send her into such a fun, loving place each day. She receives the opportunity to explore her world in a way I could never offer at home. This is just another gift that God has given to Libi and to us!

I cracked up when I pulled Libi's shirt off tonight...I think things got a little crazy at the party today...look what I found!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Temple Grandin

We watched an amazing movie tonight. It was the story of Temple Grandin, a brilliant young woman coping with the stigma of autism at a time when it was misunderstood. Early in the movie Temple's mother is told that Temple I'll never speak, or improve and recommends institutionalizing her. Her mother, refusing to accept the doctor's prognosis for her precious child, pushes her to be and achieve more than anyone felt she could do. With the support of her loving family, Temple dedicates herself to learning and becoming a famed animal behaviorist, receiving a masters and PHD. This movie is a must see for all families.

Favorite line from the movie: "Different does not mean less!"

As I write this, my little girl, who we were told would never sit up is walking around in her walker having the time of her life! No limits with Jesus!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 months seizure free

Libi's seizure free run came to an end this morning at 4AM. It wasn't pretty, it never is. This was her 2nd grand maul seizure. Her last one like this was back on June 4th. Libi has been adjusting since January to a change in medication. This change has caused her to have some mild catatonic seizure activity. Basicly, if you blink you could miss it. At the onset of these episodes I became quite discouraged and fearful because she had been doing so well. The Lord reminded me that it was Him that we trust in and not medications! So, here we are today, not discouraged that she had a seizure, but rejoicing that the Lord has been victorious and allowed for her sweet body to be free of this reign of seizures for 8 months! All glory to God! hallelujah!!!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, January 10, 2011

The HOPE of Haddie

For the last few weeks I have been reading a book that has been hard to read. This book forces me to face the harsh realities of a Chinese orphanage. It tells, what is likely, the story of many orphaned children. It is a story that is dark, bleak and void of HOPE. Silent Tears by Kay Bratt is taking me on a journey that is uncomfortable. I don't enjoy thinking about the first seven years of my daughters life. Those years hold a lot of question marks for us. I fear,as I read this book, it answers some of those questions; answers that no mother wants to hear.

In a Chinese orphanage, children with disabilities can encounter great rejection. Cleft babies especially have difficulties. Not only will a cleft baby not receive the same attention as the healthy babies, but the chance to receive proper nourishment is next to impossible. As bottles are transferred from crib to crib, a cleft baby receives the same amount of time to feed on the bottle as a healthy baby does. With a bottle propped in their mouth and the lack of ability to suck, they may not even receive a drop of milk. The reality is that many die due to the lack of nourishment.

What would save that cleft baby's life? A surgery? Yes...but even simpler, someone to hold them, squeeze the milk into their mouth, and patiently feed them enough. Or simply, specially made bottles to aid a cleft baby in feeding. Unfortunately, resources are limited in most Chinese orphanages. Resources of both funds and arms.

Was my daughter in one of those? What were those days like for her?
"To be born with a facial deformity in China means that the child will never have the love of a family or be accepted by society. These girls may never have a chance to fulfill some of their dreams." - Kay Bratt, Silent Tears

Haddie HOPE...yes, God gave her what she needed, when she needed it. He sustained her, physically and emotionally. She may have encountered dark and bleak days, but there was always HOPE, because there was always God.

Are you the hope for a child? Are you the one to fund, hold, feed?
I am so thankful that for 7 years God raised others up to provide for the needs of my daughter, to give her a future and a HOPE!

This HOPE that she had is what motivated her to bound up to a worker from our adoption agency and eagerly ask her if she could find her a fa

mily...we all know that a family had already been found!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

GOTCHA day fun...

As we celebrated the one year anniversary today of Haddie's GOTCHA day, (see post below) I took Haddie to adopt a baby of her own. We have a darling place here that does baby adoptions and it exceeded my expectations! We had a wonderful day celebrating adoption. Haddie thoroughly enjoyed every moment, and honestly, so did I. I am hoping to get my doll for Christmas...really...this little Asian baby stole my heart. That shouldn't surprise anyone. Enjoy the pics!