Would you consider...

sponsoring an orphan? We signed up awhile back by making a $35 per month commitment. Soon thereafter we received a picture and info on a 15 year old boy that was living in Ethiopia. I have done this kind of thing before but I have never had a connection to the child or really felt like my money was truly going directly to this child.

I wrote our boy a real simple letter and didn't hear back from him for awhile. We were hoping to meet him while in Ethiopia but were unable to b/c we didn't have time without the babies plus Nile was so sick. I still didn't feel a real connection but knew that when I signed up with Children's Hope Chest that is was a great organization and my money would go directly to help my child.

Well, today I got my first letter. I was so excited! I went and got his picture and took it into the kids to read it to them. As I read the letter I just couldn't read anymore I was crying so hard.

Here is part of the letter:
"I don't have any family. Now you are as my father, mother, brother and sister. I thank God that he makes me part of your family. I am happy to be here. I am thankful you are sponsoring me, please pray for my country and school. I am eager to see your pictures. I am looking forward to getting my next letter. May God be with you! I love you Clay, Tracy, Bowen and Anslee."

Heartbreaking! What a precious letter. Can you imagine, no family! I just love the kids of Ethiopia so much and there situations will just break your heart. I know I still haven't really blogged about our trip but it forever changed me. So immediately I email Children's Hope Chest to see if he was adoptable and wrote him another letter. I am mailing off pictures to him tomorrow.

$35 a month. One meal out as a family here in America can house, feed, cloth, school a child for A MONTH. Unreal!

If you are interested please email: mindy@hopechest.org
To read more about sponsership--click here.

OK my kids are getting up: excuse the typos!

Quick update on Nile

He is doing great. Gained 1 lb in a little over a week and he is sleeping so much better. In desperation I asked for sleeping advice on facebook last week. He was getting up every 2 hours to eat. That night I moved him upstairs to his room. He slept much better. Last night he slept from 8:30 to 5AM!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it. IT WAS A WONDERFUL THING!!

At his check up I got the go ahead to give him regular formula and start him on solids. He is still a little unsure about my cooking, I am sure Clay would agree that it's an acquired taste :) Yesterday he had avocado and sweet potatoes, not too sure about solids yet.

We are having so much fun loving on this beautiful boy!!!

Nile's pictures 4.5 months

My friend Amanda is doing photography to raise money for their adoption. They are adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. Check this post out about getting your family photos done for only $80!!!!!!!!!!! This is a great deal! Great idea for Christmas photos or gifts for family! Click here for details

Look at some of the amazing photos she did for me yesterday! You can click on the collage to make it larger.

GREAT NEWS TODAY!!

Today was our appt with the Infectious Disease doctors at Vanderbilt. We went in with many questions about why we were told by the pediatric staff that he had HIV and why they said 100% the total opposite. They assured us that he didn't have HIV and didn't EVER have to be retested. He had 3 negative test and they were very accurate for a 4 month old. After, many questions from us the doctor looked at us and said, "would you like a certificate or something that says he doesn't have HIV." We said YES...haha!
They proceeded to tell us that he was perfectly fine and healthy now. We asked about what we were told at Vanderbilt about not leaving the house and treating him like he was a preemie. The doctor just stared at us for awhile and laughed. He repeated that he was perfectly fine and healthy!! He said that we don't have to live in a cave anymore!!!!!!!!! He said we are free to get out as much as we want! PRAISES!!!!!!!!! So we will be at church Sunday morning. Can't wait to see everyone!!

Our Ethiopia video

Click here to see the video of "Our Journey to Nile"

4 weeks ago we picked Nile up....

We had an appt today with Nile's pediatrician, he was very impressed with his overall health and weight gain. Nile has gained 2 lbs since we picked him up 4 weeks ago. He is back to eating every 2 hours about 4 oz. It has been rough at night but I know he needs the nutrition! We are going to hold off on cereal for now since formula is much better for him. Basically cereals are just empty carbs that will make him feel full where his formula has proteins, vitamins, ect.. So the doctor was pleased that he was eating so much!

We did get him on Zantac for acid reflux today. I will be glad when that kicks in. He is a spitter!

The doctor is also trying to get him qualified with insurance to get the vaccinations for RSV. The shot cost about $1500 per shot and he would need several injections. Insurance will only cover it if they feel like the child is a high risk for RSV. The danger of him getting it and being hospitalized has to outweigh the cost to our insurance company for the vaccination. Our doctor is going to hold off on any routine vaccinations until he is off the antibiotic and staying healthy.

Tomorrow we will meet again with infectious disease at Vanderbilt. It is just a follow up visit. I will update if there is anything new.

Overall, we are doing really good. He is just an angel that I cannot give enough kisses to! He is so adorable and smiley!! Here is a cute video of him, sorry for me being so cheesy!

Two boys that need a home….

You have to read this post

******update THEY FOUND A HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!