Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sorry it's been so long...

Did ya'll give up on ever seeing an update?  I am so sorry!  So many of you invested so much time and money into bringing the boys home, I should not have taken so long to post an update.

To be honest, it's been a rough year and I really did not know what to write.  The years of abandonment/trauma/neglect/etc started to show in Bohdan's behavior and it has been the hardest and darkest year we have ever faced.  It's been a struggle...that is putting it very lightly...but it's too hard to even write about.  A thousand times I thought about updating but what do you say when you feel like you are so close to losing hope that things will ever be okay?  

Books, therapies, strategies, modifications, social workers, doctors, and psychiatrists later we are FINALLY starting to see some progress.  We are trying desperately to keep our family together and attached.  Bohdan's neuropsychological evaluation placed Bohdan's cognitive, social, developmental, and emotional level at that of a 2-3 year old (he is 9 years old).  His IQ is also extremely low.  That has shed a lot of light on his behavior (besides his very traumatic past).  

On to happier stuff...

There have been moments of joy and I am happy to share them with you.


Daniel started school.  As a homeschool family, it was very humbling to realize that school (with all it's services) was the best place for Daniel.  It was so hard to watch him leave on the bus (and some days still is) but he LOVES it.  We wondered if it was a good decision and looking back now, it was.  Developmentally, Daniel continues to make slow but steady progress.  He says a few more words and he is CRAWLING!  He continues to practice walking everyday and we have every confidence that eventually he will be able to walk with a walker for short distances.

I wish I could get some video of him to post but our computer just will not handle video anymore, but he is such a character.  Honestly, meeting him today, you would never know the horrible past he came from!  Praise God!


We continued to homeschool Bohdan, Ethan, Kai, and Emma.  It was going well but Bohdan's behavior because so intense that on a call to our social worker she insisted we put him in school, mainly just for respite.  It was such a deflating thing to hear and I fought it for a long time.  Finally I gave in and we put him in school.  Best decision ever!  I think it gave us all just enough respite to try to repair all the brokeness in all of us because of Bohdan's past.  Bohdan really does not like school (mainly because he does not like being challenged to learn or work) but it has allowed us to just focus on loving him and not teaching and that has helped in our mission to heal Bohdan.  We continue to homeschool the 'littles' and love every minute of it!

The rest is mostly just pictures.  I wish I had more to share but like I said it has been such a hard year, we have spent most of out time just trying to keep our family together and stable.  In everything though, we praise God.  It certainly has been a year of trials, but also of great well-learned lessons.  We trust Him that through this we will be a more united and stronger family.  We cling to the fact that He works all things for the good of those who love Him.  And boy, do we love Him!  

We know that there are many people that still pray for our family.  We cannot thank you enough!  Hope you enjoy the pictures :-)

One of our many camping trips.



The Zoo and Aquarium are always our favorite



WE WENT TO DISNEY WORLD AND SEA WORLD...truly the trip of a lifetime!!!!













Many Birthday parties


More camping


And finally some recent family pictures









20 comments:

  1. God to hear from you! I am sorry to hear that things have been so rough :( but hang in there. It is such a joy to see Daniel looks SO alert and engaged in the pictures!

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  2. thank you for the update - thrilled to see everyone - sorry for all the trials - hoping you are on the road to recovery

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  3. Glad to see an update if only so we know how better to pray. Will keep praying for your family

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  4. I love little Miss Emma's photo on the picnic table! She is adorable. :)

    Sad to hear that Bohdan is having such a hard time adjusting. I could only imagine how tough it must be to try and provide, love, and bond with several little ones. Sending prayers and thoughts your way with a special prayer or two for Bohdan to break through and find his way to a better balance of being good and being cheeky!

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  5. Thank you for posting! I am so sorry to hear it has been such a rough year. I am praying for your family now. May God continue to pour out His blessings upon you all!

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  6. Don't mind me, I'm just a lurker, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you've had such a rough year! But I'm amazed at how good Daniel looks!! I hope this next year brings more blessing and progress and fewer difficult times.

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  7. First, I want to say thank you so much for posting, and in the same breath say, please don't apologize for taking so long to post! I can't imagine the strength and courage you have had to muster to post, and to be so open and honest about your struggles. You are amazing!

    I am so happy to hear how well Daniel is doing. His eyes just shine in your pictures!

    I am also glad to hear you have some professional help with Bohdan's trauma related issues. It has to be so very difficult. Praying for strength for you!

    Post when you can. And know that there are countless people praying for you and wishing you peace.

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  8. You and your family are always in my prayers. Thank you for taking the time to update us all. We will continue to pray for each of you. You have a beautiful family. May God continue to bless you all each and every day.

    Steph in Los Angeles

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  9. Jamie,
    It was so nice to hear from you! Thank you for the update and the pictures! Thanks for sharing with us that it's been a tough year. No matter how tough things are, know that you've got us internet sisters in Christ pulling for you and your family!
    Stacy in Indiana

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  10. I agree with Stacy. Please know there are so many of us you don't even know who pray for your family and are here to support and encourage you. Post updates as you are able and take help where help is needed.

    Sue - WI

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  11. Thanks for the update, I now know how to pray for you guys, blessings from Canada

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  12. Aww...loved reading the update!

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  13. Jamie - Thanks for the update and the pictures. I'm so sorry about all of your rough times. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

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  14. Another long time follower just THRILLED to see this update! Thank you thank you thank you!!! The changes and the LIFE in those boys is just ... inspiring! I am heartbroken to hear that Bohdan's past is still affecting him so deeply. Prayers for all of you through this dark time. Like others have said, please know that we are out here, praying and loving from afar. And ANY update - even the hard stuff - is appreciated!
    ~Katie, in Michigan

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  15. Jamie,
    The Muellers of Missouri are adopting Janna! They are over there now! Go to crunchylutheranmommy.com
    Stacy in Indiana

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  16. I'm so glad to see and update! I assumed that things must have gotten really busy or really sketchy for a while...understandably so! I'm sorry that it's been such a rocky road for all of you. Our little guy who we adopted at age 7 (who had microcephaly and CP) has been home for over a year now and nothing really prepares you for all the challenges that come. the physical disability is nothing...hardly even a factor compared to the wounded heart, insecurity, rages, and cognitive challenges. There is progress and joy though...it just comes through a lot of hard work and frustration and tears some days. I just wanted to say "I get ya". You have a beautiful little family. Glad to see update pics!

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  17. p.s I did some change ups with schooling for next year too. Homeschooling is hard...homeschooling kids with special needs...woah. You have to do what is best for everyone.

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  18. Thanks for the updates! I did give up and haven't checked but for many, many months but I don't feel you must keep me informed (I was not able to contribute financially to your boys' journey home but sent lots of prayers). It's always a bright day when I see a new update no matter how far between. I do have one little girl who was very dear to me and they seem to have dropped their blog but I still check in just in case! --YWILBUR (can't log into my account at work computer)

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