Louisiana starts to keep a journal, something she hasn't done in a very long time.
Thursday, February 9, 2006~
Dear Journal~
I am sorry if I haven't written in here for so very long, but things, so many things, have happened. I haven't had time to do much of anything (let alone, go to the BATHROOM! Well, not really, but I HAVE been busy!).
I am now the mama of fifty three children of all ages, sizes, races, and handicaps, and they keep me hoppin'. My children range in age from one and a half on up to 23 1/2, and they are the Lights and Loves of my life. I have my husband, Bill, of fourteen and a half years, and I also have my elderly father, Armand, who is in his late seventies and is in failing health, as well as my stepmother, Claudia (his wife; she isn't in the best of health either). I also have animals to feed and water, and so life, at best, is very confusing and chaotic. Still, it is a life I am used to, and it is a life that I wouldn't want to trade for ANYTHING in the world!
I am now able to run, dance, and hold my children in my arms (if they are light enough!), something that I wasn't able to do until just last spring, when I had back surgery that put an end to all the years of crippling pain and relying on Lofstran crutches (or a cane) for mobility. Now I am walking UNAIDED, and I have not had ONE bit of pain since my surgery!! It has been like a Miracle!! I have my life back!! God be thanked!! GLORY!! :D (Can you tell I am happy?? Well, I AM!! :) )
I also have my adoption community and helping other families with the process of adoption. I am a member of AASK (Adopt A Special Kid, which is an adoption agency specializing in the adoption of children with special health, medical, or emotional needs, or kids who are older than the age of two, kids who are of a different racial background. These kids often have a harder time being adopted because it seems that everyone wants HEALTHY babies, especially babies who have blonde hair or blue eyes. Kids like the aforementioned are often tossed aside, and they often spend years waiting for a family to take them in and love them. Sadly, a lot of these kids often don't get adopted, so they spend their entire life in foster or institutional care, and they are lost, confused, and often have many serious problems. It is really a tragic situation.)
Last year, we adopted three new children, a boy from Sri Lanka, and two girls (older), one from Sri Lanka, the other from Romania. The boy is healthy; the two girls have disabilities. Janica, the Romanian child, has spina bifida which requires her to use Lofstran crutches for walking; Rani, the younger girl from Sri Lanka, has some lasting physical and mental disabilities concurred from a head injury she suffered nearly two years ago. (She was a young victim of the deadly tsunami that struck the Asian nations just over a year ago; she may have problems for YEARS. She has problems with her balance and with her memory.) We have really delighted in adding Arjun, Rani, and Janica to our International Family. The other kids have taken them to their hearts, and they love them so much! It is incredible how easily they have taken to their newer siblings; it is so rewarding to see the three new kids flourishing under the love, guidance, and support of their family members! :) It is not known at the present time if we will add to the family (GOD FORBID!!), but stranger things have happened. After all, we DID end up with FIFTY THREE KIDS! WAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! LOL)
We are going on a cruise to Alaska in October. We are taking the entire family: kids, husband, parents, myself. Even the grandkids and my son in law are going! It is going to be a family affair to remember! I got a FREE two-week long Alaskan cruise from my supervisors at my job at the hospital, and I am STILL in shock whenever I think of it! I can't believe that they thought of me so highly! I canNOT wait to get back on board the ship!! This is going to be an experience of a lifetime, a trip full of unforgettable memories, and the perfect way to show the kids a part of the world a great many of them have never even SEEN before! We are ALREADY counting the days to our Alaskan cruise! :)
I am still writing: I have three books under my belt (two about my family, one about nursing), and I am currently at work at yet another book, this one for children. It is about adoption, and why adoption isn't such a bad thing that many people seem to make it. Adoption, if done correctly and wisely, is a beautiful thing for ALL parties involved, and the children benefit from love, hope, and a CHANCE to succeed in life! The parents are blessed with children that had no future, and the children are blessed in knowing that they finally have a family (or a home) that they can finally call their very own; it is a marvelous situation to be in! God has been mighty good to us in bringing us children nobody else wanted, and we wouldn't trade any of them for the WORLD! It has gotten to the point to where I or Bill canNOT imagine the life without ANY of the children! They are our children, forever and EVER; nobody can ever take them away!
We are a Forever Family in the best possible way! :)
I can't add or subtract a word from eileen's comments below Karen !
Great to see you journaling again !
I can see your hands are full with such an extended family..!!!
Blessings
Peter
My heavens, Karen! That lady is beyond superwoman I can't even think of a nme good enough to cover all she does! Talk about a human dynamo! Great work Karen!
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