Hello!  Terri Ben Ami here.  Nashi's mom.  Thought I'd write in here, let you know what's going on with our family.

Tovah and I are doing wonderful; we couldn't be any happier than we are at this time.  Our kids are healthy (well, our son, Hyman, is; our daughter, meanwhile, is another story), happy, well-adjusted, and are getting ready to go back to school in a few weeks.

Seems that the summer just flew by.  Where did it go so fast?? Yesterday it seemed like it was June; now we're staring at the second week in August.  Soon we'll be at the midway point; then summer will gently give into fall.

School will be in full swing.  Have been shopping for the kids' new supplies, clothes that they will need for the upcoming year.  Have been taking advantage of the back to school sales at the department stores.

Anyway, our daughter continues to enjoy good health, much to everyone's surprise.  She still needs help in nearly every area of her life, but she knows in her special way that she's loved, accepted, wanted.  It helps having her well, not being in the hospital for one thing or another.

Never has Nashi looked as healthy as she does now.  Her cheeks are pink instead of pale, her eyes sparkle with life, and she laughs all the time.  Everything seems to bring on a sense of the giggles; it charms anyone who happens to hear her laugh.  Nashi has such a cute laugh.

No signs of infection or illness since her last hospital stay, and to boot, she's now off the oxygen therapy.  We just returned the oxygen equipment last week; one last worry out of our hair!  The doctors are very pleased as to how well she's been holding out.

So are we.  It's been a miracle from our Jehovah Jirah, our Provider.  He's been awfully good to our little family; life is indeed sweet!

Tovah and I have been looking into adoption; we would like to add a little boy to our family, so our youngest child won't feel so alone when we are with his sister.  We would like to adopt a child from Russia or maybe China.  It will be hard at best, but we feel we are qualified to give a needy little child our love.

We've been writing to different adoption agencies, hoping that one of them will help us get the process started.  We spend at least a good several hours on the computer (less if Nashi is ill or Hyman is ill or needing our attention), poring over information regarding adoption; it's quite daunting!

We would adopt a boy who is disabled, but with Nashi's fragile health, I don't think that would be feasible; a healthy little boy would do just fine.

I don't think we could handle another child with special needs, especially since our daughter is so disabled.  That would only add to the high stress levels that we face every day in our home.

Well, that's about all that is new here with us, the Ben Amis.  Lots of things going on, and I'm afraid things will only get busier as school time approaches, and as we continue our flight into adoption. 

I will let you know how things progress, not just with the adoption, but with our lives as well.  Sorry if I don't write in here as much, but you know how that goes!  A mother's work is never done! LOL

Take care and may Jehovah bless you mightily!  He certainly has been doing a great job of that in our lives, and we are indeed thankful!

~Love, your friend, Terri (busy mom to Hyman and Nashi). :D