Thank God for Friends

In times and trouble its so refreshing to have the love of Friends. When people share your private personal pain it help. Kris and I are friends of faith. We have a desire to adopt children who others cant. We have never met, we talk on the phone and emails. But we are true friends.
We are feeling life as it is, we are moving forward, we are trying to learn to live again. We are not free of pain and never will be. He is in us all. He will always be. He is us and we are him. A peice of our puzzle is just lost. We will find it in Heaven, when we see him.
Thank you Kris for your love:>)
I love you Too....
Melonie




I love you my friend,
Kris
My Post:
As a child, I often read from a little book of poems and quotes my Mother had; a book my Grandmother gave her. The book; published in 1953, has brought me comfort and solace many times in my life, and this morning I remembered one of my favorite poems from it. Because my heart is heavy, because I would like to move beyond the emotional days preceding this one, I need to remind myself, "This too shall pass away" I hope you enjoy the poem.
This Too Shall Pass Away by H.L. Frisby


When sorrows comes into your life

And threaten to destroy

The very things your treasure most,

Your happiness and joy;

And when that crushing power

Threatens everything worth while,

And clouds of darkness gather

And you find it hard to smile,

Then life your head and let the world

Hear every word you say.

With faith undaunted say to them;

"This too shall pass away."


When you are so over-burdened,

With life's toil and earthly care;

When life becomes so dreary

It seems more than you can bear;

When weariness o'comes you

And you yearn for peaceful rest,

And the trials of the day leave you

Discouraged and depressed;

There is no song within your heart,

You feel you cannot pray;

Then turn your thoughts to gladness for

"This too shall pass away."


When fortune smiles upon you,

And your cup of joy is full;

When everything you want is yours,

And your life seems wonderful;

When the days and weeks go flitting by

With happiness replete;

And you desire nothing more,

To make your life complete;

Beware lest all these treasures

Of this earth lead you astray,

And hear again these truthful words;

"This too shall pass away."


And so remember well these words

Whatever your lot may be.

For life is ever changing

With great rapidity.

Our gladness turns to sadness

When the sunshine disappears,

And sorrows change to happiness

When God has calmed our fears.

Compared to all eternity,

This life is but one day.

We cling to life, and yet we know

"This too shall pass away."

From Alina

Good afternoon!Thanks for a gift. I hope that we soon will meet and we will be all together. See you soon.Alina

Another great day :>) She is ready to come home..... yes I'm excited!!!!
Melonie

A Happy Day

This morning has been so hard. I have walked around in tears. I had my cry and was on my way to get the day going. Sasha has been up all night sick so we will be off to the Dr. after lunch. Im tired and so my emotions are on HIGH.... When to my suprise I got this email.....

Good afternoon! Many thanks to you for a gift. I was very glad for a gift. In camp has had a rest well. Soon in school. I wait for your meeting and I hope with you will meet soon. To a meeting Alina

It was just what the Dr. ordered. Alina was to be soo much a part of Justins life. He was to teach her English and she to teach him Russian.
I know I have not shared about the life service of my Son but know it was AMAZING. It had laughter, tears, joy, stories, music and a rain storm. He was the Son you could hug for hours. I know with time this will be easier. I know Alina will never replace him. She will be a nice destraction for all of us. Im just sad that she wont meet the one person who was so excited about the things they could of learned for each other:>)
Hugs tooo allll,
Melonie

Trying to move on

We are all doing good, trying to find what is normal again. Will post more in days to come. Please just pray for us.
Hugs, Melonie

Saying Goodbye

Its was an amazing day yesterday. People came from all over the states to say what was needed!
Justin was an amazing child and a great friend to all. It was refreshing to see the young people, they brought life into the room. They filled his pockets with gifts for him. How hard it was to see them hurt, but how good it was for them. As for is sibling's, there are no words for the pain they feel.
Today we will celebrate his life, love and spirit we all carry in us. He is not here in body but he is alive in all of us.
Thank you all for your kind words, letters, donations, flowers. Hugs, kisses, phone calls

As a mother I cant tell you how important these things are when are grieving.
Hugs, Melonie

Saying Goodbye to Justin

Justin Doughty 1987 - 2008
Funeral services for Justin Doughty of Mountain Home, AR, will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 22, 2008 at the Salvation Army Church, with Major Jeff Daniel officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M., Thursday, August 21 at Kirby & Family Funeral Home. Justin Doughty died Monday, August 18, 2008 in Mountain Home at the age of 21. Justin was born Monday, March 30, 1987 in Kansas City, Kansas, son of George Thomas Doughty and Melanie Gibbens. He worked as a cook for El Chico's Restaurant and lived in Mountain Home. He was a member of the 2006 Graduating Class of Mountain Home High School. He loved boxing, history, baseball and driving range golf.
Survivors: Justin Doughty is survived by his mother, Melanie (Les) Thompson of Mountain Home, AR, father, George Thomas Doughty of Mountain Home, AR, paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Doughty of Mountain Home, AR, 7 brothers, George Doughty, Jr., Dylan Hargis, Michael Arens, Michael Ireton,, Alek, Nahikko and Maxim Thompson of Mountain Home, AR, 3 sisters, Tiffany Gibbens, Jami Langford , and Aubriana Thompson of Mountain Home, AR, 1 niece, Briana Gibbens of Mountain Home, AR.
Preceded in Death by: He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Robert Doughty and maternal grandparents, Wesley and Sylvia White.
Visitation: Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M., Thursday, August 21 at Kirby & Family Funeral Home.
Funeral: Funeral services for Justin Doughty of Mountain Home, AR, will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 22, 2008 at the Salvation Army Church, with Major Jeff Daniel officiating.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, an account has been established at First National Bank.

Kirby & Family Funeral & Cremation Services • E-Mail: caring@kirbyandfamily.com • www.kirbyandfamily.com600 Hospital Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653 717 Central Blvd., Bull Shoals, AR 72619(870) 425-6978 • Fax (870) 424-2441 (870) 445-4227

For You

I LOVE YOU, MOM

Graduation

Well the photos tell it all I think. The two women with me are the Boys Teacher in the middle & the Nurse that has taken care of them while they were at school!!! They have made tons of progress and we couldn't be more excited!!!

For two boys that had little to look forward to in December 2006 sure have lots going for them now. We love them and are excited to see them thrive and grow into such cute little people!

Hugs, Melonie

A Day of Reflection

Monday is a new year. Dylan will be a Senior, Sasha & Nhikko will start public special Ed. While one child is completing this phase of his education others will be moving in a new direction. We have had some wonderful help to get our boys from Estonia to a level that I am just in awww over. Sasha can sign some, he is independent in moving about the house to where when we got him if you left him in a chair and forgot to get him down he would just sit. For hours!! He loves cartoons, and will laugh so loud.
Nhikko sleeps threw the night now. When we got him he was up every 3 hours and has NEVER slept all night. He may wake to moved on his side or tummy but for the most part he will sleep.
Thank the lord, I get to sleep now. His health was so poor at times I thought he would die in the first year. But in December he will be home with us for 2 years.
My life is full, its busy, I have lots to do, and I'm very excited to have Alina coming. My grandchild went to 1st grade and I'm feeling so sad I missed it.
I have much to be thankful for and much to be sad about. This year has been I think the most trying. My oldest Son TJ should of died in a car wreck but didn't, my Son Justin has had is own struggles with his Diabetes, Jami moved away, Dylan is on his way to freedom, Aubri has had some very hard lessons to learn and Max joined our family. It has been exciting and I'm exhausted.
I have so much to be thankful for from the Lord and don't know where start. I have made new friends, and I have grown myself. In times such as this I find myself missing my Dad. Wanting to share all of the great things we have done and what we are going through. I find myself looking at Less Moms photo and wishing she was hear. Wishing I could call her in the morning while I get ready for work and talk about how things are. I miss the old and welcome the new. But, the old is safe and the new is about change. At times I think we all want it to just be. For all of you who have a parent or parents to share with is envy you. What I would do for just one more day.
Didn't they tell us that when we got to be in our 40s we would want life to slow down..... Yep I know they did!!
Life is good, change is always going to happen, children will grow and leave, and life moves so much faster when you are 40 something. What I wouldn't give to be 20 something! Oh, and whats up with this extra 15 lbs I cant seem to get off me Butt...
Hugs to you and yours, Melonie

Sick Sasha

Don't you just love the raw nose!!!! He has been sick for 3 weeks, been to the Dr. 3 times..... poor Sasha :) We have to make a run for the ER just before dinner last night. That fever was HIGH, so we got some meds and was home in the bed by 10:30

We have had a house of sick for weeks, get rid of 1 and gain 2 new bugs... can you feel the total excitement in my words mmmmm No.

But besides missing Church on Sunday we had a very productive weekend. My great friend Kris is working on my chip-in button for Alina's blog. Les has the chicken house all most done. I got stuff for the sale done. Will be going to the surgeon on Monday, oh what funnnnnnn!!!!!! for me. Have all of the school shopping done for the kids. Got lots of things marked off of my list! And if you know me you know that makes me happy. I very nervous about this adoption, it is close and I am feeling the plug of it all. I know we will be fine I have put my total trust in the Lord. He will provide:)

Hugs to all, Melonie

Riding that roller-coaster

You know the emotional one! The adoption one that makes you loose sleep. The one you feel not only for yourself. But your friends who are adopting, or wanting to adopt. The one that you ride when your Chip in button wont work yet!!!!! You know that one. I have so many irons in the fire my metal is melting.....

Thank God the weather is cooler, got all the mowing done. Not me, the guy we pay to do it. I will start moving the tables and large items for the adoption sale in the morning. And then try and do some pricing while the boys nap.

I will start my raffle on the Movies when my silly button will work.

We have white furry things and looks like she is going to have a basket of white furry things...
Baby Bunny is having some Babies of her own.... Les is making her a box and a new home for her friend. She will have them SOON!!!!!!

The barn is not done for the chickens or the dozen of Rabbits that are coming but the guys will work on it on Saturday!!!

The boys have one week left at this summer school, then off to public school the following Monday.

I have a Dr.s apt at the end of next week to re-schedule my long needed but put off operation!!
I think the pain is what is making me so tired. Then I will take a few days to go and see Tiffany & Briana. Oh how I miss that sweet Grand baby....

Then.... drum roll please.... it will be time to go get Alina. I'm told Sept-Oct.... Please pray we get the 2 grants we have applied for.

The cook book that Mrs. M is doing will be done soon. I will post it on my blog for all to look at. For the ones who have sent me photos of your children you will receive a free one:):) We couldn't do it with out you. Thank you in advance for this help... It looks amazing with the children's photos in it.

I have lots going on so if I don't call or respond to you quickly I'm sure you will understand.
I love you all.
Hugs,
Me

Sweet Nhikko

Mr. Nhikko has lost 3 teeth. 2 on the bottom and 1 on the top... He looks a little silly I think. He got a great gift from his Buddy Larry! He just loves Larry and they love to talk to each other. We may not understand what is being said but Boy they sure do:):)

Hugs, Melonie

A child forever

Today I got a phone call from Dana as she was on her way back to the hospital with little Tessa. It was nice to hear her voice and nice she allowed me to do something for her:) It is so nice to give to others, It humbles you as a person. I want people to understand how important Family is to She & Mike. I know at times others look at ( us) as in adoptive families and think we are all off our rockers... and we are but not all the time. We have our sane days too. When you have this child you have adopted you look at this baby no different than you birth children. You love them just as deep. When you adopt a child who like our Nhikko will have a life that is shorter than you wish it to be you do become guarded, you do wish you can make it all go away, you do hope and pray for that ray of sunshine each day. When you adopt a child who is sick you open up your heart for pain you never knew you could feel.

We are all made different, shape, size, color, religion, goals, hopes, dreams. You name it we are alike but different. When a child is sick we all hurt! I want you to pray deep, I want you to pray hard, I want you to pray for Tessa & her family.

I must tell you I have felt such sadness today, A good cry was what I needed to do and it did me good. I hate for any child to hurt. Continue to pray for this special family. They need all of your thoughts and prayers.
All our love to you,
Melonie

For Tessa

This came from my friend Dana's blog :( I'm very sorry that after the eye was removed I see Little Tessa will endure more :( PLEASE PRAY for this family. Not just for one but all. It must be very hard to see light at the end of this tunnel right now. Mike & Dana we just think you are amazing parent and love does con core all!!!!
The Bad News....
I guess I just couldn't bring myself to sit down at the computor for a few days to update everyone on Tessa, I guess I just had to let the "dust settle".We will return to St Judes on Tuesday and on Wed. they will do a bone scan,bone marrow aspiration, spinal tap , get a line placed and then Chemo on Thursday. Dr Galindo in his call to me last week said that he believed that the chance of dissemination (spreading) would be very minimal because the time between exams was only three weeks but he said that there is always a chance of course.He said that he was not comfortable with just removing the eye. She will have to have Chemo for 6 Mo's...it seems like an eternity when I think of it. I hope that she tolerates it as well as she did the first time around. They will be doing some switching around of the drugs t hey are going to use this time , so she may react differently.I can't tell you guys how much comfort we have just knowing that so many people are praying for her to be well and for the well being of our family. This will be a stressful time for us so please excuse me (in advance) if I don't stay in contact as much as usual or seem short...Thanks again to everyone who has prayed for Tessa and please continue. I know that God is smiling when he looks down upon Tessa, after all her middle name is Joy!!!

Sasha can chew

The trouble with this is he wont chew his food but he will his thumb!!!! Help if you can tell me why he enjoys this so. And it is a soothing thing not an anger thing. I thought that the socks would cure it somewhat???? NOP, NO, NO WAY, NOT EVEN A LITTLE. He just chews on them too. Any suggestion's would be wonderful.

Hugs, Melonie

ITS HOT IN ARKANSAS

We are cooking in AR. And not pancakes either. We have been busy with work, school shopping, building a chicken house and just trying to stay cool. So what do you do when its just to hot to even swim. Well you take photos in the truck coming home from church LOL.

Cookie Monster

I think this cookie monster is much better looking than the other one some of my older children grew up loving. The trouble with this one is he wont stop eating the cookies.... He and Daddy have milk & Cookies together after dinner... Aww so cute!!