Ms. Jami Lee

All grown up and moved far away.
Miss you and hope you will call to check in with us!!!!

Love you, Us

For Mom

For you who have or had your Mom you are blessed. My Mom died at age 30:( I do miss her and wish she could of seen my beautiful babies. And I so wish that les's Mom was still here with us. We miss her so...

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO PLAN TO BE GREAT MOMS, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE GREAT MOMS, THOSE WHO HAVE GREAT MOMS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAD GREAT MOMS...


Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of shag carpets. Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade... It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mom to Mother...



4 YEARS OF AGE- My Mom can do anything !

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She doesn't know ANYTHING!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Thank you Anitta

Mrs. Anitta is a very dear friend and Max's God Mother. She is a person who thinks of others before she thinks of herself, she is a christian woman with a passion to be more like the Lord wants us to be.
We have a full size bed in Alina's room and that would be fine. But I wanted to put 2 twin size beds in her room. Then when she comes home I could sleep with her in her room for some days till she feels safe a secure. So with me just talking about it Ms. Anitta called and said she had a new twin bed in her guest room that has not been used and we had a futon in our family room we were going to sale. She said lets just trade. We saved 200.oo bucks and she still has a place for a guest to sleep. She got us a phone you plug into the wall not a cordless in the case we lost power we would have no way to call in the case of a emergency. And the list goes on. She does so much for me and my family I don't know how I could ever begin to Thank her.
When someone is a true friend who loves you and you love them its a wonderful feeling.
Dana has been my friend since the 5Th grade!!!!! Boy am I old, when Les and I got Married she flew from MI to KS to be in our wedding, I don't get to talk to her daily like I do Anitta but I do enjoy the emails and photos we share with each other. Having friends in life are a blessing, for the special things they do for us, for the shoulders we cry on, the joys we share together, the laughter we enjoy with each other, the pain we can share and the memories we make.
THANK YOU for being such an amazing person, We love our Itta,
Hugs, US

Wheres Nhikko been

Nhikko has been very busy this month. Hes been to see the lung Dr. at ACH and had another sleep study, been to the ER for his funky rash:) He has some skin missing from the probes they glue on you for your sleep study, Glad we aren't taking Family photos this weekend huh... I get lots of private questions about him and I don't mind them so I thought for all who are afraid we will be offended we will just share...Nhikko was adopted 12/06 from Estonia. He was 4 yrs old and his weight was 9 lbs. No they were not starving him. He cant swallow so all the liquid was going into his lungs. Why he was not dead was beyond any one's knowledge. He has C.P. and a seizure disorder that is not under control not from lack of trying. He is blind, has cranial deformity, poor tone, bad teeth, microvasive feed button. braces for his hands and legs. Takes more meds than most 80 years old people!!!! BUT, he is an awesome little boy. He loves us and we love him. He will laugh when the other children get in trouble or the dogs get the paper after them. He can say Hi.... He now can roll from front to back and hold his head up for 3 or so minutes. And hes a fat boy at 38 lbs. Hes put on 29 lbs. since he came home. I know hes not going to play sports or win the spelling bee but he wins hearts everywhere he goes. People stare at times and I just smile at them, children are the most fun when they want to ask but Mom will say Shhhh. So I say to them "he looks different" huh. Do you want to talk to him. And most do..

I know that these children are left to die in most countries and Im so sad when I see them on the web sight. It breaks my heart. People ask why would you adopt a child like him. Its easy, We all deserve to be loved, He could be you or I and what would it be like for us.

I know that he wont live forever, I wont either. I know my heart will break when he is gone, It wont be easy. I know I love him and if I wouldn't of went back to that orphanage to get him I would of never forgiven myself and I know Les wouldn't of either. I know when it rains I think its God crying for children like Nhikko. If you have never opened your heart to adopt a child with special needs and God is calling you to do so I ask you to think about it and pray about it before you decided to close that chapter of your life. If he were a child of birth to you could you not love him then. Its amazing how we can become a better person and learn so much but a word is never spoken:) We will be devastated when he is in Heaven but happy he was so loved.

Hugs, Melonie

Alina

Im ready to go. My bags are not packed but hers are. Her room is full of garage sale stuff that I will start pricing next week. I will start fundraising next week. I'm going to be in full swing and geared up for this to be done with. The clock is ticking till court and I'm going to be up for the journey and have all my ducks in a row so I can leave this nest to go get another. I'm in full swing and I'm so excited that we will travel SOON... (S) will be back with news and info for me and then I will take it all in so I can lay in bed and not sleep...lol

Then after all this is done plus a quick operation for myself I will go to Kansas to see my GB and Tiffany. Then court will be open again and it will be time to hit the sky.

I'm just in ahhh at the joy of seeing everyone will bring to my heart.

Hugs, Melonie

Max home 5 months

So, has a family and love changed Max any????

Thank you God for our Max. Please pray for the children who will never have the chance Max has been given. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
Have you told the people whom you love that you "love them" today!!!!

I love you all and think about you daily even if I don't get to talk to you or tell you.

Hugs, Melonie ( Mom)

Praying for Tessa

To all of you who read my blog I ask you to PRAY FOR TESSA NOW. If you go and look at my fav. blogs you will find Mike & Dana's blog and you can go and see this beautiful little girl Tessa. She will be having her eye removed on Friday. Tessa has eye cancer and was doing well but as I hear now she must have this taken out:(:( I'm very sad when a child is sick. Mike & Dana are just awesome parents who have adopted 8 children all under the age of 8. And you all thought we were crazy lol lol.
Please know we love you guys and are praying for this to pass. For it to be what needs to be done so she can and will have a better tomorrow.
All are love to you guys,
HUGS,,,,,
Les & Melonie

Sleep

Yes, I got some great sleep last night.... It was wonderful. Les is home from ACH with Nhikko. Sashas new rash is gone but I kept him home. Max still has a temp but he only woke up 2 times last night. So I think we are on the road to recovery!!!!!
Everyone is napping with the exception of Sasha who never will nap. (is it because he has DS) Do other with children who are downsey not get them to nap either. My older children still would like to nap I'm sure. We are nap people. NOT SASHA.
So, Thank you for all of your thought and prayers. We are thankful to all.
Hugs to you and yours, Melonie

Max is still sick

Max is still sooo sick. After 2.5 days of meds he still has a high temp, wont eat or drink to call it little to nothing. I just gave him more Motrin and he is cooking. Looks like we will be visiting the ER if not the DR in the am. Poor baby:(:(

Please pray for a very special person who is on her way to Estonia right now this minute she is in flight. She is going to visit a child who is close to where our Alina is. Pray that she will have smooth travel, she will be safe for she is alone & that if this adoption is to be it will. God has his hand placed on my heart for her and she is just an all around awesome person. She is beautiful inside and out. I know when I met Alina for the first time I loved her that instant. How this happens I'm not sure but you know one of the first things I want to ask God when I see him is. HOW... how do we know that you are supposed to be mine.... you just do. For you (S) I am praying for you... Thank you for thinking of Alina and us to get her a gift:):):) Hugs, Melonie

Just Us

We are for the most part just plain boring people at times. The boys love to be read to and are idea of free entertainment is to watch Max try and ride a beagle dog for the fun of it. Sadie, Baby & Katie think it fun too. But they like it most when Max shares his food with them. Its so nice they just line up and sit pretty so Max can toss them a snack..... Well until I see it and then they run for cover.

A weekend of sick

Friday day Max went to see the Dr. Then Friday after Nhikko got off the bus he went to the ER. Then Max was up all night Saturday with a fever and cough and crying. So he and Daddy made a trip to the ER Sunday morning. Boy I'm tired. Nhikko is better rash is gone but Max will be home from PS on Monday. He got a new book and an automobile as he calls them:):) He is just a doll baby. His little face is just so round and full!!!

I guess since he likes it in Arkansas we will HAVE to keep him huh :):)

Hugs, Melonie

For Alina

For you Alina,
I think of you everyday, I wonder how you are. If you are sad or hungry. How you are feeling and what you could be thinking. If you are having a good summer and if you are still excited about us coming for you. There is lots of stuff going on and I wish you were home to enjoy it with us. I'm sad it has taken me so long to come for you. Ive been home with Max 4 months and I wanted you to be here by now. I know you have been waiting for a family for a long time and I promise it will be worth the wait.

Lots of times in life people let us down, and I'm sure you know all about this. We hope we never let you down. Not in away that you cant get through it and be forgiving. We all make poor choices in life. And when we do and learn from it it makes us a better person. I think people need to start learning and be more giving and less selfish.

I just know you are going to be something you'll be proud of. Your going to grow and be a wonderful person, friend, mother, wife, sister, daughter. You are going to be just who God needs you to be, Yourself. Nothing more, Nothing less.
We love you, Us

Adoption Disruption

This word has come up LOTS. And families are doing it more and more. If your going to adopt a child with special needs, medical or emotional. DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST. You owe them time, commitment, years before you decide this is not what you want. How nice it is to just say sorry to much work for me. And then their are the people who should of never adopted in the first place because they are disturbing their real children..... Real.... what that..... like birth....well I guess half of my children are just make believe.....please don't tell Uncle Sam, okay. For I do claim them on my real taxes...... mmmmmm........ you think.

Please it all is making me sick.
Melonie

The Face of a Child

Water Baby

LOOK, Its a water baby.... He & Sasha love the water. We live 1.8 miles from the lake so we do enjoy it often. Max finds joy in all things big and small. Even wet wood has something to offer a 3 year old.

He had a very busy weekend so when he came home from school today he wanted to go to bed.

NOT, going to happen at 4pm.

For those of you who are still on idle mode with your adoption, just know it is so worth the wait. He is such an awesome little boy, yes he is busy, and needy and throws some fits and is a brat at times. But he is our brat and we wouldn't take him any other way. I just wonder what he is thinking:):) Hugs, Max's Mom

Adoption Money ( Movies)

I will be putting a donation button on my blog. Because we will be doing some small fundraising this way and one of the first things we will be using is this awesome set of children movies. The set has 13 movies, all new with the exception on #6 has been opened ( Aubri thought she could watch them) She didn't know not to do this. I assure you it is fine it just has the foil off of it. The movies are by Cherub Wings and are for ages 3-7 years old. They are 25 minutes long and I think would be ideal for a Sunday school class, introducing you new adopted child to the Lord. Or just a wonderful addition to your movie collection. We bought this set of movies for 125.00 It was from some Missionary's who were from Chili and they use the funds to support the children. To share the wonderful words of the Bible with street children and the families the come into contact with. You can view these movies in English or Spanish language tracks. So spread the word for me. I will have these and more item ready by next week. Happy Fundraising:):):)

Melonie

Company,Charlott & Crew

As you can see from the photos the children had lots of fun at the lake. With the exception of Max bobbin on the bottom of the lake. Max cant swim nor is he afraid of water. We now have the LIFE jacket out and waiting for him. Sasha couldn't go with. He and Max would be more than one person could handle..... They are water boys.
It was nice meeting Charlotte since we talk daily on the phone and via e-mails. Adoption opens a wonderful world for all families. We get to make new friends, share are hopes and our dreams for our children and find support through difficult times. I know that Lori & Dana have been such a support to me when I felt others wouldn't understand. So for the people who are just starting your adoption, who have done adoption and the person who will never do an adoption but want to help others or just be a silent reader, Thanks for being a part of someones life. All of the children in these photos are adopted and what fun they are. And how do we Love them let us count the ways:):):)
Hugs, Melonie & Gang

The Little People

Count Down

The clock is ticking and the boys are napping. Well with the exception of Nhikko, he is feeding and that takes and hour. I have been told the Little people are coming to Northern Central Arkansas. We have a BBQ planned for tonight, a trip to the fish hatchery, Lake Norfork is 1.8 miles from us and don't forget the white river!!!!!
Oh, and I have a broken hand.... ouch. To be continued on the cause.
Hugs, Melonie

Grant Money Letter :(:(

No money.... Gods grace adoption Ministry said No. They cant help. So onto another application. We will get a grant I know this and I will not give up. So cross your fingers and say a prayer for us PLEASE. She is our child and that's, That...
Hugs, Melonie

Just for Today

It has been a busy couple of days but it has been more overwhelming than anything else. God tells us we should " Fear not for I am with you" I know this and I know it is true. And I know we should never compare sufferings. And I'm not. But if any of you have an older child that DRIVES YOU NUTS!!!!! Then you know what I'm talking about. I hate to say " I told you so" or when are you going to learn or grow up or la lal al alalalallaalalal. I love all my children but some days:(:(:(: You get my point. On with great news. We are being taken over on Saturday by little people. Little Asian people who are my FAVORITE. Keep watching for photos still to come!!!! It feel so weird to be at home today with no Max:( So I guess Ill take a shower and head to the food pantry at church to have some fun. Please pray for Me and my son TJ, we are not on best of terms right now due to choices he is making. I love him and need this to be a growing experience for him.
Hugs, Melonie

Max goes to school

Mr. Max goes to pre-school... Yes he LOVES it!!!!

And Ms. Anitta came to see him off, (Itta) is her name just ask Max. Nurse Rachel had to get a hug and if Mommy took 1 more picture of him he was going to hide. And Daddy had to show up for the party too. He looked so cute. I think Les & I took separate cars so we could cry alone lol lol.

He has been home 4 months so it was time to cut A apron string and let him go to school. Its not like they don't know us and know we will be in just to peek in on him.

Hugs, Melonie

Happy Birthday Tiffany

Daughter

She's a little bit of sunshine,She's a smile to light your days,She will steal your heart and keep it with her warm endearing ways,She's your precious little daughter,With a sweetness from above Who will fill your years with laughter, And fill your heart with love.

Look who is 25 today:):) Yes my gorgeous daughter Tiffany De Lynne. She is my very first child. She was a wonderful baby and a sweet little girl. She was a helper and a loving sister. She is now a awesome mother and a great friend. But most of all she is a beautiful person!!! I wish I could go back 25 years and hold her for the first time and just be her mommy for a day.

Tiffany I love you and am so proud of all you have accomplished in your life.

Mom

Playing Hard

All play & no work makes for a very fun day. Plus, we didnt nap and had another BBQ. Oh my how could I keep up after all that food. Well unless your name is Sasha... Max has been home 4 months today. He is for sure " the good stuff in my life" .........Melonie

For You

The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Boy's Big & Little

Like Father, like Sons! They mimic all of his actions, laugh, body expressions. They are true Daddy's Boys.... Its SO nice to have them follow him around and not me!!!!!!! Be careful what you wish for huh.

Last night I dreamed about Alina all night. She was excited she was being adopted and full of smiles in my dreams. She was so happy we were in Estonia to be picking her up.

I think when you adopt an older child you hope they will love you as much as you love them. I hope she will enjoy her new family and her new home. I do worry she might not. I'm sure this is normal of most adopting parents but its more of a reality when they are older. I need to pray for peace so I can sleep:)

Hugs to all, Mel

Friends & Food

Happy 4th of July to all. We ate TOOOO much as Im sure you all did also! It was nice to just have a day to enjoy each other and the Kids.

Hugs to all, Mel

From Alina

Re: Hi
Friday, July 4, 2008 9:07 AM
From:
"Алина Мирежина"
To:
meloniethompson@yahoo.com

okey....a love you..

Cats out of the Bag

Today is the day that everyone finds out that we are adopting Alina. Why not before now, Well when I came home from Estonia on March the 6th I was so excited how Alina and I matched so well. Les was excited about Alina and so was Aubri & Dylan. Then Alina decided she didn't want to be adopted because she felt she was not being a good Daughter to her birth mother. I understood, I was sooo sad but I wanted her to think things threw, to pray about it, to make sure she knew what she was walking away from. A chance to have a family that would love her, an education, a home not a orphanage, holidays with a family, sibling's that will love her, a Church and a church family that will encourage her. The list goes on. She went to summer holiday and is now back, and since that time I have got 2 emails from her and 1 from the orphanage saying she is WAITING for us to COME!!!!!! I wanted to make sure this was going to happen, She was truly admitting to herself and others she is and wants to be our Daughter. And she does. She is excited in every way about this adoption. And we are now ready to share with everyone. It is our hope that all of our Family and Friends will be excited about this news and be supportive as well. The first question people ask is why, Its simple. If I were pregnant and I wanted to get an abortion more than half of you would be calling me up or at my front door saying " what you are doing is wrong" Right..... For people who adopt more than one child the world or some people have to put there 2 cents in. Just don't, just be happy for us, love us, support our choice and our right to be an adoptive parent. To make a difference in her life.
When I was 11 years old my Mother died. I went to Colorado to live with my Great Uncle & Aunt. They were older, all of their children were gone. I'm sure that I was no joy to have in a home that had been kid free for many years. But they took me into a home where I knew I was loved and cared for. Now as a adult I see what a Hugh difference they made in my life. They gave me anything I wanted this is true but my Uncle Bob & Aunt Jo loved me. Can we all say that we knew we were loved. We are not perfect parents, we will never be nor do we want to be. But having the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life. It fills your cup up over and over. Can we all say that just today we, you, us, I, me, made a difference in 1 persons life.
I hope you find the drive in life that makes you move mountains, that takes you to a different level with yourself and with God. That allows you to give and not worry about what you may receive.
We love Alina just as we love all of the children. And we know you will too. We pray that you will be a positive and supportive about this decision we have mad.
Hugs, Les & Melonie

Summer Fun

Max and Haylee having fun with the lego zoo. Max likes having someone to play with while Sasha & Nhikko are in summer school. She is a great help to me and we enjoy her staying with us in the day so Max has more than just Mommy to climb on!!!!

Justin out of BRMC

Justin got to go home from the Hospital today:):)

He spent two days in due to his blood sugar was 497!!!!! Just a little high Huh... Glad he is better and back on his feet again.

Luv you Justin, Mom