She's getting her spunk back!!
The decision of when to operate is a tricky one for adoptive families with special needs. Some parents have no choice due to the severity of their child's condition and must operate right away, others are able to wait until bonding is secure, and many just need to monitor their children for several years before or if ever intervening surgically.
The extent of Chloe's condition was unknown for several months. Upon bringing Chloe home, we had several appointments with various specialists. Her nephrologist was able to find the right dosage of medicines that balanced out her body allowing her to feel "normal". This specialist said that Chloe would have felt horrible all the time as evidenced by her blood work. I am so thankful for the time we had with Chloe before the operation. Time of her feeling really good. We learned during this time that our little girl was quite the Spark Plug!
The information we received about Chloe prior to adopting her was that she was introverted. When we were able to bring her home, we learned she was quite the teaser. She is able to stand toe to toe with the male teenagers in the house as well as with her dad. She is always playing tricks and she keeps us laughing. She loves to giggle and the melodious laugh of hers is like glass tinkling. I am so thankful for the time we had to bond and get to know her before she was hospitalized for 22 days.
Chloe is doing great. She is able to slowly climb stairs now. She has ventured out to the play ground and bravely climbs the ladder to take a fast exit from the tree house down the slide. She has begun to hug, kiss and tell us she loves again.
We were told this would be a 3 month recovery process and we are right on track. We have all grown during the past month. You learn you can handle a lot more than you think. I think the most important thing stressed to us again and again is that the most important thing is not the home you live in, cars you drive, clothes you wear, how much money is in the bank, but the love you give. Through loving Chloe and bringing her into our family we have received way more than we have given.
Greg and I are facing many changes in our lives now and in the next year. Lots of uncertainty but we seek to give more love and bring more children home. A desire we have clung to for over a year.
I have never been one to have lots of desires. However, as my life unfolds I find my Lord giving me the desires of my heart that I never asked from Him. As I child, I had a silly crush on John Denver and wanted to live in Colorado. Until we moved here to Black Forest, Colorado, I had forgotten that desire. When Greg and I first talked about having kids, I wanted to adopt but it was not an option at the time. Twelve years later, Greg out of the blue asks me what I think about adoption. I could go on and on.....
Today I have decided to surrender my desire for adoption to the Lord. My desire to become more of the person He wants me to be is much greater. I am told it is okay to still want this for our family. God has put desire in our hearts. We were made to desire and and it is His hope that we will chose to desire Him more than anything else. We lose our way when our desire for food, alcohol, drugs, money, etc... is used to fill that great longing in our heart. A God size longing that can never be filled with things of this kingdom but only of a Heavenly Kingdom.
So, starting today I will strive foremost to be a spark plug like our little Chloe for my Lord and in the process lead Chloe to do the same with that ever learning, developing, and growing glow in her heart that has lead us to think of her as our Spark Plug.
I will allow God to do what He wills with my desire for two little boys.
Many Blessings
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