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Isn't our God just so very awesome. He has met our needs in the most amazing ways, and we PRAISE Him !
All of the kids have grown, and Shawna grew 2 inches ! Michael and Joseph grew a little, and we all celebrated that ! Gabriela keeps just getting taller and more slender. Joshua is growing like a beanstalk - up up. Needless to say, they all needed new clothes.
Michael has many benefactors who have bought and donated new clothes, shirts, shorts, a few pants, jackets, blankets, handsewn quilts and robes, and pajamas. All very very nice. All he needs are a couple of 12 slims pants and a new belt and socks and underwear. It is just awesome awesome awesome !
While we were up in Northern California in August, we discovered Gabriela had a benefactor. She received literally an entire new wardrobe, shirts, pants, shorts, sweaters, jackets, and even bathing suits. To our amazement, EVERYTHING FIT !! Again, the only thing left we need to get her are pajamas, socks and underwear.
Joseph received many new clothes from a very loving family who has provided everything. He really only needs some button up shirts because of his surgery, and a belt. Pull over shirts will be too hard to get on for a while.
Joshua has grown soooo much that he just needed everything. He is in size 6's now ! The same loving family who has provided for Joseph has also provided immensely for Joshua. He now has many many new clothes, shirts, jackets, shorts, sweatpants, sweatshirts etc etc. The only thing he needs is a belt, and underwear.
With everyone else good for the year, we can now focus on getting Shawna new clothes. She has grown the most, and now is well into size 3T's. Some of the kids need new shoes, but all easily enough to take care of.
It has been a challenging, adventurous and exciting new year. I am so relieved to not have the expense of clothes for five growing children.
With the immense medical needs of the kids this year, it is so nice to know we have such a wonderful and loving community.
I did not list all of the families who have donated because there are too many to count. Our community has helped us immensely in our time of need. We are ever so grateful to every single one of you, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
May God Bless You !
Jennifer
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Richardson News - Surgery
Dear Friends,
Well, Michael gave us quite a scare yesterday. He was having severe chest pain, his blood pressure was high, and feeling like someone was squezzing his heart. I left work in a rush with things undone (hopefully my coworkers will be merciful and understanding). We rushed him to the doctor. At first, everyone thought he was having a heart attack. Praise God that is not the case.
Michael has Pericarditis which is an inflammation of the sac around the heart. Although it can be very uncomfortable and can affect blood pressure, it is treatable.
We have so much to do and not enough time or resources as we get ready for Joseph's surgery.
Please keep us in prayers.
We welcome anyone who would consider and is able to donate.
In these tough times, please know that we are praying for each and every one of you.
May Christ Our Savior Bless Your Journey,
Scott and Jennifer Richardson
Come join us! Help us make a difference in the lives of these children, our children.
Give a child "Hope for the Heart". Please donate. Please Make a Difference.
Find Touching Stories about our Family and all the Goings On, and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com
Find Resources and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.com
Support Special Needs and Donate at www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
Coming Soon: Academy of the Possible at www.academyofthepossible.com
Thank you for your prayers !! Thank you for all your support and prayers over the last few months !Blessings in Christ our Lord who has helped us endure, given us patience and faith, and helped us make the difference in the life of a child.
For any parent with a special needs child, adopted, biological or caretaker, you are welcome to apply to join our yahoo group. Just go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in academyofthepossible (formerly everychildmatters). We are a support system for parents and loved ones of these wonderful kids. Or click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/academyofthepossible/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Well, Michael gave us quite a scare yesterday. He was having severe chest pain, his blood pressure was high, and feeling like someone was squezzing his heart. I left work in a rush with things undone (hopefully my coworkers will be merciful and understanding). We rushed him to the doctor. At first, everyone thought he was having a heart attack. Praise God that is not the case.
Michael has Pericarditis which is an inflammation of the sac around the heart. Although it can be very uncomfortable and can affect blood pressure, it is treatable.
We have so much to do and not enough time or resources as we get ready for Joseph's surgery.
Please keep us in prayers.
We welcome anyone who would consider and is able to donate.
In these tough times, please know that we are praying for each and every one of you.
May Christ Our Savior Bless Your Journey,
Scott and Jennifer Richardson
Come join us! Help us make a difference in the lives of these children, our children.
Give a child "Hope for the Heart". Please donate. Please Make a Difference.
Find Touching Stories about our Family and all the Goings On, and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com
Find Resources and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.com
Support Special Needs and Donate at www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
Coming Soon: Academy of the Possible at www.academyofthepossible.com
Thank you for your prayers !! Thank you for all your support and prayers over the last few months !Blessings in Christ our Lord who has helped us endure, given us patience and faith, and helped us make the difference in the life of a child.
For any parent with a special needs child, adopted, biological or caretaker, you are welcome to apply to join our yahoo group. Just go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in academyofthepossible (formerly everychildmatters). We are a support system for parents and loved ones of these wonderful kids. Or click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/academyofthepossible/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Monday, September 22, 2008
"Hope for the Heart"
Dear Friends,
Our Lord is faithful to bring us through all of this. Please pray especially on October 2 next week as Joseph undergoes open heart surgery.
We are raising money for our special needs children. All of whom are delightful and bring "Hope for the Heart" in the way they never give up.
After struggling with infertility going on 10 years now, we have five children all through adoption. We have three boys and two girls ages 12, 10, 7, 5 and 2. This year has been wrought with struggles and challenges. We had three of our children diagnosed with major lifelong disorders in the past year alone. Two of our children are now facing tremendous odds in their health - Joseph and Michael.
Shawna our youngest is our healthy little monkey, and was born here in the United States.
Gabriela was born in the Ukraine and adopted at the age of 6 years old. This year she was diagnosed in the past year with Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and takes regular medication and has on-going follow up.
Joshua is 5 years old, and was born in Estonia. Joseph is 7 years old, and also born in Estonia. Joseph and Joshua are biological brothers and became part of our famly March this year 2008 at the ages of 6 and 4 years. Joseph has FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), Transposition of the Major Vessels (which means the two major vessels to the heart were backwards), possible loss of hearing, Cognitive Delays, Speech and Language Delays, Developmental Delays, Learning Disability, Microcephaly (his brain is the size of an 11 month old), Craniostenosis (his skull is no longer growing), Short Stature (he is not growing) and takes regular medication. Joseph had two open heart surgeries as an infant to repair Atrial Septal Defect (a hole in the wall of the upper chambers), Ventricular Septal Defect (a hole in the wall of the lower chambers) and the Transposition of the Major Vessels. His heart was repaired in two open heart surgeries as an infant which included creating a tunnel between the top chambers of his heart in order for the blood to get oxygen. He now has atrophy in the left ventricle and enlargement of the heart with reduced function of the right ventricle. Joseph also has problems with his rhythm which are potentially life threatening because the node in the top chambers of his heart which controls electrical activity does not work properly.
Joseph needs surgery ! Joseph's life expectancy is only 12 years, and he is already 7 years old. He has chest pain every day and has to modify his activity to accommodate his heart. He is a delightful and lively child who loves everyone and loves to be the center of attention. Joseph does not like to sit down or stop, and does not want to miss anything. In order to give Joseph a chance at a long life, he will need four (4) upcoming open heart surgeries. This first is scheduled October 2, 2008, and the goal is to repair his declining heart over the next 2-3 years. He will also be receiving a pacemaker and will require open heart surgery every 7 to 10 years to replace it. Joseph is also on regular heart medication and on-going follow ups. Another struggle Joseph faces is growth. He will be starting on growth hormones which will be very important to help him start growing including to help his heart grow. This is very important to the success of the heart surgeries. This gives him the chance to live a long normal healthy life, possibly to as old as 60 years old. Without these life-saving operations, Joseph will most likely be dead within five years. He has no other options.
Michael needs treatment and medication. Michael is our 12 years old and was born in Kazakshtan. We adopted Michael at 6 years old with Cerebral Palsy. Michael is treated for his cerebral palsy at Shriner's Hospital of LA. Michael also has Auditory Processing Disorder, Short Stature, Cognitive and Developmental Delays, and Speech and Language Delays. In April of this year 2008, Michael got very very sick and ended up in the hospital diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Evan's Syndrome where the body attacks the factors in his blood including his white blood cells (part of the immune system), red blood cells, and platelets (which allow the body to form clots to stop bleeding). Michael's body also forms antibodies which attack his Thyroid. Thrombocytopenia and Hemolytic Anemia are part of Evan's Syndrome. There is so little known about Evan's Syndrome that the doctors are still trying to understand the scope of this disease. Michael also has Lupus, was recently diagnosed with Secondary Autism, Periventricular Leukomalacia (an abnormality of the brain where areas of the brain are dead), Hypoplasia of the Corpus Callosum (where the fibers that connect the brain are two thin or two few), and an on-going Gastrointestinal Disorder. Michael also takes regular medication, gets weekly labs, and on-going follow ups with every specialty because of the complicated nature of his medical conditions. Michael will also be starting growth hormone injections to help his body begin growing and jumpstart him into puberty. This is important in order for the growth plates in the bones to become solid. We found out just this week that Michael is now having trouble with his heart and his kidneys. The doctors will be doing more testing to determine how much trouble he is having. Michael is spilling protein and other things in his urine that came back very abnormal, and has been having chest pain and episodes where his heart races and pounds.
Come join us! Help us make a difference in the lives of these children, our children.
Give a child "Hope for the Heart". Please donate. Please Make a Difference.
Thank you for listening to our story.
Find Touching Stories and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com
Find Resources and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.com
Support Special Needs and Donate at www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
Coming Soon: Academy of the Possible at www.academyofthepossible.com
Thank you for your prayers !! Thank you for all your support and prayers over the last few months !Blessings in Christ our Lord who has helped us endure, given us patience and faith, and helped us make the difference in the life of a child.
May Christ Our Savior Bless Your Journey,
Scott and Jennifer Richardson
For any parent with a special needs child, adopted, biological or caretaker, you are welcome to apply to join our yahoo group. Just go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in academyofthepossible (formerly everychildmatters). We are a support system for parents and loved ones of these wonderful kids. Or click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/academyofthepossible/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Our Lord is faithful to bring us through all of this. Please pray especially on October 2 next week as Joseph undergoes open heart surgery.
We are raising money for our special needs children. All of whom are delightful and bring "Hope for the Heart" in the way they never give up.
After struggling with infertility going on 10 years now, we have five children all through adoption. We have three boys and two girls ages 12, 10, 7, 5 and 2. This year has been wrought with struggles and challenges. We had three of our children diagnosed with major lifelong disorders in the past year alone. Two of our children are now facing tremendous odds in their health - Joseph and Michael.
Shawna our youngest is our healthy little monkey, and was born here in the United States.
Gabriela was born in the Ukraine and adopted at the age of 6 years old. This year she was diagnosed in the past year with Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and takes regular medication and has on-going follow up.
Joshua is 5 years old, and was born in Estonia. Joseph is 7 years old, and also born in Estonia. Joseph and Joshua are biological brothers and became part of our famly March this year 2008 at the ages of 6 and 4 years. Joseph has FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), Transposition of the Major Vessels (which means the two major vessels to the heart were backwards), possible loss of hearing, Cognitive Delays, Speech and Language Delays, Developmental Delays, Learning Disability, Microcephaly (his brain is the size of an 11 month old), Craniostenosis (his skull is no longer growing), Short Stature (he is not growing) and takes regular medication. Joseph had two open heart surgeries as an infant to repair Atrial Septal Defect (a hole in the wall of the upper chambers), Ventricular Septal Defect (a hole in the wall of the lower chambers) and the Transposition of the Major Vessels. His heart was repaired in two open heart surgeries as an infant which included creating a tunnel between the top chambers of his heart in order for the blood to get oxygen. He now has atrophy in the left ventricle and enlargement of the heart with reduced function of the right ventricle. Joseph also has problems with his rhythm which are potentially life threatening because the node in the top chambers of his heart which controls electrical activity does not work properly.
Joseph needs surgery ! Joseph's life expectancy is only 12 years, and he is already 7 years old. He has chest pain every day and has to modify his activity to accommodate his heart. He is a delightful and lively child who loves everyone and loves to be the center of attention. Joseph does not like to sit down or stop, and does not want to miss anything. In order to give Joseph a chance at a long life, he will need four (4) upcoming open heart surgeries. This first is scheduled October 2, 2008, and the goal is to repair his declining heart over the next 2-3 years. He will also be receiving a pacemaker and will require open heart surgery every 7 to 10 years to replace it. Joseph is also on regular heart medication and on-going follow ups. Another struggle Joseph faces is growth. He will be starting on growth hormones which will be very important to help him start growing including to help his heart grow. This is very important to the success of the heart surgeries. This gives him the chance to live a long normal healthy life, possibly to as old as 60 years old. Without these life-saving operations, Joseph will most likely be dead within five years. He has no other options.
Michael needs treatment and medication. Michael is our 12 years old and was born in Kazakshtan. We adopted Michael at 6 years old with Cerebral Palsy. Michael is treated for his cerebral palsy at Shriner's Hospital of LA. Michael also has Auditory Processing Disorder, Short Stature, Cognitive and Developmental Delays, and Speech and Language Delays. In April of this year 2008, Michael got very very sick and ended up in the hospital diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Evan's Syndrome where the body attacks the factors in his blood including his white blood cells (part of the immune system), red blood cells, and platelets (which allow the body to form clots to stop bleeding). Michael's body also forms antibodies which attack his Thyroid. Thrombocytopenia and Hemolytic Anemia are part of Evan's Syndrome. There is so little known about Evan's Syndrome that the doctors are still trying to understand the scope of this disease. Michael also has Lupus, was recently diagnosed with Secondary Autism, Periventricular Leukomalacia (an abnormality of the brain where areas of the brain are dead), Hypoplasia of the Corpus Callosum (where the fibers that connect the brain are two thin or two few), and an on-going Gastrointestinal Disorder. Michael also takes regular medication, gets weekly labs, and on-going follow ups with every specialty because of the complicated nature of his medical conditions. Michael will also be starting growth hormone injections to help his body begin growing and jumpstart him into puberty. This is important in order for the growth plates in the bones to become solid. We found out just this week that Michael is now having trouble with his heart and his kidneys. The doctors will be doing more testing to determine how much trouble he is having. Michael is spilling protein and other things in his urine that came back very abnormal, and has been having chest pain and episodes where his heart races and pounds.
Come join us! Help us make a difference in the lives of these children, our children.
Give a child "Hope for the Heart". Please donate. Please Make a Difference.
Thank you for listening to our story.
Find Touching Stories and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com
Find Resources and Donate at www.richardsonstudios.com
Support Special Needs and Donate at www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
Coming Soon: Academy of the Possible at www.academyofthepossible.com
Thank you for your prayers !! Thank you for all your support and prayers over the last few months !Blessings in Christ our Lord who has helped us endure, given us patience and faith, and helped us make the difference in the life of a child.
May Christ Our Savior Bless Your Journey,
Scott and Jennifer Richardson
For any parent with a special needs child, adopted, biological or caretaker, you are welcome to apply to join our yahoo group. Just go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in academyofthepossible (formerly everychildmatters). We are a support system for parents and loved ones of these wonderful kids. Or click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/academyofthepossible/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Update on Michael
Please keep Michael in your prayers. His blood work came up with some new abnormal labs. They are checking his kidneys and heart again.
Jennifer
Jennifer
Update on Joseph's Heart Surgery
Well, we are nearing a week away from Joseph's heart surgery. His surgery is October 2, 2008, and all the preop testing is October 1, 2008. We will be leaving a few days before that to get settled. We were fortunate to have someone watching the house and dogs while we are gone. That's a good thing. God has blessed us with little bits here and there from loving and generous people to help with the cost of gas. We cannot afford the expensive hotels of the area, the hospital can't get that much of a discount so that didn't help, Ronald McDonald house and the executive director said they just cannot help us and don't have the space. We tried retreat centers who simply said they could not accommodate us. We are beginning to feel like Joseph ad Mary at the Inn - I'm sorry there's just no room. We considered an RV, but the ones we could get if we sold Scott's car just need way tooooo much work and would not be reliable on the road.
So, we are going camping !!! Joseph will be in the hospital until we can go home, and the kids will love it. We found a nice camping ground not too far from the hospital. It is a reasonable drive. It has flush toilets and hot showers. Most days we will be at the hospital, so we probably won't be doing a tremendous amount of camp cooking. But at least we have a camp stove from our previous camping trip years ago.
I promise to take pictures.
We are still taking donations to help with the cost of gas. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous with their time, their talents, their finances, and their things.
God is good !
Jennifer Richardson
Please check out our website and our store !!!
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
So, we are going camping !!! Joseph will be in the hospital until we can go home, and the kids will love it. We found a nice camping ground not too far from the hospital. It is a reasonable drive. It has flush toilets and hot showers. Most days we will be at the hospital, so we probably won't be doing a tremendous amount of camp cooking. But at least we have a camp stove from our previous camping trip years ago.
I promise to take pictures.
We are still taking donations to help with the cost of gas. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous with their time, their talents, their finances, and their things.
God is good !
Jennifer Richardson
Please check out our website and our store !!!
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.shop.richardsonstudios.com
Friday, September 5, 2008
An artists view - the eye
Michael's
Shawna's
Josh's
Joseph's
I took all these photos of the kids eyes while we were up in Northern Ca for Joseph's medical testing and 1st surgery.
The last of the baptism pictures.
Mommy holding Shawna and dad.
Fr. Joe provided Joseph an emergency baptism. We had been steadily watching Joseph have more and more heart trouble, more and more chest pain, more and more rhythm problems and having to rest more.
We were all rather concerned and also waiting for the process for surgery and dates.
The ladies at the church at St. Thomas the Apostle were blessings and each one blessed Joseph on his head.
HAPPY BAPTISM JOSEPH !!
Joseph's Baptism Pictures...
This is a beautiful status in the alcove.
These were the pictures we were able to take.
Here are all the kids. The looked so pretty.
Fr. Joe just before we got started.
Fr. Joe and Joseph in back, and in front the boy who is holding the Easter Candle.
The Easter Candle
This was the Easter Candle held at Joseph's Baptism !
I thought it was particularly beautiful.
My batteries gave out of all times in the middle of the baptism.
We were blessed to have the ladies who run the vacation bible school offer to take pictures for us.
They sent us all these pictures !
Isn't God awesome how he works through the generosity of others.
We were blessed.
Joseph's Baptism - More Pictures...
Even Jesus was first baptized in water...
Joseph thought getting his head wet was great fun !
As we all listen and watch and are blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit !
Mommy and Joseph !
Joseph's Baptism Pictures Are Finally Here !!!
Joseph is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
It was held outside in the alcove where the is a beautiful statue of Mary holding the baby Jesus.
The weather was perfect, the grass green, and the tree offered up perfect shade.
Prayers are said.
All of the children from the Vacation Bible School sang a song to Joseph about how much God loves us.
Our very blessed family with Fr Joe who performed Joseph's baptism
I just love this picture of all of us.
The boy standing next to Fr. Joe on the left in the back is from the Vacation Bible School kindly held the Easter Candle during the whole ceremony !
Then there is Gabriela, me, Scott and Shawna.
In front is Joseph, Joshua, and Michael.
Joseph (age 7) and Fr. Joe at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
Yook, yook
Shawna's favorite word right now is "Yook, yook" when she wants you to look at something. Then she slowly pulls you by one finger to see what it is that is so interesting. It is fun watching her learn new words. She said to Scott tonight "Daddy, my tummy still hungwy. My tummy still hungwy. Please mo food." Who could say no to that !
Jennifer
Jennifer
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