I always knew you were sweet...

Michael also appears that he may be developing diabetes according to his endocrinologist as his blood sugars have been 188. We pray for more healing; Michael does not need this either.

Michael was also recently diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasia which causes his body to overheat easily because he cannot control his body temperature well and does not sweat. This also is one of the causes of Michael's seizures.

We are selling items as part of a fundraiser to raise enough money to move to Orange County where it is cooler.

Please check out our website and blog.

Thank you for your prayers.
Jennifer
www.richardsonstudios.com

You have a large heart because you have loved large...

Michael also will be undergoing testing because the cardiologist (heart doctor) believes he has pulmonary hypertension causing his heart to race, chest pain and shortness of breath that we see after he plays and is active. The high pressure in the arteries of the lungs causes higher pressure and strain on the heart which can cause heart failure. Michael is very well aware of the symptoms and what this does as he has seen Joseph struggle with this disease as he needs oxygen to help him do simple things and playing for Joseph can sometimes be hard. We pray for healing that Michael would not have this disease.

Jennifer
www.richardsonstudios.com

Dear Michael

Dear Michael,

Thank you for allowing me to be your mom. Adopting you and being your mom was one of the best things ever to happen to me in my life. Your life has purpose because your simple presence in my life and being my son healed a part of my heart that no one else could fill.

Now that you are in my heart, you will never leave it.

Mom

The Gift of Sight

Michael had more doctor appointments today. I feel like we are constantly asking for prayers, mostly because we constantly need them. Michael was diagnosed with posterior cataracts today. Fortunately, it is in the early stages and he can still see well enough, even though he is already having symptoms such as difficulty reading and light sensitivity. Unfortunately, the particular kind of cataracts he has can make seeing the most difficult of all the types out there. Hopefully, prayerfully, Michael will retain his vision for a long time without the need for repeated surgeries. The opthalmologist (eye doctor) will keep a close eye on him with frequent checkups. Mostly, we ask for prayer for healing and peace for Michael; the prospect of losing his vision in this manner is upsetting to him.

Thank you Lord for the gift of sight that you have given to Michael.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com

What is Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts?

I found information at www.cataractsurgery.com on what Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts is, and they state "Because light converges at the back of the lens (the posterior pole) as it moves through the eye, a posterior subcapsular cataract affects vision even more than other types of cataracts. Anything that causes our pupils to constrict, such as bright light or the convergence of the eyes for reading, makes it very difficult for people with this type of cataract to see. "

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

I particularly like the way the Cleveland Clinic describes what Pulmonary Hypertension is because they explain in detail what is happening in the disease process and why having this disease is so serious.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disorder in which the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through the vessels. As a result, the blood pressure in these arteries -- called pulmonary arteries -- rises far above normal levels. This abnormally high pressure strains the right ventricle of the heart, causing it to expand in size. Overworked and enlarged, the right ventricle gradually becomes weaker and loses its ability to pump enough blood to the lungs. This could lead to the development of right heart failure."

Cleveland Clinic, Diseases and Conditions, copyright 2011,
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Pulmonary_Hypertension/hic_Pulmonary_Hypertension_Causes_Symptoms_Diagnosis_Treatment.aspx

Jennifer Richardson

Prematurity of the Brain - Not Really Bipolar

We also found after digging through quite a few of Gabriela's adoption papers that she was born premature, 6 weeks early and was only 4.9 pounds at birth. Finding this out really gives us hope that Gabriela's diagnosis of "Bipolar Disorder" was from prematurity and difficult beginnings in the orphanage and needing time for her brain to catch . We are confidient, especially with Gabriela working so hard on her behavior, being off medication for quite a while now and not losing her temper the last six months either, that her Bipolar is NOT biochemical in nature. Praise the Lord!!

I also have to brag about my very tall awesome daughter. Gabriela did extremely well on her assessment tests in school and passed all of her fifth grade assessment subjects as well. We are so proud that she is in 6th grade and doing fabulous. Gabriela has developed into such a strong reader. We thought we would share a praise report.

Please keep Michael in prayers. His blood sugar has been high (188), and endocrine is worried about diabetes developing.

God bless you all! We love you!

Jennifer Richardson

Job Interview

Scott had a job interview for a legal firm as a driver today. We believe it went well and are praying the Lord opens the doors to this full time benefits position.

Keep praying!

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Prednisone and Seizures / Propanolol and Seizures

My 14 year old son has been seizure free for 3 months. He was diagnosed with Lupus officially in Aug '09. Started having seizures Sept. '09 with partials. Started chemo Oct. '09 when he had a grand mal. Chemo ended Jan. '10, but seizures still increased over the next few months after Oct. Now, in the last 4-5 months he is getting better and stronger. Off Prednisone Sept. '10 and seizures stopped the same month. Off Propanolol Oct. '10.

Has anyone ever heard Prednisone causing seizures? Or Propanolol?

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Homemade Christmas Gifts

This year all the kids made their own Christmas gifts. Michael, 14, knitted hats and scarves. Gabriela made bookmarks and necklaces. Joseph colored rulers. Joshua gave everyone a piece of candy (not homemade but very inexpensive), and Shawna colored picture frames with pictures of each person in them. It was quite a lot of work helping each child, but I enjoyed so much seeing their creations. I absolutely loved opening them.

Michael made me this gorgeous scarf with dark and bright red. I can tell just by looking at it that he took great care in making it. Each of them put a lot of thought into their gifts.

The children were also immensely blessed by the gifts they received from Santa himself (not mom and dad), friends and family alike who put many gifts under the tree. What a great blessing. The kids thought all their gifts were fabulous.

For Christmas dinner, we had cranberry sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, biscuits, Black Forest ham, carrots, and either cranberry cooler (half and half cranberry juice and sprite), apple soda (half and half apple juice and sprite) or coke.

Thank you to everyone who helped us come up with ideas for doing this this year. It really helped stretch the finances as well. Check out www.richardsonstudios.com as we are selling some items online because we enjoyed making them so much.

God bless you,
Jennifer
Mom to 5 special kids, Michael 14, Gabriela 12, Joseph 9, Joshua 7 and Shawna 4

Pear and Applesauce Smoothie

Pear and Applesauce Smoothie:

1 can of sliced pears with juice
( I used Del Monte since the ingredients are very simple)
1 cup of applesauce or 1 whole apple cut in slices
8 ice cubes
1 tablespoon orange honey

Blend and serve.

Alternatively, for a chocolate version

Chocolate Pear and Applesauce Smoothie:

1 can of sliced pears with juice
( I used Del Monte since the ingredients are very simple)
1 cup of applesauce or 1 whole apple cut in slices
8 ice cubes
2 tablespoon orange honey
1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Jennifer Richardson

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Sometimes it is good to remember the things we have that we can be thankful for:

Thank you Lord for the spare tire not blowing out and protecting us all from accident even though the guys car next to me damaged the spare and the car.
Thank you Lord for food, shelter, clothes and a warm place to rest each night.
Thank you Lord for the smiles on the faces of my children as they play, and even for the bickering as they learn to how to play fair.
Thank you Lord for the dogs peeing on the couch and the opportunity it brings me to practice not swearing.
Thank you Lord for the health my family does have even if it is not perfect.
Thank you Lord for family and friends and most of all the opportunity to tell them I love them and another chance to pray for each of them.
Thank you for the chance you give me to teach my children good hygiene.
Thank you Lord for the hope that only you can bring in such desperate times.
Thank you Lord for the time you always have to listen to my pleas, bless me oh Lord.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Fundraising for a VERY IMPORTANT Move

Scott and I are fundraising for another move. Michael has a medical condition (aside from the 35 plus others he has) where his body cannot cool himself off causing all sorts of problems including seizures. The specialist we took him to recommended we move closer to the ocean if at all possible stating that that would be the best environment for him. Otherwise, Michael will be forced to stay indoors as the weather gets hotter this spring and summer where we live in the desert. This is extremely limiting for Michael not to mention how much constant air conditioning costs. We need to move before summer gets here, and this is the purpose for our fundraising. On the other hand, we cannot move to extremely cold temperatures either because turning the heat on in the house causes Michael to overheat too easily as well. Our prayer and goal is to move back to Orange County in California, where Michael will have the best chance at a normal life. I am selling greeting cards and calenders with my own personal artwork on them. Donations are of course accepted as well. Michael is making knitted all acrylic scarves for sale as well. I have also written small books about each of the children's adoptions and illustrated the drawings. The first one is called "Adopting Baby Shawna". These books are also for sale. Please pray for us first and foremost. Please spread the word. I am working on updating our website at www.richardsonstudios.com where we have these items for sale. Or, you may email me at academyoftheposssible@gmail.com to order. Donations are also accepted on this website.

Thank you in advance, and God bless you.

Jennifer Richardson

How The Kids Have Grown

From left to right: Gabriela 12, Joseph 9, Shawna 4, Michael (in back) 14, and Joshua 7 years.

This was our annual photo around the Christmas tree on the first weekend of advent 2010 when we put it up and decorated it. All the kids have grown so much this year. Gabriela is taller than I am now, and she is pleased that her feet, hands and arm span are also longer than mine. When I need things off of a high shelf, it is handy to ask her, which makes her smile. Michael's face has started changing. Joshua is quite tall and slender as well as Shawna, who is still cute as a button. Joseph is still such a ham.

Jennifer Richardson
Mommy to 5 wonderful kids

Christmas Day 12-25-2010

This year all the kids made their own Christmas gifts. Michael, 14, knitted hats and scarves. Gabriela made bookmarks and necklaces. Joseph colored rulers. Joshua gave everyone a piece of candy (not homemade but very inexpensive), and Shawna colored picture frames with pictures of each person in them. It was quite a lot of work helping each child, but I enjoyed so much seeing their creations. I absolutely loved opening them.

Michael made me this gorgeous scarf with dark and bright red. I can tell just by looking at it that he took great care in making it. Each of them put a lot of thought into their gifts.

The children were also immensely blessed by the gifts they received from Santa himself, friends and family alike who put many gifts under the tree. What a great blessing. The kids thought all their gifts were fabulous.

For Christmas dinner, we had cranberry sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, biscuits, Black Forest ham, carrots, and either cranberry cooler (half and half cranberry juice and sprite), apple soda (half and half apple juice and sprite) or coke.

Thank you to everyone who helped us come up with ideas for doing this this year. It really helped stretch the finances as well.

In celebration of Jesus' birth this season, may God give you joy!

God bless you,
Jennifer
Mom to 5 special kids, Michael 14, Gabriela 12, Joseph 9, Joshua 7 and Shawna 4

Halloween

I just love this picture of all my sweeties. Michael is 14. Gabriela is 12. Joseph is 9. Joshua is 7, and Shawna is 4. Halloween was fun. This year each of the kids dressed up in the anticipation and excitement of getting candy for trick or treating. Shawna was a blue fairy. Gabriela was a Roman princess. Joshua was Bumblebee from the movie Transformer's. Joseph was a fireman. Michael was Batman. All of the kids picked their own costumes. We could not recycle any of last years because all the kids had grown so much, so new costumes were fun. We had an interesting challenge finding candy Michael could eat with the Eosinophilic Esophagitis he has and the long list of food allergies. Jolly Ranchers and Skittles were two candies we found that he could enjoy. Our beloved friends the Bruhns were kind enough to make sure they had some of these for Michael to receive when we trick or treated at their house.

God bless you,

Jennifer Richardson

Prayer

Praise you Lord!
You are righteous.
Praise you Lord!
You are holy.
Praise you Lord!
You are miraculous.
Praise you Lord!
You are eternally divine.
Praise you Lord!
You are patient.
Praise you Lord!
For all that you are!
Praise you Lord!
Open my heart to love you!
Open my ears to hear you!
Open my eyes to see you!
Open my hands to touch you!
Open my mind to follow you!
Bless me Lord!
In all that I do, all that I touch, all that I am.
In all that I put my hands and heart to.
Transform me Lord!
Expand my territory Lord.
I cry out to thee oh Lord as Jabez did.
I ask of thee.

Amen.

Jennifer Richardson

Control Amidst Chaos

While I have five children of my own, even I sometimes need to be reminded of how to get the kids under control amidst chaos. It can be very challenging.

If you are having trouble with too much volume and chaos in your home, I would start with 2 rules. Once you have conquered obedience with those two rules you can add one or two rules at a time from there.

The first rule would be "No yelling - use quiet voices inside". The second rule would be "No running inside the house - walk". I would tell the kids that loud voices and running are for the playground. When you explain the rules to the kids, have each one of them repeat the rule back to you. Ask each one of them if they understand what the rules mean. If each of them says yes, then they are responsbile for the rule. Then, they cannot come back to you and say they did not know what the rule was.

Then, every single time a child gets loud or runs put them in time out for the same number of minutes as their individual age. Keep a timer handy. The first few days you may very well be doing nothing else except putting children in time out over and over and over. They will test you to see if you mean it, but be consistent. If they get up from time out then simply get them and put them back in time out until the time is served. Choose at least a couple of different corners or seats or rugs or spots on the floor for time out. Then, always use the same spots. If your children are in time out over and over 2,5, 10 times or on and on. That is okay. Eventually, they will get tired of being in time out. They will get tired of missing out on play time, meals, or whatever else may be going on.

If you are out in public, reiterate the rules before you have the kids go into a store with you. Stand your ground. Even in a grocery store, you can have the kids stand in time out staring at the tomato sauce or cheerios. Or they can lose the privilege of walking and be put into the cart etc. You will succeed. You are a good mom, and you will feel better for sticking to the rules you set out. Even my own daughter, who at first I was convinced time out would never work on, gets tired of going back in the same time out over and over. This method works on children old and young, special needs or on target. The consistency really is the key.

God bless your journey,
Jennifer Richardson
Academy of the Possible
Mom to 5 kids, 14 boy, 12 girl, 9 boy, 7 boy, 4 girl

Cute Questions and Witty Thinking From my 4 year old

We were driving in the ce statedar the other evening when Michael noticed the moon up in the sky. He stated "Wow. There is only half a moon in the sky tonight."

Shawna asked in reply in her four year old brilliance, "Why? What happened to the other half? Did it fall off?"

Oh my goodness. It was soooo funny.

Jennifer Richardson