tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post1884961794472815320..comments2024-03-08T13:52:22.224-07:00Comments on LAJOY FAMILY: Fully FamilyCindy LaJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486626867331586704noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-73639206548713354832010-04-12T09:11:12.547-06:002010-04-12T09:11:12.547-06:00What a beautiful post. Tears are streaming. &quo...What a beautiful post. Tears are streaming. "Love wins again." Indeed it does!Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06287586757039620927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-46751422031935962212010-04-11T21:06:53.743-06:002010-04-11T21:06:53.743-06:00Dear Cindy,
The relief I feel at your finally sett...Dear Cindy,<br />The relief I feel at your finally settling into a family is unending. I really invested my heart when you went over for the adoption, and the roller coaster since then has really gripped me. Thank goodness and yeah! By the way, Matt's pain in the first day of soccer probably does mean something to check out, but the middle school years and soccer are tough on the legs of even bio kids with no history of rickets, so don't fear too much until something is confirmed. I agree, though, that if surgery would avoid decades of later pain, the sooner the better, as they heal so much faster at his age. I'm sorry he hurts, although I just tucked in one high schooler with a whiplashed neck from a soccer collision, and one middle schooler with a groin pull and a bitten lip from two separate soccer incidents! Plus, the sunscreen didn't really work too well and those age spots will surely grow after the slight scorching I got through 4 soccer games and a practice. It is amazing, though, how children really "feel" your love when they see you giving up an entire weekend to support their sports love, and we remind them constantly when they drag over chores how we gave up our weekend without complaint and cheerfully, requesting the same in return when it's something we want/need. Plus, these are the years to build bones and muscles, so I am really glad to see that you enrolled the girls on a team right away and that you reaped the parental benefits as they saw your commitment to them. Some parents only create spoiled brats, or they denigrate their children in front of all and ruin the time, but for most of us, I think that the shared commitment to children's sports creates bonding, trust and a sense of fun. At least it's been that for us. I'm glad you had a great day, and just think, you get to rinse and repeat every Saturday for 8 or more weeks! The END of soccer is also a wonderful thing!<br />Congrats on another wonderful week! SherryOhiomom2121https://www.blogger.com/profile/03512342459339771734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-88068591213699718622010-04-11T13:45:08.993-06:002010-04-11T13:45:08.993-06:00Thank you so much for sharing this!!!! We recently...Thank you so much for sharing this!!!! We recently had a little girl placed with us through foster/adoption. She just turned 3 and has been in foster care for the last two years. Things have been difficult so far. In my head I was imagining an adoption just like our son's... full of instant love and fullfillment (he's 4 1/2 now btw), only to be struck with emptiness. It's such a strange feeling. Very difficult to get past, to connect with her on a level of mother and daughter and not just another mother to her. She's very difficult to handle, which makes it even harder to bond. I long for times like you described. I hope we can get to that point. It helps to know it is possible. Thank you!!Denise :o)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08811198954034881929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-80967450353200348312010-04-11T13:41:41.243-06:002010-04-11T13:41:41.243-06:00I am so incredibly happy for all 7 of you! Yes, re...I am so incredibly happy for all 7 of you! Yes, record time indeed!! God still works miracles!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06021169041622431205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-47799687898749852952010-04-11T13:08:11.609-06:002010-04-11T13:08:11.609-06:00Cindy, it is so heartwarming to hear how you and t...Cindy, it is so heartwarming to hear how you and the girls, especially Angela, are bonding! And you got to this point so quickly! Good for you.<br /><br />I hope you you are able to find the answer to Matthew's foot/leg problem soon.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17893715053727326978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-26802032877631536292010-04-11T10:56:50.934-06:002010-04-11T10:56:50.934-06:00This posting made me smile. I am so happy for all...This posting made me smile. I am so happy for all of you! I am sure you will still have some bumps (and I'm sure you know that too), but HOORAY! It is so nice to read about the stories that go well.Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-64282476595326773782010-04-11T08:21:00.667-06:002010-04-11T08:21:00.667-06:00Oh...and this might be the same as orthopedic shoe...Oh...and this might be the same as orthopedic shoes. But our Guatemalan kids have very flat feet. So far have only "fixed" one, but we took him to the chiropractor in town who also fits kids for orthepedic arch supports. Our son was having knee pain in sports in middle school. First we thought it might be growing pains, or even Osgood Slaughters disease...which is essentially growing pains in the knees. His arches then later began to burn when he played basketball. After having him fit with arch supports, he is pain free. He slips them in and out of his shoes. We always make sure he has them along when buying new shoes, especially sports shoes. He might have to have new ones made if his feet grow more. He first wore those knee bands (black with velcro and a kind of hard "bar" in front) just under his knee caps, as does our next daughter who will be fitted for arhces this summer. That took away a lot of their knee pain. Sometimes that is also just a growing issue, until those tendons or ligaments along the side of the knees get strong enough to keep the knee cap in place more effectively. Just another thought that maybe he's also got some growing issues. There might also be some physical therapy exercises he could do to strengthen whatever muscles need that. Just some thoughts to try to avoid surgery unless it is necessary at some point. We were also told that he needs higher end sports shoes. NewBalance has numbers on the side, and he needs the higher ones, I think it's like 900s and higher...of course the more expensive, but worth it if it keeps him pain free and helps him do his best in sports. The chiro showed us how to press in on the arch and inside of the heeljust beyond the arch, to make certain the shoe doesn't have much give. If it's too cushy there, it doesn't support the arch enough, even with the supports. Might be you'll also need to spend more on shoes than we ever liked to, but it can make a world of difference. An older daughter went to the podiatrist, but he charged much more than our local chiro, we'll choose that rout for our other flat footers. I realize Matthew's sounds like more issues going on, but just an idea to try the bands for the knee pain first. They say if the feet need changes, it will also effect the knees...and who knows what else.<br /><br />Nancy in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-84041893307141018212010-04-11T08:01:47.877-06:002010-04-11T08:01:47.877-06:00Won.der.FULL! I'm thrilled to read your entry...Won.der.FULL! I'm thrilled to read your entry of your wonderful day, ending in such intimate moments with your daughters, Cindy. Yes, that is definitely record time! What a miracle it is that two young girls now have the mother they always dreamed of...one who will nurture and encourage them to be who God created them all along to be. God's plans are beyond our comprehension, as "who has known the mind of God? Or who has been His counselor?" I'm paraphrasing and I'm terrible at remembering references, but I love those verses, which are probably in a psalm. Yes indeed, we who are blessed to parent adopted children know full well that we never could have found our children on our own. We could have searched the world over, but the choices would have been endless. Only God knew right where our children were in the world, and then He directed circumstances so that we would learn of them and eventually be blessed to bring them home. Such a good reminder to myself to praise Him for His unsearchable wisdom. Why our children needed us and could not remain in their birth families and first countries, we also will never understand. But we obey and step out in faith, and He blesses our obedience...even in those harder moments.<br /><br />I am so thankful I found your blog. Can't even remember how. But it's been a joy to read of your exciting, sometimes difficult journey. And you know I'll keep reading, if for no other reason than to see your family photos!<br /><br />Nancy in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-73385416984998241132010-04-11T07:56:52.889-06:002010-04-11T07:56:52.889-06:00Not sure what choices you have in Chiropractors bu...Not sure what choices you have in Chiropractors but you might try that route for Matthew. Our son, also from Kaz, is pigeon toed and our Chiropractor is working on his hips, ligaments etc. After only three treatments he is walking better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-5901834558751967912010-04-11T07:51:32.828-06:002010-04-11T07:51:32.828-06:00The fastest runners are pigeon toed. No kidding! ...The fastest runners are pigeon toed. No kidding! You can google it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-36797202670510408522010-04-11T07:33:08.639-06:002010-04-11T07:33:08.639-06:00I will say that all of the chaos of the soccer mat...I will say that all of the chaos of the soccer matches sounds like a lot of fun too! Before our adoption, I remember watching the younger kids playing soccer at the elementary school near us and laughing (it was like herding cats at that age) and feeling sentimental that I can't wait for 'our' turn. Of course, my friends who spend their weekends carting children to and from soccer games and out-of-town tournaments would say 'be careful what you wish for!' Also wonderful that you are developing your rituals and an intimacy with the girls. I still have fond memories of my mother massaging my legs when they were sore after a sports game. Lovely that they will have these moments with you.Kelly and Snehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694012810022647105noreply@blogger.com