tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post3419559666209958088..comments2024-03-08T13:52:22.224-07:00Comments on LAJOY FAMILY: Tender TimesCindy LaJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486626867331586704noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-21850519161947674122010-03-11T04:22:31.706-07:002010-03-11T04:22:31.706-07:00Been there done that. Everything you are going th...Been there done that. Everything you are going through is a typical post adoption adjustment. You are juggling so much and are doing an awesome job. Cyber hugs for you!!!<br /><br />DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-3011331950308571662010-03-10T16:51:11.944-07:002010-03-10T16:51:11.944-07:00Hi - here's some advice on the bra thing. If y...Hi - here's some advice on the bra thing. If you can visit a high end department store like Bloomingdales, or an independent bra shop(not Victoria Secret), they will have a fitter available. This person will be a total pro and will be measure the girls for their correct size. You'll pay more for the bra, but it will be worth it. Combine it with something like manicures, or ladies brunch, and you have a special Girls Day Out.Melissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-48379645568547786942010-03-09T22:03:47.577-07:002010-03-09T22:03:47.577-07:00It brings me so much joy to read your blog, Cindi!...It brings me so much joy to read your blog, Cindi! GOD BLESS YOU, LaJoy Family of 7!!! Wow. The Lord is working in your lives, and I praise Him for that! What an amazing blessing. So, so happy for you!<br />-LisaLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17815531223717629073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-32969019618746660502010-03-09T21:19:45.386-07:002010-03-09T21:19:45.386-07:00Oh Cindy, every time I read your updates I end up ...Oh Cindy, every time I read your updates I end up getting all emotional. Angela's song is beautiful and I can hear the joy all the way over here. I know it's still exhausting...but hearing their joy will continue to give you the lift you need! Keep up the great work!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06021169041622431205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-89197798450756821872010-03-09T20:06:23.078-07:002010-03-09T20:06:23.078-07:00What a wonderful post! If you would have had more ...What a wonderful post! If you would have had more to write, I would have happily kept reading! :) (In other words, it wasn't too long at all!)Carol Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16492903882824413932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-23597895562291468242010-03-09T18:46:20.874-07:002010-03-09T18:46:20.874-07:00Dear Cindy,
Wow again, what tremendous progress ev...Dear Cindy,<br />Wow again, what tremendous progress everyone has shown! The only suggestion I might make is that most adolescents really agonize over pimples, so you might want to ask the Dr. if there are any checkups ahead whether there is medicine he/she might recommend. Today, there is almost never a need for a child to suffer embarrassment over skin. I don't know if you can convey your lack of caring about it to them given such limited language skills, and might want to use a translator to let them know that if THEY want to set an appt w/a Dr. about it you would be willing and medicine would be cheap to get for it (actually they are horrendously expensive although generics are available and covered by insurance!) but think there is no need as they are beautiful and it might go away on its own. They might be wishing to get rid of the bumps but have no idea that help is available. In our case, the meds were usually $3, but once when we were at a non-network pharmacy we learned the true cost was like $95. We quickly went back to the network! Also, I looked carefully at the pics and I agree it does not look like a major deal, although I know even the most beautiful kids find themselves to be "ugly" and that's why I am sensitive to wanting them to know you support them if they are interested in the issue. However, you know best about your relationship and if you think you might have trouble communicating your thoughts w/o hurting their feelings, this is certainly not the time to do that! All in all, though, what a fabulous update. Yeah! It seems to be going better than anyone could dream. Congrats! SherryOhiomom2121https://www.blogger.com/profile/03512342459339771734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-42857121796083796402010-03-09T12:22:07.323-07:002010-03-09T12:22:07.323-07:00Thank you for the detailed update. I am amazed at...Thank you for the detailed update. I am amazed at all the progress the girls are making... and by how well everyone is doing together. There is so much love in the LaJoy household... very heartwarming. And I must say... you are doing a rockin' job as a momma, Cindy!Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17893715053727326978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-3675926241603857252010-03-09T12:06:21.104-07:002010-03-09T12:06:21.104-07:00It is truly amazing and wonderful to see how well ...It is truly amazing and wonderful to see how well it is going for your family. I am so happy for you! For all that they have been through, it is obviously to me that the hand of God is at work.Lisa in CO, USAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05476721186053564296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-89248310028259808682010-03-09T09:13:47.164-07:002010-03-09T09:13:47.164-07:00Wonderful update and so happy to hear things are g...Wonderful update and so happy to hear things are going well!Paigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677097150312475932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-55130740438679725812010-03-09T08:21:17.125-07:002010-03-09T08:21:17.125-07:00Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
After ye...Praise God from whom all blessings flow.<br /><br />After years of waiting, frustration, sorrow, waiting, paperwork, hoping, waiting.... Love wins.<br /><br />He is faithful and true.<br /><br />Peggy in VirginiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-32827138506773356752010-03-09T07:23:01.957-07:002010-03-09T07:23:01.957-07:00You pack into a day and a week experience after op...You pack into a day and a week experience after opportunity. On the highways and byways, in home, at church (when all are healthy). I hear when I read your lingering fatigue, but you have hit the ground running and are already moving into a rhythmn that sings to my heart.<br /><br />Thank you again for letting us be silent participants in your life.<br /><br />LaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-3005290601241701512010-03-09T06:03:25.371-07:002010-03-09T06:03:25.371-07:00Don't know if you've thought of this - cou...Don't know if you've thought of this - could you give both girls a journal that can be locked that they can write down what they are thinking now, and keep it private? You mentioned Olesya is bursting to get stuff out but can't communicate. If she could communicate her thoughts to a journal, at least they won't be lost. And they might be interested in looking back years from now on who they were when they first joined your family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-5687578624331811912010-03-09T00:34:18.740-07:002010-03-09T00:34:18.740-07:00What a beautiful post about the triumphs of the hu...What a beautiful post about the triumphs of the human spirit, love and family. You continue to inspire me in the ways you know how to be a mom. I found myself calling my family Team Karp this weekend and happily thought of you! ;-) <br />Steph KarpStephanie and Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00815695220115930948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-56340065420476886382010-03-09T00:33:00.783-07:002010-03-09T00:33:00.783-07:00And what an amazing journal you are creating for t...And what an amazing journal you are creating for them to read one day of all the love and purposeful living you did, as you welcomed them into your family and loved them so deeply.<br /><br />I never blogged, but I have reams of paper filled with letters written to our kids while we waited for them to come home, my feelings, fears, frustrations during the process, and those anticdotes of their early days home. <br /><br />Hope you have a video camera and can tape the girls' Russian and early interactions. You will all be amazed as you look back. It's neat to have our kids speaking Spanish on tape. And I can't believe how young they were or looked! I know you are great at taking pictures! I love seeing your kids enjoying activities and life together. I truly believe that older kids do well in larger families, as they can slip into the numbers without so much "notice" and focus on them.<br /><br />Nancy still in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-70942822271894458992010-03-09T00:25:49.020-07:002010-03-09T00:25:49.020-07:00What a blessing God brought these personalities in...What a blessing God brought these personalities into your family. If the girls were testing you more and trying to remain isolated or team up against you, you might have needed to challenge those attitudes. But because they are quite obedient, sweet, and gentle, you've been able to do ease into so many things. That is just such a blessing for all of you. It makes me so happy for them, that amidst all the changes they are dealing with, you are able to transition them so "gently". Your decision to homeschool the girls sounds like just the thing they need for bonding, healing, comfort. Even though we did it differently, I can see that your girls are thriving under your style. Looking back, if I'd have been braver, I know homeschooling would have been a good option for a time for our girls. In spite of it though, there were also good things that came out of sending them to public school with our other kids. I'm sure having Matthew home makes it all very "normal" for the girls. The day our other kids went off to school, leaving our daughter (now 15) home alone with us was a very sad, emotional day for her. And though we very soon sent her to public school, she dug right in and worked hard and is doing well. Our newest daughter would benefit highly from one on one time with academics. Again, if I were more brave and thought she would work for me, I think the best would be to give her more support at home. And yet, God is also doing some great things in their lives being at school. We just spend plenty of time overseeing the homework. <br /><br />Our kids have some skin issues, being darker skinned, which is not your case. One daughter seems to break out in bumps, rather than acne from certain soaps, deoderants, etc. You've probably already thought of that, and it may just be acne from the changes you have mentioned. The fact that they're biological sisters means they might have some similar "allergies" or just skin type. Hope that's a "gentle" solution, too, with little effort or embarrassment. You are doing so many things so well. And God did many huge things perfect in your family!<br />Nancy in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-26876837396258251272010-03-09T00:18:20.598-07:002010-03-09T00:18:20.598-07:00Psst. Don't forget to change Oleysa's age ...Psst. Don't forget to change Oleysa's age to ten ;)Gavinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-35332871016922464272010-03-08T23:46:36.474-07:002010-03-08T23:46:36.474-07:00Great update and I love the pictures! It warms my...Great update and I love the pictures! It warms my heart to read how well the girls (and boys) are adjusting. When Nicholas came home, he had a rash on his arms and some on his face. I ended up using aveeno products (oatmeal bath, lotion, etc.) and used 'free' dryer sheets and detergent, it eventually went away. He still gets a rash around his mouth sometimes when he is chewing on his finger.4texanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14813344872739830839noreply@blogger.com