Update on Leeza

Here is the update on our little Leeza.  After having an EEG on Tuesday and an MRI last night, we went to see the pediatric neurologist this morning. Both her EEG and her MRI were abnormal.  The EEG indicating seizure activity.  She is having partial seizures which is why they look different from a generalized seizure.  The seizure is affecting only one part of the brain.  The neurologist said that she has feature of fetal alcohol which doesn't surprise us considering the country she came from and the fact that they were taken from their parents due to alcohol use and neglect.  With some of her struggles in school, motor skills, and speech, it makes sense.  The MRI indicated that she has periventricular leukomalacia which is basically a brain injury from birth that affects the white brain matter.  Again, the things that show up with children with PVL are things with which that Leeza struggles.  We still believe in the healing power of Jesus and fully believe her mind and body are healed.  She is on medication now that is suppose to stop the seizures.  We have to watch her closely for the next few days to see how she reacts.  We appreciate the prayers and concerns from everyone.  We appreciate continued prayers as we see how this medicine is going to work for her.  Mommy is feeling much relieved now that I know what is going on with my baby.  :-)
Thanks to all!

Prayers for my Leeza

For the past three weeks, Leeza has been having tremoring episodes which could be possible seizures.  She has always had tremors, but this is much different.  We aren't exactly sure what it is because they aren't following what a normal seizure looks and feels like. The only pattern we have seen is the days of the week in which they occur...only on Sunday or Monday.  Anyway, tomorrow we are taking her to the hospital to have an EEG and other lab work done.  We have already prayed for healing, and we believe that she is healed...either through a miracle or through the doctors.  What I am asking is for prayers for Leeza to not feel scared and to feel comfort from Jesus through this process.  She has a fear of hospitals which is understandable considering she remembers being taken from her Ukrainian parents and placed in a hospital and never returning home.  Please pray for peace and comfort for her and her mommy as well! ;-). I am trying to be strong in front of her, but I am struggling emotionally.  I hate seeing my baby scared or sick..or anything except happy.  She is our sunshine...the bright spot in our days with her lively personality and funny ways.  If I ever feel sad or stressed, my Leeza can cheer me right up.  Right now we are sitting in the living room spending girl time because she isn't suppose to have more than 4 hours of sleep for the test. Also pray for wisdom for the doctors to figure out what is going on...if it isn't seizures then they have to figure out what it is.  There is always the possibility of it being associated with PTSD...which is common for internationally adopted kiddos. Whatever it is, we believe God has healed her.

First birthday party!

Yesterday, Zhenya had his first ever birthday party.  I was so thrilled with the turn out, and he had so much fun.   One of our friends, Kim, was such a blessing and took some fabulous pictures.  I was running around like crazy attempting to manage and entertain 12 kids, so I probably wouldn't have take a single picture if she hadn't so kindly taken them.  Here are a few of the photos.  The smile on Zhenya's face says it all.  Thank you Kim for the great pictures!

Avenger's birthday cake

Jeff relaxing on the back deck during the party.  I did not look that relaxed...

Leeza cheering for her team in one of the games!

Gigi and the kiddos

Leeza loving on her dog.

Two years ago today..............

Jeff and I were declared the parents of these two beautiful faces in a tiny courtroom in Ochakiv, Ukraine.

September 2010

What an adventure it has been!

November 2010

December 2010

March 2011

April 2011

June 2011

November 2011

June 2012

Family Day 2012

Here is the link to the orginal post about that day!
http://fellersadoption.blogspot.com/2010/08/introducing.html

Thinking back!

It is that time of year where we think about our time in Ukraine in 2010.  We were just meeting our kids and getting to know them two years ago this month.  I have been reading my blog entries from each day and remembering what it was like for us and what we were feeling during different moments of our trip.  Every time I reread our blog, I get such a longing for Ukraine.  I don't know if we just really love Ukraine because it is where our kids are from or not, but we really truly love that country, its culture, and its people.   I sincerely miss being there and our experiences.  I know we had it easier than others had on their adoption, but I really feel something special for Ukraine.  I kinda even miss the whole craziness of the adoption process.  Not certain if we will do it again....but we might once Jeff finishes school. Last night, I was looking at pictures of Ukraine, and the children in some orphanages posted by other people, and I just want to weep.  I  don't know what God has in store or in the plans for us once Jeff finishes bible college, but I am fairly certain we haven't see the last of Ukraine!

On another note, the kids started another year of school today.  They are both going to school where I work, and I am SOOO happy about it!  It was so great going into the lunchroom to see how their day was going or peeking into their classrooms to watch them with their peers.  Leeza is a first grader, and Zhenya is in 5th grade.  They were both pretty excited after school about the incentives and other things we do in the school.  I am very excited about their teachers!  It certainly helps when you work in a school to get the teacher you want!!  I work in a great school that really works toward meeting the needs of all students, so I feel like this is going to be a great year for both of them even without ESL support!! 

Here they are this morning, ready to go!

Summer just started and.....

I think my kids are already worn out.  We have had baseball and T-ball practice 5 times in the last two weeks, and we were running all over Denver and Estes Park all weekend.   In addition to all the extra time practicing with Papa.  We have been really busy and they have been staying up late most nights and getting up way too early in the mornings.  (Their getting up too early is entirely their own doing!)

Tonight we have ball practice again, Zhenya's practice always runs later than Leeza's.  He practices for at least 3 hours each time.  He needs it though, and the practice is starting to show.  He is certainly improving.   Anyway,  the point of my comment about the kids being tired ........Leeza and I were walking across the field to go watch Zhenya practice and see Jeff.  Suddenly, she is weeping enormous tears when one minute earlier she was laughing!  I asked her why she was crying, and with all seriousness she replies, " I don't want to get married.  I want to stay with you."  She was completely and totally seriously upset about the thought of getting married and moving out.   I was trying very hard not to laugh.  I told her she didn't have to get married if she didn't want to and that she is only 7 AND that she is way too young to be worried about getting married.    I asked her why she thought she had to get married, and she said papa said she would.    After assuring her again that marriage was not a requirement, she stopped crying.  Until we got to papa, and she tearfully informed him of her resolve to never marry and live with us forever.  Once again, HUGE tears!!  I couldn't help, but giggle.  Papa told her she could live with us forever if she wanted and never had to marry after which she crawled in his lap for comfort over her distress.

Lately, she has been really concerned about leaving us or one of us dying.  Almost daily, she tells me that she is never going to let me die.  I asked her about it today, and she said she think I am going to die and she wants to be with me forever.  That's a lot of worry for a little girl!   Needless to say, she is getting a lot of loving, hugs, and kisses to attempt to reassure her that we have no plans to go anywhere. 

Zhenya hasn't seemed quite as tired, but tonight he refused to walk into the bedroom and turn on the light.  He sat here on the floor with pouty face until Gigi went and turned on the light.   He has never had any problems with that, but I think he is just tired.  

Their first games are next week.  I will post pictures soon!!

Random photos

Happy Hearts!

Have I mentioned lately how awesome my kiddos are???  They are just precious and caring...and plain out wonderful.    I talk often about the cute things Leeza does because she is the youngest and just silly.  Zhenya doesn't always get the spot light since he is the oldest and he just doesn't do the funny things Leeza does regularly.    This week, their school is having a bookfair.  Zhenya asked if he could take his own money to school to buy a book.  Of course, I said he could.  First of all, he told Leeza that if she didn't have enough money for a book that he was buy her one with his money.  (Oh melt my heart...he is an AWESOME big brother.)  Well, Leeza did have enough money for her own book, so I told her she couldn't spend Zhenya's money when she had her own money.  Today, Zhenya took his $20 bill to school to buy a book.  After school, he told me that he listened to Jesus today. He told me that a boy in his class didn't have any money to buy a book, and Zhenya felt that Jesus told him to buy a book for this boy.  Soo...my sweet sweet boy brought his classmate a Star Wars book.  Star Wars is a favorite of this classmate.  It touched my heart so much that my guy who came from having nothing would share his allowance to buy a book for someone else!!   Jeff and I feel sooo incredibly blessed that God is allowing us to raise such sweet hearted children! 

March 2012

I have been a terrible blogger!  We stay so busy and I am so tired in the evenings that I just don't have the energy to blog. 
The kids are doing great!  Learning like crazy!  Growing like crazy!
Here are a few pictures of my cuties!

She is so cute in this hat!  I keep trying to find one for myself...but apparently they don't make them for adults.

On the 5th Sunday of each month, the kiddos stay in the service.  To encourage the kids to pay attention, they told the kids to take notes and they would get ice cream.  My kids were very attentive to the service!!

The kids love the snow.  Thankfully it melts really quickly.  It seems to clear away after a day or two.  The weather here isn't too bad as long as the wind is not blowing. 

This was Zhenya's Valentine's box for his class party.  He won first place!  The Pirate Who don't do anything get married!

Due to my recent addiction to Pinterest, here is the lunch my kids had for Valentine's Day.

This was their lunch today in celebration of Read Me Day aka...Dr. Seuss's birthday.

Last night we went with Jeff to a concert with his job at the christian radio station.  Leeza danced like crazy for the opening bands.  By the time, the Newsboys got on stage, she was asleep. 

That's all for now!!

My silly kiddos

Kids think and say the funniest things!

Tonight after I agreed to let Leeza watch Beethoven for the hundredth time, she jumped up and down in excitement on top of my toes with her booted feet. "Ouch" I complained. Leeza: "Oh! Where does it hurt? I doctor." Then, she proceeds to kiss my socked foot. Me: "that really hurt!" Leeza:" oh then I need to kiss it a lot." Me: "it's fine." Leeza: " Doctor should give kisses. Kisses make it better." Me: "So when we go to the doctor we should tell him to give kisses instead of medicine?" Leeza: " Yup". That girl cracks me up! She has blossomed so much over the last few months. It is hard to believe she is the same kid we brought home just over a year ago. I love her Sooo much to Jesus! (as Leeza would say!)