Christ-birth-Celebration

Well here goes.  Controversy.  Not Mass, because, well, we are not Catholic.  I know, I am being difficult. Joel and I, as is no surprise, have opted out of the traditional American Christmas celebrations.  We have chosen to inform Ross that Santa is indeed pretend.  And we have forbid others from giving him Christmas gifts.  Any other day of the year, for any other reason, with any kind of paper you can give Ross a gift (however we recommend getting it pre-approved bc as small as our house is we cannot keep everything).

You would think with our need for Christ being at the center of our Christmas we would teach our children all of the 'Christian' reasons for the American traditions.  We we do not do that either.  And we prefer no one else does.  Why? Because many of the 'Christian' traditions were born out of a desire for religious leaders to try to move the focus from a secular holiday, to one nearby that was in celebration of Christ.  Not that I chastise them for their efforts; we just would prefer to purge our family Holy days from any secular content.  

All these opinions have resulted in, "A Celebration of Christ's Coming" the Marlowe way.  This year we finally settled on our base design of our celebration.  We will find ornaments to represent the different ways in which the Messiah was Prophesied; we will wrap each one.  We will unwrap one ornament a day and proceed to read the Old testament Prophesy and then How Christ fulfilled that Prophesy for which the ornament represents.  

Hoping that by next year we will have it all worked out with out any kinks.  But for this year we are heavily focusing on the fact that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and we will celebrate with a feast.  

We began our adoption process.  Since before we were married we knew we wanted to adopt from CPS.  So many children need a loving home- why not us?  In the last month I sent in our application and have our orientation scheduled for Tuesday.  This is going to be so long and stressful.  I understand but i hate that I have to jump through so many hoops.
Ive realized why i hate the process so much.  I have no idea what is ahead, how long until we meet our child or children.  I have no way to prepare, I don't know if it is boys, or girls, or one of each, or even how many! One thing we know for sure is that Ross wants big brothers and sisters not baby ones.  He is all too cute.  Personally I want three more. But whether that in done in one adoption or two is yet to been seen.
When I get frustrated by how long everything takes and all the red tape I cry.  I cry because our kids are out there somewhere suffering.  I dont know how they are suffering but I know they are.  I wish I could do more than just pray that our Lord protects them.
This adoption process is a rocky one.  I can only imagine how much is to come.
We appreciate prayers for both our current unit of three and the ones to join us.  Hopefully sooner than later.

Smithers Marlowe

Goodbye to a dog full of Character!  My sweet, stoic guy.  I miss you already.

Changing

We have made some purposeful changes in our family lives lately.  Two specifically.

1.  We added a small furry girl.  A yorkie mix puppy we found at the Dallas SPCA.  She was named Kaitlyn, but we decided there are enough family members and dogs with matching names. Plus she didn't even respond to it, nor did I like it as a name for my dog.  So we call her Missy, short for Miss Priss.
     We will grow her hair out and put a ponytail atop her head, complete with a bow.  She is will be my frilly girly girl companion in a house with male dominance.  So far she has filled her role perfectly.  She curls up on my lap, lets Ross squeeze her, and goes with me almost everywhere I go.

2.  We have made some rather radical choices about how Christmas in the Marlowe household will be celebrated.  We officially decided Santa will not be getting credit for any gift giving here(not so radical).  We also have decided that, for this year, gifts will not be something we choose to do.  Partly for $ reasons, but mostly because we have failed to see their purpose.  We have heard arguments for giving 3 gifts because that is how many Christ was given.  I just am not buying it. 
    My main concern is that we do not celebrate Jacob's birthday by giving everyone we know presents, so why would we celebrate our Saviours birth this way?  We believe the day should be celebrating the Gift that Christ was bringing us- Salvation.  We intend to have some sort of tradition, we just are not sure exactly how that will look.  I have some ideas, but we shall see...

Ross Update:  He is growing like a weed.  Almost 3feet tall already and nearly 30lbs.  We have been getting two teeth constantly, it is not been fun.  He loves music with a beat, he dances when he first hears it.  I have figured out that he will play and entertain himself longer when we play some in the house!  I am very excited to have discovered this- here's to getting laundry done, floors cleaned, and the dishes washed.  Well music is on, Ross is occupied so I am off to get some clothes cleaned!

Hard work pays off?

It has been an eventful week.  We ripped out the half of the kitchen floor that was engineered wood(Friday evening).  Because of which, we now know that engineered wood is far inferrior to solid hard wood.  There were many water stains underneath it!  Joel spotted mold and decided we were going to replace the subfloor as well(Saturday).  UGH!  All this to say that we have been under construction- which has resulted in no schedule.  Without a kitchen meals have not been consistent...   Disasterous! 
I am tired.  Emotionally worn out, but the tile is in, tomorrow my kitchen will be back to normal and I am just a week away from vacation!  As soon as paint in on the walls I will post some pics!

Doctors Orders?

Ross is my child, there is no denying that fact.  And since he is, he tends to be similar to me- go figure!  I am not a dairy tolerant person, so I have suspected that dairy is one of Ross' nemesis'.  Therefore Ross is not given formula or cow's milk.  Instead I serve him rice milk.  Which I actually like! 
We received notice a few weeks ago that Ross' pediatrician is expecting her 3rd child and moving to Austin.  Oh well her loss ;0)  As a result we needed to choose another doctor within the practice.  We did, Dr Iannelli(Sp?).  I made an appointment to discuss Ross' diet with him because I am well aware that different doctors often can mean differing opinions. 
I explained to the doc that Ross is not given formula or cow's milk to which he suggested soy.  With the links between diets containing large amounts of soy and spiked estrogen levels I have limited Ross' soy as well.  So Doc I introduces us to Nutrogema.  A non-dairy non-soy containing rediculously expensive formula.  He needs it until he is a year, about 6 more weeks.  Joel and I shrug and say we can handle six weeks- right?!  On the way home Ross is in dire want of a drink so I mix up some of the sample from the doc.  If only I had a video of his face!  We try again at home, no go.
This provokes Joel to read the ingredient label.  It says the following:  Corn Syrup Solids (45%)!  What!!!  The second ingredient is better, Vegetable oils!  Goodness gracious, we think table food and rice milk will be good enough for this boy!  After all, before any of our diet talk, Dr. I said Ross was right on track!  Go figure.

March for Jacob

Up early was I, tired, but some how concious.  We gathered all of our things, packed Ross in the car and headed out.  I was quiet;  I didn't have much to say, it was a sobering day.  Thinking back, this time two years ago I was cuddling my little cuddle bug.  I can remember it so clearly; on the couch, laid back, Jacob curled up on my chest snoozing.  Ahhhh... Funny how time flys.  Back to Walk Day: I was timid the morning of the walk, but all anxiety was diminished when I received an email stating I had recieved yet another donation.  I am telling you all, I have some pretty generous friends!  That pumped me up!!!

The race was HUGE.  There were thousands of people participating.  Upon arrival I was informed, assuming my donations, by May 31st 2010, exceed $250 I will receive a shirt.  I am so excited, Thrilled even!  I cannot wait to get my shirt!  I will wear it proudly.  I may even wear it to church!

I made sure to be at the front of the starting line.  (In the pro photos taken, I am wearing a red baseball cap.)  As the gun went off (after millions of photos) Joel and I attempted to navigate our way through the masses who chose to run ahead only to stop!!!  I don't know what they were thinking.  This became a pattern.  It was almost as if people thought, "Oh no, a lady with a stroller is beating me, I better book it!"  But then as soon as they get infront of me, they start walking!!!  Really people, really? 

We had a flat tire, Joel asked if we should stop to pump it up, but I said we could make it.  Turns out we probably should have- oh well.  =)

Along the right side of the 5 mile path were signs in memory of babies born too soon; some who are thriving currently, and others who were only here for a short while.  Typical Joylynn, would definately want to have Jacob included, but as I pondered the idea more I decided against it.  I would rather know the people who 'meet' my Jacob.  I find this uncharisteristic for me, guess my kids are changing me. ;0)

Marking the miles as you go are signs taking you down the time line of the March for Dimes organization.  Did you know the March for Dimes organization was originally established to find a cure for Polio.  And once the goal had been achieved they chose a new cause to help solve.   And your funds are assisting their efforts. 

In total My All Star Team has raised $400.   

The Biggest Thank You's to,

Lisa, Katherine, Paige, Sandelyn, Anglea, Heidi, Cyndi, Kk, Sharyn, Sauni, Aunt Myrna, Mom and Dad, Amber, Grandpa and Grandma Cox, Donna(Mother In Law), Aunt Karen, Aunt Susan, Phil and Ang, Betsey, and Misti.

I can not thank you all enough for your support.  It is heart warming to have received such a response. 

The Marlowe's with our 'Stand In' Monkey.