Ferrone Family Meal Sign Up

Hello All
Through the help of Tiffany I was able to set up a meal train for Catherine and her family. If you would like to sign up please go to this link and pick a date:)

http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=m58fos5qbiwt

Latest on Victoria

I had a chance to speak with Catherine this evening and she sure sounded exhausted. She was overjoyed at the meals, snacks, items, and volunteers that have come forward to help her and her family. Little Victoria is sitting with Tiffany tonight getting lots of lovins as Mommy went home to try and get some rest.
As of yesterday the doctors still were not addressing Catherine's concerns about refeeding so we was most adamant about certain things getting done. Her and I shared a lot of information, not that I am a doctor but having just gone through this with a most wonderful medical staff, and we talked about how our little ones coming home from these places are not like their peers here in the U.S.A. and need special consideration. Today the doctors agreed to put in a NG tube this evening to help Victoria with the weight loss she is experiencing. The speech gal is more focused on getting Victoria to drink with a cup, try different textured foods, etc. so Catherine will see if she can get someone else to help her. Victoria's MRI showed that her brain had shrunk do to malnutrition. Carrington also had the same results. This is something that can totally be prevented and should be the very reason we all storm Heaven with our prayers for these people to change their ways of treating special needs children. Also, Victoria is sporting some new hand braces in attempt to help her hands stretch out a bit, The antiobiotics for her double ear infection were started yesterday so Catherine hopes to see some improvement real soon.
Right now Catherine has asked me to thank each and everyone of you who have offered your prayers, meals, child care, donations and just love to sweet little Victoria and the rest of the family. She still says she cannot believe that they are receiving such kindness. Does anyone in the area have a carrier maybe called an ERGO? that she would be able to carry Francesca in? She is sensing that Francsca is struggling to bond so she is hoping this may help. It does need to have padding in it. She would be happy to borrow it if that would be okay.
Tomorrow Catherine is going to try and send some pictures so you all can see what a sweet angel you all are helping and praying for.

Victoria Ferronne

I spoke with Catherine Ferronne tonight and little Victoria is not feeling well at all. She has a very bad ear infection which the doctors have not even given her antibiotics for and today she has been throwing up. The doctors have not seemed too concerned which is kind of worrisome since we know what all our doctors did and checked for. Tomorrow Catherine will speak with them and tell them she wants certain things to be done so hopefully little Victoria can start down the road to healing. I am by no means a doctor but we did have a great team of them for Carrington who took the time to explain to us all that should be and would be done.

Right now we are scheduling volunteers to help with staying with Victoria, watching the little ones for a few hours during the day, bringing meals, helping with household and yard duties so this should hopefully lift some of the stress off of the family. I am not computer friendly so I am doing this by hand:) Thank you to all who have responded thus far. Catherine is completely taken back by the kindness of all of you.

With regards to meals the family really doesn't have any dietary restrictions other than no spicy meals and nothing with green pepper. Catherine says she is not a soda drinker like I am but snacks and things like Gatorade would be a treat. People have asked if they can send gift cards etc and that would be totally appreciated. We hope to get the family gift cards to the grocery store with the money sent via the chip in. The chip in will go for the next month as that could be potentially how long Victoria is there.

The address for the hospital in Atlanta where Victoria is staying is
1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342-1605
Room 435 Victoria Ferronne

Ferronne Family-Update

Ok I have just talked with Catherine today and asked her what her needs are and how we can be of help to her family and sweet Victoria. Her biggest need is for childcare for her 3 children. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to come sit at night with Victoria so Catherine can go home and tend to her family. I will set up a schedule starting for Tuesday night from about 6:30p.m. until the next morning. Catherine could go home and return the next morning. Her husband works until 3p.m. each day so if we could also get volunteers to play with the children from 10a.m. until 2p.m. so they can be occupied and Catherine can talk with doctors. If you are willing to help the family in any way please email me at burmanshelly@yahoo.com.

Francesca is doing well and bonding with her Mommy. She eats real well and wears clothing about size 24 months while her sister, Victoria, is very small wearing only about 6-9 month size. Catherine is keeping Francesca with her right now for bonding purposes but if anyone has a pack 'n play that would help with a place for Francesca to play.

Right now the doctors are still trying to discover all the needs for Victoria so Catherine is still in limbo. Please keep prayers for this family. Victoria is currently in Room 435 at Children's Hospital of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. I know it sure cheered us up when Carrington received all of those wonderful get well cards from all her well wishers so let's flood that sweet angel's room with joy and love. The address for the hospital is
1001 Johnson Ferry Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342-1605
Room 435 Victoria Ferronne

Friends For the Ferrone Family

We have started a chip-in to help the Ferronne family. It is on the right side of the blog here and we ask that if you are able to please contribute any amount you can to help the family with any expenses, food, babysitting fees etc. We will run this for the next month. Please put a link to the chip in on your FB, blogs, Tweeter etc. Let's move some mighty mountains for this family.

Prayer Warriors Needed-ASAP

Oh my friends! There is a family who just brought two sweet angels home from Ukraine and unfortunately are traveling down the same road we went with our sweet Carrington. The Ferrone family brought home sweet Victoria and Francesca just this last week but instead of a home coming party they had hoped they went straight from the airport to the children hospital in Atlanta.

Little Victoria is so severely dehydrated and malnourished and is in a fight for her life much like Carrington .Victoria needs our help. Catherine (her mom) needs our help. Right now Catherine is sitting in Victoria's hospital room with all of her children. She needs some help for someone to watch her other children, maybe for meals, and for prayer and support. My friend Sarah was so amazing when she set up a schedule of volunteers to help me out in so many ways so I would like to do the same for her. Right now the family is in Children's Hospital of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Is there anyone out there who lives close by and can come help Catherine? Can we send some goodies her way? This is a long journey my friends. It won't be done in a day or two. It might take weeks. Carrington was in the hospital for 5 weeks. Let's show Catherine just how much we love her and her precious family.

Please contact me at burmanshelly@yahoo.com and let's get some help for this wonderful family so they can concentrate on Victoria gaining weight and getting strong and healthy. You can read about the family's journey on their blog at:http://www.wronginalltherightways-travcat.blogspot.com/

Anyone For a Dip in My Pool?

IT was a hot summer day so we decided to put all the kids in their little wading pools to cool off and have some fun. This was Carrington's first dip in the pool. Daddy came up with the idea to use her Bumbo seat so she could sit up and play. It was cute because when we put her in it she looked like she was just bobbing along at the same time she was trying to figure out just what did Mommy and Daddy put her in. I love to see the looks on her face as she tries to figure things out. Our patio is covered so we were able to play out there for a long time and then we finished by having lunch outside as well. Ethan wanted Carrington in his pool with him. He has really taken to her and likes to live up the big brother role which just warms my heart. I think Carrington really had fun with her first pool experience. Did I mention that her pool experience came with her very own pool boy who stood by ready with her beach robe? That's right. Daddy sat right by her pool waiting for her to tell him she was done and she did just that:) I think Daddy is smitten over his littlest girl:) What did I like best about the day? Just being able to watch my children take part in a very simple summer pleasure that never would have occurred had we not answered God's calling. The calling isn't always promised to us to be easy but the reward we receive is far beyond any monetary value or comprehension of those who do not have faith in God. I do not care if my kids live with me forever because the key point is they get to LIVE. If they are 25 years old and still like to splash in the pool then we are always going to make sure they have a pool because that is what parents do. And who knows? I just may put on my suit and join them. After all, life is too short not to take a dip in a wading pool with Popsicles waiting afterwards for a treat.

Ummm excuse me. But what is this you have put me in?
She is just bobbing along while big brother shows her how a t-rex growls in a pool. Look at her belly in her bathing suit:)
This is my favorite of all pictures. Look at the faces of my 2 youngest children. This is what I call one of life's greatest rewards.
Carrington wasn't too sure of being laid down in the water but soon she calmed down and played a bit.

Ok so do you think she is having a thought or two she wants to share with us?!
Carrington sat on Daddy's (otherwise known as pool boy) lap all wrapped up nice and warm after having her first ever swim party.

Big Weigh In

Drum roll please............Carrington went for her weight check and came in weighing a whole 17lbs. and 6oz! Can you believe that? She has gained 6lbs in only 3 months. She also measures 28 1/2" long. Our pediatrician and her nurses are just taken back with how amazing Carrington has done. Brian and I were just staring at her the other night as she laid on our bed and reflecting on how much she has changed both physically and cognitively. Of course that was right before Carrington grabbed ahold of Daddy's chest hairs and pulled:) While Brian was reeling in pain I was confirming his earlier statement of how strong she has become:)

Carrington is now able to hold herself in this kneel position with just a tiny bit of help from Miss Vicki, her PT.
Miss Vicki cannot believe just how strong Carrington's arms are getting. We don't have her work too hard yet because she still is not allowed to expend more calories than she takes in.
Phew!! All done. Look at how beautiful those arms look!

Starring Project T.L.C.

Just watching this video put together by one of the moms who tri-founded Project T.L.C. gave me goosebumps today! This is just the beginning of getting our message and mission out there. We will go back, we will not forget the 99 we left behind. Please pass this on to each and every person you know. Just like with Carrington's story, we will never know every person who may be impacted by this ministry. Jesus never stopped bringing the word of our Father to those near and far nor will we stop spreading the story of these orphans. A great big thank you to Boston for putting together this video!

Weighted Lap Blankets UPDATE

The previous post listed the weighted lap blankets that were available for purchase to help raise the funds for Project T.L.C.'s first project. We have had a wonderful response to these blankets and so I have gone back to the original post and put sold next to the ones that have already been purchased. We should have a great many more up on the blog by tomorrow. If you have a request for boy or girl and perhaps color we will try our best to make one that fits your request. Right now we are working with material that we have on hand but hope to receive donations of more fabric for an even greater variety. Please help us with this project by putting the word out on your FB and Tweety bird things:) Thank you for your support in our efforts to reach the 99 Left Behind.

Lap Blankets for Project T.L.C.-New Designs

PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH DAY FOR NEW DESIGNS AND UPDATES AS TO AVAILABILITY!

A few posts back I announced the launch of PROJECT T.L.C. which is a faith based ministry started by 3 of us moms who have adopted children from Crimea. Our first initiative is to help bring much needed feminine and basic hygiene supplies to the very institution where Reagan was adopted from. This institution is run by a director whom is most skeptical about adoption and for whom we asked you all to pray to change her heart. Your prayers worked and she allowed the first ever adoption from her facility and it was for our sweet Reagan.

Well, our fundraising for this project has been set at a goal of $2,000. Madelaine and I, as well as our very good friend Dana, have been busy sewing stylish weighted lap blankets in hopes of raising the money needed in order to help the young girls at this institution in Belogorsk. As a mom of a daughter with Down syndrome and autism as well as a son who has severe sensory issues, I know just how much these blankets can help. When we started researching lap blankets the price overwhelmed us and the choice of design left us feeling blah. The weighted lap blankets help our children who have spent their childhood in an environment that was void of any loving touch or stimulation. They can be taken with a child to school, in the car, and to various activities. The cute designs do not bring attention to your child that a typical weighted blanket does because it looks like a small quilt rather than an industrial made product. The weight from the blanket helps to calm a child because it gives them a sense of where their body is in space. For our children who have been with us from birth, endured all of the loving a cute baby receives from any and everyone who crosses their path, and naturally was caressed and spoke to in a loving way this is not a big problem but for our children who never were held other than to occasionally change a diaper or move to another spot something as simple as touch can be painful. It was that way for our sweet Carrington when we first brought her home but thanks to her blanket and our persistence (loving) she now wants to be held all the time.

Once you have ordered your blanket we will fill it with the poly plastic beads and within two business days will ship it to you. Not only will your child have a handcrafted weighted lap blanket but you will have helped Project T.L.C. to Remember the 99! This is the title of our first project. If you have not read about our ministry please visit: http://www.hiskidstoo.org/about-us/our-mission/project-tlc. It is our pleasure to be working side by side with a fabulous Christian organization entitled His Kids Too! Together our ministries hope to eradicate the need for the term orphan. Won't you please join us in helping to remember all the children who have been left behind; the ones we were not able to bring into our homes but who have permanently took up residence in our hearts? For further information on how you may be able to help please feel free to email at ProjectTLC@cox.net.

Our weighted lap blankets are :

made in a smoke free home

made from fabric washed in dye free soap,

measure 17" square

filled with poly plastic beads

weighing in at 3 lbs.

100% washable and hang dry only

priced at $25 which includes shipping (all money minus shipping will go directly to Project T.L.C.'s

I am by no means a professional photographer but I wanted to be able to show the front of the blanket and what material is on the back. I did this by folding over a corner or turning up an end. Each blanket is made from donated material so there may not be more than one of a particular design giving you the privalege of being the owner of a Project T.L.C. original:) To order a blanket please leave me a message in the comment box with your contact information and which blanket you are interested in. If that blanket has been sold I will take it off of the post and new ones will show up. You may send payment through Paypal to burmanshelly@yahoo.com. The blankets will make wonderful gifts as well. If you are sending a blanket to someone as a gift please be sure to let me know that shipping address.

Bug floral

Orange/blue

Purple girl-SOLD

Old time children-SOLD

Chocolate brown and pink-SOLD

Red monkey

Yellow floral-SOLD

Soccer-SOLD

Dallas Cowboys

Snow White

Chocolate cupcake-SOLD

Floral paisley-SOLD

Denim and red-SOLD

Blue monkey-SOLD

Ladybug-SOLD

My First Picnic

On last Saturday our family went to the park for a picnic with our church. Mommy and Madelaine packed us a yummy picnic dinner and we all loaded up our blankets and toys to have some fun. This was my first time to see what a picnic is all about. We sat out our blanket under this big tree with lots of shade and I got to have the wind blow through my long hair. My first summer is already starting off super! I only wish my friends back at the orphanage could experience all of these special times with a family of their own. Mommy says that with Project T.L.C. we are going to try and make that happen.

I am so excited to share with everyone my big brothers and sisters. I can say that you see because I am the baby of the Burman Blessings (that's what my mommy calls us). Being the baby has its advantages such as getting held all of the time, wearing cute clothes that Evelyn passes down to me, and of course just all the loving I get. So here we all are:

Evelyn, Madelaine, and Ethan

Me(ok so there was a bug to look at that was way more fun than looking at the camera), Hudson, Owen, and Reagan

Look what Daddy let me taster: my first fried chicken drumstick.

I am practicing my speech and physical therapy all with this little thing called a drumstick.

Is there something you need Mom? I am sort of busy watching all of the kids from church play. Picnics sure are fun but my Daddy kept saying, in a very funny voice, "where's the picanica basket Booboo?" Anyone have any idea what he is talking about?

Mommy's Princess

Carrington received this beautiful personalized Princess shirt from a loving person who prayed for her like so many people did. She has put on a bit of weight so we decided to try it on her and my heart just smiled. Look! Look at this little girl who went from orphan to princess. So much she missed out on as a little one but God knew He had a family for her and not just us but all of you who prayed for her, visited with her, loved on her from close and afar. Yes, Princess Carrington is truly God's treasure. She really reminds me of so many fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast where her outward appearance and her heritage were despised simply because she did not appear to be "like them". Well, guess what? They missed out. Had they only taken time to see what a wondrous little gift she was and how much joy she could bring they too would be loving on a real life princess. Thank you God for allowing me to be Carrington's Mommy, for giving me the chance to watch this precious gift rise from the deathbed someone put her on. Each day I stand in awe (as I do with each of my other children all in a unique way) as Carrington not only gains weight and her little body fills out but as she giggles when we pick her up and as I pick her up from such loving arms taking care of her in Sunday school. This little girl in my Princess Carrington.

This little princess is not spending all of her days just sitting around looking pretty but she is now fully scooting around on her back and can even lift the upper portion of her body up off of the ground. She still fights sleep as she just may miss something or someone but does sleep all through the night. She went on her first picnic last night with our whole family and church so that was fun until she decided it was time to fuss because she wanted to go to sleep. We have started her therapy but at a very slow pace as we do not want her to expend all of those precious calories we are finally getting in her. I have had some very special friends donate breast milk to her so we give her 3 oz each day of that and I truly believe that is why she seems to be getting, dare I say, a few rolls on her arms and legs. She will not keep her glasses on and that is getting to be a tedious task to make sure she does. One of her favorite things to do is watch the Preschool Prep Colors dvd with her brothers and sisters. If you have not heard of this series of dvds you really need to look into them. One bit of advice is to buy them on Amazon and not from the actual site. I saved almost $40 that way. Anyways, my friend Sarah told me about them as her daughter, Zoya (who just turned 3-Happy Birthday Zoya!), has learned so much from them. Check out her blog to see what I mean: www.angeleyesadoption.blogspot.com and look for the posts entitled "colors" and you will see just how much Zoya has learned. Perhaps Carrington is going to be Zoya's little prodigy:) Carrington went from a little broken girl who could not hold her head up nor could she even focus on anything to a sweet girl who sits in her bumbo seat and does her school work (watching the PP color dvd) with her big siblings. Go Princess!! I cannot wait to get her into the pool this summer so we can see if she likes the water like the rest of the kids do. Well, time for this Mommy to go check on all my angels and set up another feed for the Princess. I sure wish someone would set up a feed of diet Coke for me each night:)

I think she is pondering is she should perform another ballet move or just scoot over to where the other kids are playing.
"Hello? Room Service? This is Princess Carrington. When will my milk be ready?"

Look how beautiful her eyes are! I remember when they held no emotion and looked so very sad. Now I look in her eyes, her very soulful eyes, and I see the love of our Father God.