Britton's 1st ChRiStMaS

We are so bLeSsEd to have such wonderful fRiEnDs and amazing FaMiLy. Thank you all for making oUr and Britton's ChRiStMaS a joyous and fun-filled time!

ChRiStMaS at our HoUsE

Leaving out the MiLk, CoOkIeS and CaRrOts

Britton with his FaVoRiTe gift from Grandma and Grandpa

with his lOvIng P

FaMiLy Christmas PhOtO at June's

Britton's early BiRtHdAy GiFt

with Mimi and Pa

LoViNg on AuNt Ne

Playing "hOrSeY" with "Uncle" Jimmy

Voices for the Voiceless

Just when I think that perhaps it was my voice and not His telling us to open up our hearts to adoption I randomly come across things like these. This video is from All God's Children International and is so touching. Kyle and I have actually looked into this agency, but they, like most, do not focus on Jamaican adoptions. Perhaps our lives are not ready for this amazing gift of adopting right now, but I know it will be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPYGO-06hJY&feature=PlayList&p=C39C1375EEDBF69C&index=0&playnext=1

CrAzy Christmas TiMe!!

First off, thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, e-mails, text, and calls to check on Britton. He turned out to have a rare strand of a bacterial infection. It was not any of the many things they tested for and all we know for sure is that his white blood cell count was way too high. The shots did what they were suppose to and he was said to be "clear" from the infection on Tuesday. We made another visit to the doctor on Saturday and now poor baby has a bad chest cold and ear infections, yes again, this is the 4th time!

Being that Britton and myself were sick and feeling so crummy this weekend we had to forgo our trip with Rhonda for Christmas in Indiana. I was so disappointed that Britton would be missing out on visiting with everyone, but I know he would have been miserable. Our luck he would have gotten all the other small kids sick too! Kyle and I are hoping to make it to IN soon!

On a much more positive side Britton is growing up so fast. (To be honest this saddens me greatly!!) He is doing everything he should be for his age and then some. He loves to walk holding on to furniture or someone's hands. He enjoys playing with his fire-truck from Andrea and dancing/clapping to his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse CD. He is such the daredevil! He likes to climb into his Pottery Barn Chair, throw the pillow into the floor and jump from the chair onto the pillow on the floor....he finds this very funny. It is so hard for me to believe that he will turn 1 months old on Christmas Eve! It is even more crazy to think that our little baby will turn one in just a little over a month!

Being silly with P

I LOVE his silly faces!

Our little Hokie :)

First time in his big boy carseat

He has discovered that the dishwasher...

is climbable! Oh Dear!!

But for right now...

We are all looking forward to Christmas here in the Cincere household. Our decorations are up, presents wrapped and we are ready for the traveling this season will involve for us. Britton discovered the gifts under the gifts under the tree just yesterday. The gift he decided to play with was of course not even his! Let's hope his Daddy's present is not too damaged! :) We're excited to see what Britton thinks of all of this craziness! He has enjoyed hearing several Christmas stories and especially enjoys waving the books around when we finish. What a special time of year this is. As Kyle and I celebrate this season and all that it truly means we feel even more blessed to share it with our son. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! We hope to post some pictures of our holiday celebrations throughout this weekend.

Found a gift to play with

Christmas come soon!!

Prayers for our Baby boy Please...

I know that we have been once again lacking in the updates here in the blog world! I would love to take the time to upload new pictures and tell the funny stories of our now walking (while holding on to things) precious baby, but they will have to wait. Britton has had an ear infection and staph infection for about 6 days now and a temperature that he could not get rid of for three days ow. When I called the Children's Hospital they told us there was no need to bring him in to be seen unless he temperature was at 105. We did anyways! It turns out that though Britton appears to be fine as he is laughing, playing, and being very mobile he is one sick little boy. His white blood cell count is way too high showing signs of a bacterial infection, perhaps mono. I have no idea how an infant gets mono, and hope that is not what it turns out to be. Rhonda, Kyle's mom, took Britton to Dr. Chamber's office today and he was given a shot. It was actually three different shots that had to be injected into his muscle. We have an appointment tomorrow to see if the shots are working if not they will have to draw blood to see more detailed results. If they are not showing improvement then he will need to be hospitalized, which is a huge concern to me. I don't want to even imagine my poor little boy in the hospital for a long stay. Kyle and I would like to ask for your prayers for Britton. Prayers that he gets well soon and that this shot does work. Prayers that God is in control and can comfort our baby. We will keep you all updated on his status and hope this is just a bump in the road for Britton and passes quickly.

Is This Your Son?

The sweet Johnson family is sharing "B's"story with all of us in hope that you may be the family he is needing. Celebrate in Orphan Sunday and read to see if this is your future gift....

I would like to introduce you all to my next little LOVE!! Today, Orphan Sunday, I'm advocating for "Handsome B". "B" is an adorable 8 year old boy that has so much promise and such a bright future IF ONLY he had a family to call his own. You see...B is one of the 147 Million Orphans living in this world WAITING for a family to PICK HIM so that he has a chance to live up to all that God has in store for him.B's story broke my heart when I read it...You see....I found B's picture BEFORE I ever left to go and pick up our Lucy Lane...I saw him one night late on my computer screen and turned to my hubby and said, "Oh, MY...He's beautiful!! Couldn't we adopt an 8 year old boy?" My hubby gave me his normal smile and reminded me that we were getting ready to go and pick up our new daughter....BUT I decided I'd look for him while I was at Hannah's Hope Orphanage anyways. His beautiful eyes just spoke to me...He had such an innocence and sweetness about him....Well, upon arriving at HH to get our Lucy Lane..I discovered that he didn't live at HH yet...He was still living with his mother UNTIL room became available in the orphanage. 

Now, today, B is still with his Mom...During the Rainy Season in Ethiopia, there isn't much movement...so B will be moved to HH when there is room for him...Either way, I couldn't imagine the HUGE blessing it is for him to be able to live these last few months WITH his mother..I could tell from the pictures that they love each other deeply, but yet, she can't keep him. She must let him go!! I just can't imagine the pain. You see...B was part of a 2 parent home when his father lost his life in a construction accident...B lost his father, and his mother now has no way to care for him due to extreme poverty...I understand that since he is signed with HH that they will supplement his food and care UNTIL he arrives at HH to live. He's already experienced such great loss, he deserves a HOME!!! He deserves to know WHERE his next meal will come from....His mother deserves to know that her son will be taken care of...

I witnessed while in Ethiopia ANOTHER Mom bringing her daughters to HH to get photographed for "potential" adoptive parents to see....This mother's heart was so HUGE for her girls...She had them all dressed up in their finest of clothing, and she looked on so proudly as they were being photographed....B's Mom is no different...She dressed him in his finest of clothing KNOWING FULL WELL why he'd be getting his picture taken...B also being old enough to know exactly WHY the pictures were being taken too...I can't imagine their grief and pain...BUT there is hope for B....There is hope in YOU!! 

Someone will have the opportunity to fly to Ethiopia where this little boy will be waiting...You will be united with your new son and you both will rejoice in the fact that you are finally together....You will then have the opportunity to meet B's Mom...She will come to say goodbye to you both...You will hug and cry together BECAUSE you both will love the same son. As B's new parent you will take him on his first plane ride, you will hold his hand as he leaves the only world he ever knew, you will fly him into a new world filled with opportunity and hope......You will take this boy and introduce him to his first HOUSE...You will take him to his first grocery where food is in abundance for the first time in his life....You will watch his eyes light up the first time he experiences air conditioning or the first time he is able to pick out his own clothes....You will also hold him tight as he grieves his mother...He will cry!! He will miss her!! He will want to make sure that she is ok....BUT you will hold him and tell him everything will be OK...He will learn to trust you....BUT for now...He is still waiting for that call to come...that he is being moved to HH BECAUSE a family is coming to get him....He must go and he must find a home!! Do you have room?? Will you make room?

B is said to be healthy, active and right on target for his age...He is said to love football and he is described as being VERY BRIGHT!!! His smile reminds me so much of my 7 1/2 year old...They both have giants smiles that can light up a room...I think of HOW innocent my 7 year old is AND how much I LOVE her age...She is independent, yet she still needs me so much!! It is the best of both worlds at this age....An 8 year old boy still has SO MUCH life to live...There is still so much innocence in those eyes....And, I can already imagine him in his first ever soccer uniform playing on a team for the first time in his life...

So, tonight, on this Orphan Sunday, I'm asking you all MOST IMPORTANTLY to pray!! Pray this child finds the forever family he was intended to have....No child deserves to be waiting this long...EVEN THOUGH I think it has been the LORD HIMSELF that allowed this mother and son to have all this extra time togehter.....BUT...now it is time for him to go home...It is time for him to head to HH where his every need can be met while he waits for YOU to show up and pick him up....Will you do it??????

2nd....Will you please pass this along to whom ever has slightly ever seemed interested in adoption...Will you post it to your own blogs or sites?? Together through prayer and technology we can BRING THIS HANDSOME YOUNG BOY HOME!!!

**If you would like to inquire about Handsome Bthen please contact: Megan Palmer, her email ismpalmer@allgodschildren.org or by phone at 971-244-1461.


***You can also read more about Handsome B by reading my sister's post atwww.ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com We are partnering and are determined to find this cutie HIS FOREVER FAMILY!!! As he sits in Ethiopia tonight, he has no idea that some crazy American women are determined to beg, plead and pray him to his family...I know HIS family is out there....and I'm praying that God will connect the dots like he always does....I know God has a wife someday for this boy and children will be born because he was given a chance to live and survive!! An entire generation will be changed forever BECAUSE someone stepped up to the plate and adopted Handsome B!!! Together...with the Lord's help...WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!

***Thank you for your time and your prayers...AND, I know B and his mom thank you too...kj

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." John 14:18

"Children are a gift from God." PSALM 127:3

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and cetain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1

An Adoption Cause

This family is trying to raise money to bring home a sweet girl from Ethiopia. Watch this very heart tugging video of facts and comments and check out their fundraising shirts. You can follow their journey at longingforafrica.blogspot.com I'll be sporting mine soon. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKk8KUoVEA4

fOoD, and dOgS, and hAiRcUtS, OH MY!

Needless to say this weekend has been packed full of fun activities and  little bit of stress on my part! Our cookout with the Potter's on Friday had to be postponed because Autumn was still feeling sick. Hopefully she is feeling much better now! We miss spending time with those two! We decided that we would go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Britton enjoyed eating exactly what I was! He loved my vegetable platter of potatoes, mac-n-cheese, carrots, and dumplings!

 Britton decided that he wanted to go to bed thirty minutes early so that was a nice surprise for us! Saturday we had planned on going to Franklin's pUmPkInFeSt early, but Britton took a 2 hour nap! Once he woke up we headed out. There were so many people there! Once Britton gets a little older it will be so much fun for him. The People's Church had set up an entire section of free games, pony rides, tea parties and bouncy houses for the kids. Britton loved strolling around and eating Honey Nut Cheerios. :) 

We loaded up and headed over to Hank and Rhonda's for hAlLoWeEn! We decided Britton would be a puppy for his first Halloween. Being that our baby is so tall, we had to get a 12-18 month costume! He was not the biggest fan of the furry hood so this resulted in our pictures being not so smiley. He enjoyed looking at all the trick-or-treaters and especially those who waved at him or patted his little puppy head! He was getting a little tired so I took him inside to sit with Kyle and Hank, who were of course watching the UT game. By the time I sat him on Kyle's lap and got his gymmies, he was asleep! 

Today after church we had planned on getting Britton's hair cut. We went to Otter's to eat lunch and wait for Snip-Its to open. We went down to Snip-Its and found about a 45 minutes wait. It was almost Britton's turn to get his cut when I went to get my wallet and realized that it was missing. I went nuts! I went back to Otters and checked and no luck! When I got back to Snip-Its Britton was in the chair and screaming! He was not happy about this event, at all. The poor lady tried her best, but he refused to keep his head still for more than a second. We managed to get the sides and back "clipped." I wonder if this counts as his first real hair cut? I hope not because the only picture we got was after we left Snip-Its and sat him on the bench outside. :( 

When we got home I spent way too many hours making calls to SunTrust, Jcrew and other places that might be seeing a sudden jump in charges! I e-mailed Paula and Stephanie and had to wait. I know that I was horrible and hateful to Kyle as I was so upset that my wallet/checkbook was not only missing, but went missing out of Britton's bag while he was in the nursery at church! So after much dread, annoyance, and being in a bad mood I got an e-mail from Paula, while she was at the Titans game, letting me know she had my wallet. Apparently when they went to change Britton's diaper the wallet was taken out to get to what they needed and then forgotten. I guess this was my test from God to see how I would handle myself in the face of a little stressor...I think I failed this one. Hopefully I will learn that though something may seem like a big deal, it will pass. I am too blessed to let such things put a damper on my day. So that being said, Yea God for my beautiful baby boy even if he does scream at a haircut appointment. Yes God, for a wonderful husband who will allow me to be yucky when I've had a bad day and still love me. And Yea God, for a found wallet and being tested. I promise to do better next time!

One of his pictures from his 9 month session :)

Baptism

Today was an awesome day! I was so lucky to be surrounded by my close family on such a important day in my life.  It was very special to share the baptism with my wife, son, mom, dad, bother, grandmother, and my brother's friend.  They all joined us at our church -The Gathering-The Baptism took place at the Prairie Life Fitness Center since our church meets in a movie theater and is not equipped for Baptisms.  Our pastor Dr. Foster and his wife, Paula, conducted the Baptisms.

When my head came back up out of the water and I wiped the water from my face and eyes, I really felt like my skin, my mind and my heart was cleansed. Cleansed from the past wrongs, mistakes, and troubles.  I know it does not change anything in the past or make anything right but it only helps me learn and grow.

 I was in and out of trouble a lot through my adolescent years and made some very poor choices. I used to look back at those times and feel really ashamed and disappointed.  But after a day like today, how can someone be ashamed of their self? I realize and understand that those days are small parts of someone else's bigger plan for me.

I have opened my eyes, heart and mind to that there really is a person out there bigger than me, my parents, the sky, the universe.  

Renada's and my paths did not cross by accident. I really do believe she was my angel sent to me by God to help me complete his plans for me. God has given us the blue prints to our lives and we have only just begun it. We have brought a beautiful boy into this world and now we get to watch him grow into a Godly man. 

Were to even start...

We have been so busy this past month that we neglected our blog. With me being back at work and coaching, practices, games, Jamaica Leader meetings and Kyle having to do his work, training people, pulling other's weight and dropping off and picking up Britton by the time we get home all we want to do is rest and cherish every moment we have with our baby boy. Who as you can see is not so little! He is growing up so fast! Since we last blogged Britton got his first tooth, has had 2 ear infections with the first one sending us to the Vandy ER. He has had apple juice, drinks from a sippy cup that has a straw, stands, and army crawls around. Britton tries to walk, bounces, talks like crazy, had a cold yet fun at Gentry's Farm and Pumpkin Patch, spends many a Saturday being a Hokie and a Vol, and has developed such a cute and wonderful personality! As you can tell we are very proud of our little guy!

I'm hoping to blog again this week as we are taking Britton's 9 month pictures on Saturday and Kyle is getting baptized on Sunday! This is truly a special weekend for us and for our little family. I'm hoping to have plenty of pictures to share and give Kyle time to blog on Sunday afternoon. In the meantime I hope these pictures hold you over and you forgive us for wanting to love our Britton instead of blogging, as I know you all do! :)

"Who needs a Smokey? I'm a little Hokie!"

Wearing the bib to make Dad happy!

Big boys brush their teeth or tooth!

The two loves of my life!

A tooth...finally!!!

Standing up to play on his new toy that Daddy bought him.

Drinking apple juice for the first time!

First "big boy" bath!

My silly monkey "helping" with laundry!

"How Tall This Fall?" Britton is 2' 6" or 30 "!!

"Feeding" himself his juice in his new Western Illinois jersey from Grandpa!

... what a mess ....

...counting my blessings...

The second week of being back at work has come to an end. I so look forward to the weekends because I know that it is a time for me to reconnect with my beautiful little family. I had gotten so use to bring at home with Britton and having lunch with Kyle that it is difficult not to be able to do such small things. I actually miss watching "Handy Manny" with Britton, having to eat at CeCe's Pizza at least once a week and getting to cook dinner. I am thankful though that going back to work has been a smooth transition for me. I am back in sixth grade which is a big plus, although I am teaching 3 subjects that I have not taught before. I find that almost everyone at work seems to be stressed or annoyed by things and that has not hit me yet. I'm thankful to have a job even if it does mean that my precious baby boy has to be in daycare. I'm enjoying being back in the classroom and coaching I had missed that feeling of having an impact on middle schoolers.

Kyle and I have been discussing adopting from Jamaica more in depth these past few days. The process seems very reasonable and possible to do. We are going to start saving money a little at a time and hopefully by the time Britton is 18 months we can begin the paperwork. I have randomly come across things pertaining to adoptions and I have to think it is His way of speaking to me and my heart. Rather it has been e-mail about how to start the adoption process or a blog that I started following of people I have never even met! ( You should check it out: www.weloveourlucy.blogspot.com ) That blog gave me the final little push and tug at the heart that I needed to get this ball rolling. What a gift it is to be able to take a child into your home, love them, give them a second chance and in return have a sweet blessing to call you "Mom and Dad." I can not wait for that moment. I look forward to the process for Kyle and myself and especially for Britton. There is so much I want him to be able to experience in his life. What a gift for him.... a brother, despite the race or his birth mother or his home country. The following verse has been speaking to me so much this week. Each morning this week when I have gotten to school I pull a piece of paper out that is in my car with this verse on it and say a prayer of thanks for my perfect son and then I follow it with a prayer for my future Jamaican son. " I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." -John 14:18  Such a beautiful and fitting verse!

On a much different note, I came across through many different friends and their blogs a family who I believe live in NC. Their names are Jeremy and Lindsay Jones. They suddenly lost their 4 month old baby boy this week due to SIDS. It happened while baby Ayden was at daycare. I can not imagine getting that phone call and all that proceeds it. I read her blog today about having to have a funeral for their baby. Their faith is so strong and obvious simply from reading I can see that and even feel it. I must say that after reading that he had passed away while sleeping on his stomach I felt a pull in my stomach. Britton sleeps on his side or his stomach at night. I know that Britton is older and can roll over, but just the thought of losing our son is more than I can even bare to think about and this family is experiencing it. I ask for your prayers for the Jones' family. Only He can provide comfort for such a tragedy. How blessed Kyle and I are to be able to wake up each morning to such a beautiful and happy boy who we love so much.

To go along with the above a student from my school passed away yesterday. He was a life skills student and had seizures now and then. Apparently he had not had a bad one in quiet a while. His parents called the school yesterday to tell the Principal and his teachers that their son, Michael, had had a seizure in his sleep and in the morning they could not wake him and learned he had passed away. He was an 8th grader this year. I called Kyle and told him about Michael and how horrible I felt about it not only because he had passed so young, but that I had a thought about having a child like that only on Tuesday. When we were outside for a fire drill at school all of the Life Skill kids were beside me, behaving wonderfully. I happened to look at Michael and think to myself, "I don't know if I could handle all that comes with having a child with disabilities. Thank you God for giving us such a miracle." How I regretted feeling that way just yesterday. I can't help but think that Michael is now a perfect boy with no life skills class, no disabilities and is in Heaven running like he never could. Such a perfect time he will have now and such a bittersweet thought as his family is suffering the loss of a child and brother. 

So many things have happened all in one week to remind me to be thankful for what I have...a loving husband who is an amazing Daddy to our perfect, happy and handsome son. We may be a small family but God has blessed me with a healthy family. I'm just more thankful than I have the words to express. I big thank you to all of you who have shared your encouraging words as I struggled with leaving Britton to go back to work. Although it is difficult I am so excited to get into my car and drive home to see him and treasure every moment I get to spend with him.... even if it is because he is sleeping in our bed and taking up all the room! Hug and kiss your kids and tell them how you love them, you just never know what tomorrow brings....

Britton helping do "chores."

PIctures of Britton

Check out the two cute and funny pictures of Britton on my sister's blog....

www.reneecrowley.blogspot.com

Our silly boy!

Britton has learned how to play in his crib until he falls asleep. Sometimes though nap time turns into play time. I just happened to catch him one day and had time to get my camera and record him in the act!

Sorry it's sideways, I'm not sure how to flip it! Britton thought that Kyle saying "WHOA!" over and over was too funny!

playing catch up....

through pictures and short captions :) and then some more!

Two days after he turned 6 months he decided it was time to use a sippy cup!

This was how I found him during a "nap." Turned sideways and playing!

The next time I came to check he was pulling up to stand in his crib...scary!

Bath time is now play time as he only wants to sit and splash!

He loves the mirror at Dr. Chambers! This was for 6 1/2 month shots and 

check-up, he was 28 1/2" long and weighed 20 lb 2 ozs!

Today was Britton's first day at daycare.......and Mommy did well. :) I started back to work on August 6th, but there was not an opening for him until August 17th. Thankfully Renee, my sister, flew in and kept him while Kyle and I were at work. I think this helped prepare me for this day I hav been dreading for 6 1/2 months! I was okay until I came home and got the "report" from Kyle. He was told that Britton was shy and quiet and cried a few times. :( I'm hoping that in a week or two Britton will be use to going and have a routine there. I'm glad to be back teaching, I actually missed it, but at the same time I miss being with him all day. For right now we need my income, hopefully one day we won't! :) I can always wish and hope.

Britton before leaving for his first day of daycare

I did however have a great time with Britton these past two weekends. The weekend of August 7th we (Renee, Britton and myself) drove to Bristol, Tn and Bakersville, NC. Kyle had to stay behind and work on Saturday. WE went to surprise my grandfather, P, since it was the church decoration of the graves. Being that my grandmother, M, passed away last May we knew it would mean a lot to him if we could make it. He was glad to see Renee and myself, but THRILLED to see Britton. It was a very long drive, but a good visit. 

(These are pictures of Britton drinking water out of a plastic cup....one of his new favorite things!)

This past weekend Renee was still in town and my Mom came up as well. Kyle had a weekend trip planned with some of his faternity brothers. We went to Rainforest Cafe on Friday night and Britton was in awe. We were seated right next to the monkeys. Ever time they went "off" Britton's eyes became huge! He didn't cry and seemed to enjoy it. The rest of the weekend we spent time just playing with Britton. Renee and I went to the Titans game on Saturday while Mom kept Britton.

I think coming home from work now and weekends will be more savored on my part. I know he'll be fine after awhile of being at daycare... let's just hope I adjust soon too! :)