And As We Watch, A Little Boy Emerges....

Seth has been home just over a month now.  That's not very long, really.  But to him, it's huge.  We see such progress in him.  The light has finally returned to his eyes.  He is engaged and connected.  He is losing that traumatized, dazed look.  He laughs with us.  He clearly enjoys his new home.  Seth is healing.  He's getting stronger and happier.  We see it in him every day.  And we remark about the changes we notice.

* He no longer laughs hysterically and uncontrollably when overstimulated.  Along with that, he isn't biting or scratching much anymore either.  In fact, I can't really remember the last time he got that overstimulated.

* He is stimming a lot less, and when he does stim, it's not as intense and not as long.  He stops and decides that maybe it's way more entertaining to play with a toy instead.

* He is playing with toys.  A lot.  Not just licking them, but really playing with them.  It's a joy to see. 

* He no longer lays still wherever I put him.  Now, he crawls all around the house, from the boys room, through the living room, down the hallway and all the way past Sarah's room and into Hannah's room.  He checks out the cupboards, the dryer, he opens and closes closets and doors, turns lights off and on.

* He's more curious, inquisitive and exploratory.  His OT says he is a problem solver.  He likes to know how things work. 

* Slowly, ever so slowly, language is developing.  He makes sounds all the time, rolling them around on his tongue, experimenting with the feel of them.  We're on the verge of a small language explosion.  I can feel it.  He clearly is beginning to understand us more. 

* He has learned to express displeasure and we're learning to understand.  As we respond to him and his needs, promptly, he is learning to trust us.  He's learning what a family is.  He is learning a family doesn't clock out and go home when the new caregiver arrives.  A family is forever. 

* He is attaching.  If we're in an unfamiliar place and I leave his field of vision, he's watching for me.  I turn and look at him and he's searching me out.  He wants to make sure I'm not going anywhere.  He wants to know I'm coming back for him.  And if I take too long, he will yell out "mama".  :) 

* He's working on learning to hold colored pencil and draw or color and play with play doh.  All I can say is thank goodness that stuff is non-toxic!

* He is learning to use the potty again, learning to feed himself with a spoon, practicing using a regular cup, brushing his own teeth, has AFO's and glasses and is getting PT and OT. 

Seth, the day we met him:

Seth, this past week:

In one month, he's learned so many things.  Overcome so much.  Made so much progress.  Imagine what six months will look like.  Imagine what a lifetime will look like.  We are witnessing a miracle.   

Now imagine this same little boy, back at the institution, slumped over and strapped into his wheelchair.  Imagine his blank vacant look.  Imagine a room of groaning, rocking full grown men all around.  That was his reality.  That hurts, huh? 

What is the difference?  A family.  Love.  Hope. 

Think of Seth and consider what you can do.  Consider being part of a miracle. 

Adoption is not for everyone.  There are other ways to help orphans.  Below are two different families I know of who are in the adoption process.  Consider what a family has done for Seth.  Consider helping that same miracle happen for these children.  Donate to help them bring these kids home! 

The first child is Josiah.  I've loved Josiah for a long time.  I knew of Josiah before we arrived to get Seth.  He and Seth had been at the same baby house.  Of the original eight kids on Reece's Rainbow from that baby house, only Josiah remained with no committed family.  Before we even left, I knew seeing Josiah and leaving him, knowing he had no family coming, would be the hardest part of the adoption process.  Little did I know at that time that Seth was no longer where Josiah was anyway.  I didn't think we'd even get to see him.  Seth had already been transferred to a mental institution.  But while we were there, the day came when another young child arrived at the institution.  It was Josiah.  The newest arrival.  All of seven years old.  I emailed Andrea, the director of Reeces Rainbow, who immediately posted a plea on Josiah's behalf and lo and behold, a family stepped forward in faith.  A family to rescue sweet Josiah.  This little boy needs to come home soon.  He is where no child needs to be. Consider helping him.  Here is their link and their story:

http://reecesrainbow.org/26162/sponsorjobes-2

The other family is the Watt's.  They are adopting two girls, Polly and Molly.  It's Molly who is in danger.  Sweet Molly has been in danger a lot in her young life.  She had a horrible start to life.  Born healthy, Molly was shaken by her dad and then taken away, Molly suffered an organic lesion of the central nervous system, left-sided hemiparesis, delays in psychological and motor development, right-sided fixed torticollis and farsighted astigmatism.  All from her dad.  She's spent her entire life in a walker and a crib, in an orphanage, waiting for a family.  That family is now on the way, but she's about to be transferred.  Transferred to a mental institution.  One like Seth's.  We know what that did to Seth.  It won't be any kinder to sweet Molly.  Her family is working their hardest to get there as quickly as possible.  They are racing the clock.  We all know transfer is hard on kids and mental institutions are no place for children.  Please, please consider helping them bring Molly and Polly home.  Here is a link to their blog and their story: 

http://nolongeranorphan.blogspot.com/

Thank you, friends and family, for your continued prayers and support on Seth's behalf.  We feel God's hand in everything we've experienced.  We feel your prayers and we are witness to the miracles all around.  We still can't believe that the little boy in blue overalls is now asleep, in his bed, right behind that door.  We know he is one of ours.  We are so very grateful for the blessing of having him in our family.  What a sweet, sweet little boy!  What a survivor.  What a fighter. 

Please use what we've learned from Seth's experience to save other children.  Please help Josiah and Molly come home.