Thank you, sweet friends, for your love and support when I shared my heart in my last post. Thank you for all the amazing comments and e-mails offering advice on different possibilities that Hailee could be struggling with. I am still trying to make my way through all the e-mails. Please know that we are so thankful that so many of you took the time to send us words of encouragement and even wisdom shared from your own journeys raising children with special needs. We appreciate it so very much. Every e-mail and comment gives us such hope for our sweet daughter. It is so amazing to know that we never walk alone when life gets challenging. How I love the glorious Body of Christ.
Well, never in my thirty eight years on this earth have I been as busy as I have in the last ten days. Oh my word. Things have been ridiculous here. Not only are we packing up to move and helping our two new treasures to adjust, but we have also had the mission of getting our home ready to rent out. Why is that everything seems to go wrong with your house just when you’re moving out? We have amazing tenants moving in. The Lord has blessed us. It sure has been a crazy thing trying to get the house decent for them. Unfortunately with all the delays we had in the Ukraine we were left with very little time to pack up and move.
Life outside of these four walls has been put on hold. I forgot one of my best friends birthdays (sorry, my dearest Jo), my inbox is filled to overflowing with unanswered e-mails (which I hate), my kids need haircuts so badly but I just cannot get to the hairdresser, my blog is missing my frequent presence, my friends are wondering if I have fallen off the face of the earth, my toes are desperate for new nail polish (you know, the really important things in life), my hair has been tied up for who knows how long because I just could not be bothered to use a hairdryer, meals are as quick and easy as possible (I really don’t like feeding my family bad food), I have been trying to mail one letter for the last week and just never seem to get it done, I feel like the only time I see my husband is when we pass each other in the kitchen with a to-do list in hand…..aahh yes, life is busy! Thankfully, this too shall pass.
Soon we will begin our big trek across the states and make our way back to the east coast. It’s going to be quite an operation-one moving truck, two other vehicles, four adults, seven children and two dogs traveling for six days. Oh, and not to mention that one of those sweet children hates a car seat! She screams from the time she gets in it until the time she is freed from it. Sounds like a whole lot of fun, huh? I know, I know, you’re all wishing you were me, right? Not.
I cannot wait to get settled and have some kind of [new] normal routine again. The last two months have been so upside down for my family. We’re all longing for this crazy season in our lives to be over. In the midst of it all, the Father has been so good to us-He is our strength and our strong tower, He enables us to do the things that seem impossible. Where would we be without HIM in our lives?
I simply have no idea.
Wow- hope all goes well these next few weeks. I have a good frined that I was on a women’s retreat with this past weekend and she is from South Africa. Small world.
You are right. This too shall pass, and God is always good. Two great things to remember! I just love your heart. We are all praying for you and your family as you get ready and move.
hang in there - it can only get better.
I will be praying even more for you over the next week, knowing that you are making your way with your entire family across the country to your new home. I pray peace and safety over you all!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend and if I could help you out I would hop on a plane tomorrow and be there. Remember when we moved into our houses here, you had a new baby and I was on my last
How things have changed. Miss you all - love Janelle
And I thought my life was crazy! My friend God is very gracious to us and I pray that He will carry your family on eagle’s wings through this journey. We are looking forward to hear how it went AND I promise to send the email you have been asking soon. My feet also barely touch ground but NOTHING compared to what you are doing my precious. I love and miss you soooo. Rest assured we will carry you on the wings of prayer too. Chat soon xxxM
Oh my! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
One quick thought … is there anyone that could fly across country with precious Hailee? Someone who could just hold her and love on her while you all are driving your amazing caravan? Someone who could be at your new place back East, with Hailee in her arms, when you arrive.
Wanting the very BEST for each one of you. Wanting this trip to be a JOY for you and your other children. Wanting Hailee to be held close, not having to endure more trauma.
Just a thought …
Hugs!
Laurel
Oh A, I just emailed you before I read this, but it describes so well how I am picturing you right now :). Counting the days my friend XXXXX
Wow my girl!!! Sounds like a crazy stretch!!! You continue to remaine in my prayers for the strength (and grace!) for each day!! Love you so very much. Jan
Oh my friend, you are indeed busy! There is a light at the end of the tunnel here on the East Coast :o) A WARM light, but a light nontheless. Hang in there, praying strength, peace, grace, provision and wisdom over you!
Blessings
Andrea
Please know that I’m thinking of your sweet family and everything you are attempting to accomplish for your move right now. I pray that the carseat becomes less of a struggle for your sweet angel. Hugs!!
DVD player in the car might help. praying for your family. xx
not wanting to add to your reading sorry
Holy cow! You are one busy mama! I wish we all lived closer so we could help you. Get yourself a good pair of ear plugs before you get on the road. Hang in there! Everything will work out just fine!
Amazing you are even able to post a blog at all with all that you have going on! Yes, God is amazing and enables you to do it and He will continue to get you all thru this!! Still praying!
Thank you for letting us know how to be praying more specifically, Adeye.
You have a warm , Virginian summer stretching out before you and a huge break from school. This ought to help with adjustment.
Hope to see you soon!
Lisa
hang in there girl! peace and rest are coming…eventually =)
Oh mercy, friend! Goodness gracious, I’m exhausted just reading all that! I think you deserve to put on your Wonder Woman costume and put ‘er into high gear!
I’m praying!!
Ug. Will be praying about the 6 days and the car seat!
Hoping everything wraps up quickly and you get to your new (old) home sweet home soon. WITH your sanity. 
WHAT an ADVENTURE! No, I’m not jealous of you, but what a chapter in your life!
Praying for you every step of the way!
I have been following your blog for a long while now — first time commenter but long time lurking supporter! And just wanted to wish you the best of luck!!!
A suggestion (may help, may not… hopefully might!) if it’s one of the little girls who hates the carseat (I’m assuming here), and since I don’t know which one, I would bet that they are both still little enough that they could rear face in a car seat (lots of children do until the age of 3-4), that may be something to think about. Just a different position, may feel better for the child and rear facing is a more cradling position that could be more comforting for some children.
Definitely wishing you the best of luck though!! You’re in my prayers.
Adeye, My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family for your strength and endurance! Maybe a little Benedryl on the trip will help. I was suggested to me by a pediatrician. Also, have you tried a wrap with Hailee? I know you are busy but maybe wrapping her to your back may bring her some comfort! My neice has one and I could get the name of it for you. She uses it with an eighteen month old she adopted in Ethiopia. Good Luck and many prayers for your sanity! Adrienne [email protected]
You poor thing…I can’t even imagine how busy ya’ll are right now. I know that soon things will settle down so that you can enjoy your sweet darlin’s and your husband again.
I’ve learned to really take comfort in “This too shall pass”. Will continue to pray for your family, Adeye!
Have a safe trip!
Blessings,
Tammy
Hang in there sweet Adeye. If anyone can do it, it’s you! You are amazing and soon enough all the dust will settle and you will be on your way to wonderful family memories.
We too are looking at possibly moving…into a bigger home about 30 minutes outside of our current city. So your posts comfort me in that I’m not alone in wanting to do what is best for the family…even if it means some crazy making time in actually getting there :)!
Take care these days!
xo
Jen
I have an open home if you need to stop along the way ;)! Praying you through the next few weeks!
Praying for you throughout this time of transition!! What a crazy, wild ride, huh? I know you wouldn’t trade it for the world!
amein, where would we be without our Father, I agree with you!!
He has given us such precious promises and we have so much to look forward to knowing and trusting that He is in control.
I’m praying that the car seat will be a non-issue for one of your children and that your trip is going along smoothly and enjoyably, even restful too so that you all may gain strenth for the unpacking when you arrive and settle in peacefully in your “new” home and routine.
Girl…you are in the palm of God’s hands and He will somehow get you through this! And then you will give Him glory for it. :)) Praying that your sweet one will get used to her carseat and not cry for 6 straight days! BIG HUGS!!!
I can’t beleive you even took time to post something with all you have going on! :)The comment about the toes made me smile - I have been struggling with the same “problem” for a week or more now and it is driving me crazy!
You are right…Where would we be without Him??!! The joy of the Lord is our strength!!
We’ll be praying for you all as you make your cross-country trek.
Happy Moving Day!!
Please know that you are cared for, loved and prayed for. This is an exciting time! Don’t miss out on the journey. It will soon be over. Make the most of it…have fun!
Oh dear, your plate is full! Have a safe and ”quiet” ride to the east coast. Ponytails are great for the summer… but I completely understand the nail polish situation! Your family are in our prayer always. Have a great adventure with your kids on the road!
Marie-Claude
What a calming post to read. Really. You have hope of a smoother season of life ahead of you. “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Tammy (RR)
Please do not apologise for forgetting my birthday my dear friend!! I cannot believe how many plates you are spinning - no one could blame you for cutting corners! You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your move is as smooth as is possible but know that there will be a flood of prayers for you and your family. And soon this “season” will be over and you will eventually feel a bit more settled. I haven no ground breaking advise to give you for Hailee but I know that, in time, being part of your special family, she will blossom! Keep cutting those corners for now!! All my love as always, Jo
Good luck on your drive across county. Once there I hope you can get the girls and all your children settled. Don’t worry about haircuts. Longer hair is very in with the boys (Justin Bieber).
Susan and Kate
Riverview FL
Adeye and Anthony,
You are such an inspiration to us,
(a crazy dutch couple, currently living in germany, with six kids of their own and a passion for orphans)
I pray for you guys during the day every time you cross my mind and i just know that our Heavenly Father, the father of the fatherless is right there with you!
We read criss cross through your blog eversince we found it on Reece’s rainbow and God is stirring our hearts.
Anthony can be sure that the reflections of a dad spoke right to our hearts.
You’ll be hearing from us, but firstly; May God bless you in abundance during this thing of moving and settling in again.
Hang in there dear friend- the calm will come! Praying for your sweet family and the journey ahead!
Blessings to you!
Adeye - thankfully we will never have to know where we would be without Him! Praying for your sanity, peace of mind, physical well being as you trek!
Saying goodbye is so very hard. my kids kept thinking of one more reason we needed to swing by your house. My consolation is that I am so very happy about all that God is doing for your family and the hopes that there is a reunion in store for the Salems and Allisons before too long. Wishing you the very best and wishing that I wasn’t quite so emotional right now.
Love,
Shauna
Sending you so many prayers and good wishes for a safe trip for all, and lots of humor, patience, peace, and whatever rest you can grab!
All the best,
Nicole A. in OH (38 yrs young, too!)
May God bless you and take good care of you on the way!
You should know the back carrying method-coming from SA. Abba or pEpa they call it. With your tiny body, you should be able to find a big enough towl to wrap around you. With hailee on your back.
Many blessings and love
Glad to hear everything seems to be gsettling in. Thankfully you´ll have the whole summer to settle into the new crazy routine. Praying for you all the way
And Hailee looks much better already!
Blessings on your trip - and as for the screamer in the car seat - we’ve had luck with melatonin. Lots of folks use it for sleep - but it just helps them ‘self regulate’ a little!
hugs - prayers - blessings!
aus and co.
Praying that the Lord will give you peace during these ‘crazy times’.
Looking forward to hearing that you made it through the move.
Michelle
Praying for you all right now. Hope travelling is going smoother than expected.
Hi Salem Family!!
WHEREVER you are…on your journey to “Home”…Please know that I’ve been saying LOTS of Prayers for you ALL! Just going by your last update on the 24th, I’m guessing you’re getting close to being there! Soon you’ll be able to start a new Adventure! I’m looking forward to reading all about it. Lots of Love ~ JO