This week we celebrate two years with our precious Haven.
Haven is one of the greatest blessing the Lord has ever given us.
She will be ten years old in just a few weeks.
Haven needed a ‘safe and sheltered place’ after her first adoption fell through-which is why she bears her name.
She is absolutely beautiful-inside and out.
Haven has a smile that can light up a room.
Our sweet girl has many struggles, but has come so very far in two years.
She loves us with a passion.
Home is where she loves to be most of all. It is her safe place.
Our angel tries so hard to do things that are NOT easy for her. Even the simplest things are a challenge for her.
Haven is still non-verbal. She is really no further along in her speech than she was when she came home two years ago. And that’s okay.
She does NOT need words to communicate with us. We understand her needs perfectly well.
She will not use sign language.
Haven adores her little sister, who is kind of like her big sister as their growth and development are so far apart.
We still do not know why exactly she is unable to speak. Over the last two years we have received many opinions as to why she is unable express herself with words, but who knows?
She NEEDS to feel safe. Safety is everything to Haven. If she feels at all threatened, she does not do well.
We do know that she struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
She is finally mastering the art of brushing her own teeth, going potty, changing her own clothes (and putting them on the right way), finding her own shoes, bathing herself. Each one an enormous victory! We rejoice.
She is tiny-way smaller than her eight year old Chinese sister.
She is developmentally around a three year old level.
Haven loves to eat-even if most meals take her way longer than the rest of the family to get through.
According to Haven, sugar is God’s best creation.
She laughs at the silliest things. Her giggle makes me smile.
She is an absolute delight.
She does not need any toys-just a mirror to admire herself for hours and hours will do just fine.
She is one of the people who teaches me the most in this life.
We’re counting two years of such amazing blessing.
We cannot imagine our lives without her. This sweet little girl brings us such joy. How blessed we feel to be her parents.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this most beautiful and treasured gift. We are so thankful that You chose us to be her mommy and daddy.
I get it now. I finally understand what redemption truly means.
I wrote about Haven’s gotcha day here last year, if you would like to read her story.
Such a beautiful child! I am so thankful the Lord brought her to you!
so happy for haven and all your children!!!
have you tried sign language with haven? My daughter loves the signing times videos… and has picked up a lot of signs just from watching a video once a day. Haven my like them too.
Oh Adeye,
I too have such a gift in my sweet daughter. She sounds very much like your Haven.
Often people have told me how sorry they are for me because of her struggles and because she is not like most 7 year olds. I just chuckle. I count this girl as one of my greatest treasures and teachers!
Thank you for sharing about your sweet Haven. She sounds absolutely perfect!!
Much love!
Lisa
Why will she not learn sign language? I am just curious because my husband, our daughter who we adopted and myself are Deaf — we have seen how much ASL has benefitted our daughter and how it has really helped us bond.
Happy Anniversary Haven-you are a PRECIOUS ANGEL! Thank you friend for letting us go along on the journey with your sweet girl!
Thankful you sharing Haven with us!
What an incredible story to go with your indescribable blessing!
Much love to you!
Jill
Thank you for sharing about Haven. She is such a beautiful girl. Our daughter is also non - verbal right now( for many different reasons) and it is very encouraging to read about your sweet Haven.
She is such a precious little girl. Her smile always makes me smile right back.
Sweet girl! One fine day she will talk. She will sing!!! As soon as God is ready for her to do so. In the meantime, she looks so happy!
Lisa
What a beautiful blessing sweet Haven is!!
She’s BEAUTIFUL!!! What a sweet Blessing she is!
Truly a joyous celebration! Sweet Haven what a precious child of God and how blessed you are to have eachother. I can’t imagine the difficulties she faced at such a tender age but by the grace of God she is with a family that cherishes and adores her.
Good morning dear lady - Haven…such a wonderful name for a wonderful child! And it is such a joy to hear someone speak of a child this way, it brings me great joy! It’s funny - I’ve never met you or your family - but I feel extremely comfortable saying that I’m OK with Haven not speaking - she clearly understands - and I just kind of feel like once she has something she thinks is worth saying she’ll say it! Regardless - just looking at her tells me that she is full of all those things that a child should know - life - love - and even joy….well done.
Happy Gotcha Day sweet child - and hugs to all -
aus and co.
I loved reading Haven’s story this morning. Incredibly encouraging to people who may be considering adoption. God and the way He provides is amazing. I love how life with the Father never gets boring!!
(doing a hat drawing on our blog today btw)
She is perfect in everywhere and beautiful, so very beautiful. Good things come in small packages, we have a nine year old who is small for her age and her doctor tells her that all the time. She is fine, just little. I love how you honor who she is without trying to change her.
Be blessed
Happy Anniversary to all of you. Haven has such a great smile!!!!
Andrea
A sincere thank you for sharing all of your experiences. Such precious children. You inspire me daily!
That was so beautiful. I don’t know you or Haven but she has touched my life. As well as you and all your children. When I go to the grocery store (Publix), there is a sweet down syndrome girl that works there bagging groceries and bringing in buggies. She makes me think of your latest sweet additions. Thanks for sharing.
That was so beautiful. I don’t know you or Haven but she has touched my life. As well as you and all your children. When I go to the grocery store (Publix), there is a sweet down syndrome girl that works there bagging groceries and bringing in buggies. She makes me think of your latest sweet additions. Thanks for sharing.
I am so greatful that God choose YOU and ANTHONY to be her parents, not because I think it would be a chore but because YOU TWO were chosen and therefore it is YOU TWO that God will give wisdom and discernment in how to raise your beautiful treasure. May the Lord continue to give you so much grace to extend to those who have lots of unsolicted insight that they would like to give you or for that matter unsolicited pitty. We both know that in pity there is only one winner…the enemey himself. Im so blessed to watch the Lord enable you and Anthony to be the hands and feet of Jesus to children who many want to try and “fix”. I grow encouraged as a parent when I hear your heart portrayed in your post. Blessings to you, Anthony and all the treasures your home is filled with. Thanks for seeing the things that really matter in this world.
Trina
I loved reading about your sweet Haven. You may be interested in this blog (her dad wrote a fantastic book about her — more info on their blog) http://www.schuylersmonsterblog.com/ (Schuyler is also non verbal and about the same age as Haven, I believe.)
Also, just a thought, but have you tried PECS with her? Picture Exchange Communication System. It may provide an option for communication that others outside the family can understand as well. Just a thought
She is beautiful!
She is a treasure! She is beautiful and wonderful! For even being a silent child her actions speak for her which is amazing. No words are needed from her to make you all feel the way you do when you are around her! She is a blessing! She is also teaching us that many more of us need to be silent too! Celebrating her 2 year anniversary!
What a beautiful smile!
Blessings,
Suzanne
happy 2 years Haven! Praising God for the treasure you are!
I love her name and how it resonates with all that she is and needs! I’m so glad God called you and Anthony to bring her to your family-her safe haven!!!
I just read about your gotcha day. How wonderful that she loved Hannah-Claire so quickly. I am so happy that you have given this sweet girl a safe place, she looks so happy!
Lisa V
I especially like the line about not needing toys. I can see why a beauty like Haven would only need a mirror to be happy! lol : ) What a sweetheart she is.
Praise the Lord! God is so good.
Haven is beautiful, as are all your children.
They are blessed to be with your family !
I absolutely LOVE Haven!
I agree about sugar, Haven
That and BUTTER 
check out Judith Bluestone’s book The Fabric of Autism. Very, very insightful book, not just for autism - might give you some clues & help re: non-verbal.
I found your blog through kellyscorner and was wondering about how Haven communicates. I have a special needs boy who is totally non verbal and won’t sign. Does Haven use PECS or something like that?
I would love to chat please email me at [email protected]