Happy Birthday Azariah

He is ONE! What a year we have had with our sweet boy.  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the years pass when it is filled with with such amazing awesomeness as a baby in the house! Azariah was born October 20, 2010 weighing 8 lbs 1 oz.  A tiny little bundled that slept and ate and slept and ate.  He was a baby that loved to be snuggled, didn't mind the noise or the probing fingers of his big sister and brother. He grew quickly...packing on the pounds adding chins and rolls that melted his mama's heart.  His little dimples ARE so adorable.  With a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face he has studied the world around him starting with the faces and voices of those who love him so dearly then that fist attached to his arm that was somehow just always there.  Slowly he began to study things a little further beyond that fist. What a joy it is to watch a little one take it all in.  Rolling to crawling, everything going in his mouth. Cooing, laughing and words.  Standing to climbing and in to everything.  Teething, teething, teething!   He has been a busy little guy!
He loves to make us laugh and I feel so blessed for all this year has meant.  Getting to know him. Holding him. Kissing him. Playing with him. Teaching him. Reading to him. Feeding him. Bathing him. Loving him. Happy Birthday Azariah Joseph!

Adoption Is The New Pregnant

Or at least it is for us.  We are pregnant with hope and dreams of the little girl that will join our family some time in the next couple of years.  Maybe not in the traditional sense but pregnant all the same. Kyle and I have always known we would like to adopt some day. Adoption. Nearly two years ago our hearts were stirred, well mine was, to the point of wondering if it was time to start the process.  Then we learned we were pregnant with Azariah and decided that pregnancy hormones and the emotions of such a process were not something we wanted to mix so I put this dream from my mind yet again and focused on the awesome craziness that was our life at the time....but this dream remained closer to the surface of my heart than it had ever been before. So much so that not long after Az was born I told Kyle that I felt it was time to open the door to this journey.  Research began.  I began praying in earnest that God would guide and direct my heart.  That He would align Kyle and I...I couldn't very well start down this road without him. Then we were both praying about what God was calling us to. We were ready. Come what may.

It is all very overwhelming. Which agency do we work with? International it is...but which country? Ethiopia? How much does it cost?! What age are we looking to adopt...baby? older child? Male? Female? A special needs child?  It will take how long for a referral?  Our hearts have been stirred and the process has begun... a very long process.  There are moments when this wait seems unbearably long and yet we are content with where we are at, knowing that God has a plan bigger than our own. 

I recall sitting at my computer looking at pictures of children who are waiting for homes.  Kylee approached from behind and asked who the kids were.  I shared with her that the children we were looking at lived in a place called an orphanage and that orphanages were for children who didn't have Mamas or Daddies to take care of them.  Her eyes shone with compassion and she turned to me and said, "They can come live with us Mommy.  You and Daddy can be there Mommy and Daddy." My heart soared at her response.  

God has turned our hearts toward Ethiopia.  The beautiful country that it is with the rich culture and heritage has taken root in my heart.  My heart breaks for the millions of children who are orphans.  For the millions who are living on the streets with no adult to care for them or love them. Passages like James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to the led the world corrupt you  have become so incredibly real for us. Our eyes have been opened. Our hearts are forever changed and this my friends is just the beginning for us.

When you get pregnant you don't get to pick...you don't go through the drive through and order a perfectly healthy girl with a side of no issues. To choose a child, well this part of the process was very difficult.  To know baby girls are more likely to be adopted than baby boys, many don't want to adopt an older child or one who has a misshaped head or a missing limb...what about the child with medical needs that won't get adopted?  How do you say no I am not willing to love that child? I still don't have the answer to that.  When we began researching Adoption agencies and programs it was all so overwhelming but in time we began to see a clearer picture of the road we are taking.  Our little girl will come from Ethiopia.  She may not even be born yet and we love her all the same.  Much like that moment you begin dreaming of getting pregnant or when you find out that you are.  Something takes over.  A passion for getting your home and hearts ready for a new little person to fill up the spaces that seem to be waiting for them.
There are days (with many ahead) where the longing and heartache I feel are so heavy.  In Matthew 11:28 its says 'Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.' The truth is, heartache is what happens when you open your eyes to the realities that others are facing. Millions of others.  Millions.   I believe that God will meet us where we are at.
We will spend our time waiting for her to come home praying for her and her family, learning about Ethiopia and preparing our home for the much awaited day when we carry her across the threshold to her Forever Family.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him 
Psalm 37:5
Isn't it exciting?!

1st Grade

I might be a bit behind but then we are just getting into the swing of the new school year! It has been adjustment from the laid back summer we enjoyed.
We did come to realize just how much Kylee thrives on the structure and routine in a classroom.  She LOVES school and her thirst and hunger to learn is awesome!  She doesn't, however, like to get up early and get ready for the day with any kind of speed.  She is an absolute turtle in the morning...scratch that we have friends who have a turtle that is faster than she is in the morning.  She has an awesome teacher again this year and we are excited about what this year will bring for our sweet girl!

Found her cubbie

 Getting to work

Precious friends

 such a gift

Love these three

He orchestrated it all...just in time.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
A week ago today we rushed Azariah to the Emergency room.  
It was as if God was parting the Red Sea so we could reach the safety of the other side.  As we pulled into the parking lot I began to unbuckle Az from his car seat. As Kyle was rolling to a stop in the nearest parking spot I jumped out and ran inside.  A sign greeted me telling me to WAIT HERE.  Waiting was not something I wanted to do.  Kyle passed the growing line behind me, sure that I had cut in front of them all and was quickly at my side and we were called forward. Our WAIT was no more than a minute.  And no I didn't cut...like I said God was parting the Sea.  We gave the woman at the computer our information.  Our paperwork listed Azariah as having a minor allergic reaction (minor? really?) and we were given a bracelet and a pager and sent to the WAITING area where 15 to 20 others sat waiting as well.  Sit I could not...pace I did.  It was at this moment that I looked at my amazing husband and saw the fear in his eyes.  I had to look away lest that same fear that I had been beating down for the last 35 minutes would completely swallow me whole.  Our baby boy, who had been battling hives from an unknown virus all week had taken a turn for the worse.  The unkown was excruciating.  He had a large lump on the side of his head and his hives that were covering his body were angry and swollen.  His eye lids were red and swelling.  Something was terribly wrong.  "LORD please help him. hold him." A nurse walked out of triage and introduced herself to us and looked Azzy over and informed us that we would be next.  Only a couple of minutes had passed since we had walked into the waiting room.  She walked away, passed through the curtain and then turned around and called for us.  We were telling the triage nurse our story....hives for a week, been to the doctor, tested for HSP, test was negative, virus, getting better last night, seemed a little better this morning, 45 minutes ago the lump on his head started. Did he hit his head? No.  A nurse wandered into the triage area as they were trying to get his oxygen levels the monitor wasn't working the nurse commented that he was pink and seemed to be breathing ok...but wow how strange! whats the lump?  He said he would bump the patient he was going to put in bed 20 and take us.  They would get his oxygen there.  We walked into the room and the ER doctor followed us in.  Again we began telling our story but he interrupted, "Has his lip been swollen?" We all responded no...the nurse leaned over to take a look at Az and told the Doctor that the lip in fact was not swollen as we walked from triage to bed 20.  Suddenly there was a flurry of activity. Orders were being given. Shot of epi. IV in now.  Where's the epi? We lost the vein. Call Nancy. Epi in.  
My baby.  His lip was so incredibly swollen. It looked almost translucent and as if it was about to burst. He was being held down and poked with needles. His thigh was already bruising where they had given him the shot of epinephrine. He was screaming his eyes searching for me, begging for me to help him. I was helpless.  "LORD please. Give him comfort.  This medicine needs to work.  Help his tiny little body.  Help Nancy get the IV in Father.  Please."  They finally got the IV in his foot. 
FINALLY I was able to hold my baby and try and calm him. I can't describe it.  God did it.  He helped Azariah.  The timing, the promptness and skill of the doctors and nurses.  It was all GOD.  Some might say coincidence.  But I know he answered our prayers. Maybe even your prayers.  I am so thankful. 
We know life is fragile. We know everything can change in an instant.  When we were staring that stark reality in the face everything in me fought against it.  This precious boy has so much life to live.  I will never stop fighting for that but in that moment, in my utter helplessness, I was keenly aware that God is in control. In that instant I was never more thankful.  He orchestrated it all...just in time.
We still don't know if the anaphylactic reaction was a result of the virus or if he was exposed to something in the environment.  We will be seeing a specialist in order to find out what we can.  We are now armed with an EpiPen jr. should he have another situation arise. Lord willing, we will find some answers and we won't ever need to use the EpiPen.
If you were praying for us in the midst of this traumatic situation, or have been since, thank you.  We are so grateful for those prayers that have been uttered on Azariah's behalf. The outpouring of love. Those who laid hands on our sweet boy and asked for healing. Those who visited us in the hopsital. Care provided for Kylee and Jude. Other "details of life stuff" that were taken care of for us. Meals. Messages of love and encouragement. May God return that blessing to you in mighty ways.
The meaning of Azariah is God helps.  We knew that the day he was born. We were reminded of that this week. It has been seared into our hearts. Thank you God. We are joyful in the hope we have in Jesus.  I am not sure how patient I have felt in our time of affliction but I will be faithful in prayer as Romans instructs.

  

Jesus Loves Me

There are just some moments in life that are so incredibly precious. Moments that boast of God's love and goodness. Today we experienced one of those moments.
Kylee and I went to visit Great-grandpa who has now been moved to a new facility in order for him to get the care that he needs.  I explained to Kylee before we went in to see him that he may not remember us.  When she asked me why, I did my best to explain it to her.  My heart swelled with pride as I watched her pour her love over him.  Several times he called her by a different name and as she held his hand and looked into his eyes she would tell him again who she was.  She told him stories. They sang together. She recited some of her memory verses.  She giggled at his stories, answered his questions...even when they didn't make a bit of sense.  All the while her tiny little hand clasped tightly to his massive one.

Training Wheels no more

It is such a strange blend of emotions...to be running alongside your first born with complete joy and excitement as well as overwhelming fear that they will take a bite out of the cement.  That is how I was feeling today as Kylee learned how to ride without her training wheels.  It was AWESOME! Kylee is not exactly our adventurous one.  She doesn't like to venture outside of her comfort zone or do things that might hurt so we were a bit surprised that she wanted to take her training wheels off but peer pressure prevailed and since her good friend Maggie took hers off Kylee decided she was ready to do the same. It didn't take long for her to get the hang of it and we had to chuckle at her mantra..."don't think about falling, don't think about falling, don't think about falling."
I remember well the days my big brother Scotty and I rode around our neighborhood.  All sunshine and freedom. When there was nothing we couldn't do which included riding with no hands...oh the fun!
Today was a big day.

Gifts

Az is... what words can I use to adequately describe him?  Love. Joy. Innocent. Laughter. Sweet. Soft. Wonder. Snugly. Awe. Pure. Happy. Fun. Good. Trusting. Slobbery.
Beautiful. That gives you a tiny glimpse of the amazing little boy he is.
There is no doubt, he is one of my most cherished blessings. I am so thankful to be his Mama.
Azariah Joseph is now 5 months old. He has gained 10 pounds and a tooth since his birth. He is cooing, laughing, reaching, grabbing, sucking his thumb, sleeping well, eating rice cereal and squash, drooling, chewing on his fist (as the second tooth tries to make its way up and out), giving kisses, and altogether melting my heart on a daily basis.  It is hard to believe the days of the newborn are passed and we have moved into this equally rewarding days of infancy where each day holds something new to be learned and mastered.  I know all too well how quickly these days go by so I am doing my best to live in the moment!  Soak up all the wonderfulness that it is to be his Mama.  As we prepare to dedicate our sweet boy in a couple of weeks I have been thinking a lot about the gift of Azariah.  God has entrusted him to us.  We are to love him and care for him and "train him up in the way he should go." Such an incredible responsibility.  One that feels quite daunting if I am honest.  But then why do I feel that way?  Azariah is a child of God.  God loves him even more than I do.  My brain can hardly begin to fathom the depth of that love.  God has a plan for Azariah...a plan for a hope and a future.  What have I to fear? I will love him, protect him and teach him to the best of my ability and I won't be alone.  God is holding me in His mighty hands, giving me strength and wisdom and any other thing I need to accomplish all that is before me.  And that makes me feel just a tiny bit better.

Jude is 4...

Somebody tell me again where the years have gone? Four years ago we brought this little boy home wrapped up tight in a blanket of love.  Now we spend our days running, jumping (lots of jumping), poking and prodding his way through each day.  This mama's heart is thankful that Jude is a snuggler...so each day I can sit and hold him close and soak up more of this little boy that is growing so fast.  The joy he has brought to our family cannot be measured. His awe and wonder, the way his eyes see this world we live in, is such a breath of fresh air, humility, relief and hope for me.  Hope for all that is to come for our future major league baseball player or was it astronaut? Driving a garbage truck would be pretty awesome too if you ask him.  Happy Birthday Jude...your opportunities are limitless!  But first it is learning to ride a bike without training wheels, swimming without a floatie, your first soccer game, first day of school, first baseball game...can't wait buddy! Love you to the MOON and back!
Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance.

Two down...

"It was so loose and I brushed my teeth and it just popped out!" And this time the tooth fairy gave her money to go shopping for a toothbrush! Oh happy day!

Baby in a Bumbo...

I love watching him grow! He is imitating sounds, laughing and getting things to his mouth.  It is so hard to believe 12 weeks ago he was born.  This baby boy has completely captured my heart.  But look at him! How could he not?
I love him to pieces!

2010...

2010 was an amazing year for our family...
but then how could it be anything but amazing when you have a new little one?  Experiencing the miracle of life is nothing short of awesome.  To add to that awesomeness Kylee and Jude are growing in leaps and bounds and bring us immeasurable joy!  Kyle has a good job and I am blessed to be able to stay home.  Which leads me to wonder if life could possibly get any better?!  I know there is much pain and suffering all around us and I am so thankful for the safe haven that is our home.  A place where we can find renewal and strength in God to go out and make a difference...to be a blessing. I think this Christmas season was especially sweet for our family as Kyle, Azariah and I were Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.  As I prepared for my role in the services, as I stood on the stage gazing down at a very sweet stand in for the baby Jesus, the wonder of it all was so real and I am forever changed.

Christmas Letter 2010

Lovin

As I reflect on this past year I am overwhelmed by all the blessings we have seen!  This year was not without its trials and tribulations but the goodness and faithfulness of God prevailed. 

Kyle is busy as always.  This summer he was hired by the Chehalis School District as the Assistant Principal at Chehalis Middle School.  This is the same role he had last year as the Principal’s Intern and then Dean of Students. It is nice to be settling in to the role and having a year under his belt.  He is continually challenged and enjoys his job very much.  I am incredibly lucky to be married to a man of such amazing character, integrity and compassion. 

Kylee is 5 now and in kindergarten. I am still wondering where the years have gone! She loves school and she is continually amazing us with her abilities to adapt as well as the rapid rate at which she is learning.  It is hard to believe that she is reading and writing and she loves to share all she is learning. She is also in ballet again and we are looking forward to watching her recital in June.  Kylee has also taken up Violin lessons. She loves it! Kylee is a smart, kind, beautiful little girl with a flare for the dramatic. She brings an incredible amount of joy and happiness to our home.

Jude is nearly 4! He is such a big boy now.  He is very demonstrative.  Jude is also very sensitive and he doesn’t like conflict in any form.  He is definitely our peacekeeper. He is an amazing boy! He loves to wrestle, to play ball (of any variety) and he has such a loving heart! He will often out of the blue proclaim his love to you. He is a sensitive, inquisitive, active little boy and it is one of my greatest joys, to be his mother.

One of our our greatest blessings this year was the arrival of Azariah Joseph in October. Our sweet baby boy was born October 20, 2010 at 6:29pm He weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce and he was 21 inches long. He has stolen our hearts completely. He is smiling and cooing and he sleeps well and he eats well! His amazingly full cheeks and his many chins are proof! He is truly a beautiful baby boy and we are thankful for this amazing gift that God has blessed us with!

I am absolutely loving life as Kyle’s wife and mother to my three beautiful children. I can’t imagine that it gets any better than this!

We pray this coming year brings you much joy and happiness as well as the peace of Jesus to sustain you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

With love,

The Fletchers