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Newspaper Article

July 6, 2008
by Adéye Salem

Filed Under: Special Days

PrevAn outpouring of LOVE!

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Apologies for all the random comments, stories, an

Apologies for all the random comments, stories, and who knows what else today. One of these little ladies had so much fun on my phone. According to Hunter, it was most assuredly Harper, of course. 🤷‍♀️❤️😁

Happy 22nd birthday, my sweet Haven. Being your mo

Happy 22nd birthday, my sweet Haven. Being your mom for the last 14 years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. We have watched you walk through your darkest, most excruciating days. And we have seen you overcome hard, hard things. There have been too many victories to count. Your courage to walk through unimaginable pain that should never have been yours to bear astounds me. You are strong. And you are precious. Your smile lights up any room and your laugh reminds me that God is still good, and He is kind. I long for heaven when we will hear about all the things that you cannot tell us now (Haven is non-verbal). Haven, it is such a privilege to be your family. My greatest prayer for you is that you KNOW that you are safe and treasured and that we will always, always fight with everything we have for what's best for you. Happy birthday, my beautiful Haven. How we love you! ❤️🎉

It's October! Down Syndrome Awareness month. That

It's October! Down Syndrome Awareness month. That means that we once again have the privilege of telling you all about these four who rock that extra-special extra chromosome. There is SO much about them that makes them who they are--fearfully and wonderfully made. And we can tell you this one thing because it's our reality every, single day. There is SO VERY much more up than there is down. Because really, we truly are so much more alike than we are different. ❤️

Most of my friends are becoming empty nesters. Som

Most of my friends are becoming empty nesters. Some are becoming grandmothers. Others are enjoying amazing careers. And some are finally able to take vacations to gorgeous places with their husbands. I think that's so awesome! Of course, I have days when I wonder what it would be like. I have moments when I would love nothing more than a few days away with Anthony. I'm so human! But those times are truly fleeting. Because it doesn't take me long to look around at what I HAVE been given to realize once again how exceedingly blessed I am. These six will always (Lord willing!) live with us. We don't see them as a hardship or a burden. Nor do we wish for another life. Because every day we choose to live a life of gratitude and contentment. I am often asked how we deal with the reality of never having a nest that's empty. I guess, for us, it comes down to how we choose to live this one life we've been given. Life is all about choices. We choose to parent with joy--even when it's a not-so-great day. We choose to treasure what we've been given. We choose to find contentment in our everyday, ordinary, very predictable life. And we choose to see these six fearfully and wonderfully made children as a gift from heaven. It's an honor and a privilege to be used by God and we don't take a moment for granted. Is it always easy? Of course not! Tell me what is easy! We sure do have our moments of weariness. But for today, and tomorrow, and for every day that He gives us breath to care for these six children who rely on us daily, there will be amazing grace. In every season of our hearts, He will give us ALL we need. And that is enough for us. Grateful for my nest that will never be empty. ❤️

This teeny little girl has dirty feet 110% of the

This teeny little girl has dirty feet 110% of the time because she absolutely refuses to wear shoes. Will not! And clothes are right up there as a complete nuisance in her world too. Believes that drawing all over her legs is art. Makes the biggest messes of them all. She has the longest list of special needs in the family. Hailee loves to pick out colored markers for us to color in for her. Is learning to use her signs. Keeps us on our toes all day long. Never, ever sits still. Ensures that our days are never dull nor boring. But she's my Hailee girl! The one who expanded my heart to love harder and trust more. She's my walking miracle who showed me that doing hard things is not actually all that hard, really. And there is not a single thing I would change about her. Except, perhaps, clean feet for longer than a couple of hours after bath time. 😁❤️

People ask us all the time how Hasya communicates

People ask us all the time how Hasya communicates with us. Does she speak? Sign? No, she doesn't do either of those. But you know what? That's okay! This sweet little lady has come SO far! She is pretty much completely blind but loves the sound of our voices. She knows when it's time for a meal or when it's time to go to bed because of her routine. Being touched and loved is her most favorite thing. She is the happiest, most content little treasure who just loves to be near us. Hasya will most probably never use words. She will be in a wheelchair until Jesus takes her home--healed and whole (I think about that often). But the sound of her giggle fills our home with a beautiful reminder of just how good God is. Because ten years ago, we didn't even know if she would survive to see her next birthday, or if she would ever know what it means to be joyful. We didn't know if she would ever tolerate us touching her. But God! He has restored so much! The Redeemer has given her new life and it is such an honor to be her mom. ❤️

For a large portion of my life, I believed that I

For a large portion of my life, I believed that I had to have everything in perfect order before God could use me. The house had to be big enough. The car had to be newer. The kids had to be in different seasons of their lives. But I've learned a little secret in my now-mature stage of life. God doesn't need any of that! He doesn't care about our season, our bank account, or the size of our house. He doesn't look to see if we're walking through the fire or standing on the mountaintop. Because, like me, He can take the most broken, bruised vessel and make something beautiful out of it--even in our pain and in our mess. All He needs is our yes--our whispered yes prayed while the storms of life blow all around us. Our faithful yes prayed in the middle of the night, because we KNOW that following Him matters more than anything in this life--even when it's scary and seems impossible. These ten blessings are my very best yes. They are the yes I prayed when it made absolutely no sense. They are my yes prayed when we could not see how things would work out. They are my best yes when I was working through the deepest wounds. They are my greatest reward and will forever be my inspiration to keep pressing on...and to keep saying yes when He calls my name. Because God doesn't look for the most perfect or the most suitable person for the job. He looks for the WILLING heart and turns our yes into something more glorious than we could ever imagine. Forever grateful for this life He chose for me. ❤️@maggie_ridge

Happy 22nd birthday, my second-born son! Gosh, whe

Happy 22nd birthday, my second-born son! Gosh, where have 22 years gone? It feels like yesterday that we brought you home to our house in South Africa. From the day you were born, you have been an absolute joy and delight to your dad and me. I say it all the time because it's true...we all have a choice in who we become. You, my child, have chosen well! You are such a hard worker--I'm convinced that there is nothing that you cannot figure out. You are extremely gifted with a creative eye. You are fiercely loyal and love your people so well. We are so proud of the young man you are and cannot wait to watch God's plans for your life unfold. Keep chasing after the things of God. And Kellan...keep being YOU! Thank you for the joy you bring me. We love you so very, very much. ❤️🎉

Twenty-six years ago, Anthony proposed to me live

Twenty-six years ago, Anthony proposed to me live on radio (he was a radio host) after knowing me for just three months. Some thought we were crazy and said it would never work. Anthony committed to a young woman with more baggage than I'm sure he bargained for. Where I saw nothing but my insecurities and hurts, he saw nothing but the gold in me. And for 26 years, he's been pointing me to the Faithful Refiner--the One who has given us a life and a love we are so thankful for. Forever my heart will be thankful for that day a tall, very handsome stranger walked into my life and has been cherishing me ever since. ❤️

These two girls have the sweetest, most endearing

These two girls have the sweetest, most endearing relationship. Harper has quite a large vocabulary, but Hunter has apraxia and uses her own version of words. Yet somehow they just get each other. They don't stop talking, giggling, getting into my make-up, rearranging the entire house, and just being typical teenage girls all day long. They care so deeply for each other. Adoption is filled with so much loss, pain, and brokenness, but it is also filled with such glorious hope. There is not a day that goes by when I do not whisper, "Thank you, God, that they found each other." ❤️

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