Check out this article about adoption, pro-life and the Lott kiddos!!
http://www.theradiancefoundation.org/lott-of-love/
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday Fun with the cousins...
My sister and her brood came over for a short visit today! I haven't really been out of the bed in a couple of days, so it was nice to sit up and chat with someone. The kiddos always love playing and it gave us all some great and much needed family time.
Emory grilled some hot dogs, and the kiddos played outside all afternoon. It was fabulous. We also let the kiddos have a quick water fight with the hose, that was the highlight of their weekend!
A few pics of our fun:
Emory grilled some hot dogs, and the kiddos played outside all afternoon. It was fabulous. We also let the kiddos have a quick water fight with the hose, that was the highlight of their weekend!
A few pics of our fun:
Friday, April 27, 2012
Emmy's Got Style
I wanted to share this picture of Emmy with her Bitty Twins from American Girl Dolls. Since Emmy is always in the hospital sporting her fashionable gowns, we decided her dolls needed gowns too! So, our super awesome creative designer at Emmy's Got Style made matching gowns for AG dolls!
How cute are these?
How cute are these?
Here are a couple of Emmy sporting her gowns!
Reintroducing ourselves...
I feel like it has been so long since I was an active part of the blogging world, that I should do a little reintroducing ourselves.
I wanted to share some verses that Emory and I believe have been the most influential verses of our married lives, these are the verses that have guided us in and through adoption, through chronic illness with Emmy and have just gotten us through the chaos of daily life.
Our life verse is: "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act."
Proverbs 24:12
This verse has played an important role in our adoption journeys, and even in the starting of our business, Faithful Adoption Consultants (check out our website...here). We believe that this verse very much pertains to the orphan crisis. I believe that our eyes have been opened to the 163 million orphans worldwide, and we cannot pretend that we don't know. I believe God knows our hearts, he knows that we know, and is holding us responsible to act. That doesn't just go for Emory and I. That is for all christians. God has commanded us in my next favorite verse to care for the orphans. Check out
James 1:27.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Pretty plain and simple, huh? God commands us to care for the orphans. I believe that can look different for one family to the next. Sometimes that means bringing orphans into your home, sometimes that means financially supporting those who are called to bring orphans home, sometimes that means mission trips to love on the orphans and widows. Either way, it is a command to care for the orphans. What part are you playing?
Emory and I first began our adoption journey in 2006, with the adoption of our oldest child, Mina. Mina became the oldest, but was the 2nd in our family. Our biological son, Aidan, was almost 2 when we first met Mina. Adopting Mina opened our eyes to the orphan crisis, it opened our eyes to the needs of honest advocacy in adoption, and eventually led us to begin Faithful Adoption Consultants (FAC) in 2008.
Our next adoptions would be Michael and Carson through foster care. We began to feel led to foster as a ministry through our church. In October of 2008, we were given Michael and Carson. Michael was 3 years and Carson was 6 months at the time, they were suppose to be with us for 1-2 weeks TOPS. Over 2 years later, in December 2010, we adopted our sweet boys.
While fostering Michael and Carson, Emory and I were contacted through FAC about a baby girl needing a home through private adoption. She was 1 week old when we were first told about her, and 2 weeks later, we brought our Emmy home. Five short weeks later, Emory and I found out we were expecting another biological child. God grew our family from 1 child to 6 children in 6 short years. Isn't that incredible?
Emory and I have grown so much spiritually, emotionally and in our marriage throughout each addition. It is amazing to see God's goodness in each of our adoption stories. He is so faithful.
Here are a few of the other verses about adoption:
I wanted to share some verses that Emory and I believe have been the most influential verses of our married lives, these are the verses that have guided us in and through adoption, through chronic illness with Emmy and have just gotten us through the chaos of daily life.
Our life verse is: "Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act."
Proverbs 24:12
This verse has played an important role in our adoption journeys, and even in the starting of our business, Faithful Adoption Consultants (check out our website...here). We believe that this verse very much pertains to the orphan crisis. I believe that our eyes have been opened to the 163 million orphans worldwide, and we cannot pretend that we don't know. I believe God knows our hearts, he knows that we know, and is holding us responsible to act. That doesn't just go for Emory and I. That is for all christians. God has commanded us in my next favorite verse to care for the orphans. Check out
James 1:27.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Pretty plain and simple, huh? God commands us to care for the orphans. I believe that can look different for one family to the next. Sometimes that means bringing orphans into your home, sometimes that means financially supporting those who are called to bring orphans home, sometimes that means mission trips to love on the orphans and widows. Either way, it is a command to care for the orphans. What part are you playing?
Emory and I first began our adoption journey in 2006, with the adoption of our oldest child, Mina. Mina became the oldest, but was the 2nd in our family. Our biological son, Aidan, was almost 2 when we first met Mina. Adopting Mina opened our eyes to the orphan crisis, it opened our eyes to the needs of honest advocacy in adoption, and eventually led us to begin Faithful Adoption Consultants (FAC) in 2008.
Our next adoptions would be Michael and Carson through foster care. We began to feel led to foster as a ministry through our church. In October of 2008, we were given Michael and Carson. Michael was 3 years and Carson was 6 months at the time, they were suppose to be with us for 1-2 weeks TOPS. Over 2 years later, in December 2010, we adopted our sweet boys.
While fostering Michael and Carson, Emory and I were contacted through FAC about a baby girl needing a home through private adoption. She was 1 week old when we were first told about her, and 2 weeks later, we brought our Emmy home. Five short weeks later, Emory and I found out we were expecting another biological child. God grew our family from 1 child to 6 children in 6 short years. Isn't that incredible?
Emory and I have grown so much spiritually, emotionally and in our marriage throughout each addition. It is amazing to see God's goodness in each of our adoption stories. He is so faithful.
Here are a few of the other verses about adoption:
“We prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted what we asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart. “ Jeremiah 1:5-6
“He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 113:9
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only...” James 1:22
"The King will reply 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40
In 2008, Emory and I started FAC. We felt the Lord calling us to be a light in a darkness for adoption. Many people have had horrific experiences in adoption, there are many untrustworthy people who prey on couples desperate for a child. Our desire was to be a source of hope and trust, a blessing to these adoptive families. We have been blown away by how the Lord has blessed us through this business and ministry. Some of our dearest friends have come through this ministry. We are thankful that He chose us for this mission.
God has also blessed us with a second company, that came through the adoption of Emmy. Emmy was born with Sickle Cell Anemia and we recently found out, Mitochondrial disease. These 2 diseases have rocked our world. Through these illnesses and frequent hospital stays, we realized the need to allow Emmy's personality to shine through even her sickest of days. We started a not-for-profit, Emmy's Got Style, you can check out that website...here. We started this not for profit to donate hospital gowns to chronically and terminally ill children. Our hospital gowns are fun, stylish and most important, functional. It is a way for these sweet children to have style and show off their personalities even when sick. We have been blessed by a HUGE response, and we now have many children wearing our sweet gowns.
Some of the verses that the Lord has used to minister to us through Emmy's chronic illness are these:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
“Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...to Him be the glory." Eph. 3:20
"Pray without ceasing...” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
God has been busy in the Lott home. We are so blessed. I can't imagine what our lives would look like if we had tried to plan it ourselves. God's plan has been so much greater, so much more fulfilling than anything Emory and I could have come up with on our own.
I can't wait to see what God continues to do in and through our family. I do believe there will be more children, whether that is biological or adopted remains to be seen, but I know He isn't through building this family. Somedays that thought terrifies me, others it excites me beyond belief. He is a good God, and I am so thankful for His perfect plan and His perfect timing.
Home from surgery...
Well, I made it through surgery. It was quite an interesting morning. We arrived at the hospital at 7 am, and I was taken back to pre-op at about 7:30. My pre-op nurse was quite thorough. I am pretty sure she use to work in pediatrics as she spoke to both Emory and myself as if we were children.
I got dressed in all my interesting get-up...gown, socks, mesh panties (Oh yeah, just like if I had just birthed a baby), and of course, a stylish cap. The gowns now come equipped with this wonderful built in heating system, it's like being surrounded by a heated blanket at all times. FABULOUS!
The first thing they did was take a pregnancy test, they wanted to insure that I was not preggo, since I am in my child bearing years still. I informed them of my miscarriage just days earlier, and that more than likely it would still come back positive. Of course, it did. :(
Next, was a walk through of all my systems, making certain they knew every medicine I have ever taken and all illnesses and diseases I have ever thought about having. We went through my morphine allergy at least 25 times. I mean, I am glad they were thorough, but 25 times is a little much. I'm not exaggerating either. Each time they asked they wanted to know how I knew, I explained that I had kidney surgery years ago, and went into anaphylaxis with the morphine. In other words, I was a code blue which = bad news! Next she placed my IV, and went on to comfort me about my miscarriage.
Her comfort started out so sweet. Was this your 1st baby? I replied, "No ma'am it would have been #7". YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER FACIAL EXPRESSION...PURE SHOCK. You could see her fumbling on the chart for my age. HAHA! Emory replied with, "It would only have been our 3rd biological child, she hasn't birthed that many." I would have rather let her assume that we had, it was much funnier. She then proceeded to say, "you didn't need anymore anyway....". Ummmm, for real? Did you just say that? I was now the one in shock, as I gently informed her all babies are a gift, expected or not. She told Emory he needed to find a hobby so #7 doesn't have a chance to happen again....WHAT? Anyway, just thought that conversation was too interesting not to share. I was pretty hacked off at her by the time she left my room.
So, the nurse then proceeded to tell us about the procedure and recovery, and baby talked us the whole time. We made it through, and eventually I was rolled back to the OR.
The OR is always interesting, I have had a lot of surgeries, and the OR is always such a vivid memory. I remember being wheeled back, and pushed onto the OR table, and then as they were strapping me down, I remember the anesthesia nurse placing an oxygen mask on my face. I suddenly became very frantic with the mask on, and remember trying to push it away. About 2 minutes later the anesthesiologist walked in and placed meds into my IV, and then the nurse started pumping gas and oxygen through the mask, She held it so tight, all I could think about was suffocating, I knew in a matter of moments I would be asleep, but I was frantic, and tried pulling the mask off. What a wuss I was! HA!!
The next thing ya know I am in frantic in recovery. I always wake up in hysterics from anesthesia...just ask my poor mom and husband. Once Emory was allowed to come back, I calmed down. I always feel better was he is next to me. I had a hard time waking up, my face hurt, my head hurt, my nose itched....it was awful. So they gave me IV pain and nausea meds, and the next thing I know I am at home in bed.
So, that was my quick journey through the OR. Emory has done an excellent job taking care of me. I have to have pain and nausea meds around the clock for the first 72 hours and then as needed after that, so far Emory has been quite the little nurse, all the while tending to the kiddos, puppies and house cleaning. I am a lucky gal!
Pray for Emory...I am not an easy patient, and these babies are missing their mama. Pray that the Lord would keep him strong and in good spirits until I can get up a help a little.
Here are a couple of pics from my surgery adventure!
I got dressed in all my interesting get-up...gown, socks, mesh panties (Oh yeah, just like if I had just birthed a baby), and of course, a stylish cap. The gowns now come equipped with this wonderful built in heating system, it's like being surrounded by a heated blanket at all times. FABULOUS!
The first thing they did was take a pregnancy test, they wanted to insure that I was not preggo, since I am in my child bearing years still. I informed them of my miscarriage just days earlier, and that more than likely it would still come back positive. Of course, it did. :(
Next, was a walk through of all my systems, making certain they knew every medicine I have ever taken and all illnesses and diseases I have ever thought about having. We went through my morphine allergy at least 25 times. I mean, I am glad they were thorough, but 25 times is a little much. I'm not exaggerating either. Each time they asked they wanted to know how I knew, I explained that I had kidney surgery years ago, and went into anaphylaxis with the morphine. In other words, I was a code blue which = bad news! Next she placed my IV, and went on to comfort me about my miscarriage.
Her comfort started out so sweet. Was this your 1st baby? I replied, "No ma'am it would have been #7". YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER FACIAL EXPRESSION...PURE SHOCK. You could see her fumbling on the chart for my age. HAHA! Emory replied with, "It would only have been our 3rd biological child, she hasn't birthed that many." I would have rather let her assume that we had, it was much funnier. She then proceeded to say, "you didn't need anymore anyway....". Ummmm, for real? Did you just say that? I was now the one in shock, as I gently informed her all babies are a gift, expected or not. She told Emory he needed to find a hobby so #7 doesn't have a chance to happen again....WHAT? Anyway, just thought that conversation was too interesting not to share. I was pretty hacked off at her by the time she left my room.
So, the nurse then proceeded to tell us about the procedure and recovery, and baby talked us the whole time. We made it through, and eventually I was rolled back to the OR.
The OR is always interesting, I have had a lot of surgeries, and the OR is always such a vivid memory. I remember being wheeled back, and pushed onto the OR table, and then as they were strapping me down, I remember the anesthesia nurse placing an oxygen mask on my face. I suddenly became very frantic with the mask on, and remember trying to push it away. About 2 minutes later the anesthesiologist walked in and placed meds into my IV, and then the nurse started pumping gas and oxygen through the mask, She held it so tight, all I could think about was suffocating, I knew in a matter of moments I would be asleep, but I was frantic, and tried pulling the mask off. What a wuss I was! HA!!
The next thing ya know I am in frantic in recovery. I always wake up in hysterics from anesthesia...just ask my poor mom and husband. Once Emory was allowed to come back, I calmed down. I always feel better was he is next to me. I had a hard time waking up, my face hurt, my head hurt, my nose itched....it was awful. So they gave me IV pain and nausea meds, and the next thing I know I am at home in bed.
So, that was my quick journey through the OR. Emory has done an excellent job taking care of me. I have to have pain and nausea meds around the clock for the first 72 hours and then as needed after that, so far Emory has been quite the little nurse, all the while tending to the kiddos, puppies and house cleaning. I am a lucky gal!
Pray for Emory...I am not an easy patient, and these babies are missing their mama. Pray that the Lord would keep him strong and in good spirits until I can get up a help a little.
Here are a couple of pics from my surgery adventure!
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| Hot yellow socks! |
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| My gown warmer |
 |
| My leg compressors. |
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| IV and morphine allergy bracelet |
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Surgery Day...
It is 5:58 am and I am awake, and blogging. Something is very wrong with this picture. I am about to head out for a much anticipated surgery.
I have chronic sinus issues. I have since I was a child. I had surgery when I was 17 for my sinus issues and now I am having that very same surgery again. At least it got me almost 15 years of relief.
So, today, I am having sinus surgery, and I am so ready to feel better!! Here's to hoping this surgery is a HUGE success!!! I have been miserable for weeks, and all you mommies know that mommy cannot be sick!! There is just no time for that!
Have a GREAT day!
I have chronic sinus issues. I have since I was a child. I had surgery when I was 17 for my sinus issues and now I am having that very same surgery again. At least it got me almost 15 years of relief.
So, today, I am having sinus surgery, and I am so ready to feel better!! Here's to hoping this surgery is a HUGE success!!! I have been miserable for weeks, and all you mommies know that mommy cannot be sick!! There is just no time for that!
Have a GREAT day!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Meet Percy
Introducing Percy...our newest addition! He is a beautiful blue great dane puppy! He is very sweet and our kiddos are absolutely in love. He is adjusting quite well, and has really made himself right at home!
And you remember Winston and Thor, right?
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| Thor |
Winston
And....Last but not least....Our kitty Charlie
We love our sweet furbabies!! We have a house full and love every second of it!
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