tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47861868753813854832024-03-12T20:19:36.505-07:00From Puerto Rico to AfricaThe Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-34404156946164945222013-11-12T18:41:00.000-08:002013-11-12T18:41:39.206-08:00We are growing...by one<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In case you didn't know....we are expecting. So if my head seems like it's in lala land... It's because we're now entering the 1st trimester of paperwork, homestudies, and background checks. Fingerprints, medical evaluations, and forms forms oh and more forms! And we are so excited that we are growing! By one more I might add. And this time....wait for it.....A GIRL! Yes we are now entering foreign territory in this family....as we have four boys I have no idea what to expect when expecting a GIRL! Can I say that I'm over the moon excited that now when all the boys are skateboarding or digging for worms or doing "boy things" I now will have a little girl that will get to go <strike>shopping </strike>be right there doing those same exact things as her brothers...just in pink. Okay not all pink. But hey is it bad I'm saving some sleeper pajamas from her brothers to pass down? Little baby girl will have FOUR older brothers to protect her. And can I say being daddy's only little girl.....she is in for a lot of lovin from all of us!! At this time I will not be sharing any details online about baby girls adoption process. But please feel free to ask us in person:) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUkjcAaekmY/UoLkWJAiOwI/AAAAAAAAAxU/JTwAhs_BznE/s1600/africa-ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">..<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUkjcAaekmY/UoLkWJAiOwI/AAAAAAAAAxU/JTwAhs_BznE/s1600/africa-ultrasound.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-42830768825287516012013-11-12T18:16:00.000-08:002013-11-12T18:16:36.397-08:00Catching Up<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Its hard to believe that Kai has been home with us for ten months now!!! Wow. Time has flown by sooo fast and we have gone through so many changes in the past ten months. From learning about sickle cell disease, numerous hospital stays, first spleen crisis at a hospital in Puerto Rico, to moving from Puerto Rico back to the states, staying with family in Michigan for a few months to find a house...while Scott was living/working in New Jersey finding us a house. It was just a crazy crazy time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kai had a second serious spleenic sequestration on my birthday (March 10th). He was admitted to the ICU with an enlarged spleen, severe fatigue/anemia and heart failure. Thankfully this time we were at a hospital who took immediate action. Kai was immediately given new blood. We were at the hospital for blood work three times a week at Memorial Children's Hospital in South Bend, IN. He was then put on a three week blood transfusion schedule by our hemotologists. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> On May 7th he had an operation which removed his spleen. Which was causing a lot of the life threatening symptoms he was having. After a full month recovery we noticed significant changes in Kai. This was the fist time since he came home that he started to gain weight. He no longer had a yellow tint to his skin which was a symptom of severe anemia. His skin started to glow and his cheeks started to fill in. His personality changed from a grumpy most of the time, fatigued boy, to bouncing of the walls, chasing his brothers, getting in on the fun boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Since he came home he's gained a significant amount of weight. 12lbs. in ten months, grown two shoes sizes and went from a 12-18months to a 3t. He's now at 48% for height and weight for a three year old. Right on track! Below are some pictures just to see the physical changes in the last ten months. And of course the birthday pictures!! We couldn't imagine life without our little man. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecx4NETQJ9w/UoIph-QM9WI/AAAAAAAAAwM/e6FKlJS8QI8/s1600/1360678753163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecx4NETQJ9w/UoIph-QM9WI/AAAAAAAAAwM/e6FKlJS8QI8/s320/1360678753163.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai on the second day he was home. That night he was admitted into the ICU in Puerto Rico with a hemoglobin number of 3.2. By the time he had his blood transfusion 18 hours later it dropped to 2.8. An average person has a hemoglobin number of 12grams. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PV5boHLXWI4/UoIpputJrqI/AAAAAAAAAwU/O8BBZ13NZ5A/s1600/1360793448697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PV5boHLXWI4/UoIpputJrqI/AAAAAAAAAwU/O8BBZ13NZ5A/s320/1360793448697.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai after his second blood transfusion in ICU at Centro Medico. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Starting to feel better. He was released from this hospital four days later. It was horrible. Makes me thankful for our hemotologist in Indiana and New Jersey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV8ooj_g3Co/UoIsP11sRKI/AAAAAAAAAw0/WShu8aQYNAg/s1600/Fall+Photo+Shoot0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QV8ooj_g3Co/UoIsP11sRKI/AAAAAAAAAw0/WShu8aQYNAg/s320/Fall+Photo+Shoot0012.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 2013. Two months after his splenectomy he's feeling great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glSJbzr6HvQ/UoIqv8njBVI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FCCiqlYDM2Q/s1600/Fall+Photo+Shoot0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glSJbzr6HvQ/UoIqv8njBVI/AAAAAAAAAwg/FCCiqlYDM2Q/s320/Fall+Photo+Shoot0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai just celebrated his birthday on October 23rd. He turned 3 years old!! Can you see the differences? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rO5TDxGjm8/UoIscDpkHuI/AAAAAAAAAw8/Pdj6sIQ1zEc/s1600/Fall+Photo+Shoot0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rO5TDxGjm8/UoIscDpkHuI/AAAAAAAAAw8/Pdj6sIQ1zEc/s320/Fall+Photo+Shoot0113.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7W4CPJ5LmpI/UoItR5MdNmI/AAAAAAAAAxE/rH93_Ikqj7s/s1600/Fall+Photo+Shoot0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7W4CPJ5LmpI/UoItR5MdNmI/AAAAAAAAAxE/rH93_Ikqj7s/s320/Fall+Photo+Shoot0056.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6ZN5cqkK14/UoIsMUEcXSI/AAAAAAAAAws/sq9xuYrmnjE/s1600/Fall+Photo+Shoot0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6ZN5cqkK14/UoIsMUEcXSI/AAAAAAAAAws/sq9xuYrmnjE/s320/Fall+Photo+Shoot0037.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-37320901764754836602013-07-17T19:48:00.003-07:002013-07-17T19:49:05.979-07:00Almost 3!!! boy has he grown!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPkTuUesbUc/UedW03cj_xI/AAAAAAAAAvk/cQbCMez06LQ/s1600/20130716_102354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPkTuUesbUc/UedW03cj_xI/AAAAAAAAAvk/cQbCMez06LQ/s320/20130716_102354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwE2lfb-MFM/UedW71mbf2I/AAAAAAAAAvs/51Befi_xdjY/s1600/20130716_102152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwE2lfb-MFM/UedW71mbf2I/AAAAAAAAAvs/51Befi_xdjY/s320/20130716_102152.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG8PVA7wYiU/UedXBmw7m3I/AAAAAAAAAv0/fbaSyCYCtPA/s1600/20130716_102249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BG8PVA7wYiU/UedXBmw7m3I/AAAAAAAAAv0/fbaSyCYCtPA/s320/20130716_102249.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-59432278798472945512013-03-02T20:51:00.000-08:002013-03-02T20:51:02.241-08:00And this is the face of a kid who's feeling good!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pii8NEjq7FQ/UTLVPtUdIcI/AAAAAAAAAuw/9f1uCH3_pfs/s1600/1361985641460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pii8NEjq7FQ/UTLVPtUdIcI/AAAAAAAAAuw/9f1uCH3_pfs/s320/1361985641460.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9I7l4bGyM8U/UTLVTDbcuVI/AAAAAAAAAu4/UoYao2jFtW0/s1600/1361996434254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9I7l4bGyM8U/UTLVTDbcuVI/AAAAAAAAAu4/UoYao2jFtW0/s320/1361996434254.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIGVC-cD-7w/UTLVVF9pRnI/AAAAAAAAAvA/fD3EtWbIAp4/s1600/1361817188162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIGVC-cD-7w/UTLVVF9pRnI/AAAAAAAAAvA/fD3EtWbIAp4/s320/1361817188162.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-66935890569495498352013-03-02T20:49:00.001-08:002013-03-02T20:49:32.199-08:00Updates and hospital time<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K6UNshvhKHY/UTLSUkuRivI/AAAAAAAAAug/4m5q6QV4sN8/s1600/1360802206501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm going to get to Scott's time in Congo with Kai...the gotcha day pictures and his almost two weeks in country. But I wanted to post some recent updates first as the past four weeks since we brought Kai home has been a whirlwind!!! Some of you may know we relocated to South Jersey (which should be classified as a whole different state apart from northern New Jersey...and because somebody always asks..no it's not like the tv show, the Jersey Shore) for my hubby's new job as a civilian fire fighter working for the Coast Guard. We said adios to active duty military, hola to civilian world. It's pretty nice. We're feeling pretty free, but the transition for our family of six.... has. been. pure. <strike>craziness</strike> hell. We are staying in a temporary rental for a few weeks as we finalize our home purchase. All of the kids are out of whack. We left warm beautiful Puerto Rico..oh how I miss you..and we are freezing. And we are bored because we can't go outside because we are freezing. And poor Kai. Coming home from Congo, to Puerto Rico, to New Jersey. Yes he's freezing too and makes this cute little mad scrunched up face when the wind hits him. It will get better. We are taking it a day at a time and I couldn't make it here if I didn't have beautiful caring friends in our life who keep us entertained with toys and coffee so we're not sitting in our rental all day going nuts. You better believe I'm already planning our escape to Puerto Rico though. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLz1D2VJMX8/UTLRqwThdZI/AAAAAAAAAuE/GN6LkURnq_U/s1600/1360731648660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLz1D2VJMX8/UTLRqwThdZI/AAAAAAAAAuE/GN6LkURnq_U/s320/1360731648660.jpg" width="240" /></a>Now to a more important topic then all of our chaos. Kai is doing fantastic! He's gained 4 lbs since he's came home and is such a ball of constant energy. I haven't posted this yet or these pictures. After Kai came home 6 days later we went to a check up at our family doctor for what we thought would just be a physical before our move to NJ where we would take him to the international adoption clinic at CHOP. The doctor did the normal check up and he wanted to run a couple of blood tests while we were in the office. Something didn't look right when the blood test came back and they asked to run it again. His hemoglobin was 3.5. The average persons hemoglobin is 12. Anything under 8 is considered dangerous. The doctor called for an ambulance and I rode with Kai to Centro Medico. If you ever are in Puerto Rico and need to go to the ER, don't go to this one. The doctors came in and asked background history. Which of course we knew nothing. We did know that Kai may be possible sickle cell. While he was at our agencys transition home he was administered to the hospital and had a blood transfusion for what we thought was for malaria. He did have a test done for sickle cell. One test came back positive. The second time the test came back negative. So it was a thought in the back of our minds for the past month that he could possibly have sickle cell anemia. The doctor felt that his spleen was very enlarged and she said it felt like it was sickling and they needed to do blood work right away.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v5eClAepqM/UTLSQx75dxI/AAAAAAAAAuY/RLRdpA-n9O4/s1600/1360794880081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v5eClAepqM/UTLSQx75dxI/AAAAAAAAAuY/RLRdpA-n9O4/s320/1360794880081.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mama and Kai in the PICU room during second transfusion.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Two hours later the nurse came in for blood work. 12 hours later they moved Kai to PICU and he was confirmed he had sickle cell anemia and needed a blood transfusion. One blood transfusion Kai was starting to perk up. He was starting to laugh, and chat in his swahili/french/2 yr. old babble. Second blood transfusion....he tried to jump out of the crib. He was feeling so much better and sooo good! Four days later he was finally released from the PICU and now he is on daily meds to help manage what could turn into a "pain crisis." I'm going to commit a whole post to Sickle Cell Anemia in the next post because I want people to be informed and aware of what Sickle Cell anemia is. Even if you are curious or happen to know somebody who has it but you don't know anything about it. That was us a few weeks ago! I'm no expert, but we are learning as we go. </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wunSssBX5ik/UTLSV40zldI/AAAAAAAAAuo/ijQFIiWfWRc/s1600/1360803923448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wunSssBX5ik/UTLSV40zldI/AAAAAAAAAuo/ijQFIiWfWRc/s320/1360803923448.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">starting to feel good!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GJ-w5hpyg0/UTLSPpdE1yI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/4LlnaEhc6go/s1600/1360793369330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GJ-w5hpyg0/UTLSPpdE1yI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/4LlnaEhc6go/s320/1360793369330.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He's a trooper, and of course keeping it cool in the PICU with his hat. He wanted it backwards;)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-72390835682574148912013-02-27T14:22:00.001-08:002013-02-27T14:22:33.933-08:00Kai is HOME!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Di_8wgLoTrU/US6AKBDhB4I/AAAAAAAAAsI/Z0vtxvpFHn0/s1600/536109_10151390602669719_250548249_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Di_8wgLoTrU/US6AKBDhB4I/AAAAAAAAAsI/Z0vtxvpFHn0/s320/536109_10151390602669719_250548249_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qnEYgD68qY/US6ANIi4FBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/IdrffwNF0UY/s1600/404780_10151390622184719_1720180313_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qnEYgD68qY/US6ANIi4FBI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/IdrffwNF0UY/s320/404780_10151390622184719_1720180313_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_UuhVqxBLg/US6AYcqyQqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/x-CcIvjdKEU/s1600/404427_10151390607489719_1831291886_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_UuhVqxBLg/US6AYcqyQqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/x-CcIvjdKEU/s320/404427_10151390607489719_1831291886_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppXMjFDmO1I/US6Ah9BjoQI/AAAAAAAAAss/Ubze_F_s63w/s1600/603884_10151390612444719_522726177_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppXMjFDmO1I/US6Ah9BjoQI/AAAAAAAAAss/Ubze_F_s63w/s320/603884_10151390612444719_522726177_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGMS9_8KcEA/US6BozLMo_I/AAAAAAAAAs4/LG_l5rRP_rg/s1600/426095_10151390616104719_1147209466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGMS9_8KcEA/US6BozLMo_I/AAAAAAAAAs4/LG_l5rRP_rg/s320/426095_10151390616104719_1147209466_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl8pTMFG1yU/US6BxFoT1xI/AAAAAAAAAtA/nm_3iUWdJKE/s1600/544612_10151390667684719_1425132749_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl8pTMFG1yU/US6BxFoT1xI/AAAAAAAAAtA/nm_3iUWdJKE/s320/544612_10151390667684719_1425132749_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv9AsqXMSo8/US6ByCBkkZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/54KmvyMa-js/s1600/64881_10151390688469719_968153648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iv9AsqXMSo8/US6ByCBkkZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/54KmvyMa-js/s320/64881_10151390688469719_968153648_n.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMBRi1Gfpdw/US6B0wtMLgI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/NkccoeN3GD0/s1600/250703_10151390627934719_77412110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMBRi1Gfpdw/US6B0wtMLgI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/NkccoeN3GD0/s320/250703_10151390627934719_77412110_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIw04z1WvUY/US6B5bvkMOI/AAAAAAAAAtY/UJxctZepWPM/s1600/382237_10151390667154719_1871329641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIw04z1WvUY/US6B5bvkMOI/AAAAAAAAAtY/UJxctZepWPM/s320/382237_10151390667154719_1871329641_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poTvlphP2cU/US6CAqaQGXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/ZicMFS3EfXo/s1600/426652_10151390687714719_1347340509_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-poTvlphP2cU/US6CAqaQGXI/AAAAAAAAAtg/ZicMFS3EfXo/s1600/426652_10151390687714719_1347340509_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6nHk8X-ICQ/US6CG-zaAcI/AAAAAAAAAto/iKWd_X9oFYM/s1600/382287_10151468774131894_1824015353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6nHk8X-ICQ/US6CG-zaAcI/AAAAAAAAAto/iKWd_X9oFYM/s320/382287_10151468774131894_1824015353_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-60039590521695615042013-01-24T11:41:00.002-08:002013-01-24T11:41:16.781-08:00LOVE is coming for you!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdNGfVERlbM/UQGNlSoDxTI/AAAAAAAAArg/aoXkylQPpUc/s1600/9481_407604682654449_1561560262_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdNGfVERlbM/UQGNlSoDxTI/AAAAAAAAArg/aoXkylQPpUc/s320/9481_407604682654449_1561560262_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xB7uoB_0ppk/UQGNkEwFRgI/AAAAAAAAArY/0CVZtAmXUZw/s1600/Kaiwithrice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xB7uoB_0ppk/UQGNkEwFRgI/AAAAAAAAArY/0CVZtAmXUZw/s320/Kaiwithrice.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUdpeyfVmeY/UQGOE9FpDtI/AAAAAAAAArw/02reKjUxPqM/s1600/kainoaboaslide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUdpeyfVmeY/UQGOE9FpDtI/AAAAAAAAArw/02reKjUxPqM/s320/kainoaboaslide.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7suJdbOFJY/UQGN5JjllTI/AAAAAAAAAro/1FER13vtaNg/s1600/8376971668_a476ed209b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7suJdbOFJY/UQGN5JjllTI/AAAAAAAAAro/1FER13vtaNg/s320/8376971668_a476ed209b.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-16746937319847140462012-12-26T06:28:00.000-08:002012-12-26T06:28:50.404-08:00Feliz Navidad Kai!! <b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas surprise! Photos of our little man on Christmas Eve AND Christmas day!!!!! whoa!! </span></span></span></b><br />
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7IKIKuTYbc/UNsEcC_MfSI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qY8kKi0SHMw/s1600/Kaibrokenarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7IKIKuTYbc/UNsEcC_MfSI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qY8kKi0SHMw/s320/Kaibrokenarm.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve in Kinshasa!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmDofpxCSNU/UNsEcwIdcBI/AAAAAAAAAqg/EzItuLchvYg/s1600/kaisittingarmcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmDofpxCSNU/UNsEcwIdcBI/AAAAAAAAAqg/EzItuLchvYg/s320/kaisittingarmcast.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw the break was his right arm. Another mama that was there said it didn't seem to bother him but he would sit down to rest when he got tired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1CcpZjB_6c/UNsGWsEW2WI/AAAAAAAAAq4/siJtbUhNDjc/s1600/KainoaChristmasTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1CcpZjB_6c/UNsGWsEW2WI/AAAAAAAAAq4/siJtbUhNDjc/s320/KainoaChristmasTH.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas Kai! Looking all handsome and in an outfit and shoes that we sent!! They dressed all the kids up in their Christmas outfits for the party. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ob-6eNxpMfo/UNsGnDDbh6I/AAAAAAAAArA/_HoByU_-dsw/s1600/ChristmasTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ob-6eNxpMfo/UNsGnDDbh6I/AAAAAAAAArA/_HoByU_-dsw/s320/ChristmasTH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The transition home all decorated for a Christmas celebration.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was so <span style="font-size: small;">wonderful to see that the <span style="font-size: small;">children at the TH had a Christmas pa<span style="font-size: small;">rty! It looks like they all had a lot of fun<span style="font-size: small;">! T<span style="font-size: small;">he<span style="font-size: small;">re was also a photo of the food table and it looks like there were some pla<span style="font-size: small;">ntains and y<span style="font-size: small;">ucca. <span style="font-size: small;">We call plantains "amari<span style="font-size: small;">llos"<span style="font-size: small;"> or another kind "tostones" </span>in <span style="font-size: small;">Pu<span style="font-size: small;">erto Rico and that was w<span style="font-size: small;">hat we made on Chr<span style="font-size: small;">istmas Eve<span style="font-size: small;"> with a traditional PR meal<span style="font-size: small;">...rice, pink beans, <span style="font-size: small;">pollo<span style="font-size: small;">..yum! <span style="font-size: small;">A lot of the PR recei<span style="font-size: small;">pies<span style="font-size: small;"> have African roots<span style="font-size: small;"> so it was neat to see some of the same foods that<span style="font-size: small;"> they were eating <span style="font-size: small;">at their Christmas party. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We are really counting down the days now!!! </b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-28006413708352455232012-12-21T09:28:00.000-08:002012-12-21T09:28:07.815-08:00To the hospital and back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A day after the last post I wrote (on December 15th) we thought that Kai would have been well enough after the one night hospital stay to go home the next morning. Turns out he had to stay a second night and he received a blood transfusion. There were two amazing women who stayed with him all day and donated blood for him, C & J. For them I will forever be grateful they did this for my son. There is no blood bank in DRC so in order for Kai to receive the blood transfusion, blood had to come from somewhere. They are also ran some blood tests on Kai. As of an update yesterday we are still waiting to receive those results from the hospital in Kinshasa. Kai was feeling great after the blood transfusion and he was able to go back to the transition home that night. So thankful. We cried, prayed, and worried so much over this little boy. So many people were praying for him. We were so glad to hear that he was doing well and out of the hospital!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlR3H7Dv8Sg/UNSXFnPYgiI/AAAAAAAAAp4/8m18vu-DQBs/s1600/Kaibirtdaysmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlR3H7Dv8Sg/UNSXFnPYgiI/AAAAAAAAAp4/8m18vu-DQBs/s1600/Kaibirtdaysmile.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">We received another email last night from our caseworker. First line, "well....I don't know why this always happens with your family."......that worried me to read....then it went on to say that Kai is feeling SO GOOD that for the past 36 hours he has been running around like crazy at the transition home with all of the other kids laughing and having a good time. He decided to climb up on a chair and jump off. In doing so he landed on his arm on the hard tile floor and fractured it. Our poor little guy! Back to the hospital for Kai. They were waiting for the swelling to go down so they could cast it. Our case worker said, "I want you to be prepared for two things..he's coming home in a cast, and he's all boy!" She also wrote that the nannies said ever since his blood transfusion he is like a completely different child! Scott and I can't help but find this situation slightly comical. Only slightly because I do feel so bad that he broke his arm, but he just got out of the hospital, was having a good time, and found himself back at the same place again! He's also the first out of all four boys to break a bone, and he's two yrs. old. I think when he gets home him and Keane are going to be good buddies. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">We can't wait to get him home and we will be flying very soon. His embassy appointment was Tuesday this past week. We sent off our visas last week. We should be getting ready to fly about a week or so after Christmas. We wish he was already home and our family was all together on Christmas day, but we are leaving the tree up and all of his presents will be waiting for him to open when he gets home!! I can't tell you how much I LOVE this little guy already!!! Can't wait to watch him jumping around and wrestling with his three older brothers. We love you Kai, and we wish you a Merry Christmas!!!</span></span>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-9065688693315201432012-12-14T04:18:00.002-08:002012-12-14T04:18:44.561-08:00Nets For Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyTvyNrofSo/UMsU8NSSz5I/AAAAAAAAApE/r4982C77r-0/s1600/scotty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyTvyNrofSo/UMsU8NSSz5I/AAAAAAAAApE/r4982C77r-0/s320/scotty.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Yesterday we got news that I dreaded. Our caseworker called us around 3:00pm telling us it was nothing to worry about but they had to take Kai to the hospital because he had a fever and flu like symptoms. No wonder the nanny said he was feeling so weak in his update a couple days ago. She told us that he most likely had a relapse of malaria. I had that devastating sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to go be with my son. To have a child an ocean away in a hospital and not be there with him. I did what I could only do. Something much more powerful then any medicine. We prayed. Our family stood in the kitchen held hands and we prayed for Kai. The sweetest most faithful words came out of my 3, 5, and 7 yr. old. They know what malaria is. They walked this road before with baby Kembe Marc. They prayed for the bad mosquitos to go away from Kai and that God would make him feel better. The simplicity of a child's prayer. We also had a lot of other families from our agency praying for Kai yesterday. God heard our prayers and he answered them. At 7:00pm we got a phone call that he was doing better. They wanted to keep him overnight, but he should be feeling much better by the morning!! Right now at this time, he should be out of the hospital and back at the transition home. I'm so thankful he had access to a good hospital in Kinshasa. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd1WbKee9e4/UMsThy3tHeI/AAAAAAAAAos/ZDRhcPUdIUE/s1600/mosquitonets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd1WbKee9e4/UMsThy3tHeI/AAAAAAAAAos/ZDRhcPUdIUE/s1600/mosquitonets.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1io9_q3wm3Q/UMsTrm4CnwI/AAAAAAAAAo0/ovkocDSp2Pg/s1600/momnchild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1io9_q3wm3Q/UMsTrm4CnwI/AAAAAAAAAo0/ovkocDSp2Pg/s1600/momnchild.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strike>Malaria</strike>....this is also how baby Kembe Marc left us to go be with Jesus. Sadly I've known too many kids that have died from malaria this year alone. We've decided to donate to Nets for Life Africa every year to help fight malaria in memory of our son, Kembe Marc. This Christmas would you be interested in purchasing a net for a child in Africa as well? For just $10.00 you can give one net through <a href="http://www.netsforlifeafrica.org/" target="_blank">Nets For Life Africa</a>. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Over half a million (655, 000) people die from malaria each year, <u><b>mostly children younger than five years old.</b></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">There are an estimated 216 million cases of malaria each year.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Although the vast majority of malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan
Africa, the disease is a public-health problem in more than 109
countries in the world, 45 of which are in Africa.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Approximately 3.3 billion people live in areas where malaria is a constant threat.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><strong>90% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.</strong></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Malaria costs an estimated $12 billion in lost productivity in Africa.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">When insecticide-treated nets are used properly by three-quarters of
the people in a community, malaria transmission is cut by 50%, child
deaths are cut by 20%, and the mosquito population drops by as much as
90%.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is estimated that less than 5% of children in sub-Saharan Africa currently sleep under any type of insecticide-treated net. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> <span style="color: red;">T</span><span style="color: lime;">h</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">s</span> <span style="color: red;">C</span><span style="color: lime;">h</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: lime;">i</span><span style="color: red;">s</span><span style="color: lime;">t</span><span style="color: red;">m</span><span style="color: lime;">a</span><span style="color: red;">s</span> <span style="color: lime;">g</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">v</span><span style="color: red;">e</span> <span style="color: lime;">a</span> <span style="color: red;">n</span><span style="color: lime;">e</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: lime;">!</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><span style="color: lime;">!</span><span style="color: red;">!</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXaHj5RJgaw/UMsYdCnAtvI/AAAAAAAAApc/440ubcP98nM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXaHj5RJgaw/UMsYdCnAtvI/AAAAAAAAApc/440ubcP98nM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-1469550177459740932012-12-11T05:44:00.002-08:002012-12-11T05:44:30.859-08:001600 approved!!<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We received a small update and a couple of photos yesterday of Kai. He is beautiful and the boys thought it was great he was in a blue clues shirt. In the small update we received the nanny said that he is very very weak. He came in to the TH with a protein malnourishment. I was told the doctor said he is getting stronger and happy with his development though. The nanny said that he is a crier at the transition home. He will be fine laughing and playing with his friends but as soon as she walks by him she said he starts crying for no reason. Well there is a reason. He wants to feel loved, he wants to be held, he needs that kind of love in his life. He's so small, two years old....he's still a mere babe. I can't imagine being two and not having an adult source where you could find love, comfort, security. He needs his mommy and daddy. And we are coming for you Kai! We will be there soooooo soon. I know the days left from today until we travel next month is not soon enough. I wish it could be today. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"> We had all of that paperwork to do which takes so ridiculously long. Thankfully we received our i600 approval last Friday. Our caseworker is setting our Embassy appointment, a couple weeks after that we get our visas, and then we can fly off this island, back to the states, then to Africa...I hate that we have to backtrack...we are closer to you in Puerto Rico!!! :) </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIgtsYRCBUw/UMcx_CUtp6I/AAAAAAAAAoU/NzBamvxXUSI/s1600/100_3031.JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIgtsYRCBUw/UMcx_CUtp6I/AAAAAAAAAoU/NzBamvxXUSI/s320/100_3031.JPG.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are coming for you little love!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We along with a big group of other parents are expecting to travel in
January. So I can't can't wait, and can't believe that is only next
month!! Now I'm going into extreme clean everything in sight and start
packing the right way mode. Scott's sister will be flying out here all
the way from Oregon to stay with the boys. They are super excited about
spending a week with their Aunt Jenny. Especially because she loves to
do art and craft and that is right up the boys alley. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-47709004410774262212012-12-07T20:55:00.001-08:002012-12-07T21:07:05.751-08:00One Night<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two years ago we started our adoption journey to bring home a child from Africa. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two years ago we lived in a small coastal town in New Jersey. </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two years ago on one special night we gathered with our church family, our family family who drove all the way from Michigan to be with us, many faces we've never seen before, and our good friends who are like family who also were on this journey with us to bring home their child from Africa. </span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41HDyiD8rIE/UMLC3ZS23VI/AAAAAAAAAko/Ae9kzFALmVw/s1600/dawkinscameronadopt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41HDyiD8rIE/UMLC3ZS23VI/AAAAAAAAAko/Ae9kzFALmVw/s320/dawkinscameronadopt.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two families, Two less orphans....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2EaJjPIWDjU/UMLC65PcilI/AAAAAAAAAkw/bzjjnC4YUZc/s1600/199635_1885866553872_3641061_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2EaJjPIWDjU/UMLC65PcilI/AAAAAAAAAkw/bzjjnC4YUZc/s320/199635_1885866553872_3641061_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We worshiped and gave thanks to God.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3FmtlkmCW0/UMLC8ou4OwI/AAAAAAAAAk4/V-6jIYii9dE/s1600/197555_1885871393993_7059386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_3FmtlkmCW0/UMLC8ou4OwI/AAAAAAAAAk4/V-6jIYii9dE/s320/197555_1885871393993_7059386_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We prayed for our sons and daughters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YilrFf3KcfQ/UMLDAJ6BElI/AAAAAAAAAlA/OeKYNVTNmIA/s1600/197967_1885867633899_3881411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YilrFf3KcfQ/UMLDAJ6BElI/AAAAAAAAAlA/OeKYNVTNmIA/s320/197967_1885867633899_3881411_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We shared our adoption story. God's adoption story.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AELgSPMMD9c/UMLDICX9XCI/AAAAAAAAAlI/nKCB14cZj7s/s1600/200571_1885867393893_5068414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AELgSPMMD9c/UMLDICX9XCI/AAAAAAAAAlI/nKCB14cZj7s/s320/200571_1885867393893_5068414_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We fought for orphans that night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o-9UoxI6T2k/UMLDOW5mfrI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/xPgTwig_iM8/s1600/scottdrums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o-9UoxI6T2k/UMLDOW5mfrI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/xPgTwig_iM8/s320/scottdrums.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sang some more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daB_Ix3KaVo/UMLDUUtRP1I/AAAAAAAAAlY/QecgmBB1QSo/s1600/198215_1885870393968_201678_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daB_Ix3KaVo/UMLDUUtRP1I/AAAAAAAAAlY/QecgmBB1QSo/s320/198215_1885870393968_201678_n.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My father in law made us laugh with his comedy routine. Thank you Mike, I love your humor:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCSrnHhR-Q8/UMLDbCPhQGI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4-7G8lTkrt4/s1600/205211_1885849873455_6160815_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCSrnHhR-Q8/UMLDbCPhQGI/AAAAAAAAAlg/4-7G8lTkrt4/s320/205211_1885849873455_6160815_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made these "Africa bags" to raise funds for fees. We had a silent auction..many items were donated from business throughout Cape May County. Feeling blessed...so much support from everywhere. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9P8uGskcbo/UMLDcj0tgcI/AAAAAAAAAlo/5pqNMjavY-8/s1600/205563_1885849753452_3781769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9P8uGskcbo/UMLDcj0tgcI/AAAAAAAAAlo/5pqNMjavY-8/s320/205563_1885849753452_3781769_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother in law and sister in law made these really stinkin cute sock monkeys. Complete with names and personalities. There were none left at the end of the night. They all went to good homes with tiny little owners carrying them around all night. Made me smile:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fx15ToXBw58/UMLDkeG-I4I/AAAAAAAAAlw/wUxP9qJYeLg/s1600/207223_1885868153912_1257864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fx15ToXBw58/UMLDkeG-I4I/AAAAAAAAAlw/wUxP9qJYeLg/s320/207223_1885868153912_1257864_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People came from everywhere throughout the night. So blessed for the support, the prayers, the encouragement, the questions asked, the stories exchanged, we were all there fighting for these these two precious little ones who were far far away in Africa. We were all praying you home that night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cy7wnPpTfes/UMLDuBMQypI/AAAAAAAAAl4/2C54YvUZBlQ/s1600/206495_1885857953657_1759970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cy7wnPpTfes/UMLDuBMQypI/AAAAAAAAAl4/2C54YvUZBlQ/s320/206495_1885857953657_1759970_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af4jAHcEAl4/UMLD3m0Dy1I/AAAAAAAAAmA/8Oi5eLyd7SY/s1600/206636_1885902634774_254334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af4jAHcEAl4/UMLD3m0Dy1I/AAAAAAAAAmA/8Oi5eLyd7SY/s320/206636_1885902634774_254334_n.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EeUw1idiaw/UMLJ04P9XzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Rw-M3_Hli4c/s1600/199035_1885868593923_3306519_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EeUw1idiaw/UMLJ04P9XzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Rw-M3_Hli4c/s320/199035_1885868593923_3306519_n.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cousin Liam all the way from Michigan came to show his support. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> One Night...To make a difference</span></b></span>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-58227749098444016012012-11-12T17:38:00.003-08:002012-11-12T17:43:52.028-08:00What's In A Name?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-45tUa2e5yV8/UKGkCAZwt_I/AAAAAAAAAkE/Ll7gBqIZt_A/s1600/hellomynameiskai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-45tUa2e5yV8/UKGkCAZwt_I/AAAAAAAAAkE/Ll7gBqIZt_A/s320/hellomynameiskai.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As many of you know we are giving our son the name "Kai". I wanted to tell you all a little bit about why we are choosing to give him this name and the meaning. First of all Kai was given the birth name of Seraphin. Which is a beautiful name. We would love to keep it his first name, but we have a slight situation in our children's names in the fact that they ALL start with K's. From Kaiden, Keegan, Keane, to Kai. We HAD to give him a K name, because after all he is a boy in the Cameron family. Maybe we can mix it up a little with any sisters in the future. </span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are keeping "Seraphin" for his middle name. The meaning of Seraphin in Hebrew is "burning ones, angels". In Jewish scripture, the seraphim are the highest ranking angels of God (above angels, archangels, cherubim, etc.) They have six wings and are noted for their zealous love. I love that. What a powerful name to have and to live up to. May he one day have a zealous love for God!! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And the meaning of his first name Kai. There are so many meanings. It's a very multicultural name. And we love ALL the meanings!
In Hebrew Kai has two meanings (also spelled Chai) means "full of life" and "angel or messenger of God". Kai may you be full of life in our family. Your first name also is the meaning for your middle name. Perfect. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> In Hawaiian Kai means "ocean or ocean water". Yes Kai you are joining a family that loves the water, the beach, waves, salt, surfing. We love enjoying God's creation in this way. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In Navajo Kai means "willow tree". You will forever be firmly planted into our family. (And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. -Psalm 1:3) </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> In Swahili Kai means "loveable". You are already so loveable to us all already! What's not to love about you Kai?! </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So if you ever thought..why Kai? That's why! Oh and we think it's a pretty cool name;)
</span></span>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-73252283654241014022012-10-24T18:51:00.005-07:002012-10-24T18:54:10.049-07:00More photos and updates!!We've received so many new pictures of Kai in the last couple of days that my heart could burst!!! I just keep staring at his beautiful big brown eyes all day! So thankful for this adoption mama who is sending all of us waiting families tons of photos and updates. These updates are so so precious to me and I'm holding on to every photo and description we have of our little man. Mostly it makes my heart ache to have him home....TODAY would be good;) Actually back it up to July 4th when we received his referral...I would have hopped on a plane that day too! But instead I'm waiting <strike>patiently</strike> and trusting God and putting my faith and hope in Him that every single day that passes is one day closer that we get to meeting our boy. <strike>6-8 weeks isn't too far away really?</strike> Here is a little piece of information we got today:
Seraphin--2T. He slept a loooong time! He got up after everyone had already eaten, so he sat down by himself---so quietly and took a good 45 minutes to eat! He was very playful outside--loved chasing bobby around playing tag.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8EGjIvUdA8/UIiacxGQNeI/AAAAAAAAAjo/LxWtAOI9fv0/s1600/Kairosarypic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8EGjIvUdA8/UIiacxGQNeI/AAAAAAAAAjo/LxWtAOI9fv0/s320/Kairosarypic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2JkdkBIFu4/UIiaawdtbLI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/-cMRh8H4ysY/s1600/Kailollipop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2JkdkBIFu4/UIiaawdtbLI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/-cMRh8H4ysY/s320/Kailollipop.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-CLUO1bEmQ/UIiacPkp0YI/AAAAAAAAAjc/cE6nKXrhCQY/s1600/Kaieatinglunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e-CLUO1bEmQ/UIiacPkp0YI/AAAAAAAAAjc/cE6nKXrhCQY/s320/Kaieatinglunch.jpg" /></a></div>
Also, our 30 day wait is done TODAY!!!!
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-36616583167021010232012-10-23T20:59:00.001-07:002012-10-23T20:59:54.465-07:00Happy Birthday, you are 2!We received a surprise today in our email. Kai's corrected updated information for our I600. I glanced over the info and everything was the same except for his birth date which read October 23, 2010. It took me a moment to realize "oh wait that's TODAY!" Not only is it today, but it's the 23rd! (We originally thought it was Oct 25th). Let me tell you...he couldn't have a more PERFECT birth date. Let's start off with the first birthday in this family...Keegan September 23rd, Kaiden October 3rd, Keane October 13th, Kai October 23rd. Are you catching on? Somehow our kids all have birthdays that fall exactly ten days apart and all have the number 3 on their birth date. How amazing is it that God would place Kai in our family knowing that he would fit perfect?! I'm in awe...total awe. I know it may seem silly to some people, but that's confirmation to me that God is in total control of bringing Kai into our family. I just love this! Not only did we find out today was his birthday but we also received a sweet picture of our Kai that was taken today. It was the first time we saw his smile and my heart melted. His eyes light up when we smiles. He is beautiful.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzVdZ2aI8t0/UIdi-1ftoNI/AAAAAAAAAiI/QFDR_NHi4tw/s1600/Kaibirtdaysmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="224" width="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzVdZ2aI8t0/UIdi-1ftoNI/AAAAAAAAAiI/QFDR_NHi4tw/s320/Kaibirtdaysmile.jpg" /></a></div>
We also finished filling out the I600 tonight. We are filing stateside and that is the LAST of the paperwork and one of the major final steps before we can travel to bring him home!! A LOT of good news today. Feeling the anticipation of being so close to bringing Kai home!!
<b>Many, Lord my God,are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
</b>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-34810970463450183622012-10-22T10:41:00.002-07:002012-10-22T10:43:03.755-07:00As we wait....As we wait...this is the hardest part. Our son is at the transition home in Kinshasa waiting for us to come and bring him home. We are getting updated pictures from families traveling but my heart aches to hold my son and bring him home to his family. Our life goes on here but Kai is missing. The empty chair at the dinner table, the second toddler bed that sits empty in Keane and Kai's room, three little boys wrestling on the beach instead of four....he needs to be here. We need him to be here with us. Praying that all of our paperwork gets back to our agency soon so we can go ahead and file our 1600. Praying I can stay sane these next few weeks.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLaXfC7ohI8/UIWDVJ0cYsI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_BhFBbWVqgI/s1600/boysbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLaXfC7ohI8/UIWDVJ0cYsI/AAAAAAAAAg0/_BhFBbWVqgI/s320/boysbeach.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afWXCe8faqc/UIWDhpArlRI/AAAAAAAAAhA/_dtKWCmZxZg/s1600/brittnkeane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afWXCe8faqc/UIWDhpArlRI/AAAAAAAAAhA/_dtKWCmZxZg/s320/brittnkeane.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xijj1BRAAkA/UIWDunbh2KI/AAAAAAAAAhY/xEivX_yliHg/s1600/kaiden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xijj1BRAAkA/UIWDunbh2KI/AAAAAAAAAhY/xEivX_yliHg/s320/kaiden.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYO4ihTmBUA/UIWDtxePunI/AAAAAAAAAhM/8aw5QpoGUqU/s1600/skateparkkaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYO4ihTmBUA/UIWDtxePunI/AAAAAAAAAhM/8aw5QpoGUqU/s320/skateparkkaid.jpg" /></a></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-21997950252703525732012-10-05T22:12:00.001-07:002012-10-05T22:12:46.031-07:00Kai took his first plane ride today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6gfv02_XMno/UG-3NIN8pII/AAAAAAAAAf0/smsATG6Q128/s1600/airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="120" width="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6gfv02_XMno/UG-3NIN8pII/AAAAAAAAAf0/smsATG6Q128/s320/airplane.jpg" /></a></div>
Kai took his very first plane ride today. We received an email from our caseworker that he arrived safely in Kinshasa. He is now out of the orphanage in our agency's transition home!! When I read the email I just cried. Out of mixed emotions of happiness that we are that much closer to bringing him home and I felt a sadness for him. Everything he has ever known for the last two years of has been the orphanage. I felt sad for him that he is probably scared and confused and has no idea what is going on. He did travel with a few other children so I hope that was comforting to him and that he will have a couple familier faces with him at the transition home. The really good things is he is safe, he is secure, he is getting three meals a day, medical care and love from the nannies that are there. We've seen pictures from the children that are there. They are all smiling. Another adoptive mom referred to the transition home as a "summer camp" before we go to pick up our kids. I pray that Kai will have fun with the other kids, I hope to see a smile on his face. I'm thankful that he is now somewhere safe. The other really awesome thing is while we wait families who are traveling ahead of us to pick up their children have offered to take pictures of all the kids who are waiting for their families!! I'm so excited we will get to see more pictures of our handsome boy (I hope to get a shoe size) and when we travel we will be returning the favor for other families! Where does this put us on the timeline for bringing him home now? I'm estimating 2-3 months...but I really can't say for sure. We are filing our 1600 stateside and we still have to pray the birth parent interview goes smoothly (as in arranging flights, etc). The embassy is requiring all birth parents to fly to Kinshasa for a face to face interview. I understand why. They want to make sure the adoption has been done in an ethical way. Tonight we went out and bought Kai a couple more outfits to send to him in the transition home. I've only ever seen him in 1 outfit at the orphanage which was all pink (shorts, shirt) and red shoes. We went out and got him some plaid:) Also some cars and suckers to share with the other kiddos. The Elmo birthday card...he turns 2 on October 25th!! Happy Birthday to our son..we love you so much and are counting down the days till we get that call that says, "you can book your plane tickets."
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxQ_B_4H72w/UG-9HnYMTwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/2ybbVk-AxMM/s1600/20121005_221916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxQ_B_4H72w/UG-9HnYMTwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/2ybbVk-AxMM/s320/20121005_221916.jpg" /></a></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-29799573690460220342012-09-23T20:45:00.000-07:002012-09-23T20:45:08.685-07:00The judge signed...it's official...he's ours!Today we woke up to celebrate my 2nd oldest sons birthday. Keegan turned 5 today!! He requested Krispy Kream doughnuts and we had a great breakfast:) I checked my email while eating and WHAM subject line "Judgment Update"!! We have the judge's signed approval that Kai is our son!!! We are in our 30 day wait, and during this time the typed adoption documents will be gathered (the original judgment is handwritten). I believe he will be able to move to our agency's transition home, out of the orphanage, after the 30 day wait. We were so very excited to receive this news. Within the past week a few other families have received the judges written approval as well, and a few families went to pick up their children in DRCongo. It has been a great week for good news! We are one step closer to having our son home forever. My heart aches to hold that little guy. Every night at the dinner table Keane (3) prays for Daddy, Mommy, Kaiden, Keegan, and to bring Malakai home at the airport. He also reminds me daily that Kai is his brother...."He's my brother mom, Kai is my brother..."
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mikl38EqFb0/UF_Pr9Egq5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/FtMWEOX0-P8/s1600/snowcones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mikl38EqFb0/UF_Pr9Egq5I/AAAAAAAAAdc/FtMWEOX0-P8/s320/snowcones.jpg" /></a></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-67404828623492343042012-09-06T20:42:00.000-07:002012-09-06T20:42:55.185-07:00Updated photos of our son!We received some updated photos of Kai last night!!! We were informed last Friday by our case worker that all of the families would be getting new photos of all the children that are in Kai's region. I opened that email to three pictures and the most beautiful almond shaped big brown eyes staring at me. My son..I have so much love for this child already. He looks so beautiful and he looks two! Our referral photos were of him much younger. I'm so glad that I have photos from him 12-20months of age. Those are so special to me to have. He is in the same pink outfit that he was in a few months ago in his referral photos and no smile as of yet. He looks sad and maybe scared that somebody is in his face with a camera. I just want to hold that boy and tell him everything is going to be okay. I can't wait to see his smile for the first time ever. I imagine him sometimes smiling, laughing and chasing his three brothers at the playground, just having fun being a kid. Having no cares in the world but legos and Lightning Mcqueen, bedtime prayers, and chocolate chip/banana waffles on Saturday mornings with daddy. It's getting so close until we have Kai home forever in our family, but it is still so far away. Right now we have no new updates. We are waiting for our court date and praying it comes soon. Our dossier has been in the DRC since July. After the judge signs, we go through the 30 days wait, Kai will officially become a Cameron! Then he will be moved to our agencies beautiful transition home where he will be very well cared for while we are awaiting his birth certificate, passport, and embassy date, and we will get loads of pictures of him while he is there. We are praying for a December travel date. Please be December...if not then I need you all to pray harder for God to give me patience. I would hop on a plane right now if I could!! Here are the photos of our beautiful Kai. I will be be able to post full pictures of him after we officially pass court.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v-l5NqRAw4/UElsrjHzsUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/VjS5uJIygTU/s1600/Seraphin2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="310" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0v-l5NqRAw4/UElsrjHzsUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/VjS5uJIygTU/s320/Seraphin2.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NehFOhVx2Bw/UElsrMuOOGI/AAAAAAAAAc8/kjoSLqirJ2k/s1600/Seraphin1Kai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="148" width="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NehFOhVx2Bw/UElsrMuOOGI/AAAAAAAAAc8/kjoSLqirJ2k/s320/Seraphin1Kai.JPG" /></a></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-45375768687291722362012-08-13T07:03:00.000-07:002012-08-13T07:03:16.587-07:00Give1Save1 Africa family of the week! Hola! We are the Give1Save1 Africa family of the week! We couldn't be more then excited and I'm praying God blesses this in a big way and we can get some funds to bring home our son. We are currently in need of raising funds for our travel to the DRC this December. How this works is we made a video below about our adoption journey to Kai. We posted it to face book, and on here, and we ask that people will share share share our video and donate a dollar or more to our travel fund. We thank you so much and we are so much closer to having Kai in our arms forever.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WH7jyweFfY4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
blessings,
Scott, Brittany, Kaiden, Keegan, Keane, & Kai :)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-csYC94tXk9s/UCkI6Uq_X_I/AAAAAAAAAco/Iy15AvGczfg/s1600/3boyswithkaidpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-csYC94tXk9s/UCkI6Uq_X_I/AAAAAAAAAco/Iy15AvGczfg/s320/3boyswithkaidpic.jpg" /></a></div>
The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-84629502677403880022012-07-16T20:52:00.001-07:002012-07-16T20:52:47.360-07:00Sending some goodies to Africa!Now that we have received our official referral for "K" we can send him a care package once a month! It's very exciting to pick out some goodies that we can squeeze into a gallon size zip lock baggie to send to him once a month. Hopefully we don't have to send him too many of these. We'd much rather have him home in our arms and we are praying and hopeful that it won't be much longer.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-do0Q2z60XJI/UATZwrGoFfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/RG2U-7eONjA/s1600/trioboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-do0Q2z60XJI/UATZwrGoFfI/AAAAAAAAAcY/RG2U-7eONjA/s320/trioboys.jpg" /></a></div>
These are all of the goodies that we fit into the gallon sized ziplock bag. Two outfits,flip flops, gummy vitamins, family photo book, elmo, squeezable fruit, gummy bear packs.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZcsn_KysCo/UATZv1cyJFI/AAAAAAAAAcA/7RbSKQmP7Vg/s1600/carepackage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZcsn_KysCo/UATZv1cyJFI/AAAAAAAAAcA/7RbSKQmP7Vg/s320/carepackage.jpg" /></a></div>
Of course Keane picked out this Elmo for his baby brother tonight. They will be exactly one year apart..they both have birthdays in October....they are sharing a room...Keane carries around "K's" picture a lot. They are not only going to be brothers but good friends:)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0B3xZlP8a0/UATZwIUwVMI/AAAAAAAAAcM/D4i6GO_ucE4/s1600/keane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0B3xZlP8a0/UATZwIUwVMI/AAAAAAAAAcM/D4i6GO_ucE4/s320/keane.jpg" /></a></div>
And we made it happen!!! Everything fit! Now it's off to the post office tomorrow to send off to our agency who will then send it on to the Congo...which will then be taken to the orphanage where our son is currently staying.
I told my husband tonight...this is probably the first material possessions "K" has ever owned/received. He is almost two year's old. And what will most likely happen to the items we are sending him is they will be shared throughout the whole orphanage...which is great. I remember when all my boys had their first and 2nd birthdays and we had celebrations for them and they received so many gifts just for their birthdays from family and friends...too many gifts... It's hard to think about. I think we should start giving less for birthday's and Christmas and start giving more to others that have literally nothing at no fault of their own....just the fact that they were born on a different continent where it's hard to survive. Our over abundance of material possessions is not so great when their are families who can't feed their own children.
So until we can actually book our tickets and fly to Africa to bring home "K"...this is as close as we can get to him right now. Through our once a month care package and we are squeezing all the love in that we can.The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-37181325727919830092012-07-09T20:41:00.000-07:002012-07-09T20:41:16.337-07:00July 4th..Happy Referral Day!!!July 4th.....we weren't going to spend this one with fire works and a cookout with good friends and family. Not here in Puerto Rico anyways. I was feeling a little down that day. Just being away from the States. Holidays feel different here and well independence day is not celebrated here the same as we celebrate it in the states. We went to the rainforest.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKwewEs8CNU/T_uf9GByv_I/AAAAAAAAAbw/cn_1q9WYjvs/s1600/tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKwewEs8CNU/T_uf9GByv_I/AAAAAAAAAbw/cn_1q9WYjvs/s320/tn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16aep44YKOU/T_uf853_9JI/AAAAAAAAAbk/TZ6kM3UxcZE/s1600/boysrainforest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-16aep44YKOU/T_uf853_9JI/AAAAAAAAAbk/TZ6kM3UxcZE/s320/boysrainforest.jpg" /></a></div>
We got home around 8:30pm....I didn't think to check my email all day. I wasn't expecting to hear anything from our agency on the 4th of July. At 11:30pm I just happened to check my email on my phone real quick and there I see it...Your Referral of Seraphin!!!! My heart skipped a beat and I did a double take...what?! really?! This is really it?! I called to my husband to grab the laptop so we could open the referral and see a very beautiful almost two year old boy staring back at us with big brown eyes and sporting an all pink outfit! Oh how our boy has grown! He is a handsome little toddler now and no longer the one year old boy we had been staring at for the past couple of months. We love him so much already and we really would love to travel to Africa TOMORROW to bring him home. Until we can go get him our dossier will be sent to the Congo and we will wait <strike>patiently</strike> for a court date. Until then we will be able to send a monthly care package to him. We will try to squeeze in all the love we can manage to fit into that care package until we can actually hop on a plane and go and bring him home.
Our adoption fees are paid in full. We sent the remainder of the agency fee's today!! The only amount we need to raise is for our travel. We will be having another fundraiser...more to come about this in another post!
We also have a name for our little guy. We are naming him Malakai and I'm sure he will have a nick named shortened to Kai (as his older brothers are already calling him this). Malakai means angel of God in Hebrew. This is the name that we wanted to name our next child if we were to have a boy. Turns out God knew who our little angel was by sending us Seraphin. Which is also a name that means angel. His birthday is also right after Keane's...another October baby. Some of you know all of our boys birthdays are ten days apart. Kai's is twelve days after Keane's. So we will be having one big fall birthday celebration for all the boys. We hope to actually be able to travel to the Congo by Christmas to bring him home. Keep reading our blog and I will update you along the way. Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive!!!! We are so so blessed, and please keep praying for Malakai.The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-53035685871658009052012-06-22T21:21:00.001-07:002012-06-22T21:21:16.013-07:00To our son.It has been about three weeks since we heard the news of being matched to our sweet son. Even though we haven't met him we already have so much love for him. He is constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Currently we are waiting on a document to come back from the DRC before we can receive his official referral. The waiting has been so hard but we are putting our faith in God and trusting in His perfect timing until we can bring our son home. Our 4 year old son, Keegan, memorized this verse during Sunday school. He learned it as a song and he sings this daily reminder to us. This is our prayer for you Malakai.
" The Lord your God is with you.
He is mighty enough to save you.
He will take great delight in you.
The quietness of his love will calm you down.
He will sing with joy because of you."
Zephaniah 3:17The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-30830703465072659862012-05-30T04:17:00.000-07:002012-05-30T04:17:20.286-07:00waiting...We are waiting for some good news and our official referral! Received an email from our agency about a child who is on the waiting child list. Needless to say we are already in love with this beautiful child and in awe of how God arranged this whole story. I can't wait to share how God worked in bringing this child into our family. Do you ever have a moment where you can actually see God's plan coming together?! I had an ooooohhhh that's why..moment!!!! We thought we would be getting a baby but this child is one year younger then Keane! We couldn't be more excited! Waiting for the official referral so I can actually say more about it.
These boys can't wait to have "K" home!!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cg65-bpXoA/T8YBazypZ0I/AAAAAAAAAbU/-eoiaxMOxs4/s1600/DSCF0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cg65-bpXoA/T8YBazypZ0I/AAAAAAAAAbU/-eoiaxMOxs4/s320/DSCF0415.JPG" /></a></div>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4786186875381385483.post-48954424206315167082012-05-18T06:38:00.000-07:002012-05-18T06:38:30.873-07:00Faith of a ChildKeegan kept talking to me last night for 4 hours about heaven and when you die. Some very serious questions for a 4 yr old. This has always been Keegan though, he's the deep thinker. I also think what sparked this conversation about death and heaven is that our family has said goodbye to loved ones recently.
In March we got the most horrible phone call that our son, Marc, had died of malaria in the Congo. Our hearts were broken and Scott and I both cried and cried. Scott cried like I've never seen before.
I went for a run a couple hours after I heard the news because that's what I needed to be by myself to think and pray. I couldn't help but think of Marc at 9 months old in an African hospital as an orphan with no mommy of daddy to comfort him through his pain and sickness. Then I remembered that Marc was with a foster family. I was comforted that his foster mom was most likely with him, and my heart ached for her loss of Marc as well.
That night as I was doing my bible study it talked about how God, our Father, has ADOPTED us as his sons and daughters. Therefore we are His heirs. I knew God was with me that night comforting me and I felt such a peace about Marc going home to be with Jesus and maybe he was now even with his birth mom and dad. What a great reuniting party that must have been!
For my birthday a few days later after we heard he went home, my husband hand made this beautiful wooden teak frame with an 8x10 picture of Marc in it. It was the most beautiful present I have ever received. We hung his picture in our home next to pictures of his brothers. We will always remember our sweet little Marc and he will always be in our hearts.
I can say with 100% truth and joy that Marc is finally at home. Our true home where we were all destined to be. Living with God our Father.
Before Keegan fell asleep last night he told me when you get to heaven you're alive. Keegan has never been more then right about that!
The scripture I read during my bible study that night:
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead you received God's spirit as He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him "Abba, Father." For His spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.
Romans 8:15-17
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLID5Woty9I/T7ZQalY-izI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Lxwufd1GFl0/s1600/Marc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLID5Woty9I/T7ZQalY-izI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Lxwufd1GFl0/s320/Marc.jpg" /></a></div>The Cameron'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01748808136651332689noreply@blogger.com2