Wow, it's been a while!!!

So, things have been quite hectic around the Dawson household. Macey was married on June 12th. I am so happy for her. The wedding was beautiful (we should be getting pics soon). It was an outdoor wedding and rained that day all around us, but NOT where we were! Praise the Lord! Absolutely gorgeous Bed and Breakfast!
Megan is dating someone in Michigan, so she's been travelling a little more. I love the guy she's seeing, a family friend's son...yay!
Zech had his last surgery Thursday. He's doing well, still a little sore, but doing good. He's still the light of my days!
Tom, well in between ALL his truck and trailer breakdowns, he's working a lot.
Me, I'm terrific. Trying to organize, yes still organizing, my house, business, life. I miss the Coffee Shop, but all in all, I'm glad we shut it down (cash flow is getting a little better). It was quite a draw on income, but I really enjoyed the different people in and out.
If I wrote about EVERYTHING thats happened in the last two months, I would be here all day! I guess that's why it's good to do this daily. I've actually been trying to do a journal, can't find time for this and that too. Maybe I'll write the day to day stuff here, and my deeper stuff in the journal...who knows!!
As soon as I get some pics uploaded, I'll post. See ya soon.......

23 years ago today!

Well, literally, 23 years ago my life began with the birth of my first child, Megan. A.K.A Meggie, sweetie pie, megaphone. She came into this world trying to stand on her own two feet (again, literally). Today, she stands firmly on her own two feet. Thanks Meggie for everything you've brought into my life! Boy, I tell you, I've been so blessed with my kids....LOVE them all so much!
Things are still crazy at the store. Trying to get it together. It's mostly finished, just a few "polishing" things left. I so need to post some pics! I guess I'm going to have to get some batteries for the camera, can't find my charger.
Zech is growing like a weed. Potty training is going well, well when HE wants to. He gets lazy with me. He does really well (stays dry) when he's not with me. My goodness, he's so obsessed with toilet paper lately. Unrolls a whole roll and flushes it down the toilet. The other day he did that, the toilet overflowed so he got another roll to clean it up. Then decided to throw it in the bath tub and wash it all..OMG! what a mess! Too funny...happy times!

My, my where have I been?!

Wow, how time flies! Well, since last post Macey turned 21. Ian has gone from $1288 to $1771 in his adoption funds, yay! Now, I seen another waiting child that has stole my heart, Manyu, he is in Hong Kong. I would bring both these kids home if finances permitted. I guess I need to go ahead and start a homestudy...just in case we hit the lottery or something.
The store remodel is going great, we should be totally open next Monday.
Megan is getting her certified as a yoga instructor and personal trainer.
Zech is doing well, still grumpy though. He's been grumpy since his surgery. I think he just get tired easily.
My aunt Joni, the one that was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, is 70% better!! Praise the Lord! The tumor in her lung is totally gone! She has some in the liver and lymph, but its all shrinking! Yeah!
Zech's getting a puppy in May!! I'm so excited, its a golden doodle. They are suppose to be very smart and make great therapy dogs!

Disappointed!

Wow! Things have been busy, busy, busy!! As you know from an earlier post, we are expanding the Natural Answer and eliminating the Coffee Corner. We will continue to have organic coffee and teas and have decided to keep the espresso machine. Yay!...I think! Okay, so what am I disappointed in? Where do I begin...over the last few years my family, including myself, have put SOooo much time, energy, and money into trying to promote our town with free events, concerts, and movies, etc.... some nights there was a good turn out, but all in all...NO response from the community. I have tried everything that has been successful in any other town, but not Sparta. I don't get it! People just don't care!! I have no idea what my little town wants, or what it needs to become a thriving town! Our town is beautiful, but people just don't get it! Buying local means saving jobs, and actually creates jobs! It provides money to the schools, etc... Anyways, I'm done! Just focusing on our businesses and our family now. I'm happy that they all didn't disown me for my crazy positive ideas! Oh, also disappointed in the response (or lack there of) about Ian.
Okay, done complaining.
Zech is doing wonderful! Macey turns 21 tomorrow! Megan is excited about the expansion. She is getting her certification as a Yoga instructor and hoola hoop....yes, hoola hoop! So much fun!
Well, later than I thought. Have to go find Macey's birth certificate for her to renew her license. Good night.

Another day....

I'm not sure if I blogged about Zech starting homebound yet, so I apologize if this is a repeat. Last week he had his first "class" with Ms. Nancy. He was a little grumpy because he had not had a nap that day, but he warmed up by the end. Everything she brought for Zech to do he could so she brought him harder things today. He did really good and likes Ms. Nancy a lot! He was trying to cut things with scissors today, he needs some help staying on the lines (so do I lol!) He has sore fingers from where he has sucked on them (he does that when his belly hurts). I think thats why he was having such a difficult time, we'll see.
Zech is classified in Kindergarten right now, it is the "special needs" class. So, our goal is to have him in "typical" kindergarten next year. There's no reason why he shouldn't be able to do it, he totally knows everthing, communication is the issue. Once you're around him, you can understand some (of course I understand more than most because I'm with him more), but one of the teachers does sign language, so thats what we'll shoot for.
Ian....don't FORGET about Ian! Please pray for him and let as many people as you can that he will be institutionalized if someone doesn't adopt him. Remember, there are many people that would, yes including myself, but the lack of funding is what stops most people.
The Closing of the Coffee Corner is a little hard for me. I keep thinking, well lets just keep it open, it does make some money, why not do it all? Then I remember that I'm not at the store as much and Two (really four...CC, Natural Answer, 2nd Story Bookstore and booking loads for Tom) businesses is just too much for two people, let alone one! We aren't running any of them as efficiently as they should and could be. The CC takes a lot of time, so thats what needs to go. It's still sad!
Megan has started her Yoga and Personal Trainer classes. She's really excited and so am I!
Tom is somewhere far, far north. Somewhere in Newfoundland. He has broke down once and lost the load that was suppose to get him home (not because he broke down, just because they cancelled it). It's just Tuesday, hopefully he'll find something!
Pluto's (one of the businesses my friend that passed away owned) opened back up today. I ate lunch there, I thought I was doing well until I was talking to Jeannie (Aaron's mom) and seen a bunch of picture of him. I am so not good at this! It is just not right!!
Well, I guess I'm going to get Zech and myself to bed.
Goodnight!

Our life just keeps getting crazier!

Well, before I go into detail on the whirlwind of our lives, I just want to say I am SOOOOO very proud of Macey! She has been honored with a scholarship for next year because she has the highest GPA in her major (Political Science,which is pre-law).Macey has always strived to be the best at what she does, and obviously, she has done very well! Yeah Macey!
I am also very proud of Megan. Megan has worked daily with me, and over the last few years, by herself, running two - four businesses at a time. When I can't be there, the full burden of the businesses has fallen on her! Which is so heavy some times, no business ran a 100% efficiency. Each business needs at least two people, dedicated, to run properly. With that being said, Megan and I have decided that the Coffee Corner is not the path in which either of us want to travel. We have decided to close it down and expand the Natural Answer. Megan wants to be a Yoga teacher, and possibly some other things. We will still carry our organic, fairtrade coffee and all our our teas. It was very hard, mainly for myself, to promote healing and health, and then sell foods that are totally against what people should eat, right next door to vitamins.
We have had great memories at the CC and have met wonderful people, who have became very good friends, and yes even family! We have had numerous "famous" peole there and have been told we were the best Coffee House that people had ever been to. This coming from people who travel all over the world and go to thousands of coffee houses. I am very proud of Megan (she ran the coffee shop pretty much by herself the last couple years) and I have had so many compliments on her, I couldn't even begin to list them all! It saddens us that our small town was not ready for a place like the CC, it was a very great asset to our town and will be greatly missed by many!

However, we are also VERY excited about the expansion of the Natural Answer! The new atmosphere is going to be a positive influence on us and everyone who walks in! We will have more time to spend together, and a lot less grief!
Thanks for listening, I feel much better being able to tell some of my feelings!

Back to work!

Well, yesterday was my first day back to work. Everything went well, except people coming in and talking about Aaron, my friend who passed away in a car accident a few weeks ago. Right or wrong, the way I try to handle stuff like that is to totally not think about it. It's hard considering he was always at our store or just across the street. Anyways, Zech is doing well. Macey and Brad had him most the day yesterday. They took him shopping and then later that afternoon, Macey and I took him to get his haircut...really, that is such a tramatic thing for him. Don't know why, but he hates it! Great cut though, looks like a little man. Okay, have you checked out Ian in the post below?! I totally have to get on the ball trying to raise money for him! The thought of him going to an institution just kills me!
Busy day today, a few scans and trying to catch up on paperwork. I have to do a physical inventory of the store, dread that...way too much stuff to count!
So, everyone have a Blessed day...gotta get ready!

Ian...from Russia

Ian will be 4 years old on April 1st. He is in Russia, and of African descent. The approximate cost is $27,000. He is HEALTHY and an orphanage favorite! Oh my, is he just not gorgeous! My heart melts every time I look at him. Please help bring him home! Help him find his forever family! Once he is transferred, he will be UNADOPTABLE! There are plenty of families that would bring him home, yes we would be one of them, but funding prevents this. You can log onto www.reecesrainbow.org and donate to him. He is listed under the waiting children, "at risk" 3-5.
Thanks!!

All is well!

Good report back from the doctor! Zech is doing great and should be "going" on his own in a couple months. Thank you Lord and Dr. Levitt! He already acts like he could do it now, but things have to heal properly, so we'll wait a couple months. On another note, so many kids with DS will be put in an institution at the age of 4, then never see their 5th or 6th birthday. In a couple countries, they usually die within a year. Not fair!!
I know, life isn't fair, but come on....we can do better than that! There is not a shortage of families willing to adopt these kids, the shortage is in MONEY.
If it were not for Christian people donating to Zech, he would not be home with us now! My word, I could ball just thinking about it! What can we do about it? Donate to Reece's Rainbow! This organization deals mainly with kids that have DS. This is where we found Zech! Bethany Christian Services is another one. Just donate...a little....don't take food off your families plates, just give a little....do without SOMETHING that you really don't need.
You can see some of these kids on www.reecesrainbow.org
Just take a minute and look, please. At some point, I will have pics to click on and you can donate then. Help a child find his/her forever family!
Okay, didn't mean to get on my soapbox, but you all know how I am!
Thanks for listening!

Happy Birthday My Dear Sweet Boy!!

Well, six years ago, a totally selfless woman gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! He had several medical issues and where she was from, they could not take care of him properly. So, she gave up her parental rights so he might have a better, healthier life. Several surgeries had to be done and at approximately the age of 1, another selfless woman, Auntie Alice, chose to be his temporary mommy until his "Real" mommy and daddy found him and could come get him. In step us!! Well, actually, in steps God. Ten thousand miles away, his mommy, daddy, and sisters see his picture and KNOW he belongs to them....and they were right!!
Zechariah has been with us for 1 year and 9 months. He has been the BIGGEST BLESSING to our family....we had no idea life could be so good! How I am LOVED...WOW! How he is LOVED....WOW! Tears fill my eyes now as I think of how life would be without him. I know of several nights I would lay down beside Zech and wonder if his biological mother cries for him. Did she wonder if he was alive and healthy? Was he loved?
Well, not too long ago we his foster mom, Auntie Alice, was able to find her for us and let her know how much he was loved and how he was doing...I can sleep well now knowing she knows! Thank you Alice!

We are in Cincinnati now, yes on his birthday, for a follow up on his last surgery. He is doing well. We will find out how well tomorrow.

Goodnight and thanks for letting me share.

It's great being productive!

Wow! I have been so busy trying to get things done around the house while Zech is on the road to recovery! Besides hanging a few things and doing some touch up paint, Zech's room is totally organized! I love it! I spent ALL day yesterday, about 8 hours, organizing his room, cleaning carpet, washing sheets. It looks really good! I sorted through toys, putting all the "pieces" with the proper toy, going through clothes that are too small, and toys that are not age appropriate. Goodwill here we come! Now, if I can do that with the rest of the house, I'll be an official "organized" person! My goal!
Tomorrow is Zech's 6th birthday, his 2nd one here. My goodness, I can't believe he's six! I guess I need to started treating him as 6 instead of 2, but I can't help it! Well, since this is only his 2nd birthday here, I think its okay....right?! We leave for Ohio again tomorrow, so we won't be celebrating on tomorrow. I'll probably get him a little cake for me and him, but do a party on another day. I think we should get to come home Friday afternoon, it just depends if he'll feel up to travel.
Zech's foster mom, Auntie Alice, sent a cd with pictures of Zech while she had him and Spongebob PJ's and a game. He loved them! Pictures are posted here!

Hopefully starting "life" again!

Okay, we were suppose to go to Cincinnati, but Zechariah was bleeding some (just from the incision) so, it was post poned until this coming up Friday. Anyways, my friends memorial service was yesterday. Of course it was sad just to see the family,but not the whole day. The actual service was really nice. I feel the family did a great job celebrating Aaron's life. But, with that behind us, I feel like we can all move on a get back to things at hand. I should go back to work this week, don't really know if I will, but I'm going to try.
I really want to try to get the house organized again. It seems like I've lived out of suitcases so long, I have clothes everywhere, mainly Zech's though. My Grandma stayed with us last night. At bed time, she slept with us (me and Zech....I have a king size bed). Zech was so excited his grand ma ma was sleeping with him! I know it made her night, Zech really loves her! She may stay tonight too, not sure. If not, she'll go to mom and dad's then back to my Uncle Greg's Thursday.
Zech went to the memorial service with me yesterday. We were there from 11:30am until 8:15 pm. He was so good!
Well, if I think of something profound to say, I'll write later, gotta get some coffee now.

Off to Cincinnati....Again.

I guess we'll be leaving for the hospital again today. Zech has a follow up appointment tomorrow. Going to try to break the drive up into two days. I probably shouldn't even have came home. Aaron's service isn't until Saturday, but I'm glad I did, I got to see my other kids and talk to friends and family. Zech isn't feeling that good. I'm actually going to call the hospital in a minute and make sure they still want us to come. He has been hurting quite a bit. They said that was normal. The only way he could sleep last night was right on top of me, laying on my belly. So much for a good night's sleep, but if he felt better or more secure, it was worth it!
So, for Aaron's service we were asked to talk (no way possible for me) or write something about Aaron. Something funny or how he impacted our lives. Man, how can we do that....so many things. I'm horrible at expressing stuff like that. I'm the type that lives in the moment and weeks go by, and my memory goes bye-bye. Only with details though. Something will pop up I'm sure. I've got a few things I think I can put into words.
Okay, I'm not going to dwell on that. Our focus right now is Zech and Macey's wedding coming up in June. Wow! My baby girl is going to be on her own in 4 months, hard to believe!
Well, time to call the docs and jump in the shower.

How life can change!

Well, we are back home, but have to go back to Cincinnati on Thursday. We came home early because a very close friend was killed in a car accident Friday (actually died Saturday night). Aaron was 36 yrs old, a wonderful man! He will be greatly missed! Please lift up his family, extended and all, in prayer!
Zech is doing okay. He's still in some pain, but hopefully that will go away soon.
As I said earlier, Nori, Megan, and Erica came up to see us this past weekend. I was so glad they came! I couldn't handle them leaving on Sunday and me remaining there by myself, I think I'm becoming more and more of a big baby as I get older, so I checked with Zech's doctors and they said it was okay to come home.
So, the Ronald McDonald House, wow! What a great place for families! It just amazes me that such a place exists, so many Great people! Seems like some activity is always going on and So Much Food!! We were there when we found out about Aaron's death, and there is a twelve year old little girl there waiting for a kidney (for about 2 years now), her name is Taylor. Aaron's parents told me they were donating his organs, someone like Taylor, if not Taylor, will be receiving life because of his death. How amazing is that?! Totally puts things in percpective! While we mourn the loss of one, at least FOUR are saved...God is good!
We have had snow, snow, and some more snow! It is absolutely beautiful! I'll post some pics later. It's been years since Tennessee has got so much!
Zech's wanting to go out and play in it, Skylor's here so maybe I'll let them venture out later.
Well, again, until next time!

Long Over Due!

I have been meaning to start a new blog since Zech came into our family. It is no longer about the adoption of Zechariah, this blog is about our life as a Family! If you wish to look at past pictures or view our adoption history, go to www.dawsonfamilyadoption.blogspot.com

As of right now, Zech is at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Hopefully he will be discharged tomorrow at which time we will go to the Ronald McDonald house until he is released from doctor's care which should be next week.

He is doing great, incisions are healing wonderful! He was showing out for his Pa, Ma, Grandma, and NaNa on Skype about an hour ago and got very tired. He is napping right now.He got to eat and drink today, the first time in 7 days....boy was he excited!

Megan and Nori are coming to visit us tomorrow. I'm excited about that. I think everyone should go to a Ronald McDonald House and volunteer! What a humbling experience! I won't be shocked if I have to force Megan to leave!

I hope to keep this blog up a little better than last time. Maybe I'll end up having some words of wisdom on here.
Until later....