The Little Engine That Could

Last night as Andy and I read his favorite book, "Mouse Town", he asked me what my favorite book was when I was a little girl.I told without even thinking it was, "The Little Engine That Could". You know the one where the little engine says,"I think I can, I think I can". I use to make my Mom read that one over and over. I guess that sentiment has kind of stuck with me over the years.

It reminds me that although I might not have great beauty, or intellect, I do have great tenacity, and sometimes that is what is needed. This has been a hard week, I've been sick and at the same time struggling with our school to get not just the services Will needs but to improve services that Caitlyn and Andy already have.

I think I hear my Mom whispering in my ear,"I think I can, I think I can..........."

There's a Miracle in Heaven tonight

Folks that know us personally know we have 2 special service dogs. The first one is a German Shepard named Niko. We applied and received Niko from a wonderful service dog organization called, 4 Paws for Ability. We had applied to many agencies before finding 4 Paws, but other groups said Chris didn't qualify because he was too disabled or he had too many disabilities and couldn't take care of his dog without assistance, only Karen Shirk the founder of 4 paws was willing to try working with us to get a dog that perfectly fit Chris's need. A year later we were matched with Niko who was trained in search and rescue (Chris has Autism and can wander off)and to alert when Chris suffered a seizure.

But our friends at 4 Paws weren't done yet! When they heard we adopted kids with special needs, they offered a service dog for our other kids too. Our beautiful little dog was a rescue. She and her 9 puppies had been dumped, but where others saw worthlessness, 4 Paws saw potential. After being trained as a service dog by prison inmates, our little Lady was ready to come home. We named our girl"Miracle", because to us she will always be our little 4 Paws miracle.

Miracle went the kids to Scouts, Little League games, many doctor, therapy and doctor appointments, even the hospital. Miracle was a first class nursing assistant, the only dog I know of allowed in the recovery room!

Sadly after 6 wonderful years, we discovered this week our Baby Boo had a large mass in her belly. She had developed a severe heart mummer and all her blood work was abnormal. It was terrible to have to let go but we know she's up in doggy heaven chasing all those possums and coons we wouldn't let her chase down here. It was hard on everyone but particularly hard on little Andy. I don't call him my, "Little Guy with a big heart" for nothing. Poor thing, he just sobbed and sobbed! We always joked that Miracle thought she was her pup. Andy asked, "Did Miracle tell you to take good care of her pup?" We will Miracle, we will. I have to stop now because I'm crying all over my keyboard.

Old friends and new

Today we meet the Dzrick family for a late lunch/early dinner. Linn, pictured with Will, knew him from when they both lived in The Shanghai Children's Institute. Will was happy when I wrote him we would meet his old friend, but when we got ready to go, he got very quiet. At McDonald's he practically hid under the table when they arrived! After about a 1/2 hour of that I finally just took off his boots and sent him off to the Play Place. Fortunately that seemed to do they trick, soon he was laughing and of course didn't want to leave when it was time to go. When Linn got in the Play Place with him they had a little talk. Will is certainly the strong, silent type!

The youngest girl is Linn's sister, Ruby, also from China.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!

The Knisely Kids all had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Grandpa's house. It was the first Christmas without Grandma Knisely there to run things and she was deeply missed by all. But we had a nice surprise visit by Keith's Aunt Janet and Uncle Berne. Aunt Janet is Grandpa's sister. It was nice to have the whole extended family together.

Will impressed everyone with his "Merry Christmas". He just has such a sweet little voice. We are very thankful for the blessing of his arrival. I look forward to next Christmas already, when he will understand the true meaning of the holiday better.

Will and Andy have been working diligently on an igloo. Andy wants more snow to finish it. Me, I wouldn't care if it all was gone in the morning. I'm definitly not a winter person!

I was thrilled to get a good picture of Chris at dinner. The camera flash really bothers him, so a good picture comes few and far between.

God Bless and Happy Holidays to all!

A boy after my own heart and he made the hygienist cry!

First of all, if you didn't already know there are seven of us, which means laundry, lots and lots of laundry! A couple years ago my in-laws popped in~don't you just love it when they do that?~ and it was folding day. My father-in-law asked when was my yard sale? He was serious too!

But I do have they little stinkers help with folding, you know sorting socks, folding towels and washcloths, nothing too dangerious. Then along comes Mr. Will Knisely, folding shirts like a professional. I should rent him out! He would put my Mom to shame and she worked at a dry cleaners back in the day. She really knew how to fold, but Will, some Gal is going to be thanking her lucky stars. I can't wait to get an ironing board out and see what he can do there. And my future Daughter-in-law? I'm taking all the credit, I'm LOVIN" it!

Now to the poor dental hygienist. Nohe didn't bite her, but he did make her cry. We went back today for round two of the plaque scraping. He went through like the trooper he is. When he politely asked for water to rinse and said "Thank-you", in his quiet little voice, she said she was going to cry and she really did! She just said he was so sweet, she just loved him. What a heart-breaker!!!!

The pictures are from a skating rink the boys went to a couple weeks ago. The bottom one is Keith and Will playing air hockey and the top one is Jon skating for the first time, or maybe I should say not skating for the first time. He looks like a drunken sailor if you ask me, LOL!

Santa and the dentist

Will got to visit both this week, I think he liked Santa a bit better than the dentist!

We saw the dentist on Thursday, and I have to say Will was very cooperative with both the x-rays and cleaning. He did everything we asked. He had massive amounts of plaque built up over the years. Fortunately, he had no cavities. But that plaque! He was in the chair over an hour and she still didn't get it all off. The picture is before the cleaning, I'll spare you the bloody mess he was when we stopped.

Every year, Keith's work sponsors a great children's Christmas Party. Today the boys went to it. Will looks unimpressed as he sits with Santa, but boy was he on Cloud Nine when he got that Nerf gun!!! Our dog Niko loves it too, another thing to go fetch!

Will is starting read our early reader books, he's able to advance a level almost every other day. He's learning more and more English, I know a lot of people seem to expect him to be fluent in just a few weeks, but I know that's unrealistic and he is doing great!

A Thankful Thanksgiving

First of all, we give praise to God for all His Blessings this past year. We had a nice dinner at Grandpa Knisely's, Will got to met many cousins, Aunts, and Uncles. After dinner the kids had fun playing games on the Wii. The threesome pictured are our November birthday gang, Grandpa, Cousin Ashley, and our Andy. Happy Birthday all! When we got home I used the translator to ask if he had a good time and he said,"Yes".

On Friday, Will had some sad time, he crunched up in a little ball, knees bent, arms around them, and head down. He never makes any sound when he cries, unlike my other kids who run to Mama when they shed tears, poor Will acts like he wants to just disappear. I take heart though, he lets me sit with him, I rub his back and put my arm around him. He doesn't push me away. Later that evening when he felt better, he came to me arms outstretched and reciprocated my hug. He laughed when I swung him around in a big bear hug. He really is such a sweet blessing!