January at the Sisemore's.

Thought I would share a bit of what we have been up to in January :)

This past Saturday we attended the birthday party of Jeremiah's Nurse's son Cristian!  It was at a local party place here called Jumpin Jupiter.  They boys have been here before for just fun on half price day but never for a party. I am glad we went, they had fun but to me it was not run well at all and nowhere near worth what was charged and for a supposed stress free party it was not that at all.  My nurse is calling in to complain today.  I felt so bad when the teen running the party cut and passed out cake without letting them light the candle or sing to Cristian :(  just one of the many things not done the way they advertised.  Anyway if you are local and would like more details please email me and I will share. 

Jeremiah had fun too with all the laughter and joy of the other children and we did hold him up and let him jump in his way and also laid him down and bounced him a few times on the outer part of one of the jumpies. We worked on sitting and rolling on the paadded floor :)  He just seems to love to moved in ways that he could if he was able to take off like a typical baby.  

Noah will be having 2 surgeries this coming friday morning (Feb 3) for his ears and tongue.  Once all that is healed up he will have some more testing done and be fitted for his hearing aids.  

He had is CT scan done this past week and I was sooo proud of my sweet Panda Boy!  He was scared but did not throw a fit, he was still when we told him too and did an amazing job!!! I can see so many ways he is growing up!  In other ways he seems to be more babyish than he was even when I brought him home and want more comfort and rocking and loving in ways he never wanted them before.  I am trying to follow his lead and meet his needs in anyway I can and not think so much about his age.  

This past Sunday at Church during Children's worship they all prayed over Noah for his hearing and upcoming surgeries!  A friend took that picture for me and it so blessed my heart!  She also took the one on the bottom right of Noah praying over my friend Ronie during worship!  He has such a caring heart and he loves Ronie soooo much!  They have the sweetest relationship :)  She is a mamma of 4 boys so it is great having her in our life.  The top right is Noah at a birthday party this month for my friend Summer's little girl Ava.  Noah was so sweet and was stroking her hair as we sang Happy Birthday!  I just love his little heart for people!

Speaking of Noah's little heart! He is such an amazing big brother! Got these cute pics one day while waiting for the doctor to come in when both boys were needing to see her! :) 

Sometimes Noah is so cooperative with saying cheese and giving me a good smile!  Other days he will almost cry to avoid giving me a sweet picture!

Here are some shots this past Sunday Morning of Noah :)  He was in such a good mood and was dancing away to the Donut Man DVD that we had on at one point! :)  He has a very favorite epidode that he asks to watch over and over and over and over and over and I could go on again! lol  If you kids do Donut Man the episode he likes is Paul in a Basket which is like a special.  He loves them all but that one is his all time favorite!  He loves the song Faith , Hope, Love the best :)

Here are a few good shots of my sweet frogie boy!  :)  He is doing miraculously well as of late!  It is funny to me but about the time some folks seem to give up on him, he seems to have a spurt of doing amazing and showing us a thing or two! LOL  He is standing in his stander every day and doing really well with that.  Sometimes for over an hour at a time.  He is responding soo well to therapy and has so blessed my heart!  He is starting to sit up a bit more lately and he is rolling from time to time.  Eating is still an issue but he is eating some by mouth so we are prayerful he will resume like he was awhile back.  

Here are some cute shots of the babies in the tub playing! :)  Jeremiah is getting harder and harder to get in and out of the tub between his high tone and being so slippery and not able to help me at all! LOL  

Jeremiah had a swallow study done at the hospital the same morning that Noah had his CT scan.  It did not go as well as we hoped party because the test had to be delayed because someone dropped the ball and  forgot to schedule one of the people that had to be there for this to be done.  By the time they finally did the test he was asleep and we kept having to wake him up so he was drowsy and so was not as interested in eating or swallowing.  

Another big thing this month was a visit from my friend Charlotte! She has lost over 230 using weight watchers and working out and has been cheering me on and encouraging me.  It was so sweet of her to come down here just to meet me and encourage me and bless our family with a meal out and swimming and hanging out at her hotel!  As you can see from the collage a fun time was had by all! :)  If you are interested in following my journey to a better me please check out my blog and see how things are going and hear about my amazing fitness center and just be a cheerleader for me!  I NEED all the friends and support I can get!!! :)  

Here is the link to the other blog! :)  Join in and if you know anyone else who might like to follow along please share with them as well :)   TamiJoy's Journey to a better me!

Noah update

Today my Panda Boy Noah had some testing  for his hearing.   First thing she did was a test for pressure in the ear. 

He has a lot of pressure in his ears, one side was completely flat, the other had slight movement.  She said this is an issue that the ENT that sent us here will decide how he wants to medically deal with that.  We may be looking at tubes again for this issue.  

Then she took him into the booth and he was quite unsure about all this but she was so sweet and tried so hard to get him to be comfortable and play with him.  Then she did a regular hearing test. With headphones on his ears. 

Here she is showing him the pegboard that he will place pegs into as he hears sounds.

having to hand over hand at first.  He really was not impressed. He kept looking at me with that help me look but she was not hurting him at all.  At one point I had to hold his hand while he worked with the other one!

She was soo good with Noah especially since he really did not want to cooperate at all at first. 

After she did the regular hearing test, she did a special test that has these headphone sorta things that sit on his skull, and not his ears. This shows what how he hears with the actual auditory nerves she explained.  She says that he has permanent hearing loss. He hears but there is definite loss of hearing.  One side is worse than the other.  She had this chart she was charting on during the test and the highlighted area was the normal hearing range and he had nothing in it and the highest one he had was still a ways from it.  She said the pressure in the ear could account for not doing well on the first test, but the second test was on the skull and used the hearing nerves or something and she said that if that test had been normal she would know that it was all related to the pressure, BUT it was not normal at all, it was basically the same. She said he was very consistent during both tests and it was obvious when he heard it by body movements as well as his reaction. She said he has permanent hearing loss and she believes the entire speech issue is because of this.  She said that basically speech is not going to do any real good as it is right now.  She said that she is sending all this information to Noah's ENT to see what he wants to do medically about the pressure (tubes are possible again).  Then he will come back to her again and she will redo both tests then to get the most up to date and accurate results with the pressure relieved and then she will send him to get hearing aids. She said for now with the hearing aids he should hear better and do better with talking and with speech therapy and his lessons.  BUT :(  she said she is concerned this is progressive hearing loss.  There is not way for her to know for sure but she believes it is.  Which is killing me.  I cried all night in service at Church because I kept thinking how much he loves music and begging God to let him keep his hearing for his music.  We discussed sign language and she said it would be helpful to him now for us to go ahead and do sign with him (I did it when he very first started learning to talk, the little bit of baby sign I knew and what ASL I remembered on his level and he signed first, then signed and said it and then eventually dropped the sign) but to make sure and say the word out loud with the sign.  She said that it will help him with his frustration with folks who dont understand or when he cant get the words out he wants to say.  She said he has already learned to compensate for this some and saw him looking at her mouth and such.  Also if it is indeed progressive then he will already know sign as will we and he will be able to communicate.  I am so upset. She said at this moment there is no way to know for sure what caused this.  She did say that ENT will contact Pediatrician (as I will too) and that standard procedure is a CT scan and bloodwork whenever a child has a diagnosed hearing loss.  I still can't believe it is a permanent loss.  Please keep Noah in prayer as we go forth with what all we need to do to help him to experience his love of music and the world and to actually hear things better and clearer.  She said he will probably fight the hearing aids at first but eventually if we can make him wear them all the time he will like that he can hear better and he will ask for them.  I am so praying that it is NOT progressive and of course for total and complete healing but we will go forward doing all we can for him until then.  I am wishing that we could get in to ENT NOW to get started with getting the pressure gone and then get to hearing aids. I hate to think that he does not hear well.  So much in life we enjoy through hearing.  He so loves music now and it makes since now why he loves to touch things when music plays and why he is always on top of the tv practically.  I so dont want the music he does hear to fade, but to get clearer and stay that way.   I know this is not just dreadful news, its not life threatening or anything but it is still saddening me so much the thought of what this could mean for his future BUT I am so trying to just be excited for at least now they think hearing aids will help.  I am already worreid about how I am going to teach him to read if he can't hear the sounds and words.  She did say that at this point not really any point in doing the lessons with him because he is not hearing it correctly.  Anyway, just needed to come and share with yall about my Panda Boy are the results of the testing today.  I cling to the fact that my God is ABLE! 

Happy New Year 2012 here we go! :)

Happy New year to you all !  I pray 2012 is off with a bang for your family and things are going well! :)  We rang in the new year at home as a family this year.  Jeremiah and Noah both rang it in asleep! Noah enjoyed watching Daddy and Celeste do the fireworks Celeste got for us! :)

Noah would cheer them on and he did sparklers too! :)  He was very wary of them, but he did hold it.  I think Mama was as nervous as Noah.  Jeremiah loved being outside!  Celeste had these poppers things that you throw on the ground and she threw some of them down close to him and he loved the noise :) 

Both babies were all smiles early in the evening but as I said above they both rang in the new year asleep! I so love to watch them sleep! :)  and Smile! :)  

New Year's Day was fun!  We had our traditional black eye peas and I cooked them with some of the Logan Farms ham that my friend Pam gave me as a Christmas Gift!  We have gotten ALOT of meals off that 1 delicious spiral ham! :)  What a thoughtful and yummy gift, and having looked up the nutrition information.  It is not too bad in moderation :)  I did a little New Year's Photo Shoot with them in the new shirts they got from our friends Dianne and Leanna gave them for Christmas! :)  TOO CUTE! :) 

This week we started back to therapy.  We go to our private therapy on Monday Mornings and on Friday Mornings the school sends out several therapy folks to see both boys.  Here are some shots from this Friday, the first ones of the new year! :)  We are so blessed by these wonderful people from the school!  God has really got us with awesome folks both private and school that just poor into these babies!  

I was looking back at some of the pictures of 2011.  I tried hard this year to get some family pictures more and more.  It was hard to get us all because No one really to take the picture if Celeste is in it and even when she is not sometimes the pics are more like outakes!  LOL  and at times it feels like nobody wants there picture made, but we did have a few done this year so I made this collage! :)  

And I made this because it kinda symbolizes me heading into 2012.  I have really felt the Lord is showing me that If I do not do something about my health and weight I am going to die.  Super Morbid Obesity kills people.  That is where I am now.  I am trying to make changes and priorities to try and do this.  At times I am overwhelmed by the fact I need to loose 200 pounds!  But I keep trying to cling to scripture that says that HE has made EVERYTHING beautiful in HIS time!  EVEN ME!  and I love the thing I found about the catterpillar becoming a butterfly!  I am seeking as much support in as many ways as I can because I know it is going to take it, and its goin to take a long time and the changes need to be for life.  Next year at this time, I will still be obese, but I pray I will be well on my way to loosing this 200 lbs and alot closer to not being obest anymore.  and alot healthier!  

To all my wonderful friends and followers, May 2012 be the best year ever for you and your family!  Please keep in touch this year, comment, post on my fb (Tamijoysisemore@aol.com) email me at the same.  Lets get to know each other better!  :)  I am so excited for 2012 for ME personally as its the year I will finally begin to live, and for our family as well as the boys grow and change, as my beautiful daughter continues on with her work, college and enjoying time with her boyfriend, and as we see what all God has in store for us this year!

I send you all kisses in the wind!

Merry Christmas 2011 and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We were very blessed that even as hard at things have been to have a wonderful Christmas in our home!  Here are a few pictures from Christmas.  

my Panda boy looking like such a big boy :)

Celeste opening a gift

can't believe I am showing this one...sigh but me and Jeremiah coming into living room with Bobby and Noah behind.  Noah got nervous and kind hid behind bobby.  Not sure why.

not sure what he is lookin at and I know its blurry but was too cute :) 

He LOVES is Spiderman computer that a friends son gave to Santa to give to Noah :)  He thinks he is so big! He doesn't really know how to do much on it but will pick it up and rush of sayin got my computer! LOL

This was too funny to me.  I helped santa find this months ago at goodwill.  its a musical sit and spin.  kept trying to get Noah to sit on it and he would not.  He stood on it and kept trying to get him to undestand and the whole time he is acting like he is at the dr.  He is afraid of it.  Finally yesterday I got him to sit on in but he still can't figure out how to use it. 

Jeremiah with a toy he got.  He was quite withdrawn most of the day which worried this mama.

Frogie boy with his mickey mouse.  later in the day I got a little reaction to him

goin through Jeremiah stocking.  Noah was all into everthing miah got!  He kept tryin to show him what to do with everything and ringing bell of him that was in there adn showing him shiny things :)

miah with his shiny things

Noa cookin us zert (dessert) :)  

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Noah loves his cars boots :) Thank you to the elf that sent those :)

hand over had turning mickey mouse on

a little smile

one of his microphones.  I would talk in it and eventually he did coo

my sweet mama!  Our family was featured in an adoption calendar for 2012 that some friends put together :)  She was quite excited when she got to Ocoboer and saw us in there :)  If you need a calendar for this coming year I can't think of a better one than this one and just think you can see us :)  lol  Go HERE to see calendars and get you one and help bring 9 year old Eli home!

love this face :)

a little cars computer game he was given :)  haven't figured it out either

My favorite picture of the day I think!  Noah hand of hand helping Jeremiah open a present :) 

Happy New year to all who have followed along and been a part of our lives this year! 

Happy New Year!! Here’s the scoop on the Sisemore Family and what we’ve been up to 'round here.

 

It has been a hard year for us but many blessings along the way by so many people.  I met one of my dearest friends face to face this year FINALLY!  And I got to sit in a room with a BUNCH of Taiwan Treasure's playing together as we parents shared and visited and just had an amazing time!!  I have to say Taiwan R.O.C.ks FIRST reunion had to be the highlight of 2011 for me!!!  I am sad Bobby did not get to experience that with me and that Celeste as well had to stay home and work but it was the biggest thing  to happen!  I can't even express what that was like and I can't wait for Chicago this year!  It was awesome to see some of the little ones that were in the same orphanage as my boys all together again!  A few were not there and I hope next year they will be.  And I look forward to the year we can have those little ones at a reunion at the same time and I can have my entire family there as well! :) 

 

Here is a bit about what all has been going on with us.

 

Bobby has retired from a 20 year career of police dispatch and has after a 6 month wait began a new career with a call center that though the pay is low now, seems to have much opportunity for overtime and promotion and he has almost completed training!  We look forward to what God will do with our family and Bobby with this job!  :) 

 

Tami is loving being home with our sweet boys and is kept quite busy with Dr. visits, therapy sessions, play dates, field trips and teaching Noah his preschool skills.  .

 

Celeste is working at the hospital as a Phlebotomist, and enjoys time with her boyfriend, Dallas, friends, and Church family as well as being an awesome big sister to her baby brothers! She also just started college towards her Bachelor's Degree in Youth Ministry!  We are so excited for her and can't wait to see what God has planned for her future :)

 

Noah is 4 and growing and maturing at an alarming rate!  He is talking more and more and is becoming more and more clear. He is very imaginative and  a joy to watch play. This fall we began preschool but it seemed to be more than he was ready for so I backed off for a bit and went back to more of a play school type learning.  Come January we plan to try again 3 days a week and prayerfully he will do well.  Tami is gathering things and taking a different approach to meet his specific needs.  The joy and beauty of a home education! He is doing quite well in private Occupational Therapy as well as with Speech, APE and Special Instruction he receives in our home from the school district/  Noah is into ~

Cars, trucks, trains, Mr. Potato Head, his menagerie of stuffed animals, cooking for all of us with play food :) , Barney, Mickey Mouse, Wiggles, Cailou, Elmo and the Duggars on tv! He is very musical too! 

 

Jeremiah is 3 and overall doing well.  He was eating 3 meals a day and just had his tube feeding to help make sure he got enough but then he got ill and has lost his desire to eat.  Please keep him in prayer for all his medical needs.  He has some tests coming up after the beginning of the year and is dealing with many medical issues.  On the advise of our Pediatrician Jeremiah is only going to private therapy one day a week and the school comes in one day a week.  He receives Speech/feeding, Occupational and Physical therapy as well as APE and special instruction.  We are very blessed with amazing therapists for both boys and Jeremih and Noah are both flourishing under the loving care they give.  Jeremiah is into~ Bells,music, giggling toys, laughing people, rocking, dancing, einsy weinsy spider and other hand games we do together and snuggling!

 

Tami's mom, Carol, is with us and doing quite well!  She along with Tami and the babies made a trip to her hometown in Mississippi to attend her 50 year high school reunion!  She was quite excited and blessed by the experience!  Her sister was able to come home with us to spend a week here with us all and the two sisters were like kids at times! :)  Her health is doing wonderfully and you can not really even tell she had a hip replacement and was on a walker at one time!  She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and laughing at their antics.

 

We covet your prayers  as  we move forward into what God has for our family as we roll into 2012.

 

Happy New Year,

Bobby, Tami, Celeste, Noah and Jeremiah

life

So I am not sure if I have any folks still reading the blog but thought just in case I would come to yall.  I am wondering what yall think give quality to life?  what does that mean?  what is value in a person?  what things make someone have value? what to you constitues suffering?  I may be opening myself up for who knows what by asking these questions but I just want to hear what yall have to say.  Please if folks do start responding dont argue with each other but just share your thougts and feelings.  Also please be in prayer for our family in so many areas.  and for me personally and for Jeremiah specifically as well.  For those praying, Bobby did get a job and is one week into training.  The pay is very very low but its a job.  He does seem to like it so far and is doing his very best at it.  I am blessed by him.  Anyway, please share your thoughts about life.

Giving Thanks in All things...

Happy Thanksgiving 2011 to all who read this!!  I pray this finds you all quite well.  The Lord tells us in His Word to give thanks in all things and I am learning so much this year that even when things are scary, even when you have no clue how the bills will be paid or anything else, there is always something to be thankful for!  Bobby still had not secured a job and the temporary job he had after his retirement ended mid october so we are concerned but trying so hard to have faith that God has an amazing job ahead for Bobby.  He is putting in applications left and right nad we are so prayerfl that not jsut a job but a 2nd career will come along for him, that will allow him to use the talents God has placed in him to bless others as well as to provide for our family.  We are spending alot of time trying to be thankful for what we do have and NOT looking at what we don't have or know.  We appreciate your prayers as we go forward trying to find what God has for our family and our future.  Here are some pictures I have put together for you! :)  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do :)  And please if you are reading leave me a note! :)  Its nice to hear from others :)
God's blessings to you all this Thanksgiving!

Noah was blessed to be invited to a friends birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.  He loved it! :)

More from our trip to Chuck E Cheese

May God Richly Bless you this Thanksgiving!!!