Commencement Address

During my school days, I was always puzzled as to why the graduation ceremonies were called "commencement exercises". After all, graduation was supposed to mark the end of the road - the goal that I had worked so hard to achieve - not the beginning. Of course, over time I came to learn that the end of one road always marks the beginning of a new one - a new road that is almost always more difficult and more important than the one just completed.

We have now reached the goal that was fixed in my mind when we began the process of adopting Paul. Over the last 15 months, we could look forward to nothing more than the day he would be here, adjusted to living in a home with us, and finished with his initial surgeries to repair his lip and palate. You have already read Wendi's wonderful chronicle of the events that brought this day to pass, so I will not repeat the story here. While we think it is entirely appropriate to celebrate and give thanks to God for this day, we also know that it is not the end, but only the beginning. And the next phase of our time with Paul will certainly be more difficult and more important than the one just completed.

When faced with a difficult assignment, I often find myself fretting over whether I am sufficient for the job. That was certainly the case when we began this adoption journey, and it is certainly the case now. However, the events of the past 15 months have helped to convince us of two things - we are not sufficient for this job, but neither do we need to be, because we have lots of help. I have told several people that the phrase "God is good", which I have at times considered to be trite, has taken on an entirely new depth of meaning. We submit this journal to you - without speculation as to His means or His methods - as evidence that God is good.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php 4:6-7)

Thank you all more than words can express.

Carl, Wendi, and Paul

I'm stalling for Carl...but here's more photos!

Well, as you know, Carl is commuting to Chattanooga every week to work. At night he is driving around looking for us a place to live, getting a little exercise at the YMCA and eating supper. Leaves no time for blogging. But he is definitely going to post the final blog...may just take another week or two. Until then, I'll just keep posting pictures!

Video of Paul (aka Fred Astaire) in garage

To Paul...

When we brought Paul home, I was determined to keep a journal about Paul...and I was really good with it about the first month. Since that time I have not been so good, but instead have done a better job of keeping up with this blog...and in a sense, it has become my journal. What I have not included enough on this blog is the personal notes...the things I want Paul to know about himself...the things we love about our little man...

So I hope everyone will allow me to use this post for Paul. The next post you read will be our final post...the one that ends all posts on the "The Morgan's" blog. Carl will write the final post. For some reason as I write the words "final post" I feel a lump forming in my throat. This has been one long and short journey. This blog has been a wonderful way of keeping everyone informed but selfishly, it has been a wonderful way of keeping Carl and me encouraged. You all have encouraged us more than we know how to express and we can't say thank you enough. And we give all glory to God for His goodness...and for this gift of a child.

Paul, it has now been just over five months since your tiny feet landed on U.S. soil. And you have certainly hit the ground running. So many people have noticed that your Daddy and I have lost weight. I tell them that YOU are the best weight-loss plan we've ever been on! I've lost 10 pounds and your daddy has lost 15! Chasing you, pushing you in the stroller, throwing you in the air, putting you in and out of the carseat, pulling you in your red wagon, pushing you in the swing, lunging for you when you start to fall off something or onto something, leaning over your crib and patting your back, rolling around with you on the floor - all of that has really gotten the two of us in shape! Paul, you have brought a joy to us that we cannot describe. It is such a welcome sound to hear your whimper bright and early each morning. It is so special to go into your once empty room and the once empty crib to find a little blonde head, blue-eyed boy standing up with his arms outstretched. I love our routine of you opening the blinds and saying "hi" to the new day! I love how you sneeze EVERY SINGLE time that first light of day hits your face! I love how you like to be the one to get your clean diaper out of the cabinet. I love how YOU want to be the one to throw away the wet diapers in the trash and the poopy diaper sack out the back door. I also appreciate how you try to set a new distance record each time you toss the poopy diaper and how you clap for yourself afterwards. Paul, you are such a happy little fellow. You love giving "high fives" to anyone who will let you. Carl and I loved it when you "high-fived" complete strangers eating their meals as we were leaving Chili's a few weeks ago. You love to "high five" children and adults alike at church. People stand in line just to get a slap on the hand from you...and with every one you give, you say "Good job!" We think it is so neat how you love big dogs and how many neighbors we have met because you refuse to let them pass in front of our house without petting their dogs! You are so GENTLE! No one is afraid for you to pet their dog because you know how to be sweet to them.... As far as your daddy is concerned, you have already earned yourself a big dog just as soon as we get a house with a big yard. Paul, you are so friendly. When we go on stroller rides, you wave and say "hi" to every person we pass! Joggers, bikers, cars, kids...it doesn't matter. You notice everyone! You have brought a smile to many faces with your cheerful greeting. Daddy and I both have fun on walks with you because you sure do bring a lot of attention our way! Ofcourse the attention is all YOURS, but it's fun for us too! Paul, we are proud of the words you have learned to say: "more," "thank you," "cat," "car," "yogurt," "you're welcome," "mama" and wish it would have taken you a little longer to say "no." :) We are proud that you have mastered your wooden puzzles and your wooden peg game. You are quick to figure things out and you do keep us on our toes. Paul, I sure hope you know how much we have enjoyed watching you dance to your "Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas" video. We have nearly worn that video out, not to mention the carpet in the living room from dancing a jig with you. We're wondering if you will ever get tired of seeing it!!! Paul, we could go on and on...we love how you fold your hands to pray with us, we love how you cheer after every meal, we love that you eat turnip greens and like collecting leaves and acorns. We love watching you learn new things. One of your favorite times of the week is storytime at the library. Paul, I haven't been to storytime with you once that tears didn't form in my eyes! You SO love singing, but what you love more is seeing everyone singing and doing the hand motions together! You get so excited when you look around the room seeing everyone is doing the same thing. I don't know why, but it makes your mommy cry. Paul, I asked someone this week, "Can you hug and kiss a baby too much?" If anyone is guilty, it's your daddy and me. But I guess I'm the worst. I kiss you every chance I get and you seem to put up with it okay. I hope it's making you grow. Your daddy said this past week that every time you give him a hug he believes it adds 30 minutes to his life. Your daddy loves you so much. He is so proud of how well you have handled all your surgeries. He took care of you and me both while you were in the hospital. He stayed awake so we could sleep. He ran here and there to get this or that, so I could rest or save my energy. He never fussed or complained. He was just so happy to see you getting the surgeries you need. You have a very, very good daddy. Paul, we look forward to every day with you. We hope you feel the love we have for you. And we will spend the rest of our lives thanking God that we get to have you for a son. Love, Mommy

Here are a couple of pictures taken ten days after surgery

Photos!!!!

We are HOME!

Thank you, Shannon and Drew, for picking us up at the airport yesterday! It is so nice to be home. For the first time in approx 10 days, Paul slept the entire night! Yea for all of us! :) Today Carl heads to Chattanooga. Paul and I head to storytime...next week we'll start back to speech therapy.

I have post-op photos of Paul...I'll have them up tonight. Sorry it has taken so long, Dad! :)

Also, Dad, thank you for the balloons and bear you sent Paul at Ronald McDonald House. He really enjoyed playing with those balloons!

Follow-up Appt Today...Home tomorrow!

Paul is feeling a lot better and his energy level is pretty much back to normal. And that means Carl and I have to be alert at all times to keep him from hurting his mouth. Even with us watching him diligently, he has already had THREE bumps to the mouth...one of which was my fault when his head met my finger. Paul is definitely ready to be back at his house...as we all are. This is the difficult part of deciding to come to Columbus for surgery. Nonetheless, there have been many, many good things that have come from this decision to have Paul treated at Nationwide and Carl and I know we did the right thing.

I felt pretty scattered after the last surgery...but it was nothing to how scattered we've been after this one. Probably the lack of sleep is catching up with both of us...along with all the mental energy we are spending thinking about our upcoming job change and move. Anyway, immediately following surgery we started losing things...Paul's coat, his special spoon, a room key...not to mention how many times we got to the car only to remember ONE MORE thing we forgot to get from the room. So Carl has started a checklist...and every time we walk out the door we go over it. He's brilliant! And we seem to be getting along a lot better now. :)

This really has been a good trip, though. We got to see the Weiler family once more! They so love Paul and sure do brag on him. Of course, that makes US feel good. We have so appreciated their kindnesses towards us. And then we got to have time with Bernie!!!! He showed us so many neat places in Columbus...some of which I expect we'll visit every time we come to Columbus. But, as always, the best part of being with Bernie was sitting around talking! I can't wait until we see each other again in July at the family reunion. I'm counting the days!!! :)

Well, Paul's follow-up appt is at 2pm...and tomorrow (Tuesday) we head home. Carl will then hop on a plane on Wed and begin his weekly commute to Chattanooga until we get our house sold.

For those of you who don't know yet, Carl has received a new job at Alcatel-Lucent and we will be relocating to Chattanooga, TN. This is one of the hardest decisions we've had to make...and we still aren't sure if this is a good move for Carl's job future...but we are doing what we think is best for Paul...and our family. Ideally we would like to stay in Chattanooga...but you may hear in a couple years that we are moving again! Oh well!

Paul is doing good...

Paul is doing good...he's just ready to go home. He's been pretty wired today and as evening approached, he has become extremely aggitated. Mommy and Daddy are tired, but hanging in there.

Back at Ronald McDonald House

Paul was in a room by 3pm yesterday afternoon. Again, it was hard to see him for the very first time following surgery, but I was better this go around. I felt more confident. This is the part that is hard to explain, but maybe you can understand. His mouth is all stitched up and perfect under the circumstances...but it still saddened me. Little Paul's mouth looks different. Well, duh. All I mean is that it was hard to see his new lip. I loved his old one. He does look different. But Carl reminded me that when the swelling goes down, it will look worlds better.

Paul was pretty miserable as you would expect...same ol' IV, wires and arm braces as before. He was mad about it all. I can't tell you how many times we sang Jingle Bells yesterday and today to help calm him through some rough spots. His greatest displeasure was, of course, being awakened every three hours and having the blood pressure cuff velcroed around his leg. It wasn't long before the nurses picked up on the magical powers of "Jingle Bells" and they soon began singing to him too. Dr. Kirschner's assistant visited us around 7am, followed by Dr. Kirschner around 8am. Carl told Dr. Kirschner that I was somewhat saddened by the change to Paul's look and Dr. Kirschner said such a sweet thing. He said, 'Yeah, before I began surgery I said to the nurses, "I sure hate to sew him up because he just looks so darn cute as he is." He captured my feelings precisely! Dr. Kirschner told us that Paul has a wonderful disposition and that he so looks forward to watching him grow up. We talked for a while longer and I have to say this once again...WE ARE SO GLAD WE CHOSE DR KIRSCHNER TO BE PAUL'S SURGEON!! Thank you, Lisa and Greg!!!

We were released from the hospital at 11am. Just before we were released, Steve Weiler stopped in for a visit. He was thrilled to see Paul up and running around. And he thought Paul looked great. Once again, we are touched by the kindness of the Weiler family and are so grateful for these wonderful new friends.

Except for supper, we were in the car all day giving Paul time to sleep. Bernie got to Columbus at 1pm, so he drove around with us for most of that time before he had to meet his friends for supper. At the restaurant tonight we ran into the speech therapist who is consulting with us at Nationwide and we had a nice visit with her. She has gone above and beyond to help us and it was nice running into her tonight!!

I'm sitting in the dark typing as Carl is trying to put Paul to bed. Little man is rooting around in his crib like a little pig. He can't get comfortable. I think my turn to try putting him asleep is approaching. So that's all for now.

Thank you for being a part of this with us.

Surgery completed...

All of Paul's doctors have come by to give us a briefing...and all gave us a good report. He is now in recovery and we are waiting for him to wake up so we can go be with him. Dr. Kirschner said Paul's face will be swollen and bruised for a few days because of the work he had to do on his nose, but other than that, it shouldn't take long for him to rebound from this surgery. I asked the doctor if Paul cried before surgery or seemed scared and he said "not at all." He was fine. Just sat in their arms before surgery looking around the room. This is a big day. No more surgeries for us, Lord willing, until Paul is 8 years old. It's a very big day. Thank you all for praying for us for the last 5 months. We feel such a relief now having all of this big stuff behind us. Bernie should be arriving today to keep us company while Paul begins healing. Steve Weiler said we could also expect a visit from him today. Speaking of Steve, we had a wonderful visit his family last night at their home. They so love Paul and we feel so honored. I have to admit that Carl and I were cringing a little during our visit - Paul was in RARE form. He had two big dogs to love on and both of Steve's daughters showered him with attention...so he was milking that for all it's worth. From our perspective, he was a wild man - but Steve and Mary were bragging about how good he was. I suppose that we should not expect him to act like he is at a state dinner in someone else's home just yet. :)

In surgery...

We got to the hospital at 7:15...Paul was a little bit cranky at having to get up so early and go without breakfast, but he eventually calmed down and got happy again. All of the doctors and nurses checked him out and everything looks good. They just took him into surgery at 9:15 Eastern. We expect him to be in surgery for about 4 hours. We will post an update when we hear from Dr. Kirschner after his part of the surgery is complete.

All looks good!

Paul got a great report from our surgeon this afternoon! Dr. Kirschner was very pleased with how well Paul's mouth and palate have healed from surgery #1. He and the speech specialist were also happy to hear Paul talking up a storm! They said he sounds GREAT! Not much of a nasal tone to his voice, which means the surgery did everything it was supposed to do! Paul was a real crowd-pleaser...all day! He started entertaining guests at Ronald McDonald House over breakfast...then he put on a show for all the doctors at his appointments today. He's been a happy guy all day...which is making our job so much easier. We have to be at the hospital at 7:15am and Paul should be in surgery by 9am. It is a 3 hour procedure. During surgery the ear doctor is going to check his tubes...

Our new friends, the Weiler's, have invited us over for supper. We are so looking forward to our visit. Paul is going to LOVE playing with their sweet pooches! We're headed over there in just a few minutes.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

We are getting a beautiful snow this morning!!

Back in Columbus!

We arrived in Columbus yesterday evening about 6pm. Paul was great on the plane! He even let me change his diaper in the plane restroom without a meltdown! We thought for sure he would nap on the plane - and he did...the last 10 minutes of our flight! We picked up our rental car and headed straight for supper at the Rusty Bucket! Have to thank our friends, the Weiler's, for telling us about that place. It hit the spot! Got to Ronald McDonald House around 7:30...immediately started getting Paul ready for bed...he went to sleep with no problem!

Carl, on the other hand, barely slept. He has a cold that is just miserable enough to make sleeping difficult. Today we had breakfast at a deli near RMH, went to Target, drove around while Paul napped, Carl dropped me off at Marc's (YEAAAA) while Paul napped, then we all went to Border's books (going out of business sale), back to the same deli for lunch to go and then back to RMH. Paul has been healthy and injury-free since the day we got him - that is, until TODAY! He fell in Border's books and gave himself a bloody nose...Carl had to take over. I was worried that the blood was coming from the conformer in his nose pulling at the stitches...it was hard to tell. But it eventually stopped bleeding...he just has blood caked all around the conformer! Then at supper he was playing around in his high chair and banged the side of his head on the table. He gave himself a really good bump - so he's going to look good and beat up when we go to the dr tomorrow!!!

I told Carl that driving through Columbus releases endorphins in my brain! It just feels so much like Cleveland and as I mentioned in earlier blogs, Cleveland was my second home growing up. That's where my grandparents (dad's parents) lived and I have so many good memories of that place. One added advantage of coming to Columbus for Paul's surgeries is that we will have to make an annual trip to Columbus for Paul's check-ups and THAT gives me an excuse to drive up to Cleveland and show little man around. Of course, he won't get to see Cleveland at its finest, and he won't see our grandparents' house the way it was when Grandmother and Papa were there, but it doesn't matter. Cleveland will always be special to me.

The weather here is about as gloomy as it gets and there is a prediction of snow. But we are thankful to be here and thankful all is going well.

I'll try to keep up the posts every day.

Now time to get back to the room and put Paul to bed! Good night!

Please keep us in your prayers

We leave tomorrow for surgery #2 in Ohio. Please pray for our safety and for Paul's quick recovery. I've got it in my head that this is going to be an easier surgery for Paul to endure, so I haven't been as nervous this go around...and I hope I'm right.

Thank you to everyone who has offered to help us prepare this week. We are just overwhelmed by all the kindness that has been extended to us. It makes it so much easier on us when we know we have so many people looking for ways to help! We must also say thank you to the Giesecke Shuttle Service for the ride to the airport tomorrow! :) Charles and Shirley, once again, we really appreciate this.

We are looking forward to having my cousin, Bernie, come down from Cleveland for a visit with us while we are in Columbus! What a treat! Paul's surgery falls on Bernie's birthday, so we'll have to find some way to celebrate...

The hospital has contacted us this past week asking if they can do another interview. We already knew they would be taking more photos. This time they would like to feature Paul in their upcoming telethon fundraiser. All so many neat experiences...

Carl and I are busy running around cleaning and getting packed. Paul is fussy because he has no idea what's going on but he knows SOMETHING is going on. It's too beautiful to be inside all day. We will have to take a break sometime and enjoy this gorgeous day. I'm having to rush through this post...Carl is downstairs folding clothes with little man yanking on his pants leg whining for full attention! :)

Thank you for keeping up with us and for praying for us. This has meant so much to us. I feel bad that my posts are rather uneventful but, as you can imagine, I just don't have the computer time that I once did!!! :) And my creative juices are flowing rather slowly these days!

What an exciting January! Carl's mother, Mary, spent almost the entire month with us! What a blessing! Paul had so much fun with his granny! They bonded quickly and I soon became jealous at how easily she was able to get Paul to go to sleep! :) I FINALLY learned how to make Mary's turnip greens and... BLUEBERRY cobbler!! Thank you, Mary! We so appreciate all the help you were to us and I'm so glad you got that precious time with your new grandbaby!

January has been full of some exciting events for our family - some of which I can tell you about and some of which I'll have to tell you later (just to add an element of suspense to the blog!) Paul started speech therapy twice a week - he has mastered the word "more" and is coming a long way on other words - "cow," "no," "cat," "car" and a few others. We have started going to storytime at the library. On Mondays I take him to 1 year old story time and on Wednesdays I take him to 2 year old story time (which also happens to be the same day as speech). I've also started back to my job on Tuesday evenings at Cooper Fitness. (I work in childcare) What is so cool is that Paul gets to go with me to work and he loves it! He plays well with the other children...loves all the cool toys and play equipment...and it's just good exercise since it has been too cold to go out for quite a while now. Paul also has started going to bible class now! The other big event in the month of January was Paul's 2nd birthday...January 14. Granny was here to celebrate, but we kept it very simple. The big thing for Paul was the cupcake he got to have after supper. It literally caused his eyes to roll back in his head! Ha! He loves him some red velvet cupcakes!

The great thing for us is that Paul is finally starting to get a routine...but the bad thing is that we are a mere 3 wks from disrupting that routine once again for surgery #2. Please pray for our safety on this trip back to Columbus and for the success of Paul's surgery. This 2nd surgery is to finish the repair on his lip.

On another happy note, my mom and dad are en route as I type to visit us from Alabama. This will be my dad's first visit to our home so I'm especially excited about that. I feel another visit to the JFK museum is on the horizon...:)

Carl and I still have to pinch ourselves that we get to be parents and that Paul Daniel is our little boy. He is so much fun. So happy. So eager for us to teach him new things. We so enjoy watching him...watching him figure things out. Watching him grow. We've said it 100 times and we will say it 100 times more. God has blessed us so much. It's amazing to look back at how scared we were - and to think we might have missed this blessing if we had not trusted in God's power to guide us through the unknown. And please know the emphasis of that last comment is not on our faith...but on God's power.