3rd Annual Boss Your Heart Birthday Benefit

We have a fabulous giveaway at the end of this post, along with some exciting announcements!  Be sure to read the photo captions to get the full story!

Last year (2012), we hosted an online birthday party, in memory of Chrissie’s 7th birthday, benefitting Village of Hope in Guatemala.  In 2011, we hosted a team roping benefit at our ranch, in memory of Chrissie's 6th birthday, benefitting adoptive families.

This year, we’re SO EXCITED to host our 2nd annual online birthday party, in memory of Chrissie’s 8th birthday, benefitting BYHOME (Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries Experience), our newest mission. 

BYHOME is a one-of-a-kind mission, in memory of a one-of-a-kind girl!  BYHOME is a mission to reach countless orphans worldwide by hosting other families/groups in the “barnonminium” on our ranch, where they will EXPERIENCE first-hand countless ways God can use them to make a difference in the lives of orphans.

• Are you a post-adoptive family in need of help?  BYHOME is perfect for you!
• Are you in the process of adopting and want some guidance and/or help preparing for what life will be like once your child gets home?  BYHOME is perfect for you, too!
• Are you considering adoption and want to learn more about the ins and outs of domestic adoption, international adoption, adoption of children with special needs, adopting out of birth order, adopting at-risk children, etc.?  BYHOME is perfect for you as well!
• Are you looking for a domestic mission trip experience that will change your heart?  BYHOME is perfect for this!
• Are you looking for a place to be encouraged, equipped, educated, and inspired to do more for orphans?  BYHOME is the perfect opportunity!
• Are you clueless about adoption and orphan care?  Guess what?  BYHOME is also perfect for you!

To get our new mission launched (hopefully on Chrissie’s birthday, October 8), we need your help!  We have the perfect set-up, a “barnominium” (1,000 square foot guest apartment above our barn), where we plan to host groups/families on our ranch where they'll EXPERIENCE first-hand how to boss their hearts as they serve alongside our family, learning about children with special needs, therapies, domestic adoption, international adoption, global orphan care, educating former orphans, helping post-adoptive families, and so much more!  This is for all ages and stages of life.  We will minister to post-adoptive families, families in the process of adopting, families considering adopting, and guests who may or may not have a clue about orphan care, but have hands and feet willing to serve as well as hearts and minds willing to learn. :-) 

After a BYHOME stay, guests will leave with changed hearts, believing and knowing undoubtedly that ALL are precious in His Sight!  Guests will leave educated, encouraged, equipped, and inspired to care for orphans in whatever way the Lord has called them, whether it’s through adoption or through one of the many other ways of living out James 1:27. 

BYHOME is a much-needed ministry, the only one of its kind, and we already have guests on our waiting list!  In order to launch this, we need to furnish the barnominium, and you can help us, in memory of Chrissie’s 8th birthday!  The barnominium will sleep 12 people in comfy beds, plus more can bring sleeping bags if desired.



You’re also invited to attend (in real life!) the BYHOME Open House at our ranch on Chrissie's birthday, October 8.  While Chrissie celebrates her 8th birthday in heaven, we'll celebrate her life and legacy here on earth.  For those unable to attend in person, we’ll host a virtual tour of the BYHOME barnominium right here on our blog October 8 where the big reveal of the interior you help furnish will occur!

We have many ways you can help us to celebrate Chrissie’s life and legacy.  Please prayerfully consider a sponsorship of BYHOME (donations are tax-deductible) and also consider purchasing an item for BYHOME from our Amazon wish list via the link below.

Sponsors and donors will have their names listed on a plaque in the barnominium where every guest who walks through the doors will see who helped make this mission possible, in memory of Chrissie’s 8th birthday!

To become a sponsor, simply select the donation level below and click the donation button.  Your tax-deductible secure donation will be given directly to Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries via PayPal. 

Click Below for Donation Levels:

Opal $10.00 USD Pearl $25.00 USD Amethyst $50.00 USD Sapphire $75.00 USD Emerald $100.00 USD Ruby $250.00 USD Diamond $500.00 USD

You may also make a one-time donation of any amount (by clicking button below) or you may make an ongoing monthly donation (by clicking the corresponding button below).  All donations are tax-deductible and will go toward bettering the lives of orphans near and far.


One Time Donation of Any Amount:

Monthly Donation Options

Option 1 : $10.00 USD - monthly Option 2 : $25.00 USD - monthly Option 3 : $50.00 USD - monthly Option 4 : $75.00 USD - monthly Option 5 : $100.00 USD - monthly Option 6 : $250.00 USD - monthly Option 7 : $500.00 USD - monthly Option 8 : $1,000.00 USD - monthly Option 9 : $2,500.00 USD - monthly Option 10 : $5,000.00 USD - monthly

If you prefer to mail a check, please send to:

Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries
PO Box 1708
Kyle, TX 78640
 

Be sure to leave a comment to let us know your name and sponsorship level so we can properly thank you and include your name on the sponsorship plaque that will hang in the BYHOME barnominium.




Also, please consider purchasing an item from the BYHOME Wish List







Be sure to leave a comment to let us know your name and what item you purchased so we can properly thank you, scratch the item off the list, and include your name on the plaque that will hang in each room listing the sponsors of each room.



And last, but not least, please enter the giveaway for a FREE 4-night stay at the BYHOME barnominium!!!  Giveaway details are posted on the photo below. 

Thank you for sponsoring the “Christyn ‘Jewelry’ (Joy)” Room:

• queen mattress (thanks Lisa!)
  twin mattress (thanks Lisa!)
• twin mattress (thanks Lisa!)
• queen/twin bunk frame (thanks Mo-Mo!)
• dresser and miscellaneous furniture (thanks Stephanie!)
• twin/twin bunk frame
• twin cowgirl quilt set
• twin sheet set
• twin cowgirl quilt set
• twin sheet set
• twin cowgirl quilt set
• twin sheet set
• queen cowgirl quilt set
• queen sheet set (thanks Emily!)
• window treatment  
• pillows
• lamp
• clock
• mattress protectors
• cross for wall

Thank you for sponsoring the “Silly Gooseball” Room, in memory of Chrissie:

• queen mattress (thanks Lisa!)
• twin mattress (thanks Lisa!)
• twin mattress (thanks Lisa!) 
• queen/twin bunk frame (thanks Nicole!)
• dresser and miscellaneous furniture (thanks Stephanie!)
• twin/twin bunk frame
• twin cowboy quilt set
• twin sheet set
• twin cowboy quilt set
• twin sheet set
• twin cowboy quilt set
• twin sheet set
• queen cowboy quilt set
• queen sheet set
• window treatments
• pillows
• lamp
• clock
• mattress protectors
• cross for wall
•  





Wild West Cowboy Western Horse Lamp Shade by Sweet Jojo Designs

Thank you for sponsoring the main guest area of the Barnominium, in memory of Chrissie:

• Custom mosaic Boss Your Heart cross (thanks Melissa!)
• Western lamp shade (thanks Crystal!)
•  
Cimarron Decorative Tapestry Toss Pillow USA Made
•  

Manual Woodworkers & ​Weavers Kick Off Your Boots Pillow, 12-1/2 by 8-1/



•  

Geenny CF-2046-L Western Lamp Shade



•  

 
Home Design, Traditional Iron Scrollwork Table Lamp, Bronze



•  

 
New RODEO WALL CLOCK Boots COWBOY Hat WESTERN SENTIMENT




•  

 
Wilco Imports Red Wooden Wall Cross with Intricate Blue Metal Work Design


•  

 
Manual Woodworkers and Weavers Western Décor Collection Throw Pillow,



•  

 
Manual Woodworkers and Weavers Western Décor Collection Tapestry Throw



•  

 
Manual Woodworkers and Weavers Western Décor Collection Tapestry Throw



•  

 
Manual Woodworkers and Weavers Western Décor Collection Tapestry Throw

Thank you for sponsoring the restroom of the Barnominium, in memory of Chrissie:

•  

 
HiEnd Accents Cross Bathroom Set



• 

 
Wild West Cowboy Western Bandana Kids Bathroom Fabric Bath Shower Curtain


• 

  Pinzon Egyptian Cotton 725-Gram 6-Piece Towel Set, Cocoa



•  

 
Pinzon Luxury Reversible 30-By-50-Inch Cotton Bath Rug, Espresso



•  

 
Pinzon Luxury Reversible 21-By-34-Inch Cotton Bath Rug, Espresso



•  

 Cowboy Boot Shower Curtain Hooks / Rings - 12 Pcs Rustic Red Western Boots

•  

  Lambs & Ivy Giddy Up Wall Décor, Brown/Blue

Happy 16th Birthday, Meribeth!

In November 2008, Meribeth joined our family through the beautiful gift of adoption.  She was our very first child to adopt, she was from Colombia, and she 11-years-old at the time of her adoption. 

 

Meribeth was a survivor.  She had suffered much tragedy and loss at her young age.  Our hearts broke as we learned of her story.  We just wanted to love her, and we prayed God would heal her.

 

Meribeth has been a treasured member of our family for almost five years now.  God has been faithful to answer our prayers for Meribeth, particularly our prayers to heal her heart, her brokenness, her pain. 

 

We had NO idea God would choose a path to healing for Meribeth that would surely bring Him glory.  A gift not one person in our family has (which makes sure He and only He receives the credit/glory for this!).  A gift that would help to heal Meribeth’s heart, as she pours her heart and soul into creating music for His glory.

 

Meribeth recently discovered God has given her a gift to write lyrics and compose songs and sing beautiful works of art for His glory!  As she composes her pieces, God is healing her in so many ways.  Oh what a beautiful picture of redemption!

 

Meribeth gave me permission to publish these impromptu videos I took with my phone as Meribeth practiced her songs.  I hope you enjoy these songs as much as we do!

 

Meribeth, happy SWEET 16!!!  We’re so proud of you for persevering through this life, regardless of its challenges, keeping your eyes on Him.  We feel unworthy of being chosen to be your forever family, yet we are most grateful God blessed us with the gift of YOU.  You are a beautiful young lady, a talented musician, and a treasured daughter.  We love you dearly and wish you a fantabulous 16th birthday!

 

Help Us Select a Name!

We would be most grateful if you would help us decide on a name/title for our new mission/ministry outreach with Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries!

 

What name would best encompass a short-term domestic mission trip to serve at our ranch in Texas where participants would learn/serve alongside our large adoptive family?  (You can read more about this mission HERE.)

 

Guests serving at our ranch would have a rare hands-on opportunity to participate in a domestic mission trip that encompasses a wide array of ways to serve and learn, Boss Your Heart style:

• While serving, guests will be educated, encouraged, inspired, and equipped to personally live out James 1:27, in whatever way God opens their eyes and hearts.
• Because we have several children with a wide variety of special needs, visitors will have the unique opportunity to serve a variety of people in one family, all of whom are precious in His sight.  (A few of the special needs represented include Down syndrome, brain malformations, intellectually disabled persons, non-verbal kiddos, bilateral club foot, Dyslexia, learning disabilities, developmental delays, ADD/ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction, RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder), anxiety/mood disorders, food allergies, digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases (Crohn’s and Colitis diseases), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, seizure disorder/Epilepsy, and more.)
• Guests will learn about special needs adoption, domestic adoption, international adoption, global orphan care, orphan advocacy, post-adoption issues, large family logistics, serving others (including working with children who have special needs), educating adopted children (privately and publicly), special programs and therapies available to people with special needs, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) information, and much more.
• Guests will experience our daily family life LIVE, up-close, hands-on, with no filters.  We believe God will use this opportunity to not only impact the hearts of those who visit, but also impact the lives of countless others as guests boss their hearts into taking action after leaving our ranch.

 

The title must have "Boss Your Heart" in it because this is in memory of our daughter, Chrissie, and that's her legacy.

 

Below are a few of the names that have already been suggested.  Please cast your vote!  Leave a comment to let us know what your favorite is, or if you think of something you like better, let us know!

• Boss Your Heart Reality Ranch
• Helping Hands, Bossing Hearts
• Living the Boss Your Heart Legacy
• Livin', Lovin', and Learnin' the Boss Your Heart Way
• Boss Your Heart in Action
• Boss Your Heart Barnominium Trip
• B.Y.H.O.M.E. (Boss Your Heart Orphan Ministries Experience)
• Boss Your Heart & Saddle Up!

Post Tonsillectomy Report

Thank you all so very much for praying for Selah’s surgery yesterday.

 

God blessed us with a miraculous surgery day!!!

 

Selah’s neurologist came up with a plan to manage Selah’s medications to help her with the medical trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder issues she struggles with.  The plan worked fabulously!!!

 

Selah did well pre-op.  ChildLife specialists at Dell Children’s Hospital do such a great job with their patients.  Selah rode several kiddie cars, then hopped into a wheelchair for more fun.

 

 

When they took Selah back to surgery, her ChildLife specialist zoomed her back in a toddler car while playing Barney on the iPad.  They said she did great going back to the OR without us—no tears or anything.  Amazing!!!

 

She didn’t have any complications during her procedures.  The tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and ear tube procedure with her ENT only took about 30-40 minutes.

 

Then Selah had her ABR (sedated hearing test), which took about an hour.  The audiologist met with us afterward and excitedly proclaimed that Selah’s hearing is PERFECT and she couldn’t have gotten a better result! The audiologist was amazed by this, given her brain malformations.  The ABR measures the hearing nerve responses to the level of the brain stem, which was all perfect according to the test.  Hallelujah!  Another miracle!

 

We were called back to recovery to be with Selah.  She was sleeping peacefully when we arrived, but woke shortly thereafter, scared and in tears.  She quickly climbed from Mommy’s arms into the safety of her daddy’s arms.  The recovery nurse was excellent, which we’re so grateful for.

 

Selah drank 4 ounces of apple juice in recovery, like a champ!  She also drank her oral pain meds like a champ!  We were completely blown away that Selah handled everything so well.  She’s typically a mess when it comes to anything medical, so we were prepared for the worst.  God blessed us with the BEST!

 

Selah’s ENT normally requires a 24-hour overnight stay for patients under age 6 who have obstructive sleep apnea, but Selah’s sleep specialist and neurologist and ENT doctor all agreed it would be better for Selah to recover at home, as long as her sats and stats remained stable in recovery.  She didn’t have any complications whatsoever.  Selah was able to go home post-op because she was doing so well.  Hallelujah!!!  Just a few hours after surgery, and she was walking out the door, waving goodbye! 

 

We decided to get Selah a slushie at Sonic for the ride home.  Well, she shocked us all when she requested fries.  We decided on a kid’s meal, and Selah ate her cheeseburger and fries like a boss!!!  Oh my goodness, we were amazed.  She didn’t have any diet restrictions, so we figured it would be better to grant Selah her wishes!  She hadn’t eaten since the night before, so she was hungry.

Once we got home, Selah remained happy and active with a normal appetite.  She had an excellent first night home.  I was warned to keep a close eye on Selah’s breathing the first 24 hours because that’s the riskiest time, so I slept with Selah on my chest, checking on her throughout the night, administering medications, and praying for no complications.  She woke in an excellent mood this morning, ready to go!  Crazy—such a different response than we were expecting!!!

 

Today, Selah has had some ups and downs, but it’s related to keeping her pain managed.  We’re administering her pain meds round-the-clock, as we were instructed to do, alternating Ibuprofen and Hydrocodone every 3 hours, as we were told to do.  When the hydrocodone wears off, we all know it.   I made a chart to keep track of meds given over the next ten days so we can stay on top of pain management.  Mattie set daily phone alarms to remind us when Selah needs medication.  We were warned days 5-10 can be harder than the first five days because the scab starts to fall off the throat and pain increases.  Ouch!

 

Thank you all for praying, and we ask for your continued prayers for Selah’s rapid and complication-free recovery.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Selah Has Surgery Today

Our beautiful miracle daughter, Selah, has a few hospital procedures scheduled for this morning:  a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, ear tubes, and a sedated hearing exam.

 

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for Selah.  She doesn’t do well with doctor’s visits and/or hospital procedures, as she has severe medical trauma issues which stem from her prior brain and skull surgeries, as well as all of the CT’s and MRI’s she’s had to endure under restraints.

 

Selah now has severe obstructive sleep apnea, which is why she must have her enlarged tonsils removed.  Of course, we’re praying this surgery will help Selah to sleep better in the future, but we understand the recovery will take a while.

 

There are always concerns when anyone must undergo anesthesia, but Selah is just a tricky case who causes me greater concern.  Due to her brain malformations and heavy medications she must take, it’s hard to predict how she’ll react to anesthesia.  Selah’s first brain surgery with us was so very scary for multiple reasons, but hearing her anesthesiologist explain to us how she stopped breathing during her surgery was disheartening, to say the least.

 

Selah is just a very special little miracle girl with very special needs.  She doesn’t follow any of the rules from a medical viewpoint, which makes procedures more risky and scary.  This is such a minor surgery, yet I’m probably just as concerned about this surgery as I was about her brain surgery!  Selah is older now, which means she will want to pull her IV out and not be a compliant patient.  It’s going to take a lot to get her (and us!) through this procedure and recovery.  We would greatly appreciate your prayers for a smooth surgery without any complications, and for a speedy recovery without pain.  And, of course, for beautiful sleep to occur soon!!!

Our little Superman GIRL says, “THANK YOU!!!”