As I waved goodbye to our last document heading off on the DHL van this week (well, I didn't really wave, but you know what I mean!), it suddenly hit me:
WE.ARE.DOING.THIS.
You know what? We're totally ready for this, too! We are so very excited to get over there and hug and kiss those sweet children. I have watched and re watched the little video clips sent to us by wonderful, loving families who were at the same orphanage. I have their photos memorized by now. Our kids here want the instant replays, too, until I have to tell them it is enough, mama needs to make breakfast and get on with the day. :)
I have stared at the packing list in the middle of Target with a bewildered look on my face, trying to determine what we definitely should bring and what we can do without. My gut feeling is that we will be able to get by just fine with a lot less things than we think!
It sort of feels like drinking from a fire hose. This process has gone quickly, and while we're thankful for that, it doesn't leave much time for things to sink in. Maybe that is a good thing?? ;)
Our story is coming together bit by bit. We're so grateful for the wonderful people in our lives who are supporting us along this journey.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Latest Fundraiser
We're selling these fun Reece's Rainbow items to support our adoption:
Tote bags $12 (2 remaining)
Computer Mouse Pads $7 (5 remaining)
Key chains $5 (17 remaining)
Luggage Tags $5 (16 remaining)
**All prices include shipping!**
They say "Blessed is Every Family Who Has a Child with Down Syndrome".
Please use the chip in on the sidebar of the blog if you are interested in purchasing any of the items. Also include a note letting us know what you are paying for. Thank you so much for supporting our adoption! :)
Tote bags $12 (2 remaining)
Computer Mouse Pads $7 (5 remaining)
Key chains $5 (17 remaining)
Luggage Tags $5 (16 remaining)
**All prices include shipping!**
They say "Blessed is Every Family Who Has a Child with Down Syndrome".
Please use the chip in on the sidebar of the blog if you are interested in purchasing any of the items. Also include a note letting us know what you are paying for. Thank you so much for supporting our adoption! :)
Friday, May 11, 2012
A New Face
Have you noticed a new little face on our sidebar? We will hopefully be bringing Miss Nadine home, too! I can't wait to go see them both and give them big hugs. :)
Quite a few friends and family know we are now bringing home two. Some do not, and with how fast this process has moved, sometimes we can't remember who we've told and who we haven't! ;) I apologize if you did not know before this post about our recent news!
Most people who know we are adopting are generally happy for us overall. It may not be what *they* would choose to do, but they are happy for us. That is the way it should be. Some people are more concerned and have brought up their concerns, and it has been a way of being able to discuss how our family feels about this, how prepared we are, etc. Others have backed out of our lives and have not been in contact with us much anymore. They have not been openly hostile toward us or our adoption, yet the vibe we get from them is not as friendly now. Thankfully, we have not yet had to deal with open hostility besides a few snide remarks thatpeople trolls try to leave on the blog. Comment moderation is a lovely invention. :P
When a woman is pregnant, can she ever fully prepare for how that particular pregnancy will progress? Can she ever fully prepare for how the labor, the birth, that particular child will be beforehand? Of course not. No one bats an eye at that.
Let's be real here for a bit. I do not think anyone can fully prepare themselves for adoption, can they? Just like with a pregnancy, there are books that can be read, articles to pour over, Facebook posts to stay up late at night, reading (*cough*)... All that is great, but each adoption (like each pregnancy) is different, as is each child. We get that. I guess you could say we're prepared as well as we can be for whatever comes across the path.
We have a good support system of friends, neighbors, and family who are willing to lend a hand. Dare I say that that is how things ought to be in the world? That used to be the norm back in the day-people help others who are in need. People could hop next door to "borrow" a cup of sugar if need be. In our day and age, we are so busy that we often do not have time to stop and help others in need. When we lived in another state, we hardly knew our neighbors because we hardly ever saw them out of their houses! They went to work, and then shut themselves up in their houses for the rest of the day.
No, we do not know all that might crop up once we bring our children home. Like I said, we have a good support system of people in our lives. We are near to excellent medical care, and an adoption clinic. We have contacts for Early Intervention, and our youngest son is already enrolled. We are competent enough to know when to ask for help and how to find answers, too.
We have been blessed by a fairly smooth process thus far, and trust that He will help us through the final push, and after our children get home.
Quite a few friends and family know we are now bringing home two. Some do not, and with how fast this process has moved, sometimes we can't remember who we've told and who we haven't! ;) I apologize if you did not know before this post about our recent news!
Most people who know we are adopting are generally happy for us overall. It may not be what *they* would choose to do, but they are happy for us. That is the way it should be. Some people are more concerned and have brought up their concerns, and it has been a way of being able to discuss how our family feels about this, how prepared we are, etc. Others have backed out of our lives and have not been in contact with us much anymore. They have not been openly hostile toward us or our adoption, yet the vibe we get from them is not as friendly now. Thankfully, we have not yet had to deal with open hostility besides a few snide remarks that
When a woman is pregnant, can she ever fully prepare for how that particular pregnancy will progress? Can she ever fully prepare for how the labor, the birth, that particular child will be beforehand? Of course not. No one bats an eye at that.
Let's be real here for a bit. I do not think anyone can fully prepare themselves for adoption, can they? Just like with a pregnancy, there are books that can be read, articles to pour over, Facebook posts to stay up late at night, reading (*cough*)... All that is great, but each adoption (like each pregnancy) is different, as is each child. We get that. I guess you could say we're prepared as well as we can be for whatever comes across the path.
We have a good support system of friends, neighbors, and family who are willing to lend a hand. Dare I say that that is how things ought to be in the world? That used to be the norm back in the day-people help others who are in need. People could hop next door to "borrow" a cup of sugar if need be. In our day and age, we are so busy that we often do not have time to stop and help others in need. When we lived in another state, we hardly knew our neighbors because we hardly ever saw them out of their houses! They went to work, and then shut themselves up in their houses for the rest of the day.
No, we do not know all that might crop up once we bring our children home. Like I said, we have a good support system of people in our lives. We are near to excellent medical care, and an adoption clinic. We have contacts for Early Intervention, and our youngest son is already enrolled. We are competent enough to know when to ask for help and how to find answers, too.
We have been blessed by a fairly smooth process thus far, and trust that He will help us through the final push, and after our children get home.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Waiting...
Here are just some of the many faces of children listed on Reece's Rainbow. A few have committed families, but most you see do not. Please consider donating to their grant funds or even adopting one of them. Most of all, please continue to pray for them and the many others around the world that are waiting for loving homes.
Top, from left to right:
Rebekah-15H
Tabitha-15H
Natalie, who has a committed family! :)
Annalisa-15H
Garrett-26HA
Bottom, from left to right:
Robert
Chandler, who has a committed family! :)
Keegan, who has a committed family! :)
Harlen-26
Jonas, who has a committed family! :)
Langley-9
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Chance for Chandler Giveaway Results!
I am happy to announce that the Chance for Chandler Giveaway raised $335 toward our adoption. Thank you so much, Patricia and the kind people who donated items to the giveaway for helping make this a success! :)
Monday, April 2, 2012
A Chance for Chandler Giveaway!
My friend Patricia is hosting A Chance for Chandler Giveaway, and it's now up and running from April 1st- May 1st over at her blog. New items will be added as I work out the details, too. Please go check it out! :)
A Chance for Chandler Giveaway
A Chance for Chandler Giveaway
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Adoptive Family Blog Hop!
This will be so much fun! I love to read adoption blogs and be encouraged by others that are farther along than we are in the journey.
Please consider linking up if you are adopting or have adopted in the past. We can all learn from each other and support one another.
Welcome to my new readers and friends! We're just beginning the long journey, but hope you will come back and follow us along the way. Please check out the other families on this list, and leave an uplifting comment, too. :)
Please consider linking up if you are adopting or have adopted in the past. We can all learn from each other and support one another.
Welcome to my new readers and friends! We're just beginning the long journey, but hope you will come back and follow us along the way. Please check out the other families on this list, and leave an uplifting comment, too. :)
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