WE HAVE TRAVEL DATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to see our boy in LESS than a month! Can you believe it/???? I have been on cloud nine since we got the email. we are running around frantically trying to get plane tickets, lodging, finalize our childcare, make meals for when we are gone and and and.....
but he is worth all the running around and paperwork and money and tears and fears...we are coming little guy!!! Mama is going to hold you and kiss you and love you and....all that mommy stuff!!!!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Back from Florida!!
We are back and finally recovered from our 19 hour trip in the car with three small little ones! Whew! they were super duper awesome though, so i can't complain about that at all!!!! Mommy and Daddy were pretty tired from driving straight through though!
Pics from the trip
Pics from the trip
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
left hand turn
Sometimes, we are on a straight road, and suddenly, a tree is thrown onto the road and we have to find a way around. Sometimes, we have to take a turn when we really want to keep on that straight path.
We are headed down to florida to spend time with my mom and stepdad. My stepfather has been diagnosed with a pretty aggressive cancer, and we want to go spend time with them. This is actually a benefit to homeschooling, we can pick up and go and stay as long as they need/want us. Although i know both my mom and stepdad would prefer not to have taken this left turn, they are both dealing with it with grace and poise!
We may have had our ups and downs as i was growing up (i'm sure i was the easiest child ever to live with), but i can tell you that he came to every tennis game, every musical, every play i was ever in. That means something to me. He is involved in my children's life. They love papaw and are excited to be going to see him (they don't really understand what is going on).
Please keep us in your thoughts tomorrow as Jared and i make a 20 hour drive to florida. And please keep my Stepdad (myron) in your thoughts and prayers as he navigates this new and scary road.
We are headed down to florida to spend time with my mom and stepdad. My stepfather has been diagnosed with a pretty aggressive cancer, and we want to go spend time with them. This is actually a benefit to homeschooling, we can pick up and go and stay as long as they need/want us. Although i know both my mom and stepdad would prefer not to have taken this left turn, they are both dealing with it with grace and poise!
We may have had our ups and downs as i was growing up (i'm sure i was the easiest child ever to live with), but i can tell you that he came to every tennis game, every musical, every play i was ever in. That means something to me. He is involved in my children's life. They love papaw and are excited to be going to see him (they don't really understand what is going on).
Please keep us in your thoughts tomorrow as Jared and i make a 20 hour drive to florida. And please keep my Stepdad (myron) in your thoughts and prayers as he navigates this new and scary road.
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| Christmas 2012. He and my mom come over on christmas eve every year. 3 years ago Myron and my husband stayed up until midnight putting together a huge dollhouse for my kids. |
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| Dancing at our wedding in 2003 |
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| Mom and Myron at my wedding. The photographer caught this special moment. I really love this picture! |
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| Myron helping Thomas shoot a bow and arrow at a fair. |
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| I can't beleive i'm posting this one. This is me at around age 15? Fun times at this house! |
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| Thomas's first trip to the beach. Exploring Papaw's beard :) |
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
1000 reasons
I got to thinking today. About how i hear over and over again, "i couldn't do what you are doing" (adopting a special needs child), or "aren't you afraid of for the future", or "how do you know you will be able to care for them all". And really, for the most part, those seem like valid concerns.
There are 1000's of reasons to say no to a special needs adoption.
* Too expensive.
* Stressful for the family.
* Not enough room.
* Who will take care of them in the future
* Medical Care
* not enough attention to go around
* Not fair to the other kids
* I'm not called to that
* Family is big enough
I could seriously go on and on and on.
But here is the thing. I don't need a 1000 reasons to say no. I just need one reason to say YES. The rest will come. One way or another.
When i look at this face, i don't think about the time, or the money, or the worry. I think, "he needs me", and that is enough.
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| This is Eli's original picture. The one we fell in love with. |
We will find the money, one way or another.
We will deal with the stress
We have plenty of room
We will figure it out
We have insurance
Love multiplies, not divides
Always room for one more.
I understand that not everyone is able to adopt. And not everyone should. But, if you are feeling like you might want to adopt, but keep thinking up reasons NOT too, let go. Listen to that little whispering voice. Let go. Think of one reason to say yes.
LEAP.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
More Random thoughts
So, this week has been really terrible...sewer backed up into our basement, dishwasher caught on fire, sewer backed up AGAIN, cat tried to eat the baby...you name it. Bad bad week.
But...in the midst of my aggrivation and yes, i'll admit it, a couple of tears, there were also wonderful things. Like, posting on my adoption forum in frustration and having people message me saying, hold strong, hold tight. WE are supporting you. You are on the right path. Donating to us to put a smile on my face. Random strangers really, as i have only met a very few of them. They don't "know" me, or my family. Yet, they took the time to respond to my frustration. To send love and prayers. How lucky are we to be a part of such a strong "family"????
Calling real life family to complain and having them say, "come over here, we will support you". And then feeding us and entertaining us. Making us smile with jokes and love, letting my children run through and around their house. How lucky are we to be part of such a family?
Random strangers posting that they have clothes for young boys if anyone wants them. Those strangers saying WE can have them. Finding more clothes than i could have imagined for both the boys.
So really, in the grand scheme of things, it's been a pretty good week!
But...in the midst of my aggrivation and yes, i'll admit it, a couple of tears, there were also wonderful things. Like, posting on my adoption forum in frustration and having people message me saying, hold strong, hold tight. WE are supporting you. You are on the right path. Donating to us to put a smile on my face. Random strangers really, as i have only met a very few of them. They don't "know" me, or my family. Yet, they took the time to respond to my frustration. To send love and prayers. How lucky are we to be a part of such a strong "family"????
Calling real life family to complain and having them say, "come over here, we will support you". And then feeding us and entertaining us. Making us smile with jokes and love, letting my children run through and around their house. How lucky are we to be part of such a family?
Random strangers posting that they have clothes for young boys if anyone wants them. Those strangers saying WE can have them. Finding more clothes than i could have imagined for both the boys.
So really, in the grand scheme of things, it's been a pretty good week!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
gearing up to school
Welllll, my big plans to continue our schooling this summer did not come to fruition :). It's okay though, we have spent our summer playing hard with all of our friends! Trips to coney island, swimming, lessons, zoo, museum, playdates, you name it! We have been busy and out of the house most every day. I'll actually be so glad to get back into our consistent homeschool routine, i'm starting to want to just stay home!!!!
I'm trying to figure out what we will be studying and using this year. Some things will remain the same, saxon math, handwriting without tears, we have added a grammar book; first language lessons. We will be using both Story of the world and Biblioplan http://www.biblioplan.net for history. I feel pretty good with the big kids lessons. My question that i am continuing to ponder is what will i use with Eli (5) and Luci, (1.5). I'd like to find things to keep them both occupied when i am working with the older kids. Then the older kids will have independent work while i work with the other two. I'm looking for simple activities, sorting, matching, stringing beads...but also looking for something new and exciting...any ideas from more experienced homeschool mamas???? Any suggestions would be very welcome!!!
And, just for fun, here are some pics from the first days of homeschooling last year
I'm trying to figure out what we will be studying and using this year. Some things will remain the same, saxon math, handwriting without tears, we have added a grammar book; first language lessons. We will be using both Story of the world and Biblioplan http://www.biblioplan.net for history. I feel pretty good with the big kids lessons. My question that i am continuing to ponder is what will i use with Eli (5) and Luci, (1.5). I'd like to find things to keep them both occupied when i am working with the older kids. Then the older kids will have independent work while i work with the other two. I'm looking for simple activities, sorting, matching, stringing beads...but also looking for something new and exciting...any ideas from more experienced homeschool mamas???? Any suggestions would be very welcome!!!
And, just for fun, here are some pics from the first days of homeschooling last year
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Other families who need HELP!
My heart is so burdened for all these children who are waiting for their mama's and papa's to find them. It breaks my heart to think of innocent children living their lives out in orphanages and institutions. Believe me, not all orphanages are as nice as Eli's place is. In some places, there are 9 year olds who weigh 11 pounds, and 14 year olds who weigh 14 pounds. Those are not typos, those are the actual weights of the children i am speaking of. Why these children are made to suffer is beyond me.
Thankfully, some of these children do have mama's and papa's coming for them. I speak from experience, but taking that leap is one of the scariest things i have ever done as a parent. The thought of trying to find 20-50 thousand dollars (depending on the orphanage and region) and not knowing what shape your child is in is terrifying. Words cannot describe the heartbreak of not knowing how your child is doing, if they were fed that day, if someone spoke a kind word or gave a hug that day.
So, i'd like to draw your attention to a couple of other families who are willing and ready to cross the ocean to save these precious treasures, and they need our help.
First, is dear Lyla. Lyla's story is quite amazing. She had a family commit to her, and then the family was told she was not healthy enough to live until they were going to be able to get her. Heartbroken, then committed to a different child but Lyla never left their thoughts. After crossing the ocean to rescue sweet Belle, they enquired yet again about Lyla. She was still not available to come home due to her health, so they brought Gavin home. Then, a miracle happened. Lyla had lived and was healthy enough to come home. A different family committed to bringing her but unfortunately they were unable to continue. So, the original family said they couldn't just leave her, and made the committment to cross the ocean for the third time in TWO years!!! This family is so dedicated to these children, and they desperately need OUR help!!! They have a great giveaway going on right now, and they also have a matching donation of up to 1000. That means if we can raise $1000 they will get another $1000 to add to their funds!
http://thestarsaligned.blogspot.com/2012/07/giveaway-fit-for-princess-matching.html
Next up is Sara! Sara's mommy is going to be a first time mama of this precious girl. Think about that for a minute...she is bringing home a child with Down syndrome as a first time single parent! I'm so impressed with her heart and love for these children, and i hope you all will be too! She isnt having a giveaway right now i dont think, but we can still help her out !!!!! All donations are tax free and get her one step closer to bringing sweet Sara home!
http://nataliekeller.blogspot.com/
Lastly, is Kenzi! Kenzi is going to be coming home to a great family who have 2 little boys! They are so so excited to be bringing her home and have been working tirelessly to get her here. Her mama stays up till all hours of the night making bows and other crafts so that she can sell them to bring this treasure home! Her dedication to her baby is absolutely amazing, and i'd love it if someone could help them finish up!!!!
http://love--conquers--all.blogspot.com/
Thankfully, some of these children do have mama's and papa's coming for them. I speak from experience, but taking that leap is one of the scariest things i have ever done as a parent. The thought of trying to find 20-50 thousand dollars (depending on the orphanage and region) and not knowing what shape your child is in is terrifying. Words cannot describe the heartbreak of not knowing how your child is doing, if they were fed that day, if someone spoke a kind word or gave a hug that day.
So, i'd like to draw your attention to a couple of other families who are willing and ready to cross the ocean to save these precious treasures, and they need our help.
First, is dear Lyla. Lyla's story is quite amazing. She had a family commit to her, and then the family was told she was not healthy enough to live until they were going to be able to get her. Heartbroken, then committed to a different child but Lyla never left their thoughts. After crossing the ocean to rescue sweet Belle, they enquired yet again about Lyla. She was still not available to come home due to her health, so they brought Gavin home. Then, a miracle happened. Lyla had lived and was healthy enough to come home. A different family committed to bringing her but unfortunately they were unable to continue. So, the original family said they couldn't just leave her, and made the committment to cross the ocean for the third time in TWO years!!! This family is so dedicated to these children, and they desperately need OUR help!!! They have a great giveaway going on right now, and they also have a matching donation of up to 1000. That means if we can raise $1000 they will get another $1000 to add to their funds!
http://thestarsaligned.blogspot.com/2012/07/giveaway-fit-for-princess-matching.html
Next up is Sara! Sara's mommy is going to be a first time mama of this precious girl. Think about that for a minute...she is bringing home a child with Down syndrome as a first time single parent! I'm so impressed with her heart and love for these children, and i hope you all will be too! She isnt having a giveaway right now i dont think, but we can still help her out !!!!! All donations are tax free and get her one step closer to bringing sweet Sara home!
http://nataliekeller.blogspot.com/
Lastly, is Kenzi! Kenzi is going to be coming home to a great family who have 2 little boys! They are so so excited to be bringing her home and have been working tirelessly to get her here. Her mama stays up till all hours of the night making bows and other crafts so that she can sell them to bring this treasure home! Her dedication to her baby is absolutely amazing, and i'd love it if someone could help them finish up!!!!
http://love--conquers--all.blogspot.com/
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