So, it's been a Long time since I posted anything. Just a lot with the holidays and such.
By now everyone pretty much knows about Putin signing the law that prohibits Americans from adopting Russia children. First my heart goes out to all of the families that have met their children and are now having to leave them behind, indefinitely. I could go on and on about how angry this makes me...quick stats in case anyone has NOT read them...740,000 without parental custody in Russia...and only 18,000 Russian families waiting to adopt...gee, political or not SUCH a good move Putin...but I won't even start b/c it won't help the issue. Honestly this is Steve's worst fear about International adoption.
That being said, we're still sure this is right. Still sure. B/c the #'s alone tell you how many kids NEED a family. I've been asked quite a bit about 'what now?' And the honest answer is we simply don't know. We *thought* God wanted Russia and us to work with this particular agency. Now I just don't know. As the very wise 'Momma Bo' put it this morning, this may simply be God's way of 'really, really' putting adoption on our hearts. NOW we need to listen closely to find out where our daughter is.
So now we go back to praying for direction and waiting. I'm continuing 'My Hands to Russia' craftiness and will change the name accordingly at some point in the future. We KNOW this is still in the future, it just remains to be seen where God shows us to go from here. For right now, I'm just thankful for an acquaintance who gets to welcome her baby girl home from the Ukraine TONIGHT. It has been an incredibly 'trying' journey to bring this particular little girl home so I'm SO happy for her and her family!
Please pray for those families already in the process who are perhaps losing life savings and can not afford to adopt from another country...or those who are leaving their children behind in Russia b/c of this. Please also pray for the 740,000 children in Russia who are going to bed tonight, tomorrow and each night after that without a mom or dad tucking them in and assuring them that they are loved! That's all the Putin has accomplished.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Progress
Progress these days is not measured in terms of the adoption. I plan to share more than JUST adoption info on this blog. It's about our family going through this process...so here's family update...
We are currently about 9 weeks into homeschooling Gavin and after a few bumpy weeks we seem to have a decent system down. He knows mroe what to expect and he seems to be doing pretty well. Seeming to retain what I'm teaching him. I think I've learned more about the Vikings and the Romans and the Bible than I have in MANY years ;) Gavin is also doing well in Awana and will be starting riding lessons soon. Random fact: He knows John 3:16...ask him next time you see him ;)
Caden is doing pretty well also. He sits with us and does 'school' with us in the morning for a little while. He's learning his letters/some sounds and reciting Bible verses along with Gavin. Peeing on the potty which is AWESOME to not have his diapers too! Random fact: Caden LOVES cheese....
Owen & Rylan are now crawling and are 9 months tomorrow. They're pulling up to a standing position as well. It won't be long before things are REALLY loud and crazy upstairs ;)
Steve is busy every Saturday...college football(go Badgers!!). I've been keeping busy with my mini store My Hands to Russia( https://hyenacart.com/stores/myhandstorussia ). 100% of profits of course go into the adoption account.
Overall as a family we're just living life and enjoying the chaos of the moment. We headed out to a pumpkin patch(it wasn't worth the $$ tho) last weekend and we're enjoying the cooler weather (FINALLY!!!). We were getting ready to start the home study but now we're teeter tottering again. We're weighing job options once again. We simply never intended to stay here in GA for 6 years. So we shall see...we know it is totally not up to us!
Current needs:
1. Prayers for His perfect timing and the safety of our daughter wherever she is in this world!
2. Prayers for clarification on where we should be location wise. This is something Steve and I constantly struggle with!
3. Spread the word on My Hands to Russia! Like me on FB too!
Thank you all for your support!!
We are currently about 9 weeks into homeschooling Gavin and after a few bumpy weeks we seem to have a decent system down. He knows mroe what to expect and he seems to be doing pretty well. Seeming to retain what I'm teaching him. I think I've learned more about the Vikings and the Romans and the Bible than I have in MANY years ;) Gavin is also doing well in Awana and will be starting riding lessons soon. Random fact: He knows John 3:16...ask him next time you see him ;)
Caden is doing pretty well also. He sits with us and does 'school' with us in the morning for a little while. He's learning his letters/some sounds and reciting Bible verses along with Gavin. Peeing on the potty which is AWESOME to not have his diapers too! Random fact: Caden LOVES cheese....
Owen & Rylan are now crawling and are 9 months tomorrow. They're pulling up to a standing position as well. It won't be long before things are REALLY loud and crazy upstairs ;)
Steve is busy every Saturday...college football(go Badgers!!). I've been keeping busy with my mini store My Hands to Russia( https://hyenacart.com/stores/myhandstorussia ). 100% of profits of course go into the adoption account.
Overall as a family we're just living life and enjoying the chaos of the moment. We headed out to a pumpkin patch(it wasn't worth the $$ tho) last weekend and we're enjoying the cooler weather (FINALLY!!!). We were getting ready to start the home study but now we're teeter tottering again. We're weighing job options once again. We simply never intended to stay here in GA for 6 years. So we shall see...we know it is totally not up to us!
Current needs:
1. Prayers for His perfect timing and the safety of our daughter wherever she is in this world!
2. Prayers for clarification on where we should be location wise. This is something Steve and I constantly struggle with!
3. Spread the word on My Hands to Russia! Like me on FB too!
Thank you all for your support!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
For our снежный ангелочек
For our 'snow angel'...
Our bracelets are IN!
They are $2 each. Each bracelet purchased is helping us complete our homestudy and application fees!! Yellow was chosen as it's the 'adoptive parents' color.
These bracelets are so much more than just silicone to us...this is our first 'loud-and-clear-for-all-to-hear' step towards bringing our daughter home. Friends and family, we're committed to bringing her home to our family. Now it's time to spread the word and humbly ask for a bit of help(in bright yellow!) For a couple of dollars you are showing us that you support God's addition to our family
and also helping raise awareness about adoption in general(people ask about these bracelets which can spawn a whole other convo). You just never know who might support or even be thinking about adoption in your workplace, or at your church, or within your own family!
I'm asking all of you to keep up prayers and/or start saying a prayer...for her safety wherever she is and also for our family through this process. We know it's not easy, cheap or quick but we truly feel like this is something we're being led to do. We know God will put the right people in our path(some I KNOW have already been placed!!) to guide us and support us through this.
Thank you in advance for the support and please share our blog with anyone you think might enjoy following our journey!!
Our bracelets are IN!
They are $2 each. Each bracelet purchased is helping us complete our homestudy and application fees!! Yellow was chosen as it's the 'adoptive parents' color.
These bracelets are so much more than just silicone to us...this is our first 'loud-and-clear-for-all-to-hear' step towards bringing our daughter home. Friends and family, we're committed to bringing her home to our family. Now it's time to spread the word and humbly ask for a bit of help(in bright yellow!) For a couple of dollars you are showing us that you support God's addition to our family
and also helping raise awareness about adoption in general(people ask about these bracelets which can spawn a whole other convo). You just never know who might support or even be thinking about adoption in your workplace, or at your church, or within your own family!
I'm asking all of you to keep up prayers and/or start saying a prayer...for her safety wherever she is and also for our family through this process. We know it's not easy, cheap or quick but we truly feel like this is something we're being led to do. We know God will put the right people in our path(some I KNOW have already been placed!!) to guide us and support us through this.
Thank you in advance for the support and please share our blog with anyone you think might enjoy following our journey!!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Nothing sweeter...
...than my 5 yr old Gavin praying for a little girl who has cancer that we know of and going on to pray for his baby sister in Russia before every meal. He understands that she doesn't have a mommy and daddy and of course he adds in she doesn't have toys or good food or TV...but he asks Jesus to take care of her until she comes to live with us. He can be SUCH a sweet boy sometimes!!
We're still in the process of researching what grants are available and various fundraising ideas. Obviously more to come on this topic but we hope friends, family and strangers alike will spread the word as we begin fundraising!
The one fundraiser we will start shortly is adoption bracelets. They'll be $2 a piece. Please let me know if you're interested in helping us sell them or simply just supporting our adoption and getting one(or a few) for yourself/family! We felt these were a Great way to spread the word and remind people what a gift adoption is! I'll post pics when we get them in!
We're still in the process of researching what grants are available and various fundraising ideas. Obviously more to come on this topic but we hope friends, family and strangers alike will spread the word as we begin fundraising!
The one fundraiser we will start shortly is adoption bracelets. They'll be $2 a piece. Please let me know if you're interested in helping us sell them or simply just supporting our adoption and getting one(or a few) for yourself/family! We felt these were a Great way to spread the word and remind people what a gift adoption is! I'll post pics when we get them in!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Why Russia? Why now? Why more?
And my initial response is Why Not Russia? Why Not Now? Why Not More?
These are the top questions we've been getting. So here are the answers...
First up: Why Russia?
We've had 4 babies and don't feel like we have to have her as a baby for her to be our daughter. Most likely she'll be between 12-18 months when we bring her home. Another reason is after all the prayers we feel like international and this specific agency was the one to use...Russia happens to be one of her programs and Steve and I agreed upon it. I find the culture interesting and there are just as many children in Russia needing parents/families than Vietnam, China, Ethiopia or the US. Will there be attachment issues? Behavior issues? It was put very simply to me by another adoptive parent...'You prepare for the worst but hope for the best.' Bottom line is you just have to trust that God is bringing you to that particular child for a reason. He doesn't give us more than we can handle!
Next: Why now?
We don't want to wait 10 years and then have a daughter who is much younger. We want her to grow up with her brothers...will she be a tomboy...maybe a little...but that's perfectly fine if she learns to get dirty with the rest of them! Her big brothers will always be there to protect her. She'll learn to play baseball(or softball) with her brothers. She'll learn in right next to her brothers at the kitchen table. Everyone also needs to remember this is a LONG process. So yes while there are those reading this thinking our twins are only 6 months why on Earth would we adopt now...we want to make sure there is not too much of a gap between her and the twins. We sooooo want her growing up with them.
The other thing I want to mention is we are not doing it right this minute...the twins are only 6 months old as previously stated. We are saving in a separate account specifically for the adoption and any money for wipes/blankets is going directly into that account but we have to wait until the new year to find out what happens with the adoption credit. As of right now the higher credit was only thru 2012. So although this is a definite for us in the near future, we have to wait until early 2013 so we can plan accordingly.
Last: Why more?
I don't really know when children started being looked at as a burden in our society. I've been reading 'A Mom Just Like You' by Vickie and Jayme Farris. This is what they wrote:
"For now let me mention just one way in which children bless us that is often missed. The reason most people do not want a lot of children is that-let's face it-children are a lot of trouble and a lot of work! They cry, they fight, they mess us the house, they interrupt our sleep and our work, they often need help, patience, forgiveness, and love. In other words, they require us to grow up and shape up, to deny ourselves and to become more like Christ if we are to have any measure of success with them. And what a genuine blessing that is!"
I am NOT claiming to have it all figured out. I will be the first to admit that I get frustrated with 4 kids already when everyone wants something at precisely the same time and I'm only one person. But we provide for our kids, love our kids, have fun with our kids, teach our kids and discipline our kids all within a day(or hour!)...despite that 'beat' feeling that all of us parents get some days, I still believe we're 'equipped' to give love and raise another child. And maybe the most simple answer we don't feel our family is complete yet. God endorsed adoption so that's enough reason for me to go this route!
Thanks to those including us in their prayers! No clue if she's been born into this world yet or not but it can't hurt to pray for our little girl's safety. We truly do appreciate all prayers!! Until next time........
These are the top questions we've been getting. So here are the answers...
First up: Why Russia?
We've had 4 babies and don't feel like we have to have her as a baby for her to be our daughter. Most likely she'll be between 12-18 months when we bring her home. Another reason is after all the prayers we feel like international and this specific agency was the one to use...Russia happens to be one of her programs and Steve and I agreed upon it. I find the culture interesting and there are just as many children in Russia needing parents/families than Vietnam, China, Ethiopia or the US. Will there be attachment issues? Behavior issues? It was put very simply to me by another adoptive parent...'You prepare for the worst but hope for the best.' Bottom line is you just have to trust that God is bringing you to that particular child for a reason. He doesn't give us more than we can handle!
Next: Why now?
We don't want to wait 10 years and then have a daughter who is much younger. We want her to grow up with her brothers...will she be a tomboy...maybe a little...but that's perfectly fine if she learns to get dirty with the rest of them! Her big brothers will always be there to protect her. She'll learn to play baseball(or softball) with her brothers. She'll learn in right next to her brothers at the kitchen table. Everyone also needs to remember this is a LONG process. So yes while there are those reading this thinking our twins are only 6 months why on Earth would we adopt now...we want to make sure there is not too much of a gap between her and the twins. We sooooo want her growing up with them.
The other thing I want to mention is we are not doing it right this minute...the twins are only 6 months old as previously stated. We are saving in a separate account specifically for the adoption and any money for wipes/blankets is going directly into that account but we have to wait until the new year to find out what happens with the adoption credit. As of right now the higher credit was only thru 2012. So although this is a definite for us in the near future, we have to wait until early 2013 so we can plan accordingly.
Last: Why more?
I don't really know when children started being looked at as a burden in our society. I've been reading 'A Mom Just Like You' by Vickie and Jayme Farris. This is what they wrote:
"For now let me mention just one way in which children bless us that is often missed. The reason most people do not want a lot of children is that-let's face it-children are a lot of trouble and a lot of work! They cry, they fight, they mess us the house, they interrupt our sleep and our work, they often need help, patience, forgiveness, and love. In other words, they require us to grow up and shape up, to deny ourselves and to become more like Christ if we are to have any measure of success with them. And what a genuine blessing that is!"
I am NOT claiming to have it all figured out. I will be the first to admit that I get frustrated with 4 kids already when everyone wants something at precisely the same time and I'm only one person. But we provide for our kids, love our kids, have fun with our kids, teach our kids and discipline our kids all within a day(or hour!)...despite that 'beat' feeling that all of us parents get some days, I still believe we're 'equipped' to give love and raise another child. And maybe the most simple answer we don't feel our family is complete yet. God endorsed adoption so that's enough reason for me to go this route!
Thanks to those including us in their prayers! No clue if she's been born into this world yet or not but it can't hurt to pray for our little girl's safety. We truly do appreciate all prayers!! Until next time........
Saturday, July 21, 2012
An official 'unofficial' fundraiser
Wipes wipes and more wipes...If you're visiting this blog and interested in purchasing cloth wipes please visit: www.helpingtinytoes.blogspot.com
Wipes are $15 per dozen for 6x8 and $18 for 8x8 + shipping. Prints will change so be sure to double check with me! Thank you in advance and remember that you're helping us bring her home!!
Blankets also for sale if interested.
Wipes are $15 per dozen for 6x8 and $18 for 8x8 + shipping. Prints will change so be sure to double check with me! Thank you in advance and remember that you're helping us bring her home!!
Blankets also for sale if interested.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Our first deposits
Exciting news(to us at least!)...we sold the furniture we had upstairs plus two cloth diapers I didn't need and we now officially have our start towards the adoption. Now if we could only sell our Rosetta Stone...
Friday, July 13, 2012
The beginning...
Oh where to start...the beginning I guess...
Steve and I met on match.com on Sept 6th, 2003. Something 'stuck' and we've just been together since (Thank God b/c I could NOT do this life without him!!). We were married Dec 8, 2006. Moved down to GA just a few months after that for Steve's job. And now, 5 1/2 years later, after the 20 hr move, 2 apartments, 2 houses, 3 daycares and countless tantrums, pukes and ouchies, Gavin is 5, Caden 2 1/2 and at this point Owen & Rylan are 6 months old.
We have been blessed with 4 little men. Handsome and healthy little men at that. Yet we don't 'feel' like our family is complete yet. Another spot at the table and another seat in my minivan (yes I drive a minivan and darn proud of it!) is available. I truly believe we've got a daughter out there somewhere! Maybe she's a newborn right now...maybe she hasn't yet been born...but there's a little girl out there that belongs in our family!
Have I always wanted to adopt? I'm not really sure actually. I've always been open to it. I really started thinking about it after the twins were born. A couple of things concerned me. First was what people would think about adoption when I'm able to conceive. So many couples adopting are doing so because they are unable to conceive and I worried that nobody would support us because they figured we already had 4 biological children.
And then you have those people who say:
"You're not done YET?" or "You WANT another?" or "Well geez how many do you want?"
To those people, I'm sorry you feel that way. You are entitled to your opinion as am I. I'm not doing this blog or this adoption for you. I believe this is something God wants for our family. It's not going to be easy (or cheap!) but if this is indeed the way God wants us to go, there WILL be a way! After all is said and done, we've prayed about it and still feel it's right.
When I started looking into adoption we weren't sure domestic vs international. Prayed about it...and then I came across one website that I just kept going back to and I wasn't sure why. It's an agency in Louisiana(will post the name later upon owner's approval). It might sound cheesy to some but I think it was God's way of showing me which way to go and quite possibly which agency. There is nothing flashy on this site. Nothing promising anything super quick super cheap super great...it's a nice website, don't get me wrong...but there's nothing super flashy about it...anyhow I kept going back to it...everyone says God puts people in our lives at the right times etc...I think he very possibly put Terri in ours to help us through this. She's a Great lady who was super helpful and who I'm just very much looking forward to working with.
There are a couple reasons I wanted to attempt to blog about our adoption. I want to share this journey with whomever wants to follow it. I want those that want to support us to be able to do so. Whoever wants to help bring her into our lives to be able to. Most of all after this is over, I want our daughter to be able to look back at this blog and see the love, determination and support...everything that went into bringing her into our family!!
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Steve and I met on match.com on Sept 6th, 2003. Something 'stuck' and we've just been together since (Thank God b/c I could NOT do this life without him!!). We were married Dec 8, 2006. Moved down to GA just a few months after that for Steve's job. And now, 5 1/2 years later, after the 20 hr move, 2 apartments, 2 houses, 3 daycares and countless tantrums, pukes and ouchies, Gavin is 5, Caden 2 1/2 and at this point Owen & Rylan are 6 months old.
We have been blessed with 4 little men. Handsome and healthy little men at that. Yet we don't 'feel' like our family is complete yet. Another spot at the table and another seat in my minivan (yes I drive a minivan and darn proud of it!) is available. I truly believe we've got a daughter out there somewhere! Maybe she's a newborn right now...maybe she hasn't yet been born...but there's a little girl out there that belongs in our family!
Have I always wanted to adopt? I'm not really sure actually. I've always been open to it. I really started thinking about it after the twins were born. A couple of things concerned me. First was what people would think about adoption when I'm able to conceive. So many couples adopting are doing so because they are unable to conceive and I worried that nobody would support us because they figured we already had 4 biological children.
And then you have those people who say:
"You're not done YET?" or "You WANT another?" or "Well geez how many do you want?"
To those people, I'm sorry you feel that way. You are entitled to your opinion as am I. I'm not doing this blog or this adoption for you. I believe this is something God wants for our family. It's not going to be easy (or cheap!) but if this is indeed the way God wants us to go, there WILL be a way! After all is said and done, we've prayed about it and still feel it's right.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5
When I started looking into adoption we weren't sure domestic vs international. Prayed about it...and then I came across one website that I just kept going back to and I wasn't sure why. It's an agency in Louisiana(will post the name later upon owner's approval). It might sound cheesy to some but I think it was God's way of showing me which way to go and quite possibly which agency. There is nothing flashy on this site. Nothing promising anything super quick super cheap super great...it's a nice website, don't get me wrong...but there's nothing super flashy about it...anyhow I kept going back to it...everyone says God puts people in our lives at the right times etc...I think he very possibly put Terri in ours to help us through this. She's a Great lady who was super helpful and who I'm just very much looking forward to working with.
There are a couple reasons I wanted to attempt to blog about our adoption. I want to share this journey with whomever wants to follow it. I want those that want to support us to be able to do so. Whoever wants to help bring her into our lives to be able to. Most of all after this is over, I want our daughter to be able to look back at this blog and see the love, determination and support...everything that went into bringing her into our family!!
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
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