The Graduate!

Brandon graduated on Saturday, May 29th. We are so proud. :) We were happy to celebrate with family.

Brandon

Brandon with Brady, Allie, AnnaClaire & Mason


Cameron & Charity


Jeff, Brandon & Popaw (my dad)


w/ Popaw & MeeAll (my mom)


w/ Grandma & Grandpa (Jeff's parents)


w/ Uncle Mike (Jeff's brother) and Aunt Shelly


w/ Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Connie (my aunt & uncle)


w/ Cameron & Ryan


w/Ryan and Mom (me)


w/ Ryan


w/ Brady


and a perfect picture of our family life. Check out Allie and Brady...

700 Club Controversy Over Christians and Adoption

Click this to see the video:

700 Club Controversy Over Christians and Adoption

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Wow. Just wow. Count the cost? I counted the cost when I decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, knowing that there would be hard times, ridicule, and that I may be led to do things that were out of my comfort zone or maybe even seemed unreasonable. I am so glad that when God kept pressing adoption-specifically China adoption-on my heart that I didn't say to Him, 'You know, God, I realize that you've done a lot for me and I really appreciate it but I just feel the emotional cost of adopting an orphan is too much for my family.' Yeah right. And there IS cost. Bringing home a child who has been neglected, or bounced around from place to place, possibly abused...it's HARD. Life changing hard. But it is worth every tear and all the hard work. The families in the video were a great example of how out family feels adoption has blessed us. The teenager talking about how having adopted siblings has enriched his life and the mom saying that she is the lucky one...they are telling our story. The story of so many families who took that leap of faith and were blessed by adoption. I have a long way to go in my walk, but I am confident that when I get to heaven that God isn't going to chastise me for not counting the cost as we chose to go where he led our family.

Chrissie is with Jesus

About a month ago I asked for prayers for Chrissie, an adorable little 4 year old adopted from Serbia who had a heart condition. Chrissie fought like a warrior but her Father called her home. She has touched more lives in her short time on earth than most of us could ever dream of. Her mother's faith is awesome and we could all learn from her. Grab your tissues and read today's post...

http://allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-dont-wanna.html

LOA!

Definitely not how I expected it to play out but I got an email at 5:10 yesterday telling me we had LOA. Since we had only been logged in for 27 days, it didn't seem real. I didn't jump up and down or get all scatterbrained like I did with the girls' referrals or Brady's TA. It was just 'really? oh, okay'. Part of my attitude is based on the fact that I just sent in a Supplement 3 on Thursday to get a new approval because of Jeff's job change. The forms say that I can't send in my I800 application until I get that approval but Marci at my agency says it's no problem to go ahead and send it in. We pay them the big bucks to walk us through this so I am trusting that she knows what she's talking about. I really hope that we aren't held up too much because of the Supplement 3. ASIA is now only sending travel groups once a month with families arriving in province the last Sunday of each month. You must get TA 2 weeks prior or you are bumped to the next month. With that in mind I am expecting to travel either August 27 or September 17 (the September group will travel a week early due to the October holidays) but you never know, it could be later. So far, we've been incredibly blessed with the timing of this adoption. I can only thank God for that. I pray that He continues to bless us and gets our girl home as soon as possible.

"Imperfect moms: Give yourself a break"

Happy Mother's Day! A friend shared this on Facebook and I wanted to pass it along. :)



I have a confession to make: I forgot my son’s birthday one year. Ben was turning 14, and while no excuse in the universe will ever suffice, his birthday does land at the worst possible time, in the middle of harvest, at the end of July. Also, that summer, my sister and her family were visiting, and when I am with Rebecca I forget that the rest of the world exists.

She and I were sitting in the kitchen that day drinking coffee and talking obsessively in Pennsylvania Dutch, and in the living room I heard one of my nephews softly singing “Happy Birthday.”

The words didn’t penetrate until the second line, and then the terrible, crushing truth closed in — I had completely forgotten Ben’s birthday.

I screamed in horror, hugged him, begged his forgiveness, all but groveled at his feet. He was obviously hurt but graciously forgave me. Now, almost three years later, he laughs about it, but I am convinced there’s still a festering wound deep in his heart that will erupt in quiet sadness the rest of his life, and when his son turns 14 someday, Ben will remember his own pain and rejection and quietly wipe away a tear.

I was going to be the perfect mom, really I was. I was not going to repeat what I saw as my mom’s shortcomings, and I for sure wasn’t going to copy the playground moms who yelled terrible threats when their kids didn’t want to get off the swings. I looked down on acquaintances who didn’t read Dr. Seuss to their toddlers or who made their 10-year-olds take way too much responsibility with the babies.

True, I didn’t repeat the mistakes I observed; I just invented a whole new set of my own. I punished unjustly. I got sucked into talking on the phone with a possessive friend and brushed off my frantic 5-year-old until she burst into frustrated tears. I bought too few Christmas gifts that the children wanted and too many that I thought they ought to want. I didn’t put sunscreen on the children that time they went swimming at a family reunion in the Midwest and fried their little shoulders in the hot sun.

Then, of course, there was the forgotten birthday, and many more dark examples that I can’t bring myself to confess.

So Mother’s Day comes and among the pastel cards and lush bouquets and appreciative words, I feel the gnawing teeth of Regret and the sense that maybe I don’t deserve the gratitude because of everything I got wrong.

That’s when I know I need to remember Kenya.

We spent 3½ months there, six years ago, helping at a school and orphanage for boys. Most had been orphaned by AIDS and suffered worsening circumstances until finally they gravitated to the city and survived on the streets, eating what they could, sleeping on feed sacks, and sniffing chemicals that deluded them into feeling warm and well fed.

Whenever we went downtown, the street kids clustered us with their colorless, torn clothes and their dusty hair and their open, begging hands and their lifeless eyes. The lack of a mother in their lives was like a tangible force around them, and their pain clawed at my own mother-heart with an intensity that took my breath away and still does now, six years later.

The boys who had left the streets and lived at the orphanage seemed happy, most of the time. They were fed well and educated and kept busy. They slept on clean beds and were supervised by young dorm “dads” in their 20s. But sometimes, such as when their eyes filled with years of grief or they scraped their knees or they had a wonderful discovery to share, what they really needed was a mom, and they didn’t have one.

I slowly came to realize, as I watched these boys, that not only did they all need mothers, most of them would have done or given anything to get one.

Furthermore, none of them would have been been picky about what sort they got. She could work too hard, or she could sit around and let the house fall apart. She could be patient or lose her temper. She could be stern and silent or full of fun. Any mom who was there and cared even a little would be an astronomical improvement over what they had.

My accumulation of mistakes was smaller then than it is now, but I was just as hard on myself, and it was when I looked at the eyes of boys on the street and compared them with my children’s eyes — bright, curious, secure, confident — that I first began to give myself some grace. An imperfect mom, I realized, is infinitely, indescribably better than no mom at all.

If not having a mother is like being at sea level, and having a perfect, smiling, patient mom who never forgets to notify the tooth fairy is like being at the top of Mount Hood, then a flawed and scatterbrained mom who makes the kids pack their own lunches and punishes the wrong child now and then is actually about at Timberline Lodge.

I have told myself this many times since and shared it with other moms who feel they never quite get it right: an imperfect mother is really pretty good. Give yourself credit for showing up every day and loving your children and doing the best you can, I tell them, because that in itself makes a huge difference to a child. And, I add, give yourself some grace: We are allowed to make mistakes.

I will always feel sad about the missed birthday, but when I see my son’s eyes and think of the eyes of the orphan boys, I know that I was here, and I did the best I could, and it made all the difference in the world.

Dorcas Smucker is a homemaker and mother of six. She can be reached at letterfromhburg@juno.com.

Bad Dreams

I had a horrible dream last night. We were in China and they gave us a baby. For some reason it didn't register until the next morning that it wasn't Coralie. I kept thinking that she looked so much older in pictures (man, how clueless are we in dreams?!?!). Then I realized that she didn't have any teeth and according to Coralie's report she has 18. I pulled up her shirt and there was no omphalocele. I absolutely freaked and went the the person in charge who happened to be this woman who used to work at Gymboree who was always really rude to me. She was acting strange but wouldn't tell me anything until a designated time. Then Jeff took me somewhere in a car (yes, he was driving in China) and didn't get me back in time. I was sure that something had happened to Coralie and they were trying to appease me with this cute baby. I don't want just any baby-I want Coralie! At that point I woke up frantic but so thankful it was just a dream. Funny thing is that I really thought I was doing a good job of not dwelling on her too much because it is too hard but apparently she's weighing on my mind in spite of my attempts.

How can it be that we are only on day 9 of our wait for LOA? It seems like 109 at this point. I have to get that LOA before I start dreaming that Coralie turns into a dog and runs down the street like I did when we were waiting for Allie.

Please Pray for Chrissie!

I can't read this blog without drowning in tears. Please join me in praying for Chrissie.

We are the Truth Adoption Blogger Day

From the JCICS (Joint Council on International Children Services):

We Are The Truth

A Campaign and Call to Action

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.

You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families. You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child. You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and an entire life without a family.

You, the adoption community know the truth.

You live the truth.

You are the truth.

Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe family.

We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's the truth from me. :)

In the mid to late 90's God started to lay adoption on my heart. At the time, I thought it was crazy-not because I didn't think I would love a child that wasn't biologically related to me but because I was sure there was no way we could get through the paperwork and the homestudy. I have ADD and struggled all through school getting my work turned in-even assignments I had done would sit in my locker. I have never been Martha Stewart, I had been a teen mom, a college drop-out. Who would deem me worthy enough to give me a child? God kept on pressing and finally I started mentioning it to Jeff. He thought I was crazy and so I'd push it to the back of my mind. God continued to press and then started laying China on my heart. After many years, Jeff finally said to me that he was ready to adopt. I think when we got on that plane to go get Allie, it finally hit Jeff that we were bringing home a child. I know people hate the sunshine and rainbows adoption stories but if I had to use one word to describe the day we got Allie it would be 'magical'. The morning after we got Allie we were eating breakfast at the White Swan buffet and Jeff looked at her and said, 'Everyone should do this at least once'. I knew then that we would be coming back to China for another child. Six months later we started the process to bring AnnaClaire home. We had some twists and turns in her adoption process which were very hard emotionally. When we got her, she was smiling and her whole body moved with excitement. I was actually worried because she seemed so happy to be given to us but AnnaClaire's transition was even more seamless than Allie's. Then came Brady. :) Brady was 23 months when we brought him home. He had been in orphanage care for 17 months and then moved to foster care for the last 6 before we adopted him. The trip to adopt Brady was the worst 2 weeks of my life. He raged, kicked, screamed, threw things. I was sure we had ruined our family by adopting him. I called my mom from China crying that my life was over. The months after we returned home with Brady are a blur. Every morning when I woke up I had two thoughts, 'Do I really have to live through another day?' and 'Who can I give this kid to?' It was a real struggle for everyone in the family. But we had made a commitment to this child and he was ours and we weren't giving up. I bought every book I could find on parenting hurt children, attachment, bonding, post adoption depression. I joined support groups. I prayed. I talked with those who were going through similar situations or who had been through them and gotten to the other side. I had read so much before we got Brady that I really felt prepared for behaviors he might exhibit and I think I was prepared for those behaviors. What I wasn't prepared for was MY reaction to those behaviors. My head understood why he acted the way he did but my heart was deeply hurt by it all. It's been almost 3 years since we adopted Brady. He still struggles with behavior issues but the progress he has made has been awesome. I truly believe that he loves us deeply and that's something I thought would never come. He is such a funny and smart little guy (and crazy cute, too!). I can't imagine all we would have missed if we hadn't buckled down and done what we had to do to help him understand we were his family and he was safe with us. Last fall, God started placing adoption on our hearts again. At first I was very scared because I never again want to feel those emotions that we felt after we got Brady. But I consider Brady a success story and I feel that we have learned so much after going through our trials with him. God has given me a peace about it all and if we have a similar situation with Coralie, we know we can make it though.

LID!!!!!!!!!!

We have our LID! Today~4/13/2010~my mom's birthday! :)

Omphalocele

I debated on whether to post this or not because it's personal for Coralie. I decided to go ahead because when we first had her file I couldn't find much on any of my waiting children adoption boards about her special need. It was a bit overwhelming and I was starting to feel like maybe this wasn't something we could handle. Finally I did a search on Rumor Queen and found one poster asking if anyone had adopted a child with this special need. I contacted her and she was so nice and shared so much about what she had learned about Omphaloceles since she had been matched with her daughter (at the time they hadn't traveled, but they are now home with their gorgeous little girl). I felt such a peace after talking with her and I want to be as open so that if someone else is presented with a child with an Omphalocele, maybe Coralie and I can be an encouragement for them.

This is Coralie's Tummy

*pic removed*

We don't have any pictures of her as an infant but you can click below to see a picture of what an Omphalocele looks like at birth. WARNING: it is graphic so view at your own risk.

Omphalocele at birth

What is omphalocele?

Omphalocele (um-fal-o-seel) occurs when some of the internal organs normally located in the abdomen of a baby are pushed out into the base of the umbilical cord. The abdominal cavity itself may be small and underdeveloped because the organs normally contained in it developed outside of it. The organs pushed out into the umbilical cord may be covered by a membranous sac, or the sac may be ruptured before, during or after delivery. Omphaloceles vary in size from very small to "giant". Small omphalocele's occur in 1 out of every 5,000 to 6,000 births. Large or "giant" omphaloceles occur in 1 out of every 10,000 live births. A small omphalocele involves only a small portion of the intestine outside the body. A giant omphalocele is very large and may have other organs such as liver, spleen and intestines herniated into the umbilical cord. Giant omphaloceles may have a more guarded prognosis.

Up to 50 percent of babies with an omphalocele will have an associated anomaly or birth defect including: cardiac (most commonly seen, found in 19 to 32 percent of cases), neurological, skeletal, chromosomal, urinary tract, or Beckwith-Weidemann syndrome. Omphaloceles associated with other anomalies may also have a more guarded prognosis. Omphaloceles are seen more commonly in mothers over age 35. We do not know the cause of an omphalocele. We do know that during fetal development the intestines will move outside the body for a time and then move back in. For some reason there is a failure or a disruption during this period of development and the intestines fail to migrate back into the abdominal cavity. We know that omphaloceles are not caused by anything the mother ate or did during pregnancy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Because the medical information from China is so vague and because some things just don't translate well in the medical files, we really don't know much about Coralie's omphalocele. What we do know is that she is able to eat and defecate normally which are very good signs. What we also know is that we have peace about this adoption and that can only come from God. With Him we can handle whatever comes our way.

We Are the Truth

Petition

We Are the Truth

Recognizing that the tragic abandonment of Artyem Saviliev is an isolated incident and is not at all indicative of the thousands of successful adoptions between Russia and the Unites States, we, the undersigned:

- Respectfully call on President Medvedev and President Obama to lead an effort to ensure that the rights of children are protected and that every child’s right to a permanent and safe family is not interrupted due to the suspension intercountry adoption services.

- Respectfully call on President Medvedev and President Obama to ensure that their governments aggressively prosecute any individual involved in child abuse to the fullest extent of the law.

Prayers for Safe Travel for our Friends

This is Nora...



isn't she just adorable? Her mommy and daddy waited a very long time to bring her home. They recently traveled to get her and things are going very well-an answer to much prayer on their behalf. They are leaving China to come home soon and would very much appreciate prayers for safe travel. Nora's sisters and brother didn't travel to China so it will be a very exciting homecoming for her and for them! :)

DTC!

Even after 4 adoptions, it still surprises me when our dossier arrives at our agency and I have actually done everything right! ASIA received our dossier yesterday afternoon and it was sent to China today. I am so excited and feel very thankful that God has allowed everything to happen as quickly as it has so far. Coralie, we can't wait to have you in our arms!

The Zoo

Last week AnnaClaire asked me if the zoo was real. After I got over the guilt that my child didn't know that the zoo is indeed real, I decided we must visit...and soon. So we packed up and headed to Knoxville on Saturday.

Happy Easter!

He is Risen!

Certified Birth Certificate has left the IL SOS office!

I started tracking the package last night when it was on it's way to Illinois. Fed Ex picked it up from the Fed Ex place at 6:01-only 2 minutes after I walked into the store. If you are the person I knocked down to get in there before 6:00, I apologize. I am sure you understand...mama bear and all. ;) Anyway, the package arrived in Springfield this morning and a few hours later Delores called to let me know that it had been processed but she was still more concerned that they couldn't find the first one. I told her it didn't matter and thanked her for helping me get it all straightened out. I fully expect a call in the next few weeks that she has found it because I think it has upset her more than it has me. LOL I just checked the tracking and the package is on it's way to Carol, our amazing courier in DC. I sent the other 11 documents to her today too. Now we just wait for USCIS approval to arrive so we can rush that through. Please pray that we have no paperwork issues. If everything goes well, we should have our dossier at our agency around April 6th or so. :)

So THAT's why they tell you to order additional copies!

I've been calling the Illinois Secretary of State to try and find out what's the hold up with Jeff's birth certificate. Today everyone I talked to told me they couldn't help me and transferred me. Of course, the final destination was someone's voice mail. I was surprised to actually get a call back this afternoon and the lady (Delores) told me that it takes 7-10 business days to get them processed. I told her this was day 9 and she said it hasn't gone out yet but probably would Friday or Monday. When I got off the phone I prayed. Mostly for the ability to continue to trust God and if it was His will to somehow have that birth certificate sent out today. I truly believe those prayers prompted Delores to look around for our package because she called me back and told me that the stuff that had arrived on the 12th (same day as us) had been processed and ours wasn't included. She asked a bunch of questions and said she'd look some more and call back. She actually called back a few times. We know they received the package because it was signed for but it's now MIA. I finally asked if I overnighted her a new birth certificate, could she process (ie. staple a piece of paper to it) tomorrow and get it sent back out. She agreed so I rushed to get a new package ready and made it to the Fed Ex store at 5:59-only one minute to spare. Please pray that it gets there and that she gets it and processes it tomorrow like she said she would. I went ahead and put our courier's address on the return airbill so it will go straight to her. I'll mail the rest of our dossier (minus the approval) to her tomorrow. Now I can relax for 10 minutes before I have to clean my house for the SIX interior shots my agency wants us to send. ACK!

WOOHOO!!!

I just got the email that our USCIS approval is in the mail! YES! We just need Jeff's birth certificate back from Illinois and we can be DTC SOON! Happy Dance!

Adoption Tax Credit Extended and Increased

Adoption Tax Credit Extended and Increased

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An Unexpected Adoption

Beautiful story! I just read this post on the 'Hope for Orphans' blog and it really touched me. I wish every man, woman and child on this earth could know the love of a family.

http://hopefororphansblog.com/2010/03/23/an-unexpected-adoption-story/

Lucy still needs a family

I posted about Lucy earlier this month.

http://loosclan.blogspot.com/2010/03/three-year-old-heart-baby-needs-family.html

I can't get her off my mind. My agency, ASIA, is the agency who has Lucy's file. The family who was to bring her home lives near me. We even used the same social worker. I feel connected to Lucy and my heart is burdened for her. Lucy still needs a family. She has a pretty severe heart issue and probably needs a heart transplant. She may not live a long life but doesn't she deserve to spend what time she does have here on this earth with a family of her own? Lucy needs a family that is DTC to come forward to adopt her. She's doing well now but needs care that she can't get in China. She needs to be here to get the care she needs. Please join me in praying for little Lucy. And if you feel that you might be her family please contact Marci @ marcisk@asiadopt.org

You can read more about Lucy on ASIA's blog

http://www.asiahope.blogspot.com/

Rita's Italian Ice~FREE regular ice on first day of spring~3/20

Seriously. It's free. For everyone. And they'll be lined up out the door. We went last year and took the whole crew. I felt kind of guilty walking out of there with 8 free Italian ices...but I shouldn't have. They people at Rita's are GENIUSES! I never would have gone into Rita's had they not that had that promotion but once I had one of their ices, I had to go back for more. Many times. :) If you have a Rita's nearby check it out.

http://www.ritasice.com/events-and-promotions/first-day-of-spring.aspx

Handing it Over

We headed out bright and early yesterday to make the 3+ hour drive to Charlotte. Our fingerprint appointment wasn't until March 26, but we had been told we could walk in at the Charlotte office. Our schedules worked out to go the 17th so we decided to give it a shot. We walked right in, handed them our fingerprint appointment letters and she gave us the forms to fill out. She never even looked at the appointment date. Big sigh of relief! I was ready to plead my case if they tried to turn us away, but thankfully that wasn't necessary. We were in and out in under 30 minutes and they assured us (insisted) that our fingerprints looked good. I was worried they'd get rejected and we'd have to trek back to Charlotte in a few weeks. When we returned home, I called the NBC (National Benefits Center) to tell them we had gotten fingerprinted early and was disappointed to hear that we haven't even been assigned a case officer yet. Then I called the Illinois Secretary of State to ask about processing time and found out there is a 2 week wait right now. Jeff's birth certificate has been there since the 12th. They said it wouldn't get sent out until late next week. In a matter of minutes, the euphoria of getting fingerprinted was snuffed out by the reality that my timeline isn't going to be met. So I did what I always do and started crunching the numbers estimating our timeline under a thousand different scenarios all the while getting more and more discouraged. I even went to bed early, which I never do. I was pouting. Big time. And feeling really sorry for myself. When I woke up this morning, the first thing on my mind was my timeline. I started to think of the scenarios again and trying to figure out what I could do to speed things up. Then I thought, 'WHY am I wasting all this time trying to control things that I have no control over and not truly trusting the One who IS in control?' Duh! Then when I was in the car this morning, I heard this verse on the radio...Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Wow. I was totally putting Coralie and my desire to get her home in MY time before God and His plan and His timing. If I trust Him enough to adopt a child when I feel He has led me to do it, why am I not trusting that it will happen in His time? So I let it go. For real this time. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. Every day I have on this earth is a gift-even the ones before she comes home. I don't intend to waste those days trying to control things I can't when I have family and responsibilities here that need my attention. Thank you God for being a God that I can trust completely. A God who loves my little girl even more than I do and will do things for her good. I trust you, Lord!

I was talking to a friend about this and she shared this with me...

A friend of mine at church has two sons that are in the military. Last year both of them were overseas fighting. I asked her how she did it and didn't she wish they would just stay home. Her response to me touched me and had really put me at peace with our wait. She said she would rather have her sons overseas in God's will that here in the states in her will.

I love that. Don't we all want our children to be in God's will?

Happy Day!

We got updated pictures of Coralie!

Time Keeps Tickin'...

It just occurred to me that today Coralie is 27 months old. Another month without us. Another month without her. :( It's just the way it is and I have to trust that God will unite us in His perfect timing. I really try not to dwell on it like I did when we were waiting for Brady. I think I have done a pretty good job of it so far (probably because I have been too busy with the homestudy and the I-800A application and the dossier and the PA wait, etc.) but when a day like today comes around and you almost miss it before you realize it's a special day...it's just hard. Okay, enough pity party stuff. Let's talk fun stuff. Like care packages. :) This is Coralie's care package that I got through Ann at Red Thread.



Ann has tried to contact the orphanage for updates and pictures but so far they haven't responded. I know some families have gotten pictures in the past from this orphanage so I am hopeful we'll get something.

Also, we got our fingerprint letters today! Our appointments are for 8:00 am Friday, March 26 in Charlotte, NC. No way can we be in Charlotte at 8:00 am-we'd have to leave our house at 4:30 in the morning. Several people have had success with walking in so that's what we plan to do. Stay tuned to see if we are successful.

Happy Birthday AnnaClaire!

No way my baby is 5! ACK!

Happy Birthday Allie!

I can't believe my Princess is 7 already! How did that happen?



I have been searching my computer for old pics. Enjoy!

\o/*\o/*Thanks be to God*\o/*\o/

for our newest blessing...



Coralie Selah WenEr Loos
Chinese name: Chan Wen Er
Birthdate: 12/15/2007
Orphanage: Foshan City (Chan Cheng District)

We have PA!

Happy Anniversary

Twenty one years ago Jeff and I were married. Hard to believe since we're both still so young. ;)

He took me to dinner tonight. Actually, I met him for dinner. I snuck out of the house since the littles were playing nicely together. We I got back home I had this exchange with Brady...

Brady: Why'd you left us?
Me: We went out to dinner because it's Mommy & Daddy's anniversary. Do you know what that is?
Brady: No
Me: It's like a birthday for when you are married.
Brady: But you can't dance!

All this happened after he whispered, 'Mommy, mommy, mommy....I missed you super super much.'

:)

Three year old heart baby needs a family ASAP

Lucy was sent to a foster family in 2007 where she got along well with the other children in the family. In the summer of 2009 she was moved to the China Care Home, which is managed by Half the Sky Foundation. Lucy has a very serious heart condition and needs a family that can provide all the necessary medical resources for her.
In addition to her heart condition, Lucy has an incompletely-formed left arm and hand with only two fingers. Despite this, she is adept at manipulating even the smallest objects and is very focused when working with tiny spoons, small balls or puzzles. She is fond of books. She doesn’t like a noisy environment. If she listens to music for a while, she will then ask her foster mom to turn it off.
Lucy has a large vocabulary for her age. She knows the names of fruits and animals and can count basic numbers. She recognizes pictures of her friends and speaks their names. She is quite attached to her China Care mom but is also friendly with others. She has two best friends and happily plays with them as long as her foster mom is still in sight.

Lucy needs a family that is already DTC, if possible. If not, she will need to come on a medical visa and get the treatment she needs for her heart. Lucy would benefit most from a forever family, no matter how long her forever might be. If you think you would be interested or know someone who would be please contact Marci at 503-224-1860 or marcisk@asiadopt.org


Feel free to repost this! Lucy needs a family!

03/03/05

It's hard to believe that 5 years have passed since we were logged in for our angel girl. It's even harder to believe that in the 4+ years that she's been home, the CCAA has only sent referrals for 13 months past that LID. I am so thankful that the winding road that we took during AnnaClaire's adoption led to her. She's such a blessing to us!

Three months ago today...

we first saw the face of the little girl that we hope will be our new daughter. Jeff and I had both realized that God was burdening our hearts for adoption once again. We decided it was God's will for us, but we weren't sure when. Since the process has changed so much since we last adopted, I started emailing agencies and asking questions to try and figure out the timing and the new process and how any of it might affect our timing of when to start. Along the way, I saw some children on Rainbow Kids and some agency lists but they were all dead ends. On December 2, I was sitting at my computer when I received and email from an agency that they had received a new list. Jeff happened to be playing pool with Brandon and standing right next to me. I immediately went to the site and saw an adorable little girl. I called Jeff over and asked if he was interested in inquiring about her. He said yes (to my amazement, actually) and I typed a short and sweet email as fast as I could. Then I scrolled down and saw another precious little girl. Jeff was interested in her too (maybe he should play pool more often!). I shot off another quick email. Both girls were already under review, but we were second in line for both files. The first families had a week to decide-though it seemed like a year if you ask me (and probably even longer to Jeff, who had to live with my emotional frailty that week and Brandee, my adoption friend, who had to listen to all my hopes and fears). When the week was up, we didn't get either girl. Jeff took pity on me, and taking into account the the adoption tax credit was set to expire in December 2010 decided that we could start the process at the end of December. We planned to request to be agency matched. On December 17, I picked up the homestudy packet from our social worker and started filling out the paperwork. Then on Monday, December 21, I got an email that one of the little girls had become available and it asked if we still wanted to review the file. It took about a millisecond to email them back with a YES! A week later we told the agency we wanted her and then we had our first homestudy appointment the next day. Our agency didn't want us to send our LOI (letter of intent, telling China we want this child) until they had our homestudy rough draft. They received our rough draft on 2/15 which was during Chinese New Year so they didn't send our LOI until 2/19. Recently, China has decided that they won't be sending agencies designated lists of children any more and they are taking back files of children that agencies already have. Some files that they have taken back were files that families were reviewing, some had families ready to proceed and some even had families that had sent LOI (like us). As far as we know, our daughter's file has not yet been pulled, but until we receive PA (pre-approval from China) we aren't sure if she'll be ours. We ask that you please pray for God's will in this situation. We are emotionally invested in this child and are looking forward to making her a part of our family.

Adopting Older Children

I've recently been burdened by the plight of older children who need homes. There is an excellent post about Older Child Adoption on the Love Without Boundaries blog today.

http://www.lwbcommunity.org/adoption-of-older-children

Wo Ai Ni Mommy

I am looking forward to this documentary. Wo Ai Ni Mommy will have its World Premiere at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. The film will be screened on Sunday, March 14th at 3pm and again on Wednesday, March 17th at 7pm.

God's Heart for Adoption

If you are like me, you're going to need some tissues. I am still crying.

How have I ever passed a homestudy?

Mom of the year here. Tonight Jeff had a business dinner, Cameron was working, and Brandon & Ryan had their small group meetings. I have to take Ryan over to the church which is about 25 minutes away from our house, so the little kids and I need to kill about an hour while he is there. Tonight it is snowing and cold. I decided to take the littles to a Mexican restaurant near our church. We couldn't find a close parking spot so I carried Brady into the restaurant while the girls held my hand. When we walked in to the restaurant there was a small area to stand and we waited for the host to seat us. It was really tight in the restaurant and I was trying to push the kids along to the table. When we got back to the table the host points at Brady and said something I didn't understand. I look down at Brady and there he is...BAREFOOT. In the restaurant. So while I am thinking 'um, Jesus, this would be a real good time to come back' the man at the table next to us is laughing so hard that I think he's going to pee himself. At least someone enjoyed it because I was mortified. When the laughing man left, he told me 'Good Luck'. Oh boy.

Ryan no longer has braces!

He got them off yesterday morning! Isn't he a cutie? ;)

IHOP National Pancake Day - February 23, 2010

IHOP National Pancake Day - February 23, 2010

We went to IHOP tonight (everyone but Cameron) and had FREE pancakes. Then we donated to a great cause-The Children's Miracle Network. It was fun family time and I recommend it. They do it every year. After we had eaten, Allie turned to me and said, 'Mama, what are you making for dinner?' DUH!

Sweet Little Lin!

This little one has stolen my heart. I would hate to see his file returned to China. Could he be your son? Please check him out. :)

http://asiahope.blogspot.com/2010/02/anyone-looking-to-adopt-deaf-child.html

I also happen to know that there are at least 3 beautiful boys from Shantou (Brady's Orphanage) that are on the shared list.

Amazing song!

Another photograph to wrestle in my head
Another sleepless night on concrete featherbed
These thoughts of you like bullets to my soul
We’ve got to find a way to get you home

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here
I will get you here

Throw the clocks away and run out to the street
We’ll fly to distant clouds where it’s just you and me
A day will come when all of this is gone
You’ve got to find a way to believe

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here
I will get you here

Close your eyes and dream of a better day with me
As angels hold you tight, may you sleep in peace tonight

So dream, dream, dream my child
Hear the whisperings of hope
It’s a song that you can sing, as you sleep in peace tonight

Gina needs a family!

In China, once a child turns 14 they can no longer be adopted. For a Chinese orphan, turning 14 is like a door slamming shut. Their hope a family gone forever. Gina is a beautiful 13 year old who will turn 14 in May. She has no family and no family working to bring her home. If you know anyone who has a dossier in China or is nearly DTC, please pass on the information about Gina. Her chance of having a forever family is slipping away. You can click HERE for some pictures and video of Gina.

Here is an email about Gina from the Special Needs coordinator from ASIA, the agency that has her file:

I am writing to try to find a family for one of our waiting children
from our Hope's Journey program who is about to age out in May. We call
her Gina, and you can see more information on our blog, listed below my
signature. We had a family for her, but they are unable to continue with
their adoption for reasons having nothing to do with Gina. It is for
that reason that I'm reaching out to try to help this child's dream of a
family come true. Because she risks aging out so soon, we have to find a
family that is already dossiered or very close to dossier ready to
pursue her. If you have any interest, or know of anyone who could be
interested, please have them contact me. Gina is a sweet 13 year old
girlie girl who likes dolls, is shy and studies hard. She knows some
English already and is seeing many of her peers getting adopted. She
wants a forever family of her own. She is bright, sweet, healthy and
likes reading and sports. We have lots of pictures and videos of Gina,
so please contact me for more information.
Sincerely,

Marci Siegel-Kittrell, MSW
Director of Social Services
Associated Services for International Adoption
215 SW Hooker St. #100
Portland, OR 97201
503-224-1860
marcisk@asiadopt.org
http://www.asiadopt.org/

The Love of a Father

Amazing what this man did for his children.


click: Man takes matters into his own hands to rescue adopted kids

Happy New Year!

Yeah, it's the 11th. I am a little late. I am still getting into the hang of blogging again. I totally missed Allie Day, Jeff's Birthday, Ryan's Birthday, My sister's wedding.... I seem to do that every December. AnnaClaire Day is the 5th and she gets a post. Allie Day is the 7th and it goes unposted. Here's a snippet I posted on my Facebook Page on Allie Day:

Six years ago today were learned that dreams do come true when we were given Qiu Xiao Lian, our first daughter. Jeff had been a reluctant adopter and had worries throughout the process but it didn't take long for Miss Allie to take care of that! The morning after we got her he was looking at her from across the table at the White Swan breakfast and said, 'everyone should do this at least once'. One sweet little baby girl was all it took to turn a doubter into an adoption advocate (who adopted twice more!). Today also happens to be Jeff's birthday. What better gift on your birthday than the gift of a child? Our Allie is a precious gift. She came to us with quite the personality and remains a diva to this day...but she also has a HUGE heart. Last night as Jeff, Brandon and Ryan prepared to go shopping for needy families with our church youth, Allie gave Jeff all her money from her bank. Jeff told her that he would take some of it and handed her back part of the money. She pressed it back into his hand and said, 'I want you to take it all'. I love that girl!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas~for the orphan

This is a fellow adoptive mom's own take on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I thought it was so moving that I asked to share it here. Thanks Amy!

Twas the Night Before Christmas--for the Parentless.....


Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimny with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Chistmas Eve night

When in someone's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick--
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put

there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

I'm gonna be a.......

Brandon was accepted to the University of Tennessee this week. It's a good thing too because that is the only place he applied. I am so happy for him but also sad because we will miss him being so far away from us. I guess you have to let them go sometime....apparently no one ever told Cameron that little fact. ;)