Recently on a email group about special needs adoption, there was a question about what people thought/experienced regarding adopting out of birth order...in other words, adopting a child older than any of your biological children.
When we did our "educational" reading, we learned differing views about this subject-- some professionals dealing with adoptions advise against and sometimes even do not allow adopting out of birth order because of possible negative effects on the children. We weren't too concerned about it, and I recently read a post that I think puts to words some thoughts we have (and more)--not just about why birth order should not be a hindrance to reaching out to an orphan, but also why welcoming an orphan--in our case an orphan with a disability who will need life long support--is not a hindrance to our biological and "normal" children, but rather, is a blessing from the Lord that will bring out greater capacity to love the way He loves us.
http://blessingsfro methiopia. blogspot. com/2009/ 08/greater- capacity. html
Our kids are sooooo excited to adopt more special needs orphans--He has given them hearts with so much room to welcome in more--if they could, they would adopt 10 more! Maybe they will someday-- when they have familis of their own. They may not know all that is involved yet, but they are learning and growing, and I think our Heavenly Father smiles at what He is doing in them.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Birthday blessings
A year ago today we found out our dossier was submitted and accepted for our adoption of Sean...on my birthday! That was a great birthday present.
It is amazing that its been a year already. Even more amazing is that we have 2 precious little boys in our family that we didn't yet have a year-ago...one adopted and one by birth (Aidan). EVEN MORE AMAZING is that next year we may have more!
The children surprized me with a photo album scrapbook with pictures of them and our family that they put together in secret...what a blessing, especially since they worked together to make it for Mommy. They were so excited today to give me their cards and homemade gifts, and to make breakfast and for dinner their version of "Olive Garden." I am so blessed to have children who love me, whom I know I do not deserve but are purely a gift from God. It is humbling!
I was reminded how precious they are when my 5 month old rolled off our bed (despite pillows blocking all around)and fell between the bed and the wall....amazingly and thankfully, his head landed perfectly on a pillow that had fallen there and he was not hurt! I felt badly but was so very thankful for God's grace and His reminder of how precious my children are and that I need to be more patient, loving and thankful for them as sometimes in the day to day routine we can lose perspective. No more napping on a big bed. Time for moving him into his big crib (out of the bassinette):(
I also was thinking about how blessed I was to have parents who lovingly received me into this world. Now having learned of and seen first hand an orphanage (just one of so many) full of children who were not loved, wanted or kept for whatever reason, I know that is not something to take for granted.
Oh, our homestudy update visit was yesterday...which seemed to go very well. We are glad to have that completed, as once it is received we can begin applying for grants.
It is amazing that its been a year already. Even more amazing is that we have 2 precious little boys in our family that we didn't yet have a year-ago...one adopted and one by birth (Aidan). EVEN MORE AMAZING is that next year we may have more!
The children surprized me with a photo album scrapbook with pictures of them and our family that they put together in secret...what a blessing, especially since they worked together to make it for Mommy. They were so excited today to give me their cards and homemade gifts, and to make breakfast and for dinner their version of "Olive Garden." I am so blessed to have children who love me, whom I know I do not deserve but are purely a gift from God. It is humbling!
I was reminded how precious they are when my 5 month old rolled off our bed (despite pillows blocking all around)and fell between the bed and the wall....amazingly and thankfully, his head landed perfectly on a pillow that had fallen there and he was not hurt! I felt badly but was so very thankful for God's grace and His reminder of how precious my children are and that I need to be more patient, loving and thankful for them as sometimes in the day to day routine we can lose perspective. No more napping on a big bed. Time for moving him into his big crib (out of the bassinette):(
I also was thinking about how blessed I was to have parents who lovingly received me into this world. Now having learned of and seen first hand an orphanage (just one of so many) full of children who were not loved, wanted or kept for whatever reason, I know that is not something to take for granted.
Oh, our homestudy update visit was yesterday...which seemed to go very well. We are glad to have that completed, as once it is received we can begin applying for grants.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
fundraising ideas galore!!
Hi all- we are getting all sorts of ideas to assist raising funds. As of this point, we are at approximately $3000... a good start, but still about $21,000 short of bringing Lacie home!
You will notice to the right a new link through which you can order coffee. It is free trade coffee, meaning that it supports local people in the countries it is grown in, and we get a significant percentage of each sale to help us bring Lacie home!
Order away and drink lots of coffee:)
John
You will notice to the right a new link through which you can order coffee. It is free trade coffee, meaning that it supports local people in the countries it is grown in, and we get a significant percentage of each sale to help us bring Lacie home!
Order away and drink lots of coffee:)
John
Pictures of a fun day
We got Sean's passport back finally AND his social security card, (which we needed for getting our taxes done) this past week--yeah! Next Monday will be our homestudy update. We are looking forward to getting that done so we can start applying for grants to help us with the adoption. We feel blessed that our social worker we had with Sean is able to work with us again. :)
The other day was an unusually beautiful day here so we decided to take a field trip to Custer park and enjoy God's beautiful creation...I love homeschooling our children and being able to learn with them. Enjoy the photos!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Passport found!
After many months of leaving messages at the Consular's office of the Ukraine embassy here in the US asking about Sean's passport and registration that we thought we'd sent in, someone finally called me back yesterday! I don't know if it was the messages, the email, fax, letter sent, the DC embassy emailing for us, or our senator inquiring about it, but we praise God that we finally know what happened.
Apparently when we sent it in back in June 2009 we did not send a self-addressed envelope! I am so glad that it was that simple and that I did not lose it, as at the time we'd mailed it in we had alot of things going on...between adjusting to Sean being in our family, looking for a new place to live, packing and moving!) So, we're hopepful to get it back soon.
Apparently when we sent it in back in June 2009 we did not send a self-addressed envelope! I am so glad that it was that simple and that I did not lose it, as at the time we'd mailed it in we had alot of things going on...between adjusting to Sean being in our family, looking for a new place to live, packing and moving!) So, we're hopepful to get it back soon.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Adoption update--and a little TB test advice
The past few weeks we've been busy in our spare time going to various appointments needed before we can officially do our homestudy update. We had our fingerprints taken at the local police station, which went fine. The kids (except our baby who is under one) had to get TB tests done. We had a not so good experience last time we did this so this time we changed strategies. All the kids were willing last time to do this (in order to adopt Sean) but when we there --all 5 kids in the room, each getting their TB tests, well the last one got freaked out (when he saw the others getting it and crying) and did not cooperate to say the least. We don't recommend giving multiple kids a TB test all together! This time around, this child went first and alone with Daddy and didn't even flinch. Actually none of the kids even cried, except for Sean, our 4 year-old with Downs, who cried and fought with all is might!:) It may have helped the others too that we promised they could pick out something from Dairy Queen afterwards!! We tend to eat very healthfully so this was quite a treat for them and sure made the experience fun. We'd highly recommend that also.
John and I also had our medical exams and those went well too...now we just wait to get the forms back from the doctors. The sweet ladies at the office were a bit perplexed by our big family and that we were doing this again, I think, but they were excited to see photos of Sean and helpful.
Lastly, we sent off in the mail our I600A form, the adoption petition, along with their nearly $1,000 fee!
Once we get the doctor forms to our social worker, we can do our homestudy update visit. Then we wait for our federal fingerprinting appointment.
It seems like things are going pretty fast but not so fast with fundraising....we'd appreciate your prayers and if you can spread the word for us. The chidren have been helping to sell possessions on ebay and are hoping to sell their handmade bracelets soon, so stay tuned!
John and I also had our medical exams and those went well too...now we just wait to get the forms back from the doctors. The sweet ladies at the office were a bit perplexed by our big family and that we were doing this again, I think, but they were excited to see photos of Sean and helpful.
Lastly, we sent off in the mail our I600A form, the adoption petition, along with their nearly $1,000 fee!
Once we get the doctor forms to our social worker, we can do our homestudy update visit. Then we wait for our federal fingerprinting appointment.
It seems like things are going pretty fast but not so fast with fundraising....we'd appreciate your prayers and if you can spread the word for us. The chidren have been helping to sell possessions on ebay and are hoping to sell their handmade bracelets soon, so stay tuned!
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