I wanted to let you all know about an organization that I found through another blog that offers free photography to new adoptive families that have been home for a year or less with their new child. What an awesome opportunity to get some great photos done. They are not cheesy photos either because I checked them out and they look great.
Go to Celebrating Adoption to check it out.
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Blankets
I ordered some blankets from AUNTIE EM'S CREATIONS and I must say that they are so much more beautiful in person than on the website.
If you are looking for a baby gift and would love to help someone with an international adoption at the same time, then this blanket is for you! Go check out the site and order a blanket or two!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Mom vs. Birth Mom
Recently while visiting with a new adoptive mom friend I noticed that she always referred to her new baby girl's birth mom as mom. I kept noticing this and wondered how she did it. How did she say the words that are so hard for me to say?
You see, I always refer to our son’s first mom as either birth mom, first mom or by her name. I found myself asking why is it that it bothers me when someone refers to his birth mom as mom. When someone asks us if we have a relationship with his mom, it bothers me. I know whom they mean and I know what they are asking, but I want to scream YES WE KNOW HIS MOM; I AM HIS MOM. You see they are only wondering if we have an open adoption or closed. They are merely curious and I love curiosity about adoption. I love to talk about adoption and I love to educate and disprove some of the myths people have about adoption. So then why is this so hard for me?
I am a huge birth parent advocate. I believe the most ideal place for a child is with his/her birth family. When that isn't the best situation, then that is when I think adoption should come in to play. I wish that there were more options available for parents who are struggling to raise their children. I think that a birth parent that changes their mind to parent their baby has every right to do that. They are the parents before anyone else is. I am a huge advocate of open adoptions and feel as though closed adoptions are not beneficial to anyone in the adoption triad.
I love our birth mom. I respect her and cherish her and we do have an open relationship with her. I value her more than she will ever know. She loved our son before we even began loving him. She cared for him before us. She chose to give him life and she chose us to parent him. Her reasons for placing him are her own reasons and not mine to broadcast here. She will always be a part of our lives and we have pictures of her in the boy’s room. We also talk about her and tell Little Boy about her whenever we look at the pictures.
I usually atribute my dislike of this to not wanting to confuse my boys. I never want them to be confused as to who their "real" mom is. Does this make sense, or am I just using them as a crutch to my own fear?
So, am I insecure in the thought of someone referring to her as mom too? Do I fear that I will be valued less if he hast two moms? I don’t know why this is so hard for me. When we first adopted him I would rage (not to the person, but just in my head) if someone said mom instead of birth mom. Now it doesn’t bother me, but I just can’t bring myself to say it. Is that okay?
So, any other adoptive moms out there where do you stand on this? Am I wrong? Am I insecure? Do I need to just get a grip and get over it? I can take it, tell me the truth. Is this dumb? I promise it is really not a big issue, I just need to know if I am alone on this one, or if any of you other moms deal with this.
You see, I always refer to our son’s first mom as either birth mom, first mom or by her name. I found myself asking why is it that it bothers me when someone refers to his birth mom as mom. When someone asks us if we have a relationship with his mom, it bothers me. I know whom they mean and I know what they are asking, but I want to scream YES WE KNOW HIS MOM; I AM HIS MOM. You see they are only wondering if we have an open adoption or closed. They are merely curious and I love curiosity about adoption. I love to talk about adoption and I love to educate and disprove some of the myths people have about adoption. So then why is this so hard for me?
I am a huge birth parent advocate. I believe the most ideal place for a child is with his/her birth family. When that isn't the best situation, then that is when I think adoption should come in to play. I wish that there were more options available for parents who are struggling to raise their children. I think that a birth parent that changes their mind to parent their baby has every right to do that. They are the parents before anyone else is. I am a huge advocate of open adoptions and feel as though closed adoptions are not beneficial to anyone in the adoption triad.
I love our birth mom. I respect her and cherish her and we do have an open relationship with her. I value her more than she will ever know. She loved our son before we even began loving him. She cared for him before us. She chose to give him life and she chose us to parent him. Her reasons for placing him are her own reasons and not mine to broadcast here. She will always be a part of our lives and we have pictures of her in the boy’s room. We also talk about her and tell Little Boy about her whenever we look at the pictures.
I usually atribute my dislike of this to not wanting to confuse my boys. I never want them to be confused as to who their "real" mom is. Does this make sense, or am I just using them as a crutch to my own fear?
So, am I insecure in the thought of someone referring to her as mom too? Do I fear that I will be valued less if he hast two moms? I don’t know why this is so hard for me. When we first adopted him I would rage (not to the person, but just in my head) if someone said mom instead of birth mom. Now it doesn’t bother me, but I just can’t bring myself to say it. Is that okay?
So, any other adoptive moms out there where do you stand on this? Am I wrong? Am I insecure? Do I need to just get a grip and get over it? I can take it, tell me the truth. Is this dumb? I promise it is really not a big issue, I just need to know if I am alone on this one, or if any of you other moms deal with this.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
They are both mine.
I think that many parents wonder if they will love a child that they did not birth. Will they look at this child and see that the child didn’t come from them? Will there always be something missing between them and their child? If adoptive parents have biological children will they then wonder if their bio child will have a bigger place in their heart than the child that they adopt.
I had these same questions about two years ago when we were waiting for our youngest son to join our family. At the time I didn’t know when or where he would come from. I didn’t even know if our child would be a girl or a boy, but I was falling in love with our child before we even laid eyes on him. I often wondered if I would feel differently about this child as opposed to the child I conceived with my husband and carried in my big fat belly for 9 months. I bonded with our oldest while he was in my belly. I felt him move and keep me up at night with his acrobatic dances. I pushed all 9 pounds and 11 ounces of him out of me. God created him to be born of me. I was in love from the minute the pregnancy test said positive. Would I ever be that in love with this next child?
These questions in my heart bothered me. I was ashamed that I was even entertaining these thoughts in my head. I was embarrassed to voice these thoughts for fear of how people might think of me. I prayed and prayed and prayed for this love to overcome me when I met my new baby. I prayed for my child to know me and to recognize my voice. I prayed for us to bond immediately and for the love that I had for our first child to be duplicated in a miraculous way for this child that I would not birth.
Throughout the 15 months of waiting for our baby I fell in love with him. I prayed for him and his birth family. I prayed for protection and health for our baby and his mom. I slowly and surely fell in love with a baby that I had never met. While we were at the hospital waiting for our baby to be born I remember the excitement that was going through my body. I could not wait to meet him for the first time. To see what he looks like. To feel his skin and to talk to him, I yearned to be with him. God was surely present that whole weekend and Aaron and I fell in love with our little boy the instant we laid eyes on him. It was as if we had known him all along.
When they held up our little baby boy I cried just the same as I had cried the first time I laid eyes on my oldest son after birthing him. I was in love. My love was real. My love was pure. This love was given to me by God to allow me to open my heart and soul to a child that I had nothing to do with in creating.
I guess I’ve been thinking about this lately because I talk to a lot of people who have biological children and have entertained the idea of adopting. They have felt the gentle tug at their heart by God and have been ignoring it for years. They are not sure if they could really love a child that they didn’t birth. I am here to tell you that YES you can. God’s love is big and God’s love sees no boundaries. That is how I love a child I didn’t birth. I love him the same as I love the child I birthed; I see no difference. There is no difference. They are both mine. They are both mine. They are both mine.
I had these same questions about two years ago when we were waiting for our youngest son to join our family. At the time I didn’t know when or where he would come from. I didn’t even know if our child would be a girl or a boy, but I was falling in love with our child before we even laid eyes on him. I often wondered if I would feel differently about this child as opposed to the child I conceived with my husband and carried in my big fat belly for 9 months. I bonded with our oldest while he was in my belly. I felt him move and keep me up at night with his acrobatic dances. I pushed all 9 pounds and 11 ounces of him out of me. God created him to be born of me. I was in love from the minute the pregnancy test said positive. Would I ever be that in love with this next child?
These questions in my heart bothered me. I was ashamed that I was even entertaining these thoughts in my head. I was embarrassed to voice these thoughts for fear of how people might think of me. I prayed and prayed and prayed for this love to overcome me when I met my new baby. I prayed for my child to know me and to recognize my voice. I prayed for us to bond immediately and for the love that I had for our first child to be duplicated in a miraculous way for this child that I would not birth.
Throughout the 15 months of waiting for our baby I fell in love with him. I prayed for him and his birth family. I prayed for protection and health for our baby and his mom. I slowly and surely fell in love with a baby that I had never met. While we were at the hospital waiting for our baby to be born I remember the excitement that was going through my body. I could not wait to meet him for the first time. To see what he looks like. To feel his skin and to talk to him, I yearned to be with him. God was surely present that whole weekend and Aaron and I fell in love with our little boy the instant we laid eyes on him. It was as if we had known him all along.
When they held up our little baby boy I cried just the same as I had cried the first time I laid eyes on my oldest son after birthing him. I was in love. My love was real. My love was pure. This love was given to me by God to allow me to open my heart and soul to a child that I had nothing to do with in creating.
I guess I’ve been thinking about this lately because I talk to a lot of people who have biological children and have entertained the idea of adopting. They have felt the gentle tug at their heart by God and have been ignoring it for years. They are not sure if they could really love a child that they didn’t birth. I am here to tell you that YES you can. God’s love is big and God’s love sees no boundaries. That is how I love a child I didn’t birth. I love him the same as I love the child I birthed; I see no difference. There is no difference. They are both mine. They are both mine. They are both mine.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
THE BIG NEWS!
I have been going nuts all weekend about this news that I have been wanting to share with my blogging friends.
Some friends of ours that we have gotten to know through adoption and photography just brought home their new little baby girl today! They were called on Friday about her and today they met her and her birth mother and they brought home their little Norah this afternoon.
I am so excited for this couple because they have had a hard road this past year on their adoption journey. I have prayed for them and cried for them many times before God. He once again has been faithful and has joined them together with their baby that he knew would be theirs during all the trials that they have endured.
God's blessings are endless and I could not be happier for Brad and Alison!
On a side note if you need a good photographer she is great!!!
Some friends of ours that we have gotten to know through adoption and photography just brought home their new little baby girl today! They were called on Friday about her and today they met her and her birth mother and they brought home their little Norah this afternoon.
I am so excited for this couple because they have had a hard road this past year on their adoption journey. I have prayed for them and cried for them many times before God. He once again has been faithful and has joined them together with their baby that he knew would be theirs during all the trials that they have endured.
God's blessings are endless and I could not be happier for Brad and Alison!
On a side note if you need a good photographer she is great!!!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Father's Day
I know I'm a little late on this one, but I wanted to give a HUGE shout out to my dad and to my husband for Father's Day! I love you both dearly and you have both impacted my world and my kids worlds in ways too big to count.
Aaron is such a fabulous daddy to our boys. He loves them so much and misses them like crazy when we are away. He would do anything for them, and is constantly thinking of their well being. When he comes home from long trips he always has a gift for them and spends all his time devoted to them. He makes more castles than anyone would like to, and plays the best game of hide and seek!
My love for Aaron has grown tremendously since we started having kids. I love him in a new way. I love him because he loves our boys so much. I love him because he desires to be the best dad in the world.
This week when we first saw Aaron after not having him around for almost 2 weeks (I'm not counting the 15 hours he was home one weekend) the boys went crazy. They only wanted daddy. They wanted to sit by daddy at dinner. They want daddy to hold them. They want their daddy. I LOVE it and Aaron loves it even more.
For the longest time Aaron and I have been on two completely different pages about more children in our family. He has said since we brought Little Boy home that we were done and that our family was complete with our two boys. I have said NO WAY I am NOT complete as a mom and I need more kids! We kinda agreed to disagree and decided not to talk about it anymore. This week Aaron drops a BOMB on me and says that he thinks we need to start the adoption process again. WHAT? I was so happy and have not stopped thinking about it and smiling. So, we are going to hopefully start again sometime within the next year. We are not in a hurry and going to take our time, but I could not be happier. We are going to pray this summer about whether or not we feel as though God wants to lead us down the path to domestic again, or international this time. Who knows!
Aaron is such a fabulous daddy to our boys. He loves them so much and misses them like crazy when we are away. He would do anything for them, and is constantly thinking of their well being. When he comes home from long trips he always has a gift for them and spends all his time devoted to them. He makes more castles than anyone would like to, and plays the best game of hide and seek!
My love for Aaron has grown tremendously since we started having kids. I love him in a new way. I love him because he loves our boys so much. I love him because he desires to be the best dad in the world.
This week when we first saw Aaron after not having him around for almost 2 weeks (I'm not counting the 15 hours he was home one weekend) the boys went crazy. They only wanted daddy. They wanted to sit by daddy at dinner. They want daddy to hold them. They want their daddy. I LOVE it and Aaron loves it even more.
For the longest time Aaron and I have been on two completely different pages about more children in our family. He has said since we brought Little Boy home that we were done and that our family was complete with our two boys. I have said NO WAY I am NOT complete as a mom and I need more kids! We kinda agreed to disagree and decided not to talk about it anymore. This week Aaron drops a BOMB on me and says that he thinks we need to start the adoption process again. WHAT? I was so happy and have not stopped thinking about it and smiling. So, we are going to hopefully start again sometime within the next year. We are not in a hurry and going to take our time, but I could not be happier. We are going to pray this summer about whether or not we feel as though God wants to lead us down the path to domestic again, or international this time. Who knows!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
disturbing stats
Today I was shown some very disturbing facts about orphans and adoption. Over at the Livesay's blog from Haiti she had this site listed and I am finding it very eye opening and also disturbing at the same time.
Please go and explore this site for lots of more information.
Here are a few of the points on there:
* 143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents.
* Armed conflicts orphaned or seperated 1 million children from their families in the 1990's.
* 87.6 million orphans life in Asia
* 43.4 million orphans life in Sub-Saharan Africa.
* 12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
* Almost 1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe.
* More than 800,000 children pass through America's foster care system each year.
Here are some stats on Adoption and Waiting children in the U.S.
* Between 118,000 and 127,000 children have been adopted every year since 1987.
* MORE THAN 1/3 OF AMERICANS HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ADOPTING, BUT NO MORE THAN 2% HAVE ACTUALLY ADOPTED.
* On average, children waiting for adoption have been in foster care for 43.8 months, almost FOUR YEARS.
These stats make my jaw drop to the ground. I pray and urge God to never let me get complacent with these figures. I know that something needs to be done.
Is it wrong of me to question why more people are not adopting orphans? Is it wrong to wonder why more Christians are not stepping up to the plate and bringing an orphan into their home to love and cherish for all of their life? Is it wrong of me to wonder how we Americans can stand it to sit in our nice houses and pretend to do nothing about these children that do not have parents?
I will tell you something. I can not sit here. I can not fathom not doing anything for them. I urge you to ask God and yourself what it is that you can do. Find an organization that supports people. Send them money. Find an organization that allows you to "adopt" a child and support them each month for about $40 a month. What is $40?
For me, I can not know that there are children that do not have parents and do nothing. One day we'll be adopting again.
Please go and explore this site for lots of more information.
Here are a few of the points on there:
* 143 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents.
* Armed conflicts orphaned or seperated 1 million children from their families in the 1990's.
* 87.6 million orphans life in Asia
* 43.4 million orphans life in Sub-Saharan Africa.
* 12.4 million orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.
* Almost 1.5 million children live in public care in Central and Eastern Europe.
* More than 800,000 children pass through America's foster care system each year.
Here are some stats on Adoption and Waiting children in the U.S.
* Between 118,000 and 127,000 children have been adopted every year since 1987.
* MORE THAN 1/3 OF AMERICANS HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ADOPTING, BUT NO MORE THAN 2% HAVE ACTUALLY ADOPTED.
* On average, children waiting for adoption have been in foster care for 43.8 months, almost FOUR YEARS.
These stats make my jaw drop to the ground. I pray and urge God to never let me get complacent with these figures. I know that something needs to be done.
Is it wrong of me to question why more people are not adopting orphans? Is it wrong to wonder why more Christians are not stepping up to the plate and bringing an orphan into their home to love and cherish for all of their life? Is it wrong of me to wonder how we Americans can stand it to sit in our nice houses and pretend to do nothing about these children that do not have parents?
I will tell you something. I can not sit here. I can not fathom not doing anything for them. I urge you to ask God and yourself what it is that you can do. Find an organization that supports people. Send them money. Find an organization that allows you to "adopt" a child and support them each month for about $40 a month. What is $40?
For me, I can not know that there are children that do not have parents and do nothing. One day we'll be adopting again.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
getting packed and random thoughts.....
Well I have to admit that this might be my best packing job yet. The boys have a suitcase each, I have a suitcase, a stroller, hang up clothes, a pack n play and a bag of toys. I am just down right getting good at this packing stuff. I have learned with each trip what is NOT necessary for a road trip. I used to bring it all, but not so much anymore! It helps that they are both getting older too - only one in diapers, no bottles, no formula, no baby food .... it gets easier with each year they get older!
In fact the car is almost completely packed and it is only 3 pm! I'm on a tight schedule around here. I want to be in bed tonight by 9 so that this road trip can get started between 4:30 and 5 in the morning! Wow that is early, but it makes a huge difference when you are traveling with little ones. The plan is that they will hopefully go back to sleep and then we'll be about 3 hours down the road when we have to stop for breakfast. The day is long b/c each stop is about an hour long. BUT they need it and frankly so do I since I'm doing it all by myself.
Tomorrow will be a LONG day for me - about 15 hours long, but it is worth it. I get to spend a week with my family and then two weeks with Aaron!!!
I have much on my mind these days that I'm hoping to get to blog about this week while I'm resting in Texas. I'm thinking tons about adoption, tons about orphans and even more about what am I to do about this. I have a friend that has adoption on the mind and I LOVE it. It reminds me of myself about 2 years ago when we were working on our adoption for Little Boy. It will be a pure joy to walk beside them when they do begin this journey. It could be soon, or it could be a year or two, but whenever it is I am happy to be here with them as they journey.
I also have relationships on my mind. Especially the relationship of marriage. We received three wedding invitations last week in the mail for weddings this summer. Two of them were students in the student ministry that Aaron served with. Wow that does make you feel old doesn't it! The other was for our dear and wonderful friends Jimmie and Laura. We are so happy for them and this journey that they are about to embark on. I love marriage and honestly Aaron and I have a great marriage. I am not bragging, but simply being honest. We love each other, respect each other, cherish each other, encourage each other, challenge each other and simply adore each other. It is a great journey for us. We will celebrate our 6th year of marriage in a few weeks. I could not be happier with my life!
Okay so this week I promise to bring you posts about adoption and marriage! Stay tuned ....
In fact the car is almost completely packed and it is only 3 pm! I'm on a tight schedule around here. I want to be in bed tonight by 9 so that this road trip can get started between 4:30 and 5 in the morning! Wow that is early, but it makes a huge difference when you are traveling with little ones. The plan is that they will hopefully go back to sleep and then we'll be about 3 hours down the road when we have to stop for breakfast. The day is long b/c each stop is about an hour long. BUT they need it and frankly so do I since I'm doing it all by myself.
Tomorrow will be a LONG day for me - about 15 hours long, but it is worth it. I get to spend a week with my family and then two weeks with Aaron!!!
I have much on my mind these days that I'm hoping to get to blog about this week while I'm resting in Texas. I'm thinking tons about adoption, tons about orphans and even more about what am I to do about this. I have a friend that has adoption on the mind and I LOVE it. It reminds me of myself about 2 years ago when we were working on our adoption for Little Boy. It will be a pure joy to walk beside them when they do begin this journey. It could be soon, or it could be a year or two, but whenever it is I am happy to be here with them as they journey.
I also have relationships on my mind. Especially the relationship of marriage. We received three wedding invitations last week in the mail for weddings this summer. Two of them were students in the student ministry that Aaron served with. Wow that does make you feel old doesn't it! The other was for our dear and wonderful friends Jimmie and Laura. We are so happy for them and this journey that they are about to embark on. I love marriage and honestly Aaron and I have a great marriage. I am not bragging, but simply being honest. We love each other, respect each other, cherish each other, encourage each other, challenge each other and simply adore each other. It is a great journey for us. We will celebrate our 6th year of marriage in a few weeks. I could not be happier with my life!
Okay so this week I promise to bring you posts about adoption and marriage! Stay tuned ....
Friday, May 25, 2007
Adoption and sex
I know the title of this post just got your attention. :)
My real question is for all adoptive parents out there. Did you specify a gender for your child? For those of you that have adopted domestically or are in the process of adopting did you choose a sex that you wanted? Or did you leave it open for either a boy or a girl?
For those of you adopting internationally is it even possible to choose your gender in the country you adopted from? I don't know since I've never been down that road. IF you can, did you?
I have some dear friends who have to make this decision within the next few days. They have a daughter who is one and she desires another daughter. She his torn as to what to do.
Any help? What did you do? What do you recommend?
My real question is for all adoptive parents out there. Did you specify a gender for your child? For those of you that have adopted domestically or are in the process of adopting did you choose a sex that you wanted? Or did you leave it open for either a boy or a girl?
For those of you adopting internationally is it even possible to choose your gender in the country you adopted from? I don't know since I've never been down that road. IF you can, did you?
I have some dear friends who have to make this decision within the next few days. They have a daughter who is one and she desires another daughter. She his torn as to what to do.
Any help? What did you do? What do you recommend?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
the pattern of the designer
This morning as I was reading my devotional book I flipped through the pages and found where I had written the birth of our youngest son in this book. That day in this book might be the best devotional I have ever read. It was the timing that made it so wonderful. It was as if the author of this devotional knew that my Little Boy would be born on that day and that I would need to hear these words whispered to my soul. Isn't God good!
Our youngest son was adopted at birth. Our journey from paperwork to baby was about 15 months long. We prayed and prayed for our child that God had already pre-destined to be our child since the beginning of time. We prayed for his first mommy, we prayed for his arrival, we prayed for his spirit to be sweet, we prayed for us to be prepared to accept a child that we didn't create, we prayed for him to bond with us as his new parents. Our prayers were constant and they were without ceasing for this child that we knew nothing about.
The waiting game was hard. One of the hardest things I have ever been through. If you have been down this road you know the feelings that I'm speaking of. Some of you that read this are on this journey right now and you are waiting and wondering. Some of you are wondering if you will ever have a baby. Some of you are wondering if you will ever get your baby home from their country. Some of you reading this have felt God tugging at your heart to pursue adoption and you haven't moved yet.
My emotions during our 5 month waiting to be chosen time were all over the place. I was a wreck and wanted our baby then! God's timing is so perfect and I have realized this in more than one occasion in my life. To be able to look back on the past and see how God was working is a cool thing.
Here was the devotional from the day our little joy arrived on this earth. Please allow this to encourage you as you wait for your baby. Allow these words to resonate in your heart. Allow these words to bring you comfort in the pattern of the great designer of the world.
HEAVEN'S COLOURS
LOOKING BACK YOU WILL SEE THAT EVERY STEP WAS PLANNED. LEAVE ALL TO ME. EACH STONE IN THE MOSAIC FITS INTO THE PERFECT PATTERN, DESIGNED BY THE MASTER ARTIST.
IT IS ALL SO WONDERFUL!
BUT THE COLOURS ARE OF HEAVEN'S HUES, SO THAT YOUR EYES COULD NOT BEAR TO GAZE ON THE WHOLE, UNTIL YOU ARE BEYOND THE VEIL.
SO, STONE BY STONE, YOU SEE, AND TRUST THE PATTERN TO THE DESIGNER.
You see, God is the designer and he is fitting each stone together to make his perfect pattern. Be encouraged. Be encouraged. Be encouraged.
Our youngest son was adopted at birth. Our journey from paperwork to baby was about 15 months long. We prayed and prayed for our child that God had already pre-destined to be our child since the beginning of time. We prayed for his first mommy, we prayed for his arrival, we prayed for his spirit to be sweet, we prayed for us to be prepared to accept a child that we didn't create, we prayed for him to bond with us as his new parents. Our prayers were constant and they were without ceasing for this child that we knew nothing about.
The waiting game was hard. One of the hardest things I have ever been through. If you have been down this road you know the feelings that I'm speaking of. Some of you that read this are on this journey right now and you are waiting and wondering. Some of you are wondering if you will ever have a baby. Some of you are wondering if you will ever get your baby home from their country. Some of you reading this have felt God tugging at your heart to pursue adoption and you haven't moved yet.
My emotions during our 5 month waiting to be chosen time were all over the place. I was a wreck and wanted our baby then! God's timing is so perfect and I have realized this in more than one occasion in my life. To be able to look back on the past and see how God was working is a cool thing.
Here was the devotional from the day our little joy arrived on this earth. Please allow this to encourage you as you wait for your baby. Allow these words to resonate in your heart. Allow these words to bring you comfort in the pattern of the great designer of the world.
HEAVEN'S COLOURS
LOOKING BACK YOU WILL SEE THAT EVERY STEP WAS PLANNED. LEAVE ALL TO ME. EACH STONE IN THE MOSAIC FITS INTO THE PERFECT PATTERN, DESIGNED BY THE MASTER ARTIST.
IT IS ALL SO WONDERFUL!
BUT THE COLOURS ARE OF HEAVEN'S HUES, SO THAT YOUR EYES COULD NOT BEAR TO GAZE ON THE WHOLE, UNTIL YOU ARE BEYOND THE VEIL.
SO, STONE BY STONE, YOU SEE, AND TRUST THE PATTERN TO THE DESIGNER.
You see, God is the designer and he is fitting each stone together to make his perfect pattern. Be encouraged. Be encouraged. Be encouraged.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Journey to their baby.
In the world of adoption it is so fun to sit back and follow someone on their journey to their baby. I enjoy doing this so much. To see God bring families together in a way that only HE could do is an amazing privilege.
Here are a few journey's that I am currently following. Go visit their blogs and maybe you could follow them as well and receive the joy I get with each day that brings them closer to their baby.
1. Hood's to baby Jadyn Also check out his wife, Amy's blog.
2. Brad & Alison Bynum (Alison is also an amazing photographer - call her to do some work for you and you won't be dissapointed!)
3. The journey to Ghana
4. Stevenson in Haiti
5. baby in Guatemala
6. Ethiopia
7. Matt & Rachel to El Salvador
7. Oatsvall's to China again!
Have fun checking out these blogs! If you feel like it leave then a note of encouragement because I know that they could ALL use it.
Have a fantastic day!
Here are a few journey's that I am currently following. Go visit their blogs and maybe you could follow them as well and receive the joy I get with each day that brings them closer to their baby.
1. Hood's to baby Jadyn Also check out his wife, Amy's blog.
2. Brad & Alison Bynum (Alison is also an amazing photographer - call her to do some work for you and you won't be dissapointed!)
3. The journey to Ghana
4. Stevenson in Haiti
5. baby in Guatemala
6. Ethiopia
7. Matt & Rachel to El Salvador
7. Oatsvall's to China again!
Have fun checking out these blogs! If you feel like it leave then a note of encouragement because I know that they could ALL use it.
Have a fantastic day!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Mark Shultz
Have you heard about Mark Shultz's new adventure? He is biking across America to raise money for orphans. Wow is all I can say to that. Our good friend, Clay, is driving his bus daily as they make their way across the US for an amazing cause. Go here to view his video blogs.
Also, check out his website.
Also, check out his website.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Adoption fund raiser
I am always an advocate for adoption and always LOVE to help when someone is having some sort of fund raiser to help with the financial side of their adoption.
Some of our greatest friends, Matt & Rachel, are in the process of adopting their next child from El Salvador. I could not be happier for them. They are already the proud parents to a beautiful baby girl, Ava, and will be wonderful parents to whatever child God has picked out for them!
Here's where YOU can help too! Visit their site and see how you can order these beautiful blankets and all the money goes towards their adoption! These blankets are wonderful and would make PERFECT baby gifts for your next baby shower!
So, GO NOW and visit and pray and BUY!!!
Some of our greatest friends, Matt & Rachel, are in the process of adopting their next child from El Salvador. I could not be happier for them. They are already the proud parents to a beautiful baby girl, Ava, and will be wonderful parents to whatever child God has picked out for them!
Here's where YOU can help too! Visit their site and see how you can order these beautiful blankets and all the money goes towards their adoption! These blankets are wonderful and would make PERFECT baby gifts for your next baby shower!
So, GO NOW and visit and pray and BUY!!!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Hair cuts, publix, and birth mom's
There are three topics that I need to blog about before I leave so they are all getting one post.
1. Hair cuts - both boys received hair cuts last night. This was Little Boy's first hair cut! Why is it so hard for me to cut my boys hair? I love their long hair and have the hardest time cutting it. This is only Big Boy's third trim and every time it is still hard for me! I realized that Big Boy will be so hot in TX and needed a trim to get some off his neck. Aaron did a good job on both their hair and loves to cut it. Oh and yes if you are wondering, the blood on his finger is from a hair cutting injury he received last night!
2. PUBLIX - YES it is true a Publix just opened about one mile from our house and we could not be happier about this! We LOVE Publix and HATE shopping at Kroger or anywhere else, but especially Kroger. The people at Publix are SO NICE and the people at Kroger are SO NOT NICE! I need someone to be nice to me while I'm shopping for groceries with two kids and about to loose my mind. The last thing I need is two whiny boys and one very unhappy, miseralbe, not nice checkout lady. I get that unhappy, miserable, I-hate-my-life, checker EVERY time and I will not stand for it! We will spend MORE money on groceries to have NICE people!!!
3. BIRTH PARENTS - Yesterday I met with a woman who had some questions about adoption. I am always open to talk to anyone about adoption and share our story. I LOVE to do that and LOVE to give adoption a good name and clear up any misconceptions that someone may have about domestic adoption. Of course she had all the same fears that most people have when they think about domestic adoptions. I had the same too before we started the process and began researching it for ourselves. Here are some of the questions ..... "Don't they have 6 months to take the baby back", "I heard it takes 3 years to get a baby", "What if my child wants to meet his birth mom later" "Will I love this child as much as the one I already have" .... ALL of these questions are valid and not stupid. Adoption is scary if you don't know much about it and haven't known anyone that has been involved in it. I have learned so much about adoption that I never knew when we started this journey with life.
This lady and her hubby are not yet sure on whether they are going to pursue domestic or international adoption and I reassured her that God would lead her. I have a HUGE heart for birth parents (mom's especially). They sacrifice something that most of us could NEVER imagine doing. I can NEVER even think of GIVING my Big Boy to ANYONE to parent besides myself. NO WAY! That is what makes it such an amazing sacrifice. Most birth parents LOVE that child so much that they are willing to put their own feelings aside and allow that child to have a different life than they could give them. Each of them has different reasons for choosing adoption, but all of them share the same thing ..... they knew this child first, they loved this child first, they created this child, they put this child's needs at top priority. I love our birth mom and value her life and respect her for what she choose to do for our Little Boy.
I told this lady that no matter where she adopts her child will have birth parents. Even if you adopt from China your child has a birth family. If you adopt from Haiti your child has a birth family. If you adopt from Russia your child has a birth family. A child can not enter this world without their birth families. We MUST remember that and cherish that and allow our kids to explore this and realize where they came from. I never want my Little Boy to turn 12 and think that he entered the world with no one loving him. I will tell him all about his birth mom and how we took the time to get to know her and love her.
Yesterday I came home and watched Oprah from a few days ago and there was a young man that had been adopted from South Korea by an American (white) family and had always ached to know about his birth family. As he got older he qualified for the Olympic skiing team and all the press brought many people out in South Korea claiming to be his birth family. Through DNA testing they found his birth father and they were reunited. It was a great episode and it goes along with what I was saying about all children no matter where they are adopted from having birth families. I loved the show and Oprah did a good job even though she stumbled a few times over what words to use in describing all the family members!
Okay so that was a bunch in one post. I'm back to packing b/c tomorrow will come quite early for me!
*Okay I know there are tons of spelling mistakes. I'm typing quickly, watching The Office and thinking about what I haven't packed and need to still pack.
**Also, I know that not all birth parents are nice and good people. I also know that not all people desire a relationship with their birth parents. I am sad for that and wish that more people viewed their birth parents the way I do. This is MY OPINION and that's it. This is my BLOG too so I can say whatever I want!!!
1. Hair cuts - both boys received hair cuts last night. This was Little Boy's first hair cut! Why is it so hard for me to cut my boys hair? I love their long hair and have the hardest time cutting it. This is only Big Boy's third trim and every time it is still hard for me! I realized that Big Boy will be so hot in TX and needed a trim to get some off his neck. Aaron did a good job on both their hair and loves to cut it. Oh and yes if you are wondering, the blood on his finger is from a hair cutting injury he received last night!
2. PUBLIX - YES it is true a Publix just opened about one mile from our house and we could not be happier about this! We LOVE Publix and HATE shopping at Kroger or anywhere else, but especially Kroger. The people at Publix are SO NICE and the people at Kroger are SO NOT NICE! I need someone to be nice to me while I'm shopping for groceries with two kids and about to loose my mind. The last thing I need is two whiny boys and one very unhappy, miseralbe, not nice checkout lady. I get that unhappy, miserable, I-hate-my-life, checker EVERY time and I will not stand for it! We will spend MORE money on groceries to have NICE people!!!
3. BIRTH PARENTS - Yesterday I met with a woman who had some questions about adoption. I am always open to talk to anyone about adoption and share our story. I LOVE to do that and LOVE to give adoption a good name and clear up any misconceptions that someone may have about domestic adoption. Of course she had all the same fears that most people have when they think about domestic adoptions. I had the same too before we started the process and began researching it for ourselves. Here are some of the questions ..... "Don't they have 6 months to take the baby back", "I heard it takes 3 years to get a baby", "What if my child wants to meet his birth mom later" "Will I love this child as much as the one I already have" .... ALL of these questions are valid and not stupid. Adoption is scary if you don't know much about it and haven't known anyone that has been involved in it. I have learned so much about adoption that I never knew when we started this journey with life.
This lady and her hubby are not yet sure on whether they are going to pursue domestic or international adoption and I reassured her that God would lead her. I have a HUGE heart for birth parents (mom's especially). They sacrifice something that most of us could NEVER imagine doing. I can NEVER even think of GIVING my Big Boy to ANYONE to parent besides myself. NO WAY! That is what makes it such an amazing sacrifice. Most birth parents LOVE that child so much that they are willing to put their own feelings aside and allow that child to have a different life than they could give them. Each of them has different reasons for choosing adoption, but all of them share the same thing ..... they knew this child first, they loved this child first, they created this child, they put this child's needs at top priority. I love our birth mom and value her life and respect her for what she choose to do for our Little Boy.
I told this lady that no matter where she adopts her child will have birth parents. Even if you adopt from China your child has a birth family. If you adopt from Haiti your child has a birth family. If you adopt from Russia your child has a birth family. A child can not enter this world without their birth families. We MUST remember that and cherish that and allow our kids to explore this and realize where they came from. I never want my Little Boy to turn 12 and think that he entered the world with no one loving him. I will tell him all about his birth mom and how we took the time to get to know her and love her.
Yesterday I came home and watched Oprah from a few days ago and there was a young man that had been adopted from South Korea by an American (white) family and had always ached to know about his birth family. As he got older he qualified for the Olympic skiing team and all the press brought many people out in South Korea claiming to be his birth family. Through DNA testing they found his birth father and they were reunited. It was a great episode and it goes along with what I was saying about all children no matter where they are adopted from having birth families. I loved the show and Oprah did a good job even though she stumbled a few times over what words to use in describing all the family members!
Okay so that was a bunch in one post. I'm back to packing b/c tomorrow will come quite early for me!
*Okay I know there are tons of spelling mistakes. I'm typing quickly, watching The Office and thinking about what I haven't packed and need to still pack.
**Also, I know that not all birth parents are nice and good people. I also know that not all people desire a relationship with their birth parents. I am sad for that and wish that more people viewed their birth parents the way I do. This is MY OPINION and that's it. This is my BLOG too so I can say whatever I want!!!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Valentine cookies
My friend, April, that I work with helped her sister with a fundraiser for their upcoming Guatemala adoption. They made cookies and suckers for Valentine's day and raised $1500! Isn't that amazing! I love adoption fundraisers. They take someone laying down their pride and saying, hey we need help! Help us! I love to help!
I bought a cookie for each of my loves! C loved it and even licked it forever until we made him eat it!
I bought a cookie for each of my loves! C loved it and even licked it forever until we made him eat it!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Accomplishments
Today as I was running I didn't have my ipod so my brain was free to roam and quickly jump from one thought to the next. I was running a new route which was a jump for me. I usually stick to the Y or my neighborhood. Today I went to the local greenway and hit the pavement. It was a good experience for me. I have seen way too many Law & Order SVU shows and just knew that someone was going to jump out of the bushes and attack me and leave to die at any moment. I tell you my mind works in crazy ways.
So, to combat these fears, I started thinking about good things. I tried to pray about things going on in my life (and for the man that I knew was in the bushes waiting for me) and think about good things. My mind started thinking that if I do run this 1/2 marathon it will be a great accomplishment for me. You see, I have not registered yet and seem to be putting it off. I need to register to have one more way to be accountable to the workout. I have my workout schedule, it is on my ical, I have new shoe, but I have not registered. I will though. I will.
What are the BIG accomplishments in my life? I immediately thought of college. I was the first in my immediate family to graduate college and so that would be a big accomplishment for me. Our family adopted domestically and that seemed big to me. My marriage seems to be an accomplishment. WHEN I run this 1/2 marathon that will be a HUGE accomplishment for me.
I notice that all these have one thing in common. They took work on my part. To graduate college took me 6 years, and I only have a bachelor's! I wanted to quit so many times, but yet I stuck it out and finished. Adoption was the most emotionally draining thing I've ever been a part of in my life. My marriage takes work. We schedule time for each other, I have someone else's feelings to think about, and I can't be my selfish self all the time. Training this marathon is taking time out of my life. It is hard work. Most days I don't want to run, but I do anyways because I know the end is 10.5 weeks away and will be worth every mile I ran.
What are your big accomplishments in life? What obstacles have you overcome?
Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me hte strength and power." (TLB)
So, to combat these fears, I started thinking about good things. I tried to pray about things going on in my life (and for the man that I knew was in the bushes waiting for me) and think about good things. My mind started thinking that if I do run this 1/2 marathon it will be a great accomplishment for me. You see, I have not registered yet and seem to be putting it off. I need to register to have one more way to be accountable to the workout. I have my workout schedule, it is on my ical, I have new shoe, but I have not registered. I will though. I will.
What are the BIG accomplishments in my life? I immediately thought of college. I was the first in my immediate family to graduate college and so that would be a big accomplishment for me. Our family adopted domestically and that seemed big to me. My marriage seems to be an accomplishment. WHEN I run this 1/2 marathon that will be a HUGE accomplishment for me.
I notice that all these have one thing in common. They took work on my part. To graduate college took me 6 years, and I only have a bachelor's! I wanted to quit so many times, but yet I stuck it out and finished. Adoption was the most emotionally draining thing I've ever been a part of in my life. My marriage takes work. We schedule time for each other, I have someone else's feelings to think about, and I can't be my selfish self all the time. Training this marathon is taking time out of my life. It is hard work. Most days I don't want to run, but I do anyways because I know the end is 10.5 weeks away and will be worth every mile I ran.
What are your big accomplishments in life? What obstacles have you overcome?
Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me hte strength and power." (TLB)
Sunday, February 11, 2007
John Piper on Adoption
I just listed to a great message by John Piper on the subject of adoption. Since we have added to our family through adoption I was even the more excited about this message. I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did.
John Piper's message
I found this message on the MY FIRST YEAR blog. Go visit her too.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Real
Real - –adjective
1. true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent: the real reason for an act.
2. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious: a story taken from real life.
(from dictionary.com)
The other day I was having a conversation with an adult, professional male and we were talking about my kids. He was wondering if we were going to have more and this is how he asked:
Mr. Ignorant: So, will you guys have more kids anytime soon?
Me: Yes probably in about two years we'll talk about it.
Mr. Ignorant: Will you have a real one or adopt one?
Me: (trying to figure out if he really did just say that) um .... probably ..... um ... a .... um ... we're thinking of another adoption and another biological.
What the hell?
I'm serious that question makes me so mad! People, think before you speak. Is my adopted son any less "real" than my biological child? Yes, I know what he meant, but that is not what he said, and YES I take offense to his stupidity!
Here's a hint:
ALL children are real
I didn't say anything, because I was so shocked and caught off guard, and because I'm a chicken. BUT if this happens when my kids are around and could understand what is being said - then YES I will have to speak up. I would NEVER EVER EVER want either one of them to hear someone talk about them this way.
1. true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent: the real reason for an act.
2. existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious: a story taken from real life.
(from dictionary.com)
The other day I was having a conversation with an adult, professional male and we were talking about my kids. He was wondering if we were going to have more and this is how he asked:
Mr. Ignorant: So, will you guys have more kids anytime soon?
Me: Yes probably in about two years we'll talk about it.
Mr. Ignorant: Will you have a real one or adopt one?
Me: (trying to figure out if he really did just say that) um .... probably ..... um ... a .... um ... we're thinking of another adoption and another biological.
What the hell?
I'm serious that question makes me so mad! People, think before you speak. Is my adopted son any less "real" than my biological child? Yes, I know what he meant, but that is not what he said, and YES I take offense to his stupidity!
Here's a hint:
ALL children are real
I didn't say anything, because I was so shocked and caught off guard, and because I'm a chicken. BUT if this happens when my kids are around and could understand what is being said - then YES I will have to speak up. I would NEVER EVER EVER want either one of them to hear someone talk about them this way.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Off to El Salvador
Some of our greatest friends, Matt & Rachel, are beginning their process of bringing home their baby from El Salvador. They are at the beginning of their race and I hope that their journey is peaceful and quick. I know that adoption is one of the most emotionally draining things I have EVER done, but it is also one of the most rewarding things as well. God revealed so many things to me throughout our process that I would not change a thing.
Anyhow, go visit their blog and give them a comment full of encouragement. Especially those of us that have adopted or are in the process. Love on them for a minute and allow your words to encourage them.
Here are some pics of us last year before they moved away from us. We love them and miss them. They are friends that even though you don't live close to and talk to often, they are deep, special, life long pals!
Love you guys!
Rachel holding Deacon and Me holding her daughter Ava. They just might marry someday!
The girls - Jamie, Maris & Rachel
The Ivey's and Setliffe's
Aaron & Matt
Anyhow, go visit their blog and give them a comment full of encouragement. Especially those of us that have adopted or are in the process. Love on them for a minute and allow your words to encourage them.
Here are some pics of us last year before they moved away from us. We love them and miss them. They are friends that even though you don't live close to and talk to often, they are deep, special, life long pals!
Love you guys!
Rachel holding Deacon and Me holding her daughter Ava. They just might marry someday!
The girls - Jamie, Maris & Rachel
The Ivey's and Setliffe's
Aaron & Matt
Monday, January 29, 2007
Liberia Adoption
Did you guys see Oprah today? Do you want to adopt a child from Liberia? I LOVED this story today on Oprah. Visit here to see Lisa's blog. She is the founder of Proverbs 31 ministry and has adopted two boys from Liberia.
I LOVE good press for adoption! I also LOVE to see people adopt older children.
I LOVE good press for adoption! I also LOVE to see people adopt older children.
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