On days like today I am feeling the pull....

To throw it all away....sell everything on the courthouse steps and just move....to Ukraine  I think Chet feels it too. I am ready to go. The Lord has been whispering these thoughts into my heart. With the denial of a visa to bring our big boy home to the US even more so I think...I'll just move to Ukraine then.... I'll just be the change. But its not time yet...as I order a homeschool curriculum for my youngest and as we negotiate the girls education...I think I could do that....As I learn and fight to preserve the bilingual abilities of our children...I think I could speak that.....as we yearn to fit into a church that doesn't see things like we do because we have seen the unspeakable things....I think....I could change that.  As new growth pops from the ground around me I think...It's time for us to grow....There is a breeze of change in the air. I don't know when or how but its there and God will make a way I'm sure.

For all the moms....

Young and Old....New and old-timers....with children that are living and children that have passed. Those with children in their arms or with arms waiting for children, this song really captures what it means to be a mom. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

My first Mother's day and ....

My Birthday!! To celebrate Chet said we could go camping.!!! The girls and I had a great time. A fun time was had by all. Will update more later when I find the time again. 

How we went for 1 Child and ended up with 2

I had a wonderful comment from Sue the other day. She wanted to know how we went from going to get Viktoria and ended up with Lena too. Well really Sue all along it was Lena that caught my eye?? What?? How is that possible? Well its a long story so sit back and I will tell you.

Two Novembers ago, I was talking to a missionary that goes to Krivoy rog. I had read her blog and I had seen a video of Victoria on the site and in the background there was a little girl who was blond....she appeared to be super smart and she was blind. I asked my friend Amanda that was adopting a little boy from the same orphanage...his name was Andrey. They were very close to travelling to go get him.  Amanda told me  they called her big Lena and that was because another girl in the video that was blind and deaf was alos named Lena and they called her little Lena   Amanda also told me that she thought Lena was super smart and would be no trouble to adopt.  Well I could see myself being Lena's mom but not Vika's....Vika had too many unknowns. Could she talk, would she stop hitting herself, could she read, was she really potty trained....etc.  Shortly after that conversation, A priest in Ukraine opened up an orphanage and came to collect kids from all the orphanages for his house.  Word got out that Lena....my Lena as I thought of her by then was going to be taken. Oh how I prayed that she wouldn't be. And God answered my prayers....kinda...She got really sick and had to go to the hospital so the priest took other kids instead. One of them was my friend Amanda's Andrey.  Oh how awful. And I more than anyone knew some of her pain because we thought the priest was taking her too.  But he didn't.

At the time I didn't even know if it was possible to adopt her.  And I didn't think Vika was meant to be my kid.  I did think Lena was though. But shortly after that through Amanda some people contacted me and asked if they paid the commitment fee would I think about adopting Vika. So I asked Chet about it. It was a bad time ....the president was cutting funding to the homeless population and that meant Chet would probably lose his job. But I wouldn't let it go I told him if God wants us to do this he will raise the funds for us to do it. And basically I made him say yes. I wanted a child so badly and he just had to agree. So he did begrudgingly agree to go for Vika. But there was Lena in the back of my mind.

It took 3 people's donations to complete the commitment fee. But if that is what God wants you to do then the money will come.  I am so grateful for those 3 women today. And I am grateful for the 4th woman who wanted to know why I felt Vika was our child. After contacting me on the phone, she went on to call those other ladies and tell them I didn't want Vika that I had no good reason for wanting to adopt her....which caused all of them to withold their checks till I could prove I wanted her. But by then the mama bear in me fought for Vika ....my child. The one whom God wanted to bless me with.  And so began the fight to fundraise.....

I'm thinking of pulling an Unroe...

I was in the Reece's rainbow group on facebook one day when I saw a lady say this phrase..."I'm thinking of pulling an Unroe...." What did that mean? Well I'll tell you. She was referring to Amanda Unroe and her husband Brent who went and adopted 5 from Bulgaria. That's right 5 UNRELATED kids the last time they adopted....One of which was less than 17lbs at 5 1/2 years of age. They love the impossible kids. The ones that shouldn't have had to live in their circumstances, the ones that are badly abused and mistreated and they love them back to life and function. You can see the before and after pictures of those kiddos HERE. And if you scroll down you can see the three new ones they are going back to adopt. If you felt led by God to do so please consider donating as they are about ready to travel and are still VERY short on Funds....Also another friend is having a fundraiser that has IPAD mini's in it to win. You can check that out at http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.com/. Who doesn't want to help some orphans and possibly win an IPAD mini?? PLEASE go and check it out!! thanks!

About school.....a new plan

Our school got a different plan set up for the girls at the last minute.....They are going to Kansas State school for the blind.....for the last month of school and the summer program. I am really happy about it too. I am so excited that I am tempted to buy a shack to live at so they can go there forever and I am not kidding.   This is the perfect opportunity for them to catch up and have the support every day to do it in the right way!! Lena will be so excited when she realizes it is every day and there are no more naps!! They will be evaluating them and writing their IEP's. I am so excited for this opportunity for the girls....

All your questions answered...

It always irked me when people's blog posts dwindled after their adoption. I wanted to know how they were doing...I wanted to see pictures of before and after.   I wondered how they were fairing.  WEll now I know why they didnt post. There are so many other things more important to do than post on the blog, laundry, dishes, sleep would be nice too.  The girls are fairing well. The language barrier sucks. I am tired of everyone's questions. Yes they are ours. Yes they are sisters. NO they are not twins. NO they were not biologically related. Yes they were born that way. Yes they are both blind. No I don't know what they are saying. And NO I am not a blessing. I am surviving that is all. I am a woman that couldn't have my own kids or foster kids apparently....These are my kids....yes they are mine cause they are blind. But they are also mine cause God picked them out for me...

Both girls have problems we are adjusting to. One is not smarter than the other one. We love them both the same. Vika wasn't well treated and you can tell that in her behaviors....Helena was spoiled rotten and you can tell that in her behaviors....Adoption is no picnic you have good times and bad times but had we not chosen to take either of the kids home with us then they were domes for life in an insane asylum filled with moaning, groaning adults at 8. So no we couldn't just leave them there.

About their names...
The way Lena's name is Helena pronounces Hu lay nuh. Her real name was spelled Oleona and had we been able to get our facilitator to tell us that we would have spelled it that way. She pronounced it Lay-o-nuh. So we tried to keep it as closed as possible. Vika can be Said Vick-uh or Vee-ka we say both. Her full name is Viktoria to account for the shortened version.

The girls are starting to school tomorrow. Hopefully my sanity will return but I doubt it. Any other questions just ask.

Just wanted to mention....

 really wanted to leave the last post up awhile but God is telling me to mention to you another family that is fundraising right now.... Jon and Angela are working towards adopting Jack and Jensen....you can read about them on their blog HERE.  Jon and Angela are having a Major giveaway with some really cool prizes like an Ipad and a Nexus 7 tablet. Please go check out the fundraiser all it takes is 10 dollars to be entered for a chance at one of the prizes.

Many years ago, at different times and in different cities, two incredibly special baby boys were born into the world. Both were precious and beautiful children from the moment they came into being and the world is, without a doubt, better for having them in it. “Jensen” was born first. He is said to be a quiet yet friendly child who is calm and loves people, animals, nature and crafts. While he lives with Cerebral Palsy, his condition does not define him. There is so much more to this amazing young man and his waiting family longs to bring him opportunities that he cannot get without a family. It has been relayed to his waiting family that Jensen is worried that a family will never come for him and he is afraid of reaching his next birthday without a family (which would mean that he would forever lose his chance at being adopted). While his family does not know when he will be told that they are coming for him, they pray his heart can be shielded from this stress and pain during this unnerving time. Born next was precious “Jack”. This little angel was born with an incredibly rare genetic condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) and, unfortunately, with the demands of this life-threatening illness, his needs are exceptionally difficult to manage in his country of origin. When this baby boy came into alternative care, it quickly became clear that, in an orphanage setting, it would be an uphill battle to provide him with what he needs to avoid the many dangers that are faced by children living with XP- most importantly cancer and a very premature death. While this boy has been loved by orphanage staff and missions teams who have visited him, he has waited for just under a decade for someone to claim him as their son and provide him with what all children need and deserve- love, family, stability, dedication, proper medical care and hope. While he does not yet know about his waiting family either, he should be getting to meet them soon as there are attempts being made to expedite the adoption process as much as possible because of his extreme medical needs. Jack is a spunky little fighter and his best chance at survival is coming home to his loving family.

The family that has stepped forward for both wonderful boys has said “Yes! We will absolutely do everything in our power to bring our sons-to-be home as quickly as possible and we will move heaven and earth to provide them with everything they need and deserve.” This family does not wish to be thought of as heroic or saintly though. While they realize that these children will now be given lives that they could not get in an orphanage or foster facility setting, they truly feel as if they are the blessed ones in this situation. They will now get to love on these sweet, compassionate and amazing young boys who both have very special spirits and very special places in the hearts of their family-members-to-be. No matter what battles they may face with the care of their new sons, this family knows that they will do all that is necessary for their care and well-being and that they will enjoy and make the most of however long it is that they have together. While Jack’s condition is life-threatening and comes, most typically, with a significantly reduced life span (especially in the case of those living untreated for prolonged periods of time as has Jack), the hope is that once this little guy gets home to his new country, new state, new family and new medical team, his health will be able to be properly assessed by professionals with expertise in his rare condition and that he will be put on a path that will allow him a long, healthy and happy life. Surely that is what we all hope for this child. While his condition cannot be cured, it can be managed better here in the states than it can be in an orphanage setting in his country of origin. While the waiting family originally committed to Jack alone, they knew that they wanted to welcome Jensen into the family as well as soon as they learned of him and they could not allow this sweet young man to age out never knowing the love and security of a family. People say that there are no guarantees in life but this family guarantees that they will love their new children to no end and that they will make sure they have what they need to be put in the best position possible.

While this family can provide for all of Jack’s and Jensen’s needs once they get home, they could very much use assistance in getting to the point where the boys actually can come home. Please search your heart and determine whether or not you can help them with the financial aspect of the adoption process. You will enjoy getting to know this family virtually and you will surely be pleased by reading more about their precious sons-and brothers-to-be. Hopefully you will agree to step alongside not only these beautiful young boys, but also their soon-to-be-dad (a wonderfully devoted husband, father and active duty military member), mom (a fiercely dedicated wife and mother as well as a skilled secondary school teacher), big brothers and baby sister (all of whom are thrilled to be welcoming new siblings into the family). Whether you keep this family and, most importantly, these children in your thoughts and prayers or you sow into the family’s adoption fund, you will be an immensely positive force in all of their lives. You will forever have this family’s heart and gratitude for helping them along in the adoption process and for caring about their new children. Blessings, peace and love to all of you!

This is the link to their FSP.   Please donate a little something to their account.

Attachment and Bonding

Bonding and Attachment and stuff
Now that we are home I wanted to mention a few things...

Attachment and bonding are a huge concern in adoption--especially with older children.  It's hard to believe that Vika and Lena are considered  "older" children but they are.  The first two years of development are crucial.  After that time, adoptions can encounter some additional challenges.

I have no idea how this change is going to affect them.  As far as I know and can tell, they have been well cared for. they have not suffered the neglect and/or abuse that a lot of kids in Eastern Europe have.  Based on what I saw, it seems that she has staff that care for them and interacted with them.  Even with those "advantages," they have not experienced a family or a mother. They know what that looks like or what her role in a family is.

They are going to have to learn what it is to be in a family.  They need to learn that their wants and needs will be provided for by their parents.  They have had multiple caregivers in their short lives.  They probably change with the shift, with vacations, with new employees, with transfers.  They have learned that they can get her needs met by any number of adults or by their own means.  Neither of these theories are healthy. They will have to learn that not all adults are equal in their lives.  They need to learn to trust their parents to meet their physical, emotional, medical, social, and spiritual needs.

In short, we need to bond.  We need time to learn to be a family together.  After all, I will be learning what it means right along with her.

There are a lot of people that will tell you that you need to "cocoon" your family for a long time upon returning to the US.  Like months!  In all honesty, I can't imagine doing that completely.  First, I will have to go back to work at the beginning of April so that just isn't possible.  Secondly, I think I'm going to really need all of you when I get back!

At this point, I am planning to do a modified version of cocooning and we'll see how it goes.  Here are some general guidelines that I'm planning to follow after researching and talking to other APs.  (I reserve the right to change the rules at any time depending on the girls' adjustment.)

*Please call, text, message, facebook us.  Ask how we are doing.  Invite us to play or eat.  I may say no depending on their mood or ours.  Don't be offended.  It will mean the world that you asked.

*Bring your children over to play.  They will be more comfortable here than at your house.  It will be less overwhelming for them.  I want them around other children.  That's what they're used to!  (And they need to learn some English.)

*Speak to them in English.

*Don't be surprised if we don't take you up on your offers to spend the night right away.  For a while, if they can't go, we won't be going.  I don't know how often we'll be at church or anything in the beginning.  Her adjustment is paramount.

*Please don't pick them up, feed them or ask to hug them. We know that sounds harsh but it's important.  we've never been a huge fan of forcing kids to hug people.  We think it unintentionally erodes important personal boundaries.  If they need to be picked up and comforted, we will do that.  If they choose to hug you, that's different.  It's very possible that they will have food issues related to orphanage life.  Please do get down on the floor and talk to them and play with them.  If they need something, please direct them to us so they learn that their parents meets their needs.

I know that some of you probably think I've completely lost my mind and I'm turning into one of those parents.  I'm really not.  If you want some research and blogs, I can point you in the right direction.  These things might seem either little to you or very extreme but I assure you, they are important.  They have undergone a HUGE life change and we want it to be as healthy and smooth for them as possible.

Please, if you have questions, leave me a comment or send me a message.  I hope I'm explaining myself well but I'd love to clarify things if I'm not.  Also, fellow adoptive parents, let me know what things I'm missing on my list!

Oh, and please don't think this means you can't welcome us back to the US.   Just know that we will be the only ones holding and hugging them.  You will all just have to settle for hugging us instead.  Also we wanted to mention that Vika has some severe delays...she is just perfect and we love her but we wanted you to be aware of some of her issues ahead of time.  When she gets mad she had not been taught to use her words and instead, tries to hit herself. This can be scary to see if you aren't expecting it. We are starting to restrain her from hitting herself and others but she is just now learning that it is not ok.  Also since she has never been encouraged to think or speak for herself she doesn't always talk. And she still plays with "baby" toys. While she is 7 years old she is really at a varying degree between 15 months to 5 years old.
she has already learned so much. WE appreciate your understanding if she starts to scream and hit her self and scream bloody murder she is ok we are working with her to help her understand` that it is ok to talk it out.

Snowy Kiev

So we are getting record snows here in Kiev. I was ready to get home. I miss Abby and Daylea and all the other 5th graders at school and I just wanted to sleep in my own bed. But all you spring breakers in the states prevented that and so we wont be able to fly out until Tuesday. But in the mean time Kiev is receiving record snowfalls and now we are wondering if we will fly out at all. Ukraine's prime minister  Nikolay Azarov has declared a state of Emergency.  But we know all about that in Missouri don't we??

First Days with the girls

The nannies got the girls ready. It was just before the train that we picked them up which was unfortunate since we didn't get to say goodnight to any of their groupa friends or see their beds that they slept in until now. We also were supposed to say goodbye to the director but as usual we were rushed out by our team.  So I didn't get a goodbye picture of them or with the nannies.  They assume that because they are blind that photos arent important to them....but they are cause photos tell their story to others.  The nannies said they looked cute and their were tears shed...  

Then we got on the train. The sound of the train scared Lena. But other than that they were great train riders!!

So....the cut off may not be 16 years old

So while hanging with a Ukrainian friend he informed me that the cutoff to adopt is not 16.....but instead 23.  Now this guy I was talking to said that after 16 you are not adopting said child but are instead a guardian to that child.  Makes me go hmmm could I be a  mom to a 17, 18, 19 year old.....I don't know....probably if the right one came along I could.   Definitely something to think about.  

So on another note, this is a church that was next to one of the many passport offices I was in this week

It had pretty golden spires but I could not fully capture them cause we were too close to the church.

However I was able to take pictures of the awesome fence with cross finials.

Busy days here in Krivoy Rog

Since I came back I have been running and running but not really going anywhere. I havent seen the girls for the last 2 days though we have been at the orphanage at least 10 times for documents. Today we got help from the orphanage lawyer to get paperwork from the passport office which is technically closed today.  It was a friend of a friend kind of thing! My friend Kim had to go home so in order to raise more money for the expenses that have come about from that we are having a pampered chef party online

As a Bonus!! Anyone who chooses to host their own Facebook or Cooking show with the consultant Desiree, she will donate a portion of your show back to this family as well! So many ways to help! Thank you for choosing to support this worthy cause!

How to order---
1- Visit www.pamperedchef.biz/drose
2- Click Shop Online Enter Amanda as the host
3- SHOP TO HELP!

Back in country

Im back.

Saying my last goodbyes

Some of you know but some may not...We were informed while we were still in Ukraine that we would be loosing custody of our foster kids. So even though I planned to stay in Ukraine through the ten day wait, I came home to say goodbye to MY kids.  It has been a tough week but God is healing my heart and preparing a new way for Lena and Vika (vick-a).

The price of Coke

One thing we cling to here is coke.  Its the one thing that is similar to what we have at home. Sure its lacking the high fructose corn syrup we insist on putting in it in the States but other than that it tastes the same. But here's the thing as Americans here we can afford to drink it every day. With the average meal out it costs 10.00 hryvna. Sound expensive? Well its not when you remember that the ratio of $ to Hryvna is 1 to 8.  So 5th graders what does that mean it costs in US.....

That's right $1.25. That's actually cheaper in the states where it normally costs $1.50 for the size shown in the picture above. But here's the thing....No one here can afford to drink it. What? Well for them it is a treat not something to be drunk one after another. The average household in Ukraine makes 700-800 hryvna per month....yeah that's right $100 US per month. That means they earn $1200 a year. How can they survive? Well let me tell you there are hardly any resteraunts here...there aren't Mcdonalds on every corner....there ARE a lot of streetside vendors and babushkas eeking out an existence for themselves. There are a lot of Ukraine people traveling to other countries to make a life for themselves....As Lena's aunt put it there is no life for people here....They love their culture....they love their country but there is no life for them here. Now imagine being disabled or not being able to walk or see. There are no wheelchair ramps....not many people have cars....no accomodations. No help for you. And you cant travel....so there is really no life for you here. Its sad. REALLY. Why are we adopting here....cause there is no life for them here. Cause we want them to be able to buy a coke when they want one. period.

С Днем Святого Валентина!

Otherwise known as Happy Valentine's day. Sorry it has taken me so long to post on here. It is emotionally tiring at the orphanage everyday as well as dealing with problems at home and all of those kinds of things. But today we got there and got to see a show of all the kids....it was super cute!!! We didn't know about it til we came for our evening visit so we missed Vika's part. But still it was wonderful.

I haven't mentioned this in a long time and I know there are some new readers.....If you click on the picture It will be enlarged for closer viewing.

Adventures in Krivoy Rog

WE are in Region. On the first day we met the girls then we came back again for an evening visit. Both girls are affected by music and lena likes to sing and rock to it and Vika just rocks....Lena wears different clothes everyday and Victoria wears this same dress. the first day Vika had on flower tights the second she had these construction equipment tights....they are boy tights. And today Lena had on the boy tights.....Boy tights? Yes in this country all boys and girls wear tights.....


Lena is solid and sturdy. Vika is small and skinny she is probably the size of a five year old.  She likes to dance with chet too. Funny story Vika cant drink from a straw but we didn't know we brought her a juice box which she squeezed and it squirted her in the face so while chet was trying to clean her up and apologizing she turned it around and squeezed it on him....on purpose!! too funny!!

this is krivoy rog. I liken it to Hardin on a rainy day in the winter. Apparently is has really good soil. So good in fact that Hitler tried to cover half of Germany with it.  It is said it is top soil up to ten feet down.

Crab chips anyone? Yeah don't try them even I didn't like them :P But still interesting thing to try.

We're Back!!

Ok so a lot has happened since we last posted.  First thing is on Wednesday night we got on a train to our region Krivoy Rog. I'm not gonna lie, when we popped out of the station onto the track it looked like the train to Hogwarts and I was looking for a column to go to platform 9 3/4.  The train took 8 hours and I enjoyed it although Chet didn't handle it very well.  He was over tired and couldn't sleep without falling out of bed at every stop and there were a lot of them.

We got tea on the train which I was able to order from the porter. I told her dva (2)  chai (tea) and made out our compartment number with my fingers. Based on the picture of our cabin door what number did I tell her?

The next morning we went to our apartment which is very nice by the way. It is owned by a man who has an organization that supports missionaries to the orphanages. They go play with the kids and do arts and crafts.

AFter checking into our orphanage we went to the regional Child services office to speak to the inspector about why we wanted these children. She asked us our age and what we did for work. We told her then she said ,"Ok we go!" and we went to the orphanage to meet the girls.

We were able to hear their stories....how long they had been in the orphanage and their skills.  Lena is in school outside the orphanage she is in first form....She has started to learn braille (First grade.....although they go at age 8 so its like our second grade) Vika doesn't attend school she is only 7.  Lena was left in the hospital at birth. Vika was left outside a supermarket at 1 month old.  It is their countries way. There are no services or help for special needs and often you cant get medical care for them.

WE met the girls but we didnt get a picture of vika only Lena....my camera was having problems.  Lena is like Abby but she can only see light and dark....Vika is completely blind...since she doesn't have a cane to use she stomps her foot to see where she is at and how it sounds. But nobody knows this is what she is doing they think she stomps her feet for no reason.

Kiev - Day 2

We did a lot today both Chet and I are fighting jet lag so we overslept and woke up when Nico our facilitator  rang us to go to our appointment.  We went to the SDA which is the countries adoption office and looked at baby pics of our girls and got some medical information. Nothing surprising there. We had a SNAFU with Vika's paperwork but the office is trying to fix it.....For those of you that don't know I work at a school and i will be putting math problems and questions on here to keep them entertained feel free to comment if you like  but dont tell the answer!!! unless you are them. lol.  ok guys here is your first question.  Our appointment was near St. Andrews church. How old is it? I don't know .....im hoping your recent researching has given you some skills to help me.

Here is the next question.

From home, I brought single serving coffee packets. They can be made in a 16 oz bottle of water so I filled this bottle of fanta after drinking all the soda, with water. The bottle says 120 and some russian characters which i think say ml?? could this be right and if so how close is that to 16 oz. I know you can figure this out cause I have seen you do it before for math homework....what do you think??

Oh and a shout out to Brooke....thanks for the update and for reading miss ya!!

Day number 1-in Kiev

We r here. After 2 days of travel we made it.  The first flight from Kc to chicago was small. really small i felt like i was sitting in a crop duster it was 2 and 2 seats across....they took our rolly carryon and put it under the plane for the flight....that small. so then we flew from Chicago to Munich on a big jet ....7 seats wide with less space....what the heck? there was no space in the seats. United has 4 levels of the cabin and we were in economy with no space and little seats....but we were by the bathrooms so that was good.  From Munich we flew into Kiev. And now we are at our apartment. We have gone to the grocery and bought stuff and I got to try roasted duck in Munich which was to die for!!! WE saw the opera house, and 2 cathedrals one that was 1000 years old and another that was 800. It is very cool and exciting and awkward here at the same time!lol

this is chicago airport

roasted duck in Munich

i didnt take any Munich pictures i was too tired too. I regret that now though.

hallway before customs in kiev

pictures of Kiev, notice the restaurant says La cantina, tex mexican and Italiano....lol 

Are you packed yet?

The answer is no. I hope to be. I want to be but no I'm not. So There. WE plan to pack light and so far with nothing packed that's working out pretty well.  But seriously pray that we can get it together including our house because we need to. And yes Im excited. Some people have been saying to me that they dont even know where the Ukraine is. Here is a map. We R headed to the blue region with the city Dnipropetrovsk. Hope this helps you to see it.

18 days till.....we travel!!

Yep that's right. 18 days till we leave and I'm not packed....the girls room isn't ready and the bank won't give us our money.....I should be stressed but I'm trying not to be. I'm sure God will work it out...that I know he can do. He cares for the details. He has raised the money....we will get there. IT will work out. In the mean time.....DID you all see that AIDEN has a mama? Who is Aiden? Well he is 4 years old, blind and lives near the orphanage that the girls are in. At one time I think they were probably in the same one. HE is very delayed but he is also not allowed to do much and there are no resources to get him out and about. His family is working hard to get him you can read their story on their blog www.ourfamilyhisway.blogspot.com

God is the greatest miracle worker!!

God is working some miracles for us. I can't go into the explanation right now but just know he is alive and very present in this world. He works miracles when you didn't even know to ask for them. AMEN!

Groundhogs day

We leave on Groundhog's day. WE r busy getting the house ready and packing and asking others questions of stuff I should've asked before but didn't. We are also trading rooms around the house to make space for everyone. There is so much to do now that we know when we r going. Hopefully soon I will have more to tell everyone.

Bittersweet Beginnings

Well we have a date at the DAP in Eastern Europe on 2/4. I was super excited yesterday when Nancy pinged me on Facebook and told me to go look for it. There it was in my SPAM folder!! Yea!! I excitedly called Chet who then freaked. I guess he was thinking we had time we didn't need to plan. But the reality is we have a month. Then we go. His what if's are swirling. Mine are settled..it is what it is ....no use worrying about the what if's. We will know when we get there. I booked the flights today....$4000.00 cha-ching That should cover all of them unless I fly back after court during the 10 day wait. Already the money goes so fast. All our hard work and now onto the planning phase. I guess I would have liked Chet to be more excited. To have made all the plans...to be packed and have the emails printed but I cant change him. I pray that he comes along beside me and that God settles his nerves.

A scare and some more blessings

The littl-ist little sat down and hard and came up gushing blood out of his mouth yesterday. One trip to the ER later and he is home with a fat lip. I would rather that have happened though than not come home at all. My heart is bleeding for those kids at Sandy Hook and those in China. I also feel for the teachers, survivors, first responders, police, hospital workers, all those that witnessed the aftermath will never be the same. NEVER. Now onto my list of blessings 21. Great medical care in our area. We went to st. Marys in KC...they do great work there. 22. The benefits for foster kids is amazing. The health care people always are so understanding and willing to see our kids in a timely manner and they get great care wherever we go. 23. Unexpected picture and videos of our treasures in Eastern Europe. We got to see one of them talking that was a joyous occasion. 24. Christmas parties: This one ended in blood but made me closer to my little and to see him still smiling even though its got to hurt...makes me have hope for the world yet. 25. Another chance for snow...Well have that white Christmas yet. 26. A school where God is still welcome. 27. A new baby bed for the littl-ist little. We got a good deal and it is gonna be so nice once we get it together. 28. A husband willing to clean house when he is just as tired as I am. 29. Christmas gift exchange at school. Its just a little gift of love. 30. Supportive parents...have I said that one before if not they are very supportive and that is wonderful.

15 days til christmas

For some reason Chet is all Bah humbug this year. He is a procrastinator and he hasn't wanted to think about Christmas shopping yet.  Seriously. That is what I am dealing with. I keep telling myself it will be ok we can get it all done...but i used to be done long before this and he just doesn't shop till right before Christmas...Annoying...next year Im gonna do my shopping in the summer.  That's my plan and I'm sticking to it. I was at the Christian book store and I really wanted one of these for the littles. But it was 30.00 and that was on sale. So hmmm. what to do what to do?

To tell you the truth I am kinda bah humbugging too.  Our Christmas plans changed through no fault of our own...half the family wont even be there and that is really bumming me out. The eldest little doesn't do goodbyes well and we are already regretting the short time span with the fam and the goodbye crying we know is going to happen. It is hard when you don't have a go with the flow kid. WE are late getting our tree up we are late getting everything up I just feel like I'm always 12 steps behind...And I am grieving for other people's children that went to be with Jesus recently. Pray that I can get with it and prepare the littles for the changes and PRAY for those families going into Christmas without their Littles this year...

Count your blessings

11. Pandora online radio station: They play lullabys for my kids to go to sleep everynight and we have tailored it so its mostly hymns they here...Such a blessing to praise God while waiting for the littles to go to sleep.
12. Nieces: I have 2 great ones...Though I cant pin them down as to when I can visit them I still love them :)
13. I am thankful that I walk to work everyday. Saves money and keeps me healthy...gives me time to Clear my head for the day.
14. My minivan. It is perfect for the family God has been sending us.
15. I work where my kids go to school.
16. Christmas - Its my favorite time of the year.
17. Thrift shops  - that is where I get all my clothes and most of the kids clothes. I shop in a part of town where the yuppies live and we get really cute stuff for cheap.
18. The chance of snow in the forecast. I really want a white Christmas. And since I walk to work I like to walk in it.
19. I still have 2 living Grandparents...love you Papa and Grandma!!
20. Blind kids....they are my passion..just like any other kid!

WE ARE in a NEW category

At Reece's rainbow, families travel on a continuum in the website based on where you are in your journey. At first your child is in My family found me. People are always excited to see a child show up in My Family Found Me (MFFM) You aren't listed as the child's family until you get in some paperwork and your $1275 commitment fee.  Then after that is paid you go onto the New commitments page.  It is super exciting to see a family there as you can now follow their blog and support the family. After you sign on with a homestudy agency then you go to the Homestudy in progress page. You are supposed to get the homestudy done in three months time. For some it is shorter for us it was longer.  Reece's rainbow gets concerned if it is longer and that can be really stressful. Then you go to the compiling Dossier page.  Each step you move along you get a little more excited and a little more freaked out that soon you will be a parent.
The next category is Almost there. That is where we are as of this morning. You can see it here. Isn't it pretty. My friend Amanda and I are so excited about changing categories.... We have 2 left. Traveling now and Already Home. There is only one left for her ...Already Home. This is so exciting....Chet is in a panic...please pray that we come to terms with this new change and that God will calm our nerves about the up and coming changes to our lives.

The world of adoption...

The world of adoption is full of pain and full of joy. Just like everything in life. WE are grieving this morning at the loss of one sweet little boy named Henry. Henry cam home from the Ukraine almost a year ago. Yesterday he went home to Jesus after complications from surgery. He died in family. He was loved and cherished. The family's blog is here. You can see the difference love makes. PLEASE pray for this family.

1000 blessings...and Women of Faith

Recently I got lucky enough to be given a ticket to Women of Faith. I am a big fan of Women of Faith except that the price of tickets isn't really what the common lay person can afford. At 90 bucks a ticket....well you see what I mean. But If you want to go God will make a way. Last year my mom bought my ticket in this year a lady I had told I was wanting to go had to give up her ticket and I got it. One of the speakers that was a little kooky was Anna Voskamp bestselling author of 1000 gifts. While she was a little weird when she spoke, it did get me thinking, and she presented the challenge to take a pen and some paper and write a thousand gifts/or blessings in your life. She said that when you do it changes you and your world for the better. So I have decided to take her up on the challenge and type mine right here on this very blog. The idea is that when you see all that God bestows on you in the little things and the big ones you get the whole picture.

1. God, he made me and I am his.
2. My husband Chet. He is trying so hard lately and I can see him growing unto his halo.
3. My kids
4. my dog Toby...straight from heaven that one.
5. My other dogs Alfalfa and Jessie
6. My cats Koda and Timid and Nitro.  I have 2 others but they are just annoying.
7. My house, it is little but cozy and I can paint the walls anyway I want
8. My parents
9. Chet's parents
10. My job.

God is moving Maxim's Mountains

Today I looked at Ten for orphans and look what God has done...His fund is now at $16715.85. The family had an auction going on so maybe that came from that....whatever it was PRAISE GOD. THey need just $3284.15.  That is chump change in God's pocketbook. Can you help his family out?? PLEASE go to Ten for orphans and give ...maybe just $5 or maybe $20. Whatever you got is enough for this little boy.

THEY are fully funded

Pryce's family is fully funded. YEAH! that is a relief. Now to talk about someone else who is soooo close to being fully funded. 15 days into this month and Maxim's family only has recieved $500 through ten for orphans. They only have $4500 more to be fully funded. At the beginning of the month I was like that's easy then we can move onto another needy child. But now I am not so sure....Can God do it! ABSOLUTELY. Will he? I don't know. If you have time go over to ten for Orphans and send Maxim and his soon to be family some love. Maxim is 8 can you imagine waiting that long for a family?? His family lives in Wichita btw. That means he is coming home to the midwest....so lets bring him HOME!!