Ummmm how cute is this? A Sprinkle.
I love it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A simple phone call
I guess I didn't know what the hardest part about going through an adoption was going to be. I was prepared for the paperwork. Although, it was still more than I expected, and I can't believe it's only THIS month that we are finally (please God!) done with things on our end! I knew it was going to take a long time. I didn't know how much time, but I knew there was going to be a lot of time waiting. I also knew that financially this was going to be tricky. So, I was ready for all of that. But I wasn't ready for this feeling I have about the waiting. I wasn't ready for the long moments of emptiness during the waiting, and how hard that would be. I didn't know about that feeling. I don't like it. And I'm the dad and husband in this situation! Who knows how hard this part is on the Mrs!?
You're probably wondering what it is I'm referring to. Let me see if I can explain this. The other day I called my parents just to chat. The conversation shifted from this to that, and then my mom said,"Hey, it just occurred to me that I'm beginning to realize you and Chels were expecting to have your baby in December. That must be really hard for you guys. My heart is really aching for you both." (Maybe not an exact quote, but it's very close.) The words hit me so hard. I remember thinking it would be so cool for this to happen in December back when we started this process in February of last year. Then as we got further into the paperwork and things changed in Ethiopia, each month that hope became less and less possible. Suddenly, I didn't know what to think. It seemed like the day where we get to bring our baby home was getting further away! Which, as you can image, is the opposite of what I wanted to be feeling. This is where the emptiness began to set in. As the time length grew, the amount of excitement dwindled. Blog posting died down. People stopped asking questions.
It's that emptiness that is the hardest part. I sit here each day knowing that my third child is out there, and I want to jump through the ceiling with excitement. But, I don't know when that is going to be. The silver lining from all of this... people still do ask. Or, my mom comes out and sympathizes with us. Or, a friend sends a note and a donation. So, the point of all of this. If you feel like you have a question, or you just want to chat about what we are going through, please call or shoot an e-mail. It helps us build that excitement through this time of "emptiness." I know that I need it... And I'm sure the Mrs. does too!
__
Oh and PS!
We are at number 44 on the list.. and did you notice our Donation Tracker! $4406! As a math guy, I thought that was a neat coincidence! :) Just $38 more for a $4444!
You're probably wondering what it is I'm referring to. Let me see if I can explain this. The other day I called my parents just to chat. The conversation shifted from this to that, and then my mom said,"Hey, it just occurred to me that I'm beginning to realize you and Chels were expecting to have your baby in December. That must be really hard for you guys. My heart is really aching for you both." (Maybe not an exact quote, but it's very close.) The words hit me so hard. I remember thinking it would be so cool for this to happen in December back when we started this process in February of last year. Then as we got further into the paperwork and things changed in Ethiopia, each month that hope became less and less possible. Suddenly, I didn't know what to think. It seemed like the day where we get to bring our baby home was getting further away! Which, as you can image, is the opposite of what I wanted to be feeling. This is where the emptiness began to set in. As the time length grew, the amount of excitement dwindled. Blog posting died down. People stopped asking questions.
It's that emptiness that is the hardest part. I sit here each day knowing that my third child is out there, and I want to jump through the ceiling with excitement. But, I don't know when that is going to be. The silver lining from all of this... people still do ask. Or, my mom comes out and sympathizes with us. Or, a friend sends a note and a donation. So, the point of all of this. If you feel like you have a question, or you just want to chat about what we are going through, please call or shoot an e-mail. It helps us build that excitement through this time of "emptiness." I know that I need it... And I'm sure the Mrs. does too!
__
Oh and PS!
We are at number 44 on the list.. and did you notice our Donation Tracker! $4406! As a math guy, I thought that was a neat coincidence! :) Just $38 more for a $4444!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I can't take the silence any longer!
Okay. I just can't take it any longer. The Mister said he was going to blog. And now. It's been. Almost. 10. days. Seriously! I know, I am sure no one is sitting here waiting for an update ... but I have been ;)
Since the last update, I've had multiple emails with at least 5 {new & 'old'} adoption buddies, mamas & confidantes. And boy have I needed it. It's like I would hear from them at just the right moment. Hmmmm ... I wonder if that was intentional.
I keep bumping into these random writings, thoughts & musings on things coming in their own time and letting go, trusting because things happen when you need it and words about puzzle pieces fitting together. I'm hoping that's the foreshadowing I've never dreamed of! ;)
We are currently "about number 44" on the wait list. And our CW has been so encouraging about that (it is wonderful to have her support - I hope everyone has a CW that they feel connected too & they feel is 'on their team' - I can't imagine it any other way). I'm going to say we'll have more news in about 2-3 weeks. I'm not going to say "exciting" news, because I don't know that ... but ... we'll at least have another update.
We've made additional passport photo copies. (Don't ask. But there had to be multiples of multiples.) Check. Check. AND I have a friend of a friend who received a referral this week! And another in-town family just got their new numbers (they are with a different agency) & have saddled on up to #5! *rubbing elbows* ;)
I was also reminded of something I wanted to share from another blog (Jason & Emmy - who are using our agency ((WACAP)) and are slightly ahead of us on the wait list - so who knows, we might meet in travel!):
Usually things around here have been fairly light & fun, but as changes continue in Ethiopia, I felt like these core values were important to share, more for those who may be considering adoption or wondering 'how do you choose an agency to work with'. Well, this is a good place to start.
Okay ... back to your regularly scheduled programming & the blogger who usually runs things around this place ;) shhhhh don't tell him I cut in line!
Since the last update, I've had multiple emails with at least 5 {new & 'old'} adoption buddies, mamas & confidantes. And boy have I needed it. It's like I would hear from them at just the right moment. Hmmmm ... I wonder if that was intentional.
I keep bumping into these random writings, thoughts & musings on things coming in their own time and letting go, trusting because things happen when you need it and words about puzzle pieces fitting together. I'm hoping that's the foreshadowing I've never dreamed of! ;)
We are currently "about number 44" on the wait list. And our CW has been so encouraging about that (it is wonderful to have her support - I hope everyone has a CW that they feel connected too & they feel is 'on their team' - I can't imagine it any other way). I'm going to say we'll have more news in about 2-3 weeks. I'm not going to say "exciting" news, because I don't know that ... but ... we'll at least have another update.
We've made additional passport photo copies. (Don't ask. But there had to be multiples of multiples.) Check. Check. AND I have a friend of a friend who received a referral this week! And another in-town family just got their new numbers (they are with a different agency) & have saddled on up to #5! *rubbing elbows* ;)
I was also reminded of something I wanted to share from another blog (Jason & Emmy - who are using our agency ((WACAP)) and are slightly ahead of us on the wait list - so who knows, we might meet in travel!):
WACAPs Values for Adoption Process
Ethics in adoption are an issue that we take extremely seriously. We:
1. Believe that adoption is a last resort and that children should remain in their birth families if possible.
2. Only work with orphanages who work directly with the Ethiopian government for the approval of children in need.
3. Only work with orphanages who have proven records of attempts at family preservation (keeping the child with their family through sponsorship, medical aid and other support).
4. Do not pay staff or partners salaries, fees or bonuses on a “per child” basis.
5. Provide a good deal of humanitarian aid that focuses on ways to prevent the overwhelming need for adoption (sponsorship, kinship programs, apprenticeship programs, medical aid).
Usually things around here have been fairly light & fun, but as changes continue in Ethiopia, I felt like these core values were important to share, more for those who may be considering adoption or wondering 'how do you choose an agency to work with'. Well, this is a good place to start.
Okay ... back to your regularly scheduled programming & the blogger who usually runs things around this place ;) shhhhh don't tell him I cut in line!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Our Puzzle!
Several months ago, Chelsey came to me with an idea that she had found while researching fundraising ideas. The idea is simple, for every donation of a certain dollar amount a puzzle piece finds its home in a puzzle. Each donation equals another piece of the puzzle. The objective is to receive enough donations to complete the puzzle. In the end, we'll left with a wonderful memory of all the people that helped us put the pieces of our adoption puzzle together so that our family puzzle could itself be complete!
Once I agreed to the plan, (and it didn't take long!) we took on the task of finding the perfect puzzle. Now, for some this might not seem like a complicated task. But, for Chels and I, we wanted perfection! This puzzle was going to be framed and hung to show to our baby, and the world all of the wonderful people that came together to help us out! So, after looking at some many puzzles, and there are some crazy ones out there! We decided on a 500 piece Melissa and Doug puzzle. We are huge fans of Melissa and Doug, and if you don't know them please click here! We love their stuff, and we outfit our home with just their things if we could!
Moving on.. we then decided that for every person/family that donates $20 we will place a piece of the puzzle. We went back to the very first donations, and tallied everything up. To date, we have received ninety-three $20 donations! That does include those of you that donated more than $20.. we just included more pieces for you! :) So.. here is how our puzzle is shaping up to this point!
This means that we are 407 donations away from completing our puzzle! So, if you are interested in helping us complete this puzzle you can donate by clicking the "donate" button on the right hand side of this page, or you can contact us privately to send us a check to keep from paying fees to PayPal. We will keep a tab showing our progress, so you can see how far we've come! Thank you all so much for taking the time to follow our Journey. We couldn't be happier to have all of you with us!
Happy New Year!
Once I agreed to the plan, (and it didn't take long!) we took on the task of finding the perfect puzzle. Now, for some this might not seem like a complicated task. But, for Chels and I, we wanted perfection! This puzzle was going to be framed and hung to show to our baby, and the world all of the wonderful people that came together to help us out! So, after looking at some many puzzles, and there are some crazy ones out there! We decided on a 500 piece Melissa and Doug puzzle. We are huge fans of Melissa and Doug, and if you don't know them please click here! We love their stuff, and we outfit our home with just their things if we could!
Moving on.. we then decided that for every person/family that donates $20 we will place a piece of the puzzle. We went back to the very first donations, and tallied everything up. To date, we have received ninety-three $20 donations! That does include those of you that donated more than $20.. we just included more pieces for you! :) So.. here is how our puzzle is shaping up to this point!
This means that we are 407 donations away from completing our puzzle! So, if you are interested in helping us complete this puzzle you can donate by clicking the "donate" button on the right hand side of this page, or you can contact us privately to send us a check to keep from paying fees to PayPal. We will keep a tab showing our progress, so you can see how far we've come! Thank you all so much for taking the time to follow our Journey. We couldn't be happier to have all of you with us!
Happy New Year!
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