For the last two years, Chelsey has picked a word to be our "theme." This year our word is Journey. The dictionary definition of the word is "an act of traveling from one place to another." I'm beginning to realize that this definition is just not sufficient enough. You see, for me, a journey encompasses so much more. I believe that since we decided to add to our family through adoption, we have been on a journey. We have seen twists and turns. We have crossed other paths and have kept going. We encountered fallen trees, tall mountains, ... well you get the idea!
So, while we have been going from one place to another, there has been so much more involved. Journeys are supposed to be challenging. We are supposed to learn things. We are supposed to grow stronger spiritually, physically, and emotionally. And while doing all of that, we have to be willing to change direction. To take some steps back, and then dive into the unknown. Journeys are so much more than a trip form here to there. They are a growing experience, and for this journey we have been on, we have gained and grown so much.
Now, while we have loved this journey for all of the ways it has made us stronger, we are more than ready to reach our intended destination (adding a new member to our family). But, alas, sometimes just being ready doesn't mean that it is going to happen. Maybe the "higher powers that be" have more lessons and growing moments for us along the way. Whatever lays in the path ahead, we will meet it head on, and be ready for any changes in direction that may be necessary. Because we will have our baby this year, and our journey to adopt will enter into the next stage.
I hope you all are enjoying the growing and learning you all are experiencing on your family/personal journeys in life. We will all get through it together having grown stronger in many ways.
Thanks again for following our story, and for all of the continued support along the way!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Slow Moving, But Still on Track!
Well, we are almost halfway through February. I know, I can't believe it either! And I wanted to let you all know that things are very slow moving right now. We are still sitting at #44. Which sounds way better than where we started at 59, but it just feels like we have been sitting here to long. Getting that numb butt feeling.. you know?!
But even with all of this waiting, we couldn't be happier to have chosen to adopt from Ethiopia. When we started looking at countries from which to adopt, one of the reasons we were drawn to Ethiopia was because the Government maintained a positive oversight on the adoption process. This holds true today. Both the US Government and the Ethiopian Government have been discussing ways to make the adoption process even more secure and streamlined. Now, we can speculate that this may have caused the slow down in referrals, but our agency maintains that it is very typical for there to be "droughts" of referrals through-out the year. At this point, the family that is currently been on the list the longest (11 months) is a family waiting for a daughter under the age of three.
We currently are sitting in our 5th month on the list, and WACAP estimates referrals to be between 8 to 10 months. So.. only 3 to 5 months of waiting to go!! We'll have to keep ourselves pre-occupied... thank goodness we're getting more day-light!!
So.. that's it for now. Thank you to all of our friends and family that have sent notes of encouragement, and to the many of you that have donated money to help with travel. I have to update the puzzle and get a picture. Some wonderful friends from the CO and one in SLC have recently contributed, so they need to be honored in the puzzle!
Thanks for taking the time to keep up with our adventure!
But even with all of this waiting, we couldn't be happier to have chosen to adopt from Ethiopia. When we started looking at countries from which to adopt, one of the reasons we were drawn to Ethiopia was because the Government maintained a positive oversight on the adoption process. This holds true today. Both the US Government and the Ethiopian Government have been discussing ways to make the adoption process even more secure and streamlined. Now, we can speculate that this may have caused the slow down in referrals, but our agency maintains that it is very typical for there to be "droughts" of referrals through-out the year. At this point, the family that is currently been on the list the longest (11 months) is a family waiting for a daughter under the age of three.
We currently are sitting in our 5th month on the list, and WACAP estimates referrals to be between 8 to 10 months. So.. only 3 to 5 months of waiting to go!! We'll have to keep ourselves pre-occupied... thank goodness we're getting more day-light!!
So.. that's it for now. Thank you to all of our friends and family that have sent notes of encouragement, and to the many of you that have donated money to help with travel. I have to update the puzzle and get a picture. Some wonderful friends from the CO and one in SLC have recently contributed, so they need to be honored in the puzzle!
Thanks for taking the time to keep up with our adventure!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Highlight of the Week
This week was rough. Ruff, rough & ruuuufff. Not one thing in particular, just lots of little things (like cars behind you spinning out of control on the freeway - yes, true story!). But there was a major highlight to this week for all of us, getting to have a family dinner date with this wonderful crew! It was so cathartic to talk family, adoption, life, motherhood, childhood & more with them. They are patiently awaiting the 3rd child/5th member of their family as well. And funny enough, their oldest is a little bit younger than our oldest, with their "soon-to-be middle" child already 3 (a few months older than our soon-to-be middlest). They are *super* close. We are very excited for them & can't wait to hear the impending good news.
Aaaand we got to talk about our mutual blogging friend Anne. (Yes, you Anne! ;) haha) Who posted this hilarious (because it's true!) photo today
totally had me cracking up. Laughter is the best medicine ;) you can click on that link to read more about her journey & what she's up to.
Sometimes it's the littlest things, isn't it :)
Glad we're on this journey with you guys!
***
Aaaand we got to talk about our mutual blogging friend Anne. (Yes, you Anne! ;) haha) Who posted this hilarious (because it's true!) photo today
totally had me cracking up. Laughter is the best medicine ;) you can click on that link to read more about her journey & what she's up to.Sometimes it's the littlest things, isn't it :)
Glad we're on this journey with you guys!
***
Totally unrelated to this particular post, I've been getting a lot of questions lately (about the adoption process, about how a referral works, etc.) ... so if you have any to add or want to me blog some Q&A, just leave your comments/questions/thoughts in the comment box below.
Happy Friday!
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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