Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
This blog will be a bit photo heavy, sorry! But, I know there are some who will love it!
Ben got me the one gift I was really wanting this Christmas... a new camera. I came back from Africa just loving Pam's and I had no idea Ben would find a camera so perfect for me. I am thrilled to have it to take with us to Ethiopia and document our children coming home.
At this point, baby Y is ready for a court date and little girl E is not. So, we are finding out if we can go ahead and apply for both and hope and pray Ellie will get her paperwork in time. In this scenario we would probably travel to get them in late February. There is a chance we would bring baby Y home before E is ready. I am not sure what that would look like though.
Since sweet Christmas is behind us-it is time to move foward on getting the kids rooms ready! I will upload pics as I come up with the rooms
Ben got me the one gift I was really wanting this Christmas... a new camera. I came back from Africa just loving Pam's and I had no idea Ben would find a camera so perfect for me. I am thrilled to have it to take with us to Ethiopia and document our children coming home.
At this point, baby Y is ready for a court date and little girl E is not. So, we are finding out if we can go ahead and apply for both and hope and pray Ellie will get her paperwork in time. In this scenario we would probably travel to get them in late February. There is a chance we would bring baby Y home before E is ready. I am not sure what that would look like though.
Since sweet Christmas is behind us-it is time to move foward on getting the kids rooms ready! I will upload pics as I come up with the rooms
Monday, December 29, 2008
Up and running again!
Sorry for such a LONG delay. I guess life got away from us.
We are hoping to hear about a court date any day now.
Until then, enjoy our Christmas pics!
We are hoping to hear about a court date any day now.
Until then, enjoy our Christmas pics!
Monday, December 1, 2008
We have our familyl...
I am sorry in the delay in post and the fact that some of you will read this before I am able to tell you the good news in person...
We are adopting a sweet 2 year old girl AND 4 month old boy.
The referral is official and now we wait on a court date.
I am sure many of you wonder how this came about. I wish I could give you a quick answer. God lifted our fog and saw fit to bless us with these two new additions. We continue to trust His good and righteous plans for our first baby girl referral. We pray constantly that she will be in her correct family in His perfect time. I promise to post more soon. A
We are adopting a sweet 2 year old girl AND 4 month old boy.
The referral is official and now we wait on a court date.
I am sure many of you wonder how this came about. I wish I could give you a quick answer. God lifted our fog and saw fit to bless us with these two new additions. We continue to trust His good and righteous plans for our first baby girl referral. We pray constantly that she will be in her correct family in His perfect time. I promise to post more soon. A
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
journal from our trip
http://www.fieldsofpromise.org/25001.html
The above is a link to the journal Pam kept during our trip to Ethiopia. She is adding to it daily, so keep checking back.
As Ben said...This trip picked me up spun me around upside down and landed me oddly. Or something like that.
enjoy this journal for the finer details of what exactly my tornado was like...
still waiting on the Giver of Good Gifts
Friday, November 14, 2008
Isn't Jesus always the answer?
JH is not feeling to hot.
Apparently he needs some "allerjesus" medicine
Apparently he needs some "allerjesus" medicine
Monday, November 10, 2008
Here is a cute pic from our September trip to see Thomas. John Harvey has the most adorable cousins!
We are at a good place. Praise God He is continually walking with us through this broken world. He is using these times to shape us...and I am ready for the next stage. We both feel ready to move on and embrace our new life. After our last year of living, it is very easy to have God's Sovereignty as the backbone of my life. I am just now realizing though, how strongly I cling to my desires and dreams and the way I see the world should be. Letting go of my plan has been a struggle.I say this knowing I would not for a minute want to walk in a place He is not leading, but still...
Ethiopia posts are coming soon
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obama
As a theme in my life lately...I trust in God's Sovereignty. What a beautiful day when our children can wake up and see an African-American president. He has my respect.
Monday, November 3, 2008
coming back...
Hi all, Thank you for your encouragement and wanting to hear all about my trip. I thought I would be able to come back and spread the word about ways to help in Ethiopia. But, I am mostly still overwhelmed by all of it-the beauty, the courage, the absolute poverty, and the loss...
We are still eager to find out how God is shaping our family through this adoption -here is a new phrase for you :)- we should know something this week. Just kidding, I know we have all heard this before.
As far as when we will bring them home-We know right now that they are assigning court dates for mid december. So, at this point it is HOPEFUL that we will travel in January-but it may be more like February/March...
We are still eager to find out how God is shaping our family through this adoption -here is a new phrase for you :)- we should know something this week. Just kidding, I know we have all heard this before.
As far as when we will bring them home-We know right now that they are assigning court dates for mid december. So, at this point it is HOPEFUL that we will travel in January-but it may be more like February/March...
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Watching God build our family
Hi dear friends,
We are waiting on the Lord right now. When we went to Ethiopia, I was able to meet our first precious baby girl referral. She is beautiful, but not quite ready to be referred. I experienced a grieving of sorts, but only momentarily bc I know God has brought her into our lives for His purpose. I am trusting that God will-in His perfect timing-bring her into her forever family...
Which leaves us unsure of what path our family is going to take. We are truly trying to not make our own plans. For me that includes counting those baby girl clothes, that baby girl nursery as loss. I have to let them go. I have to let that baby girl go. Our desire is continually for God to be glorified, may it never be that I push my own agenda.
My heart is hurting so much bc I know the plan I have for my family...but I am trusting God to reveal his plan-which is so much better than I could ever imagine.
And so...We wait
We are waiting on the Lord right now. When we went to Ethiopia, I was able to meet our first precious baby girl referral. She is beautiful, but not quite ready to be referred. I experienced a grieving of sorts, but only momentarily bc I know God has brought her into our lives for His purpose. I am trusting that God will-in His perfect timing-bring her into her forever family...
Which leaves us unsure of what path our family is going to take. We are truly trying to not make our own plans. For me that includes counting those baby girl clothes, that baby girl nursery as loss. I have to let them go. I have to let that baby girl go. Our desire is continually for God to be glorified, may it never be that I push my own agenda.
My heart is hurting so much bc I know the plan I have for my family...but I am trusting God to reveal his plan-which is so much better than I could ever imagine.
And so...We wait
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I know you would love an update from my trip, I am just not there yet...
Until then, here are some guidelines I completely support- especially having just been in Ethiopia and experiencing the questioning looks and honestly commiting my own blunders...
Joint Council Policy Recommendation
Cultural Sensitivity Regarding Adoptions in Ethiopia
http://www.jcics.org/Ethiopia.htm
Every adoption is like a rollercoaster for the adoptive parents. There are always obstacles
to overcome and hoops to jump through. But in every adoption there are also many highs.
For most adoptive parents the biggest high is finally being able to travel, meet the child
whose photo you fell in love with long ago, and holding them in your arms. It is the
moment that every adoptive parent longs for and dreams of. Adoptive parents want to
spend every moment with their new child, learning every little piece of their personality
and spirit. Adoptive parents want to show their new child(ren) everything that the world
has to offer them. This being said sometimes it is necessary for an adoptive family to be
respectful of a country's local culture and hold off these magical moments for a few days.
Joint Council feels that this is the case in Ethiopia.
Very often adoptive families stay at an international, national or local hotel in Addis
Ababa. And fulfilling their long held desires, families often bring their newly adopted child
to the hotel during their stay in Ethiopia.. Many times the adoptive family also goes
shopping or sightseeing in Addis Ababa or another local city or village.
This overriding desire, which is very normal and certainly understandable, often results in
unintended cultural insensitivity to the Ethiopian government and citizens. With over
3,000 adoptions expected in Ethiopia this year, hotels and other common gathering places
such as shopping areas often see relatively large numbers of families with their newly
adopted Ethiopian child.
Given that the vast majority of American and European families adopting from Ethiopia are
Caucasian or other non-black, the adoptive families and their Ethiopian child are easily
distinguished and are often a point of curiosity among Ethiopian citizens. Understandably,
due to misconceptions about adoption some Ethiopian citizens even look upon American
and European adoptive families with suspicion. Cultural differences in parenting and child
behavior are contributing to this suspicion.
The large number of adoptive families combined with the curiosity and suspicions of
Ethiopian citizens and with cultural differences in parenting and child behavior, is
unfortunately causing unintended yet very significant concerns among some Ethiopian
citizens and the government. Subsequently these unintended consequences are weakening
the work and services being provided in order to ensure permanent families for the
children of Ethiopia. Without exaggeration, this may lead to the elimination of intercountry
adoption as an option for ensuring that every Ethiopian child has a safe, permanent and
loving family.
During Joint Council's trips to Ethiopia in June and July, concerns regarding the large
numbers of adoptive families, including the Ethiopian child, staying at hotels and traveling
throughout the city were expressed repeatedly by the Ethiopian government. Significant
numbers of Ethiopian citizens have contacted the government with questions and more
significantly with complaints.
During a Joint Council presentation to adoption service providers from the United States,
Italy and France, Joint Council addressed the very important issue of cultural sensitivities.
All adoption service providers were strongly urged to refrain from utilizing hotels and
restricting in-city travel for adoptive families. Supporting Joint Council's recommendation
was the Network (a large association of adoption service providers in Ethiopia).
Most adoption service providers that recognized the issue of cultural sensitivity are
following the recommendation. In fact some have instituted cultural sensitivity policies
regarding lodging and in-city travel prior to the Joint Council recommendation. For
example, increasing numbers of adoption service providers have established private
guesthouses for adoptive families. Unfortunately not all adoption service providers have
chosen to be proactive and implement cultural sensitivity policies. Just as unfortunately,
many adoptive parents are insisting on staying at hotels and going shopping in Addis
Ababa despite repeated requests from their adoption service provider, reputable advocates
such as the Network and the Ethiopian government.
It is essential that adoptive parents and adoption service providers demonstrate respect
for the country in which they are respectively adopting and working. Without
demonstrating respect for the country and its people, the adoptive family is in turn
disregarding the culture of their child(ren). Similarly the adoption service provider is
disrespecting the children they seek to serve.
It is for these reasons and more that we urge adoption service providers to encourage
adoptive parent to please refrain from staying in hotels and venturing out in public with
their newly adoptive children. With respectful deference to cultural sensitivities in Ethiopia,
to the Government of Ethiopia, and to the people of Ethiopia, Joint Council strongly urges
all adoption service providers to immediately implement policies which incorporate the
following principles. Adoptive parents are similarly requested to respect their child(ren),
their birth country and culture and abide by the following principles and the policies of
their adoption service provider.
Cultural Sensitivity Principles and Guidelines
Principles
1. All due care must be given to demonstrate cultural sensitivities towards the country,
people and government of Ethiopia
2. Full recognition of the questions, concerns, curiosities and suspicions must be given to
the Government of Ethiopia and its citizens
3. It is recognized that adopting an Ethiopian child is a `privilege of giving' bestowed by
the citizens and government of Ethiopia
4. It is recognized that every Ethiopian child has a right to a family - every family does not
have an inherent right to an Ethiopian child
5. Actions and behaviors which may not appear to be offensive to U.S. adoptive parents,
may in fact be extremely offensive to Ethiopian society
6. Actions and behaviors seen as culturally insensitive damage the institution of
intercountry adoption and thereby limit opportunities for children in need to find a family
7. Actions and behaviors seen as culturally insensitive significantly contribute to the
possible elimination of intercountry adoption in Ethiopia and thereby eliminate the right of
every Ethiopian child to a safe, permanent and loving family
Guidelines
1. Adoption service providers will incorporate these principles and guidelines into their
contractual or policy relationships with potential adoptive families
2. Adoption service providers will disclose the contractual or policy limitations related to
cultural sensitivities to all prospective adoptive parents prior to approving an application
from the prospective adoptive parents
3. Prior to taking custody of their adopted Ethiopian child, adoptive families may reside in
a hotel during their stay
a. It is recommended that adoptive families utilize Ethiopian Guest Houses or a lodging
facility operated by an adoption service provider during their entire stay in Ethiopia
b. Adoptive families who have not taken full custody of their adopted Ethiopian child may
choose to utilize a hotel
i. In such cases the adoptive parents may visit their adopted Ethiopian child daily at the
child care center
4. Upon taking custody of their adopted Ethiopian child, adoptive families will utilize
Ethiopian Guest Houses or a lodging facility operated by an adoption service provider
5. Adoptive families will refrain from in-country travel with their adopted Ethiopian child
a. Exceptions to this guideline (#5) are limited to
i. The visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy
ii. Other adoption related events
iii. An emergency situation
6. Adoptive families will refrain from pressuring their adoption service provider or in-
country staff to violate these principles, guidelines and/or agency polices representing
these principles and guidelines
Until then, here are some guidelines I completely support- especially having just been in Ethiopia and experiencing the questioning looks and honestly commiting my own blunders...
Joint Council Policy Recommendation
Cultural Sensitivity Regarding Adoptions in Ethiopia
http://www.jcics.org/Ethiopia.htm
Every adoption is like a rollercoaster for the adoptive parents. There are always obstacles
to overcome and hoops to jump through. But in every adoption there are also many highs.
For most adoptive parents the biggest high is finally being able to travel, meet the child
whose photo you fell in love with long ago, and holding them in your arms. It is the
moment that every adoptive parent longs for and dreams of. Adoptive parents want to
spend every moment with their new child, learning every little piece of their personality
and spirit. Adoptive parents want to show their new child(ren) everything that the world
has to offer them. This being said sometimes it is necessary for an adoptive family to be
respectful of a country's local culture and hold off these magical moments for a few days.
Joint Council feels that this is the case in Ethiopia.
Very often adoptive families stay at an international, national or local hotel in Addis
Ababa. And fulfilling their long held desires, families often bring their newly adopted child
to the hotel during their stay in Ethiopia.. Many times the adoptive family also goes
shopping or sightseeing in Addis Ababa or another local city or village.
This overriding desire, which is very normal and certainly understandable, often results in
unintended cultural insensitivity to the Ethiopian government and citizens. With over
3,000 adoptions expected in Ethiopia this year, hotels and other common gathering places
such as shopping areas often see relatively large numbers of families with their newly
adopted Ethiopian child.
Given that the vast majority of American and European families adopting from Ethiopia are
Caucasian or other non-black, the adoptive families and their Ethiopian child are easily
distinguished and are often a point of curiosity among Ethiopian citizens. Understandably,
due to misconceptions about adoption some Ethiopian citizens even look upon American
and European adoptive families with suspicion. Cultural differences in parenting and child
behavior are contributing to this suspicion.
The large number of adoptive families combined with the curiosity and suspicions of
Ethiopian citizens and with cultural differences in parenting and child behavior, is
unfortunately causing unintended yet very significant concerns among some Ethiopian
citizens and the government. Subsequently these unintended consequences are weakening
the work and services being provided in order to ensure permanent families for the
children of Ethiopia. Without exaggeration, this may lead to the elimination of intercountry
adoption as an option for ensuring that every Ethiopian child has a safe, permanent and
loving family.
During Joint Council's trips to Ethiopia in June and July, concerns regarding the large
numbers of adoptive families, including the Ethiopian child, staying at hotels and traveling
throughout the city were expressed repeatedly by the Ethiopian government. Significant
numbers of Ethiopian citizens have contacted the government with questions and more
significantly with complaints.
During a Joint Council presentation to adoption service providers from the United States,
Italy and France, Joint Council addressed the very important issue of cultural sensitivities.
All adoption service providers were strongly urged to refrain from utilizing hotels and
restricting in-city travel for adoptive families. Supporting Joint Council's recommendation
was the Network (a large association of adoption service providers in Ethiopia).
Most adoption service providers that recognized the issue of cultural sensitivity are
following the recommendation. In fact some have instituted cultural sensitivity policies
regarding lodging and in-city travel prior to the Joint Council recommendation. For
example, increasing numbers of adoption service providers have established private
guesthouses for adoptive families. Unfortunately not all adoption service providers have
chosen to be proactive and implement cultural sensitivity policies. Just as unfortunately,
many adoptive parents are insisting on staying at hotels and going shopping in Addis
Ababa despite repeated requests from their adoption service provider, reputable advocates
such as the Network and the Ethiopian government.
It is essential that adoptive parents and adoption service providers demonstrate respect
for the country in which they are respectively adopting and working. Without
demonstrating respect for the country and its people, the adoptive family is in turn
disregarding the culture of their child(ren). Similarly the adoption service provider is
disrespecting the children they seek to serve.
It is for these reasons and more that we urge adoption service providers to encourage
adoptive parent to please refrain from staying in hotels and venturing out in public with
their newly adoptive children. With respectful deference to cultural sensitivities in Ethiopia,
to the Government of Ethiopia, and to the people of Ethiopia, Joint Council strongly urges
all adoption service providers to immediately implement policies which incorporate the
following principles. Adoptive parents are similarly requested to respect their child(ren),
their birth country and culture and abide by the following principles and the policies of
their adoption service provider.
Cultural Sensitivity Principles and Guidelines
Principles
1. All due care must be given to demonstrate cultural sensitivities towards the country,
people and government of Ethiopia
2. Full recognition of the questions, concerns, curiosities and suspicions must be given to
the Government of Ethiopia and its citizens
3. It is recognized that adopting an Ethiopian child is a `privilege of giving' bestowed by
the citizens and government of Ethiopia
4. It is recognized that every Ethiopian child has a right to a family - every family does not
have an inherent right to an Ethiopian child
5. Actions and behaviors which may not appear to be offensive to U.S. adoptive parents,
may in fact be extremely offensive to Ethiopian society
6. Actions and behaviors seen as culturally insensitive damage the institution of
intercountry adoption and thereby limit opportunities for children in need to find a family
7. Actions and behaviors seen as culturally insensitive significantly contribute to the
possible elimination of intercountry adoption in Ethiopia and thereby eliminate the right of
every Ethiopian child to a safe, permanent and loving family
Guidelines
1. Adoption service providers will incorporate these principles and guidelines into their
contractual or policy relationships with potential adoptive families
2. Adoption service providers will disclose the contractual or policy limitations related to
cultural sensitivities to all prospective adoptive parents prior to approving an application
from the prospective adoptive parents
3. Prior to taking custody of their adopted Ethiopian child, adoptive families may reside in
a hotel during their stay
a. It is recommended that adoptive families utilize Ethiopian Guest Houses or a lodging
facility operated by an adoption service provider during their entire stay in Ethiopia
b. Adoptive families who have not taken full custody of their adopted Ethiopian child may
choose to utilize a hotel
i. In such cases the adoptive parents may visit their adopted Ethiopian child daily at the
child care center
4. Upon taking custody of their adopted Ethiopian child, adoptive families will utilize
Ethiopian Guest Houses or a lodging facility operated by an adoption service provider
5. Adoptive families will refrain from in-country travel with their adopted Ethiopian child
a. Exceptions to this guideline (#5) are limited to
i. The visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy
ii. Other adoption related events
iii. An emergency situation
6. Adoptive families will refrain from pressuring their adoption service provider or in-
country staff to violate these principles, guidelines and/or agency polices representing
these principles and guidelines
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The nusery...
I know...So many options. (Yes, I should be packing, but JH is alseep and dreaming of my daughter's nursery is soo much fun!!!) We are really up in the air about what we want to do in there. Tell me what you think of these linens. Actually, not ALL of what you think. Theese are all top contestants, so just tell me if you LIKE them. :)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Leaving on a Jet Plane... (shout out to Ashley-remember the days?)
I am the worst blogger ever. Here is what I have been up to:
heading to Ethiopia on SATURDAY!!! We will spend the first week in Mekale (north). This will be another flight after we get into Addis. The second week will be spent half with Elia in Nazaret (just south of Addis) and the other half in Addis being a "tourist".
While there God willing we will: set up HIV care homes, set up a medical clinic, put on a carnival for the kids, and love on people and listen to their stories.
Everyone says I will have the hardest time leaving Elia. I have been reflecting on God bringing her into our life. Last year was a time of struggle and trial and clinging to God without knowing which way our life was headed at all. That being said...These past two months have been a time of harvesting and seeing the seeds God has planted in us beginning to bloom. I am overwhelmed by God's Sovereignty and Goodness. I long to have my baby in my arms here at home, but only in God's perfect timing. This is not at all about "our story"-This is where we fit in to glorify God in the best way possible. I take it as a huge gift that I will be able to hold Elia at two months. And I trust God to use her to glorify Him (as is my #1 prayer for both children) in Africa. I am so eager to see her birth country and meet her caretakers. I am also so thankful God is in control. We all know if I had my way we would have brought home the first child that entered our path (so many children ago!) God has protected us and blessed us greatly and we continue to trust Him...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Telling John Harvey
We told JH friday morning. Ben told him and when I got home John Harvey was sitting at the table and he said...I have baby sisterrrr!
We showed him the picture Friday afternoon and then headed to my parents for the weekend. We played all day Saturday and opened some gifts for Elia (God has answered us)
He walked into Peep's office on Sunday and saw Elia's pic on the computer. With no prompting at all he said...That's my baby sisterrrr!
We have been talking about her and praying for her. It is so nice to have a sex, name, and picture! JH knows she is in "Afca"
We showed him the picture Friday afternoon and then headed to my parents for the weekend. We played all day Saturday and opened some gifts for Elia (God has answered us)
He walked into Peep's office on Sunday and saw Elia's pic on the computer. With no prompting at all he said...That's my baby sisterrrr!
We have been talking about her and praying for her. It is so nice to have a sex, name, and picture! JH knows she is in "Afca"
Friday, September 26, 2008
Hi sweet friends. Ben and I got the call yesterday at 7:55 pm. We were together listening on speaker phone as she told us about our 6 wk old baby girl. She was born Aug 13, 2008.
We do have a pic, but I can't post it until we go to court and she is officially ours.
Our baby's first name will be Elia. This means, God has answered me. HOW TRUE!!
We are SHOCKED that we have such a young baby. God has truly blessed us with her. She is beautiful.
I will be traveling to Ethiopia Oct 11 for two weeks. I will spend two of those days with our baby! We will probably not bring her home until December at the earliest. Court reopens in a week and we will file for a court date then...
We do have a pic, but I can't post it until we go to court and she is officially ours.
Our baby's first name will be Elia. This means, God has answered me. HOW TRUE!!
We are SHOCKED that we have such a young baby. God has truly blessed us with her. She is beautiful.
I will be traveling to Ethiopia Oct 11 for two weeks. I will spend two of those days with our baby! We will probably not bring her home until December at the earliest. Court reopens in a week and we will file for a court date then...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Please pray
We do have an update and although I am unsure of how much I can say on the blog-some of the babies in the orphanage are sick. Please pray for them, that God will be glorified in this and give His peace to the caregivers. We don't expect any updates until next week.
Monday, September 15, 2008
peanut butter fish
Our quote of the weekend as we were doing John Harvey's alphabet cards:
Me: what is this letter?
JH: D! (D, E, and G seem to be favorites)
Me: J!, J is for Jelly fish
JH: no, peanut butter fish!
We are waiting patiently on the Lord...and truly embracing this (what has become) sweet anticipation. It has been about 2 weeks since we thought we would hear something any minute. The original ecstatic excitement has done the circle of emotions and now we are in a great place. It looks like I will not hear a word until THE word
Me: what is this letter?
JH: D! (D, E, and G seem to be favorites)
Me: J!, J is for Jelly fish
JH: no, peanut butter fish!
We are waiting patiently on the Lord...and truly embracing this (what has become) sweet anticipation. It has been about 2 weeks since we thought we would hear something any minute. The original ecstatic excitement has done the circle of emotions and now we are in a great place. It looks like I will not hear a word until THE word
Friday, September 12, 2008
shots, shots, shots
Today Ben and I did our shots. The doctor also gave us our malaria scripts. I couldn't help but cry when she started talking about how and when to take them. She is talking about a time in our life when we will be with our newest baby. It all was so overpowering at that moment in time! I am seeing God teach me and grow me all through this wait. This anticipation is a joy in itself. Knowing God is Sovereign, I am so thankful He is equipping me just perfectly for our new addition. I have started watching Ethiopia adoption videos on youtube...insanely exciting.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I totally stole this picture from my mom's blog...
No news, thank you for all of your encouragement and interest in our lives. I don't know how else to say that :) But, Thank you-this is obviously so different than being 10 months pregnant with JH. I know that bc I have walked this with so many of you it feels anticipated in such a sweet and unique way. I am not on the edge of my seat anymore really. i mean, I am fairly certain my child is there. I am praying they will feel loved and nourished (physically and emotionally) and I love them already-I now feel that I have 2 children. I just have yet to see a photo!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Update
Yay! I got an update today around 6 pm.
I am trying to guard what I say, because as you have walked through this journey you know things could change in an instant. But, perhaps God will grow richness in you as you travel this way through the bumps and disappointments with us. There was one other family waiting alongside of us and they were just referred a baby boy on Friday.
We know there are 3 more infants all under 12 months and all birth mother relinquishment. They are presently being cared for by 2 nannies and a nurse-praise be to God for such abundance (as in an African orphanage this truly is)
We are waiting for paperwork to come back on two of the babies. Ben and I have not seen pics or heard many specifics about any of them. There are no guarantees, but the paperwork will most likely be completed within the week and we will have our referral.
This has been a hard week. We know for sure (we think :) that it will only be one child. Ben is far and above more sad and frustrated at this than I am. We hear there is such a need-we KNOW there is such a need. But yet we can't adopt more than one unrelated at a time. We wanted to begin pursuing an international adoption because we didn't want any more false hopes and unknowns! But here we are living in the world-really no way to get away from them- but, we have the One to walk with us and this brings great encouragement. I hope next time I post to be telling you about my precious children...
I am trying to guard what I say, because as you have walked through this journey you know things could change in an instant. But, perhaps God will grow richness in you as you travel this way through the bumps and disappointments with us. There was one other family waiting alongside of us and they were just referred a baby boy on Friday.
We know there are 3 more infants all under 12 months and all birth mother relinquishment. They are presently being cared for by 2 nannies and a nurse-praise be to God for such abundance (as in an African orphanage this truly is)
We are waiting for paperwork to come back on two of the babies. Ben and I have not seen pics or heard many specifics about any of them. There are no guarantees, but the paperwork will most likely be completed within the week and we will have our referral.
This has been a hard week. We know for sure (we think :) that it will only be one child. Ben is far and above more sad and frustrated at this than I am. We hear there is such a need-we KNOW there is such a need. But yet we can't adopt more than one unrelated at a time. We wanted to begin pursuing an international adoption because we didn't want any more false hopes and unknowns! But here we are living in the world-really no way to get away from them- but, we have the One to walk with us and this brings great encouragement. I hope next time I post to be telling you about my precious children...
love and marriage
John Harvey was going through my drawers this morning and found the box that Ben gave me with my engagement ring. This is our conversation
JH "is empty"
me "papa gave me that when he asked me to marry him. It had this ring in it"
JH "oh, put ring in there"
me "no, it is my wedding ring. I like to wear it."
JH "where my wedding ring is?"
me "someday when you get married you will have one"
JH "yeah"
me "do you think you will get married one day?"
JH "yes"
me "who will you marry"
JH "car"
me "a car! what kind of car?"
JH "a yellow one"
I am over-run with car crazy boys in this house!!
JH "is empty"
me "papa gave me that when he asked me to marry him. It had this ring in it"
JH "oh, put ring in there"
me "no, it is my wedding ring. I like to wear it."
JH "where my wedding ring is?"
me "someday when you get married you will have one"
JH "yeah"
me "do you think you will get married one day?"
JH "yes"
me "who will you marry"
JH "car"
me "a car! what kind of car?"
JH "a yellow one"
I am over-run with car crazy boys in this house!!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
TheShackBook.com
TheShackBook.com
Please read this book. I just finished it. I read it through after I put JH to bed. Insane!
Please read this book. I just finished it. I read it through after I put JH to bed. Insane!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Exciting
So...something IS in the works. Don't know the details yet. There was us and one other family awaiting a referral. The other family was referred a baby boy this morning! We are thrilled for them. We are still in the midst of a couple of different scenarios. Can't say more than that. :)
We won't know more until Monday at the earliest. Keep praying!
We won't know more until Monday at the earliest. Keep praying!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
adoption update
Thanks for all of your continued prayers. This journey is truly a blessing. The most recent orphanage we expected a referral from is not looking promising. However, Pam has made contacts with another orphanage based out of Nazareth. She is spending the day making sure our agency can go this new route. The new orphanage has 5 babies in need of homes, but only has famillies waiting for older children. So... Pam said to expect a possible referral this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Nominate this project
This is an email I just received from our adoption agency. I just nominated the project and it was pretty easy :)
Friends and Colleagues:
As you know, we are always looking for creative funding for Fields of Promise projects and more specifically, for Ethiopia. I'd like to tell you about a project my Veterinarian husband, Steve, submitted to Members Project. It's called "Veterinary Education Improvement in Ethiopia" and with your support it could get funding from American Express. To nominate this project for potential funding, please go to Veterinary Education Improvement in Ethiopia
Members Project is an exciting initiative that brings people together to make a difference in the world. It's simple. People go online to share ideas for projects — and ultimately vote on which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express.
In 2007, Members Project provided clean drinking water to children all across Africa. What will Members Project do this year? The decision is yours. Please nominate my project.
Show Your Support
membersproject.com
***You can click on "Nominate this project" above to be directed to the site***
Friends and Colleagues:
As you know, we are always looking for creative funding for Fields of Promise projects and more specifically, for Ethiopia. I'd like to tell you about a project my Veterinarian husband, Steve, submitted to Members Project. It's called "Veterinary Education Improvement in Ethiopia" and with your support it could get funding from American Express. To nominate this project for potential funding, please go to Veterinary Education Improvement in Ethiopia
Members Project is an exciting initiative that brings people together to make a difference in the world. It's simple. People go online to share ideas for projects — and ultimately vote on which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express.
In 2007, Members Project provided clean drinking water to children all across Africa. What will Members Project do this year? The decision is yours. Please nominate my project.
Show Your Support
membersproject.com
***You can click on "Nominate this project" above to be directed to the site***
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Bye Bye Binkies
A couple of months ago we relegated JH's binkies just to his crib (we all know how well that works :). He has the HARDEST time giving them up in the morning. Since we don't want to give him reason to throw fits we decided it is time to say goodbye to the binkies. So, last night we took A's advice and cut the tip off of JH's binkies. All night we heard "binkies broken, binkies broken" over the monitor. Then today we decided to completely take them away. We told him this morning that we would go to the Mickey Mouse (disney) store and buy him something with the binkies. He was THRILLED with this CARS set and happily handed over the binkies and said bye,bye. The rest of the time in the car he kept saying bye, bye binkies. He went to bed without a tear tonight!!!!! He asked about the binkies and we reminded him. Of course, he went to bed an hour ago and I can hear him still playing with the cars.
This might almost be harder for me than for him. He is a big binky-less little boy now. My biggest fear is that he will find a binky in the couch come morning...
Saturday, August 23, 2008
My newest craft project-a felt board
Okay, the black hanging on the wall in the previous pics of the play room is a felt board. I went to the school store to buy one and they are 20-60$ depending on the size. So, I used an artist's canvas (5 $ on sale) and a 3x3 piece of felt that I stretched over it and then just tucked under. Harvey LOVES it and I bought a big set of 4 families and then made the bear with clothes, lots of cars and trucks, and the color crayons. The felt pieces just stick to each other. I am next going to make a set of the armor of God and then maybe different felt pics to go with some of his books. I think visual learning is great for my little one. He has totally been learning the story of noah and Jesus's birth with his little people sets. I will keep you up to date with new felt projects (I know, I am such a dork) Tell me if you have any ideas.
our new home
So this is our new home and our new shelves!!! We just got them yesterday and put them together ourselves. they are sooo sturdy and practical.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Amazing video
This is a longish video, but gets me so excited for the day when we travel to bring our little one home. Also so thankful that God is working in the same way in so many other lives
click on "Amazing video" title above if you want to watch
click on "Amazing video" title above if you want to watch
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Update...
We are now in our new house in Knoxville. JH is loving all of the room to run around...I will post pictures soon.
On the adoption front we are 1 of 8 families waiting on a referral right now for children under 7 yo.
The amazing thing is that when we commited to 0-18 months, there didn't seem to be much need for adopting children in that range-mostly just the older children. Now though, with the drought, there have been quite a few babies coming into the orphanages our children will come from. This is heartbreaking, but so encouraging to see that God placed it on our hearts to pursue this at a time when it didn't even seem necessary. Courts are closed to us now so we could get our referral anytime bt today and mid september without it making any difference when we get to pick up our child(ren) Here is a possible time line:
Now- mid September...referral (this is when they tell us who we will adopt)
If our referral happens and we go for it
Mid October-November ....court date (this is when they officially become Scotts)
Within 4 weeks after court date....we get to travel to Ethiopia to bring them home
Trusting in God's perfect timing in all of this. The orphanages are working so hard to provide aid and process all of the children coming into care.
On the adoption front we are 1 of 8 families waiting on a referral right now for children under 7 yo.
The amazing thing is that when we commited to 0-18 months, there didn't seem to be much need for adopting children in that range-mostly just the older children. Now though, with the drought, there have been quite a few babies coming into the orphanages our children will come from. This is heartbreaking, but so encouraging to see that God placed it on our hearts to pursue this at a time when it didn't even seem necessary. Courts are closed to us now so we could get our referral anytime bt today and mid september without it making any difference when we get to pick up our child(ren) Here is a possible time line:
Now- mid September...referral (this is when they tell us who we will adopt)
If our referral happens and we go for it
Mid October-November ....court date (this is when they officially become Scotts)
Within 4 weeks after court date....we get to travel to Ethiopia to bring them home
Trusting in God's perfect timing in all of this. The orphanages are working so hard to provide aid and process all of the children coming into care.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Home again
B and I are packing up. JH - ever the opportunist decided to sneak behind the kitchen in the midst of all of the boxes and ...yes, eat his EASTER bunny. Don't ask
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Thankful for oreo icecream...
For those who don't know, JH does this breathing tx every night-we call it fish face. So here is John Harvey doing fish face in his favorite box.
We had a great day walking to the fountain and getting ice cream. He only wanted Papa's oreo icecream not my hazlenut :) Lucky me. at bedtime today, he was sure to thank God for OREO icecream
playing with oatmeal
What is a mom to do when she is trying to pack the kitchen AND use up a half empty oatmeal carton at the same time? This kept him entertained for an hour!
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