Since our adoption process for Ryan is in a holding pattern until February 2016, we have some extra time on our hands because there is no paperwork to keep us busy. Andrew is laughing- he isn't really feeling the extra time! He thinks we still seem busy even without paperwork to do.
On 10-9-15, we said good-bye to Baby M when she went to her forever family.
Two days ago, we got a call for another foster baby- this time a boy. That is an unusually quick turn-around. The past few years, we've had about 6-9 between placements.
I am set to pick up Baby Zeb (our nickname for him, not his real name) tomorrow.
Excited but also nervous- it's a big responsibility caring for a little newborn. I always pray the Lord will watch over these little ones and help them get a good start while they are in our home.
Thank you Lord for keeping me busy- less time to fret about not being able to bring Ryan home as soon as we hoped for.
And as always, praying for continued protection over Ryan- that he would stay happy and healthy in his baby home.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
NEED TO SAY THANK YOU!
I can't remember if I have mentioned this before in the blog. If this is a repeat post, forgive me but if so, it is worth talking about twice!
Earlier this summer, we noticed the funds raised towards Ryan's adoption through Reece's Rainbow had jumped to the amount of $6200. We were surprised and amazed!
We contacted Michelle at Reece's Rainbow to see if we could get the names of the donors so that we could thank them. She told us this money was the result of an annual fundraiser that happens in Texas. This organization holds a benefit concert to raise money for 4 or 5 families adopting through Reece's Rainbow. We were given the name of the benefit organizer and have sent her an email thank you.
I don't know when the fundraiser was held exactly, but isn't it amazing how God can work on so many fronts at one time? Probably the same time we were making a decision to adopt Ryan, the Lord was working in the lives of these people organizing this fundraiser to help provide for Ryan. What a miracle and testimony to God's provision and care for us.
So thank you God for watching over Ryan and also thank you to the wonderful Texans with generous and loving hearts toward these beautiful children found on Reece's Rainbow. You are God's angels here on earth!
Earlier this summer, we noticed the funds raised towards Ryan's adoption through Reece's Rainbow had jumped to the amount of $6200. We were surprised and amazed!
We contacted Michelle at Reece's Rainbow to see if we could get the names of the donors so that we could thank them. She told us this money was the result of an annual fundraiser that happens in Texas. This organization holds a benefit concert to raise money for 4 or 5 families adopting through Reece's Rainbow. We were given the name of the benefit organizer and have sent her an email thank you.
I don't know when the fundraiser was held exactly, but isn't it amazing how God can work on so many fronts at one time? Probably the same time we were making a decision to adopt Ryan, the Lord was working in the lives of these people organizing this fundraiser to help provide for Ryan. What a miracle and testimony to God's provision and care for us.
So thank you God for watching over Ryan and also thank you to the wonderful Texans with generous and loving hearts toward these beautiful children found on Reece's Rainbow. You are God's angels here on earth!
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
NOT WHAT WE WANTED TO HEAR...
We wanted to hear a "YES!"
We are grateful we didn't hear a "NO."
What we heard was a "WAIT."
Ryan's government decided they will make us wait until my 5 year cancer mark of 2-25-16 to make our match official. So any court date will not be applied for until after that date. That means for now, our dossier is on hold. Cathy at Open Door is anticipating a summer travel date for us.
In the scope of forever with a family, these 4 months will just be a small blip in our life with Ryan, but right now they feel like eternity. We are heartbroken that Ryan has to wait even longer for his mom and dad to come for him.
We got the news last Friday. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but it was still hard to hear.
I am working through trying to trust in the Lord's timing and providence for this precious little boy.
My anger at cancer came back when I heard the news- just another thing it has affected in my life.
This isn't the most uplifting post. I trust with the Lord's help and through prayer, I will get there, but right now I am still just processing through my disappointment and frustration with this setback in the process.
The reassuring news is that the government has promised to keep Ryan in the baby home and not transfer him out. Praise the Lord for that. A fellow adoptive mom who visited Ryan's home says it is a nice place with good care. I will cling to that as we wait these extra months.
God told us to try and adopt Ryan. That is what we have done. The door hasn't closed completely on us so we will continue to move forward and WAIT.
We are grateful we didn't hear a "NO."
What we heard was a "WAIT."
Ryan's government decided they will make us wait until my 5 year cancer mark of 2-25-16 to make our match official. So any court date will not be applied for until after that date. That means for now, our dossier is on hold. Cathy at Open Door is anticipating a summer travel date for us.
In the scope of forever with a family, these 4 months will just be a small blip in our life with Ryan, but right now they feel like eternity. We are heartbroken that Ryan has to wait even longer for his mom and dad to come for him.
We got the news last Friday. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but it was still hard to hear.
I am working through trying to trust in the Lord's timing and providence for this precious little boy.
My anger at cancer came back when I heard the news- just another thing it has affected in my life.
This isn't the most uplifting post. I trust with the Lord's help and through prayer, I will get there, but right now I am still just processing through my disappointment and frustration with this setback in the process.
The reassuring news is that the government has promised to keep Ryan in the baby home and not transfer him out. Praise the Lord for that. A fellow adoptive mom who visited Ryan's home says it is a nice place with good care. I will cling to that as we wait these extra months.
God told us to try and adopt Ryan. That is what we have done. The door hasn't closed completely on us so we will continue to move forward and WAIT.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
WE ARE MATCHED BUT...
Good news today: Ryan's government said they will match us with Ryan!
However the bad news is they want more information about my cancer diagnosis in 2011. Cathy thinks they may be leaning towards making us wait until I am 5 years out from diagnosis (February 2016) instead of proceeding forward right now.
This is frustrating to me. Poor Ryan is wanting a family NOW. I feel like I am putting his well-being into jeopardy.
Silva is going to meet with the matching committee tomorrow at 3 (in-country time so during the night here) to discuss the matter.
We are praying for wisdom and discernment.
Silva told Cathy that when she visited the orphanage recently, Ryan came up to her and said "Mama?" She didn't know if he was wondering when it would be his turn for Silva to bring a family. That absolutely breaks my heart...
Please Dear Lord, let his dream come true!
However the bad news is they want more information about my cancer diagnosis in 2011. Cathy thinks they may be leaning towards making us wait until I am 5 years out from diagnosis (February 2016) instead of proceeding forward right now.
This is frustrating to me. Poor Ryan is wanting a family NOW. I feel like I am putting his well-being into jeopardy.
Silva is going to meet with the matching committee tomorrow at 3 (in-country time so during the night here) to discuss the matter.
We are praying for wisdom and discernment.
Silva told Cathy that when she visited the orphanage recently, Ryan came up to her and said "Mama?" She didn't know if he was wondering when it would be his turn for Silva to bring a family. That absolutely breaks my heart...
Please Dear Lord, let his dream come true!
BABY IN THE HOUSE!
We do interim foster care for Bethany Christian Services. Placements happen when there is a little baby who needs a place to stay while the birth mom decides whether to parent or adopt.
Two weeks ago, little Baby M came to stay at our house until October 9th when she goes to her forever family.
We just love having a baby in the house even though it does make life a bit hectic!
Due to confidentiality reasons, we cannot publish a picture of the little sweetheart, but trust us, she is absolutely ADORABLE!
Two weeks ago, little Baby M came to stay at our house until October 9th when she goes to her forever family.
We just love having a baby in the house even though it does make life a bit hectic!
Due to confidentiality reasons, we cannot publish a picture of the little sweetheart, but trust us, she is absolutely ADORABLE!
Monday, September 14, 2015
JONAH TURNS FIVE!
Hard to believe that our baby is five years old already!
Interestingly enough he will still be our baby even after Ryan arrives. Ryan's birthday is 6-21-10 and Jonah's is 9-14-10.
We can't wait to have a party for Ryan on his 6th birthday!
We can't wait to have a party for Ryan on his 6th birthday!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
BLESSED BY OTHERS
Last night we were able to attend the season opener for an adoption support group at church in Sheboygan. Friends of ours, who have adopted two children, invited us to the group.
What a blessing to be able to talk adoption with a group of people who get "it". Sometimes I feel like our family lives on the planet Mars while some around us are still inhabiting Planet Earth. People don't always understand why we chose to adopt a baby with Down syndrome when we were almost 40. People are even less likely to understand why we would adopt a 5 year old with Down syndrome when we are in our mid-40's. I mean according to the way our culture/society tells us to live in total comfort and ease, we were so close to residing on Easy Street USA, and now we are on the other side of the tracks :).
So to be in a group that truly believes in God's calling for us to care for the orphan was refreshing and encouraging.
What a blessing to be blessed by others last night. Thank you Lord for giving us that support.
We look forward to the monthly meetings. Unless they de-invite us because of Jonah- hee, hee. We had to pull him off the drum set 3x and off the sound system computer 1x. Our little guy is quite the Curious George...how fitting he was wearing his George shirt last night.
What a blessing to be able to talk adoption with a group of people who get "it". Sometimes I feel like our family lives on the planet Mars while some around us are still inhabiting Planet Earth. People don't always understand why we chose to adopt a baby with Down syndrome when we were almost 40. People are even less likely to understand why we would adopt a 5 year old with Down syndrome when we are in our mid-40's. I mean according to the way our culture/society tells us to live in total comfort and ease, we were so close to residing on Easy Street USA, and now we are on the other side of the tracks :).
So to be in a group that truly believes in God's calling for us to care for the orphan was refreshing and encouraging.
What a blessing to be blessed by others last night. Thank you Lord for giving us that support.
We look forward to the monthly meetings. Unless they de-invite us because of Jonah- hee, hee. We had to pull him off the drum set 3x and off the sound system computer 1x. Our little guy is quite the Curious George...how fitting he was wearing his George shirt last night.
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