Monday, August 26, 2013

A matter of the heart....

For the past few months, I have watched anxiously as a precious friend has journeyed through adoption, for the second time. In traditional adoption rollercoaster, it has included ups and downs, hopes and disappointment and even a short term placement of twins.

And then...her consultant called her one day and mentioned a little boy to be born soon with a diagnosed heart condition. It truly is a matter of the heart. She committed to pray about this baby and whether or not they needed to present their profile.

God said yes. 

...Fast forward 2 weeks...they are now, many many states away. They have met the precious mother carrying this baby boy and anticipate meeting him tomorrow. Tonight I sit here thinking of my friend and her husband as they prepare to meet their son tomorrow.


I pray specifically for this mother and her unborn son.
I pray for their health.
I pray this is an uneventful easy labor.
I pray for her peace and comfort as she places her son for adoption.
I pray for my friends.
I pray for their hearts, their peace, their comfort tomorrow as they wait.
I pray for the relationship forming.
I pray for this sweet little boy...and his ultimate healing. 

Adoption is a bittersweet pill. As adoptive parents, meeting our children is the greatest joy on earth...but it comes from the greatest heartache on earth. Adoption comes from loss.

Would you please commit to lifting our friends, this mom and Baby H in prayer tomorrow? Will you pray specifically for his health, and that the defect is minor and easily corrected...and that his hospital stay in less than expected? Would you please pray specifically for this mother tomorrow as she places her son in another mother's arms.

Tomorrow I will be wearing this shirt. These were a fundraiser for this adoption and the wording is perfect for tomorrow.

Fearfully and wonderfully made
CHOSEN
before the foundation of the world
ADOPTED
unto Jesus according to His good pleasure
LOVED
with an everlasting love.




Saturday, August 24, 2013

Mom, why do people adopt kids?

My kids hear about adoption a lot in this house. I am a huge advocate for adoption and often talk to others about the process, the need...my desire. We also talk to our kids openly about their own adoptions. It's their stories, part of their history and part of who they are. I always want an open door relationship with my kids and so far that is just what I have with our son (8 years old). Our daughter is 3 and while she will talk about 'her story' I'm not sure she actually 'gets it' yet. Hulk was around 4 years old when he really started to understand better so I'm sure Bug's day will be coming soon when she'll start asking more questions.


But tonight when tucking Hulk into bed, we had this conversation. This boy will change the world one day. He is remarkable and I can't wait to see how God uses him.

Hulk: Mom, why do people adopt kids

Me: Why do you think?
Hulk: I think people adopt kids so they won't be orphans anymore

Me: Can you tell me what makes a kid an orphan?
Hulk: An orphan is a kid that doesn't have parents or a family.

Me: That's right.
Hulk: So I think people adopt kids so they don't have to be orphans anymore. I'm glad you and Daddy adopted me. *pause* I'm glad I'm not an orphan anymore. I'm glad Bug isn't an orphan either.

Me: Baby I wouldn't have it any other way. God knew how our family would be brought together long before we had a clue.
 Hulk: If I could have made a choice when I still lived in Guatemala, I know exactly what parents I would choose.

Me: Really? Can you tell me about the parents you would choose (trying to stay calm, while quietly wondering. I always try to let him talk more than me when we talk adoption or specifically about his story).
Hulk: *started to giggle* I would choose a mommy who acted silly sometimes and wanted everyone in the world to adopt orphans and a fun daddy who likes to hunt and play sports. *giggling*

Me: REALLY? (dramatically)
Hulk: yep...I would choose you and Daddy. I love you Mommy!

Me: I love you too Hulk. You are one special kid and I love your heart.
Hulk: Maybe one day everyone will adopt a kid. I don't want any kid to not have a family.

Me: That would be great. I want every kid to have a family too.
Hulk: Ok...goodnight
Me: Goodnight Hulk. Love you

This boy gets my heart. He is a typical boy. He loves avengers, ninja turtles and xbox. But what is not typical about him is his heart. He has compassion like no other child I have ever met. He has a heart for adoption. He has a heart for changing the world. And HE WILL!! The truth is...he already has.


Friday, August 16, 2013

First order submitted...and HUGE THANKYOU!

I stand amazed today! I just our first order for tshirts and we currently have 124 orders. My goal for the first order was 100 and we have exceeded that. Thank to each person who has ordered, shared our blog and info on facebook/twitter/instagram, thank you most of all for your support and prayers.

What does 124 shirts mean? It means that He is funding what He favors!

As you know, we are going into this without planning or saving. We are taking the biggest leap of faith that we have ever taken. And taking that leap can be scary...but we've done it. Our initial expenses are about $1200. Money we need right now.

What does 124 shirts mean? It means that (once all are paid) we have funded that $1200. All of it.

So tell me...do YOU believe that God funds what He favors?

We will continue to sell shirts and submit another order in a couple of weeks.
All of the proceeds from that order will go towards legal and travel fees.

Again...I stand amazed!! I can not wait to get these shirts in!! They are amazing!!

When they are in, I would love for you to send me photos of you wearing your new shirts for the blog!! *eek* Sooooo excited...

ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Blessed, Blown Away and humbled...

2 weeks ago, we announced our big news. We are excited and a bit scared about where this road may lead. We have no clue, but no that God has led us to have an open door for adoption. We have taken those first few baby steps in faith...leading to much bigger steps of faith.



In the past couple of weeks, we have met with our awesome social worker for the first time, gathered documents, completed applications and taken the trip to the city jail for fingerprints. We have also prayed and seen so many blessing from others as you have all embraced us and supported us in this journey.

It is truly a faith journey.

2 weeks ago, I posted about our news and also posted about 3 tshirts that Fund the Nations designed for us as a simple and fun fundraiser. The proceeds will help us with our initial fees and legal fees. My goal = what I see as needed for quickly upcoming expenses...but honestly, didn't think we would ever make the goal.

My goals were pretty simple. I could see us making 2 orders and would love to have 100 shirts each time. totally 200 shirts. But honestly, I had no idea how we would ever make 100 orders. That is a lot of tshirts!!!

But...I was proven wrong once again. See, there are things that I KNOW...and things that have to be slapped back into my senses. And this in one of those things. See this is what I know:

God funds what He favors!

And this has been proven to me over the past couple of weeks!!

So today, I sit here with my tshirt orders in front of me and I stand amazed. Because of each of you, we have orders for 116 shirts!!! 116! 116!! That is truly amazing!
 Yes! HE FUNDS WHAT HE FAVORS!!

My ultimate goal is 200 total...and I sit here the day before my FIRST order with only 84 away from our total goal. Amazed I am!!!!

So, I sit here wondering...is there any way possible we actually meet the ultimate goal today? Any way at all? Can you help me by spreading the word, sharing via facebook or twitter or instagram? I will be placing our first order tomorrow and at 116, I am beyond excited!!! What if it was 200???

Love you all!!
Me and Hubs
Hulk and Bug




RED TSHIRT SIZE


BLUE TSHIRT SIZE


SEAFOAM TSHIRT SIZE




Monday, August 12, 2013

The look...

If you're an adoptive mom..particularly a trans-racial adoptive mom, you will get this.

The look.

You know it...when you pass another mom in the grocery store and you suddenly notice that their child strikes a resemblance to your own...you give each other the look.

The look...
sometimes a nod...
sometimes a tiny grin.

We get it. Its as if the other is saying...yep, I see you. 
yes, we are an adoptive family too. I understand too!

It's a quiet reassurance that we aren't alone without even speaking. I've seen and given this look many many times over the past 9 years. But yesterday...

...yesterday, I saw a look. A similar look, a nod...a reassuring gesture of 'I understand'...'yes, we are similar'...but it wasn't another mom or dad.

Yesterday, while in the grocery store MY SON gave the look...to another family...and their children gave the polite 'nod' back. I found it a little funny. And reassuring at the same time.

As we walked in our direction, my son says...

Hulk: Hey Mom...did you see that family?
Me: Yes, I did
Hulk: They were brown and their dad was white.
Me:, Yea...I saw that.
Hulk: pretty cool.

So, to the Dad with the 3 amazingly beautiful Chinese daughters at Publix yesterday...thank you. Apparently 'the look' has been passed down to future generations!



Friday, August 9, 2013

I *mustache* you a question...

I love this boy more than words can say. He has taught me so much about life and love and God's grace! A few weeks ago he asked Jesus to live in his heart. He will change the world in so many ways and I cannot wait to see how God will use him.

Today, we went shopping for school supplies. School starts back in a week and I've put this task off until the week before. Totally unlike me, but just couldn't get it done any earlier. I always let him choose as much as he can himself (unless there is a specific color requirement, etc). So, today I told him to get 4 composition notebooks. He quickly came back and said he found the perfect one...and could he Puuullllease get it.

ummmm.of course!

It reads: 
I *mustache* you a question. Do you know Jesus?

I 'mustache' you a question. Do you know Jesus?

Overwhelmed!

Whew! Wow! Thank you!!!!

We announced a few days ago about the leap of faith that we are taking. Updating our homestudy so we can have an open door for adoption. I just looked and almost 1000 people have viewed that post. For my little blog, that is huge! Thank you all!

If you have taken the time to click and read, please take a moment and lift us in prayer.

We have no idea where this road will lead.

All we know is that this was placed in our hearts...and we must act.

We had our first visit with our social worker this week...making it all a little more real. This is the third time we've been through this...so it is a little more relaxing than that first homestudy visit back in 2005 when I was pretty sure I was going to vomit before our social worker arrived. You know, just all the unknowns. And trust me...it was nothing to worry about!

I sit here tonight and think about all that has happened in our family over the past 8 years. Meeting our son...then meeting our daughter. Our family has been transformed...in many ways. We have grown and our hearts have grown stronger for those children who are in need of families.  I would love to sit down and right more about our family journey over the past 8 years...but it will be incredibly l-o-n-g! But..I may do it in segments over the next few weeks.



So, I sit here tonight, completing paperwork and going through the checklist of documents that I need to put my hands on this week. We are trying to move this pretty quick...but most of that will depend on our clearances. Those tend to take several weeks. So, while you are praying for us...will you specifically pray that our clearances all clear quickly?

And I will also take a moment and answer a few common quesitons that we have been asked the past couple of days:

1. Will this be international or domestic? Planning on domestic. Traveling with my littles would be incredibly difficult right now, especially with Hulk being in school. Not impossible, but not the best option for our family at this point.

2. Newborn again? Honestly, only God knows! We are open to newborns...and toddlers...and young school age.

3. Did you say special needs? Yes, we did. Over the past couple of years, I have been approached many times about babies and children with some level of 'special need' and little to no families interested in adopting them. Broke my heart each and every time. So, yes, we are open to children with special needs. 

4. How long will it take? Again, only God knows. Honestly, we have no timeline. He brought us to this...and He will bring us through this. We are simply taking the leap of faith that He asked us to. Does He have another child in mind for our family. Only God knows.
That is what Faith is...doing without knowing.

5. Why? Because it is clear in our hearts that this is what we need to do.

6. Why are you selling tshirts? I think tshirts speak volumes without having to actually speak. The back of these shirts say ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT. I truly believe that EVERY child that God created is on this earth for a purpose, a reason and is precious and deserves a loving family of his/her own. Since this is not a planned adoption (meaning we haven't' spent time planning and saving as we did before), we are selling the shirts to help the initial expenses and legal fees we may incur.

7. How many tshirts do you need to sell? We would love to sell 200, but 100 is the goal for our first order next week. We have not yet met that first goal...I will prepare the order on Thursday 8/15.

8. What can I do to help? PRAY for us. Pray for guidance as we venture this journey.
Spread the word about the tshirts...share my blog on facebook and twitter, share about the shirts and our journey. Love those around you and support other adoptive families who are in the same situation.

Did you miss our announcement post or want to see the tshirts? Just click HERE!

Much love!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

HOLD ON...big news is coming!!

I have hesitated to post this..because honestly, it seems too good to be true, but here goes!

For over a year, I've been praying that God would guide us in a big decision. A decision that was tough for us to make because we were not always on the same page.

Updating our homestudy.



Yes...you read those words correctly!

I have been praying about having an open door. Not necessary pursuing an adoption again, but having a door open if we hear of a child that needs a family. I pray every day about whether another child is meant to join our family. Honestly, I'd probably have a house full of children if we were able, but adoption is complicated, and can be expensive....and Hubs and I have to be on the same page.
This has been my prayer...

And then we met a little girl. Sweet A.

She changed our world! In 2 days, she changed our hearts, our views, and brought us to the point where we both needed to be. Her sweet smile and her silly laughter melted us. I truly believe that one of the many reasons she was where she was on those couple of days, was to simply reach people, soften their hearts and let the Lord speak to people through her. The world has marked so many things against her...and yet the Lord is using her for His kingdom in a very very BIG way.

On our way home from that special weekend, we talked a lot about Sweet A and other children like her. We talked about adoption, growing our family, now or later, or ever? We talked about children with special needs, especially Down Syndrome because Sweet A has Down Syndrome, but we talked about other issues too. We talked about love and faith and the strength of our family...and if we were crazy about even thinking it...

And then...Hubs says that we need to update our home study. We needed to be prepared.

Really? Were we really on the same page?

I will admit, I was scared to get excited. This is what I've been praying for. For us to both be on the same page. To have an open door when children like Sweet A needs a family. Sweet A opened our eyes and hearts...in a big way. But scared none the less.

My prayer for an open door...

Is this the perfect time to think about adopting again. No.
Have we planned and prepared. No.
Am I scared? yes!
Is God telling us to take a leap of faith? YES! YES! YES!

We are getting started on our homestudy update. The whole process is upon us again. Gathering documents, medicals, fingerprints, clearances, profile, etc. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious. This is very unlike our other adoptions, where we saved and planned and saved and planned. We have done none of that!

But we are taking a leap of FAITH!

Do I think God will place another child in our family? Honestly, I don't know. But we are choosing to have our door open. We are taking a huge leap of faith. Our homestudy will be in place and our family will be registered with several organizations. This will be much different than our previous adoptions.

Out of my comfort zone? You bet!

When we've mentioned this to friends, they has asked..."how can we help?"

First, please pray for us. Please pray that God will continue to guide us. Please pray that God will prepare us for the child that He may be leading to us.

Financially, adoption can be expensive. We don't know what the future holds and do not plan on doing many fundraisers, in fact this will likely be the only one. We thought it would be fun to do this one and it would help us with initial expenses (homestudy, legal fees etc).

Hubs and I (and the kids) are rival fans. Hubs and Hulk wear blue/orange and Me and Bug wear red/white. It is fun in our family around football season. And many of our friends are the same way. So, we had the shirts designed in our favorite team colors.

And yes, there is also a fun design for those of you who don't rock the same colors as us! ha!

The shirts are awesome! I LOVE them!!

{A LITTLE ABOUT THESE SHIRTS} They are COMFORT COLORS...amazing tshirts!! Great quality that will last a long long time. Front and back designed by the amazing Fund the Nations crew just for us! (tell them we sent you!) When ordering, please choose your size Youth XS-XL or Adult S-XXL. And of course, choose your color: Red, Blue, or Seafoam

These are pre-orders and I will be placing the first order on August 16th and they will be at my home soon after. If you want to get in on the first round of orders, simply choose your size/style below and a huge THANK YOU from our family to yours!

I love that these can be worn all year, but LOVE that I can sport my team colors while sharing a little about those things that are most important to me. Faith, Hope, Love and FAMILY!!!! And yes, ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT!

AND for fun...I will be keeping a running tally of which team is 'winning'. I know who I'M pulling for...what about you??

{TO ORDER} Simply choose your options below and you can pay via paypal. You can also comment via facebook...or just let me know and I'll add your order and send you an invoice. And again...Thank you! Please remember to keep our family in your daily prayers.

8/8/13 As of today, the Bama fans are winning by 11! 
8/10/13 As of this morning, the Bama fans are still winning by 13! 
8/14/13 As of tonight, Auburn is up by 1!!
8/15/13 As of this morning, Alabama and Auburn are TIED!!

Love,
Me, Hubs, Hulk & Bug

update: I've had a few people ask if they can share this on facebook? Umm..yes! And thank you!
update: I had several people asking how to check out with more than one shirt. ah! I corrected it...sorry for those that had to do the checkout process several times! This will be MUCH easier!

COLOR
TSHIRT SIZE