A really wonderful adoption story and a great opportunity to share your story and encourage other families! Children are waiting for homes all over the world!
Sharing Adoption Stories
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Choosing to See
I just finished reading "Choosing to See." Needless to say, my tissues are all gone. I love reading books where people share about their journey through life. Somehow it reaches me on a much deeper level than reading books where the author tells you about something or how to do something etc.
The Bible says "iron sharpens iron." I have grown by reading this book. While Mary Beth shares about the loss of their beloved daughter(they have 6 children-3 bio and 3 adopted), the book also is about her life journey...her struggle with religion, shame, disappointment, loss and depression.
If you haven't read it yet....you need to...
Our time on this earth is just the begining...
http://marybethchapman.com/
The Bible says "iron sharpens iron." I have grown by reading this book. While Mary Beth shares about the loss of their beloved daughter(they have 6 children-3 bio and 3 adopted), the book also is about her life journey...her struggle with religion, shame, disappointment, loss and depression.
If you haven't read it yet....you need to...
Our time on this earth is just the begining...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Back to School????
I really can't believe it is already mid August! It has been a crazy summer!! We have grown from 5 children to 6. Two of our children are now free for adoption. We have our two oldest attending one school, our oldest son at another, 2 at daycare and one at preschool where I work. We have been rushing around getting everyone's supplies, clothes, schedules etc. I think I am on auto pilot. Dealing with our limitations and the stress of getting everyone what they need and where they need to go takes it's toll. This doesn't mean I regret things. Just really wishing for a house cleaning fairy or occasional nanny. I was laughing, we had a meeting for all of our teachers at work and one asked our newest little guy's name. I laughed and said "never say never". We had packed up all the baby clothes and supplies thinking we were finished. Originally this little guy was supposed to go home with "Mom".. Lack of sleep in your 40's is a little different than in your 20's. :)
Humm, the family calls have to finish these thoughts later..
Humm, the family calls have to finish these thoughts later..
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A Very Emotional Week...an end and a begining
It has been a very emotional week. After 2 1/2 years we had our final permanency hearing for our 3 yr old. It was a long morning in court. There was talk of postponing again (already postponed 3 times) due to varying reasons. Finally we began to move forward on things. TPR was ordered on Birth Mom (she didn't show up) and after several hours, "Dad" decided to voluntarily terminate his parental rights. After a couple of recesses and presentation of evidence by both sides, "Grandma" came in to court grabbed me and started crying. She said "He is going to do it". I was assuming she meant voluntarily sign over his rights.
Even knowing that the family is not capable of caring for this little guy, it is still very hard to walk through this journey with them. They do care for him and this was a very emotional time. I cried for the remainder of the court session; cried from relief that things where almost over, cried from what I thought the birth family was going through, cried because I am so emotionally drained from this journey.
I have never sat in on a Termination hearing. I do not envy anyone involved in these cases. It is such a gut wrenching decision. A friend who is a judge once told me, Issuing a TPR is the closest thing to the death penalty that he knows of. You are effectively putting to death a parent child relationship.
We plan on maintaining contact with the family. There have already been several teary phone calls.
I get to sit in on another TPR this week. I am not sure why this is all coming at the same time. I know God has a plan. This week for some reason, He gave me the scripture in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with the Lord in the night. He then took me to Genesis 33 where Esau meets Jacob and asks him, "Who are these with you". Jacob replies that with him are "the children God has graciously given me."
I feel many times as if we have wrestled in prayer for these children. It has been a long journey (we have been foster parents for over 7 years). We didn't "plan" on having this many children at this time in our life. But I know "These are the children God has graciously given us."
Now, I am praying for His wisdom on how to continue on this journey and raise up "His" children to serve Him.
Even knowing that the family is not capable of caring for this little guy, it is still very hard to walk through this journey with them. They do care for him and this was a very emotional time. I cried for the remainder of the court session; cried from relief that things where almost over, cried from what I thought the birth family was going through, cried because I am so emotionally drained from this journey.
I have never sat in on a Termination hearing. I do not envy anyone involved in these cases. It is such a gut wrenching decision. A friend who is a judge once told me, Issuing a TPR is the closest thing to the death penalty that he knows of. You are effectively putting to death a parent child relationship.
We plan on maintaining contact with the family. There have already been several teary phone calls.
I get to sit in on another TPR this week. I am not sure why this is all coming at the same time. I know God has a plan. This week for some reason, He gave me the scripture in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with the Lord in the night. He then took me to Genesis 33 where Esau meets Jacob and asks him, "Who are these with you". Jacob replies that with him are "the children God has graciously given me."
I feel many times as if we have wrestled in prayer for these children. It has been a long journey (we have been foster parents for over 7 years). We didn't "plan" on having this many children at this time in our life. But I know "These are the children God has graciously given us."
Now, I am praying for His wisdom on how to continue on this journey and raise up "His" children to serve Him.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
My Mini Car Sales-"Men" 1995 Camaro Convertible FOR SALE
I am cleaning up our Camaro (my Dad purchsed it for my daughter to drive)to sell. I think we will get something a little more practical-like a nice little Honda CRV etc.
I can never say I don't have enough help....
And seriously, if you know of someone who would like a 1995 Camaro Convertible with only 33,000 miles PLEASE contact me!!!!
I can never say I don't have enough help....
And seriously, if you know of someone who would like a 1995 Camaro Convertible with only 33,000 miles PLEASE contact me!!!!
Court.....again
One of our little guys has court this week. It has been postponed 3 times. If we get a final decision, it could open the door for us to finally pursue adoption (please don't think I am against reunification in all cases-DFS has been working this one for over 2 1/2 years). He has been a part of our family for 2 1/2 years. Our judge seems very nice. I have attended every hearing our children have had. But, I sometimes question the training they receive before taking a bench that deals with children who have been abused and/or neglected. Children who are suddenly removed from the only (even though unhealthy) home they have known and then many times they face multiple moves throughout their time in foster care. I would like to see a requirment that our Juv court judges attend STARS and Spalding adoption training along with instruction in bonding, attachment, RAD, etc. I've always wanted to ask our judges (and in 7 years we have had several) what preperation-beyond an understanding of the law, did they recieve to equip them to make the best decisions for children in care. During our next campaign/election time, I would like the opportunity to ask our potential judges. Most people know little to nothing about the candidates before they go vote. This is sad considering the decisions they make will influence little lives and our communities for years to come. I think I may have to do a little more investigation into when our next election is and who are the possibly candidates. I do understand this is not an easy job. A friend who is a judge shared that to him signing a TPR is as serious as issuing the death penalty.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wendy’s Fourth Annual Father’s Day Frosty Weekend
By Carrie Craft, About.com Guide to Adoption
Wendy’s Fourth Annual Father’s Day Frosty Weekend
Wednesday June 16, 2010
I just got my email reminder about Wendy's Fourth Annual Father's Day Frosty Weekend! Check out www.FrostyCard.com, a site where kids can create their own custom Father's Day eCards for Dad! Wendy's will donate 50¢ to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for every card sent. How 'cool' is that? Or should I say, 'frosty.'
Don't forget that for the fourth year in a row, on June 19 and 20, participating Wendy's restaurants across the country will donate a minimum of 50¢ from every Frosty product sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption;and $1 for every Frosty pin-up sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
There is also a new way to help the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, by Tweeting! Treat it Forward, can be used on Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare each interaction will result in additional 50¢ donations! Just follow the instructions below:
Go to www.facebook.com/frosty (Treat it Fwd tab)
Tweet using the hash tag #TreatItFwd
Give a Virtual Frosty as a gift
Tell friends about Father's Day Frosty Weekend through the application
'Check-in' to a Wendy's during Father's Day Weekend using Foursquare and a 50¢ donation will be made.
So, create a card for Dad, take him out for a Frosty this Father's Day weekend, and tweet about it to remind others! It's a great way to help foster kids at the same time!"
Wendy’s Fourth Annual Father’s Day Frosty Weekend
Wednesday June 16, 2010
I just got my email reminder about Wendy's Fourth Annual Father's Day Frosty Weekend! Check out www.FrostyCard.com, a site where kids can create their own custom Father's Day eCards for Dad! Wendy's will donate 50¢ to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for every card sent. How 'cool' is that? Or should I say, 'frosty.'
Don't forget that for the fourth year in a row, on June 19 and 20, participating Wendy's restaurants across the country will donate a minimum of 50¢ from every Frosty product sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption;and $1 for every Frosty pin-up sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
There is also a new way to help the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, by Tweeting! Treat it Forward, can be used on Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare each interaction will result in additional 50¢ donations! Just follow the instructions below:
Go to www.facebook.com/frosty (Treat it Fwd tab)
Tweet using the hash tag #TreatItFwd
Give a Virtual Frosty as a gift
Tell friends about Father's Day Frosty Weekend through the application
'Check-in' to a Wendy's during Father's Day Weekend using Foursquare and a 50¢ donation will be made.
So, create a card for Dad, take him out for a Frosty this Father's Day weekend, and tweet about it to remind others! It's a great way to help foster kids at the same time!"
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
And Mom and Dad get to sleep where???
No one seems to want to sleep through the night at our home...except the dogs.
Blessed (although tired) Week!
This has been a blessed week!! Especially considering we have not had more than 3-4 hours of uninterrupted sleep for about 3 weeks. Our two youngest each had surgery. I thought I would get ahead of the game and schedule both surgeries the week after I got off work and have everything done for summer. Nice thought!! B had tonsils and adnoids out and hasn't hardly napped or slept since then!! Mason had ear tubes and has adjusted better, but started cutting more teeth and his allergies are bothering him.
BUT, I am so thankful for some surprise blessings! I entered a give away on Kari's Blog-My Crazy Adoption (the link is listed here-look for her button) and won a CUTE box of Huggies Blue Jean diapers! Then, went down to Kanakuk to pick up Grace and while Jeff was "entertaining" Mason in the back-who wasn't the least bit interested in Kamp-who should walk over to see Mason, but Kari who was there to pick up her daughter! They struck up a conversation and discovered we were the ones who won the diapers. I love GOD connections!! Especially ones involving adoption and missions!!! (I have been beggin my hubby to let me go on one of Kari's mission trips!). She is collecting donations, on her blog, for items to bring to the orphanges for her July trip to Africa. Maybe her encouraging words about the next trip earned me some brownie points with Jeff (:>). Seriously he would love for me to go-I think somehow the idea of being left with 5 children makes him a little nervous. I can't figure out why :)!
I am also excited, I get to take Mason for a play date with his two older brothers and their adoptive Mom! They are finalizing their adoption this week. Sooooo happy for them!
And to top off the week, I actually got some time to READ!! I am diving in to Radical by David Platt. "Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream" I HIGHLY recommend it! I am going to go back and REREAD all the pages I folded down and places I underlined. I have a stack of "To Read" this summer beside my bed. Some titles I am looking forward to reading are Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Sirit and Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Finishing-One Million Arrows, and Same Kind of Different as Me.......Maybe after I get a little sleep :)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
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