We know when the title of an email from Lifeline, our adoption agency, begins that way, that a somewhat discouraging email is about to follow.
We did not move spots last month and remain #46, the same as last month. Yes, discouraging indeed. It's "funny," for lack of a better word, that we envisioned getting our referral sometime this spring. Now that we're approaching spring, we're feeling less hopeful about that. The reason our agency gave us, for the slow month of February was this:
"West
Sands Adoptions received their renewed 3 year license to continue
adoptions in Ethiopia! In addition, many orphanages also went through
the license renewal process – so that also impacted the amount of
referrals given this month. The courts were on a delay in February but
they are open and processing cases again."
So....that's actually all good stuff! Adoptions are still moving... and
healthy... and HAPPENING in Ethiopia!! The courts still have a good
relationship with our main agency. And, even BETTER...we have two
friends that received their referrals from Ethiopia last month. Neither
live in Toledo or are using our agency, but they both found out who
their son/daughter will be. It is unbelievable the joy and excitement
Ryan and I feel for them. We can't wait for our turn, but we love to see
families get to take steps closer in becoming whole and complete.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Just Wanted Mom
Tonight was a realization for me, of what MOM is, to a child.
I came home from our life group around 8:00. Our sweet babysitter was busy with the kids upstairs. I heard Griffin in the monitor, crying--like real tears. He was, quite miserably, talking/fussing about something. This is not normal for my "please-put-me-to-bed-by-7:00, " and "I-run-and-jump-and-dance-all-day-so-I'm-ready-to-pass-out" handsome little dude.
As I was walking upstairs I heard Griffin mumble through his tears, from his bed:
"I just want mommy! I do! I dooooo! Mommy HERE pleeeeeeease!"
I couldn't get in his room quick enough.
I scooped that little/big-boy up in my arms and hugged him so tight. He embraced me and burrowed into my neck. Griffin said nothing. I said nothing. Didn't need to. He knew I was home and I was there. I soaked it up and smooched those cheeks (It was a "moment," okay?).
After a few minutes of snuggling my son, I laid him down and walked out of his room. He was quiet and comfortable and reassured. I was content and happy that I was able to fulfill the need he had for love, at that particular moment.
2 things that came to mind as I walked from Griffin's room, onto Ellie's room to tuck her in:
1) I won't always be able to make this kid happy, or reassure him or fulfill him like he might long for another person to do. In fact, I can't do it now. Man oh man this precious boy needs Jesus in His life. I just pray that my hugs and reassurance point my son to God his Father!
2) I'm sad that there are so so so many orphans in America, and in countries all over the world, that either wouldn't consider crying out for their mom like that, OR don't even know HOW to. Or that they can.
I have another son. He is far away from this room right now, and he doesn't know I'm his mom. I can't help but have emotion when I think about this boy. I totally have a feeling that he's born already. But I don't know his name, what he looks like, or how old he is. My heart ached tonight as I thought that my other son is one of those kids out there that isn't crying out for Mom tonight. He's not saying "I just want mommy! I do! I doooooo! Mommy HERE pleeeeeeease!" Who knows if there is someone to scoop him up.
And truthfully, I can't help but wonder how long it will take this boy to look to Ryan or me for that kind of reassurance and affection. Praying he feels safe and comfortable here in this home. Attachment is a "token word" you hear in the adoption community. It matters a lot, as we want our adopted children to blend well and know WE are mom and dad, and how we love them oh so much.
Just some thoughts on my mind. Griff just wanted Mom tonight. I loved that I could walk in and be there.
I long for the day to be able to do that for his little brother.
I came home from our life group around 8:00. Our sweet babysitter was busy with the kids upstairs. I heard Griffin in the monitor, crying--like real tears. He was, quite miserably, talking/fussing about something. This is not normal for my "please-put-me-to-bed-by-7:00, " and "I-run-and-jump-and-dance-all-day-so-I'm-ready-to-pass-out" handsome little dude.
As I was walking upstairs I heard Griffin mumble through his tears, from his bed:
"I just want mommy! I do! I dooooo! Mommy HERE pleeeeeeease!"
I couldn't get in his room quick enough.
I scooped that little/big-boy up in my arms and hugged him so tight. He embraced me and burrowed into my neck. Griffin said nothing. I said nothing. Didn't need to. He knew I was home and I was there. I soaked it up and smooched those cheeks (It was a "moment," okay?).
After a few minutes of snuggling my son, I laid him down and walked out of his room. He was quiet and comfortable and reassured. I was content and happy that I was able to fulfill the need he had for love, at that particular moment.
2 things that came to mind as I walked from Griffin's room, onto Ellie's room to tuck her in:
1) I won't always be able to make this kid happy, or reassure him or fulfill him like he might long for another person to do. In fact, I can't do it now. Man oh man this precious boy needs Jesus in His life. I just pray that my hugs and reassurance point my son to God his Father!
2) I'm sad that there are so so so many orphans in America, and in countries all over the world, that either wouldn't consider crying out for their mom like that, OR don't even know HOW to. Or that they can.
I have another son. He is far away from this room right now, and he doesn't know I'm his mom. I can't help but have emotion when I think about this boy. I totally have a feeling that he's born already. But I don't know his name, what he looks like, or how old he is. My heart ached tonight as I thought that my other son is one of those kids out there that isn't crying out for Mom tonight. He's not saying "I just want mommy! I do! I doooooo! Mommy HERE pleeeeeeease!" Who knows if there is someone to scoop him up.
And truthfully, I can't help but wonder how long it will take this boy to look to Ryan or me for that kind of reassurance and affection. Praying he feels safe and comfortable here in this home. Attachment is a "token word" you hear in the adoption community. It matters a lot, as we want our adopted children to blend well and know WE are mom and dad, and how we love them oh so much.
Just some thoughts on my mind. Griff just wanted Mom tonight. I loved that I could walk in and be there.
I long for the day to be able to do that for his little brother.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Fundraising Update
We are blessed.
We are so thankful to so many of you guys, who have supported us and continue to do so. Thank you for being a part of bringing our son home.
When talking at church yesterday with a friend, she mentioned how crazy fast our process seems to be going. Until she said that, I didn't realize that we really have indeed been sailing on such smooth waters.
We feel God in this. And we continue to trust him, as we know that we are far from done as we still don't even know who this little boy is.
The total cost of our Ethiopian adoption is just under $30,000. In addition to the $10,000 of our own money we have put into this process, we have currently raised $18,115!!!
Thank you, friends and family, for your support. Thanks for being our cheerleaders and biggest fans. Thanks for the words you have said to us and prayers you have spoken over us. We know we are loved and we are grateful.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
February news
Maybe some good news and maybe some bad news...?
We received our email update and were told that we moved 3 spots last month. We went from #50 to #47. We were obviously hoping for more of a jump, but as we are always told, "ANY MOVEMENT/progress is a good thing."
The good news is this...
There were actually 4 referrals given out in January (even though we only moved 3) and ALL of them were in the 0-2 category!!!
That is great for us because it gets us closer to the top of OUR specific category. You see, even though we are now #47, we will get our referral when no one ahead of us is requesting the exact same child as the Snow Family: 0-2 boy.
So we could be any number on the list and all of a sudden get our picture!!! It all depends on who is requesting who, ahead of us.
So folks, THIS IS WHY adoption is a long waiting game. THIS IS WHY it's impossible to answer the question "when will you get your baby?" And THIS IS WHY we have to literally make huge efforts to focus on the fact that we're called to this, even when it's not convenient or quick or easy or aligning with our plans for our family.
How can you support us in this?
Please pray alongside us. This is how we are praying right now:
*Assuming this babe is already born, pray that he will quickly and safely be put in an orphanage
*pray that by God's grace there would be a caregiver at his orphanage that gives him love and attention
*pray for patience for Ryan and I. We have patient hearts now but soon it will get tough, really tough.
*pray for this coming Feb.9 as we are having our adoption dessert/fundraising night. Praying for provision and just the BEST celebration ever. :)
Excited for the day this wall has a frame with a little African face in it.
We received our email update and were told that we moved 3 spots last month. We went from #50 to #47. We were obviously hoping for more of a jump, but as we are always told, "ANY MOVEMENT/progress is a good thing."
The good news is this...
There were actually 4 referrals given out in January (even though we only moved 3) and ALL of them were in the 0-2 category!!!
That is great for us because it gets us closer to the top of OUR specific category. You see, even though we are now #47, we will get our referral when no one ahead of us is requesting the exact same child as the Snow Family: 0-2 boy.
So we could be any number on the list and all of a sudden get our picture!!! It all depends on who is requesting who, ahead of us.
So folks, THIS IS WHY adoption is a long waiting game. THIS IS WHY it's impossible to answer the question "when will you get your baby?" And THIS IS WHY we have to literally make huge efforts to focus on the fact that we're called to this, even when it's not convenient or quick or easy or aligning with our plans for our family.
How can you support us in this?
Please pray alongside us. This is how we are praying right now:
*Assuming this babe is already born, pray that he will quickly and safely be put in an orphanage
*pray that by God's grace there would be a caregiver at his orphanage that gives him love and attention
*pray for patience for Ryan and I. We have patient hearts now but soon it will get tough, really tough.
*pray for this coming Feb.9 as we are having our adoption dessert/fundraising night. Praying for provision and just the BEST celebration ever. :)
Excited for the day this wall has a frame with a little African face in it.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Ethiopia
We are learning a lot about this country and are humbled by the truth of its depravity. But, we are also learning about the beauty of the people and the country.
We are learning a lot about adoption...and beginning to feel how long this process can REALLY feel. We should be getting our next update tomorrow to find out what number we are on the list. Slightly nervous but hopeful we will see great movement.
Thankful for our good friends that have gone before us in this process.
Praying that there will be other good friends that follow behind us in this process.
Trusting God for His provision. OH how he provides!
Thankful for all of our incredible family and friends who have supported us financially...totally humbled and blessed by you.
We are learning a lot about adoption...and beginning to feel how long this process can REALLY feel. We should be getting our next update tomorrow to find out what number we are on the list. Slightly nervous but hopeful we will see great movement.
Thankful for our good friends that have gone before us in this process.
Praying that there will be other good friends that follow behind us in this process.
Trusting God for His provision. OH how he provides!
Thankful for all of our incredible family and friends who have supported us financially...totally humbled and blessed by you.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
One year...
This past Sunday was our one year mark.
Our public decision was announced and our application was printed on January 5...application mailed to our agency on January 20th.
A blurb from a previous blog entry on that day back in January 2012.
We are just in the very early stages of pursuing an adoption for a little boy...in Ethiopia. We are incredibly excited, a bit nervous, confident of our calling to this, and pumped that we are diving in. We have talked and prayed about this for over a year, and have finally decided to begin our journey. Our girls are thrilled, to say the least. After we told Ellie and Emma that it was really going to happen (they have been a part of praying with us in this for quite some time) they both went to school the next day and told their classes that they were going to have a brother from Africa soon! Ha! I love their joy and excitement. Although it's not going to be soon...
Lifeline adoption agency says the average process takes 12-15 months once the dossier is submitted, but Ryan and I are gearing ourselves up for 2- 2.5 total years. :) We would love for it to happen sooner, and God willing it will!
In the meantime, we begin the paperwork trail, and it's oh so daunting. I don't think I can read through the Ethiopian manual too many times or I might start having anxiety attacks. An adoption or a pregnancy--BOTH require emotions and our physical bodies. Neither is better or worse, just different. So we are beginning a very different journey to our son. I know it will seem more real and more exciting and more glorious, once we've seen his face on a picture. In the meantime, this is how we're praying:
*for this boy, who may not even be born yet, to be carried in his mother safely and with as much dignity and care as possible.
*for our finances...I really have no idea how the money will come in, or if the money will come in. I don't know what God is going to do with this, but we are trusting Him and beginning to take strides to make some changes in our spending.
*for the city of Sylvania, OH. That our community would fall in love with the TRUTH that more of us can change the life of an orphan. We would love to see this spread, we would love to see more trans-racial families in our community!!
Now...
One year later we are done with the trail of paperwork.
We have continually prayed those prayers.
We have been blessed beyond belief with support from family and friends.
We have just BEGUN to learn the lesson of what it means to wait on God.
We have had tons of fears/worries as well as blessed conversations and encouragement from people who have walked this path. We are ready to dive in.
And... we are SO many steps closer to receiving that email with the picture of our son's face.
Pumped.
Our public decision was announced and our application was printed on January 5...application mailed to our agency on January 20th.
A blurb from a previous blog entry on that day back in January 2012.
We are just in the very early stages of pursuing an adoption for a little boy...in Ethiopia. We are incredibly excited, a bit nervous, confident of our calling to this, and pumped that we are diving in. We have talked and prayed about this for over a year, and have finally decided to begin our journey. Our girls are thrilled, to say the least. After we told Ellie and Emma that it was really going to happen (they have been a part of praying with us in this for quite some time) they both went to school the next day and told their classes that they were going to have a brother from Africa soon! Ha! I love their joy and excitement. Although it's not going to be soon...
Lifeline adoption agency says the average process takes 12-15 months once the dossier is submitted, but Ryan and I are gearing ourselves up for 2- 2.5 total years. :) We would love for it to happen sooner, and God willing it will!
In the meantime, we begin the paperwork trail, and it's oh so daunting. I don't think I can read through the Ethiopian manual too many times or I might start having anxiety attacks. An adoption or a pregnancy--BOTH require emotions and our physical bodies. Neither is better or worse, just different. So we are beginning a very different journey to our son. I know it will seem more real and more exciting and more glorious, once we've seen his face on a picture. In the meantime, this is how we're praying:
*for this boy, who may not even be born yet, to be carried in his mother safely and with as much dignity and care as possible.
*for our finances...I really have no idea how the money will come in, or if the money will come in. I don't know what God is going to do with this, but we are trusting Him and beginning to take strides to make some changes in our spending.
*for the city of Sylvania, OH. That our community would fall in love with the TRUTH that more of us can change the life of an orphan. We would love to see this spread, we would love to see more trans-racial families in our community!!
Now...
One year later we are done with the trail of paperwork.
We have continually prayed those prayers.
We have been blessed beyond belief with support from family and friends.
We have just BEGUN to learn the lesson of what it means to wait on God.
We have had tons of fears/worries as well as blessed conversations and encouragement from people who have walked this path. We are ready to dive in.
And... we are SO many steps closer to receiving that email with the picture of our son's face.
Pumped.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
FIRST
So, we always look forward to the first of the month, because that's when our agency sends us an update on our placement on the list. I checked my email WAY too many times on New Year's Day. But it came. :)
We moved up 5 more spots... and 9 total referrals were given the month of December!! We continuously feel blessed and satisfied as we see MOVEMENT each month. Having said that, each month that passes, we get more anxious to find out who this little guy will be. Ryan and I are still truly at peace in this waiting time, as we know it's valuable and worth a lot. So many other friends/bloggers/writers out there who have adopted say that we won't really understand all of the lessons we will have learned throughout this waiting time, until it's over. I know the day will come when we have a face and a name and an age. THAT will be the day I want to buy a plane ticket and go to get him, without the ability to just go and do that. We have a lot to learn in this.
Please pray for Ryan and I that God would slowly be lifting the veil to what He has for us in this season.
We hear super encouraging stories of well acclimated children in American homes, and we hear stories that aren't quite so uplifting. There are both scenarios out there. What we are specifically praying NOW is that God will select--hand pick--this guy to be a perfect fit for our family. His personality, his stubbornness (we all tend to have a bit of that), his love for good food, his character...right on down to his sleep schedule...that we would just fit. We are up for whatever the lesson is or the challenge ahead of us. But we pray for just a perfect fit.
Thanks for walking this road with us. :)
We moved up 5 more spots... and 9 total referrals were given the month of December!! We continuously feel blessed and satisfied as we see MOVEMENT each month. Having said that, each month that passes, we get more anxious to find out who this little guy will be. Ryan and I are still truly at peace in this waiting time, as we know it's valuable and worth a lot. So many other friends/bloggers/writers out there who have adopted say that we won't really understand all of the lessons we will have learned throughout this waiting time, until it's over. I know the day will come when we have a face and a name and an age. THAT will be the day I want to buy a plane ticket and go to get him, without the ability to just go and do that. We have a lot to learn in this.
Please pray for Ryan and I that God would slowly be lifting the veil to what He has for us in this season.
We hear super encouraging stories of well acclimated children in American homes, and we hear stories that aren't quite so uplifting. There are both scenarios out there. What we are specifically praying NOW is that God will select--hand pick--this guy to be a perfect fit for our family. His personality, his stubbornness (we all tend to have a bit of that), his love for good food, his character...right on down to his sleep schedule...that we would just fit. We are up for whatever the lesson is or the challenge ahead of us. But we pray for just a perfect fit.
Thanks for walking this road with us. :)
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