Little Nathan....

We were blessed with an extra gift this Christmas--some information on our little Nathan. We received a very special email with a few choice tidbits such as....

* He wears a size 4T in clothing and a size 8 shoe.

* He started sleeping in a regular bed one month ago and it's reported that he’s sleeping much better now that he’s not in a crib.

* He has also started using the potty! He’s asking to go and everything!

* He’s beginning to talk in 2-3 word sentences such as “give me that”.

I can't tell you how excited we were to get this information! We can't wait to meet this little man....hopefully in February!!!!

Little Nathan....

We were blessed with an extra gift this Christmas--some information on our little Nathan. We received a very special email with a few choice tidbits such as....

* He wears a size 4T in clothing and a size 8 shoe.

* He started sleeping in a regular bed one month ago and it's reported that he’s sleeping much better now that he’s not in a crib.

* He has also started using the potty! He’s asking to go and everything!

* He’s beginning to talk in 2-3 word sentences such as “give me that”.

I can't tell you how excited we were to get this information! We can't wait to meet this little man....hopefully in February!!!!

Merry Christmas from the Burckhards!

Grandma & Grandpa with Bella Bogdana....
Grace's new rockstar hair....
Elizabeth with an Icelandic Doll in handmade authentic outfit.....
Sam is ready to learn "Deutsch"....
The girls in the annual matching Christmas nightgowns....
We pray that all of our family and friends had a very Merry Christmas celebrating Jesus' birth!

Merry Christmas from the Burckhards!

Grandma & Grandpa with Bella Bogdana....
Grace's new rockstar hair....
Elizabeth with an Icelandic Doll in handmade authentic outfit.....
Sam is ready to learn "Deutsch"....
The girls in the annual matching Christmas nightgowns....
We pray that all of our family and friends had a very Merry Christmas celebrating Jesus' birth!

A Visit to Santa.....

We visited Santa tonight. Grace snuggled up to him and laid her head on his shoulder beaming up to him while gently patting his shoulder. Bella took a bit of coercing for her first visit, but finally cautiously sat on his lap.

Grace wants a necklace and Bella wants a doll for Christmas...They were two VERY excited little elves!

A Visit to Santa.....

We visited Santa tonight. Grace snuggled up to him and laid her head on his shoulder beaming up to him while gently patting his shoulder. Bella took a bit of coercing for her first visit, but finally cautiously sat on his lap.

Grace wants a necklace and Bella wants a doll for Christmas...They were two VERY excited little elves!

Excited to Share.....

that we have mailed off the I-600A application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, aka USCIS, to obtain approval to adopt Nathan!

We had to wait to send the application in until we had our Home Study done and approved by the ND Department of Human Services--that letter came yesterday!

Thanks to Lisa from Catholic Charities at being so efficient and effective at writing an excellent Home Study and to Shelley from About A Child at so patiently and expertly answering my many questions. It is truly a team effort!

Now we wait for a fingerprinting appointment in Fargo and then the approval letter to follow.

Soooooooooooooo.......Merry Christmas, Kevin! (We decided that this app and the $890 fees are our Christmas gifts to each other this year.)

Excited to Share.....

that we have mailed off the I-600A application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, aka USCIS, to obtain approval to adopt Nathan!

We had to wait to send the application in until we had our Home Study done and approved by the ND Department of Human Services--that letter came yesterday!

Thanks to Lisa from Catholic Charities at being so efficient and effective at writing an excellent Home Study and to Shelley from About A Child at so patiently and expertly answering my many questions. It is truly a team effort!

Now we wait for a fingerprinting appointment in Fargo and then the approval letter to follow.

Soooooooooooooo.......Merry Christmas, Kevin! (We decided that this app and the $890 fees are our Christmas gifts to each other this year.)

"Just the Way I Am"

Yesterday, Grace and Bella received a very precious early Christmas gift. Our dear, tender-hearted Pastor Andy gave the girls this book....


Oh My! What a wonderful book! The book description says:

Just the Way I Am
God's Good Design in Disability
Through photographs, Bible passages, and her own story, Krista Horning’s book tells of a wise and sovereign God who turns all things for good, including disability.

Born with Apert syndrome that has required more than 60 surgeries and countless hours of therapy, Krista and her family understand the severe pain and suffering associated with disability. Yet they also experience God’s grace and are able to live with hope in God because they are anchored in God’s word. From the Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada

To order this book, or any other excellent God-centered materials, you can go to Desiring God Ministry's book store by following this link:

http://www.desiringgod.org/Store/Books/890

We are SO thankful for our Pastor and the way he demonstrates Christ's love to our girls and others with disabilities in our church family. Just as Christ does, he welcomes us "Just the Way I am".....

Love, Paula

"Just the Way I Am"

Yesterday, Grace and Bella received a very precious early Christmas gift. Our dear, tender-hearted Pastor Andy gave the girls this book....


Oh My! What a wonderful book! The book description says:

Just the Way I Am
God's Good Design in Disability
Through photographs, Bible passages, and her own story, Krista Horning’s book tells of a wise and sovereign God who turns all things for good, including disability.

Born with Apert syndrome that has required more than 60 surgeries and countless hours of therapy, Krista and her family understand the severe pain and suffering associated with disability. Yet they also experience God’s grace and are able to live with hope in God because they are anchored in God’s word. From the Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada

To order this book, or any other excellent God-centered materials, you can go to Desiring God Ministry's book store by following this link:

http://www.desiringgod.org/Store/Books/890

We are SO thankful for our Pastor and the way he demonstrates Christ's love to our girls and others with disabilities in our church family. Just as Christ does, he welcomes us "Just the Way I am".....

Love, Paula

Many Blessings....

We are so thankful for unexpected blessings that have been given to us lately. When we first began this journey, a dear friend gave us a generous gift to help us bring Nathan home. (Thank you, M.K.) It was just what was needed to begin our updated home study!

Then, on Saturday night, Kevin and I went to the ORCS boys basketball game in Velva and wouldn't you know....Kevin won a 40" flat screen TV. He dropped in $10 for Dollars for Scholars and his name was drawn! So, we were able to sell the TV for way under cost and applied those $$$$'s to our ever-growing adoption fund.

So, along with my new job at Family Voices, a gift from a friend, and the sale of the TV....we have been able to pay for each expense as they have come up.

We are so thankful for these blessings from God! He provides abundantly in so many ways--and through so many people--taking care of not only our daily bread, but also over and above what we could ever dream of to help bring this precious boy home!

Many Blessings....

We are so thankful for unexpected blessings that have been given to us lately. When we first began this journey, a dear friend gave us a generous gift to help us bring Nathan home. (Thank you, M.K.) It was just what was needed to begin our updated home study!

Then, on Saturday night, Kevin and I went to the ORCS boys basketball game in Velva and wouldn't you know....Kevin won a 40" flat screen TV. He dropped in $10 for Dollars for Scholars and his name was drawn! So, we were able to sell the TV for way under cost and applied those $$$$'s to our ever-growing adoption fund.

So, along with my new job at Family Voices, a gift from a friend, and the sale of the TV....we have been able to pay for each expense as they have come up.

We are so thankful for these blessings from God! He provides abundantly in so many ways--and through so many people--taking care of not only our daily bread, but also over and above what we could ever dream of to help bring this precious boy home!

Cookies at Grandma's...

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go......for our annual Christmas Cookie decorating!

Sam loves to cut out the cookies....

Bella loves to "decorate" the cookies....

Here's Grandma with her "ONLY" Grandson FOR THE TIME BEING.......

Ok, I finally allowed Papa to take a picture of me and then even blog about it.....

The finished products! But don't let Grace fool you--she only decorated ONE COOKIE and then took it and ate it and she was done for the day!

So looking forward to having another little helper for next year's cookie tradition!

Cookies at Grandma's...

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go......for our annual Christmas Cookie decorating!

Sam loves to cut out the cookies....

Bella loves to "decorate" the cookies....

Here's Grandma with her "ONLY" Grandson FOR THE TIME BEING.......

Ok, I finally allowed Papa to take a picture of me and then even blog about it.....

The finished products! But don't let Grace fool you--she only decorated ONE COOKIE and then took it and ate it and she was done for the day!

So looking forward to having another little helper for next year's cookie tradition!

Adoption Update.....

Things are moving right along in our process to adopt "Nathan"!

We received our homestudy draft today and it looks great!

Also today, we went to our friendly neighborhood notary Jean (doesn't everyone have one?) and got notaries on most of our dossier documents.

In North Dakota, you have to get your home study approved by the Department of Human Services. Our home study will be sent there next week for approval.

We will then send our dossier over to Nathan's country (along with 650 Euros) to start the translation process. We don't have to wait for our government's approval to send it over.

In the mean time, we will get a fingerprinting date and then will be in the "waiting" game to get the "golden ticket" aka I-171-H.

Once we get that, we go over to his country and begin the in-country process!

So far, this is faster and a bit more laid back than Ukraine. But time will tell..... :)

Does anyone know how long it is taking to get the I-171-H after sending in your application? Just wondering.....

Adoption Update.....

Things are moving right along in our process to adopt "Nathan"!

We received our homestudy draft today and it looks great!

Also today, we went to our friendly neighborhood notary Jean (doesn't everyone have one?) and got notaries on most of our dossier documents.

In North Dakota, you have to get your home study approved by the Department of Human Services. Our home study will be sent there next week for approval.

We will then send our dossier over to Nathan's country (along with 650 Euros) to start the translation process. We don't have to wait for our government's approval to send it over.

In the mean time, we will get a fingerprinting date and then will be in the "waiting" game to get the "golden ticket" aka I-171-H.

Once we get that, we go over to his country and begin the in-country process!

So far, this is faster and a bit more laid back than Ukraine. But time will tell..... :)

Does anyone know how long it is taking to get the I-171-H after sending in your application? Just wondering.....

A Little Cuddle Time......

This little scene made me smile this morning. A triple-layer cuddle.....priceless!

A Little Cuddle Time......

This little scene made me smile this morning. A triple-layer cuddle.....priceless!

Bella the Penguin

Guess this speaks for itself! :)

Bella the Penguin

Guess this speaks for itself! :)

Decorating....

We decorated the tree this past weekend. I can't help thinking about another little someone who will be here next Christmas to help put the ornaments on the tree. What a whirwind that will be! Bella loves decorating....but doesn't understand that one branch can only support so many ornaments.

Elizabeth hanging her Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel ornament "Bridget"...

The finished product.....

I love this time of year being together and celebrating Jesus' birthday!

Decorating....

We decorated the tree this past weekend. I can't help thinking about another little someone who will be here next Christmas to help put the ornaments on the tree. What a whirwind that will be! Bella loves decorating....but doesn't understand that one branch can only support so many ornaments.

Elizabeth hanging her Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel ornament "Bridget"...

The finished product.....

I love this time of year being together and celebrating Jesus' birthday!

Great News.....

After a VERY long week....Bella is finally on the mend. She had her tonsils and adenoids out a week ago last Monday. Being the tough little cookie she is, I just assumed she would bounce back no problem. Boy, was I wrong! I really had to force her to take pain meds and drink....she seemed to be in a lot of pain.....poor thing! And her breath....Oh My!!!!!!

I only left the house one time during last week, and that was to pick up Grace from school because she got sick. :(

But today we got great news! While Bella was under anesthesia, the local lab drew blood for a full screening. Today we got the results: Negative to everything......HIV, anemia, Celiac, leukemia, thyroid.....Yay!

And today, I know she is feeling better, because she ate a graham cracker and drank a whole glass of chocolate milk.

Praise God for a great report and that she is finally feeling a bit better!

Great News.....

After a VERY long week....Bella is finally on the mend. She had her tonsils and adenoids out a week ago last Monday. Being the tough little cookie she is, I just assumed she would bounce back no problem. Boy, was I wrong! I really had to force her to take pain meds and drink....she seemed to be in a lot of pain.....poor thing! And her breath....Oh My!!!!!!

I only left the house one time during last week, and that was to pick up Grace from school because she got sick. :(

But today we got great news! While Bella was under anesthesia, the local lab drew blood for a full screening. Today we got the results: Negative to everything......HIV, anemia, Celiac, leukemia, thyroid.....Yay!

And today, I know she is feeling better, because she ate a graham cracker and drank a whole glass of chocolate milk.

Praise God for a great report and that she is finally feeling a bit better!

Thank You, Lu, for the Button!

Lu, a wonderful Reece's Rainbow volunteer from England, designed this beautiful button for our little Nathan.



Grab This!

Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorburckhard"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/nathan-1.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.beautifulgiftfromgod.blogspot.com/">Grab This!</a><br /></center>


Thanks, Lu from Poppies Blooming, http://thepoppiesblog.co.uk ..... we love it!

Thank You, Lu, for the Button!

Lu, a wonderful Reece's Rainbow volunteer from England, designed this beautiful button for our little Nathan.



Grab This!

Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorburckhard"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/nathan-1.png" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.beautifulgiftfromgod.blogspot.com/">Grab This!</a><br /></center>


Thanks, Lu from Poppies Blooming, http://thepoppiesblog.co.uk ..... we love it!

OK, Let's Talk.....

Our Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of sharing, food, and fellowship. The highlight of the entire day was when we all sat down, after singing our grace, and were about to partake in our feast--

When all of a sudden, Grace with her little round face beaming in the candlelight, said "Ok, let's talk! Daddy?"

Translation: "Let's go around the table and share what we are thankful for...Daddy you go first!"

Grace knows how to get to the heart of the matter on all things and to focus on what is most important. Thank you God for giving us our Grace to shape us into the people you want to be!

OK, Let's Talk.....

Our Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of sharing, food, and fellowship. The highlight of the entire day was when we all sat down, after singing our grace, and were about to partake in our feast--

When all of a sudden, Grace with her little round face beaming in the candlelight, said "Ok, let's talk! Daddy?"

Translation: "Let's go around the table and share what we are thankful for...Daddy you go first!"

Grace knows how to get to the heart of the matter on all things and to focus on what is most important. Thank you God for giving us our Grace to shape us into the people you want to be!

Grace's Response......

Just the other day, Elizabeth said to Grace "Guess what? You are going to have a little brother!"

Grace responded by clutching her stomach, doubling over, and saying "Ugh, A boy! I gonna be sick!"

Ha Ha Ha......She is already over it, but we thought her initial reaction was just so "Grace!"

Grace's Response......

Just the other day, Elizabeth said to Grace "Guess what? You are going to have a little brother!"

Grace responded by clutching her stomach, doubling over, and saying "Ugh, A boy! I gonna be sick!"

Ha Ha Ha......She is already over it, but we thought her initial reaction was just so "Grace!"