Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
While We Wait.....
Thank goodness we are so busy--it makes the waiting game a bit easier. But in the mean time, Nole' asks every morning for his "little brudder?" We've cleared out the other side of Nole's room to be able to shift Nole's toddler bed over for Simon....and then make way for a big boy twin-sized bed for Nole'.
I was so excited when another adoptive Mommy posted a link on Facebook for this adorable shirt. I just had to order it for Simon to wear on his Gotcha Day....whenever that may be.... (it was on clearance from Gymboree)
We are scheduled for our first home study meeting with our new social worker next Monday afternoon. The second meeting will take place in our home the very next day. The second meeting is for the social worker to meet and visit with our children. So excited, although nervous! You would think that after the third home study, we would be old hats at this...but nope....still nerve wracking!
Please pray that as we meet inevitable obstacles, that we would be gracious, strong, and have a sense of peace. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart, that is for sure!
But, we have the best network of support--So thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement. It truly does make a world of difference!
Blessings, Paula
I was so excited when another adoptive Mommy posted a link on Facebook for this adorable shirt. I just had to order it for Simon to wear on his Gotcha Day....whenever that may be.... (it was on clearance from Gymboree)
We are scheduled for our first home study meeting with our new social worker next Monday afternoon. The second meeting will take place in our home the very next day. The second meeting is for the social worker to meet and visit with our children. So excited, although nervous! You would think that after the third home study, we would be old hats at this...but nope....still nerve wracking!
Please pray that as we meet inevitable obstacles, that we would be gracious, strong, and have a sense of peace. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart, that is for sure!
But, we have the best network of support--So thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement. It truly does make a world of difference!
Blessings, Paula
While We Wait.....
Thank goodness we are so busy--it makes the waiting game a bit easier. But in the mean time, Nole' asks every morning for his "little brudder?" We've cleared out the other side of Nole's room to be able to shift Nole's toddler bed over for Simon....and then make way for a big boy twin-sized bed for Nole'.
I was so excited when another adoptive Mommy posted a link on Facebook for this adorable shirt. I just had to order it for Simon to wear on his Gotcha Day....whenever that may be.... (it was on clearance from Gymboree)
We are scheduled for our first home study meeting with our new social worker next Monday afternoon. The second meeting will take place in our home the very next day. The second meeting is for the social worker to meet and visit with our children. So excited, although nervous! You would think that after the third home study, we would be old hats at this...but nope....still nerve wracking!
Please pray that as we meet inevitable obstacles, that we would be gracious, strong, and have a sense of peace. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart, that is for sure!
But, we have the best network of support--So thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement. It truly does make a world of difference!
Blessings, Paula
I was so excited when another adoptive Mommy posted a link on Facebook for this adorable shirt. I just had to order it for Simon to wear on his Gotcha Day....whenever that may be.... (it was on clearance from Gymboree)
We are scheduled for our first home study meeting with our new social worker next Monday afternoon. The second meeting will take place in our home the very next day. The second meeting is for the social worker to meet and visit with our children. So excited, although nervous! You would think that after the third home study, we would be old hats at this...but nope....still nerve wracking!
Please pray that as we meet inevitable obstacles, that we would be gracious, strong, and have a sense of peace. The adoption process is NOT for the faint of heart, that is for sure!
But, we have the best network of support--So thank you for your prayers and continued encouragement. It truly does make a world of difference!
Blessings, Paula
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Adoption Update.....
Hello!
The adoption process for Simon is coming along nicely!
To date this has happened:
The adoption process for Simon is coming along nicely!
To date this has happened:
- Committed to Simon
- Approved by Reece's Rainbow, Catholic Charities, and An Open Door Adoption Agency *Reece's Rainbow is the grant funding agency. Catholic Charities is the home study agency. An Open Door Adoption Agency is the child placing agency that coordinates with Simon's home country.
- Catholic Charities found a social worker to complete our home study update. The oil boom in North Dakota has affected the job market drastically. It's hard to find employees--even a social worker! :)
- In two weeks, our grant fund went to $679! Thank you, dear people, for your generous gifts to help bring little Simon home.
- Several adoption requirements completed: my TB test -done. Local background checks- done. Taylor-Johnson personality tests-done. Medical appointments made. Biography updates completed.
- Whew.... :)
Just so you know, Simon is not his real name. It's a listing name that will be used until he is officially ours. But, because of the song that influenced our adoption (Kings & Queens by Audio Adreniline), we are going to have NOBLE be his middle name.
The other children are so happy and ask almost daily when their little "brudder" will be coming home. Grandma is also excited to have the 11th grandchild, but really wants him home now..."Why do you have to wait so long to bring him home?," she asked.
Good question, Grandma! But, we are working as best and fast as we can so that Little Brudder can be with his forever family sooner than later! :)
Adoption Update.....
Hello!
The adoption process for Simon is coming along nicely!
To date this has happened:
The adoption process for Simon is coming along nicely!
To date this has happened:
- Committed to Simon
- Approved by Reece's Rainbow, Catholic Charities, and An Open Door Adoption Agency *Reece's Rainbow is the grant funding agency. Catholic Charities is the home study agency. An Open Door Adoption Agency is the child placing agency that coordinates with Simon's home country.
- Catholic Charities found a social worker to complete our home study update. The oil boom in North Dakota has affected the job market drastically. It's hard to find employees--even a social worker! :)
- In two weeks, our grant fund went to $679! Thank you, dear people, for your generous gifts to help bring little Simon home.
- Several adoption requirements completed: my TB test -done. Local background checks- done. Taylor-Johnson personality tests-done. Medical appointments made. Biography updates completed.
- Whew.... :)
Just so you know, Simon is not his real name. It's a listing name that will be used until he is officially ours. But, because of the song that influenced our adoption (Kings & Queens by Audio Adreniline), we are going to have NOBLE be his middle name.
The other children are so happy and ask almost daily when their little "brudder" will be coming home. Grandma is also excited to have the 11th grandchild, but really wants him home now..."Why do you have to wait so long to bring him home?," she asked.
Good question, Grandma! But, we are working as best and fast as we can so that Little Brudder can be with his forever family sooner than later! :)
Friday, October 10, 2014
Wild West Rodeo
Bella and Nole' got to participate in the Wild West Rodeo for children with disabilities. If you scroll down just a bit on the blog, you can actually see the kids TWO YEARS ago (which was my last post before starting to blog again) at the same rodeo. At that time, Nole' wanted nothing to do with it....but as you can see in the photos he is doing so much better with the noise and over-stimulating environments. The rodeo is a hit not only with the kids but also with the rodeo queens and the Y's Men's group. It really was a fun time! And, thank you, Anita Nettleton, for taking the photos!
Wild West Rodeo
Bella and Nole' got to participate in the Wild West Rodeo for children with disabilities. If you scroll down just a bit on the blog, you can actually see the kids TWO YEARS ago (which was my last post before starting to blog again) at the same rodeo. At that time, Nole' wanted nothing to do with it....but as you can see in the photos he is doing so much better with the noise and over-stimulating environments. The rodeo is a hit not only with the kids but also with the rodeo queens and the Y's Men's group. It really was a fun time! And, thank you, Anita Nettleton, for taking the photos!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Little Brudder
When we told Nole' about Simon, and that he would be his little brother, he said, "Guys, Woody?"
Big sister Liz asked him, "What about your guys (WWE figures) and Woody?"
Nole replied, "Give, little brudder!
Oh, my heart!
But when you see how many "guys" he has, maybe it's not such a sacrifice? :) Can't you see Simon, the little Brudder, fitting right in this royal rumble?
Big sister Liz asked him, "What about your guys (WWE figures) and Woody?"
Nole replied, "Give, little brudder!
Oh, my heart!
But when you see how many "guys" he has, maybe it's not such a sacrifice? :) Can't you see Simon, the little Brudder, fitting right in this royal rumble?
Little Brudder
When we told Nole' about Simon, and that he would be his little brother, he said, "Guys, Woody?"
Big sister Liz asked him, "What about your guys (WWE figures) and Woody?"
Nole replied, "Give, little brudder!
Oh, my heart!
But when you see how many "guys" he has, maybe it's not such a sacrifice? :) Can't you see Simon, the little Brudder, fitting right in this royal rumble?
Big sister Liz asked him, "What about your guys (WWE figures) and Woody?"
Nole replied, "Give, little brudder!
Oh, my heart!
But when you see how many "guys" he has, maybe it's not such a sacrifice? :) Can't you see Simon, the little Brudder, fitting right in this royal rumble?
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Simon, We Are Coming!
Yep, it's true! We are adopting again! This time it's a little man from an orphanage in a Eastern European country.
Here he is. His online name is Simon:
He reminds me a little of our Grace because he looks "fluffy" like her!
He is four and will be five this December. But because this adoption will take longer than the previous ones from Ukraine & Serbia, he will most likely be close to six by the time he joins our family.
As is the case in other Eastern European countries, orphans are generally transferred to an institution when they reach an age of four or five. He was due to be transferred to a institution at the end of the year. Because we committed to adopting him, the orphanage will hold him for us, knowing that we are coming to bring him home.
Can you tell we are happy?
Adoption is not done in isolation. All of us can play a part in the process: Some adopt, some pray, some provide financial assistance, and so on. If you would like to partner with us through a gift, we would be thrilled--there is a Reece's Rainbow button on the right that you can click for your convenience. This adoption will be approximately $30,000. Even so, we are happy to announce:
"Simon, we are coming!"
Here he is. His online name is Simon:
He reminds me a little of our Grace because he looks "fluffy" like her!
He is four and will be five this December. But because this adoption will take longer than the previous ones from Ukraine & Serbia, he will most likely be close to six by the time he joins our family.
As is the case in other Eastern European countries, orphans are generally transferred to an institution when they reach an age of four or five. He was due to be transferred to a institution at the end of the year. Because we committed to adopting him, the orphanage will hold him for us, knowing that we are coming to bring him home.
Can you tell we are happy?
Adoption is not done in isolation. All of us can play a part in the process: Some adopt, some pray, some provide financial assistance, and so on. If you would like to partner with us through a gift, we would be thrilled--there is a Reece's Rainbow button on the right that you can click for your convenience. This adoption will be approximately $30,000. Even so, we are happy to announce:
"Simon, we are coming!"
Simon, We Are Coming!
Yep, it's true! We are adopting again! This time it's a little man from an orphanage in a Eastern European country.
Here he is. His online name is Simon:
He reminds me a little of our Grace because he looks "fluffy" like her!
He is four and will be five this December. But because this adoption will take longer than the previous ones from Ukraine & Serbia, he will most likely be close to six by the time he joins our family.
As is the case in other Eastern European countries, orphans are generally transferred to an institution when they reach an age of four or five. He was due to be transferred to a institution at the end of the year. Because we committed to adopting him, the orphanage will hold him for us, knowing that we are coming to bring him home.
Can you tell we are happy?
Adoption is not done in isolation. All of us can play a part in the process: Some adopt, some pray, some provide financial assistance, and so on. If you would like to partner with us through a gift, we would be thrilled--there is a Reece's Rainbow button on the right that you can click for your convenience. This adoption will be approximately $30,000. Even so, we are happy to announce:
"Simon, we are coming!"
Here he is. His online name is Simon:
He reminds me a little of our Grace because he looks "fluffy" like her!
He is four and will be five this December. But because this adoption will take longer than the previous ones from Ukraine & Serbia, he will most likely be close to six by the time he joins our family.
As is the case in other Eastern European countries, orphans are generally transferred to an institution when they reach an age of four or five. He was due to be transferred to a institution at the end of the year. Because we committed to adopting him, the orphanage will hold him for us, knowing that we are coming to bring him home.
Can you tell we are happy?
Adoption is not done in isolation. All of us can play a part in the process: Some adopt, some pray, some provide financial assistance, and so on. If you would like to partner with us through a gift, we would be thrilled--there is a Reece's Rainbow button on the right that you can click for your convenience. This adoption will be approximately $30,000. Even so, we are happy to announce:
"Simon, we are coming!"
Saturday, October 4, 2014
"Kings and Queens"
This song pierces our hearts.
Each and every time.
Please, Please take the time to watch the video below!
It's our family's theme song!
"Kings & Queens"
Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved
[Chorus:]
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these
Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open
[Chorus]
If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory
We will love we will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
Each and every time.
Please, Please take the time to watch the video below!
It's our family's theme song!
"Kings & Queens"
Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved
[Chorus:]
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these
Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open
[Chorus]
If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory
We will love we will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
"Kings and Queens"
This song pierces our hearts.
Each and every time.
Please, Please take the time to watch the video below!
It's our family's theme song!
"Kings & Queens"
Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved
[Chorus:]
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these
Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open
[Chorus]
If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory
We will love we will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
Each and every time.
Please, Please take the time to watch the video below!
It's our family's theme song!
"Kings & Queens"
Little hands, shoeless feet, lonely eyes looking back at me
Will we leave behind the innocent too brief
On their own, on the run when their lives have only begun
These could be our daughters and our sons
And just like a drum I can hear their hearts beating
I know my God won’t let them be defeated
Every child has a dream to belong and be loved
[Chorus:]
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in Your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free
Shout your name in victory
When we love when we love the least of these
When we love the least of these
Break our hearts once again
Help us to remember when
We were only children hoping for a friend
Won’t you look around these are the lives that the world has forgotten
Waiting for doors of our hearts and our homes to open
[Chorus]
If not us who will be like Jesus
To the least of these
If not us tell me who will be like Jesus
Like Jesus to the least of these
Boys become kings, girls will be queens
Wrapped in your majesty
When we love, when we love the least of these
Then they will be brave and free shout your name in victory
We will love we will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
We will love the least of these
Friday, October 3, 2014
Bringing Back Blogdana.....
Hello Friends!
Okay, this blog probably holds the record of longest time between posts. Last blog entry...October 2012?
Can time really go by that fast?
So much has happened in those two years, so I "Blogdana" (as Kevin calls me) am going to blog on some of the bigger events that have happened during that time period.
Just not today.
But, I will be back with some big news to report when the time is right.
In the mean time, Here is a photo of the Trisomy Trio on their first day of school:
Be back soon!
Happy Friday!
Okay, this blog probably holds the record of longest time between posts. Last blog entry...October 2012?
Can time really go by that fast?
So much has happened in those two years, so I "Blogdana" (as Kevin calls me) am going to blog on some of the bigger events that have happened during that time period.
Just not today.
But, I will be back with some big news to report when the time is right.
In the mean time, Here is a photo of the Trisomy Trio on their first day of school:
Be back soon!
Happy Friday!
Bringing Back Blogdana.....
Hello Friends!
Okay, this blog probably holds the record of longest time between posts. Last blog entry...October 2012?
Can time really go by that fast?
So much has happened in those two years, so I "Blogdana" (as Kevin calls me) am going to blog on some of the bigger events that have happened during that time period.
Just not today.
But, I will be back with some big news to report when the time is right.
In the mean time, Here is a photo of the Trisomy Trio on their first day of school:
Be back soon!
Happy Friday!
Okay, this blog probably holds the record of longest time between posts. Last blog entry...October 2012?
Can time really go by that fast?
So much has happened in those two years, so I "Blogdana" (as Kevin calls me) am going to blog on some of the bigger events that have happened during that time period.
Just not today.
But, I will be back with some big news to report when the time is right.
In the mean time, Here is a photo of the Trisomy Trio on their first day of school:
Be back soon!
Happy Friday!
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