What is really going on

Dear Life,

Things have been hectic as of late.  You will find out why now.


6 years ago our world rocked on it's axis.  Six years ago we found out that our unborn baby was going to be born with Spina Bifida.  He also had hydrocephalus and two clubbed feet.  Oh, and by the way, we could terminate the pregnancy.
Obviously, we chose life, we chose Kumaka.  And we have never - nor will ever- regret that decision.  Over the past 6 years, we have learned so much about this journey called Spina Bifida; this journey of a boy with extras.  We have learned of heartache, of challenges, of doctors, but even more than all of that we have learned of love.  Incredible, joyous, love for this child and other children who are also on this journey.  We have learned to navigate this medical minefield...we have also found a passion for advocacy.  Advocacy for children who do amazing things regardless of what their medical diagnosis says.  Our family has long been discussing the possibility of adopting a child with Spina Bifida.  We've gone back and forth, discussed it here and there.  We've prayed and prayed about this.  We've spoken to our children about adding another baby, especially one with extras, and even more especially a little girl. (awww mom...really?  Why a girl???  To this I say...because we have enough boys thank you!)

In Eastern Europe there's this girl.  She has big beautiful brown eyes and brown curly hair.  She just turned three years old and she is an orphan.  She needs a forever family.  She deserves to come here, to be loved, to be cared for, to be given a chance.  She deserves to have five big brothers adore her. She had us from the moment we saw her big brown eyes.

We are not delusional, crazy, or eternal optimists.  We know and understand what we are getting into.  We understand the challenges she faces and our family faces.  We also know that our family has more than enough love to give this sweet angel and we are anxious to give her the opportunity to smile.  She hasn't smiled yet.  She hasn't spoken yet.  We can give her that gift.

We ask you to join us on this journey, for it will be a long process (possibly a whole year) where we will be getting papers together, a dossier for the country she lives in, fingerprints, etc.  A whole year seems so long... and yet in some aspects it will come by quickly.  We will be doing many fundraisers to help pay for the many fees associated with this process.  We will also be receiving a grant to help with some of it.

Where are we right now in this process????  We just turned in initial paperwork for the Ministry of Justice to approve us as potential adoptive parents for baby A. We are awaiting their response.  Once we have their approval..the ball will need to get rolling.  We will fill out official papers for our adoption agency.  We will need to get our Home Study done.  That is a lengthy process.  Everything  has fees associated.  So there will be hopefully many fundraisers and if any of you feel so inclined to help us bring our baby girl home..please join us for those.  As soon as we get our initial approval we will update with fundrasing ideas.  Please think of these as giving our opportunity to LIVE.  We take for granted all that we have been given, the doctors, the therapies, even food, nutrition.  Even more, we take for granted love, hugs, kisses, and families.  Please help us bring our little girl home.

Thank you for supporting our family always, and especially during this journey.  We feel so strongly about this, we feel like this baby girl is supposed to come to our family.  This sweet angel girl deserves a shot....and we can give it to her.  We can't wait!