Wednesday, August 22, 2012

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!


30 comments :

  1. Awww.... Tracy that is so awesome!!! I will be praying for you all every step of the way! You are a brave and special family!!! <3

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    1. Thank you so much for your support. We are so excited...and anxious!

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  2. What a great thing! I am so excited for your family!!!

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    1. Thank you Kristie! We are super excited too....we can't wait!

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  3. Tracy: you and your family are truly amazing!!! Good luck and I hope everything goes well~

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    1. Hi Sue, I don't know if we are amazing, but we feel like we have a spot in our family to love a special little angel. :)

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  4. Aww!! I have chills!!! How exciting and what a sweet little girl. :) You guys are amazing and she will love you. Will be praying and will help in any way I can. xoxo

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    1. Thank you Salena...we are so very excited....and so ready to start everything.

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  5. God bless your family, brought tears to my eyes, i'll be happy tohelp in some way!

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  6. I hope you get to bring this little girl home. I only know you through the web but I can tell you and your family are wonderful, loving people and she would be VERY loved. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know!

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    1. Lacey, that means so much to us! Thank you very much!

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  7. I am so so so so so SO (did I say so???) excited for you! We are on the wait side, and our paperwork is done, so please feel free to ask us anything!!

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    1. Jamie, thank you so much for reaching out to us. We are on the slow end of slow I think. And when it's time to find money I think everything will be going too fast. It's always that way! :)

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  8. What wonderful news for your family! We are cheering you on through this whole thing. Way to go!

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    1. Awwww Hi Deneal! Thank you so much! We are so excited....I just can't wait for her to be here!

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  9. This is so exciting! We wish you the best in your journey.

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  10. Tracy, I TOTALLY understand why you are doing this. You are amazing and she is amazing and I pray that you and your family get the chance to love this little angel. I love you. You make my heart smile. :)

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    1. Thank you dear friend. :) We are so excited and I know that Heavenly Father will grace this journey....

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  11. This is so awesome Tracy! I am so excited for you and your family!!! Seriously so excited, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

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    1. Thank you so much Summer! You will def. hear when we have the fundraiser train going! :)

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  12. Tracy, you guys are amazing! What an incredible gift you are giving this sweet little girl. She is so lucky to have parents and a family like yours that care so much. Congrats!

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    1. Ahhh Nina thank you so much. That means so much! Hope you are feeling ok...can't wait to see pics of your newest little! Hopefully your house is getting close to being done too! :)

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  13. Terry (Summer's mom)August 23, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    When the spirit speaks we most listen and act. You have done that and I'm so glad your family has touched mine. Bless you in this endevore. I am willing to help in anyway I can.

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    1. Thank you Terry for your sweet words. We appreciate your support! :)

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  14. Oh this is so wonderful Tracy!!!!

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  15. OH MY GOODNESS dear friend!!!!!!!! This is amazing news! I apologize for my delay! My heart is bursting with joy and I'm sending prayers up that all goes as smoothly as possible so she can be with you sooner than later. I'm bawling lol! You guys are truly amazing and inspiring. MUCH MUCH LOVE to you all! Excited to follow her journey of coming home!

    XOXOXOXO

    Kristine The Foley Fam {unedited} Blog

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    1. Thank you so much Kristine! Your support and love warms my heart always!

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