Steps to Sofi.....July can't come soon enough

Dear Life,

You my readers and followers...friends and family....you are the reason that we are as far as we are in our adoption.  You have all shared our story, donated money, gave us your shoes, bought owls, and so one and so forth.  You have prayed with us, and we have definitely felt those prayers.

After speaking with our case worker at Children's House International, we figured out some logistical things and some financial things.  The biggest news is that we do not have to pay the rest of our fees before our first trip like I originally thought.  THE ONLY MONEY WE NEED TO RAISE IS OUR TRAVEL MONEY RIGHT NOW.  That is much easier to handle.  And the agency we are working with in Sofi's country is waiving the in country travel fees for the attendant due to Sofi's special needs.  (She will be our translator and guide at the orphanage).  That is awesome!!!!!



As we pray, and things unfold, I am reminded that things happen His way, and in His time.

July we are going to see our girl.  I can't even believe it.  It's a miracle we are witnessing....and it's so very surreal.  

In a few months we will meet our daughter. 

My heart can't wait.

In the mean time, we are doing a clothing drive with Angel Bins.

 We are collecting women's, men's, and children's clothing.  We will also accept bed sheets, drapes, comforters, bedspreads, purses, belts, knapsacks, hats, and CDs and DVDs.

MAY 19th is the cutoff date!

Declutter your closets...and helps us bring our girl home!!!! 

Source: inspiringpretty.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Source: inspiringpretty.com via Tr acy on Pinterest

Source: inspiringpretty.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Source: inspiringpretty.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Hope and peace in a dream

Dear life,

We have been praying.
A lot.
For our family.
For our children.
For Sofi.

We have been worried about fundraising.
We have been rejected for two adoption grants so far.
It's been heavy on our mind as we are supposed to visit Sofi around July.
That time will come quickly...especially if we aren't funded.

Today, I laid down and had to take a nap.
My nephews funeral was later in the evening and I felt exhausted.
Below is my dream....

Sofi was in a big building that looked like a school.
There was a chain link fence all around it and we couldn't get in.
I felt so sad and almost desperate to get her out.

All of a sudden, all of our friends and family started showing up.
Everyone was dressed in white and started holding hands around the school.
(Remember it was a very large school)
People started saying these words "With our love, we can bring Sofi home".
I remember feeling amazed in my dream...feeling the love all around us.
I remember feeling so blessed to have so many people love us...and love Sofi.

Then I witnessed a miracle.
My dear friend Sarah was standing right next to me holding my hand.
We looked over and saw her daughter Katie.
Katie was wearing a beautiful white dress...and when she saw her mom her face lit up with a smile and she started RUNNING towards her mommy.  Her hair was blowing in the breeze...and tears were coursing down our faces.
My chest felt like it was going to explode....and it settled into peace.
Knowledge that we are loved...that God knows us...He loves us...and He will help us bring our girl home.

In my dream I felt like I was bawling....I knew I was dreaming and yet I knew that there was a lesson.

I hear you God.
I bow to your grace...and your infinite wisdom.
I do not need to see you to have faith.

I am on my knees.
I am pleading.
Not for me..not for Stuart.
For Sofi.

We are pleading to you dear Lord.  Please help us bring home our girl.  Please help us bring her to her eternal family.  Please help us to be able to visit her in July.  Please help us to be prepared to give her what she needs.  Please help her to stay healthy.  Please help her feel of our love from all the way across the world.

We love you Sofi.

We are coming.

You never know when tomorrow ends

Dear Life,

Last week was hard.
Something happened to rock our family's world.
One of those things that only happens on the five o clock news.

My nephew was walking across the street to his car.
He was hit.
His injuries were too much.
He died that night.

It took us a few days to even process this information.

Shawn....
The little boy who always smiled.
The kid who always played with the younger kids.
The teenager that somehow always thought of others.
The man who just wanted a family.

He's gone.
He's not with us anymore.
He's gone on...to be with God.

Even as we cry, we smile as we remember his spirit.
We smile thinking of his smile.
Even as we are so sad...we treasure the moments we had.

It makes me take pause....
Reminds me that every single moment is a treasure.
I need to remember not to take my children for granted.
I need to remember to lower my voice...to give more hugs...to play more and stress less.

Hug your babies...kiss your significant other...remember to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

Steps to Sofi

Dear Life,

So here is another Sofi update...and our latest fundraiser.

As you know, our papers are currently with USCIS awaiting approval.  
That takes anywhere from 1 month to 2.  (Praying for one)
Then our dossier goes to Sofi's country ( most of it already has and is in the process of translation as we speak...all they are waiting on is our passports and i800a (USCIS) approval)
Then we wait for her government to give us our official referral and travel dates.
I asked our case worker what her guesstimates were for our first trip and she said July. 
JULY.
I can't even believe that we are that close (and yet so far) from meeting our baby girl. 
After  our initial visit, we have another form to fill out with USCIS.
Then we wait for a signature from her country, a court date, and then we pick her up. 
We are thinking it will be around December. 
What a perfect Christmas gift.


Financially, we still have a bit to do.  
We need to send 3000 euros to her agency in Eastern Europe before we travel the first time.  
And we need to come up with travel money.
We have been furiously filling out grants.
We have been denied our first one. :(  BOOOO
But there are plenty more to apply for.
In the mean time, we have another fundraiser! 
Jubilees Jewels   has collaborated with us to create two beautiful pendants. 

Faith in every footstep is a reminder to me that every single step we take (even the backwards ones) is one step closer to Sofi.  Very appropriate reminder given the miracle of our shoe drive. :) $30.00

http://jubileesjewels.com/adoption-fundraising/fundraising-families/faith-in-every-footstep

You are loved is a reminder that she is a piece of my heart....and that she is loved.  (I'm partial to hearts...and I just love this) $32.00

http://jubileesjewels.com/loved-you-are-loved

Both are beautiful and great for a gift or for yourself.  Half of the proceeds will go towards our adoption.  (And the check goes straight to our agency)  We are praying we can help make a dent in the 3000 euros!

July will come around the corner....I can't wait to hold her.  

Thank you so much for your love, support, prayers and sharing of our journey.  We have seen miracles and have yet to see many more.

Why our hospital matters

Dear CHOC,

Until 6 1/2 years ago, I had no reason to enter a children's hospital.  Not until this sweet boy was born.








Our little miracle.
Born on December 20th.
Born with Spina Bifida, hydrocephalus, and two adorable clubbed feet.
Born with the spirit of a hero.


For a few years, we didn't take him to a children's hospital.
Not until last year.
And when we stepped into CHOC Children's, our world changed.

Our child was treated like a king.
The team that treats him genuinely care.
He's not just a number.
They remember him.
They ask him about different events in his life.
The nurses remember him. (Even though there are thousands of children that are treated there.)
They ask him to do his pirate face.
They ask him about his soon to come home baby sister.
There are games for him there.
There are crafts at clinic.
There is even music if you go at the right time.
There are therapy dogs that come through.  Even through clinic.
When he recently went in for an endoscopic procedure, we walked into his room, and child life had been there...and left him a look and seek book, coloring sheets and crayons, a magnadoodle, and the Disney Channel was on.

What a comfort to him.
He didn't have time to worry.
He was busy from the time he wheeled in.

And then there is my wait.
While my child is wheeled off....

I sit in a beautiful, clean waiting area.

Volunteers ask if I need anything.
Everyone that works at the desk is kind, and patient with parents who are worried and sad.
There is a screen that parents can check to see where their child is at in their procedure.

Before  we had our Kumaka, we never thought about what would be important in a hospital, we just tried to stay out of one.
But having a chronic child taught us some things.
And one of the things I have a gratitude for is those people, companies, foundations, and groups that donate money to hospitals.
I am grateful that so much thought and planning was spent on creating a beautiful hospital for my child to be treated at.
I am grateful for things I never would have thought mattered:


Themes for every floor
Shells on the cement by the valet
Choco bear welcoming us
Color...everywhere

Ryan Seacrest DJ booth
Elevators that have ocean themes
Colorful walkpaths that light up at night
Child Life specialists that put on the Disney Channel, and leave activities for him on his bed
Colorful lead vests in the Xray room
Snacks being offered to not only my child but to me
Ipads during procedures
Emergency Rooms for Children
Colorful paintings on the walls
Even colorful things to look at on the floors
Interesting architecture...not just boring plain white walls



I haven't even spoken of the doctors. 
Of the amazing care we get there.
Of the specialists that quietly walk the corridors with strength, knowledge, and a sweet smile for our kids.
Of the nurses who kindly talk to the children, take their vitals, and listen to the parents.
Of the state of the art equipment that is used to test, diagnose, and treat our babies.


These things all cost extra money...but they create a hospital of wonder, a hospital of peace, a hospital that welcomes my child, a hospital that holds my heart in it's hands and protects it. 

Thank you CHOC.
A million times thank you.


And to those that provide the funding.....thank you.  It matters.

A little Sofi update

Dear Life,

Steps towards Sofi.....

We have officially sent off our immigration paperwork to USCIS.  
That is a HUGE step.
Now.....we wait. 
We wait for an agent to be assigned to our case.
We wait for that agent to process our case.
We wait for acceptance.
We wait with bated breath.
When that approval comes (in about two months...SIGH)
We send that approval to Sofi's country.  
Then we wait for an official referral.
When that comes....
We get travel dates to visit our baby girl.

Can't wait.  Two months is so long.
So long.
I hate that Sofi is in a holding pattern.
Not even knowing that we are working so very hard to bring her home.
Not even knowing that there is a mommy, daddy, and five brothers anxiously awaiting her arrival.
Waiting to hold her, kiss her, and take care of her.

How can you help?
You can pray. 
Pray that Sofi stays healthy.
Pray that we can learn patience.
Pray that we receive our referral in a timely manner.
Pray for the grants we are applying for....that we can receive enough to cover the last bit.
Anytime you want to participate in any of our fundraisers, please do.
Anytime you want to share our story...please do.
If you ever want to just donate, there is a button on my blog for YouCaring or you can send us a check.

Where are we at financially?

RIGHT NOW....we need 3000 euros for Sofi's agency in her country.  That is an immediate need.  
We can't travel without paying that.
We also need to fund our traveling.
Which is approximately $4000-$5000 each trip.
We are furiously applying for grants.
If we can get any of those they will help greatly.

Thank you so much for following our Steps to Sofi.  Her story is but one in hundreds of thousands of children who need a home.  When she comes home there will be one less.  One less sad, alone, orphaned child.  Not everyone is called to adopt.  Some people are called to support.  For all of you who support us; emotionally, physically, spiritually, or financially, we thank you.

A voice for Hayden...

Dear Life,

Meet Hayden.

She is 7 years old.  

Her picture does not do her justice.

These are the things you see when you look at her picture:

She looks so sad and sickly.  

Her brown eyes look so forlorn.

The purple smudges under her eyes speak of poorly treated anemia.

She has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. And they are both untreated.  Her back is still open and her hydrocephalus is unshunted.

What you can't see in the picture...she loves to play ball.
She loves to cuddle.
She expresses joy.
She dances to music.

In spite of it all.

Her brown eyes could sparkle...she could smile more....if she had parents to love her.

Her cheeks could get plump, and the purple smudges could go away...if she had parents to love her.

Her recurring UTI's could go away, and her kidneys could stay healthy...if she had parents to love her.

Are you her mommy?  Will you be dancing with Hayden?

If you would like to know more about Hayden, please contact Nina Thompson at Children's House International. (nina.thompson@chiadopt.org)