Monday, December 30, 2013

Many Faces...

....of children who are waiting for a family.
 
Some pictures of orphans who are waiting for parents to come and adopt them. They live in orphanages in the country where my son lives. One of these boys may be my son depending on who my agency chooses for me. I am doing a blind referral where I do not request a specific child but my agency will pick a file that fits within the parameters my social worker and I have given.
 
There are many children who are waiting for families to adopt and love them. I do not know the specific number of orphans or how many of them have downs but I do know that there are many children waiting and who all they want is a family to love them and bring them home.
 
It is a country that is open to single moms and families of all sizes. It takes around 18 months to complete the adoption of a child with disabilities. It involves two trips (although some families only go on 1) and they are open to people over the age of 25 years old.
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

 

 
 

 

Are you my family?!?!?!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Adoption is like a ride that has extremely slow sections and then some that are wild and fast. I am at the coasting section right now as I wait for Immigration to process my application.

So how am I passing the time now?
  • reading lots
  • thinking about my next fundraisers
  • thinking through what I will need for my son
  • finishing up projects I have started
  • spending time enjoying family get togethers
  • went shopping with my Mom (thank you gift cards!)
  • we have respite kids most weekends
  • thinking and starting to plan our time in Bulgaria
  • counting down the days before Brent brings Andrea and I to Disney Land
  • trying to decide on a name for my son

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Half Funded!

When I started the process to adopt I thought that it would be a painful experience saving and raising the funds. It has been alot of work but people have been so generous to me and I am so blessed to be able to say that my adoption fund is at $18,554! Thank you for the ways that you have given so that my child will know the love of a forever family. I am blown away with how God has provided and I know that my son will be a reminder of his provision and faithfulness. I look forward to seeing how he will provide the remaining funds.

Already paid:
Application fee: $3000
Criminal Record Checks: $100
Immigration: $100
Notary: $30
Fee for Bulgarian Program to my BC Agency: $5500
Psychiatrist fee: $750

Coming up:
Social workers traveling expenses: approx $200
Notary: $56
Translation and to get the papers authenticated: approx $1500
BC Agency Fees: approx $10,000
Travelling expenses for two trips
As well there will be other fees and expenses along the way.

Hopefully in one year my adoption will be complete as I would love to for him to be home for Christmas!
Merry Christmas!!!



Friday, December 20, 2013

Grateful to the woman who chose life for my son




Tonight, I am thinking about how I will have the honour of raising a son-someone who was born to another woman. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thanksgiving that I will have this privilege.
It is because of someone else's loss and decision that I can do this.

I am thankful for the woman who chose life for our son.
I am thankful that she was strong and carried him for nine months.
I am thankful that she brought him to a place where he would be cared for.

I pray that God will heal her heart and that she will have a peace in her heart knowing that her son is loved.

I do not know why she chose not to raise him as her own and I will likely never know. I do not have any negative feelings towards her and understand that in other countries they do not have the support systems we have in Canada. I will tell my son about the mommy who carried him for nine months. The woman who was so strong to make the choice that she felt was best.

I am thankful that I will have the immense honour of being a Mom to her son. Thank you for loving my son so much that you chose life for him. I am very thankful.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The draft is in...

My home study draft has arrived! With some minor changes and approval from the executive director my home study will be complete. It feels great to have one more thing almost done. 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Don't be anxious...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I'm thankful:

  • that $16,385 has been saved and raised for my adoption- so close to being  a half funded!
  • for friends and family who encourage me and support me
  • that my son is alive and living in Bulgaria
  • for two agencies that are assisting me in finding and bringing home my son
  • that I have a warm house to bring my son home too
  • for family traditions 
  •  for a legacy of adoption in my family

Praying for:
  • protection over my son
  • that God will intervene and that the immigration pre-approval would not take until April 
  • that my Bulgarian agency would known which file to pull for me
  • that God would continue to provide the funds for each upcoming payment 
  • that God would be preparing our hearts for what is ahead
  • that people around me would be drawn to God and adoption


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Preparing

Yesterday, I was thinking about how I should be preparing for my son. I was thinking about how when you have a baby there are lists and lists of the things you have to get/buy (carseat, crib, diapers, stroller, carrier, blankets, diaper cream, special shampoo, baby laundry soap, clothes, etc), you have to come up with a name or a list of names and prepare for the birth and baby stages through different classes and readings. You know that within 9 months the baby will arrive.


There are similarities for me as I walk down the road to bring my son home. I will need to buy/get many items (I have a carseat, some toys and depending what size he is maybe some hand-me-downs from my nephew), pick a name and I have been going through adoption classes with my social worker. I just do not know if I need to get clothing in 12 months, size 3 or size 7 and I am not going to buy clothing in everysize just incase:) As well, will I need a highchair, crib and baby toys?

Somethings I do know- that he will have two middle names and my last name, he will have a room decorated with love just for him (Andrea will be assisting me or maybe its more accurate that I will be assisting her- I have come up with the theme and an idea of what I want and she will run with it) and many homemade blankets. He will be loved deeply by his family and I pray that he will come to accept the love quickly and feel safe in my home.

It is surreal to think that just maybe he will be home next Christmas and be experiencing his first Keno Christmas! I cannot wait and I remember how special it was when Aiden had his first Christmas with us. Even though some of us were sick it was so much fun watching  the joy on his face as he experienced each of our traditions.