A New Name?

In the adoption world changing a child's name is something some people frown upon and others agree that it is a family decision. From the beginning of the process I always had plans to give a new name to my son as well as my last name. I did not have a specific one picked out until I saw his picture but I had a list on my phone. When I saw him I knew what his new name would be.

Why did I feel the need to change his name?
1) It gives him a fresh start and a new identity in his new family and culture. He will know that he is loved when he hears his new name. I honestly believe that Wyatt didn't have positive experiences with his name and wouldn't have heard it outside of when he was given commands to do something. His Mother after he was born never cared for him or visited from what I understand. He was given a very common Bulgarian name.

2) I wanted him to have a name people are familiar with and can pronounce correctly (I am not good at saying his birth names).

3) I wanted to be able to give him a name with significance to me.


When I spent time with Wyatt in summer 2014, I called him by his Bulgarian name (although I did test out Wyatt to make sure I thought it suited him). On Gotcha day, I started using Wyatt with his other name and we found that he responded the same to either name and so by the time we left Bulgaria for home we were just calling him Wyatt. I had planned to use them together for weeks but it wasn't necessary.

I kept his first name in Bulgaria as a middle name. It is a way to honour and remember his first seven years and to have a tie to that part of his story. I picked his first name because I loved it and his other middle name is after someone who impacted my life in a huge way during his years on earth. He spoke words of life and promise over me when we would speak with each other. He loved God deeply and believed that God had purposes for our time on earth. Wyatt will never meet him this side of heaven but a reason I am where I am in life today is because of Pastor Tim.

Orphan Sunday

Today is Orphan Sunday. It all started in a church in Zambia. They decided to not just preach the words of the Bible but to live them out in their actions as well. They started caring for the orphans and widows in their midst. It has made an impact.

Can you imagine the impact the North American churches would have if we started living out the words of the Bible in our everyday actions? Not just preaching them or hearing them but putting them into action. Being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Living intentionally in obedience. Choosing to be generous and open our homes to people who need a family to love, protect and provide for them. This could be through adoption, foster care, respite, hosting, getting involved with Safe Families or inviting people who are struggling to live with you while they get back on their feet. When we know the names of people it is much harder to push them aside and forget about them. They become precious and loved people not just statistics or numbers. They become members of our families.

When we step out and welcome hurting people into our lives it isn't going to be a smooth journey. There are times where it is very hard. However in life we are not called to take the easy roads and avoid things that cause discomfort or sacrifice. We are called to live serving and caring for those around us.

I am praying personally that God will show me where He wants Wyatt and I to be serving in the coming days and months. May I be faithful to listen when He leads.

"Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe:
Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
Doing it happily.
Action is the key--do it immediately,
The joy you will receive!
Obedience is the very best way
To show that you believe."

In 2012, I started feeling that adoption was the path I was meant to walk. I started taking steps forward and fast forward to nine months ago. We were getting ready to fly to Bulgaria to walk Wyatt out of the centre's gates for the last time. There were many steps taken between deciding to adopt and Wyatt coming home and each step was taken in faith.

Since Wyatt has come home we continue to take steps forward in faith knowing that God will lead us where we are meant to be. Wyatt is doing so well. He has adjusted well to life with a family. He is a confident little guy and has a full personality that he shows us more each day. He is a ray of sunshine (even at 2, 3 and 4 am).

Wyatt started school in September and our hope was that he would be able to be attending full time by the middle of October. Wyatt's transition into school has been hard for him. The last week went much smoother but we are finding that 3 hours a day is a challenge still for him. My expectations have changed and we hope to have it up to full days for grade 1. It may take until grade 2 but we will roll with the punches and take each day as it comes.

As my paternity leave was approaching its completion I realized that some changes needed to be made. I sent an email about getting more respite children and out of that I got a job working for a family that has a child with disabilities. It is 3 days a week for 3 hours per day. I am also meeting a family this week about doing respite for them. It is enough to sustain us and I will continue to look for more children to work with as Wyatt is able to handle longer days at school.

This means that I have resigned from the job that I started in September 2012 and have hung up my "Administrative Assistant hat". I know it was the decision that was needed and I am now able to be more flexible for Wyatt. This means that I will not be able to adopt from Bulgaria again as soon as I was hoping but it means I can give of my time to help others bring their children home from Bulgaria. 

DisneyLand 2015

Wyatt just got back from his first trip to Disneyland! He seemed to really enjoy the trip (although he didn't prefer some of the rides). His favourite part was dancing at the Monsters Ink Dance Party and seeing the parades. He smiled and laughed a lot and really enjoyed spending time with his Uncles and Auntie Andrea.

6 Months

 Wyatt,

 I love you so much! You are such a joy and full of life now.You make me so proud. I love being your Mom. I am so grateful that I followed God on this adventure.

I love watching you explore and learn that you love new things. Once you try something a couple times you seem to master it.

Your sense of humor comes out more each day and boy do you think you're funny (we would agree). You think it is the funniest when you try to get away while we are out. You like to chase and be chased. You love to follow your cousins, uncles and friends around. 

You're growing like a weed and look so healthy and strong.

 (Clothes size: size 5 clothes, size 6 diapers and size 10T shoes Height: 43" Weight: 42.6 lbs)

Your favourite words are "mama", "dada", "lala" and any sounds that are loud. You can say "hi" and "up" but only when prompted and when you want too.

You love to...
...give kisses
...give hugs and cuddles
...dance with Mom
...go on road trips 
..."ride" your bike but you do not appreciate wearing your new helmet
...wade in the ocean 
...go for walks
...climb up and down Nana and Papa's stairs
...swing on swings
...relax in your water table
...play at the park
..."reorganize" Aunties room
...walk holding our hands
...to be tickled and laugh
...live life!

Food: still just eating pureed food but you are accepting some textures within them now! You like to chew on chives and this week your favourite drink is pureed watermelon. Your favourite sweet is still chocolate pudding.

Future plans: Starting school in September and heading to DisneyLand in the fall.


When you are scared or hurt you cry now and seek comfort. You know that I am your Mom and that I am here for you. You know that you are loved.

The past 6 months has flown by and I am so excited to see what the next 6 months holds for us. I can't imagine what skills you will be learning and I hope that your growing spurt slows down a bit so that we don't have to move up another size before the fall.

You make me so proud.
Love Always,
Your Mama

 Pictures of a handsome son and his thankful mom!

Rathtrevor

New kinda matching water shoes

first time in the ocean!

Off to find another pool of water

My handsome boy!

Little Qualicum Falls Walk