Wyatt will be taking the longest road trip of his life next week! He will be driven by our translator and his staff to Sofia. They will be applying for his passport which means this is something we do not have to do when we arrive in Bulgaria. I am so grateful.
Please pray:
-that he will be able to cope well with the appointment and travelling
-that everything goes well
-that part 2 of his immigration application is processed in a timely fashion


Three things standing between bring Wyatt home:
1. Send in part 2 of Immigration and receive approval
2. Obtain Wyatt's passport
3. To get a facilitation visa for Wyatt

My hope is that is early to middle January I can board a plane to bring him home!

Hi Heather, the birth certificate shall be ready maybe in Monday, so once it is translated, I shall call the orphanage to appoint the date when Vasko will be in Sofia for the passport and I shall send the Part 2 to Canadian Embassy
Antoniya

Today I was thinking about how each of my family members who have been adopted have a different story. They all have stories that include the loss of their birth family. Because of their losses we have the blessing of calling them family.

I was looking through old pictures today and that is what caused me to think through this today. It was a picture of Brent and his birth mom. She loves Brent and I say she made the hardest decision when she gave Brent to our family. Because of his health and disability he would not have received the care he needed to live in HK. She loved him so much she gave him hope and a future. She is a hero.

Wyatt will not remember that he lived with his birth family for the first year of his life. I will tell him that he was loved by his mom and that she did not have the resources to care for him. It was not a choice she made but it was made for her. Now he has a Mom who loves him. A Mom who will be there for him each day. A Mom to tuck him in each night and to meet his needs.

Today my agency sent me the news that they have my court decree! Wyatt is my son on paper now!!!

Today I also found out that my agency is going to get Wyatt's passport and Visa before I arrive in Bulgaria. This means I will be able to be in Sofia for a much shorter amount of time.

God continues to pave the way. for that I am thankful.

I am not sure that it has sunk in yet that I am a Mom. A Mom to a child who is no longer an orphan but a loved child. He is cherished, loved, wished for and wanted. He is a member of a family.

I cannot wait until he comes home in January. What an amazing month it will be.

A New Name!!

Today after 6 years, 2 months and 29 days of not having a Mom to call his own. I am proud and excited to announce that today in a Bulgarian Court I became the Mom of a 7 year old boy.

His new name is: 

Wyatt Timothy Vasil Keno

 Wyatt means strong and brave which I think is appropriate for all he has faced in his short life and the adjustment that is coming for him.

Timothy means to honour God. I love the meaning but the reason I have chosen Timothy is because of a man that I knew with that name. He was a man of God, who loved deeply and encouraged me to follow the desires of my heart. He told me that I would make a difference in the lives of people around me and he was such an honourable man. I am excited to tell Wyatt about Pastor Tim.
Pastor Tim's eldest son and family have adopted a daughter with Downs from Bulgaria as well.

Vasil is the name Wyatt's birth mom gave him at birth although he goes by his nickname.


After 2,281 days he now has a Mom again. Someone to love and protect him. Someone to meet his needs and to introduce him to life outside of an institution.

My heart is full and is full of peace. Now I can't wait until January when I get to go and bring him home forever.

Thank you for your support and love throughout this journey. What a ride it has been some days and I could not have done it without each of you cheering us along. I will be flying to Bulgaria in January to pick him up! We now wait for his adoption decree, birth certificate and part 2 of Immigration to be processed and then I can be on my way to pick him up.

In the coming weeks I will be packing, finishing up at work and getting ready for Wyatt to come home. I have around $2500 left to raise and so make sure you buy some baking and chocolates if you live locally!

Tonight as we sleep Wyatt will become my son.

I am so excited and trusting that everything will go well.

I cannot wait to tell you that it is official!

6 nights until Wyatt becomes my son! I am so thankful that I have the honour of becoming Wyatt's Mom and I wish the same for all orphans. I would be filled with joy if my friends would adopt as well. If they could see the need for orphans to be cared for.

November 18th

In one week I will officially be Wyatt's Mom!! He will no longer be an orphan. I will no longer be a family of 1.

He will be a son, cousin, nephew and friend. He will be cared for in every area of his life and he will no longer be lacking in any love or care. He will have a family to celebrate each milestone with.

Please join me in praying for favour with the Bulgarian judge who will be seeing my case. Pray that my court decree will be processed quickly and that I will be able to go at the beginning of January to pick him up.

I sure do love him and cannot wait to hold him in my arms again.

Bible Verses on Adoption

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19


Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him – His name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:4-6


I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18


For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16


We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Romans 8:22-24


But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-6


For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. Ephesians 1:4-6


Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Blessing

I found out that I will not have to update my home study as I was under the impression I would need too....so that is a $500-800 savings! Thank you Lord for another little miracle.

Some of Wyatt's favourite toys that he learned to play with while we were there. He did not know how to play with toys and we were told that he wouldn't be able too. He was learning and I have no doubt that he will continue to learn how to play with toys.

He also played with Uncle David's tablet.

 

 

Court Date

My 4am check on Wednesday was rewarded with a court date!!It was not easy to not wake up my sister and call my parents but instead I celebrated by myself and then went back to bed for a nap before work.

Relief is what I felt. Knowing the time was coming where he will officially be declared my son. I will not be going to Bulgaria until January but that is okay. My last day of work will be January 2nd.

The email that held the great news!!

Hi Heather,
The court date is fixed on 18.11.2014.
Best regards,

NGO Our family

The ups and downs of you'll find out this day....not quite yet...we aren't as far in the process as we thought....you do have a judge now....should have a date on Monday....

Hello yo-yo emotions and mindset. So I have no idea when I will get a court date or when things will happen. I do know that soon I should know my court date and then I can plan accordingly!

Looks like January is when I will be picking up my little guy and that day cannot come soon enough in my heart and mind.

They weren't joking....

....when they said adoption is like a rollercoaster ride. I feel like I have been climbing the big hill on a roller coaster and I am sitting teetering and just waiting for the wild downhill part to start again. The suspense is a presence I feel when I slow down.


I was told that my case was at the courts but then my agency emailed me yesterday to say that it is still waiting at the MOJ and should be sent to the courts soon. It did not move as they were told it would and/or how they expected it too. There was an election a couple weeks ago and so it would make sense that it would cause some more delays.

I am praying that Wyatt will be home by Christmas and I am really hoping I get a court date soon.

I hope next week I can report some good news! For now I am encouraged as I watch people bid and I know that with each bid we are closer to being fully funded! Thanks you for blessing me as I wait.

What a year it has been!

One year ago tomorrow I officially started my home study and a year later I am waiting to hear my court date. I never dreamed it would move along like it has. Last year at this time I was lost to know how I would ever have enough money to fund my adoption and you have all come alongside of me and made my dream of adopting come true. Without you this adoption would not have been possible at this time.

Last year I was needing well over $30,000 and now I am needing under $6,000. It has not been an easy but it is worth it. Some weeks I feel like I could sleep for days but I guess that is preparing me for the years ahead.


Today as I celebrate my 29th birthday I am grateful for the people around me who have supported me on this journey. This past year has been a full year:
-started and finished my homestudy and dossier
-was matched with Wyatt
-trip with Andrea and Brent to Disney Land
-meet Wyatt!
-Travelled to Europe/Eastern Europe for the first time (my body doesn't like the time changes)
-became a Mom in my heart
-made many dear friends in the adoption world
-held fundraisers
-started getting the supplies I will need for my son
-picked the theme of his room
-learned you cannot please people all of the time (not easy for me to learn)


What is to come this year:
-I will become a Mom officially on paper
-another trip across the ocean
-Wyatt will come home
-I have the honour of bringing Christmas gifts to children, youth and adults in the organization that runs Wyatt's centre
-I will have 42 weeks to bond with Wyatt before I go back to work
-I am hoping to introduce Wyatt to my friends in AB and SK as well to bring him to meet Dale and Vasko (friends we met while in BG)
-I get to introduce Wyatt to my friends, family and favourite spots on the Island

Thank you for your support and coming along on this journey with me.

Half Packed

Wyatt's suitcase is packed and the only thing I need to add is some baby food for trip home and his new Disney shirts from my sister and brothers.

I have my list made and will pack the day before I leave as I need everything until then.

This Love

This Love by Mandi Mapes

I’ve never felt this way before
funny how you found you’re way to my door   
and suddenly my prayers are coming true
and these arms are not letting go of you

this love this love is the deep kind
you’re my baby, you’re my sunshine
I’ll hold your hand, be your biggest fan
and I’ll love you all of the time

our eyes are not quite the same shade
and your hair blows in the wind a different way 
but I am your mother and 
I love you just the same 
so I’ll take your hand honey 
and you can take my name

my heart has been redeemed,
adopted and now I know my Father
this grace that I’ve received 
I want to show you
I want to show you

this love this love is the deep kind
it hangs on through the storm and the sunshine
I’ll hold your hand, be your biggest fan
and I’ll love you all of the time

© 2010 Mandi Mapes

Update

I received an email from my agency to say that starting next week (tomorrow) I can expect to hear about a signature and court date. This doesn't mean that next week I will get the email I am waiting for but it does mean I am getting closer. The judges are starting to come back from their summer vacations and so people are getting dates. It is the waiting game continued but I know that each day I am closer to bringing Wyatt home and most days that keeps my emotions in check:)  I do miss him and want him home with me but then I also realize that I have lots to do in the coming months and so I am working hard at getting things checked off my list.

Yesterday, we moved our extra beds and some items we have been given into a storage unit. God has been providing used things through friends this past while and so I am trusting that when the timing is right that God will provide us with a bigger house. We love our house we are renting right now but we are realizing that we will need 2 more bedrooms coming up so that our respite kiddo's have their own rooms. For now we are content and will continue to accept things that people no longer need.

I was given some adoption scrapbooking supplies and so I am excited to start Wyatt's first album that we can look through together and I can tell him all about how loved he is by so many. People have sacrificed and given so that he has an opportunity to live in a family. I am grateful for the people around me who see that Wyatt is worth loving and fighting for.

As much as I had the opportunity to meet Wyatt and spend 5 days with him I cannot wait to really get to know him. I also cannot wait to introduce him to everyone and I know that many be limited at first so that he has time to adjust to life in Canada with a Mom but eventually he will have an opportunity to meet all of you. He may never be able to say the words thank you but he will be able to use his smile and laughter to do that.

Nesting?

Is it nesting or just getting prepared? I have a drive to get everything ready and so although I have things I still need I now have a bed, strollers, booster seat for eating, diaper bag, dresser, car seat, clothes, foot ware, toys and jackets. Most of it is pre-loved:)

I need a thermometer, diapers, wipes and a few general children's medications. Those are items I will pick up after I pass court. I am hoping for a court date in October but I guess time will tell.

Finacial Update/Upcoming Fundraisers

Well I have learned that even if you think you know how much something will cost it always seems to cost more than expected! Adoption seems to have a lot of hidden costs that they do not list on the break down sheets. So today I have re-looked at what I need to raise and unfortunately it is around $39,000 that the adoption is going to end up costing ( that is as long as there are no unexpected surprises going forward). That means I have $7000 left to raise before Wyatt is ready to come home.

I have 4 last fundraisers planned and I am hoping that it will bring me close to the amount needed.

1. In late October I will be hosting another online auction with many items that will be great for Christmas presents!! If you wish to donate any items please let me know!

2. I will be doing a Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser at Christmas again for local families.

3. Lastly, you can purchase magazine subscriptions HERE and 37% of the profits go towards my adoption.

4. If you live locally and have returnable drink containers I have an account at the Parksville Bottle Depot and you just have to ask them to put it towards the "Keno Adoption Fund".

Thank you for your support. I could not have done this without each of you!

Wish List

The plan is that I will be bringing Wyatt home before Christmas and so my hope is that I will be able to bring Christmas presents for the other children/youth/adults in the organization where Wyatt lives (approximately 48 in total). Even if the adoption is not complete until January they will have Christmas in January.

If you wish to donate any of the following items please let me know. I can arrange to pick them up if you live in the mid-Island area. Or if you wish to gift money towards this project I will use it to buy items for the children/youth/adult once we arrive in Sofia. Thank you for considering it.


Hygiene Products:

• Soft kids tooth brushes
• Soft adult tooth brushes
• Kids Tooth paste
• Adults tooth paste
• Combs
• Hairbrushes
• Hair accessories
• Bars of Soap
• Plastic cups

School Supplies:

• Pencil Crayons
• Hand held pencil sharpeners
• Construction Paper
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Stickers
• Notebooks
• Colouring Books
• Simple foam craft kits (no glue needed)

Clothing:

• Socks (Size 4 toddler to adult)
• Clothes for boys and girls (size 3 toddler to adult medium)
• Toques
• Mitts

Toys:

• Beach Balls
• Baby toys (vibrate, make music, light up) with batteries included
• Dolls and accessories
• Soft toys (balls, blocks, etc)
• Play jewellery
• Puzzles
• Foot ball, soccer ball, volley ball and hand pumps.
• Cars
• Special needs appropriate toys (a lot of the children have severe disabilities)

Packaging:

• 48 stockings
• 2 used hockey bags
• 2 used large suitcases

Wyatt

First, I have to start this by saying that I never would have picked Wyatt from a stack of profiles but I am so glad God picked me to be his Mom. I started to fall in love with him when I first saw his pictures in January but the moment I got my first hug from him I knew it we were meant to be a family. He is wonderfully created and made. He has a contagious laugh and makes a lot of different faces.

My plan was to blog each day but that went out the door with the stomach bug I got. I got to hug a foreign toilet and will remember to bring more gluten free food next time. The week was more emotionally draining than I had imagined but so filled with joy.

Facts about Wyatt:

• He is very light and around 40 inches tall around a size 2/3 toddlers size in clothing and size 9 toddlers in shoes
• He is on no medications
• He eats a smooth puree. They gave him a cookie and he didn't get the concept of chewing. 
• He tripped and bit his lip and cried and looked for comfort from a lady that was an employee. That is a huge!
• Once a year they get new clothes and they received them while we were there. The staff were very excited and were showing me a couple of the things for Wyatt.
• We were told he would not play with toys, but we did get him too start.
• We were able to feed him 2 meals a day most of the week. They give a thick soup, entrée and dessert.
• We got to go to the city centre to get Wyatt's picture taken for his immigration forms. We also went for a walk and to the park. Wyatt loves the swing! I guess we will have to put one up in our yard.
• He loves to be tickled.
• He loves to laugh.
• He will need dental work done and to have his thyroid tested. Other than that he seems very healthy.
• We got to spend time with some of the other children in the home and one girl in particular is very sweet. I hope she finds a family to love her.
• He loves to walk up and down the stairs.
• He loves to make his presence know- he will make sure those around him notice him if he wants attention.

Wyatt is amazing and I am so thankful he will be my son. My loved, my long for son who I have dreamed about and prayed for.

 

July 14th!

Today at around 10:20 I met Wyatt for the first time!

We arrived in "Y" around 9:30 and they let us into our hotel room (man is it a blast from the past).We got a couple things ready and then met our translator and soon after was off to meet him. We drove for 5 minutes and then we pulled up to a gate and behind it is a new building. One of the ladies who seems to be in charge and was expecting us came to great us. She welcomes us in and as you walked into the building there is a main room ahead and that is where the children were. I scanned the room and could not see him. It turned out he was sleeping on the chair and so we couldn't see him over the back of it. They woke him up and put him on his feet and directed him to us. He came to me and let me pick him up. He gave the firmest, biggest hug and didn't let go. The waterworks started for Andrea and I. He is perfectly and wonderful made. He is cuter than the pictures too!

He is usually quiet and just sits there but he was vocal for us and let us know what he wanted. The translator said that at one point he was repeating "hello" and "why". He did even play with some toys which he doesn't do and so I see so much potential.


We sat on the porch, learned a bit about him and then went inside and played with some of the other children as well. I got to feed him lunch and watch him get ready for his nap. They showed me his bedroom and told me he loves showers. He shares a bedroom with one other child and he is in a bed. The EU has funded this home and it is nice. There is no comparison to where he was until recently. it is night and day.

He was suppose to start a going to a program today where he will receive physio and speech therapies. He will start next Monday since we are here this week and I am excited to see what they will be able to help him with.

He did get overwhelmed at the end of the visit and during the earlier one- I think the stimulation was more than he is used too. We ended our visit tonight as I felt he was done.

I am not sure how I will be able to say good bye Friday the good thing is that he is being cared for now and the next time I see him in the late fall/winter I will bring him home forever!

My heart is full but I am emotionally drained.
Thank you for your prayers and support. I cannot wait for you to all meet Wyatt oneday as he is pretty amazing.

Meet My Future Son

I met my future son today!

We arrived at our hotel got some things together and left for the centre where he now lives. What a change from his previous life at the institution in a neighboring city. We drove up and it is a new building and so nice.

You walk in through the gate and into a shoe room and then into the main room and there were children and youth all sitting around (10ish) and I scanned but could not see Wyatt. He was sleeping on a chair in front of where I was standing and he's tiny so I couldn't see his head over the back of the chair.

One of the staff woke him up and stood him up and he came to me and let me pick him up and hugged me so tight. The water works started for Andrea and I. He's more cuter than I imagined!  He's gonna be a charmer. 


He did get overwhelmed at one point and I just held his hands so he would stop pulling my hair.


He is taller than I expected (40 Inches). And he has narrow feet (size 8).  He fits size 12 months paints and around a size 2 shirt.


I got to feed him his lunch and watch them get him ready for bed. He eats puree with minimal chunks and can't really chew it seems- they gave him a bit of a cookie and he wasn't sure what to do with it.  

The facility is build and run by the UN- it is new. He shares a room with one person. He has a twin bed, desk and cabinet for his clothing.


He was suppose to start a new program today -like special needs school with physio and speech. Because we are here he will start next week!

The staff seem very nice.

There are an array of needs in his home from 1 girl who is very smart and she is there because of her CP- very minor. She is 11 and would love a family. She stole my heart.


He sleeps 9-730
8-830 eats

"Hello and Why" he was saying!!

It's Here!

Tomorrow is the day that I have been waiting for...the day where I get to meet Wyatt!!!

Although, I have been in Bulgaria since Thursday it doesn't feel that tomorrow is one of the biggest days of my life so far. I am meeting the little 6 year old who will become my son. I will get to spend 5 days loving him and getting to know things about him and then I will leave him at the Center for 5-6 months before I get to bring him home forever.

My prayer is that we will be able to bond and that I would know without a doubt that he is the one who is meant to be my son. That I would ask the right questions and be able to remember what is said.

Black Sea

We flew into Sofia and went to Burgas for the weekend. The Black Sea is beautiful but oh boy I am not cut out for European beaches. This conservative Canadian prefers Sproat Lake or Rathtrevor any day.

Bulgaria

I have been in Bulgaria for over 24 hours!

We spent 5 nights in London seeing the sights and finding out where are the best places to find inexpensive gluten free meals. It was a busy 4 days but a great time. It was Andrea's dream and I have come to have a deeper appreciation for the history of the Royal Family. We were up at 3:30am and flew out at 9:00 for Bulgaria yesterday.

We arrived in Sofia and the translator picked us up. Well Andrea went with him and I took a taxi with the rest of the luggage ( we brought to much for their tiny cars here). The taxi dropped me off at the side of the road by the agency office and I waited with 3 suitcases for the translator and Andrea to arrive. We left 3 of our bags at the office and then went to our hotel to check in. We stayed at Sofia Place Hotel which is at the heart of the city. Driving by you would have no idea that there was a hotel there and that it would be nice.
The translator brought us to get our lev's out and then we relaxed by watching the Calgary Stampede in our hotel room after going to a local store to grab some supper. At 7:15pm the founders of my Bulgarian Agency came to bring us out for supper (a surprise for us-good thing I had a small first supper). It was nice meeting them and seeing how they desire to grow their agency and have more Canadians adopt through their agency. They seem to have the interest of the children in mind and they were telling me about a 3 year old girl with DS who needs a family....any takers?!?!?

Today Andrea and I took a 7 hour bus ride from Sofia to Burgas. We are staying at the Fors Family Hotel and then Monday we take the bus to Yambol to meet Wyatt!

Layover in London!

All our luggage that made its way to Bulgaria. Donations, gifts and our belongings.