FORGET THE FROCK, Feed an Orphan.

After checking in on Sidney today on Facebook, my plans have changed. I am a mom of three beautiful little girls; sisters that at first look do not look alike at all, and one handsome boy that looks an awful lot like the smallest sister. I often dress the girls alike, especially the youngest two. But for Easter and Christmas they all look like they belong together. You know, matching dresses and a coordinating polo shirt. Not too fancy, just special.

Well, nothing like someone else's conviction that grabs your heart and won't let go! Yep we're in. Our family is taking the challenge. Not only are we in, but we are challenging you to jump in to. That is, if your heart is touched and it won't go away. Maybe it is not for you. That's fine. Maybe it is. Then choose your frock and join in the challenge.

Orphan Sunday 2011

Orphan Sunday planning has begun! Check out their website and find a great way for you, your family, your community or your church to be involved! For sure plan to participate in the Orphan's Table. I truly believe this experience could change individuals, our nations and the world. (More on that in a later post.) For today, get it on your calendar for November 6, 2011 and then browse the website for ideas so you can start planning.

Dear Waiting Parents,

You are in my heart and on my mind today. Maybe it is the events of the week that cause me to think of all the children going to sleep with out their parents to tell them every thing will be all right. Or maybe because we have friends that were in route to their newest daughter and were grounded because of the tsunami. Oh, to be so close to holding her in their arms and then to have to wait some more.

Friends I know what it is like to wait. To wait for a child you have never met, to wait to be chosen by a brave and amazing birth mother, to wait to bring home children you have already held in your arms and kissed but are not allowed to hold in your home... yet. For you who are waiting I want to encourage you. If it seems to much, call your agency and tell them you need a little information that will let you know that someday... . Remember those agency fees? They include encouraging words whenever you need them (but you have to ask). I remember saying to our social worker, "This is so hard. I just want to know if there are any babies being born anywhere in this great state and if any of them are being placed with adoptive families." She just hugged me and told me there were and everything was busy and business as usual for them and they had no idea it was any different for me. She assured me I could call any time because there were always exciting things going on. They do not call us because they do not want us to feel hurt or rejected if there is a baby that is placed with someone else. Rejected? I would be elated! I love to hear a good adoption story. It thrills my heart.
Yesterday I began reading a book that caused me to think again about our times of waiting.
As I read the first chapter of Lazarus Awakening by Joanna Weaver I was once again caught up in the story of the sisters, Mary and Martha. They knew Jesus. He had been to their house for dinner, they were friends. The Bible says that Jesus loved them. When their brother got sick they sent word to Jesus to come quickly. Yes. They were tight with GOD; the one who could say a word and all things would be made well. But Jesus did not come. He loved Lazarus, yet he did not come. He did not take away the sickness. He did not prevent him from dying. Why? If he loved them all wouldn't it be an automatic, a no brainer. Heal the brother, save the sisters from grief and sadness, spare the trouble of the burial and all the details. Why? "For the glory of God." John 11:4 Then we get to the end of the story, instead of healing Lazarus from his sickness, Jesus heals him from death. Stone cold, in the tomb four days, all the way dead; and Jesus calls for him to come. Wow! Out comes Lazarus all wrapped up tight. Everyone was so amazed Jesus had to tell them to unwrap him and let him go. Now that ending is way to amazing to be discounted by those that were there.
I love a happy ending at least as much as every one else, but I'm not big on the drama. I don't like stressful movies (even if I know how they will end). I don't like thrilling roller-coaster rides. I don't even really care for The Three Little Pigs running for their lives over and over again. I like smooth sailing, quick conflict management, and sunny days. I think that is why the emotion of the story gets me. The poor sisters had to go through all of that never knowing there was a HUGE miracle coming their way. They had to really feel the pain and the loss of their brother. They had to make the arrangements and prepare his body for burial. They were even angry with Jesus for not helping them out. Real life, real stuff.
That is when I stopped to think of the times in my life when I have asked God to "heal the sickness" to avoid the pain. To take away the troubles and "make it all better." In my life recently that translated to "speed up the process and bring the kids home fast." As you wait for your own adoptions I know you get it. We had been with our kids. We knew the feel of their skin, the sound of their voices, the smell of their little bodies. Legally, they were already ours. Yet we waited. Waited for paper work, waited for visas, waited for governments. All the while wanting it to go faster. You know, Jesus did it His way, not mine. It did not go faster, I was not spared the wait. But oh, the unmistakable miracle, God's greatness is way to amazing to be discounted by those that were there.
Your story is still unfolding. Wait and see. It might be a best seller. :)
Blessing to you as you wait for your child.

The Entertainment continues

In an attempt to keep the restless natives calm we are amping up the creativity.

Sick Days

"Mommy, my legs hurt. Could you give me some medicine?" That was Monday morning. Now, I am sympathetic and all, but I have heard this story many times because they think medicine is a treat. Beth is just honest. She starts with the real request, "Mommy can we have some candy?" Emery is older and wiser. He knows there is no candy before snack time, ever. On this morning, I rubbed his legs, and his back, kissed his head; no fever. "No medicine, but I would be happy to read you a book." Again before lunch I heard about the sore leg muscles. Hmm. After nap repeat of morning wake up, this time a kiss on the head reviled a fever. By 1:00 a.m. it was 104 and time for medicine and a wet wash cloth. By Tues. evening the little girls and I were also feeling very lousy and Daddy was working. I felt so bad that I began searching for the NyQuil that I knew was around here somewhere. I knew I had not felt this bad in years, but when I found the stash of left over cold medicine and read the stamp: expires on 12/04 I realized it had been quite a very long while. Still, I did not feel I was due, or that it was 'about time'. No, I am sure I could have been very grateful for my health and my healthy kids with out all this. It is now Saturday night. Anna has only been feeling bad for 24 hours and still it is mild compared to the hacking, sneezing kids. Emery is feeling quite a lot better but is still "gross" (can a mom say that about her son that she dearly loves?). I feel as though I will live, but would be fooling my self to say I am well; as much as I would like to be. I can say that I have a whole new appreciation for families that always get the bugs and for families dealing with chronic illness. We have not done any of our normal fun stuff this week. We missed the 62 degree days, the big event at the Library, the zoo, several play dates and even gymnastics and Bible Study. The fun of sleeping bags in the living room is wearing off. The novelty of wearing jammies all day is getting old, our library books do not hold the key to great adventure and worlds of fun. I am reconsidering our family decision to not have TV and movies available to the children. And, most of all, I miss people. But look at these faces. Sometimes they don't even know they are miserable. They still put on their princess dresses and tell each other they are beautiful. (until the medicine wears off, then they cry and argue)

free download this month

Hear it Free this Month! Adopted for Life

Dinner Guests

Tonight the children all came to the table at supper time with big smiles and said, "Hi Gail. We are your friends and we came over for dinner at your house." Two of them were dressed like ballerinas and the other two a little like grown-ups caring a doll and diaper bag. I thought to myself that it would be fun to have dinner with 4 lovely friends and their little daughter so I welcomed them. The older 2 were a young couple, "Kelly and Suzie" with a little girl, not yet 2 years old, named Susan (Anna's real doll).
I am so glad I thought to invite this lovely family to my home. We all had a nice visit and they were such great parents. They were both active in the feeding and care of Susan. They communicated well with each other and seemed to attend well to her quiet requests.
The "lol" moments for me were all provided by the "dad". While sharing his bread and attending to the child, he looked at the "mom" and said, "Oh, her nose is running, she needs a Kleenex." (Just like... well, any dad.) Then when he was finished eating, and the mother was not, he said he would take the little girl. He removed her bib and started to take her out of the highchair, "Oops! It's OK, I caught her before she landed on her head." (At this time I was alone under the table cleaning an applesauce spill from one of the other, carefree guests and did actually lol.) After righting the child and holding her in his arm he exited the room stopping in the doorway to ask over his shoulder, "Where are her diapers?" Mother replied that she did not need them right now, but did need her face washed. Again, LOL.
I am not sure if this role playing was truly as funny as it seemed, or if I just need to get out more, but I was entertained.
So, now you know the latest: Here's What's Happening at our House Tonight. :)

Snow, What's Going on Here.

November 18, it was sunny and 60 degrees. A little cooler than it had been, but a very nice day.

November 19, snow.

November 20, more snow!


November 22-24, below zero. Too cold to go out so we had to play inside.



Big fun and for a bonus, clean floors.

No Sea Turtles Here

We read about sea turtles tonight. The eggs are left alone in the sand. They hatch alone, make their way to the ocean alone, and then try to survive alone. We are not sea turtles. We were created to be in families. It is in the heart of every one to belong, in some significant way, to someone. Sea turtles, not so much; but people need family. I believe our kids have that great desire to belong to each other. They can not be separated. They call each other brother and sister. They refer to each other as "my brother" or "my sister" when talking to others. I am sure it is this desire to belong that has made these kids; just 15 months ago strangers to each other into a FAMILY. They did not have to befriend each other, but I am so glad they did!! They do of course, have their moments (some times lasting more than just one moment), but they truly love each other and prefer one another over all their peers. We are so blessed.

Summer revisited

We are having a bonus round of summer and enjoying it to the full. Last week it snowed this week:

Celebrate

One year home seems so significant right now. So many firsts, so many lasts. The kids have grown and changed and so have we. There are no babies in our family now; just little kids hungry to learn. They are always exploring, nearly fearless and genuinely enthusiastic. The country in which we spent seven days one year ago is, like us, not the same. The family in which our children spent their beginning is not the same. We have heard nothing from or about them, but wait with eager anticipation for news.

I am by nature sentimental, traditional, and resistant to change. But I too am not the same. I look to the future as the great adventure my kids seem to embrace. I know that for everything there is a time and a season. Each season will have smooth sailing and bumps in the road. There will be joys and triumphs as well as times when we need more help than we know how to find. We will be encouragers and need encouragement. If there is one thing I have learned in this past year, it is that change is good. We were not designed to stay the same. We were made to grow. Just as our children have become more like us(for better or worse), I must become more like my Father; embracing His values and doing things His way.

So how does a family celebrate? In our family, our only son has a birthday just 4 days after our home coming. This year he turns 5. We only have Birthday parties for 5, not 3, not 4, not 6, not 7. Only 5. So, on a hot evening we gathered in the back yard with a few friend, close family, 50 hot dogs, a huge watermelon and lots of fun. We played, sang Happy Birthday, ate cake and ice cream, then called it a night when the rain started. I can't think of a better way to celebrate family than with a birthday party for the newest five year old. It was a blast (at least for the five year old and his mommy).

Proud to Be an American

I still stand for the National Anthem and so do my kids. We treat the flag with respect, honor soldiers, and learn all the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet, still i feel a great lack of patriotism. I mean, less than my Grandfather's generation. My Granddad was US Air Force. He flew the planes we see in pictures and museums. He knows first hand the life saving value of a properly packed parachute. He served in war and in peace. He was the "true blue, all American man." He stood 6'2", but i thought he was at least 7' tall as i stood next to him on the street that day, probably 30 years ago, with his hat in his hand and his hand over his heart. Those colors marched by as proud as could be and so was I. My Grandpa helped make all this celebrating possible and I was sure proud of that. Here we are, 30 some years later living in the same country, but some how that "stand tall" feeling is not in the crowd the way it was then. The great grandpas are not here to brag and exaggerate a little with their stories of "the way it was." I want my kids to hear the hush of the crowd when the colors are raised. I want them to never feel comfortable sitting when the National Anthem is played.

I do not really know how this "feeling" of patriotism is passed on. When they are 6,4 and 3 can they understand? I don't know, but I dressed them in Red, White and Blue and told them a few things they may not remember then let them eat ice cream because this very special day is America's Birthday and we are proud to be Americans. They will probability remember the ice cream...

"So, What Have You Been Up to Lately?"

This is Anna's favorite question. She starts all phone conversations this way and often "meets" new people in the grocery store because of it. It is also the question most of you are asking when you check this sight, so here it goes.

We have been Having BIG FUN all over town. We have been to most of the parks and a few water hot spots. Emery and Anna will start swim lessons next week and Emery has lost his 3rd tooth. The kids have been home almost 11 months now and we are liking our routine. Abby can pump herself on the swings and likes to "swing to the clouds like Anna." Beth loves the playground and usually is in charge of the sand toys. On rainy days we still play outside, we eat soup and popcorn and make fun stuff with Legos, Lincoln logs and building blocks. Beth is the head cook and nanny for the bears and dolls and Abby heads up crayon and marker distribution. Our bike outings now include 2 two wheeled bikes (Abby calls them school wheel bikes) and 2 tricycles (one with a rope to help with the up-hill leg of the trip). Our driveway is often decorated with sidewalk chalk, rocks for bumpy riding and leaves and grass of all kinds to feed the "cows" they are raising on their "farm". They have abundant energy and great imaginations. There is never a dull moment around here, but we do try to enforce a quiet hour in the afternoon and earlyish bed time to help the happy attitudes keep up with the energy levels. And now what you really logged on to see: A great big thank you to Ronnie for the great pictures. Check out his blog.

Eight Month Home

Eight months is just about the time most babies are finding their independence and mobility; pulling themselves up, crawling all over, attracted to every open stair way. At eight months home our kids are experiencing their own independence and new mobility. Emery is riding a two wheel bike, Abby is proficient enough on her tricycle to ride on our family outings, and they are all able to play in the back yard without and adult. Abby plays at the park and climbs the slide without mommy by her side. Emery climbs the tree and jumps down like a little monkey! Emery can cartwheel and do hand stands better than I ever could and both kids love life to the full. If you are friends with us on Facebook you will know that there is never a dull moment around here. The kids are all thinking and talking faster than I can keep up and they are as bright as the Haitian sun. We have our moments and our issues,but the fits are fewer and the laughter hearty. We are doing way better than we ever expected and know that we are truly blessed.

Kids get to come home!!!!

Great news for all of my friends and Chances for Children family who are pending their adoption in Haiti: it's official!!!!! Secretary Napolitano Announces Humanitarian Parole Policy for Certain Haitian Orphans

Earthquake in Haiti

There is very little information available right now, but the news from our orphanage is that the building, kids and staff are safe. We will pray for the people in Haiti and look for opportunities to do something tangible.

The "How" Of Our Adoption

It started nearly two years ago. Now we want to tell you how God did it.

Before this all began, in the fall of 2000, I heard Steven Curtis Chapman share his adoption story for the first time on Focus on the Family. One of the things he said was, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide."

Only a coupe of weeks before the idea of the Haiti adoption came up for us, we were interviewed by the local news station as part of the November "Adoption Awareness Specials". The reporter asked what we would say to someone considering adoption, and I quoted Steven Curtis Chapman about the financial part of adoption. When I discovered that the Haiti adoption, was going to be about $30,000, I immediately thought, "Oh, never mind; we could never do that." In that same instant I heard myself telling the reporter, "Don't let the cost of adoption keep you from it. If God asks you to adopt, He will provide." With a deep breath and a big sigh I nodded my head and prayed, "God, that's us. We can't do it, but you can."

With in the first weeks someone paid our initial agency fees, and another fee was waived. We were given an application for a grant and were awarded $1000. Another family with a huge heart for adoption paid our in-country fees for one of the children, and someone else sent a check for the entire amount of their inheritance - with interest! We received checks in the mail and donations on our blog through PayPal from long lost friends, family members and also from people we did not know. Each time there was an amount due, the money was there. We were so excited because in only two months the Lord had provided $18,000 of the $20,000! Because of God's amazing provision, we were not even concerned about the rest.

We shared our story in church to thank and encourage everyone. God was doing what we could never imagine. Then, someone whose heart was touched by our story, wrote a check for the remaining $2000. So amazing! At the end of our wait to bring the children home, a friend decided to have a mail box shower for us. We did not need toys and normal shower things, and people are very busy in the spring; so she sent out letters asking people to write us a note of encouragement, and if they wanted, to send a gift. Every day we were showered with blessings from friends and family. Our five-year-old waited outside on the porch each day for the mail lady to see what kind of nice words people would send to her.

We applied for a grant for $4000 to help with travel expenses to go get the kids, but were denied. Joel just said, "God's going to do something great, and we will just wait." Yes! The checks that came the week before we left and the week after we got home were the exact amount needed. Then, two more checks arrived in the mail, and our post-placement bill was paid.

Oh, there have been so many other blessings; things the Lord did not have to do, but He did. Like giving us the opportunity to meet and hold the little boys that were "Not for Us".

This journey has not been easy. At times it has not been fun, and at times the sacrifice has seemed greater than I wanted to make. But, oh the joy of obedience! I hope you get to meet our kids. They are awesome. Their smiles and laughs will touch your heart. Their stories, yet untold, will in some way change the world and the Kingdom for eternity.

If you are waiting, may God bless you! If you are thinking about adopting, may God lead you. If you know someone who is adopting, may God use you to bless them.

What Remains

The Love Chapter for Parents

If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of LEGOs and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but have not love, I am only the siren of the kids' ride-on fire truck, annoyingly stuck on hold.

If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we'll survive life's emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I save all my box tops and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under-eye circles (without the benefit of BOTOX, tanning salons or diet bars),but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient when someone isn't ready to use the big girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn't envy my neighbor who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can't afford.

It is not rude, snapping at my spouse or children when things don't go my way. It is not easily angered at perceived or real injustices.

It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children's needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perseveres amid hardship and doubt.

Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, Little League and dioramas built from shoe boxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby care trends, discipline strategies and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.

Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less-than-perfect moments.

But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains... long after I am gone.

By Cindy Sigler Dagnan
Published by Focus on the Family
August 2007
Used without permission

Big Day!

Ready














Set














Go!

Mommy and Abby walked Anna to school on the first day. She was ready, curious, and confident. She blew me a kiss as she walked into class and had a great day!

Five Weeks Home

We have been together as a family of six for five weeks now! I just read the Post Placement report written by our social worker at 3 weeks. What a difference!
The little girls are playing together more every day.
They are holding hands and sharing things.
Every one is going to bed with out Mommy in the room and with "close the door".
The only person sleeping with Mommy is Daddy!
Anna has convinced Emery that it is really the "Muffin Man" and not the "Button Man".
Every one is loving Emery's laugh and sense of humor! What a funny boy.

We are all learning and growing every day. There are still challenges that surprise us and dinner was mac and cheese tonight, but we are getting there. Maybe this week i will make something for dinner that does not have spaghetti sauce. Any ideas? Thank you for praying! and Thank you to the Hodge's for giving up your Saturday to serve us!!! We are so very blessed.