Friday, July 24, 2009

A New Blog Address

Okay... my husband has alerting me to the situation. I am mixing way to much adoption and family photos info on my blog. He has recommended that I start an additional blog for our family and keep my current to talk about adoption.
So, if you are here for adoption. Stay and I promise to not post too many family photos or info. If you are our family and friends please check out my new blog www.coephotos.blogspot.com to find out the latest cute doings of my little monsters. FYI: Give me until this weekend to actually put pics on my picture blog...lol!!!
Happy Weekend!!!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Love Weekend '09











Yowza... 6 years ago I married the man I love and I am always shocked when our anniversary comes around and I seem to love him a little more than I did the year before. Even when every year I think there would be no way I could love him any more??? Sometimes I want to pinch myself b/c I just cannot believe what a lucky girl I am.
This past weekend was love weekend (aka our anniversary) and we always take off kid-less (thank you mom) and do all the things we used to do before those cute lil' buggers were in the picture. Think relaxing meals out, kayaking, hiking (w/ no one whining their legs hurt), and taking in the views. This year we went to a fab-ulous new resort close to home and I was shocked at how beautiful the beaches were right here in the sunny state... I am ashamed to say that I have lived here my whole life without witnessing such beauty before. I really felt like we were back on one of the Hawaiian islands or something. And, on the way home we stopped by this stunning chapel/ church called the Wayfarers Chapel which is entirly made of glass situated on a gorgeously landscaped bluff... (Bree you definitly have my vote re: your wedding spot). A FANTASTIC time!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

And, We're Back!!!



Woo-Hoo!!!
Okay so I took the summer off of adoption talk to make sure that I was confident and prepared- as much as one could be for the process. And, I say I b/c Hubby needed no said break :) But, I had some worries about finances, how my three kids would handle an edition, and I also had a hard time with all the choices available when you adopt.
When you get pregnant there is no choosing. You get what you get so to speak. There are no discussions on if you can help a child learn a new language or if you think a 4 year old would be able to bond with you. You don't worry about disrupting birth order or explaining your adoption choice with your family members.
So, after a few months off I discovered what I knew all along and what my husband never doubted and that is that we are adopting, and we are adopting not to save a child or to fill some empty void... but much more simply to have one more loving sweet face at our dinner table. We are adding an edition that will bring us joy and yes sometimes pain. We are bringing a new child with which comes a whole new dynamic for our family and we are THRILLED out of our minds to meet them someday.
With my time off I lost some ground on my paperwork etc... So, now I am trying to make up for lost time and scramble to get all my paperwork for the dossier done. Whew... it is a lot of paperwork. I also have to finish my classes for my home study. I have a lot to do before my busy season at work starts next month. And, I need to get this all done quickly b/c I am worried about my adoption being finalized before the tax credit ends at the end of 2010 (in case it is not renewed).
With that said, if any of you have tips on getting this paperwork done in a hurry I would love to hear 'em.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Coincidence??



I haven't talked much about adoption lately b/c Hubby and I were taking a break from the idea... trying to make sure that it was the best choice for our family, trying to figure out the finances etc... But, as many adoptive parents will attest sometimes adoption is not really something we choose. It is more of a path that was laid out for us.
For some reason adoption was placed in our hearts a long long time age, for some reason we both vocalized that inner voice and agreed that we needed to do something about it. And, for some reason every time we try to turn away or change course some huge sign comes out of nowhere and hits us both (honestly we have had numerous moments where we felt like we were in Evan Almighty-- those kinds of signs). For example (small example here b/c it just happened) Hubby and I have always talked about adopting a boy. We toy with age but never gender. Until today in the car I turned to him and asked him if he was still thinking boy b/c for the past few days I had been contemplating the possibility of a girl. To my surprise (b/c when we started the process he was adamant about a boy) he turned to me and said he had been thinking the same thing. I didn't think much of that conversation as it ended there and I figured the boys just had a lot of energy at the aquarium and we were tired (as some of you experienced parents of boys know-- they have the tendency to tire you out). But, then tonight (or I guess this morning) I woke up at 3am and could not sleep. I finally came downstairs after tossing and turning got onto my computer to research some fun stuff to do when Hubby and I go away for la-la love weekend (our anniversary) next weekend. But, instead I end up at one of my adoption support groups and I come across a woman from my agency's blog here who has just returned with her new daughter from Ethiopia. Guess what she has two biological sons and a biological daughter (who happens to be named *** too) and they are the same ages as my bunch. It got me thinking maybe a girl would be good? Anyhoo, my question to you is... Is there really a reason these types of things happen? Should I ignore them? Think of them as coincidence even though I have a loooong list of "coincidences"???
Going back to the yard sale woman who questioned why I am choosing to adopt from Ethiopia... I don't know that I did "choose" the path I am on.
I do not consider myself any sort of super parent, nor do I think that financially this is a walk in the park. I can tell you there are moments the three children I have exhaust me. Not to mention the stress of others telling you all the reasons our "decision" to adopt does not make any sense. However, I am pressing forward as I feel I can not sit and doubt in the dark what has been shown to me in the light.
If you have a similar experience lay 'em on me. How did you respond to your coincidences?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Success!!!

Yay!!!...Our Yard Sale was a huge success. I just wanted to say Thank You to all of our friends and family that donated items for us to sell... this would not have been as successful without your help and support.

Neat side story... we advertised our sale as an adoption fundraiser and it was so neat to hear how people were connected to adoption. We had someone come who had been adopted, several grandparents of parents that are waiting, people who had adopted grand kids, nieces & nephews, and even several prospective adoptive parents. Most of the people that came just for support (some even coming and handing some money without any purchase) were touched by adoption.

I was a little worried about posting it as an international adoption b/c unfortunately I know some people feel that we should adopt from the states only. And, I did run into one woman whom I overheard telling my mom, "Why don't they help out kids in our own country." So, I kindly walked over and explained that we looked into all avenues of adoption and it was our belief that every child deserves a family regardless of where they are from. And, that because of certain rules and restrictions (like the fact that we already have three children) we probably would not look to ideal for birth moms that were choosing families. After I spoke with her she smiled and said she didn't realize how rude her comment was. But, other than that everyone was very kind.

And, we were able to raise $800 in just a few hours. $49 of which my sweet Captain made at his water and candy sale. He was upselling people and telling them about the adoption. When anyone walked up he would ask them if they would like some water or candy... it was adorable and I think it helped to lighten the mood.

Thanks Again to everyone who Helped!!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Yard Sale!!!



I have to admit I am so lazy that I have a whole lot of stuff for my yard sale this weekend... guess my laziness is paying off for once. But, I have not had a yard sale in 7 years. So, because I am a little rusty I am asking you for your yard sale tips. Especially because any money I make is going in my adoption fund- I need to do a good job. So, if you have any tips let me have 'em :)

And, if you are in my area and have some household items you want to get rid of I will be driving around collecting donations this Thursday and Friday.