November 29, 2010
How We Do Christmas
If I have time, I will update this post. For now, you can read about how we changed the way we celebrate Jesus's birthday here.
November 24, 2010
Spoiled
Spoiled, I tell ya! I don't know why but we are spoiled rotten.
When we first accepted the referral of the girls, our agency told us they had an uncle in the States and if we wanted to contact him we could. For whatever reason, and without much conversation about it, we decided we would not contact him. We'd just leave things as they were.
Well a few weeks in, he contacted the agency and asked for our information. Instead the agency gave us his info and told us we could contact him if we wanted to.
This is part of the email we received:
I spoke with him for a long time and found him to be a very nice person. His English … while spoken with an accent is VERY good and as such he is easily understood. He is VERY much on board with the girls adoption and looking forward to having you adopt them and having the opportunity for a great new life here in the US.
He basically just wanted to introduce himself and offer his services whenever they are deemed necessary. Meaning he is willing to help explain the cultural things, help with language, anything and everything … or if you prefer, little to nothing. I think he would be happy with an occasional update with a few pictures if you decided it was best for all involved.
So Roddy called him and spoke with him for a while. He was very nice. He explained why he couldn't adopt the girls ~ they have 3 children, one of which is severely autistic. He had encouraged the family in Ethiopia to put the girls up for adoption so they could get a good American home. The family there couldn't afford to take care of them either.
We are very excited to have him as part of our family. I'm thinking if we have communication issues with the girls, let's say they just can't express what they need and we just can't understand (or vice versa), we can just call up Uncle Teka and ask for help. How cool is that?!
We want to learn to cook foods that they are used to and keep as much of their culture in their lives as possible and we'll have a tutor at the press of a button!
Well here's the kicker...Uncle calls last night (thinking the girls were coming home next month instead of Feb) and said he was going to get a bunch of food ready to bring down for them to help with their transition. Seriously!!? How awesome!
Spoiled! That's just what we are!
Thank you, God, for spoiling us!
When we first accepted the referral of the girls, our agency told us they had an uncle in the States and if we wanted to contact him we could. For whatever reason, and without much conversation about it, we decided we would not contact him. We'd just leave things as they were.
Well a few weeks in, he contacted the agency and asked for our information. Instead the agency gave us his info and told us we could contact him if we wanted to.
This is part of the email we received:
I spoke with him for a long time and found him to be a very nice person. His English … while spoken with an accent is VERY good and as such he is easily understood. He is VERY much on board with the girls adoption and looking forward to having you adopt them and having the opportunity for a great new life here in the US.
He basically just wanted to introduce himself and offer his services whenever they are deemed necessary. Meaning he is willing to help explain the cultural things, help with language, anything and everything … or if you prefer, little to nothing. I think he would be happy with an occasional update with a few pictures if you decided it was best for all involved.
So Roddy called him and spoke with him for a while. He was very nice. He explained why he couldn't adopt the girls ~ they have 3 children, one of which is severely autistic. He had encouraged the family in Ethiopia to put the girls up for adoption so they could get a good American home. The family there couldn't afford to take care of them either.
We are very excited to have him as part of our family. I'm thinking if we have communication issues with the girls, let's say they just can't express what they need and we just can't understand (or vice versa), we can just call up Uncle Teka and ask for help. How cool is that?!
We want to learn to cook foods that they are used to and keep as much of their culture in their lives as possible and we'll have a tutor at the press of a button!
Well here's the kicker...Uncle calls last night (thinking the girls were coming home next month instead of Feb) and said he was going to get a bunch of food ready to bring down for them to help with their transition. Seriously!!? How awesome!
Spoiled! That's just what we are!
Thank you, God, for spoiling us!
November 23, 2010
Questions
Thought I'd answer some more questions or comments we get when people find out we're adopting 3 children.
"Wow. You're husband must make a lot of money!" or "What does your husband do?"
Roddy does work very hard and is great at what he does. I don't know what other people make but I don't think he makes what people must assume he makes. Put it this way, the agency has a recommendation that our household income be a certain amount per child ~ those currently in the home and those being adopted. We don't meet that recommedation.
But we serve a God who owns everything and He has always provided what we need and more.
"You must have a huge house." or "Are you going to have to buy a bigger house?"
Our current house can be seen in the previous post about the yard sale. It's 2 stories, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and has a bonus room. However, we use 3 bedrooms for sleeping in and will keep it that way. One is for us, one is for the boys ~ including the baby when he sleeps through the night (about 7-8 weeks old), and one for the girls. They'll have 2 sets of bunk beds in there ~one probably a triple bunk or a double with trundle.
The other room upstairs is the clothes closet. The guest room downstairs will stay the guest room although we are selling the furniture (I love that furniture!) to our neighbor. We'll put the girls' old twin beds down there instead.
"Is there any part of the adoption that overwhelms you?"
I used to feel overwhelmed about all the bugs and stuff the girls would have, but Jessica relieved my fears about that.
Homeschool next year could very well be overwhelming but because there's nothing I can do about it now, I know it won't do any good to stress about it. I don't feel any need to hurry up and get the girls' to the level they should be right away, so I'm just going to take my time with them starting with kindergarten and phonics, counting, etc.
The older kids are very good about doing work on their own and coming to me with questions so that helps. I think how cool it would be to have a responsible, homeschool teenager come to help me out but honestly I'm so particular that I don't know if it would be a help. We'll see.
Again, God is awesome and I know He will give me what I need to get it done!
"How will you handle the comments you'll get?"
I already get comments all the time about the size of our family. I have yet to get a negative comment. Which I don't understand because I've heard plenty of other people getting comments that bother them. I don't know if I'm just naive or if I understand where they're coming from.
For example, when people think we're crazy to have so many, it doesn't bother me. I just feel sorry for them because they don't really understand the blessing of children. And I didn't always understand it either. So I can relate.
"What about the comments the kids will get from other kids?"
I think this one was referring to comments about having siblings of another race. For one we try to choose our friends and our children's friends wisely. Every one of our friends has been more than supportive.
If anyone doesn't agree with what we're doing, I really don't care. And I mean that in the nicest way, really. But God has opened and closed every single door in this process. So if someone has a problem with it, they can take it up with Him.
I also said to this comment, "Well if all the black people in the world would get saved and start adopting, that would be great. But they're not going to. And these girls were meant for us."
Stay tuned for more questions and answers. If you have any yourself about the adoption process, our experience, our fears, challenges, anything, don't hesitate to ask.
"Wow. You're husband must make a lot of money!" or "What does your husband do?"
Roddy does work very hard and is great at what he does. I don't know what other people make but I don't think he makes what people must assume he makes. Put it this way, the agency has a recommendation that our household income be a certain amount per child ~ those currently in the home and those being adopted. We don't meet that recommedation.
But we serve a God who owns everything and He has always provided what we need and more.
"You must have a huge house." or "Are you going to have to buy a bigger house?"
Our current house can be seen in the previous post about the yard sale. It's 2 stories, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and has a bonus room. However, we use 3 bedrooms for sleeping in and will keep it that way. One is for us, one is for the boys ~ including the baby when he sleeps through the night (about 7-8 weeks old), and one for the girls. They'll have 2 sets of bunk beds in there ~one probably a triple bunk or a double with trundle.
The other room upstairs is the clothes closet. The guest room downstairs will stay the guest room although we are selling the furniture (I love that furniture!) to our neighbor. We'll put the girls' old twin beds down there instead.
"Is there any part of the adoption that overwhelms you?"
I used to feel overwhelmed about all the bugs and stuff the girls would have, but Jessica relieved my fears about that.
Homeschool next year could very well be overwhelming but because there's nothing I can do about it now, I know it won't do any good to stress about it. I don't feel any need to hurry up and get the girls' to the level they should be right away, so I'm just going to take my time with them starting with kindergarten and phonics, counting, etc.
The older kids are very good about doing work on their own and coming to me with questions so that helps. I think how cool it would be to have a responsible, homeschool teenager come to help me out but honestly I'm so particular that I don't know if it would be a help. We'll see.
Again, God is awesome and I know He will give me what I need to get it done!
"How will you handle the comments you'll get?"
I already get comments all the time about the size of our family. I have yet to get a negative comment. Which I don't understand because I've heard plenty of other people getting comments that bother them. I don't know if I'm just naive or if I understand where they're coming from.
For example, when people think we're crazy to have so many, it doesn't bother me. I just feel sorry for them because they don't really understand the blessing of children. And I didn't always understand it either. So I can relate.
"What about the comments the kids will get from other kids?"
I think this one was referring to comments about having siblings of another race. For one we try to choose our friends and our children's friends wisely. Every one of our friends has been more than supportive.
If anyone doesn't agree with what we're doing, I really don't care. And I mean that in the nicest way, really. But God has opened and closed every single door in this process. So if someone has a problem with it, they can take it up with Him.
I also said to this comment, "Well if all the black people in the world would get saved and start adopting, that would be great. But they're not going to. And these girls were meant for us."
Stay tuned for more questions and answers. If you have any yourself about the adoption process, our experience, our fears, challenges, anything, don't hesitate to ask.
November 19, 2010
Overwhelmed
This adoption thing has been very overwhelming...in a good way.
Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. We had a yard sale a few weekends ago to raise money for the adoption expenses. I sent out an email a few weeks before and announced on facebook.
We had about 25 families contribute items. And I'm not talking junk they didn't know what to do with. I'm talking furniture, electronics, expensive purses, clothes, toys, strollers, carseats, skis, etc., etc.
The yard sale was scheduled for Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday, Jessica came over and helped me pull everything out of the garage (except the furniture) and get it organized by categories. Blessing!
 |
| Could you just eat them up? Two of the boys were MIA. |
My friend, Courtney, told me I could borrow a couple of tables and she would bake some goodies for the kids to sell. She showed up at 7am Friday morning from the other side of town not with a bunch of cookies on a plate, but with individually wrapped packages of cookies and these cool brownie pops with sprinkles wrapped and tied with ribbon. I could kick myself for not getting a picture! Blessing!
Denise showed up to drop off a few items a little later and asked if I needed any help. I said, "Are you sure?" She made the tables pretty and helped me with pricing and ended up staying until just before lunch time! Blessing!
 |
| The garage Friday morning before the sale! |
Kim came by to donate and shop and ended up staying until the afternoon. She helped negotiate when people wanted to pay nothing for something by reminding them it was for a good cause. And when my mom went inside to heat up leftover soup for lunch, Kim said, "Oh no, I'm buying you lunch." So off she went and brought back pizza! Blessing!
Mom was here both days organizing the tables. When it got too hot, she'd go inside and clean up the kitchen or work on laundry for me! Our feet were killing us but even at the end of the day Saturday when I thought mine were going to fall off, she was in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up. You should have seen this house! It was a disaster. I can't imagine what it would have been like without her! Blessing!
Papa brought Chick-Fil-A for lunch! My absolute favorite! Blessing!
And Jessica and Nick came Saturday afternoon to help clean everything up. Blessing!
The blessings really have been endless. God is so good!
November 17, 2010
Cost of Obedience
"My obedience has cost me nothing when I compare it to the cost God incurred to buy me back."
~ Cindy McClamma~
Read that again, please.
We sponsor a missionary in Namibia, Africa. She's a widow with 3 grown children and 5 young grandchildren. She felt God leading her out of her comfort zone a few years ago and obeyed herself all the way across the Atlantic Ocean.
We get monthly e-newsletters which I read word for word. Love her wisdom. The quote above is hers.
Have you ever thought, "If I give God complete control and surrender every single part of my life, will he send me overseas somewhere to be a missionary?"
Have you cringed at the thought of the cost to you personally?
Does it scare you to think what God would do with you if you really did give it all to Him?
"My obedience has cost me nothing when I compare it to the cost God incurred to buy me back."
Could there really be any place better than where God wants you?
It might not be overseas. It might be walking next door to invite a neighbor to dinner.
Or going downtown to feed the homeless and praying with them.
Or speaking to the greeter at the grocery store and inviting him/her to church.
It might just be being willing. Being open. Listening for that still, small voice to prompt you. And not ignoring it.
I pray I hear loud and clear and am willing to obey, whatever the cost.
November 15, 2010
Math and Walmart
Gray (9 1/2) was reading a word problem in his math book today and exclaimed, "I don't think she goes to Walmart!"
He informed us that the girl paid $27.99 for a skirt.
Then he says, "I think she goes to the mall."
He informed us that the girl paid $27.99 for a skirt.
November 9, 2010
For Sale
We still have quite a large amount of money to come up with for the final stretch in our adoption process. Airline tickets alone at this point are $1800 for one person. We have 2 trips to Ethiopia to make. The first is for the court date on December 21. The second will be in February to bring the girls home. Their tickets, I believe, will be about $1,000 each. Then there are the expenses for food, lodging, monetary gifts (suggested by the agency) for the caregivers, drivers, visas, etc.
So we are selling some furniture that was generously donated to us to help in our fundraising. Prices are negotiable! And every bit of it goes toward the adoption!
The first set is a Pirateship Bed with Dresser, Trunk, Bird Cage and lots of accessories (pirate ships, figures, etc.). We're asking $1,000 but will consider all offers!
The next set is a Dining Room set. It comes with a Table (with leaf to extend), 4 Chairs and Hutch. We're asking $450, but will consider all offers!
Lastly is a Solid Wood Queen Bedroom Suit which comes with Headboard, Mattress, Box Springs, Tall 10-Drawer Dresser, 2-Drawer Nightstand and Lamp. We're asking $400 but will consider all offers!
Please pass this on to as many people as you would like to. Thank you for you help!
Previous Post Disclaimer
A friend reminded me last night that I meant to clarify in the previous post: Iris Reading that she wasn't actually reading the books in the pictures. She could with help, but when I asked her what the books were about, she'd say, "I'm not sure yet."
I just thought it was cute that she wants to be like her sister and she does love books!
I just thought it was cute that she wants to be like her sister and she does love books!
November 6, 2010
Iris Reading
Two years ago when only Emma, Gray and Jay were in school, Iris would come into the school room every day and want to do school. So I would give her a letter page to color or a preschool page to work on.
I knew last year when I started Charlie in kindergarten, she would really want to be in there. So I decided that I would just school her with Charlie. They would both start kindergarten together. She was 4 1/2 but I said if it got to be too much for her, too frustrating, etc. I would just back off and give her something else to do. There were frustrations but not because it was too tough for her, just because there are frustrations in homeschooling.
She actually did really well and learned to read with Charlie. So this year, even though Iris is technically in kindergarten for the state's records, they are both doing 1st grade work.
Well her big sister is a voracious reader. I can't keep up with the books she's read and how many times she's read them.
One day Iris came downstairs and plopped herself on the couch with this book.
Another day she went out on the porch...
...to read with the chicken...
...like her big sister.
November 4, 2010
How We Told
I never shared how we announced to the children that we were expecting a baby.
They knew we were wanting to get pregnant. They knew (at least the three oldest) what the trip to Chicago was about last May.
So they would ask from time to time if I was pregnant and I so often told them, "No, not this month."
Finally, I was. And I didn't just want to call a family meeting and spill it out after that long of a wait. I wanted to do something to make it even more exciting.
They knew we were wanting to get pregnant. They knew (at least the three oldest) what the trip to Chicago was about last May.
So they would ask from time to time if I was pregnant and I so often told them, "No, not this month."
Finally, I was. And I didn't just want to call a family meeting and spill it out after that long of a wait. I wanted to do something to make it even more exciting.
I wrote a scrambled word on 5 different pieces of paper. I then folded those up and attached them to clues which I hid throughout the house. The clues were to the next piece of paper.
Waiting for me to finish setting up...
This was the first clue to the storage closet under the stairs...
They had to wait to open the scrambled words until they found all of them and made it back downstairs.
I was going to show a picture of the words unscrambled but Blogger won't let me!
Anyway, the message was, "Mommy is having a baby" and the kids were very excited when they figured it out. Yea!! A baby!!!
November 2, 2010
Voices from the Past
Oh my word!!! I'm so excited about this new audio book series by Victoria Botkin!
This year as I've been reading historical fiction to the kids, I've also been researching the facts. And I've been very disappointed with the conflicting information that is available. I've also been disappointed with my recollection of History.
For instance, I thought we celebrated Columbus Day because Columbus was the first explorer to discover America - North America, that is.
Ohhh, noooo! He never stepped foot on North American soil. He landed on the islands south of Florida. A guy named Leif Ericson actually landed in North America (Newfoundland) about 500 years before Columbus!
And then we discoverd that Columbus and his men captured some of the natives from the islands and took them back to Spain to sell as slaves.
Why in the world are we celebrating this guy?
I also thought the Pilgrims were all Puritans seeking religious freedom and were the first people to colonize in America. Ohhh, nooooo! The Pilgrims were made up of Puritans and Strangers or Adventurers. The Adventurers were in it for the adventure and possible fortune they may gain. And King James, eager to be rich like Spain and France, sent a group over about 14 years before the Pilgrims. By the time the Pilgrims got here Jamestown was an established colony going strong.
Anyway...I started thinking, I just want to read actual letters and memoirs of people who were alive during these times. I want actual accounts.
The Botkin Family has compiled letters and eye-witness accounts of people in History and are offering this information in the form of audio books read by Mrs. Botkin titled:
They are offering them in a bundle at an introductory price that is 30% off or individually at 20% off. You can go here to find out more or here to order.
This year as I've been reading historical fiction to the kids, I've also been researching the facts. And I've been very disappointed with the conflicting information that is available. I've also been disappointed with my recollection of History.
For instance, I thought we celebrated Columbus Day because Columbus was the first explorer to discover America - North America, that is.
Ohhh, noooo! He never stepped foot on North American soil. He landed on the islands south of Florida. A guy named Leif Ericson actually landed in North America (Newfoundland) about 500 years before Columbus!
And then we discoverd that Columbus and his men captured some of the natives from the islands and took them back to Spain to sell as slaves.
Why in the world are we celebrating this guy?
I also thought the Pilgrims were all Puritans seeking religious freedom and were the first people to colonize in America. Ohhh, nooooo! The Pilgrims were made up of Puritans and Strangers or Adventurers. The Adventurers were in it for the adventure and possible fortune they may gain. And King James, eager to be rich like Spain and France, sent a group over about 14 years before the Pilgrims. By the time the Pilgrims got here Jamestown was an established colony going strong.
Anyway...I started thinking, I just want to read actual letters and memoirs of people who were alive during these times. I want actual accounts.
The Botkin Family has compiled letters and eye-witness accounts of people in History and are offering this information in the form of audio books read by Mrs. Botkin titled:
They are offering them in a bundle at an introductory price that is 30% off or individually at 20% off. You can go here to find out more or here to order.
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