I'm not adopting because I'm a perfect mom.

It's true. I'm not adopting because I'm a perfect mom. I am actually perfectly made by a perfect creator to be imperfect...and in need of a perfect savior. When I'm on the brink of insanity and being asked for the 15th time (before 9am) for a snack (yes, I serve my children breakfast) and it is taking everything in me not to scream "HOW ARE YOU HUNGRY?" but instead gently remind Little man that we JUST ate....I think....who in the world thought I was a good candidate to adopt? Well- I know who. God called me, as imperfect as I am...to be the mother to a motherless child. It's true- I may not have the earthly qualifications to win the next "Mother of the year" award- but I asked God to use ME....just as I am- and let's face it, HE probably knows me best. 

So yes,  I come up with excuses to skip bath night, sometimes  often my children eat waffles for two out of three meals a day, their shoes smell a little "feety", and I really do need to brush that knot out of the back of my son's hair but instead I ignore it because I can't bear to hear him cry when I do.... and I have have to ask their forgiveness when I have wrongly lost patience at the end of a very very very long day....but that's what makes me imperfectly human. I am not adopting because I can handle anymore than anyone else...I know A LOT of people that I deem more capable....more organized....more energetic....and much better at remembering to clean the inside of their microwave. I'm not adopting because I'm the exception...I'm adopting because my heart has been stirred and I'm willing to give my imperfect mothering services and infinite love to one (or two) more...

Buy a Shirt, Win a Giveaway, Help a Family Come Together....

Some of you have asked about how we came to decide to adopt? And often I will mention this "friend of mine" who took a missions trip to Ethiopia....and how we got hooked on her blog, which connected us to other blogs...where we learned about the many many many children in Ethiopia who needed homes and lots of love! And then we realized we had a TON of love to give....and a home =)

Well THAT certain friend is on a mission now to bring home her TWO little loves from Ethiopia. YES, she fell in love on that mission trip and now WE can do SOMETHING to help her bring them HOME!

This is the awesome shirt they are selling to help fund their adoption...

Front:

Back:

Yes, it's awesome! I love it- I have one on the way =)
BONUS....buying a shirt gets you FIVE entries in the AWESOME giveaway she is hosting!

Go check out her blog... http://alittleloveinyourheart.blogspot.com to learn more about the incredible journey they are taking!

It's time to define...

What is an Orphan?

At first glance, that question may seem to have a very obvious answer. It did to me....four short months ago. Since then, my knowledge in regards to adoption, orphans, and waiting children has grown exponentially. I’m going to ask now, if you choose not to read this post in its entirety, will you please take a moment to scroll down and read about waiting children before closing your screen. 

An orphan, by dictionary definition, is a child who has lost both parents through death, or, less commonly, one parent. In other parts of the world, the term orphan may also be used to describe children whose parents have lost legal or physical custody for a number of reasons. Other terms used also include “total orphan”, “double orphan”, “adoptable”, or “waiting” to more specifically describe the child’s situation. 

Currently, UNICEF estimates the number of orphans at 210 million worldwide. To put that in perspective, the US population is currently estimated at just over 300 million. 

What is an Adoptable Orphan?

Now, here comes the clincher. NOT ALL orphans are adoptable. In fact, only 10% are adoptable- meaning 90% are not. This means, MANY children will remain orphans without the hope of adoption. There are many reasons for this....some international countries do not allow adoptions at this time, a child’s birth-parents may still retain birth rights even while the child is in the orphanage/foster care, some children become displaced in the system making it difficult for the appropriate paperwork to be processed (critical to allowing immigration to another country), and so on. We can sit around and be frustrated by this fact, or we can believe that this is the very reason God has blessed us with a burden/drive/passion/interest/love for the orphan. Regardless of the reason, once we have this knowledge (which now you all do) we must meet that child where they are. If adoption is not an option- then let’s sponsor a child, let’s contribute to a meal fund, let’s get creative with our time and talents and care for them in the BEST possible way. 

What is a Waiting Child?

And now for the question that burns on my heart daily. What is a waiting child? A waiting child is just that....a child who is waiting. Many of these children are “paper ready”- meaning the appropriate paperwork has been completed and they are “ready to adopt”. These children are typically older than five with no special need, part of a sibling group, HIV positive, children with a hearing or vision impairment, or developmental delay. OK, so the next question is “why are they NOT being adopted?” Well, this question also has multiple answers. The first and harshest being- nobody has pursued them. Although the number of families wanting to adopt has increased, these children often do not fit the profile of what the family is seeking. Some countries/agencies/home studies do not approve families to adopt out of birth order (which may limit the adoption of an older child). Additionally, a family must be approved for a special needs adoption. However, it cannot go without saying that many families are seeking infants- and infants (unless special needs) are not considered waiting children- because in many cases they have not yet been born. (*Please do not mis-read me- we NEED families willing to adopt infants as well. That is also part of solving this crisis.*) However, we also need to ask ourselves- What was my purpose in choosing to adopt? And- how does my answer bring hope to the 210 million children already classified as “orphans”?

Adoption is a lengthy lengthy lengthy and involved process- and much of that cannot be changed due to the extensive paperwork process- but in many cases, the wait can be drastically reduced by loving the child that is already waiting for YOU. 

Some goodness for a GOOD Monday!

We are officially waiting on our home study report! This past weekend we completed interviews 2 and 3! It was a GREAT experience with a social worker FULL of passion for Ethiopia and adoption. It is amazing to me how God orchestrates EVERY detail of this process. We have no doubt that THIS particular social worker came to us at JUST the RIGHT time in our adoption journey. We don't know exactly how long it will take until we have the written report in hand but we will be sure to update you when we do!

It was a TERRIFIC Monday with time spent with friends, a non-catastrophic trip to the grocery store despite two itty bitties in tow- and an uneventful evening despite daddy working late and VERY short car naps!

Just in case your Monday wasn't quite as sweet....I will share with you some sweetness from my sweets =)

     This mommy can hardly believe those little blue eyes will be turning ONE in just a couple of days!

Not your standard 9 month pregnancy....

As many of you have probably already realized....adoption is definitely a process! And, typically a long process. Yet, through it all, God reveals his amazing ways to be GOOD and TRUE. Another AWAA family shared in great detail the process of adoption...from pre-application to embassy date. They did such an amazing job detailing each step that I thought I would share it here so you can see, outlined clearly, exactly the process we are going through.

http://myfarawaydaughter.blogspot.com/2011/08/international-adoption-101.html


So where are we in this process??? WELL- We have our home study interviews 2 and 3 scheduled for THIS WEEKEND! I am excited, nervous, and feeling like I should be cleaning even as I type this post! This is sure to be a busy weekend but I know we will feel like we made some serious progress in the paper chase come Monday!

Final Numbers!!

The FINAL AMOUNT has been tallied- and $4,030 was raised YESTERDAY- in 24 HOURS!! So amazing! Thank you all who donated to these wonderful organizations- YOU have made a big difference!! Please continue to pray for Africa and the individuals who are suffering during this time. This money will go a long way- but your prayers will go even further!

Africa needs YOUR HELP!

Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are currently in the grips of the worst drought and famine in decades. The severity of the situation is compounded by the fact that this- RIGHT NOW- is supposed to be their rainy season! More than eleven million people are in need of food assistance, and unfortunately, it is anticipated that the situation will worsen.

We are partnering with fellow America World families to do what we can to help our childrens' region. And this is YOUR chance to get involved. As I have said previously, even if you do not feel called to adopt- it is IMPORTANT that we all become more AWARE of what is happening in OUR world. These are HIS children and we are HIS servants! Over the next 24 hours we will be raising funds that will be sent DIRECTLY to Africa. Check out the website to see what you can do! This is your chance to sponsor a child, help bring CLEAN water to over 100 children for the FIRST time- contribute to Doctors without borders and provide food to malnourished children and their families. Imagine it was YOUR child in need- this is your opportunity to do for these children as you would do for your own.

JOIN US at http://adoptivefamiliesforfaminerelief.weebly.com/ to bring relief to those in need! Right now- with a donation of $25 or more you will have the opportunity to choose from one of the AWESOME items donated by America World families- adoptive t's, artwork, jewelry and more! Don't forget to click on the "Our Families" tab to find links to some awesome adoption blogs! Go check it out!