Monthly Archives: August 2013

Celebrations of past and present

Posted in adoption, prayer by

Yesterday we celebrated 3 years of being a family of 6! The time has flown.

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Fikirte & Konjit’s referral photo from 2009

(Could they have been more adorable?)

And, oh my goodness, they have grown so much.

On August 22, 2010 we landed in Chicago and became a family of 6. It would have been impossible to take the smile off of my face–having all of my children together for the first time.

But we are excited to share that yesterday was a day of celebration in more ways than one.

We received word that our adoption agency, America World, has secured an appointment with Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA) for Monday the 26th regarding our adoption of B (we are unable to share his name at this time).

What does this mean?

MOWCYA decides which children in the country of Ethiopia are eligible for adoption. B shared of his hope to be adopted and be reunited with his sisters last year, but at that time MOWCYA rejected him. They did not want to admit a boy, age 15, into the system when children age out at the age of 16. I call them children, because that is exactly what they are at 16 years of age. Children that are expected to live and survive on their own.

We have worked hard, filling out extra paperwork on top of what was already required, to convince MOWCYA that B should be placed into the system and thus made adoptable.

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praying over our dossier before it made the trek to Ethiopia

Representatives from America World (AW) will petition MOWCYA on our behalf, explaining that the moment B is placed into the system, he will be matched with our family. AW is strongly optimistic that B will become available for us to adopt, but nothing is guaranteed.

We are asking for your prayers, as we need the decision makers’ hearts to be soft towards B and our family. Children have been adopted over the age of 16 when there are previously adopted siblings involved. So we remain hopeful and steadfast in our pursuit of bringing B home.

One day Karson, out of nowhere, said, “Mommy, I can’t image not getting to see Kaden every day.” Children are often underestimated because of the simple ways they look at things, but this time I think the adults could learn a lot by looking at this like a child.

Every child deserves a family.

And the chance to see their brother EVERY day.

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B, Fikirte & Konjit in 2010

Keepin’ it real

If you have any form of social media , you can’t help but notice that it’s back to school time.

Some of you may not have been able to get your children to pose for the photo that every other family appears to take on this monumental occasion. Do not despair. I too have experienced that lackluster want from my children to stand still for the seconds it would take to achieve such a photograph.

My mind always goes back to 2011 when the best we could achieve was this gem.

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Can anyone relate? I sure hope so.

This year didn’t go much better.

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Just kidding.

They were a bit more optimistic about the thought of school this year.

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Fikirte is entering 8th grade and will be 14 next month. Kaden is taking on the Jr. High and 6th grade. Konjit is ready for 5th grade, but we wonder if it’s ready for her. Karson, be still my heart, is a 4th grader.

There have been years when I’ve been sentimental and emotional on the first day of school. There have been years when I worried my way through that first day.

I remember moving to Mt. Pulaski during Kaden’s Kindergarten year, requiring him to transition mid-year. And I worried.

I remember taking Karson to Kindergarten when she was barely 5, hoping that it wasn’t too soon. And I worried.

I remember walking Konjit into her 2nd grade class when she had only been in the US for two months. And I worried.

I remember Fikirte following closely behind with only three months in the US and taking on the 5th grade. And I worried.

And EVERY time EVERYthing was okay.

So today we huddled in our backyard praying for the new school year and spent some time focusing on the gift of school and an education. What a blessing. We prayed to make the most of this school year opportunity.

I promised to keep it real, so I am sharing my first day photo.

I’m saying, “Yes!” because school is back in session. It was time. And everything is going to be okay.

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Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.      ~Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)