A Voice....

So today while I was cleaning up from dinner I was listening to the kids outside.  I was thinking about how I just had a conversation with a friend about her little girl.  She is having some health issues and the doctors are kind of pushing it under the carpet.  We were talking about her options and I said to her..."You know her and you need to keep pushing.  You have to advocate for her, don't give up.  You are her voice."

And then I thought of all the kids on Reece's Rainbow and how RR is their voice but we also need to continue that.  We need to stand up and be the voice of these kids.  I know this isn't a new idea but sometimes I think we worry too much about what others are thinking.  Do I talk about them too much?  Are they sick of hearing about this one or that one?  Who should I say it in front of and who is offended?

Well guess what I am not going to care anymore!  I was given a voice and a passion and I will fight for these little ones until the day I die.

There are 3 little girl that has been in my thoughts and prayers daily.

I'm not sure how to express the need these children are in.  I know many believe if you don't have the money that it isn't time to adopt.  Now I believe if you are in so much debt that you are having trouble paying bills now then maybe it isn't time but just because you don't have 30,000 sitting in your bank account well I'm not a believer.  I believe that if the Lord is leading then the Lord will provide.  We are $12,000 short right now.  I will continue to do fundraisers and continue to save but if I have to take out a loan.  That is what we will do!  How can you put a price on them, they are truly helpless and voiceless with out us.  Remember 80% will die when transferred between the ages of 4-6.  Their lives truly depend on if those called to rescue them listen and obey.

Vivian

Girl, born May 2008

Gray eyes

Hair blonde

The character is calm

$100.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

 

 

 

Alissa

Girl, born July 2008

Mother was healthy, gave up child at birth. Child's APGAR was 7/8.

 Alissa has Down syndrome, and is otherwise healthy. She is friendly, active, social, loves music, enjoys playing with toys, knows her name, walks while holding on.

 She is said to be very high functioning.

$580.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Bridget

Date of Birth: September 2006
Gender: Female
Eyes: Blue
Hair: brown
Character: sociable

$2453.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Are they not beautiful.  Bridget is in danger of being transferred to a mental institution very soon. Vivian and Alissa are young and need a family also!

AMEN!!!!

I could shout it from every mountain. 

Some of you may have seen my FB post this week.  There was a cute little boy.  A little boy that stole my heart.  A little 6 yr old boy that just lost his mom.  A mom who fought for her boy that was handicapped.  A little boy who wouldn't believe that his mom had passed away and wouldn't be coming back.  Oh he looked so happy, positive, blind to what was to come.

See he is 6 and wouldn't have much time left in the baby house.

Well he won't have long till his new mommy will be there.  Yep you read that right a family has committed to him.  Hold on Patrick your new mommy is coming, AMEN to that!!

-----------------------------------------------

Also on FB many of you might have seen this beautiful little face.  I also blogged about it here.

I know if you go to RR it doesn't say much about requirements but I did learn the agency said the cost of this region is about $33,000.

Now look at this

$22162.03 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

 

That leaves you less then 11,000.oo

 

That is amazing.....that is all that stands in the way of this little girl having hope back into those eyes. 

 

 

Look at her....this was taken only 3 weeks after being transferred.....

 

She looks so scared and lost.

 

This little one needs some one to show her she is

 

LOVED

CHERISHED

SPECIAL

AMAZING

 

I can't imagine the fear so she is going through.....

 

Her mommy needs to push her fear aside and take the steps of faith

 

The Lord does not call the equipped, He equips the called!

 

 



Stuck together.......

So anyone notice something about the blog....

I'll give you a hint.

If you look at right side you might see it.

 It's tall and skinny

Green and purple

and is very very important with bringing home Caleb.

Yep.....

Did you see how much our thermometer is up.....

$13,380

We are half way there!!!!

Every single person who has given small or large has played a role in this!!  We are so grateful to each person and can never explain in words how thankful we are.

People that we have never met have given money to family members to give us, people who are just making ends meet have surprised us with very generous donations, people from church have donated items for us to sell and then there are those that aren't family but have woven themselves into our lives and will forever be family to us whether they like it or not!! 

Yesterday when I went out to get the mail I saw we got an envelope from the church who held the benefit for Jake and Ashley.  When I opened it, it was the check for the item they auctioned off for us.  It was an awesome feeling to add it to our total.

Then I started going through the mail and there was another letter from their church.  I opened it and just fell to pieces.  Inside another check with a love gift and letter.

I am still trying to take all it in.   This church family has already pulled together and gave 2 benefits to 2 families who have adopted from RR in the past 8 months, and let me tell you they are not a large church by any means.  It amazes me what a love of orphans they have.

At Carter's benefit their pastor came over to me and had mentioned that they were praying for us and would help in any way we needed.  He said "Hey we are all family.  We are here for each other.  Listen, you are stuck with us whether you like it or not."

I will always be thankful to be "stuck" to loving, giving, supporting and forever selfless group of family and friends that we have.

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The items up for auction are listed under the July 14th post.  You may need to click at the bottom on older posts to get to see all of them.   The items will be done on Sunday at midnight.

 

Beauty for ashes......

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me....He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted....to give them beauty for ashes....that He might be glorified." - Isaiah 61:1-3

Today I read that in an Adoption Devotional Study

It goes on to state that the word "ashes" in the Bible represents great pain, sorrow, and even death.  The world of adoption has some of the greatest amounts of ashes in the world.

Meet Teri Lynn

This beautiful little girl lives in EE and has down syndrome.  She is the picture of a child who has endured many ashes. 

This is the same girl 3 weeks after being transferred to a mental institution.  Only 3 weeks!!  This is why we choose to adopt.  This little girl needs a family.   We are all called to help.  Many state that money is what holds them back.  Teri Lynn right now has

$16200.30 is available towards the cost of my adoption

That is a grant available to her parents when they adopt her through reece's rainbow and it is growing daily.  Her only hope, the only thing that can save her is being adopted.

In adoption the fearful become beloved,

the scorned become adored,

the nameless become cherished,

the lonely become the laughing,

and death becomes life abundant.

 "Hope for the journey"

We need to help raise that grant so that her family can find the courage to step forward and finally help her find beauty in her ashes!

If you would like to add to her grant or inquire about her please click here

Happy Birthday........

Oh Sweet Caleb Happy 3rd Birthday!!

Today we celebrate your life.  Life that was never a mistake.  Life that was given to you for a purpose.  Life that is meant to be CELEBRATED!

I truly wish we could have found you sooner and you could be home with us for this day.  That we could have this day with you here with us.  I hope and pray that today some one wraps their arms around you and whispers happy birthday to you.  How I wish they knew we were coming, trying to get to you as fast as possible.  How I wish they could give you a BIG hug and kiss and tell you that your mommy loves you.

Caleb I wish you never had to know life without a mommy and daddy.  I wish you never had to go through a birthday without a family to love you and cherish you.   This year you are getting a birthday gift.......A promise from me to never give up on you.  To love you no matter what.  To love you unconditionally.  To help you reach your fullest potential.  To help teach others that down syndrome is not scary or a death sentence.  And to work as hard and fast as I can to get you home where you belong.

We started a tradition this year.  On the kids birthday I wake them up in bed with a pancake and candle.  They love it so today we had one for Caleb and sang him happy birthday

I love you more than you know sweet boy!

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Also I had a request to keep the bidding open through the weekend....so we will end it on Monday at midnight.  Scroll down a couple days and you can see what is available to bid on :)

Out of my hands.....

Well today we sent all of our dossier papers to the Consulate in Chicago to get authenticated!!!

From there it goes straight to our agency and then all we wait for is our I800A approval and then need to notarize, verify and authenticate that and then you know what.....

Off to Caleb's country it goes!

It is so freeing to have all those papers out of my hands but at the same time I sat in the Fed Ex store sweating because I was so worried I would miss putting something in or was adding up the money wrong or that it is going to get lost in the process of getting to 2 different destinations....

Well no going back it is out of my hands and in a truck!

The only thing is because I was so nervous I forgot my camera to take a picture of all the papers and handing it over....bummer.....

One step closer little guy.  

Remember we still have tickets to different wisconsin events up for auction to raise money for caleb. scroll down 2 posts and it will explain!

Selfless.....

I don't know what other word would describe them

maybe

True friends, caring, amazing, givers, God loving oh and

Soon to be Carter's parents

Yep Jake and Ashley Gibson.

Now if you don't know them you need to!!  They are amazing and did I mention selfless.

When we started this adoption journey we came to find out that Jake and Ashley were also starting.  We had known them through AWANA with the kids.   Now let me tell you since the first time Ashley and I talked about our little love of the different kiddos on Reece's Rainbow I knew we had a common thread.  I don't think however I knew how that common thread would bond us for life.  It has created a friendship that is true. 

Tonight Jake and Ashley had an AMAZING benefit thrown for them to help bring their little boy home.  They had many friends and family there.  These benefits are huge for families adopting.  They help reduce the enormous cost of adoption.  Do you know what this amazing couple did.?

They took one of their items donated.  Not just any little item.  An amazing signed Packers picture and explained to everyone that this item was being auctioned off for us.  They said they wanted to help because we were unable to have our golf outing.  We had so many of their family and friends blessing us (I can't even count how many time I was in tears....now I know I cry easy but man)

  Their uncle was the winner.  What a family, to give when it wasn't even for Jake and Ashley.

AMAZING

SELFLESS

What words can be said to express the gratitude we have for them. 

Jake and Ashley, Carter is one lucky boy.  Not only is he getting you as parents but there is no doubt that that little boy is getting an amazing extended family.

Here we go!!!!

We had to cancel our golf outing.  Summer is just so crazy for everyone and we just didn't get enough teams to have it.  There are 4 items we were going to have a raffle/silent auction there and we don't want them to go to waste so we are going to do it here. 

Rules:  Each item is it's own post so you can comment under each individual item.   In the comment under the item you would like to bid on please put your name, email and what your bid is.  The bidding will end on Wed. July 20th (his birthday!!) at midnight.  I will email the highest bid on each item.  When I receive payment either by check or by our chip in on the side I will then mail out your prize.

So here we go.  Let's have fun and help bring home Caleb.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me at prevos.......

Also our other raffles we are keeping to use for a different benefit some friends are helping us plan this fall!!

Wisconsin Dells Tickets

4 tickets to the Top Secret, Inc in Wisconsin Dells

and

4 Summer 2011 All Day Tickets to Mt Olympus Water and Theme Park

The tickets state :

The Top Secret passes expire Dec. 31,2011

The Mt Olympus Water and Theme Park are for the Summer so they expire on Sept 6,2011 12:00am

Both attractions together worth: $208

Milwaukee Bucks Tickets

This is a certificate redeemable for 4 Bucks tickets for the 2011-2012 Season.

The certificate states:

"This certificate provides the bearer with the opportunity to receive 4 complimentary tickets (in the $63 location) to a 2011-2012 Milwaukee Bucks home game at the Bradley Center.  The Milwaukee Bucks will choose the game based on availability.  Tickets to the chosen game will be sent to the bearer of this certificate no later than Dec. 15th, 2011.  The bearer must return the original copy of this certificate no later than August 15th, 2011."

Worth: $252.00

It also states:  Additional discounted tickets are available for $50/each.  Additional tickets will be directly adjacent to the complimentary tickets we are providing you. 



Milwaukee Brewer Tickets

Brewers gift certificate exchangeable for two Club level Seats at Miller Park for the 2011 Brewers baseball season and a XL men's Brewer Shirt.

The 2011 Ticket Voucher states:

"This voucher entitles the bearer to 2 Club Level tickets at magnificent Miller Park for a Monday through Thursday home game during the 2011 season.  This ticket voucher EXCLUDES any marquee games, all-fan promotional games and any other blacked out games at the Brewers discretion.  Tickets are subject to availability.

In order to redeem tickets, you must obtain your tickets in advance, either in person at the ticket office at miller park or by mail at least 7-days in advance of the game date selected, no exceptions (not valid day of game)

Worth:  $80 plus shirt



Timber Rattlers Tickets

These are 4 tickets for a 2011 Regular Season Game

Redeemed at the ticket office based on Availability

The letter given with it states:

"Enclosed please find 4 reserved seat ticket vouchers, which may be used for a 2011 regular season Wisconsin Timber Rattler home game.  The total value of the ticket vouchers is $32.  The vouchers will have to be exchanged for tickets before entering the gates."

 The last home game is Aug 30th

We made it.......

To the "New Commitment" page on Reece's Rainbow.

Go check it out

http://reecesrainbow.org/category/sponsorafamily/newcommitments

It took awhile for our agency to let us do this but finally success!!  When we have an accepted dossier in China we will be able to put up his picture!

Fingerprinting........

AHHHHHHH.......got the letter in the mail for our fingerprinting.  Aug 3rd at 9am!!!  Only 3 wks.  I think I can handle it :)  I've heard Wisconsin won't let you do walk-ins we'll see I might try but it will probably be a waste of time. 

One more step closer!!!!

Steps to China.......

I have had so many ask what are the steps to the adoption process in China.   Every country is different and many who I do know in the adoption world are adopting from EE (Eastern Europe) and have a much different process.  So here is my best explanation ( I did take some of this off another person's blog because her's seemed more straight forward.....you know what I mean if I ever left you a voice message.  I have a tendency to ramble sometimes :))




1. We found our son online and applied to CCAI via application and we submitted an LOI (Letter of Intent) which was sent to China telling them we want to adopt our son. (3/20-22/11)

2. China reviewed our papers to make sure we met all the requirements and sent us back a PA (Pre approval) which allowed us to lock in his file so no one else could adopt him and we began our paperwork process. (3/22/11)

3. Then we began our homestudy.  Finished and accepted into the China program with our agency. (6/22/11) 

4. Our agency sends in the I-800A to the USCIS to get a fingerprinting appt for us. (Agency sent it  6/22/11)

5.  While waiting for the appt we compile our Dossier which is a packet of documents that include Birth certificates, marriage certificate, financial statements , medical forms,etc.  These have to go through a three step process. Notary, state certification and Chinese consulate authentication - all which takes some time. (all of ours are notarized and were sent out 7/5/11 to Madison for certification)

6. Once the dossier is complete with it's 3 steps done we send it to our agency.  We then wait to get back our our approval notice for our I800A and then our agency will send it to China called DTC (Dossier to China)

7. Once the dossier is received in China it gets an LID (Log in Date) which can take 2-4 wks . Then China reviews it, translates it and then sends you a LOA (Letter of Acceptance) which you signed and return, this can take 1-4 months.   Forgot to say this is when we can show his picture!!!

8. Then all the immigrations part for our boy  takes place...I800, another PA, Article 5 and TA (travel approval)...these can take 3-4 months to complete.

So we could travel as early as Dec or it could be up to 9 months which is around April......we are going to hope and pray for a little christmas miracle!!!

Once we are in China we will be traveling to the capital city of his province.   I think we will be flying into Beijing and then fly to his province. There we will receive the child, do the adoption process and have his passport issued.  In China you receive the child in your hotel.  The director of the orphanage and usually (hopefully) a nanny who knows him will bring him to you.  You have a bit of time (I am hearing anywhere from 10 min-1/2 hr ) to ask them questions and then they leave and you have your child.  Yeah I'm a bit nervous about that.  I can't imagine how scared those kids are!!  Caleb is then with you during the rest of the process.

Week 2 we all fly to Guangzhou.  We will have the medical exams and consulate appt.  The day after the appt we are able to pick up the Caleb's visa at the US consulate. 

We are there a total of 12-17 days and when we come home we will have Caleb with us!!!

I hope this helps everyone understand it a bit more. 

Tears......

Lately there are so many different things that can just bring me to tears.  Not just one or two little drop....nope.....a flood gate. 

Books, movies, frustration, and these faces........

(For info and pictures of all the 5yr olds on reece's rainbow go here)

These little ones are all 5 yrs old.

They should be getting ready for Kindergarten or 1st grade.

They should be asking for play dates and to go swimming.

Instead they are waiting for mommy and daddy to save them.  Save them from more then they will understand.  Save them from a car ride they know nothing about. 

You see at 6 those that haven't been transferred to a mental institution will be.

At some point the doctor will come in and give them their physical, paperwork and the ok to be transferred.  The caretakers get those little ones ready and take them out to a waiting car.  A car that will sometimes drive for hours to take them to a place that is "out of sight, out of mind". 

Take them to a new, different life. 

One of absolute fear. 

 One of survival. 

One that no human, especially a little 6 yr old should EVER have to endure.

Help us spread the word.  These little ones need someone to step up. 

 To forget what others are saying. 

To follow their hearts. 

 To realize NOTHING can help these little ones other then being ADOPTED

I wish I could get on the highest mountain and shout......

Can't you see them.  The child.  The human.  Can't you see they are hurting, scared.  Can't you see they feel just like you and me.  They hunger for love, touch, affection. 

Open your eyes.  How can you not see????  How can you truly deep down not understand that they are not a mistake.  They were made for a purpose.

No one in the adoption world will claim it is easy.  No one will say they weren't scared or never questioned if they were doing the right thing but they will say that in the end it was worth it.

They are WORTH IT!!

Spread their faces.  Love them, pray for them.  Their mommy's and daddy's are out there.  They just need to see them and push the fear away!!!  Take the step of FAITH

 

FREEDOM.......

Freedom is defined as the state of being free or at liberty rather

than in confinement or under physical restraint

How simple of a statement but what a world of difference freedom gives a person. 

Today as I sit and think of all that my family gets from those who fight for our

FREEDOM

FREE to drive anywhere.

FREE to walk into any church I would like

FREE to share and talk openly of our love of Jesus

FREE to go and purchase any food or clothing I want

FREE to go to school

FREE to pick any career I choose

FREE to control over if I go on to college

FREE to take my children to doctor and specialists they need

FREE to vote and have a say who runs our country

FREE to open a business

FREE to control the heat in my building (yes some countries gov't controls it)

I think of all the times we Americans complain.  I think of all the times we feel life is so hard or we don't have this or that.  Then I think of that definition

the state of being free or at liberty rather

than in confinement or under physical restraint

and I am embarrassed.  How can we who are given so much sit and complain.  I think of how many people would look at us and think......are you crazy.  Look what you have I would do anything to not have to

Meet in underground rooms to study the word of Jesus

Give up my child with Down Syndrome because I have to work and no one will help take care of them

Hide my child because they have a deformity

Give up my child because there is a law that allows us to only have one

Keep my child at home because they are mentally handicap and are not allowed in school

Have a say in society as a woman

Not have to keep quiet and my face covered

Worry if something I say will throw me in jail

Hope and pray they will allow help for my child at the hospital

Today I am so grateful for those who have fought to give us freedom.  Thankful to those who have fought and died for us.  Thankful that my family can enjoy our lives to the fullest.  Thankful that my girls will grow up to be anything that they put their minds to.  Thankful that I have the privilege to know and love those with disabilities.  Thankful that we are able to get excellent care at any hospital for our family.  Thankful that I could walk out my door and shout to the highest mountain that I love Jesus and nothing would happen to me.  Thankful that we can pick anyplace to send our children to school.  Thankful that we can pick any church to go to.  Thankful that our society continues to get more and more acceptable to those with special needs. 

SO, SO, SO thankful that we are allowed to adopt and bring into this country those children that other countries see as worthless and a burden on society.

How blessed as a nation we are!!!

Oh so many........

Since finding Caleb's picture on some blogs and websites in China I am just overwhelmed and in awe of those there that have set up foster homes to help with these kids. 

China is different then some of the other EE countries that many of you are traveling to, to bring home your little ones.   In China there are many people who set up foster homes to help care for those children with special needs from the orphanages.  They are privately run homes that  depend on outside money to run it.  They love these children and try their best to do what they can to help them.  They would move mountains to get these children the surgery they need.  They would walk miles to get to a hospital that would agree to help their little ones.  I could not imagine how helpless they feel when they receive a call from a orphanage asking to take one because they can't or won't help them. 

The province that Caleb is from is very poor.  The way China works is that even though we know he is in a foster home right now he will be transferred back to the orphanage before we come to get him.  Why that is I don't know.  Why he needs to go through the fear of being placed somewhere that he knows no one is beyond me.  But it is what it is and I pray every night that he will feel comfort when it does happen. 

I know he will be in a place much different then what he is experiencing right now.  I know that most likely he will not be tucked into bed, held during feedings, loved on, taken on walks, played with, taught the love of Jesus and just plain and simple loved!

I am realizing that these foster homes are not only a wonderful idea they are a necessity.  They are not only helping children get surgery they need, but receiving love.  I read one foster home write

"This little one wasn't with us very long. She passed away in my arms at the ER of the Middle Hospital. I asked to hold her and went to a back room until she passed away and they could confirm her death. She had part of her skull missing. She was a fighter. We tried everything medically possible. In the end, we stayed with her and kept her comfortable and warm."

These homes are comforting those dying.....they are making sure they do not die alone and scared!

They can not do this without those who step up and support them.  Many of us know that when a child on Reece's Rainbow has a larger grant they are more likely to have a family step forward for them.  Well, when these children have their surgery, especially as early as possible, they are able to prevent more damage to those little ones which in turn increases their chances of adoption .  They receive surgeries for spina bifida, hydrocephalus, club feet and more.  There is one foster home who also helps the community.  Swallow's nest has just helped a family obtain surgery for their little girl's heart.  How amazing is that!

Please take some time to look into these foster homes.  You can help sponsor a surgery or a child!!!

http://swallowsnestzz.org/

http://www.alifeatime.org/en/Default.aspx

http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/