Love this.
Our family is on a mission to bring our daughter home from South Africa through international adoption. Please join us as we navigate our way through this life changing journey.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Perceptions..
This journey has been long. It has been tough..and heartbreaking at times but I truly believe with all my heart that good will come out of this. There will be a happy ending. I'm not saying that it is definitely going to be the ending that I am expecting but good will come out of this experience..this dream of ours.
What really breaks my heart every day are the perceptions of adoption that so many people now have as they watch our family wait for literally years for our daughter. I know when so many shake their heads and can't believe the timeframe it does seem quite unbeleivable but I want people to know that adoption isn't always as challenging as this. Not everyone's story is like ours in fact I know so many people that waited a relatively short time for their babe. My dream would be to inspire someone else to bring home a child through adoption if that is what is in their hearts, not to feel discouraged through our journey. Adoption is beautiful and risky but so worth it.
I pray with everything in me that we are joined with our daughter soon. We long to finally look into her eyes but I also know that if the unthinkable happens and our course changes direction then we have planted a seed in our son's hearts. They perceive adoption as a beaufiful way to build a family. It is normal for them to speak about adoption. They have friends who were adopted and they think it's "cool"...our son's friends ask me a lot of questions which is so wonderful to have a natural conversation about something that when I was growing up was kept in a "hushed" tone.
I guess these thoughts have been heavy on me lately.
Praying for good news soon.
xo
What really breaks my heart every day are the perceptions of adoption that so many people now have as they watch our family wait for literally years for our daughter. I know when so many shake their heads and can't believe the timeframe it does seem quite unbeleivable but I want people to know that adoption isn't always as challenging as this. Not everyone's story is like ours in fact I know so many people that waited a relatively short time for their babe. My dream would be to inspire someone else to bring home a child through adoption if that is what is in their hearts, not to feel discouraged through our journey. Adoption is beautiful and risky but so worth it.
I pray with everything in me that we are joined with our daughter soon. We long to finally look into her eyes but I also know that if the unthinkable happens and our course changes direction then we have planted a seed in our son's hearts. They perceive adoption as a beaufiful way to build a family. It is normal for them to speak about adoption. They have friends who were adopted and they think it's "cool"...our son's friends ask me a lot of questions which is so wonderful to have a natural conversation about something that when I was growing up was kept in a "hushed" tone.
I guess these thoughts have been heavy on me lately.
Praying for good news soon.
xo
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Back in the saddle...
Here we go! Schedules, routines, packin' lunches, 5:30 AM hockey practice...we are in full swing again just a short two weeks into fall. This past summer was definitely a wonderful time filled with soo many fun memories for all of us. The weather cooperated all summer which always makes it especially when you are in a tent next to a beautiful lake with two adventurous boys. We have definitely played hard so as I told the boys last night when they grumbled about homework..I guess it's now time to work hard so we can play again...
I love fall, I love the feeling of new beginnings and for me it means organizing and more organizing..we are finally getting our basement finished which will allow us sooo much more space. The truth is, when we moved in, we really thought we would be heading to South Africa fairly soon to meet our daughter and therefore didn't want to be in the middle of construction with everything else going on. Then, well..we kept putting it off for the same reason and now we are really feeling the need for some space. We found a company that will do the whole thing in a month! Wow, I watch Holmes on Holmes so I'm totally skeptical but all in all they totally seem like a great crew and all references panned out so here we go! I'm secretly hoping that since now we have made the move to go ahead, our biggest wish will now come true..The good news is our new little one will have lots of space to play and explore during the cold winter months.
I have had a couple wonderful friends pass on the most beautiful little girls clothes that you ever did see. I just melt when I picture our little munchkin toddling around in the little dresses. Some days I feel like I'm going crazy..I'll pull the clothes out and go through them...then I can't bear it and have to pack them away..then again I pull them out...sigh...please hurry and come home before I'm buying teenage clothing for you :)
Scott and I just celebrated our 16th anniversary! We decided to escape on a warm 4 day getaway - so rejuvinating and a beautiful way to finish off the summer. We have had so many amazing experiences and memories over the almost 20 years we have been together..I'm a lucky gal.
Okay..fall HAS to bring good news..I'm channeling every ounce of good energy to South Africa to finally feel peace that children will be joined with forever families.. and our two boys can finally give their sister a long overdue hug.
I love fall, I love the feeling of new beginnings and for me it means organizing and more organizing..we are finally getting our basement finished which will allow us sooo much more space. The truth is, when we moved in, we really thought we would be heading to South Africa fairly soon to meet our daughter and therefore didn't want to be in the middle of construction with everything else going on. Then, well..we kept putting it off for the same reason and now we are really feeling the need for some space. We found a company that will do the whole thing in a month! Wow, I watch Holmes on Holmes so I'm totally skeptical but all in all they totally seem like a great crew and all references panned out so here we go! I'm secretly hoping that since now we have made the move to go ahead, our biggest wish will now come true..The good news is our new little one will have lots of space to play and explore during the cold winter months.
I have had a couple wonderful friends pass on the most beautiful little girls clothes that you ever did see. I just melt when I picture our little munchkin toddling around in the little dresses. Some days I feel like I'm going crazy..I'll pull the clothes out and go through them...then I can't bear it and have to pack them away..then again I pull them out...sigh...please hurry and come home before I'm buying teenage clothing for you :)
Scott and I just celebrated our 16th anniversary! We decided to escape on a warm 4 day getaway - so rejuvinating and a beautiful way to finish off the summer. We have had so many amazing experiences and memories over the almost 20 years we have been together..I'm a lucky gal.
Okay..fall HAS to bring good news..I'm channeling every ounce of good energy to South Africa to finally feel peace that children will be joined with forever families.. and our two boys can finally give their sister a long overdue hug.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Highs and Lows..
I'll start with the "Low"...we received an adoption update this month..more delays. It seems the review on our program is again delayed another 3 months. A really hard hit as we were really feeling confident that this was it, things were finally going to move and we would shift closer to meeting our babe. It's been a couple weeks that we have had the news and I really haven't been able to talk about it much as it seems so unbelievable, so sad for all of the kids needing their forever families..so sad for all of the families here wanting so much to hold these children. There have been some dark days..just so many questions unanswered. Power in numbers - a committee is being formed from the waiting families, my hope is that together we can move a mountain and finally see some light at the end of this long wait. Time to dry the tears and bring our children home.
The "Highs" are definitely keeping us going through this scary process. There are two little boys here that are keeping us smiling which constantly reminds us of how fortunate we really are.
Sunny had his first experience with sleep away camp with two of his good buddies from school. He was soo excited and came home with an abundance of mosquito bites and a big smile..many good stories to tell! I am still recovering from no sleep all week worrying about him..so many scenario's going through my head. Why do they have to go and grow up anyway?..One big milestone accomplished. Slamster of course asked when he could go..NEVER I replied..with a smile on my face ;)..
Slamster is working on his "whip kick" in swimming lessons today..he seems to have invented his own stroke which is quite interesting to watch..definitely need to bring the video camera before the week is over..so sweet.
Our flower garden is beautiful..I love the wild, weeds can grow throughout and no one will notice kind of garden. No pressure..I try and plant drought tolerant as it's survival of the fittest around here in the summer. I figure "I'm not raisin' a garden"..no pressure. I think there are even some tomatoes stuck in there somewhere that we will enjoy sometime soon...maybe!
The "Highs" are definitely keeping us going through this scary process. There are two little boys here that are keeping us smiling which constantly reminds us of how fortunate we really are.
Sunny had his first experience with sleep away camp with two of his good buddies from school. He was soo excited and came home with an abundance of mosquito bites and a big smile..many good stories to tell! I am still recovering from no sleep all week worrying about him..so many scenario's going through my head. Why do they have to go and grow up anyway?..One big milestone accomplished. Slamster of course asked when he could go..NEVER I replied..with a smile on my face ;)..
Slamster is working on his "whip kick" in swimming lessons today..he seems to have invented his own stroke which is quite interesting to watch..definitely need to bring the video camera before the week is over..so sweet.
Our flower garden is beautiful..I love the wild, weeds can grow throughout and no one will notice kind of garden. No pressure..I try and plant drought tolerant as it's survival of the fittest around here in the summer. I figure "I'm not raisin' a garden"..no pressure. I think there are even some tomatoes stuck in there somewhere that we will enjoy sometime soon...maybe!
These bee balm smells soo good.
Organized chaos..just how we like it!
Our "African Daisy" This little darlin' gets a sweet hello every mornin'..
Sunny took this one..photographer in the house for sure!
Nothing better than fresh, free flowers filling the house throughout the summer!
We are gearing up for a road trip to Chicago..some amazing friends live there and we are in desparate need of a fix! Soo excited to revisit favorite places and relax in company of people "who get it". Soo I filled up on stacks of books for the boys at the library, pickin' up yummy snacks, loadin' up our ipods and we are soon off for another fun filled adventure.
Amongst the dark days we are thankful for the sunny ones...
Monday, July 11, 2011
gotta love summertime...
For us, summertime is a time to play together. Time to decompress and switch up the schedule - less organized stuff and more spontaneous fun! We thought we would kick of the season with a trip to Montreal..we have never taken a train long distance together so we thought why not? LOVE taking the train - no traffic/ no maps/ no bathroom stops...just cards, reading and scenery..good fun.
silly boys...
The city was full of life, so much to discover, so much history, good food, wine and laughs...
Chinatown
Notre-Dame Basilica
Stunning.
What a view!
Waiting for fireworks!
Hiking at Mount Royal
Best Buds
We were on a quest to find the best bagel place in town - mission accomplished!
Waiting for the sound and light show at the Basilica to start!
Beautiful
Boys wanted to visit an old prison that they heard about from their friends..
Testing out smoked meat in Old Montreal - yum!
So lots of walking, lots of laughs..and home we went.
.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Angels
Before this world of adoption became a big part of my world I had no idea that there were so many people dedicating so much time and love working in orphanages or safe homes as they are called in South Africa. From what I have learned many young people take a year or more to volunteer and make a difference. Many people spend their lives fighting for donations endlessly to make ends meet and care for these children. I can't even imagine what it would be like to feel responsible for so many little ones often on around the clock schedules.
Recently, I was wandering through a craft fair and stumbled upon this card which again reminded me of these angels.
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Recently, I was wandering through a craft fair and stumbled upon this card which again reminded me of these angels.
Friday, June 10, 2011
What's in a name?
Some days I can swear that I can sense our daughter's name starts with the letter "N" but then I think I am seriously going crazy and shake my head. I just wish I had a crystal ball!! I feel she is out there and I don't want to call her "she" or "her" any longer.."she" needs a name!...hmm..her name..such a big decision.
We are expecting a toddler so of course there are so many things to consider. By now I am expecting "she" knows her name..is it really fair to change it? So much will already be new, to have a new name too..If her birth mother chose her name, a big part of me feels like I should honour that and of course keep it..but then what if it is so very difficult to pronounce in our country..is that fair to her? Will she care? Will she just love it because it is unique and part of her or will people constantly ask her where she got her name and question her "story" even more than is already expected. I guess there is no right answer..I have to believe we will know as this plan unfolds..
Some families I have learned move the childs birth name to her middle name..some children come home with more western names that orphange care givers have given them.
Many of the children who have joined their forever families from the South African program have a Zulu background. For fun, I have been cruising through the Zulu names hoping that one will pop out at me and I will just know..didn't work..soo here are some that I have discovered :)
Amahle - the beautiful one
Ayanda - they augment (the family)
Busisiwe - blessed
Gugu - precious
Mbali - flower
Nkosingiphile - the Lord gave me
Nolwazi - the one with knowledge
Nomathemba - hope
Nomusa - with grace
Siphokazi - gift
Thabisa - bring joy
Zama - try
We are expecting a toddler so of course there are so many things to consider. By now I am expecting "she" knows her name..is it really fair to change it? So much will already be new, to have a new name too..If her birth mother chose her name, a big part of me feels like I should honour that and of course keep it..but then what if it is so very difficult to pronounce in our country..is that fair to her? Will she care? Will she just love it because it is unique and part of her or will people constantly ask her where she got her name and question her "story" even more than is already expected. I guess there is no right answer..I have to believe we will know as this plan unfolds..
Some families I have learned move the childs birth name to her middle name..some children come home with more western names that orphange care givers have given them.
Many of the children who have joined their forever families from the South African program have a Zulu background. For fun, I have been cruising through the Zulu names hoping that one will pop out at me and I will just know..didn't work..soo here are some that I have discovered :)
Amahle - the beautiful one
Ayanda - they augment (the family)
Busisiwe - blessed
Gugu - precious
Mbali - flower
Nkosingiphile - the Lord gave me
Nolwazi - the one with knowledge
Nomathemba - hope
Nomusa - with grace
Siphokazi - gift
Thabisa - bring joy
Zama - try
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