We have our plane tickets!!

This last week we got our dates for our first trip!   This is the trip we get to meet "Yasmine" in person every day for a week.   While this has been a long road, I still can't believe that 2 weeks from tomorrow I will be meeting her....it seems so surreal.

Everyone keeps asking if I am packed....NO...I am still at the list making and setting aside stage.

Right up there with the excitement of getting our travel dates is knowing that very soon (hopefully in the next few days), we will get new info (and possibly new pictures) of her.   The info we have on her is a year old now and I am nervous to see how she is doing.   I pray that she is healthy and that her weight has been increasing.   I want to be able to take her some clothes, but until I know what she weighs I am not sure what size to bring.

For those of you who don't know me, I am essentially a NON-FLYER.   I have flown in a few times in my life, but I am scared to death and have panic attacks.  Typically I cannot even drive past O'hare without my heart racing.  Once we were thinking of flying somewhere, and just looking at the seating chart on the reservation page got me all freaked out.   Therefore, Jim has just resigned himself to the fact that we will be driving to destinations....except this one.

In making the decision to adopt from overseas, I have tried not to focus on the fact I will need to fly.  I am nervous - for sure- but at the same time I really feel that God has this.  Our adoption of "Yasmine" is so much bigger than any anxiety I have with flying.   I have been telling people that I am treating it sort of like going through my c-section surgeries...it is just part of the process to get the big reward!   I know she is going to be so worth it, just like Gabi, Xander and Ian.

Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare to travel, that all goes well with our flights, our meetings with "Yasmine" and with our kids here at home (my parents are so generously coming to stay with them).  In hindsight, my parents may be more afraid of what they will have to deal with that week than I am flying...LOL!

Before I sign-off, I would like to thank each and every person that has been praying for us and this journey and has supported us financially.   With this trip, we will be making another payment to our agency.

Take care and God bless!  
Cathie

Getting a little closer....

I am done with excuses on how bad I am about blogging.....I did want to provide everyone with a little update.

Last week we mailed our dossier (our paperwork) off to "Yasmine's" country.   Once it is translated, it will be submitted on our behalf to the appropriate government agency.   Then we will wait for a signature on a referral that asks us to come meet her.  From various posts - the timing of this process is completely unpredictable.   This is comforting, in that I have no real expectations as to the amount of time we should be waiting, but it is also making me anxious (in an excited way), to find out just how long it will be until I can meet her.  I am trying to keep my excitement in check because I do not want to be disappointed if she runs and hides from me crying.

As for the rest of the family - we are all healthy.   We are getting ready for Ian's annual meetings for his progress and then for his transition to kindergarten...I can't believe he is turning 5 in April.   Speaking of where the time has gone, we just turned in Gabi's schedule requests for her Freshman year!   AND she has started pointing out that she will be 15 in the fall and that she knows kids that have taken driver's training in the fall.  Unless she has been saving money I don't know about - she can learn to drive, but won't have anything to drive anytime soon.   Finally, Xander is finishing his elementary life up this Spring.   We are awaiting the first band concert to see how all the practice has been going.   It should be good!

Please continue to pray for us and our journey to bring "Yasmine" home....we have been feeling all or your support and appreciate it all more than you know.   Also - the end of last month there was a significant increase in our fund....THANK YOU!!!!  God Bless!

Cathie

I have NO excuse!

The title of this post could (or SHOULD) be the answer for many things in my life.   I initially wrote it in terms of why I haven't blogged in forever, but I think it could go on and on....

The holidays were fun with both our families (separately), with the exception of 2 ER visits, a cast and a two-day stay.  I have been assured none of these were a result of my hospitality!   Gabi and I sang bright and early at the 9 am Mass on Christmas Day....it was a lot of fun...just really early.    We actually didn't open gifts until after, the kids were very patient.

The weather here is NOT what I call winter in the Midwest, which makes many people happy.  I am not one of them.  I grew up in Michigan and LOVE my 4 seasons.   This cold and no snow is just plain ugly and not very useful.  

So while I had some guests over the holidays, I had NO excuse not to take a few minutes to blog.  I will say that I am overwhelmed by the donations we received for Yasmine!   Jim and I are humbled by the outpouring of love and support.   We are still waiting for some approvals on things we have filed with customs and then we will ship off our dossier to her country....which would mean a huge step towards getting to meet her.  I cannot wait!   We have decided on a name but we are not sharing just yet.  It is PERFECT!

For those of you who have wondered if the Russian ban on adoptions will impact us, the answer is no.   That said, I have several friends who are in the process of adopting from Russia, not to mention all of the orphans that are still waiting for their forever families.  I pray that things get resolved for the sake of the children.  They should not be used as political pawns.

As far as resolutions, I don't really make them - because I never keep them.  But I am going to try to get fit by running.  I have NO excuse as to why I have put on these pounds the last couple of years.  A group has been started to try to run a 5K every couple of months in order to raise money for Reece's Rainbow.  I figure if I can't do it for myself, I certainly can do it for the orphans. 

Taking down the decorations and cleaning up I realize I have not done the best job in training my kids.  They are old enough to be able to help.  I have NO excuse as to why they don't help...I have just enabled them too much.  In case they are reading this...please note the past tense of enabled!  It is all going to change in 2013!!! 

So as they are fighting over nothing, I must go and put my striped ref shirt on once again!

Happy New Year to everyone...may 2013 be a blessed and healthy year!
Cathie

And the Giveaway Results .....

First of all...thank you so much for the donations, sharing of the giveaway and prayers!  We really appreciate everything.  We cannot wait to hug on our little girl and introduce you all to her. 
The results of the Giveaway are in....


And now for the fun stuff:

Kindle Fire

WINNER:  Sandy Ishaq

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$40 Target Gift Card

WINNER: Karen Prewitt

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$25 Chili's gift card
WINNER:  Angie Bellinger-Brock

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$25 Amazon gift card
WINNER:  Nancy Harms

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$50 Tea and Twine gift certificate
WINNER:  Erin Purdy

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Scentsy Warmer and 3-pack of Honey Pear Cider bars

WINNER: Lisa Sytsma

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Yellow Blanket
46"x40"
WINNER:  Cathy Thompson

Blue Carriage Blanket
41"x36"
WINNER:  Christie Taylor

Heartache...

These last few weeks have been crazy busy getting ready for the holidays...we always have out of town guests and enjoy lots of cheer.  However, the last month has also included the loss of a precious little boy named Henry who was adopted last year from the Ukraine...and currently includes a gravely ill little guy named Ethan who steals my heart with his smile...he also happens to be adopted (domestically).  

All too often children with special needs are left in foster care or orphanages because of the fear of what the disability may involve and what medical issues may come up.   We are so fortunate that Ian is generally very healthy...I don't EVER take that for granted.  I won't lie - I am very anxious about Yasmine's health.  The initial report looks to be that she is quite healthy...but I have also been told those reports can't always be relied upon.   With all of the heartache I have been witnessing others going through due to devastating challenges...it would be easy enough to just walk away from the adoption and avoid the potential pain...however - that will never happen because I know that Yasmine needs us - and we need her...no matter whether she is healthy or not.  I pray she is, but also know that we will face anything we need to for her.   

There are so many children like Yasmine that need families...whether you are able to adopt, donate, pray, or share their stories - I beg you tell others about the plight of these children.  They deserve to have a mom and dad hug them and care for them when they are sick.   I also ask you to pray deeply about the idea of adoption...a year ago it was just a - "would like to do that"...not thinking it would ever be possible.  Now - having received a lot of guidance, we know that this is our what our journey is intended to be.  

Please continue to pray for my friends who have lost their children and are facing the holidays without them and for my friends with sick little ones....I still believe in miracles!

http://wecanmakeadifferencetoone.blohttp://wecanmakeadifferencetoone.blogspot.com/2012/12/bringing-home-yasmine.htmlgspot.com/


Our Giveaway is still going on but you MUST POST! if you share or donate!!


THANKS!!
Cathie

It is never easy ....

As a parent, it is NEVER easy to hand your child over to be put under for surgery.   As a member of an extended DS family that has lost far too many little ones recently (some post-surgery), the task is made all that harder.

This morning, Ian had his ear tubes checked and some dental rehab...I hope this is the only rehab I ever have to deal with with my kids.   He had a number of issues and he was unwilling to let the dentist deal with them while awake.   I am happy to report that all went well...it took about 3.5 hours.   He is such a trooper and only complained for a bit post-op.

Not knowing Yasmine's health history in great detail, and not knowing if what we know is reliable, I am anxious to get her home and have her examined by a doctor here in the U.S.   As most children with Down syndrome are prone to a number of medical issues, I will feel much better when that exam is over.   I just pray all is well with her and surgery, no matter how minor, can be avoided.


http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson

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As you may have noticed, I will be "reminding" you on a regular basis of our Give-Away on this blog.   It is so important for us to get to her as quickly as possible and while the paper chase may hold things up along the way - I pray money is never the roadblock.  PLEASE don't forget to comment on the blog so you will be in the give-away.  We so appreciate any donation, no matter how small.  We are also very appreciate of your prayers.

Thank you and God bless...
Cathie

Humility...

A friend recently asked how to respond when people make comments such as....'it's really irresponsible and rude to ask people for money to adopt. If you can't pay for it all upfront then you shouldn't be adopting.'   This statement would be fine if the child was a piece of merchandise...but, alas, the child is NOT.  I fully agree that I would not go out and seek donations so I could by a new car, because that helps no one other than myself.  The adoption of an orphan helps save a life - not to mention be a potential inspiration for others to adopt.  

As an adopting parent of an orphan - I can tell you that this is most certainly a lesson in humility for me.   I am NOT comfortable with asking for donations.   Albeit, I never ever think twice about donating to other adoption funds.   

The adoption of a child from an overseas orphanage is not a "purchase" that you save up for...it is a "calling" to save a child.   If it were only a matter of money I think that many people would adopt...however, it is not the money that is needed but the strong desire to help and raise a hopeless child.  These children do not have time for every family that hears that calling to save.  With costs exceeding $20,000 and up to $40,000 at times, who can just pull that out of their wallet on a whim??  

In the Bible, God calls us to help the orphans...being that not everyone has the ability or calling to actually adopt an orphan, it is through advocating for these children, praying for the adopting families and donating to adoption funds that EVERYONE who wants to can do something to help the orphans.  

Thank you to everyone that is doing something for the lesser children of this world...

Don't forget - we have a GiveAWAY going on right now!!  See prior post!

http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson

God bless!

Cathie