This year Thanksgiving has taken on a new meaning for me. I have always given thanks for everything God has given me, but this year I am also so thankful to Him for opening my eyes to those who do not have everything. This encompasses a large part of the population..the homeless guys I see within a mile of my home, the people out East who suffered through hurricane Sandy, those who do not have the best of health, and of course - the orphans.
It is so easy to be "blind" to those less fortunate...but I ask everyone who reads this to try to make a conscience effort to pray to God to help you open your eyes and look to those that may be in need. It could be as simple as donating that old bedspread or comforter to a local shelter or giving food to the local food pantry. For those that are ill...reach out and let them know you are thinking of them and praying for their health. If possible, offer to help with holiday stuff.
As the holidays approach and the kids are making lists of their wants...I think what would Yasmine's list look like:
1. A family
2. A cozy bed
3. A "home" to call her own
4. Medical care - if needed
I am SO HAPPY to say that Yasmine's list will be fulfilled sometime this next year and her list will look a lot different next year:) However, there are hundreds of others like her that will have the same list again next year. Whether you find yourself called to adopt into your family or to help the orphans in some way (advocating, donating, etc), please do what you can. www.reecesrainbow.org.
Finally - thanks again to those who have made a donation on behalf of Yasmine...we really appreciate it.
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
Happy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you.
Cathie
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
To my precious little one....
While we have never met, or seen more than one picture of you, I have fallen hard for you.
I so look forward to the day we meet and you can finally know that we are welcoming you into our family. You may be little, but I pray you are able to understand and find it comforting that God has helped us find each other.
Until that day - that cannot come soon enough - we keep you in our thoughts and prayers at all times.
Love to you my little one....
Mommy
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http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
I so look forward to the day we meet and you can finally know that we are welcoming you into our family. You may be little, but I pray you are able to understand and find it comforting that God has helped us find each other.
Until that day - that cannot come soon enough - we keep you in our thoughts and prayers at all times.
Love to you my little one....
Mommy
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http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
Friday, November 9, 2012
Yippee!!
We found out that the country Yasmine lives in has put a "hold" on her for us. This is very exciting for us. It seems to be making what seems like a bit of a dream more of a reality. Without this hold, another agency could have placed her for adoption without us even knowing. Sorry to keep showing the same picture but this is the only one we have!!
It seems to me that everyone who is adopting knows what they are doing; whereas, I feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants! I need to focus on raising some of the money we will need for our journey to bring our daughter home. I would LOVE and appreciate ideas...
We have been considering names and everyone seems to have some ideas or inputs and so far few of them are coming together...we still have some time but I would love to have her name. Some of you may wonder - why does she need a name? Doesn't she have one? The name Yasmine is an alias...and we do not plan to keep her birth name as her first name.
In other news....we are all healthy, Jim is working crazy hours it seems all day every day, the kids teachers look like they are going to strike, Gabi was selected to be in the talent show at school, the dog is just as wild as ever and Dot just keeps on swimming....
Praying you all have a wonderful weekend.
Cathie
P.S. Someday I hope to have a "Button" link but for now here is a link:
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
It seems to me that everyone who is adopting knows what they are doing; whereas, I feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants! I need to focus on raising some of the money we will need for our journey to bring our daughter home. I would LOVE and appreciate ideas...
We have been considering names and everyone seems to have some ideas or inputs and so far few of them are coming together...we still have some time but I would love to have her name. Some of you may wonder - why does she need a name? Doesn't she have one? The name Yasmine is an alias...and we do not plan to keep her birth name as her first name.
In other news....we are all healthy, Jim is working crazy hours it seems all day every day, the kids teachers look like they are going to strike, Gabi was selected to be in the talent show at school, the dog is just as wild as ever and Dot just keeps on swimming....
Praying you all have a wonderful weekend.
Cathie
P.S. Someday I hope to have a "Button" link but for now here is a link:
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
Thursday, October 25, 2012
So....what is happening??
Sorry again for the delay - my life really isn't all that interesting on a daily basis, yet at the same time I am too busy to always write. It is kinda weird.
Currently we are close to our home study being complete. Jim and I are taking the necessary educational courses (on-line) that we are required to take. So far, the courses have given us some great ideas and things to think about. Otherwise, we are waiting for the government to provide info on our background checks/fingerprints. I have heard this can take quite awhile. We did this back in September, so hopefully it is almost done.
In addition, I have been trying to figure out something or somethings that I could make and maybe sell to raise money for the adoption. The cost of an international adoption is so high because the process involves a lot of documents and filings, the use of multiple agencies, flights and fees. I know that it will be so worth it, but it worries me. I know we are not the only ones in this situation, but we have taken the first step....following the call to adopt. I truly believe that God never would have led us down this path unless he was going to see that we could make it to the end...our precious little girl.
Speaking of her...we are trying to find a name we can all agree on for her. So far, we have not been very successful. For those that are asking why are we changing her name...Yasmine is just an alias to protect her true identity. We plan to incorporate her birth name as a middle name, but we think we are going to give her a new first name. I have asked others that have gone down this path if it is difficult for the kids to adapt or if they have a lost sense of identity and in all cases it has been "no".
Please continue to pray for our family as we continue down this path.
THANK YOU to those that have prayed and/or donated to our adoption fund. We appreciate everything!
Cathie
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
.jpg)
Currently we are close to our home study being complete. Jim and I are taking the necessary educational courses (on-line) that we are required to take. So far, the courses have given us some great ideas and things to think about. Otherwise, we are waiting for the government to provide info on our background checks/fingerprints. I have heard this can take quite awhile. We did this back in September, so hopefully it is almost done.
In addition, I have been trying to figure out something or somethings that I could make and maybe sell to raise money for the adoption. The cost of an international adoption is so high because the process involves a lot of documents and filings, the use of multiple agencies, flights and fees. I know that it will be so worth it, but it worries me. I know we are not the only ones in this situation, but we have taken the first step....following the call to adopt. I truly believe that God never would have led us down this path unless he was going to see that we could make it to the end...our precious little girl.
Speaking of her...we are trying to find a name we can all agree on for her. So far, we have not been very successful. For those that are asking why are we changing her name...Yasmine is just an alias to protect her true identity. We plan to incorporate her birth name as a middle name, but we think we are going to give her a new first name. I have asked others that have gone down this path if it is difficult for the kids to adapt or if they have a lost sense of identity and in all cases it has been "no".
Please continue to pray for our family as we continue down this path.
THANK YOU to those that have prayed and/or donated to our adoption fund. We appreciate everything!
Cathie
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
.jpg)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Where did the week go?
I can't believe I have been bad for an entire week about blogging...oh - who am I kidding?! I will be happy if I can keep this semi-up-to-date.
This week we had the local Buddy Walk. It is an event to raise awareness and money for the local Down syndrome organizations. It is always a lot of fun...however, this year God decided to add a little of his own fun in the form of a tornado warning!! Fortunately, the storm was not that bad, but those who know me know I did not see much of it due to my hiding in the building.
We had our visit from our social worker for our home study on Saturday. She is the sweetest person and we really enjoyed meeting her in person. I also made a journey with Ian to downtown Chicago to get some special stamps on our documents (apostille), only to find out that one of them needs something before they will stamp it. I am proud of myself for not throwing a hissy fit and for staying optimistic. From stories I have heard about the adoption process this is like a pebble in my shoe.
I have been so excited watching the kiddos on Reece's Rainbow be moved to the My Family Found Me page. It is overwhelming how many families are opening their hearts and homes.
Before the last few months, I really wanted to help the cause of the orphans in Eastern Europe and never knew if we would be able to adopt. So, you ask, what types of things did I do or can you do?
1. Pray for the little ones to find their families, pray for the families that are on their journey to adopt or may be seeking to be able to adopt.
2. Donate to the funds of the little ones or the families that are adopting. The costs of international adoptions are very high and involve a lot of work. Many families more families would be open to adopting if there was more financial support. All donations made through Reece's Rainbow are Tax-Deductible!! So it helps you too.
Here is our link - http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
3. Participate or coordinate fundraisers for those adopting.
Basically - there are lots of ways to help!!
We had a bump in our donations this week - I don't know from whom...but whomever you are - THANK YOU!!!!
Cathie
This week we had the local Buddy Walk. It is an event to raise awareness and money for the local Down syndrome organizations. It is always a lot of fun...however, this year God decided to add a little of his own fun in the form of a tornado warning!! Fortunately, the storm was not that bad, but those who know me know I did not see much of it due to my hiding in the building.
We had our visit from our social worker for our home study on Saturday. She is the sweetest person and we really enjoyed meeting her in person. I also made a journey with Ian to downtown Chicago to get some special stamps on our documents (apostille), only to find out that one of them needs something before they will stamp it. I am proud of myself for not throwing a hissy fit and for staying optimistic. From stories I have heard about the adoption process this is like a pebble in my shoe.
I have been so excited watching the kiddos on Reece's Rainbow be moved to the My Family Found Me page. It is overwhelming how many families are opening their hearts and homes.
Before the last few months, I really wanted to help the cause of the orphans in Eastern Europe and never knew if we would be able to adopt. So, you ask, what types of things did I do or can you do?
1. Pray for the little ones to find their families, pray for the families that are on their journey to adopt or may be seeking to be able to adopt.
2. Donate to the funds of the little ones or the families that are adopting. The costs of international adoptions are very high and involve a lot of work. Many families more families would be open to adopting if there was more financial support. All donations made through Reece's Rainbow are Tax-Deductible!! So it helps you too.
Here is our link - http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
3. Participate or coordinate fundraisers for those adopting.
Basically - there are lots of ways to help!!
We had a bump in our donations this week - I don't know from whom...but whomever you are - THANK YOU!!!!
Cathie
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Just a thought...
While I love this time of year, it seems that my system does not handle the change very well and all I want to do is sleep. Unfortunately, I don't have time for this semi-hibernation. So....I must push myself to go about prepare for our home study visit. She is coming Saturday! I am so worried that the house is going to look like a disaster zone as she arrives.
Speaking of our home study - after answering a ton of questions thus far - it is a wonder my 3 kids have survived!! When we started our family way back when...we thought we were prepared...but we NEVER addressed some of the questions she has asked us. The questions are really good ones that make you contemplate life with the child now and in the future. I personally think the questions should be given to all couples contemplating actions that may result in children. If you are not ready to answer all of these questions - you should not be having kids! I think I will make a list of the questions to give to my kids in the future when they have a serious significant other...better yet - what a great conversation starter if they are over for dinner..LOL!!
P.S. I am not trying to make light of the home study process at all - it is invaluable and important to ensuring that our decision and those in our situation is made with all care.
Speaking of our home study - after answering a ton of questions thus far - it is a wonder my 3 kids have survived!! When we started our family way back when...we thought we were prepared...but we NEVER addressed some of the questions she has asked us. The questions are really good ones that make you contemplate life with the child now and in the future. I personally think the questions should be given to all couples contemplating actions that may result in children. If you are not ready to answer all of these questions - you should not be having kids! I think I will make a list of the questions to give to my kids in the future when they have a serious significant other...better yet - what a great conversation starter if they are over for dinner..LOL!!
P.S. I am not trying to make light of the home study process at all - it is invaluable and important to ensuring that our decision and those in our situation is made with all care.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I can tell this is going to be a long wait....
It is amazing to me that last week I saw her picture for the first time and now I can't stop thinking about her. I wonder what her days are like...I pray she is well taken care of. I really wish she could know that we are coming to bring her home...especially as winter approaches and she will long to snuggle tight with someone and will have no one. On the positive side of things - each day that passes is one day closer to the day we will meet.
I try to picture what she is going to think of our family....we are a bit of a crazy bunch. I really, really hope she loves music, dancing and singing...or she may find it unbearable here at our home. Gabi and Ian LOVE to dance around and I think that Gabi sings more than she talks:) She is blessed with the voice of an angel so that is just fine with us! She also will need to like playing with electronics. All too often it seems they are an additional part of the boys...she will likely think that they are actually connected to the devices at first!
We set about preparing for our homestudy visit and have a great deal of anticipation about the coming months....((HUGS)) to you little one so far away...may we meet very soon! Your Mom
Cathie
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
I try to picture what she is going to think of our family....we are a bit of a crazy bunch. I really, really hope she loves music, dancing and singing...or she may find it unbearable here at our home. Gabi and Ian LOVE to dance around and I think that Gabi sings more than she talks:) She is blessed with the voice of an angel so that is just fine with us! She also will need to like playing with electronics. All too often it seems they are an additional part of the boys...she will likely think that they are actually connected to the devices at first!
We set about preparing for our homestudy visit and have a great deal of anticipation about the coming months....((HUGS)) to you little one so far away...may we meet very soon! Your Mom
Cathie
http://reecesrainbow.org/47636/sponsorthomson
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