Family Rules

OK, we're still waiting to hear on some paperwork, so I digress...again...

Many times over the last six years that I've been a Mom, I've been amused by the wierd "rules" that have become necessary in our family. I thought you might enjoy them too.

"Family Rules"

1. No breaking/shaking peach trees.
2. No peeing in the dogs' water dish.
3. No writing on walls.
4. You have to at least be wearing underwear to go outdoors.
5. Aim (for the potty).
6. No dumping liquids in carseat cupholders.
7. Keep gum in your mouth.
8. Underwear has to be changed at least once a day.
9. No coins in your mouth.
10. Don't stick gum up your nose.
11. Don't shoot at people - only pirates, sharks, bears etc.
12. Do not climb onto roof of car to swing down into window. Use a door!
13. Do not rinse your dusty feet off in dog's water dish.
14. No mooning - especially first time guests!!!

I am thinking of hanging a cute little sign on our front door that says:
"Caution: May contain nuts!"
Tee Hee! That might be interesting for when we have our place examined for our home study!

In The Words of My Child

I got this fun idea from Jen & Holly. I asked Mark (6 years old) the following questions...

Q. Why did God make Mothers?
A. So they could take care of their kids

Q. How did God make Mothers?
A. He just made them

Q. What ingredients are Mothers made of?
A. I don't know that!

Q. What kind of little girl was your Mom?
A. Just a girl

Q. What did Mom need to know about Dad before she married him?
A. Love stuff

Q. Why did your Mom marry your Dad?
A. Because he was nice

Q. Who's the boss at your house?
A. My Dad & my Mom

Q. What's the difference between Moms & Dads?
A. Mommy's older. When I was a baby I thought Dad was older, but now Mommy's older.

Q. What does your Mom do in her spare time?
A. play around

Q. What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
A. Give her a kiss (I love this one!)

Anxious Thoughts

OK, this is my way of asking for prayer! The other day someone told me about how their friends failed their adoption home study. I asked why and they said there was a problem with lead paint in the home. If there was a specific problem with our place we would just make it right, but the story did leave me a bit rattled! I sooooooooo appreciate all of your prayers!



"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41: 13

Mark is six!

Mark is wearing his "fake smile" as he gets ready to blow out candles on his pirates' treasure chest cake. He recently told a two year old friend, "I am six and that is more than two. When you get old like me, time goes by faster. I will probably be seven very soon!"

He is also warming up to the idea of having a little brother or sister. He likes the idea of going shopping to pick out some toys for their room and has plenty of suggestions. He thinks a brother would be better than a sister because, "Boys are funner than girls!", but I assured him that we did not get to chose that kind of thing (John & I have chosen not to request either gender.) and that it would be OK either way.

Paperwork & Scripture

We are waiting to get an approval on some paperwork we sent off last week. We have to wait to hear on that before we send off our home study request and fee. I have also been working on passports, as well as learning all about the I-600 & the "Orphan Petition" (immigration documents).

I chose a Scripture for Mark when he was little and so I have been prayerfully choosing two more, since we aren't sure yet if we will be adopting one or two children . Mark's is...

"For this child we prayed and the Lord has given us the petition which we asked of Him. So we have dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."
I Samuel 1:27-28

Our next child's will be:

"I thank You, High God - You're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration - what a creation! You know me inside and out. You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You."
Psalm 139:14-16a (The Message)

Child #3's is:

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Paperwork

I haven't had a lot of news to share lately, unless you're interested in paperwork & more paperwork! I've also been wading through Immigration info. & instructions. See! This is why I haven't updated lately - it's not very exciting! But, it all is bringing us closer to getting our precious little son or daughter home to us, so it's well worth it!

More journal notes

I'm going to let you "peek" into my journal again so you can have an idea of how my heart is doing these days.......



from my journal, 2-17-08



"My feelings about finally getting going with adoption are "all over the map". It's exciting but scary. There are so many things that could go wrong and break my heart. I am trying to stay focused on the tasks I have to do now and to not run ahead (mentally & emotionally) too far. I usually dare not try to imagine my child, but I sure do pray for him (we don't know if we'll get a girl or a boy, but I'm going to use "he" for simplicity). I pray he'd be feeling loved and cherished now and be so aware of God's presence and care. I pray he'd be secure & happy & developing healthily in every way - mind, body,soul & spirit. I also pray God would be preparing him for us, and us for him! I am so ready to love my next son or daughter but there's lots to do & overcome between now & the day I'll get to hold my little one in my arms. Oh Lord! Please help!"

The Process

Here we all are pre-adoption. I can't wait to be able to post a picture of us all post-adoption!

In case any of you are wondering, this is the adoption process we are beginning (as I understand it):

*Prepare for Home Study (what we are doing now)
*Home Study (should take about 2-3 weeks)
*Prepare dossier to send to Ghana (This is LOTS of official paperwork.)
*Wait to be matched with a child/children
*Once we are matched, which will be SO exciting, it will take 4-5 months for all the legal work to be completed in Ghana.
*Get our child/children!!!!!!!!
*Do 3 home visits with a social worker
*Finalize adoption in the USA

Notes from my journal

I'm taking you back in time via my journal to catch you up on our story...

2-17-08
"It all started on the 10th when John's (my husband) sister called him - she was back in the USA for some workshops. She told him about a friend she's gotten to know who is running an orphanage in Accra, Ghana called "Beacon House". The next thing I know, John and I are praying and talking together & looking up info. online. We also contacted a home study agency with some questions. It's happening fast but this is something we've been praying for & working towards for at least three years. Oh Lord, is it really time? Please hold us tight and lead us on!"

I also found some cool quotations in The Whole Life Adoption Book by Jayne E. Schooler...

"Natural child: any child who is not artificial
Real parent: any parent who is not imaginary
Your own child: any child who is not someone else's child
Adopted child: a natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own."
Rita Law

"Our adoption changed the character of our family forever. We are not a caucasian family who adopted a minority child. We are a minority family. We always will be."
an adoptive father

The Beginning

OK, I admit it...I never tried blogging until today. But, I want to set this up so our friends & family can keep up with our adoption adventure, so here goes.........hope you will enjoy my efforts!