Holidays...thinking of Danielle

The holidays are a child's dream...can't wait to celebrate them with Danielle here too! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Research is going great!

So today I had my first oops...in the excitement of the holidays and Can't wait to celebrate them with Danielle, I slipped by saying I want a little boy for Christmas to friends/coworker. It was infront of my husband too...I have started to talk freely about it infront of him. I know it takes him time to process through decisions and this is a big one, but I'm not giving up my hopes...if I did now, I will surely give up during the true waiting process. We all should think hard about adoption, it is a big things, but it is also a wonderful thing and we shouldn't be scared of it. We all have our processing time so be patient if your spouse is naturally slow. So anyways, in my slip up I have found another family that has adopted 3 boys from Russia. This will be my second family that friends have refered me to. I have learned to watch for signs in my life & things like this don't just line up accidentally. I have found a great book too-The Complete book of international adoption by Dawn Davenport. It seems very thorough...some I've already discovered but, has many other families stories...which I find very interesting. Happy Thanksgiving!

When will we truly know

This part is tough to talk about but, I feel I must share this for all the women facing it too. Our pastor even mentioned it on Sunday during his sermon on adopting & how we are the caretakers of the orphans. He said there are some husbands that their wives have opened heart to adoption but, they aren't open yet. I would love to hear from wives & husbands that have been here.

What I have learned

The Internet is a great, quick resource but, can also be too much. My daddy always says, "take what you need & throw the rest out". This is how I'm approaching all this info & would advise others to do the same. Searching for agency: ask for referrals from people you know that have adopted, then call them, and research reviews & comments about them online. I have ruled out probably the top 2 after a phone call. I feel you must feel comfortable with your agency, it's gonna be a long time with them & connecting is important to me. They will all try to tell you reality...ok, great but, not in discouraging way please. I need the truth but, with hope too. We all know it takes many months & maybe years to adopt from Russia. I also learned babies aren't eligible til after 3 months old so there's your first delay. Lots of websites that explain the process of Russian adoption but, I found one that breaks it down so well that anyone could understand-I'll try to post it soon. Books are great too and stories so read like crazy!! I'm not a reader but, have learned to be one :)

When the Journey Began-in a heart

I don't remember exactly how old I was when I heard the story about Russian orphanages but, it has stuck with me for over 20 years at least. It was the story about the children left in beds all day that has stuck with me this long. As a kid myself, back then, I couldn't imagine how awful it must have been to not be able to go outside and play. To feel unloved and unwanted. These thoughts and images have stayed with me so long that I knew one day I would do something.... Well, here I am, an adult with a family of my own and pondering the thoughts of my son in that place. It hasn't been easy since I have had these feelings that there is someone missing in my family. I really wanted to act 6 months ago but, sometimes those around you aren't as ready to act. So here I am 6 months later, dreaming and researching how to bring my son Daniel home. I'm reading everything I can, I'm researching agencies & pricing, I'm praying for funding, and I'm praying for support this time. You see, our pastor preached on adoption last Sunday & I haven't stopped since!