Saturday, February 27, 2010

What a Fun Day!!

Today we had the Winter Carnival at school. The girls had a blast! We were there from about 9:45 this morning until about 2:00-2:15 this afternoon. The girls each won two prizes at the bottle shop. Riley won a water bottle and also a jar of pennies. She walked out with her pennies and told me that she picked that so we could add it to the money we are saving to bring home one of the children on Reece's Rainbow! Peyton won some scented hand soap and scented hand wipes. Both in really cute, kid friendly containers. She walked out to me with both of those and told me she chose those for the little kid we are going to bring home. She thought perhaps her new brother or sister might like them. I am really very lucky to have such great kids! They are all - Karissa too - so very kind, caring, loving, and generous. Karissa will make a great big sister (again) and Peyton and Riley will make great big sisters as well.

Speaking of making great big sisters. I was trying to get them to help me decide if we should adopt a little boy or a little girl. That didn't work out so well especially since they have as many favorite children as I do. Riley decided she wanted a little brother and a little sister. Peyton thinks she probably wants a little sister. I am guessing Karissa wants a little brother since she has been asking for one for quite some time! I'm with Riley about bringing home a boy and a girl (or just bringing home two in general). I am not sure that is what we are meant to do. So I will just stick with working on bringing one of those precious children home. I just hope I know which child is meant for us and soon. (Some of us are getting a little impatient).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Happy Things

I have to admit that I had been starting to become discouraged until yesterday. People haven't seemed all that interested in our families interest to adopt. No one really asked how things were going and we have had people either flat out tell us it's a bad idea or tell us it is a good idea and then tell others that it was a bad idea.

Anyway...yesterday a friend of mine at work asked me how things were going and both her and her Mom have gotten on board and begun to help me out. I can't tell you what their support means to me!! It has been so amazing!

I have also been fortunate enough for the last few weeks to have the support of another friend. She has been checking with her adoption agency regarding different things for me and just been extremely helpful. I also can't thank her enough!!!

Another exciting thing that happened yesterday was I finally connected with another Mom on Reece's Rainbow who actually lives down the street from me. It was great to talk to someone who is going through this adoption stuff right now and also know that she is right there. She has offered to help and was just wonderful. We can't wait to get our kids home so we can have playdates!!!

I've finally gotten my fundraising letter ready thanks to my friend and her Mom and have been working on addressing the envelopes. I am hopeful I can get to the post office today and get some stamps and put some of those letters in the mail.

I think that is all the happy news for now :)

Monday, February 22, 2010

Baby Steps

We finally got our home study application sent in. HOORAY!! It doesn't sound like much, but it's at least a step in the right direction! I was surprised by how long it took to fill out an application. Not to mention having to write an autobiogrpahy! That seemed to take forever. Chris is still working on his...I guess. I better get him moving on that :)

Now we are just waiting for a date for our home study and also some money to get the home study done. I have a check hopefully coming soon that should cover it, but not sure that the NYS Teacher's Retirement System is in any hurry to get it mailed out to me. Keep your fingers crossed and say several prayers. If that money comes I can pay for my home study and hopefully my passport! That would be so wonderful!! Then if/when my tax money comes I can use it to commit to a child. That will be so wonderful!!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Roller Coaster Ride

I feel like I have been on this never ending roller coaster ride ever since Chris gave us the "go ahead" to move forward in our journey to adopt one of the children on RR. (website - www.reecesrainbow.org ) I do have a particular child that I would love to adopt. She is actually the one who my girls were picking out clothes for and thinking of ways to decorate her room.

I know it is possible for someone to come along and commit to her before I am able to do so. That realization is heartbreaking to a large extent. It is however, also a good thing for a child to get a loving family and home. So...if I don't get my sweet doll baby than I know someone else will take good care of her. (I still want her for my little girl).

Anyway...back to my roller coaster ride. As I have begun to tell people about my desire to go forward with adopting a child with Down Syndrome I have gotten so many different responses. One family member told me to get the idea right out of my head and that it was too expensive and to forget about it.

I can't imagine I could ever put it out of my head. The thought of adding to our family is such an exciting thought. I feel that we would not only be providing a safe, loving, and caring environment for a child, but I can only imagine all that a child will do for our family. The thought of someone else to love is enough reward in and of itself. Just think of all the love one of these special children can bring to our family!

So my family member not only wants me to forget the idea, but doesn't want to have any part in fundraising either. This stinks because she knows a lot of people!

I have told myself not to worry because I know this is meant to be and not to let this person change my mind. I have also been told by the many wise people I have become acquainted with through RR to keep moving forward. (It is funny how I feel so close with people I have not met. I think just knowing they are going through something similiar has been a huge help and support).

After recovering from the blow of no help and support I think to myself..."Alright, if we can just get the money for the homestudy and maybe some commitment money together the rest will come." Then I come up with an idea to ask a different family member for a little loan. I was so sure that they would help because this is just meant to be and it is all going to work out. Well, I was wrong. Not about this adoption being meant to be, but about the help. I got a no.

Here I am back to square one. I think I am going to talk to everyone I possibly can and ask them for help and support. I know I'm not going to let these twists and turns get me off course. It just stinks though.

I guess if you really want something you have to work for it. You would just think helping a child find a forever home and a Mommy and Daddy would be much easier than this.

I guess I had better start writing those letters.

How It All Began

Chris, Riley, Peyton, and I were heading to Sweet Tomatoes one Friday night a couple of weeks ago. As we were driving there Chris and I talked about the situation in Haiti with the earthquake and how horrible it was. We talked about the children who were without a Mom and Dad. Chris said that he wished he could bring one of those children home with us so that they could have a family. It was then that my brain started working over time.

When we got home I went on the computer to start researching adopting children from Haiti. It didn't take long to realize that this wasn't something that could be done at this time. Not because we didn't want to, but because it isn't something that is being allowed at this time.

As I searched various adoption sites I came across Reeces Rainbow and fell in love with so many beautiful children with Down Syndrome. At that moment I knew I wanted to bring one of those precious children home with me and have him or her become a part of our family.

Every night after that Peyton and Riley would look at the website with me. They would ask to look at the kids. They even have their own favorite kiddos that they will look at and get so excited when they see the picture. I also shared the website with Karissa and she looked at it while in her dorm room one night and called me to tell me her favorite cuties.

They have all expressed their interest in helping bring a child home and into our family. Riley and Peyton have discussed how to decorate the room for their new brother or sister, they have looked at Target for clothes, etc.