Happy Metcha Day!

 

6 Months Home!!

In February 2013, we saw the face of a little boy. 

We met that precious little boy in October of 2013. 

On October 18, 2013, we were named his parents. 

We brought him home on November 20, 2013....and now 6 months later, here he is!

This little boy brings us so much joy. We are so grateful for these last six months. He has adjusted so smoothly and fits into our family just as if we brought him home from the hospital ourselves. 

Happy 6 months home Danny! 

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! 

We are so lucky to get to love this little guy, who is rockin' his extra chromosome!

Two Precious Faces

I would like to introduce you to two precious faces, "Clinton" and "Carl".

These two little guys are best buddies and waiting for a mom and dad. There sweet smiles drew me in the first time I spotted them on the Reece's Rainbow website. How awesome would it be if there was a way for the two of them to not only be best buddies but best brothers! Both these boys are listed as having cerebral palsy. But by the looks of it, they have so much potential!

Now that our adoption is over, I was wanting to start advocating for a special child to find a family. Looks like God is calling me to advocate for two special little boys!

When I was a young girl, I was able to visit Africa and fell in love with the people there. I also have two special nephews from this beautiful continent. I wish there was a way we could scoop these two up. I will just have to hope that somebody reads my words and feels called to love these two. 

If you are interested, let me know and I can direct you to where you can get info on these little dudes!

Even if you can't adopt, you can still make a difference by donating to their forever family. Just click on one of the links above!

Lets find these boys a home!

Only In Our Hearts...

A week ago, I was browsing the Russian database for orphans to check in on my Yana. (Something I periodically do just to make sure she is there.) Suddenly I realized...she wasn't there. 

My heart droppped.

Where was she?

What had happened to her?

I frantically kept going through the five pages of orphans from her region that fit the same perimeters as she.....nothing.

There were only two possible reasons I could come up with that would cause her to be removed from the database...adoption...or death.

Of course, my heart went to the worse case scenario and I started freaking out. I messaged my friend that I had met through Reece's Rainbow. She had close connections with the orphanage director and promised me she would find out.

A few days passed, those days feeling like years worrying about the unknown.

Then yesterday I received a response.

Our sweet Yana has been placed with a foster family!

Not knowing the specifics of this arrangement, I questioned further. Was she with a loving family that would be adopting her? Was she just placed with a family so that they could receive money for her? Is there any future in her still being adoptable if Russia was to reopen its adoptions?

The answers I received both brought me joy and pain all at once.

Yana was placed with a family whom the director of the orphange believes to be a "good family" Most likely she will not be adopted, only fostered ( I assume there is more support from the government for fosters).

And finally....she will most likely not be available for adoption even if the doors would reopen.

Initially I was sad. For the longest time I still believed that some day down the road, we would be able to pursue her. I held out to the belief that one day she would be ours.

However, we know now that only in our hearts will she be ours.

This is a joyous day though....not many Russian orphans are given the opportunity to be part of a family...especially those with special needs.

So I will celebrate through my selfish pain. I will pray that she has the life she deserves, with a family that loves her. And I will wish her joy!

I will cherish the road she led us on to bring us to our Danny, and I will continue to advocate for the others left behind!

Good luck sweet girl! You will always have a piece of my heart.