Big Step

If any of you have been reading this blog you will know that my husband has what is "lovingly" referred to as RHS and it takes a lot of patience on both sides to hear each other out.  Of course it is a huge decision to adopt a child and even more so when you thought  you were done raising children and then something hits you (mostly women) that you're not done.  You still have more to give, perhaps even to a child that is not your own, one who has no family, no love, no future.  Once your eyes and your heart has been opened to the orphans of the world you can't go back, you can't forget but how do you share this feeling with your spouse who still has no idea.  Don't get me wrong, he's a loving father, a fantastic husband and a wonderful person but his eyes are still closed to the orphan situation; children without parents.  He's not completely stone cold, he feels a little bit, he'll say - give them money, give a thousand, give more but why do we have to adopt?? That is the question.  Well, because money is not everything, money is only the tip of the iceberg for this child who is orphaned.  They need more, so much more than money or material things, they need love, compassion, support, hugs and kisses, lots of them and I want to give that to one child doesn't have it.  We've been talking for months now and slowly, very slowly the RHS hubby has agreed for me to do all I can to find out about a certain child I'll call LB and see if she is available for International adoption.  There seems to be no agency who covers her region but she is special needs so there might be a chance.  So, how are we going to get to this child and yes my goodness, this is where the hubby comes in, what will it cost.  I know you can't put a price on a life but reality is I do have to think about it, there is no two ways about it, will we have the finances to bring her home.  So, I am looking into a lot of things at the moment, the agency, the orphanage, the finances and LB's sepcial need - PKU.  I must admit I've never heard of it before but now have some idea of what it is, low protein diet.  On the surface it seems not a big deal but there are many details involved such as protein counting, blood tests, special formula.  I've researched a lot on it already and know where to get the food, most of which are covered by our provincial health insurance, the formula, covered as well and blood tests.  I know where the PKU clinic is to send the tests to and get results from to make sure LB stays under the level that is right for her.  If anyone has a PKU child I'd love to hear from you as I'm sure I'll need some support with it.  So, this is my news, a small step but an importand one none the less.  Please, keep praying for me, thanks.  

Forget me not Friday: Keegan

What is this I hear, Keegan's orphanage is closing down. I wasn't aware orphanages can close down. Sometimes I hear they are getting renovated and that is nice when they are able to paint their house, bring in fresh supplies and update the kitchen and washrooms, some have it quite nice. So, what happens to all the kids that lived there. For some of them that was the only home they ever knew. Do they really get transfered to an institution already, even so young? What will become of little Keegen if no one steps up for him and makes a commitment to adopt him? I just have this idea that if he is transferred to the institution he will never learn anything ever again. His cute hair will be shaved and he will have bruises on his face and hands. Can't let that happen. I pray that by Sunday Keegan will be on My Family Found me Page.

What's happening

The last few days when I checked on T, her family page is no longer there. I wonder if her adoption went through or not. After her surgeries in Moscow she returned to her orphanage and I've heard nothing about her since then. I hope she is doing well and is getting ready for boarding school or internat as they call it; a place where children with various disabilities, severe and not so severe are lumped together and those who can learn will learn nothing. This is where most kids go when they turn seven. There is another little girl of same age that has warmed my heart. She is not on RR because she is an a region which no agency covers but there might be something that can be done to bring her to Moscow so she could be adopted from there.  As for my husband, it's still a work in progress but I still believe he will have a change of heart. I'm happy to see some little faces on the My Family Found me page like Zane, Natalie, Leo, Sam, Diane and the little sisters with HIV. They will have a family after all. I hope everything goes through for them. Some of them have been waiting a long time. Langley and Lilly still wait, as does Kaleigh, Sally, Amanda, Konner and Andrew. One of these days they too will be on My Family Found me page.

Justina

Amongst the many little faces on Reece's Rainbow certain faces sometimes stick out at you. There's no real reason why. They just stand out in some way. Maybe it's the look on their face or the stare out of their eyes or just something about them you can't put a finger on; like little Justina. She is just sitting there, waiting. She looks sideways in each of her photos as if she knows it's no use looking straight at you since she's sure no one is coming for her anyway. Well, that just can't be. There has to be a mama and papa out there somewhere for Justina. I'm sure they will find her any day now, commit to her and work very hard to take her home. Please, hurry as this little one needs you desperately.

The Lucky One

Here are a couple of new photos of my sweet grandson. Next month he will be a year old. He has grown so fast and so well. He has many people doting on him, waiting on him, playing with him, making sure he's changed and fed, helping him learn to sit up, stand up and take his first steps, answering his cries and giving him lots of cuddles, kisses and love -- all the things a child should have; every child should have but many do not. Some get left alone for hours on end without any interaction and some even for days; unfed, their diapers unchanged, their cries unanswered. Brandon is a lucky one but many kids are not and my heart goes out to them.

Sweet Aidan

I wanted to help Natalie over at My Ukrainian Mission of Love bring attention to little Aiden who spends his days sitting in a high chair because he is blind and there is no one to watch him. There is only so much he can do to keep himself entertained before boredom sets in and he takes to gnawing at his hands until they are raw. His mischievous little smile however hints that Aiden can do so much more than that. This boy should be playing in the sandbox, walking through the park, go to the Zoo and push on cars and trucks; everything any other little boy would do. What Aiden needs is a family to help him to grow and learn; lots of learning, to read, to sign, sing and play. I know you're out there and Aiden has waited long enough. It's time you go get your son and show him what life is really about.

Wow, Look at That

Little Evie is on the My Family Found Me page. 

That is amazing. And there is even a new photo of her and she is still so beautiful.  She's just a doll.  I'm so happy that this little girl will be saved.  She will have a family to call her own very soon and hopefully she will not spend one day in the institution.  Someone has stepped up and just in time.  I think all the people who step up are heroes.  It does take some courage to take on someone else's child and raise them as your own.  You don't know what you're facing with your bio children much else a child with someone else's genes.  Little Evie will go home.