Nate's finalization Nov. 2009

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Happy National Adoption Day!

We are so grateful for ADOPTION!! Being pregnant was never important to me. Being a Mom was! I'm so glad there is more than one pathway to parenthood. I love my little buggers! Please check out the Christmas Angels video at the left. It is a video montage of the kids on Reece's Rainbow that are available for adoption. By making a donation, you are helping that child find a forever family. 100% of your donation goes into a grant fund for the child you choose to sponsor. Please take a look! http://www.reecesrainbow.com/

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Happy Birthday Landon!

Happy 5th Birthday to cute Landon! He had a fun day. we went to the zoo, and brought Eriana with us. Then we had Carrie's family, and the rest of Eriana's family over for Pizza and cake. Here's hoping for adoption finalization before he turns 6!

More pictures of Jovan!
















I asked Jasmina at the orphanage to send more pictures of Jovan. She said it was okay to post them. Isn't he a cutie? Jasmina says "Jovan is really full of joy. And,developmentally,he is our "best"Sy.Down child. He is attending a kindergarten for SN children,and it helps him very
much in his development." She also sent me photos of a 15 month old boy named Luka.
She says he is very sweet, and also doing quite well developmentally.
Today is Happy Birthday to my Sweet Landon! he turns 5 years old today. He is a changed kid since we changed his name and told him he gets to stay here for good. He's learning to trust more. I'll post pictures of his party later.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Because I have been given much, I too must give

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
- John Wooden

This is Jovan. Is he just about the cutest little boy you've ever seen? He is 4 years old and lives in Serbia - at Elena's orphanage. Jovan also has Down Syndrome. He is VERY high functioning. He is so smart, and the orphanage director states that he is a true joy to be around. The orphanage that he is at only keeps the children until they are 5 years old. Before he turns 6, he will be transferred to a long term mental institution. Do you or someone you know want to bring him home? Serbia is a VERY easy and inexpensive country to adopt from. He deserves a forever family, not isolation in a mental institution. Our family would like to sponsor Jovan this Christmas season. Instead of buying each other gifts that we don't really need, we are sending the money to Jovan's grant fund. 100% of the money you and I donate will go into a grant fund. For those of you that are worried about our kids- don't. Santa will still visit them, but we have also asked Santa to scale it back a bit this year and send his extra funds to Serbia. Santa agreed this was a great idea. We also will not be sending out gifts to family members. We are also nixing the neighborhood cookie tray. Instead, you'll get an ornament with Jovan's picture, and a donation made in your name to his grant fund at Reece's rainbow. Interested in following along? I hope so! this can literally change the life of this child. A larger grant fund means a better chance at finding a forever family. A forever family means letting this sweet, smart little boy reach his FULL potential. Can't you just see him playing cars with his brothers, chasing the family dog, learning to read? Heck, with that face, I bet he'd make a great little movie star! follow this link http://www.reecesrainbow.com/angeltree.htm then click on the Waiting Angels Gallery to make a donation for Jovan. If another child grabs your heart and your wallet, by all means, sponsor them too! The goal for each child is $1,000 in their grant fund. One child has already met that goal! It's all very exciting.
So, Why adopt? and why adopt an older child with a special need? Here are some of my own, personal reasons.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. " Matthew 18:14

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in their affliction..." James 1:27

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matt 18:5

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
1 John 3:16

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger
, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison
, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick
, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:34-40

"But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself..." Leviticus 19:34

"Let brotherly love
continue.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:1-2


and one of my personal favorites- I always say my mom taught me everything I know about loving Children.

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
-
Abraham Lincoln


Thanks to all my friends and family for their love and support!

Luke the Belly Popper

Spread the Word to End the Word