Happy Birthday Julia

On this day, 6 years ago, a little girl was born on the other side of the world. We didn't know her, and she didn't know us. 4 years later, however, we knew her and loved her, and were getting ready to travel across the ocean to meet her and complete the process of bringing her into our family. 2 years have passed since then, and it's hard to believe how much all of our lives have changed. With the love of a family, Julia has learned to walk, motion sign language, and developed interests in things like music and swinging in a baby swing. She has taught us how to be patient, love deeper, and appreciate every bit of progress, every moment of happiness, love, or triumph, that comes our way. Happy Birthday, our little Julnichka baby.

The changes 10 years bring

Many of you know we have two wonderful adopted daughters, not to mention four other special siblings. This post is about our Guatemalan princess Gab, not her shining little sister.

This past week we celebrated gotcha day for this dear one.  In July of 2002, our adoption agency traveled to Guatemala to bring home our six month old angel.

Six months later, we had the privilege of completing the final "re-adopt" in the US and attending a Christmas party at the adoption agency around the same time.

Today we attended a summer picnic held by this agency (VIDA) where ten year old Gabriela was re-united with her former chaperones.

It was wonderful to see the fruit of our decision to adopt all those years ago, growing into such a fine young lady.

Adoption is an amazing adventure like any other major life event.  Despite all the ups and downs we are grateful for all the children God has brought to our family, in a myriad of different ways we never could have planned.

Garage Sale 2 - A 2nd Anniversary

Greetings friends.  We told you once before (exactly two years ago actually) that we're not really garage sale people, but this Memorial Day we found ourselves running another garage sale to raise money for Reece's Rainbow and three special orphans and the families currently working to bring them home.

Things were a little different this time around.  Reece's Rainbow and the orphans they advocate for were not abstract at all.  Our little Ukrainian princess was right there with us, getting wagon rides around the yard, generally having a grand old time.

The sale looked something like this.

Gabriela and Elizabeth's refreshment stand was open for business...

A woman stopped by and was chatting with us about the program and our little Julia.  It turns out the woman is of Ukrainian descent and she thought Julia was greater then sliced bread (which she is).  She observed Julia playing with her favorite electric guitar and other musical toys.  She disappeared for about five minutes, and then returned with this priceless find for our little rock star.

So thank you to that sweet lady for thinking of little miss J.

We didn't make a bazillion dollars or anything, but let's just say there are a few waiting children that will have a few more dollars in their accounts tonight.  Happy Memorial Day to all, and thank God for the journey that began two years ago today and for the upcoming anniversary of Gotcha Day this December.

Running, Swimming, and Biking for a Cause

Hey Everyone! Today I'd like to talk to you about an awesome example of taking Orphan Advocacy to a newer, more extreme level. Recently we were contacted by a man named Brady Murray, father to an adorable little guy with Down Syndrome named Nash. Brady is running an Iron Man race to help raise money for an adorable little girl on Reece's Rainbow named Maggie (look at her profile by clicking her name).

While this goal is incredible enough on its own, Brady hopes to be in the Iron Man World Championship in Kona Hawaii to spread the word about Orphans with Down Syndrome even more. But to get to Kona, Brady needs your help. Following the link HERE you can vote for a 90 second video of Brady and Nash talking about their mission with the Iron Man World Championship. If Brady is one of the winners, not only will he go to Kona Hawaii to race for Orphans with Down Syndrome, but the video you watch will be TELEVISED on NBC's coverage of the IMWC. Please vote for this awesome man and his amazing mission, and the best of wishes to the Murray clan in this endeavor!

You can also check out the website for their foundation RODS racing, here, and their advocating/fundraising blog, One Step Closer To Home, where they are currently raising money for Maggie, here.

Winter's Day Walk

Although it is hard to remember it is still winter with the weather we have had this year, today we took the princess (and siblings) for a little winter's day walk.

And another day recently was time for wagon rides with Addisu and Julia...

Precious times.  Lord, please don't let us forget them.

Here is Julia on her big sister's recent birthday. So precious!!!

A Valuable Life

Recently my mother gave me an excellent article written by columnist, Cal Thomas.  Cal writes beautifully about his younger brother who had Down syndrome.  In light of a situation that occurred this past week, where doctors in a U.S. hospital have refused to give an organ transplant to a child because she has developmental delays, I thought this article about Cal Thomas's brother was poignant.  Cal describes so clearly about how valuable his brother's life was and how he touched the lives of others.

He also references the following book about the valuable contributions of another child with Down syndrome, Robin Elizabeth Rogers (daughter of Roy and Dale Rogers, famous entertainers) who only lived to 2 years old. This book is wise, touching and informative all at the same time and Tom and I enjoyed it very much.

Angel Unaware on Amazon

As the reading in church this morning spoke about all of us being the temple of the Holy Spirit, I pray that each person whether  "typical" or special needs will be recognized as being valuable and worthy of any type of care they may need.

Here is the link to the article  http://www.calthomas.com/index.php?news=3441

Update on Valentin

We were so happy to find out yesterday that Valentin has a family.  If you would like to read more about them and find out how you can help, here is the link to their blog www.headoptedusfirst.blogspot.com.  Please join us in praying for the Ashton Family as they start out on their third adoption journey.

Help for Valentin

Please check out this post by a family who has adopted from the same orphanage as our dear Julia, about a little boy still there who desparately needs a family.

Help for Valentin!