Today, December 5, KIRO Radio in Seattle is doing their 25th annual radiothon for Treehouse. This organization helps foster kids academically by tutoring and helping them stay on track for graduation as well as providing Christmas gifts, mentoring and extracurricular activities.
Less than 50% of foster kids graduate highschool and only 2% graduate from a four year college. Please consider giving to this great organization!
You can call 877-547-6454 to donate!! www.treehouseforkids.org/
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Our story on the radio
KIRO Radio did a story on our family and Susanna's adoption. What a great opportunity it was to do this!
http://kiroradio.com/listen/9964316/
http://kiroradio.com/listen/9964316/
Friday, November 15, 2013
It's a New Day
A full year has passed since the last post. Much has happened during that year: loss of the twins in March, but gaining a daughter whose adoption will be finalized next Friday, November 22 on Washington State's National Adoption Day. We met her two days before Christmas last year, and she spent weekends with us until she moved in on March 1.
Our beloved little girl gets two parents, and we get a daughter. I will post again with photos and our radio interview that will be aired on Seattle's 97.3FM next Friday between 3pm-7pm on the Ron & Don Show.
I just wanted people to know I was still alive. :)
Our beloved little girl gets two parents, and we get a daughter. I will post again with photos and our radio interview that will be aired on Seattle's 97.3FM next Friday between 3pm-7pm on the Ron & Don Show.
I just wanted people to know I was still alive. :)
Friday, November 16, 2012
7 Quick Takes
1. It's not a bad way to end the week with a retirement party for a coworker. He is the first employee to retire from our company, and we had a lunch, slideshow and gag gifts for him. The glass of Pinot Grigio wasn't bad etiher.
2. This weekend is fairly busy for the Campbell Fam. We are doing respite for two sisters (4 and 19 months) for the weekend. I'll pick them up after work. They've been described as delightful which is a welcome thing after Mr. V who kept screaming at a park that I was choking him. Oy vey. We still haven't received the respite check for that weekend, and I totally earned that check! :)
3. John works on Sunday, and he's also been asked to play St. Joseph in the living Nativity scene at work one day in December. Would it be bad of me to try to make St. Joseph laugh? I'll give it my best shot.
4. Thumbelina and Cherub beging 6 hour visits on Sunday with their mother. They'll leave our house at 7:45am, be transported to the visit, have breakfast, lunch and a nap there, and then be driven 45 minutes back to our house. This will be the first time in 2.5 years they've spent this much time with their mother. I’m curious to see what their behavior will be like after a long visit. We are, sadly, in the beginning stages of the long and yet terribly short road back to unification. In many cases reunification is a good thing, as it was with G-Force. In this case, it will be a tragedy.
5. We're taking the kids to see "The Nutcracker" on 11/24. We'll get dressed up, see the afternoon show , and get a treat afterwards. I have to say that they've been exposed to some good culture in the last 2.5 years with us.
6. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? John's parents and G-Force and his mom will join us. I LOVE cooking the turkey and hosting, so I'm pretty excited to get everything ready. This may be the kids' last holiday season with us, and I want it to be homey, peaceful and fun.
7. Dates for the twins' case: 11/27-Permanent plan staffing (meeting where all parties attend to go over what will happen at court). 12/10: Permanent plan review hearing. We anticipate the permanent plan changing from adoption back to 'return home.' Please pray that if it is God's will that we can adopt them. Overall, please pray that the twins will know, love, and serve God in all they do in their lives. That is the most any parent can pray for.
2. This weekend is fairly busy for the Campbell Fam. We are doing respite for two sisters (4 and 19 months) for the weekend. I'll pick them up after work. They've been described as delightful which is a welcome thing after Mr. V who kept screaming at a park that I was choking him. Oy vey. We still haven't received the respite check for that weekend, and I totally earned that check! :)
3. John works on Sunday, and he's also been asked to play St. Joseph in the living Nativity scene at work one day in December. Would it be bad of me to try to make St. Joseph laugh? I'll give it my best shot.
4. Thumbelina and Cherub beging 6 hour visits on Sunday with their mother. They'll leave our house at 7:45am, be transported to the visit, have breakfast, lunch and a nap there, and then be driven 45 minutes back to our house. This will be the first time in 2.5 years they've spent this much time with their mother. I’m curious to see what their behavior will be like after a long visit. We are, sadly, in the beginning stages of the long and yet terribly short road back to unification. In many cases reunification is a good thing, as it was with G-Force. In this case, it will be a tragedy.
5. We're taking the kids to see "The Nutcracker" on 11/24. We'll get dressed up, see the afternoon show , and get a treat afterwards. I have to say that they've been exposed to some good culture in the last 2.5 years with us.
6. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? John's parents and G-Force and his mom will join us. I LOVE cooking the turkey and hosting, so I'm pretty excited to get everything ready. This may be the kids' last holiday season with us, and I want it to be homey, peaceful and fun.
7. Dates for the twins' case: 11/27-Permanent plan staffing (meeting where all parties attend to go over what will happen at court). 12/10: Permanent plan review hearing. We anticipate the permanent plan changing from adoption back to 'return home.' Please pray that if it is God's will that we can adopt them. Overall, please pray that the twins will know, love, and serve God in all they do in their lives. That is the most any parent can pray for.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Checking in
The month of October has sped by with lightning speed. We had our trip to the pumpkin patch and our annual "Guess the Pumpkin's Weight" contest. Pictures will be up this week.
Some things going on here: John and I have a big decision to make and will speak to a caseworker and a GAL this Friday. We need wisdom to figure out what we are supposed to do. Please pray for us. A novena to St. Jude is going on right now which we're praying. If you need reminders about novenas, Pray More Novenas is great and sends the prayers to you daily.
The kids moved up to the next level of swimming and are in the 4th of a 5 week session. I think we'll hold off until the holidays are over before signing up again.
My friend Erin organized a casual book club over the summer. We started up again and discussed the first two chapters of Style, Sex, and Substance. The essays are informative, funny, and give glimpses into the lives of normal Catholic women who struggle along with us in life and our journey of faith. I'm hoping to get my book signed by Jennifer Fulwiler at the Frassati Conference being held at our parish.
I'm excited to see "The Capitol Steps" on my birthday weekend. Since we lived near DC, I had wanted to see their show, but never did it. I'd be lying if I said I was excited about my birthday, but I am grateful for my life. :)
On November 27, we have a permanent plan staffing for the twins' case. This is a meeting that the birth parents, their lawyers, the foster parents, the case workers and the GAL attend. The purpose is to discuss what the state's plan is for the children at the next permanent plan hearing (December 10). We expect the twins to leave us in the next six months. It's something we're dreading, but we must prepare ourselves and them when the time comes. We're working on our homestudy paperwork with an adoption agency and have to stay focused on that.
As always, your prayers are appreciated!
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
― St. Catherine of Siena
Some things going on here: John and I have a big decision to make and will speak to a caseworker and a GAL this Friday. We need wisdom to figure out what we are supposed to do. Please pray for us. A novena to St. Jude is going on right now which we're praying. If you need reminders about novenas, Pray More Novenas is great and sends the prayers to you daily.
The kids moved up to the next level of swimming and are in the 4th of a 5 week session. I think we'll hold off until the holidays are over before signing up again.
My friend Erin organized a casual book club over the summer. We started up again and discussed the first two chapters of Style, Sex, and Substance. The essays are informative, funny, and give glimpses into the lives of normal Catholic women who struggle along with us in life and our journey of faith. I'm hoping to get my book signed by Jennifer Fulwiler at the Frassati Conference being held at our parish.
I'm excited to see "The Capitol Steps" on my birthday weekend. Since we lived near DC, I had wanted to see their show, but never did it. I'd be lying if I said I was excited about my birthday, but I am grateful for my life. :)
On November 27, we have a permanent plan staffing for the twins' case. This is a meeting that the birth parents, their lawyers, the foster parents, the case workers and the GAL attend. The purpose is to discuss what the state's plan is for the children at the next permanent plan hearing (December 10). We expect the twins to leave us in the next six months. It's something we're dreading, but we must prepare ourselves and them when the time comes. We're working on our homestudy paperwork with an adoption agency and have to stay focused on that.
As always, your prayers are appreciated!
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.”
― St. Catherine of Siena
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Proud to be a Dolan!
Never before have I been so proud to be a Dolan!
Go St. Louis Dolans! All hands on board for our Pre-born brothers and sisters!
Mr. President, are you listening? Mrs. Obama? Any of the Democrats??? My 'open minded' friends? You have had the chance to breathe and live. Is your heart open to these poorest and littlest?
_________________________________________________________________
I didn't think so.
Go St. Louis Dolans! All hands on board for our Pre-born brothers and sisters!
Mr. President, are you listening? Mrs. Obama? Any of the Democrats??? My 'open minded' friends? You have had the chance to breathe and live. Is your heart open to these poorest and littlest?
_________________________________________________________________
I didn't think so.
Friday, August 24, 2012
7 Quick Takes
Wow, two months have gone by without a single post. That's what laziness and a bit of depression can do to a blog.
1.) John passed his board exams and started his new job! He is officially a licensed PT! Way to go, John!
2.) For 10 days, my sister Mary, her husband Caleb and their four children (3 born and 1 unborn) visited from Brazil. It was awesome to have them here and to spend time together. The twins loved playing with their cousins, especially in the wading pool at Mimi and Papa's house. We miss them so much now and look forward to seeing them again.
3.) The twins' case is progressing more towards reunification. This really stinks to put it mildly. This is where the depression comes in to play. After more than 2 years, the parents start getting things together. Everyone involved thinks they will keep it together until the state is no longer involved. I truly believe that the best interest of foster children is not taken into account--the birth parents' interest trumps.
1.) John passed his board exams and started his new job! He is officially a licensed PT! Way to go, John!
2.) For 10 days, my sister Mary, her husband Caleb and their four children (3 born and 1 unborn) visited from Brazil. It was awesome to have them here and to spend time together. The twins loved playing with their cousins, especially in the wading pool at Mimi and Papa's house. We miss them so much now and look forward to seeing them again.
3.) The twins' case is progressing more towards reunification. This really stinks to put it mildly. This is where the depression comes in to play. After more than 2 years, the parents start getting things together. Everyone involved thinks they will keep it together until the state is no longer involved. I truly believe that the best interest of foster children is not taken into account--the birth parents' interest trumps.
4.) Cherub and Thumbelina start their final week of swimming lessons next week. They love it and have become very comfortable in the water. Cherub had some trepidation at the beginning which seems to have disappeared. They wear their swim caps and goggles every chance they get!
5.) Next weekend, John, the kids and I are going camping at the Hoh Rainforest! We took them (along with G-Force) there last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. The kids love to hike and are especially looking forward to the s'mores.
6.) John and I are actively pursuing adoption. It is something we should have done much sooner, but got sidetracked not only with this case but with foster parenting in general. Next week, I head to Tacoma to meet with an agency. Although it can be pricey to adopt this way, we have budgeted well to do it--this includes selling things (garage sale, Craigslist, consigning kids' clothes through JBF), putting a certain amount aside each month from our paychecks, etc.
7.) I'd gotten off the Paleo wagon and am seeing the bad results of doing that. We're back at it! Since I injured my foot last month, there has been no exercise done. So, that's why I'm ending here and heading outside for a short walk. Happy weekend!
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