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. :)  

Advice from Adoptive Parents

Dear Adoptive Parents out there in Blog-Land:

What can you tell me about the Adoption Home Study?

Many thanks,
J

We're expecting

a fifteen month old boy!

The opportunity to possibly foster to adopt a little boy came to us when the twins’ caseworker told us about him one day when we were at a court hearing.  His foster care case is possibly coming to an end, and his foster family (wonderful people) have decided that due to their age and the fact that they have three young adopted children who need a lot of attention, they cannot adopt G.  John and I met G and his foster siblings and parents at a park midway between our homes.  At once I was struck by their love for their children and the great care they take of G.  John and G’s foster father are about the same height and both have good senses of humor.  The foster parents’ children (9, 8 and 4) were very nice and adored G as much as he adored them.  This is very bittersweet for his foster family, especially “R” his foster mother, who had tears in her eyes when they arrived at the park, and when we were leaving.  She did, however, feel really good about where G is going, and saw that G liked us and was very comfortable. John was playing with and holding G about 2/3 of the time, and they seemed like old friends. 

The funny part:  His birth name begins with “J” but his birth mom wants him to be called by his third name which begins with “G” but sounds like “J.”  G’s caseworkers name also starts with “J” and is the same name as the twins’ caseworker! So, 2 more J names in the mix.  This is what I get for hating name patterns! 

To prepare for our new arrival, we are required to have an amended foster license.  Currently, we are licensed for two children.  The home office has been moved to the family room, which is now the media/family room. John and his dad painted G’s room and John’s mom and sister brought dinner and bought material we picked out to make curtains!  

For the last two weeks, we’ve talked to the twins about Baby G coming to visit and then coming to stay with us.  Every night, they pray, “God bwess Baby G.” 

He is not legally free for adoption yet, but we will be considered his permanent home when he is, and we will find out how this will go at the end of October at a hearing.  As this is foster care, anything can and does happen. Your prayers are appreciated not only for us and G –Force, but for his foster parents and siblings who have raised him since he was 4 days old.  R & R, the foster parents, will have broken hearts for a good while. 

We have received so much help and support from our families, especially our parents and John’s sister Miriam who have watched the kids for us, brought dinner, painted, made curtains, and countless other things.  In our case, and I think in most families, it does take a (family) village.

Happy Mother's Day

To all mothers:
Biological mothers
Adoptive mothers
Foster Mothers
Future Mothers
Mothers who made a loving and sacrificial choice and placed their children with a forever family
Mothers whose children are in foster care
Mothers whose children have gone before them
Mothers of aborted children

God bless you and give you peace on Mother's Day!
May the Blessed Mother be your guide and comfort.

A Tale of Two Cities and Two Sacraments

Our family has been blessed to have celebrated two sacraments within a week of each other. First was Zelie who is the newest member of our family and is now a member of the family of God.  She was baptized at her new home parish on January 30! John was able to be present as her godfather.   From the photos I’ve seen it looked like such a happy and peaceful event.  I’ve been showing the twins the photos from that weekend, and every time I point to the baby, they say, “Bay-bee SAY-lee!”  She looked so sweet and beautiful in her baptismal gown, quietly sleeping as her happy parents, friends and relatives gazed down upon the little girl who has brought such joy to us all since we learned of her existence and the possibility of her joining our family.  God bless you, Zelie Yvonne.

                          Newly baptized Zelie with Mommy and Daddy.

            Zelie with Uncle Jeff, Uncle John, Mommy and Daddy (Missing are Aunt Miriam and Uncle Joe)

         Pere Pere (pronounced "Pay Pay") with his youngest granddaughter.

                        Mere Mere (pronounced "May May")

A week or so later, John’s sister, Miriam (Confirmation name Gianna) was confirmed at our beautiful parish by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo along with several other teenagers and a few adults.  Her sister Ellen, was her sponsor, but due to her new status as mom of a newborn in another state,  I honored to be Miriam’s proxy sponsor.  Miriam’s mom stood in for me at the baptism since I was home with the twins.  The family that proxies together….

Standing behind Miriam and seeing the young woman she has become made it difficult for me not to tear up. Where have the years gone?? She is a lovely, responsible, talented, fun person much beloved by her nieces and nephews, especially by two of them who melted down an hour and fifteen minutes into the confirmation Mass. Thank you, Mere Mere and Pere Pere for helping Daddy so much with the kids!

"Gianna" and the Confirmati.  She is on the far left standing next to our pastor.

                              "Gianna" (middle) and friends.

Our family now has a baby Catholic and a fully adult Catholic.  God is good.

Oh Happy Day!

E & K's baby was born this morning! They are on their way to the baby's birth state right now. Please pray for their safe arrival, and please join me in giving thanks for the baby's safe arrival.  Birth mom and baby are doing well.  Little girl, we can't wait to see your beautiful face.

Precious one,

So small,

So sweet

Dancing in

on angel feet

Straight from Heaven's 

brightest star

What a miracle

you are!

Every Child Is Wanted

I came across this short video a while ago.  Please pass along to friends and/or family who think abortion is a legitimate choice for unwanted pregnancies and 'products of rape.'  Every child is wanted by someone.

Ryan Scott Bomberger's story is inspiring and life-affirming.

It makes me happy and hopeful to be involved in foster care and adoption.