Author Archives: admin We are home…and ALL FOUR little ones are napping AT THE SAME TIME! I’m working on a Wiphan video to share SOON…and I also have MORE helpful pointers and details on the “It’s a Girl Thing: Pad Party Project”. SO…that comes tomorrow:). Sorry for the delay. Babies come first at our house…so now that all […]  We are living life to the fullest…and then some here…so lemme catch up on the as of late… FIRST…our little man slept through the NIGHT for the FIRST time last night! So proud of him:) Makes me want to do a toe touch…but I could never do that…but look who can:) Every day he gets […] It’s so good that he is getting PT so early. You’ll be amazed and grateful in very short order!! andrea, i SERIOUSLY cannot get enough of his belly and butt, they are the biggest and cutest butt and belly on a baby i have seen! so adorable! yay for him bearing weight, praise the Lord! :0) Love those pics…. 🙂 OK the article made me want to cry…..My baby is in 5th grade- NOT FAIR…yesterday she was a cutie pie 14 month old…time goes tooo quickly. Treasure it all!!! we are praying for you all tomorrow – love you guys! Yay! So happy for you guys! What a huge improvement for little Isaac T!!! 🙂 I’ve had 2 kids go under for ear tubes. I’m assuming people have told you what to expect, but since I didn’t see mention of it on your blog…just be prepared for some tears afterwards. Coming off the anethesia is tough at this age. They can be upset (seriously, brace yourself) for as long as an hour. Stay strong and hold him through it and he’ll be acting himself again by midday. The tubes will be awesome and he’ll be much happier. I don’t regret doing it with either of my kids, and my 3rd will get hers this Fall as soon as the infections start again. (Thanks, as always, for your blog – been a reader for a few months now – adopting from ET next year!) Enjoyed your post and loved the article. I dread school only because the time it takes them away!! Wow, that’s a lot for a day! =) Very fun and crazy…just the way we like it. Praying for ITY tomorrow getting tubes….recovery was not so fun for me, and I know surgery was always hard on my mom. Prayign for you too friend! Let us know how it goes. Thanks for posting that post from your friend…I often do wonder if its going to change when my Lil Man gets older, if he won’t be as fun….but it has shocked me so far that with every day I love him even more and I am so proud of him and really enjoying the moment. Glad to hear from “experienced moms” that it continues to be that way! Tears streaming after that article! I feel like I was just in 1st grade- where did these kids who stole my heart come from? Praying for Isaac this morning and hopeful that he can call and hear Mag Pie after the procedure… PRAYING for you all this morning!! I’m hoping IT gets a much deserved break from the ear troubles! We did tubes in December and they have been a huge blessing for our little guy Sam!! When you are having a long, hard day…just think…there are plenty of us reading the blog wishing and hoping for those days…we know they are coming and we can’t wait!!! FIRST—for all of you participating in the “Pad Party” project—I’m still working on emailing the pattern to all of you. So far…we’ve had probably close to 80-100 ladies respond…I’ve lost count–and that’s a GREAT thing! Here’s the dealio. We are setting the final deadline for pads to be mailed in for October 1st. We have […] Can not wait for you to tell us about the Wiphan Project. =) I think Isaac is adorable; that adorable smirk and laugh, kissable face. How do you get anything done with this added cutie-pie in your mix?!! I can’t wait to hear about the new project! We are in!!!! So excited, i heard back from our pastor’s wife that the idea sounds great and she is going to talk to me about it tonight after church. The only problem I see us having is getting them to you before Oct 1st because we might not be able to schedule it at our church and get it done beforehand. Will there be any other opportunity between Oct and Dec to send them in? Thanks! OH GOSH, he is so adorable!!!!! He has come for far in such a short time. Good job momma!!! I pray he gets the all clear for tubes and I can’t wait to hear about the project! Can’t wait to hear about the upcoming project… COUNT US IN!!!! bobi What an adorable video! I love seeing that little toothy smile! Wow, that looks SO uncomfortable =) Can’t wait for the WIPHAN project! love your heart andrea. I could just EAT HIM UP! 🙂 LOVE HIM!!! (and) count US in on project #2.. so excited to see what is in store. 🙂 Praising God for all the good He is doing through Wiphan, using wonderful people like *YOU*. Have a wonderfully BLESSED day, my friend. 🙂  As I near the end of what just might be the craziest week of my life (it was a crazy one!) I am reminded that I have SO many things to be thankful for! I am thankful… 1. Approximately 75 ladies are joining us to make a difference in Korah and Wiphan with Project 1: […] WOW! That is a busy weekend, and LOTS to be thankful for. I had a stressful week too….but just one big thing, not like you. Just blogged about it on mine…. Yes want to help! And praying for you VERY busy friend, we met at agci picnic, I’m mahlets mom, what a cool idea, try to take care of yourself along the way, you are a great mom, praying for the tubes wed i love this “thankful” post with the pics! so precious! So glad you brought to our attention the pad thing! I am so excited to share it with the ladies at our church and I hope they get on board with me! Andrea, I think I have the pattern, but can you send it to me again to make sure I have it right. We are putting together a sewing party with church gals, too. So excited to be involved!! Hello again, having a pad party, need all the how too’s To prepare you for our first project–this morning I ran across this…and thought it was perfect to share… It reminded me how we take the simplest things for granted…like when I see a cute pair of shoes at Target. I…put them in my cart. Some times I think twice, but most of the time I […] I support creativity … sounds like a much-needed project!! Please send me information! I would be happy to make some!!! I would love to help with this project. My sewing machine is out and ready! Please send me information. I will get a group of women together. You really need a “like” button for us to click on at the end of these posts! I want to help. Please send me info. Thank you so much for sharing. The simple things we take for granted. This really touched my heart and I so want to be a part of this project. I’m not sure how to get started but I will definate stay focused on this website. Oh! Loving the practical side of helping. Can’t wait to hear more! 🙂 I posted this topic on my blog Tuesday and have had so much interest! I believe the goal will be exceeded! Praise God! Please send me the information too! I would love to have a “pad party!” I would love to sew some of these…please send me the pattern! I’m in! Time to put my sewing skills to good use! Sending you an e-mail now!! I would love to help make them. I would love to help – please send me the pattern! My mom and I will be doing it…we’ve been looking for something like to do. Thanks for letting us know of the need! hi, I will be glad to make some. Send me the pattern, etc., please. I will also let my cousin in Virginia who has a weekly bible study at her house know about it and they can also make some. Blessings to you, Andrea, Billie I’d be glad to sew some–please send me the pattern and info! I would love to be a part of this. Please send me more info. Thanks! Please send me the pattern and any suggestions for hosting a party. I would love to help. Blessings, Lisa I would love to make some. Send me the pattern and info and I’ll get my friends to help. Also I should be taking my first trip to ET in Nov. so if you want to send a bunch of pads that are ready to go I will hand deliver them. We are going to go to Korah and it will be easy to pack! By the way, I am friends with Melanie (also live a block away) if she isn’t too busy with Ava I’m sure she would want to make some too. I’ve heard lots about your sweet son! Congrats!!! Hi Andrea. I happened upon your blog while looking up info on adoption. The Lord laid adoption on my heart a few weeks ago so now I am just praying and waiting on the hubby- does this happen to anyone else? Where one person is ready and willing to take the leap of faith and the spouse is just not sure? So discouraging. Anyway, I would love to help with this project! Awesome to be able to help out with such a need! I am not sure I will ever look at my monthly cycle the same after reading this post! jknaleven@hotmail.com Andrea – I’m not a super sewer but I know some basics. I would love to have some more information about this to make sure I could to the project. I think I can , I think I can, etc!!! 🙂 I know I want to and will do my best to gather a group of ladies to get several made for this project! Look forward to gaining more details of this project!!! We just had a wonderful group of women from our church get together for “dresses for Africa” so I have no doubt they’d be willing to help with a pad party! Looking forward to the instructions and we’ll get planning! Hey Andrea! What a great idea!! I want to be a part of this project so please send me more info on how to get started, I do not sew, but I will try to get a group together that does and we can throw a “pad party” at my house or church!!! Thanks for heading this up!!! (: Hope ITY’s ENT visit goes well today! i can cut things..or just give money…I can’t sew 🙂 can’t wait to help, kj Please send me the pattern. Count me in. I’d love to get that pattern and the details on when they need to be done. :o) I would love details on making these and where to send them and ideas for a party! Wonderful idea! kdthreads is on board for sure! I can get a group together to knock some of these out… please send us the info! 🙂 i am very interested in this, where would we access the pattern? i want to talk to my pastors wife about this! :0) when would you need them by? I would love to make some and think I can get a group of ladies from our church to help. Get me the info. I am interested in hosting a pad party! Please email me the information. 🙂 Please send me the info, I’d love to put my Singer to good use! I’d love the pattern as well. I bet I can get some ladies from church together for a sewing party! Thank you for sharing this… My girls & I would love to help…& encourage others in our community to help as well. Could you please email me the pattern, info., etc. please email me the pattern! Please give me additional information about participating in this wonderful project. How many, pattern, where to ship them by what date, all the details. Peace. please send me the patter and where to send the pads once made – I would love to help out. I’d love to sew some pads, and I have some friends to help me!!! Count me in! Send me more info and an address to send my goods to!! 🙂 Awesome! Oh my goodness.. COUNT ME IN. When GOd first started breaking my heart for orphans, He opened my eyes to the people of the Korah Dump. They are on my mind SO much. I have often thought about this very subject with woman/girls that live in poverty and wondered how on earth they did it. I’m SO IN. Thanks SO much for allowing US to be a part of what you’re doing. I’d love the pattern. I know several girlfriends that would love to do this. Thanks for passing this along! Please send me the pattern. My Mother, Sister and Daughter meet weekly for sewing and we would be honored to contribute our time to this wonderful project. I was hoping you could send me more information about this, I’d love to get the ladies in my church involved. Thank you. Hey Andrea! I just saw this and would love to help! I am going to attempt a teen girl sewing party!!! If you still need help…let me know and send me the info.. PS..I don’t comment much anymore but I still keep up and LOVING the whole family! Andrea, Can you send me the info too? I’d like to get my mommy’s group to do this. Thanks!!! I’m in the process of getting a group of gals together to do this project!!! Would you be able to send me the info and directions for it? Thank you!!! WONDERFUL project! -Suzi Hi there, I live in South Africa and although sanitary pads and tampons are definitely more available here than in some of the other African countries, there are thousands upon thousands of women here that cannot afford it. Would it be possible to obtain the pattern from you? Our church already has a “girl” project going to supply basic toiletries each month, but I think this can make a real difference as it is something that can last. […] challenged ladies from all over the United States to join us in. You might remember the post here: It’s A Girl Thing. We sent the kits to BOTH Korah (in Ethiopia) AND Wiphan (in Zambia). While we haven’t gotten […] |
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by admin
When those questions arise imagine how wonderful it would be to share this answer with each person. I love this post…love it. There is so much that goes into an adoption, more than a pregnancy even…and people just don’t know and I want them to know. As always, you’ve said it better than I ever could. Amazing post.
… and my son just walked by and said, “Hello Cutie” to Isaac’s photo in your post. =) Beautifully written. So clear. I can feel your energy and love for all of your children.
We are currently living with my parents because CA state law requires a 3rd bedroom, since we already have 2 little girls. We haven’t been here even a month yet, and I’m going so stir crazy – BECAUSE while we are waiting for the right home, our adoption is on hold, since our homestudy has to be done in OUR home. Your last paragraph really spoke to me. It will all be worth it, and I will understand it all one day when I’m holding our precious child in my arms. A child that God planned for us before time, just like he planned our girls for us. So glad Isaac is going to be feeling so much better!
Love,
Catherine
Thanks for sharing that. I thought of little Isaac as I was doing our adoption education course about medical issues in adoption and it mentioned ear infections as a common problem adopted babes have.
your posts always seem to be just what i need to hear! tonight we have our final walk-thru with the social worker for our home study, and we just launched our first fundraiser. in the last few days i have really felt the weight of the mountain before us…so sweet to be reminded of the amazing miracle waiting on the other side!
Okay. Tears . . . lots of tears! This is beautifully written. Thank you, Andrea, for putting into words what so many of us adoptive moms feel. I’m so glad things went well with Isaac today, and I hope he finally feels completely healthy soon!
I am so glad Isaac T. is doing well and it went so smoothly. I am praying that much relieve is ahead of him and for you. I could not contain the tears as I read how much you loves Isaac T. and how much you have longed for him. It is beautiful! There is so much the world does not know about adoption. Wow! What a blessing we have to really experience it and get a glimpse of Christ’s love for us. Love this! Can’t wait to experience it along side of you. (:
I was overwhelmed and moved by today’s post. I sobbed through everything after the clerk encounter. It connected straight to my heart when you spoke of the ache you felt for Isaac before you even knew him or saw his face. I struggle with this feeling, because I don’t understand it. Oh how I long for my little one….the feelings are so fresh today! These are feelings that even my closest friends don’t understand, because they have not been through it. And so often I feel so alone because of that. But then there is this whole world of people I’ve connected with through blogs and emails. If only we could transport ourselves to the same spot once a month so we could all hug and cry it out! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your heart, Andrea. Don’t stop writing, because what you write is SO worth it.
it took us an entire year to complete our paperwork due to crazy setbacks and we have been waiting for a referral for almost six months. the most difficult and unexpected part has been the maternal feelings i have for our children in ethiopia. we are not adopting an infants so i know they are there probably waiting too. this breaks my heart for them because like you said, i already love them. thankfully i know the One who knows all things and can trust in Him. i have been incredibly encouraged by your journey.
You bring such precious tears to my eyes. We are adopting and are only one month into the waiting phase. Your words are precious to me. So real. So beautiful. You have described my very own heart. I am so in love with our son (and possibly siblings!), and I have not even met him/them yet! I so wish those outside of adoption understood tall that you have said so eloquently. I pray Isaac continues to heal, and that this whole experience helped to bury deep the love and trust between the two of you!
So glad things went well…..what a beautifully written post! AMEN!!! Wish we could all walk around with a little video about how we waited, cried- tears of joy and sorrow and fret, and all that went on in our heads and hearts along the way. That would be powerful!!!!!!!!
Such great news and what a great story you have to share, praying for your family
BEAUTIFUL!!!! We are in the paper chase and today was one of those days for us. God knew that your words would comfort someone else today, so thank you.
I have been feeling very discouraged lately about my longing to adopt (that it just may never happen)… I really needed to hear this tonight! As always, thanks for being so real! Love, Bobi
Such sweet moments with Isaac and I’m so glad everything went so smooth. Thank for this post! You ALWAYS seem to speak right to my heart. I am so desperately wanting to be finished with the paperwork and homestudy and be on the list but I know there is much to be learned in the process. But my heart aches and I wonder about him and we talk about him everyday and pray for him each night. I thought being pregnant felt long! This is truly a lesson in patience! So thankful for the gift of words the Lord has blessed you with…you bless so many others with your writing and encouragement! P.S. You look beautiful at 6:30 in the morning!!
I love this post. It is so true that the people with all the outside questions, they haven’t seen our journey and our adoration for our child, nor have they felt the calling from God the way we did. What a very gracious response you had to this woman!!
Oh I LOVE this post, and I love your heart Andrea! I hope I have the patience one day that you do with ignorant questions. Thanks for the encouragement today….I’m definately feeling…exhausted? in this wait.
Love this post Andrea! I really wish everyone could read these words and understand waht adoption is all about!
I’m so glad everything went well – and I love your words about adoption! I cant wait to meet him tonight 🙂
Lots of friends in common have referred me to your blog and I’m so thankful. We, too, are adopting from Ethiopia and I get so much encouragement from reading about you and your beautiful family. Thanks for sharing!