Category Archives: Adoption Preparation I’ve had several questions about our little family “cocoon”…so I thought I would share the philosophy and OF COURSE a few recent pics of what is happening inside ours;)… When a baby enters the world–they are given the immediate gift of a mother’s arms–feeling their security and understanding quickly that it is this person who […] I just woke up to the sounds of what sounds like 20 dogs howling outside my window. Is that the wind or dogs? I hope one of the two. I could hear doors slamming down the hall and life beginning outside these walls–so with all the noise as it was so quiet at night, I […] So true, so true. And written so eloquently. I love the feel of ‘home’ when entering a 3rd world country. May God continue to give you His eyes for all you will see and experience this week. I am seriously sitting in bed wishing I could stay awake until your next post! I will be waiting with SO much anticipation. And while thinking about your journey, a question I had heavy on my heart was answered by YOU KNOW WHO! I now know which agency we will use, thus starting our adoption process on MONDAY! Amen! Again, another great writing, teaching, and lessons to be learned. I love your heart, Andrea!! oh, hurt my soul!! I can’t wait to be back some day…beautifully written!! Oh, I can’t wait till Friday 🙂 kj Yes! Yes! YES! Everything you write here is what I LONG for the world to understand…and for MYSELF to understand better. God has BLESSED us. Blessed this COUNTRY…far more than we could ever deserve. When I go to Ethiopia, I want it to move me, to change me…I want the poverty to remind me how spoiled we are as a nation and for it to change my attitude. And I want to take a part of Ethiopia WITH me…their sense of family, their generosity, and their JOY. Ethiopia may be a poor country, but they are not poor in SPIRIT. Thank you for this BEAUTIFUL post and for sharing SO much of your heart! Praying for you on this MOMENTOUS day! Love you dear friend. I have so many emotions about so many things right now! Tears just flowed reading this post know where you are about to meet your son!! It is all so surreal!! This whole journey just became real to me after we receive a picture of our child. I can see why people say this is the hard part. I just want to get on a plane and go pick him up…NOW!!!! I will be glued to your blog and be praying like crazy!! This is just so so exciting!!!!! Love you Andrea!!! Amen. AMEN. AMEN!!! Andrea, so filled with truths of the heart ! Being in the world but not of it …has been a family mantra…as a ship in the water but not letting the water seep in …if so it will sink ! Trey my oldest is being a doctor in Port-au-Prince…for 9 days -3 weeks off for summer and his heart desire is to be in the 2nd poorest place in the world. He sees God amongst the trash,rubble and broken hearts…living in tents with no running h2o…these doctors,med students are grateful to be the hands and feet of Christ ..Trey is not complaining but humbled ! It is a miracle…and the people do dance with thanks,praise and joy. You are a missionary through your example today . God has paved a vocation for you in your heart and it is beautiful to watch your flower unfold ! I bet now you are getting ready for your little man,Isaac ! We are all dancing and praising God with you for the joys you have today and in your future. Bless him and give him a sweet kiss from all of us. love this post! Andrea I don’t think I can get the words out… I don’t know that there are any words to say how this post touched my heart. I identified with every word you typed… thank you thank you thank you for sharing this with us! I long for the day when I can walk those streets and feel like I’m home too… Praying for you and Isaac!!!! you did it again, sweet friend!! completely perfect, my heart almost stopped beating – it recognized that feeling because you are right – my heart longs to be “there” (in a simpler place where people live truly in community). So excited for you right now because as I right this – you are probably holding your little one!!! I will be “stalking” you all day for another update! Love and prayers your way so perfectly written andrea! this is what the world needs to hear! thank you for sharing your heart. i’m praying for you today! Oh my, thank you for sharing this. I feel too often we need to hear these words here in America. What a beautiful story you have to share, we’re all so happy for you to have reached your journey! Now the rest of your journey is still to come has you share your lives with this precious child! Now… he will have a family! So well written. I’d love to link to this post. Praying for you as you are probably right now holding your baby boy! Brings tears to my eyes! Amen and Amen. Thanks to Kristi I got to read your blog this morning which says what I feel but didn’t have the words. Glorious God we serve! Love, love, love this post…every word of it is so true and you covered everything we wrestle with at our house. Continuing to pray for your journey… Andrea, It is so nice to see you all made it safely. Thanks for sharing all of your thoughts while in God’s country. I can’t wait to get there, not only to hold my child, but to be forever changed by this country that God has laid on all of our hearts. Break our hearts Lord! May today be all that you hoped and so much more of a shower of God’s love and grace than you ever dreamed possible! Loved every word! My sould also sings in Africa-there is nothing like it. So glad your sweet boy is finally in his mother’s arms. Jessica I hopped over from Lauren’s blog and I’m so blessed because I did! Thank you for stirring my heart this morning, and convicting me too 🙂 Asking God to bless your time with baby Isaac, that his transition be smooth. Amen Andrea!! So true. So much to learn is right. Just a beautiful post. I came over from Lauren’s blog. I pray that you enjoy every minute you are there and with your sweet boy. I Love how God stamps His heart on every culture! Beautiful post! Friendly captivity is what it is called in war terms and how applicable it is. Here we sit rocked gently into complacency (sp?) unaware that the hand rocking our cradle means us great eternal harm. Your words in this post speaks to a deep place in me that cries out for a more real, more authentic more audatious walk with God, a journy that never takes into consideration what the world will think if I choose to not walk their way. Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been living in a third world country for the past six months and will be returning back to the States in two weeks. Frankly, I’m terrified of going back. Of forgetting all the Lord has done and shown me. Of getting caught up in selfishness and complacency. But that is where the He has me. I, too, will be begging for His Kingdom to be the focus of my heart. Praying for you and sweet Isaac. Such a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing. We’re loading up…and we are OFF! Next time you hear from me…we’ll be in ETHIOPIA! Please, please keep us in your prayers as we travel—you all KNOW how MUCH I hate to fly! Please pray for safe travels and a calm spirit. I’m just not a good flyer;) Praise the LORD the day is here!!! […] CHILLS and eyes filling with tears … speechless. God Bless you and your travels, your mom and sister, your husband and children. Go Get ISAAC, ANDREA!!! =) Wow! Just awesome. Praying for you! the day is here, the time is HERE! i’m so excited and cannot wait to hear that you are IN ETHIOPIA! Happy tears, too! Praying for your flights (REALLY don’t like flying either). I have been thinking and praying for you all day – and of course tearing up too! Praying for peace with flying and just pure joy as you meet your Isaac! Love you Praying my heart out Andrea!!!! 🙂 we are praying! Jacob remembered that today is the day & was so excited that you will be meeting your little man. Can’t wait to see a pic of you with him in your arms:) I remember taking care of Parker & Laney and hearing God preparing for your heart for this child.. and here you are- almost about to hold him! Praying and excited for you guys! Praying for you, sweet friend! I just can’t wait to see him in your arms!!! We are praying for you! Praying for you and oh so excited! Andrea, Can’t wait to hear how the trip goes. I have a feeling it’s going to be pretty amazing.:) BTW–I meant that it WOULD be a breeze…sheesh.:) Oh, Andrea…I am squealing with joy here in Mississippi!! I am just so, so, so excited for ya’ll! And for Issac!! I cannot wait to hear all about him and see pictures! Will be praying!! WHOO HOO!!! So excited for you! Oh my goodness…I’m so excited that you are going to get your sweet baby boy! I’ll be praying! So excited for you as you grow your family! Will be praying for you as you travel and get meet your sweet little Isaac! Will also be praying for Mr. Mom and the other precious babes at home! God bless you and your beautiful family! Chills. Tears. Overflowing with excitment for you! So exciting! I totally get the flying thing. I am a terrible flyer…to get on that airplane and travel so far away from my kids here…it was so difficult. God met us though and He will meet you too. I will pray for all of you this weekend…have loved following your blog and getting updates here and there through your sister. Go get your baby! May God give you traveling safety! Looking forward to hearing all about it and I haft to say I am a little jealous 🙂 God bless you! We feel like we are there with you. It’s surreal, isn’t it? Praying for you and waiting to see pictures. 🙂 The Kelleys woohooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! and we’ll be on our way! Oh…I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. This is REALLY happening!!! Oh…I hate plane rides. Hate ’em. BUT…there is nothing a momma wouldn’t do for love to bring her baby home. I’m coming Isaac T. Young! Can’t wait to hold you in my arms THIS WEEKEND! Ok…off […] Via con Dios! Praying safe travels for you. SOOOOOOOOO excited with you!!!! Praying for you!!! Praying for your travel mercies. I can hardly wait to see your boy in his Mama’s arms! Love & Blessings from Hong Kong, Have a GREAT time! SOOOO excited for you!! God be with you! What an exciting journey to your baby. the time is NOW!!!!! so happy for you all! praying for for peace on your travels…I just CAN’T wait to see you holding sweet Isaac! Much Love~ Praying for all of you! Can’t wait to see pics!  it’s just THREE days until we leave! And to celebrate…during nap time today—I sewed THREE outfits for our little guy. I was having trouble finding clothing that worked well for 50-70 degree-ish weather. I wanted to dress Isaac in layers…so I was thinking onesies, pants and sweaters. Couldn’t find much since it’s HOT and June […] gosh, andrea! you are so talented!! 😀 A+ amazing! I can’t wait to see photos of Isaac in his new outfits. Three more sleeps … that’s it … THREE!!!! Love them! Is there anything you can’t do??? SEW talented 🙂 Hee Hee. You did that during nap? I could maybe pull that off if naptime was FIVE YEARS LONG!! Great job and I agree that Carter’s has better onesies. I can’t believe only three more days… yay! 50-70 degrees isn’t cold, though, is it? Wow–those outfits are amazing! Can not believe that you leave in 3 days! Will be glued to the computer (more than usual)! 🙂 I just wanted to say hello and tell you that I think I know how you feel. My husband, mother, and I are leaving in six days for China to adopt our 18 month old princess. Our trip will be eighteen days and I’m feeling very anxious about being away from our three sons for such a long, long time… Our boys are older than your babies, but I don’t think it matters, we still miss them so much. The packing is daunting and the fear of the unknown is unsettling, but I trusting that God will meet us there… Congratulations on your sweet Isaac and may you all come home safely. Ashley Those are tooo cute!!!! YEAH- Only 3 days!!!!!!! WAHOOOOO!!!! “You so CRAZY”~ IN the middle of everything, I think I’ll sew a few outfits!? LOVE YOU and can’t wait to see the cutest little man in Africa (soon to be the USA~ competition is stiff with Pman and Frank; 3 way tie, maybe!?) sportin’ these!!! Girl … you could sell those precious outfits for big bucks! Your talents seem endless! SEW excited for you! I love them!!!! Praying for you guys…cannot wait to see him in your arms! Those are PERFECT!! Love them!. and you are correct with the onesies thing.. although- they thin gerber ones do stretch to expanding belly sizes. Good luck on your trip. not sure how I found your blog but glad I did! you amaze me!! can’t wait to see sweet Isaac! I just got caught up reading some old posts and wanted to share that my son was also classified as severely malnourished- came into care with full kwashiokore. Feel free to contact me for support or help or just info. Don’t worry!! I agree….Carters are WAY better to sew on! Kohl’s also has a brand (First moments, I think) that are really great to applique on as well. SO cute! 1. Those outfits are SOOOOOOO cute! |
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by admin
WOW! Your blog is such an inspiration, and your family ~ oh, so BEAUTIFUL!!!! My husband and I are nearing the end of our paper chase for Ethiopia adoption, and I find your blog so precious, yet so informative! THANK YOU for blessing so many via your blog!
BTW, we just launched our T-Shirt Giveaway, if you are at all interested in entering! Please feel welcome but certainly not obligated! Blessings ~
love this post andrea! Love all the explanations and for those who have not adopted..i am sure it will be beneficial to them and to help them understand! 🙂
wonderful post!!! I’m sure I’ll look back on it a few times before we bring Joleigh home. Love the pics of daddy and Isaac:) SO adorable and little Parker is such a cutie pie in them, too!
I have read your blog for so long but have never left a comment! Today I had my mom watch your “gotcha day” video and we both cried together! It’s so great to see other families that love and spread the word about adoption! Thanks for being an adoptive advocate!!
Cocooning was excellent for both our girls. They both needed it so much but for different reasons. It looks to me like Isaac is is getting stronger and feeling more secure every day!
oh, I love your new pictures! and what a great post on cocooning – something that we are still wondering how to tell our families about:) I will definitely be using Cris’ letter too!
Looks and sounds like everyone is benefiting from this special family time! What a blessing these two little ones will be to each other and the rest of the family, as well. My older two so enjoy just watching the younger play and interact…You have so many sweet times ahead. Thank you for sharing and keeping it real!!
That picture of Frank and Isaac melts my heart!!! Praying it continues to improve! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful insides of cacooning…just now in my researching phase and look forard to checking some of those books out!
Hi 🙂
My family and I are just starting the process for either Ethiopia or Rwanda and planning to use AGCI. I wanted to know how you felt about their ethics- I’ve heard some really concerning things about other agencies and ethics and I want to make sure we glorify God in all things and use an agency that is ethical.
We are in a unique situation as a family currently living in China (starting our 4th year here at an international Christian school). We are praying for His will in all of this to be done. You inspire us so much!
Blogs are funny. Some just stand out in our mind. Yesterday I was going on and on about Frank, the playground pic, Frank jumping in his baby “thingy” and the rest of your post to my mother on the phone who is 80 and has probably never turned on a computer. I was trying to describe Frank, and I said I can kind of see what he will look like when he is 80. 😉 Frank cracks me up with his love of food, and Isaac is just adorable. Even in the photo where everyone is looking at Frank, Isaac’s eyes just stand out. You have got such a cute family!
Too CUTE!!! Love the pics 🙂
I’ve been lurking here for a few weeks on Kelley B’s recommendation. I have 3 kids(ages 5, 3, and 14 mo) and I am gathering initial paperwork for our Ethiopian adoption. Just wanted to say thanks for your blog – it has been so helpful to me as I explore and research! Looking forward to following how life goes post-placement with 4 little ones!
Thanks SOOOO much for posting about your helpful resources! I can’t wait to read more helps about bonding with our adopted baby girl as parents and as a family! We still have around a year before she will arrive with us, but I’m SO ready to study up and prepare! I was going to ask for your 2 cents as your plan seemed very studied and purposed……I knew you had to have tapped into some awesome resources somewhere or that you were just walking awesomeness yourself (which I’m not doubting either) 🙂 Ummm…..and enjoy a cupcake for this encouraged reader!
I think this is something that I am most looking forward to. I really appreciate you sharing the details of your cocooning.