Blessed Triduum!

May our remembrance of Jesus' suffering and death inspire all of us to make a sincere gift of ourselves to our families, friends, and all those whom the world wishes to forget:
The Poor
The Orphan
The Unloved

We also ask for your prayers that we can be submitted in Henry's country by June 1 so that we can be "grandfathered in" before any shutdown or changes occur. We ask this in Jesus name and in the shadow of his most sorrowful passion. Amen.

Crazy is Good

The comments have started (as I knew they would)...


"What, adopting? Are you crazy?"

"Don't you have enough children already?"

"That is just too much money!"




Last one first.

Does anyone ever tell someone here in the US that they are crazy for spending $25,000 on a minivan????

Why does redeeming the life of a child make you crazy but a brand spankin' new minivan gets a CONGRATULATIONS????

And I have plenty of children for me, but lots of little ones NEED A MOMMY AND DADDY!!!

And yes, after reading testimonies like the one below,  from a Dad who has adopted from EE and has also done many mission trips around the world...

http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/04/mindful-of-orphan.html

I will just admit it....I AM CRAZY!

TURBOCHARGED!!

No, sadly not my coffee.....

I gave up caffeine for Lent. Only one more week. I am SO ready to get back to the occasional cup of the REAL stuff...

because I am going to need it!!!!




We just received word that the country we are adopting Henry from is DEFINITELY changing the government department that processes adoptions and MIGHT close down pending adoption in the middle of June!!  Noooooooooooooo.............

So we need to kick everything into high gear...finish all our online adoption training hours, speed up paperwork prep for our dossier, pester our agency to complete our home study....

oh yes, and RAISE ABOUT $15,000!!!! We have two months!!! Can we do it?!?!?!?!?!

I say YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STOP THE PRESSES!

We interrupt all regularly scheduled blog posts...and life in general....

Because our social worker is coming over Thursday afternoon for our home visit!

We will be cleaning like crazy tomorrow...

Which we know we do not HAVE to do...

But my dear hubby is thrilled to jump on any opportunity to have an exceptionally clean house!

Wish me luck!

What is Arthrogryposis??

Thought I would give more specific information about the condition our little Henry has...

 

This summary is taken from an awesome blog authored an awesome young woman with AMC - www.arthrogryposisadoption.blogspot.com

 

 

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) is a congenital condition that occurs 1 in every 3,000 live births. Its characterized by multiple joint contractures. Joint contractures are when the joints don't have normal range of motion, they are stiff. Affected individuals usually also have muscle weakness. Every joint in the body can be affected including the jaw & back. The range of severity is very wide, some people don't looked affected while others have to rely on a powerchair for mobility. Most individuals with AMC have normal intelligence. It is a non-progressive condition. There are about 400 types of AMC. Some types are sporadic in nature while others are genetic. Amyoplasia is the most common type affecting approx. 43% of all people with the diagnosis. This is a life-long condition but with quality treatment most individuals become independent adults. Treatment often includes serial casting & splinting to increase range of motion, physical & occupational therapy to strengthen muscles & surgery to correct more rigid deformities.

 

I will be updating our Adoption To-Do List tomorrow...check back to keep me accountable!!

A Gospel Story

Mark 12: 41-44

41 And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury, and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.

My sister's cleaning lady gave a cash donation today to our adoption fund for Henry....

$500

Thanks to a wonderful lady. God Bless You.

Adoption To-Do List #2

Ok, getting the hang of how to make this work...I think I will post this series on each Monday, including on how I did at completing last weeks list...

WEEK of MARCH 28, 2011

1) Physical for 3 youngest - CHECK
2) Fill Out paperwork packet #1 from Homestuday - Will be done by end of day
3) Request mortgage and home ownership info - Printed out, will give to Paul to request
4) Meet with ped orthopedic doc - CHECK

Not too bad for a prone-to-procrastination gal!! Onward and forward...

WEEK of APRIL 4, 2011

1) Give Paul Packet #1 to copy and mail out to Homestudy Agency
2) Call friend whose child had cleft palate and get her doc info
3) Check out Adoption training class schedule at FRC and online (Paul and I need to each do 10 hours)
4) Pick up bracelets from A on Tuesday and bring them (and ours) to Mom on Wednesday

You will be hearing more about (and seeing!) these bracelets soon! My mom taughter my oldest daughters (ages 12 and 6) and my niece (age 9) to make these last week and they have been having so much fun working on them to support our Adoption of Henry!

These are beautiful quality bracelets strung on jewelers wire with lobster clasps and made with real semi-precious stones and tiny glass beads, each originally designed and one unique...just like all the children waiting for forever families!

We will be offering them for a donation online, on Facebook and here - hopefully next week!