Looking Back on Our 3 BOYS!

These are pics of the boys each on their day of Baptism.

The day we dedicated them to our Lord.

Hopee too, will have this day God willing...

Right now, we look back on her brothers, when they were tiny (6mths-12mths).


Frederick John

Mackenzie Jack

Noah David

GOD BLESS THEM! THEY ARE AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO OUR LIVES...WE JUST CANNOT GET ENOUGH..

BUSY...Shopping, Parties & More Adoption Discussions..

I have been away from the computer lately..a very good thing! I have been so so busy, with Thanksgiving coming up, my mother is having surgery (hysterectomy)..and we are also celebrating, my son Mackenzie's Birthday in this month, (he's Dec.2nd) because hubby is going away to N.Y. for business on the first week of December. So, we will hit the zoo on the 27th to make it extra special for Mack. Incredibly busy, incredibly unorganized, incredibly last minute, (just like me)..but what can I do? I have to make them happy..I have to make them all feel special, equally..a lot of change is about to come around..and no matter how much I prepare them..they will still be surprised in many ways..so yes..I am spoiling, spoiling them now! My husband does not like this..but were mothers, we just know whats best!

We have Christmas parties to attend this year..and y'know what, with all the spenditures that we anticipate, I walked into a 'thrift store' and found me two of the prettiest dresses you cannot possibly imagine! So that takes care of that!
I walk past precious things for girls all the time..and as tempted as I am to just buy this or that..I don't! I am just not ready yet, I think since there is three boys this Christmas, we will embrace the three boys (yes there are traces/trails that there will soon be a girl), but I will take one thing at a time, and not jump ahead of myself. In January, we will buy what we need for Hope on the first trip, in December, we will place an ornament of her on our tree, because she is in the future and what's to come...but this year we will reminisce (sp?) on our past, and be thankful of our present and we will smile for the future in prayer.

A lot of questions, about our adoption and upcoming travel-plans, are buzzing unusally often these days..and I kind of get annoyed at times, to hear these comments and opinions..and repetitive questions over & over again..(but it is preparing me of the reality of the nosy people)...so here goes:

1) What/how have you told the boys about their sister being 'adopted':

We have been telling our boys about their baby sister from the very beginning; (just like a pregnancy), they are not able to feel my tummy/sister grow, but they have been through the ups and downs with me, and the paperwork and stress of it all..bottom line, they know their sister was born in Russia, she is without parents and needs a family to care and love her..and because that is what GOD does..he makes families come together, & he makes miracles happen! Hope is a miracle by GOD!

2.) How did you find/choose your agency?

Some people are sincerely interested for themselves..some are just downright nosy or cynical; but I say to them both, we decided on adoption around October/November of last year, and as we began the research, we must have called & interviewed all of them! We did not know which country (we still were considering U.S./Canada)..but as you search you learn (duh)about the realities of adoption, the system, the different countries that have children in need of homes..and so on..eventually as you ask agencies you start to talk the lingo..as more time went by I started to really get excited, and really feel this option was for us..and so I would ask "time frame for a girl?" "Ages available?" "Health?"....Paper process, our requirements, with medical, phsyical, mental, financial,...you name it..we asked...when we finally decided on Russia..it became easier (because we had a country)..all I can tell you is..pray about it, and go with your gut. The moment 'Lorien' answered I think I just knew it was Lighhouse, but then I was afraid because we were really going to do this, and we really needed to makes sure we could..and so Lorien assured us..that anyone can do this, and that it goes in installments..I think also, that any agency that asks for a whole lot of money up front is a no no! GOD led us to Lighthouse!

3.) Did you get a picture of this child?

I love this one..cause then it confirms that we're crazy;) I smile and say NOPE! GOD will lead us to her.

4.) HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?

I think this one is understandable, but its still nosy hehe,..I just say we've already paid this much for services, next is the lawyer fees and immigrations fees and hotel & food!

Uhmmm...I can't think of anymore at this point..these are the top annoying questions people have been just asking lately. Also, I think people don't know what to say, and I don't blame them..Freddy & I really do have these dumb grins on our faces 99% of the time lately;)


Also, my son Frederick...was soooo sweet this morning at the breakfast table. He told me.."mommy we don't have to tell Hopee that she's adopted, because then she will feel bad that she wasn't in your tummy like me and Mack & Noah". I thought this was very sweet, and it shows me he has been thinking about it and is very concerned. I told him that we will not broadcast it once she's home..and that he must never throw it in her face, but also, that mommy doesn't want to lie to her. Also, I explained, that her circumstance was very special & unique...and that one day she would be proud.

Sigggghhhhh....its not easy being a mom I tell you..the questions they keep on coming, the wants & desires keep on coming...I thank GOD for the patience, and my very supportive husband, we agree 99.9% on things when it comes to our kids, and that sure does help; (its one less thing to worry about in life), when your walking alongside your partner in the same footsteps;)


I also wanted to add this: (Matthew 6:19-21)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and

where thieves break in and steal.

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy,

and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

P.S. (not Bible scripture), I think children are worth it, they are the only treasures in this world..probably because they are not of it! So you just tell your nosy neighbors that! When they ask you all those questions! WINK*


AMEN SISTERS
XOX

J.

SNOWSUIT HAS ARRIVED!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH CHANDRA!!!!
KISSES TO YOUR BOO!

(my sweet neighbor gave Hopee a dollhouse..awww)

Just wanted to add something here...

You can just imagine where my head is at..right not on my body!

Another PAP once told me something; 'a watched pot never boils'..I took that and was very clueless as to what it truly means..I'm twenty-six, very spontaneous, and impulsive at times..so I'll stand and watch that pot as long as it takes...hehe I even eat standing, 98 percent of the time..well anyway, prior to our very unexpected call, we had no internet for like 4 days!!!! I litterally thought I was DYING! I was freaking out, thinking oh no I cannot check FRUA..I cannot check out Blogs..hehe I just am no longer in touch with the Adoption Community..AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I then started thinking to myself..'you so deserve this Jeannie, you really do'...you go on there too many times in the day/or stay up too late at night..yes! You deserve this! I am sure GOD doesn't really appreciate it either to be frank..I think at one point I was walking to every room with my laptop..like a shoulder-parrot or soemthing...so yes, this was all my doing. Each day..(day 2 & 3 hehe) I would say, well I am actually happy this happend..this was not healthy! I think even when the internet is back up, I will continue without it (aside from bills). That is when I started thinking about sending off the FBI Clearances for apostilles, (see the mind still wanting to do something adoption related/productive)..the morning I woke up and heard my husband talking and typing..I jumped up out of bed..flew down the stairs and sent an email to Lorien...SICK! LOL! Then I was all proud that I didn't bother looking at FRUA or my Blog..and carried on with my morning ritual...HAHAHAHAHA!

Then Lorien called me..

Maybe a watched pot doesn't boil?! I THANK GOD A MILLION TIMES! FOR SO MANY REASONS! I AM STILL THANKING HIM AND CRYING, OVER & OVER AGAIN! EVERYTIME I HEAR A SONG ABOUT HIM..I'LL CRY SOME MORE..I'VE BECOME QUITE A BLUBBERER! HE HAS TAUGHT ME SO MANY THINGS..AND HE JUST REMEMBERS EVERYTHING, LET ME TELL YOU!

Cause when I cried that I was having a boy back in 2007..and I said to him 'GOD I prayed for a girl?' He remained silent until I gave birth and fell in love with my third son Noah (who is my peace munchkin). I was so content with my three boys, that I had my husband 'fixed'...before he went to the clinic, he asked me and said 'what if we still want to try for a girl?'...I laughed and said..'We'll ADOPT!'

Here we are..adopting..something we have always admired in others, and something we just knew we could/would do someday...someday came sooner than expected, yet timed oh so right. We will be in Russia in January for this purpose (GOD willing), on Noah's 3rd birthday..the very same day I embraced my third son..I will embrace and meet our new daughter Hope....see GOD remembered and will have Blessed me 110 times more with four;)

OUR TRAVEL DATES

Okay guys I am now home and have the time to quickkly tell you about our phone call today.

I emailed Lorien, because I did not feel it was necessary to have our FBI results, apostilled anytime soon...but, I wanted to know what she recommended just in case. I quickly began getting ready (a la make up), to take the boys to grandpa's to go fishing (today is Veteran's day=no school)..and so, that is when I got the phone call! I answered not really expecting too much, and I thought perhaps she wanted to just explain to me on the phone, what she wanted me to do, concerning the apostilles. We continued talking about the email, but then she was telling me about getting things done in December, along with our VISAS & HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS! I really didn't catch on to that at first..but then something inside me did..AND SO I WAS IN TEARS!!!!! I have always told myself (as strange as it seems) that I would try not to cry...hahhahahah..but I failed miserably!..and Lorien was just laughing at me!!! OMG..I ran down the stairs and had her tell my husband also..and he had a huge grin on his face...in which I took a picture of..to remember this day...cause it was priceless!

Last night an ESPN Documentary on my uncle had aired on t.v., and the family and I watched, while we were in tears, because of what had happend to him (all over again), and because ESPN had done such a great job of portraying the truth..which gave us hope....for every other passing day, that it may get better and better, until truth finally arrives.

Today though, I received news about a different kind of hope,..MY HOPEE GIRL!

And with these two kinds of HOPES in my life, I have a lot to be thankful for, and have a lot to place in our prayers this CHRISTMAS..and on our tree..we will place very special memories..

Now, GOD willing, we expect to travel in January. Our appointment date with the DOE is January 19, (Noah's 3rd BDAY poor little guy). We have very limited info on her, except that she was matched with our family, and that she will be turning a year old and just coming off of the Russian registry in January, 2010. We do run a small risk of a Russian adopting her first, of course..but we are quite optimistic..it's her older bro's birthday, and we are not going to Russia for nothing, wink*!!!

I am absolutely elated!! I can't tell you that it feels real...it doesn't! My husband will take vacation time to spend it with us, during the holidays & to finish up things around the house..in preparation of our fourth child. Her room is done and soooo sweeet, now that I bought the bedding..its just complete and ever so special to me. This is still just the beginning..and there is so much to look forward to, and I thank God for that hope and opportunity; to be able to look forward to something, so special and close to my heart..for many, many reasons..maybe I will share that one day on here. Everyone's story is truly unique and different, and GOD has HIS own plan for us all..so just keep asking HIM and HE will reveal just what is in store for you, and you will see that it will be at such a perfect time in your life..its EARTHSHAKING really..I can't even find the words to describe the feelings.

I will continue praying for the rest of the PAP's that are waiting..you all deserve to feel this way too;)

P.S. I have to write this publicly, and I hope she doesn't mind...but you all should know the kind of sweetness that exists around our agency..Chandra, who has brought home a little Russian Beauty already, offered to give me her daughter's snowsuit to bring home Hopee in..I just feel like, this whole adoption experience gets better and better..and just teaches you so much about so many things in life..this thoughtfulness deserves recognition, and will never be forgotten..and it is just so special in my eyes to have this honor! Chandra also wanted me to know, that the idea of this snowsuit is, that we pass it along to the next PAP, when it is their turn to bring home another Angel,..and I will surely do so. So PAP'S, stay tuned..cause you may be receiving the suit next!

Thank You Again CHANDRA..YOUR JUST AWESOME!

Also, THANK YOU -Lighthouse Families (you know who you are)..for being so helpful and supportive;)


J.

WE GOT THE CALL!!!!!

YAAAAAYYYYY! CANNOT BELIEVE IT...GOTTA TELL ALL MY FOLKS!!

I WILL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT WHEN I GET BACK!!!

KEEP THE FAITH!!


J.