Orphan A Day: Aisha and Ivan

So I have not blogged the last few days because Reece's Rainbows website was having some issues and I couldn't access the links to different children. So it appears to be all fixed now and here we go!

Please meet Aisha and Ivan. Look at Aisha's eyes...the deep brown that just draws you in! By adopting her it could open the door to many other children in her region for adoption.

Aisha

Ivan is such a sweet little boy. He needs surgery and the love of a family. Please pray for him...he truly needs all the prayers he can get! I know there have been families that have wanted to commit to him but unfortunately have not been able to because of reasons outside of their control. 

Ivan

Orphan A Day: Brody and Auggie

Today I am introducing you to two brothers...aren't they sweet?? These are two boys who need a family and what better way to add to your family than by adding two? I imagine that adopting internationally, bringing more than one home at a time can be a good thing because they have someone they are familiar with and someone they can speak too while learning to speak English.

Brody

Auggie

They have been separated and are living in different orphanages but a family could bring them together again. They do have some needs but have made so many gains which is always incredible to hear. 

Potty training...oh the joys!!

We are in the midst of potty training Ethan and let me tell you, I have never felt so frustrated before. With the girls, it was relatively easy. They were all 2 1/2 and took a week or less...so easy!! Kodie came home from the hospital and a week later Emilie was more than ready to be a big girl and not a baby anymore.

I have always heard from others that boys are more difficult. Ethan is 4 years old and it's been challenging. His teacher at school requested that we send him in underwear a few weeks ago so we've been doing that and then let him wear them the rest of the day. He is good about not having accidents until it's going number two...that's been the tricky part of all of this journey with him.

Today though, I felt so proud when he said he needed to go potty and headed to the bathroom. He did it!! Went to the bathroom and managed to not have an accident. It is such a huge step for  him and gives me renewed hope that he is getting the idea :)

My 100th post

Who knew I had this much to say to be at my 100th post huh?? Honestly, if I wasn't posting daily (or trying to) about a different orphan a day, I would not be here just quite yet...but I am :)

I am sitting on my couch playing catch up on Facebook, emails, and blogging instead of laying down sleeping because as the day goes on, I just am feeling worse and worse. I woke up feeling great and am now congested with a horrendous headache. I had every intention to clean my curtains today...it may have to wait until next weekend.

We have been busy in our house cleaning, organizing and building a donate pile. For people who know me, this will sound normal maybe but I get such a high cleaning house and de-cluttering :) not sure why but it makes me feel good!! I found a ton of things in my kids dresser drawers so that's what triggered this feeling that I needed to clean this weekend. Now we just need to get it all hauled off to our church and the bigger stuff to the thrift store.

We've been in our home for almost a year and a half. I have painted just about every room except for mine. We are slowly trying to prepare to start finishing the basement so the kids can play down there safely and so we'll have an extra room for people who visit. Finding time to do all of this proves to be rather challenging but it'll get done slowly but surely.

My dad is still hanging in there having good days and bad days. I am just so thankful for everyone out there who has been praying for him and my family. I have been trying to figure out how to prepare for his loss but I know I can't. His passing will not be sudden so in a way I think that is helping me prepare a little bit.

I am not only trying to prepare for his passing though...I am trying to prepare for baby A going home. I don't know if it will happen but if it does, it's going to be hard. The bright side is, I will handle it and be okay and so will my kids. When she was placed with us almost 9 months ago, I thought we'd have her a month or maybe a couple of months...I never imagined we'd have her this long. She is just so sweet. She hates car rides though...I have never had a baby who hated car rides. She is crawling, cruising along furniture and just developing/growing so wonderfully.

I guess these are my random thought for this beautiful Sunday afternoon, for my 100th post to my blog. Not too exciting but that's okay I think!

Just some random photos from yesterday...fun at the museum yesterday!

Family reading time last night...it started out as a punishment if you will but in the end, everyone enjoyed it and I do believe this will become a weekly thing for us!

Orphan A Day: Darby, Clayton and Constance

Okay, so I am feeling lame...I have not posted like I had wanted since Thursday. So today, I am posting about three different orphans. I had been in such a good routine with looking at photos and posting whomever I felt called to in the moment...this week will be better and I'll get back on track.

Please meet Darby...isn't he just a doll?? I love his incredibly beautiful smile!! Look at all the potential in this little one...all he needs is a family to love him and call his own.

Darby

Clayton is another charming little boy. He needs a smaller family because of where he lives...anyone out there that has just a couple of kiddos looking for a precious little boy?? 

Clayton

And now meet Constance. I'll end this post with a little girl :) Constance has been transferred already but from her description, she is just lovable!! She was taken very good care of before she was transferred...and transferred is not always a terrible thing because some institutions are better than others but regardless, every child needs a forever family. Now that she has been transferred it will become harder for her to find her family but not impossible. 

Constance

Please pray for these little ones. Pray that their needs are met. Pray that someone sees them and falls in love with them. Pray that their forever family finds them. I want to end this blog with a link to a video that I personally found very powerful. 

Orphan A Day: Emmitt

Before I begin a new post for todays orphan, I was so excited to see this :)....I posted Hannah a few days ago and she is now on My Family Found Me!! I know it is not because of me but she will be one less orphan in the world after her family finishes the adoption process!

Please meet Emmitt. Emmitt is such a handsome young man. Emmitt has already been transferred but still has a friendly, kind and sweet spirit about him. From people who have met him, it is obvious he wants and desires a family to call his own.

Emmitt

Look at him...pray for him. Please share his photo. Lets find him a family before it is too late. 

Remembering some good times

I have been looking through photos to email to my mom of my dad and my kids. She is hoping to do a video with lots of photos. I haven't found many but the ones I have, I will treasure for sure. I was also going through all of my music trying to see if I had any music that she likes that could be added to the video. I have to wonder, is it strange that at the age of 32, I already know what music I want played at my funeral?? I don't know many people that think about that stuff...I mean, I don't know what I want but I do know what music I want.

After I had Emilie, I had a couple years of dealing with abnormal pap smears and there was always a fear in the back of my head that it could turn cancerous and that lead me to think about certain things like funerals. Obviously everything turned out fine and I am grateful for that. I don't necessarily like talking about death but I am finding I am doing it a lot more lately because of my dad and what he is going through right now.

I am hearing a lot more stories about people dying from colon cancer. It makes me so sad because it is totally preventable if you get the recommended screenings done. I wish my dad had...I have felt angry that he didn't but that anger won't change a thing. I have learned to let it go. It won't help him. It won't help me. It won't help anyone at this point. I am going to use it as a teachable moment for me though.

I am realizing that as the days pass by, it is just getting that much closer to my dad's passing. I don't know how anyone prepares for things like this. Can you really prepare for the passing of a loved one?

Emilie and my dad on our first trip to Alaska while living in Japan

The girls with my dad shortly after Kodie was born...and yes, Kodie is screaming :)

All the cousins (at least all of them from back in 2007) with grandma and grandpa

My dad, mom, Emilie and Eric in Prague, Czech Republic

Dad resting in our hotel in Prague

Steve, dad and Eric in Rothenburg, Germany

Group shot

Enjoying lunch at a German restaurant with GREAT potato soup!!

Orphan A Day: Felix

I have a list of kiddos in need of a forever family and many of them are in Russia. I have not posted them yet because as it stands now, Americans cannot adopt them but donations can be made to their accounts because countries like Canada and anywhere other than America can still adopt them. Tonight though, instead of going off of my list of kiddos who are not in Russia, I decided to look on Reece's Rainbow at children who have sizable grants which make adopting them so much easier because it means less money that a family would have to come up with.

So, without further ado, please meet Felix. Felix was taken very good care of when he was younger but has been transferred and has not handled it very well. It just shows what love can do. It shows that to take that away, it can be very traumatic for children. Felix will be 10 years old this year and is just so handsome!!

Felix

Did you click on his link? Did you see the amount that has been raised for his adoption?? That is a good chunk of change that would really help a family out. Please share Felix and pray that his family finds him. This little boy needs to feel loved again!!

Orphan A Day: Alexei

Look at this handsome, sweet little fellow! Meet Alexei...I guess I shouldn't call him little considering he will be 10 this year but he is just the cutest little boy. Alexei has already been transferred which means his chance of finding a forever family is smaller but certainly not impossible.

Alexei

Would you please share his photo? The more people who know about him, the better his chances are of finding his forever family. 

Orphan A Day: Paige

Please meet Paige. Paige has known the love of a family and needs to feel that love again. She would benefit from therapies so much...therapies that are so easy to have access to here in America. I don't know how old she is in this photo but she is so little compared to her age. She is a beauty!

Paige

Please keep Paige in prayer and share her photo if you feel called. It is so important that she and other orphans out there find their forever families as soon as possible. 

Orphan A Day: Hannah

Meet Hannah. Isn't she a beauty? Hannah is another kiddo that I wish we could adopt...the first time I saw her I just couldn't do anything but smile. She is in a country where her file is only available for a short time. Once it is sent back, it can be requested again but hopefully Hannah's forever family will see her now while it is currently available.

She has the most beautiful eyes doesn't she?? And I just love her hair :)

Hannah

Please pray for Hannah. No donations can be made for her adoption fund until her family finds her...but we can all pray and share her photo.

Orphan A Day: Nolan

Today I would like you to meet Nolan. Nolan has already been transferred from the orphanage and needs a family now. His grant for his adoption is about half way to the cost of his adoption...which is great news because a family wouldn't have to come up with the full amount. A family who is interested in him would need to have upfront costs between $5,000-$8,000 but once you receive the invitation to come meet him, the money in the grant would be available to assist with other costs like airfare. I believe this is how it works. The upfront costs would be for a home study, fees for the agency and other paperwork.

Per the description of Nolan, he is a sweet boy whom many people love. But the right family for Nolan has not come along yet although he has touched many hearts. 

Nolan

Isn't he just the sweetest little boy? Please pray that Nolan finds his family very soon!!

What a week

This week has just been one that has been rough. It hasn't been the worst week but I have just felt like I'd rather have stayed in bed and hide rather than have to deal with anything.

The week started out with anticipation of my dad having a port put in this week and starting chemo on the 21st of this month. I knew chemo was not a good idea for my dad because he is just not healthy enough to take on something poisonous like chemo. Yesterday morning I had a message from my mom letting my siblings and I know that my dad would not be getting a port put in and would not be doing chemo. They had talked and the decision had been made...hospice was going to be contacted so that next step could be taken. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he was not going to do hospice. Hospice was mentioned last month before he went to Oregon and was completely against it. I know hospice is not a bad thing but for him, he just didn't want it. So the fact that he agreed that this was what should happen just hit me in a way that I did not expect.

Even though I knew he really couldn't do chemo, the fact was it was an option still being given to him and now it's not and it just makes this more real. My dad is dying. My dad is terminal and will not be around much longer. I have known this was coming but all of the uncertainty of how he was doing and what options were there gave me a feeling like we had a little more time than it appears.

I sit here in Colorado far away from Alaska feeling pulled. I want to be in Alaska to help out but honestly, I can't. I have kids here that need me and I feel guilty about that. Steve just cannot take off much time from work so I need to make sure I am mindful of all of this.

Something else this week that has just left me feeling defeated is about our foster care placement. We have had her almost 9 months. I don't know where the case is headed honestly. I don't know if she will be reunified or if she will stay with us. I want to set up her room and move her out of our room but not knowing if she'll be with us much longer, I don't know if I can set up a room for her. The pain I am going to feel if there is a room for her and she is not in it is going to be hard. This is when I wish I had a remote control so I could fast forward a few months and know the outcome...knowing the outcome would make this easier with all of the waiting.

I truly hope she can go home because I know that is always the hope for a family...I never thought I would get so attached though to a child who is not mine. Sometimes I feel like we are just adding more trauma to their little lives. We are the only home she has ever known because she came straight from the hospital to us. Her case will be like her leaving and being placed in a foster home but it will really be her home she was always meant to be in.

I just question whether we are the "right" people to do foster care. I know we can take care and love children who stay with us but dealing with the red tape and everything else that is foster care is what I wonder about. I know I need to only worry about today and I try very hard...some days are easier than others though and this week it has just been hard.

I am thankful that it is now Friday and the weekend is upon us. My kids are off until Thursday because of the end of the second quarter and teacher work days. The weather has gotten great here again and the snow is melting. We are busy taking the Christmas lights off of the house now that it isn't so cold anymore and pulling out the Valentine's day decorations.

I am thankful for each new day. I am thankful for each new week. I am thankful for my supportive family and friends. I did not imagine 2013 starting out this way but I know it will be okay in the end.

Orphan A Day: Frank and Francis

Okay, so I didn't get on yesterday like I had wanted...I'll have to leave the reasons for that for a different post. Today, I want you to meet Frank and Francis. Both two very handsome young boys. 

You can read more about Frank here. This is from a fellow blogger who knows more about Frank than I do. He is a sweet young boy in need of a forever family. From his description, he sounds like such a charming young boy who could do so well with a family. Please pray for Frank and share his photo.

Frank

Here is a video of Frank.

Oh sweet Francis. Francis has needs that cannot be met in an orphanage. Francis needs a family who can get him the therapies he needs to help him with development. From his description it sounds like he is taken care of with basic needs which is always encouraging to hear but in the end, his needs cannot be met the way they could be if he was with his forever family. Please pray that someone steps forward for Francis too. 

Francis

Orphan A Day: Holden

Please meet Holden. The two photos I am posting are the harsh reality of children living in an orphanage who is transferred to an adult mental institution. It doesn't have to be this way.

Holden Before

Look at the life in his eyes and his smile!

Holden After being transferred

The life is gone and he just looks so sad now.

Holden

You cannot look at these photos and tell me that they don't deserve a family. Not all children suffer the way Holden is suffering but it happens far too many...even one is too many. This is no way for a child to live. This is what the ban on American adoptions from Russia could cause for children living there. I know people may not be thrilled with me posting such a heartbreaking photo but I am trying to spread awareness and Holden along with every other orphan out there needs to be rescued, adopted and loved by a forever family. Please pray for Holden. Please pray that an exception can be made to this ban so that children in Russia who have special needs can have a chance to have a forever family. 

Orphan A Day: Max

Meet Max. Max was just listed with Reece's Rainbow and it is so important that he finds a family soon because he is 15. Max will age out at 16. He deserves the love of a family. He is a handsome young man who really desires to have a family.

Max

Video link of an interview of Max.

Link to a blog from someone who has met Max.

Please pray for Max. I was excited today to see My Family Found Me updates on Reece's Rainbow. I have a list of kiddos to blog about and two of them have found their families :) I haven't had a chance to blog about them yet but I am so happy that someone found them and connected with them!!

The roller coaster of life...come along for the ride!

I have three girls all close in age. I have had many comments over the years and jokes about what life will be like when they hit the hormonal teen years...guess what? We are there!! I keep thinking they may not survive :) but really, I wonder if I will survive. I know many have parented before me and many will parent after me so ultimately I do know that this too will pass.

Emilie is a quiet child. Natalie is not. Kodie, well, she is a mix of both but is pretty easy still. The last couple of weeks have been challenging for so many different reasons. Everyone went back to school last week and Monday morning was a morning that I wanted to forget. We've been trying to reinforce the rules of the house and it was met with some resistance. 

Emilie shuts down, refuses to talk and is mad at me about everything anymore. Natalie gets upset, yells, runs upstairs while saying things that are hurtful. Two complete opposites and keep life interesting here. I feel like I am on a roller coaster with both of them most days...so, if you have been reading my posts, you will now know that I am on a roller coaster. I am on a roller coaster with foster care, trying to process my dad's cancer, having five kids, trying to potty train Ethan and girls with hormones! Fun times right?? 

I have decided, that although Natalie says hurtful things, I think at this point I'd much rather hear what she has to say then be met with the alternative of a child who refuses to speak to me and acknowledge my existence. I may regret admitting that but for now it's easier to work with someone who will at least talk to me. 

Today has just been a downer here...I am exhausted, feeling sad about things that I can't really discuss and ready to throw in the towel. But I just keep reminding myself that tomorrow is a new day and I thank God for that!!

Orphan A Day: Jason

Meet Jason. Isn't he a charming young man? Jason has already been transferred and is really in need of a forever family. He will be 10 this year and is just now learning how to walk. He needs a family most likely with lots of experience and patience to help Jason overcome everything he has been through in his first 10 years of life.

Jason

Won't you consider Jason? Will you pray for him?

Orphan A Day: Bowen

I love this little baby....so much that I really wish we were in a position to adopt right now. Please meet Bowen. My heart smiles but breaks for him. He is missing parts of all of his limbs but it looks like he may be a good candidate for prosthetics. He is still so young and a great age to add into a family. He needs a family to call his own. This post breaks my heart to write and share because a part of me wants him for my family but because we can't adopt right now, I just want him with a family.

Bowen

Please pray for Bowen. Pray that his forever family steps up for him so he can get the care and love he needs. Please donate if you can so a family might be more willing to step up. International adoption is expensive but so worth it!!

Orphan A Day: Casey

I'd like to introduce you to Casey. Casey is 15 years old but you would not know that by looking at him. Casey will turn 16 this year. Do you know what happens when a child turns 16?? They age out of the system and end up on the streets. It's a lot like foster care here in America right? The difference really is that in America, kids age out at 18 and if they have special needs, there is still help for them. There is no help for Casey if he ages out and does not find his forever family. Please click on this link to see more photos of Casey. If you'd like to hear about someones first visit meeting Casey, please click here.

Casey

Would you please share and pray for Casey? Would you consider donating to his fund so that maybe someone would be willing to step forward in faith to bring him home? By clicking on the link below Casey's photo, you can make a tax deductible donation. He needs to find his family this year and is running out of time!!

No Words

When the ban on adoption of Russian children by American parents went into effect earlier this month, I was shocked. I just could not believe that someone, anyone could allow this to happen. That they would allow special needs children to sit in an orphanage or mental institution with their needs barely being met depending on where they are.

I have heard that the families that have already passed court in Russia should be able to bring their children home to America. That's wonderful isn't it? I think it is but then I think about the many families who have already gone to Russia and met their children, bonded with their children but have not gone to court, who will not be able to most likely adopt these children whom they consider their son or daughter. I feel sad for the families who are ready to begin the process of adoption, who have found their child through a photo and who will possibly never get to meet him or her and bring them home if an exception to this ban is not made for special needs children or if the ban is not lifted all together.

It's hard to know if what will happen at this point but I know many are praying. In the meantime, there is a great organization that is in Russia that is trying to help children in orphanages. I encourage you to click on this link to learn more. If you feel lead to donate, wonderful! If you don't, would you pray? There can never be too many prayers for such a great cause.

I know I will be continuing to pray.

Orphan A Day: Ashton

Today I would like to introduce you to Ashton...he is just a doll baby!! Look at that smile and those eyes!! He is just a couple of years old and he looks like the sweetest little boy :)

Ashton

Please pray that Ashton finds his forever family...please pray for all orphans. There can never be too many prayers!

Orphan A Day: Ulysses

Meet Ulysses...he is such a little pumpkin! He is still young enough that he could adjust into a family so nicely. I think when discerning when you are considering adoption, it is important to consider can you meet the needs of a child. I fall in love with so many children and I am the type who would say yes before really thinking about it...which is not good and thankfully Steve balances us out! Anyway, I know vision impairment could be challenging but think of the life you could provide him in your loving home :)

Ulysses

He just makes my heart smile!

An update on my dad

My dad and mom arrived home to Alaska late last night. He was discharged today from the hospital and will see an oncologist Friday. A lot happened to make it happen and I firmly believe all the prayers helped!!

On Monday, I contacted Senator Murkowski's office. I left a message and figured I would probably never hear back from them. A few hours later, someone from her office was calling me. They had heard about my dad because of a post my mom made on Facebook to the local paper in Mat-Su and the paper had contacted the Senator's office too. I don't know if this is partly how the denial with insurance finally got approved so he could get an appropriate flight home but I think every little bit helped.

I know being home is what they wanted and needed. There is something about being in the comfort of your own home and surroundings with people who love you that can help your spirit so much.

Right now I find myself not knowing what to think though about his condition. It is difficult to prepare for his passing when he has good days and bad days. It's hard to not feel hopeful when he has good days. I know in my head that his cancer has spread...it has metastasized but a part of me wants to be hopeful that somehow maybe he'll be able to make a recovery from this. I have heard a lot of stories where the patient did not make it more than 6-7 months after diagnosis with cancer that is metastasized.

But I know what I have to do. I have to place my trust in God and just keep praying that He knows what He is doing.

Feeling discouraged...

So I was determined to write a little blurb every day about an orphan. I was feeling so motivated. I share each blog post on Facebook with hopes that someone may fall in love with one of the children I post about.

I have not had much response to my posts. At times it feels discouraging because posts about my children, my life or things that I share like Bible verses get a response but orphan related posts really do not. I sometimes wonder if I am posting too much...maybe people are tired of seeing it?? Maybe people don't know how to respond?? I figure there are so many possibilities as to why they get very little feedback.

But, I am going to try and stay committed because this cause is very important to me. I figure you never know when someone may see a child and connect with them. I am not the most well written writer but I am determined and feel called by God to do this.

Orphan A Day: Asher

Meet Asher! Isn't he a charmer? Some countries in Eastern Europe have stipulations about family size...and Asher would be a welcome addition to a small or large family!! He is still at a great age too to add to your family.

http://reecesrainbow.org/40601/asher

He has a very sweet smile, doesn't he? 

Orphan A Day: Lanie

I wasn't sure I'd find time to sit down and write today. I have had two sick kiddos...one of whom has been running a high fever. But here goes :)

Isn't she a doll? Meet Lanie...Lanie will be 7 years old sometime this year. She is in need of her forever family. I have heard from people who have met her that she is so sweet!! Lanie is hard of hearing. This is something that is so easy to handle in a family. My daughter Natalie is hard of hearing...and for that reason when I am looking at children that could potentially be my child, I am always drawn to hard of hearing children. I feel prepared to take that on again...I am so much more prepared now. But, we are not in a position to adopt right now.

I don't know if Lanie is fitted with hearing aids or not but if she is not, I would imagine her speech is probably being impacted. Another easy thing to work on. I can speak from personal experience that when a child's speech is impacted and it is because of hearing loss, hearing aids will help so much. With my daughter, her speech improved drastically within one month because all of a sudden with the help of her hearing aids, she could hear sounds that were foreign to her.

I can say that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. Some states have passed laws that require insurance companies to still cover hearing aids for children. I believe it's important to know some of this info because hearing aids are costly but they can last anywhere from 5-8 years.

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=lanie

Look at that smile! Please pray that her mom and dad find her.

Orphan A Day: Shaun

Meet Shaun. Shaun It's very obvious looking at him that he has some medical needs that will require surgery...but if you can look past that, doesn't he look like a sweet little boy?? He looks like has has a story to tell and looks like he is wondering where his mom and dad are. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=shaun

Would you consider Shaun? Would you please pray that he finds his forever family? 

Random Thoughts

Tomorrow the kids go back to school after being out for winter break. They are looking forward to it. Emilie has a band concert coming up and we still need to go get her some black pants. Emilie really enjoys band and is doing really well learning how to play the flute. I am looking forward to having some normal back in our life with school and after school activities back up and running.

I wanted to add to my thoughts about my post from yesterday. I'm sure it may have came off as negative or not grateful for what insurance has done for my dad. That is certainly not it at all. We are so thankful and grateful that he was given a little bit more time. It's hard feeling like there is nothing you can do. Yes, we can pray and I am doing a lot of that...but I am also the type of person who tries to push for what is right. It's hard for me to let things go and I am working on that. Ultimately though, I am not near my family and me asking if people know of any options out there is partly my way of feeling like I am helping. I don't feel it is okay though to send someone out of state like that though with no way to get back safely. My parents have a five year old at home being cared for by a family friend and I know the distance is hard for my parents. This is not easy for everyone and it's hard feeling helpless.

I said these would be random thoughts today...but I sit here now and my mind is blank. I guess that is all I have to say this morning.

Orphan A Day: Lauren

Today I am sharing Lauren with you all. But before I do, take a look at this link...

http://reecesrainbow.org/category/rescued

Just a few days ago, I posted about Jacob. Jacob held a spot in my heart so I was thrilled to see him on the My Family Found Me page of Reece's Rainbow. My hope is that many of the orphans will also find their family too just like Jacob!! I know he didn't find his from my one post but I do hope that someone will see a child I blog about and feel called to adoption.

Okay, Lauren pulls at my heart because she is around the age of my girls. It sounds as if she is in an institution. I know children do not always receive the best of care in an orphanage but when they are transferred, the care is much, much worse. I've mentioned this before...I have read that many children don't make it past six months once they are transferred. Lauren deserves a family of her own. Lauren deserves out of the institution...beyond those four walls.

I have to assume that the damage that can happen to a child in an institution is probably like the damage a child in foster care can have after all that trauma. They aren't the same kinds of trauma but it's trauma. It just means ultimately that parents have to work a little bit harder to reach the child but it can be done and many do it every day when they adopt an older child.

http://reecesrainbow.org/1731/lauren105

Look at her beautiful smile. She looks like she is waving to her mom and dad doesn't she? 

Insurance: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

I am not a fan of insurance. I am thankful to have it. I am thankful that it helps my family and me be able to get medical care. That would be the good when it comes to insurance. What I don't like, what I see as the bad are the rules that can be hard to understand. The cost to have insurance...even though I know the cost of not having it is actually much worse. Insurance doesn't cover everything though. Depending on what insurance you have, you may get great coverage or you may not.

Then there is the ugly side of insurance. The side that you don't often hear about unless you are dealing with something bad. My dad was flown on a medical flight from Alaska to Oregon because the hospital in Alaska could not meet his needs...so insurance covered it because it was a medical necessity. Great right? You'd think this is the good...and it is but what they are now dealing with is the ugly part of insurance.

My dad is in no shape to fly commercial but insurance will not pay for another medical flight because their feeling is they got him somewhere better and they don't pay to get someone home. The problem is my dad is terminal. My dad has stage 4 colon cancer. It has spread everywhere. He is now dealing with clots that are being controlled with blood thinners. He has fluid building up in his lungs. He is losing weight because he is not eating and drinking very, very little. His heart is struggling because of the stress his body is under. My dad is dying. My dad would like to get home to Alaska and be as comfortable as possible at this point. My dad should not have to die in Oregon because of a rule with insurance.

My mom has made calls trying to find a way to get him home if insurance still denies this next week. The hospital he is at right now is going to try to go further up the ladder on Monday. Lots of people are praying. Lots of people are googling and trying to figure something out. Steve made a couple of calls today and had no luck. We found one company that can get him home but it will cost more than $20,000 and that is not an option for my parents at this point. I know God will provide somehow...not sure how but I am trying to not worry about that.

This morning I was feeling very angry about this. I don't like feeling angry and thankfully it passed. It is just so sad and frustrating that this is happening. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran and I feel like he deserves more than this after serving his country.

Please, I ask you to share this post if you feel called. Maybe someone reading this will know how to help my parents. Thank you all for your continued prayer!!

Orphan A Day: Simon

Today I am sharing Simon with you all. Isn't he a handsome young man? Simon is running out of time to find his forever family. He has until October of this year to be adopted or he will have no chance of ever knowing the love of a family.

http://reecesrainbow.org/50017/simon

He is in a wheelchair but from his description, he seems like a very determined young man...longing for a family to call his own. I don't know much about, Simon...if anyone who reads this post does, please feel free to leave any info about him in a comment.

**Updated to add this video that I saw posted of Simon today...where is his mom and dad???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG-He3y_LBY

Orphan A Day: Lina

Today I am posting about Lina. Lina has many medical needs and if you take a look at the below photos, you can tell that in two months, she has really deteriorated. Lina needs a family. Lina can't wait for someone to come along in a year. I know many are praying for her and trying to spread the word. 

From October 2012

From January 2013

http://reecesrainbow.org/41427/lina-3f

With the recent ban of Americans being able to adopt from Russia, I worry about the special needs children in orphanages. I don't blame the Russian people. This is coming from much higher up and little lives are paying the price of politics. Children in orphanages overseas are not important and often times perceived to be worthless. If Americans cannot adopt them, they will languish in these orphanages and institutions. 

http://www.katebrooks.com/#/russia/russian-orphans/RussianOrphans01

The above link is a small glimpse behind the walls of an orphanage. It is a small glimpse  into the life these little ones face...and I say into the life but really, what kind of life is this really? I do feel most people who are working in these orphanages are doing the best they can with the little resources they get but it can never be enough. What they need is a family to love them. 

I will keep posting about the plight of orphans because I am feeling called by God to do so. I know these images are hard to look at and it is hard to break out of our own life and advocate for someone we don't know but if you are feeling called to, please share. The more exposure that is brought to this heartbreaking subject, the better it is for all of these wonderful, little children. 

Saying Goodbye

I recently took a trip to Portland to see my dad....and mom and aunt too. My dad was flown to Portland from Alaska because of his health needs at this time. His surgeon in Alaska told him there was nothing they could do and suggested they get hospice involved. My dad was not okay with that answer and sending him to Portland was an option and he took it. He flew with my mom on a medical flight. They were gone within hours not sure what to expect.

Surgery had been scheduled for Tuesday (they arrived in the middle of the night after leaving Monday night). When the doctors there realized how malnourished he was and the poor shape he truly was in, they decided to wait to do surgery for a couple of days and to do TPN to help try and improve his strength some. He had surgery on Thursday (two weeks ago today) and in one way it was successful and in another way it was not. He is one of those patients you hear about where they open the patient up, realize how bad it is and close them up. The only successful thing to come from the surgery was they were able to resect the colon and put in an iliostomy bag. They wanted to do more but his cancer is so bad they couldn't. The surgery though gave him more than a few days.

What they found during surgery was that he has tumors everywhere. The tumor in his colon is so big and spread everywhere and is attached/pushing up against his spine. Because his liver is involved too, he has fluid buildup that will not stop. They can drain it but they will only do it after it is causing him a lot of discomfort.

Honestly, for how bleak things look, he's doing fairly well. He tires easily, he has little to no appetite and I know he must be scared. I have a younger brother who is 5 years old and my dad will not be there for him as he grows up. I have siblings who have not married and had children and he won't be here for that. I know I speak as if he won't survive this. I do believe in miracles but I am also realistic and if for some reason he does survive this, it will be a wonderful miracle. I believe he got a miracle in Oregon with a surgeon being willing to operate and fix the bowel obstruction. If that is the only miracle to come out of this, that's okay because it gave him more time.

The trip to Portland was hard. It was hard knowing that when I left, it would most likely be my last time seeing him here on earth. It was hard spending time with him knowing he needs to eat because he can't get stronger if he doesn't but yet he can't bring himself to really eat. It was hard to see the man I know as my dad look so frail. He has aged so much because of all of this. He has always been grumpy and this makes him more grumpy...understandably so.

I feel at peace though whatever happens. i am thankful for the four days I had with him, my mom and aunt. It was good to be able to have that time.

Orphan A Day: Heath

Here is Heath. Heath will be turning 12 sometime this year. He certainly does not look that old from his photo. Heath has been transferred to a mental institute for children 6-18. Can you imagine that? Living in an institution where you don't get the time, attention, stimulation and most importantly love that you need as a human being and especially a child? If you click on the link, you'll notice that Heath has a very large grant available to a family adopting him. How this works is once you have a travel date I believe, that money is then available to cover expenses of travel and things like that. Adopting a child internationally can be very costly and his grant could help lower that cost tremendously. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/1518/heath-47

I can see him doing so well in a loving family!! 

Orphan A Day: Sadie

Oh, sweet Sadie. She lives in a country where they give a file out for a couple of months or so but then it's returned if no one steps forward to adopt the child. I have seen Sadie's file a couple of times now and I know many people are hopeful that someone, somewhere will fall in love with her. You can find out more info by clicking on the link below her photo. I have a friend who knows more about her and her special needs so feel free to message me and I can get you in touch with her if you are interested!

http://reecesrainbow.org/46665/sadie

She is such a doll!! 

New Year

New year, new mission. I don't tend to make new years resolutions because lets face it, I don't typically stick with it. So, I am going to try and put focus on an important issue all year. My new mission is bringing awareness to my family and friends about the plight of orphans living overseas.

With the recent ban of Americans being able to adopt from Russia, I have felt an increasing pull towards doing more. Have you heard of Reece's Rainbow Adoption Ministry? If you haven't, please look them up. They help bring awareness for children in orphanages overseas and through the power of many, we are helping to fund some of these children's adoptions to get them into a forever family. All donations to them are tax deductible. Adopting a child from an orphanage overseas is very costly but so worth it. Let me show you why. Here is a link to a blog. Read the story. I know many feel we should help those in America first. I believe in helping children here in America...we are foster parents and trying to do our part with that too. But, have you ever seen a child in foster care who was 9 years old and weighing in at under 10 pounds???? That kind of thing just doesn't happen to children here and for me, that is why helping children overseas is so important too.

Here is the link:

http://theblessingofverity.com/2012/10/the-story-of-katies-adoption/

Here is another link with before and after photo of a beautiful little girl. I believe it shows what a loving family can do for a child!!

http://thesimpsonsix.blogspot.com/2012/08/before-and-after-photos-needed.html

And another link...I am always just so happy to see how much they can grow once they are with their forever family.

http://angeleyesadoption.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-1-year-home-mila.html

One last link to share...such a wonderful difference!!
http://thislittlelightproject.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-orphan-sunday.html

I know not everyone is called to adopt. But we are all called to help those in need somehow. Whether it is through prayer, giving of our time, talent and treasure, or adopting, there is always something we can do to help in some way. If you would like to help but don't know where to start, feel free to message me :) I'd love to help get you started!!

Orphan A Day: Jacob

To start off the year, my hope is to each day post a photo of a child overseas in need of a forever family. I know I don't have many followers...maybe I will get more...and if I don't, it's okay too. But my hope is that by sharing a photo a day, it will bring awareness and maybe one of you will feel like this child is your child waiting for you to come rescue him or her. Maybe you will know of someone who is looking into adopting and you can share this child. I first have to say, that although there will be a name with the photo, it is not the child's real name and where the child lives cannot be given out either. In the adoption world, we just say they are in Eastern Europe. If you feel called to adopt, you do get all of that information but it is ultimately just to protect the child's privacy.

Okay, so I came across this photo of "Jacob" recently. I love Jacob. Jacob is almost two years old and has cerebral palsy. Jacob will be transferred around the age of 4 if he is not adopted by then. Do you know what it means to be transferred? When children are transferred, they go to adult mental institutions. Many children transferred do not make it past six months of the transfer. All of the orphanages and institutions are country/state run. I don't feel that the workers there intentionally neglect the children in their care. They are overwhelmed and have limited resources and often times are truly doing the best they can.

Here is Jacob:

http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=jacob

Isn't he beautiful?