Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's (waiting, potential, etc.) out there!!

I feel absolutely blessed to have one of the most supportive, loving, caring, smart, strong, kind, selfless mom's out there!!! The wonderful qualities that my mom posses are endless!!! I also have been blessed with a Grandmother (who is like my second mother) with just as many wonderful attributes!!! The list goes on and on for these two wonderful ladies=) I hope one day I get the opportunity to be the kind of mom that they have been to me =)

This was in my church bulletin this morning and I think it is sooo nice!!

A Newborn's Conversation With God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but the voices from earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, Mom."

=)
I read this and thought so much of this could pertain to a child (not just a newborn) who may have never felt the love of a Mama. So much of this could be the thoughts of the many orphaned children of the world who can not verbalize these feelings. I hope all kiddo's everywhere will be able to feel the love of a mom one day!!!

There Is Hope

So, officially there has been no suspension of adoptions from Russia, although many single women have been experiencing some difficulties. Which stinks! I hope and pray that things can get resolved at the meeting on May 12th. I'm anxious to see the agreement! Posted below is what the U.S. Department of State website posted:



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues

April 29, 2010


There has been no official suspension in adoptions of Russian orphans by American parents. However, in some parts of Russia, we are aware that adoptions are being slowed down or delayed. The United States and Russia held their first round of talks on adoption issues in Moscow on April 29. The discussions focused on the U.S. and Russian concerns regarding protecting the welfare and rights of children being adopted internationally. The talks were productive and an expert-level working group will travel to Moscow for further discussions on an adoption agreement on May 12, 2010.

Meeting

Tomorrow and Friday Russian and a US official have a meeting to discuss adoptions. This has been on my mind and can bet many others are thinking about these days. It seems things for single women who are adopting are becoming very tough. I pray that we are still able to!! I hope clear heads prevail so the many children have a shot at a family.


Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.
~Pope John XXIII

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all.
~Emily Dickinson

If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.
~Thomas Fuller

The future depends on what we do in the present.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

If we would see the color of our future, we must look for it in our present; if we would gaze on the star of our destiny, we must look for it in our hearts.
~Canon Farrar

Life can be a challenge. Yet if we view those challenges as stepping stones to where we want to go, they actually contribute to our growth.

Possible Suspension?

It has been in the news for a couple week's now. A mother sent her Russian born adopted son back to Russia...by himself...saying she no longer wished to parent this child, that he had psychological issues and she was lied to by the orphanage. I have been following along closely but could not find the words to blog about it until now. It really breaks my heart. No one knows what it was like for her, but I am NO WAY condoning what she did. She made a HORRIBLE choice!!! I wouldn't let my 7 year even go to the end of the block by himself (it's out of my sight) yet alone putting him on a plane to Russia BY HIMSELF!!! It makes me soooo mad that she did this. Russia wants to now possibly suspend adoptions to the US. It would be very sad if this was to happen. Many, many children have found loving families here in the US...just read some Russian adoption blogs!!! Yes, sometimes the children have had a harder time transitioning, but transitions are usually hard for any child, let alone a child that has been institutionalized. It just breaks my heart!!!


I have thinking about adoption and adoption from Russia in particular for a loooonnng time now. I try to read everything I can, from books to blogs, and everything in between! Not only do I read about the adoption process in general, I also try to find out as much as I can about Russia and its history. I joined FRUA (Friends for Russian and Ukrainian Adoptions) to stay updated and find out as much as I can. Unfortunately, the chapter in my state doesn't seem to be very active. I try and stay in contact with families who have adopted or are in the process now. I've looked into many agencies. One of the things that I look at is the support the agency offers..pre and post adoption. I guess what I'm getting at is, did this women make a snap decision on adopting? We may never know. These are living, breathing children here and parents need to be prepared and not get caught up in just the "idea." I'm not saying all prospective parents make snap decisions though. I personally don't think disruption is the answer, but in some cases, I believe that it could benefit the child and family. Sometimes, they may just not "click." There are steps to take and this women should have done this as a last alternative instead of putting this child on a plane.

I had my 24th birthday recently, and that means I'm that much closer to starting. I hope that the US officials and Russia can come to an agreement. It would benefit most importantly, all the kids needing families! My prayers and thoughts go out to the families(and children) who are in an adoption "limbo" right now.

This n That

Wow, my blog really is boring! =) I tried putting a countdown widget on here and it didn't work. =( At least I didn't crash any computers. O well..guess I'll have to try and figure that one out when I have lots of time.

I recently read the book "Life in Baby House #10." I thought it was really good! Very sad in some parts, but it really showed how much "Politics" goes into an International Adoption. It really is a bummer! There are soooo many kiddos out there that need mommies and daddies! =( My next book to read is "Raising Your Internationally Adopted Child." I'm open to any book suggestions! I have plenty of time to read =)

I've been looking at soooo many agencies right now. Wow! Is it stressful!! Being the planner that I am, I want to find out about as many as I can so when the time comes, all I have to do is sign. =) I signed up with FRUA recently and hope that there will be some things in my state so I can get involved.

When I bought my new car, it came with Sirius Radio. I absolutely love it!! Being a singer/drummer/musician, I'm always looking to find new music. I find myself lately migrating towards the Christian station. Lots of new music with such positive messages! It's great! There always seems to be songs that fill me with hope and seem to "speak" to me=) Here's a quote from a song I heard recently......

"It's my will, and I'm not moving Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me."

Love it!! =)

Horrible!!!!

OMG!!! THis makes me soooooo mad!!! What's with these people!!!! The ignorance of some really hurt the hopes and dreams of others out there, not even to mention those poor kids!!!! How can people just be soooo cruel and heartless!!!! I totally understand the outrage of the Russians but not all people who adopt would do something like that! It breaks my heart to hear what these kids are going through after they have already been through soooooo much! I'm totally frustrated! Not being able to start my adoption for another 9 months, this worries me to think what might happen. I hope all those in the process now don't get their hearts broken! It's not just US citizens. I read in the Moscow times that an adoptive father in Russia beat, burned with cigs, starved, and abused his 2 adopted children, killing the little boy and then tying a battery around him and throwing him into a river. Just HORRIBLE!!!!!!! I feel soooo bad for all these helpless kids! It's terrible! There are very cruel people out there all over the world and it just breaks my heart!!!

I know it would be a tough thing to do even MORE post placement reports, but it seems like things happen down the line after they are done. If they toughen up more on that, I think it's reasonable, but I hope they don't do anything MORE drastic!!!!!!

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/adopted-boys-death-in-us-stirs-russian-anger/400923.html

The Wait

This is the beginning for me so I think I should start out from the beginning of where I'm at.

I guess it's THE game to play in international adoption. I'm talking about the waiting game. It's not fun and probably one of the hardest parts. So I've heard. My waiting is a little different than many people who are embarking on this journey. I'm actually waiting to START! Many wait for their paperwork to be sent to Russia, wait for results of doctors, and the hardest parts being... waiting for a referral, waiting in between trips to pick up your child, and waiting to finally come home to the good ole US of A. None of it is fun and extremely hard. This wait for me is definitely a test of my patience.

My wait is because I'm not quite...old enough. =( Although I want to get married some day, this is something I've always felt called to do and feel like I need to do this first. Adopting from Russia has held a special place in my heart for a very long time. It is just now becoming more of a tangible sight. It's sooo close yet it seems sooo far. =( I don't want to start now and have to redo all my paperwork. According to the USCIS, you can start at age 24, but have to be 25 at the time you receive a referral. Sheesh..I guess even though I hear "You are an Old Soul, etc. etc," it doesn't count=( ha ha. So, now the waiting has begun!

In the meantime, I'm going to read as many books, find out as much info, and become as prepared as I possibly can. =) Hopefully, this will help ease the wait along my journey. I think it will be great to have once I've completed my adoption and look back at!