Called to Love Recap

THIS IS A CROSS POSTING FROM OUR ADOPTION BLOG, BUT SINCE IT CROSSES OVER ADOPTION AND FAMILY LIFE, I THOUGHT IT BELONGED HERE TOO:

This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a brand new retreat for adoptive moms!  I went in to it with no real expectations for what I would experience there.  Worst case, it would be a rare opportunity to get away for a few days of rest.  What happened was so much more than that and here is a very brief recap of my wonderful weekend surrounded by like-minded women!

General Retreat:
1)  I had no idea just how needed a retreat like this was for families in the NW!
2) Connections happen quickly when you are surrounded by people who share your passions!
3) My large, diverse family was normal!
4) Ethnic hair care was a common topic of interest!
5) There sure is a lot of love going around when you are surrounded my adoptive moms!
6) We're all struggling with something.
7) The food was surprisingly good and it was nice to get to eat a whole meal while it was still hot!
8) Big Passenger Vehicles were also a topic of discussion.
9) A lot of woman worked REALLY hard to put this whole thing together!
10) It exceeded my expectations, especially for a first ever retreat!


We, meaning my MIL (also an adoptive mom) and I, headed out to the retreat center at the Oregon Garden's early Friday afternoon.  If you are in the adoption community at all, you have probably heard the names Karyn Purvis and Amy Monroe.  They are pretty much celebrities in my book!  Amy Monroe was hosting an early evening break out session for us early arriving moms and we definitely did not want to miss it!

Breakout #1 -
Connecting While Correcting with Amy Monroe
Something that I don't think a lot of people realize is that every adopted child comes from a hard place.  Because every adopted child comes from a hard place, normal discipline tactics are not ideal for them and so as parents we need to adjust our parenting to meet their needs.  I have read The Connected Child (highly recommended reading for adoptive parents!)  and well, some of the stuff hasn't sticked.  Parenting is hard work!  But hearing it all laid out in person, really helped me.  It is a great reminder for me that my goal as a parent is to connect and train my children, not to punish!  And extra great bonus: Connecting While Correcting also works great for biological children!

Another side note: I always thought that Amy Monroe would be like the perfect parent.  I had her on a pedestal but I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find that she is SO normal and faces the same struggles that we all face!


Main Session Friday Night:
Stephanie Fast
I have heard Stephanie Fast speak 3 times now, but every time I hear her speak I am amazed.  She has the most tragic orphan story I have ever heard.  But her story of redemption and adoption always gets to me.  She is an amazing woman with an incredible story to share.

Main Session Saturday Morning:
Saturday morning we had the great opportunity to listen to an adult adoptee panel.  This was great to gather insight into what their lives have looked like as they are now in their 20's-40's.  A few points that really stood out to me is that each one of these adoptee's whether adopted as a 2 day old baby or as a 13 year old was deeply impacted by the loss of their birth family. Like it was described from one of the adoptee's, a piece of the puzzle will always be missing.  Another thing that stood out was how profound the birth of their children was to them, to have a biological connection of someone who has similar features to them.

Breakout #2 -
Something to Talk About with Amy Monroe
This one was so important to me. Malachi is now getting old enough to start asking questions about his story and well, sometimes I look like a dear in the headlights (which is NOT what we are supposed to do) and I really needed some encouragement on how best to help him learn about his story.


 Main Session Saturday Evening:
We had one final chance to listen to Amy Monroe speak and she really spoke to our hearts as adoptive mother's.  The fears, doubts, and shame that play games with us.  It was another great session from her.

We also ended this evening with an opportunity to listen to a birth mom panel.  This was something I looked forward to as we embark on the journey of domestic adoption and will more than likely have a lifetime relationship with our child's birth mom.  I gained some valuable insight into their unique hearts and stories.  Again, just like with the adoptee panel, the decision to place a child for adoption leaves a lifetime impact on these woman and a hole in their hearts.  In general, it took years for each of these woman to process their adoptions and finally get to a healthy place with it.


Main Session Sunday Morning:
Sunday morning ended up being the emotional rollercoaster ending the weekend.  I didn't really know what to expect from the morning session and was even thinking we should have just left after the last evening session but it was worth staying.  I don't even remember the speakers name because she was a last minute addition when the speaker who was supposed to be there got sick. But it worked out so great in the end and she did amazing.  One minute there was laughter and the next minute there was crying. It was crazy but such a good send off to all of us moms as we set back out to do better and connect more with our kids.

All in all it was a great weekend and I am so grateful to all of the hard working adoptive mom's who put this retreat together.  I was able to meet "in real life" quite a few woman who have been online friends for quite some time.  And I even made some new friends too!  I hope to attend again next year, but as we are currently expecting a baby with no due date we will have to see how this next year plays out!

Playing Catch Up!

A bit behind and trying to catch up on the happenings over here.  

Last week was (obviously) Halloween.  The boys are at a really fun age with holiday's and carving pumpkins and trick or treating was very exciting this year! 

You want me to stick my hand where?  

We took a quick weekend trip up to Seattle to hang out with Peter's brother Andy.  He drove us around and showed us a lot of the tourist sights.  We look forward to spending more time up there and getting to do and see more!

And if all that wasn't enough, this past week we took the plunge and signed paperwork to adopt again!  We are so excited about this next adoption journey and that is a lot of why this blog was being ignored.  I promise to do better on updating here, but for all of the adoption process happenings check out our Adoption Blog!

She's 18 Months!

I don't even know HOW this is possible, but my baby girl has officially turned 18 months.  Gah, I don't like it one little bit, but with that being said, she's been a great joy at every phase and I look forward to watching her explore more of the world around her as we are fully in toddler mode at this house!  

Sabrina is now 22 lbs 6 ounces, which drops her down to the 19% for weight.  She has sprouted up to 32" which is the 57%. Even though she is pretty slim for her age, her doctor didn't seem to have any concerns about it.   She's a great eater so she may just take after her daddy, which we all know she does with appearance anyway!  She is super shy and has some serious stranger danger going on.  The poor nurse couldn't even talk to her without her bursting in to tears. Needless to say, that type of an attitude made for a long exam! 

She's doing great though!  Talking like crazy and using lots of sentences. Our favorite is when she says "Mal timeout!"  She also can count to 12 (accountant in training?!?)  which she picked up all on her own and sings along with me to either 10,000 Reasons or You are My Sunshine when I put her down at night.  Of course I think her singing is about the cutest thing ever!  She hates having a dirty diaper I think could probably start potty training if I was up to it, but we're going to save that for after the holiday's and Ethiopia!  She loves letting me do her hair, or dress her up in cute clothes!  She prefers doll houses and dolls to the numerous boy toys laying around here.  Although, she can also make some gun shooting sounds right up there with her brothers!  All that to say, she is a pure delight and blesses me incredibly.  I am so thankful that God gave us this sweet and happy little girl! 

  

 

3 1/2!

Hard to believe our handsome baby boy is now 3 1/2!  Quickly showing us that he is leaving toddlerhood behind and trying to grow his independence as a preschooler.  

I'm so proud of the little boy he is becoming.  New experiences are often times still scary for him, but he has grown so much bravery!  He loves going to church now which was a huge victory and even was brave enough to play soccer and attend Awana!  Watching him grow more secure in the world and learning to trust has made me so proud of him!  It has been a slow journey but he has grown so much this year!

3 has been a fun age with him.  He is becoming his own person and has his own wants and desires.  He loves Power Rangers and Fireman Sam and is often found either fighting pretend fires or punching and kicking bad guys.  He is intelligent beyond his years and continues to exceed my expectations for him.  His early love for letters is turning in to an early love for reading and writing skills!  We've learned he is an amazing Bible Verse Memorizer and puts his mom to shame.  One or two times through a verse and he has it down.  Awana is geared perfectly for him! He's stubborn, strong willed and loves to test boundaries and while that can be thoroughly exhausting I know it is such a healthy sign and I'm willing to (try and) accept that as a part of who he is right now and embrace the independent little boy he is quickly becoming!

He is still the most energetic child I have ever known!  Every hour of the day is spent running around, yelling and singing at the top of his lungs.  He lives life big and refuses to be constrained by cookie cutter boundaries.  He lives life his own way and  I love that about him!

He's a beautiful little boy inside and out!  I am continually thankful that I have been given this sweet boy!  And while he may be big and loud, he was still made into a thoughtful, tenderhearted, very loving little boy.  I know that God has big plans for this little boy's life!  

We usually do cupcakes for half birthday's but this independent 3 year old insisted that he wanted a cake with M&M's on it and how could I say no to him.  So a half a birthday cake is what we had!  

Happy 3 1/2 Day Malachi.  We love you so so sooo very much!  

Mission Trip Monday: Focus on Hope for the Hopeless

It's time for another:

In our last blog edition I discussed more in depth about Ordinary Hero.  For the most part, Ordinary Hero partners up with other organizations to meet the needs of the vulnerable in Ethiopia.  I think this is an awesome way for Ordinary Hero to run and really help make a difference in Ethiopia!

This time, I would like to share a little bit more about the Organization Hope for the Hopeless!

From the research I have done, it seems this is one of the main organizations that Ordinary Hero is partnered with and I look forward to learning so much more about this organization when we travel!

From Hope from the Hopeless' website I got this brief synopsis of their mission plan:

Hope for the Hopeless is a child development program begun to support the growth and development of street children and orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The program is comprised of a rescue center for street children, a residential orphanage and long-term foster care homes where hundreds of children can

• Feel safe and secure

• Learn to trust again

• Learn the truth of Jesus Christ

• Receive food and clothing

• Receive education

• Receive basic medical care

First, Hope for the Hopeless RESCUES children from the lonely and dangerous streets of Addis Ababa. 

Then they REHABILITATE Providing food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care! 

And then they RETURN the children when possible into loving homes with their relatives or in foster homes.

Or if those options are not possible they RETAIN these children in their boarding school. 

One thing you see a lot of in Addis Ababa is street children.  The need is so great and every child matters.  This is an important ministry serving these vulnerable children in Ethiopia.  

Here is a link to a video put together of some of the many ways the partnership of Ordinary Hero and Hope for the Hopeless has made a difference!   (email subscribers click HERE) 

We are sitting just a little bit over 3 months until our time of travel!  This part of the process and the waiting isn't much fun but I can't wait to get my feet back on Ethiopian soil and learn and experience more of Malachi's birth country! It is a beautiful place!  Because of an amazingly generous donation we don't have to stress anymore about the financial side of our trip but instead can start mentally and emotionally preparing for our time in Ethiopia.   I know it is going to be amazing!  Soon we will be brainstorming donation ideas to take with us and I will be sure to post those when we have them nailed down!  

Fall Fun!

As much as we hoped life would settle down in the fall, we are still going full steam ahead with no signs of slowing down!  Here's some of our fall fun happenings for your enjoyment!  

Daddy sent Bina upstairs with Mommy's apron on.  She was so cute and that was enough to make my day! 

We finished a small section of the yard and now we have some beautiful grass growing.  One dirt pile gone! 

Checking out baby chicks at the pumpkin patch!  

Looking at the bunny at the pumpkin patch! 

And horses 

Two of my cute men! 

Checking out the chickens.   The boy's had their own little paparazzi between mommy, grandpa, and great-grandma!  

Lots of fun on the slide at the pumpkin patch!  

Love these guys! 

The bounce house was also a huge hit until Malachi started kissing a little girl! 

Pumpkins galore! 

I can pick this one up! 

Sabrina was there too, but she just wanted to be napping. 

The final fun, unfortunately we ran out of tickets which made for some sad boys who could only do the big slide once. 

Lots of Soccer Saturday's.  Malachi's "official" first soccer picture! 

Lots of cheering for OSU!  

And a fun little trip to the children's museum with the boys!  Eli was in heaven in the dig room.

But the water room took the cake for Eli!  

And grocery shopping was the winner for Malachi! Wish he could do my shopping for me! 

Daddy liked the build room! 

And the train set!


It's been a busy season of life but a fun one!  No signs of slowing down with the holiday's on the horizon!