Back in the day

29 years ago today I arrived in the loving arms of my parents. Ok, maybe it wasn't 29 years ago, but since I am now perpetually 29, that's the number I'm going with. That's not the point. The point is that this is the anniversary of the day I met my family. Back in the day - many, many, years ago, adoption was done Old School. Not baby in a basket down the river old, but old. Guess that would be more Old Testament than Old School, but I digress...  

My mom and I. 

On that frigid Ohio evening, my parent's lawyer, Dan, and the social worker, drove from the small town we lived in to Akron, realized they had the wrong paperwork, drove back to our town, then back to Akron. They sprung me from the hospital and drove the 3 hours back home. Everyone met at the lawyer's house and I got to meet my parents for the first time. I don't remember any of this, of course, being all of three days old at the time, but I'm told it was quite an exciting day. 

My Dad and I.

Things have changed in the adoption world in the last 29* (ahem...) years. More paperwork, more money, more red tape, more...more. We have finished our homestudy update, once more we "seem" mentally and emotionally stable enough to adopt a baby. Now, we get to resume the super fun, super fantastic, super "make you want to scream" tediousness of waiting. Waiting for a phone call. Waiting to hear that we have been chosen by a birth mother. No, I don't jump every time the phone rings. Thank goodness for caller ID. Everyone asks if we are ready. My answer is always the same. We are as ready as we can get. 

Something I've learned during this long, long, long process is that I am still not a patient person. Waiting for God's timing is taking forever. We just keep hoping, keep waiting, and waiting, and know that His timing will be perfect...eventually!

Yet Another Update

Hello out there in cyberland. Just a quick update. Our homestudy has <FINALLY> been approved. What does that mean? In a word - Fundraisers. Grants. Loans. Gifts from long lost rich relatives maybe? We are starting the super fun process of applying for any adoption grant we can get our hands on. We are also working on some other ways to raise the funds.
Thanks for all of your prayer and support. I appreciate each time someone asks how the process is going or says that they are praying for us. I'll let you know more when we know more!

Thankful

It's been a while since I posted. Life, ya know? There have been so many times I've thought that I needed to sit down and post, and every time, something pulled me in a different direction.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It's a time when we all sit around and think of things that we are thankful for. This is my list.

Last month, we took part in the Chosen Race. Friends and Family members got up early on a Saturday morning to walk or run 10 miles to benefit our adoption. For this I am thankful. While that was an amazing thing to see, I saw something even more amazing while at the race. I saw beautiful families. Families in which adoption was normal. I saw a blond mom with three beautiful blond haired, blue eyed little girls, who were all in love with their adorable black little brother. I saw a family with a white mom, black dad and Asian little girl. There were numerous other families just like these. They weren't parents with their adopted children. They were families. It was amazing. I felt so at home around these complete strangers. This was the one place where these families didn't get asked who the baby that didn't look like them belonged to. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet and talk with other adoptive parents and adopted children. I am thankful that there are others in this world who can see past color when it comes to making a family.

I am thankful for the people who have donated to our adoption. Whether it was through the race, a gift, donation, or other ways, thank you.

I am thankful for my family. For my husband, who supports me, loves me, and understands me.

I am thankful for my daughter. Hannah teaches me something new every day. She is the most tenderhearted and kind little girl and I am so proud of her.

I am thankful for my parents. They made me who I am today.

I am thankful for my brother and his wife. Thank you for allowing me to spend a day each week loving on your beautiful baby boy.

I am thankful for my friends. We laugh until we cry, we also are there for each other no matter what.

This list could go on for ages. I know that I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you to everyone who reads this post. Thank you for taking time out of your day, even just a few minutes, to read about or journey. We are finishing up some final paperwork and the home study, in search of Whichever One Fits.

Chosen

Running With a Purpose

10 Lives * 10 Years * 10 Miles

 

Coming October 18th, 2014

Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord NC

 

This fall, Chosen will bring a 10 mile race to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in remembrance of those we lost 10 years ago in a plane accident near Martinsville, Virginia. Chosen celebrates their legacy that lives on through the gift of adoption. Join us for this special event as we honor them by raising funds and awareness for adoptive families and orphans around the world. Register now & race for someone else’s victory!

 

 

 

We are forming a team for the Chosen Race in Charlotte this October. Put on by Chosen and partnering with the Hendricks family, the race is in memory of those 10 lives lost 10 years ago. The Chosen is a race benefiting adoptive families. Any registration fees or donations will go to our adoption agency from the ABBA Fund, in our name. Shaun is running the 10 mile race, Ann is walking and Hannah has signed up for the kid's race. Will you consider joining us? Whether you are a runner, walker, or child, our team needs you!



Invite your friends. Invite your family. Invite runners you know who are looking for the next fun race! If you can't join us at the race that day, consider sponsoring Shaun as he runs, or making a donation to the team.

Below is the link to register. On the second page, please select Team Whichever One Fits. This week only, the team who has the most people sign up will win what the race organizers are calling "significant bonus $$ towards their adoption."

If you have any questions, contact us or the race officials! We hope to see you in October!

 

To Sign Up:  http://www.athleteguild.com/running/charlotte-nc/2014-chosen-10-mile

Remember to select our team: Team Whichever One Fits

 

Thank you!