First Mike and I want to tell you how kind you all have been. You have all just been the best during the last 10 days. The support, words of comfort and love have touched us and sustained us both.
We have made this blog space by invitation only right now (not that the masses were flocking to our blog..) but to use a centralized communication to just who we want to share information with.Plus we don't want to upset or scare anyone etc. Every adoption is unique. We'd love to tell anyone who will listen what all has been going on, but what does it really matter right now. Our focus is Dias. I am still learning about this site; sorry if you received 5 invitaions.
Mike and I have been blessed with good counsel and we are going to continue to try and adopt Dias. It will be by a different route and we will share what we can when we can. It was important to us both that you know we have not given up and are on the same page about fulfilling our promise to adopt Dias.
We have great peace that we are committed and have a plan. We are not at a point to be able to share much but knew you'd like to know and we feel you deserve to know.
Plus we are happier and wanted to share that. It is happy news that we may still have a chance to be the family we envisioned and to give that precious little boy a family and a home.
We are cautiously optomistic.
I will also keep up as best as I can emailing etc. The lazy days of summer are over. School, work, running a home etc. are wonderful parts of life and a blessed distraction.
You will understand later, but remember this: There are angels on earth. I have met two real life angels. Then I met a few more heavenly creatures. Then our faith was restored in people. People who have nothing to gain but still want what is best for this child. Can't wait to tell you all about it.
I have received emails from people as far away as Canada. Adoption problems are not unique to us, or our agency. I know positives will come out of this and I intend on making sure they are shared.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Sad news
This blog was to keep a digital age record of our adoption journey and to let those interested keep up with us.
It is with deep sorrow we have to then add to this blog the news that adopting Dias is not going to happen. We were informed by our agency 2 days ago that the Kazak side of the team has decided not to complete our adoption or pursue any others in the city that Dias lives in.
The city (or certain persons) have become hostile to adoption and it has become impossible to conduct business there. We knew there were problems. We were told after our adoption, our agency was going to pull out of that area for now. We thought we'd be getting news in a few weeks that we'd be leaving to go adopt the only other boy as precious as Shawn. But it is not to be. Our agency says they have not given up but admit there is little they can do. We don't know the reasons, it does not make sense and we have no answers for anyone.
We know that our agency and it's staff are excellent and our coordinator and social worker are two of the best with any agency. We were and are, in excellent hands. That is just not enough it seems.
Mike and I are heartbroken. Shawn seems to understand that Dias is not coming here but does not understand why. Well, that makes 3 of us. He still calls him brother and we will alwaysa call him son.
Dias is our child. Dias is Shawn's brother and his aunt's and uncle's nephew and his grandparent's grandson. No one can or ever will change that.
We have had the most loving and generous outpouring of support. We are so blessed in many ways. Several people have said somethings that have resonated within me.
My sister believes that the love we have for Dias is still out in the world and his life is still better and mattered because he is loved and wanted. He does matter to us.
He is well taken care of and with the only people he knows. We do not worry about that thank God. But that can never repalce or compare to him having a family.
This is called a lost referral in adoption lingo. We aren't the first and sadly, won't be the last. In our lingo it is called a heartache and a huge injustice.
We however are celebrating life's other joys, like our son's first tooth out and his starting Kindergarden.
We will not know what is next for a few weeks.
We are going to circle the wagons and just hang on till we feel better.
I have always liked this Chinese proverb and I plan to live by it:
You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.
We will forever be thankful for our Kazak child. We also will cherish the opportunity and dream of another child. If that is to be, it will be another blessing, if it is not to be, we are so very blessed still.
Our adoption family of friends are the most awesome people on this planet. I could not get through this without you.
It is with deep sorrow we have to then add to this blog the news that adopting Dias is not going to happen. We were informed by our agency 2 days ago that the Kazak side of the team has decided not to complete our adoption or pursue any others in the city that Dias lives in.
The city (or certain persons) have become hostile to adoption and it has become impossible to conduct business there. We knew there were problems. We were told after our adoption, our agency was going to pull out of that area for now. We thought we'd be getting news in a few weeks that we'd be leaving to go adopt the only other boy as precious as Shawn. But it is not to be. Our agency says they have not given up but admit there is little they can do. We don't know the reasons, it does not make sense and we have no answers for anyone.
We know that our agency and it's staff are excellent and our coordinator and social worker are two of the best with any agency. We were and are, in excellent hands. That is just not enough it seems.
Mike and I are heartbroken. Shawn seems to understand that Dias is not coming here but does not understand why. Well, that makes 3 of us. He still calls him brother and we will alwaysa call him son.
Dias is our child. Dias is Shawn's brother and his aunt's and uncle's nephew and his grandparent's grandson. No one can or ever will change that.
We have had the most loving and generous outpouring of support. We are so blessed in many ways. Several people have said somethings that have resonated within me.
My sister believes that the love we have for Dias is still out in the world and his life is still better and mattered because he is loved and wanted. He does matter to us.
He is well taken care of and with the only people he knows. We do not worry about that thank God. But that can never repalce or compare to him having a family.
This is called a lost referral in adoption lingo. We aren't the first and sadly, won't be the last. In our lingo it is called a heartache and a huge injustice.
We however are celebrating life's other joys, like our son's first tooth out and his starting Kindergarden.
We will not know what is next for a few weeks.
We are going to circle the wagons and just hang on till we feel better.
I have always liked this Chinese proverb and I plan to live by it:
You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.
We will forever be thankful for our Kazak child. We also will cherish the opportunity and dream of another child. If that is to be, it will be another blessing, if it is not to be, we are so very blessed still.
Our adoption family of friends are the most awesome people on this planet. I could not get through this without you.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A loose tooth and a Dias sighting
Our precious Shawn has his first loose tooth. The big boy tooth is right behind it. He is very excited about this milestone and showing anyone that will look.
Another WPA family just returned from Taldy. They were able to see and talk with Dias and give him a toy we sent. Ann says that if Dias has a limp it is something you have to stare at him to find. Maybe his hip problem is minor. We sure hope so. We also have new photographs coming this week from Ann. We can't wait.
No new news but are hoping for something in the next couple of weeks. Our original dates for possible travel dates would place us hearing something around the first week of September. With the country wide delays who knows, but we are prepping and planning as if we were leaving in about 4 weeks.
Shawn has a meet the teacher night next week and then we will spend our last official weekend of summer doing some fun things. Then our baby begins his journey into his education. How time has flown! Our beautiful first child turns 23 next week. HOW TIME REALLY FLIES!!!!!
I am trying to remember that what we focus on expands.
To the adventure and the love that sustains it,
Susan, Mike and Shawn
Another WPA family just returned from Taldy. They were able to see and talk with Dias and give him a toy we sent. Ann says that if Dias has a limp it is something you have to stare at him to find. Maybe his hip problem is minor. We sure hope so. We also have new photographs coming this week from Ann. We can't wait.
No new news but are hoping for something in the next couple of weeks. Our original dates for possible travel dates would place us hearing something around the first week of September. With the country wide delays who knows, but we are prepping and planning as if we were leaving in about 4 weeks.
Shawn has a meet the teacher night next week and then we will spend our last official weekend of summer doing some fun things. Then our baby begins his journey into his education. How time has flown! Our beautiful first child turns 23 next week. HOW TIME REALLY FLIES!!!!!
I am trying to remember that what we focus on expands.
To the adventure and the love that sustains it,
Susan, Mike and Shawn
Thursday, August 7, 2008
August Update
We have been trying to keep cool here in Texas.
Getting Shawn ready for Kindergarten and waiting, more waiting for news.
The good news is there is no especially bad news. The bad news is that we will encounter another delay due to a country wide slow down of processing paperwork in Kazakhstan. More details at a later date-suffice to write that we nor our agency can do any thing about it so we will wait some more. We will continue to prepare for our trip as if we were leaving in a few weeks and wait for the call.
Shawn was sitting on his Grandpa's lap last week and was asked to move to the other leg. Shawn said no, because that leg was for his brother Dias.....With love like that we can wait as long as it takes.
The generosity and support we have received from friends and family is also keeping us strong.
We are anxiously awaiting news from the Chapman family who are in Kazakhstan right now picking up their beautiful Emma, to see if they were able to see Dias. And dare we hope, maybe even get new photographs?
Temple sent this never before seen photo of Shawn to us from WPA. Found in old records from Shawn's paperwork. Can't you see the love the care taker has for him? Would be so cool to find her when we go back.
More later.....
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Good News!
Email from our coordinator Susan Cotten, tells us that our paperwork is safely in the hands of the Kazak officials. She is predicting the next phase of the process will take around 2 months. We are just glad something is in Kazakhstan. Next we want it to be us! Happy 4th! Paka paka! (Bye bye)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Correction
The Kazak band I wrote about is "Urker". Albulm titled "Made In Kazakhstan". It can be found on Yahoo music or You Tube. And any music with the instrument called the Dombra in it. You would be amazed at what they can do with 3 strings!
No news is good news on the adoption front.
I am still working on a cookbook and will release ASAP. Garage Sale went o.k., we are starting several fundraising projects as our air fare budget is getting zapped from the price increases! OUCH! A car wash, silent auction and raffle are in the making. We were just accepted into a cool program that recycles used printer ink cartridges and we will be paid a little for each one we send in. Every little bit helps.
Shawn asks about his brother everyday. He includes him in spirit in everything we do. He is the sweetest child I swear. We are just about through collecting Kung Fu Panda figures and WALL E the movie opens and Shawn is wondering why Mc Donald's still has King Fu Panda characters! Things move way too fast for me.
The month of July will be slow because we do not expect any news. Just more stand by for a possible stand by.
We are hanging in.
Happy Fourth of July to you and yours.
Keep our soldiers safe and their families comforted.
No news is good news on the adoption front.
I am still working on a cookbook and will release ASAP. Garage Sale went o.k., we are starting several fundraising projects as our air fare budget is getting zapped from the price increases! OUCH! A car wash, silent auction and raffle are in the making. We were just accepted into a cool program that recycles used printer ink cartridges and we will be paid a little for each one we send in. Every little bit helps.
Shawn asks about his brother everyday. He includes him in spirit in everything we do. He is the sweetest child I swear. We are just about through collecting Kung Fu Panda figures and WALL E the movie opens and Shawn is wondering why Mc Donald's still has King Fu Panda characters! Things move way too fast for me.
The month of July will be slow because we do not expect any news. Just more stand by for a possible stand by.
We are hanging in.
Happy Fourth of July to you and yours.
Keep our soldiers safe and their families comforted.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Air Fare Woes
When we started budgeting for our adoption, air fare was going to run us about $1700.00 each, round trip. My last check with KLM is showing about $2300.00. Talk about inflation! And that is IF we can fly KLM. American was $4200.00!!!!! With the possibility of not traveling for several more months, and the possibility of taking three trips, this area of expenditure is quickly becoming our biggest expense! We are trying very hard to not go into debt for our adoption. Partially because the economy is so uncertain, and partially because we are expecting some medical expenses to fix Dias's leg and hip. So we are turning to some fund raising projects.
We chose Empties4Cash as our first fundraier which will be on going. We also are planning a car wash, a Pizza Night, a silent auction and a raffle for some very nice donated items.
Every bit will help. We do not fear our adoption will be denied due to the fact that little Dias is considered special needs and is older. Our growing fear is that we will encounter some unplanned money mountains to go get him! We are going to hope for the best and plan for the worst.
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