Showing posts with label special needs adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label special needs adoption. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Why I Walk....

Over a year ago two of my friends came to me at different times and encouraged me to join Walk for the Waiting. In my mind I didn’t walk and just because I adopted two kids didn’t mean I wanted to start walking. But, then my husband told me he was going to walk and then day by day my heart open to the idea. I was too “fat feeling” to physically walk last year. Goodness that is embarrassing to just type.  However, my heart continued to be softened for children living all over the world who had no family or home.. So, joining Walk for the Waiting this year was an easy choice. I could actually walk and God had placed the right man in my path to have a heart for the waiting children too.  The stats are out there. If every other church (in Arkansas) would take interest in helping ONE child in foster care then we probably would not have ANY kids waiting for a family. John and I are following our heart to help. Our big reasons for why we walk? Obviously for Lauren and Maddie, the two girls who I call mine through adoption. I know without a doubt their life is better because I am their mom. People tell me all the time but, I know that together we make a family and we love each other! Who am I kidding; my life is so much more complete because of my girls. They have shown me that my faith cannot be put into a “box”. And just because I can’t hear the words they speak I can feel the words through a smile or snuggling on the couch. 

Another reason I walk is no doubt my extended family has shown me love by accepting numerous foster kids in their home and adopting so many I have lost count. (It exceeds 8!) In their community where they live they are heroes and they are my family. 

And then at my job I am reminded why I walk …  I love my job and the 70 children and 13 college staff I spend time with each day. My staff has shown love to a child who is in foster care by building a relationship based on love. It’s such a blessing to experience it. Actually my staff has open their hearts to all the children we work with. All children need love.  Then there is the foster mom who is single and giving this child a home. She is opening her heart and home and then surely I can walk.  Actually the child told me she is so
thankful that her foster mom gave her a closet to store her belongings. That nearly broke my heart to hear. This foster mom is also my hero.

 And so each day I am easily reminded of why I walk...

You can join our team and walk with us by clicking here.

If you can’t walk but, would like to donate then by clicking here.

If you can’t or donate but, you still want to do something please pray. 


How are the funds used?

1) To increase the visibility of children waiting for adoption by expanding the Heart Gallery statewide through the efforts of Project Zero. (I have friends who have adopted through Projected Zero!)




2) To mobilize the church by recruiting, training, and supporting Christian foster and adoptive families and volunteers from local churches to serve children in foster care, both in Pulaski County and in 25 other counties around the state through The CALL. (DHS has said this organization is vital and important!)


3) To provide a third transitional home in Little Rock for youth aging out of foster care through Immerse Arkansas.
(Another great way to help children become productive citizens!)  


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Our adoption story

Our first trip to Mena
Most of my friends know that I prior to my first date with John he revealed over email that our relationship may not go far because he was committed to raising his 2 girls who had profound special needs. I remember I was staying at my friend Julie's house when I read the email. I thought how on earth can I not meet him. I want to meet the man who is the special needs single dad. That following Friday we had our first date. I knew almost instantly God had been preparing me for to meet John. I didn't really know a lot about special needs kids and my experience had been very minimal. A short time later I met both girls. John was convinced I would keep our relationship to just "friendship" once I walk in to his world.  

Spring 2012  Photo by: Crystal Goss
At some point early in our relationship several people close to me would ask me do you think Maddie is John's biological child??  I said of course.. She looks like her mom. (I was blinded by love.) John revealed several months later in to our relationship that Maddie was not his biological child. I was in shocked. I can tell you everything about that moment. He was fearful I might not love her the same or that I would think he was crazy. Well, what happen was it made me realize that it made me love and respect him even more. 

Everyone knows Maddie is a daddy's girl. She loves me and I love her but, her heart belongs to daddy. Lauren is my girl. Lauren and I have some sort of bond that is unexplainable. 


Bridals 2012
 It was important to me that when John felt comfortable with the idea, I wanted to legally adopt the girls. As most of you know the process of adoption is not cheap. There are lots of people who wrote letters to the judge on our behalf. My friend Jayme helped us with the homestudy for the adoption. Our lawyer (Frank) was very helpful in us getting all the right documents together. I should tell you that  not one of our friends would not accept money for their expenses. (Adoptions paperwork minus their fees from the work is still expensive!)

Adoption Day with Judge Huckabee
On October 23, 2012 my life was changed again. I became officially Mama Rho. (In the nanny world I was Nanny Rho.) John legally became Maddie's dad. Those are titles that make life easier from a legal standpoint. 

Maddie and Me Sept. 2013
Lauren and Me Seattle 2013
The decisions and choices that special needs parents make are hard. I could not be a parent without believing in God. It's that simple for me.  I am grateful that John said yes. I am thankful for Maddie and Lauren's biological mom. I am blessed by the support and acceptance of my friends and our family during our good (and bad) times. 


Happy Adoption Day to us! God is good!











Monday, October 29, 2012

Adoption Day!

We (legally) adopted the girls on October 23rd! What a joyous day. However, after looking at the pictures from the event – I am so depressed. I look so fat and I don’t feel that great. Motivation to forward.  Time to get unfat- right?

Meet my fantastic husband - John

A typical family photo.. Maddie loving her ipod. Lauren with her grass.