I want to thank whoever was the donor/ donors yesterday! We are so blessed by your generosity! We are currently only 2150 short from being fully funded. This adoption has been a long, hard journey. We have put so much time and energy into it- combined with the emotional part- it has been overwhelming for us! Your contribution not only help financially, but also encourages us emotionally through it all. Thank you!!!
I don't know if I have shared we have court nov 5! In less than 2 weeks I will have 7 kids... That is scary.
Colton had his tendon release/ tendon transfer 2 weeks ago. He is a tough kid. He still gets very tired and does have some pain. I love that guy...what a fighter!
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Thursday, October 24, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Today is the day!!
This morning, I woke at 4:45 to a great e-mail from our attorney. We learned that we have gotten an signature from the Minister of Justice and that we have a court date. November 5! In 4 weeks, there will officially be 2 new members of our family. We expect to travel about 4 weeks after court to pick up the boys. So, hopefully they will be here at the beginning of December. God is good! We are so excited that most of our waiting is over.
We are so thankful that God has blessed us. This was not an adventure that I saw coming, but I am so glad that we are on it. I know there will be lots of difficult times once they are home. It will be a huge adjustment for everyone...but an adjustment that is worth making. I know that we were not called to live "easy" lives- simply serving ourselves. I know that God has called us to do so much more. No, we can not save all the orphans, or even make any dent in the huge orphan crisis. But, we can change the lives of two little boys. These little boys will now have a mommy and daddy to love them. Someone to comfort them when they are upset. A family to love them. We can make a difference for them.
Please pray...
1. court goes smoothly
2. We raise funds needed for pick up trip ( about $4700 still needed- Reece's rainbow account needs to be at 14,800)
3. Able to finish up house projects
4. Transition once home goes well for everyone!
Colton is having surgery on Wednesday. He is good with everything and knows it will help. He is having a tendon release and tendon transfer. We expect him to be having a bone lengthening surgery also within next few months.
We have gotten a lot done on our house. All the kids are in the correct rooms with the right furniture. We were able to get closet systems installed and eliminate most of the dressers- this will help adding room to shared bedrooms. This weekend a wall needs to come down- should be fun!
Sweet Aubryn and I spent a little while watching videos of the boys. This is something I have only allowed myself to do a few times...but it was wonderful getting to see them. Little girl is excited about them, she talks about them constantly, but she is getting nervous too. She gets very upset when talking about me going to get them. Today we bought a few little things for them (toothbrushes, cups) and she was not happy that they were not for her.
We are so thankful that God has blessed us. This was not an adventure that I saw coming, but I am so glad that we are on it. I know there will be lots of difficult times once they are home. It will be a huge adjustment for everyone...but an adjustment that is worth making. I know that we were not called to live "easy" lives- simply serving ourselves. I know that God has called us to do so much more. No, we can not save all the orphans, or even make any dent in the huge orphan crisis. But, we can change the lives of two little boys. These little boys will now have a mommy and daddy to love them. Someone to comfort them when they are upset. A family to love them. We can make a difference for them.
Please pray...
1. court goes smoothly
2. We raise funds needed for pick up trip ( about $4700 still needed- Reece's rainbow account needs to be at 14,800)
3. Able to finish up house projects
4. Transition once home goes well for everyone!
Colton is having surgery on Wednesday. He is good with everything and knows it will help. He is having a tendon release and tendon transfer. We expect him to be having a bone lengthening surgery also within next few months.
We have gotten a lot done on our house. All the kids are in the correct rooms with the right furniture. We were able to get closet systems installed and eliminate most of the dressers- this will help adding room to shared bedrooms. This weekend a wall needs to come down- should be fun!
Sweet Aubryn and I spent a little while watching videos of the boys. This is something I have only allowed myself to do a few times...but it was wonderful getting to see them. Little girl is excited about them, she talks about them constantly, but she is getting nervous too. She gets very upset when talking about me going to get them. Today we bought a few little things for them (toothbrushes, cups) and she was not happy that they were not for her.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Getting things ready
For months, we have been trying to renovate our house and add on. We have been through three different builders, to architects...somehow we have not been able to get a firm price and a contract. Last week we decided that adding on is no longer a possibility timewise( plus interest rates have gone up). So this past weekend we started the total home reconfigure. I would love to have the whole process done in about a month.
Troy's office is in a room off the garage...it was a dump. He had moved things in quick, put ugly rugs over concrete floors and had stacks of junk. He had temporarily moved inside when we thought we were close to remodeling. Last weekend w painted, laid new flooring, spruced up some furniture issues and moved him back outside.
The next step was moving gameroom furniture to family room and converting gameroom to playroom. This is mostly complete.
Our next step is bedrooms. We have three bedrooms that have to be moved in order to make everything work. I am trying to get rid of as much bedroom furniture as possible (dressers), so we need to find the best system for closet organization.
Today we celebrated Payton's 11th birthday. She is getting big. We had grandparents and cousins over for cake and ice cream. This is a picture of her and Caitlin from our Montana trip in June.
As far as our adoption process goes, things are finally starting to move in our boys country. Three families from our agency got signatures from the moj last week. That is the step we are waiting on, then we will have court and then gotcha! We are actually next in line for signature...pray it comes quickly.
Adoption costs update...
We have paid everything up through last trip. We are estimating that we need 6000 for pickup trip (we currently have 300 for it). We still need to raise about 5700. We are planning a big garage sale in a few weeks. If you would like to donate to our Reece's rainbow account, it is tax deductible. We need amour total amount in that account to b 14900 to be fully funded.
Troy's office is in a room off the garage...it was a dump. He had moved things in quick, put ugly rugs over concrete floors and had stacks of junk. He had temporarily moved inside when we thought we were close to remodeling. Last weekend w painted, laid new flooring, spruced up some furniture issues and moved him back outside.
The next step was moving gameroom furniture to family room and converting gameroom to playroom. This is mostly complete.
Our next step is bedrooms. We have three bedrooms that have to be moved in order to make everything work. I am trying to get rid of as much bedroom furniture as possible (dressers), so we need to find the best system for closet organization.
Today we celebrated Payton's 11th birthday. She is getting big. We had grandparents and cousins over for cake and ice cream. This is a picture of her and Caitlin from our Montana trip in June.
As far as our adoption process goes, things are finally starting to move in our boys country. Three families from our agency got signatures from the moj last week. That is the step we are waiting on, then we will have court and then gotcha! We are actually next in line for signature...pray it comes quickly.
Adoption costs update...
We have paid everything up through last trip. We are estimating that we need 6000 for pickup trip (we currently have 300 for it). We still need to raise about 5700. We are planning a big garage sale in a few weeks. If you would like to donate to our Reece's rainbow account, it is tax deductible. We need amour total amount in that account to b 14900 to be fully funded.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Oops...I can't count
I just realized it has only been 3 month...but it has felt like 4.
I did hear that we should expect a signature from the minister of justice this week or next. I'm not going to hold my breath, but progress would be great.
I did hear that we should expect a signature from the minister of justice this week or next. I'm not going to hold my breath, but progress would be great.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
4 months since we left them
Today was 4 months since I got home from our boy's country. I thought we would have them home by now. It was so hard to leave them. It doesn't get easier. Some days are just so busy that they go by quicker, but when we stop and think about them...it is very hard. I really can't even watch the videos we have of them, I just miss those little guys.
All this waiting has made us question everything. We have made some choices that I am not happy about (children's school). Satan has attacked Troy and I in many ways. It would be really easy to let him win and not go back for them. But we know that God called us to bring Stephen and Brayden into our family as chosen sons.
Please pray that we get a signature and court date from the minister of justice soon. Pray that Troy and I are able to make good decisions and are able to listen to God instead of the world. Pray that we are able to raise money for the rest of our adoption ( We are down to having to pay for our gotcha trip-It will cost about 6000-depending on airfare).
All this waiting has made us question everything. We have made some choices that I am not happy about (children's school). Satan has attacked Troy and I in many ways. It would be really easy to let him win and not go back for them. But we know that God called us to bring Stephen and Brayden into our family as chosen sons.
Please pray that we get a signature and court date from the minister of justice soon. Pray that Troy and I are able to make good decisions and are able to listen to God instead of the world. Pray that we are able to raise money for the rest of our adoption ( We are down to having to pay for our gotcha trip-It will cost about 6000-depending on airfare).
Monday, July 22, 2013
Colton's orthopedic surgeon appt.
We had an appt. today with the orthopedic surgeon I met on flight for Trip #1. It went well...he will see Colton and has a plan-lengthening a tendon and transplanting another to help his leg and foot.
Following our tradition, each appointment leads to a few more...he being sent to a dr. at mayo clinic (Yes, in Minnesota) who is a neurosurgeon and has had some great results. I have spent this afternoon getting results sent to different doctors. I would love to make this trip before school starts!
It would be great if Colton could have these surgeries soon.
Following our tradition, each appointment leads to a few more...he being sent to a dr. at mayo clinic (Yes, in Minnesota) who is a neurosurgeon and has had some great results. I have spent this afternoon getting results sent to different doctors. I would love to make this trip before school starts!
It would be great if Colton could have these surgeries soon.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Planes, trains, and automobiles....Blackmon style
About two years ago, we purchased a week at a house in Montana, with two other families, from our schools auction. We were able to get our whole family ( all 7 of us! ) free flights with Troys miles, but these free flights are never exactly convenient or direct paths.
Day one, we leave from Houston to Shreveport, then on to Denver...with final destination of Jackson hole Wyoming. We got to Shreveport and on to Denver fine. Our flight in Denver was delayed, which was great because it meant we got dinner. Then it was delayed a little more, then a little more. At 11:00, it was canceled. We had 5 kids in the airport until 1:30 that morning while united figured out what they were going to do with us. We were sent to a hotel for two nights, because they could not get all 7 of us there any sooner( Jackson hole isn't the biggest airport...not many flight)
On Friday, we woke up and decided to make the most of out time there. We visited a candy factory and drove up mount Evans. The kids enjoyed throwing snowballs at each other. That night we had intended to get everybody to sleep early for an early flight. At 10:00, we got a call from our driver that he would not be picking us up. Troy spent the next hours finding us new transportation( our hotel was about 45 minutes from airport). We woke up early the next morning, and headed to Jackson hole.
Our time at the house was amazing. It was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed rafting( Caitlin's favorite part.. She fell out!) horseback riding and hanging out with great friends. The kids were all wonderful! Colton caught his first trout in the Yellowstone river. We were able to see Louis and Clark caverns and enjoy lots of good fooOn Friday morning, we left Montana and headed to Yellowstone park. The weather was bad, we got hailed on several times...it makes great stories for our kids. We got to see lots of buffalo, elk, possibly a grizzly. We saw waterfalls and geysers. Kids had a blast. The cabins here were not quite as fancy as our previous accommodations, but it was all good.
A funny story from Friday night. Our family was in our cabin, we had brought Colton's sleeping bag because the cabin was small. Last December, Colton had lost his very special blankie....the one he had for his whole life and deeply loved. We had looked everywhere, but could not find that blanket. Anyway, when everyone was getting in bed, Colton starts SCREAMING! Blankie was in his sleeping bag. You should have seen the happy dance that boy did.
Saturday night, we drove to Teton village, Wyoming and stayed at a neat hotel. We had a fabulous dinner and headed to bed.
Sunday was another adventure in blackmon traveling. Our flight was scheduled to go through San Francisco. We sat on the runway for about an hour before taking off. When we landed, we got a great view of the wreckage from asiana air flight from the day before. Thankfully, we did not miss our flight, but had no time to get food. Our next flight was 3hrs 55 min, so they should serve something. Right..wrong. Our flight also had to stop in Albuquerque to refuel (problem with runways from wreck day before) so, we landed in Houston at around 6:00 hungry and with no luggage. While Troy worked out luggage issues, I went and got car. We stopped for pizza on way home and came home to our nice clean house, with no electricity! Don't you wish you could travel with us?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Day one, we leave from Houston to Shreveport, then on to Denver...with final destination of Jackson hole Wyoming. We got to Shreveport and on to Denver fine. Our flight in Denver was delayed, which was great because it meant we got dinner. Then it was delayed a little more, then a little more. At 11:00, it was canceled. We had 5 kids in the airport until 1:30 that morning while united figured out what they were going to do with us. We were sent to a hotel for two nights, because they could not get all 7 of us there any sooner( Jackson hole isn't the biggest airport...not many flight)
On Friday, we woke up and decided to make the most of out time there. We visited a candy factory and drove up mount Evans. The kids enjoyed throwing snowballs at each other. That night we had intended to get everybody to sleep early for an early flight. At 10:00, we got a call from our driver that he would not be picking us up. Troy spent the next hours finding us new transportation( our hotel was about 45 minutes from airport). We woke up early the next morning, and headed to Jackson hole.
Our time at the house was amazing. It was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed rafting( Caitlin's favorite part.. She fell out!) horseback riding and hanging out with great friends. The kids were all wonderful! Colton caught his first trout in the Yellowstone river. We were able to see Louis and Clark caverns and enjoy lots of good fooOn Friday morning, we left Montana and headed to Yellowstone park. The weather was bad, we got hailed on several times...it makes great stories for our kids. We got to see lots of buffalo, elk, possibly a grizzly. We saw waterfalls and geysers. Kids had a blast. The cabins here were not quite as fancy as our previous accommodations, but it was all good.
A funny story from Friday night. Our family was in our cabin, we had brought Colton's sleeping bag because the cabin was small. Last December, Colton had lost his very special blankie....the one he had for his whole life and deeply loved. We had looked everywhere, but could not find that blanket. Anyway, when everyone was getting in bed, Colton starts SCREAMING! Blankie was in his sleeping bag. You should have seen the happy dance that boy did.
Saturday night, we drove to Teton village, Wyoming and stayed at a neat hotel. We had a fabulous dinner and headed to bed.
Sunday was another adventure in blackmon traveling. Our flight was scheduled to go through San Francisco. We sat on the runway for about an hour before taking off. When we landed, we got a great view of the wreckage from asiana air flight from the day before. Thankfully, we did not miss our flight, but had no time to get food. Our next flight was 3hrs 55 min, so they should serve something. Right..wrong. Our flight also had to stop in Albuquerque to refuel (problem with runways from wreck day before) so, we landed in Houston at around 6:00 hungry and with no luggage. While Troy worked out luggage issues, I went and got car. We stopped for pizza on way home and came home to our nice clean house, with no electricity! Don't you wish you could travel with us?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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