Homeward Bound

Wow! Hard to believe we are headed home with two boys after 13 months of paperwork and imagining what they would be like.

These two weeks have been great, and they have been hard. I did blog, but they were lost. I will go back when we get home and add pictures. Stephen is a great kid, he is smart but nonverbal. He is probably on a 3 yr old level. He will accomplish a lot.

Brayden's medical issues are really a lot more than I expected. In addition to orthopedic issues I believe he has a lot of neuro issues that need taken care of quickly. He is a funny little guy and I think he likes having a mom. He is also nonverbal right now.

Both boys have their moments, but are well behaved. Both have some institutional behaviors we will have to work through. Brayden doesn't know how to play with toys. I have gotten weird looks from people on this trip for letting him play with bowls and plastic cups. I just wish I had the nerve to tell these people that he has only been out of the orphanage for 10 days and no one has ever shown him how to play. I hope he will learn to e a child soon and enjoy his new life.

I am nervous going home. I am nervous about how all the people who are part of our world will react to these boys. I know at home there will be a transition, which I pray goes smoothly. Change is always hard, even when it is for good.

Leading up to this trip, we had been very nervous about the ride home. On our first trip, Stephen was pretty busy and we had dreaded the plane. During our time in Bulgaria with the boys, they were pretty well behaved , so we were not as worried. Kids have been screaming throughout this 12 hour flight, but I am happy to say it hasn't been our kids! As soon as the plane lands, they will be the two newest American citizens!

The beginning...

Gotcha Day is Here!

We started this process a little over a year ago and the day is finally here. In three short hours, we will pick up Brayden and then drive 4 hours to pick up Stephen and life as we've known it will be changed. I wish we could say that we have been heroic (for lack of a better term at 6AM) thru this process and rock solid but this is not as easy on us as it may appear. We have been thru the fire over the last 6 months since our trip to meet the boys in May. While we knew this was God calling us to action, we had it confirmed by the work of Satan himself. What do I mean by this? As long as we are too busy and too distracted to do the work of building The Kingdom, then he has us right where he wants us...we are no threat to him. But when it comes to the possibility of adding souls to eternal life that otherwise weren't headed that direction, then he goes to work. Our commitment to bringing a better life to these two boys was tested immensely over the last several months. I thank God that over the last several weeks he has given us new energy and strength in this commitment and has brought some relief from the discouragement, testing, etc. that had us ready to throw in the towel. Even this morning, we joked about catching a taxi and sneaking back home. It's not because we don't care for these boys but it is a big commitment. We've known from the beginning of this process that this was God's calling and we have to answer. Still there is a level of anxiety that comes with answering his call but we know he will provide...that is our God...we have not been called to a life of luxury, we must work to build his kingdom until our time is over so we are full of joy and nervous as we reach the moment of no turning back. We are not sure what the future holds but we know our God will provide and he will deliver and we look forward to doing our part as we are called.

So going back to one of our earliest blogs, consider your part in this effort as we will need your help and commitment to raise them.

Something I've thought about a lot during this process lately is how much I've been drawn to care for these two boys over the last year. I really don't know them well but I care for them and want the best for them and their future. Is this a small sample of the love our God had for us that even though we are not of His chosen people (Jews), He has adopted us into his family thru his Son?

Much more to follow but for now it is time for " Gotcha Day"...

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Location:Bulgaria

Nov. 25

We are on the plane headed to Vienna and then will be going to Sofia. I really can't believe it! It was very hard leaving my kids at home. We will not be home until dec. 7. We will be arriving in Sofia around 1:00 tomorrow. We will change money, buy a carseat for Brayden and then head to Montana for the night.

We have been working at this for over a year. In about 30 hours we will be able to carry Brayden out of the orphanage forever! Little Brayden will no longer be an orphan, he will be part of a family that loves him and cares for him. I can't wait to see all that he will learn and who he will grow into. Please pray for this little boy...that he will adjust well, that he will be able to leave his first 3 1/2 years behind and he will know he is loved.

We are not sure what will happen next. Stephen is currently in the hospital with the flu. He will have a test on the 26th to see if he can be discharged. If the test is ok, we will drive to his city after picking up Brayden. Then, we will drive to Sofia and spend the next 10 days there. If he is not discharged, we donor know what will happen. Please pray. There is a possibility we might have to come back for Stephen later.

Please pray for our family at home. We know that we were called by god to parent these two boys, but it will be a hard adjustment for everyone. There is lots of anxiety over change and fear of the unknown. I can remember with each pregnancy being extremely excited over our new baby, but also nervous about change. So, I guess the feelings I am having now are normal. I can't wait to bring these boys home, but I also fear change. I know once it happens, it will be very good.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story. We have so many friends, family and even strangers who have blessed us. We thanks you for your help with our children during travel, for your generosity and especially for your prayers.



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Location:Somewhere between US and Europe

Travel Dates

Last Wednesday ( which was 8 days after court), I woke up to a big surprise.  Travel dates...and they were perfect.   Leaving Nov. 29- and returning Dec. 7.  Home for Thanksgiving, leave on my birthday, and only have to spend one week there.

Thursday I woke up to another surprise...we leave on the 25th and still stay till the 7th.  It will be a long trip.

We are so excited that we are finally bringing our boys home.  This process has been so long, It is exciting to see it finally end and our family start a new chapter!

I have been very busy trying to get ready.  We leave in 3 1/2 days and not much is ready.  I did pack Stephen's bag.  I started packing Brayden's and realized he needs a better coat, I have no socks for him, not sure about shoe size and I left his jammies in room with Colton sleeping...I guess I will finish him up tomorrow.

Yesterday, I found out that Stephen is in the hospital.  I have very few details, please pray that he heals quickly and is out of the hospital in time for GOTCHA day- Nov. 27!

Nov. 5, Our family official grew

I am very tired and we have a physics project that isn't done...but I wanted to share our news.  The Blackmon family officially has two new members.  We got an email from our attorney at 2:22 this morning stating that our adoption was granted.  So, we welcome Stephen Caleb Blackmon and Brayden Joshua Blackmon to our family.  It should be 4-5 weeks before we go get our boys.

Another bit of exciting news...as long as airfare doesn't go up too much and our trip isn't extended, we are funded!!!!  We had a big donation yesterday that should cover the last of our expenses.

Thank you!!!!

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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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.