My heart

Yesterday I felt led to inquire about adoption.  I mean actually taking a step to maybe see if I could do it.  I found out that there is a country that might work with me and my husband.  There is one child listed in that country.  I looked and this is what I saw.

Girl, Born on February 5, 2005 
This little girl has dark green eyes and dark brown hair.   She is walking and a  delightful girl.  She also has FAS.   She is considered relatively low  functioning, and will need a loving family who can give her all the love and  attention she has been missing!
- Single moms, older parents, and large families welcome
- The first trip is about 2 weeks, 2^nd trip is 3-4 days, the last trip is 5-7 days
- Both parents for 2 weeks for bonding time
- One parent returns for 5 days to complete Embassy paperwork
- Total cost, including travel approx $22,000
- Stay in a furnished apartment or house with your new child for bonding
- Multiple unrelated children be be adopted.

$146.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption! 

Now let me tell you I love many, many children.  There are many children I would love to take home.  But under my qualifications I never got my hopes up.  It was out of reach in the other countries. But this one may be possible.  A may be possible was so much better than an impossible.   I wouldn't even put her picture on facebook so no one would "take" her before I talked to my husband.  So I jumped the gun and got my heart hurt.  You see I thought God was telling me that's your daughter!  But I either heard wrong or my husband didn't get the same memo.  You know he's right.  We cannot afford to adopt even if we didn't have the adoption red tape as a issue.  Needless to say I went to bed last night with a heavy heart.  I expressed my disappointment in my group of Christmas Warriors, posted her picture and went to sleep.

I woke up at 2:30 in the morning thinking of Brigita.  I couldn't stop thinking of her.  I loved her so much already.  I argued with myself for not shielding my heart better and asking God what was he trying to tell me!  I then decided that as much as I loved her I had to let her go.  Its not like I ever had her but in my heart I knew I needed to let her go.  So I made a choice to fight for her and to find her a family.  I loved her with a mother's love and needed her to be safe and protected.  Shes almost 7! I went back to bed and woke up to a message on face book from a fellow AT warrior.  She told me she wanted to adopt her at one time as did 2 others.  For some reason none of us could but have been brought together for a reason..."Nothing happens by accident." I believe we were brought together to save our "daughter." As silly as it seems, we all loved her with that mother's love.  I'm not upset about it, Im comforted.  And all I want to do is find her family.  

So if any of you have considered adopting an older child may I suggest this one? I will fund raise to the best of my ability,  as I'm sure the others will too.  Give Brigita another look and see if you are the mommy (or daddy) that will take her home.  Please.

John 14:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Teamwork Tuesday-Cora Lynne

Cora Lynne needs a family.  She has an awesome warrior, who dreams about her finding a family.  There are many people who will help fundraise for this little girl.  Please share!!!

Date of Birth: May 2006
Gender: Female
Nature: Calm
Cora Lynne is already 5 1/2 and facing the institution.  She looks like such a baby, but she should be in kindergarten, not a mental institution!    Cora Lynne is a beautiful, active girl with blonde/strawberry hair.   She has much to live for, and much joy to bring to a forever family of her own. 
Single moms, larger families and Canadians welcome!   More photos available.

$3993.20 Is available for her adoption! 

Xander

This Is Xander. 26HA

Isn't he adorable? He has an awesome warrior and has a fairly large grant.  But adoption is expensive.  If you can donate even a dollar to him at www.reecesrainbow.com. that would be great.  But better yet, please share him with your family and friends.  You never know who may want to adopt.  Xander's life can depend on it. Thank you for your time.

zbs0-26HA
Boy, born June 2009
Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Character: calm
Down syndrome

Update Oct 2011:
The child can sit unassisted, he pulls himself up to standing position while holding on. He is always in good mood but not very active. He explores the environment with his eyes. He takes a toy given to him and holds it for a while. Vocalizes.

More photos available.

$5256.18 is available towards the cost of my adoption, including $5251.18 from Angel Tree donations!

More Important than raising money

When I child is 4 and 5 years old they should be starting pre-school.  Just starting their lives.  They should have a family...a mommy and a daddy to love them.  But for many children with down syndrome in other countries they are starting something....an institution.  Its not fair.  I read about the internats in a book. " The boy from baby house 10."Even though its a little different. There are two children who are weighing heavily on my heart right now.  I can't adopt...so I need YOU to.  Please save these children!

  

Langley
Birthdate: October 2007
Gender: Male
Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet
From one of our adoptive families who met him in December 2011: " I saw him today. After days of scanning faces, I walked into Bella's groupa and SAW HIM!! He is a doll. He is so cute! He looks healthy and is walking. I had a banana for Bella (which they wouldn't let me give it to her) and he took it. He bit right through the peeling. If they would have let me, I would have given it to him. Oh sweet boy…you need a mama!!!"
Friendly, emotional, affectionate boy.   Active, social, friendly.  Easy going.  Eats well independently.  Plays well with toys and likes to help others.
More photos available, single moms welcome.

$1650.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption, including $550.00 from Angel Tree donations! 

 

And Celine...

 

Date of Birth: October 2005
Gender: Female
Eyes: Blue
Hair: light brown
Character: sociable. Calm FACING IMMINENT INSTITUTIONALIZATION!(She has been transferred)
So happy to have updated pics and medical information about Celine!  She is a pretty little girl who is blessed to still be at the baby house.   She is facing transfer soon.   Celine has blonde hair and bright blue eyes.     She is quite self-sufficient and independent physically.  She very much enjoys the attention of adults, and likes to read books and engage.
From her medical records:  Down syndrome, moderate mental deficiency; hypertrophy of tonsils of the II-III degree; farsightedness; adenoids the II-III degree; allergic dermatitis; hypostatura.  Celine also has flat feet and congenital chord anomaly.
Celine will do very well in a family setting.  Lots more photos available, along with FULL MEDICAL RECORDS. 

$7512.83 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

 

Teamwork Tuesday For Colton

Being a Christmas Warrior with Reece's Rainbow has changed me.  Just as every aspect of being involved with Reece's Rainbow.  I have become very attached to my AT Child Colton.  I don't know his special needs.  Its not published.  I have no other pictures.  All I know is this 20 month old baby was born in the same month I got married.  Ironic ???  He is a baby.  He needs a mommy and a daddy...a family.  My heart aches because I wish it was me.  Not just him but so many families needs homes.  My goal right now is to continue advocating and raising funds to find his family.  For a brief time I wanted to stop.  To stop becoming attached.  This is not my child and I already ache for him to be home with a family.  All the problems involved with adoption and esp.  the situation in the country with the priest, made me want to shield my heart from more pain.  My heart still aches for the one that lost his family and most of all that the family lost HIM but he is taken care of.  I can't give up on Colton.  He is still adoptable.  International adoption is taking a leap of faith.  No one said its easy.  Does God want things to be easy???  I think things are worth more if they were fought for.  So today I am saying, I'm continuing to find this baby a family. 

On a happy note, I raised $152 yesterday for Colton gift wrapping at Barnes and Nobles.  The most important thing was the word of this sweet baby AND Reece's Rainbow is out.  Some people were even as helpful as to tell me of certain programs that help Non-Profit charities.  Today I will be gift wrapping again.  I will fight for Colton even though I still think of "T."  I pray for the hurt to go away...for me but most of all for his family who fought for him for over 7 months.  I can only do what I can but today I choose to save an orphan...1 child at a time.

My heart is breaking!

So there's a lot a want to say and a lot I can't say.  All I can say is my heart is broken for a child and that child's family....I have been crying and I feel so helpless.  I have been advocating and sharing and loving lots of children and I just can't say anymore.  Those of you who know what I'm talking about please PRAY TO GOD to help this situation and those of you who think I'm insane you pray too. 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

Secret Santa Auction

Hello! I have decided to do another auction.  I know before you moan and groan about it just remember there are orphans benefiting.  This time I'm not raising funds for Colton (even though he is still $425 short from his gaol.  I am doing a Secret Santa Auction.  I will do the auction for another child.  I am leaving the who a surprise.  The Christmas warrior of this child doesn't even know.  This child captured my heart (as many of them do).  Right now I have three auction items and I will start with that.  I figured with all the help I have gotten I need to help others too.  I want to help.  So stay tuned for the start of the auction and please let me know if you want to donate.

My heart hurts-International adoption

Is it even fair?  Is it fair we have to put a price on children?  These children with down syndrome and other special needs are special children.  Many of us love them because they are just that.  Most importantly they are children of God.  God....I love God but it makes me sad that God cannot shield our hearts from hurt.  I know I am talking in circles but what I'm trying to say is its heart breaking all the rules and  most importantly the cost to adopt a child.  I want to adopt but am not there yet.  Will I ever be?  Only God knows.  All I can do is fight and try to raise the ransom for my friends who ARE adopting.  Who, ARE qualified to adopt.  Yesterday I learned that a child a friend was pursuing is being pursued by another family.  Who are very close to committing.  To some that may seem like to big deal but it is.  This person has been praying, fighting to raise funds and most of all loving this child.  I cannot even imagine the pain and heart ache.  Today she said to me "I lost my baby * all because I didn't have the money." I'm asking for prayers for this friend I will not name.  I'm also asking for friends for the child she intended on adopting.  I know God has a plan but as we all know God's plan is not always easy to see.  I'm hoping God chose this other family so this child can get home faster and the child's health be taken care of faster.  So my heart is heavy today and all prayers are appreciated.

Carter

Shout out for Carter.  This is Carter.  He needs a family.  He has $510 available in his grant.  He also has lots of warriors who will help you to raise money.  Are you his mother? 

Colton's online Auction (SUCCESS)

Colton's online Auction was a great success.  More than $220 was raised during this auction.  I cannot express my thanks to all the people who donated items for my auction.  Colton is now over the halfway mark.  I feel like it just may be possible.  The best think, though, is all the friends I met along the way who love helping children and adoption just like me. 

Colton's Online Christmas Auction is Open

I worked really hard to get Colton's Online Auction up and running.  It is on my face book page under "Colton's Online Christmas Auction."  I am so excited.  People are already bidding! I really hope I can bring in a good amount of money for Colton.

Go to my facebook page and click on Colton's Christmas Auction under my pictures.

One more thing.  Please pray Colton finds a family!

Gift Wrapping for a Cause

One of the fundraisers I did for Colton was a gift wrapping one.  I has lots of helpers the first day which was November 26th and a few on 27th. Basically Barnes and Nobles let us sit in their store and wrap presents with donations going to Colton (and Cora Lynne).  Barnes and Nobles provided everything but the best thing was we were allowed to pass out fliers and tell people about the Angel Tree Fundraiser and Reece's Rainbow.  (I wore my shirt from the buddy walk that says "Ask me how to adopt a child with down syndrome."  It wasn't overly successful but every bit helps.  On Sunday I was alone most of the day.  It was a little boring but I felt like I could give up any amount of time to help this little boy.  More than anything I would love his family to find him!

There are three more gift wrapping days...who knows maybe something incredible will happen. 

The other gift wrapping days are:  Monday, December 5, 230pm to 10pm.  Wednsday, December 7, 9am to 5pm and Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, 9am-noon.  The location is 3561 N.Freeway Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95834.  It's in Natomas California.  I would love some people to help if able. 

Colton's Christmas Auction is Coming Soon

I am so excited! I have almost finished getting items together for Colton's Christmas Auction.  The most exciting things is I have some really awesome things for auction!  I am so blessed to have help from people I do not even know.  I want to raise money for Colton more than anything.  But the more I keep advocating and raising money the more I want him!  I wish, I wish!  Please stay tuned for the auction.  My hope is to have it going on Monday but we will see.  Thank you all for your support!