My husband and I had been married 2 years when I found out I was pregnant for the first time. I wasn't thrilled. I was 20 years old (getting ready to turn 21). We lived in a one bedroom apartment. I got morning sickness really early on and it was bad. I lost almost 10 pounds in 4 weeks.
After we got over the initial shock, we started to get excited. We told everyone right away. My grandma and my mom bought some little clothes for the baby. My MIL bought a stroller and carseat. It was a time full of hope.
Right before my birthday I had my first OB appt. I was 11 weeks pregnant. I had a little tiny pouch (probably because I was so thin and it was my first). I had started feeling better and didn't have as much morning sickness. We were so happy and ready to do this.
We go to the OB and they can't find a heartbeat. They do an ultrasound - there was our baby. But the baby was only measured 9 weeks instead of 11 and had no heartbeat. We were devastated. What a rough time. I wasn't a happy person. I couldn't believe it.
It took me 18 months to get pregnant again. I think that time period was the lowest of my life. I had such a hard time with it all. We then went on to have 5 beautiful kids in 7 years (along with 1 other miscarriage of a twin when I was pregnant with my 6-year-old son). We are now adding another child to our family by adopting Ulysses. I have been so blessed.
But I still think about that child. Today my baby would have been 11 years old. Happy Birthday to my precious first child. I love you and will never forget you.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Small world
Today my sister had a garage sale at her house to help us raise money for our adoption. I met some fantastic people.
One couple were foster parents who had taken care of a boy since he was 17 days old and ended up adopting him. What a great family! Another woman was looking for clothes that she gives to a family who are foster parents.
The other woman I met has a daughter who is visually impaired. Her daughter was born premature and had issues with her eyesight right away. However, her vision had gotten a lot worse in the past year or so. Her daughter now attends the Ohio School for the Blind. It was so nice to talk to her. She had very nice things to say about the school. She gave me her phone number if I had questions. She said she had a lots of information about resources that might help us.
One of the great things so far about this adoption is meeting people who've adopted or have children with visual impairments.
Before I started this process I rarely thought about blind people or people with special needs. I think the world is too focused on "perfect" people and more so on ourselves. We don't look around. We are stuck in our own little worlds. I definitely fit that bill. But I can see changes in myself, my husband my children already. And that is a good thing.
One couple were foster parents who had taken care of a boy since he was 17 days old and ended up adopting him. What a great family! Another woman was looking for clothes that she gives to a family who are foster parents.
The other woman I met has a daughter who is visually impaired. Her daughter was born premature and had issues with her eyesight right away. However, her vision had gotten a lot worse in the past year or so. Her daughter now attends the Ohio School for the Blind. It was so nice to talk to her. She had very nice things to say about the school. She gave me her phone number if I had questions. She said she had a lots of information about resources that might help us.
One of the great things so far about this adoption is meeting people who've adopted or have children with visual impairments.
Before I started this process I rarely thought about blind people or people with special needs. I think the world is too focused on "perfect" people and more so on ourselves. We don't look around. We are stuck in our own little worlds. I definitely fit that bill. But I can see changes in myself, my husband my children already. And that is a good thing.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Patience
I try to be a patient person, I really do. I've had tons of people tell me how they can't believe how patient I am (so funny). However, I fail miserably. I am definitely failing miserably right now. I'm feeling very antsy this week. Really, really hoping that we hear travel dates some time next week (the sooner in the week the better!)
Slightly frustrated. People had been travelling 5-6 weeks after being submitted. There were holidays in Ulysses' country the past 2 weeks. So things were delayed. We knew that would be the case. However, we really thought we'd leave the first week of June. Another family who submitted the same time as us got their dates today and aren't travelling until June 12. Blah! I don't want to wait any longer.
I just want to get over there and get him home. I know once we get home that reality is going to set in. It will be back to sleepless nights, times of feeling helpless and not knowing how to help him. Most likely I'm going to feel like a failure as a mother at times. My patience will be tested once again.
But honestly the waiting is so hard.
Slightly frustrated. People had been travelling 5-6 weeks after being submitted. There were holidays in Ulysses' country the past 2 weeks. So things were delayed. We knew that would be the case. However, we really thought we'd leave the first week of June. Another family who submitted the same time as us got their dates today and aren't travelling until June 12. Blah! I don't want to wait any longer.
I just want to get over there and get him home. I know once we get home that reality is going to set in. It will be back to sleepless nights, times of feeling helpless and not knowing how to help him. Most likely I'm going to feel like a failure as a mother at times. My patience will be tested once again.
But honestly the waiting is so hard.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Adoption Costs
Here is a breakdown of adoption costs - We originally planned for $25,000 as a total.
Home study - $1400
Large family fee - $300
Adoption training - $149
Physicals - $70
Water testing - $20
Fingerprints - $102
Promise trust - $1000
Voice of Hope Fund - $275
Passports - $290 (passports, clerk of courts fee and pics for passports)
County certify documents - $60
Apostille documents - $225
Initial paperwork translation fees - $560
USCIS - $890
shipping documents - $120
Approx - $5420 paid so far
______________________________________________________
Travel expenses
Airfare - up in the air - we budgeted $3200 total
Country program expenses - $8500
Visa application - $300
Food and lodging - approx $150 a day x 30 days = $4500
Child's medical - $200
Child's passport - $250-$800 depending on region
Waiver fee - $1000
Emergency money - $1000
Money needed for travel - Approx $19200
___________________________________________________________
Money raised
Garage sale - $900
Pampered chef party - $178
Applebee's dining to donate - $80
Forty to Forever - $800
Online auction - $357
Donations made by family, friends, strangers - $2700
Total $ raised - $5015 (thank you, thank you, thank you)
With the $ from the items we've sold, the money we've saved, tax returns, etc. we are close to being fully funded. We are within a couple thousand dollars. One of our concerns at this point is the airfare (and us paying our bills while we are gone - I haven't exactly figured that out yet either). The airfare could be quite a bit more than $3200. A few families will be leaving in the middle of May. They are going to let us know what their tickets cost. Then we will know if we are good to go or if we need more money.
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped make this possible for us!!!!!!
Home study - $1400
Large family fee - $300
Adoption training - $149
Physicals - $70
Water testing - $20
Fingerprints - $102
Promise trust - $1000
Voice of Hope Fund - $275
Passports - $290 (passports, clerk of courts fee and pics for passports)
County certify documents - $60
Apostille documents - $225
Initial paperwork translation fees - $560
USCIS - $890
shipping documents - $120
Approx - $5420 paid so far
______________________________________________________
Travel expenses
Airfare - up in the air - we budgeted $3200 total
Country program expenses - $8500
Visa application - $300
Food and lodging - approx $150 a day x 30 days = $4500
Child's medical - $200
Child's passport - $250-$800 depending on region
Waiver fee - $1000
Emergency money - $1000
Money needed for travel - Approx $19200
___________________________________________________________
Money raised
Garage sale - $900
Pampered chef party - $178
Applebee's dining to donate - $80
Forty to Forever - $800
Online auction - $357
Donations made by family, friends, strangers - $2700
Total $ raised - $5015 (thank you, thank you, thank you)
With the $ from the items we've sold, the money we've saved, tax returns, etc. we are close to being fully funded. We are within a couple thousand dollars. One of our concerns at this point is the airfare (and us paying our bills while we are gone - I haven't exactly figured that out yet either). The airfare could be quite a bit more than $3200. A few families will be leaving in the middle of May. They are going to let us know what their tickets cost. Then we will know if we are good to go or if we need more money.
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped make this possible for us!!!!!!
Friday, May 3, 2013
6 months
I can't believe that it has been 6 months since I found Ulysses on Reece's Rainbow. What a crazy ride these past 6 months have been, and the real adventure hasn't begun.
Even though I am having a really hard time thinking about leaving my children, I am so excited to meet him. I can't wait. More than anything I want to pick him up and snuggle with him. I want to tell him that we're his mom and dad and tell him all about his brothers and sisters. I want to hold his little hands, dance with him, sing him songs.
Ulysses may not be open to any of these things at first. I have no idea how he's going to react to love, attention, etc. He is going to be so overwhelmed. We may have to take it really slow. Everything we do is going to have to be based on his reaction.
I am excited to have another child to love. I want Ulysses to feel loved, safe, secure, worthwhile, important, etc. Every child deserves that. Can't wait - hopefully we'll be meeting him in about 5 weeks!!!!!!
Even though I am having a really hard time thinking about leaving my children, I am so excited to meet him. I can't wait. More than anything I want to pick him up and snuggle with him. I want to tell him that we're his mom and dad and tell him all about his brothers and sisters. I want to hold his little hands, dance with him, sing him songs.
Ulysses may not be open to any of these things at first. I have no idea how he's going to react to love, attention, etc. He is going to be so overwhelmed. We may have to take it really slow. Everything we do is going to have to be based on his reaction.
I am excited to have another child to love. I want Ulysses to feel loved, safe, secure, worthwhile, important, etc. Every child deserves that. Can't wait - hopefully we'll be meeting him in about 5 weeks!!!!!!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
5K run
It was a beautiful day. Perfect weather for running. All 4 of my sisters ran with me. Two stayed with me the whole time and the other 2 stayed together during the run. My sister Renee kept Tara and I motivated. Tara has run a few 5Ks before and was in track in high school but hadn't run for months. She stayed right with us though. I got to set the pace. If Renee had set the pace we probably would have won for our age groups - she is that fast!!! It was fun. Definitely adrenaline rush at first. Wanted to go fast but tried not to push too hard at first. Made it the whole way without walking. Slowed down a little once when I got a stomach cramp but pushed through and kept on going.
My goal was 30 minutes. I made it in 30 minutes 26 seconds - so close. Honestly, I was disappointed in myself. I know I could have done it. They didn't have the miles marked. We had to run on uneven sidewalks for about 1.5 miles of it. But those are excuses. I should have just pushed a little harder. Oh well, 3 months ago I probably couldn't have made it a mile. My mile time was 9:50 which is just under 10 which is where I wanted to be.
Hoping to do another 5K either this fall or next spring. My husband said he'll run and my oldest 2 girls are trying to talk their grandpa into running with them. My 7yo and 9yo daughters can run as fast as me in short distances. If I don't watch it they might even beat me in our backyard races this summer!!!! I can't believe how quick they both are already. (either that or I'm just getting old).
My little sisters Shawna (she's the youngest) and Sherisa made shirts for us to wear. They were cute. Great time overall. Very glad I did it.
Everyone asked about running in the Balloon 5K which is around July 4 every year. Unfortunately, I'll probably be gone during that time. Might make it home by then, but it's hard to say. Hoping next year Liam will be with us to cheer his Mommy and family on!
My goal was 30 minutes. I made it in 30 minutes 26 seconds - so close. Honestly, I was disappointed in myself. I know I could have done it. They didn't have the miles marked. We had to run on uneven sidewalks for about 1.5 miles of it. But those are excuses. I should have just pushed a little harder. Oh well, 3 months ago I probably couldn't have made it a mile. My mile time was 9:50 which is just under 10 which is where I wanted to be.
Hoping to do another 5K either this fall or next spring. My husband said he'll run and my oldest 2 girls are trying to talk their grandpa into running with them. My 7yo and 9yo daughters can run as fast as me in short distances. If I don't watch it they might even beat me in our backyard races this summer!!!! I can't believe how quick they both are already. (either that or I'm just getting old).
My little sisters Shawna (she's the youngest) and Sherisa made shirts for us to wear. They were cute. Great time overall. Very glad I did it.
Everyone asked about running in the Balloon 5K which is around July 4 every year. Unfortunately, I'll probably be gone during that time. Might make it home by then, but it's hard to say. Hoping next year Liam will be with us to cheer his Mommy and family on!
Friday, April 26, 2013
airfare
Tomorrow is my first 5K. Not as excited as I should be. I have a terrible headache today. I went back to the chiropractor today. Feeling a little better. Hopefully, I'll be good to go for tomorow. I'll definitely share with everyone how I did (unless I do terribly and then I'll just ignore any questions about my race!!!)
It looks like we'll be travelling in early June. We were so hoping for May, but Ulysses' country has holidays the first two weeks of May. So everything got pushed back. We have one more month to get ready which is nice. Hoping to hear when we'll be leaving some time in the middle of May. I'll definitely let you all know as soon as we hear!
I guess we may need to do another fundraiser or find something else to sell. Airfare is definitely more than we expected. Tickets are about $1800 each right now. We're going to keep watching them, but this is definitely not what we planned on at all.
Hoping to get a breakdown on here for everyone to see. I guess people want to know how much $ we have and how much more we need, where the money came from, where it goes, etc. I'll try to get that done soon. I'll add it to my never ending, always growing to-do list.
It looks like we'll be travelling in early June. We were so hoping for May, but Ulysses' country has holidays the first two weeks of May. So everything got pushed back. We have one more month to get ready which is nice. Hoping to hear when we'll be leaving some time in the middle of May. I'll definitely let you all know as soon as we hear!
I guess we may need to do another fundraiser or find something else to sell. Airfare is definitely more than we expected. Tickets are about $1800 each right now. We're going to keep watching them, but this is definitely not what we planned on at all.
Hoping to get a breakdown on here for everyone to see. I guess people want to know how much $ we have and how much more we need, where the money came from, where it goes, etc. I'll try to get that done soon. I'll add it to my never ending, always growing to-do list.
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