TheHappyNeills

Wooden Snowmen Decoration

2012-01-27T10:09:00.001-06:00

This was my parents' anniversary gift from all the grandkids right after Christmas that they "helped" with. :)

The only thing small kids can really do is pick out colors, and hand you things to help. :)

I think it turned out really well, if I do say so myself.

Sorry, I'm not big on making tutorials that show every little step--this is me cutting a piece of felt. This is me spray painting wooden balls. This is me hot gluing tiny pom-poms. . . When I start a project I just want to get it done as quickly as I can. And, I hid in my parents basement to work on it, worked at our house, hid in my parents' garage, had Rick do some of it. . . a photo tutorial is just not going to happen. :)

So, I'll just tell you what materials I used and the general steps.

Each snowman is one grandkid. Seven current ones, and 2 more to come soon.

They each have their own color scarf, and each of the kids picked their own "button" colors and helped picked Pearl and Spunky's colors.

On my parents' mantle after the kids presented it to them.
Those are all "my kids" and my brother's "kids". . . that's a lot. :) I'll have to get a bigger board when my little brother has some.

Materials:

*unfinished wood plaque-thingy (Hobby Lobby)
*packages of unfinished wooden balls (Hobby Lobby) in 2 sizes. They have one flat end which worked perfectly for being able to glue it to the plaque, and to glue a hat to the top.
*colored felt (Hobby Lobby)
*stiff black felt for the hat bases (HL)
*tiny pom-poms (HL)
*thick dowel rod (HL)
*spray glitter--clear with silver sparkles (HL)
*black and white spray paint
*black and orange acrylic craft paint
*hot glue gun
*wood glue

Steps:

*Spray paint plaque and wooden balls white. Spray all over with spray-glitter--kind of lightly since you'll add more later. If you spray the wooden balls before it's all assembled, you can get more even coverage.
*Cut dowel rod into 1" pieces or so (that was Rick's job in the garage) and spray paint black.
*Cut stiff black felt into circles.
*Use wood glue to glue wooden balls together. The scarves will cover up excess glue.
*Cut strips of felt, tie around the snowmen, use hot glue dots to hold in place if needed.
*Attach pom-poms with hot glue.
*Hot-glue the hat bases to the dowel pieces. Hot-glue the hats on the snowmen.
*Use the pointy end of a paintbrush to add eyes and mouths with black acrylic paint. Use toothpick to add carrot-nose with orange paint.
*Hot-glue snowmen to plaque-base.
*Spray on more glitter!!!

Christmas Crafts

2012-01-27T09:44:00.000-06:00

Gotta love Hobby Lobby's half-off craft kits sales!

Got 2 of these kits for $5 each. They make a TON of ornaments, and would occupy several hours!

Straight pins, sequins, beads, hard styrofoam balls, strings for hanging.

I left the kits out on the table for over a month and they worked on them periodically.

We have about 6 or 7 completed ornaments, and the fixin's to make a LOT more than that. 30-some.

We will be working on these for a couple years I think. Quite the bargain.

Also bought some foam craft kits that provided a lot of busy-work, too, for the kids.

Making things with their own hands is SO satisfying for kids. . . I need to be more intentional with craft time. Have not put in a lot of effort the last several months.

They are SO happy when they are making something.

Some of Duncan's foam crafts. *love*

He delivered penguins that we glued magnets to to the doctor's office. . . he loved having gifts to give.

they are perfect.

Ugandan Necklaces

2012-01-22T23:44:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine is clearing out all her leftover shirts and necklaces to help us bring the girls home! She has GREAT items for really good prices! Check them out here and her second batch here.

We still have the puzzle fundraiser going on, too!

So blessed to think of all the good friends heading up these efforts and supporting the efforts!

She's Four

2012-01-14T14:56:00.000-06:00

"Spunky" turned 4 years old this week. :)

Thinking nonstop about 2 little sweeties. . . will you pray for their well-being, please?

We hope to hear our court date soon!

A Second (and Final!) Shirt Order

2012-01-11T23:18:00.000-06:00

Here's one last chance to order a Hope shirt to help support the adoption of Pearl and Spunky!

The deadline to order is MONDAY, JANUARY 16!

Ordering info can be found here. Let me know if you have questions about sizing and stuff. Now that we've seen the shirts, we know how the sizes "run" in the different styles!

Also, the puzzle fundraiser is still going on!

No set court date yet, but most likely we've only got a couple/few weeks left stateside!

Thanks, everyone, for all your support that has come in so many forms!

Advent Calender Made in Africa

2012-01-06T08:43:00.000-06:00

I finally found an advent calendar I liked well enough to spend the money on for our family.

I looked for several years and we just never had an advent calendar because there wasn't one special/meaningful enough.

Then I spotted this beauty. . . handmade in Africa. . . supports a good cause. . . the 6-year search was over! :)

Everything is hand-sewn. . . Every piece is hand-carved. . . I can't imagine how many hours went into it! It's so gorgeous--my pics don't do it justice.

I bought this last year in early December at a craft show that had an Amani Ya Juu booth. Similar to many other organizations, women in Africa are making the items and earning income to help themselves and their children. . .

I almost felt guilty for snagging the ONLY advent calendar from that awesome booth. . . because I thought someone with really close ties to Africa should have dibs, but I went ahead and bought it before they even opened (since I was a vendor at the show, too).

I just loved that it was all handmade and that it supports a good cause, and of course I like Africa--who doesn't?

Then. . . just a FEW DAYS later was when we learned about Duncan and it was even more special to have for our family!!!

That made the calendar even more special of course!

Priceless Letter to Duncan

2011-12-22T16:24:00.000-06:00

Solomon, a very special young man in Fort Portal, sent Duncan a letter (through Carol, through another family who was in Fort Portal who mailed it to us when they got back to the US). We just received it today. It is a priceless treasure, and is written on behalf of the entire extended family. Solomon was the oldest of the grandchildren and would've been the head of the household when their grandmother passed away. Carol made sure that there would be one less child-headed household, though. She got him in to a very good boarding school and is in the top 5% of his class! He is an amazing 17 yr old. Since we were in Fort Portal in May, he was home on school break so we had the honor of meeting him. His love and deep concern for Baguma (who he had not seen for a couple years) was evident. If that alone was the reason we were delayed (we really thought we'd be there in April!), then it was soooo worth it. I pray we can see him again when we go back.

I am posting this letter so that you can have a little taste of what the other side of adoption entails in many cases--many people with care and concern for the child that they had to say goodbye to. People who will always remember the child and wonder how they are, hope they are safe and well-cared for. . . It is a misnomer to think that every orphan must have been unwanted. . . discarded. . . unloved. . .

We are extremely blessed to have Carol as a "middle man" to make it possible for them to see updates on Duncan Baguma, and for us to hear updates on them, etc. It is an amazing thing that we will have things like this to show Duncan.

Dear Baguma,

How are you doing? We hope this letter finds you okay. We are happy that you found a new family there and pray that God may lead you in everything you do and protect you always with your family.

We take pleasure to encourage you to know that we also love you so much and that your new family cares and loves you too.

We have not managed to send you photos of our family but hope the next time we write they will be attached to the letter. We shall often think about you and pray that life goes with you well there.

I remain Birungi Solomon, on behalf of the family. Bye.

Friends, First Lights

2011-12-21T19:08:00.001-06:00

He misses them every day.

He asks almost daily to watch the video I made of all his friends.

I always like watching his face when he watches the video. I can't imagine what is going through his mind.

Lately it's apparent he assumes some of them will be here eventually, because life just wouldn't quite make sense if he never saw any of them again.

Imagine your own child joining a new family somewhere far away and being forever separated from everyone they loved and who loved them. No matter how much they were loved and provided for there would be a piece of them that would never quite be. . . complete. . . settled. . .

Even though he doesn't know about our plans, he says things like, "When J here, she get shots, I tell her don't cry," or "M like to tickle Daddy too."

Since he's been here he's said things like that, and done things such as setting a couple potato chips aside and saying "Dis for Bernadi," or "Babachu like dis." (Babachu would like this, too)

I think in his little mind it's as though being forever separated from what once was (or who, rather) would not make sense. And them being here sometime does make sense.

Little sweetie pie.

I know that his 2 friends becoming his sisters is not the ticket to wholeness. There is so much more. And ultimately, it's something only God can do.

But, we are anxious for the day when more can join our family!!

On a not-so-somber note, Duncan is enamored with Christmas lights and has told Rick almost daily, "You put lights on my 'ouse Dad!"

Who could resist that--a 4 yr old experiencing all this for the first time. So, I took him to WalMart, and we found blinking stars. 2 strands at $10 each was enough, and as soon as I put them up he oohed and ahhhed.

Then he immediately told me we need more stars. :)

There's a gift idea, Grandma Pam! :)

Here's a video of Duncan calling Grandma to come see his star lights. You can see how quickly his English is coming along. He's been talking in sentences like this for months now--it's nothing new! He is even more fluent in person--when he's on the phone he's thinking too hard I think. :)

Notice the glitter on his head--proof of a successful trip to the Christmas section at WalMart. :)

Translation at about 30 sec in--he says "I did not want ask Fallyn's pig--I willn't."

He is saying he will not tell Fallyn about her pig. He found a tiny glass pig at Pier 1 for her gift.

And at about 1:25 he is trying to tell Grandma about the "Christmas snow" ( i.e., snowflake--which he just learned that word during our WalMart run) lights. He got to push the button on the snowflake lights and watch them blink in the box.

Christmas things are super fun this year. . . it's so fun to watch his excitement and wonderment.

Very Special Ornaments

2011-12-21T14:40:00.001-06:00

Felt ornaments made by my friend at Plum Shopp.

Brown Santa for Duncan made in Africa (Kenya). I found it at a craft show I set up at, and it's the first ornament I bought for my new son. It's from an organization helping women.

Each child in our family has a monogram ornament. I was so happy to go buy a D, and I couldn't resist picking up the M & J for our 2 future daughters.

Wool felt Kyrgyz ornaments. Kyrgyzstan will always have a piece of our hearts.

I would like to find an ornament to honor our children's Ugandan relatives. Anyone have suggestions?

The next pic is our Ugandan-made star ornaments (2 boys, 3 girls, Mom and Dad):

Our tree, decorated by many little hands.

Impromptu tree skirt. Came from my Grandma's house--never used!

I looooove it. I don't know if Rick appreciates my vintage style as much but he goes with it. :)

I will someday try to sew it into a proper tree skirt, but for now it's a big rectangular tablecloth. :)

It's Perfect.

2011-12-21T14:35:00.002-06:00

This Christmas season has been extra special, having a 4-year-old who is experiencing all this for the first time. Rick and I melted when he showed us what he made at school.

He is always BEAMING when he shows us all the contents of his backpack. Even a blank piece of paper which he saved to show Grandma, and showed our friends Chuck and Sasha. :)

Here's Duncan's ornament from his little preschool.

*LOVE*

First Tree

2011-12-21T12:31:00.001-06:00

This is the first year we have a "real" tree, as opposed to our little 3-foot fake tree we've put out every year. Our living room is small, Christmas is always at my parents down the street. . . we just skipped that I guess. And the kids were always happy and excited about our tiny tree. :)

So we got a "real" tree meaning, a bigger one, but it is a real one, too.

I always had a real one growing up, from my Grandpa's tree patch on the farm.

Rick always had a real one, too--sometimes native ones from their own land in Iowa.

We had a fun evening eating and going to pick out a tree.

It is hard to get the littlest dude to smile for the camera! It's a success if he will look at the camera.

He finally smiled after I bribed him with gum.

This is usually how our pictures look. :)

Hot chocolate in happy little vintage mugs.

There. That's Better.

2011-12-20T19:11:00.000-06:00

I saw the Willow Tree "Brothers" figurine at Hallmark the other day and loved it.

But of course, the little brother is much too pale!

I found one on ebay for much cheaper and painted it with acrylic paints (just those little bottles of craft paint you can find everywhere).

Calvin is a very good big brother.

I love seeing their special relationship.

Rick snapped these pics last Saturday morning when Calvin had some computer time (and I was still in bed!)

Mass Destruction

2011-12-20T19:01:00.000-06:00

While all the cousins were at Grandma Pam's and Grandpa Vail's, the boys spent soooo much time setting up a huge tub's worth of army men all around Grandma's first floor. Every little shelf, table, etc. had army men and they worked a long time on it.

Total destruction. Mass casualties. Two sneaky little girls tiptoed around the house wiping out all the army men while the boys were outside. It was quite comical--their whispering, tiptoeing, snickering, expressions. . .

They left no survivors and set up the victors instead all around the house. . .

the California Raisins!

VICTORY IS OURS!!!

(don't they look like they're rubbing it in a bit?)

The boys were comically mad, of course.

Who, us??? We've just been inside playing doctor this whole time!

November

2011-12-20T18:50:00.000-06:00

My brother's kids were all here in early November while their parents were at a conference.

Vivian stayed one night at our house with Fallyn, and they both slept in Fallyn's toddler bed all night!

Fallyn is 5 1/2 but still fits in it. Viv is almost 7 but is as tall as most 9 yr olds! It was funny.

The extent of my Thanksgiving decorations.

Look! 2 parent pumpkins (the smaller ones) and 5 baby pumpkins! :)

We drove to Rick's brother's at Lake of the Ozarks for Thanksgiving.

The view from the back porch:

Uncle Justin wrestling 4 kids. With a bear shoved up his pant leg, too, haha.

Every kid needs an uncle like Justin!

Grandpa Neill reading a bedtime book to the grandkids.

Fallyn holding Emily, the youngest cousin.

*Some* of the Neills partake in smoked oysters. Duncan gobbled them up! That makes one more member of the oyster squad. Eeew.

Hand-Stamped Jewelry! Initials, Africa, and More!

2011-12-19T18:59:00.000-06:00

My sweet and talented friend is donating $10 of every necklace sold to our adoption through DECEMBER 28. (If you buy today or in the morning, she can ship it TOMORROW AFTERNOON)

Check out her beautiful designs, including one we worked on together--a copper ring with a Uganda bead in the middle. Soooo beautiful! I just love the contrast of the chain, the copper, the bead. . .

There are copper Africa necklaces, sweet necklaces for little girls, sterling silver necklaces. . . She can talk with you about a custom saying or custom initials, too!

Here's her Etsy shop. Indicate at checkout that it's for the NEILL FAMILY, as she is helping more than just our family's fundraising!

Be a Piece of the Puzzle {Puzzle Fundraiser}

2011-12-14T17:24:00.001-06:00

My sweet friend Amanda is heading up a puzzle fundraiser to help us bring the girls home! I just have to brag on her for a sec--she has been the biggest encourager, cheerleader, supporter, pray-er, helper for my craft shows. . . she has a huge heart for adoption and orphans and has walked this journey with me for YEARS. She's the best. She even came to the airport in the middle of the day to see us OFF to Uganda. Just one small example of the huge blessing she is. And now she wants to bless us again by heading up a fundraising effort. Read her letter below!

Dear Friends,

Something incredible is underway—and I can’t wait to tell you about it! Have you ever watched a movie with a storyline that is so amazing, that you can’t possibly anticipate the conclusion? You know, one of those plots with twists so unexpected that they aren’t even in your mental queue of foreseeable outcomes? When those films are over, you just kind of sit there and think about how brilliant it was, and how you will never forget it. Can you imagine what it would be like to be part of the production of an Oscar-winning film—one that goes down as one of the classics?

Right now, there is a great story underway. It spans 4 years, 3 countries, 2 willing parents, and the lives of three precious souls on the ride of a lifetime. Even Charlton Heston would want in on this one! : ) It’s occurring half-way across the world, and yet just across town—and it’s happening in the lives of our dear friends, the Neills. And let me tell you, it has been a thrill to watch this story in progress! Stepping out in faith over four years ago, Rick and Kendra sought to grow their family through the miracle of adoption, and after the kinds of twists and turns I mentioned above, their Ugandan-born son, Duncan, became part of their family this past May. Duncan is a blessing to everyone who meets him—such a miracle! What no one knew was that the director of the story was not yet finished with this masterpiece. I can see joy on the face of the director as He wrote this script. Oh yes, the director of this story is also the author—and He was busy orchestrating every detail. Read on: you just won’t believe it!!!

While in Uganda to bring Duncan home to their family, Rick and Kendra had the joy of meeting Duncan’s two best friends: four year-old girls, J and M. To say that these three are best friends is like saying that mountains are “big.” Their closeness is something that surpasses the word “friend” and is almost more sacred than “family.” They were everything to each other. Imagine the joy that Duncan had in gaining the permanent love and security of a family, and yet the deep sadness he must have known in saying goodbye to his precious friends—friends who are not tucked into bed each night by a mommy and daddy. I learned something this week that made me shed tears. Every day, in a language he has known for only 7 months, this sweet boy bows his head, buries his face in his hands, and prays for his two friends by name. What made me shed tears is not just the fact that he misses and even longs for his friends, but the fact that I know something incredible that Duncan doesn’t know yet. Wait for it, friends. . . .his mommy and daddy are headed back to Uganda to make sweet J and sweet M his SISTERS!!! Truly, legally, in time and space, forever and ever his sisters! The Director, the Author, the King of this universe has heard Duncan’s prayers. And even better, He knew all along how this story would happen! I know, it is so exciting! And there’s more. . . .

This story is currently having an open casting call! And here’s what I love—everyone who wants a part can have one! Maybe you have already played your part, or maybe it’s yet to come, but all the parts are equally important. Right now, there is a need to raise additional funds to cover the significant cost of physically bringing the girls home—this includes airfare to and from Uganda for Rick, Kendra, J and M. It includes time in country for food, lodging, travel, tips, and numerous miscellaneous expenses. There is not much time left to raise this money, as the Neills anticipate traveling to Uganda in January. We are working on something to symbolize the importance of each person’s role—and to hopefully raise some funds at the same time. We are going to be having a PUZZLE FUNDRAISER.!!! It is our hope to find people to “sponsor” pieces of this puzzle. I’m sure you can see the symbolism here—many adults working together to escort two precious little ones home.

Each piece of the puzzle represents a $10 donation. For every piece that is sponsored, we will stamp a heart on the back of that piece. When you sponsor a puzzle piece, your name will be included on a list that will become a permanent part of the back of the puzzle when it is fully assembled. * In the future, we think this will be a sweet thing for the girls to look at and see how many people worked together to bring them home. Any amount that you are able to contribute is significant. Just like a puzzle, it takes many small pieces. . . . . although we’re not opposed to anyone who wants to donate a “big piece” either! : )

Maybe you could sponsor a piece in honor of a loved one as a Christmas gift, or perhaps even your children might like to be involved! I believe that if you are reading this, there is a part in this script written just for you! Maybe your role is to pray, or to watch this story and be encouraged by seeing God’s love in action, or maybe it is to provide financial support by sponsoring a piece, or pieces, of this puzzle. But when the credits roll, we won’t care who had the leading roles or who was assistant #5 to camera man 3. . . we will just be thrilled to have been a part of the story. I promise you won’t regret accepting a part—and I have a feeling this one is going to be a classic!

To sponsor a puzzle piece:

Paypal: Send your donation to paypal account rick.neill@gmail.com. (If you indicate it is a "gift", the standard paypal fee will not be deducted). Or just click the ChipIn button on the right sidebar.
Check: Send a personal check to the Neills. 151 N Bleckley Dr/Wichita KS/67208.
Tax-deductible option: Make a check out to Reclaim Orphans, with "Adoption Fund" in the memo line. Do not put the Neills name anywhere on the check or this will make it non-tax-deductible. Simply include a separate note that it is for the Neill family fund. Email Kendra (kendraneill@gmail.com) for the mailing address to send the check to (it is the founders' private residence address so it is not being listed here). Reclaim Orphans is a registered non-profit that is helping the Neills by serving as a vehicle for tax-deductible donations, and you can rest assured that your donation will be used for their adoption expenses.

So let’s get this started! I can’t wait to be part of blessing the socks off the Neill family this holiday season, and I’m already looking forward to seeing Duncan, J, and M reunited for the first time on American soil—hopefully in the next few months! Thank you for caring about God's heart for the orphan, and for being His hands and feet to these two precious girls.

In Him,

Amanda Karber

*Those who have already made a monetary donation towards the adoptions of J and M will automatically be included in the list on the back of the puzzle, as will those who purchased a fund-raising item such as beads, hair bows, or t-shirts and gave a dollar amount exceeding the value of the merchandise purchased. (for instance, someone who purchased a $25 shirt but wrote a check for $50).

The Beauty of Adoption. . .

2011-12-10T10:59:00.000-06:00

. . . expressed so wonderfully by this young artistic couple who adopted an older child from Uganda. Enjoy. Here is how they came to adopt this sweet girl. I don't know them personally, but I admire them so much--they were young, not parents yet, she was an "older child", they didn't have the means to fund the adoption costs themselves. . . so many reasons they could have said adoption wasn't "for" them and let this girl remain an orphan, but they were willing to stand in the gap for the girl they had sponsored when she experienced great loss. God creates beautiful, unique families, AMEN?!

the lovely plain. from andrew+carissa on Vimeo.

He Knew

2011-12-09T10:43:00.000-06:00

I am amazed when I look back at photos from our time at the orphanage. GOD KNEW.

He allowed us to have amazing moments captured on camera that would become even more special to us.

I knew from the very beginning of our adoption process (2007) that one of the hardest moments for me would be saying good-bye to the ones left behind. It was even harder than I thought.

We LOVED those kids. . . and as we took one of their best friends, our hearts broke for them.

We ripped a little family apart. We would pray forever that they would somehow have families, too, someday. . . and hopefully near enough to us in the states that our kids could remain easily connected for life.

We hurt for their loss of their friend/brother (although you just can't describe their relationships!), and we hurt for our new son's loss. Yes he'd have a forever-family now, but that comes with a lot of loss for him and others and that was/is heartbreaking.

Remember we had no. idea. we'd be back to adopt them! We were praying desperately that someone else would be able to!

Our first family picture with our new boy! Plus one extra. . . They're just inseparable!

I wish you could see her face. . . her eyes are squeezed shut giving him the tightest hug!

Guess who followed us out the gate. . .

Pearl (gray dress) came down to the gate as we left, too, but since she's shy she hung back.

We don't have as many pictures of Pearl since she's so shy. She was content to hang out with Jonathan (a volunteer there for a year!), so in many of our photos, she's in the background with him and is watching all her friends playing with us. I love those pictures of Pearl with Jonathan. Their relationship looks as natural as a father/daughter. Indescribably thankful for people like him who spent time just loving these kids. I'm so thankful Pearl, especially--as quiet and shy as she is--had someone like him she could be completely at ease with and have many of her needs met. We were concerned when we found out that Jonathan and Selina (both 20 yr old college students spending a year at the orphanage) were leaving in September, and the most concerned for Pearl. The kids were SO bonded with them. Another huge loss in their lives, and we pray that more volunteers will be able to love on the kids the way they did. If more volunteers came that were even half as wonderful as Jonathan and Selina, the kids would be incredibly blessed!!!

Crazy to think that at the time of the pics below, I was playing with and snuggling our future DAUGHTER. Amazing.

Silly, silly girl.

SO much going on in that tiny 3 yr old mind and body! She is the biggest crack-up ever.

I know we will have our hands full, but our hearts will be even fuller with all the life wrapped up in this little person!!!

I look back at all our pics that include Pearl and Spunky and am just left speechless and in awe of God's mysterious ways!

It is obvious HE KNEW. I truly believe a lot of our moments captured on camera were not just happenstance. . . it's hard to put in words but I think you get the idea. We had no idea, but HE DID.

(Just like when I look at Dawn's photos from her trips to the orphanage long before we knew about Duncan. . . there is more to Duncan just being "there" in the pics that were mostly of Isaac . . . there is something more to it. . . something unfolding. . . he is "there" in the pictures in a way other kids are not. . . amazing.)

A Year Ago, and 7 Months Ago

2011-12-08T10:43:00.001-06:00

About a year ago. . . On December 11, 2010 we found out about a waiting child with an agency who did not have a family match. We learned of him on Facebook from a friend who had copied and pasted a waiting child listing she had seen!

I inquired to the agency contact person that day. On December 12, we saw this picture in our email.

I gasped. He literally took my breath away.

And then my immediate thought was, "He looks like Rick's son."

A few days later on December 14, we turned in our official "yes"!

Some amazing things happened quickly that allowed us to be matched with him.

Then we traveled in May to bring him home!

7 months ago we met him (May 6), took him out of the orphanage (May 7), and on MOTHER'S DAY (May 8), I received the best Mother's Day gift ever. . . Duncan Baguma called us Mommy and Daddy. And, THANK YOU LORD, we had the camera rolling and got it on VIDEO!

WATCH IT HERE

Now, 3 inches taller and counting. . . our tiny little peanut of a 3-yr-old is 4 years old.

Still on the small side for a 4-yr-old, but I can't believe how TINY he was just a few months ago!

Not only has he grown so much physically, he seems to have aged so much.

You know how "they" say to expect 1 month delay for every 3 months a child is in an orphanage. I think the reverse must be about right on, too. . . expect about 3 months gain for every 1 month in a family. He seems to have "aged" a year in just 7 months--in his mannerisms, how he plays, etc.

He is such a joy.

Sweet, snuggly, goofy.

(And of course, he has his typical toddler moments of being stubborn and grumpy!)

(from October)

Hard to believe that we're about to add 2 more to our flock!

Never in our wildest dreams. . . after all that waiting (since 2007), we never could have imagined that God would have 3 older toddlers for us in less than a year!

We could be travelling in a matter of weeks. We still need to raise funds for all the travel expenses.

(Praise God, we have enough for attorney fees and plane tickets!!! He is good!!!)

If you want to partner with us to bring these 2 sweeties

We have a ChipIn feature on the left (uses paypal and is secure), and there is a tax-deductible donation option and that information can be found here.

We're Getting There!

2011-11-29T19:36:00.000-06:00

So, after a crazy-busy couple of months with shirt sales, craft shows where I'm selling my Sugarplum items and Ugandan necklaces, my Etsy shop, plus some straight donations, we now have enough to (probably) cover 2 adult round trip tickets, 2 one-way tickets home, plus the rest of the attorney fees! Amazing, huh?! I was quite shocked when I added up everything the other night. Praise God! I say it all the time, but every little bit helps. Every little $10, $20. . . it all adds up quickly! We have received donations small and large, and every single one is SO helpful.

Some sweet stories of giving:

*2 little girls ages 6 and 5 wanting to give me ALL their money. Over $20!
*A church we're not members of giving a very generous donation.
*$20 from friends who I know were giving VERY sacrificially.
*A donation from someone who thought about buying a shirt, or bows, but decided to just give the money instead.
*Donations from people we don't know.
*Someone getting married soon who wants to donate the money they would've spent on wedding favors for guests, to helping us bring home the girls instead.
*Multiple people "overpaying" for t-shirts, beads, etc.
*A sweet friend putting in a LOT of hours making things to sell for our adoption! Check out her stuff!

As always, we are humbled and grateful for everyone who has partnered with us!

By the way, we received word on Thanksgiving that we will most likely have a January court date! AHHHH! So much to do in so little time! And I don't just mean the fundraising. This is starting to feel VERY QUICK. Only a matter of WEEKS!

So, since we have the funds to cover plane tickets and the attorney's fees (praise God again!) all the remaining expenses will be in-country and stateside expenses which include:

2 visas for the girls ($808)
2 embassy medical checks ($200)
Lodging, food, drivers/gas, tips, miscellaneous items, etc. (a lot! best estimate I have is a "few thousand")
Finalizing in the US ($1,000)
US passports (for all our Ugandan kids) ($315)
Citizenship for all 3 kids ($1650)

So we need to plan for roughly $10,000 more in remaining expenses but hopefully less!

If you want to help, we will be placing one more Hope Shirts order later, maybe January. So you can still snag one if you want! We don't make a fortune off each one, but it sure helps!

I have a little bit in my Etsy shop, and a lot of stock at my house if you need gifts items!

For flat donations, you can use Paypal and choose the "gift" option which does not take out the typical Paypal fee. . . or use the ChipIn on the right sidebar which goes through Paypal also. Our paypal is rick.neill@gmail.com.

For a tax-deductible donation, that information is on our Hope Shirt site--just click the tab that says "donate" and you can read about that option.

Loss

2011-11-28T23:21:00.000-06:00

I know people are well-intentioned, but there are some words that make my heart knot up. . .

"Wow, it is amazing to see how God has worked so that you could have Duncan."

"He was always meant to be in your family--that's so evident."

I don't think everyone realizes the immense loss behind adoption. I know that is true because I have talked to some people about the losses Duncan experienced and will always carry, that his extended family has faced and will keep facing (because they might never see him again) and they have said, "Oh wow, I never thought about that part of it."

You may have heard the phrase adoption cannot exist without loss. There is so much grief and loss in adoption. It is not all rainbows and warm fuzzies.

Yes, for some reason Duncan was meant to eventually be in our family as part of his story. But God did not do all this for US. He did not cause suffering for many just "so we could have him". We would never WANT others to suffer just so we could have an amazing kid like Duncan. I am so thankful he is our son, but I wish his life and others' were such that this all never had to even be necessary. Oh how my heart aches daily for them, and for Duncan as I think about what these losses will mean to him as he ages. What is "meant to be" is that none should suffer, that none would be fatherless, that none would be hungry, that families would be intact. . . but our world got screwed up a loooong time ago and unfortunately all those things are now part of it.

Duncan's adoption is all part of God's mysterious plan, but He did not cause all that suffering so that WE could be blessed. We are blessed, of course. But 7 grandkids did not lose their precious Grandmother so that they would all suffer that tremendous loss and we would eventually have Duncan. Grandma Ann did not suffer a tragic death so that we could have him. His precious birthmother, a lady about my age was not afflicted by some things that will remain unnamed, so that we could have him. I could go on with many more examples.

I can't quite express in words what my heart longs to cry out, so forgive my ramblings. I want people to realize that God did not outline these tremendous hardships in others' lives just so we could have Duncan. I want people to recognize the losses Duncan has experienced, and so many in his family. . . because they deserve it. He deserves to be looked at as someone's whose history started at birth, in Uganda. Not here, not May 31 when he stepped off the plane into his new life. People in his pre-Neill history deserve it--they are precious people who were always concerned about him. They are a huge part of his story. They ARE his story.

"I bet he'll be so thankful to be in your family as he gets older and can understand. . . "

Maybe, maybe not. He does not have to be thankful to us. We do not expect gratitude. How could we, with all he's been through, all that others have been through. . . we are not his saviors, America is not his promised land. He didn't ask for all those things to happen and neither did all the people in his life. He didn't get a say in any of this. I don't know how he'll feel later about all the pieces of his history. The losses will always be losses. Those things don't just go away because he has a family now. We pray, though, that all our kids have peace with whatever comes their way and that they draw near toward the Lord and not away. We pray that they are always thankful to God for whatever they have from Him, but we do not expect them to be thankful to us.

Our girls have tremendous losses, too, and will have more to add to the list once they join our family. They will say goodbye to their sweet friends--who seem closer than brothers and sisters. People will say goodbye to them who love and care about them. There are people who will think about them for the rest of their lives.

"You guys are doing an amazing thing!"

No, not really. We're just normal people trying to trust God, and willing to stand in the gap. But if you want to admire someone, admire Duncan's grandma. . . and his oldest cousin. . . and Carol, who helped Grandma save his life at birth and saved his life later, too. . . and many others. They deserve recognition. I don't feel like we do.

There is so much more to our (soon-to-be) 3 Ugandan children than just being in our family. I hope people can see that. Their lives did not start once they entered our family. And many special people in our children's histories are so deserving of a prayer for their hard road, an ache of a heart for their losses, a thought of admiration for their concern and sacrifice for the child they let go forever. . .

Well, I have no concise clear point here, sorry. Adios for now, to whoever endured through my ramblings to this point! :) Comments from any of you who have thoughts on the subject (the undefined inconcise subject, haha) are very welcome!

Oh, and PLEASE don't ever ask any of our children (or any other adopted child you know) when they're older, if they're thankful to be here! I have heard firsthand from more than one mom about (well-intentioned) people striking up adoption conversations with older children and then asking that question! UGH.

Adorable Felt Items by Plum Shopp - Fundraiser!

2011-11-22T19:09:00.000-06:00

A sweet, sweet friend is selling some of her adorable handcrafted felt items with proceeds going toward our adoption of Pearl and Spunky! Everything in this Plum Shopp album is going toward or adoption fundraising! She does custom ornaments, finger puppets, play food, little dollies, custom children's crowns. . . there are many great options for families with kids of all skin tones and hair colors. . . super cute items for your African sweeties. . .

We are incredibly blessed by Bethany's heart and all the hours she is putting in to these items!

Want to take a peek? Careful not to drool on your keyboard due to adorable-overload! :)

Etsy Shop Sale!

2011-11-13T09:13:00.000-06:00

Now through Tuesday, I have everything in my Etsy shop 15% off. Use code UGANDA15 at checkout.

I am taking all my items to a show on Wednesday so I'd love to sell some to any of my readers before then!

Lots of stocking stuffers, items in "bundles" for even better deals for your gift stash or little gifts, headband/flowers that fit newborns through older children. . . please check it out and help bring the girls home!

Click here for Sugarplum Boutique on Etsy.

Thanks!

Large Family Little House

2011-11-09T10:13:00.000-06:00

I've been mulling ideas around in my mind. . . trying to envision what life might look like going from 2 kids to 5 in just 8-9 months. I feel like I need to get some logistical things under my belt, and it's kinda fun (and a little overwhelming sometimes!) to think about things that would be helpful for our

Large Family :: Little House.

Here are some of the things I've come up with to put on my wish list of items I'll try to slowly obtain. By slowly, I mean finding the best BARGAINS, yo! And spreading out the purchases because it's a lot!

Many of these things are things I've wanted for awhile, but now, they're moving up in my mind into the category of, "Really Need". (I use "need" loosely, because of course they're not necessary to survival!)

Our house is plenty for our NEEDS. It is more than enough for this life.
Assuming, though, that we can move some day, we would want to, as this does not feel like a "forever house."
We want room for lots of kids and their friends in our house or in the yard, to have lots of dinner guests and their several kids, too. . .to be able to host Thanksgiving or Christmas with our extended families. . . room for coathooks or a cubby for each child. . . an open kitchen so mama can be part of the family. . .
I don't need fancy, but I have to admit, I dream of more space for the sake of togetherness and hospitality.
And I dream of a mudroom/entry room. What mom doesn't? :) It's a little daunting to think of 5 kids tromping through the back door, which has 1 small closet and a little bit of tile then you're right in our back room/family room. 3 kids put it over the limit with all their gear, and we have barely entered fall/winter! Now that will be interesting!
For now, we will try to stay faithful with what we have, because we DO have, and God has provided enough for our needs!
And, we even have room for you and your family if you need to stay with us!!!

I really want to hear your best tips, products, things you have found to make your house or life more efficient. . . especially if you have several kids or a small/smallish house compared to your family size!

So here's my Large Family Little House list!

Tupperware Thatsa Bowl and Thatsa Mega Bowl. Useful for any family! Many times over the years I've wished I had one, and have sometimes borrowed my Mom's.

It's time. :)

More of these cups. So durable and just the right size!

A bench for one side of the dining table to fit lots of little bodies in a small space, and leave room for guests!

I want to get our dining table covered in stainless steel, as an extension of our small kitchen. I got an estimate one time and it is pretty reasonable to have that done.

I dream of a space that all my kids and I can fit around, and make a huge mess decorating cookies, painting, or whatever we feel like! The house I babysat at during college had a stainless table and it was AWESOME. You could get glue and paint crusted on it, cut cookie dough with metal cookie cutters straight on it, set hot serving dishes or pots right on it and not worry about heat spots, or wet spots. . .

I have always wanted one no matter how many kids we had! SO practical.

And if you have a special occasion just cover it with a table cloth!

Totally a pipe dream but I can dream! . . . we added a large sectional couch in our basement play room several months ago, with the intent of lots of family movie nights (Red Skelton, Three Stooges, and Mr. Bean!) and popcorn with room for the whole family to lounge and snuggle! For now and for a long time, a laptop set up on a little table will do. :)

These! haha.

A Bubble Bum!

We cannot fit 3 booster seats in the back of our minivan, and a different vehicle is not an option right now. So, maybe this booster would solve that issue. We'd put Calvin on it in the back row/middle seat.

2 more of these barstools.

I found that these were about the best bargain I could find several months ago when I bought 2. They look nice and are sturdy!

A large griddle.

Large roasting pan.

Flat-top stove. . . We have an old stove/oven with regular burners.
Flat top = more counter-like space.
Digital temperature display = accurate oven temps.
I have had multiple cooking fiascos because of our temperature dial and probably just the age of ours. Just is not trustworthy!
Surely we can find a low-end flat-top unit in really good USED condition for a good price, since I'd be totally happy with a low-end range.

Let me know what YOUR favorite large-family items are, or small-house logistical tips or things that really "work" for you even if you have a smaller family!

Sweet Friends Helping Us Bring Them Home

2011-11-06T21:09:00.000-06:00

Two of my friends with big hearts and lots of talent want to help our adoption fund. Both options have items that would make great Christmas gifts!

Plum Shopp is the first: Any proceeds from items in this album will go toward our adoption! Bethany makes adorable items from felt! Custom children's crowns, custom ornaments, felt toy food and fingerpuppets, and lots more!

Blue Giraffe is the second: My friend Michelle wrote this sweet post, and there you will find the link to her Etsy shop. She will donate 25% of sales through Nov 20 to our adoption! By the way, her husband is the one who designed the logo for our shirts!

Order HopeShirts and Help Bring Them Home!

2011-11-04T19:03:00.002-05:00

We are ready to take orders for shirts!

All you need to know (I think) is at our HopeShirts site!

Let's get these girls home! :)

Don't need shirts but still want to help financially?
There is information on there, too, of how to do so.

Thanks everyone!

Let me know if you have any questions!

kendraneill (at) gmail (dot) com

If anyone wants to link to our fundraising site, I'll put your name in a drawing for a free shirt of your choice! Leave a comment and let me know if you linked on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc.
You can earn an entry for each way you link if you want to spread word a couple different ways!

Q&A About Our Plans

2011-11-04T11:17:00.000-05:00

Did you know when you met them that you wanted to try to adopt them? No, not at all. We assumed we'd just wait with our agency for a random referral of a younger child, but from the same orphanage. As the summer days ticked by, we thought more and more about the possibility of one or two of Duncan's best friends. After all, if we were open to a 2 year old, why not a 3 yr old or almost-4 yr old? We had just realized how awesome 3.5-yr-old adoption is, too! We felt like we were ripping apart a little family, and now we are anxious to see them reunited.

How old are the girls? Both will be 4 soon. :) Duncan, Pearl, and Spunky's birthdays are within 6 months of each other!

Are you using your same agency? No, although we love our agency and recommend them, this will be independent for a variety of reasons.

When did you start? Well, we had to wait awhile to find out if either or both of the girls truly needed an adoptive family. We believe international adoption should be a last resort. If there is a chance of a child being cared for lovingly and safely by a birth family member, that is what we would want for Pearl and Spunky. We said we'd be open to one or both girls, and it turns out, both need a family.

How long will it take? Hard to tell. If all goes relatively smoothly and timely, perhaps we'll be travelling in a couple months! We are hoping for early 2012!

What's next? We just got done with a full updated home study. We are waiting for it to be compiled and typed up and issued back to us. We have to send our new home study to USCIS and they will update our immigration approval. Hallelujah--our immigration is still current and fingerprints are still current, so there's one big chunk o' change we don't have to repay! There will be some other things we'll do on our end but those are the 2 big ones. Home study and immigration. We will wait on things on the Ug@nda side to come into place. When everything is ready on both ends, the attorney files for a court date, which means TRAVEL TIME!

How can I order shirts? We are *this* close to being able to take shirt orders! Like, maybe later today or tomorrow! We'll let you know on here, and my facebook. All the fine details will be at our HopeShirts site.

Am I able to make a tax-deductible donation? YES! All that information is on the HopeShirts site, also!

How much do you have to raise for this adoption? A lot. :) Travel expenses are the biggest expense, and we will have the remainder of the attorney fee to pay when we travel. We will also have expenses related to finalizing the adoption in the US.

Estimated expenses:

Home study update (plus travel to the all-day seminar training, necessary supporting documents like background checks, medical checks, etc.) = $950 (done!)
Round-trip plane tickets for 2 adults = $3,500 - 5,000
Entry visas for Rick and I = $100
Visas for the girls x2 = $808
Embassy medical checks x2 = $200
All other travel expenses = a lot. :) It's hard to estimate for lodging, food, drivers, errands, etc. It will be at least a few thousand dollars.
Attorney fee = $5,000 ($4,500 balance remaining)
One-way tickets to US x2 = $3,000 - 4,000
Finalization fees in US = $1,000
Certificate of US Citizenship x3 (we still have to do Duncan's) = 1650 ($550 each)
US Passports x3 (Duncan, Pearl, and Spunky) = $315

And lots of miscellaneous expenses!

OUR BIG NEWS!!! {And Shirt Fundraiser}

2011-11-01T13:10:00.003-05:00

Exciting things have been in the works. . . and we are ready to officially announce our big news!!!

So here's a little video I put together to make the announcement. Enjoy!
The link to our fundraising/shirt site is www.hopeshirts.blogspot.com.
p.s. There is also information on our fundraising site about how to make a tax-deductible donation.

We will be selling shirts to help with the costs.

Our talented friend graciously did the design for us!!! Didn't he do a great job?!

You can read more about the shirts by going to the web site mentioned at the end of the video, or simply by clicking here.

We have a few options for men, women, and children's shirts!

The HopeShirts website also has other ways you can help.

An Indescribable Woman

2011-10-16T09:30:00.000-05:00

Many of you have heard me mention a lady named Carol. . . she served the village where Duncan is from (she is a huge reason our boy is alive today!), and does a TON of other work in the area. I have never met anyone like her. She's called the Grandmother of All Children out there. . . We were honored to meet her, as well as her assistant David. Wish we could've had much more time with her. Maybe next time! Through the blessing of facebook and email, though, we have remained in regular contact.

Anyway, a lady I've "met" who is bringing home their new daughter soon has spent quite a bit of time recently with her in Fort Portal. Their daughter is from a children's home that Carol runs--just one part of the vast amount of work she does. She wrote a tribute to Carol Adams here, which gives a good glimpse of who she is and what she does.

The first child from Manna Rescue Home in Uganda has a new family. . . will you join us in praying for more of these sweet kids to have families, too?

Another Ugandan Sweetie Has a Family

2011-10-07T13:00:00.001-05:00

We had the privilege of visiting a beautiful, sweet girl in May in Fort Portal and delivering a little package to her from her new family who had recently stepped forward to bring her home! I got to send pictures to her parents-to-be, tell them of our visit with her, share Fort Portal tips. . .

We were SO EXCITED for them to finally be united recently! We ached for D to be with her family after meeting her and hearing updates throughout the summer.

They just passed court and have their ruling! A few of their pics are familiar sights from Fort Portal--the court, the hotel/lodge. . .

Congratulations, B Family on your newest addition!
Hooray for a Tooro princess having a forever-family!

For My Mom and Dad

2011-10-07T00:18:00.000-05:00

Fourth {First} Birthday Party!

2011-10-07T00:08:00.001-05:00

Since the cousins left earlier today, we did Duncan's little birthday party a day early.

SO special that they could be here for his birthday.

I tell ya what--all these "firsts" we get to experience in this new way are SO FUN.

Indescribable.

I wish everyone could experience it. They don't know what they're missing!

Supper at Grandma and Grandpa's house beforehand. I think the kids had about 7 meals together this week like this (minus the headbands)!

The kids all made decorations earlier that day.

Banner is from our adoption ceremony.

Headbands have been around for several occasions. Just happened to have 7!

I took Duncan to the grocery store earlier that evening and he picked out 2 small cakes and the caramel apple with sprinkles. Then he picked out 4 mylar helium balloons from Dollar Tree (best party tip I have--get your balloons there--one dollar each!).

Smitten.

First time blowing out birthday candles!!!

Those eyes!

I made this decoration, then look at the orange one Calvin made. *LOVE*

First messy-birthdaycake-mouth!!!

FOUR.

2011-10-06T23:54:00.002-05:00

Happy happy birthday to our sweet little FOUR year old!

You have brought such joy to our family.

We are honored. humbled. amazed. blessed. to be your Mommy and Daddy, Duncan Baguma!

The Sisters They Never Had

2011-10-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

My twin brother's kids have been in town this week. We are soaking up the special time with the cousins because they have plans to move far far away in the near future.

Vivian and Fallyn sure have a special bond, being the only girl cousins.

I'm so glad they have each other. I never had a sister (until my in-laws, and they're all awesome!), or even a girl cousin out of the 8 grandkids!

They are quite a pair! :)

Vivian loves to nurture and mother, and Fallyn loves to be mothered by her. The gap in their developmental stages is narrowing, so there is a little less of the mothering/motheree roles as time goes on, but they are still super sweet together.

There is 18 months difference (hard to believe looking at their heights, huh?!) and now they are 5 and 6 yrs old.

Houseful!

2011-10-05T15:00:00.001-05:00

My parents have my twin brother's 4 kids for a few days. . . so much of the time the 7 grandkids are together. . . 7 kids ages 6 and under! It's been a busy, fun week!
These are all pics from my phone. Here ya go, Mom/Grandma!

E hung out with me while I made rice krispy treats. He's awesome.

Jala, my mom's old , and now super-arthritic German Shepherd has always taken care of the grandkids. She especially looks out for the youngest and has done that with each of the kids. She's a good nanny.

E & Duncan in the fort! We handed down that romper that Duncan wore in Uganda a lot for bedtime. Fit him perfectly his first month with us. Size 24 mo. :) Then he shot up!

V & Duncan seemed to have had the world's funnest bath.

Today we walked across the street to pick out pumpkins.

Making their choices.

All 7 of the grandkids and their ages.

My kids will probably be dwarfed by my brother's kids! They already are! :)

Waiting for Grandma to get off her cell phone. haha!

Then and Now

2011-10-03T15:15:00.001-05:00

What a difference we can see in our boy! I don't know if it's as evident in pictures, but I tried to round up some to show how much he's changed in just a few short months! Week-to-week was like watching how much a newborn changes. Let me know if you can see the difference! (Surely it's not just me?)

We got him from the orphanage May 7. So he's been with us almost 5 months, although most of the change we saw was in the first 3 months, really. I don't see nearly as big of change from months 3-5 with us.

He grew 2 inches in the first 3 months! Gained 2 pounds, maybe more? And 3+ as of today (5 months). Size 18-24 months fit him pretty well in Uganda. Size 2T was big on him. Somehow he pretty much skipped size 2 and quickly became a size 3! He's grown 2 shoe sizes, too.

He was right at 3 1/2 yrs old when we met him, and we both thought he seemed more like a 36 mo. old--because of his size and his demeanor. Now, he turns 4 years old in just a couple days, and it seems as though he's aged a year in a couple months--physically, his demeanor, the way he plays and interacts, the whole package!

Top left picture--with his "Tooro brothers", the day after we got him from the orphanage. Top right--from 1 month ago, so 4 months later. I wanted to get a pic in that same outfit. Especially the pants, although you can tell a difference with the shirt, too. In Uganda, we rolled the wide waistband down, and rolled the bottoms TWICE. . .and they would still fall off him as he ran around and played. . . and as you can see from the second pic, they're verging on high-waters! CRAZY!

Bottom left and bottom right are the same time-span--4 months. He carries himself much differently, he's filled out so much (pure muscle, lucky guy!). . .

The pics in the top row were from after 2 - 3 1/2 weeks of getting him from the orphanage. Bottom row is 3 months later, except for the blue shirt--that's from our court day a week ago.

In Uganda and back here the first few weeks, we could easily hold him on our hip with one arm. Now--no way, he seems like a brick! I have to strain and definitely use 2 arms to pick him up.

Left pic--the day we met him. 2nd pic--tiny little guy in the airport (wheeling him on my rolling carry-on)! Top right--those 18-24 mo onesies used to fit him great! No chance now! Bottom right--first night snugglin' my tiny boy before bed.

And now look at the little dude!!! He's still on the small side for his age, but definitely seems like he's almost 4, dontchya think?

We are amazed every day!

Thank you, Lord, that we have the privilege of witnessing all you're doing in this special boy's life!

The Future of Farrming {Mike Rowe}

2011-10-02T12:50:00.001-05:00

Anyone who lives in America should read this article--The Future of Farming. LOVE what he has to say. As a person who grew up in a farming family who produced food for you and I and the whole country, for several generations, it is nice to hear someone countering so much of the hype these days--the warped views of farmers and farming, making the modern farmer out to be some sort of enemy who does more harm that good, etc. . . most of the time it seems, from people who have no idea about sustainable methods, how farming really works, what things CAN'T work on a large scale or long term. . . sheesh.

I also believe that as a country, we haven’t made it easy for them. Two percent of our population provides the rest of us with all the food we need, and we behave as though it’s our birthright. Like nothing we do can threaten the abundance. It seems to me that as a country, we could do a better job of supporting the people who feed us. And we could start by acknowledging the incredible challenges facing The American Farmer. -Mike Rowe in The Future of Farming.

I love you, Mike Rowe.

Oh Happy Day! {Court, US Edition}

2011-09-30T12:29:00.001-05:00

Tuesday we had court to finalize Duncan's adoption!

Ug@nda grants legal guardianship and then we finalize stateside.

We found an amazing lady an hour away who knows how to do it, plus has a heart for adoption and gave us a rate WAY below fair market value. Praise God.

So court was an hour away because she's in that town and the filing fee there was cheaper than our county. Anyone in KS need to finalize a Uganda adoption? Let me know and I can give you our recommendation for an attorney!

Rick is telling the kids how to behave when we are in the court room. :)

I don't know why they were doing this. No reason--just being cute with Daddy!

Babygirl (5 yrs)

Little Man (6 1/2 now!)

Littlest Man (turning 4 in a week!)

Court took literally just a COUPLE minutes.

The judge called Duncan up to pound the gavel to make it final! ADORABLE.

Then he let Calvin and Fallyn do the gavel, too.

Pic with the self-timer. Not bad!

Duncan is rockin' it in this pic! LOVE.

It's probably the best shot of the 5 of us we've managed to take this summer!

We're loving being a family of five!

Court was in the morning and then we killed some time before lunch browsing around a thrift store and some other cool antique shops, and then went to a yummy Mexican place that we've been dying to go back to! We went there the first time we were there, when we dropped of paperwork for the attorney several weeks ago. Called a friend who grew up there for a lunch recommendation. Hope we get to finalize another adoption there so we can go back! :)

Sprinkles {3 Year Old Mischief}

2011-09-28T11:24:00.000-05:00

We didn't do cake/cupcakes for Fallyn's birthday, just those Oreo pops and pink ice cream with sprinkles.

Daddy and Fallyn got it all ready for the party.

Sometime later, this happened. There were millions on every square inch of the kitchen. . .

. . . hmmmmm. . . guess who!!! Could it be the 3 yr old with sprinkles on his face? :)

See his hands? That's his "What?" or "Who me?" expression we see a lot. :)

Pink Piggy Party {Part 2}

2011-09-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

We kept decorations simple (inexpensive).

Used vintage hankies and doilies from Fallyn's room, simple paper and twine pennants (found a perfect pack of scrapbook paper at Tuesday Morning for cheap! I think I spent probably $2 on several pennant banners.

Fallyn made this little arrangement. :)

The tablecloth was a garage sale score, just a few days prior! Perfect vintage condition!

(the pig on the left is a mailable pig that our sweet friend sent Fallyn! SO fun!)

She gave each piggy their own birthday treat.

Fallyn is an old soul. She loves to put pretty things on top of pretty doilies. :)

No cake this year. We did these Oreo pops and had little dishes of pink ice cream. So easy and cute.

All we did was color melted white chocolate (almond bark) with gel coloring, stick a lollipop stick into double-stuffed oreos, dip them in the pink chocolate, add sprinkles, and let them dry on wax paper.

We used regular oreos, and mint oreos--yummm!

Flags and pink piggies. I made 3 pigs for the wall out of construction paper, and Fallyn decorated their party hats with jewels and sequins.

Fallyn's note and little drawing for her guests:

The party favors were so simple in my mind. Of course, they took several more hours than I envisioned. That's usually how it goes. . . I should know this by now! Oh well, I really like how they turned out. I made them with felt, embroidery thread, and tiny beads for the eyes.

We just had one activity for the party. I made a piggy coloring page, and the little people colored their pages and glued on a party hat on the party pig and decorated it with goodies from the tray.

Fallyn with one of her guests, Miss Holli, who brought an AWESOME gift for Fallyn! When Fallyn daydreams and pretends about pink piggies, it usually involves a pig on a leash.

So we were SO excited when Holli walked in with a pig on a leash! It's a helium balloon with legs and stands on the ground instead of floating, it has a leash, and it really sorta walks!

Babygirl is FIVE!

2011-09-28T10:38:00.001-05:00

Not really new news anymore, but I'm behind on me ol' blogge.

Fallyn turned FIVE in August! 5 is a big deal. :) And since Fallyn had the hardest adjustment with the addition of a new family member (although she was and is doing great!), I was in the mood to put a little extra effort into this party for her.

She daydreams about tiny pink pigs, so when I asked her what she wanted for a party, she said a Pink Piggy Party! So, that's what we did.

I put a few hours into making a bottom for Fallyn's dolly crib out of vintage fabric from my stash. For years she's just put them on the floor in it. Should've done that so long ago. . . she was so excited about her present.

Here's a pic when I was almost finished.

Also something I should've done a long time ago--fixed up this dollhouse I found at a garage sale last year!

Got it fixed up a little for her birthday. Painted it a light creamy yellow instead of that baby blue.

Can't wait to decorate it with her. We're going to find special papers and stuff for "wallpaper".

The invitations! All 3 kids helped. :)

The inside of the Pink Piggy Party invitations:

Calvin and Fallyn worked for days making piggies at their own initiative!

Calvin also made a birthday cake for Fallyn.

He was so into helping with her party decorations--so cute.

That's enough for this post. I have more bday pics I want to document on our blog, but that's enough for now!

My Dad. . .

2011-09-20T22:41:00.000-05:00

. . . is an unsung hero.

Just wanted to share my mom's facebook status from today so I can have it here for my children to read someday, too. I remember admiring him during those times he loved on that child on multiple occasions (we were in the same class in a small town). . . and I was only in first grade when I remember the t-ball and other times. I remember thinking how neat it was that my DAD did that. I might expect that from my mom--being all motherly and stuff like moms are. But I knew even at that young age, that that was extra special because it was NOT a mother showing that kind of love and attention.

Daddies out there--your kids are watching, and remembering. . . Anyway, back to my mom's fb status today:

Who is my husband? He's the one that blends into the public woodwork, but has a big heart for kids. My fondest memory was of Vail coaching T-ball. At the coaches meeting where they pick teams, he picked the most forlorn, emotionally disturbed child to be on his team, and picked him/her FIRST...because, he told me, he didn't want that person to be on someone else's team. That child physically hung on Vail during the games whether in the field or at bat, and Vail loved every minute of it. I hope it made a difference to that child. It definitely made a difference to me, and when I think of his unselfishness, that coaching story is at the forefront.

It's True.

2011-09-15T00:54:00.000-05:00

Visitors from Afar - Kyrgyzstan Edition

2011-09-01T22:42:00.000-05:00

Four weeks after our visitors from Uganda, St Louis, and Arkansas, our parents and we had visitors from KYRGYZSTAN!

John and Julie are people we've never met in person but have built a relationship with over the last few years. They quickly felt like extended family so it was so wonderful to see them in person. They are from Canada and work in Kyrg with orphans, the poor, widows, disabled, outcasts. . . amazing things happening in Kyrg.

Duncan and his new Aunt Julie! <3

Why didn't I think to take a pic before Rick left for a training conference out of state?

It was so great to talk all weekend about what God's doing in Kyrg, what God's done in our lives with our adoption and Duncan. . . hearing of God's goodness in Kyrg was food for my soul!

Visitors From Afar

2011-09-01T22:24:00.000-05:00

Godfrey and Tina--our dear friends from Uganda, and a friend from St Louis and another from Arkansas (both of those who I had never met in person yet), plus all their kids showed up on my (my parents, actually) doorstep the day before our adoption ceremony and surprised the dickens out of me!

We had thought maybe later this summer we could make a trip to St Louis happen, so we could see Godfrey's family who was being hosted by the F family, and Tanya from Arkansas while they were in the states for their baby girl's medical care. It was simply amazing to think of seeing again people you love, that you thought you might not ever see again, but Lord willing *someday* you could. . . and lo and behold, we could probably see Godfrey again here in the US nonetheless!

So my mom and Hedda managed to keep this whole thing a secret from me and Rick. All our friends and family knew. 13 people drove together all the way from St Louis in order to surprise us and stay the weekend and be there for Duncan's adoption ceremony! I seriously doubt I'll ever be that surprised in my life again. So fun.

And the coolest thing ever that we left Uganda several weeks before that, left people we had come to love, and then they're SITTING AT OUR CEREMONY WITH US. :) It's not like Ugandans can just hop on a plane and come visit the states. It was a tedious process for them to get visas (it's REALLY hard), for people who know them to fundraise for their plane tickets and stuff to get Baby E over here and get the care she needed. . . . simply amazing all around. (And Baby E is doing great, by the way! Praise God!)

My parents were hosting a "prequel" to our adoption ceremony/reception for our friends, family, my brothers and their families from out of town. . . so everyone there knew but us. Can't believe my mom pulled it off. She is NOT good at stuff like that! :) They told me to go answer the door and my dad handed my friend his little video camera. I didn't remember what my reaction was and my friend said, "I have never heard you shriek like that!" Great. Looked back at the video later. . . kinda embarassing, but here it is. :)

Cutest thing--little 3-yr-old "A" and his 3-yr-old sister "W" have the CUTEST southern drawls! Ugandan toddlers, with thick southern accents. . . LOVE! :) When we went to church the next day, "A" was asking where Punkin' (Duncan) was!

Best Pictures Ever

2011-08-29T23:20:00.002-05:00

Our digital camera often got used by Calvin and Fallyn, and I'd later discover what they'd added to our digital pics. However, it was almost a year, I think, before I realized this series of photos was on our camera, because it was on the internal memory, which I had never used or checked.

And then it took a long time (2 years!) before we got around to getting them off the internal memory and onto the computer, so they are finally making their debut. I didn't even know if we owned a cord to do that. Oh well, Rick finally got it done for me before we gave that camera to Rick's mom a couple weeks ago.

So Fallyn was 2 (couple months away from being 3 yrs old) when the crazy pics were taken by her 4 yr old brother. I find them just hysterical! Maybe it's just me because I'm their mom. I know how they were. They were goofy alright, but no pics like that had ever been taken before. Nor would I expect to find pics like that even a year later when more and more mischief ensued even.

Pics like this were typical at that age for Fallyn.

She was just always sweet, always dainty and pleasant. . .

Pics like the following were NOT typical (not even close!).

I don't think I saw intentionally-goofy faces for the camera like this for a looooong time after this age.

So thanks, Calvin, for capturing these SPECIAL MOMENTS on camera for me when I left you unsupervised!

Scissors!!! (all hair remained intact that day)

Marker on the face, too.

Craaaaaaazy eyes!!!

The end.

Misc.

2011-08-28T13:28:00.000-05:00

We're selling necklaces and some other items for our next round of adoption fundraising! Info here.

We got to witness one of the most exciting airport-welcome-homes in the history of adoptions, I'm sure! This local family was divided between the US and Ug for ELEVEN MONTHS. Mom and their new daughter were in Ug, Dad and 2 older daughters were here.

There just aren't words to express how amazing it was to be at our airport this summer to see them reunited!!!

Simple meals. That's how we roll.

At this stage in life, I don't cook much, and I don't need to. I don't want to spend a couple hours a day cooking and cleaning up. And, my kitchen is still messy all the time!

We usually make our "staples" (lots of beans and brown rice!) that will last a few days or all week (and be used in various forms) and add fresh fruit and veggies, nuts, yogurt, etc.

Or if I do cook something for JUST that meal, I will only cook ONE item.

So, I might throw together simple quesadillas--cheese and whole wheat tortillas, and then just add our fresh items.

We eat meals like this 99% of the time at home. . . keeps things simple and healthy and CHEAP. We eat a lot of fresh produce, but with cheap staples like lots of beans instead of meat, our grocery bill stays pretty low for a family of 5.

The little spot in our little kitchen where I feed my chickies most breakfasts and lunches.

Grandpa Neill often goes to garage sales when he's in town, and comes back with things for the grandkids. So that first weekend after Duncan was home and they were down here from Iowa, Grandpa brought this big orange monkey for our little monkey.

He loves it, as you can tell!

Kids were sleeping in our basement play room one weekend when I rudely took this pic with my flash because it was just too cute, and we wanted to show Grandpa Neill!

4th of July {Home Almost a Month}

2011-08-27T15:51:00.000-05:00

This year's July 4th festivities were extra special to us! What a great country we live in, that has come so far that we would be able to become parents to Duncan, that any child of any race or ethnicity would be welcomed into our family 100%!!!

Duncan got to meet his 4 cousins on my side for the first time. . . plus Aunt Becky & Uncle Jeremy, and Aunt Ashley & Uncle Austin.

On Sunday the 3rd we had our adoption ceremony (that'll be a separate post sometime), then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Austin had "It's a Boy" celebratory cigars to pass out. :)

Duncan loves his Aunt Ashley! The feelings are mutual. :)

Hanging out and watching the kids play.

There were some fireworks in the distance.

Fallyn found her safe spot with sweet Aunt Becky.

The next day on the 4th of July. . .

Duncan is completely at ease with all his new family members. I just love this pic with Uncle Jeremy and cousin Vail that shows that so well.

They hung out a long time.

Fireworks with Grandpa Vail!

Watching "snakes" grow.

Every grandkid took turns lighting a smokeball with Grandpa.

Then they'd jump and cheer for every smokeball!

All 7 of 'em. 3 are mine, 4 are my twin brother's. Hmmm. . . 2 little empty chairs on the right. . .

Brothers

2011-08-22T00:24:00.000-05:00

Calvin has been a fantastic big brother!

He's been so helpful, accommodating, sacrificial. . . I'm so proud of him.

He was meant to have a little brother. They have a really sweet brotherly bond.

(and of course, they annoy each other sometimes, too!)

Things I love:

Calvin happily slept by Duncan's toddler bed for the first several nights. And he didn't care at all that Duncan ended up on the floor every night with him, often laying half way on him or smashing him somehow!

When Calvin moved back to mostly sleeping in his own bed (same room), he totally didn't mind that Duncan always ended up in his bed at some point in the night. Again, often smashing him or laying part way on him!

Watching them chill on the couch. . .always touching somehow. Holding hands or leaning on each other or feeling each other's hair. :)

Calvin's willingness to do lots of big-brotherly duties. . . buckling him in his carseat, helping him get dressed, getting him a drink, etc.

Watching them wrestle. . . Calvin has always been really accommodating and tolerant with littler kids (like his little boy cousins). When they're wrestling, he lets Duncan crawl all over him, poke his eyes and do other things that are obviously uncomfortable for Calvin, but he just smiles and giggles and puts up with it!

I feel like I get a glimpse of the kind of dad he'll be some day! :) :) :)

Thanking the Lord for the match he made with Calvin and Duncan!

The Hardest Adjustment. . .

2011-08-21T23:50:00.001-05:00

. . . has been for Fallyn.

She had me much to herself all of last school year, since Calvin went to kindergarten and we didn't have a younger one yet! And then I was gone for a MONTH, and when I got back school was out, so all of a sudden I'm back, but with 3 kids home full time!

She was happy and sad/overwhelmed/adjusting at the same time and just seemed stressed at times. . . like she just didn't know what to do with her mixed emotions.

Calvin took these pics at the park that Wednesday (and we had been home since Monday evening). You can TOTALLY see what I mean just by these pics! :)

Awww, little sweetheart. <3

Here again she's not so sure about all this at the moment (and it was just little moments here and there, nothing of major concern) . . .

. . . and then she's back to her happy self enjoying her new brother.

Before bedtime that same day.

Love!

Her stress got better every day.

I'd say now she seems fully adjusted to the new dynamic of 3 kids. Just had to get used to it and she did great.

After a few nights after being back home, Fallyn said, "Mom, having a new little brother is really hard!"

And then the next night she really quietly asked, "Does he have to stay in our family? Can he go back to Uganda? . . . He's really annoying sometimes!"

I light-heartedly answered, "No, I can't send ANY of my kids away just because they're annoying sometimes! You and Calvin annoy MOMMY sometimes, you know!"

I also added, "And besides, who's your MOST annoying brother?" to which she quickly responded with a light-bulb-moment expression, "Calvin!"

So, talking a lot and helping her to see that the NEW brother was not exactly the source of her problems. . . it was just summer, me being away and then having 3 kids at home instead of just her, being stuck in the middle of 2 brothers ("boy-trapped" as my niece says!), and having a pesky OLDER brother home all day and bothering her. . .

She's really doing great and was doing great overall from the start. . . just needed some time to get used to the new normal.

We tried to always keep the focus off Duncan, and on the family as a whole when we talked through things with her, since that's really what it was. He was not really a problem at all. She just assumed it was because of the NEW BROTHER, when really it was just the NEW DYNAMIC of 3 kids.

Oh--didn't help that Mommy and Daddy didn't do such a hot job of shuffling 3 kids our first Sunday at church, and guess who SAW me go down the stairs with the new one (carrying him, too!), and got LEFT upstairs! Yeah, Mom of the Year Award for that one! Rick rushed up to get her when we realized after a couple minutes she was not in the foyer, and she'd been crying. Couple steps back that day!

I assured her that Mommy and Daddy WERE thinking about her, we really didn't forget her, we just got it all wrong and aren't good at doing 3 kids yet! Rick thought I had her, I thought he had her.

Humor helped, too. :) We both got spanks from Fallyn for not doing a good job having 3 kids!

And then, another (sometimes stressful for Fallyn) week passed and the next Saturday she was going to have a special date with Daddy and pick whatever she wanted to do! So, she picked swimming. . . long story short--worst date EVER!!! They came home not long after leaving the house, and Rick had quite the story to tell from the lazy river at the Y outdoor pool!

The went in the lazy river shortly after arriving for their most-special-date-ever.

Water that was dumping out of buckets dumped on his chest/neck as he's laying in the tube with Fallyn laying back on him. They dumped over backward into the water, flipped underwater (Fallyn has never been under water!!!), came up. . .

. . . Fallyn's sobbing of course from the traumatic underwater-tumbling.

Heartwrenchingly sobs, "Those were my favorite sunglasses!!!" (gone forever)

End of date.

STRIKE TWO for the loser parents who couldn't get it right for this poor girl two weeks in a row!!!

New Family Members {First Week Home}

2011-08-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

Here are some pics of Duncan meeting or spending time with special people during his first week home!!!

The grandkids love to go downtown to Grandpa's building, go on the elevator, check the mail, watch the bubbles go up in the water cooler, look out the window, and then go eat lunch in the basement of the building!

Here's Duncan's first of many trips to see Grandpa at work! :)

The owners of the restaurant in Grandpa's building have been so excited to meet Vail's newest grandson!

They are SO nice.

One of the owners even came to Duncan's adoption ceremony!

My aunt and cousin from Topeka were in town for the weekend and were downtown with us that day.

Here's my cousin Michael with my 3 kids.

Feet in the fountain outside Grandpa's building.

First day with his new Great-Aunt Ann. Reading books at Grandma and Grandpa's house after lunch downtown and before naps that Friday (home 4 days).

Later that day, he met Grandma Neill from Iowa for the first time!

With every new family member he's met, it's an instant connection! So cool to see.

Meeting Grandpa Neill for the first time--and feeling his beard! :)

We were all downtown for the River Festival fireworks.

Tired Baguma.

Happy Grandpa.

Lots of love.

Tap tap--Is This Thing On? {First Week Home}

2011-08-21T22:54:00.001-05:00

As you know, we have a fantastic new addition to our family. . . Home on May 30! Summer flew by. . . didn't do a whole lot, but 3 kids at home full time + keeping up with the blog just didn't work out.

I don't have much to show for my summer, except a messy house, bedrooms that are partway switched around (ours with Fallyn's). . . but, I have THREE kids here now and we're all alive.

I'll call that good enough.

I'll attempt to catch up quickly!

Here are some shots from our first week home as a family of 5!

We were at the park many mornings that week. I love looking back at Duncan's expressions. He has always seemed at ease, but earlier pics show an ounce of timidity or hesitance or something.

Like in these park pics (2 days after getting home). . . much of the time he sat right there while the other kids ran around. . . just wanted to be by me most of the time. Every day he's coming into his own more and more and it's really fun to see.

We get the BEST welcome-homes when one of us comes back to the house (from errands, or Rick's work day).

Definitely one of the highlights of being Mommy and Daddy to our new little sweetie!

Showing Daddy something out the window.

Melts my heart!

Kids were made to have that--Daddy to delight in them, to think the things they're interested in are SO COOL. . . I think it's so cool that everything our other kids (who have been here since birth) have known/had/figured out about the differences between Mommies and Daddies--Duncan KNEW instantly.

It was just THERE. Waiting to be awakened.

Walking to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the first time!

(This is still from Wednesday, and we arrived home on a Monday evening)

Again, comfortable, having a good time, but just a little hesitant. So sweet.

Now, most of the time he's running ahead (or lagging behind) with the other 2!

This was an exciting day. . . meeting Dr. B for the first time a few days after we got home!!! Dr. B is our doctor and friend. . . and has been a HUGE help and a big part of our adoption journey with all our zillion medical forms/notarizations/requests (and then finally the travel vax!) since October 2007!

Duncan's shirt says "Handsome Like Daddy". :) It's a size 24-month onesie he wore often in Uganda, which he outgrew VERY quickly!

Our first attempt at a family pic before church that first Sunday (6 days home).

Rick's parents were here from Iowa that weekend so she snapped some for us.

This was the "best" one! :)

(Note Calvin still has his own special sense of style! I hope it's awhile before he outgrows it, but he's 6 1/2 now!)

Our Uganda Adoption Video

2011-07-05T20:17:00.000-05:00

Here's the video our friend put together that we showed at Duncan's ceremony/reception on July 3rd! More on that to come later, but here's the video!!!

I can't express how thankful I am to Chris for doing this for us!

He did an AMAZING job!

Shining Stars in My Heart - The Children of Tooro Babies Home

2011-06-24T20:07:00.001-05:00

I miss these kiddos so. stinkin. much.

Think about them every day.

I find myself blinking back tears sometimes as I'm just enjoying watching Duncan play. . . like last night when Rick was flipping Duncan upside down, and Fallyn grabbed his hand and started running in a circle, the way she has seen Janie do with Duncan and Rick in the video clip.

Because they are a part of him, and of us.

The bond these kids have is incredible. . . "friends" doesn't do their relationship justice,

and neither does "brother" or "sister". . . stronger than that, even.

Indescribable.

I am so thankful that Tooro Babies Home is going to continue adoptions. We were praying that Duncan and Isaac's adoptions could blaze a trail for more to have families, also.

The video is a bit long, but it's for Duncan, and for us. . . if you can't STAND to sit through a few minutes of ABSOLUTE sweetness (grin). . . then at least watch at about 3:25. That's Janie you hear behind the camera yelling at her friends and laughing--oh that raspy hilarious laugh! Can't get enough! She's also in the very beginning of the video in several pictures, one of which is our first "family" photo we tried to get with Duncan. :)
. . .

She's Duncan's closest friend and is the most hilarious, spunky, did I say HILARIOUS three-year-old we've ever seen! Her personality/demeanor is beyond words, you just have to see it in person. Lucky us, we got to. :)

The video clips I got of her are my favorite clips from Uganda!!! :)

WE MADE IT!

2011-06-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

I put together some pics/video clips of me and Duncan from our time in Uganda. The song is so great--it's by Mandi Mapes and it's called This Love.

Adoptive mamas, be prepared for some tears if you listen to the lyrics! :)

Rick was with me for 10 days, then I was flying solo. I had Dawn and her boys and their awesome friend Ken during my several days in Fort Portal without Rick, and then my mom arrived the day after we all got back into Kampala. . . incredibly thankful for all their support. I don't know how I would've survived.

God definitely knew I'd need all that.

But, it was still SO. HARD. without Rick there to share the burden of trying to GET OUR BOY HOME. There are emotions and nerves I don't want to relive again, that's for sure! (Although, perhaps I will, since we're going to do it all over again at some point!)

It was a definite close call--a very real possibility--that we'd have to put Duncan back in the orphanage, go home empty-handed, and return in a couple months to bring him home.

Or, me somehow stay with Duncan for a couple months in Uganda. I couldn't see how either of those situations would work at all. . . I'll stop talking now because those nerves are creeping up again just thinking about it!

God spared us all that. . . PHEW!

Anyway, here's my celebration video. . . me and my boy MADE IT HOME!

Thanks be to God!

Is It Worth It???

2011-06-21T23:57:00.000-05:00

Let's take the focus of that common question off the adoption PROCESS because that makes it all about us. . . and focus on the FATHERLESS. Instead we should ask ourselves,

"Are THEY worth it???"

Some think so. People who go out of their way to adopt. . . and people who sacrificially HELP OTHERS adopt.

I'm not tooting my own horn here in this post, nosiree. Our adoption would not have been possible without the support of SO MANY people, so props go to them, and our gracious God!

This video from The Zoe Foundation is being reposted a lot out in bloggy land. . . for good reason. . . it asks some tough questions. Take a couple minutes and watch it, listen especially at 2:25, then keep reading.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. . . " Proverbs 31.8

Now, look at these little ones, and tell THEM why you can't adopt. Because it's not about a PROCESS or the COSTS, it's about a CHILD.

Hi sweet little baby!

Sorry, adding you to our family would mean we have to upgrade from our stylin' sedan to a minivan--eew! Can you imagine?

Sorry! Money is already tight (as you just spent $50 on party decorations for your son's birthday, and bought a $4 latte on your way to Target, where you also snagged an awesome dress for $30!).

We just don't know how we'd do it!

Well hello, you're so precious! We would probably have room in our hearts and our home, but. . . we just don't have that kind of money laying around.

Have a nice life, everyone! We're off to our annual family ski trip, and by golly, we scrimp and save every year for that awesome vacation!

Man, you just look like you need rocked to sleep for once in your life. . . too bad we have plans to remodel our kitchen this year.

We always knew we'd be done at 2.2 kids. . . sorry, just wasn't in our nice little American dream to potentially rock the boat.

Our other kids are growing so fast and adding so much more to our grocery bill!

No, sorry, you can't join us for a lifetime of endless love. . . we might have to cut back on new clothes and eating out and start clipping coupons and drive older cars, and that just seems like so much work--would those things really make that much of a difference anyway?

Wouldn't you love to be read to before nap time every day! I just don't know if we'd have room in the girls' bedroom, even though you share a room with 8 other kids now. If we adopted you, we couldn't afford to move yet to a bigger home. . . do you see our dilemma sweet little girl?

Too bad we just can't envision going back to the baby stage and having to BUY DIAPERS and go through teething again. Plus, our insurance coverage is soooo nice if we just had another one the ol' fashioned way.

Anywho. . .

If there's anything we want anyone to see from our adoption journey, it's that regular ol' people can do it!!!

It does not take a "special type of person". . . it does not take a person with extra $$$ sitting around. . . we match neither of those criteria!

[I do NOT believe everyone is called to adopt or SHOULD. . . but I DO believe it CANNOT be based on comfort--material, financial, or things just being fine and comfortable the way they are thank-you-very-much]

It might take a lot of creative efforts, it WILL take a lot of prayer. . . it WILL take you out of your comfort zone. . . it WILL take a lot of people coming alongside you who have a heart for adoption.

Trust me--there are people out there who cannot adopt themselves, but want to help others adopt.

Well, hello, little one!

Why YES, you can pack your bags and come HOME with us!!!

I promise you this will be the last time you have to lay down for a nap in an orphanage!

Friends and family and grant organizations and fundraisers. . . that's how God brought us to you.

Money is tight back home. . .

. . . we won't have fancy vacations or stylin' vehicles or a pool or a perfectly manicured lawn for you to play in. . .

You'll probably get just 1 special birthday or Christmas gift. . .

We hope you don't mind. . .

cause WE SURE DON'T. . .

. . . because YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!

And we will be back for another one. . . because THEY'RE WORTH IT!!!

Do YOU think they're worth it?!

What are you saying yes to in your life that is causing you say no to one of the world's fatherless?

If you are not called to adoption, figure out what role you will play in the lives of the fatherless--we all must do SOMETHING. Help others adopt, mentor, give, volunteer. . .

Whatever your role, let it take you out of your comfort zone, because THAT'S where you will find THEM.

One Reason Adoption Rocks {First Words}

2011-06-15T20:51:00.000-05:00

"First words". . . such a sweet time for any parent and child. . . adoption of a toddler who is just beginning to speak English brings a unique element to the sweetness.

We are so blessed to be able to experience this.

I wish everyone could :)

Or would choose to, rather. :)

Tonight as I was bathing the kids, I got Duncan out of the tub, dried him off, and lotioned him up. . . big bright eyes and a bright smile accompanied one of his first English phrases, with emphasis on the last word:

This is home!

Update on Kids at Oasis!

2011-06-10T17:04:00.000-05:00

Read the latest update to see what happened in only 24 hours!!!

What wondrous things God can do through His people, when there are people willing to GO and people willing to SEND!

Must-Read! Orphanage in Great Need

2011-06-09T16:38:00.001-05:00

Check out Melissa's latest post. . . and then the rest of her blog when you get a chance! She lives very near me but I didn't meet her in person until I was in Kampala. She has been stuck in Uganda over 9 months while they try to bring home their 2-yr-old daughter, Mercy.

She has a husband and two other daughters at home here. She has had an incredibly rough road, but has made incredible use of her time in Uganda!

Anyway, she has many pictures and inside scoop from an orphanage called Oasis that is in desperate need.

Will you consider how you can help these incredible children?

Give. . . pray. . . link on facebook or your own blog. . . anyone can do SOMETHING!

Here's one picture, then go to her blog for the rest.

This is the room where the babies sleep. Babies who have no formula or milk. . .

Think They Like Each Other?

2011-05-31T07:28:00.000-05:00

Pics from Grandma's i-phone.

McDonald's after the airport.

I think they are all a match made in heaven!!!

Airport Welcome for Duncan!

2011-05-28T10:53:00.001-05:00

All are welcome to come to the airport to welcome Duncan Baguma home!

Scheduled to arrive MONDAY the 30th at 6:30 pm!

Link to facebook announcement. . . look for updates/changes there, or maybe on the blog.

Mountains Were Moved

2011-05-27T08:48:00.000-05:00

Well, folks, we are FLYING OUT SUNDAY MORNING and we will be reunited MONDAY EVENING!!!

The way things are with adoptions from this country right now, basically nothing short of a miracle that I'm leaving only 3 1/2 weeks after having arrived May 3!!! That's even factoring in a 6-day postponement of our court date. THANK YOU LORD. It's hard to be over the moon with joy, though, as so many parents are facing extreme hardship during their processes. I'm super excited, but my heart is so heavy for SO many others. Please keep praying for all the other families and children.

To recap this week:

Wednesday: had a "kind of" visa appointment that morning. . . IF passport was ready in time. Last week I was told if we couldn't do Wednesday, we'd have to wait till Monday June 6 for our appointment, which if things went smoothly from there, we'd arrive back in Wichita around June 10. Ugh. They were as helpful as they could be and even would've let us in several hours after scheduled time but pp never came. Many hours spent waiting at embassy. Turns out another guy, J, was in the exact same situation, although he's been here two months and was REALLY dying to get home to his wife and 3 other children! We even have the same lawyer who spent all day Wed trying to get office to get our pp's out. . . didn't happen until it was too late on Wed. "Jane" at the embassy had told us both to come Thursday morning with our pp's and we'd have to see what happens.

One of many hours spent waiting. . . so many times this week we were all SO tired. . .

Thursday: J and his baby, and the 3 of us (mom, me, Duncan) were at embassy 8 am. J and I were SO happy when a courier showed up with our children's passports!!! What a relief!!! Went to see "Jane" together, she talked to us both. . . said today was SUPER full but she'll call us if she can do anything. Thursdays are when they crank out 70+ visas for non-US-residents. . . those people are there waiting 10 hours sometimes she said. She said for us to go ahead and leave the embassy and she'll call if anything can be done.

Went to hang out and get lattes at a place walking distance from the embassy that J knew about. It was SUCH a good feeling to only have been at the embassy a very short time, regardless of if anything could be done yet. Tues and Wed was MANY MANY hours waiting at the embassy. MANY.

Ran an errand, had lunch at that same place, went HOME FOR NAP TIME. That was a good feeling--felt like so long since that had happened.

After nap time, J called me and said he was going to go sit at the embassy again in case "Jane" called for us. I thought we should go, too, since she's viewing us as a unit more or less. So we got there about 3:30, and "Jane" called as I was about to check in at reception. She said she'd been working on our stuff in between cases that day (WOW WOW WOW!!!), and for both of us to come in 8:30 am and we'll see what happens. . . . she obviously couldn't make any promises but the hints were pretty strong that we could have our interviews (on a day when visa interviews are NOT DONE!), and probably visas the SAME DAY (also unheard of!).

Friday: At embassy again at 8 am. Another courier brought J a missing document, then he went to fetch a document of mine that I might have been able to get by without, but was risky. I went up to sit with J in the waiting area where "Jane" is. . . my mom stayed at the outside entrance area to wait for courier to come back, which he did.

So, we hung out for several more hours today. . . 8:00 or 8:30 until 12:10. . . then they called J in! He had his interview for 5-7 minutes. Then they didn't call me in till about 12:30, but I was DONE by 12:40! "Jane" had indeed worked her tail off, I know, and gotten things done so that all we had to do was the interview. Typically people are there around 2 hours I've heard, for their scheduled appointment and interview.

"Jane" told us to go have lunch and she'd call for us to come PICK UP OUR VISAS!!!

She called and we both were back there around 2:30 today. . . and get this, they CLOSE at 1:00 pm! Guards had to unlock gates and stuff to let us in, took us to a side entrance of the building. . . "Jane" came out to meet us with our children's visas, and our packets they had prepared right after we left. . . big fat packet of important papers that can only be opened when we enter the US.

If you've adopted from anywhere--especially if you know about Uganda adoptions right now!--you can understand why all this is completely God! Everything, every appointment, every piece of the puzzle you have to wait on, seems like an obstacle, but this was the complete opposite!

I'm more excited for J and his sweet baby G than ourselves. . . he's been here several weeks without his wife, who returned to their 3 children back in the US a long time ago.

FOUR WEEKS ago they had to rebook their return flights since they were going to be stuck here much longer. . . it was booked for today (just a guess at the time). . . so after we got our visas, J had FOUR HOURS before he had to leave for his flight!!! Amazing, huh?!

We dropped him off at his airline office downtown so he could straighten out the lap-child ticket which is supposed to be paper and not electronic.

Saying good-bye to our new friends, who we shared MANY MANY hours with at the embassy the past few days!!!

ADIOS, J and G!!!!

Let me reiterate--we were seen for visa interview on days when visa interviews for adoptions are NOT scheduled. Our files were completely prepared before we were seen, so that all we had to do was the interview. . . and then they worked even more to issue our visas the same day when usually it takes at least 2 days to have the visa ready. And, AFTER HOURS. . . at the embassy!!!

"ONLY GOD!!!"

Duncan fell asleep after lunch so Grandma and Stephen kept watch while I picked up the completed visa and visa packet.

Email from the Kids

2011-05-26T22:58:00.000-05:00

Rick sent me an email yesterday and typed out the kids' answers. . . I asked them how they liked Kung Fu Panda II. So "me" is Rick, C is Calvin, and F is Fallyn. They are all cutie-pies! We should know our fate at some point today. . . if I'll be home by Monday or several days after. . . will keep you posted as time and internet allows!

me:Calvin what did you like about the movie?

C: Everything

me:Oh really?

c:Yup - everything.

me:Anything in particular?

c:The funny part is when he had the bowl on his head

f:the funny thing is when he laughed when he gave kisses to mommy and grandma

c:fallyn what are you talking about? we're talking about the movie

f:i'm talking about baguma...

c: you have to talk about the movie

f: i don't have to

c: uh-huh

f: i liked when he puncheded all the bad guys

c: i liked the part when he was at the restaurant - at his dad's restaurant

f: did you write when kung fu panda beated all the bad guys - did you write that up?

c: dad did you write Po, cause that's his name

f:i want you to say i will say this again because she might think i said kung fu panda - do not say kung fu panda - don't say that

me: anything else about he movie?

c: no, but there is about something else. i want to say something about rylie's birthday party. i liked playing on the playground and the games.

me: is there anything else you want to tell mommy about anything?

c:the same as fallyn said - when baguma kissed mommy and he laughed

c:i miss you mommy and baguma and grandma

f:i miss you, i love you and can't wait to see you. we're going to james and shari's.

me: I miss you sooo much. I can't wait for you to come home with our little boy. We're praying that things go well tomorrow so that we can see you on Monday...

Last Day of Kindergarten

2011-05-26T13:47:00.000-05:00

Rick sent me these phone pics from his lunch with the kids today.

Calvin had a half day, and apparently Daddy went all out--Red Lobster and Kung Fu Panda II!

Missing these 2 yahoos like crazy!!!

There is still a possibility of flying out SUNDAY morning. . . hopeful and praying!

Hilarious Moment

2011-05-26T07:08:00.000-05:00

As we were driving today with Stephen, I was sitting by the window with Duncan on my lap, who always rides facing the window so he can look out. Mom was on the other side by the other window, and when you're stopped, there are always people coming to your window to try to sell you things--clothes hangers, silverware, peas, steering wheel covers, electric cords. . . you just get used to keeping your gaze mostly foward and saying a polite no-thank sometimes with a little hand-wave.

So mom and I were both doing that at a longer stop, several times. Then Duncan (who is facing directly at the window with his hands on the rolled down window) started shaking his head and saying "No pank you no pank you. . . no pank you no pank you", over and over. . . then when they'd move on he'd throw his head back and laugh. . . so funny!!!

Probably turned away half a dozen peddlers for us! :) Stephen thought is was so funny, too. Will have to have the camera ready next time we go out and see if we can get a video clip!

Need to take him to Friday Market to do our business for us! :)

Today's Progress

2011-05-26T06:56:00.000-05:00

Went to embassy at 8 am, so did the other guy. An assistant of our attorney showed up promptly with both of our children's passports, woohoo! We were both SO relieved!

Turned them in to "Jane" at the embassy. She called us into the booth together--I think there is power in numbers! Today was booked solid--Thursdays are when they crank out visas for non-US residents. . . many people wait there 10 hours on Thursdays she said.

It is possible both of us will have a visa appointment tomorrow (Friday) morning, and maybe even have visas the same day, maybe, just maybe?!?!?!

This guy's been here 2 months, though. . . wife had to go home to their 3 kids several weeks ago. Pray that he gets outta here very soon, for sure!

So we were in and out very quickly--SUCH a good feeling! Had another appointment, in and out pretty quickly. . . went to lunch with our driver, and then HOME for naps! It's been a few days since we were able to keep a decent schedule like today. Feels so nice!

So there was a little progress today, and we're still waiting to find out if we'll indeed be able to fly home Sunday. If not then, then a few/several days after, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, for sure. Our process has still gone relatively smoothly (if you can call any Uganda adoption "smooth" at this point) compared to a lot of people.

It's just the idea that we're *this* close to being done. . . kind of on pins and needles all week waiting to see what happens.

The wait for Calvin and Fallyn is starting to take a toll it seems. . . Fallyn was upset when it was time to hang up Skype the other night. . . she pretends to Skype with me sometimes. . . a friend who's been helping with Fallyn a lot said she's seemed a little melancholy at times lately. . .

It's not easy for Rick to hold down the fort by himself I'm sure. . . we're all so ready to be reunited. But, like I said, we've had a lot of snags but not to the extent that many have had to endure. Like the mama who's been here NINE MONTHS with a husband and two other children back home, like this dad who's been here 2 months and had 3 cancelled/reschedulled court dates and the 4th finally stuck. And his friends who had FIVE court dates and have been here 2 months. . .

If you would, please just pray for ALL Uganda adoptions right now. . . there is a lot of heartache and snags out there. . .

I'm just thankful I am returning with our son and don't have to leave and come back later. That happens all too often. . . devastating.

A Few Pics Since Grandma Arrived

2011-05-25T15:12:00.002-05:00

Pics from my mom's camera. She has a little one so I've put mine away for awhile!

The day after Grandma arrrived:

Love that little pot-belly!

Think he's warmed up to his new Grandma? Maybe just a little!

He was like this with her from the minute they met at the airport, and this is just the next morning.

Water line to the guest house got cut by road repair going on. . . they quickly got to work manually filling the tank 20 feet up or so! We are well taken-care of around here!

The mzungu on the left is one of our guest-house mates. C & R are adopting a 5 year old boy. Hope we get to meet the little guy before we leave! They live in Oklahoma, so I think we'll have to get together at some point!

Moses & Betty's (from www.sixtyfeet.org) daughter doing some dishes behind the house.

Godfrey and his family live in one house, Moses and his family in the other, and the third is the guest house.

Another Long Day

2011-05-25T14:09:00.000-05:00

Duncan, Grandma, our driver and I left the guest house 7:45 am, returned after 5 pm.

Stephen (a relative of Godfrey) has been our driver this week, as Godfrey has been tied up with other things. He's a great guy, so helpful with Duncan!

Had one appointment 8:30 - 9:30 am.

Arrived at embassy 10 am. Passport still not ready. Hopeful that they'd be able to do visa interview anyway and let me turn in passport later that day, or Thursday at the latest. Couldn't do that, but "Jane" (not real name of the embassy worker) said if pp was there by noon, it'd be ok.

Waited till about noon. Found out from attorney that he was told pp would be ready at 2 pm (which, really means 3 pm, if at all). Attn said expect to be disappointed but keep praying. "Jane" suggested we go to lunch, if pp was there by 2 pm, still would be ok and we could get in.

Went to lunch with our driver.

Sat in a parking lot from about 1:30 - 3 pm near the embassy in case attorney told us the pp was ready and someone was delivering it to us there.

Finally got text from attorney that said "will know our fate in 15 minutes. . . staff is at immigration and is being tossed up and down." Didn't sound too hopeful.

Moved to sitting outside embassy in the outdoor waiting area. Do I go up and talk to Jane, or sit and wait outside some more for more word on pp?

Decided to go up to talk to Jane. . . mom, Duncan, and Stephen stayed outside.

I told her pp was still not ready and was ready to ask if we can please squeeze in the already-booked following Wednesday. She said let's just wait, we have until 4:45 pm. So, I waited up there, while the 3 others in my posse waited outside. You can't have a phone inside the embassy so mom had my phone in case attorney contacted us about the passport. I was up there probably 45 minutes when mom came in and said "No passport today."

We chatted with another guy who was in there with me. . . he was in the exact same predicament! Visa appt scheduled for this morning, everything ready except passport, dying to go home! Jane told us both that if our children's passports were ready tomorrow (Thursday), to go ahead and come in and we'll see what happens. Visa appointments are not scheduled on Thursdays, and they have a busy day, so who knows.

Went out the embassy and Stephen was cradling sleeping Duncan in his arms. :) By this time in the day, he was FILTHY, too!

Attorney called not long after and the passport was DONE! Yay for that, even though it was too late for today. The other guy's is ready, too--we have the same attorney it turns out, and our attorney was fighting tooth and nail all day to get those passports done!

So, tomorrow we go back to the embassy. . . Mom and I will pack as if we will be there several hours, which is very likely. 2 days in a row of leaving before 8 am and not returning till 4 or 5, when we "should" have only been out a couple hours. We have another appointment we're supposed to be at that day, too. . . we'll see how that all plays out.

Best case scenario--we show up in the morning, passport is delivered at 8 am, it's not *too* long before we can be squeezed in and have our visa appointment. . . praying they CAN squeeze us in! Then after that, best case scenario is that we pick up the visa Friday! At least I'll have company from the other adoptive parent who will be waiting for the exact same thing!

The alternative is that we can't have a visa appointment till next Wednesday (MAYBE), or Monday June 6. . . and be able to fly home a few days after those dates. Ugh. Flying home this Sunday sounds so much better!!!

Anxious to get through these looooong, exhausting days we've had. . . tired of this completely disheveled feeling! :) Again, how can doing basically NOTHING for so many hours be SO exhausting?!

So, going in to tomorrow with no expectations. . . hopeful, but guarded. . . you just never know. But I know God is good and if he wants us to fly on Sunday, it will happen, and if he wants us to fly much later, that is OK, too. Not what I would choose if it were up to me, though :)

Update

2011-05-24T08:03:00.001-05:00

***JUST got an email after I published this post that the passport is SUPPOSED to be ready by the close of business today. . . PLEASE LORD!***

Well, there is still a glimmer of hope for not having to wait until June 6 to have a visa appointment and thus being home earlier than June 10th or later.

I have a visa appointment tomorrow morning, although I do not have all the required pieces of the puzzle yet. Namely, the passport. The issue we dealt with yesterday is also one of those pieces of the puzzle, which won't be finished until Thursday. It is possible that they would take everything I do have ready and let me bring the passport later that day or the next day, but work on processing the visa.

Please pray for that.

I really want to be able to be home as soon as possible, of course! Plus, if I can't do my visa appointment for quite some time, then mom flies back to US without me at the end of the month, and I will be here solo for several days, and fly home by myself. We'd survive, I know, but it's certainly not ideal.

Today was much better. You learn quickly with international adoption (which we learned quite some time ago), that you just have your moment of breaking down, then suck it up and move on as best as possible. You get used to delays, you get used to things not going as expected, you get used to being completely at the mercy of other people in various offices and positions, you get used to hope deferred. . . .you get used to praying without ceasing and hoping more than ever in God, but you also learn that His ways are mysterious, often painful, but still good. . .

I know we will be home eventually. . . it's harding knowing we're *this close* to being home sooner, but *this close* to being home much later. . .

Pray for Rick. . . as soon as he got home, Calvin got sick, now he is sick today. . .

Pray for our security guard, Gad, who has had typhoid and now malaria. He's such a nice guy, we like him a lot!

Also, pray for our guest-housemates. . . they arrived last week and are already having problems with their process. :(

Have I mentioned before that adoption is NOT for the faint of heart???? These little people are SO worth it, though!!!

Rough Day

2011-05-23T14:24:00.000-05:00

Well folks, thanks for your prayers, but the possibility of flying home Sunday will not happen, even if the passport comes before Wednesday's appointment. Long story that I don't have the energy to talk about. Especially since it's simply unnecessary

I tried my darndest not to get my hopes up about seeing my other kids and husband soon. . . but how do you not get hopeful about the possibility of seeing them in a week, vs 10-12 days beyond that???

I broke down when I called Rick today. . . first time I've really cried since I've been here. . . not counting a few tears the day Rick left. I just miss my kids and my husband and want us all together as soon as possible.

And the fact that in ONE WEEK was a possibility. . . and not anymore. . .

yeah. . . not a good day.

Please pray that somehow the big appointment could be earlier than June 6. Anything's possible I suppose.

Church Today

2011-05-22T13:59:00.000-05:00