Yesterday, Jeremy and I received the best Christmas gift anyone could have ever given us (except for actually having Ethan home with us, of course!). An online buddy of ours who is currently in Ethiopia got some photos of our sweet Ethan AND she also captured the most precious 12 seconds we have ever seen on camera, a short video of our son laughing and smiling. I wish I could post so you can see how beautiful he is. But trust me when I say he is just adorable!! We couldn't be more in love with him! His curious eyes were following the cameras and he kept looking at his caregiver as if to ask her for permission to smile and laugh. Simply priceless!!!
It is so good to see him looking well and healthy. God answered our prayers! I pray he continues to stay healthy and strong until we are able to bring him home!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
More adoption disappointment...
The road to adopt is full of disappointments. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Yes, it is beautiful, rewarding, fulfilling and very much the plan God has for our lives but it is by far one of the hardest processes anyone could ever go through. And today we received yet another disappointment.
Jeremy and I had applied for an interest-free loan to be able to cover the final costs of our adoption and unfortunately today we received a "we regret to inform you..." letter from them explaining they did not approve us for the loan.
Although VERY devastating and much uncertainty surround us now, we know that God will supply our every need because "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it..." (psalm 24:1)
We cry a little and then pick ourselves up trusting God is in control and will do "great and mighty things" (Jer 33:3).
So, having said that, I'd like to emphasize our ongoing fundraising efforts once again:
- Our coffee store
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/robinson
- Keyla's CD
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/keylavazquez
- Jeremy Robinson Photography
http://jeremyrobinson.zenfolio.com/
We are so grateful for your contribution!
God bless!
Jeremy and I had applied for an interest-free loan to be able to cover the final costs of our adoption and unfortunately today we received a "we regret to inform you..." letter from them explaining they did not approve us for the loan.
Although VERY devastating and much uncertainty surround us now, we know that God will supply our every need because "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it..." (psalm 24:1)
We cry a little and then pick ourselves up trusting God is in control and will do "great and mighty things" (Jer 33:3).
So, having said that, I'd like to emphasize our ongoing fundraising efforts once again:
- Our coffee store
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/robinson
- Keyla's CD
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/keylavazquez
- Jeremy Robinson Photography
http://jeremyrobinson.zenfolio.com/
We are so grateful for your contribution!
God bless!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Nate and the presidents
This is an adorable video! A co-adoptive mom using the same agency as ours posted this video on YouTube of her son reciting all of the presidents of the USA. After visiting Mt Rushmore earlier this year Nate became obsessed with the presidents of the US and says he wants to be the president someday. It is too cute!!!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sip some delicious coffee, help us bring Ethan home!
We've partnered with Just Love Coffee, a fair-trade coffee roaster. Visit our storefront at:
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/robinson
Every item you purchase from this link brings us closer to the day when we can finally bring our baby boy home! Plus, it can make for a really cool and unique gift!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Birthday Boy
Yesterday was Ethan's 7-mo-old birthday.
Although we're not together, we are celebrating with him.
Ethan, wherever you are, know that mom and dad are wishing you health and wishing we can hold you very soon!
Although we're not together, we are celebrating with him.
Ethan, wherever you are, know that mom and dad are wishing you health and wishing we can hold you very soon!
Monday, December 6, 2010
New Bed/Sick Baby
It is so strange how human beings can easily go from one spectrum of human emotions to the complete opposite in a matter of seconds. I'm sure I'm making absolutely no sense to you right now so I will explain.
First emotion: Thrilled!
Jeremy and I found an amazing buy on Craigslist for a crib/dresser combo. I REALLY wanted a Crib4Life set but we knew with all of the adoption costs still lingering we just could not afford it. So I began my search on craigslist for a 'gently' used crib/dresser combo. I came across one that at first wasn't the color I was looking for but the price was just right. I thought, "why not!" So we decided to go take a look at the crib and yep...we fell head over heels with the crib and dresser. The owners had the combo for 10 years and I just could not believe how well taken care of the furniture was. It was just an answer to our prayers. PRAISE GOD!!! He really is in the tiniest of details. While I was away singing in Mexico this weekend, Jeremy and a dear friend of ours from church went to get the furniture and my sweet husband spent Saturday night putting the crib together. Oh, how I love him!! :) He decided the crib was just not complete unless it had a mattress so he headed out to Wal-Mart and purchased a great mattress and some sheets so our sweet Ethan can sleep comfortably and cozy when he is finally home.
Here are some photos of our great find!
Second emotion: Heavy-hearted
We received word from our agency that our precious Ethan is sick...again. He suffered from pneumonia early last month and it seems it has returned again this past week. Our hearts are just so heavy in knowing across the other end of the world our child is sick and we cannot hold him and take care of him. We know there are nannies and capable medical staff taking care of him but I can't help think how scared he must feel and how much more he needs his mommy and daddy near by to reassure him that everything will be ok. It's been a hard day for me. I really hope you can keep him in your prayers as he recovers from this infection and also pray that our court date can be scheduled REAL soon so we can finally be together with our son.
Lots of love!
Keyla
First emotion: Thrilled!
Jeremy and I found an amazing buy on Craigslist for a crib/dresser combo. I REALLY wanted a Crib4Life set but we knew with all of the adoption costs still lingering we just could not afford it. So I began my search on craigslist for a 'gently' used crib/dresser combo. I came across one that at first wasn't the color I was looking for but the price was just right. I thought, "why not!" So we decided to go take a look at the crib and yep...we fell head over heels with the crib and dresser. The owners had the combo for 10 years and I just could not believe how well taken care of the furniture was. It was just an answer to our prayers. PRAISE GOD!!! He really is in the tiniest of details. While I was away singing in Mexico this weekend, Jeremy and a dear friend of ours from church went to get the furniture and my sweet husband spent Saturday night putting the crib together. Oh, how I love him!! :) He decided the crib was just not complete unless it had a mattress so he headed out to Wal-Mart and purchased a great mattress and some sheets so our sweet Ethan can sleep comfortably and cozy when he is finally home.
Here are some photos of our great find!
Second emotion: Heavy-hearted
We received word from our agency that our precious Ethan is sick...again. He suffered from pneumonia early last month and it seems it has returned again this past week. Our hearts are just so heavy in knowing across the other end of the world our child is sick and we cannot hold him and take care of him. We know there are nannies and capable medical staff taking care of him but I can't help think how scared he must feel and how much more he needs his mommy and daddy near by to reassure him that everything will be ok. It's been a hard day for me. I really hope you can keep him in your prayers as he recovers from this infection and also pray that our court date can be scheduled REAL soon so we can finally be together with our son.
Lots of love!
Keyla
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Positive Adoption Language
As we wait for the time when we can bring our sweet Ethan home, I would like to share a great article I read on positive adoption language. I wanted to share this with you all because if you're reading this blog you are either related to Ethan or you are a friend of the family which means you will have many interactions with him. Hope you enjoy the information and if you see any other articles online worth reading, feel free to share on a comment.
--
Positive Adoption Language
Politically Correct Words Depicting Adoptive and Birth Families
By using positive adoption language when speaking to people, adoptive and birth families encourage others to use appropriate adoption words as well.
Sometimes people feel uncomfortable talking to an adoptive parent or an adoptee about their adoption situation for fear of using politically incorrect terms. Much has changed in the world of adoption over the past thirty years and efforts are being made to shed a positive light onto adoption issues. One way to effect positive change is to update the words and phrases used to describe adoption.
Positive Language in Reference to Birth Families
Many terms referring to birthparents have gained a negative connotation over the decades due to media portrayals and unfair stereotyping. As perspectives on adoption have evolved from keeping a family secret to full contact between birth and adoptive family members, the vocabulary of adoption has changed as well.
Birthmother, birthfather and birthparents are the generally accepted terms when talking about the parents who created a child. Some birthparent organizations such as Exiledmothers.com feel that the terms natural mother, first mother and life mother are more accurate than the words birthparents or biological parents. The term real parent is sometimes used to refer to birthparents, but is not appropriate as both birth and adoptive parents are real, not artificial.
Family of origin, birth family and biological family are appropriate terms that are used interchangeable to refer to the first parents of adoptees as well as siblings, grandparents and extended family that are genetically connected to the adopted person.
The context in which birthparents are mentioned also affects the meaning of such words. If adoptive parents and adoptees talk about birth parents in positive ways rather than perpetuating stereotypes others will learn to do so as well.
Correct Terms for Describing an Adoptive Family
Many adoptive parents cringe at how other people and the media describe their families, so it becomes the job of adoptive families to educate others on positive adoption language. It is also important to use politically correct adoption vocabulary with adopted children so they can speak about their adoption status with ease.
Unless it is necessary to indicate that the parents have adopted a child, it is politically correct to refer to the people raising the child as the parents and to not refer to them as adoptive parents. In addition, reference to a child’s adoption by labeling him the adopted child in any situation is not appropriate unless it is relevant to an issue being discussed.
When mentioning birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees as a group, they were traditionally referred to as the adoption triad. With the prevalence of open adoption, the triad has expanded to include other birth and adoptive family members as well as foster families. As a result, adoption professionals are beginning to use the terms adoption constellation or adoption circle when describing the relationships and people involved with an adopted child.
Sometimes the words used to describe family relationships are charged with negativity and do not accurately describe the nature of the relationships. Unfortunately, this is what has happened with adoption language. However, if the adoption community educates the general public with a view towards changing stereotypes, adoption language can become more positive one conversation at a time.
http://www.suite101.com/content/positive-adoption-language-a122829
--
Positive Adoption Language
Politically Correct Words Depicting Adoptive and Birth Families
By using positive adoption language when speaking to people, adoptive and birth families encourage others to use appropriate adoption words as well.
Sometimes people feel uncomfortable talking to an adoptive parent or an adoptee about their adoption situation for fear of using politically incorrect terms. Much has changed in the world of adoption over the past thirty years and efforts are being made to shed a positive light onto adoption issues. One way to effect positive change is to update the words and phrases used to describe adoption.
Positive Language in Reference to Birth Families
Many terms referring to birthparents have gained a negative connotation over the decades due to media portrayals and unfair stereotyping. As perspectives on adoption have evolved from keeping a family secret to full contact between birth and adoptive family members, the vocabulary of adoption has changed as well.
Birthmother, birthfather and birthparents are the generally accepted terms when talking about the parents who created a child. Some birthparent organizations such as Exiledmothers.com feel that the terms natural mother, first mother and life mother are more accurate than the words birthparents or biological parents. The term real parent is sometimes used to refer to birthparents, but is not appropriate as both birth and adoptive parents are real, not artificial.
Family of origin, birth family and biological family are appropriate terms that are used interchangeable to refer to the first parents of adoptees as well as siblings, grandparents and extended family that are genetically connected to the adopted person.
The context in which birthparents are mentioned also affects the meaning of such words. If adoptive parents and adoptees talk about birth parents in positive ways rather than perpetuating stereotypes others will learn to do so as well.
Correct Terms for Describing an Adoptive Family
Many adoptive parents cringe at how other people and the media describe their families, so it becomes the job of adoptive families to educate others on positive adoption language. It is also important to use politically correct adoption vocabulary with adopted children so they can speak about their adoption status with ease.
Unless it is necessary to indicate that the parents have adopted a child, it is politically correct to refer to the people raising the child as the parents and to not refer to them as adoptive parents. In addition, reference to a child’s adoption by labeling him the adopted child in any situation is not appropriate unless it is relevant to an issue being discussed.
When mentioning birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees as a group, they were traditionally referred to as the adoption triad. With the prevalence of open adoption, the triad has expanded to include other birth and adoptive family members as well as foster families. As a result, adoption professionals are beginning to use the terms adoption constellation or adoption circle when describing the relationships and people involved with an adopted child.
Sometimes the words used to describe family relationships are charged with negativity and do not accurately describe the nature of the relationships. Unfortunately, this is what has happened with adoption language. However, if the adoption community educates the general public with a view towards changing stereotypes, adoption language can become more positive one conversation at a time.
http://www.suite101.com/content/positive-adoption-language-a122829
Friday, November 19, 2010
Waiting on a court date
unfortunately, I am not allowed to post photos of our baby boy, but what I can tell you is that we have finally decided on a name: Ethan Robinson. We have also decided to keep his original name as his middle name but I won't be able to post that until after the adoption is finalized. What I can tell you is that Ethan is a healthy, BEAUTIFUL 6-month-old baby boy with a contagious smile! We cannot wait to hold him and bring him home!!!
The next steps are for us to wait until we get a court date so we can start making plans to travel to Ethiopia. After we pass court, we then start asking the Embassy for visa and paperwork necessary to let us take Ethan to the United States and become a citizen. PLEASE pray that the court date is much sooner rather than later and that we pass court on the very first try. It is always so unpredictable when adopting internationally but we serve a MIGHTY, AWESOME God and there is NOTHING impossible for HIM.
For now, I am grateful that our little boy is healthy and looks content from the photos. I know he's been taken care of at the orphanage and that is at least reassuring in this time of anxiety. I'll keep you all posted as soon as I hear something worth posting!
The next steps are for us to wait until we get a court date so we can start making plans to travel to Ethiopia. After we pass court, we then start asking the Embassy for visa and paperwork necessary to let us take Ethan to the United States and become a citizen. PLEASE pray that the court date is much sooner rather than later and that we pass court on the very first try. It is always so unpredictable when adopting internationally but we serve a MIGHTY, AWESOME God and there is NOTHING impossible for HIM.
For now, I am grateful that our little boy is healthy and looks content from the photos. I know he's been taken care of at the orphanage and that is at least reassuring in this time of anxiety. I'll keep you all posted as soon as I hear something worth posting!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!!!
It is with great joy that we announce that we've accepted a referral for a beautiful baby boy who just turned 6-months-old.
We are finalizing the details of our court date and travel dates, so we will keep you all posted. Please, continue to keep us in your prayers as we get closer and closer to bringing our baby boy home!! ;-)
We are finalizing the details of our court date and travel dates, so we will keep you all posted. Please, continue to keep us in your prayers as we get closer and closer to bringing our baby boy home!! ;-)
Friday, October 22, 2010
The proper use of prosperity
I was reading this amazing book called, " Praying Like Jesus" by James Mulholland and something he said really stopped me on my tracks. I guess I've always known we have too much "stuff" here in America, but I don't think I ever saw it as clearly as he put it on this book. I want to share a quote that comes from pages 75/76 of this book:
"If we were to shrink the world's population to 100 people, with all the ratios remaining the same, there would be 59 Asians, 15 Europeans, 9 South and Central Americans, 11 Africans, and 6 citizens of the United States and Canada. There would be 52 females and 48 males. Thirty people would be white and 70 would be of other races. Thirty would be Christians and 70 would be of other religions. Thirty would be able to read and 70 would not. Although we in the United States are only a small percentage of the world's population, we possess 59 percent of the world's wealth. If we have food in the refrigerator, clothes on our back, and a roof over our heads, then we are already richer than 75 percent of the world. Hot water, indoor plumbing, cars, televisions, telephones, and computers are extravagant luxuries in a world where five hundred million people are starving to death."
"In 1998, it was determined that it would take only thirteen billion dollars to eliminate starvation in the world. In 1999, the American church spent six billion dollars just on new buildings. How would the rest of the world react if they saw churches committing themselves to feeding the world instead of building luxurious sanctuaries, gyms, and family life centers?"
2 Corinthians 8:13
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality."
(in reference to when Paul wrote to the church of Corinth about the poverty of the church in Jerusalem)
"If we were to shrink the world's population to 100 people, with all the ratios remaining the same, there would be 59 Asians, 15 Europeans, 9 South and Central Americans, 11 Africans, and 6 citizens of the United States and Canada. There would be 52 females and 48 males. Thirty people would be white and 70 would be of other races. Thirty would be Christians and 70 would be of other religions. Thirty would be able to read and 70 would not. Although we in the United States are only a small percentage of the world's population, we possess 59 percent of the world's wealth. If we have food in the refrigerator, clothes on our back, and a roof over our heads, then we are already richer than 75 percent of the world. Hot water, indoor plumbing, cars, televisions, telephones, and computers are extravagant luxuries in a world where five hundred million people are starving to death."
"In 1998, it was determined that it would take only thirteen billion dollars to eliminate starvation in the world. In 1999, the American church spent six billion dollars just on new buildings. How would the rest of the world react if they saw churches committing themselves to feeding the world instead of building luxurious sanctuaries, gyms, and family life centers?"
2 Corinthians 8:13
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality."
(in reference to when Paul wrote to the church of Corinth about the poverty of the church in Jerusalem)
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
more waiting...
We just heard the courts in Ethiopia will be closed during the months of August and September, which might push us to early next year. For some reason boys are more readily available than girls at this point, not sure why. But since we have not specify whether boy or girl it could be any moment when we get a call that we've received a referral. We pray it is sooner rather than later!
Friday, June 25, 2010
First post!
Hi all! Two years ago we felt a special call to start the journey of adoption. It's been quite a journey, many ups and MANY downs... Yet, somehow we have always felt God's leading and many doors have opened miraculously. So, here we are, two years later and a week away from our DTE (Dossier to Ethiopia). This means our adoption agency, AWAA, will be sending our paperwork to Ethiopia to start the referral process. A lot has happened in between but the most important thing is that we are that much closer to holding our little one! God is good!! We just can't wait to see what God has in store for us. All we know is that if God is leading - it will be good! ;-)
Blessings!
Blessings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)