My Mom and Dad just called!
We miss them so much!
They got to there fine. Said the airplane ride was really long.
They are less than 30 minutes away from the MOE meeting. After the MOE meeting they will get to meet Josiah. I'm so excited to see new pictures of him and knowing more about him!!
LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!
Amanda
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
7 hours!
We leave in 7 hours! Im so excited!
I will post as soon as I can. we should be there by 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.. they are 11 hours ahead of us. so that will be 2:30 a.m. back home.
ok I'm off to get the last of the last stuff done.
I will post as soon as I can. we should be there by 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.. they are 11 hours ahead of us. so that will be 2:30 a.m. back home.
ok I'm off to get the last of the last stuff done.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
8 months
Today it has been 8 months since the day we committed to adopt Josiah. And it feels about right if I were 8 months pregnant I would be having all these same feelings mood swings and such. Ok yah I don't have a big belly, a sore back and indigestion no wait I do have all that stuff just not from a baby lol. I know I have said this before but everything we have done to this point seems like a dream, like I can't even remember doing it. I know that at the time putting together the dossier and all that was stressful and I thought I may go crazy. But I can honestly say when I think back I don't remember that at all . Now I have excitement filling me each day that gives me a little stress but its a good stress. we are going to see our baby soon, in 5 days!.
I have been thinking about money because although we have everything we need for this first trip. I calculated up how much we still need to finish this adoption and its almost $20,000 we have already paid over $18,000 and to tell you the truth I don't know how! we haven't gotten many donations or any loans or grants. The Lord just made sure we had what we needed just as we needed it. And that is a fact! because never ever before this adoption if someone asked us to have $18,000 in 8 months would we have thought we would have it. We would have thought they were crazy. But look we have had it, God is good!! We still need help though so maybe someone reading this will have it laid upon their heart to be one of the people the Lord uses to get us where we need to be to bring Josiah home. Maybe a donation, maybe a loan? like I said we still need $20.000 and we may get a court date as early as December, that does not give us much time to raise $20,000 but I know God has a perfect plan.
I have been thinking about money because although we have everything we need for this first trip. I calculated up how much we still need to finish this adoption and its almost $20,000 we have already paid over $18,000 and to tell you the truth I don't know how! we haven't gotten many donations or any loans or grants. The Lord just made sure we had what we needed just as we needed it. And that is a fact! because never ever before this adoption if someone asked us to have $18,000 in 8 months would we have thought we would have it. We would have thought they were crazy. But look we have had it, God is good!! We still need help though so maybe someone reading this will have it laid upon their heart to be one of the people the Lord uses to get us where we need to be to bring Josiah home. Maybe a donation, maybe a loan? like I said we still need $20.000 and we may get a court date as early as December, that does not give us much time to raise $20,000 but I know God has a perfect plan.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Letter from Amanda to Josiah.
Hey little brother, eight months ago I didn't know you existed. When mom and dad first decided to adopt they didn't know how old you were gonna be, where you were gonna be from, or what you looked like. One day mom was on Reece's Rainbow scrolling through the "waiting kids" list and your picture came up on the screen. Right then and there she knew you were her's. She called me over to look, as I saw your picture something in my head said "He's my baby brother, I need to hold him, he needs to be here with us." From then on you never left my mind. You were two at the time. Mom told dad about you, he knew as well that you were his boy. Mom and dad committed to adopt you, We have loved you since we saw your picture. Even though we have never met you.
Mom told me if we didn't adopt you and you turned four because you have Down Syndrome you would be sent to this place called a mental institution. Where you and other kids would probably die within the first months. You could be tied to your crib, only taken out for a feeding or a diaper change. When I heard about this terrible place I cried for the kids who were sent there just because they are different. YOU would not be one of them.
We began on this long journey to bring you home. First the home study we prepared for it by cleaning every room and putting your crib up. Bev, our social worker, came and did the home study. Little brother, you don't know how nervous I was when it was my turn to be interviewed. I thought maybe I would say the wrong thing and we wouldn't be able to adopt you. I didn't though. After months of waiting Bev sent us our completed home study. Mom and dad then finished all of the other paper work. All we could do was wait. Wait for the committee to send us a date for mom and dad to go meet you. It was just a big waiting game. One day, right when I got home from school, mom got a phone call. I could tell it was an important one. It seemed like she was on the phone for a life time! When she hung up the phone she looked at me. I immediately knew what it was about and started crying, happy tears of course! Mom and dad had just gotten the date to go and meet you!
Little brother, I want you to know you have taught me A LOT. Before I knew about you I used to say the R-word a lot. Now I never say it. You have taught me that when people say words like that it hurts the family members of a person who has special needs. You have shown me that I want to adopt someday and open a special needs daycare.
Little brother, every night I think about you and wonder what it'd be like to be you, all alone, with no one there for you when you are hurt or sad. No one to love you. But then I realize mommy and daddy will be there for you soon. You will come home and forget all about being alone. I don't know what I would be doing if I never knew about you.
Even though we have never met, I love you more than words can explain. I can't wait until that day when you come home and I get to see you and hug you My life will never be the same. I love you!!!!!!
Love your Big Sister Amanda!
Mom told me if we didn't adopt you and you turned four because you have Down Syndrome you would be sent to this place called a mental institution. Where you and other kids would probably die within the first months. You could be tied to your crib, only taken out for a feeding or a diaper change. When I heard about this terrible place I cried for the kids who were sent there just because they are different. YOU would not be one of them.
We began on this long journey to bring you home. First the home study we prepared for it by cleaning every room and putting your crib up. Bev, our social worker, came and did the home study. Little brother, you don't know how nervous I was when it was my turn to be interviewed. I thought maybe I would say the wrong thing and we wouldn't be able to adopt you. I didn't though. After months of waiting Bev sent us our completed home study. Mom and dad then finished all of the other paper work. All we could do was wait. Wait for the committee to send us a date for mom and dad to go meet you. It was just a big waiting game. One day, right when I got home from school, mom got a phone call. I could tell it was an important one. It seemed like she was on the phone for a life time! When she hung up the phone she looked at me. I immediately knew what it was about and started crying, happy tears of course! Mom and dad had just gotten the date to go and meet you!
Little brother, I want you to know you have taught me A LOT. Before I knew about you I used to say the R-word a lot. Now I never say it. You have taught me that when people say words like that it hurts the family members of a person who has special needs. You have shown me that I want to adopt someday and open a special needs daycare.
Little brother, every night I think about you and wonder what it'd be like to be you, all alone, with no one there for you when you are hurt or sad. No one to love you. But then I realize mommy and daddy will be there for you soon. You will come home and forget all about being alone. I don't know what I would be doing if I never knew about you.
Even though we have never met, I love you more than words can explain. I can't wait until that day when you come home and I get to see you and hug you My life will never be the same. I love you!!!!!!
Love your Big Sister Amanda!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
getting ready for trip #1
So Mike and I spent the morning getting the last of the things we need for the trip. stuff like zip lock bags not too exciting, but I did get some little ballet slipper type things to put on my feet when we go for our visits. I have been told they make you put covers over your shoes so I thought this way I could be comfy in some cute little slippers. Mike had to get some warm boots because it is cold there and may snow.I am already packed yep a week before we go! I just want to make sure I have everything ready and not in the wash or something. Everything I'm taking fits in my one carryon and one personal item (a nice sized bag holding lots of stuff lol). We had to get a few more papers notarized for our agency so we did that when we picked up the last of our new cash we have to take. Our visas came on Friday, our hotel is booked and we have our airline tickets, we are all set to go.I feel strange, excited but sorta scared. I keep saying to people it is like being pregnant I know it sounds strange but its the same feelings I had in that 8th month waiting for the baby to be born. This is an adventure for sure I'm so glad I have the love of my life my husband by my side for all of it, we have grown in so many ways even this far, and I know we have a lot more to go this is just the beginning.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
three years ago today a baby boy was born
Three years ago today a sweet little fuzzy red haired baby boy was born. I can't help but think about his Mother. I think how heartbroken she must have been. I'm sure she had no choice but to give him up. She already had six kids at home and in her country she would have no support, no place to turn for help, no medical care,no schooling,no place in society for a child that has down syndrome. I'm sure they gave her no choice. She almost aborted him when she was 3 1/2 month pregnant but changed her mind and let him live. How hard it must have been for her having him grow in her tummy feeling him move for nine months and then letting him go. I wonder if she got to hold him or even see him, I wonder if she visits him if she thinks about him often . I know that God put him on this earth in this way for a reason. He led us to him, he knew before anything that he would be our son. But I feel for his mother , how sad she must be today thinking about him on this day she gave birth to him. How grateful I am to her that she did!
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY JOSIAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Josiah!
Today is Josiah's 3rd birthday and all though we can't be with him to celebrate, we will be there in 12 days. This will be the last birthday he will spend without us.
I thought for his birthday I would share the poem I wrote for him back in a the spring. we love you little guy and we will be there soon
Little boy do you know
how much I already love you, how I look at your picture and long to hold you, long to kiss your sweet face and rub your fuzzy little head?
Little boy do you know
how I think of you in everything I do wondering what you are doing, if you are safe, how you are feeling, if someone is comforting you when you cry?
Little boy do you know
that God put you in my heart and I already love you as if you were growing in my tummy, how I hate the idea of you learning and doing all of your firsts without me,first smile,first tooth,first step,first word?
Little boy do you know
you have sisters and brothers that are waiting for you to come play with them, a daddy that is waiting to tickle your toes and kiss your forehead and teach you to play ball?
Little boy do you know
how many people are praying for you each day,you are special and loved?
Little boy do you know
how hard we are working to bring you home,that God loves you and will be with you no matter what and that he is bringing us to you?
Little boy do you know
I love you?
written by Mommy for Josiah
Today is Josiah's 3rd birthday and all though we can't be with him to celebrate, we will be there in 12 days. This will be the last birthday he will spend without us.
I thought for his birthday I would share the poem I wrote for him back in a the spring. we love you little guy and we will be there soon
Little boy do you know
how much I already love you, how I look at your picture and long to hold you, long to kiss your sweet face and rub your fuzzy little head?
Little boy do you know
how I think of you in everything I do wondering what you are doing, if you are safe, how you are feeling, if someone is comforting you when you cry?
Little boy do you know
that God put you in my heart and I already love you as if you were growing in my tummy, how I hate the idea of you learning and doing all of your firsts without me,first smile,first tooth,first step,first word?
Little boy do you know
you have sisters and brothers that are waiting for you to come play with them, a daddy that is waiting to tickle your toes and kiss your forehead and teach you to play ball?
Little boy do you know
how many people are praying for you each day,you are special and loved?
Little boy do you know
how hard we are working to bring you home,that God loves you and will be with you no matter what and that he is bringing us to you?
Little boy do you know
I love you?
written by Mommy for Josiah
Monday, November 1, 2010
check
$2,197.88 Plane tickets booked. Check!
$700 Visa's ordered. Check!
$840 Hotel room reserved. Check!
$700 Visa's ordered. Check!
$840 Hotel room reserved. Check!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
email about our sweet boy
We got this nice email today from our agency from the last visit with Josiah.
Sure, I can share my impressions ! He has changed very much since last time I saw him: he grew, he became stronger, and he can steadily walk now. He seems to be a very sociable child. I had a chance to observe him in the playing room together with all other kids. Most of the time he was interracting with someone of them. When I came into the room he showed much interest in me as a new person, I guess. He smiled at me, he touched my hand, my camera. During all that meeting he had a toy mouse in his hands, and definately was very much fascinated by it. He never let it go! There were a couple of moments when he was sitting by himself and was attentively studying the details of the mouse's tail and ears. He looked very cute!
today while talking to the orphanage doctor I got some good news due to the latest medical check results his heart condition significantly improved!
It was so nice to get this info I'm so happy he is doing so well and has grown so much. I love how she says he held and was studying the mouse.In this picture you can see he is giving the mouse loves.That is so great because it means someone has shown him how to do that by giving him loves. I'm so happy he is getting loved on by someone.
Sure, I can share my impressions ! He has changed very much since last time I saw him: he grew, he became stronger, and he can steadily walk now. He seems to be a very sociable child. I had a chance to observe him in the playing room together with all other kids. Most of the time he was interracting with someone of them. When I came into the room he showed much interest in me as a new person, I guess. He smiled at me, he touched my hand, my camera. During all that meeting he had a toy mouse in his hands, and definately was very much fascinated by it. He never let it go! There were a couple of moments when he was sitting by himself and was attentively studying the details of the mouse's tail and ears. He looked very cute!
today while talking to the orphanage doctor I got some good news due to the latest medical check results his heart condition significantly improved!
It was so nice to get this info I'm so happy he is doing so well and has grown so much. I love how she says he held and was studying the mouse.In this picture you can see he is giving the mouse loves.That is so great because it means someone has shown him how to do that by giving him loves. I'm so happy he is getting loved on by someone.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Waiting is over!
ok now the waiting is over now it's time to get back to work! we got Visas to order, Airline tickets to book and Hotel reservations to place. Here we come baby boy!!!
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we have a date! Had to post this Because Heather did ha-ha.
I took this from Heather Filmore's blog and changed it some.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 WE HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have a date, we have a date, we have a date! (Did I mention that we have a date?) We just got a call about an hour ago from out agency. our corrdinator e-mailed her in the middle of the night with the good news! All she said in the e-mail is that she had appointment dates for the Nine's and the Fillmore's. Our appointment with the Minestry of Education is November 15. in 21 days. we will meet our baby boy!!!! We will be with him on his Daddy's birthday the 19th . How perfect.
I woke up with butterflies this morning. It was really weird. We have been waiting TWO MONTHS for this date. We had a few times when it looked possible, then it happen. So we've been cautiously optimistic this past week, knowing that yes, the director is back to work, but who knows if she'll get sick again or something.
I have to include the correspondence between Heather and I today via e-mail:
8:28 am (Katrina to Heather)
Well, as always please let me know if you get any news from the agency.
10:38 am (Heather to Katrina)
I’m starting to feel antsy again, like it’s going to happen this week. Are you? Gotta try not to think about it all the time.
9:49 am (Katrina to Heather)
I have had butterflies in my tummy all morning like I'm getting ready to make a huge speech in front of a million people or something so maybe that is the same as antsy lol I am trying not to think so much. I think I will make some big gluey craft with the kids that has me tied up for a couple hours. right now they are just all playing and that gives me too much time to think.
10:40 am (Heather to Katrina)
Yeah, I guess butterflies is a better way to describe it. Like you feel right before you go into labor. J Did you see that Rebecca (another mom adopting from St. Pete) got their travel date on the 21st? They have to be there on Monday the 1st. So the committee is giving appointments! What is going on??
10:41 am (Heather to agency)
Hi , I just learned that someone got their travel date last Thursday to be in St. Pete on Nov. 1st. So they are assigning appointments. What’s going on? Have you heard anything?
2:14 pm (Katrina to Heather)
I feel sick to my stomach now why don't we have our date?
3;30 pm (Heather to Katrina)
It doesn't make any sense. Can't they just take a few minutes and pick up our files?
3:29 pm (Katrina to Heather)
Can I just say, COME ON ALREADY!!!! I'm tired of this. Lord, whatever you are teaching me, can this part of the lesson please be over? I feel like one of my 3-year-old daycare kids asking if they can get up from time-out!
4:55 pm (Heather to Katrina)
I hear you loud and clear. Enough is enough.
At this point, I called Mike and vented my frustration.
A half hour later, the phone rang.It was from our agency.I had never talked to her before.
( P)
I have good news.
I knew at once who she was and what she was going to tell me I started to cry.
(P)
are you ok?
(Katrina)
yes just so happy. she had to tell me the date 3 times because I was sorta in a fog in shock I guess.
I think I'm still in shock, it is something we have been waiting for so long.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 WE HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have a date, we have a date, we have a date! (Did I mention that we have a date?) We just got a call about an hour ago from out agency. our corrdinator e-mailed her in the middle of the night with the good news! All she said in the e-mail is that she had appointment dates for the Nine's and the Fillmore's. Our appointment with the Minestry of Education is November 15. in 21 days. we will meet our baby boy!!!! We will be with him on his Daddy's birthday the 19th . How perfect.
I woke up with butterflies this morning. It was really weird. We have been waiting TWO MONTHS for this date. We had a few times when it looked possible, then it happen. So we've been cautiously optimistic this past week, knowing that yes, the director is back to work, but who knows if she'll get sick again or something.
I have to include the correspondence between Heather and I today via e-mail:
8:28 am (Katrina to Heather)
Well, as always please let me know if you get any news from the agency.
10:38 am (Heather to Katrina)
I’m starting to feel antsy again, like it’s going to happen this week. Are you? Gotta try not to think about it all the time.
9:49 am (Katrina to Heather)
I have had butterflies in my tummy all morning like I'm getting ready to make a huge speech in front of a million people or something so maybe that is the same as antsy lol I am trying not to think so much. I think I will make some big gluey craft with the kids that has me tied up for a couple hours. right now they are just all playing and that gives me too much time to think.
10:40 am (Heather to Katrina)
Yeah, I guess butterflies is a better way to describe it. Like you feel right before you go into labor. J Did you see that Rebecca (another mom adopting from St. Pete) got their travel date on the 21st? They have to be there on Monday the 1st. So the committee is giving appointments! What is going on??
10:41 am (Heather to agency)
Hi , I just learned that someone got their travel date last Thursday to be in St. Pete on Nov. 1st. So they are assigning appointments. What’s going on? Have you heard anything?
2:14 pm (Katrina to Heather)
I feel sick to my stomach now why don't we have our date?
3;30 pm (Heather to Katrina)
It doesn't make any sense. Can't they just take a few minutes and pick up our files?
3:29 pm (Katrina to Heather)
Can I just say, COME ON ALREADY!!!! I'm tired of this. Lord, whatever you are teaching me, can this part of the lesson please be over? I feel like one of my 3-year-old daycare kids asking if they can get up from time-out!
4:55 pm (Heather to Katrina)
I hear you loud and clear. Enough is enough.
At this point, I called Mike and vented my frustration.
A half hour later, the phone rang.It was from our agency.I had never talked to her before.
( P)
I have good news.
I knew at once who she was and what she was going to tell me I started to cry.
(P)
are you ok?
(Katrina)
yes just so happy. she had to tell me the date 3 times because I was sorta in a fog in shock I guess.
I think I'm still in shock, it is something we have been waiting for so long.
we got our date !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Got this from our Agency today
Here is the good news at last:
The Nine's visit to the Committee is appointed for November 15, 2010
Here is the good news at last:
The Nine's visit to the Committee is appointed for November 15, 2010
