Category Archives: Adoption

Adoption, Orphan Care
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I know some of you are going to think I’m a bit crazy, but I have a little favor to ask of you.

The first thing that I want you to do is reread these two posts: Devastating and Devastating, Part II

Then, I want you to take 10 minutes? 15 minutes? 20 minutes? and just think. Back away from the computer, do this when your kids aren’t around, when you don’t have other things on your mind. Think about what it’s like to be an orphan. Think about what your life would be like without your family. I mean, really think, what if that were you, in that crib. Or what if that was your darling child?

I hope this doesn’t sound totally crazy, but I want you to more than know the reality that these children face every day… I want you to FEEL that reality. I want hearts to break for these orphans…

And maybe, if you do all that for me, because you are wonderful, will you tell someone else? Will you teach them the realities for these children and let their heart break too?

First Adoption

Two at a Time

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Another question we get asked a lot is why we would chose to adopt two unrelated children at the same time. As much as I could sugar coat it for you, the biggest answer is money. We knew we wanted to adopt two kids sometime, and it is much, much cheaper to adopt two children at the same time. Around $25000 for the first child and $4000 for the second child. That saves us over $20000… which is um, a lot of money.

Money being our main reason might sound selfish or greedy, especially considering there are some disadvantages to adopting two children at the same time. It can make it a bit harder for them to adjust and take them longer to adjust. Of course, it can be harder for the parents to have two new, needy children around.  But the truth is, we simply couldn’t afford to adopt one child and go back in a year or two for the second.

I think almost all of us would agree that having their needs met is best for both Reed and Scarlett. Even if it is not the easiest or best way to go about adopting two children, it means that both Reed and Scarlett will have a family.

First Adoption, Fundraisers

THANK YOU!

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I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to whoever has donated to us through Reece’s Rainbow. I’ve contacted Andrea about who you are so I can thank you privately, but I just wanted to THANK YOU right now! I am so excited to see that our family grant is up to $125.

I am very excited about our photo fundraiser this weekend. It is going to be a lot of fun and we’re going to raise a lot of money. Thank you so much to Amy, for the idea and dedicating your time to this project and thank you everyone who has signed up.

There will be plenty of baked goods there, too… excessive amounts of baked goods, so please stop by… grab a cupcake or a cookie or a whoopie pie. I am not calling it a bake sale, since I don’t have a permit to sell things at either park, but I’d be happy to accept donations.  If you want to know where you should stop by, contact me via the “contact us” form up top. Saturday evening in KC, Sunday afternoon in Lawrence.

A big thank you to everyone who has donated money, time and clothes/books/toys for Reed & Scarlett. It means a lot to us that you all are so supportive. And thanks to everyone who has bought t-shirts and coffee. And thank you to everyone who has passed along our blog and our fundraisers.

It really does mean a lot to us and helps bring Reed and Scarlett home.

Adoption, Orphan Care

HIV in Eastern Europe

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A friend treated me to ice cream tonight (thanks again!) and we were catching up and talking about adoption. She asked me why, in reference to a previous post, advocating for children who still need families, HIV is so common in Eastern Europe.

I always read about things, get educated, and then when someone asks me a question like this… I can’t remember or I am not so good with words.

But, why is HIV so common in Eastern Europe, specifically the country we’re adopting from?
Well, from what I understand, most of those who are HIV+ are generally at risk individuals to begin with: prisoners, drug addicts, street children, prostitutes. It is not uncommon for drug users to share & reuse needles. I think in a culture where HIV/AIDS education is not prioritized, people may be familiar with the effects of the virus, but they may not know it is transmitted or they may just think that it won’t happen to them. They may or may not know that there are medicines out there which will help them, but they probably do not have access to them.

BBC did a great series on HIV/AIDS across the world. Here is an article about HIV+ orphans in Eastern Europe. There are a couple more in Eastern Europe too.

What can you do to help?
If you are able, you can adopt one of these beautiful children with HIV. Bring them home, give them a family and the medical treatment that they need. If you can’t adopt, there is also an opportunity to sponsor an HIV+ child in Eastern Europe. This involves sending at least two packages a year to an HIV+ child, filled with things like clothes, toys, basic needs. Interested?

First Adoption, Fundraisers

Ukraine Love T-shirts

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Okay, can I just say siblings in their Ukraine Love t-shirts, waiting to bring their new brother or sister home– TOO CUTE!

Danielle posted this photo of her son and daughter, Toby and Francesca, on her blog, wearing their shirts. They’re waiting to bring home their brother Ivan.

And Becky sent me this photo of her two adorable boys today, holding their sister’s shirt…

To bring her daughter Alina home, Becky is selling adorable, homemade dolls. Becky and I traded– t-shirts for dolls.

Since Reed and Scarlett don’t have cute siblings waiting for them, an adorable cousin will have to do…