I mentioned that Storing Up Treasures was one of my favorite blogs. Right now, Courtney is trying to do something amazing for 26+ children and 26 families. She is trying to raise $10,000 in 20 days for 26 families who are adopting. Would you consider donating?

This is something that I read on Courtney’s blog that has put the idea of donating to adoption in perspective for me…

“A wise person once told us as we were lamenting the cost that we were not “buying children”, that we could not look at it that way. We had to look at the cost of adoption as “ransom.” Think about it. Anyone of us would give up everything we had if one of our children currently in our home were held for ransom. We would pay whatever it took. Family would join in, friends would join in, strangers would line up to help. No one would think “well that kid deserves being held for ransom because of XYZ” … the thought is terrifying.

Look at adoption costs the same way. You are potentially stealing the future away from these children. But in a good way. There is a child being born in the US right now who needs a family so they do not grow up without hope! There is a child living in an orphanage where they share a 10×12 room with 15 other children at night who needs your help! There is an HIV positive child in a far away land who if they could only make it to the US would live a long and happy life because of all the breakthrough medicine. There is an older child that once they are aged out of the system will surely be forced into prostitution! Pay the ransom for these children, please … I humbly beg of you.”

I know that I was fortunate to grow up in the United States in a really awesome family. But, I don’t think that it is fair of me to go about living my life ignoring the fact that there are children in this world who starve because they don’t have food or die of manageable diseases. Or even just live in an orphanage and never get to know the love of a family.

There have been a lot of blogs from families who have adopted which have really encouraged us to adopt! If you are considering adoption, want to learn more about what day-to-day life is like with an adopted child or just enjoy reading other people’s blogs, I recommend checking them out.

One of the first blogs I ever started reading regularly was Smiles and Trials. Christine and her husband have adopted 6 children, have 6 biological children and are in the process of adopting again. They truly have hearts for adoption. They seem like such a cool family. I have emailed Christine a few times and she has been so encouraging! I enjoy reading her blog because she has adopted recently, but also a few years ago. It is neat to read some of her older blog entries and see how her children have progressed the long that they have been home. Christine also blogged through most of the adoption of their son Dennis, so that is great reading material for understanding the process… Dennis’ adoption blog is The Ukraine Train.

The Stumbo Family recently adopted a little girl, I believe from Ukraine. I enjoy reading their story because the Stumbos keep it real! They are very honest about the ups and downs of having Nina home. I don’t think that they have had Nina home for too long and I know that the first several months of bringing a child home is the hardest. It is nice to see the bad with the good, if only to be aware that this will not be an easy journey!

Storing Up Treasures is the blog of another large family. Both biological and adopted children. Courtney puts it all out there on her blog as well. She admits her struggles, with her son’s attachment issues, her awareness that she and her family will never “fit in”, not being able to deal with puke, etc. I loved her blog within the first five minutes of reading it and passed it on to my sister, who instantly loved it too. Can I also confess that I don’t really care that she is 10 years older than me… I’d love to be her friend?

The Hosford Family adopted Victoria about six months ago. I have enjoyed reading their story about bringing her home and how she fits into their family. Jaime, Victoria’s mom, has also been really fantastic about answering my questions. She is very awesome!

So, these are my favorite adoption blogs… you know I read tons of blogs, so if you need craft blogs or home decorating blogs or whatever, let me know…