Thursday, March 19, 2009

Malaria No More

No news yet about our boys. The pastor that was going to check on them last week was delayed by the death of one of the little boys he was hoping would be helped by the special needs orphanage that will be opening soon. But, it's too late for him. He died of malaria. His parents were too poor to provide a mosquito net that could have prevented him from getting it. Never underestimate what $10 can do.

Check out Malaria No More at http://www.malarianomore.org/ and the video at the bottom of my blog.

To a child in Africa, the buzz of a mosquito may be the scariest sound of all.

Adoption Education

We met with our social worker from Catholic Charities yesterday to go over the material we have covered so far in our workbook. I am trying to get through that thing so our home study can be completed. One more meeting and we are done!

Oatmeal?

I made my way back to the USCIS office in St. Paul again. I received a notice last week that they were "unable to process" my fingerprints. Fortunately, it's spring break week and I didn't have to take off work again and my brother in law was gracious enough to watch the kids.

However, when my fingerprints were taken again, the lady said they looked like "oatmeal". Not a compliment, I think. She even mentioned ladies from third world countries often have beautiful fingerprints, must be the chemical we expose ourselves to. Humm. Something to think about. Nice to know if I commit any crimes, my fingerprints won't give me away.

So, I had to swear under oath that I am Peggy Halvorsen. Now, our I600a application should be on it's way....

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Success!


Well, my hunt for beautiful brown dolls is over for now. My girls all have a new baby to love. It's been delightful to see them play with their new dolls.
I found two at Kmart. They had a nice selection. One is from Saver's. And the baby doll that Grace is holding is from Toys R Us in Brookfield. It was even on clearance cause the box was beat up.
I am still looking for Loving Family dolls though.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

When Love Takes You In

Here are the lyrics to the new song I posted. I always cry when I hear this song, now more than ever.

When Love Takes You In
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I know you’ve heard the stories
But they all sound too good to be true
You’ve heard about a place called home
But there doesn’t seem to be one for you S
o one more night you cry yourself to sleep A
nd drift off to a distant dream

Where love takes you in and everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in

And somewhere while you’re sleeping
Someone else is dreaming too
Counting down the days until
They hold you close and say I love you
And like the rain that falls into the sea
In a moment what has been is lost in what will be

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
And this love will never let you go

There is nothing that could ever cause this love to lose its hold

When love takes you in everything changes
A miracle starts with the beat of a heart
When love takes you home and says you belong here
The loneliness ends and a new life begins
When love takes you in it takes you in for good
When love takes you in

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Update soon

The pastor in Liberia who is overseeing the care of our boys will be visiting them this week. We are hoping to get an update on how they are doing and maybe some new pictures. Liberian adoptions are still closed, but I am told the government is making progress and should be ready to reopen soon.

As we prepare our children for their new siblings, I've been looking for ethnic dolls, anything from baby dolls to Loving Family dollhouse dolls. I can't find any good deals on-line. Anyone out there have any ideas? Or other ideas of fun ways to prepare kids for adoption?