Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
halfway there (?)
So a little milestone... but a milestone nonetheless!
and ps... I also note that it's been 3 years since we started this blog. Never could have imagined where this journey would take us when I wrote my first post on Oct. 20, 2007.
Friday, October 15, 2010
good
It goes without saying that we are very much in favor of adoption as a means of growing a family. The depth of emotions -joy and love and amazement, and at times heartbreak - that we've experienced in the course of adopting Simon (and again now) and becoming a family of 4 (3 humans, 1 dog) are indescribable, much as I have tried to put them into words here for the last three years. They are life-changing in the best way possible.
Still, we are even more in favor of finding other solutions to help the many children worldwide who, for whatever reason, are not able to grow up with their biological families. We hope that bringing Simon into our family will prove to be in his best interest. We know he will experience love and security that he did not have readily available in Ethiopia, and we will do our best to always provide him with all of his needs and many comforts. For sure, adoption is good in so many ways. But we do not take lightly either the issue of having to remove children from their countries of birth (sometimes children who have living families who simply cannot adequately care for them) or the needs of those children who remain in their homelands, but without the same resources and opportunities that we have. In fact, we would be overjoyed if all of these children could enjoy the love and security of a family, a good education, opportunities to become self-sufficient... through means other than adoption.
So when we started the process of adopting Simon, it was important for us to look at programs in countries that focused on the well-being of all children - not just those eligible for adoption, as well as an agency that provided meaningful support in the country, helping to build infrastructure and create opportunities in that country for children whose birth parents are not able to provide these things for them.
One way Gladney, our adoption agency, has done this is by assisting older children in orphanages in obtaining an advanced education through either traditional and/or training instruction. Gladney's General Ethiopian Scholarship Fund helps children further their educations, by providing tuition fees, as well as money for school supplies, copies, clothes and transportation. The average funding which a child is likely to need is anywhere from $400 to $1,000 USD per year.
Before Gladney became involved, they only knew of one student from the orphanages they support who made it to University. Gladney has since hired high school teachers as tutors for those interested in taking the National Exams. Two years ago of the 8 who took the exam, all passed, which had never happened before in the history of either of those government run orphanages. This past August, the tutors assisted 12 more students and once again all 12 passed the National Exam, so another 100% pass rate! Of special significance, one of those students scored within the top 10% of everyone taking the exam in all of Ethiopia, and he is excited to start attending Medical School.
Gladney also supports a scholarship program. Through this program, over 200 students have become involved with studies such as medical science, construction technology, hairdressing/beauty profession, food preparation/hospitality, information technology, language, teaching profession and governmental institutions.
When we were in Ethiopia, we met the children in these orphanages, and are thrilled that so many of them have been able to pursue education and training through this program. Despite what most here would see as tremendous hardships, these children were so full of life... happy, kind, optimistic, hopeful. I cannot think of a better way to give back to Ethiopia, a country that has given so much to us. And I know, from having met these children, that they will truly, deeply appreciate the opportunities they are given as a result.
If you have any ability to help these children, please consider making a donation to Gladney. To restrict your donation to this program, you should make your check out to The Gladney Center for Adoption; c/o Ethiopian Adoption Program; 6300 John Ryan Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122. In the memo line write “Ethiopian Educational Scholarship."
Friday, October 1, 2010
remember us?
We're still here. I realize you wouldn't really know it from the lack of posting, but we are.
As usual, life is hectic and crazy and always keeping us on our toes. And as usual, we are loving it, but often feeling as though we are one step behind. And so the days pass and guzo sits untouched.
But as Simon's caregiver was under the weather today (we hope you feel better soon!!) and I was "forced" to take the afternoon off from work (twist my arm!).... I thought I would take advantage of a little down time during Simon's nap to say hello to my 3-4 loyal readers and anyone else who may have stumbled across the blog. So hello everyone!!!
Hmm... so where do I begin??
You may have noticed that we have passed the 3 month mark of our wait for a referral. It's exciting - it does start to feel a little more like we are really on our way now. But we still have so, so long to go. Probably 5-6 more months until a referral... another 2-4 after that until a court date and maybe, just maybe, if things go smooth, travel a month or so later.... i.e. we could still be waiting a good year or more before we can bring home our daughter.
I looked back to remind myself of what passing the three month mark was like when we were adopting Simon (as if I don't remember each and every moment - I do... sometimes better than I'd like to!). Boy have things changed. In 2008, it was totally reasonable to think a referral could come any day after hitting that 3 month milestone. And the time from referral to travel was often just a couple of months more. So we were anxious and energized and hopeful and excited and buzzing!! In 2010, 3 months is not much more than a "good start" towards a much, much longer wait... and so laid back remains our M.O. (albeit laid back with a few random moments of window shopping for little girl's clothing or chatting about how we will set up her bedroom or what we will call her....).
Of course, in 2008, we did not have a 2.5 year old to help keep our minds off the roller coaster ride we call adoption. For sure, Simon keeps us busy and our lives full.
He has recently started pre-school... It's been a slow adjustment, although I think we are finally reaching the turning point where he trusts his new teachers and is starting to look forward to crafts and French and gym and yoga (man have things changed since I was in pre-school). We are also continuing swimming lessons (also a slow adjustment... he really gets excited to go to the pool, but you probably wouldn't know it if you were watching. let's just say Simon's face and the water are still not that interested in getting to know one another). And then there's cooking class. I think Simon would be happy if he never went anywhere else. We sometimes wonder whether his love/obsession with all things cooking will pass or if this is really the start of a true passion. It will definitely be interesting to watch....
And since I am anticipating that Simon will be waking up any minute... I will sign off again. Hoping to post a few pictures from the second half of the summer soon and to do a better job at posting generally (though I won't promise anymore... I get it... I'm just not that good at keeping up with the blog and I hate making promises I can't keep). Until then...
