Is there such a thing as Chaotic Peace?
I think so - I think that is exactly where we are right now. Everything is spinning around me with a multitude of things to do but I am completely at peace. Its a good feeling. We are making huge strides and progress with the Paper Chase and are actually enjoying (some) of the process. Its good to laugh and enjoy the time we are getting to spend together.
We have managed to get through our physicals (whew! finally Mr 'I love ham' got his blood pressure to a reasonable rate!), the kids will go this week, we are getting ready for our rummage sale this weekend with TONS of stuff people have donated - SO COOL! We have found a Psychologist! That has been huge. A really cool God thing, simply asked our doctor in casual conversation if he knew anyone and before I knew it he was on the phone calling a gal who's husband is a psychologist AND they just adopted from Ethiopia a year ago. We have connected and are just needing to set it up. Bam! Done... a huge piece of the dossier I was needing to finalize!
Financially, its fun to see how we have just to the dollar what we need for each step so far. I do live in a slight panic of this but I continually let it go... I know it will be ok. Another big thing coming up but I'm confident in God that He will provide!
We are 2 visits in with our Home Study Rep, she comes to the house next Thursday - we have a few things to take care of there but not near as much as we had thought. And she's really cool. I wasn't sure what to expect with this part but it has been a very easy process. Lengthy, but easy :)
I spent some time with Tim last night going through the pics from his last trip and am as convinced as ever that we are on the right road. I know it isn't for everybody and get that - but this is it. I cannot wait to meet my kids. I know God is preparing them as He is us for the time we will be together!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
#haitianbycroft(s) update
Well, several weeks into the process and I am completely in awe at the peace that has come. I've gone through a multitude of emotions and most likely - that will continue since I am me - so deal with it! But I am appreciative of the ultimate peace that has come over the last couple of weeks. So, here's where we are:
We have decided to adopt a sibling set for sure. Not sure what dynamics play into that, we are working that through here in the next couple of weeks. There are 2 orphanages we are looking at http://www.foyerdesion.org/FAQ.php is a Haitian led orphanage and http://www.hishomeforchildren.com/ is American led. Our rep didn't say that one over the other is better, they are both Christian based but the Haitian one has more options, she was leaning more towards the Haitian one for that reason. She's been there and said she had kids faces in her mind as we spoke. Ugh! Then the very same day she decided to take a quick trip at the end of the month to visit each orphanage and invited the Haitian families along. I'm trying to decide if it is beneficial to spend this kind of money on this end of it or wait until we have a recommendation to go. We don't choose the kids. Our Social worker coordinates with the Adoption rep and they work with the orphanage we choose and then make a recommendation to us. But them getting to know us, seeing us with the kids - would that be beneficial now? We meet for the first time tomorrow morning with our Social worker so that will be a good question for her. We cannot afford a trip like this at this point unless it would greatly benefit the process somehow. My thought is that it would be brutal going before knowing who our kids are - I think it would completely mess with my mind and I'd probably come home with all of them!
We want to thank you so much for the support and input. This is a fun process - lengthy... but we're enjoying it!
We have decided to adopt a sibling set for sure. Not sure what dynamics play into that, we are working that through here in the next couple of weeks. There are 2 orphanages we are looking at http://www.foyerdesion.org/FAQ.php is a Haitian led orphanage and http://www.hishomeforchildren.com/ is American led. Our rep didn't say that one over the other is better, they are both Christian based but the Haitian one has more options, she was leaning more towards the Haitian one for that reason. She's been there and said she had kids faces in her mind as we spoke. Ugh! Then the very same day she decided to take a quick trip at the end of the month to visit each orphanage and invited the Haitian families along. I'm trying to decide if it is beneficial to spend this kind of money on this end of it or wait until we have a recommendation to go. We don't choose the kids. Our Social worker coordinates with the Adoption rep and they work with the orphanage we choose and then make a recommendation to us. But them getting to know us, seeing us with the kids - would that be beneficial now? We meet for the first time tomorrow morning with our Social worker so that will be a good question for her. We cannot afford a trip like this at this point unless it would greatly benefit the process somehow. My thought is that it would be brutal going before knowing who our kids are - I think it would completely mess with my mind and I'd probably come home with all of them!
We want to thank you so much for the support and input. This is a fun process - lengthy... but we're enjoying it!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Late Night Rambling - Just Wondering...
...if I could get some backup here from some families who have adopted that went through extreme anxiety over the expense. I know, I KNOW! I am fully aware that God is in control and if He wants more children in our home with our last name He will make it happen but I am officially freaking out over the upcoming expenses.
Understand this, I am - in no way, shape or form - expecting others to pay for this to happen. But for goodness sake, HOW WILL IT HAPPEN!?? I'm pretty certain I have 2 functioning kidneys, maybe I sell one? Do people do that? Maybe I'll offer Tim's first! Ha! What on earth do people do? I know we are very fortunate, my husband has a job he loves and we live very comfortably compared to most but the idea of 10's of thousands of dollars for this to happen is about to put me over the edge.
Here's the deal, we don't fish for handouts - we work... very hard for what we want that is considered 'extra'. Kids want to go on Summer trips? Oh, there are no letters going out asking for donations. They may ask for *work* to earn cash but not a hand out, oh no... so thats where I'm at, what can we *DO* to earn what could ultimately be close to $60,000??? In the next year? I'm totally open to ideas. Keeping in mind that 1) God, 2) Family 3) Jobs (Tim's is very demanding *in a good way* and I am currently working 2 jobs) but for goodness sake, we are completely willing to work for the money, I just don't know how. I feel very overwhelmed with the heaviness of this.
Just being honest here -
I get it. I love God and I trust Him. But I'm a fool if I just blow it off and not do anything. I know this will be ok... but we have set high standards for how we live as far as debt is concerned. What does this look like?
...
...
Ok, I feel better - I just needed that off my chest. I'm done now :)
Understand this, I am - in no way, shape or form - expecting others to pay for this to happen. But for goodness sake, HOW WILL IT HAPPEN!?? I'm pretty certain I have 2 functioning kidneys, maybe I sell one? Do people do that? Maybe I'll offer Tim's first! Ha! What on earth do people do? I know we are very fortunate, my husband has a job he loves and we live very comfortably compared to most but the idea of 10's of thousands of dollars for this to happen is about to put me over the edge.
Here's the deal, we don't fish for handouts - we work... very hard for what we want that is considered 'extra'. Kids want to go on Summer trips? Oh, there are no letters going out asking for donations. They may ask for *work* to earn cash but not a hand out, oh no... so thats where I'm at, what can we *DO* to earn what could ultimately be close to $60,000??? In the next year? I'm totally open to ideas. Keeping in mind that 1) God, 2) Family 3) Jobs (Tim's is very demanding *in a good way* and I am currently working 2 jobs) but for goodness sake, we are completely willing to work for the money, I just don't know how. I feel very overwhelmed with the heaviness of this.
Just being honest here -
I get it. I love God and I trust Him. But I'm a fool if I just blow it off and not do anything. I know this will be ok... but we have set high standards for how we live as far as debt is concerned. What does this look like?
...
...
Ok, I feel better - I just needed that off my chest. I'm done now :)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Be A Piece Of Our Story!
After much prayer and consideration, we are certain that there is at
least one Bycroft child from our family currently in Haiti. God has
already decided who they are, we just need to find them and bring them
home!
It is astronomical the amount of time, paperwork and MONEY it takes to make something like this happen. We need way more than we are listing here but eventually we can apply for grants and 0% loans but not until our Home Study is complete. We are working on that and the Dossier now!
It is astronomical the amount of time, paperwork and MONEY it takes to make something like this happen. We need way more than we are listing here but eventually we can apply for grants and 0% loans but not until our Home Study is complete. We are working on that and the Dossier now!
We currently have a large puzzle of Haiti and are asking for $10
donations for each piece.
We will then put your name on the back of the
puzzle piece. A $50 donation = your name on 5 pieces, $100 = 10
pieces, etc. We will then put it together and frame it in glass so we
will always be able to remember you! You can do this here http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=2470&url=haitianbycroft
We are so grateful for the love and support that has been shown to us so far! We can't wait for our family to be complete!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sweet Blessings!
What an amazing past few weeks! Since deciding to go full force into the adoption process our life has been filled with paperwork, online training, and amazing blessings! Our kids are super excited and supportive which means the world to me! Our extended family is on board and we could not have a better support system in place through our brothers and sisters here! Loving it!
We had a unique opportunity come up this past week. Some friends of ours went away a few months ago to a place in Michigan called Broom Tree ministries. Since they went, they get updates as openings arise and this last week one came up - beginning tomorrow! Since Tim is on sabbatical this month we contemplated going. It is an all free (food and housing) opportunity to rest, regroup and reconnect with each other and God. Wow, who wouldn't want to do that!!?? But the daily tasks and responsibilities seemed too much to overcome; the decision had to be made quickly so someone else could go if we weren't. Having not finalized any plans we decided to go for it and figured it would just work out. A short 24 hours later I was very close to flipping out when it hadn't. Just the up and down emotion of it kind of took a toll. The idea of getting away with my best friend for a solid week made me very happy, then it not working out made me crazy! (no comments from the peanut gallery!)
The next morning I woke up to a text from my girlfriend saying there was no reason their family couldn't move in our house for the week and she take care of all 3 kids. Can I tell you how much I love God? Don't much appreciate His sense of humor sometimes but thats all good! Yeesh!
So, please pray for us this week? Tim and I as we get to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity, the kids that they will have somewhat of a normal week and for Amanda - Good Lord, thank you for AMANDA! Their family of 6 plus dog, with our 3 kids and Weezie. Ya, I think I'm glad I'll be in Michigan :)
We had a unique opportunity come up this past week. Some friends of ours went away a few months ago to a place in Michigan called Broom Tree ministries. Since they went, they get updates as openings arise and this last week one came up - beginning tomorrow! Since Tim is on sabbatical this month we contemplated going. It is an all free (food and housing) opportunity to rest, regroup and reconnect with each other and God. Wow, who wouldn't want to do that!!?? But the daily tasks and responsibilities seemed too much to overcome; the decision had to be made quickly so someone else could go if we weren't. Having not finalized any plans we decided to go for it and figured it would just work out. A short 24 hours later I was very close to flipping out when it hadn't. Just the up and down emotion of it kind of took a toll. The idea of getting away with my best friend for a solid week made me very happy, then it not working out made me crazy! (no comments from the peanut gallery!)
The next morning I woke up to a text from my girlfriend saying there was no reason their family couldn't move in our house for the week and she take care of all 3 kids. Can I tell you how much I love God? Don't much appreciate His sense of humor sometimes but thats all good! Yeesh!
So, please pray for us this week? Tim and I as we get to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity, the kids that they will have somewhat of a normal week and for Amanda - Good Lord, thank you for AMANDA! Their family of 6 plus dog, with our 3 kids and Weezie. Ya, I think I'm glad I'll be in Michigan :)
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