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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas Break started off with an Ortho appointment. Because of Maria's SB, she also has a curved spine, which gets check up on every 6 months. Well, good news she is doing great. No major change in her back and everyone continues to be happy with where she is at with walking and mobility....honestly she continues to impress them so much. That being said, snow and ice are not Maria's friend. We had an ice storm on Thursday night before the Ortho appt and then a snow storm on Saturday where we ended up with a good 6 inches of snow if not 8. She did well with the snow, but did slip going down the steps because of ice....I was spotting her as I always do with snow and ice and was able to prevent her from really hurting herself. It also helped she knew it might happen and was giggling as I helped her sit down on the step.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parent's home. It was mostly a relaxing day spent playing cards, cooking and watching my mom finish things up. We had a nice time, although I wasn't feeling the best. This was our 2nd Christmas Day together. She has grown so much....it was neat to see the way she responded to things. I had asked Maria after her birthday what she wanted for Christmas. She had told me she didn't know because she has everything she wants and more. She did end up saying she wanted initial M earrings. After much thought I decided to get Maria an iPod nano. She loves listening to music and often will request to listen to music in the evenings. Plus I figured that it was an age appropriate gift that would be easy for her to carry. She loved it....in fact she is in bed listening to it right now through a little speaker accessory kit that came with it. Yup, we had to load it up with songs tonight. I would guess almost half are Bulgarian.

We spent time with family today, grand parents, uncle, cousins, great grandparents and my mom's cousin and her husband. It was a nice day and a lot of fun. We also did a fun game referred to as candy crush.....candy wrapped through a ball of Saran Wrap. The kids loved it and had lots of fun. On the way home Maria said she didn't want the day to end. She wanted more time with family having fun. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas too.

 

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

A day early

I was playing around with some of Maria's photos to show how she has changed. It is amazing to see the transformation not only physically, but also in personality and confidence. Maria was blessed that she was in a very good orphanage, where she was loved and a favorite. For all those families waiting, considering, wondering if you can manage a kiddo with special needs, I hope this gives you hope.

One day early but.....Happy 2 year Metcha Day Maria! Obechem te!

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Memories...

This week is full of sweet memories for me. It was two years ago today that my friend and I boarded the first plane heading towards Bulgaria to meet Maria. I drove 5 1/2 hours to Ohare that day, in snow (if you have ever drove 90 in snow, you completely understand this is not the best choice). We boarded our flight to Munich Germany. I can remember being so excited and nervous sleep was not going to come....so, it was a night full of movies. My sweet friend stayed up with me when she could have slept...watching the same movies I was so we were doing everything together. We finally landed in Munich on the 18th and later that day arrived in Sofia. It was a long flight and I just remember being so very tired....seems like so long ago at times. So thankful for an amazing friend who went on the journey with me...not sure what I would have done without you, Dora Beth!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Racing Wheelchair

I have had trouble finding grants to help with the cost of a racing wheelchair for Maria. She really enjoyed the time she spent in huge racing wheelchair last month and really wants to race. So, I set up a fundraising page for it. Sadly, a racing chair starts at $3200 and insurance pays for none of it. Please share our link, give if you feel led to do so.


http://www.youcaring.com/other/maria-s-racing-wheelchair/114200?utm_source=first-email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A&utm_campaign=congratulations

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my parents home. We stayed over night on Wednesday and were there to help Thursday. My brother and his kids came over for lunch and the kids stayed most of the afternoon. I ended up taking a few pictures of Maria for our Christmas card since the photo session we had tried the previous weekend was too cold. It ended up working out well...even got a few photos with my niece in them. We then had a more formal dinner with my parents and grandparents. It was a nice day and we had fun too.

She is starting to look so grown up!

 

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Fundraising item

My friends the Rieben's are fundraising to bring home 3 more boys. Two are J and S. As part of their fundraising efforts they have a Facebook page with auction items on it. This is one of the things I put together for their auction.

It's a floating locket with a Bulgarian theme.

 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Track clinic

Maria has been wanting to try wheelchair racing for awhile. I started talking with a few people earlier this fall because the NJDC will be held in July 2014 in Ames, IA. We would love to see Maria have a chance to participate in the games. So, I started asking around and trying to figure out where to start. We were told of GLASA in the Chicago area and that they had a track clinic coming up. We signed up and were excited to see what Maria would think of it.

The clinic was on Saturday from 1-3. The participants were divided into 3 groups, based on age and experience. Maria was in group 1 for youth that were beginners. The first station was sitting/fitting for a racing chair. This takes some time. While Maria and the other kids waited, they got to race in their everyday chairs. Skill and ability varied, but Maria did well.

Finally Maria got fitted for a chair and got to try one out. While this was happen, something unexpected happened. I was talking to one of the coaches and mentioned Maria was from Bulgaria and he told me there was another girl from Bulgaria there too. He called her over. Dana was adopted at 2 and now is 20. She really doesn't have many Bulgarian connections and was so excited to meet us. Her mom and sister were there too. Dana normally is a lead for blind runners. She was in a wheelchair because she had recently has surgery. Her sister is also a wheelchair racer. We exchanged information so that I could help get her connected with other Bulgarian adoptees. By this point, Maria was in a racing chair and trying it out.

According to the GLASA staff and former Paralympic racer Maria is a natural and has the right build for wheelchair racing. In fact heard some real positive things. Maria loved it! She is ready to do more!

After Maria got out of her chair it was time for the nutrition portion of the event. Maria got to make a yummy snack and had a lot of fun. In fact on of the coaches even gave me his card so that we can get training workouts to help her prepare for qualifying! Now onto finding a racing chair. Going to try a couple different groups to see if it can be covered by a grant or at least partially funded. A racing chair starts at $3200! Not sure what I will do if those options don't work out....might need to do a little fundraising for it.

Two Bulgarians!
 

 

 

Chicago weekend

We often go to Chicago area to visit with friends of mine from college. This weekend held a different purpose. Because I knew this weekend we would be there far ahead of time, I asked several other adoptive families if they wanted to join us in the hotel. Two other families took us up on a fun weekend.

Friday night we arrived around 8 and met up with the Weal family. They are adopting a sweet little boy from Maria's orphanage who happens to be blind. I met them through Facebook and it just happened that Maria knew the child they are adopting. Right now they are in between trips and waiting for a court date. We are very excited for their little hoy to come home.

Friday night we spent in the hotel room, us moms talking and our girls on a bed making Raimbow Loom bracelets. They had so much fun! The loom bracelets are a big hit with most girls in the 9-14 age range right now. I have no clue how many bracelets they made, but I know Maria had on 2 to start with and by today had on 6.

Saturday Kim and Nikolas joined us too. They did a little trip to Legoland, but it was super busy from what Kim said. Kim and I got some talking time in too, but her little guy wasn't quite his normal self.

We also spent some time on Saturday with two of my college friends. Nicole stopped by in the morning and we chatted before needing to go to the track clinic and then Andrea and her daughter Scarlett came and spent the night with us. All the kids loved swimming. Maria got to try out a swimming tube....she loved it. I have never seen her look so confident in the water and be willing to be so far away from the side. Of course more loom bracelets were made.

Today brought a quick trip to the Bulgarian market, Malincho. We love this store...most of the adoptive families I know rave about Jungle Jim's in Cinncinatti, but they have nothing on Malincho. Malincho is like shopping at a market in Bulgaria. Today we got fresh banitsa to eat and lots of snack foods including salted stixs, Double croissants and juice too. After that we decided to get lunch at Ave BG, a local BG restaurant. It was good. Maria wanted Bulgarian meatballs of course with peach juice. Others had tarator soup, Shopsak salad, and a yummy chicken dish. While we were out there was quite the storm that hit the area. Some flooding happened on the streets and there were some semi trucks that were getting towed on the interstate that we saw.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Grades

For anyone who adopts a school age child, there are many challenges. First the language must come, but it can take 5-7 years for the child to understand the language enough to begin to understand academical language....and in case you are wondering, there is a BIG difference between conversational English and academical English. Last year Maria spent a short time working with an ELL (English Language Learner) teacher. This teacher was focused on the conversational English, not on helping Maria begin to understand the academical English, which is where most ELL struggle. The teacher was not open to preteaching academic words or vocabulary that Maria would be taught in her classroom, which was recommended by the ELL resource at my agency. So, I made the choice to pull Maria out of ELL shortly after parent teacher conferences. I will add that all Maria was doing with the ELL teacher at that point was bringing home note cards with words or phrases on them for us to translate into Bulgarian....yeah, it wasn't really teaching her anything. I knew she had strong teachers last year that would make sure she did well.

This year has been different. Changing classes....different teachers for each class....more homework. I'm not going to lie....homework time is NOT pretty at our house. Most time there are tears...not because she can't do it, but because I won't make it easier for her. I do help her, give her options, talk through things with her, explain how I come to my answer, etc. it is exhausting for both of us at times. Then there is the issue of grades.....well, my perfectionist daughter cries when she gets anything other than an A. In fact she has told me that B's aren't good enough for her. She worked really hard the first quarter. Some of her grades dropped because of testing...specifically testing with vocabulary and matching terms and meaning. But at the end of the day Maria came home with 5 As and 3 Bs. She made the A honor roll! This is without having work modified for her or getting extra help. I couldn't be more pleased and proud of her.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Bulgarian meatballs

A few weeks ago when we were at the hospital for Maria's appointments we went to a Greek/Mediterranean place for lunch. Maria had a lamb gyro and loved it! Claiming it tasted like Bulgarian meatballs (which really aren't in the shape of balls). I mentioned it to my mom that Maria liked lamb. Well, my dad took a hold of that information and went out seeking for some lamb meat for his granddaughter (anyone want to guess who has grandpa wrapped around her little finger?). Well, my dad located some lamb and he and mom made some plans to make some Bulgarian meatballs today. I found some recipes (we ended up using one from a Bulgarian cook book I have, with a few modifications). When Maria found out yesterday what grandma was going to try making for her she was ecstatic and cheerfully exclaimed "Good Grandma!" Today Maria helped my mom with making the Bulgarian treat and exclaimed it tasted as good as the Bulgarian ones!

So, here is how to make them:

1 lb ground beef and 1 lb ground lamb mixed

1 onion (finely chopped or grated)

1t salt

1t pepper

1t garlic powder (you could use fresh garlic if you have it)

2t cumin

3/4 cup dried parsley (you could use fresh)

Make into patties and grill

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A Step of Faith

A while back my fantastic homestudy social worker asked if I would write up something about Maria's adoption and reference her services for their annual report. I happen to have one of the best homestudy social workers and quickly agreed. This week, much to my surprise, in the mail was a copy of their annual report with Maria's story in it. A couple people have asked to read it, so I'm going to put it up on the blog.

 

A step of faith. That is what my decision to adopt Maria was. My dossier had been registered a year June 2011 with the country of Bulgaria for a healthy as possible toddler. Then Maria's picture and medical came in an email. Honestly, I had seen her before and always been drawn to her.....but I wanted to adopt a toddler that was healthy. I wasn't ready to consider adopting an older child with special needs. Seeing her picture this time was different.....I knew I could parent her, I could just see her in my life and home. I discussed the possibility with my family and much to my surprise they were open and positive to this possibility. After much thought and prayer, I knew this girl was suppose to be my daughter. I formally committed to adopting Maria in July 2011.

After updating my homestudy to reflect Maria's age and special needs, I was finally able to go to Bulgaria to meet her just before Christmas. Being in Bulgaria was a bit surreal in the moment. Traveling with a good friend and fellow adoptive mom helped keep me grounded during the trip and visits. I will always remember the moment during the first visit that Maria was told I wanted to be her mom. She had always asked the adults in her life, if there would ever be a family that wanted her. When she heard I wanted to be her mom, she had the biggest smile and look of wonder in her face. She had waited 11 years to have a mom, to be a part of a family. The visits with Maria were wonderful. She was a sweet and charming girl, who was interested in everything. She loved looking at pictures and wanted to know everyone's name. During my visits I was also able to learn more about her Spina Bifida, although it would take bringing her home and talking with specialist here to realize what a miracle she really is.

The 6 months following my first trip were some of the slowest I can remember....6 months of waiting for signatures, a court date and for the much anticipated travel dates. On June 25th 2012, I went to Maria's orphanage in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria and got my daughter. I wish I could tell you it was a happy experience....it was hard. I was taking Maria from the only home she had ever known, from the people she loved and who loved her, from her best friend. On too of all that, her best friend was being transferred to a different orphanage at the same time I was picking up Maria. It was HARD! Over our week in Bulgaria Maria quickly attached to me. She knew how to attach to adults, she knew what loving bonds looked like, the psychologist at her orphanage had worked with her about family roles so she knew what to expect. It was amazing to see her come out of her shell, become playful and show her true self.

Once we finally were home we started having communication through Skype, Facebook and email with staff and people who she knew from her time in the orphanage. It was one of the best decisions I made. It helped her to transition better to home, knowing I was supportive of her relationships and would allow her to continue having a connection to her old life. Because of continuing these relationships Maria rarely grieves leaving the orphanage. She is able to know that she is still loved and remembered by the people she still loves. There is rarely a day that goes by that we don't talk about someone from her orphanage. In fact we even visited one of her friends from the orphanage who has also bed adopted over the summer.

Maria has blossomed in other ways too. She was a child who had never really walked outside before or on slick surfaces. She walks all over the place now and managed the snow and ice well. Yes, there are times and places she needs her wheelchair, but she chooses to walk most of the time. She is so smart and continues to make gains in school while maintaining her first language. She is interested in sports (something that would never have been a possibility in Bulgaria). We are hoping go try wheelchair racing.

Throughout the whole process of Maria's adoption one of my biggest supports was my homestudy social worker Jan from YHFS. Jan didn't question my decision to adopt Maria. She trusted my decision and wanted to know about Maria. She was always excited about updates. The process and learning about who Maria was. She was good about talking about issues when they came up and was extremely supportive of Maria's continued relationship with her former caretakers. I'm not sure I would have made it through the adoption process without Jan's support.

Maria is such a joy. She is loved by so many people and has a light about her that draws people in. She is sensitive and caring, but also so strong.....she was born with Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida at the T12 level. She should be paralyzed from the belly button down, but she isn't. She shouldn't be able to walk, but she does and she can walk up and down stairs. She should have hydrocephalus and have a shunt, but she doesn't. She should have learning disabilities, but she doesn't. Yes, there are times when her disability is difficult....she has had 3 surgeries since coming home. But through it all she is a normal happy, loving and sometimes moody almost 13 year old. She is also excitedly waiting for her best friend from the orphanage to come to the US....yes, we helped find her best friend a family and he should be in Texas in the next 4-6 months.

 

 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Older child adoption

I will be honest, somehow I lucked out with adopting Maria.  She is an amazing, sweet girl who was greatly loved in her orphanage.  No, it wasn't the same as having a family...but she did have adults there who cared for her, they still care for her and love her.  I have not gone through power struggles or manipulation like many families have had to deal with.....I have not seen an adoptive parent's worst nightmare of RAD (I know several families who have children with RAD, who are wonderful with them).  Because Maria has fit so well and hasn't really grieved, I have had those expected experiences.  I haven't had to seek additional help for adjusting or give difficult consequences due to behaviors...seriously the worst consequence Maria gets is an early bedtime or missing out on an activity as a natural consequence.

But there is another side to older child adoption....one that isn't so happy.  A friend who is a single mom is in need of help.  She is a first time mom to a 12 year old adopted 5 months ago.  This child is wanted, but is struggling to adjust.  The mom has tried everything recommended to her and nothing is helping her daughter.  Just recently I learned how bad the situation is....out of respect I'm not going to share the details.  Doctors and therapist in this family's life have recommended a very specific and intensive therapeutic treatment.  Sadly this treatment is most likely not going to be covered  by insurance.  The mom has set up a site to raise part of the funds needed to make sure the daughter that she loves and has fought for will finally get the emotional healing that she needs.  Please consider helping them
 http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/funding-for-therapy

Friday, October 25, 2013

Journey of the Heart

I would like to introduce you to two of Maria and Zack's friends....S (in yellow) and J (in jean jacket). When I picked Maria up over a year ago I heard these boys' names everyday! They were her friends who had moved onto the older children's orphanage in Stara Zagora. They too were favorites, well loved by many. They too were kids who were rejected due to differbilities beyond their control. S, a sweet and quiet boy who loves those who love him. J an amazing fighter who defied the odds time and time again.
After a family step forward for Zack last fall, my focus went to helping Maria's other friends. Our friend Manuela asked if it would be possible to find them families too. Another adoptive mom and I had chatted a lot about these boys, because her daughter was in the same group with them. This amazing mom, felt that both J and S were suppose to be in their family...however, her husband was not at the point where he was ready to adopt again. We started talking with an NGO and discovered that the boys were not on the waiting child list. This started a 10 month ordeal of trying to get the boys on the list. Everything came to a head in February when a human rights activist, who was helping attempted to get some answers from the local social service agency. What started off as a horrible experience that day ended up with both files being sent complete within 24 hours. It was a major victory! But it still took several more months for the boys to be registered. S was registered this summer and J was registered in September.
The NGO who had worked so hard to get the boys registered had been told she would be allowed to request their files first. She was able to get S's file, but due to a small mistake J's file went to a different NGO. I was so upset.....since these boys were little they have always been together....they really are like brothers. My dream, wish and hope was that they would continue to be able to be brothers. I shared the boys with many people....still hoping that my friend's husband would see them as his sons. As the month went by...no one requested S's file, my friend was at the point of giving up.
One night on FB, my friend messaged me that all hope was lost on her husband. He had said no and nothing was going to change his mind. Not even 5 minutes later her husband had messaged her to look at the boys files again and said if she could explain out all the logistics to him then he would consider it. We didn't dare to hope, but prayed instead. A few days later I got the message that her husband had emailed the NGO to see the files of more children. They plan to bring home J, S and another boy!
We have been so excited that J and S are not only going to have the family they deserve, but also will be reunited with their friend who will be their sister. My friend and I talk about reuniting the Stara Zagora five and what a reunion that will be. Adopting older children can be a huge challenge for many different reasons, but it can also be rewarding. I have already seen Maria reunite with one friend....I can't imagine what it will be like for all five of these kids to come together again!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

School and Medical

Yesterday was the end of the first quarter at Maria's school. I get many questions about how she does at school. She is in a full inclusion school. She has an IEP only for her physical mobility with some adult assistance to ensure she is safely moving around the building. Maria only got around a month of ESL/ELL services last year before I pulled her from the program. Honestly, what the teacher was doing, wasn't going to help her at all. She continues to not have these services. Considering she has never taken standardized tests till last year, she has made some good progress. She grew in reading and math over the summer and continues to grow. She is in a supplemental reading group called Reading Blitz and doing well. She actually tested at the high end of it. This year has been different for me too....part of my work assignment is Maria's school. This has positives and negatives....it is great that I know what is happening with her, but it also know when something isn't happening when it should. The later actually happened the other week....it is hard when the law isn't being followed for your kid. The situation was resolved quickly, although I'm sure it won't be the last time something like this happens. Taking a step back....kids with disabilities present differently. So many times kids with physical disabilities have multiple impairments...Maria does not. Because she is as smart as she is, sometimes special teachers (such as PE) don't realize that she is being excluded. It is part of our reality and something I'm staying on top of. As for grades at the end of the first quarter Maria has 5 As and 3 Bs...all the Bs are due to bombing tests that included vocabulary terms and definitions. She is doing great! Although her little perfectionist self cries over every B and has even said "Bs are not good enough for me."

Yesterday we also went to see the Spina Bifida specialist. This was our yearly visit....Maria has gained 2 inches in a year and her weight is stable. We had a great visit and did a lot of talking about where Maria is and her SB. The doctor was thrilled with how Maria is doing and said we don't have to visit for 2 years. This was great news! At that point Maria will be almost 15, and we will be thinking about transitioning toward adulthood and more independence....WOW, I'm not ready for that, but I know it will come sooner than I am ready for. She continues to amaze me and her doctors....I can't wait to see what the next two years bring for her.

 

 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Happenings

Ever have exciting news that you just want to scream and celebrate about...but have to wait? I do and I cannot wait to share!

Otherwise, we are waiting for the track clinic in Chicago next month....I think a few other adoptive families are planning to meet up with us too. Super excited about Maria getting this opportunity.

Maria is making good grades...right now we are getting close to the end of the first quarter and she is getting mostly A's and a B....although that could change a little. Can't say she is a fan of homework, but she does try hard.

Maria continues to improve all the time with her English, although she is quick to point out how much English words do not make sense.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Weekend

I think it must get asked 50 questions a day by Maria. There are moments I manage the questions better than others. Today we had a fun outing with my mom....going to pick out a new kitten for my parents. While we were waiting on my mom, Maria asked me "Why do people only want babies and little kids and kittens?" I started with explaining to Maria how animals do better of adjusting to new environments when they are younger and can fit in better with the animals already there. I then explained to her in some ways it is the same with younger kids. I also told her that not all moms and dads who are adopting are ready for older kid problems. I explained that some kids who come home have problems like smoking, drinking and fighting....and not all parents know how to deal with those things. She seemed to understand and proceeded with the excitement of a new furry friend.....or as it ended up friends....2 kittens, a brother and sister are making their new home with my parents. Maria was thrilled to have one of the kittens sleeping on her lap on the way home. And she is asking every few hours to go and visit the kittens.

Also, this weekend was the Walk n Roll for Spina Bifida. The people with SB had blue star balloons on their chairs, bikes and other things to show who we were doing this for. Great time seeing so many friends. I think the best thing was seeing Maria come even more out of her shell! She was racing ahead of me to talk to people. I had to catch up with her on more than one occasion! I even had one of the older college age kiddos tell me that Maria had a whole conversation with her on her own....this is huge! Maria really looks up to this girl and would never talk to her unless I really prompted her and this weekend she had a conversation without prompts at all. The girl had to ask me what happened, she was so shocked too. Also making plans with our adaptive sports leader for the NJDC this coming summer....he thinks Maria can qualify for wheelchair racing if we start doing some training now and she would be his only althelete in this age group and classification for racing. We are excited and hoping the track clinic next month will teach us both a lot of what we need to know....now just to get that racing chair......anyone want to give me $3200 for a new racing chair? I didn't think so :)

 

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Yesterday marked the beginning of Spina Bifida awareness month! So, in honor of all the amazing people I know who live with SB...here are some facts for you.

About 8 babies in the US are born with SB each day. I have also read 1 out of 2800 births.

SB happens in the first month of pregnancy. Most often it is connected with the folic acid level in the mom.

There are 4 different types of SB. The most severe kind is Myelomeningocele (which is the kind Maria has). It most often affects the spinal cord and nerves. Kiddos with this form of SB are usually operated on within a few days of birth

Neurogenic bladder and bowel are very common with more severe kinds of SB. This means that the individual usually does not have control over their badder and/or bowels.

90% of babies born with SB live full lives into adulthood. 80% have normal intelligence. 75% play sports or engage in other activities.

Still knowing these things, it isn't the same as living with a child with SB. We face challenges and we have amazing moments. We have to think outside the box often to figure out how to do certain things. We celebrate the small success and the big ones. We have a great support system of other families with children who have SB. They understand in a way that no one else does.

So, what has my amazing girl, who happens to have SB, been up to....well, she has been home just over 15 months. She continues to be bilingual. She got all A's and 1 B+ on her first quarter grades. She had growth over the summer in the area of reading when most kids regress. She is almost a teenager....and acts like it at times. She likes her friends and is always wanting to go to school dances. She has had fun this week with homecoming and is looking forward to the Walk n Roll for SB on Saturday. We are also preparing for a track clinic in the Chicago area next month. Maria is FINALLY going to get to try a racing chair. If she likes it and is good, we will start a training program and try competing at regional meets to see if she can qualify for the Nationals which are in our state this year.

Superhero Day

Duct Tape Day

 

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Update

After posting yesterday I went and got Maria from school. We chatted about her day, what she learned, her homework, etc (yes, this is part of our normal routine....I think I know more about what happens at school than some of the teachers). Then I told her I had some news that wasn't going to make her happy. I slowly told her about Zack's family visiting him and about how he has a new friend and doesn't want to be adopted. She immediately began to cry and ask "why". I calmed her down and explained that Zack doesn't want to leave his new friend, that it would be hard for him and that I'm sure she could understand why he feels that way. I also explained that a lot of very concerned mommas were trying to work out a plan to allow her to talk to him...either on Skype or by phone. She was very worried that he had forgotten her (totally normal). I asked her if she was mad and Maria shared she was sad and mad at Zack. Later at home I did some messaging to some of the people involved and let them know that Maria was very upset about Zack's choice. I was told that Zack does remember Maria. I let them know that if they wanted us to call we would do so around 6am our time (2pm Bulgarian time). First thing this morning I checked and had a phone to call...they were waiting for us to call. After locating my international phone cards we made the call. Talking via speaker phone isn't the easiest...but for the first time in almost 15 months we heard Zack's voice. Zack's first words were "Maria how are you? I'm sorry. I'm coming to America." The phone call was short, but gave Maria the biggest smile. She and I are both thrilled that Zack will be adopted and coming to the US. Thankfully his soon to be adoptive family still wants him and realizes there will be some challenges, but they are willing to face those challenges with him.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Please Pray

Right now a special family is over in Bulgaria. Almost a year ago they committed to adopting Zack...Maria's best friend from the orphanage. This week they have had a nice visit with him, but today he told them he didn't want to be adopted and leave his new friend behind.....I'm heart broken over this. I understand how hard it was for both Maria and Zack to leave each other. I saw both their tears, the anguish, the hugs that didn't want to let go. It was such a hard day for us, I know it must have been worse for Zack. Now, he has the chance for a family, a new life, more medical care and he is standing by a new friend. The family has said they will come back and adopt the friend too, but he is being a little stubborn and saying he does not want to leave without his friend.
We are all scrambling....I have already Skyped with one of our Bulgarian friends and she plans to make some calls tomorrow morning. It is possible we might be Skyping or calling Zack tomorrow so Maria can talk to him. So much is up in the air and on top of it I'm sick. So, please pray for Zack and his family. Please pray for Zack and the family who wants to call him their son.


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Adoption is a Miracle

A little over a week ago I saw the neatest painting on Pinterest. Determined to find it, I located a copy of it on EBay. It came today! I'm super excited to find the right place for this painting.

My miracle, Maria.