Update on Zack

I have gotten a lot of questions about Zack.  Here is what I know....right now Shelley is getting lots of interest in him.  So far there have been 3-4 families who have shown a strong interest in him, but no one has been able to completely commit.  Which is completely understandable.  Adoption does cost a lot of money and coming up with the initial fees can take some time.  I do know one family is located about 3 hours away from where we are and then there is another family about 5 hours away, but in an area where we visit frequently. 

We are still praying that God moves mountains and that the right family is able to commit to Zack very soon.  I do know that overall Zack is in good health.  I do know that he is currently in need of a new wheelchair, which the foundation from Switzerland is working on making for him.  Someone from the foundation should be traveling to see him in a few weeks.  Hopefully I will get another update when that happens.  From what Maria has told me his favorite school subject is Math, he does not like milk, but does like chocolate.  He likes music, legos and cars.  Zack was very interested in hearing stories and seeing pictures of my cats while Maria was still at the orphanage.  Zack very much wants a family, so please keep praying for him and telling his story to others....his adoption account keeps growing and I know this will help his family bring him home.  I cannot wait for that day!

Also, there are other children at the same orphanage who are waiting children.  I know the foundation works with about 60-90 children in this city alone.  Not all are able to be adopted, but I do know the foundation wants the best for the children as does the agencies involved.  If you are interested in finding out about some of Maria and Zack's other friends please feel free to email me at socialkat78@yahoo.com

Completely humbled

So, a little over a week ago I was contacted by Adeye about Zack.  She had the pleasure of getting to meet him while in country meeting the children her family is adopting.  She was very moved by meeting Zack and wanted to write a post about him (you can read it here).  I waited in anticipation for her to post....I knew that EVERY child she has advocated for has found a family.  I had great hope that her post would bring Zack to many people's attention and help find him a family.

This morning as Maria and I were getting ready to leave for school and work, I got a text from a good friend recently home from the Ukraine, Kristen.  She had seen Adeye's post and wanted to make sure I knew.  I also had an email from Shelley telling me that the post was up.  Shortly after dropping Maria off at school, I got my first chance to read Adeye's blog post....she has such a way with words, it brought tears to my eyes.  She met Zack...she saw his tears first hand with her new friend Susan.  Knowing that their hearts were touched by Zack is wonderful because he now has two more mom's in his corner fighting for him.  As the day went on, I kept checking in on Zack's RR account....Slowly it started to grow...from $1300 to $3408 (in case you were wondering it has jumped since the last time I checked it out).  On top of that people are making inquires about Zack!  I am so humbled by how much Zack and Maria's story has touched people.  We are hoping and praying that his family finds him soon.  We would love it if this family was close to where we live, but even if they aren't we will do whatever we can to make sure Zack and Maria are reconnected again. 

I finally took some pictures of the pictures Maria's orphanage gave me....please forgive me if the quality isn't the best....I think you will see for yourself these 2 kids and the love they had for each other and that their caretakers did have for them too.

The youngest picture I have of Maria around 3 years old

A party at the doma...Maria and Zack

Look how little Zack looks....I would guess they are about 4-5 years old here.

Ok, I know Zack is barely in this picture....but look at that face!

The kids were taken to the Black Sea as a special treat.

Zack and Maria, right after Maria's last surgeries.

Not sure who's dress Maria is wear....obviously it doesn't fit right, but she does love being a princess....I'm reminded almost daily that she doesn't have a crown.  Zach and J are in the picture with her.

I do like this photo, it is just missing S....the four kids who were super close at the orphanage and all the same age.

Zack and Maria cuddling with a staff member

I'm pretty sure this was taken right after my first visit.

I know this would have been on the last day I visited b/c of what Maria is wearing.

They really were the little prince and princess of the orphanage

Love Zack's smile...he is sitting here with the amazing PT and Santa of course.

Yes, they did have some Christmas decorations out for the kids.

I'm not sure what Maria was doing in this picture....I'm sure she was on cloud 9 since I had just been visiting and she got her ultimate Christmas wish....a family.

Maria showing off the gift she got.

This was taken sometime between trips....the kids planted the little tree with Maria's English teacher.  We have stayed in contact with this English teacher....she is great and very kind.

I do have more pictures, but the camera died....I will obviously make copies of any pictures I have for Zack's forever family.  I know how precious those pictures are while in the process.  Thanks to everyone who has been touched by these two friends and is wanting to help Zack find his family. 

And the WINNERS are......

First I want to thank everyone who helped spread Zack's story and who donated to his account.  By the time the fundraiser ended his account was at $1300!  How I got the winners....everyone was assigned numbers and then I went to random.com and used their random generator to draw the numbers....I had already placed the prizes in the order they will be listed below.
Ok, so what you really want to know....the winners:

1. $100 Amazon gift card from Valerie- Raina
2. $25 gift card from Viviane- Raina
3.Custom Photo- Dora Beth
4. Hand knitted sock- Raina
5. 4 Letter Christmas Ornaments*- Susan
6. 4 Letter Christmas Ornaments*- Denise
7. Headband- Susan
8. Headband- Denise
9. Love canvases with buttons- Viviane
10. Wooden Love- Madeleine
11. Coasters- Dora Beth (2 sets)
12. Coasters- Raina (2 sets)
13. Coasters- Susan
14. Bracelet- Susan (2)
15. Bracelet- Dora Beth
16. Fall wall hanging- Dora Beth
17. Snow wall hanging- Susan
18. Bandana dress*- Denise
19. Bandana dress*- Susan (2)
20. Bandana dress*-Vivian
21. Bandana dress*- Lori
22. Winter soup (Made by Viviane)- Susan
23. Winter soup (Made by Viviane)- Julie
24. Winter soup (Made by Viviane)- Amie
25. Winter soup (Made by Viviane)- Dora Beth
26. Halloween S'mores- Susan
27. Halloween S'mores- Raina
28. $25 Toys R Us card- Denise
29. $25 Starbucks card- Raina

Okay, please email me your address at socialkat78@yahoo.com so that I can get things out to you.  If your prize has a * by it, that means we need to discuss your custom made prize (ornaments, what letters and colors; bandana dresses what color). 
Again a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped!

Ugh

Sorry for the delay of winners.  We were at the University hospital seeing specialist all day long!  I had hoped we would be home by 5 to get it done, but we didn't.  Will get it done soon!  Thanks to all who helped spread the word and contributed.

Last Day of the Fundraiser

Tomorrow is the last day of the fundraiser for Zack!  We will draw names Monday afternoon.  I'm so grateful for everyone who has shared Zack and Maria's story on their blogs, Facebook and with friends.  I have been floored by the generosity that others have shown this little boy who is waiting for his forever family to find him.  I cannot express the emotions and joy I had when I read Susan's comment and the donation she gave.  Now Zack's fund is $1287.40!  I would love to see it be $1300 by the time the fundraiser ends.  Again thank you for showing such an interest in Zack!

Maria's crutches

From pictures you have seen, you may have noticed that Maria uses crutches.  Her crutches although were very good, were not appropriate for her.  The main reason is that the axillary crutches are not meant for long term use.  I found out that the main artery that supplies blood to the are goes where you armpit is....so, you can just imagine what walking on these would be like all the time.

Maria's axillary crutches

 When we went to Shriner's I was told what kind of forearm crutches to get for her.  It was one of the few positives from the experiences...it wasn't the right fit for us.  Anyway....I ended up ordering the forearm crutches in the color of Maria's choice and they came a little over a week ago.

Here is Maria the first day (actually the first hour) on the forearm crutches.

The 3 above videos are from this morning as we were going into church.  As you can see the girl got the hang of things rather quickly.  She hasn't even had any official PT training on them.  She is getting faster and she is a lot quieter....now she can start sneaking up on people!  She is doing great!

Oh, and in case you are wondering she hasn't used her old crutches since the new ones came!

Fundraiser 1 week left!

One more week for the fundraiser and thus far Zack's account has over $500 in it!  Great news for a very special little boy.  Now if only a family will step forward to claim his as their own.

Also had a friend agree to donate a $100 Amazon card as a prize.