2013 - What A Year it Was!!

I'm obviously a little late with my 2013 post.  I've been a "little" busy and I was trying to decide if I would do a 2013 post or a first year together post.  Since I'm now late for both and they pretty much coincide, here it is:

January

• I honestly can't tell you what happened between January 1st and 12th.  I know I worked for a week or so but the rest is a blur.  There was some strategic packing and that's about all I know.
  

January 12  to March 7

• January 12 - I got on a plane and left my old life behind.  My mom met up with me on the second leg of my trip.  It's a good thing she did or I may not have gotten on the plane.  
  
• Janury 14 - I finally met my little girl.
  
• January 20 - I got to meet Claudia for the first time.  Her parents and I had walked through the process together.  It was so nice to finally meet her and to have them at the hotel with us.  
  
• January 22 - I agreed to move forward with the legal process and become this little girl's mother.  
  
• Colombia is kind of a blur.  We spent a lot of time waiting for the phone to ring and as much time as possible hanging out with other families.
  
   
• Daily walks quickly became a part of our routine.  
  
• Jason and I got really brave and took our girls to the Children's Museum.  I was so impressed with how well they handled our girls.  
  
• We visited the orphanage briefly and I got to meet Sara's BFF.  
  
• We had several adventures with Jason and Claudia---including getting caught in the afternoon rains in their matching strollers.  
  
• We ate out a lot.  
  
• We got to meet Gracie and her family.  
  
• We spent a lot of time hanging out at the park.  
  
• Sara got her US visa on March 6.  She spent the waiting time chasing pigeons.  
  
• Leaving meant saying goodbye to some great people, including our facilitator.
  
• Sara did very well on the flights and became a US citizen when we landed in Atlanta.  
  
• We finally arrived home March 7.  We were tired but happy and so excited to see so many friends and family at the airport.
  

March

• My mom came to Chicago when we arrived home so she got to spend some time reuniting with Sara.  
  
• Sara had a photo shoot done by my friend Katie of 5 Boys + 1 Girl = 6.  She did such a great job with Sara and I will always treasure these photos taken during her first days home.  
  
• We made our first trip to NY to see my family.  I'd say the admiration is pretty mutual.  
  
• Sara had her first eye doctor appointment in March.  She was not impressed with the dilation process.  Not even McDonalds french fries could console her.  
  
• We celebrated our first Easter together in March.  A sweet friend invited us over for dinner.  I tried to get Sara to eat one green bean.  The gagging and crying was impressive.  
  

April

• I had to go back to work in April.  Sara started school and the babysitter on the same day.  She handled it much better than I did.  
  
• Sara got her glasses in April.  They weren't quite the hit we hoped they'd be.  
  
• Tia Janelle came into town for a wedding.  Sara loved meeting her and loved the wedding.  
  
• Sara made her first trip to the zoo.  She loved it.  
  

May

• We did our first 5k together.  I walked.  Sara rode.  It doesn't seem quite fair that her time was a second shorter than mine.  
  
• May brought our first Mother's Day together and Sara's dedication.  She acted exactly the way I thought she would.  Exactly. 
  
   

June

• June brought the end of the school year for both of us and a summer of adventures and traveling.  
  
• We spent a week in NY to see my brother graduate  from high school and visit with friends and family.  
  
• Sara is a huge fan of water and spent as much of her summer as possible in a swim suit.  This includes the weekend we spent in Michigan with my friend Becky and her family.  
  

July

• I'm not usually an over-patriotic person but the 4th of July meant just a little bit more this year with my new citizen.  
  
• Sara was in her first wedding on July 5th.  She was incredibly crabby moments before the ceremony but turned on the charm and did a great job.  She danced the night away with anyone and everyone.  
  
• July brought on an epic road trip.  4 weeks.  8 states.  Thousands of miles and countless hours.  Our first stop was in OH.   I got to meet a great family that I had gotten to know online during our adoption processes.  It was so nice to spend some time with another mother who just gets what my life looks like now.  
  
• We went camping in Maine for a week. Camping for us means lots of people in an RV!  Sara got to meet my dad's entire family and got to spend some quality time with my family.  
  
• We ended up with an "extra" week in NY so we went to visit Circle C Ranch.  It was fun to go back and see just how much hasn't change in the last 20 years.  
  
• The extra week also meant a little extra cousin time.  
  

August

• We spent a week in Mexico and California with Anna visiting with old friends and reminiscing about our time living there.  We even got to spend a couple of days with Tia Janelle.
  
   
• Sara turned 5 in August.  We spent the day at the San Diego Zoo with Tia Janelle, Tia Anna, and Jonathon.  She got ice cream with a candle after dinner.  She was a little overwhelmed by all the attention.  
  
• We had a small birthday party at the house with some friends.  She has since mastered the ability to blow out candles but all she could do at her birthday was blow her bangs up.  
  
• My little munchkin started Kindergarten a week after her 5th birthday.  
  

September

• We went to Fair Oaks farm to use a groupon before it expired.  She loves all things animals.  It was our first big day trip with just the two of us.  
  
• Sara got invited to her first birthday party.  She was NOT a fan of laser tag.  She made it about 37 seconds.  
  
• We celebrated 6 Months Home on the 7th.  
  
• Sara had her first dentist appointment in September.  She did so well and her teeth look great. 
  
• Sara was involved in a preschool sports program at the park district in the fall.  She loved the soccer unit.  The rest of the sports weren't quite as fun in her mind.  
  
• A brand new Gigi's Playhouse opened in Oak Forest in September.  We are so lucky to have such a great resource so close to home!  
  

October

• Sara was a flower girl in my friend Megan's wedding in Florida in October.  We flew down for the weekend.  She got to experience the beach for the first time and we spent most of our weekend in the hotel pool.  It was interesting to travel with pretty much just the two of us.  Sara did so well at the wedding.  It's amazing how grown up and well-behaved she can be when you put a pretty dress on her.  
  
• We made a trip to Indy to visit with my dear friend Anna and to dress shop for her upcoming wedding.  Sara LOVES dress shopping.  Mom's not quite as big a fan.  
  
• October brought a lot of drama with school and eventually a new placement.  (And a pretty cute school picture!)  
  
• We went to a local pumpkin patch with a group from church.  Sara loved every single moment of it.  She had a hard time transitioning between activities.  She just wasn't convinced that any thing else could be more fun than what she was currently doing.  She was an absolute mess at the end of the day.  There is still straw in my car.  I'm still trying to figure out why no one else had children that were quite as dirty as mine.  
  
• We really didn't celebrate Halloween.  I just didn't think Sara was ready.  She did get to wear a princess dress to school, though.  I spent the next several weeks trying to explain to her that she couldn't wear one every day. 
  

November

• We spent Thanksgiving in NY with my family.  This always means lots of time with Nana, Grandpa and the Uncles and visits with the cousins.
  
•  We also got to play with the VanHalles while we were in NY.  It's so fun to watch Claudia grow and change.  Maybe some day these two girls won't be afraid of each other.  
  

December

• December brought our first Christmas season together.  I was VERY excited and we started celebrating pretty early.  Sara loved everything Christmas.  She especially loved pictures and figures of Santa.  She's not so sure about the actual guy.  
  
• Sara got invited to attend a Princess Ball and my dad just happened to be in town that weekend for work.  (He's never been here for work before!)  Sara loved it.  Dad claims not to but I know he did.  After all, he was the grandfather of the belle of the ball.  
  
  
  
• December brought the first real snow.  Sara loves it as long as it doesn't touch her skin.  I actually thought at one point that she had broken her arm while we were shoveling.  It took me a while to figure out that some of the snow had fallen into her sleeve and that was the source of the screaming and wailing.  
  
• We spent our Christmas break with my family in NY.  Sara just loves being around all of my family and they certainly love her.  
  
• 2013 ended in Maine.  We knew my grandmother wasn't doing well so my dad, brother, Sara, and I went up to Maine to visit and to spend New Years with my dad's family.  New Year's Eve was uneventful to say the least.  (I think we were asleep before 10.)  I'm so glad that we got up there, though, and got to see Ma one last time.
  

The Truth - One Year Later

A year ago today, I boarded a plane to head to Colombia.  At the time, I put on a happy face and made it seem like I was super excited to meet my "daughter"---you know, that little girl that I had 4 pictures of and had seen on Skype twice.  The girl I was supposed to be madly in love with.  The girl I was scared to death of!  

I'm about to be brutally honest with all of you.  It may make you think less of me.  It may remind you that I'm a flawed, crazy human being---just like everyone else.  It may give you comfort in your own process and thoughts.  

When I decide to do something, I do all my research, make pro/con lists, and jump in--quickly.  There is no time for doubts or second thoughts.  I'm in.  I did it when moving to Chicago.  I did it when buying a house.  I did it when returning from Mexico.  I did it when adopting a child.  

I first heard about Reece's Rainbow in a television story over Christmas break 2011.  I wrote my first blog post about RR and an idea that was in my head on January 1, 2012.  I went public with my decision on January 25, 2012 after having contacted the home study agency, the adoption agency, and RR.  On February 17, 2012, I revealed who my daughter was and we became public on the RR site.  All of that happened in less than 2 months.  

At that point, the momentum was in place.  I was getting fingerprints, filling out paperwork and applications, having the social worker visit, working out details, fundraising.  I was busy!  

Most of the time, I was super excited about becoming Sara's mom.  But, when I laid down at night to go to sleep, the doubts crept in.  I wasn't just adopting.  I was adopting a child with special needs.  On my own.  I was going to be giving up all of my time, my freedom, my money, my sleep!  I was becoming a mom---forever!  

It all came to a head when it was time to leave.  I invited a bunch of friends to come over the night before I left.  One of them asked if that was really how I wanted to spend my evening.  It sure was!  I didn't want to be alone with my panicky thoughts!  I just might talk myself out of going.  A couple of them stayed late into the night.  I was glad because I was so tired when they left that I had no trouble going to sleep.  

I woke up in a panic.  I couldn't go.  I was ruining my life.  I was not cut out for this.  I'm not the great person that a lot of people seem to think I am.  I'm a mediocre teacher.  What makes me think I'll be a good parent?  What if I didn't like her?  (My sister reminded me that I didn't really like all the students I've had over the years.  What if I didn't like her?  Thanks, sister!)  What in the world made me think this was a good idea???  

I knew I had to get up and get dressed because friends were coming to pick me up and take me to the airport.  I talked myself through each step and took lots of deep breaths.  I managed not to cry on the way to the airport or through the check in process.  I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.   I had to get on the first plane because my mom was meeting me in NY for our flight to Colombia.  I couldn't leave her there alone.  I had to get on the next plane because my mom was with me and she was so excited.  I didn't tell her what I was thinking and feeling because I was afraid if I started to talk, I'd start crying and just never stop.  

I am a people-pleaser and a peace-maker.  I felt like there were so many people invested in this process.  So many people had helped me fund raise and supported me.  So many people were excited.  I couldn't let them down!  I'd have to go and complete the adoption because I'd never be able to face them if I came home empty-handed.  

I should clarify that I didn't always have these feelings.  I had sought wise counsel and spent a lot of time in prayer.  I had seen God provide for my adoption financially and in so many other ways.  I knew that I was doing the right thing.  I just didn't feel it at all on that day.  

I wish I could say that it all changed two days later when I met her.  It really didn't.  I felt like I was babysitting.  I kept expecting someone to realize that I had no idea what I was doing and take her away.  I had to keep reminding myself of all that I had gone through to get her because I felt like they were just giving away children to anyone.  

A year later, I can tell you without a doubt that I did not ruin my life.  Things may have gone quickly and I may have gotten caught up in the momentum.  I may have had doubts but I do not have regrets.  I may get frustrated and wish I could go grocery shopping alone but I am madly in love with MY daughter.  Choosing to adopt Sara was the best decision I've ever made in my life.  

Angel Tree Success!!!

As I'm sure you all know, I found my daughter through an organization called Reece's Rainbow.  They have a huge event every year at Christmas called Angel Tree.  I was VERY hesitant to participate.  I've always been more for supporting adopting families than waiting children.  It just makes more sense to me to pour the resources into children that have families coming than ones that are still waiting.  (That could be a whole blog post in and of itself but it's just my opinion.) 

I decided I would only participate if I could have Lene as my child.  By the time I got around to signing up, Lene was no longer available.  So, I picked Kimberley.  She's about the same age and in the same country.  I didn't feel as passionately about her but I had already come up with some good ideas for fundraising so I decided to try it.

While working to raise funds and awareness for her, I have now fallen in love with her.  I want nothing more than for her to find a family and to grow and thrive the way Sara has.  My students also worked hard to raise money for her.  At least one of them asks me almost daily if she has found her family yet.  (Someone is going to have to adopt her before they drive me crazy or their little hearts break!)  

How could I not be in love with her?  

I've decided that I will continue to raise money for her until her grant reaches $5,000!  That will put her on a different page on the Reece's Rainbow site and get her some more visibility.  Hopefully, that money will also get her a family of her very own!  I will most likely not be holding any more big fundraisers for her but I will continue to donate 50% of each item purchased from my knitting page to her grant.

With the help of a lot of different people, I was able to raise $2,084.43 for Kimberley during the months of November and December!!!  That's insane.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to get all the way to the $1,000 goal but my friends, family, and students came through in a big way.

Please don't check my math.  It won't be perfect but here are the fundraisers I had and the approximate amounts they raised:  

*Scarves and Skirts for Sara raised almost $300 for Kimberley.  Because she was over her goal, I was able to give some of the money to other children and families.

*I had a Cards for a Cause fundraiser through Usborne Books that raised over $200.

*The students in my program raised over $1,300 in a coin drive competition.

*The auction for Kimberley raised over $400.  Because she was over her AT goal at that point, some of her money was donated to Lene and Chance.

*I hosted a Paparazzi Jewelry party with my friend Emily.  We were each able to raise $50 for our girls from the actual party and about $20 went to her girl Lanie from the online party.

*The rest of the money came from online donations and ornament purchases.

I love the idea of giving back at Christmas time instead of just focusing on shopping and parties and food.  I'm glad I chose to participate and am once again blessed by the generosity of those around me.

Now, who wants a to adopt this darling little girl?  Don't you all want a "Sara" of your very own?  

Near and Dear

I don't often write posts about waiting children but, just in case you've been reading the blog and feel a tug at your heart, let me introduce you to some of the kids that are near and dear to my heart.  (All of them happen to be available to single mothers.)  

Vaughn

Boy, born January 2007

Down syndrome, otherwise reported to be healthy

What a handsome young fella!  I adore how he’s standing with his hands in his pockets.  Vaughn is already 6, and at a great age to join his forever family.  This is a great program with a wonderful agency partner.  Hope you will consider Vaughn as your son!

Seriously.  How cute is this little kid with his hands in his pockets?  He's making eye contact with the camera and standing still.  I think those are both really good signs of his development.  There isn't much info on his RR profile but I'm sure the agency has more.  I'd love to see this little guy find a family before he gets any older!  

And, the kicker?  He has $16,360 in his grant!!!  That's more than half of his adoption covered!  (Sara had $0 in her grant when I committed.)  That kind of grant is a huge blessing to his future family!  

Kimberley

Girl, born Feb 2007

Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism. Mental delays.

Report dated 2010

Kimberley is predominantly cheerful.  In the orphanage the girl is described as a sociable, smiling, loving, quiet girls, who enjoys being with other persons. Her sleep is normal. She enjoys eating pretty food, so the orphanage gives her vegetables, eggs, iron, etc.. However, they still give her vitamins and avoid foods with lactose.

Her communication is usually through gestures, cries and guttural sounds.  General gross motor and fine motor delays, common for a child with Down syndrome.

She participates in group activities and plays in partnership with other children.  She is cautious with strangers but she adjusts quickly to their presence.

This is the little girl that I've been advocating and fund raising for this Christmas season.   I've worked hard to build up her grant.  I plan to continue to do so until her grant has at least $5,000 in it.  Right now, she has $4636.93!  That would be a great start for her future family.  

During the last two months, I've really come to care about this little girl.  My students raised over $1,300 and ask me regularly if she has a family yet.   (I have to find her a family or they are going to drive me crazy!)  

Lene

Lene (pronounced like Renee)

Girl, born August 2010
Down syndrome, congenital heart disease, language delay

What a doll baby!  Love her little pigtails!

Lene responds to expressions of affection from other persons. She can adapt to any social environment.

As of February 2012, her report said that the she attends therapy 3 times a week.

This is the little girl that I would go for in a heartbeat if I was in a position to adopt again.  I love this little girl so much!  She's only 3.  She be 4 or 4 1/2 when she came home if a family started right now---the same age as Sara.  I really think she'd grow and thrive in a family the way Sara has done.   I will cry lots of tears of joy when this little girl finds a family.  I just hope it isn't years from now!  

Her grant currently has $5968.75!  

Mark

Boy, Born August 2006

Down syndrome

UPDATE Nov 2013:  Mark is doing well, andd his overall health is good!!   
We did not receive any information on the treatment he received for leukemia — but GOOD HEALTH is GREAT news!!

UPDATE December 2012:   It has been determined that sweet Mark is also battling leukemia.  We are waiting for additional medical testing and details, but PLEASE pray for him and help us find his forever family!  THANK GOD for a new photo, he has grown so much!   Trying to get his new photo in a larger size, but SO glad to finally have one!   Mark is up and walking and doing SO well!   Updated info coming soon!

 This gentle boy has smooth, baby soft skin. He has dark skin and dark hair, potentially from an African/black parent. He is just darling, with a round chubby face. He was born on 8/2006. He enjoys playing with toys and with other children. His legs are rather weak so he scoots around quickly to reach his destination. He smiles brightly when he is spoken to. He waits for his loving family because he has Down syndrome. His family will be so lucky to be able to help this angel reach his fullest potential!

This poor little guy has Leukemia.  It will take a very special family to commit to him but he needs a momma so badly!  Can you imagine a poor child battling Leukemia without a mother to hold him?  It's unthinkable.  

Mark currently has a grant of 10,773.40!  A third of his adoption is already paid for.  

James

Boy, Born May 2011

Sweet baby James!   Healthy besides his Down syndrome, and waiting for his forever family.  Full medical and social history available.

This little guy was in an orphanage that I visited briefly last year.  I didn't get to meet him but just knowing he was there as drawn me to him.  He's so young!  He needs to be getting Early Intervention services to help him reach his potential!  There isn't much information on his profile but I know that his former orphanage would have provided a lot of information about him. 

James currently has $5,398.13 in his grant!  That's a lot of money to get a family started.  

All of these kids deserve and need a family!  All of these kids would make great additions to the right family.  All of these kids have lots of money committed to their adoptions already.  All of these kids have a piece of my heart.  

As we quickly fly into the Christmas season, take some time to sit and think about your family and what it looks like.  Do you have room for one more?  

Extra Special Doll Giveaway

I'm soooooo excited that my friends Angie and Jason are adopting again.  I had the privilege of getting to know them during my process and spending time with them in Colombia.  They have chosen one of the cutest kids ever to be their new son:  

They are hosting a pretty cool give away to raise some funds to bring this little guy home:

Flash Giveaway for Chance! I have one Extra Special Doll (Formerly Dolls for Downs) (website:http://extraspecialdolls.com/) up to give away. She is American Girl Size and Quality. Modeled after Aziza the Sweet Warrior Princess who tragically lost her life a year ago (Her Mama's blog http://mylittlewarriorprincess.blogspot.com/)

The rules, You get ONE entry for every dollar donated to our FSP:http://reecesrainbow.org/69430/sponsorvanhalle-2 (must send PayPal receipt to angelinevh@gmail.com to count) and ONE entry for sharing. The Giveaway will go until we reach a total of $250 in donations.

This sweet doll retails for $95 plus shipping.

Let's see those donations. If we can get to $250 total from this giveaway quickly, she can be home in time for Christmas, but that is up to you!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

The snow is falling.  I think the shopping is done.  The presents are waiting to be wrapped.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  

I should write a full-blown update but this is what you're getting tonight.  Fun Christmas/Winter pictures.  

Christmas tree is up!

Thanksgiving dinner with Uncle John and Grace.

She loves her Uncle Bryon.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Reunited with Claudia.  

She lost her first tooth.  

It was very traumatic for both of us.  

Getting dressed for the ball.  

Princess Ball with Grandpa!  

(They both loved it.  Don't let Grandpa tell you any different.)

Helping teach the Ballroom dancing lessons.

A bit blurry but the girl loves to dance--from the moment she arrives.

The real Santa Sequence

Singing after the ball. 

Carriage ride.

Story time at Gigi's Playhouse.  

Learning to shovel.