Little Did I Know

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Just a Parent

2:45 PM

Today I was "just a parent" and it was awesome! :) I teach special education to 3rd-5th graders. Olivia's in 3rd grade in the same school as I; in fact her class is right next door! Luckily, this is still "cool" and she enjoys seeing me in the halls (unless of course I happen to walk by and see her chewing gum in the middle of class... true story! LOL)

Each year as teachers we are given 10 sick days and 2 personal days. And for the last couple years my sick days and personal both were quickly eaten up by sick kids, a couple doctor appts I couldn't fit in on holidays, and once or twice by actually getting sick myself. I know, a shocker that I would dare get sick! :) For you see, when you don't have a husband or family around, I am the one that these things fall to. And when I used up my days the last couple of years, I even went past these and had to have money taken OUT of my check to cover them... YUCK! :(

This year I saved my personal days as long as I could, thinking I may need them to interview if a job panned out where we were thinking of moving. It didn't, but that's ok. With sick days used up, but not having gone past, and having two personal still left, I opted to take a personal day and be a chaperone on one of Olivia's field trips! It was so much fun and she was excited to have me along! So, I was NOT a teacher today, I was just a parent! :) Here's a glimpse of my "group" of girls and our fun filled day to Navy Pier to ride one of the Skyline boats (each class made their own shirts for days such as these)...

Hope you had a good one too!

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Monday, May 24, 2010

Africa

10:52 PM

Yes, I am thoroughly in the midst of the world of adoption.

Yes, I am an AVID reader.

Yes, I have heard about this book, and seen mention of this book, and have looked at this book on shelves.

So do I know WHY I have not read it until now??? No. Clue.

All I can say is, God has a great sense of timing! :)

I am LOVING Melissa Fay Greene's book There is No Me Without You! I am just getting into it, but keep stopping every few pages to really give myself time to digest what I'm reading. My usual is to just read read read something. I love reading, and when a book captures my attention, as many do, I tend to read them so quickly that a week or so later I can barely remember many of the details. I'm trying NOT to do that with this one!

For example, here is something I loved in the pages I read today...

Adoption is not the answer to HIV/AIDS in Africa. Adoption rescues few. Adoption illuminates by example: these few once-loved children - who lost their parents to preventable diseases - have been offered a second chance at family life in foreign countries; like young ambassadors they instruct us... For every orphan turning up in a northern hemisphere household... ten thousand African children remain behind alone.

"I am deeply respectful of the families who care for our children," (Haddush Haleform... head of Children's Commission under Ethiopia's Ministry of Labor) said. "But I am so very interested in any help that can be given to us to keep the children's first parents alive. Adoption is good, but children, naturally, would prefer not to see their parents die."

Isn't that the crux of it. We need to do even more than "just" adopt. We need to HELP. It's amazing how truly wonderful all those "new" ARVs are, what a mighty difference they can make. In fact, why not see for yourself. I plan on watching this with Olivia. Because as much as I try to explain to her what HIV "used" to be in our country, how it used to be a "death sentence", she gives me that smirk. That kid smirk you get when they just don't really believe you. As if you are saying that just to get your point across, but it's not REALLY true. I want her to know the truth. It's still a death sentence to many. Will you take 30 minutes of your time to watch?

Watch HERE

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Getting Ready

6:14 PM

Can you tell what we did this weekend????

We were able to pick up the crib which was donated by a good friend from work! :) I had cute girl bedding (it needs to be washed, very wrinkly from storage, but I was too excited to wait for that!) from a former young foster placement. Even with my monster passenger van, the changing table wouldn't fit, so I'll have to borrow someone to pick it up with me another time. So silly that no seats recline in a passenger van! :) But, we got the crib up and ready! Olivia is beside herself with excitement! Every now and then she'll bust out with a, "I just can't believe we're going to ADOPT the baby and she will be a part of our family forever!" It's so cute!

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Fundraising

10:55 AM

Fundraising is an unfortunate part of adoption isn't it? But it is such a blessing to be able to be a part of bringing a child HOME. Of saving an orphan who may otherwise not survive long, or would have to endure years of institution life. Many countries give children the opportunity to find their forever families... until the age of 5, then they are turned over to the institution. "Thrown away" as scrap. "Nope, you're over five, you can't be adopted any longer." It breaks my heart. BUT, we have the opportunity to help some, to save some, and more importantly, to hopefully spread the word... no, forgive me, I mean the WORD. God has ordained US as followers to give a home to the orphan, to care for the widows, to do to the least what we would do for Him.

I believe this. I am trying to live this. I know that we all aren't called to adopt. BUT, we can be a part of helping orphans. We can do this by giving monetarily so that others may fulfill this. We can watch the children of someone while they travel to adopt. We can bring new adoptive parents meals or help with other children. We can simply spread the word about other adoption fundraisers. We CAN help!

I am starting our first adoption fundraiser. In the next day or two you will see a new link on my sideline to this blog: Blogs With Purpose Feel free to check it out now, but remember it's just in the beginning stages and not quite complete... almost though! :) I will be offering my newly developed services in designing blog headers and backgrounds. (I designed the new one on this page and also on the 'Purpose' blog.)

BUT, I will also be "Paying it Forward." Did you ever read this book, or even see the movie? (Although I always like the books better! :) ) For each $25 donated, I will design a blog header and background for your blog. I will put $20 directly into our adoption fund, BUT $5 will go to someone else's adoption fund! I will showcase another adoptive family each month and the money raised during that month will go into their adoption fund! I am so excited to do this!!! I have already contacted the first family I will be working with, and let me tell you have they got a story to share! I have truly loved getting to know them through their blog and in a few emails and I'm sure that if you don't already know of them, you will love them too!

Please check back soon and consider supporting us in this vision.

In His Name,
Lisa

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