Saturday, January 12, 2013
Details Details Details
I know many are wanting details and while our Macy's story will be her story to share, there are details I feel can be shared.
Macy is 2 1/2 and will turn 3 on April 5. I'm already dreading the idea of her celebrating a birthday in another country without us. BUT, this is only the beginning of our wait and I need to remember she's right where she's always been way before we even knew she existed... in God's hands. In His protection. And that is where she will be until we can bridge the miles between.
The kids are extremely excited and proud to be siblings again! Liam is especially in wonder over becoming a BIG brother! Prior to Christmas (because I knew we were close to receiving a match) I had ordered these amazing shirts from a seller on Etsy. I gave them to the kids on Thursday night when I took them to dinner and told them about our referral. They wore them to school Friday to share the big news!
They also took chocolate cigars to all of their teachers! (Of course first I had to ATTEMPT to explain the significance of a chocolate cigar... maybe I should've gone with candy bars?!) :) We are keeping the box to hold any cards and mementos for Macy.
I also printed out the two pictures we have so the kids could bring them to school!
I have lots more roaming around my noggin regarding orphans and adoption and on and on... hopefully soon they will form some semblance of sense in my own head so I can attempt to share them!
All in all, we are THRILLED with the prospect God has given us to be a family to our Macy. It's extremely humbling. And we covet your prayers as we wait out the rest of this process!
Macy is 2 1/2 and will turn 3 on April 5. I'm already dreading the idea of her celebrating a birthday in another country without us. BUT, this is only the beginning of our wait and I need to remember she's right where she's always been way before we even knew she existed... in God's hands. In His protection. And that is where she will be until we can bridge the miles between.
The kids are extremely excited and proud to be siblings again! Liam is especially in wonder over becoming a BIG brother! Prior to Christmas (because I knew we were close to receiving a match) I had ordered these amazing shirts from a seller on Etsy. I gave them to the kids on Thursday night when I took them to dinner and told them about our referral. They wore them to school Friday to share the big news!
They also took chocolate cigars to all of their teachers! (Of course first I had to ATTEMPT to explain the significance of a chocolate cigar... maybe I should've gone with candy bars?!) :) We are keeping the box to hold any cards and mementos for Macy.
I also printed out the two pictures we have so the kids could bring them to school!
I have lots more roaming around my noggin regarding orphans and adoption and on and on... hopefully soon they will form some semblance of sense in my own head so I can attempt to share them!
All in all, we are THRILLED with the prospect God has given us to be a family to our Macy. It's extremely humbling. And we covet your prayers as we wait out the rest of this process!
Friday, January 11, 2013
It's a Girl!
Some VERY exciting news 'round here yesterday!
I officially received our referral!
We have been matched with THE cutest thing ever!
Introducing...
MACY
The meaning of Macy: In English Macy means enduring. In French Macy is a female form of Matthew, which means God's gift. So, in summary, to us, Macy means God's enduring gift.
We will be keeping her current given name as a middle name (it is beautiful!) and will possibly add another short middle name as well but that is still being mulled over.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Braeden Update #1
Where do I begin. A neglected post, I know. I guess I had both so much to say and such a shortage of words to say it that they all became lodged in my throat unable to make their way to the page. I also wanted to be sure to not speak too soon and to allow him to pass through any honeymoon phase as well as possibly "ginxing" the progress that was being made.
All that to say...
When I last spoke of Braeden's school issues at the start of the year, we had met as a team and decided to pursue an outside placement. We ended up going to two of the three placements. The first was a BD program at a district approximately 10 miles from us. It seemed like a fine program, but was not for him. The door was non-locking, the "time out" type room was a small room in between their classroom and a regular ed room, with non-locking door to access that room, their was one teacher and one assistant, and they had had previously another student who was a "runner" and it didn't work out. That student ended up at what was our second visiting location.
The second school we visited was/is a privately run school focusing on students on the autism spectrum on one "side" and students with varying disabilities (ED, BD, SED, etc) on the other. It was Ah. May. Zing. (If I was looking for a job... I would want to work here!) Doors locked and needed a swipe key to get through. There is a sensory room, a calming room, a kitchen kids help in, a hang out room for kids on higher status, a quiet study room. Staff who are trainers in therapeutic restraint to be used when necessary. Classrooms have a teacher, an assistant, and a counselor. In the room! Student numbers are less than 10! The school holds to five norms which students are required to learn, know, recite, and when one is broken, they must state the norm they broke. When a bad choice is made the students are in a confrontation, they must show control, discuss why they are there, what happened, what norm was broken, and then calmly re-enter where they left off. I was very impressed with all that I saw. The principal is a man from my church (I had had no idea) and I liked all that I heard in talking with him as well.
We were originally set up to visit the third placement as well, but received a call from them that this was not a good day. However, after seeing this second school we were all in agreement that it was the right place for Braeden. October 1st I had my fingerprint appointment for our adoption. That afternoon I was back in town and picked up Braeden early from school. The two of us went to visit this school. He "wanted" to go there. (I think it was more of "the grass is always greener", and I DID talk a lot to him about the sensory aspects and the privileges of higher status). He started there on October 2.
All that to say...
When I last spoke of Braeden's school issues at the start of the year, we had met as a team and decided to pursue an outside placement. We ended up going to two of the three placements. The first was a BD program at a district approximately 10 miles from us. It seemed like a fine program, but was not for him. The door was non-locking, the "time out" type room was a small room in between their classroom and a regular ed room, with non-locking door to access that room, their was one teacher and one assistant, and they had had previously another student who was a "runner" and it didn't work out. That student ended up at what was our second visiting location.
The second school we visited was/is a privately run school focusing on students on the autism spectrum on one "side" and students with varying disabilities (ED, BD, SED, etc) on the other. It was Ah. May. Zing. (If I was looking for a job... I would want to work here!) Doors locked and needed a swipe key to get through. There is a sensory room, a calming room, a kitchen kids help in, a hang out room for kids on higher status, a quiet study room. Staff who are trainers in therapeutic restraint to be used when necessary. Classrooms have a teacher, an assistant, and a counselor. In the room! Student numbers are less than 10! The school holds to five norms which students are required to learn, know, recite, and when one is broken, they must state the norm they broke. When a bad choice is made the students are in a confrontation, they must show control, discuss why they are there, what happened, what norm was broken, and then calmly re-enter where they left off. I was very impressed with all that I saw. The principal is a man from my church (I had had no idea) and I liked all that I heard in talking with him as well.
We were originally set up to visit the third placement as well, but received a call from them that this was not a good day. However, after seeing this second school we were all in agreement that it was the right place for Braeden. October 1st I had my fingerprint appointment for our adoption. That afternoon I was back in town and picked up Braeden early from school. The two of us went to visit this school. He "wanted" to go there. (I think it was more of "the grass is always greener", and I DID talk a lot to him about the sensory aspects and the privileges of higher status). He started there on October 2.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Catching Up
Tonight we are all sad to be on our way back to the cold and routine of life in Illinois.
We had SUCH a wonderful time in Florida spending time with Grandma and hanging out in the WARMTH!
We were able to visit for an evening at Give Kids the World Village (one of our VERY favorite places in the world!)
Olivia and I went to Universal for a day (so we could RIDE the rides the boys are so scared of!) and to hang out in the Wizarding World of HP!
Had a great time hanging out at the rental house, and swimming every day!
Took a quick shopping trip to Downtown Disney where Braeden got to make a car at Ride*makerz.
We oohed and aahed over all the treats!
Had a great time at ICE! Merry Madagascar!
And now we travel back home. No school still until Monday and Olivia and I have a girls day planned with friends of ours on Saturday. We've had a wonderful holiday and I pray you have too!
We had SUCH a wonderful time in Florida spending time with Grandma and hanging out in the WARMTH!
We were able to visit for an evening at Give Kids the World Village (one of our VERY favorite places in the world!)
Olivia and I went to Universal for a day (so we could RIDE the rides the boys are so scared of!) and to hang out in the Wizarding World of HP!
Had a great time hanging out at the rental house, and swimming every day!
Took a quick shopping trip to Downtown Disney where Braeden got to make a car at Ride*makerz.
We oohed and aahed over all the treats!
Had a great time at ICE! Merry Madagascar!
And now we travel back home. No school still until Monday and Olivia and I have a girls day planned with friends of ours on Saturday. We've had a wonderful holiday and I pray you have too!
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Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
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