Yeah! It still seems very surreal to say we are here. I was beginning to think this day would never arrive!
We had two very uneventful flights which is just how I like it. Another RR family, the Clantons, we're on both with us and even got picked up by the same driver at the airport. Nico for those who have been here before. He is amazing and very kind just as people have told us, and even though he brought a van, the poor man still had to struggle to put 3 of us, 4 of them and ALL our luggage in it. It was a tight squeeze to say the least.
Our apartment is vey nice, but reeks of smoke. There is an adorable market right outside where we bought a little food last night.
It has gone from cloudy and pouring to sunny to snowing since we arrived and now it is just cloudy. So we are venturing out to the big market in a few, then to the local Ukrainian buffet tonight. Heard it is good.
Will write more later and hope to post some pictures too.
Tomorrow is an early morning, our DAP appointment and we get to meet the infamous facilitator Serge for the first time. :)
Pray all goes well for us with our referrals!!
The Family
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
We're Leaving On A Jet Plane!!
Well, the time is here! Oh my word how long I have waited to utter those words. I cannot believe I am actually going to be on my way in less than 24 hours to go get our babies!!!!!
I can't say time has flown over the last 13 months. It hasn't. But we have managed to get through the wait with a lot of prayer and a lot of patience I didn't know I had. It hasn't been fun, but as many have reminded me along the way, it is God's timing, not ours. He knew from the beginning what would happen and when. He plans it all perfectly and it is up to us to execute the plan. Well, that time is now, and I am ready to go!
I must say, there is a lot of nervousness mixed in with all that excitement. There are so many unknowns, so many possible bumps in the proverbial road that we are to trod over the course of the next month or more. I know He knows those too, and He will lead us through any hardships that might come, but it is still scary.
As always, I ask for your prayers. Pray that we have safe travels both to our children's country and in it. Pray that their health is good and ours remains that way. Pray for a smooth and uneventful trip all around. And pray for our other children and their caregivers while we are away. We are blessed to have such wonderful, responsible kids and such thoughtful and helpful friends!!!! Though we will of course still miss them TONS while we are gone!
So, the packing is done, the plans are made, I will rest easy once I am on that plane. (maybe) But I will try :)
We will try to keep you up to date if you have been given access to our blog while we are away. If not, we'll see you after we get back from the other side of the pond!!! Here we come Charlotte and Atticus-- Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you!!
I can't say time has flown over the last 13 months. It hasn't. But we have managed to get through the wait with a lot of prayer and a lot of patience I didn't know I had. It hasn't been fun, but as many have reminded me along the way, it is God's timing, not ours. He knew from the beginning what would happen and when. He plans it all perfectly and it is up to us to execute the plan. Well, that time is now, and I am ready to go!
I must say, there is a lot of nervousness mixed in with all that excitement. There are so many unknowns, so many possible bumps in the proverbial road that we are to trod over the course of the next month or more. I know He knows those too, and He will lead us through any hardships that might come, but it is still scary.
As always, I ask for your prayers. Pray that we have safe travels both to our children's country and in it. Pray that their health is good and ours remains that way. Pray for a smooth and uneventful trip all around. And pray for our other children and their caregivers while we are away. We are blessed to have such wonderful, responsible kids and such thoughtful and helpful friends!!!! Though we will of course still miss them TONS while we are gone!
So, the packing is done, the plans are made, I will rest easy once I am on that plane. (maybe) But I will try :)
We will try to keep you up to date if you have been given access to our blog while we are away. If not, we'll see you after we get back from the other side of the pond!!! Here we come Charlotte and Atticus-- Mommy and Daddy can't wait to meet you!!
Monday, March 19, 2012
We Have An Appointment!!
Hallelujah! One year and 5 days after we officially began this adventure, we have an appointment for our babies! Praise God. Truly I praise Him. I praise Him knowing that His timing is perfect, whether I agree with it or not. I praise Him for granting me the patience and will to persevere all this time. And I praise Him that our children's country approved our dossier and sees us fit to adopt two precious children from their country. PRAISE!!!
I am so overwhelmed right now I don't know what to do with myself! I have been anticipating this day for so long but now that it is here it is so surreal. There is much to do-- meal offerings that have been made for feeding our kids while we are gone need to be scheduled, as do various helpers, the babies' room needs to be finished, bags need to be packed, airline tickets are already in the works, more (yes more) paperwork needs to be filled out, and all within a very short time. Craziness is now setting in upon the Rowe household! But happy craziness :)
We still covet your prayers throughout this process. This is far from the end or a done deal, in fact this is really just the beginning. There are appointments to be had, court dates to be set, lots of meetings with facilitators, nannies and orphanage directors in our future too. Please pray that the Lord guides us through it all, that we have safe passage there and back, that we know the right things to say at the right time, and that we are able to complete this whole process in a timely manner. There is still lots riding on the opinions of others-- the judges, the prosecutors. They wield the power in it all. We hope they have mercy on us and our children.
As well, I will be making my blog private again when we travel. This is at the advice of our facilitation team. We don't want to take any chances on anything we say being misconstrued or used against us in any way during this adoption, so if you would like an invite for when I make it private, send me an email or let me know in the comments below. Only people we know well will be approved at this time. We hope you understand, it is for the safety of our adoption and our future children. :)
I can't even express adequately how extremely HAPPY I am that this day is finally here!! All the paperwork and the re-do's and the waiting, it will all soon be worth it when we are able to gaze into those tiny faces and tell them at long last that they have a mama and a papa who will love them FOREVER. Adoption is such a blessing and a gift! I am a very blessed woman and we are a very blessed family.
I am so overwhelmed right now I don't know what to do with myself! I have been anticipating this day for so long but now that it is here it is so surreal. There is much to do-- meal offerings that have been made for feeding our kids while we are gone need to be scheduled, as do various helpers, the babies' room needs to be finished, bags need to be packed, airline tickets are already in the works, more (yes more) paperwork needs to be filled out, and all within a very short time. Craziness is now setting in upon the Rowe household! But happy craziness :)
We still covet your prayers throughout this process. This is far from the end or a done deal, in fact this is really just the beginning. There are appointments to be had, court dates to be set, lots of meetings with facilitators, nannies and orphanage directors in our future too. Please pray that the Lord guides us through it all, that we have safe passage there and back, that we know the right things to say at the right time, and that we are able to complete this whole process in a timely manner. There is still lots riding on the opinions of others-- the judges, the prosecutors. They wield the power in it all. We hope they have mercy on us and our children.
As well, I will be making my blog private again when we travel. This is at the advice of our facilitation team. We don't want to take any chances on anything we say being misconstrued or used against us in any way during this adoption, so if you would like an invite for when I make it private, send me an email or let me know in the comments below. Only people we know well will be approved at this time. We hope you understand, it is for the safety of our adoption and our future children. :)
I can't even express adequately how extremely HAPPY I am that this day is finally here!! All the paperwork and the re-do's and the waiting, it will all soon be worth it when we are able to gaze into those tiny faces and tell them at long last that they have a mama and a papa who will love them FOREVER. Adoption is such a blessing and a gift! I am a very blessed woman and we are a very blessed family.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Happy Birthday Grayson!!
Today is my littlest buddy's 9th birthday!! Nine years ago today he was the best 30th birthday present any momma could ever receive!
We had a fun day today celebrating together with breakfast out......
This past Saturday was his birthday party-- a soccer theme complete with soccer game in the muddy front yard since it had monsooned the night before. The kids were covered head to toe, but they had a blast nonetheless. (Hope the parents weren't too mad!)
Grayson, your dad and I love you so much! We are very proud of the young man you are becoming and consider it a privilege to watch you grow each day. We thank God for entrusting you to us and pray that we can be capable, loving parents for you in your life. You are a wonderful boy and I pray you have another year full of health and happiness!!!
Little Boys
Author: Unknown
... Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!
Author: Unknown
... Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!
Yes, we share a birthday so happy b-day to me today too ;)
We had a fun day today celebrating together with breakfast out......
then some shopping, lunch with friends and then tonight seeing the movie The Lorax by Dr Seuss.
This past Saturday was his birthday party-- a soccer theme complete with soccer game in the muddy front yard since it had monsooned the night before. The kids were covered head to toe, but they had a blast nonetheless. (Hope the parents weren't too mad!)
We had originally thought we would already be gone to Europe for our adoption by this time, so I hadn't planned anything. It turned out pretty well considering I pulled it all together in a couple of days! And I think all the kids really had fun which is the most important thing. I know Grayson did!!
We put our kids' soccer jerseys over each chair. Scary that we had enough for 12 places!
Trophies and soccer balls in grass made up the table decorations
The dessert buffet!!
Coloring some soccer pictures
My attempt at cupcakes!
Schuyler and the birthday boy!
Brothers being weird.... like usual! ;)
Opening presents!!
All in all, it was a really fun day. I feel so blessed to have this sweet boy in our lives, and thankful for each and every day I get to spend with him. I am equally thankful for the wonderful children he calls his friends. It is a great comfort to know he is surrounded by such loving and kind children as he grows. Thanks to everyone for sharing his special day with us!!!
Grayson, your dad and I love you so much! We are very proud of the young man you are becoming and consider it a privilege to watch you grow each day. We thank God for entrusting you to us and pray that we can be capable, loving parents for you in your life. You are a wonderful boy and I pray you have another year full of health and happiness!!!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wow....
She said it better than I could. April Jacobson, whose blog is here-- http://threemorejacobsons.blogspot.com/2012/02/longest-post-end.html put two of the most amazing paragraphs at the end of her blog post today. She and her husband are soon on their way back from Eastern Europe with their three amazing, newly adopted, children, and her statement below perfectly summed up something I have wanted to say for a long time. It just hit me smack upside the head, so I asked her permission and she said I could post it here.-----
"Friends, this God-thing we are doing, well, it's not just for crazy people, or really nice people, or gifted people. We are none of those things. Not even crazy, though people do tell me that all the time. It's for GOD'S people. We are all called to follow him. That means he will totally change you, your plans, your family, your comfort, your wallet, your everything. And it's good. It's worth it - the only thing actually worth doing. Don't waste your lives - spend them totally and completely and you will not be sorry.
I have no illusions that the next time in our lives will be easy. We left easy when we said "I do". But, God will be there. Suffering is not to be feared, and is the place to find the purest joy. Because he is there. Goodbye friends! I don't know if life will be a bloggy kind, or a desperate hanging-on-for-dear-life kind. But I will end with this: DO IT. GO THERE. If you are his, that means the place that you are scared of, but you know is the path of obedience. He will be there."
See why I said "WOW"??
This is exactly how we have been feeling. Tim and I aren't "special", and we aren't crazy either.... well maybe a little, but in a good way. :) And we might not even fully know what we are getting ourselves into-- who does until you get there and meet those children face to face? But we are as prepared as we will ever be, and we trust that God has brought us down this road and He alone will guide us through all of it. We are ready to be changed, transformed. Ready as we will ever be for the good and the bad. This is what it means to have FAITH. To TRUST in God. To walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
It won't be all roses and sunshine. We know that. We hope our friends and family will be there regardless, to give us a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear when things get tough... not an "I told you so." Because we already know.
But as she said, we are "God's people." How would He want us to act? What would He want us to do?? Shirk the responsibility of caring for the widows and the orphans and say it is someone else's problem, surely someone else will do it??? Nope. I didn't think so.
So as April said, let us do the things worth doing, let us not waste our lives. Instead let us jump in there and get dirty doing God's work instead of meandering through the rose gardens.
"Friends, this God-thing we are doing, well, it's not just for crazy people, or really nice people, or gifted people. We are none of those things. Not even crazy, though people do tell me that all the time. It's for GOD'S people. We are all called to follow him. That means he will totally change you, your plans, your family, your comfort, your wallet, your everything. And it's good. It's worth it - the only thing actually worth doing. Don't waste your lives - spend them totally and completely and you will not be sorry.
I have no illusions that the next time in our lives will be easy. We left easy when we said "I do". But, God will be there. Suffering is not to be feared, and is the place to find the purest joy. Because he is there. Goodbye friends! I don't know if life will be a bloggy kind, or a desperate hanging-on-for-dear-life kind. But I will end with this: DO IT. GO THERE. If you are his, that means the place that you are scared of, but you know is the path of obedience. He will be there."
See why I said "WOW"??
This is exactly how we have been feeling. Tim and I aren't "special", and we aren't crazy either.... well maybe a little, but in a good way. :) And we might not even fully know what we are getting ourselves into-- who does until you get there and meet those children face to face? But we are as prepared as we will ever be, and we trust that God has brought us down this road and He alone will guide us through all of it. We are ready to be changed, transformed. Ready as we will ever be for the good and the bad. This is what it means to have FAITH. To TRUST in God. To walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
It won't be all roses and sunshine. We know that. We hope our friends and family will be there regardless, to give us a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear when things get tough... not an "I told you so." Because we already know.
But as she said, we are "God's people." How would He want us to act? What would He want us to do?? Shirk the responsibility of caring for the widows and the orphans and say it is someone else's problem, surely someone else will do it??? Nope. I didn't think so.
So as April said, let us do the things worth doing, let us not waste our lives. Instead let us jump in there and get dirty doing God's work instead of meandering through the rose gardens.
"Don't waste your lives- spend them totally and completely and you will not be sorry."
April Jacobson
Powerful Post
Please take a moment to go here-- http://networkedblogs.com/u1MTG and read this post by Adeye Salem on the "No Greater Joy" blog.
This is a powerful, powerful post about the world's waiting children who all too often are forgotten. We remember and pay tribute to the celebrities of the world, but what about God's children?? Do we think of them before we lay our heads down at night? Do we cry when they perish?? Do many of us even know about the plight of the world's orphans??
We are blessed to live in a very privileged society-- one that values money, position and prestige above much else. We need to get our priorities in check.
Too often people exclaim "But what can I do???" We ALL can do something!
Andrea Roberts, who started Reece's Rainbow, said today:
Amen to that.
So please, read the post I linked to above. Consider, really really consider, what YOU can do.
Proverbs 24:12 tells us that "Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act."
This is a powerful, powerful post about the world's waiting children who all too often are forgotten. We remember and pay tribute to the celebrities of the world, but what about God's children?? Do we think of them before we lay our heads down at night? Do we cry when they perish?? Do many of us even know about the plight of the world's orphans??
We are blessed to live in a very privileged society-- one that values money, position and prestige above much else. We need to get our priorities in check.
Too often people exclaim "But what can I do???" We ALL can do something!
Andrea Roberts, who started Reece's Rainbow, said today:
"You can't save them all"....well by God, that may be true but we have to TRY!? Got money? GIVE. Got Jesus? PRAY. Got Facebook? SHARE. Got heart? ADOPT. DO SOMETHING."
Amen to that.
So please, read the post I linked to above. Consider, really really consider, what YOU can do.
Proverbs 24:12 tells us that "Once our eyes are opened we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows we know and holds us responsible to act."
Thursday, February 9, 2012
We Were Submitted!!!
Yeah!! YEAH!!!!!!! We are shouting from the rooftops here at the Rowe home! Our dossier was submitted, again, to our children's country in Eastern Europe. Praising God today and thanking all our friends and family for their prayers on our behalf!
We were one of seven families submitted today, and hopefully in a couple weeks we and these other families will have our appointment dates! YAHOO!! Then the fun really begins!
I have made list after list in the past couple months, I need to go find them all. :) I will need the general "packing" list, the nursery "must haves" list, the "baby things to bring" list, etc..... etc.
I am, by nature, a planner and this whole idea of having to wait until the last minute to put everything together because we don't know exactly when we are leaving is driving me crrrrrr-aaaaaa-zy! I mean, I can't pack my suitcase because chances are I will need to wear those clothes sometime in the next couple of weeks. And we can't buy our plane tickets because we don't know when we are leaving. And we can't set up child care for our kiddos staying behind because of the same reason.
But, I am trying not to stress over it all too much. I have confidence that things will fall into place when the time comes. We have great friends who have asked many times how they could help-- and if you are one of those I am now placing you on high alert! :)
I am just happy and thankful that we are finally to this stage in this process. Do you realize that February 14th, Valentine's Day of 2011 was when we made the decision to commit to these children? That will be a year ago this coming Tuesday. Wow.
So, we are ready to go in all the important ways-- our hearts and minds are ready even if our suitcases are not.
Please keep on praying for our family. Pray that the officials won't find anything wrong with our dossier and that they will approve us for travel QUICKLY! Pray that we hear about an appointment date SOON. Pray that we all stay healthy and that there are no more major bumps on this road to adoption. And pray a prayer of THANKS to our Heavenly Father for getting us this far and guiding us along the entire way.
We were one of seven families submitted today, and hopefully in a couple weeks we and these other families will have our appointment dates! YAHOO!! Then the fun really begins!
I have made list after list in the past couple months, I need to go find them all. :) I will need the general "packing" list, the nursery "must haves" list, the "baby things to bring" list, etc..... etc.
I am, by nature, a planner and this whole idea of having to wait until the last minute to put everything together because we don't know exactly when we are leaving is driving me crrrrrr-aaaaaa-zy! I mean, I can't pack my suitcase because chances are I will need to wear those clothes sometime in the next couple of weeks. And we can't buy our plane tickets because we don't know when we are leaving. And we can't set up child care for our kiddos staying behind because of the same reason.
But, I am trying not to stress over it all too much. I have confidence that things will fall into place when the time comes. We have great friends who have asked many times how they could help-- and if you are one of those I am now placing you on high alert! :)
I am just happy and thankful that we are finally to this stage in this process. Do you realize that February 14th, Valentine's Day of 2011 was when we made the decision to commit to these children? That will be a year ago this coming Tuesday. Wow.
So, we are ready to go in all the important ways-- our hearts and minds are ready even if our suitcases are not.
Please keep on praying for our family. Pray that the officials won't find anything wrong with our dossier and that they will approve us for travel QUICKLY! Pray that we hear about an appointment date SOON. Pray that we all stay healthy and that there are no more major bumps on this road to adoption. And pray a prayer of THANKS to our Heavenly Father for getting us this far and guiding us along the entire way.
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