Growth...of our family...in our walk with Christ...in all things to worship HIM!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Getting Closer

We are getting closer.  Each passing day brings us just a bit closer to bringing Aaron home.  

We had our interview to have our homestudy updated and converted to an international study last week.  We are blessed to have a seasoned case worker that knows all the ins and outs of international adoption, especially for the Philippines.  Faithful God!!

From the document lists that we have been following, we believed this was our last step to sending our dossier to the Philippines.  I was a bit disappointed to learn that we had three other documents that required quite a bit of time and effort to get our hands on.  We scrambled for a week.  Two of the documents have been ordered although we do not know how long the government offices will take to return them to us.  The third is simply not available. 

Ya'll know my heart...bring my sweet boy home ASAP!!!  But, once again, I am learning to hand control over to my heavenly father who has it all in HIS capable hands!!

Each leg of this journey has brought us to a place of deeper surrender.  A place where we declare that this journey is not our own and hand the reigns back to Christ.  

Aaron is HIS...HE knitted Aaron in his birthmother's womb...HE has a fabulous plan and purpose for our sweet boy.  HE loves Aaron even more than we do.  Therefore, HE will work all things together for Aaron's good!  

One of my dear friends quickly sketched this last night!  How it blessed this mama's heart!  


We are coming sweet boy!  The agency is very hesitant to give an exact timeline because so many things can change.  We were given a ballpark of September!
  BUT AGAIN...it will happen in God's timing!


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Truth is Powerful

Throughout our adoption journey we have been asked many questions.  

I personally LOVE to talk about adoption, our journey, and God's faithfulness!!!  

Discussion about adoption spreads truth, challenges hearts, and allows room for God to move in the lives of his people.  

A sweet bloggy friend posted some question and answers about adoption today.  I encourage EACH OF YOU to take a few minutes to read her words of wisdom!  She spoke on questions such as...should you go into debt for adoption... and bonding with a newly adopted child.  It is such a valuable read even if you are not pursuing adoption.  Truth is powerful.  



Saturday, April 21, 2012

Gotcha Day 2012

Most people in the adoption world tend to celebrate the day they "got", "picked up", "met" their child for the first time.  Our journey with sweet Kylee was a bit different as she was in and out of our home a bit, and then there was a long time period before her adoption could be finalized. 

Our Gotcha Day represents the day she legally became part of our family.  
And oh how thankful we are for that!

Yesterday, April 20th marked the anniversary of this tremendous day!  

We began the day by going on a field trip to Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.

Kylee was able to spend time with a close friend

 As did Mélika

We got out the big guns

 And had some silly reenactment between North and South

We learned much, visited with established friends, and met some new one.  
And...we had much conversation about adoption.  
(my favorite subject next to the greatness of our loving God!)

Later we were joined by my hubby for a special Gotcha Day dinner out.  Kylee's choice for this special dinner was Red Robin...Yum!

She drank her milkshake first!  what else would we do on such a special day?!

Then we shared this tower of onion rings.   

Baby girl, we are so very humbled and blessed that God brought you to our family!  You add sparkle and life to our world and we love you more than words can say!!  




Thursday, April 19, 2012

Friendly Competition

We have been struggling with the fact that we cannot share our son's beautiful face with you until we bring him home...so...we decided to have a friendly competition.  

A drawing competition! 
The winner of the competition will have his/her drawing posted on the side bar of the blog until our beautiful son arrives home and we can replace it with his actual photo.  

You my dear bloggy friends get to vote by leaving a comment at the end of the post!!!

Ready?

May the competition begin!!



Our first exhibitor entered the race quickly and with zeal.  Although Aaron looks a bit older than this...the artist did a great job with proportion, his eyes, and was the only entry to include accurate clothing as well.
#1

The second entry came in a few hours later the same night.  Although Aaron's face is shorter than pictured in this portrait, this artist captured his mouth and hairline.  
#2

 The third exhibitor watched the other artists, became fearful with the competition and almost didn't enter.  But look at the results.  This exhibitor's portrait looks younger than our Aaron but was able to put a distinct sparkle in his eyes and did a great job with proportion.  
#3

The last minute entry obviously spent countless hours slaving over this masterpiece and is surely a contender...(notice the writing on the reverse side of the page)  
Let's see...oh yeah...brief description...although this drawing looks older than Aaron, the artist exhibitor was able to capture his dark hair and properly label said drawing:)
#4


Happy voting:)



Friday, April 13, 2012

Praying For the Possible!

I have been dying to share Aaron's picture with you.  But it is just not possible to post it online.
so...

imagine if you will...

He has hair like my hubby had before he started shaving it,  even down to the calic in front!!

He has deep chocolate eyes like our oldest daughter

And his size is much like our youngest daughter who is the same age.

We are smitten....and rightfully so!!

I have been praying for 13 years (since the death of our son) for God to fill our home with children.  For the past year and a half we have put our hearts (and profile) out to countless adoption opportunities...and we simply were not chosen.  How fitting that God lead us to a special boy in the Philippines who has lived almost 12 years...of not being chosen.  

I am so very excited to share some praise reports.  God is so faithful and I LOVE LOVE sharing HIS testimonies with others!!!

As you may have gathered from earlier posts...we have lived this journey as a family!
Our children have prayed with us, hoped with us, and walked this journey OUTLOUD with us.  We have always shared the details of our journey and together we have walked forward.  For this reason, we have always desired to take our children with us to pick up their siblings, regardless of the location!

A few weeks ago, a dear family approached us and told us that they would like to pay the airfare for one of our girls to go with us to the Philippines!!!
We were...COMPLETELY...BLOWN...AWAY!!!


Our faithful God knows our hearts desire (and that of our girls) and provided money for transportation of an adoption that is not even funded yet!!!  

Almost a year ago we applied to
  They are a tremendous non-profit organization that approved us for a $5000 interest free loan and opened an account where folks can make a tax-deductible donation toward our adoption.  

As you know, we have yet to have a successful match of a child(ren).  The expiration date for our loan is quickly approaching and I was a bit apprehensive to contact Lifesong.  I was sure we would have to reapply for another loan.  

BUT...once again, our God is so very faithful!!!  They have extended the time frame for our loan and have reopened our account to received tax-deductible donations!!!

We have been submitting our paperwork in record breaking time but are now at the point where we need additional funds to continue moving forward.  We are $10,800 (and a round trip plane ticket) short of bringing Aaron home.

That amount seems overwhelming to me...BUT I AM PRAYING FOR THE POSSIBLE!!!

Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us bring our sweet boy home?

Online donations can be made by clicking on
"Help Us Bring Aaron Home" on the top right of my blog.
When you arrive at our website click "How you can help"
And then "Lifesong Tax Deductible contributions"

OR...

Checks can made out to:  Lifesong for Orphans (please write Boutin #2103 adoption in the memo)
and mailed to:
Lifesong for Orphans
P.O. Box 40/202 N. Ford St
Gridley, IL  61744


Saturday, April 7, 2012

Easter Blessing

I promised my girls and two of their friends that we could do a photo shoot for Easter.  

Before I share photos...I just have to share my Easter blessings!!!

While the girls were heading back for a clothing change for their photo shoot, an older gentleman walked towards to me.  He was dressed in tattered clothes, and clearly had not bathed in quite some time.  I knew from far off that he would be approaching me for money.  I sent the girls off together and watched as the man walked my way.  

He told me that his name is Johny, and that he needed money to go to the Hardees around the corner for something to eat.  You need to understand a few things about me.  One, I rarely ever hand money.  I have on occasion purchased a meal and returned it to someone...but I have always been concerned about the money being used for alcohol or smokes.  Two, I have this little fear about being a woman...alone...with someone that may be a threat to me or my children.  In this case, I had other children with me as well.  

But there was something in Johny's eyes that broke me to the core!  

I felt so very compelled to do something for this man.
  
I considered packing the girls up and driving to get him a meal.  But the day was getting away from us and I promised to be the paparazzi for four lovely ladies.  

I told Johny the truth...I had no money on me.  He sadly shook his head in understanding.  It was like I was frozen there....I couldn't walk away.  I had no money but could not wash my hands of the need.  I told him that I was going to return to my car and see if I had any money there.  

I KNOW...CRAZY WOMEN TOLD THE STRANGER THAT I WAS GOING TO MY CAR TO LOOK FOR MONEY!

Johny was completely appropriate.  He told me that he would sit right there on the step and wait for my return.  He made no attempt to follow me.  As I walked toward the girls and the van, all I could think about was that this is Easter weekend and I had to do something.  

THEN IT HIT ME!  I checked the mail before leaving for the photo shoot.  I know that sounds strange...stick with me.  I usually do not bring mail to my van.  Something in there eats it and it does not always make it to the house.  On this day, I looked, fully planning to return it to the box until later.  BUT, there were a letters addressed to each of our daughters.  I would recognize that gorgeous hand writing anywhere...it was my fathers.  I knew my parents must have sent our girls something special for Easter.  So, I took it to the van so they could open their mail right away.  Inside those beautifully written letters were ten dollar bills.  

I am sure you are ahead of the game and have guessed where this is going.  As I caught up with the girls I explained that I met Johny and that he is hungry.  I asked if I could borrow their money.  Without hesitation the girls ran for there newly acquired gift.  

Kylee wanted so desperately to return with me and meet Mr Johny.  To her dismay I asked her to stay with the older girls.  

As I approached the steps where I left this gentleman, I noticed he was starting to leave.  I could just imagine how many times he waited for people and they never returned.  As I walked, I prayed that the Lord would give me words to speak truth and love into this broken man.  

When he realized I was returning....he simply glowed.  

Tears were in the corner of his eyes.  

I said Johny...do you know what today is?  He said, "No, but I know yesterday was good Friday, and tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday.  I beamed..."Yes Johny...it sure is!  

I asked if I could pray with him and he was quick to agree.  I asked if I could hold his hand as I prayed.  He held our his weathered hand and I held it with my two.  I prayed all that God placed on my heart.  When I finished he was crying.  He apologized, and I said it was all good...I would simply cry with him!  

He said that I am too good and holy and that he is unworthy.  I was quick to assure him that none of us are worthy on our own!  We talked for quite some time and he shared a bit of his heart and that he made mistakes that brought him to his homeless state.  

I pulled out those $10 bills and explained that one is for dinner tonight and the other for him to eat a meal for Easter. 

Without a thought...I gave him a hug.  
He looked at me with tears once again and asked if he could have another one.  
(Please know that it was completely appropriate)

I told Johny that I would be praying for him.  He thanked me over and over.  

As I walked away...

I wondered....

How long could it have been since sweet Johny received a hug.  
So long that he would dare ask for a second?!?

 Friends, I am still humbled by what took place this afternoon!!  God placed me right where I needed to be to bless one in need.  HE took me out of my comfort zone so that I could show love.  

I really have no idea if those two ten dollar bills will be used for food, or something to numb the feeling of being alone for another holiday.  I can tell you honestly...I truly do not care what he used them for.  

Matthew 25:40 says...
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I showed my love for Jesus through my love toward Johny today.  
May God continue to stretch and grow me!!!  May I learn to love more each and every day!!



When your eyes are finished misting...you can keep scroll down for our photo shoot.  


We decided to begin the day by trying to capture an updated family photo to attach with our dossier.  

Transition lenses DEFINITELY have its flaws!!!

Our gorgeous girls





We will try again when hubby returns from Georgia:)

So...the girls were excited to take photos with all the clothing changes they picked out!!!

There were some out takes....

But we did get some beautiful shots...here are a few:)











Love this one...That is how I feel about being in the House OF The Lord!!!

  THEN...after taking their friends home...we went to see OCTOBER BABY!!  

Ok...as if I hadn't cried enough for one day.  

I highly recommend it to anyone who has adopted children, are considering adoption, or just want to see a fabulous movie!  The trailer is below:)


Happy Resurrection Sunday ya'll!

Friday, April 6, 2012

At This Point

We have been asked many questions over the past weeks by our beloved family, friends, and followers of our journey.  Where are you...what needs to be done next...when is Aaron coming home?

We LOVE that you are walking this journey with us and very much enjoy sharing the details with anyone willing to listen.  

PLEASE KEEP ASKING!!

We are still in the paperwork/supporting documents stage.  We are simultaneously doing paperwork for the agency and for our dossier (file) for the Philippines.  


It feels like such a long time before we can bring him home, but at the same time there is comfort in knowing that Aaron is indeed the child that will come home and a birthmother will not be changing her mind somewhere in the process.  

One element of our dossier is photos of our family and home.  We were asked to take pictures of the room that Aaron will be staying in.  They want to see that we are preparing for him.  So, this week we started working on a big boy room.  

I had many ideas for a boys room.  My sweet hubby let me know that HE would like to decide on the theme and decor.  So...sports theme it is:)  

We found an awesome bed on craigslist.  And hubby worked hard to get it all assembled.  


We still need to remove the box spring from the room, and attach the sports balls to the wall.  I suggested a hockey stick for a curtain rod but hubby has an idea of lacrosse stick ends.  

And...there has been some talk of using some special hockey jerseys that are in our home.  He of course is a HUGE Canadians fan.  I went to school in Philly so I lean toward the Flyers.  One of my college friends gave Mélika a Flyers jersey when she was still an infant.  So, we will see which team wins out or if they will both make the wall.  

Hopefully we will have updated photos of a finished room in the next few days!!