One year ago...

My birthday last week led me to reflect (yes, I said reflect- I try not to do that very often) on how much has changed in one year related specifically to our adoption.



On my birthday in 2008, we abruptly received notice that our placement agency (this is from their e-mail) "made a very difficult decision to cease providing adoption services.....The Board concluded that it was necessary to seize operation and begin to transition families to other adoption providers. That said, please know that we will do everything possible to transition your adoption into another adoption agency. " There was more but that is the important part.



Needless to say we were upset, emotional, and hesitant to believe anything they said. Many families had used their entire savings to pay the adoption fees and could not afford to start over, some has been waiting years. The stories were numerous and very sad. We were lucky to be in the earlier stages of the process, but I was unsure if I was mentally prepared to start over.



Everyone warned us that International Adoption is very unpredictable and we will likely come upon some issues but I did not think they would happen so soon or probably really ever believe these road blocks would occur. I sadly began researching other counties and programs assuming we would need to start again. I questioned by judgement that I had picked this agency (even though I thought I did adequate research) and paid them fees.



Two days letter we received the following "We are working out a "provisional" arrangement with another agency, The Gladney Center in Texas, to take over our Taiwan program. It is our hope that Gladney would assume the responsibility for completing the adoptions of our families in every phase of their Taiwan adoption process. If we successfully transfer this program, we do not anticipate that you would pay additional fees beyond what your contract fees are with Commonwealth."



We were also hesitant to believe this. Over the next month we received more details about Gladney and it seemed this was really going to happen and we did not have to pay the fees again or find a new program and agency. WOW!



I can now honestly say this situation could not have worked out better in our case. Gladney was terrific to work with. Because of all the uproar over the agency closing I got in touch with others in the same situation and became a member of a terrific yahoo group. These ladies (and a few men) became a great support to us as we were waiting and a great resource with the million questions you have during the process but feel stupid asking the agency.



As I write this I feel blessed to be looking across the room as our beautiful little man who is wight months old and happily jumping in his jumper (favorite past time!). He has blended wonderfully into our family and it feels very right.

Every day I think about the other mom's (and dad's) who's babies are still in Taiwan and pray they get rulings soon and can travel. I think of my friends still waiting for referrals and feel for them as that is so hard and also pray for news for them this week. (Yes, Elena, Mary and Heather- it is time!)



I guess my message to others waiting is to stay positive even though it is so hard. Our distress one year ago and happiness now is proof!

Bad Blogger!

I can already tell I am going to be a very bad blogger moving forward. We have been home almost three weeks and have been very busy with events that were planned earlier this summer and have not focused on blogging.

Danny is doing well. He is still waking during the night a few times and needs to be reassured but usually goes back to sleep quickly. I have been reassured that many of the babies react to the changes and grieve at night so this is not unusual. He has mastered cereal on a spoon (if you consider half staying in his mouth mastering like I do!) and have moved on to orange veggies. The rice crackers (from Walmart) still remain his favorite food. He is sitting up really well now which is remarkable because he could not do this three weeks ago. He loves the baby jumper and will sit in that for the longest time. He is generally happy which works well because we have been busy the last few weeks and he has been held by most of the family by now at some point.

Last weekend we picnicked at Pipestone Lake in Michigan with a college friend and his family and friends. This is an event we look forward to each summer. (Thanks Scott & Amy!) Kyle tubed this year! (See photo above with his cousin Sean) Ed and I also tubed and probably should not have because my arms were very sore the next day. We spend the remainder of the weekend in St. Joe Michigan and at the beach there. (The photos are out of order- sorry!)

We celebrated by birthday last week (yes, it is 40!). The picture below is not the best because Danny went right for the cake when he saw it.

The photos (right and below) are of a present that came in the mail that was just the perfect size for Danny to play with for a half hour! This adorable pillow has a music box in it and is hand painted. It is special for several reasons. Paige and Kyle also have them from when they were babies but if you look carefully you will see that Danny's has the flag of Taiwan and the US flag on it. Thanks Amy & Family!

We also went to Kiddleland last week. Danny was a trooper and woke up to ride the merry-go-round with Paige while Kyle was on the roller coaster with his cousins and aunt. I am proud that we typically have a diaper and bottle when we leave the house for long periods of time, but unfortunately I can't seem to remember the camera so photos of many events are missing.

Danny saw his first fireworks Saturday night at Nana's house with his cousins and family friends. Once again, a nice night without a camera. Sunday we went to our annual family picnic. This year it was a Pine Lake in Indiana. It was a hot day so everyone enjoyed the swimming, tubing and eating. Kyle went on the banana with the big kids, Danny was very happy in the baby boat riding the waves and loved the attention from the teenage girls and Paige was very brave jumping off the Island. Again, no camera!

I'm sure we have done a few other things this week but those are the highlights.

More photos below: In St. Joe

Birthday celebration