"I was born with a bronze skin and I like it. Some of my friends were born white or black or yellow. They were not consulted. But that's all right. There are yellow roses, white roses, and red roses and the fragrance of one is about as nice as another." ~Chief Walking Buffalo

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

ack! no more whining!

Does anyone else have kids who turn into little monsters after Christmas? I can't believe how awful they are today! Grrr. Over sugared, spoiled and tired. That's it! Next year, no presents. No candy. More rest.

Really. They got so much that it is just ridiculous. I feel embarrassed. All of this extravagance is so distracting from the essence of this time of year. Everything that I love about Christmas. The magic. The spirit. The mood that I apparently try to re-create through the disproportionate amount of food and presents. It has robbed me of fully experiencing what I set out to encounter. The value of appreciating what you have. Enjoying the gift of nature, of life. Gratitude and joy!

Instead, I am left with this post-Christmas hangover of greed, consumerism, and over-indulgence. A deflated sense of disapointment looms over my head like a Eeyore's raincloud. Do you know how many bags of garbage are going out in the trash tomorrow morning? I am embarrassed at the pile that will be sitting on my curb. Of packaging and non-recyclables. Not to mention all that plastic toy goodness that will spend the next 6 months in my basement and three thousand years thereafter in the landfill. Thank goodness the garbage man comes early and the days are short, so it should still be dark at pick up time! If I am lucky, my neighbours won't notice. I am so sorry planet!

It's no wonder there is such thing as a New Year's resolution. How could you not want to turn over a new leaf after all of this gluttony? Yep. Next year I want to try something new. No presents. No excess. This is my New Year's resolution. Can someone please remind me of this when the mad Christmas rush starts again next season?

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A new beginning; another mountain

I have been waiting to write this post until I was comfortable enough with this decision to put it into words. We have decided not to renew with the new Imagine for various reasons. A major factor was our decision to begin an adoption from Haiti late this summer. We initially intended to proceed with both countries, but have now settled on Haiti alone.

We feel we have come full circle, since Haiti was our first country of choice, however, at the time we began our adoption, we did not meet the country's requirement of being married for 10 years. So this summer, when our adoption practitioner mentioned that there were 12 baby boys waiting for families in Haiti, we re-assessed our situation and discovered that we will have been married for 10 years by the time we get to court. We realize the risk in starting all over again, and it is a calculated one, however, the risk is no greater than proceeding with Ethiopia, either. We have learned the very hard way that there is no guarantee in International adoption.

On a lighter note, we LOVE everything about the orphanage we are adopting from. We are doing this adoption privately right from the orphanage. Which means, we work directly with them, with no facilitator in between. We are very confident in the people running this orphanage and are so happy to have access to information, pictures and videos along the way. I have posted a video at the bottom of this blog from Haiti Children's Home. If you have ever considered adoption, please watch the video with an open heart, as the majority of the children currently residing in the home need forever families!

I want to thank everyone again for your loving support on this journey.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Gratitude

First of all I would like to say a gigantic THANK YOU to everyone who showed your support at the garage sale.

We live in the best community in the world!! The show of love and support was outstanding. It makes me all emotional to realize what a solid support system we have here - great neighbors, great friends and great people. We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity and caring. Full of gratitude!!

The sale was a great success!! I believe the last count we were at about $1500,and we haven't even added up the recyclables money yet! Fantastic!! We are all wonderful :)

On another note, I had a dream last night that our referral came in. For some reason, it was a little baby boy. I got to meet his mother. I was crying and bouncing off the walls I was so happy. So since I woke up and realized that I was dreaming I have been feeling a little down this morning. I hope that one day I will be able to cry those tears of joy and scream with excitement. I pray for that day every day. I will keep at it until we bring our children home. Thank you all again for helping us take another step in that direction.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Good News!

I got to go on Global Edmonton tonight to talk about the restructuring plan!
Yahoo!

All is looking good. What a difference from almost 2 months ago when our world shattered. This is totally an answer to our prayers, and a resounding echo to our mantra from the very beginning "Yes We Can!"

Late Friday night we received a restructuring plan from BDO Dunwoody that outlines a very viable plan to allow our adoptions to be processed. Each family has been asked to contribute a $4000 renewal fee which will allow the agency to resume operations and complete our adoptions.

Another huge blessing is that many of the creditor's who were not families have agreed to reduce their claims, which have kept the restructuring costs lower.
There will be a new board of directors, and the new agency will be closely monitored by both the Trustee as well as the Government.

I am trying to remain cautious, as this plan hinges on the approval of the majority of creditors at the creditor's meeting on Sept.21st. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we wait to exhale.

If you want to check out the news clip from this evening, go to the following link and click on Sept.7th evening news - it is about 8-9 mins in.

Thank you all who have maintained your love and support through these past 2 months.

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/index.html

Monday, August 31, 2009

Waiting for a re-structuring plan

For those of you you haven't been following the unitedfamiliesofimagine.blogspot.com blog, we are anxiously awaiting a re-structuring plan this week. I have no idea what to expect. The creditor's will all get a chance to review the plan and then cast a vote in favour or against. If this is a viable plan I cannot see it failing, but that remains to be seen. We are holding our breathe.
When we began this process last year around this time, I dreamed about sharing this Christmas with our new children. That was probably unrealistic even in ordinary circumstances - I suppose. But I am still keeping the faith. And I am dreaming that next Christmas (2010) we will all be together.

Abebech Gobena Orphanage

I stumbled upon this video while on youtube. I am posting because this woman's story is similar to the one in the book "There is no me without you" by Melissa Faye Greene. If it was not for brave people like these women, then there would be many more children on the street in Ethiopia.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Please write to your MP

Dear Mr/Ms MP - Just Copy and Paste
Find your Member of Parliament using your Postal Code:

Dear MP

I am writing to you regarding the recent bankruptcy announcement of Imagine Adoption, based in Cambridge, Ontario. This agency was one of only two that is currently licensed to complete adoptions in the country of Ethiopia. Many families from all over Canada (once approved by a provincial adoption agency) have become clients of Imagine Adoption. It has been reported that there are over 400 families that are directly affected by this tragedy.

In the long process to adopt, these families have invested both emotionally and financially in order for Imagine to fulfill not only a legal contract, but their dreams to complete their family. It is imperative that the contract be fulfilled and that these families may bring home their long awaited children from Ethiopia, whether they have received a child referral already or not.

This has been an already very long journey for most of these families. They did everything by the book. They trusted Imagine and the government who licensed them. I am asking that the government now take action to support all the families affected.

I am writing to you to ask for your help; to immediately determine a solution to facilitate and complete all of Imagine Adoption's active files affected by this bankruptcy.

It is imperative that the federal government take an active role in ensuring the well-being of the many hundreds of children and Canadian families who have found themselves completely at a loss in this situation.

We trust that swift government action will accompany the bankruptcy announcement of Kids Link/Imagine Adoption and we await your timely response to this letter.

Sincerely,

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Families of Imagine Adoption (FIA)

Families of Imagine Adoption
Dear friends and family,

Below is a letter that was written by a waiting adoptive mom. It is a form letter that can be cut and pasted to your blogs or websites, if you so wish. Please read it and join the cause:

Dear,

Over 400 Canadian families have had their dreams of adopting a child internationally shattered. Imagine Adoption, a Canadian adoption agency that facilitates international adoptions declared bankruptcy on July 14, 2010. http://www.bdo.ca/extranets/imagineadoption/index.cfm

The families that have been impacted by the bankruptcy of Imagine Adoption have started a petition and are fundraising to demand that the government take action to ensure that every family have the opportunity to complete their adoption and bring their children home.

As a supporter of international adoption, we need your help to spread the word. Please post a link to our blog on your website and send it to all of your contacts. Many voices are stronger than one.

Here is the link to the new blog that our families have created: Families of Imagine Adoption: http://unitedfamiliesofimagine.blogspot.com/

You can find the link to the petition and opportunity to donate in the right hand column of the blog

Our hopes of a family are greatly threatened by this turn of events, not to mention the significant financial investment in the adoption process. Many of us were on the verge of being matched with a child at the time of Imagine Adoption's closure.

For many of us, starting another adoption process is financially and emotionally impossible. Signing on with an adoption agency is much like discovering you are pregnant - from that point on you are a parent, expecting and planning for the arrival of your child (children). We have already endured significant emotional and financial hardship dealing with infertility or similar issues. For others, the loss of time spent in the Imagine process means some families are now too old to become adoptive parents. Their dreams of becoming a family have been crushed by the irresponsible mismanagement of this adoption Agency. We do not deserve this.

We believe it is the responsibility of the government, and agency acting on Imagine Adoption's behalf during this time, to do everything in their power to ensure that the adoptions of already contracted families are able to continue.

Thank for your support,

http://unitedfamiliesofimagine.blogspot.com/

The Families of Imagine Adoption have come together and created a blog.

Please visit this blog for all information pertaining to the Imagine Adoption Bankruptcy.

Pass this blog on to everyone you know! Post it on facebook, use it as a signature on your email. We are making a difference!

THANK YOU!


http://unitedfamiliesofimagine.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

PLEASE sign this peition

Dear friends and family,

Please help us proceed with our adoption plans by signing the petition below (copy and paste the link into your browser). You can send it on to your friends and family after you have signed right from the address below.


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveOurDreamofAdoptingInternatio/index.html

thank you, your support is appreciated.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

There are no words to describe our feelings today.

Imagine adoption, the agency we were using for our adoption has declared bankruptcy. We are in utter disbelief as there was absolutely no warning.
I cannot express our grief, other than that we are desperately looking for hope and answers with our local agency.

I am doing all I can and praying that a miracle will happen for us and the children who were supposed to become ours.

It took all day for me to finally sit down and write this note because I am just stunned and sad and can't believe this is happening. I really don't have a lot else that I want to say at the moment other than that our only concern is how we can continue on this adoption journey.

We are just so sad and praying desperately for all those families who have already received their referrals and for all of the children in the transition home in Ethiopia who are in left in limbo.

For more information, here are some news links regarding this situation.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090714/adoption_bankrupt_090714/20090714?hub=TopStories

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/07/14/10133831.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/adoption-agencys-bankruptcy-devastates-families/article1217223/

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/07/14/imagine-adoption-bankrupt-ethiopia-calgary.html

Sunday, June 28, 2009

The best way out is always through. ~Robert Frost

I find myself kind of trudging through lately. There is so much baggage on this journey for such a simple wish. I just want our family in tact. I am so eager for that day. But these past few days the wait seems excruciating, as it tends to feel every few months.

Looking at other people's referral pictures is not an intelligent way to pass the time when I am yearning for our kids. I feel a slight jealously even while I am exhilarated for these families. When will it be our turn?

Thank God we have these two beautiful girls with us to ease the wait. They are making lots of cards and pictures lately for their "new brothers and sisters" which is how we refer to them because we don't know if it will be 2 girls, 2 boys or one of each. My oldest has decided that the next toy that she earns from her bug chart (a good behaviour chart we use for the girls, which rewards them with toys - simply put, we bribe our kids to be good!) will be for her new brothers or sisters. They are vivid in their minds. And they are sharing with them already!

I can't imagine what a childless couple must feel on this journey. Those couples who don't have children to distract them from this long hard road. To not have someone to love and care for through this wait must be all consuming.

I have never experienced true yearning for a child. I got pregnant so easily that I didn't have time to really ache for them. Sure I was impatient during the pregnancy, but I had that. They were right there growing under my heart. Safe. I had control over so many things. It didn't feel like it does now. My heart is stretched all the way to Ethiopia. And it hurts!

But the only way out is through. I know that this marathon will be worth its rewards. I will understand the wait when we know who our children will be. I will look back and say, ah, that's why. One look at our new family and it will make sense. We will see it was all part of the plan and then this wait will disappear.

But in the meantime, we'll keep going. Left foot, now right foot. And we'll find that perhaps this is the preparation our heart needs. So it will be fit for the new journey that lies ahead.

BBC News Article - UN 'runs out of aid for Ethiopia'

UN 'runs out of aid for Ethiopia'
Ethiopian residents receive a sack of food aid at a distribution centre
Rations have already been cut by a third since July last year

The UN has warned that it has run out of food to provide for nine million Ethiopians who rely on its assistance.

A UN spokesman told the BBC the port of Djibouti was seriously congested and there was little prospect of supplies arriving for the next five months.

Following a border war, Ethiopia does not use Eritrean ports and the landlocked country relies on Djibouti.

However, Ethiopia's ambassador to the UK has denied that his country is facing a food crisis.

Berhanu Kebede told the BBC's World Today programme that food was being transported by truck from Sudan.

Correspondents say this time of year is known as "the hunger season", three months before the next harvest.

The UN World Food Programme says breast-feeding mothers, children and refugees will be among those worst hit.

FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE

More from BBC World Service

It warns after it hands out final rations this month there will be no further deliveries until September or October.

The agency says it has no option but to cut back on the food they provide, which has already been cut by a third since July 2008.

"We have a small refugee population here and their ration is being cut by half beginning this month. We run out of food and people will be very hungry," WFP's Barry Came told the BBC.

BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says in the jargon of the aid agencies, the food pipeline has ruptured.

The port of Djibouti is full to overflowing and the Ethiopian government has prioritised the delivery of fertiliser, to try to increase the next harvest.

But even when the grain gets through, the WFP says there is an acute shortage of trucks, with the Ethiopian authorities preventing the agency from bringing in its own fleet from Sudan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8103355.stm

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Family field trip to Rainbow's End Day Farm

It has been awhile since I have posted so now I am playing catch up!
I wanted to post some pictures of a fun field trip that I took the girls on with a group of homeschooler's. We went to a day farm called "Rainbow's End" and, as you can see by the pics, both of them had a blast! Lol check out the goat sticking its tongue out at Sugarbear...

We did a scavenger hunt, had a wagon ride, a fire roasted weiner and marshmallow lunch, and lots of animals and discovery.

On the way there all D could talk about was holding baby chicks, and we were very pleasantly surprised to find that and much more. Plus a new friend of mine was there so it was really nice to visit and have her and her kids to share the day with.

Once again, here's the photo diary:



















































Wednesday, June 10, 2009

adopting stereotypes

If I hear a reference to Angelina Jolie in regards to adoption one more time I think I am going to scream! And unfortunately for me this comes up often because we are adopting from Ethiopia, so I think I am going to have a very hoarse voice. Often it is mentioned in passing and not ill-intentioned, but it is the other times (usually in the media or the public remarks after an online article) when there is a negative connotation that just makes me squirm. So instead maybe I will save my vocal chords and rant a little.

People don't adopt because it's "in style" or because it's what some high profile celebrities are doing. Anyone who makes that statement has obviously never seriously considered or researched adoption. The life changing decision, research, education, homestudy, the GOVERNMENT APPROVAL for a start, would obviously weed out any star struck wannabe who considered restructuring their ENTIRE life to make room for another child.

I am only just beginning to cope with the idea that our family decision to adopt, and the long journey of research and soul searching that accompanied it, can and will be met with flippant remarks and occasionally assumed to be a frivolous decision. Anyone who has any knowledge of adoption whatsoever would never assume that this is a decision to be taken lightly.

I cringe whenever I hear someone's has pre-conceived notions about adoption or when they have the perception that adoption is "in". I detest that due to our family structure, people will make assumptions about us. Stereotypes are everywhere, even international adoption cannot escape it. I wince at the thought that some members of the public might actually think that people who choose to adopt internationally do so with a narcissistic agenda. Over and above that, that someone might possibly see the cost of the adoption, or fact that "everyone is doing it", as valid reason not to do it. These children need MORE people to do it. They need families WILLING to take a chance on them. And I understand that international adoption is expensive, but it is not out of reach. There are grants, there are loans, there is fundraising. This is a very viable way to have children that is not out of reach for anyone who is committed enough to take it on.

Our society needs to elevate its thinking and lift ourselves out of the narrow halls of our closed minds. Like I have said before, I wish adoption was not unique. I wish that there were so many people that did it that no one raised an eyebrow or thought it to be different. This is not a fashion trend. This is not a whim. These are people's lives.

This adoption was an even bigger decision than the choice itself to have a larger family. This one carried so much more weight. The challenges. The obstacles. The ignorant remarks. THIS is commitment. And I say that having bore two children already. Those two girls already look like me. I don't have to explain them to anybody. Our kids are not even home yet, we don't even know who they are, and I still have to learn to fight the lack of awareness. To respond responsibly to lack of education. To be nice. To educate. I am discovering my developing patience. I am willing myself not to be ignorant back. To share my joy and knowledge so that when I walk away a seed will be planted that will perpetuate the valid reasons that many walk this path to a child. And not the weeds of gossip and stereotype that unfortunately have a tendency to grow much faster.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

G-Sale Success!

Ok, it's taken a week to finish uploading these photos and finally post about the sale. But better late than never!

We had an AWESOME turnout for the sale and I couldn't have asked for a better weekend! I was astounded by people's generosity and interest. We had 2 wonderful couples donate 2 truckloads of items to our sale. One couple are good friends, and another couple just happened by the sale on Thursday, thought our cause was a good one, and so they pulled up later that evening with another truckload of great items to replenish our sale! I should mention in those items were 2 large boxes of cloth diapers which are going to go to good use at the orphanage!

So, thanks to generous and thoughtful people, a lot of help from S's mom and dad, our niece (who, btw sweetly donated her babysitting money towards the orphanage fund), and some generous community support, we raised almost ONE THOUSAND dollars for charity in Ethiopia!! YAHOO!!

We are so grateful for the opportunity to bring funds over and support the country of our children's birth, and in tandem experience the caring and positivity of our family, friends and community.

I phoned our agency first thing (last) Monday morning and we were told that there are several ways we can use the funds. One way we will apply much of it is to buy formula for the babies as it is very expensive and always needed. In addition we plan to start collecting small toys and balls (deflated) to take to the orphanage as many of them are in a compound with no room for a playground and NO TOYS. We want to take as much over as we can to help make life for these children a little more joyful. So if anyone has leads to free/inexpensive toys, we will be packing as many hockey bags of items to bring over as we can. I may do another sale or fundraiser later this year as well.

In the meantime, I am overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and support and just want to sincerely say a great big THANK YOU! to everyone: family, friends and strangers who stopped by and showed their support.

AND it was GREAT to see some of the families currently in the process of adopting from Ethiopia in and around Edmonton!! I am excited to be sharing this journey with all of you and look forward to the days of play dates and picnics when we are all home with our children!!

BTW I have some extra t-shirts for sale for $12 each (pictured below in the g-sale pics on my handsome husband and cute little girl!) sizes as follows:

"Peace": child's 6/8, 10/12, Adult S,L
"Loved": child's 10/12, 14/16
email me if you are interested in purchasing one

Anyway, here is the photo summary of the weekend. Enjoy!
(Thank you, (you know who you are!) for the poster!!)

xo