This and that

Where to begin.  I've written before that we were "done" on the Uganda side of things for bringing Betty home.  Welllll, not so much.  My lawyer just told me about four declarations we need that are causing me a bit of pause -- mostly because they are causing him to pause. 

Betty was abandoned when she was five days old.  No one knows who her parents are and no one has ever tried to adopt her.  A police officer found her and took her to the orphanage at five days old.  Apparently, we need declarations from (i) the police officer who found her in front of his house, (ii) the police officer who called the orphanage after she was found (a different one), (iii) the police officer at Katwe Police Station who received the report, and (iv) the local authorities (I don't know what that means) of the area where she was found.

In keeping with my "please pray specifically" for us request, here they are.  This is not Chicago.  Finding these people could be difficult and daunting.  Please pray that we find them quickly and get their declarations right away.  Also pray my attorney is being diligent in tracking them down.  Betty needs to come home soon.  She is sick and needs a mama.  Please, Lord.

Back in the States, I got my fingerprint appointment today, so we are almost done here!  Yippee!!!  Once I'm printed (for the 200th time -- think they know I used to work for the G?), we will get approval and be ready to travel, as soon as we have a court date.  Wuh hooo! 

We have a new park, previously mentioned, by our house.  Today was the grand opening and Seth had a blast.  They mayor came (really?) and they had a train (yep, that's right) for the kids.  Happy Saturday. 

Such a good boy, waiting.

All he really wants to do is see how it works!!

Nothing but blue skies...

Well, there's alllll good news over here!  I found out Friday night that my brother-in-law decided that Kathryn can go to Uganda with us.  Wuh hoooo!  I'm so excited for Kathryn to experience Uganda and be with us.  It will be life changing for sure.  Kathryn found out the good news on Saturday when she returned home from a mission trip of her own.  Now she's off brainstorming careers in missions.... Nice.

Kathryn and Anna have accepted the challenge to raise $500 for the Ugandan street kids and Betty's orphanage -- skin officially in the game.  :)  You can see their blog or donate here.  If you live in their area, watch out for the fundraisers!!

Then, Friday night, there was a stinkin' monsoon around here.  Something like seven inches of rain in a few hours' time.  But this time (having flooded twice in one month two years ago) I was prepared.  Flood control system?  Check.  Dry basement?  CHECK.  So happy.  :)  Praying for everyone who got swamped out.  It's the worst.  Been there.  I get it. 

Today, it was great to see my friends at church and talk about Betty and pray.  I had a completely unexpected surprise when I got home.  Turns out our social worker (who has a 9 week old baby at home) GOT MY DCFS APPROVAL ON FRIDAY and sent out packet to USCIS.  So as of Monday, USCIS will have the documents necessary to approve Betty's immigration to the US.  And all of our docs are in Uganda, so we're ready.   Go, go, go GOD! 

Last, on a less, um, clean and appropriate note, Seth requested poo-poo in the potty three times today (before going) and did it in the potty each time.  NICE!  We're almost there -- determined to have only one in diapers!

Summertime

It's not easy being a single mom with a full-time law practice.  I think the hardest part, for me, is that Seth and I don't always get enough time together.  So, our weekends are a bit intense -- perhaps more intense in the summer as we play and play.  Today was one of those days -- off to a new park and then the DuPage County Fair.  Oh how I love this boy!

Nursery fit for a Princess

I wasn't planning to do it.  And then the restlessness and nesting took over and I did it.  Sigh.  Yep.  Leah Grace will have her "own" nursery when she gets here.  Here's a little look at Seth's nursery when he came home. 

Cute, right?  Farm animals and gender neutral because I didn't know who might be joining us when I set it up.  :)  This time around, I know who's coming and I know that she is a little spunky Ugandan princess.  So here's the nursery this time:

Also cute, right?  You can feel free to tell me it's cute, even if you don't think so.  Ha.  Poor Maggie has lost her room again.  Seth's big boy room used to be Maggie's room.  And then Seth grew up.  So Maggie moved to the nursery.  Last night, as I was rearranging and preparing a space for Leah, Maggie gave me this look.

So sorry Mags.  I moved her chair to my bedroom and hope that she will join me there and not feel too marginalized.  Poor first born.

Still praying for October! 

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog!  While it was "fun" to post on Seth's blog and separately on my writing blog, it will be more fun (and make a lot more sense!) to have ONE blog.  :)  So this is it!  Seth will probably still post some of his thoughts and feelings.... it will be obvious when it's him and when it's me.  Ha.  And maybe sometime soon we'll hear from Leah Grace as well.  Here's hopin'! 

This blog was designed by my friend Lisa whose blog you can see here and whose web page creating blog is a button in the margin.  Cool, right? 

Anyway, here we all are -- Chosen.  :-)  Welcome aboard!

It's time

I'm itchy. It's time for Betty (or possibly, Leah Grace Elizabeth) to be home. Home, already. I'm itchy because it takes far more time than it should, particularly for a sick baby. I'm itchy because Betty was sick with the flu last week and I wasn't there to make sure she is okay. I'm itchy because Uganda is experiencing violence and I want to protect my girl. I'm itchy because DCFS is taking their own sweet time to approve my file. I'm itchy because we have a family vacation in November and I want Betty on the trip. I'm itchy because Betty needs to be on the right cocktail, not just any cocktail. I'm itchy because Seth wants to know where Betty is and "Uganda" doesn't really explain it to him. I'm itchy because it's summer and oh what fun we would have if she were here! I'm itchy because I'm not even fingerprinted or USCIS approved yet. I'm itchy!

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Lord, we know that you are the beginning and the end and that Your timing is perfect. I pray for Your perfect peace over when Betty comes home. But Lord, I pray You would intervene to bring her home quickly. Speed DCFS approval and USCIS. I pray that You would protect her and kiss her boo-boos until we can do it. I pray that You would suppress her HIV and keep her free from infection. Last, Lord, I pray Betty would know You -- somewhere in the deepness of her soul -- even though she is a little one. Amen!

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Have mercy, Lord!

Why adopt?

I was recently reading a blog (imagine that) and one particular statement stuck out to me. The author said something along the lines of the following:
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"Saving" or "rescuing" an orphan happens in an instant; parenting an orphan lasts a lifetime.
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I love that. It is important to give orphans a home, but removing them from their circumstances is only the first, small step in the process. See, it's easy to fall in love with a face or a dream. It's much harder to recognize that signing up is a lifelong commitment! And what fun that adventure can be! It's these faces that make it all worth it.

But for those who cannot or choose not to adopt, there are soooo many ways to care for orphans. Won't you consider the alternatives? Support a friend who is adopting -- financially or with prayer or simply with logistics. Sponsor an orphan overseas (see two posts below for one option). Help out a foster parent down the street. Take food to a single mama who is overwhelmed. Volunteer at a shelter for women and children. And perhaps most importantly, teach your children. Teach them that caring for the world around them is God's command for all of us. No matter what form it takes. "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans." Isaiah 1:17.

First Day of School

Today, I started school. Yep, that's me. School.

Sure, it's only once a week for the next two months, but it's school nonetheless!

Excited much???

I even have to take my backpack. This is very important!

Lola was excited for me too!

And when I got there, well, let's just say, let the fun begin! I had no issues saying goodbye and got right to work!

How long 'til next week?!?!?!

Vacation Bible School

Last week, I had vacation Bible school at Lola's church. Gee, think I had any fun??

That's my buddy, Asher.

Here's one of my favorite Lola friends....

Dancin'!

Good times!

I can hop scotch!

Seth and Betty

Seth and I have been talking about Betty for a month or so now. Since Seth is a "new" talker, it is fun to hear him try to express himself around non-concrete topics, like Betty.
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A couple of days ago, Seth came into my bedroom and asked, "Where's Betty?" As he did so, he pointed to my dresser mirror, which currently looks like this:

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I asked, "Where is Betty?" And Seth said, "Yes, Betty." I said, "Well, Betty is in Uganda. That's why we pray for her to come home. Betty lives in Uganda." At that, Seth stopped and got a funny look on his face. A couple seconds later, he asked, "Uganda truck?" What, you might be wondering, is he talking about and what do trucks have to do with Betty? Ha. Easy explanation. I got Seth a truck in Uganda and we called it "Uganda Truck."

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So, somewhere is my sweet son's mind, Betty is living in this truck or near this truck or is related to this truck. See, I'm not sure he has any idea what "Uganda" is or that it is a place! I love watching him try to wrap his brain around these things. And, yes, Lord, let's get Betty out of the truck and into our house. Soon!!!

Caring for Orphans

God's command to care for orphans looks different for different people. For some, it may not mean adopting. Would you consider caring for one of these orphans by providing them valuable education? Each of these children is cared for by Nsambya -- Betty's orphanage. Each of them is an orphan. Each of them need education, perhaps their only chance at ending the cycle of poverty in which they are trapped. There is no free public education in Uganda. To go to school you must pay for school. If you are interested in helping, leave me a comment or send an email and I will connect you with the right people.

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Meet Felix. Felix came to Nsambya when he was five months old and is now 4 and a half years old. He is in nursery school and soon, primary school. His schooling costs $480 per year. Oh, those eyes.... SPONSORED

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Meet Mark. He has a foster family (so he is not growing up in an orphanage) but the family is having difficulty paying for school. He is in second grade. His schooling is $480 per year. I just want to smooch him!

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Meet Patrick. He is five years old and has been at Nsambya for most of his young life. I met Patrick when we were in Kampala. His schooling is $480 per year. Seth, Betty and I will be covering Patrick's school costs. (and, who knows what the future holds for us with Patrick. I'm just sayin'.....).

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Meet Karungi. She also has a foster family who cannot afford her school fees. Isn't she just adorable? Her school fees are $490 per year. I love that precious angel look on her face. SPONSORED

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Meet Abraham. He has been at Nsambya for 14 years. (Sigh) He is in 6th grade and is doing well but needs help with fees. His total cost is $600 per year. Help this handsome young man!

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Meet Dylan. Dylan's story is very sad. He was stolen from his family. The perpetrator is in jail and Dylan is now in a foster family. His school fees are $480 per year but the family cannot afford to pay for them. Dylan needs urgent assistance. If his needs are not met, he will be returned to the orphanage. Sweet boy.....

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Last, Claire. Claire is in a foster family in 5th grade. Her school fees are a whopping $700 per year and the family cannot afford that. Claire looks like an absolute delight. Won't you consider gifting her??

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For half the cost of your flat screen TV or for the cost of two nights in a hotel, you could help these kids. Won't you consider a small sacrifice to make a big difference????

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"If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother." Deuteronomy 15:7

HIV Facts

As I've continued to research, I have come across the following facts or quotes which are my new favorites:

• Children living with HIV in parts of the world with easy access to good health care, and HIV medications (AKA Antiretroviral medications, ARVs, and HAART or Highly Active Antiretoviral Therapy) have an excellent prognosis. Since HAART began in 1996 we have seen a rapid decline in the number of people with AIDS in many parts of the world. It has increased the number of people living with HIV. This is because without HAART HIV will progress to AIDS. . . . . Many many people who started this therapy 11 years ago are alive today and doing well with their HIV so well controlled it is not even detectable in their blood. This means their immune system functions almost like people without HIV. It means they can go to school, college, get married and have babies- and they are doing all of these things and more. Many of you, if asked, would say you do not know anyone with HIV, but the reality is that many of you do and you just don't know it. . . . . They are all in schools with kids like your kids and you would never know what they are walking around with. But, you don't really need to know, unless it's someone you are close to and you can offer help with childcare when they travel to see the HIV clinic every three months.
• Do HIV+ children pose a risk to other children in their homes, schools, churches, etc.?
  None. (read that period aloud) There is no known documented case of a child passing HIV to another child in school or church.
• "Don't spend time worrying about weird and obscure ways of transmitting the virus. The simple fact is that if no one shared needles and everyone wore condoms, the HIV epidemic would disappear." - Joel Gallant, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Associate Director of the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• 93 deaths every DAY in car accidents1 - 4 every HOUR
  10 deaths every DAY from swimming accidents
  8 deaths every DAY from fire accidents
  4.9 deaths every DAY from falling on stairs
  2.5 deaths every DAY from choking
  1.5 deaths from lightening strike every WEEK
  4.4 deaths on amusement park rides per year
  Over the past 28 years that HIV/AIDS has been carefully tracked by the Centers for Disease Control, there have been only 8 reported, though unconfirmed, cases of household transmission of the virus. 8 in 28 years
  (It is important to note that among those 8 cases were hemophiliac brothers sharing razors, some elderly women not using simple universal precautions for years, and some individuals living in bizarrely unsanitary conditions, further proving that under ‘normal’ household conditions, the virus is almost impossible to pass. - Also there have been no further cases since 1994, likely due to vast changes in the ratio of people w/ AIDS vs. HIV and the life altering improvements in medicine.)
• Children with HIV are perfectly safe to be around, hug, kiss, and share food and bathrooms with. For this reason, generally people with HIV are not required by law to tell ANYONE about their condition, including schools and even dentists.
• You are 287 times more likely to be struck DEAD by lightning than accidentally contract HIV from living with a positive person.
• Pray for Betty. Healing, Lord!!

What a HAM!