REFERRAL-VERSARY!!!!

Happy Referral-versary to me, me, me.  One year ago today, I feasted my eyes on this precious picture of my Ethiopian cuties.  I instantly fell in love.  I longed to find that little boy's smile, and I was absolutely captivated by that itty bitty girl's gorgeous eyes.  She also had her tongue sticking out - a trademark of mine in all childhood pics.

Now, I have a super smiley little boy, and a girl who can flash an infectious smile and bat those big eyes and like no other.  Yes, the tongue still sticks out when she doesn't have her thumb in her mouth.  These babies bring so much love, laughter, and joy to our home.  I am so very blessed!  To God, I am forever grateful for Jeremiah and Rachel!

Answer the Cry

Up late tonight... I just watched Answer the Cry.  This video was created for the Cry of the Orphan campaign, by the joining of the Show Hope, Hope for Orphans, and Focus on the Family organizations.  In the video, you will see familiar faces such as Francis & Lisa Chan, Steven Curtis & Mary Beth Chapman, Mark Shultz, Jim Daly and several others.  Each one shares their heart and/or song for orphans and involvement in orphan care. 

Please Watch Answer the Cry here!  It will only be online through November 14th.  I promise it is an hour well-spent.  I pray it stirs your heart, hands, and feet to action.  Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is Mighty to SAVE.  He is mighty to save! 

ORPHAN SUNDAY

I had the opportunity to worship at Southland Christian Church this morning.  The music was wonderful, the baptisms joyous, and the message of atonement and redemption timely.  Amidst all this combined with the fact that my brother-in-law was sure to have us seated on the very front row, I must admit I still had a hard time focusing.  I found myself anxious.  Being Orphan Sunday, I found myself praying fervently.  I prayed that God would move mightily in the hearts of His people, that the church would arise, and answer the cry of the orphans. 

Following the service, I headed to the atrium to don my wild lime green shirt and join with fellow adoption support group members and friends.  From 1-4 p.m. an adoption/orphan care event was taking place.  Couples came to learn more about foster care, domestic adoption, and international adoption.  For some in attendance, they were simply daring to broach the subject of adoption, and for others their mind was made up and their plan of attack already set in motion.  It was a beautiful sight to see so many gathered together with like minds and purpose.  Registrations exceeded what we had anticipated, and it was evident that God really showed up in a big way.  It was an ever present reminder that God really is capable of doing more than we could ever ask or imagine. 

Jon rolled in after preaching at GCC just in time to eat.  From the table, we headed to speak on an Adoptive Parents Panel.  There was some great Q&A and dialogue.  I only wish we had more time.  However, Jon and I were able to speak to several couples individually and share more specifically about our adoption with Ethiopia or our experience with our agency.  Speaking of, America World also had a strong presence as there was an informational table available and two of our KY Associates led a break-out session on International Adoption.  While the Bowman's handled those duties, Jon hung out at the AWAA table, and I played with some cutie pies in the childcare room.

The afternoon was a buzz of activity complimented by lime green clad ladies and gentlemen.  I can't say enough good things about this support group.  Even though we aren't able to worship as frequently as we'd like with the Southland family and aren't members there, we have always been made to feel 100% a part of this group.  The support was tremendous to us on the receiving end, and it is phenomenal to be on the giving end.  I was truly touched by my sweet husband.  In his gentle response and words of encouragement, he ministered to a very broken woman in the wake of a failed adoption.  I believe his tenderness was balm for her wounds.  I was so very proud to be Jon's wife in that moment.  I know others in the group had shared experiences.  I believe we will see some new faces at our next support group meeting!

Orphan Sunday is a great day to turn our focus, prayers, hearts, and actions towards the fatherless.  However, with 147 million orphans, we need ORPHAN EVERYDAY until they all have homes.  My prayer is the same as it was before the adoption event.  God move mightily in the hearts of Your people, may Your church arise and answer the cry of the orphans.

Why Love Orphans? from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

"Adopted By Design"

This morning, Jon and I had the opportunity to do one of my absolute favorite things... talk adoption.  As we have had the privilege to do on several other occassions, we attended an America World Adoption Association seminar to share our family's personal adoption experience.  Even though we participated in a seminar just a couple weeks prior, the story NEVER grows old.  ADOPTION:  God is the author, and He is in the miracle writing business. 

Every time we serve as a speaking family, I pray that God is glorified.  I pray that He is magnified and "we" are minimized.  As I told one of the couples Jon and I spoke to individually, so often people say, "Your kids are so lucky to have you."  Wow - they have it all wrong!!!!  We are so very humbled and blessed to be afforded the opportunity and responsibility to parent these precious little ones.  We have many flaws and make tons of mistakes, yet God entrusted and gifted them to us.  Adoption is nothing that WE did - it is ALL God!  He writes the story.

I just completed Mary Beth Chapman's Choosing to See.  This book was absolutely breath-taking, gripping, raw, emotional, hilarious, heartbreaking...  REAL!  One of the things she repeated in her book was having a story to steward.  Wholeheartedly, I believe, our adoption experience is our story to steward.  God did a tremendous work within us and so many others throughout the process, in fact His fingerprints continue to appear each day, how could we possibly keep silent?  In the independent Christian church, we shy away from the word TESTIFY a lot, but from my very core, I know that I cannot keep silent about what God has done in my life through the miracle of adoption... earthly and spiritually!

As our wonderful agency has now newly coined their seminars, we truly are "Adopted by Design."  I love America World!  Their ministry, heart for orphans, dedication, and desire to serve are ever present.  We experienced it, and we consider it pure joy to direct others to their very capable and loving hands.  God writes the story, and I am thankful for the many AWAA staff God cast as both major and minor characters in ours.

Positively Positive!!!

Monday, my hubby worked a long day and had a meeting to attend in the evening.  We decided to "cash in" two of the CHILI'S free kids meal coupons we scored Friday night at the zoo.  While there we got the royal treatment.  Our waitress was extremely on top of things...  attentive would be an understatement.  At first, Jon and I said, "Wow, she's laying it on thick!  Really working hard for the tip!"  She went above and beyond our expectations, was extremely thoughtful, and showed many kindnesses toward our children.  Then, it registered.... she was totally enamored with our cuties and a wee bit curious.  Finally, she came out and asked what was on her mind.  We were able to again share the beauty of adoption, and as she put it, she got "Chills!"  One of my all time favorite things to do is talk adoption...  it is not something that WE HAVE done.  It is what GOD has done, and we thank him for it everyday.  Look at these beauties....  brotherly and sisterly love! 

Without a shadow of a doubt, our transition home has been a positive one.  Over the past almost 8 months, our trans-racial family has been received well and embraced by our families, church, and community.  A few possibly "inappropriate" comments might have been made.  However, I truly believe they were not said maliciously but rather just out of ignorance.  I was not offended nor upset.  I considered the source, answered in an appropriate manner, and moved on. 

Thankfully, we have been protected and sheltered from some of the hardships other adoptive families have faced.  Their hearts have been pricked and even pierced by words spoken from others.  For us, any racism, stereotypes, and prejudices within our circles of influence, while I'm sure in some cases still exist, have been replaced with two precious Ethiopian faces.  While I know we won't always be shielded, I don't neglect to thank God for the kindness, affirmation, and outpouring of love our family and precious children have received to date.  I continue to pray as I have been for some time that in a negative situation that God gives me His words, so that I may respond in a manner pleasing to HIM.  I pray that in all cases I may protect my children, educate others, celebrate the beauty in diversity, and most of all point others to the Father to the fatherless who has lovingly and graciously adopted each of us as HIS own!

"Mini" Reunion with Our Ethiopia Travel Buddies

Labor Day Weekend, twenty plus families met in Nashville, TN for the America World Africa Reunion.  Originally, our family was slated to be there for a portion of the weekend, but unfortunately, our plans changed.  I hated to miss out, but a Facebook message from Amy Vagnoni helped to make it not so bad.  She mentioned that her family would be stopping by Kentucky Down Under on their way home from the reunion and wondered if there was any way we could meet.  Hip, Hip, Hooray because the Wells had no plans for Labor Day!!!!

We pulled in the Kentucky Down Under parking lot right in front of our AWAA Ethiopia Travel Buddies.  It was great to greet Miss Amy with a big ol' hug.  The Vagnoni's got to meet Caleb for the first time, and we all got to see how much our Ethiopian cuties had grown.  It is obvious that John and Ryan are doing very well and are loved greatly as they love Mike and Amy lots as well.  It was wonderful to spend the day with this family.

Aside from the Mommy's catching up, getting a recap of the reunion we missed, and talking about all the goings on the past 6 months, we were a pretty active bunch.  Our day included: mining for gems, attempting to make the kookaburas laugh, bird-watching, bird-feeding, cave exploring, chowing down, kangaroo petting, watching a border collie round up sheep, seeing a cow being milked, learning about a turtle, dragon, and snake, and of course posing for lots of photo ops.  Be sure to check out all the pictures below.

Vagnoni's we miss you!  Can't wait to do it all again...  Grayslake 2011, right?

The Wells Family @ Kentucky Down Under

The Vagnoni's - Our Wonderful AWAA Ethiopia Travel Buddies

5 Cuties!!!!  Not a bit of mischief in the bunch..... hahaha

Mining for rare gems :-) AKA... getting dirty!

Did anyone know Jon was part pirate?  He always had a bird on his shoulder.

Tip-toe and REEEEAAAACCCCCHHHHHHH!

Caleb was OK until the bird started pecking the back of his head!

Taking a break before spelunking :-)

Warms my heart - we've come a long way baby!

Pit Stop - gotta refuel!  Where are the Daddies with the hotdogs?

Kangaroos are soooo soft... who knew?

A great day, super kids, and already wishing we were together again.

"Meant To Be"

All of my faves... Steven Curtis Chapman, beautiful music and amazing lyrics, adoption clips, Jeremiah 29:11, and VEGGIE TALES.  Hmmm... this will be on the Wells' family Christmas wishlist.  It releases October 5, 2010. 

“We’re very excited to share It’s a Meaningful Life with VeggieTales fans and families everywhere,” said Greg Fritz, SVP of Sales & Marketing at Big Idea Entertainment. “This episode is based on Jeremiah 29:11 which says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ So many of us often wonder what our lives would be like if we had all we ever dreamed of. This title takes parents and children on a journey that explores how we can be content in the plans that God has for our lives – and helps us discover the beauty of how our lives affect those around us.”

Inspired by the It’s A Meaningful Life story, Steven Curtis Chapman notes, “The song is really shaped around, what I want to say, especially to children that wonder, ‘does my life have any meaning?’ As I have said to so many orphans in China or even to my own children, ‘you are special, and you are meant to be because God has put us here.’”

6 Month Post Placement - COMPLETE!

Our original expectation was to have our 6 month post placement visit yesterday evening.  However, we received a call from our social worker yesterday afternoon, and due to an earlier appointment and forgetting the time change, he would be unable to make it.  Crazy KY???  Why is the state in two different time zones?

Thankfully, we were able to reschedule the appointment for 3 p.m. this afternoon.  Therefore, the house was not completely ransacked before Harlan arrived.  Rachel's endearing smile greeted him at the door while the boys were still sacked out in their beds.  We set up shop at the dining room table where I completed a questionairre on Rachel and Harlan asked us general questions regarding the children's health, adjustment, and attachment.  Mid-appointment, Jon actually went and woke the boys from their nap.  Very rarely do we wake a slumbering child, but we need the boys to make an appearance even if they were somewhat groggy.  We completed our paperwork, the boys warmed up and began covering themselves in CARS stickers.  They posed for a "brotherly love" picture and then Rachel gave Harlan one of her best glamour shots.

Yep... two days of cleaning the whole house for a 45 minute appointment that only included walking through one room to sit in another.  Hahaha...  the same as the last one.  One of these days, I just might get brave enough not to go cleaning kamikaze, but for fear that he would want to venture through and explore every nook and cranny that will probably never happen.  Oh well... next and last visit will be in February for our 12 month post placement.

Celebrating Silas!!!

We had the best time tonight!!!  Friends gathered to welcome home another Ethiopian cutie.  It was wonderful to celebrate with Josh and Emily and "oooh" and "ahhh" over Silas.  Congratulations are in order, and I must say they don't come any cuter than this little one!  He is absolutely precious and when I held him it made my Momma heart go pitter pat!  Yep.... definitely bitten by the baby bug.  I made sure that Silas was passed off to Jon.  Wonder if the bug bit him too?  He did look very comfortable with a baby cuddled up to him again. :-)

Speaking of biting bugs, they definitely were out.  After coming home, I counted 24 mosquito bites on Caleb.  Wow - that boy must be sweet!  Obviously, we waited to late to put the bug spray on or he just sweated it all off.  He was running around in true wild child form followed closely behind by Jeremiah and Rachel.  While it was wonderful to talk about Ethiopia with Emily, catch up with Kim, and gorge myself on Gretchen and Sam's yummy food, I was struck by the beauty of watching the children play.  3 Ethiopian cuties, 2 South Korean angels, 2 blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauties, brunettes, my hubby's mini-me...  it was stunning.  I believe I had a glimpse of how God views the world.  I'm so thankful for the blessing of children, the blessing of adoption, and the blessing of a Father in Heaven who loved me enough to adopt me!

Welcome Home Jeremiah & Rachel

Wow… there are no words to aptly express our gratitude and appreciation to our family, friends, and church. The evening of March 27th, these fine people gathered together to welcome these little ones with a party to match none other. There was a huge turn-out, and it appeared that a children’s clothing and toy store had it exploded in the church fellowship hall! Oh my…. I have never seen so many gifts. The children were wide-eyed with wonder. It didn’t take them long to get the hang of opening gifts. Jeremiah impressed everyone with his increasing vocabulary as he named a lot of the items he received. Rachel was playing the part of princess as she was seated on the table for her throne (and so everyone could see her). She was ooh-ing and ah-ing over her new clothes and donning all of her accessories: purses, jewelry, etc. Everyone was so very thoughtful because they didn’t leave the best brother ever, Mr. Caleb out. He definitely received a ton of toys and clothes too.

God has blessed us tremendously by placing such faithful, praying, loving, wonderful people in our lives. They stood by us 100% and sacrificially gave in order to help us bring our little ones home and have embraced them whole-heartedly. We are loved and love greatly!!!! Thank you God!