Sunday, October 28, 2007

Two Weeks To Go

This has been a rather trying weekend for our family. This was our last "free" weekend before we leave for Ukraine! We had a rather long list of stores to visit and "stuff" to buy. Jason was supposed to move plants from our house to his mother's basement but the weather didn't cooperate, so he'll have to work that activity into his rather packed schedule. The plan was for Ashton to stay with his PaPa Tudor, however he wouldn't let us out of his sight - he knows something big is about to happen.

I started the day with tears because it hit me that in two weeks, we will be away from Ashton. I know that it is our choice not to take him with us, however we have sincerely prayed about this decision and feel that is the best choice to make...that doesn't mean it's easy. Because of his young age, he may not be allowed into court and there is a chance that the orphanage will not allow him to visit on the premises. If he can't be with us at all times, then who will watch him? I certainly am not leaving my child with a stranger! Our hearts are breaking because we know that it will be awful to be apart. When we arrived at my parents' house on Saturday morning, Jason warned them that I was hormonal - thanks.

Although we will be gone for six weeks, we have to pack very lightly. We can only take enough clothes for 5 days! YIKES!! I had to repeatedly remind my mother and sister of this fact as we shopped this weekend because they have the idea that I need to layer - that means more clothes to pack and no can do.

For those of you who know me well, I'm a list person and everything must be organized. I'm doing my best not to forget something but I just have this sinking fear that I will! Have you ever tried to buy diapers and pull-ups for a child you don't know?! I struggled with what to buy and did the best I could. We were told that our child may be potty trained but will need pull-ups for the ride home. The problem is, pull-ups cannot be bought in Ukraine, so we have to guess at sizes - so very frustrating but fun at the same time.

On Sunday, the tears started again at the end of Sunday School and wouldn't stop until the close of the service. It was like someone turned on the water, and I couldn't turn it back off. Bro. Ken was preaching about fears and phobias - certainly nothing to cry about. There were visitors behind me, so they probably thought that I had lost my mind. I literally could not stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks...it was awful. My maternal hormones are out-the-roof right now!

When we were in small groups in Sunday School, Jason made the comment that we are at peace with the adoption but we're wrecks about leaving Ashton. I hadn't quite thought about it like that before but he's right. For the first time, I stopped long enough to realize that I do have peace that God has our child picked-out. We're not even worried about the flight overseas. Looking back, God's hand is evident throughout the journey. Don't we serve an awesome God!

Monday, October 15, 2007

First Toys for Our New Child

Today during my lunch break, I went to Big Lots and just poked around. I purchased a few toys for our new child! Because we do not know the specific age or even gender for the child that God has selected to join our family, we have not been able to buy very much at all for the child. We can't even buy diapers because the child may already be potty trained - children in orphanages are often trained very early due to the limited resources to buy diapers. Not being able to prepare for the child's arrival home is difficult. I actually feel rather guilty because when I was pregnant with Ashton, I shopped constantly for clothes, nursery decorations, and toys. This little child hardly has anything original because we don't know what to buy!

About two weeks ago, I had a phone conference with America World's Eastern European director, Kate, and she said that we needed to purchase toys for our child. She said that the toys in the orphanage are very boring and basic. The children generally love toys that move and make sounds. The biggest problem is trying to determine what toys to buy and where to pack them.

What did I buy? First, I found an Elmo doll with a small blankie sewn to Elmo's hand. I thought that he or she might find Elmo comforting to sleep or snuggle with. Next, I bought a round, bouncy cow that shakes and makes all sorts of noise. The last toy was a dog riding in a car that plays music and rolls across the floor. Between the dog and cow, I was about to go crazy on the drive home because every bump I hit activated the toys. No doubt about it, if the child loves toys that move and make sounds, he or she will love the cow and dog!

Toilet Facilities in Ukraine





While trying to figure-out what to pack, I received a lot of interesting advice from parents who have traveled before us. After looking at some of the pictures, I am a little concerned about some of the amenities (i.e. restrooms) that we take for granted here in the U.S. Here are some of the photos of the restrooms that we will most likely encounter while on our trip. Does anyone own stock in Germ-X, if not, now is the time to buy it because you will make a fortune off of us!




Sunday, October 14, 2007

One Month to the Appointment Date

One month from today, we will have paid our first (and hopefully only) visit to the SDA. November 14th is our appointment date with the SDA at which time we will be shown the profiles of a few children who meet our adoption critieria (age 14 mos - 3 years; with minor correctible health condition). I was sitting in church tonight and the thought ran through my mind that in one month, we will be in an apartment or flat preparing to meet our newly selected child within the next day or so.


I am so nervous about the SDA meeting because there is no guarantee that a relatively healthy child will be available. I am trying so hard not to worry but to leave it in God's hands - I'm failing miserably at that right now. Please pray specifically that on Nov. 14th, God will have our child's profile in the selection that we are presented on that day and that we will know without a doubt which child to visit. Also, please pray for peace for us, especially me (Erica) because Jason seems to be completely at ease while my stomach is tied-up in knots. I look at Ashton and my heart breaks because I can't stand the thought of leaving him for such a long period of time. I know that we've made the right decision to leave him with family, but that doesn't mean we won't miss him dearly!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Ashton's 3rd Birthday



Today, Ashton is turning 3! I can't believe how quickly these last few years have flown. I remember his very first birthday when we woke him up and placed a Nemo fish hat on his head - Nemo was his favorite character at the time, so of course that was the theme of his party. He was so little and hardly had any hair that amounted to more than peach fuzz!


Currently, Ashton is fixated by Spiderman. We have transformed the garage into Spidey headquarters. I stayed up very late into the night working on his cake because I want it to be just right for "The Man" as Ashton refers to himself. His party was a success and all everyone had loads of fun! We ended the evening with supper at Demos - Ashton's 2nd favorite restaurant (Cracker Barrell is his 1st choice).


On Friday, Nanny Shields and I joined Ashton's class at Southeast Baptist Daycare to celebrate his birthday with cupcakes and ice cream. The children were adorable with chocolate all over their little faces. Ashton was so proud to have his Nanny Shields at his party - I'm sure it was an event that meant a lot to her as well.


We had a wonderful birthday weekend!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Any names yet?

Okay, the question that is asked daily, "What names do you have picked out?"

For those of you who weren't around us when I was pregnant with Ashton, Jason and I have a terrible time agreeing on names. It took nine months to come-up with Ashton Cade! Things haven't changed much in three years. We still can't agree about names. Jason likes the name Julianna. This past summer, he went on a mission trip to the Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota and one of the little girls there was named Julianna. Whereas Jason drove the van to pick-up the children for VBS, he had written down her name in his book so that he wouldn't forget to pick her up in the mornings. I like the name, however I don't want people to shorten it to Julie.

I like the names Maura and Tetianna. Jason says that both names are "nice" but he still prefers Julianna. He has actually been pretty sneaky because he has taught Ashton to say that his sister's name is Julianna - not too fair, if you ask me! One thing about it, Ashton is quick to correct you if you say that his sister's name is anything but Julianna, so maybe his defense of her name will keep people from shortening it.

We have 3 name books that we are taking with us!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Cedar Wood Pumpkin Patch

For the last two years, we have taken Ashton to the Cedar Grove Pumpkin Patch in McMinnville, TN. Jason's parents and his sisters attend with their children. It is so much fun because we take a hayride to a field full of pumpkins and each person chooses the "perfect" pumpkin to take home. There are two fenced-in areas containing animals such as a cow, goats, sheep, donkey, chickens, a turkey, etc. that the children can pet and interact with. There are old fire trucks and an old Army truck that the children can play on.

Ashton especially enjoys the fire trucks. Tears came to my eyes when he told me that next year, he would drive the fire truck and his sissy would sit beside him. I just keep trying to imagine what Ashton will say when he meets his new sibling for the first time. Will he embrace her? Will he act shy? One thing is for sure, he will love her as much as a toddler knows how.



Yard Sale to Benefit Adoption

We had another yard sale this morning. We didn't advertise this time because the newspaper fee would be over $50.00! We posted signs at the main roads, and they worked! At times, we were flooded with shoppers. It is so weird what sells first. The items I couldn't imagine someone would want were the first things to go! I was ready to close shop by 8:30 a.m. because the sun was starting to get very hot. We made close to $200.00, so it was a productive morning!

We had a rather unusual shopper - a ferrett! I looked down just in time to see the little hairy creature scoot right beside my foot. At first, I thought it was a o'possum but then realized it was a ferrett. Ashton was fascinated by it, however he became alarmed when it tried to get into Granny's house. One of the customers took it home with her until we find-out who it belongs to.

I must tell you about one customer in particular. She had scripture references and Christian logos all over her vehicle. She had noticed our yard sale signs that stated that proceeds benefited adoption. She stated that God had blessed her with two grandchildren from Russia, so she personally knew how expensive it is to adopt internationally and not to worry because God would be sure we had enough money. Now, I didn't even mention the cost or whether or not we already had enough money. She went on and on about how much she loves God and how He always provides for her. This may be wrong, but I decided to see how much of a Christian she really is. I gave her too much change. I know that she realized the error because of the look on her face when I purposely counted the money back to her. As she turned and walked back to her car, she said, "God bless your new family." What a hypocrite!

I beg of you, please remember that people are always watching you. From my experience, those who constantly have to advertise that they are a Christian do so because their life doesn't reflect it. If this lady isn't going to behave as a Christian, then I certainly wish she would remove the license plate advertising her church and all the scripture verses and logos. It is certainly difficult to live a Christian life, but people like her do not make things any easier by casting a bad light on Christians in general!

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Scabies and Lice Meds

I spoke with Dr. Eastham today and informed him that we have received a travel date. He is an absolutely wonderful pediatrician! I feel very confident that he will work diligently with both us and Vanderbilt International Adoption Clinic to provide the best care possible for our new little one. I am concerned about our new child having lice and/or scabies. I have read several reports from families who have traveled this summer that stated that the children in the orphanages were practically all suffering from lice and scabies. Dr. Eastham helped to alleviate some of my concerns by educating me as to treatment methods. I am SO relieved to have such a wonderful doctor. He has absolutely no problem working with Vandy and spoke very highly of the clinic - once again, God has met our needs with wonderful medical professionals to assist us!

The Big Brother-To-Be


This is Ashton, our biological son. He will be three years old on October 13, 2007. He is just starting to understand that God places the baby in its Mommy's belly, so we're trying to explain the concept of adoption as much as possible. He now states that his sissy lives across the "big pool" (ocean) but that he has a baby in his belly! He is excited about being a big brother, however he is a little anxious about Mommy and Daddy being away in Ukraine for such a long period of time. He's going to be great with our new child. As much as Ashton chatters, our new child is bound to learn English in record time!

Slide Show of Ashton