First Post Adoption Report

Did I really just write that?? I can actually say we are in the POST adoption phase. Wow. It's awesome to have Jada home, but really it's not over yet. We have to have 3 post-placement reports done by our social worker (sw) at 1 mo. home, 6 mo. home, and 12 mo. home. Then annually, until Jada turns 18!, we have to send a report to our agency (this is on our own and doesn't require a sw). Also, we now have to start the readoption phase in the US. We will contact an attorny and go through the court system here in the US. I don't think this is a big deal. Just more time and money. Which we don't have much of either right now. :)


Anyway, thought I'd take this opportunity to share a few things. My sw asked a few questions that made me reflect on our trip and reflect on our time so far with Jada. I listed the top three questions below.


1. How was the trip to Ethiopia? Amazing! Wish I could go back now that Jada and I are more familiar with each other and really enjoy it more. It's a beautiful country even amidst the poverty and the people are like none other. You would see people walking down the street holding hands or with their arms draped around each other. They are so relationship focused.

A few things that I appreciate now that I'm home....Electricity. The gov't in Ethiopia shuts off the power every other day. A good shower. The shower literally was 3 little streams of water. I have thick hair and it took forever to wash! A soft bed. I sleep on my side and in the morning when I woke up, my hips were sore. Good plumbing. We couldn't flush the toilet paper. Laws that govern and control cars emissions. While walking or driving down the road, the thick emissions were enough to make you cough and get a headache real quick. Safe drinking water. We had to brush our teeth with bottled water. This list could really go on forever. It's so different there. I was reminded of the abundance I have in America. We have so much and we have so much of everything! I feel blessed and responsible for all I've been given.



2)What's been the biggest challenge since coming home? Um......well......let me think.....I don't know.......um......well.......Honestly, it's gone so smooth! I can't emphasize enough how thankful we are that things are going so well. Jada is just so sweet and we all love her so much. The bond was instant. The minute I saw her and held her in my arms, she was mine. The boys adore her. Never any jealously. They are constantly asking "where's Jada, can we wake her up from her nap, can I sit by Jada at supper", etc. I hope it never wears off. I made the comment that acutally going from 3-4 kids was harder than 4-5. My sw looked really surprised and said "why do you think that is?" Two thoughts...one,this is from God. Where He calls, He will provide! And two, we have such an amazing support group of friends and family praying for us all the time. (Thank you!)



3)What's been the best thing about her? This kinda caught me off guard. Not sure why. I thought about it for a moment and then with tears in my eyes I said that 2 1/2 years ago, I never thought she'd be here. I had just had four boys. I was DONE having kids. Four kids rocked my world. I really wanted a girl, but after four times, I mean come on, the odds don't look so good. Adoption was NEVER on my radar screen. So, the fact that she's sitting here today is just a miracle. God completely changed my heart. He has grafted Jada so beautifully into our family. She's a perfect fit. I really mean that. She has a fun personality. She can be so playful and fun and then other times she's so focused. She'll completely ignore you or try to get around you to get at what she wants.

(I feel like I should add a little disclaimer here. Although our experience has been so great and "easy", many adoptive families have a different experience. For some it takes weeks or months to bond with their new children. This isn't wrong or bad, it just is. )

And just one more thing to share. One thought is sticking out in my mind tonight. I want to challenge you to ask God what He wants from you. Maybe you already do. For me, I had seen and heard of many people adopting but I never even asked God. I just said, "no, that's not for me". I've had people come to me and say "I'm happy for you, but I could never do that." You know what, they are right. THEY can't do it, but God can. And I hope you know I'm not just talking about adoption. It might be missions, it might be witnessing to your neighbor, I don't know. Ask, and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.


Thanks for making it to the end of this long post. Here's a pic from today just for sticking with me. :)