Wednesday, February 29, 2012

12 years ago...

Twelve years ago at this wee hour, I was in the hospital about to give birth. So grateful God let me be Hunter's mommy (and Alexandra's and now Timothy's and Annabelle's too).
Little did I know that the 9 pound baby who was 9 days late (just so he could be born on leap day)  would bring me so much joy!
I love you, Dude!
You are going to be an awesome big brother!
Happy Birthday!!!!!

Different than coming home from the hospital...

Joel 2:25
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten..."

Bonding with our adopted children will be different than bonding with our biological children because our bio children come home with us from the hospital. They grew in my womb, have heard our voices and felt our touch from the beginning. Our adopted children missed all those things and have lived without us for, well, in our case, 2 and 3 years. They don't know us at all. And like another mom said, Timothy and Annabelle have faced challenges that God spared Alexandra and Hunter from going through. Timothy and Annabelle, for whatever reason, were abandoned by their birthmothers. That is traumatic. Since then, they have lived without a mommy and a daddy. Yes, they've had caretakers, but not the consistency of a mommy or a daddy. I'm sure their nannies have loved on them, but most likely there have been times when there were cries but no answers- Unlike Alexandra and Hunter -when they cried mommy or daddy was there over and over again creating a bond from the repitition of a need being met. They attached to us as their parents. That's not something you think about on the way home from the hopital--at least I sure didn't.

Through our adoption journey we've been through trainings, and we read much on attachment and bonding. I'm so thankful we did because I wouldn't know anything about attachment issues had we not gone through the trainings. We will have to retrain Annabelle and Timothy to learn to trust us, to learn what a mommy is, what a daddy is, what family is and what strangers are. We have to help them to understand that we won't abandon them. We are forever.

We are so excited for March 5th! It's the day we will receive Timothy and Annabelle into our arms. However, we do not have a fairytale image in our heads. They will not be running up to us and calling us Mommy and Daddy and saying thank you for coming to get us. They will be scared. They won't know us (yet). I'm sure there will be tears (and not just from me). How would you feel being dropped off with strangers who look different than you, speak differently-- a different world than you know??? We will have to earn their trust and love. We've been praying for them and know you have too. Thank you! We've been on this journey and waiting for them for quite some time but they haven't been walking this road with us. This will all be new to them. They will both need some time to adjust. But, we do know God is preparing them because He called us to them.

We have no idea how long it will take for  them to attach to us securely. When I say no idea.... I mean NO IDEA! We may be out of sight for awhile as we help them adjust to their new life as a part of the Knox family. If we are out and about or if you come for a visit, please do not hold them or pick them up for now. Please don't take this as us being rude. We are just trying to break up the confused foundation that has been set in them the last couple of years. You may see them strapped to me in some way in one of my snuggly carriers/wraps when we're out or even when we're home. This helps with bonding. It is ok to talk to them just no touching for now please. Also, please don't give them any food or drink. Food is a need. In order to help create that bond, Chris and I need to be the ones to feed them. We may even go back and feed them as babies for awhile just to give them what they most likely missed out on as babies. That may seem strange but we will do whatever we need to do. We know they have missed out on a lot. We know that it will be very difficut at times but that doesn't mean we made the wrong decision to adopt. We know God has called us and He has provided. We know God will restore them. We are privileged that He has asked us to be a part of the process.


Saturday, February 25, 2012

On Our Way!

Travel arrangements have been made. Dogs will be taken care of as well as the house. A sweet friend is here helping me stock the freezer with meals before we leave. :) Many errands to run before we go. The packing has started! Oh what to take????

I'm nervous, excited and my heart aches because I know how confused and scared our little ones will be at first. They don't know (yet) how much this family loves them and that we are forever their family. They've never had forever... just been in waiting.

Isn't that what it was like before claiming Jesus as my own? Desiring forever love but not really knowing what it was I was longing for? He reached down and picked me up and claimed me for His own. It is only because of this, that I can fly to another country and claim two more for our family. He's given us the desire, the resources, the way, the privilege to do this. He will give this weak person the strength to be Mommy to Annabelle and Timothy just as He has given me the capability to be Mommy to Alexandra and Hunter. All by His grace. All for His glory.

I pray that as you have followed our journey God has shown Himself to you- that you would know Him more. I can do nothing in my own power. I have no control over time. Finances are not mine. It is all His, and He has a purpose for when and why things happen. I can rest in that truth more now that we've been walking the road of adoption. He is good all the time. I hope I always choose to see that!

If you are praying for us... we thank you greatly!
Our prayer requests:
  1. Timothy and Annabelle will be at peace with their transition and know that they are truly loved.
  2. Quick attachment to us.
  3. Remaining finances
  4. Safety
If you would still like to send in a tax deductible donation you can by clicking on Annabelle and Timothy's picture or the Both Hands logo to the right.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support!
Blessings,
Bethany

Saturday, February 11, 2012

TA!!!!!!!

Just got word we received our Travel Approval!!!!!! Yay! Yay! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will have more news later but now I must get tickets booked so we can see these cuties in person!!!!!
YIPPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!