Wednesday, August 1, 2012

A Girl and Her Cat

I did not want a cat. I did not want a pet. At all. But Dorie did. So in January I decided to cave in and get her one for her birthday. But I had some specific requirements. I felt strongly that I wanted this kitten to still be with it's mother, so that Dorie could hopefully experience the love associated with adoption (though I say the correlation is a loose one...a child and a cat are VERY different).

I began searching. I began praying for just the right kitten for Dorie. Apparently, January is not "kitten season." I found a few, but most wanted me to pay for their kittens. I visited the shelters. Nothing felt right. One night on Craigslist, I saw an ad. In our correspondence, it seemed like a good fit.  A stray mother cat had given birth to kittens in a woman's garage. The mother cat obviously could not properly care for her babies and they would likely end up in a shelter (and eventually be put to sleep), so new homes had to be found for them.

A few days later, I picked Dorie up from school and surprised her with a gift bag full of kitten toys. It took her a minute to figure it out and then her face just lit up. On the way to the house, we prayed that God would show us just the right kitten for us. And if none of them were right, we would be okay with waiting.

On the way over to the house, the woman called. She said something strange had happened, and three of the kittens were missing. Only one was there. I told her I was not surprised...we'd just prayed for God to show us the right one for Dorie. When we got to the house and Dorie saw that kitten, I knew there was no way we were going home empty-handed.

But when it came time to go, we put little kitty in the carrier. And the mother cat went crazy, crying and walking around the carrier. We moved the carrier to the car, and she ran around the car, trying to get to her baby. I told Dorie to talk to the mother cat. I heard her softly say, "It's okay, Mama. I'm going to take your baby, but I'm going to love her. Don't be sad. I promise to take good care of her for you."

We got into the car. The kitten just cried and cried. It made Dorie so sad. She said, "Mom, is this how you feel when I cry?" Oh, my heart. I told her it probably was a little of the same. I told her to talk to the kitten. She whispered, "Don't cry, kitty. I know how you feel. I had to leave my first mom, too. But I love you and I will take care of you. You have a new family now. Pretty soon you'll be used to us and you won't be sad anymore." I was glad I was in the front seat so she couldn't see my tears.







Ekira sleeps on Dorie's pillow every night.
The woman who was taking care of the cats called later that night to tell us that the other kittens had returned home about an hour after we left. She couldn't understand it. We knew God had answered our prayers. I love that He cares about us, even enough to make sure we get just the right cat.

Wherever Dorie is, that's where Ekira wants to be!
Ekira sits quietly in a chair and listens while Dorie reads her a story.





This kitten has turned out to be such a blessing. Dorie named her "Ekira" which translates to "night" in Luganda. As Dorie says, "She's black, like me!" Ekira comes whenever Dorie calls her. Have you ever heard of a cat doing that? She loves Dorie, and Dorie loves her. God gave us exactly the right cat. There is no mistaking that.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Oh yeah!!!

Getting ready for our first trip to the recycling center...


Dorie was completely surrounded by cans and bottles... thanks to our friends Karalyn Meeh,
Barbara Savage, and Kelly Harbaugh!

It was hard work, and we were sweaty in the hot sun!


But we came home with.....

(drum roll, please!)


$89.98!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for helping us bring Little Sister home! This amount covers my fingerprinting for the Department of Homeland Security. Yippee!






Sunday, July 15, 2012

Home Study

Today we had our home study visit. Our agency assigned us a social worker, who came to interview both Dorie and myself, and to do a visual inspection of our home. It sounds more intimidating than it actually is...but I still made sure my house was clean and tidy! The social worker was wonderful and very friendly. We did a tour of my house, and then we sat at the table and talked for 3 hours. I am exhausted!  Sweet Dorie got bored and went up to her room, where she managed to read an entire chapter book...amazing! She made me look good!


So today, we are one step closer!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The New Catch Phrase

Almost every sentence out of Dorie's mouth now begins with, "When Sissy is home...." Everything is now related to what it will be like when Little Sister is here. Where she will sit. What she will eat. Where she will sleep. What books Dorie will read to her. Everything they will do together.


I love it, and I can't wait to see it all come true.

We are getting closer. Most of our home study paperwork is all done and turned in. Employment verification letter waiting to be notarized. Medical exams tomorrow. Home study visit on Saturday. Then we wait for the home study to be written. Once we have it, we send it to USCIS for approval. They will issue me an appointment to be fingerprinted. After we get that approval notice, my documents can be sent to Uganda to apply for a court date.

And somewhere in the middle of all of that we will finally hear her name and see her face.

And then we'll go get her. And we will be a family. Forever.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

AdoptTogether

Rather than buying an item from a fundraiser, I have had several people ask to make a straight cash donation to support our adoption. I found a tax-deductible way for you to do this! We were officially approved today by AdoptTogether!



To visit our page or make a donation, click on the link above. But please know that I really do not want anyone to feel obligated in any way. Fundraising is incredibly humbling and I do not enjoy it at all. I hope you realize that it is not for me, but for a little girl who desperately needs to be in a family.

Monday, July 2, 2012

I Can't Sleep

My mind is wandering tonight. It keeps settling somewhere over Africa, where a certain little girl is most likely eagerly awaiting a bowl of posho and beans. She doesn't realize that her mama and sister are half a world away, working hard to bring her home. She doesn't even know that she is desperately wanted. She doesn't know that she is precious. She doesn't know.

She doesn't know who I am. I don't know who she is. But God knows. And He has created her. He has loved her. He has a plan for her. And His plan includes a miracle to fashion a family in a way that only He could dream. And I love that.

So my mind will keep wandering until that little girl is cradled in my arms, snuggled in tight with her big sister.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

It's an Original!!!

"Setting Sun"

Dorie loves art. She has decided to create some original paintings as a fundraiser to help bring her sister home. Here is her first one. It's a 12" x 12" acrylic on canvas. Anyone interested? Please message me at ugandamom@yahoo.com.
 We're requesting a minimum donation of $7 for this painting

UPDATE: THIS PAINTING IS SOLD! THANK YOU BARAN FAMILY! $50 DONATION...WOOHOO!
MORE PAINTINGS TO COME....

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

We've Been Chosen!

Today I received a message that we have been chosen as one of the first two families to adopt from Uganda with a wonderful agency called Across the World Adoptions! I am overjoyed!

The best part is this: Jason Forquer will be coordinating the program. His wife, Hedda, is the adoptive mom who "found" Dorie and sent me her photo. She then helped us determine her eligibility for adoption. I am amazed that God is going to use this incredible couple to find both of my daughters! So fun!

Hoping there are many of you out there still, willing to walk with us through this. I want to move FAST to bring home my new little girl.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Looking for Little Sister

It's official...we're looking for a Little Sister for Dorie!  I'll be updating my blog more regularly now. I'm so excited, but I have to admit, Dorie talks about it constantly. She cannot wait. She is willing to sacrifice. Big.

We're not eating out. She doesn't even want me to buy groceries.
We're not renewing our Disneyland Annual Passes. Her idea.
We're not enrolling her in private school for next year. My idea. She willingly agreed.

As a second source of income, I've become a Scentsy consultant. I love Scentsy. I think you will, too. If you'd like to help us, you can host a party or buy products from my website.

https://ugandamom.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=93351571

You were all so supportive throughout Dorie's adoption, and I want you to know it has not been forgotten. I pray that you are willing to travel this journey with me again. I know God can do all things, and I trust He will. I'd sure love to have you be a part of it!

Dorie with her Scentsy Cupcake Warmer! She LOVES the Newborn Nursery scent...that's my baby girl. :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Time Flies!

I know I am WAY overdue for a post...so here are some photos...look how she has grown and changed!!!
Class Birthday Party at School! She's 7!!!


Coloring Easter Eggs
All the cousins on Easter Sunday at Nana & Papa's house!
Sweet Baby Girl! Loving that I got her a handmade Easter basket in Uganda!
Cousin Maleah's birth


Learning to roller skate!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Heard At My House

Tonight at Yogurtland...

Dorie: "Mom, on purpose I ate a chocolate chip that dropped on the floor."
Me: "Oh well."
Dorie: "I can't help it, Mom. I'm Ugandan."

She cracks me up! She uses that excuse for everything. Love this girl.


I promise to post pictures and updates soon!