May 21, 2013

Last night when I was on facebook, I saw this update from a dear friend of ours:

Shana and I became friends years ago because our husbands grew up created ruckus together in their younger years.

[Who am I kidding, did they ever really grow out of that?!]

Chris and I have always believed the Bergmanns were fantastic parents.

You can just tell.

By the way they interact with their children.

How great they are.

All of their kids are so polite. Kind. Well-mannered. Respectful.

[I could go on.]

From the day we announced our plans to adopt, Jeremy and Shana have supported us.

They’ve used our adoption as a great teaching opportunity for their kiddos.

They continue to go above and beyond, sending sweet notes of encouragement, traveling to attend our wine event last month and helping us plan our upcoming pancake breakfast.

These two people are not just fantastic parents…

They’re true gems of people.

We are so lucky to call them friends.

And we’re so blessed to have their entire family’s support, including sweet 7-year old Brooklyn and her thoughtful idea.

If you’re in the Sumner area this weekend, I hope you’ll swing by her water stand.

Not just to buy a bottle of water.

But to tell her how much her kindness can change the world.

-Shelley

Posted under Affording Adoption, Fundraising, Gratitude

May 20, 2013

Any guesses about what I’m so excited for?

Stay tuned…I’ll reveal more in the coming weeks!

-Shelley

Posted under Baby, Baby Registry, Nursery, Registry

May 18, 2013

I can’t believe we’re only TWO weeks away from our “Pancakes for Love” adoption fundraiser!

We are SO excited!

And we’re grateful to have friends and family members helping us out.

In addition to a delicious pancake breakfast, we’ll be having a coffee and bake sale. We’ll have cute coffee mugs and beautiful scarves for sale, too!

I hope lots of you can join us on June 1st!

-Shelley

Posted under Affording Adoption, Church, Events, Fundraising, Just Love Coffee, Pancake Breakfast, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Scarves

May 17, 2013

Names of parents: Joshua & Shayla Hood

City: Altoona

Adopted children: Zola and in process of adopting Devine (international)

Biological children: Jt (8) Emmie (6) Piper (7 months, carried by a surrogate)

How long was the adoption process for you from start to finish?

2 years for domestic and 2++ years for international (still in process)

Why did you choose to grow your family through adoption?

It started out because of loss.

We had 3 miscarriages all around 4 months pregnant.

Then it grew into a passion for the orphan.

Now, I can’t imagine our lives any other way.

It’s a calling, a passion and a true love.

We truly believe in “Stuck’s” motto that every child deserves a family, it’s a basic human right.

What’s the hardest part about being an adoptive parent?

It’s really the same as being a bio parent.

However, our daughter has brown skin and we have pale skin. So people ask us weird questions.

Sometimes that is not fun.

For example: “Are you babysitting? Is she yours? Who is her real mom?”

And there are many other not-so-kind comments that I don’t care to share.

 What’s the best part about being an adoptive parent?

Everything.

What advice do you have for people considering the adoption process?

Don’t adopt to fill a need in your own life.

Adopt because it is a calling.

It is less about you, and more about the child.

Don’t limit yourself.

Adoption will bless your socks off if you let it.

If you allow skin color, medical information, lack of information, or costs to deter you, you may never get to experience the wonderful blessings God has in store for you.

Be open, be open, be open!

What fundraising efforts did you do to help afford the adoption process?

We sold T-shirts.

We had a garage sale.

We applied for a couple grants.

We collected pop cans and jars of money.

The garage sales were the best. (Each made over $1600!)

What do you wish people understood about the adoption process?

It doesn’t have to be a second choice.

Don’t let money stop you.

God will provide.

Don’t get caught up on which type of adoption is best.

Foster care, domestic, international, medical needs, etc. There is a place for each type in our society. They are all needed.

If you have bio kids, you will love your adopted child the same. Don’t worry about that.

A child doesn’t have to look like you to be loved.

In fact, none of my kids look like me, bio or adopted, and I am so glad. They are much more good looking than I am!

Special thanks to Shayla for sharing her family’s adoption journey. We met Shayla and her hubby Josh at our wine event last month – Iowans bound together through our lovely adoption consultant, Susan!

If you’d like to share your adoption story and be featured on a Friday blog post, email me: srussell@kwwl.com

-Shelley

PS: Next time you’re on facebook, check out the Hood’s facebook page, “Bring Devine Home.” Their journey to adopt this little girl has had all sorts of twists and turns, but they’ve never given up.

Posted under Friday's Featured Family

May 16, 2013

From Aunt Lindee and Uncle Phil!

Spoiled already…

-Shelley

Posted under Baby, Baby Registry, Registry

May 15, 2013

My shipment of postcards with our “Love Makes a Family” logo finally arrived!

I can’t complain too much, though, because I designed them here for almost nothing!

I’ve spent my “free time” trying to get caught up with thanking people who came to our wine event last month.

Chris and I are so grateful for the many friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors — even strangers — who have showed us so much love and support during our adoption journey.

And we feel like it’s important to let people know [even if we are a few weeks late...].

-Shelley

Posted under Affording Adoption, Events, Fundraising, Gratitude, Madison County Winery

May 14, 2013

My mom used to be a hairstylist.

Many, many years ago.

She went to school and ended up working with a gal named Brenda.

Brenda and her husband Gary watched all of us “Russell kids” grow up.

[Side note: I remember the birthday cards she gave us always had confetti in them.]

She was cool.

Actually, she still is cool.

It’s funny how as you get older you become friends with your parent’s friends.

You see them in a different way.

Heck, you even grab a drink with ‘em!

The other day, Brenda called my mom and asked if we would come over to her house.

She didn’t offer up a real explanation; she just invited us to stop over.

So my mom and I stopped by last night.

Brenda had us sit down.

“What’s going on?” I thought.

She said:

“I want to help.

I didn’t buy a t-shirt.

I haven’t bought any coffee.

But I want to help.”

Then she brought out these beautiful scarves she MADE!

Aren’t they gorrrrrrrrgeous?

She said she wants us to sell them at our upcoming Pancake Breakfast and that she wants us to keep 100% of the money to put toward our adoption fund.

Seriously.

I’m truly overwhelmed by such a thoughtful idea.

And I can’t wait to see how much other people love these beautiful scarves!

Thank you, Brenda, for your kindness.

-Shelley

Posted under Affording Adoption, Events, Fundraising, Gratitude, Pancake Breakfast, Scarves

May 13, 2013

Today I challenge you to take 5-minutes to call your local and state lawmakers and let them know you’re concerned about the state of International Adoptions.

From the producers that brought “Stuck” to the big-screen, it’s National Call-In Day.

Remember, voicemails count, and your voice can make a difference!

Talking points can be found here.

Chuck Grassley: 202-224-3744

Tom Latham: 202-225-5476

Tom Harkin: 202-225-4426

Find other Iowa lawmkers here.

-Shelley

Posted under Adoption, Stuck

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother’s Day to two of my favorites – my mom and my grandma!

Happy Mother’s Day to my friends who are already great moms.

To my girlfriends who have lost their children too soon.

To my future child’s birth mother who chooses our family for her baby to join.

To all birth mothers who make a selfless choice by allowing their child to grow up in a world and family she knows she couldn’t provide.

To my girlfriends who are single but take on the role of the world’s greatest aunts and motherly role models.

To my co-workers who [somehow] find an appropriate balance between work, motherhood and life.

To my friends who are grad students, widows, wives, sisters, cousins and “Moms” to cute 4-legged creatures.

I hope you ALL find joy in today, and a sense of self-worth in knowing that no matter WHO you are, you are deserving of a day in your honor.

-Shelley

PS: A few friends shared a link to a special blog post: “Dear moms of Adopted Children.”

I thought it was meaningful — perhaps you will, too.

Posted under Mother's Day

May 11, 2013

If you’re a woman who has struggled with infertility, this post is for you.

While this Mother’s Day weekend is special, I also know it’s tough.

It can be hard for many reasons.

And a lot of people don’t understand what it’s like to be in your shoes.

A lot of people don’t understand the pain Mother’s Day brings with it.

The heartache that happens when you see kids at church with carnations for their moms.

Or watching happy families at restaurants where moms eat free.

And one of those families catching you gazing at them during dinner and asking you, “No kids yet?”

Or seeing the beautiful corsages and bright bouquets and greeting cards wishing all moms a “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Or even the small reminder jab that you can’t enjoy a free Mother’s Day sundae at Dairy Queen because you don’t have kids.

The holding back of tears when a cashier at the grocery stores says, “Happy Mother’s Day!” and all you want to do is yell, “I’M NOT A MOM [and it's not fair...]!”

On this weekend when we honor the very special moms out there [and there are many] — I’m sending a special hug to the moms that aren’t quite moms.

Yet.

I get it.

And I hope you know you’re not alone.

-Shelley

Posted under Family, Mother's Day