When I stopped by my mom's house tonight to pick up David after work, my mom sat me down and told me about a dream she had. She said it was the most vivid, real-life dream she ever had. And the kicker is- she woke up 4 times and went back to sleep all to continue the same dream.
In her dream she met Evan who was holding on to her. My mom was trying to explain to Evan how he has a family now and she is his Grandma. And Evan was saying how he never had a family and was surprised that he now has one. And my mom would take his hand and introduce him to other family members...
The dream does continue and go on, (I have asked my mom to e-mail me the details of her dream so I can post it here.) Then we started taking about my mom's plans to help out watching David while we would travel to the Ukraine, whenever that happens. Then someone in the conversation I brought up how a co-worker of James brought up how we should adopt a little girl in addition to Evan.
Then my mom stopped short and said, "Well there's something I left out of the dream... There was a little girl there too. I was focused more on Evan, but there was a little girl about 2 years older with short hair who was with us and wanted to be held too." She completely forgot to tell me about this little girl initially!
Now, that's all I'm going to post about my mom's dream. I don't want to read into anything... (like a confirmation from God to adopt a second child!) BUT if we happened to raise enough for 2 children, then who knows? I'd be super-open to anything once we get the the orphanage. That would be a LOT of money to raise though... (I think around 35k?)
Matthew 19:26 "...With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
The Brown family blog- about life, faith, and the blessing of children with Down syndrome!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
A Thought Towards My Distant Future
As some of you know, I work at a hospital as a surgery scheduler. Well just the other night, I was talking OR nurse, Alberto who was telling me about his care home. He owns 2 adult family care homes, and he says a lot of his clients are adults with Down syndrome. He was encouraging me to start my own for my future sons... He was explaining to have a home built with a central living kitchen area and have a hallway of extra rooms- they could be like mini apartments or just rooms. But this would be a way to bring in extra income in the future.
Now I've thought about my distant future with David and Evan... I have ideas of what might happen. Both or just 1 of them may be capable enough to work and live on their own, or maybe get married, or live in an adult home, or live with us... I know they will always have each other and will be best friends/brothers and will have a bond to last them into eternity. But, there is sense to be made to be planning for our future if we want to have a couple extra rooms available for more amazing individuals of the Down syndrome community.
In case I haven't mentioned, James and I are the most biggest dreamers ever. We have HUGE expectations for our lives. We literally see our future with limitless possiblilities. We dream big, pray hard, and live in the present thanking our God who is perhaps putting these dreams in our head for a reason.... Other big dreams we've had include: missionary work/opening up orphanages, for James to write books, for James to be a pastor/leader for teenagers or for a community center, for him to go get his Masters, or for me to start investing futures and commodities, for me to operate a website to benefit Down syndrome, do video work for Down syndrome/orphanages (I used to do video work)! I'm excited for our future because we can do anything we want (God willing)... but the most important thing to us is making sure whatever decision we make will mesh well for David and Evan and will also bless them.
I have a picture session to go to today for David, and I look forward to posting them later! He such a beautiful boy with the biggest, brightest, almond-shaped eyes... and he has the biggest smile- all gums and no teeth! :-) **Proud Mama**
Now I've thought about my distant future with David and Evan... I have ideas of what might happen. Both or just 1 of them may be capable enough to work and live on their own, or maybe get married, or live in an adult home, or live with us... I know they will always have each other and will be best friends/brothers and will have a bond to last them into eternity. But, there is sense to be made to be planning for our future if we want to have a couple extra rooms available for more amazing individuals of the Down syndrome community.
In case I haven't mentioned, James and I are the most biggest dreamers ever. We have HUGE expectations for our lives. We literally see our future with limitless possiblilities. We dream big, pray hard, and live in the present thanking our God who is perhaps putting these dreams in our head for a reason.... Other big dreams we've had include: missionary work/opening up orphanages, for James to write books, for James to be a pastor/leader for teenagers or for a community center, for him to go get his Masters, or for me to start investing futures and commodities, for me to operate a website to benefit Down syndrome, do video work for Down syndrome/orphanages (I used to do video work)! I'm excited for our future because we can do anything we want (God willing)... but the most important thing to us is making sure whatever decision we make will mesh well for David and Evan and will also bless them.
I have a picture session to go to today for David, and I look forward to posting them later! He such a beautiful boy with the biggest, brightest, almond-shaped eyes... and he has the biggest smile- all gums and no teeth! :-) **Proud Mama**
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sick Days...
Hello! This week we haven't boon too productive with the adoption paperwork as David and mommy are sick. David has bronchiolitis, and the Dr. says he should get over it in a week or so. (David is already a week into being sick!) I knew before even going to the doctor today that what David had was viral and there is nothing a doctor could do but confirm it. I've already been doing the "home treatment" so far... Anyways, I hope we both can get over our colds soon!
Also I wanted to mention that I love reading all the comments I've been getting from others who are in the process of adopting an orphan or who have been praying all along for little Evan to find his forever family. It really seems like reading comments that are from family members, even though they're not! The adoption/orphan/Reeces Rainbow community is so awesome and I appreciate every one of you! Blessings to you all, and stay well during the remaining 18 days of winter we have left!
Also I wanted to mention that I love reading all the comments I've been getting from others who are in the process of adopting an orphan or who have been praying all along for little Evan to find his forever family. It really seems like reading comments that are from family members, even though they're not! The adoption/orphan/Reeces Rainbow community is so awesome and I appreciate every one of you! Blessings to you all, and stay well during the remaining 18 days of winter we have left!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Fundraising Plans for Evan!
Hello everyone! I wanted to share some fundraising plans that I have to help us bring Evan home! Please comment if you are able to contribute in any way to these ideas, or if you have any other ideas!! Also, I have officially ordered tons of "hand out" cards- here is the final, final designs! (Showing front & back) I'm not a graphic designer by any means, but they will do!
1. March 21st is National Down Syndrome Day. We would like to have a big bake sale at St. Francis Hospital! (Still pending the OK from hospital administration on this.) In fact, I would like to have a bake sale table anywhere, any week, any day! I have lots of amazing desserts, pastries, cakes to sell that are fresh and yummy. (I have lots of supporters in this department!) Let me know if we can arrange something!
2. The week of March 21st for Down Syndrome Week we will be having a "booth" at the UW campus also selling baked goods.
3. August 20th we will be holding a HUUUUUGE yard sale- mark it on your calanders! We most likely will be reserving a park area for this to ensure space. But in the meantime we need donations! If you are going to give your "stuff" away to good will- give to me instead so we can sell for Evan! I can take off your hands now, or save the bigger items for us for when early August rolls around. I will be mailing an official letter regarding this as well to my family and friends. To help just comment on this post and I will get back to you via e-mail! :-)
4. We will try to have our story in the paper/tv for Down Syndrome Day/week. We will let you know where our story will be featured so you can keep a look out!
5. I like the idea of doing a raffle at the yard sale. If anyone has any large items or a service to offer please let me know!
Any more ideas that I can do? Anyone able to help? In addition to needing good will items for the yard sale, we will also be doing a bake sale and selling chips, pop, etc. Volunteers are very welcome!
James and I want to thank you so much for your help, love, and support! We could not bring Evan home if it wasn't for you!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Adopting Little Evan!
James and I have been praying for over a month now about adopting. Not just adopting in general, but there is a little boy on the Reece's Rainbow that we have fallen in love with!
Meet Evan:
He is 2 and a half years old with Down Syndrome and lives in a Ukraine orphanage. He is absolutely going to be apart of our family- and there is no question about it!
Tomorrow I am sending off the agreement form to the adoption agency so we can make an official committment to Evan. Very shortly on the Reece's Rainbow website he will be "matched" with us and you will get to read a bio about our family!
Our social worker for the home study is this Saturday, so we are in the beginning stages of that.
Just an FYI- if little Evan doesn't find a "Forever Family" by the time he turns 4- he will be sent to an institution because he has Down syndrome. Most children don't make it past 2 years once they are placed there. So we are truly saving Evan's life!
We will keep everyone posted on our adoption journey! Keep us in your prayers- we have a lot of money to raise to bring him home! Donate here: http://reecesrainbow.org/evan-10
Meet Evan:
He is 2 and a half years old with Down Syndrome and lives in a Ukraine orphanage. He is absolutely going to be apart of our family- and there is no question about it!
Tomorrow I am sending off the agreement form to the adoption agency so we can make an official committment to Evan. Very shortly on the Reece's Rainbow website he will be "matched" with us and you will get to read a bio about our family!
Our social worker for the home study is this Saturday, so we are in the beginning stages of that.
Just an FYI- if little Evan doesn't find a "Forever Family" by the time he turns 4- he will be sent to an institution because he has Down syndrome. Most children don't make it past 2 years once they are placed there. So we are truly saving Evan's life!
We will keep everyone posted on our adoption journey! Keep us in your prayers- we have a lot of money to raise to bring him home! Donate here: http://reecesrainbow.org/evan-10
David's 13-month milestones
Here is some new things David is starting to do:
-David is taking steps on his own now! I don't have to shift his weight or push out a foot for him, he'll do that on his own, all I have to do is hold his hand or waist to help stabilize him.
-Today we are working on tummy to hands down knees on the floor bent to sitting. David has never done this before and what a good start!
-David is working on feeding him self with the spoon and fork (I will prep them first). He is also eating big boy foods like banana chunks, cheese, dino nuggets, diced peaches, french fries, chicken... he is basically trying everything I give him and he is not choking! :-)
-About 2 weeks ago (I think I posted this on facebook) David signed "eat" when I signed it and asked him if he wanted food to "show mommy". He did it several times deliberately. But he has not done this since and we try everyday. So odd.. Soon, he'll be signing away and talking!
-I haven't seen this myself (maybe my couches are too high), but when David is at Grandma's house he will roll "off" the couch to a standing position. Apparently he'll do this over and over... I can't wait to see for myself.
-David has started a new playgroup! There is more children right at his age than the last group we went to. I'm excited to take David to this one- and it's only 5 minutes from my home too!
If I think of anything else, I'll post more of what he's been up to this month! I've been trying to take pictures on my hubby's phone since the quality is so great. I'll have to "send" the pictures to my e-mail so I can upload some here. Hopefully we'll have some updated pictures soon since the ones on the blog are from Christmastime.
-David is taking steps on his own now! I don't have to shift his weight or push out a foot for him, he'll do that on his own, all I have to do is hold his hand or waist to help stabilize him.
-Today we are working on tummy to hands down knees on the floor bent to sitting. David has never done this before and what a good start!
-David is working on feeding him self with the spoon and fork (I will prep them first). He is also eating big boy foods like banana chunks, cheese, dino nuggets, diced peaches, french fries, chicken... he is basically trying everything I give him and he is not choking! :-)
-About 2 weeks ago (I think I posted this on facebook) David signed "eat" when I signed it and asked him if he wanted food to "show mommy". He did it several times deliberately. But he has not done this since and we try everyday. So odd.. Soon, he'll be signing away and talking!
-I haven't seen this myself (maybe my couches are too high), but when David is at Grandma's house he will roll "off" the couch to a standing position. Apparently he'll do this over and over... I can't wait to see for myself.
-David has started a new playgroup! There is more children right at his age than the last group we went to. I'm excited to take David to this one- and it's only 5 minutes from my home too!
If I think of anything else, I'll post more of what he's been up to this month! I've been trying to take pictures on my hubby's phone since the quality is so great. I'll have to "send" the pictures to my e-mail so I can upload some here. Hopefully we'll have some updated pictures soon since the ones on the blog are from Christmastime.
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