Here We Go!!

Accomplishments #2, 3 & 4

Mid January we met with Sunrise in Vancouver. The trip was quick and made for a loooong 2 days driving 8 hours on Sunday, meeting Monday.. then another 8 hours home. Hudson was such a trooper, the roads weren't as bad as I had imagined and the meeting went GREAT! We were introduced to the staff at Sunrise as we most likely won't be seeing them again. Wonderful people, we are looking forward to spending the next few years working with them.
We made our payment for our application, home study and criminal record checks. Our wait time for a referral is around 2 years… but things change at the drop of a hat, so who knows!! "IF" Swaziland opens up that could speed things up drastically; but there is no set time on when or if that is going to happen.
We were told to wait around 2 weeks to hear from our SW before she would be available to start our home study. I'm so impatient… once I have my mind set on something I want to get started ASAP. Waiting is the game! 4 days later she phoned!! 4 DAYS!! Over the moon excited!!
We have printed and filled out every form we can. References done! Medical history appointment made! Release of criminal records (there aren't any) done! Mini resume.. check! Motive for adoption.. done! I think she was expecting us just to go over them to get prepared to do them? Well, now they're done.

When I sat down to write this post (almost 2 weeks ago now) life got in the way and things came up. So I'm sitting back down to finish now… All of our forms are complete, at least the ones that were currently sitting waiting to be finished that is. Medical history is all filled out and everything has been mailed off to SR. To our dear friends who graciously filled out a personal reference form for us, a huge THANK YOU! It means the world to us!!
We have completed our AEP and the learning summary essay… Talk about grueling… its true! A wealth of information and knowledge and I can tell you I've walked away with much more education than what I started with. Along with way too many headaches from being glued to the computer! I am glad that portion is over.

Next SW visit is Saturday.. did I tell you I spent a whole day cleaning last time she was here. I was that crazy lady running around trying to have everything in order and guess what? She didn't even look! GAHHHH! oh well… we'll do it again on Saturday. This time she plans to look over the house. Since the paperwork has been done we've been filling up on documentary movies: Girl Adopted, Somewhere Between, Stuck etc. I went online to look at some books, something I could take with us on our trip. There was so much to choose from I honestly didn't know where to start. If your looking for a good read based on real life events, check out Cathy Glass! Though they are not all based on adoption (mostly foster care) they are amazing stories that tell it like it is. I am half way through my first one and I can't put it down.

We are off on a family vacation, leaving this weekend.. I can't wait! Bring on the sunshine, easy going days and a little relaxation. We will try to get in a little "hello" from sunny Maui in the next week or two and send you some sunshine ;)

Wilkinson's Journey: Happy New Beginnings

Wilkinson's Journey: Happy New Beginnings: January 2014 I say this every year, along with the hundreds of others that I am sure say the same thing... "Wow, that year went by qu...

Happy New Beginnings

January 2014

I say this every year, along with the hundreds of others that I am sure say the same thing... "Wow, that year went by quick." Seriously though, this past year seemed to fly by faster than any other year I remember.

We are so close! Just 11 days from now we'll be on our way to Vancouver and 12 days until our meeting. The closer it gets the more nervous I get.. No idea why! It's a meeting!! I think it's all the hype of it in my head. I'm such a people pleaser I'm afraid they won't like me... (Trust me, it sucks being that kind of person!!) I am the type of person who needs all the details ASAP. I have to be as organized and prepared (for anything) as I can. I can't tell you how many times I've gone over in my head what im going to wear and how I should do my hair! Its ridiculous, seriously! I am your typical Type A personality.. This also sucks!! But it is who I am, take it or leave it. I'm the mom who has detailed lists for my lists, I pack 3 weeks ahead for anything. Before the boys were born I would wash their new baby clothes, organize them, put them away and then do it again because... Haha I don't know why. I need it to feel perfect? I am also a clutter freak for my own personal space. Anything that hasn't been used in the past 6 months must go! I don't use window sills to display cute things or put stuff above my kitchen cabinets. It feels cluttery to me and it drives me bonkers. I'd like to thank my mom for that gracious gift hahah
Ok I've gone WAY off course...
I am more nervous of the drive. Heavy winters here and the passes could be totally hit or miss. Keeping my fingers crossed for an easy, beautiful day (and a good baby)! This will be the first time Kyle and I have ever left the two older boys. I think they'll be ok, it's only one night. For the most part it will be harder on us I'd imagine.

We are so excited to see some family on the trip! I am trying to remember the last time I saw my brother and sister.. I think Windsor (now almost 3) was only 6 months old. Connecting with my brother in law, my nephew, dad, cousin... I know I will wish we could have made the trip longer, but Kyle has to work and that's just the way it is. Greatful I get to see them this time.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & Wishing you all an amazing 2014!

Merry Christmas... Happy New Beginnings

December... Already?!

Just on more month until we jump in with both feet! Christmas is my all time favorite holiday... But this year I can't help but wish it to come and go. Trying to slow myself down and appreciate all around me. Love and cherish my beautiful boys and be thankful to have an amazing hands on husband who helps in so so many ways.
Our house hold has been beyond crazy busy. Between our little business taking off and filling orders, kids activities, decorating for the season, Christmas shopping, Christmas baking and the other list of things I'm sure that I am forgetting. It has made this last month just fly by!

January 13th is our BIG DAY! We meet with Sunrise in Vancouver. We have our application filled out and our program choice is Lesotho in South Africa. Our second choice is Zambia also in South Africa. As an added bonus to our meeting, we will get to visit my sister. It has been too long since we've seen her and it will be her first time meeting our newest babe Hudson.

I met a mom last week who had adopted from Lesotho also. It was wonderful to hear first hand from someone in the same program and hearing the troubles and triumphs she went through. Thank you for sharing with me!! And thanks again to Jolene for including me in the visit.

Merry Christmas to everyone and much love to all of our family and friends. I will plan on getting another post in before our big day.

Here are some little sneak peaks of what we've been up to this past month...

Awkward Feelings...

November 2013

Waiting...

Waiting until February to send in our application and meet with Sunrise. Probably the hardest feeling right now. I just want to jump on a plane and get it all started. This could all take upwards of 2-3 or even 4 years. When I think of that as a whole, it feels like an eternity. Then I am reminded that time does fly. When I look at my boys... time goes by all too fast.
It is an awkward feeling. Wanting time to pass quickly so we can be complete, but in the same breath not. I want my babies to be babies forever.
What a confusing feeling in my heart.

We have just returned from Disneyland. Our first trip there with the boys & grandma (what a help... we couldn't have done it without her). How wonderful it was to see the amazement and wonder in the their eyes. Yet also feeling a sad heart that there is a child of ours missing out.

I wonder if our child has been born yet? I wonder who his/her parents are? I wonder if they know we are waiting to love their child as much as they would?

We have had some good discussions lately about the program we are going to choose. We've also had some wonderful insight from other Nelson area locals who have or are going through the process. We were leaning towards SA (South Africa) with MOT (Mission of Tears) and SR (Sunrise). We have since changed our minds. The cost of SA is significantly more and having to use two agencies (one out of province and one in province) will tack on a big chunk more. MOT is located in Ontario, thus having to also work with SR who is out of Vancouver. So, back to the computer... more research to do!

I have chatted with a lovely lady who has so graciously helped me with wonderful information on another program, which I think will be our route to go! Thank you!! It is a good program and very ethical. Though the downside is a very poor bonding period and a long wait for a referral. Regardless about bonding period, we will stay in country for as long as week can, approx. 2-3 weeks is the plan.

I have searched air costs to get a rough idea of what we're looking at... YIKES! but still worth it! We have googled accommodations, maps of the area and activities that might be fun to get a feel of the culture there. I hope to bring back as much of his/her culture that I can. Some cooking classes would be a cool idea... something else to look into. We will fly together (Kyle and I) when the time comes. After our court date Kyle will fly home to the boys and I will stay with babe in Lesotho for the duration of our trip.

I also want to say thanks to Jolene, she has been a world of wisdom for me the past month or two as I have annoyed her with every question I've come up with. Thank you!!

Our First Accomlishment

Car SOLD!!

We really didn't expect it to happen so fast! Thursday we will be picking up our new van... yes VAN! For those of you who know me, I am not your "mini van" mom. No offense to all you mini van mom's out there, you totally rock!! I know I will love it and it will grow on me. Maybe it makes me feel old or un-cool? Whatever stereotype that goes along with it. I'm more of your truck or SUV driving kinda mom. But the benefits of having a van with 4 children will definitely out weigh any scenario. My best friend Jules assures us it's the best choice and I'm trying to trust her. I'm sure she's right!

In other news, we've been doing more research on programs... which to choose? Which agency to go with? As different agencies offer different countries... I think? Still trying to get it all right.

We announced the news to the kids! Quinn (5) semi-understands but his main concern at the moment is having a sister! Ha ha 

Windsor (2.5) doesn't understand a thing, but would also like a sister. Mostly because his brother does and well, he's a total copy cat these days!

Which brings us to... Girl or Boy? While some countries let you specify, some do not. For the countries that do, it could limit our chances or make the process that much longer than it already will be. I can't help but think how amazing it would be, to bring a little girls home to 3 older brothers and to have that mother/daughter relationship. It's just a different kind of bond.

Realistically though, gender doesn't matter to us. Giving a child a home they don't have with unconditional love and care is really all that matters in the end any way.

Our small beginning...

September 2013...

After putting so much thought into moving ahead, making the decision was a no brainer! For something  I've wanted to do for so long, how could I not? This would be something I would regret for the rest of my life. Scary... yes, nervous... absolutely, time consuming and mentally draining... you got it! Worth it? More than anyone could ever know.
I am absolutely feeling mind boggled by all the info. Requirements for different country's and then different for individual city's inside those country's. All the legal requirements etc.  In my head it all seems so easy peasy... do the paper work, courses needed a little travel and a little wait (or a lot).
I know it won't be easy. I'm totally kidding myself. I like to think that I am prepared for the anxiety, emotional ups and downs or anything that is about to come along our journey.

Made a phone call to Sunrise. I was nervous to phone. I looked at the number all day before I could actually do it, but was equally as excited. Voice mail...
One week passed and nothing. Feeling bummed already and wondering "how the heck am I going to handle these ups and downs... it's only been a week without a call." I send an email, thinking they must be super busy, perhaps this would be an easier way to have some contact.
Then the phone rings!!! ECSTATIC!!
We exchange some information and I drill with a million questions probably overwhelming her! They send along an email with some information and an application.
WHOLLY COW this is happening! The pages upon pages of reading that I read again and again, hoping some of it would make sense.

Then I overload my husband (Kyle) with over the moon excitement and.... tons of reading! In my head I've jumped all over with different avenues to raise funds hoping we won't have to borrow money to complete this. I think I threw too much at him at once. He is feeling overwhelmed. On board but I need to slow down a little. Hard to contain it all, I'm just so excited!
So, we are now at the point that we have the information needed. We have a general idea that we will go with Africa, something just pulls me that way. Unfortunately with having 3 young kids (5, 2.5 & 6mo) a lengthy travel is not in our cards which adds more worry. Still, there are a few places with shorter travel (2 weeks) which is definitely do-able!

We have a couple trips planned coming up... so our goal during the next while is to enjoy those and look at our finances to see where we can wiggle things around. My idea was to sell our vehicle and purchase a used mini van. I love our car, but in retrospect it's just a "thing." Plus it would almost give us all the funds needed to really begin and even possibly complete this without borrowing.