THIS is why.....

Tomorrow will be a life changing day for baby Joseph in HangZhou.
It will be the day he is given a new lease on life.

Joseph's mother won't be there....she won't know he is about to be healed of his congenital heart disease.
But I know a few things about her--
She is selfless and she loved him very much.

This is why one day last Spring she gathered up a few items and took her son in a taxi.  She told the taxi driver where to go.  Did he know what was going to happen?  We'll never know in those last moments with her baby boy what she was thinking. 
But I know this about her...
She was selfless and she loved him very much.

Joseph's mother ran out of the taxi and put her son on the steps of a private foster home in China.
She ran back to the taxi and was gone in an instant.  What was she thinking as she saw her son for the last time?  What was going through her head and how would she ever be able to live without him.
BECAUSE...she was self less and loved him very much.

Joseph was loved by his mother but she did what she knew was best for him.  She gave him life by placing him at this doorstep.  She must have known he was sick.  She must have known she could not help him.  So, she did the only thing she knew would help him----gave him away.
BECAUSE....she loved him very much.

Joseph is an orphan who will have very serious heart surgery tomorrow....please pray for him.
God loves him very much.

My opinion about adopting two at once----(FWIW)

This is the answer I typed back when a lady asked---

Hi all,
I have been told by several sw that adopting two or more unrelated children at the same time increases the possibility of disruption. Just wondering if any of you have seen this as a possibility or a fact, because it happened, either by experience or by witnessing it or by stories you have read or seen. Also wondering the opposite, how has it been in families where two or more are adopted and it does not end in disruption. I would love to hear stories. I need some good input for this.

 

 

My family has adopted two and is in the process of adopting two.

First off---I do not agree with the SW statement that adopting two unrelated kids ends more often in disruption.... I think that is a VERY general statement.

However--- adopting two brings about a whole bunch of issues.

There are alot of factors--

do you have any other kids already....and their ages?

do either/both of the kids you're adopting have special needs?

the ages of the children you are adopting---similar age or big gap in years?

Have you adopted before?

Have you done your "homework" on adoption and attachment?

etc.........

My cases are different---

Our adoption in March 2010 was for two older girls....one with special needs and the other "aging out and healthy"  We found our 11 yr old daughter first - she has arthrogryposis very severe- she will probably never live independently. At that time, CHina was not "open" for two but I had heard of a few cases. We asked our agency (LIFELINE) if there were any other children from her SWI...as we thought there would be a greater chance of CCAA saying yes. They had a 2 yr old with heart disease. I just thought it would be very hard bringing two children home with such a vast age difference---I feared the older one would not get the attention she deserved because the 2 yr old would be "needier" emotionally. (MY opinion--not so for other families)

We told the agency we would just continue for our daughter. The next day, the agency sent us an e-mail of a file---"that had just come across their desk and CCAA asked them to place". They needed to process quickly and needed an experienced family. Would we consider her? We knew in an instant that God had sent this file to us.  We proceeded and processed from DTC to gotcha day in less than 2 months.

Both girls are doing great and their transition has be very very good....they were both scared stiff at gotcha day but HAD EACH OTHER. This is where I find that adopting two is helpful....they have each other to chat with--to tell their worries, fears, and joys....it has been great.

Now, we are adopting two younger boys---ages 3 and 5...they both have special needs but we have a large family and we are used to these issues. It is the first time we are adopting a child with a known cognitive issue as our 5 yr old has Down Syndrome. We are reading up and learning lots about DS.

I think the best advice I can give is to become educated about attachment and be ready for some rough waters....even if you "only" adopt one child.

I have heard it explained this way---

When you adopt a child and bring them into your family it ia like a mobile over a baby's crib. When the child comes into your family, its like someone bumped the mobile and it is unsteady and rocking out of balance.....but, with time, the mobile settles and begins revolving smoothly.

I agree with this. Sometimes the balance is off for months and months...sometimes its smooth all the way.

Pray about the decision.....follow your heart and I encourage you to fight for what you believe is right for your family. Sometimes the best things is life are the things you have to fight hardest to get.

 

Kelly

Fundraising! How about a Totally Wicked Wild Olive Tee??

If you love "Getting your verse on"

then you are gonna LOVE

these Wild olive tee-shirts!

1 John 4:10

Matthew 12:21

Deuteronomy 31:6

Above are three samples of the ELEVEN tee shirt designs from Wild Olive tees.

All you need to do is click the link

http://store.wildolivetees.com/adoption-fundraiser-tees-c6.aspx

and then put RUMBAUGH0715 in the coupon code box. 

This does not give you a discount---it flags your order for our family!

We will also be selling the tee below and will have stock on hand:

Isaiah 1:17 (front)

Isaiah 1:17 (back)1

Please do a little shopping and help our family earn money for our adoption!

http://store.wildolivetees.com/adoption-fundraiser-tees-c6.aspx

 

If we sell 50 tees, we can raise 500.00!

New photos of Jack!

I cannot resist posting these few new photos.
There is a young lady visiting starfish for the next month who is feeding all us waiting mommas new photos.....whoop whoop!

ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT ME?

MY LITTLE ARTISTE---

UP CLOSE WITH TAYLOR!

THE FAMOUS WHEELCHAIR - MY BOY'S GOT WHEELLLSSSS!

LOOK AT THE STARES HE GETS WHEN HE'S OUT--- YOU NEVER SEE ANYONE IN A WHEELCHAIR IN CHINA EXCEPT THE ELDERLY.

Help a family in need

My friend, Grace, adopted a little guy named Tommy from China. He has a heart defect that is very complicated and they are at Boston CHildren's Hospital for surgery.  I spoke to Grace at length about the surgery and their stay.  She says they are really spending alot on food. (I have also found this when I stay at Hopkins)

SO--I have created a chipin so we can donate to her for food!  Please chip-in--even 5.00 will help if many donate!





Most importantly-- PRAY FOR TOMMY--
His surgery is at noon tomorrow and can last 4-6 hours. This is the same surgery my Joey had in Nov 2010. It is very serious and has a fairly long recovery. I expect Grace will be in Boston for several weeks.

Thank you and please--go chip in!

PURSE WINNERS!

A HUGE thanks to all who entered the drawing to help fund our adoption for the boys!!
I numbered all entries and then used a random number generator the following people have won purses!

 Sally Kistler (2), Michael DeLuca, Cathy Jerousek, Lori McGinnis (ladybug bracelet), Charlie Domalik, Linda Thomas (2), Judy Ramella (2), Janice Myracle (baby bracelet), and Beth Lux


I will ship these out in the next 24-48 hours. If you used paypal to enter I will use the address given to me there...if it is not correct-- please e-mail me.  Those who sent checks--I have kept your addresses on the return label.
Again--- THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

I will give the grand total after I ship everything---

Special thanks to those of you who donated to Jacks adoption blog started by Jet Tarks in Netherlands!!

 That total was almost $700.00!!

Jack--new photo

Isn't he the most adorable little guy??

VERA BRADLEY PURSE DRAWING-LAST FOUR DAYS!

FOUR  days left before the drawing!
Less than 100 entries....GREAT chances to win!

I will be having a drawing for TEN Vera Bradley purses
 plus two beautiful sterling silver bracelets
Purses are valued at $30-85.00 and the bracelets are valued at $75.00-125.00 retail.

To enter I am asking for a donation of 10.00 for the first entry
 and 5.00 for every entry thereafter.
With each entry you will be entered to win 10 purses and two silver bracelets.
 (so for your donation you will be entered in every drawing
 and have a chance to win multiple purses!)
Please use the chip-in to the right to submit your donation.
Checks can be mailed to
Kelly Rumbaugh, 15 Smith Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157
The drawing will be held on JULY 4th--
 this gives you lots of time to tell your friends! (please!)

(YOU CAN USE THE CHIP-IN AT THE RIGHT TO ENTER)

THANKS FOR HELPING SUPPORT OUR ADOPTIONS!