Finally... Vacation!

We have been postponing a family vacation for so long. We had been preparing emotionally, physically for adoption that we didn't have the means or time to go. So with the recent turn of events we said let's do it...NOW! We booked the 4-Day Disney cruise on last Friday and left on Sunday! We drove down the 13 hours to FL this was only possible because Erik has a gift for long distance driving. I only drove through GA. We have been on a few family vacations mostly involving extended family which means it comes with expectations. So it was time that we take our own vacation. We have now been completely spoiled rotten and feel like there is no other way to go on vacation. Grace and Faith were at a perfect age to enjoy everything around them. The Disney Characters were everywhere and each child was able to take time with them. The princesses are amazing! I can't imagine how much they practice but they were always 110% in character..it was like they stepped out of the movie with every movement of their hands and the words they used. 

This week Faiths favorite princess is Belle, 'the yellow beautiful princess' and Grace's favorite has almost always been Cinderella. We lucked out and someone in the kids club knew sign language. Disney is fabulous working with anyone who  has special needs and they provide interpreters for all events, since we booked the cruise so last minute that we didn't have that - but were really blessed that one of the kids counselors signed. It was the best value for the money for sure since everything is included - even child care for when you want it. The kids loved the 'Oceaneers Club' and wanted to stay there all day. We had to beg them to come to dinner with us! Erik came home and I caught him on the computer looking at cruises for the Fall! The dream is over, back to real life now :)

Keeping Hope in Our Adoption Journey

Our adoption journey has taken a turn down an unexpected road. We felt very inspired about a sibling group that we met. We worked for months to get the ball moving and we were very very close to the finish line (not The finish line rather a finish line then a new start line, if you know what i mean) when we got some difficult information/history.l We have decided for many reasons that the sibling group we were hoping and praying for is not going to be the best match for us. It is so sad and outrageous when you see kids linger in the foster care system. 'Systems'/Governments are just not able to properly manage abused/neglected kids 100% correctly 100% of the time. This is however no excuse that kids cases are not managed properly and in turn the system causes further abuse, risk and damage to these kids. Ultimately, it came down to a question of safety for the children that came to us through birth. I pray for this sibling group that they will find a family who can perfectly meet their needs. This decision was truly unexpected - I cried for days and I still feel sad for it. You can think i'm crazy, I'd take it as a compliment, but I felt, rather feel, a bond with those kids even though they never lived with me. My heart aches for them - I thank God for the gift of his son Jesus Christ and know that someday all wrongs will be made right. We have been on our journey since Oct. although it feels much longer. I feel like I need to maybe take a break, a breather and get refocused. Right now I feel a little lost in the journey. I do have hope through examples of many other adoption pioneers that as journeys go it is par for the course and that there is hope.