Back to the Beginning....

This is part of a note that I sent to my family, explaining about how we came to the decision to commit to adopt:

So I have some good news to share that we are very excited about. Since we found out about Jackson having Down syndrome before he was born, I had the chance to do lots of research and learn about it before he was here. I've always been really thankful for that. Of course, lots of the information I learned wasn't good. One part that has always bothered me was that babies born in many other countries with Ds are hidden away in orphanages. They don't go home to families that love them, they get no Early Intervention, no rocking to sleep, no hugs and kisses, no school. Very little, if any, medical care. It used to haunt me that Jackson, having been born with a major heart issue, would have most likely died right away. At the age of 4 or sometimes older, they get shuffled off to mental institutions.

We, of course found out that Down Syndrome is not scary, or tragic. I think you would agree that Jack has brought lots of fun and love to our family. There's no limit to what he may be able to accomplish as a grown-up. That's due to the acceptance and therapy and opportunities offered him in this country.

So I joined a group that would help bring more awareness to these neglected children, and even children with Ds here in America. That's part of why I started my blog; so that families who are new to having a baby with Ds can see that it's okay.

Suddenly that doesn't feel like enough any more. I got to feeling like we should be doing more. Doing more, has turned into the desire to adopt a little girl from Ukraine with Down syndrome. She is listed as Dasha, on the Reece's Rainbow website.

A little more background info:
I've been looking at Reece's Rainbow for more han a year now. The photos of homeless, family-less children are just heart-wrenching. I fell in love with all of them. I brought it up a few times, the possibility of us adopting, to a less than enthusiastic response. Actually, Allan's usual reply was "we already have FOUR kids!". Right around Christmas last year, I fell hard for one special angel, as did my amazing daughter Madelyn. I just knew she belonged here in this house, with us. She was listed as "Dasha". The feeling grew stronger all Jan. I sent an e-mail, asking if anyone had expressed any interest in her. The reply was no. M and I (trying to be gentle), talked about Dasha, talked about her future, and her present a lot. We showed Allan her picture. We talked about how she could fit in our family, our house, our lives. I talked about doing a home study, traveling to Europe, having another daughter. All in front of Allan. Finally, one day I just said, "So, should I call the social worker?" and he said "do it". ??? So I did! The next day I was sitting in front of my computer, wondering should we really do this? Up pops an e-mail from Andrea from Reese's Rainbow saying "just checking in". After saying "ok God, I hear ya!" I sent a reply saying "we're ready!". 3 days later, I sent her our signed paperwork and initial fees, and began learning how to adopt a child!

So we've had our first visit with the social worker who will do our homestudy. We are trying to come up with fundraisers. I am compiling loads of papers, paying loads of fees, experiencing butterflies, and nerves, and euphoria like you wouldn't believe!

This is our journey to Dashlyn Belle.