Adoption. It is something that has been on my heart for most of my adult life. I have considered foster parenting as well. The timing just never felt right. I ultimately didn’t have the confidence to move ahead.
Now I am a single, empty nester with time to consider what I have done and what I still can do. As I have considered where I am and what I still want to do in life, I have continued to chew on adoption and foster care. I started to inquire what this could look like for me, and I have had doors close. Then I had one open in a most amazing way.
I just brough two beautiful girls home from Belize! But now I need to bring home my son!!
It is a long story. I will try to keep it concise.
Some of you may remember that Kristin spent a year in Belize working at Laugh Out Loud Children’s home. Just after she got there a large sibling group arrived. Kristin was one of their primary caregivers and individual tutor for that year. I met them back in 2014 when visiting Kristin. Fast forward to 2020. I was inquiring about foster care once again and ultimately decided that I couldn’t do it because I couldn’t care as a mom and then give them up. Shortly after deciding foster care wasn’t for me, I learned about Kendra and Alicia. They had become available for adoption! (Marvin was not eligible at that time. I would not have broken up a sibling group… and not sure I would have considered adopting three!) Fast forward almost 2 years, Kendra and Alicia are here and I'm now trying to bring home their younger brother, Marvin.
Fast forward to today. I have been working with two adoption agencies (One for Colorado home study and one who works with Belize.) I am starting over with the home study and we are now starting the process with Belize. Here is where I need help. International adoption is not cheap. I already have about $40,000 invested but I will likely need about $20,000 more, plus I will need to finish a room in my basement. I am starting to pursue grants to help cover some of the costs associated with the adoption, but I really need to seek other help as well. The timing is tight. I need to raise money quick because Marvin is quickly approaching the age where he will no longer be eligible to be adopted.
I have witnessed God's provision in the adoption process of Kendra and Alicia and believe that God will provide the finances to adopt Marvin, but I am having to trust Him in a whole new way! I don’t know exactly where the finances will come from. But I know that God loves these kids and so do I!
So, thank you for helping me bring Kendra and Alicia home! I am asking, would you like to partner with me in prayer and maybe financially to bring Marvin home? Please let me know if you have questions. I would LOVE to talk more with you about this exciting journey we are on! It’s exciting! It’s scary! It’s moving fast!
Thank you for your support!
I got home with Marvin on March first and we are quickly adjusting to our new life together. The kids are so happy to be together again! It’s a beautiful thing!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
I am so thankful for the support we have received. We are making progress. I just received notification today that the girls' adoptions will finalize in Belize next week! The girls have been home for nearly a year and had a great first school year.
I also have received news that we have progress with Marvin again, finally. I have officially "accepted the match" and we have filed with immigration. Once we have the approval from immigration it seems to go fast. I hope we are traveling back to Belize to bring Marvin home within the next few months! YAY! The kids should be together again before the holidays get here!
Hi Friends!
I am so happy to report that I was able to travel to Belize in July and came home in August with my two new, beautiful daughters! I can't even begin to tell you how blessed I am feeling! (See new picture with ALL my girls!)
Kendra and Alicia started school online for this first semester. It is giving them time to adjust to their new world and to get caught up in school. We are planning for them to go in person come January.
Now, to make a long story short, when we got home from Belize, Kendra and Alicia's brother, Marvin was in Colorado with a group from LOL, the children's home/orphanage. We got a chance to spend a little time together....
Now I am starting the process to adopt him too!
Marvin is the last of their siblings that is eligible for adoption. When I started the adoption of Kendra and Alicia, Marvin was not eligible for adoption. He is now. The girls and I want to bring him home to Colorado, ASAP. I have started the home study process and we have spoken to DHS in Belize. Everyone, including Marvin, are committed to making this happen.
Once again, we will be up against a timeline. Marvin needs to be adopted before he turns 16. He will be 15 in January. I am trusting God to guide the finances. I'll need to finish a room in my basement, and I am needing to finalize the girl's adoption while starting over with Marvin.
If you feel it in your heart to help financially it would be so appreciated! If you can pray, even better!!
Thank you so much!
Patti, Kendra, and Alicia (Kristin & Hannah)
...and Marvin :-)
We are getting so close! I am hoping to travel next month in order to be able to bring the girls home in time to start school August 8th!
Please pray with me that all the final finances come together...
Pray that Hannah & Adam's wedding is wonderful (July 10th) and the I can come home from that and pack to go!!
My I-800 has been approved which is one of the final milestones needed before I get travel dates, I think! YAY!
Thank you so much for your support!
I am getting anxious... there is not official date yet but I am hopeful!
There is unofficial discussion that the adoption is expected to be final by the end of June!
This means only 2 1/2 months until I may be traveling to Belize!
I have the girls registered for school in the fall... and details are falling into place.
Clothing is showing up on my doorstep... literally.
Thank you!
Please keep praying with me! There are still a LOT of expenses that are going to be coming fast.
And some political/legal things that must be pushed through, but I am starting to see the finish line! They really may be here for the wedding in July! Yay for answered prayers!
