We said no~Sharing my heart

This is a difficult post to write. So many emotions, so many starts and stops with this child. We said no, and the reasons are heartbreaking but we also got to know our strengths and weaknesses as a family.

You see, there is this girl, Lets call her Ruthi Joy.

And back in 2011 I saw her on a long list of over 1100 children waiting for their forever families.
I thought, this could be our daughter. She is beautiful and something in her eyes pulled me in. Then I read her story and I was truly convinced she was ours. She had a rough beginning, being teased, not doing well in school switching foster families after many years and my heart just broke.

We were in the middle of a mess trying to get Josh home. Our agency had been suspended for some reason and we had just received our LOA (letter seeking approval) for Joshua.

Life got busy and we received our travel approval. We had 6 kids at home already, Josh made the magic number 7. There was no way we could add a second child on at that time and many agencies didn't do this back then.

Our son's transition to life in a family and school was a bit rough to put it mildly but that's a post for another time...(stay tuned)

So, 2011 turned into 2012 and I was still advocating for Ruthi Joy.

She was passed around from one agency to another without anyone choosing her. My heart continued to break for this beautiful girl who has so much potential.

2013 rolled around and we actually attempted to adopt her. Yeah, I know....
So many things were thrown our way. Needless to say we decided for our family at that time to take a step back and refocus.

She continued to wait and grow older...

 

 

We decided to sponsor her. She receives care through ICC. She is in a foster family but desperately wants a forever family of her own with younger siblings to help take care of.

 

Her special need is a manageable one. In her file she is listed as having delays. However, in 2014 she was diagnosed with epilepsy and is now taking medication.

 

 

She loses her chance of having a family in 2016, September to be exact. A family still has time to adopt her. Or better yet add her on to your current adoption.

Ruthi Joy WANTS a family, she loves to draw. Here is the latest update on her from this week:

 Her writing is quite beautiful, and has learned some simple Chinese characters.

  What's her favorite food? She eats everything, and she is not critical of food.

She will need help in school and she is older, but don't let this dissuade you, she is a beautiful girl with so much love and potential.

Ruthi Joy deserves a chance. Will you be the family that says "yes"?? I couldn't bear to watch her age out. Her future without a family is grim at best.

She has a Reeces Rainbow account set up for a family that commits to her. And for the next 30 days all my commissions from sales of Mary and Martha PLUS an additional 10% will go towards her RR account.  Please feel free to contact me for more information.  I would love to see her matched.

You can find my link here: Mary and Martha

Haven't posted on my blog much lately. So many changes in the last year. I do want to document my kiddos and keep up with the little years.

 

 

 

 

Instagram....

Is my new love....amazing how fickle we can all be, isnt it?? LOL

You can find me here: 

I may still update the blog...but dad to day stuff...its all on instagram.

Last Days of Summer

Bathroom redo on the cheap....

Buying an older home has it perks....character, uniqueness.....however those same traits also translate into a lot of work.

It started with a poorly done laminate job....and manifested into changing most everything. Those of you that know me realize I couldn't just leave the laminate squares alone....

So began the bathroom redo for under $400....and only one emergency call to a friend to help with plumbing.

                                                             Yucky laminate cheap flooring

                                                               
                                                                 1980's oak cabinets

 
                                                                       and 80's gold faucets

                                                                  and again 80's oak mirrors
 All of these glorious things were original to the house....and while they may be some people's idea of a good thing, well for me it just wasn't doing anything for me. I couldnt afford a complete redo. So I did the next best thing.....


                    Cabinets were painted a chocolate brown. They look lighter but I promise they are a rich chocolate brown that still allows you to see the wood grain. We went with Behr paint from home depot in a satin finish.

I did paint the whole bathroom a yellowish-cream color....But the wall with the mirrors needed an extra pop, so I added a wallpaper accent. I know, so 80's but it needed something.

We also swapped out the lights.....and mirrors....

I made curtains for the window above the bathtub. I am still thinking about painting the wood trim in the bathroom off white. However, my whole house is oak trim and I would have to do the house because I cant stand something not looking like the other...

We also switched out the faucets from the gold to a silver finish.

And finally we tore (or rather I tore up the laminate) You see if the hubs is away and you start something, ultimately he will help you finish :)

We also decided to swap out the toilet but I dont think you want a picture of that. We chose not to replace the tub or the shower surround. It would have been to expensive and we are on a budget. Some day we may do that or we may just move....

Mini Escape to Michigan

We really needed this vacation. It was time to reconnect and enjoy just being together.
A great time was had by all.

               Right before the storm rolled in ....the clouds were very dark and the waves pretty high.

                                                                      Ice cream time.

                                                   
                                                    The cone was bigger than she thought.

                                                          Acting like the flamingo.

                                                            Our view for the week

                                                           My favorite spot this week.

                                               
                                         Sorry Mr. Hale, she didnt mean to pick all the petals

                                                           Reading and Game time

                                My little fish, I think she could live in the water if it were possible.

                                                       
                         And the only picture that will ever be posted of me in a bathing suit publicly.