Round Two

We just received word today that we have been accepted back into AWAA's Ethiopia program for a second adoption. This time we are looking for an older male child (2-5 years) with special needs. This would include a child who is HIV+.

(Not that you couldn't tell from the tone of my last posts :-)

We are VERY excited about our second adoption. Of course the second time around we've learned how to temper our excitement with realistic expectations. We expect this second adoption could take another year and a half to two years to complete.

Summer Comes to a Close

The kids are heading to school next week. It's kind of sad that school begins so early in our state. I just don't feel like we've had enough of summer yet. Well, I'm so OVER this heat but you know what I mean.

For Rory and Ally it will be their first time in a traditional classroom setting. We are all really excited. The kids are going to a charter school not far from our home that has a reputation for being top notch. In fact, it was one of the top ten school in the state. We are really comfortable with the staff there and have peace about the decision we made to send the children.

We had previously planned to have the kids attend a private Christian school but we just couldn't choke down the cost of tuition. Especially in light of the fact that we want to adopt again. We knew that the choice came down to adding another child to our family or private education. You know which choice we made.

The girls have to wear uniforms and in true girly fashion couldn't be more thrilled. Mom likes the simplicity uniforms offer. Yeah for not having arguments in the morning about what they will wear for school!

I just don't know what I will do when Jonas and I are alone during the day... but I have a few ideas. I'll keep you posted as news comes in.

More on HIV+ Adoption and Education

Positively Adopted is a wonderfully informative website. Check it out.


And THIS is an awesome video about two adoptive families with HIV+ kids.

This is a brief video which discusses risks of transmission within a household


But you still need to know this important basic information. It's HIV 101

Am I seriously recommending a show on MTV?!?!

Dustin and I have followed this series off and on (mostly off) but tonight's episode drew us in and wouldn't let us go. MTV's 16 & Pregnant featured a young couple that was very much in love with each other. The two of them made a gut wrenching decision to relinquish their daughter for adoption against the wishes of their parents. Watch the episode. I thought that it was a thorough, unbiased portrayal. Kudos MTV.

CDC and Immigration Ban

Please take a minute to read this article and visit the CDC website (link contained in the article) for futher information. Consider your opinion on the matter.

I am supportive of lifting the ban. Many arguments in favor of the ban are based on fear and lack of education. Some are concerned about the financial impact HIV+ immigrants will make. That is a viable concern in my opinion but one that doesn't sway my support for removing the ban. I am also in favor of lifting the ban because many of the immigrants banned entrance to the US are orphans.

Families who wish to adopt an HIV+ child must apply for costly visa waivers and jump through many bureaucratic hoops. Helpless orphans who contracted HIV through maternal transmission should not be discriminated against for truly they are the most vulnerable in the world. If families are willing to adopt them the process should be the same as adopting a HIV negative child. Today, HIV is a chronic yet manageable disease. HIV positive people who receive treatment can live indefinitely without developing AIDS and be productive members of society.

For more education about HIV/AIDS transmission AVERT has a very informative website.


Lastly, below is a quick video tidbit about possible advancements in HIV transmission prevention that I thought was noteworthy.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Note Worthy

Here are some blogs related to HIV+ and AIDS orphan care, adoption and advocacy.

Advocating for Orphans with HIV

Full House, Full Hands, Full Hearts

Positive Families

HIV Child

Children With AIDS Project

God Given Passions (My Bloggy friend Audrey!)

Cool Program

The Fire No One Wants to Walk Through

http://reedadoption.blogspot.com/2009/07/julianna-is-in-heaven.html

Pleae say a prayer for this family. They have endured so much on the road to adoption and will have more yet.

Free Audio Book

A friend gave me the heads up that Crazy Love by Francis Chan is available for FREE to download HERE you must use the code JUL2009 to get the book free.

Happy listening

More Sources on Orphan Care

I've mentioned briefly that our Home Team is working our way through the book Fields of the Fatherless . I can't recommend this book enough for a small study group. It has questions in the back and video from Tom to help direct discussions.

As we branch out to sources other than the book one member of our Home Team, Mark who happens to also work for a fabulous organization called *World Orphans , directed us to this video from Rick Warren. I though I would share it here as well.

World Orphans has an article titled The Mega Issue on their website that I recommend reading as well. I just LOVE everything about World Orphan's website. It is rich in information. But it's the haunting music of the home page that draws me in. It creates an unsettled feeling in my heart just as should be there when I consider the plight of helpless children around the world and how to help)