Faith to Move a Mountain

In November of 2011, I started this blog as a sort of journal to chronicle the events of our son Quinton's adoption. Quinton is a little boy who was born with an extra special something. Quinton has down syndrome and was given up at birth by his parents because he has down syndrome. His birth parents must not have had any idea what a blessing he would be or I am sure they would not have given him up. Unfortunately in Eastern Europe (Quinton is from Ukraine) people with disabilities are not accepted in society and at the age of 4-6, they are sent to adult mental institutions where most of them die :( Although it breaks my heart that his parents have missed out on such a joyful little boy, God has used this unfortunate situation to bless us with a gift greater than I could have ever imagined: the gift of our first child. If you ever considered adoption-do it! Don't let money deter you. God provided over $20,000 for us to adopt Quinton. We were not fully funded until 50 minutes before we boarded our plane to Ukraine. If you have never considered adoption, go back to the beginning of this blog and read. You will see what a blessing adoption really is. Many people tell us that we are angels for rescuing Quinton, but the honest truth is this: Quinton has given me far more that I will ever be able to give him. He is my little miracle, my silly bug, my baby boy, my love. HE IS MY LIFE!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Valentine Fundraiser for Quinton!

Thank you everyone who purchased one of our Valentine cookie bouquets! By the time we collect all of our money, we will have raised $851! With each fundraiser, we get a little bit closer to bringing our baby boy home. I have had several people ask us/suggest doing Easter bouquets. Well, as successful as this fundraiser was, I don't think my mom or I will be ready to see anymore cookie bouquets for quite some time. We have something a little different in mind for Easter :) We must have baked, iced, and decorated over 250 sugar cookies (and you can only bake them 6 at a time), but it was well worth the time and effort. Thanks to my mom for spending an entire week baking, and to my dad for painting 38 pots. The support we have received from friends and family has been amazing.

Just a quick update: Our i-600a (application to United States Immigrations and Customs) is ready to go in the mail on Monday. After it is received, they will send us a date to go get federal fingerprints. Once we are approved, we can send our dossier to Quinton's country to be translated and upon approval, we will receive a travel date to go see him for the first time. I get teary eyed just thinking about it! This would put us there in roughly late May or June. We are planning on sending a letter with our i-600a explaining the urgency of getting Quinton home as fast as possible due to his heart condition. Just last week another orphan with a heart defect went to be with Jesus. He was not adopted in time to get to the United States for treatment. Please pray for God to sustain Quinton's heart long enough for us to get him home. We greatly appreciate it.

Here are some pictures from our recent cookie endeavors:









Sunday, February 6, 2011

Quinton's Surprise Party!

So, Friday started out as a really tough day for me. I was pretty bummed about missing Quinton's first birthday, but it got so much better. My coworkers worked really hard to plan a surprise party for him. I can't believe my students didn't let the secret slip. It was so sweet. They bought him gifts and a beautiful cake that we enjoyed in his honor. It really touched my heart. Now we just need to get him home so he can enjoy all of his new things. Here are some pictures from the festivities:

 Surprise! When I walked in, the kids started singing happy birthday. They didn't get that it was Quinton's birthday, though. They all sang happy birthday Ms. Miller :)


 This is me "holding Quinton" for the first time LOL


All Quinton's goodies-He is one lucky little boy to have so many people love him already.


Thank you to all of you who donated or prayed for Quinton in honor of his first birthday and thank you to my spectacular friends who threw him this party. I love you guys!

Friday, February 4, 2011

To My Son-On Your First Birthday


My sweet baby boy,

Oh, how I wish I could be with you today to tell you Happy Birthday-to hug you and kiss you and tell you “I love you”. I want so badly to be the first face you see when you wake up every morning the last face you see when you fall asleep at night. I want to wrap my arms around you and hold you tight. I long for you to be here with us, at home where you belong. As I sit here, I am crying tears of pain because today is your first birthday and I cannot be there with you. A mommy should never have to miss her baby’s first birthday. She should be there to buy presents and balloons and to make a cake that you can dig your hands and face into. No worries though little guy. When you come home, we will celebrate. We will celebrate and it will be a celebration like no other, because you will be home forever. You will be ours and we will be yours. I will love you like crazy. I will hug you everyday and tell you how much I love you. I will kiss your boo-boos and make them all better. Your daddy will give you piggyback rides and take you fishing and do all of those things that daddy’s do. From the day you get home my son, you will know that we are a family and you will know how much we love you and you will know that we are truly A Match Made In Heaven.

Loving you from across the world,
Your Mommy