I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when it comes to news about me. I can keep my mouth shut when it comes to other people's news - but not my own.
So - here it is. :)
Jay and I are going to be fostering a six month old baby boy from Guatemala who will be coming to the United States to have his cleft lip repaired. He will be with us for 4-6 months and then will be going back to Guatemala. He has a mom and dad (so no - he's not available for adoption!).
We are fostering him through Children of the Americas (COTA) . Little did I know that COTA is located here in Kentucky!! They do medical mission trips to Guatemala once a year and also bring children to the United States that need more extensive surgeries. This little guy also has a cleft palate, but that will be fixed in Guatemala next winter.
COTA has also started their own blog There are some adorable pictures of a little girl who is here now getting healthy before her surgery in May.
I know that giving him back is going to be the hardest thing I will probably ever have to do. I'm not going to pretend that it won't be a big deal. But, I also know that this is what I'm supposed to do.
So - what I need from you guys:
1. Prayers - lots of them!! Please be praying for this dear little guy. (I'm going to call him Baby A for now) Pray that he somehow has peace about leaving his mommy and daddy. Pray that Jay and I do the right things to make him feel comfortable in his new place, and pray that his transition back home goes smoothly. Pray for patience for me. Pray that the surgery gets scheduled and that he will have as little pain as possible.
2. Stuff - Does anyone in the Kentucky area have a double stroller or know someone who has one? I'm going to need one and would like to even borrow one for the time that Baby A is here if possible. I think we have everything else (pack n play, car seat, exersaucer, baby toys). I'm still a little unsure of clothes since Baby A was born in the fall and Alex was born in May. I still need to go through Alex's stuff to see what I have and what sizes they are in. I'm seeing some yard sales in my future.
3. Advice - Does anyone have any experience with a cleft lip/palate baby? I'm doing my research, but sometimes it's better to just talk to someone who has BTDT.
I hope everyone has a Blessed Easter. Please remember that it's not about the eggs, chocolate and a weird bunny outfit, but that it's about the sacrifice that Jesus made for ALL of us.
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25 comments:
KIM!!!! Amazing news, and I think it's wonderful. Sometimes God sends us into people's life just for a season to love them and care for them. Even though it will be hard to give him back you'll be prepared for it. You know from the beginning that he's just here for a while. This is an amazing opportunity that will change this little man's life, and he is blessed that God chose you to have him for this season!
Happy Easter!
So excited to meet him. It's an amazing journey your about to take. Angel
Whoo-hoo! I love COTA!!!!!!!!!! As soon as my permanant family memebers are settled in, I am dreaming of fostering for them, too :)
Let me know what you need with clothes. I am planning to sort through closets soon, and I would be happy to help!
I am so excited for you guys!
I am sooooo excited for you! We've got to meet soon so I can hear all about this in person. Just tell me a time and place and I am there. Cohen has a fall birthday, so his clothes from last year might work out.
I'm off to check out COTA's website....
Like I said, you're my hero ;).
I think I better make a trip to KY and take some pictures of this little angel.
How exciting!! I will be praying for you!!
Robyn
wow kim. we will be praying for your family. it will be so hard to give him back but what a way to be the hands and feet of Christ to this little boy and his family.
How wonderful!!!
So excited to follow along on this new journey!!!
Happy Easter!!!!!!!!!
what an amazing thing you guys are doing!! wish I could help but we gave away most of ms V's baby stuff. It will be such an amazing (and heartbreaking) experience!!
happy easter
Wow! That is amazing that you are opening up your hearts and home. I will definitely say prayers for everyone. What a gift you are giving him and his family.
I don't have any baby boy stuff to send you and I've gotten rid of all the little baby stuff already.
OMG That is sooooo exciting. What a great thing to do. You have a heart of gold my dear. I can't wait to see pics and hear more about it. Happy Easter.
OH MY GOODNESS KIM!!! I'm so absolutely thrilled for you and so thankful you answered the call! As you know, this kind of thing is especially close to my heart. :) God bless you girl!
d:D
Wow ... that is amazing !!
Kim, that's very exciting and wonderful news. We have plenty of spare things you can borrow during his stay with you including a double stroller, swings, high-chairs, etc. We would be more than happy to help out in any way possible.
Mark
WOw! How did I miss this announcement all weekend!?! I am SO excited about Baby A!! I can't wait to meet him! I know that you and Jay and Alex will be just what he needs while he is here!
You are a blessing, Kim!! How lucky this little boy will be to have you in his life while he is healing.
Please be sure to reach out for anything you may need while he is here! I have a ton of stuff too but no twin stroller.
I love you do you know that?--Kim I am soooooo soooo HAPPY for you!!!!!!!! sooo sooo excited for you!!!!!!!! oooh Kim whatever you need I am here for you!!!--I will save all of my boy clothes okay?!! You are going to be the most amazing blessing to that little boy!!!!
Hey I always say this but I am going to try to be a better blogger!! Thank you so much for comments! I cannot wait to see your journey while this little guy is in your home! You are amazing!!!! xoxoxxo
Kim, that is such an amazing thing to do. You have a heart of gold and you are giving him an opportunity of a lifetime that he wouldn't have otherwise. He would have no opportunity to have the surgery and have someone care for him.
I wouldn't be able to give him back. You are very strong to be able to do that.
I don't have a lot of advice but that is so awesome! What an incredible thing to do! You are helping him during a big time in his sweet little life. I will pray for all of you!
Hugs
WOW GIRL THIS IS HUGE NEWS...and I am so EXCITED and NERVOUSE for you...I would BE crying a RIVER when he has to go home. But girl YOU ARE SO BRAVE and your HEART SO BIG...YOU CAN DO THIS and really Change this little MANS LIFE FOREVER! CONGRATS...can't wait to watch your new journey unfold.
HUGS Candy, Kya Blu, and Jagger Too
Wow that is exciting news! Will be praying for you and your family!
WOW being gone for a weekend and trying to catch up..I MISS ALL THE GOOD NEWS!!!
You're such a great person, as is Jay, I know you guys will make Baby A's stay great.
Darn I don't think I have any of Derek's clothes left but I'll check. Anything else I can send ya from VA??
Lots of love to you guys..
Hi there, I hopped from blog to blog and landed here. First congrats to you, it takes a very brave person to foster a baby then give them back. I wanted you to know our baby girl was born with a cleft lip (just the lip, no palette issues). She has had 2 surgeries, the 1st at 10 weeks and the revision at 3 years, 4 months old. Do your homework, make sure you use a board certified plastic surgeon and he/she has done cleft repairs. There are lots of great Cleft websites out there, just google "cleft." Feel free to stop my blog and leave me a message for any questions you might have. FYI our little girl is 4 and a half now, most people don't even notice her lip. It's funny, her so called birth-defect is also the thing that draws you in, her amazing smile! Best of luck to you and your family.
OMG! I wondered who was going to be fosting this little angel! I am so excited for you. I wish I had boys things to give you, but only girls! Lots of prayers for him and your family!
What a wonderful thing you are doing!!! I don't know much about cleft palate babies, but I do know a co-worker from India that thanks his lucky stars his parents had the ability to have his fixed when he was a baby. He knows most people in his situation would not be able to lead the normal life he leads now.
Kim! That is sooooo amazing!
What wonderful news!
Can;t wait to hear about your newest journey!
Hugs-Dori
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