FAQs

How will you handle the language barrier?
     We have heard that most adopted children learn their new language quickly, but our hope is to keep Eddie fluent in Spanish as well as help him become fluent in English.  We have a friend from church who grew up in Chile who has offered to help with that goal. Also, Marlana is fluent in Spanish, Jeff had it in high school, and Lynn and Matthew are learning it currently. NEW DISCOVERY!  Simple Language for Adoptive Families.  This is an awesome resource with all the applicable and useful phrases we will need. Thank you, Barbara!

What is Eddie's special need?
     He had strabismus, the prominent feature of which is a lazy eye.  It was surgically corrected last February.  He also has ADHD  (like many of us).  We hope to use the Brain Balance Centers therapy with him, too. Plus, being over 5 years old puts him in the special needs category. Primarily, he needs a family. 

How is Matthew doing?  
     Matthew is doing really well and improving and growing every day.  We have been implementing a therapy that we are so excited about and have seen great growth in many areas:  improved academics, decreased anxiety, increased independence, improved attention and focus.  We are really enjoying him. His delightful parts remain!  Except he has broadened his interests to include God, Lincoln, knights and dinosaurs.   Read more about Brain Balance Centers online.

How is Lynn's health?
     By God's grace,  I have discovered that some natural supplements and exercises are successfully treating my previous health concerns.

If you need financial help with this adoption, can you really afford another child? 
     Even though we don't have an extra $37,000 laying around, we do feel that we can afford to care for another child.  Too bad it's not covered under insurance for pregnancy and delivery! We are also contributing to the cost and can speak further with curious donors about how we are being frugal with our money to help with expenses.  Because Eddie was waiting and Illinois took so long to approve us, the process will move quicker than normal.  This is great except that it doesn't give us much time to save or fund raise.

What have you done for fundraising so far?  
We had our Discovery Toy Party, we are selling a few items on Ebay, and we are planning a silent auction/dinner fundraiser.  We are also applying for some more grants, but the timing of these is tricky, with our Home Study taking so long to process (we had to pay almost half of our expenses before we could even apply) and most of them not covering travel expenses.  We are having an online Facebook Auction July 14th-16th. 

Why and how should we contribute to your adoption? 
     We want to give others the opportunity to help with the global orphan crisis and be blessed in their generosity.  Everyone may not be able to take in another child, but everyone can do something.  Your prayers, help and financial support are all greatly appreciated.  

Aren't you concerned about a potential negative influence on Matthew?
     Yes.  We have been advised to find out very detailed information about any child we would bring into our family.  We have chosen Colombia because of their reputation for disclosing known information and for taking good care of their children.  We have received lots of info on Eddie, but still unknowns persist, as they would with bringing another biological child into the mix.  We really only assume when we get pregnant that we will have a normal child who "turns out perfectly".

Why do you all have to travel?  
     Colombia requires 2 parents to travel for at least 2 weeks.  This is too long for Matthew to be without us.  Marlana is fluent in Spanish, so of course, she needs to come. If we bring Matthew, we would like to bring Alyssa to help with Matthew and to help with Eddie.  It will be a trick to get around town with 6 people (we will get Eddie within 2 days of arrival and care for him the whole time)  and some of us may need to stay behind while others go to court, etc.  The maximum stay should not exceed 6 weeks.  Some of us could go home after 2 weeks.

How do the girls feel about it?  
    The girls are so close to each other and enjoyed having a sibling close to their own age.  They are excited for Matthew and also to welcome a new brother to the family.