tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30793393696390584672024-02-07T03:55:30.057-08:00Jacobson Family AdoptionThe Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-54029280931121492212012-02-16T12:51:00.000-08:002012-02-16T13:05:19.298-08:00Longest Post: The End.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She fell asleep tonight holding my hand with a smile on her face. As I set there watching her, listening to the boys' breathing become sweet and slow, I could not help but feel overwhelmed with this work God has done. They have been rescued. God sent us here, brought them out of the darkness, set them in a family. The past two days have been full of kisses, good food, fun, discipline, and joy. They are learning what a family is, and they are happy.<br />
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I wanted each of you to know that we will come home with NO DEBT from our adoption. Because of the generosity of God's people, we can bring them home without that burden. The immensity of this fact is hard to state. This adoption cost well over $40,000 and God provided it. We are humbled beyond words by this fact. To see them today and to know that tomorrow they get on a plane and get off surrounded by people who love them, sacrificed to rescue them, prayed for them, and are ready to jump head-first into their lives can only be described as glorious. Because God did it friends, and he loves it!<br />
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This past week has been very hard for me. So many delays and waiting, and the fear of the unknown. How could I be afraid, you may think, when it is so obvious that God has been doing this all along? It's a good question that can only be answered one way- I am a wretched sinner who is constantly prone to forget, to wander, to rebel, and to fear. But friends, this thing we have been doing, this rescue, this is what God has done for me. He has taken this unlikely selfish woman, and made her the mamma of eight. He alone has given me the heart to do it, the courage to take each step, and the strength to make it moment by moment.<br />
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I was SO VERY reminded today of this reality. We finally had made it to our medical exam for the visas. This is the last, crucial step - fail and you don't go home. I had been given dozens of sets of papers by various people, all very important, all in Cyrillic. Lots of people had also rifled through them, mixing them up into a hopeless jumble. I set aside the court decrees and birth certificates in a special place in my folder to ensure I would not lose them. When we began the "paper-job" at the medical office, our facilitator asked me for the vaccination records. I handed him the medical records I had for the kids and he tells me there are no vaccination records for the boys. No records - no medical clearance - no visa - no home. Since this has not been the first time the team has messed up with our papers, I took a pretty high attitude and insisted that I had given them everything. "Let me look in your folder," he asked. NO. Stop treating me like I am an incompetent idiot. I had HAD IT. I didn't say it to him, but that's what I was thinking. I even told a friend there with us about it. Argh! They messed up again! He pleaded with me to look again as the team is frantically trying to figure out what to do on the phone, and WHAT DO YOU KNOW? I had them, in the folder with the court decrees. I don't think saying "I am sorry, I am an idiot" really made that much difference. Sorry everyone that comes after me for perpetuating the stereotype.<br />
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Gotcha day was intense. It began at 6:30 with a 1.5 hour car ride to the boys' orphanage. The time there was really touching. So many tears, so many pictures (the nannies'!), so many goodbyes. The boys are really loved by the people in their orphanage. I am so grateful to them for raising them for us these last 5 years. I know that is what everyone says, but in this case, it is deserved. They only let us leave after they were SURE we knew how to give the medicine "You won't forget?!?" and that we would Skype them soon and often. They even gave us really amazing baby albums with pictures and info about their whole lives. Made with love, truly. Kinda amazing that they are the only kids in the family with baby books. Yeah.<br />
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We brought them home and fed them, and tried for a nap. Picture screaming in terror. So, okay, no naps. I then just tried to entertain them with games, iPad, etc. This worked for a while. So, how about a bath? Joyful moment? Picture screaming in terror. That was Gus. Ezra knew what to do and tried to bribe him with candy, but the screaming didn't stop until he was out! Ezra is out to prove that he is an adult who can run the family, so he stripped and hopped right in. He even demonstrated how he was NOT SCARED of the faucet sprayer by putting it on his head while I was shampooing, thus soap in his eyes. Picture screaming in terror. Oh well, I still believed him.<br />
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Everett was out doing a "paper-job" and when he got back to stay with the boys, I went for Heidi. This was a totally different experience. We went into the directors office for "paper-job" and a nanny came to get the clothes to change her into (they own nothing, you have to bring clothes to take them home in). I asked to do it myself and was allowed (with huffy frowning). I went upstairs into her groupa where a nanny grabbed her and gave her to me. The look of relief on Heidi's face was telling. The nanny then showed me where to change her and began to pull her clothes off - all businesslike as though she wasn't a person. I was pretty mad so I told her to leave it to me, and she went off (with huffy frowning - they are all good at it there). I looked into Heidi's eyes and told her that NO ONE was going to treat her that way again and that her Mama WAS HERE NOW. She relaxed and I gently dressed her. She even smiled and laughed when she saw her pink boots! I felt obliged to say goodbye, so I went into the room where the nanny and kids were, and Heidi tensed up and almost started to cry. So we waved quickly, turned and never looked back.<br />
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I know this account may ruffle some feathers, and I am not trying to say her orphanage is bad. In fact, the director there is great and really loves the kids. Heidi loves him and laughed in his lap while we continued the "paper-job" for the next 75,000 hours. But this is the truth of Heidi's story. I know there was at least one kind nanny, but this girl in my apartment is malnourished, scared of that place, and transforming before my very eyes. To see her laugh at herself for hours in the mirror, to watch her begin to trust me to feed her with gentleness, to see her look up with sweet joy at her daddy playing rough with her brothers - well, it's amazing. She is already not the scared, sad little thing we met in December, and I am so grateful.<br />
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The drive home with her included her throwing up about 15 times all over everything. It was a long, intense, smelly ride and I put her in the bath AS SOON as we got home. Picture screaming in terror. Her brothers were amazed when they saw her. Guess we forgot to tell them that was why I was leaving! "Sestra?" they asked. Yes. And after that, pure love. I can not even describe how they have accepted and loved her. We had been told that this was a bad idea, bringing a DS child into a family with typical boys from EE, because they might persecute her. Not only did they totally accept her, the concern they showed for the skinny, screaming stranger was not something the most open-minded adult I know could have topped. They have looked out for her every minute since they met her. Picked her up when she fell, taken things away they knew she shouldn't have, alerted me to the constant "danger" that she is in (they know acceptable behavior, and rooting in the trash and pulling on the blinds is no way for a little girl to behave!!). I am awed by how God has knit this family together. They are perfect for each other.<br />
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Bathing the kids was bittersweet. They are not healthy. They look like they are starving, and Heidi has problems. I bet surgery is in her near future, and they all need to gain a lot of weight. I am feeding them a ton, and they eat it all, thank goodness. Green smoothies and 55 doctor appointments, here we come.<br />
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We spent the whole day today doing, you guessed it, a "paper-job". We couldn't help, but actually cheer out loud as we left the embassy today. Thank you God, it's over. Visas in hand means we are on the plane in, lets see, 8 hours. I did at one point today wonder if it would actually happen. No, not at the medical office, but later when Everett went out to buy new coats for the boys. I had two coats I got from a friend's goodwill pile, and when one broke, and the other turned out to be pretty much used up, Everett set out to buy new ones. I knew that no one could actually buy a coat in February in the south (clearance cleaned out after Christmas) so our only chance was here, where people sensibly still sell coats in the winter. After he had been gone for 3 hours (leaving the cell at home), I began to wonder. If he didn't come back, would I still leave in the morning? At what time would I call the police? What would I say "There is a missing white guy with a black coat in the city?" That would be EVERYONE. Have I mentioned that there are almost zero non-white people here? On our first trip back home, I almost hugged the first black lady I saw in Charlotte. I digress. Turns out he did come back, with coats, and I never have to tell anyone what I decided I would do.<br />
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We get picked up at 3 am for the airport. That means 5 people packed and ready. I will probably get in the shower around 1:30, and the dance party raging next door means I will probably still be awake then. If you read this before we set out, pray. 22 hours of travel, kids, me. That about sums it up. (So glad Everett is Everett and will be sitting at the back of the plane with the kids while I live it up in first-class.)<br />
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I want to thank each of you with all of my heart for supporting us, praying for us, caring about us, giving to us, and loving us through this adoption. God is awesome. I love his people and what we look like when we follow him. Friends, this God-thing we are doing, well, it's not just for crazy people, or really nice people, or gifted people. We are none of those things. Not even crazy, though people do tell me that all the time. It's for GOD'S people. We are all called to follow him. That means he will totally change you, your plans, your family, your comfort, your wallet, your everything. And it's good. It's worth it - the only thing actually worth doing. Don't waste your lives - spend them totally and completely and you will not be sorry.<br />
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I have no illusions that the next time in our lives will be easy. We left easy when we said "I do". But, God will be there. Suffering is not to be feared, and is the place to find the purest joy. Because he is there. Goodbye friends! I don't know if life will be a bloggy kind, or a desperate hanging-on-for-dear-life kind. But I will end with this: DO IT. GO THERE. If you are his, that means the place that you are scared of, but you know is the path of obedience. He will be there.<br />
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<br />The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-30557407315937703452012-02-09T12:39:00.000-08:002012-02-09T12:39:20.472-08:00The Great "Paper Jam"Today finished day 3 in Ukraine of what our driver called "the great paper jam." I think he might have been trying to say the paper job, but jam is much more apt! What is supposed to take only 1 day will continue tomorrow and into next week. One family here quoted a travel guide that said Ukraine has made "bureaucracy into an art form" and I could not agree more! We have spent the last several days driving around and waiting in cars and office buildings for various papers to be signed applying for birth certificates, changing tax codes, and who knows what else. All this could be thought of like labor contractions - painful, but showing that the end is near!<br />
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Everett and I are enjoying our time together in the evenings (we are doing paper jams in two different cities) and are really doing well. Many frustrations have happened (like Heidi being named "Electra" because of people misunderstanding English, nothing we can't fix in court here in the US at a later date, but UGH!) and courts taking days instead of hours (dare I say minutes?) to give simple signatures. But overall, things are going well. I have visited with Heidi and tomorrow I will take her for a "scan" (not a picture, no idea what it means) for her passport, so that will be fun! Everett will be taking the boys for the same mysterious scan tomorrow in another city. All the kids seem to be doing well. They will stay in their orphanages until we have the Embassy appointments, and then a couple of days after that, we will be coming home!<br />
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Gotcha day will be next week, and I will be sure to post some pictures. For now, we are trying to stay warm (hard to do when it is a "warm" day at 7 degrees and the driver does not keep the car running in order to save gas even when you sit in it for 7 hours!) and loving our time together.<br />
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<br />The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-42033347849537898972012-01-30T10:33:00.000-08:002012-01-30T10:33:14.507-08:00What I'm Doing...Laundry, making a roast, homeschool, working out, visiting with my sister and niece, making doctor appointments (11!), watching Downton Abbey with Everett, buying car seats , changing diapers, potty training, buying little boy underwear, praying, making green smoothies and eggs, getting my hair done, occupational and physical therapy, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, waiting, waiting, waiting...<br />
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We leave to bring them home on Sunday. Until then, being ever so thankful for the time here with my family and friends. I don't deserve this blessing that I am living, but I will never stop being grateful.The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-25551451382714289142012-01-26T08:42:00.000-08:002012-01-26T08:42:27.572-08:00Ezra and Gustav<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so happy to announce that as of this morning, we have two new sons!! Court went great, and we are getting a bit of sleep (I hope) before we head home at 3 am! The judge, jury, and prosecutor were quite different than last time. He asked many questions and so did the two people who were the jury. They all seemed to not quite believe that we REALLY wanted 8 children. Was I really sure? He even said I was the mother of the most children that had ever been in their court! He told Everett he did not envy him the weddings (we have never heard that before...) and that it was going to be a very huge responsibility. I actually really respected that, because he is so right. It is a huge responsibility for Everett to provide for all of us, and a huge challenge for us to raise them. This is not something we take lightly and would never do apart from the awesome grace and strength of our God. It was a wonderful and sober time. Our picture book (thank you again, Julie!) was a huge hit and everyone told us how beautiful our daughters were. I think seeing them all happy and well cared for made everyone feel safe sending these boys off to a new home far away to be taken care of by obviously crazy people :)<br />
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After all the questions, the judge concluded everything and told us to come back that afternoon. I was shocked. And here I thought it had gone so well! I walked out of the room confused and upset and asked what had happened. Our facilitator assured me several times that it was okay, "you are the parents" and that the judge was joking with me. Really? Ha. Ha. After a bit it really sunk in and oh, such joy! It is hard to believe we really have two sons. (And just so you know, no one here ever gets my jokes either!)<br />
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We went back to see the boys right away and held them and told them we would be back in 10 days. They were so sweet and glad! I hope they understand a little how much we love them- I can't wait until we get to start showing them what it means to have a family. They are in for a shock! What? You make everyone drink green-smoothies and we don't eat cookies every day? (hehe...)The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-43398937461143207752012-01-23T13:01:00.000-08:002012-01-24T01:16:12.439-08:00Heidi Eleta Jacobson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By the awesome grace and kindness of God, we are now the parents of SIX girls!! Yes, today was a wonderful day because Heidi joined our family!<br />
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We arrived yesterday and got settled into an apartment, and tried (to little avail) to get some rest. I had pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder last week, so I was really feeling it and adding in the jet lag did not make for much sleep. We went straight away this morning to visit our girl. We wondered if she would remember us at all- it has been a month since she saw us last. We waited for her in the hallway of her groupa (an area in her orphanage of about 4 rooms where she lives) and they brought her into the hallway and sat her on a stool while they got her shoes. At first, she did not see us - we watched her for a few moments just sitting and wondering what was up. Then she looked our way. As soon as she saw us, her entire face broke into a hug grin and she jumped up and ran right into our arms. It was wonderful.<br />
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We played with her on the couch in the hallway (not our favorite place in the world, but where we are required to do our visiting). She was very sweet and interested in us. So many hugs and kisses on that little one! After a while of playing with our things, she climbed up into Everett's lap and clear-as-day said "Papa!". We could not believe it- she has never said a single word in our presence before. I bet you can guess who cried...<br />
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We went home for some lunch and to change into some nice clothes. I was so nervous!! But finally the cab arrived and we made it to the court building. (This also took some extra phone calls since the place he took us first was clearly not a court building and we could not communicate!) Once we were all gathered, Everett, myself, our facilitator, the orphanage director, a social worker, and two random people for the jury, we went into the judge's office. A bit of Russian was exchanged and it turned out we were missing a document and had to get it before he would hear our case. BUT the office where you can get that paper was closed today, of course.<br />
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Much Russian in the hallway (that looked EXACTLY like the "4th Floor" in Parks and Rec, BTW) and some heartfelt prayer later, we did go in, and for some reason not explained to us, he did hear our case. I am so used to it now. Very few things are explained to us or else just the general idea, no details, which we are now fine with (as long as things keep turning out ok, I guess).<br />
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The court itself was really easy. After all the horror stories, I expected drama, and it was more like the judge reading things aloud that he had to say, and everyone saying they wanted us to adopt her, and then he said she was ours. It was, and is, one of the most wonderful moments of my life. To hear them say again that no one wanted her, that no one has ever inquired about her, that she has "conditions" that make her undesirable, made my heart ache. But this is the way God works. He redeems and makes families. We want her, we chose her, we love her exactly like she is. "Eleta" is the name Everett selected for her middle name and it means "chosen". How wonderful it is to be chosen, and I hope someday Heidi will understand that she was chosen, by us, and by God.<br />
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We got to go back again and see her this evening, and I must have told her she was mine a thousand times! Oh how we love that girl! While we were there we found out that our court date for the boys has been moved to Thursday, so another change of plans for us. We had tickets and childcare arranged for a Wednesday homecoming. We trust in God's perfect timing, however, and are thankful for all the chances to be flexible and grow in grace and gratitude :).<br />
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Thank you all for your prayers, and continued financial support. Several people have asked how much we are still short for our adoption. We will still owe about $12,000, when all is said and done. It is hard to not have been able to get the tax refund, but we are so thankful for how so many have given to make that number SO MUCH lower!!! We will be hanging out here for a few more days, and I will update again when we finally have court for the boys. Love, and joy, from the proud parents of SIX beautiful and perfect girls.The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-62987274790660265262012-01-17T10:40:00.000-08:002012-01-17T10:40:24.708-08:00And You Thought They Were Cute Before...We will be leaving on Saturday for our court appointments. Court for Heidi is Monday, the boys on Tuesday. Please pray for a favorable outcome. We hope to be on our way home this time next week legally the parents of eight!! Hope you enjoy this video of the boys during their play practice!<br />
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<br />The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-12809379515897051612012-01-01T13:44:00.000-08:002012-01-01T15:59:34.832-08:00A Little Update!I am sorry it has been so long since I updated where things are with our adoption. We came home from Ukraine just before Christmas and are settled in at home waiting for our court dates. It has been so good to come home and be with our girls and our family! We did not find out until after we were home that we did not get the court dates we had hoped for, and currently our dates are set for Jan 23rd and Jan 24th. We will head back on Jan 21st and come home on the 25th. This short trip will be for our court dates only. If we pass court, the 25th begins our 10 day waiting period. When this is over, we will return again to finally bring all the kids home. This trip can be from 1.5- 2 weeks, depending on how quickly we can accomplish the necessary paperwork for them to immigrate.<br />
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Our time visiting with the boys, and briefly again with Heidi before we came home was good in so many ways, and hard in others. I do not ever want to be less than candid about our experience, but we are still very much in the middle of this entire process. Nothing is official and until our 10 day wait is over, anything can happen. Because of this, I do not feel free to write much about my impressions or feelings. Many blog posts have come to mind, as the adoption process has stretched me and taught me much about our Rescuer already. I hope to share more when things are more secure.<br />
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I do feel confident to say that our God is GOOD, and his plans for these children and for our family will be accomplished. We continue to pray that Ezra, Gustav, and Heidi will be home with us by mid-February. Our time away was very hard for our girls at home, and I continue to ask for prayer for them as we have to leave them two more times! We also know that it is going to be hard for our new children to leave everything they know and enter into this new life. But God is at work, and will be faithful to them and to us as we travel and adjust. The end of this phase is nearly in site, and we move forward this new year with hope and courage. Thank you all for your prayers and for the many people who have supported us financially. It has been awe-inspiring to watch God work in this whole process. We are excited to see what this new year brings for our family!The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-87144111328690692102011-12-13T11:02:00.000-08:002011-12-13T11:30:52.155-08:00Boy Time!!We have spent the last few days visiting with the boys twice a day. Our new town is much smaller and so an easy routine has developed already. After we wake up, we walk about 30 min to their orphanage, visit outside for around an hour or sometimes longer (depends on what time they tell us to be "home" with the boys) walk back to the hotel, stopping at a pizza place for coffee (the menu is in English!). Around 4 we set out again and then visit for a while in a "waiting room". After this visit, we again stop at the pizza place for dinner, then go home to read and try to stay awake long enough to Skype with the girls when naptime at home is over.<br />
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I miss my girls so much now and just can not wait to go home. Last night baby girl was giving me kisses on Skype over and over until I thought my heart might actually burst! Being away form them is the hardest part of this process. Many things are very challenging, but not being able to hold and kiss my girls is just terrible.<br />
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Getting to know the boys is very interesting. The language barrier is very hard. Unlike our times with Heidi who is very much still like a baby, these boys have a LOT to tell us, and I cannot understand anything. They jabber on and on, and it feels so sad to not know the things on their hearts in these very early times together. I can't tell them we are coming back in the afternoon, be gentle with the ipad, share the toy with your brother, I love you. Instead, everything must be expressed with body language! It is amazing just how much I can understand, though. That they are VERY proud to have a "Mama and Papa" (they tell everyone they see), that they are trying to figure out what we will be like, that they are sinners, that they are adorable and funny, that they are ALL BOY!!<br />
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The first few visits were all just about fun, I actually think I wanted to impress them with how cool and wonderful I was. Now we are getting into the real stuff. What are they to think? Here we show up saying we are their mother and father, and they have no idea what that even means! Being a family is about love and learning. They have no concept for this, but they do know that what feels good is to find their boundaries, push them, and win. Our job will be to show them that love means us teaching them how to become godly men. This is going to be a privilege, and a challenge. We are so thankful to be given the opportunity to have these boys in our home, and we also know that it will not be easy. Yes, they are VERY cute. Yes, they are affectionate and lovable! And yes, most of all, they need a savior. How great our joy will be to teach them about the One who redeems, rescues, and truly loves. What we are doing with them now is not real life. It is strange and hard and I simply cannot wait for real family time to begin!<br />
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And let me tell you, I LOVE BOYS!! How great is it that even ones who grow up in an orphanage in Eastern Europe know that burping is awesome and smashing and kicking and running is the best? Fun times are ahead!<br />
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<br /></div>The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-77456294308092341192011-12-11T03:41:00.001-08:002012-01-01T17:58:15.980-08:00Falling for HeidiWe have had the joy of visiting with Heidi (yes, that will be her name!) several times over the last few days. She is a little doll and we have had such fun getting to know her. She is sweet, quick to laugh, spunky, and curious. I have wondered what she must think of these strangers that have suddenly become a part of her life. The first night, she was happy and enjoyed our play time very much. She would quickly go from staring at us, to a full out laugh when she got tickled. The next morning when we entered the room in her group, she smiled when she saw us and came right to me. We told the nanny that we wanted to go outside, so they dressed her up in a snowsuit (good thing, it is freezing!) and brought her out to us. We were not all ready with our coats on, so the nanny took Heidi's hat off. She was VERY disappointed and instantly burst into tears until we put the hat back on and started for outside! The video below is from that first outing.<br />
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We have been able to visit twice a day, and this morning was our best time so far. We spent an hour outside, pushing her in the stroller and letting her explore. Every once in a while, she will look back to make sure we are still around and even motions with her hand for us to follow. When we went in, I gave her the slinky which she loves! She has no interest in "girly" toys, but loves to throw everything- and she has quite an arm! She is very, very small, and does not seem to be talking at all. She is serious much of the time, but if we tickle her, or do something amazing with a toy (like throwing a ball really high) she will just start to really laugh. I love the way her face lights up when she laughs.<br />
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When we walked into the room this morning, another of the children in the room saw us and said "Mama! Ludvaba Mama!" (Ludvaba is her given name) It really breaks my heart that she is the only one in the room with a mama. I wish there was someone coming for each of them! The children are very well-behaved, sweet and smiling whenever we see them. The nannies are kind, but how much better would it be to know that it was <i>your </i>mama coming through the door? I am so grateful to God that he has brought us here for her.<br />
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I hope you enjoy the videos! We have one more time with her tonight, then we move to the town where the boys live. We will stay there until we find out about our court date. I hate that we may not see Heidi again for a long time! I am excited to get to know the boys better, and I am praying that our court date is soon and we can get these little ones home where they belong!!<br />
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<br />The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-27369970069325644312011-12-08T09:17:00.000-08:002011-12-08T09:45:16.207-08:00Meeting Our Sons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPWO5Ozf5cn-CF5zB2srIWoSJ44rRN8afKeatTN875KJ0CfLvCYJjjdscQoaSVd7u-RWjA1XEYNcPLpOY7ggIboHR0_ekCKErMmTN2oW2CezelxWa3QUIl3-BOpIB22Dr6-bsWmTTXj7b/s1600/Orphanage_rotated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPWO5Ozf5cn-CF5zB2srIWoSJ44rRN8afKeatTN875KJ0CfLvCYJjjdscQoaSVd7u-RWjA1XEYNcPLpOY7ggIboHR0_ekCKErMmTN2oW2CezelxWa3QUIl3-BOpIB22Dr6-bsWmTTXj7b/s400/Orphanage_rotated.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had the most wonderful day. As you might tell in this picture, I am just a <i>tad</i> bit happy!! These two beautiful boys will, Lord willing, soon be our sons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Neither of us slept much last night, knowing what was to come today, and all that hung in the balance. I did not sleep at all, but during the night decided to pray for all my little ones- the missed girls at home, and the children yet to meet. There was definitely enough adrenaline to keep me going today! Our regional facilitator (who is wonderful!) picked us up before 7 and we drove about 1.5 hours out to the town where our boys live. It seemed to take forever and once we got to town, with every building I saw, I kept thinking "Is that the orphanage?" We finally arrived after picking up a lady who was some kind of official and accompanied us during our visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we got to the orphanage, we were shown to a room where the orphanage doctor (she is the lady in the picture) and a lawyer interviewed us and began giving us the boys' histories. They were rather intense, detailed accounts of their lives, me taking furious notes while our facilitator translated. I did not want to miss a single thing. This was the one time we would hear everything that is known about them. At one point I tried to ask a question, and was told to wait until the end - obviously annoying the doctor with my faux pas. Yikes! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She told us everything, some of what we learned was so sad to my mama's heart and there were some surprises. After I was able to ask questions, they began to ask us things about ourselves. Were we a good family for these boys? They were not so sure. Right then I decided to pull out the photo book we made of our family and shyly asked her if she would like to see it. Things in the room changed instantly and I realized that she was so hard because she loves these boys and was going to miss them like crazy! Seeing our family, all those sweet happy girls, put her heart at ease and she began to cry and tell us sweet things about the boys. I did not expect this! To see how much they have been loved, what charmers they are, was just amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we were interviewed by the director of the orphanage. We were asked why we were doing this? Did our government help people with such large families? (HAHA.) Why were we here? She cares a great deal about these kids and really wanted to know things would be good with us. We were touched and honored with their consent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was happening! We followed our facilitator up some stairs, through a hallway, into a door and there they were. Sitting with the sweet doctor, were the two sweetest little things. I could not believe it. I just wanted to grab them and start kissing them! Instead, we knelt on the floor in front of the couch they were on, and fumbled in the bag we brought for some cookies and a toy. We brought them miniature Magna Doodles which they loved. The younger boy was very shy (he was in the doctor's arms the whole time) and they both smiled and smiled. I got out the matchbox cars next and drove them up their legs, a tiny touch, me longing to take them into my arms. They loved the cars. At this point, things seemed to be going well (the boy's feelings are very respected and everyone was waiting to see if they would like us!) and many teachers had gathered to see how things were going. The meeting had to be short (it seemed like only a few moments!) because we had to race back to the capitol with paperwork to try to get a referral appointment for Lucy. Too soon we had to leave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We followed the boys to their classroom (they were proud to show it to us). The younger boy kept sneaking peeks at me while he walked, and the older boy told me I was beautiful and that he loved me. It had just begun snowing, the first of the year, and this was a great excitement as well. We saw their room, told them we would come again soon, and they said they would be waiting, then it was over. The director asked us if we liked them. LIKED THEM??? We are totally in love and can't believe they could be ours. I almost started crying when she asked that! They are perfect gifts from God, and should he allow them into our family, we will be more blessed than we could ever express.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We rode for the next two hours or so in a cloud of disbelief and joy while we did more paperwork then high-tailed it back (160 km per hour in the snow!) We were dropped off at our apartment and a few minutes later told to start walking to the adoption authority for our appointment for Lucy! (I can barely believe all this as I am typing it!) We walked right in (the back door for some reason), sat down and got her file. No problems at all. A few minutes later we were on our way to a notary for, you guessed it, more paperwork! We are not sure when we will get to see her, or when we will see the boys again. No one has tried to do this whole 2 different orphanages in different cities as one adoption instead of two, so things are a bit, shall I say, fluid? Haha! This has been a crazy ride so far, and yet, God has directed our every step. We are so grateful for the amazing grace and blessing he has poured on us today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nothing here is certain in any way until after you have court and a 10 day waiting period. At any time, they could be declared ineligible for many reasons, even horribly corrupt ones. We must trust our hearts to the One who is love, is good, and is trustworthy. He will sustain us, no matter what happens. For now, on this glorious day of answered prayer, we rejoice. Did I mention my sons are the cutest, sweetest, most charming, smartest boys that ever were?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-73455855861108861402011-12-06T08:46:00.000-08:002011-12-06T08:46:51.519-08:00Big Appointment Day, Prayers NEEDED!!Today was the big appointment at the adoption authority. Our facilitator met us there (one of his nice drivers picked us up) and after a bit of a wait, we went into a small room where lots of women were rushing around looking frazzled. No one looked at us, or seemed to notice we were there! The women began looking through huge plastic three-ring-binders trying to find our boys. No luck, they shrugged their shoulders. Nothing is on a computer, just plastic pages with papers and pictures inside. It was a worrisome wait. Our facilitator took matters into his own hands and began to look in the books, eventually finding them both. If you can't find their files, they don't even exist to the government, apparently! We got a few pictures of them when they were younger, which was wonderful (I brought some pictures I had printed out from their Reece's Rainbow profiles and we were able to swap them.)<br />
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Then things got bad. Since Lucy is in another orphanage, they said we needed a separate appointment for her. Yes, we were already there, and all the files were on the desks, but we would have to come back. Problem is one of our papers will be dated a year old on Jan 11th, and you have to have an appointment one month before that paper has its first birthday. Our facilitator tried to get them to accept the nice updated paper we had brought, but they would not relent because the other one is still valid. Yes, I know this makes no sense.<br />
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So, we are stuck. If we cant get another appointment by Friday, we don't get to adopt Lucy. It is as simple and as stupid as that. Our amazing facilitator is trying to get that to happen, but I have no idea how likely it is. It will be a stressful couple of days, running to meet the boys and get paperwork from their orphanage and moving closer to them (somewhere in another city about 100 km from here, and no, I don't know what its called or how far 100 km is.)<br />
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Everyone said to be prepared to know nothing that is going on and to just follow people around and do what they tell you, but it's crazy in reality. In my real life, I can make decisions, make things happen, know what is up. Here, I am like a child: "Sign here. Sit here. I am picking you at at 9. I will tell you later.) It feels very helpless and terrible. Especially because we are the ones who care about Lucy and want her. But we can't do anything.<br />
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I think that this would all make me depressed if it were not for the fact that I understand reality. Reality is that God has a plan that will be accomplished and that he is in total control. I have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about, no reason to fret. I am actually a child, a beloved one, and my father cares, knows, loves, and works. He knows Lucy too. If he intends for her to be in our family, it will happen.<br />
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So we really have no idea when we will be coming home, and what is going to happen. We "may know more tomorrow" or may not. This is a good time for us all to pray. Pray that we can rescue her! And pray that the boys will welcome us into their hearts and bond with us. We will see them on Thursday morning, and we can't wait. I am rather nervous, and hope they will like me. I bought extra toys, just in case! Thank you all who are still giving to help us, and to all of you who are faithfully praying for us and these precious little ones!!The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-73029521319447018142011-12-05T02:28:00.000-08:002011-12-05T02:28:28.269-08:00Initial RamblingsWe are in Europe! It is still hard to believe. The trip went really well with no mishaps. We are settled into an apartment near downtown and trying to acclimate to the new time zone. Instead of a long post, I thought I would share random thoughts in no particular order:<br />
- Losing a night was very strange. We got on a flight in the afternoon and began flying over the ocean. They fed us dinner, showed a movie, then like 2 hours later, fed us breakfast. A little while later, we arrived and it was morning. What?? The night just disappeared. I tried just staying awake until it was bedtime, but so far, that has not worked and I have no idea when this will feel anything but wrong!<br />
- Qualifications for working at the airport in Germany must include looks. There is no way the people there are a true representation of German people, right? Are they all beautiful?<br />
- Bad decorating is everywhere. Someone needs to do something.<br />
- I miss the smell and feel of my squishy baby. Oh, so much.<br />
- Starbucks via is really awesome.<br />
- Traveling makes me want to eat constantly. So does the bread here. Maybe I should have packed my scale after all...<br />
-I am so thankful to be here doing this, and I am going to be so glad when it is over and we are all home together at last.<br />
- Our facilitation team has been amazing! They have been so kind, welcoming and helpful and we are so thankful for them.<br />
- It's time to workout. Stair sprints and burpies for today, I hope it helps!The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-50564481103820969592011-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:002011-12-03T11:05:31.142-08:00Leaving on a Jet Plane...Last night was hard. I spent the day loving on my girls, touching as much as possible, staying close. They all knew the evening was coming too fast when their grandparents would pick them up. I could see them suddenly remember and they would come to get a kiss, play with my hair, sit by my knees. We have prayed for this day for 9 years. To participate in God's work to rescue those who have been forgotten by the world- who are undesirable because they are broken or vulnerable. The girls have been praying for their siblings lost across the world, helping us raise money to go, and loving them even though. Even though they are scared! Even though they have no idea how their lives will change.<div><br />
</div><div>And yet, last night, they grieved. Everett and I are their security- their whole world. To see us leave, not knowing exactly when we will return rocks them. What if we are different when we get back? What if our family is not the same? Truly these are profound questions because we will in fact, not be the same. This journey that God has us on will change us all forever. We will, Lord willing, have more compassion, more understanding of the needs of those around us, more love, more people! We pray for this change. Because the more you understand the gospel, the more you will change. My purpose in life is to glorify God and to serve him in any way he calls. And he has called us to care to the needy, especially for the orphan. God has not forgotten their cries- he has seen their tears. And he is sending us. HE IS SENDING US!! I am so humbled to be used. The magnitude of this privilege overwhelmes me.</div><div><br />
</div><div>To think of how sad it was for my five beloved daughters to say goodbye to me for a short time brings into stark relief the terrible grief of a child with no one to miss. No one to care. No one to hope for. That is why we are going friends. If God so plans, in a few days Google translate will tell three children that I am their mother. That I love them. That I am taking them home.</div><div><br />
</div><div>To say our plans are fluid is an understatement. We have no idea how this process might go. We have been told that what we are doing (3 with these particular special needs) has not been done before and we might not have a judge that looks upon us favorably. We do not know when we will get a court date, when they will actually get home. Please pray with us. God has moved thus far and we are asking him that we could bring them home this year. That we would get a court date soon, that a judge would rule in our favor, and that the "mandatory" 10 day wait would be waived. Have these things happened before? No. But God's plans will be accomplished and he tells us to ask. Please pray with us. But if none of those things happen, God is good in all his ways and in complete control of this entire process. After all, adoption is his idea! Thank you all for your support both financially and prayerfully. We are amazed at the work he has done in this and excited to see what he has for us in the next few weeks. On to Kiev, and then?</div>The Jacobson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10449196759043447175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079339369639058467.post-21565194056384577272011-11-29T21:17:00.000-08:002011-11-29T21:58:55.999-08:00A Warm Welcome!So, why would I be up at 12:19 am waiting for Everett to deep-fry a turkey? I guess that's what happens 3 days before you leave the country to begin the exciting process of bringing three beautiful children home from Eastern Europe! <br />
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</div><div>I am back to join the blogging world anew as we share this wonderful journey with you. Our adoption story began 9 years ago, and has been quite a roller-coaster this past year, but the adventure is just beginning. Right now we are focusing on raising the money we need to complete our adoption, whittling down the to-do list, getting 5 little girls ready for us to leave, and dreaming of the three children that will soon, Lord willing, be in our arms. I can't wait to share them with you! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Please consider helping us financially, if you can- little bits add up! We will be leaving on December 3rd for the first of three trips. Wow- I need to get to work! (I just have to say thank you to all y'all who have been praying for our children and us, and all those who have given to help bring them home. We are SO grateful!!)</div><div><br />
</div><div>For now, until this blog gets all fancy, you can donate here (thank you!):</div><div><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/18711/sponsorjacobson">http://reecesrainbow.org/18711/sponsorjacobson</a></div><div><br />
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