3rd Birthday in Pink Princess Party Style!

We missed the 1st and 2nd birthdays, so we wanted to go big with her 3rd. Pinterest to the rescue, although a broken front axle on our ailing van held us up in Calgary, so it cut my preparation efforts down to a day and half... never the less, we think it was pretty pinktastic!

I had started with an over sized 3d collage. I wanted the collage to be her first 3 years. Unfortunately, I don't have many photos of her before we met her, but the few we had were certainly enjoyed by everyone.

Luckily, I had started this weeks ago. Let me tell you, it was not an easy project. If you are interested in making one, I have posted some shots below that will show how I made it. After the structure is complete, you cut and paste photos with Mod Podge.

 

 

 

 

I hung pink plastic table clothes from the dollar store, to look like curtains, tied back with tiaras.

 

I made tissue paper pom poms, and suspended them from the ceiling with fishing line. Tutorial Here. I did cut mine in various shapes and sizes for variety, and hung them at different heights.





 

 

Sparkly pink tulle from Walmart adorned our chairs.

 



 

Water bottle labels that I created on PicMonkey.

 

 

'Morning Dew' made from pink lemonade and lemon/lime soda, garnished with strawberries.

 

 

Cute little Tea Sandwiches, cut out with cookie cutters. We had 2 flavors, strawberry cream cheese/banana and marshmallow puff/strawberries. Yumm!

 

 

'Royal Gem' fruit salad, which I provided wooden skewers so the kids could make their own kabobs.

 

 

Pink Popcorn was a hit! Recipe Here.

 

 

 

Pink Strawberry cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese icing.



 

 

The refreshment table, if I would have had more time, I would have added the pink plastic table cloth curtains the back dining room wall.

For activities, we had a few different stations.

'The Royal Closet' which provided dress up fun!

 

 

 Princess Spa

 

We also had a couple other stations that I didn't get a chance to get photos of. We had the Royal Crowns, which was tiara and crown making. Tiaras were made out of hair bands, pipe cleaner and beads and the crowns were foam crowns purchased from the dollar store which we provided glitter etc for decorating. We also have the Palace Painting station, where the kids painted wooden masks, also purchased from the dollar store.

 

Zahra actually was actually catching up on her beauty sleep when the guests started to arrive. When she woke up, she was excited that 'her party' was finally here.

 

 

 

 

She was a little shy being the centre of attention, so she asked if her sister could help her blow out her candles.

 

 

 

 

 

Because I'm always behind the camera, this is the only photo I have of me on her birthday. You can see my pink highlight. Yes, I dyed my hair pink for her party!

 

When it came time to open presents, she once again felt a little shy with all eyes on her, so she asked her sister and friends for a little help.

 

 

It didn't take long though before she got into the swing of things.

 

 

After the children went to bed, this is how the parents ended the evening... with Pink Champagne.

 

 



Exciting News!!

I have some great news to share with you... !

One of my hearts greatest desires while in Kenya, has come true. During our stay in Kenya, I had the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the greatest children. My heart was heavy for them as I knew they would never have the opportunity to have a forever family.

While Hannah taught me so much about Kenya and the orphan crisis, I was able to put a little seed in her heart. You see, she didn't know much about adoption, and didn't think much about it either. Could parents actually love and care for a child that isn't theirs they way they could a biological child? And what about a child of a different race?

Adoption is not as socially acceptable in Kenya as it is in other parts of the world. If a child was adopted, it was kept a secret.

It wasn't until Hannah met us and our other Canadians friends when she saw the bond and love that we shared with our children, before she realized that adoption can actually work. She believe that God has used us to open her eyes and her heart, and now she is ready to let go of the children she loves so dearly because she can see how much brighter their lives can be in a forever family.

Before I left for Kenya, I spoke with the board members of Mogra about the possibility of becoming licensed for adoption. Hannah and I visited and observed the operations of the largest Orphanage in Kenya, who has successfully adopted 1400 (as I recall, may have been more) children. They way I saw it, adoption brings about 3 benefits. First, as much as any orphanage can provide for a child, they simply cannot give a child what a forever family can. They can't give them a Mom and Dad at the dinner table, an arm to walk them down the isle, a home to go home to for the holidays... security in a place to call home and know they will forever belong and be loved... etc. In addition to this, if we are really in this business to save children, there is no better way to save more than to facilitate the ones we have to Forever Families, to make room for more children. When I was in Kenya, people were literally banging on the Mogra door pleading them to take more kids. Babies who had nowhere to go. Mogra only has so much room, and as things were with 4 babies to a crib... many children were turned down. The equation is simple then... the more children adopted out, the more children they can welcome in and literally save! As a bonus to this all, adoption will raise awareness to all the other programs they are struggling with, like the Mogra Star School and their feeding program... assisting children in the slums.

So I guess you have figured out where I am going with this?

Mogra is now licensed to adopt!

Even more exciting, they have actually just adopted out the first baby! As many of you who have been to Mogra, will know Teddy. 11 months now, Teddy is always a happy baby and one of the favorites. Teddy has been adopted by an American family who currently reside in Kenya. They are head over heels for Teddy, and from the photos, I can tell that Teddy is very much enjoying his new family!

And if you don't think God has hand in these matches, or believe in fate... Teddy's first name is the same as his adopted Father and Grandfather!

Teddy got the ball rolling, and since then, Rose (Teddy's crib mate) has also been adopted by a local Kenyan family and many other have been referred and are just waiting for their families to come to Kenya! I simply cannot tell you what a smile this puts on my face, when I think of these babies in families!

To keep up on the latest news from Mogra, please join their facebook page and help us raise awareness to the great work they are doing!

Pink Princess Party

I thought I would share our invitations that I made for Zahra's Welcome Home/ Birthday Party. We really want to have a large celebration to not only celebrate her 1-2-3rd birthday, but also as a special day to share her with our family/friends and celebrate her coming into our family and home. We are going to do this party up big and PINK. Look out Pinterest!

Splash! One of many firsts!

2 and over used to be considered an older adoption. Then, as adoptions became more difficult, it has slowly risen to 3 and now 4. However, most parents still request babies under 2, for reasons we all can easily understand. Mainly, because they want to experience a baby and don't want to miss out on many of those special moments in their first years.

Zahra was 26 months when we first met her. I thought that yes, I too would have preferred a 'baby'. But what I didn't expect or think about, is that I still get to experience many of her firsts. No matter what age you adopt, you will get to share in many new experiences. Everything from first grocery store shop, first ice cream, bouncy castle, sand between the toes, bubble baths, pony ride, spaghetti dinners, swimming pool... etc. Large or small, you literally are experiencing almost everything with them the first time.

You don't realize the simple daily things, until you see the wide eyed stare as she watches a playmate squirt water out of this long green hose. She goes to touch it and can't figure it out. How did he do it? Then, when you show her, she spends the next hour enamoured by this simple little thing.

Life is full of many amazing things to her. So really, other than the time that we could have been lovin on her and experiencing her own milestones, there is so much that we didn't miss out on, that I never took into consideration!

Splash Park

Her take:

Cold water spraying from every angle.

Why are the children running through this water?

Why is this fun for them?

Wait a second, there is a practical solution to this... It's an easy way to get a drink!

Home Sweet Home

We are home!

Just a few days shy of 8 months since we stepped on Kenyan soil, we landed back home on Canadian soil!

A gaggle of family and friends eagerly waiting our arrival. Posters and balloons in hand, and all wearing the same 'Adoption Rocks' t-shirts.

The cousins waiting. Blurry, unfortunately (haven't rec'd photos from family members yet)...
but it gives you an idea what was waiting for us.

First impression?

As I looked around at the vast Albertan landscape on the drive home, I felt like I could breathe. I mean the deep, deep breath kind of breathe. Fresh, clean air. Wide open spaces, clean and garbage free. I didn't realize how I missed this, and how clean and fresh it feels.

Secondly, I went through a weird depression a few days after being back. Thoughts of 'What am I doing here?!'. Feeling like my life here in Canada is really quite pointless, considering the difference that one can make in Kenya and the potential to help others. I felt like I was in a halfway world, neither here nor there, and I wasn't really interested in talking about Kenya. I felt like no one would understand what we saw and the experiences we had and I didn't have to energy or desire to explain that. Of course walking around in our small 'white' town with a cute little Kenyan is not very inconspicuous, which made things a bit difficult. People are curious and ask questions, and I did my best to dodge any eye contact to avoid all the 'explaining'.

Well, I think I might have been a wee bit tired. 4 hours of sleep in 50 hours.

A couple weeks later, and it seems like our lives are right back on track, and sometimes it feels like we never left. Surreal; a dream. I am happy to meet people and share our story now. In fact, because of Zahra, we have met a lot of new people! Needless to say, I think I almost know every other 'black' person in town! Jamaican, Brazilian, African... awesome!

How did Zahra travel?

We left Nairobi at 11pm. 8.5 hour flight, 12 hour layover followed by another 8.5 hour flight. She did absolutely fantastic! There was only one minor melt down in London, when she taking 'a walk' with Daddy because she (understandably) was getting a bit cranky at the dinner table. Well she threw quite a tamprum for Mommy during this walk. He was sure that by the way she was screaming, everyone in the airport would surely think that he was kidnapping her. But it's Heathrow... everyone seems preoccupied. Mommy to the rescue, she settled down in a few minutes and was happy to snuggle up for a nap.

She loved the airplane, the food, the drinks, the movie screen. It really helped that we boarded with her carseat, which elevated her to a level that made viewing the movie possible. (Those screens tip up, not down.) The carseat also helped her sleep comfortably. I really recommend the carseat on the plane! (Make sure you get a transport bag with wheels for it though!)

Are we happy to be back?

Hands down, this is the most frequent question we get and I don't think I answer it the way everyone expects. Sure, I am happy to be home to my cushy life of soft beds and couches, dishwasher, front loader, vehicle, lovely parks, reliable internet and power, garden, clean mountain air, ice maker, long hot showers, deep freeze, Costco.... and yes, I could go on and on. However, we do miss the simplicity of life in Kenya and the ability to easily assist and make a difference. We miss our Kenyan friends and yep, we miss having coffee on our balcony, watching the African sun come up (or go down in with a cold Tusker in hand!)  I miss hanging laundry and my husband misses how well dressed everyone was. We miss the Kenyan greeting... Kenya is our home away from home, and yes, we will be back.

I have so much blogging to do and so many stories and photos to share with you all. With reliable internet and power, (and a computer that works!) I should have no excuses.

Let the credits roll....

As we have come to the end of this journey, we owe a great deal of you a 'Thank you', or as we say in Kenya, 'Asante'.

Starting from the beginning,

First and most importantly, thank you to all who believed in our dream and supported us.

Thank you to...

... those who gave us an ear for our vents and celebrations as we rode that adoption rollercoaster.

... those who supported our Good Works Bracelet sales.

... those who gave or lent us suitcases and those who helped us pack up the house.

... those 3 families who lovingly fostered our dog, cats and turtles for 8 months.

... to my sister who threw us a good bye/ baby shower the night before we left.

... to those who hosted my husband when he had to come back to Canada. Those who fed him a good meal, and those who gave him a soft place to crash.

... to friends and family who sent Christmas gifts, cards and stockings plum full so the kids could experience a very blessed Christmas morning.

... to my Mom, Sue and Uncle Eric for visiting us in Kenya. It really meant more to us than you know!

... to those Angels who sent clothing, hockey sticks, socks and crocs, cash donations for the orphanage, each time my husband returned.

... to those who supported our 'Mogra Baby House Fundraiser' by way of purchasing a necklace, bag or cash donations/

... to the kids' school for organizing cards for the kids, a classroom skype across the world, collecting donations and assisting us with our homeschooling.

... to those who met us at the airport with wide arms, waiting to welcome us all. To my sister, (once again!) for organizing it all! You are amazing!

... to those who lovingly stocked our fridge and pantry with essentials upon our arrival. Honestly, this was the greatest gift ever!

... to those who shower love on our new addition, making her feel loved and welcome.

... to those who are at our beck and call to help ease us in our transition. Dinners, help with our yard work, clothing and gifts for Zahra.... etc.

... and last but not least, to you my blog readers and cyber friends for sticking with us, and your encouraging comments over the years.

This was a combined effort. We could not have done it without you all! (or at the very least, we would have become mentally unstable! ;)

ASANTE SANA!!

THANK YOU!!

Here are some photos since we have been home.

Getting acquainted with 'Home'.

Canada's newest citizen!

Srunchy nose, cucumber eaten smile.

Holding a baby chick!

PS. (Those of you who follow our facebook page, know that I do keep it updated daily. If you want to see more photos of Z, head over to the FB page, where you can get the daily details of what Z is up to, and how she is enjoying her Canadian life. Otherwise, I have every intention of becoming more a frequent blogger again. Honestly. ;)

Introducing our daughter, Zahra Thompson!

On May 10th, we passed court and this little one was officially named our daughter!

I must admit, the moment it happened was a bit anti-climatic.

I prepared for 2 days. Doing Z's hair, purchasing a gift for her and picking out the right clothes for everyone to wear.

When we arrived at the court house, we quickly noticed that we were only 1 of 3 families who chose to be present for their hearing. (It is an option for the judgement, which seems a bit crazy to me...). The families who were attending, got precedents and were heard first. We actually were the very first case!

Between cries from a little one, and intermittent chatter from the two toddlers in the room, we strained to hear the judge who speaks barely above a whisper. I heard our case being called, a few mumbles and then with a slamming of our file on the desk, he said 'I have no objections to this application..'... and that was it. No trumpets being played, no applause, no gavel being struck... and no confetti. He simply moved on to the next case.

When our lawyer's cases had all been heard, he motioned us to leave the room. Outside, Dan looked at me and asked what happened. He had no idea when or even if they made judgement!

At home we had a little celebration, gave Z a special little necklace and a matching one for her sister (early birthday present). We took some photos, and then went out for dinner with some friends.

While she has felt like ours since the day we brought her home, it's a big relief to legally be her parents.

We are now working on getting the necessary documents to apply for Z's passport, followed by her visa. Our flights are scheduled for the 18th of June.

Canada we are coming home!

From Canada to Kenya with Love

A sweet little video for you all!

As you know, we are currently working on fundraising to expand the baby house at Mogra Rescue Centre. In the meanwhile, we held a donation drive for crocs and socks as these children were very much in need as you will see from the photos.

Hubby just came back from Canada, so he was able to bring back 5 large bags with him. Canada generously came together and donated over 140 shoes, 500 pairs of socks, dresses, shorts, shirts, underwear, toys, books, bibs, band aids etc. for the children of Mogra Rescue Centre!

We quickly compiled some photos and video, to show their gratitude. Smiles abound from the simple gift of a new pair of shoes. Thank you so much Canada, we hope you enjoy watching how your gifts of love brought so much joy to these children.

PS... Can you spot Purity? She had been asking for a fancy dress. She was thrilled!