In 2008 my wife and I adopted a shy, little 10 month old boy from Guatemala. He is now a five-year-old untamable ball of energy. Since that time, one of the things we are continually encouraged by is hearing of more and more people who are adopting, whether it be movies stars or normal people. In fact, my brother and his wife (not movie stars) are in the midst of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia. We couldn’t be more excited! That being said, as adoption has grown more and more popular, I’ve also noticed an uprise in talk about the romantic side of adoption. Frankly, it seems as if adoption is the cool thing to do if you are a hip and progressive. Now,...Read More →
Category: Adoption
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January 30, 2012
The Romance of Adoption?
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October 31, 2009
Happy Birthday Mason
Our son, Mason was born three years ago, appropriately, on Mischief Night. This kid has been in our house for 2 years and 2 months after we brought him home from his birth country of Guatemala. He’s been such a blessing to our lives in ways that we can’t really even comprehend. We’re so blessed to have him and his love for music in our family…
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August 29, 2009
Lemonade International
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October 24, 2008
Reflecting on Adoption
Tomorrow we are celebrating our son Mason’s 2nd birthday. (His birthday is on the 30th though). It’s hard to be believe that he’s that big. It’s been a whirlwind since he came home to be part of our family (he’s adopted btw). He’s such a spunky kid and has a lot of personality. His smile and big eyes melt my heart. As I was thinking about his birthday, I started looking at some of the blog entries that I wrote when we were down in Guatemala meeting him and bringing him home. If you are new to the blog, you may have missed these. For me, reading them reminds me again just how much of a gift this child has been to our lives. So, in...Read More →
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August 16, 2008
Celebrating Adoptions Family Photos
Last night we had a family photo shoot. It turns out there is a group out there called Celebrating Adoption that helps adoptive families get a free photoshoot and pictures from a professional photographer within the first year that the child is home. Its really a great program and the photographer we connected with was awesome. Angela Pursell did a great job interacting with the kids and taking some amazing shots. She has posted a few pics on her blog and we’re waiting for the rest of them to be posted on a gallery where we can choose our shots and order some more. Out of respect for her work I’ll not steal any of the pictures and post them here. Instead you’ll have to...Read More →
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November 12, 2007
An Adoption Sermon
Intro: Below is the sermon manuscript that I preached on August 10, 2007 after my wife and I and our new son Mason got home from Guatemala. I meant to post this a long time ago, but I had to make a few edits. I didn’t really make all the edits and I am fairly sure that what I actually said is different from what I wrote here but the general idea is here (I never follow my manuscript very closely) . I would link to the audio but it just figures that this was the week that our recorder decided to take a vacation. I hope you find this enjoyable. I am going to print it out to put in our adoption box that...Read More →
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September 27, 2007
Guatemala Adoptions in Trouble…
Most of you know, we have recently adopted our son from Guatemala. It was an amazing experience. We are excited to have our son home. Unless you have adopted, you can’t even imagine what its like. While we were down in Guatemala we met many families who were still in the process and were only visiting their children. They were still waiting for the process to finish so they bring them home. I can’t imagine how hard it is to hold your child in your arms and know that you still have to wait and come back another time before they can officially be part of your family. We chose not to visit Mason for our adoption which means that the first time we met...Read More →
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September 24, 2007
Guatemala Adoption Process Questions
Since our family finalized our adoption and brought our adorable son Mason Carlos home from Guatemala we’ve obviously received a ton of questions about the process. The first thing people usually ask is: “How long did it take? ” The answer there is: A LONG TIME! We started the process in January of 2006 and Mason came home to Philadelphia in August 2007. We had a number of stalls and a ton of waiting for it all to happen. The second thing people usually ask is “how much did it cost?” The answer there is rather easy also: A LOT! It’s no secret that a Guatemala adoption costs around $25,000 when all is said and done (adoption fees + travel). We were no exception. We...Read More →
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August 17, 2007
A Special Future & Redefining Greatness for our Children
Tonight, my parents hosted a little get together for all of their friends (many were friends who have known me since I was just a little weasel) to come and welcome Mason into our family. It really was a neat time and we were excited to have so many people be so excited about this kid. One of the things that I often hear now is the statement that “God must have such a special plan for Mason.” This is great statement and I do believe that it is true. In fact, I can’t believe that after a year and a half of waiting we find ourselves parents of someone who seems like such a perfect fit to our family. God’s finger prints are all...Read More →
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August 14, 2007
In Chicago This Weekend
Melanie, the two boys and I are headed to Chicago this weekend to introduce Mason to our family and friends back there. I grew up in Chicago and my two brothers and their families all live in the area still. It is always great to be in Chicago (if for nothing else than the food!) and it will be even better for my family to meet Mason. My parents are throwing a welcome home party on Friday night so if you are in the area and we forgot to invite you (my mom did the inviting so i am not sure who we may have missed), let me know and I can get you directions to my parents house in Des Plaines. Of course, if...Read More →
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August 9, 2007
Adoption Trip #15 – Cole, Meet your little brother
So, we got home last night after a long 12 hour day of travel. But, it was way worth the trip! It was awesome to see Cole again. Its funny, after you have been holding a child who weighs just 14 pounds, you realize just how big your four year old really is! We’re settling in here as best we can. I am taking the next day or so off and trying to get a play room set up for Cole in the basement (where my home office is, which should be interesting!) Cole is so proud of his little brother. The priceless moment of the day so far: After taking these pictures of them on the sofa Cole says with a smirk on his...Read More →
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August 8, 2007
Adoption Update #14 – In Dallas
We are officially in the good old US of A. We got through immigration with no problems and we’re sitting in the D concourse at Dallas / Ft. Worth waiting for our flight to Philadelphia. Since I had been sick on Tuesday, I hadn’t eaten anything at all. Mostly because i was scared to… It seems strange to say this, but I can’t tell you how excited it was to see a McDonald’s! Well, we’re almost home…
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August 8, 2007
Adoption Trip #13 – Headed Home…
So, sorry for the lack of updates that last two days. I’ve been laying in bed since Monday night at 8:30 with some kind of food poisoning.  I threw up four times Tuesday. Yeah, that was a good time.  But, I think I finally have it out of me so I should be good for the ride home. Our flight leaves Guatemala City at 8:40am and then after we fly through Dallas and then make our way to Philadelphia. Hopefully we make all of our flights and there aren’t any delays because its going to be a 12 hour day already. Off we go….
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August 6, 2007
Adoption Trip #12 – Embassy Appointment Is Done
So this morning we woke up at 5:00 am and headed down for an early breakfast. After that we found our ride to the US Embassy to get approval for Mason’s Visa (no, not the credit card – the document he needs to be able to travel back to the US). So, long story short, the Embassy was easy. Went through security. Waited. Went into door number 10. Answered three quesitons or so. Waited. Went to window number 8 and answered some more questions. The nice lady behind the counter approved his visa. We went back to the hotel. We are now done with the last hoop to jump through for this adoption. All that is left is clearing customs in Dallas which we understand...Read More →
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August 5, 2007
Adoption Trip #11 – Write Mason a Note!
So, I was thinking, here I am writing all these letters to Mason and I know that there are a bunch of people reading this blog who are so very excited about him being part of our family lives. So, I wanted to invite you to write something to him as well. Just click the “comments” link under the title of this post and then write Mason a message that way. I know you want to, and I know that he’d appreciate it (someday!) So go ahead, and let him know just how much he is loved…
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August 5, 2007
Adoption Trip #10 – Dear Mason #4
Dear Mason, So, today is the third full day we have known you. It still doesn’t seem real. When I look at you I can’t believe you are with us and we are here and that we don’t have to give you back. So many of the other families are down here to visit their children. Then they have to leave and wait till the adoption is done to be able to bring them home. I am not sure I would be able do that. From what I hear, its quite a hard thing to do! Anyways, today we had a fun day. Though, most of it was just sitting around with a few other parents and their children since it rained outside. But, you’ve...Read More →
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August 5, 2007
Adoption Trip #9 – Pictures…
We hung out at the pool for a while today and then its started to rain so we headed inside. Right now we’re meeting the many new couples that are coming for the week. More updates later. But click on this picture to the left, or one of the ones at the top right, to view some more shots from today.
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August 4, 2007
Adoption Trip #8 – Dear Mason #3
Dear Mason, Hey there buddy. I figured I would put a little picture of you in this note. Its always helpful to see what you looked like when you were a kid. So here you are. This is actually one of the rare images we have of you not sleeping! Like I wrote yesterday in the last note to you, you’ve been a little sick. We think that’s why you have been sleeping so much. We went to the pool for most of the day today and not surprisingly you slept most of the time. You did wake up for a bit and you and mommy played in the pool for a bit. You really seemed to like it a lot and we can’t wait...Read More →
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August 4, 2007
Adoption Trip #7 – Photo..
So, our camera (being a little old) is going on the fritz. Oh, its taking pictures. It’s just not letting us get the pictures off the camera. So, while we have some fun pictures to share with you… we can’t. While I do some troubleshooting, you’ll have to settle for a pic from the camera built into my mac. … Ok, we’re off to breakfast and then headed to the pool to relax for the day. I know, I know, we’ve got it really, really rough.
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August 3, 2007
Adoption Trip #6 – Dear Mason #2
Dear Mason, Right now you are sleeping in a crib next to our bed. This is quite strange. In fact, this whole day has been quite strange. I know you feel the same way. I can’t imagine how confused you must feel. The woman who has been caring for you for the past nine months, for all you knew she was your mom, brought you this big hotel and you met us. You were all smiles at first. In fact, you wouldn’t stop staring at me (don’t worry, i didn’t mind!). But, as the time wore on it was almost like you knew something was up. You probably couldn’t help but wonder what we were doing in this small room and who these two strange...Read More →
