"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed."

Psalm 82 v 3

Donations and Gifting

Friday, February 29, 2008

Traveling

Oh my goodness !! We are traveling to go get our boys ! We are so excited to meet them, and pray that we pass ICPC quickly.

Jennifer

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Our Adoption Adventure - The Most Beautiful Boys

Pursuing an international adoption is on hold for us indefinitely for now. We have decided through prayer and discernment that a domestic adoption is in our best interest right now, and right where the Lord wants us to be.

In order to be sensitive to the parents disrupting their adoption, we won't be posting pictures of the boys yet. We will be adopting two boys, 4 and 6 years old. We definitely will be posting lots and lots of pictures after we fly home. We are hopeful we will be able to get the boys very very soon.

You can be sure they are both cute as a button with light brown hair and blond hair.

Anyone who wanted to donate towards hotel costs would be thanked immensely. We might have to stay for 1-2 weeks. As you can imagine, that would add up. Thank you in advance for considering a donation.

Now it is just maneuvering all the legalities. And praying the Lord stay right in the middle working everything out for His good.

Jennifer Richardson

Blood Test Could Reveal Bipolar Disorder

New research has shown that within the next 5 years, there could be a blood test for bipolar disorder. We are hopeful that this could be a great new screening tool for diagnosis.

Jennifer Richardson

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Adoption Foster Domestic International Independent Private Agency Facilitator Attorney USA Eastern Europe Asia Africa South America One Two or Three USCIS Fingerprints Employer Verification Medicals.

Sometimes trying to have a child is like walking a maze. Even criminals don't have to go through so many checks.

There should be a law that after you have passed a homestudy more than say three times that your homestudy certification is automatically five years. During that five years then you have the same rights as a parent who can bear children, to have more as you choose.

With as many times as we have had to be approved to adopt a child, and as many of those have not come to pass because of circumstances beyond our control, and with all we have been through and the multiple homestudies in trying to have children, it disgusts me that we still have to prove ourselves. It just seems to me that the rights of infertile couples who cannot bear children and the rights of those who are fertile and able to bear children are absolutely not the same.

There should be a law that allows extended certification of homestudies, extended approval for greater than 1 year for families who already have multiple children, parents who have already been through the homestudy process and been approved several times. Experience with special needs, raising children, managing family and doing it all should automatically give us the right to say, yes two more, yes two boys or two girls or whatever number of children and whatever needs they may have. We know how to make good decisions.

With everyone proclaiming their rights, what about the rights of adoptive parents !!

Thanks for listening to me vent.

Shawna Turns Two !!





Favorite 2 Year Old Shawna Portraits








In The News

CNN reported that Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. We pray for the Americans over there and especially for the safety of those under attack at the US Embassy.

try and read this

You Sometimes know it's family like relationships trying have to such read a between way the of words becoming and complicated not and knowing misunderstood which and ones stepped to on choose.

Christmas Thank Yous !

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to John and Kitty for all the wonderful ways you have blessed.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Mary for your thoughtfulness in each of the gifts. Scott loved his especially. We all had a blast.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Sharon and Jeff for hosting the Christmas party. We enjoyed it so very much. The presents were most appreciated, and you are all so sweet to us.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Kathy and Jeff for all your wonderful gifts. We all really enjoyed them. Love you all, Scott, Jennifer, Michael, Gabriela, and Shawna

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Diana, for their gifts at Christmas to each of us. You have such good taste.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Art and Eileen for your beautiful gifts. We especially loved the unique coloring books.

Wishing a heartfelt thank you to Helen and Burl, John and Michele for the very awesome Christmas gifts to our whole family. Thank you. Scott, Jennifer, Michael, Gabriela, and Shawna

What a Gas !

For those of you who have raised toddlers, you will appreciate the humor in this little scenario with our youngest Shawna. She just turned two years old on Sunday. I was putting her to bed and had a little gas. Very promptly she giggled and said "fart !". I couldn't help laughing. Oh my goodness. I told her its called gas, not fart. Gas is the more polite term. Might as well teach her right huh. Later on she got out of bed, and I put her back into bed. She said to me "gas, again, again. " I guess she thought it was really really funny. I told her to go to sleep, and left her rooming trying not to laugh at the whole thing. Ah well.

Jennifer Richardson

My Beautiful Scarf Handmade By Karyn

THANK YOU KARYN ! I LOVE THE SCARF, AND I AM HONORED TO KNOW YOU.

Blessings,
Jennifer Richardson

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Silent Tears

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will be unable to adopt Stefan. We will continue to pray for him, his future and his situation.

the Richardsons

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Potty Training Success

Shawna our most precious 1 year and 364 day old daughter is so proud of herself. She doesn't like to be wet or poopy, and who can blame her. Lately though, she really wants to be changed right away, and is clearly aware of how uncomfortable it is. We asked her if she wanted to use the big girl potty, and she was of course glad we were buying something for her ! So, we bought a little potty chair for her thinking the timing might be right. We also bought cotton training pants thinking we would just encourage the idea while she showed interest. She wanted to wear the big girl panties !! We told her she had to go pee pees and poo poos on the big girl potty first. Twice this evening she did both !!

Had to share this most exciting moment. I am so excited. I can see the end of diapers is near ! Yippee. A mom and dad's dream.

the Richardsons

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Shawna is going to be 2 !!!!

I can hardly believe our youngest, Shawna, is going to be 2 years old in just a few short days.

That will be fun !!!

Jennifer Richardson

A Wonderful Helper

Gabriela (9 years) was such a help today. She cleaned all the dishes, loaded the dishwasher, swept up the crumbs from dinner, watered the dogs, and wiped off all the counters WITHOUT even being asked.

I am so proud of her !!

Jennifer Richardson

Michael's Report

Michael did an oral and written report on Clara Barton, and did such a fabulous job. He really has a great grasp of who she was and her life. He spoke eloquently and was thorough. We are so proud.

Jennifer Richardson

Shawna's Pajamas

I was all finished getting Shawna dressed for the day, and she was holding her pajamas. She wanted to "do it" herself. I asked her then to "put your pajamas under your pillow". She walked into my bedroom and put them under my pillow, not hers. It was so delightful !

Jennifer Richardson

Saturday, February 9, 2008

It's A Boy !! !! !! !


We have accepted a referral !!!! We have pictures of our soon to be newest boy. He is 7 years old from Europe, 2 years younger than our daughter Gabriela. The one picture looks to me like he either was caught off guard or has the "What do you want?" look about him. In the other one, he has the most amazing smile !




Isn't he handsome as can be?

Soon Enough To Be a Proud Mommy Again,


Jennifer Richardson


Friday, February 8, 2008

These Other Angels Really Need Homes

Is the Lord calling you to adopt one of his Other Angels?

Please answer the call. They need you.

Adoptions in Nepal Suspended

Nepal looks at reforming adoption laws.

News Story on Zimbabwe

Good reading. It makes one really appreciate having a car.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com

St. Benedict Opposes Harry Potter Novels

Pope Benedict has publically and strongly opposed the Harry Potter novels in 2005.
Here are two links about it:

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jul/05071301.html

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=38383

I Will Be With You Wherever You Go

I WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO !
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9


We have a heart for orphaned children, abandoned children, special needs children, parents of each of these children, adoption, Liberia, Ethiopia, Africa, and the Children in Need of Loving Homes around the World and our prayers are with each of them.

Parent Support - Join - Academy of the Possible

Followers