Our child for May: Bradyn!

While we were still setting up Bradyn's month of awareness, he found a family! We have a little over two weeks to help them raise $5,200 in order to travel to meet their sons (Bradyn and Steven) on May 18th since Bradyn is being added on to an adoption already in progress! The family has a $200 grant through Bring Hope starting now and ending May 3rd. It's a drop in the bucket, but let's help them get it all! If their account reads $5,700 before the end of the day on May 3rd then they receive the $200 grant. The family will also be fundraising like mad between now and May 18th. To donate to them go here.

Here's their story written by Tiffany Blackmon, Bradyn's new mommy:

 

Troy and I met in August 1991, during college at Texas A&M.  We dated for several years and were married in January 1994.  We have 5 biological children.  The oldest is 14 and our baby turned 3 today.  Our adoption story started in October when we saw a picture of Steven.  In the past, we had said that one day we may adopt, but never had taken any steps toward it.  A few weeks after seeing Steven’s picture, Troy and I sat at dinner one night and seriously discussed Steven.  We had never considered a special needs child, but because of our experience with our son, Colton, we felt like this was something we were being called to do.

Within a week, we had received information of Steven and had committed to him. 

 

This long process was beginning.  During the next few months, we started looking to add another child to our adoption.  We felt like we could care for another child, but “our” child was never available.  Every time we found a child waiting (that we were drawn to), there was some reason that we could not adopt.  They were either with another agency or had a family already commit to them.  It was a very frustrating time!

Our dossier was mailed to Bulgaria on March 5 for only 1 child, Steven.  It was translated, authenticated and ready to submit on March 22, the same day I got an e-mail from our agency with information on Bradyn.  We immediately knew he was the one!  We got more pictures of  him on March 25 and drove to Austin to Apostille commitment papers the next day.  During this time, I was able to get information about AMC from Alexis and several other momma’s which has been so valuable in planning Bradyn’s care.

Currently, our dossier has been verbally approved.  We are waiting on a signature from the Minister of Justice and travel dates for our first trip.  We should get to meet our boys soon, hopefully the week of May 18^th.

Bradyn turned 3 yesterday.  He spent it without a party, without a cake and balloons, without a family.  It will be his last birthday alone.  We are excited to add him to our family!

This was the first picture we saw of Bradyn

We believe that all children are a blessing.  God has called our family to love and care for these two boys.  He has blessed us with so much!  He has blessed us with the ability to provide a great place for these little guys to grow and to call home.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress.        James 1:27

Adoption is expensive!  Total cost for bringing the boys home is estimated at $32,000.  We are currently raising money to pay our final fees to our agency and our travel expenses for our first trip.  We need $5200 for this step. 

You can follow our adoption story at www.fiveplusonemore.blogspot.com

Meet our focus for April: Bill

"Bill"

This is Bill (a.k.a. Liam from An Orphan's Wish). Bill was originally adopted from China, but is available for adoption here in America. He is currently in Texas but anyone from anywhere in the US can adopt him. His AMC primarily affects his arms. As you can see he has wrist contractures and shoulder involvement. But great range of motion in his elbows and no leg involvement! He seems to do everything a typical boy his age does and is mobile and independent and smart.

Bill does need a special kind of family dynamic where he is the youngest and smallest.  

Bill's adoption costs will be minimal (as far as adoptions go) so we are not fundraising at this time for him unless an interested family steps forward and needs the help. Creating a Family's site where Bill is listed notes:

Cost for this adoption are uncertain at this time, but will likely be around $5,000-$8000. Bill may be eligible for a monthly adoption subsidy from the state (depending on where you finalize the adoption). The agency can provide more details on this possibility. 

So right now we're just doing a sharing campaign. Can you share Bill with anyone interested in adoption? He has been transferred a few times and needs a permanent, forever home. Thanks!

If you are interested in adopting Bill please contact Krystie at Children's Connections: krystie@childrensconnections.org.