Rodriguez Family Happenings

Please read this amazing yet tragic post of what happens when some minorities try to place children up for adoption! A must read! http://rbohlender.blogspot.com/2008/09/wholy-disturbing-story.html

It was the best of times it was the worst of times... ;-) We are so excited about our new baby and/or babies due in July. I love my husband so much! What a great guy. You gotta consider a man so incredibly special, when he looks at our 4 beautiful wonderful children and proudly states that he loves them so much that he wants many many more. He doesn't care how we get them either. He doesn't care if they are way darker or lighter than him, if they are biological or adopted or bear any resemblance to him at all. I gave my heart a very special man! A man that looks past stretch marks and an often times messy house and still tells me I am beautiful, gorgeous, and that he loves me, and often times shoots across the room to tackle me for hugs and kisses, whether I'm perfectly put together or not.

I am now pretty doubtful that we'll have twins. I am not a sick as I was with my boys. ( though the nausea is still pretty awful) I think I was just so hopeful. I don't EVER want to be pregnant again.. EVER! Though I have read that women that get a liver cleanse and kidney cleanse prior or becoming pregnant often without any morning sickness at all. Problem is, there is NEVER a time when I am not nursing a baby/toddler. I have been nursing for the last 7 years and am likely to be nursing for many more years to come. We can't decide whether or not to fork over all the money for the home birth or going the hospital route. I much prefer the homebirth waterbirth option.

The other thing that rips at my heart.. I desperately want to adopt. I recently read a story on how some black newborns are aborted because the birth mothers don't feel confident they'll find parents to adopt their black children. I would LOVE to adopt a house FULL of black children! How terrible. Ladies, if you know of ANYONE that has a minority baby that they want a safe loving home for, please consider OUR family.

Sadly, It has been 9 months since we sent in our application to become fost/adoptive parents and we have not heard back. It pains me so much to know that somewhere there are large sibling sets and single children languishing in foster care, waiting for the loving arms of their new parents and siblings. We are so eager to meet these special kids. I know, All in God's timing. I am starting to wonder if He is directing us to wait until our children are way older, or what. I have never HEARD about people having the issues we are having. I can only assume that this is a divine delay that is all a part of His plan. I TRUST that He holds our family size in His hand and that He will open the doors for us at His appointed time. Perhaps some of the children meant for our family aren't yet born? Nevertheless, It is hard to hear of many families bringing their children home while we wait with empty beds and rooms in our home. Sniff Sniff. I feel the Lord is calling us to wait for International adoption until we adopt our foster children. Well, more specifically, we don't feel a peace about stepping out to do international until we've adopted from foster care first. Does that make sense? I'm not quite sure what the purpose is for all the delay, but I do know that "For now we see things in a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now my knowledge is in part; then it will be complete, even as God's knowledge of me."1 Corinthians 13:12

We have seen gorgeous HIV kids, cerebral palsy kids, kids that have swallowed lye and have burned their esophagus (Caustic Ingestion) , (common in Liberia as many wash clothing with lye, the problem is they place them in unmarked bottles, so on hot days the kids drink it thinking it's water! They then need surgery to survive or they perish) (TO READ MORE CHECK OUT THIS BLOG http://peetfamilyinliberia.blogspot.com/2008/04/caustic-soda-injuries.html blind children, all of which we would definitely consider, along with quite a few healthy large sibling sets too.

Homeschooling is going Fine. The perfectionist in me knows it can be much better. The kids love learning and being with one another. I'm working on being more structured and organized. We will (from the recommendation of Marian Soderholm http://www.natureoflearning.com/index.html )begin doing a College schedule for all of the children. This frees up time to accomplish much more than what we are doing currently, and work on many more subjects! That is, if I can also come up with a balance of Flylady and Managers of Their Home! This year We'd LOVE to learn Spanish, German, and if we have time, a bit of Hebrew, Latin and Greek and guitar if at all possible. ( I'd love to also somehow encourage Canaan's love for art, science, building, design and architecture) It is so great to finally discover his passions as Elijah seems to be excel in everything language arts, mathematics, sports related and competitive in our family. )

The math curriculum we are doing will have the kids at least one or two years ahead if we can complete it this year! (our goal) I think that next semester we will really cut out so many field trips and classes as I don't have the stamina or energy to do it at the moment. (unless I can pull it together and be a bit more on schedule) I also want to incorporate more structured (less spur of the moment)preschool activities for Anaiah and Josiah. They want in on the action too! This year we have a huge focus on Character, serving and growing in the Lord. Makes for an adventure filled school week that's for sure! Don't worry, I WON'T be riddled with guilt if we don't accomplish even half of what I mentioned. There's always summer school! ;-) We keep in mind that "A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9 I know the goals I have for my children come second to God's will for their precious little lives.

Be blessed as you make YOUR plans, but remember to be open to direction by the One whose will is perfect and whose Love, Mercy and COMPASSION are never ending and limitless! Love in Jesus Alida w4