Little man has been home over a year now...will be updating this blog soon !
Every Heart Home
The Yaklin Family Adoption
And then we loved you....
Friday, November 17, 2017
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The amazing ones...
Amazing. I have been hearing this word a lot in
regards to our adoption. It truly is an
amazing process. I often sit back in
wonder of all the connections that we have made and of all the amazing people
that have supported us. Above all just what amazes me the most is how God is
showing his wonderful character through it all. I am so humbled by this
adoption journey. Ryan and I have been receiving
wonderful compliments from so many people because of our decision to adopt and
we are so overjoyed and we are just really feeling the love ya know ! I do not know how else to put it. However, please do not be offended when I say
that we really are not the amazing ones you guys. We are not.
We are simply two very; extremely blessed people to be given this
opportunity and to have our hearts open to this journey. Truly, this has not been an easy
process. Truly, it has made me cranky
and short. Truly, I have complained through the midst of paperwork. Truly, I have spent idle time staring at
pictures online of orphans, just my heart wrenching for them and reading
adoption blogs, because frankly, you get a little obsessed about adoption once
you start. Truly, I have thank you cards
sitting in my closet that are not addressed and stamped yet. Oh…they will get out eventually...and believe
me when I say it is not because I am not grateful. I am almost so grateful and humbled I am
embarrassed and don’t feel any thank you would be big enough… if that makes
sense?
Why do I mention this all? I just think I simply have to. For so many
reasons. I just don’t want anyone to
think that it takes something extra special or anything extraordinary (in terms
of humans) to adopt. Take me for
example, if you know me fairly well, you know I am not organized at all….so
like me and paper work...do not mix. For
example, 2 days before my honeymoon, I lost my passport. We searched everywhere including the garbage and
every ounce of my duplex that I was moving out of. No passport.
The one thing we did not search was my giant recycling bin (one of those
huge green ones) because I just knew I hadn’t accidently thrown it in there. This
bin was so large it took a long time to fill up ( with just me and Zoe) and
thankfully, do to my persistent lack of punctuality, I was late getting it out
to the curb the Thursday prior and missed the pickup. Well as a last resort I emptied it, and their
sitting at the bottom, probably for about a month, was my passport. That’s Providence right there. Fast forward 4 years later and I am in charge
of 4 passports..and then I have to take care of our son’s visa to actually get
him home?! That is some scary stuff y’all.
No lie…I have irrational fears of myself stranded in some European
airport because I left the passports in the bathroom on the plane headed back
to the States. Also, I daily, question
how good of a mother I am. I know all
mothers beat themselves up, and I am no exception. However, this was one of my holdups in the adoption
process, thinking I had to get it all together before we got our little guy
home. Reality check. I am never going to
have it all together. However, it is this adoption process that has us going to
parenting, and adoption classes, and learning about things like “play therapy”
etc….which will help us be better parents all around.
My husband, I think he is amazing
too. Yet, you know what you guys. A year
ago adoption was nowhere on his radar.
In fact, he was a flat out “NO” if I ever mentioned it. Not in a
heartless way, he just did not think he could do it. Now he is a 110% and loves this little boy
already. Tell me who changes a sweet, strong-willed man’s heart overnight. God.
That’s who and it has been by far one of the most amazing things about this
journey. I think one of my next posts
might just be a list of all the crazy, “no way” moments we have had the past
few months in this journey. Many would
just say it is mere coincidence. Yet, I know
better, and am so glad I have had my eyes opened to the His plan going on
around me every day.
So let me tell you who the amazing
ones are. I have to start out with a
little 4 year old boy, possibly abandoned at birth due to his deformities (we
do not know this yet for sure) lots of times parents can't afford to care for children with medical issues. Literally,
alone in the world. Through his short
life he has most likely not been given all the love and attention a child with
loving parents would. He has already
gone through multiple surgeries and will need more when he gets home, probably
many more as he grows. He has seen other
children get picked as a son and over and over again it not be him. I simply can’t fathom. The fact that he has a smile on his face..ignoring
the fact that at one time that may not
have been physically easy for him do due to surgeries and his deformities..but
just the fact that he has been waiting, with a smile on his face, for someone
to call him son. He is amazing.
Amazing are the people that I have
not yet met that are taking care of Nick.
The woman that do not have enough hands to give what every child in
their care needs, but who do their best with what they are given and know. The people that go visit these orphans and bring them medicine when they are sick or
goodies on holidays and dress up in Bunny Costumes or Santa Costumes to bring a
smile to their faces. The doctor that
has performed the surgeries on Nick. The facilitators that are working in
Ukraine to get these “waiting children” on photo lists so their parents can see
them and go bring them home. The orphanage
directors who try to keep the young children in their “baby orphanages” as long
as they can so they don’t have to get shipped to a far off institution where
chance of adoption is unlikely. Also one
word, Nancy (only a special audience will understand this). These people are
amazing.
The families that have adopted
already that pave the way and recognize the need to step up and to bless as we
have been blessed. These families help guide new adoptive families with open ,
excited hearts and they are amazing. The advocates that are unable to adopt at this
time but try to help these children in small ways that move mountains. It was through an advocate’s website, that I saw
little Nick’s picture that got the ball rolling. Those families that keep going back and
adopting more children…spending thousands upon thousands of dollars to give
these kids a family, wow, you amaze me. The
people that have started non-profit organizations to fundraise for these
children that do not even have families yet. They do this to ease the financial
burdens on the families that find a waiting child and want to adopt. These
people are amazing.
The guy that owns a small pizza
place who let us have our first fundraising night! He is amazing, as well as all
the people that came and ate pizza (including a fire crew from my old
department). The family and friends who have hosted multiple garage sales for
us to fundraise . They are amazing. The people
that do not even know us that have donated money or garage sale items or bought
our “handmade” items to help our cause. Amaze-balls. The people that have emailed me simply
because they have been praying for a family for Nick. Your amazing prayers were
heard. The people that bought our
t-shirts and the chick that designed a similar t-shirt that I saw on Pinterest
and totally copied. The people that collected shoes for us. The ladies who
crocheted scarves for us to sell. Your amazing.
Business owners who have donated. The super awesome friends that have adopted
before and have been so encouraging on our path. The people that have listened to our story
and were touched. Your heart is amazing.
Some more amazing things.
Getting a random envelope in the mail with cash or a card from someone you
haven’t seen since high school with a donation. Old friends I have only kept in
contact with through facebook, donating.
Huge donations from family and friends of not only money but crafts,
photography and art to sell. ( caution
run on sentence fragments ahead) Working super hard and along with
family/friends making a bunch of crafts for a craft fair then setting up,
staying all day and selling like literally
one thing…and then at the end of the night getting in a small argument with the
person throwing the craft fair then the awesome people across from your booth take
pity and help you quickly clean up your booth while a police officer has been
assigned to make sure your leaving quick cause you broke the rules. Loosing it
and crying and hugging before mentioned people. Amazingly, hilarious now. The Ukrainian lady at one of our garage sales
who left without paying ( I didn’t notice …typical) because she got so
emotional when she found out we were adopting but then came back to pay and
gave us an extra donation and her phone number if we need anything ! Amazing.
You guys the list goes on and on and on. These are the amazing ones. Yet, the most amazing one is the one who has
orchestrated all of this. I have to give
all the glory to god on this you guys. Who else is capable of getting literally
hundreds of people together for this one little boy. Only him.
So thank you all you amazing folks out there and thank you Lord for
letting me get to be the one who gets to bring this little boy home, who soooo
many people have done amazing things to get him home. I am soo blessed yet so not worthy. Anyone can do this Lord but only through you and
with all the amazing hearts you have put in this world. So, no as you see, we are not amazing, you
guys are.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
Missing him...
A baby picture of "Nick" ( in case you are wondering he goes by the aliases "Nick" and Oskar" online)..wishing tonight we had known of you a few years ago....we heard at one point that his official birthday is December 14, 2011...we do not know this for sure..but if it is that would be pretty crazy because Ry and I's first date was December 15, 2011......Just wanted to post this quick....missing this little guy a world away.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Unfailing Plans....
You guys..I have a confession to make...I brought my sick kiddo to church tonight( I did not put her in childcare so as to infect other kiddos so dont worry, however I do not think she is contagious)....She was up all night last night and I took her to the doctor today and she has an ear infection..most likely brought on by some gnarly allergies. The majority of my day was spent holding her. My sink is packed high with dishes right now...and I did not get an ounce of laundry done today. Right now my throat hurts so bad it feels like i have two tennis balls for tonsils and everytime I swallow my ears feel like they are going to burst. But today, today was good day. Today I had the opportunity to speak at my church at our prayer night. I was contacted just 2 days ago by elders from our church wanting us to come up on stage and share our story and recieve prayers . Ryan and I were so excited by this opportunity to share our current adoption story and to also spread the word about adoption and encourage the church to get involved! So you can imagine my frustration when my toddler got sick and then I inturn started feeling bad. To make matters worse, Ryan was on shift today so I had no back up, lol, and speaking at church was going to be all up to me ! I really wanted to take some time today, read some scripture and just you know be prepared to share my story in a way that woud influence others. That obviously was not happening with a 21 month old with an ear ache.
I really need to go to bed, and gargle salt water, yuck. I am totally that Mom that makes my kids gargle salt water but totally wont do it myself. I love how in blogs it is totally cool to competely digress. ...But I digress, so anyways, so ya i totally had no control over my day today. But as usual, who is in control, not I. Its funny how just now as I am typing that I really realize how much control I kid mysef in thinking I have, even though He really is the one in control. When I say "He" .. I am definately referring to the big man upstairs. God. My God, My Heavenly Father, who alway has my back. Who loves me so much that He gave his only son to die for my countless sins. It is with Jesus' blood that we now can be adopted sons and daughters of God. He loves me so much that even when the enemy creeps in with sore throats and ear aches and cranky kids and short-tempered, sleep-deprived moms, He still rescues the day, everyday. He is like the ultimate opposite of that one friend we all know who flakes out at the last minute for a really ridiculous reason. I have totally been that friend before..."Ughh I am having a bad hair day, nope, not going." And aren't we all that friend when it comes to our spiritual life? How easily are we put off course everyday, yet His plan still happens. Hence, why today was an amazing day. Church was amazing.It was all about adoption tonight. they brought 3 couples up to the stage. The first, a coupe who does transitional care of infants between bio and adoptive parents. Then us (Ryan in spirit). Then a couple who adopted a new born in July! We all shared our stories, God was glorified , and we all prayed. The best part, a couple hundred people got to learn about the plight of our orphans out there. A community was called to support adoption. This was amazing. I did not have to plan. The Holy Spirit did its work. God did all the speaking and I know hearts were opened tonight.
I have way more to write about tomorrow. I am truly exhausted. If any of you are visiting this blog from The Village Church FTW. Thank you so much for your ears and your hearts. For more info email me at megyak@gmail.com.
I really need to go to bed, and gargle salt water, yuck. I am totally that Mom that makes my kids gargle salt water but totally wont do it myself. I love how in blogs it is totally cool to competely digress. ...But I digress, so anyways, so ya i totally had no control over my day today. But as usual, who is in control, not I. Its funny how just now as I am typing that I really realize how much control I kid mysef in thinking I have, even though He really is the one in control. When I say "He" .. I am definately referring to the big man upstairs. God. My God, My Heavenly Father, who alway has my back. Who loves me so much that He gave his only son to die for my countless sins. It is with Jesus' blood that we now can be adopted sons and daughters of God. He loves me so much that even when the enemy creeps in with sore throats and ear aches and cranky kids and short-tempered, sleep-deprived moms, He still rescues the day, everyday. He is like the ultimate opposite of that one friend we all know who flakes out at the last minute for a really ridiculous reason. I have totally been that friend before..."Ughh I am having a bad hair day, nope, not going." And aren't we all that friend when it comes to our spiritual life? How easily are we put off course everyday, yet His plan still happens. Hence, why today was an amazing day. Church was amazing.It was all about adoption tonight. they brought 3 couples up to the stage. The first, a coupe who does transitional care of infants between bio and adoptive parents. Then us (Ryan in spirit). Then a couple who adopted a new born in July! We all shared our stories, God was glorified , and we all prayed. The best part, a couple hundred people got to learn about the plight of our orphans out there. A community was called to support adoption. This was amazing. I did not have to plan. The Holy Spirit did its work. God did all the speaking and I know hearts were opened tonight.
I have way more to write about tomorrow. I am truly exhausted. If any of you are visiting this blog from The Village Church FTW. Thank you so much for your ears and your hearts. For more info email me at megyak@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Thank you....
I just wanted to take a quick moment to say thank you. So many people have just been so amazing in this process. Family, friends, old friends and old aquaintances, and literally complete strangers have shown us support. It just is really amazing to see God bringing all of us together to help one little boy, that none of us have met. It brings me to tears. I have always thought that I was a giving person, at least I tried to be, but one thing I know for sure now, that even if I was giving, that I know I will be way more purposeful in my giving (time, money, etc) if that makes sense. Not in a righteous way but just realizing the struggle it takes to complete an adoption is mindblowing, and so many people have been so helpful along the way. I know I have given and I know I have volunteered but alot of these things were by chance. For example, giving to the boyscouts in front of the grocery store or hearing a radio station trying to raise funds for a children's hospital, when a natural disaster strikes donating to that go fund me, or volunteering for Red Cross. So I can not say they were actually purposeful. When the opportunity arose in the past I gave, either time or money, no , not every time of course but alot. I am not sure exactly of what I am saying right now but I just know that I want to seek ways to help not just neccesarily opportunitites for me to help finding me? The thing about it is, we have so much time in the day, right? How much of that time is wasted on simply ridiculous things. What could I be doing with this time? I could be doing more. I mean well almost 2 years ago now I quit my fulltime job and I went on to a volunteering site online just to check it out. Some of the things on that site are as simple as sending a card to an elderly person with no one. That takes 5 minutes. I did not do it. I will. The thing is ...some people have given to us in really amazing big ways during this adoption, which is soo amazing and we are so grateful. Some people have given in really what you would think "smaller" ways yet have had the same affect. I am pretty much just rambling right now. I just want to say thank you to all of you that has supported us in any form, from prayers to donations of time or money or even just advice. This is no small feat and I am just simply amazed at the work at hand, I am also amazed at the affect it is having on me. I want to wake up in the morning and seek ways to help....I want to use the time I have. Even though I have always had a great desire to help...this journey has inspired me to be even more purposeful in this way, and way less fearful. When I say fearful it can be a number of things, for me, alot of times it is shyness. The biggest thing that has ever held me back was just my social shyness...and when you wan to help, or fundraise or whatever..that is a huge wall to climb over lol. God has taken care of me so well...fear should never stop me. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Up and running....
It has been awhile since I have written anything and for that I apologize! I am going to be better now I promise ! So here is what is going on in the process...due to some amazing family, friends and complete strangers we had raised enough money to start the process of going to get Nick. Since that time we hired our adoption agency and commited "officially" to Nick. We started our homestudy and are pretty much done ! I just went over the draft today and we just need to make a few tiny corrections, but that should be done and I am hoping to send off our homestudy to be approved by our facilitators in Nick's country and then send it to immigration here in the States by early next week. I am basically finished with my paper chase for our dossier(which is a pack of paper to be sent to our adoptive country). After we get approval from immigration here, which will take approximately 6 weeks (fingers crossed) we will send our dossier to Nick's country and then from that point on we need to be ready to leave to go meet and hopefully bring him home ! We will get a phone call from his country with an appointment for their department of family services and we need to be their by that date ! This seems to take around a month to get an appointment ! So we are praying to have our little guy home this spring if all goes well ! That is basically why I have not blogged much, I have bee very busy working on this stuff and plus we had the holidays upon us!
We still have a long ways to go with fundraising but I will be basically devoting more of my time to this now since our major paperwork is done ! We have a family sponsorship page set up with Reeces Rainbow(http://reecesrainbow.org/102613/sponsoryaklin) and will be adding a link for that to this page ! Please pray for our little guy that God would prepare his heart for us ! Pray hard for a speedy process so we can get there and bring him home ! We are so ready to hold him !
We still have a long ways to go with fundraising but I will be basically devoting more of my time to this now since our major paperwork is done ! We have a family sponsorship page set up with Reeces Rainbow(http://reecesrainbow.org/102613/sponsoryaklin) and will be adding a link for that to this page ! Please pray for our little guy that God would prepare his heart for us ! Pray hard for a speedy process so we can get there and bring him home ! We are so ready to hold him !
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