Isn't it neat...

I LOVE watching God work. Like really work. And it's always really evident in the bigger than life-huge miracle that can't be explained-MAJOR areas in your life ways...but all too often, we overlook the little ways God really shows up and moves in our life. When we started this adoption process from Haiti, we had NO IDEA what we were doing...we just stepped in faith feeling quite alone...knowing that God was going to be there to catch us...and we aren't at the end of this journey! I'm sure there will be a TON of twists and turns in this road we call ADOPTION. But one thing I am SOOOOO thankful for is the people that God has put  in our lives to walk this road with us. Other moms and dads and siblings...waiting...waiting...waiting. Some how, the waiting seems a smidge easier when you aren't waiting alone. I am so thankful for the friendships that are beginning to form and I know it's just the start!

One family in particular, I am pretty sure was a completely God ordained meeting...Tracie and Kelly Ward had a failed domestic adoption last year and that sad, sad situation brought them to the exact same creche we were adopting from in Haiti. What's even cooler??? They live 15 minutes from us! And even cooler???This last time I was in Haiti was their first trip to Haiti and we got to really BECOME FRIENDS! Totally God Ordained. Well, the Wards are bringing home 2 kids and the Donahos are bringing home 3 kids...so math wizards...that's 5 HAITIAN KIDDOS finding forever homes right here in Green Country! It's also ALOT of money to bring that many home! So after much conversation, Tracie and I decided we could do bigger events as joint frundraising efforts and split the money! We are SOOOO excited about this partnership! Check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/hopehappens.adoption

And stay tuned...events in the works include monthly "Night of Praise" events, a 5K and auctions galore!!!

We can't thank our friends and family enough for the support we have and are continuing to receive. and please, don't forget to continue to pray Sophia Jordyn Donaho, Brooklyn Rae Donaho, Jaxon Robert Donaho, London  Elizabeth-Joy Ward and Samuel Christian Ward HOME!!!!!

Mother's Day

As we walk down this road of adoption, there are definitely harder days and easier days. This weekend is Mother's Day (there's your official reminder). For some reason, I didn't anticipate that being a hard thing. But as I think about the fact that 3out of 4 of my kids are in another country away from their mother, it makes me sad. I'm really trying hard to soak up every moment I can with Raley while she's an only child, but I can't help but think of the fact that I am a mother to 4 kids, yet on Sunday, I'll only be spending the day with one of them. This is kind of a "woe is me" type blog, but guess what?? It's my blog and I can cry if I want to! ;-) all of this to say, I'm excited that we are potentially to the point where this COULD be my LAST Mother's Day without all of my kids. I'm excited that as holidays bum me out and seeing kids that are about the same age as my Haiti kids in bum me out, we are to the point where I can say, "this time next year...". I am also reminded to be thankful that i at least have my kids. There are some that i now who have lost children and will be reminded of that on this Mother's Day. I am thankful that i have my mother. Even though she is in another state, i have her. So many i know will be thinking about the fact that they dont have mother on this Mother's Day. I am hopeful. I am peaceful. I am thankful.

Miracles happen

Ok, my goal is to blog at least once a week. I have decided that it can really help me thought this whole adoption process. There are steps that are happening to bring Sophie, Brooklyn and Jax home, but still SOOOO many steps left. Currently, our paperwork is in pre-IBESR (IBESR is basically Haitian Social Services). This is where the decision will come on whether or not we need a presidential dispensation. We are PRAYING HARD for our paperwork to sail through this office without needi this presidential signature. This would be the difference in our adoption taking 8 months or 18 months...and we want them home soon! So, please join us in prayer that our paperwork would just fly through these offices. One thing that I LOVE about Giving Hope is the fact that they have made a private Facebook page for parents adopting through them. This has given us the opportunity to make friends with people who are walking through the exact same thing that we are. And when you are walking through fire, it's nice to be able to join hands with others and feel your way through the fire TOGETHER! I know the friendships we have made will be life long. It also gives us the ability to allow our kids to have life long friendships with their friends that they lived with in Haiti! How cool is that?!?! For those of you that know me well (and maybe even not so well), you know that I really like to have control of things. The crazy thing is, in adoption, especially international adoption, you relinquish ALL control. But luckily, as a believer,I know that my Heavenly Father has COMPLETE control! I'm so thankful for that! And don't think I don't have to give up my control on ALMOST a daily basis, because, goodness...I do. I'm thankful that Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plans He has for me (and you, and Alex, Raley, Sophie, Brooklyn and Jaxon!) He knew this plan for adoption LONG before we felt the call. He had Sophie, Brooklyn and Jaxon picked to be Donaho's. I love that! It's all part of His perfect plan. As hard, painful, scary, crazy, miraculous and beautiful as this process is...it's ALL HIS PLAN.

Open the Flood Gates

"Adoption is a redemptive response to tragedy that happens in this broken world. And every single day, it is worth it, because adoption is God's heart. His Word says, 'In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will' (see Ephesians 1:5). He set the lonely in families (see Psalm 68:6). The first word that appears when I look up adoption in the dictionary is ACCEPTANCE. God accepts me, adores me even, just as I am. And He wants me to acccept those without families into my own." From Kisses From Katie

So, I am really bad at keeping up with a blog...obviously. and it seems like everytime I update this blog, we have a big announcement. Sooo, let me tell you a story:

I was told a few years ago, when we decided that we were being called to adopt, that once you answer the call to adoption, the flood gates will open. There are 2 people in my life who have adopted SEVERAL kids and this statement was coming form one of them. I laughed at her and said, "You don't know my husband...we will ONLY have 2 kids total." Already having Raley, that meant adding one by way of adoption. Well, its no surprise that we started the journey to intenationally adopt from Haiti and God led our hearts to 2 kids being added to our family. We just delivered our dossier to Haiti to start the legal process to make Brooklyn and Jaxon "offical" Donaho's. What we didn't expect, though, is the call to add one more Haitian princess to our lives. Yes...you heard right...We will be bringing home 3 kids! If that's not "flood gates opening", I don't know what is. Our newest addition will fit right in between Raley and Brooklyn. She  will turn 5 this Friday on May 4th. Many of you have heard her story. Her name is Sophia Jordyn Donaho (aka Sophie). Here is her beautiful face:

Seriously, how could you NOT fall in love with her!!!!

She has one of the most heart wrenching stories I have EVER heard. A story that spoke right to my heart waaayyyyy before God showed us that she was ours. She is a "true orphan" meaning that both of her parents are dead. She lost them both in the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti when she was 2 years old...somehow, she made it and her parents didn't. She survived on her own for about 2 months as a toddler, in the mountains of Haiti living out of trash heaps and sleeping in the dirt. Then Heather heard about her and went to rescue her. She is now a giggly, thriving almost 5 year old...she is extremely active and friendly. She is passionate, fiesty, and ornery. She loves to swim and loves to play. She is trusting of others and loves making new friends.

I know that adopting 3 kids from another country, all at one time moves us from, "oh, thats sweet...they are adopting" to "HOLY COW!!!! THEY ARE ADOPTING THREE KIDS ALL AT ONE TIME...THEY ARE OFFICIALLY CRAZY!" in some of your books...but we are content and know this is what we are called to do. We welcome your prayers of support and would be happy to answer any questions you may have...we are thrilled to now be...DONAHO PARTY OF 6!

"Adopting these children is not optional. It is not my good deed for the day; it is not what I am doing to 'help out these poor kids'. I adopt because God cammands me to care for the orphans and widows in their distress. I adopt because Jesus says that to whom much is given, much will be demanded (see Luke 12:48) and because whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for HIS sake will find it. (See  Matthew 10:39)" - Kisses From Katie