Owen's 2nd Birthday

Celebrating with just Mommy and Daddy on his "actual" Birthday

Cheezing :-)

Cupcakes for his party with the all of his cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Meme and Papa

Goody Bags for his cousins

Him and Belle waiting for everybody else to arrive


So excited for his new Curious George DVD

Opening his presents!

Blowing his candle out!

Please Help and Take Action

As so many of you know my older sister and their family are adopting from Ethiopia, well there could be some major changes taking place. My sister texted me today to sign this petition due to the changes Ethiopia is talking about for adoption. Please take the time to sign this petition with me and pass it along for others to sign.


Statement on the Pending Reduction of Intercountry Adoption in Ethiopia

Last week the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs announced their intention to reduce intercountry adoptions by 90% beginning March 10, 2011. The Ministry’s plan for a dramatic reduction is apparently based on two primary issues; 1) the assumption that corruption in intercountry adoption is systemic and rampant and 2) the Ministry’s resources should be focused on the children for whom intercountry adoption is not an option. Without further announcements by the Government of Ethiopia, it is our understanding that the Ministry’s plan will be initiated this week.

The Ministry’s plan is a tragic, unnecessary and disproportionate reaction to concerns of isolated abuses in the adoption process and fails to reflect the overwhelmingly positive, ethical and legal services provided to children and families through intercountry adoption. Rather than eliminate the right of Ethiopian children to a permanent family, we encourage the Ministry to accept the partnerships offered by governments, NGOs, and foundations. Such partnerships could increase the Ministry’s capacity to regulate service providers and further ensure ethical adoptions.

The Ministry’s plan, which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children. Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years. For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years.
Joint Council respectfully urges the Ministry of Women’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs to reconsider their plan and to partner with governments, NGOs and foundations to achieve their goals and avoid the coming tragedy for children and families.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Go to this website here and encourage anyone you know to sign this petition.

Happy 2nd Birthday Owen!

Owen Jon,

My precious baby boy......you are 2 today, holy cow where has the time gone! As I sit here writing this I am watching you through the monitor babble yourself asleep and snuggle with your blankie. Even though you are being a stinker right now and should have been asleep like 30 minutes ago, the babbling and snuggling never gets old for me to watch :-)

These past 2 years have by far been the hardest 2 years ever but they also have brought your daddy and I more joy than anything. You have gone from a baby to a little boy. You definetely give me a run for my money. You are strong willed and know what and when you want something and you are not afraid to make it known. You can be a stinker one minute but then melt my heart in the next. You have the best laugh in the world, your smile can brighten up any room you walk into. You continue to be so affectionate and love to snuggle all the time, I secretly hope you never stop. You try your hardest to communicate and often get frusterated because we do not always understand "Owen language." Soon, my child, soon we will understand :-)

Owen Jon, you are a precious gift to us from God, you are a blessing, and have taught us so much about what being a mommy and daddy really means. You are a joy, and in a few short weeks you will be a BIG brother and your daddy and I know that you will be the BEST big brother in the world. You are a child of God, a gift to us and we love you more than anything in the world! Happy 2nd Birthday my sweet little boy!

Love,

Your Mommy

New Date....

Well I went to the doctor today and they told me they had bad news........

Baby Potvin #2 will not make an appearance on April 18th, he/she's scheduled appearance will now be on April 21st.

Not bad news for me, I thought they were going to tell me I failed my glucose test, and those that know me, know I hate needles and that would be BAD news. Having my blood taken every hour for 3 hours is not my idea of fun. So a change in baby arrival date is FINE with me :-)