Why Adopt?

We believe the answer to this question has evolved over the past 9 months. We have learned so much that has changed who we are and our motivation for adopting. Initially, we would have answered that question something like this... "We are unable to naturally have children and there are some many in need. It is the way for us to have children." As we have learned and changed and grown in the Lord, that answer has changed. Yes, the answer above is still accurate, but the question would probably be answered more like this..."Because we feel the Lord has called us to adopt. He has called us to open our hearts and our home to those less fortuante than us. There are 147 million orphans in this world, we all need to do our part to make a difference as a whole."

Why are we writting this post you ask, for a number of reasons. We initially (when we first applied for adoption), had talked about only adopting a sibling group (mainly for financial reasons), but then changed our hearts and put ourselves on the list for both individual infant, either gender, or siblings under 3. Now that we are getting close to a referral for both individual child or siblings, many people have been asking if we will wait for a sibling group. We have been praying since day one for the child or children that God has for us. For God to prepare them for us and us for them. We have decided that when we do get a referral of either individual infant or sibling, we will pray over that referral and trust in what the Lord tells us. God has an ultimate plan for us and we are doing our best to let go of 'our plans' and trust God to guide us in his ultimate will. So, at this point, we still don't know. We may get a sibling referral that is perfect for us, or we may get a referral of an individual little one. God has his perfect plan in this situation and we are trusting in him. (Prov. 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.)

So to answer the questions that most people ask us... We are adopting because the Lord has called us to. He has placed it on our hearts to love and open our hearts and home to an orphan. We do not know if we will get a referral of one or two children. We are trusting the Lord to provide what he desires for us. Will we adopt again if we only get on child? We will have to wait and see, we say yes, but the Lord may have other plans. We also say we may adopt again if we get two, it depends on where the Lord leads us. It's an exciting journey and is getting more exciting as we put each and every part of our lives into his perfect hands.

Thank you for your time in reading this. We hope for those of you who have questions, we have answered some of those. We ask you to contuinue to pray for the Lord's blessings and guidance in the steps and decisions that still await us in the future. We made a pretty cool video from pictures we got off the internet and other people's blogs. If we get a chance we will post it later.

Blessings....Dan and Tara Jean

This is why...

This is a really good 'gotcha day' video...

This past week...

This past weekend we went to my parents in Eads, CO. A little tiny town (600 people or so) in the Eastern plains of Colorado. We lived there when I was in Jr. High. I got to see some old friends, which was fun and they had their yearly fair. The day started with a parade and then down to the fair grounds for a bbq lunch and rodeo. It was a nice relaxing weekend. This is the band...
The pastors of the church got together and this was their 'float'.

Then there were tons of people on horses, of course the little ones are the most adorable...

Old time covered wagons and beautiful horses.

And then the rodeo. I really enjoy rodeos. I haven't been to many in the last few years, I have been able to take Dan to two since we've been together. We have some big ones here in town, it just seems like we aren't able to make it when they are here. Enjoy some pictures from the rodeo. I had fun taking them.

Bare back:

Steer Wrestling

Saddle Bronc:

These guys are tough. See how he lands...he just got up and walked out of the arena.

Complete with Rodeo Clown:

And muttin bustin:

They also had a couple of races also. They were fun to watch.

Mom enjoys having Mickey around:

Kevin enjoys playing with Mickey...

This week we tore up our bathroom. We redid it about 3 years ago, but want to redo the flooring, so we are fixing other little things while we are at it. Dan patched a messy spot in the wall. I am going to repaint he room. Then we lay flooring, touch up baseboards and all that sort of good stuff. While at mom's we picked two big bags of Concord grapes. They smelled so good. I cooked them and made grape juice concentrate out of them. Yummy fresh grape juice.

Dan is working this afternoon and I am doing little things around the house. On the ADOPTION front...we are waiting, again. Courts are closed and things slow down a bit, but we are praying for a quick referral and quick court dates. Dan is getting extremely frustrated with work and would like to change jobs, but is wanting to stick it out through the adoption. So, pray with us if you would that things move quickly!!! Tonight is another home Broncbuster football game, should be a good time! Have a blessed weekend you all! T

Just a few minutes

Just a few minutes to do a quick post. So, the 9th our church had it's huge annual kick-off. They do a big hot dog and hamburger dinner and then have tons of blow up games for the kids. The parents then have a chance to get info on awanas, Bible bowl, youth groups, choir and other good stuff going on at church. here is Grant enjoying his hot dog! What a cutie!

On the 8th, a lady from dan's work blessed us with this huge package. What was inside you ask... beef!!! Yes, 40lbs. of yummy fresh beef. We were going to see about butchering it ourselves, but decided to have it done. $18 later we have a freezer full of T-Bones and Rib Eyes! You can't excite a Southwest Kansas girl any easier than giving her free beef (essentially free). But, the lady from Dan's work did... yesterday, she gave us another 45lbs. WooHoo!!! For a family on a tight budget this beef is a blessing from God!!! I took it today to get butchered, we'll have to see what we get from that chunk of beef!

We also had the opportunity to pick grapes and got 2 huge bags full of grapes . That was on Labor Day! God has been blessing us left and right with ways to pinch pennies!

Also, here is a fun pix of 4 of my nieces and nephews. They have started going to Catholic School after being homeschooled. They LOVE IT!!! I mean love it! They think it is the greatest thing ever! The oldest one had the hardest time going, but he knew most of the kids in his class and is really enjoying it! (Sorry, Grant had literally just woke up from his nap and didn't want the kids to hold him, he just watned his aunt Tara)

We will post more on all that has been going on, but I will have to do that either tomorrow or Friday! Blessing to you all for now!! Tara Jean

Opi...

So this past weekend we went once again, out of town. We went to see some friends we met back when all four of us were singles. They were married 1 week before us and now have 1 child with 1 one the way (in 3 weeks). They are so super supportive of our adoption! They are some of the best friends anyone could hope for. We had a great weekend fun of relaxation, time at the park, playing games. Their 2 1/2 year old daughter Karalyn was coloring one day and was asked to make a picture for our baby. Since we haven't decided on a name yet (we have a whole list of them though...) she started calling him Opi since she couldn't get out 'Ethiopia'. Hence, we now have a nickname for our little one. We anxiously await our referral of Opi and can't wait to see his beautiful face.

Mel, a friend I met through blogging, asked a question after posting my numbers. So, here you go... We are on the wait list for, as you can see, an individual boy (0-12 months), an individual girl (0-12 months), and for siblings (2 children - 0-36 months). At this rate it looks as though it will be an individual boy, but you never know. Our God can always mix things up as He so desires. We are estimating that within the next month (hopefully) or two, we will have a referral and then we will wait for the court date a month or two (probably) after that. Once we pass court (hopefully on the first time), we will then travel to get little Opi (or 2 Opi's) a couple weeks later. We are praying we will be able to travel by the end of the year, but who knows but God... What an awesome Christmas gift that would be!!

Well off to work. T

Numbers!!

New numbers arrived last Friday as we were heading out of town. Julie (our caseworker) called to give us the exciting news! We are...

Boys:

Siblings:
Girls:

Now comes anxiously watching blogs and keeping track of when those ahead of us get referrals and we move down a notch. There is one family in front of us that I am not sure who they are, but I have had fun watching the journeys of the other three families and am excited as we will all be getting referrals soon (hopefully...) T

Cookbooks for Sale!

We are officially going public with our cookbooks! Earlier this year, Tara sat down and wrote out a cookbook. (She used to work as a cook and has gone to culinary school.) She compiled all her favorite recipes into one book, which we have printed, cut, and bound ourselves. It has been our main fundraiser for our adoption. We are officially going public and putting them out there on the Internet for sale! It is exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time. The books are $15 each. This is the email we have set up specifically for cookbook sales. (dtsimmonsadopt@hotmail.com) Please email me and I will get contact information and set up payment. These books make great gifts! (Christmas is coming...) If you have any questions, please feel free to email as well and we will get those answered as soon as possible. Thank you for helping us bring our baby home!! - Dan and Tara

Hope all of you who purchase the book really enjoy it. I tried to add tidbits of info and made sure all the recipes were user friendly (basic). Thanks.