Re: Claiming ceremony LONG

[Guest guest]

I could cry, that is so beautiful. Thank you for

sharing!!! Kiersten

--- and FRANK <michdock@...> wrote:

> Most of you know that we have our friend living

> with us. turned 47 today. He was raised in an

> institution in Wisconsin and then at age 22 came to live

> in our group home. When we left the home and moved to

> AZ we promised that he could always come and visit

> us.. and for 21 years, he spent 2 weeks at Christmas with

> us every year. We had talked about him coming to live

> with us, but he was settled with his same workshop and

> had a wonderful housemother and we felt it would be more

> disruptive to move him. However, 2 years ago, the group

> home closed. They relocated all the clients. 's

> brother asked for suggestions of where to send him and

> the housemother told him that he belonged in Arizona.

> So, we got a call and responded yes without hesitation.

> In August 2007 moved from Wisconsin to Arizona.

> Confused but happy. It took us a while to get

> everything set up, but in January 2008 he started work at

> a sheltered workshop that he LOVES! He has made friends

> there and is on their bowling league. He plays VIP

> soccer with Maverick, he plays Special Olympics baseball

> with the adults. He is involved in ushering and greeting

> at our church and is a very loved person. Totally

> accepted by all.

> We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our

> children hanging. We just hung our 9th picture adding

> Logan whose adoption was finalized in November.

> keeps commenting that his picture isn't up there.

> The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year

> old asked why we hadn't adopted that day since HE

> had lived with us long enough. Then Chip, the 5 yr old

> got into the act and wanted to know why we couldn't adopt

> ... they made sense... after all, he is going to

> live with us for ever and he has down syndrome so he'll

> need to be with us all the time... yadda yadda yadda.

> I felt that I had failed not only , but my children.

> THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony

> and hang 's picture on the wall... which we had

> planned on doing ANYWAY. So, today turned 47. We

> had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming ceremony. We all

> had to swear in and make pledges and then he got his

> gift. The 8X 10 already in a frame. We all cheered

> and high fived about a million times and then... we asked

> him where he wanted the picture... and he said... " On the

> WALL! "

> So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same

> unconditionally on our wall.

> keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids

> are at ease that is OURS! And we all got cake

> and ice cream afterwards!

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

OK! Now I need tissues! How wonderful.

Barb Rizk

On Dec 13, 2008, at 8:42 PM, and FRANK wrote:

> Most of you know that we have our friend living with us.

> turned 47 today. He was raised in an institution in Wisconsin and

> then at age 22 came to live in our group home. When we left the home

> and moved to AZ we promised that he could always come and

> visit us.. and for 21 years, he spent 2 weeks at Christmas with us

> every year. We had talked about him coming to live with us, but he

> was settled with his same workshop and had a wonderful housemother

> and we felt it would be more disruptive to move him. However, 2

> years ago, the group home closed. They relocated all the clients.

> 's brother asked for suggestions of where to send him and the

> housemother told him that he belonged in Arizona. So, we got a call

> and responded yes without hesitation. In August 2007 moved

> from Wisconsin to Arizona. Confused but happy. It took us a while to

> get everything set up, but in January 2008 he started work at a

> sheltered workshop that he LOVES! He has made friends there and is

> on their bowling league. He plays VIP soccer with Maverick, he plays

> Special Olympics baseball with the adults. He is involved in

> ushering and greeting at our church and is a very loved person.

> Totally accepted by all.

> We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our children

> hanging. We just hung our 9th picture adding Logan whose adoption

> was finalized in November. keeps commenting that his picture

> isn't up there.

> The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year old asked why

> we hadn't adopted that day since HE had lived with us long

> enough. Then Chip, the 5 yr old got into the act and wanted to know

> why we couldn't adopt ... they made sense... after all, he is

> going to live with us for ever and he has down syndrome so he'll

> need to be with us all the time... yadda yadda yadda. I felt that I

> had failed not only , but my children.

> THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony and hang

> 's picture on the wall... which we had planned on doing ANYWAY.

> So, today turned 47. We had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming

> ceremony. We all had to swear in and make pledges and then he got

> his gift. The 8X 10 already in a frame. We all cheered and high

> fived about a million times and then... we asked him where he wanted

> the picture... and he said... " On the WALL! "

> So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same unconditionally

> on our wall.

> keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids are at ease

> that is OURS! And we all got cake and ice cream afterwards!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WENDY THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS I HAVE EVER READ!! what lucky

children you have (Including ) TO BE THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU ARE. YOU

MADE MY SUNDAY!! congratulations to roger andt the rest of your family!!

WELCOME HOME ROGHTER!

lOREE

**************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and

favorite sites in one place. Try it now.

(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)

[Guest guest]

,

You brought tears to my eyes!  This is a beautiful story and the timing is so

perfect for sharing it:  Christmas!   I admire the work you are doing.  Many

blessings for you and your children this Christmas.

Bonnie

--- El dom 14-dic-08, and FRANK <michdock@...> escribió:

De:: and FRANK <michdock@...>

Asunto: Claiming ceremony LONG

A: " " <upsNDowns >

Fecha: domingo, 14 diciembre, 2008, 5:42 am

Most of you know that we have our friend living with us.

turned 47 today. He was raised in an institution in Wisconsin and then

at age 22 came to live in our group home. When we left the home and moved to

AZ we promised that he could always come and visit us.. and for 21 years,

he spent 2 weeks at Christmas with us every year. We had talked about him

coming to live with us, but he was settled with his same workshop and had a

wonderful housemother and we felt it would be more disruptive to move him.

However, 2 years ago, the group home closed. They relocated all the clients.

's brother asked for suggestions of where to send him and the housemother

told him that he belonged in Arizona. So, we got a call and responded yes

without hesitation. In August 2007 moved from Wisconsin to Arizona.

Confused but happy. It took us a while to get everything set up, but in

January 2008 he started work at a

sheltered workshop that he LOVES! He has made friends there and is on their

bowling league. He plays VIP soccer with Maverick, he plays Special Olympics

baseball with the adults. He is involved in ushering and greeting at our church

and is a very loved person. Totally accepted by all.

We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our children hanging. We just

hung our 9th picture adding Logan whose adoption was finalized in November.

keeps commenting that his picture isn't up there.

The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year old asked why we hadn't

adopted that day since HE had lived with us long enough. Then Chip, the

5 yr old got into the act and wanted to know why we couldn't adopt ... they

made sense... after all, he is going to live with us for ever and he has down

syndrome so he'll need to be with us all the time... yadda yadda yadda. I

felt that I had failed not only , but my children.

THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony and hang 's picture

on the wall... which we had planned on doing ANYWAY. So, today turned 47.

We had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming ceremony. We all had to swear in and

make pledges and then he got his gift. The 8X 10 already in a frame. We all

cheered and high fived about a million times and then... we asked him where he

wanted the picture... and he said... " On the WALL! "

So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same unconditionally on our wall.

keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids are at ease that

is OURS! And we all got cake and ice cream afterwards!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2008 10:36:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,

cindysue@... writes:

My sister and brother in law are getting the " calling

LOL!!! Uh OH once God calls you boy are you in for an adventerous ride.

Never did we think we would be the age we are with an 8 year old. The first

two we were younger but this little guy...NOT LOL! But I beleive God had a

bigger purpose even with Micah's adoption because I have become a HUGE advocate

for kids with special needs getting their education. So many people do not

know that they even have any rights for their children. Still so many schools

want to put our kids in a 6 " 1 " 1 placement and forget about them...NOT> I am

not saying there is not a place for a 6:1:1 p[rogram but I AM saying our

kids deserve to be treated equally and given a fair shot not just dumped. So

when God calls he has many purpose in mind.

Loree

**************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and

favorite sites in one place. Try it now.

(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)

[Guest guest]

,

I just love to hear about your family, and this is heartwarming story! Thank you

for telling us.

Patty

From: and FRANK <michdock@...>

Subject: Claiming ceremony LONG

" " <upsNDowns >

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 11:42 PM

Most of you know that we have our friend living with us. turned 47

today. He was raised in an institution in Wisconsin and then at age 22 came to

live in our group home. When we left the home and moved to AZ we promised

that he could always come and visit us.. and for 21 years, he spent 2 weeks at

Christmas with us every year. We had talked about him coming to live with us,

but he was settled with his same workshop and had a wonderful housemother and we

felt it would be more disruptive to move him. However, 2 years ago, the group

home closed. They relocated all the clients. 's brother asked for

suggestions of where to send him and the housemother told him that he belonged

in Arizona. So, we got a call and responded yes without hesitation. In August

2007 moved from Wisconsin to Arizona. Confused but happy. It took us a

while to get everything set up, but in January 2008 he started work at a

sheltered workshop that he LOVES! He

has made friends there and is on their bowling league. He plays VIP soccer with

Maverick, he plays Special Olympics baseball with the adults. He is involved in

ushering and greeting at our church and is a very loved person. Totally accepted

by all.

We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our children hanging. We just

hung our 9th picture adding Logan whose adoption was finalized in November.

keeps commenting that his picture isn't up there.

The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year old asked why we hadn't

adopted that day since HE had lived with us long enough. Then Chip, the 5

yr old got into the act and wanted to know why we couldn't adopt ... they

made sense... after all, he is going to live with us for ever and he has down

syndrome so he'll need to be with us all the time... yadda yadda yadda. I felt

that I had failed not only , but my children.

THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony and hang 's picture

on the wall... which we had planned on doing ANYWAY. So, today turned 47.

We had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming ceremony. We all had to swear in and

make pledges and then he got his gift. The 8X 10 already in a frame. We all

cheered and high fived about a million times and then... we asked him where he

wanted the picture... and he said... " On the WALL! "

So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same unconditionally on our wall.

keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids are at ease that is

OURS! And we all got cake and ice cream afterwards!

[Guest guest]

My famous question....

Now is your family complete? HAHAHAHA.

Thanks for this wonderful and heartwarming post this morning.

Congratualtions to all the family members.

[Guest guest]

Oh and we are always asked if we are finished.

I must tell you that only two of our adoptions were planned. We actively went

to an adoption agency and said we wanted a boy and went to Honduras and adopted

Guthrie. Then we wanted a baby girl and we went for Shalana.

Then the agency approached US on Levi and Maverick.

, Vivianna, Mykel, and Chip came through foster care.

was a dream and a bonus!

We have felt complete for a long time. Logan came through and EMAIL sent to

us.. we were NOT searching we were SURE we were finished.

We are a family by design, God's design and he's doing a beautiful job of it, I

must say!

We are just waiting for the next chapter in our lives.

[Guest guest]

My sister and brother in law are getting the " calling " - they will be adopting

from Haiti. They have been going on Mission trips to Haiti for several years.

My two nephews will be going with a medical team the day after Christmas. My

sister and BIL (and maybe daughter) will be going in April. They have met

several children they would like to adopt and follow up with them on a regular

basis. They have not seen any children with DS in the orphanage or medical

clinic.

--

cindysue@...

Re: Claiming ceremony LONG

Oh and we are always asked if we are finished.

I must tell you that only two of our adoptions were planned. We actively

went to an adoption agency and said we wanted a boy and went to Honduras and

adopted Guthrie. Then we wanted a baby girl and we went for Shalana.

Then the agency approached US on Levi and Maverick.

, Vivianna, Mykel, and Chip came through foster care.

was a dream and a bonus!

We have felt complete for a long time. Logan came through and EMAIL sent to

us.. we were NOT searching we were SURE we were finished.

We are a family by design, God's design and he's doing a beautiful job of it,

I must say!

We are just waiting for the next chapter in our lives.

[Guest guest]

Unbelievably touching. An extra Christmas gift for all of us to get to

vicariously experience.

Eleanor Green

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of and FRANK

Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 11:42 PM

Subject: Claiming ceremony LONG

Most of you know that we have our friend living with us. turned

47 today. He was raised in an institution in Wisconsin and then at age 22

came to live in our group home. When we left the home and moved to AZ we

promised that he could always come and visit us.. and for 21 years, he

spent 2 weeks at Christmas with us every year. We had talked about him

coming to live with us, but he was settled with his same workshop and had a

wonderful housemother and we felt it would be more disruptive to move him.

However, 2 years ago, the group home closed. They relocated all the clients.

's brother asked for suggestions of where to send him and the

housemother told him that he belonged in Arizona. So, we got a call and

responded yes without hesitation. In August 2007 moved from Wisconsin

to Arizona. Confused but happy. It took us a while to get everything set up,

but in January 2008 he started work at a sheltered workshop that he LOVES!

He has made friends there and is on their bowling league. He plays VIP

soccer with Maverick, he plays Special Olympics baseball with the adults. He

is involved in ushering and greeting at our church and is a very loved

person. Totally accepted by all.

We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our children hanging. We

just hung our 9th picture adding Logan whose adoption was finalized in

November. keeps commenting that his picture isn't up there.

The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year old asked why we

hadn't adopted that day since HE had lived with us long enough. Then

Chip, the 5 yr old got into the act and wanted to know why we couldn't adopt

... they made sense... after all, he is going to live with us for ever

and he has down syndrome so he'll need to be with us all the time... yadda

yadda yadda. I felt that I had failed not only , but my children.

THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony and hang 's

picture on the wall... which we had planned on doing ANYWAY. So, today

turned 47. We had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming ceremony. We all had to

swear in and make pledges and then he got his gift. The 8X 10 already in a

frame. We all cheered and high fived about a million times and then... we

asked him where he wanted the picture... and he said... " On the WALL! "

So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same unconditionally on our

wall.

keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids are at ease that

is OURS! And we all got cake and ice cream afterwards!

[Guest guest]

It's interesting how this " calling " soon be comes a way of life..........and

such a blessed one for all involved!

[Guest guest]

Oh, !! That is great! I am so happy for and you guys, but

especially for the other kids. It gives them security, I am sure, to really

" know " that is a permanent part of the family and see the writing on

the wall (or picture in your case). Congrats.

Love,

Kym

[Guest guest]

And I am crying. What a wonderful way to celebrate your new family member!

Sharon H.

Mom to , (17, DS) and , (13)

South Carolina

www.gsdss.net

" Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of

battle. "

" Life is too short for drama & petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely,

love truly and forgive quickly. "

Re: Claiming ceremony LONG

I could cry, that is so beautiful. Thank you for

sharing!!! Kiersten

--- and FRANK <michdock@...> wrote:

> Most of you know that we have our friend living

> with us. turned 47 today. He was raised in an

> institution in Wisconsin and then at age 22 came to live

> in our group home. When we left the home and moved to

> AZ we promised that he could always come and visit

> us.. and for 21 years, he spent 2 weeks at Christmas with

> us every year. We had talked about him coming to live

> with us, but he was settled with his same workshop and

> had a wonderful housemother and we felt it would be more

> disruptive to move him. However, 2 years ago, the group

> home closed. They relocated all the clients. 's

> brother asked for suggestions of where to send him and

> the housemother told him that he belonged in Arizona.

> So, we got a call and responded yes without hesitation.

> In August 2007 moved from Wisconsin to Arizona.

> Confused but happy. It took us a while to get

> everything set up, but in January 2008 he started work at

> a sheltered workshop that he LOVES! He has made friends

> there and is on their bowling league. He plays VIP

> soccer with Maverick, he plays Special Olympics baseball

> with the adults. He is involved in ushering and greeting

> at our church and is a very loved person. Totally

> accepted by all.

> We have a wall where we have 8 X 10's of all of our

> children hanging. We just hung our 9th picture adding

> Logan whose adoption was finalized in November.

> keeps commenting that his picture isn't up there.

> The night after Logan's adoption, Vivianna, our 8 year

> old asked why we hadn't adopted that day since HE

> had lived with us long enough. Then Chip, the 5 yr old

> got into the act and wanted to know why we couldn't adopt

> ... they made sense... after all, he is going to

> live with us for ever and he has down syndrome so he'll

> need to be with us all the time... yadda yadda yadda.

> I felt that I had failed not only , but my children.

> THEN, my visiting friend had an idea to have a ceremony

> and hang 's picture on the wall... which we had

> planned on doing ANYWAY. So, today turned 47. We

> had pizza, pop, cake...and a claiming ceremony. We all

> had to swear in and make pledges and then he got his

> gift. The 8X 10 already in a frame. We all cheered

> and high fived about a million times and then... we asked

> him where he wanted the picture... and he said... " On the

> WALL! "

> So now, we have 10 faces that we love all the same

> unconditionally on our wall.

> keeps looking at that wall and smiling. The kids

> are at ease that is OURS! And we all got cake

> and ice cream afterwards!

>

>

>

>

>

>