Our Adoption "Why"

Our adoption 10 day t-shirt fundraiser has begun and $11 from each shirt will go directly towards our adoption. Every little bit helps, so if you would like to purchase a stylish t-shirt and support bringing our child home, here is the link: http://chromebuffalo.com/blogs/drive/117126277-tag-adoption?variant=9580384069

Here's why we are adopting and asking for support:

I have had some questions as to why we have decided to adopt.  It is something that has been in our conversations for years.

I remember sitting in the living room, in 3^rd grade, watching a news story about the baby girls in China being abandoned and thinking about how bad I wanted to help them. Then, in high school we visited Columbia, and while at a church, we watched as kids climbed a rock-side hill, barefoot, to beg for money with their milk jugs attached to long poles. Once someone would give money to a younger kid, the older ones would fight him for it. My parents would always take us to areas that showed us how lucky we were, while on vacation. They didn’t realize it then, but the images of the one-bedroom shacks and kids begging for money were etched into my brain in a way I could never forget.

I would casually mention to all my friends in high school that one day I would adopt. It was something Matt heard every time I spoke of a future family. The seeds had been planted, and throughout the years it seems like adoption is something that would keep coming back into our lives (and hearts) even if we weren’t really talking about it. Through church videos, Matt’s roommate,  co-workers, and my volunteer work it was a constant theme. We always felt there was a child for us that wouldn't be "from" us.

Before we had Abram we would discuss in what order we should adopt. Then Abram and Julip were born and we moved. When we got to Cleveland we were just trying to settle in. Still, Matt had two new co-workers with adopted kids and another one who was adopted. He had a long discussion with the adoptee about how grateful he was to be adopted, and that was enough to get us talking again. We decided that we wanted another child, and that we would try through adoption.

I had heard (and seen first-hand) how many kids are in the US foster care system so, in January, I began contacting our county and separate agencies to start the process of fostering to adopt a boy/girl that is 5 years or younger. I was told by every agency that I spoke with that children under 8 are very rare and that it would not be likely that we could adopt one before moving in 2.5 years. They wouldn’t even let me start the process. I felt like my dreams were crushed.

We began looking into private domestic adoption. It was significantly more expensive and would most likely be a newborn. I kept seeing parent’s stories about them just hoping to be picked since they were not able to have biological children. I could not in good conscience take a newborn from a mom who has never had the ability to experience that fragile time.

Then my mom sent me a video of a women’s international adoption story. I had always thought it was WAY more money than any domestic, but the prices weren’t too much more. Matt asked why we weren’t considering adopting from Central/Latin America since I have always loved those places and the culture. We both immediately said, “Honduras”! We had just spent a day there on a trip and felt really drawn to the people of that country. We have researched just about every country you can (and cannot) adopt from and Honduras is still our top choice.  The process will take us about 3 years. We are ok with that, though, we are trying to complete the paper process as quickly as possible because that is the only thing we have control of.

Since we are going to be doing some fundraising I want to maintain a degree of transparency with the costs. This adoption will cost us around $50,000. We have already paid $8,000 from our savings and will have approximately $15,000 more due this fall, when we submit our foreign dossier. Once that is submitted we begin the waiting game.

Once we get (and accept) a referral we will have to make 2-3 trips to Honduras for court and bonding with our child. The third trip we will be able to bring he/she home! We are so excited to meet our child for the first time and to watch the bond that will develop between our kids. Please keep us in your prayers.

Thank you, Nikki

A Special Family Announcement

We have a very special announcement to make; check out our video to see what it is! https://youtu.be/wXFwcDZA3ak

Music: Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips

You can follow along for updates on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tagadoption

or our Pure Chairty page: https://www.purecharity.com/taghehchian-family-adoption

Nikki

Lifestyle Shoot | Our New Adventure

So much has been happening, with Julip turning one and all the adventures we've taken together as a family, I knew I had to find a photographer to capture our life at this stage. As soon as we got a little settled I found Aimee McNamee Photography; I love her work! Just before Julip turned one we had a photoshoot in our backyard and on the beach to document some of our favorite things these days. I just love the way they turned out. I had never done a lifestyle shoot, but getting a one and two year old to sit still is almost impossible so this was way less stress for us. Aimee made it a breeze and captured the controlled craziness of our life perfectly! Here are some (ok lots) of my favorites...it's so hard to just choose a couple. xo,

Nikki

My Son's Leash Arrived Today

 

As you can tell by my title the struggle is real over here. I have all of these topics jotted down to write about, but have been feeling like I just can't wrap my head around them. Then, Abram's leash arrived and it hit me, this is my life right now. So here I am to try and lift the stigma of putting your kid on a leash; something I swore I would never do.

I have always told Matt that I think Abram is our dog, Lucky, reincarnated. Lucky was funny, smart, a people person, adventurous, and spun around like crazy. Lucky also bolted a lot. In fact, the last time he did it he was hit by a car and killed, right before I got pregnant with Abram. I am not saying my son is a dog, but with the leash I think the transition is complete ;).

Seriously though, Abram is an extremely smart little boy with a lot of energy. Unfortunately, smart for a 2.5 year old means exploring everything and testing his limits. He is also very stubborn (he obviously gets that from his dad's side). He hates riding in the cart unless it looks like a car, and usually walks next to me. Occasionally, he will get a spurt of energy and take off running. This just started with the move and I know it's a phase, but it is a dangerous one.

The first time it happened I was in a huge store with both kids and the item I was trying to get off the shelf was stuck. In the time it took for me to get the item he was gone. I ran through the store, pushing Julip in the cart, with my heart racing. I was screaming his name, but he was no where to be found. Finally, at the opposite end of the store a group of women had him surrounded. I almost cried with gratitude for these women as I laughed it off on the outside and thanked them. I started thinking about the leash that evening, but wrote it off as a one-time thing.

Then another series of bolts happened, leaving Matt chasing him across the store. One time he almost ran out of the automatic doors. He thinks it's a game of chase and we try not to "chase" him, but cannot let him out of our sight. People tell me to explain to him why he can't run. Why didn't I think of that!? Have you ever tried explaining ANYTHING to a 2 year old? So this week I gave in and ordered the leash with the best reviews.

Now, here I sit trying to get up the courage to use it in public.  I know how it will look, but in my heart I just want him to be able to explore while knowing he is safe. Even if it means being "that" parent for a couple months.

xo,

Nikki