Starting Our Mission to Find Edwin a Permanent Family
No this isn’t a Julie and Julia blog on How to Master the Art of French Cooking. This blog’s goal is to find a permanent family for a very special houseguest that will be living with our family for 4 weeks starting December 16. This blog’s purpose is to keep friends, family, friends of friends and strangers who have yet to become friends informed on our journey to find Edwin a family. My goal is daily updates but you should see my children’s baby photo albums from 14 years ago – no promises. After Edwin arrives on December 16th expect the full court press with stories and photos of his activities in Easton.
Kevin, the boys and I are volunteering again for KidSave through their Winter Miracles Program – to see more about Kidsave go to http://www.kidsave.org. KidSave works through volunteers like us to introduce kids in orphanages and foster care to people who might adopt them.
Edwin is our very special houseguest. He is 11 years old and lives in Bogota Columbia. Edwin is available for adoption and wants to find a family to live with. We are all psyched to meet him and welcome him to our home…the kids are also hoping to pick up some soccer techniques, rumor has it Edwin is quite a player. 
- He doesn’t know what he is in for huh?
Hope Springs Eternal…even though it is freezing outside today!
Last Post was in January…exhausted and emotionally spent. What a difference 3 months make. Through the prayers and assistance of so many a family is moving forward to adopt Edwin! The Colombian government has approved their letter of intent and the home study is submitted. All Kidsave kids return to the orphanages/foster care after their host family stay. Fortunately, every week since Edwin’s departure our family has been able to keep the lines of communication with a Monday evening phone call. Mondays are crazed…Cooking dinner, helping with homework, feeding the dog, organizing carpools while simultaneously talking to an 11 year old boy in a language that I don’t speak. Starting tonight Edwin’s prospective parents can start calling him too. They are absolutely wonderful people.
Must apologize for the 3 month absence in information but wanted to wait until we knew Colombia approved the letter of intent and the homestudy submission was on its way. Look forward to posting a new photo of Edwin arriving in America with his new family.
Happy to discuss with anyone what hosting a child is all about. Spread the word there are over 20 Kidsave kids coming to the U.S. this summer and Kidsave needs host families. Below is a picture of just one of the kids that needs a host family for this summer. Would you consider? – Click Here to See the 2012 Kids
Jesson - 11 Year Old Boy Who Loves Sports and Needs a Family.
Not a good day for wearing mascara
Trust me, there were days when I was looking forward to my “normal” life returning but that was when everyone in our house was “settling in” and certainly today was not one of those days of wishing for normal. Edwin leaves and there is an empty space at the dinner table that didn’t exist three weeks ago.
But there is joy and hope as significant progress was made in finding Edwin a family. Our family has been blessed with so many prayers and selfless acts by old and new friends to not only help Edwin find a home but also make his Easton vacation a memory of love and kindness. From Claudia Stecher and Matt Rich, Edwin’s translators, to Talbot County Public and Country Schools, to Dr. Gawad for his kindness and expert care, Lauren Mangold’s beautiful photography, The Henker Group’s fabulous PR, to Alfredo’s and The Pub for offers of free dinners (I really appreciated those), Steve Satchell for basketball coaching and everyone that facebooked, posted flyers and networked, welcoming this small child with open hearts. See “Edwins Angels” for the full roster, it is robust! One of Edwin’s notes in his journal was “I wish I could take everyone home with me”. Hosting and advocating for a Kidsave child is a rollercoaster of emotions that I would not trade for simplicity. Simplicity is boring. Please let me know if you have interest in the 2012 Kidsave Summer Miracles Program.
The adoption process takes about 10 months once a family decides to pursue. Please pray for all the Kidsave kids and their prospective families for expediency in their adoptions. My promise to keep those interested updated. We will be skyping, emailing and sending letters to our new 11 year old friend while we wait with hope to see him with his new family. Off to find our dog Abby, she is moping around the house.
Gracias
…You Have to Live It Mom…
The first time Kevin and I discussed hosting an 11 year old boy with our three children several months ago, our youngest Joey threw himself on the dining room table gasping “…but he will get all the Christmas presents!”. So much for keeping Christ in Christmas huh? As our boys journeyed with us each one has found his own means of connecting with Edwin. Joey in sports, Charlie in silly handshakes and William, simply being his older brother and friend.
As the oldest, William is able to express feelings a bit better than Joey so thought to share last night’s discussion. Studying for a final exam in Revelations, we discussed the term Divine Revelations. A Wikipedia definition “…revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a divine entity.” However, William’s definition was so much more poignant…I think I will keep William around.
Mom, when you want to learn a language you have to live in the country and speak it to be fluent. When you want to be like Jesus, you need to do the same thing, you have to live it, like being in the country. That is what we are doing with Edwin being here.
William Edwin and Joey
New Friends at Alfredos
One of the many blessings of having Edwin in our home is his ability to bring together people who would have otherwise never met. Our unified goal to find Edwin a permanent family has created a sub-culture of “Edwin Friends” which we love.
If you are an “Easton-ite” you have probably eaten at Alfredos, but did you know his wife is Colombian and her grown son Alec speaks fluent Spanish?
Alfredo’s family kindly invited us to dinner last week and of course he probably didn’t budget how much the Greaney boys eat in his kind offering. We will be sure to remain patrons a long time to return the favor and spread the word on what a good cook he is.
Our new friend Ruby, the Colombian Representative from ICBF, was in town. We were so glad to show her what small town living is like, running into friends at the restaurant, of course who all knew of Edwin though Edwin had never met them.
Below is a photo of the crew gathering outside after dinner and Edwin having a long conversation with Alec. Alec was just about Edwin’s age when he came to America. Edwin was very interested in how long it took him to learn English. Thank you to Alfredo, it was a lovely evening and one for the memory book.
First Nieve (…Snow)
So glad to see it snow, particularly in time for Edwin’s visit. He threw on a hat, gloves, pants and his trusty under armour sweatshirt (he must have picked up from my kids that you NEVER WEAR A COAT, ONLY A HOODIE!,even when it snows).
He jumped on the tramp and made a snow angel and then a snow man. We call him Ricardo #6. The story behind this is all of Edwin’s special gifts are called Ricardo; his stuffed animal, Steeler’s Pillow Pet, Lego toy #1 and Lego toy#2 and then Abby the dog. Ricardo we found out is his brother’s name who was recently adopted and lives in TX. Instead of being sad by the initial naming of Ricardo #1 we have embraced the name and everything is named Ricardo, even the snow man.
First Snowman - Ricardo #6
Buzzer Beater!
I know I know… I keep pushing the sports theme but Edwin truly is a natural athlete. At first basketball practice Coach Steve Satchell comments “…how can I get this kid on my football team, he is so fast”…Well Steve, you know Kevin and my answer to that question huh?
Right after the comment Edwin, with no formalized basketball practice, sinks one at the buzzer at the practice scrimmage’s end.
So proud upon receipt of his YMCA jersey – #11 – Edwin asks if he can take it home with him to Bogota. Imagine that, I throw those things away every year and Edwin wants to carry it on a 12 hour flight.
At yesterday’s game I felt as if we were in the movie “Rudy”. Every time Edwin attempted to make a basket the entire gymnasium screamed and willed it to go in. Edwin must have been thinking “…how do all of these people know who I am? I must be pretty good at basketball!”
Please don’t let us get down to the “buzzer beater” to find Edwin a family that will consider adopting him. Edwin and all the Kidsave kids depart back home on Saturday Jan 14th. Our goal is for a family to meet him prior to departure so that they may consider applying to adopt him.
Help us make these last 7 days a “full court press” to get the word out.
Edwin in Mrs. Aleman’s Class At TCPS
First day since December 23rd with no children in my house – that is something to celebrate. Dropped the Greaney boys off and then eased Edwin (tired and yawning) into Mrs. Aleman’s class at Talbot County Elementary School, Many thanks to Emily Moody for arranging.
Two adorable children met Edwin at the front office – Kevin and Giovanni – with huge smiles welcoming him to their school in both English and Spanish. Mrs. Aleman not only welcomed Edwin as a special guest but had her sister from Colombia also assist in the day.
Edwin left the day with an unusual expression for someone he just met – A huge huge hug for Mrs. Aleman. Mucho Gracias Mrs. Aleman!
Mrs. Aleman’s comments
Check Out These Pictures from Second Star Photography – Many Thanks
Lauren Mangold of Second Star Photography is a BIG EDWIN ANGEL. Check out this link to her website with all these great shots. The photos…except the one showing my 46 year old legs…are all fabulous and capture Edwin’s true spirit.
We are fortunate to have Rubiela Grisales from Colombia ICBF (Institute Columbia for Family) in Easton for a few days to visit. Ruby has commented that Edwin is a different child when with a family. He is engaged, happy, singing and smiling and it is lovely to see. We have less than 9 days to introduce Edwin to people who may consider adopting him. Please get the word out.
Determination
Edwin is focused and determined when trying new things. Got a glimmer of the competitive spirit in the Joey/Edwin mini golf face off but confirmation when watching him try to master a golf swing and ice skating for the first time all in one day.
As a friend kindly offered while on the driving range – “Why Golf,?…isn’t life frustrating enough??” Edwin steadfastly stood in front of a large mound of yellow range balls and practiced hitting them for over an hour. That is alot of patience for an 11 year old boy. Thanks to Peter Knade for stepping in as his swing coach!
Similarly the same day a group of neighborhood kids and the Greaney/Edwin clan went ice skating. Edwin had never been ice skating before as he demonstrated by scooping up shavings of ice in enjoyment as if it were snow. What started out as gripping onto the side wall turned to holding my hand then to using the “kid slider” to skating solo by the end of the session. The look of determination on his face was only outshone by his smile when completing his first circle solo.
These two endeavors plus of course living in a new country, not knowing the language or the people and still thriving, have me so enthused that Edwin will flourish with a family. We have less than two weeks to introduce Edwin to people who may consider adopting him. Please forward this blog to your community, church, school and social networks.
An American Football Fan
…well I must confess this photo was a bit staged but Edwin was a willing participant. Edwin will be returning home with a Steeler Jersey, Terrible Towel and a Steeler Pillow Pet. Of course, as previously discussed he is an entirely adaptable and flexible 11 year old and I am sure can be convinced to be a Ravens or Redskins fan for a loving family!
Each day we see more and more of Edwin’s spirit and personality. Singing in the house, pitching in with chores – he and William took the Christmas Tree down yesterday – and even mischievous practical jokes…more on those for another blog, I have 11 more days to blog post and only 11 more days to introduce Edwin to people who may consider adopting him. Please continue the outreach and Happy New Year.
easternshorekidsave 