Rothermund Family Blog

My Montage 10/19/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-10-19T19:06:00.001-07:00

Boy and Girl part tutorial.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My Montage 5/20/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-07-07T10:54:00.001-07:00

My jacked up attempt at an original song, with really poor singing!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is HOME!

2009-07-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Holiday Tigist Rothermund is OURS!

2009-03-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

New Court Date!

2009-03-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm happy to report that we have received a new court date. Most of you have already heard this info. but I'm putting this up as a reminder because we need prayer. So if you are willing, please join us in praying for a successful court date for MARCH 31, 2009.

Happy Birthday, Ty!

2009-02-08T21:52:00.001-08:00

Yeah, your lookin at one FINE piece of tail! I kid you not when I say, the older he gets, the better he looks. Tyler is creative, funny, quite, smart; and above all these, he has a good heart! No wife could be prouder or more in love than I!

Happy Birthday, Tyler! I LOVE YOU!

We have a Court Date!

2009-02-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Yippee! Exactly 2 weeks to the day of our referral, we have received a court date ~ April 14th! So, incase you haven’t already heard, court is when they declare Holiday officially OURS! I ask for your prayers over the 14th- that the courts will have favor on us.

Please pray that she remains healthy and that God will prepare her heart for the changes to come, as we also prepare for her coming!

If all goes well, we hope to get her by the end of April!

Referral Video

2009-01-23T13:53:00.000-08:00

10 Months!

2009-01-12T20:23:00.001-08:00

Returning back to our normal count down, or should I say up; we are now at the 10 month stage. Amazingly, I never thought we would still be waiting at this point, since when we started in the Ethiopia program the wait was 6-9 months. I am happy to say that while we are excited about a referral, I definitely feel it is God’s perfect plan that we have not had that call yet. We are at peace and happy to see other children in Ethiopia being placed with their forever families. Congratulations to the families who received a referral this month!

I’m positive that next month will be our month! Till then please pray for Mason, as he is still struggling with swallowing difficulties. He is suppose to have endoscopy very soon.

Much love to everyone who continues to follow our blog and keeps us in their prayers. I hope to share some very happy news with you in the near future! God Bless! :)

We’re # 1!

2009-01-05T16:32:00.001-08:00

So, as I was looking on the web today, I suddenly heard the familiar ring of e-mails entering my mailbox. While this is a common occurrence, it was the amount of ringtones that peaked my interest. I casually clicked my mailbox and read the first e-mail- “Bowman Referral !” Instantly my heart was pounding, but instead of continuing to read, I quickly minimized the window and opened my main page. I was FREAKED out! If the Bowman’s had their referral, then maybe the Lunceford’s also had theirs, which made us….

Well, about 20 minutes later I gathered enough courage to look, and Dun, Tah, Duh…

We’re # 1 in the Ethiopia Program!!!

You may ask, what does that mean? That means that we are first in line to receive a referral! When? Well, this month, next month- but most likely next month!

I’m gonna be a Mommy again!

GIDDINESS and JOY!

A Christmas Wish

2008-12-21T23:35:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas wish this year was to receive a picture of our little girl. Unfortunately, our agency sent an e-mailed that this will not be happening. At that moment my hopes were crushed. So many people were praying for this, hoping and believing that despite the bleak outlook; nothing was impossible for God. Of course, this is true, but then our ways are not His ways. I willingly admit that it struck me down and a slight separation happened between me and Him. I just shut down and every negative thought about adoption entered my heart. I hate the process, the paperwork, the uncertainties and the emotions that go with it. For the most part I have maintained my feelings. I have stayed calm, not allowing myself to think of our girl for days at a time, not speaking her name or wishing for her presence. I’ve told myself that I will just focus on the two God has given me and be joyful at all times. Still, when I heard that another month will pass us by without a word, I was upset. I pondered walking away, I thought to myself that I’ve had enough. We’ve put so much money into this, so much time. I thought about all the paperwork we had signed, with all it’s hopeful numbers and wait times, and yet none of it was the truth.

And then we went to the store, and there was a little African American girl in front of me. She was beautiful, with two little pig tails in her hair. So there it was… the love, the need, the hope, the dream. All of my emotions flooded back and I told myself I would wait as long as it takes. There is nothing that will keep me from this child; not time, not money, nothing!

I will cling to God again, I will renew my strength through Him. All my hope is in Him and Him alone. How blessed I am that He loves me, though I know I don’t deserve it!

9 Months!

2008-12-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

This month begins our 9th month!

I'm hoping for a birthday surprize, but chances are it won't happen.

I will try to remember:

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a formal proclamation, passed by an Act of Congress, initiating the first annual National Day of Thanksgiving:

No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy... I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens....[it is] announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord....It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.

Remember the Orphan ~ November is National Adoption Month

2008-11-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

8 Months

2008-11-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

We have offically reached our 8th month!

I've heard through our Yahoo chat group that referrals are on the way!

I'm not sure if we will be among those to receive a referral, but we are thrilled at the prospect.

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24

7 Months!

2008-10-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

This month we are seven months! Approximate wait time for an infant girl is between 7-9 months, with the trend leaning toward the 9th month. We humbly request your prayers- May He give us patience as we wait, prepare our hearts, and keep our focus on Him.

James 1:4

"But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

F.Y.I.

2008-09-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial.
Real Parent: Any parent who is not imaginary.
Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else's child.
Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own.
--- Rita Laws, PhD

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1

Six Months!

2008-09-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Six Months and Three to Go!

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen."

Five in Five!

2008-08-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Before I let this month end, I needed to let you know, we are 5 months and 5th in line for a girl!

It can only get better!
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..." Hebrews 12:1-2

Back by Popular Demand!

2008-08-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

She's a lady!

Miracle Day!

2008-07-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we recieved a gift....
And to that girl, I'd like to say THANK YOU! Thank you helping someone you don't even know, thank you for listening to God, and thank you for reminding me that God loves us and is thinking of us!
You are forever part of the miracle that is my daughter's life!

Four Months Down!

2008-07-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hey, guess what? We are half way there!
Most babies being referred are between the ages of 4-6 months; unless a family has specifically requested an older child.
Today I woke up and looked out the window. At that moment a small bird landed on the very top of our tree and sat for a moment in the rising sun. I pondered whether our daughter was being born today!

Baby's First

2008-06-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

These are some of the first things I've bought the baby!

My mother bought the last outfit. It was just too cute!

Car Wash & Other News

2008-05-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

We had a car wash on Saturday. The weather was terrible - 107 F. It was basically torture! All I can say is thank God for true friends. Matt & his daughter Alyssa were there, along with another friend from Harvest that we barely know. This man came out with his daughter and worked so hard for us, with nothing in return. I was so amazed! At one point, a lady told us as we washed her car, "Did you know there is another car wash up the street." This man, without even a pause, looked at her and said, "That's OK, the Lord will provide." I almost wanted to cry, except I was so dehydrated, nothing would have come out anyways. Haha! The day lasted from 7:30 am till 3pm. Later on, as Tyler and I drove home, we just sat back and marveled at the gift these people had given us. This was seriously hard work, and terribly hot, but these people gave their whole day to support our adoption. Tyler and I both said that this was God's love in action! We raised just around $500- Praise God!
In other news, Ethiopia is experiencing a drought. Please pray for rain in Ethiopia and for mercy from God. Please read on:
Aid Agencies Say Thousands of Ethiopians Facing Starvation
By Lisa Schlein on http://www.voanews.com/Geneva16 May 2008

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says it is taking swift action to help an estimated 40,000 Ethiopians facing starvation. The Red Cross is launching an emergency appeal for $1.7 million to provide urgently needed food relief. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Red Cross headquarters in Geneva.
Malnourished Ethiopian child (undated photo)Drought is a recurring phenomenon in the Horn of Africa. Many areas of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and parts of northern Kenya are facing losses from this year's harvests.
The International Red Cross Federation says it is particularly concerned about the welfare of some 40,000 people in the Wolaita, Sidama, Moyale and Bale areas of southern Ethiopia. It says they are suffering severe food shortages.
Director of Programs for the Red Cross, Thomas Gurtner, says the emergency appeal is a stopgap measure to help tide these people over until the next harvest in October.
"If they can plant now and if the rains actually come and this is the rainy season now-we are in the middle of it, then the prospects would be better for the future. So, it is a relatively short-term intervention as such," he said.
The cumulated effects of poor rains during the last two seasons have led to the deterioration in the physical condition of livestock. This has resulted in lower livestock prices and a reduction of family incomes at a time when the price of cereal has increased dramatically.
Gurtner says many people are at risk of starvation, especially young children and the elderly who are at particular risk.
"I think we are not yet in front of a famine. You can see there is a danger of famine. We have moderate malnutrition rates that are starting to increase. It is creeping in. It is a silent onset, a slow onset disaster. Let us say these food distributions are now being carried out as also some of the agricultural support is carried out as a preventative measure to prevent people from being further destitute, having to sell off... stuff they have and not lose the little possessions they still have," he said.

2 Months Down!

2008-05-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Tyler is Awsome!

2008-04-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

So, I was sitting here asking Tyler what to blog today and he said tell everyone how AWSOME he is- Thus the title.
Other than that, I got nothin! So, here are pics of Tyler's dog, Lilo. This is the sad, sad result of my boredom...

Saint Lilo

Summer Cool Lilo and Senorita Lilo

One Month Down!

2008-04-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

We have offically been waiting one month and 3 days since we becoming DTE.

I'm Tagged!

2008-03-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

My YG friends, Kristen and Shari have tagged me!
Here is how is works:
You must tag 5 other people (you cant tag the person who tagged you).
You must list 10 fun facts about yourself.
1. My favorite colors are yellow and blue.
2. I love to pick on my mother (In a fun way).
3. I come from a long line of clowns: extremely goofy people.
4. I usually start laughing before I've finished my joke.
5. My hair has been blonde, brown, black and orange (at separate times).
6. I homeschool my children.
7. My husband is SUPER HOT!
8. Did I mention how HOT my husband is!
9. I love music and play several instruments...poorly.
10. My Father is the best person in the whole world!

The Dossier is Done!

2008-03-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

On February 14th we recieved our 171H in the mail. Then, we had to mail it to the Secretary of State for certification. We finally got it back and rushed to pull everything together, but lo, I had forgotten to do our photo pages (pictures of the family and house). So, not being a scrapbook type person, I used my daughter's construction paper and taped some pictures to it. Needless to say, it looked pretty pathetic. I didn't even care about that though, I was just overjoyed to finally be done with the dossier. So, what does that mean? Well, it means we are offically "Waiting for Referral" or "WFR". Now, many of you may be temped to ask me if I have recieved a picture yet, but please, refrain. It makes me anxious!

Nascar- The Good, The Bad and The Drunk.

2008-02-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

We went to the Nascar race in Fontana tonight. I'm happy to report that we made it there in great time. The seating was nice and we were next to our friends, which is always a good time. Having never been there before, it was everything I imagined and soooo much more. The fly-over was beautiful, even made me tear up.....don't know why. The sound of those cars flying past vibrates within your chest and blows your ears. The smell of the gas and jet engines (for drying the track) could permanently damage brain cells....in fact, you could tell that several people there were clearly attending way too many of these. But the thing that surprised me the most was the amount of alcohol consumed by nearly every other person there. We were even witness to some druken threats, so sever that the cops showed up and escorted people away. Oh, and Tom Cruise showed up- Whatever!
We left early and made it out before the highly intoxicated crowd swirved onto the road. The rain began to fall just as we left and the race was called off, but may still continue at 11pm tonight. I'm happy to report that Jimmy Johnson was in first place when we left. Hopefully Jimmy wins, and that loud shout you hear will be my husband rejoicing! Tyler is, in fact, a ridiculous Jimmy fan on a borderline unhealthy level. We normally are "required" to go to Lowes for our household needs in order to "support" Jimmy. Home Depot is the enemy during race season and is only permitted on special occasions of true need....Yes, it is that bad!
I'll let you know how it goes....

And We're Off!

2007-12-29T20:59:00.001-08:00

We have mailed off our paperwork and are currently awaiting a fingerprinting appointment and our I-171H form. We also mailed out some dossier papers to be certified. We went to our notary tonight to have other documents prepared for certification. Do you get the amount of paperwork involved in this? Infact, in the adoption world people call this stage the "paper pregnancy". I don't really use that term because it has always struck me as strange, having gone through pregnancy and knowing it is nothing like paperwork. Paperwork is really boring, and frustrating, brain sucking and.....you know what it's like? It's like "toss the egg" game. You have all these papers which basically contain your entire life, and everything that is private is basically tossed around for all these strangers to look at and sign, and you gotta hope that they send them back safely. Once you get them back, you send them right back out for more strangers to look at and sign. And all the while your doing this, you're writting checks left and right. You're checking your bank account and watching it fall till there is nothing left. It's frightening, draining, and sometimes even humorous.
We'll let you know when those final papers pass through our hands and we can finally say we are in the waiting stage. Till then....