APPROVAL!!!

Today we received APPROVAL!!!! (happy dance!!!) 

This means that in Ukraine we are "registered as candidates for adoptive parents" - WOOHOO!

This is a HUGE step in the right directions! 

Travel between our two nations is aaaaahhhhh.... possibly opening back up soon.... perhaps VERY soon....


In other news:
We parents had a wonderful anniversary - ALONE! 

Love Birds

And then celebrated our Familversay with a cookout with our brood and some grand-folks.

this is a BAD recreation of my favorite picture
- I still love my little weirdos -

 A majority of us went to visit the Alabama relations and celebrate Baby Erin's First Birthday! She is the sweetest! And a total ham for a camera...

Baby Erin & Aunt Erin

My minions with their GREAT Uncle John

me w/my Aunt Carolyn and my Mama

Continue to pray for Andrii. He was supposed to be done with his radiation treatment but didn't pass all his blood test and had to put off several treatments. Hopefully he will finish soon and get a break. He seems to be in good spirits and messages us often.

Anastasia seems to be doing well and having fun hanging out with her friends. We don't get as many messages from her. Makes them all the more precious!

And I'm wearing myself out doing my own little happy dance over our approval!  

So here's a Happy Dance song so you can celebrate this adoption milestone with us.

Love ya! 

Ink, Quarantine, and Birds

I ordered the wrong ink

Last weekend we were sent one more paper to print, notarize and apostille. But I was out of ink. And I'm avoiding Walmart cause... well, it's crazier than normal. And they don't have toilet paper anyway. 
So I ordered ink. And it came a day earlier than expected. And I ran to put it in the printer and... it's the wrong size. (Although it look exactly the same *eye roll*).

So I HAD to go to Walmart to exchange it. 

So we also bought a few other things. (but no toilet paper - found that at Dollar General). 

But then The Daddy isn't home to sign it... so.... we wait. Again. 

(Before I could edit and add links and pictures Gene came home and a sweet friend Notarized them for us. Thanks Mary Ann!)


In somewhat happier news, Andrii's radiation treatment is going well. He still gets a few

FaceTime with Andrii

visitors. And a friend even got to go to radiation with him. I got to talk with him on Thursday and tell him good night. He looked really good!

There is still fundraising happening to help cover parts of his medical needs. Some testing and nursing care and MRIs. More on that can be found here. 

Haven't heard much from Anastasia this week.

Today, Ava went to Aldi with me. Which was a huge blessing because they had limited the number of gallons of milk you can buy to just 2. Which is totally ridiculous to someone that normally gets 6. Since she didn't need milk she got 2 for me with her order. What a relief! 
But I'll still have to go to the store again sooner. Which flys against this whole "shelter at home" malarkey. 

This whole mess is becoming silly. All these talking heads.... (*huge eye roll* followed by mumbling about the Constitution and rights...). 
Only sick people should be quarantined. We may bust out. (We may have already.)

And we, all 8945 that seem to live here, are not sick.  We are only sick of hearing about it ALL the time!
So, while a few weeks ago I was all about our Grand people staying home and away from others who could be carriers (like us), now... well, this is no way for any people to live life. Especially our hurting and elderly and those who have lost a loved one. It's hard to show how much you care from far away. 

"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

I Corinthians 12:22-26

Can you tell that even this homebody is fed up?  

"Security without liberty is called prison." 

~ Benjamin Franklin ~

(*stepping off soap box* *noting that, if this is a prison, it's a pretty nice prison*)

We have made use of our park passes and continue to be thankful for the beautiful weather and room to roam. 

And we still have Fly Home bird prints for sale! Only a few of some but lots of hummingbird prints! 

The printer was closed and now someone else is "helping" and I'm not sure when we will order more. We had hoped Spring festivals would be a help to us... but those are all canceled. 

So look for a SALE SOON (like tomorrow). I'll link it when it goes live.

And we are still waiting for grants. But like everything else, many are paused. Some are waiting on an update from us that things are moving forward. 

It WILL happen. Soon. 

It just will.

Update from Ukraine

Our friend far away visited with the children today and sent the following message and pictures - the sign thanks World Children’s Hosting for raising the funds for important parts of Andrii’s medical care and testing.

Hello everyone, how are you?  I hope you and your families are in order?  I inform you that today I managed to visit Andrei, the other day he completed the fourth course of chemotherapy, he was very weak lately and felt weak, a few days ago Andrei began to eat a little better and go out for a walk, since now  Ukraine was quarantined to visit medical, child care facilities and nursing homes, I was forced to buy a protective suit from biochemical protection and only in a suit I was allowed to visit Andrey, for about one hour we walked slowly around the territory  Denia with Andrei and his sister Anastasia, we talked a lot about life, talked a lot about the future adoption process, I answered them all the questions, we also discussed the school, their grandmother, friends, they also remembered the Browns family and the USA, we also talked about  politics, about coronavirus, in a word Andrei talked a lot and Anastasia also got a little involved in our conversation!  We had a wonderful time together, they miss you very much, and they are waiting for you to come to adopt them, they just were very shy and it was not easy to talk to them.  I brought them presents - a lot of various healthy fruits, as well as some delicious sweets.  Now the main task for Andrey is to eat well and gain some weight, and it is also important that his blood tests improve, since from March 25 his attending oncologist plans to start radiation therapy, which is designed for 50 days.  Therefore, I ask you to continue to pray for Andrew!  Andrei and Anastasia really hope that this nightmare with coronavirus will end soon and you will be able to come to them as soon as possible.

Great generosity has covered the expenses of MRI's, nursing care, daily markers (testing), which are not covered by the state medical funds. There will probably be another fundraiser to cover Andrii’s care and tests for his upcoming radiation treatment. I'll update and share on Facebook when it's set up.

EDIT: Here's the fundraising set up by Sabrina of WCH on Facebook for his medical care

Click Here to go to the Fundraiser

Praying we can get there soon! 

Love ya! 

Today’s Good News!

Yesterday, I was sent 1 Samuel 12:16 and today we have LOTS of good news to share! 🤩

First, wonderful news about Andrii!
He saw a physiologist for 3 days and is feeling much better. He’s also eating “normal food in pieces” and likes the hospital cafe and enjoys “cheesecake fries” (I have no idea what that is but can’t wait to eat it with him!)
“His girls” (nurses) report that he is more relaxed.
He had an MRI on Friday, so we are waiting on those results.
But the best news is for a few days he got to go back to the center where he and Anastasia live!
(The picture is from today!)
To date, all of his uncovered medical needs have been covered by donations! 😍

Second, we had a great call with our adoption agency guy, Dan, yesterday evening. He is started on our dossier and we should have something dossier related to work on by Wednesday.
He also mentioned another place we can request the process be expedited! Which is great!
But that also means we need these funds ASAP!

Which brings me to the third and fourth pieces of good news.

3. To date we have applied for 6 grants. Two more to go out Monday and one more ready but waiting on a letter from our social worker (homestudy gal).

And number 4, if you know us on Facebook you may remember the beautiful birds on hymns fundraiser our friends the Cogan family was doing. Yes? No? Well, as of this morning that is being set up and we should have it ready to go soon. It’s really beautiful! And with Valentines, Easter and Mother’s Day coming up will hopefully do very well.

Our current fundraiser “12/12/12/12 for World Cancer Day” is at $197 and will be active for 7 more days.

Drop us a comment and let us know what good thing the Lord is doing in your life!

Love ya!

12-12-12-12 for World Cancer Day

Our next big goal - the biggest goal yet! - is to raise $12,000!!!*
This will cover the Ukrainian fees.
For next 12 days (Jan 28-Feb 8), in honor of  🌍 World Cancer Day (Feb. 4), to help raise funds to bring home a new son, who is now a brain cancer patient, and his sweet sister through adoption we will send you a very cool gold and gray #becoming12 silicone bracelet for every $12 or more donated. 💖



Wouldn’t it be awesome if we actually did raise that much in 12 days!?!?! #highhopes 

💛 Gold represents childhood cancer 

🤍 Gray represents brain cancer

#becoming12 - that’s us (blog, intstagram, Facebook) 

Better picture coming soon! The bracelets have been ordered and are being created.**

To give via the Abba Fund click HERE be sure to comment “for the HE Brown Family”

Or via PayPal click HERE comment “adoption fund” and include your mailing address

Help us help them! 🇺🇦👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏼🇺🇸
$12,000
12 days
$12 at a time
#becoming12

Please share! 🥰

Math dork moment: 
If 1000 people each gave $12...
If 500 people each gave $24...
If 250 people each gave $48...
If 125 people each gave $96...
If 100 people each gave $120...
If 50 people each gave $240...
If 25 people each gave $480...
If 12 people each gave $1000... well that would totally blow my mind!


*funds raised will be used for any adoption expenses
** yes $12 is a lot for a silicone bracelet- but the point is not the bracelet. The point is to make 2 less orphans! 🥰

Ukrainian Medical Fundraiser

Andrii LOVES soccer

Andrii had his second chemo treatment on Wednesday and is doing well and in pretty good spirits. Anastasia seems to be doing well but really missing her brother. 

We just got a link from friends in Ukraine (how great is it to say we have dear friends in Ukraine!) who have set up a Ukrainian fundraiser specifically to help with Andrii's current and accruing medical needs. This is a great option for just giving directly to meet the medical need right now. 

Anastasia is the beauty in the red coat

When you open the site it comes up in Russian - in the top right corner you can choose (uk) Ukrainian or (en) English but his page disappears so... Below is a better English translation with US dollar conversions. And below a few pictures with translations/instruction. 




Here's the link: http://ukrhelp.org/project/andrey-ustimenko?fbclid=IwAR3-SCYiHuLjLwQqisSmRjcK5FLrsgCT-ZHln-7O3nc0db2mqHwL7eualtY

This is what it looks like on a phone
pretty similar in web-view
It is secure, like a GoFundMe
but for the medical needs of children

This is translated from the funding page:

Andrii Ustimenko
Place of residence: Kiev
Diagnosis: germinogenic brain tumor hormone-producing.  Diabetes insipidus.  

Andrii is 15 years old.  He is a mature and independent guy.  He himself is in the hospital, he takes medications himself, he takes care of hygiene and makes snacks for himself.
Two months ago, the guy began to drink a lot, 10-15 liters (2.6-4 gallons) a day.  In parallel, he began to lose his sight.  It got to the point that even in a popular social network, he sees only pictures and can hardly read words.
The workers of the Children's Center, where Andrii is lives, began to carry him doctors, looking for the cause of such a sharp deterioration.  In the hospital, the boy underwent the necessary examinations and discovered a brain tumor.  So he ended up in the Kiev City Clinical Department of Pediatric Oncology

Now the first Chemotherapy has been completed.  She was "slaughter."  Her boy moved her well and there was hope that immediately after the droppers were turned off, Andrii would be able to go to the children's center for several days.  But the chemotherapy drugs holoxan, cisplatin, endoxan did not leave a chance: the tests "fell" immediately after the end of the block.  The trip home is canceled!

But no one is going to hang your nose! Andrii is full of optimism and courtesy!  He is determined only to win and fulfills all the recommendations of doctors!
At the moment, the plan is as follows: 3 chemotherapy blocks (as of this blog post 2 have been passed), MRI, radiation therapy.  In parallel, there will also be a consultation with Professor Zheludkova and neurosurgeons regarding the possibility of removing this tumor.

In general, still work and work, be treated and treated.  And, naturally, it becomes a matter of finance.
Fortunately, at the moment, the necessary chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, antifungal drugs are in the department.  But there are also those expenses for medicines, accompaniment, examinations, etc., which are not covered by the state.  Usually, such expenses are borne by the parents.

Andrii was not lucky.  A few years ago, he, along with his sister (13), turned out to be a burden for mom and dad.  They were deprived of parental rights and the children were in the center of social rehabilitation (Children's Center) "Our Kids".  Of the relatives, the boy has only a grandmother, who for objective reasons cannot arrange custody of her grandchildren.  But she is very worried about her grandson.  Every day after work, she comes to visit Andrii, tries to bring him something tasty, to sit with him.  Despite suffering a stroke and feeling unwell, grandmother Natasha works as a postman.  To make her grandchildren happy and buy something, she saves on her own food.

She cannot bear the costs of treating the boy, however much she wants to.  Moreover, she cannot even be with him around the clock, firstly, she will lose her job (the only source of income), and secondly, because of poor eyesight, she cannot perform the actions that are needed.

Therefore, Andrii first need is a nurse during chemotherapy, who will be around the clock with the boy.  We managed to find two nurses working in the OKHMATDET (oncology center) for this who agreed to this kind of side job.  The cost of such services is 7000 UAH ($300 USD) per treatment (1000 UAH/$42 per day).  So far, Andrii is between the chemo treatments himself; the nurses of the department look after him alternately.  But, it is quite possible that next time we will still need people who can be with Andrii during his entire stay in the hospital.

Secondly, these are concomitant medications, consumables and examinations.  It seems to be nonsense.  But this is far from the case.  For example, yesterday we ordered the boy “for the little things” simple medicines for indigestion and calcium, and this “poured out” everything at 800 UAH/$34!  And what can we say about MRI, if you have to do it in a paid clinic?

As needs arise, we will write in more detail about them, but for now we understand that all these “little things” will need at least 71,000 UAH/$3000.

"There are no other children."  We hear this phrase very often.  In this case, Andrii is our common child and we simply must do everything possible so that the boy gets out.  In addition to good people, he simply has no one to help!!! (end translation)

The spot to give - you can change UHA to USD
It seems the easiest way to give from here is with a credit card.
I've translated in RED 

This is Olga, the page coordinator. 

If you enter an amount (I entered $25)
and change UHA to USD and clink the
Green DONATE button (see the second picture)
you get to this screen.
24 Pay seems to be the Euro version of PayPal,
you have to sign up for that.
The "Another method" doesn't give very good
options either. Seems the best way to give is by
credit card. 

We hope to find other ways to give directly to medical cost both in Ukraine and when we come home that are a little easier for us far-flung, Russian-impaired folks. So keep watching! 

Love ya!