Domestic Adoption of Children with Down Syndrome

Fundraising {A Couple Things}

First of all, I would like to say that I am absolutely humbled by the support we have received throughout this process. When we started this process, we were not necessarily out looking to adopt. However, after learning of the all the kids internationally with Down syndrome and the horrible conditions that some of them were in, we became determined to help. The most important thing, however, is that we would not be able to do this without your help. So thank you!

Garage sale ... we have scheduled our garage sale for next Saturday, August 23. We have already received so many great donations and they continue to come in. If anyone has anything they would like us to pick up locally, let us know and we can schedule a time. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to our garage sale ... the generosity is overwhelming!

Raffle ... we have one day left in our $5 raffle to win a $100 gift certificate to The Polkadot Platypus! The raffle has done very well so far ... we only have a little ways to go before reaching our goal. I know we can make it! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has participated ... again, the generosity is overwhelming! To enter, click on the chipin below. If you would like to buy a ticket but don't have paypal, send me an email letting me know that you will be mailing your payment.



Tax-deductible donations ... we have an account set up through Reece's Rainbow that accepts tax-deductible donations. That money will be disbursed to us when it is time for us to pay that big chunk of money {which is pretty much soon ... yikes}. Donations can be made through paypal by clicking here or by mailing checks {include a note saying you want to donate to The Balsis Family and include your email address} to:

Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 2055
Dacula, GA 30019

Direct donations ... if you prefer that your donation come directly to us, you can send your donation through paypal to bethanybalsis@mac.com. Many of you have asked how you can donate since you do not have a paypal account. Donations can also be mailed to:

Balsis Family Adoption
PO Box 61
Washington, VA 22747

Once again, thank you so much for all of your support ... we cannot wait to get to Russia and share our journey with you!

I failed to mention ...

... that we have sort of been on the edge of our seats wondering if we would even be permitted to adopt a child with Down syndrome. A few months back, an adoptive family in Utah murdered their little boy from Russia. The little boy had Down syndrome and the Russians obviously were very upset about this. The problem is that even before all of this, {some} of the Russians didn't understand why anyone would want "these children" and that anyone who did want them must have wanted them for ill reasons {i.e. to do research on them, etc}. When I say "these children", I'm talking about children that have Down syndrome ... those children are taboo in their society.

In light of all of that, we wanted to make sure that our adoption would be successful if we traveled to Russia. We found out yesterday that it will be and that we will be permitted to adopt a child with Down syndrome. This is such a relief to us, as we were really starting to get worried! Can I get a wahoo?!

The Russia:Georgia Conflict

This past Friday, August 8, 2008, I learned that Russia had invaded Georgia. Obviously hearing that Addison's country is involved in a war is disheartening. I learned that Bush was siding with Georgia and urging Russia to pull out. While it is great that he is intervening, I just hope and pray he doesn't do anything to make Russia mad! I'm not sure at this point what effect this could have on our adoption.



In Washington on Monday, President Bush said Russia's attacks against Georgia have "substantially damaged Russia's standing in the world". Bush also warned Russia against trying to depose Georgia's government, saying evidence suggests Russia may be preparing to do so. He called on Russia to accept a cease-fire proposal that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had signed.

In Washington today, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said: "I wanted to make very clear that the United States stands for the territorial integrity of Georgia, for the sovereignty of Georgia; that we support its democratically elected government and people, and are reviewing options for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Georgia. But the most important thing right now is that these military operations need to stop."

The latest that I have heard today is that Russia agreed to cease fire, however Georgian officials are claiming that the firing has not stopped. Bush is getting further involved at this point.

Please pray this ends quickly and peacefully ... and that it doesn't have any implications on our adoption!

I like this man

I came across this article written by Sergey Koloskov, a Russian man whose wife gave birth to a little girl with Down syndrome in 1989. Living in Russia, Koloskov and his wife faced great challenges in their desire to keep their baby, in light of the Russian attitude toward kids with Down syndrome. Koloskov eventually founded the first Down syndrome association in Russia. What an honorable man.

A message from above

I found this online tonight and wanted to share because scripture really makes everything seem clear to me.

Why adopt?

"In you the fatherless find mercy." (Hosea 14:4)

"You are the helpers of the fatherless." (Psalm 10:14)

"It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:14)

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." (James 1:27)

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16)

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)

"Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:5)

"And Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:16)

"Remember those...who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us...let us not love with word or tongue, but with action and in truth." (I John 3:16-18)

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matthew 25:35)

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the needy." (Proverbs 31:8,9)

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 22:16)

Interesting, heartbreaking facts

~There are over 4 million orphans and homeless children in Russia and Ukraine

~There are 700,000 orphans living in 2,000 state-run orphanages in Russia alone ... that is more orphans than there were after World War II

~About 15,000 unadopted Russian orphans leave orphanages each year, once they are 16 to 18 years old

~Statistics show that after being released from the orphanage, 80% of unadopted female orphans will become prostitutes and most unadopted male orphans will go to jail ... only one out of ten Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society

~More than 100,000 children are thought to have been surrendered to orphanages due to poverty

Powerful message about adoption

While I was raised going to church here and there, I would not necessarily consider myself a religious person. I do, however, have a special relationship with God, and He is the one who has carried me through the past two months of intense decision making regarding our adoption. I do believe that he chose Kyle and I to be the parents to a special needs child for a reason. I also believe that He is calling us to adopt for a reason. Many people may think we have absolutely lost our minds in wanting to adopt a child with special needs. I only hope that their hearts will be expanded by following our journey to bring Addison home. Did I mention we decided to name her Addison? :)

I wanted to share this message from John Piper ...

It is official!

We have been researching our options and have decided to proceed with Cradle of Hope Adoption Center. They are aware that we would like to adopt a little girl with Down syndrome from Russia. We have done a lot of research and believe that Russia is the right country for us. We are very excited and nervous!