We are on cloud nine

All is going so well here. Grace is a loving and adorable child. We are all learning each others routines and in some ways we think we're the ones doing more adjusting that she is. Seems to be turned around, but she is such an easy-going kiddo! She did have a bit of a hard time settling down for bed last night, but some snuggles in the rocking chair did the trick. How can this not be a big adjustment? She is doing so, so well.

Friday was a dream, just as this all has been. It was raining a bit, so Carson didn't get to go on go cart and bumper cars at Thunder Road, but he did play games inside, which was still a hit. We got home and didn't have too long to wait before Vicki and Jayne, our LSS social workers, arrived. We signed initial paperwork to become foster parents with the intention to adopt Grace. We'll be foster parents to her for the next several months and hopefully in December we can finalize the adoption (we have to wait at least 90 days). Soon, Jane called that they were in Moorhead! Vicki and Jayne quickly assembled (they are the 'official' photographers and videographers throughout all of this!) and soon Ron, Jane and Grace were pulling up the driveway. It was so powerful and emotional to see them bring Grace up our driveway. After some very happy tears, Carson wanted to show Grace the house. :) It was adorable watching her explore her way though her new environment.

Soon, Papa Chip arrived followed shortly by Grammy and Great Grandma. Tears from everyone. We so wish Nana and Papa from Swan River could have joined us, but Nana is still recovering from her big surgery. Recovery is going well, but it was a big surgery so she needs to rest up for a bit more.

We had a wonderful evening - supper and watched Carson and Grace play. We asked Ron & Jane to put her down to bed. It was beautiful and we feel it really helped her get used to her new surroundings even more.

After our little angel was down, Papa Chip and I went to the jail. (That's something you don't say every day!). He needed to get his fingerprints done for a background check so he can be cleared to stay with us. While Grace is in our care under foster care anyone staying with us or watching her needs to have a background check done.

Soon it was time for bed - we were so full of excitement, so it was hard to sleep. At the same time, we were exhausted!

Saturday dawned as a beautiful day. We took care of some last minute details and soon people starting arriving - Pastor Josh, Papa Chip, Grammy, Great Grandma, Ron & Jane, Vicki (our social worker), and Kristie, an interpreter for Carson. Nana and Papa were with us on speaker phone. We held the blessing and entrustment ceremony on the patio and it was perfect.

Here's what we planned:

The Blessing of Grace Victoria Kitch
An Entrustment Ceremony with Ron and Jane Brown
and Travis, Rhonda and Carson Kitch
led by Pastor Josh Schunk

August 9, 2008

Invocation

Song: “From God’s Arms to My Arms to Yours” by Michael McLean

Prayer
Creator God – you who form us in your image, we thank you for your compassion and understanding in times of letting go. We gather here this morning to give you thanks for this gift of life in Grace. We thank you for your presence this day which bonds us and all people together in love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Reflection (Reading from Mark 10)

Blessing of Grace
Lord God, you are mother and father to us, send forth your abundant blessing on Grace who has been made in your image. We pray that Grace will have the best home possible, one filled with faith, hope and deep love. We also pray for Travis and Rhonda and Carson that they will always see Grace as the true gift from you that she is for their family. Watch over and protect Grace forever and ever. Amen.

Reading by Grammy Ruthie

Song: “God Will Make a Way” by Don Moen

Message from the Foster Parents - Ron and Jane

Blessing and Thanks for the Foster Parents – Ron and Jane
Lord God, we ask your blessing upon Grace’s foster parents, Ron and Jane. We thank them for accepting this call to be a holy family, to offer kindness, protection, and loving care. Their nurturing has given Grace her wonderful start in life. We ask that your blessings may continue to shower abundantly down upon them, Lord. Amen.

Message from Vicki Haugen, LSS Social Worker

Prayer for Travis and Rhonda
Lord God, bless Travis and Rhonda as they nurture this life which has been entrusted to their care. Give them the patience and wisdom all parents need. Direct their words as they explain to Grace that she is theirs through adoption, just as we all have been adopted by you. Look with mercy upon this couple, and strengthen their mutual love as they open their home and hearts and lives to Grace. May she know security, stability and most of all love in their home. Amen.

Entrusting Grace to Rhonda and Travis
L: Ron and Jane, do you accept Travis and Rhonda as the parents of Grace?
Ron & Jane: We do.
L: Travis and Rhonda, do you desire to take Grace as your own daughter?
Travis & Rhonda: We do.
L: Do you promise that you will be to Grace a loving mother and father in every way? Do you promise to love this child unconditionally?
Do you promise to have this child’s baptism affirmed and to raise her in the Christian faith?
Travis & Rhonda: We do. We will hold her when she is happy. We will console her when she is sad. We will guide her to be the best person she can be. We will educate her to know and love the Lord and His commands.
L: Carson, do you promise to be a big brother to Grace, to love her and to be a good role model for her?
Carson: I will.

Prayer by Carson (with help from Grammy)
Thank you God, for giving me my sister, Grace.
Thank you for hearing me when I said I wanted to be a brother.
Help me to be a big brother who loves Grace, and helps to take care of her.
Thank you for Ron and Jane who took care of Grace and loved her until You gave her to us.
Thank you for Mom and Dad, and for all of the love in our home.
Thank you for loving us ALL the time.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.

L: Receive Grace with God’s blessing.

Ron and Jane give Grace to Travis and Rhonda

Song while lighting candle: “Remember Me” by Mark Schultz

Song led by Great Grandma: “Jesus Loves Me”

Message from Nana and Papa (via speaker phone)

Closing Prayer
Loving God, your Son has taught us that to welcome a little one in His name is to welcome Him. We give you thanks for Ranae, who brought Grace into this world, and for Ron and Jane, who welcomed her into their home and guided her through surgeries and countless therapy and medical appointments. We ask you to bless this new family,
Travis, Rhonda, Carson, and Grace. May Travis and Rhonda show the love of Christ as they bring up Grace to love all that is good. Amen.

Planting of a tree in Grace’s honor (by Travis & Ron, with contributions from everyone in attendance)

While planting, a song: “Show Me a Sign” by Rachel (from Signing Time on PBS)

It was so special. Grace did very well and needed an occasional toy break. She spotted the play set and Papa Ron took her for her first swing ride. It was beautiful.

We planted a red flowering crab apple tree for her and as we watch the tree grow we'll watch Grace grow and flower as well.

We had lunch and visited too. We tearfully watched Ron and Jane drive away. We aren't sure how we can thank these two amazing people enough. They truly saved Grace's life. She will always have such a special connection and bond with them. It is so reassuring to us as well - they have known her through all of her ups and downs. We know the environment she came from and it was full of love. We are thrilled that our family as grown to include such a wonderful extended family. They have fostered so many children and have such gifts to give. We ask for you all to continue to lift them up in prayers as they adjust.

On Saturday afternoon, Grace had a great nap. We had a laid back afternoon of playing and watching our two kids play together. (That has such a nice ring to it!)

We got ready for church on Sunday and went to the later service. It went fairly well. :) We caught most of the service. ;)

Papa Chip, Daddy and Carson went back to Thunder Road so Carson could get in on the attractions. He had a great time. Grace and I napped. I'm not sure which one of us enjoyed our sleep more!

Yesterday morning we had audiology appts for Carson and Grace. They both got new ear molds poured for their hearing aids. We dropped off some paperwork at the clinic and then home. We got ready for Vacation Bible School and soon we were off. We lucked out - Carson's staff yesterday was able to stay late so Daddy and Grace were able to go home early to get a little girl to bed. Same routine tonight. Tomorrow night she'll likely be out with us, but Bible School is over at 8:00 so not too late. Thankfully, we have a quiet day Thursday, so that will be good. :)

Today we have Grace's Guardian Ad Litem visiting this morning. Then this afternoon Grace has an appointment with her new primary doctor, Dr. Haugen.

Here are some pics from the past few days. I'm trying to figure out how to get some of them to rotate, I'll work on those more soon. For now, I want to share these wonderful pics.

Okay, considering I started this about two and a half hours ago, time to post!!!