Just yesterday, I learned about Kelli through A Chelsea Morning and BooMama's blogs. The short of it is that Kelli needs a kidney transplant and she and her family are wondering how they're going to make COBRA payments to have insurance coverage for this kidney transplant. They also need to be able to come up with $1200 a month in anti-rejection drugs once she gets a kidney.

Now, I don't know Kelli (I only heard about her a day ago) but I have full intentions of making a donation today through the PayPal account that BooMama has set up for Kelli.

Why would I be donating to a perfect stranger? Well, for one, it's being requested by two bloggers that I totally trust. I know this isn't a scam, this is legit.

More importantly, I'm donating because I want Kelli to get a kidney transplant and to have the financial means to make this successful. This hits home to me because someday, I may be going through the same thing myself.

You see, I had a kidney removed when I was 2 years old. It was badly infected and was making me very sick, so the doctors convinced my parents to let them remove it. They told them, 'Two kidneys is a luxury. If we remove it while she's young, the remaining kidney will grow larger and stronger to pick up the slack.'

Well, they were right, that's exactly what happened. But now that I'm in my 30's, my kidney is showing some signs of functionality deterioration. It's nothing too alarming yet but it's something I need to be monitoring on a regular basis.

So, if you have a bit to spare, please make a donation for Kelli's cause. And most importantly, please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Thank you!

Labels: blogger friends, BooMama, faith, leap of faith, prayer

I can't believe it, I'm so excited that I just have to share. We have an adoption lead! It might be promising! Let me share some of what I know.

Oronzo's mom, Aleiza, has been spreading the news amongst family and friends that we're looking to adopt a second child. She's told us more than once that she's determined to find us our next baby!

So not long ago she was talking to one of her neighborhood friends, they've known each other for years, about the fact that we were looking to adopt. Her friend says, "Hey, my daughter-in-law has a friend that's a mid-wife. Maybe she could help keep a look-out."

Aleiza promptly asks for this friend's name and phone number and then emailed me today, telling me to contact her and introduce myself. So, I did just that.

The friend (to be referred to as Jessica) happens to live in the same city as we do. I called, introduced myself, and explained the convoluted way that I found out about her and got her contact information.

Jessica surprised me by saying, "Oh, I'm so glad you called today. I've been wondering how to get in touch with you!"

Come to find out, Jessica has recently been put in touch with an expectant mother who is 7 months pregnant and looking to place her child for adoption! I won't get into the details as to why she's making this decision (I don't know all the details but those that I do know will remain private out of respect for this woman).

Jessica is meeting with this expectant mother, in-person, tomorrow and getting more information from her. She asked if I wanted her to call me afterwards to share what she learned so that we can decide whether or not we want to be put in contact with this woman, if she wants that too. I told her, "That'd be great!"

Can you believe it?! We may have a lead on a baby due in just 2 months! We weren't planning on something happening so quickly!

Now, I know this could not work out. But even if it doesn't, Jessica has assured us that she'll keep us in mind for other situations that are brought to her attention. She said she'd like to arrange a time to meet with her so we can get to know each other. She also asked if I'd make her a photo scrapbook so that she can share it with expectant mothers if she's but in contact with any. She told me that she has connections with hospitals and doctors throughout our city and it's not uncommon for her to hear of these potential adoption situations.

What's neat is that Jessica is an adoptive mother. I don't know all the details but she and her husband adopted their second child when a co-worker came to her with an private adoption situation. So, she totally gets where we're coming from. She didn't feel comfortable with adopting through an agency any more than we do. She knows what going through private adoption involves, both emotionally and financially.

And even if we never get matched through her I'm excited because, based on our initial phone conversation, I think I've made a new friend! :)

All prayers would be much appreciated! I'll keep you posted.

Labels: adoption, adoption #2, faith, family, prayer