30th Annual Kempe Gala
Last year in January we started considering adopting Gabe and Jazzy.
I said in the video package that it wasn't something we were doing lightly...
That doesn't even, even, even come close to being descriptive enough.
Things were getting really rough.
Our church was trying to be supportive.
They had a separate class for them during the Sunday Services, they had a rotating schedule of teachers so that we could have an hour break each week.
Our families tried to be supportive.
They said things like, "We don't know how you do it." and "We're proud of you."
And if you're reading this... We love you all.
Here's the truth, no matter how much people support you, or try to help you manage, you are joining a new culture of people. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Neighbors, who have been given this task by God, to raise, nurture and love special needs children.
And you are an island.
You will be left out of birthdays, dinners, weddings, functions where there will be other children, but you are now a category of your own.
Insensitive and clueless and even well meaning people will say, "If you would just tell him 'NO' once in a while, he would behave better." Or, "If you loved them like you love your other children, they would obey." Here's another one, "Maybe, before you left the car, you could remind them to obey once you got inside."
This is where the Kempe Center came into our lives.
We were overwhelmed. We were scared. We were alone. We could not see how we could possibly commit to these little people, who had such great needs, in a world where they were not only not accepted, but not understood.
As a last ditch effort to maintain our placement our GAL suggested the Kempe Center.
We had three or four sessions with their intake team, and after a little adjustment period, they sent out a Dr. to our home!
RIGHT AWAY I felt better.
Our situation hadn't changed.
Our children still had significant needs.
But we felt understood. Cared for. Someone knew that we felt alone and was committed to talking it through each week and troubleshooting until we came up with something that made a difference.
After a few months, and seeing a little progress we decided that we could do this.
We would step into the full time, and forever roles, rather than the temporary ones.
Our children are not perfect.
(No-one's are!)
But we are committed to making a difference.
We are committed to forever. Looking for answers and struggling right along with them.
That's what parents do!
About a month ago, we were asked if we would be willing to be Kempe's family of the year.
Of course we said YES! :-D
Here are some pics of one of THE MOST SPECTACULAR nights of our lives!
I said in the video package that it wasn't something we were doing lightly...
That doesn't even, even, even come close to being descriptive enough.
Things were getting really rough.
Our church was trying to be supportive.
They had a separate class for them during the Sunday Services, they had a rotating schedule of teachers so that we could have an hour break each week.
Our families tried to be supportive.
They said things like, "We don't know how you do it." and "We're proud of you."
And if you're reading this... We love you all.
Here's the truth, no matter how much people support you, or try to help you manage, you are joining a new culture of people. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Neighbors, who have been given this task by God, to raise, nurture and love special needs children.
And you are an island.
You will be left out of birthdays, dinners, weddings, functions where there will be other children, but you are now a category of your own.
Insensitive and clueless and even well meaning people will say, "If you would just tell him 'NO' once in a while, he would behave better." Or, "If you loved them like you love your other children, they would obey." Here's another one, "Maybe, before you left the car, you could remind them to obey once you got inside."
This is where the Kempe Center came into our lives.
We were overwhelmed. We were scared. We were alone. We could not see how we could possibly commit to these little people, who had such great needs, in a world where they were not only not accepted, but not understood.
As a last ditch effort to maintain our placement our GAL suggested the Kempe Center.
We had three or four sessions with their intake team, and after a little adjustment period, they sent out a Dr. to our home!
RIGHT AWAY I felt better.
Our situation hadn't changed.
Our children still had significant needs.
But we felt understood. Cared for. Someone knew that we felt alone and was committed to talking it through each week and troubleshooting until we came up with something that made a difference.
After a few months, and seeing a little progress we decided that we could do this.
We would step into the full time, and forever roles, rather than the temporary ones.
Our children are not perfect.
(No-one's are!)
But we are committed to making a difference.
We are committed to forever. Looking for answers and struggling right along with them.
That's what parents do!
About a month ago, we were asked if we would be willing to be Kempe's family of the year.
Of course we said YES! :-D
Here are some pics of one of THE MOST SPECTACULAR nights of our lives!
Aghhhhhhh!
My man in a tux!!
This is actually the first tux I've ever seen him in.
He ROCKED it!
:-D
The bus looked like a rolling Dry Cleaners.
Took me the whole day on Thursday to iron EVERY PIECE.
In the Lobby of the hotel.
A close up of the lace on my dress.
LOVED it so much!!!
We hadn't been in the room more than 10 seconds,
when I see him run up holding this cookie.
So amazing!!!
They thought of everything!
When Mr John suggested we get pizza delivered to the room,
I was thinking, Pizza Hut!
hahaha
Again, he exceeded our expections!!!
A dessert bar!!! WHAT?!?!?
My mom and dad drove up JUST for us!
I kinda love her, ALOT!
My guy cleans up GOOD!
Lovebirds.
We couldn't do what we do without them.
They hate it when we say that, but it's true.
We love you!
Ok, this is silly, but Miss Cheryl and I sat together for dinner.
And I was too wrapped up in our conversation to get a picture with her!
hahaha
Miss Cheryl, you were a highlight of an amazing evening!!
Thank you for making us feel so comfortable.
Me and my guy,
The TEMPTATIONS!!!
When they started singing My Girl, I was STAR STRUCK!!!
Our Daddy and one of his girls. :-D
Our room was on the 33rd floor.
WOW!!!
Everything should be served on chocolate shavings!!
Took these little babies home with us!
This was an amazing night, filled with so many amazing things.
Thank you Kempe Foundation for everything you did for us in the last year, and for a magical evening!
Danielle, I read a little of this on Facebook, and was so delighted to hear the story. I just love it. I can't think of anyone who deserved this more than you and your family. How wonderful that your Mom and Dad got to be there. The pictures of you and them are wonderful. I loved seeing and reading every detail. Congratulations and may the Lord continue to bless you with strength, wisdom, joy and provision.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings,
Pam