Eye Opening

I am taking two classes at Lipscomb this fall towards my Masters in Psychology. I was working on my Developmental Psych class this afternoon when I came across an interesting concept. There is a theory that nature and nurture go hand in hand, they cannot be separated because they each influence the other. The example given in my text was of an African boy that would never be able to discover his genetic gifts because he had no opportunity to develop them. His life is one of survival not pursuing interests or dreams. In the same text the statistics were given that the average Ethiopian earned $300 a year, the average American $33,000. 99+% of Americans can read only 40% of Ethiopians can. What would Micah and Hannah's life would have been like had they stayed there?
Would Micah know how to read? Would Hannah know how to swim? Would they ever have realized all the incredible things they are capable of? Most likely not Micah would be farming or working in his Bio Dad's store, Hannah would have been taking care of little brothers and sisters waiting to have babies to take care of. Opportunity is everything. I am so thankful that their Bio Dad chose to have them adopted. They are going to do amazing things all because he loved them enough to give them a better life than he will ever know.

Adoption Bug Fundraiser

www.adoptionbug.com/kneeshaw

One step closer

We are busy doing paperwork and getting the money together to bring home our baby boy. Although we can't share too much, we need to get him home soon so he can get treatment as soon as possible. We appreciate your prayers and help in spreading the word about our adoption. Our first adoption fundraiser ever started today. When you buy a t-shrit 50% of the price goes directly to Christian World Adoption for the adoption of our baby. we are very grateful for any help you can give us in telling your friends and family about our fundraiser. Right now we are almost finished with our home study paperwork and then it's on to the dossier. Micah and Hannah are super excited about bringing home a baby from Ethiopia, of course Kurt and I are too. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

New Hope

This December was the hardest we've ever endured. We have missed Elijah each day since we lost him, however this December was particularly difficult. My due date was December 11th so we had thought we would be welcoming a new baby home this year. Unfortunately that did not happen and we have been living life without him. We cling to the memories we do have of him and the joy we have that he is with God, never having to experience the pain of this world. We all miss him terribly. Hannah recently wrote in a journal at school that if she had three wishes, she would wish for her baby brother back so she could help take care of him. Micah has been willing to talk a little more openly, telling me that he is very glad that I am still here and that he was so afraid I was going to die. I am thankful to God for leaving me a here a bit longer to be with my other two kids and my amazing husband. I am just so sad that Elijah had to go.

There is good news lurking on the horizon once more. In the middle of a very difficult Christmas we received an email from the adoption agency we used with Micah and Hannah's adoption, Christian World Adoption (CWA). We are working with them again to adopt a baby from Ethiopia. In the email they spoke of a six month old who had some special needs. Due to confidentiality rules I cannot share much other than we are moving forward with adopting him. After several weeks of prayer and thought we are beginning the paper chase for our fourth child. More updates to come including a fundraiser we'll be doing online that is super easy to participate in. We appreciate your prayers and support as we start working towards bringing home this special baby.

Here are pictures from our trip to California over Christmas.


Micah at the airport

Hannah and her cousin, Kaylin at Knott's Berry Farm

Hannah and Micah at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Hannah and me Christmas morning

Maggie (white) came with us on the plane, here she is with her best friend Scooter (black)