October 27, 2013

Adoption Update

Thanks for stopping by and showing your support in our adoption journey.  We have been in the process for about a year now, talking about it with friends and family, but have never written about it too much here.  To give you a better idea of why we decided to adopt as well as things you can do to support us in the adoption process, please read: Our Adoption

We recently sent out these darling 5x7 cards to update our friends and family about our adoption process.  The text of the letter is quite similar what you read here.  My amazing friend Mandy designed these gorgeous cards, was able to get donated printing (FREE!!) from this lovely company and she and her new husband John worked hard to mail them all last week.  We are so grateful for their time, energy and love for us!

IMG_0851IMG_0081   IMG_2936 - photoshop

From my professional career in the child welfare and adoption field and from our experience of walking alongside friends, we have seen both the joys and difficulties of the adoption process.  We knew that it would/will be a bumpy path, but in the end it always works out, the right kids come.  This sounds so cliché, but we have seen it over and over again and are at peace with our own story.

Some of our friends and family are very comfortable with adoption, know the politically correct terms to use and believe in the goodness of it.  And others do not have a lot of familiarity or have some reservations.  We know that the decision to adopt brings questions to many peoples minds and we want to be as helpful and open as possible to answer these questions.  If adoption is new to you, we are happy to help you learn more.  If you are seasoned in adoption, we are happy to learn from you.  We are doing the best to educate ourselves, but know that we have a lot more to learn in order to best parent our future kids.

Adoption Announcement 3 copy

I sort of hate this picture, but we needed a picture of us from the distance with trees and this is all I could find on hand.  So please don’t laugh too hard over the awkwardness of this photo.

We look forward to sharing more with you about our adoption process.  Thank-you for your love and support!

9 comments:

lindsey said...

Hi Cassie and Kevin! I just found your blog through a Google alert that I set up for adoptions in Nicaragua. And I am so happy that I did! Your story is beautiful and so is this print! If at all possible, could I purchase one of these from you? My husband and I have a heart for adoption and we are hoping to adopt from Nicaragua one day. I'd love to hang this print in my home as a reminder to pray for all of those sweet babies in Nica. Regardless, I'll be praying for your family! :)

Cassie and Kevin Zonnefeld said...

Hi Lindsey! Thanks for your sweet note. We aren't selling these prints, they are just a 5x7 card. If you would like one, we could sure mail it to you. Send me an e-mail with your information: cassie.zonnefeld@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

we are thriled for you!
a & l

Misty said...

We are thrilled to hear your VERY special news. Sending love.....
Joel, Misty & Claire

Anonymous said...

love this update. i am cheering you on!
-sarah

Heather Buys said...

Loved reading this update:) We are very excited for you guys!

Anonymous said...

Yah! What wonderful news. We will be supporting you. Wendy

Anonymous said...

LA IDEA DE ADOPTAR CASANDRA, HAY YA MUCHOS NIÑOS SIN UN HOGAR Y SIN AMOR A ESTE MUNDO, PERO SE QUE TAMBIEN DIOS LES DARA LOS PROPIOS, UNA PERSONITA QUE SALGA DE TU VIENTRE Y DE LO QUE DIOS LE HA REGALADO A KEVIN.

LES DESEO LO MEJOR, NO ES FACIL, PERO CON LA AYUDA DE DIOS TODO ES POSIBLE, SE QUE USTEDES SERAN UNOS EXCELENTES PAPAS Y EL NIÑO O NIÑA QUE LLEGUE A SU HOGAR SERA MUY FELIZ.

ESTARE ORANDO PARA QUE SEA DIOS QUIEN LES DE LA SABIDURIA QUE NECESITAN EN ESTE CAMINAR.

UN ABRAZO Y QUE DIOS LES CONTINUE BENDICIENDO.

SONIA

Unknown said...

That’s wonderful news! I admire your views on adoption the moment I’ve read about post about it, and I’m happy to hear that about this significant development. I look forward to meeting the lucky child who will bring more joy to your family. =) Dean @ Adoption Network