From Rich's Blog: Photo Update of My Recent Travels!

Hey Friends & Family,

I was thinking about finding some interesting facts about Ghana to share with you.  As I was searching, I ultimately found myself back at my brother, Rich's blog.  The great thing was, Rich lived it.  He knew the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of Ghana while he lived there in 2009 as a foreign exchange student.  No better place than Rich's blog post titled "Photo update of my recent travels!"  to give us an idea about life in Ghana.  I went ahead and copied/pasted his post right into my blog.  Rich made this post on Friday May 1, 2009, which would have been the latter half of his exchange.  Enjoy!

*Click the photo's to enlarge the image.

Photo update of my recent travels!

The pictures are a bit sporadic, but so is Ghana. Nonetheless, enjoy!

Unloading a ferry.

Another colorful sunrise.

Our luxurious sleeping arrangements. I slept on the bench nearest to you. Queen sized beds are overrated!

The lake was endless.

Yams.

You can't get much better of a sunset!

The bull's "I wasn't ment to be a seaman" pose.

The Yapei Queen on the Volta Lake.

Mole National Park.

Me and the Ghana.

A Warthog. Who knew Ghana had such an influence on Halo?

Baboon.

Elephants.

Ghana versus Benin, March 29, 2009.

Celebrating after the victory!

Baba Yara Sports Stadium:Kumasi. Ghana versus Benin in a World Cup Qualifying match. Ghana-1 Benin-0
National Pride.

Selorm, my host brother for the weekend in Accra.

The Monkey Sanctuary in the Volta Region.

Guys will laugh, maybe not the girls. haha.

Belgian Joris, Wesley, Me and Boris from Belgium as well, on the Volta Bridge.

The usual stampede of vendors trying to sell their goods to people in a trotro.

The Volta Bridge; it's on the back of a 1 pesewa coin.

The House Of Parliament in Accra. We watched the budget reading: quite an experience.

Me, Ama, my long lost host sister Rebecca(I call her Adwoa) and Kwame ti so (his head size is disproportionate to his body, so I like to call him Kwame big head, it's all in good fun though!).

Boris, Wes and I on our way to Yeji to catch the ferry which took us to Akosombo.

Totally Awesome 80's Party!

Hey Family & Friends!

We hope you are doing well.  First, I will update you on the adoption progress.  Today we were sent the final draft of our home study.  It is an 11 page, 7000 word document about each member of our family, our parents and siblings, details about our upbringing, how we raise our children, our personal finances, our neighborhood & community, and recommendations about our ability to adopt.  

With our homestudy nearly complete, our adoption agency, Adoptions Advocates International, let us know that we are OFFICIALLY on the waiting list for a child!  We are extremely excited about the progress we have made in just a few short months.  The next step is to wait for the referral of a child....and of course we will keep you updated!

With that good news, we would like to tell you about this "Totally Awesome 80's Party" we will be having on June 30th.  Most of you know that Kristen enjoys exercising and I enjoy martial arts and wrestling.  In the past two months, we started attending just that, a fitness center and grappling team.  Kristen and I have become friends with the owners of Three B Fitness and Grapplers Unlimited, Bonnie  and Brandon Cunningham.  After learning about our intent to adopt, Bonnie and Brandon offered to do a fun run and grappling seminar as a fundraiser to help us.  It is going to be a blast and we would love to see you there.  If you live in the CSRA or are interested in coming, grab your headbands and short-shorts and come out for the 80's Fun Run.  ****Please no short-shorts during the grappling seminar*****  :)

Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support!

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

Paracord Bracelets Now on Etsy

Hey Everyone!

Remember those cool bracelets my fellow service member, Sara Stokking, sold at our yard sale a few weeks back?  Well, they were a hit.  We have had quite a few requests for them since the yard sale.  Not only are the cost of the bracelets supporting our adoption, but they are unique and fun to wear.  There is a great red, white, and blue one that would be great for the 4th of July!

If you are interested in ordering these bracelets, Sara is selling them on Etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100011168/550-paracord-bracelet?ref=v1_other_1

Final Home Study Visit

C.J., Kristen, Jason, and Nate pictured with our social worker, Trisha during our third home study visit

Hey Friends & Family,

On Tuesday, May 1st, we completed our third home study visit.  Just a few weeks ago, our family went to Savannah, Ga to meet with Trisha for the first two meetings.  For the final meeting however, Trisha drove from Savannah to our home in Evans, Ga.  We expected Trisha to spend most of the day observing how our family interacts, but she actually only stayed for about an hour.  Trisha needed to accomplish two tasks during the visit: inspect the home and expand upon the risks, challenges, and rewards of adoption.

The home inspection was simple and fast.  Trisha walked through the home, paying particular attention to where our children's rooms are located and whether or not our fire alarms were in working order.  They worked...

For the remainder of her short visit, Trisha reviewed the risks associated with adoption.  The most significant risk she mentioned repeatedly was that we can be offered a seemingly healthy child, and upon our return with the child, he may have physical, emotional, or psychological health problems.  Though it seemed Trisha discussed this same risk from every angle, it was obvious she was wanting to emphasize the lifelong commitment to adoption.  In addition to that, she did share some helpful tips about adoption:

- Celebrate everyones differences.  Among the many challenges associated with adoption, we will face three broad ones.  The fact that we are an adopting family.  The fact that we will have an interracial family (although we already are).  The fact that we are adopting from a different country.  Though we are excited about our adoption, our family will be tested occasionally.   The various social interactions and experiences with people who may not understand our story will be challenging at times.  It will be important to celebrate the fact that every member of our family is different.  I particularly enjoyed Trisha's advice that when children ask questions about adoption, that we make it so exciting and special that they wish their own family was as unique and special as ours.

- Parental preference.  Apparently, most adopted children will start their relationship in a family with a preference for one parent.  Trisha mentioned that this is not unusual, but why it happens is not completely understood.  It could be that the child can only emotionally attach himself to only one parent at a time, or that the parent may remind him of a person he knew in his orphanage or foster home.  Time often balances this challenge.  Trisha also recommended that the non-preferred parent get to do ALL the fun things early on in the relationship.

- Educate the family.  Some of the more obvious ways to educate our family on adoption is by reading books or articles.  The more unique ways include finding groups associated with Ghana, participating in Ghana celebrations and holidays, and attending church with a Ghanaian population.  We also intend to keep our family connected to Ghana by travelling to Ghana in the years following our adoption.

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

C.J. Say's "Thanks Everyone!"

Hey Friends & Family,

C.J. and the rest of the Pon's would like to thank the following individuals for supporting our adoption.  Your continued outpouring of support is amazing.  THANK YOU!

Vicki & Bill Christensen- Renee's God Parents

Greg & Mary Jerrell & Family- Great Friends of the Pon Family

Kevin Smalts- USAF

Adam Lane- Uncle Ad

Shelly & Dan Smith- Renee's Aunt and Uncle

Raven Gibson- Friend

Kat Moore- Friend

Jason & Karen Labonte- Friend

Cathy & Sandy Cantu- Fun Aunt and Uncle in California

Jessica Austin- Friend

Phil & Maria Johnson- Genesis Church Friends and fellow Financial Peace Univ Grads

Lea Ray- Friend

Donations thus far: $6,920.18

"Thanks, everyone.  I love you!"  ~C.J. Pon

Genesis Church Yard Sale

Friends & Family,

Our yard sale turned out to be an amazing experience!  Not only did we earn an unbelievable amount of cash for the adoption, but more importantly, we had the opportunity to spend our day with some quality friends.  Kristen and I woke up at 5:00 a.m., loaded the cars and the kids by 5:45, and at 6:05 a.m. we were at Genesis Church setting up and ready by 7.  We had a huge turnout of support in volunteers, donors, and customers.  In spite of the 95 degree temperature, there was a steady stream of customers until  after 2 p.m.  

We would like to thank Pastor Chris Miller for allowing us to use the church parking lot, which drew in a ton of customers.  We would also like to thank everyone that donated their belongings and their time.  Everyone is extremely busy....taking the time to look through your belongings and coordinating to drop off your items are truly appreciated.  Thanks!  Additionally, the crew of 12 people that "hung-out" all day wheeling and dealing deserve a big thanks!  That was some hard work, and all of you smiled and had fun the whole time.  

At the end of the day, we had a truck-bed and Jeep full of unsold clothes that we gave to Goodwill.  After adding up the cash from the yard sale, we made a whopping $1,207.63!!!

Here are some pictures from the day:

Just a small portion of all the donations.

We had some great neighbors give us quality items to sell.

Alyson Kline (R) with her two daughters Mikayla (L) and Ashley (C).

Kristal helping set up as the sun rises on Saturday morning.

John and his daughter Gabrielle with the Pon boys.

Almost finished with the setup.

Brianna Allmon selling the bracelets we mentioned last week. 

The Losekamp Family (USMC) came for a visit and an electric weed eater.

Get your cookies!

Negotiating prices on a sale???

There was a steady stream of customers all day.  Just like you see in this picture.

The set up!

Nate had a great time the entire day....he's looking forward to meeting his newest brother.

The guys just hangin' out for a minute.

Taking a quick break.

Selling cold waters and fresh cookies!

Husband and wife team Tom Mullane & Brianna Allmon.  Thanks for your help!

"Man, it's hot out here!"  -Brian

John organizing all the kids clothes.

Alyson was the money lady!

Kristen and C.J. hard at work

Not sure what is going on.  Definitely not selling yard sale items though!

Got Stuff?

Hey Everyone!  

We are coming up on a busy but fun week. This Tuesday, Tricia, the social worker handling our home study will be visiting us in our home. This will be our third and final meeting. She will be arriving in the afternoon from Savannah, Ga and will likely stay just a few hours. Look for an update next week.

This Wednesday is Nate's third birthday! Happy birthday bud...We love you!

Then, on Saturday we will have a yard sale and all donations will be going towards our adoption. Check out this flyer Kristen put together. We printed out 100 copies and are putting them on our neighbors mailboxes. We are hoping to gather as many used items to sell as possible. All proceeds will go towards our adoption!!!

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Got STUFF?

* Neighbors, we need your help!  Donations needed (your unwanted/unneeded items) for our yard sale- all proceeds will be used to help fund our adoption of a child from Ghana, Africa.

Yard sale:  Saturday, May 5

Genesis Church (470 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez)

7:00 am-??

For more info, please contact:

Kristen or Jason

MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

www.makingliferich.blogspot.com
*We will gladly pick up your items or you can drop them off at our home prior to May 5*

Thank you for helping us make a child an orphan no more!!

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Also, Sara Stokking, a co-worker of mine has taken the lead on creating these cool bracelets made out of military 550 cord. They come in different colors and she plans to have a bunch ready to sell at our yard sale. Check them out:

*UPDATE*  There has been some definite interest in the bracelets we plan to sell at the yard sale.  If you are interested in purchasing them, please let me know and we will find a way to get them to you.  They will be $5 for adults, and $3 for kids sizes.

OUR CHILD WILL REMEMBER ALL OF YOU!

Do you want to know what's awesome about this entire process?  It's that all of you who support us via prayers, donations, and ideas are investing in life!  I was telling Kristen recently that I plan to take the content from this blog and all of the paperwork for the adoption and create a hardcover book that we will give to our child.  All of your names will be in that book.  Our child will never forget you and your support to make this happen!

Here's a big thanks to:

Jeremy and Carrie Smith- Fellow Marine family and college best buds

James and Yvonne Smith (not related)- Renee Lamine's grandparents

Amy Hirtz Evers & Family- MCJROTC cadets & "Froggie Buddies" at NGCSU

Zane Raborn- A friend of the Pon Family & my brother's college roommate

Christy & Matt Knarr- Renee Lamine's sister and brother-in-law

Josh Davis- Kristen's high school friend

Donations thus far: $3,548!!!

I'd also like to give a big thanks to my high school friend Summer Boyd Vertrees who is donating 25% of all Thirty-One sales this month towards our adoption.  It's a two-for-one deal!  You buy something girly and donate towards our adoption at the same time.  There's still time.  If you'd like to take advantage of the deal, click the link above.

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

DON'T MESS WITH THAT PAPERWORK!

Home Study Preparation: Our background check required we send our fingerprints to the FBI & GBI

Hi Friends and Family,

      The Pon Family hopes you are well!  Kristen and I have been hard at work getting the adoption process started and feel like we are starting to gain some traction.  We have chosen to adopt through Adoptions Advocates International based on their ability to meet our top five adoption priorities and many informal recommendations whom speak very highly of their integrity and hard work.  This past week we started the home study process.  The home study is one of the many adoption requirements that determines the suitability of the parents physical, psychological, and emotional state to raise children.  So literally, they want to know if you are a couple of crazies living in a shack, or regular folk who have a safe home.  Here are a few of the requirements that are needed to complete the home study:

-Autobiography:  We had to write our answers to questions about who we are, and the quality of the relationships we have.  Questions such as: What is your parenting style?  How will you teach coping skills to your child?  How would you like to improve your marital relationship?  All great questions that require reflection.

-Meetings:  We have to meet with with a social worker a total of three times.  One of the three meetings is in the home, which we have scheduled for May 1st.  This past Tuesday and Wednesday, we all drove to Savannah, Ga to meet with our social worker.  These meetings fulfilled two of the three requirements.  The first day included detailed information about the home study and adoption process.  The second, was a meeting where Kristen and I had to sit down individually with our social worker, Tricia.  She spent about an hour with each of us as we expanded on the details we covered in our autobiography.  Overall, Kristen and I found the experience to be great.  We both feel that this process is becoming more real now that we have taken the leap and started the home study.

-FBI Fingerprints:  This is a criminal background check at the national level.  The processing time takes about 8-10 weeks to get a response back from the FBI.  An interesting note is that most of us in the military have pretty extensive background checks....I guess they've got to do it again!

-Georgia Bureau of Investigations Fingerprints:  Another set of fingerprints to have checked within the state of Georgia.

-Local Background Check: No worries everyone.  Everything came back clean!  We used this as a fun little trip to let Nate see some local Sheriff's cars.  

Quick Story:  It has been amazing to observe Nate (3 years old on May 2nd) as he begins to understand that he will eventually have another brother.  Just the other day, Kristen had been answering autobiography questions while Nate was taking his afternoon nap.  As Nate woke up from his nap, he scrambled to Kristen's papers, probably to make a small mess.  Kristen advised Nate, "Hey Nate, don't touch that paperwork, it's really important!"  Nate responded with, "Why Mamma?  So I can get my other brother?"  He gets it, and we're excited to see Nate, CJ and our third future child grow together!

Here are some pictures from our trip to beautiful Savannah:

After lunch, we found the Savannah Candy Kitchen.  The sweet smell of candy as we walked in was fantastic!

Nate enjoying the ice cream he picked out.

C.J. is just happy to be loved!

  

The boys with Ninny and Papa!

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”