August 2004
From Jan’s Desk…
Dear Families and Friends,
I want to take a few words to thank all of you who offered
your prayers and kind words during the recent illness and passing of my
mother. Everything progressed so rapidly when she developed pneumonia and
congestive heart failure following her treatment for the lung cancer. The Lord
was with us throughout. I find peace in knowing that she is truly with Him. I
am not sure how Christians get through times like this without their faith.
Love,
Jan
Oh!
One little note: I’m on my way to computer literacy. I am now ready to
embrace the technological world we live in…and would love to hear from
you. My email address is:
jdeets@aimadoptions.org
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WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EMAIL…
Although we are firmly into all of that technical stuff and
we welcome your correspondence via our email system, please do not send
your monthly letters or your correspondence to your birthmother by email. These
are permanent hard copy parts of your completed adoption file and must be sent
via the US Mail, UPS, FED-EX, local delivery service, a friend, or in person.
Oh, and a note about snail mail…be sure to include your
first and last name on the outside of the envelope coming to our office. We
exchange correspondence for over 1000 birth families and adoptive families. It
is impossible to match up family correspondence to a birth mother’s address
(and a birth mother’s correspondence to an adoptive family’s address) unless we
know the last name of the adoptive family and/or the birth family. The outer
envelope is not forwarded with the correspondence and writing your last name on
the outside of that envelop will ensure the privacy and confidentiality of
those persons who may be concerned.
You may, however, email us information about departure,
return, emergency numbers, etc. when you are leaving your home base. This is a
much better idea than a phone call because we have it at our fingertips if we
need it.
A.I.M. PICNIC WAS A SUCCESS…
In the midst of our recent monsoon season, we found one dry
day to have our picnic. I have never seen so many consecutive days of rain. I
was counting and we got precariously close to 40 days but the Lord was faithful
and ceased the rain just short of an all out flood. The picnic was lots of fun
and laughter. Oh, and the food………..DELICIOUS. That was the best BBQ I have
tasted in a long time. Thanks, again, to Lee and Dan (and County Line BBQ)
for providing lunch.
Lots of our families supported our fund raiser by picking up
one of our t-shirts. If you missed the picnic and didn’t get a chance to get
your shirt….it’s not too late. We have several in the office and you can pick
one up or just order by email at alandry@aimadoptions.org.
Or, if you are not technologically up to snuff…you can try snail mail.
STAFF NEWS…
Bette and Jeff are moving! They recently built a lovely home in a gated
community on Lake Conroe. Their long-time love of boating will be readily
accessible for an after-work spin. With the kids grown, they felt it was time
to move to their retirement home…while they were still young enough to enjoy
it.
Melissa is looking forward to the birth of her daughter in the fall. It’s been
11 years since she did “the diaper thing” and is a little nervous. However,
with Sabrina approaching puberty, Melissa feels like a few diapers and middle
of the night feedings will be a walk-in-the-park compared to the emotional up
and downs her daughter is experiencing. Hang on Melissa, the teenage years are
fast approaching…about the time that the new one will be exposing you to….yes,
THE TERRIBLE TWOS!
Denise and Dave just braved a double high school graduation…and are now
actively involved in looking at college for their Dynamic Duo! According to
them, twins can be so, uhh what’s that phrase they used? Uhh…oh yes,
financially, emotionally, and physically draining. Denise brags that they
can also be funny, entertaining, rewarding, and ….uhh….other stuff. She was
too tired to finish the description.
Anne and Ron thrilled at Alysa’s return from Mexico.
She was attending a study-abroad program with
U of H. She plans on majoring in international relations
and wants to study in Japan next. She hopes that her
degree will help her get a job in one of our embassies
in some foreign country. What’s it about the Landrys
that would make Alysa want to live in a totally different
country from them? Hmmmmm.
Jan and Alan have family night every Monday night. The adult children,
and their children, come to the Deets’ home and everyone has a great time
eating (food at Mom’s house is always best even if Mom is serving hot dogs),
watching movies, playing video games, and just keeping connected. Before the
year is out, they are going to have to move Family Night to a convention
hall…yep, they are expecting ANOTHER GRANDCHILD in September. Jeremy and Liz
will be the proud parents of another little girl. Now, you would think that
was enough of an addition for one year…but, in the midst of everything else,
Jan is helping Jennifer plan her November wedding.
Malinda’s daughters, Madison & Morgan, are
busy planning Mom’s upcoming wedding to her long-time friend, James. They
hand-picked him and we think they did a great job…based on the grin that is
displayed on Malinda’s face. This will be James’ first experience as a
parent…and he gets two teenaged girls! Whatever is he thinking?
OUR PERIODIC EMAIL ADDRESS REQUEST…
We have had a good response to our request for email
addresses so that we can save a ton of money on paper, ink, and postage by
sending you our newsletters via your trusty PC. We have even put in place a
means to get the email addresses of our new families the minute they become
part of the gang! However, many of you have not responded. We are thinking
that it is one of those things where … “I’m gonna do that. Indeed I am. Next
time I check my email, I’m going to send Anne my address.” And then life
happens. So, here’s our reminder: Sending us your email address saves us money and time…and
the newsletter is always at your fingertips!
Send to alandry@aimadoptions.org.
BUNDLES FROM HEAVEN…
We have a new feature on our website….birth/placement
announcements. We include a picture and vitals. So, check often to see whose
family is growing.
In the meantime, we have several new families that need
recognition. Please pray for our new families as they “adjust” to the joys of
parenting. Rejoice with us as
Susan welcomes Cullen
Brad &
Sarah welcome Nate
Tim and Kris welcome Carter
David & Karen welcome Aiden
John & Melinda welcome Gracie
Steve & Barbara welcome Isabella
Terry & Kelly welcome Amelia
Troy & Karen welcome Bryce and Mason
Kris & Charlene welcome Noah
Frank & Deborah welcome Carter
Rhonda & Dario welcome Anthony
Joe & Debra welcome Joseph
Tom & Beth welcome Molly
Sam & Dawn welcome Daniel
Mark & Anita welcome Noah
John & Margie welcome Madison
Michael & Sheila welcome Max
Yomi & Christi welcome Bunmi
Steve & Peggy welcome Jack
OPPORTUNITIES…
We have so many wonderful families who continue to keep us
in their minds and in their prayers long after they finalize their adoption.
They value our commitment and the ministry that the Lord has given us. Proof
positive is in the calls and emails keeping in touch, the response to our
pleas for help providing above and beyond the traditional services to clients,
and the fact that several families offer us opportunities throughout the year.
We are sending the attached flier to local families who may
be able to take part in this “Fun-raiser Night” at Sweet Tomatoes in The
Woodlands. Everyone who stops in for supper between 5:00pm and 8:00pm on
Thursday, September 2pm 2004 can present the attached flier and Sweet Tomatoes
will donate back to AIM 20% of the total sale. Can you believe it?
Sweet Tomatoes has a wonderful salad bar with some unique
already-prepared salads as well. In addition, they usually have 5 or 6 savory
soups, 3 pasta dishes, a large assortment of breads and muffins…and dessert!
Yep, you can build your very own brownie ice cream sundae with chocolate AND
caramel syrup. Oh, and for the health-in-mind diners…there is a fruit bar with
puddings, cottage cheese, and tapioca. All for an amazing “all-you-can-eat”
price.
Hey, that sounds so good that we just might send you 3 or 4
fliers. You’ll want to send your friends, too. I know the Deets and the
Landrys will be there…those kids have a huge appetite and Jan and Anne wouldn’t
want to miss an opportunity to feed everybody without worrying that they will
order the most expensive thing on the menu…and support the agency at the same
time.
