ParentProfiles.com

Wow! It is almost Halloween! We are very excited around here. October is a fun month because it is also Heather's birthday. She wants a High School Musical party and chocolate cake! It is going to be such fun! Our holidays begin with her party. Then we invite friends over for Halloween cookie making. We love to make cookies in the shapes of bats, ghosts, and pumpkins. This year we are excited about our newest cookie cutter shape of a witch's cat! SPOOKY!
This year, Laurel will be Raven from the Cheetah Girls, Catherine will be Analiese from Barbie Princess and the Pauper, Heather will be Tigger, and Jacob will be a Pirate. I am going as Elizabeth Swan. Jason will be a Sailor. We have picked out the perfect pumpkin for our jack o lantern. We love Halloween.
I haven't written in a while. In August we took a month vacation to visit our family relatives in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. It was the greatest vacation ever because we were able to spend time with our fantastic family, to explore 6 southern states on our road trip, and to spend 3 days in Disney World with my Dad. Dreams came true during our vacation. Memories that will be cherished forever were made. That is what Jason and I love to do as parents. We love to make dreams come true and create loving, happy memories for our children. That is how we measure success, is by the quality and quantity of memories we create for our children. Joy is a smile on a child's face.
Our return to the island of Oahu was a welcome one. There is no place like home. Vacationing and living out of suitcases for a month really helped the children to appreciate the comforts of being in your own bed with all your toys. We do have a great home because it is happy and safe.
In all our traveling and adventures, our desire to adopt has increased. The children never stop talking about when we get our new baby, and adoption is the focus of the majority of me and Jason's conversations. We have no doubt that we could love, nurture, support and protect another child. In our family, their would never be a lack of attention or of love. We are all friends.
We have had an amazing experience so far in our journey to adoption. We have had contact with courageous birthmothers and have watched babies find their way to loving homes. It is our prayer our turn is not too far away. Meanwhile, we are enjoying the journey.

Yesterday, Daddy surprised us and took us out to dinner at a Mongolian Barbecue. The restaurant was almost deserted and the view was stunning. We were up high on a mountain and could see the entire island from Diamond Head to Makaha. The sun was setting over the mountains and the moon was rising over Diamond Head at the same time. We felt like our family was the center of the universe for a moment as the sun and moon set and rose on either side of us. What an awesome moment! I knew in that moment that God was aware of my family and our desire to add another child to our ohana. It was very cool. We are all on the edge of our seats wondering how the adoption will play out, but we know it will be as miraculous as the motion of the sun and moon.

--Michelle

This Independence Day was our best yet. We got up bright and early and as a family walked a neighbor's dog and then participated in a 1 mile Family Fun Run to support our military. It was a blast! We then played at a mini carnival and had lunch with our best friends. We barbecued and ate too much. The children made a sugar cookie in the shape of an American Flag. It was yummy! We then did some Karaoke and enjoyed the kids belt out tunes from "High School Musical". In the evening, we set off fireworks in the street with our neighbors and enjoyed the children's screams of delight and surprise. Jacob was exhausted and ready for bed by 8:30 p.m. so Jason took him inside and tucked the little tyke in. I took the girls to the park near our home and we watched the fireworks go off over Waikiki and Diamond Head. It was beautiful and awesome. I am so proud to be an American. I thank my God for this wonderful country and this wonderful family He has given me. We want to adopt another child so badly. There is room in our hearts for another.

Michelle

Today was our eleven year wedding anniversary. In the morning the girls (and even Jacob) went shopping with me to help me find a new shirt to wear. In the evening, Jason arranged the sitter and whisked me off to the 50th State Fair!!! We had a blast acting like teenagers again. Our favorite ride was the huge Ferris Wheel because the view was stunning and the moon was bright. Jason threw darts and won four prizes that we decided should go to the kids. But, it was fun for me to carry them around! We rode every ride that spins and made you scream until I was so dizzy I couldn't walk straight. Unfortunately, dinner was ruined as I became so nauseated from all the fun we had! The absolute best part was how much we laughed together! He and I are so well matched. I look forward to everyday with him as my partner and best friend. This anniversary deserved the musical limerick, "O What a Night!"

-- Michelle

This Saturday morning, as we were getting up and saw the beautiful sunrise, Jason and I had the idea to go on a family bike ride. We wanted to take the children to a park they had never been to along the water. Laurel and Catherine were on their two wheelers. Because Heather and Jacob don't know how to ride two wheelers yet, we put them in the tow along. As we took off towards our destination, we realized the baby seat on the back of my bike was empty. We have room for one more!!!
The way was a little less than 3 miles one way. On the way there, Laurel and Catherine questioned when we would arrive at our destination. Jacob and Heather just giggled the entire way.
Once we arrived at the park, all fatigue vanished! A fisherman was casting his net into the water to catch fish. A real HUKILAU! The children watched in silent fascination so as not to disturb the fisherman. Then we found a mango tree with the ripest, sweetest mangoes falling off the branches. We collected as many as we could carry and began eating them on the way back home. The trip home was a quick one as Laurel chanted, "Keep your eye on the prize! It's a MANGO SMOOTHIE!"
We had mango smoothies when we came home and felt wonderful after such a fun explore. Then we took the kids to the grocery store and let them pick out their favorite foods. We returned home and had the most DELICIOUS dinner. It was a perfect day. I just had to share it. We are so grateful for the life we have, for the family we have, for the home we have. We want to share this! We want to fill that baby seat and have our family complete. We are thankful birth mothers are looking at our profile. We pray for you to be led to us.

---Michelle and Jason

The girls have been on a school break for the past two weeks. We are having so much fun in the sun! We have been to the beaches, pools and water parks and museums and are planning more fun at the zoo this week. One of our favorite activities has been family bike riding to get shave ice. We are having so much fun being together and playing together. In all we do, we are always thinking of our little one who is not here. We even have his seat saved in the van. We look forward to the day we meet him and welcome him to our family.

---The Cummings Ohana

Today our profile was activated! This is so exciting! The children are all buzzing about the newest member of our family and when he will come to our home. The thought of a new brother motivates all that they do. The girls want their room to be clean for the new baby. Jacob has set aside a favorite toy for the baby. Any conflict between the children that may arise is quickly extinguished with the words, "How will the baby feel if we are fighting?" Each day I hear them praying we can adopt. I am LOVING this transformation that has come over the family as we prepare for adoption.

Jason and I are also focused on adoption. He has been devoting all his spare time into landscaping the yard so it will be more fun to visit and play in. He is also giving the kitchen and bathrooms a makeover worthy of more traffic. I have been collecting and saving boxes of baby boy clothes (sizes ranging from newborn to 3 years old), an awesome baby swing and bath towels and blankets for the little tyke.

We don't have any doubts as to whether another child will feel welcome in our home.

---Michelle

My love for children has always been strong. I feel most comfortable around children. I love to make them laugh and feel good about themselves. Playing dress up and having tea parties is a fun way to entertain them. One of my greatest joys is to see a child's eyes light up and hear them giggle.

I have always wanted to have many children. I have always wanted to adopt a child. Before I was married, the doctor told me I would be unable to bear children. I was not discouraged because I knew in my heart I would adopt. Adoption to me is a way I can love and nurture a child as my own, giving the child a family life and a sense of well-being.

I love every child I meet as if they were my own. I am the Nursery leader at church and have been so for two years now. To serve the little ones gives me so much fulfillment. I look forward to each Sunday. My heart longs to have another child in my home.

I began babysitting a two year old to keep Jacob company while his sisters are at school. During a school break, all five children were together for hours at a time. They played and laughed and even worked well together. When the two year old is with us, an empty space is filled. This experience shows me how well another child will fit into our home.

Everywhere we go, my children tell all who talk with them about the baby brother they will adopt. They say, "We haven't met him yet. We're just waiting for him. He's going to be our baby brother." I also know in my heart, that our family is not complete. Another brother will be loved, protected, nurtured, and enjoy all the blessings of being part of a family.

---Michelle