We're the Tuiningas

Hi.  Welcome to our blog!  This is a new endeavor for us so please be patient while we learn the ins and outs of the blogging world!  

We'd like to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves.  

Primarily it will be me, April, writing posts and updating our blog.  However, I am sure Josh will chime in along the way.  Adoption is close to our hearts and we spend much time and energy talking and dreaming about what adoption means to us, our family and our faith and how to make it a reality.  

So, a little about me to start (Josh can write his own little intro post later on). 

Happy to be outside in the snow!

I am a wife (pastor's wife!) and a mom of two preschoolers.  Josh and I have been married for almost nine years.  He is my best friend and knows me better than I know myself sometimes!  Our daughter Kailyn is almost 4 and our son, Jude, is 16 months.  These stats alone should inform you that our home is always abuzz with all manner of things: dancing, wrestling, colouring, eating, and making messes in general.  More about our kiddos later on.   

A big change in our lives that happened recently is my new job.  I am currently working four days a week at our local Christian elementary school for a one year maternity leave position.  It has been a steep learning curve since I have been a full time stay-at-home mom for the past two years and taught high school before that.  I can most often be found in the resource room helping kids one on one or in small groups.  This is quite rewarding and I am developing good relationships with these students.  I also teach grade 7/8 art and music as well as grade 3/4 art, music, phys.ed., health and French (yup, French!).  This has been a good challenge for me since in the past I have taught secondary school history, English and geography along with a year of Special Education.  I am blown away by my colleagues dedication and commitment to all the students who attend Wallaceburg Christian School (www.wallaceburgchristianschool.com).  They are a testimony of God's faithfulness everyday.  They truly love what they do and share the love of Christ freely with each of their students.  

In addition to two kids and an almost full time job, I teach piano, lead our church's praise team, help coordinate the church nursery and sew when I have any spare time (http://foryoubyme.shutterfly.com).  

Yes, life is busy but it is good.  Really good. 

I hear crying :)  Gotta go! 

April

Adoption Rocks: Building Our Family One Kid at a Time

Our family is thinking about kid #3 and we are so excited!!  We've decided to keep a blog for this adoption journey as we need help.

We've titled our blog Adoption Rocks: Building Our Family One Kid at a Time because we really love adoption and we love seeing how God is working in our family.  We believe that God is calling us to adopt our third child and we are fully ready to dive in although not without some trepidation and fear.   

First of all, we'd like you to start praying.  Pray for our family, especially our two children, as we prepare ourselves and our home for another child.  Pray for the child that will eventually become a Tuininga -- whether he/she is already born or not.  Pray for his/her birth mom -- she is precious to us already and we love her and the decision she will eventually make for her child.  

Second, finances.  Adoption in Ontario is very expensive.  We are talking thousands of dollars.  We have already spent a bunch but we know there are many more costs coming.  We know that God is faithful and that he uses his people in mighty ways.  We would love it if you would join us financially in helping us grow our family.   

There is a fundraising button at the side of this blog that will track our fundraising progress -- we hope to see it grow quickly!!  So, how are we fundraising?  Well, our first go will be participating in the Warrior Dash (www.warriordash.com) in Barrie on July 20.  We would love you to check out the link and then sponsor our team as we get dirty and sweaty running and completing crazy obstacles through mud. Yes, mud.  Fun right?!  Chat with us if you'd like to pay money to see us cry while trying to complete this "dash"!! Oh, and we are so far a team of seven so we aren't the only crazy ones plus there are thousands of other participants!

That's all for now.  We'll get the word out and try to post often. 

Josh & April