Eight Years Ago Today

Eight years ago today, on the other side of the world, a woman who had sacrificed so much for nine months, was in a hospital giving birth to a baby boy. She knew that she couldn’t raise him. She knew that he belonged somewhere else. She knew that God had big plans for him.

Meanwhile, back on this side of the world, a young couple was beginning to realize that having a child the natural way wasn’t going to happen for them. They had tried all the ways that man has to offer but God had big plans for them.

That little boy was in the hospital for 15 days before going to his temporary home where he would wait for his mom and dad to come get him. Every day he was held and rocked and loved by the wonderful women at the orphanage. He grew bigger and stronger in that love. But still he knew that God had big plans for him.

Fast forward almost two years and you will see a little boy that was waiting patiently for his mom and dad while they were working tirelessly to get to him. Until one day, Marcy 21, 2006, the phone rang…

 “Hello,” his mother said.

“Kirsten? Are you okay” the voice said.

“Yes – I’m just trying to figure out why you’re calling me on a Friday afternoon.” (You see the voice was the adoption coordinator. They had a standing appointment for Monday afternoons but this was a Friday, highly unusual.)

“Well, I may have a baby for you,” she said.

The rest of the story is history, as they say. For the next two months, the little boy’s mother and father worked even more tirelessly getting ready to fly to the other side of the world to claim that boy as their own.

I have always heard that the first time you see your baby, you are instantly in love. I worried if I, too, would feel that instant connection. After all, this child grew under another woman’s heart for nine months and was loved by caretakers for 2 years. Would he reject me? Would our battle to have a child of our own come to an end or keep going?

Well, I’m here to tell you that the moment I saw that little boy in person, I was instantly in love! He was a little unsure at first but he came to understand that we were his family that he had been waiting for. Those two years before he came into my life were just the catalyst that God used to get us ready for family life.

And so today, I wanted to take time to honor that young woman that sacrificed so much to have a healthy baby. She had to hide her pregnancy because she was unmarried and would have been killed (beheaded) if her secret was found out. Instead of getting rid of that baby, she snuck into Kazakhstan where she knew she would be safe and so would her baby. When I think of her, I always say a prayer of thanks to God but I also offer up a prayer for her. I hope she knows that her little boy is well, happy, loved, and smart.

Even though this is a day to celebrate Bobby’s birthday we know how much bigger it is that we have him. So, thank you to that young woman that we will probably never meet. May your life be filled with blessings every day as ours is because of your gift. Thank you God for Your grace and love that allows me to be that little boy’s mother. Thank you God for giving him a wonderful father that was willing to go the “extra mile” to get him. Every day I have with that little boy is a blessing and he continually reminds me of Your unending love.

An Update on Our Family Adventure

 

Sadly, I am writing to let my followers know that my dear sweet husband, Michael Gene Goff passed away on December 19, 2011 at the age of 43. He was too young and we will miss him every moment.

     Funeral services for Michael Gene Goff, age 43 of Bonita (near Saint Jo) are set for 2:00 pm  Friday, December 23, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Saint Jo. A visitation is set for 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. The service will be officiated by Rev. Larry Coleman and directed by McCoy Funeral Home of Saint Jo. Michael died at about 8:30 PM Monday, December 19 at his residence.

     Michael came into this world on Oct. 11,1968, the son of Jerral Don and Mary Kathryn Goff. He was a very little 4lbs. 15 ozs. Everyone who knows him knows that didn’t last long. He grew up in Saint Jo and he wanted his son to do the same, so he and Kirsten bought a home in Bonita and planned to raise Bobby there.

     He grew up attending the Methodist Church, being a Boy Scout, playing summer baseball, and doing all the things that a boy does in a small town in Texas. He graduated from Saint Jo High in 1987 and went to Texas A&M where he earned his BS degree in Construction Science and learned to be a Real AGGIE. He worked for the Texas Highway Dept. and in the construction field all his adult life.

     He married Kirsten McGregor on May 28, 1994. The story goes that he posted a note on the internet that said “Where are you, slow talkin’ slow walkin’ country girl in the tight fittin’ jeans? If you like Aggies, respond.” Respond she did, and you know the rest of the story. The great adventures of his life was when they traveled all the way to Kazakhstan to adopt their precious son Robert Curtis ‘Bobby’ Goff. They went there again a few years later to show Bobby where he came from and to show the people there what a wonderful son they had.

     As a boy, Michael loved to fish with his brothers Curtis and Jerral and his friends he spent many, many hours on and in the Katy Lake. He had a great love for Colorado vacations there as a child, led to vacations there as an adult, at the cabin of Kirsten’s parents. He always planned in his heart to live there someday.

     Michael loved his toys and another love of his life was his Toyota Cruiser that he had lovingly restored and named “Clyde 2” as the successor to a jeep owned by his Grandfather.

Michael loved his family with all of his heart. A fact he thought he kept hidden from them, but made evident in his actions. Michael’s family loves him with all their hearts and the hole his passing has left in those hearts is immeasurable.

     Michael is survived by his wife, Kirsten Leigh McGregor of the home, a son, Robert “Bobby” Curtis Goff also of the home, Parents, Jerral Don and Mary Kathryn Goff of Saint Jo, a brother, Curtis Don Goff and wife Kathryn of Little Elm, Texas, Sister–in–law Ann Goff of Nacogdoches, Texas and nephews Jeffrey, Ryan, Curry and Taylor Goff. He was preceded in death by a brother Jerral Wayne Goff, grandparents, Curtis and Evie Martin and Jessie and Beaulah Goff.

Sledding in Colorado!

Christmas 2007

Fall Fest & Pumpkin Patch

We're broke!

Well, we are on our way to living in the country! We are so excited! Friday afternoon we officially became homeowners. To quote my dad, "Congratulations, now you're broke!"

Now the panic begins! There is SO much to do! The good news is that the painting is done but now the clean-up begins! It's incredible how dirty a house can get! My fingernails are permanently black from the dirt.

I'm posting some before pictures. I hope in the next 2 weeks I can post some after pictures.

Bobby's Lifebook

I finally completed it! I am so excited about it! I hope you enjoy!

Love, Kirsten

Christmas Wishes

Our 1st Thanksgiving!

Hello from Saint Jo!

Sorry we haven't posted in a while! Our little boy is doing great! He is speaking so many words that we have lost count! He keeps us on our toes all the time! Bobby goes to daycare, "school," 2 days a week and with his Munen, Michael's mother, the other days. We will try to keep you more updated. Key Word - TRY









Elmo's cupcake!














Surprise Grandad!















Blowing bubbles with Aunt Pud




















Hanging out with Othermama












Playing with Momma's kitchen @ Othermama's














Taking a bath @ Othermama's

Bobby's Dedication

October 22, 2006

From L to R

Michael's parents, otherwise known as Munen & Grandad

Kirsten's mother, otherwise known as Othermama

Kirsten, otherwise known as Momma

Robert Curtis Goff, otherwise known as Bobby

Curt Simmons, our wonderful minister

Kirsten's dad, otherwise known as Papa

We're Home

We're finally home! It's a wonderful feeling! Bobby was tremendously happy to see his Daddy in the airport. He went running to him with his arms open as you can see from the picture! When Papa wanted to take a family picture, Bobby pushed Mommy away!

We are learning about car seats. A 2 hour ride was not the best way to be introduced to it. We'll get there though.

Bobby slept in his bed last night without any problems. He's scared of Cisco & Sara but we are hopeful that will change soon.

I'm working on adding all of our photos to a Yahoo site. I will work on it today and will post again when I get it finished. Maybe today or tomorrow.

Kirsten

Almaty Pictures

On the pedestrian walkway in Almaty









Bobby's first pizza!









World War II Memorial

Hello from Almaty!

Hello! We are in Almaty. Things here are going better than we were first told when we arrived. We were told we couldn't leave until Saturday which meant I wouldn't have much time with my brother's family. We called the German embassy yesterday and they have agreed to allow us to bring in Bobby's documentation Wednesday which means it will be ready Thursday.
We are on our own in Almaty. We can call them and they will help us but it's also nice to be independent for a change. We can leave the apartment anytime we want to. We are lonely without our Semey friends :(
I will post pictures of the city later. I haven't had time to get them off the camera yet.
Bye for now!

Othermama pictures

This is the last post from SEMEY!!!! Did you hear me screaming with joy? Here are some pictures of Bobby with his Othermama. They are in love with each other. Bobby has that effect on everyone that comes in contact with him.
Talk to you from Almaty!

6/16/06 - one month away from home :(

As of today, I have been gone one month. Mom thinks it’s like being in a prison. Otis says we know what he feels like when he’s been deployed. You are ready to go but you can’t leave because you aren’t ready to go. At least we do know we are heading out of Semey on Sunday!!!! We don’t know when we can leave the country yet but maybe we will know tomorrow. It’s difficult just sitting around all day. I am learning a lot about Bobby's behavior. He gets wild when he’s tired just like his cousin, Camden! Mommy is learning patience.
We took Bobby to the orphanage doctor yesterday. He had an awful cough that was keeping him awake at night. She told us to give him amoxicillin, which was in our medical kit we brought with us, a decongestant, and “to draw on his chest.” When Larissa translated this we looked at her like she was crazy! She said she would show us. Evidently it is some liquid that looks like iodine. She drew a 5 x 5 grid on his chest and back. He sat there very still while she did this. They do this in the orphanage. He felt 100% better today so it worked.
We went to the zoo today. Bobby thought it was really cool. He even fed them a couple of times until the lips of one of them touched his hands. Eventually, he was more willing to try but not readily.
We took one last group of presents to the orphanage today and picked up Bobby's book that the caregivers had written for him. Now, if I could just read Russian!
Well, one more full day here and away we go. We will miss our friends we have made in Semey.

6/13/06

Michael left for Almaty yesterday. My mom arrived yesterday. They saw each other for a just a minute at the Almaty airport. Bobby & Othermama have bonded. After all, she is a real grandmother who gives him whatever he thinks he needs.

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Just a little hello from Bobby! I can't keep him from the computer! He loves typing. We introduced him to Barney today. That was a hit! He likes to watch a little bit of movies but doesn't sit and watch them continually. The only movie we have found that he will sit for is videos of his programs from the orphanage. He was in at least 3 while there. They really go all out on these programs. The kids sing and have speaking parts. It's adorable to watch.

Right now, Bobby is checking out all the papers that Othermama brought with her. He is a typical 2-year old in so many ways. He has become so comfortable with me that he smiles and laughs when he is told to stop. It's hard to resist the adorable faces but I'm learning.

Eating is another challenge. At home he thinks it's funny to play with his food and not eat. We are working on not laughing at him or watching him.

We have no problems in the car. He lays his head down on my chest and waits for the car to stop. (There are no car seats.)

We miss you Daddy.

Love, Bobby & Mommy

Pictures

We are a family!








Relaxing at home!








My first breakfast at home!

We're a family!

We are officially a family of 3! What an incredible adventure! We feel so blessed to have found our little boy so far from home. He was very excited to come home with us. He already loves his new life. I have so many feelings right now that I don't know where to begin. Maybe I will have more stories later.

Kirsten

Pictures tomorrow

6/6/06

We had our first meeting today about the court. Michael will have to make a speech about our lives and why we want to adopt Bobby. We are preparing a short video of our pictures and some videos we have taken to show the judge. You are supposed to show how the child has bonded with you. I had many videos of Michael and Bobby but none of me with him. We tried to get some today.
It has rained off and on for a couple of days. We thought with the rain that the "cotton" would subside some but it seems to have gotten worse. Even the trees look white from this stuff! It's incredible. It was hard to watch Bobby playing today because the so much stuff was blowing around.
My mom is coming Sunday and Michael is leaving on Monday. I feel like the changing of the guards. We are tiring of the take home food, but eating out with 12 people is a huge pain! Mom - do you think you could sneak us some good old American food?
Not much else is going on. Just another day in the Groundhog Day movie!

Kirsten

PS - I thought you would enjoy some pictures of Bobby's first program. This was Protection of Children Day. It seems to be the one day that people give gifts to the orphanage. There were vendors everywhere and carnivals too.

BTW - Thank you Jerral for helping us finally sell our house. It will be so wonderful to come home knowing that that stressor is gone!