A Backyard for Stefan

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. We're the Miner family, and we are just about to bring home our adopted son Stefan from Bulgaria. We're trying to get our house and yards ready for him, and that means we'd like to tear out our swimming pool. Not only does it take up most of the yard, but it's a big potential hazard for a boy who has grown up in an orphanage. It's fenced, of course, but Stefi is eight years old, and likes to climb and play. So, pool fence bad, play structure good!

We are very thankful you've even spent this much time reading our story! We would be even more grateful if you would donate to help us tackle this project!



Based on our current quotes (and we're trying to get good ones), we're aiming for $7000 to completely remove & backfill the pool. It would be possible to partially remove it (for about $4500), though that leaves a mess for the next homeowner! So, whatever you are willing to give will help us out.



Our kiddos love playing outside, and we'd like for Stefan to be able to join them safely! To do that, we plan to use the space freed up from the pool to put up a play structure and shade trees. 


Did I mention they love playing outside? But right now, the only place to do that is the front yard, which is not at all ideal for a newly-adopted child who doesn't yet know where home is. Clearing the pool out of the back yard will allow the fun to move inside the fence.


Stefi is actually our second adoption out of this orphanage. Ana has been home for over two years, and we are so thrilled to be able to bring another child from her orphanage into our home. Ana has CP and is in a wheelchair, so this was less of an issue for her.

Stefi is a boisterous boy who wants to know about everything by climbing all over it.

We have a lot to be thankful for, and your help is a blessing to us!



Though the ducks might be sad... (In my defense, the pool was clean and chlorinated - not sure why they stopped by, but it tickled us pink.)

Thank you again for reading, and God bless you!

Mark

PS - We understand that there are many adoption-related fundraisers, and (sadly) some of them don't end up benefiting the people you intended. In our case, we are legally Stefan's parents - custody was awarded in mid-May - and we are simply waiting to be issued a pick-up date. So, Stefan is indeed our son, and I will have the privilege of going to bring him home sometime this summer. We're trying to get ready!