Who will be the first to sell 50 tickets to the concert? What concert you say? Glad you asked... Orphan Soul has agreed to do a benefit concert to help raise money and raise awareness of the Orphan Crisis on November 28th at the Worship Center in Pascagoula! They are an awesome Christian band with a giving spirit.
They have agreed to let two families who are in the process of adopting (that's including us) to sell tickets and keep the proceeds of the tickets!!! We (the two families) were each given 120 tickets, the chance to earn $1200 for the adoption. Our goal is to sell out...but we want to challenge one another along the way to get these tickets sold!
Our first challenge is to see who can sell 50 tickets first! The Wood Family vs. The Shultz Family. I started selling this week. I sold only 3 tickets so far. Some people have enlisted and joined me in selling tickets. Thanks Kelly, Mandy Ricker, Paula, and Bridget and Tracy!
10.30.2009
10.29.2009
Whew! Flash Forward....Pics & More Pics
I just combined the two blogs. We will now begin posting everything here (about the adoption and our ongoing adventures through life).
First, I'd like to catch you up to speed on a few things recent in the Wood Home. I will use pics with captions. That's what everyone's really interested in, anyways, right? =) It may not be in chronological order, but here goes!
Here's our G-Mami praisin' in the streets in Grand Bay, AL. Mandy Flurry is the lead vocalist of Orphan Soul and god-mami of the children. Orphan Soul is performing a benefit concert to bring awareness to the orphan crisis and raise money for two families in the adoption process. We are one of those families along with Sara Schultz who is adopting Eli from Russia.
This is Danita our SW who did our home study update. Yes, we're approved! It's crazy what people have to go thru to adopt. We are currently waiting for the final copy of the home study to send off to the Immigration Department for approval.
Can't remember if I posted pics of Tatiana's birthday, but she had a Pump-It-Up Party. This is a pic of Hannah, her "best friend!" They are so cute! That is a piggy bank she has in her hands! A cool bday present!
This is Ben in a massage chair. Yup, that's right! Our friends, Kelly and Darren Calhoun have their own shop now and are set up to do massages and nutritional counseling. It is called Nutritional Rejuvenation on Chicot Street in Pascagoula. Check them out, if you're local!
Diego's first year of soccer! He's loving it! I love it. He has met a few friends. They are so cute!
Andrew also has met new friends and loves soccer. He is a super-fast runner! Look out, team!
My goofy chica quieres el futbol! She absolutely loves soccer. We all love it! It is so much fun and a great way to network with other parents and the kids to meet new friends!
I'm sure there's more to come later...I have more pics to download on the camera, and hopefully, I'll have news to tell about our current adoption. God bless!
We're Negative!
Posted on 10/13/09 on blog, "My Something Beautiful"
Negative on TB, Syph and HIV! Finally, we have the results!
So, what’s next? We are STILL waiting for the FBI Clearance, and the home study. The SW still hasn’t gotten a draft sent in to CHI yet. I am on pins and needles… Hopefully, both will be completed and here by end of this week! We received our 3rd reference letter, but will need to send it back b/c of the discrepancy of the date the letter was written and the date of the notary stamp. ARGH! So, for now, we wait.
Negative on TB, Syph and HIV! Finally, we have the results!
So, what’s next? We are STILL waiting for the FBI Clearance, and the home study. The SW still hasn’t gotten a draft sent in to CHI yet. I am on pins and needles… Hopefully, both will be completed and here by end of this week! We received our 3rd reference letter, but will need to send it back b/c of the discrepancy of the date the letter was written and the date of the notary stamp. ARGH! So, for now, we wait.
Update
Not a big update, but we have another reference letter! Yea! We are waiting on ONE more! We know that Ben does not have TB. We wait for our blood tests to come back as well as the FBI prints.
We faxed docs for our dossier and I didn’t realize how many errors I missed that were found. We got our Psych report back and they needed more info (which I assumed) and we will wait for that correction. The medical letters also needed to be re-done because of the date of the letter vs. the date of the notary’s signature. I received mine today. Ben just needs to pick his up. Hope to get the birth certs and marriage licenses apostilled next week or sent off. Hope to get a draft of the home study sent to CHI next week. Fingers crossed…
No more news at this point.
We faxed docs for our dossier and I didn’t realize how many errors I missed that were found. We got our Psych report back and they needed more info (which I assumed) and we will wait for that correction. The medical letters also needed to be re-done because of the date of the letter vs. the date of the notary’s signature. I received mine today. Ben just needs to pick his up. Hope to get the birth certs and marriage licenses apostilled next week or sent off. Hope to get a draft of the home study sent to CHI next week. Fingers crossed…
No more news at this point.
Health Department, Check!
Posted on 9/28/09 on blog "My Something Beautiful"
FINALLY! We made it to the health department! Ben had his TB test, as well as both of us got our HIV and Syph tests. We won’t have the complete results until 10/12, when we can then fax over the results to the Home Study Agency and then, wait for FBI Clearance. We hope that the FBI Clearance will come before 10/12!
I emailed Ashley today to proof our Intro Letter. Looked good to her. I will begin putting the things together that CHI needs to “proof” that we already have so we can get apostilled. I will call tomorrow to see when the Psych report will be completed to fax to them.
We are really finished, except for gathering the reference letters… We will sit and wait. We can’t do anything more without the home study. Once the homestudy gets here, we can send off for the Immigration approval. Ashley said it has been taking about 4-6 wks. I’m gonna hope more like 4 wks in our case. I would so rather get the dossier in before December when everything shuts down. I just would feel much better “waiting”. I’m not sure why I’m so anxious about completing this dossier before the end of the year… anywho…it seems the wait times are increasing…so, just would like to get my name somewhere on the list, ya know!
Until them, more laundry awaits… ttyl.
FINALLY! We made it to the health department! Ben had his TB test, as well as both of us got our HIV and Syph tests. We won’t have the complete results until 10/12, when we can then fax over the results to the Home Study Agency and then, wait for FBI Clearance. We hope that the FBI Clearance will come before 10/12!
I emailed Ashley today to proof our Intro Letter. Looked good to her. I will begin putting the things together that CHI needs to “proof” that we already have so we can get apostilled. I will call tomorrow to see when the Psych report will be completed to fax to them.
We are really finished, except for gathering the reference letters… We will sit and wait. We can’t do anything more without the home study. Once the homestudy gets here, we can send off for the Immigration approval. Ashley said it has been taking about 4-6 wks. I’m gonna hope more like 4 wks in our case. I would so rather get the dossier in before December when everything shuts down. I just would feel much better “waiting”. I’m not sure why I’m so anxious about completing this dossier before the end of the year… anywho…it seems the wait times are increasing…so, just would like to get my name somewhere on the list, ya know!
Until them, more laundry awaits… ttyl.
Fingerprints, Check!
Posted 9/24/09 on blog "My Something Beautiful"
Ben went and got printed! Yea! So, I will send them off to the FBI tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll get them back sooner than later.
Next week, we’ll try to make it to the Health Dpt. to get the bloodwork and Ben’s TB test. Once that is complete, we turn it in, and the Home Study will be completed!
Hmm… then, we will have to save up some serious money and send in for the I-800. Can we get it sent and back before December?
Ben went and got printed! Yea! So, I will send them off to the FBI tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll get them back sooner than later.
Next week, we’ll try to make it to the Health Dpt. to get the bloodwork and Ben’s TB test. Once that is complete, we turn it in, and the Home Study will be completed!
Hmm… then, we will have to save up some serious money and send in for the I-800. Can we get it sent and back before December?
A FUNraising Event!
Posted on 9/19/09 on blog, "My Something Beautiful"
A Piece of the Puzzle Goal-$250
Benefit Concert for our family and another PAP Goal-$1,000
Game Nights Goal-$500
Portrait Sessions- ?
Support Letters- ?
Crop ’til You Drop Party Goal-$100
Movie Night for Kids-Night of Babysitting for Adults Goal-$100
Sell T-shirts- ?
A “Don’t Come Event”- ?
Skratcher Cards- ?
Any other suggestions?
A Piece of the Puzzle Goal-$250
Benefit Concert for our family and another PAP Goal-$1,000
Game Nights Goal-$500
Portrait Sessions- ?
Support Letters- ?
Crop ’til You Drop Party Goal-$100
Movie Night for Kids-Night of Babysitting for Adults Goal-$100
Sell T-shirts- ?
A “Don’t Come Event”- ?
Skratcher Cards- ?
Any other suggestions?
Psychological Report
Posted on 9/19/09 on blog, "My Something Beautiful"
Thursday, we had an appointment with the local psychologist. It was so easy. The doc also works with some of our patients in the hospital I work at and is an adoptive parent. He did our initial psych report, so this will just be an update. Yes! We should have it in a few weeks!
Thursday, we had an appointment with the local psychologist. It was so easy. The doc also works with some of our patients in the hospital I work at and is an adoptive parent. He did our initial psych report, so this will just be an update. Yes! We should have it in a few weeks!
Because "WE" waited...
Posted 9/13/09 on blog, "My Something Beautiful"
Finally! We got our results on the parenting education! We both got 100’s on our last test! Woohoo! Something else to mark off the list!
Finally! We got our results on the parenting education! We both got 100’s on our last test! Woohoo! Something else to mark off the list!
Updates....
Posted on 9/11/09 on blog, "My Something Beautiful"
Whew! Sent a BIG check to the Home Study agency today. We still lack some things that they will need to have completed before we will get a draft of the study. They won’t just accept the medical letters from our doctors, but they want us to actually have blood tests and TB tests. Ben went to the doctor today and will get his letter on Monday or Tuesday for the dossier. But, now we have to go to the Health Dpt for the blood work. The only other thing we need is our FBI clearance.
What’s in store for next week? Call Health Dpt on Monday to determine what we need to do for blood work (AIDS, TB, and one other test). Get fingerprinted on Tuesday or Wednesday then send those off to the FBI immediately. Thursday, we have our appt. with the Psychologist.
The excitement is building! We have brought the other bed down from the attic and set up in Tatiana’s room. I know, we still have a long way off but it helps make it more real and reminds me that my daughter is somewhere right now in Colombia and she needs my prayers, our prayers!
On a sad note, yesterday we learned of an adoption that was closed. We had joined with a family in our church to stand in prayer with them as they sought to adopt “Janet” from Liberia. Unfortunately, the adoption agency said that the doors are closed at this time. It has has been almost two years since they have pursued her. If you think about it, even if you’ve never met someone, but have invested prayer into someone for so long, you can become attached. I’m attached and I’m not the one pursuing her for my own, and now I’m sad. I cannot imagine how the family feels. It makes my heart so sad. Someone from the adoption agency had Janet write a letter to the family and then even call their house and left a message on their phone. That’s what they have… they’ve seen her writing, and heard her voice and those sweet beautiful words… “I love you.” What’s even more sad, is that Janet is somewhere in Liberia hoping to come home, and will they tell her? Will they tell her the government has made it impossible? Or will she feel abandoned–again?? Please pray for Janet and the Fleming family.
Whew! Sent a BIG check to the Home Study agency today. We still lack some things that they will need to have completed before we will get a draft of the study. They won’t just accept the medical letters from our doctors, but they want us to actually have blood tests and TB tests. Ben went to the doctor today and will get his letter on Monday or Tuesday for the dossier. But, now we have to go to the Health Dpt for the blood work. The only other thing we need is our FBI clearance.
What’s in store for next week? Call Health Dpt on Monday to determine what we need to do for blood work (AIDS, TB, and one other test). Get fingerprinted on Tuesday or Wednesday then send those off to the FBI immediately. Thursday, we have our appt. with the Psychologist.
The excitement is building! We have brought the other bed down from the attic and set up in Tatiana’s room. I know, we still have a long way off but it helps make it more real and reminds me that my daughter is somewhere right now in Colombia and she needs my prayers, our prayers!
On a sad note, yesterday we learned of an adoption that was closed. We had joined with a family in our church to stand in prayer with them as they sought to adopt “Janet” from Liberia. Unfortunately, the adoption agency said that the doors are closed at this time. It has has been almost two years since they have pursued her. If you think about it, even if you’ve never met someone, but have invested prayer into someone for so long, you can become attached. I’m attached and I’m not the one pursuing her for my own, and now I’m sad. I cannot imagine how the family feels. It makes my heart so sad. Someone from the adoption agency had Janet write a letter to the family and then even call their house and left a message on their phone. That’s what they have… they’ve seen her writing, and heard her voice and those sweet beautiful words… “I love you.” What’s even more sad, is that Janet is somewhere in Liberia hoping to come home, and will they tell her? Will they tell her the government has made it impossible? Or will she feel abandoned–again?? Please pray for Janet and the Fleming family.
Our Home Study Update!
Posted on 9/08/09 on blog "My Something Beautiful"
Tonight, we met with Danita to update our Home Study! It was neat to touch base with her again as she hadn’t seen the children in over a year! She was also our SW for the first adoption, and she did our post-placements following the adoption. She is the sweetest woman who has a passion for placing children in forever families. She works at Acorn Adoptions assisting birthmothers and placing children in homes in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Hopefully, once we get the info from our background checks and Ben’s medical letter, we will be able to get a draft of the home study! Oh, yeah, we need our results from the Parent Education Modules. We finished last night. The prompt said it may be a week before we get any results. I was hoping that we’d have them today after talking with Shane and heard he and Carmen got theirs really quick!
Once the home study is complete, we will then send off for the Immigration paperwork! Yeah! Waahoo! It’s coming together!!! I know I’m repeating myself in posts, but it’s just so nice that it’s all coming together…
Still need ideas about a fundraiser. I had asked one of my real graphic artistic friends to help me design (or rather, design for me) a puzzle to do a puzzle fundraiser. I plan to apply for several grants once the homestudy is complete. It would be nice to have the first $3500 in the bank, though, so when the time comes to send the dossier, it can be out on it’s way to Colombia! So, pray with me that we get some creative juices following and God give us opportunity to make extra money and that we be wise with our money finding ways to save it and pay off current debt.
Thanks!
Tonight, we met with Danita to update our Home Study! It was neat to touch base with her again as she hadn’t seen the children in over a year! She was also our SW for the first adoption, and she did our post-placements following the adoption. She is the sweetest woman who has a passion for placing children in forever families. She works at Acorn Adoptions assisting birthmothers and placing children in homes in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Hopefully, once we get the info from our background checks and Ben’s medical letter, we will be able to get a draft of the home study! Oh, yeah, we need our results from the Parent Education Modules. We finished last night. The prompt said it may be a week before we get any results. I was hoping that we’d have them today after talking with Shane and heard he and Carmen got theirs really quick!
Once the home study is complete, we will then send off for the Immigration paperwork! Yeah! Waahoo! It’s coming together!!! I know I’m repeating myself in posts, but it’s just so nice that it’s all coming together…
Still need ideas about a fundraiser. I had asked one of my real graphic artistic friends to help me design (or rather, design for me) a puzzle to do a puzzle fundraiser. I plan to apply for several grants once the homestudy is complete. It would be nice to have the first $3500 in the bank, though, so when the time comes to send the dossier, it can be out on it’s way to Colombia! So, pray with me that we get some creative juices following and God give us opportunity to make extra money and that we be wise with our money finding ways to save it and pay off current debt.
Thanks!
10.24.2009
Chasing Papers...
Posted 9.07.09 from blog "My Something Beautiful"
I like the list in our Adoption Agency book that lists each document we need for our dossier. I can look at it and see how much more we have to gather. As I look at it tonight, multitasking, listening to the LAST module of the Heart of the Matters Parenting Seminars, I get excited! We have got a lot of our paperwork together and now wait for our home study! We have to have the home study before we can file for the I-800. At that point, we will get an appt for the FBI.
Tonight, I ordered photos to begin putting our picture pages together! I can’t wait to begin putting those together…another excuse to scrapbook! We also have got several of our documentation together to get notarized tomorrow! We meet with Danita, our SW, hopefully, tomorrow evening! We have our appt. with the psychologist next week. So, we are rolling!
This week, I need to find our Tax papers (we’re not so great with organization), and Ben needs to make a med appt, and we need to order certified copies of the children’s Citizenship Certificates. (I don’t want to give away their originals.) And then, we just wait for the recommendation letters, and the Home Study!!! After that, just a few more things to collect!
We hope to have our dossier turned in before December! My birthday is Nov. 14. That would be a great birthday present! Well, will keep you informed! Thanks for following along!
I like the list in our Adoption Agency book that lists each document we need for our dossier. I can look at it and see how much more we have to gather. As I look at it tonight, multitasking, listening to the LAST module of the Heart of the Matters Parenting Seminars, I get excited! We have got a lot of our paperwork together and now wait for our home study! We have to have the home study before we can file for the I-800. At that point, we will get an appt for the FBI.
Tonight, I ordered photos to begin putting our picture pages together! I can’t wait to begin putting those together…another excuse to scrapbook! We also have got several of our documentation together to get notarized tomorrow! We meet with Danita, our SW, hopefully, tomorrow evening! We have our appt. with the psychologist next week. So, we are rolling!
This week, I need to find our Tax papers (we’re not so great with organization), and Ben needs to make a med appt, and we need to order certified copies of the children’s Citizenship Certificates. (I don’t want to give away their originals.) And then, we just wait for the recommendation letters, and the Home Study!!! After that, just a few more things to collect!
We hope to have our dossier turned in before December! My birthday is Nov. 14. That would be a great birthday present! Well, will keep you informed! Thanks for following along!
Homestudy Fees
Posted on 8.27.09 from the blog "My Something Beautiful"
This time our homestudy will be more expensive because of the Hague Accreditation. We will pay $825 for the update which will be only ONE visit this time unlike the first one in which we had to have 3-4 visits. We will also have to pay a $300 Hague Liason fee. I was told this was because of all the extra requirements that Hague required versus those countries which aren’t Hague.
I was also told that with this new agency doing our homestudy that we would be required to pre-pay for the post-placement reports before we would be able to obtain the homestudy. Post-placements are $230 each. For the Colombia program, we need 4 post-placement reports. We didn’t have to pre-pay the previous agency. So, this was kindof a bummer.
I had hoped that as soon as we get an approved homestudy, we would begin applying for grants. After that, we would start to save and work toward the Immigration/FBI fees (which are over $800). Paying the post-placements initially would delay us in getting some of the other paperwork rolling. I took a shot and asked the agency if we could pay for half of the post-placement reports when the homestudy is complete, and then the final half after we file with UCIS. Surprisingly, I got an email today, stating THEY WOULD allow us to pay installments for the post-placements! Yea!!! God is good!
So, we have the total fee for the homestudy! The past few months, I have been able to work a few extra shifts that has allowed this. Now, we are beginning to save up for the next BIG step with UCIS. We are brainstorming different ways to raise some extra money to help accelerate the process of putting our dossier together! (I have a personal goal of completing the dossier before December!)
Please post your fun fundraising ideas! Thanks!
This time our homestudy will be more expensive because of the Hague Accreditation. We will pay $825 for the update which will be only ONE visit this time unlike the first one in which we had to have 3-4 visits. We will also have to pay a $300 Hague Liason fee. I was told this was because of all the extra requirements that Hague required versus those countries which aren’t Hague.
I was also told that with this new agency doing our homestudy that we would be required to pre-pay for the post-placement reports before we would be able to obtain the homestudy. Post-placements are $230 each. For the Colombia program, we need 4 post-placement reports. We didn’t have to pre-pay the previous agency. So, this was kindof a bummer.
I had hoped that as soon as we get an approved homestudy, we would begin applying for grants. After that, we would start to save and work toward the Immigration/FBI fees (which are over $800). Paying the post-placements initially would delay us in getting some of the other paperwork rolling. I took a shot and asked the agency if we could pay for half of the post-placement reports when the homestudy is complete, and then the final half after we file with UCIS. Surprisingly, I got an email today, stating THEY WOULD allow us to pay installments for the post-placements! Yea!!! God is good!
So, we have the total fee for the homestudy! The past few months, I have been able to work a few extra shifts that has allowed this. Now, we are beginning to save up for the next BIG step with UCIS. We are brainstorming different ways to raise some extra money to help accelerate the process of putting our dossier together! (I have a personal goal of completing the dossier before December!)
Please post your fun fundraising ideas! Thanks!
ZZZzz....
Posted on 8.27.09 from the blog "My Something Beautiful"
Because they waited… “Oh, bother!” as Pooh Bear would say! Well, I am disappointed to report that we didn’t get past the first video. In fact, Ben and I both fell asleep during the first video (and it was only a half hour!).
Hopefully, we can knock some of them out this weekend!
10 hours…wow, that seems like such a LONG time… ZZZzzzzzzz……
Because they waited… “Oh, bother!” as Pooh Bear would say! Well, I am disappointed to report that we didn’t get past the first video. In fact, Ben and I both fell asleep during the first video (and it was only a half hour!).
Hopefully, we can knock some of them out this weekend!
10 hours…wow, that seems like such a LONG time… ZZZzzzzzzz……
What happened to that Momentum?
Posted on 8.09.09 from blog "My Something Beautiful"
It’s funny. I guess it comes and goes in spurts. We got the DVD series to begin viewing for the Parent Education Monday of this past week. Just opened it. It didn’t look as exciting as I hoped. Called the SW, still no response. Will call her again next week. Have been super busy at work. Vegged the weekend and am still tired. Next weekend is Tatiana’s 6th birthday. Monday, the 17th, Ben leaves for Colombia for 4 days to take a Pastor of the FBC of Pascagoula to see ministry that Milton Hill is doing in Palmira. One exciting thing is that he and another adoptive family from Florida who will be there adopting their child in Cali, will get to hook up, hopefully! So, anyways…that’s where we are. Slow to no progress.
However, Tatiana continues to talk and pray openly about her sister. It is sweet. This daughter of mine…how she has been bathed in prayer…may God hold her tightly in His arms tonight and she know that she is loved…amen.
It’s funny. I guess it comes and goes in spurts. We got the DVD series to begin viewing for the Parent Education Monday of this past week. Just opened it. It didn’t look as exciting as I hoped. Called the SW, still no response. Will call her again next week. Have been super busy at work. Vegged the weekend and am still tired. Next weekend is Tatiana’s 6th birthday. Monday, the 17th, Ben leaves for Colombia for 4 days to take a Pastor of the FBC of Pascagoula to see ministry that Milton Hill is doing in Palmira. One exciting thing is that he and another adoptive family from Florida who will be there adopting their child in Cali, will get to hook up, hopefully! So, anyways…that’s where we are. Slow to no progress.
However, Tatiana continues to talk and pray openly about her sister. It is sweet. This daughter of mine…how she has been bathed in prayer…may God hold her tightly in His arms tonight and she know that she is loved…amen.
In the Mail...
Posted 7.28.09 from blog "My Something Beautiful"
Well, almost… I have our Adoption Agreement with check in a mailer ready to go to the Post Office tomorrow! Yippee!
The kids all went to have check-ups today, and Diego got shots so he can start school. The Home Study Update will require that the kids be signed off by their doctor that they are free from contagious and communicable diseases. Done!
I’ve called the SW to talk with her about details of what we need to have done for her before we meet with her (since we are really only gonna meet with her one time, this time), but got her VM. She hasn’t given me a call back yet. I will call her later this week, if I don’t hear from her first.
About to go check out what info we have already, that we would need only to get photocopied, notarized or apostilled… We got several birth certs and marriage license copies with our first adoption (not sure how many we have left).
Going to order the Parenting Videos this week so we can start on them. 10 hours of video…woohoo!
Got a coupon for Rosetta Stone Homeschooling to use toward the purchase of the computer program for the children. We are hoping to get a cheap computer so that they can use for learning games like starfall.com and other reading & math programs and the Spanish on RS. Of course, those things are on our wish list….for now.
Until the next time…
Well, almost… I have our Adoption Agreement with check in a mailer ready to go to the Post Office tomorrow! Yippee!
The kids all went to have check-ups today, and Diego got shots so he can start school. The Home Study Update will require that the kids be signed off by their doctor that they are free from contagious and communicable diseases. Done!
I’ve called the SW to talk with her about details of what we need to have done for her before we meet with her (since we are really only gonna meet with her one time, this time), but got her VM. She hasn’t given me a call back yet. I will call her later this week, if I don’t hear from her first.
About to go check out what info we have already, that we would need only to get photocopied, notarized or apostilled… We got several birth certs and marriage license copies with our first adoption (not sure how many we have left).
Going to order the Parenting Videos this week so we can start on them. 10 hours of video…woohoo!
Got a coupon for Rosetta Stone Homeschooling to use toward the purchase of the computer program for the children. We are hoping to get a cheap computer so that they can use for learning games like starfall.com and other reading & math programs and the Spanish on RS. Of course, those things are on our wish list….for now.
Until the next time…
Let the Paper Chase Begin!
Posted 7.25.09 from blog "My Something Beautiful"
This weekend, I will be filling out various forms for the initial paperwork. We intend on sending off our adoption agreement this coming week! We also have contacted the SW to begin a Home Study Update. We thought we were gonna get to save some money. However, it will cost us about $1,200 + $920 for post placement reports which must all be turned in before we get the final draft of the Home Study. Yikes! We would like to get our Home Study completed as soon as possible so that we can get a head start in applying for various grants to help offset the costs.
We also have an appointment with the Psychologist in September for an update. Working on getting our references, pulling out extra birth certs, marriage licenses, and more to begin compiling the dossier docs! Yea! I have set a personal goal of trying to complete the dossier by December. Please pray that it all comes together. Thanks!
This weekend, I will be filling out various forms for the initial paperwork. We intend on sending off our adoption agreement this coming week! We also have contacted the SW to begin a Home Study Update. We thought we were gonna get to save some money. However, it will cost us about $1,200 + $920 for post placement reports which must all be turned in before we get the final draft of the Home Study. Yikes! We would like to get our Home Study completed as soon as possible so that we can get a head start in applying for various grants to help offset the costs.
We also have an appointment with the Psychologist in September for an update. Working on getting our references, pulling out extra birth certs, marriage licenses, and more to begin compiling the dossier docs! Yea! I have set a personal goal of trying to complete the dossier by December. Please pray that it all comes together. Thanks!
"Let's Do It!"
Post dated 7.24.09 from blog "My Something Beautiful"
I had been waiting for a long time for that phrase… It was ’something beautiful!’ For some time, we have been talking about beginning the process for our second adoption. Tatiana has been praying earnestly for her sister in Colombia for some time. It is precious to hear each of the children pray for their future sibling. We think of her often and fantasize what life will be like when we can bring her home!
So, about 3 weeks ago, we got news that a bloggin’ sister that both Ben and I had met, got her referral to the same area in which we just visited working with the Hill Ministry! It is so neat as we’ve followed other families’ blogs to be able to rejoice with them as they prepare to meet their child(ren). Well, it was when I was sharing the news of her referral that Ben said abruptly, “Let’s do it!”
Woohoo! We’re doing it again! Adoption IS a beautiful experience. We are so excited! We turned our adoption application in at the CHI Reunion in St. Louis (July 11th). On July 13th, we received an email stating that we had been approved to continue the process thru Children’s Hope International.
Going in on this adoption, we feel a little more prepared in what to expect. We are okay with waiting, but for some reason, Ben thinks things will go fast (just as the approval, which takes approx. 2wks). We believe God is in control of it all and want to remain close to Him as we journey thru this adventure together with our children.
We have agreed when it is time to submit our dossier that we will request an older child (6 yrs old). She will be close to Diego’s age by the time we meet her. According to the current wait time projections, it will take about nine months after we turn in our dossier to get a referral. The wait times seem to be increasing across the board! By the time we get our dossier compiled, it may be longer. I hope not, but we will keep you posted!
Until the next time… don’t forget to stop and look for the “something beautifuls” in your day! God bless!
I had been waiting for a long time for that phrase… It was ’something beautiful!’ For some time, we have been talking about beginning the process for our second adoption. Tatiana has been praying earnestly for her sister in Colombia for some time. It is precious to hear each of the children pray for their future sibling. We think of her often and fantasize what life will be like when we can bring her home!
So, about 3 weeks ago, we got news that a bloggin’ sister that both Ben and I had met, got her referral to the same area in which we just visited working with the Hill Ministry! It is so neat as we’ve followed other families’ blogs to be able to rejoice with them as they prepare to meet their child(ren). Well, it was when I was sharing the news of her referral that Ben said abruptly, “Let’s do it!”
Woohoo! We’re doing it again! Adoption IS a beautiful experience. We are so excited! We turned our adoption application in at the CHI Reunion in St. Louis (July 11th). On July 13th, we received an email stating that we had been approved to continue the process thru Children’s Hope International.
Going in on this adoption, we feel a little more prepared in what to expect. We are okay with waiting, but for some reason, Ben thinks things will go fast (just as the approval, which takes approx. 2wks). We believe God is in control of it all and want to remain close to Him as we journey thru this adventure together with our children.
We have agreed when it is time to submit our dossier that we will request an older child (6 yrs old). She will be close to Diego’s age by the time we meet her. According to the current wait time projections, it will take about nine months after we turn in our dossier to get a referral. The wait times seem to be increasing across the board! By the time we get our dossier compiled, it may be longer. I hope not, but we will keep you posted!
Until the next time… don’t forget to stop and look for the “something beautifuls” in your day! God bless!
10.20.2009
Blog Neglect
So busy lately that I've neglected the blog...with work, church, soccer, birthday parties, bible study --that hasn't left much more time to do anything. I will try to catch up with posts and pics in the days to come...but for those who don't know we've also kept another blog for a few months...
I will be combining the blogs to this main blogspot. It may be just a few posts at a time, but those are soon to come as well.
What's on this other blog? Well.... we've decided it's time! TIME TO DO IT AGAIN!!! We are adopting again! This summer the trip to Cali, Colombia meant a lot to us. To serve the children, meant so much. Tatiana's heart beats for her sister... she daydreams of her playing together and so much more!
So, we are going full force ahead! We have already applied and are close to being "Paper Pregnant!" Look for the posts to come to that describe the process second time around!
Thanks in advance to those who have and still support us! We appreciate your positive, uplifting comments! The adoption network is one of its own! We are blessed by so many of you! Looking forward to journeying thru this again with you!
10.03.2009
"Is she mixed?"
Hmmm....how would YOU have responded?
(Honestly, I was a little flattered...awe, do you think she resembles me? Just a bit? LOL. People usually think Ben has similar features and I'm the adopted one. Ha!) Interestingly enough, Tatiana was singled out when the person asked. He specifically asked if "she" was mixed even when seeing us present with the boys... Well, I do hope as the children age they will reflect Ben and I more and more as we mirror to them the image of Christ.
Our first game...
This was an adventure! Ben was on a men's retreat and I had 3 soccer games and one birthday party! Whew! I rock! I made it! I love my children so much!
Blog-Freeze...
There are so many things that I think about throughout the day which are blog-worthy. However, I seem to have a blog-freeze in the evening when I sit at the laptop! We've been busy being parents and working and starting school and soccer. Some exciting things are going on in our family and friends' circle and we are in awe as we see the hand of God orchestrate things... He's awesome, isn't he? So, what about you? Have you seen the Hand of God move in your life today? And if so, how? Please share your testimony in the comment section. Thanks!
Open House
Diego had Open House at his school a few weeks ago. He's so cute in his uniform. He doesn't like to go to school in the morning, but in the afternoon when I pick him up he always loves to show me the fun things he's done! Right now, he is going for more socialization and review, because the skills they are covering he mostly knows already. Thanks to the Beamer! She is a great teacher. We miss having her around! Diego especially.
Tatiana and Andrew also had Open House a few weeks ago, but the presentation was nothing like Diego's. Would be too boring to read... and when we went to Andrew's class, we felt like we were getting a lecture from his teacher. However, she addressed several parents at once, so it wasn't like our child was the only one...I'm just afraid even her expectations for some of the parents are a little too high... Tatiana's teacher which was Andrew's last year was much more pleasant and was very positive. Sorry no pictures... They didn't have any work out, except a plant in Andrew's class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
