I haven't written in a while! Things have been a little crazy around here, but as of right now, I feel really, really good. A couple of things make me feel that way. First, our stuff is officially off to Homeland Security as of last week. Now we just have to wait for the coveted I-171H form (up to 3 months). Besides that, here is what still needs to happen to complete our dossier:
1. One more reference letter
2. All three reference letters notarized
3. Cover letter stating our intent to adopt addressed to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Ethiopia
4. A new marriage license (since the one they recently gave us has my name spelled wrong!)
5. RE-fill out the financial statement form and have it notarized (I messed up in one spot...and I just don't want to take any chances!)
6. Two passport sized photos each of Karl and I
7. Photo pages including 2 formal photos of immediate family members, at least 4 of family life, 1 of the front of the house, 1 of the back, 1 of each main room in the house. (May not exceed 8 pages)
8. Authenticate our agency recommendation to adopt by the Virginia Secretary of State
9. Authenticate the other dossier documents by the Indiana Secretary of State
Then, we're done and the dossier will head over to Ethiopia (after America World takes everything to the US Embassy and translates/authenticates everything)!!! Currently, I'm pulling that stuff together (my goal is in the next two weeks) as well as applying for three different grants. We also are deciding (again, hopefully in the next two weeks) on our t-shirts--thanks to everyone that voted! It looks like number four, although we're making sure we can't do North America and Africa in white in the middle with the number 4 font. If that doesn't work, it's definitely four. As you can see, after a relatively uneventful couple of weeks, we're back in the saddle again. Laurel said there's definitely a chance the I-171H could come in earlier than the 3 projected months, so if that's the case, I want to be ready.
So, that's life around here. Oh, another thing: my old high school friends' mom does an in-home daycare mainly for teacher's kids one street over from us. Last year when I carpooled with Braden, I would drop his little buddy Drew off there. Well, I've been thinking of it off and on for quite some time that I would love a daytime babysitter I could pay when I have something that can't/I don't want to involve the kids, and maybe even someone I could take the kids to on a weekly basis. Since I'm subbing one day a week, this would give us the discretionary spending that I could actually justify it (even though I basically feel guilty for spending any money since I know it could be going towards the adoption!) I called Linda yesterday, and she was all for it! SO, today as a trail run, I took Kole and Owen to Miss Linda's for two hours. THEY HAD A BLAST! Praise the Lord. As I sat in the quiet house finishing my plates and making some relational phone calls I thought to myself, "This is so nice!" With Owen in the THROES of two, it couldn't have come at a better time...and she's as affordable as imaginable!!! So, we're going to give it a try on Tuesday mornings and see how things go. It may be the best $16 of subbing money a week I could ever ask for!
I will leave you with a Kole and Braden story:
The other day, I got impatient (go figure) and Kole reminded me, "Mom, remember the verse!" "What verse, Kole?" "Do unto others what you would rather them do to you." "You're right, Kole, I wouldn't want you to be impatient with me...thanks for the reminder."
We usually "rub" the boys as we pray before bed (think light massage/fingers just brushing ths skin). Braden said that he wanted to rub me too instead of me always rubbing him. As he got ready to start he said, "(Sigh) Now let a professional do the job!"
Parenting is the best....even if it is the hardest job you'll ever do!
Tuesday, November 20
Thursday, November 15
The America World Transitional Home
America World has just set up what is called a "transitional home" for those children who have already been placed with adoptive families. This allows these children to get more individualized care in preparation for their uniting with their forever family. We received an e-mail from our family coordinator, Laurel, about the home and those needs still present. If anyone feels led, here is a way to help:
"...There are still many things needed to help make the home a nurturing and stimulating environment for your prospective children as they wait the arrival of their parents. Therefore, we are writing to let you know of some of these needs and how you could help meet them, if you desire to do so...if you would like to donate items for use at the transition home, please have them mailed to or dropped off at the America World--Tennessee office by close of business on Wednesday, November 21st. Items may also be dropped off at the Corporate office in McLean. Rachel will be leaving for Addis on Monday morning, the 26th.
Here is a list of suggested items:
Classic children's books
Coloring books and crayons
Children's Bibles and/or Bible stories
Hand Sterilizer (large bottles)
CD players, children's worship CD's, lullabies, etc.
DVD player and Children's Videos (ie: Veggie Tales, The Wiggles, Praise Baby)
Rubber coated children's spoons
ABC and 123 learning materials for toddlers.
Tape recorder
Little cosmetic mirror
Baby blankets, regular ones and one with hoods sewn in
Towels/soaps and bath items
Playdough
Jump rope
Inflatable balls,
Bubbles,
Lace cards, beads to string on laces
Clothing
Diapers
Baby Tylenol, antibiotics, probiotics
If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you may write a check to America World and send it to the corporate office in McLean. In the memo line, please write "transition home support," so that our finance department knows how to allocate your donation. Rachel will be able to use these funds to purchase items while she is in Addis.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Rachel at rachel.ward@awaa.org. Please mail donations to the America World--TN office at:
Attn: Rachel Ward
America World--Tennessee
256 Seaboard Lane, Suite G101
Franklin, TN 37067
Sincerely,
Laurel E. Ludwick
Assistant Ethiopia Program Director"
"...There are still many things needed to help make the home a nurturing and stimulating environment for your prospective children as they wait the arrival of their parents. Therefore, we are writing to let you know of some of these needs and how you could help meet them, if you desire to do so...if you would like to donate items for use at the transition home, please have them mailed to or dropped off at the America World--Tennessee office by close of business on Wednesday, November 21st. Items may also be dropped off at the Corporate office in McLean. Rachel will be leaving for Addis on Monday morning, the 26th.
Here is a list of suggested items:
Classic children's books
Coloring books and crayons
Children's Bibles and/or Bible stories
Hand Sterilizer (large bottles)
CD players, children's worship CD's, lullabies, etc.
DVD player and Children's Videos (ie: Veggie Tales, The Wiggles, Praise Baby)
Rubber coated children's spoons
ABC and 123 learning materials for toddlers.
Tape recorder
Little cosmetic mirror
Baby blankets, regular ones and one with hoods sewn in
Towels/soaps and bath items
Playdough
Jump rope
Inflatable balls,
Bubbles,
Lace cards, beads to string on laces
Clothing
Diapers
Baby Tylenol, antibiotics, probiotics
If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you may write a check to America World and send it to the corporate office in McLean. In the memo line, please write "transition home support," so that our finance department knows how to allocate your donation. Rachel will be able to use these funds to purchase items while she is in Addis.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Rachel at rachel.ward@awaa.org. Please mail donations to the America World--TN office at:
Attn: Rachel Ward
America World--Tennessee
256 Seaboard Lane, Suite G101
Franklin, TN 37067
Sincerely,
Laurel E. Ludwick
Assistant Ethiopia Program Director"
Pray for those 13 children who have been transitioned in preparation for their new families. While this is incredibly exciting, it may also be difficult for those children who have been so used to certain caregivers and friends. Our prayers go out to them on this National Adoption Day!
Monday, November 12
T-shirt options...can I get a vote, please?
1.
2.
3.
4.
We're ready to decide on a t-shirt layout and start taking orders. At present, we're planning on offering the shirts in brown with a light blue or pink lettering option and, because Karl's such a big fan, we may also offer a black shirt/white print option as well. Favorites, anyone? We would love some feedback! Oh, and the logo will be on the front in several inch high lettering (can you tell I'm not a t-shirt designer? Thanks to Karl and Grant for all their input!) The only other potential option is to have a globe with Africa at the focal point and One Family written across (or under, or over?) it. Please weigh in!
2.
3.
4.
We're ready to decide on a t-shirt layout and start taking orders. At present, we're planning on offering the shirts in brown with a light blue or pink lettering option and, because Karl's such a big fan, we may also offer a black shirt/white print option as well. Favorites, anyone? We would love some feedback! Oh, and the logo will be on the front in several inch high lettering (can you tell I'm not a t-shirt designer? Thanks to Karl and Grant for all their input!) The only other potential option is to have a globe with Africa at the focal point and One Family written across (or under, or over?) it. Please weigh in!Saturday, November 10
A Media Morning
What a few weeks! My resolve is beginning to weaken as far as all this working is concerned. It probably sounds ridiculous to all those people who work full-time and manage parenting at the same time, but substitute teaching on Fridays, 10 hours of work for CSS a week, and trying to manage homemaking, parenting, and adoption-preparing is overwhelming me a bit. Thus, the heading on this blog. I haven't been online much all week (and two weeks, really), so I've been longing for this Saturday morning to catch up on some of my new friends' blogs, our adoption yahoo group, and the various e-mails I've received. It's been nice, as long as I push back the guilt caused by not parenting well! Karl went hunting and said it was a "Hunter's Dream" (except that he couldn't get a shot on the 8 point buck that hung out below his tree stand). It reminded me that he really needs those times out in nature to reflect and enjoy the solitude.
As for me, I've been struggling with fear as I follow the progress (or lack thereof) of our friends at the door of their Ethiopian adoptions (5 couples, I think, but I can't remember for sure) as their court dates were surprisingly moved to one week later. Here they are so close, longing for their little ones, and unable to have them because of paperwork. I find myself thinking about the explosion of Ethiopian adoptions and what if... What if the government decides that they don't want all these orphans leaving their country? What if America World can't handle the influx of requests for Ethiopian children and their projections are way off (and we have to wait two years or more)? What if adoption wasn't God's will, just mine? I know these questions are futile, but they are present nonetheless. Definitely sounds like I need some God time today, doesn't it? I am praying that God makes himself real to us and confirms in big ways (whatever that means) that we are indeed on the right path and that courage is the goal, not fear (although I already know that last one. It's in his Word over and over again, after all!)
On a much lighter note, we are sending our I-600A packet out to Homeland Security Monday. This means we will probably be waiting 3 months to get the approval from our governement to move forward. In the meantime, we will get the few remaining pieces of paperwork notarized and ready to go for our dossier so that when this particular government approval comes in, we'll be ready to send our dossier away (after we get it authenticated...or certified...I can't remember which comes first!) to America World, the U.S. Embassy, and then Ethiopia. If all goes well, all this will take place in the next 3 months. Since our homestudy is done, we will also be applying for a couple of grants in the next couple of weeks (I hope!) We also are in the last stages of designing our t-shirt and have started the book/Christian product (see below) fundraiser my brother and sis-in-law came up with. I am so grateful--to be alive, to have beautiful children already, for my husband, etc. I just get bogged down sometimes and need to remember that He who is in charge of the whole universe, can definitely handle what's going on in the lives of the Black family! Love to you all!
As for me, I've been struggling with fear as I follow the progress (or lack thereof) of our friends at the door of their Ethiopian adoptions (5 couples, I think, but I can't remember for sure) as their court dates were surprisingly moved to one week later. Here they are so close, longing for their little ones, and unable to have them because of paperwork. I find myself thinking about the explosion of Ethiopian adoptions and what if... What if the government decides that they don't want all these orphans leaving their country? What if America World can't handle the influx of requests for Ethiopian children and their projections are way off (and we have to wait two years or more)? What if adoption wasn't God's will, just mine? I know these questions are futile, but they are present nonetheless. Definitely sounds like I need some God time today, doesn't it? I am praying that God makes himself real to us and confirms in big ways (whatever that means) that we are indeed on the right path and that courage is the goal, not fear (although I already know that last one. It's in his Word over and over again, after all!)
On a much lighter note, we are sending our I-600A packet out to Homeland Security Monday. This means we will probably be waiting 3 months to get the approval from our governement to move forward. In the meantime, we will get the few remaining pieces of paperwork notarized and ready to go for our dossier so that when this particular government approval comes in, we'll be ready to send our dossier away (after we get it authenticated...or certified...I can't remember which comes first!) to America World, the U.S. Embassy, and then Ethiopia. If all goes well, all this will take place in the next 3 months. Since our homestudy is done, we will also be applying for a couple of grants in the next couple of weeks (I hope!) We also are in the last stages of designing our t-shirt and have started the book/Christian product (see below) fundraiser my brother and sis-in-law came up with. I am so grateful--to be alive, to have beautiful children already, for my husband, etc. I just get bogged down sometimes and need to remember that He who is in charge of the whole universe, can definitely handle what's going on in the lives of the Black family! Love to you all!
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