One Step Closer

Well we got an email from our agency telling us that our dossier has officially be submitted to the Haitian government... so it's only a quick 6-12 months until we get approved...Yes... months. It looks like we're looking at a good 1.5-2 years left until our adoption is complete and we will bring our child home.
 
Patience is not my strength. It is not even close to it... so this process continues to take me out of my comfort zone, out of my plans, and out of my dreams. I know that we're daily giving this process over to the Lord. We know that in all things God is working.

Other news is that an adoption agency will be writing a letter to the Haitian government recommending a match/referral for us. Not sure exactly if they will listen to the referral, if they are going to honor the orphanage agency's recommendation, or what difference it will make... But they are doing it... and we'll see what that brings!

As we continue on our journey please remember us in your prayers. Although the time is long between each step we are daily thinking, praying, and hoping for our child in Haiti.

We will keep you updated as we are updated!

Did Someone Order WHINE?

Pitty Party..... Party of 1..... I'm here to take my seat at the pity party table! It has been a rough couple of months with not much news. 

The only news that we have gotten is basically this: things are changing.... How that will these changes effect us? They  don't know..... If we have any questions.... They can TRY to answer them, but they really aren't sure because it's all changing. 

This is not a knock on anyone... In fact our agency is amazing. It is just where we are in our process... and it totally stinks. The wait seems unbearable. The time ticks away like molasses... I'm starting to think that people think we are making this whole thing up... we're really just saving all the money they give to us for fundraising and we're going to move to Bermuda instead.... 

I promise there is a kid waiting for us in Haiti. I'm not sure who it is. I'm not sure if they are a boy or a girl. What I can tell you is that in my pitty parties I long to know who they are, and wish SO badly we could bring them home today. 

I know you are praying for us. We have had SOOOO many people supporting us with buying items, praying, asking how things are going, making items for us to sell, donating things to garage sales, and letting us take over our church for an entire Sunday to bring awareness of all those orphans out there for Orphan Sunday. I truly appreciate all of these things. At least through these events it makes the idea of adoption feel real, because if I was just sitting around waiting... and not doing anything... this could all feel very much like a dream.... like a "pie in the sky." 

We shall wait on the Lord and know that in this our hearts, minds, and family is being strengthened. 

May this find you peace and happiness wherever you are! 

Just When You Think You Have it ALLLLLLL figured out! :)

Well I'm sure you're all wondering why we have not shared who we have been matched with.... and that is because we have not been matched.

One week they are calling and telling us we have 2-3 options of kids to be matched with. The next week they are calling to tell us that EVERYTHING is changing in how they match kids in Haiti (and probably a few other adoption processes will be changing as well)..... and we'll have to just wait and see what this means for us. So we are back to the wait game. It was a  blow to us and our hopes of having an idea of who our child is. There isn't much we can do, but wait and see what will happen next. I can imagine this just means that our process will be longer than what we were hoping.

Our son continues to wait for his brother or sister to come home. He asks lots of questions as to when that will be. I wish I had more answers to tell him. Good thing he is a good sport about it, and more patient than I am! The other day his teacher brought her baby to class for the kids to meet her. Asher told the teacher: "Your baby is cute. My mom and dad are bringing me a baby from Haiti" :) Makes me smile. He also asked me today if the baby from Haiti was in my belly.... So I don't think he understand this whole concept completely... :) But as much as he can understand is perfect.


Also this past week we have picked up a new fundraiser. Other people have posted that this is their FAVORITE fundraiser... and I must say it is mine too! We are selling bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that are made in Haiti by women and families trying to keep their kids from becoming orphans. You can read more about thier awesome program here: http://www.apparentproject.org/page/4572387330

If you are interested in buying something from us please email me with your order. It is awesome because they help both us and families in Haiti. 


I pray that this finds you well.
We always appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words!

News on the Adoption front!

I got a couple emails from our country rep today!

ONE:
We are signing with an orphanage called Chances for Children. We filled out an application and they have accepted it. So we received our contract from them. We are working on signing the contract. As soon as we get that all signed and in... I THINK we will get matched with our child! So hopefully all goes quickly and easily!


TWO:
Our dossier was sent to Haiti today. Our country rep said it should be there in the next few days and then we can start the first step in legalizing it there! So things are on the move.


Few things we would LOVE from you:
ONE:
Please pray that things go well and QUICKLY there in Haiti...

TWO:
Pray that we find out our child's name soon and that things with Chances for Children go well!

THREE:
Pray for our orphanage Chance for Children. YOu can look at their site here: http://www.chances4children.org/


FOUR:
We look at needing a LOT of cash coming up REALLY QUICKLY... if you are interested in helping with that please look at some fundraisers we are planing:
 - I'll be doing a premiere jewelry party in October (great gifts for Christmas),
- We will be doing a parents night out (where parents can drop your kids off with us and some youth and have the night out. Free will donation).
- I sell advocare and any time you buy from my site I make some money off of that. So if you are looking to lose weight, gain health, or get better fitness please contact me about that!

 If you just want to donate to our adoption you can write a check to Lifeline Children's Services with our name in the notes and mail it to them at 2104 Rocky Ridge Road, Birmingham, AL 35216. (this is a way you can take it off your taxes!)

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement through this LONG process.

HOOOORAY!!!!!

HEY ALL! It has been a long time, and that is because we've been patiently (trying to be patient) waiting for our dossier to get translated....


Well folks... it's translated, being sent to get legalized in the US, and then submitted to the Hatian government to be approved.

On top of that, we are looking to get matched with our child as well! Which means their dossier will get submitted at the same time as ours (making the process a bit faster). It also means that we will soon find out who our child will be. They have 2 kids they are looking at for us and will talk to the orphanage and match us up here in the next WEEK! I cannot wait to see/ learn/ and pray SPECIFICALLY for our child!

Can you tell I'm pumped?!?!!

Jump up and down with us as we celebrate a victory in this process. It feels so exciting for things to get moving. I will introduce you to our new family member as soon as I can! Until then.... please pray that this continues to move and groove as it is planned to!

Blessings

I have two really fun blessings that have happened in this past week, and I wanted to share them with you!

Here is my swap box I sent!

First, yesterday I mailed off my first adoption swap box. Now you are probably thinking the same thing I was... what is a "swap box"? Well, I was on pinterest and that is where I first saw it. It took me to this link: http://www.adoptionmamablog.com/what-is-an-adoption-swap-box/  It is an adoptive mama of 2 kids and she has an awesome blog. She had decided to organize an adoption swap box for anyone that is waiting to adopt, or who has adopted. You sign-up, she matches you up with someone (can be anywhere around the US), and emails you their address and some information about them. From there you can email and contact them. So, the past few weeks the lady that I got matched up with and I have been emailing and getting to know each other. Then yesterday we mailed a box full of goodies and encouragement to each other. It's a great way to meet some other people who have/are adopting. It is also going to be fun getting a package in the mail from someone! :) A surprise gift of fun!

You should check out her blog if you want to find out more about it.



Second thing I want to share with you happened on Sunday. Sunday when we got home from church The Man handed me an envelope with our names typed on it. He didn't say a word, he just handed it to me. So I thought: this is either really good or really bad. I opened it and inside was a typed letter from an anonymous person. I want to share the letter with you and PRAY that this person, if they are reading, does not get offended at my openness. The letter said:

Paul and Andrea,
The mother of a good friend of mine passed away from cancer some time ago. From all the wonderful stories my friend has told me about her mom I know that she loved both family and especially children deeply. She would have delighted in knowing that your family is working to support the life of, and bring joy to, a child through adoption. So it is in her honor and through what God has blessed me with that I am able to enclose a donation to help towards reaching your goal of raising money to cover adoption costs.

May God Bless you on your journey,
A Fellow Believer in Christ


I couldn't believe it. The timing could not be more perfect and the encouragement could not have meant more. Thank you to whoever you may be for being the hands of Christ. Thank you for blessing our family with the donation and the encouragement.



Isn't God great?!?!


As we patiently wait for our dossier to get translated please continue to pray that all goes well and smoothly. The quicker things can get processed the sooner we can find out WHO our child is. :)

And.... We're on the Move again!

So to continue the story from this past week... We left off with not getting our documents authenticated because of some minor issues on Tuesday.

Wednesday I went BACK to the office with my friends and tried the process again. We were 100% successful getting them authenticated. BUT it wasn't without some tears and some frustration. There were some other minor things that had to be looked at and worked on before everything was a go. But, an hour later (and a HUGE thanks to my good friend who always knows how to step up and help when things get out of my control) we walked out of the office with the documents authenticated and ready to be sent.

That afternoon The Man sent our dossier in the mail. I hope they are almost at the lifeline offices and will be in our country rep's hands by early next week!


We're so excited!


Next steps:

The dossier will get translated and submitted to the country
We will get matched with an orphanage (where we will eventually get matched with our child)
It will probably take a few months for Haiti to process our dossier and approve us to adopt from their country.


So it is back to the waiting game. BUT, I feel a WHOLE lot better having our part done for now!