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Guess what is arriving at my house tomorrow?

11.09.2009

Just got the word from our home study agency that copies have been made and everything is notarized! Everything will arrive via FedEx in my hands TOMORROW (Tuesday). YAY! And that means…I’ll be joggin, break dancing and singing all the way to the FedEx store to next day ship our dossier, home study and check to AGCI. YAY! So…everything should arrive to AGCI on Wednesday and hopefully we won’t have any revisions…and then we’ll get a number! OH HAPPY DAY!

Look how our dossier has been patiently waiting on our kitchen island for the last week or so…

dossierblog copy

That’s our original on top and 3 copies below…the original and 2 copies will take off on Wednesday with our homestudy and the extra copy will stay safely here with me.

And what is a dossier (pronounced da-see-ay) anyway???

It’s a list of required documents for international adoption–basically it’s everything that goes over and is reviewed during your court to adopt your child.

Requirements are different per agency, program and country. Before traveling the road of adoption–adoption lingo and the unknown requirements totally freaked me out and were so foreign. It’s really not bad at all once you understand the contents! And it was actually kind of fun to collect it all as it felt like I was getting closer and closer to our baby. Our home study had a completely different set of requirements and required format. For our dossier we had to include this:

Two power of attorney letters—both notarized, one state certified

Background checks in letter format from our city police…easy enough so far, right?

Financial Statements – What he makes, what she makes and what you got that’s an investment

[didn’t include this picture…but 3 letters are required…super simple and can be done in a day]

Original birth certificates and an original marriage certificate…

A letter written to the Ministry of Women of Affairs for the court process from Richard…

Medical letter from our physician saying Rich and I are healthy and have no diseases…

Post adoption commitment letter saying we agree to follow up with our agency every year with our child’s progress…

2 Letters of recommendation from a family and friends….

[both need to be notarized]

Passport photos for Ethiopian records attached to 8×11 cardstock…

(gotta love a passport picture!)

Pictures of our family…

Pictures of our home…

And when you put it all together…it looks like this…

Now…that wasn’t over anyone’s head was it? NOT bad, huh?!

Hmmm…wonder who is reading this that may itching to adopt but not sure the process…well, this is a really big part of the process—and I hope it’s no longer quite as intimidating!!! I almost didn’t share all the pictures, but then I thought if there is one person that this helps realize that it really isn’t as crazy difficult as they’ve heard…then sharing it all is well worth it!

Can’t wait for this to be out of my hands and off to AGCI on Wednesday!

And I really can’t wait to hear what our numbers are…hopefully very, very, very soon!

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3 Blessings - November 9, 2009 - 1:01 pm

Yay!

Still waiting on our case worker to call us with our number 🙂 I have checked FedEx and it was delivered. So, what's taking so long (Ha)! I am glad to hear that your dossier will be reviewed this Friday.
Blessings,
Amy

Amy - November 9, 2009 - 1:57 pm

Yay, I am so happy for you and I hope that your dossier looks great and you will have some numbers to share on Friday 🙂

Megan - November 9, 2009 - 2:14 pm

Well…for someone who will be starting the dossier shortly, appreciate that you made it look a little less scary! Although I am realizing that I have a lot of work to do to make my house look as spotless as yours!! =)

Jenn - November 9, 2009 - 2:23 pm

Our home study was approved today!! We've got our dossier ready and waiting to mail off too (thanks to the list you emailed me before the requirements got here in the mail!) HOW FUN that we are in this together!

Jenn

Are These Kids All Yours? - November 9, 2009 - 3:02 pm

Hey, if it would help someone to adopt I would volunteer to help them understand and do the paperwork- it may seem HUGE, but it is actually not bad. I would do it several times over (oh wait- i have- he he he he)….to bring home a child!

Melissa DeBardeleben - November 9, 2009 - 7:18 pm

It is happening! God's timing is here! Can't wait to hear your number!

The Emersons - November 20, 2009 - 8:03 pm

Thanks for this post, we just sent in our orientation packet to AGCI and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our dossier packet. I've been anxious about it from other people's comments, but this looks doable! Would you mind me emailing you with some questions as you appear to be a few steps ahead of us in the same journey? My email is betsyandchad@mail.com
Blessings on your journey!
Betsy

Love Maps:)

11.08.2009

Parenting. Eeek. We hear that word…and the next thing I think about is the phrase: good parenting. Then I think of: effective parenting. What is one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about being a good, effective parent? We all have our mommy blogs we go to for inspiration on parenting. We get the magazines in the mail to give us good ideas. And we’ll research hours upon hours what is best concerning our children, their developement and whatever we can possibly think of concerning their best interests. But I believe the most important thing you can do in parenting is to love your spouse and trust God with the rest. Why is it that we focus so much of our efforts and thoughts on being an effective parent rather than an effective, good wife?

Whatever I say yes too–in turn, I am also saying no to something else. When I got too busy with my photography business, in truth–I was saying no to my family and yes to clients. And when I realized that–I realized it was time to be 100% wife and mommy because honestly for me and with 3 kids (going on 4) once I serve my hubby and 4 kids 5 and under…there isn’t much time for other things…like a photography business any more. There may be a time for that down the road for me of course for that…but just not right now. I also continue to realize that I don’t have enough energy to be a Martha Stewart mommy…even without a business…I, personally, don’t feel like I could ever measure up to those blog mommies making home-made cookies and building forts with toothpicks (and praise God that I don’t have to measure up to that and instead I have freedom in Christ to be the mom He called me to be…I am only accountable to Him! Glory be to God for that;). When I put my focus where it should be too, those perfect picture blogs of moms doing this and that no longer stress me out and instead entertain me and do give me an idea that maybe I’ll one day do with my kids (yeah right!). The truth is…I’m often treading water—and when I realize I’m treading…it’s time to come back to the basics and priortize where things should be in my life.

God first.

Husband, Kids, Others second (in that order).

I’m third.

Hmmmm…is that really where things are right now? EEEK. That is the order they Biblically should be in…but unfortunatly and honestly not always how they come in my life. My order usually comes like this: God, Kids, Husband, others, me…or some days: Me, God, Kids, Husband, others…but I will say honestly that the past few months things have taken order with God, husband, kids, others, me…although others some times make it before my kids (…and that is the business stopping right there too). It’s funny, when we decided to adopt I feel like God really helped me put things where they should be once again—in the right order…making us REALLY trust Him in new ways and bringing Richard and I closer together than ever. (Love you honey.)

I think some of us when we remember we need to put our hubbys first—we almost don’t know how to re-prioritze because truthfully it’s been TOO long since we had things in the right order. We get the thought that that’s a great idea–but life gets busy with kids and things quickly get jumbled from their right order. (Is jumbled even a word?!) One helpful place to start is simply to begin thinking of your husband and what matters to him and even just WHO he is and WHAT he likes. When you begin to think of these two things…it’s a little contagious and then you start thinking about serving him and surprising him with things that are imporant to him.

The next place, would be to read a book that helps you focus on your marriage. And I’ve got a great recommendation. We have been studying “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” in our Sunday school. No, it’s not a Christian book–but the principles line up with what are, and our pastor recommends this book for marriage over any other. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0609805797

One of the activities in this book is creating a Love Map with your spouse. Basically, this is asking your spouse questions and him asking you questions–and re-getting to know one another all over again…or really getting to know one another deeper. There’s a really fun quiz you can take on love mapping—and for the ones you don’t get right…you can spend the next few weeks getting to know the answers and really getting to know one another all over again. Spread out talking about the ones you don’t know so you can REALLY think about your answers and really share and also really get to know your spouse’s answers…and probe deeper into those questions as we all know some men share very little details…your hubby might need your help in probing to know more.

So, tonight after the kids are in bed—brew a cup of tea or decaf…or your hubby’s favorite drink, kick back on the couch and ask him to sit down with his honey. Print off this little quiz…two of them—one for each of you. This is taken from the book “Seven Principles of Making a Marriage Work”…you can download and open it here

So while everything at my house is never and will NEVER be perfect—Richard and I are committed to not giving up working on our marriage, building up our family TOGETHER and investing in one another always. And I’m convinced this is better than any gift we can ever give our children. Isn’t my hubby a cutie?! This black and white image does nothing for his pretty blue eyes:). And that kid on our lap…yes, he’s cute too;)

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Melissa DeBardeleben - November 8, 2009 - 2:25 pm

Wow! Great post! I needed to hear this. I feel like Dee and I are really starting to work things out too!

Heather Wamble - November 8, 2009 - 3:33 pm

You are such an encouragement to me, and I'm so thankful for you!
I feel like we're both in the same boat! I've struggled so much with balancing my photography business & being the wife/mommy I'm called to be for the past three years since we stepped out in faith to this new path. And of course, I try to get my act together, and it doesn't work! It's because only HE can do it! 😉

Yesterday I was at our church Ladies' Retreat, and the sweet girl who spoke to us challenged us to let God lead, and see where he takes us. I have so much trouble staying out of God's way.

So, today, I'm refreshed, excited, encouraged by you, and can't wait to see where he leads us!!!

Are These Kids All Yours? - November 8, 2009 - 3:51 pm

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!! We all have areas we need to work on to get our order right! Thank you for your post 🙂

3 of my favorite things about 3 of my favorite people…

11.07.2009

I love…

…that every day the minute Parker comes home from school—without fail or hesitation…he always does this

He attends Fellowship Christian School…they don’t wear uniforms but require them to wear collar shirts. Parker and collar shirts don’t mix. So–first things always first the minute he walks in the door. He insists he can jump higher without those yucky collar shirts on. Hmmm…maybe you should try it…

I love that Laney will eat ANYTHING…as long as there is one condiment available…yes, she’s having a turkey sandwich, applesauce, sliced cheese and tortilla chips…with magic sauce (aka ketchup)…and if you let her squirt it—she’ll even eat more…

And one of my absolute, melt my heart things I love about my Frank is this…can you guess by just looking at this picture???

He sits like this. He eats in his highchair like this. He even does this in the bathtub. And although I’m not a foot person…these crossed little ankles and feet just melt my heart! LOVE ‘EM!

Alright…off to a tea party birthday and then the 2nd portrait session of my day…and then I’m crashin’ with Frank and the hubby while Laney-loo and P-man take off for a slumber party at Gigi’s! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!! XOXO!

Andrea:)

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Aaron & Whitney Pratt (A&W) - November 7, 2009 - 12:46 pm

sweet little post!!

Are These Kids All Yours? - November 7, 2009 - 2:50 pm

Awwww……..cute!!!

Kim - November 8, 2009 - 1:07 am

Love your new look! Precious photos about your precious three!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim

Katie - November 8, 2009 - 12:15 pm

Your blog looks great & your children are precious! My Riley (8 years old) does the exact same thing with his shirt when he gets home from school! Those collars cramp their style :). I'm praying for you guys and that sweet baby waiting to come home!

What’s next…(update on today)

11.06.2009

Our workbook was reviewed by AGCI today, and we’re good to go! Next step. As soon as we get notarized copies of our home study from AAA Adoption Partners next week we can mail in our notarized home study, dossier and dossier payment. AAA is in Dawsonville, so I called them today and gave them my FedEx number so it could be next-day-mail as soon as it’s notarized. YAY!

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3 Blessings - November 6, 2009 - 8:14 pm

That is good news.

We found out there was one problem with one form in our dossier. Luckily it was one that I had to type and notarize, so I will have a new one notarized and overnighted tomorrow. Kiersten said that we will be given a number as soon as she receives the new form, so that means that we should have a number by Monday or Tuesday. All in God's timing 🙂

I just know we are going to be traveling together.
Blessings,
Amy

Paul and Angela - November 6, 2009 - 8:42 pm

I'm excited to watch your journey. Ours had a lot of complications and actually took 3 years, but it was worth every second!! God already knows who your child is and will do whatever is necessary to bring him/her to you!

Amy - November 6, 2009 - 9:50 pm

Yay! Very good news indeed. Can't wait to see some wait list numbers for you 🙂

Sweet morning of prayer…

11.06.2009

My how good the Lord is to us! I am humbled and so thankful that two of my bestfriends spent two hours of their KID-FREE morning at my house to pray for our adoption, our baby’s birth mother, our baby and our family during our adoption process. Thank you April and Addie for being such amazing friends and sisters (Addie might as well be one of our biological sisters…we’ve adopted her as one of the girls that’s for sure). I love you both dearly.

Our time together (I hope they don’t mind me sharing!) was intimate and sweet. It was a sweet time of vulnerability…and I look forward to the day when our child is old enough to read through the blog book we are creating from his journey…to see how much he was loved from the beginning and even how others loved him so. Sweet child, Aunt April and Aunt Addie love you to pieces already—and they haven’t even laid eyes on you yet! Amazing how God does that—and how much He loves you too…hard to imagine that He (the Lord) loves you more than we do because we all love you so much already that it hurts!!! WE LOVE YOU SOOO! Such a miracle that God is doing in our hearts making us ache to have you home with us!

This morning was filled with sweet laughter and also heartfelt tears. Our prayers today were mostly for your birth mother. How I know she loves you. And how we also love you. I am praying that God will bind our hearts together as mommies. That God some how can transfer some of my heart’s joy to her and some how transfer some of her burden and pain to mine. As I prayed this this morning, my heart was broken. I know it is a miracle the Lord is doing. God loves you so much sweet one that He gave you two mommies! One mommy to safely bring you in this world and to give you life here…to love you as she carried and nursed you…and to love you so much that she will be brave enough to admit in her illness or poverty that in order for you to live and have a future…she will chose unselfishness and a greater love–and intrust you into the Lord’s care through another mommy and daddy. Did you know that God did the same thing? Only it was *US* that He loved so much. He knew if He gave up His Son to live on Earth, we would have the opportunity to be adopted as sons and daugethers through Christ. I know it pained Him deeply to let Him come here. To think of Joseph as the one to hold him and heal his hurts instead of Him getting to be RIGHT there in flesh with him. But it was God’s plan. And God understands. He really, really understands because He has actually been there. You becoming part of our family—is also part of the master plan. It may not be perfect. It may not always be easy. But there IS a purpose. And mommy admits that she doesn’t know what that purpose is…but she knows her Savior, her ABBA Father, is the brillant mind behind your story and the one calling her to you—and I don’t know much, but as different as it may look…it feels right and I know the Maker has made me to be your other mommy and part of your beautiful story. There have been so many things in my life sweet child that I have been uncertain of—but YOU are not one of them. I am 100% completely certain you are meant to be and are already mine—babe of my heart. How loved you are by so many! And what a plan the Lord must have for you!!!

And with that I open up my hands to say—thy will be done. THY WILL BE DONE! I will not put my finger on this one today—I may in my sin try to rush things or have control things, but today in praise and trust I will wait patiently and pray for God’s will to be done. You my sweet son are worth fighting for. I love you to pieces, and can’t wait to have you home. Forever.

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