Garrett and I completed our self studies this week. We each had to fill out a 18 page questionnaire on ourselves, our past, our families, etc. They were quite extensive, and took some hours to finish.
Our next step is to meet our "Buddy Family", a family that FCCA has connected us with, that have also adopted internationally. We have scheduled an evening with them this coming Tuesday. I am excited to see their home and meet their children. What a great opportunity to have some questions answered by a family that has been through this process. We are very excited about it.
For those of you looking into what we are doing and what it is about, I am in the middle of this fantastic book that I was given for my birthday, There is No Me Without You, by Melissa Fay Greene. I strongly recommend the book for those of you who like to read- I am totally engrossed.
No medical school updates yet. The closer we get to November the more anxious we both are. We don't expect to hear until the end of the month, but we are sitting on pins and needles, waiting to see what direction our lives will take next. We will be sure to let you know when we hear!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Immigration Paperwork
I got all of our immigration paperwork in the mail this morning! Yeah! There is agency paperwork to complete, and then there is the much dreaded government paperwork to figure out and get processed. The paperwork I completed this week lets immigration know that we intend on adopting 2 children and they need to open a file on our family so that our children can begin the process of naturalization.
The rumor is that it takes about 90 days for the paperwork to be processed by immigration and for a file to be created. This means that by some time in January (we should be on the waiting list for our children by then) if and when we receive a referral, we will be able to immediately file our children's name and there won't be a delay in their visa paperwork.
It's really complicated, but it is one more huge step in the right direction! Yippee!
The rumor is that it takes about 90 days for the paperwork to be processed by immigration and for a file to be created. This means that by some time in January (we should be on the waiting list for our children by then) if and when we receive a referral, we will be able to immediately file our children's name and there won't be a delay in their visa paperwork.
It's really complicated, but it is one more huge step in the right direction! Yippee!
Monday, October 22, 2007
The next step!
I woke up this morning and Garrett handed me one of the nicest gifts I have ever received. He and so many of you put your thoughts on a page and helped him create a beautiful book that reflected what I mean to you. What a tremendous birthday gift. I was overwhelmed, and have never felt more loved! Thank you to everyone that contributed- there are so few words that I can find to express what that meant. It is now my favorite book.... and I have pictures of all my favorite people in it! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Garrett, you have always been my miracle. I could not dream of a better man, a better person, or a better friend. I love you.
O.k., on to an update.
I made it through the medical exam and all the needles. It was quick and fairly easy, but I was nervous anyway. I can't put into words how much I hate needles. I am such a wimp, but at least I am a healthy wimp! They didn't find anything wrong with me (hee hee), and the report has been sent to FCCA.
We also went to our last pre adoption class in Sacramento on Saturday. What a tremendous amount of information. Both Garrett and I left the meeting reeling with information, but excited to see what God provides for us and how he grows this little family of ours.
The class covered health concerns, developmental expectations, cultural diversity, grieving, inter racial adoption, travel, basics of bonding with an adopted child, and so on and so forth. It was hours and hours of parental advise, guidance and information. If everyone had to go through these classes, I am convinced that our world will be a different place. Now all we do is wait to be assigned to our social worker, and then begin meeting with them.
In talking with the social worker that ran the meeting, it sounds like we may be a really good fit for a sibling group. We were encouraged in our decision and anticipate our family growing by one or two by early summer of next year (who know, maybe even sooner than that)! The idea of two is a little overwhelming, but it has been done before and I am so excited that they will have one another. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! Heee Hee!
The next thing on our agenda is beginning all of our immigration paperwork. We have to open up a "file" with them to let them know we are planning on adopting from Ethiopia so that they can begin to work on our children citizenship as soon as we get a referral. So exciting! The difficulty is the government paperwork. We all know what that can be like to navigate. Ughhhhh! But we are getting there. It should be headed to them by the end of the week!
It's kind of nice to take on one aspect of this thing one week at a time. Each
week we get closer to bringing our children home! What an awesome thing!
O.k., on to an update.
I made it through the medical exam and all the needles. It was quick and fairly easy, but I was nervous anyway. I can't put into words how much I hate needles. I am such a wimp, but at least I am a healthy wimp! They didn't find anything wrong with me (hee hee), and the report has been sent to FCCA.
We also went to our last pre adoption class in Sacramento on Saturday. What a tremendous amount of information. Both Garrett and I left the meeting reeling with information, but excited to see what God provides for us and how he grows this little family of ours.
The class covered health concerns, developmental expectations, cultural diversity, grieving, inter racial adoption, travel, basics of bonding with an adopted child, and so on and so forth. It was hours and hours of parental advise, guidance and information. If everyone had to go through these classes, I am convinced that our world will be a different place. Now all we do is wait to be assigned to our social worker, and then begin meeting with them.
In talking with the social worker that ran the meeting, it sounds like we may be a really good fit for a sibling group. We were encouraged in our decision and anticipate our family growing by one or two by early summer of next year (who know, maybe even sooner than that)! The idea of two is a little overwhelming, but it has been done before and I am so excited that they will have one another. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! Heee Hee!
The next thing on our agenda is beginning all of our immigration paperwork. We have to open up a "file" with them to let them know we are planning on adopting from Ethiopia so that they can begin to work on our children citizenship as soon as we get a referral. So exciting! The difficulty is the government paperwork. We all know what that can be like to navigate. Ughhhhh! But we are getting there. It should be headed to them by the end of the week!
It's kind of nice to take on one aspect of this thing one week at a time. Each
week we get closer to bringing our children home! What an awesome thing!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Blood Work
O.k. - So Monday morning I was on top of things. I got up at 6am, got myself fed and ready and headed to the clinic to have my medical exam completed for the adoption. I got there and they looked at my ears, nose and throat (they didn't seem to impressed with what was inside my head), made sure I still had a pulse and heart beat and proceeded to have me follow their finger with my eyes in every direction possible. It took me 5 seconds just to put my eyes back into focus. Then, with great bedside manner, told me that I have to wait to do the blood work because there is a cholesterol reading that has to be done and I had already eaten breakfast(eggs at that). Part of me was upset at the wait, but the other part was quite pleased that I could avoid getting stabbed by a needle for another day or so. Then, they asked me to pee in a cup, which I did, but I hadn't had enough to drink so I sat on the toilet and waited for like 10 minutes, before I unsuccessfully exited the bathroom with my head hung, feeling like a complete failure that had no business being in a medical office before my brain had even engaged the day.
All that said, after working til 1am this morning. It is now 6:30am and I am off to complete my exam. I have armed myself with plenty of water and eaten nothing (something that my stomach is not at all happy about). I am attempting to mentally overcome the sick feeling I am having over the needle thing (I've passed out before), and I am looking forward to a pleasant day of grocery shopping and baking afterwards.
So there you have it. Today's news. Hideous morning, but lots to look forward to. I'll let you know how it goes as I am fairly sure I will survive it.
All that said, after working til 1am this morning. It is now 6:30am and I am off to complete my exam. I have armed myself with plenty of water and eaten nothing (something that my stomach is not at all happy about). I am attempting to mentally overcome the sick feeling I am having over the needle thing (I've passed out before), and I am looking forward to a pleasant day of grocery shopping and baking afterwards.
So there you have it. Today's news. Hideous morning, but lots to look forward to. I'll let you know how it goes as I am fairly sure I will survive it.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Giving of Life
I have struggled over the last few weeks with much on my mind and heart. It is the strangest sensation knowing that somewhere on this earth our child is growing, changing and becoming the baby that we will bring home.
I've never been pregnant before. I have never known the miracle of life within my own body, and I have only begun to imagine myself as a mother, as a guide, as a woman capable of loving someone else more than myself. As I begin to see my heart change and grow I am in awe of what my child's biological mother must be going through. I wonder what brought her to this point in her life, how she is surviving and what her needs might be.
God is full of surprises and never ceases to amaze me. I believe with all my heart that he has chosen this woman to give birth to this child, with his or her personality for our home. God is growing this child for us with the eyes, ears, nose, smile, laugh, heart.... that he wants him/her to have. Some times I am overwhelmed at the miracle of it all. To know our child was set aside by God, specifically for our family, without us ever being a part of that child's prenatal development of newborn infancy, is beyond my own comprehension.
She has been on my mind for weeks now, our child's mother. I have dreamt of her, where she is, her hopes, her fears, if she is o.k., all the needs she may have. Although I feel my heart very close to her own, I have struggled with what to call her. Tonight I have found a name for her, not to put a label on her, but to give the the respect and reverence that she deserves.
Regardless of her circumstances or reason for giving her child up, she has provided a safe place for my child to grow, a haven for the greatest miracle my life will ever know. She deserves a name and it feels wrong to not give her that.
So tonight, to a woman I may never know, but dream of, pray for and hope with, I will call you Anaqaqa, or "Ana". In Amharic, the Ethiopian language, this word means "to give life", and for the life you will share with our family, you have my undying thanks.
I've never been pregnant before. I have never known the miracle of life within my own body, and I have only begun to imagine myself as a mother, as a guide, as a woman capable of loving someone else more than myself. As I begin to see my heart change and grow I am in awe of what my child's biological mother must be going through. I wonder what brought her to this point in her life, how she is surviving and what her needs might be.
God is full of surprises and never ceases to amaze me. I believe with all my heart that he has chosen this woman to give birth to this child, with his or her personality for our home. God is growing this child for us with the eyes, ears, nose, smile, laugh, heart.... that he wants him/her to have. Some times I am overwhelmed at the miracle of it all. To know our child was set aside by God, specifically for our family, without us ever being a part of that child's prenatal development of newborn infancy, is beyond my own comprehension.
She has been on my mind for weeks now, our child's mother. I have dreamt of her, where she is, her hopes, her fears, if she is o.k., all the needs she may have. Although I feel my heart very close to her own, I have struggled with what to call her. Tonight I have found a name for her, not to put a label on her, but to give the the respect and reverence that she deserves.
Regardless of her circumstances or reason for giving her child up, she has provided a safe place for my child to grow, a haven for the greatest miracle my life will ever know. She deserves a name and it feels wrong to not give her that.
So tonight, to a woman I may never know, but dream of, pray for and hope with, I will call you Anaqaqa, or "Ana". In Amharic, the Ethiopian language, this word means "to give life", and for the life you will share with our family, you have my undying thanks.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Paperwork
Well, we have been home less than a week and in that short time, have accomplished a ton! Our fingerprints, employer letters, birth certificates, marriage license and DMV records have all been sent to FCCA. We have set appointments for our medical clearance exams for next week and have requested copies of other records for our Dossier paperwork, which is a totally separate collection of documents. We hope to have our immigration paperwork completed by the end of the month and then we will have all of our home study paperwork completed.
Our last PAC (pre-adoption class) is scheduled for Saturday the 20th. It will keep us in Sacramento all day long, but should provide us with a lot of really helpful information. At this rate, our home study should be finished by mid to late November. Yeah!
Our last PAC (pre-adoption class) is scheduled for Saturday the 20th. It will keep us in Sacramento all day long, but should provide us with a lot of really helpful information. At this rate, our home study should be finished by mid to late November. Yeah!
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Interview
My Slideshow 10/31/07
The Puffy Shirt:)
Lou admiring flowers.
What a view!
The Awesomest Mom Ever!
Yeah! The interview is over!
We're home! Garrett's interview went well. There is always anxiety about how things will turn out, but he seems confidant that he was himself with everyone he met. There also seems to be some comfort in the fact that after all the wait and preparation, at least the interview is over. I think there was more stress on him than he admitted to.
He was told that the wait for results can be up to 6 weeks. At that time, we will be informed if we have been accepted, put on a waiting list, or rejected. I was not allowed on base, but Garrett said it was beautiful. They gave all the interviewees an overview of the school itself as well as the perks of military life. He had an opportunity to meet with some current students there and ask the tough questions. It sounds like he got some honest answers that helped put things in perspective. After a morning of group information, all the potential students were interviewed by two individuals (doctors, professors, etc.) and then sent home. It was an 8 hour day that left Garrett excited about the possibilities and anxious to hear an outcome.
As for the area itself- I had no idea Maryland was so beautiful. Coming from "small town America", it didn't feel as ominous as other cities that I have seen. There is definitely a down town, but it is spread out and it has a very comfortable feel. The areas we visited were clean and the people were very down to earth. There were families with small children all over and it was wonderful to be in an area where there was a tremendous amount of diversity.
We visited D.C. and wandered around the capital a bit. There was so much to do and see it would take a few days just to figure out what you really wanted to focus on. Even D.C. seemed like a fairly approachable community. I guess I expected to see the stereotypical east coast attitude, but I was surprised at the welcome we received. Everything we saw pointed us in a new direction and the people seemed friendly enough.
It was a fast day and we were pretty limited with time. Not only were the options a bit overwhelming, but my body was not functioning at full capacity so my spirits were not what they should have been. We managed, and we saw the main sites, but I was disappointed that my body wouldn't give me more to work with.
We came home to a pile of mail we are still sifting through, homework needing to be completed, adoption paperwork to catch up on, and of course, most importantly, are due to pick up our beloved dog, Dudley, this afternoon. :)
We'll keep you updated!
He was told that the wait for results can be up to 6 weeks. At that time, we will be informed if we have been accepted, put on a waiting list, or rejected. I was not allowed on base, but Garrett said it was beautiful. They gave all the interviewees an overview of the school itself as well as the perks of military life. He had an opportunity to meet with some current students there and ask the tough questions. It sounds like he got some honest answers that helped put things in perspective. After a morning of group information, all the potential students were interviewed by two individuals (doctors, professors, etc.) and then sent home. It was an 8 hour day that left Garrett excited about the possibilities and anxious to hear an outcome.
As for the area itself- I had no idea Maryland was so beautiful. Coming from "small town America", it didn't feel as ominous as other cities that I have seen. There is definitely a down town, but it is spread out and it has a very comfortable feel. The areas we visited were clean and the people were very down to earth. There were families with small children all over and it was wonderful to be in an area where there was a tremendous amount of diversity.
We visited D.C. and wandered around the capital a bit. There was so much to do and see it would take a few days just to figure out what you really wanted to focus on. Even D.C. seemed like a fairly approachable community. I guess I expected to see the stereotypical east coast attitude, but I was surprised at the welcome we received. Everything we saw pointed us in a new direction and the people seemed friendly enough.
It was a fast day and we were pretty limited with time. Not only were the options a bit overwhelming, but my body was not functioning at full capacity so my spirits were not what they should have been. We managed, and we saw the main sites, but I was disappointed that my body wouldn't give me more to work with.
We came home to a pile of mail we are still sifting through, homework needing to be completed, adoption paperwork to catch up on, and of course, most importantly, are due to pick up our beloved dog, Dudley, this afternoon. :)
We'll keep you updated!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
CHSFS Involvement
Well, I woke up this morning and immediately checked our email. We sent in our application to our placement agency (Children's Home Society & Family Services) last week and I have been on pins and needles to receive confirmation that it got to Minnesota. I love different time zones! At 5:30am this morning (Pacific time) they sent us an email stating that they had received the application, look forward to working with us, and they gave us access to their client website! Which gives me more to read up on and study. YEAH!!!!!
Full approval by the agency pends for all applicants until the home study is completed- but that is moving forward as well and should be sent to them by the end of the year. In the mean time, there is a lot of paperwork to be filled out and appointments to be made. Both Garrett and I have to have full physicals, fingerprints, DMV printouts, employment verification, etc. done, before even the home study can be completed fully. What a tremendous process and testing of perseverance. We are both learning a lot.
Not only that, but we leave early tomorrow morning to board a flight to Maryland. Garrett's interview at USUHS is at 8am on Thursday. It will be an 8 hour interview where he will meet and interview with various people, in various positions at the university. There are a lot of things he has had to do for this school that most others don't require, but it has been interesting and fun to watch him work on it.
The trip should be fun too! While the primary focus is Garrett's interview, my mother is going with us (she has never been to the D.C. area) and we plan on meeting up with Garrett's sister, Lou as well. I have no doubt but that we will see everything we possibly can of our nations capitol.
Please be in prayer for Garrett as he takes on this Goliath. Pray for those of us surrounding him over the next few months as well, that we can be an encouragement and joy to him as we wait for results on how it all went.
Well keep you updated!
Full approval by the agency pends for all applicants until the home study is completed- but that is moving forward as well and should be sent to them by the end of the year. In the mean time, there is a lot of paperwork to be filled out and appointments to be made. Both Garrett and I have to have full physicals, fingerprints, DMV printouts, employment verification, etc. done, before even the home study can be completed fully. What a tremendous process and testing of perseverance. We are both learning a lot.
Not only that, but we leave early tomorrow morning to board a flight to Maryland. Garrett's interview at USUHS is at 8am on Thursday. It will be an 8 hour interview where he will meet and interview with various people, in various positions at the university. There are a lot of things he has had to do for this school that most others don't require, but it has been interesting and fun to watch him work on it.
The trip should be fun too! While the primary focus is Garrett's interview, my mother is going with us (she has never been to the D.C. area) and we plan on meeting up with Garrett's sister, Lou as well. I have no doubt but that we will see everything we possibly can of our nations capitol.
Please be in prayer for Garrett as he takes on this Goliath. Pray for those of us surrounding him over the next few months as well, that we can be an encouragement and joy to him as we wait for results on how it all went.
Well keep you updated!
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