This week we signed off on our homestudy and got our dossier state certified. It was so easy! I don't know why "state certification" seemed so daunting. I guess I pictured going to the city/county building and wandering around looking for someone to "state certify" and then standing in a long line with grumpy employees at the other end. I pictured a long wait while I waited for them to send it back, all the while wondering whether or not it would be lost. It was actually really simple! We went to the state secretaries office- which was really easy to find- the lady that helped us was super nice and knew exactly what we were talking about. She took our paperwork, gave us a receipt and told us to come back the next day to pick them up. Tony went back and picked them up, as easy as that! I'm so relieved that it's done since I was so worried it would be difficult.
Now, the ONLY thing left is immigration approval! Our homestudy, application, and way too much money (seriously, why does USCIS charge SO MUCH??) go to USCIS and then we wait for a fingerprinting appt. Once we've been fingerprinted, we wait for the very last piece of paper that we need to send our life in writing to Ethiopia! After months and months of work, the only thing left for us is a fingerprinting appt!
2011 should be an exciting year for us! If everything goes well we'll be welcoming a 3rd little member to our family!!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Oi Vey.... This is one of the most beautiful videos I've seen in a long time. This family- the Howerton's- are so inspirational. Her blog is a must read: http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/
Kristen was in Haiti visiting their son that they were in the process of adopting when the earthquake hit. They have the most beautiful family.
Try to watch without tears streaming down your face!
Kristen was in Haiti visiting their son that they were in the process of adopting when the earthquake hit. They have the most beautiful family.
Try to watch without tears streaming down your face!
Homestudy: Check!
Our homestudy has been completed and approved by both agencies! Hurray!!
Our dossier is also complete, except that one sheet needs to be re-notarized.
Next step is immigration. Here's to quick approval from immigration- our final paperwork step!!
Our dossier is also complete, except that one sheet needs to be re-notarized.
Next step is immigration. Here's to quick approval from immigration- our final paperwork step!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Life changing
I can't believe how much our lives have changed in the 7 months since we were called to adopt a child. I don't think we expected everything to change like it has.
Once your eyes are opened to Africa and allow yourselves to digest the truth of the conditions for children, you can't look away. Now, money spent is put into the perspective "How many people could've been fed instead?" It isn't just that, though. Our lives have meaning and purpose now. We have a new passion to our lives. Our lives are so exciting and full of anticipation. 8 months ago I would've told you that my life didn't really have much direction. 7 months ago, God put a clear direction to my life and it's so thrilling! It's also amazing to me the people that I have met as a result of adopting a child. They come out of the woodworks to connect with us. I think it's so great and so amazing that people I would never imagine meeting or connecting with, I have an opportunity to share what we're doing. I've heard so many times from un-expected people "We're thinking of adopting, can you help point us in the right direction?"
Yesterday I had the (what is the opposite of privelage?) to hear my Grandfather's real thoughts of our adoption. It wasn't pretty and I won't be repeating it with anyone other than my family. Luckily though, I know where to put my stock and I learned long ago that I need to respectfully turn the other way from him. However, he is the ONLY one in our lives that is not fully supportive. Everyone in our lives has rallied around us. Both of our co-workers, our entire family (minus one), and all of our friends- current and old. We've also recieved financial support from the most random of places. People who we know are struggling themselves have sent checks in the mail. It's been so incredible to us and such a testament of what God can do. How big is our God!! We have zero extra money. We have a small savings that we have been saving for a house someday. That's all. Despite our available funds, we have made every payment on time. We have paid about $12-13,000 so far. How? Because God called us to this amazing thing and He has paid every bill required. I wish I could say I have enough faith that I never once questioned where the funds would come from or stressed about it. I have. My wonderfully calm husband always reminds me that we have never wanted for anything. God has never left us out in the cold. Our adoption process has been such a beautiful picture of what God can do.
This Christmas, I hope you can take a deep breath and remember what God has done for you this year. Remember the precious children in Africa that don't have a family, a bright Christmas tree or a stuffed stocking to wake up to. Be encouraged, though, that hundreds of them will find a family this year. Pray for them- fervently!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Once your eyes are opened to Africa and allow yourselves to digest the truth of the conditions for children, you can't look away. Now, money spent is put into the perspective "How many people could've been fed instead?" It isn't just that, though. Our lives have meaning and purpose now. We have a new passion to our lives. Our lives are so exciting and full of anticipation. 8 months ago I would've told you that my life didn't really have much direction. 7 months ago, God put a clear direction to my life and it's so thrilling! It's also amazing to me the people that I have met as a result of adopting a child. They come out of the woodworks to connect with us. I think it's so great and so amazing that people I would never imagine meeting or connecting with, I have an opportunity to share what we're doing. I've heard so many times from un-expected people "We're thinking of adopting, can you help point us in the right direction?"
Yesterday I had the (what is the opposite of privelage?) to hear my Grandfather's real thoughts of our adoption. It wasn't pretty and I won't be repeating it with anyone other than my family. Luckily though, I know where to put my stock and I learned long ago that I need to respectfully turn the other way from him. However, he is the ONLY one in our lives that is not fully supportive. Everyone in our lives has rallied around us. Both of our co-workers, our entire family (minus one), and all of our friends- current and old. We've also recieved financial support from the most random of places. People who we know are struggling themselves have sent checks in the mail. It's been so incredible to us and such a testament of what God can do. How big is our God!! We have zero extra money. We have a small savings that we have been saving for a house someday. That's all. Despite our available funds, we have made every payment on time. We have paid about $12-13,000 so far. How? Because God called us to this amazing thing and He has paid every bill required. I wish I could say I have enough faith that I never once questioned where the funds would come from or stressed about it. I have. My wonderfully calm husband always reminds me that we have never wanted for anything. God has never left us out in the cold. Our adoption process has been such a beautiful picture of what God can do.
This Christmas, I hope you can take a deep breath and remember what God has done for you this year. Remember the precious children in Africa that don't have a family, a bright Christmas tree or a stuffed stocking to wake up to. Be encouraged, though, that hundreds of them will find a family this year. Pray for them- fervently!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Shoes for Kiddos
I absolutely LOVE this blog and this little girl
http://littlegoody2-shoes.blogspot.com/
She is 11 and when her parents adopted a baby from Ethiopia, it made her sad that none of the kids had good shoes on. Most of them had no shoes. She came home and wanted to do something about it, so she makes and sells these necklaces. 100% of the profits buy shoes for those kiddos that she saw. She has provided 100 pairs of shoes in the few short months she's been doing it. Her goal right now is 60 pairs for Christmas. The necklaces are so cute, Sami is wonderful and the cause is so worthy. Check her out and sport one of her super cute necklaces! (They would make a perfect stocking stuffer)
http://littlegoody2-shoes.blogspot.com/
She is 11 and when her parents adopted a baby from Ethiopia, it made her sad that none of the kids had good shoes on. Most of them had no shoes. She came home and wanted to do something about it, so she makes and sells these necklaces. 100% of the profits buy shoes for those kiddos that she saw. She has provided 100 pairs of shoes in the few short months she's been doing it. Her goal right now is 60 pairs for Christmas. The necklaces are so cute, Sami is wonderful and the cause is so worthy. Check her out and sport one of her super cute necklaces! (They would make a perfect stocking stuffer)
Monday, November 15, 2010
Mama's comin, little peanut!
Remember when I blogged about the KVI orphanage in Addis Ababa and how heartbreaking the conditions are? Well my friend Melinda over at http://www.giftsfromafar.blogspot.com/ was able to visit KVI last week. She wrote about her experience and I got her permission to re-post it because her words tell such a story. You feel like you are there, and I don't know about you but my mama heart just weeps and weeps reading this. This (or possibly somewhere just like it) is where my son or daughter will spend the first few months of his/ her life. I can't stand that and this is why I have driven myself to the brink of exhaustion to get that paper work in as quick as humanly possible! Thanks Melinda for letting me share!
Well, last week when we were in Addis, we were able to visit the orphanage I had written about (10/28/10). And, yes, it was very, very sad.
In the toddler room, there were at least a dozen kids. They were so sweet... All I could think is that they deserved to be in a family, not living in a big room full of beds and kids. Only a few, though, wanted to be held and tried to get our attention. Most kids that age want to be held, but I think they were not accustomed to being carried around and loved on. The nannies reallly do the best they can, but there are so many chores that must be done just to keep things in working order (everything is hand-washed - clothes, sheets, diapers, dishes - and keeping things tidy and clean takes a lot of time with that many kids to care for) that there is no time left for snuggling.
We next visited the baby room. A room about 12x12 with 5 beds and about 13 babies. The babies were lying on blankets on the wood bed bottoms. The mattresses that had recently been purchased by the other group when they were there were not on the beds because they had been taken outside to be cleaned. They are wrapped in plastic so they will not be ruined, but they have to be cleaned often since there are no good diapers. The babies were still wearing onesies that were holding their make-shift diapers on, but with no plastic pants to cover the diapers everything just leaked onto their clothes and beds.
The room was a kind of dark, there was a bit of crying but not a lot, and multiple babies in every bed. One bed had 5 tiny babies in it. Their feet were all cold because they did not have socks or blankets on. We picked up some of the babies to hold, and every single one had on wet clothes. Their make-shift diapers were almost useless. We had just brought in several bags and containers of diapers, wipes, sheets, clothes, etc. so we 4 moms went into "mom mode" and started asking if we could change the babies and dress them in dry clothes that we brought with us. We went to the office, grabbed bags of disposable diapers, wipes, and dry clothes so we could start cleaning and changing babies.
As we changed, cleaned, and dressed babies, the nannies started bringing in the freshly-cleaned mattresses. Several of the babies were too small even for the newborn sized diapers and clothes that we had brought. We were able to put new crib sheets on mattresses, and place the clean, dry babies back into the soft beds. (We tried to explain to the nannies how to use the plastic-backed crib mattress protectors that we brought, but I'm not sure they understood. Hopefully, they will soon - it would really lessen their work load.) We put socks on tiny, cold feet, and we held and hugged and loved on as many babies as possible until we had to go. We wished we could stay and rock them to sleep, realizing that many of them had possibly never been rocked to sleep in their lives.
Try to imagine all the craziness of four moms in full-on "mom mode" and a couple of nannies in this tiny room with all these babies as we were trying to make sure every last one was clean and dry before we had to leave. It was cramped, loud, bustling, and a picture of the love of Christ in action. The nannies were so grateful for the things we had brought and for our help. They just kept saying, "Bless you... bless you."
We also were able to take $200 cash donated through the blog so the orphanage could purchase other supplies needed. And another family brought $150. (Our agency office in Addis has possession of the money and will be working with the orphanage to use it most wisely in purchasing items needed.) It's true that $350 can buy a good bit of stuff, but with so many babies and toddlers, it won't last long. Just think about how fast one baby goes through diapers and how much laundry they make. Multiply that by 25 to 30 babies and toddlers - whew! that's a lot of work and money.
We took several packs of disposable diapers, which would last a while with only a baby or two, but I am sure they probably only lasted a few days with that many babies. When we go back (hopfully in December), we want to take a bunch of cloth diapers and plastic pants with us. At least, they can be washed and reused many times.
It was an amazingly painful and eye-opening experience for all of us. We will never be the same...
Well, last week when we were in Addis, we were able to visit the orphanage I had written about (10/28/10). And, yes, it was very, very sad.
In the toddler room, there were at least a dozen kids. They were so sweet... All I could think is that they deserved to be in a family, not living in a big room full of beds and kids. Only a few, though, wanted to be held and tried to get our attention. Most kids that age want to be held, but I think they were not accustomed to being carried around and loved on. The nannies reallly do the best they can, but there are so many chores that must be done just to keep things in working order (everything is hand-washed - clothes, sheets, diapers, dishes - and keeping things tidy and clean takes a lot of time with that many kids to care for) that there is no time left for snuggling.
We next visited the baby room. A room about 12x12 with 5 beds and about 13 babies. The babies were lying on blankets on the wood bed bottoms. The mattresses that had recently been purchased by the other group when they were there were not on the beds because they had been taken outside to be cleaned. They are wrapped in plastic so they will not be ruined, but they have to be cleaned often since there are no good diapers. The babies were still wearing onesies that were holding their make-shift diapers on, but with no plastic pants to cover the diapers everything just leaked onto their clothes and beds.
The room was a kind of dark, there was a bit of crying but not a lot, and multiple babies in every bed. One bed had 5 tiny babies in it. Their feet were all cold because they did not have socks or blankets on. We picked up some of the babies to hold, and every single one had on wet clothes. Their make-shift diapers were almost useless. We had just brought in several bags and containers of diapers, wipes, sheets, clothes, etc. so we 4 moms went into "mom mode" and started asking if we could change the babies and dress them in dry clothes that we brought with us. We went to the office, grabbed bags of disposable diapers, wipes, and dry clothes so we could start cleaning and changing babies.
As we changed, cleaned, and dressed babies, the nannies started bringing in the freshly-cleaned mattresses. Several of the babies were too small even for the newborn sized diapers and clothes that we had brought. We were able to put new crib sheets on mattresses, and place the clean, dry babies back into the soft beds. (We tried to explain to the nannies how to use the plastic-backed crib mattress protectors that we brought, but I'm not sure they understood. Hopefully, they will soon - it would really lessen their work load.) We put socks on tiny, cold feet, and we held and hugged and loved on as many babies as possible until we had to go. We wished we could stay and rock them to sleep, realizing that many of them had possibly never been rocked to sleep in their lives.
Try to imagine all the craziness of four moms in full-on "mom mode" and a couple of nannies in this tiny room with all these babies as we were trying to make sure every last one was clean and dry before we had to leave. It was cramped, loud, bustling, and a picture of the love of Christ in action. The nannies were so grateful for the things we had brought and for our help. They just kept saying, "Bless you... bless you."
We also were able to take $200 cash donated through the blog so the orphanage could purchase other supplies needed. And another family brought $150. (Our agency office in Addis has possession of the money and will be working with the orphanage to use it most wisely in purchasing items needed.) It's true that $350 can buy a good bit of stuff, but with so many babies and toddlers, it won't last long. Just think about how fast one baby goes through diapers and how much laundry they make. Multiply that by 25 to 30 babies and toddlers - whew! that's a lot of work and money.
We took several packs of disposable diapers, which would last a while with only a baby or two, but I am sure they probably only lasted a few days with that many babies. When we go back (hopfully in December), we want to take a bunch of cloth diapers and plastic pants with us. At least, they can be washed and reused many times.
It was an amazingly painful and eye-opening experience for all of us. We will never be the same...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Home Inspection Passed!
We passed our home inspection last night. Let me say again that our social worker is SUPER sweet. We got really lucky with her! It was really easy. She came over and we did our individual interviews (while the other hid in the bedroom and listened to music) and then she took a tour of the house and wrote lots of notes. Easy breesy! (Well, except for all of that deep cleaning we did! :) )
Now on to the final interview- Thursday morning!
Now on to the final interview- Thursday morning!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Just keep Swimmin, Swimmin, Swimmin
Yesterday was our second Homestudy Meeting. It went really well- our social worker is super sweet!
The 3rd is Saturday night and the final is next Thursday morning.
That means we have T minus 4 days to get our house in tip top shape. Naturally I work late on thursday and friday and for about 5 hours on saturday morning. Which leaves my poor husband to his own cleaning devices. Wish us luck, we are going to need it!
We knew going in that the adoption process would be crazy and draining. It has proven true!
I will keep on swimmin, though, until that dossier is submitted! With any luck it will be resting peacefully in Ethiopia before the end of the year. (That might be pushing it, but I dream big)
The 3rd is Saturday night and the final is next Thursday morning.
That means we have T minus 4 days to get our house in tip top shape. Naturally I work late on thursday and friday and for about 5 hours on saturday morning. Which leaves my poor husband to his own cleaning devices. Wish us luck, we are going to need it!
We knew going in that the adoption process would be crazy and draining. It has proven true!
I will keep on swimmin, though, until that dossier is submitted! With any luck it will be resting peacefully in Ethiopia before the end of the year. (That might be pushing it, but I dream big)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Books for Adoption
From now until Dec 10, we're having a book fair with Usborne Books to benefit our adoption. It's easy- just click on our link and shop away! Just in time for Christmas, you can get books for all of the kiddos on your list!
www.ubah.com/HOS186850
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Ethiopian Orphanage
I'm a part of a yahoo group that is comprised of families in our agency. It's really wonderful and a lifesaver at times to have a network of fellow families going through the same exact process/ thoughts/ emotions/ struggles we are. It also keeps you up to date on all of the happenings and gives you a glance of what is to come from families that are further along than we are.
This week, a mom that is currently in Ethiopia attending court sent out a post about visiting one of the orphanages. This is a current October 2010 visit, not something from the 80's. She wrote a very heartbreaking description of cribs with no mattresses and babies wearing no diapers. NO DIAPERS! They had pieces of torn cloth wrapped around their bums held on by onesies. Their clothes were obviously all soiled and when they were changed, it was on the floor in the same space that they play in.
My heart broke and I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Dear blog readers, this is the reality. This is where my baby will spend the first few months of its' life. In a crib with no mattress, wearing cloth strips for a diaper. It is not an exaggerated story, it's an honest account of someone who visited just this week.
Heartbroken.
This week, a mom that is currently in Ethiopia attending court sent out a post about visiting one of the orphanages. This is a current October 2010 visit, not something from the 80's. She wrote a very heartbreaking description of cribs with no mattresses and babies wearing no diapers. NO DIAPERS! They had pieces of torn cloth wrapped around their bums held on by onesies. Their clothes were obviously all soiled and when they were changed, it was on the floor in the same space that they play in.
My heart broke and I had tears streaming down my cheeks. Dear blog readers, this is the reality. This is where my baby will spend the first few months of its' life. In a crib with no mattress, wearing cloth strips for a diaper. It is not an exaggerated story, it's an honest account of someone who visited just this week.
Heartbroken.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
WOW
I got some news today that has left me a little bit speechless.
I work for a company that should be family oriented, but really isn't. It's strictly business. We do a community service event every month but usually it's just to generate good PR (which is most often a success).
However, they came to me last week and told me that the owner of our school wants to do a big fund raising event to help with our adoption! Can you believe it? They told me they were tossing around ideas and would get back to me. Today, they told me they are going to do 2 jean days (Staff members get to wear jeans -a usually forbidden item of clothing- if they donate $5) at all 3 schools. That means all of the staff at all 3 schools donating $10 if they choose to participate. Also, they are going to set out a donation box and flyer at all 3 schools and the gym that also belongs to our owner. Beyond that, they are going to include it in all of the newsletters put out by the school. Can you believe that?! I never expected any support, let alone all of this! I'm blown away and so thankful! They loved the idea that November is National Orphan Awareness Month so they will be using that as their heading.
When we first started looking at the huge cost of adoption, a good friend told us that support will come in the most unlikliest of places. She was totally and completely right!
I work for a company that should be family oriented, but really isn't. It's strictly business. We do a community service event every month but usually it's just to generate good PR (which is most often a success).
However, they came to me last week and told me that the owner of our school wants to do a big fund raising event to help with our adoption! Can you believe it? They told me they were tossing around ideas and would get back to me. Today, they told me they are going to do 2 jean days (Staff members get to wear jeans -a usually forbidden item of clothing- if they donate $5) at all 3 schools. That means all of the staff at all 3 schools donating $10 if they choose to participate. Also, they are going to set out a donation box and flyer at all 3 schools and the gym that also belongs to our owner. Beyond that, they are going to include it in all of the newsletters put out by the school. Can you believe that?! I never expected any support, let alone all of this! I'm blown away and so thankful! They loved the idea that November is National Orphan Awareness Month so they will be using that as their heading.
When we first started looking at the huge cost of adoption, a good friend told us that support will come in the most unlikliest of places. She was totally and completely right!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Calling all coffee lovers!
Our Just Love Coffee store is up!
Now you can drink delicious fair trade coffee from around the world and support our adoption efforts at the same time! Share our link with all of your caffeine addicted friends!
www.justlovecoffee.com/niehaus
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Dossier Update
Homestudy Paperwork has been sent in, hurray!!! The next step is to wait to hear from our social worker and schedule our 2nd of 4 meetings.
I hope to have my dossier complete and ready when the homestudy is finished. Then, we'll apply for our
I-171H and then can send the dossier off! (Translation: Get our packet of paperwork to Ethiopia as quick as possible!)
Here's our current dossier progress:
Dossier Cover Sheet
Application Letter
Wife Birth Certificates
Husband Birth Certificates
Marriage License
Physical Exams
Proof of medical insurance
Proof of life insurance
Financial Statement
Husband Employment letter
Wife Employment letter
Letter of reference #1
Letter of reference #2
Letter of reference #3
Home Study
Police Reports
I-171H Form
Power of Attorney
Photo Pages (1/2 way done!)
copies of passports
Here's to hearing from our social worker soon!!
I hope to have my dossier complete and ready when the homestudy is finished. Then, we'll apply for our
I-171H and then can send the dossier off! (Translation: Get our packet of paperwork to Ethiopia as quick as possible!)
Here's our current dossier progress:
Dossier Cover Sheet
Husband Employment letter
Wife Employment letter
Letter of reference #2
Letter of reference #3
Home Study
I-171H Form
Photo Pages (1/2 way done!)
Here's to hearing from our social worker soon!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
No one likes to wait
This weekend we finished our 16 hours of required training for Colorado. 16 hours in a classroom seemed daunting but it was actually pretty great. We got so much information that we were physically drained by Saturday night. It was inspiring and informing. As a bonus, we also met some really great people! It was amazing being in a room with people that are all in the same process as us and have the same vision/ passion that we do. We didn't really expect that. We feel like we have so much support in our life from our friends and family but there is something really great about connecting so well with someone in the same shoes.
I was actually a little sad to leave Saturday night!
Tonight while sitting in church, I was reminded of about a year ago when I was praying in desperation over and over and over again for a baby. I had such a major longing in my heart for a child. I very clearly heard Him tell me "Yes, but wait". No one likes to wait (especially me) and I figured that would look like me being pregnant "later". I actually hadn't made the connection until tonight that I'm in the midst of the answer to my earnest prayers. I now know that the "wait" part meant "just wait and see what I have coming, this will blow your mind!" This adoption is so much more great that anything I could've imagined for myself. I feel like it's so much better than being pregnant! I'm so happy and cannot wait until the day that I'm holding my peanut in my arms. God is so good!
I was actually a little sad to leave Saturday night!
Tonight while sitting in church, I was reminded of about a year ago when I was praying in desperation over and over and over again for a baby. I had such a major longing in my heart for a child. I very clearly heard Him tell me "Yes, but wait". No one likes to wait (especially me) and I figured that would look like me being pregnant "later". I actually hadn't made the connection until tonight that I'm in the midst of the answer to my earnest prayers. I now know that the "wait" part meant "just wait and see what I have coming, this will blow your mind!" This adoption is so much more great that anything I could've imagined for myself. I feel like it's so much better than being pregnant! I'm so happy and cannot wait until the day that I'm holding my peanut in my arms. God is so good!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Puzzle!
Introducing: Baby Niehaus' Puzzle!
This is our cute puzzle that we will be sponsoring out pieces until everyone is sponsered. Your name will go on the back of your pieces.There are 300 pieces and as of today we have 69 pieces spoken for. That means there are plenty left for you!
They are $5/ piece which makes it our most affordable fund raiser. Plus your name will be a part of our child's memories forever! We will be able to turn it around and tell him/her about each one of the names that loved him/her as much as we did and wanted to help mommy and daddy travel across the world to bring him/her home with us!
Spaghetti Success!
We we had a crazy 2 weeks as we planned, shopped, decorated, cooked, hosted, presented and then cleaned up 2 different spaghetti dinners in 2 different cities! A HUGE thank you needs to go to our wonderful friends and my fabulous parents who hosted the dinners. They were both a giant success. We were so delighted by all of our friends and family that came to support us. We sold a few t-shirts and several puzzle pieces. It was so nice to be surrounded by so many people that we love and to share with them our vision and heart for ethiopia and orphans.
After the dinner, t-shirts and puzzle piece sales, we are about $500 short of our upcoming $5000 payment! Hurray!!
Thanks to everyone who attended and prayed for our delicious spaghetti-ness!
After the dinner, t-shirts and puzzle piece sales, we are about $500 short of our upcoming $5000 payment! Hurray!!
Thanks to everyone who attended and prayed for our delicious spaghetti-ness!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Get your spaghetti on!
Our 2 Spaghetti dinners have been scheduled. One this weekend and one next weekend. We'll be busy!
We're praying for a really great turn out and that lots of our friends and family can come enjoy spaghetti and fresh baked bread :) We'll also have shirts and puzzle pieces available. If you live close to us, leave me a comment and I'll give you the info!
This weekend we finished our Hague training! Hurray!! (Hague training= 8 hours of online lessons) I'm very happy to have the certificates in hand.
I posted a button for Into the Streets of Ethiopia on my side bar. They are a really great organization helping the orphans in Ethiopia. Go check them out when you have a chance!
Last weekend I finished the book "There is No Me Without You." by Melissa Faye Green. WOW! What an amazing book! Everyone sings the praises of this book so I knew it was a must read but I had no idea just how much of a must read it was!! I encourage everyone to check it out, you will never ever be the same again. It's a super easy read (I had it done in a week). It's so inspiring and informing but also will make you cry at times. If you wonder what life is really like in Africa, you will find out. If you want to know how there could possibly be 4.3 million orphans in Ethiopia alone, you need to read it. If you want to follow the journey of a precious abandoned baby in Addis Ababa to a wonderful thriving preschooler living in a comfy home in America- READ IT!
We're praying for a really great turn out and that lots of our friends and family can come enjoy spaghetti and fresh baked bread :) We'll also have shirts and puzzle pieces available. If you live close to us, leave me a comment and I'll give you the info!
This weekend we finished our Hague training! Hurray!! (Hague training= 8 hours of online lessons) I'm very happy to have the certificates in hand.
I posted a button for Into the Streets of Ethiopia on my side bar. They are a really great organization helping the orphans in Ethiopia. Go check them out when you have a chance!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Fun Fun Funding Update!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19
I'm not naturally inclined to ask people for money and I'm a terrible sales-woman! Fund raising is not one of my gifts. However, God has placed a gorgeous Ethiopian child on my heart and I'm going to forge on and raise every penny needed until I can bring that babe home with me!
I wanted to give a funding update on where we stand- 4 months after starting this wonderful process.
We have been so fortunate to raise $7,000 in our first 4 months. That leaves us with about $18,000 to go. Here are some of the ways we've been working towards our goal (and ways that you can help!)
T-shirts We have sold about 30 shirts, which means we're right at the break even point. Our shirts are gorgeous and everyone that has bought one has loved it! We have about 70 of them left. Scroll down to the past post to see the pictures, I'm sure you'll want one too! (We're selling them for $20)
Dinner This fall we will be hosting 2 wonderful dinners. One in our current city and one in my hometown (I'm trying to preserve a tiny bit of security). If you reside in one of those cities (or close!) you'll want to come and eat some of Tony's delicious home made spaghetti! We'll also have our puzzle and t-shirts available. Pray for a good turn out for our 2 dinners!
Puzzle Coming soon: we will be doing a super fun, adorable puzzle fundraiser. I stole the idea from fellow adoptive mommies so I can't take credit for the idea. Basically, you "sponser" a puzzle piece (or a few) and we put your name on the back of the puzzle piece. When the puzzle is finished, we will frame it and put it in our baby's room. That way, s/he can turn it around and see the patchwork quilt of names of all of the people that helped bring him/her home to his/her family! I really really love the concept. Best of all, it will be our cheapest fund-raiser, so everyone can afford it no matter how hard the economy has hit you!
If you're interested in any of our fund raisers, leave me a comment or e-mail me. Please consider helping us pull in all of our funding so that one less gorgeous babe has to go to sleep without his mommy kissing his forehead at night!
I'm not naturally inclined to ask people for money and I'm a terrible sales-woman! Fund raising is not one of my gifts. However, God has placed a gorgeous Ethiopian child on my heart and I'm going to forge on and raise every penny needed until I can bring that babe home with me!
I wanted to give a funding update on where we stand- 4 months after starting this wonderful process.
We have been so fortunate to raise $7,000 in our first 4 months. That leaves us with about $18,000 to go. Here are some of the ways we've been working towards our goal (and ways that you can help!)
T-shirts We have sold about 30 shirts, which means we're right at the break even point. Our shirts are gorgeous and everyone that has bought one has loved it! We have about 70 of them left. Scroll down to the past post to see the pictures, I'm sure you'll want one too! (We're selling them for $20)
Dinner This fall we will be hosting 2 wonderful dinners. One in our current city and one in my hometown (I'm trying to preserve a tiny bit of security). If you reside in one of those cities (or close!) you'll want to come and eat some of Tony's delicious home made spaghetti! We'll also have our puzzle and t-shirts available. Pray for a good turn out for our 2 dinners!
Puzzle Coming soon: we will be doing a super fun, adorable puzzle fundraiser. I stole the idea from fellow adoptive mommies so I can't take credit for the idea. Basically, you "sponser" a puzzle piece (or a few) and we put your name on the back of the puzzle piece. When the puzzle is finished, we will frame it and put it in our baby's room. That way, s/he can turn it around and see the patchwork quilt of names of all of the people that helped bring him/her home to his/her family! I really really love the concept. Best of all, it will be our cheapest fund-raiser, so everyone can afford it no matter how hard the economy has hit you!
If you're interested in any of our fund raisers, leave me a comment or e-mail me. Please consider helping us pull in all of our funding so that one less gorgeous babe has to go to sleep without his mommy kissing his forehead at night!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Happy Labor Day!
I'm very happy to have a "get lots of paperwork done" day!
We're almost finished with our homestudy paperwork. The only remaining items are:
Tony's Birth Certificate, Marriage Licenses (waiting for them to come in the mail), our employment letters (patiently waiting for our employers to complete them), Tony's autobiography, Dr Apts and police reports (which are scheduled for Thurs). Hurray!!
Unfortunately, our agency won't schedule our second apt until the fingerprints are back. Boo!!!
In the mean time, I have started the dossier. Here's how it stands:
Dossier Cover Sheet
Application Letter
Husband Birth Certificates (coming)
Marriage License (coming)
Physical Exams (this week!)
Proof of medical insurance (coming)
Proof of life insurance
Husband Employment letter (coming)
Letter of reference #1
Letter of reference #2
Letter of reference #3
Home Study
Police Reports (this week!)
I-171H Form
Power of Attorney
Photo Pages
copies of passports (my renewal has been applied for and his new passport app is ready to go!)
Phew! I have a lot of work to do.
Quite Frankly, I'd prefer to skip all of this paperwork and get on to the baby clothes buying, baby shower, nursery decorating, everyone is excited stage! Alas, I sit here longing for my baby and chasing after forms.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
I'm ready to cuddle!
I cannot WAIT to get this blankie
I've been sort of stalking the fabulous adoptive mama that makes them, waiting for her to start taking orders again. She started and I have one in! Isn't it just so cozy and fabulous? I can't wait to cuddle with my little peanut and his/her blankie :)
I've been sort of stalking the fabulous adoptive mama that makes them, waiting for her to start taking orders again. She started and I have one in! Isn't it just so cozy and fabulous? I can't wait to cuddle with my little peanut and his/her blankie :)
Us:1 Pile of Paperwork: 0
Last night we made A LOT of headway with our pile of paperwork. We finished everything in the stack except for the big things. It was such a wonderful feeling to check everything off! I particularly enjoyed the checklist that we each filled out called "your role in the relationhip vs. your spouses". I don't know why I found it amusing, but I did. :) In case you were wondering, we determined he is the rational one and I am the emotional one (who would've figured?), I am the social planner/ homemaker and he is the risk taker. :)
Now all we have left (for this step) is: Dr. Apts, HIV test, sig. from insurance agent, bank/ employment letter, marriage lic and birth certs (I have the aps ready to mail out), mail our fingerprints, autobiographies, and racial awareness questionnaire. Whew!
We also got fingerprinted today. (Yes, I know that shouldve been done 2 weeks ago) With the exception of a very on edge and slightly rude lady, it went pretty smoothly! Hooray for Progress!!
Now all we have left (for this step) is: Dr. Apts, HIV test, sig. from insurance agent, bank/ employment letter, marriage lic and birth certs (I have the aps ready to mail out), mail our fingerprints, autobiographies, and racial awareness questionnaire. Whew!
We also got fingerprinted today. (Yes, I know that shouldve been done 2 weeks ago) With the exception of a very on edge and slightly rude lady, it went pretty smoothly! Hooray for Progress!!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The First Trimester begins (Finally!!)
Today we had our first (of four) homestudy meetings. The homestudy really should be re-named The family study. It's not so much a study of your physical home, as the name suggests, so much as it's a study of your family. Anyways..... We had our first meeting today. We met with the international director. She's super nice. We basically waded through a whole binder of paperwork together. Paperwork that needs to be completed before the next meeting. Yikes!!!!
With two full time jobs, we're likely to have plenty of time for completing paperwork and making various appointments around town. Right? Right?? Hmmm
I guess we knew what we were getting ourselves into when we started, but that doesn't mean it isn't overwhelming! When you gaze into these eyes, though, every last piece of paper is more than worth it....
With two full time jobs, we're likely to have plenty of time for completing paperwork and making various appointments around town. Right? Right?? Hmmm
I guess we knew what we were getting ourselves into when we started, but that doesn't mean it isn't overwhelming! When you gaze into these eyes, though, every last piece of paper is more than worth it....
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Being His Hands and Feet
This weekend we said Good-Bye (for now) to 2 very dear friends of ours. Two of the most beautiful people we know, Seth and Sarah are leaving for a minimum of 2 years to serve, love and empower in Sudan.
We all hear the stats, watch the news, and see the pictures. We know that Africa does not have safe drinking water. We know that there are millions of orphans. We know that women are socially powerless. We know that over 50% of children die of a preventable disease. However, it seems so big that we have no idea what to do. Right? I know I do.
These 2 are doing it. They are tackling the problems head on. They've sacrificed their comfy american lives to follow God into one of the poorest countries and love and empower. They've been so inspirational to us and we cannot say enough things about them and the work they are about to be doing.
We're hoping to visit their children's home and see their work first hand when we go to Africa in about a year.
Go here to read their story and here to see a fun opportunity to get books to the kiddos.
Seth and Sarah: We heart you!
We all hear the stats, watch the news, and see the pictures. We know that Africa does not have safe drinking water. We know that there are millions of orphans. We know that women are socially powerless. We know that over 50% of children die of a preventable disease. However, it seems so big that we have no idea what to do. Right? I know I do.
These 2 are doing it. They are tackling the problems head on. They've sacrificed their comfy american lives to follow God into one of the poorest countries and love and empower. They've been so inspirational to us and we cannot say enough things about them and the work they are about to be doing.
We're hoping to visit their children's home and see their work first hand when we go to Africa in about a year.
Go here to read their story and here to see a fun opportunity to get books to the kiddos.
Seth and Sarah: We heart you!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
T-shirt Fundraiser
Here they are!!! We created our very own fundraiser t-shirts. We LOVE how they turned out! The colors are great and the design is exactly what we envisioned. It advocates for orphans and gets our mission across without being in your face. We have Africa with a heart over Ethiopia. We chose the message
"4.3 million... minus one" There are 147 million orphans in the world and 4.3 million of them are in Ethiopia. It is one of the highest orphan populations in the world. (Ethiopia is twice the size of Texas). I saw a very moving video where images of beautiful Ethiopian babies were shown after joining their forever families. Over each one it said "minus one". It was beautiful and powerful. Thus we chose it for our shirts!
We're asking a $20 donation. Everyone who has already bought one has loved it as much as we do!
To order one, leave a comment or e-mail me! Thanks for helping us bring home baby Niehaus :)
They are all chocolate brown, with the choice of pink or blue ink. The blue is a bit brighter than the picture, more like the pink one. In pink we have sizes S,M,L and in blue M,L,XL,2X
"4.3 million... minus one" There are 147 million orphans in the world and 4.3 million of them are in Ethiopia. It is one of the highest orphan populations in the world. (Ethiopia is twice the size of Texas). I saw a very moving video where images of beautiful Ethiopian babies were shown after joining their forever families. Over each one it said "minus one". It was beautiful and powerful. Thus we chose it for our shirts!
We're asking a $20 donation. Everyone who has already bought one has loved it as much as we do!
To order one, leave a comment or e-mail me! Thanks for helping us bring home baby Niehaus :)
They are all chocolate brown, with the choice of pink or blue ink. The blue is a bit brighter than the picture, more like the pink one. In pink we have sizes S,M,L and in blue M,L,XL,2X
Friday, July 16, 2010
Slow, but Great
Things are moving a little slow right now. Fund raising has been going well, though. We're over 1/5 of the way there! Don't think that doesn't mean we don't have a ways to go, but we're so excited to be where we are!
We picked a homestudy agency and are about to send in the application. We fell in love with Hope's Promise through e-mailing with them. We're so excited about working with them! Hopefully we love our family coordinator too.
We picked a homestudy agency and are about to send in the application. We fell in love with Hope's Promise through e-mailing with them. We're so excited about working with them! Hopefully we love our family coordinator too.
Also, our t-shirts are in!!!! Check back shortly for pictures and ordering info. Hurray!!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Conception
This week we wrote our first very large check (of many). We also received a very sweet support check in the mail. God continues to be very good to us!
This adoption process has been so exciting for us. Sure, it's nerve wracking and stressful at times. We have no idea where the money will come from and the paper work/ legal stuff is daunting. However, we continue to be so excited. A good friend even told me I'm beaming! I think the reason it's so exciting, because it is for sure (well, unless Ethiopia changes its' laws on us) that every check we write and every task we check off our list gets us closer to holding a baby. When we were on the tired fertility treadmill every month got us no where. We were in the same place that we were 6 months prior. This time, we know we will end this process with a son or daughter. How exciting!!!!
I call this period "conception". When we have finished our homestudy, it will be the end of the first trimester. The second trimester will be the paper work (called the dossier) and the third trimester will be waiting for our refferal and travelling! Unfortunetly, I have no idea how long each trimester will take but I'm ready for the ride! :)
This adoption process has been so exciting for us. Sure, it's nerve wracking and stressful at times. We have no idea where the money will come from and the paper work/ legal stuff is daunting. However, we continue to be so excited. A good friend even told me I'm beaming! I think the reason it's so exciting, because it is for sure (well, unless Ethiopia changes its' laws on us) that every check we write and every task we check off our list gets us closer to holding a baby. When we were on the tired fertility treadmill every month got us no where. We were in the same place that we were 6 months prior. This time, we know we will end this process with a son or daughter. How exciting!!!!
I call this period "conception". When we have finished our homestudy, it will be the end of the first trimester. The second trimester will be the paper work (called the dossier) and the third trimester will be waiting for our refferal and travelling! Unfortunetly, I have no idea how long each trimester will take but I'm ready for the ride! :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
ACCEPTED!
Our agency accepted us!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!! We got word today from our agency that we're IN!
Now on to the homestudy...
Today I was looking through a friends' book for her daughter that she recently adopted from Moldova. There was a cute picture of a few little guys sitting in a semi-circle in a room and the caption said "these are my friends". It really hit me, because it looked just like a picture that could've been taken in my classroom. Only... they live there. :( I can't wait to take ours out of those conditions!
Now on to the homestudy...
Today I was looking through a friends' book for her daughter that she recently adopted from Moldova. There was a cute picture of a few little guys sitting in a semi-circle in a room and the caption said "these are my friends". It really hit me, because it looked just like a picture that could've been taken in my classroom. Only... they live there. :( I can't wait to take ours out of those conditions!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The waiting begins!
I realize that this process will inclue a whole lot of waiting. I'm terrible at waiting!! It has begun- we're currently waiting to hear if our application has been accepted. They've been really great and communcative so that is helpful! I need to learn some patience tecniques. Any ideas?
In other news, I read the book From Ashes to Africa. Love it!! It was written by Josh and Amy Bottomly who adopted their little guy a little while ago and are about to get their second. Highly reccomended! Here is her blog: http://bottomlysandethiopia.blogspot.com/
Funds raised: about $750
In other news, I read the book From Ashes to Africa. Love it!! It was written by Josh and Amy Bottomly who adopted their little guy a little while ago and are about to get their second. Highly reccomended! Here is her blog: http://bottomlysandethiopia.blogspot.com/
Funds raised: about $750
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Beginning
Hi Everyone! This is the beginning of an incredible, life changing adventure!
On May 2, 2010 we made an official decision to adopt. After several weeks of prayer and research, we've started the process of bringing our son or daughter home from Ethiopia, Africa!
We are so thrilled to be on this journey. We feel like our lives have direction and meaning and we can NOT wait until the day we get to travel home on a very long flight with our baby boy or girl.
Keep checking back often for news and thoughts as we go about this process. Feel free to leave lots of comments, we are going to need lots of support!!
Funds raised so far: $650 out of ~$25,000
On May 2, 2010 we made an official decision to adopt. After several weeks of prayer and research, we've started the process of bringing our son or daughter home from Ethiopia, Africa!
We are so thrilled to be on this journey. We feel like our lives have direction and meaning and we can NOT wait until the day we get to travel home on a very long flight with our baby boy or girl.
Keep checking back often for news and thoughts as we go about this process. Feel free to leave lots of comments, we are going to need lots of support!!
Funds raised so far: $650 out of ~$25,000
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