Tuesday, March 28, 2017

It's possible!

Since we committed to Pasha for adoption in May 2015 I have met many, many people. Some I have met face to face and others just through Facebook contact. Since our commitment I have learned from each of these people. Some were already in the adoption community and some came along afterward. Some do not grasp the concept of adoption, specifically special needs adoption.

 I've bumped into folks who say things like, "Why are you adopting outside your own country?", "Why are you adopting a broken child?", "Why are you taking on someone else's burden?", "why would you do that to your children?", "How can you afford to adopt?"  Each time I hear one of these questions and countless others, I'm never sure how to answer. I try to keep in mind that many people have never really been educated about adoption let alone special needs adoption. When I was younger my vision of an adoption was two parents adopting a small, perfectly healthy, blue eyed baby. It's what you see in the movies, right? It is in reality so much more then that.

Adoption is long nights completing paperwork. It is months of crunching finances, saving nickels and painting on canvases that will hopefully sell even though there is not a touch of artistic talent in your DNA. It is time spent away from the children and husband you have at home because you are so desperately trying to figure out any way you can to make a little extra cash to go towards all the cost associated with your adoption fees. It is a year long (or more) roller coaster of emotion accompanied with thoughts like, "can I really do this?" and "how do we get the rest of the money?" Adoption is not knowing if your child is ill or if they are upset. You wonder about their safety when you know their country is currently at war. It is hard, it is exhausting, it's heartbreaking.

When I am asked those questions I can only answer for myself. I think so people have the idea that when you have adopted children you can suddenly speak for all adoptive parents. Truth is.... that just isn't true. Adoption is like pregnancy. No two are alike, they can not be compared to one another and no two children are the same. I do feel comfortable saying all orphans have experience some type of trauma in their lives. Birth parents have their reasons for leaving their children to be adopted. Some are pretty noble in my opinion even though they are said and should never be forced to make a decision so large. When I am asked these questions my answers are pretty steadfast. We adopted because we felt drawn to our son, not based on where he was. We did not adopt within the US because we felt God put us on a path to Pasha. Simple. There were times when I felt I could not take another step forward. I was so tired from everything. Was I doing the wrong to my family? I think everyone has moments of doubt- it is natural.

Special needs adoption was not something I knew of either. I basically stumbled up an organization called Reece's Rainbow. Their mission is to find homes for children in countries all over the world and those children have special needs that range from Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, hearing impairment, Celiac Disease and so forth. These children are blessing in so many ways. Some of them have never known simple things like hugs in the morning, kisses at bedtime and they never will.  The adoption of these children is essential. These children need families to thrive in. I don't know any other way to put it and it is because of organizations like Reece's Rainbow that it is even possible.

Monday, March 13, 2017

One step forward- Two steps back

Good Evening--

I have some news to update you all with, some good and some not so good.

We have just been skipping right along this time around and it is by the Glory of God without a doubt. So for the good news; our FBI clearance seals came back today and they look GLORIOUS (you should sing-song read that just like I typed it!) The rest of our documents are being apostilled tomorrow and then they will be on their way to Ukraine.

Semi bad news- Our Social Worker (SW) called Friday afternoon to tell me some very disturbing news. The oversight agency they use has decided to nearly more then triple their current cost for reviewing our Study. Suddenly, out of the blue what was once $400 is now $1500, and naturally they want us to pay that additional cost even though our Study was complete and only needed the review.

When I tell you that I had a near death panic attack..... that doesn't even come close to how I felt. An additional $1500??? After we have agreed on a price and the HS is done!! I thought for sure they had lost their minds. So our SW is calling a few other oversight agencies (an oversight is required because we are adopting from a Non Hague country, more on that in another post) to see if they will do it for cheaper. I don't know what our final number will be but please pray it is NOT an additional $1100. I'm leaving this in God's hands. I won't let $1100 stand in the way of our son having a family. NO WAY!

In the mean time I am focusing on fundraising and getting that thermometer up! Way up! I am anticipating submittal for our dossier mid May. That's a long way to go and not much time so please expect to see the fundraisers kick it up a notch, or three.

Blessings!

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Updates Galore

Hello Everyone!

I sat back this morning and realized it had been a hot minute since I updated everyone on our FANTASTIC progress. It was so much easier to update when Blogger had their app. Why did they take that away again???

Our HomeStudy should be in my hot little hand at some point next week. YES! Then off to the USCIS office it goes. Then at some point after they receive it we shall get our appointment for fingerprinting. Super official! Once our prints are done......we wait. Will we get a first time approval? I hope so. Pray it is so.

All of our dossier documents are signed. A large portion of them are on their way to the capital for their official seals. We will still need to get all of our Home Study copies sealed and a few scragglers but that's it. Once they are sealed they will make the long journey to Europe where my AMAZING team will put it all together in a beautiful packet for us.

So it is like 84% ok to say that all my paperwork is done. Handled. Signed. Almost sealed. Almost delivered. It is an amazing feeling. Depending on how long USCIS takes to approve us, we could be traveling several weeks earlier then anticipated. That's awesome!

So the last thing to do is raise that pesky $14,000 that we still need. I'm off to print grant applications and brainstorm fundraisers. If YOU want to join me in making that number a weeee bit smaller please feel free to hit that DONATE button. All donations to this account are tax free and much appreciated.
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