Does everything happen for a reason???

This is so hard to write, but I wanted to give an update. Just when we thought this was too easy, it WAS! We found out yesterday that because I had Cancer more than 8 YEARS AGO, Ethiopia will not let us adopt! We are heartbroken, BUT it may open another door for us. We definitely want a second child, we know that. This just puts a big bump in our plans. We will keep everyone updated. Pray that we make the right decision.

Fingerprint Appointment!

I was shocked yesterday when we got notice of our fingerprint appointment already! Last time it seemed to take so much longer! We are all pretty excited. Things seem to be moving right along. We are waiting for the courts to open, hopefully next week. Then we should get some answers.

Getting There!!!!

So, we got notice today that our Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition has been received, which grants us permission to bring an orphan child into the US. So now, we just wait for our fingerprint appt (3rd set of fingerprints). Other than that, we should be going on a list very soon to become eligible for a referral in Ethiopia. Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost there!

So, in case you were wondering, this is what (most) of a Dossier looks like. The Home Study is missing, but our agency is finishing that up. So now, all of these lovely documents can go to our Agency and then they are off to Ethiopia!!! We have hit a few bumps, but hopefully everything will work out! Pray for us!!! We are looking forward to this journey.

Summer fun!

We are having a great Summer. I am so lucky I am able to spend time with Sara this Summer at the pool, the zoo, etc. She is going to camp 2 days a week while I work and is loving it. Wish Summer could last forever! The adoption is moving right along. We are working on all of our documents for our Dossier. Slowly, but surely...

I am working on a bedroom theme for the new little one (Hanna?). I thought cupcakes would be cute. What do you think? Sara says she wants a Justin Bieber room, so she will probably take over the drum room.

The drought in Africa right now is very disturbing. I pray for these people! Can you imagine having to walk hours and hours in the heat for food with 6 children? We are so lucky we have what we have.

Progress!

We had our 2nd Home Study today. There was not much to it, just verifying the information from our last one. Now, all we have to do is get our medicals and a few other minor documents and we can apply for 1-600 (approval to bring an infant child into the US) and we can start working on our Dossier (documents needed to send to Ethiopia).

Moving right along!

Well, we had our 1st Home Study Weds. That went really well. It was helpful that we adopted before. Even though a Home Study is only valid for 18 months, the Social Worker could use a lot of our information from the last one. The next one is scheduled for Weds and then we will just wait for her to write it up!

We finally chose an agency and feel really good about it! They are a smaller agency and seem very caring and ethical. For those of you who went through it with us before, you know agency choice is very important! Hopefully, things will go smoother this time. Now we just start gathering documents for our Dossier, this is the stack of paperwork that goes to Ethiopia. Once our Dossier is logged in Ethiopia, we are told 2-6 months for a referral, which is an actual child available for adoption. Hope everyone has a great 4th!