Well, mom- you are right! "Little by little, inch by inch!" :0)
Ever since you commented with the Patch the Pirate lyrics, they have been in my head often, and may become our motto! I feel that each day is another little item checked off on the BIG list!
After our Home Study on Saturday (and then after Sarah's wedding shower) I got home and right to work on putting our Dossier #1 requirements together. I am almost finished them...with the exception of 1 item on my list and the few items that we are not doing, but BCS is doing for us.
Here's what we needed:
Initial Package - All Documents need to be apostilled in the State it was originated in.
Passports (1 per person) - attestation statement and notary must be on front or back of the passport copy, husband and wife’s must be apostilled separately. Done
Homestudy (1) - signed by Director and social worker BCS is doing
Homestudy Provider Agency License (1) - signed by Director. The attestation statement and notary can be on the front or back of license BCS is doing
Homestudy Provider Post Adoption Commitment letter (1) - signed by Director BCS is doing
Homestudy Agency Consular Registration Commitment (1) - signed by Director BCS is doing
Social Worker License (1) - social worker signs. If social worker does not have a license then must obtain a letter from the State indicating a social worker’s license is not required in order to complete an adoptive home study. BCS is doing
Statement of Obligation (Conditions of Life) (1) (Parent’s Post Adoption Commitment) - signed by Adoptive Parents Done
Statement of Obligation (Consular Registry) (1) (Parent Consular Registration Commitment) - signed by Adoptive Parents Done
Interagency Agreement (1) - signed by Director and notarized BCS is doing
Photographs (12) - two on each page for a total of 6 pages, plus attestation page, and listing and numbering of photographs used. See attestation sample and listing of photograph sample. Ten to twelve (10-12) pictures are needed. Photographs must be recent which include entire family shots, outside of the house, several interior rooms including future child’s bedroom, etc. Photos ordered!
Marriage Certification (1) - must be apostilled in the state in which they were married Waiting on to come back from the state
Application for Adoption (1 per person) - each parent must complete one document. Must be signed and notarized. Under age, the range should be the prospective child's age plus at least 6 months. Done
Registration Form (1 per person) Done
Power of Attorney (4) Done
THEN, tonight, I filled out our I600 which will get sent (with a copy of our Home Study) to the Immigration Services Department to schedule our FBI fingerprinting. Thank God, we don't have to have this back before Dossier #1 is sent to Russia- just before trip 2- with Dossier #2 (I know...so confusing!!) This document/fingerprinting appt. could take a while to get...
AND, lastly for the day, Greg purchased our fire estinguisher! :) One item from the last post's checklist checked off!
So, each day, something more is getting done- "little by little, inch by inch." ...by the yard it's hard, by the inch, what a cinch! Never stare up the stairs, just step up the steps! Little by little, inch by inch! (Sorry, I had to finish the song off in my head)
We are still praying for a quick turnaround for all this paperwork, and then, of course for the chance of being referred to one of these waiting children we were told about. I just know it feels good to have everything done on our end as fast as we possibly can...and the rest is up to God!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Last Home Study Meeting Completed
Well, we are all finished...that is with the millions of questions otherwise known as our Home Study. ;) We are, I believe, approved. Our social worker will be compiling our report over the next few weeks. I am wondering how in the world she will put all those answers to the gazillion questions in one report? We shall wait and see!
We did finish our last meeting with a list of things to do before placement (child coming home):
To end this post on a really good note, I wanted to share that the Federal Adoption Tax Credit has just been extended to the year 2011. It was set to expire at the end of 2010 which would mean that unless we have our child home before then, we would not be eligible for that. What a big answer to prayer!
We did finish our last meeting with a list of things to do before placement (child coming home):
- Put lock on cabinet door where cleaning supplies are
- Label "HAZARDOUS" really big w/ masking tape on EVERY cleaning bottle in that cabinet
- Put safety caps on all electrical outlets
- Buy fire extinguisher for kitchen - must contain gauge to read pressure
- Lock up Greg's "other" work stuff (the not so obvious harmful tools)
- Put list of emergency numbers by phone in kitchen
- Have a car seat correctly installed in our vehicle
- Have a marked/drawn up fire escape plan written out
- Purchase a First Aid kit
- Put baby gates by stairs, and in front of both fireplaces
- Secure tall bookshelves to wall or gate off
- Gate off laundry room
- Attend our May 7th 8 hour parenting class
To end this post on a really good note, I wanted to share that the Federal Adoption Tax Credit has just been extended to the year 2011. It was set to expire at the end of 2010 which would mean that unless we have our child home before then, we would not be eligible for that. What a big answer to prayer!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
2 Down, 1 To Go!
Our 2nd HS meeting was last night- everything went smoothly. We are set to have our 3rd and final visit on Saturday morning at 9AM. We are in the midst of compiling all our legal documents and other paperwork necessary for our 1st Dossier submission. I want everything on our end to be done so that when our completed HS report comes back (it could take up to 4 weeks) I will be all ready to just have everything notorized, and then sent out to be apostilled by the state of NJ. ...then, it will be off to our BCS headquarters, and then off to Russia! :0) So excited! Hoping this excitement will give me the energy I need to clean the house, and get all my "school" work done each day!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Home Study Update
Thank you to all who have been praying, and thinking of us over the past few days! :)
We actually had our 1st Home Study visit today- at 4 PM (not yesterday..sorry for not keeping everyone updated). It was able to be moved to BCS's Audubon office, much closer than Elkins Park, PA. :)
Things started off just right- I checked the mail on my way in the door, and lo and behold, our child abuse clearance forms were there! So, if we had our first visit yesterday, we would not have had them...another neat "perfect timing" happenings.
Our visit went really well- a lot longer than we had expected, but that's okay. We actually didn't leave until around 7:50! Lots, and lots, AND LOTS of questions- everything from "what was your greatest accomplishment" to "what was your biggest regret" to "how did your family handle grief when you were growing up?" SO so many questions!
We have 2 more visits that are tentatively scheduled- one more meeting at the office in Audubon (either Monday or Thursday at 4 - we are waiting to see if the office is available), and then our IN- home meeting which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, the 27th at 9AM.
I promise I will update more as I know more. I need to hop off here, and order lots of certified copies of our marriage license and birth certificates now...then bed!
Whew! What a day!
We actually had our 1st Home Study visit today- at 4 PM (not yesterday..sorry for not keeping everyone updated). It was able to be moved to BCS's Audubon office, much closer than Elkins Park, PA. :)
Things started off just right- I checked the mail on my way in the door, and lo and behold, our child abuse clearance forms were there! So, if we had our first visit yesterday, we would not have had them...another neat "perfect timing" happenings.
Our visit went really well- a lot longer than we had expected, but that's okay. We actually didn't leave until around 7:50! Lots, and lots, AND LOTS of questions- everything from "what was your greatest accomplishment" to "what was your biggest regret" to "how did your family handle grief when you were growing up?" SO so many questions!
We have 2 more visits that are tentatively scheduled- one more meeting at the office in Audubon (either Monday or Thursday at 4 - we are waiting to see if the office is available), and then our IN- home meeting which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, the 27th at 9AM.
I promise I will update more as I know more. I need to hop off here, and order lots of certified copies of our marriage license and birth certificates now...then bed!
Whew! What a day!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Home Study Scheduled
Our first Home Study visit is officially scheduled- next Wednesday, March 17th at 6PM. Must be our Lucky Day! ;) We will find out during that meeting whether or not we will have 2 or 3 total visits to complete (Wednesday being one of them). After all the visits are done, it will take about a month for our Home Study report to be generated with all the information we give and compile during our meetings. I guess an April Dossier send-off date wasn't too inaccurate!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Headed to Moscow
On Friday, March 5th, we found out that we were accepted into the Moscow Program. It was very exciting news! The timing could not have been more perfect...
If I had not miscarried in early July, we would have been due on March 6th. Leading up to this date, I was dreading it...thinking it would be harder than it actually was. Since we began our adoption journey, I have not felt sad at all about our unsuccessful pregnancy, and have honestly been at peace, knowing that we are expanding our family exactly how God wants us to; but, this "March 6th" was a date I wanted to come and go...and so it has!
Early Friday afternoon, I was e-mailed about our Moscow approval, and was told to call another BCS worker to go over all the programs, and their pros and cons. When all was said and done, I asked the lady if there were any reason that we should not choose Moscow. She replied, saying, that there was every reason TO choose Moscow: that day, March 5th, three babies were dropped off at Bethany's Moscow orphanage, which would mean that the new families working with the Moscow BCS program could have a very short wait. There is only 1 family in the program ahead of us, which could mean that we have a chance at being a forever family for one of these babies.
To say the least we are just in awe of God's amazing timing- our future child could have possibly been "delivered" the very day before our due date. God truly does work all things out for His glory- who else could have orchestrated such timing!
We are not getting our hopes too high, and are settled in at peace, knowing that this journey will continue to unfold as God intends it to. We do not know anything about the babies...their gender, age, or history. Please continue to pray along with us for their health, their caretakers, their birthparents, and their future forever families. I am trying to be bold in my prayers...asking that if it is God's will, we be able to make our second trip (the 3-4 week long one) in the summer. Although it seems crazy for things to move this fast, our God is obviously leading and opening doors. We can't wait to see what He will unfold next!
Thank you for all your encouraging comments, support, and prayers!
Love, Liz & Greg
If I had not miscarried in early July, we would have been due on March 6th. Leading up to this date, I was dreading it...thinking it would be harder than it actually was. Since we began our adoption journey, I have not felt sad at all about our unsuccessful pregnancy, and have honestly been at peace, knowing that we are expanding our family exactly how God wants us to; but, this "March 6th" was a date I wanted to come and go...and so it has!
Early Friday afternoon, I was e-mailed about our Moscow approval, and was told to call another BCS worker to go over all the programs, and their pros and cons. When all was said and done, I asked the lady if there were any reason that we should not choose Moscow. She replied, saying, that there was every reason TO choose Moscow: that day, March 5th, three babies were dropped off at Bethany's Moscow orphanage, which would mean that the new families working with the Moscow BCS program could have a very short wait. There is only 1 family in the program ahead of us, which could mean that we have a chance at being a forever family for one of these babies.
To say the least we are just in awe of God's amazing timing- our future child could have possibly been "delivered" the very day before our due date. God truly does work all things out for His glory- who else could have orchestrated such timing!
We are not getting our hopes too high, and are settled in at peace, knowing that this journey will continue to unfold as God intends it to. We do not know anything about the babies...their gender, age, or history. Please continue to pray along with us for their health, their caretakers, their birthparents, and their future forever families. I am trying to be bold in my prayers...asking that if it is God's will, we be able to make our second trip (the 3-4 week long one) in the summer. Although it seems crazy for things to move this fast, our God is obviously leading and opening doors. We can't wait to see what He will unfold next!
Thank you for all your encouraging comments, support, and prayers!
Love, Liz & Greg
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Risk and Reward
Risk and Reward was the title of our devotions last night, interestingly so. In order for the full effect, I need to fill you in on yesterday's events to fully grasp the awesomeness.
I received a phone call from Bethany (BCS...our agency) yesterday to let me know that they received our Home Study packet, and that everything looked great. They also informed us that we may be qualified for their Moscow program. This would mean a few things: a few more thousand dollars to spend....but possibly a price "wash" once we take into consideration we would not have to travel from Moscow to another region. All flights originally go in through Moscow- that is where the court hearing will be, and most of the process takes place in Moscow anyway. The biggest difference to me was hearing her say: the wait time could be significantly less...there is now a chance you may have to take both trips, and have your child home with you before the end of 2010!!! I was literally like a kid at Christmas- could not get the smile off my face, and was just dying to share the exciting news with Greg! As soon as my excitement died down, I then started to think of just how much money we would have to come up with by the end of the year. The step out in faith part is really starting to get tough! This is where our devotions come in…talk about a direct response from God!
RISK AND REWARD
"...As a young woman, she stepped out of her circle of security, crossed the hills to Bethlehem, and took on a new country, new religion, new family, new everything...Change? Stress? Risk? Yes, but I can trust that change can be the threshold to a new dimension of growth."
Isaiah 43:18-19 -" Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. "(Lord, please make a river of our bank accounts to cover this?)
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Lord, we trust this plan is Yours)
Ruth 1:16 - "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God." (Lord, we know you will be with us no matter where we go.)
This made us think of our future child- how he or she will be stepping outside of everything known, into a new country, new religion, new family, new everything.
Please join us in praying specifically for the process to continue to go smoothly, for the money to be there (grants/loans/savings), and for our child...who, is either just being born, or already in an orphanage...we pray he or she is healthy and being well cared for.
A little note as of today...talked to our contact at BCS again- they are just getting final clearance from the head of the Moscow program...BUT, that they can't guarantee a shorter time frame...she said they hesitate to tell people that because they don't want to create false hope...all in God's timing!
I received a phone call from Bethany (BCS...our agency) yesterday to let me know that they received our Home Study packet, and that everything looked great. They also informed us that we may be qualified for their Moscow program. This would mean a few things: a few more thousand dollars to spend....but possibly a price "wash" once we take into consideration we would not have to travel from Moscow to another region. All flights originally go in through Moscow- that is where the court hearing will be, and most of the process takes place in Moscow anyway. The biggest difference to me was hearing her say: the wait time could be significantly less...there is now a chance you may have to take both trips, and have your child home with you before the end of 2010!!! I was literally like a kid at Christmas- could not get the smile off my face, and was just dying to share the exciting news with Greg! As soon as my excitement died down, I then started to think of just how much money we would have to come up with by the end of the year. The step out in faith part is really starting to get tough! This is where our devotions come in…talk about a direct response from God!
RISK AND REWARD
"...As a young woman, she stepped out of her circle of security, crossed the hills to Bethlehem, and took on a new country, new religion, new family, new everything...Change? Stress? Risk? Yes, but I can trust that change can be the threshold to a new dimension of growth."
Isaiah 43:18-19 -" Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. "(Lord, please make a river of our bank accounts to cover this?)
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Lord, we trust this plan is Yours)
Ruth 1:16 - "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God." (Lord, we know you will be with us no matter where we go.)
This made us think of our future child- how he or she will be stepping outside of everything known, into a new country, new religion, new family, new everything.
Please join us in praying specifically for the process to continue to go smoothly, for the money to be there (grants/loans/savings), and for our child...who, is either just being born, or already in an orphanage...we pray he or she is healthy and being well cared for.
A little note as of today...talked to our contact at BCS again- they are just getting final clearance from the head of the Moscow program...BUT, that they can't guarantee a shorter time frame...she said they hesitate to tell people that because they don't want to create false hope...all in God's timing!
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