A Special Thank yoU!

I wanted to give a special thank you to my friend Sue who donated some unused homeschool curriculum to us. She allowed us to sell the curriculum and keep the money for the adoption. Those ebay sales earned us over $300! Thank you for your generosity Sue!

Graph #2 of Contributions Received.

Here is an updated graph of where we stand with the financial aspect of the adoption. The green amount represents the over $3000 we have received in donations. The blue section is a rough estimate of how much left we need to come up with to finish the adoption. This amount is just an estimate. The new Ethiopian laws as well as unexpected expenses can increase that amount. The line that says "Other" and has a zero value is the amount we have gotten from grants. We are not yet eligible to apply for grants because we are waiting for the homestudy report to be completed. We have done everything on our end, and now must wait for the social worker to finish her part.

Despite the changes in Ethiopian law, Michael and I have decided to continue on this path for adoption. We are not sure how it is going to work out, but after reviewing our other options we have decided that at this time this is the most viable option for our family.

Uncertain Future

Mike and I were sad to learn yesterday that they did indeed pass new laws concerning adoptions from Ethiopia. They now require both parents to travel to Ethiopia two times to complete the adoption. In some circumstances (which they have not yet outlined), an escort with power of attorney may be able to take the place of one of the parents.

Even with the escort, one of us would have to go to Africa and we would be paying for two tickets, two times. A quick look at Delta on random dates shows the price to be $1,956 per ticket. Times that by four and you can easily see the new financial burden placed on my family.

We are undecided about what steps to take next. Other programs offer lighter travel requirements, but with four children already in the home it is hard for our family to qualify for those programs.

I just received an message that international adoption is not for sissies. Isn't that the truth! I wouldn't wish this emotional turmoil on my worst enemy.

Moving Slowly

Things are moving pretty slowly around here lately. The donations continue to arrive, and we are so grateful and thankful to all who have contributed to our adoption. We have a second meeting with the social worker scheduled and then hopefully we will have the homestudy completed. In the meantime we are enjoying this little burst of spring and hoping the snow will hold off until winter arrives again.

Ugggg!

One thing is for certain about international adoption: NOTHING IS FOR CERTAIN!

We were surprised to learn that adoption laws for Ethiopia are changing and we may not make the cut-off before the new laws are passed, if they are passed. Meaning that both Michael and I might have to appear in court in Ethiopia, and that we might have to do that twice. As you can imagine, this would cause a HUGE strain on our family- both financially and emotionally.

So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers while we hope that our daughter is brought safely home to us.

Part of the Club

It seems to me that life is made up of several "members only" types of groups. One is only granted membership to these groups after a significant life-changing event has occured. Going from boyfriend and girlfriend to husband and wife is an example of one of these changes. A more noticable group membership happened after James was born. Suddenly Michael and I found ourselves as new members in one of the most significant members-only groups that life has to offer. We were parents. We were in the know. Daily tasks and events took on new meaning. Our social circle changed, as our closest friends became other parents. We felt like we had arrived.

I imagine other groups may include events such as obtaining certains degrees and/or employement, becoming grandparents, and losing a parent or a spouse. Every significant life change brings you into a new world of people who share similiar experiences.

It has been no surprise to me that adoption is one of these groups. Ever since we have officially announced our adoption and have made significant progress towards completing it, we have found ourselves flooded with warmth and love from people who have gone down this road before us. People have called and emailed out of the blue saying, "I am a friend of so-and-so and they told me about your adoption. We just completed an adoption and if you have any questions I would love to talk to you." It has been amazing to me how many people that I see on a regular basis who have come up and said, "You know, my son (or daughter) is adopted." People are always ready to offer their support and tell us about their experience.

These kinds of groups give life more meaning because you are sharing the membership with people who can relate to the experience. A common bond is formed within the group, even if the people are strangers. It kind of makes me wonder what other groups I will join throughout my life.

Homestudy

Our Homestudy is officially scheduled and as I sit here fending off a mini-panic attack I imagine the various impressions the social worker will have while touring our home. Piles of shoes missing mates clutter our entry room, house plants in several stages of death crowd every windowsill, the guest room looks like a children's consignment store threw up into it.

I have known this was coming for several months, but it was always in the future. My most common expression lately has been, "Before the social worker comes we should..." Well, I guess the future is now and I have some serious junk hiding to do!