About Me

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My husband and I, the Dynamic Duo, have been married since 2003. We've weathered the storm of chronic disease (diagnosis 2006), infertility (diagnosis 2007), turning 30 (2006/2007 respectively) a first adoption (2009) of a tender hearted, compassionate Ukrainian BIG boy (born 2006), who has told us he'd like a baby sister, baby brother, big brother, and REALLY big sister. We recently completed our second Ukrainian adoption journey, which brought us a daughter (born 2005). We'll see what else God brings our way!

Friday, January 30, 2009

It is done...Again!!!

It took 2 weeks, but I finally have the paperwork mailed to our agency, arriving Monday morning. I can't wait to hear the words "Your dossier is registered!"

There were a few hiccups along the way. We faxed some paperwork to our mortgage company to fill out and get back to us. But the number they have on file was our old landline, which we don't have any more, and they needed additional information. So my wonderful husband called early this week to find out what was going on, answered their questions, and they sent the form to us. However, the notary was in NJ, which means we couldn't apostille it without going to NJ. So, I had a friend who is a CPA fill out the form, sign it and notarize it. What a blessing she is!

We also had to redo two forms, one twice, because of wording. And we had to wait for the Michigan Police Clearance letter. They were wonderful! I called and asked if they would accept our old fingerprints, and they said OK. I overnighted the paperwork, and gave them a prepaid overnight envelope back.

Everything arrived at my door on Thursday, and I apostilled everything and got it in the mail today...around 3pm. It will arrive Monday morning at Adoption Associates, Inc, and Larissa will be forwarding them to the Ukraine either the same day or the next.

I have another friend who owns her own business who has offered to have a fundraiser for me. She is so sweet...she's pregnant and due in March/Arpil, so this is pretty big for her to do. I'll have more info later...you can actually participate from anywhere because it's an online thing. I think everyone who has children will really think it's a cute idea for Valentine's day. Thanks Tara!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Paperwork, paperwork and more paperwork

Well, the Ukraine started registering dossiers Jan 20th, which is about the time we realized all our paperwork was no good. The paperwork has to be no more than 6 months old, and since most of our paperwork was notorized in June, it's all useless now. So I've spent the week trying to get everything done. I'm exhausted!



There's a new form that needs to be filled out by our mortgage company. However, a third party handles Citizen's mortgages. So I'm having the third party fill out the form and notorize it. If it's not a Michigan notary I can't apostile it, so I'll go to a Citizen's branch here and make someone there fill it out using the info provided by the mortgage holder so we can get this thing finished. As soon as that, our medical forms, and our police clearance letter get to us, we will be in line to be registered. In other words the govt has reviewed and approved our paperwork and we get to wait in the next line. What is the next line? Well I'm glad you asked. Approximately 1-6 months after the dossier is registered with the SDA we'll receive our appointment date to select our child. That's when the real fun starts.



Also, our adoption agency is implementing a new supplemental fee to assist them during the downturn of the economy, which is slowing the number of adoptions. Not a biggie. We laughed. We have 2 weeks to come up with $1,000...sure, I'll just shake down that overused money tree in our back yard! Actually, we've already paid it by borrowing from our Overdraft line of credit. And we'll pay it off soon. We also had a Mary Kay fundraiser that was a total blast. My friend Adrienne came to me and asked if she could do this for me...how sweet! God's way of letting me know He loves me :)

Other than that things are pretty good. I'd rather be running around getting paperwork than waiting any day. I guess it feels like I'm doing something to progress things a little. I know it isn't true, but it feels that way.



God has really been testing my resolve. He has called me to ministries that involve children, and, although I love working in these ministries I'm finding that it's harder and harder to remain positive and happy. I adore the children I get to spend time with...they are all so precious. But I long for the day that I don't have to leave the church empty handed. My attitude has been pretty poor, especially at work. I don't want to help people and I find myself grumbling. I just don't have much more of me to give...



We also put down our cat Max. He's the black cat in the pictures. Dave called me while I was out of town last week and said that he wasn't eating or going to the bathroom. So we decided the best thing for him was to let him go. It was especially hard for me because he was my little snuggle bug. I'd pick him up and pet him (while sneezing like crazy!), and he'd follow me around like a shadow.



Jack is doing great. He loves the snow! I was walking him the other day, and I released him to go to the bathroom (otherwise he walks right next to me). What does he do? Goes for the deepest part of the snow and hops around like a little deer! It was hilarious!



Dave took Jack to a friends house last weekend. They have a common area and there was a ton of snow. This is Jack blazing a trail in the snow :)