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!

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 :)



5 comments:

Monika said...

We have spent our last week doing exactly what you have been doing. In fact, our documents also expire in June. We also had trouble with the mortgage document because there are no branches in Michigan, and they would not write a letter....only send us documents with the information. We eventually found a CPA who wrote the letter for us. As soon as our clearance letter and marriage certificates arrive, we will send it all off again! We seem to be on the same timeline as you!

ArtworkByRuth said...

So sorry about your Max, and the paperwork and the additional fee! We too have an overused money tree, but God seems to be revitalizing it as we need it. Praying for your process and funds!

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

I'm glad to see things are looking up for you two, hoping your dossier can be submitted soon. I think the constant, relentless wait is the worst part of the adoption process and I know you have had your fill of it! Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there. We leave March 1st and I'm sure that you'll be close behind. By the grace of God we submitted on the last day in 2008 and now we're only five weeks from travel. Hard to believe. Good luck we'll be following along.

David & Donna - Adopting from Odessa #4

junglemama said...

It will happen! Try to look to the end result. This year you should have your child in your hands!