So, I couldn't post last week because I was recovering from a shock. Turns out today I'm also recovering from a shock, but thought I'd be diligent in posting anyone.
The first shock came when I received a really big package from Homeland Security. I was so excited! I was jumping up and down, screaming, dancing. Then I opened the envelope. It was all my paperwork sent back to me with a rejection notice and an invitation to reapply. Turns out that the fees changed in between the schedule I received and the submission of my application to USCIS. Also, they couldn't prove my citizenship or that Noé and I are married. I quickly made all the appropriate copies and Noé visited the county clerk for the marraige certificate. We were in the post office to overnight everything that same day.
Then yesterday I got another letter in the mail from the Department of Homeland Security. I opened it and it was a beautiful certificate. It was done very professionally. I jumped up and down and yelled and twirled and got everyone in my house very excited along with me. And then I read it. It was simple a receipt saying they'd cashed all my washingtons. I guess I lie. It was not a simple receipt. It was quite elaborate. Complete with Homeland Security official seal and everything! I feel very toyed with at this point. They need to invest in plain white paper.
So, they've taken our money, made it theirs and now we wait for fingerprinting and approval. We're still running against the clock, so pray that it won't sit on someone's desk.
:)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A snag in the plans
Today I spoke with our liason at CHI regarding our dossier. It looks like everything is complete except the I797 for that is required from USCIS. She informed me that USCIS is taking 8 weeks or more to review applications. We need fingerprinting also during this process. This is all an issue because some of our documents expire by July 13. The dossier needs to arrive in Colombia by June 10 in order to be translated and presented to ICBF, Colombia's family welfare system, by July 10. That gets us under the wire. But since USCIS seems to be taking it's time with processing we may not make our deadline before we need to begin some of our documents again.
I have to continually remind myself that this is the waiting period. I can't move people into action. I can't create a sense of urgency in others. I have to sit and wait and know that God is in control. He's got this in His hands and things will happen His way and in His timing because not only are we walking this path in faith, but in full dependence and obedience. Our little one is also in His timing and I must remember that all things will work together to bring my little one to me in the right timing. This is easier said than done. Any faith journey is easier said than done.
As you work through your inclinations to pray for us, please pray for my ability to rely on Him, the diligence of the proper authorities and the flexibility and willingness of all the nice people that may have to do some documents over.
I have to continually remind myself that this is the waiting period. I can't move people into action. I can't create a sense of urgency in others. I have to sit and wait and know that God is in control. He's got this in His hands and things will happen His way and in His timing because not only are we walking this path in faith, but in full dependence and obedience. Our little one is also in His timing and I must remember that all things will work together to bring my little one to me in the right timing. This is easier said than done. Any faith journey is easier said than done.
As you work through your inclinations to pray for us, please pray for my ability to rely on Him, the diligence of the proper authorities and the flexibility and willingness of all the nice people that may have to do some documents over.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hurry up and slow down
We began our adoption journey back in our dating days. Back then we talked in ifs and maybes. It's been 11 years of marriage, two dogs, two kids, two parental deaths later and here we are. On Mother's Day of May 2010 we sent inquiries to different organizations requesting information regarding adoption, the process, the method. It's all very clinical on paper. But in June of 2010 we took the plunge. It wasn't an official signing of anything or a word we spoke to anyone. It wasn't an email or a contract. It was our mutual recognition and the excited acceptance of our children that pushed us off the top of this roller coaster.
From September to November we decided on homestudy agencies, international or domestic adoption, and international adoption agencies. In November the gathering of documents began with physicals for everyone. In December we reached out to friends and family for references as we began to create a support and documentation network. We also spent a few intense evenings in adoption seminars learning that our little one will join us with an inability to bond and that we must work compassionately to replace fear and apathy with trust and love. In January our homestudy began and recommendation letters began to arrive. In February our homestudy was completed. In March Joanna moved in and we had a "do over." No worries, it's all take care of.
It has been intense. From this journey we have begun to see the damage that being raised without "parents" can do to a man. My husband was raised by loving grandparents and a mom that did all in her power to be present, available and nurturing. And yet, in him lingers the vacuum created by the "unwanted" stigma.
It's been a mad and hurried ride. Until now.
Now, after adding a dear friend to our home and then adding her to the adoption trail of paperwork we wait. I've only been waiting for 12 hrs and I may lose my mind.
Where is my little one? What's happening? How is the birth mom? Have the circumstances of conception ocurred yet? I knew with my two that they were. Will I know with this one? Will God give me that knowledge or will my elephant-like gestational period be quiet and slow until the end?
Here is the purpose of this blog. We want the world to know and our little one to know that before he or she was born, we've been waiting. First we waited on the Lord's prompting. Now we have answered the call and we wait on you, little one, to come.
The waiting process is slow. I'd rather be here, though than back there feeling like I'm the one holding up the process. I've done my part thus far.
Can I just share one more thing...it may become a regular thing...
When we began the paperwork process Jacob, the big brother to be, believed that every government office we went to had our baby. Imagine his concern whenever we walk into dingy, cubicle filled, stuffy, long lined offices to request documents. "The baby is HERE?" My answers has thus far been "no. not here" But one day we'll board a plane and when we land in Colombia he will not have to ask. Our baby is there.
From September to November we decided on homestudy agencies, international or domestic adoption, and international adoption agencies. In November the gathering of documents began with physicals for everyone. In December we reached out to friends and family for references as we began to create a support and documentation network. We also spent a few intense evenings in adoption seminars learning that our little one will join us with an inability to bond and that we must work compassionately to replace fear and apathy with trust and love. In January our homestudy began and recommendation letters began to arrive. In February our homestudy was completed. In March Joanna moved in and we had a "do over." No worries, it's all take care of.
It has been intense. From this journey we have begun to see the damage that being raised without "parents" can do to a man. My husband was raised by loving grandparents and a mom that did all in her power to be present, available and nurturing. And yet, in him lingers the vacuum created by the "unwanted" stigma.
It's been a mad and hurried ride. Until now.
Now, after adding a dear friend to our home and then adding her to the adoption trail of paperwork we wait. I've only been waiting for 12 hrs and I may lose my mind.
Where is my little one? What's happening? How is the birth mom? Have the circumstances of conception ocurred yet? I knew with my two that they were. Will I know with this one? Will God give me that knowledge or will my elephant-like gestational period be quiet and slow until the end?
Here is the purpose of this blog. We want the world to know and our little one to know that before he or she was born, we've been waiting. First we waited on the Lord's prompting. Now we have answered the call and we wait on you, little one, to come.
The waiting process is slow. I'd rather be here, though than back there feeling like I'm the one holding up the process. I've done my part thus far.
Can I just share one more thing...it may become a regular thing...
When we began the paperwork process Jacob, the big brother to be, believed that every government office we went to had our baby. Imagine his concern whenever we walk into dingy, cubicle filled, stuffy, long lined offices to request documents. "The baby is HERE?" My answers has thus far been "no. not here" But one day we'll board a plane and when we land in Colombia he will not have to ask. Our baby is there.
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