Making Progress!!!

Everyone has been asking for an adoption update...here it is!  YAY!

Okay, I am SO CLOSE to having ALL of our paperwork done!!!  I must say that when I first got started, it was all just overwhelming.  I had heard from almost everyone that there were mountains of paperwork involved in an international adoption.  So, I had some weeks that I was just paralyzed, and didn't do anything!  With life and three other kiddos, I felt like I had to "stop" everything and turn on paperwork.  Then, right when I would get going, someone would wake up from a nap or dinner would need cooking or whatever. I say all of that to say that there were a few times that I just sat down to knock some things out.  And...it wasn't that bad!!  At all!!!  If I could do it all over again, I would not be so intimidated to be paralyzed in it.  I think it would go quicker.  I realized (after I was done and looking at it) that I could just do one paper at a time...that was okay...just put it in the "completed" pile and check it off.  Sometimes I feel like I wouldn't make any progress if I did it that way.  I guess I am too "high-closure!"

Anyway, here is what I have been working on:

• 4 online classes for adoptive parent training completed!
• adoptive parent training handbook completed!
• the home study is completed...it just needs to be revised a little and sent off for approval!
• all birth certificates and our marriage license are in!
• My passport renewal has been ordered!
• We have all had physicals and gotten our medical forms notarized!
• Our criminal check is done!
• Our employment verification letters are done!
• All of our letters of recommendation are done!
• Our financial statement is done!
• Our power of attorney is done!
• Our post adoption commitment letter is done!

Still have left to do:

• Get some documents notarized (we are doing that this afternoon!)
• Get our power of attorney state certified
• Application letter (telling Ethiopia why we want to adopt)
• 2 more online classes for adoptive parent training
• take pictures of our house
• once it is reviewed....make 3 copies!  That is IT!

I CAN'T WAIT TO BE WAITING!!!!!!!!!  I think about that sweet child so much! 


As far as finances goes...we have raised $14, 024!!!!!!!  WOW!!!  Thank you, God!!!!!  We have truly been brought to tears at this provision from the Lord!  So much sacrificial giving...thank you all SO MUCH!

I need to number-crunch, but with the two trips that are now required, I think we need about $12,000 more.  Do your thing, God!