Embassy Update

The January 23rd Embassy appointment didn't end up happening as planned.  Our lawyer's representative did take A and J to the Embassy, but the Embassy wouldn't see them because this representative wasn't authorized to attend this meeting.  After a call from our Director, the misunderstanding was cleared up and it was understood that another appointment would need to be scheduled.
We received an email from the Embassy today saying that our re-do appointment will be this coming Wednesday, January 30.  We're praying that everything will go smoothly this time around!

This is what "nesting" looks like...

Between the normal "nesting" that happens right before you bring new additions into your family and all the shows that my girls and I have been watching on HGTV, some serious cleaning/organizing/re-doing has been going on at our house!

Here's what we accomplished this weekend!

A and J's Bedroom

Kid's Bathroom

That's what you call a productive weekend! 

Letter of Invitation!

We received our Letter of Invitation yesterday!  The light at the end of this very long tunnel is getting pretty bright!
We've had many people comment on the length of our process - it has been LONG!  But I want to clarify that our process with the twins really hasn't even hit the 1 year mark.  It's just that the road getting to A and J was pretty twisty and turn-y.
We first started out heading towards Ethiopia, but then ended up switching agencies and countries, when we accepted the referral for a little girl in the DRC.  In February of 2012, we lost that referral.  On March 30, 2012 we accepted the referral of Shako and Omba (aka little A and J).  Our process from there has looked like this:
April 13 - sent 2 documents to Assistant Stork to be authenticated in Washington DC
April 23 - our authenticated documents and amended home study met up
May 16 - sent our request for i600/171h changes - these changes needed to be made because we added a child! :)
June 11 - received i600 (revised) approval in mail
July 5 - found out we passed Court #1 in DRC
September 13 - sent immigration paperwork to CCI (our agency)
September 24 - received Adoption Judgement document - passed Court #2 in DRC
October 24 - 30 day non-appeal period is over
October 25 - received Certificate of Non-Appeal and Adoption Deeds for both children
November 9 - paperwork sent to Immigration (stateside) - approval should come in 1-4 weeks
November 11 - received new Birth Certificates for both children
November 12 - received translations on CONA and Adoption Deeds
November 13 - received translations on Birth Certificates
November 15 - 2nd biometrics appt  - our 1st set of fingerprints expired, so we needed to do a 2nd
November 28 - Yellow Fever vaccinations
December 10 - kids passports are ready
January 10, 2013 - 1st Embassy Appt - our lawyer, JB, is present
January 15 - received Letter of Invitation from DRC
January 17 - sent our visa application, passports and yellow fever cards to DRC Embassy in Washington, DC
Coming up...January 23 - 2nd Embassy Appt for JB and A and J

There it is - what this past year has looked like - we did a lot of checking our mailbox and our email inbox!
Just a step or 2 more to go!  We'll keep you up-to-date! :)

Determination

As some of you may or may not know, I'm part of the Children's Ministry Staff at our church, Southbrook.  Each month in HarborTown (our Elementary program), we focus on a new virtue that's reflected in God's character.  In the month of January it's Determination.  Determination is deciding it's worth it to finish what you start.

Our adoption journey has definitely been an exercise in determination. When we started our Home Study process over 2 years ago, we had no idea the roller coaster ride we were in for.  

But this morning, as I was praying for our Lawyer in DRC as he meets with the Embassy today and for our kids health and safety and for their little hearts to begin to soften and prepare - I felt a new sense of determination. The finish line is in sight and it feels like that last spurt of energy and enthusiasm is surging!  

And then I thought about you!  Those of you who have been praying right along with us and I was thankful for the determination that you've shown as well!  Each time we've asked for prayer, you've been ready and willing and I can't even begin to express how much that has meant to us!

I can't wait to share with A and J, all the amazing people that prayed for them and loved them even before they came home!  

So thank you!  

Thank you for sticking with us, for sharing in our excitement each time there is a new bit of news and for being determined to help us pray our little ones home!

Happy Friday!

Some days you just need a reminder of what's important...

This was today's reminder for me!

This was A and J at their Embassy Medical Visit.  

We're so close to wrapping them up in our arms!

Happy Friday!

In the midst of quiet...

It's quiet at my house right now!  This past week has been busy with Christmas and friends and everyone home from school and work...it's been hard to find a quiet moment.  But this morning, JT and Anni are off to a soccer clinic and Abbi and Averi are still sleeping.  Otis, our new puppy (yes, we're a little bit crazy!) was up at his normal 5am, but he's settled in to his crate with his bone and is quite content for the moment.

In the midst of quiet, I've been thinking over all that the next weeks will hold for our family.  We were very aware this Christmas, that next Christmas will look very different.  It's exciting, overwhelming and a tad bit sad all wrapped up together.

At work we recently took a strengths test - my result is that I'm "paced" - timing, flow and ample opportunity to plan are all very important to me - shocker! :)  In light of that, I understand how important it is for me to quickly find a new flow each time I encounter change - a new "normal".  

I'm under no delusions - I know our home is about to be turned inside out and upside down, but I'm praying that God will give us the wisdom and insight to quickly find a new normal, a flow that will work for our new expanded family.

I know many of you are praying faithfully for our family - we appreciate that so much!  I would ask that as we get closer and closer to bringing our little ones home that you would pray specifically for God to pour His extravagant grace on our home - that it would fill each crack and each gap and that each of our hearts would be saturated with love for one another - the kind of love that believes the best and has incredible hope in the story God is writing for our family!

We sent an email to the Embassy in Kinshasa yesterday asking for an invitation to travel.  We just need them to say the word - "come".

Merry Christmas 2012

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!