one step at a time

Thanks, Jamie, for the great pics!!!

We only have a few more things on our list before we can send off our home study application!  So excited that one step is almost complete.  At the beginning of it all it felt like we might just be doing paperwork forever, but the end is almost in sight, at least for this part of it.  I'm not even looking too seriously at the dossier checklist right now, it's considerably more overwhelming than the home study paperwork.  Thankfully, we have already completed some of what is needed for the dossier.  I know there is quite a bit more that needs to be done, but I don't want to think about it too much yet. :)

At the time we submit our dossier we have to turn in a big payment.  We're going to try to do a few fundraisers between now and then to go towards the costs.  When we started this process we honestly had no idea where the money was going to come from.  We've been amazed at how God has been working in this so far and are trusting Him that He will continue to provide and guide us.  I'm so thankful that, at least so far, the financial aspect of this all is one thing that I have not been stressing much over.  Trying to remember to just leave it all in His hands as we are not in control!  

(Here is a link to an awesome blog about another family's adoption.  They are using the same agency that we are using, AWAA.  She explains the costs here: http://www.pureandlasting.com/why-does-adoption-cost-so-much/)

We are going to be taking pre-orders for our fundraiser t-shirts and hope to have them printed in the next week or two.  They are American Apparel 50/50 blend unisex t-shirts, adult size S-XXL.  We hope to have the shirt design up later this week along with a "Donate" button on the blog where you can pay via Paypal.  We also hope to have the towels and potholders up for sale online later this week or next, so be watching for those too! :) 

Thank you for all your prayers & support!  We greatly appreciate it!!

paper pregnant

Our thick file of paperwork for the Home Study, almost complete!!

We are "paper chasing" or "paper pregnant" as some call it!!!  What does that mean?  Lots of paperwork.  There are 2 parts to the paperwork process.  One part we are working on is our paperwork for the home study.  We are nearly done with gathering everything needed to submit to have our home study done!!  I finally feel like I have time to sit down and do something other than fill out paperwork or get things in order.  

We've ordered certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, gone to get new social security cards (because we somehow lost ours?! :-/), filled out what feels like a tree's worth of papers, bought 9 books on adoption from the required reading list, gotten physicals (Umm, getting the form needed for Chase's physical from his doctor is a whole blog post in itself.  If you ever considered Northwest Diagnostic Clinic in Cedar Park please reconsider.  These people can't fill out a form, I don't know how they could diagnose or write a prescription??!), had friends and family write referral letters (THANK YOU!!!), and the list goes on and on...

The second part of the process is our dossier.  This is our compilation of our home study report along with more paperwork that gets sent to Ethiopia.  Once that is completed and sent we are considered "DTE" (Dossier To Ethiopia) and put on the waiting list!!  We hope to be DTE by November and the approximate wait time right now is 18-24 months.  So in about 2 years (hopefully less!) we will be bringing home our baby boy or girl!  We are requesting 0-18 months, either boy or girl.  

I've been stressing myself out thinking about all we have to have done, not to mention the money we will have to come up within a few short months.  I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not doing this on my own and that I need to rely on Him to get us through.  God has provided and guided us this far, we know He will continue!  

I'll leave you with a couple pics of our first fundraiser! :)  My mom, sister, and I made these kitchen towels and pot holders this week to sell as a fundraiser.  Thanks Mom, for sewing them all up!  I hope to get a link up on the blog to sell these if anyone is interested, for now you can email me!!