So there is not much official info out there to read - trust me, we've looked.
What we have found is that there are 143 AMERICAN families who have had Dossiers accepted and have not had their adoptions completed in Claire's country.
There are also MANY other families from other countries who have already had Dossiers accepted.
Note - We are NOT one of these families. Our Dossier is still at our State Capitol getting all apostilled ready to FedEx - it will hopefully join that group next week or the week after.
Knowing how difficult it is where we sit - we know it is scary for all these people ahead of us too.
Every single one of those families represents an orphan that has an opportunity to come home to a family - and I just pray that every single one flies through the process quickly.
Again - this change is ultimately in the best interest of the orphans in her country. Ultimately it should make adoption easier and likely faster. But those of us in the process right now could potentially wait longer (nobody knows how long) - and it is just terrible that kid's with committed parents have to wait any longer.
Please just pray for those people waiting - not just the Americans, but I wanted to share that number - there are hundreds in our position too - we don't want to fly ahead of anyone - we really just want everyone to get through.
My point is, it just is not about our family and what we want in 'our baby' - it's about these kids that just need families.
Thanks for reading! Thanks for praying!! (good thoughts & happy hippie vibes also accepted)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
President signed a law......
OK - so remember way back in the day when we were saying there was gonna be a vote at some point that may or may not change adoptions....
and remember how it kept getting pushed back. Finally we just stopped listening to all the updates, it's been going on for over a year & just didn't seem to be a priority to the country. We were thinking it was very likely at this point we would just skate through before anything even happened.
*sigh*
Vote signed - new laws will go into affect on June 12th.
While we will likely travel before June 12th there is little reason to think our adoption would be finalized before June 12th.
#FAIL
There is lots up in the air. Lots of questions we don't have answers to. We just know the dept that has been handling adoptions in her country will no longer be valid on June 12th.
We know that the reason for this change is ultimately VERY good! There is no political upset to make us think that adoptions will end - it will likely make adoption easier in her country eventually.
We don't know if there is a new department already started or if it needs to be created - there are no published (authenticated) answers to those questions yet.
Those of us in the middle of the process though will likely take longer to get through.
Do you have questions?
Please don't ask me - I have no idea and it is just kind of annoying to hear them at this point. There are TONS of blogs speculating that really have no idea at all. We kinda just have to wait it out.
So what can we do?
Two things at this point.
Sit on our thumbs.
-or-
Pray.
We are too deep in the process to turn around now - we think to ourselves we just can't stop and not follow through.
Worst case scenario - we'll have to resubmit everything (with a boatload of more stuff I am sure)
Best case scenario - by the grace of God we get through everything somehow before June 12th. (again, highly unlikely and we still believe God is good if this is not the case....it just sure is the easier of the two options)
We got this insane news (officially) about 30 minutes ago. I am obviously just now processing it (hence the slight sarcasm) - expect a weepy freak out post to come.....
What is SUPER annoying - we sent our paperwork to apostille yesterday morning to Sacramento. We were told it will take 7 - 10 days to complete & then they'll send it back. We discussed Harry just driving to LA & sitting there all day to get it done in one day & then he could mail it Fed Ex. He had a client meeting that he easily could have missed if he really needed to, but it just seemed to be silly to go up just to save one week (if that - there was a possibility they would be too busy to take him that day)
'Oh don't do that Babe, gas is $4.10 a gallon - it's only a couple days, it won't make a huge difference.'
#FAIL
had we known we could have bought ourselves a week we totally would have....
Anyway - buckle up - the roller coaster just got real.
*It is important to note - thus far.....still SIGNIFICANTLY less drama than Silas' adoption.*
We ask for your prayers at this time - now more than ever that we can just smoothly sail through the process - that everything moves as quickly as it possibly can. We ask that everyone involved at the government level has the best interest of the kids at heart and just gets through whatever this transition is quickly! Even if we make it through, there are other kids and families slightly behind us in the process - this will affect people - we just pray that children do come home and quickly!
Please also keep 'Claire' in your prayers....it is just so very unfair for her to be so loved and still need to live in a baby house for even one more day.
Thank you for your prayers
Harry & Kate
and remember how it kept getting pushed back. Finally we just stopped listening to all the updates, it's been going on for over a year & just didn't seem to be a priority to the country. We were thinking it was very likely at this point we would just skate through before anything even happened.
*sigh*
Vote signed - new laws will go into affect on June 12th.
While we will likely travel before June 12th there is little reason to think our adoption would be finalized before June 12th.
#FAIL
There is lots up in the air. Lots of questions we don't have answers to. We just know the dept that has been handling adoptions in her country will no longer be valid on June 12th.
We know that the reason for this change is ultimately VERY good! There is no political upset to make us think that adoptions will end - it will likely make adoption easier in her country eventually.
We don't know if there is a new department already started or if it needs to be created - there are no published (authenticated) answers to those questions yet.
Those of us in the middle of the process though will likely take longer to get through.
Do you have questions?
Please don't ask me - I have no idea and it is just kind of annoying to hear them at this point. There are TONS of blogs speculating that really have no idea at all. We kinda just have to wait it out.
So what can we do?
Two things at this point.
Sit on our thumbs.
-or-
Pray.
We are too deep in the process to turn around now - we think to ourselves we just can't stop and not follow through.
Worst case scenario - we'll have to resubmit everything (with a boatload of more stuff I am sure)
Best case scenario - by the grace of God we get through everything somehow before June 12th. (again, highly unlikely and we still believe God is good if this is not the case....it just sure is the easier of the two options)
We got this insane news (officially) about 30 minutes ago. I am obviously just now processing it (hence the slight sarcasm) - expect a weepy freak out post to come.....
What is SUPER annoying - we sent our paperwork to apostille yesterday morning to Sacramento. We were told it will take 7 - 10 days to complete & then they'll send it back. We discussed Harry just driving to LA & sitting there all day to get it done in one day & then he could mail it Fed Ex. He had a client meeting that he easily could have missed if he really needed to, but it just seemed to be silly to go up just to save one week (if that - there was a possibility they would be too busy to take him that day)
'Oh don't do that Babe, gas is $4.10 a gallon - it's only a couple days, it won't make a huge difference.'
#FAIL
had we known we could have bought ourselves a week we totally would have....
Anyway - buckle up - the roller coaster just got real.
*It is important to note - thus far.....still SIGNIFICANTLY less drama than Silas' adoption.*
We ask for your prayers at this time - now more than ever that we can just smoothly sail through the process - that everything moves as quickly as it possibly can. We ask that everyone involved at the government level has the best interest of the kids at heart and just gets through whatever this transition is quickly! Even if we make it through, there are other kids and families slightly behind us in the process - this will affect people - we just pray that children do come home and quickly!
Please also keep 'Claire' in your prayers....it is just so very unfair for her to be so loved and still need to live in a baby house for even one more day.
Thank you for your prayers
Harry & Kate
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
'...everything looks great, please send to apostille.'
So right now it is morning in Claire's country and we got the email we have been waiting for all day (well for a couple days really)
Basically - 'everything looks great, please send to apostille'
Best thing we've heard in a while. We will be sending everything tomorrow morning.
*yay*
One step closer!!!
Basically - 'everything looks great, please send to apostille'
Best thing we've heard in a while. We will be sending everything tomorrow morning.
*yay*
One step closer!!!
spoke too soon
so there were a couple pieces that had to be redone and a completely new piece we had never heard of before that needed to be in our dossier. *sigh*
so it still has not left yet - it hasn't even gone to the state to be apostilled yet. *sigh*
*taps foot impatiently*
ACTUALLY I really can't complain - had we sent our dossier already this new paper we got only a few days ago as we were waiting approval for the last (last, last) change on a couple others) we would have to resend this as well - sending it all together is MUCH better.
We are praying we get the 'all clear' to send our packet to Sacramento for apostille tonight - so hopefully we will be sending tomorrow.....
Hang on Claire - we are coming!!
so it still has not left yet - it hasn't even gone to the state to be apostilled yet. *sigh*
*taps foot impatiently*
ACTUALLY I really can't complain - had we sent our dossier already this new paper we got only a few days ago as we were waiting approval for the last (last, last) change on a couple others) we would have to resend this as well - sending it all together is MUCH better.
We are praying we get the 'all clear' to send our packet to Sacramento for apostille tonight - so hopefully we will be sending tomorrow.....
Hang on Claire - we are coming!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sending dossier for apostille tomorrow!!
Today (our daughter's bday) we got our I717 clearance - woot! We got this in the mail less than two weeks after getting them done! We were told 2 weeks - 3 months! Now if that isn't an answer to pray, I really don't know what is. For whatever the reason, we are VERY happy it happened so fast!
We have already had our coordinator over in Claire's country go through EVERY document with a fine toothed comb and she has assured us that everything is ready for apostille (basically - notary of the notary - done at the state level).
We will send everything for apostille tomorrow! We have been told it takes up to 10 days for our apostilled paperwork to come back. (but we seem to have been kissed by the 'paperwork gets done faster' fairy - so that is what we are hoping for here). We then send the whole precious paperwork packet - our 'Dossier' to her country - basically everything her country has asked to see - proving we are fit to parent her and specifically requesting to adopt her.
Up until the paperwork gets to her we still have no legal ties to her. On the very slight chance she is adopted by someone else we would then go to her country as a 'blind referral' - meaning we would essentially pick a child there. Our prayer is that this is our little girl - but we firmly believe God does not make mistakes!
We should have travel dates VERY soon at this point! Please keep all this precious paperwork in your prayers and also 'our' Claire - we are SO close!!
Kate
We have already had our coordinator over in Claire's country go through EVERY document with a fine toothed comb and she has assured us that everything is ready for apostille (basically - notary of the notary - done at the state level).
We will send everything for apostille tomorrow! We have been told it takes up to 10 days for our apostilled paperwork to come back. (but we seem to have been kissed by the 'paperwork gets done faster' fairy - so that is what we are hoping for here). We then send the whole precious paperwork packet - our 'Dossier' to her country - basically everything her country has asked to see - proving we are fit to parent her and specifically requesting to adopt her.
Up until the paperwork gets to her we still have no legal ties to her. On the very slight chance she is adopted by someone else we would then go to her country as a 'blind referral' - meaning we would essentially pick a child there. Our prayer is that this is our little girl - but we firmly believe God does not make mistakes!
We should have travel dates VERY soon at this point! Please keep all this precious paperwork in your prayers and also 'our' Claire - we are SO close!!
Kate
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Check out these sweet businesses!!
All the following businesses donated to our fundraiser - we also had several private donations as well. We were so thankful for these businesses - it would not have been as successful without them.
I hope you will check out the list & keep these businesses in mind if you are ever in need of any of their services!
Famulare Jewelers by the Sea
Linda's Yogurt
Carlsbad Inn
Grand Pacific Palisades
Daily News Cafe
Legoland CA
Coyote Bar & Grill
Kidsville Playtown
Thank you so much for helping us bring our little girl home without the financial worry!
I hope you will check out the list & keep these businesses in mind if you are ever in need of any of their services!
Famulare Jewelers by the Sea
Linda's Yogurt
Carlsbad Inn
Grand Pacific Palisades
Daily News Cafe
Legoland CA
Coyote Bar & Grill
Kidsville Playtown
Party Lite
Stampin' It Up
My most sincere apology if I missed a business! I think I got them all but there were so many!
Thank you so much for helping us bring our little girl home without the financial worry!
We are so blessed!
Kate
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sorry for the lack of posts! Things are super good!
Ok - so I know I haven't checked in yet - don't worry - things are AWESOME!
We had a GREAT fundraiser (that I promise to write more about later) - we seem to be FULLY FUNDED - YAY!!!
Our friends (and even strangers) were so generous to come out and support us - I will post a list shortly with all the cool businesses around town (and on the web) who donated to help make it a HUGE success!
They raised $6000 exactly! Now we are just crossing our fingers that plane tickets stay where they are and don't jump any before we travel. Travel is really the only expense that could change, so we just pray it doesn't go up much, even if it does we are SO CLOSE!
If you were looking to donate to a worth cause I hope you will check out 'Matthew' - we have friends who are SERIOUSLY considering him! They have already committed to another child and have been told they can legally adopt both - the cost to adopt both is significantly less than adopting them seperately (mainly b/c of travel) - but it is still the only barrier for this family - I hope you will consider donating to his fund - even just a few dollars collectively can make an awesome impact in this little guy's chances of a family who already loves him!
Also - we got word that our fingerprint approval is done and we should have it to send to apostille early next week! It will take about a week to get ALL our paperwork back from appostille - once we have this it is ready to FedEx half way around the world to ask legally to adopt 'our' Claire!!!
Things should move pretty quickly once paperwork is in her country. We know that she has been released for International adoption, so it is just a matter of time at this point.
Please keep her in your prayers and also our family as we are just feeling very antsy at this point. We look forward to sharing travel info soon!!
Kate
We had a GREAT fundraiser (that I promise to write more about later) - we seem to be FULLY FUNDED - YAY!!!
Our friends (and even strangers) were so generous to come out and support us - I will post a list shortly with all the cool businesses around town (and on the web) who donated to help make it a HUGE success!
They raised $6000 exactly! Now we are just crossing our fingers that plane tickets stay where they are and don't jump any before we travel. Travel is really the only expense that could change, so we just pray it doesn't go up much, even if it does we are SO CLOSE!
If you were looking to donate to a worth cause I hope you will check out 'Matthew' - we have friends who are SERIOUSLY considering him! They have already committed to another child and have been told they can legally adopt both - the cost to adopt both is significantly less than adopting them seperately (mainly b/c of travel) - but it is still the only barrier for this family - I hope you will consider donating to his fund - even just a few dollars collectively can make an awesome impact in this little guy's chances of a family who already loves him!
Also - we got word that our fingerprint approval is done and we should have it to send to apostille early next week! It will take about a week to get ALL our paperwork back from appostille - once we have this it is ready to FedEx half way around the world to ask legally to adopt 'our' Claire!!!
Things should move pretty quickly once paperwork is in her country. We know that she has been released for International adoption, so it is just a matter of time at this point.
Please keep her in your prayers and also our family as we are just feeling very antsy at this point. We look forward to sharing travel info soon!!
Kate
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