Biometrics Appointment

Well, my mailbox stocking paid off, today we received our fingerprint appointments in the mail from the USCIS. Although I cannot lie, I was a little disappointed at the fact that they aren't scheduled until May 24th. This means we will not get our approval in 30 days like we were hoping. We are praying however that we get our approval shortly after our fingerprints are done so we do not have to re-date our doctors letters again.

Newest Obsession

I sadly have to admit that checking my mail everyday and watching out the window for our mail man has become an obsession. My kids really enjoy this obsession, because this means that mommy takes them for a walk every day (rain or shine) in the wagon. Which by the way, I forgot what a good work out it was to pull a wagon.

Why this new obsession? Well I'm waiting on word from the USCIS (U.S. Immigration) of course. Yesterday we received our receipt from them pretty much saying our case has been opened, and now any day we should receive our finger print appointments.

So, until I get that appointment notice and our approval, I will religiously check my mail, get in shape while doing so (our mail box is a block away), and cause my neighbors to think that I am very dedicated when it comes to getting my mail.

Fundraising

Up to this point, we haven't really addressed the money aspect of our adoption, but we have had many people ask how they can help, so we felt it was time to address the topic.  This adoption is going to cost us somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000 (depending of the time of year, travel costs fluctuate).  I think many people assume you have that kind of money if you are choosing to adopt.  Unfortunately we do not have money like that laying around at all, not even in 401k's.  God has led us on this journey and we are trusting God to provide the money needed.  So far, God has literally provided every penny we needed, and definitely in unexpected ways.  Its amazing to watch God's hand in this whole process.  Listed below are some ways you can help:

1. Please pray for us, that God prepares each of us for the new additions to this family and how to effectively care for them.  Pray for the people who are doing the paperwork in Rwanda, especially our P.O.A.  Pray for patience as we wait and that we trust God's perfect timing.

2. If you feel called to donate money to help support our adoption and share in this journey with us, you may do so by clicking on the chip-in tab to the right of this blog.

3.  We will be having a fund-raising garage-sale and bake-sale at our house on June 4th and 5th (Friday & Saturday Morning).  All the proceeds will go to our adoption.  To help, you can donate items or baked goods to sell and help us raise money.  You can also just come and check it out and invite your friends.  For more details about the garage sale, or if you are interested in donating items, please email me: themahoney4@hotmail.com

4.  Coming Soon:  We will be selling flower hair bows and headbands on this blog to help raise money for our adoption.  So keep watching!

Reality

My heart is heavy today for those families who have been waiting for their children for such a long time now.  Please pray for the staff in Rwanda as well as all the families in the adoption process.  As time goes on, this process gets longer and longer.  I ache for those families who long to hold their children, and for those children that need mommies and daddies.  God has perfect timing for each of these children to come home, but He can also move mountains.

Progress

Our home study was approved by the state in record time, literally.  It's supposed to take about a week.  They were mailed our home study on Thursday, and our agency received the approval today!  Wow, God is so good!

Now our papers are  off to the USCIS for approval.  What does this mean exactly?  Well, I'm glad you asked.  The USCIS is the U.S. immigration office.  They now have to approve our adoption.  In other words, we need their permission to bring 2 more children into the country.

Finally

Yay!  Today has been a very exciting day.  1st, the FBI finally did Luke's background check correctly.  Yay!  If you can't tell, I'm completely ecstatic about this!  Now our home study is on its way to be approved by the state.  This just makes us that much closer to Rwanda.

2nd, another family adopting from Rwanda received their referral today.  Yay!  I am so excited for them!

Rough Pregnancy

After having our baby boy, I said I didn't want to be pregnant again (when I said this, I meant physically).  But this paper pregnancy has already proven to be so much harder than each pregnancy and loss I've been through.  We have been in this process for only 4 1/2 months, and it has already been quite the emotional ride.  Don't get me wrong, we are so blessed to going through this, but it isn't easy, and God definitely continues to teach us so much through this process.  Not to mention, we were hoping to get our babies early in 2011, but at the rate things are going in Rwanda right now, it will probably be in the spring of 2011.  God's timing is so perfect, and I know this, but a mother's heart longs for her children to be home, where they belong.

An update from my last post:  Our case worker called yesterday and said the FBI did L's background checks wrong again (yes, this is the 2nd time).  Thankfully our agency is not okay with this and they are doing everything they can to get it corrected this week.  I guess we'll just wait and see, it's in God's hands.  And I'm a little concerned as to how the FBI can be protecting us if they can't even do a background check correctly.

Why I No Longer Trust the FBI:

They have now officially done L's background check wrong twice now!!!