I'm still waiting on the Judge but living vicariously through others as they post their challenges and triumphs around the world. Maria, I am so thrilled for you and your 'boys' I check your post every day to see the beautiful pictures and thoughts that are so inspiring. I am still new at this so putting my 'day' online is a little wierd for me. The blogs I've been reading so far are for families adopting from Kyrgyz so I am hearing alot about the process and tips. If anyone out there is adopting from Guatemala I would love to hear from you! I am still trying to decide.
I suppose I will share what else is going on. Its getting hot in Phoenix, the triple digits are not far now. The funny thing everyone says is 'It may be 115 but, its a DRY heat.' I will concede that it is a different kind of heat (I hate humidity) but, people--I'TS STILL 115! So what do we do in Phoenix when it's 115? We stay inside. The patio, driveway, and sidewalks are too hot to walk on barefoot, the seatbelt (buckle) burns you when you put it on and the steering wheel is HOT. Living in Minnesota (I lived there too) we didnt go outside in the winter.. In Phoenix, we dont go out in the summer.
I have a funny story: I was visiting my best friend Lynn in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (I used to live there too) and we decided to go to the mall, for a nice pedicure. I was driving around the parking lot looking for a spot and finally found a great one. Lynn asked me 'Why are we parking so far away?.... I said 'cause there's shade here'.. In Phoenix we dont look for a spot close to the door. We look for a spot under a tree!
I'll sign off for now..
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Getting the hang of it
I have been playing with the settings and layout of this blog and have added a little more detail to the page.
A little bit to catch up. The Homestudy was sent to the Judge on May 17th now he matches the fingerprints up with the homestudy and gives approval to adopt. Just waiting now until the Judge approves my certification. P (my Social Worker) said that if we got the 'fast Judge' we would hear in a week, the slow one a couple of weeks... guess we got the slow one.
I think not actively doing something, gathering documents, making copies, filling out paperwork, getting things certified is a bit nervewracking. I want to keep moving forward and am trying to keep positive and understand that there are certainly things beyond my control. I am taking this time to decide which country to continue with.
I wish to thank ALL those who serve and protect our country this Memorial Day. Remember the significance of this holiday. It is to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate gift of their life so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. THANK YOU.
A little bit to catch up. The Homestudy was sent to the Judge on May 17th now he matches the fingerprints up with the homestudy and gives approval to adopt. Just waiting now until the Judge approves my certification. P (my Social Worker) said that if we got the 'fast Judge' we would hear in a week, the slow one a couple of weeks... guess we got the slow one.
I think not actively doing something, gathering documents, making copies, filling out paperwork, getting things certified is a bit nervewracking. I want to keep moving forward and am trying to keep positive and understand that there are certainly things beyond my control. I am taking this time to decide which country to continue with.
I wish to thank ALL those who serve and protect our country this Memorial Day. Remember the significance of this holiday. It is to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate gift of their life so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have. THANK YOU.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Which country?
I dont know if any of you out there had trouble deciding which country you were going to choose to make your family dreams a reality but, I am. Suprisingly enough, not all countries will allow single women to adopt. I have narrowed it down to 2 countries. Kyrgyzstan and Guatemala. The time to referral is probably going to be the biggest influence in my decision. I do believe, however, that the decision will be guided by my faith that there is a child out there who needs me as much as I need them. So I am putting two pictures on the blog and hoping for the best.
So first up: Kyrgyztan. I'd never heard of this little country before starting on this journey. My friends say 'you want to adopt from where?' The children are beautiful and the time to referral isnt as long as some other countries. I am sad that the children are in orphanages and the travel requirements are hard to manage for a 'to-be' single mother.
Guatemala is having all sorts of trouble and my agency isnt sure when things will settle down enough to get referrals going again. I have friends (J & J) that are in the midst of trying to finalize and adoption for their little girl. They are almost there! The children are beautiful and I am encouraged by the care the children are given while in the care of the foster families in Guatemala and lets face it- Guatemala is closer, revisits would be more manageable. Living in the southwest we have wonderfully diverse cultural events available and bilingual schools etc.
At this point I have not decided and am taking a couple of weeks to pray about it and search within to make the right decision.
So first up: Kyrgyztan. I'd never heard of this little country before starting on this journey. My friends say 'you want to adopt from where?' The children are beautiful and the time to referral isnt as long as some other countries. I am sad that the children are in orphanages and the travel requirements are hard to manage for a 'to-be' single mother.
Guatemala is having all sorts of trouble and my agency isnt sure when things will settle down enough to get referrals going again. I have friends (J & J) that are in the midst of trying to finalize and adoption for their little girl. They are almost there! The children are beautiful and I am encouraged by the care the children are given while in the care of the foster families in Guatemala and lets face it- Guatemala is closer, revisits would be more manageable. Living in the southwest we have wonderfully diverse cultural events available and bilingual schools etc.
At this point I have not decided and am taking a couple of weeks to pray about it and search within to make the right decision.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The rookie begins
Hello out there in bloggerland. This is my first post to my first blog. I dont know what took me so long to jump on this wagon but here I am, and I am going to give it a go.
A little bit about me to catch you up to speed:
I am a single woman in the great state of Arizona. I am starting the process of adopting a child internationally. Woo hoo. On January 1st 2008 I made a resolution that has been a long time coming. The first step was taken on my journey to motherhood. I contacted an agency in my home state and started the process.
Alot has been going on since the process started. In February 08 I got approval from the agency and started gathering the paperwork. Oh my, is there alot of paperwork. I was lucky that I already have my passport (Mexico is only 4 hrs away) so I didnt have start that process too. I am a transplant (like alot of Arizonans) so I had to get my birth certificate from Massachusetts. Next came the reference letters. I have to say a big THANK YOU to my awesome friends and family that said such wonderful things about me and got them certified and back to P. so quickly. She was very impressed.!! This support is why I love you. The fingerprints for the state are done and approved. The application has been approved by the agency. I had my first homestudy visit 4/4/08 and my second one on 4/25/08. My homestudy has been completed. My CPS approval is in the Judge's hands.
A little bit about me to catch you up to speed:
I am a single woman in the great state of Arizona. I am starting the process of adopting a child internationally. Woo hoo. On January 1st 2008 I made a resolution that has been a long time coming. The first step was taken on my journey to motherhood. I contacted an agency in my home state and started the process.
Alot has been going on since the process started. In February 08 I got approval from the agency and started gathering the paperwork. Oh my, is there alot of paperwork. I was lucky that I already have my passport (Mexico is only 4 hrs away) so I didnt have start that process too. I am a transplant (like alot of Arizonans) so I had to get my birth certificate from Massachusetts. Next came the reference letters. I have to say a big THANK YOU to my awesome friends and family that said such wonderful things about me and got them certified and back to P. so quickly. She was very impressed.!! This support is why I love you. The fingerprints for the state are done and approved. The application has been approved by the agency. I had my first homestudy visit 4/4/08 and my second one on 4/25/08. My homestudy has been completed. My CPS approval is in the Judge's hands.
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