Charity: Water

Happy Referral Day Robbin!!!!

Vaccination Part 1

Today I received my first series of shots. I decided to take the shots in phases instead of all at once. I had three shots today, yellow fever and hep A/ B. I will return in 30 days for the second series of hep A/B and I will also get tetanus and meningitis. In six months I’ll get the final injections for Hepatitis and also polio and typhoid. For those of you who have already traveled or in the process of planning your travel to Ethiopia, please advise if I have missed anything.

Waiting

Average wait time for a referral for age 0-12 months is 8 months. Average wait time to travel once the referral is accepted is approximately 3-6 months. What does that mean? I’m still waiting……but I’m good.

Three Months

It’s been three months since we were officially placed on the wait list. So far the wait hasn’t been bad. I’m trying not to focus on the adoption as much in hopes it will speed up the wait in my mind. Now, if only I can stay out of the stores. I told my husband that I wouldn’t buy more than 10 outfits in each size 12 - 18 months. Well, I’ve exceeded that.

I had to laugh at myself and you would have too if you heard my reasons for buying five more outfits. My husband is great but he doesn’t think it’s a good idea to buy clothes until we get a referral. Have you ever heard of such nonsense, who can wait that long. Joking aside, he’s probably right but baby shopping is therapeutic for me.

There are approximately 30 families ahead of us on the unofficial wait list. I’m still hopeful that we will be matched with our son by July and have him in our arms by Christmas 2009.

Haregewoin Teferra

There is no me without you is a wonderful book written by Melissa Faye Greene. In the book, Greene depicts the struggle and achievement of Haregewoin Teferra in her quest to save the lives of African children. I have just read on Melissa Faye Greene’s blog that Haregewoin Teferra who gave unselfishly of herself to save the lives of many orphan and abandoned children passed away today. If you have not read this book I strongly encourage you to read it.

My Favorite Adoption Video

Speechless

Steelers Nation Baby!

One

Today marks one month of waiting for a referral. Our agency is averaging 4-5 referrals a month; at that rate we wouldn’t receive a referral until close to the end of the year. The wait time for a court date, as well as the number of court attempts to pass court have increased. I remain optimistic that we will bring our son home before the end of the year.

We’re Pregnant

That’s right we’re pregnant on paper!!!!!! Today marks our first official day on the wait list. Hopefully we will have Jordan in our arms within the next nine months. What a wonderful Christmas present.

It has arrived!!!

Yesterday I asked God to delivery our I-171H, immigrations approval in our mailbox today. Today before going to check the mail I told myself the approval would be in the mailbox and sure enough it was. God is good and he answers prayers. I thank him, I thank him, and I thank him. I know we will get the baby that God has selected for us. This entire process has been God’s work.

Today is my birthday!!!!

I hoped to be on the waitlist by today but that didn’t happen, maybe we’ll make the list by Christmas.

Frustrated

I have two more steps in the process before I’m officially on the wait list. I’ve been extremely frustrated with my agency for a couple of weeks now. Once I receive CIS approval my dossier will be complete. Oh yeah, I need my agency’s approval first!!!! My home study had been sitting on someone’s desk for almost two weeks. I previously inquired on three different occasions as to whether all my documents were received by my agency. I was assured that once my home study was approved it would be sent to immigrations and they had everything they needed. Today I get a reply to an e-mail that I sent over a week ago stating that a document that I originally mailed back in June and again two weeks ago had not been received and that was the hold up. The e-mail also advised that I could fax the form in. QUESTION #1 Why did it take 5 months and 3 inquiries from me, for someone to figure out that they didn’t have this piece of paper? QUESTION #2 Why was I advised two weeks ago that I had to send the original copy, when a fax copy was acceptable. QUESTIONS #3, Why didn’t this incompetent person include the fax number in the e-mail. I think she's full of it, but at this point what can I do, I’m at their mercy.

Guest Book

Today is a Special Day

20 years ago today I gave birth to a magnificent child.

Alex for all the times my days were stressed and things seemed rushed
For all the times you grew up a little faster because I couldn’t always be there
For all the times I thought I was listening but didn’t hear you
For all the times I had to say no and you didn’t understand
For all the times you saw me frustrated and impatient

I have cried inside again and again because what you didn’t see were…

All the times I laughed and bragged about your intelligence, ingenuity and beauty
All the times I was amazed at how perfect you were as I watched you sleep
All the times I noticed how fast you were changing into a wonderful person
All the times I sat with a lump in my throat holding back tears of pride
All the times you inspired me to be a better me

For all the times past and to come no one will ever take your place in my heart

Love Mom

Pam & President Elect Obama

This is a picture of my cousin Pamela and President Obama. The pic was taken during a campaign stop in Fayetteville a few weeks ago. My dear cousin was one of the selected volunteers who was afforded the opportunity to drive in the motorcade. If you know Pam you have already received an 8x10 framed color copy of this photo. And for those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting her, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to send you an autographed (her autograph) copy.