Update

I was so excited today to get an email with some additional information about Maria. The most incredible of which, her birthdate in the email was listed differently than before. Instead of Sept. 17, 2007 it said she was born on July 17, 2007- which is my birthday! Not sure which is true, but it would truly be amazing if we share the same birthdate. Here is the info I received about Maria:

Maria (17.07.2007)  Unfortunately they have no right to give official information without official application with the dossier, thus they cannot give the pictures. But they told me that she walks, runs, and has cosiderably good fine and gross motor skills, she helps to clean the tables, she understands the speech and fulfil instructions, he speach is not clear, but she tries to verbalize. She has had surgery at the heart due to inborn heart problem and thus she has deformaty at the chest bones. She is friendly and outgoing.

Very encouraging update- she seems to be in a place where she is receiving some good care- Praise God!

The dossier mentioned above is all of the official paperwork including approval by the social worker and US Immigration.

I finally found a psychologist who will work with us and he is a professor at my alma mater. However, his evaluations are $750 per person. That's $1500! So, I'm going to try to get him to give us a discount, but who knows!

Today is our last home study visit and then the social worker will be writing her report that will determine if we are suitable to be adoptive parents. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

All we have left to do:
Psychologist evaluations
FBI fingerprint/criminal history
Finish online adoption training
Get everything notarized and certified

Usborne Book Fundraiser

We will be selling Usborne books in an online bookstore from now until Nov. 24. 100% of proceeds will benefit our adoption!

I love Usborne books because of the beautiful color illustrations. My 4 year old son will open Time Traveler and sit and look at all the pictures. It reminds me of the Where's Waldo books, with lots of different activities happening in one scene.  They really help my children "travel in time" and get a picture of what life was like in different time periods.

Another favorite is See Inside Your Body. It has tons of flaps and talks about all that the body does... It is GREAT!

Visit our bookstore to browse all of the Usborne selections: www.ubah.com/HOS186347
(For homeschool subject books, click on "School Age" on the left side bar)

Or let me know if you're interested in earning free books by hosting your own book show to help raise funds for our adoption!

Getting things done

I have been super blessed this week by friends' words of encouragement.  We know we're obeying the Lord and we love being in that place of walking in faith- but it can be hard, let's admit.  I've seen how surprised, shocked, disappointed, ecstatic and happy people's reactions have been upon sharing our news with them. So when someone reminds me, "the Lord will provide, just like He always has", it is such an encouragement.  Or when someone says, "God's already got it all worked out" I am reminded that is my job to trust and obey and His job to work the miracles.

I've always been a busy person, but as we are in the "gathering" stage of our adoption process, it's a whole new level.  And yes, I'm a list person so here's my accomplishments this week:

Fingerprints
Doctor appts (all five of us)
Voted
Young Life Banquet- met Young Life Director for Russia
Down Syndrome Association Play Group- met families
Started 3 fundraisers- Usborne books, Premier Jewelry and Just Love Coffee
Tweaking and adding to my blog and facebook (I'm still learning)
LOTS of phone calls/emails
Soccer practice
Piano lesson
Birthday celebration
Picked up paperwork from the County for our short sale approval (still waiting to hear from lender)
Preparations for Orphan Sunday at church

And I did all of this with no voice- recovering from a cold!

What's left to do:
Psychological evaluations
Online adoption class
Reference letters
Certified Marriage/Birth Certificates
Notarizations of all docs
2nd homestudy visit
File immigration paperwork- I-600a