We have LID

Our LID is 10.11.06. A little later than what we had anticipated. We were DTC 8/25/06.

I keep telling myself that there is a reason why mine was logged in later. I have to trust in God.

Today is Halloween and I was a ladybug. I'm going to my mom's house in a few minutes to go trick-or-treat with my 3 nieces.

I'll try to update better.

My Beagle, Annabelle (Annie)

This is my Beagle. She is our rescue dog. She is 5 years old and is the light of my life. She has been my joy through the sadness of infertility. People will often say I treat her like a baby. I carry her around and just kiss on her all the time.

She is kind and very sweet. I can't wait for her and Lauren to become great buds.

My Bassett Hound, Tinkberbelle

We have a bassett hound and a beagle. Our Bassett Hound is 8 years old next week. She is a stubborn rottten dog. She is a daddy's girl. Tink is not the best with strangers. We're going to have our work cut out for us when we bring Lauren home.

Brown Envelope

We received our Brown Envelope today!!!! So exciting!!!!!

Not sure what to do with it other than save it for Travel.

Still waiting for LID.

Yard Sale was a Success

Yard Sale was 10/7/06 at Sherry's mom's house. We had so many family & friends to donate.

Special thanks to Aunt Jenny, Aunt Anna, Aunt Kitty and Bro. Browning (mom's pastor's father)

Too many names to mention but we were so blessed by God. When DH was counting the money, I had cold chills. God is so good!!!!!

Hopefully things will settle down for us a little since the yard sale is over. However, my co-workers brought in yard sale items today for next year. I saved some baby clothes for Lauren.

Still working 2 jobs. Extremely tired but I hate the debt. We are still waiting for answers from 3 foundations that we applied for grants. Praying and believing that God will have his way for He knows our financial situation.

Our Homestudy lady is no longer with our agency. We were saddened to hear this. AND our family advocate Christa is no longer with AHH either. She has decided to follow her husband on his ministry. We wish her the best.

Still waiting for LID.

Furniture for Lauren

My cuz Cindy has given us her childhood bedroom furniture for Lauren. We have stored over at In-Laws until we can find room for it.

I was off work today.

Daddy went on an airplane ride with Gene. He had so much fun.

I worked tonight at C & B. I'm really tired.

God is so good!

Busy Week

I have picked up one more day at my 2nd job.

Still waiting for LID. May not know for a couple of months what it is.

We went to Aunt Jenni's tonight for ice cream social. It was fun. Trace was there and he is such fun. Erika and Emily were there as well. Chad had fun spinning the kids in the air.

I sold my first ebay item. Really confused on shipping, etc. but we'll see how it goes.

DTC

We are DTC 8/25/06. I received an email on 8/24/06 from our Family Advocate. She was so happy for us. I emailed our friends and family and advised them it could take 12, 18 or 24 months before we have a referral but to keep us in their prayers.

Everyone is very excited for us.

I'm back!

Well, Chad said he was going to make me a website and I could blog on that one. 3 weeks later and he's still working on it.

Still waiting on the Authentication/Certification. I've paid my dossier fee, etc.

Chad's car died and we had to buy Jerry's. Not very good timing. We need a financial miracle from God!

I had another yard sale on 8/5/06 and it went well. We'll have another one at Mom's end of September.

I've applied for 2 grants and I'm filling out the paperwork for another one. Getting stressed about the money.

Just waiting.........

Confusion with I-171H

Well, I thought AHH needed the original....WRONG! They only need the copy with a certified notarized form. Mom & Dad were on their way to Lexington when Christa told me to tell them to turn around and go back home. My mom met me in Crestwood and she gave me the form. I went to Fed-Ex and overnighted along with certified form (notarized by Michele at HUH).

I paid the extra $30 to expedite it. Just waiting to hear from AHH.

I'm getting our house ready for our neices. Should be fun!

We received our I71-H

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I had to work my 2nd job tonight. I got home at 9:30 and got our mail. My mom is going to take to AHH for me tomorrow.

I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight!!!!!!!

Officially waiting for I71H

We are officially waiting for our I-71H. Our homestudy was sent to CIS on July 5th. What a great feeling!

I've been sick today. I think it's my allergies......sore throat, cough, runny nose.............

I asked Janet at work to help me learn how to scrap book. She's going to help me one day during lunch.

Jerry is planning on coming home for the weekend. He'll arrive on Saturday morning and leaving Monday night.

Mailed Pictures & Passport copy

I went to Fed-ex at lunch and I mailed our candid photots and copy of our passports to AHH. I can officially say that I am done. Now it's up to the agency to do their thing.

I got off work today at 3:30. We're going to Barry's tonight for a cookout. Neither of us work tomorrow (4th of July).

I thank God so much for blessing us with the opportunity to adopt. God is so good!

Received Passports

I came home Wednedsay night (6/28) and went to maibox. Our passports have arrived!!!!!! Today is Sunday (7/1) and I am working on our pictures. This is the last thing on my checklist that I had to do. Tomorrow I will send to AHH along with copies of our passport. What a releif! Our agency handles the authenticating, etc. Our homestudy is completely done. The agency should be sending to CIS for us (hopefully this week).

Jerry Left

My brother has left to go to be stationed in Boston. He's very excited to get started on his new job. Some bad luck though......US Airways lost his luggage. He arrived in Boston on Thursday and it is Sunday and they still haven't delivered to him. We are all furious with US Airways.

I miss him already. We had a great time with Jerry during the 12 days he was home.

Home Study Draft

Well, I returned from our trip to Cape May. So proud of my little brother Jerry.

Kate emailed me the home study draft on Tuesday night. I reviewed and made simple corrections on Wednesday. Paid the remaining $800 for Home Study. Kate has emailed to her supervisor for approval.

Chad's car broke down. It's getting repaired next Friday. So we are out of a car until then.

Authentication

AHH called today and said we've done a tremendous job with getting all the paperwork. She is going to send our originals for authentication. I signed the form authorizing & paid online. My mother-in-law is going to fax tomorrow morning for me since I'm headed to Cape May, New Jersey!

I'll post when I return.

Mailed original dossier paperwork

During lunch, I overnighted the original dossier paperwork to AHH. Missing was my candid pictures and passport. I wanted to get the originals out of my hands and in to AHH's.

I'm busy packing tonight and getting things ready for my trip to NJ to see my brother graduate from Coast Guard.

Final Home Study

Friday, June 9th, the social worker came to my work for the final visit. Only lasted about 20 minutes. I gave her the remainder paperwork. The only paperwork we are waiting for is the guardianship form which our aunt tells us is "it's in the mail". Kate (social worker) will be emailing us the draft by the end of this week.

I can't wait to read. She wants us to look for typos, etc.....

June 10th was our adoption fundraiser yard sale. My Mom, Candy, Jannette, and Nannie donated items and it was a success. We had it at Aunt Sue's house.

Oh, Jerry is graduating from Coast Guard this Friday. I'm going up with Mom and Dad.

Update of 2nd & 3rd visit

On our way to meet our social worker, there was a wreck that stopped traffic on the interstate. We had to get off the interstate and go the back roads. It was pouring down rain and just a yucky daty. We met her at a Starbucks.

We ended up being an hour late. Everything went great. She talked to me for about and an hour 1/2 then she talked to Chad for about 40 minutes. We felt so bad about being late but it was out of our control.

I meet with the social worker again on Friday for our last interview. Only a few things to finish up this coming week. Physical form/one more reference letter/copy of 1040.

We received our criminal/police records in mail this week and all is good.

2nd & 3rd Homestudy

Tomorrow we go to Lexington to meet the social worker for our individual meetings. We're excited to get to the next step.

Test

This is my first post. Hope it works!