Micah Six Eight: Kori's Story

Micah Six Eight: Kori's Story: Sometimes adoption breaks a Mama's heart so badly that the words cannot come for a very long time.  Sometimes what is seen and experience...

Home study visit

I had my 3rd and hopefully (God willing!) last home study visit yesterday. The social worker was here for 3 hours. I think it went well. I really like the social worker. She worked in child protective services before and has adopted two children internationally as well, though not special needs. She has done many home studies. She is very laid back, easy to talk to, and does point out things to think about. I forgot about having to pay mileage but luckily she forgot her form so she's gonna have to bill me. Hopefully that will give me some more time before I have to pay her :) Neither of my checks have cleared yet, so I'm still not officially committed yet, though we are still on MFFM on Reece's Rainbow. I still consider her mine, but I don't want to post her name or picture until its official. I sent the supervision fee ($150) to AAC to supervise my home study. I have to take some educational classes, one of which I pay for ($50) after my home study is completed. I wish I could start taking the classes though. The next monetary needs have to do with sending the dossier to her country. I have to have $1500 (rest of the case management fee) and $2000 program fee/attorney fee (I think) to send with the dossier. In addition, I know there are a couple of more forms I need that will be about $50, everything has to be notarized, and the apostilled. I know it will work out but what I don't know is how long it will take. However, once her country gets the dossier, translates everything, and (God willing) approves it...I'll get my first travel date! Then I'll be able to see my girl. I've sent a letter to the Ministry at Vic's suggestion asking for any updated info or pics of her. Maybe we'll get something back. Her file only shows medical from 2005. Obviously she was seen somewhere else along the way b/c she ended up with hearing aids, which wasn't noted as a problem in 2005.

Speaking of money....Don't forget about the Nook giveaway. Tomorrow is the end of the giveaway! Please share with others!

My Family Found Me!

Last night my little girl was placed on the "My Family Found Me" page of Reece's Rainbow. I have checked RR at least twice daily for months now, so scared someone else would get my girl before I can. But no more!! She is mine (sort of). I wanted to post then but it didn't feel official until I got everything signed and mailed off. Today I read and signed the service agreement to About A Child and also sent the application, fee, and donation to Reece's Rainbow. It still doesn't feel official until both AAC and RR have her matched with me and I see the family name on the New Committments. But, I'm still so very excited. I'm not sure yet if I can share her nickname or not. I cannot share her real name or the country she is from. But I had thought mailing off so much money at one time and signing those documents would feel scary. But there was nothing but happiness and elation! She is so beautiful and so deserving. Right now I'm eager to get going with everything so I can hurry up and meet her. But I know from reading other people's blogs and their experiences that this is a hurry up and wait process with lots of financial unknowns. I have no idea where the money will come from. Half of the initial $3000 has been paid. The other half is due with another $2000 when my dossier is sent to her country. However, there will be fees for documents, notaries, and having everything apostilled (I'm sure I didn't spell that right) before I can even send the dossier. I'm not really sure what else is due from there.

Summer and I went to social services and had a meeting about the plan. She will not go to the parents but there are relatives that have to be assessed but will likely be able to have Summer. We got to visit with the relatives and Summer's mom. Summer is lucky to have family options that will allow her to have contact with her mom and sibling. Her mom loves her but cannot parent. I hate that I will have to say good bye to my little Summer but I'm glad for this family to be kept together. It was a very good visit.

Gratitude

I am trying to get everything in check to do the start up and committment for my little girl, hopefully this week! I'm so excited and eager to move forward. The agency is processing my application now. Please send your prayers that they move forward swiftly. I will have my next and hopefully last home study visit this weekend. I'm just trying to make sure I have everything that I was supposed to get together for that. We have a meeting scheduled for Thursday to talk about Summer's permanent plan. There are at least two relatives that want her. I have prayed about her future and even asked God to let her stay with me but that he would prepare my heart for whatever needs to happen. He has. I know it is in her best interest to be with her family. Now I pray it will come soon, for Summer's benefit. The transition will be easier but also the family is missing out on so many beautiful moments. Summer is so blessed to have family willing and able to give her a home. I will no doubt miss her (and cry) but I will be okay because God has done as I have asked. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to parent a newborn, watch her grow, and help nurture her. But I feel she is not mine to keep. I feel this as strongly as I know God has told me this little one in Eastern Europe is meant to be my daughter. So, I will continue to love Summer and enjoy all the blessings of her while she's here. Then I will lovingly send her to the home God has designated for her. I have been so blessed. This is the life of a foster parent. Thankfully God has prepared me for this all my life. I have always wanted to foster and adopt, as well as work in this field. I remember going to the library at school, searching for child welfare and learning what I could about it. I was drawn to TV shows, movies, books, etc about child abuse and child welfare. I always knew this is where I needed to be. He gave me parents that also tried to help others, especially my mom. If it wasn't for her staying to help with Summer a couple times a week, I don't know what condition I would be in now. I also know working in child protective services, being a clinical social worker, fostering, and the trainings involved with being a foster parent has prepared me to parent this little girl from EE and help her grow and develop into the person God would like her to be. Every day I am filled with so much gratitude for the things in my life. I would not be who I am without the opportunities, family, friends, coworkers, etc I have had throughout my life (yes, even the hard times). And I know God has been the orchestrator of all these things and for that I am most grateful. The more I place Him in the center of my life, the more I see and understand these blessings.

Great News!

I received information from the adoption agency today letting me know that to sign up with the agency, I only need $1500, not the entire $3000 upfront. She said the remainder $1500 is needed with the program fee/attorney retainer (which is $2000) when I send my dossier to her country. The person with the adoption agency said she was going to review my application today and once approved, I can fill out the service agreement, send my $1500, and I think it means I am committed to my little girl at that point!! So...I will likely be committing to her by her birthday!!

Just poppin' in!

Just wanted to pop in to let everyone know I haven't gone anywhere and am still working on things. I started a one-time assessment job yesterday and am very excited about the potential of future opportunities like this as well as the opportunity to raise extra money. My job doesn't have extra shifts or hours. If we work late, its just comp time. So, I'm glad to have this chance. I had considered a second job to help with the adoption. But then I got the newborn foster placement, which put a halt to that. I had a sandbucket of pennies donated and have been counting them out. So far its at $27 and there's probably another $10 or less in there. I'm out of coin rollers now. I'm looking into Avon fundraiser and trying to do some car washes. Anyone know how to organize those? I keep trying to stop worrying about the money and trust that God will help work these things out (such as with this new job opportunity). But its hard when it seems like $3000 is hard enough and I still have so much more to go. If I can get past this committment stage though, there are other fundraising opportunities, loans, grants, etc that I can look into. And some things are paid in smaller increments along the way.

On the newborn front, Summer is still getting up throughout the night to eat 3 times and then about once where she just isn't sleepy. But its getting better. She will be 3 weeks old tomorrow! It feels like she has been with me longer than that. Of course, I am already attached to her and would love to have her stay forever. But that is not for me to decide. She has family that I'm sure also would love her. I'm just praying that God will ensure the best happens for her, me, and my future daughter. He knows what is best for all of us. I am just thankful to have had this opportunity to parent a newborn and watch her grow. She is such a sweet baby.

Don't forget about the Nook giveaway! It ends on January 31st! Thanks to all that are able and willing to help out. Continue to pray that God will keep this little girl strong, keep me strong, and continue to remove the obstacles that may try to separate us!

PRAYING MY LITTLE GIRL'S PICTURE WILL BE INCLUDED NEXT YEAR!

196 CHILDREN ARE HOME NOW THANKS TO GOD, FAMILIES, REECE'S RAINBOW, AND SUPPORTERS! WHAT AN AMAZING MINISTRY!