tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16631495147556974902024-02-19T04:38:45.185-08:00For the Joy of JohnJoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-12736626299993036022013-03-14T16:15:00.002-07:002013-03-14T16:15:25.556-07:00Blog move<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please join us on our family blog at:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span id="goog_1762038121"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hemmes Family Happenings<span id="goog_1762038122"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find I forget to blog here as often as I should!</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those who just want the simple now and then updates I'll post our new stats here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We received a 36 day LOA on March 11th which is AMAZING!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sent in our I800 paperwork to Immigration today so things are moving fast which is a blessing.</span> JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-87187345475736533272013-02-19T06:11:00.003-08:002013-02-19T06:11:53.625-08:00UPDATE!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">First thing's first. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you SO very much whomever donated $100.00 to John's fund. I couldn't believe my eyes! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are now above the $1,000 mark!!!!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We will get there and John is so worth it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of John, here is his latest photo!!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4E_i91HDeJwjvTE91qOtokAqabzhXV57YyP6rlOvCGkAsBBQ2qWnKm1pZJgCBD_59VF_2X5cXcop4bhcbWkZvxN5kAEOEqWxtaxfs1Azd99R72cSaW9KfYF_us7zIx1Amj800uvWNXNe/s1600/JohnMarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4E_i91HDeJwjvTE91qOtokAqabzhXV57YyP6rlOvCGkAsBBQ2qWnKm1pZJgCBD_59VF_2X5cXcop4bhcbWkZvxN5kAEOEqWxtaxfs1Azd99R72cSaW9KfYF_us7zIx1Amj800uvWNXNe/s400/JohnMarch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I noticed right away that our sweet boy has a big scratch on his face.</span> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It also makes me very sad seeing him in a coat with pink/purple on it. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I know he is in an orphanage where all kids dress like this and I totally get that. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, he goes to school in one of the wealthiest provinces in China. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here is my son going to school where he already sticks out being a Little Person (Little People in orphanages almost never get to go to school in China) and then he has to go wearing a girls coat. </span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know I shouldn't feel that way but I do because he is my son and I want the best for him and to keep him from feeling like he is less than.</span> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span> </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were able to get 10 questions answered and while I am glad we have them I was hoping they would go over the questions with John but I can tell it is just someone who works there giving her answers to the questions as she believes. I really wish she could have spent a bit more time answering them as they are very short and to the point but I'll take it. :)</span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Does Hong
Jian know we are adopting him and will be there June/July to bring him home?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Yes.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. What is his favorite subject in school?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Chinese language. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. What is his favorite color so we may use it
in his bedroom?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Red. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. What things does he like and dislike to eat?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">He likes to eat QQ candy (it’s like jelly). He doesn’t like
milk. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. Does he speak any English?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">He can say hello. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Has he received our photo album and letter
about our family?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Yes. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7.Is he OK with us changing his name to John? If
not, what would he prefer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Yes. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Does he have anything he is afraid of?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">No, he is very brave. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Is he able to write/exchange letters with us
now or SKYPE on the computer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Sorry, it is not available. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. We wish for you to tell him how lucky we
feel that he is to be our son and that his brothers and sisters are all very
excited to meet him!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Thank
you, we have told him and he said he was very excited, too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11.
His updated measurements:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Height:
100cm; Weight: 20kg; Shoe size: 35.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</span></div>
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-81816243577961647692013-01-24T14:40:00.002-08:002013-01-24T14:40:17.367-08:00On it's way!<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3057602504638221650" itemprop="description articleBody">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6HjMteJ2frAQ3YEKkg6APIRxOmAlEw2EuI4ULoVlfpbPK768TE38JRvbAd62yb6AzZ1OREuk46FzZBz-kZuTx_L9RJwJkvIsaf0hWDUTK5FkVAhlLQgA2QEDclxEy2CC5yGRTQJ5L1E/s1600/letter_d.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_ajl46k="2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6HjMteJ2frAQ3YEKkg6APIRxOmAlEw2EuI4ULoVlfpbPK768TE38JRvbAd62yb6AzZ1OREuk46FzZBz-kZuTx_L9RJwJkvIsaf0hWDUTK5FkVAhlLQgA2QEDclxEy2CC5yGRTQJ5L1E/s1600/letter_d.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Dossier</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICDMi2wsCa1MpYI4GvHQnuLWwupRHBWuOHcJgy_Iya-PMEwqb9OZueX_FhViAOL3KRzlxTqqpxKwaMeUDDroz-Ou-NF0kDS-5Z06xP8L66nuDHNVML4_OOrXK4WOv5vpjebirRblxCpw/s1600/Letter+T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_ajl46k="3" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICDMi2wsCa1MpYI4GvHQnuLWwupRHBWuOHcJgy_Iya-PMEwqb9OZueX_FhViAOL3KRzlxTqqpxKwaMeUDDroz-Ou-NF0kDS-5Z06xP8L66nuDHNVML4_OOrXK4WOv5vpjebirRblxCpw/s200/Letter+T.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">To</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmrgG1YIfm0aPU83n8tqlxNVom_8xFUCfhrCVhPXBYhrdxqOMvoMvlDBm0L5rxXG_9nwQ2EDaNB-K4eU7QVObv7d98zG2HSSD6iakybH_jvW5TS1Cxn0HTk8c_Q-mY3IBS1sOMNXWZ_I/s1600/Letter+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_ajl46k="4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmrgG1YIfm0aPU83n8tqlxNVom_8xFUCfhrCVhPXBYhrdxqOMvoMvlDBm0L5rxXG_9nwQ2EDaNB-K4eU7QVObv7d98zG2HSSD6iakybH_jvW5TS1Cxn0HTk8c_Q-mY3IBS1sOMNXWZ_I/s1600/Letter+C.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Ch*na</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">That's
right! Today the last of our paperwork needed to send to China has left our
agency and is now on it's way to Ch*na to meet up with our original dossier.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">From
here the paperwork will need to be logged in, translated, reviewed and accepted.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">This
typically takes 1-3 months with the number right now being around 55 days for
approval. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">We are
SO thrilled that we are at this point in the process as every bit brings us
closer to bringing John home!</span></div>
</div>
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-34037912742898226232013-01-15T12:43:00.001-08:002013-01-15T12:43:38.067-08:00Do we know what we are doing?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While
we are still awaiting the fliers to announce our BIG fundraiser, ( it's been
rescheduled 3 times now and yes I know I promised to tell you by now and I will
just as soon as I can. Promise!) I will go on to our second most asked question
about our adoptions. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When
most people find out we are adopting they have questions. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How
much does it cost?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How
long does it take?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why a
boy from China, aren't they all girls needing homes there?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the
big one lately that has really thrown me for a loop, </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why
adopt a child with special needs?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've
had two people in the past week ask me if we<em> realize what we are doing
</em>adopting handicapped children. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">REALLY?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You
can't possibly be talking about my boys. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
looked up the word handicapped in the dictionary. </span><br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">hand·i·capped <span class="pg"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #0055bb; cursor: pointer;">adjective:</span></span></span><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"> </span></span></span><span id="hotword"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">physically</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">mentally</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">disabled.</span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have
to say whoever thinks our boys are disabled are sorely
mistaken!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While
Liam may not have two legs of equal length he is by no means disabled.
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And
John may have achondroplasia dwarfism but besides not being as tall as others
his age he can pretty much do anything you and I can do.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="me">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why
would we choose to adopt these two boys with special needs?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well to
us, their needs are what makes them special to us!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am
inspired daily by ALL of my children who ALL have needs that are different and
special than other children just in different variations. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="me">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have three
daughters who are 21, 17 and 13 and if you tell me they don't have a lot of
needs from us right now, you'd be wrong!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="me">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've
been <em>reminded</em> that it isn't the same as we are "older" and taking on
children with medical needs. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes.
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We
know. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We
CHOSE these boys for all they have to offer this world. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We
CHOSE them because they are wonderfully and perfectly made.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We
CHOSE them because they will be a gift to our family and to so many others whose
lives they touch. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="me">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
always welcome questions about our adoption. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
<span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I only
hope that by my answers, others may understand how these children are NOT a
burden to us and our family but a true GIFT.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="me">
<span></span> </div>
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-62663557811099203212013-01-09T10:44:00.003-08:002013-01-09T10:44:51.453-08:00APPROVED!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Whew!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">After
two, yes TWO RFE (Request For Evidence) we were finally approved today through
Immigration! </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">What's
next. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">I hope
to receive the approval in the mail on Friday. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">It then
needs to be copied, notarized, certified and then taken to the Secretary of
State for State Certification.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Once
that is done I will send that and the other two necessary documents (home study
and CCCWA letter) to a courier who will take them to the Chinese Consulate to be
Authenticated.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">After
this we send all of our paperwork to our agency who looks it over and will send
it to China!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">This is
big because we are reusing our dossier we only have until March 7th for these
documents to be logged into China. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Once we
are DTC (Dossier to China) it can take 1-4 weeks to be logged in.
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">I think
we can make it and I will remain hopeful!</span></span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-62283986967401684562013-01-05T12:57:00.000-08:002013-01-05T12:57:03.028-08:00John is loved!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am unable to know who is adding precious funds to John's account but I want you to know it means the world to us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every time I see the funds rise I want to tell John, "See how much you are loved!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are so many people that have been praying for John and truly helping us bring him home and I wish he could know that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have donated or prayed and want to make yourself known, please leave a comment below as I'd love to add you to MY prayer list!</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdlGHUXURF4uesmKdm70uVN5tsFFN-hW8uNh31IaHkXLzTuRh-bpi14x7x5OUmHp8hu105wP6mF49VkLy8V7EY06Pl1oCcMPpUkr1F5hBuxAudg4Cly49kE2H3PLAyN7YwJTmt2ALiZxP/s1600/JohnEating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdlGHUXURF4uesmKdm70uVN5tsFFN-hW8uNh31IaHkXLzTuRh-bpi14x7x5OUmHp8hu105wP6mF49VkLy8V7EY06Pl1oCcMPpUkr1F5hBuxAudg4Cly49kE2H3PLAyN7YwJTmt2ALiZxP/s400/JohnEating.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We should have the last bit of information Immigration needs to our Officer by Monday so we hope we are approved this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">From there I will rush around getting all the necessary papers notarized, certified and authenticated before they are sent to our agency to check over and send to China.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please pray that this next step is one without bumps as we have a deadline for reusing our Dossier and we don't want anything to keep us from our son one day longer than necessary.</span> JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-52660074857825916822013-01-03T05:11:00.004-08:002013-01-03T05:11:52.030-08:00Small setback<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well it seems that walking in for fingerprinting early didn't save us any time at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was worth a try!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our actual fingerprinting date was Dec 27th and that day came and went without an Immigration Officer for our case. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I called again yesterday and we had just been given an Officer who was looking over our paperwork. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately we got a RFE (request for evidence). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This will slow us down but not by much we hope!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our home study agency is working on fixing the error now and we will have the corrected paperwork to USCIS hopefully today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought a lot about John over the holidays and how next year he will be with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are so many firsts we can't wait to share with John. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Step number one is to get our boy home!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Thank you so very much for all your love and support. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">It truly means alot to know John has so many people that want him home as much as we do!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-44103195725553830602012-12-31T16:48:00.002-08:002012-12-31T16:48:29.935-08:00I was down and then I was up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today
was a good reminder for me to look around and not focus on what is
<strong>not</strong> happening in John's adoption but what <strong>is</strong>
happening. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have
been waiting for our Immigration approval so we can move onto the next step in
John's adoption which is getting the paperwork to the Secretary of State and
then onto the Consulate. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After
that we are DTC or Dossier to China!!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
called Immigration today since we walked in for our fingerprinting appointments
weeks early. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We even
went back in when my Mother's prints failed. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
27th was our actual appointment date but still we have no Officer assigned to us
to even look at our application. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I felt
a bit down thinking it is taking too long and my sweet boy is waiting and
waiting. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">However,
someone. Some dear sweet soul was also thinking of my little
boy!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was
checking the timeline of my Immigration paperwork when I scrolled through and
thought I saw the donation amount for John's fund have an 8 in it.
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No, it
had been at $568 for so long now. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
scrolled back up and I stared at the screen, blinking. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It read
$818.00!</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My eyes
didn't see much more for a few minutes as I became all weepy but I just want to
say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart whoever you are, John's special angel.</span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year from the Hemmes' with love!</span></div>
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-49437706848761916872012-12-16T06:19:00.001-08:002012-12-16T06:19:15.778-08:00Fingerprints ~ Check!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was surprised and thrilled to have received our fingerprinting appointment letter in the mail last Monday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The appointment date was for Dec 27th although once you are in the system you can walk-in if your particular office allows it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My family was all on board for this and we made plans to leave the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had heard the Atlanta office was good about this so I hoped for the best as we drove the two hours to their office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">DH was still in his military uniform as an extra incentive to let us fingerprint ahead of appointment as I had heard active duty military don't need an appointment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the end we walked right in and everyone there was so pleasant and helpful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were in and out in under 30 minutes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've since called USCIS to let them know we walked in early and let's hope this speeds things up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">With Christmas right around the corner I am wishing that our approval comes in time to have it sent to the Chinese Consulate before the week's break. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My timeline is not always His timeline so I know to be patient but always hopeful.</span> <br />
<br />
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-85211011471457238562012-12-07T14:37:00.002-08:002012-12-07T14:37:37.013-08:00Just sitting around waiting<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">These days we are just sitting around waiting on our fingerprinting appointment for Immigration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It should be within the next two weeks and then we will drive to Atlanta to be fingerprinted early. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes it speeds up the process and sometimes it doesn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We'll pray it does!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Since we are reusing our dossier we only have a few documents this time to be notarized, certified and authenticated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Our home study which I had to mail away to another county to be certified, our Letter of Commitment which is already done and then once our Immigration approval comes, a copy of that will need to be notarized and certified as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Then those 3 papers will need to be sent by courier to the Chinese Embassy to be authenticated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I am going to guess that all will take about a month, so just after the new year we should have all our paperwork ready to send to China to meet up with our dossier which is already there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I'll go into more detail as things happen but that's a quick version of where we are. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We still have our BIG fundraiser reveal but sadly I can't give out any more clues until our funds go up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just $20.00 will get you one more clue and $32.00 will reveal the entire secret!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">A teaser I will throw out there, the actual fundraiser will be on January 25th and it is going to be in the newspapers and t.v. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now don't you want to know more?</span><br />
<br />
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-13594791987638367492012-11-28T17:20:00.001-08:002012-11-28T17:20:04.595-08:00No news is good news I hope!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My paperwork was received at the Immigration office P.O Box on Saturday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We included the form that will notify us via Text and E-mail when the form is received by someone in the office. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">That has yet to happen and it's got me worried since that is what happened the last time I sent it in without proper postage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This time I sent it via Priority Mail so I know it has the correct postage, but maybe I forgot to include something???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I'll be driving myself crazy until I hear something!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also want to thank someone for my smile as I noted John's adoption fund rose by $15.00 today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">THANK YOU so much!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-44956570332631297542012-11-21T16:38:00.002-08:002012-11-21T16:38:43.196-08:00Clue and some news<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well the good news is that we are moving forward!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We finally received our notarized home study today and I turned around and sent it to Immigration for our I-800a approval.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The I-800a is an <em>Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country. </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This part of the process will take typically 30-80 days but we are going to walk in when we receive our fingerprinting appointments and we hope that will speed things up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I promised you another clue the other day, the LAST ONE until John's fund hits $500.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The final clue until the BIG announcement is........................................................................</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfOTP1sRk5Eg2VeZGjGdDVa4HL5VGCz2GI3zwCt3n6IrYmzY_gx1jkI02ZmQ8z3x-a0RCofquR57-Hx6xNbbn0ZeW5LOPtVlQX6oaCR2YHfxULmOtHdoIJi0d-mKNYwl4Jek48_AU75Kh/s1600/pirates-of-the-caribbean-ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfOTP1sRk5Eg2VeZGjGdDVa4HL5VGCz2GI3zwCt3n6IrYmzY_gx1jkI02ZmQ8z3x-a0RCofquR57-Hx6xNbbn0ZeW5LOPtVlQX6oaCR2YHfxULmOtHdoIJi0d-mKNYwl4Jek48_AU75Kh/s400/pirates-of-the-caribbean-ship.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-63603715301821225432012-11-12T18:22:00.002-08:002012-11-12T18:22:38.074-08:00Clues for you!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
get so excited when I see John's fund rise because it means you all are just as
happy and excited for him to come home as we are and that means A
LOT!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank
you SO very much for caring about John and our family. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today
was a rainy, dreary day here. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not
many of those since we moved here 4 short months ago. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The
kids were off of school for Veteran's Day so they enjoyed the extra time to
sleep in and play games. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have
a little boy who finally has outgrown his 18 month clothes so I spent most of
the day, taking photos, pricing and posting them on a Facebook virtual garage
sale. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's
great because the money I make for the clothing sold went to a bulk lot of 2T
clothing I bought on Ebay of gently used tops, bottoms and pajamas.
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Winter
wardrobe problem solved!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok ,
now for today's clues. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I apologize for the missing clue as I AM keeping track of all your heartfelt donations so there will be two clues today!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOAtvkZ8wJexqvhbXfX3bLhdZU5RY9QfOC-DxRqPCB2qHB-BmPSmEgohHnF7O5E9DV_Fn5OAeK3pEt7WTYIILzfZxEzw6dOf9MCxzn-9O9cFKIsSG_23GgbQyaMqYhnz3jt2fGWH3ZEF_/s1600/popcorn-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOAtvkZ8wJexqvhbXfX3bLhdZU5RY9QfOC-DxRqPCB2qHB-BmPSmEgohHnF7O5E9DV_Fn5OAeK3pEt7WTYIILzfZxEzw6dOf9MCxzn-9O9cFKIsSG_23GgbQyaMqYhnz3jt2fGWH3ZEF_/s1600/popcorn-movie.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs56EjCTZlbinnBczLR1unzUB1JmUYh-wsKfDV6m_VbW5ZsBtu0r3YxbfotbtFydwDkaNasIkOkhYxFqnimm4sF8sxvV0yvc8EzdlG2Y9SigbZuGKlllHUw3Wvsh0pwAWppw__kWN9tyX/s1600/large_spongebob-anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs56EjCTZlbinnBczLR1unzUB1JmUYh-wsKfDV6m_VbW5ZsBtu0r3YxbfotbtFydwDkaNasIkOkhYxFqnimm4sF8sxvV0yvc8EzdlG2Y9SigbZuGKlllHUw3Wvsh0pwAWppw__kWN9tyX/s320/large_spongebob-anniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since
yet another donation was made today there will be one more clue
tomorrow!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That
will be the last clue for awhile unless the fund jumps again. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love
it when that happens!</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-14695851855738766412012-11-08T18:05:00.005-08:002012-11-08T18:05:56.152-08:00Another clue and a sincere thank you!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
came online tonight to post the third clue and was so touched to see someone has
yet again donated to John's fund. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
sincerely THANK YOU, whoever you are. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We are not able to see who
donates to our fund so while I would normally send a thank you note, I apologize
for this non personal, yet heartfelt thank you!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Along
with tonight's clue I will share with you John's newest photos that we received
today!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you
remember me telling you we sent him a cake to celebrate that he now has a
family.</span></span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMMYRT7Dx_J9VxgQQMYZrR5s2wDGnve0gw9K_MTY2SbW3uje1Ne05K4TG0xjPVS4e46pohHkmcg1me1Bdf4fVv0Lwf8PCdaSrs5BV3wWg-qmweASUWRyn98PdTexPHkwHzRcZtk5pMD1Y/s1600/J1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMMYRT7Dx_J9VxgQQMYZrR5s2wDGnve0gw9K_MTY2SbW3uje1Ne05K4TG0xjPVS4e46pohHkmcg1me1Bdf4fVv0Lwf8PCdaSrs5BV3wWg-qmweASUWRyn98PdTexPHkwHzRcZtk5pMD1Y/s400/J1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrEF0YT5iEbtPWf3Ng4Yqm_0vcGCP6sIdL1RoeTQDBAH62McWxZu4FPw0bn0RDwHvkJW6RSCWLnONxqNESKdMO46Cp62BtsSPMJT7z8hzlmQSkJlzjL7JzH4m5PcLubRLmpVXNzSGps8_/s1600/J2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrEF0YT5iEbtPWf3Ng4Yqm_0vcGCP6sIdL1RoeTQDBAH62McWxZu4FPw0bn0RDwHvkJW6RSCWLnONxqNESKdMO46Cp62BtsSPMJT7z8hzlmQSkJlzjL7JzH4m5PcLubRLmpVXNzSGps8_/s400/J2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdlGHUXURF4uesmKdm70uVN5tsFFN-hW8uNh31IaHkXLzTuRh-bpi14x7x5OUmHp8hu105wP6mF49VkLy8V7EY06Pl1oCcMPpUkr1F5hBuxAudg4Cly49kE2H3PLAyN7YwJTmt2ALiZxP/s1600/JohnEating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdlGHUXURF4uesmKdm70uVN5tsFFN-hW8uNh31IaHkXLzTuRh-bpi14x7x5OUmHp8hu105wP6mF49VkLy8V7EY06Pl1oCcMPpUkr1F5hBuxAudg4Cly49kE2H3PLAyN7YwJTmt2ALiZxP/s400/JohnEating.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">His
smile is so precious in these photos and I hope that means he is thinking of us
as we are thinking of him. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ok, now
that you have had your dose of sweetness for tonight onto the clue!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Your next clue is...................<strong>many celebrities!!!!</strong></span></span></span><br />
<br />JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-79974032775431148962012-11-06T17:09:00.004-08:002012-11-06T17:09:42.578-08:00A clue! A clue! <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I
promised to give a clue to the BIG secret for every $25.00 that was donated to
John's adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
figured little by little I would give out clues as it would take awhile for that
to happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
evening however, John's adoption fund jumped by $100.00.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">WOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whoever
you are that donated, we appreciate you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">To
bring an orphan home is expensive and while it's our choice to do so, you have
decided it's important to you as well and for that we will be forever grateful.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok, to
make this extra suspenseful I will drop a clue one night for the next four
nights or as long as the $25 donations come in until it reaches
$500.00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If for
some reason tomorrow I were to awake and his fund was at $500.00 then as
promised I won't keep you in suspense any longer and I will tell the entire HUGE
secret. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">(No, it's not Steve from Blue's Clue's.
He's just here to help with the first clue)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY9E7Sup9ZKcAAwN_RL2vxh6_9oc7rbQPDy5ngTEescS7bsDLelmRPJ0YoKcn12iczIfrbsTXH4gHlQdkAKrD2UPKxpDNCLftz2LidyXYX5MOTfpueo-yv3AJ3jvWrU33pJ5qDS9KPawU/s1600/Steve_the_First_Clue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY9E7Sup9ZKcAAwN_RL2vxh6_9oc7rbQPDy5ngTEescS7bsDLelmRPJ0YoKcn12iczIfrbsTXH4gHlQdkAKrD2UPKxpDNCLftz2LidyXYX5MOTfpueo-yv3AJ3jvWrU33pJ5qDS9KPawU/s400/Steve_the_First_Clue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonight's
clue about John's adoption is ......... <strong>International Movie
Star!</strong></span></span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-83587959354373713182012-11-03T12:02:00.003-07:002012-11-03T12:02:39.883-07:00Moving along and a surprise!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday we received the draft of our home study. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">With only a few little fixes we gave it the OK and it is now at our adoption placing agency for their review. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once they give their approval then it goes to the director of our home study agency to approve, sign and notarize and then it's done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">From there we take the home study and have state certified and then Chinese authenticated for our dossier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have one more step before we can send our dossier which is the I800a ~ Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This brings me to the earlier slip up on my part. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was trying to get an extension of our last I800a from our March adoption which would have saved us time and money right now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, since I didn't put the required postage on the letter we now have to start from scratch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please, please pray that it doesn't take the 3 months time that it has been taking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We truly need to get things moving along in order to make our deadline for the dossier reuse. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have a BIG, BIG surprise coming up that I will tell you all about regarding John's adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This surprise will be as big a shock to you as it was to us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Want to know more?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For each $25 that is donated towards John's adoption fund I will reveal a clue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once his fund gets to $500 I will give you all the exciting details!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-57163526196814396632012-10-31T12:03:00.000-07:002012-10-31T12:03:00.698-07:004th and final home study visit and a hiccup<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last night was our fourth and final home study visit. Yay!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this visit our Social worker came in and asked us if we had any questions for her which our only question was when will the home study be ready?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">She told us to expect the rough draft to look over on Friday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were asked a few final easy peasy questions about our insurance and how the military works and then we were done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was the nice part of the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The hiccup occurred due to my error which really makes my upset. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sent off our I800a Immigration paperwork first extension supp 3 on the 17th. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It had a due date of the 28th. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday on the 30th it came back to me lacking 45 cents postage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't believe it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">They received it on time but refused to pay the 45 cents which is their right and it was too late to come back to me by the time it came two days after the deadline. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I immediately called USCIS but they said there is absolutely nothing they can do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">A deadline is a deadline and they can not bend the rules. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I even spoke to the supervisor after my Officer transferred me after I began sobbing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am just so mad at myself for not adding enough postage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The post office has a machine which I weighed it on and entered the zip code and it spit out the needed postage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, a friend just let me know the reason why is that I put it in an 8X10 envelope to avoid folding which always requires more postage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good to know. Now that I messed that up big time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This means we now have to pay the $720 Immigration fee plus $85 X 4 for our fingerprints now instead of when we receive our LOA in about 5 months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">That $1,060 will be due here in a few weeks and I have no idea where it will come from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's always something with adoption but this mess up was my fault and I feel just terrible. :(</span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-19315751622626301642012-10-29T06:12:00.000-07:002012-10-29T06:12:06.944-07:003rd home study visit and update!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday was our 3rd of 4 home study visits for John's adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this visit the social worker went over all of our paperwork necessary for an international adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Certified copies of all of our birth certificates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Certified copy of your marriage certificate </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Verification of employment on company letterhead</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Income verification (usually copies of your federal tax returns for the last three years)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proof of life insurance, including the names of beneficiaries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Proof of health insurance; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Verification of all monetary assets on institution letterhead (including checking account, savings account, 401k balance, stocks, money market accounts, mutual funds, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Debt information (balances on your credit cards, cars, house, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mortgage or rent information (amount of monthly payment and amount of equity you have if you own your home). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Results of a recent physical exam's for everyone in the home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Results of a criminal background check for everyone over 18 in the home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fire safety inspection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letter from your veterinarian stating that all your pets are healthy and current on their vaccinations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Photographs of you, your spouse, and any children already living in your home </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Photographs of the front, back, and inside of your home </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Copy of any previous home study (if applicable)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">8 notarized written references</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you can see we are glad to be almost done with this part of the process as it's a lot of work!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this visit the social worker came into the dinning room only our home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">She interviewed our children, asking them how they felt about having another brother and how general chit chat to get to know them better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since my parents live with us she also interviewed them asking more or less the same questions but with more time spent on their health issues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We hope our 4th and final visit will be either Tuesday or Thursday of this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then our social worker will write up the home study including all the information in the letters and interviews. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">When that is done she will send a copy to us, our adoption agency and the home study office to make sure it's all correct. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally when we have all ok'd the home study it will be notarized and we will receive copies as well as one to send to USCIS (Immigration) for our I800a authorization to bring an child into the county. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This can take up to 3 months for the USCIS to be approved so we are trying to hurry things through to meet our dossier reuse deadline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last week we were lucky enough to receive an update on John. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The director said the following;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>"John" is going to school, in first grade now. He is a smart boy. His
personality is outgoing. He is healthy and happy. They just hope you are
able to come get him soon. They appreciate you adopt him. The orphanage
has staff takes him to school and help him with school work after
school.</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were SO happy to get the update and know he is doing so well!</span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-20054549819960138462012-10-24T16:51:00.002-07:002012-10-24T16:52:49.571-07:002 down, 2 to go!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have finished our second of four home study visits for John's adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Sunday our social worker came over and sat at our dinning room table and conducted our personal interviews. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also went over the financial statement since we wrote it up wrong last time not including any assets and had our income listed with the amount after taxes instead of before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It looks much better now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those of you who are curious about the home study portion (I know we were) our social worker didn't go any farther than the dinning room table for this visit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For our next visit she will interview the rest of the family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This interview was supposed to be tomorrow and I was very excited she was speeding things along for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, we are still awaiting my husband's birth certificate that is taking FOREVER and the agency won't agree to any more visits until that arrives which should be in TWO WEEKS. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My advice is as soon as you know you are going to adopt, order those certified copies of your birth certificates. I would hate for anyone else to be held up in the process like we are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I heard that yesterday I was upset and sad and I didn't want to be in that place in my mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">SO, I did something positive and sent John his first care package. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have sent a message to the orphanage through our agency, asking if John knows he is being adopted but they never answered. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This package could be a very big surprise for him then if he doesn't already know!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In it we have a letter translated into Chinese tell him all about us and our life and how very much we want him for our son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also included photos of us and our home and his room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just for an added touch of love we included money for the orphanage to buy him a celebratory cake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">He has seen many of his friends receive cakes for their birthdays that their adoptive families have bought for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">NOW he is getting his own cake to celebrate not only his birthday we missed in August but the fact that he has a family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One last bit of positive news is our adoption fund. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you notice that to the right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is now almost $300!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we have a long way to go it is such a gift to know people truly care about helping us bring John home and into our family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">THANK YOU!</span>JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-1010306420373398732012-10-14T19:11:00.001-07:002012-10-14T19:11:23.705-07:001st Home Study Visit<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today was our first home study visit for John. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were familiar with the social worker because she had just been here to do our 6 month post adoption report on our son we brought home from Ch*na in March of this year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">She arrived on time and stayed just shy of an hour and a half. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those of you that wonder what a home study visit is like I can tell you how ours went. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The visit consisted of her taking notes on our views of family and discipline. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went over finances and made sure there was no criminal history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The tour of the house was quick. She looked for smoke detectors, made sure we had fire extinguishers, medicines out of reach and cleaners locked up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to keep a tidy house, ok I am somewhat anal about cleaning but even if I we not she only peeked in rooms and did no looking in closets, under beds and never saw the underneath of my sparkly clean toilet seat. (Ha!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So while it makes you feel better to have your home spotless, it isn't really going to matter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's going to matter is that you have a safe home with room enough for your newest family member. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would like to say that after her visit next Sunday she will be done and ready to write up the report. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, we are thinking it will be a 4 visit home study which is different from our previous home study in another state. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are hoping and praying to reuse our dossier from our last adoption but that has a timeline and we are pushing the limit to get this done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please keep us in your prayers that we can accomplish this and keep on our timeline to bring John home early summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We received an e-mail from a mom that visited John in his orphanage and while she said he is healthy and being cared for he needs to come home soon so if you could please pray for John we would appreciate that.</span> <br />
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JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1663149514755697490.post-80583391280671565872012-10-09T12:13:00.002-07:002012-10-09T12:43:34.414-07:00The announcement!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is with great joy we announce that we are adopting again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">He will join our family with three older sisters, one older and one younger brother. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">John is currently living in Ch*na and has just had his 7th birthday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are told he is very smart and is in school now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">John is special in that he was born with one of the 200 types of dwarfism call Achondroplasia. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">To learn more about dwarfism, click </span><a href="http://www.understandingdwarfism.com/html/home.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> for the </span><a href="http://www.understandingdwarfism.com/html/home.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Understanding Dwarfism</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> site. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The road to international adoption is a long one with seemingly endless amounts of paperwork to chase down, sign, notarize, authenticate, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, it can't be that bad as we are doing it AGAIN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right now we are at the home study part of the adoption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This means that our backgrounds are being checked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our finances are being checked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Job and insurance status, Check!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Home and family life, semi-normal. Ha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once we are all checked out and our paperwork is in order the social worker will come for two visits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Sunday is our first visit and we are more than ready!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are also working hard on fundraising right now because adoption is very expensive and adopting two in two years wasn't in our finances but was for sure in our hearts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you feel so moved feel free to donate from the link on our site which would be VERY appreciated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Along this process I'll keep you up to date where we are at and what's next.</span> <br />
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<br />JoyForJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08945318257694401363noreply@blogger.com1