Tuesday, August 13, 2013
I can fly!
I'm so happy! I have a passport! It took only 13 days from the day I turned in my application at the post office to the day I received the passport in the mail. With routine processing!
Jeff received his passport two days after I received mine. I teased him for two days that I might just have to travel by myself to bring our daughter home! I'm relieved, though. I've never traveled outside of this continent and am a bit nervous about the very long flight to Asia.
God is good! All the time!
Labels:
adoption
Friday, August 9, 2013
1st Home Study Interview - Complete!
Thank you so much to everyone who prayed!
The home study interview was almost three hours long and went really well. We covered a lot of topics - marriage, our upbringing, parenting styles, corporal punishment, religion, and international adoption. Our social worker is extremely personable and was very easy to talk with. Even the solo section at the end was fairly easy; it's Jeff's turn to be interviewed solo next week!
We have a follow up meeting next Thursday night that will be shorter and then we wait for the home study to be written.
I know God's timing is perfect but it's always so humbling to see it happen. We had been promised photo and video updates "sometime this week." We received an email from our agency one hour before the interview with our photos and the video link. What an encouragement, right before an important interview! I really wish I could share the pictures but I'm not allowed until further along in the process.
My heart really is in Asia! My daughter is over there and I can't wait to bring her home!
The home study interview was almost three hours long and went really well. We covered a lot of topics - marriage, our upbringing, parenting styles, corporal punishment, religion, and international adoption. Our social worker is extremely personable and was very easy to talk with. Even the solo section at the end was fairly easy; it's Jeff's turn to be interviewed solo next week!
We have a follow up meeting next Thursday night that will be shorter and then we wait for the home study to be written.
I know God's timing is perfect but it's always so humbling to see it happen. We had been promised photo and video updates "sometime this week." We received an email from our agency one hour before the interview with our photos and the video link. What an encouragement, right before an important interview! I really wish I could share the pictures but I'm not allowed until further along in the process.
My heart really is in Asia! My daughter is over there and I can't wait to bring her home!
Labels:
adoption
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Today's the day!
In two and a half hours, we have our first interview with the social worker. She's going to be talking to us about parenting styles, our preparations for adoption, finances, health, and look over our home for basic safety standards.
I wasn't nervous but now I'm feeling it. I can see God's hand all over our adoption process thus far and I know that He will continue to guide. I definitely need to spend some time in prayer before the social worker arrives.
Tonight she'll be interviewing both of us together and then me by myself. Next week it will be my husband's turn to be interviewed alone. I hope it's an easy interview!
I wasn't nervous but now I'm feeling it. I can see God's hand all over our adoption process thus far and I know that He will continue to guide. I definitely need to spend some time in prayer before the social worker arrives.
Tonight she'll be interviewing both of us together and then me by myself. Next week it will be my husband's turn to be interviewed alone. I hope it's an easy interview!
Labels:
adoption
Saturday, August 3, 2013
2013 Reading Challenge - Complete?
It appears I need to increase my 2013 reading goals! All of the adoption books I've read lately have pushed me to my goal total and we still have several months to go. I'm not reading the specific books I set out to read this year, but I am reading a better mix of fiction and nonfiction. I'm happy about that.
I wonder if I'll reach 100 books read this year...
I wonder if I'll reach 100 books read this year...
Labels:
reading list
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Praise Report - 13 days!
God is in control and He is moving mountains.
3rd party website said it would take 96 business days to receive my birth certificate; the CA.gov website said 4 weeks.
We received them in 13 days, from the day we dropped off the request at the post office to receiving them in the mail. I am awed by God's hand in our adoption process.
3rd party website said it would take 96 business days to receive my birth certificate; the CA.gov website said 4 weeks.
We received them in 13 days, from the day we dropped off the request at the post office to receiving them in the mail. I am awed by God's hand in our adoption process.
Labels:
adoption
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Busy, busy, busy - in a good way!
We are still plowing through adoption stuff. Since we are applying to adopt a waiting child, we have motivation to push as fast as possible. The longer it takes for us to finish our part of the process, the longer she lives in an orphanage.
Yesterday I applied for my passport. I was very happy to find a nearby USPS that accepts passport applications. Last week I called and scheduled an appointment for this Monday morning. So, yesterday, I drove over to the USPS and handed in my application, my passport photos, and a check. Hopefully soon I am going to be a world class traveler! I told my husband he wasn't allowed to go pick up our daughter by himself...
This morning we both visited our doctor to get general health checkups and have her fill out some paperwork about our medical history. She signed off that we are "mentally and physically fit to parent." Woohoo! One more approval has been handed in.
Tomorrow I visit a lab to get some blood drawn for a routine check. It's been years since I've had blood work done. I confess that I am not looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be an easy visit. I am drinking tons of fluids in preparation. Unfortunately, no more food until after our visit tomorrow.
We're also working on a summary of our disciplinary beliefs/techniques for various ages of children. I'm having to research a bit as I'm honestly not sure of specific discipline techniques. I know spanking is a horrible form of punishment for a child who has been abandoned or neglected. I know positive reinforcement is better than punishment. But I'm not certain about which discipline ideas are best suited for what age. It looks like I have some more reading to do!
Yesterday I applied for my passport. I was very happy to find a nearby USPS that accepts passport applications. Last week I called and scheduled an appointment for this Monday morning. So, yesterday, I drove over to the USPS and handed in my application, my passport photos, and a check. Hopefully soon I am going to be a world class traveler! I told my husband he wasn't allowed to go pick up our daughter by himself...
This morning we both visited our doctor to get general health checkups and have her fill out some paperwork about our medical history. She signed off that we are "mentally and physically fit to parent." Woohoo! One more approval has been handed in.
Tomorrow I visit a lab to get some blood drawn for a routine check. It's been years since I've had blood work done. I confess that I am not looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be an easy visit. I am drinking tons of fluids in preparation. Unfortunately, no more food until after our visit tomorrow.
We're also working on a summary of our disciplinary beliefs/techniques for various ages of children. I'm having to research a bit as I'm honestly not sure of specific discipline techniques. I know spanking is a horrible form of punishment for a child who has been abandoned or neglected. I know positive reinforcement is better than punishment. But I'm not certain about which discipline ideas are best suited for what age. It looks like I have some more reading to do!
Labels:
adoption
Friday, July 26, 2013
Baseball and knitting!
Stitch 'n Pitch! Every year, the Seattle Mariners host a section of knitters. I was feeling rather exhausted from the busy-ness of the week but I'm really glad I went. The game was so much fun!
Driving up to the field
Chandelier in the lobby
We had great seats!
Knitting while watching a game!
The field at night
The evening's bonus? Our entire row won a knitting goodie bag! Free pattern books, yarn, and some new needles. Hurray for free knitting supplies!
The evening's bonus? Our entire row won a knitting goodie bag! Free pattern books, yarn, and some new needles. Hurray for free knitting supplies!
Labels:
knitting
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