Let's play!

OK guys..no referral so far. We want your input. Post when you think we will get our referral and what we will get, boy or girl. Let's see who can get the closest to the date. We will post these on our blog so that everyone can see who wins. Please play along with us. We are trying to make the waiting just a liitle more fun and not so stressful.

Alright, bring on the posts!

Adoption process

I was requested an explination of the adoption process, so here it is from starrt to finish. You initially have to apply to the agency to see if you qualify. Once you pass that, which doesn't take very long, then you have the big huge packet to apply for adoption. At the same time you also have a dossier to complete. The dossier is the packet of documents that is sent to the other country to represent you. Both of these applications can take any where from 2 months to 6 months to complete, just depending on how fast you can get all of the documents. Along with these documents, there is also a homestudy that must be completed. Once all of this is done you have to get approval from the federal government to bring a child into this country. So, one of the last documents you wait on is CIS approval. That can take 4-6 weeks to get back. Once all of that is done and submitted then you are put on the "wait list". When we were first put on the wait list average wait time was 9 months. So at thiat time we were looking at March or April before we thought we would get a referral. Every month the average wit time can change. As of last month, the average wait time was 7.2 months. Once you recieve a referral then you have to wait for a court date. Court dates can be scheduled 2-3 months out. There is no guarantee that you will pass court the first time either. So, once you actually pass court then it is time to travel. This can take any where from 2-5 weeks. Then you get to be home and be a happy family! That's about it in a nutshell. So the whole process can take anywhere from a year to a year and a half.

Update: We reccieved a grant from http://www.showhope.org/. Go check out their website. They are a wonderful organization.

God is Good!!!!

Important Days

First off congrats to the two couples who recieved referrals yesterday. We are so excited for you.
I was thinking about when Troy and I met. It was on Feb 2nd, 2002. It was one of those God type stories because there is no way I would have ever thought up how we met. Then I was thinkng about our referral, shocker, and how cool it would be if it was on or near the anniversay of when we met. It would be amazing if we meet our baby on the same day we met, eight years later. We could add such a wonderful twist to our story. All this being said, I am trying to not be so anxious for our referral. God willl bring us our baby when the time is right. Just like he brought us together when he knew our hearts were ready. Just like he brought our other two kiddos at just the tight moment. He knows and we can wait patiently for his timing.

We want to know when you think our referral will be. Just comment on this post and we will add it to our referral guessing list. Let's at least have fun while we wait!

Still waiting

I figured since I was stalking other people's blogs to see if they got a referral, then I should update mine. No news as of yet. We are still waiting and hoping to see a precious face in the near future. Still no new referrals since 1/4/10. I'm sure there is good reason for this, but it is hard to wait patiently. So, in the mean time, we are working and taking care of our other cute kiddos. I try not to think about it as much as possible, but it is hard not to.

Other news: Took Collette to the doctor today and she has double ear infections. That child never tells me when she is sick, so by the time I actually take her in it ends up being bad. Last night she told me that her ear hurt a little bit. Then this morning she said both ears hurt a little bit. I knew something had to be wrong. So, I took her in, sure enough raging ear infections. Now she is on antibiotics and tylenol. She is taking it all in stride.
Dakota is his normal crazy self. He runs around the house singing most of the time. It is so cute, but I can't understand a word he is saying when he does it. If he puts hand motions in then we clue in to which some it is. I will have to video tape it one day and post it on here. Too cute.

That's about it for now. Hopefully, I will be posting about a referral soon! We will keep you posted.

#1...Where are you?

So, I fully expected to be #1 on the waitlist for a boy. It seems as though there have not been a lot of referrals this last month or the last 10 days. Luckliy, I have been working a lot the last 10 days. It's easier not to think about it when I'm busy. I know God has a plan and time for us. It's just so hard to wait on it.
So, we continue to wait and continue to pray for Elliott and Elliott's family. I can't help but think about Elliott's family and what they are going through right now. Are they having to decide to give Elliott up? Are they not able to physically care for Elliott? Are they sick and dying? All of these pain me for them. I ache to think about what a parent is going through. I hope and pray they can have peace with their decision.

Other news: Collette has a very lose tooth. I can't believe she is old enough for that. She is turning into such a sweet little girl. Dakota is talking more, thank goodness. He is repeating stuff more and jabbering a lot. Some we can understand, other stuff is a mystery. He's getting there.
Troy is working like crazy on his iPhone applications. I am so proud of how hard he is working and enjoying what he is doing. Here is the link to his website. Check it out!http://www.troycarterconsulting.com

Poll

We have a poll on our website. What will baby Elliott be? A boy or a girl? Please let us know what you think! It's getting closer! I am so excited to find out who our baby is going to be!

Impatiently Waiting

I have found myself obsesively looking at all the websites that are ahead of me on the waitlist. 6 months have flown by, but these last 5 days have crawled. I was thinking about how similar this is to both of my pregnancies. Months flew by in a snap then the last 4-6 weeks crawled. So here we are 6 months in and I am so anxious to see our new baby. I keep trying to remember what I am doing every day so that I can look back on the day our baby was born and have some connection with their birth. I know, it sounds crazy, but for some reason I need this. In the mean time, I will continue to wear out my computer and 9 other people's websites.

Waitlist update: #2 for a boy
#8 for a girl

This is "unofficial" of course, but the closest thing I can gage time with.

We continue to pray for baby Elliott and family. We look forward to seeing a sweet face in the near future.

Birthdays and Christmas

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Here is a video of all the events from the past few months. We have been busy, Thanksgiving, Dakota's Birthday, Collette's birthday and Christmas.
Sorry it's so long...enjoy!

Wow...Time Flies

It has been 6 months since we were put on the waitlist! We are getting closer to our baby.
We have had some very generous donations come forth the past several weeks that have Troy and I truely amazed at the power of God. He has given so many people a heart of gold and we thank him for that. We also thank those who have helped us by donation, prayer, or an encouraging word. It is helping us get through this waiting period so much easier. Please continue to pray for us and baby Elliott as God is bringing our family together.