Approaching the Dossier Finish Line

Moving right along, we are.

Friday, I dropped off the kids' medical forms at their Pediatrician's office.  I just asked them to use the information from their physicals months ago to complete another form on letterhead.  Within HOURS, they called me to say that the letters were finished, complete with notarization. For free.  Are you kidding me?!  Who moves that fast?!  I'm so appreciative...they're awesome. If only all steps of the Adoption process could be so easy, there'd be a lot more babies in homes, with families.

I picked them up today; they were done perfectly.

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Friday, I also stopped by mine & Cuban Daddy's 'Physician.'  I use this term lightly b/c the only time we've ever gone- and the only reason we have a physician- is for Adoption related stuff.  Ha.  (Thank God for good health!)  Anyways, I made the drive down there to drop off our forms, get K out of his seat & we march up to the door.  Locked.  

Hmm... sign clearly says that they close from 12 to 1pm for lunch.

And this is taken about 5 mins after testing the locked door.  

Please excuse the lifetime supply of car dust.

So, I'm confused.  It was a quarter til 12.  I called to the office & 'their answering service' (a woman) picked up.  The only information she was willing to give me - and kept repeating no matter what question I asked her- was that they were gone and would be back at 1:45.  Hmph.  No explanation.  No apologies.  Nothing.

A 2 hr lunch. 

Well, by that time, the kids would be napping.  And they'd be closed by the time they woke up.  

Frustrating.  It'd have to wait til Monday.

So, today, I went back...early this time.  I gave the lady at the front desk mine & CD's forms to be typed on letterhead, asking also that they use the information from the physicals done months ago.  I included a post-it w/ all the instructions, so I'm really hoping it's all done correctly.  

I was told there would be fees.  She didn't know how much.  Um, okay.

And that it would take 5-10 business days.

Seriously?

And I've been leaving messages all day, trying to get our labs/bloodwork/urine analysis scheduled- unsuccessfully.  But, it turns out there's no drug testing this time, so that's one less hassle.   

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Also, we've been waiting to hear back from our agency about our bank letter.  Today I heard back:  Even though it didn't say all that the instructions required of it, it was still satisfactory!  Big 'Praise God' here!  B/c if they wouldn't accept this letter, we were stuck.  B/c our bank WAS NOT budging & wouldn't give us a differently worded document.  

'Yay!' for not having to switch banks due to adoption paperwork guidelines!

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So, what's needed to finish Dossier now?

* Cuban Daddy is waiting on one piece of financial paperwork.

* He's also gathering official original copies of our documents (marriage license, etc.)

* We both need to have passport sized photos taken.  

* Waiting on Physician to call back to schedule labs/bloodwork.

* Get bloodwork done & get results.

* Get a few documents notarized.

* Get everything apostilled.

* Make 3 copies of everything.

And I think that's it!

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Okay, so I saved the most incredible news for last....

Remember how I said that we needed $2,000 right away for the Translation fee (to be sent in right after the Dossier is mailed.)?

And remember how I said that our Adoption Account was nearing zero?

Well, I hadn't 'checked' the account...that's just what I had in my mind.  

Turns out, for the first time ever in my life (ha), I was wrong.  Happily, wrong.

Earlier, I had estimated Dossier costs b/c that's not something that we had an exact amount on.  Well, I had overestimated.  We hadn't used much of that money that was set aside for it.

So...last night, Cuban Daddy tells me...

We have enough money to cover the

 $2,000 in Translation fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I get a whoop, whoop?!?!

This is so major.  It's such a blessing.  In my mind (and lying awake in my bed), I was already planning like 5 fundraisers to try to do in the next month to get the money asap.  

But, nope.  No rush.

The money's in the bank.

Thank you, Lord.

Now, we are going to be fundraising b/c we need MUCH more as this process goes on.  But for now, we can focus solely on finishing the Dossier & getting on that list!

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Doing a little Dossier dance, 

~ 6 in Love ~

We're Getting There...

So, thanks to some help with the kids a few mornings this week, I was really able to make some progress on the Dossier!  We are only a few documents away from completing it!  Cuban Daddy has to attain a few more of our legal documents, and he and I need to have more lab/blood work done again (& have a couple medical forms signed).  We're waiting to see if the note our bank gave us will be acceptable...after 3 trips, they still refused to give us what we wanted/needed.   Then, we have to notarize a few more papers.  Finally, we need to have it all apostilled.  

After we do that, we'll HAPPILY send it to our agency, Dillon/Buckner.  Oh my, what a relief that will be!  They'll approve it & then send it to Honduras.  First thing is to have it officially Translated.  In order to do that, Buckner will need to wire them $2,000 from us.  

So, look for fundraising again soon!

Moving forward!

~ 6 in Love ~

The Good, the Great, the Expensive, & the Long

Time for an update!

Nearly a week ago, I emailed a list of questions about the Dossier to our agency.  I needed the answers before I could do anything else for it.  (Cuban Daddy is still working on his part).  Anyways, I waited & checked my email several times a day for her response.  She's usually so good about getting back to me.  Sometimes, it takes her a couple of days to respond b/c she may have to consult w/ their correspondent in Honduras, so I didn't want to be pushy.  But, by now, I was really restless having not heard back.  CD said, "Just call her."  I'd so rather email than call...for anything. I get sweaty hands calling to order a pizza.  Wimp.  

But I did.  I called today.  And guess what?  She picked up right away, apologized sincerely for having not gotten back to me yet, and then proceeded to answer ALL of my questions right on the spot! Getting straight answers today. - The Good.

So, I'm wildly scratching notes down as she talks, trying to get as much info down as possible.  We went through my email to make sure she covered everything.  There were questions about 2 of our 3 references, and thought we might have to redo them due to tiny (ridiculous) *paperwork rules*. (I felt so bad...they were already doing us a favor once, and I didn't want to have to ask again.)  She said b/c it was only one document done in that way, and not the entire Dossier, that it would be fine.  Seriously!?  I couldn't believe that.  Awesome! The references would work as is.   - More Good.

I couldn't find certain contact information for apostilling (I finally learned how to pronounce this word...I was saying it all wrong)  documents in our state.  So, she was able to help me with that, which was great.  Also, she told me even more details than I think I would've found out if she had emailed the response, so that was a bonus.  Extra information that may save time later-  More Good.  

Okay, so for the big thing on my mind- Were the 4 of us going to have to get complete physicals, complete with bloodwork, done AGAIN?!  I was dreading this....  My first understanding was no (months ago), then when I last talked to our agency, their answer was yes, we did.  Ugh!  They are not fun- trust me.    I looked through all of the Dossier paperwork/instructions/etc. again, looking for a sort of 'loophole' so we didn't have to.  And guess what?!  There was no 'date of exam' listed on the needed form.  So... what this means is: IF we can get our physician and the kids' pediatrician to sign that they have examined us (They HAVE...it's just been several months) and that we are all perfectly healthy (Thank God, we are!), we are good to go!  So we just have to see if they'd be willing to do this.  I have no idea why they wouldn't, but you never know.  Cuban Daddy and I DO have to redo our blood work/analysis/HIV/drug testing/etc. & wait for the results on that.  But, a few more needles-  no biggie.  CD says speak for myself.   Who's the wimp now?    Possibility of ZERO more physicals - The Great.  

So, in getting the information from her regarding apostilling the documents (I was clueless here), I learned that it costs $10 PER piece of paper included in the Dossier.  Say what?!  - The  Expensive

So, I'm feeling pretty pumped.  We can do this.  (Don't get me wrong...I still feel this way!), but then she throws in.  'Now, remember that after you submit your Dossier, it'll have to be translated into Spanish once it gets to Honduras.  And you'll need to pay the 'Translation fee' so we can wire it to them.  They can't begin the Translation until they've received the money."  Me; "And the translation fee is...?"  Agent: "$2,000."  WHAT on Earth?!  So, needless to say, we did not see that one coming.  - The Outrageously Expensive

Since she's been so helpful & I already have her on the line (Lord knows, I don't wanna call again), I proceed to ask a few more questions about the process, timeline, etc.  I really do like our agent.  She's always so nice, helpful, and always says, "Great question!" to everything I ask.  Wow, how nice is that, right?  She never seems annoyed or frustrated even though I must sound like a 3 year old w/ my long list of questions.  She's great.  Anyways, I was hoping we'd be able to finish the Dossier in a couple weeks (Still possible I think!!), submit, and be on the list in like a month.  That seemed reasonable to me.  But, uh, no.  (Try to follow me here...) So, after we submit to our agency, they'll send the Dossier to Honduras.  Honduras will then translate (a process that alone can take a couple of months!!) every document, review all of the documents, & then register us (which could take another couple of months.)  Then, at one of their randomly (yes, you read that right) scheduled meetings, they'll assign our Dossier a # on the waiting list.  The #.  We are SO waiting for that #.  She said  for example, we may be given #99.  That means there are 98 families in front of us, waiting for  a child from Honduras.  I asked if that were 98 people waiting for 2 siblings, age 0-4, like us...or if that were like everyone waiting for every kind of child?  The good news....it's EVERYONE!  So, there are now 6 US agencies & 3 European agencies that are adopting out of Honduras.  They pile all of the Dossiers from everyone into one long list, regardless of age or gender of desired child.  Then, at the meetings, they 'match' a few of the top-of-the-list Dossiers/families with children ready to be adopted.  Then, everyone moves up the list and is assigned a new number.  We could move up only one number, but likely, we'd move up several numbers per meeting.  Which again, the meetings are random, and happen every few weeks?  There's a little hope in that depending on whom everyone else is 'waiting for.'  If there aren't many in line for siblings we could move up faster!  But, if I'm figuring this right, it could be as late as EARLY FALL before we get on the list.  - The Long.

This is nearly a year later than we had originally thought we'd be on the waiting list.  But, there's nothing we or anyone else, at this time, can do about that.  And, as my good friend continues to remind me, it's all in God's perfect timing.  So we will do what we can, go as fast as we can go, and rest in that.

In the meantime:

We will work.

We will take bloodtests.

We will raise the money.

We will love on G & K.

We will pray.

And we will wait.

Praising God for His goodness, His timeliness, & His perfect plan.

And for getting cut a little break today.  I felt like He was saying,
"See, I got this."  

I love that Guy.

~ 6 in Love ~

Poppin' Progress

...because regular ole progress just sounds too boring.  

Thanks to my mom offering to watch the kids 2 days this week, I've managed to get some serious work done on the Dossier!  Noni, you are the best!!

I've collected the last of our references (maybe EVER?!  Could this be?!), have organized all the papers so far, and emailed our last 'round' of questions to the agency to tie up loose ends.  Cuban Daddy is trying to finish his part tomorrow...or at least this weekend.

I emailed her lots of questions, so it may take her a bit to get back to me, but when she does, we'll be good to finish up!

In doing more 'research' in the Instruction PACKET, it seems we ALL may not have to get our medical exams done again!  We'll def have to have labs done (seems it's just Cuban Daddy & me on this!), but there's a *possibility* 2 or 4 of us can skip the entire physical exam & see if the docs will just write a special note on letterhead.  Too much to explain now (& you likely don't care about details), but it's one of the things I'm asking the agency about...and begging God PRAYING about!  Seriously, it'd be major.

Thanks for the prayers & help, everyone!  We sure do appreciate all of the support we've received.  We couldn't do it without you.

Feeling better than a few days ago, 

~ 6 in Love ~

And just for fun:

 

 

And now time for some sleep...

Good night!

Sneaky iPad Photos

So, I don't know how or when they did it, but these two managed to take these pics of themselves.  The fact that I have no idea when this happened cracks me up...I just found them.

Happy Thursday!

~ 6 in Love ~

Worn Slap Out

I'm just so tired.  I'm in desperate need for the Dossier to be over.  I know I should be super strong & just push thru & knock it out.  But w/ two babies home all the time (which I LOVE), a husband that's awesome enough to work all the time (don't love the hrs, do love his work ethic), and multiple things on my plate, I'm overwhelmed.  It's hard to find the balance (um, you've heard me mention before) btwn spending quality time w/ my kids now (teaching them, playing puzzles with them, taking them outside when it's pretty, playdates, reading together, etc.), doing all the important things with them, along w/ the everyday (but time consuming) running of a household....and getting the Dossier done.  B/c it's just that time consuming.  We're 'hurrying up and waiting' all the time.  I just really need it off my plate so I can breathe.  I really want to focus on other aspects of bringing the babies home, and I can't when all we're doing is paperwork.  

Okay I just had to vent.  Sorry.  Not feeling it today.

Please pray for me.  Please pray for us to have favor & for things to go quicker than anticipated.  Really, we want God's timing, but I'm just so stinkin' tired.  

Beyond ready for this paperwork to be DONE.  And as a teacher, I do apologize for any grammatical errors or run on sentences.  I don't have time to edit today.  ;)

~ 6 in Love ~

K's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe I'm saying it, but my BABY is 3.

This is impossible since I just gave birth to him yesterday.  

But, nonetheless, he insists on growing up and being 'a big boy,' as he likes to remind us daily.  

Our 'tradition' is that the night before their birthday, they get to sleep on the special birthday pillow case.  Little does he know, this will also be his last night in his toddler bed.  So proud!

It was almost like Christmas, as he ran down the hall the morning of to find out if he had any presents.  So cute!

Although we were saving his 'big boy bed' surprise til that night when Cuban Daddy could put it together, he managed to find a few gifts that morning.  :)   

...including a hat just like his Abuelo.   

...and a few 'decor' items for his 'new room.'

Another tradition: 'Birthday banner' on the chair & their favorite:

# Pancakes! 

G wanted to give her brother something special just from her, so she chose Fun Dip.  Aka: flavored sugar.  lol

Well, since it was his birthday, he was able to eat it at 8:00am! 

And b/c our life is crazy, I had yet to find the perfect bedding for little man....and his bed was being put together THAT night.  No, I couldn't have moved it.  That's just how it was going to be.    

So, we went on 'an adventure' and looked for some (he didn't know what I was doing). 

One of my FAVORITES!!!!!  

Before we left the house: 

And since it was his actual birthday (not 'party' day), I wanted him to get to do something fun that he loved.  So we loaded up his little 'motorcycle' and rode around at the parking lot of a park.  He LOVED it!  I have to figure out how to post videos, so I can show you what he did!

After our busy day, the kids conked out at naptime, and I got to do this when he woke!

Yay me!  :)

So, Daddy pulled it off.  He put together K's bed that night after work, we threw on the bedding (which I had to go out on my own, find, and buy about 30  mins prior....another story in itself!!), and he was a surprised & happy big boy!

So, his first night as a 3 year old was his first night in his BIG boy bed. 

He really wanted his Sissy to stay the night.  

Oh so sweet!  

The next night looked like this when I checked on him!  Yes, his head is hanging off the bed.  Cuttin' it close buddy!

*** And tonight marks the 3rd "Mommy, I fell off the bed again!"***  

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We had K's 3rd birthday party at a fun kids' room in our church.  It turned out to be a perfect space for the party.  * I had originally planned to do it outside at a park, b/c it just seemed so fitting, but FREEZING weather permitted that.*  We were so happy to have friends and family come out and celebrate this much-anticipated "Police Car Party!"

A tablecloth w/ masking tape & sharpie for roads, $1 store traffic cones & lots of his little cars. 

The food 

Mini Donuts!  (cheerios) 

We (ah hum, my mom & awesome sis in law) spent the night before making lots of car shaped sandwiches (using a cookie cutter).  I loved them! 

Lots of free playtime  =) 

 Coloring their new police car books

My awesome Dad & incredible Grandma

(who at 86, made K's AMAZING cookie cakes!!!!) 

My Hottie 

(rocking my homemade shirt, ha) 

"Crime tape' to rope off the game. 

Spoiled rotten w/ ultra cool 'boy' gifts which he loved! 

Sissy picked a gift out for him all on her own.  It was 'Rowdy' from the TV show, "Chuck," and he obviously LOVED it!!!! 

Awesome friends & helpers 

This will get lots of use this summer! 

We were so glad these beautiful sisters were in town!

K & his best bud playing of the day's favorites: golf! 

Maybe he can teach these guys to play.  lol 

Sweet! 

These new friends were so cute. 

These are about the cutest "muscles" I've ever seen: 

Singing to the bday boy! 

Chocolate- his favorite!

Thanks, Great Grandma! 

Playing 'Pin the Siren on the Police Car'  ;)   : 

My beautiful Mom & Grammy!

Thanks for ALL of your party help, Mom!!

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A few notes about this newly turned 3 year old boy:  

(As if words can possibly describe how special he is)

charming, funny, nearly-always smiling, super coordinated and agile, active and energetic, fearless (except for sudden loud noises...and sometimes Santa), friendly, social, usually polite, loving, cuddly after sleeping, loves avocados,eggs,and cereal just like his Daddy (gag me), wants to wrestle or tackle (Grandmas & Abuelas are not excluded...sorry about this), is smart, knows no stranger, tells jokes, loves to run around naked, hates shoes (this is not okay with me...I'm wearing them as I type at 11 pm), climbs anything & everything, tries to negotiate ("how 'bout 3 more bites?'), rides a bike, loves motorcycles almost-obsessively, is a copy cat (literally.  I'm making a dr. appt on the phone & the nurse on the line is cracking up b/c she hears him), pushes all boundaries, thinks he's way bigger than he is, has a sensitive heart, has been potty trained since 20 mo. old, often chooses not to listen & follow directions, has dimples to die for, is too tough on his sweet Sissy but loves her to pieces, doesn't like to sit still...except for the iPad or a puzzle, says his 'S's in the cutest way, understands Spanish better than G & I already, laughs during his weekly chiropractic adjustments, wants to run everywhere, rides his bike almost as much as he walks, makes the silliest faces, doesn't like for anyone to have a 'mad face' or be upset, rocks his hats, is clever & quick thinking, is determined, loves an audience, and spreads joy wherever he goes.  He is a charismatic, people magnet.  Strangers come up to me all the time to talk to me about him.  

                                                   (Wrestling Stance)

<36" & 32 lb of my heart>

He's totally rotten and totally amazing.

I love our "buddy boo" so much, and thank God daily that he let me be his Mommy.

I may or may not be kind of proud of him.

~ 6 in Love ~