LP families

We haven't even went to our first Little People meeting yet, and so many families have welcomed us already. I'm so glad that we have several families I can contact with questions, instead of just clicking a link on a website. All of you ladies who have reached out to us, we thank you. You are all an amazing group of people and I hope that we can meet in person one day (especially since my daughter is going to marry one of your sons!!).

And we wait...

We submitted our dossier a couple days ago to our agency, and they have already forwarded it to EE for translation and to register with the courts. Little Sister is still listed on the database page in her region, which is a good sign, but still nervous. It will take a few days for it to get to her for translation and registering, but we will be praying. Praying that it gets to her region quickly. Praying that translation goes quick. Praying that there are no problems with registering us for adoption. Praying that she is ours. Praying that plane tickets are resonable to get there. Praying for our kids here at home that they understand that we are getting their sister.

Wishful Thinking...

Just an update on the adoption from how I know it. It's what I've gathered from talking with Judy at Global, reading on the internet, and talking with friends. My timeline may be a little (maybe even a lot) off, but I'm trying to look at the positive:

We have sent off to get a fingerprinting appointment. Should have that back in a couple of weeks and approval a couple weeks after that. From what I understand, we don't have to have it on our first visit, just by the second court visit in EE. Still not sure on this one. We'll just play it by ear.

We have finished our homestudy and are in the process of compiling our dossier(a big chunk of paperwork) -we have three documents that need both of our signatures and to be notarized still-- that has to be notarized, county certified saying that the notary is legit, and then apostilled at the state department in Nashville saying the county certification is valid (hoops, hoops, and more hoops). We send it to EE for translation and to register with the courts that we want to adopt a fairly specific child (we've identified her "special needs," age, sex, other characteristics that we know of). It takes about two-three weeks to get registered, then we get the call that we are matched with our daughter and start making travel arrangements. So, best case, we could be traveling to EE around the end of February/first of March and possible bring her home end of March-sometime in April. This, of course, is if everything goes PERFECTLY as I have planned. If you know anything about adoption, you know nothing goes as planned. But, we have faith that we will be in EE at the perfect time; even if it's not our perfect time, we know it is in HIS plan. 

Just thought i'd let you guys know. Keep praying for us as we go through this. It's almost out of our hands and in the  EE and US Government's (scary!!).

Now, these are my wishes, hopes, dreams. I know this is probably not reality, so don't burst my bubble people. I know that we could not get her until the end of the year (of course I hope that's not the case) but I know that is the reality of adoption. So, right now, MY plan is to have her home by Spring Break and take the rest of the school year off with her and enjoy the summer learning, holding and kissin' my three babies.

I'll keep you posted as our timeline gets adjusted... : )

Blessed

I'm so blessed to have the friends and family I do. Folks like these, and these, and these, and these. And so many other friends (who just don't have blogs). I'm blessed to have a husband who puts up with so much from me and continues to tell me how beautiful I am and how much he loves me. I'm blessed with two (almost three) wonderful kids who sometimes would rather be with Mimi or Nana than me. I'm blessed with a job I-- L to the O to the V to the E (ha! Jen). I have an amazing church that I adore going to and really hate when I miss. I'm blessed that I have all these internet blogs that I read and feel like I'm part of their circle as well; even if I never comment--I just like to observe. Thank you to all my friends and family for helping make our journey possible.

Struggles (but in a good way)

I never realized how emotional I would be with adopting. It's like I'm pregnant all over again (I'm not by the way). Everything seems to make me tear up. I struggle not too. I don't want to be the cry-er. I'm NOT the cry--er. I don't get emotional-about anything-except this.

I guess it started before we found out that we had been chosen as her (still struggling with that name) family. I laid in bed one night after waking for the millionth time and just prayed-and cried. I prayed that God would let her know that there were many people who wanted her. I prayed that He would choose the best family for her, even if it meant it wasn't us; I trully struggled with that prayer, but knew it was in His hands. I knew I had no control over it and I wanted peace if it wasn't to be us. I prayed for the families who would get the call that she wouldn't become their daughter. How heartbroken I would have been if we had gotten that call. I knew there were others who were praying the same prayer. I prayed for her caregivers to prepare them let her go when the time comes to do so. I prayed that, if we were the ones to be her parents, that we would be prepared and learn as much as we could about her condition and her heritage and be the best parents to this little girl.

I cried when Judy called and said we were the one. I cried when I told my dad. I cried when I told my mom that I knew we were her parents and she was with out a doubt our daughter.

I cried when I saw her picture on Reeces Rainbow with our name beside it. I cried when I went to get my passport (and about threw up). I cried when my best friend gave me a charm for my bracelet for our daughter.

I cried putting up our stockings for Christmas this year, knowing we would have one more next year. I cried when I hung her ornament on the tree; knowing our little doll would be here to hang her own next year.

This week isn't any different. Last night we got an email from Judy at Global saying our homestudy was being sent for translation-I cried (almost). Today, I realized that I am going to meet my daughter in just a few short weeks (maybe a couple months). I know there will be tears then-from her, from me, hopefully from her caregivers. All of these are struggles. But I know that God has placed her far away for us to go and get her.

I have always clung to this verse since we've started this journey. John 14:18 "I will not abandon you as orphans--I will come to you." We ARE coming to you our dear, sweet angel. We are coming as fast as we can. I can't wait to see you and for you to be where you are supposed to be-with your forever family.

Homestudy

We just got an email tonight that our homestudy is making its way to EE for translation. We should finish our dossier and classes this week and those will also be on their way!! Best case, we have our daughter in about four months!! Can. Not. Wait.

The Pasta Shoppe

Dear  Friends,
We are raising money with Fun Pasta Fundraising to aid in our adoption of our daughter from Eastern Europe (we can say specifically where because of some rules). We are excited to sell Fun Pasta because there is a large selection of products, fun shapes for everyone, and we can now add "online sales" and earn more profit for our adoption! But we need your help getting the word out...

Please forward this email encouraging all of your out-of-town family and friends to order. With each online order placed on our adoption web page, 40% of the sale (excluding flat shipping rate of $5.95) will  help us achieve our fundraising goal!

http://www.funpastafundraising.com/shop/Elliott_Adoption

Our fundraiser will end on 01/31/2011. So spread the word - and thank you so much for supporting our effort! Don't worry, this will be the only email I send out. All other fundraising efforts will be posted on our blog (you are welcome to follow).

Sincerely,
The Elliotts

Stephanie, Eric, John David, and Julianne (and of course little sister)

Please feel free to follow our blog (http://elliottsfamilystory.blogspot.com/) to get updates on our adoption process.