Well it's a work in progress

And boy does it need alot of progress! But my brain doesn't get HTML or anything technical related to buttons, headers, backgrounds. And so on. I have developed an eye twitch from working on this blog background and header!

But I have good news! I know the paperwork I sent made it to a far away land - well I know someone picked it up. That's about it. Apparently, UPS places a 24 automatic HOLD on all things being shipped to that area. Would have been nice to know in the very beginning. I am learning to keep a secret stash of chocolate for emergency situations.

Bakers semi-sweet just doesn't cut it.

More good news, our first home study appointment was yesterday and it went really well. I think. I hope. I pray. Except that SOMEONE involved in this adoption ( great idea husband) ate chili at 7am for breakfast. With jalapenos. 

Our social worker seems very nice and supportive. Especially considering I FORGOT my checkbook to make the first payment for the home study. Our home visit will be near the end of the month and then we will just have our individual appointments left! And we have to also factor in waiting for all the background checks to come back. Hurry up and wait...it seems to be a common theme.

You know, a person is never supposed to pray for patience right? Instead, I am asking for prayers of support and that God will continue to open doors.

AND if we meet a closed door we will be fully able to accept that.

I want to say THANK YOU to those who have donated! I know first hand from working with non-profits that every little bit helps...

We are so very thankful and want everyone to know your generosity is amazing to us.

Have a blessed weekend friends....here in the South we are expecting more snow!

Hang in there....

with me until I get this blog header figured out!!!

More to come...we had our first home study visit yesterday!

First Fundraising and Postal Woes Part 2

I love coffee so when I saw this fundraising opportunity I wanted to try it out! Go to our family page and browse the site! Portions of the proceeds will go toward our adoption. Every little bit helps!!



   http://www.justlovecoffee.com/thehousers

Thank you for your comments on my "postal woes"! I am afraid they haven't ended...the UPS place called this morning and said they couldn't send it for some reason! They are still attempting to figure out just why they haven't been able to mail our documents. They did however suggest perhaps I fax the documents. Through gritted teeth I politely explained no I could NOT fax confidential, original, notarized, apostilled documents to a far away land.

I then proceeded to eat the only chocolate left in the house - semi-sweet bakers chocolate.

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10

Holding onto the Joy of the Lord....

Postal Woes

You gotta have a sense of humor. Really. We are just starting on our adoption journey and already are realizing the LOOOOG road ahead.

If there is a mountain, a bump, an anthill to climb it will park itself right in front of you as soon as you say "Yes" to adoption. Will we let it get us down? NO! Hence, needing to hang onto a sense of humor through the process. Enter...postal woes.

Last week I had our first tip of the ice burg paperwork notarized and sent to be apostilled in our state. I walk into the mail place (not the post office) and explain I need the documents overnighted (four hours away). The lady prints up the prepaid stamp and I tell her I also need a self addressed stamped envelope placed inside. She gives a big sigh and huffs "I wish you would have told me that!" I look around, was she talking to someone else??

Nope. Just me. She proceeds to explain how she can't "let postage leave the facility."

I look around again thinking maybe I have stumbled into a sandwich shop. I see Fed EX, UPS, mailboxes. Pretty sure it was a mail facility. She asks me if I have stamps with me. Ummm. No. That is why I am here I explain. "Don't you sell stamps?" I asked her.

"We don't sell stamps here. We couldn't keep them in stock." I am becoming more baffled. I know I am living in the south but this really isn't making sense.

"So. I need to go over to the grocery store and buy stamps to put on the envelope?" I ask and she says yes. At this point I think I could have had more luck in the mail facility ordering a turkey sub on wheat, toasted.

I explain it is for an adoption and she gets emotional, places $2 worth of postage (guess she found stamps?!) on the SASE and sends it on its way. I paid over $50 to send something overnight and the very same documents came back to me perfectly apostilled in that $2 SASE less than 48 hours later.

Today I went to mail the same documents all pretty and apostilled to a far away land for $116. I stood there with my mouth hanging open when she gave me the price. I asked her if that was the least expensive option.

"Ma'am, we can't make the plane fly any slower. It will be there in two-three days. That is the only option."

Yes friends, a sense of humor is a must. How much is the going rate for "old gold" these days???

Moving along...

Sending off our first batch of apostilled paperwork to a far away land tomorrow. We first thought we were to have a home visit this past week but plans changed and we are now having our first home study appointment this coming week!! As we begin 2011 we are praying for God to continue showing us His plan and walk according to his agenda. It is so odd beginning this journey and being filled with peace yet knowing so many hurdles will come.

I am researching ways to fundraise so any input is greatly appreciated! This post is short and sweet - thank you to everyone who has showed us so much support. We are truly thankful for each of you, family, friends and friends we have never met!

Some thoughts on adoption to end...when Eli realized this was the path God had placed us on, this was what God placed on his heart...."He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—" Ephesians 1:5 (NIV)

Truly there is peace in our hearts knowing adoption into His family was always God's plan for each of us.