Hello everyone, I feel like its been forever since I posted a blog! Since our last post we have had our homestudy I have started a full time job and my daughter has been talking about her brother everday!
HOMESTUDY- The homestudy went AMAZINGLY well! Our social worker came in and made her self at home. I thought I would be a nervous mess and say the wrong things. I was wrong as soon as she walked in the door a calmness came over me and i felt like I was talking to a friend. We talked about what school B** would go to, her daughter and whatever else came to mind. When the actual homestudy start we had individual interviews. I was so nervous about this. Come to find out we had nothing to be nervous about all the questions she asked us we had already answered in the packet she gave us. What a relief! The questions were about our life growing up, and our family history easy stuff! After our interviews she did a quick walk through of the house and B** showed her doll house her bed and "Chases" room. She told her that she was her sister and Tony and I were his mommy and daddy now. MY baby girl knows how to melt anyones heart! Before she left she said "You Passed!" tears of joy!! She told us that we need our pysicals and to do the video training and once that was turned she had 2 weeks to get our report written and for it to be complete! PRAISE GOD!! We could not have asked for a better social worker or homestudy all that worrying and cleaning was for nothing :-)
I just want to share a conversation B** and I had tonight. As I was fixing dinner she said " Mommy I can't wait to meet my brother!" ME: Me either baby! B**: "Mommy there are other kids with "Chase" right?" ME: Yes, baby why do you ask that?" B**: Mommy they don't have a mommy daddy or a sister either. ME: No baby girl they sure don't! B**: Mommy can we be their sister, mommy, and daddy too? They need us just like "Chase"! ME: Well, baby girl I think thats a great idea, but you know there are some Mommy and Daddy's that dont have any kids. We should just get "Chase" home and give someone else a chance to have a son or daughter. B**: Yeah, Cause we should share! ME: Thats right baby! Maybe after we get "Chase" home if there are boys and girls left that still dont have a mommy daddy or sister we can ask Jesus to find us another one join our family! What do you think? B**: Or brother..if they don't have a mommy daddy sister or brother cause "Chase" will be with us remember. ME: Exactly right baby B**: Sounds like a great idea to me!! I bet Jesus wants us to have a sister next...
WOW!! My daughter is 4 years old, and has more compassion and a bigger heart than most adults in this world! This coversation made me proud, and my heart almost burst! I guess we're doing something right. She's 4 years old...and worried about the other kids that dont have a mommy daddy or sister! I pray that her heart never changes and that she will stay full of love and compassion. It really just blows my mind to think of all the way our great God is connecting dots and making this adoption possible and filling our families heart with his glory and allowing this adoption to make us better Christians. Through out this entire process I have thought I am so thankful and feel so blessed how do I say thank you to God? Then when I went to the Light Church they played a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled Listen to our Hearts. It is exactly how I feel I encourage you to listen to it but here is my favorite 2 verses:
But words are not enough To tell You of our love So listen to our hearts....
So if You listen to my heart Every beat would say, "Thank You for the Life, thank You for the Truth, thank You for the Way."
Read more: STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN - LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/listen-to-our-hearts-lyrics-steven-curtis-chapman.html#ixzz224cKHJ5B
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
T-SHIRT TIME!!!!!
TA-DAAAA!!!
So here they are!! the much anticipated T-shirt design! Almost a month late...anyone that truly knows me, know that's totally out of the norm.. :-) <---- Insert sarcasm LOL!!! But they are being made and will be done we are told by Tuesday July 24, 2012..AWW that's mine and Tony's Anniversary! Married 8 years..WOW...BACK TO THE T-SHIRTS!! I think they were very much worth the wait I couldn't be happier! This is it! This will be our major fundraiser, (we will continue with the smaller ones because every penny literally counts). I say this is the big one because we have signed a fundraiser contract to sale 300 shirts! 300 shirts will cover the next set of fees and all the little things that we keep forgetting about. THEN once homestudy is complete we can apply for grants..FINALLY!! yay!! YEP.. I know that's alot and I hesitated at first but God has done some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G things for us so far with him leading the way I think we can do it!
If I'm going to buy something i want to know where exactly my money is going. So I'm going to tell you exactly what we need and what exactly you are helping pay for. This fundraiser was originally set to pay for the homestudy. However, that has changed...after having to cancel our last cookout due to rain (Thank you Jesus our crops need it) and reschedule our homestudy because we were unable to come up with the funds to pay for it in full. I was bummed, but knew everything would be OK that T-shirts would be here soon. I just couldn't bare the thought of our Sweet, sweet "Chase" sitting over for a min longer with no snuggles, nomommy or daddy, and no sister because I didn't earn the money. My heart was broken, but I (like always) put on my smile, reached in the pit of my stomach and found encouraging words and remained positive to everyone. ( it was OK God has a better plan). Then I received a phone call HMM.. I was very anxious to answer. I don't know why I knew nothing bad would come from the conversation. A friend called and said "not to worry about the hometudy cost, they they had it taken care of." I was speechless.. literally.. she thought I hung up on her! lol! I didn't know what to say my eyes teared up! I thought she was kidding but immediately took back that thought, that would be a mean joke. But I confirmed anyway "Are you kidding?" She reassured me and said "reschedule that homestudy apt!!" LOL! Good God almighty.. ARE YOU SEROUS!!..EVERY TIME I HAVE A DOUBT GOD SEND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO TAKE MY WORRIES AWAY!! E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E! It gave me goose bumps, these awesome people who have gone above and beyond to help someone they barely know! I honestly don't even know how to say thank you to something like that. For something like this, all the work they put into gathering the money, thought, effort..it's priceless and Thank you will never be enough <3
SOOO Since the homestudy is now taking care of we are moving right along. Our next set of fees which are:
Administration fee, homestudy review, and dossier preparation fees 750
Agency fee 2000
Orphanage support fee 100 per month
Tony's passport 150? (est)
TOTAL: 3000
If we sale all 300 of these shirts at $20, it will give us a profit of $15 per shirt! We will make our next set of fees and then some!! ACTUALLY... WHEN WE SALE THESE SHIRTS IT WILL COVER THE NEXT SET OF FEES ALSO :-) :-) I DID NOT FREAKN REALIZE THIS WOW!!
Not only will it cover the above but it will also cover:
I-600A filling fee 720
biometric fingerprints 85 p/p
AWESOME!! I am super excited now! Let' get these t-shirts sold! Every single one of you talk them up! This will be super easy to help us and you get an awesome looking shirt! WOW..I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS SOONER!! This is awesome because after we complete our homestudy plus if we get approved for a grant that will put us over our half way mark for total funding...almost 1/2 WAY TO TOTAL FUNDING.. NOW THAT'S SOME MOTIVATION!!
*~*FACT: EVERY EVERYONE ON MY FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT OR HELPED SALE 2 SHIRTS OUR GOAL WILL BE REACHED* IF EVERYONE ON MINE AND TONYS FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT 1 SHIRT WE WILL HAVE TO ORDER MORE AND WE WILL BE HALF WAY TO OUR TOTAL FUNDING!!!*~*
If I'm going to buy something i want to know where exactly my money is going. So I'm going to tell you exactly what we need and what exactly you are helping pay for. This fundraiser was originally set to pay for the homestudy. However, that has changed...after having to cancel our last cookout due to rain (Thank you Jesus our crops need it) and reschedule our homestudy because we were unable to come up with the funds to pay for it in full. I was bummed, but knew everything would be OK that T-shirts would be here soon. I just couldn't bare the thought of our Sweet, sweet "Chase" sitting over for a min longer with no snuggles, nomommy or daddy, and no sister because I didn't earn the money. My heart was broken, but I (like always) put on my smile, reached in the pit of my stomach and found encouraging words and remained positive to everyone. ( it was OK God has a better plan). Then I received a phone call HMM.. I was very anxious to answer. I don't know why I knew nothing bad would come from the conversation. A friend called and said "not to worry about the hometudy cost, they they had it taken care of." I was speechless.. literally.. she thought I hung up on her! lol! I didn't know what to say my eyes teared up! I thought she was kidding but immediately took back that thought, that would be a mean joke. But I confirmed anyway "Are you kidding?" She reassured me and said "reschedule that homestudy apt!!" LOL! Good God almighty.. ARE YOU SEROUS!!..EVERY TIME I HAVE A DOUBT GOD SEND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO TAKE MY WORRIES AWAY!! E-V-E-R-Y-T-I-M-E! It gave me goose bumps, these awesome people who have gone above and beyond to help someone they barely know! I honestly don't even know how to say thank you to something like that. For something like this, all the work they put into gathering the money, thought, effort..it's priceless and Thank you will never be enough <3
SOOO Since the homestudy is now taking care of we are moving right along. Our next set of fees which are:
Administration fee, homestudy review, and dossier preparation fees 750
Agency fee 2000
Orphanage support fee 100 per month
Tony's passport 150? (est)
TOTAL: 3000
If we sale all 300 of these shirts at $20, it will give us a profit of $15 per shirt! We will make our next set of fees and then some!! ACTUALLY... WHEN WE SALE THESE SHIRTS IT WILL COVER THE NEXT SET OF FEES ALSO :-) :-) I DID NOT FREAKN REALIZE THIS WOW!!
Not only will it cover the above but it will also cover:
I-600A filling fee 720
biometric fingerprints 85 p/p
AWESOME!! I am super excited now! Let' get these t-shirts sold! Every single one of you talk them up! This will be super easy to help us and you get an awesome looking shirt! WOW..I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS SOONER!! This is awesome because after we complete our homestudy plus if we get approved for a grant that will put us over our half way mark for total funding...almost 1/2 WAY TO TOTAL FUNDING.. NOW THAT'S SOME MOTIVATION!!
*~*FACT: EVERY EVERYONE ON MY FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT OR HELPED SALE 2 SHIRTS OUR GOAL WILL BE REACHED* IF EVERYONE ON MINE AND TONYS FRIENDS LIST BOUGHT 1 SHIRT WE WILL HAVE TO ORDER MORE AND WE WILL BE HALF WAY TO OUR TOTAL FUNDING!!!*~*
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Connecting the Dots
I know it's late but are back home from an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G weekend! I met some of the most AMAZING people. I have been a lot of places met A LOT of people, NEVER have I walked into a total strangers house and felt 100% comfortable or 100% welcome. I cried so many happy tears, that I ran out, LOL! Sounds silly I know, but it's true! I was so blessed to go to the Light church that goes on mission trips every year Ghana. I was even fortunate enough to meet a few people who are from Ghana...BLESSED! Nothing less we are BLESSED! God is connecting all the dots for us, all I need to do is sit back keep faith and trust that God is in control. I can not wait to see to what god has in store for our little man. I can't help but think he's going to do big things and change this world. We haven't even met him and he's changed ours <3
Wednesday I was having one of those days, I was stressing out about money again. Perhaps we should have thought this through more. Such as deciding on adoption, saving money to get us through the beginning cost, then finding a child. I just don't guess that's the way it was meant to be (me thinking out loud). ANYWAYS... during my stressing and praying and trying to figure a way to come the next set of fees. I received a phone call, it was the bank!! They FINALLY called me back I started today (Thursday) I know it's not going to give enough before the homestudy, but again our great god is providing yet another way of funding this adoption. As long as it doesn't rain on Saturday our cookout is still on 12-? How awesome would it be if we raised the $1500 that we needed for the homestudy?!?! Like I have said before even if you don't have the funds to help, by sharing our blog getting the word out that we are adopting and praying is helping us! So many people surprisingly still don't know we are adopting!
Hes a few ways you can help financially:
-Donate to our agency make sure you give our name. They will email you a receipt with tax deduction information on it.
- Or go to our adopt together account it also emails a tax detectable receipt.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
-Private message me and I can give you our address so you can mail check
Thank you all for you support! I'll leave with one of my new favorite verses...
"God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request, in your wildest dreams! He doesn't do it by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us."
POWERFUL HUHH?!?!
Wednesday I was having one of those days, I was stressing out about money again. Perhaps we should have thought this through more. Such as deciding on adoption, saving money to get us through the beginning cost, then finding a child. I just don't guess that's the way it was meant to be (me thinking out loud). ANYWAYS... during my stressing and praying and trying to figure a way to come the next set of fees. I received a phone call, it was the bank!! They FINALLY called me back I started today (Thursday) I know it's not going to give enough before the homestudy, but again our great god is providing yet another way of funding this adoption. As long as it doesn't rain on Saturday our cookout is still on 12-? How awesome would it be if we raised the $1500 that we needed for the homestudy?!?! Like I have said before even if you don't have the funds to help, by sharing our blog getting the word out that we are adopting and praying is helping us! So many people surprisingly still don't know we are adopting!
Hes a few ways you can help financially:
-Donate to our agency make sure you give our name. They will email you a receipt with tax deduction information on it.
- Or go to our adopt together account it also emails a tax detectable receipt.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
-Private message me and I can give you our address so you can mail check
Thank you all for you support! I'll leave with one of my new favorite verses...
"God can do anything you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request, in your wildest dreams! He doesn't do it by pushing us around but by working within us, his spirit deeply and gently within us."
POWERFUL HUHH?!?!
Monday, July 2, 2012
TIMELINE
Hello Everybody! We go for our first homestudy apt. this Thursday. Continued prayers for a speedy homestudy are appreiated. We have been told from other adoptive families this is the hardest part. Anyways, this blog is just an informative blog. Our agency sent me an email today with a timeline of events and I'll add expenses to it.
1.) Homestudy $1,500 (ASAP) 2-3 months
FEES: admin fee, $750 (ASAP)
Agency fee 1 $2,000 (ASAP)
2.) Apply for (I-600A) when homestudy is complete
FEE: I-600A Filing fee $720
Biometric Fingerprint fee $85 per adult
3.) Send completed dossier to Ghana after (I-600A) approval
FEES: In country processing $4,000
Agency Fee 2 $2,000
Child doc. and legal $3,500
Shots b4 travel p/p $1,000
4.) Social Inquiry report Investigation (2-3months)
FEES: In-country costs $1,000
Charitable donation $1,500
Agency Fee 3 $3,000
5.) FIRST TRIP TO GHANA (12-14 days) THIS IS WHERE WE WILL MEET OUR SWEET SWEET BOY AND ATTEND COURT DATE!!
FEES: P/P travel expenses $3,000
6.) In-country coordinator applies for Birth Certificate
7.) Family can schedule I-600 apt. when Birth Certificate is received. Family returns home when I-600 is submitted. (takes up to 60 days to receive I-600 approval.)
8.) Visa packet and child medical exam takes place after I-600 is approved.
9.) SECOND TRIP TO GHANA TO GET OUR SWEET LITTLE BOY!! 1 WEEK STAY.
FEES: P/P TRAVEL EXPENSES $3,000
10.) WELCOME HOME BABY BOY, WELCOME HOME!!!! YOUR NOT AN ORPHAN ANYMORE!!
Of course the length of time and costs can change without notice at anytime. I'm going to assume it will be pretty close to accurate. I don't think I have left anything out. If I did its because I don't know about it. THANK YOU all for your support and prayers. We couldn't do this without you and we are forever thankful for each and every one of you!
Here is the link to our adopt together account. ANY amount you choose to donate 100% comes directly to us. Once it is complete you will receive a email with a tax exempt reciept. Thank you again.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
1.) Homestudy $1,500 (ASAP) 2-3 months
FEES: admin fee, $750 (ASAP)
Agency fee 1 $2,000 (ASAP)
2.) Apply for (I-600A) when homestudy is complete
FEE: I-600A Filing fee $720
Biometric Fingerprint fee $85 per adult
3.) Send completed dossier to Ghana after (I-600A) approval
FEES: In country processing $4,000
Agency Fee 2 $2,000
Child doc. and legal $3,500
Shots b4 travel p/p $1,000
4.) Social Inquiry report Investigation (2-3months)
FEES: In-country costs $1,000
Charitable donation $1,500
Agency Fee 3 $3,000
5.) FIRST TRIP TO GHANA (12-14 days) THIS IS WHERE WE WILL MEET OUR SWEET SWEET BOY AND ATTEND COURT DATE!!
FEES: P/P travel expenses $3,000
6.) In-country coordinator applies for Birth Certificate
7.) Family can schedule I-600 apt. when Birth Certificate is received. Family returns home when I-600 is submitted. (takes up to 60 days to receive I-600 approval.)
8.) Visa packet and child medical exam takes place after I-600 is approved.
9.) SECOND TRIP TO GHANA TO GET OUR SWEET LITTLE BOY!! 1 WEEK STAY.
FEES: P/P TRAVEL EXPENSES $3,000
10.) WELCOME HOME BABY BOY, WELCOME HOME!!!! YOUR NOT AN ORPHAN ANYMORE!!
Of course the length of time and costs can change without notice at anytime. I'm going to assume it will be pretty close to accurate. I don't think I have left anything out. If I did its because I don't know about it. THANK YOU all for your support and prayers. We couldn't do this without you and we are forever thankful for each and every one of you!
Here is the link to our adopt together account. ANY amount you choose to donate 100% comes directly to us. Once it is complete you will receive a email with a tax exempt reciept. Thank you again.
http://adopttogether.org/irwin/
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