Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Another Hurdle Overcome
After two failed attempts at getting our children’s I-800 applications past the automated scanner at the USCIS Texas lockbox, we finally got notice today that our third crack at it succeeded and our kids’ paperwork is now in process. According to our NBC agent, we are setting a precedent at USCIS adopting two unrelated children from two different countries on two separate I-800A approvals at exactly the same time. Sadly, this fact has cost us an entire month in our adoption journey because the scanner/staff at the lockbox simply couldn’t compute/comprehend the situation. Oh well, I am just happy we are one step closer now to bringing our little ones home. Fingers crossed that the provisional visa approvals will be issued in the first half of June.
Monday, May 30, 2011
IAC 181 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 181 which was held on 04/26/11:
1) French dossier from 2008 referred a waiting child (#1276) with a profile on the MOJ site
2) French dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 5 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 8 years and 7 months, female
4) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 7 years and 8 months, male
5) French dossier from 2010 referred two children, male and female, aged 7 years and 11 months and 7 years
6) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred three children, male and female, aged 6 years and 5 months, 8 years and 7 months, and 7 years
7) Italian dossier from 2011 referred two waiting children (#1399 & #1400) with profiles on the MOJ site
8) Swedish dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1241) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) French dossier from 2008 referred a waiting child (#1276) with a profile on the MOJ site
2) French dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 5 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 8 years and 7 months, female
4) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 7 years and 8 months, male
5) French dossier from 2010 referred two children, male and female, aged 7 years and 11 months and 7 years
6) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred three children, male and female, aged 6 years and 5 months, 8 years and 7 months, and 7 years
7) Italian dossier from 2011 referred two waiting children (#1399 & #1400) with profiles on the MOJ site
8) Swedish dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1241) with a profile on the MOJ site
IAC 180 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 180 which was held on 04/15/11:
1) German dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years and 9 months, female
2) Greek dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 2 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 6 months, female
4) U.S. dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 9 months, female, with features in health status
5) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 4 years and 10 months, female, with features in health status
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 9 months, male
7) Dutch dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years, male
8) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a two female children, aged 6 years and 3 months and 3 years and 9 months
9) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 8 years and 3 months, male
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 9 years and 1 month, female
11) Italian dossier from 2010 referred two children, female and male, aged 7 years and 5 months and 9 years
12) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (# 18) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) German dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years and 9 months, female
2) Greek dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 2 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 6 months, female
4) U.S. dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 9 months, female, with features in health status
5) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 4 years and 10 months, female, with features in health status
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 9 months, male
7) Dutch dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years, male
8) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a two female children, aged 6 years and 3 months and 3 years and 9 months
9) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 8 years and 3 months, male
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 9 years and 1 month, female
11) Italian dossier from 2010 referred two children, female and male, aged 7 years and 5 months and 9 years
12) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (# 18) with a profile on the MOJ site
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Our Daughter's Birth City
Our daughter’s birth city is located on the eastern side of Bulgaria, not far from the shores of the Black Sea. It has about 90,000 inhabitants and its earliest settlement goes back to a few centuries BC. We had a wonderful time there and were especially impressed and affected by the atmosphere of content, purposeful activity and happy interest that seemed to permeate the entire place and its population.
Our hotel was located on the edge of a large and beautiful park, one of many green spaces we enjoyed while in Bulgaria. More often than not, we chose to walk from the hotel to the orphanage as most of the way led through this park, then through a complex of apartment buildings. The park includes tennis courts, soccer fields, walking/jogging/biking paths, and exercise equipment open to the public. One night we heard a spirited soccer game last until nearly midnight. The park is well maintained and heavily frequented by locals which makes for a great combination.
For me, having grown up in East Germany, so much of what I saw in this town was familiar. I felt very much at home in the atmosphere there and it almost seemed to my mom and me like we’d been transported back in time to the very best of an era that ended over 20 years ago.
Our hotel was located on the edge of a large and beautiful park, one of many green spaces we enjoyed while in Bulgaria. More often than not, we chose to walk from the hotel to the orphanage as most of the way led through this park, then through a complex of apartment buildings. The park includes tennis courts, soccer fields, walking/jogging/biking paths, and exercise equipment open to the public. One night we heard a spirited soccer game last until nearly midnight. The park is well maintained and heavily frequented by locals which makes for a great combination.
Our daughter’s city also showcases statues, monuments, and public art from big to small:
Here’s a tribute to Saints Cyril and Methodius, the inventors of the Cyrillic alphabet:
We spent a lot of time exploring the immensely long and wide shopping promenade of this city and still never quite made it to the end. Trees, shops, banks, apartments, businesses, and restaurants line this pedestrian-only zone which is currently being improved with new pavement:
There’s even a church tucked into the middle of this bustling area:
We saw a great mixture of old, new and everything in-between as we took in the city. Cars from the communist period to brand-new luxury automobiles zipped along the roads while old ladies with kerchiefs tied around their heads carrying baskets of groceries shared the sidewalks with teens listening to music on their i-pods. Homes ranged from newly constructed to barely holding together:
For me, having grown up in East Germany, so much of what I saw in this town was familiar. I felt very much at home in the atmosphere there and it almost seemed to my mom and me like we’d been transported back in time to the very best of an era that ended over 20 years ago.Monday, May 23, 2011
Another Baby Shower
I know I am woefully late in writing this entry, but I did not want to leave this chronicle of our adoption journey without a note about the wonderful baby shower my friends had for me a month ago. These women know me so well that they catered the entire shower to two of my favorite things: desserts and books.
The shower was held at The Burr House Bed & Breakfast which is owned and operated by my dear friend Cheryl and her husband. It’s a beautiful place and the Grand Kitchen was all set up for the shower:
I am so lucky to have such caring, thoughtful women as my friends. I cannot thank them enough for this baby shower or, more importantly, for the support they and their husbands have given us throughout this adoption journey. It means so much to Craig and me that everyone is excited to meet our children and ready to welcome them into the fold of love, help, discussions, encouragement, laughter, challenges, and celebrations that we share with our friends.
The shower was held at The Burr House Bed & Breakfast which is owned and operated by my dear friend Cheryl and her husband. It’s a beautiful place and the Grand Kitchen was all set up for the shower:
Look at this scrumptious dessert bar to which all of the guests contributed one sweet treat. Of course, I tried them all from the snicker doodles to the lemon squares to the strawberry mousse torte. NomNomNom.
I had so much fun playing shower games and opening all the cards and gifts from my friends. Craig and I were richly blessed with provisions for our little ones, including a great variety of children’s books. If you know me, you know how much I enjoy reading and how much I am looking forward to sharing this life-long love of literature with my son and daughter. Here are the books we received which are now awaiting our children’s arrival in their room:
I am so lucky to have such caring, thoughtful women as my friends. I cannot thank them enough for this baby shower or, more importantly, for the support they and their husbands have given us throughout this adoption journey. It means so much to Craig and me that everyone is excited to meet our children and ready to welcome them into the fold of love, help, discussions, encouragement, laughter, challenges, and celebrations that we share with our friends.Friday, May 20, 2011
Giveaway Fundraiser Success
Our final orphanage fundraiser has come to a close and Craig and I are simply amazed at the generosity we experienced from 26 donors including family, friends, and even strangers. The chip-in through Paypal met our goal of $440. I have also received an additional $135 in checks/cash and verbal commitments for yet another $80. All these funds combined add up to $655. Our sincerest thanks go out to everyone who contributed and spread the word and to those who donated items for the giveaway, making this fundraiser successful beyond our wildest expectations.
We have held four fundraisers in the last 13 months and have collected a total of $1215 for our children’s orphanages. As you can imagine, this money goes a long way in buying supplies. With the success of this last event, we will even be able now to ask each orphanage director if she has any larger, more expensive item(s) she would like us to purchase for the children in her care.
Yesterday my little nephews helped me by drawing the winners from our entry jar. As you can see, no cheating allowed:
We have held four fundraisers in the last 13 months and have collected a total of $1215 for our children’s orphanages. As you can imagine, this money goes a long way in buying supplies. With the success of this last event, we will even be able now to ask each orphanage director if she has any larger, more expensive item(s) she would like us to purchase for the children in her care.
Yesterday my little nephews helped me by drawing the winners from our entry jar. As you can see, no cheating allowed:
Congratulations to these lucky thirteen:
1) $15 Coldstone Creamery gift card – Casie S. of NC
2) Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own – Jessica & John S. of IN
3) Handmade greeting cards by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Marcy L. of AL
4) Sauces of Cincinnati Sampler – Amie H. of NC
5) Handmade glass paperweight by Yuri Okamoto – Dimitrina P. of OH
6) $10 Graeter’s Ice-cream gift card – Mary Beth M. of OH
7) P&G Beauty Sampler – Jason M. of IN
8) The Connected Child & Raising Adopted Children – Ann P. of MN
9) Photograph Where the Rocks Gather by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Sue S. of AL
10) P&G Home Sampler – Kathy K. of IN
11) Handmade greeting cards by LitBit Greetings – Robin S. of NC
12) Scrapbooking kit from Colorbok – Lucy C. of NJ
13) Photograph Linger by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Elizabeth S. of OH
Expect to see your prizes in your mailboxes soon!
1) $15 Coldstone Creamery gift card – Casie S. of NC
2) Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own – Jessica & John S. of IN
3) Handmade greeting cards by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Marcy L. of AL
4) Sauces of Cincinnati Sampler – Amie H. of NC
5) Handmade glass paperweight by Yuri Okamoto – Dimitrina P. of OH
6) $10 Graeter’s Ice-cream gift card – Mary Beth M. of OH
7) P&G Beauty Sampler – Jason M. of IN
8) The Connected Child & Raising Adopted Children – Ann P. of MN
9) Photograph Where the Rocks Gather by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Sue S. of AL
10) P&G Home Sampler – Kathy K. of IN
11) Handmade greeting cards by LitBit Greetings – Robin S. of NC
12) Scrapbooking kit from Colorbok – Lucy C. of NJ
13) Photograph Linger by Josie Virgin-Crowe – Elizabeth S. of OH
Expect to see your prizes in your mailboxes soon!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Last Day For The Giveaway
We have reached the final hours of our last orphanage fundraiser. Donations have been steadily trickling in and I want to thank everyone who has so generously contributed already. Craig and are simply amazed at the willingness to help of family, friends, and even strangers.
As soon as all the checks I have been told to expect have arrived, my little nephews will draw the prize winners from our entry jar. Hopefully we will be ready for the drawing on Thursday, but may have to postpone until Friday.
As soon as all the checks I have been told to expect have arrived, my little nephews will draw the prize winners from our entry jar. Hopefully we will be ready for the drawing on Thursday, but may have to postpone until Friday.
If you’d still like a chance at winning any of these great prizes, please make your donation by midnight tomorrow, May 18. Every dollar raised will go directly to our children’s orphanages.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Orphanage Fundraiser Update
We are half way through our last orphanage fundraiser and have thus far collected $65 in donations (the chip-in counter does not yet reflect money that has come via checks). Many thanks to those of you who have so generously contributed.
We’ve still got quite a way to go to reach our goal of raising $440 for our children’s orphanages in Eastern Europe, so if you would like to help, please chip in via the button on the right. You can also help by spreading the word. I know I had over 300 hits to this blog yesterday alone, so if you’re reading this right now, please be a part of this fundraiser in any way you can.
Remember, it only takes one dollar to be entered into the drawing for the giveaway with prizes valued at over $300.
Thank you. I know we can make this happen.
We’ve still got quite a way to go to reach our goal of raising $440 for our children’s orphanages in Eastern Europe, so if you would like to help, please chip in via the button on the right. You can also help by spreading the word. I know I had over 300 hits to this blog yesterday alone, so if you’re reading this right now, please be a part of this fundraiser in any way you can.
Remember, it only takes one dollar to be entered into the drawing for the giveaway with prizes valued at over $300.
Thank you. I know we can make this happen.
Friday, May 13, 2011
A Little One Lost
A dear friend of mine shared some very sad news with me this morning. She and her husband have been trying to adopt their little boy from Eastern Europe since last fall. They are experienced adopters and have worked diligently at the tasks required to bring him home, nonetheless encountering red tape and bureaucratic delays at every bend. Today, they received word that their son has passed away.
My heart breaks for my friend and her family and for the little boy who will never know he had parents and brothers and sisters who loved him from half way around the world. He died alone without ever experiencing the joy, comfort and care of a family. And not just any potential family maybe if ever… no, a specific family who was impatiently excited to meet him and more than ready to bring him home.
This is the sad, horrifying reality for orphans around the world. They are expendable. Their deaths go largely unnoticed and no one mourns them. We don’t like to think about what could happen to any child in an orphanage and especially not about what could happen to our very own child, a child we already love and cherish from afar, while two governments take months and months to complete endless paperwork. My son has waited for me for over a year. He is alive and I am thankful. But I am utterly disappointed and deeply angry at a state government that takes over four months to provide child abuse clearance checks, at lockbox personnel that returns applications without looking and seeing that all the documentation is, in fact, included and… well, at everyone who thinks orphans have nothing but time and that there’s no urgency to unite them with their parents. These children are not numbers, they’re not a list of diagnoses. They are fragile human beings who deserve the full attention and the best effort from everyone involved in their care and in their adoptions. Instead, sometimes it seems as if those in power are casually gambling with the little lives whose destinies have been placed in the realm of their responsibility.
To my friend, I am grieving with you, I am hurting for you. I am futilely wishing I could make it un-happen. I am here for you, whatever you need.
My heart breaks for my friend and her family and for the little boy who will never know he had parents and brothers and sisters who loved him from half way around the world. He died alone without ever experiencing the joy, comfort and care of a family. And not just any potential family maybe if ever… no, a specific family who was impatiently excited to meet him and more than ready to bring him home.
This is the sad, horrifying reality for orphans around the world. They are expendable. Their deaths go largely unnoticed and no one mourns them. We don’t like to think about what could happen to any child in an orphanage and especially not about what could happen to our very own child, a child we already love and cherish from afar, while two governments take months and months to complete endless paperwork. My son has waited for me for over a year. He is alive and I am thankful. But I am utterly disappointed and deeply angry at a state government that takes over four months to provide child abuse clearance checks, at lockbox personnel that returns applications without looking and seeing that all the documentation is, in fact, included and… well, at everyone who thinks orphans have nothing but time and that there’s no urgency to unite them with their parents. These children are not numbers, they’re not a list of diagnoses. They are fragile human beings who deserve the full attention and the best effort from everyone involved in their care and in their adoptions. Instead, sometimes it seems as if those in power are casually gambling with the little lives whose destinies have been placed in the realm of their responsibility.
To my friend, I am grieving with you, I am hurting for you. I am futilely wishing I could make it un-happen. I am here for you, whatever you need.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
IAC 179 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 179 which was held on 04/08/11:
1) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years, female
2) Swiss dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 3 years and 3 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 10 months, female
4) French dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 5 years and 3 months, male
5) French dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 5 years and 8 months, female
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 7 months, male
7) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 4 months, male, with features in health status - a genetic disease
8) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 1 year and 9 months, female, with data on family history
9) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 1 year and 9 months, female, with data on family history
10) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years, male
11) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 1 month, male, with features in health status - lags behind the NDP and behavioral characteristics
12) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 8 years and 2 months, male, with features in health status - intellectual deficit
13) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred two children, male, aged 6 years and 8 months and 8 years and 3 months, with data on family history and intellectual deficit
14) French dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 10 years, male
[For more information about our orphanage fundraiser giveaway in progress, please click here.]
1) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years, female
2) Swiss dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 3 years and 3 months, male
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 10 months, female
4) French dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 5 years and 3 months, male
5) French dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 5 years and 8 months, female
6) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 7 months, male
7) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 4 months, male, with features in health status - a genetic disease
8) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 1 year and 9 months, female, with data on family history
9) U.S. dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 1 year and 9 months, female, with data on family history
10) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years, male
11) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 1 month, male, with features in health status - lags behind the NDP and behavioral characteristics
12) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 8 years and 2 months, male, with features in health status - intellectual deficit
13) U.S. dossier from 2010 referred two children, male, aged 6 years and 8 months and 8 years and 3 months, with data on family history and intellectual deficit
14) French dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 10 years, male
[For more information about our orphanage fundraiser giveaway in progress, please click here.]
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
31556926 Seconds
One year ago today, we officially accepted our son’s referral. At the time, we expected to have him home by Christmas which, as you all know, didn’t happen. This has been such a trying, painful year for us, knowing our son and watching him grow through photos and videos, knowing where he is and how he spends his days, and knowing that he is not receiving the medical treatments, diagnostics, and therapies he needs. Every day that goes by is a day lost to him developmentally and will make it all the harder for him to catch up on his delays. And every day that goes by is a day that our family is not together.
Tears are never far when I think about our son, but they are always mixed for sadness and joy. Sadness over the time lost and the wait endured and joy for having found him, for bringing him home in a few months, and for spending the rest of our lives loving and treasuring him.
Tears are never far when I think about our son, but they are always mixed for sadness and joy. Sadness over the time lost and the wait endured and joy for having found him, for bringing him home in a few months, and for spending the rest of our lives loving and treasuring him.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Orphanage Fundraiser - Giveaway
This giveaway is our final fundraiser, our last push to collect money for our children’s orphanages, so we can take even more donations, especially diapers and toothbrushes, when we pick up our kids later this year. There are 13 items in this giveaway which I will describe in detail below. Each $1 donation earns you one entry to the drawing for these items. This fundraiser runs through May 18 and the drawing and announcement of winners will take place the following day.
We have set-up a chip-in button for your contributions (see right), but if you’re not comfortable with this method, email me privately at viviane8 @ yahoo.com and we’ll figure out a different way to get you entered for the giveaway. And just in case you are wondering why I set my hopes high and fixed the amount we’d like to raise at $440… well, if we make it, we will have raised a total of exactly $1000 for our children’s orphanages which would be simply amazing.
And now for the giveaway prizes:
We have set-up a chip-in button for your contributions (see right), but if you’re not comfortable with this method, email me privately at viviane8 @ yahoo.com and we’ll figure out a different way to get you entered for the giveaway. And just in case you are wondering why I set my hopes high and fixed the amount we’d like to raise at $440… well, if we make it, we will have raised a total of exactly $1000 for our children’s orphanages which would be simply amazing.
And now for the giveaway prizes:
1) A $15 Coldstone Creamery gift card. Who doesn’t love ice-cream?
2) A brandnew, hardcover edition of Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own by The Experts at Home Made Simple, published in September 2010, valued at $15.90.
3) A set of five handmade greeting cards from my friend and photographer Josie Virgin-Crowe, showing original photographs from her time in the Southwest valued at $15.00. If you’d like to learn more about Josie’s work, please visit http://www.croweseyephotography.com/.
4) Since we live in Cincinnati, I couldn’t resist the Sauces of Cincinnati sampler which includes Frisch’s Tartar Sauce, La Rosa’s Pizza Sauce, Skyline Chili, and Montgomery Inn Original BBQ Sauce valued at $12. All four of these restaurants were founded in Cincinnati.
5) An original, handmade glass paperweight from my friend and glassblower Yuri Okamoto valued at $40. If you’d like to learn more about Yuri’s work, please visit http://www.yuriglass.com/.
6) A $10 Graeter’s Ice-cream gift card. For anyone local, I know I need not say more, but everyone else can check out http://www.graeters.com/.
7) And because Cincinnati is the hometown and headquarters of Procter & Gamble, we have a P&G beauty sampler which includes Crest White Strips Daily Whitening and Tartar Protection (38 count pouches), a Crest SpinBrush Pro, and a Gillette Fusion Razor with two cartridges valued at $50.
8) Two brandnew adoption books that I have found very informative and insightful: The Connected Child by Karyn B. Purvis and Raising Adopted Children by Lois Ruskai Melina valued at $30.
9) An original photograph in a mat (~8in x 10in) called Where the Rocks Gather by my friend and photographer Josie Virgin-Crowe valued at $40. Her website again is http://www.croweseyephotography.com/.
10) Another P&G sampler set, this time for the home. It includes Febreze NOTICEables Alternating Scent Oil Warmer (Calypso Breeze & Hawaiian Paradise), Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (2 pack citrus and light), and a Bounce Dryer Bar - 2 Month supply (outdoor fresh scent, bar and holder included) valued at $15.
11) A set of eight handmade greeting cards from my own tiny business LitBit Greetings. Valued at $12.00.
12) A brandnew, 500 piece scrap-booking kit from Colorbok themed “Antique Woodcut.” Valued at $40.
13) Another original photograph in a mat (~8in x 10in) called Linger by my friend Josie. Valued at $40.
Remember, each $1 donation gets you one entry into the giveaway drawing. Please consider supporting this fundraiser and helping approximately 180 orphaned children in two Eastern European cities.
2) A brandnew, hardcover edition of Home Made Simple: Fresh Ideas to Make Your Own by The Experts at Home Made Simple, published in September 2010, valued at $15.90.
3) A set of five handmade greeting cards from my friend and photographer Josie Virgin-Crowe, showing original photographs from her time in the Southwest valued at $15.00. If you’d like to learn more about Josie’s work, please visit http://www.croweseyephotography.com/.
4) Since we live in Cincinnati, I couldn’t resist the Sauces of Cincinnati sampler which includes Frisch’s Tartar Sauce, La Rosa’s Pizza Sauce, Skyline Chili, and Montgomery Inn Original BBQ Sauce valued at $12. All four of these restaurants were founded in Cincinnati.
5) An original, handmade glass paperweight from my friend and glassblower Yuri Okamoto valued at $40. If you’d like to learn more about Yuri’s work, please visit http://www.yuriglass.com/.
6) A $10 Graeter’s Ice-cream gift card. For anyone local, I know I need not say more, but everyone else can check out http://www.graeters.com/.
7) And because Cincinnati is the hometown and headquarters of Procter & Gamble, we have a P&G beauty sampler which includes Crest White Strips Daily Whitening and Tartar Protection (38 count pouches), a Crest SpinBrush Pro, and a Gillette Fusion Razor with two cartridges valued at $50.
8) Two brandnew adoption books that I have found very informative and insightful: The Connected Child by Karyn B. Purvis and Raising Adopted Children by Lois Ruskai Melina valued at $30.
9) An original photograph in a mat (~8in x 10in) called Where the Rocks Gather by my friend and photographer Josie Virgin-Crowe valued at $40. Her website again is http://www.croweseyephotography.com/.
10) Another P&G sampler set, this time for the home. It includes Febreze NOTICEables Alternating Scent Oil Warmer (Calypso Breeze & Hawaiian Paradise), Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (2 pack citrus and light), and a Bounce Dryer Bar - 2 Month supply (outdoor fresh scent, bar and holder included) valued at $15.
11) A set of eight handmade greeting cards from my own tiny business LitBit Greetings. Valued at $12.00.
12) A brandnew, 500 piece scrap-booking kit from Colorbok themed “Antique Woodcut.” Valued at $40.
13) Another original photograph in a mat (~8in x 10in) called Linger by my friend Josie. Valued at $40.
Remember, each $1 donation gets you one entry into the giveaway drawing. Please consider supporting this fundraiser and helping approximately 180 orphaned children in two Eastern European cities.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Last Hurrah
Our final orphanage fundraiser will kick off tomorrow and run through May 18. This one will be a giveaway and, as always, all donations will go directly to our children’s orphanages in Eastern Europe. So, please check back tomorrow for this exciting event with prizes valued at nearly $340.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Our May Mural
This morning after breakfast, my nephews and I had some educational time where I taught them about murals. Afterward (since we couldn’t very well get creative on an actual interior or exterior wall here), we drew a pretend mural on a large piece of cardboard. This is the result:
As you can see, the mural includes all things happy from suns and moons to sky and stars, from hearts to flying fish, and from rainbows to ocean waves. There are flowers, a rocket ship, and a tree, too, and for some reason me (Bibinan) at a Kroger store. I have no idea why I was depicted at Kroger since I consistently grocery shop only once a week and never with the boys. Maybe the association was more about me and food than me and shopping, who knows? In any case, we are all very pleased with our creation and had a lot of fun working on it together.
Did you see that we drew the new cousins in the mural as well? We’re all excited for them to be here soon.
Did you see that we drew the new cousins in the mural as well? We’re all excited for them to be here soon.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
IAC 178 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 178 which was held on 03/30/11:
1) Cyprus dossier from 2007 referred a child aged 4 years and 4 months, female
2) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years and 10 months, female
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 6 months, male
4) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred two children, twins, aged 4 years and 3 months, female
5) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 5 months, female
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 6 years and 1 month, female, with data on family history, infectious disease
7) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 2 months, male
8) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 8 years and 6 months, male
9) Italian dossier from 2010 referred two children - a biological brother and sister, aged 8 years and 7 months, female, 7 years and 7 months, male
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 9 years and 3 months, female
11) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1242) with a profile on the MOJ site
12) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#819) with a profile on the MOJ site
13) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1308) with a profile on the MOJ site
14) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1140) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) Cyprus dossier from 2007 referred a child aged 4 years and 4 months, female
2) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 2 years and 10 months, female
3) Italian dossier from 2008 referred a child aged 4 years and 6 months, male
4) Norwegian dossier from 2008 referred two children, twins, aged 4 years and 3 months, female
5) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 5 years and 5 months, female
6) French dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 6 years and 1 month, female, with data on family history, infectious disease
7) Italian dossier from 2009 referred a child aged 7 years and 2 months, male
8) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 8 years and 6 months, male
9) Italian dossier from 2010 referred two children - a biological brother and sister, aged 8 years and 7 months, female, 7 years and 7 months, male
10) Italian dossier from 2010 referred a child aged 9 years and 3 months, female
11) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1242) with a profile on the MOJ site
12) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#819) with a profile on the MOJ site
13) Italian dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1308) with a profile on the MOJ site
14) U.S. dossier from 2011 referred a waiting child (#1140) with a profile on the MOJ site
Monday, May 2, 2011
Hallelujah I-800s!
This afternoon our I-800 applications for our son and daughter both were shipped overnight to USCIS. It took over five months to make this happen for our son because even though we thought we had all his paperwork in mid-March, our agency found a mistake in one of the documents and had to wait for it to be re-issued in his birth country. For our daughter, it took about a week to put the packet together which just goes to show that you shouldn't look for any rhyme or reason in international adoption.
I am very excited that this next step to bring our children home is in progress now. It feels like we're in the home stretch. Everyone please use your mojo on our family's behalf to ensure that our paperwork is accepted and processed smoothly and quickly by NBC.
I am very excited that this next step to bring our children home is in progress now. It feels like we're in the home stretch. Everyone please use your mojo on our family's behalf to ensure that our paperwork is accepted and processed smoothly and quickly by NBC.
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