Why have I been silent? Well....
What has been happening in the adoption? Well...
How is everyone doing? Well...
The past few weeks (or months) have been so very hard. BUT who says adoption is easy? IT IS NOT! (BUT trust me it is worth it).
The adoption was going smoothly until the end of December. Then I wasn't getting the answer from China to our submitted paperwork. Then the holiday break came, then the system upgrade shut down came and then my agency went through a 3 week suspension. Once all of that was done I kept pushing to get the answer and they still couldn't find it. Finally they let me know they had done it wrong in December and caused many issues. The next month I spent trying to fix it and get it back on track. No possibility. (I think the agency made things worse).
In March I decided to switch agencies and did the paperwork. We got it all done in no time and they were so helpful. I was able to get sweet Tynsleigh's file released from the old agency and under the new rules her file has to go back to the shared list and resubmit for PA. I have had my PA since November but now I have to ask again...and the rules have changed for single women. LOI was submitted. Several weeks went by... we were getting nervous (my agency and myself). China coordinator contacted CCCWA and they spoke several times. There was talk that my I may not be able to adopt from China until Brennan was 6 years old (he is only 3), then there was talk about the paperwork/issue that the old agency messed up for me and was causing issues, then there was talk that my old agency did some things to mess up her file too, then there was other talk. All of this was just running through my head constantly for two weeks while I wait to hear of a decision from CCCWA about PA for Tynsleigh. My adult children were so wonderful and supportive during this time. The night I got really bad news and was dying inside my kids took me out to dinner with all of the family (there is 13 of us when we all go out). So...I waited...and waited...and waited...
During the wait all of my little ones and grandkids all passed around the stomach bug (each kid had it for two days each and some overlapped...not pretty days around our house). My daughter is moving so I'm helping her pack (not moving away just moving to a bigger house since they outgrew the one they live in).
My 18 year old son (who has autism) wanted to go to his Senior Prom (last minute) so I had to shuffle to find a tux he would be happy with and not have him back out from going. He found the one he wanted and he looked so very handsome. He had a blast and I am so happy for him. He graduates in just over 4 weeks. I am so very proud of him.
I found out that our Pastor is leaving. I work for the church as the Children's Ministry Director and she has been so very supportive of our work and we have been able to grow so much. I have been working on quite a bit of work with recruiting new volunteer teachers and curriculum and writing our VBS program again this year.
My oldest daughter is 7 months pregnant and I spent the entire day yesterday in the hospital with her because of an infection that had her in so much pain and not being able to keep anything down. She is feeling a little bit better and so glad her and baby, Ensley, is doing better.
We have been house hunting to find a house big enough for our family and big enough for our animals (2 dogs, 2 fish, 3 pygmy goats, and 3 horses).
My next oldest daughter got a great job and got her license (she was in a serious car accident two years ago and refused to drive even though she is 20 yrs old). This job is in her field of Social Work and is extremely excited.
My oldest son graduates the Police Academy in 3 1/2months so happy and nervous all at the same time.
My youngest son, Brennan, is doing amazing and he acts and talks like he has always been here. He is so very bright and will give me a run for my money with his education and keeping him challenged.
My fingerprints and my oldest two living at home still have valid fingerprints for USCIS. In two days my 18 yr old will get his fingerprints done and hopefully approval will be soon after. I am hoping to be DTC in MAY!!!
I will keep you posted. We have a lot of fees due when we are DTC (Dossier to China) so if you feel led please consider donating or buying something from our fundraising shop. I have begun to work on three big fundraisers coming up.
Keep checking back!!!
