Just amazing!

I know we are right in the middle of a "God moment" and I am so excited to share it!  Here is how it unfolded....Back in October, when I was reviewing Abigail's file, I googled her special need online...up pops a blog written by a woman who adopted a little girl with a very similar need.  A few days later, I googled the name of Abigail's orphanage...and up pops the same blog.  I read it with more interest the second time, wondering if it was coincidence or not that I had found it again.  I noted that her son was adopted from the same orphanage where Abigail currently lives.  And what a surprise when I saw that this woman lives in Waycross, Georgia!  I quickly emailed her and included lots of questions.  She answered every one and I found her to be so encouraging and informative.  Her comments helped me feel comfortable with Abigail's special need and helped me feel confident that I could raise this child.  I thanked her and moved on, thankful that she had been so willing to share.  To me, this was the end...but God had more blessings to share!  

Months later, I posted on an adoption listserve.  I shared that I was adopting this child and was so excited to bring her home.  This woman from Waycross emailed me, asking for Abigail's Chinese name, thinking that Abigail and her son knew each other.  As it turns out, they not only knew each other, but they were friends in the orphanage!  The woman was able to send me lots of pictures of her son and my Abigail.  What are the chances???  It is really just unbelievable....Abigail's orphanage is in a city where few international adoptions have taken place.....ever.  And now, she and one of her best friends will be living within a few hours of each other!  I am amazed at how God continues to weave Abigail's story together!   I cannot wait for these two to be reunited!

Uh, oh!

Oh, no! Today I learned that we have hit out first real snag of the process....I emailed out social worker last week to check on the progress of the final report. She told me that she had finished and sent the report to the homestudy agency on January 10. Once the homestudy agency checks over it, they will forward it to Holt (my placing agency) for their approval.  

On January 18, since I had not heard anything from the homestudy agency, I called them to check on the progress. They informed me that they DID NOT HAVE IT! I immediately emailed the social worker, who assured me she had sent it. She quickly emailed it the homestudy agency again. In the meantime, the homestudy agency found the report....apparently, they had printed it out, but it was never given to the person who reviews the homestudies. I finally was able to speak with this woman on the phone. She agreed to move the homestudy to the top of the stack and review it quickly.  Thank goodness! Then she informs me that they do not have ANY of my paperwork. I think I just about had a heart attack on the spot! Again, a quick email to the social worker confirms that she mailed it, but the agency never received it. Luckily, I am slightly obsessive (ha) and I made copies of everything I had sent, so I only needed to recopy it all and send it out again. Now to stop payment on my check, which is also MIA....good grief! I guess it is safe to say that the devil is having fun with this!

Fourth Homestudy Visit DONE!

Last homestudy visit occurred today. I am happy to finish it up! Now, we will wait on the social worker to finalize the report and she will send it to the homestudy agency for approval. Yay! So glad this part is done!!!

Homestudy Paperwork....Check!

Today we had the third homestudy visit. I am so relieved to be completely finished with all of the homestudy paperwork. I turned everything in to our social worker today. We talked a bit more and planned to meet again for the final visit on January 4th. She hopes to have the rough draft of the homestudy done so that we can review it at the last meeting. I am so happy that this has gone as fast as it has.

Will, Josh, and the Interview

Second homestudy visit was today. The boys were so excited and really nervous about their interviews. They both did great! The social worker asked the boys what activities they liked to do, how they liked school, and finally how they felt about having a new sister. She asked Josh what he thought of the idea of having two boys and two girls in his family. He responded that our family ALREADY had two boys and two girls in it. The social worker was a bit confused until Josh reminded her that she was forgetting about Ella, our female goldendoodle!

First Homestudy Visit

The homestudy is well underway. Our social worker came for the first meeting today. She talked with me, met the boys, walked through the house....she was great! Super nice and very professional.  

I have been diligently working on the homestudy paperwork for the last couple of weeks....FBI clearance was checked off with a drive to Columbus, medical forms were completed with a doctors visit and lots of bloodwork, reference forms have been mailed out (thanks to Sarah, Erica, Leslie, and Angela), septic tank has been inspected (the boys found this oddly fascinating), fingerprints have been taken (three times and counting), and so much more!  

The social worker went ahead and scheduled the next meeting for December 28th. I am really excited that she wants to do the visits QUICKLY which is fine by me! At the next meeting, she will talk individually with each of the boys. They love that they are going to have their own personal interview! (For those who know my kids, you know that I will be in prayer about what actually comes out of their mouth, but I am glad they are excited!)

You ought to be in pictures!

Tonight I received an email from one of my Internet friends.  Over the last few months, this woman has advocated for my little girl, hoping that she would find her family.  She was so excited when I shared with her that I had committed to adopt this child.  So tonight she sends me a link to a video....well, a TV show really....that has aired in China back in February of 2012.  This television show spotlights two very special children....one is my Abigail and the other is a little boy who will soon be called Edward.  Abigail and Edward are the best of friends.  This video is 22 MINUTES LONG!!!  The video shows where Abigail lives, her school room, her bedroom, her friends.  I can hear her voice and see her smile....what an AMAZING gift it is to have this!  Of course, I have been busy taking lots of screen shots, making some of the cutest pictures!  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!