WE DID IT - approved to be parents

Wow - someone should have done or told us this about 7 years ago while pg with Nate - but we have been "determined approved or qualified" to parent an adoptive child!  Ha - this stupid, one page ore like a form letter than any official document says we are good to go.  Now we have just over a year to bring a child home!  Well we can always renew or update our data - but its good to know we are "ok".

this is a huge piece of paper that is required for I think all international adoptions - its a form that goes in our dossier (the official package of info for ET.  I'm still waiting on my properly dated letter from my doctor - but need to now have her explain that weakly reactive is negative or good enough.  a few more letters need to be updated and notarized - hope to do that this week. My work letters will be redone on Monday.  And then once the agency says OK - we are off to the Great Seal of MI to have all the documents validated that the notaries are valid and good.  I don't have to drive to Lansing as the Livonia service center has a Great Seal office there - I will probably call Monday to see if we need to make an appointment or just show up and stand in line - better be safe then sorry - I have Next Friday off - so if I can get it all done - we can have our stuff submitted to the Stork something and they will deliver our package to DC for I think translation -

wow - not even sure where to begin yet - but once it is submitted in ET - the official wait on a waiting list happens as we await the referral of our next child.  It is amazing.  I still keep having dreams its a boy - but then see little girls and they are so beautiful.  I just don't care - Only God knows who the child will be.

Alright - off to finish cooking for a potluck at church tonight  - its Game Night!

Ethiopian Christmas

I learned from a FB friend today is Christmas in Ethoipia.   Ethiopia has different holidays and also uses a totally different calendar than we are familiar with in most countries.  They actually are only in the year 2000 or 2001 now.  Weird huh?

Anyhow - for those out there celebrating - I'd love to hear any ideas how to celebrate with our future child someday.

Gail

GOOD NEWS - after a roller coaster dayI

ROLLER Coaster - first - I"m overly emotional today - and frustrated - I know our agency is doing things for OUR BEST interest - I know that - but its hard.  first they approved documents last year before we had them notarized (per their instructions - I sent them in) and now that they are notarized - they want us to change the information on them!  Really - why didn't you catch that before I had them notarized?  Oh well - I agree with the changes and it will be less confusing when translated - so thankfully our friend Bev will notarize this Sunday for us!  Yeah.
They are questioning one of my blood tests - I googled the results and it is a common way to refer to a "negative" but I now have to have the doctor re write the letter.  still have issues getting a correct notarized  letter anyhow - so starting over will be fine.  but just frustrating with my doctors office - all the time!

So then roller coaster with USCIS - trying to get through their phone thing and entering numbers all to find out  our status.  Well I spent finally found the correct way to push buttons to get to a live person.  He just read from scripts and wouldn't let me talk.  Finally after 5 minutes I could speak and tell him that's not what I'm asking - and then he gave me an email and without a receipt # - HE CAN'T LOOK ANYTHING UP.  Not even by our names -

so I emailed USCIS  - and to my surprise we were approved on 12/30/10!  NO letter yet - but we were approved!  Yeah - so hopefully that will arrive tomorrow or Saturday in the mail!  Now just getting the doctors stuff and a few other things redone - oh yeah - need HR to redo some forms too - but that is easy - they are just across the atrium.  Yeah.

so for that - I'm adding the ET pictures again!  Just so I can

Please continue to pray - I know we will be alright and lately I'm thinking we will bring a child home next year - for some reason god has plans and I KNOW we will be fine and follow his path - but man its hard.

so I guess good news is GREAT NEWS!  Yeah!

More updates - when it rains it pours

Yep another double post -
So I posted on a yahoo group - what are the typical wait times to receive approval for a Visa from USCIS / Homeland Security  - so fingerprinting was key - and most got it all back within weeks.  a few bad stories - so we'll have to make a call and inquire tomorrow.  Need to really push my dr for her information - maybe even just drive over and have her date the stupid letter I already have - we shall see.

So I'm getting excited again -

I also follow a blog on World Press - Grace in Motion - wow - these people are amazing - they had a story about how they had issues and lost a child (I think they wanted two kids, one died and then ET took the other one away) - anyhow our agency - AAI hooked them with another couple - in similar situations.  Anyhow - they met in person this week in ET with their beautiful sons!  Its amazing.  I am meeting people in similar situations as us and hope to meet them all.  One family was in the same spot - but they have a new path - God brought them to another country that will be best for their family.  Its amazing how God puts things in peoples hearts and how paths cross.  I am just trying so hard to put it all into his hands and just wait!  He WILL take care of us - all the things we stress about - I juts know it will be alright!

Please continue to pray for us and share prayers with others and the blog - the more that read these things the better.

Gail

Agency Updates - wait times and families coming home

So below are two emails posted from our agency on the Yahoo Groups we belong to - the first was slightly discouraging, but then I"m like - they are doing so much with the right things and more orphanages are coming on board.  So we'll be fine.  But I was confused as I know families have been traveling to ET  - so it was pleasant to then see the next email below - I was very happy to hear MORE good news on all the families traveling.  I know many have waited a while - about a year - so that will work out wonderful. 


Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we have been submitting our paperwork to the agency for review before we go to the Great Seal of MI - they verify our notaries I guess.  Anyhow - and all the other paperwork we are doing and working on saving right now.  Thanks for the prayers and support.
Love 
Gail


Posted 1/5/11
Dear Families~
This post is mainly for those of you waiting for a referral, but has some information for all of you. 

If you are waiting, you are well aware that we have had a real slow down of referral activity over the last few months. We really appreciate the patience that you have had and also ask for continued patience. 

We are currently working with 4 orphanages (EnatAlem-Addis, EnatAlem-Awassa, EVADO (Awassa), and Engida (Addis).

We very recently discontinued working with Africa's Village Orphanage (in Addis), due to our concern with the orphanage's standards. There is absolutely no evidence of any unethical actions or behaviors practiced by the orphanage, however, we were having trouble obtaining clearance from the government office for additional referrals. The reason we have been given is because the orphanage is not up to the government's standards. Because of this, we are unable to continue working with them. Although this is unfortunate, there have been three beautiful children placed, through AAI, from this orphanage and we are thankful that they have forever families. 

Engida is a small orphanage and, although, we are pleased with the care and love provided to the children there, we have only had two placements. The manager of this orphanage is in the process of working with another larger location about 560 km east of Addis. Alemu recently visited this location and was very impressed; he feels strongly that we would be able to have a good number of referrals through them. If all goes as planned we will begin working with this orphanage in the next 6-8 weeks.(maybe sooner) 

We continue to work with both EnatAlem orphanages as well as EVADO. When I was in Ethiopia I met some of the children that we are expecting to be referred to our agency, however, I have not yet received paperwork on any of them. I am so hoping to very soon. 

I'm sure that the lack of referrals is discouraging to you. Please know that we are always looking for other options, in regards to other orphanages, in order to serve our families the best way possible. I think you are all still within the range of wait time you were originally told, however, it's natural to have hope it will happen sooner. 

Please continue to be patient and feel free to ask questions that you might have.


Posted 1/6/11
Dear Families~
After reading my post from yesterday and also getting a few responses from families, I feel that maybe my post yesterday was more negative that what I intended to be. I should have included the positive action that is going on right now. Please read below for some great news: 

-We have two families that have been in Ethiopia on their first trip to meet their children. One family is adopting a 4(boy) & 6(girl) year old and the other one an infant boy. Both families should be heading to the airport to come home within a few hours. 

-We also have two families in Ethiopia right now that were scheduled for the embassy appointments today. They should be set to bring their children home (2 1/2 year old boy and infant boy) in the next two days. 

-We also had one family bring their infant boy home last week. 

-In addition to this, we have 4 families waiting for clearance for travel from the embassy. We expect that they will bring their children home sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. (3 yr old girl, two infant girls, two 3 year old boys, and one 2 year old boy). 

-Finally, we had a family return from their first trip just before Christmas. They are expecting to travel to bring their children (3 & 5 yrs) home sometime in the next month or so. 

I hope you find all this encouraging. You too will be at this stage in a matter of time,

~Sally 

Missions - Ethiopia

this is a video a friend had on Facebook. this is not the reason we chose to adopt from Ethiopia - I guess I just fell in love with the country and the people from pictures, stories and video's that I saw when I researched various countries that we could adopt from.

However - this is a big one - it shows the beautiful kids that are all in need to have a family to call their own and ones to take care of them. They are in great need

th

One more item off the list

Yep - ONE more item down - we had to get 6 - yes 6 passport pictures each to send to the agency - not exactly sure that they are for - but they are for something.  so we were able to get them done at the local AAA branch - and you can get 2 sets for free - well we needed 3 sets - it was our lucky day and she couldn't get the system to work right - so they were all free!  Not that the $16 would be huge - but it is still a nice day when  you get something free.

I liked these pics a lot better then the one actually in my passport - but that is entertaining to show people how much weight I've lost in like 5 years - pretty dang amazing!

So my goal tomorrow is to see if I can scan in all the paper work and send it over to the agency and just wait for the USCIS paperwork - with the holidays not expecting too much.  Once they approve it - I have to deal with the "great seal" -and there is one in Livonia!  YES - that will be HUGE to help do that - they confirm the notarized forms I guess.

the other news -started painting Nate's new bedroom yesterday - thanks to Uncle Marcus (My brother) and his girlfriend Stacie - almost done - one more coat and then paint the bottom half of one wall tan.  we are doing a Sponge Bob theme that he wanted - and he can't wait to find out if he'll have a brother or sister - then we can start on their room next year!  If its young - they will have the same dolphin / sea theme that Nate had - minus the gorgeous mural my cousin Kyle painted for Nate.  Its exciting a LOT going on - but worth it all -

I keep reading other blogs and stories and its just amazing - soon we will have a little one home.  I saw two kids at The Henry Ford today - and think they were adopted - not sure if they are ET children or not -but so beautiful  their mom and grandma (I assume) probably thought I was crazy just smiling at them - and a little daydreaming that our child may look similar to them soon!  Such beautiful kids - I can't wait.

alright - I should go - trying to catch up on my yahoo group emails - never easy - I did delete over 100 last night - yeah

a very merry and blessed Christmas to all

Merry Christmas to everyone  - its such very blessed day- the day our lord gave us his son - Jesus.  A nice time to enjoy.

This is a wonderful year - Nate actually was happy and enjoyed his presents and was happy with what Santa brought - even surprised by a few things.  Yeah- MUCH better than last years antics of piling up all his presents by the front door proclaiming that Santa MUST come back to take them away!  (later in the day the little stinker did like things).

So all I keep thinking is maybe next year we will have another little one on Christmas morning - maybe in a little shock  - but it sure will be fun.  I hope that's what we have next year!  Or at least shortly after.  I just keep envisioning our little one in our family.  And thinking - where are they now,who are they, what do they look like- are they being raised as a Christian and celebrating today?  Or will they even remember.  Heck -they may not even be born yet?

Just a lot to think about during this holiday.  God has blessed me with one beautiful little boy who will be 6.5 in just a few short weeks.  And the most amazing husband and some very awesome friends and family.  I'm a lucky girl!  I may have doubts and frustrations some days - but I know deep down I'm alright and just following God's plan.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone  - may you and yours have a wonderful day of celebration and joy.
Love
Gail

check out a new picture

Here is a picture of Craig and I taken at my work Christmas party over the weekend - hoping to get a better photo soon.  Can you imagine - I've lost over 125 pounds

Police paper work done

Busy few days with paperwork - Monday we went to the Redford PD and got our paperwork from them.  YEAH - now we are just waiting on my doctors paper work - we'll get there.

Also the electrician hooked up the office - so we'll be moving everything in there, getting Nate into his new room - and then just waiting to submit our Dossier - getting closer.

The holidays are here and we feel blessed.  I follow a blog about another family who's adoption was held up for some reviews.  Well after over 40 days they finally were told OK by the ET government and now waiting on the US government and hope to get to ET by the 30th!  Yes next week - they posted they may fly out Xmas day and bring their little man home!  What a blessing - they have some of the most amazing faith - so many people do- but they were an inspiration.

I'm hoping my xmas presents to myself come soon - some kids and family books on ET and a kids dictionary - Nate's still concerned he won't know how to talk to his brother/sister.  Can't wait.

Everyone enjoy this time of year and remember is true meaning - the birth of our Lord Jesus - without him we'd be lost.
Thanks for following.
Love
Gail

USCIS / Homeland Security Finger printing

Well- this past Friday was a BIG day - we had our finger prints taken at the Detroit USCIS office - it took a LOT longer to drive there then it did to actually take our prints and wait. Very efficient system. In the morning we are going to the local police station for our background check - and then just waiting on a letter from MY doctor - but other than that should have all the other paper work.  So keep your fingers crossed- say some prayers that the form from the USCIS comes fast - it is approval to get a Visa to adopt a child internationally.

So in our preparations - the electrician has been out this weekend and we now have our computer in the new basement office. Still have to really set things up - using a little table at the moment, desk still in the room.  My brother is hopefully coming in the next week or two to help us paint the current office - which will soon be Nate's new bedroom.  Then once we accept a referral - we'll be able to plan more or wait for our new child to decorate their new bedroom.  Just exciting.  so slowly but surely we are getting ready.

the holidays are this week - well Christmas and just LOTS going on - exciting for us all.

Can't wait - lots happening -
continue to follow and thanks for the prayers
Happy holidays - the Backus'

What a great son

Wow - we have an awesome son!  So Friday morning Nate work up early so I could see him before I left for work (NOT typical as I leave close to 6:30 am).  Anyhow as I was packing my lunch and he was trying to get some breakfast he told me he had a dream about his "little brother" last night.
          (comment inserted) - we do not know if we are adopting a boy or girl as we are leaving that up to God.    
          How ever, I feel we will have a boy.  But we all remind each other - and Nate reminds me often -
           Mommy it may be a sister too
 So he said, but mommy, there were a lot more than just one brother.  There were a bunch of kids.  And we were playing, but it was hard.  I asked - what was hard and how many kids.  He said a lot of kids and NONE Of them spoke our language.  But they did later and then it was a lot of fun. But mommy we aren't getting a lot of kids are we?  I just want one.  me - don't worry honey - just one.  Good!

Just thought it was so sweet - he really does talk about his future sibling and wants to meet them.  Earlier int he week he was very concerned we won't be able to talk or understand them.  I told him we will get some dictionaries and learn some of the Amharic language - their language.  They have a book for kids and one for big people.  We'll probably get both.  He said no - I want the big one so we can learn a lot and be able to talk to him (yes - we are all starting to say HIM a lot).  But a girl will be just as good.

Just can't wait - we go visit Home Land Security this next week - wish us luck.  Got more of Craig's paper work today and need to get a few more and then we are good to go!  I need to get passport pictures and the local police background -but that will require me to take some time off work - which I'm hoping to avoid as much as possible.  Mostly because I want to save EVERY second of my vacation time for our next child and our travels.

Thanks for reading all - love, Gail, Craig and Nate

BEST Christmas Cards - EVER - check out other posts for links to my Shutterfly books and cards

Hi everyone - this year I'm working to get free Christmas cards from www.shutterfly.com - http://bit.ly/sfly2010 - you can look at both links - they have awesome service.  I have used Shutterfly for a many things.  We used them for cards the first year Nate was born, last year and plan on using them this year.  last years cards were totally awesome - I was able to upload 9 pictures into one really cool photo card - I had so many compliments on it I couldn't even believe it. 2009 Xmas card.  This year they have so many different designs - I don't know which one to pick.  Some of my favorites are: Faith, Love, Family; Picture Tree; Retro Snowflakes and many others - check them out at http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards?viewAll=true&sortType=1&foType=e&fa=8&DCL=true&fe=4&lfoType=a&fb=2

Here are just a few pictures we had in our photo books last year.

I recently have made their photo books this year from our Disney trip and then one from Nate's birth to early this year for my dad.  These books are just awesome!  My dad and whole family love them and so do I.  Here are just a few of the pictures I added to my Shutterfly Album!  Some made it to our books - others didn't - but you can see from our baby showers to some early times with Nate.  ALSO - look up at another entry and I have finally found out how to share the projects - I have the recent Santa 2010 picture AND our big Photobook - you GOTTA check that one out.

Craig and I are the Wilcox Family Baby Shower

One of my favorite - Kisses Nate - created for his Nonnie (Craig's mom) for valentines day

A picture my friend Kathy made - too cute

Baby shower from Lisa (in middle) - it was the only one my mom could make - look how proud she was

Nate

Nate and Nate - Xmas 2004

Papa and Nate - apple orchard 2004

The programs I can use are really easy and allowed me to make things custom- using different formats and backgrounds - its just really cool.  One really key thing is many people use the custom books to make a little book of pictures to leave with their child either before they get there or at their first trip - this way it helps the child get to know their family, house, our cats - you name it.  I think that will ban awesome first gift for our future little one.

Hopefully this week I'm gonna load more pics from this summer and fall and make our 2010 Christmas cards.  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

then when we get our little one home from Ethiopia I plan on sending out adoption announcements for our newest family member.  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements

these will be awesome - I will get to make something special for our new little one.

the calendars are cool too - I"m hoping I find time to make one for our family this year as a stocking stuffer.  http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars  - and I was even thinking if I can take TONS Of pictures in ET - I can make special calendars for our new little one of their home country and possibly even their caretakers and family if we can get their pictures.  Wouldn't that be cool - especially when they get older.

Just check out this stuff and you possibly can get deals like this too - honestly www.Shutterfly.com is the only place we have found to do our pictures, cards and other photo related items over the last few years - they ROCK.

Don't forget - check out the other posts for links to our Shutterfly cards and photo books - they are totally awesome.

The Backus gang

Update from US Embassy in ET - not sure how this will work or affect us

So the following letter was posted on one of my Yahoo Groups from the agency - I"m not really sure what's up - but I know some families (ones I have never met, but I follow their blogs) are being investigated - one poor family has NO idea what's happening, they were trying to adopt another group of kids, one passed away and I think another is sick. Then they were referred this little boy and met him once and now the case is under investigation.  Its just so tragic.  Anyhow - this is what came out today - I know they are doing what's best for the kids - but it sure is scary.


Gail


Dear Families -

Please see below posting from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa. You can also view this notice onwww.adoption.state.gov. 

We can assure you that AAI, both in the U.S. and our staff in Ethiopia have not been involved in any of the alleged cases of fraud, malfeasance and/or abuse in Ethiopia. It always has been and continues to be top priority to us to work with integrity and transparency. These priorities are also reflected in our connections with both the US government and Ethiopian government.

We have seen increased scrutiny in our families cases over the last few months and are confident that this is a result of an overall scrutiny of all adoption agencies. This was confirmed by U.S. Embassy staff that we met with last week in Ethiopia. They also confirmed that, to their knowledge, there is nothing specific to AAI that has been in question. 

Adoption Processing at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa

December 7, 2010

The Department of State continues to be concerned about reports highlighting adoption related fraud, malfeasance, and abuse in Ethiopia, and acknowledges the concerns expressed by families over the integrity of the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa actively tracks all adoption visa cases, incorporating information provided by adoption agencies and the Government of Ethiopia, to ensure that the adoption process continues to operate transparently and ethically.

The Ethiopian government requires that adoptive parents must appear at the Ethiopian federal court hearing for their adoptive child in order for the adoption to be approved. If there are two adoptive parents but only one parent can attend the hearing, special permission from the federal court must be obtained in advance,* and the attending parent must have a power of attorney from the other. It generally takes three weeks or more after the court date for the adoption agency to obtain the documentation necessary for an immigrant visa application, including the adopted child's birth certificate and Ethiopian passport. Adoptive parents can expect to wait at least one month after thecourt hearing for a visa interview appointment. 

Adoptive parents should be aware that in all adoption visa cases worldwide, an I-604 investigation must be completed in connection with every I-600 application. Depending on the circumstances of the case, this investigation may take several weeks or even months to complete. Additional information may be required to determine the facts surrounding a child's relinquishment or abandonment and whether a child meets the definition of an orphan under U.S. immigration law. The Embassy strongly recommends that adoptive parents who return to the U.S. after the court hearing not travel again to Ethiopia for the immigrant visa process until they have confirmed with their adoption agency that the Embassy has scheduled a visa interview. Those who plan to stay in Ethiopia between the court hearing and interview should obtain Ethiopian visas in advance of travel, and ensure the validity of their visas to avoid immigration proceedings and/or significant fines.

* If only one parent meets the adoptive child before the court date, the child will qualify for an IR-4, not an IR-3 visa (which means that the child will not become a U.S. citizen upon entry to the United States and will have to be re-adopted in the United States).

The Embassy's Adoptions Unit can be reached at consadoptionaddis@state.gov.

Another letter in hand

Well we received another letter - signed and notarized today - a letter from MY doctor that clears my health tests ET requires.  VERY happy about that and for my awesome doctor.  Guess one tests was "borderline positive' and she didn't agree and had them run it again - two different ways - both came back negative - so it was a false positive.  Pretty scary knowing the tests they had done.  We should have Craig's letter finalized tomorrow!  YEAH -

Then DHS next Friday - another BIG step - then we have to go get stuff done at the local police station.  its one thing after another.

Stressed is a big issue - we'll see how life turns out - still keep dreaming of our child waiting out there for us - sure can't wait!

Just a side note - please pray for our friends son Gabriel - he has some unknown blood disorder, needs help to figure it out (so RARE less than 100 people have it) - and then has iron build up (deadly levels) because of all his blood transfusions.  AND then on top of all that and totally unrelated needs brain surgery SOON for a brain malformation.  All this and his parents are expecting child #4 any day now - just hard.

I look at life and no matter what troubles we are facing we have each other!  That's what we need more than anything in the world.

Gail