Embassy appointment date - SET

Well we finally have an appointment for the Visa on 3/13/12 - now we just have to hope we don't need more paper work before we go due to the new job. If we can just take something with us - we are all a-go this week! So very excited to get this started.  If we are on this time - Gotcha day is my birthday - how cool is that (and my sister in-law and mother-inlaw's as well) -

IF not - our finger prints expire on 3/16 - and we'll probably be pretty delayed - so praying for this to all finalize tomorrow.

Just a LOT going on - a new job/career and a new baby - both things have been in my dreams for so long I just can't wait to start them both.  So Tuesday is my first day at the job and excited to get that moving - it will be great!  I can't wait to just be at a level to perform and really do great things for a company -

Alright - back to the grind - I should be organizing nursery/Nate's room or house - at least laundry is going!
Gail

CLEARED - USCIS Nairobi cleared us~

Wow - can I just say that God has a good sense of humor?  He really does - we have said all along - God has a plan - the delays are on purpose because he knows things must have to happen. We have so many things in our lives - they need to align  - he wants things just right for the perfect time.  Yes its been hard  - I do NOT LIKE WAITING well more I do not like NOT KNOWING - that's more accurate.  So here it goes:

The last 48 hours have been crazy!  So now I can divulge something I've been having to keep quiet for many months - I've got a new job - a DREAM job and a great company!  I have been working with them since October - a really great interview process - very in-depth and I respect them more for it - we really got to know each other!  And I like that.  So they finally were able to make an offer - Monday!  Yes - this past Monday!  And due to deadlines of reports - I will start on Valentines day!  Pretty cool - one week notice - not perfect - but they didn't fight to keep  me longer - so I'm moving on.  NO break between either.  So I"m going to be the new Director of Environmental, Health and Safety at this place!  Still hesitant to announce the name till Tuesday - but commute is cut in half, location so much easier for school and no plants far away - so no big travels!  Can you say PERFECT for this new family

Then Craig and I were joking - wouldn't it be funny if we cleared.  I had been seeing families clear Nairobi in a week!  But kept saying the last batch was 2-3 weeks.  So as usual Tuesday morning I checked my email - nothing!  Yeah sighted bummed - but that's alright - valentines day would be cool for passing.  Then at about 8:30 am my friend Sarah emailed me she cleared!  Oh I was so happy - I told Craig to check email (I can't till lunch and not easily) - he said WE Cleared!  Wow - we are on cloud nine.

So as of now - we have a tentative Embassy Visa appointment for March 13, 2012 - my step sisters birthday - but guess what - my birthday will probably end up as Gotcha Day!  How awesome - what can a mom say is the BEST birthday gift?  Plus this is Craig's MOM AND SISTER's birthday as well - so we will have an honor for Nonnie on this day!  Just very excited.

A few things can still go wrong - the new job throws some possible issues in - but we doubt it -our finger prints expire on 3/16 - so we MUST GO BEFORE - if not I'd wait till my Best friend Shannon is traveling - but we can't -so bummed - I was praying we'd meet there.

So now two of the 3 things I've eluded to have come true!  Now we await one more event in our lives.  It would be such a blessing to have it all come true

But right now - honestly we are blessed - we have a new son coming home and already have a great one here!  Our family is good and friends amazing.

So thanks for the prayers everyone - many of you know the "3rd item" so keep praying.

In the mean time many of my new friends - I no longer consider them just "adoption friends" - you are MY FRIENDS - they are traveling soon or now or already there - for various steps - keep all these families in your prayers.

Thanks all - this is such an exciting time
Gail

USCIS - we have arrived

It only took 1 week exactly and we found out this morning that the USCIS in Nairobi, Kenya received our file!  So that's good.  Somewhere I had in my mind it could take 2-4 weeks to receive our files.  So yeah!  I just have a good feeling.  They said we will know something in 30 days - good or bad.  And flights - well we're getting there.

Lots of people are praying and we really appreciate it - the power of prayer helps.  These kids and all the other families need this help!

Hopefully soon we will be getting some pictures of our little guy and some updates - I just can't wait!  It will sure be nice.  A lot of families are traveling and bringing their babies home - so they are lucky!

We keep moving forward.
Gail

FRUSTRATING - sent to USCIS

Well one of our nightmares came true today - we received the dreaded email from the USE that we are "not clearly approvable' and sent to USCIS (who's African office is in Nairobi, Kenya.  I guess its at least 1 week to get our files there.  2 other families from AAI were also sent.

So reading the groups and FB group - it sounds like a TON of families received this email - very much similar to all the crap with USCIS and USE last fall!  From some research from people it sounds like there were complaints to DC's head adoption guy and he called the Addis offices.  Instead of fixing the problem and getting work done - they just sent ALL these cases and dumped them on USCIS - get rid of the work to another agency!  We were all stuck in the mess.  Things are now delayed in my mind 6-10 weeks before we clear - if not longer!  The hope is that the majority will pass immediately upon review.  however, they could issue what is called an RFE - Request for Evidence - again where more crap hits the fan.  A full investigation is done  but YOU as the parent need to do it.  It can be done by your agency, yourself (yes flying and doing an investigation) or hiring an investigator over there!  Just crazy.  We can't afford all this.  Many people are doing this now before they even get sent anywhere.  Not sure if that's good or not - I just can't afford it.

So between that and all the other personal stuff going on - we are dealing with 3 different issues all at the same time!   I"m handling the stress pretty well - and meeting more families.

Good news - at least one family we traveled with cleared today  amen and congrats to Shelly and Michael!  we assume Connie and Rick passed as well - yeah!  Also my other friend Shannon and Mark got bad news from the ET judge - why are things SO hard.  And Sue - they had a referral and were waiting (and waiting) to hear about their son and the birth mom may have come back to get him?  just crazy.

So if you pray - please pray for the kids first -they deserve a safe home with food, and the basics.  Many are starving and struggling.  Then pray for all the families that love them so much! We all need prayers and positive thoughts.

Thanks for letting me ramble!
Gail

Waiting - still

Still no word from USE but they did request ONE piece of information to review our file.  So that was submitted the next day and now we wait!  Its been over a week that they received a phone number.  Hopefully that call went well and we can hear something soon.  We emailed Thursday night only to find out there is another Holiday yesterday and the offices were closed.  So hopefully some news on Monday.

Two of the families we traveled with had birth family interviews this past week and we are praying that went well and they can soon go bring their kiddos home forever!  And start the family they've dreamed of!

Meeting more families as well.  This process is draining, but its nice getting to know more people.  I'm thankful for my friends and family during all of this.  It seems like our lives are just crazy.

On other notes - still waiting on a few other pieces of our lives to make changes.  Just not the right time yet. But we'll get that.  One day we can share so much news with everyone it will be wonderful.

Nate - he's doing awesome with his reading.  The tutor has been amazing.  He was able to zip through two sets of flash cards with sight words and he did that in 10 minutes!  A few months ago it took 10 minutes to do just a few of the cards - it was such a struggle.  But not anymore.

Today we are having a reception with all family and friends to celebrate my brother Marcus and his wife Stacey!  They had a beautiful, private wedding in the fall and now celebrating with everyone 80's style tonight!  Should be entertaining!  I've got my outfit ready - yeah!.

So as we continue our wait - some days are better than others we just continue to move forward in our lives.  Try and remind Nate that being a big brother is a cool thing and important!  And that even though life will change - he will be still getting important private time!   And we will protect those toys of his!  ha.

Enjoy the day -
Gail

USE reqesting some tidbits of info

anyone seeing me this morning trying to get out of the house ON TIME (my goal is to leave close to 6:30 am every day - I rarely get there) would have laughed.  Anyhow - with so  many things going on - I try to glance at the email before I leave as I can't check till lunch time.  anyhow - at 6 am, nothing, any how by 6:15 - a request for more info!  They are looking for a phone number for the police officer that took Sami's case.  So hopefully that is it.   However, sounds like they can then set up an appointment to do a phone interview, still have more interviews with key people and then decide NOT ENOUGH?  Or they could say - OK - cleared?  Wow - it could be either way and we just don't know.

Anyhow - this morning as the email came up I didn't realize it till after I hit the button to reboot.  Then scrambled to stop - ended up crashing the computer - and I finally got the tablet out!  All trying to get ready. And I left two things for my day - protein drink and fruit at home - OUT!  Luckily Craig put them back and i can have it tomorrow.  I was just off for a while.

But its good -we just need to wait!  We'll get our son home soon!

And all the other things happening in our lives are moving forward as well.

Please pray for all the families in limbo.  Pray for my friend Shannon and her family that they get a court date assigned soon.  Pray for all the families that we traveled with - that we all get info soon?  I'm thankful for all the families we are meeting through this process.  I know our kids will have lots of friends!  and people all over the country.

So its January and I'm sitting here typing and hear it RAINING outside.  Really - crazy.

Alright - we are making progress.  I'm tired and ready to just move forward with life.
Gail

File under review (finally)

Yes - at about 7:58 am - today we received an email from the USE stating they have our file and its under review.  That's about it - they ask we don't email for 5 days.  So next week we should get more details - do they need more, will we be referred to USCIS in Nairobi (yes I heard that's where we go - NOT Rome that was for a special situation last fall) - or we should pass soon.  So we'll see.  

Yes - this was a test of patience for me.  I would think I didn't do very well, if you ask Craig - he'd say yeah she was going crazy.  But I did it - I only emailed a few days early last night.  Ha.  But its still a LOT more waiting to go.  We of course fell into the holiday backup - and I was not prepared for that.  So it was about 2+ weeks delayed response due to all of that.  Lucky for me Craig is very logical when it comes to this type of stuff and keeps me more grounded.  I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband!  And a great kid.

Anyhow - yesterday was the 9th - a BIG day for the Backus family that went unnoticed.  Nate officially is 7.5 years old!  And Curt turned 9 months!  Yeah - both boys hit a big mark in the year.  We'll have to see if Nate can do a Half birthday celebration later this week or just wait till the end of the year?  He didn't ask and didn't even realize it happened.  He was just excited to go to a friends house after school.  He's loving this new routine on Mondays  - so thanks to Rebekah and Jason for taking him on with the chaos they have with 4 kids and everything else.

Alright - I can relax a lot more now - and in the next 5 days I can start to go crazy.  At least in my mind I've planned for a long wait - so that should help keep me grounded.  Its just hard when I have dreams I'm in Addis with my boys!

Have a good day
Gail This is an e-mail from General Dynamics Land Systems. It is for the intended recipient only and may contain confidential and privileged information. No one else may read, print, store, copy, forward or act in reliance on it or its attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this message to the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your computer. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Happy 2012 - gonna be the year of Curtis Samuel Backus

Finally a NEW YEAR - its gotta be a good one!  I anticipate LOTS of good things on the horizon  - changes in our life and a new son!  Just can't wait!  Hopefully some good news on part of that in the next few days -

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year's eve.  We had a good family night at the local town - Northville at their family event and then came home to watch the new I-Carly and the Smurfs.  Gotta love it.  Can't wait to have Curtis Samuel home to go next year - he'll be the perfect age - can't wait to see him on some of the bounce stuff!

Here's looking at a great new year!
Leap year and election year as well - ha
enjoy a few pics from our New Year's Eve adventure!  Home Depot had one station set up to build stuff - Nate did the "fire boat" with daddy.  He and I build a tool box a few months ago at a local store.  The kids had fun.  Nate wasn't too fond of pictures and wanted silly faces.  He had a good time.

Gail

                                             MOM INTERRUPTING THE BUILDING

                                             SILLY FACE - JUST NOT GOING TO SMILE

                                          PROUD FINISHED PRODUCT

No word from USE yet

So our paper work was submitted to the USE last Thursday - we all were expecting an email Wednesday or Thursday saying they received our files for a VISA and will start working on it.  However, not to contact them for 5 days.  So far - NO email has arrived.  I know they all took Monday off for a holiday and next Monday as well.  I can just assume that they are short handed with the US holiday and then the Ethiopian Christmas is either the 6th or 7th of January.  Needless to say - I'm sure people are short handed.

So we will ring in the new year without any more info - oh well.

Making progress at the storage unit today and hopefully tomorrow - and then we'll be able to start working on Curtis Samuel's room.  I did find the crib and TONS of toys today - all will be good.

Even bought the black eyed peas for Sunday -

On another note - there are a LOT of people struggling as the year comes to an end.  Specifically my brother - he'll be fine - but just some added prayers would sure be nice for him.  I know he'll make it through and be better than before - always seems to be -but he needs a hug.

If I don't email before Sunday - everyone have a very happy and safe New Year's Eve tomorrow!  The Backus gang is spending it as a family.  Dinner out and a movie maybe?  And we have some special snacks for later - our own individual Edy's Shakes!  Yummy!  Sounds like fun!  Don't think we have a bottle of bubbly - but maybe I can find some sparkling juice tomorrow?

Hopefully we'll make more progress on the storage unit tomorrow!  That's a good plan.
Hugs to all as 2011 comes to a close and 2012 begins anew!  Can't wait - praying for some great things in the Backus lives!
Gail, Craig, Nate and Curtis Samuel (still not sure what we'll call him - ha)

We should adopt from the US before any other country?

So I was actually half expecting a card from someone this year about this topic - and actually that's just what the card said!  they are wishing us good luck but "its too bad you couldn't take a baby from our own country.  There are so many children here that need a good home, and they should come first before kids in other countries.  We should take care of the children here first and then think of kids in other countries.  Well good luck with him anyway"

Seriously!  Does anyone really know what's best for the kids or our families?  Does anyone REALLY KNOW our story?  Ok if you are reading the blog from 2010 to now - probably you do know the story - and its written here.  And I know I can't quote scripture and verse - but I know the Bible says to help ALL kids - no country or child is more important then the other.

I know that people have had good luck adopting domestically and many do foster to adopt.  But there are scary stories out there for any type of adoption.  How domestic adoption, many times the birth mothers back out and take the kids back.  Remember who the father is, and years later he can take his child away.  And then there are sad stories with foster to adopt - just  having to give the kids back and forth to  messed up parents and someday they may loose their rights and the kids can be adopted.  And that many kids in the system  - yes they have it hard.  But that doesn't say that kids in other countries don't either?

Every one's story is their life story and its their choice and honestly its their business.  No one has a right to judge anyone else for their decision on how to grow their family.  I'm sure there are many people out there that do not believe in fertility treatments.  Well without those - we wouldn't have our beautiful Nate!  He is a miracle child via fertility treatments that the Dr's told me were not going to work!  But guess what - he's almost 7.5 years old and perfect in my eyes!  But many people are against those treatments.

And now - people don't like that we are adopting internationally or maybe its a child of color?  Well I know Craig has some color blindness - and I think I must as well - because that doesn't matter.  I'm in love with our baby!  He's perfect in our eyes -  just like Nate!  No matter what these boys do - they will always be our sons and perfect - we will think they are the best at everything they do!  Curtis Samuel Backus - he's awesome!  he's sweet, innocent and needs a family to love him!  He's pretty darn healthy (from what we know) - and he'll be the best addition to our family!  EVER!  No one can tell me otherwise.

And I do believe that people that adopt domestically or from another country - those are all perfect adoptions and families too!  God led us down this path and no matter what - I believe this is meant to be.  Its sad others can't see past their own feelings to acknowledge that other opinions, paths or options are just as good for other people.  It may not be right for them, but it is right for the others.  For us - domestic and foster care were not our paths.  Not that I didn't try or want to - but for many reasons that don't need to be written here - I wasn't a good fit for that path!  Those kids are great too, but I wasn't gong to be the best mom in those situations.  I know my friends that are awesome and they are the best - they have some awesome kids - and their lives are great!  And some even admit -Gail this isn't for you!  And guess what -its OK!  they don't judge me- maybe its because I accept them just like they accept me.

Anyhow - its just another day - and just sad when people have to be closed minded.

And its funny - Craig saw my quick post on Facebook and just KNEW who it was - too funny!

anyhow - I respect this persons thoughts and wish they knew about the system in the US and how messed up it is.  how people can't just 'adopt" kids here.  How kids get stuck in the limbo and court systems for years.  And how we have a son and everything we are doing is with him in mind!

Ok - off my soap box.  If anyone has suggestions on how to deal with this - please feel free to contact me privately - gmbackus@hotmail.com.

I just will continue to look at our little guy and fingers crossed that we will get news from USE this week that they do have our file and some idea in the  next few weeks where we will go from here.

Thanks for your support friends and strangers - I follow so many blogs to learn from you - I do hope maybe I can help someone here.
Gail

Merry Christmas Ethiopia

Ok- its 4 am in Addis Ababa - but really thinking of Curtis Samuel right now.  Hoping he is all snuggled in his little crib and not missing his buddy Elias too much as he went home to his forever family a few weeks ago.  And I pray that he gets some loving tomorrow.

However, I do know - its not really Christmas in Ethiopia, they celebrate the Orthodox days and will have their celebrations in a few weeks.  In 2013 I will do a dinner or some celebration on that day as our family is officially Ethiopian now as well.

So I just am missing our little boy today!   I know he will be home soon - but its hard.  It was fun to envision having him with the big family celebration today with my step sister and her kids.  It will be fun to have a baby there next year.  And if we are lucky - I may even get a niece or nephew as well?  Hum - two babies?  that could be fun.

We had fun tonight handing out Timbit's from Tim Horton's to random people working tonight.  This is something I helped to start last year at church - and our wonderful Pastor helped us fund the event this year.  WE went to 5 places and I wish we had 5 more!  Its fun to see the reactions of people as you just leave them a box of donuts and say thanks for working tonight ! Nate really was getting into that spirit and it was fun!  Very happy for a great kid and husband.

So all the babble - I'm pretty tired - to my Sami - Love you so much Sami - I can't wait to have you in my arms for years to come.
See you soon!
Love mommy, daddy and Nate

Submitted to US Embassy

We were officially submitted to the US Embassy today.  Now a NEW wait begins.  The review can take a few weeks to MONTHS!  So far only two families have been sent to further review from our agency - one has recently passed and the other should soon.  So we'll see what happens.  WE expect some interviews to be requested at a minimum.  All I know is that we agree with the reviews to ensure our child is truly an orphan and available to be adopted.  Now we just have to pray it goes smoothly.

Sami - one day Mommy and daddy will have you in our arms, reading these stories and you will realize just how badly we wanted you with us and how in love we are with you.

Merry Christmas everyone.
Gail This is an e-mail from General Dynamics Land Systems. It is for the intended recipient only and may contain confidential and privileged information. No one else may read, print, store, copy, forward or act in reliance on it or its attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this message to the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your computer. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Our own Santa Delivery

Yes - the Backus family has found its OWN personal Secret Santa or maybe the real Santa Clause decided to use Amazon.com's free shipping last week.  Either way - we received a package yesterday at the UPS store - we haven't used this mailbox in about a year or more - but someone didn't know that.  Anyhow - to our great surprise - Nate received a really nice toy!  I think we'll tape the box up and let him open it as he LOVES getting package.  And this time - its a wonderful surprise to Craig and I as well!

There is NO name on who sent this wonderful present.  And we even called Amazon to ask - wanting to thank someone personally and they said no - its anonymous -and they'd send an email to the sender to say we say thanks!  Weird - but our own little Christmas magic this year.

Just cool - so if you read this Santa - thank you from the bottom of our hearts - your kindness reminds us about the special meaning of the season to give and be thankful - I want to just cry and hug you!  As my coworker told me - maybe someone knows our struggles this year and wanted to put a smile on our faces - well guess what - YOU SURE DID!  

Our sermon on Sunday was about Christmas miracles or the little miracles and journey's along the way - when something bad happens and turns good.  Well not that we had anything "bad' happen - but this is a good.  But I was reminded Sunday of Christmas 2002 - the big blizzard that hit upstate NY - we had been going there every other year for Christmas - rotating holidays every year between families - so 2002 was the NY trip.  So Craig's mom lived in the valley (we lovingly call it Happy Valley) and his Aunt Sandy lives up on the mountain and his dad stayed there.  We left to go visit him for a few hours - well it was snowing hard and decided we needed to leave early and go back to his mom's place in Happy Valley - there is a HUGE steep hill to go down - and it would not be easy travel.  It wasn't that far at all - but just a big hill.  So about a mile or two from aunt Sandy's - she lives in the middle of nothing - but its beautiful - the road was covered and we couldn't make out where it was or the corn fields it went through - needless to say - we found the corn field and got stuck.  REALLY stuck - we were there for hours -

The blessing - a house up the way was home - they never are home on Christmas day - but were that year - they took us in - gave us Christmas dinner and a warm bed for the night!  When we woke the next day - record snow fall - almost 4 feet of snow - and more in some places!  What a miracle - strangers took us in!  That year will be our miracle - just like our Secret Santa from 2011.  2002 was a nice miracle - with a sadness - I remember getting a message as the call never came through - but the message did hours later - my wonderful aunt Alma passed away that day too!  So we had her angel watching out for us as well.

So to all - enjoy this season - give a little - even if its a smile, a few coins in the red kettle or a hug to someone this season - you will brighten their day like someone brightened ours!

Merry Christmas a few days early.
Gail and Craig This is an e-mail from General Dynamics Land Systems. It is for the intended recipient only and may contain confidential and privileged information. No one else may read, print, store, copy, forward or act in reliance on it or its attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this message to the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your computer. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Not submitted to USE today

Sounds like we will be submitted on the normal scheduled day, which is what I had anticipated - but still bummed out.  But it sounds like Curtis Samuel passed the medical exam.  Oh yeah, the other disappointing news, we can't even hear or read about this medical evaluation.  Its all in his files, but not for us to see.  So that's frustrating.  He had a cold or some respiratory issue while we were there and hoping they will take care of that for him.  

So since my focus of good news was to get a copy of his medical report, and we can't - I will just focus that no news is good news right?

Nothing we can do to make this faster.  So IF everything goes well, our files will be submitted on 12/22/11!  So its one week later.  We will then wait a few days to get an email stating that they have our files.  And just pray for a fast review.

Just hard!  I had so hoped to have our son home for the holidays.  But next year!  Pray he comes home by the time he turns one in April!

Gail This is an e-mail from General Dynamics Land Systems. It is for the intended recipient only and may contain confidential and privileged information. No one else may read, print, store, copy, forward or act in reliance on it or its attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, please return this message to the sender and delete the message and any attachments from your computer. Your cooperation is appreciated.

embassy submittal - delayed

Appears our little guy didn't have a physical exam by an Approved Embassy physician - or the paperwork wasn't done in time - so his files were NOT submitted to the US Embassy (USE) today.  They asked if they could submit them on Monday - but not sure yet.  Our agency can submit information on Thursdays.

So we'll see.  At least we will have an updated medical - haven't seen much since he was 3 months old.
Positive thinking right?

Home trying to recreate the Yummy Pizza's taste - didn't work out too well - they have the cheese down to a science on how it will melt evenly - but practice.  AND too much sauce - ha!  Now my tradition going to show Nate how to make Christmas Wreath cookies!  Should be fun - just hoping for green food coloring - no red hots - but it will work!

Tomorrow is Nate's Christmas party in his class and then the school will be roller skating - I will never forget - my 6th or 7th birthday - so Nate's age - and the brownies went skating at the Roller Rama in Brighton to celebrate Girl Scouts birthday.  I wasn't very good and my mom and I were going along - I was hanging onto her hand on one side and the edge on the other - as we passed the LCP photographer - we both fell (well me taking her with me)  - arms and legs every where.  Guess what picture HE got!  And of course - asking a little girl - putting her picture in the paper was a big deal AND on my birthday - poor mom!  What she did for me - she pretended to be so excited that day!  Ha.

I miss her tons this time of the year.  But I know she's in heaven watching over us and watching over Sami until he can become Curtis Samuel Backus -

HUGS to all
Gail