Holy Smokes!! We are getting close!!

WOW!! I just got off the phone with Ashley at CHI and she said we are getting very close to "dossier completeness"!!! I new this technically, but to hear it from her made it all seem so real!! Fingers crossed it will be on its way to Ethiopia by the end of September...or a little sooner!!! What a sense of relief. Now, to pay the $4,100 dossier fee.....I have been praying EVERY MINUTE for the $$$ part of this adoption. I know in my soul that God will see to it that we have the money when we need it. The extra shifts at work have been lining up and THAT, my friends, is my answered prayer. (Although, secretly, I must admit I was thinking more along the lines of a random stranger making a donation towards our adoption fund so I don't have to take on the roll of "walking zombie" for the next several weeks!!)
I am emotionally preparing myself for the deafening silence that is about to blanket my house between 8am-4pm daily as Jenna will be starting kindergarten in less than three weeks. We went to Walmart to get all of the kids' school supplies and as they piled all of the composition books, glue sticks and crayons into the cart, I was literally thinking to myself....."don't cry....not hear, in Walmart for Pete's sake!" Thank goodness the slef checkout turned me into a crazy woman and distracted me from my self pity otherwise, I think I would have been in a puddle of tears!!
Blogging ain't my bag, baby, but I'm learning!! Right? :)

Update!!

Soooo, I kinda gave up on this blog for a bit since some folks said they were having trouble logging into it. But, here I am again....It is almost the end of April!! Time is going by so fast! We are done with the home study paper chase... What a job that was!! I feel so strong in my faith right now. I know that things are going as planned and we are all growing more and more excited every day. We should be scheduling our first meeting with the social worker early next week....makes it feel so real. Not just a mad search for documents! The only other thing that is holding things up is our water well. It has failed the bacteria test twice now and we just finished shocking it again. Health Department should be out in a few days to recheck...if it fails a third time, we will have to put a UV filtration system on the incoming water line....great for our water...bad for our wallets! I feel so thankful that I have been able to work as much as I have been lately. I am getting either 2 or 3 twelves a week! And Sten has been pulling lots of overtime to save, save, save!!
    I've talked some with Krissy about how a baby girl in Africa, so far away from us is either growing in her mother's womb or in the hands of caretakers at her orphanage all this time. I have been praying for her, wherever she may be. I have been praying for adoption in Ethiopia and all over the world. I came across this prayer a few weeks ago and I want to share it:
     Father, in the name of Jesus, arrest any hindrances that may come to try to hold up our family's adoption. Even now, oh Lord, keep and protect her from all hurt, harm or danger.  Provide and meet her needs and the needs of her caregivers.  Send hope to her birth-family, bless them for loving her enough to giver her the opportunity to live the life you intended for her. Lord, I know this is your will and I know that you have a purpose for this adoption...order our steps, be a light unto our path. I send this prayer up, not only for me but for all the children and families waiting to be united...waiting for referral, court dates, travel, escort...I pray for all the workers that are involved in the adoption process from agency workers to orphanage workers.  Father, let your grace be on each one of them.  Let your grace be upon the judges in Ethiopia to do their jobs in excellence and let it be on the attorneys that they will work diligently to accomplish all that is needed to connect the children to forever families.  Father, God, grant traveling mercies to all who are going and returning with their little blessings.  Holy Spirit, intercede for the things that I don't see or understand... In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray....Amen.

     

Up to my eye bulbs!!

Wow, it has been a week since I have posted, time is flying, let's hope it continues to do so!! Mrs. White, are you happy I am blogging? :) So, I am really making headway on the home study "stuff". It has enveloped me, literally!! I am buried in papers and envelopes, in various stages of completion! This is a great test of my organization and discipline, as it turns out!! So, where are we now? I have just about completed all of the forms and document "fetching" that is needed for the home study. Then, when Cradle of Hope has all of our papers, they will assign us a social worker who will do all of our interviews and home visits. You know, to see if we are fit to raise a child!!! HeeHee (can't help it, really!) Some of us are still waiting for our physicals and even the cat and dog have to be checked out for this. Really, all I can do is laugh and trudge forward with the knowing that there is a little baby out there that I am doing all of this for. A little life that needs me more than I need her!

Two Trips.....

Well, we learned last night that the Ethiopian gov't announced yesterday that from here on out...both adoptive parents MUST be present at the court hearing that takes place about 3 mos. prior to taking baby home. So, we will be making two trips to Ethiopia. Exciting, but EXPENSIVE!!! I sat down last night and tried to brainstorm some ideas for saving/earning cash. Sten suggested we designate "no spend" months where we spend only on the necessary things like food and bills.  I can do without Walmart, Target and Kohls!!! Also, I am going to try to pick up at least six shifts a month.  I have an idea to ask my neighbors if they would be willing to have a community yard sale to benefit our cause... I think they would be willing!  And lastly, NO MORE EATING OUT!! This will be a toughy. Perhaps it will help us shed a few pounds and be doubly rewarding!!
So many things to ponder! My friend Mindy, who has adopted 2 of her sons from KZ, said that everything in adoption is set in jello, so be prepared for things to change constantly. And, wow, she was right!!!

Patience really is a virtue!!

Well, after about a week of fretting over not hearing from our consultant and ending up in a place of doubt, fear and second-guessing, I finally have some peace. I heard from her today and feel much better. Lesson learned: never reply to "auto-reply out of office" emails....they get dumped in a junk mailbox!! Phew. Glad that is cleared up! Thanks to Katie and Sten for listening to me vent!!! Love you! I even had to cash in on a "mental bedrest" moment last night!! (Thanks for the nap, Sten!! I love you!!)
Our consultant answered many questions and finally I feel guided in this journey!! Our social worker at Cradle of Hope was wonderful this morning, as well. There really are great people in this world!  So, now I have to complete the epic amount of paperwork for our home study and complete our on-line education. I am so glad to have clear and concise goals!! WOOHOO!!!
Want to share this prayer today...

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE 
Dear Heavenly Father,
Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. You have dealt gently with Your children in love. You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.
Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, more patient in times of trouble, and more consistent in my prayer life. Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

Home Study!!

Wow! Home study packet came yesterday....not so much a "home" study as a "every single aspect of your life" study!! Many, many pages of forms and instructions for inspections, physicals, references, background checks, driver record checks, fire safety inspection, sanitation inspection, veterinary clearances, financial records, and then some!!! Glad I have time to devote to all of it! Just have to try to squeeze in extra hours at work to pay for all of it. The thing that makes me go "hmmmmm" is the fact that anyone can just go and have a baby without all of this red tape if they feel like it. I just keep reminding myself of the goal, the light that will be at the end of this tunnel! A child in need of a forever family. One that I will love and cherish for a lifetime. I have heard people say that their children that came to them through adoption were born in their hearts, now I totally get that. While my pregnancies were incredible and taxing on me with being so sick and then on bedrest for what seemed like eternity, this "pregnancy of my heart" is just as incredible with the effort and thought and sheer work that is going into it. And just like in my pregnancies when I thought of and dreamt of and hoped for and longed for that unborn child in my heart, the same is happening now for this child.

Time with Sissy

I really enjoy spending my days with the kids....I am soaking up every last day I have with Jenna before she goes to kindergarten. She is quite a gal and I have been so spoiled to be able to spend every day with her. Once she starts school, I will probably sign up for extra shifts at work so that I can sock away "baby" money!! Although our deck is hanging on by a nail (or two) and our master bath looks like 1985 barfed on my second level (with its pink and gray tile and robin's egg blue tub, shower and toilet...yes, it is THAT lovely) I just cannot see putting any of that in front of adoption. Those other things will come in time.
I found a great verse from Galatians today that just about jumped off the page to me....
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Awesome!

So, my in-laws are very excited about our adoption news. I was worried, like I said before because I value their opinion so much....Karen said something that really touched my heart..."It will be exciting to be a grandparent of a child adopted from so far away" She really is just a genuinely GREAT person!

Worthwhile Endeavor

"There is no more compelling motivation to worthwhile endeavor than the knowledge that we are children of God, that God expects us to do something with our lives, and that He will give us help when help is sought." ~Gordon B. Hinkley...Standing for Something

Our packet came yesterday, we spent the afternoon reading all the packets and then we signed!!! First big check written and I dashed to the post office before they closed.....Next step, please!!

Ahhhhhhh!

Packet arrived....without someone to hold my hand and tell me exactly what to do with it! I am feeling a little stressed over NOT knowing what exactly to do next. I think we are supposed to be assigned to a consultant. I will feel much better once that happens!

Cat's out!!

The cat is officially out of the bag!! What a relief. I am humbled by everyone's supportive words and encouragement. Wow!  My in-laws are upstairs, asleep after driving in from Florida last night. I am anxious to see them and to talk about the adoption with them. They have been such a huge part of our lives that I am excited and yet nervous to hear their input! Nervous only because we love them and value their opinions so much!
I am waiting ( I have a feeling that word is going to start to feel like a cuss word to my ears) for THE PACKET to arrive today. I am ready for the chasing of documents and the filling in of forms!! Plainly stated....I am ready!

Oh, yes we are!!!

So, as a general announcement and a "letting you know" statement..... We Olssons have decided to add to our family again.  This time through the beautiful gift of adoption. We have been accepted into the Ethiopia program at Children's Hope International...check out their website, especially the Ethiopia section....http://www.childrenshopeint.org/. Look under the "process" tab to see how this all will come together. It will be a long journey, but one that has been in our hearts for a very long time and will be worth every day in waiting!! Thanks to all of you in advance, for your love and support. I know we will need lots of you during this time, so check back regularly to get a "sneak peak" into our journey!!

Status Quo

Today's sermon really has me reflecting on "the status quo".....My "status quo" is great, absolutely perfect.  I have a magnificently blessed status quo! But, is it challenging me? Am I pushing my comfort zone? Am I making that connection between my heart and my mind? Is my status quo sparking a spiritual journey in me? There is no yes or no answer here, just reflection....
The fact that I have four healthy, beautiful, intelligent children and the most fantastic husband are proof to me that "God has my back". I have been blessed countless times in my life. I think of our adoption journey like this: Together Sten and I have planted a garden full of fruits and vegetables, that over the years we have added to...and this adoption is another way that we, as "gardeners" are creating the most fruitful garden possible...that makes sense to me....all the way to my core!!!

So, the maiden voyage of our blog story....kinda scary for this tech-impaired girl!! I am certain I will drive Sten and Ben crazy with customizing our page. So, the reason for starting this blog is to journal and keep a record of our adoption experience. Adoption has been in our hearts and tucked in the back of our minds for a very long time, but we are now officially starting the journey. After researching many options and agencies, we have mailed our application to Children's Hope International and have been accepted into their Ethiopia program!! We are so stinkin' excited, it is beyond words! I know we have a long road ahead of us and am aware of the ups and downs that the adoption process brings. I am still overwhelmed with joy and I look forward to this incredible experience!