5 For Hope

Another Snag...

Just when you think you are ready to dive in and start swimming, someone poops in the pool.

The refinancing of our home that we were counting on to 1) present us with a nice chunk of cash without taking out anymore of a loan; 2) free up money in our monthly budget by lowering our mortgage payment; and 3) allow us not to make a mortgage payment until February fell through at the end of the week.

Thanks to the lovely economy and the home mortgage crisis, our home's appraisal value has dropped $11,500 since the last time we had it appraised.  That takes our loan to value to a higher percentage and turned our hundreds of dollars of monthly savings into a measly $50.  Not cool.

So, it's back to the drawing board and fast.

I have a couple of ideas that I want to launch in the coming week.  One of them I can do completely on my own to start and then roll out for others to join if they like.  The second one will involve some assistance from family and friends in my hometown.  I'm thinking of a new multimedia campaign and a spaghetti dinner...two fundraising ideas from separate ends of the technology spectrum, but necessary nonetheless.  I want to do this as much as I can without having to go in to any more debt.  Yes, I know I will have money once it's finalized to pay everyone and everything back, but I like the idea of working for it and fast.

We have to get our homestudy done before my husband starts training.  I'd like to have this process completed not long after that so our paperwork arrives in Ethiopia before the courts shut down again...they do this each year...otherwise, M3 is in her homeland even longer and we're losing opportunities to help her have happy childhood memories even longer.  Not acceptable to me.

I will keep you posted.

Our $5 from $4000 campaign added two new members over the weekend.  Thank you to another blogging Army wife for joining in our campaign!  Only 3937 more folks to find!

Anxious to Start

I feel like I keep writing the same thing.  We are RIGHT on the brink.  Every day, we talk more and more about what our plans our for M3, her arrival here, helping her become acclimated and giving her the chance to be bonded with us and take advantage of all being a part of our family could offer her.

Tonight, my husband talked to his mom about the adoption and she asked a lot of questions.  It was funny to hear him talk about the conversation and almost sound exasperated by the number of questions his mom asked.  I reminded him that dropping in to someone's lap that not only are we having a third child, but she's already 4 years old and is in Ethiopia is quite a bit to handle...just remember how HE felt when I told him?!?

He talked about a present that Santa is bringing M2 and how it will take up some space.  He said we should just set up M2's room as if M3 were already here and we'd have plenty of room for the present.  I like his way of thinking.

I'm taking all the paperwork to work this week so I can work on it during my lunch hour.  I should be able to fill it all out by the end of the week, order a family photo and have everything ready to ship when our check from refinancing the house clears the bank.

I can barely contain the joy I feel.  It's like I have a secret that even the other party doesn't know!  M3 has no idea.  My husband and I talked last night of how quickly we hope this moves once the funds become available.  We want her to be home rather than at the orphanage.  I cannot wait to fill her album with beautiful photos from her home country and I do not care HOW tired I am, I plan to journal everything.  I think my mini-recorder and small cassettes will come in handy!

Hang in, M3.  We are coming very soon.  Very, very soon.

Growing, Growing, Growing...

I started working this week and it has been difficult.  The scheduling and commuting takes its toll and I'm wiped out!  The only things that keep me going are 1) we definitely need the money coming in; 2) I need the experience; and 3) this can help bring Hope home sooner.

We have an update for our $5 from 4,000 campaign.  Thank you to 25 of my closet friends who happen to look very much like two people...

As it stands now, we have the equivalent of 61 friends who have contributed their $5 so we only need to find 3,939 more!  That's awesome!

We have been exchanging e-mail with our agency caseworker and our homestudy caseworker.  We know once we start the ball rolling, it will be down the hill SUPER fast!  I'm very excited, but also scared too.  It's a big mission to take on, but I trust we will do right by M3.  She is a precious girl and she deserves a roof over her head, a Daddy who cares for her, a Mom who adores her, and sisters to pal around and grow up with.  She will have all that here.

Keep checking back for updates!  We appreciate your interest in our journey and love that some of you have chosen to join us in it!

Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for this year!  Two new jobs underway, a refinancing on our house coming soon, and discussing other financing with our credit union so we can officially start the paper chase.  We are very excited and nervous!

I worry about all kinds of things all the time regardless.  Now that I can take a breather from worrying about A job (although I am still worried about finding THE job), I have more time to contemplate all the ins and outs of adoption.  It's funny, though, because all I have to do is envision M3 in an orphanage and all those fears seem so inconsequential and small-minded. 

I remember a friend of mine told me months ago:  start that paperwork because once you have a job, you'll have less time and you'll be surprised how much time it takes.  She was right.  I, however, avoided doing much aside from printing everything off because I didn't want to jynx anything.  It will be okay, though.

Tomorrow and this weekend are major paperwork days.  Not only do we have a bunch of stuff to gather for the refinancing appointment, but I need to find some papers for my bar prep training class.  While I'm done there, I can make sure I have all my documentation printed off for our adoption file and just get started!

Such exciting times! 

Big Day

Today, I exchanged e-mail with our caseworker at the adoption agency.  They have approved our pre-application paperwork.  They have invited us to send in our documentation (and our money) and start the ball rolling.

Given all the news of the day, I feel much more confident in our ability to pay for the portion of the paperwork that will put us in a position to apply for grants.  Additionally, we have been looking into some other fundraising vehicles and short-term things which may provide us with just the right recipe to move this along.

The caseworker pointed out that M3 is READY.  The only thing she is waiting on is us to get our rears in gear, submit all the documentation and paperwork, and complete our homestudy.  This means this process will move as fast as we can move it.

Which made me wonder...perhaps all this ulcer-inducing job searching has only been minimally fruitful because the very thing I have prayed about and believed in is truly going to happen.  I am going to be granted an opportunity to be a mother to this precious little soul.  And, if it happens as quickly as it appears it could, she will need me here. 

If we are able to pull this off before I land 'the' job, it will probably be for the best as I will be able to take the necessary weeks to help her bond and adjust.  To schedule her visits with a pediatrician, dentist, occupational therapist (if needed), and grief counselor (if needed) in a comfortably spaced manner.  And, to form some relationships with the Ethiopian students on our local campus so that when I call one to come to the pediatrician and dentist with me, they will agree...I sense some sort of dessert will be involved?  They are, after all, college guys.

My friend, KB, has offered to have a Welcome M3 party to 'shower' us with love, affection and some loot prior to M3's arrival.  And, although my other friend APM is opposed to this entire idea (he likes my family just the way it is), I hope he will come and bring his buffalo chicken dip.

So much paperwork...I better find a good pen!

Deep Breathing

I knew the e-mail or letter or phone call would come.  It has been on my mind several times each and every day.  I also had hoped that things would develop in such a way that when the e-mail arrived, I'd have a master plan.

The e-mail arrived tonight from the adoption agency that works with the NGO who has Hope in their care.  The caseworker informed me that 1) they are in receipt of our pre-application; 2) they are in receipt of our letter of intent; 3) they have reviewed both; 4) waiting child adoptions move fast; 5) adoption is expensive; 6) they want to know how we're financing the adoption.

If that isn't the $20,000 question, I don't know what is.

Time for another pow-wow with my husband.  I had so hoped to have a job by now.  I'm not even sure a bank would finance some kind of loan for this without me being employed.  I will definitely make a call or two, but I'm not sure.  Of course, if a bank would hand over $27,000 for us to have a new covered patio room, perhaps they could float us a loan so we can move this process along?

Oh, how I hate this.

I so want this to be over and have Hope here with us.

I'll need to think of a good way to respond to this e-mail.  Pray for guidance for me...oh, and a job too, please.

Another Day...Five More Toward the 4,000

Our current count stands at 36 who have joined our campaign...only 3,964 more folks to go!  Thanks to our latest contributor who generously filled five spots all by himself. 

After being notified that our Letter of Intent (LOI) had been submitted to the agency, I have heard nothing else in the way of an update.  I am hopeful that by the time we are notified, I will have a job and be working toward my first paycheck.

I'm being very resourceful this week...no grocery trip for me.  I have been looking around at the food we have on hand and making myself be creative.  So far, no unrecognizable or questionable combos.  Monday night, my husband made Hamburger Helper and some freezer breadsticks we ordered from Market Day a few months ago.  Last night, I finished off 1/2 box of pasta and made a baked pasta dish everyone (except M2) loves.  We added in Pepperidge Farm garlic bread from the bulk-sized box purchased ages ago from Sam's.  Tonight, I made crockpot Taco Soup...super easy and super yummy.  Tomorrow, I think I will make parmesan chicken strips (even M2 will eat it!) and Friday we can still have pizza night, but we'll make it ourselves.  We haven't had pizza in awhile.  The good news?  I've lost 12 pounds in recent months.  The bad news?  Cutting back like this isn't saving us extra money.  I have to look on the bright side and realize, though, it isn't putting us deeper in a hole either so when money DOES start to come in via my new job, we can start saving right away.

My grandma usually gives me money to purchase Christmas gifts for myself.  I have been considering wrapping up some things that I already own and using the money toward the girls' Christmas or even toward our adoption expenses (if the girls' Christmas is covered).  It isn't like I need anything especially when the only thing I can think about is Hope and bringing her to the U.S.

I continue to try and practice patience.  I keep trying to have faith.  Both aren't easy, I assure you.

Our Letter of Intent

Just a quick update today...

First, I received a notice from the head of the NGO taking care of Hope that our letter of intent to adopt her has been forwarded on to the adoption agency.  If that is approved, I think this ship starts sailing.

Second, I had a great interview today for a job.  40 hours a week at a fairly decent rate.  Good experience.  Nice people.  This would SO help me be able to catch up on some obligations, prepare for M1's birthday and Christmas PLUS invest in M3's paper chase.

Third, my OB/GYN gave me a clean bill of health at my annual appointment today.  He also agreed to complete my doctor paperwork for my homestudy if he needs to do so.

Nearing Thanksgiving

I spent a wonderful weekend working (volunteering) in Tacoma, Washington and had a terrific time seeing some very dear friends again.

I was officially sworn in as an attorney today.  I have a job interview tomorrow and another on Wednesday.  I truly hope a job comes soon.  We need it to get this dream off the ground!

I spoke at my daughter's Girl Scout Troop meeting today.  We discussed our Ethiopian sponsorship child, talked about international adoption, and then the girls made colorful bookmarks for the children in the sponsorship program who attend class with our sponsorship child, E.

After this weekend, our $5 from 4,000 number is updated to $5 needed from 3969.

THANK YOU to all those who have been generous with their mondy and their prayers.

A $5 from 4,000 Update

Our newest numbers are in:  it's now $5 from 3973.

Once my freelance writing job sends me my check, we can subtract another 40 "people" from that list.

One step at a time...we're getting there!  THANK YOU to all you who have joined our journey.