Timeline
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What happens after the Dossier goes to Ethiopia?
Once I get the USCIS document back I can send my Dossier to Ethiopia. The USCIS document can take anywhere from 1 - 3 months. Once the Dossier goes to Ethopia it will get translated and I wait for the following steps.
Referral -*aproximately 4-6 months after Dossier is sent
- The Board of Toukoul receives the Dossier and refers child
- Acceptance of referral by me
- Documents submitted to Ministry of Women's Affairs
Court -
- Ministry of Women's Affairs reviews documents and case proceeds to court
- Us Embassy is notified of my trip and court documents translated
- Medical appointment at US Embassy approved clinic for my child
Travel - *aproximately 3-4 months after referral
- Travel to meet my child
- Go to US Embassy with Ethiopian lawyer for Visa
Welcome Home -
- Celebrate
- Welcome home interview with agency - post placement and final documents
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Signs of life
So I am seeing signs of life everywhere. I have a beautiful flower growing right outside the baby room window that is so tall it actually is right in front of the window. It wasn’t there last year. I think it is an onion but Jen says she thinks it is garlic. Who knows to me it is a symbol that my sweet one is o
n her way.
n her way.Home Study Madness – Beginning of June
The Tuesday after Memorial Day my Home Study was scheduled. For those who don’t know what a home study is it is when a social worker comes to your house and checks it out and interviews you. The home study report is part of the documentation that goes to Ethiopia – basically it feels like you are being checked out to make sure you are fit to be a mom. Knowing my personality you can imagine how amped up I was getting ready for this visit. ok.. so you will get a laugh out of this - getting ready for home study on Thursday the week before the visit... I find out I have rodents (turns out to be a couple of mice) when I hear scratchy scratchy one morning under my house… nice. Then all weekend I clean like crazy, realize that I will never make it in time hire a housekeeper, mow the lawn to a mohawk formation when the mower dies... paint a painting for the baby room and step on it when it is wet.. THEN....Home study was cancelled and moved out a week and 2 days. Needless to say just like all of my friends and family told me my home visit went just fine, nothing to worry about. Do you think this was a pre motherhood lesson on – Kel you need to chill the heck out?! I do.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Marmalade - baby room
Today I painted the baby room “Marmalade”. It is really bright and happy. I really like it.
Found this on the internet about - Psychology of Color: Orange
It's the color tied most this fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth and organic products. It is also associated with ambition. Orange is associated with a new dawn in attitude. It symbolizes balance, warmth, enthusiasm and vibrancy.
Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.
To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red. Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. It is highly accepted among young people. As a citrus color, orange is associated with healthy food and stimulates appetite. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.
Found this on the internet about - Psychology of Color: Orange
It's the color tied most this fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth and organic products. It is also associated with ambition. Orange is associated with a new dawn in attitude. It symbolizes balance, warmth, enthusiasm and vibrancy.
Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy, sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.
To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless, orange is not as aggressive as red. Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. It is highly accepted among young people. As a citrus color, orange is associated with healthy food and stimulates appetite. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
So what is next? The Dossier for Ethiopia.
So what is next? The Dossier for Ethiopia, this is what it includes (Bolded lettering indicates that it is complete) almost all of the documents need to be in triplicate and then notarized.
- Letter to the Board of SOS EE (the orphanage)
- Family Registration Form (3 pages)
- Financial Information
- Letter from Financial Establishment
- Criminal Clearance
- Letters of Reference (2)(Josie and Tootsie)
- Letters of local support (2) (Jen and Aunt Tammy)
- Letter from Employer
- Medical form
- Birth Certificate (I had to send for 3 originals)
- Introduction Letter
- Guardianship Plan (Stacy)
- Home Study Report
- Home Study License
- Obligation of Home Study agency: Post Placement Agreement
- Deed or Lease of Home “True Copy”
- Power of Attorney – State authenticated
- USCIS Approval - State authenticated
- Passport Photos
- Family Pictures (5)
- Adoption Education Certificate (8 hours of Classes!)
Poem
This poem was sent to me by Krista who had this in her journal as she was going through the adoption process
Her Heart Raced
I know your heart raced
the day you knew you were carrying a new life.
Fleeting excitement,
drowned by dry fear;
that gripped your insides,
weakened by hunger.
You resolved to be different.
You wouldn't be like the rest,
Starving.Somehow you would survive.
I know your heart racedeach passing day,
no longer concerned for yourselfand your own pain.
Your tired body barely endured pregnancy.
You caressed your ever extending belly;
feeling him flutter beneathyour thin skin.
Small and fragile,desperately you clung to the crumbs
of a quickly fading hope.
I know your heart raced
The day he began his journey through you.
The labor of his birth,
paled by bleak visions of the futureand the longer,
silent pain of hunger.
I know your heart raced
the moment you kissed his sweet face.
His over sized eyes stared up at you with innocent trust.
You saw his fathers eyes,
and your mouth.
You felt his heart race,
close to yours.
Together they pounded out a single beat as you held him to your bare,
dry breast and prayed that God would end the drought.
You began to doubt he would survive.
I know your heart racedevery time he cried.
Every wakeful moment etched in the dark.
This child was not plagued by simple monsters.
You alone stood that faithful vigil,
helpless in the battle againstfamine;
the demon ,
grew larger each day,
swelling within his tiny belly.
I know, sweet mother your heart raced
the day you resolved to leave him there.
Those frightening steps that led to good-byforever.
A living nightmare no mother should ever have to face.
I know your heart raced as you ran from him,
hot tears streamed down your face.
His inheritance?A question mark and a little faith.
Do you know my heart raced too?
The moment I knew he was mine.
The moment they gave me his name.
The moment I saw his scared face,
captured forever beneath that first photo;
one of the million bewildered and orphaned.
Do you know my heart raced?
The day his father stepped off the plane and onto
American soil.
Your child's destiny cuddled within the
strong arms of his daddy.
Our dear son wrapped in red, white and blue.
Written by: Kim Bruyns
Adoptive mother
Her Heart Raced
I know your heart raced
the day you knew you were carrying a new life.
Fleeting excitement,
drowned by dry fear;
that gripped your insides,
weakened by hunger.
You resolved to be different.
You wouldn't be like the rest,
Starving.Somehow you would survive.
I know your heart racedeach passing day,
no longer concerned for yourselfand your own pain.
Your tired body barely endured pregnancy.
You caressed your ever extending belly;
feeling him flutter beneathyour thin skin.
Small and fragile,desperately you clung to the crumbs
of a quickly fading hope.
I know your heart raced
The day he began his journey through you.
The labor of his birth,
paled by bleak visions of the futureand the longer,
silent pain of hunger.
I know your heart raced
the moment you kissed his sweet face.
His over sized eyes stared up at you with innocent trust.
You saw his fathers eyes,
and your mouth.
You felt his heart race,
close to yours.
Together they pounded out a single beat as you held him to your bare,
dry breast and prayed that God would end the drought.
You began to doubt he would survive.
I know your heart racedevery time he cried.
Every wakeful moment etched in the dark.
This child was not plagued by simple monsters.
You alone stood that faithful vigil,
helpless in the battle againstfamine;
the demon ,
grew larger each day,
swelling within his tiny belly.
I know, sweet mother your heart raced
the day you resolved to leave him there.
Those frightening steps that led to good-byforever.
A living nightmare no mother should ever have to face.
I know your heart raced as you ran from him,
hot tears streamed down your face.
His inheritance?A question mark and a little faith.
Do you know my heart raced too?
The moment I knew he was mine.
The moment they gave me his name.
The moment I saw his scared face,
captured forever beneath that first photo;
one of the million bewildered and orphaned.
Do you know my heart raced?
The day his father stepped off the plane and onto
American soil.
Your child's destiny cuddled within the
strong arms of his daddy.
Our dear son wrapped in red, white and blue.
Written by: Kim Bruyns
Adoptive mother
My Fundraiser and Ethiopian Relief Fund Auction
(I am writing this at 3am.. it seems as if I have taken up not sleeping throughout this process)
This has been a crazy week. I had my silent auction and art show to raise money. I can’t believe how many people came together to donate and show up for this event. I had about 20 auction items and 15 raffle items. I really had no expectations going into this. I thought it would be fun. I all started when Donna, my massage therapist said “Kelly I am surprised you haven’t organized a fund raiser” I replied “really should I do that?” Next I mentioned it to Hawkins (the musician for the event) and he said *if you do it count me in!* I had already scheduled months before for my artwork to be hanging at Leisure in May so I timidly went to Travis and Nicole at leisure and they said yes right away. That is when I decided to get the word out so I started to tell everyone at the coffee shop (Annas). One morning a bunch of us were hanging out at Annas and Scott came up with the great idea of throwing pots at the event. Really the whole thing started to snow ball after that. Many of the donations were simply offered to me without me asking. Once I had about 10 donations offered to me I started to get excited and really surprised at how wiling my neighborhood was to help me and how interested they were in my process. At that point I got brave enough to walk around and ask for donations and was surprised once again at the quick and how happily everyone was to give. At that point it felt so much like an affirmation of my decision to adopt and like I had a support network to fall back on if I ever needed help. I was in BellaDonna beads picking up the very beautiful necklace and earrings that she made for the auction and welled up with tears, feeling such gratitude it was overwhelming.
Once the day of the auction came, I had my friends Erin and Vicki who were so recently just acquaintances, right at my side making sure everything came off without a hitch. The auction truly did. I was delighted with the outcome because it seemed to not only benefit me but many others in different ways. Jeff who is pretty new to the neighborhood told me how nice it was to realize what a great neighborhood he moved into. Hawkins was gifted the recording session auction item from Vicki and John. I am not sure all of the things that were going on that night, but I know that we all had fun. Jennifer and Kristen were there. My Aunt Tammy, Judy (my great Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob’s sister was there). I had quite a few friends from all over Portland it seemed like a very good turn out for a Wednesday night. I raised about half of the money to donate to the orphanage that is required for my adoption process, way more than I expected.
Last night I went and volunteered at the Ethiopian Relief Fund Auction. This Auction raises money for the orphanage that my baby will be from. I am getting to know a few women who have adopted from Ethiopia, being at the auction is a good way of getting to know them better. What I didn’t realize is that this was their first auction and event to raise money that made me even more excited to be a part of it. When I arrived there I (re) met Kimberly that I went to High School with. She has adopted from Ethiopia and we immediately began to talk about the adoption process. She shared so many experiences that she went through. She said to me “are you finding yourself more emotional?” Oh my goodness, I thought I was just being crazy. I am so thankful to be meeting women that have experienced this process. It really is something that seems hard to understand without experiencing it. Next we hustled around doing whatever was needed to get ready for the event. Then once guests had completed the silent auction portion of the auction we got a chance to sit and be a part of the guests at the live auction. They started off the auction with a beautiful slideshow if photographs to music and I immediately became emotional. I felt so thankful to be a part of something so big and meaningful, not only the auction but the community of people that I am learning more about, a community that I get to be a part of simply by fulfilling my dream of becoming a mom. This path is the most wonderful way, past my widest dreams, of experiencing how it feels to become a mother. My words really can not capture my feelings.
This has been a crazy week. I had my silent auction and art show to raise money. I can’t believe how many people came together to donate and show up for this event. I had about 20 auction items and 15 raffle items. I really had no expectations going into this. I thought it would be fun. I all started when Donna, my massage therapist said “Kelly I am surprised you haven’t organized a fund raiser” I replied “really should I do that?” Next I mentioned it to Hawkins (the musician for the event) and he said *if you do it count me in!* I had already scheduled months before for my artwork to be hanging at Leisure in May so I timidly went to Travis and Nicole at leisure and they said yes right away. That is when I decided to get the word out so I started to tell everyone at the coffee shop (Annas). One morning a bunch of us were hanging out at Annas and Scott came up with the great idea of throwing pots at the event. Really the whole thing started to snow ball after that. Many of the donations were simply offered to me without me asking. Once I had about 10 donations offered to me I started to get excited and really surprised at how wiling my neighborhood was to help me and how interested they were in my process. At that point I got brave enough to walk around and ask for donations and was surprised once again at the quick and how happily everyone was to give. At that point it felt so much like an affirmation of my decision to adopt and like I had a support network to fall back on if I ever needed help. I was in BellaDonna beads picking up the very beautiful necklace and earrings that she made for the auction and welled up with tears, feeling such gratitude it was overwhelming.
Once the day of the auction came, I had my friends Erin and Vicki who were so recently just acquaintances, right at my side making sure everything came off without a hitch. The auction truly did. I was delighted with the outcome because it seemed to not only benefit me but many others in different ways. Jeff who is pretty new to the neighborhood told me how nice it was to realize what a great neighborhood he moved into. Hawkins was gifted the recording session auction item from Vicki and John. I am not sure all of the things that were going on that night, but I know that we all had fun. Jennifer and Kristen were there. My Aunt Tammy, Judy (my great Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob’s sister was there). I had quite a few friends from all over Portland it seemed like a very good turn out for a Wednesday night. I raised about half of the money to donate to the orphanage that is required for my adoption process, way more than I expected.
Last night I went and volunteered at the Ethiopian Relief Fund Auction. This Auction raises money for the orphanage that my baby will be from. I am getting to know a few women who have adopted from Ethiopia, being at the auction is a good way of getting to know them better. What I didn’t realize is that this was their first auction and event to raise money that made me even more excited to be a part of it. When I arrived there I (re) met Kimberly that I went to High School with. She has adopted from Ethiopia and we immediately began to talk about the adoption process. She shared so many experiences that she went through. She said to me “are you finding yourself more emotional?” Oh my goodness, I thought I was just being crazy. I am so thankful to be meeting women that have experienced this process. It really is something that seems hard to understand without experiencing it. Next we hustled around doing whatever was needed to get ready for the event. Then once guests had completed the silent auction portion of the auction we got a chance to sit and be a part of the guests at the live auction. They started off the auction with a beautiful slideshow if photographs to music and I immediately became emotional. I felt so thankful to be a part of something so big and meaningful, not only the auction but the community of people that I am learning more about, a community that I get to be a part of simply by fulfilling my dream of becoming a mom. This path is the most wonderful way, past my widest dreams, of experiencing how it feels to become a mother. My words really can not capture my feelings.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Paperwork required for home study
This week I will have completed the paperwork on my home study. Here are the documents that I needed to collect:
Next is a visit from Ryan to my home - time to put plastic plugs in the outlets folks!
- DHS Criminal Clearance Forms and Completed Fingerprint Card
- Autobiographical Questionnaire (26 questions)
- Financial Statement (notarized)
- Letter From Employer (notarized)
- Medical Form (notarized)
- Guardianship Statement (notarized) (thanks Stacy and Ryan!)
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Health insurance
- Proof of Life Insurance
- Current Income Tax Return
- Self-Assessment (16 pages of questions)
- Safety Checklist for Oregon Adoptive Families
- 5 references received by Dove (Thanks Lisa & Doug, Josie & Steve, Jennifer & Jeff, Shelia and Ellen!)
Next is a visit from Ryan to my home - time to put plastic plugs in the outlets folks!
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