A Victory for the Pocketbooks

A victory has been won (at least for one year anyway) on the front of the financing adoptions war.

Everyone knows that, unfortunately, adoption costs a lot of money. Adoptive Parents often battle with their budgets to make way for their beloved children.

Our government offers an Adoption Tax Credit as an incentive for families to adopt. That tax credit was in danger of disappearing.

Now, President Obama has extended the Adoption Tax Credit for another year. To which we cheer Hooray!

You can read about how the adoption tax credits have been extended for one year HERE

On the Dotted Line

A long time ago, Dustin and I told the Lord that if there was no one to be found in Ethiopia to parent A* then a couple, half a world away, would be more than willing; they'd be HONORED!

Dustin and I began this process over eight months ago and WE WILL NEVER STOP. God has made our foreheads like stone in this matter.

After MANY delays in obtaining the necessary paperwork, it is our pleasure to announce that Dustin and I officially cast our lots with A*. While our hearts had already been surrendered to him, we were finally able to sign on the dotted line. YES, YES, YES! We WILL be his parents.

Referral officially accepted!

Because I know you're probably wondering, the time line looks as follows:

• 1-2 weeks for dossier to be sent to Ethiopia.


• 4-8 weeks until court


• After a successful court date (it could take a few attempts) a US immigration investigation will begin which could take anywhere from 2-3 months to complete.


• All this does not take into consideration any delays we might encounter for A*'s visa waiver.

Beside The Tracks. Not On Them.

When I was little our family lived near train tracks for a while. I have fond memories of those trains and have written about them before.

Recently, while I was drifting off to sleep I began to imagine standing in the middle of train tracks, just as I had done as a little girl.

After a time a large train rounded a corner and was visibly charging down the railway towards me. The name of the engine was Desire No. 6 and it was pulling boxcars loaded with my Sin.

The train was enormous and the force of it barreling down the tracks made the ground quiver. Each of its clanks against the track sent shocks running up my legs.

It seemed impossible to me that something so massive and heavy laden could travel at such speeds, for each boxcar was engorged by its dreadful contents.

I watched mesmerized as the train swiftly drew closer; my certain death approaching. Destruction made haste by leaps and bounds.

If there had been a moment when I could have escaped the oncoming danger it was past. Suddenly terror was upon me. I was frozen in place with no hope of escape.

Just like in cartoons, the train was personified; howling and sputtering insults and curses. It appeared vicious and furious; lurching forward like a wave ready to wash over me and leave no traces of life behind.

The very next image in my mind was that of a platform at a train station. I didn't see Him do it, but I knew deep in my heart that Jesus had picked me up and instantly removed me from harm's way. I suddenly found myself beside the train and no longer in front of it.

The engine's course would not/could not, be altered. But mine could.

With toes very near the edge of the platform I watched as the enemy engine sped right by, mere inches from the tip of my nose. Following closely behind were innumerable cantankerous clanking boxcars.

Yes, I stood close by that massive enemy, yet at a very safe distance -- a world away, really.

I relished the company of my Savior by my side while, together, we watched the cars roll by, one after another. We stood close enough that the breeze from their passing rustled my hair and my dress.

Some dread of the train still remained for me, for it was very much as odious as always. But what could it do to me now? Jesus reminded me with only a glance and a smile that trains can only follow their tracks. It mattered not how close by I stood, my enemy could no longer touch me.

I watched there a long time.

Even when I had tired of watching the cars continued without number. This was a very long train indeed. It would be some time before the caboose would make it's way through.

I was tired of the racket and longed for the peace of the train's passing. I wondered how much longer we'd have to endure.

Jesus showed me the railway schedule. The time hadn't come yet.

But it would be very soon.

This train has only one destination. It won't be coming back through again.

A Redo.

Our dossier (starring in the above photo) arrived at AWAA's corporate office Friday morning. Our Family Coordinator (FC) called that same day and said our Power of Attorney paper had a few different dates on it, and there was a possibility the State Department would reject it.

So, on Friday, Dustin and I ran around town getting another POA notarized, certified at the Secretary of State, and then we overighted it back to AWAA again. It should arrive Monday first thing morning. In time for them to have it couriered over to the State Department.

I know our FC is as anxious as we are to get out dossier to Addis Ababa. It's nice to feel like we're always on her radar screen. She's been with us every step of the way as we've encountered all these delays.

FUNdraiser Friday: Adopt Africa Couture on Etsy

Our family had the pleasure of traveling with this lovely lady and her wonderful husband to pick up our children together Christmas of 2008. Now the Burks are back in the saddle for adoption round two. I'd love nothing more than to help them raise some funds.

You've got to check out the adorable items in their etsy shop:


My favorites are the Africa elephant and the Africa cupcake onesies.


*Every week I highlight a fundraising effort of a family who is adopting. There's always a parade of wonderful items. It's a fun way to shop from the comfort of your home AND help unite children with their forever families.

If you'd like to have your fundraiser featured email me with the details.

Out The Door

Apparently all I needed to do was write a creepy letter to our mail carrier..... because guess what she brought me today?

Our police clearance letter arrived.

We immediately walked right out the door and shipped off our dossier.

It should be to AWAA's corporate office Friday morning.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! It's done.

Thank you, Jesus!

Hey, Yooooooou!!!!

Hi there, Mail Carrier Lady!!!

Sorry, did I scare you?...

Listen, I gotta cut to the chase, here. I want you to understand that I will be stalking you for a couple days.

It's nothing personal, don't worry!

You might feel awkward, and there may be times you'll feel like crying. TRUST me I understand. Totally.

There's just this paperwork thingy. I need it REAL BAD. It has to do with a boy in Ethiopia. Yea, he's my son and I'm trying to get him home.

The last stupid piece of paper I need should be coming ANY day now. You're the one bringing it (lucky YOU!) so that means all my anxious energy is going to be directed toward you for a little bit. Okay?

Good news is, the letter is coming from Tucson so it really shouldn't take that long.

Once it gets here I promise I'll start acting normal again. And I'll even begin to smile at you once more.




Signed,

The Crazy Lady who waits by the mailbox for you every day

PS- see you tomorrow =)

Approaching the Finish Line

Last Saturday I received an email from AWAA telling me that only one of our police clearance letters had made it to their office. (Well, hasn't that been the trend for our family!? Like it was going to happen any other way, right?) Our Family Coordinator had my letter, but Dustin's was missing in action.

I was dreading this mistake taking another 2+ weeks to be sorted out. Thankfully, our Family Coordinator went to bat for us yesterday and convinced the County Attorney's Office to allow us drive to Mesa and pick up Dustin's police clearance letter.

Strange thing was the County Attorney's Office didn't have a copy of my letter in their file.

(Who knows who else in the court system has mine!? They are a mess over there right now since the commissioner who used to handle these cases retired and his replacements are splitting the case load between what seems to be two or three offices. Oh, so efficient!)

So, as things stand now, AWAA is mailing my original police clearance letter, which they received at their office in Tucson, to us here. And, Dustin's letter is in our possession now.

People, our dossier is locked and loaded! I just need the mailman to bring me my clearance letter and I can kiss that sucker goodbye.

I cannot wait to get that pile of paper outta my hands.

We *should* have a court date on the books before April is up.

Do I dare get my hopes up that this was the last of our hurdles to surmount in bringing A* home?

Yea, I don't think I'll go that far...... but just being here feels pretty wonderful. That's enough for today.

Giveaway WINNER

We have a winner for our Cheap Family Fun Giveaway...

Amy Smith, You were chosen at random to receive 2 Ethiopia decals. Just email me at Jen@thegraftedtree.com with your mailing address and I'll get those out to you in a snap.

Thanks to everyone who played along. I LOVED your ideas!

FUNdraiser: Cute Handmade Greeting Cards

I was browsing blogs and came across some really cute handmade cards. The Mowen's are raising funds for their adoption.

Go check out Tara's beautiful handmade greeting cards!

PS- Once a week I'd like to highlight some FUNdraisers here at my blog. If you're trying to raise funds for an adoption send me an email with your information and I'll post it here.