It has been a busy few days.

First off notice anything different about Mr. Nathan.

Yes,he chopped his hair off.



We had our second meeting yesterday with our social worker. All went well, we are mostly done with the paperwork side of our home study. Just waiting on information from doctors, and our references. However, we don't meet for our last meeting until October 21st, she said our home study report would be done no later than the 11th of November. Hopefully it goes quicker.
I think I have attended to all the pieces of the Dossier, and there is nothing left that I can do but wait for now.

School

I am finally getting into a routine with the boys and school. Boy, who new that adding a kindergartner to the mix would add lots more work. Also with my mind consumed with paperwork, at first it seemed to much for me to handle. I backed off the paperwork and gave myself a huge break, and didn't think about it again until today. The only reason I thought about it today was because my doctors appointment is tomorrow and I needed to gather up the right forms. Anyways, I really have been focusing on school and it has been going rather well.


We started a few weeks ago, and each week I regroup and change things a bit. I think we have developed a schedule that works for us. I have to admit that I am enjoying our new curriculum so much. We have decided to use Sonlight for the most part. I knew it was literature based, and love that we are reading all day long. And when I say all day I really mean all day. The table is cluttered with books first thing in the morning, and last thing before bedtime. It seems to be a bit more work for me to get it all ready but it is so worth it. The amount of books is a bit much, as we seem to be reading into the evening hours. I might have to tweak that a bit for a few of the boys. What I am noticing though is less television, less computer, and less wii time, and more time curled up on the front porch, backyard, under the table, in bed with a book. Yes, wonderful classics, and books about history. I wonder if the boys are going to catch on that they are spending less time with video games and more time enthralled with new characters and new adventures from the words on the pages of the books they are reading.

The one thing that I decided to try that I am not liking so much is The Grammar Ace. I thought I was getting a good curriculum to review grammar which we desperately need. However, after I teach a concept, it gives different hands on things to do to review. I really think we need more review with workbooks in this area. If anyone has any ideas for what to try, that would be great.

I also attempted Saxon Phonics for the little boys. I am really tempted to go back to A beka for phonics. I will stick with Saxon for a few more weeks and see what happens. Also wondering if year round school isn't such a bad idea. I really can see how much the boys have regressed since last year. Anyways, it's something to thing about I don't have to decide now.

Other than that we are making our way through all the pieces to the puzzle to be able to go get Nellie. It seems that every time I talk to someone about her, my eyes well up with tears. I can't help but think about the fact that she is half way around the world. I want to just grab her and bring her home. I know it is all in His timing and not mine.

Good news and not so good news

UPDATE
All necessary paperwork was found nicely labeled in file folder in filing cabinet. I will attempt again and send paperwork first thing in the morning.



Dan's passport came in the mail today. Yeah. The not so good news mine didn't. I got a letter saying that my birth certificate doesn't prove citizenship. I was born in Naples, Italy, on a Navy base. We moved to upstate New York when I was an infant. They are asking for all this information to send, so I called my Mom. She told me I needed all that information when I started college and gave it to me then. So tonight I will be hunting through the filing cabinet looking for paperwork that proves that I am a citizen of the United States. Hopefully, I find it.

On another note, I bought something for Nellie today. I was in target and they had all there kids bedding sets 75% off. 75% off or more is the only time I ever buy anything. So I bought a cute girly seven piece comforter set for her bed, for 14.98. I can't pass up a good deal. Now, I can't stop thinking about her bedroom and wall colors and her decked out in pink. Man I hope she likes pink. Maybe this is just my opinion but when you have four boys and you then have a daughter everything needs to be pink. Pretty dresses and bows, I can already envision her.

Accountant was great.

Meeting this morning went super good. If fact the accountant basically told me he wasn't going to charge me. He told me his wife had done daycare in the past and he loves to help out daycare providers. He looked over my tax returns and even told me of a few things that I could deduct that I didn't. So he is pretty sure that he can amend my tax return for the past few years and get us more money back. He was even quite interested in Nellie. So thanks for all the prayers, he said it would be a few weeks before he wrote the letter. We are on the right track.

Fundraiser disaster

Our family and fundraisers equals disasters. The boys have been selling cookie dough for a bit over a month. Yesterday the boys tried once again to sell a few more and what happened was a disaster. They called several blocks away from home because Caleb was having an asthma attack. Caleb is fine. Dan hopped in the van and went and gave him his inhaler, and at that point they noticed two sheets full of names and orders were missing. They were just gone. They retraced there steps and these sheets were just gone. So I went with them to see if I could find them, and I was a bit frantic. My head couldn't help but think about all those families who ordered from us and that sheet was the only way to know who they were. Then I was was like why did I send them with those sheets without first making copies, umm this is all my fault. So, today the day before we are to turn in the order forms, the boys and Dan decided to go door to door to tell people what happened and to ask if they had ordered cookie dough. We felt quite defeated but this was the only thing left to do. Could we possibly find all the people who ordered. So after several hours they came home and showed me what they came up with. Could it really be the amount we were missing?? YES So assuming that everyone was telling the truth we have all of the orders accounted for. How amazing is that.


Coming soon my, new idea for a fundraiser.

Prayer

I have an appointment with a CPA  (certified accountant) tomorrow.  I need to do this because I am self employed.  I called 5 CPA's before I found one who would even see me.  The other 4 said it was against the law to write down anything that wasn't on my tax return.  I don't know if I was explaining what I needed wrong or what.  So anyways tomorrow is the day and I have to come with tons of paperwork and bank statements.  Please pray.  Also, hoping it isn't very expensive because this is another added expense that we weren't counting on.

Also, having a hard time getting Dan's work to fill out employment verification.  I asked for a piece of there letterhead to make it easier. I thought I would just put all the information on it so all they had to do was sign and notary.  Well let's just say it didn't go so well just for the piece of paper.  So it will be interesting when we actually need a signature.

I have called my bank 4 times to get them to fill out the paper to verify our mortgage.  Every time she says it will be in the mail the following day.  Hoping to see it tomorrow, and hoping it is done correctly.

There is such an urgency for me to get all this paperwork finished, but that is not the case for all the people who need to fill out paperwork.  I assumed in my head that once we told Nellie's story that others would just be willing to fill out paperwork. I guess I was wrong.  IT's coming together it is just a slow process.  I don't forsee our home study done until the end of October or the beginning of November.  The lady is super great and I think as soon as she gets reports back from our fingerprints she will be willing to get the report done as soon as possible but she is going on vacation for 2 weeks in the middle of October.

Also please pray for our finances.  We did not expect all these initial costs.  So far it has worked out but our next big step is a large chunk of money that we just don't have.  I am going to set up a chip in on the blog and if you feel led to donate it would be such a blessing, and an incredible gift to get Nellie one step closer to home.  If you donate towards the chip in it is not tax deductible.  It would really help with some more of these initial costs.

Speechless

Sometimes, my God just leaves me speechless.  It's just crazy, here I am thinking that we were going to be all alone in this process.  Oh my how I was wrong.  I still really can't believe it.  First as we were getting ready to commit to Nellie we saw that another family from Kearney, NE had just started there home study.  How unbelievable that was and still is to me.  Not only another family but we are adopting from the same country both little girls with down syndrome.  Our family dynamics are even similar.

Then I learn of several other families in our community that have adopted through RR in the past several years.  Really, how amazing is that?  We actually met these families a week ago, and they are all so supportive.  I look at their children and almost can't help but weep with joy.  If you don't know me I can cry at the drop of a hat.  I can't help it, I get extremely emotional especially at what is so close to my heart. Today, Zachary and Caleb and I watched a video on facebook, of one of there little boys when he actually met his siblings.  My boys sat there in complete awe, that little boy was swarmed with love from his sisters the moment they met.  Caleb looks at me and says they are an awesome family, and says it's going to be like that when Nellie gets here isn't it.  I hugged him and said yes Caleb it is.

I know these families are a blessing to me.  All I know is that when there is a need He provides, and I know these families were a need and they have been provided.  Oh my prayer is that when we have our daughter home somehow we are a blessing to another family who is willing to follow His lead and bring home a child. I pray that hearts are changed.  I don't  think I will ever stop advocating for these children, they are my heart.  All I know is that when I don't understand I trust God, when things are uncertain I trust God, when I'm having a bad day I  trust God, when  the obstacles seem to big to overcome I trust God, when I worry about where the money is going to come from I trust God, and when I am weak I trust God for strength.

I have been thinking today about Isaiah 40:28-31 today.  Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.  Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Miss Nellie

I'm not really sure if many of you could tell that Nellie is four years old from the photos I have shared.  So here is the most recent photo of Nellie.  I'm not sure how recent it is but wow she has grown.  Nellie is going to be five in few months.  I wish I could be counting the days for her arrival but that just isn't known as of yet. So I sit here dreaming about cuddling her, chasing after her, dressing her in pink, and just plain having her here.  It seems so strange as she is so part of our family already.  We talk about her daily, pray for her daily, and can't wait for the day she can come home.

So I took a few days off from thinking about paperwork, and that was just what I needed.  So maybe next week I will try tackling some more.  We are waiting for our passports to come in the mail, and on papers from our mortgage lender, and on papers from the doctors office.  Next week I have an appointment with a CPA to verify my income.  I'm praying I have good enough records and that it goes smoothly.  We are trudging along slowly.  Taking it one day at a time.

Just One of Those Days.

Ugh, reality hit me today.  As paperwork swarms my thoughts, I can't help but let the ideas of defeat enter my head.  I am a person who thinks I need to have control, and know what's going on at all times.  During this journey,  I daily have to turn this over to my Lord as I have no control over any of it.  Faith, ah this is a process of faith.  Dependence, is what I am learning right now, total dependence on Him.  This verse is speaking to me loudly.
John 5:30
   ³⁰ “^(A)I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and ^(B)My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but ^(C)the will of Him who sent Me.
I'm getting it, utter, total, complete dependence on God.  A work in progress, that's what I am.  

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

The last two days have been very full with our garage sale.  I just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you who donated items, and for those that stopped by to support our family.  It was awesome,  first thing Friday morning our tables were heaping piles of  donated items.  I really couldn't believe how much stuff people blessed our family with for this sale.  Your generosity will not be forgotten.  We raised over 600.00 and are so grateful to all who played a part in that.


Towards the end of today, as I was packing up the leftovers, I met a women who gave me some perspective.  This lady walked up and I told her if there was anything she wanted she could just have it.  The lady whom I don't even know her name started chatting with me.  She told me her story,  her heartaches, and the struggles of her life.   We chatted and I very zealously told her about Miss Nellie.  After we talked a few other people came and my attention was diverted. This woman hung around for about an hour, looking through my stuff.  As she was about ready to leave she came over to me and handed me a five dollar bill, put it in my hand and said bless you, go get that little girl.  From our conversation I knew that money was one of her struggles and I tried to protest and not take it, but she looked me in the eye with a smile on her face and said I want you to have it.  You are doing a good thing.  This one women's heart touched me so much, she was sincerely generous, and joyous about giving to help bring Nellie home.  She gave, to us and I am truly humbled.  Thanking my Lord for all he has and continues to provide for me?  I am truly blessed because of God's grace.   Thankful, that He is a faithful.  Thankful, that he has chosen us to be Nellie's family.  Thankful for all of the people that are so supportive of our journey.  Thankful for his Love for me.  My heart is overjoyed and thankful today.  Thank you

Joy, Joy, Joy

I just read an update on sweet Julia.  It makes me so happy to see how happy and healthy she looks.  Julia was one of the first blogs that I followed after Adeye posted about her and her condition. Oh, how I can't wait for the day that I get to see my Nellie and love on her.

First Home Visit

Tomorrow is the day of our first home visit.  Please pray that it goes smoothly.  I have all these different scenarios in my head of what could go wrong.  Our social worker said that I could have daycare tomorrow so my helper will be here with my daycare kiddos.  She said it was fine as long as there were few interruptions.  So in my head I wonder if tomorrow is the day the licencing lady will stop by, or the food program lady as they make unannounced visits.  Now since we just moved this is something that is potential,  I'm praying that my worst case scenario doesn't become my reality.  Also, sw will be here at 12:30 until 2:30 and Dan has an interview for a night position at his job at 2:30.  So things need to go smoothly so he can leave right away and get to that interview.
I have no idea what to expect, but hoping for the best.

Hokey, I really don't want to go there.

Yes, I was told tonight that I was having some hokey ideas.  Ck, so I can say yes they were kind of corny.  My dear husband came home from work to here me go on and on about some corny ideas for fundraisers.  My first response to him was well they weren't my ideas that they were in fact other peoples suggestions.  I am so at a loss of fundraiser ideas that I was half tempted to try some of these hokey ideas.  I am so glad that the Lord gave me Dan.  He grounds me, I have a tendency to get carried away with things as he just sits back and is chill about the whole situation.  I think this process for him has just been go with the flow, if it is God's will then it will happen. Faith, maybe he is just abundantly overflowing with it. Me on the other hand, so often I have to catch myself, because I think I can do it myself.  Oh then I here the gentle voice that says Beth you are not in control.  Yet again, I am reminded that yes Lord I can surrender this to you also.  My faith will rest in your power and not my own.  I just have to say maybe I am a slow learner who knows, I just like to think of myself as a work in progress.

So anyways, as far as paperwork goes I am feeling like I am in the middle of ten things at once.
Fingerprints are in the mail to the state patrol.
First round of RR paperwork has all been notarized correctly after the 4th time, and is in the mail to the secretary of state to be apostilled.
Passport photos on mind and hopefully taken this weekend.
Processing the next round of RR paperwork.
Working on stuff for the homestudy.
Social Worker visit Tuesday, so hopefully I can make the house not look like we just moved in a little over 2 weeks ago.
Garage Sale fundraiser on Friday and Saturday of next week, so the garage needs organized, as people keep bringing stuff over for us to sell.  (Which is such a blessing)
Baking needs done for garage sale.
School will start Monday no matter what.