We are expecting! It's a.........

We are expecting!  It is a precious 2 year old little girl! We are overwhelmed with excitement!  Yesterday, Brant and I submitted to our agency our official Letter of Intent to adopt the sweet baby I mentioned in a previous blog post.  We will refer to her as "Little One" throughout the rest of the posts until we are officially matched.  According to Colombia's privacy laws, no identifying information may be posted online.  So...no pictures, no real name.

Now, we just wait.  Lots.of.waiting.  Lots.  Our dossier is still being translated to Spanish by one of Colombia's official translators.  We are hoping that will be completed next week so it can be combined with the letter of intent to submit to ICBF (Colombia's department of family welfare).  From there we anticipate hearing a, "YES, of course we approve you!" from ICBF within 4-8 weeks.  Another 2-4 weeks to officially match us to Little One.  Then 2 more weeks to receive her referral file.  Two more weeks for translation into English.  Then we begin some more, yes more, approvals on the U.S. side of things.  My best estimate for travel is November-ish if there are not additional delays.

The summary report we were given on Little One a few weeks ago was very basic.  And very old.  It was last updated in March 2012.  Our social worker contacted ICBF to point that out.  Their answer was, "You are right, that is outdated.  Unacceptable."  And then nothing.  Although they agreed it needed updating, they did not give us an update.  So, we have agreed to pay for a medical report if they will just provide it.  We have committed either way, but would like to prepare ourselves a bit for what lies ahead.  According to her report, Little One has Sickle Cell Anemia.  There are varying degrees of Sickle Cell.  The terminology and some of the information we have received point to the most difficult type.  It is a lifelong battle with little hope of a cure.  The goal will be management of the disease as best we can.  It should seem daunting.  I've done the homework.  For weeks, I've studied this disease and its effects.  It should be overwhelming.  But I have such a peace.  Little One belongs with us.  We are her family.  The waiting has become exponentially more difficult now that we have "met" her.  I wake up during the night only to remember that she isn't home yet.  And I pray for her.  I never stop praying.  For her safety, her health, her foster family, her birthmother.

So here are my prayer requests:

• That our dossier is approved by ICBF quickly.  
• That they approve us specifically for Little One. 
• Her safety and medical care.
• That her health is better than our worst case scenario.  

Thank you for your support!

Tax deductible donations may be made at Adopt Together by credit card, check or Paypal.

The Apparent Project

**Update (5/5/13): All the bracelets pictured below plus 100 more have sold!  I am hoping to post some more pictures in the next couple of days.  I'll send out a link when I do.  Thank you!



I have blogged before about adoption NOT being the solution to the orphan crisis.  It is a very small piece of the puzzle.  One of the most important ways to beginning working toward homes for these children is to help families stay families!  So, I am partnering with The Apparent Project, an organization helping Haitian families stay together.  Poverty, disease, political instability, natural disasters, and personal stresses divide families every day.  Poverty is the primary reason that there are millions of children in orphanages in Haiti and throughout the world.  The Apparent Project is responding to these needs by building homes, teaching marketable artisan skills and responding to the emergency needs of Haiti's poor in Port Au Prince.

We are beginning a bracelet fundraiser.  Part of the proceeds from the bracelets go back to Haiti and the other part goes to our adoption fund.  The bracelets are made by Haitian artists who are attempting to just meet the basic needs of their families.  They recycle cereal boxes to make these unique beads.  No two bracelets are the same.  These are a perfect gift for Mother's Day!  

If you would like a bracelet, please comment with the number(s) of the bracelet you would like to buy.  Or you can send me an email at eleshamdm@gmail.com.  Each bracelet is $8, and I can ship up to 6 bracelets for $2.50.  If you need larger quantities, I have plenty of other bracelets available.  

Thank you so much for supporting Haiti and for supporting our adoption!



# 1 by Makenson - SOLD

#2 by Vanessa - SOLD

#3 by Luciana - SOLD

#4 by Catrine - SOLD

#5 by Blondina - SOLD

#6 by Berline - SOLD

#7 by Joseph - SOLD

#8 by Samy - SOLD

#9 by Roody - SOLD

#10 by Annie - SOLD

#11 by Janne - SOLD

#12 by Shedline - SOLD

#13 by Masseline - SOLD

#14 by Nancy - SOLD

#15 by Belle - SOLD

#16 by Kaliko - SOLD

#17 by Amanda - SOLD

#18 by Lorene - SOLD

#19 by Marise - SOLD

#20 by Patrick - SOLD