The last time I posted, we had received our official referral for "Little One" and were awaiting the translation of her referral file so we could submit our immigration paperwork. Translations of files typically take 1-2 weeks. Typical we are not!! We had a slew of things go wrong during this step. First the file was a much larger file than they anticipated due to the quantity of medical reports. When they finally finished the translation and attempted to email it, the file was corrupted. When the translation was completed a second time, we had issues getting a legible copy of her birth certificate from ICBF. What should have been a 1-2 week process in the end took over 5 weeks. Huge setback that was completely out of my control. And I might have been a bit frustrated.
During our wait, we did get a few medical questions answered and best of all....a new picture!!!!! The last picture we had was taken when Little One was 14 months old. She will be 3 years old in January so I have been yearning for a new photo. I've have once again scrambled her face for identity protection. Seriously, I wish you could see those cheeks.
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| Don't you just love her little pose?? |
We received updated measurements for her so we can take her some clothes. She probably will not bring any of her clothing with her besides what she is wearing. I'm thinking she will be able to wear 18 months - 2T but I'm taking a sewing kit to alter if need be.
We also had the opportunity to compile a care package to send! Included was a little backpack, water bottle, bracelet, brush, sunglasses, stuffed animal, handmade cards from the Bigs and a photo album with Spanish captions showing her the family, the house, her bed and other people and places in our lives. I also sent a very long handwritten letter to her foster mother expressing my gratitude and thankfulness for her care during these years. I put in a couple of disposable cameras that I hope she will use to document some of Little One's days in her foster home.
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| Her little backpack |
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| Cards from Big Sister and Big Brother |
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| Family album |
During the wait, we have kept busy with other requirements. The region Little One is in requested updated medicals on Brant and I as well as updated background checks. We completed the medicals to the tune of $1100. Eek. Not budgeted for since they typically do not make you repeat these tests. We are still working on the background checks. We submitted the requests for updated ABI/FBI reports on 8/23. On 9/27, we found out they had been lost. They immediately expedited Brant's and we received his updates last week. But they requested that I be reprinted. Still waiting on my official update although I did call and found out they had at least been processed.
We also began getting everyone's immunizations done. I had to get a tetanus, Hep A and Hep B. The kids and Brant had those already. We all received the flu shot/mist, typhoid and yellow fever shots. This plus the malaria medicine for all of us set us back another $1,300. Double Eek.
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| 13 weeks of malaria meds for the kids |
Thankfully, during this wait we have received $1,100 in donations plus another $324 in bracelet sales. I cannot express to you enough how much that helps. We are still about $8,000 short of being fully funded. I know the Lord will provide our needs. And if you have been waiting for crunch time to give. This is it!!!!!!! Any little bit will help.
We finally received the translation and birth certificate on 9/24. Our I-800 application (Petition to Classify an Adoptee as an Immediate Relative) was overnighted to USCIS on 9/25. We lost so much time on the translation. On Facebook, I posted that we needed some timeline miracles and we got them!!! The first was that none of the government shutdown affected the departments approving these applications. The second came in the way of quick answers! The estimated processing time for the I-800 is 30 days. We were emailed our provisional approval (from one of the most difficult adjudicators) in just 13 days!! Praise God!!! Our pediatrician provided us with a medical advocacy letter for Little One. The adjudicator mentioned the letter in her email. I am so glad we thought to ask for one. She said she will include it with our other paperwork for faster processing.
We had passport photos made, again, and I picked up $510 in money orders so on Monday I can overnight our Visa applications to the Orlando consulate.
Because of the delays we have experienced and the time of year we are coming upon, we had to sit down as a family and make some hard choices. We were hoping to be out of the country in time to return home before Christmas. The adoption process in Colombia for Little One's region is averaging about 8 weeks. Even if we fly through these next steps, it will take several miracles for us to get back here by then. While I have no problem not being in our home for the Christmas holiday, the dilemma lies in the fact that Colombia closes down for a month for the holidays. If we cannot get processed and home before their shutdown, we will spend an additional "dead" month in Colombia. The trip will move from 8 weeks to probably around 12. That is a big difference both in time and money. And Brant would probably come home for the last few weeks for work while I stay with all or most of the children. This would be an appropriate time for you to cry in sympathy for me :)
So.....here is a big, fat prayer list for you.
1. The additional funds we need to raise to make this trip without accumulating any debt.
2. For us to hear from Colombia and ICBF in the next couple of days to get our Encuentro date (date we can enter the country) for travel planning purposes.
3. That our remaining paperwork will process quickly.
4. For Little One's health.
5. Peace for our home as I try to pack for 6 people for 12 weeks in 3 climates. God help us all.
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Praying for miracles!
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