Getting ahead again...

FYI: this post is not an update on our process, just a look into some of my thoughts..   :)
I find myself so often looking ahead at things and stressing out about things that I don't even need to worry about yet - why do i do that? Out of the thirst for preparation, ease of mind, because I want to be to that point since I am so impatient? Today I found myself reading the packet with information for traveling: documents to brings, etiquette, packing lists, how to get a visa, what to know about the country, and on and on.
I hate the unknown, I hate feeling unprepared, I am a woman of lists and labels. Every day I think about things I need to be prepared for but yet can not control- like I am trying to be prepared and ready for the first whole year and a half to happen all at once! I don't know if we need to be ready for a 3 month old baby or a 2 year old toddler, and there aren't any baby registry suggestions/guides for our situation. We won't know how they like to be held, what types of food they will expect, what they find comforting, what their schedule should be, they wont know or recognize our voices. The adoption house will be able to help thankfully, but as a first time parent it is incredibly intimidating and terrifying to be expected to just jump in (this will be our child, and shouldn't good parents know how to provide for their child?) How many people who have never been parents know what to expect from a child who is 9 months old, one who has been living in an orphanage their whole life, one who may not be getting the physical emotional and nurturing care they should be?
I am comforted that we are not alone, and that every parent has concerns and unknowns for their child. I don't really believe our situation is really any more stressful than any parent-to-be, just a little different! My advice to myself today: relax, it will ok, it is normal to freak out, and don't be a schedule nazi because Nate will flip out on you....haha!
During this process it is amazing how much you learn (at least me) about patience and trust- because we are so not in control! I try to remind myself daily that God is the one in control. And when I know that every little thing isn't up to me to carry, that makes me feel better too :)

Thank You

I hate asking for, or receiving help. And last night was no exception. But instead of trying to begin to explain the emotions and life lessons that I(and Nate) experienced last night, I just want to keep it simple: thanks :)

Update: Woo Hoo!

Fingerprinting for immigration, check!
We got our appointment notice in the mail yesterday (the appointment was scheduled for January 31) but Nate I went on our lunch breaks today and they let us get them done early :) Picture me thrusting both fists in the air in excitement! ah ha! What does this mean? We got our fingerprinting for immigration done over two weeks ahead of schedule so that is great. Next step will be waiting for the actual immigration approval to come in the mail.

This morning I also called the FBI, again, to check on our background checks. I don't know if the lady was confused, but she said it was done and should be mailed out next week. I was in shock since just two days ago I called and they had no idea where our stuff was, so lets hope she knew what she was talking about...

So where are we overall? If the background checks actually come next week, then we will just be waiting on the immigration approvals, and once we get THOSE, then we should be pretty much ready to hand in our dossier! So far no major roadblocks, lets pray it stays that way, God willing!

Woo Hoo!

It is not a big accomplishment, but we are one step closer: we received our fingerprinting dates for immigration today!

We will go to Grand Rapids and get our fingerprints scanned this time and then we wait for our immigration approval. Do I really understand all of it and why they need our fingerprints a second time? Nope! But we will follow the line and do what we need to do :)

(and on a side note- we got our t-shirts today! I am trying to upload a picture but our computer is being difficult... maybe tomorrow?)

Radio Superstars!

Haha, just kidding :)

This Saturday Nate, Becki, and I dropped in on a show on 92.7 (The Morning Grind, on the VAN) because they wanted to talk to us about our adoption and the concert this weekend. Click here to go to the podcast. (fyi - it takes a few minutes to get to our part..) Thanks to Mike and Tom for letting us drop in!

Waiting "Patiently"..

There are two government approvals that we are waiting on yet for our dossier: the FBI background clearance and Immigration.

Our paperwork has been with the FBI for five weeks (today. I know this because we tracked it and someone signed for it 5 weeks ago today). They estimate it will take them that long to even get the paperwork in their system so they don't really want you calling to check on it until then. So of course I called today! Nothing, they said to call back next week.

Last week I got the mail and got overly excited when I saw something from immigration (Nate can vouch that I was way too pumped up). It was just a letter saying they had received our paperwork.. (I was hoping it was the letter assigning us a fingerprinting date). So I called them today too (we send the paperwork to one place, and then they send it somewhere else where it actually gets processed). They don't have us in their system yet either. He did give me hope though when he said he thought we might get our fingerprinting date assigned in the next couple weeks- which means they might be moving a little quicker compared to the FBI? I won't try to get my hopes up...

So today I am praying for efficient workers over in the FBI and Immigration offices!

Humbled

Nate's sisters put together a concert on January 14, with the cover charge going towards our adoption expenses. It will be at Coral Gables in Saugatuck with doors opening at 8:00, music starting around 9:00. The Facebook page with more information can be found here.

We are extremely humbled! Again, we feel like the ones being blessed. While we are doing this for us first, for us to have a family, for us to be blessed with the love of a child - we also somewhat choose this path, since there are so many children who need a loving family of their own- and know that we do need a little help to accomplish this financially, which is a humbling experience!

We are incredibly thankful for the help! Thanks guys!