Good News!

We finally got the news we have been waiting for! On Friday our agency sent us an email saying we can expect to receive our Article 16 (basically all the info the government has on the children) in about 2 weeks. That means that our children's government has given us their second approval. I love forward progress! With this news we were also given the next several steps and an approximate timeline to a court date. Barring any further issues I could be heading back over in 10-12 weeks. That means that there is still a small chance that our children could be home (or at least I'll be with them) for their birthdays is September. This is my prayer!

We have less than a month to finish paying our adoption agency. Our final fee to the agency is $10,000. After we pay that, we'll only have to pay for our next step with the USCIS (only because we added a second child), for flights, food in country, money for visas, medicals and other smaller incidentals. We're getting so close!

I just started up another t-shirt fundraiser.  This one should appeal to the masses, it's quite fun if I do say so myself! These come in Youth XS (size 2-4T) up to Adult 4x. You can make a purchase here: https://www.booster.com/dontfitin If we don't sell enough (11) shirts, the company will not print them and your money will be refunded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am also still selling Origami Owl! The end of the school year is here which means GRADUATION! An Origami Owl locket would make a fantastic graduation gift. Summertime also means lots of weddings! We have great gifts for those too! If you are or know a bride who would be interested in ordering Origami Owl as gifts for her wedding party, please contact me for possible discounts. And last but not lease, summertime means Baseball!  Origami Owl has teamed up with the MLB and has charms for all National and American league teams!  Show your team spirit this year with Origami Owl!  If you are interested in ordering, you can do so through my website:: www.Origami4Orphans.OrigamiOwl.com at check out type in Code 34357.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your continued support and your prayers.  This part of our journey is getting closer to the end, 3 months still seems like a long ways away but it will get here soon!

Trip #1, Part 7

This post is about my last day in country, my last day visiting Chane.

When I went into the baby room that morning Chance was asleep in his chair. It took him a minute or two to really wake up. After he was awake I got to feed him a biscuit (rather than his usual pureed food).  According to the Sisters, Chance was unable to chew anything just a week ago (I'm not sure if this is true, or just what they thought). After playing for a little while, I fed him his lunch. Chance was full of it that morning. He kept spitting his food out/blowing raspberries with it and laughing. He'd only done that once or twice before when I fed him, and then it was only once at each feeding.  This time it was nearly every bite!  He is a funny guy and I'm glad he found something amusing! After his lunch we played and relaxed until it was time for his nap.

After the visit I went back to my apartment, ate some leftovers, started packing and took a little nap before my second visit.  I had to get some energy so that I didn't have a complete breakdown when I had to say good-bye.

When I went into the room for the second visit, I touched Chance's shoulder to get his attention, he looked up, saw me and gave me a nice, big smile. My heart melted.  I hate how just as he is getting to know me and recognize me, I have to leave him for several months.  It is not fair to the children!  We played together for a while and also played with some of the other babies. Later I gave Chance his afternoon tea in his bottle and he fell asleep in my arms. I love that he was so comfortable with me. I then put him in his crib for a nap. I stayed for a little while longer playing with the other children and then I got ready to go. One of the Sisters woke Chance up for dinner and I said goodbye to him. I can't wait to see that smiling face again and to hear is laugh.

In the week I was in country, I saw some changes in Chance. I think he is able to stand for a bit longer now than he was a week ago. He also interacted more with me by the end of the visit. One of the Sisters said that he seems more alert and aware. I can only hope that he keeps up his progress.

After I left the orphanage, I got to meet up with another adoptive mother who just flew in that afternoon. We had a nice dinner together, got to know one another a bit and then i had to go back to my apartment, finish packing and take another quick nap. I left my apartment at 1am to catch my 3am flight back home.

It has been 7 and a half weeks since I last saw my children.  Each day without news on the children or news of progress in our case wears on me.  I wonder all the time how Callie is doing, what she is thinking, if she thinks of me often. I wonder if Chance is standing on his own yet, if he continues to progress to eat more solid foods.  I wonder how much longer until I get to see them again.  Please pray that we get news soon!

We still have our matching grant ongoing.  We need $846 more to hit the match.  If you feel led, please consider donating towards our adoption.  You may do so here: http://reecesrainbow.org/69430/sponsorvanhalle-2 

Trip #1, Part 6

Day 6 was my first day without getting to see Callie. It was much more of a low-key day. I puttered around my apartment for a bit in the morning before my first visit with Chance. Throughout my trip I had some difficulty sleeping, I was often up early.  That worked out OK though because I was usually able to Skype with Jason before he went to bed.  Time change is strange!

I really think that Chance began to recognize me (as much as he likely recognizes any of his caregivers).  I hope I am high on his list of favorites as he did seem to favor me some. I got to play with Chance for a while and feed him his lunch before it was time for his nap. 

In general Chance is a very happy boy, especially when he is engaged; however due to living in an orphanage for 2.5 years he does have some institutional-type behaviors which is to be expected.  I am willing to bet that our children are in some of the best orphanages in their country, if not in all of Europe.  I love the staff there and the staff loves the children.  That really shows, however an orphanage will never be the same as a family.  The children to not get a ton of one-on-one time with caregivers like they would a mom or dad.  The nannys have to feed the children, bathe them, change them, play with them and put them to bed. I know that Chance will decrease his behaviors over time, just like Claudia did.  While I was there with him, spending individual time with him, I saw a great decrease already.

Speaking of the staff, the caregivers are so sweet to the children and I love the Sisters. I cannot say enough good things about them. They truly and deeply love every child that comes into their care. They do not care about prognoses, or lifespans. The caregivers love on each and every child for as long as they have them, the children in this particular orphanage tend to have more severe needs. There are several with CP, SB, DS, DD and more. Some of the children are very bright and have mostly physical disabilities.

Back to Chance... He has the greatest laugh and such a big, joyful smile. He copies me at times and anticipates when I am going to do something. Chance is very ticklish and squirmy. He enjoys cuddling into my chest. Chance can grasp large objects but has very poor fine motor coordination. He is starting to learn how to stand briefly with assistance.

During Chance's nap I had a productive afternoon.  And by productive, I mean that I did things other that eat lunch and sit in my room.  I got some local pizza which was very good, then I even ventured to a coffee shop by myself during lunch to get a gingerbread latte which was also amazing! I was able to to go to the huge outdoor market they have in the center of the city every weekend; there are crafters selling their wares at the market. The craftsmanship on some of the items is absolutely amazing!

Later that afternoon I got to take Chance outside for a walk in the stroller. It was nearly 60 degrees out but still Chance was bundled up as if it were 20 degrees or less!  They really try to keep the children warm. Such is the European way. After our walk I fed him his dinner and said good bye. I don't think he was too happy to see me leave. <3 p="">

This evening I had my translator order me some authentic local food, it was a wrap with pork, french fries, potatoes, onion, peppers and herbs. Sooo yummy!  After dinner in my room, I ventured out into the streets of the city by myself to take a walk in the nice weather and to find some dessert. I found my way into a sweets shop and bought Turkish delight.  That is an interesting treat. Not bad, but not quite satisfying to my American sweet tooth!

By this point my trip was almost over, I onle had one more day left with Chance before I left for several months...