Care Package sent.
We were able to send a little care package to our son's orphanage. It will take a few weeks to arrive. There is a risk that something will happen and it may not make it, but it was sure fun putting some items together, and imagining him actually getting it, that put a smile on our faces.
The suggestions made for what to put inside the package, was: an outfit, a photo book (with close up of our faces, a picture of our pet(s), our home, and family picture) and a stuffed animal/doll. When thinking about what kind of stuff animal we wanted to send , I had many options to choose from, none of which we sent (including keepsake ones from our kids/our own childhood/etc)......
I'm not sure how "ERNIE" entered the picture and got in the package, but all I can say is that when I saw his smiley little face and stripe shirt and tuff of black hair.....I just had to get him.
We also had a short letter we wrote and met with an amazing lady who was able to translate our English into Mandarin language. It was so fun to meet her and talk with her about China and the culture. Although, our little Gus won't understand the letter, we wanted the orphanage workers to hear from us and hear our excitement about adopting him.
Meanwhile, if you run into me in our town or around the neighborhood, you will usually see me with more "paperwork". It feels like I'm back in school again. I think I've probably earned another degree during this journey.
**alittle discouraging note: We found out that our home study (we did in May 2015, EXPIRED!) and we now have to do a renewal to get it current, which means more Paperwork, another set of fingerprints, home study interview, financial reports and medical reports and more $$. I found this out after I had just completed a 35 page international document, so I was a bit peeved. It can always be worse. I do think the laws should change about international adoption home study vs. foster care home study guidelines, but I won't bore you with the details of THAT. I did give my 2 cents to our state (after all, I'm the daughter of an accomplished social worker).....LOL
A little help from our friends:
We have launched a new fundraising campaign and are needing mountains moved at this time.
Our campaign is through an on line organization called:
All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. All donations go directly to our adoption agency and the funds are allocated accordingly.
Here's the link to our page:
Please read our story and consider helping pass it forward to all your circle of friends and family.
