I-800a application finally mailed out!!!

Well, as of the 15th we have officially started the 2 month wait for getting our 800a approval.
We also are in the last days this month to find out about the new cut off date for referrals. Many hope that we'll finish August. Realistically I HOPE they'll get through the 29th. They are through the 21st right now, but there are VERY FEW before the 28th since it was just "ghost staff" that week in 2006. On the 28th/29th there seem to be alot, but I am hoping enough of those changed to special needs that the workers will be able to complete those days. If not, I am thinking I won't get a referral until May or later.........depending on how bad the slow down would be. It should be really exciting since they're actually in the week of our LID, but since it looks like there may have been a lot of log in's this LID week, it could go back to 1 day a month, or even not having referrals some months (because they didn't finish the entire day, not because they don't have anyone receiving their child's referral).
Please pray for the staff as they continue to place children in the homes that they believe will be a best fit. Pray for the babies that they will be able to adjust quickly to their new homes, and please pray for those waiting for patience.

Also, please pray for us as we continue to wait. If we do not travel during the summer (before mid-August) we do not know what we will do with our current 3 children. We believe that it would be great to take them with us, but right now don't have the funds for that. We also know that there is really only 1 person that all 3 know well enough to be comfortable with for 2 weeks and only seeing us online. This is also an age for bonding with Sierra (15 mo) and Isaiah (31 mo), so I am concerned about how this will effect them, not even considering any jealousy on their parts with the new child. And Isabelle would truly benefit the most from going because 1. she will remember it and 2. She will be able to understand more about how she came to be part of our family.............IF United honors our frequent flyer miles, we should have our tickets covered. Plus we have enough for at least 1 child........but we also would need 2 lap tickets (1 for the new child one way only and 1 for Sierra) and another child roundtrip ticket.......plus the money still for food/souvenirs. We also need to make sure that we have enough while we are there...............I don't really know how we are going to raise much more money at this time with me being a SAHM. I have the coffee fundraiser online still going..........but that's not much. I need another adoption grant from somewhere, but don't know how it would work with so much waiting still. Once we get the referral, it's only a few months later for travel..........:( so please just keep this in prayers.

Thank you!

Terri for the Casebier's