Hello everyone.
I just wanted to share that Gary and I (though still waiting on Hannah -- probably another year or two, depending on the CCAA) have decided to start the adoption process for our 2nd child. We may get them about the same time, or we may get the "2nd" one about a year before Hannah. We want more than 1 child and know that we are not getting any younger, and that many adoptions are not allowed after a certain age.
We'd like to have our "2nd" child for a year before Hannah so that he/she has time with us by themself before Hannah comes. We haven't decided on a gender or age of this child. We also haven't totally decided on if this child will be domestic or international. We do want Hannah to have someone else that "looks" like her in the family. But, thankfully at the same time, I have Aunt Sadako, Ruth, Tonya, and Sherman for that as well. Please pray on our decision with us. We know that the child we receive will be the one that is to be ours, but we also need more direction from God as to where this child should come from.
At the same time, we also want to say that we're not fully convinced that God is NOT going to give us a biological child as well. Things on this front have also been hopeful, but we will not be fully relying on this either. It was always our intention to try and have at least one biological child, as well as adopt "several" other children. This "2nd" adoption may be our last, depending on finances and God's call/timing.
On the topic of financing, we have been very fortunate. We qualified for a grant from Shaohannah's Hope that will cover the orphanage donation. I changed school districts this year as well, so the money that I make from the pay increase has gone straight to Hannah's adoption. We have been able to cover the costs of her adoption almost fully at this time. We only have our plane costs left to be covered. I'm still hoping that we MAY get blessed with frequent flyer miles. I've found out that Hannah's ticket, alone, will cost at least $700 (one way). Our tickets, which we want them to be premium economy for the return trip with Hannah, will be about $8000. We don't know how much we'll be saving if we go regular economy on the trip there, but are going to find out as the trip gets closer.
Since we are doing the 2nd adoption, we will be starting to put money towards that instead of the plane tickets because it is such a long time away. We've already heard that our hotel costs will be rising before that (China hosts the Summer Olympics in 2008), so even though the rest of the money has been raised, there will probably be more needed before it's all over. Instead of me putting it aside continuously right now thinking I'm done and then have it go up anyway and frustrate me, I'd rather be using it towards the 2nd adoption until we get closer to Hannah's trip and can get an update on hotels, airfares, etc.
We're also praying that Gary gets a full-time teaching position for the Fall. We'd have to pay for his internship with the 1st paycheck, but then after that, we'd have his money to go towards paying some of our bills off and the 2nd adoption costs. I have NO CLUE how much he'd bring home, as a 1st year teacher, each month but I know that it'll be more than what we have now. We'll also be looking at more fundraising opportunities to help finance the 2nd one as well.
In any case, we'll be a family (not just a couple) soon. We look forward to play dates, hanging out with cousins, and going to the park with our children. I think they are going to love playing together and being a part of each others lives.
Have a wonderful day, we have a lot to pray about, but are having a great one ourselves.
Terri for The Casebier's
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Lydia
Hi again..............
We waited and waited, but the dr. never got back with us. Neither did the social worker that was supposed to update our home study and talk to us about the positives and negatives of adopting Lydia.
On Monday night she was still listed as waiting. On Tuesday night she was pending. So, she is not to be ours. It's ok because of the concern I had over her being fully deaf.
However, not having the contact from my social worker or dr. doesn't give me much confidence in them. Though I know they're very busy, the turn over in waiting children can happen within a few days. So every moment is precious.
Thank you for praying and thinking of us in our journey to Hannah........
Terri
We waited and waited, but the dr. never got back with us. Neither did the social worker that was supposed to update our home study and talk to us about the positives and negatives of adopting Lydia.
On Monday night she was still listed as waiting. On Tuesday night she was pending. So, she is not to be ours. It's ok because of the concern I had over her being fully deaf.
However, not having the contact from my social worker or dr. doesn't give me much confidence in them. Though I know they're very busy, the turn over in waiting children can happen within a few days. So every moment is precious.
Thank you for praying and thinking of us in our journey to Hannah........
Terri
Sunday, January 28, 2007
What's Happening!!!!
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to post what's been going on the last week and a half.
We got permission to use a waiting child list to look for our child. There was a partially deaf 5 yr old girl on the list called Lydia. We have been considering her. However, we've found out that she's profoundly deaf (from a friend with a deaf child). We are still waiting on the dr. reports to be explained to us before we make a definite decision. That should happen early this week.
Please pray that this little girl finds her forever family, regardless of if it is us or not. Also please pray that we will make the right decision regarding her.
I, in particular, am torn. I would love to adopt a deaf child. However, when we first looked at her we thought she was partially hearing and had been learning to talk some as well. Knowing that she's fully deaf and only 5 adds a lot more than I am easily comfortable with. However, I don't want to pass by her only because of her deafness. I think that's a horrible thing. Also, I think that we wouldn't know until later on if we had our own and that child was deaf......I wouldn't "reject" her!!!! So, obviously I am struggling to make a decision of no on this girl sole based on the hearing.
Also, I also struggle with the fact that we have been thinking and planning for a younger child. I'd love an older child, but with the wait being at least 2 years for a non special needs child (nsn), that means if we got Lydia, we'd have to wait another 3 years (1 year is mandatory and welcome!!) to adopt a nsn child. I don't know if I'm willing to wait that long.
If we go nsn now, we'd have our dd in about 2 years and then have to wait a 3rd year to get our sn child, but we don't have to wait 2 years from application for a nsn child. The big killer of time though is the nsn processing time.
Well, I just wanted to update everyone.
Have a GREAT night!!!!
Terri
I just wanted to post what's been going on the last week and a half.
We got permission to use a waiting child list to look for our child. There was a partially deaf 5 yr old girl on the list called Lydia. We have been considering her. However, we've found out that she's profoundly deaf (from a friend with a deaf child). We are still waiting on the dr. reports to be explained to us before we make a definite decision. That should happen early this week.
Please pray that this little girl finds her forever family, regardless of if it is us or not. Also please pray that we will make the right decision regarding her.
I, in particular, am torn. I would love to adopt a deaf child. However, when we first looked at her we thought she was partially hearing and had been learning to talk some as well. Knowing that she's fully deaf and only 5 adds a lot more than I am easily comfortable with. However, I don't want to pass by her only because of her deafness. I think that's a horrible thing. Also, I think that we wouldn't know until later on if we had our own and that child was deaf......I wouldn't "reject" her!!!! So, obviously I am struggling to make a decision of no on this girl sole based on the hearing.
Also, I also struggle with the fact that we have been thinking and planning for a younger child. I'd love an older child, but with the wait being at least 2 years for a non special needs child (nsn), that means if we got Lydia, we'd have to wait another 3 years (1 year is mandatory and welcome!!) to adopt a nsn child. I don't know if I'm willing to wait that long.
If we go nsn now, we'd have our dd in about 2 years and then have to wait a 3rd year to get our sn child, but we don't have to wait 2 years from application for a nsn child. The big killer of time though is the nsn processing time.
Well, I just wanted to update everyone.
Have a GREAT night!!!!
Terri
Sunday, December 10, 2006
December 10, 2006
Hello everyone!!!
I know that my last post was depressing.........and the wait is still hard. But there is alot more to life than waiting around for news that seemingly takes forever! :):):)
We are in the 3rd month 2nd week of our HOPEFULLY 14 month wait for a referral or even better, a homecoming reception for Hannah. I am still hopeful that I will have her home for NEXT Christmas.......... It's really unreal for a person to wait for much longer than 9 months for a child! But, I know that this time will ensure that I have the right child at the right time in our lives!
I finally have figured out where I need to stand and what lights to turn on to make sure my digital camera has enough light for good pictures indoors..........so that means I will start posting my quilt squares/wishes.......and my cyber shower gifts........VERY soon!!!
I also am collecting for Hannah's quilt and another for Ann and would love more sqwishes from family and friends for either of the quilts. I may end up making a blog specifically for Ann's quilt with some more information about her to post and keep everyone updated!!!
Thank you everyone for all of your prayers.
Our current prayer needs are:
1. The CCAA will start to speed up referral times so that we WILL be able to
have her by NEXT Christmas.
2. Gary will get a full-time teaching position quickly!!!! Some districts won't
give the family medical leave act time off without being employed for a full
year! If this is the case and he doesn't get a job before Christmas, he may NOT
be able to go with me to get her before next Christmas!!! YUCK!!!!!!!!
3. Our health would continue to improve. I've lost a little more than 45 lbs. so
far and have a lot more to go!! Gary's lost about 20 lbs. We need to pick it up
with the weight lifting though, so we can carry our daughter all over the place!
4. Gary's family will come together to help deal with some issues within it, or
that Gary will be able to let it go.
5. That our dd's birth will be a smooth one. That her biological mom will be
healthy during this time and that she will be at peace with the adoption. I
pray that she will somehow know when her dd is no longer in the orphange and
that she is safe and healthy.
6. Pray for the birth parents salvation, as well as for Hannah's salvation. Pray
that she will ALWAYS know who Christ is and see Him represented well by us and
others.
Thank you for every prayer that is offered up.............and for everything else as well.
Terri
I know that my last post was depressing.........and the wait is still hard. But there is alot more to life than waiting around for news that seemingly takes forever! :):):)
We are in the 3rd month 2nd week of our HOPEFULLY 14 month wait for a referral or even better, a homecoming reception for Hannah. I am still hopeful that I will have her home for NEXT Christmas.......... It's really unreal for a person to wait for much longer than 9 months for a child! But, I know that this time will ensure that I have the right child at the right time in our lives!
I finally have figured out where I need to stand and what lights to turn on to make sure my digital camera has enough light for good pictures indoors..........so that means I will start posting my quilt squares/wishes.......and my cyber shower gifts........VERY soon!!!
I also am collecting for Hannah's quilt and another for Ann and would love more sqwishes from family and friends for either of the quilts. I may end up making a blog specifically for Ann's quilt with some more information about her to post and keep everyone updated!!!
Thank you everyone for all of your prayers.
Our current prayer needs are:
1. The CCAA will start to speed up referral times so that we WILL be able to
have her by NEXT Christmas.
2. Gary will get a full-time teaching position quickly!!!! Some districts won't
give the family medical leave act time off without being employed for a full
year! If this is the case and he doesn't get a job before Christmas, he may NOT
be able to go with me to get her before next Christmas!!! YUCK!!!!!!!!
3. Our health would continue to improve. I've lost a little more than 45 lbs. so
far and have a lot more to go!! Gary's lost about 20 lbs. We need to pick it up
with the weight lifting though, so we can carry our daughter all over the place!
4. Gary's family will come together to help deal with some issues within it, or
that Gary will be able to let it go.
5. That our dd's birth will be a smooth one. That her biological mom will be
healthy during this time and that she will be at peace with the adoption. I
pray that she will somehow know when her dd is no longer in the orphange and
that she is safe and healthy.
6. Pray for the birth parents salvation, as well as for Hannah's salvation. Pray
that she will ALWAYS know who Christ is and see Him represented well by us and
others.
Thank you for every prayer that is offered up.............and for everything else as well.
Terri
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