Article 5 Drop off Monday

This photo shows the steps it takes to adopt from China start to finish. We are on step 13 of 17. Article 5 drop off will happen on Monday. This step usually take about 10 days. But China is getting ready to celebrate Chinese New year at the end of the month, so that will delay us. But not by much.

LOA!!!!!

Last night when we arrived home from visiting Kringle's Inventionasium, we received word from our agency that our long awaited LOA (letter of acceptance) had arrived! This is the official document from China, saying YES to our adoption of "Mickey"!!

With my mom watching the kiddos while we are gone, we are going to avoid being gone over spring break. That being said, we have our eyes on traveling mid march. :)

Scrutiny

Last Monday we were notified that our dossier had moved out of translation and into the review department. Unfortunately, the reviewer asked for more information. We are hopeful that the documents we sent late last week will satisfy them and we will be able to move on to the next step. We are optimistic that LOA will be issued soon. If so, our hopes of traveling in late February are still feasible.

In translation

Our dossier (big pile of papers ALL about us) is in translation in China. A friend shared this image yesterday. It gave me the giggle I needed. Hopefully no important details about our family get "lost in translation".

A overdue update

I've been kinda quiet for a while and it's finally time for us to explain why. On Monday, August 22nd, as I was getting ready for my highly anticipated return to book club after summer break, I received a message from a fellow adoptive family with our agency that would send our world spinning out of control.

Long story short, on Wednesday August 31st we initiated an agency transfer at day 49 of our LOA wait from China. Not an ideal time to do it, but we feel it was the best choice for our family. 

It has cost us time and money we don't have, but wanted to ensure that "Mickey" comes home and that he comes home in the least stressful way for everyone involved.

In complete transparency, this has added approximately $3,500 to our costs. I have signed up for some local craft shows and will do whatever else it takes to get to our new fully funded goal ($24,000).

We are happy to report that we have a new LID date of today (10/10) and are hoping to have LOA (the document that shows China approves us to adopt "Mickey") soon!

A Fundraiser Weekend

On Saturday, August 27th we hosted our Pancake Breakfast at our local Applebee's. I'll admit I was nervous from the start that this event was going to be a flop (most of the things I've tried lately have been flops or COST us money).

I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout and we were blessed with a TON of last-minute donations and ended up having FIFTY raffle baskets. We ended up making $1702 that morning. The check is on its way to Reece's Rainbow to be added to our total very soon.

If that wasn't enough excitement for one weekend, then this happened.

The next morning we were invited to a polka celebration mass and picnic at Celebration Lutheran Church down in Chardon. The polka side of it was being performed by our beloved Chardon Polka Band. Turns out the church heard about the band's recently launched fundraising campaign for our adoption and decided that all offerings taken that Sunday were being sent to our fund. So another $1169.92 will be added to the $413 that has been donated to that fund.

Check it out here:

http://reecesrainbow.org/110894/polka

We are so thankful for Jake and Emily spearheading this campaign. Check out the awesome "hot cards" they will be handing out at all of their shows. :)

I've still got a few Aldi quarter keeper keychains available for a $15 donation to our fund. Send receipt and address to kaz_mom at hotmail dot com.

http://reecesrainbow.org/103677/sponsorobrien-2

Thank you one and all for your continued support!

Finally launching my Aldi quarter keeper keychains!! Ever been that person in the parking lot of your local Aldi searching your floor mats and seat cushions for a quarter? Well search no more with this quarter keeper keychain. I currently have 50 ready to ship with more on their way.

For a $15 donation, one will be on its way to you! Please donate to our FSP and then email (kaz_mom at hotmail dot com) me your receipt and address. :)  You will receive one of the 8 colors pictured below to be fair to everyone and to keep what little sanity I have left. Thanks for understanding!

http://reecesrainbow.org/103677/sponsorobrien-2