It's the last week of September. It's the week I qualify for FMLA. I was hired at this time last year and as of today I have worked my 1250 hours.
When I finished my dossier in June there were waiting babies. I could have gotten a referral shortly after that but it was a risk. You see, I knew I wouldn't qualify for leave until late September and I was afraid I would pass court and need to travel during the summer. I was afraid because if it all worked smoothly and I passed court on the first try I would have had my baby home but then I would have had to go back to work when the school year started back up and work all the way up until this week. I couldn't imagine interrupting our bonding like that so I asked my agency to hold my referral and try to time it so I would be traveling the first week of October.
So much for trying to time things! I should be packing this week getting ready to go but instead I am still waiting for a referral. I don't blame my agency. They have no control over when children come into care and if there are fewer in the orphanage, well that's a good thing. I just thought I would have her home for fall. I was looking forward to going to the pumpkin patch and dressing her in a Halloween costume. That's clearly not happening. I'm still hoping I get to travel by Christmas and truthfully, that works well in terms of leave. Vacation days aren't considered part of my leave so if I travel around the holidays I will get two additional weeks with her! (trying to look at the bright side...)
But, OK people! I have satisfied my end of the deal. As of today I have worked my 1250 hours and I officially qualify for leave. Now give me a reason to use it!!
9.28.2009
9.27.2009
Yard Sale try#2
If you have been reading my blog long enough you may remember the yard sale I had last year. It was a massive failure and I wasn't sure I was going to have another one but I was invited to be a part of 7-Family Yard Sale so I agreed. It wasn't at my house so I only took what I could fit into my car but it went a lot better than last year. Not only I did make more money but I also met some really cool people!
I met a woman who wanted to know more about my adoption because she and her husband are considering it for their second child. She was really nice and asked if we could exchange information. She has a four year old son and she was telling me how great her nanny share situation is, too. She said she know of several nanny share situations in the neighborhood and said she would ask around to see if anyone was interested in bringing on another child.
I also met a nice woman and her son whom she adopted domestically. She had her son in an Ergo baby carrier and it was great. He was content and her arms were free to shop and best of all she said that even though he was over 20lbs that it was extremely comfortable. I plan on doing lots of baby wearing so an Ergo it is-- especially since they can be used for a child up to 40 lbs! Must add that to my registry.
I also met another really nice woman with two cute children whom she and her husband are raising to be trilingual. She was selling a TON of baby clothes and her daughter is just a little bit older that I think my daughter will be. I know where to get my clothes from now on! She also has a couch I may buy and today she sent me her information so I could follow up with her on it and added that even if I didn't want to buy the couch that we should keep in touch because she'd like to get to know me better. It was a really cool mix of folks and many of the customers were speaking different languages and many live in my neighborhood! It was fun! It was productive!
Now the weather wasn't the best (it was gray and overcast and drizzled very lightly intermittently so that may have kept some folks away) but all in all I made about $70 this time! That's $69 more than I made last time so it was definitely more successful. Thing is though, I want to make $700 at a yard sale. I want to be able to say that I bought my daughter's plane ticket to America with the proceeds or something like that. So I will be trying again. I will be hosting yard sale #3 at the end of the month. I'm thinking the day before Halloween. I hope it's not raining or bitterly cold. It gives me time to collect more donations. I'm really going to put the word out this time and plan on setting up a staging area in my basement for all the items. I am also going to invite all my neighbors to participate so we can have a lot of families be involved. Here's hoping yard sale #3 is a resounding success!
I met a woman who wanted to know more about my adoption because she and her husband are considering it for their second child. She was really nice and asked if we could exchange information. She has a four year old son and she was telling me how great her nanny share situation is, too. She said she know of several nanny share situations in the neighborhood and said she would ask around to see if anyone was interested in bringing on another child.
I also met a nice woman and her son whom she adopted domestically. She had her son in an Ergo baby carrier and it was great. He was content and her arms were free to shop and best of all she said that even though he was over 20lbs that it was extremely comfortable. I plan on doing lots of baby wearing so an Ergo it is-- especially since they can be used for a child up to 40 lbs! Must add that to my registry.
I also met another really nice woman with two cute children whom she and her husband are raising to be trilingual. She was selling a TON of baby clothes and her daughter is just a little bit older that I think my daughter will be. I know where to get my clothes from now on! She also has a couch I may buy and today she sent me her information so I could follow up with her on it and added that even if I didn't want to buy the couch that we should keep in touch because she'd like to get to know me better. It was a really cool mix of folks and many of the customers were speaking different languages and many live in my neighborhood! It was fun! It was productive!
Now the weather wasn't the best (it was gray and overcast and drizzled very lightly intermittently so that may have kept some folks away) but all in all I made about $70 this time! That's $69 more than I made last time so it was definitely more successful. Thing is though, I want to make $700 at a yard sale. I want to be able to say that I bought my daughter's plane ticket to America with the proceeds or something like that. So I will be trying again. I will be hosting yard sale #3 at the end of the month. I'm thinking the day before Halloween. I hope it's not raining or bitterly cold. It gives me time to collect more donations. I'm really going to put the word out this time and plan on setting up a staging area in my basement for all the items. I am also going to invite all my neighbors to participate so we can have a lot of families be involved. Here's hoping yard sale #3 is a resounding success!
9.24.2009
Thrift Store Thursday
I used to have a pair of boots just like these! I wore them out. I thought about replacing them but couldn't really justify it when I have other boots in my closet. Then I found these. No, they're not leather but they fit and they only cost $5.25. Sold... to the broke girl trying to save for an adoption! LOL
9.21.2009
Donations Needed
When I traveled to Ethiopia last spring I requested donations but I don't think I gave folks enough time to get them to me and I wasn't specific about what I would like donated. This time I don't want to make that mistake so I am starting early.
Donations needed in my orphanage are infant clothing 0-8 months, infant Tylenol and baby powder. Any of these items would be useful for the caregivers.
For the children in Addis I would also like to create mini care packages. My plan is to fill 100 sandwich-sized Ziplock bags with assorted goodies and have them to hand out to the children I meet. In the bags I would like to include granola bars, small toys, jewelry and hair accessories. I can label the bags "boy" or "girl" before I leave home and every time I venture out of the guest house, I can stuff them into my backpack and hand them out to the children I encounter.
If you are interested in donating any of those items it would be greatly appreciated!
Here is a copy of the official fundraising letter I sent out:
*****************************************************************************************
Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues and all those with a ♥ for adoption,
As many of you know, my life as I know it is about to change in a huge way! For the past two years I have been in the adoption process and, if all goes as planned, by the end of 2009 I should be bringing home a beautiful baby girl from Ethiopia!
The adoption process has been long and character building ☺ but the paperwork is done and the waiting has begun. One of the hardest parts has been the financing. Ethiopian adoptions cost approximately $20,000. This figure includes document preparation and translation, hiring of attorneys and other professionals in the U.S. and Ethiopia, travel and more. I have been blessed to have the support of many wonderful friends and family members and for that I am grateful… but I could still use your help.
♥♥♥
When I travel to Ethiopia this winter, my goal is to bring 100 mini care packages for the children living on the streets of Addis Ababa who will not be adopted. To create these care packages I am collecting the following items: small granola bars, jewelry & hair accessories and small toys. I will be filling sandwich-sized zip lock bags with the assortment of goodies. Would you be wiling to donate a few boxes of mini granola bars, some plastic jewelry or perhaps a few action figures? Be creative. For many of the children these items will become prized possessions. I am willing to decrease my luggage space to make room for your donations but please remember the airlines are strict about weight so the smaller and the lighter the better! Think small! ☺
I am having two yard sales: one on Sept. 26th and another later in the fall. If you have anything you can donate—furniture, clothing, art, toys, etc. please consider donating those items to me. Email me to arrange a pick up or drop off of your items. If you are not the donation-gathering type but will still like to help, I am of course also accepting monetary donations and/or donations of miles to help defray the cost of our travels.
And finally, I can’t say enough about the power of prayer. Prayers for my daughter’s first family, prayers for her health, prayers for our safe travels and prayers for our adjustment as a new family are also very much appreciated.
I know that times are tough. People are pinching pennies and keeping to a budget. The timing of my adoption finalization isn’t the best for me financially, but the time is now. Getting to this point has been truly humbling and now I am just ready to bring my little girl home. Thank you for considering us! I can’t wait to share her photos with you.
With much love and appreciation,
Laura (soon to be a mom!)
****************************************************************************************
If you would like to donate anything --infant clothing, baby powder, infant Tylenol, granola bars, small toys, stickers, jewelry, hair accessories, money or miles--please email me at:
EthiopiaTen@aol (dot) com
Thank you!!
Donations needed in my orphanage are infant clothing 0-8 months, infant Tylenol and baby powder. Any of these items would be useful for the caregivers.
For the children in Addis I would also like to create mini care packages. My plan is to fill 100 sandwich-sized Ziplock bags with assorted goodies and have them to hand out to the children I meet. In the bags I would like to include granola bars, small toys, jewelry and hair accessories. I can label the bags "boy" or "girl" before I leave home and every time I venture out of the guest house, I can stuff them into my backpack and hand them out to the children I encounter.
If you are interested in donating any of those items it would be greatly appreciated!
Here is a copy of the official fundraising letter I sent out:
*****************************************************************************************
Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues and all those with a ♥ for adoption,
As many of you know, my life as I know it is about to change in a huge way! For the past two years I have been in the adoption process and, if all goes as planned, by the end of 2009 I should be bringing home a beautiful baby girl from Ethiopia!
The adoption process has been long and character building ☺ but the paperwork is done and the waiting has begun. One of the hardest parts has been the financing. Ethiopian adoptions cost approximately $20,000. This figure includes document preparation and translation, hiring of attorneys and other professionals in the U.S. and Ethiopia, travel and more. I have been blessed to have the support of many wonderful friends and family members and for that I am grateful… but I could still use your help.
♥♥♥
When I travel to Ethiopia this winter, my goal is to bring 100 mini care packages for the children living on the streets of Addis Ababa who will not be adopted. To create these care packages I am collecting the following items: small granola bars, jewelry & hair accessories and small toys. I will be filling sandwich-sized zip lock bags with the assortment of goodies. Would you be wiling to donate a few boxes of mini granola bars, some plastic jewelry or perhaps a few action figures? Be creative. For many of the children these items will become prized possessions. I am willing to decrease my luggage space to make room for your donations but please remember the airlines are strict about weight so the smaller and the lighter the better! Think small! ☺
I am having two yard sales: one on Sept. 26th and another later in the fall. If you have anything you can donate—furniture, clothing, art, toys, etc. please consider donating those items to me. Email me to arrange a pick up or drop off of your items. If you are not the donation-gathering type but will still like to help, I am of course also accepting monetary donations and/or donations of miles to help defray the cost of our travels.
And finally, I can’t say enough about the power of prayer. Prayers for my daughter’s first family, prayers for her health, prayers for our safe travels and prayers for our adjustment as a new family are also very much appreciated.
I know that times are tough. People are pinching pennies and keeping to a budget. The timing of my adoption finalization isn’t the best for me financially, but the time is now. Getting to this point has been truly humbling and now I am just ready to bring my little girl home. Thank you for considering us! I can’t wait to share her photos with you.
With much love and appreciation,
Laura (soon to be a mom!)
****************************************************************************************
If you would like to donate anything --infant clothing, baby powder, infant Tylenol, granola bars, small toys, stickers, jewelry, hair accessories, money or miles--please email me at:
EthiopiaTen@aol (dot) com
Thank you!!
9.18.2009
Nope, Not Yet
* Oh, and so you don't think my agency is cruel to send me an email that I may think is a referral, you should know that I contacted them first to see if there was any news.
9.17.2009
Thrift Store Thursday
Love these! They are practically brand new and fit perfectly. I paid $5.95.
And how about these Banana Republic pants? The picture doesn't really do them justice. Next time I will post pictures of me in the clothes that I find. But just believe me when I tell you that they fit perfectly, too, and cost me a whopping $2.50! I am so excited for fall weather!
And how about these Banana Republic pants? The picture doesn't really do them justice. Next time I will post pictures of me in the clothes that I find. But just believe me when I tell you that they fit perfectly, too, and cost me a whopping $2.50! I am so excited for fall weather!
9.14.2009
Dear Daughter,
I am soo excited to find out who you are little one.
Will you look like me? Will you be a happy baby? Will I be able to make you smile?
How old will you be? Will you like the name I give you? Will you even be a baby at all?
Will you be OK that it's just me and you for a while? I hope to find a daddy for you (for us) but I don't know if that will happen. Will you be OK if it's just you and me?
I am so looking forward to sharing my bed with you, snuggling with you, watching you learn and grow. I can't wait to take you to the beach, the pumpkin patch, to meet your grandparents and to celebrate your birthdays.
I have dreamed of all the things we are going to do together, just you and me. I love going to park and swinging on swings. I hope you do, too. I love doing crafts and taking pictures. I hope you enjoy making things and baking things and appreciate beauty and easily find joy.
I have many thoughts of what kind of girl you might be. Will you be strong-willed? Funny? Sweet? Introverted? Athletic? Will you be good at math?
My dear daughter-to-be... Mommy can't wait for you to arrive.
Will you look like me? Will you be a happy baby? Will I be able to make you smile?
How old will you be? Will you like the name I give you? Will you even be a baby at all?
Will you be OK that it's just me and you for a while? I hope to find a daddy for you (for us) but I don't know if that will happen. Will you be OK if it's just you and me?
I am so looking forward to sharing my bed with you, snuggling with you, watching you learn and grow. I can't wait to take you to the beach, the pumpkin patch, to meet your grandparents and to celebrate your birthdays.
I have dreamed of all the things we are going to do together, just you and me. I love going to park and swinging on swings. I hope you do, too. I love doing crafts and taking pictures. I hope you enjoy making things and baking things and appreciate beauty and easily find joy.
I have many thoughts of what kind of girl you might be. Will you be strong-willed? Funny? Sweet? Introverted? Athletic? Will you be good at math?
My dear daughter-to-be... Mommy can't wait for you to arrive.
9.12.2009
3
Three months waiting for a referral.
People who don't even know I am #1 on the waiting list are starting to ask me when my daughter is coming home.
People I wouldn't expect to be excited about it, are.
Meanwhile, I have butterflies thinking about becoming a mom cause I think I will know who she is by the end of the month!!!!
WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!
People who don't even know I am #1 on the waiting list are starting to ask me when my daughter is coming home.
People I wouldn't expect to be excited about it, are.
Meanwhile, I have butterflies thinking about becoming a mom cause I think I will know who she is by the end of the month!!!!
WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!
9.10.2009
Thrift Store Thursday
Check out this little doll cradle. So cute! I wonder how old it is and what little girl used it in the past. OK, that's starting to scare me... LOL. But still cute for $3.93!
9.06.2009
That Lit a Fire Under Me
When I got the referral last week I realized how much I still need to do to prepare. My agency says it's approximately 4 months from referral to travel. Yikes! That means if I get a referral soon I could be traveling by the end of the year! I wonder if I will have my daughter home by Christmas?? I sure hope so!!
That's soon! It sure lit a fire under me. I have tons of clothes and a stroller and some toys but that's about it! I don't have the important stuff done like having daycare lined up, a furnished nursery or a pediatrician! Time to get crackin'!
Wow... I could be celebrating Christmas with my daughter. That is so exciting to think about!
That's soon! It sure lit a fire under me. I have tons of clothes and a stroller and some toys but that's about it! I don't have the important stuff done like having daycare lined up, a furnished nursery or a pediatrician! Time to get crackin'!
Wow... I could be celebrating Christmas with my daughter. That is so exciting to think about!
9.05.2009
Almost...
I got a referral this week. While considering accepting I received more information on her history. Next to the line 'siblings' was a name. No age. No indication of where this sibling was located. I questioned it. A few days later I learned that they'd need to be adopted together. I couldn't accept a referral of two children even if I was able because her sibling is outside of the range allowed on my homestudy. Oops, they said, sorry for the mix-up. I wasn't upset. My time is coming.
9.03.2009
Trift Store Thursdays
I have a new fun idea! I will post what great finds I come across at thrift stores on Thursdays. I'm gonna call it Thrift Store Thursdays (or TST for short). Today's entry is this nifty little rocking chair I found last week. Sure, it could use a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint but not bad for $3.43!
In other news, I caught a cold on my third day back to work. I couldn't even make it a whole week! That's sad. I thought by successfully following my new schedule (sort of) I'd be able to stay healthy but no such luck. Darn germy kindergartners! I guess the germ lesson I gave today was one day late!
In other news, I caught a cold on my third day back to work. I couldn't even make it a whole week! That's sad. I thought by successfully following my new schedule (sort of) I'd be able to stay healthy but no such luck. Darn germy kindergartners! I guess the germ lesson I gave today was one day late!
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