I suppose I need to keep up with this a little better. I have been quite busy. Since my last post, life has changed. Nate is still writing (and has pushed through some nasty cases of writer's block pretty successfully!). I quit my job at the daycare to get a job closer to home with better pay and less hours so I wasn't away from Elijah so much (he wasn't handling it too well, and schooling him at the same time was difficult with such long hours). My new job was at the Subway inside the newly-built WallyWorld down the road, but just a couple months later I left that job in pursuit of schooling. (I was sad - I really liked that job!) Right now I'm going to school (online!) for medical transcription. I truly enjoy it so far, though pathophysiology really made me squirm in my seat and scream at my monitor. Haha. What fun would it be without some ups and downs here and there? When I'm all said and done (by the end of August), I will be able to work at home. All part of the master plan -- I can bring some income in while being at home full-time and setting my own schedule during (and after) the adoption.

We are still longing to start the ball rolling. There is an agency picnic and a couple online seminars that we are looking into. Anything to understand more about the whole experience. I hate feeling like I'm just sitting around watching the days pass one at a time, one after another, and doing nothing. In my moments where I feel like I'm helpless and frustrated that we can't do anything, I try to trust the Lord in His providence and perfect timing. And use the wisdom He has given me to "get my ducks in a row". Once I am done with school and I feel firmly situated in a new job to bring in some steady home income, we'll start. I'm hoping by the end of the calendar year. I'm pushing myself to finish school a month early so I can get a job earlier. The quicker we reach each set milestone, the sooner we can start!!

It's been nearly 5 months since my last post. I'm back. We're starting the process again and hopefully the ball will start rolling (and quite quickly!) ASAP.

Things have been crazy and so much has changed in 5 months. Just weeks after we found out we were pregnant, we sadly had to say goodbye to our little one. It took a bit to get over the shock, and find a new normal. Christmas was difficult, but we tried to enjoy our niece (Nate's younger sister's baby girl) as much as possible, and look forward to Nate's younger brother and his wife coming home on military leave in January. Around the same time they arrived in the States, Nate was unexpectedly laid off at work. February came quickly as we struggled with his old company for just-deserved unemployment benefits. We traveled north to visit my parents for a while and when we came back home, I got a job at a local daycare center. Nate is working on writing a book he's had in his head for over 10 years now. We're ready to get going on the adoption, so I figured an update was due.

We're nearly decided on our agency, which is exciting! I had a talk with Elijah the other day on what adoption is and he thinks the idea is "totally awesome Mom!".. :D He loves the idea, and I am so proud of his understanding of the whole thing at just over 4 years old.

I'm going to be updating more often (I hope), so be on the lookout for new posts.

.... Momma Out.

We have a delay, folks...

We have to put the adoption on hold, as we just found out we're pregnant! Everyone said this would happen, and well, it did. We're due late-May, and I'm already in the throes of morning sickness, but trying to smile and thank God through it. We waited so long for another little one, and it's crazy to know it's really happening after such a long wait. Anyway, if you're pregnant you have to wait until the newborn is six months before you can adopt again, so though we could pursue some fundraising, we can't actually start the process until next November.

A big thank you to those who have helped us out so far. We are saving the proceeds from the Avon sale for when we do start the process; we are definitely still going to adopt, we just need to wait a bit first. We'll keep you updated!

Applied for a grant -- please pray!

We applied for a grant last week. They received several hundred applications and will make their decision and announce the recipient(s) by the end of the month. Please pray that they pick us! I'll update again soon. God bless!

Short Update

Nothing new.. just trying to find a place to have our spaghetti dinner next month and ironing out some specifics on a truffle sale for the holidays. And enjoying Nate being back home after he was gone for a week for a work conference.

AVON fundraiser

A good friend has offered to donate all of her earnings from this campaign (Wed 9/10 - Tues 9/24) to help us with our adoption home study fees. We are blessed to receive such generosity -- 50% of whatever sales gathered! That's HALF! In addition to that, there is a code for FREE SHIPPING!! Now is the time to order the few little things you wanted but didn't want to pay shipping to get! Or get some Christmas shopping done early. Use her website, and have it shipped directly to you, no matter where you live -- without paying a dime for shipping! Please forward this to your family, friends, in- and out-of-state. Give the website to your co-workers and fellow church members and tell them to place an order with free shipping! There are some great items in this campaign. Buy one watch, get another for $1.99! Half price jewelry & jewelry mix & match 2/$30 (reg. $50 - $60 each). New men's fragrances. partner products from Curves and Planet Spa (among others). Even a new hip clothing line! check out their "special offers" section on Sharon's website for some great deals (think two gifts for one low price!)

Thanks for taking a look and passing it on! We are so appreciative and grateful for all the support we are getting! It is amazing to feel the love and acceptance for our little girl so strongly before we've even met her! :D

check out her website: http://youravon.com/smorris3335

Thanks again -- for all of your love and support. It means the world to us!
~Amanda, Nate & Elijah

PS: Coming soon -- details on a (local) spaghetti dinner!

The Year Ahead

I want to share with everyone the process we're looking at to bring our daughter home. On average, it will take us 7-10 months (without any major setbacks), and I'm praying that it happens very very quickly! Please join us in praying for smooth sailing and quick document processing. Here's a brief summary of the year ahead:

The Home Study
a social worker comes to our home, picks us apart in every way possible, and decides that we aren't psychopaths. We'll need to collect a variety of documents that are necessary for home study completion, as well as fingerprints and our first series of background checks.

Adoption Agency Registration

The Dossier (a.k.a. The "Paper Chase")
more background checks, collection of documents, medical exams, references, most of which need notarized, authenticated or certified in some way!

Translation/Forwarding of Dossier overseas

Fingerprints (again)
for foreign country's approval

Review of dossier & approval from foreign country to adopt

The Referral
introduced to our daughter! photos, personal/medical information, and possible video!

US CIS paperwork
approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to issue orphan visa to our child

Adoption Proceeding (Court Date)
documents are filed in foreign courts to adopt; once finalized, an adoption decree is issued and new birth certificate and foreign passport are issued to our little girl.

Travel Date
We are informed of the date we will travel overseas to bring our daughter home!

WELCOME HOME PARTY!!!!
Big bash with friends and family to celebrate our baby girl, home in our arms forever!

Post-Adoption Reports
periodic reports on her progress, including photos issued three times in the first year and once annually until she turns eighteen.

Also, please pray for the Lord's favor for financial provision. We are looking at $20,000 in expenses plus travel costs, and we just don't have that laying around (who does?). Our daughter is priceless, but we must pay for processing of the adoption.

Thank you for your support & encouragement! We are so excited to begin this journey that we know will change our lives for the better, forever...