GOIN' TO HAITI

Well, I leave for Haiti in less than 2 weeks. This is actually perfect timing to go because May is keeping me sooo busy, that it's flying by and I don't have my mind on this trip all the time.

I am to bring a port-a-crib, diapers/wipes/formula and baby/toddler toys for the orphanage. I've got most of that. I just learned of the needed toys yesterday, so we'll have fun shopping for those!

The airlines allow 2-50lb checked bags and those are to be used solely for orphanage donations.
I'm also allowed a 40lb carry-on and a backpack purse, those are to be used for what I need. I'll be working on that this weekend to see if I can get all of my stuff to fit in a carry-on. As far as the duffle bags, I'm out of weight, but not out of room, so we may just pay extra to take as much as we can to the orph.

I've got one more vaccination to get (Typhoid). I wasn't going to get it, but I changed my mind, hopefully it's not too late. I've gotten my Hep A and Hep B shots and will take malaria pills as well.

Vera (the gal I'm working with at the orphanage) says Charlene is getting LONG and still loves to be held all the time....I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nathan will have to wait a few months before visiting-he can't get out of work for this trip, so Dad is going with me. I'm super excited about that!

~L

Adoption Home Study

We had our first joint interview with our social worker last Friday. It went great and wasn't what I expected. I figured we'd be grilled (maybe she's saving that for the individual interviews), but it was mostly for her to inform us on what to expect with an adoption and more specifically an international adoption. I've already read a few books, so some of it wasn't new, but it was still good hear it again. The kids played in a playroom connected to the room we were in and they did great. I like having them involved in this whole process.

My individual interview is on Thu. and Nathan's was supposedt o be today but got moved to next Monday because of the ice today. And she comes out to the house Friday for the house tour. Better get to cleaning, since we're iced in today!

Brand new blog

This is all so new, but Nathan suggested we start a blog for this adoption process, it is a loooong process with lots and lots and lots and lots of paperwork.

So far...
We have submitted our application to the adoption agency:International Child Foundation (ICF)

We have started our homestudy through Lutheran Family and Childrens Services (LFCS) which involves: fingerprinting, background checks from 4 states, kids' physicals, our physicals, blood work, TB test, and mounds of paperwork asking what we are like as individuals, a couple and a family.

We now wait for the interview process with LFCS, references to be returned and our homestudy to be complete.

We then start all over with all of the paperwork for the "dossier" which is the paperwork that Haiti requires.

So, for now, that's about all I know. It's all a waiting game.

~L