The State of Things

Hi. How are you?

I typically use our Facebook group to give updates on where we're at in the adoption process, but shockingly enough, Facebook is not always the right form of mass media communication (I know, I'm still getting over it too). I actually had to rewrite the majority of this post regarding our current adoption progress, based on the happenings of this past week.

So. What exactly are our updates?

Family: Jet is being fantastically two and a half. I'm not entirely sure where he picks up half of the things he is learning, because Curious George does not strike me as being particularly educational, but over the past few weeks he's really started talking a lot more--new words, sentences with a subject/verb/predicate, pronouns, etc. His new favorite phrase is "What's that?" which is driving everyone (Derek and me) crazy, and also sounds more like "whazZAT!" He's slowly progressing in his physical therapy; even if not much improvement is shown yet at least now he is willing to participate and listen. We also plan to head to Birmingham next week with a stop in Tupelo on the way home to do a whirlwind trip to see some of Jet's MSFH family as well as another special family who was in our travel group in China last year. Also, save the date; J's baptism is set for August 27--now that there's no RSV, pneumonia, heart surgeries, etc. in sight. I have no idea which service, because I didn't ask or specify (maybe Derek did?). If anyone does know the answer to that, let me know! Ha!

We also are planning to take a much needed family vacation (with no agenda or schedule to follow) in September. Derek and I originally wanted it to be just the two of us for our tenth anniversary this November, but after this past year we really want to have some uninterrupted time as a family of three before things get crazy again. Since this is our second go around with adopting from China, I now know that really once you're matched things get pretty crazy, pretty fast...until you land back in the States again (and then they're crazy in a completely different way).

Adoption: Our last home study meeting is July 11, and the majority of our paperwork is ready to be shipped off for the first step of sealing. Casey even gets to get in on the fun with updated vaccines and vet record. He's very excited. We were originally hoping up until a couple days ago to submit our dossier asap, but due to some new laws that China has passed we can no longer do so until Jet turns three in January. It's a little frustrating and disappointing, but in the grand scheme of things, as I mentioned on the Facebook page, it's honestly more of an annoyance compared to what many families are now facing. We do have to do some fancy footwork to time the authenticating of some of our documents accordingly, by not being able to be DTC (dossier to China) until the end of January, but it's all very doable. We have two choices...two ways to look at this, and right now, we're accepting that this is a good thing. It's forcing us to take more time together as a family, hopefully with less hospital time, and giving us the opportunity to save for a few extra months. We also realize that had we already been matched with a child, we may have had no choice but to wait to travel until at least January, or, release the file back to China.

To put this plainly, and bluntly, we'll be upfront and say that unlike our last adoption we are no longer a dual income family, plus--although we have great insurance--we do also have a child with medical special needs. Therefore, our finances are not what they were when we were in the process of adopting Jet. Originally, when we first decided that yes, we want to do this again, it left us with a bit of a dilemma. Do we wait to save up the majority of the money (thankfully costs are still around the same--you can look here for a very accurate itemized list) or do we step out in faith and practice what we've been preaching for the past three years? We did the math, and looked at the facts (hello, I married an engineer)...and while the math doesn't add up, the facts are the same. Last time, every time we came up short, God provided a way...whether that was through an anonymous donation, a fundraising type event, or learning what our real priorities are. Therefore, once again, we're learning (because how quickly we forget) how to do the trust fall.

Therefore, we are mainly concentrating our adoption fundraisers in three separate ways, and it's important to us to share you how those funds will be used:

1. Adoption T-Shirts: This is the first time we've attempted to do something like this, and honestly weren't sure how it would "take." However, we've been amazed at the generosity shown with people purchasing shirts. There are still about twelve days left to order should you still wish to. Click the t-shirt photo at the bottom of this list to take you directly to the t-shirt sales link! With the funds we receive from the shirt sales, we are applying those directly to our home study fees and document sealing fees, which we anticipate to be around $2,500-$3000.
2. Garage Sale: We are SO excited to be doing a garage sale again, and even more excited to share this experience with our friends the Zobacs (check out their story here). We had originally planned to hold the garage sale in April/May, but somebody had to go and have heart surgery...and then the Zobacs ended up being matched and needing to travel. Throwing a garage sale is a lot of work, and we wanted to make sure we would all be able to put in the necessary prep time. You can learn more about the garage sale on the other picture below (yes, that has it's own Facebook page too). It will be, rain or shine (but hopefully shine) the weekend of August 11 & 12, and we really hope you'll check it out. Again, the funds Derek and I receive from the garage sale will go directly to our home study and document sealing fees.
3. Puzzle Piece Fundraiser: Yes, we are doing a puzzle piece fundraiser. We couldn't do one for Jet and not do one for Tanis2 (again, working title). We do not yet have this set up, but unlike last time, we hope to offer people the option of donating to an AdoptTogether account so that people who would like to receive a tax receipt will be able to. If we qualify for a matching grant, we will use that instead of the AdoptTogether site, but only time will tell. Neither of these can be set up (or approved) until our home study is complete, and just like last time, the funds will be used to cover flights and some travel expenses. Since now we won't be traveling until at the very earliest next spring, there is no rush on this but will keep you informed. 

Although we've given three separate options to help support us in the next phase of our Tanii Life, ultimately, our biggest request is for your prayers. Pray for our hearts as we adjust to this slight delay and change of plans. Pray for people to want to get involved, however that may be--financially, donating items, volunteering time, etc. Praise God with us for those that already have. Pray for Derek and I to be wise with our saving (and spending). We recognize that without asking God for his help and guidance, we really wouldn't be where we are today without His help thus far. So please, please pray for all of those things with us and for us, and most importantly pray that we would not lose sight of the finish line, so to speak, and especially, pray for our second little person on the other side of the world.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21