Adoption Fundraiser

The Nordahl Family is seeking donations for our fundraiser garage sale.  That's right people! If your spring cleaning has left you with some gently used items you would like to donate, here's the perfect opportunity!  All proceeds from the sale will go towards the orphange fee in our adoption of Leah.

The sale will take place on May 11, 12, & 13.

Donations will be accepted throughout the month of April and can be dropped off at:
501 Trillium Lane
Hudson.

or you can call us to arrange a pick up time!

Thank you Everyone!

Day 20; List Making

We are on day 20 or our approximate 60 day wait for our letter of acceptance.  But I am ready to leave Now!!  Not in 8 or 12 or 14 weeks, NOW!!!  Practically, we have a few more things to work out before we go, like care for the animals, mail, having enough money to pay for the trip.  But emotionally, we want to go NOW! RIGHT NOW.

So, while I wait I am obsessed with list making.  There are lists and post its everywhere of random things I want to remember to bring.  I've been checking other adoption blogs and websites to see what others have brought with them and I am surprised at all the stuff people pack.  Like a steamer trunk of supplies!  Do I really need to bring the entire medicine aisle of Target there with me?  Medications to relieve some adventurous eating seems reasonable, but a suitcase full of remedies?.  I'm pretty sure there is a Walmart in China should I need something special.  I'd prefer to pack lightly since I plan to shop in China!  I'll need the room!

If  you have made the trip, let me know what you brought and what you needed and I'll add it to my list!

Log In Date!

We received our log-in-date from China yesterday. It was great to be one step closer to being able to get Leah.  We still have a few more steps to complete but we're moving downhill.  For those of you who are not familiar with the adoption process I will outline the rest of the steps:

I.  Get official Letter of Acceptance. (Typically 2-4 months after the Log In Date ).

II.  1800 Approval.  This is a petition to classify the adoptee as a relative. ( 2-3 weeks).

III.  NVC Cable- Approval for Visa. (1-2 weeks).

IV.  Article 5- Official custody paperwork for US Embassy. (2 weeks)

V.  Travel approval- (2-5 weeks)

VI. Travel (2-4 weeks after travel approval).

As with many adoptions, the process can go faster or slower.  Of course we are hoping for faster, but realize that we will be traveling to get Leah according to God's timing not our own!

Scrapbooking

I decided that I am going to attempt scrapbooking.  This is a stretch for me because scrapbooking seems a bit too crafty and tedious.  I'm lucky if I can get pictures placed in albums with correct dates on them.  However, I did manage to make beautiful baby books for my other children and I want to have something put together for Leah too. The trouble is that everything having to do with adoption seems to be geared towards newborn adoptions.  I think I will have to make something myself.   I made one trip to Archivers and I was a bit overwhelmed and ended up leaving.  I think I will have to make the trip there again.  Anyone out there have any ideas?

Waiting

Our dossier went to China on February 2nd, 2012.  We are awaiting our log in date.  Our adoption counselor assures us that we should receive this by the first week in March.  At that point we will again wait for our approval letter.  So far, we have completed a dizzying amount of paperwork and have been matched with an adorable little 3 year old girl whom we've decided to call Leah.  The waiting for DTC, LID, LIT, LOA and TA is enough to make even a patient woman C-R-A-Z-Y!  A good deal of prayer and a little bit of wine are helpful!



Here is a picture of our completed paperwork.



Here is our little Leah. She makes all of the paperwork worthwhile!!!