Pneumonia

Yes, that is what has hit our home, or at least my beautiful daughter. She started with a fever Thanksgiving night and after being diagnosed with strep throat, two days later an ear infection, and the final diagnosis of pneumonia on Wednesday after a night of erratic breathing patterns. I have taken a leave from work in order to be with her since she cannot go to school and is on round the clock breathing treatments. Today is the first day since Thanksgiving that she has had a little "pep in her step"! Let's pray she's on the mend. She and Zach turn 10 on Tuesday, we've postponed their birthday (swimming pool) party originally scheduled for this Sunday until next Sunday. Luckily I am done birthday shopping and nearly done Christmas shopping. I've been finishing up my shopping online which has been convenient!!!! Until next time -------Thank you for listening/reading. Jenni

**Officially Waiting**

We received an email today that our dossier has been officially accepted into the Ethiopia Program by WHFC. The email said our official wait-date is 10/17/08. I still can't believe it. Off to get the passports and immunizations and wait. . . . and I'm okay with waiting, at least for now! wink wink

Trick or Treat!

The kids had so much fun trick or treating this year. In our annual tradition we trick or treat with our friends and their daughter as we are the only people on our street with children. Sabrina was dressed as Sharpay from HSM2 and Zachary was the character Halo - Master Chief from the video game Halo!!!!! They received enough candy to open their own candy store!!!!

Waiting for Authentication.......

Well we are waiting to hear that our dossier has been authenticated. It has been 5 business days since they have had it and we were advised it would be 7-10. I just can't wait until we are officially waiting. Although, we are waiting, it's just a different kind, right? Well I started shopping for birthdays and Christmas today and that was fun! Zach and Sabrina will turn 10 on December 9th! I cannot believe my little peanuts are going to be 10! Boy does time fly. The way their life started out as premies in the NICU.....I am so blessed they are happy, healthy kiddos today!!!

Dossier.........

Well after all the collecting of documents, notarized, witnessed or otherwise, our Dossier is now in the hands of FED EX!!!!! I can't beleive how hard it was to hand over the package to the man behind the counter. Now I was be tracking it like a maniac until it's delivered!!!! Will keep you posted.....

USCIS APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's here, it's here!!!!!!!! I still can't believe it! We received our approval to adopt one child! I am so excited. My throat hurts from running around the house screaming!!!!! Today has been one of those weird days....I was checking all the stuff to be sure our dossier was complete, wearing my "Excepting from Ethiopia" t-shirt around the house and my girlfriend sent me some pics of her friend's daughter she adopted last year from Ethiopia, Aida is 2 and adorable!!!! My son walked in the living room and said "only bills in the mail Mom". So I took the mail and low and behold I saw the return address from USCIS in Pittsburgh, PA and threw everything else on the floor! I could not wait to call my Mom and a few friends to share the good news!

We don't look sick ---- or do we?

Well they sure are! Both have strep throat today! So we are all home - praying that Mom doesn't get it from either one of them!!! Washing bedding, getting meds and buying new tooth brushes!!! Fun Fun Fun! Oh and did I mention -- watching movies!!!!

Now We Wait - 171H

September 4th we had our fingerprints taken!!!! I can't believe we are this close to having our dossier completed! This is the last document we are waiting for!!!! So exciting. I also met (on-line) a couple that lives less than 5 miles from us that is currently waiting for a baby from Ethiopia!!! We can't wait to get together with them and to know another family so close to us is so awesome!!!

Home Study -- Approved

Our Home Study has been approved by WHFC!!! Another step forward. We are now awaiting CIS approval and a State Certified document for our Dossier and then it is complete!!!!! I can't believe how smoothly things are going right now. Zach and Sabrina just started 4th grade!!!!! Their teacher is very nice and they are both excited for this year. Here's a pic of the first day of 4th grade.

Fingerprinting!!!!!!

We have confirmation that our I600A is being reviewed and we have our fingerprinting appointment on Thursday, September 4th at 9am!!! I am so excited we are getting so close to finishing our Dossier and so close to bringing our new little one home with us!!!!

Pictures

I keep saying I'll post pictures so here we go:

This is a pic of us at the American Idols concert the other night!!!!

FINAL HOME STUDY

We received the official final copies of our home study on Friday the 1st!!!!! I was so excited to pick up my "certified mail" that day at the posts office. Now we are getting ready to send in for USCIS approval. Last night was my birthday and my loving hubby took us all to the Ethiopian Restaurant in Pittsburgh, Abay for dinner! We had so much fun. The kids did not like the food extremely well, but they tried everything!!!! So this has been such a special weekend. The closer we get to finishing the Dossier the more excited we all get!!!!!!!

**Home Study**

Well we had our home study yesterday!!!!! The SW was amazingly nice! He was here 3 1/2 hours total. I was so completely nervous and take it from me.....there was no reason to be. I am so grateful that he was sent to our house for this study. I am also glad that it is over!! Now we wait for his report to preview/proofread for errors.....then they send it on to WHFC for review. Now I am getting ready to mail our USCIS application this week. Progression -- I love it!!!!

SUMMER IS HERE

Summer is finally here in Western PA! The pool is up and it's the weekend. We will be in it all weekend. On the adoption front, we are sending in payment for our Home Study and scheduling it (hopefully) for sometime during the 10 days that we are all off on vacation together. We plan to stay home this year and go to Kennywood, an outdoor concert and work on the very much needed spare bathroom!!!! We originally planned a trip to Niagara Falls but couldn't bare spending so much money on gas when it could be spent here at home doing fun things!!! Out to clean the pool --- will post pics next time.

My Beloved Chessie

I haven't posted in a while, but I do need to write that my beloved dog, Chessie, passed away in her sleep on the 18th of May. She was my beautiful sweet girl for five years. I rescued her from the Chesapeake Bay Retirever Relief and Rescue organization. At the time, she was believed to be about 6 years old and had been contained in a cage for several years used only for breeding. We gave her so much love and she gave us memories that will last a lifetime.

Waiting and Longing.....

Waiting and LONGING.....
I hold you in my heartand touch you in my dreams. You are here each day with me,at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are...What's taking us so long. But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong. Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...Because tonight, just as always,I blow kisses in the wind. May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you. I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do. Very soon you'll have a family for real, not just pretend. But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind. May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight. And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.
Author- unknown

Mailed Home Study App

Today I mailed our application to begin our home study! I also received a call from our case worker/social worker from WHFC that has been assigned to assist us with our adoption. Today my husband and my daughter are home with a stomach bug!!! Luckily my son doesn't have it and was able to go to school. Since today is my day off....not much getting done except playing nurse....which of course I don't mind. Keeping it short today since I have so much to do.

First Blog!

Well today is my first day at "blogging". I have spent so much time setting up the blog and figuring out how to edit things that I am now just about out of time! I have to go pick up my daughter at school. My son is sick at home for the third day in a row with me. A little bit about myself before I sign off........my husband Bill and I have been married for 13 1/2 years. Nine years ago I delivered quadruplets after many years of infertility. Our children were born in the following order: Zachary, Sabrina, Brett and Lucy. Our kids were teeny tiny and 13 weeks premature. Though the doctors did all they could, two of our children, Lucy and then Brett passed away. Our surviving quads, Zach and Sabrina are happy healthy 9 year olds with minimal health problems. We have recently signed with WHFC to begin the adoption of a toddler from Ethiopia to add to our awesome family! Until next time...........