Let the Renovations Begin

24 November 2010

Dad Kerr and Tim are building a closet in the former office!!!!!!!!  It took a little effort to pry Tim's office from his strong hands....but Tim is giving up his office yet again for his growing family.  Back in Florida 6 years ago his office turned pink when we discovered we were having our little suprise blessing, Haley!

Anyway, Mom and Dad Kerr have come down to celebrate Thanksgiving along with Aunt Hoda all the way from the Middle East.  What a wonderful time together to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. I can't help but feel blessed for our close family and friends with whom we get to spend the whole weekend.

Aunt Hoda taught Katie Girl to knit.  It's amazing to see my little 9-year-old work so diligently on scarves and pot holders!  Mom and Aunt Hoda worked on a sweater for my new neice, little Naomi.  The two little girls enjoyed their special braids that Aunt Hoda would put in their hair.

I wish I'd snapped some photos of Tim and his dad working on the new closet, but the two of them carving the turkey will have to do for now. 

Ukrainian Adoption Scare

23 November 2010

A little bit of a scare going on regarding shutting down adoptions to the US from Ukraine.  Ukraine is trying to push to close adoptions to any country that does not offer reciprocation---and the US will not allow its children to be adopted by Ukrainian families. 

Anyway, an answer to prayer came across my iPhone today: ‘The committee as of today is saying bill needs to be rejected because the proposed change falls under treaties and a different part of the family code.  As I read it the bill is dead.”  In short, this means the adoption is on!

Getting Somewhere

22 November 2010

Received Acknowledgment of Receipt letter from USCIS..Just waiting now for a fingerprint date…sent request for certified copy of original deed…Final copy of Home Study is being notarized…Finally feels like we’re getting somewhere.

Nothing Worthwhile Is Ever Easy

20 November

We received 26 of 27 documents from NC Secretary of State.  However, we need an “original” copy of our housing deed.  I'm not even sure where I might find an "original" copy (which, by the way, "original" and "copy" sounds to me like a contradiction).....Sorry.  Sorry.  I'm keeping my attitude in check!

We Got Our Home Study Draft!!

19 November 2010

We got our home study draft this a.m.  Walt emailed our draft to us and we are supposed to read over and fix any errors that might be on it.  We really didn't need to change anything except he had my birthday incorrect and we needed to change our wording from a request to adopt 2 specific boys to a request to adopt "up to 3 children, male or female."  This is best so we don't limit ourselves to two specific children.  Ukraine does not allow pre-selection of children, so anything could happen upon our arrival in Ukraine.  We are hoping "anything" doesn't happen, but we would much rather play it safe! 

The Paper Chase

12 November 2010

After running around for weeks now getting necessary paperwork from doctors, accountants, state departments, pastors, character references and pretty much everyone in our entire county, we finally completed the paperwork process for our dossier.  Today I mailed 27 documents to be apostilled by the NC Secretary of State!  Cost: $190!!!

Our Home Study is Complete!!!!

9 November 2010

I'm happy to say that our Home Study is now complete.  It was a whole lot easier than I thought it would be.  Walt, our case worker, was really nice.  He visited our home and asked the girls what they thought about the adoption.  The girls were all enthusiastic about their answers.  He asked our oldest child what would change once the new child/ren arrive and she said "There will be less chores for me to do!"  They are very excited at the idea of adopting a brother or 2 brothers. 

We really liked working with our Christian Adoption agency (Christian Adoption Services--www.christianadopt.org).  The cost was around $2,000, but dealing with fellow Christians is a whole lot easier than dealing with a secular government agency who may or may not be on board with our beliefs.

We are just waiting for our draft now.

Orphan Sunday

7 November 2010

Today is Orphan Sunday.  We're spending some extra time in prayer for our special orphan/s far away in Ukraine.  Our church took up a love offering for our family and another family in our church who are adopting from Ukraine during them morning service.  We hope God multiplies these funds that people have lovingly given and we pray He blesses them for their generosity!

Immigration Paperwork

4 November 2010

As if the adoption paperwork and the Home Study paperwork were not enough, there is more paperwork--for US Immigration.  I mailed our USCIS (immigration) paperwork out today and our whopping $830 fee to Texas this morning.  We are praying for fast approval!!!