A Slideshow of our India Adoption Trip

The "Longer" Version of How We Found Ramya

Here is the longer version of our adoption of Ramya (we made the video for Church :)) and how it all began.  Enjoy!!

A Free Adoption Book Giveaway

We have an amazingly written book called Motherbridge Love by Barefoot Books that we love.  In celebration of getting our NOC, we are giving away one copy. 

Here's a little about the book:

Cherish the special bond between parent and child with this beautiful, anonymously written poem. Through the exchanges between a little girl and her adoptive parent, this poignant selection celebrates love and family.

Text royalties from this book are donated to Mother Bridge of Love, a charity that reaches out to Chinese children all over the world in order to develop a connection between China and the West, and between adoptive culture and birth culture. Xinran, the acclaimed Chinese author, broadcaster and journalist, is the founder of Mother Bridge of Love.

You can enter by following the steps below. Good luck!

a'>http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Whew... Only 2 More to Go!

We are almost done with our few weeks of appointments.  It's been a rough few weeks for sure!!  We've seen the orthopedic surgeon, the neurosurgeon, the urologist, the pediatrician, the dentist, and we've had multple tests.  Next week we get to pick up Madi's HKFOs and get her wheelchair adjusted and then we are DONE!  WOOO HOOO!

Conner had to get a spacer put in a spot he had an absessed tooth that had been pulled.  We went in last Thursday at 12:20 pm.  He did great and is very proud of his new silver spacer. 

The poor guy couldn't eat or drink 3 hours before his appointment, though, and was really hungry.  I decided to take him for his first visit to Sonic and he LOVED it.  He sat in the front seat with me and we ate together and talked.  We were there about 45 minutes because he kept deciding he was still hungry and ordering more food :).  I spoiled him and let him get a nasty cherry slush that was probably full of red dye, lots of sugar, and high fructose corn syrup.. YUCK!  He sure loved it, though.  He has decided that every time he has to go to the denstist, he and mommy need to have a Sonic date.  He's such a cute and sweet little boy!



The wait to get in to see the doctors have been long, and it's taken lots of creativity to keep Madi entertained.  Here we are checking Mr. Potato Head's head circumference.  He seems to check out ok ;).

Of course, we tried on his glassess too.

Although the waits stinks, I am very glad that Madi has a team of doctors who spend time with us and really care about her as an individual.  Seen here is Dr. Moss, her neurosurgeon.  He is really an amazing guy and has fought for Madi since before she was born.  He is happy with how Madi (and her shunt) are doing and doesn't need to see her for another year!  He feels her seizure was most likely caused from the MMR vaccine and does not recommend further testing at this point, unless the seizures continue.  I am also happy that he has a special place in his heart for Ramya and is eager for her to come home.  His daughter has two adopted boys from Korea, and he is one proud grandpa!

Madi wasn't too fond of the urodynamics test to see if she still has renal reflux.  She actually did great during the test, but walking in the room and seeing that big machine just did her in.  Poor baby.  She wasn't fond of the wait for that test either.  Lukcily Child Life came with an iPad in tow and she lit up.  She layed completely still for the entire test while she watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I've decided iPads are the BEST!  I'd love to get one some day!  It would sure make our appointments go smoother!

Today we saw the urologist and we discussed Madi's urodynamic test results.  Madi still has grade 5 renal reflux on the left hand side, which I already knew (I saw it on the screen during the test).  I'm bummed about it, but it is what it is.  He isn't ready to try and correct it yet and wants to watch it a bit longer before doing anything.  He did say her bladder was holding a good amount of liquid and he was very pleased with that.  Yeah!  The wait for urology was actually pretty short, thankfully.  Child life also came back with the iPad to entertain Madi, which made her VERY happy!

We seriously need one of those things!!

I've tried to have lots of fun with the kiddos when we aren't at our appointments.  We've seen movies, gone out to yogurt, gone on treasure hunts, finger painted with pudding, and lots of fun things like that; it seems to help.

(such a goofy little guy)

In other news, Kyla, the ntee we have staying with us for a bit, officially graduated highschool... YEAH!  We are VERY proud!!











We are still waiting to hear back on our NOC and hope to have it soon.  We have our little gifts for Ramya all packed and ready to go.  Once we get our NOC, we can send them off to her.  I can't wait for her to know we are here waiting for her!  My awesome friend, Kimberly, gave me a code for a free shutterfly book, so I made one for her all about our family with lots of pictures in it.  We also are sending some books on adoption, a book about plane flights, some knee pads, leg warmers (her poor knees were so sad looking :(.  Hopefully these will help!) a stuffed animal, a little blanket, and I think that's it for now... Oh, and a photo album.  We only have a set amount of space to send things in, so we have to limit what we send.  There is one thing I know for sure...

That's all for now!  Stay tuned for photos of Madi's new up-ups (HKFOs) next week, and please keep praying for that NOC to go through.

A Recap of Fees Paid, an Estimate of Fees to Come, and an Updated Timeline

Here are the fees we have paid so far in our adoption process:

• Oasis homestudy application fee- $75
• Fingerprints (getting them taken)- $35
• Fingerprints (court fees to process)- $62
• Adoption Learning Partners adoption videos- $149
• Dr. Luberto- Physicals- $65
• Oasis homestudy fee- $1,250
• Birth certificate copies x 3 (Conner, Madi, and Jamie)- $60
• Apostles- $36
• Apostles (yes more ;))- $69
• Apostles- $6
• David's birth certificate copy- $15
• Apostle- $2
• Department of Homeland Security (i-800a)- $890
• Apostle- $6
• WACAP (application fees, agency fees, international processing fees, file maintenance fees, and post placement report transmittal fees)- $16,800

Total paid (there are probably a few more minor charges, but you get the point ;)) thus far: $19,520

Upcoming fees (these are based on Jessica's estimate from WACAP and talking with Oasis):

• Ramya’s US entry visa fee: $404 paid to US embassy in India
• Ramya’s visa medical visit fee: typically around $150 paid to MaxMedcenter in India
• Flights: typically $1,800-$3,000 per person for roundtrip airfare (2,000 x 4 =  $8,000 + 1,000 for Ramya's return trip = $9,000)
• Lodging, ground transportation, and meals in India: typically $600-$1,200 per person (we are hoping to use timeshare weeks that my aunt and uncle are letting us use, so for now we are not including lodging, $1,500)
• Post placement services: depends on Oasis’s fees, but typically $300-$600 per report plus mileage for usually two required reports paid to Oasis ($960)
• US finalization: typically $100-$1,800 depending on your state’s requirements and adoption attorney fees if needed ($250)
• Misc. fees for passports, court fees in India, etc.... $300

Estimated total: $12,564 (unless we end up needing a hotel)

The good news is that we should be getting a good tax refund, have our fundraiser garage sale coming up (and are getting LOTS of good goodies for it!!), and still have more bracelets to sell.  Oh, and we will be doing a fundraiser at Peter Piper Pizza as well (info to come soon).  Hopefully once that is all said and done, we will be VERY close to our goal!!  YEAH!

I will be updating our "money needed" to reflect our specific current needs.

As for an updated timeline on when we should be able to get her home, here is the remaining process/time estimations:

• USCIS will send your file to the US embassy in Delhi: takes about 2 weeks
• The embassy will send you an email asking for your DS230. When you receive this, forward it to me and I will reply to them for you: takes about a week to get the email and I can reply the same day
• The embassy will issue your Article 5 as their approval for you to move forward: takes about 2 weeks after I reply to the email
• We notify Vathsalya that you received your Article 5 so they can move your dossier through the local authorities to review and send to CARA. At the same time the embassy will forward your Article 5 to CARA. When CARA has both, they will issue your NOC (no objection certificate): takes about one month
• The court process can begin; Vathsalya and their lawyers handle it from here. Typically there are three court proceedings which occur over a span of about 3-6 months. At the end you’ll get your guardianship court order.
• Then the orphanage will obtain a passport application appointment and apply for Ramya’s passport: about a month
• We wait for the passport: about two months
• Once the passport is received, you can move forward with travel plans to pick her up!

So that's that!  For now, please be praying for God's protection for Ramya and for our paperwork to move through India much faster than expected.  Thank you for all of your prayers and support!!

Dear Ramya,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Today is a day of mixed emotions for me, and I am sure it is for you too.  One one hand, I am so thankful that this will be your last birthday without knowing your family (or at least, I pray it is!!!).  On the other hand, I am sad that you are celebrating without us.  I wish that we could be there, or at least send you a gift.  I hope that they are celebrating you today and the amazing little girl that you are.  I hope that they are letting you know how very loved you are.  In honor of your birthday, we are going to the store to buy books to donate to the orphanage in your name.  We will work on getting them translated to the language they speak at your orphanage, though I know that they also speak English to you there a bit.  We plan to bring them with us when we come to bring you home.  We hope that you have a special birthday and we pray that you will be celebrating the next one at home with us.  Five years without a family is five years too long, but we are doing everything to make sure this is your last year alone.  We love you VERY much and cannot wait to bring you home!!

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Conner, and Madi

Dear Ramya,

My heart aches not having you here.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and pray for you.  I am doing everything within my power to bring you home and I cannot wait for the day they say you are ours!  I wish there was a way to get you home faster, but I am trying to trust that God has a plan and that His timing is perfect.  

You have so many people that love you already.  We have been having garage sales and selling special bracelets to help raise the money we need to get you here.  So many people have generously donated their time and treasures to help us.  We are already over half way to our goal!!  We are blessed beyond measure to have so many people supporting us and walking this journey with us.  We are all excited to bring you home.

Today the local consignment store that I love, Hissyfits, was having a big sale, and I had store credit, so I went shopping!  When I prepare to bring you home, I feel closer and more connected to you.  I found a lot of cute clothes for you, and I cannot wait to put you in them!  You are such a beautiful girl and it's going to be so fun dressing you up!  I do not know what size you will wear so I got a few different sizes.  If they don't fit you, don't worry, your sister can always wear them.  Maybe you two will be the same size for a while!  I think you will like Hissyfits.  Conner, your brother, and Madi, your sister, love to go there and pick out new clothes and toys.  I am also working on getting you an Ergo carrier.  I am going to buy one from my friend, Marissa, and it should work perfect for you!  My friend, Amanda, said that there are no sidewalks in India, so bringing a wheelchair for you and Madi won't work.  I plan to carry you on my back so that we can see the city together.  Don't worry, I don't mind, I am excited to get the chance to be close to you.  I hope that won't be hard for you.  Snuggling is one of my favorite things to do!  Here is a picture of some of your new clothing...

I got you a cute, warm jacket, two pairs of pants, four skirts, two dresses, and two shirts.  I hope that you love them!  When we get you home, I will let you pick out some special outfits and some cute little shoes too.  Maybe we can even get you some cute hairbows and headbands! 

I am hoping to hear back on our i-800a paperwork soon.  As soon as we are cleared federally, we can get cleared in India as well.  Our paperwork is already in India, and your orphanage knows we are waiting (im)patiently for you, so hopefully things will move fast once the i-800a goes through.  Until then, we will continue to pray for you and dream about the day you come home!  We love you!