You Are Loved

Conner found this to send to Ramya when we are able to send her gifts, and I just love it.  Ramya, just know, that you are loved!

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!!

Check Out How You Can Help Us G.L.O.W (Adoption Fundraiser)

G.L.O.W

Grow Love for Orphans Worldwide

Our AMAZING friend Kimberly and her family donated 200 of these bracelets to us to sell as a fundraiser to bring Ramya home from India.  Aren't they awesome!?!? 

They are made in the USA, high quality, and most importantly, they glow in the dark!

We are called to love and care for the orphans of the world; God's children. 

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

- James 1:27

Some people choose to adopt domestically, some internationally.  Some choose to donate to help support others adoption, some choose to support organizations that care for children.  It's not about how you choose to help, nor where you are called to help, but instead, it's about doing what God leads you to do... whatever and wherever that may be.  God has lead us to bring home Ramya, but we need your help!  You can G.L.O.W and help us bring Ramya simply by purchasing one of our bracelets. 

We are selling these for any donation to our adoption fund (with a minimum suggested donation of $5 each).  Shipping for two costs about $0.60.  Please consider sharing our fundraiser with your family, friends, coworkers, and Church congregation.

If we can sell each bracelet for $5, after the cost of shipping, we can earn over $800 for our adoption!!!!!!

All the bracelets are size medium, 7.5 inches.  Here is how it looks on Conner...

And on me...

And on David...

To order, please e-mail me at jamie_lugo@hotmail.com and include your name, the quantity you would like, your address, and how you would like to pay (check, paypal, cash, etc...).

THANK YOU FOR GLOWING!

Thank you to all of our friends and family who helped us with our fundraiser!!

• Carolyn (1)
• Kimberly (2)
• Frank and Nanette (4)
• Sarah (1)
• Grandma and Grandpa V (2)
• Kathy (aka mom and grams) (20)
• Leslie (2)
• Evelyn (2)
• Danette (1)
• Me and David (2)
• Jimmy (1)
• My Mom (1)
• Church Members (20)
• David (1)
• Sue (8)
• Anna (4)
• Nicole (2)
• Fundraiser Party (30)- Total unknown so far!

Total Raised: $596.40

Bracelets Sold: 104

And there's more, but I lost count with what went to Church :)

What a Nice Surprise and on the Perfect Day!!

Look what came in the mail today, just in time for Ramya's birthday...

That, my friends, is our i-800 provisional approval!  A i-800 is...

To determine the child's eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee. The petition is filed by the U.S. Citizen prospective adoptive parent to finalize the immigration process of a child who habitually resides in a Convention country. http://adoption.about.com/od/international/a/I800.htm

... and basically it means that our paperwork can start getting processed in India!  YEAH!  We still have a long road ahead of us (possibly 8 months to 12 months), but we are getting closer!!

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

Our Latest Purchase For Madi

We had gotten Madi a potty seat so we can cath her on the potty...






... but needed handles so that she could stabilize herself.  Today we bought her these...
 



... in hopes that it will help.  We will keep you updated!!!
 
Thank you again to everyone who purchase through Madi's Amazon link.  It helps us buy all of the "extras" that insurance won't cover, and we really appreciate you!!

A change in the fundraising amount we need!

(It's a good change!!)

When we first estimated our adoption fees, we were told by WACAP, our adoption agency, that we would need a lawyer in the US. In India adoption is not finalized when you leave like it is most Countries, so there is usually more work involved in the adoption.  When you adopt from India, you leave with the child in your guardianship and on a travel visa, versus leaving with them adopted.  Anyhow, after talking with Oasis, our homestudy agency, as well as a few local moms who have adopted internationally, it turns out we shouldn't need a lawyer!  This will save us a big chunk of the remaining  money that we thought we would need!!!  So, for now, I am taking that off of our goal, and I am really hoping it can stay off.  YEAH for being one step closer!!!  I am going to go through all the money we should need to be finished saving, and will post a more detailed update soon :)