Saturday, May 30, 2009

WOW- it's time to go private!

Since I got that e-mail yesterday, things have been really busy. I had to book a flight, rent an apartment, finalize dates with people watching the girls, make sure the boys' dad knew when I would be gone, and continue on with everyday life in the midst of it. That's enough to make a girl go crazy! Now that I have all that taken care of, I am at the point of my journey where my blog will be going private. So, if you want an invite, please leave me a comment with your e-mail address (I will NOT publish them, no worries!). I will say, if you request a comment, I will only invite you if I know who you are, so please include your name and how I know you in the comment! Family- you will automatically be on my list, so don't worry about leaving a comment at this time! Going private will allow me to be more open about dates and locations and what we are doing while we are over there. Going private will also allow me to post pictures more openly. This will happen some time next week, as soon as I figure out how to get it done and invitations sent out.

If you are looking for more lists, I don't have a clue what to tell you. I am done with those lists, I crossed them off and am on to new ones. Everything I am doing now can be found in "the handbook". Other than what I listed below, we did summer/ spring cleaning, reorganizing, painting, and other home repairs and maintenance's that are left for the summer months. Hopefully I got the most important stuff onto the already posted lists, but now, I need to focus on making sure I am ready to go and my kids are ready for me to go.

Friday, May 29, 2009

We have a date!!

WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON JUNE 17TH!!!! MORE DETAIL LATER!!!!

List 3

Are you tired of my lists yet? I am!! Here is list 3...

1) make a list of everyone medications. Who takes what, how often, and how much. Make sure you and your children have enough medicines for the length of time you will be away (if insurance is a problem, call them and explain about the travel, and they SHOULD work with you and cover the extra meds up front, if not, see if your pharmacy will work with you).
2) Ask your doctor for antibiotics for you and your husband, you never know what you may get when you travel
3) update your tetanus shot!
4) if you are a female that reacts in an uncomfortable way to antibiotics, make sure you have meds for that too!
5) check with your facilitator about how to bring your money, mine said American dollars was best, but other regions may say otherwise, so check first. No matter what kind of money you bring, make sure it is "new" money that is not wrinkled and torn. They seem to frown on this! So, let you bank know a couple weeks in advance how much money you will be needing, smaller banks may take some time to get this to you!
6) make sure you turn off your water supply before you leave the house, unless someone is staying at your house of course, LOL. You don't want to come home to a flood!
7)get travel adapters for the plugs, our stuff won't fir over there (Target has these in the luggage isle along with other travel necessities, i.e. money belt, travel sized shampoos, etc.)

OK, so that list is a bit random, but like I said, I am not normally a "list person", so I'm not good at it. I'm sure some lists even repeat themselves. Stay tuned for more....

Thursday, May 28, 2009

List 2

Ok, so on to the next list. Here is a list that is a little more specific to us, but here it is!

1. Make a letter discribing your children's basic routines you wish to be followed.
2. Include in that list any quirks or personality traits that the people watchng your kids may not be aware of (for example, my 3 year old will not use a toilet with an automatic flusher on it, it scares her horribly, I must cover the sensor for her to use it....most people don't know that about her!)
3. Make sure your doctor is aware that your children may be brought in by someone else, make sure they know you are out of country.
4. Make sure your bank knows you are out of country, this will help them from locking your account thinking it is fraudulant (same for credit cards).
5. Put your mail on hold, so it is not stacking up in the mailbox (newspapers too).
6. Pay ahead on your bills.
7. Have your neighbor or someone you trust come to your house and switch which lights are on to give the appearance of someone being home.
8. Have someone move the cars every now and then

Ok, that's it for the second list. I will post another tomorrow. You will start seeing there is no rhyme or reason to why things are listed together. They are just listed by what I thought of that day, lol. So, hang with me :)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

List 1

Last night during my adoption group "chat", the concept of lists was brought up. Now, if you ask anyone who really knows me, you will know I am NOT a list maker by nature. However, the adoption process can change anyone. I now have so many lists, that I have a list to keep up with my list, and no, I am NOT kidding! So, since some of my adoption group friends were having trouble getting there lists started, I volunteered to "blog" my lists. I will post them until I am through them all; just keep in mind, everyone will have different things they feel they need to accomplish, but at least this will give you a place to start.

This first list is important for EVERYONE traveling without children, EVERYONE!!!!
1. Notarized POA to all caregivers of your children to access medical care in your absence.
2. Copy of insurance cards attached to before mentioned POA
3. Allergy and medical information for each child, also attached to the POA
4. Primary care physician phone number and address,also attached to POA
5. Mom, dad and all children's full name, social security number and DOB (for medical insurance purposes), also attached to POA
6. Write out and get notarized (if you don't have a will in place) who will be in charge of raising your children should something happen to you. It should be worded to cover an unforeseen length of stay of sudden loss of life of both parents. (I know these are things we don't want to think about, but you don't want your kids in the foster care system because of poor planning either!)This paper should be kept in a safe deposit box, a file in your home and a copy given to the person who would gain custody. No one else needs to see it or even know it is written, no need to hurt feelings!

OK, that covers list 1, this is the "BIG" list to me, because it is the only one that really matters. The others I will post, but this is the one I wanted people to see!

Monday, May 25, 2009

YIPPEE!!!

I just got an e-mail from our facilitator, our dossier was accepted! (Insert sigh of relief here). Next step, waiting on a travel date, then we are outta here!! Keep the prayers coming, they are powerful indeed!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Tomorrow's the day

Tomorrow our dossier will be submitted to Patrick's country. So, I SHOULD hear if they accepted or denied my request (a denial usually just means a paper needs redone). Please pray with me that they accept our request and extend us an invitation to travel. When it is accepted, we should hear our travel date in about 1 week.

I want to take this time, again, to thank everyone who has prayed for us, supported us, those that gave of themselves and there belongings, and those that donated money. We appreciate you ALL more than we can ever express. We are still amazed by the outpouring of love we have received since beginning this process. We have made friends and became closer to those we already had. My family has come and stood beside me more than I ever thought possible. We are blessed beyond belief and so thankful to everyone!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Deliveries!

This week has brought the Fed Ex man and UPS man to my house, although, they were both women, lol! So, the first delivery was the carrier, and I love it! I tried it on with Kami (I've been told Patrick wears about a size 4, and Kami wears a 5, so I'm thinking weight wise, maybe similar), she loved it. In fact, she got mad when I took her out of it. I think it will be nice to carry him and have face time with him, although, I can't guarantee my back won't hurt, but at least my arms will be free and he will be safe and secure with his momma!


The second delivery was the car seat , I am so excited to have the extended harness for him. That way, he can learn to ride in a car safely before we put him into a booster seat. Since he's never ridden in a car, this will be a learning experience all it's own!

Today I finally started painting his room. He will be sharing with Steven. That room used to be the girls' room, and it was pink and purple. Right now it is grey (we got tinted primer), but by tomorrow will be blue. I think we are going with a space theme. Steven wants to get planets and stars in there, he already has a moon night light that shows all the phases of the lunar cycle.

I will post pictures of everything very soon, but until I get that done please pray for our submission on this coming Monday, and also pray that we find a twin mattress that is inexpensive but not cheaply made for Patrick's bed!

That's it for now, and I promise, pictures soon!!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Shopping

With a submission date, I felt the need to get some things bought for Patrick. With all the generous donations I have received, this is possible! Today, I ordered his carrier that I posted about previously. Someone who saw the post, sent money specifically for that (thank you!). I also went ahead and ordered his car seat. This is something we have been looking for and not having luck finding. I wanted to put him in a 5-point harness style seat, but not knowing how big he is or how much he weighs, I was a little afraid of buying one and it not being big enough for long enough. Today, I found one that has an "extended" harness for children up to 65 pounds and then will be a booster up to 100 pounds. Perfect! Now, we need to go mattress shopping. We still need to pick up some clothes, but I think we will wait until we see him and get some in Europe. Once we return home, we will get a full wardrobe. As far as toys go, I haven't decided if I should buy them now or wait until I see what level he is at to know what to buy....leaning towards waiting. I can always send Bill shopping when he gets home, before I get home. Yeah, I think that's what I will do!

Submission Date

I received an e-mail yesterday from our facilitator, we have an official submission date! He will submit our dossier to the SDA on May 25th. What does that mean? This is the appointment where they will hopefully accept my application to adopt (if not, it just means I have to redo a paper or 2, so no worries!) and they will then assign us an appointment to appear before them to get Patrick's actual referral. The date for that appointment will determine our travel date. We are super close!!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Drum roll please...

Today's yard sale raised....

$2,171.55

for Patrick's adoption!!!

Thank you to everyone who made today the success that it was. I am still in shock that it turned out as well as it did. Today, I know, without a doubt that we have the funds needed to bring Patrick home. We are 100% funded. Praise the Lord!!!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Church Yard Sale

Tomorrow is the church yard sale/ bake sale/ and if the weather cooperates, car wash! It will run from 6am until 12noon. So, anyone in the area, come on out. We need to raise this last $2,000 to get my boy home, I hope to see you there!!

Fellowship United Methodist Church
2511 Hwy 99
Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Thursday, May 7, 2009

God's Timing

Everything happens for a reason. I am learning that it is not my job to know all the "why"s in the world. It is my job to lean on God for guidance and allow Him to lead the way. I KNOW I will get to Patrick, and I KNOW he is worth the wait. I just need reminders to hand it over to God and be patient and wait for His timing. I'm learning... slowly, but I'm learning!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Feeling a little let down

Today I received an e-mail from my facilitator. I had asked him when he thought our submission date would be. He responded that because of the recent and upcoming holidays, and his "place in line" at the SDA probably meant I would not be submitted until the first week of June. I was really hoping to be submitted on May 18Th. If we don't get submitted until June, then we won't travel until the end of June, and I was hoping to travel at the beginning or early-middle part of the month.

It's a test on my patience, and I am failing. I want so badly to be there right now, holding Patrick. But, it looks like I will wait a little longer.

Hold on Patrick, we're coming as fast as we can!!!
This video is one that you have to stick with until the end. It starts out a little on the offensive side, but I think you will all agree it IS appropriate when you see the ending....stick with it. It's cute!!

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Now that you've seen the video, don't forget to eat at the Murfreesboro Chick-Fil-A TONIGHT!!!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Baby Wearing


Most people that know me, know that I am a HUGE fan of baby wearing. HUGE!! So, as we have been getting closer to getting Patrick, knowing he is not a baby, but knowing I still need and want that bonding experience with him, i have been looking for a way to carry him without killing my arms! While in country, a stroller is not a great option. Plus, using a stroller, he is facing away from me...no bonding happening there! I could wear a backpack made for larger children, but again, no bonding, as he is looking at the back of my head and I can't see him at all! I have been looking and looking for a front or hip carrier that will accommodate a larger child. I found it!! Check It Out! This thing holds up to 62 pounds! Now, I know, I can't and won't carry him ALL the time. But this will be great, especially while in his country and in the airports on the way home. And, I will be able to use it when we first get home while we are working on attachment. I was so excited to see that they made a carrier for older/ larger children. I am so excited to get to wear Patrick!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Chick-Fil-A reminder!!

This Wednesday from 5pm- 8pm at the Murfreesboro Chick-Fil-A. If you are in the area, or know anyone that is, please come by or have them come by. Bill and I will be there the whole time. When you make your purchase, if you don't have a flyer, just mention the "Shupp family adoption" to your cashier and we will get 15% of the sales on Wed. We only get 15% of the sales IF you present the flyer OR tell them you are there for the "Shupp family adoption". We hope to see everyone there!

Friday, May 1, 2009

In a bit of shock

I want to thank the secretive person/ people that donated $3,000 to Patrick's fund today. I'm not being told who you are, but I want you to know how truly grateful I am for such a generous gift. I have been blown away by the kindness of people through this whole process, and I continue to be amazed by the generosity people have shown. This donation was above and beyond anything I could have asked for, and I really appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart. I truly do not have the words to show my appreciation. So, whoever you are, THANK YOU for bringing my boy home, THANK YOU for supporting my family, and this ministry. I hope you continue to follow our journey and see Patrick when he is home and are able to see the difference you have just made in our lives.