Advent

This year Igor and I are doing the Jesse Tree Advent Family Devotional together.  It's a sweet time for Igor and I to count down to Christmas. 
I am not sure how it happened but Advent snuck up on me this year so I wasn't prepared on the first day.  I decided to make a tree out of construction paper and having Igor draw glue on an ornament each day because it was easy and it was time to start.  When I mentioned my plan to Igor he said, "Why don't we get out my little Christmas tree instead?"  Why didn't I think of that?  We pulled out his little Christmas Tree from storage.  Igor insisted on lights, the big ones.  I downloaded copies of ornaments here .  Each day Igor and I go through the Advent devotional.  Igor  may choose to color in the ornaments or draw his own. 
We are on day two.  I am enjoying this special time with my son.

Stocking stuffers

Check out the beautiful stocking stuffers to benefit the uniform fund at Grace Baptist Church in Kombolcha, Ethiopia!

Grace Baptist Church is in Kombolcha, Ethiopia- which is approximately 7 hours by car from Addis Ababa.   The church cares for 375 orphaned and vulnerable children in Kombolcha.  In order for the children to attend school they must have a school uniform.  For many families, the cost of a new school uniform is cost prohibited so we are currently raising funds to purchase uniforms for the children.   

With a donation to the Uniform Fund you can receive these stocking stuffer cards. (business card sized 3.5″ x 2″) These are a perfect fit for stocking stuffers, a little something extra for your kids’ teacher gifts, co-workers or include one in the Christmas card you mail out this year! Here’s how to make a donation:

PLEASE follow these instructions, so that your donation goes to the correct fund.
Go click HERE to make a donation on the Children's Hope Chest site. (Your donation is 100% tax deductible.)

Under “Gift Information,” click on “choose a fund” and select “designated gifts”.

Type in your gift amount (if you’re giving gift cards to more than one person, just add up the total amount to be given and write it in the blank, then when you email, state the number of total gift cards needed.)

Then (this is the important part) under the “notes field” be sure to add in the Fund code which is “ET2116000 Uniforms.”

Finally, add in your info and follow the prompts to complete your donation.

Once you complete your donation, send an email to  mommysmoneysavingmadness@gmail.com with your donation amount, your mailing address and the number of gift cards.

The cards will be mailed to you within a two days of your donation/order. To ensure you get your cards before Christmas, be sure to make a donation by December 15th. If you have any questions at all, please email Tracy at mommysmoneysavingmadness@gmail.com
Thanks you so much for making a difference this Christmas!

November 16, 2005

On November 16, 2005, a Russian judged approved our adoption- Igor was our son!  I cannot believe we've been a family for 6 years!  We celebrated with Igor's favorite meal- pizza and prince charming pumpkin cake.  Life couldn't be sweeter.

Halloween

USCIS Stakeholder Meeting on Ethiopian Adoptions

If you are adopting from Ethiopia-
USCIS Stakeholder Meeting on Ethiopian Adoptions - Friday, October 28, 2011 at 10:30am (EDT)


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would like to invite you to attend a stakeholder call to discuss USCIS processing of Ethiopian adoption cases which the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is referring to USCIS as "not clearly approvable".
Recently, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia, has identified a number of adoption petitions (Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as Immediate Relative) that it has determined are not clearly approvable (NCA), and thus, must be referred to USCIS for adjudication. USCIS would like to explain what “not clearly approvable” means and how the processing of such cases will unfold once the cases are referred to USCIS.
To Participate in the Session

Any interested parties may participate in this event by telephone. All participants must respond to this invitation. Please contact the USCIS Office of Public Engagement at public.engagement@dhs.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Thursday, October 27, 2011 referencing “Ethiopian Adoptions” in the subject line of your email. Please also include your full name and the organization you represent in the body of the email. Once an RSVP email has been received, USCIS will provide you call-in details.

Family Update

The pediatrician called this morning- the most recent giardia test- POSITIVE!  ugh!  We will pick up another round of antibiotics in the morning.  We cannot wait until this pest is GONE!!

Last week Igor was sick.  I knew he had a cold but he rarely complains when he is sick and he doesn't slow down so if he doesn't have a temperature I never know how sick he really is.  One night before bed he said "I cannot  get all my air out."  The next morning we were in the pediatrician's office.  He had walking  pneumonia.  He is feeling much better now.

On Sunday the scouts had their annual rain gutter regatta.  Igor felt better so we let him race (blow his sailboat down the length of a gutter)  He placed third in his den!

Little Ms. Merone is learning new words everyday.  She is now saying: buckle, goo gurl (good girl), shool (school), I love you.  Her personality continues to emerge.  When were in Ethiopia she was quiet and reserved.  That personality continued to show itself for a month or so once we were home. Now she is very happy>  She loves to be in the middle of whatever is going on.  Kickball game in the yard with the boys- she's in!  Someone getting a hug- she wants one too.  She talks (babbles) all the time, sets up tea parties, loves play dough, plays with babies and LEGOs .  She LOVES Henry and Igor.  She is a wonderful blessing to our family.

Update on the Kombolcha April 21-30, 2012 trip!

We have received several applications for the trip to Kombolcha, Ethiopia!  There are still spots available. 
All the trip details are posted here http://ethiopianadoptionspot.blogspot.com/p/kombolcha-trip-info.html:

Several people have asked about the hotel- does it have electricity and running water?  The answer is YES!!  Others have asked about the drive to Kombolcha from Addis Ababa.  The drive is breathtaking.  We will stop to see the monkeys in the highlands.  You will see the dry and arid regions as well.  If it's market day, the drive will be a bit longer but will be filled with adventure. We've posted a few videos of the hotel and the drive.