Hello,
First of all, I don't know what is wrong with my thermometer, but it should say that my goal is $20,000, and that I have so far raised about $10,100...I don't know what it's issue is, but I will work on it!
Second...I thought that I had to update my home study for my USCIS renewal...turns out, I need a whole new home study!! $700. My home study agency is very good to me...normally they would have charged $1400, but they gave me a discount. I am eternally grateful. But it needs to be in to the USCIS people by February 9...they promise me that we can do it!! They are really good to me, and I believe it will happen.
I am really hoping my sister can accompany me on the trip...she is nervous about flying, but would love the opportunity to visit a foreign country. Our only obstacle will be if we can afford a ticket for her.
I do have a Facebook auction at which you will hopefully take a look. I appreciate all bids, and I have some great items without bids!!
I appreciate all who have donated, prayed, and sent good thoughts our way. I am so looking forward to bringing my little Violet home...and once again, when my FSP reaches $12,500, I will reveal her new name!!
Cheers!
Ali
Friday, January 29, 2016
Saturday, January 9, 2016
More donations!!
Hi All!!
I just checked my FSP a couple of days ago, and it had climbed by about $10.00. I checked today, and another $3,100.00 had been donated! I don't know who has been donating so much lately, but you know who you are, and you are truly appreciated! What it means to me is, I get to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a Mama. What it means to Violet is, she only has to spend another month or two in an orphanage, and gets to come home to a family that loves her more than anything else in the world!
I made a promise a week or so ago that when my FSP reaches $12,500.00, I will reveal the name that has finally been chosen for her once she's adopted. We are less than $250.00 away from that goal now, and I will keep my promise! I had originally planned to wait until Gotcha Day to reveal her name, but not now!!
Once my thermometer reaches $20,000.00, I should be fully funded (which will include plane tickets for both me and my sister, and one for Violet to come home)!
I really think Violet and I are perfect for each other. She has so much energy that she'll keep my running, which will make my doctor happy! I have always wanted a little girl, and since I was about 19, have fantasized about having a little girl with Down syndrome, so she's already everything I ever wanted!! She loves to cuddle and rock, loves to play with kitchen utensils, and loves to eat cake. She loves to play in the water, so I believe she will love the ocean as much as I do. My sister (although she would never admit it) is almost as excited to get her home as I am...so once again, we are all very grateful for everything you all have done for us!!
Please keep us in your prayers and positive thoughts! You will forever be in ours, as we could never truly repay you for all you have done!! Blessings on you and yours~~~
I just checked my FSP a couple of days ago, and it had climbed by about $10.00. I checked today, and another $3,100.00 had been donated! I don't know who has been donating so much lately, but you know who you are, and you are truly appreciated! What it means to me is, I get to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a Mama. What it means to Violet is, she only has to spend another month or two in an orphanage, and gets to come home to a family that loves her more than anything else in the world!
I made a promise a week or so ago that when my FSP reaches $12,500.00, I will reveal the name that has finally been chosen for her once she's adopted. We are less than $250.00 away from that goal now, and I will keep my promise! I had originally planned to wait until Gotcha Day to reveal her name, but not now!!
Once my thermometer reaches $20,000.00, I should be fully funded (which will include plane tickets for both me and my sister, and one for Violet to come home)!
I really think Violet and I are perfect for each other. She has so much energy that she'll keep my running, which will make my doctor happy! I have always wanted a little girl, and since I was about 19, have fantasized about having a little girl with Down syndrome, so she's already everything I ever wanted!! She loves to cuddle and rock, loves to play with kitchen utensils, and loves to eat cake. She loves to play in the water, so I believe she will love the ocean as much as I do. My sister (although she would never admit it) is almost as excited to get her home as I am...so once again, we are all very grateful for everything you all have done for us!!
Please keep us in your prayers and positive thoughts! You will forever be in ours, as we could never truly repay you for all you have done!! Blessings on you and yours~~~
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Second PM Approval
Hi All,
I received my second PM approval for the adoption yesterday! Everything is getting closer. It should be about 2-3 months now before I travel to go to court, get Violet, and bring her home. It is still up in the air whether my sister will get to go with me, which would make things easier, but ultimately, either way, I am so excited. The problem is, I cannot sleep tonight and need to work a 12 hour shift in the morning!!
I am very humbled by the generous donations I have received from family, friends, and anonymous sources without which I could never have come this far in this journey. I appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts I have received as well...how much you all have helped my daughter and I has not gone unnoticed, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much for all you have done.
I have finally settled on what her name will be...it has been years of back and forth, and I am not revealing what her name will be at this time...I plan to reveal it when the adoption is final, but I may cave before then...I am weak!
Love to you all...
I received my second PM approval for the adoption yesterday! Everything is getting closer. It should be about 2-3 months now before I travel to go to court, get Violet, and bring her home. It is still up in the air whether my sister will get to go with me, which would make things easier, but ultimately, either way, I am so excited. The problem is, I cannot sleep tonight and need to work a 12 hour shift in the morning!!
I am very humbled by the generous donations I have received from family, friends, and anonymous sources without which I could never have come this far in this journey. I appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts I have received as well...how much you all have helped my daughter and I has not gone unnoticed, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much for all you have done.
I have finally settled on what her name will be...it has been years of back and forth, and I am not revealing what her name will be at this time...I plan to reveal it when the adoption is final, but I may cave before then...I am weak!
Love to you all...
Friday, October 16, 2015
I am so excited to announce that I received an anonymous $5000 donation to my FSP!! This lifts a huge burden off of me and I am so grateful!!
I expect to travel for my gotcha trip in February, and even though she has a massive fear of flying, my sister has graciously agreed to go with me. This lifts another huge burden, as I was wondering how I was going to navigate airports with a rambunctious little girl and luggage.
I was also able to finally switch off the graveyard shift at work, and feel so much better physically, which will also help greatly when Violet comes home. I feel like everything is falling into place and I am so excited!! Thanks to having a terrific boss, I know that my travel in February will be no issue, and I am excited to go back to the beautiful country my little one currently calls home. I have recently found cookbooks about the food from her country, and plan to learn some recipes to make the transition to the new culture a little easier.
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate everyone that has helped me get to this place. I never could have done it without your support!! I love you all!
Ali
I expect to travel for my gotcha trip in February, and even though she has a massive fear of flying, my sister has graciously agreed to go with me. This lifts another huge burden, as I was wondering how I was going to navigate airports with a rambunctious little girl and luggage.
I was also able to finally switch off the graveyard shift at work, and feel so much better physically, which will also help greatly when Violet comes home. I feel like everything is falling into place and I am so excited!! Thanks to having a terrific boss, I know that my travel in February will be no issue, and I am excited to go back to the beautiful country my little one currently calls home. I have recently found cookbooks about the food from her country, and plan to learn some recipes to make the transition to the new culture a little easier.
I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate everyone that has helped me get to this place. I never could have done it without your support!! I love you all!
Ali
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Greetings from Eastern Europe!!
I spent a week here in country, and am so excited to announce that Violet and I got along as if we've known each other her whole life!! She is really a remarkable little girl. She has only been walking since she had her heart surgery in December, and she is doing really well. She is a biter!! She likes to pull hair!! But if those are her biggest issues, I think we can get past it!! She really started becoming possessive of me in the last 3 days...she did not want other kids getting any attention from me. We celebrated her 4th birthday on Thursday, and I got to give her the gift of a bunny. Rose, our translator, was kind enough to provide a cake for her and her friends to celebrate! She loved it...she also loved watching me eat cake!! I saw her for the last time this trip this afternoon, and have finally stopped crying long enough to write this. I am in awe of the ladies who care for the kids at her orphanage...with limited resources they provide these kids with love, good nutrition, great care, and education. It is really an amazing place, and I am honored to have met those that work there and provide their services. They truly care about these kids.
Our in country team is amazing...I don't know what I would have done without them.
Please keep us in your prayers, it is going to be difficult to come up with funds to finalize everything. I can expect to travel again likely in February. I wish I could share some of the pics I took, but it is forbidden...but she is beautiful, funny, smart, and perfect!! Thank you all.
I spent a week here in country, and am so excited to announce that Violet and I got along as if we've known each other her whole life!! She is really a remarkable little girl. She has only been walking since she had her heart surgery in December, and she is doing really well. She is a biter!! She likes to pull hair!! But if those are her biggest issues, I think we can get past it!! She really started becoming possessive of me in the last 3 days...she did not want other kids getting any attention from me. We celebrated her 4th birthday on Thursday, and I got to give her the gift of a bunny. Rose, our translator, was kind enough to provide a cake for her and her friends to celebrate! She loved it...she also loved watching me eat cake!! I saw her for the last time this trip this afternoon, and have finally stopped crying long enough to write this. I am in awe of the ladies who care for the kids at her orphanage...with limited resources they provide these kids with love, good nutrition, great care, and education. It is really an amazing place, and I am honored to have met those that work there and provide their services. They truly care about these kids.
Our in country team is amazing...I don't know what I would have done without them.
Please keep us in your prayers, it is going to be difficult to come up with funds to finalize everything. I can expect to travel again likely in February. I wish I could share some of the pics I took, but it is forbidden...but she is beautiful, funny, smart, and perfect!! Thank you all.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Off I Go!!
Hello All!!
I am leaving on Saturday just before 12:30 pm to go on my referral trip and to meet my little one for the first time ever. I feel as though I know her well already, and I am excited to introduce myself to her as her mama. I have never traveled internationally before, and the furthest I have traveled without a companion in the past was about 200 miles...I am extremely nervous. I will travel first to Chicago, then Frankfurt, then Vienna, then I will land in country about 4:00 am. I am so excited to be able to see her in person, hold her, and spend some of her birthday with her!! I thought on many occasions that this time would never come. I was only given a few days notice that I had to be there...found out last Tuesday that I needed to be there Monday. I was totally freaked out at the time, and somewhat irritated that I wasn't given more time, but now I think that perhaps this way was better. Not as much time to freak out. Airfare cost a lot more than I expected for one person ($2200) but I believe Eldon at Golden Rule ultimately got me a good deal. Once again, I want to say how grateful I am for all who have helped me along the way. I am fully aware that I could not have done this alone. I still owe quite a bit on this journey, and I was hoping to ask again the favor of donations for Violet's fourth birthday. Several $4 donations would add up quickly!! Most of all, prayers would be greatly appreciated. I am waiting to hear from grants, and I have some fundraiser ideas for after my return. I appreciate all the good thoughts and support. Thank you!
I am leaving on Saturday just before 12:30 pm to go on my referral trip and to meet my little one for the first time ever. I feel as though I know her well already, and I am excited to introduce myself to her as her mama. I have never traveled internationally before, and the furthest I have traveled without a companion in the past was about 200 miles...I am extremely nervous. I will travel first to Chicago, then Frankfurt, then Vienna, then I will land in country about 4:00 am. I am so excited to be able to see her in person, hold her, and spend some of her birthday with her!! I thought on many occasions that this time would never come. I was only given a few days notice that I had to be there...found out last Tuesday that I needed to be there Monday. I was totally freaked out at the time, and somewhat irritated that I wasn't given more time, but now I think that perhaps this way was better. Not as much time to freak out. Airfare cost a lot more than I expected for one person ($2200) but I believe Eldon at Golden Rule ultimately got me a good deal. Once again, I want to say how grateful I am for all who have helped me along the way. I am fully aware that I could not have done this alone. I still owe quite a bit on this journey, and I was hoping to ask again the favor of donations for Violet's fourth birthday. Several $4 donations would add up quickly!! Most of all, prayers would be greatly appreciated. I am waiting to hear from grants, and I have some fundraiser ideas for after my return. I appreciate all the good thoughts and support. Thank you!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Hi All!!
I am traveling!!! Leaving on Saturday, to arrive on Monday. The great news is that I get to be with Violet on her fourth birthday!! I am so very excited about this fact. I luckily have the funds I need for travel, very luckily since they only gave me 4 days notice before I had to leave. I am also lucky that my boss is very understanding and excited for me. The scary thing is that I don't have any of what I need to pay my agency upon my return, so I am again asking for help. I will be posting an online auction tomorrow, which will hopefully generate some interest. My FSP will need to read $6576 for me to be able to make this payment! I specifically request that, if so led, people could donate $4.00 on September 17th in honor of Violet's fourth birthday! I appreciate all the help, prayers and donations I have received from the RR community, because I could not have come this far without all of you!!
I AM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY MEET MY LITTLE ANGEL!!!
I am traveling!!! Leaving on Saturday, to arrive on Monday. The great news is that I get to be with Violet on her fourth birthday!! I am so very excited about this fact. I luckily have the funds I need for travel, very luckily since they only gave me 4 days notice before I had to leave. I am also lucky that my boss is very understanding and excited for me. The scary thing is that I don't have any of what I need to pay my agency upon my return, so I am again asking for help. I will be posting an online auction tomorrow, which will hopefully generate some interest. My FSP will need to read $6576 for me to be able to make this payment! I specifically request that, if so led, people could donate $4.00 on September 17th in honor of Violet's fourth birthday! I appreciate all the help, prayers and donations I have received from the RR community, because I could not have come this far without all of you!!
I AM SO EXCITED TO FINALLY MEET MY LITTLE ANGEL!!!
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