The Process Update

As I promised recently, here is our adoption process update.


By the beginning of August, after months of an organizational/USPS/Chittenden household paper windstorm,we FINALLY got our dossier complete and money wired to the Dominican Republic's Central Authority for Children (CONANI). By August 27th, we received an email from our agency saying "There is some sensitive information which I need to discuss with you, so I would like to schedule a time for a telephone conversation in which we can talk."


This.Did.NOT.Feel.Positive.


And it was not.


After one hour on the phone, we were told by CONANI that "regretfully under our laws their case cannot prosper to an adoption."


Punch in the gut.


Every emotion.


Once we were able to regroup, we reached out to our incredibly committed friends in the DR to tell them and map a "what's next?" plan. Because we all believe, this is not over.


Praying and wracking my brain for next step, I thought about a family our adoption agency had told us about who were trying to adopt two girls they got to know from the DR. Of course, our agency could not share their information with me, but thanks to Google, I was able to find them! And with much excitement, I read that they had just arrived home in the US with their two girls after a three year battle for them. I poured over their blog and found many similarities in our situation.


After a few Facebook messages and missed calls, I caught up with Heather, the mom of these two precious girls (and of four other kiddos!) We spoke at length about both of our stories. She shared the ups and downs of the process for them and we planned to get our husbands together to hash out the process. So amazing to finally get to speak with someone who knows the process and understands where we are. Thank you God for this "sister." WHat an amazing gift.


Our hope was restored.


I hate to say we lost hope. But when human beings are involved, and policies seem to trump relationships, sometime we can just go there.


"Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."


There He was, as a family of 8 from Alabama...our "light." Our new hope that someone who has been-there, done-that was willing to take us under their wing and guide us through this next uphill battle for our precious girl.


And as always our "Rear Guard."

Our visit with the birthday girl

Hi friends,

Just back live on our blog after nearly 8 months (rule, rules, rules...) and I know many people are asking for updates. I promise I will update on the process soon but first I wanted to share about our family trip to the DR in June.

On June 4, little miss celebrated her 7th birthday, but she says it was her second birthday. This is because she had never celebrated a birthday until just last year when we were still living in Santiago. It had been 8 months for me but a whole year for the guys since they had seen Johanna in person. We were all amazed at her English. I mean, we had Voxered often but to spend extended time…just amazing!

We had a “Yellow” birthday party since it is her very favorite color. First, in school,

 then with her grandma, aunts, cousins and brothers, and lastly,

with friends at the Reyes home. Partied out!!!

Later in the week we are also able to join her at her Kindergarten graduation at Santiago Christian School.

Flowers from Dad...so sweet!

                                                           

We are all so incredibly proud and amazed at what an enriched environment has done for her. She has made leaps and bounds and is very demanding on herself to do things just so. She has big dreams and we pray we will be part of making those come true...glory to God!

The kids got along great. It was the usual--Adam is the oldest brother and therefore one to be "challenged" most by her. She does not like to be told what to do, especially by him. Ha! Noah, well, no one else exists in her eyes if he's around and Jake--- they are just the sweetest. He really likes the idea of being a big brother and teaching her all there is to know, especially about games.

One of our favorite moments was when one night Joy said "Okay Reyes kids, time for bed." And Johanna, who is typically included in that group when we are not in town, said "I'm not a Reyes. I'm a Chittenden!" LOL!!! LOVE IT!!!