tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11500940932029916802024-03-13T11:30:47.387-05:00Our little SpillersJourney to find our childrenNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-36374035979076012862016-04-24T13:44:00.001-05:002016-04-24T13:44:22.770-05:00This blog hasn't been updated in 5 years! And there is a good reason for it, but reading all the posts again and looking at the timeline, it seems like this blog is missing a closure chapter.<br />
<br />
So here it is. Short and sweet :-)<br />
<br />
Adoption never happened. Which it is a blessing as we are not longer married. It has been 4 years since the divorce was final. We got reimbursed for some services we payed ahead of time but that they were never going to be used. Both agencies were very easy to work with to withdraw our application.<br />
<br />
I still think of all those children who need family. And who knows, I may decide one day to adopt one by myself.<br />
<br />
Peace and love.<br />
<br />
~NancyNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-7640352111847284952011-09-27T18:07:00.003-05:002011-09-27T18:51:24.877-05:00Last renewal??<div>It is difficult to try to write something new to this blog after my previous post. The day we came back from Venezuela we supposed to get our fingerprints done for adoption, luckily my smart husband remembered hours before we left that we wouldn't be able to make it on time, so we requested a reschedule of bio-metrics. So lets look at the positive side, for anybody who needs to reschedule the fingerprints it is as simple as sending the appointment letter back and checking the box asking to reschedule. The date is moved about a month.<br /><br />We got fingerprinted again Monday Sep-19, and the approval for the renewal arrived to our house on Saturday with date Sep-20! It took only one day to get us re-approved! Amazing!<br /><br />Home Study and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USCIS</span> approval have been notarized and have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">apostille</span>. They are now on its way to our wonderful agency <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Adopolis</span> to later be sent to Colombia, just to keep our records up-to-date.<br /><br />So for any person out there who is still reading this blog (other than Megan, Hi Megan!), we are still in the process waiting for our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Colombianito</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Colombianita</span>. Our hope is that this is the last time we have to go through the renewal process -I called our agency today to try to convince them of that... not sure it worked, but I took it out of my chest.<br /><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://everybitterthingissweet.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/adopted-child-cartoon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://everybitterthingissweet.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/adopted-child-cartoon.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>I just stole this cartoon from another <a href="http://everybitterthingissweet.com/2007/12/weve-only-just-begun/">blog</a>. I just love the irony behind it. Yes, we are approved, but it is still a long way before we can reach our child, hopefully we don't have to fight alligators, boiling acid and marshmallows packed in ammonia!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>OH.... I almost forgot! We bought a twin size bed for our child, and I put it together this weekend... YEAH ME! Now we just need to have a child :-)</div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-36200288079364832312011-08-30T19:33:00.004-05:002011-08-30T19:40:19.904-05:00In memory of my dad<div>I miss my dad, I wish he had the opportunity to meet our little one. He passed away on August 15, 2011. The full family was there for the funeral on August 18 in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela</div><div>
<br /></div><div>This is a video made by my sister Aida.</div><div>
<br /></div><iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OxTul9aF2us" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div>
<br /></div><div>Song: Te Extrañaré. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; "><span>I'll miss you, be sure</span>
<br /><span>So many beautiful and bad times we live together </span>
<br /><span>The details, the little things, it seemed important q</span>
<br /><span>There are the ones that invade my mind when I remember you</span>
<br />
<br /><span>I wish I could turn back the clock</span>
<br /><span>To see you again</span>
<br /><span>To give you a hug</span>
<br /><span>And never let go</span>
<br />
<br /><span>But I understand your time came </span>
<br /><span>God has called you to be by his side</span>
<br /><span>So the you wanted, but I never thought</span>
<br /><span>That hurts so much</span>
<br />
<br /><span>(CHORUS)</span>
<br />
<br /><span>Do not cry for me</span>
<br /><span>I am in a place filled d light</span>
<br /><span>Where there is peace, where there is no evil</span>
<br /><span>Where I can rest</span>
<br />
<br /><span>Do not cry for me</span>
<br /><span>It's so beautiful here, I never imagined</span>
<br /><span>I want you to be happy, to go well</span>
<br />And when it is your time, I will be waiting for you
<br />
<br /><span>I'll miss you, be sure</span>
<br /><span>How to think life can end </span>
<br /><span>In a second</span>
<br /><span>Life is dust, it can spread at a time</span>
<br /><span>You didn't bring anything, you didn't take anything, just what you had inside</span>
<br />
<br /><span>I wish I could turn back the clock</span>
<br /><span>To see you again</span>
<br /><span>To give you a hug</span>
<br /><span>And never let go</span>
<br />
<br /><span>But I understand your time came q</span>
<br /><span>God has called you to be by his side</span>
<br /><span>So the you wanted, but I never thought</span>
<br /><span>That hurts so much</span>
<br />
<br /><span>(CHORUS)</span>
<br />
<br /><span>Do not cry for me</span>
<br /><span>I am in a place filled with light</span>
<br /><span>Where there is peace, where there is no evil</span>
<br /><span>Where I can rest</span>
<br />
<br /><span>Do not cry for me</span>
<br /><span>It's so beautiful here, I never imagined</span>
<br /><span>I want you to be happy, to go well</span>
<br />And when it is your time, I will be waiting for you</span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-38585861212818065872011-06-04T17:00:00.005-05:002011-06-04T17:33:54.487-05:00Home Study Renewal - Getting ready for social worker visit<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Key9NPlEShU/TeqysE60pkI/AAAAAAAAAGo/CmPMdlml8kM/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Key9NPlEShU/TeqysE60pkI/AAAAAAAAAGo/CmPMdlml8kM/s200/IMG_0094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614496355775194690" /></a><br />This is our third time when a Social Worker comes to visit our house to make sure we are still suitable to become parents. At this time, I would say we are pros! You have to see us today, just relaxing even that tomorrow is the "visit".<br /><br /><div>If you are new to this process, my best recommendation is to relax. Yes, you want to make a good impression to your social worker, but they are not doing a white glove inspection. They just want to make sure you have a place where you can raise a child, thats all. So don't freak out!<br /><br />This is what we have done for tomorrow to get the house ready:<div><ul><li>Mow the lawn</li><li>Clean the house: clean bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, pantry. Picked up any clutter. This is regular weekly cleaning!</li><li>Wash the dog </li><li>Made iced tea (I know, it sounds silly, but we need to have something to serve other than water and beer!)</li><li>Maybe I will bake cupcakes (I rarely bake, but I like to do it! So the visit is just a good excuse to bake right now!)</li></ul><div>Of course, when the social worker comes, it is not just a walk through the house, we also have an interview! My husband and I talked about any changes that happened during last year, any changes we want to do in our home study.. and that is it. We are in the same page, so we should be re-approved with flying colors!</div><div><br /></div><div>NOTE: in the first visit when preparing the report for the first time, they do ask A LOT of questions and even flush the toile! See my post about it back in <a href="http://nextspiller.blogspot.com/2008/09/home-study-update.html">2009</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-39179419203424333482011-04-15T08:23:00.005-05:002011-04-15T08:29:25.215-05:00Nesting<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Canary_nesting.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Canary_nesting.jpg" /></a> It has been very long times since last time I posted, but believe me, there hasn't been even one day that I have think about becoming a mother. We started our process in 2008, and we got approval from ICBF on August 2009. Almost two years later, and we are still here, waiting. So what does a mother do when she is expecting? Nesting!Well... my paper pregnancy is too long to be decoraring the room or baby-proofing the house. It is also very uncertain, as we don't know the gender, age, or taste of the child to be buying clothes, painting walls, buying toys. But that doesn't take away that I can be nesting! A good friend of mine suggested a brilliant idea. I can build my child's library! So each month I have been buying children’s books. Some are in English, others in Spanish. I can only imagine getting to the end of the day and sitting with our little one and reading these books. Again, this is a brilliant idea! I already have like ten books, and the collection will keep growing each month. Lets see how many books we ended having! The other thing I bought for our child is a Sock Monkey. My husband has memory of his childhood with this monkey, so I thought it will be the perfect first toy for our child. I had never seen one in person, but now it is sitting in our living room and I think it is adorable. Other way of nesting is changing furniture. We had a hand-me-down sofa, and the sitting space in our living room was limited. So... new sofas arrived! And I'm waiting a little bit longer to replace our coffee table with an ottoman with storage, so we can keep toys there :-) That is it with the Spillers for now. We are still working hard, playing harder, and enjoying ourselves. Stay tuned for the next episode: Homestudy III (coming to this blog next May, after successful homestudies I and II) <a href="http://bythelbs.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/sock-monkey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://bythelbs.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/sock-monkey.jpg" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-16409058714303567532011-01-06T19:24:00.000-06:002011-01-06T19:24:37.405-06:00Change Of Plans official trailerThis one should be interesting to watch as a family!<br /><br />Change of Plans is the fourth film in an initiative sponsored by Wal-Mart and P&G to bring back “Family Movie Night”. Change of Plans is the story of Sally and Jason Danville, a young couple with plenty of love, talent, and career opportunities - and no responsibilities. When Sally's childhood friend dies and entrusts her with four children, Sally and Jason begin a journey that changes the focus of their lives and expands their definition of family. Three of these four children have become siblings through international adoption, and the movie offers a challenging, heart-warming insight into the joys and struggles of building a family from a group of strangers. <br /> <br /> <br />· Tune in: Saturday, January 8th at 8/7 on FOX<br />· Spread the Word: Send an email or newsletter to your friends!<br />· Share: Post the trailer on your Facebook or Twitter page Change of Plans - Trailer<br />· Visit : www.moms4familytv.com for a discussion guide, essay contest information and more! <br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fkEPjo9sIVc?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-88673319850884841592010-12-15T15:33:00.001-06:002010-12-15T15:40:07.617-06:00Merry ChristmasIt is the season. In so many places I hear talk about the kids who may not have a coat this winter to keep them warm, or wont have gifts under their tree to unwrap on Christmas day, or a meal to celebrate with their family.<br />This holiday season is hitting me harder. How will my children celebrate this Christmas? Are they being loved? Do they have a coat to protect them from the cold if they are in the mountains? Do they have a roof over their heads to protect them from the severe rains? I cannot get answers to my questions (at least not now) and I cannot do anything right now to protect them, or to express them our love. <br /><br />So, my wish for Christmas is for them to be safe and not to be long before we are together as a family, just like God has planned for us.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mehtanirav.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/merry_christmas-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 402px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.mehtanirav.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/merry_christmas-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-73213843186832700752010-11-21T20:44:00.002-06:002010-11-21T20:49:35.387-06:00Friends of Colombia OrphansHere is a link to a fundraiser for a wonderful cause!<br /><a href="http://shop.ebay.com/friendsofcolombianorphansinc/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=100#item45f6eb8ace"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q9Yhloa0usY/TOnZL4oP9lI/AAAAAAAAACE/ukrnb1zrVxY/s1600/Friends%2Bof%2BColombian%2BOrphans%2BFundraiser-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_q9Yhloa0usY/TOnZL4oP9lI/AAAAAAAAACE/ukrnb1zrVxY/s400/Friends%2Bof%2BColombian%2BOrphans%2BFundraiser-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542199614659098194" /></a><br /></a><br /><a href="http://friendsofcolombianorphans.org/#site/mission">Friends of Colombian Orphans Inc.</a> is a grassroots, nonprofit charity dedicated to improving the well-being of young Colombians who are living in poverty. Established in 2007 by U.S. parents who adopted Colombian children, the organization focuses on structural improvements to orphanages, and vocational and entrepreneurial training for teens and young women.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-26587593287948749582010-11-09T20:09:00.004-06:002010-11-09T20:19:01.157-06:00National Adoption Month / Blog Hop<div style="text-align: center;">To anyone who is or was on the adoption process, or for anybody who is starting this journey... HAPPY ADOPTION MONTH!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.3psinapod.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Nat-Adoption-Month.jpg"><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 462px; " src="http://www.3psinapod.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Nat-Adoption-Month.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, to keep going the celebration, lets join the adoption blog hop!!</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Guidelines:</b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The title of your link should begin with: </span></span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><li>Foster - if adoption is through foster care</li><li>Private - if adoption is through a private agency</li><li>Name of the country - if the adoption is international</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Other labels for your adoption could include:</span></span><br /><ul style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><li>P - if adoption is still pending</li><li>$ - if you are still seeking funding for your adoption</li></ul><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">I totally missed the guidelines, but at least with the thumbnail you can tell it is a Colombian adoption!</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=53406" type="text/javascript"></script></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509470555908748962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-74950556403586726592010-10-19T09:29:00.002-05:002010-10-19T09:33:24.305-05:00Waiting<p align="center"><a title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancyspiller/5089942227/"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 2px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 2px solid" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5089942227_e2bab855a9_m.jpg" width="425" height="256" /></a></p><p>Sometimes things don't turn like we want them to. Other times, life gives us surprises that we never imagined. But nothing happens out of the original master plan that God created for each one of us. And we know that our kids are still waiting for us in Colombia. And we will go and get them. When? We don't know, but I'm sure it will be right in God's perfect timing, whenever He (and ICBF) feel that we are good to go. So for the next two years or so, we will keep praying so they are safe and surrounded by love.</p>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-20709825666748256662010-10-17T14:07:00.002-05:002010-10-17T14:14:18.462-05:00For all of you who are still around, and those who sent me personal emails, I think this picture says more than 1000 words. Taken last month in Tuscany, Italy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/TLtKWZSTOBI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/8ve2nCBgkQ4/s1600/DSC_0680.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/TLtKWZSTOBI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/8ve2nCBgkQ4/s320/DSC_0680.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529094716132636690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; ">Talley and I</span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-58226185149555548072010-06-23T20:26:00.003-05:002010-06-23T20:33:28.201-05:00Citizens of the World<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww115/beats183/colombian-flag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 425px; height: 282px;" src="http://i711.photobucket.com/albums/ww115/beats183/colombian-flag.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />"Citizens of the World" is a hosting program created by our placement agency Adopolis. I cannot describe it better than they do:<br /><br />"Adopolis is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed with the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) to initiate Citizens of the World, a Hosting Program for children and host families interested in providing special needs and older children from Colombia an enriching family experience. This program helps to fulfill Adopolis’ commitment to education and service, recognizing the importance of a family life for a child. After the children return to Colombia, the host families can support them in different ways or may be considered as prospective adoptive families.<br /><br />The goal of the program is to provide children - special needs 4 to 7 yrs. old, and healthy 8 to 12 yrs. old - with a summertime or a Christmas season enrichment experience within the environment of a family’s home. The program is family-centered. The children will stay with a family for three or four weeks during the months of July-August or December-January, which is when families take their summer and Christmas vacations.<br /><br /><br />More information <a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4WoQF62y3_SNzczZTQ2ZmItOGM1OS00YWIxLWJjMjUtZDdiODA2ZDgxOWY4&hl=en">here </a><br />and <a href="http://adopolis.org/hosting.html">here</a><br /><br />This should be a great opportunity to explore if adoption is right for you!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-53548199067541622002010-06-07T10:46:00.001-05:002010-06-07T11:11:13.142-05:00USCIS renewalI realize that it has been a while since I updated this blog with our adoption news. <br /><br />Well, not many things are going on about adoption, other that we have been approved by the USCIS to adopt up to two kids from Colombia. This is good news but not the end of this part of the road. We have to send the HS appostilled to Colombia ICBF to get their approval and to enter another waiting list. I will get to get the apostille this week, then send it to our agency and get it translated and delivered to ICBF.<br /><br />My best guess now is to become parents by 2012, even that in my heart I hope to get a referral by the end of next year. I can always dream, right?<br /><br />So, on the meantime, we have been busy with our new house!!! We found this place with great schools, playground in the community, and what it looks to be nice neighbors. And just 5 minutes away from the office! Other than that, we have been very busy with work, work, and work. <br /><br />See u next time!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-28940160190764041322010-04-20T08:19:00.000-05:002010-04-20T08:20:34.530-05:00Please pray for her<center><a href="http://allarepreciousinhissight.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx29/AllArePreciousInHisSight/prayforchrissiebuttonMARCHorAPRI-3.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br /><br />Leave the family some comments so they know they are not alone.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-66509802285040614632010-02-23T21:52:00.003-06:002010-02-23T21:56:44.219-06:00Waiting for ...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_photography/3403846490/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3403846490_f0aed799a4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a></div><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eric_photography/3403846490/">waiting</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/eric_photography/">锺樂海</a></div></span><p><br /><br />I just found this article in the Joint Council website. It describes exactly what means and what is like to be waiting for a child in International Adoption:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">We spend our lives waiting: to get our driver’s license, to finish school, for all the adult pleasures we’ve anticipated. But few of those times require the patience needed to wait for our children when we are in the midst of an international adoption. Once the rush stage is done and all the paperwork has been submitted and sent to our child’s country, the true wait begins — and it is one that makes us weak and strong at the same time.<br />The weakness comes from feelings of uncertainty (Will it really happen?); of lack of control (especially difficult for those of us who usually cope by taking charge); of insecurity (Will we make good parents? Will our children love us?). The strength comes from learning to trust ourselves and others (our agency and authorities in our child’s country); learning to have faith that something so abstract now will be concrete soon (holding our children); learning all we can during this time (from books, friends, family, and our own instincts).<br />Only two certainties<br />In essence, this time of waiting for our children is a combination of fear and happy anticipation, mixed with ingredients of patience, faith, trust in people we don’t know, some sorrow and possibly anger about delays or changes here and abroad over which we have no control, and a large portion of hope. For there are two certainties in international adoption — the first being that eventually we will have our children (not necessarily from the first country we planned on), and the second being that in the meantime there will be delays, possible difficulties, and much less information and control than we would like. If we weather the frustrations, retain our hope, and refuse to give up if we need to change direction, there is no way that we’ll fail to get a child, once our home study is approved.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.jcics.org/Waiting.pdf">Waiting</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yep, we are waiting... but now we are waiting for two. We are sending an update request to USCIS and Colombia for siblings up to four years old.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aCLKrMNkFq8/SBp761ZRy2I/AAAAAAAAAgo/1fnbtko9yHM/s400/number+two.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px; " /></span></span></p><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-75065167011734124212010-02-01T17:47:00.003-06:002010-02-01T18:14:17.714-06:002010<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hi!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>2010 is the year! Yes, it is the year to renew our adoption paperwork. My hopes of becoming a mother will start maybe in 2011 or 2012, no hurries here :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Just a quick recap of the past couple of months. We spent Christmas and New Years in Chile, eating great seafood, drinking the best wine in the world (well, we will have to travel to the rest of the world to make sure this is a true statesman), and enjoying the warm weather!!!! I was there for work, and the company sent my husband so we could be together for the holidays. It is so cool that they could do that as we both work for the same company!</div><div><br /></div><div>Other than that, we have been working as always and trying to sell our house! So far, nobody wants this beautiful place. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next update to this blog? Maybe whenever we get the renewal from immigration. Who knows? Maybe before, maybe later... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/S2duDR5B8sI/AAAAAAAAAuU/1TxIyPYmuXM/s1600-h/valparaiso14.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/S2duDR5B8sI/AAAAAAAAAuU/1TxIyPYmuXM/s320/valparaiso14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433432478067061442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-59034846245330782362009-12-07T22:40:00.002-06:002009-12-07T22:50:50.500-06:00Friends of Colombia Orphans can get Free Money!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Name Your Cause lets you and your friends vote to provide cash and prizes to your favorite charities (<i>and our favorite is </i><a href="http://www.friendsofcolombianorphans.org/"><i><b>Friends of Colombia Orphans</b></i></a>). Vote by December 10th and they could win a $2500 eBay gift card!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><div><a href="http://www.nameyourcause.com/view-charity/290/Friends-of-Colombian-Orphans.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.nameyourcause.com/view-charity/290/Friends-of-Colombian-Orphans.html</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="javascript:void(0)">Publish Post</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 19px; ">Please vote every four hours, help them stay on the top of the list!</span></div></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-44177552890328696742009-11-13T17:46:00.006-06:002009-11-13T18:33:42.413-06:00Welcome home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.funmunch.com/graphics/congratulations/graphics/congratulations1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 216px;" src="http://www.funmunch.com/graphics/congratulations/graphics/congratulations1.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><div><br />On October 10th 2009 a couple we meet during adoption training became a forever family in Russia. Even that we know this news for a while know, today we received an invitation for a welcome home party.<div><br /></div><div>So I though it will be the perfect moment to congratulate the lucky parents from this corner in the web. I look forward to meet with the new members of their family!</div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tsnra.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/a1af91fd22bb4a3daef7be2ce3756e8f_congratulations-117171938.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"> <div style="text-align: center;text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></div></a><br /><div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-59658590043994029452009-10-19T10:44:00.003-05:002009-10-19T11:09:44.463-05:00Friends of Colombia OrphansHave you heard of <em>Friends of Colombian Orphans?</em> If you are in the Colombian Adoption's world, I'm sure you know about them. But in case you don't, this is your opportunity!!! They are conducting auctions on Ebay to raise funds for their projects. They have beautiful handcrafts (I really want one of their Shawl!) and other items at great prices. The best? all the money collected will help orphans in Colombia. Check them out! <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/friendsofcolombianorphansinc/m.html">http://shop.ebay.com/friendsofcolombianorphansinc/m.html</a><br /><br /><em>Friends of Colombian Orphans, Inc., is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in Colombian orphanages. Established in 2007 by parents who adopted Colombian children, the Friends focus on orphanages in need that are open to outside aid. They organize and supervise improvement projects using donated funds. 100% of donations go toward projects.</em><br /><br />If you want to learn more about their organization, please visit their website: <a href="http://www.friendsofcolombianorphans.org/">http://www.friendsofcolombianorphans.org/</a><br /><br /><br />Pass the world, this is totally worthed!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-9024564311709689102009-09-12T19:38:00.000-05:002009-09-12T19:40:07.900-05:00Five years ago :-)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1162/552957895_3cc135b8fa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1162/552957895_3cc135b8fa.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-81770428765935367072009-09-02T08:47:00.003-05:002009-09-02T13:04:59.540-05:00Guess what?/ Adivina que?<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/Sp56q76nQTI/AAAAAAAAAoc/yZ1dUapISUU/s1600-h/approved_black.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376869883183579442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fQ2Qa6cqiBI/Sp56q76nQTI/AAAAAAAAAoc/yZ1dUapISUU/s320/approved_black.gif" border="0" /></a> <strong>We are approved for a child up to three years old!!!</strong> </div><div align="center">We officially entered the waiting list in Colombia!!!! I'm beyond speechless.. </div><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Constanza</span> sent us an email this morning at 3 am, and I didn't look at it until 8:30 am... I can't believe the email was sitting there for such a long time! When I started reading the preview of the message from work (thanks Gmail for that feature!), I had to call Talley and have him wait with me until the message finally opened (longest 45 seconds in my life...). </div><div align="center">WE ARE APPROVED!!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Next steps: In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">approximately</span> three years, our paperwork will be send to a regional office, then child referral and then travel to pick him/her up! Long way to go, there may not be more adoption news for a while, but we are thinking about the prize at the end of this journey.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">-------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Nos aprobaron en Colombia para adoptar un ninno o ninna hasta 3 annos de edad! (de 0 a 35 meses). Hoy recibimos un correo de nuestra agencia con tal noticia. Empece a leer el correo en la oficina, pero tuve que llamar a Talley de inmediato porque no podia tener la noticia yo sola.</div><div align="center">FINALMENTE NOS APROBARON!!!</div><div align="center">Que viene? En tres annos (o un poquito mas) enviaran nuestros papeles a la oficina regional, luego nos daran los detalles del ninno/a disponible para adopcion, nosotros confirmamos que le queremos, y luego iremos a recogerle!!!! Falta mucho tiempo para que todo esto suceda, pero no importa, igual estamos alegres que va a ocurrir!!!!</div><div align="center"></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-55274971874345462252009-08-06T16:19:00.003-05:002009-08-06T16:53:41.230-05:00Calculations<div align="center"><strong>From date: Friday, July 10, 2009<br />Added 4 weeks</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Normalized to 28 days<br />Resulting date: <span style="color:#ff0000;">Friday, August 7, 2009</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong> </div><div align="justify">Well, it is not like I'm counting... but tomorrow suppose to be 4 weeks since our addendum was submitted to ICBF, and we haven't hear a word from our placement agency. Should I call to ask for an update? I'm afraid to know that there are not news. But I also want to hear any piece of information. Does that make any sense?</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">So, to relief some stress, we are leaving on vacation on Saturday for a HUGE family reunion! Almost my entire family from Venezuela will be flying to Orlando, and we will spend a week together taking our oldest niece Isabella to Disney. My brother and his wife will be traveling with us from Austin. The only ones missing will be our youngest nieces (1.5 yo) and my brother-in-law. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I'm looking forward to this coming week!</div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-81246402806933865172009-07-13T09:48:00.003-05:002009-07-13T10:08:14.134-05:00Home Study Addendum - III<a href="http://www.prosean-fao.org/archivos/enlace/fil_enl_imagen_enlace/ICBF%20peq.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 104px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="http://www.prosean-fao.org/archivos/enlace/fil_enl_imagen_enlace/ICBF%20peq.jpg" border="0" /></a>We got news! Not the one that we were expecting, but at least there is an update. Our addendum has been finally submitted to ICBF past Friday 07/10. Apparently, when our documents travel to Colombia, they don't go straight from the translator desk to ICBF, but they have to be legalize by the Miniterio de Relaciones Exteriores (Department of Foreign Affairs). Our agency estimate that we may have another update in 3-4 weeks (hopefully the approval!). <br /><br />Thank you all for your positive thoughts! We know were are not alone in this journey; it is great to be able to share this with others who are exactly in the same path.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-56443832120577761122009-06-11T22:27:00.002-05:002009-06-11T22:56:21.656-05:00Home Study Addendum - IISo this is exciting... we have something new to do with the adoption process and it is not only to wait!<div><br /></div><div>I picked the Addendum up just after two hours they notified it was ready (I took a break from work, their office is just 5 minutes away from mine!).</div><div><br /></div><div>What are my plans for tomorrow??? Go to the Secretary of State to have the document Apostilled, then send it to Washington DC for Adopolis to send it to Colombia. Then back to work...</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we will wait for translation, then it will go to ICBF... and finally get approval! Maybe another month or two before approval? We are soo close! Curious enough, it will be close to the year mark since we started the process. </div><div><br /></div><div>What are we doing on the mean time? Simple, we are working like crazy. Talley is studying to complete his Linux certification and I'm starting classes to finish my bachelor degree. So that will keep us busy for a little bit. Hopefully at the time we finish our goals, we will be very close to get a child :-D</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1150094093202991680.post-79968028562715636432009-06-02T15:24:00.003-05:002009-07-13T10:12:32.460-05:00Home Study AddendumSo we though that everything was said, that whoever reads our home study and psych evaluation will know single detail about us (even more than we know ourselves). We were sooo wrong!!! It looks like there is more that can be said and that is what ICBF wants from us.<br /><br />We are already in conversation with our Home Study agency to have the Addendum done; it may involve a couple of more visits to our house or interviews. When it is ready, we will have to send it to our agency in Washington DC and then it will need to be translated and then be submitted to ICBF. So I'm estimating that it may take another three months before we are approved, which will be after year year since we started this process. Anyway, I think that we may get a child at the end of 2013! (unless I convince Talley that we need to have a sibling group!).Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00180545437664548820noreply@blogger.com2