Decision Time

I am sorry it has been a week since I last posted. I spent most of the week trying to get in touch with the agency. I was so frustrated on Thursday I even contacted another agency. By Friday at noon, I felt a lot better. I finally received a call from OUR agency early Friday morning. Danielle was very apologetic that she had not gotten back to us sooner in the week. I had a very good talk with her and she said that referrals have slowed down because of the courts being closed in Ethiopia. She asked if we would consider two children that are not related? We would get our referral a lot sooner. Sibling groups from 2-5 are a little hard to find. I didn't think that age range was so restrictive, but I guess so. She also asks us to consider an older child. Clint and I talked about it this weekend and I feel very strong about getting a younger child. I know the older they are, the greater chance of having attachment disorders and I worry about getting them caught up academically and the language barrier.

We would consider unrelated children. They would come from the same orphanage and would already know each other. Maybe that is a greater gift, by giving someone siblings that wouldn't have any. Maybe they will even be the same age and could really be there for each other.
I guess if people ask "are they siblings?" we can say "they are now!!"
Danielle said she would call me first thing on Monday to hear our decision. Maybe things will move along once the courts reopen. That should be within the next week. They still say we will be traveling by the end of the year.
The girls and I did some last minute school shopping today in Ft. Collins. They start school tomorrow. A freshman and a junior, I can't believe it!!
Love you all!! Still waiting........

Travel Consult

Clint and I went on Friday the 17th to get all of our vaccinations for our trip to Ethiopia. We both have had some shots when we traveled to Ecuador in 2005. I still had to get 4 shots and Clint only had to get 3!! We also will be taking some oral meds such as a malaria drug when we travel. Malaria ia actually not a huge risk right in Addis Ababa, but if we travel further south into any villages, we will be at a higher risk.
The gils need to get all their shots yet and so I would like to do that before school starts. This week!!

Waiting to talk to Cheryl at AFAA this week about the referral. I looked back at all my "saved" emails from AFAA. On May 30th I received an email from Catherine at AFAA stating that we were #1 on the "either sex" referral list. We were #8 on the girls list. Catherine and I had a long talk that day and I told here we had never specified which gender we wanted. Either sex was what we had put on our original application and also what was written into our home study. That was 2 1/2 months ago!! So does that mean that they have not gotten any referrals for 2-5 year old sibling groups in those 2 1/2 months? Cheryl needs to call me back and answer these questions. I wish I had never heard the original timeline of "referral by April" and "kids home by July or August", now that seems so long ago! I know it will all happen very fast when it happens. Still waiting!!!

News from Homeland Security!

We received a notice from The Office of Homeland Security. Usually, that would make people a little nervous, but not us! We are excited because it is one step closer to our kids. This form is an I-171H which is the approval for petition to adopt orphans. This immigration paperwork has been transferred to the Ethiopian Embassy in Addis Ababa. The days continue to go by and still no word about the referral. Everyday I want to call and make sure there is no news. But, I try to be patient and I keep picking things up whenever I go to the store, like puzzles or stuffed animals, or flashcards! The next thing I am going to concentrate on is getting the rooms painted. Wish I knew the sex of the children, so I can decorate accordingly. But in the BIG picture I know it does not matter what color the walls are!!!



Aaron left on Wed morning to head back to Cornell. We already miss him and wish we could see him more often. I know his last year will go so fast.

Erica is continuing to work at the bank and will be starting an MCAT course in November. So she is still moving in the direction of medical school. We are proud of her for staying on course.

Bailey and Sierra are getting ready for school as well. Bailey has been practicing Volleyball all this week. She is sore and has troubles with her toenails. YUK! Sierra is getting ready for her junior year and excited about her art classes and I think is a little overwhelmed when you mention future plans after high school.




So in the meantime, we are enjoying our kids, staying busy with the practice and of course, STILL WAITING!!!

Weekend in Yuma

Trying to spend time with my family as the summer flies by. It was so much fun seeing and spending time with my nephews, nieces, sister and brother, and of course my mom and dad.
It was a very successful fair for the Blach family. Jenner had the Grand Champion Steer after 13 years of very hard work from the entire family. We were all so proud!! They also broke the record for the highest bid at the livestock sale. $$$$$

Abby and Alex also did very well and it is always fun to watch them. They made good money at the sale and this will help with expenses for the next 4-H year.

Bailey and Sierra are also in Yuma with their dad and were able to spend a lot of time with cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandma and Grandpa!!

Just a great time at the Yuma County Fair!!!

Still Waiting!!

Waiting For Referral

We are still waiting!! I did talk to Cheryl Carter Schotts yesterday at the Americans for African Adoptions office. Everyone on the blogs and forums is in a panic about the courts closing in Ethiopia during the month of August, maybe into September. Ethiopia operates on a different calendar then we do, it is their Millenium, so the courts will be closed longer. Cheryl reassured me that this would not affect our referral. After we had talked for awhile, she said there are children ready for referrals, but are waiting for medical clearances. She thought we might know more by next week. So...we are still waiting!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_calendar