Jenn came to stay with me this past week in Lansing. This wasn't just her first full week in the area, but it was her first week working remotely for Johnson Press. It was really nice to have her here. But, as all good things come to an end, she leaves for Rockford today.
Monday, September 24 marks the 17th month (from LID) we've been waiting for our referral.
Also on Monday, Jennifer will be called by an accreditation committee for the Hague Convention. She will be asked questions regarding Lifelink's procedures, practices, etc. This is so Lifelink can continue to provide intercountry adoptions. It's a good thing we like our adoption agency!
Last night we went to the Potter Park Zoo for the annual Zoo Party. This is a gala event where they raise funds for the animals, kids and education. They had 26 different restaurants participating and various wine and beer stations throughout the Zoo. It was a fun time.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Wake us up when September ends...
Okay, so it's September. We can't believe it either!
Kevin is settling in with his new job in Lansing, MI; while Jennifer is still in Rockford, IL keeping the house up.
It's been difficult, to say the least. We see each other every other week and Jenn gets the added responsibility of keeping the entire house up. Before we would just split the work. Now, it's all on Jenn's shoulders, and she's thrilled about it.
We have had more than 70 groups of folks walk through our house and only a handful have come back for a second showing -- we're always the bridesmaid, never the bride. A lot of the folks that have walked through are either nosy neighbors or people who want to see the new Benson kitchen. At any rate, it's good for people to get the word out, right?
Each week we grow more and more frustrated that this house hasn't sold. But, it's our life right now and we'll get through it, right???
On the adoption front, we reached another milestone: 16 months of waiting. Because this has taken so long, we had to renew our I600A, which is a petition to bring an orphan into the United States, because it's only valid for 18 months. This is a one-time free pass due to the extended wait. So, if we have to wait another 18 months, we will have to pay for the next renewal.
It has taken CCAA one year's time to get through four months of LIDs -- July 22, 2005 through November 21, 2005. We're April 24, 2006. So, if recent history repeats itself, we'll be posting this same message in September 2008.
Typically, CCAA would get through 30 days of LIDs every month. Now the average is seven.
It is our understanding that November 2005 is a very big month, which is partly the reason for the slowdown.
Those folks out there that were complaining a year ago about the wait, just have absolutely no clue as to the frustration we are having right now. We have surpassed their waits and then some and now some more. And, at times, it's even difficult seeing them, talking to them, and/or hanging out with them. It's as if everyone around us have children and we don't. We are the minority, and it's completely beyond our control.
So, we've really tried to just step back. We're re-grouping and trying to come to terms with the fact that it will be late 2008/early 2009 before we meet our child. And, we're certainly not getting any younger!!!
We have had many conversations about switching countries/programs, but at this point, why? By the time we get our paperwork re-done for the new program/country, we would have waited the same amount of time. Make sense?
So, that's it.
We're frustrated... we're geographically separated... and we're alone.
[do you feel sorry for us yet?]
PS> do you know anybody that wants to buy a great, remodeled house in beautiful Rockford, IL?
Kevin is settling in with his new job in Lansing, MI; while Jennifer is still in Rockford, IL keeping the house up.
It's been difficult, to say the least. We see each other every other week and Jenn gets the added responsibility of keeping the entire house up. Before we would just split the work. Now, it's all on Jenn's shoulders, and she's thrilled about it.
We have had more than 70 groups of folks walk through our house and only a handful have come back for a second showing -- we're always the bridesmaid, never the bride. A lot of the folks that have walked through are either nosy neighbors or people who want to see the new Benson kitchen. At any rate, it's good for people to get the word out, right?
Each week we grow more and more frustrated that this house hasn't sold. But, it's our life right now and we'll get through it, right???
On the adoption front, we reached another milestone: 16 months of waiting. Because this has taken so long, we had to renew our I600A, which is a petition to bring an orphan into the United States, because it's only valid for 18 months. This is a one-time free pass due to the extended wait. So, if we have to wait another 18 months, we will have to pay for the next renewal.
It has taken CCAA one year's time to get through four months of LIDs -- July 22, 2005 through November 21, 2005. We're April 24, 2006. So, if recent history repeats itself, we'll be posting this same message in September 2008.
Typically, CCAA would get through 30 days of LIDs every month. Now the average is seven.
It is our understanding that November 2005 is a very big month, which is partly the reason for the slowdown.
Those folks out there that were complaining a year ago about the wait, just have absolutely no clue as to the frustration we are having right now. We have surpassed their waits and then some and now some more. And, at times, it's even difficult seeing them, talking to them, and/or hanging out with them. It's as if everyone around us have children and we don't. We are the minority, and it's completely beyond our control.
So, we've really tried to just step back. We're re-grouping and trying to come to terms with the fact that it will be late 2008/early 2009 before we meet our child. And, we're certainly not getting any younger!!!
We have had many conversations about switching countries/programs, but at this point, why? By the time we get our paperwork re-done for the new program/country, we would have waited the same amount of time. Make sense?
So, that's it.
We're frustrated... we're geographically separated... and we're alone.
[do you feel sorry for us yet?]
PS> do you know anybody that wants to buy a great, remodeled house in beautiful Rockford, IL?
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