Iowa Cucumbers ~ Expanding the Patch!: Pictures From The Philippines

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pictures From The Philippines

Lucas meeting "Lola" Dona Mae at our airport arrival.

More of the welcome committee, the 2nd cousins brigade
(Taylor & Landyn were there, just missed the picture)

At the People's Palace in Tagaytay

Sydney, Lucas, Eli and Rhea (our tour guide)

Rhea and Lucas singing and dancing with the band

The "Band" at Leslie's Restaurant in Tagaytay

Eli and Lucas at The People's Zoo Overlook

Taal Lake and Volcano

Two Little Fish Who Don't Know They Can't Swim

Overlook from The People's Zoo

Guess which one was mad and which was tired?

This was after the breaking of the monument at Rizal Park

2 comments:

AnonymousNovember 16, 2009 at 11:48 PM
I'm so glad to read you made it home!! Welcome Back and Congrats! The boys are gorgeous! Enjoy your time with them, it sounds like you are learning a lot! :) Ashley
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ChrisNovember 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
So glad you are safely home in Iowa with the boys! God is good! I have been thinking and praying for you all. I spent a couple hours one night and read your whole blog. What an amazing journey! God bless you all!

Christine
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Adoption Timeline

January 2009 - Lucas & Eli were brought to our attention.
February 2009 - Called Holt for further information filled out
application. Reviewed records on the boys and after interviewing with Holt were passed through committee to pursue the adoption of the boys.
Mid-February 2009 - End of April 2009 Attended "Parents in Process" Classes through Holt. Much gathering of paperwork.
April 2009 - Assigned social worker, scheduling appointments
May 2009 - Completed Home Study Visits, Psychological Evaluations
June 2009- Home Study done and accepted Dossier completed submitted to Holt - Forwarded to ICAB in Philippines. I800A Submitted to U.S.
July 3 2009 - Recieved ICAB Approval.
July 6, 2009 - Verbal acceptance of ICAB Referral
July 19, 2009 - Legals Arrive from Philippines
July 20, 2009 - Recieved I800A Approval
July 27, 2009 - Filed I800 with USCIS
August 5, 2009 - Received Receipt of I800 at USCIS
August 7, 2009 - I800 Approval
August 13, 2009 - Lucas & Eli went for passport applications
August 13, 2009 - National Visa Center uploaded files to embassy in Manila
August 23, 2009 - Eva requested ICAB funds for Visa/Physicals
October 12, 2009 - ICAB released funds
October 14, 2009 - Lucas and Eli had physicals - Lucas had to have follow up chest x-ray
October 19, 2009 - Lucas' chest x-ray to be read
October 21, 2009 - Lucas chest x-ray cleared
October 21, 2009 - Recieved go ahead to make travel plans
November 7, 2009 - Left for Philippines
November 9, 2009 - Arrived in Manila
November 10, 2009 - Got Em Day!
November 11, 2009 - ICAB Meeting Day
November 15, 2009 - Arrived Home in Iowa
December 1, 2009 - First Day of School
January 12, 2010 - First Post Placement Home Visit
March 23, 2010 - Second Post Placement Home Visit
May 17, 2010- Third Post Placement Home Visit
November 1, 2010 - Finalization of
Adoption in District Court!

SUNFLOWER KIDS PROJECT

Thank you to all of our family members and church family for your wonderful support in raising items for the Sunflower Children's project. We collected nearly all the items that we were assigned and they will ship to Brittany's Hope Foundation on Monday, August 31 to be included into the Sunflower Children's duffel bags.
We could not have completed this project without your help and prayers. The orphans who are aging out of their orphanages will now take both your prayers and your gifts into their new lives.
God bless you all! Mike, Lori, Alison, Rachel, Sydney, Lucas and Eli.

PANCAKES WITH A PURPOSE

We've been blessed with wonderful friends and a church family who have been supportive of our adoption both through prayer, moral support and financially.
On Sunday, September 13 and 27 volunteers from across our church along with the youth are hosting a free will donation pancake dinner following 2nd Service. Currently we have an unmet need of $6000.00 for travel expenses.
Mike and I are humbled by the generosity of so many friends and family that are ever present through this journey. To say it has taken an entire community to bring our boys home is simply the God's honest truth. Thank you all and God Bless!