Iowa Cucumbers ~ Expanding the Patch!: Celebrating and Retaliating

Monday, February 25, 2013

Celebrating and Retaliating

When there are brothers and sisters involved anything goes....at least in this family. There is teasing, arguing, teasing, rough housing, teasing....and A LOT of teasing.

Today is Rachel's 22nd birthday and we had a family/friend birthday party for her before she headed back to college yesterday. We were missing Alison but as she was in Las Vegas with friends I'm sure she will forgive us for celebrating without her. Her dog was present so I guess that was her rep.

I managed one semi good pic but as the "brothers" weren't cooperating real well the "sisters" thought they would manage them for the remaining photo ops. The bottom was the last picture after that decision...not because the boys quit...I did, I wasn't up to the task.

Happy Birthday Rachel ~ Hope you enjoy a wonderful day!

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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!