Confused

We are facing more questions now by a new group of peoplu - regarding our medications, mental health and financial stability. For those of you who know us... Yes, we are simply mind-blown. If I am correct in my count, this is the 5th time we have been asked to provide answers regarding these very same topics. 

When we received the news of more questions, our immediate thoughts were to QUIT. I wanted to throw in the towel and run as fast as I could. 

I called our agency rep and asked her HOW I could possibly come up with new information for the very same questions??? Even our doctors have said that there isn't much more to say about our health. They have stated multiple times that our medication and health have NO IMPACT on our parenting abilities. What more could we say? Our rep was quick to list off a few things that they might want to hear. However, our doctors cannot write letters to simply appease the what ifs. 

This is so bizarre. 

And the financial questions?? Whatever. 

And they want us to have 3 skype interviews with them next week. What in the world do you say in three interviews??? Nervous. 

So I am torn. 

Do I put on my big girl pants and do this work? Go from person to person requesting more of the same? Sit at the computer and put on a smile for these interviews, trying not to cry over the stress and sadness of it all? 

I am so confused. 

I get it. Adoption is HARD. I want to cry out to God, have mercy!!! I am so over this process!!! 

Then, the face of a child rushes into my head. A child who waits. A child who would have to wait for another family to endure this insanity. And I ask myself if I can muster the strength to go at this again. And part of me says yes. My 7 yr old cries asking if Rose will ever get to come home to live with us. And when I hear him and see him, I want to fight. What if it was him? In a home, without a family. Would I fight? YES! 

In my heart, though, I know they can still ultimately say no. "It's the nature of international adoption" says my rep. 

Well, when I signed up for this, I had NO IDEA about the craziness I was going to go through. I cannot put my life on hold anymore for this country. I might muster the strength to endure. But it won't be pretty. I'm going to have to work really hard not to be an ugly person to be around. The stress makes me crazy. Paul Vincent asks "are you stressed out, Mommy?" Oh yes, dear child. Yes. 

Still nothing

No news. Feeling a bit sad and very frustrated today. It's getting pretty painful. I appreciate your prayers.

Counting the Days

Days since...

We sent a LOI to Colombia: 500

Our dossier was received: 289

Our first addendum was requested: 249

A second addendum was requested: 174

Approved at National level: 99

Denied by Region: 55

Bloggy Stuff

Our other blog...

Just so you know.

Fundraising...

You guys KNOW that I don't like the idea of fundraising.

BUT... What if you get something super cute in return for your donation???

Like - maybe a t-shirt??

For $20, plus $2 shipping, you can have a fabulous t-shirt. Layer with a long sleeve shirt for those chilly winter months that are coming up! SO CUTE! 

To place your order, please comment here that you are ordering AND email me at KatieBruno1 (at) gmail.com with your order details... sizes, etc... I will contact you on payment options and place the order on October 18th!!! Plenty of time to get your order together and get the t-shirt for CHRISTMAS! 

Woot!!

Paperwork on the move...

Our dossier has been transferred back to the National level... It's been there about a week or so. How much longer until we hear more news?? GREAT question. We have learned that there is absolutely no way to tell. Could be sometime in the next week - or the next month. What will come of this move?

a) National level overrides Regional decision. Ta-da!
b) National level transfers her paperwork to another region... more waiting??
c) We are given the option to accept another child's referral. Sad, but true. I know that this will be VERY difficult. However, we have always known that God is the ultimate match-maker and only He knows the child that will be best for our family - or the child that needs a home the most. I am PRAYING it's Rose, but I know that everything will work out in the end.

Please pray God's will be done.

Feeling, well... rejected.

This past week we didn't get any new information regarding our case. I have, however, come to the realization that we were denied our match with Rose. Our agency is appealing this denial and they hope to hear from her region sometime in the next days/weeks. I feel that our agency is reviewing the past year+ of our case, so that they can be prepared if we are NOT granted the match in the end... Please pray that God's will be done - we don't know what His plans are, but we know His plans are BEST. I have begun mentally preparing myself if this is indeed, the end of our journey to Rose. She will ALWAYS be the daughter in my heart. I will always love her.he 

We do appreciate your prayers. They have given me SO much strength and peace with this situation in the past few days. The outpouring of love and prayers has been a lifesaver. 

I promise to keep you updated - as soon as I am updated.

I do feel somewhat sure that this is NOT the end of our story.

We were approved at the national level, so we are allowed to adopt from C*... so, if we cannot adopt Rose, perhaps God has another plan. 

Reminds me of the song by Rascal Flatts, God Bless the Broken Road.