Progress

I've debated for a few days whether to post the latest progress of Jordy on my blog mostly because I'm feeling very protective of my little guy already.  He wasn't born "normal" like most kids and faces challenges that most of us can't imagine.  Most of you know that his limbs weren't formed correctly at birth and I've shared with many that we aren't sure that walking will be a possibility.  We are so in love with this boy though and we know that regardless God has brought us to him and he is wonderfully made!  There is a part of me that doesn't want to expose him to ridicule before he even sets foot in the US.  However, I know so many people are praying for him and progress is the very essence of those prayers!

When we were first introduced to Jordy's file, it was dated 2010.  It still has not been updated although we have requested new information.  However, God has been incredibly faithful and has connected us to a network of people that connected us to a Chinese blog from Jordy's foster home.  Through that, we have learned more than we could have ever asked, imagined, or prayed.  This is by far the greatest praise and luxury and I try so hard not to take it for granted because this is not typical of most Chinese adoption situations.  My friend and her husband had a single picture of their son from a young age before going to meet their son for the first time.  They literally had no idea which child was going to turn out to be theirs as the nannies brought children into the room where they waited (which honestly sounds a lot like giving birth).

We know from the foster home blog that Jordy has undergone at least one surgical procedure.  This was to correct his left club foot.  However, for months, no updates have been posted on the post surgery progress.  As I surf the blog, I'm constantly looking for signs that Jordy is moving forward.  Every picture I see, I'm scoping out his legs to see if there is a cast and what sort of stance is he in.  The last several pictures of him have been teasers because while it appears he is standing, you can't actually see his legs.

Well, as I was surfing some videos posted by Jordy's foster home a few days ago, I finally happened upon Jordy and his PROGRESS!  Still lots to pray for but my heart is thankful just to know where he is at!

To gain perspective, here is one of my favorite pre-surgical videos:  Jordy playing before surgery.

And here is the now:  Jordy's steps.

For all of you praying for Jordy, thank you.  I see God's work!

What does I-800A approval mean anyways?

As you all noticed, I'm just a teensy bit excited about getting our I-800A approval from immigration.  However, many of you have asked a very valid question.  What exactly does that mean?  Where are we in the process?  My wonderful friend, Tonya Wike (who by the way got us into this whole mess in the first place =]), offered a chart that she used to explain this process to her friends and family.  If you follow each number, you will be able to see what step happens next.

Getting the I-800A approval means we just finished step 5.  So, we are on to step 6.  Now, we have to send a copy of the approval to the Indiana Secretary of State with a notarized cover sheet saying that it is the real and true response from US Immigration.  The Secretary of State will put their gold seal on it with a piece of paper that says the notary we used is a valid notary with a current license.  This is called authenticating the document.  Sound kind of silly?  It kind of is but I guess this would be an easy part of the process to try to forge.

Once we get that authenticated, we send our whole packet full of paperwork including our home study, medical exams, proof of employment, financial statement, birth certificates, and marriage certificate all to Washington DC where they will visit the US Dept of State and the Chinese Embassy.  Why?  To be honest, I don't really know why.  What I know is we pay them per document to work whatever magic it is that they do and then . . . and THEN, all of our paperwork is ready for step 7.

We are then waiting for LOA which is a Letter of Acceptance from the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs.

Hopefully, this gives all of our family and friends an easier way to pray for us.  I will continue to keep you all posted.  Thank you!  Thank you!  THANK YOU! for your continued love, support and prayers.  When I opened up Facebook and saw how many people were celebrating with me, it gave me a HUGE boost.

Walk-in Wednesday

A small but HUGE answer to prayer.  We have a biometric aka finger printing appointment.  YAY!!!  I was coming home on Tuesday and said a little prayer in the car on the way home asking God to please let this be the day we received our letters.  Walked in the house, and on the counter laid two letters from the Department of Homeland Security!!!!!!  God even answers the littlest prayers.  We are so stoked to head to Indy.  Even though we have an appointment in just a few weeks, we are going to walk-in on Wednesday because Chinese New Year is approaching and we want to get things rolling while the holiday is going on so that when it commences, our paperwork is ready to roll.  While we are there, we are going to get all the documents we have authenticated so we can get the most out of our trip.  Plus, if there are any issues with our paperwork, we will find out right away and be able to fix it before our approval paperwork comes from Immigration that will also need to be authenticated.  Two trips to Indy . . . so worth it!

Oh, and we have our W2s which seems silly to be excited about.  However, getting our taxes done means one step closer to us submitting some grant applications.  We are crawling along ever so steady.

I'm so in love with this boy and Angel House where he lives.  This is Jordy on a field trip with his foster care facility this summer to a museum in Beijing.  I'm SO glad we still have our train table downstairs waiting for him to play with it!!!

Overwhelmed

We finally have it!  We have our home study paperwork in our hands and as my "adopted" daughter Angel will tell you, my mind is a whirl.  I picked her up for a visit the same day that our home study arrived at our front door by FedEx (Thursday) and I was so excited to get my I-800A paperwork ready that I kept having to redo my work because I would realize I made a mistake- I tried to make it 2012 and I tried signing on the date line.  After throwing out about five pieces of printer paper, I finally got it together and it is on it's way to the USCIS by FedEx!  Yay!!

YAY!!!  We are coming Jordy.  WE are coming!

Having the home study means other things, too.  It means we can begin the process to apply for grants which is so overwhelming I've decided to put it aside.  We know God is in control of this whole situation and I've completely forgot this.  I don't need to stress.  I need to pray.  So friends, please pray with us as we explore the grant opportunities available to us.  We don't want to apply for every single one out there . . . okay maybe we do but each one requires a great deal of time and work to put together.  There are other things that have to be a priority like God, family, schooling, and work.  Perspective is everything.

We also have to remember that we have already received the opportunity for a matching grant through Brittany's Hope.  If we raise $1,500, they will grant to us an additional $1,500 towards our expenses once we have travel approval.  One idea that we have to help us work towards this matching grant is the Jordy Jar.  We have plenty of empty canning jars in our basement that we would love to see filled with pocket change.  If you are interested in collecting your pocket change towards Jordy's adoption, let us know.  We'll gladly send one your way.  I had a pint jar filled half full on our counter and just took it to the bank and there was $10 in it!  We already have a few quart jars out there and I took a full one to the bank Friday.  I was A-MAZE-D by the loving contributions in that single jar!!  We have incredible friends.  Brittany's Hope also has a website set up for us at https://www.brittanyshope.org/seedling/petrosky/.

Last, I have to post this picture again because I haven't heard of anyone committed to this lovely girl yet.  I keep praying.  Her file name is Berta Sophie and she gets psoriasis in the winter.  She just turned 11.  Her file says this: Personality and hobby: Extroverted personality, likes running, sings, reading, watching TV, likes playing dolls, also likes animals, such as: cats and dogs. Agrees for adoption.

There are many more like her.  Think about it!!

12 days of Christmas by the Petrosky Kids

One of our projects this month has been to change the 12 days of Christmas song.  So, here is the condensed version.  Enjoy!

On the twelfth day of Christmas

My family gave to me,

Twelve reasons to celebrate Christ’s birth,

Eleven plus holiday greetings,

Ten presents under the tree,

  

Nine merry carols,

Eight snowmen standing,

Seven elves a workin’,

Six members of our family,

FIVE Christmas stockings,

Four anxious children,

Three Santa Claus movies,

Two Christmas pillows,

And a 9 foot Christmas tree.

Reason’s to celebrate Christ’s birth:

1.      Because Jesus was born in a manger.

2.      Because he died on the cross for us.

3.      Because he rose again.

4.      Because he wants to save us from the devil.

5.      Because he wants us to go to heaven.

6.      Because he loves us.

7.      Because we love him.

8.      Because Jesus listens to our prayers.

9.      Because Jesus answers our prayers.

10.  Because God gave us his ONLY son that came to Earth.

11.  Because we are sinners.

12.  Because he keeps us safe.

Thankful

In light of the darkness that has come upon us this Christmas season, I realize more today than last Thursday of how lucky I am.  How lucky I am to have a Savior sent to our little dot called Earth.  This babe born in a manger was brought to give me hope, give me light, and give me salvation I'll never deserve.  No amount of human darkness can cover HIS light and I'm thankful that he lives in me.

This Christmas looks and feels different for us this year and it has been great so far.  We've decided to cut back as much as possible on Christmas gifts so that we can use as much of our funds as possible towards bringing Jordy home.  While I LOVE shopping and giving to the people in our lives that we love and appreciate so much, I have to admit that slowing down this year has been a breath of fresh air.  We completed our Christmas shopping the weekend of black Friday and purchased only for the little people in our lives, and it seems like this simple act of cutting back has freed up a whole month for us to spend doing other fun things. 

My husband and I were able to attend for the second year, our Parkview Emergency Physicians yearly party.  We had fun eating, learning to gamble someone else's money, and dancing with co-workers and spouses.  A BIG thank you to our friends (aka family at this point), Tim, Karoline, Emily Davis for giving mom and dad a date night. 

Because we are cutting back, I decided not to buy wrapping paper this year but instead, I decided to use free newspaper end rolls to wrap gifts.  While our kiddos were still with the Davis family (they got to spend the night), mom wrapped up gifts.  When they came home, they got free reign to color the gifts under the tree.  It was a big hit!

 

We've used the rest of our weekend playing games, watching movies, going to church, watching football, and being HOME.  It feels great!!!!

 

I'm going to dedicate more time to football now . . . GO PACK beat the bears!!! ;)

I-800A

Most of you won't even begin to know or care but we're ready.  We are so ready to mail out our I-800A.  Basically, this is an application to the US Immigration office asking if they see it fit for us to adopt a child abroad and bring them to the US.  We need this application to be approved in order to get a finger printing appointment and in order to submit the I-800 form.  Doesn't sound much different does it?  In order to submit this application, we have to have several pieces:

- Money . . . check
- Birth Certificate copies . . . check
- Marriage Certificate copy . . . check
- Letter to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) . . . check
- Home Study . . . anxiously awaiting!!!!!!!!!!

We have completed all our Home Study visits and so we are waiting for this to be put into writing.  Once everyone is satisfied with our life story on paper, they give us certified copies which we will promptly place in the mail.  I'm praying.  I'm hoping we can do this before the end of the month.  What a good way to start off the Christmas season by getting our I-800A paperwork in the mail.  Merry Christmas to us and most importantly, Merry Christmas Jordy.  We are coming, don't know when, but we are coming!!

For those that haven't watched our little man "walking" on his knees pre-surgery, this is a picture of the way he crosses his legs before getting to his knees and walking.