Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Decision to post a final farewell to Josiah Creed Sanders

The sweet face you see is the one that stole my heart nearly a year ago.  The journey to make Emilio from EE a part of our family was a heartbreaking event.  Miraculous things happened, mountains moved, prayers were voiced, people helped but in the end it was not to be. The country closed to his adoption.  We waited for things to change but as of now they have not.  I was given a 0 probability of completing his adoption from the people who facilitate adoptions there.  They did everything they could.  They tried to get his diagnosis changed to a disease that was on the 'adoptable' list but when they took him to the doctor to be evaluated (and this is the best part of this whole journey) he had been healed!  He no longer showed any signs of osteogenesis imperfecta!  He is a completely healthy little boy.  I am not surprised.  Many people were praying for him.  Now his chance for a family in EE is high.  As I write this he may have already found a forever family.  It was no accident that Emi became part of our family.  If it had not been for the process of trying to adopt Emilio we would never have been considered for her.  I feel like he is a part of her from her name to the way they look almost like twins.  Two worlds apart and completely different nationalities and they look so much alike.  God does things like that to remind us of where we've been and to never forget the blessings He has for us.  We will always hold him dear to our hearts and pray each night for our sweet 'baby cottontail'.



Adoption Timeline for Josiah Creed Sanders

May 25 Set up FSA page

June 1 Medical report arrived

June 1 Dossier work begins

June 2 Told the world we were adopting

June 3 Medical done

June 6 Home Study visit

June 7 New Law signed into effect / future uncertain

June 8 Apostilled most of dossier

June 9 Sent in I600A without HS complete

June 9 First Draft of Home Study

June 10 Final Draft of Home Study

June 13 Baby Cottontail was moved from New Commitments to Compiling Dossier

June 14 First Documents arrived in country

June 15 USCIS receipt for I600A.

June 15 Sad to say my adoption might not complete at this time. New law that will close adoptions in country indefinitely.

June 16 Home Study arrived in mail.

June 16 Mailed USCIS all documents needed for my I171H.

June 17 Documents arrived at USCIS office at 9:30a.m.

June 17 All dossier apostiled except for the I171H .

June 17 Only ONE document is holding up my adoption from getting through............ come on I171H!!!!!!!!!

June 17 Called USCIS office for help. Not looking so good.

June 17 I797 C Notice of Action came in mail with the SIM number.

June 20 Got fingerprints done.

June 21 Sort of getting processed, haven't lost all hope yet.

June 22 An officer has been assigned to our case.

June 22 We got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The golden ticket!!!!

June 23 Dossier is en route !!!! pray pray pray!

June 29 Dossier is delivered!!!

June 30 Dossier not submitted

July 9 News that SN list adoptions will continue.

July 11 SDA closes.

July 14 Reopens but under the new Family Code rules and Josiah doesn't qualify at this time.

August 17 Heard from his country that he is not adoptable until two years from now if nothing changes between now and then. Wait we will.
 

EMILIO for the Sanders family — Altus, OK



Jeff and Lisa have been married for 24 years.  They were high school sweethearts.  After having three biological children, Cason 22, Kelissa 18, and Kade16, it became evident that there was more to give.  In March 2006 Jeff and Lisa began to search their hearts and after having been on a mission trip to Guatemala several years before, decided to adopt a little girl.  Once into the journey they decided to adopt a little boy that same year.  On October 2007 they became the proud new parents of virtual twins Chloe now 5, and Chi now 4 1/2.  This was a family decision.   Looking back everyone can say that adoption has been the one single greatest blessing that has allowed them to see the heart of God.
Believing their family was now complete they have been heading to wrestling tournaments, cheer practices, dance lessons, t-ball games, school programs and getting their older children ready for college life.
One evening Lisa came across of story of Vanya , The Boy From Baby House 10, and was so broken in heart  and spirit for the children who face institutionalization that she could not shake the idea that God had a spot for just one more little Sanders. Finding RR was the special avenue that God allowed them to find the way into the life of Emilio from Eastern Europe.  Now excited and expectant they can’t wait to add a little brother to the family!
6/23/11—DOSSIER EN ROUTE
Follow the Sanders family’s adoption journey on their blog at http://sanders07.blogspot.com

$50.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Too Many :"Firsts"

 First tooth loss.
 I can sit up!
 I know how to kiss!
 I can even pull up!
I had my first sucker!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Emi Claire Sanders - It's Official

Yesterday at 11:00 my lawyers along with my SW met Jeff and I at the court house to finalize the adoption of 'baby girl'.  It was a wonderful closure on this long awaited day.  As many of you know this was a contested adoption.  I can't explain how it felt caring for this little blessing for four months not knowing if she w0oul4010
 (Emi did that)  would ultimately be ours.  I'll never forget the day I heard we were going to have to go to court and fight for our parental rights.  I came home and as I was driving in my driveway my dear friend pulled in behind me.  I was distraught to say the least.  I remember the first words out of my mouth were, Pat, I don't even know how to love this child.  What if we lose her?  HOW do I love her?  She calmly said "love her with your whole heart, just love her with all you have".  It was the best thing she could have told me.  I let down my guard and loved her with all of me.  I knew it would tear my heart out if we lost her but I also knew she deserved to be loved to the fullest even if it were for a few short months.  There is a song that sums up how this time was I hope I can find it and play it on here.  I still find myself just uttering under my breathe "Thank you Jesus"!!!
Emi had her six month check up today.  She weighed 14.2lbs., her height was 25 in. and her head was in the 75 percentile.  Her body is catching up with her head.  That is a good thing.  She is still meeting every one of her milestones and keeps amazing her doctor.  She is tolerating her three shots well so far today.  She had learned to growl, and squeal, and is trying to use several different speech sounds.  She loves to eat and begs for food worse than my dog Lizzi.  She knows how to kiss, hug, and give you five.  She is waving bye bye and giggling at funny things.  She loves books and music.  She is just amazing!!!!!!  My precious Emi Claire...............Beautiful, blessed, honored, clear and bright.  You are all these things and more.  We love you Emi

here is the song

All Of Me

Matt Hammitt

from the album Every Falling Tear
Buy on Amazon | iTunes
Afraid to love
Something that could break
Could I move on
If you were torn away?
And I'm so close to what I can't control
I can't give you half my heart
And pray He makes you whole

(Chorus)
You're gonna have all of me
You're gonna have all of me
'Cause you're worth every falling tear
You're worth facing any fear
You're gonna know all my love
Even if it's not enough
Enough to mend our broken hearts
But giving you all of me is where I'll start

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms
I won't let pain keep you from my heart
I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose
For every moment I share with you

Chorus

Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me
So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed
You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

Chorus (X2)

It's where I'll start


Play it over in the margin to the  r i ght