Homestudy: CHECK!

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Last Thursday we had our homestudy. This was the 3rd one in this house in 5 years due to failed adoptions. We felt GREAT about this one! It was almost like this home visit made this adoption feel real. She left and we just felt good. We talked about what is left, what to expect while we are in ethiopia. It all just seemed real. We are dreaming big!!

Homestudy this thursday 9/22

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It is time.....maybe 3rd time is a charm.....we are having our 3rd homestudy at this house in 5 years. But still no matter what it makes us nervous. We never know if our house will be clean enough, safe enough, etc. So say a pray that all our hard work we are doing this week pays off and our homestudy is accepted. We appreciate each of you.....Homestudy is 9/22 @ 6:30 pm!

Much Needed Vacay

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the gorgeous sunset at our rental home in Cashiers, NC

corey with the girls at a small waterfall

a gorgeous waterfall in Cashiers, NC

my girls and I

We were so lucky to get away just the four of us (our fur babies went along for the trip). Corey had an unexpected week off and we took the time and ran to the mountains! First stop 2 nights in the beautiful Blue Ridge, GA - we rented a cabin and lounged, ate great food and spend time out with the beautiful view. Next up 3 nights in Cashiers, NC (this was a very special spot to us since we used to vacation there when we lived in Atlanta). It did not fail us. It was GORGEOUS - the view from our rental house was absolutely breathtaking. We spent our mornings with the view, evenings and even ate dinner outside. The weather never got above 78 degrees. My heaven. I was able to hike outside and never break a sweat. The girls loved it - it was olives first real mountain adventure. Our fur babies are naturals in the outdoors. We had grand plans to finish adoption online training -but to our surprise not much internet connection....which honestly was a very lovely surprise. It was great to unplug and spend time with my family. We had a fantastic week away. It had been way too long. We are in the middle of a crazy adjustment period with Corey's work schedule. He is working evenings and well....we neither one seem to be getting a hang of it. We know it isn't forever and we are VERY thankful for that. Until his schedule changes we will make the best of it like we always do. We are back on board with the adoption paperwork, online training then scheduling our homestudy.

We will keep you posted when the homestudy/last interview is scheduled. Thanks for all your support - we couldn't do it without our friends and family. Love to each of you.

Wait times

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Today we got news that the wait times have increased. Only 2 months.....but still 2 more months. So instead of 6-12 month wait for referral AFTER DOSSIER IS ENTERED it will be going up to 8-14 months. Just pray it doesn't keep increasing......

Individual Interviews: Check!

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I think is the perfect sentiment for our journey - we must always remember to BE BRAVE, BE HOPEFUL & BE STRONG....and to know we are always in this together.

Corey and I both had our individual interviews over the past few days. Check off another to do in getting ready for our adoption. After my interview we went over all the paperwork we have left to do, which luckily isn't much.....then the dossier paperwork starts. She thinks it will take about 5 months to get all of this done and sent off for the final approval. Next we need to finish paperwork and start our "training" which includes online work. We will have our home study soon also which will be another interview together at our house. From there we start immigration which takes 90 days. So luckily our social work has a system and is VERY helpful. So I hope and pray we will have everything done and turned in before Christmas - wouldn't that be a wonderful Christmas present? This week Corey and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary - and I truly believe this year we are starting a whole new chapter in our lives. We are so lucky to have each other and have been through so much in our first 10 years. We are so ready to add to our family....please pray with us that this is our time.

FORMAL APPLICATION ACCEPTED!

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It is official the journey has begun. Yesterday we heard that our formal application was officially accepted. This is the start of a long process but we are both STOKED. Trying hard not to get too excited but can't help but be beaming with excitement that we are closer to bringing Ivey Home. So now the fun part - lots more paperwork, dossier, fingerprints, interviews, homestudy, update passports. So stay with us....I will update you whenever we have any news. And follow our adoption timeline to see what steps we have taken.

We love you guys - thanks for being part of our journey....WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!

thought it was appropriate to post this picture - just happened to get my pink touched up in my hair on the day we were formal accepted to adopt Ivey :)

1st Interview Down

Even though Corey and I are both under the weather - we shined ourselves up and put on happy faces to go to our 1st interview for the home study portion of this adoption process. The interview went wonderful and we updated a lot of paper work which is VERY helpful considering how much paper work we have left.

Here is a photo outside our house to document this moment :)