Baby Steps

Another exciting day at the Stratton's - we received our USCIS fingerprinting appointments today - it's amazing how it's the little things that put a smile on your face and knowing that anything is a step forward.

Went to the boys basketball game last night. Marissa showed up to watch Ryan play - bless her heart it just puts a smile on her face to see him. We are so proud of that little boy - equally as proud of our others of course but Ryan has amazed us in so many ways in that he doesn't let anything around him affect his feelings and beliefs and to that we are truly proud.

Haven't heard from Ivanna's mom today but more than likely she visited her today so hope to hear from her soon.

Continue to keep our family and Ivanna's family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue this journey.

Update

Well, as usual, been a fast few days. Seems Mondays are the worst but yet they are the best because God did allow us to wake up and spend the day with Him. Well, FINALLY received our last outstanding apostille which was from Texas so our dossier is as complete as it gets until we get our home study and our I171. Talked to the homestudy agency and they said possibly a week for their review and final blessing of the social workers write up. Then from there on to Jackson to DHS and she says even though they say two weeks they usually have a quick turnaround there as well. Then from there it's on to meet USCIS and she even let me know that most of the time our Metairie office located in Louisiana has a quick turnaround as well. So with all this said it could be 3rd or 4th week in March before the final package is in place.

THEN we found out last night that once our faciliator receives the paperwork it takes anywhere from 4-6 weeks to receive a travel date -- NOW THAT was a lot to swallow. I know, I know - God is good and the outcome of all this waiting will be SO worth the wait. But those of you who know me know when I am on a mission --- I AM ON A MISSION ----- however, those of you who know my husband, he is the most level headed person and the most patient when it comes to anything. He is the one who reminds me on a regular basis that God is the one in control and leave it there. I know that, I really do but dang I just want her home where she belongs. SOOOO much support here that Ivanna will have a life full of love like she has never known and so will her mother, if even in our hearts.

So as I always say - continue to keep us on your prayer lists and rejoice and have faith in the Lord that Ivanna will be home very soon. Even with the extended wait periods she could still be home in May but I'm not in control of dates and God put his foot down yesterday and made me aware of that.

You know everything about this entire process, about our lives in general has been nothing but acts of God in that now that I have had time to look back --- all things happen for a reason. You may think things happen for a reason but we have been blessed by some wonderful people during this entire process and we wouldn't change a second of it even though it's just absolutely CRAZY at how the pieces of the puzzle has come together. The things that have happened to us and for us over the last three and a half years were much more than conincidences.

Great week-end

Received another e-mail from Ivanna's biological mother on Saturday.

I will add the new photos to the bottom of our blog. Her weight equates to 37.4 # and her height equates to 3'6" tall. So she is tiny. She also sent a new picture of herself with her son. I'm telling you her mom is absolutely beautfiful so we certainly know where Ivanna gets her cuteness from LOL.

Had a very enjoyable weekend with the boys and their wonderful dad. Saturday GCDSS set up booth at the Arbor Day event for Disability Awareness. Networked with tons of people. Guess what I got to talk about - not only did I get to talk about our organization and what we stand for but I got to get the word out of all the children with DS in orphanages and tell Ivanna's precious story and share pictures of her and her family with everyone. Amazing to know the number of people that are so supportive and want to keep up as the adoption progresses. We'll have to see what this week will bring ----- have I mentioned that we are sitting on ready???

Got up this morning - daddy fixed breakfast and then we were off to church. Well keep praying for expedience - week-ends are exceptionally rough because I feel like everything is closed and the week so much gets done.

Today

Well, not anything major to share today - our apostilles from the state should be in the box tomorrow so that will make the dossier as complete as it can be without the "original" homestudy and the USCIS approval. Talked to the homestudy agency and they have the social workers report and recommendation for approval so now they just have to review and provide their approval as well and THEN it's official. From there it goes to DHS in Jackson to be reviewed and then it meets up with our paperwork at USCIS. So all is still good and we predict that by April 1st we should at least have a travel date. So we just have to hang tight - stay strong in the Lord and let Him continue to direct our paths.

Tonight my husband and I are going to a wake that's never a fun event - however it is the celebration of eternal life but it doesn't help us as selfish humans to prefer that our loved ones remain on Earth with us. But in time the families will have peace we hope. Thursday is somewhat our Friday since my husband is off on Friday's so Thursday nights are when we go out to eat and most probably Wal Mart. We will talk to the boys tonight and see what kind of mischief they have been in to lately. LOL --- for the most part they are good boys. Can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring as I will be happy to know that our original paperwork is back in our hands so we can put our dossier back together again. I feel disorganized without it :D. Stay tuned to the homecoming of Ivanna.

God is GOOD!

Well, we have just seen our preliminary homestudy which concludes with the following recommendation:

John and Darlena Stratton have satisfactorily met all the requirements of the state of Mississippi and the agency. I (worker) believe John and Darlena have an overflowing capacity as a couple to provide all the love, care and stability to welcome a child into their home. They are physically, mentally, and emotionally stable and are a couple that seems equally committed to adoption and to raising healthy and happy children to adulthood. This family has the financial security along with emotional support and the mental and physical capacity to provide a good home environment.

There are several more pages to the homestudy as you know because this is tons of work on their part. But above pretty much sums it up to have their recommendation. Now we are waiting on final approval of the agency as well as then over to DHS for their approval and then off to meet our paperwork at USCIS (Customs and Immigration) for their approval. Should be getting a notification shortly of time/date to have fingerprinting done for customs. I think we have already had every background check known to man :-).

So now we just wait, wait and wait some more but everyday brings us one more closer to our little Ivanna. More prayers ahead.

Letter from Ivanna's Mom

Well, today I finally understood why Ivanna's mom never responded to my original e-mail. It is apparent she didn't get it. I was informed through another friend that she was saying she had not heard form the "new family" and she was inquisitive.

Wow that was difficult - you can tell that she truly loves her child and she just wants more for her. For as long as her mother wants we will allow her to know about her journey and how she will live a productive life. We plan to make a scrapbook for her of things from our area and pictures of us, our home, our boys, our pets anything that will bring a picture for her to add Ivanna too. If the Lord above let's this happen for Ivanna, her family and for us then we certainly want them to remain a part of our lives.

From what I read the doctors told her mother to just go away forget about her and to have other children and she asked WHY?? I am her mother! basically is what I saw. I wish for all of these countries to be better educated and accept Down syndrome. In the mean time I sincerely hope that more and more children can be adopted out and others can understand and receive and return the unconditional love.

Hugs to her family as I absolutely can not imagine. I only hope that they will one day have peace knowing that she's in a better place and our plans are to stay in touch as we know this is what they truly want and we will respect that for as long as they would like and we hope it's a lifetime.

Fabulous Week-end

First, today is Valentine's Day - Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I love to tell people that it's Valentine's day EVERY day at our house. Well, it's been quite a week-end. Friday the weather was cold, rainy, couple of minutes of snow and we were getting cabin fever. So Friday night we ended up going to eat dinner at Hard Rock Cafe - well appetizers and then we stopped off at Mikey's on the Bayou for Crab Cakes and Charbroiled Oysters YUMMY. Talking about a wonderful husband. BAAABBYY!!

Saturday was our GCDSS Valentine Party and WOW were we amazed at the turn out. If I counted correctly we had 57 parents/children and family members present. This event was held at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club in Gulfport which is a wonderfully centrally located area that is much closer for a lot of our parents. They definitely showed their enthusiasm of having the new location. One of our new mommy and daddy's were there and oh another very sweet and special family. Some of the attendees did not know of our plan on adopting Ivanna so we got to show pictures and of course were well received and had many well wishes. Everyone is looking as forward to this as we are. One of the parents, who I have become attached to for more reasons than one handed me an envelope and I stuck it in my photo album. Once we got home and settled, I opened it up only for my eyes to start leaking again. I have GOT to get that leak in my eyes fixed :D. She had written us a check and I was totally taken aback. However, I felt as though we just could not accept it. I have such issues with asking for money - I can do most anything in the world but asking for money I can not. I even stink at childrens fundraisers - I just buy whatever it is myself and be done. However even though there have been some inquiries. Anyway - I was completely dumbfounded and I sent her a nice note basically saying thank you but we just couldn't accept it. Well, we ended up making a deal and that was if all works out ok and everything goes well, then we will accept the money and cash the check. She's right in saying basically sometimes we all just have to suck it up and let others do things for us for a change. For those of you who know me well, I tend to be the one that runs around like crazy doing whatever I can to help others. So this adoption effort has truly been an eye opener to see the over abundance of others who have been eager to help us in so many ways it's just amazing. You'd be surprised how a "I'm so happy for you guys no matter what happens" feels when you hear it. In addition, at the close of the party I ended up talking to the family of one amazing young lady and such an inspiration to me and to everyone else. Ivanna is going to be surrounded by such an amazing extended family. In talking to them I saw them both tear up as they were telling me of some of her accomplishments and to see how much they support her in everything she does is amazing. It's so great to have a few of the older children at each one of our events because it really puts new parents minds to ease in that they know their children can live a fulfilling life and that the sky is the limit and just remember there is no such thing as "I can't". Everyone of us have something to offer no matter how big or how small. I have shared over the past two weeks something that someone shared with me and that is a phrase that I have heard in several different levels --- "normal". I had said "what is the definition of normal?" her reply "it's a setting on your washing machine!". WOW how true is that. Nineteen months ago when we became active members of our GCDSS team, we had no idea of God's plan for our lives and the change that it has made to us and to our family. Our boys are just tickled about hoping to have a sister real soon and when we found out from one of our oldest sons friends that he had been talking about it at school it was such a wonderful feeling.

Sunday we had decided earlier this week to try a new church in our search to locate our permanent "home church". This week we tried Tabernacle Baptist in Gautier and honestly we LOVED it. They are a small home town church family it appears - several people came up and introduced themselves to us which was amazing. They really made us feel welcome and we just immediately felt like they would make Ivanna feel welcome also. There was also an older gentlemen who was an usher that appeared to have DS also and even he came up and introduced himself and I had to choke back the tears. The terrible thing is I can't recall his name but I know that with being pointed to this church, that there must have been a reason that God was leading us here. We had called a larger church earlier in the week that we had frequented on a couple of different occassions and we were leaning towards making that our home church however, when we called to speak to the senior minister - we never received a return call. So, all things happen for a reason.

Received a phone call of assurance today that I don't wish to elaborate on at this time however we know in our hearts that all is well and that it's only a matter of time before we can go after Ivanna. I am full of faith and only had a moment of being overwhelmed last week and am feeling much better now. This is a very hard and emotional process especially when you accomplish as much as we have in a few very short weeks. I just have to remember that not everyone works like Darlena :D THANK GOODNESS for that. Well, we love you all for all the prayers and support we have received. Continue to follow this ever unfolding adventure.

OH Happy Day!!

FINALLY the dossier is as complete as we can get it at the moment. The only thing it lacks is the homestudy and the approved I171H so even a little progress is PROGRESS. We are back on cloud nine again. Hurry Hurry Hurry on up. We managed to get snow flurries here today - haven't seen snow on the coast in several years. My dad just called - he lives about 30 miles from us and it is snowing at his house now. It won't stick however because there is so much water on the ground but it's pretty while it lasts.

Well, continue to say prayers that everything keeps falling in to place quickly and we are coming home with Ivanna soon. Hugs to you all!

Another Day

Well, we are attempting to keep ourselves well occupied. Tomorrow we FINALLY get our medicals signed off on so that will complete our dossier other than home study and I171. We also owe the homestudy agency medicals as well so this will be completed tomorrow also. We'll get everything in the package apostilled next week.. Closer and closer everyday just waiting on the homestudy write up and decision. Looking forward to putting another check mark on our list of things to gather tomorrow. Well, aside from that on Saturday afternoon GCDSS has a Valentine party planned so that's something to look forward to. Hurry up Monday - I feel like week-ends are a waste since probably no one is working on anything related to the adoption over the week-end except the poor social worker that has to complete the write up. :D. Every day is one day closer for certain. If we were told to be on a plane tomorrow we would be "ready".

Paperwork Ugghh!!

Ok so last two days haven't been that bad. Just really more emotionally draining that I think what we anticipated but it's not holding us back any. We are going to keep on pressing forward. Did get good news today in the realm of a reminder that it's all going to work out according to what God has planned and there is absolutely no other way around that. We honestly believe that Ivanna is what God has planned and are willing to accept whatever path he chooses to take for us. Will be heartbroken if that's not it however, we will certainly be ok. So with that being said - we have taken the advise of some great friends and taken a tiny step back, deep breaths and trying to keep in mind that just because you get questioned doesn not mean NO. It just means that people are doing their jobs in making sure that if they do put their signature on a document that they have, within the best of their ability, provided the best alternative possible according to the information and data gathered. It's frustrating and emotional all at the same time. The frustrating part is not that they are doing their jobs but every day is a day lost in our eyes. In addition, we also have to realize that we are VERY fortunate to be where we are today, in that most home studies take anywhere from two and one half months to three months to complete. Ours is almost there. So life is really great.

We mailed our first package to Oleg today which was exciting - everyone says how can that be exciting? ---- well every single piece of paper that gets signed, notarized and apostilled is one baby step closer. With that being said it's almost time for the love of my life to walk in the door and we are going to grab some dinner.

I received what I considered to be a very special phone call this afternoon from a very special person who I worked for at one time in my life and she will never know what a huge impact she made on my life. She was someone that was very supportive and was like a mother hen and when we crossed paths - I needed that mother hen. It's true that God puts you in just the right place at just the right time. Same way as our lives have been since we started this adoption - we never knew, I don't think, what an impact we had made to some people around us - the smallest things that you think people don't notice are the things that they don't forget.

Thanks again to you all for your love, your support, you many acts of kindness no matter how big or how small it doesn't go unnoticed. Today we looked at Ivanna's fund and now see that it's up to $424 - we have no idea where the money came from other than the first $134 so if you are responsible for this and are reading we thank you very much again.

Hugs to you all and keep saying prayers because we believe that God will work.

Close of Another Week

Well, it's Sunday and the close of another week. We are ONLY 3 weeks in to the adoption phase and are already in "wait mode" and oh how we were dreading these days that lay ahead. We are going to do everything we can to expiditiously push through anyother hurdles remaining. Lu built our "grab button" however fund raising is not stopping us with the required funding needed. Whatever anyone sends in we are extremely grateful - however we knew from the start it was very important to be able to obtain these funds quickly and not have to rely solely on fundraising efforts to bring Ivanna home. Had our first hurdle on Wednesday night - thanks to Kim we were able to tackle it head on first thing on Thursday morning so we think we have that one back in the box. Had paperwork galore to finish getting together and so forth and so on. Really just simply waiting on medicals to come back now and those should be ready on Wednesday YAY!! Thanks could never be enough to my three best friends who have allowed me to cry on their shoulders continuously - Beth, Donna and Kim. All of our friends and family want this to happen just as much as we do - unbelievable support. I keep having to be reminded to just keep the faith and it's all going to work out. I'm in hopes our Dossier will be complete by Wednesday of this week - with the exception of the Home Study & the I-171H of course. Then we want to make a trip to Jackson to the Secretary of State's office to have the apostilles added. I'd feel better about hand delivering that paperwork because all the money in the world couldn't bring back the originals if the package were to get lost. Keep praying for all of this to fall in place and that Ivanna is home soon. I'll attempt to update our blog soon. Hugs and kisses to you all.

More Accomplished

Boy has it been a busy week-end for us - we barely looked up. I missed the twins birthday party only because we were on a role and just couldn't miss out on time. Well, got a great call this morning from the bank - so as of now nothing stands in our way except time and approvals. So continue to pray daily for our family and Ivanna's. Someone e-mailed Ivanna's mom for me and asked if she would be interested in corresponding and she said she would love to so my first e-mail went off to her today. We have our dossier in order and are just waiting to insert the "Put XXXX Here Pages" with the real information. It's coming together nicely - we are now to that phase that has been so dreaded - the waiting. Home study group is still sorthing through all the abundance of stuff I have had to send to them and compiling - still waiting on medicals to come in - Dr's appt on 2/12. USCIS form sent off today and will forward the home study upon receipt for their review and approval. Once we get home study final written approval and USCIS approval then we are square, round, rectangular then nothing sits in our way. Again lots of prayers that it all works out. We completed 8 of the ten hours of adoption traning last night - finished up around 1:30 this morning. Hubby was exhausted, as was I. He took the day off then we went at lunch and picked up some letters and such that were being signed and I tell you I am just AMAZED at the folks around here who have wanted to help expedite everything they can. Dealing with people like mortgage companies that are not local and such is sooooo not easy at all. If we ever get the opportunity we will change our mortgage company. AND oh by the way - the new bank, Charter Bank in Pascagoula, ROCKS. The bank president was nothing more than a pleasure to work with and was it nice to sit and talk to a warm body vs a non-compassionate phone voice. Seems along the way that people have lost site to customer service and helping customers. Not this bank and I hope to see them stay that way. GO CHARTER!!! Well, going to look at doing the other two hours of classes and choose some additional classes that we'd like to take advantage of as well. Remember lots of prayers.