Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tax Deductible Donations
So... we got approved, by an organization that provides assistance for adoptive parents to afford the high cost of adoption, to be able to have people make donations toward our adoption and have them be tax deductible! That's great. I'll give more information tomorrow, but that is great news for those of you who would like to give but also could use the tax deduction in your favor! Hooray!!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Fingerprinting Scheduled for the WRONG date!
Well, wouldn't you know it. After 3 weeks of waiting for our fingerprinting appointment to come in the mail, it finally did yesterday. And, wouldn't you also know it -- it was scheduled for March 21st -- the same day as little Drew's eye surgery. Well, we can't reschedule the eye surgery, so...
Had to send in a form and special request letter for them to change the date. We won't be able to travel to Milwaukee at all the week of Drew's surgery, so, knowing our luck, they'll probably schedule it for the end of April or something... Ahhhh, frustrating. More paperwork and more waiting on other people -- two of my now least favorite things ever!!!
Had to send in a form and special request letter for them to change the date. We won't be able to travel to Milwaukee at all the week of Drew's surgery, so, knowing our luck, they'll probably schedule it for the end of April or something... Ahhhh, frustrating. More paperwork and more waiting on other people -- two of my now least favorite things ever!!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
It's Almost March Update
Hello Family & Friends,
Just writing to give you a quick update on our adoption. . .
Not much has changed in the past month. We are STILL waiting to hear from the Dept. of Homeland Security when our fingerprinting appointment is scheduled for. Once we receive that notice, we will go have our fingerprints taken and then receive our 171-H (clearance from the USCIS to bring an orphan to the US) and be able to submit our dossier. I am stalking the mail-lady until she brings the letter with the appointment date in it!!
For now, we still have the coffee fundraiser going. It is $12.95 per bag of coffee and we make $5.00 off of each bag sold. To purchase coffee go to www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas. I am so grateful to those of you who have ordered coffee – some unsuspecting people have ordered to help us out and I really, really appreciate it!
Our friends are holding another photography fundraiser for us on March 5th. It is $20 for a 15 minute photo session with a professional photographer and an 8x10 of the print of your choice. Some people have said that $20 seems like a lot for a 15 minute session, but these are talented, professional photographers. You’d pay just as much or more at JC Penney or Sears. And, especially if you have kids, trust me, 15 mins. Seems like FOREVER! To book you appointment go to: www.bringinghomebabythomas.com. Click on the top on ‘Schedule Appointment’. The date is quickly approaching, so book it today!!
We have set a date for the Burrachos Fundraiser. The date is March 8th from 4-9pm. I will be sending you (via email) a flyer. Please print this flyer out and bring it in to the restaurant on March 8th between 4-9pm and then we make 20% of food purchased with flyers. If 50 flyers are turned in, we would make 20% of ALL food purchased from 4-9pm (even those who did not bring flyers). So, if both you AND your spouse come in to order, make sure you pay separate (but can use the same credit card) and each turn in a flyer so we can get 50 turned in!!! Also, I must say, the manager at Burrachos, Adam (who we have been working with to set this up) is FANTASTIC. Jaden & I have always commented on how we get great service every time we go in there. That’s why! It starts at the top and let me tell you, this guy has been excellent and more than helpful!
Your prayers and support for us are very much appreciated. Prayers right now are needed especially for:
- Jaden working on finishing his songs and getting his songs copyrighted so he can record his first cd (proceeds going toward the adoption).
- That upcoming fundraising efforts and grant applications prove to be successful in both getting the word out about adoption and financially to bring us closer to being ready to go get our child!
- For our future child and his/her birth parents who will suffer a great loss.
- For our patience in this process and to continue to take it one step at a time!
Thank you all so much!
The Thomas Family
Just writing to give you a quick update on our adoption. . .
Not much has changed in the past month. We are STILL waiting to hear from the Dept. of Homeland Security when our fingerprinting appointment is scheduled for. Once we receive that notice, we will go have our fingerprints taken and then receive our 171-H (clearance from the USCIS to bring an orphan to the US) and be able to submit our dossier. I am stalking the mail-lady until she brings the letter with the appointment date in it!!
For now, we still have the coffee fundraiser going. It is $12.95 per bag of coffee and we make $5.00 off of each bag sold. To purchase coffee go to www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas. I am so grateful to those of you who have ordered coffee – some unsuspecting people have ordered to help us out and I really, really appreciate it!
Our friends are holding another photography fundraiser for us on March 5th. It is $20 for a 15 minute photo session with a professional photographer and an 8x10 of the print of your choice. Some people have said that $20 seems like a lot for a 15 minute session, but these are talented, professional photographers. You’d pay just as much or more at JC Penney or Sears. And, especially if you have kids, trust me, 15 mins. Seems like FOREVER! To book you appointment go to: www.bringinghomebabythomas.com. Click on the top on ‘Schedule Appointment’. The date is quickly approaching, so book it today!!
We have set a date for the Burrachos Fundraiser. The date is March 8th from 4-9pm. I will be sending you (via email) a flyer. Please print this flyer out and bring it in to the restaurant on March 8th between 4-9pm and then we make 20% of food purchased with flyers. If 50 flyers are turned in, we would make 20% of ALL food purchased from 4-9pm (even those who did not bring flyers). So, if both you AND your spouse come in to order, make sure you pay separate (but can use the same credit card) and each turn in a flyer so we can get 50 turned in!!! Also, I must say, the manager at Burrachos, Adam (who we have been working with to set this up) is FANTASTIC. Jaden & I have always commented on how we get great service every time we go in there. That’s why! It starts at the top and let me tell you, this guy has been excellent and more than helpful!
Your prayers and support for us are very much appreciated. Prayers right now are needed especially for:
- Jaden working on finishing his songs and getting his songs copyrighted so he can record his first cd (proceeds going toward the adoption).
- That upcoming fundraising efforts and grant applications prove to be successful in both getting the word out about adoption and financially to bring us closer to being ready to go get our child!
- For our future child and his/her birth parents who will suffer a great loss.
- For our patience in this process and to continue to take it one step at a time!
Thank you all so much!
The Thomas Family
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Soles for Jesus
Ohhh - just thought of more...
Our church is doing a shoe drive for an organization called 'Soles for Jesus.' They collect shoes in their warehouse in Milwaukee and then take them over on missions trips or send them off to the capitol of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa -- which just happens to be where we will be going when we travel twice for our adoption!! So, we are doing a shoe drive and then, when Jaden and I go get our biometrics (FBI fingerprinting) done in Milwaukee (in March, I think), we will drop off the shoes we have collected at the warehouse. I'm soooo excited. Jaden and I have been looking at the Soles for Jesus blog and facebook page and website just wishing we could get more involved - and really, really wishing we could accompany them on a trip to Addis Ababa to deliver the shoes. Ohhh would that be awesome. Unlikely that it will happen, but it's great to dream!! Anyway, super excited to deliver the shoes none the less. Check out their blog... http://solesforjesus.wordpress.com/ And if you are on facebook - check out their pictures as well. And then just try to tell me you don't want to do what they are doing?! AMAZING!! Thank GOD for these people!!!!
Oh and we have decided to go to Madison for the day on Friday - to visit a little Ethiopian Restaurant there. It is supposed to have great, authentic Ethiopian food. Maybe, if I like it, I can learn to make some if it. Yes, yes, those of you who know me are saying 'if you like it? -- fat chance!' Yep, I agree. Something tells me I'll be LOOSING this spare tire I've collected in the past 3 and 1/2 years during our trips to Ethiopia because I'm a picky eater and probably won't eat much while we are there! I'll let you know after Friday!!!
Our church is doing a shoe drive for an organization called 'Soles for Jesus.' They collect shoes in their warehouse in Milwaukee and then take them over on missions trips or send them off to the capitol of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa -- which just happens to be where we will be going when we travel twice for our adoption!! So, we are doing a shoe drive and then, when Jaden and I go get our biometrics (FBI fingerprinting) done in Milwaukee (in March, I think), we will drop off the shoes we have collected at the warehouse. I'm soooo excited. Jaden and I have been looking at the Soles for Jesus blog and facebook page and website just wishing we could get more involved - and really, really wishing we could accompany them on a trip to Addis Ababa to deliver the shoes. Ohhh would that be awesome. Unlikely that it will happen, but it's great to dream!! Anyway, super excited to deliver the shoes none the less. Check out their blog... http://solesforjesus.wordpress.com/ And if you are on facebook - check out their pictures as well. And then just try to tell me you don't want to do what they are doing?! AMAZING!! Thank GOD for these people!!!!
Oh and we have decided to go to Madison for the day on Friday - to visit a little Ethiopian Restaurant there. It is supposed to have great, authentic Ethiopian food. Maybe, if I like it, I can learn to make some if it. Yes, yes, those of you who know me are saying 'if you like it? -- fat chance!' Yep, I agree. Something tells me I'll be LOOSING this spare tire I've collected in the past 3 and 1/2 years during our trips to Ethiopia because I'm a picky eater and probably won't eat much while we are there! I'll let you know after Friday!!!
Post #40
Whew Whew! This is post number #40! Not that post #40 has any significance or meaning, but I just noticed that it says that I've made 39 posts and this is #40. :)
Not much new here. Still waiting to see when they have scheduled our fingerprinting appointment. We should receive notification in the mail soon, since our checks for the appointment cleared on the 14th.
We have finally scheduled our Burrachos Fundraiser! It is scheduled for March 8th from 4-9pm. I'll email everyone a flyer. You are supposed to print it and bring it to Burrachos during that time and eat and we will make 20% of the proceeds from food purchased with that flyer. If we get 50 people to turn in flyers, we will make 20% of all food purchased from 4-9pm that date (not just food purchased with flyers). So, have your significant other order with a flyer too and pay separately so that we get 50+ flyers turned in.
We are still waiting to hear about the grants we applied for. And we are waiting to hear from an organization that could help us make any donations from friends/family/whoever tax deductible as well.
We do still have our coffee fundraiser going on. Go to www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas and purchase coffee or other merchandise. We earn $5.00 per bag of coffee ordered (tip - shipping is $5.00 if you order one bag or two, so might as well stock up)!
Also, the next photography fundraiser is March 5th. For $20, you get a 15 minute PROFESSIONAL photography shoot and a free 8x10 of your choice. This is a great deal considering these are professional (and extremely talented photographers). Book your session online at www.brininghomebabythomas.com.
Stay tuned... We'll probably do a Pampered Chef fundraiser in April. :)
Not much new here. Still waiting to see when they have scheduled our fingerprinting appointment. We should receive notification in the mail soon, since our checks for the appointment cleared on the 14th.
We have finally scheduled our Burrachos Fundraiser! It is scheduled for March 8th from 4-9pm. I'll email everyone a flyer. You are supposed to print it and bring it to Burrachos during that time and eat and we will make 20% of the proceeds from food purchased with that flyer. If we get 50 people to turn in flyers, we will make 20% of all food purchased from 4-9pm that date (not just food purchased with flyers). So, have your significant other order with a flyer too and pay separately so that we get 50+ flyers turned in.
We are still waiting to hear about the grants we applied for. And we are waiting to hear from an organization that could help us make any donations from friends/family/whoever tax deductible as well.
We do still have our coffee fundraiser going on. Go to www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas and purchase coffee or other merchandise. We earn $5.00 per bag of coffee ordered (tip - shipping is $5.00 if you order one bag or two, so might as well stock up)!
Also, the next photography fundraiser is March 5th. For $20, you get a 15 minute PROFESSIONAL photography shoot and a free 8x10 of your choice. This is a great deal considering these are professional (and extremely talented photographers). Book your session online at www.brininghomebabythomas.com.
Stay tuned... We'll probably do a Pampered Chef fundraiser in April. :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I-600A is in the Mail!!
I mailed out our I-600A application this morning! Basically, this is the form we send to the USCIS for them to schedule our appointment to go get FBI fingerprinting done. According to a discussion board that I read (obsessively), we will probably travel to Milwaukee to be fingerprinted in Mid-March (about a month from the date they receive our application). I've never met anyone so excited to get fingerprinted! :) Haha.
After we get fingerprinted and then we get our 171-H form back as clearance, we should have our whole dossier completed. :) Then, we send our completed dossier to Holt. They approve it. And we are officially ON THE WAIT LIST!!!! Oh boy! I can't wait. There are so many steps and so much waiting involved. I'm not a good 'waiter' either. I enjoy staying busy and getting stuff done - this sitting around and waiting for others to get stuff done just KILLS me!!! But... Strength will rise as we wait upon the lord...
Maybe, before child #3 arrives, I can get a full nights sleep? Hmmm - we'll see!!
After we get fingerprinted and then we get our 171-H form back as clearance, we should have our whole dossier completed. :) Then, we send our completed dossier to Holt. They approve it. And we are officially ON THE WAIT LIST!!!! Oh boy! I can't wait. There are so many steps and so much waiting involved. I'm not a good 'waiter' either. I enjoy staying busy and getting stuff done - this sitting around and waiting for others to get stuff done just KILLS me!!! But... Strength will rise as we wait upon the lord...
Maybe, before child #3 arrives, I can get a full nights sleep? Hmmm - we'll see!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sick, Sick, Sick
Ahhhh - this whole little family of 4 is sick sick sick. We all just have colds, but little Drew also has pink eye. Both of my kiddos have been up almost the whole night for the past 5 nights straight. I'm looking forward to them sleeping through the night (an me sleeping through the night) sometime in the, hopefully, near future. . . It's horrible when your sick yourself and just can't get any sleep.
Also, need advice - We usually have the child-lock on Drew's bedroom door so he can't get out and roam around in the middle of the night. We took it off about 2 months ago. He did fine at first, but then he began coming out of his room and 'needing' things before he fell asleep at night. We handled that ok but then he started coming in to our room at 3am saying he was ready to get up, couldn't sleep, or was hungry. We walked him back down to his room, but he'd be back multiple times before 6am. So, the child-lock is back ON the door. Now, he yells up through the baby monitor for me to come down to his room at 3am instead (just for the past 5 days that he's been sick). THIS CHILD has NEVER had sleeping issues like this since he was 3 months old. So... from those of you who have been there -- what do we do???
Also, need advice - We usually have the child-lock on Drew's bedroom door so he can't get out and roam around in the middle of the night. We took it off about 2 months ago. He did fine at first, but then he began coming out of his room and 'needing' things before he fell asleep at night. We handled that ok but then he started coming in to our room at 3am saying he was ready to get up, couldn't sleep, or was hungry. We walked him back down to his room, but he'd be back multiple times before 6am. So, the child-lock is back ON the door. Now, he yells up through the baby monitor for me to come down to his room at 3am instead (just for the past 5 days that he's been sick). THIS CHILD has NEVER had sleeping issues like this since he was 3 months old. So... from those of you who have been there -- what do we do???
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