Friday, November 11, 2011

More

Here are some more pictures of my sweet & sassy 2 year old. To think - just two years ago - this little girl was almost taken home to be with Jesus... Yet, He let us keep her and cherish her. There is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for the opportunity to raise my little Carissa. She is the sweetest little girl and I am SO thankful she is mine. :)




Our Little Girl is Two (and 9 days)

This post is a bit late - but for good reason. Our little girl turned 2 on Nov. 2nd (her golden birthday). We had a great time celebrating in The Dells at the waterpark for her birthday. She sure had fun! And so did her brother!! :) Below are some pictures to hi-light the days of celebrating...




Monday, November 7, 2011

November Update

Hello Family & Friends,                                                                                                                                       11/7/11
Just writing to give you a quick update on our adoption and our life these days. . .
As of yesterday, we have officially been on the waitlist for 6 months. The 6 months have flown by, but some days faster than others. Unfortunately, there have been LOTS of circumstances in Ethiopia that have made the wait SIGNIFICANTLY longer than when we first signed up to adopt. Never know, it could be another 3 months or another 6 or another 12 before we get that call.
We will be moving to Oconomowoc at the end of November. We are very sad to leave our friends here in Onalaska, but we are also excited to be near our family and friends back in that area.
Here is a break down of what is going on, financially, with the adoption.
Step
Cost
Date Paid
Due Date
Application Fee – LSS
$420.00
10/25/10

Application Fee – Holt
$300.00
10/27/10

Home Study Fee – LSS
$2,780.00
1/14/11

USCIS
$890.00
2/2/11

Program Fee – LSS
$1000.00
5/20/11

Remainder of Program Fee – LSS
$750.00

Upon Referral
Dossier Fee – Holt
$3,000.00
5/6/11

Program Fee – Holt
$9,890.00

Upon Referral (have $6,000 grant and an additional $2300 in the bank for this).
Post Placement Fee – LSS
$1,300.00

Upon Referral
Trip 1 to Ethiopia
$8,000.00 (estimated)

Upon Scheduled Travel Date
Trip 2 to Ethiopia
$8,000.00 (estimated)

Upon Scheduled Travel Date

FUNDRAISERS
Just Love Coffee: $5.00 to us for each bag of coffee sold  www.justlovecoffee.com/TheThomas. This fundraiser is on-going until we travel to Ethiopia to bring our child home.
Lifesong for Orphans: Make a tax deductable donation. We have been told that they will continue to accept donations in our name up until we travel to bring home our child. Make checks payable to ‘Lifesong for Orphans’. In memo section: ‘THOMAS #1855 ADOPTION’. Send to Lifesong for Orphans  PO Box 40  202 N Ford Street  Gridley, IL  61744.
Gazelle Gadget Fundraiser: We are hosting an online gadget drive through Gazelle and would love your support.  You can visit our drive webpage at http://thomasadoption.gazelle.com.  A gadget drive is a new way to fundraise that turns your used electronics (laptops, cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras & more) into cash to support a cause. Contributing to our drive is simple. Just visit our drive webpage, find the value of the gadgets you would like to donate, and send them to Gazelle (shipping is free). The value will go to support our adoption from Ethiopia. If you would like to donate, please go to Thomas Adoption Gadget Drive (http://thomasadoption.gazelle.com) to learn more about our drive and track our progress.  You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email, and we will be notified as soon as you make your donation.
PRAYER
-          Finances to continue to come through. Successful fundraisers.
-          Jaden working on recording his first album (all proceeds earned to go toward the adoption). He is working hard. He has begun the recording process and it is going well!
-          Our child (requesting 1 child age 0-12 months, either gender). He/she will go through mourning at the loss of his/her biological parent(s). We pray that this is a smooth transition and that he/she will stay safe and healthy in the orphanage until we are able to bring him/her home!!
-          Our child’s birth parent(s) who will suffer a HUGE loss in relinquishing their child. That they may know God’s love for them and find some comfort that we are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to meet our child and bring him/her home!
-          Our move and the transition of a new place and new job, etc.

Thank you all so much! We are very blessed by each of you!
The Thomas Family