One Month

I can't believe that it's been a month already since our dossier has been in Smolensk. The time has actually blown by however I'm sure that has a lot to do with how many irons I have in the fire right now. I don't have any news on the adoption besides....we're waiting!

In the meantime I met with the plumber today at our Nutritional Club. We found a wet bar in Omaha NE that we will be looking at it this weekend on our way to Kansas City. Jamie and I will be doing training in a friend's club and then spending some time with my sister and her family. After we get the wet bar home we also need to get some cabinets with sinks, tables, chairs and any other fun stuff we might find along the way. This is a Nutritional Club but we want a coffee shop atmosphere. We have alot of work to do and I'm sure after this weekend of being in a club we'll have a more put together plan :) I hope anyway! I could never thank Heather enough, for all the support and her willingness to help me get this started. She has been truely amazing.

We still plan to open August 1st and will be looking for interested people who are looking for a business opportunity as well as an individual to help out in the club. We are also planning to do Weight Lose Challenges (WLC) from our club so if you're looking to get healthy and drop a few pounds get in contact with me or stop by when our club is open for a free smoothie and we'll chat.

I am truly blessed and have nothing that I need. I have a wonderful family, great friends and supporters, a clever mind and my health but most importantly I have an amazing Father, who is always ahead of me and loves me even when I'm not so lovable. He never turns His back on me no matter how many times I stray. He is Lord and He is more then I deserve. I love you Lord!

Tonight I pray for waiting families, families who are fighting infertility, birth mothers who are carrying our children, and all the orphans that soon they will be united with their forever families. My God lift up everyone of you and may He show you the plans He has for your life.

Good Night and God Bless

Love Jill

P.S. Good night my sweet Russian Princess...wherever you are I hope you know Mom loves you and prays for you everyday and soon we'll be there to bring you home!

Out of town

More so than not I wish that weekends and week days could be flip flopped..there's simply not enough time on weekends to get everything done that one hopes to. We went to Jamie's mom's house for a visit this weekend and it ended up being a family weekend cause his sister and her children also decided to come. Jamie and I both had to work a full day Friday which made it close to 7:30pm before we left town putting us to his mom's around 10:30pm, we were tired from a long week so we chatted briefly and headed to bed. We took our two little house dogs along because to put them up in a pet motel for the weekend would kill our budget, well after the 1st night I was thinking to heck with the budget. Our dogs are kenneled at night because we don't allow them on the beds so this was the 1st night they got to sleep with us and needless to say it was a disaster. They were on the bed off the bed on the bed off the bed until 3am, I didn't get a wink of sleep not to mention Jamie snored through the whole ordeal. We were up by 7:30am to go to garage sales, reading the paper Friday night I found a few that had baby stuff...Jamie thought this was a crazy idea but he went along with it...he says "Jill you will never buy any of that "stuff" for our daughter" he was right I didn't spend a dime! We then took the boys to a fishing derby, however we never took any bait so the nice grandpa next to us gave us some hot dogs. They work good to catch blue gill. I know right about now you're thinking wow what some rednecks but we're really not! hehe After the derby we played cards with great grandma, to the parade at 3:30...OK let the truth be told I found my 10 yr old nephew for the candy. I'm a kid at heart :) Took the kids swimming which ended quickly because of rain, back home to grill, after we grilled the older boys went fishing again, Jamie and his step dad watched TV while us women chatted and painted our nails. We were all in bed by 11pm. The dogs slept well...wait maybe I just thought they did cause I was too tired to know any different. Either way I got a good night sleep. This morning we went to church at 9am and out for brunch with Jamie's mom's boss, his wife and their 3 children that were adopted from Russia!!! It was awesome to met their girls, ask questions and get to know each other. We will be heading back in August for great grandma's birthday party and we are hoping to be able to spend more time with them. Thanks for taking the time out of your day Todd and Juliann we truly enjoyed your family. We arrived home at 3pm and I love to visit family but man I love being home.

Being home....that leads me into my new business venture. Jamie and I will be opening a Nutritional Club in Orange City selling Herbalife Smoothies. We hope to be open August 1st. We are both very excited for this new avenue with Herbalife however it will also be a big adjustment for our family cause right now I'm selling Herbalife from home and this will take me away from home. We are thinking of being open 7am - 3pm Monday - Friday and not sure about Saturdays. That will allow Jamie to bring the boys to school since he don't have to be to work until 7:30 and then I'd be home after school. Our new location will be on the stop light corner in Orange City in the now iwireless store. We have a ton of things that need to be done before we can open so I will keep everyone posted. Make sure you stop in for a free smoothie once we're open!

I have always been an entrepreneur and some days I wonder if this is a good time to start a new business away from home with the adoption but I also believe that God buts opportunities in my sight for a reason. Right now I do phone sales and I was really wondering how I was going to do that from Russia...God is always ahead of us! Thanks Lord I love you and appreciate all you give me!

Hope you all had an amazing weekend as well!

I'm so glad I can laugh at myself

I hope everyone has as much fun laughing at themselves like I do...sometime I really crack myself up. The latest one is my Wordless Wednesday....I actually thought I was going to be able to pull that off, I made in 1 week and it's Wednesday and I have way too many words to say so Wordless Wednesday will be back next week.

It's almost been a month since our paperwork has been in Smolensk and I've been so busy it don't even seem that long. I have alot of irons in the fire right now and alot of things that need to be takin care of before we get the call.

1) I have alot of fundraising to do. I started my popcorn sales again today and did wonderful. As you know from a past post I was thinking about getting a part time job working 2 hours a night. I have really been struggling with this....not sure if it makes sense, is this what's best for our family, is the pay worth my time so I figured I would go out fundraising for 2 hours and see what I make per hour and that would be my answer. I make 50% of the sales so tonight in 2 hours I made 64.80 an hr. I'm sorry but no JOB could ever pay me that kind of money and I can do fundraising around my schedule. So no part time job for me! If you are adopting and in need of a little extra $$$$ check out The Popcorn Palace, not too many fundraisers give you 50%.

2) I am looking into a different avenue with my Herbalife Business which I am very very excited about. I hope to have some for sure answers yet this week and will be able to share more.

3) Nursery..I have so many ideas but I'm still waiting until we get the referral, never know God might have 2 children for us :)

GOOD NEWS::: We got our appointments for fingerprinting from USCIS. Yea!

Great Day

Our Saturday once again went super fast and we had tons of fun. To start our day Jamie decided this morning at 9am that we should all go fishing...I'm still wondering if he thinks its Father's Day WEEKEND! So we packed up and headed out to Carnes Pit, we fished for a couple hours and headed back to town for lunch...I was the only one who caught any fish! Some friends of ours from out of town came to spend the afternoon, it was very nice to catch up and spend time with them. We all walked down to the pool and let the kids swim. They headed home around 6pm so we went fishing, I know why Jamie wanted to go again....he never caught any fish and I did. haha It started out as a night fish and after we weren't getting any bites the boyes decided to make it a night swim.

It was a great day....we got to be with friends (Thanks Jason and Dawn for stopping by) and family....Thanks God for both, you are an amazing God and I love you!

I have a wonderful life!

Wordless Wednesday

Waiting

It seems alot of my fellow bloggy friends are all in the same place I am....WAITING. Some are waiting to travel 1st trip, some 2nd trip, some for a referral, some for paperwork, and some for reasons unknown to all of us. We are in the beginning of the waiting game so I can't relate to the emptiness of waiting month after month and for some year after year but as I was reading some of my favorite blogs today I know there are families out there feeling the emptiness, one of my bloggy friends even said....I'm tired. I feel for everyone who is waiting altho most I can't relate to. I trust God and believe that in His time we'll all get the news we've been waiting for, the email, the call, or the referral but in the meantime we need to encourage each other, support each other with positive words and pray like crazy....for ourselves and others. This poem seemed so fitting for this moment so I thought I'd share.

Wait
by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . .
And the Master so gently said, "Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
"My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
As my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine . . .
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
"You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
"The glow of my comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

Love Jill

Where have I been?

Seems like forever since I've posted so I'll fill you in on what's happening....nothing really exciting just busy.

This Friday night we did the cancer survivor walk for my mom and grandma and my sister and her 2 kiddos were able to come home from MO. It was great to spent time with them not to mention how proud I am of both my mom and my grandma. I dont remember what my grandma all went thru but I was right there with my mom and some days were not so great but she found her faith in the the Lord and she came through the other side. In all honestly my mom is more beautiful to me now then she ever was, I think it's because she has God in her...she's different and it's great to see, another changed life because of God. Yipppe

I have been struggling alittle, most would think it's because we're waiting for that referral and there's nothing to do. Well actually its not the wait, its the not knowing so I can get rooms ready. Jamie says its a control issue...hummm I think he may be onto something :) We have one room left upstairs that will be for our Princess and I have the bedding picked out so I'd love to start painting. I think I started painting the boys room as soon as the ultra sound was done so this is hard, however we are approved for 2 kids so if I paint the small room pink and she has a sister or brother Ill have to repaint because if it's a sister they will both go into one of the boys rooms and if it's a brother she will stay in the smaller room and he will go into one of the boys rooms. What to do...what to do. I also found the crib set I want and was actually thinking Id go ahead and get it until Jamie says...so you buying 1 or 2. Darn better not do that either in case she has a twin :) I thought for a single second that it would of been easier to only go for one then remembered the reason we got approved for 2. We wouldn't be able to leave one behind. So I'm not buying cribs, I'm not buying bedding, and I'm not painting, instead I'm waiting!

It's funny I love to read blogs about other families adopting from Russia and I always find myself counting the months from Dossier being registered to referral date. Gives me hope.

So while were waiting Jamie is continuing to do side jobs along with his 40+ work week at his regular job. I'm busy with my business however I applied for a part time job...2 - 2 1/2 hrs a day and they called today...I have an interview tomorrow. I actually thought it was kinda odd that Id have to have an interview for the position I applied for but that's OK, I guess they need to be sure I'm real. I'm not expecting money to fly thru the window so I believe that this is the way God is providing for us....the ability to work!

The boys are great. They wish it would warm up and be like summer once and there's days they think summer stinks because they wake up to a do-to-list but I love having them home.

We're been looking for a wood swing set and I think we found one, we should know tonight as it's used and we're waiting on the final answer. I'm going to be good at waiting hehe.

Budgeting

I had a few people ask me..."what exactly are you doing to cut your expenses?" We are trying to live within our means, with the cost of adoption, raising another child, loans getting harder and harder to get, credit cards companies stopping funding, lowering credit limits, spiking interest rate and no job security we are changing the way we spend. Every penny counts so if your curious or maybe wondering how you could cut a few things I hope you find this helpful. My friend thought it would be nice to share, she said some people aren't good about things like this so here it goes. Please keep in mind that this is what worked for our family, I'm in no way telling others what they should or shouldn't do. We had a goal of cutting close to $250.00 from our monthly budget and I think we did it!!

CELL PHONES: We lowered our minutes. We have free incoming and free mobile to mobile but we have to watch when we're dialing and if it's necessary. This is a big change for us:) We also took of texting (all 4 phones)

HOME PHONE: We had a 2nd line for fax and we disconnected that. I now have to unplug my regular line and plug that one into the fax when I want to use it, we also canceled caller ID. Its less convenient without those 2 features but was costing us around 12.00/month just for convenience.

STORAGE UNIT: Found someone that would split the unit with us to cut our cost in 1/2.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Shopped around and found a cheaper carrier with pretty much the same benefits.

UTILITIES: Set the thermastat higher then last year, it's air conditioner time. All clothes gets hung on the line. The boys complain about crunchy towels so I fluff them before they're put away.
I also use cold water when washing except for our whites.

GROCERIES: Making a list and using coupons. We shop Wal Mart so we make sure we're buying the best value per oz. Shopping takes longer but the saving are worth it.

EATING OUT: DOESN'T happen !! We're been out to eat once in the last 2 months and that was for a benefit for some friends raising money to get their daughter from China.

BEAUTY: I try to stretch out my hair cuts. I give the boys and Jamie hair cuts so we don't have that expense. I also went from expensive salon hair products to generic brand. I'll be honest I can't tell the difference but my hair is super healthy anyway.

Our family never had to budget and I think it's a good for us. It don't matter if we have the money and don't need to budget or not to us it's being money smart especially with the state our economy is in.

I hope this will help some of you I know for us it truly has put our priorities in line.

"Orphan" - the movie

Help stop this film from being released!

As posted on JCICS.org
There is a horror film being released on July 24, called Orphan, about a family who adopts an older girl who "is not what she appears to be." The film is currently being promoted, and the trailer is available here. The adoption message is extremely negative, and plays into the stereotypes of adopted children, particularly older children, as damaged.

Though I have not been able to preview the entire movie, the trailer leads me to believe the movie will send a horrific message about adoption. I am protesting the release of the film. I urge you to contact the makers of the film, as well as your local movie theater chains, with your concerns. Feel free to copy or adapt the sample letter below.

To whom it may concern:
I want to express my outrage about the release of the movie Orphan. The film plays into the stereotype of adopted children as damaged and dangerous. It discourages families from pursuing adoption, particularly adoption of older children, who are especially in need of loving homes. As an adoptive parent, I am horrified by the line in the trailer that "it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own." Adoption has often been misrepresented in the media, but the previews for this film are unbelievably offensive. I urge you to change the promotional materials, and to consider holding the release of the film altogether.

Contact information:

Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522
818-954-6000

Silver Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd. 90
Burbank, CA 91522-0001
818-954-4490

Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
212-484-8000

Bikes have left the scene

The couple that bought our bikes came to get them tonight which caused a small lump in our throats. It's hard to see your assets go but a friend of mine today made a comment that really put it into prespective for me. She told me that we are making God happy and that it's easy to see where our hearts are. I needed that, thanks Kathy.

We got alot of calls and emails on the clothes but no buyers. We're going to keep them listed on the sites for now and possibly next week we'll list whats let on ebay.

Talked to W. at our agency today. Nothing new to update just waiting. W. and I have a great friendship, we've been thru alot so we call eachother every once in awhile even when there's nothing to report.

God is opening the financial doors thats I've been praying about. He said He would provide He didn't say you won't have to sacrifice anything.

A gal from Table 316 at Okoboji called last night and said they'd host a benifit to bring home our child(ren). They will give us the banquet room on a Sunday night and have a pasta buffet. Table 316 will supply the waiters and the food. The cost per person will be $15.00 and $6.00 will go to us. They encouraged us to find a band or singer that would donate their time to help pull people in. I already have an idea who I'm going to ask so I'll be making work of that. I will keep everyone updated.

Im at peace. Life is good, family is good and business is good. Thank You Lord

Selling Assets

I have been crunching numbers over here for days and I've come to realize we'll never know exactly what this adoption will cost us until it's complete however I'm not one to leave my bases uncovered so we're selling our assets to make this happen. It was a little disheartening but we're still singing. We're praying that some financial doors open along the way but we're not going to sit here in the hoping and wishing arena. We've sold our Harleys which will help with the foreign country fees of 21,500 + our travel, air fare for 2 trips, motels, visas, medicals, etc.

We are selling the Harley Davidson clothing on our adoption blog. Check it out here.

Someone today asked me how it feels to sacrifice all this for a child we don't know. My answer was probably the same way Jesus felt when he sacrificed his life for you and me!

ADOPTION UPDATE:::
We are officially in the "waiting" stage. Yipppee Yes I understand kinda crazy that I'd be so excited to be waiting but in the adoption world that means you've come along ways. I've had a # of people ask me about the process and I guess us AP's always think people following us should know what's going on but that's not the case esp. if you've never been through it so I'll try to fill you in with a brief explanation.

You spend months gathering papers, visiting doctors, going thru the Home Study, having people check every aspect of your life from the day you were born until now. Once all the necessary things are collected which all have to be certified, notarized and apostilled you put them together which makes up the dossier. The dossier is then translated after approval and submitted to the region. After approval in the region the wait for a child begins. This is the stage we are at. We've requested female under 18 months so when a child that fits that comes available we'll be given medicals and a picture so we can decide if she's a match for our family. We have hired 2 International Adoption Dr's, one from MN and one from WA to review the referral (child). Once we got the Ok from these Dr's on her health we will accept and again wait for Russia to give us a travel date for our 1st trip. During this trip we will met the child and the orphanage. We can also take an incourty IA Dr to the orphanage with us, we are still debating this option. We then return home to wait for a court date. Once we get the court date which could be anywhere from a week to months after trip 1 we fly back to Russia for court and to take custody of our child. Most regions have a 10 day wait period between court and custody which means the 2nd trip could be up to 3 weeks. Let's all pray the 10 days gets waved.

I hope this helps some of you and anytime you have a question I'd love to chat and I'm open to discuss any of it or help if any of you are feeling the tug !!

We appreciate all the prayers and ask that you keep them coming. We've come along way but have a long ways to go. God has been very good to us, it's simply amazing to me what He can do when we just listen.

I added a counter at the top of our blog so you can see just how long we'll wait.

I can't close this post without thanking my Savior. He has literally saved and changed my life and I know that without Him I wouldn't be where I am today. He loved me and never left me and for that I am more thankful than one could ever imagine. Thanks Lord and I love You.