More New Pictures - We are So Blessed!

WE HAVE A COURT DATE!!!!!!!

Dear Sue and Johnathon,

Hope that all is going well and that you are having a great Christmas
season. We have good news. You have a court date. Jan 6th at 3:15
in the afternoon.

The judge asked for two additional things that we have not received
from you.
1) A copy of your passports. You can just email these to us.
2) Your criminal record check. First email us a copy of them so that
we can have the translations done, then have them notarized and
TECOed. Sorry that you have to have this done, and we know that it
will be a stretch to get it before the 6th, but we need to try and
turn them in on the day of court.

We are so enjoying Jake. He is such a jewel. He has the sweetest
personality, and is so loving and full of joy. We can't wait for you
to meet him and begin you lives together. Talk to you again soon.

Blessings,

Holly and Trena

What this means is.....You have your 1st court date, where the Judge looks over all the paperwork, orders home studies on the baby and birthmother. If all that is in order, you will have a 2nd court date - which is where the judge decrees that the baby is free and able to be adopted by you. At which point, the baby is 'officially' adopted according to Taiwan. Next comes applying for a Visa and setting a date for the US AIT (INS) appointment. Jon and I will have to be there for that appointment, just like in China for Natalie.

From what I can figure, we will have a month or more from the 1st court date, until the AIT appointment. I know this all sounds hard to understand, but since I don't know exactly what comes next, it's the best I can do. I already sent the passport photos to Taiwan and the police clearance letters to TECO for authentication. So now we wait for further instructions.

E-Bay Fundraiser has Ended

Well, my 2nd venture with an e-bay fundraiser is over and it was more dismal than the 1st one. I only hope that I made enough overall to cover the postage to mail the things out. We brought in about $50 dollars. That was for 2 flannel baby quilts, an adult size fleece blanket and a hand-knit hat/scarf set.Since 4 items had no interest or bids, I took them off a few minutes early. I guess that the Lord wants us to find our resources to bring Jake home in a different way.

As it stands right now, we have not heard anything about our court date. I don't even know if we have one scheduled yet. So we are looking to at least the end of January now. And on February 5th our fingerprints expire .... again! So it looks like we will have to go get them renewed. Of course, there is a fee involved.

I know that HE has a plan for us and we truly love Jake to pieces. But, hey - come on, could ya give a little break?

No Grant ... On to Fundraising!

We got the Official "Thanks for applying but......So sad, too bad" letter the other day. I had a feeling that it would be coming, just a feeling. But when I actually saw it, I was really upset/mad. Not that there aren't other deserving families out there, but Hey, Come On! We have been through so much in the last few years. Jon's accident and all the pain attached to that, new low-paying jobs, school, more low-paying jobs, (Well, at least he is working) having a baby almost referred to us from Vietnam just as Vietnam was to closed to U.S. adoptions, that baby passing away, switching countries while losing the money that we had spent on Vietnam, new homestudy, etc. etc. etc. FINALLY, getting our referral of a 'perfect' albeit premature, baby boy. We have been on this adoption journey for almost 3 years! I'm sorry, but I think that Jon and I should have at least been in the running for that grant.

OK, Sorry.... I needed to rant for a few.

Now that I have regained my composure....let's get on to the business at hand. There is a link in the left-hand column to our E-Bay store. Jon's mom (Jana) and I have been busy making things to sell to help raise money for Jake's adoption costs. All of the money we raise will be used solely and completely to cover these costs. We will be adding things as soon as we get them finished. There is also a link called "Chip-In", this is where donations can be made, if you feel so inclined.

Any support will be graciously and humbly appreciated.



This is the reason why our fundraiser is SO very important to us..........

A Quick Update and More Pics!

Our translated documents have been sent to the TECO office in Chicago. They arrived Thursday 11/12 first thing in the morning. So now I wait til they come back, then I rush to FEDEX them off to Taiwan. Once they arrive there, the next step is......our Court date! I can't believe that we may be going to get Jake in just a few weeks. My prayer is to be there near Christmas, but that is IF everything works perfectly. So, after the first of the year is ok, too. lol

He is doing great! Jake is up to 8.8 lbs, though still in preemie clothes. He is rolling over and loves to cuddle a blanket. Heavens...not another blankie kid! Jake has been using a pacifier but Jenna (his primary caregiver) told us that she saw him suck his thumb the other day. Like mother - like son. The new pics really seem to show off his personality.

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Don't you LOVE that smile!!!
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This is my favorite picture

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Here Jake is turning over while clutching his blanket.

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