When I first got the word that the ICBF needed additional information for our Dossier, I was really disappointed. However, the more I thought of it, I realized at least someone was working on our case and our Dossier wasn't sitting on someone's desk. Now that they have the information they requested, we hope there wont't be anymore questions that needed clarification.
Now, we just wait for the phone call. The call we have wanted for two years; the call that they have found a match for our family. As we gathered our document earlier this year, I anticipated we would travel early summer and be back home to adjust before the school year began. At this point, it will be fantastic if we could be home before the start school. I can't believe I am already thinking of the fall. Summer just began and todays weather made me second guess what season we are in. What is normal anymore, the 103 degee day we had yesterday, or the temperature now as I write this (59 degrees)?
Please keep us in your prayers and that the rest of our review of documents goes smoothly. Once we get our referral, we will apply for our Visa's and then be able to purchase airline tickets, YEAH!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Article from St. Michael Patch
St. Michael Family's Cup Runneth Over
The Sommer family of St. Michael is attempting to add to its family through adoption, with a coffee sale on tap to help defray expenses. By Samara Postuma | May 24, 2011
Two dogs race to the door after a press of the doorbell, and moments later Stephanie Sommers points outside at her daughters, Vivian, 6 and Alaina, 4, playing outside.
“I think they’re doing each other’s hair,” she says, “with the icky rainwater that’s been sitting in the pool.”
It won’t be too long before the girls have a few more siblings to practice their hair styling techniques on.
Cory and Stephanie Sommers of St. Michael adopted both daughters from Guatemala. “We brought Vivian home in 2005 and Alaina in 2007,” Cory said. “Shortly after we were home we decided we needed a little bit more testosterone around here.”
"Even the dogs are girls,” Stephanie added.
The United States closed adoptions from Guatemala shortly after the Sommers returned with Alaina. Originally, the family started working with a pilot program for Mexican adoptions, but after nearly a year they decided to move their adoption file and plans to Colombia.
“The Mexico program was a pilot and very slow moving. We would still be waiting at least a year,” Stephanie explained.
“We’ve basically said we will take a sibling group with up to three children, ages six and under, with at least one boy,” Stephanie says smiling.
With over 10,000 waiting children in Colombia, chances are there will be just the right sibling group awaiting this family.
So now the Sommers and their daughters play the waiting game. Anticipating that phone call that will tell them they’ve got a referral.
“I’m sure it’s like the anticipation of giving birth,” Stephanie starts, but Cory quickly says, “Except, pregnancy doesn’t last two years.”
“We’re ready to bring the rest of our family home and make our family complete,” Stephanie says.
When that referral comes in, their paperwork and passports are ready and Cory, Stephanie, Vivian and Alaina will be headed to Colombia for six to eight weeks. “Each country has their own process and Colombia’s process is that,” Cory explains. The couple has also decided they want their girls to be a big part of that process.
How do they feel about having more siblings?
“It depends on the day,” both parents said with a knowing nod. “Some days there is a lot of talk about it – and having a brother, and other days there isn’t.”
“It will be a big change,” Steph said as the music trickles down from upstairs while the girls run, jump and practice gymnastics.
With the adoption costs mostly under belt thanks to a great outline from the agency, it’s the unknown costs the family is seeking help with.
“We don’t know about hotel costs and food costs and even getting Colombian passports for the children,” Stephanie said. Airfare alone for the family of four to get to Colombia will be at least $2,000.
For each bag of coffee purchased, the Sommers receive $5.
“It’s hard to ask people for money,” Stephanie explains.
The family didn’t do any fundraisers for their adoptions with the girls and wishes they didn’t have to this time but with so many unknowns and costs that will be incurred during their time in Colombia, every little bit will help.
“I think they’re doing each other’s hair,” she says, “with the icky rainwater that’s been sitting in the pool.”
It won’t be too long before the girls have a few more siblings to practice their hair styling techniques on.
Cory and Stephanie Sommers of St. Michael adopted both daughters from Guatemala. “We brought Vivian home in 2005 and Alaina in 2007,” Cory said. “Shortly after we were home we decided we needed a little bit more testosterone around here.”
"Even the dogs are girls,” Stephanie added.
The United States closed adoptions from Guatemala shortly after the Sommers returned with Alaina. Originally, the family started working with a pilot program for Mexican adoptions, but after nearly a year they decided to move their adoption file and plans to Colombia.
“The Mexico program was a pilot and very slow moving. We would still be waiting at least a year,” Stephanie explained.
The couple researched several other South American countries before deciding on Colombia and began working with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. The agency has been working with Colombia for the last 20 years. “We knew they were very familiar [with Colombia],” Cory explains.
Once they decided, they decided big time.“We’ve basically said we will take a sibling group with up to three children, ages six and under, with at least one boy,” Stephanie says smiling.
With over 10,000 waiting children in Colombia, chances are there will be just the right sibling group awaiting this family.
So now the Sommers and their daughters play the waiting game. Anticipating that phone call that will tell them they’ve got a referral.
“I’m sure it’s like the anticipation of giving birth,” Stephanie starts, but Cory quickly says, “Except, pregnancy doesn’t last two years.”
“We’re ready to bring the rest of our family home and make our family complete,” Stephanie says.
When that referral comes in, their paperwork and passports are ready and Cory, Stephanie, Vivian and Alaina will be headed to Colombia for six to eight weeks. “Each country has their own process and Colombia’s process is that,” Cory explains. The couple has also decided they want their girls to be a big part of that process.
How do they feel about having more siblings?
“It depends on the day,” both parents said with a knowing nod. “Some days there is a lot of talk about it – and having a brother, and other days there isn’t.”
“It will be a big change,” Steph said as the music trickles down from upstairs while the girls run, jump and practice gymnastics.
With the adoption costs mostly under belt thanks to a great outline from the agency, it’s the unknown costs the family is seeking help with.
“We don’t know about hotel costs and food costs and even getting Colombian passports for the children,” Stephanie said. Airfare alone for the family of four to get to Colombia will be at least $2,000.
After some research, the Sommers have joined the Just Love Coffee program which sells coffee as a fundraiser with proceeds going to the family to help with their adoption costs. “It’s fair-trade coffee and also helps the locals because it gives them jobs,” Cory explains of the efforts.
“It’s hard to ask people for money,” Stephanie explains.
The family didn’t do any fundraisers for their adoptions with the girls and wishes they didn’t have to this time but with so many unknowns and costs that will be incurred during their time in Colombia, every little bit will help.
If you would like to purchase coffee with proceeds benefitting the Sommers, visit their website.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Whew!
More than a year later, we decided our adoption through Mexico was going no where. Through pray and a lot of consideration, on June 28, 2010, we requested a full refund for the fees we had paid to our agency and to cancel our contract.
After reasearching many, many adoption agencies, and many, many countries we decided we were going to persue our adoption and chose Colombia. We officially filled out our Adoption Registration with Lutheran Social Services (LSS)! YEAH our first step of many...
http://www.lssmn.org/adoption/2005/international.html
You can follow our "Adoption Timeline" to the right and I will be posting current news as we recieve it.
Also check out the link to "Just Love Coffee" to support us in bringing our new children home!
Thank you and God Bless!
After reasearching many, many adoption agencies, and many, many countries we decided we were going to persue our adoption and chose Colombia. We officially filled out our Adoption Registration with Lutheran Social Services (LSS)! YEAH our first step of many...
http://www.lssmn.org/adoption/2005/international.html
You can follow our "Adoption Timeline" to the right and I will be posting current news as we recieve it.
Also check out the link to "Just Love Coffee" to support us in bringing our new children home!
Thank you and God Bless!
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