Home Study

Yesterday we had our Home Study visit. I was able to hand her Seth and Alex's Physician Physical forms. They had doctor appointments on Monday. That appointment included a PPD (or a tuberculosis test). They shoot a small amount of the TB virus under the skin of their forearm and then we go back 48 hours later and if there is a rash, they have been exposed to TB, and then they probably wouldn't be able to travel to Ethiopia. We were safe, no rash.

Alex is deathly afraid of needles. The poor boy was shaking and turning white for the ppd. Then they had to draw blood. Thank goodness he got to go first. He then watched Seth's draw. I should tell you Alex's reason for his needle-phobia. He had to have a rather large wart removed from his big toe. It was a very stubborn wart and it got down to having to laser it off. It had to be frozen which consisted of sticking a needle under the wart. Alex was sweating it hurt so bad. He had beads of sweat on his little nose. I think he is damaged for life!

Back to the home study. The visit included a walk through our house with Diane and Monica. They said we have plenty of room for two more boys. They loved the remodeled bedroom for the boys. They loved our view out all our windows. They loved the colors in my bedroom (I do to!). They loved my kitchen. Whew, I guess we passed. Diane was supposed to check all the smoke detectors but never did. The family got interviewed next. They had to make sure we knew what we were getting into. Especially the boys seeing that they will have to share all they have with strangers. Seth and Alex are really excited to have two more brothers.

We are using Lutheran Family and Counseling Services out of Wauwatosa. Diane, the Social Worker, has all of our paperwork now. She had done most of her report from the paperwork we sent her. She will only need to add the home visit part. Our Agency, Celebrate Children International, out of Florida, will then get that report. CCI will prepare a Home Study Approval Letter , notarize it, and mail it to us for inclusion in our dossier.

We are getting closer!

Blogs

I spent the last two days reading Steppin' Heavenward. Click on the link and at least look at her family. She is just amazing. How in the world does she find time to post on her blog? To post all her pictures? Truly amazing!

I also love following this blog: the Journey She is serving orphans in Uganda, East Africa. Her ministry is striving keep the children in Uganda alive and give them life to the fullest. They want to educate the poorest of the poor there intellectually and spiritually.

New Video

We got a new video in the mail today! "O" is such a sweet boy! When the camera man (Dave) asked him about school, his eyes just lit up. I can tell he loves school. He is studying about the USA. He also knows bible verses. "O" wants to be a pilot so he can fly missionaries to different countries.

I found this on another blog:

There are many children in the Kamashi area that need homes - particularly boys ages 6-12. These are very intelligent (we met more than one boy who spoke four languages - including English), very happy children that are desperate for loving families. If you have ever considered taking in a child who needs a home, I can guarantee you will not regret bringing home one of these boys.

This lady was visiting the orphanage where "O" is at. "O" speaks three languages, one of which is English.

Why they don't know how old they are...

I was reading on CCI's yahoo group this explanation:

Most of the kids that come home from overseas have made up birthdates. Many were abandoned and the orphange just guessing on their birth date. This is often true for countries such as China, Russia, Ukraine, etc. In many developing countries, such as Ethiopia, most people don't actually know when they were born. Many were born in rural villages, like my girls, where no one has a calender. Also, Ethiopia has a otally different calendar than the rest of the world. It has 13 months and they just had ET New Year's so its now 2002 in Ethiopia therefore there are often mistakes when they try to translate the date into our calendar.

Sure is interesting! I am still trying to comprehend how one part of the world is still in 2002. Instead of being 49, I would only be 45. I think I like that!

The other boy, "O"

This was written up at his admission to the orphanage and the birthdate can't be right because he is at least twelve.

Birthdate: 10/22/98
Date of Admission: 2006

O's parents both passed away from an illness, and he was taken in by his brother. He ended up on the streets though when they could no longer afford to care for him.

O is a good student and is in the second grade at the Orphanage School. His favorite food is pasta. He enjoys playing ball with his best friend "S". When he grows up he would like to be a doctor, and one day visit America.

O arrived at the orphanage malnourished and underweight, but his spirits were high. He suffers from no physical disabilities, and is doing well now with proper nutrition and diet.

T is healthy!

We got the news this morning that T is HIV negative and the final recommendation is: Physically and mentally fit for adoption.

Another hurdle crossed.