EP Approval and the St. Louis Cardinals!

This post is super exciting and very nerve wrecking all at the same time!  We received notice Monday that our EP (emigration permit) was approved that day.  This is the 4-6 week process that took about 3 months. So you can imagine just how anxious, fed-up, discouraged, and on edge a person can become during that time.  Once we received the notification we were super excited.  Next, our travel certificate will be issued this week and it takes one week to be approved (a real one week).  We won't receive notification of this approval, it just happens.  We were told several months ago that the time frame from EP approval to our first travel call was running 4-6 weeks.  Keeping in mind the last waiting period of "4-6 weeks" and I'm confident in saying we will be traveling in 2014!  Okay...that was kind of obvious as it's nearing the end of October and time frames aren't accurate any more.  BUT, in the past three months I've settled my heart with the understanding that we will spend Christmas and New Year's as a family of two and I can't handle having to settle my heart again.  Time frames are out the window right now because Korean employees are going through their biannual rotation.  Every two years the Korean government rotates their employees throughout the government departments and now is that time.  I think this is to minimize corruption, but I'm not 100% sure.  They are also relocating some government agencies to different cities.  This is creating a delay in adoption processing.  But, processing has not stopped yet this year!  

While trying to be optimistic, I've concluded this will give us time to continue to prepare financially for all of the traveling.  At least enough time to have enough cash (hopefully!!) to afford the first trip.  

Here's what lies ahead:

At this time, to buy two coach class round trip tickets to Korea with one week's notice is in the $2,600 range.  This is airfare only.  We will still have to afford one week of lodging, food, incidentals, and keep paying bills back home.  We are estimating $5,000 for the first trip with a $1,000 variance either way.  This in no way means that we, at this vary moment, are capable of dropping 5 G's at a moments notice.  But, we're getting there.  I am confident that this will be the case by January 1, 2014.  Why?  What makes me so confident?  While my thoughts remind me constantly that flat tires happen, my windshield could bust again, Christmas is coming up, my dog could be (probably is) pregnant...I still feel at peace with the possibility of major, unexpected expenses and upcoming planned expenses.  This isn't to say that I don't have moments of freak out and act as if I will never buy groceries again in an attempt to save money.  Due to the strong demand encouragement of my amazing friend Julie we are participating in the Run for One More 5k on November 2.  Funds are raised for our adoption by way of race fees paid by participants who sign up under "Team Isaiah" and in kind donations from non-runners.  If everyone who has committed pulls through that is $500 as of today that is going towards our adoption!!  Yayyyyyyyy!!!!  If you're interested in running or donating through Room for One More let me know and I can get you hooked-up.

Now...on to some St. Louis Cardinals fun!  Bluff Top Quilting is generously donating a  homemade ST. LOUIS CARDINAL'S t-shirt quilt for us to raffle off!  In case you've been  living under a rock, the Cards are in the 2013 World Series.  That means, this quilt has the potential to have a WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP t-shirt in it!  Whoop!  Whoop!  This has the potential to raise some great funds as well!! 

This is a completed and sold quilt that was made for a customer.  The quilt measures the same as a queen size bed and sells for $300.  Hello Christmas gift!!!  If you want a chance at this amazing thing let me know. Tickets are $2/each or 6 for $10!  Hit a girl up and  win a Cardinal's quilt!!!

We aren't solely relying on other people's money to get our son home (duh!).  We are spending less and selling more while also paying off debt.  I've sold my super nice bike for a legit amount and I've decided on a used crib that my awesome father-in-law is stripping and repainting red, we will be buying used clothes for him when he comes home, and as of right now we have decided that a rocking chair in his room is not a necessity at this time (although my heart says it is--I've not stopped eyeing the one I want-lol!).  Also, we have a Christmas budget and are sticking to it.  Chris has assured me that the girls will not be greatly impacted if we don't lavish them with gifts but spend a moderate yet fun amount on them.  Outside of them, the folks that gave us life are getting gifts and the rest are "getting Isaiah". Ha!  I hope to have a petite (and COLD) yard sale in the next few weeks, but that may not happen (insert crazy busy life).  The only remaining expensive items for Isaiah is the car seat for my car, his dresser, and his night stand and rocking chair.  (Unless I'm missing something that I don't yet know about-ha!)  I have a plan mapped out on how to afford these things over the next three months without upsetting our saving plan.  

By staying focused on the financial plan to bring him home I hope to keep my mind off of things like: will he love me as much as he loves his foster mom?  Will we bond or will I look at this like a task similar to the adoption? Will I be able to handle the stress of a crazy adjustment in his daily routine?  Will I become unnerved worrying about finances (adoption obviously isn't considered a short-term disability like birth) while I'm bringing in $0 a month.  I work with a great group of women and I know they will be checking in on me often.  They are the most positive group of women I know and we have so much in common, so I know they won't let me stay frazzled for long...if at all!  Prayers, thoughts, and support are always appreciated!

GO CARDS!