We would like to say thank you to Debbie with Adopt Abroad. She is the social worker who worked so diligently with us (and many others here in Italy) through our home study process. Debbie has been a great source of information, personable and truly showed each family how much she cares about us and our growing families.
As some of us have had to change agencies, programs, and regulations; Debbie has been nothing but patient and compassionate towards us.
So, thank you Debbie, and may God bless you and your family-
Mike, Meg and Willow
Friday, October 19, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tips on Saving Money - You Can Do It
Some of you have asked us how we are doing it...saving up that mcuh money for the adoption.
Here goes...First of all we must have faith in God that he will provide and boy has he.
1.) Don't run the AC. If I can do that anyone can-Meg
2.) Make lists and only make one trip in the car to do everything that you can in one day.
3.) Make a menu and only buy what is on your menu plus a little extra just incase someone pops in.
4.) Hang your clothes to dry-even when it's cold they will dry under a fan or in front of a heater
5.) Carry cash and when it's gone, it's gone-it's amazing what you don't remember swiping on that debit card.
6.) Printer ink is expensive so if you have a child that needs to print out reports; put it on a disk and send it to school with them for the teacher to print out or go to the computer lab at the school (thanks Lynsey)
7.) Also if you have many docs. to print- go to your local library many of them will let you print up to so many pages free of charge.
8.) Check how you can save on phone bills using the internet instead of calling from a land line.
9.) Turn off your cable
10.) Stop eating out- this is a biggie
11.) COOK breakfast-cooking instead of eating all of the fast breakfast foods will go much farther and you will be surprised at how much you will save.
12.) Walk, walk, walk- we are very fortunate to live in an area where many shops ect. are close to one another so we are able to park in a central location and walk. At over $3.00 gallon for gas it is very important to save where ever possible- check tire pressure, tune up your car- all of these things will help to better your milage.
When you get to feeling like you can't do anything - Purchase yourself, your spouse, your sister whom ever needs the card; a card they are inexpensive and bring joy for longer than you would think.
That's all I can think of right off the top of my head. If I remember any more that just are too good not to post I'll add it.
Here goes...First of all we must have faith in God that he will provide and boy has he.
1.) Don't run the AC. If I can do that anyone can-Meg
2.) Make lists and only make one trip in the car to do everything that you can in one day.
3.) Make a menu and only buy what is on your menu plus a little extra just incase someone pops in.
4.) Hang your clothes to dry-even when it's cold they will dry under a fan or in front of a heater
5.) Carry cash and when it's gone, it's gone-it's amazing what you don't remember swiping on that debit card.
6.) Printer ink is expensive so if you have a child that needs to print out reports; put it on a disk and send it to school with them for the teacher to print out or go to the computer lab at the school (thanks Lynsey)
7.) Also if you have many docs. to print- go to your local library many of them will let you print up to so many pages free of charge.
8.) Check how you can save on phone bills using the internet instead of calling from a land line.
9.) Turn off your cable
10.) Stop eating out- this is a biggie
11.) COOK breakfast-cooking instead of eating all of the fast breakfast foods will go much farther and you will be surprised at how much you will save.
12.) Walk, walk, walk- we are very fortunate to live in an area where many shops ect. are close to one another so we are able to park in a central location and walk. At over $3.00 gallon for gas it is very important to save where ever possible- check tire pressure, tune up your car- all of these things will help to better your milage.
When you get to feeling like you can't do anything - Purchase yourself, your spouse, your sister whom ever needs the card; a card they are inexpensive and bring joy for longer than you would think.
That's all I can think of right off the top of my head. If I remember any more that just are too good not to post I'll add it.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Our log in date
This past weekend was so much fun!! Willow had joined the cheer clinic at the Naples High School and the children were able to cheer in the football game, and perform a dance routine during half time. They were so cute!! She is really enjoying this. Then Sunday was the first time for this school year that the children's praise and worship team was able to lead the congregation in praise and worship. They did a new contemporary version of Agnus Dei. So many people came to me afterwards telling how much the children worshiping God touched them. Praise God!!!!
Monday, yesterday I was also able to pick up a french horn from the high school for Willow to borrow. She really had her heart set on percussion, but that was not available for the elementary school students. As soon as she spotted the french horn, that was it, she knew that was the horn she wanted to play. Of course I was thrilled. We had her try them all and she did, but that was it. And guess what? She was wonderful! This is a blessing for me as well. I now can play on it when she is not, he he... God is blessing our family in so many ways and we are so thankful. Thank all of you for keeping us in your prayers.
Well, it is official. Our log in date with the IAD (International Adoption Department) in Vietnam is Oct. 1, 2007! This is different from the Sept. 11 date. The Sept. date was when our dossier was delivered to Vietnam and it went into the translation dept. From IAD they will approve the paperwork they have received, pass on a reccomendation to the orphanage for adoption in the province with whom we will be working and they will pass on a referral to our agency.
Monday, yesterday I was also able to pick up a french horn from the high school for Willow to borrow. She really had her heart set on percussion, but that was not available for the elementary school students. As soon as she spotted the french horn, that was it, she knew that was the horn she wanted to play. Of course I was thrilled. We had her try them all and she did, but that was it. And guess what? She was wonderful! This is a blessing for me as well. I now can play on it when she is not, he he... God is blessing our family in so many ways and we are so thankful. Thank all of you for keeping us in your prayers.
Well, it is official. Our log in date with the IAD (International Adoption Department) in Vietnam is Oct. 1, 2007! This is different from the Sept. 11 date. The Sept. date was when our dossier was delivered to Vietnam and it went into the translation dept. From IAD they will approve the paperwork they have received, pass on a reccomendation to the orphanage for adoption in the province with whom we will be working and they will pass on a referral to our agency.
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