Making Life RICH:: Family Update

Hey there!

We have managed to let seven months slip-by without a blog update. Thankfully, the Camp Lejeune, NC area--where we are now stationed--is in the middle of its second major snow storm since late January. Actually, Snowmaggedon Part 2 has turned out to be only a little icy so far. However, the result was a short day at work which opened-up time to do some writing. Let us start with an adoption update. We will explain why we think we are making some traction and will hopefully bring Ransford and Godfred home soon. That will be followed by some pictures from each of the previous seven months.

Where We Have Been: The Homestudy Phase
There seems to be two distinct phases to the pre-homecoming adoption process. First, there is the homestudy phase. In this phase, a family has decided to adopt--domestically or internationally--yet have not been referred a specific child or children. This is where the generic stuff gets done. Fingerprints, background checks, income statements, social worker interviews, and personal and family profile essays are all done here. It is all pretty undesirable, time-consuming work. We started this in March 2012.

Where We Are Today: The Referral Phase
Then there is the referral phase. This is where the specific stuff gets done. At this point, a family has been referred a child and begins the process of bringing him home. The child may receive a physical, or meet his future parents. Court documents are compiled, followed by a hearing with the adopted child and parents. While the host nation--in our case, Ghana--approves/disapproves the adoption, the United States is simultaneously evaluating the case. If the host nation approves, the adopting family submits visa applications to the U.S. Embassy. If the U.S. Embassy approves the request, visa's are printed, and the parents can bring their child home. This is a busy, nerve-racking, yet exciting time. We are in the referral phase....

Approximately this time last year, Kristen and I were referred two brothers, aged 9 and 6, for adoption. You know them: Ransford and Godfred, who turned 10 and 7 years old in January. As soon as they were referred to us, we dialed-in on the specific stuff that was needed to bring them home. Kristen met the boys in June 2013 and our adoption request passed the Ghanaian court proceeding. Basically, we were on the final step; Visa request and approval. In late summer 2013, we submitted our visa request to the U.S. Embassy in Accra. Unfortunately, our case was put in administrative review. We have been in a holding pattern since then.

The U.S. Embassy sought their own internal investigation into our case--not for adverse reasons. The U.S. Embassy finalized their investigation in late 2013 and requested one final document before our visa request would be reviewed a second time. Our Power of Attorney in Ghana has worked hard to find this document. This past Monday, February 10, he submitted it to the U.S. Embassy in Accra. If our request is approved, we can expect the U.S. Embassy to prints their visas within five working days. At that point, Ransford and Godfred would be on a flight from Ghana to the United States. Hopefully good news is on its way

Now onto some pictures!

JULY 2013

July had to be one of the wildest months of our lives. In this single-month Jason checked-out of his unit in Augusta, GA; The family moved into a home in North Carolina; Jason travelled to Ghana to meet Ransford and Godfred, followed by attending his master's program graduation in Washington D.C.

Only 45 minutes into our father-sons relationship. Jason, Godfred, and Ransford walk with Maxwell--a teenager at the orphanage--and Abraham, our POA.

Uncle Ben "Beep" joined Jason on the trip to Ghana. The four of them spent eight nights in one hotel room. Talk about a tight squeeze!

Jason's best friend, Ryan Head, and his wife Melissa visited Ghana from Togo, where they are missionaries.

Two days after returning from Ghana, Jason attended graduation in Washington D.C. Thanks to Jeremy and Carrie Smith for letting Jason stay with them.

Jason's thesis earned him the Kuszewski Award.

One of the best parts of the military is making new friends....one of the hardest parts is saying goodbye.

Packing-up in Georgia; Unpacking in North Carolina.

August 2013

August was the month of getting settled. There was plenty to do, and lots of unfinished work in the house. Yet, we managed to get out an explore a little.

Britt's Donuts in Carolina Beach. Voted one of America's best donuts!

September - November 2013

Jason was in training from September to November. Kristen, Nate and CJ joined him on his training for a over half the time. While Jason was training, the boys learned how to swim in the hotels indoor pool. There was also some dancing, fishing, and other random stuff.

Nate and CJ after catching a fish on the dock across the street from our house.

Gettin' in a little jig at Old Navy.

An Avenger with a pink cart.

This did not happen on the first day. It was probably closer to early November, after the boys had been swimming for close to six weeks. CJ would hold his breath to the bottom of the 5' pool and then push up with his legs. CJ just turned 2 years old.