Got Stuff?

Hey Everyone!  

We are coming up on a busy but fun week. This Tuesday, Tricia, the social worker handling our home study will be visiting us in our home. This will be our third and final meeting. She will be arriving in the afternoon from Savannah, Ga and will likely stay just a few hours. Look for an update next week.

This Wednesday is Nate's third birthday! Happy birthday bud...We love you!

Then, on Saturday we will have a yard sale and all donations will be going towards our adoption. Check out this flyer Kristen put together. We printed out 100 copies and are putting them on our neighbors mailboxes. We are hoping to gather as many used items to sell as possible. All proceeds will go towards our adoption!!!

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Got STUFF?

* Neighbors, we need your help!  Donations needed (your unwanted/unneeded items) for our yard sale- all proceeds will be used to help fund our adoption of a child from Ghana, Africa.

Yard sale:  Saturday, May 5

Genesis Church (470 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez)

7:00 am-??

For more info, please contact:

Kristen or Jason

MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

www.makingliferich.blogspot.com
*We will gladly pick up your items or you can drop them off at our home prior to May 5*

Thank you for helping us make a child an orphan no more!!

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Also, Sara Stokking, a co-worker of mine has taken the lead on creating these cool bracelets made out of military 550 cord. They come in different colors and she plans to have a bunch ready to sell at our yard sale. Check them out:

*UPDATE*  There has been some definite interest in the bracelets we plan to sell at the yard sale.  If you are interested in purchasing them, please let me know and we will find a way to get them to you.  They will be $5 for adults, and $3 for kids sizes.

OUR CHILD WILL REMEMBER ALL OF YOU!

Do you want to know what's awesome about this entire process?  It's that all of you who support us via prayers, donations, and ideas are investing in life!  I was telling Kristen recently that I plan to take the content from this blog and all of the paperwork for the adoption and create a hardcover book that we will give to our child.  All of your names will be in that book.  Our child will never forget you and your support to make this happen!

Here's a big thanks to:

Jeremy and Carrie Smith- Fellow Marine family and college best buds

James and Yvonne Smith (not related)- Renee Lamine's grandparents

Amy Hirtz Evers & Family- MCJROTC cadets & "Froggie Buddies" at NGCSU

Zane Raborn- A friend of the Pon Family & my brother's college roommate

Christy & Matt Knarr- Renee Lamine's sister and brother-in-law

Josh Davis- Kristen's high school friend

Donations thus far: $3,548!!!

I'd also like to give a big thanks to my high school friend Summer Boyd Vertrees who is donating 25% of all Thirty-One sales this month towards our adoption.  It's a two-for-one deal!  You buy something girly and donate towards our adoption at the same time.  There's still time.  If you'd like to take advantage of the deal, click the link above.

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

DON'T MESS WITH THAT PAPERWORK!

Home Study Preparation: Our background check required we send our fingerprints to the FBI & GBI

Hi Friends and Family,

      The Pon Family hopes you are well!  Kristen and I have been hard at work getting the adoption process started and feel like we are starting to gain some traction.  We have chosen to adopt through Adoptions Advocates International based on their ability to meet our top five adoption priorities and many informal recommendations whom speak very highly of their integrity and hard work.  This past week we started the home study process.  The home study is one of the many adoption requirements that determines the suitability of the parents physical, psychological, and emotional state to raise children.  So literally, they want to know if you are a couple of crazies living in a shack, or regular folk who have a safe home.  Here are a few of the requirements that are needed to complete the home study:

-Autobiography:  We had to write our answers to questions about who we are, and the quality of the relationships we have.  Questions such as: What is your parenting style?  How will you teach coping skills to your child?  How would you like to improve your marital relationship?  All great questions that require reflection.

-Meetings:  We have to meet with with a social worker a total of three times.  One of the three meetings is in the home, which we have scheduled for May 1st.  This past Tuesday and Wednesday, we all drove to Savannah, Ga to meet with our social worker.  These meetings fulfilled two of the three requirements.  The first day included detailed information about the home study and adoption process.  The second, was a meeting where Kristen and I had to sit down individually with our social worker, Tricia.  She spent about an hour with each of us as we expanded on the details we covered in our autobiography.  Overall, Kristen and I found the experience to be great.  We both feel that this process is becoming more real now that we have taken the leap and started the home study.

-FBI Fingerprints:  This is a criminal background check at the national level.  The processing time takes about 8-10 weeks to get a response back from the FBI.  An interesting note is that most of us in the military have pretty extensive background checks....I guess they've got to do it again!

-Georgia Bureau of Investigations Fingerprints:  Another set of fingerprints to have checked within the state of Georgia.

-Local Background Check: No worries everyone.  Everything came back clean!  We used this as a fun little trip to let Nate see some local Sheriff's cars.  

Quick Story:  It has been amazing to observe Nate (3 years old on May 2nd) as he begins to understand that he will eventually have another brother.  Just the other day, Kristen had been answering autobiography questions while Nate was taking his afternoon nap.  As Nate woke up from his nap, he scrambled to Kristen's papers, probably to make a small mess.  Kristen advised Nate, "Hey Nate, don't touch that paperwork, it's really important!"  Nate responded with, "Why Mamma?  So I can get my other brother?"  He gets it, and we're excited to see Nate, CJ and our third future child grow together!

Here are some pictures from our trip to beautiful Savannah:

After lunch, we found the Savannah Candy Kitchen.  The sweet smell of candy as we walked in was fantastic!

Nate enjoying the ice cream he picked out.

C.J. is just happy to be loved!

  

The boys with Ninny and Papa!

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

Top 5 Adoption Priorities

The adoption process is tough!  Kristen and I have had to consider so many factors in our decision to adopt.  It is not a simple process and requires patience, communication, and PRIORITIES.  We have created our top five adoption priorities to guide us.  They have helped us decide what we DO want, and have also helped to clarify what it is we DO NOT want.  Here they are:

1.  FIND A TRULY ORPHANED CHILD

• This requires finding an adoption agency that executes adoption practices with unquestionable integrity and is ethically sound
• We prefer a child stay with its biological family if possible with the last option being adoption

2.  OFFER EVERLASTING LOVE TO OUR CHILD with emphasis on:

• Spiritual growth
• Physical development
• Mental discipline
• Character coaching

This is the same commitment we have already made to Nate and C.J.  This love will result in men who are strong in all areas.  The intent is for them to embody these traits after we are gone.  They will be whole-men.

3.  INVOLVE OUR EXTENDED FAMILY & FRIENDS

• Allowing all of you to walk along side us in our journey
• Encourage all of you to be a member of the adopting family (Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister...you name it, you've got it!)
• Enables us to embrace your strengths and fill the gaps where we have weaknesses

4.  USE SAVINGS & DONATIONS WITH INTEGRITY

• Raise and save money without incurring debt (Dave Ramsey 101)
• Plan for known and unknown expenses
• Budget all items

5.  ADOPT SPECIFICALLY FROM GHANA, AFRICA

• Honor Rich's legacy
• Live his dream to adopt a Ghanaian child
• Offers a lifelong reminder of Rich's love for others

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

Another big THANKS!

Here is another big thanks to our friends who are supporting us in our pursuit to adopt.  As of today, you have helped us raise $2,202.55.  Specifically, Kristen and I would like to thank:

Kenneth Lamine - Whom we are connected to through Renee Lamine

Katherine Cipolla - Whom we are connected to through Renee Lamine

Alexander Barbato, USAF - Co-worker and teammate

Jacquelyn Dantes, USAF - Co-worker and almost a "civilian"  :)

Kristal Bozeman, USAF - Co-worker and fund raising idea-maker

and my brother, Rich....which my mom wrote this on our Facebook page: 

Hey Jason & Kristen, 

    Dad and I have had Rich's last paychecks that he'd gotten from Five Guys in Chattanooga and McDonald's in Mt Juliet. They are a total of $492.55 and we're going to mail you a check for that amount as we are certain that's what Rich would have wanted. We miss him immensely but are uplifted by what's being done in his name and memory. Mom & Dad

Interesting Documentary

As I continue to research Ghana and its people, I find information that is new and interesting.  In the video below, Al Jazeera investigates Ghana's gold industry practices.  I will say upfront that I do not have any background on Ghana's gold industry, therefore, I do not have any type of agenda by posting this on the blog.  The Marine in me....the student in me....the curiosity in me finds these type of documentaries interesting.  I would love to know what you think and whether or not you have any working knowledge of this topic.

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

That is a lot of stinkin' money!!!

Hey Friends and Family!

I will first say that my Mom, Barbara Pon, made the suggestion that I write this blog...and for good reason.  Some of you have probably wondered why an adoption would cost as much as $30,000.  That is a large sum of money!  Each adoption agency Kristen and I have communicated with has provided their "fee schedule."  The fee schedule is an estimated set of costs that are expected to be paid at certain times throughout the adoption process.  What I want to do is share with you what we are looking at regarding the fee schedule.  I'll first give you a few interesting statistics I have found:

• Between 1999-2011, U.S. families completed a total of 233,934 international adoptions. 
• Between 1999-2011, U.S. families completed a total of 582 adoptions from Ghana, Africa (Male: 263, Female: 319).
• In 2011, adoption agencies reported charging between zero dollars and $64,357 for all adoption services, with half charging less than $26,559.50 and half charging more.
• In 2011, the median cost to adopt from the Netherlands was $6,750, Canada $20,000, and South Africa $26,063.

That being said, here is what a fee schedule generally includes:

Service	Fee
Agency Fee	$5,750
Express Mail Fee	$225
Wire Fee	$600
Post Placement Fees	$1,400
Total Agency Fee	$7,975
Dossier Submission	$3,500
Referral Acceptance	$2,000
Host Fees	$5,000
Final Fees	$2,000
Total International Fees	$12,500
Foster Fees	$1,350
School Fees	$540
Travel Expenses	$10,000
Total:	$32,365

*Ghana requires the parents travel to country two times.  Travel expenses include two round-trip flights plus room and board.

*All fees listed above are general estimates.

Statistics Sources: 

http://adoption.state.gov/content/pdf/fy2011_annual_report.pdf

http://adoption.state.gov/about_us/statistics.php

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

A big THANKS!

Wow!  Kristen and I would really like to thank all of you who have already decided to support us with your encouraging words, prayer, and financial gifts.  In just over a month, you have helped us raise over $1,140!

Kristen and I would specifically like to thank:

Dan and Jackie Townsend - Our loving parents

Espen Skjelstad - My Norwegian brother from another mother

Jennifer Lamine - Friend through the challenging times

Gary and Ginny Kimbrell - A really fun aunt and uncle pair

Steve and Deyanira Morales - Fellow Marine family and Okinawa friends

Travis "Killer" and Allison Davidson - Our best friends

Melanie Devich - Our Knoxville supporter and newest friend


Look for us to update this list often!!!

You can continue to follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”

Our Video Story

Hi everyone!

Kristen and I are making the final decisions in choosing the adoption agency we will work with.  It is an in-depth process and we did not realize the differences that must be considered when choosing an agency.  Some differences are vast, and some are subtle.  The character, size, scope, and mission of the adoption agencies are all different.  We have narrowed it down to two or three and the one we choose will need to be the one we feel most comfortable in helping us adopt our child.  Kristen and I will keep you posted!

In the mean time, please enjoy this video of our adoption story so far.  The video ends with some music and pictures of Rich during his time as a foreign exchange student in 2009 at Sunyani, Ghana.

You can also follow our journey here:

Email us at: MakingLifeRICH@gmail.com

Our videos are here:  www.youtube.com/MakingLifeRICH

We stay connected here:  Facebook “Making Life RICH”  

The Letter

To start off this blog, I want to share with you an e-mail that Kristen and I sent to our immediate family to inform them of some exciting news.  It is our hope that all of you will join us on this journey!

Please help us by clicking on the "Join this site" link on this blog and join the Making Life RICH group on Facebook.

Hey everyone.  In spite of all our recent sadness from the loss of Rich, I wanted to fill you in on some exciting news that Kristen and I would like to share with you.  First, I want to preface with the fact that we have already shared this news with our parents and they are excited about it.  Second, this news is not a new idea for Kristen and I.  In fact, Kristen and I discussed this prior to getting married and have considered it for the past five years.  The difference is that the time is now right.  Our marriage is stable, we are financially secure, and we have a strong family life.  So, are you ready to hear what the exciting news is?  Is the suspense killing you?  Ok.  Here it goes.  Kristen and I are planning to adopt a child from Ghana!  

Take a second and let it sink in.....

I always thought that we'd adopt from China and Kristen always thought we'd adopt through the foster system.  However, after we lost Rich, Kristen thought it'd be best to adopt from Ghana in order to honor Rich's life and love for Ghana.  As soon as Kristen said, "we should adopt a Ghanaian child," it immediately felt right to both of us.  So at this very moment we are making initial plans to begin the fund raising and adoption process.  It will likely be a 1 - 1.5 year endeavor, but we are extremely excited about adopting a THIRD son!  A couple of days ago, I sent a text to Rich's girlfriend Renee Lamine that said "by the way, Kristen and I are going to adopt a child from Ghana.  Bet your freaking out right now!"  She called me immediately and was extremely excited to hear the news.  What was most interesting was Renee's insight into Rich's heart that myself, my parents, or Tracy or Beep were NOT aware of.  It was Rich's dream to eventually adopt a child from Ghana!  Below is an e-mail Renee sent me detailing one of Rich's deepest dreams:

"When I first met Rich he had recently returned from his trip to Ghana and was unbelievably passionate about the people he had met and the experiences he had gained from living there for ten months.  He told me all kinds of stories about his experience and looked forward to the day he would get to return.  Several times he told me he wished he was back there and it was always obvious just how much Ghana meant to him.  One of the things he revealed to me before we were dating was that he had a dream of adopting a Ghanaian child one day.  His passion and determination on this front would not be swayed.  He was going to adopt a child from Ghana.  End of story.  When we were more involved in our relationship we discussed more long term future plans, and even two years after he had first mentioned it to me, Rich's desire to adopt a child from Ghana remained firm.  There was no discussion on this front.  When Rich and I got married, we were going to have a Ghanaian child at some point.  It was decided.  Rich always dreamed big, and if he realized the consequences of dreaming that big outweighed the gain, he would change his mind and find a new dream.  He never changed his mind on this dream.  He was going to adopt a Ghanaian child, so when Jason told me of his and Kristen's decision, I could not have been more shocked and awestruck.  Jason and Kristen have the opportunity to fulfill one of Rich's most steadfast dreams.  It amazes me that even though Rich can no longer follow through with one of the things he wanted to do most, a Ghanaian child will still enter and be lovingly welcomed into the Pon family."  -Renee Lamine

Awesome!  We are truly excited about this news and wanted to share it with you.  There is no doubt that the road ahead will be challenging.  In the Marine Corps, we like to say that no plan survives first contact.  That will be true!  I assure you that although the decision to adopt specifically from Ghana is quite new, Kristen and I are not making this decision out of haste, nor are we trying to replace Rich in any way.  We ask that you, our closest friends and family walk through the process with us.  Pray for us, give us guidance and wisdom, and help us share this story.  We plan to raise $30,000+ to pay for this adoption through our own personal savings, fund raising (garage sales?  We better sell some expensive items!), and donations.  If you have idea's please let us know.

So what do you think?

We love all of you and thank you for the support you've given us.  Now I hope we can honor Rich and give a Ghanaian child hope!

--
Jason, Kristen, Nate, and C.J. Pon

Contact us at makingliferich@gmail.com to tell us what you think!