I'm very excited about the Give Away that starts tomorrow. I have 20 prizes that include something for everyone. A few of the prizes are local but most can be shipped any where.
Thanks to everyone who has donated!
Make sure you look over the rules and regulations to know how this will all work. Check back tomorrow for the first prize that I am giving away.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Give Away--Rules and Regulations
Here's how it works:
1. The first item will be available for a week. After that, a new item will be posted every 3 days.
2. You can donate for a chance to win.
$5 = One Chance
$10 = Three Chances
$25 = Eight Chances
$50 = Twenty Chances
3. You can also earn a chance to win without making a purchase.
Post the link to the current item on your facebook + Leave me a comment telling me you did = One chance
Post the link to the current item on your blog + Leave me the link to the post on your blog = One Chance
4. Donate using the Chip-In box on the right. These donations go directly to me to pay my program fee. If you prefer, you can donate directly on Reece's Rainbow's website using this link. If you do that, leave me a comment with your name and donation amount. (All donations made through Reece's Rainbow are tax deductible.) Make sure you give your first and last name so I can easily identify the winner.
5. I will give each chance a number. I will then use a Random Generator to pick a number. Each winner will be announced when the next item is offered. I will then put the winner in touch with the donor.
I'm posting this now so that you can ask questions and get clarifications before the Give Away starts on Sunday. Ask away! I want to do this as fairly and ethically as possible!
Lots of rules and regulations. Some really great donations. The most important thing, is that we are raising money to get Sara home where she belongs!
My sincerest thanks to all who have donated items; all who will donate money; and all who will publicize this Give Away. I appreciate all you have done for me and my daughter.
1. The first item will be available for a week. After that, a new item will be posted every 3 days.
2. You can donate for a chance to win.
$5 = One Chance
$10 = Three Chances
$25 = Eight Chances
$50 = Twenty Chances
3. You can also earn a chance to win without making a purchase.
Post the link to the current item on your facebook + Leave me a comment telling me you did = One chance
Post the link to the current item on your blog + Leave me the link to the post on your blog = One Chance
4. Donate using the Chip-In box on the right. These donations go directly to me to pay my program fee. If you prefer, you can donate directly on Reece's Rainbow's website using this link. If you do that, leave me a comment with your name and donation amount. (All donations made through Reece's Rainbow are tax deductible.) Make sure you give your first and last name so I can easily identify the winner.
5. I will give each chance a number. I will then use a Random Generator to pick a number. Each winner will be announced when the next item is offered. I will then put the winner in touch with the donor.
I'm posting this now so that you can ask questions and get clarifications before the Give Away starts on Sunday. Ask away! I want to do this as fairly and ethically as possible!
Lots of rules and regulations. Some really great donations. The most important thing, is that we are raising money to get Sara home where she belongs!
My sincerest thanks to all who have donated items; all who will donate money; and all who will publicize this Give Away. I appreciate all you have done for me and my daughter.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Please pray....because I'm panicking (and changing the date of the Give Away).
I've run into my first real hurdle in the adoption process.
I got a call today from my adoption agency. The director of the adoption agency has given his official ok. I have my physical tomorrow and training on the 23rd and 24th. After those two steps, my home study will be done. It will then go to the state to get approved. After that, it will be official and I can send my paperwork (called the Dossier) to Immigration and the country for approval. Sounds great and it's moving quickly, right? Here's the catch.....
Before I can submit the dossier to the adoption agency, I need to pay the $7,500 country fee. I have some money in my Reece's Rainbow account and some left in my savings but I'm still about $4,000 short. Unfortunately, I can't apply for any no-interest loans or grants until the home study is finished. So, if I wait until the home study is official and then apply for loans or grants, it could be several months before I can send the Dossier. This will keep Sara in an orphanage longer and delay my travel plans into the new school year.
I know that it will all work out in God's timing but I'm a planner and I don't like all this not-knowing stuff.
In light of all this, I'm moving the Give-Away up a few weeks. I'm going to start it on Sunday. Please let me know if you'd like to donate something. I will post all the rules and regulations later.
Thanks for all your support!
I got a call today from my adoption agency. The director of the adoption agency has given his official ok. I have my physical tomorrow and training on the 23rd and 24th. After those two steps, my home study will be done. It will then go to the state to get approved. After that, it will be official and I can send my paperwork (called the Dossier) to Immigration and the country for approval. Sounds great and it's moving quickly, right? Here's the catch.....
Before I can submit the dossier to the adoption agency, I need to pay the $7,500 country fee. I have some money in my Reece's Rainbow account and some left in my savings but I'm still about $4,000 short. Unfortunately, I can't apply for any no-interest loans or grants until the home study is finished. So, if I wait until the home study is official and then apply for loans or grants, it could be several months before I can send the Dossier. This will keep Sara in an orphanage longer and delay my travel plans into the new school year.
I know that it will all work out in God's timing but I'm a planner and I don't like all this not-knowing stuff.
In light of all this, I'm moving the Give-Away up a few weeks. I'm going to start it on Sunday. Please let me know if you'd like to donate something. I will post all the rules and regulations later.
Thanks for all your support!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Letters to My Daughter--March 2012
Mija,
I addressed you as Mija in your last letter because I wasn't allowed to tell everyone your name. I can now tell everyone that your name is Sara Rebecca Keller but I still like calling you Mija--after all, you are my daughter. I love that your name is Sara. It's a beautiful, simple name and I think it fits you perfectly. I couldn't have picked better myself. Your middle name is Rebecca--after your Nana. My middle name is my grandma's name and I love that tradition.
I fall asleep every night dreaming about the day that I will actually get to meet you. I think a lot of people are surprised that I haven't met you yet but it really doesn't matter to me. Most people don't meet their children before they come into their lives for good. It's no different with you. I love you, either way.
I've spent lots of time getting ready for you to come now that a lot of the paperwork is done. It's so nice to focus on you and not papers and details. I did lots of shopping for you this weekend and you have tons of cute summer clothes. Every time I fold something or hang it up in your closet, I marvel at how small you are and how cute you will be in pink!
You may be one of the most loved children on the planet. Your Tia Anna is coming this week to help me get your room ready. Your Nana, your Aunt Amy, and I are planning to scope out the stores and pick out all the things you will need when you come home. You have little friends that want to play at the park with you and big friends that want you to come swimming every day. Your play room is starting to fill up with toys. Your Grandpa wants you to come see his animals and ride the horse that he doesn't even have yet. So many people are excited about you coming home and are working hard to help me make that happen.
I really hope that the next few months fly by and you will soon be safely home and tucked into your adorable bed.
Te amo, mija!
Tu mami
I addressed you as Mija in your last letter because I wasn't allowed to tell everyone your name. I can now tell everyone that your name is Sara Rebecca Keller but I still like calling you Mija--after all, you are my daughter. I love that your name is Sara. It's a beautiful, simple name and I think it fits you perfectly. I couldn't have picked better myself. Your middle name is Rebecca--after your Nana. My middle name is my grandma's name and I love that tradition.
I fall asleep every night dreaming about the day that I will actually get to meet you. I think a lot of people are surprised that I haven't met you yet but it really doesn't matter to me. Most people don't meet their children before they come into their lives for good. It's no different with you. I love you, either way.
I've spent lots of time getting ready for you to come now that a lot of the paperwork is done. It's so nice to focus on you and not papers and details. I did lots of shopping for you this weekend and you have tons of cute summer clothes. Every time I fold something or hang it up in your closet, I marvel at how small you are and how cute you will be in pink!
You may be one of the most loved children on the planet. Your Tia Anna is coming this week to help me get your room ready. Your Nana, your Aunt Amy, and I are planning to scope out the stores and pick out all the things you will need when you come home. You have little friends that want to play at the park with you and big friends that want you to come swimming every day. Your play room is starting to fill up with toys. Your Grandpa wants you to come see his animals and ride the horse that he doesn't even have yet. So many people are excited about you coming home and are working hard to help me make that happen.
I really hope that the next few months fly by and you will soon be safely home and tucked into your adorable bed.
Te amo, mija!
Tu mami
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Full Financial Disclosure
I have gotten some well-meaning and good-intentioned questions about the financial ins and outs of international adoption. In the interest of full disclosure, I want to list out some of the costs and explain how this all works. I want people to understand what they are donating to and what I am contributing personally.
Costs and Fees:
1. On Reece's Rainbow, the entire cost of adoptions in this area of Latin America is listed as $21,000-$24,5000.
2. I did a lot of research before committing to a home study agency. The one that I found was by far the cheapest--$2,500. This has been paid out of my previous savings.
3. Immigration Fees - $795
4. Adoption Agency Fees - $16,350 - This includes Program Fee, Paper Work Fees, Foreign Service Fees, lots of legal work.
5. Country Fees - $4,800 - This includes Attorney Fees, Translation Fees, Document Fees.
6. Travel Fees are separate from this. This includes my round-trip ticket, Sara's one-way ticket, lodging and meals for both of us for 4-6 weeks. Estimates are around $7,000.
My Plan:
1. I have some savings that I am using for the upfront costs and will apply as much as I can towards the travel costs.
2. I am applying for every grant I can find. I can't complete these applications until my home study is complete and approved. This should happen around April 1.
3. I am planning a few fundraisers. I will promote these on my facebook, blog, and within the Reeces Rainbow community.
4. When I get a travel date, I will take out a loan for whatever funds I still need.
What you can do to help:
1. Pray! This is, by far, the most important contribution.
2. I am available for babysitting, tutoring, odd jobs, whatever I can do to earn a little extra money.
3. The coffee fundraiser will continue until August 1. These funds come directly to me to help cover the travel costs. You can purchase coffee here.
4. I am hosting a Give Away in the month of April. If you have any items you would like to donate, send me an email or leave a comment here. Check back April 1st for the first Give Away item.
5. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to Sara's Reeces Rainbow Fund. This money goes directly to pay the Immigration Fees, Adoption Agency Fees and Country Fees. You can do that here.
6. Please feel free to repost this blog, these links, Sara's RR page, anything that will get her story out there.
I have been truly amazed and blessed by all the support I've received from my friends and family, as well as strangers in the Reece's Rainbow community. I appreciate all the well wishes, contributions, advice, gifts, and love that Sara and I have received. I am brought to tears almost daily by this process and the response of the amazing people in my life.
And, just in case you are wondering, I am going on vacation to Mexico in June. Anna and I purchased this trip as a groupon back in October--long before I started this process. I wish now that I had that money back but the entire trip has already been paid for. So, I will go and thoroughly enjoy my last trip as a single, childless woman.
Costs and Fees:
1. On Reece's Rainbow, the entire cost of adoptions in this area of Latin America is listed as $21,000-$24,5000.
2. I did a lot of research before committing to a home study agency. The one that I found was by far the cheapest--$2,500. This has been paid out of my previous savings.
3. Immigration Fees - $795
4. Adoption Agency Fees - $16,350 - This includes Program Fee, Paper Work Fees, Foreign Service Fees, lots of legal work.
5. Country Fees - $4,800 - This includes Attorney Fees, Translation Fees, Document Fees.
6. Travel Fees are separate from this. This includes my round-trip ticket, Sara's one-way ticket, lodging and meals for both of us for 4-6 weeks. Estimates are around $7,000.
My Plan:
1. I have some savings that I am using for the upfront costs and will apply as much as I can towards the travel costs.
2. I am applying for every grant I can find. I can't complete these applications until my home study is complete and approved. This should happen around April 1.
3. I am planning a few fundraisers. I will promote these on my facebook, blog, and within the Reeces Rainbow community.
4. When I get a travel date, I will take out a loan for whatever funds I still need.
What you can do to help:
1. Pray! This is, by far, the most important contribution.
2. I am available for babysitting, tutoring, odd jobs, whatever I can do to earn a little extra money.
3. The coffee fundraiser will continue until August 1. These funds come directly to me to help cover the travel costs. You can purchase coffee here.
4. I am hosting a Give Away in the month of April. If you have any items you would like to donate, send me an email or leave a comment here. Check back April 1st for the first Give Away item.
5. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to Sara's Reeces Rainbow Fund. This money goes directly to pay the Immigration Fees, Adoption Agency Fees and Country Fees. You can do that here.
6. Please feel free to repost this blog, these links, Sara's RR page, anything that will get her story out there.
I have been truly amazed and blessed by all the support I've received from my friends and family, as well as strangers in the Reece's Rainbow community. I appreciate all the well wishes, contributions, advice, gifts, and love that Sara and I have received. I am brought to tears almost daily by this process and the response of the amazing people in my life.
And, just in case you are wondering, I am going on vacation to Mexico in June. Anna and I purchased this trip as a groupon back in October--long before I started this process. I wish now that I had that money back but the entire trip has already been paid for. So, I will go and thoroughly enjoy my last trip as a single, childless woman.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Give-Away
I am planning to hold a "Give Away" to benefit Sara during the month of April. The general idea is that I will gather items to be given away. I will feature a new item every 3-4 days, depending on how many items I have. For ever $2 donated, a person will get a chance to win the featured item. (I will nail down all the details later, including how to get a chance to win without donating.)
Right now, I just want to float the idea so that people have a chance to donate an item. These items could be something that you make, a gift card that you may have, a service you or your business can provide, an actual new item, anything you can think of that people would be interested in winning. This is a great chance to promote your business, etsy site, etc. Along with your item, I will post a paragraph about you, your connection to Sara, your interest in Reece's Rainbow, your busienss...whatever you choose to write.
The give away will start April 1st. Please leave me a comment, facebook message, text, etc and let me know what you would like to donate. I will get in touch with you before April 1st to get a picture of the item and your paragraph.
I plan to donate this blanket...just as soon as I finish it and get a better picture of it!
Right now, I just want to float the idea so that people have a chance to donate an item. These items could be something that you make, a gift card that you may have, a service you or your business can provide, an actual new item, anything you can think of that people would be interested in winning. This is a great chance to promote your business, etsy site, etc. Along with your item, I will post a paragraph about you, your connection to Sara, your interest in Reece's Rainbow, your busienss...whatever you choose to write.
The give away will start April 1st. Please leave me a comment, facebook message, text, etc and let me know what you would like to donate. I will get in touch with you before April 1st to get a picture of the item and your paragraph.
I plan to donate this blanket...just as soon as I finish it and get a better picture of it!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
August 13, 2008
As I was cleaning the house this weekend to get ready for the home visit tomorrow, I started to think about the day that Sara was born--August 13, 2008.
Now, if you asked me where I was on August 13, 2009 or 2010, I wouldn't have any idea. Ironically, I do know where I was on August 13, 2008. I was in the middle of my road trip to Mexico. I had quit my job, put most of my stuff in Laura's basement and was moving to Mexico. I left "for a year" but had absolutely no intention of returning to the US or to Chicago. I was on a journey to "the rest of my life." Little did I know, "the rest of my life" was being born in a country far, far away.
My hope and prayer is that on August 13, 2012, I will be celebrating Sara's fourth birthday with her. I know it will be the best August 13th of my life so far.
Please consider helping make this prayer a reality. You can donate here to help cover the $8,000 agency fee that is due soon or purchase coffee here to help cover the upfront costs I encounter regularly.
cof
Now, if you asked me where I was on August 13, 2009 or 2010, I wouldn't have any idea. Ironically, I do know where I was on August 13, 2008. I was in the middle of my road trip to Mexico. I had quit my job, put most of my stuff in Laura's basement and was moving to Mexico. I left "for a year" but had absolutely no intention of returning to the US or to Chicago. I was on a journey to "the rest of my life." Little did I know, "the rest of my life" was being born in a country far, far away.
My hope and prayer is that on August 13, 2012, I will be celebrating Sara's fourth birthday with her. I know it will be the best August 13th of my life so far.
Please consider helping make this prayer a reality. You can donate here to help cover the $8,000 agency fee that is due soon or purchase coffee here to help cover the upfront costs I encounter regularly.
cof
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)