It has been very difficult for me to put things into words. I am not for sure how this entry will turn out, but I figured I should try to explain how things are going. It usually helps me feel better after writing my thoughts down, and I know that it can help other PAPs in the future. So here it goes….
It is hard for me to write when I cannot be completely honest and open. But for the sake of protecting our journey/process/family there are times when I can’t be as transparent as I would like on this blog. I can say that March 9th is very important for us. We need to have great news from the judge that day. I don’t just mean ‘need’ as in there is a family that really misses their son and they want to go back as soon as possible. That of course is true. But there is another reason that we just HAVE to have good news on the 9th. That is all I can say about that. And as a result of the impending news here is what has been created…
a person with a split personality!!!
I am a mess. I am an emotional basket case. I cannot focus. My emotions are high and intense. One minute I have an overwhelming sense of peace. I know that God’s timing is going to be perfect for our family. I know that He is going to use our journey and our story to make a positive impact on our lives and the lives of others. I even allow myself to get my hopes up that on March 9th we are going to get our court date and be heading out very soon. THEN the other ‘me’ takes over. I get angry at myself for getting my hopes up. I tell myself to prepare for no news or ‘bad’ news on the 9th. I get consumed with sadness and worry. Then I get upset at my apparent lack of faith that God has this situation under control. And then I get a sense of peace that He has plans to prosper us and not harm us. And then cycle continues.
I am tired. I am stressed. I am sick of being focused on my worries. I am sick of saying I!!! Ugh! I need to choose joy. I need to choose an attitude of gratitude. I need to be thankful for the amazing blessings in my life. I need to be celebrating that there are many families that are being united with their children and starting forever families….
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www.orphansatplay.org
Boston Levi Overstreet
Married on June 6, 1998
4 yrs, 7 yrs, 9 yrs.
Orphans At play
www.orphansatplay.org
Boston Levi Overstreet
About us...
We are Justin and Heather - high school sweethearts. After 6 years of dating we married in 1998 . On October 3, 2000 Brady was born into our family followed by Madison on October 9, 2002. After much prayer and a complete leap of faith, we began our first adoption journey in March of 2008. On April 16th, 2009 Blake entered our family from Vladivostok, Russia. We now feel called to return to Vladivostok one more time to complete our family with a fourth child. We documented our first journey on a blog that is now set to private. On that blog we share our day-to-day happenings. We look forward to sharing our second adoption journey with you through this blog. Thank you for checking in on us!
Private Blog:
overstreetjourney.blogspot.com
Private Blog:
overstreetjourney.blogspot.com
Fundraiser for Baby Home
(Ending the fundraiser on February 22, 2011)
You can purchase a t-shirt to help raise money for our donation to the baby home on trip number two. Please check out this blog entry for more information.
You can purchase a t-shirt to help raise money for our donation to the baby home on trip number two. Please check out this blog entry for more information.
Front and Back of T-Shirt
Justin and Heather
Married on June 6, 1998
Blake, Madison, Brady
4 yrs, 7 yrs, 9 yrs.
Adoption Timeline
- 4/19/11 - Boston-US Citizen!
- 4/14/11 - Left Vlad for Moscow
- 4/1/11 - Gotcha Day!
- 3/31/11 - Court Date!
- 3/30/11 - See Little Guy Again
- 3/26/11 - Leave for Moscow
- 3/16/11 - Received court date!
- 3/6/11 - B turns 2
- 2/22/11 - Judge assigned
- 2/14/11 - Docs submitted to court
- 2/7/11 - Needed Moscow Docs Arrive
- 1/20/11 - Court Doc mailed out
- 12/9/10 - Last visit on trip 1
- 12/6/10 - Meet OUR little guy!
- 12/3/10 - Left for trip 1
- 11/23/10 - Got travel dates
- 11/17/10 - Registered in Vlad!
- 10/29/10 - Mailed 2nd FBI prints
- 10/21/10 - 3rd attempt to
register - 9/29/10 - 2nd attempt to register
- 9/1/10 - 1st attempt to register
- 9/1/10 -
Visas arrived good til 9/1/11 - 8/11/10 I-171H approval arrived
- 8/10/10 Dossier sent to Vlad
- 8/3/10-Fingerprint appointments
- 6/30/10-DCFS homestudy approval letter
- 5/6/10 - FBI clearances arrived
- 5/14/10-Homestudy sent to DCFS for approval
- 7/1/10-Homestudy mailed to UCIS
- 4/15/10-Second homestudy visit
- 3/30/10 - Mailed World Links Agreement
- 3/24/10 - I-600 A sent
- 3/19/10 - First homestudy visit
- 3/18/10 - Mailed World Links Adoption
Application - 3/12/10 - FBI & State fingerprints done for homestudy
- 3/12/10 - Mailed Lifelink Application for homestudy
- 3/06/10 - signed application for adoption
- 3/02/10 - found out Lana & Irina work for World Links now
- 2/23/10 - Decided to discuss adoption #2
Money Conversion
Vladivostok, Russia
Blog Archive
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2011
(66)
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March
(16)
- March 31 – Court
- March 30 reunited
- Arrived in Vlad
- In Moscow – on the way out
- Leaving soon
- The burning question…
- Crazy and Excited
- Answered Prayers! We have a date!
- Dear Judge,
- Our Last Tomorrow?
- Nothing
- Just a little while longer....
- Don’t stop now!
- Happy 2nd Birthday!
- Keep them coming!
- Transparent
-
▼
March
(16)
17 comments:
I so wish I could say the right thing. Just want you to know I am thinking and praying for you to get the good news on the 9th. I will continue to pray for you guys!
I hope and pray that the news you hope to get come before the 9th.. you sound like you need it..
Whatever the obstacle may be, may Lord God carry you over it...
Tracey~
Our family is just embarking on this waiting journey and it's not even me directly, but my sister. I thank you for all of your encouragement that you have given to us. I pray that you will hear the GREAT news on March 9th or before and God will show you His perfect plan.
Thinking and praying for good news on the 9th!
Your family is in my prayers!
I remember feeling that way during the six-month wait between trips when we adopted the boys. Things are moving more quickly now as opposed to then. It won't be long now. We're hoping for some good news shortly after March 9th as well. Hang in there! Vent as much as you want, but know that the Lord's timing is perfect! In the fullness of time He sent His Son! And look what He accomplished in that--salvation for the world! You're in our prayers!
Heather, I am hoping and praying you get the answer you are looking for! This past week when I thought there wasn't anything else that could go wrong.. I got a miracle. And I mean a miracle! I pray that whatever is happening will be resolved and you will be back to Vlad soon. Can't wait to catch up with you!
Heather,
We will be praying that you get great news on the 9th. Hang in there. Many times when it gets really bad is when the breakthrough comes in international adoption. I'll pray this is the case for you:)
Hang in there, Heather!!! Good news will come soon! Thinking of you!
Carol
Heather, Please know that we will be praying for great news on March 9th. Mark 11:23 & 24!
I am thinking about you and remember too well the terrible wait and uncertainty. Its still painful for me to think about, even with Anna in my arms. I hope you get the news you need!!!
Hang in there! Praying for you to find peace with all of this and that your prayers are answered. Ahhh, the challenges of adoption for us mortals........
Praying for you now...I appreciate your honesty! I can relate all too well..as you already know adoption is a huge blessing but at the same time the process is so stressful. Waiting on the unknown can be all consuming..Praying for peace for you and your family.
Leigh Ann
www.thecagles.blogspot.com
I really do feel your pain! It has only been one month since we met our daughter and I am starting to feel my sanity slipping away. We waited 6 months for our son's court date and it was awful! I ended up going to a therapist the last few months just to have someone to help me stay rational. That little evil voice really is evil! Try to hang in there and keep busy! I will be thinking of you and hoping for good news soon!
One thing I've learned from your blog is that it gets no easier on the heart the second time around.
Our heart hurts along with yours friends.
Soon....
We love you!
Oh Heather - praying you get good answers by the 9th!
Anne W
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