Round Two. Everything Expires.

Everything expires. So, that means here we go with a second round of gathering the documents that are about to expire. From fingerprints and background checks, to referral letters and pet vaccinations, it all has to be renewed. Ugh. We were told upfront that this could be the case, and to expect it. Still, it's not met with excitement. Having to pay for things again is never really exciting. We are waiting for one signature, one. When the Haitian President puts his approval on our adoption, we can move forward in the final arrangements to bring Ooley home! It's their rules, and we just have to play by them, even though it's to hard to know that all this waiting is because we aren't 35 years old.

So that's the skinny on the big picture.... at least as we know it. Please continue to keep Ooley in your prayers. They have moved into a the new location, and although we've been told he adjusts easily, we are believing this will not harm how he views trust and stability. If only he could know how much we love him and are longing to have him home. It's been the most emotionally draining process, but it'll all be worth it in the end.

Time to Brag a Little

It's extremely hard to know that your child is growing up away from your arms. But it's amazing to know just how much God has watched over and transformed the life of your child through prayer and love from others! We get updates on Ooley periodically, and recently received our latest update. Thought we'd take a minute to brag on our son :)

Ooley is 37 inches tall and now weighs 31 lbs. He follows instruction well and is very attentive. They tell us that he's probably the one that abides to the schedule the most (that's my boy, organized) and is always in front of the line when it's time to sing/pray and eat (again, our little leader). He goes straight to his bed when it's nap time and loves to play outside. He loves lunch time too, and his favorite foods are rice and veggies, favorite fruit is mango. I find it interesting that God has perfectly planned some of his favorite things to match ours. Proof that God knows who fits as a family unit and plans life accordingly.

Several of the children had stomach bugs over the last month, but are doing better. Those of you who know me (Amber) well, know that stomach bugs are my biggest phobia. Knowing that our child has been sick with the very thing I hate the most, is heart breaking. However, they are doing well and we know that all the children will be healthy. Haiti health care is nothing like we have here, and we are grateful that Ooley and the other children have access to medicine.

Our adoption file was submitted internationally early September 2011..... and it feels like it's taking forever to get the word to fly out for final things in Haiti. We know that after we make another trip to Haiti, it will be about 2 months before we bring Ooley home. But we have no timeline for the waiting stage we are in and it's tiring to just sit idle and anticipate that call at any moment. Everyone around us is prepared for us to jump on the next flight as soon as we get the word, and we are more ready than ever!

Thanks for loving our son and praying our family! He's a pretty big deal. But I think we may be a little partial :)

What does this mean for us?

We just got word that there has been a temporary suspension for accepting new adoption files into the IBESR in Haiti.

What does that mean for us? It's actually some good news! They have been so backlogged with files that are awaiting approval or presidential dispensation (which is where ours is), that accepting more is only adding to the backlog. This temp suspension will allow for some additional staff to be added, restructuring of the process, and hopefully a better time balance. The new director of IBESR in Haiti is motivated and ready to get things moving, which means that our files could/should be expedited!

We know that these changes may be hard for other families that are wanting to adopt. But we also know that these changes will make their process move easier and quicker than what we have endured. So, please agree with us in prayer that God will work out all the kinks along the path and that we get a call with good news soon! There is so much going on in our lives here at home, and we know that it will all be worked out in God's perfect timing. Despite all the things that seem to overwhelm and keep us busy, there is nothing more important than bringing our family together. Excitement merged with the slight fear of the unknown, a dollop of exhaustion, and a sprinkle of determination, topped with eager anticipation.... that's a pretty good description for the emotions. It's been an extremely emotionally draining journey.

We are still seeking ways to round up the final fees. If you have suggestions of easy and quick fundraising ideas, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com . If you would like to help bring Ooley home, donations can also be made at any local Communication Federal Credit Union under "Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund", or via PayPal by the link on this blog.

Thank you so much for your prayers and continued support. You may never realize how much your support has helped hold us up. Thanks again. Hopefully we'll have good news soon!

Drink Coffee and Help Bring Ooley Home!

We are nearing the end of our adoption, and nearing the end of the fees! We are still short about $10,000 to finalize the adoption and be able to purchase airfare to get our family together for good. This time we have a way that you can get involved, and get something yummy for yourself!

We are doing fundraising with Just Love Coffee, where a percentage of your purchase from our website with them will help us with our funds. We would love for you to spread the word about this amazing company with all your friends. It's important that you purchase from our link and not just from the company's general website, in order for us to get our portion.

Please visit and shop at www.justlovecoffee.com/bringooleyhome and let us know about your experience with their products! (You can click the title of this blog "Drink Coffee and Help Bring Ooley Home" and it will direct to the website to shop)

Thanks again for your continued prayers and support. We are eagerly awaiting the news that we can book a flight to go make the final arrangements & will keep you posted with everything as we know it.

More Progress....Finally!!!

Since our file enter Haiti in September 2011, we have been waiting for any word of progress. On Friday, March 2nd, 2012, we were informed that our file had exited the IBESR in Haiti and entered the Haitian President's office.

If we were 35 years old, we would be headed to Haiti right now for family court and to file for Ooley's Visa. Which would put the bring home date 8-10 weeks out. But we aren't 35, so we have to get the Haitian President to sign off on our adoption. The great news is that it is now to that last step. The other news is that there is no given timeline of how long our file will sit before being signed. Other countries don't have set times or urgency like we do here in the U.S., so patience is definitely something that has had to grow in us....or something we've been made aware we haven't had much of.... or both :)

We are nearing the end of the financial needs! We are roughly $10,000 away from what is needed to settle with our adoption agency. We will also be traveling back one time for files and then again to bring Ooley home. If you have any ideas of how to help us raise funds, please contact us at amber@salonendeavor.com. If you'd like to help by donating, click the PayPal link, or go to Communication Federal Credit Union (the one on SW 89th & Walker knows us & our process very well) and donate to the Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption fund.

Please pray that our file will move quickly and that the President Michel Martelly will have favor and urgency, not only for our adoption, but for the many that are waiting as well. Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support!

Waiting is Daunting....

Waiting, waiting, and more waiting..... a test of patience for the control freaks, like me (Amber). Waiting isn't near as daunting, when there is a deadline set in stone. However, waiting with no certainty of time frame is incredibly hard! We do know, through monthly updates, that Ooley is happy and healthy! Ooley's creche, Chances for Children, is moving into a bigger and better location, where there will be more room to play, and a more centralized location to meet all his needs. Hopefully he won't be there too long, but we hope he enjoys life more with these new conveniences.

Many of you have been asking what's new, and are all getting the same answer on repeat, "We're waiting". Our documents are still in the Haitian government hands, and they don't give even rough estimates of how long this process could take. We are hopeful that our file will exit soon and we can arrange to move forward. There was a trip tentative in January that got pushed to March, and has now been pushed to possibly April. The only way we can get in on the next trip, is for our file to exit the IBESR in Haiti. Our file requires a Haitian Presidential waiver because we don't meet the age requirement of 35 that is set to be able to adopt from Haiti. We've heard that things are starting to be signed and come out of the President's office, but some have been in there for several years. Of course we are hopeful that our file will reach the top and come out quickly, now that things are moving again. Once our documents exit, we can move on to the final things needed, such as Family Court in Haiti and file for Ooley's Visa. The timeline after the final things are filed is 8-10 weeks to be able to arrange to bring Ooley home.

We are getting closer to the final estimated amount for the adoption fees! We've applied for another grant and are waiting to hear the results. We've also gotten two totally unexpected donations in last couple weeks! One donation was from a family that visited the garage sale we had awhile back, and we are so grateful to have their support and prayers! Another was from a family we recently met and have been getting to know more each week. You all know who you are, a HUGE THANK YOU for your support! We do not take any prayer and support for granted, it's amazing to hear how many people are praying for Ooley!

It seems to be dragging on forever, but will be worth it all one day soon!!! Thanks for your constant prayer coverage, please know you are making a difference. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more!

So many steps to take, but one step closer.

Our hope to have Ooley home by Christmas 2011 has come and gone, but our hope is not fading. So what's new? We'd love to have all the answers for you, but we don't even have them for ourselves. We'll let you know what we do know in a nutshell here though. Our documents are still in the IBESR in Haiti. We don't know what step they are in, but they are still moving. We've been told that we won't know anything in this waiting zone, and will only be informed when they deny (not gonna happen :) or approve our documents. Waiting is incredibly hard.

The orphanage that Ooley is in, will be moving to a new location this month. Although it will require Ooley to move again, this new location is bigger and better than the current one. We are happy that they will have an outdoor area to play at the new place too! With the move, and with our documents in what seems to be the eternal holding zone, the trip we thought would be in January is now looking to be in the March timeline. We're hoping that we will both be able to go on the trip in March. The next trip to Haiti will be a visit and filing for Ooley's Visa. From the time the Visa is filed, it's said to expect about 8-10 weeks for that to clear. Once his Visa is obtained, we can arrange to bring him home!

This has been an extremely interesting journey so far. Spiritual battles have raged harder than we ever thought we could endure, in attempts to halt the adoption and ruin family. Emotionally, we've ridden the roller-coaster through some pretty big highs and deep lows. Feeling rather battered and bruised, and with tear stains on our cheeks, we still smile. We are so ready to bring our son home, and we know that God has perfect timing beyond what we can see.

Financially, we are nearing what we believe to be the total of what is needed to complete the adoption. We are still in need of some funds for travel and the initial things needed once Ooley is home, like a multitude of doctor appointments and such. If you are interested in helping in any way, please click the link to the right to support our journey via paypal. You can also make donations at any Communication Federal Credit Union here in Oklahoma, under the name Amber & Daniel Johnson adoption of Ooley. Or you can contact us personally at amber@salonendeavor.com to make arrangements.

American Airlines is the only airlines we can travel with to and from Haiti. If you have airline miles you would like to donate to help us with our travels, or have any connections with AA that could help lower our costs, please contact us soon!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Ooley is definitely one loved little boy, and we can't wait to see what God holds for his life!

Thank You Christian Motorcyclists Association

Earlier this year my dad had an idea to make "survival bracelets" to sell as a fundraiser for Ooley's adoption fund. These have been such a huge hit that he decided this year that he wanted to set up this year as a vendor at the CMA Changing of the Colors rally and sell them. Amber and I have been members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association or "CMA"since 2001. Annually in October they hold their "Changing of the Colors" rally at their national headquarters in Hatfield, Arkansas. Members from all over the globe attend this event each year as Amber and I have several times. I just returned earlier this evening from another great rally! Amber and I would like to say thank you to everyone who came by and purchased survival bracelets or made a donation towards Ooley's adoption fund. Your prayers and financial support are greatly appreciated more than you will ever know. We also want to say thank you to my parents, John & Cindy Johnson for spending their personal finances on a vendor booth and supplies and dad for spending all of his free time this week at the rally sitting at the booth all week making and selling the bracelets and sharing our story.

Thank you CMA for your generosity and "Changing the World, One Heart at A Time"

(If you're interested in purchasing these bracelets some are available at Salon Endeavor in OKC or you can email me at djohnson273@cox.net)

Wondering What's Going On?

I know everyone is wondering what's been going on, so here's what's up. A bunch of waiting. Yep, that's pretty much the extent of the information we can share. Ok, maybe a tad more. Our files are moving forward, and that's definitely better than sitting still on a desk somewhere! We've reached the step in the adoption process that we really aren't being told a whole lot at the time, but are patiently awaiting any tiny bit of info we are given. There are still some fees owed, and we are still working on getting all that squared away. The next step on our end will be for Daniel to go to Haiti to apply for Ooley's Visa. After that has happened, we will then wait for the approval and arrange to bring Ooley home....FINALLY! It seems it really is hurry up and wait sometimes. But wait it is. And we will wait and do what we can to prepare our home.

Ooley is doing well! He's learning at a great pace and gets along well with others. He's gaining weight and getting more healthy, but growing up too fast it seems. The newest pictures we were sent show him looking like such a big boy. It's seems his chubby cheeks have gone away in the few short months since we were there. Sad that we are missing these days with him, but so happy that he's doing good!

So, there ya go. Now you are in the know and up to beat with what's going on. Patience is a virtue, and it's not easy to keep either.

Sales, Grants, Approval Letter, and Timelines! It's been busy!

The Bring Ooley Home Sale we had last week went great! We raised just over $1,500 in just a couple days!! Thank you SO much to everyone who was involved, whether bringing items, buying items, or spreading the word! You each played a role and we are so grateful for your help and support. The remaining items from the sale were taken by a non-profit that takes the items and recycles them in another form or donates them to those in need. This non-profit will weigh the remaining items and pay us per pound of what is there, so that amount of $1,500 will be more once that is done.

We're looking at needing close to $12,000 additional funds needed to complete the process. Fees pop up here and there as well, and it all adds up. We've been approved for our first grant and received $2,000 and are currently in the application process of another one as well!

The sale was Friday and Saturday...then on Monday we got our official approval to adopt! Our letter from the USCIS shows that we are allowed to adopt up to 3 children up to 18 years old and we are approved for special needs should we ever feel that calling! Pretty exciting stuff!!! So what's next? Well, we're trying to figure that out ourselves actually. With this last piece to the puzzle, our documents will be complete on the U.S. side and will move into the hands of Haiti. Once they've pushed the documents through a few offices, we (or prob just Daniel) will be flying to Haiti to apply for Ooley's Visa. After that, the next step would be arranging to bring him home.

How long will all this take? Pretty cool story about that! A couple weeks ago, we got an email telling us that from this point we were looking at 24 months for Haiti to process. We know that is unecceptable and have been believing for our son to be home around Christmas. The adoption agency has been telling us that is a lofty goal and that they've never closed an adoption in less than a year. A week after that email saying 24 months, and us saying absolutely not, we got another email. This one told us that our agency has been talking with some others who are working Haitian adoptions as well and they are saying things are moving very quickly. They estimated the time from where we are now to be 4-6 months!

How do you explain the jump from 24 months to 4-6 months? GOD! And if you do the math, that is Christmas time! They are saying it's still too premature to say if an adoption can be closed in less than a year, but we are believing that ours will be their first! Please continue to believe with us!

We'll keep you posted! Love you all!