Words that put me on the Defense.

We had a yard sale a couple weeks ago to raise money for the adoption.  A big shout out to those who donated stuff for us to sell!  You made the fundraiser a success!!  So just like last time we advertised that we were hosting this as a fundraiser for our adoption.  One because we like to talk about adoption and once you meet someone who have adopted it doesn't seem like an impossible thing to do.  Second people tend to be more generous if they know it's to raise money, so they might actually pay the 50 cents marked on an item instead of asking if I'll take a quarter for it.  


I had some encouraging conversations and we were making sales when a couple of ladies came over to purchase their items.  The first question is "Well why aren't you adopting from America??" in a very condescending tone.  I smiled and politely explained to her exactly why (you can see my post Why Ethiopia? for the full explanation).  There is potential that I had a little tone of my own when telling her what happens to most orphans when they "age out" of the orphanage in most countries.  I don't think she caught it though because her next question was, "Won't they be black?" This one actually took me off guard, looking back I wish I had been more witty but it surprised me so much that all I could say was "Yes mam they will be."  "You all must really love kids!" she said a little disgusted sounding.  By this point my heart was much more sad than I could muster up anger.  I told her we do in fact love children and that we think all children are a blessing from the Lord.  "God loves children" I told her and we want to be after God's own heart.  It's words like that that make me stand up tall like the mama bear protecting her young....I think I might have actually been standing on my tip toes and stretching out my neck as I answered her.  I'm on the defense.  It's funny because they aren't even home yet!  


The next night I had the sweet privilege of going on a date with my husband to celebrate his birthday.  We always joke when we're out what we'll look like at a restaurant as a family of 6, the looks we'll get, and maybe the comments.  I tend to think, surely people won't say ugly things in front of my kids.  But people continue to surprise me.  So I wonder how many times I'll have to take my kids out in public for me to get down off my tip toes.  Because even without knowing what their faces look like I am defending them.  I will fiercely do so to anyone who questions their worth.  It's a precious thing to pray for them, to ask the God who knit together my girls in my womb to protect my children that He knit together so far away.  Even though the womb that gave birth to them won't be called "mom" she is a precious lady who loved her kids enough to give them life.  I'm so thankful for her and to our incredible God who has allowed me to be called "mommy".  

A Friend and a Fundraiser :)

My dear friend (and cousin!) is helping to support our adoption by doing her own fundraiser through Mary Kay.  We are so very appreciative! In efforts to help her help our kids I'm posting the info below.  So if you use Mary Kay or know someone who does please pass it along! 

Jacqulyn Myers Would Like to Invite You to Be a Part of The Dan & Ashley Jenkins Adoption Fundraiser!  They will earn 25% of sales through July 24, 2011.  Visit this website:
www.marykay.com/michelemcgaha and shop on your seat and not your feet!  Please be sure to write "Jenkins Adoption" in the comment section so they will get credit for the order.  Products will be delivered by Jacqulyn Myers or shipped to you if you don't live near by.

The product is 100% satisfaction guaranteed!  Michele McGaha will cover any shipping charges!

For questions or to schedule your own fundraiser, contact Michele McGaha (502)295-6359
michelemcgaha@marykay.com or visit her site above.

Thanks Jacqulyn and Michele!!!

An Officer and some CPK...not a bad week

So after almost 5 weeks, my impatience got the best of me and I called the good old USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services) to check on the status of our I600A.  And we were told that on the 13th we had been assigned an officer to review our application.  I was informed that it typically takes 1-2 weeks to receive our approval after being assigned an officer.  While I was hoping for something sooner, I'm excited to know something and that our case is being processed.  And we are still beating the average on the USCIS site, that says it is typically taking 75 days to approve them so basically don't bother us until it's been 75 days.  So I won't bother them, I'll just pray that the officer we are assigned is efficient and having a good week so we can get our approval this week instead of mid-June (which is 75 days from when they received our application).  The approval is at the discretion of each individual officer and my agency told me today that some officers have been known to deny applicants when the applicant calls too often to check their status.  While this is unfair, I'm sure it is frustrating to not be able to do your job because anxious parents like me keep interrupting your work.  Once we get the approval we can get our referral ANY DAY!!! This week our dossier will have been in Ethiopia a month and we are so excited to see the faces of our children!
In other news, California Pizza Kitchen is hosting a fundraiser for us tomorrow and is donating 20% of sales to those who bring in a flyer for our adoption.  While any fundraiser is super exciting, I love CPK and haven't eaten there in probably 2 years, so I am especially looking forward to eating dinner with family and friends around some incredible food! If anyone wants to join us let me know and I can email you a flyer!