Kicking and screaming all the way to the...........

Yes, that is correct! You read it right! I have been so ready to throw a good old time hissy fit! For those of you who have not been subjected to this....let me set the stage for you amateurs....

First it begins with the clearing of the throat and repeating the same sentence for the sixth time in less than 2 minutes.

Then, you will detect and slight strain in the voice and pressure when pressing their words

After the pressed words, you will see a slight pulsation in the right temple vein followed by the clinching of the mandible muscles.

In effort to prevent the losing of the temper, you witness a deep rag git breath along with a shifting of the eyes from right to the left side. Following this, you witness another effort to repeat the same subject line again as previously noted.

WITHOUT success, yet again..........then the ears begin to turn red and the clinching and relaxing of the mandible increases....along with the distended neck veins! Eyes bulging and red ears.

When we have reached this point, all we can hear is ringing in the ears and then.........the gasket blows! The red head has a case of the red a%%!

This is what the entire re finger printing process has been like. Being the 100% honest people we are, we contacted our home study agency for another update about my job change and our oldest son turning 18...This was done in February.

 I followed the directions given to me by the USCIS and all the papers were returned after a month. This was almost the lost part of March. I then did as they instructed and it was not correct AGAIN! They told me exactly what I needed to do again and now we wait.......this time for outside factors. Our fingerprints will be expired at the end of this month.

We are trying to hold on but often times it gets a bit heavy to try to carry...Please remember to keep our gils in your prayers.

here we go.....again.....

Recently, I sent all the papers off to the Ukraine for our repetition to the court almost 3 weeks ago. I sent papers to re finger printed by the USCIS almost 1 month ago. Friday, the USCIS papers were returned and rejected. Now, this morning, the papers I sent to the Ukraine are missing in action! I could just SCREAM!

Meanwhile, Adam is getting ready for college, Luke is getting ready for his first year in high school and Emi and  Abby are working on learning to perfect their English. Roger and I are just watching and laughing. God bless them all.

All in Gods time.....not mine

wait, wait and STRESS!  This is the craziest ride I ever have taken! Yeah, that"s right.....ADOPTION!

The ups and downs and twist and turns.....hang on tight. Then, its over. A few seconds after you realize your not dead, all appendages are intact, your heart is still beating and their is feeling back in your lips.....Your ready for the next ride. Yeah, that pretty well explains it. The emotional roller coaster of the greatest sacrifice any family can give. You, the parent are going through all these feeling and guess what.....so is everyone else around you.

When we started this journey, we had no idea where this road would take us. We have been on the smooth roads of the interstate, the gravel roads of the country and the goat trails of the mountain's on our journey and we stop and refill our gas tank for more.

We completed our papers to resubmit to the Ukrainian Ministry and mailed them on 03/29/2012 through USPS Express Mail (2-3 business days) and I have been told that they have not arrived. Now, I worry because they were all original documents and those we have to have to be submitted for a new court date.

I continue to pray daily for all my children. What will be, will be. Adam graduates next month and will be off to college in August. Luke will be a freshman at the Academy and everyone else will be at the elementary school for now. I have to take that leap of faith and know......its all in God's time, not mine. 

Well, round two....here we go!

Well, yesterday we finally submitted our re-petition for a court date to travel to the Ukraine. We had to update our fingerprints, redo our homestudy and resubmit our repetition to the SDA. That totally put us way behind.

Our May is so full.....Adam (our oldest) will be graduating this month. The first weekend in May is prom, the second weekend is Baccularte and the third weekend is graduation. Then, the very last weekend, he will be traveling to Haiti for a mission trip. WOW! Thats a lot!

I SOOOOOO wanted Ania to see Adam graduate. The pride and honor of such an accomplished task! I want her to understand why she has worked so hard. Also, maybe Kristina will see why it is so important to do well in school.

Now, we wait for the papers to reach Dima and continue to pray for finanial support.

Missing my music....

I have to share this picture. I look at it and think about our journey, crossroads, obstacles and hopes for the future.

Ania is now 15 and Kristina will be having her birthday in 2 weeks. We send letters, emails and sometimes packages to the girls. I have no idea if they get them, I choose to believe they do. I feel like my family is scattered and its not yet complete.

Emi and Abbi are home, they ask about their sisters and watch the video of Kristina playing her piano. They understand the true concept of family. Blood is only that, blood. What makes a family is love and caring for one another. These children all have lived with and loved individuals that were not blood and they support one another, that was the one constant in their lives....they know the true concept of family.

These children have raised themselves, protected one another and no one heard their cries of pain. Hard fact is, no one listened, so they stopped crying.

I am not sure about what the future holds for us but we continue to walk hand in hand. Every step taken one by one, together.

Today was the day....

We were suppose to be traveling today to the Ukraine. We were unable to do so for several reasons. I began a new job on the 1st, no money to travel and we had just returned from Ethiopia at the present time, only 3 days before we would have to travel again.

We will resubmit our petition again and be at the mercy of the SDF (Ministry of Ukraine). We had a fund raiser  on Sunday night for the girls adoption. We made 1,100.00 dollars from our church family. No, we are waiting again to have more this spring. Please pray for our journey!

Sadness followed with Happiness!

We received notice from our Facilitator that we have been cleared to travel to the Ukraine for February 5th. The only issue is, we will not be able to go then. Now, we have to try to rearrange the trip and be at the mercy of the government for another date. We had planned on traveling before now and have Emili and Abigale home and settled. God had different plans though. We leave Saturday for a 2 day flight trip to Ethiopia.


I had a interview today for a new job today. I discussed the issue about being off to travel to get Ania and Kristina in the spring. They were ok with it and it didnt pose any issues. I was impressed with it. I can only hope that all is well and goes well.


I got a letter from the girls today. They have decided that they want to have new names.......See the letter below.


Hello, my dear mommy and daddy!
I am ok. Mommy, I'm very pity that you've lost a job. But you don't worry. Everything will be very good.
I've got your gift. I am very pleasant. Thank you!
Mommy, if you have an opportunity to find a family which wants to adopt a boy. Please, help me to do it.
I would like that you'll send me chewing gums.
Luke, I was very glad to read your letter. You are the best brother for me! I love you very much.
Adam, we are all right. I do well at school but Kristi doesn't want to do it. We love you too and miss you very much. I hope to see you again and wait for this moment with great impatience.
I pray devoutly for each of you and I think that God will hear me and help you.
Mommy, I am very glad for Adam and his girlfriend Shai. I hope that it's going to be all right with them. If you have her photo, please, send it to me. I want to see her.
I am very glad for Luke. And, by the way, I want to have such a profession as Luke.
I think that you'll write me when you go here. We need to prepare for your coming.
Mommy, Kristina wants to have the name "AAron Kristen Steel" and I want - "Aaron Taylor Steel".
I'll pray for you and ask God to help you.
Lovingly, Ania

I will have to further discuss with them about the Aaron name, that is their brothers name, That will not work but, it was a great thought. One day at a time.......

YIPEE!!!!!!

Just received a call from Lifesong....we qualify for a matching grant. That means they match us up to 3,000 dollars!

Getting closer.....and closer .....and closer.......

I had slept well this morning but I woke up and was thinking about my children, all of them. Adam will be off to college in the fall, Luke and Ania will be freshmans, Kristina will be a 6th grader and Emi and Abi will be in the 4th grade. There is nothing better than a house full of love. Its been such a long hard road to travel.

Adoption is not for wimps or weenies! There have been so many times that I know if we were on a beach walking, there would only be one set of footprints in the sand. God has given me strength to carry on. Trust me when I say, this had been a difficult road. We had so many things happen with Emi and Abi during this time we became very close to two very special little girls who really need a home, parents, support but most of all love and guidance. I am honored God believes that we are the parents for that task.

We need help.........Please

We have been called to fulfill a task laid upon our hearts by God. We were lead on this journey after we were convicted by him to share our own blessings with others. We both wanted a large family full of love, like our own families growing up. Now, we have began on our journey and need both prayer and financial support.

I know that there are some people asking, why would you take this on if you can not afford it. Truth is, we had carefully planned this undertaking. We did not count on all the events that occurred over the last year. We were delayed with Emili and Abigale by much longer than we had anticipated. We should have had them home by now however, that did not work out. It wasn't on Gods time.

Many of you have been following our story as it transpired. We began our journey of adoption in November 2010 with the adoption of a child from Ethiopia. What started as 1 little girl 3-5 turned into 2 girls that are now 10. We were in the system and were submitted to court then on May 17th, that came to a halt. The adoptions were delayed and everything was on hold. There were many changes in country and with the process. Then, at the end of July, all our cases were continued. We were not given a court date before the rainy season closed the courts.

During that time, we were lead to host two beautiful Ukrainian sisters for the summer. Ania and Kristina, ages 11 and 14. They seemed to fit right in our mix. The Lord touched us and told us that they too were to be our daughters. The day that we had to put them on the plane was like having my heart ripped out. We knew then, they were a part of us. At that very second, We knew, they were destined to be ours.

On Oct. 29th, we traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to meet Emi and Abi. They were like warm sunshine on a cloudy day, they were already our girls in our heart and soul. All the girls know about one another, each are excited to have a family, a place to call home and most of all.....something to call their very own.

Thank you for all your prayers and supportive words. It means so much to our family. You can donate through our blog link. You will receive a receipt to your email. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Please consider donating, any amount is appreciated.

News from Boston!!!!

Talked to our friend Karen this morning!!!!!

She has received word that our Dossier for the Ukraine has been approved by the SDA. Yeah.!!!!!!!


Now tonight, we have a meeting to discuss the rest of the details! Please keep praying that our grants come through, we need help to get them here. Please pray for us!

Another Email from Mariupol!

After this upsetting week of everything going wrong, including losing my job, we did get a bit of sunshine. While I was staggering around this morning, trying to wake up........Roger said I needed to check my email. I thought of everything that it would be but never what it actually was........A email from Ania!

I thought that I would share this.

Hello, my dear mommy and daddy!
I miss you all very-very much! And I want to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. I can't wait for your arriving. I study very good. My mark for English lesson (the 1st term)  is 11 - it means exellent.
When I come to you I'll have a big serious request about my best friend. I want to help him.
How are LuKe, Adam, Kristi, mimi?
And I have one more question. Don't you mind if my friends write me on your computer when I come to you?
That's all.
With respect, 
your Ania

No News.....

We wait. I did speak to Karen and sent her a copies of our paperwork with our case number. I mailed the girls more pictures and letters. I hope they are getting them. 

You've got mail!!!!!

This morning, I get a text from my husband that reads, "You need to check your email as soon as possible!"

I was scared, excited and nervous......I had no idea what it was..........No guesses!......No ideas!.............

I raced to my computer and open my email and guess what?  I GOT MAIL!!!!!!!!! All the way from Mariupol! I wanted to share. I have cried everytime I read this.

Today is Ania's 15th birthday!

Hello, my dear mommy and daddy!
I miss you very much. I am waiting when we meet again. I want to see Luice, Adam and two new sisters, Emmy and Abigail. We are fine. I practice English but Kristina cannot study English well. And other subjects are good for us.
Why doesn't Luice write us? I wait for his letters with impatience! How is Luke, small Maddit, Kristy, grandma and grandpa? We really miss them.
Maggie told me that she would send the parcel to Tatiana Burak and then Tatiana would give it to me.
With great respect,
Anna and Kristina

Updates....

We received our case number for our Ukrainian Visa paperwork.......YIPEE!!!!!

That means we are officially listed in the Ukraine and are waiting for a invitation to travel.

                                                   yahoo!!!!!!!!

Letters from Home....

Now, My biggest girls birthday is December 5th. She will be 15! I can't believe that she is already almost to drive by American laws. I had an album made full of of their summer host pictures while they were here. I mailed it in hopes that Ania would get it for her birthday. I mailed letters from everyone here to them int he same box. We miss them so much and can not wait to have a house full of beautiful smiles and giggles.

Adam has completed his college paperwork and mailed it in for University of Kentucky. He is a wise man trapped in a teenager body.We are proud. He is going to be a missionary and spread the word of God to all. He wants to work with orphans. That is near and dear to his heart, for more reasons than just having adopted sisters..........

We are just hanging tight waiting for new information. Nothing new thus far. Happy Thanksgiving friends!
We have alot to be thankful for.

YIPEE!!!!!!

Well, this week we completed all our dossier and our 1-171H has been approved! It will be coming in the mail soon.

YIPEE! Everything is done, now our dossier will be heading for the Ukraine. Then we wait.

The girls were upset because they were not coming over Christmas break but I know they understand that we don't have the money to bring them home without knowing when we could be going back to get them, for good.

I did receive a notice from Katelyn's Fund telling me that I was not approved for their assistance. I mailed our application for A Child Waits Foundation in hope they can assist us. I pray for even a interest free or low interest loan. Either way, I do not worry for I know that God has plans for them and us. It will work out.

I have heard from some other couples that were adopting and I am so glad that they too are working away to get their kids home too. Special thanks to all the ones who are supporting us, you are priceless. Thank you!

Well, first things first.....

Good news to all........
We completed all our goals! The rest is in our Lord's hands. Strong and mighty are they. We hit this crossroad when we were not sure what the outcome was going to be in Ethiopia. Now, God has showed us exactly which path to take.


The answered was: The road less traveled. 


In the morning, we head to meet our Ethiopian girls. Emili and Abbigale are 10 and they live in an orphanage in Kamashi. We are going to court this trip and then we have to go back to get them to come home after passing the embassy.


Then, we head to Ukraine......

One step closer and closer and closer.........

Today, we have completed a MAJOR milestone. For the last several weeks since the girls left, we have tried to gather as much fundraising activies as possible to help raise money. We completed 3 goals in the last 2 weeks.

1st goal- get the care package sent to Maggie to give to the girls on her visit

2nd goal- order all paperwork, collect all data and copies needed for the Ukranian dossier

3rd goal- get all papers notarized and notary validated to get apostilled

YAHOO!!!!!

Now, our homestudy update will be done Monday night. Then we wait.........

We leave for Ethiopia this Thursday for 2 weeks to go to court for our first trip.

Need Your Help

OK folks, I need your help. A family that we have become very close with in our adoption journey is  in need. They are adopting 4 siblings. That's right folks, 4! They are selling raffle tickets for an I Pad 2. The tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. The drawing will be Oct. 25th. These are very loving people that are doing what God has called them to do.

You will be helping them AND getting chance to win an I Pad!! You can skip lunch one day to help four beautiful children join their forever family!!

You can write me a check or give me cash and they will mail the tickets to me. They live in North Carolina. Nope, they ARE NOT Duke fans!! I know that is important to us in Kentucky.

Seriously folks, PLEASE help if you can.

Roger