tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43301916765755361902024-02-08T18:34:31.475+01:003 continent familyAmerican girl + Dutch boy + Vietnamese baby = 3 continent familyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-60305489719831901602007-10-26T18:55:00.001+00:002007-10-26T19:02:37.326+00:00New siteI have moved my entries, links and blogroll from this blog over to WordPress. I really like the design and options, and the system is super easy.<br /><br />If you have me linked on your site, please change the address to:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://3continentfamily.wordpress.com/">www.3continentfamily.wordpress.com</a></span><br /><br />Thanks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-41822578393376109792007-10-22T10:26:00.000+00:002007-10-25T12:25:51.113+00:00We had a nice weekend! Saturday 4 friends came over for dinner, which was fun. I made vegetarian sushi roll, vegetable and tofu tempura, spicy eggplant noodles and bought sesame buns from the Asian market for dessert. The wine flowed and we had a great time. Sunday morning though, I was really, really sick. A virus of some sort invaded and took me over and it was, by far, one of the most unpleasant experiences. Ever. 'Nuff said.<br /><br />So today I'm chilling out, checking out various websites and blogs. I came across a few via-via some blogs I read regularly and suggest you take a look. <a href="http://www.vietnamesegod.blogspot.com/">Vietnamese God</a><br />Beautiful pics! And linked from <a href="http://www.babystoll.blogspot.com/">Baby Ella</a> is <a href="http://www.provide-n-ce.org/">Provide-N-Ce</a>, a wonderful non-profit worthy of attention.<br /><br />The topic of ethics in adoption is always a hot button, and the past few days have been no exception. The last 2 posts on <a href="http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/">Voices for Vietnam Adoption Integrity</a> have stirred up alot of emotions. It's something that all adoptive parents need to be realistic about and not pretend everything is rosey across the board. Saying that, I feel it's equally important to recognize that there are outstanding agencies who are dedicated to Viet Nam- not just in the area of adoption. One of the reasons we chose ours is because they support centers in the provinces where they operate that encourage and assist single, poor mothers and expectant mothers <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> to relinquish their children and to help them find the resources to be independant and self sustaining. Biggest lesson learned: Feel confident in your agency with your whole heart and mind. Choosing an agency is, by far, one of the most gut-wrenching decisions in this whole experience, but certainly the most important.<br /><br />And on that note....here's a shot of Utrecht:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/1619701424_e4d4e0c9b9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/1619701424_e4d4e0c9b9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-15420353622940026122007-10-17T05:12:00.001+00:002007-10-17T05:16:24.302+00:00mail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/1589489397_ff6d6704d2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/1589489397_ff6d6704d2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We received 2 beautiful drawings from Hans' niece and nephew to congratulate us on finishing our paperwork. His sister has been explaining to them what adoption is, but I think they are just excited about a new baby :) That's me in the doorway holding a baby bottle, Hans outside and a stork carrying a baby above us! How cute is that?? They (and their little sister) are the sweetest children on the planet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-90334575146148151772007-10-16T05:22:00.000+00:002007-10-16T05:24:18.742+00:00Yipee!I got an email from the program coordinator at our agency to confirm our docs are okay. She said that as of the 12th of October, we are officially waiting for a referral! It's early but I'm going to wake Hans up and tell him :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-9402827473114344172007-10-15T18:18:00.001+00:002007-10-15T18:36:05.432+00:00Life after paperwork<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/1579820454_5ba2ff989c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/1579820454_5ba2ff989c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is the first weekend in ages that I was totally focused on my work and not obsessing on what paper needed to be organized, stamped, authenticated or shipped out. I think we are both feeling a weight off of our shoulders! The agency got our documents and everything looks good. Happy, happy! This was my third Monday free since starting my new 4 day work week that I actually spent it in my studio. The past two have been at the Vietnamese Embassy.<br /><br />I managed to bind 2 books this weekend and make some other cute things. I've sold quite a bit the past few weeks as well as some custom work, so that's been great. The latest things can be seen <a href="http://www.solobooks.etsy.com/">here</a> :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2381/1569793865_630ab78b67.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2381/1569793865_630ab78b67.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Yesterday we took a drive to Bloemendaal aan zee and walked along the beach for a few hours. It was a gorgeous day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-77792389892541481862007-10-12T05:32:00.001+00:002007-10-12T08:09:57.297+00:00: )Thank you for the nice comments and emails about our paperwork. Every scrap is officially on it's way to our agency. And as far as CIS goes: It's hard to believe that waiting for a letter could cause so much stress! I am thankful that my amazing husband is a bit more rational than me. Here's a hint as to where my head is:<br /><br />I'm obsessively tracking our dossier documents traveling across the ocean; which as of last night were at JFK in NY.<br /><br /><br />uw referentie<br /><br />ophaaldatum<br />10 okt 2007<br />bestemming<br />Hillsboro<br />afgeleverd<br /><br />getekend door<br /><br />datum<br />tijd<br />TNT-lokatie<br />status<br />11 okt 2007<br />09:03<br />New York Jfk Airport<br />Onforwarded For Delivery<br />11 okt 2007<br />09:03<br />New York Jfk Airport<br />Consignment Received At Transit Point<br />11 okt 2007<br />02:19<br />Liege Euro Hub<br />Consignment Received At Transit Point<br />10 okt 2007<br />21:51<br />Arnhem<br />Shipped From Originating Depot<br />10 okt 2007<br />21:32<br />Arnhem<br />Consignment Received At Transit PointUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-74498515145191288822007-10-10T16:57:00.001+00:002007-10-10T16:59:45.950+00:00Finally!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/1531105067_55e4802911_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/1531105067_55e4802911_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We have our CIS letter!!!!<br />Hans sent everything else to our agency this morning, it should be there by Friday. The last step is getting this letter authenticated. By this time next week, every scrap of paper should be out of our hands and our dossier completed. Yay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-79909566648373949602007-10-09T19:16:00.001+00:002007-10-10T04:56:16.799+00:00Usual suspects<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/1525152013_67db4c54d0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/1525152013_67db4c54d0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We. Are. Done.<br /><br />We are fedexing everything to our agency tomorrow! Yay!!! Everything with the exception of our CIS letter. I am calling them tomorrow to see what the deal is. The weight of this paper will be gone by week's end for sure :) Don't these passport photos just scream 'Happy'?<br /><br />After we checked and rechecked that everything was signed and in order, we looked at the neat little pile of documents (and 6-10 photos of the Happy Couple). It's hard to believe it's all come down to this. A pile of paper proving we work, are married, not criminals, are healthy and would be 'good parents'. It will be, without exception, the most wonderful thing we ever do together, but at the same time it's a bit strange. Here we are - stamped, approved and authenticated....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-75847081495693109822007-10-08T15:22:00.000+00:002007-10-08T15:31:01.930+00:00I feel like we've been here before. Oh right, last week.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/1515940488_f9a1102147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/1515940488_f9a1102147.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our final Dutch document has been checked, stamped and authenticated. Tonight we pull together 6-10 photos of the 'Happy Couple' with captions, give all of our papers the once over and fedex them to the agency. They will be morphed with our other docs already there, and we can finally think about our lives not revolving around paperwork! We are, however, still waiting for our letter from CIS. Of course. Suposedly it was to be mailed from Germany on Friday, so it should be in our mailbox by tomorrow or Wednesday...It's hard to believe we are about a week away from our dossier being completely done!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-65878586075621562007-10-01T15:05:00.001+00:002007-10-01T15:17:53.111+00:00Stamped!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1468598696_8a298c9a84.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/1468598696_8a298c9a84.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Today was spent in Den Haag (The Hague) getting Dutch documents authenticated: Hans' declaration that he owns his business, our legal marriage certificate and our Dutch police checks. First we went to the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) where 2 were stamped but one was not: Hans' business declaration because....the signature of the accountant was not properly notarized (which Hans had asked about 3 times and was told it wasn't neccessary grrrrr). Anyway, over to the Vietnamese Embassy to have the other two authenticated, which was a snap.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1357/1467748095_0559d1112a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1357/1467748095_0559d1112a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1173/1467746227_8a3e535f7c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1173/1467746227_8a3e535f7c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Kerry in front of the Vietnamese Embassy :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/1467752003_40f753fb9c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/1467752003_40f753fb9c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We are sooooo stamped<br /><br />As I type, Hans is meeting the accountant to have his signature stamped. Since he's going to London tomorrow for the rest of the week for a conference, we will venture back to Den Haag next Monday to visit the MvBZ and Embassy again. The good news is that we can just about see the end of this paperchasing! Still waiting for our CIS letters of course.<br /><br />Something else we have decided is that when we find out if our baby is a boy or a girl, we will be keeping it a secret until we pick him/her up. We will tell people approximately how old the baby will be, but details like our referral photo, gender and name we pick will be hush. We want it to be a surprise! Hans is not so sure I can do it, and even though it will be reeeeeaaally hard, I can be strong.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-45992202868985299022007-10-01T06:22:00.000+00:002007-10-01T06:24:41.915+00:00Amazing young girl- <a href="http://www.stopchildpoverty.org/learn/bigpicture/people/">Ana Dodson</a>. Look what she's <a href="http://www.peruvianhearts.org/">done</a>!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-17716438446246083702007-09-28T05:01:00.000+00:002007-09-28T05:43:01.739+00:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1447999761_39c307366f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1447999761_39c307366f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is a shot I took yesterday morning at the end of our street. Very Dutch. Canal, beat up bike...<br /><br />Monday I start my new work schedule: 4 days per week- Mondays off! *sigh*<br /><br />So it's been a great week to feel free from the stressful wait for the FBI to clear our prints. No, it's not that we were worried about whether or not they would clear, it was how long it would take, if they would get lost, weren't clear enough prints, etc. But I've had fun telling people that we aren't felons when they ask how our process is going. I say, 'We are so relieved! We weren't sure how <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> was going to pan out.'<br /><br />Now we are waiting for the actual letter from CIS. Monday we head to Den Haag (the Hague) to have 3 of our Dutch documents authenticated. Next Wednesday we speak with our agency director via skype (so we can see each other) to check that everything is in order, then off it goes to the States. The only thing I see as being a minor headache is getting our CIS letter notarized. Completing an International adoption via an American agency while married to a non-US citizen and living in Europe spices stuff up to say the least. Ah well. I think the the worst of the paperwork is over.<br /><br />If you read this, please put some prayers or good thoughts out to protect the monks and other peaceful people protesting in Burma (Myanmar).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-82367759917214618902007-09-24T07:58:00.000+00:002007-09-24T18:24:18.876+00:00WE ARE NOT FELONS!!!!<span style="font-size:130%;">The CIS office in Frankfurt called. My prints cleared on Friday and they are judicating our papers this week. We should get our letters soon! A weight of about a million-zillion tons has been lifted!!!!!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(not that there was any reason to worry by the way....)</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-50339778565364125082007-09-20T05:17:00.001+00:002007-09-20T05:22:00.433+00:00Better<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/1408422382_c65672f0c0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/1408422382_c65672f0c0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Thanks for the nice comments and private emails the past few days. I feel better- not so stupid :) I walked to the train station yesterday morning from home (about 25 minutes). It's a lovely walk and did me some good. Cycling is too, but there's a lot of construction around the station so it gets a bit hairy by the parking areas for the bikes. If you are familiar with Holland and the bike culture, then you know what I mean about morning parking areas!<br /><br />So, here's a peaceful shot of the Oudegracht yesterday morning. Let's hope my mind stays peaceful as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-18065794990893862482007-09-18T17:26:00.000+00:002007-09-18T17:32:27.088+00:00SweetieAnother adoptive-mommy-to-be and friend sent me this wonderful little message yesterday when I was so mad at myself:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Don't waste energy being mad at yourself...maybe this is because the time frame wasn't lining up with YOUR baby. Everyone who can help and support and push this through is on your side, and it's only a matter of time. Focus on that bracelet!</span><br /><br /><br />Big pink bubble of love :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-78780424690375297602007-09-17T13:34:00.000+00:002007-09-17T13:36:16.207+00:00Not my best momentI called the CIS office today. Hans' fingerprints came back fine today but mine were rejected because I forgot to fill in my birthdate. Me, the compulsive check-everything-a-million-times-girl. How did I react? I burst into tears on the phone with CIS lady. She assured me that it wouldn't take 5 weeks again, that she already sent the card back with my birthdate and will see if she can forward my prints again via email with a high resolution copy to make it faster. Either way she promised it wouldn't be long.<br /><br />I feel so incredibly stupid right now. All I want to do is cry but I can't because I'm at work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-23995531907208918132007-09-15T12:25:00.000+00:002007-09-15T12:31:45.948+00:00Trying not to obsess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/1385495669_cb3f8b849e_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/1385495669_cb3f8b849e_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Another week and still no CIS letter. It's hard not to get down about it. I called on Wednesday and was told they were expecting our prints back any day now....<br /><br />Something really cool: Our agency has started a yahoo group just for those of us adopting with them in the Viet Nam program. It's small, members at all stages (a few waiting for travel dates!!!) and backgrounds.<br /><br />This shot was taken while cycling home from doing some errands this morning!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-70925340040171314972007-08-30T05:14:00.000+00:002007-08-30T05:16:15.818+00:00This is not earth shattering news, but I spoke to the nice woman Kathy at the CIS office (the one I was stalking while our papers were being collected) in Frankfurt yesterday and apparently our application is fine, they are just waiting for the results of our fingerprints.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-28785055278157979772007-08-27T06:39:00.000+00:002007-08-27T08:10:29.418+00:00It's the start of a new week and hopefully a letter from CIS...<br /><br />I have successfully finished 64 granny squares for Munchkin's blanket! Now it's time to add a black border around all of them.<br /><br />I'm staying home again today, not sure about tomorrow. I'm going to try and stay away from painkillers as this flare up is easing up. Now just have to feel normal again :)<br /><br />Came across this article. <a href="http://newsok.com/article/3098600">What good news</a>! As we are pending adoptive parents and know well what it's like to want so much to be parents and to be recognized as such, I can't imagine what it would be like to have to really fight for it. This whole issue of adoption and marriage is insane. In my opinion, people who are so vehemently against two responsible adults getting married and/or making a commitment to raise and care for children are basically against love...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-67160059821975014452007-08-23T18:35:00.000+00:002007-08-24T22:32:47.503+00:00Adoption braceletFor a while I have been trying to find a bracelet or pendant I can wear that somehow symbolizes our 'wait'. Pregnant women have their bodies, and since I will never have that, and I'm a visual kind of girl, I wanted something that is special for our adoption. A few weeks ago I tied a red string around my wrist (which is still in one piece and has been a great comfort :), but I thought it would be nice to have a piece that we could have as a keepsake; something tangible I can give to our child to show how much we were thinking of him or her.<br /><br />Last week via-via <a href="http://www.solobooks.etsy.com/">my Etsy site</a>, I came across a wonderful Dutch jewelry designer who lives in Germany. Her shop is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=79037">Dindi</a> and her work is lovely. After emailing back and forth, she came up with a design incorporating a little mantra that I like and say at least a few gazillion times per day. She is mailing it tomorrow, so hopefully it will arrive by the weekend. A little positive light since I'm having an Endometriosis flare up and am popping painkillers. The good news in regard to that is the new treatment I started in May seems to be keeping these episodes at bay for at least 3 months at a time. It's been a weight off for Hans as well as myself, and for that I feel blessed! Click the image below for a closer look:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rvMHycMGBg8/Rs3YyFWXdoI/AAAAAAAAACw/oQW3f7wy-zY/s1600-h/adoption+bracelet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rvMHycMGBg8/Rs3YyFWXdoI/AAAAAAAAACw/oQW3f7wy-zY/s320/adoption+bracelet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101972307821688450" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-3273928959067049732007-08-09T12:23:00.001+00:002007-08-24T22:01:06.483+00:00Did I mention we are waiting?Our application and all appropriate documents are <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> together at the CIS office in Frankfurt.<br />Now we wait.<br /><br />*sigh*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-91355484266727260122007-08-05T07:59:00.001+00:002007-08-24T19:42:31.954+00:00Project for the wait<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/1015580210_98ba2d34c9_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/1015580210_98ba2d34c9_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I bought some new yarn yesterday and have started a blanket :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-6431345349391348382007-08-01T13:02:00.000+00:002007-08-01T13:03:29.391+00:00I have been stalking the CIS office for days now to see if they have received our application, fingerprints and other docs. I'm not sure if it's a good thing that the very nice (and patient) woman who answered the phone each time recognized my voice today before I was able to tell her who I was (yikes).<br /><br />Anyway, they have our packet! Just waiting for them to get Hans' birth certificate and our Homestudy- I will try not to call again till friday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-21368912633831080722007-07-29T09:56:00.001+00:002007-08-24T22:00:31.517+00:00Keeping busy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/937212133_502f2fcdfa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/937212133_502f2fcdfa.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I called the CIS office on Thursday to see if our application and documents arrived. The woman I spoke to was very nice and assured me that even though our Homestudy and Hans' birth certificate would be arriving seperate from our application, they would not send anything back even if we were not logged into the system yet. Yesterday I tracked our package on the post site and it has indeed been delivered and signed for. No, I'm not neurotic.<br /><br />We've had a chill weekend which has been nice. I didn't get any books bound but I did get some new pendants done. Not my usual round ones, but I think these came out well!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4330191676575536190.post-62829631644627513742007-07-26T17:19:00.000+00:002007-08-24T19:43:35.828+00:00Bijna klaar/Almost done!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/906278823_f64c8ace2d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/906278823_f64c8ace2d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I mailed the English translation of Hans' birth certificate to CIS in Frankfurt today. That means that <span style="font-style: italic;">our application for CIS is done. </span>And as long as our Homestudy arrives safe and sound from our SW's agency, we should be good to go. Just a few more weeks and we will finally be able to submit all docs for our dossier...I imagine that will be a crazy few days. For now though, we feel relieved that this step is done. Fingers crossed it there aren't any glitches.<br /><br />My copy of Harry Potter arrived today! Thanks mum :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3