Bye Bye Dossier

It is official we sent off the Dossier at 6:28pm tonight.. it has been a hurdle this week to get it done .. but it is done!! In the adoption world they call this adoption pregnant :)


We are excited and can't believe this HUGE step is done! Now we need prayers for our paperwork to make safety with no bumps in the road. Also, pray for our little child waiting for us.. we can't wait to her/him home!! It is a day of celebrating!

The Adoption Process

This picture was taken at the police station getting our background checks.
I have had a lot of people ask me about the Ethiopia adoption process.. I know it's something I had NO idea about or where to even begin. That is why having friends going through this process has REALLY helped. So, this is my attempt to explain it in basic terms. The first few months is getting lots of paperwork filled out and in order.. really not hard. After the paperwork is completed you will be put on a wait list. Our agency we finally decided to go with after changing our minds twice is International Adoption Guides. One of the main reason for changing is our wait list at this agency is soooo AMAZINGLY short. Other agencies we were going with it was 18months ... drum roll please..... .. ours is 2-4months for a boy, 6-7months for a girl.. can you believe the difference? It's crazy! The main reason why is because it's a smaller agency. Here are the main steps in the process.

• STEP 1. Home study- This has been such a blessing our home study lady is Debra Hewitt and she goes to our church. She has also adopted and has a WEALTH of knowledge. Her main job is to make sure you are fit to be parents. She will come and interview you, your husband and kids. She will also view your home.. and writes about all she finds out about ya.
  
• STEP 2. - Dossier - It consists of documents that represent you before the Ethiopian Authorities. Then all your paperwork has to be ..
• notarized
  
• county authenticated
• state certified
• sent to agency
• bundled
• authenticated at the U.S. department of state
• a second authentication at the Ethiopian embassy
• sent to our agency coordinator in Ethiopia

• After all that done .. then wait a few weeks then ON THE WAITING LIST for your child!
• STEP 3- Citizenship and Naturalization services- Also called the I600-A form. Your doing this process as you wait for your child's referral.
  
• STEP4- Referral - this is a packet of information with your child's picture and health information. You are given the freedom to "turn down" the child if there are too many health issues or other reasons. But who on earth could that?!
• STEP 5- Court Date- After saying "Yes" to the referral. All our paperwork (dossier) will be presented to the officials and to the court. After passing court (pray the 1st time) the child will become legally a new member of our family!
• STEP 6- Travel- We will travel to Ethiopia to bring our child home. We will only be there about 5days.

Here are the details we put that we want a healthy child under the age of 18months boy or girl doesn't matter. We are a split house with Brooke and I wanting a girl and Scott and Parker wanting a boy. We will see what God give us.. he knows what is best for our family. Where are we in this process? you ask... .. well, almost done with all the paperwork! YEAH .. our goal is by this Friday Oct. 30 we will be completely done with our dossier and FedEx off! We will keep you posted.. .. as the true excitement can set in for us to have all that behind us ... it will be a great day for rejoicing! Ours dreams will becoming a reality.
If you have other questions.. I'm here to answer them.. whatever .. if you know me you know I'm a open book:)

Why Ethiopia?

First of all I want to say a big THANK you for all your encouraging words we have received from the post "Our Story" your emails and comments mean so much! Sorry to leave you hanging on everything and why we choose Ethiopia.
So it was Nov. 2003, Scott and I had been married for almost two months when we had the amazing opportunity to travel with Scott's work (PGA Tour) to the Presidents Cup. Guess where it was.. South Africa. It was a second honeymoon for us. We couldn't wait.. we knew this would be an unforgettable trip. Before we left we were in a mad search to find a mission team that we could help serve while we were there. We had a few leads and contacts before we left to hopefully line something up while we were over there. We flew into Cape Town, South Africa.. if you haven't been there put it down for one of your top MUST sees! I have been all over Europe and say I'm a pretty experienced world traveler and there is no place I love more. After getting off the plane and Scott figuring out how to drive the rental car on the opposite side of the road.. which was hilarious.. we only hit a few curbs:) Within a few minutes of leaving the airport we saw our first group of shanties. Shanties are Shantytowns are a settlement of impoverished people who live in improvised dwellings made from scrap materials: often plywood, corrugated metal, and sheets of plastic. Shantytowns, which are usually built on the periphery of cities, often do not have proper sanitation, electricity, or telephone services.
Our hearts broke and for the first time had seen REAL poverty. It was shocking to actually see how people could live in those conditions. It taught us that we are so blessed with ALL that we have around us in America. Even though we had heard about poverty you never really grasp it until you see it in person. Seeing these set the tone of our trip.. that we were going to enjoy such a wonderful gift God had given to us to be visiting such a beautiful country. We weren't going to take anything for granted... we are going to soak up all that we can learn and see!
After enjoying our time in Capetown for two days, our spirits were so free the weather, people, food, sightseeing was just Perfect! As we headed to a city named George for the Golf Tournament, we drove along the coast with our new and only cd.... COLDPLAY it had been our first time listening to it. I really don't think I had ever felt so close to how heaven might feel like.. the windows down, breezy, 75 degrees listening to coldplay,driving along the Mountainous coastline without a worry in the world. With my man by my side my heart was the most content I had ever been.
While driving we would see random people walking with heavy loads on their backs or heads. Walking up steep hills heading to.. we have no idea.. just walking for miles and miles. How do they do it? Where are they going? We would wonder and wonder..

After our work week in George it was time for us to try to coordinated our plans with a mission field we had been working on and try to make something work.. it seemed like everything was falling apart.. the doors were closing. I'm not sure why? Why God? We are able and willing to offer help ...we are in this country and after seeing what we have seen I think our hearts craved it more. We wanted to help.. we had another week with no plans. Why was God closing the door on this? It really didn't make sense. After failing to find an organization we could meet with we had to turn to plan B and do a safari. God opened the doors wide open to an amazing place... I guess God just wanted us to enjoy his creations as we saw so many animals.. wild elephants, hippos, kudus, chitahs, etc...
We spent a week there including thanksgiving. God was all around us even though it's not what we planned. It was our time to wait to help serve Ecclesiastes 3:17 There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. Really it was another stepping stone to building Scott and I closer..It was the best trip we have ever taken on that we will always hold close to our hearts. We just could never imagine all that God had in store for us. God was just building our foundation for someday to return us to Africa to bring home a child. Our hearts were left there in Africa..it is always forever going to be a part of us. So, when we instantly started talking about where to adopt from and without any hesitation we knew AFRICA!

After doing some research we have come to find out that Ethiopia is the best and most well established country in Africa to adopt from. They also have started other adoption programs that we know of in Uganda and Rwanda. They were the other options but everything was pointing to Ethiopia.. There are many families at our church that have adopted from Ethiopia. When I see the kids at church my heart melts .. I just want to hold them and love on them! Even Jessica and Nick who is waiting on their siblings little girls...they are the friends that helped point us to adoption are adopting from Ethiopia. What a great sign that we could walk along side of them during this journey. To our amazement, there is a Ethiopian playgroup that meets once a month right here near our neighborhood. With such a great support system! We think it is the right fit for us. So, ETHIOPIA is the place where our new precious child is born! Yes, I have a feeling our child is already born and is waiting for us. I just can't wait to embrace him/her and all their amazing culture.. what a journey this is going to be! YEAH GOD you are just so good ALL the time.. and go beyond our expectations even when we don't realize it!

Their Actual Birthday

We have started a birthday tradition we go to breakfast at our favorite place called First Watch to eat chocolate chip pancakes. The kids LOVE it!
It was funny my friend Rachel had sent me an email she found on her computer that I sent everyone when the twins were born .. I thought I would share it with you! You can hear the excitement in my voice .. oh how it is the second best day of my life!! (In case your wondering the best day of my life was marrying Scott :)

Dear Everyone!

The new little additions are here! I'm just soo happy words just can't describe! They came 11 minutes apart on OCTOBER 12, 2006. First born was Parker Forrest Armstrong weighing 5lbs 5oz at 6:07pm...... next to follow was Brooke Fyr Armstrong weighing 5lbs 12oz at 6:18. We picked the middle name of Forrest because of my cousin that was in a serious accident. He is truly a miracle to be in this world just like our little Parker. We choose the name Fyr for Scott's mother's maiden name to keep her name going for generations to come. Fyr means lighthouse in Swedish.

The delivery was long but worth every ounce of pain when I saw their beautiful faces. We were released from the Hospital on Saturday night at 6:30pm. Gave them their first ride in the new mini-van ( Scott doesn't like to call it a mini-van, he calls it an FUV..... Family Utility Vehicle). When we arrived home I was very surprised to see two HUGE storks out front announcing their births. It brought tears to my eyes to know we are now a family of four!

The first night home was rough ... we had no idea how wide awake they would be!! We both sleep about an hour. Last night was much better now that they have the hang of breast feeding better. Scott and I are so filled with joy and we love waking up to them!

This experience is what everyone told me and so much more. The bond you have with children is so amazing it's hard to describe! We are just so in love with these little gifts from God! Scott and I love being parents and are looking forward to watching them grow. Here are a few pictures, we'll send more as they grow.

We love you and can't wait for you to meet them!

Love,
Heidi, Scott, Parker, Brooke .... Oh and Lucky

I just can't believe how tiny they were. They are such blessings... I love you Brooke and Parker and so thankful I get to spend another day with you in my life!

Happy Birthday Brooke and Parker!

Happy Birthday Brooke and Parker Friday, Part 2

On Friday, Brooke and Parker cousins surprised them at school. They got to sing Happy Birthday to them. It meant so much for them to show off their room and friends what a cool treat to have your cousin come to school!

Here is Brooke and her teacher Mrs. Cleary. The classroom rule is they get to stand up in their chairs while everyone sings happy birthday but Parker was to shy and embrassed to do it.. but Brooke was all over it

You can see the poutty face on Parker while they sing .. too funny.
Thanks Ellie, Abby and Mimi for coming to our school! More birthday celebrations to come...

Happy Birthday Brooke and Parker! Thursday Part 1

I just can't believe the twins are 3 years old! Wow .. after the 1st year time really speeds up. We had a long weekend of fun. It all started with Preston (Pa) and Kim coming over on Thursday night with a little Chili's and gifts.

No Parker did not get wine for his birthday haha .. just the box :) Parker got a cool Knight helmet, knife and shield! Perfect as he's going to be a knight for Halloween. Also, he got a Thomas the train art set. Anything Thomas the train will make him happy!
Brooke got a fun cash register and a beautiful Cinderella costume
It's only Thursday night a party on Saturday.. then their actually birthday on Monday. It's a full weekend. Thanks Pa and Kim for the great gifts! We love them and so thankful to have you here to give them to us in person!

Our Trip to Jaskson TN

Getting ready to leave.. we are all set for the big trip! My cousin Emily got married in Jackson, TN. Brooke is the flower girl and Parker is the ring bearer. We have new backpacks full of goodies for our 1st ever plane ride. We picked up my mom and were on our way....Yes, my mom came it's her 1st plane ride in more than twenty years.
Brooke and Parker were full of excitement when we arrived at the airport.... with a few screams and runs in the hallway everyone could see they were VERY excited!
Parker saw an NASA astronaut..he wanted to hold his hand. By the way Orlando airport has so many fun things
Brooke loves Goofy and thinks he's so funny. Who needs Disney world with real characters when they just get scared of them. They had fun running around all the shops.
Our next stop was getting on the train. If you know Parker you know HE loves his trains.. this was a highlight to his trip. It was a good airplane flight! Parker sat with me and we kept counting 1.. 2... 3 blast off while the plane was taking off. Brooke did get some ants in her pants towards the end of the flight but not bad. Thursday night we arrived safely... got a rent a car and drove up to Jackson after Scott found some good Memphis B-Que.
Friday was good we went to the Casey Jones Museum
It told the story of Casey Jones but also had a lot of Thomas the Trains there.
A replica of Casey Jones steam engine .. we got to go aboard but Parker and Brooke were scared of it? It was downhill for Parker from that point on.. he felt warm to me.
After short naps they were ready as they were going to be for the rehearsal for the wedding.
These were the 3 flower girls dressed in their flower girl shirts at the rehearsal dinner. Brooke is very proud! Parker was having a rough time .. not feeling well. Later that night he got sick.. REALLY sick all over Scott.. poor guy. To be honest we tried to make the most of it but it was hard he just wanted to be held .. and sleep. The next day Saturday the wedding Parker was a trooper still had a fever but made it to the wedding to walk down the isle. Here is a picture of his cute true southern outfit for the wedding.

Here are the kids ready for the wedding Olivia, Brooke, Emily and Parker. Brooke was a perfect flower girl new exactly what to do! She loved every minute of it. She sprinkled lavender all the way down the isle.. leaving Parker in the dust and last to go down ..all eyes were on him and the big question does Parker finally walk down the isle? I was down at the other end so Parker just walk down the isle to me .. Scott was getting him started .. he headed down fine for about a minute then he said MOMMY? he couldn't see me with all the people .. I was waving saying Parker here I am.. but didn't see or hear me .. he got louder MOMMY? MOMMY? still not seeing me he turns around and runs back to Scott .. I don't see MOMMY? So, he won't now go down without Scott .. so, now Scott and Parker are the ring bearer. Cute .. still saying MOMMY? MOMMY? He finally see me and runs to me leaving Scott .. So, I guess the answer is yes he walked down the isle but not exactly like he was suppose too. Of course the only one that was really worried to death about it was Me being the mom. Just what I thought would happen .. happened:) It was a beautiful ceremony and so glad we could be a part of it! Here are a few other pictures from the wedding.

The beautiful bride my cousin Emily

Brooke and Parker are nervous about walking down the isle.
Emily's Grandmother (dads side), Emily and my aunt Judy ( mom's sister)
Emily's sweet bridesmaids

Brooke was a dancing the night away with her new friends .. she had so much fun on the dance floor! I never knew she had so many dance moves. Overall, we made it with Parker not feeling well.. poor guy. Our trip home was a tried one and we were thankful to be home. I would be lying if I said it was easy to travel with 3year old twins... but it was all worth it to see Emily and Danny get married to wittiness such a loving couple unite. I'm so glad we could be a part of it! Thanks Emily and Judy for including us in everything .. it was a very special trip for us and one we will remember. Here is a picture of Scott and Brooke on our flight home!