Home Study Round 2

We finished the last part of our home study this past Monday. Our last visit with our social worker, Kat, till post adoption. I am still in shock that we are really doing this...on one hand it seems like this madness just begun, but on the other hand it feels like we have been in the process for SOOOO long. Really, we applied to adopt at the end of February...so we are just hitting the 5 month mark and have almost completed our dossier. Once our home study passes the review process we can apply with the UCSIS for approval which can take 60 days (or more). Once we get their approval one more batch will need to be sent to the Secretary of State and then the Houston Consulate...and then we are finished! Well, minus passports and a couple more photos! Darn me for wearing too many hats and sleeveless shirts...I mess up all potential photos. So the point is we are on the home stretch folks! I had a dream last night we got our referral...I woke up feeling all sorts of emotions. Mostly excitement, but also fear...fear of what her life is like now...fear of traveling...fear of leaving my boys...fear of her not being able to attach...fear, fear, fear!

And then I was reminded of what God says about fear-

There is no fear in love: but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

This is friendship

Email from my friend Meredith today-

Hey Katie,

 

Below is the email that I sent to the Ellen Show. I also sent your website.. :) Fingers crossed that we hear from them. Unfortunately I only had 1500 characters to send in the email so I had to be brief!

 

 

Dear Ellen,

I like the way you make me laugh and I love the way you dance! You end every show with "Be kind to one another". What powerful words at a time when hate seems so prevalant in the world.
 I am writing because I have some dear friends, Katie and Nick Peterman that are going to adopt a special needs child from China. A very selfless act. I couldnt think of a kinder more loving family or a better way for people to "Be kind to one another". They believe this is their calling and as friends we have rallied to help them. This is very expensive so fundraisers have started.
Thats when I thought of you! You help so many families and frequently it brings tears to my eyes. It would mean so much for me to be able to make a connection for them that would bring their little girl home. There is a child in need and they are willing to help. They have already done some of their home studies but the majority of their expenses will be in the cost of the adoption and the traveling to/from China. I would love to share their entire story and journey with you and be able to introduce your audience to this amazing family! I look forward to hearing from you or one of your staff! We hope that this adoption story will bring awareness to adoption and make people smile, the way you are able to, on a daily basis! Thank you!
Meredith

 

A few poker pics

Poker Prep Headquarters



Final table



Uncle Charlie won 3rd place and won the bike raffle

Poker for a Purpose was a SUCCESS

*No energy for blog posts lately so I copied and pasted Nick's follow-up email to the players from yesterday to document how great yesterday was!

 

I just wanted to thank all of you once again for playing in my "Poker for a Purpose" adoption fundraiser today.  I hope you all had a great time and felt that you received high value for your dollars spent!  I have to say that your generosity was overwhelming.  This was, by far, the most successful fundraiser we've done so far, and it wouldn't have been possible without all of you!  I have to once again thank our sponsors: Davis Bakery, Eastside Bistro, Yoga East, Avalon All-Star Cuts, Unique Cakes, Nails at the Park, Tuffy Auto Service Centers, Avalon Management, Avalon Realty, Flying Coozie, Championship Martial Arts, Monster Energy Drinks, Coca-Cola, Simply Speaking Speech Therapy, and Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club.  Our sponsors were kind enough to provide all participants with goodies such as gift cards, coupons, and free stuff in addition to providing generous raffle prizes.  I'd also like to thank all of you who helped us by lending tables, bringing food, helping setup, and spreading the word to others.  You guys are awesome! 

 

I realize that I didn't take time to discuss the true purpose of "Poker for a Purpose" today.  Katie and I included a thank you letter in your goodie bag today which provides information/resources regarding our adoption journey.  Along with our adoption blog website, it lists a couple of our ongoing online fundraisers such as fundraising t-shirts and specialty coffee.   

 

I'd love to hear some feedback regarding today's event.  Does anyone think that they might participate in an event like this again in the future?  

 

Thanks again for your participation and God Bless!

 

Nick 

 

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."  -Matthew 18:5

 

 

Home Study Round One

So excited to say our first Home Study visit is complete and it went great! Our social worker (and newly retired agency director), Kat, was a wonderful resource and I think we passed with flying colors. Our house is already ready for a new little addition since we have a four and two year old. No child proofing needed:) Her biggest concern...over stimulating our little girl who may have never been exposed to toys with too many. We got asked some tough questions, but nothing we hadn't already addressed in our autobiographies or discussed previously. Kat gave us a little better idea of our timeline...although, it is just a guesstimate and we won't know for sure until we are matched. BUT, she said our dossier would probably get logged in in China sometime in September and we could possibly be matched by the end of the year. Which would have us traveling sometime in the New Year. We are in no rush and really trusting God's perfect timing on this one. I just keep praying for our little girl, who based on the timeline above has probably already been born...her mom has probably already made the decision to let her go...and she is probably already living in an orphanage. OUR LITTLE GIRL...praying God's protection over her FOREVER and especially until we can get to her!

Back at it!

Just another reminder about our upcoming fundraiser! Please let us know if you are in by signing up at eventbrite or emailing Nick (NAPeterman83@yahoo.com) so we can plan accordingly.

In other news, our Home Study is set for THIS Thursday morning. I haven't had a second to think about preparations or anything else for that matter. My childhood best friend's mom has had some major health problems in recent months and passed away this past Tueday...needless to say, my mind and heart have been distracted. My heart is broken for Natalie as her momma was also her best friend. The hardest days are yet to come for her I am afraid as life is supposed to get back to "normal" and Natalie's "normal" will never be that way again. I loved Pam Gourley as well...but know Jesus loved her as well and she loved Jesus. Today she is with Him and is in pain no more...therefore, we have HOPE! Still doesn't change our sorrow here in this broken world.

Natalie and her Momma, Pam Gourley, who read this blog and was so excited for our plans to adopt. Mrs. Gourley you will be missed!

Answered Prayer

I think it is sooooo cool when God answers a VERY specific prayer! I have been praying for "friends" to go through this adoption journey with. God clearly answered that prayer by putting Teresa Altman, Karen Foster, and now the Juliano family in my life. I have known Karen for years now, but she is a new adoption resource blessing. A couple months ago (after only a week or two of praying for friends) my parents were randomly introduced to Teresa in my home town. Teresa is just a few months ahead of us in the adoption process. Her family is adopting a SN little girl from China with CCAI (our agency too) and also FUNDRAISING...how's that for an answered prayer! The story of our connection to the Juliano's is complicated and God orchestrated! And yesterday, I met their family for the first time. What an incredible, incredible blessing they are!

We spent the afternoon and evening with the Juliano's. I cannot say how thankful I am for this new friendship! We had a GREAT time getting to know them and seeing their little Lily who is just too precious for words!

Gavin and Lily became instant friends and I can't explain how amazing it was to see them form a bond. Now Gavin can understand just a wee bit better about his sister from China:)! And I am already looking forward to many more adventures with our girls (and boys).

Lesson learned-no prayer is too big or small or silly for God! It is important to share this journey with people who "understand". God knows that and I am thankful!