A Visit With Santa!

Yesterday we made the trek to Bass Pro Shop to have a visit with Santa. I was impressed with the activities the store had available to keep the kids occupied while we waited. It was very crowded but at least the picture was free and they allowed you to take your own picture too! Thank you Bass Pro for also having a Santa that was jolly with all the children and did not show any frustration. Here is the result.....

The Adoption is Final!

On Monday December 10, 2012, Meena's adoption became final!!!!!  I went to the court house with the last of the needed paperwork and waited for the Clerk of Courts to sign the finalization papers.This was a very happy day for our family. One more hurdle crossed in our long line of hurdles! Now we have to get her a Social Security Number and a new Birth Certificate with her new legal name- Meena Lynne Fink. Here is a copy of her Announcement......

Thankful for one less orphan.....

Happy Thanksgiving! As I reflect on this past year, I have to say that I am thankful for the humbling experience of creating a family though adoption. God calls each of us to care for the orphan and I am honored to be the parent to one of the sweetest little girls! Meena is no longer an orphan but is part of a family that loves her so very much. She has endured many trials in her short 3 years of life and has overcome each one with a smile (a run, a jump, and a climb!). Thank you God for allowing me the privilege of being her mother!

We Received A Good Report From the Cardiologist!

Dear Friends,

I hope you have been following my Facebook updates and know all about Meena's heart surgery. I am going to try and move them from Facebook so everything is in one place. In the meantime I wanted to let you know that we visited the Cardiologist yesterday. He performed an Echo-cardiogram and said that the surgery fixed the hole in Meena's heart! He was happy with her lung function and with how her incision looked. She continues to have pulmonary stenosis, but not anything we should have to worry about. Today we went to the the Heart Surgeon that completed the second surgery. He was also very pleased with how her heart sounds, how she is acting and healing. He along with all the nurses were so intrigued with how beautiful and smart she is. No one can believe she has only been home for 9 weeks now! So much  to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving season! We will be flying on Sat. to Pa. for a week. It will be nice for all my friends up North to be able to meet my daughter!

Blessed~Colleen

A Party to Welcome Meena Home

On October 14, 2012, some friends had a party to welcome Meena to our family! The party was held at Hickory Grove Baptist Church. We had a wonderful time visiting, eating, and opening presents! Thanks to those that planned the party and to all the wonderful people that came.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Happenings with Meena!

Update on medical: Meena has had two more ear infections in the past week. Her pediatrician referred her to a different ENT. The ENT we saw first was not able to piggy-back on her heart surgery(Nov. 1) and she really needs tubes put in as soon as possible. We had the appt. with the new ENT this morning and he is going to try to work Meena into his surgery schedule that day. I hope they are able to schedule it all. I also discussed with the ENT about Meena having an MRI of her head. The MRI will show if she has an auditory nerve and some things about the cochlea. The nurse is supposed to call me after she works on all of this. In the meantime, drops were prescribed for the current ear infection.

Update qon Meena's growth and development: Using one rating scale, Meena has a minimum of 100 expressive signs. She is learning more vocabulary everyday- her strength is animals and food-two of her favorite things.  Speaking of food, Meena continues to love to eat! She has gained 3 lbs!!! Her legs actually have a little "chunk" on them!! So easy to squeeze. Her favorite foods continue to be: chicken, veggies, fruit and nuts, and yogurt (of course lollipops and chocolate are still on the list).  I need to digress a little and tell you a Meena "funny". It was the first week we were home and Meena and Connor were outside riding bikes. Two deer(mom and baby) ran through the back yard. Meena looked up at me with HUGE eyes and said "elephant"!!!!! I said, no Meena you are not in India anymore! We have deer not elephants in our yard.........
Connor has become another favorite in Meena's life. It is so nice to see her look up to him and be concerned when it is time to get him from school. She seems to know when it is time to go get him and will ask "Where Connor?", "Go car get Connor school!" She also likes to copy his behavior that is not "the best", like taking the cushions off the couch and jumping! We do have a trampoline for that purpose but the couch must be better.......

I am still waiting for a meeting to be scheduled with the school system to start her services. The evaluating team is ready, we are waiting for the "downtown" person to agree to a date. I think they will drag it out as long as they can. Until then, I have extended my leave in order to minimize her transitions.

 More to come..........

We Really Are Still Here and We are Together!

Dear Friends and Family,

I am sorry to have been absent for so long. I posted right before we left for India to bring Meena home. Then while we were in India, I was not able to access my blog. I tried to put some updates on Facebook and I hope you were able to see those. Tonight I am going to write about how things are going since we've been home and then I want to go backwards and post about somethings that happened while we were in India.

Our trip home from India was a safe one but definitely not a fun one! Despite my fears, I was assured by the doctor in India that Meena did not have an ear infection. I was cautiously optimistic that he was correct, but he was not! Meena was very sick the entire flight home. She ran a HIGH fever off and on and had tummy troubles that required more than frequent trips to the bathroom. In between trips to the bathroom and getting her to drink a little water, she slept the entire time! I felt so helpless. By the time we reached Chicago, we were all done! She was so tired that she almost fell asleep while we had to stand in line for 2 hours at Immigration! She was so pitiful. Then we stopped at a sit down restaurant to get something to eat and she fell asleep waiting for the food. Poor lovie! She woke up in time to be pushed kicking and screaming through the airport in her stroller(which she hated and I will tell you more about later)at 10:00 PM. Talk about getting attention! By the time we left for Charlotte, I was not feeling well either. I had not slept as much as the previous trip and was exhausted. We arrived at the Charlotte airport and were greeted by Connor and some friends. It was good to be home!

It is hard to believe we have been home for 4 weeks already! It feels like she has always been a part of our family. Connor and Meena are true siblings, fights and all. They really have lots of similar interests and CAN play well together..........

My time at home has rapidly come to an end. :( We have spent the majority of our days going to Dr. appts. She has had way too many needles already. She has been to the pediatrician about 6 times, the heart doctor, the heart surgeon, and the ENT/Audiologist 2 times. We went to the ENT yesterday to be told that Meena is profoundly deaf. We are not sure yet if hearing aids will help her. She was complaining that her left ear was hurting while we were there but the Dr. said she just had fluid. By last night, she wouldn't even let you touch the outside of her ear. So I made a sick visit today and she has another infection! As for her heart, she has been diagnosed with a PDA-patent ductus arteriosus which will require surgery. This is scheduled for Nov.1 and we will be in the hospital for one night. I will update you more about this at a later date.

I have lots more to tell you about medicals and all the wonderful things she is learning but both of the kids need to get into bed. I will come back soon to share more. Lots to be thankful for: God, family, and supportive friends! Thank you........

PS Make sure you look at the pics on my Facebook.

A Blessing From Above!!

Today I received a wonderful blessing. I was awarded a $3500 grant from an organization called "A Child Waits"!!! This money comes just as I am getting ready to travel and desperately needed money to pay in- country fees for Meena.  God is so good to provide what we need at the right time.

I am anxious to have my little girl in my arms for good!

The Date is Set.....

Airplane tickets have been purchased and Linda and myself will be leaving Charlotte on Sept. 2 to arrive in India on Sept 4th! We will pick Meena up on Sept 4th and fly to Delhi on the same day. It is going to be a long trip for us adults. I ask for prayer for strength and energy to sustain us to Delhi. We will essentially be flying for 3 days. We will stay in Delhi until the 10th to get her medical and visa at the US embassy there. We added an extra day in case something gets delayed. (Don't know why I would think something like that would happen in India!!! HeHe) I am apprehensive about leaving Connor again. I just want Meena home and our new "normal" to begin. My parents will be coming to help with Connor. I am glad that I will be here for his transition into 1st grade. His teacher and others at school are aware of our situation so hopefully he will do ok. Connor is not talking about his sister much these days. I know he is dealing with the change and it will be a big change from being an only (spoiled) child to having a sibling. Six years is a long time to have mommy's sole attention. I know that God has gone ahead of me in this journey and he is faithful to carry me through it. So thankful for this knowledge!!! I will update again if anything changes and will keep you posted while we are in India. I appreciate your prayers for a safe journey:)  Colleen

Meena's Coming Home!!!!

Exciting times are happening in our family! Summer is quickly coming to a close. I have not gotten half of the things completed on my list for getting the house ready and....Meena is coming home :)  I start back to work this Thursday and Connor starts back to school in two weeks! I can't believe he will be in first grade and he will have his sister home!!! I received the news that Meena's passport has arrived and once Sept 3rd passes, I can reenter India.........I'm so excited! The Social Worker wants me to arrive on the 4th but it may have to be the 10th. I will let you know when everything is set. I will be gone for about 6 days total. Please pray that all the details come together and we all arrive home in the USA safely. I cannot wait for everyone to meet my Meena...........With Gratitude, Colleen

An interesting post

I follow a blog from an adoptive mom called "No Greater Joy Mom!" Her post today really hits home to me. Many people have asked me the same questions and I love the way she answers it. Take a look: www.nogreaterjoymom.com.

Pictures of Meena

Here are some Pictures:

Home Sweet Home!!

We arrived home in Charlotte at 2AM Friday morning. The flight was long but uneventful! I am so thankful to be home. Connor was sleeping on the couch waiting for me. He only woke up briefly to say hi to me then went right back to sleep. He looks like he grew several inches!!!!! We had a rather quiet laid back day today but I need to get back into a routine quickly. Will try to get pics posted soon...........Colleen

It's official!!

I just got back from court. What an experience! I will share more about the process at a later time. I didn't get much sleep last night, so I want to catch a quick nap before we have to head to the airport tonight. The social worker took Meena back to the orphanage after court. That was such a hard thing to do! If all goes well, I will be back mid Sept. to pick her up. I am anxious to get home and get this long flight over with. I miss my boy so much! I am thankful to God for allowing the hearing to take place today and for allowing me to be Meena's mommy! I will update when I get home and settled. Thanks for your prayers for a safe trip home! Colleen

Court did not happen today!

Today was the day scheduled for my court hearing. The social worker, Meena and myself were ready to go by 9 30. We arrived at the court house and waited and waited...... To only be told that the judge called in sick. I am supposed to come back tomorrow. Thank God we had an extra day before our scheduled flight. I pray the judge decides to come to work tomorrow so we don't have to change our flight. After that big disappointment, we decided to go and visit the local zoo. I was allowed to keep Meena till tomorrow. Our driver picked Linda up at the hotel and we were off again! The zoo was so much fun. Meena learned the sign for lion,giraffe, elephant, bird, tiger and used them independently! She loved the animals and cried when we left. She fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep while I carried her up to the room. I was exhausted too, so I napped too! We have not eaten since breakfast, so I guess we should go get something to eat. I will keep you updated.

Having fun!

Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Things are going incredibly well! Meena has settled into a "routine" and is one adaptable little girl. She does not want to go to sleep for her nap or at night, but does not fuss for more than a few minutes. She sleeps all night and wakes up ready to go! We have been enjoying a rather leisure pace mostly hanging out at the hotel. She is suffering from a cold, cough, and double ear infection, so it is amazing that she is so happy! We get a big breakfast at the hotel, which lasts us through the morning and into the afternoon. There is s small lounge that we can go to and get something pto drink and warm "snacky" foods like chicken bites, onion rings, and fish bites. Dinner begins at 7 30, so depending on what we had for out appetizers, we may or may not have dinner. We brought lots of healthy snacks and some nights just eat those. Meena is just like her brother, loves fresh fruit. She also eats rice and some other Indian foods. The restaurant also makes a delicious garlic bread. I have really enjoyed tasting some new to me foods. Not always Indian food, but very different than what I am used to in US. Deserts are out of this world too! Yesterday we ventured out to a mall to do some shopping. It was very westernized shopping experience. I was able to buy Meena some traditional Indian outfits and a shirt and scarf for me. She will wear one of the outfits when we go to court on Tuesday. The shopping center was within walking distance of the hotel. It was not too far of a walk but very difficult, uneven sidewalks, with busy streets very close to you. We laughed and said if you fell off the sidewalk, you would get run over by 2 buses, 5 cars, and 8 motorbikes all at the same time!!! Meena just takes everything in....... While we are in the hotel, we have been reading books, playing with finger puppets, drawing and coloring, and being silly! She is fascinated with TV and loves Animal Planet! Sound like another child of mine? Her first independent signs were:light, flowers, and fish. There is a small pool of coi fish in the hotel and she loves sitting and watching them. She loves seeing people on FaceTime. She waves and laughs. I show her her family book and point to who we are talking to and then to the picture. She has also signed Connor after seeing him! It is so exciting to see her language just explode! Developmentally she is right on track and I can tell that they work with her on a variety of tasks. She is also right in track for throwing a temper tantrum and knowing who she can get her way with! So far, if I walk away, she gets over it really quick. We will see......hahahah! She is also a man magnet! All the men that work in the hotel come up to her and she smiles and gets them to pick her up! They want to help her with what ever she is doing and she just eats up the attention! Can you say "spoiled rotten"? Sorry I have not posted pictures. We are having some difficulty with this but will keep working on it. Not sure what we will do today, but know she will be a busy busy girl! Will post again soon.....thanking Him for this wonderful time with my new daughter and you all for your continued prayers! Colleen

We arrived safely and got a big surprise!

After a really long long plane ride, we finally arrived in India. We were picked up at the airport by a driver from the hotel and made the 40 min drive through a crazy busy city. We got settled in and took a nap. We were awoken by my social worker asking if I wanted to go and get Meena today! Of course I said yes and within an hour and a half I was at the orphanage meeting my new daughter!!! What an exciting and pleasant surprise. It took some assuring on my social workers part assuring them that I did not need someone from the orphanage to come with me. After an hour and a half we were on the road with Meena. Her eyes were wide open and she didn't even want to hug her caretakers good bye! She clung to me with all her might! We came back to the hotel, played with some books and sign cards. she has already signed 8 words independently! It has been amazing to see how smart she is! What she doesn't know how to tell you, she gestures. Her caretakers seemed to really care about the children and the children that I met were very social. I am very happy with how the bonding process is going! I am trying to get her to sleep now. She just keeps looking around and loves her new soft blankie. Please continue to pray for the next few days to be a great experience for both Meena and myself. Also, please pray that Connor continues to be strong with me gone. He has had some rough nights and it breaks my heart to see him cry at night. My parents seem to be hanging in there, but I am sure my dad could use some extra prayer for patience with Connor. He has been going to day camp during the day so that keeps him busy and makes him tired at the end of the day! I will blog more tomorrow and send some pics. It is rough getting your body used to all the time changes and the long plane rides. I am tired and need to shut off the light so Meena will go to sleep. Lots to be thankful for and feeling very blessed.........Colleen

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!!!

Late last night I got the call that my court date is set again! Court date is scheduled for July 3. We need to be there by July 30 in the AM to go see Meena. We are leaving Charlotte on Wed afternoon in order to arrive on time. It has been a crazy long day and I am starting to let the excitement of meeting Meena set in!!! Lots more to do but at least the travel arrangements have been made. I will update if I can while we are there. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to become this sweet little girl's mommy! Thanking you in advance for your prayers for safety in travel.

Travel Update

The court date has been changed! Now it will hopefully be the first week in July. It's so confusing dealing with a foreign government:( I cannot and will not understand how they make decisions, so maybe, and then no- it may be one week later! On a positive note, I have more time to get all the last minute things completed at my house and pack in a more organized manner. I am disappointed and still pretty numb. The agency is being supportive and they know that I just want my little girl in my arms!!!! I appreciate your continued prayers for peace of mind and patience........Colleen

WE ARE GOING TO INDIA!!!!!

I got a phone call from the agency director late this afternoon. She asked me if I was ready to go to India? I said "YES!!!!" and when? She said my court date is the 27th of this month! I said like in less than 2 weeks? YUP!!! Lots of last minute things to do to get ready....... They want me there on the evening of the 25th so I can meet Meena on the 26th and 27th will be spent in court. Then we leave on the 28th to come home. Quick trip, but just like they said. She also confirmed that I cannot re-enter India for 2 months on the visa. So, I pray Meena will come home in Sept. I will update when I know more details. Thank you for all your support and prayers on this journey........Colleen

Fantastic Friday!!!!

Well, Fridays seem to be a good day in my world of adoption. The agency called and said my paperwork had arrived from the Indian lawyer. They sent it overnight and should arrive tomorrow by 10:30 AM. I need to get 4 more copies of my passport photo, sign the papers, get them notarized and back in the mail. All this needs to be done before the banks and FedEx close tomorrow! Please pray that I receive the package early enough to be able to get it all done! The agency wants to be able to check everything and get it sent right back to India on Monday. After this paperwork is received, the court date will be assigned. It may be in June but most likely in July or August-since the courts close down for several weeks in June(go figure!!!). This trip will be a quick one, only 3 days in country. I will get to be with Meena for about 2 days. One day at the orphanage and the second at court. Sounds like it will be a long day! She said to bring lots of snacks for Meena:) I will fly back home on the third day. Due to Indian Visa laws, you are not allowed back into the country for 2 months!!!!! Yes, I looked it up and saw it in black and white. So, it will definitely be the fall before I can go back to bring her home:( This trip will be longer-about 7 days-and mostly spent in Delhi. Even though I am sad that it is taking so long, it is nice to have the end in sight. I can't wait to hold my little girl........

Do not become weary.......

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV) This verse spoke to me today. Many of you are asking if and when Meena is coming home. I know she IS coming home but do not know when. It is easy to grow weary in the waiting, but I am promised that I will reap a harvest if I do not give up!! Please continue to pray for Meena as she is waiting. Pray for her continued safety and for good health. Colleen

The waiting is so hard......

I spoke with the agency again yesterday. They have been told that a new judge is taking the bench(I guess there is only one?). The judge has the power to handle adoptions in any way he/she wants. They can move quickly or complete one at a time. It is so hard to understand why these things are not already established and some standard procedures in place. I thought waiting for Connor was hard, that was nothing! Just thinking of her getting older and losing precious time for learning language breaks my heart!I look at those big beautiful brown eyes and see so much potential. I know she will learn quickly but the older she gets, the harder it will be for her. I found this quote and wanted to share it with you. “Timing is so important! If you are going to be successful in dance, you must be able to respond to rhythm and timing. It’s the same in the Spirit. People who don’t understand God’s timing can become spiritually spastic, trying to make the right things happen at the wrong time. They don’t get His rhythm – and everyone can tell they are out of step. They birth things prematurely, threatening the very lives of their God-given dreams.” ~ T. D. Jakes Waiting on God's perfect timing! Colleen

Please "ChipIn" to help bring Meena home!

I received another call today from the agency. This time they were wanting to know when I would be able to pay the remaining $7,000.00. Through the generosity of many friends and family(support through 2 fundraisers and a yard sale) I have been able to pay the amount due up until now. I am now stepping out in faith for the remainder of Meena's ransom. I have set up a ChipIn. This enables anyone who is willing to give money directly towards this final payment. Click on the ChipIn button and follow the directions. I have linked my account to Pay Pal for those who want to use it. Any donation will be greatly appreciated! I appreciate your continued prayers as I move closer to bringing Meena home.

Another Step Closer To Home

While out to dinner with friends tonight I received a phone call from the agency.  India officially accepted the paperwork allowing me to adopt Meena, which arrived much earlier than expected!  Next step will be receiving the paperwork from the lawyer in India.  Once signed, the lawyer will apply for a court date.  This will be my first trip of two to bring Meena home.  Please pray that the paperwork is processed quickly.  Ready to see my precious daughter.....

Saturday's Fundraising Yard sale

Well, my yard sale ended up raising about $100. It rained off and on so the sale was held in my garage.There wasn't much room to display items well and the weather kept most people away. Since most of the hard work is already done, I have decided to have another sale in a few weeks. I will pray for sunny skies and lots of customers! I will keep you all posted on when it will be.

As always, pray for this process to move quickly so Meena can come home.......

Colleen

Article 5 received today!!!!

This morning I received great news! I received my Article 5 Letter. This letter states "Meena, born 11 Jan 2009, Hyderabad, India, the legal custody of whom to be granted to Colleen Fink". Now I wait for my court date and that is when I will make my first trip. Thank you for your continued prayers that the court date will be assigned quickly.

With gratitude,

Colleen

31 Fundraiser Total and One Step Closer!

Thanks again to all my friends and family that supported me through the 31 fundraiser. The grand total raised was $314.50!
I also received provisional approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services stating that Meena qualifies as a Convention adoptee. This means that the US side of the adoption is moving along. I have been told to look for an email from India stating that they have accepted the paperwork and are applying for a court date. We are still at least 2-4 months out, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting becoming brighter!!!!

31 Fundraiser Ending

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you to those who have supported me by placing orders. I wanted to remind everyone that all orders are due by Monday, Feb. 27. I will update everyone on fundraiser totals by the end of the week.

Thank you for your help,

Colleen

Thirty One Gifts Fundraiser

Friends and Family,

I am doing a Thirty One Gifts fundraiser. Thirty One sells adorable organizing totes, lunch bags, purses, etc.  Personalization is also available.     For the month of February I will receive 50% from all regular price merchandise, if you purchase a minimum of $31.00.  This is a wonderful fundraiser, that will help bring Meena home.  All purchases can be made directly to me or through the Thirty One consultant listed below.   Although the entire catalog can be viewed online, (link listed below) the order must go through Lori Anderson for me to receive the 50%.  Payments must be received in cash or check only. 


Please make checks payable to:  Lori Anderson

Orders sent via email will prompt an address for payment to be sent.  
                                                  landerson54@carolina.rr.com

https://www.mythirtyone.com/127283/

Pictures of Meena

I was thrilled yesterday to receive new pictures of Meena.  Her birthday was in January and she turned 3.  Connor and I are eagerly awaiting her arrival.  He is ready to have a little sister and playmate.  I am ready to meet my little girl.