Today started off with an early morning walk...the first one in about a month. The heat broke, we slept with the windows open and woke to temp in the 60's! I know it's short lived but I'm going to enjoy every minute!
My Stroll stockings today and tomorrow are reminders of two BIG holes in our hearts. My oldest daughter and her husband started the adoption process of two children, a boy and a girl from western Africa, over 3 1/2 years ago. We thought we would have them by Christmas in 2015, so I made stockings for them that year. But, we still don't have them after 2 1/2 years dealing with the local country's government/regulations and now almost a year of red tape from our own government. I can't tell you how frustrating this is for us but especially my daughter's family. It has been such a roller coaster of emotions, good news/bad news, prayers ,etc.... but still they sit in an orphanage wondering where their Mama and Papa are. They are legally my daughter and son-in-laws children as their adoption is final, but the US is dragging their feet on issuing their visas so they can enter the US and no one will say WHY!!! My daughter gets a standard response of "it's in review" ...when they even get a response as no one seems to want to help, care or do their job. They've had one Congressman's aide try to help but she gets the same response. How long does it take to review paperwork and approve??? Okay, I'll get off my soapbox and try to bring the blood pressure back down.....whew!!!!
So, here is the stocking I did for James. It is Oliver's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush. I used DMC# 5 perle cottons and provided my own embellishments, mainly JABCO buttons.
I've done enough whining for the day, so I won't bore you with my finishing woes. But let's suffice it to say that I improvised and it worked, just needs a little tweaking.
Thanks for topping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
My Stroll stockings today and tomorrow are reminders of two BIG holes in our hearts. My oldest daughter and her husband started the adoption process of two children, a boy and a girl from western Africa, over 3 1/2 years ago. We thought we would have them by Christmas in 2015, so I made stockings for them that year. But, we still don't have them after 2 1/2 years dealing with the local country's government/regulations and now almost a year of red tape from our own government. I can't tell you how frustrating this is for us but especially my daughter's family. It has been such a roller coaster of emotions, good news/bad news, prayers ,etc.... but still they sit in an orphanage wondering where their Mama and Papa are. They are legally my daughter and son-in-laws children as their adoption is final, but the US is dragging their feet on issuing their visas so they can enter the US and no one will say WHY!!! My daughter gets a standard response of "it's in review" ...when they even get a response as no one seems to want to help, care or do their job. They've had one Congressman's aide try to help but she gets the same response. How long does it take to review paperwork and approve??? Okay, I'll get off my soapbox and try to bring the blood pressure back down.....whew!!!!
So, here is the stocking I did for James. It is Oliver's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush. I used DMC# 5 perle cottons and provided my own embellishments, mainly JABCO buttons.
I've done enough whining for the day, so I won't bore you with my finishing woes. But let's suffice it to say that I improvised and it worked, just needs a little tweaking.
Thanks for topping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi
Stasi, that's just heartbreaking. So sad that in all the red tape thrown around by governments, they seem to lose sight of the fact that it's the children who end up paying the price (uh... guess the soapbox is getting crowded).
ReplyDeleteThe stocking is beautiful - I hope he gets to enjoy it very soon!
What a beautiful stocking you stitched for James! How heartbreaking that the red tape has forestalled and denied the 2 siblings entrance to our country and their new family. Praying for a resolution so they can join the family soon.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to go public. Have their friends bombard the appropriate congress person and the two senators. Talk to the local new media - maybe the national new media will pick it up. One lone congressional aide won't get things moving. You mentioned western Aftrica - that covers lot of ground, also some Arab countries. I hope that is not was is holding things up. After this long, I wonder if the paperwork was lost.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your family.
JHM
Oh Stasi, that is so heartbreaking to hear, and I will pray that it all works out and you are celebrating this Christmas watching your grandchildren enjoy their stockings. What has our world come to? I wonder...
ReplyDeleteYour stocking is gorgeous...I just love Shepherd's Bush and have made them for our kids...so much fun to stitch. Do you finish them yourself? I haven't been brave enough to try.
Have a good day...hoping the heat holds off it's return.
Hugs
James stocking is beautiful, I just love these SB stockings. I hope James is here for Christmas to enjoy it, I guess this is the extreme vetting? 2 young children should never have to wait that long. What a shame that your daughter and SIL is missing all these precious years with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift this is. I am praying Stasi. This is such a sad story. It is not right at all.
ReplyDelete