Today was our one year anniversary of the day we came home from Ethiopia with Denekew and introduced him to our other children, Ocean and Jaguar, and our parents and siblings. Last night we celebrated with a home cooked Ethiopian meal. I decorated with our Ethiopian flag and souvenirs, set out our scrapbook (of photos of trip to Ethiopia and our homecoming) as well as Ethiopian folktale books and adoption children's books. We had a wonderful relaxed evening of family and fun.
I can hardly believe it's been a whole year that Dene has been a part of our lives. It seems like yesterday that we picked him up and flew home with him and yet it seems like he's been part of our family forever.
22 February 2009
13 January 2009
Everything is Done!
I have been told that I don't keep up my blog. Well, it is difficult with 3 busy children!
But I should state that we have reached a completion point!
On Nov 14 we received Denekew's Certificate of Citizenship in the mail. My mother was over when it came and I had to sign for it. I instantly knew what it was and at my excitement she was curious. I told her as I tore it open. She and I both cried at the look of this amazing formal document stating that my son, born in Ethiopia, is now an American citizen with all the rights and privileges that entitles him to. Wow!
On Dec 30 We had our last post-adoption home visit EVER with our social worker. From now on we will put together our own anual post-adoption reports until Denekew is 18.
On Jan 2 I went to the Social Security office and filed an application for Denekew to get a social security number. For once it was short, easy, and BEST of all FREE! The entire time I spent in the social security office, from walking-in to walking-out, was only 15 minutes total and the application was only a half page to fill out and the documents I needed to bring with me I had readily available. (Although I do have every imaginable document by now!)
On Jan 12 We recieved Denekew's social security number and are now all set to claim him on our taxes for 2008. And get him a passport for whenever we want to drive up to Canada for a little trip!
But I should state that we have reached a completion point!
On Nov 14 we received Denekew's Certificate of Citizenship in the mail. My mother was over when it came and I had to sign for it. I instantly knew what it was and at my excitement she was curious. I told her as I tore it open. She and I both cried at the look of this amazing formal document stating that my son, born in Ethiopia, is now an American citizen with all the rights and privileges that entitles him to. Wow!
On Dec 30 We had our last post-adoption home visit EVER with our social worker. From now on we will put together our own anual post-adoption reports until Denekew is 18.
On Jan 2 I went to the Social Security office and filed an application for Denekew to get a social security number. For once it was short, easy, and BEST of all FREE! The entire time I spent in the social security office, from walking-in to walking-out, was only 15 minutes total and the application was only a half page to fill out and the documents I needed to bring with me I had readily available. (Although I do have every imaginable document by now!)
On Jan 12 We recieved Denekew's social security number and are now all set to claim him on our taxes for 2008. And get him a passport for whenever we want to drive up to Canada for a little trip!