tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80334263792282554972022-08-12T11:01:11.047-07:00Adventures in Adoption (Motley Menagerie)We are a Franco-American couple. We lived in France. Then the Middle East. Now the USA. We started the process of adopting a child from Ecuador in 2012, and will post updates and 'how to' information here as we progress on our exciting new journey.Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-21863752751127370302017-12-13T06:47:00.000-08:002019-01-09T07:44:41.069-08:00China Adoption Dossier Submitted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdk7cCULDv4/XDYKaFdjD3I/AAAAAAAA24M/hFdoPH8NAUUNWIo8F-B7SVU0g5g3Z_WxwCLcBGAs/s1600/HipstamaticPhoto-531946994.214202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdk7cCULDv4/XDYKaFdjD3I/AAAAAAAA24M/hFdoPH8NAUUNWIo8F-B7SVU0g5g3Z_WxwCLcBGAs/s320/HipstamaticPhoto-531946994.214202.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><br>We have completed all the paperwork to adopt from China. This photo comprises most of the documents we had to collect and send to the adoption agency. I repeat: most of them. Not all. There are, indeed, a lot of documents.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/12/china-adoption-dossier-submitted.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-45246360529587098732017-04-12T07:03:00.000-07:002019-01-09T07:44:25.864-08:00And Our Next Adoption Will Be From.... *drum roll* .... China!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8BAnL7pBDE/XDYNLJM2hNI/AAAAAAAA24Y/2qT4tqWHzVc1ucjvE1xtN76gKEqNXrxMgCLcBGAs/s1600/go-to-china.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8BAnL7pBDE/XDYNLJM2hNI/AAAAAAAA24Y/2qT4tqWHzVc1ucjvE1xtN76gKEqNXrxMgCLcBGAs/s320/go-to-china.png" width="240"></a></div><br><br>We have decided to pursue a second adoption! From China this time... which, actually, has been on my 'bucket list' since I was in high school. <br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/04/and-our-next-adoption-will-be-from-drum.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-56608611760520918472017-01-31T08:14:00.001-08:002017-06-15T07:23:34.190-07:00Words from the Adoption Trenches: Almost a year after we brought our daughter home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiWtn0Eyyc0/WJC3AGj-FQI/AAAAAAAAHV0/q8pIGvxZNsQ_AUIxUOIsCWmL8ZSsnC6BwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiWtn0Eyyc0/WJC3AGj-FQI/AAAAAAAAHV0/q8pIGvxZNsQ_AUIxUOIsCWmL8ZSsnC6BwCLcB/s320/IMG_0301.JPG" width="240"></a></div><br>It has been almost a year now since we met "J" and adopted her. I have been quiet on the blog-front because we have been dealing with becoming parents. i.e. - no free time! :) But here is a post about our first-year experiences, and some advice and words of wisdom, which I hope will be useful to other adoptive families about to embark on the same journey.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2017/01/words-from-adoption-trenches-almost.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-82630142193287511812016-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:002016-03-19T09:25:14.538-07:00Sentencia - We're officially a family! (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRXd_j68BG4/Vu14X_8q6RI/AAAAAAAAEm4/QJvd14t7Lh4QrlUpSYEgVh38yRkAONfsg/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRXd_j68BG4/Vu14X_8q6RI/AAAAAAAAEm4/QJvd14t7Lh4QrlUpSYEgVh38yRkAONfsg/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="240"></a></div><br>Today was our 'Sentencia', which is the day that the judge signs your papers, and your adoptive child is officially a part of your family.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/sentencia-colombia-adoption.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-40440304505757129172016-03-14T18:12:00.000-07:002016-03-19T09:30:50.720-07:00The Integration Period (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYuTWOeu2zE/VuyucZcSZYI/AAAAAAAAEks/wi--kr2c4N8DUk2g71gUDUo83i3foo-4g/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYuTWOeu2zE/VuyucZcSZYI/AAAAAAAAEks/wi--kr2c4N8DUk2g71gUDUo83i3foo-4g/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>After Encuentro, when you meet your child, then families have the 'integration' period for a week. Our 'integration' week flew by fast!<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-integration-period-colombia-adoption.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-51596209817306336472016-03-08T16:53:00.000-08:002016-03-19T09:12:37.771-07:00Encuentro Today!!!! (Colombia Adoption)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAiGh2LPZDs/VuyXxMph0XI/AAAAAAAAEkA/i9J2Er-h26kqZGBuVgx3rw56LEda4lcaQ/s1600/DSC04578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAiGh2LPZDs/VuyXxMph0XI/AAAAAAAAEkA/i9J2Er-h26kqZGBuVgx3rw56LEda4lcaQ/s320/DSC04578.JPG" width="320"></a></div>Today was our 'Encuentro', which in Colombia is the name given to the day a family first meets their child they will adopt... after months of waiting, everyone meets in person.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/03/encuentro-today.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-86447594264423369832016-02-25T10:29:00.000-08:002016-03-19T09:10:34.501-07:00Flying to Colombia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSpl47RDUL0/VuhGoH3b2RI/AAAAAAAAEjA/tUSrl-lnaGw/s640/blogger-image--418611851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cSpl47RDUL0/VuhGoH3b2RI/AAAAAAAAEjA/tUSrl-lnaGw/s640/blogger-image--418611851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We got notice the end of February that we could buy our tickets to travel, and that our Encuentro would be on March 8th.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/02/flying-to-colombia.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-23049833632532126242016-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:002016-03-18T18:12:02.495-07:00Visa to Colombia in Hand!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTjJ4Jk8EdA/VuhHldzNHPI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Jo_ThR8TVGE/s640/blogger-image--160328910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTjJ4Jk8EdA/VuhHldzNHPI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/Jo_ThR8TVGE/s640/blogger-image--160328910.jpg"></a></div>It has been a busy 2 months getting ready to go to Colombia.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/02/visa-to-colombia-in-hand.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-46613286808018393772016-01-07T10:39:00.001-08:002016-01-08T09:28:49.220-08:00Approved to Adopt J!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhL53-ENZME/Vo6ws5gD4YI/AAAAAAAAEPU/Wtt23JcuZUg/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhL53-ENZME/Vo6ws5gD4YI/AAAAAAAAEPU/Wtt23JcuZUg/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" width="320"></a></div>We were approved by the Adoption Committee in Colombia the day before Xmas to adopt J! What a great holiday gift!!<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2016/01/approved-to-adopt-j.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-54196808805945811042015-11-11T06:50:00.000-08:002016-01-07T10:27:15.907-08:00Adopting from Colombia: Dossier Submitted!<br><br><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmQEUm8Aw4/Vks9-5ZpKgI/AAAAAAAAENQ/jdfOha4_Lpo/s1600/DSC04359.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9NmQEUm8Aw4/Vks9-5ZpKgI/AAAAAAAAENQ/jdfOha4_Lpo/s320/DSC04359.JPG"></a><br>Last May we realized that our adoption process in Ecuador was not moving forward and the agency was completely, COMPLETELY, incompetent ...so we chose a new agency and began pursuing a concurrent adoption, but in Colombia this time.<br><br>We decided to adopt a little girl, "J", who just turned 8 years old. J is living in an orphanage near Bogota. Our Translated dossier was submitted today, which we had been collecting since last June.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/11/adopting-from-colombia-dossier-submitted.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-60529008078720679622015-05-14T07:52:00.001-07:002015-06-07T09:51:45.585-07:00Finding some Zen in the Adoption Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3JnfzeqeVQ/VVSz0RltqiI/AAAAAAAABvI/RRr7_VaLTLw/s1600/plan-b-z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3JnfzeqeVQ/VVSz0RltqiI/AAAAAAAABvI/RRr7_VaLTLw/s320/plan-b-z.jpg" width="320"></a></div>A couple-friend of my husband's came over for dinner. We have not known them long, but they did know we were in the process to adopt a child in Ecuador. They had just returned from their honeymoon, and, already, she was pregnant.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/05/finding-some-zen-in-adoption-process.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-50456650317833373862015-04-01T12:52:00.000-07:002015-08-31T10:31:24.585-07:00Some Billiant Posts on International Adoption - Must Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OlejwIZv0/VRsXEfr4F-I/AAAAAAAABbg/1Hpt4svk5_w/s1600/2144933705_20517bedab_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1OlejwIZv0/VRsXEfr4F-I/AAAAAAAABbg/1Hpt4svk5_w/s1600/2144933705_20517bedab_m.jpg"></a></div>I was watching the movie 'What to Expect When Expecting' and was horrified at the inaccurate portrayal of the adoption process. They barely took a chip off an iceberg. Let's look at the reality of this...<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/04/some-billiant-posts-on-international.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-86259031248923976982015-03-01T15:24:00.000-08:002015-04-01T11:03:31.470-07:00Back on Track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvIgUAbPZFg/VRsesD-ovHI/AAAAAAAABcQ/hfsMw3f2-JM/s1600/back.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvIgUAbPZFg/VRsesD-ovHI/AAAAAAAABcQ/hfsMw3f2-JM/s1600/back.png" height="320" width="274"></a></div>Seems we are back on track finally to adopt again... after many hiccups this year due to moving back to the US from abroad.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2015/03/back-on-track.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-22449668191493620972014-05-25T15:14:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:03:48.239-07:00Finally Approved - Though, it is Bitter-Sweet.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2F-X-NywI/VRsajlsNg-I/AAAAAAAABb4/dBZWHrkq8Ss/s1600/approved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2F-X-NywI/VRsajlsNg-I/AAAAAAAABb4/dBZWHrkq8Ss/s1600/approved.jpg" height="256" width="320"></a></div>We were finally approved to adopt in Ecuador. It took 6 months!<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2014/05/finally-approve-though-it-is-bitter.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-88392414623528279642014-04-02T15:19:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:03:56.000-07:00A Sad Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfLuhkFRmjg/VRsdfKyKzUI/AAAAAAAABcE/0J6AvVdERAk/s1600/sad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfLuhkFRmjg/VRsdfKyKzUI/AAAAAAAABcE/0J6AvVdERAk/s1600/sad.jpg" height="187" width="320"></a></div>We had been hoping to adopt this 3 year old boy, but we have been told he was adopted by someone else before our dossier could get approved.<br><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-sad-day.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-54296647193765143132013-09-25T15:03:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:04:04.269-07:00Big News - Adoption Dossier is Submitted to Ecuador<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMbpcfIq94w/VRsZVwepYdI/AAAAAAAABbs/5WDpAxSqW18/s1600/dossier.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMbpcfIq94w/VRsZVwepYdI/AAAAAAAABbs/5WDpAxSqW18/s1600/dossier.png" height="320" width="235"></a></div>Big News! We have finally collected all our documents for our dossier, and it is being sent to Ecuador!<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/09/big-news-adoption-dossier-is-submitted.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-11788180049599344862013-08-15T14:32:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:04:15.839-07:00Schrödinger's Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OfUQE76LOI/VRsS6hbSsqI/AAAAAAAABbU/OLa4NPv7nFM/s1600/child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OfUQE76LOI/VRsS6hbSsqI/AAAAAAAABbU/OLa4NPv7nFM/s1600/child.jpg" height="212" width="320"></a></div>Our adopted child exists already in the world, and yet, does not yet exist at the same time.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/08/schrodingers-child.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-3067281379053265822013-04-25T14:31:00.000-07:002015-04-01T11:04:30.575-07:00Keepin' the Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTOBxwmeAY/VRsSEpddvrI/AAAAAAAABbI/1fEdDp3BIQE/s1600/motivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTOBxwmeAY/VRsSEpddvrI/AAAAAAAABbI/1fEdDp3BIQE/s1600/motivation.jpg" height="213" width="320"></a></div>An international adoption comes with so many hoops-of-fire to jump through. Wait. I mean, hoops-of-radioactive-fire-breathing-dragons! Keeping the motivation and positive drive is essential to remaining on top of the stress of the process.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/04/keepin-motivation.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-88573838295453401162013-03-01T14:28:00.000-08:002015-04-01T11:04:38.724-07:00Ecuador It Will Be!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eubigaXSOG4/VRsRgt_2dCI/AAAAAAAABbA/TrefkwIjeTg/s1600/ecuador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eubigaXSOG4/VRsRgt_2dCI/AAAAAAAABbA/TrefkwIjeTg/s1600/ecuador.jpg" height="216" width="320"></a></div>After a lot of deliberation, and getting more information on the in-country requirements and time to adopt, we have finally chosen one program and country: <b><i>We will be adopting from Ecuador with Illien Adoptions International. WOOT! :)</i></b><br><b><i></i></b><br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/03/ecuador-it-will-be.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-39421523487427870182013-02-10T14:25:00.000-08:002015-04-01T11:04:48.642-07:00Choosing a Country for our International Adoption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYK6769riqw/VRsQ1vMVKFI/AAAAAAAABa4/TFQl2GW6z-o/s1600/chose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYK6769riqw/VRsQ1vMVKFI/AAAAAAAABa4/TFQl2GW6z-o/s1600/chose.jpg" height="213" width="320"></a></div>We knew we needed to choose the country before the agency, since not all agencies work in all countries. For us, it was very important that we feel an affinity to the culture and environment of the country.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/02/choosing-country-for-our-international.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033426379228255497.post-17947314236274720582013-01-20T14:12:00.000-08:002015-04-01T11:04:58.575-07:00Starting our Own Mini United Nations Through International Adoption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vrbd5YDXeg/VRsNzaSfcLI/AAAAAAAABas/oo6I7T4zuMI/s1600/united.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Vrbd5YDXeg/VRsNzaSfcLI/AAAAAAAABas/oo6I7T4zuMI/s1600/united.jpg" height="208" width="320"></a></div>I am now 40 years old, and as long as I can remember, long before “Brangelina" made it popular, I wanted to do international adoption and to have a multicultural family.<br><a href="http://motley-menagerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/starting-our-own-mini-united-nations.html#more">Read more »</a>Mee Shellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457391547275464932noreply@blogger.com0