In Russia...

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know my trip so far to Russia has not been to bad. The trip here was long, but good. I flew our on 12/24 and arrived here in St Petersburg on Christmas day...and Anna's birthday. I was not sure if i would see anna or not, but as it turned out...i was able to.

i have to start typing in all lower caps - because for some reason it keeps deleting my post...

when i got there with anna on her birthday...she was very sweet and not sad like all the times before...it may have had something to do with the gifts i brought for her birthday! lol! either way...i was so happy to see her!

on friday - i went to see anna and then the director was so gracious and let me stay for their holiday play that the children put on. it was sooooo cute!

the kids sang and danced and father frost (like our santa clause) gave out presents - candy. it was great! and they let me take vidieo and pictures...so it will be so awesome to have for anna!

afterwards i visited with anna for about an hour and then spoke with the director of what is next...

anna has a cold and was going to get medical attention - so i am not to see her over the weekend, however i may be able to see her on monday after court.

i am a little anxious about court...but i am sure it will be fine.

when i arrived they had snow...so i came all the way to russia to have snow for christmas...go figure huh!

here the snow comes and goes pretty quickly...i went out walking today and mostly there was just some ice that was trying to melt.

that is pretty much it for now...i will post more once i get back from court.

Anna's Shower 12/7/08

New Travel Dates...

Just wanted to update everyone – I just heard about my next travel. I am definitely going to have to take all 3 trips, this one being the SECOND TRIP and then I will have another one which will be the final trip to bring Anna home in January.

Leave on 12/24/08
Arrive in St Petes on 12/25/08
Medical on 12/26/08
Court on 12/29/08
And home on 12/30/08

This is all tentative depending on getting my travel itinerary and I may have to leave earlier etc…

According to the agency - I will get to see Anna on Friday after medical (maybe) and then Saturday for sure and Maybe Sunday…but again this is what my agency says…when I get there it may change because last time they said NO visits on the weekends…so well see.

Posted Pictures of the Trip...

I posted pictures of my first trip (sorry can't post any pix of Anna yet!)

I met two wonderful women that were also there in St Petersburg one bringing home her little girl and the other was there meeting her possible referral. They were both super sweet and we were all glad we were there at the same time.

We checked out few restaurants and of course as you can see from the pictures we went to the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled blood - which was my favorite...it was amazing! We also checked out The Peter & Paul Fortress - which was neat too.

Other than that...we did not have much more time for site seeing...so when I go back I will try to see some more!

My First Trip to Russia...

Anna's Big Girl Room...in Progress!

Ok, well I am at it again! Anna now has a big girl bed, and new Bedding!

Mom bought the new bedding for Anna's shower, but let me have early to set up. What a GREAT Grandma!!

Boy...it is alot of pink...but if I changed...that would mean I would have to paint again! Oh NO!! LOL!!

See below the new pictures of the room. I hope Anna will like it!
:-)

Russia Trip 1

Wow! Where do I begin! Carrie and I left for Russia on 11/4/08 and came home 11/9/08 - it was a good trip and was soooo awesome to finally meet Miss Anna! Let me start by saying meeting Anna was simply the BEST! She was so beautiful and sooooo sweet! She is VERY shy, but once she warmed up...she was very warm and sweet. I only saw her 3 days and about only 5 hours total...I wish it could have been more, but I think that is about the norm.

The baby home has pretty strict visiting rules and was not as scary as I thought it may be.

Anna liked all the toys that Carrie and I brought, I just hope she gets to keep them. Besides the toys I left her the blanket and photo book too...hoping she will not forget me before I get back there.

When I was in Russia I did sign the paperwork to indicate that I do want to adopt her and then my cordinator took the papers to the court to file them. Now I am just waiting to hear when my court date is. Today my Agency sent me the application to the court to sign formally requesting her and giving her the name Anna Elizabeth Stuart! Awe...the sound of that is so sweet!!! :-)
My agency wanted me to FedEx this back so she can get to Russia by early next week...so I did FedEx it tonight and they will get tomorrow. I also called my agency this week and reminded them that I would like to adopt her in 2 trips if possible and to do this by the end of the year...they have said they are trying to do this, but of course this all depends on the Russian Courts and when my date is. So I will be praying!!

May he give you the desires of your heart - Psalm 20:4

Leaving TODAY!

Just to let you know, I will be leaving in just a few hours to finally meet my sweet Anna!

OMG!! It is so hard to believe that in a few hours I will be taking off for Russia...it had seemed this day would never get here!!

So I am pretty much all packed and just counting down the hours until we leave!

Please pray for Carrie and I to safely make it both ways and that all goes well with sweet Anna.

Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed or come by to wish me well. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family!

God Bless you all!

Leaving in 4 Days...

Just wanted to say that I am getting so excited that I will soon meet Anna! I really can't believe that I leave in just 4 days!

I also have been thinking of all the wonderful people that I have been blessed with meeting either in person or via email that are also going through this at times very stressful adoption process...and I just wanted you all to know that I am praying for you.

Before going through this process, I never knew just how hard waiting for something that you really wanted was. I have waited for lots of stuff in the past...but I don't think anything I have ever come across is as hard and stressful as this process.

May he give you the desire of your heart - Psalm 20:4

Getting So Excited!

8 More Days till I meet Anna for the first time!!!!

The visa's came in and Carrie and I have met a few times to discuss what we are bringing and I have been doing a ton of errands to get everything for the trip...I can't believe it is next Tuesday!!!! Carrie and I are both so excited!

I can not wait to meet my Beautiful Anna!

When talking to my agency on Friday (10/24/08) I asked if there was any way possible to bring Anna home before Christmas - after checking a bit - she said that is what they are aiming for!!! She said it may not be before Christmas but by 12/31/08 - she said I can't hold her to that, but that is what they are trying to do. Which would mean once I come home from my first trip, I will probably leave again within 3 weeks or so to go back to Russia for court and then the 10 day waiting period - probably about 21 days or so total. About 4 of those days will be spent in Moscow getting Anna's passport, Visa and medical.

Please pray that the court and everything in Russia goes well and that this will be possible - it will a prayer come true!

Travel Update...

Just wanted to let everyone know that I received word about traveling to meet Anna on 10/14/08 and have been busy trying to make travel reservations and to get the Visas for Carrie and I FedEx out.

We leave on Tuesday November 4th and arrive in St. Petersburg Wednesday, November 5th around 2:15 in the afternoon. I am told we will meet with the Ministry of Education on November 6th where they will formally give me my referral. We will then drive to the orphanage to meet with the Director to ask many questions. Then they will bring Anna out and we will get to visit with her for an hour or two. We will be able to see her twice a day for a couple of hours each time through Saturday November 8th. We will then leave on the 9th and are home around 8pm on Sunday the 9th.

So 18 more days till I meet Anna!!!! Praise God!!!

Please keep Carrie and I in your prayers as we travel and Anna and I as we meet for the first time. :-)

Update from Agency on Trip...

Got an email from Agency today and she said that my paperwork was filed in Russia and we are just waiting on the invitation to go to Russia. They think I will travel either at the end of the month or early November.

Not really much of an update...but it is still in process...

Update on my first trip...

I talked to my agency today and they said that "Anna" is not off of the data base yet (even though I can not find her...ugh!) and she should be off sometime around October 15th. For those who don't know what that is, in Russia a child must be on a national data base for I think it is 9 or 10 months...once they come off of the data base then they can be adopted.

I asked if I might travel by the end of October...and they said that is what they are hoping for...but I can't get my invitation to travel from Russia until she comes off of the database. Please pray for me!

I did find out some other unique tid bits, like where the baby home is...that I am going to have to do the 8 doctor medical...ugh!!! That is that I have to have 8 Russian doctors check me out...yeah...that sounds fun! I guess that ST Pete passed this about 2 months ago.

Also the reason some of my paperwork got called back is for one...my agency did not catch the mistake...but also there is a new judge and some of the things she is asking for is not the norm...so I guess I am the ginny pig for them!

I know it will all be so worth getting my baby girl home...

Anna's Toddler Room

No Travel News Yet...

Just wanted to update everyone, that I still don't have any travel dates yet. I know my acceptance was sent to Russia and they have requested some more paperwork that I am working on...but no news yet when I will travel. My agency said it could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks...ugh!

I will let you know when I hear!

:-)

Referral Accepted!

I am very excited to announce that I have accepted a referral for a beautiful 2.5 year old girl from Russia! She has Brown Hair and Brown Eyes and amazing skin!

I had two IA doctors review her medical, DVD and pictures and got better than expected reviews! In fact they were pretty awesome! One told me she was better than average risk...which coming from Russia...that is FABULOUS!!!

I am not sure when I will travel yet to meet her, but I am praying that I have her home before Christmas.

Her birthday is December 25th! For those of you who know me well...know that this day is extra special to me, besides being the day our Lord and Savior was born...it is also the day my Dad passed away...so I know that Anna is such a blessing to me...but even more so now!

I just came home from my pre-adoption parenting class, so this will not be a long post...just wanted to document on such an super important day for me!! It has been GREAT and so exciting!

My Anna will be coming home soon! :-)

Last of the Fingerprints...

I went on Saturday to have my fingerprints done for the LAST TIME (I hope) for the INS - which means I should be all done besides the physcial for everything not expiring for the rest of the year. I will send in all of my paperwork to my agency and continue to wait for my sweet Anna...

May he give you the desire of your heart...Psalm 20:4
(Thanks Cheryl...)

Keeping Busy...

I received my fingerprints back from the FBI - good to know...I am still ok! LOL!!!

I am going this Saturday to the INS to get my fingerprints re-done for them...whew...that should be it for awhile on the fingerprints! Gosh...I hope for good actually! LOL!!

I will start my pre-adoption parenting class on September 2nd - it is for the entire month of September and will learn a bunch of stuff on what to expect when you travel, once she gets home, attachment issues, etc...I have a friend that took the class and said it was really good...so I am looking forward to it.

Still working on the house organizing anything I can! I have been working on my office...I threw out a huge box of trash! My friend Shelby...would be soooooo proud! :-)


But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. - Romans 8:25

For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5: 7

Waiting...

Even though this poem is on the bottom of my blog, I thought it was appropriate for today to post again...since today seems to be a hard day of the waiting days...

I haven't met you yet or seen your face,but in my heart you hold a place...My hopes grow with each passing day,even though you're miles away...I know you're there waiting for me,as I am here waiting to see,the Child God has sent from above to make me a mother and share all my love...

I called my agency today and received really no news...just a little frustrating...tomorrow will be a better day...

God is control of my adoption. Fear not I am with you...Isaiah 41:10

Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

A New Friend for Anna...

What's going on...

So just wanted to make a quick note on the old blog...

I sent off my request letter for re-fingerprints for INS on 8/2/08 - they will send me a letter with an appointment to come and have them done...They expire on 10/5/08 - and thank goodness Mom's don't expire until 5/09 and with God's blessing I will have my sweet Anna home with me by then!

I also sent off my fingerprints that I had done at the Sheriff's office (8/1/08) on 8/5/08 - this is because they will be expiring in October as well and for some strange reason the fingerprints expire! So this letter will come back to me and I will forward onto my agency for them to update my dossier so nothing will expire.

I think these are the last two items that will expire this year - except for my physical that I will need to re-do once I get the referral. Once I get the referral then I have to go get blood work that will expire in 3 months...so they have you do this 3 months PRIOR to the court date.

The last I hear I should be receiving a referral sometime in October...please pray that I will get in late September or very early October!!!! Once I get the referral I will probably travel to Russia with in 2 weeks to meet my special Anna.

Then once I come back - I will travel again 5 wks later...and may try to stay in country the 21 days to bring her home - hopefully by the end of the year...that is of course my goal...not sure what God has planned for me, but please keep me in your prayers!

Work in Progress...

Update on the Waiting...

I called my agency last week and spoke to the new director Amy. (Laura has left the company even though she is still doing some small work for them on the side - and I am REALLY Bummed about this!) Anyway...Amy was nice, but definitely not Laura and not that helpful. She acted like she was not sure what she was "allowed" to say...therefore...I did not learn much. She said basically two things - 1. She thought there was only one girl referral. 2. Sonia said that she did not know when I would get a referral - but that it would be this year (2008)

A little frustrated - Today I contacted Laura (she gave me her contact info) and talked to her awhile and she thought that they had 3 girl referrals - but definitely 2 - so if that is right (which she normally is) that would mean I am now 5Th on the list (4Th if it was 3 referrals - but she could not confirm the 3rd) She gave me some great info about traveling - which helps me somewhat with planning. She said NO Guarantees - but in her "opinion" she thought I would get a referral in Late October. So although I was hoping for September...that is still not bad. I just hope it is no later than that. I so want to bring her home for Christmas...just don't know if I will be able to. :-(

So please keep me in your prayers that we will have her by then.

Anna's Stuff in her room!

Just passing time...

Picture of Red Square - Moscow, Russia at night...man what a beautiful site!

Hopefully I will be there soon taking my own pictures!

I made the call...

I just wanted to update about calling the Agency today. I figured that they would not have much information, but felt good to just call and check in.

I spoke with Laura and she said Sonia (owner of agency) (she is Russian as well) has been in Russia and is due back in July. She is there getting the office set up. I asked what she meant and she said that they have not given any referrals since early May - due to the fact kids were not available/some vacations. Hmmmm...

She said that once Sonia got back - approx July 14th -I should call back to get updates. She said there are some children coming off of the database and they should start referring. July is a very slow month for adoptions as well since so many officials take vacations and you need to have at least 3 officials at their "desk" so to speak in order for an adoption to go through.

I asked how Sonia chooses children and she said she has been doing this for awhile and will review the medicals of certain children and the meet the child and can usually tell if they appear to be healthy.

She said I had 6 families that were in front of me waiting for girls...

She also said she thinks - but can't guarantee that I may be going to Moscow City so that was kinda neat that it is a little more narrowed down. She also told me some of the baby homes that the child "could" come from. I went online and found one of them and it had pictures of the place...that was cool!

So not much for now...but I will keep you posted when I call in July...but for now...it definitely seems like it will be closer to September before I will even get a referral. Please pray that I will have her home by Christmas...oh...please by Christmas...that would really be great!

On another note...the "Waiting Parents" meeting we had was great, there was 8 other WP besides myself and it was a great meeting...really good group. Got some good ideas, but still so confused on which airline to travel...still more researching to do!

Just Checking In...

Hello everyone...

Not alot to post lately...as you can tell...but just thought I would get on and let you know what has been going on. Still waiting...no news yet.

Been updating some forms that have expired and need to be renewed and just doing lots of research on Daycare...one word...UGH!! LOL!! As I am sure lots of you parents out there are smiling inside a little...yes I knew it was expensive...but good gracious! I do know it will all come together and God will provide. That is the good news! :-)

I am hosting another Waiting Parents meeting this Saturday and have about 8 RSVP so far...so it sounds like it will be a good group and really looking forward to it.

I have been asked by FRUA to host a "Singles" group for Waiting Parents and Parents who have adopted their children already...so I think I may...I will only need to have events 2 times a year....yes I know I must be crazy...but why not! LOL!!! There are apparently alot of Singles in Russia right now because so many other countries have closed to singles or just closed in general.

Anyway...I guess that is about it for now...hope everyone is doing well...

Dossier Sent to Russia...

I got a call today from my PA Agency that my Dossier and Approval (I171H) have been apostilled and is now on its way to Russia! Great news to hear - and that only took them 2 days!

There it will be translated and then I wait for a referral!

My PA Agency said she still thinks it will be closer to fall before I will get a referral...so I will just pray I will have her home before Christmas! Boy that will be a great Christmas present!

The picture below is Mom and I at the INS when we picked up the approval notice...can you tell I was excited!

Approval Day!!

WAHOO!!!

I HAVE MY APPROVAL!!!!!!

I went to the INS - they asked Mom some very basic questions...what is your name...where were you born...blah...blah...blah... THEN...he handed me my envelope...and there it was my I-171H "NOTICE OF FAVORABLE DETERMINATION CONCERNING APPLICATION FOR ADVANCE PROCESSING OF ORPHAN PETITION"

I have to say it was the most exciting moment so far...I could not stop smiling!!!

So I went to post office and sent it priority mail so they will get Monday. It will be sent off for apostilled with the dossier (should take a day or two) then they will send it to RUSSIA for translation!!!!!

I should get a referral anytime after that through Fall...Fall being worse case scenario....

Today has been a GREAT DAY!! (I even got ice cream to celebrate!!!!)

News About Approval...

Yesterday I finally heard from INS! She sent me an email to say the letter has been sent out to request for me to go to INS office. I called Mom and she had just got the letter and when she read it, it only requested me and it did not say why...so after a few emails back and forth with INS - she indicated Mom and I are scheduled to meet with Ms Bone' at INS on Friday, April 25th at 11:00am. I believe Mom will have to "Swear In" and I think that is it...She also indicated that "if possible, the approval notice would be given at that time" I was SO EXCITED!

I called my PA Agency and they said as soon as they get the approval, they will have the complete dossier apostilled and then it will go to Russia for translation(that will take about 2 weeks) and said that my wait time for my girl will start when they receive the approval. Whew!

I asked when she would expect me to have a referral and she said by fall (and she said that would be worse scenario...but wanted to give me the more conservative guess) She said alot of people want a girl and the wait (as I knew) would be longer than if I wanted a boy. She also said they are very choosy and do not just take the first girl available...

So say a prayer for Mom and I as we go visit INS.
I will keep you posted on the outcome!

Starting the Room...

Well I finally did it! I have started the room! I am planning to paint the walls Pink on the top and mint green on the bottom and I am attaching the pictures so far...of course will post the finished room too...so stay tuned!

As some of you know, I ordered the bedding set however when I got in it in the mail...I am just not sure I like it...so I am going to go out and look a little more...I will keep you posted on that too!

Quick update on INS - I got an email back from them that they did receive the VA State History report for Mom and it is in"line" to be reviewed...whatever that means! So I am not sure if we have to go there to "Swear In" or if I will just get the approval...All they said is I will receive notice in the mail if more information is needed or my approval will just show up in the mail...come on already...Mom has no background trouble!!!

On another note...my medicals are expiring in 3 months...so of course it is back to the doctors for me to get another physical! At least Mom doesn't have to do any more of those!!!!!

So that is about all the updates...I hope you enjoy the tease of pictures I am going to post...there will be more to come!

I will not leave you as orphans. I will come for you. John 14:18

Just Checking In...

Just thought I would post a little of what I have been doing. Mostly I am still waiting to hear back from INS - we are suppose to get a letter(I hope soon) to let us know when Mom can go to INS to swear in, and we are still waiting for the I171 (the actual approval from INS).

I have been busy updating some things that have expired in my file and making sure everything is done for my dossier. I have a new person at my PA Agency so I have been working with her to make sure everything is good. She is very nice and very quick to respond to my emails...the one thing about this agency...they are great at responding back. :-)

I asked my Agency if the wait for a referral was still 4-6 months after my dossier is sent to Russia (that is what Ellen said before) and Laura said it was more like 2-4 months! That was AWESOME news...except...hello...thought I had more time! So I have made up my mind I will get paint this weekend and get busy for the baby's room. I so want to start buying stuff...just not sure.

I do feel that my time for a referral will not be long...I think the agency seems ready...real ready for my approval...My co-worker that adopted a daughter from Russia said his agency told him months too...and then he received one in 4 days! And since things are starting to pick up a little in Russia now...I think I better get ready just in case!

I also contacted the IA doctor today and she had me send her my address so she can send me a packet of cost and what to expect. I co-worker referred me to a doctor in MI - she is actually pretty famous...I have seen her in my people magazine with Angelina Jolie. But she is suppose to be very good and is a single woman with about 5 adopted children. She has written many publications on adoption etc...

Well...I guess that is all for now...but I will be back to update soon...please keep baby "A" and me in your prayers...

Russian Packet is Done...

I finally got my email with the "Russian Packet" which was about 5 or 6 documents to print and to make multiple copies of and just sign...how much easier could it have been! There was my application to Moscow and St Petersburg (had to do both since it will be one of those regions) then the power of attorney, Statement of Obligation (two kinds), application to the court and the Registration Form...wow...completing all this makes me feel like I am sooooo much closer to being done...this was the last thing needed for the actual dossier.

I am so lucky that my PA Agency will be apostilling all of my dossier documents! Alot of people have to do them themselves, but my agency will do for me...so I think that is great!

I also completed another State clearance application for Mom and will get notorized tomorrow and send that off...that is for the INS. The only other thing for INS will be Mom going to complete some paperwork to swear in...they will send me notification when we have to show up for that...

May the Lord Smile on you - Numbers 6:25

Just some pictures...

Photobucket Album

Update on INS Progress...

So I emailed the INS today and to my surprise, I got an email back really quick! Wow! So wasn't expecting that! I asked to confirm that the HS arrived, but since my HS agency did not send it by FedEx - there is really no way to track. INS said it takes days before she will actually get in her hands - so I will try again next week to confirm it is there.

I asked about what would be needed for the fingerprint issue that we now have with INS (same issue, different agency) and she said I would need to get an original Police Clearance and that Mom would need to go to the INS and do some sort of swearing in...I guess to swear she is not a criminal...OMG...is this nuts or WHAT!!! Keep telling myself...it is all going to be worth it! So they will send an "appointment letter" to let us know when...

The 8 week wait does not start until they get the HS - so I hope they get soon or already has! Please keep me in your prayers that we don't have as many problems here as we did with Social Services!

The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time - Dean Acheson

Home Study on it's Way...

I am very pleased to say that the HS is on it's way to the INS as of today!

It is so funny that I am so excited - but it is such a releif to finally be able to say that it is complete and I am in the waiting stage for my 171H approval to show up in the mail, even though this is just the begining to more waiting! This stage is the waiting that everyone talks about being so long, I would have never guessed I would have had to wait 5 months for my HS! I should have my approval from INS in about 4-9 weeks.

Anyway...I think my PA Agency will be sending me a "Russia Packet" next week with more papers to complete and sign during my wait but then once I get the 171H then I send that and the rest of my dossier to Russia for translation and then the next stage of the waiting game is on for my girl...4-6 months for a referral. I can't wait! I wonder what she will look like? :-)

GREAT NEWS!!!

Wow! I was so excited, today about 3:20 pm I received a voice message from Angela from Social Services and she said my Mom's National Name Search was back and all was ok! Yeah...nice to know she is not some big time criminal! LOL!! Yeah right!!

So she said she would write up the letter and fax it over to my HS Agency. I was so excited I did happy dance...and I was at work! LOL!!

So I emailed my HS Agency to let them know it was coming and to see what the next step is...no word yet...but I will keep you posted.

Praise God for the good news!

Saturday morning I am hosting my first Waiting Parents Meeting...I am a little nervous, but I am sure it will be fine...just wish I had gone to one before I decided to host one! LOL!!

So wish me luck and keep me in your prayers!

Working on Dossier Stuff...

Today Mom and I took a ride to Richmond to get 4 more birth certificates (had to have 5 for dossier) Then we headed over to the Secretary of Commonwealth to get them apostilled...man talk about parking issues! LOL!! Luckily we found the valet parking over at the hospital...whew that could of been real crazy! Boy Richmond does have some beautiful buildings!

We got back and I printed out all the house pictures I needed and made copies of the apostilled sheets and sent them off to the PA Agency...wahoo! I also sent in my check for the 4 post-placements that have to be done when I return with my child - it is a requirement from Russia to have these done. (this is just paying up front for the SW to come in after we come home to make sure all is well)

So I have done everything possible for my dossier except when the HS does get approved, I will have a packet of papers to sign...but then the dossier will be off and running, so to speak!

Haven't heard any more on the Name Search...please pray that it comes soon!

Winterfest...

Winterfest was Fabulous! I had such a great time! My friend Carrie went with me and she even seemed to have fun! We had a table that was for the Waiting Parents - so we were all non-stop talking about what country, where we were in process, and what stories we had so far. It was also pretty cool to meet other AP's and their children...all of the children were so cute and it amazed me how many of them either looked like their siblings and even their parents. I am so glad I went and Carrie was an awesome Co-Pilot in DC! Thanks for going with me Carrie!

We all joked and secretly hoped we would see each other again next year, but sitting at the AP tables with our cutie-pies!


My Sun Sets to Rise Again - Robert Browning

Update on Fingerprints...

Ok, so I wanted to do two post today to seperate these blogs so I would not to confuse anyone! LOL!!

As you all know, I have been trying to reach Angela at the Department of Social Services about the Status of my Mom's prints or the National Name Search. She has had some personnel issues - people leaving and such, so she is very backed up. I can definitely appreciate that, but it is now going on 4 months without an end in site.

So I did some research and found the commissioner name and some numbers to call (he overseas the DDS) I called and left a message on a voice mail telling them of my issue and that if they were not the right person to contact - I asked if they could please forward me the correct person. In the meantime, I decided to give Angela one more try. I emailed her and was very nice but asked that she please tell me what the status is, I also mentioned that I would be happy to contact someone else if that would be better and mentioned the Commissioners name (all done very nicely) Low and behold I got an email within 10 min. Also, a very nice lady named Suzanne called me back on the message I left earlier.

I explained the situation to Suzanne and explained, I was not trying to get Angela in trouble...just need a resolution to this issue. I told her that I just got an email from her, probably because I mentioned the Commissioner name - She asked that I send her the email correspondence that I just got and she would see what she could do.

The email that Angela sent me basically was very nice, but come to find out...the 3rd set of fingerprints failed (which we knew they would - hence the Name Search) but that she did not send the Name Search out until last week! We sent her the request 12/27/07 (they usually take a month) I just can't believe she did not send them out until last week! So I have just lost about a month more! Ugh!

But she did say she contacted the State Police and asked that they would expedite the name search...Angela said she will notify me as soon as she hears...so hopefully it will not be another month...

The good in this...is that I did contact her and it is in the works and hopefully it will not take the full month.

Who would of thought it would take this long for something that is so simple...

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Update on Process...

I spoke to Ellen at my PA Agency and she made me feel alot better...I told her of my frustration and concerns about the fingerprint thing taking so long and she gave me a brief run-down of where we are;

Once HS is approved (meaning Fingerprints issue solved) - HS Agency will mail it to PA Agency in which they will sign and send off for apostille, once that comes back the HS Agency will forward it on to the INS.

INS - will review - which will take approx 4-6wks - and then they will send me the I171H - which is the "Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Adoption for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition" - This means I am approved! :-)

As soon as my HS is done - PA Agency will send me some paperwork to sign for my dossier. Which I am currently working on the last bit of my dossier right now (which I didn't know...I thought I had a bunch of papers to still fill out...but she said I was ahead in that dept.)

I am going to go to Richmond on Monday (1/28/08) to get my 5 birth certificates apostilled (I have to make a pit stop at the vital statistics office to get a couple more BC) and then I have to mail some more pictures of the house and the BC, mail off my check to HS Agency for Post Placement stuff, make sure HS Agency gets their licenses stuff to PA Agency and then my dossier will be DONE!!!! Wow...did I just say that! Great news!!!

Then the dossier is off to Russia and then I wait approx 4-6 months for a referral. Uh Oh...more waiting! LOL!!! But at least it will be on its way and I will just wait for God to pick out my beautiful child!

Ellen said I will be either going to Moscow or St. Petersburg for my referral.

I know it sounds like alot...but I just feel closer...well, at least I know where I am!

Another email sent...

I just finished sending an email to my PA Agency to see if there is anything I can be doing towards my dossier while I wait...I hope they can suggest something! The frustration is building! It has been 4 months waiting on the name search/fingerprints...it is so crazy...and my poor Mom...I know this is not easy for her!

I am hoping my PA Agency will help...because my HS Agency has really not been much help on this so far.

The State Agency is closed tomorrow...so I will not hear again tomorrow...but I will call again on Wednesday!

Will keep you posted!

Name Search/Fingerprints Still Outstanding...

I contacted my HS Agency today and they said they have not heard anything back on the Fingerprints or the name search, so I have emailed the lady at the agency that does the actual checks...so pray that I get an answer...ok the answer that I am looking for! LOL!!

So I am still in the waiting HS stage...

Looking forward to the Winterfest next Saturday...

My Family...

A Little Bummed...

Well, tonight was suppose to be my first MNO - but when I got home tonight, I had an email from the host that she would not be able to make it and was not sure if anyone else would be there. I emailed and then spoke to the person I did know that was going and she said she was not going either because of the weather and she lives some distance away. So needless to say I did not go. :-(

I want to thank all that called or emailed me to wish me well. There is still Winterfest that I will be going to at the end of January.

Winterfest is something that FRUA puts on for Adopted families and Waiting Parents - it is a dinner and has Russian/Ukraine music/dancing. It is on January 26th and is in DC. My friend Carrie is going with me...boy she is brave! LOL!!

Well that is about it for now...no word yet on the Fingerprints/name search...hopefully I will hear next week...please keep me in your prayers.

Happy New Year!

Well, it is 2008...hopefully it will be the year I bring my child home...please keep me in your prayers!

I have been trying not to think or worry about the fingerprints...but yes, I will be sending an email on the 17th if I don't hear before then.

Looking forward to my first MNO next week...it should be very interesting!

Happy New Year to everyone and God Bless each and everyone of you!

Quote for the day:

"The really happy man is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detor" - Anonymous