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...