First, I finally posted a few pics to go along with my previous post.... but unfortunately they aren't of the boys YET! We still need to wait until after court and the appeal period :(
Once again we are now in the middle of getting our visas and airline tickets, but thankfully not in such a rush. I am still not looking forward to all the travelling, being away from my three kiddos here, and jet-lag - but I am looking forward to getting it all done! The plan still is to head out around the 15th of January, then to start back home January 22nd after court. After about a week at home I will then head back to Russia with my friend Beth (Aaron staying home) when I will get custody of the boys. All five of us will then head to Moscow for a few days while we get their immigration stuff in order - and then the long trek home, finally!
I'm a little nervous about court in that I know we will be asked some hard questions...like how we are any different than the orphanage in having so many children, how we think we will manage with the addition of three children, etc. and being sure to remain respectful of 'Russia' while answering. While in Russia last time Aaron and I were talking with our driver and his friend who sort of knows english, and they just couldn't believe that we would have 6 children. They seemed to think that anything more than 2 or 3 is huge and practically unheard of. I am not really scared that the judge will not allow the adoption, simply because I am sure that this is God's plan for us and these three boys.
Once again, please pray with us over this all - that the boys will adjust well, that our three here will too, for our finances, and for comfort-strength-wisdom for Aaron and I during travelling-court-and in dealing with our new additions. Thanks so much!
...don't forget to take a quick look at the pictures in the previous post :)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Trip 1, The Novel
Hello and sorry this is delayed in getting posted! I wish I could have shared sooner, but we basically had no internet connection while on our speedy trip. So here is all the details I wrote while away...hope you have time for the 'novel' :)
Nov 10th
Hello from Russia! So we made it through our two days of flights and layovers and even arrived with all our luggage! The flying was hard on us – hard to sleep on cramped planes, then we would sleep an hour and land, spend some time wandering through airports looking for a place to sleep (usually to no avail), etc. By the time we made it to our last two flights we were so exhausted it was now easy to sleep on the planes!
Along the way we had about a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam so Aaron and I hopped onto a train to go into the city and then went for a one hour boat tour. It was really nice, beautiful buildings, much more peaceful than being on the windy street – but so relaxing, and combined with our flights, Aaron could hardly stay awake. Most everyone seemed to speak English which was great, and the accents gave Aaron a sense of feeling ‘home’. I’m sure the ample supply of ‘droppies’ (a salty black licorice type of Dutch candy) helped!
We arrived in Ufa around noon Nov 9th and were greeting by our facilitator and translator. Immediately we headed to the Ministry of Education and officially received the referrals for the boys and therefore permission to visit them at the orphanage. Next we hopped back in the car and two hours later arrived in Sterlitamak. I will never again complain about how bumpy a Canadian road may be – the drive was a constant bump, it was truly unbelievable. We had a short stop at our hosts to unload our luggage and then were headed to the orphanage. We were shown into the music room, which is large and open, and then in came the boys. It is hard to even remember that evening we were so tired. The baby was very scared and cried almost non-stop – which didn’t bother me in that it is good for him to be scared of strangers at his age (just over a year). He is darling though and I wished I could comfort him. The other two boys are quite social and were happy to play with us and the toys we had brought. After a while our facilitator took the baby back to the caregivers and even though we could have stayed longer with the older two, we decided to leave because we were about to fall asleep on our feet. We got back to our host’s at around 5:30pm and immediately went to bed for the rest of the night, too tired to even eat.
Being here has been extremely hard on our bodies. Even though we sleep reasonably well at night until around 4:30am, we are still very tired all the time and nap at every chance we get… not that there has even been much of a chance for that between meeting with doctors, notaries, and other officials. It is frustrating too that we feel this way, but understandable I guess in that we have undergone a 12 hour time change. I really though had no idea that it would be so hard. I’ve had our facilitator ask a couple times if I was alright or sad, when all it is is that I’m simply tired. It has actually done quite a number on my appetite too. I often feel a little nauseous, and even when I am hungry I eat a little and then often immediately feel nauseous again, which makes me lose my appetite even more.
Sterlitamak is a city that is approximately the size of Grande Prairie, but that is about its only similarity. It is FILLED with apartments. Many have stores on the bottom floor and then apartments on top. We really have not seen a single house. Most of them look very old and run down from the outside, but from what we have seen the insides look much better and have been up-kept. All the apartments have balconies that are completely closed in by windows. They are also all heated by hot-water radiators with no thermostats (if it gets too hot you just open a window) and Aaron and I have found it very hot in almost every building we have been in. We can’t imagine how we’d manage in summer months! Also, I’ve never seen so many tiny cars. We see a few vans and buses, but not a single pick-up. The driving is pretty crazy by our standards too, very fast and stop-go, and not pedestrian friendly. The ten minute drive to/from the orphanage is enough to leave us both feeling carsick. The weather though here is exactly what it is back home.
The orphanage is also not what I expected. Again, the outside of the building looks very run-down, but inside is very nice. There are approximately 70 children (I believe age 5 and down), but only about 12 that are currently ‘adoptable’. The children appear to be cared for very well. They have two doctors on staff, one for the older children and one for the toddlers and babies. Each year the children also under-go a very extensive check-up by many different specialists too. This is done for many reasons, one of which is to help parents feel comfortable with knowing their medical history and adopting them. The children also have music lessons, speech lessons, etc right in the orphanage. One room we get to sometimes play in is called the ‘sensory’ room and is very amazing. It has a large ball pit, big bean bags, soft things to climb and slide down, two columns filled with water that light up and have bubbles and balls floating around in them, some fiber optic cable that lights up and changes color, and a board with different textured items.
Unlike Europe, not many people speak English here, although it is more common with the younger generation. We have found the language to be a huge barrier, one I’ve never before experienced, and leaves us often feeling un-easy. It has also been a large barrier when we are with the boys too. For example, we will want to show them something about the toy they are playing with and they will think that we are trying to take it away. Also, the oldest one will try to tell us something and we simply won’t understand, or we will want to say something to them but just don’t know how. We are naturally drawn to people of our own language (our two favorite people here are the two who speak English), so it is harder to create a bond with the boys. We adore them (the middle one has such an adorable laugh you can’t help but love), but I think they mostly see us as someone that is fun to play with most of the time and especially like that we bring ‘new’ toys (which sometimes isn’t a good thing because they can get very wrapped up with playing with a toy and not with us, especially when they think we are going to take it away).
All in all, it is a very hard trip but for a VERY good reason. The other night I sadly told Aaron that I don’t think that I could do this again – he then reminded me that I said that very same thing shortly after giving birth to Emily. I think that is a very good analogy. We have had the long wait of a pregnancy, and now experience the fatigue and ‘pains’ of labour, but our reward is soon to come! And like having a newborn is also fatiguing and has a time of adjustment, we will go through that too once everyone is finally home!
Nov 12th
Last night our visit went well with the children. We thought we weren’t going to be able to visit with them since last minute we needed to go back to the notary’s to sign/fix more documents. But then, since the children had been expecting us, we were allowed to go see them for about 45 minutes. So with no toys in hand we showed up and were able to play in the sensory room. It worked very well and had more direct interaction. Even the baby, who we don’t get to see every time, didn’t cry! He was still scared though and just sat on my hip the whole time watching what was going on, not interacting with us though. We got to see him though once in his baby room interacting with some of his caregivers, playing with toys, and even giggling a couple times (which almost brought me to tears). He will do very well, I really think they all will, and think it won’t necessarily take as long as I originally thought to adjust to us and their new home. Yesterday morning we also got to see the oldest in his speech class – and the middle child started to cry because he hadn’t been told that he come with us, so the caregivers brought him in too. I think the oldest will definitely have the hardest time though – he is very smart, knows Russian well, and has his own personality and agenda. He often tries to tell us but we just can’t understand which is frustrating to him too. When we see him with his caregivers though he is very obedient and well behaved. The middle child is so easy going and just simply loves to have attention, he already seems so easy. And the youngest this morning didn’t cry again either. I tried to put him down once to have him walk while holding my hand, but he didn’t budge so I just ended up carrying him around until he fell asleep.
Anyways, just one more visit with the children tonight and then we start the plane ride back home tomorrow morning. Our bodies are actually feeling somewhat better now (still getting up at 4:30am though) – just in time for the big switch back. I can’t believe we’ve only been here four days, it feels more like 10. We haven’t been told a court date yet, but should know soon. I will be happy to get back home, but will be happier when it is with all our children.
Nov 15th
Back home, and with all our luggage! We got home at around 12:30am last night and about 20hours later things feel ‘normal’ again. The house is back to the way I like it, most of the laundry has been done, kids are fed and in bed, and I’m sitting on the computer – almost as if I hadn’t been gone!
We now have a court date for Jan 21st, so will be heading back sometime around Jan 14th. As much as I want the boys home now, I am happy with that date in that I don’t feel the huge rush to get visa’s/tickets again, etc. This also will give us a chance to get our renovations done and their rooms ready, as well as make it through the Christmas season and family get-togethers. I am sure it will pass quickly…
Nov 10th
Hello from Russia! So we made it through our two days of flights and layovers and even arrived with all our luggage! The flying was hard on us – hard to sleep on cramped planes, then we would sleep an hour and land, spend some time wandering through airports looking for a place to sleep (usually to no avail), etc. By the time we made it to our last two flights we were so exhausted it was now easy to sleep on the planes!
Along the way we had about a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam so Aaron and I hopped onto a train to go into the city and then went for a one hour boat tour. It was really nice, beautiful buildings, much more peaceful than being on the windy street – but so relaxing, and combined with our flights, Aaron could hardly stay awake. Most everyone seemed to speak English which was great, and the accents gave Aaron a sense of feeling ‘home’. I’m sure the ample supply of ‘droppies’ (a salty black licorice type of Dutch candy) helped!
We arrived in Ufa around noon Nov 9th and were greeting by our facilitator and translator. Immediately we headed to the Ministry of Education and officially received the referrals for the boys and therefore permission to visit them at the orphanage. Next we hopped back in the car and two hours later arrived in Sterlitamak. I will never again complain about how bumpy a Canadian road may be – the drive was a constant bump, it was truly unbelievable. We had a short stop at our hosts to unload our luggage and then were headed to the orphanage. We were shown into the music room, which is large and open, and then in came the boys. It is hard to even remember that evening we were so tired. The baby was very scared and cried almost non-stop – which didn’t bother me in that it is good for him to be scared of strangers at his age (just over a year). He is darling though and I wished I could comfort him. The other two boys are quite social and were happy to play with us and the toys we had brought. After a while our facilitator took the baby back to the caregivers and even though we could have stayed longer with the older two, we decided to leave because we were about to fall asleep on our feet. We got back to our host’s at around 5:30pm and immediately went to bed for the rest of the night, too tired to even eat.
Front of Orphanage
Sterlitamak is a city that is approximately the size of Grande Prairie, but that is about its only similarity. It is FILLED with apartments. Many have stores on the bottom floor and then apartments on top. We really have not seen a single house. Most of them look very old and run down from the outside, but from what we have seen the insides look much better and have been up-kept. All the apartments have balconies that are completely closed in by windows. They are also all heated by hot-water radiators with no thermostats (if it gets too hot you just open a window) and Aaron and I have found it very hot in almost every building we have been in. We can’t imagine how we’d manage in summer months! Also, I’ve never seen so many tiny cars. We see a few vans and buses, but not a single pick-up. The driving is pretty crazy by our standards too, very fast and stop-go, and not pedestrian friendly. The ten minute drive to/from the orphanage is enough to leave us both feeling carsick. The weather though here is exactly what it is back home.
The orphanage is also not what I expected. Again, the outside of the building looks very run-down, but inside is very nice. There are approximately 70 children (I believe age 5 and down), but only about 12 that are currently ‘adoptable’. The children appear to be cared for very well. They have two doctors on staff, one for the older children and one for the toddlers and babies. Each year the children also under-go a very extensive check-up by many different specialists too. This is done for many reasons, one of which is to help parents feel comfortable with knowing their medical history and adopting them. The children also have music lessons, speech lessons, etc right in the orphanage. One room we get to sometimes play in is called the ‘sensory’ room and is very amazing. It has a large ball pit, big bean bags, soft things to climb and slide down, two columns filled with water that light up and have bubbles and balls floating around in them, some fiber optic cable that lights up and changes color, and a board with different textured items.
Unlike Europe, not many people speak English here, although it is more common with the younger generation. We have found the language to be a huge barrier, one I’ve never before experienced, and leaves us often feeling un-easy. It has also been a large barrier when we are with the boys too. For example, we will want to show them something about the toy they are playing with and they will think that we are trying to take it away. Also, the oldest one will try to tell us something and we simply won’t understand, or we will want to say something to them but just don’t know how. We are naturally drawn to people of our own language (our two favorite people here are the two who speak English), so it is harder to create a bond with the boys. We adore them (the middle one has such an adorable laugh you can’t help but love), but I think they mostly see us as someone that is fun to play with most of the time and especially like that we bring ‘new’ toys (which sometimes isn’t a good thing because they can get very wrapped up with playing with a toy and not with us, especially when they think we are going to take it away).
All in all, it is a very hard trip but for a VERY good reason. The other night I sadly told Aaron that I don’t think that I could do this again – he then reminded me that I said that very same thing shortly after giving birth to Emily. I think that is a very good analogy. We have had the long wait of a pregnancy, and now experience the fatigue and ‘pains’ of labour, but our reward is soon to come! And like having a newborn is also fatiguing and has a time of adjustment, we will go through that too once everyone is finally home!
Nov 12th
Last night our visit went well with the children. We thought we weren’t going to be able to visit with them since last minute we needed to go back to the notary’s to sign/fix more documents. But then, since the children had been expecting us, we were allowed to go see them for about 45 minutes. So with no toys in hand we showed up and were able to play in the sensory room. It worked very well and had more direct interaction. Even the baby, who we don’t get to see every time, didn’t cry! He was still scared though and just sat on my hip the whole time watching what was going on, not interacting with us though. We got to see him though once in his baby room interacting with some of his caregivers, playing with toys, and even giggling a couple times (which almost brought me to tears). He will do very well, I really think they all will, and think it won’t necessarily take as long as I originally thought to adjust to us and their new home. Yesterday morning we also got to see the oldest in his speech class – and the middle child started to cry because he hadn’t been told that he come with us, so the caregivers brought him in too. I think the oldest will definitely have the hardest time though – he is very smart, knows Russian well, and has his own personality and agenda. He often tries to tell us but we just can’t understand which is frustrating to him too. When we see him with his caregivers though he is very obedient and well behaved. The middle child is so easy going and just simply loves to have attention, he already seems so easy. And the youngest this morning didn’t cry again either. I tried to put him down once to have him walk while holding my hand, but he didn’t budge so I just ended up carrying him around until he fell asleep.
Anyways, just one more visit with the children tonight and then we start the plane ride back home tomorrow morning. Our bodies are actually feeling somewhat better now (still getting up at 4:30am though) – just in time for the big switch back. I can’t believe we’ve only been here four days, it feels more like 10. We haven’t been told a court date yet, but should know soon. I will be happy to get back home, but will be happier when it is with all our children.
Nov 15th
Back home, and with all our luggage! We got home at around 12:30am last night and about 20hours later things feel ‘normal’ again. The house is back to the way I like it, most of the laundry has been done, kids are fed and in bed, and I’m sitting on the computer – almost as if I hadn’t been gone!
We now have a court date for Jan 21st, so will be heading back sometime around Jan 14th. As much as I want the boys home now, I am happy with that date in that I don’t feel the huge rush to get visa’s/tickets again, etc. This also will give us a chance to get our renovations done and their rooms ready, as well as make it through the Christmas season and family get-togethers. I am sure it will pass quickly…
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Three Days to Lift-off
So I thought that I would be blogging more these past two weeks since there would be stuff to tell, but turns out that I have simply been so busy that I haven't had the chance!
The first week after finding out our travel date was a tough one. I feel that we were attacked over and over again BUT of course God's plan endures and at the end of the week we finally managed to get tickets booked, childcare in place, visas being processed, and a few puppies off to their new homes. The visas have been quite the struggle though - first our tourist visas were denied (although everyone travels their first trip on tourist visas). We then had to send them double the money for business visas, which were finally approved and mailed out yesterday ...so they should be arriving in Fairview tomorrow (Friday) with not a day to spare since we fly out on Sunday. Ya, a little stressful at times!
As I mentioned, we fly out Sunday (7th) morning and arrive Tuesday (9th) morning because of the change in time zones. Coming back, although just as much flight time, looks a lot better in that we leave Sunday (14th) morning and get back Sunday night. I find it kind of funny that we are flying on a dutch airline and have our layover in Amsterdam since Aaron's family is dutch in heritage and this will be Aaron's first time in Holland ...not sure though if he will get to see anything beyond the airport!
Now back to 'the list' for me... less than three days to go and lots yet to do.
The first week after finding out our travel date was a tough one. I feel that we were attacked over and over again BUT of course God's plan endures and at the end of the week we finally managed to get tickets booked, childcare in place, visas being processed, and a few puppies off to their new homes. The visas have been quite the struggle though - first our tourist visas were denied (although everyone travels their first trip on tourist visas). We then had to send them double the money for business visas, which were finally approved and mailed out yesterday ...so they should be arriving in Fairview tomorrow (Friday) with not a day to spare since we fly out on Sunday. Ya, a little stressful at times!
As I mentioned, we fly out Sunday (7th) morning and arrive Tuesday (9th) morning because of the change in time zones. Coming back, although just as much flight time, looks a lot better in that we leave Sunday (14th) morning and get back Sunday night. I find it kind of funny that we are flying on a dutch airline and have our layover in Amsterdam since Aaron's family is dutch in heritage and this will be Aaron's first time in Holland ...not sure though if he will get to see anything beyond the airport!
Now back to 'the list' for me... less than three days to go and lots yet to do.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Here We Go!
Long time with no posts once again....but what is there to say when you are just waiting, and waiting? In some ways it was nicer than the paperwork stage because I didn't have the stress of gathering and waiting for tons of documents over my head. But, some days I just began to wonder if the call to travel was EVER going to come, especially before all the paperwork expired again....and not knowing often would lead to feelings of sadness over the time we have already lost with these darling boys - a total of almost eight years of experiences and time if you add up their ages. BUT, now it feels like the end is actually in site!
As many have already heard, WE GOT THE CALL TO TRAVEL! Russia here we come! Yesterday morning brought the news that we are to be in Russia the morning of Nov 9th! That is 19 days notice, which already seems to be flying by...only 10 more business days until we leave...which we will need every one of in order to get our tourist visa's back in time. With the call came a huge feeling of excitement, thankfulness, some surrealism, and stress with getting our visa applications done and back. This amount of notice feels perfect - fast enough that I don't feel that more time is simply being missed with them, and just long enough to get everything together and ready to go.
So we will likely fly out on the 7th in order to arrive at our destination in time. We will be picked up at the airport and then wisked off to the Ministry of Education where we will officially receive the referral on the boys. After that I believe we will be headed to the orphanage! I am sure it will be one of the longest days of my life with the time change and flight half way around the world, and am certain I will be desperately yearning for a shower and fluffy bed.
I can't wait to meet the boys, but am really not 'expecting' any sort of reaction from them. We will be strangers to them that hardly can even speak Russian. There may be crying, they may be terrified, or they may be excited to have someone to give them so much attention and play-time. The Albertan family that took the pictures we have of the boys back in June had an 'interesting' time with their referral. Their little girl was so scared that she wouldn't be alone with them, let them touch her, or ever smile for all of their first trip and most of their second. They understood her feelings though, kept strong, and had compassion on her - and once she was legally their daughter and they were able to leave to start to make the trek home, a 'switch flipped' in her and she changed into a happy three year old. I could honestly even see the difference in the pictures they posted on their blog, and it makes me tear up! It is my best guess that it wasn't until they were leaving with her that she finally felt secure in that they really were going to be her forever family. I hope for an easier time than what they experienced, but know that their story will help to keep our spirits up if it is a 'rough start' with the boys.
We also got a little bad news today. I was thinking from other's past experiences that our court date would come about a month after our first trip, so around mid December. When I was talking with our agency today, though, they informed me that their rep in Russia figures we won't get a court date until the end of January ....but God is bigger! So I invite everyone to pray for a quick court date, a smooth process, and for us to remain in good spirits and see God's leading in all situations. Thanks so much for your prayers, love, support, and excitement!
As many have already heard, WE GOT THE CALL TO TRAVEL! Russia here we come! Yesterday morning brought the news that we are to be in Russia the morning of Nov 9th! That is 19 days notice, which already seems to be flying by...only 10 more business days until we leave...which we will need every one of in order to get our tourist visa's back in time. With the call came a huge feeling of excitement, thankfulness, some surrealism, and stress with getting our visa applications done and back. This amount of notice feels perfect - fast enough that I don't feel that more time is simply being missed with them, and just long enough to get everything together and ready to go.
So we will likely fly out on the 7th in order to arrive at our destination in time. We will be picked up at the airport and then wisked off to the Ministry of Education where we will officially receive the referral on the boys. After that I believe we will be headed to the orphanage! I am sure it will be one of the longest days of my life with the time change and flight half way around the world, and am certain I will be desperately yearning for a shower and fluffy bed.
I can't wait to meet the boys, but am really not 'expecting' any sort of reaction from them. We will be strangers to them that hardly can even speak Russian. There may be crying, they may be terrified, or they may be excited to have someone to give them so much attention and play-time. The Albertan family that took the pictures we have of the boys back in June had an 'interesting' time with their referral. Their little girl was so scared that she wouldn't be alone with them, let them touch her, or ever smile for all of their first trip and most of their second. They understood her feelings though, kept strong, and had compassion on her - and once she was legally their daughter and they were able to leave to start to make the trek home, a 'switch flipped' in her and she changed into a happy three year old. I could honestly even see the difference in the pictures they posted on their blog, and it makes me tear up! It is my best guess that it wasn't until they were leaving with her that she finally felt secure in that they really were going to be her forever family. I hope for an easier time than what they experienced, but know that their story will help to keep our spirits up if it is a 'rough start' with the boys.
We also got a little bad news today. I was thinking from other's past experiences that our court date would come about a month after our first trip, so around mid December. When I was talking with our agency today, though, they informed me that their rep in Russia figures we won't get a court date until the end of January ....but God is bigger! So I invite everyone to pray for a quick court date, a smooth process, and for us to remain in good spirits and see God's leading in all situations. Thanks so much for your prayers, love, support, and excitement!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Paperwork Pregnant Again
Sorry for no posts for so long. Been busy doing paperwork and haven't had much to post until now.
As you may notice in my previous posts the pictures have been deleted at the request of my agency. Why? Well, things don't exactly go by the 'book' all the time...like we are to have no info on any children until we travel to Russia, but we are fortunate to have gotten some in round-about ways. This could get some in trouble, plus there is always the 'fear' that someone else could steal a referral, although I don't know really if that ever happens. So it was either delete the pictures or make my blog private, which means anyone wanting to read my blog would have to put in a person request to have access to it which I would then have to approve - a pain for you and me. So hopefully you already got a sneak peak!
So paperwork is done again! SOOOOO glad for that. Well, except for applying for Sponsorship for a third child which I first need to do our 2009 taxes to do.
Also, our agency just informed us that the boys have been examined by the Designated Medical Practioner and that he was very pleased with how healthy all three are! So we are now waiting for his report, then have to decide whether or not to have it reviewed by a doctor specializing in evaluating and interpreting internation adoption referrals. I'd love to have someone tell me that they don't have any medical issues like FAS, but they can't be 100% sure, and I am guessing that it will cost us hundreds of dollars per child. I just don't know. Every penny is needed right now with things looking like they should be happening pretty fast, and Aaron and I both feel that these are 'the ones', so I'm not sure if spending the extra $$ is really worth it?
About when will all this be happenning? MY best GUESS is that we will travel in Oct or Nov to meet them, and then have a Dec court date...so may be spending Christmas in Russia. :( New prayer request is that we will ALL be home before Christmas!
As you may notice in my previous posts the pictures have been deleted at the request of my agency. Why? Well, things don't exactly go by the 'book' all the time...like we are to have no info on any children until we travel to Russia, but we are fortunate to have gotten some in round-about ways. This could get some in trouble, plus there is always the 'fear' that someone else could steal a referral, although I don't know really if that ever happens. So it was either delete the pictures or make my blog private, which means anyone wanting to read my blog would have to put in a person request to have access to it which I would then have to approve - a pain for you and me. So hopefully you already got a sneak peak!
So paperwork is done again! SOOOOO glad for that. Well, except for applying for Sponsorship for a third child which I first need to do our 2009 taxes to do.
Also, our agency just informed us that the boys have been examined by the Designated Medical Practioner and that he was very pleased with how healthy all three are! So we are now waiting for his report, then have to decide whether or not to have it reviewed by a doctor specializing in evaluating and interpreting internation adoption referrals. I'd love to have someone tell me that they don't have any medical issues like FAS, but they can't be 100% sure, and I am guessing that it will cost us hundreds of dollars per child. I just don't know. Every penny is needed right now with things looking like they should be happening pretty fast, and Aaron and I both feel that these are 'the ones', so I'm not sure if spending the extra $$ is really worth it?
About when will all this be happenning? MY best GUESS is that we will travel in Oct or Nov to meet them, and then have a Dec court date...so may be spending Christmas in Russia. :( New prayer request is that we will ALL be home before Christmas!
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