Ha, which by now I am convinced is a good thing. I have contact with a family who is adopting from the same orphanage and are going on their last trip at the end of this week, they have the same agency, same facilitator, everything! And they got their dates about 5-6 weeks after their dossier getting to Russia. IF we follow a similar timeline-and that is a big IF, we would hear about our travel dates in about 3 weeks, give or take. We are starting our last BIG paperchase this week. And once we have it all, I will make another trip to Atlanta to have those documents apostilled, just like the last set, and this set will be hand carried over by us when we go on our first trip.
We got some insight into the new judge. She is "nicer" than the judge she replaced, so that is good. Court only lasted an hour for this other family, which is good, it can last 5 hours if they want it too. She questions both parents, which I like, most question just one, which puts a lot of pressure on the one person. She did not waive their 10 days. Explanation: On the 2nd trip, when we have court, and they approve the adoption, there is then a 10 day waiting period till it is finalized. St.Petersburg used to have a judge that would often waive the 10 days, you have to ask them to, at the end of the court hearing. This adds significant cost, when the 10 days is not waived, that is 10 business days, which makes your 2nd trip 22-24 days long!!! Say what??????????? Yes, you read me right.
On a happy note: We get to send a package to Anastasia with the family that is going there this weekend to get their little girl, so that is exciting! This family has been of great help to me, they are 2 steps ahead of us, so they have given us a lot of insight that we would not have otherwise. How great is that!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I didn't forget
Our conversation with Anastasia! I had told the translator, that I had to talk to talk to her this week, I told her I would call once a week, and it had been a week and half, not for lack of trying. But as a child my mother never showed up for visits, etc... So I was not going to break her trust like that. So, Tim the translator said he is always up late so I asked if he would just try and try, I would keep my phone by the bed, and I would tip him 20.00 for the extra effort.
So, he did, the phone rang at 1:21 am. The call was a little stressful, we got disconnected twice. Plus Anastasia just kept asking when we were coming to get her, and saying that she cries all night long, because she misses her Mommy. I'm not sure if they told her that she is being adopted, or if she just kind of guessing.
But she said she got her package, and that she liked it, and wanted to know if we were going to send her another one, haha, typical child.
And she asked for Cody like 20 times! She loves that boy!
She said they switched her room, because she has a bad cough, and the room she was sleeping in was freezing and was making her cough worse, so they changed her room, and it's not as cold. Of course as a mother that was hard, that she is cold at night, and of course that some other poor kid is now freezing in that room!
She said she saw an eye doctor at the orphanage and he told her not to wear the glasses that we got for her at the eye dr. here because they are bad for her eyes!! GRRR... At first I thought maybe she made it up because she doesn't want to wear them, but then I thought that not really a child-like lye, it's probably the truth, and it doesn't surprise me.
It was really good to talk to her, although it was hard hearing her say those things.
We'll try again next week.
So, he did, the phone rang at 1:21 am. The call was a little stressful, we got disconnected twice. Plus Anastasia just kept asking when we were coming to get her, and saying that she cries all night long, because she misses her Mommy. I'm not sure if they told her that she is being adopted, or if she just kind of guessing.
But she said she got her package, and that she liked it, and wanted to know if we were going to send her another one, haha, typical child.
And she asked for Cody like 20 times! She loves that boy!
She said they switched her room, because she has a bad cough, and the room she was sleeping in was freezing and was making her cough worse, so they changed her room, and it's not as cold. Of course as a mother that was hard, that she is cold at night, and of course that some other poor kid is now freezing in that room!
She said she saw an eye doctor at the orphanage and he told her not to wear the glasses that we got for her at the eye dr. here because they are bad for her eyes!! GRRR... At first I thought maybe she made it up because she doesn't want to wear them, but then I thought that not really a child-like lye, it's probably the truth, and it doesn't surprise me.
It was really good to talk to her, although it was hard hearing her say those things.
We'll try again next week.
A little about this and that
Sorry I haven't posted about our call to Anastasia Monday night. Just feeling overwhelmed the last couple days, with the wait, the financial aspect, the missing her, etc... But I feel better today, and having my boys home helps, they have this week off of school, it's winter break here. Plus it is both of their birthdays this week, which I love!!
I'm going to be starting a whole family blog soon, I'm sure it would bore you to death, unless you are a grandparent or part of our family. But it's the end to my scrapbooking guilt I've decided. I have no scrapbooking talent, I've always felt a little guilty about it. I've tried and tried, I love the pretty paper, the idea, etc... But I just can't do it. So, if you go to www.blurb.com you can see what I'll be doing so solve my scrapbooking guilt. I'll blog, then have it made into a book, most likely using this blurb.com. It solves the issue of me trying to make things pretty on paper, when I just can't. Pictures and journaling the times I have with my children, that is my goal. And what better way for people who love them to get to hear about there everyday life-Your Welcome Papaw and Memaw!!!
Also, I am feeling like maybe some people feel like my focus is Anastasia and that my boys are suffering from it. Trust me Anastasia is a focus, but only one of many focuses in my life. I know it's hard for some people to understand that she is just important to me as my boys. I don't expect everyone to understand that. But trust me, my boys, do not suffer from it, no more than they would suffer from me being pregnant and expecting a new baby. (Thanks for that comparison Robin) My boys do not suffer from this process I can tell you that, and I can also tell you it has grown them in ways that is a gift from God. There is not anything those boys want for, they have the world, a mom and dad, etc... I want them to have empathy and understanding for others, and this has helped them to do that. All of my children are equally wonderful to me, they are all so different, and I think they learn from each other's gifts and faults, which is what I love about them being so different.
Not sure why I felt I had to justify myself, but there it is.
I'm going to be starting a whole family blog soon, I'm sure it would bore you to death, unless you are a grandparent or part of our family. But it's the end to my scrapbooking guilt I've decided. I have no scrapbooking talent, I've always felt a little guilty about it. I've tried and tried, I love the pretty paper, the idea, etc... But I just can't do it. So, if you go to www.blurb.com you can see what I'll be doing so solve my scrapbooking guilt. I'll blog, then have it made into a book, most likely using this blurb.com. It solves the issue of me trying to make things pretty on paper, when I just can't. Pictures and journaling the times I have with my children, that is my goal. And what better way for people who love them to get to hear about there everyday life-Your Welcome Papaw and Memaw!!!
Also, I am feeling like maybe some people feel like my focus is Anastasia and that my boys are suffering from it. Trust me Anastasia is a focus, but only one of many focuses in my life. I know it's hard for some people to understand that she is just important to me as my boys. I don't expect everyone to understand that. But trust me, my boys, do not suffer from it, no more than they would suffer from me being pregnant and expecting a new baby. (Thanks for that comparison Robin) My boys do not suffer from this process I can tell you that, and I can also tell you it has grown them in ways that is a gift from God. There is not anything those boys want for, they have the world, a mom and dad, etc... I want them to have empathy and understanding for others, and this has helped them to do that. All of my children are equally wonderful to me, they are all so different, and I think they learn from each other's gifts and faults, which is what I love about them being so different.
Not sure why I felt I had to justify myself, but there it is.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Update From The New Horizon's Mission Team
Hello everyone from the mission team! Thanks for all your prayers of support and well being for us while we were in Latvia, Ukraine and Russia! It was a rather long trip this time, but so, so rewarding spiritually!
We feel we have some of the best children we’ve ever identified, as far as a large group from all 3 countries and hope to have the photos up by Tuesday night. Monday is the preview day for those who have pre-app’s with deposit in our office, and then the masses will be able to access the site the next day. Please continue to pray for Michelle and Le Ann as we try to put into words of 1024 characters or less, what the Lord inspired us to notice or learn about each of his beloved children! I think in total, there are 85 children from Ukraine, 107 from Latvia and 59 from Russia! For now, please spread the word for anyone who might be interested to start with the website: www.newhorizonsforchildren.org and to read about it and then fill out the pre-hosting application and fax it in immediately, so they can access photos and select a child to host.
Again, the Lord was with us the entire time we were in the “mission field” of 16 days for 3 of us, and a little less for 3 others.
God bless and spread the word!
Le Ann
We feel we have some of the best children we’ve ever identified, as far as a large group from all 3 countries and hope to have the photos up by Tuesday night. Monday is the preview day for those who have pre-app’s with deposit in our office, and then the masses will be able to access the site the next day. Please continue to pray for Michelle and Le Ann as we try to put into words of 1024 characters or less, what the Lord inspired us to notice or learn about each of his beloved children! I think in total, there are 85 children from Ukraine, 107 from Latvia and 59 from Russia! For now, please spread the word for anyone who might be interested to start with the website: www.newhorizonsforchildren.org and to read about it and then fill out the pre-hosting application and fax it in immediately, so they can access photos and select a child to host.
Again, the Lord was with us the entire time we were in the “mission field” of 16 days for 3 of us, and a little less for 3 others.
God bless and spread the word!
Le Ann
Saturday, February 14, 2009
No News.... Is Good News??
Not sure, but it's frustrating that's for sure. We have not heard anything since our Dossier arrived in Russia last week, so this I guess is good news. What is happening with that right now, I'm not sure. We haven't gotten a call saying there is any problems with our paperwork, so I am assuming this is good news. When will we hear something? Don't know. If things go "typically" then we would get a call sometime in March saying that we have our first trip date set for late March, maybe April. With several weeks notice. Or we could get only several Days notice. OR things could be delayed due to a piece of paperwork missing, or not signed right, or a new requirement, etc...
We also have not talked to Anastasia. It's not for lack of trying. In the morning I call Tim the Translator to wake him up, and he calls, and calls, and calls. Last night we stayed up till 2:00 am (which would be 10:00 am) in Russia, and Tim called and called and called. No answer, no answer, nobody ever answers!!!!!!
I'm hoping the next couple weeks will go by quicker than the past weeks have gone, time seems to be in slow motion. But this is my favorite time of the year, my boy's birthdays. Cooper is the 20th and Cody is the 22nd. They will be 5 and 8, my goodness, I can hardly believe it. They have finally realized that not everyone has to share a birthday party with their brother, so they asked for seperate birthdays parties. So Cooper's will be at an indoor play place. And Cody wants a party at home, a Mad Science Party, how fun is that!! We are going to have different experiments set up for the kids to do, he is so excited this is his favorite type of thing. I'm going to be starting a family blog soon, so stay tuned for that.
We also have not talked to Anastasia. It's not for lack of trying. In the morning I call Tim the Translator to wake him up, and he calls, and calls, and calls. Last night we stayed up till 2:00 am (which would be 10:00 am) in Russia, and Tim called and called and called. No answer, no answer, nobody ever answers!!!!!!
I'm hoping the next couple weeks will go by quicker than the past weeks have gone, time seems to be in slow motion. But this is my favorite time of the year, my boy's birthdays. Cooper is the 20th and Cody is the 22nd. They will be 5 and 8, my goodness, I can hardly believe it. They have finally realized that not everyone has to share a birthday party with their brother, so they asked for seperate birthdays parties. So Cooper's will be at an indoor play place. And Cody wants a party at home, a Mad Science Party, how fun is that!! We are going to have different experiments set up for the kids to do, he is so excited this is his favorite type of thing. I'm going to be starting a family blog soon, so stay tuned for that.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Mama Drive!!!
That is the first thing she said when she got on the phone. Silly girl, it's an inside joke between the 2 of us, when she was here all she wanted to do was go somewhere, and she would ask me a million times, "mama drive?".
I finally got ahold of the translator today, and he called the orphanage and arranged a 3 way call!
What did Anastasia have to say? She wanted to talk to Cody, so I had Tim the translator explain that the boys were at school and Gary was at work. She sad about that. There was a lot of I love yous. I told her that she would geta package from us soon. She wanted to know what was in it.I told her it was her birthday presents and she'd have to wait and see!
The interview team with New Horizons arrives there tomorrow and they will be delivering her package and hopefully taking a picture of her receiving it! She wanted to know why I hadn't called earlier and I explained that I had to find someone who spoke Russian to help me first and that that it took time. I told her we would call once a week, and she wanted to know why only once!!! She was joking around a lot, and seemed like she was in a very good mood. She said they had just gotten back from a walk.
It was so wonderful to hear her voice. I am glad that I'll be able to call on a regular basis. It helps my heart to know that she'll have that to look forward to every week. They are 8 hours ahead, and the assistant director Ekatrina, the one we met, explained that their day "ends" at 5, so if we could call before then it would be better, but that is around 8 our time, so it's not the easiest feat with our morning schedules. The translator also didn't sound real happy about calling Saturday morning because it will be 7 his time, but he did agree to do it, so we'll see. Oh, and he said I like your little girl, she is very funny for a little girl her age! Which we know, but she was cracking him up!
Oh, and according to UPS tracking our dossier papwork is now in Russia, so hopefully it will make it to St. Petersburg tomorrow!! How exciting!
I finally got ahold of the translator today, and he called the orphanage and arranged a 3 way call!
What did Anastasia have to say? She wanted to talk to Cody, so I had Tim the translator explain that the boys were at school and Gary was at work. She sad about that. There was a lot of I love yous. I told her that she would geta package from us soon. She wanted to know what was in it.I told her it was her birthday presents and she'd have to wait and see!
The interview team with New Horizons arrives there tomorrow and they will be delivering her package and hopefully taking a picture of her receiving it! She wanted to know why I hadn't called earlier and I explained that I had to find someone who spoke Russian to help me first and that that it took time. I told her we would call once a week, and she wanted to know why only once!!! She was joking around a lot, and seemed like she was in a very good mood. She said they had just gotten back from a walk.
It was so wonderful to hear her voice. I am glad that I'll be able to call on a regular basis. It helps my heart to know that she'll have that to look forward to every week. They are 8 hours ahead, and the assistant director Ekatrina, the one we met, explained that their day "ends" at 5, so if we could call before then it would be better, but that is around 8 our time, so it's not the easiest feat with our morning schedules. The translator also didn't sound real happy about calling Saturday morning because it will be 7 his time, but he did agree to do it, so we'll see. Oh, and he said I like your little girl, she is very funny for a little girl her age! Which we know, but she was cracking him up!
Oh, and according to UPS tracking our dossier papwork is now in Russia, so hopefully it will make it to St. Petersburg tomorrow!! How exciting!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Birthday Anastasia!!
Today is Anastasia's 7th Birthday! Happy Birthday baby girl, we love you! We had a birthday cake for her the night before she left and she was so excited about it. She could not believe it was for her. You can by the smile on her face how much she loved it!
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