Re: Accreditation

Dear B...,

On December 28 our agency received accreditation!!!!!! After January 10 , after Russian holidays we will be able to resume our operations in Russia.

Happy holidays and best wishes to you and family!!!!!

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a way to ring in the new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy New Year Everyone!!

Still Waiting

This has got to be the hardest part about adopting, the endless waiting. I know our time will come, but man is it taking forever. I'm told that once the accreditation thing is done, it will go fast. We are one of the first families, if not the first, for our region and our agency. SO I pray and I hope October brings good news. Meanwhile, to help me stay positive and deal with this later than expected travel, I just tell myself, the later it happens, then maybe there's a chance I can catch the Nutcracker/Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theater. I know it's playing a few times this winter.
(Lets not tell my husband I've been checking up on the ballet, I know what he will say. I have to find a way to "spring" it on him nicely and in a fun way!! That should keep me occupied while we wait for news!! Suggestions on how to take a "manly man" to the ballet would be nice.) He doesn't care too much for hockey or that might be a nice comprise.

Any Day Now for Several Months

Last night my husband and I were out to dinner with a friend. He kindly asked how the adoption was going. I replied... it could be any day now. That's when my darling husband chimed in and said "It's been any day for months now. My friends are beginning to wonder if it's ever going to happen.!" This hurt for a moment. Then I realized that from the outside looking in, it probably seems like that.

I know I should not have done this......
but I have picked out two boys from the data bank that I truly think we'll be matched with, only time will tell. If I'm not matched with either of them, then that's okay it helped me to pass the time, but how cool would it be to open the referral and see one of the little ones staring back at me!!!

Christen (blogger friend living in the Caymans) asked about our preference. Many people ask how old the baby will be when we get him. Well... he won't be a baby. We asked for a boy with an age range of 3-8.

The question people ask most is why an older boy. Well, because adoption is something I always felt called to do. And when my husband and I got married he knew this and was completely supportive. He knew nothing about adoption and asked "Are we able to choose a gender? If so can we get a boy?" How could I say no --- he was smiling and had stars in his eyes of his little boy being the best athlete in school. (I warned him that while Russia may be know for great athletes, it also is known for ballet and male ballet dancers) --(not that I wanted to burst his bubble... ) My husband is 41 years old and has coached many teams. While he will be respectful of Boris's talents and preferences -- my husband can't wait to play/watch -- tennis, football, soccer, wrestling, baseball with his son. Choosing an older boy gives him the opportunity to interact now rather than waiting for the little one to grow up.

Now if only ---- our agency could receive accreditation and we could get a referral!

Still Waiting

We are still waiting to hear our "agency is accredited." I'm hoping it's soon. It was hard knowing that Russia was closed. But now to know folks are getting referrals and moving, it kinda makes the wait even harder. I want to be moving. Some say there will be another batch in a week or two, others say not until the mid/end of Aug. while others say not until Sept. Our agency director seemed to think we'd get accredited by the end of July/beg. of August. So I'm really hoping for a another batch soon.!!

I'm told that our paperwork is "next" in line to get a referral and we are requesting an older boy, so I don't anticipate the wait to be too long once the accreditation comes. But then again, it's all out of our control.

What's the Lucky NUMBER??

Someone on FRUA posted that 10 more agencies had the accreditation certificate signed. I hope that's true. If so, it looks like a certificate ceremony will happen within the next week. Russia won't post which agencies are approved/signed off until certificates are actually handed out. Keep your fingers crossed. My agency isn't saying anything, except that agencies really aren't suppose to be talking. However, the director did say (a month a ago) that she didn't see any reason for us not to have the certificate by the end of July. So if that's true, we might be in this batch. Rumors are that the next batch won't happen until Sept. because of Russian vacations --- many take the month of Aug. off. That's not official, just what folks are saying. I REALLY hope my agency is in this batch!!! I am soooooo tired of waiting.

What a 4th of July!!!!

Of all days, I think it's GREAT that Russia picked July 4th as the day to start handing out accreditations. So far, we're told 8 agencies -- 7 American and one French received certificates to continue adoptions. Word is and history has shown that it shouldn't be too much longer for other agencies to get accredited too. My agency director said while she can't guarantee anything, she wouldn't see any reason for it to take longer than the end of July/ beg. of Aug. for our agency to get its certificate. Please pray this is true!!!

Congratulations to all the waiting families who received good news.. I heard many of the agencies that did received certificates.... have been waiting for more than a year!!

I'm sorry -- I know I haven't posted much lately, it's just been depressing not knowing... and just waiting. So now with good news and hopefully my agency finding out good news, I will be posting more often!!

Two Months

It has now been two months (March 20th) since the Ministry of Justice (in Russia) requested the additional documents from all agencies. The United States -- State Dept. stepped in and assisted. It provided the necessary documents needed to prove that any adopted child "that is naturalized" is granted the same citizenship rights as a natural born citizen. While we take it for granted here in the U.S. --- Russia requested the same info from all countries. So there may be others that don't offer the same rights to internationally adopted children.
Lets hope this week proves to be a good one. The end of May/ beg. of June is the six month mark on when the Gov. opened to accept applications for accreditation.

Not much else to say,
other than I'm sorry I haven't posted more often and I haven't posted on my favorite blogs. I can assure you I have been reading all of them. I just haven't felt in a spirited mood lately and while I'm usually a talkative person, I haven't been lately. I know it will change once accreditation rolls around.

Waiting and Waiting

Well, I'm not sure what I'm waiting for... But I'm sure I'll know it when I see it.
I know I'm waiting for accreditation in Russia... but how will I know when it happens?
Will I get an e-mail from my agency?
If my agency isn't one of the first accredited... then will I see it on FRUA?
Will there be posts galore in the blogger world?
Will there be a million responses on my board sharing and shouting out the good news?

Here's to dreaming through another week of wishful thinking!!!

Notice of Action

That is the title beside the I-797C... which I'm told is the old 171-H.
(At least that's what I've been told)
Bottom line, we have approval from the U.S. Gov. to bring Boris to the U.S. and he will automatically receive citizenship.!!
We don't need this approval for the first trip, but we will need it for court.
Now, if only........

What are the Chances??

I figured while I'm waiting to hear from Russia, I'll call and check up on the I600A. That's the advance application to petition citizenship for an unidentified orphan. Since we don't have his name or know who our little "Boris" is right now, we had to apply for the I600A.

My region only needs a home study to go for the first trip. They want to make sure that the home is approved for a child. The immigration forms are needed for the second trip when we bring Boris home.

This application takes several months. We submitted it in Nov., we were fingerprinted at immigration in Dec. and the home study was sent to immigration in Feb/March. I haven't heard anything, so I figured I would call.

The lady who answered the phone asked me my name. Then she started to laugh. I asked what was so funny. She said, "well actually, I have your application on my desk in front of me right now. I just got it out to review it. "
Now what are the chances? The one day I call immigration --- to talk to the international adoption clerk who processes the entire state -- is actually looking at my application as I call. So I am hoping something will be in the mail soon. Once the immigration approval arrives it will be valid for 18 months. While the immigration fingerprints are good for 12 months. Go figure. Anyway, I'm praying Boris will be home before either expire!!!

P.S. Check out the side blog.. "TO CHINA AND BACK"!!! What a cutie!! It's nice to see someone moving in the adoption world!!

I'm Still Here.. with a countdown to something??

I know I haven't posted much lately. But I'm still here. I'm just trying to get through each week. I seem to look forward to Saturdays. While most adoptive parents looked forward to Mondays... (when there were accredited agencies, that seemed to be the day info came out since Russia is a day ahead) I seem to like Saturdays. I'm not sure why, possibly because it is one more week that's gone in this waiting period. I don't know. But lately I've been a Saturday girl.
Still no "official" news on the accreditation front. Although I read in a Moscow paper (translated to English.. I don't read Russian) that the MOE officials were stating/quoted as saying-- June is when agencies can expect new accreditations. If that's true then I only have six more weeks. Now if that is true, then agencies should start finding out in about four or five weeks. I'm told by my agency director that agencies will know about two weeks before the accreditations come out. So let the countdown begin. I know it's hopeful thinking.. but at least it gets me to my Saturdays!

Nothing New

Nothing new to report. For those not in the adoption loop, (as one who works in the media) I can assure you that most of the newspaper articles that are out there are a little strong in the message and give the impression Russia is STOPPING adoptions.
The articles really don't say anything more than what you've read on this or any other adoption blog. Accreditations have expired. Yes. This we knew would happen. It's not like Russia put a sudden stop to everything, it's something that's been happening over time. Now there is a process in place to get things going again. Any agency interested in working in Russia has applied for accreditation. Now it is up to the government to decide when that paperwork will be approved. So until then we wait.

What Have You Heard?

I know it's hard to get info from the Russian Gov. But has anyone heard anything from their agency about reaccreditation? Right now I just want to hear anything.. something... I heard something about the Dept. of State getting involved and giving Russia a form stating that all states will consider the child a citizen and the child will have the same rights (minus becoming president) as natural born children. But other than that form being submitted, I think it was to happen by today, I haven't heard anything?

And since I'm bored, just waiting for this accreditation thing to happen, I've been playing around with the blog site. Please tell me what you think of my Russian additions. :) If it's too much or too hard to understand, please let me know. Thanks!!

To Keep a Name-- To Give a Name -- That is the Question

Again, I will say...... "While we WAIT for Russia to give out accreditations"--
Lets talk about a "hot" topic on many blogs.
Do you keep the child's Russian name or do you Change it?
I've heard over and over again that judges will ask this question while at court, so it's something adoptive parents should think about before heading in.

Some people feel keeping the child's Russian name is best. It permits the child to connect with his/her heritage. It says to the child, while you are an American and you are our child, we wanted to let you know it's a gift your birth parents gave you and we want you to keep that. And it's a way for adoptive parents to keep the discussion door open, to say it's okay to talk about the past and your name and where you are from.

Now on the other side of the discussion, are parents who say this is my child now and I should be able to change his/her name! For some, they don't want the child to feel "different" with a name that will stand out. Or maybe they've had a name in mind for a long time, and now they can name the child what they've always thought.

There isn't a right or wrong answer here. It's simply what's best for you and your family. Where do we stand on the issue? I digress for a moment.

My mother is a school nurse. And what you are about to hear is a true story!!! There was one time the school administration got together and asked a parent to change the name of a child who just transferred in from another country. The family was Asian. The child's name was Fook Yu. I'm not kidding this is a true story.!! I don't remember what it meant in their language, but it did have a meaning, HOWEVER, in our country the child would have had a hard time in life.

Now again, where do we stand with the name issue? Well, we don't think Boris will have a name that will cause as many problems as the one above. But we do look at the name of a child as a gift from the parents. We want Boris to have a name we chose for him-- we want him to have that gift. Now with that said, we will more than likely keep the name his birth parents gave him as a middle name. That way he can still connect with his Russian heritage, understand where he's from, but also understand he's moving forward with our family and feel apart of us.

Lets do the HAPPY DANCE ---- shall we!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Brandie,

Your package arrived in pristine form, although I got feeling that I am undressing the mummy opening your package, but on end it's played well, everything looks just perfect!!!!

I will organize your paperwork and will forward it to Zoya.

It should be in Magadan by mid April and by the time we will get our accreditation ( don't know when , but hopefully not too long) it will be ready to filed the next day.

Best regards,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the e-mail I received today!!! I told everyone the mailman could have dropped my pkg in the ocean and it would have been fine. There were just two things that could have happened... one: they could have lost it / or two: set it on fire. But thankfully nothing happened and it is PERFECT like she said!! YEAHHHHH
And my paperwork might actually be there sooner----- there is a family heading over in the next week.... and they will see ZOYA!!! And to be honest... I do feel better about a fellow agency family delivering my paperwork after all the mail problems I have had. I trust it will be in safe hands.
Now what can we do about this accreditation issue?????

Still Waiting

Yes, I am still waiting for my documents to arrive at the agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent them out by Registered mail through the United States Post Office on March 15th. I was told the package should arrive in about a week. I was told this was the most secure way to send and a signature was required once delivered. Well it hasn't arrived. I called the phone number and asked why it hasn't -- she said "although we have anticipated time lines for things, this is registered mail, your package is under lock and key, so it could take up to 15 business days to reach the location!!!!" I asked if we could track it and see how far it is in the process, she said "no, not until the 15 business days are up and that won't be until next week or so. So call back then!" And HUNG UP!!!

I am pulling my hair out!! While the documents weren't easy to get,
My GOD THEY WERE EASIER THAN SENDING THEM!!!
I am not joking, if this package doesn't arrive or there is a problem -- I will be on the next flight to to hand them to our agency director personally!!!

Borris your DAD is in the HALL OF FAME!!!

While we wait for the Russian Gov. to decide what they want to do, lets see if Steve even reads this blog, shall we???

A few weeks ago I posted that Steve was being inducted into the PIAA Hall of Fame. It was a very nice ceremony held during the state competition. This is the picture that was posted in the program. It's Steve's State Champion photo.

(I told him I was going to post it, although I don't think he believed me!!)

And here is a photo with his two brothers and his dad. (Steve is wearing the red tie.. he said he had to wear the school colors!! ) Now when I say I married into a wrestling family, that is an understatement. Both brothers are state champs too and his father is in the Hall of Fame for coaching. He coached all three boys and the school teams to numerous championships. His dad was featured in Sports Illustrated for his accomplishments. So needless to say, Steve is excited and prays Boris is into sports of some sort. I keep reminding him Russia is known for ballet as well!! We could be adopting a dancer! Which I wouldn't mind, I took dance lessons as a child!

A Longer Wait than Expected

On Monday I took the papers to the post office, showed them and filed a claim. They said a check should be in the mail within 4 weeks. Meanwhile, I am still waiting for my agency to receive the last shipment of documents. It should be there by today (I'm hoping).

Once our agency director gets everything, she will then send all of it to Russia. That is a two/three week process. It takes a while to reach Siberia. From what I understand our papers have already been scanned and translated. So by the time the original documents arrive everything will be ready to submit to the Russian Gov. for a referral.

However, there is now a HUGE glitch. All agencies except for three (and by the end of April-- they too will be in this situation from what I understand) are waiting for the Russian Gov. to give out the certificate of accreditation. All agency directors were expecting that to happen by the end of March. That is what the Gov. had everyone believing. But this is Russia, and self imposed deadlines move. So they will do it when they get to it. Meanwhile this basically means international adoptions are shut down until the certificate is issued.

It is pending, so it's not like a few years ago or even last year where the Gov. was trying to figure out a new process. Now the process is in place, and from what I understand (which is little) most agencies are waiting for two ministries to sign the documents. Once that happens the certificate of re-accreditation will be issued within 10 days. So word could come anytime now or some are guessing by June. We will just have to wait and see.

It all works out!!

Well, this is Take Two and the documents are once again on their way to the agency. I have to say things turned out much better than I anticipated. The county gave us 6 free marriage certificates ($20 each) after hearing what happened and the Apostille Office in Harrisburg redid all 25 forms($15 per page) free of charge. So if all goes as planned and the post office reimburses us the $100 for the package that was delivered damaged then we actually make money in the deal? Go figure. Actually the parking and gas and stuff all cost about 100-- so it ends up being a wash, but hey my husband is happy!

As far as the post office goes, well that was a fun time. I ended up in line with the same guy I had on Friday. I had filled out the form ahead of time and marked YES in the insurance box. He rang everything through and said the price. I looked at him and said "no, that was what it cost last time without insurance, it was delivered damaged-- I want insurance on this these documents they are worth over $400 dollars." He laughed at me and said that's impossible. Paper is never worth that much and you can't insure paper. The look on my face told him very clearly I wasn't nearly as amused. As nice as I could, I said "These are adoption documents that cost over $400 dollars to put together to give to the Russian Gov. Would you like me to show you the receipts your government charged me to obtain them!" He said no, and referred me to the manager. That manager laughed as well and told me the only documents that can be insured are stocks and bonds. Nothing else. I said -- "Look the insurance costs what like $5 -- just give it to me and I'll deal with that when the documents are delivered damaged again." He said "Nope, I can't insure something I can't cover, you have to go to the main post office. We are just a branch."
So I went to the Main Post Office. The people there were much more helpful. They informed me that "yes, non-negotiable documents (which mine are, each document has a set value assigned to it at each office) are covered up to the $100 basic insurance, but only up to $100 in express mail. The added insurance is for product. (Okay what-ever.)
Even had I paid for the extra insurance last time the replacement coverage would not have changed. If I want full coverage and replacement value on the documents I need to send it registered mail." I said thank you, lets do that. So if these documents end up in a fire... because, they are currently waterproof, then I am covered.

Take Two

I'm off to Harrisburg today. I have all the paperwork.
- 3 notarized home studies with original pictures attached
- 3 notarized licences of both the social worker and her agency
- 3 notarized letters of post adoption reports
- 2 original marriage certificates (actually they gave me 6 )
- 2 agreements to register child with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 4 notarized copies of our passports
- 2 notarized copies of Power of Attorney
- 2 notarized post-placement verification

This list is shorter than the original packet and I only have to get 15 of the above apostilled. So this list isn't that bad.
I am sealing everything in plastic!!!
Wish me luck and pray all goes well.

Did I do something BAD in a former life?

Please read the warning before reading this post!!

WARNING
If you have any idea what a Russian Dossier is, then please know that the following post can cause shock or extreme laughter which COULD result in a trip to the E.R.
You have been warned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(for those who don't know what a Dossier is: it's a pile of all the documents needed to send to the Russian Gov. to get a child. Included are dozens of notarized and original papers (marriage certificates, home study) and the all the apostilled forms that can only come from the state capital (in my case Harrisburg) that tells the Russian Gov. every notary mark is a real notarization. There are about 25 documents that needed to be apostilled and each one costs $15. yep... that's $375 just to say the notary is real!! )

Well, all weekend I waited for the e-mail telling me my agency received all the documents. The e-mail (s) came! This is where it starts to get blurry. All I remember is opening the latest of the first two sent and seeing something along the lines of "only 20% is readable" and then the word "DESTROYED" popped into sight. I immediately picked up the phone and called the agency director! "Olga, I got the e-mails, my hands are shaking, please explain what happened?"
She agreed her hands were shaking too. She couldn't believe her eyes. It seems that somehow during shipping another package leaked perfume into the overnight envelope. Not only did the documents have a strong odor, many were wet and unreadable. I could not believe my ears.!!!

Immediately I called my mother, (I admit I had a meltdown!!) then I called the social worker to see if I could get all new copies of the home study and social worker packet. Meanwhile., Olga, the agency director told me that she was scanning as much as she could to the contact in Russia so translation could begin. But she wasn't sure how many documents would even be able to be scanned. She would have to wait for them to dry!!! So I had to wait for another round of e-mails.

While I waited, I called my husband. Although I think he handled it pretty well, he did question why I didn't get insurance on the package. I told him the guy never asked me, HAD HE ASKED... I WOULD HAVE SAID YES.. but because he was sooooo excited about how they could overnight to Alaska, he forgot to ask. And while I'm usually good with details like that, I was emotional as I mailed the dossier. After all, I rushed around all day and then mailed it. I was thrilled, excited, in the moment, proud of myself!!! So like I said had he asked, I most definitely would have said yes to insurance. But he never asked and I walked away thinking everything was done. So Olga is mailing us the unusable stuff and the post office WILL-- I say WILL reimburse us the standard $100.

Meanwhile, the third batch of e-mails came. Olga says that I only have to get one dossier packet and a page or two apostilled.( so the number went from 25 to 15. -- and at $15 a page that's a savings of $150). According to the contact in Russia the Dept. of Education (the folks who have custody of all orphans) will accept "SEMI-DAMAGED" pages. However the courts won't. SO I have to redo all the court papers, but she can submit some of what she has to the MOE/DOE with the translation. (I hope the perfume was a nice one!!)

So it's another wait zone for me. I will start recollecting everything tomorrow. I will be able to pick up the social worker's packet on Wed. and I pray by Thurs. I will be able to head to Harrisburg. Olga said she'd like to have all the new documents by next Monday (give or take a day). And yes they will be insured and sealed in plastic and whatever else I think of between now and then to make sure they are safe.
So as the saying goes... where there's a will there's a way. I just seem destined to take the long way!!

Warning is over, but please take a deep breath and check your pulse.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

With 30 seconds to spare. Really. I arrived at 3:30 and walked out at 4:00. There was one moment where my heart stopped and my eyes almost rolled out the tears. The lady doing the apostilling questioned our marriage certificates. Now of all the documents, this one already has its own gold seal and everything!!! But she didn't like how there were two signatures and one was the assistant of the notary. But in the end, since the notary signature WAS on the document they apositilled it.!! Yeah.
Then, on my way home, as I was trying to find interstate 81 to go home, I found a post office. So I stopped in to see if I could mail my stuff to the agency. I asked How long will it take to get to Alaska? He started to laugh and then said in shock--- "How does tomorrow by noon sound?" I said "I'll take it." He started to laugh and said in his wildest dreams never thought you could overnight to Alaska. I think I made his day. And that's good because I know he made mine!!

Woman on a Mission

Today (friday) I'm a woman on a mission. Our agency director approved our home study. So it's off to Harrisburg. Now, this would all have to come together, on a day I signed up to volunteer on a panel. Over a month ago I was asked to serve on a panel that would talk to college students about "Media and the Gov." And it happens to be in the opposite direction than Harrisburg. So I'm heading up there in the morning. Then Picking up the APPROVED Home Study, meeting a friend to notarized everything left over and then Heading to Harrisburg --- all by 4pm. Pray for me and wish me luck. I really want this all in the mail to our agency so it gets there by early next week. Then she can look it over and send it out.

Home Study Update

Well, I got the call this morning to say the home study has been e-mailed to our agency director. The agency director e-mailed me earlier this week to say although she'll be out of the office, she'll look for it and still let me know if it's alright. So I just need her approval to move forward. Cross your fingers. Once I get the long awaited "OKAY" it's off to Harrisburg!!
Then straight to the post office to mail it all to the agency director!!--- Then it's off to Russia!
Time Line:
The agency director said it takes 2-3 weeks to mail something to Siberia. (I believe it-- I heard there were only 2 flights a week to get to the town we need to go!!)
Now if anyone is heading that way (it's a two-three day trip) please let me know! HaHa.

A Good Day

Okay, today is a good day. I met with the social worker and gave her all the supporting paperwork needed to update the home study. I told her our agency director is out until the end of the week, so she said she'll finish it up and e-mail it to her by Tuesday or Wed. This way as long as our agency director likes all the changes and updates in the home study, I could be off to Harrisburg by Monday. Which is going to be a very busy day. I live half way between the social worker and Harrisburg. And my husband and I have an apt. with the accountant/lawyer on Monday to go over taxes and will stuff. He is in the opposite direction. So if this all works out I will spend the whole day in the car. I guess that will be a good time to continue playing the "Learn Russian" CD's.

Okay -- New Plan

I've been thinking, it is possible... that if I get an "okay" for the home study by Monday the 12th I can then pick up the notarized copy from our social worker agency and then head to Harrisburg by that Monday afternoon. Not so bad.

The only rush I have is that every week that passes is a week closer to August. And my husband and I are heading to Orlando for his work for a week. Well, he'll work, I'll play -- and I want to bring Borris. Other than that I really wouldn't mind the waiting. But it really does seem that right now I seem to run into every "wait zone" there is! I'm not blaming anyone... it's just my bad luck. You know this always happened to me when I played Monopoly. I always ended up in jail and had to watch everyone else around me go as I skipped a few turns. I just sat there and waited. I should be used to waiting by now, but I'm not. All I can say is with the luck I'm having I won't be buying any lotto tickets anytime soon. :)

I Can't WIN!!!

Good news...
always start with something positive -- right?
The Child Abuse Clearances CAME!!!! And WE PASSED!!! (that I knew, but the state had to confirm it!) So we meet with the social worker on Monday to give her all the updated forms. She told me she can have all the "i's" dotted and the "t's " crossed by Monday night Tuesday morning -- and the e-mailed and final version of our homestudy will be off to our agency for final approval.
Sounds good RIGHT!!!
WRONG
Our agency director just e-mailed me and said she'll be away next WEEK!!
SO yet again... I take a deep breath.. and just wait.
She did send me all the forms filled in that need to be apostilled with our homestudy. So I have the initial dossier put together now---- But I can't get anything apostilled until she approves the homestudy.
I am not good at this waiting game!!

Hurry up and Wait

Not much to say. I'm just sitting here waiting for the mailman to bring me a little piece of paper that will allow me to proceed. The child abuse clearance. Like I said before ours were about to expire so our agency director requested we get updated ones. Nothing like just sitting around and watching the snow fall. I found a phone number to call and ask for an update on the processing of them. So maybe tomorrow I will call it.

UPDATE:
I called the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance office. I was told our forms were sent out Monday!!! So he said expect them in the mail any day!!!
Harrisburg is an hour from me... I would have gladly gone and picked them up!! But for now... it's back to praying to the mailman!!

GOOD NEWS

Today was a GREAT day! Not only for us but for Susan and Wayne too.. (click on the link on the side) they have a COURT DATE!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS.

And a big congratulations to Melissa and Mike who are in Moscow this week finalizing the paperwork to bring little Olivia home. (love the name) And to Lauren and Marco who are doing the same for little cupcake.

I want to thank all of the families for updating the blogs throughout the process. It has really helped me keep everything in perspective.--- and to keep in mind that in time it will be our turn!

Today we received our state police background checks.... and both say NO RECORD!!! YEAH!!!
I already knew that.. .but it is nice to know that the state agrees with me! Now I just need the child abuse clearances and our last home visit and it's off to Harrisburg to get it all appostilled and then it's off to Russia.

Our Bloggerfriend Christen (who is in Med school on one of the most beautiful tropical islands out there--- AKA---Grand Cayman! Not that I'm jealous or anything... I actually prefer building snowmen to sandcastles... NOT!!) Anyway she asked a good question...
How long have we been on our adoption journey?
Now this blog is used by family, friends and fellow bloggers. Some of the info will make sense to the adoption bloggers... while to the rest.. I apologize in advance if this bores you.

1. Jan. 2006 -- We applied to one of the summer hosting programs. We were going to host a little boy from Kazakhstan for about six weeks over the summer and then proceed to adopt him.

2. Spring 2006 -- Did a mini-home study and had all the background checks done. (thus ours are expiring now and we had to reapply)

3. Summer 2006 - Found out that the summer program was NOT going to happen due to visa issues with the kids.

4. Summer/Fall 2006 - I started to look around and research adoption agencies and countries. We decided that Russia was the country for us and I decided that the agency that was going to do the hosting program was not going to be the agency we would go with. So the hunt was on for an agency. And THAT'S when I found out about this "ACCREDITATION" thing! I spent quite a bit of time on the Embassy websites.. Especially the one in Moscow. I found out at the time there were only 16 agencies in the US that were accredited to adopt in Russia (That should change in a matter of days-- as the new batch of agencies are processed). I then spent time looking at each of the websites, calling them, and that's when I started to find out about this blog thing. I admit I was a lurker for several months before I started one. I found Melissa/Mike's website and she listed an e-mail once in one of her posts. SO I responded and introduced myself. She has been a big inspiration and a huge help through this process.
I should add the bloggers are a great source of information-- everyone is helpful on sharing info on their agencies, the countries, what to expect etc.

5. Nov. 2006 - We apply to CIS and submit the I600A.

6. Dec. 2006 - We get notification for fingerprinting. We both head to Philly to the CIS office. Also, since I was born in Bermuda I had to get my Naturalization papers Certified. Was that a task. The CIS website says make an appointment and come down. I did. The immigration officer looks at me and laughs and says you are the fifth one this month and we don't know why the website says to come here. We don't know what to do!! Well, after a long long long talk and another long talk with his supervisor (I was very nice.. it really was just a long talk) I convinced them there was a BIG difference between a notarized copy and "a true certified" copy!!! I then asked them to call the immigration officer for adoptions and see what needs to be done for the Russian Gov. They did this and then asked me to come back after lunch. They then agreed--- they are the only ones who can certify my Naturalization papers and now agree and see why a notarized stamp wouldn't work. They then proceed to give me three copies. I ask for two more just to be safe. Now I have five copies in case anyone loses any of them.

7. Dec. 2006 - We apply to our adoption agency. And we are approved!! Our home study is completed. We stayed with the same social worker agency since they already started the home study last spring.

8. Jan. 2007 - Our social worker e-mails our agency the home study. She reviews it and sends corrections.

9. Feb 2007 - We are waiting for a few things. Some of the corrections were to have some of the clearances (State police background/Child Abuse) redone/updated since they would be expiring in a month. Also our agency wants one more home visit with a newer date. That will be done next week.

And that brings us to today. I hope this is helpful to anyone who is just starting out. Our process was longer than some but shorter than others. Our agency director says she thinks we'll be traveling this spring for the first trip. I hope so. My husband has a conference in Disneyworld in Aug. and I'd love to go as a parent!! But then again I have to remember it's all out of my control now.

Things are Moving

Okay, we have a date scheduled with the social worker. She'll be here next week. And now we are on week two of waiting for the child abuse clearances. Hopefully they come this week or next. Then I can run to get everything appostilled and sent to the agency. The agency will then send it to Moscow!! The agency director said it is possible to have everything sent out by the first week or so of March. This is a goal I would to see happen.

Happy Days are Here Again

I just read an e-mail from my social worker. This is the first point of contact in two or three weeks. But it was GOOD! She said it wouldn't be a problem getting everything done and making the changes suggested by our agency director. And she added that she'd like to do the updated home visit within a week or two!!
YEAH!!! Cross your fingers!!

Not Much to Say

Hello,
I don't have much to say. Steve and I filled-out the forms for the state police/child/driver's records again. They went in the mail on Monday. We are hoping to hear back within two weeks or so. I'm not sure what to do about the social worker situation. Like I said, she was out of the office last week for personal reasons. So I understand her not getting/responding to my/my agency's e-mails last week. Now, after I didn't hear anything on Monday I sent a "touching base" e-mail Monday night , here it is Wednesday (1:30 am) and I still have heard nothing. This is a little annoying. She has a habit of not responding to e-mails and then she has a habit of saying she never got the e-mail. So what should I do? She has to redo a visit so I'm at her mercy for that. (our agency director would like a more recent visit-- it boils down to just having a visitation date closer to the dates that will be on everything once it's all finalized so that time lines and dates match up.) I was just hoping to have everything ready to go so when the clearance checks arrive we can get the home study notarized and apostilled. Is that too much to expect or ask?

Back to Paperwork

The forms for our child abuse clearance and police background checks came in the mail today. So I'm in the process of filling them out again. Family members on my side will get a kick out of this, the child abuse clearance asks for every address since 1975!!! Yep!!! Oh, like I have a chance of getting all of them listed!! Anyway I'm not too worried, I've been cleared twice before without everyone listed, so I'm sure since it's only been a year and I still live in the same place everything will be fine.

The dogs have a BAD case of cabin Fever!! It's really bad. It's too cold for them outside and yet they are so stir crazy it's driving me crazy. I called home the other night and asked Steve what he was doing, he said I'm chasing the dogs around my chair to try to tire them out.
Yea, it's bad. Poor little guys and Big guy!! The warm weather is just a few weeks away! I HOPE!

Standstill

I called my social worker around noon today. She is not in the office and won't be until next week! So... there goes my wishful thinking that we could progress quickly. My selfishness ended when the office manager told me there was a death in her(social worker's) family and that's she won't be in until Monday. So this I can be patient for... and understand. It's not like she's on a cruise to Bermuda or something. It'd be easier to be upset if she was sitting on a beach sipping umbrella drinks.

I did probe to see if there was anyone else who could help us in getting our clearances started. The office manager said she could mail us the forms. I said that would be great!!

And if you read Susan's comment to my last post, we too have many questions/answers that our agency director would like to see added our home study. Things like occupation of my mother and Steve's mother. I guess the home study talked about our father's jobs but not enough about our mothers. In reality I think we could be done with everything within a week, except for the new dates for the child abuse clearance checks. And if that comes in two weeks -- okay three to four.. I could be in Harrisburg getting it all apostled by the beginning of March. That would be nice. And my husband can give a sigh of relief... he's being inducted into the State Hall of Fame for Wrestling March 10. He knows from here on out all our commitments are on standby. But it is nice to know we can both attend this ceremony and he can stand there and be honored. Good for him.

You know this "I'm not in control thing" just might be working out. But I won't say that too loud just yet!!!

UPDATE!!

So our agency director got back to me about our home study.
I'm not too sure if what she sent is okay news or bad news... She listed plenty of suggestions for our social worker.
Some, simple things like: move this section to page three...this section to page two etc.
to things a bit more complex like: one of our clearance checks is about to expire.
So she wants new ones for both of us. I think at most the checks take like 30 days to get back.. but I'm not sure, it may be quicker since they really only have to check the past year.
I guess the real question will be how long it will take our social worker to make the changes.
I'm hoping for a quick turn-a-round!!

A Few Shout Outs

I've been surfing my usual sites and found several things I'd like to share. (I can't share everyone this time.. but if you are feeling left out.... please send me a message if you would like one too-- and I'll post your site in the next "shout out" edition. :) )

First check out Debbie's site.. she did a great job listing the cities many of us are adopting from. I loved it. Thanks Debbie. Now if only there was a way to get a map and put dots on it!!!
http://russianbrown.blogspot.com/

Also Check out Steve's site.. (loved his superbowl commercial post about feeling old!!) He also listed the top Disney movies... (and if my husband Steve is reading this.. yes dear I told you there are dads out there blogging TOO!!!) Thank you Steve... (Stef's Steve.. not my Steve)
http://frwl-fromdad.blogspot.com/

Susan and Wayne have done a great job journalling their first trip for us. It happened back in January. Each day she posts a new entry, I find it extremely enjoyable to see what happened when they first met their two sons and then when all four of them were together.
http://www.susanandwayne.blogspot.com/

Also Congrats to those who are in Russia right now.. Melissa/Mike
and Lauren/Marco will be by the weekend!!
Melissa/Mike http://mmrussianadoption.blogspot.com/
Lauren/Marco http://laurenandmarco.blogspot.com/

The Waiting Game

I know it's been a few days since my last post. I'm sorry. I was kinda hoping to hear something from our agency director about our home study. Did she like it? Are there revisions to be done? I guess reading all the blogs over the past few months I just hoped Monday would bring something good for me.
It's funny my husband and I were at the mall the other day and he said it's getting harder to go shopping with me. It used to be -- he'd look in the men's section and I'd look in the ladies, but now he finds me in the toy section. And boy do we have fun!
He is a big kid at heart. My sister/brother-in-law and mother/father have the new Wii. And now as we look at toys Steve keeps moving over to the electronics section. I know he would love to have a Wii to play with Boris. He even tried to justify it by telling me a Wii would improve his score on the church bowling league. (it comes with a bowling game). Luckily every store is currently sold out around here. I told him if we have Boris by June that wouldn't be a bad father's day gift.

Our Three Darlings

Meet Butkus (100 lbs black lab)

Walter (10 lbs mini poodle)

and Sophie (10 lbs bishon).

All three are anxiously awaiting Boris's arrival.

Butkus will turn 10 this month and looks forward to his daily walks, Walter will turn three in April and enjoys resting on your lap, while Sophie is a wild woman and needs someone to play fetch.

My hope is that Boris is an animal lover because obviously we are. Actually I hope he likes small dogs. You see I'm a small dog person. Steve on the other hand is a big dog person. Thus our marriage created a blended family of big and small dogs. Right now the small dogs out number the big dog. Now.... as long as Boris likes small dogs Butkus will be able to keep the coveted title as "THE BIG DOG." The ONE and ONLY BIG DOG. However if Boris likes big dogs then I may need to rethink things a bit.

Introducing Boris

My husband and I have known we were going to adopt for about a year now. During this time I did lots of research on accreditation, agencies and I even became a regular visitor to many blog sites. (all have helped inspire and inform me during this process... some are listed on the side). It feels go to know that finally we are moving in this process.
Our little boy has fondly become known as "Boris". It's something I've since learned isn't uncommon for adopting families to do. Picking out a nickname for the child before you even know him is a way to start connecting with him. For the past year my family grew to understand that when they came to visit they would be staying in "Boris's" room.
At first they laughed at me. "Why are you calling him Boris? Do you know who you are getting? Is that is real name?" The answer is no. We simply picked the name Boris so we had a reference point when talking about the child and because Steve liked the name. You see, Steve is an athlete. A state champ in wrestling. And well, according to him Russians have done nicely in the Olympics... and so picked the name Boris... at least for now. (I think there might have been a champion wrestler named Boris -- somewhere) So Boris it will be on this site. (I've noticed how the child's real name is usually protected in the posts).
A few weeks ago we went to see the movie Rocky, boy am I glad that didn't come out a year ago... for all I know we could be calling our boy "Rocky"---- Don't laugh... we have a Butkus!! (a black lab)

How Cool!!

WOW,
Thanks for all the kind words and comments. I work nights and I got home around 12:30 am and my husband surprised me when I got home and said, "Did you see you had 3 comments on the blog".... I quickly said... "well it's up to six... (thanks Melissa for the shout out!!) but wow honey you looked!!" And as of this moment it is up to eight. It's so nice to know there is a supportive community out there. Thank you to everyone. And to Susan -- thanks for the info on how to post a clock. As you can see.. I DID IT!! I even posted a map and temp. site. Thanks.

Our progress thus far:
Today our social worker sent our homestudy to the agency. This is just an e-mailed version for review. An official one will be sent once our agency director reviews it and makes any corrections. Our agency director e-mailed me last week and asked for a scanned copy of our passports.
It felt good that for once she was finally asking me for things!!!!
I don't know what will come of this step.... But if I understand correctly we should plan to have things ready to send off to Russia by Mid Feb.
But don't quote me on this..... :)

Introduction

Hi,
This is my first blog site. I will try to post as much as possible about our adoption here. Please feel free to leave comments and ask questions.

My husband and I live in the Pocono region of Pennsylvnia and are in the process of adopting from Russia. We are excited and can't wait to meet our future child.