Does size really matter?

Today I went to the county courthouse to get our residency requirement done. The county office had to type up a letter with specific info about our home. It simply states that : we own our home, what the home is worth and a brief description of the home. Well, I wanted to.... but didn't ask the nice lady if I could double check her letter before we had it notarized. I didn't want to look like I was proofing her work. After all she was a nice lady. So nice in fact that when I got back to the car I realized she put down that our home is 18,000 sq feet. Oh well, the Russians are going to think we live in a mansion!!!
Tomorrow I meet with the lawyer to get the employment and financial requirements. Wish me luck!!

Re-introduction -- of sorts

My husband commented on how I've now posted pics of our dogs... our little boy... but I haven't posted pics of us. He seemed annoyed by this, so here are a few!! (At least it shows me he reads the blog!!)

Now, these pictures were taken within the past two years.. I assure you once I lose some of the baby weight I will post more recent ones, but right now I'm not feeling too camera friendly! And speaking of dogs, here is a photo of our little four legged friends. This is one of my favorite ones, it has all three dogs:Walter (in blue), Sophie (in tan coat) and Butkus (Black Lab).

Butkus passed away this summer and has left a big hole in both our hearts.

Moving Along

Today we set up an appointment with our lawyer to sign off on a few documents (employment/insurance/income). We will meet with him next week. Also, I'm working on setting up the last home study visit for mid March. This will just be an update visit. Then early next week I will go to the courthouse and get another document signed off on. (residency/home verification statement). Our new child abuse clearances arrived today. So things are moving along quite nicely. Give me two weeks and I hope to have it all done!!! I'm not sure how our State is going to do the Police checks...usually we just got a form back that said we were cleared, but our agency says it has to be on Police letterhead, so I'm sure I'll be working on that soon as well.

And the countdown is on... we are going on vacation the last week of March first week of April. As I look out my window I see snow flakes galore. While I don't mind the snow, I do enjoy each of the four seasons, I can't wait to be sitting on the beach, under a cabana, reading a book. I need a vacation!!!!!!
I've been on the go since Thanksgiving. First the holidays (Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, New Year's), then I graduated with my Master's degree (just two days before my son was born!!! walking across the stage nine months pregnant was quite a sight! ) then "B" came along, and now I'm finishing up the adoption. It literally has been non stop for months. So relaxing on the beach will feel quite nice! I just pray I finish everything for the adoption before we leave.

Update

Let me apologize, I know it's been a while since I have posted anything. But there have been many changes in our lives. Like with most adoption families our adoption story is changing too. Yes we are still adopting, but instead of a boy we will now be adopting a girl 3-5. We expect to fly in April and have court in June. Now with that said, let me explain the reason for the change. You see Russia closed in March for adoptions while the accreditation process happened. My agency was accredited in Dec. ----- it just so happened ( not planned--we wanted to wait until after the adoption was complete) that during that time my husband and I found out we were pregnant. I gave birth in Jan. to a beautiful little boy. So while I won't have a Borris... I do have a little "B" in my life. We are thrilled. And after talking it over, we decided it would be nice to give little "B" a big sister. So that is the way our adoption journey is headed right now. I promise now that I have cleared the air and have a bit more sleep (B is sleeping more now) I will post more updates. As for where the paperwork stands... everything is is processed and the court would like an update and a postpartum update. That will happen in March. Once that happens we "should" get a referral soon. I'm told our paperwork is still at the top of the list and is just waiting this last update. Meanwhile, I am working on the paperwork for the courts in June. I know there are always changes in an adoption, but so far I'm rolling with the punches and loving each part. It feels good to be back. By nature I am a writer and I missed writing updates on our lives. So stay with us and I'll keep everyone up to date.
This is Little B. He's keeping us very busy!!! And he can't wait to meet his older sister!!

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!