Getting Closer

Tomorrow we pick up the notarized letter from the lawyer stating we have health insurance and my husband is indeed self employed. I'm still waiting on the letter from the state police (that should have been mailed Monday-- so any day now). Our home study update will happen Friday morning.

So next week's schedule includes:

1. A trip to Harrisburg (apostille the docs and send them off)
2. A trip to Philadelphia (B's Passport/ and we need our fingerprints redone)
3. A Dr. visit (B has to get his two month shots!! ouch)

My Turn for a Pot-Luck Post

While I wait for several documents to arrive, I'll do a pot-luck post.

This week I took little B to get his passport photo. In about a week or so we will head to the Office in Philly to get the passport. But meanwhile he is ready for the beach!!!!

I've wanted to thank both my sister Becky and blogger friend Rachael for a while for the beautiful mini bag. My sister reads my blog as well as the blogs on the side. She is now an avid reader of Rachael's blog. Rachel has completed her adoption and is now raising money for orphans by selling handmade bags like this one. My sister Becky bought three of them: one for me, my mom and our other sister. I love it. It was a nice surprise that supports a great cause. Thanks!! It's a great pouch to keep our passports and other important documents.

Once Again Waiting

Things seem to be going nicely.

1. My social worker called me yesterday and we set up a home visit for next week. So we have to wait for that. Once that comes back.. (and I should have everything else) I can go to Harrisburg to get it all apostilled.

2. The state police (after many many calls and transfers) connected me to the one person who had a clue of what I needed and she said it will be in the mail by next Monday. SO I wait.....

3. Our lawyer wanted proof that our health insurance would cover an adopted child. I provided that today. So we should have his letter by the end of the week. So I wait.....

4. We need to get "B" a passport for both our vacation and our trips to get our daughter. So we are working on that. It's too late to send everything off, so we now have to go to Philadelphia and get it done in one day. But the catch -- they won't set an appointment until 14 days within travel, that will be in about a week or so --- So again.... I wait

Step by Step things are happening..... I think right now I am done with paperwork. I am just waiting for others to get things to me. Then I go to Harrisburg. Except for the home study update, I'm told everything is for court which won't be until after the first visit. So I'm actually ahead of the game. YEAHHHH.

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!!