We are finally making a little progress with the adoption!!! (baby steps, but steps nonetheless) We have been having a really hard time even getting in touch with our social worker who is the one writing our home study. Pretty much nothing moves until the home study is done, so it's a pretty important step in the process. She's met with us twice, and we've sent her tons of info about us, but then every time I would email, we wouldn't hear anything back forever, if at all so we really had no idea where we were at or what kind of time we were looking at. From what I know from other people, I had an idea of how long it should take, but not getting an answer from her was pretty frustrating!!
They made some changes to our case worker (not the social worker...it's all hard to keep up with) at the agency so she had emailed to find out where we were in the process and how things were going. I sent her a message back about our frustrations, and things seemed to move a little faster then...amazing how that happens. Unfortunately, it took her even days to get in touch with the social worker. That all being said, I got an email late Friday afternoon that said she was supposed to have the draft of our home study to review on Tuesday of next week!!!!!! The agency has to review it to make sure that it has everything the Russian government is going to want, and we are still waiting for one more background check (which right now I'm assuming will be okay), and then it can all be sent for approval here in the US. This is so amazingly exciting!!!!!! After so long of just kind of waiting, this is a huge step in our process. I was reading a forum last week that one couple got a referral for a 10 month old girl after just three months of waiting....I know that's not normal, but makes me excited, scared, and nervous that this is all really happening.
I will try to keep you posted on the progress and where we are at, it's all so exciting! I'm off to go work on the furniture for her room...seems like it is so much more urgent now! I know we still have lots of time to wait, and things could still happen, but this just gets me excited like we were when we first started!!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Holy cow!!!
I knew it had been a while since I had posted anything here, but didn't realize that it was the middle of May!! All I can say is, Biostats kind of took over my life for about 8 weeks and I barely had time to sleep, let alone blog! So, in two months, what has happened....it's such a blur I can hardly remember!
To start, I'm still pregnant...which is probably not news to anyone. We did find out that the parents are going to have one boy and one girl, which is pretty exciting. It's kind of ironic to me since the first time I carried two girls, then two boys...so it seems right to have one of each for this last time. We were all lucky enough to have them here for that ultrasound, and I think that overwhelming is an understatement when they got to see their babies for the first time and hear that they were perfect and healthy. The look on their faces just tells it all for me and why I love to do this. I have said it before and I will always believe that I am just as blessed in this journey as the parents are. It is still incredible to see their faces, and I can't wait for a few more months to go by when I can see them lay eyes on their new children for the first time!! I also can't wait for a few more months when the weather cools off a little. 100 degrees most days is a little rough even when you aren't pregnant, but when you are it is close to torture!!!
Moving on to the other big journey in our lives...the adoption. I wish I could say we have made huge progress in this venture. But, as most people know, this process is painfully slow. I think (don't know for sure because our social worker is not the best at communication) that our home study should be done this month, which is pretty huge. This is really the first big step. Once it's done then we can apply for grants and things, and it gets sent off to be approved by our goverment and then after that's done (which could take 1-4 months) everything can be sent off to Russia. So, once that is done, I think we will feel a little more like it's real. Good news is that we have actually been able to raise about half of the money we need, which is really a miracle it seems like. Once we got there, it really felt like we might actually be able to do this. Pretty incredible really. We still have a chunk to raise, but I know that it will work out and come from somewhere!!
We have plans for her room already, the challenge now is finding the time for all of the projects that need to be done to complete that! I made a huge decision in figuring out what color/design I wanted. If you have ever been around when I tryto pick a paint color, you know how huge this was for me! I have started sanding furniture so that we can paint it, but it's also a slow process. I'm really trying to do everything I can to make her room amazing without spending too much money, and I'm pretty excited with the ideas so far!
So...I wish I had something deep or insightful to write about this time, but I have to be honest...I'm so fried right now with school that my brain can hardly even form sentences at this point! I should be done with school for the summer in about 3 weeks and will be taking my "me, myelf, and I" vacation at the end of the month, so maybe I will be inspired then!
To start, I'm still pregnant...which is probably not news to anyone. We did find out that the parents are going to have one boy and one girl, which is pretty exciting. It's kind of ironic to me since the first time I carried two girls, then two boys...so it seems right to have one of each for this last time. We were all lucky enough to have them here for that ultrasound, and I think that overwhelming is an understatement when they got to see their babies for the first time and hear that they were perfect and healthy. The look on their faces just tells it all for me and why I love to do this. I have said it before and I will always believe that I am just as blessed in this journey as the parents are. It is still incredible to see their faces, and I can't wait for a few more months to go by when I can see them lay eyes on their new children for the first time!! I also can't wait for a few more months when the weather cools off a little. 100 degrees most days is a little rough even when you aren't pregnant, but when you are it is close to torture!!!
Moving on to the other big journey in our lives...the adoption. I wish I could say we have made huge progress in this venture. But, as most people know, this process is painfully slow. I think (don't know for sure because our social worker is not the best at communication) that our home study should be done this month, which is pretty huge. This is really the first big step. Once it's done then we can apply for grants and things, and it gets sent off to be approved by our goverment and then after that's done (which could take 1-4 months) everything can be sent off to Russia. So, once that is done, I think we will feel a little more like it's real. Good news is that we have actually been able to raise about half of the money we need, which is really a miracle it seems like. Once we got there, it really felt like we might actually be able to do this. Pretty incredible really. We still have a chunk to raise, but I know that it will work out and come from somewhere!!
We have plans for her room already, the challenge now is finding the time for all of the projects that need to be done to complete that! I made a huge decision in figuring out what color/design I wanted. If you have ever been around when I tryto pick a paint color, you know how huge this was for me! I have started sanding furniture so that we can paint it, but it's also a slow process. I'm really trying to do everything I can to make her room amazing without spending too much money, and I'm pretty excited with the ideas so far!
So...I wish I had something deep or insightful to write about this time, but I have to be honest...I'm so fried right now with school that my brain can hardly even form sentences at this point! I should be done with school for the summer in about 3 weeks and will be taking my "me, myelf, and I" vacation at the end of the month, so maybe I will be inspired then!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
So tomorrow is Mother's Day....a day to thank all of those mothers, women who have acted like mothers to us, and really all of those women who have inspired us to become better people. I truly cannot begin to name all of the amazing women who have touched my life, but as I look back, I can see that each one of them was different and each one of them was able to teach me something about who I want to be as a woman, wife, and mother. I have had the amazing opportunity to have stay at home moms, working moms, overworking moms, going to school mom, overacheiving moms, and a little bit of everything in between. How lucky have I been!!
So this week I had a little mom identity crisis. I have chosen (for more than one reason) to be a working mom. It is never an easy choice, but after some breakdown, I know it is the best thing for our family. However, each time I hear of another mother making the decision to stay at home with her children, I have to wonder....am I doing the right thing? Are my children going to feel the brunt of me wanting to work outside the house? I struggle with that. I also struggle with trying to balance work and kids and making sure that the right priorities are there. I must say, I love the fact that I work, and I love the fact that I have something that I can call my own, and maybe that is selfish...I don't know. I like that people know me as, Stacey, and not just Gavin and Noah's mom. Dont get me wrong, I am amazingly proud to be called their mother and think of it as my greatest accomplishment that they have made it this far without any of us going crazy!! But, I also like that I also have the title of RN, and that I can be looked at as also contributing that way.
So...that's one reason I like to work outside the home....the other is that I'm fairly certain that I would be a terrible mother and frustrated beyond belief and would probably want to lose it on a daily basis if I was home with the boys all day. I love them, but I know they learn so much more by going to daycare and spending time with other kids and with the teachers there that actually try to teach them something. I'm also pretty convinced that they are smarter for that. I know myself and know that I wouldn't teach them nearly as much as they do. But...shouldn't I WANT to stay at home with my children??? That's the question I struggle with. I guess that question doesn't matter as much at this point with Noah starting KG in the fall...but I will say that my job now is giving me a little more balance with all of it. In the fall the boys should be able to ride the bus home and I will be here to meet them, which gives me a little piece of the stay at home mom thing. I guess this is a question lots of women deal with, I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I suppose that I really should consider myself lucky that I have the choice to do what I feel is best for our family. I have so much respect for moms that do decide staying at home is right for them. I know that I would probably go crazy, so I bow down to you and your awesome stay at home sanity!! I also have so much respect for those working moms who keep everything balanced and manage so many things. I am constantly amazed at what moms keep up with every day, you are AMAZING!!! I am proud to group myself as a mom. Some of the most incredible people I am privledged to know are the mothers I have known in the past and know now. Thank you for being amazing and doing the most important job in the world. Love you all!!!
So this week I had a little mom identity crisis. I have chosen (for more than one reason) to be a working mom. It is never an easy choice, but after some breakdown, I know it is the best thing for our family. However, each time I hear of another mother making the decision to stay at home with her children, I have to wonder....am I doing the right thing? Are my children going to feel the brunt of me wanting to work outside the house? I struggle with that. I also struggle with trying to balance work and kids and making sure that the right priorities are there. I must say, I love the fact that I work, and I love the fact that I have something that I can call my own, and maybe that is selfish...I don't know. I like that people know me as, Stacey, and not just Gavin and Noah's mom. Dont get me wrong, I am amazingly proud to be called their mother and think of it as my greatest accomplishment that they have made it this far without any of us going crazy!! But, I also like that I also have the title of RN, and that I can be looked at as also contributing that way.
So...that's one reason I like to work outside the home....the other is that I'm fairly certain that I would be a terrible mother and frustrated beyond belief and would probably want to lose it on a daily basis if I was home with the boys all day. I love them, but I know they learn so much more by going to daycare and spending time with other kids and with the teachers there that actually try to teach them something. I'm also pretty convinced that they are smarter for that. I know myself and know that I wouldn't teach them nearly as much as they do. But...shouldn't I WANT to stay at home with my children??? That's the question I struggle with. I guess that question doesn't matter as much at this point with Noah starting KG in the fall...but I will say that my job now is giving me a little more balance with all of it. In the fall the boys should be able to ride the bus home and I will be here to meet them, which gives me a little piece of the stay at home mom thing. I guess this is a question lots of women deal with, I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I suppose that I really should consider myself lucky that I have the choice to do what I feel is best for our family. I have so much respect for moms that do decide staying at home is right for them. I know that I would probably go crazy, so I bow down to you and your awesome stay at home sanity!! I also have so much respect for those working moms who keep everything balanced and manage so many things. I am constantly amazed at what moms keep up with every day, you are AMAZING!!! I am proud to group myself as a mom. Some of the most incredible people I am privledged to know are the mothers I have known in the past and know now. Thank you for being amazing and doing the most important job in the world. Love you all!!!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Wow! What a great day it has been. The boys had their first Tae Kwon Do tournament today and really their first real competition for anything...well, aside from soccer games! This was an individual kind of thing, so they really couldn't rely on anyone but themselves. I was trying to think of a way to describe how I feel about what they accomplished today, and "proud" just doesn't really seem to cover it. It actually started last week when they were practicing. Gavin had to learn a new form (which is a series of 16 steps with feet, leg, hand movements including kicks, blocks, etc), and he just started learning it two weeks ago. Normally he would have about 2 months to learn the form before he would really have to know it and be proficient. Not this time, not for his first really big competition! He had two weeks. And, instead of saying he didn't want to do it, he said, "can I practice on my own while Noah has class?" And that's exactly what he did. That was my first proud moment with this experience. The fact that he knew it would be hard and that he took the road of working hard to get what he wanted. I love it!! Of course Noah wouldn't be shown up, so he took some time to practice on his own during Gavin's class too, although what he was competing in wasn't quite as hard and he had a lot more practice in already.
So then comes the actual competition today. We of course had the talk about no matter what happens, it only matters that you do your best, and that is exactly what we expect from you. Now, when we get there, there are about 500 kids there competing, and then all of the parents, grandparents, volunteers, etc around this gym, and they have it broken up into smaller groups for them to compete. They still have to do their events in front of the judges and probably about 100 pairs of eyes....which can be pretty nerve racking, especially to a 7 year old who has never competed and doesn't have the 100% confidence that I would like for him to have!! He did great, did get a little mixed up, but finished strong. In this competition, everyone got a medal...they had 1st, 2nd, and 2 3rd place and they were in groups of four. Here's the most amazing part...Gavin has always been very sensitive and a perfectionist...which is a bad combination. So, a few months ago when he would get something wrong or not do something quite perfectly, he would cry. So, I was of course waiting for the tears when he came off the mat. But, to my surprise I saw a great big smile! He knew he made a few mistakes, and he did get 3rd place, but he also said he knew it was going to be hard because he didn't have much time to practice. I know that probably sounds really stupid...I was proud that he didn't win, and more proud that he didnt' cry, but for that boy, I consider it a success!! For the record, he did amazing at his board breaking and blew the other kids out and got first place...and yes, the smile was bigger that time!!
One of the most interesting things about all of this is watching the contrast in the two boys. Gavin has always been more sensitive and a little unsure of himself. Noah on the other hand just assumes he is cool s&&t and assumes everyone knows it! He got out there and was confident and knew he was going to have first place!! And he did. There was a mix up with this scoring when he did board breaking and thanks to Jeremys video taping we figured out that they wrote his scores down wrong and he got to trade his 3rd place for a 1st place! Good thing daddy was paying attention!!
I had a flash back today to when I was in dance and doing competitions every weekend and how exciting it is to win. It does just feel good...and even though everyone got a medal today, I think more than that they were proud of themselves for giving it all out there today. They both definitely have their own style and their own personality about it, but they were great winners and we couldn't be more proud. And, in a few years when we watch them both get their black belts, I'm sure it will be much the same feeling!!
So then comes the actual competition today. We of course had the talk about no matter what happens, it only matters that you do your best, and that is exactly what we expect from you. Now, when we get there, there are about 500 kids there competing, and then all of the parents, grandparents, volunteers, etc around this gym, and they have it broken up into smaller groups for them to compete. They still have to do their events in front of the judges and probably about 100 pairs of eyes....which can be pretty nerve racking, especially to a 7 year old who has never competed and doesn't have the 100% confidence that I would like for him to have!! He did great, did get a little mixed up, but finished strong. In this competition, everyone got a medal...they had 1st, 2nd, and 2 3rd place and they were in groups of four. Here's the most amazing part...Gavin has always been very sensitive and a perfectionist...which is a bad combination. So, a few months ago when he would get something wrong or not do something quite perfectly, he would cry. So, I was of course waiting for the tears when he came off the mat. But, to my surprise I saw a great big smile! He knew he made a few mistakes, and he did get 3rd place, but he also said he knew it was going to be hard because he didn't have much time to practice. I know that probably sounds really stupid...I was proud that he didn't win, and more proud that he didnt' cry, but for that boy, I consider it a success!! For the record, he did amazing at his board breaking and blew the other kids out and got first place...and yes, the smile was bigger that time!!
One of the most interesting things about all of this is watching the contrast in the two boys. Gavin has always been more sensitive and a little unsure of himself. Noah on the other hand just assumes he is cool s&&t and assumes everyone knows it! He got out there and was confident and knew he was going to have first place!! And he did. There was a mix up with this scoring when he did board breaking and thanks to Jeremys video taping we figured out that they wrote his scores down wrong and he got to trade his 3rd place for a 1st place! Good thing daddy was paying attention!!
I had a flash back today to when I was in dance and doing competitions every weekend and how exciting it is to win. It does just feel good...and even though everyone got a medal today, I think more than that they were proud of themselves for giving it all out there today. They both definitely have their own style and their own personality about it, but they were great winners and we couldn't be more proud. And, in a few years when we watch them both get their black belts, I'm sure it will be much the same feeling!!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Little time off...
Hello folks! I"m back after a break for a bit to finish up my semester. I wish I could say that I would be posting more in the next few weeks, but I start classes back up for the summer next week, so I'm going to be real and say I don't know when it will happen again. So...guess I better make this one a good one!!
I guess first an update: I'm now in the second trimester of pregnancy, and there are still two in there. I am in that strange limbo between regular clothes and maternity clothes so if you see me wear the same thing everyday it's because it the only thing that fits me!! As much as I hate to say it, I want to get bigger already so that I can wear something (won't hear a woman say that very often!) We have the exciting "find out the sex of the baby assuming they cooperate" ultrasound coming up in a month, so that's very exciting. The parents will be here a few days before and are staying for about two weeks, so it's always awesome to see them.
Speaking of getting to see parents, we got to see the first parents that we matched with and had the baby girls with. Well, I can't really call them baby girls anymore, that's for sure. They are three now, and are happy and beautiful and just perfect. It really is such a blessing to get to see them and know them as they grow up. THAT is what makes you sure you are doing the right thing in all of this. It is amazing to get to help someone have more children, and I am so lucky to see it. I'm trying to get them to move this way too!! I have said before that we really became good friends with them, and of course I would love to have all of our good friends closer. We have a couple that are spread out (you know who you are), and we really need them closer...just sayin....
We have made a little progress with the adoption. It's a slow process, which is okay since it's not like we can travel to Russia right now anyway. We know that the government got our I-600 form, and we are waiting to get our appointments for fingerprints. I got my passport, and Jeremy's is in process and we will hopefully have it soon. There is just one question left on the huge autobiography that we need to finish and then send on to the social worker. Then it will be just getting reference letters and a few other papers to her and we can officially send our "registration" packet to Russia and begin the wait for a referral. Wow....still surreal to say that....I think that until we actually get a picture and something about her that it will be really hard to connect to all of this. It's still just a lot of paperwork and a hypothetical as of now, but I'm sure that will change. We have started figuring out her room and furniture and things, so that helps to keep me busy too. (not that I need something else to keep me busy!) So...that's where we are with that...
Maybe in my next 5 days of freedom from school I can manage one more post...we will have to see. Between 4 nights of tae kwon do, one night at church, and a tae kwon do tournament this weekend, I think I will manage to stay pretty busy...oh, and I guess I should work in there too at some point! Again, thanks for reading, hopefully next time I can post sooner and do something other than just a "State of the Tornado" address. Maybe I can write something inspiring...hahaha....who am I kidding, my brains are fried and the odds of something inspiring coming out are pretty slim...but I'll see what I can do, I do have some ideas up there...just have to dig them out!!
Also, don't forget, one month until the next garage sale! Lots of time to clean out lots of stuff!!
I guess first an update: I'm now in the second trimester of pregnancy, and there are still two in there. I am in that strange limbo between regular clothes and maternity clothes so if you see me wear the same thing everyday it's because it the only thing that fits me!! As much as I hate to say it, I want to get bigger already so that I can wear something (won't hear a woman say that very often!) We have the exciting "find out the sex of the baby assuming they cooperate" ultrasound coming up in a month, so that's very exciting. The parents will be here a few days before and are staying for about two weeks, so it's always awesome to see them.
Speaking of getting to see parents, we got to see the first parents that we matched with and had the baby girls with. Well, I can't really call them baby girls anymore, that's for sure. They are three now, and are happy and beautiful and just perfect. It really is such a blessing to get to see them and know them as they grow up. THAT is what makes you sure you are doing the right thing in all of this. It is amazing to get to help someone have more children, and I am so lucky to see it. I'm trying to get them to move this way too!! I have said before that we really became good friends with them, and of course I would love to have all of our good friends closer. We have a couple that are spread out (you know who you are), and we really need them closer...just sayin....
We have made a little progress with the adoption. It's a slow process, which is okay since it's not like we can travel to Russia right now anyway. We know that the government got our I-600 form, and we are waiting to get our appointments for fingerprints. I got my passport, and Jeremy's is in process and we will hopefully have it soon. There is just one question left on the huge autobiography that we need to finish and then send on to the social worker. Then it will be just getting reference letters and a few other papers to her and we can officially send our "registration" packet to Russia and begin the wait for a referral. Wow....still surreal to say that....I think that until we actually get a picture and something about her that it will be really hard to connect to all of this. It's still just a lot of paperwork and a hypothetical as of now, but I'm sure that will change. We have started figuring out her room and furniture and things, so that helps to keep me busy too. (not that I need something else to keep me busy!) So...that's where we are with that...
Maybe in my next 5 days of freedom from school I can manage one more post...we will have to see. Between 4 nights of tae kwon do, one night at church, and a tae kwon do tournament this weekend, I think I will manage to stay pretty busy...oh, and I guess I should work in there too at some point! Again, thanks for reading, hopefully next time I can post sooner and do something other than just a "State of the Tornado" address. Maybe I can write something inspiring...hahaha....who am I kidding, my brains are fried and the odds of something inspiring coming out are pretty slim...but I'll see what I can do, I do have some ideas up there...just have to dig them out!!
Also, don't forget, one month until the next garage sale! Lots of time to clean out lots of stuff!!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
So sorry....
I guess I didn't realize how busy things were going to get when I started this! So sorry that this post has taken so long to make it! Many of you already know this news, but in case there are a few out there who don't, I am 9 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins!! They look great on the ultrasounds and I am officially done with all of the medications, so I am a happy girl! I'm pretty sure that the parents are pretty happy too :) They will get to come back in just a couple of months when we do the fun 18-20 week ultrasound and hopefully find out what's in there.(and maybe call them something other than "thing 1 and thing 2") It will be great to see them again!
Speaking of seeing parents again, I think we get to see the first parents that we carried for next weekend. The girls are over 3 now, and I can't wait to see all of them again. It's such a great thing to be able to see them throughout these years and know that they are doing so well. That is something that really makes my heart happy.
In other news.....we haven't made a ton of progress with the adoption stuff as of right now. I'm in my last couple of weeks of school and that means finishing up projects and papers and things so it has taken a little bit of a back seat. Though really, we have been waiting on birth certificates to come in so we couldn't really do anything anyway. So, this week we will finally send off our I-600 to the government and get our passport applications in. We also have to fill out this monster autobiography for the home study, and we have been working on that together...but still have a way to go. Part of me isn't worried about rushing becuase even though they told us it would be a long wait once we did submit our things, they have also said that you never know. I have heard stories of getting a referral in 2 weeks! The problem is that I can't travel until we are done with the babies that are already on board :) So, timing is everything right now. I know that it's all in His timing so I'm really trying to learn some patience. I know that it will all work like it should!
Well, I hate to do it, but I have to run. I had a few minutes between being in the office for clinical (which is awesome, by the way) and having to get the boys. School is winding down, and I have a break for a week or so before I start up again for the summer so maybe I can get something done in that time...hahaha....sure!!
Speaking of seeing parents again, I think we get to see the first parents that we carried for next weekend. The girls are over 3 now, and I can't wait to see all of them again. It's such a great thing to be able to see them throughout these years and know that they are doing so well. That is something that really makes my heart happy.
In other news.....we haven't made a ton of progress with the adoption stuff as of right now. I'm in my last couple of weeks of school and that means finishing up projects and papers and things so it has taken a little bit of a back seat. Though really, we have been waiting on birth certificates to come in so we couldn't really do anything anyway. So, this week we will finally send off our I-600 to the government and get our passport applications in. We also have to fill out this monster autobiography for the home study, and we have been working on that together...but still have a way to go. Part of me isn't worried about rushing becuase even though they told us it would be a long wait once we did submit our things, they have also said that you never know. I have heard stories of getting a referral in 2 weeks! The problem is that I can't travel until we are done with the babies that are already on board :) So, timing is everything right now. I know that it's all in His timing so I'm really trying to learn some patience. I know that it will all work like it should!
Well, I hate to do it, but I have to run. I had a few minutes between being in the office for clinical (which is awesome, by the way) and having to get the boys. School is winding down, and I have a break for a week or so before I start up again for the summer so maybe I can get something done in that time...hahaha....sure!!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Does it get any better than this?
Hello all! So, life is good...no, life is REALLY good. I just don't even know some days how we got to be so blessed and just so lucky. First, everything is moving along very well with the pregnancy. We have had our last bloodwork, and everything still looks great, so we can start to breathe again about that. We are still waiting for the first ultrasound, which is next Wednesday afternoon...so less than a week now! I'm so excited to get that over with becase then i can hopefully stop sticking myself with needles daily. I am okay with doing it, but it is definitely not the highlight of my day and I will be more than happy to move past that!
Second, everything is starting to move along with the adoption. We have been in touch with the agency after they got all of our paperwork and we are officially starting the very overwhelming task of home study and the dossier....we now have access to this planner online and it walks through step by step everything that we will need and have to do. There is a note on the front page that says, "don't read this all at one time because it can be overwhelming"...perhaps I should listen!! I was on there going through every tab on this page and by the time I got done my head was spinning!! So, for now, I'm patiently (well, kind of patiently) waiting to be contacted by the case worker so that we can decide which region of Russia we want to work with. Each region has their own special list of paperwork they want, so you have to know that before you start gathering. We got a book (a 500 page book) from the agency that we have to read and take a test on...Jeremy asked if it came as a "book on tape"...that would be much easier! So, for now I'm reading that to try to be doing something while waiting....if you know me, you know I hate waiting....but, as a good friend has told me more than once "wait is a verb" So I'm trying to remember that!
Speaking of friends, I am really seeing these days how much our friends really bless our lives. When I told my friends we were planning to do this, I got nothing but positive responses and I can't tell them how much that has meant to us. I really do feel like it takes a village, and I really hope that I can take some of the amazing traits of my friends and become a better person by adding them into my lives. When you have friends that will get up at 5am on a Saturday morning and come out in the rain to help you sell stuff to raise money to bring your child home and not get anything out of it themselves, THAT is true friendship. I have had friends in my life, and just a handful that I would consider really true friends. As I look back, I realize that as I have become an adult, friendship is so much deeper and so much needed. There is something about being able to be completely real and screwed up, and vulnerable with your real friends that makes life so much better. I have friends now that know the good, the bad, and the ugly about my life, and amazingly they still want to hang out with me. I'm amazed to find that I'm not the only one with struggles in balancing mommy-life with work-life, and I'm not the only one who sometimes just wants to get away from my kids (for just a bit at least), and I'm not the only one whose house isn't constantly clean! I really used to think that I was missing something...that all of these women that I see really had all of this together and that something was wrong with me. Now I see that many women put on a really good show, but underneath they are just like me. All I can say is thank goodness for friends who don't feel the need to put on that show!
Friends, you know who you are. You are some of the most incredible women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I know I have said it before, but I really don't think I could make it (or it at least wouldn't be nearly as much fun) without you. I can have fun, act crazy, and be totally honest with you, and for that I say thank you. You are amazing mothers, wives, and friends, and I count myself very lucky to have you in my life!!
Wow....guess it's time to dry up the mush fest! Must be the hormones...anyway...ultrasound next week....and I will keep everyone up to date on where we are! Don't forget to go to www.adoptionbug.com/asherussia to get your great tshirt!! Also, i think we may have to do the garage sale again in April or May, so let me know if you have anything to donate!
Second, everything is starting to move along with the adoption. We have been in touch with the agency after they got all of our paperwork and we are officially starting the very overwhelming task of home study and the dossier....we now have access to this planner online and it walks through step by step everything that we will need and have to do. There is a note on the front page that says, "don't read this all at one time because it can be overwhelming"...perhaps I should listen!! I was on there going through every tab on this page and by the time I got done my head was spinning!! So, for now, I'm patiently (well, kind of patiently) waiting to be contacted by the case worker so that we can decide which region of Russia we want to work with. Each region has their own special list of paperwork they want, so you have to know that before you start gathering. We got a book (a 500 page book) from the agency that we have to read and take a test on...Jeremy asked if it came as a "book on tape"...that would be much easier! So, for now I'm reading that to try to be doing something while waiting....if you know me, you know I hate waiting....but, as a good friend has told me more than once "wait is a verb" So I'm trying to remember that!
Speaking of friends, I am really seeing these days how much our friends really bless our lives. When I told my friends we were planning to do this, I got nothing but positive responses and I can't tell them how much that has meant to us. I really do feel like it takes a village, and I really hope that I can take some of the amazing traits of my friends and become a better person by adding them into my lives. When you have friends that will get up at 5am on a Saturday morning and come out in the rain to help you sell stuff to raise money to bring your child home and not get anything out of it themselves, THAT is true friendship. I have had friends in my life, and just a handful that I would consider really true friends. As I look back, I realize that as I have become an adult, friendship is so much deeper and so much needed. There is something about being able to be completely real and screwed up, and vulnerable with your real friends that makes life so much better. I have friends now that know the good, the bad, and the ugly about my life, and amazingly they still want to hang out with me. I'm amazed to find that I'm not the only one with struggles in balancing mommy-life with work-life, and I'm not the only one who sometimes just wants to get away from my kids (for just a bit at least), and I'm not the only one whose house isn't constantly clean! I really used to think that I was missing something...that all of these women that I see really had all of this together and that something was wrong with me. Now I see that many women put on a really good show, but underneath they are just like me. All I can say is thank goodness for friends who don't feel the need to put on that show!
Friends, you know who you are. You are some of the most incredible women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I know I have said it before, but I really don't think I could make it (or it at least wouldn't be nearly as much fun) without you. I can have fun, act crazy, and be totally honest with you, and for that I say thank you. You are amazing mothers, wives, and friends, and I count myself very lucky to have you in my life!!
Wow....guess it's time to dry up the mush fest! Must be the hormones...anyway...ultrasound next week....and I will keep everyone up to date on where we are! Don't forget to go to www.adoptionbug.com/asherussia to get your great tshirt!! Also, i think we may have to do the garage sale again in April or May, so let me know if you have anything to donate!
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