I had planned on writing an update today. It was going to go something like this: We got all of our documents apostilled and fedexed them to our agency. Our coordinator in St. Louis, Rebecca e-mailed me yesterday and told us she received them. The documents should be sent to Russia tomorrow. Exciting, but not earth-shattering, right?
Well, I noticed a comment at the end of Rebecca's e-mail, saying that if I had any questions about ANYTHING, feel free to ask. So, I did. I asked her how long before we knew which region we would be assigned. Over twenty four hours later and I had heard nothing. Then came the e-mail that was more than I had expected. WE HAVE A REGION! It's time to bundle up because Evan and I are going to Siberia! Actually, the region is called Tomsk. It is a new region that our agency is opening up this year. There are only 4 families assigned there right now, including us. Yes, I said 4! Rebecca is going to get a list of paperwork that we need for our dossier and then we will go from there.
I still have to research Tomsk, but once I know about it, I will write about it. I found this news out around 3:00 this afternoon and I am still shaking. We are so excited! I have a feeling things are going to move at a faster pace than expected.
I want to close by telling you how much everyone's words of encouragement mean to us. Please feel free to comment on our blog as well. It as easy as hitting the word "comments" at the end of the blog.
That's all for now. More on Tomsk to come . . .
Kristin
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
What A Long Week!
Let's start off by saying that International Adoption is not boring. It has been a whirlwind of a week getting all of our paperwork together. We also had to gather pictures of us and our house(both outside and inside). Then halfway through this week they decided that they needed two sets. Thank you to Evan for making THREE trips to Walmart's photo center.
Thursday morning we went to our agency to get our documents notarized by their attorney. For the amount of time it took to get everything together, we weren't there very long. Monday morning Evan will be taking our 17 documents to Columbus to be apostilled.
Now these are just registration documents so we can be registered in a region. Once we are close to receiving a referral then we will have to prepare our dossier. This consists of medical exams, financial statements, employment letters, etc. Most people take a couple months to get everything together.
I may not do a very good job of showing it, but I am very excited about this adoption. It really is an adventure. Sure, there is a lot of stress, but it is going to be so worth it. I think we are going to paint Nicholas' bedroom over Evan's spring break. We painted it two years ago when we started infertility treatments, but we need to start with a clean slate. I think preparing his room will continue to help us feel like our son is on his way.
In closing, I wanted to mention something about the process. On our second trip to Russia we will be going to court. Once the judge makes the adoption decree, he/she has the right to decide whether or not to enforce a ten-day waiting period. If they do not waive the ten days, we could be in Russia for three weeks on our second trip. That is a long time and we will have to contemplate whether to come back home and go back after the waiting period is over (both ways are costly). Our agency does have a couple of regions that almost always waive the 10 days. I would prefer one of these regions, but we don't really have a choice. I know that whatever region we are assigned to is where God has placed Nicholas. But, we are praying that we would be assigned one of the "faster" regions, if it is God's will. Hopefully, in the next month or two we'll find out.
Kristin
Thursday morning we went to our agency to get our documents notarized by their attorney. For the amount of time it took to get everything together, we weren't there very long. Monday morning Evan will be taking our 17 documents to Columbus to be apostilled.
Now these are just registration documents so we can be registered in a region. Once we are close to receiving a referral then we will have to prepare our dossier. This consists of medical exams, financial statements, employment letters, etc. Most people take a couple months to get everything together.
I may not do a very good job of showing it, but I am very excited about this adoption. It really is an adventure. Sure, there is a lot of stress, but it is going to be so worth it. I think we are going to paint Nicholas' bedroom over Evan's spring break. We painted it two years ago when we started infertility treatments, but we need to start with a clean slate. I think preparing his room will continue to help us feel like our son is on his way.
In closing, I wanted to mention something about the process. On our second trip to Russia we will be going to court. Once the judge makes the adoption decree, he/she has the right to decide whether or not to enforce a ten-day waiting period. If they do not waive the ten days, we could be in Russia for three weeks on our second trip. That is a long time and we will have to contemplate whether to come back home and go back after the waiting period is over (both ways are costly). Our agency does have a couple of regions that almost always waive the 10 days. I would prefer one of these regions, but we don't really have a choice. I know that whatever region we are assigned to is where God has placed Nicholas. But, we are praying that we would be assigned one of the "faster" regions, if it is God's will. Hopefully, in the next month or two we'll find out.
Kristin
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Unpredictable
I mentioned that International Adoption is unpredictable, right? Well, I just got an e-mail from our consultant in St. Louis and some of our documents need to be changed and a few more added. Russia wants some wording changed on everyone's documents. So, we have to do these fairly quickly and have them notarized and apostilled. We also have to take pictures of ourselves and our house too. I was hoping we wouldn't have to do any more documents until we finish our dossier. These are just documents to register in a region.
The good news is that our agency is planning on completing a lot of adoptions this year. They have 18 first and second trips scheduled for this month. They hope to have 40 a month for the next few months. I don't know where we are in line (probably closer to the end), but I hope and pray that we get to go to Russia this year.
I guess we have some homework to do this weekend. The only problem will be getting Evan and I in front of a notary at the same time. With work and school it will be a challenge. Again, the faster we get these documents done, the faster we get a referral. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kristin
The good news is that our agency is planning on completing a lot of adoptions this year. They have 18 first and second trips scheduled for this month. They hope to have 40 a month for the next few months. I don't know where we are in line (probably closer to the end), but I hope and pray that we get to go to Russia this year.
I guess we have some homework to do this weekend. The only problem will be getting Evan and I in front of a notary at the same time. With work and school it will be a challenge. Again, the faster we get these documents done, the faster we get a referral. I'll let you know how it goes.
Kristin
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Open and Honest
I know I haven't written in awhile. To be honest, I wasn't really in the mood. One thing about International Adoption is that it is very unpredictable. I am really struggling with the waiting right now. I think the hardest part is that we don't have a "due date". I hae no idea when Nicholas will be coming home. It frustrates me to no end.
At the same time, the wait is a great thing. Since we decided to adopt I have been in a "battle". All of my worries and fears have surfaced and I feel like Satan is doing everything in his power to stop me from doing what God has called Evan and I to do. I feel like I stumble on a daily basis, but I know I need to press on.
My mom recently introduced me to a new chiropractor. I started going to him last week and he is helping will all the tension in my neck (Thank you, Stress). This is no ordinary chiropractor though. He is a Christian and he actually prays over me after each adjustment. He is not just concerned with my physical well-being, but emotional and spiritual as well. I actually feel very at peace by the end of my appointment.
I guess one thing that I am learning is that I shouldn't downplay how stressful an adoption can be. There are so many emotions that we go through. It isn't unlike the roller coaster of infertility that we know so well. I just need to learn to handle my emotions better and to face my fears and worries head on. I need to ask God for His strength and not try to do this on my own. This is what I want to deal with before Nicholas comes home. This is the only reason that I am thankful for the wait.
I have one other area that I want to address since I am opening myself up here. I would say that the majority of the people have been so supportive of our adoption. Thank you so much to those people! But, there have been some who have said some hurtful things - most likely unitentionally. I read a lot of adoption blogs, so I know others have struggled with the same problem.
Evan and I researched adoption before we started the process. We know the risks, but we also know the rewards. We are happy that this is the route God has taken us down for our first child. And, I believe that He has the right child picked out for us.
With that said, I ask those few people some questions: Would you remind a pregnant woman that there is a chance she could miscarry? Would you ask her if she will give her child away if it is born with problems? Does having a biological child make you any more of a parent than if your child is adopted?
Adoptive parents need support more than anything. Share good stories you have heard, not bad. Treat us like we are going to be parents. We aren't "saving" Nicholas. He is teaching us what it really means when God says that we are adopted into His family.
I don't want to sound like a downer. I am really happy about this adoption. I just wanted others to know that it isn't easy. And, we do need your prayers. Thanks again for loving and supporting us during this time.
Kristin
At the same time, the wait is a great thing. Since we decided to adopt I have been in a "battle". All of my worries and fears have surfaced and I feel like Satan is doing everything in his power to stop me from doing what God has called Evan and I to do. I feel like I stumble on a daily basis, but I know I need to press on.
My mom recently introduced me to a new chiropractor. I started going to him last week and he is helping will all the tension in my neck (Thank you, Stress). This is no ordinary chiropractor though. He is a Christian and he actually prays over me after each adjustment. He is not just concerned with my physical well-being, but emotional and spiritual as well. I actually feel very at peace by the end of my appointment.
I guess one thing that I am learning is that I shouldn't downplay how stressful an adoption can be. There are so many emotions that we go through. It isn't unlike the roller coaster of infertility that we know so well. I just need to learn to handle my emotions better and to face my fears and worries head on. I need to ask God for His strength and not try to do this on my own. This is what I want to deal with before Nicholas comes home. This is the only reason that I am thankful for the wait.
I have one other area that I want to address since I am opening myself up here. I would say that the majority of the people have been so supportive of our adoption. Thank you so much to those people! But, there have been some who have said some hurtful things - most likely unitentionally. I read a lot of adoption blogs, so I know others have struggled with the same problem.
Evan and I researched adoption before we started the process. We know the risks, but we also know the rewards. We are happy that this is the route God has taken us down for our first child. And, I believe that He has the right child picked out for us.
With that said, I ask those few people some questions: Would you remind a pregnant woman that there is a chance she could miscarry? Would you ask her if she will give her child away if it is born with problems? Does having a biological child make you any more of a parent than if your child is adopted?
Adoptive parents need support more than anything. Share good stories you have heard, not bad. Treat us like we are going to be parents. We aren't "saving" Nicholas. He is teaching us what it really means when God says that we are adopted into His family.
I don't want to sound like a downer. I am really happy about this adoption. I just wanted others to know that it isn't easy. And, we do need your prayers. Thanks again for loving and supporting us during this time.
Kristin
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