A New Month - Progress

Well this week certainly brought some progress. Mike and I were very excited last night when we brought about half of the required documents to FedEx to be sent to Hartford. The State needs to put an apostille on all the documents before they can go to Russia. So a big step forward yesterday. We are still waiting on a few things but they should be coming by the end of next week. The one trouble we have been having is with the mortgage company. I don't know why but trying to get a simple letter from them has been quite difficult. But I think we made progress on that yesterday as well. Now we need to wait for that letter, the rest of the doctors' board certifications and the state to send letters verifying all the doctors' licenses. We also need the psychologist's letter and license but we see him on Tuesday.

I also made some progress with the job front. On Thursday I went to an open house for LifeTouch, the school portrait company. They offered me a job taking school portraits. But it would only be for Fall and Spring and the pay isn't great but I think it might be a fun job. I love taking pictures and I love kids. I might also be able to work at the local hospital in the laboratory department doing clerical work weeknights. That is also only a part time job but the pay is a little better. We should hear more next week. So once we straighten that out, we can get the financial paperwork settled with a CPA as well.

Mike and I were so excited about our progress that we had a mini celebration. Mike took me to Olive Garden - my favorite restraunt last night. We even had desert! What a great way to end a good week. I feel better knowing that the paperwork is getting done and I can almost see the light at the end of this paperwork tunnel. Here's to the hope that the good fortune continues!

Some Progress and Two Great Dinners

Well, I am happy to report that after some frustration yesterday with doctors, we have made some good progress with our paperwork today. Many of you will be happy to know that Mike and I still do not have a criminal record as noted by the FBI. The background checks were a pleasant surprise early this morning. The state is verifying the 7 doctors licenses for us so that should be on its way. We do however, need to obtain copies of each doctors board certifications in their specialties. The state can not verify their specializations so we need separate documents for that. Of the 7 doctors, I was able to get 3 today and I think 2 are in the mail. The other 2 are still a work in progress. So, some happiness today. We also went to see the mayor today and got him to sign the letter proving that we own and reside in our house. We also obtained the house deed and property card. All with certified copies, notarizations, and town seal/stamp. Hopefully Russia will appreciate all the stamps on our documents. Now we just need to send them to the state to get a state stamp or apostille. So many checks and balances. Is it good or bad? I'm not sure but it isn't much fun getting them all.

We just got back from dinner with Mike's parents. He had gone there to get bug spray for the dresser he made. I guess we still have some unwelcome buggies eating their way through the dresser. So he got the bug spray and an invite for spaghetti. A nice surprise today too.

Last night we had a nice dinner with my mom. Then Mom and I went to the movies. We saw Mama Mia. It was very funny. Mom and I going to the movies on a Tuesday night has always been a special thing for us. When I was in high school and home from college, we would go at least once a month or so. I really enjoy spending the time with my mom. I can only hope that my child/children and I will have a special bond like my mom and I do.

So, some really nice things going on here. We hope to have most of the paperwork sorted out and sent to the state within a week or so and then sent to Russia. Then we will see what we will have to update. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that my blog had an international "hit". That's great. I am not sure who might be reading this but I hope that it is helping someone. I'd love to hear back from some of you. Either leave a comment or you can email me at Khamele@sbcglobal.net I'd love to hear from other people who are going through similar circumstances. There is strength in numbers.

Good News, Bad News, No News

Oh the duplicity of adoption. There are no good days or bad days. Every day has its bad and good moments. My thoughts and feelings jump from hope to despair and everywhere in between. Yesterday overall I guess was a good day. Our documents that we are waiting on all seem to be coming within the next week. We did receive our old passports back yesterday with a promise that the new ones are on their way. So we can update the passport ID numbers on the paperwork. We finished our medical 8 doctor paperwork mess yesterday but now need to visit with a psychologist as well. That was scheduled for Tues 7/29. Now we need verifications from the state for all the doctors. Those should be coming soon. I am waiting on the FBI check but hope to have it soon. Last time it only took them a week. So the paperwork trail is coming to a close for now. We know that much of the paperwork will need to be updated again. Why? I can't tell you. I have no answer. That is what Yekaterinburg wants so that is what they get.

One downside, we need to wait on the financial paperwork since I still have no job. I went for an interview with People's Bank. HOpefully that will turn out ok. We'll see. I don't hold out much hope. I fear that the work situation is helpless and thus the adoption is helpless and will never come to fruition. I hate to think that my old "boss" and a couple coworkers may be the reason that I don't get to bring my baby Colby home. That had better not be true. But, I must strive on and find that job. Colby is counting on me, Mike is counting on me, everyone is counting on me, and I hate to let people down.

As for the no news, I think that might be the hardest. My son is across the world, separate from Mike and me, and we have no idea what he is doing. Is he happy or sad? Did he get a hug and feel loved today? I know we were told that we will receive updates about him and some pictures but we have heard nothing yet. The unknown is what hurts the most. I can do something about the paperwork and the job but I can't change the fact that I am not there to watch my baby grow and play and just be himself.

Getting Somewhere

5 doctors done for me and 4 for Mike. We are just over half way complete. I don't think I have ever had so many doctors' appointments in my life. At least we now know that we are healthy, nice people who have never been in trouble with the law or the government. We just recently received the next batch of paperwork requirements. I have already completed some of it. I hope to be all done with it, except for the papers that need our new passport ID numbers, within the next couple weeks. I am waiting on people to send us letters or apostille the completed papers. At least I feel like I am getting somewhere. Who knew that an adoption would require so much paperwork? The poor trees...