Holy Paperwork!!

I can not believe it.

I've heard and read about the amount of paperwork that goes into an adoption from Russia and always thought--"Eh, it can't be that bad, I can do it." How silly of me!!! I got my adoption guide in the mail last week and I just about fainted! I really can not believe how much there is to do!! It just about crushed my "I can do anything," positive attitude. I have this new found respect for all the adoptive parents who have their children home. If there was a time I've ever needed any extra prayers, it would be now. It is very overwhelming! I know in the end it will all be worth it, but for now, I have to just take one document and day at a time. I'm completely stressed to say the least=/. I feel the road has been cleared for me thus far and just have to trust that God knows what he is doing and will give me the strength to accomplish this. BIG DEEP BREATH!!! =)

Brighter news, I've learned of the possible regions that my child may be in. I've always been hung up on this and was so anxious to find out. I love history and am now trying to learn as much as I can about these interesting places(and hoping they don't change) =). Sorry, can't say where though until after my little guy is home.

Another Step Taken

I finally did it!! I just got back from sending off my signed contract!! Another step in the right direction! I'm almost giddy =). There's lots more to do still, but with each passing step, I know I'm one step closer to holding that little baby in my arms =). I know it's going to be worth it! It just can't come fast enough=)!

I thought I wasn't going to make it to Fed Ex. We had about 12 inches of snow here last night and I got stuck...again...leaving my driveway. They never clear my street and having a small car is torture at the moment. I have gotten stuck countless time this winter. It took 3 of my neighbor's to get me out..an older man, a woman about 4'10 and young boy about 13. What a combo! I'm just thankful I got stuck now instead of when I leave for work..I leave at about 6AM!!

I miss my Jeep!!

Great Friends, Good Food!!!

So far in this journey I feel very blessed. I have many supportive family members and friends. Many of my good friends I have know since I was a young child.

I shared my awesome news of being accepted into the Russian program with my good friend "L." We met at 3 years old in our first tap dancing class =). When I told her, she said we have to go out and celebrate! I had this great idea--why not celebrate starting a Russian adoption by dining out at a Russian restaurant!! She was on board so the search began. I live in a pretty ethnic diverse area so it wasn't to hard to find one. To my surprise, she brought me a VERY nice card about following your dreams and started my little guy's Dr. Seuss collection with some board books--including one of my favorites.."Put Me In The Zoo!! I love the Dr. Seuss series! I am soooo appreciative that everyone is sharing in my excitement and being soooo supportive!! Thanks!!

Well, anyone who knows me knows I am an extremely, I repeat EXTREMELY, picky eater. I've always had it in the back of my head.."What am I going to eat in Russia--I'll starve!!" Well, good news!!! Turns out I won't!! I ordered pelmeni and it was good!! I eat pickles and turns out pickles are big there...I hate sweet pickles and the pickles served were like dill, but not quite. So if worse comes to worse, I'll live on Pelmeni and pickles...HA!!! O and don't forget...warm bread! =)

While waiting to start, I've learned quite a few phrases in Russian. I even taught my puppy how to "sit" in Russian. Before hand, I was all pumped and set on using my newly acquired language skills. Once I got there, I chickened out and didn't want to miss pronounce anything =). So I stuck to English.. until I worked up the courage to try it out. The Russian waiter came back and asked how everything was. I didn't want the experience of using the language to go by, so I told him I was going to test my Russian and proceeded to say "OH-chin F-KOOSS-na(delicious)." I guess I should have used it sooner because his response was very funny!! He was surprised and replied "spah-SEE-ba, spah-SEE-ba (thank you)!!" Meanwhile my friend "L" was cracking up. After that, their whole demeanor changed. Very friendly and attentive, lol. I guess it goes to show that in any culture, as long as you make the effort and try--even if in your attempt you completely butcher everything, it is appreciated. =)

It's Official!!!

In a previous post I mentioned that I had turned in some preliminary information to the agency and I was told everything "looked good." Well, yesterday it became OFFICIAL. I had to turn in a formal application to the agency and I was accepted!! I have officially signed with an agency! =) A BIG step! I am now reviewing the contract and will be sending that in soon, along with a fat check. I'm soo glad this next step is happening but can't help being a little sad. I've worked so hard to save all this time and just like that...it's gone!!! =( LOL! I'm so so excited to officially start though! Ok, this is cheesy, but I feel like my dreams are FINALLY starting to come true!! I have a LONG ways to go but every dream/journey begins with a single step...and I've taken it!!

Now that things are "progressing," I'm going to try and set up a timeline here on my blog.. Wish me luck--I need it!! I'm pretty computer illiterate!!

Also, I've started to share my news with a few more people. Up until this point, I've really only told my close friends and immediate family (and my soon to be brother-in-law). Recently, I've gotten some pretty funny reactions, including... a wide, open mouthed gasp (in a good way though--I think, he he). I lost it. Giggle city =). I've also gotten the questions..am I ready for 24/7(my thoughts to this person..I am, even though you weren't, and you're at least 15 years older than me!!), would this make it harder me to marry in the future (maybe..but it would just have to be an extra special guy to accept this and I have to be careful with my choices), But, all in all, I am very thankful that everyone seems very supportive and interested in the process.

I've never been so excited!!

Already..

Wow, I've just started and there's already paperwork "inconveniences." Lovely. Better start my Excel sheet of costs....*Sigh

On a cheerier note..I got a voice mail from my 7 year old godson/cousin last Friday..

"Michelle, can you come to my special person lunch at school on Thursday. Please?"

Completely made my Friday =). Man, how could I resist; he's such a cutie!! I'm so glad that it falls on a day and I actually can. He goes to the same grade school as I did but we didn't have this fun little lunch. It really is a cute little idea. Along with having lunch with their "Special Person," an activity is planned. I don't know exactly what, but I'm looking forward to spending some extra time with my little buddy! =) Being the youngest of five children, the extra, undivided attention is nice for him. He used to be my little extra appendage too. I saw him A LOT while he was growing up and pretty much everyday in the summer. I took him to church with me almost every weekend (still try to when I don't have choir)..enough that one elderly gentleman said "Your baby is the most well behaved baby I've ever seen." Ha Ha! I was 17ish, giggled, thanked him, and said, "His parents will be glad to hear that." =) And the man turned red. =)

More Updates and Retail Therapy!!

Wow, 2 posts in one day...a new record for me!!

I bought a nice journal about a year ago and said that I would start writing in that once I officially started my adoption process. I took it out the other night and made my first entry. =) I'm kind of a private person (the reason why I have no pictures on here) and find myself going into more detail about things there. Also, with me being so busy, I find it very hard to sit at the computer and blog. When I get home, I just want to spend time with my doggie. It's much more pleasant to snuggle up with her and write in the journal vs. having her lay by herself on the floor while I type away at the computer. I have that guilty mom syndrome already =).

I probably shouldn't be buying all the stuff that I do (and have bought), but one needs to do something while waiting for so long!!! Talk about RETAIL THERAPY!! I have talked about this adoption and my anxious feelings for so long, that I think my family is relieved that things are finally happening, lol, just to quit having to hear about it.=) My Grandma has said the whole time, "I don't get excited until things actually happen. It saves a lot of heartbreak if things don't work out." I wish I could take that stance!! My Grandma is such a strong women--she doesn't put up with any BS-- and is the most classy lady (and Mrs. Manners)I know!! I've always strived to be like her. The night I got back I visited her and she said "OOO, this means it's time to go shopping." =) The other day, I was talking about my purchases. Against my better judgement, I went and made a down payment on a new crib (no drop sided one's here--they were actually banned in my state recently) and bought a car seat and last week I bought an Ergo carrier. I feel great being able to finally buy the products I like instead of having to advise these new parents I work for on good products. Some take my advice and some don't--then finding out they should have, lol!! Frustrating!! My little guy has all his sippy cups--I bought some bottles/pacifiers to test out too--unfortunately I have no idea what he'll like. I also have towels, wash cloths, a variety of clothing sizes, some great Russian/adoption themed books and toys, etc.

Anyway, back to the point..my Grandma tells me "Stop buying stuff..you have to leave some things for me to buy." She's such a sweetheart!! I'm one of those independent people who won't ask for anything, but just knowing she wants to do this, from the bottom of my heart, it leaves me so grateful. She always has been like my second mom--the first person to hold me after I was born, and knowing that she's now getting excited and looking forward this journey, makes me sooo happy! I've always wanted my Grandma and Grandpa to get to meet my children and have them be as special to my children as they have been to me. Unfortunately, my Grandpa won't get to meet my little guy and that pretty much breaks my heart.=( I know he would just be so tickled to meet this little boy. He was seriously the world's greatest Grandpa (and dad to me) and would have loved to be a Great Grandpa.

I totally went off on a tangent with this post, lol! I think what I'm getting at is..everyone is now getting excited and I'm beginning to tell some of my extended family and more friends. I told my cousin the other day. She was an older first time mom and had premature twin girls...less than 2#'s at birth. I think I was about 14/15 and having lots of "kid" experience, went and stayed with her and her husband to help. I was the only one who could get the littler twin to eat (sometimes with out projectile vomiting) =) and it was a great experience!! They were on heart monitors and if they went off in the middle of the night, we'd both leap out of bed and each check on a baby. We'd both crack up about how quick we'd get in there and how disoriented we were!! I always thought a lot of her and since doing that, we have become a lot closer. I told her the other day and she seemed surprised. I asked her if she was shocked and she was like "No!" She wants to hear more about it and we are meeting next week to talk! =)

I'm soo happy that even more family supports me in this awesome decision! Many people are curious why I'm doing this now. I've said all along..anyone who really knows me, knows how I love kids and will understand. I'm glad that I'm finding this to be true!

UPDATES!!!

Sheesh..I've been so busy lately! With having that "pre approval," it has kicked things into high gear around here. It was needed and has basically let me know where I stand. I received the formal application and am filling that out and hope to have it in the mail on Monday!! Can't believe it's finally happening!!!

I just printed my homestudy packet on Thursday and have that filled out. I just need to write my autobiography..which I'm dreading...and keep putting off. I could be writing that right now instead of this post, ha!! I guess when someone has been in college as long as I have, it's understandable. I feel like it's another paper that needs to make "the grade," and it's really not that big of a deal--kind of. After waiting soooo long, I'm procrastinating now!! I have to admit this is a HUGE flaw of mine. One that I'd SERIOUSLY like to eliminate!! So far, I've found a lot of the questions on this stuff to be redundant. That's fine..I can handle that and all these nitty gritty details, but I HATE writing "papers!" Ugh!! I need to make that my #1 project at the moment. As soon as I send this packet back to my social worker and the first "official" fat check )=, it's time to schedule the first home visit!

The only problem is, I'm basically redoing my kitchen and bathroom within the next couple weeks. Some of the kitchen is the original stuff from when the house was built (ie: cupboards, green oven--you get the picture), still in ok shape but definitely could be spiffed up. My mom and I are going later today to check more things out. Anyone else have stuff being done while doing the homestudy? I feel like it would be better to have these improvements done BEFORE my little guy comes home instead of after. This way, there won't be all these "strangers" coming in and out while he's trying to adjust. Just my personal feelings on the matter!