The Crib Has Landed!!

Yea!! Today was the day my Mom and I went and picked up the crib and dresser/changing table!!

OMG!!! It's huge!! My mom and I borrowed my Grandma's van (the nice stow and go seating mini van). I put all the back seats down and the dresser took up the ENTIRE back. Needless to say, we had to make two trips up there. The crib converts to a toddler/full bed and was so large that we had to take it out of the box in order for it to fit. Talk about heavy too! It took two Babies R Us employees and me to load but my mom and I managed to unload it...thank goodness! Phew..what a nice little work out!! =)

Many pieces of furniture throughout the house are made by the Amish. We would road trip to Ohio and order it. Just beautiful! I wanted to do the same with the baby room furniture but instead, just went to the local Babies R Us to see what they had. I saw a few sets that I liked and decided to order from them since I had a 20% off coupon, lol. When we ordered it, we were looking for a nursery set that had nice, solid wood since I plan to convert this to his "big boy/teenage" bedroom set(whoa...scary thought!!). Many of them weren't and I want to make sure it lasts. This set is awesome--but huge! I could probably fit in the crib once it's set up =) he he

Other news, I put a call out to my social worker to find out more about the home study! I hope to hear back from her and the kitchen people soon!!!

Update

I sat down at my computer to do an update and found a comment asking if I had any news =). Yes!! My internet has been down so this will be extra long..

Hopefully, everyone following my blog had a nice Easter! Mine was busy!! I am in choir at my church so along with Christmas, Easter is one of the busiest times. In one "weekend," we sing at the following masses..Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday afternoon, and then Easter Sunday. On top of participating in all those masses, it has been our family tradition in recent years to go to the Easter Vigil mass (I've never felt so holy(= ). After, we come home and colored eggs and began the cooking! If I could find my camera cord, I would put up the picture of my little red, white, and blue Russian Easter egg that I made =). I keep wondering if my little guy has already been born. Was this his first Easter? =/

So...for the adoption update!!!

I'm going be be pessimistic first(sorry!!) I don't think I've ever been SO FRUSTRATED and ANNOYED in my life. I am aware...it's all part of the process =) and I bet there's more to come!

First, I faxed a VERY detailed letter and form to my insurance company explaining my adoption and what I was seeking. I gave them Step. By. Step. directions on what they needed to do. Hint...sign the prepared form and add their address. That's it. It's taken over 2 weeks so far. When I called, they said that it was still in the process of being "approved." Hmm..doesn't seem hard since their terms state that I can add a child anytime and this includes adopted children. Soooo, what's so hard about signing a form saying the child will be covered? Ugh..this little form needs just one signature and is holding up my registration.

Second rant. Before I can start my homestudy, there is work scheduled to be done in the kitchen. Mind you this was supposed to take place early/mid April and today is May 1st. I get a call and say those April dates have been changed and now are tentative for the first or second week in May. Ok..no big deal that was supposed to be... tomorrow. The living room in my o so small house now has dishes EVERYWHERE and looks like the kitchen department at mall. Well, I get a call last week, after I have this lovely kitchen display moved to my living room, and it is now bumped to two weeks later. Seriously?!?!?! I'm getting really ticked! So, now I'm looking at mid/late May. O and let me add...those dates are tentative. GRRR!! Come on people!!

I'm starting to get discouraged. I've been waiting, hoping and praying for over 2(!) years to start this adoption. I am so close to it happening but feel I've hit a brick wall..ugh! God has a plan and I just have to trust in his timing...no matter how long I wait or how hard it seems.

On to the good news!!! =)

When I spoke to my contact last week, she said they have been receiving a steady flow of referrals. That's good to know!!

I mentioned in a previous post that I went and put a down payment on a crib. Well, I feel so blessed that my mom finished paying for it and also got the matching drawer/changing table piece thingy. =) It should be at the store withing 7-10 days!!! EEKK!! I'm sooo excited!!

I had my eye on a bedding set and kept going back and forth about getting it and when. Well, I came prepared with my stack of coupons (it's the college student in me, he he). I was asking the sales lady(she had helped me earlier in the week) which ones I could use together, etc. So we got to talking. She asked was it for me or off of a registry. I said me and her eyes automatically looked at my stomach!! HA!!! If I was pregnant, you would definitely be able to tell on my 5'1 self. I had to chuckle. I then said that I was adopting a baby. We got into a really deep conversation then about adoption! It turns out, she was adopted! She shared that she has 3 other siblings. These siblings are biological children of her parents and her and her mom are the closest. This lady shared with me that she was so thankful that she had been adopted and her parents loved her as if they had given birth to her...it was so touching! Needless to say, we were both teary eyed when we ended our conversation! I think that just reaffirmed that what I'm doing is the right thing. I've spoken with many other adoptive parents, but felt that was such a special conversation to have with someone who had been adopted! Imagine that...all in the bedding department of Babies R Us!! =) he he

One more last thing..non adoption related. One of my best friends is getting married in 2 weeks!! I'm sooo excited for her! I love the dress she picked out for us bridesmaids AND I was able to find shoes that fit!! AMAZING!!!!

A Big Milestone

I just wanted to say a very delayed "Thank You," for all the encouraging comments! They are definitely needed!! I've waited for sooo long to begin this journey. It is finally happening and things can't happen quick enough! I never really realized how involved and completely overwhelming this process is. I'm trying to stay positive and look at the things that are happening instead of the things that aren't. I read this quote somewhere and just love it..

"The journey only looks long from the beginning. When we look back up the path, the reality is, we can be happy we started or we can wish we had."

I know after I have my little one home, it will be soo worth it!

Other news, I've celebrated a long awaited milestone in this process! I've never been so excited to "get old-er!" =) Now that I've hit this milestone...I'd like to stop, thank you very much.. he he

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!!