(M)ighty (F)ine (A)nnouncement

Are you sitting down? Well, more than likely you are because you are in front of a computer.

WE HAVE BEEN AT THE MFA SINCE MARCH 4! Can you believe it? I can't.

From what I understand, dossiers are at the MFA for a minimum of 60 days. We have almost reached the 60 day mark and didn't even know it!

I guess I better get started on that list. Next stop: Saskia - stan.

Making Contrails

IN
Hey, look! Amy's back with Karina! And the Spykers were reunited with Nora. AND, the Kowalchuks returned to Canada with their son. That's three families who move to the "Home Sweet Home" list this week!

Matt and Suz are now the parents of Prince Eyeball and Princess Hairball. Karen and Glenn continue to bond with ZM.

OUT
Laura and Bob are flying out today. Shannon is headed back for her court date and so is Chris at the beginning of May.

WORKING ON OUT
Tracy and Butch received their I171H. Heidi and Terry are in translation. Marla and Joby's dossier is at the Consulate. Darlene and Dennis's dossier is at the MFA! Dan and Allison received their LOI.

Our dossier has been at the Consulate almost 70 days. Our coordinator has been on vacation. She returns tomorrow. Maybe we will hear that we moved on . . .

A Little Commentary
What a week! Pending legistation, fee increases, delays, a dossier rejected at the MOE (didn't think that was possible) . . . it is hard to remain positive! I have learned that adoptive parents are a tenacious (among many other really good things) bunch. This quote from Amy (mom of Karina) says it all, "Being a parent is just as hard as I imagined it would be but the neat thing is that it is even more wonderful than I ever imagined it would be."

I want to thank you all for the encouragement to keep going with the blog. If this were a Budweiser commercial, I would say (sheepishly), "I love you, Man." I was really frustrated that someone who I trusted with an invitation to this blog misrepresented what I wrote - to our agency, no less. I have no way of knowing exactly who it was and as time goes on, it matters less and less.

I would just ask that in the future, at the very least, make sure the information that you share is accurate. It would be even better if you contacted me with your concerns first.

P.S. I can't help but share a recipe recommendation. I made this this weekend and was reminded of how absoultely fantastic the recipe is. And, it is far from the tasteless, goopy Pasta Primavera I suffered through at many restaurants because it was the only vegetarian option. This is creamy, citrusy and herbal with some heat. This pasta shouts SPRING with peas, asparagus and morels (but, if you don't have morels, substitute any sauteed mushroom). It is a weekend dish - a little extra work, but well worth it.

17,000 Is the Magic Number

Speaking to your child is clearly beneficial. But, a device to count and analyze the words is a little over the top (notice there is even special clothing). I would feel a little like robot mommy and would probably take it hard if I didn't make the quota :). And what if the device deemed the types of words I used unacceptable? The LENA system is $399 (regularly priced at $699!)! And, the overalls with the special pocket are pricey at $32+ a pair. What do you think?

Communication Breakdown

Wow! What a week. Is it only Wednesday?

Have you ever felt like you have had challenge after challenge? It seems like it is one thing after another and that it all comes via email.

On top of all of the uncertainty in the world of adoption, I was reprimanded by my agency for including information on our blog that I didn't actually include. Apparently, one of my dear readers told his or her coordinator that I disclosed information that may have adversely affected another family's adoption process.

The thing is - I didn't actually disclose the information. Heck. I don't even write where people are going (with the exception of Karen & Glenn who, as you can see, identified their destination in the comments section).

You know the posts I have been trying to do once a week that summarize where people are in the process? I loved looking at Suz's summaries before she left. I wasn't kidding when I wrote that this process is not like a rollercoaster, but like living in a dark closet for months on end. Checking on other people, blogging, is like that little crack of light under the door. I like writing these summaries. I like feeling like I am doing something positive while we wait.

But, now someone reading this has told his or her coordinator that I am writing things that I shouldn't be.

So, I don't know. No more weekly reports? No more blog? Do I limit readership even further?I'm not sure what to do. What would you do?

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

Spring just keeps getting better and better.

Dreaming of Suitcases

Burn the Suitcase
Karen & Bob are back home with their new son Garrett. Their return, not unlike their departure, was a challenge, but they are home safe and sound.

Getting closer!
Suz and Matt have completed their bonding with their two kids. They have court dates next week! I am amazed how well suited they are for one another. It is so inspiring to read about their daily adventures. Catalina's and Calin's 15 day waiting period is over. They will be back to pick up their kids in a matter of weeks! Shannon has a court date and Amy is in Almaty with Karina (they are scheduled to return next week)

Almost there (give 'em that big suitcase)
Karen and Glenn are leaving today and will join Suz & Matt in Ust. Karen has finally set up a blog! Now we can return the favor of all the comments she has shared with all of us. Laura and Bob have also received their LOI. They are expected in Kazakhstan by the end of the month. Also, Sherry and her family are leaving today. She is writing about her experience on Moms Miami. Sherry has also just published a children's book called Because You Are My Baby.

Working Towards the Big Suitcase
I added links to Tracy & Butch (working on paperwork) and Jamie & Catherine (waiting for LOI).

No news on our dossier. We did receive an "after you submit your dossier" letter from our agency this week that stated dossiers are typically at the Consulate for 60 days. We hit the 60 day mark, so maybe it will make it to the MFA soon. I have to admit that I had a serious case of the doubts yesterday. I was focused on the fact that we have the word "healthy" in our home study. It seems that is an issue for some. There are agencies that have instructed clients to remove this word from their home studies. We have not been instructed to do so. Have I told you that I hate the dark closet that the process of international adoption is? I really feel like we are groping in the dark. But, I guess I should stop groping!

Earthquake?!
We had an 5.2 EARTHQUAKE here last night! We are close to the New Madrid fault. The shaking house woke me up. Before I could get up to check on Luca, he came into our room and asked what the noise was. And, I said, "We must have had an earthquake" like it was a common occurrence.

Is Illinois the new California? Ha!

P.S. Check out the Bilbro's blog again this week. They have been matched for a domestic adoption! Congratulations!

Comings & Goings

Waiting patiently
We have not heard anything about our dossier moving out of the Consulate this week. The Consul was supposed to return from a vacation on 4/7. I did hear from another WPA client that their dossier and a few others should have been released this week (thanks, Kari!). I have been meaning to check the dates on our documents to anticipate any new we might need.

Comings
Suz and Matt continue to bond with Eyeball & Hairball. It sounds like things are going really well with the kids. They are so sweet and I am amazed how quickly they are picking up English. Childrens' minds never cease to amaze me. Amy is headed to Ust to pick up Karina! I can't wait to see them together and home for good. Karen and Bob are in Almaty finishing things up and getting ready to bring their son Garrett home after 50+ days in Kazakhstan.

New Faces
I added a link to the Morningstars blog. They are also with WPA and just finished their dossier. I also added Sheila and Chris - I am not sure how I came across them, but I love the song that they have on their blog. I may have to copy. They are working on their paperwork.

Almost done wading through the paper
Heidi and Terry finished their paperwork, but need to get a few new documents. So close!

Decisions, decisions!
A few weeks ago Sam switched from Kazakhstan to Ethiopia. She is flying through her paperwork! Jeremy and Amanda have also switched - they are exploring domestic adoption.

Goings!
It looks like Frank and Regina will be traveling in 3-4 weeks! Congratulations, guys! It has to feel so great (and crazy) to be close to travel! Eileen and Pat will also travel to meet their little girl next month! Mary found out her dossier is at the MOE! She is on the last leg of the wait. Also, check out what her nephew Luke told her - very sweet. Laura and Bob are waiting for their LOI. Their blog is going private, so let them know if you want an invitation. Chris and Trish have been given the go ahead to apply for their VISAs for Kazakhstan. They are slated to travel in May as well.

Reunited
Check out Gretchen and Chris's blog. There are photos of a reunion of families who adopted from Kazakhstan last summer. I get teary seeing all of those kids! They look so darned happy . . . and seeing them makes me long for Saskia even more.

If you haven't already, check out Two Hearts for Hope to see how you can support orphans in Kazakhstan.

Hope and a Big Carrot

The Big Carrot
Luca is in Pre-K and he has homework. Amazing - huh? I would characterize it as "fun" homework. Once a week, we read a book together and then he draws a picture that is supposed to be inspired by the book. There is also a vocabulary list and suggested activities to go along with the particular book.

Last year, at the ripe age of 3 he wanted to draw planets and moons. It didn't matter what the story was - it was planets and moons. His teacher (with whom we have since parted ways) told us that he needed to draw something that had to do with the book. So, homework night became, well, not so fun as we forced him to draw something from the book. What happened to art as self-expression? This year, we were back to planets and it was okay with the new and improved teacher (the nice teacher we love).

About a month ago, he started to draw the whole entire story. He would tell me the story verbatim as he drew each scene in the same box on one sheet of paper. Of course, his final picture looked like one big blob of scribbles. But, something really cool happened last week. He drew one part of the story, clear as day!

And he did it again today! This

is his representation of this:

Of course, there are moons and planets on the other side! I have learned that parenting is about compromise.

Hope
The book this week is The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and Crockett Johnson (I highly recommend anything by Crockett Johnson, by the way). It is such a sweet, simple book about hope that really resonated with me.

A boy plants a carrot seed. His mom says it probably won't grow. His dad says it probably won't grow. His brother says it WON'T grow. And, it doesn't grow right away. But, he weeds and waters and waters and weeds and, amazingly, he grows one huge carrot.

It is a metaphor for almost anything really - persevere and what you work for will happen . . . in its own good time.

Tragic Story

I have seen reference to a story of a child adopted from Russia whose parents are suspected of killing him. Catalina's judge asked about it during their court appearance. I saw a post on our agency's list serve from a family who have been asked to postpone travel because the prosecutor in the region has learned of the story. Now, there are issues in regards to scheduling court hearings.

Such incidents in the United States and Canada occur in one of every 15,000 adoption cases from Russia. Of course, there should not be any statistics. None of these children should have ever been hurt. The deaths of these children are heartbreaking. But, I believe that 99.9% of adoptive children go to families who love and care for them. These families are required to demonstrate over and over again that they will, indeed, give a child a good home.

The Emelyantsev family is an extreme exception, but this one extreme exception may be negatively affecting the adoption process for many people at the moment. In the past several months I have only seen people who have adopted . . . who are in the process of adopting . . . who want nothing more than the opportunity to give a child a loving home. I have also seen people and agencies who not only adopt and facilitate these adoptions, but also work very hard to support the children who are left behind in the orphanages of Kazakhstan.

I would like to see these headlines as well.

The City of Big Shoulders

This is my favorite nickname for Chicago - The City of Big Shoulders. It is just so fitting. Why the trivia about favorite alternative names for cities? We just returned from a weekend trip to Chicago. Scott had a conference, so Luca and I headed up to meet him there on Friday.

Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the big city to visit when I was growing up in Northern Indiana. As a teenager I headed there for concerts and other fun. One specific one I recall is The Cure at Rosemont Horizon. As a young adult, I attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago for my masters in art history. That was probably one of the best experiences of my life. I developed an incredible passion for learning there.

I was so happy to introduce Luca to the sights of Chicago. The last time he was there, he was only 9 months old! When we arrived on Friday, we headed straight to the Adler Planetarium. He was clearly in his element bouncing around from one experience to the next. He loved the gravity well/black hole simulation and the mock Mars Rover that you could control using a computer. We had an incredibly tasty meal at Mediterra on South Dearborn. Luca demolished an entire flatbread pizza and double chocolate cookie. Scott and I had two really good sandwiches and the best french fries.

On Saturday, we had breakfast with Jason and Jenn - a couple who used to work with Scott. We have not seen them in a couple of years. It was so fun catching up with them! We still miss their presence here - there is no doubt. After breakfast, we went to the Nature Museum and The Lincoln Park Zoo with my friend Michele and her two kids. I have been friends with Michele since 4th grade when she drew an unflattering picture of me because I was a "teacher's pet." Clearly, I forgive and forget because we have been friends since then - for the better part of of our lives. It was so amazing to see Luca interact with her kids! He absolutely loved it and has been talking about Madeline and Will ever since.

Last night, Scott and I were lucky enough to have dinner out because Luca's star babysitter Kami happened to be in town as well. She offered to take care of him while we went to Zocalo for a lovely dinner. Kami is the greatest caretaker ever! I am planning an "Ode to Kami" post in the very near future.

I have to catch up on my blog stalking and write an entry about what is going on . . . do take a look at Sara and Julian's blog because they have made it back to Toronto! YEA!