Officially Registered in Kras

We've finally been registered in Krasnoyarsk. This is great news. One step closer. Now, we just wait for a referral (to be matched with a child or children).
It could be days.
It could be weeks.
We've heard the government offices in Russia slow down for the holidays, usually well into January. Hmm... slow down? Not quite sure what is slower than practically standing still for 2 years... maybe reverse?
Ooh, sorry, just a little holiday adoption sarcasm.

Actually, we're excited and grateful that the Lord has opened the door a little more; shed light around the next bend of our journey. I can almost see the frozen tundra of Siberia.

A couple months ago, I posted a little bit about "standing still". The verse you see by our picture talks about standing still. Since then, I've continually run across verses that remind me that our adoption remains in God's hands and in His timing.

Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among nations.
Psalm 46:10

When the Lord All Powerful makes a plan,
no one can stop it.
Isaiah 14:27

Some days are easier.
Some days are harder.
But always, I know the days are in God's hands.
I'm so grateful for those of you who check in on the blog to see what's going on. I'm so grateful for those of you that still ask us how we are doing. I'm so grateful for those who are praying for our waiting children. Who would have imagined, after all this time, there would still be so much to be thankful for?

Maybe Peyton Can Convince Him...

I know that Scott would find Tom Brady more convincing, but maybe Peyton can be persuasive...
Click here.

Minivan Showdown

I want a minivan.
Scott doesn't.

C'mon... how can anyone resist the luxurious amenities of a minivan?! Have you seen the commercials for these things? Swivel backseats, dual dvd players, the doors open with the touch of the remote, the van STARTS with the touch of a remote, heated seats, navigation, a table! Really, it's nicer than my house.

Somehow, none of this was very convincing to Scott.

However, give the husband some credit. He did accompany me on a little excursion just to "check them out." I'm pretty sure he was secretly impressed, even though he's not letting on.

I must admit, I am feeling a little guilty about driving poor Civic to different car dealerships and flaunting the new minivans right in his face. Civic has been very faithful for many years, ten and a half to be exact. So what if Civic doesn't have keyless entry! So what if Civic's overhead light has never come on when you open the door! So what if driving a stick shift makes it really hard for me to drink my Starbucks and talk on the cell phone at the same time! So what if 1997 Civic is still in the prime of his life at only 74,000 miles! So what if Civic gets over 30 miles per gallon and gas is over 3 bucks! Poor Civic. He's a good little car...

...but check out these minivans...





I know, I know. All of my SUV driving friends out there are feeling a little tempted right about now. Don't be afraid to cross over to the dark side.

Just Another Map of Russia

Can you find Krasnoyarsk?

No New November News...

We're still waiting to hear that we've been OFFICIALLY registered in Kras. Apparently, documents are submitted in batches and we came in too late in October to make the October bunch. We've been told that our documents will go in with the November submission... still not sure what day that will be...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... APU just won their regional championship game. Next, Scott heads to Florida for the national tournament. Hey, how about some pictures of that handsome coach himself?!

Documents En Route to Kras

Our updated paperwork should be en route to Russia today! Our agency is sending it with a family who is traveling to Kras this weekend to meet their little boy. Hopefully we'll hear that we've been officially registered very soon.

Thanks so much to Armando who actually carried our documents to the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento for apostilles (authentication seals). That saved us at least 3 weeks.

We'll keep you updated.

Makin' a Move

After 17 months of waiting for news from Voronezh, it's time to make a move.
Just a little move... to Siberia!

We are now taking steps to have our dossier (paperwork) registered in a different region. It is called KRASNOYARSK and it's actually in Siberia. Don't worry, it was only 20 degrees there last week, I checked. I'm not quite sure what 20 degrees feels like. I usually break out the sweatshirts when it hits 79!

At first we were disappointed. I'd sort of become attached to Voronezh. I can even pronounce it with a cool accent on the r and zh. However, our agency is very optimistic that this will speed things up. There's just one catch... we have a few new documents to complete! That's no surprise, though. They say adopting families have a "paper pregnancy." There certainly is some labor involved.

There have been several families with our agency that traveled to Kras in Sept. and Oct. They've all had good things to say about the trip, the people, and the orphanages. We expect to have our new paperwork in by the end of the month. Keep your fingers crossed!

We're Right on Schedule

Have a Heart

"Hey! I thought that Voronezh Adoption Official was supposed to be back from vacation in September!?"

Yeah. Me too.

So, I found out today, that apparently the man... no, let me rephrase that... the one and only man... who gives out the referrals in Voronezh is out sick. Diagnosis... heart problems. I have no idea what that means. The whole process has actually felt a bit heartLESS at times. Who knew those adoption guys in Russia were walking around with real, live, at least partially beating hearts!?

I know my blog has been a little sleepy lately. I'll try to do better. Let's see. If there's no adoption news, I could post...

my grocery list... (must remember salad dressing this time!)
soccer scores... (APU women's soccer is ranked #2 in the nation...that's just good coaching)
weekend agenda... (the Omegas are coming for a Disneyland visit!)
Cubs schedule... (gotta win 3 in a row... otherwise, see ya in 2008)

Have a great weekend all. If you think about it, say a prayer for our waiting children.
I've never even met them, but I sure miss them right now.

Giving Thanks for a New School Year (even if it kills me)

We've started a new school year! Scott continues to teach high school math. I'm back in third grade doing a job share.

Ahhh, the job share.
Love being part time? Yes! (Wed, Thurs, every other Fri!)
Love my job share partner? Yes! (Valerie is the best!)
Love 3rd grade?...............
Uh, love 3rd grade?......... (Okay, not so much.)

You all know that I am an elementary school teacher, turned middle school teacher, turned reluctantly back to an elementary school teacher. And, c'mon, one of these days I'm actually going to be a mom... with real live kids... in my own house... needing me to stay home a little more! So when the opportunity for a job share came my way I couldn't pass up working part time, even if it was back in elementary school.

HOWEVER...I just gotta say that, believe it or not, I miss the room full of 36 stinky, voice cracking, random lip-hair growing, gawky, too much Axe wearing, know-it-all preteens.

For some reason, this year's third graders are a handfull! (Okay, I actually KNOW the reason. I'll tell you later) Here's a little bit of what I encountered the first week of school:

- one student with her trusty BINOCULARS checking out the room during silent reading time

- one student who got his head stuck in the hole of his chair... really.

- one student who made himself into a little ball, tucking his arms, legs, and head into his T-shirt and rocked all around.

- one student who came back from recess crying because someone else was, "Listening to my secrets!"

- one student who seemed to be randomly howling (for 2 days I couldn't figure out who it was!)

This is really just the tip of the iceberg. Now, I know they are only 8, but this is NOT a normal class.....

I know, I know. We are supposed to give thanks in all circumstances. Even when the A/C goes out. Even when the bills are pouring in. Even when you have been waiting 2+ years to meet your adoptive children and there's still no news. And even when you want to amputate little Johnny's finger because HE WILL NOT KEEP IT OUT OF HIS NOSE... Yes, I know I am to give thanks in all circumstances. I wanted to give thanks for 20 third graders, I did! But mostly I just wanted to get back to a classroom full of too much cologne wearing, puberty stricken, non howling 7th graders! (Well, they actually howl sometimes, too.)

AND THEN IT CLICKED:
I am right where I need to be. I do believe, that God, in all of His wisdom (and with a sense of humor too, I might add) has placed me smack dab in the middle of these squirrely, fidgety, crying, rocking, nose picking, howling 8 year olds. He has chosen this place for me, because someday very soon, my own family room is likely to be over run by 2 little Russian toddlers. I'm gonna need a lot more patience... a lot less needing to be in control of things... and a much larger tolerance for boogers... I guess God really does know just what I need.

So, here I am, ready to be grateful!
Thank you Lord..... even for the nose picker.

Three... but not me.

Three families from our agency received referrals for children this week. Three... but not me. Unfortunately, none of the referrals came from our region. (Remember, there's that lengthy August vacation for the Voronezh adoption official.) September is right around the corner though. I'm hoping these recent referrals are a sign of good things to come for all of us waiting families.

You know, even though we continue to wait, we have to be so grateful that we are with an agency that received accreditation. From what I understand, there are only about 10-15 agencies (out of over 50) that are reaccredited. The rest are jumping through new hoops set forth by the Russian government.

Ahhh, no one says pregnancy is easy. You do realize, that when all is said and done with our "paper pregnancy", our children will have a gestation period longer than a baby elephant (which is 22 months)! Hmmm, does any of this excuse my recent cravings for Baskin Robbins chocolate milkshakes?

Mapquest This

Just planning my route from Los Angeles to Voronezh. No adoption news yet, but since I'm so bad with directions (just ask Scott), I thought I'd better get a head start. I'm always befuddled by the whole "Go north, go east..." thing. Just tell me which landmark to turn at. "When you get to the Kremlin, make a sharp right..." That works much better for me.

Also, check out the new link on the side. You can see the 7 day forecast for Voronezh.

Russia Update

Last week we received this update from our agency. Looks like our region(Voronezh) won't be seeing much movement until September. If you read the update, you'll see that the person in charge of adoptions in our region is on a 4 week vacation. I must admit, at first I read that and thought, "Are you serious!? Who takes a 4 week vacation?!" Uh...well... in case anyone is counting... we teachers are on week 9 of our summer vacation... (Which, by the way, we TOTALLY deserve!:))

Here's the update:
Dear Russia families,

As we begin to see movement within the Russian regions, I would like to address a few questions that I am receiving.

What is happening in Russia now that reaccreditation has occurred?

As usual, the progress made since reaccreditation varies by region. The primary regions we currently work with are Krasnoyarsk, Tula, Nizhniy Novgorod, and Voronezh.

In Krasnoyarsk, all of the required accreditation documents have been submitted, our partner agency is now registered there, and we are working towards being able to submit dossiers to this region.

In Voronezh and Tula, the person in charge of adoptions for these regions is on vacation for the month of August, so we must wait until their return to proceed with registration in these regions. It is typical for Russians to vacation in August, usually for 4 weeks.

In Nizhniy Novgorod, a meeting is scheduled for next week for the accreditation documents to be submitted in order to be registered in this region. Nizhniy Novgorod only accepts a very limited number of dossiers.

How does the referral process work?

America World keeps a running list of the order in which families submit their Dossier to Russia. Several families have been asking what number they are, and where they are on the list. I would like to clarify that as families are registered into the different regions, you will be split up, and the order of the main list will not be as relevant, since the order would then be based on each of the regional lists, and what gender/age range each family has requested. The order in which dossiers are submitted to regions is also affected by document validity.

We do not have control over what type of referrals we receive as that is up to each of the regions and based on the children available. For example, if we receive a referral for a 3 yr old male, and the first several families requested females, Dr. Dubrovsky will match him with the first family to have requested a male within that age range. So in many ways, the order of "the list" is more for our records and not necessarily the order you will receive your referral. Please review your documents to ensure that all documents are updated and ready to be submitted.

When will families start receiving referrals?

We do not know when families will start receiving referrals. We have heard this week that the number of children available for international adoption is lower than previously available. This has been attributed to the policies implemented in Russia providing greater opportunity and incentive for Russian families to adopt children.

I cannot provide information on exactly when your family will be receiving a referral. I will not know when your family will receive a referral until Dr. Dubrovsky calls me to let me know he has a referral for your family.

When we begin to see families accept referrals, we will announce the number of referrals accepted each week in the "Weekly Update" on our website and families may choose to announce the news within the Yahoo Chat group. I will not be able to give information about which families have received referrals and the referral they have received due to confidentiality policies.


As movement in Russia continues, my workload is increasing and I greatly appreciate your patience during this time. We are praying for all of the Russia families as you wait on the Lord's sovereign timing in bringing the child He has for you into your family. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Grace & Peace,

Kate Reen, MSW

Eastern Europe Program Director
6723 Whittier Avenue, Suite 202
McLean, VA 22101
Toll Free: 888-ONE-CHILD ext. 117
Direct Line: (703) 891-3284
Fax: (703) 356-8973
www.spirit-of-adoption.org

(KJV) Romans 8:15 For ye have not received
the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father.

Trying out this slideshow

Now that I'm a real life blogger, I keep coming across all sorts of neat gadgets I can add to the blog! You may have noticed the Time in Voronezh Clock, the music that probably scares you everytime you visit, the counter (I think Scott has been visiting 10 times a day, just to run it up), and now I've found this slide show doohicky (official term). Molly will be the guinea dog as I try to make it work.

Standing Still?

Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! 1 Samuel 12:16

This verse has been my daily mantra for a while now. As our adoption journey has, well, d r a g g e d on over the past 2 years, there have definitley been moments we've felt sad, sometimes discouraged. Maybe it has seemed like we were standing still, but guess what... turns out you can learn a lot when you're standing still. You can learn trust, faith, perseverence, compassion, to listen, to pray, to always hope.

We have never been without hope... Sometimes it has seemed others may have been without it:
Why not consider another country?
Maybe you'll get pregnant!
How about looking into a U.S. adoption?

But, in our hearts we know that this winding road to Russia is the path we are supposed to be on, for now. You see, when we came to the decision to adopt, it wasn't just our decision. We truly feel that this is God's plan for us... His promise to us.

So if you need us... we'll be standing still for a little while longer. Can't wait to see the great thing the Lord is about to do before our eyes! I'm so glad you'll all get to see it too.

Some Unsolicited Advice

Most of Scott's students know we are in the process of a Russian adoption. One day last year, a couple of his female students thought they would help him out. They put together this list of advice.
In their own words...

Your Guide to Become the #1 Dad
What Not to do with a Girl
1. Don't be strict, else she'll rebel
2. Don't let her be in a room with a boy alone ((bad news))
3. But let boys come over
4. Let her know its okay for her to talk to you, w/o you getting mad
5. Let her go out, but check her purse before she goes
6. When she comes back, check her breath (every kid drinks, don't get mad!)
7. Let mom do the "sex talk"
8. Don't read her letters!
9. If she asks you to go get tampons, go get them
10. If she tells you she has cramps, she probably doesn't, let her stay home anyways
11. When you pick her up from high school do not get out of your car and wave for her. IT'S EMBARASSING!
12. When she has friends over, its NOT okay for you to walk around in your underwear
13. Put her in a room with no windows

So that's it! The top 13 pieces of advice, straight from 16 year olds. Phew! I was worried we wouldn't have anyone to turn to for solid parenting advice. (Now... off to tivo SuperNanny and Dr. Phil. Let's see what else we can add to the list!)

"Tin" Years and Counting

Yesterday, we celebrated our tenth anniversary.
Do you know what the traditional gift is for 10 years? It's TIN.
I came downstairs to find a bunch of Pepsi cans lined up, with letters attached, spelling HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.
Get it? Tin!
(Let's just say, I can't wait to get to that diamond anniversary!)

Happy Birthday Scott!

All Scott wanted for his birthday... was a CUBS win... Uh, he had to settle for dinner at Olive Garden.
The waiter skipped the little chocolate cake and brought him this yummy, fruity, smoothie, berry concoction. It was quite "fkoosnah." That's how to say "tasty" in Russian!

Speaking of speaking in Russian... Scott is definitely in the honors program for learning Russian. We bought a CD a long time ago with "helpful phrases for Russian adopters." Scott knows sooooo many phrases already! Now, will they actually be helpful? That's yet to be seen!

The CD tracks are broken up into categories, like:
WHEN YOU MEET YOUR CHILD- Here we learn phrases like, "I'm your Papa." "This is for you." "I love you." "We are a family."

Then, there's the track:
ON THE PLANE- Here we learn, "Sit down!" "Be quiet!" "Don't touch that!" "Come back here!" "Do you need to go poo poo?"
I think I've been in denial about the fact I'll be traveling for 20 hours with one (or maybe two!) small children. How do you say, "Yikes!" in Russian???

No More Waiting to Wait!

Terrific news today!
For the past year, we've been waiting for agency accreditation. After the accreditation wait comes the wait for a referral (match with a child/ren).

As of today, no more waiting to wait!
I got a phone call this morning... our agency has officially received accreditation! So now we will be just plain old waiting!

It could still be a few weeks or a few months before we are matched with a referral, but still... today brought great news. Scott's at Lake Mead on a boat trip, so I'm celebrating with Molly and Wrigley!

Map of Russia

No accreditation news from our agency yet....

So, here's a map of Russia. You can see how it is divided into many regions or "oblasts." We are registered in a region called Voronezh. As I understand it, there are 3 orphanages in this region. Voronezh is southwest of Moscow, bordering Ukraine(count about 3 regions down,and 1 to the left from Moscow on the map). It's about a 12 hour train ride or 1 hour by plane from Moscow.



If you are interested in knowing a little more about the Russian adoption process...
Adopting in Russia actually requires us to make 2 trips. The first trip lasts about a week. We'll get a couple of days visiting with our child(ren) in the orphanage. Then we must file our paperwork with the Ministry of Education, stating we are planning to move forward with the adoption. Then, we go home... and the children stay in the orphange! :(
It can take several weeks (even months) before we receive a court date and are invited back. On the second trip we will have our official meeting with a judge, then there is usually a ten day waiting period before we are allowed to leave the country with the children. We must file for visas for the children back in Moscow. In all, the second trip can actually run close to 3 weeks.

Usually, at this time of year, Scott and I are planning some tropical vacation somewhere. Not this year! We're just saving our pennies, and hoping our next flight takes us far, far from any palm trees or oceanfront cabanas.

Hey! I'm a blogger!

Hi everyone! Well, this is my first attempt at a real life blog. I thought it would be a great way to keep our family and friends updated on the adoption process. First of all, we want everyone to know how much we have appreciated your thoughts, prayers, and inquiries over the last couple of years. Can you believe it's been so long since we started this process?!

For the past year, we've been waiting for the Russian government (4 different "ministries" involved) to issue our adoption agency reaccreditation. It's kind of like renewing a license each year. It seems there have been a lot of mysterious hold ups and these ministries have been very slow to act. And it's not just our agency. In fact, since April of 2006, Russia had not renewed any accreditations. :(

However, after this very, very long wait... we just learned that there are 5 agencies that will finally receive their accreditation certificates this week. Our agency (America World Adoption Agency) just notified us that they expect to be in the next group to receive accreditation. Hopefully, in the next 1-2 months things will be up and running again!

Now, we still may have a long wait ahead of us before we are matched with our child(ren). But, all of this reaccreditation news is very encouraging. So, we continue to hold on, with confidence, that this is truly God's plan for us and the way we are meant to grow our family.

Thanks for checking in! Hopefully we'll have more news soon! And Happy Fourth of July!