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.