Butter Up Yellow

I decided to paint Bunny's room. It is now a beautiful "Butter Up" yellow. We left one wall for an accent color that could be blue, green or pink. We can figure that out later. The extra full bed is now in the room so that we can stay with our little one until they are adjusted to being in their own room. Once I finish the room I'll post more pictures.

While I was painting my thoughts of course where about our adoption and also Grandmas. My Mamaw must of known I was a little frazzled because she sent this message "It's hard for humans to do God's work." She is in Heaven and was such an Angel on Earth. I can totally see her saying this to me followed by "wait for God's timing." I am also thinking about Rich's Grandma Warner she is the creator of some very Yummy cookies. We are dieting and I plan on making these delicious cookies for a cheat and the family at Easter. Sure would love to have some of Mamaw's home-made peach cobbler.

So I am still not sure how the Home-study fiasco is going to be resolved. Our placement agency did not get back to us about "the plan of action." We did get an e-mail that our coordinator is changing. We wish her the best but feel like we are in major limbo. I am disappointed with the lack of communication this past week. In fact we sent a message asking for more details on a lot of information we have been learning. I hesitated to ask because some info originated from the internet. They should be able to handle it, right? We need answers to our questions.

**BLACKLISTED**

black·list (blklst)

n.

A list of persons or organizations that have incurred disapproval or suspicion or are to be boycotted or otherwise penalized.

tr.v. black·list·ed, black·list·ing, black·lists


Today I found out that a list of more than 160 agencies located in the United States have been recognized as having failed to provide PPR's (Post Placement Reports). This list and a very detailed discussion is on FRUA an extremey helpful web-site which includes a chat that I read daily. Apparently the MOE (officials in Russia) have instructed all Regions (what they call their states) to not accept paperwork affiliated with the companies on this list. These agencies have a huge problem and if you are a family that used one of them for your Home-study then you do too.

Yes, you guessed it, we are going to be affected by this. When I read the news this morning I started crying. This adoption stuff makes me so sad sometimes! When Rich and I started our IA journey we signed up with another agency and a different country. Our current Placement Agency is not on the list but the agency we started with for our home-study is. So after e-mails and phone calls to the Placement agency I feel sightly better. It helped that I got to talk to the Director of the Russia Program. She is from Russia and hearing her accent just made me so happy. A very nice lady who talked me off the ledge and back through the window. My first conversation with a Russian at least until we go to meet Bunny! I am so happy that our Placement Agency is not on the list and that many of the families we have met here in Michigan will not be dealing with it in the same manner that we will be.

So the importance of the PPR's is being slammed right into my head. You can't really be upset with the MOE in Russia. They are only asking for what they have been promised they would receive. Without these reports they cannot confidently provide reassurance to the People of Russia that Americans are treating their fellow citizens appropriately. Please Pray that the families and agencies that have not completed the paper-work they contracted to do will complete it quickly. Pray that they understand their inaction is hurting not only the waiting families but also the children who deserve their forever family.

Smokey the Bear from Down Under

I have been following another blog that is so much fun. The family is expecting from China. They have waited a long time. A few days before traveling to meet their new daughter this post made me tear up - Australia to China. Another survivor is Sam a female Koala Bear check out the video . They reported on TV last night that she is at a shelter and has found a mate. Her paws are burnt but she is doing well. This is so miraculous to see a wild animal seeking help from man. Fires are so devastating, as we know here in the US. I am Praying for all those effected!

February is here!

This winter has been so cold here in Michigan. Today it is warmer about 34 degrees. Lot's of snow which is melting. I think the worst part has been the driving on the ice, salty and slippery roads, especially for me (not Rich). Alright, I'll admit it Rich had to come get me out of a drift and on a 2nd occasion talk me through another. It was funny I tried to get out of that drift for 45 minutes and he shows up and within a minute, free. One good thing about tons of snow is that it helps replenish the water in the Great Lakes. At least that is what I tell myself when it gets frustrating.

In adoption news, we have been getting information from our region. Referrals are happening. It may be sooner rather than later that we learn about the child we will be adopting. So many emotions, mostly excitement. Our case-worker asked us to complete our paperwork for part 2 of the dossier and we did. It is so nice to have it done. The hardest part for me was the Financial statement. The accountant was so fantastic. I just worked myself up with worry about those super detailed forms. Got them to the agency and soon they will be in Russia, yeah!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today we celebrated my Mom's 64th Birthday (she does not look it). Brody our nephew helped her blow out the candle on a wonderful chocolate cake. We went to a family favorite Logan's, they have the best buns/rolls. The sun was shining and it was a fun get together. Love you Mom!

Meeting update and a Serious Dog

We had the agency meeting on Monday evening. There must have been 60+ couples in the room and it did get warm but not too heated. Meaning: It got warm with all those bodies and the news was frustrating. There will be some additional monies required to be paid by each waiting family but no one got to the screaming (angry) point. Why do I describe it that way, well it is hard to wait and some folks have been waiting for years, very emotional. Rich sorta put it best "it is what it is" so we will be paying the fee and asking more questions. I know that our questions will get more and more intense and detailed as time goes by. Adoption agencies are non-profit companies that walk a thin line regarding how much they can have in reserves. Without the additional fees they feel at risk of closing because no one can guesstimate how many families will enter into the process this year. The speaker Dick mentioned that there are 500 waiting families, that's a lot of people hoping and praying for a child. Just imagine all those kids waiting too, they deserve a Forever Family as soon as possible.

We did have a nice end to the evening because we got to meet a lady who has been blogging about her Russian adoption, Joy (click on her name to go to her blog). I read her blog all the time, you should go and check it out too. She got the best possible news in the world!!! We also met another couple from Lincoln Park who are very nice and just behind us in timing.

So why the Doggy pic? Well Molly McPoo was born in January of 1998 and I was thinking WOW she is 77 years old in dog years this month. Happy B-Day poops. I think she looks pretty good for a senior canine. Not sure if she is mad in this picture or just looking very serious? I am still trying to get a picture of her when she smiles, honest she smiles.

Holiday Pics (edited pics no longer avail - site OOB)

Check out the pics, click on one to see it bigger. My favorite is the Group on Thanksgiving Day. We had a great Christmas except for a very fuzzy flat tire on Christmas Eve. Rich got me a pair of those lined Crocs and I have been wearing them almost every waking hour, so comfy hehe! New Year's Eve was fun. We went to a Euchre Tournament, thanks Pete and Tammy your house is gorgeous and your friends are super cool!

Less than a week till the "waiting families" meeting at the agency and we are hopeful that it will be proactive, positive and nowhere near as whiny as the letter was. We'll post after the meeting and fill everyone in.