OMG! We got a referral!

Oh my goodness! We got a referral for a beautiful little boy. He is so cute.

I have to tell you what I was doing when I got the call. Jay Leno is coming to the Palace of Auburn Hills (where the Pistons play) to do a free comedy show. The show is called "Economic Stimulus Plan" and the parking, pop and some snacks are free. He is known for doing a show for no cost in communities that have had economic hardship. I went down early to get four tickets. The line of folks wrapped all the way around the arena. Just everyday people looking for work and happy to be treated to a free show. Strangers just talking away about life in the Motor City, the adoption was the last thing on my mind. Then I get the call. I was so shocked. I called Rich he was surprised. He starts checking the e-mail multiple times for more details. We get our e-mail. He looks great and I start doing the happy dance. Everyone around was like OK- strange lady! I just said "I got the best news ever!"

He seems to be small but I think many of the children who spend some time in an institutional setting are. In one of the pictures he is in a walker that has the "Hamtaro" character on it. That is why I have a picture of Hamtaro and we can not show his baby picture just yet. We hope to hear back from the Dr. who is reviewing some medical information tomorrow. Keep us in your thoughts we hope this little guy is ours forever.

Some Good News and I Feel Yucky!

I have not been feeling too good. That is why I have not posted sooner. You can all feel sorry for Rich because I am the worst sick person. He has to listen to me announce my discomfort over and over again. Last night he said I know already stop repeating yourself. So I went to bed early and he rubbed my back. I am so lucky that Rich is here to take care of me. My Mom has been helping too. Hopefully I will be back to normal this weekend.

There has been smiles this week. We got a phone call from our Home-study agency with good news. They have been in touch with Russian officials and believe their name will be removed from the list. It seemed they where blamed for an agency that did not follow through and get the reports to the proper offices. Sort of a chain of custody issue, that they could easily resolve. Not sure how long it will take for them to be removed from the list but we are hopeful it will happen soon. So we are still waiting for a referral and have been registered for about 5 months give or take a week. Still within the time the Placement agency told us we would be waiting for a referral.

In other good news we are so excited for Joy who is in Russia, traveling to meet Little Banana. Also elated for Amy who had a successful court appointment, she is now Tatiana's Mommy. Congratulations! In fact it seems a lot of things are happening for a lot of families and it renews our hope.

Time To Focus On Something Else!

The Home-study fiasco has caused a lot of anguish this week. I do not want to focus too much on it because I will start to cry and shed enough tears to fill my bathtub and yours. Let's just say we feel like no one is advocating for us. Just sort of whistling in the wind..........abandoned!

So in order to keep from drowning in my sorrow I am happy to report, Rich and I are going to the Fanwonderfultastic Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1970's rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This is one of our favorites and of course such a great story. It seems to come to town before Easter every year. It is at the Fox Theatre which is beautiful and worth dressing up for. I think Rich wants to wear jeans but I am going girly. I might splurge and get a T-shirt this time.

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!!