Almost New Year!

I can't believe it will be 2010 for a while I will be screwed up with writing the correct date. We have to remember to write the correct date on the part two dossier. Well,we start it this blog for an adoption but it has been kind of nice to write about all the daily things that happen in life and also to write down our thoughts and feelings . To celebrate New Years we will be going over my sister-in laws house for dinner and just to hang out with the kids.We never stay up passed 12 anyways so dinner with the family and their friends will be nice. This weekend on Saturday we are suppose to be going over Randy's friends house for dinner. I guess there will be a couple that is interested in adoption and since we are adopting they would like to talk to us about it. It's just so nice to know people who are in the same boat as us. It's like having an extended family. I just feel like they just get everything that Randy and I are feeling. I have made many friends through face book with people that adopted or are in the process. It's especially nice talk to people that are adopting from the same region because that way we kind of know what to expect. We are very lucky to have met K and C. They are the only couple so far that we made connection with and went out with and we hope to become better friends once we both get our children. We are so looking forward to getting the call for the referral. I dream about that moment everyday when we meet our precious little child. That would be such an amazing moment next to of course marrying my husband. That's about it. I shall finish with all the babbling that I'm doing here.

The things I bought!

Today I went to the store to buy some things to be prepared for the trip. I don't want to rush at the last minute and than forget things. I bought eye masks for sleeping because I don't know if the rooms in the hotel room are going to be dark or not. I also bought ear plugs since Randy is a light sleeper and I thought that would help. I also bought inflatable neck pillows so we can be more comfortable on the plane since we have to fly like 2o hrs or more. I know we still have to get tylenol,converter for lap top and other things. I know that even though we will be prepared for the trip the best we can things still could go wrong or maybe we'll forget something,hopefully not. We will try to have all these little things done so that way we won't feel as rushed.

Paperwork

Well, the waiting I think is the worst part. We have all of this paperwork to do for the second dossier, and it just sitting here looking back at me and we cant finish any of it! Some of it is time sensitive and expires in 90 days, so we cant start it until we get the referral, which wont happen until after the New Year.

Some of the paperwork, that isnt time sensitive, we are able to start. So far what we have in process is:
* Marriage license - on order from Nevada...then we send it back to Nevada to get it "apostilled"
* Financial statements are done
* Medical forms are in progress, but cant be finished since it's time sensitive, so we started them
* Proof of dwelling and warranty deed of our house... I (Randy) was planning on going to the Town Clerk and Town Assessor this week to get these done
* Social worker license (done)
* Adoption law copy (done)
* Psych papers...this is so we can prove we arent crazy I guess. Time sensitive so we have to wait
* Police papers...this is so we can prove we arent bad people I guess. Time sensitive so we have to wait

Maggie started buying stuff for our trip based on the blog and comments from our adopting friends that just spent 42 hours to get home (yes, 42 hours). Ughh...traveling is fun, isnt it?

Well, time to wait some more.....

Name!

We had a couple of names for a boy. We first thought Bryce because its a unique name and he would be named after Bryce National park in Utah that we loved so much. Than we were thinking Dimitri because he will be from Russia. I also liked Cayden and Aiden. My friend Edna said one of her friends named their son Chase or you can spell it Chace. I totally fell in love with that name. It has so much meaning to us. Chasing down all the paper work for dossier and than after referral visas and all this running around. I also think the name is unique and different. So definitely the name will be Chace Steven Wills. Middle name Steven after Randy's dad that passed away over 11 years ago. We didn't think of any girl names because they told us to expect a boy so we have been making preparations for a boy. That would be quite a surprise to get a girl. We had a great Christmas and we are looking forward to a New Year and all the excitment that the New Year will bring us.

Christmas Time!

I can't wait to go over my sisters house for Christmas. My sisters and I got are pictures done together for the very first time since we were little. We got 2 10 by 13 photos in frames one for my mom and one for my dad. My dad has a house in Poland and he is actually going there for 3 weeks to visit his family we got him a framed photo so he can hang it up in the house over there. I can't wait to see my parents expression I know they will cherish it forever.
I am looking forward to all the Polish food and all awesome gifts we got for the family. Randy and I started our non-time sensitive papers for the second dossier. The agency told us we can start on that so than we will just have left to notarize the police, and medical papers. We are looking forward to the New Year so we can get our referral and finally travel to Russia just like our friends did. Randy is a light sleeper so I know for a fact he will be sleeping horribly in Russia. We will definitely bring with us Tylenol pm at least for sleeping. Well, that's about it for now till than Happy Holidays!

Snow everywhere!

Woke up to maybe 6 to 8 inches near us but near the shore line the amount of snow was up to 2 feet, so not as bad as the shore line. Hopefully they will plow the snow soon so we don't have to be stuck at home.If we would go anywhere it would be over Randy's brothers house cause they live like 5 minutes from us or maybe I'll visit my friend Karen. I have to bring all the Christmas presents from upstairs because for Christmas we are going over my sisters house and we have to drag all the gifts with us. I definitely went over the budget this year. I felt bad because Christmas is only once a year and I really want it everyone to be happy. I rather spend money on other people than myself so I didn't feel guilty even one bit going over budget. That's about it for now.

Snow is comming!

It will be snowing tonight till sunday afternoon. On the news they said it will be anywhere from 10 to 20 inches of snow.So far its 8 p.m. and nothing. It was my best friends 30th birthday party. She had no idea we were going to a spa for a massage and manicure. We had a such a great time together. After that we went to her house because everyone was waiting there. I kind of messed up I took her through the wrong door . Everyone was waiting in the kitchen in the dark to scream surprise but we surprised them from behind. so, everyone was joking how I ruined the surprise or maybe they weren't. lol.I hope k and c are having a great experience in Russia. Hopefully they won't be snowed in like we are going to be. Thats about it for tonight. Just snuggling with my husband and waiting for the polish Christmas feast and looking forward to the New year so we can get our referral also.

Passing time!

We are waiting for the referral so to pass time I have been busy making scrapbooks that way we will just have to glue in the pictures. The books are bright and cheerful and it just makes it more fun to look at the pictures. Since on the second trip we will have to show pictures of us meeting the baby and spending time with him or her it will be nice to show the judge in a scrapbook. I think I will make one for our friends little girl that way they can just place pictures of her. I think they would really appreciate that.

After the Holidays.

Looks like we'll be going to Russia in January. Our agency said because of the holidays we will most likely be getting a referral in January after the Holidays. but,there still a chance that we may get it this month if only we should be so lucky. Our friends are so lucky to be going to Russia to see their special baby and I know our turn will come soon enough. Its just sad that we can't be there for Christmas. We were wishing for that so badly. We are just going to enjoy the Holidays with our family and that gives us more time to prepare for our trip. So far now we just have to go with the flow and as one quote states:

"Be assured that if God waits longer than you wish, it is only to make the blessing all the more precious"-unknown

Tigers in Russia !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amur tigers

The Amur (or Siberian) Tiger has the scientific name is “Panthera tigris altaica” and is the largest living cat in the world. The name ’Siberian’ is actually incorrect because these tigers do not live in Siberia but the Russian Far East in the Amur-Ussuri region of Primorski and Khabarovski Krais (States) whilst a few are found across the border in northern China and Korea.

The Tiger in Russia
The Amur tiger has had a difficult time over the past hundred years with a low of less than 50 individuals in the middle of the twentieth century. It gained protection and numbers increased until the present day when numbers may be up to 400 adult individuals.

Habitat
The habitat of the Amur tiger (and leopard) is a unique forested area in the Russian Far East states of Primorski and Khabarovski Krais. In the summer the forests are dense with varied vegetation which is both deciduous and coniferous but in the winter these forests are cold and snow bound. Much of the terrain is mountainous and rugged but is now crossed by roads, human settlements and more recently logging roads. Each adult tiger needs a huge area of land for its territory — up to 40km by 40km for an adult male whilst the female home range is usually smaller. Amur tigers need much larger areas of habitat to survive due to the relative lack of prey so that any particular area of habitat will have a less dense population than a similar size of habitat in one of the tiger ranges such as India or Thailand. For this reason a very large area of healthy habitat is needed to sustain a population of Amur tigers that is viable for the future. Therefore conservation groups are working hard to create protected areas in the Russian Far East and to find ways that humans and tigers can live side by side.

Characteristics

The Amur tiger is the largest and heaviest subspecies of tiger.
To survive winter the tiger has fine but long fur and a layer of fat that allows it to stand the bitter cold. The coat is lighter in colour than other tigers and it has large paws which act rather like snow shoes.

Weight of adult male:	up to 800 lbs
Weight of adult female:	up to 500 lbs
Length of adult male:	up to 10 feet

Oh little one, where ever you are,
Near to our hearts yet distant so far.

Have you already a birthday? I wonder each night,
Or have you yet to experience that journey of might.

We’ve waited so long to share our blessings with you,
Our hearts ache with joy of the thought coming true.

I want you to know how excited we are,
To meet you and love you; our precious little star.

Thrilled of the thoughts of watching you grow,
Teaching and learning from each other you know.

Please never forget this one promise to you,
We’ll always be your parents and unconditionally love you.

_{Debbie Hutson
March 26, 2002}

Take a glimpse into the sky
And if a moonbeam hits your eye
Follow it back to whence it came
And dream of a child who'll bear your name.

A little one may look right back
And follow a beam along it's track
And see a mother awaiting the day
In who’s arms forever to stay.

_{Tom Fisher
© March 22, 2005}

As the moon begins to rise
I catch a glimpse of almond eyes
Staring back from outer space
The moon reflects your loving face.

My heart begins to yearn for you
A love down deep that grows so true
I see the moon throughout the night
My dreams of you are taking flight.

So when you look upon the moon
Please know that we will be there soon
I pray reflected in its light
Will be our love for you this night.

The moon must now complete its course
Let’s not regret and show remorse
It soon will rise and start anew
Reflecting love meant just for you.

_{Tom Fisher
© February 26, 2005}

AN ADOPTION POEM
Once there were two women
Who hardly knew each other
One you do not remember
The other you call mother
Two different lives shaped to make yours one
One becoming your guiding star
The other became your sun
The first gave you life
And the second taught you to live in it
The first gave you a need for love
And the second was there to give it
One gave you nationality
The other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent
The other gave you an aim
One gave you emotions
The other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile
The other dried your tears
The age old questions through the years;
Heredity or environment -
which are you the product of ?
Neither my darling - neither
Just two different kinds of love!
Anonymous

Kisses in the Wind: Author Unknown

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are.. what's taking us so long.
But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.
I promise you my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.

Very soon you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

A Child To Love

You can have your wealth and riches All the things so many seek, Position, power, and success, The fame you long to keep.

You can earn as much as you wish, Reach a status high above, But none of these can equal Having one sweet child to love.

'Tis the greatest gift from heaven, Little arms that hold you tight, And a kiss so soft and gentle When you tuck them in at night.

A million precious questions And each story often read, Two eyes so bright and smiling, And a darling tousled head.

God has never matched the goodness Of a trusting little face, Or a heart so full of laughter Spreading sunshine every place.

A child to hold and cuddle, 'Tis a gift from God above, And the world is so much brighter When you have a child to love.

Author Unknown

Praying,Hoping,Wishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another day passes and no phone call about you little one. The wait is the toughest for us especially when are friends are so close of going to Russia to meet their precious little girl. We can't wait for the moment when we finally meet face to face and we get to hold you and kiss your precious little face. My birthday is coming up and my wish is for that phone call that would be the best gift ever. Thinking of you who ever you are!

About Vladivostok,Russia

-It's the largest Port City on the Pacific Ocean
-Sportivnaya Market is the largest Market in Vladivostok
-The city's main industries are shipping,commercial fishing and the naval base
-mean annual temp. (39.7 F)
-Average temp. in January (7.30 F)
-Average temp. in August (68.4 F)
-Vladivostok is a city in Russia that serves as the Eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway

Shmuley the monkey...

Maggie bought this little monkey a few months ago in anticipation of our upcoming adoption. Shmuley cant wait to go to Russia and meet his "true" owner!!!

Craft show!

Today my sister-in-law and I went to a craft show. I bought 2 caramel apples, a beautiful Chistmas wreath,cute scarfs,and of course I saw a book made out of material for a baby and had to get one. Its a Mother Goose book so cute and soft and it something you can throw into the wash .We really had a good time today.I am so blessed to have a wonderful sister-in law. Still waiting on a refferral..............(Where are you little one?)

Things for the baby!

Yesterday Randy's brother dropped off a lot of things for the baby. Things like baby books,playpen,changing table if the baby is too big for it we can use it for other things because it has shelves and a drawer,babygate,and a lot of Elmos and a rocking chair.

Randy and I started to prepare the toy room. We moved the couches around and made room for all the toys. Now,the room is spacious and there is a lot more room for more toys to come. We received a paper stating that the I-600 approval went to Moscow. Thats is great because thats where it has to be so now we don't have to follow up on it. We are still waiting on a refferral. We hope it will come really soon.

We can't wait to see our little one and finally hold him/her. We told the agency we will take either but you never know. Here we are preparing everything for a little boy and the surprise might be a little girl but whatever it will be we will be very happy!

Our Process!

June 16,09- called the adoption Agency
June18,09 - Send papers out to agency
June 25,09- met w/agency
July9th,09-1st meeting with social worker
July 12,09-fingerprints for the homestudy
July14,09- send out application for Russia to the agency in Minnessota
July21,09-2nd meeting with social worker
Julu22,09- send out fingerprints
July25,09-send out I-600 application
August6,09-Maggie meeting w/social worker first and than Randy in the afternoon by himself
August17,09- Final meeting w/social worker at the house
August17,09-send out 2nd part of adoption papers to agency
September3,09-finished homestudy (sent to the other agency)
September8,09-I-600 fingerprints
September22,09-social worker sent in revised homestudy
September22,09-adoption classes
September25,09- homestudy approved by the other agency
October7,09- received Dossier part one
October15,09-sent out first Dossier (part 1)
October23,09- Dossier approved and sent out to Russia (needs to be translated and re-notorized)
November,09-received INS approval
Waiting , waiting, waiting for a refferal!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are so excited to go to Russia and we can't wait to meet our precious little baby!

Happy Thanksgiving and a flat tire!

Not much here except for the flat tire today and could't go to work because Randy had doctor appt. and couldn't drive me. So just another day waiting on a refferral. I hope it comes really soon. For Thanksgiving we are going to New York to visit Randy's family and than on Friday we'll go over my moms house.

The start of our adoption process.....

We wanted to start this blog to document our adoption process. We currently are waiting for our referral from Russia as we have completed the CT home study, government approval and submitted our first dossier to Russia.

We know that the region that we will be adopting from is Vladivostok, which is literally on the other side of Russia....a six day train ride from Moscow, directly above North Korea.

As we patiently (okay maybe not so patiently) wait, we begin to transform our home into one that is getting ready for a child. We have purchased furniture for the baby room and started to collect small items.

We know that we will be most likely receiving a boy from the age of 9 to 18 months old. For now, we continue to wait....

Fingerprinting...

Below are pictures of us at the Police station getting fingerprinted for the Home Study...