Our bags are half packed

We have been busy getting the house ready for the girls these past weeks. I will try to post a new picture of the girl's room so you can see the changes. It is really taking shape. We have been buying some things, getting some donations from friends, and MaryEllen is even dusting off the old sewing machine for her girls. She really is very talented.

Our dossier part 2 reached Russia a week ago, and they had a few questions, but otherwise we have not heard anything. We are still hoping for a mid Feb. trip, but this too is in God's hands. We are praying for patience as we wait, and trying to stay busy with things until the time comes to go get our girls. Every so often, we find ourselves crying out because the thought of the girls not being with us is so painful. Adoption folks understand that.

This week we are visiting child care options, and hope to have our decision made in a week or so. We are praying for wisdom there too. We met a nice couple the other night who adopted 5 years ago, and their experience was so completely different than ours. The orphanage was dirty, the kids were dirty, and they felt like they were being taken advantage of. We are so blessed to be working with a good agency and a wonderful orphanage and director.

When at church yesterday, we notice a family in the crying room at the back of the church, and thought how perfect that will be for us. The girls can stay with us for a while, and we can still participate in the worship. Cool.

We are finishing up some home projects, cleaning the house real good, and enjoying these last few weekends alone. Being together is good, and having the girls will be a different kind of good. I am trying to finish a stained glass project I started in a class last fall, and hope to have it done before we leave. I figure time will be at a premium when the girls are here. I keep envisioning them sitting on my lap, with my arms around them. I can almost feel them now.

We were studying the Bible this week and ran across a concept that struck a cord with us. The concept is waiting on the Lord, in "God's waiting room". Have you been there? When we wait on the Lord we often feel alone, but in reality God is waiting with us. Sometimes our own selfish desires cause us to ignore God's presence, but He is there to comfort us none the less. The next time you find yourself in "God's waiting room" rest assure that God is waiting with you, ready to comfort you and provide all your needs.

Lastly, I want to thank again our network of support, from family to friends, who have been such an encouragement to us during this process. I will probably say this again, but we sure appreciate all you do and say.

Adoption Poem

Not flesh of my flesh,
Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own,
And don't forget for a
single minute,You didn't grow
under my heart but in it.
© Fleur Conkling Heylinger

We have completed the dossier part 2, and it is sent to CHSFS, our agency. A great burden has been lifted as we have been somewhat stressed about doing our part to expedite the process. Our little girls are depending on us. There may be one or two documents that may need to be redone, but hopefully not. Now we wait while the dossier is sent to Russia, translated, and then a court date can be set.

In the mean time we have been busy getting things together. We picked up the crib from my brother last weekend and put it up. It looks great. D is going to love it. MaryEllen is working with a friend to decide on colors for S's bed, D's quilt, and window coverings. We have been running around looking for deals on everything from car seats to strollers. It seems like I can't go to the store without picking something up for the girls. Today I had to buy some balls that were on sale.

I decided it was about time to figure out how to work my 8 year old video camera, so today I played with that for a while. These things are pretty neat. I also bought a cable so we can transfer the 8mm tape to a DVD so we can send it to grandparents and other family. The modern age is creeping up on me. Before you know it I will figure out "facebook".

The wait is getting harder as time passes. MaryEllen and I sat and watched the video of the girls during dinner last night. We can't wait to have them home. Before we know it the weather will start to change, and we will be taking the girls to the park and on walks. Hopefully the next update will include a travel date. We keep praying.

We made it through the Holidays, and only gained a few pounds. We have been working hard at getting paperwork together for our part 2 dossier. Talking to friends who have been through the adoption process, we hear that delays and redo's of paperwork are normal. Our experience has been similar. We have received my FBI clearance, but MaryEllen's has not come yet. Hum, perhaps there is something I should have known? Hopefully it will come today. Our physicals are done, and the paperwork is ready to be picked up. Oh, and we are both healthy. We have had some trouble with our local criminal clearance, not for any legal reasons. The woman who is doing the letter has gotten it wrong twice now. Third times the charm. We plan to get all that together this week and drive to Springfield to get the apostille stamp, and forward to MN.

This weekend we did a little more nesting, and bought some clothes. Some friends gave us a bag full of books and toys, which we are sure our girls will enjoy. We put in some cabinets in the basement for toy storage, anticipating the need for organization. We bought some car seat on sale, and pick up the borrowed crib next weekend. Little by little we are getting things together.

This week we will explore the wonderful world of day care. We have no idea what that solution is, but know it is expensive. Our first concern is for our older girl, who will need as much help as possible to catch up with her piers. All this is new to us, so we are on the flat end of the learning curve. We have a little time yet, but that time will go quickly I'm sure. Still no word on when we might travel, however we are doing all we can to expedite the process. We want our girls home soon!

Blessing to you all this new year 2009, and thanks for all the support from friends and family.