...so it's only fitting I include a relevant youtube.
I know adoption is not in the cards for everyone. But there are many, many ways to help orphans around the world live better lives. Our agency runs tons of programs and fundraisers year round to contribute to this cause. So, if you would like to make a difference in the life of a child, please visit our agency's web links shown at the end of the video or feel free to email me and I can let you know what programs or fundraisers they are currently running. Every little bit helps.
On the Kaz front, we have been told to expect our regional assignment by May. We will then travel in June, or possibly July. In any case, it will be perfect timing to miss the bone chilling winter and for us to take the girls while they are on break from school.
We'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
I'm "Add Image" Challenged
Firstly, for the life of me (meaning: in the 5 minutes I spent trying), I cannot figure out how to post pictures properly. In the last post, the picture ended up in a super weird spot. This time, all I can do is load them all at the top of the post! And even more annoying, for some reason only known to blogspot, I cannot separate these first 2 paragraphs in this post with a space! And there seems to be a large blank area at the end of the post that I cannot make disappear! So, I realize these posts are not aesthetically pleasing and am offering my apologies. Hopefully I am the only one losing sleep over this.
So, more importantly, it’s done. It took about long 4 months, several thousand hard earned dollars, lots of unpleasant sweat, many vials of blood drawn at labs, and the untimely death of a few trees to produce this large stack of super duper important papers you see before you. But it’s done. The dossier (fancy name for stack of super duper important papers) has now gone onto to a better (or at least final) resting place….Kazakhstan.
All the documents were pretty similar to the one we did for Camille, but there were a few extra things we had to add this time. We had to include a few more financial things. Both Nathan and I had to undergo several more medical tests/procedures than last time because you know, it is vital that adoptive parents be much healthier than your average human specimen. And we also had to submit to psychiatric testing this time around. I think the fact that we are intentionally pursuing a third child and going to Kazakhstan to do so might have tipped off our agency to the fact that we *might* be just a little cuckoo. So after paying the lowlow price of $800, having an interview with a psychologist, and answering a very bizarre set of psychiatric questions, (“How often do you look at a mirror and want to smash it?” A) Often B) Sometimes C) Never), it has been proven that we are probably sane enough to raise children. I want this to go down in the history books because I fear that the proven sanity we possess today will quickly disappear once we’ve got 3 kids under 6 living in our house.
And in other marginally interesting news, at the advice of our agency, we broadened the age range of the child we would like to adopt. They recommended we put 24 months and younger, so we did. So we could come home with a 6 month old baby or a 2 year old! There are pros and cons to both scenarios, so I actually don’t have a preference. But it just kills me not knowing! Baby or toddler? Blue or pink?? Crispy or Original? It’s so hard to prepare when you don’t know what you are preparing for! And darn it, I like to prepare.
So, that’s it. From here on out, we just wait for every official in Kazakhstan to read through our dossier, decide we are fit parents and then assign us to a region. Our agency told us that we should expect to travel 9-12 months after we submit the paperwork. I told them we are willing to wait longer to get assigned to Almaty (or an equally easy, urban region) because we have pretty much decided we are taking the girls with us. (Not so coincidentally, I’m certain that making that trip with the 2 girls will be the start of the not-so-slow death of aforementioned proven sanity). While our agency, Adoption ARK, cannot guarantee any regional assignment, I do have faith that they will do all they can to get us assigned somewhere kid and sanity friendly. So the next big news will be when we get that assignment. I can’t wait to find out where we are going!!!
All the documents were pretty similar to the one we did for Camille, but there were a few extra things we had to add this time. We had to include a few more financial things. Both Nathan and I had to undergo several more medical tests/procedures than last time because you know, it is vital that adoptive parents be much healthier than your average human specimen. And we also had to submit to psychiatric testing this time around. I think the fact that we are intentionally pursuing a third child and going to Kazakhstan to do so might have tipped off our agency to the fact that we *might* be just a little cuckoo. So after paying the lowlow price of $800, having an interview with a psychologist, and answering a very bizarre set of psychiatric questions, (“How often do you look at a mirror and want to smash it?” A) Often B) Sometimes C) Never), it has been proven that we are probably sane enough to raise children. I want this to go down in the history books because I fear that the proven sanity we possess today will quickly disappear once we’ve got 3 kids under 6 living in our house.
And in other marginally interesting news, at the advice of our agency, we broadened the age range of the child we would like to adopt. They recommended we put 24 months and younger, so we did. So we could come home with a 6 month old baby or a 2 year old! There are pros and cons to both scenarios, so I actually don’t have a preference. But it just kills me not knowing! Baby or toddler? Blue or pink?? Crispy or Original? It’s so hard to prepare when you don’t know what you are preparing for! And darn it, I like to prepare.
So, that’s it. From here on out, we just wait for every official in Kazakhstan to read through our dossier, decide we are fit parents and then assign us to a region. Our agency told us that we should expect to travel 9-12 months after we submit the paperwork. I told them we are willing to wait longer to get assigned to Almaty (or an equally easy, urban region) because we have pretty much decided we are taking the girls with us. (Not so coincidentally, I’m certain that making that trip with the 2 girls will be the start of the not-so-slow death of aforementioned proven sanity). While our agency, Adoption ARK, cannot guarantee any regional assignment, I do have faith that they will do all they can to get us assigned somewhere kid and sanity friendly. So the next big news will be when we get that assignment. I can’t wait to find out where we are going!!!
OK well, that is all for now. I know this is just fascinating stuff for all of you. But we appreciate those of you who are humoring us and still reading along. The support is very much needed! The next post will hopefully be news of our regional assignment is!!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ok, this is sort of old news, but I warned you that I would be bad at updating this thing. We found out a few weeks ago that *surprise*, Kazakhstan is now processing adoption dossiers faster (Mark this day on your calendar folks: ”Kazakhstan” and “fast” were used in the same sentence…on purpose). Actually, I think what really has happened is that the Consulate has finally caught up in processing the massive amount of dossiers they received when Kyrgyzstan closed for adoptions and everyone switched to Kaz. They were swamped for a while, which is why the wait times were so long. But apparently, they are caught up now, and timelines are back to usual.
So basically all this means is that our timeline until travel has shrunk. By 6 months. Part of the reason we started the paperwork now was to get in the (what used to be) long line for a Kaz adoption. We thought we had about 18 months AFTER the paperwork was turned in before baby came home. But now we are looking at travel very likely next summer, or latest, next fall.
We have very mixed emotions about this. I feel like I am in the midst of a pregnancy that happened sooner than planned!…wondering how we will cope, will we have enough money saved by then to take the girls with us, will the girls be ready enough/old enough, will WE be ready enough/old enough, on and on.
But then when I see a baby somewhere when we are out and about, my motherly instincts start working overtime. All my worries fade and I know that everything will be just fine, or at least fine enough for us to survive. As we have requested a child 18 months and younger (and almost no one in Kaz gets a child under 9-12 months), and seeing that we will almost certainly travel next summer, you may have surmised at this point that it is quite possible that our child is already born. S/he could be anywhere from a newborn to 6 months old. This thought is really one that is hard to live with…the thought that your child is sitting in an orphanage somewhere on the other side of the world. It is what is spurring me on to kick butt on the dossier (which I am doing, by the way….woohoo!). I feel like everyday that I make some progress on the paperwork is one day less that our kid has to be alone.
Provided that the FBI and USCIS cooperate (and that our notary doesn’t screw up like last time!!!!! Anyone remember that fiasco?!), I hope to have all the documents ready and on their way to our agency by the end of August. I think that THE best part of the summertime travel dates is that we are almost assured to avoid this:
You have no idea how happy I am that we will almost certainly be missing the "Stillettos on Ice" show this time around. Honestly the timing will be perfect to take Gianna and Camille if we go in the summertime. They will be out of school, and traveling to Kaz in summer with 2 kids seems waaaaaay less daunting than traveling in subzeros.
Ok, so I guess that is all the update I have for now. I will post again when the dossier is done, and will post a picture of it, like I did last time (just for fun, we can compare the 2 stacks!). I hope to have it all done and sent off by end of August (or sooner if all the government officials decide they have nothing better to do than cooperate with me!). We are very excited (and nervous too, but mostly excited!), and want to thank everyone for their continued support and enthusiasm! The process of international adoption is fraught with so many unknowns, uncertainties, stresses and questions, so we appreciate all the unconditional support we have received so far!!!
So basically all this means is that our timeline until travel has shrunk. By 6 months. Part of the reason we started the paperwork now was to get in the (what used to be) long line for a Kaz adoption. We thought we had about 18 months AFTER the paperwork was turned in before baby came home. But now we are looking at travel very likely next summer, or latest, next fall.
We have very mixed emotions about this. I feel like I am in the midst of a pregnancy that happened sooner than planned!…wondering how we will cope, will we have enough money saved by then to take the girls with us, will the girls be ready enough/old enough, will WE be ready enough/old enough, on and on.
But then when I see a baby somewhere when we are out and about, my motherly instincts start working overtime. All my worries fade and I know that everything will be just fine, or at least fine enough for us to survive. As we have requested a child 18 months and younger (and almost no one in Kaz gets a child under 9-12 months), and seeing that we will almost certainly travel next summer, you may have surmised at this point that it is quite possible that our child is already born. S/he could be anywhere from a newborn to 6 months old. This thought is really one that is hard to live with…the thought that your child is sitting in an orphanage somewhere on the other side of the world. It is what is spurring me on to kick butt on the dossier (which I am doing, by the way….woohoo!). I feel like everyday that I make some progress on the paperwork is one day less that our kid has to be alone.
Provided that the FBI and USCIS cooperate (and that our notary doesn’t screw up like last time!!!!! Anyone remember that fiasco?!), I hope to have all the documents ready and on their way to our agency by the end of August. I think that THE best part of the summertime travel dates is that we are almost assured to avoid this:
You have no idea how happy I am that we will almost certainly be missing the "Stillettos on Ice" show this time around. Honestly the timing will be perfect to take Gianna and Camille if we go in the summertime. They will be out of school, and traveling to Kaz in summer with 2 kids seems waaaaaay less daunting than traveling in subzeros.
Ok, so I guess that is all the update I have for now. I will post again when the dossier is done, and will post a picture of it, like I did last time (just for fun, we can compare the 2 stacks!). I hope to have it all done and sent off by end of August (or sooner if all the government officials decide they have nothing better to do than cooperate with me!). We are very excited (and nervous too, but mostly excited!), and want to thank everyone for their continued support and enthusiasm! The process of international adoption is fraught with so many unknowns, uncertainties, stresses and questions, so we appreciate all the unconditional support we have received so far!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Stork Visits the Burror Bunch
Yes, it’s true. We have official word that the stork indeed does have a package for us. However, just like last time, there was some sort of mix up and our little bundle of joy was delivered to Kazakhstan. So, we are preparing to go pick him/her up as soon as possible!
Some of you may be shocked, stunned, surprised and other words that begin with “s” to hear this news. Not only are we willingly signing up to be outnumbered, but we are going back to Kazakhstan to make it happen! There was definitely a lot of thought and discussion about which country we would go to, and we just kept coming back to Kaz for all the same reasons we chose it last time. It is still not easy to adopt from there; in fact, it is now harder. We definitely do not look forward to the tough parts of the process, but we feel that Kazakhstan is still the best choice for us and in the end, it will be worth it. Plus, we are really hoping to visit Slava again! ;)
And let me assure you, I felt the same shock you must be feeling now a couple of months ago when I approached Nathan about getting started on the next adoption and he was on board with no coercion necessary on my part! We have always been open to another child, and most of you know that I was gung ho for another shortly after we got home with Camille! But Nathan wanted to wait, and for good reason(s). However, a couple of months ago, I brought up the subject with him again for the first time in a year or more. He was very receptive to the idea, and dare I say, excited!! For anyone who knows Nathan, he does not embrace change quickly or heartily (much to my chagrin, and probably betterment). So for him to be as agreeable as he was so quickly, well, I took that as my cue to start the adoption paperwork like 5 minutes ago. So right then and there, baby Burror #3 was born!
This time around will be much the same and very different, all at the same time. We will have to go through the same paperwork process, once again assuring the Kazakh officials that we are not criminals, love children and still do not have tuberculosis. But it will be very different in that we now have 2 very active and growing children to look after while putting together an entire dossier! That thought makes me as nauseous as one gets after eating recycled Kazakh pastries. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do all that I will need to do; however, anyone who knows me knows that I am always up for a challenge. So here I go.
Some more specifics: We are open to adopting a child of either gender this time around and have specified the age of 18 months and under. As much as I hate surprises, I am looking forward to being surprised with gender this time around! Gianna very much wants a baby brother, so we’ll see! The process is MUCH longer this time around, which is why we are starting now. After we submit our dossier, we are told the wait will be 12-18 months before travel. Ouch. That’s a loooooooooong wait, which is part of what is spurring me on to get things done quickly now, while I’m still in control of the timetable! So even if I work very quickly, in the absolute best-case scenario, we will have the dossier ready in July or August. So this means we will travel anywhere between summer of 2010 to (please, no more winters in Kazakhstan!!!) winter 2010/2011. I have a bad feeling that my bathroom scale will also be showing me those same numbers by then...I'm a stress eater, ya know. ;)
We really hope that we will be able to take both girls with us back to Kazakhstan. But that decision will have to be made further down the road, and will depend on finances and which region we are assigned to. We are using Adoption ARK again this time, and they have assured us that they are going to do their best to get us assigned to an “easy” (hahahahahaha) region that requires only 2 trips and is more urban and safe to take our girls to. I definitely have my preferences of where I’d like to get assigned to, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out. Part of me would love to see more parts of Kazakhstan (or would I?), but part of me thinks that if we got assigned to Almaty, that would be ideal as far as taking the girls….and for rekindling my passion for the Ramstore.
So, we loved sharing our journey to adopt Camille last time. And we are looking forward to sharing this journey with all the same people, plus a few new friends we’ve made since then. The blog will probably be updated just randomly for the next year or so; but of course, once we get closer to travel and are actually in Kaz, I will blog more than you have time for.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Advice? Volunteers? ;)
Some of you may be shocked, stunned, surprised and other words that begin with “s” to hear this news. Not only are we willingly signing up to be outnumbered, but we are going back to Kazakhstan to make it happen! There was definitely a lot of thought and discussion about which country we would go to, and we just kept coming back to Kaz for all the same reasons we chose it last time. It is still not easy to adopt from there; in fact, it is now harder. We definitely do not look forward to the tough parts of the process, but we feel that Kazakhstan is still the best choice for us and in the end, it will be worth it. Plus, we are really hoping to visit Slava again! ;)
And let me assure you, I felt the same shock you must be feeling now a couple of months ago when I approached Nathan about getting started on the next adoption and he was on board with no coercion necessary on my part! We have always been open to another child, and most of you know that I was gung ho for another shortly after we got home with Camille! But Nathan wanted to wait, and for good reason(s). However, a couple of months ago, I brought up the subject with him again for the first time in a year or more. He was very receptive to the idea, and dare I say, excited!! For anyone who knows Nathan, he does not embrace change quickly or heartily (much to my chagrin, and probably betterment). So for him to be as agreeable as he was so quickly, well, I took that as my cue to start the adoption paperwork like 5 minutes ago. So right then and there, baby Burror #3 was born!
This time around will be much the same and very different, all at the same time. We will have to go through the same paperwork process, once again assuring the Kazakh officials that we are not criminals, love children and still do not have tuberculosis. But it will be very different in that we now have 2 very active and growing children to look after while putting together an entire dossier! That thought makes me as nauseous as one gets after eating recycled Kazakh pastries. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do all that I will need to do; however, anyone who knows me knows that I am always up for a challenge. So here I go.
Some more specifics: We are open to adopting a child of either gender this time around and have specified the age of 18 months and under. As much as I hate surprises, I am looking forward to being surprised with gender this time around! Gianna very much wants a baby brother, so we’ll see! The process is MUCH longer this time around, which is why we are starting now. After we submit our dossier, we are told the wait will be 12-18 months before travel. Ouch. That’s a loooooooooong wait, which is part of what is spurring me on to get things done quickly now, while I’m still in control of the timetable! So even if I work very quickly, in the absolute best-case scenario, we will have the dossier ready in July or August. So this means we will travel anywhere between summer of 2010 to (please, no more winters in Kazakhstan!!!) winter 2010/2011. I have a bad feeling that my bathroom scale will also be showing me those same numbers by then...I'm a stress eater, ya know. ;)
We really hope that we will be able to take both girls with us back to Kazakhstan. But that decision will have to be made further down the road, and will depend on finances and which region we are assigned to. We are using Adoption ARK again this time, and they have assured us that they are going to do their best to get us assigned to an “easy” (hahahahahaha) region that requires only 2 trips and is more urban and safe to take our girls to. I definitely have my preferences of where I’d like to get assigned to, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out. Part of me would love to see more parts of Kazakhstan (or would I?), but part of me thinks that if we got assigned to Almaty, that would be ideal as far as taking the girls….and for rekindling my passion for the Ramstore.
So, we loved sharing our journey to adopt Camille last time. And we are looking forward to sharing this journey with all the same people, plus a few new friends we’ve made since then. The blog will probably be updated just randomly for the next year or so; but of course, once we get closer to travel and are actually in Kaz, I will blog more than you have time for.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Advice? Volunteers? ;)
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