One more thing to update...

We got an email today telling us that we have one more paper to update! That's what we were afraid of. It is a Medical Form (4 yes/no type questions), so it isn't that bad. We won't need any blood work or testing done, just need to get the doctor to fill it out, sign it and send it in. It's on my list of things to do tomorrow.

As far as the social worker, I spoke with the lady who supervises the Home Study social workers about the situation and feel much better! Lack of communication can be a horrible thing! We did have to submit a Grief & Loss paper (new thing added to Home Studies for Russia). Of course I cried, read Chris what I wrote, cried some more, typed what Chris dictated, tried not to cry some more and sent it off to Pat & Kristen. Talk about stirring emotions...

Hopefully the Update will be finished soon and we can continue going forward.

Please continue praying for us during this time.

School is almost over for the year (last day with the kiddos is Thursday, June 3!).

Home Study Update update

Not the best hour & forty-five minutes of our adoption so far.

She called at 1:30 to let us know that she was running late and that she would call again when she was leaving her house. She called just after 4 pm and didn't get to our house till almost 5:15. She left at 7:00.

She kept mentioning that she didn't feel prepared because she didn't have our updated forms (I sent them off this afternoon) and she needed them for the update. She should get her copy tomorrow in the mail. Love the US Post Office Flat Rate Priority Mail!!

She kept referring to "at DePelchin, we....." even though our adoption is through Buckner. She works for DePelchin, so I can understand, but really?

Last Russian Adoption Home Study she did was in 1986. Things have changed since then. A Lot Has Changed Since Then!!

She asked about things we weren't told that we needed to update: physicals for us, Fire & Environmental Health forms (CPS forms), etc. When I showed her the letter I received from Kristen (coordinator for Home Study paperwork for Dillon), she wrote down the forms listed that we filled out and said, "Well at DePelchin, we update all parts of the Home Study, not just some of the things". Again, really? This is NOT an adoption through DePelchin!! Forgetting that are we? I know that the state requires certain things, but REALLY??

When she asked about if we had been working on the things the psychologist suggested in his report, we asked What Things? We were never told of any things to work on! After 5 minutes of conversation and her looking at her notes, she realized that we have apparently improved in those areas. Never did find out what she was referring to. We didn't get a copy of the original Home Study, so I have nothing to look at. I guess whatever she referred to wasn't an issue to Buckner as they never mentioned anything. We figured they would have said something if it was important!

After about 30 minutes into the meeting, Chris started getting nervous. He Never Gets Nervous or Anxious!! Not a good sign, because that just made me wonder if we did something wrong, forgot stuff, or would have to go through this again!

I emailed Kristen our concerns regarding the meeting on Sunday and she seemed to appreciate my comments. After she talks with the Adoption Supervisor, she will get back to me about it. Hopefully nothing will be delayed because of all this. I don't want to get the lady in trouble or have to go through this with someone else, but, Really?? Not a good sign when you make your client nervous and the client isn't sure why!

Please pray that all goes well with this situation!!

Home Study Update meeting

We heard from Pat (the social worker who is doing our update) Thursday afternoon (5:00ish) and found out that she wanted to meet with us this weekend, preferably early Saturday morning. I was able to convince her that Sunday afternoon (3:30ish) would be better. So, she should be at our house around 3:30 Sunday (May 16) to meet with us and go over any changes that have happened since our first Home Study meeting. Shouldn't take too long, not a lot to report. Okay, the fact that we have $26,000 in the bank is a GREAT update to report! Thanks to family, we were able to get there!! Chris' Wal-Mart paychecks are also helping (about $450 every two weeks). I will add $270 after next weekend (I am delivering cinnamon rolls & catering a graduation party). Oh, and our IRS refund came in today. That is going to pay for the Home Study Update and getting the air ducts cleaned out this summer.

I was really praying that I would have a large amount to deposit today, but the rain made it impossible! Liz & I had scheduled to be at a craft show in the Heights area today (scheduled it several months ago) and when we were there in October, we both did really well. Liz sold 5 of her toy cloth balls and that was it! The forecast in Houston was 40% of scattered showers. We had RAIN (not showers) starting at 9:30ish and it never stopped! It did seem to lighten up several times, but when the lightening & thunder showed up around noon, we decided that it was time to go. Over half of the vendors had already packed up or were in the process of packing up at that time. At least we got the rest of the afternoon (after lunch & two shopping stops) to get things better organized & packed back up. Now, I just need to finish drying my blankets (about half got semi-soaked) and they will be ready to go back to Liz's house for storage (at least until they sell).

Anyway, God has & still is blessing us tremendously!

Now to eat some dinner, clear off the dining table, put stuff in the garage for storage and finish cleaning for our visit with Pat tomorrow. Probably another night of little to no sleep (okay I will probably get about 5 hours), but it will (and is) so worth it!!!!

Oh yeah, only 12.5 school days left (weekends don't count)!!!

Waiting for update

Just got an email from Irina (our Buckner caseworker). We should hear soon from the social worker that has been assigned to do our Home Study update. Apparently we don't have to do much, just meet with him/her at our house. Not much information to go on, but it is at least the next step.

Yeah!!!

Home Study needs updating.....

Just found out that our I-600A application was received, but our Home Study is over 6 months old and will need to be updated before it can be sent in. The application can't be processed until they get the Home Study. UGH!!!

Okay, this will work out.

God is in control and we (I) need to leave it in His hands.

Easier said than done.

Don't know what we will have to do regarding the update for the Home Study; just found out tonight about it.

Please continue to pray for us as we deal with this new situation.

On a different note, only 5 more weeks before summer break.......

Waiting.....

We are still waiting to hear from USCIS about our application to bring children home from Russia. I know it will take several weeks, but I keep looking for an e-mail or letter in the regular mail! I am not concerned or worried that we will be denied, just impatient!

We heard from our caseworker with Buckner about the situation that was in the news recently. The statements about stopping Russian/American adoptions were not made by the people/person that determines the adoptions. Those statements were made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and adoptions are under the authority of the Ministry of Education & Science.

Buckner International posted on Facebook the other day that basically adoptions are not stopping or being put on hold at this time. Things will continue as they currently are.

God is so Great!!

Our next step is to get our paperwork ready to send to Russia (the Dossier). Hopefully we will get that information soon.

Chris started with the Athletics Crew yesterday and it seems as if they will work well together! He knows several of the guys and has worked with one of them before.

Again, God Is Great!!!

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

News....

Chris was offered a position on the Fort Bend ISD Athletic Crew!! Yeah!! Now we don't have to decide what to do. He doesn't know all the details, but he did tell me that it should be the same pay & hours. He isn't sure where the Athletic Crew will be located (he is currently working out of the Hodges Bend Bus Barn), but it doesn't matter to him. The two possible locations aren't that far away. He will still be able to work his part-time position at Wal-Mart as scheduled. This is great news for us!

Regarding the incident that has been in the news lately about the adoptive mom who sent her adopted child back to Russia, we are not concerned. I got an email from our Buckner Caseworker today that basically said to not be concerned or worry that it will slow or stop the process. Until they hear specifics, things will progress as anticipated. If there are any changes or such, it will take time for anything to be done.

Please keep praying that things will go well. God has His hands all over this adoption (as seen in all the really cool things that have happened lately) and we just need to trust in Him.