Just to keep people updated:
Our dossier is in Alex's country. The same country popped a couple of new requirements before the dossier could get submitted to their adoption authority. One was pretty easy, the other, after many boring and tedious twists and turns and cyber-communiques, is going to require us doing our 2011 taxes now. We have most of the forms needed, so we hope to do it this weekend, and send these papers after a quick drive to St Paul for apostilles MONDAY.
That's the plan today anyway.
It does appear that due to a slight change in how they process this paperwork (remember they have a new adoption authority there now? The kinks are getting worked out as we type), the time between submitting a dossier and receiving a travel date is longer than it used to be. We've been telling people we hope to travel in March. Anything's possible, but it is looking more and more like the end of March and maybe April. I've got to keep this a day at a time, though, or else I go nuts.
By the way, once this is done, I solemnly promise to do every official form for any given authority in mime, interpretative dance, or both. I'm pretty darned tired of the number and information crunching!
Please continue to pray for Alex (and perhaps a smooth tax prep process). Thanks!
Peace, Susan
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Update: What we need...learning Russian...and what we're reading
We're kind of in a lull in adoption land. Most of the paperwork is
off, although those fun-loving bureaucrats like to keep us on our toes
by demanding entirely new documents every week or so.
A lot of people have asked what we need right now. Aside from prayers, we are looking for a dining room table that will accommodate eight people. I know, strange request! But we will need the extra room, and those things are expensive. Obviously this is not a pressing need, but it may take some time to find one used locally. So we're asking for helpers...if anyone local sees a decent used dining room table that could accommodate eight, let us know! We will pay for it, we just need extra eyes. We are getting help from a friend who is going to help me modify the boy's room to accommodate Alex -- just some light carpentry work. We're going to need to move things around quite a bit and add a bed underneath our 11-year-old's loft.
Another big need: If you live locally and can be on our "backup helpers" list, we're starting to compile that now. Susan's mom will be coming to stay with the kids for a few weeks while we're in country, and we'd like to have plenty of backup help. This would primarily involve watching the kids once in a while and possibly being available in an emergency (e.g., if Susan's mom gets the flu and needs extra help).
As Susan mentioned, I have been studying Russian as best I can with my busy schedule. You will be glad to know I can now say that I do not speak Russian at least a dozen different ways! All kidding aside, I do think it will be helpful. I can read the Russian alphabet, which is a big help, and I figure I know maybe fifty to seventy-five words, phrases, and sentences. I have a friend of a friend who is a native Russian helping me; plus I have been listening to a Pimsleur audio program, and a "Russian child phrases" CD, and a new CD called "Learn Russian in Your Car" (!) that has a very practical bent. Also, I have been doing LiveMocha as I am able, given my lack of time. Google Translate and the Russian Keyboard have also been helpful. My focus is primarily on basic "getting around" phrases, plus really a lot of phrases that might be helpful for communicating with Alex.
One of the ways we keep our spirits up is to read the adoption blogs being kept by other families who have gone through the adoption process or are going through it now. It is also great preparation, in terms of learning what we might expect. If anyone else wants to follow these to get a bit of a window into our "vicarious" adoption journey, here's what we're reading. I will post these in the sidebar, too.
Bringing Winston Home
This blog is interesting mainly because the couple adopted this past summer from the same city that we're adopting from. In fact, we spent more than an hour talking on the phone with the mom a little while ago, just to figure out what to expect. The blog is no longer updated, but go back to July and you can get a bit of a sense of what it will be like when we go over there. Except that when we go, it won't be July. It will be cold!
Bringing AJ Home
This is the blog of the Putz family, who are adopting AJ -- better known to those who have followed our own adoption journey as "Anthony." They already have an Anthony at home, so they needed to give him a new name! We fund-raised and prayed and prayed for Anthony for many months, so it is heartwarming to read about them finally meeting him, and getting to know him. He has warmed up to his new parents very quickly! Lots of video of them playing with him in the orphanage visiting room. He is an amazing kid who far outshines his severe CP. This is a private blog, but if you want an invitation, e-mail us and we will see whether Leann would be willing to add you. (It is private mostly to avoid spammers.)
Asking with Faith
This is the blog of a remarkable 17-year-old young woman who is VERY passionate about helping kids in need all over the world. She was one of two tireless advocates for Alex, raising money and pleading an praying for an adoptive family. Her own family just adopted a nine-year-old from Bulgaria; scroll back in her blog to November or so to see her story. Joanna is currently preparing to travel to Uganda to work with orphans there -- but she is in need of funding. You can help out by purchasing some of the cool stuff she is selling to raise money (see this post).
Three More Jacobsons
Here's a family that is attempting to adopt three kids! Their process is even more complicated than ours, and there have been lots of ups and downs, but they bring an inspiring faith to the process. Right now they have a great video of the boys practicing for a play -- singing a song, complete with actions, in Russian. Very cute!
The Blessing of Verity
This is the blog by the family that adopted the nine-year-old girl that they've named Katie -- the one who looks like an infant. Two months out from the adoption, they continue to update about her remarkable progress...still fun to pop in on every once in a while.
We're also following more adoption stories on a private Facebook group for families adopting from Alex's home country -- which is just to say that whatever we go through on this journey, others have forged the path already, and are accompanying us, too. (Some of them maybe literally!)
A lot of people have asked what we need right now. Aside from prayers, we are looking for a dining room table that will accommodate eight people. I know, strange request! But we will need the extra room, and those things are expensive. Obviously this is not a pressing need, but it may take some time to find one used locally. So we're asking for helpers...if anyone local sees a decent used dining room table that could accommodate eight, let us know! We will pay for it, we just need extra eyes. We are getting help from a friend who is going to help me modify the boy's room to accommodate Alex -- just some light carpentry work. We're going to need to move things around quite a bit and add a bed underneath our 11-year-old's loft.
Another big need: If you live locally and can be on our "backup helpers" list, we're starting to compile that now. Susan's mom will be coming to stay with the kids for a few weeks while we're in country, and we'd like to have plenty of backup help. This would primarily involve watching the kids once in a while and possibly being available in an emergency (e.g., if Susan's mom gets the flu and needs extra help).
As Susan mentioned, I have been studying Russian as best I can with my busy schedule. You will be glad to know I can now say that I do not speak Russian at least a dozen different ways! All kidding aside, I do think it will be helpful. I can read the Russian alphabet, which is a big help, and I figure I know maybe fifty to seventy-five words, phrases, and sentences. I have a friend of a friend who is a native Russian helping me; plus I have been listening to a Pimsleur audio program, and a "Russian child phrases" CD, and a new CD called "Learn Russian in Your Car" (!) that has a very practical bent. Also, I have been doing LiveMocha as I am able, given my lack of time. Google Translate and the Russian Keyboard have also been helpful. My focus is primarily on basic "getting around" phrases, plus really a lot of phrases that might be helpful for communicating with Alex.
One of the ways we keep our spirits up is to read the adoption blogs being kept by other families who have gone through the adoption process or are going through it now. It is also great preparation, in terms of learning what we might expect. If anyone else wants to follow these to get a bit of a window into our "vicarious" adoption journey, here's what we're reading. I will post these in the sidebar, too.
Bringing Winston Home
This blog is interesting mainly because the couple adopted this past summer from the same city that we're adopting from. In fact, we spent more than an hour talking on the phone with the mom a little while ago, just to figure out what to expect. The blog is no longer updated, but go back to July and you can get a bit of a sense of what it will be like when we go over there. Except that when we go, it won't be July. It will be cold!
Bringing AJ Home
This is the blog of the Putz family, who are adopting AJ -- better known to those who have followed our own adoption journey as "Anthony." They already have an Anthony at home, so they needed to give him a new name! We fund-raised and prayed and prayed for Anthony for many months, so it is heartwarming to read about them finally meeting him, and getting to know him. He has warmed up to his new parents very quickly! Lots of video of them playing with him in the orphanage visiting room. He is an amazing kid who far outshines his severe CP. This is a private blog, but if you want an invitation, e-mail us and we will see whether Leann would be willing to add you. (It is private mostly to avoid spammers.)
Asking with Faith
This is the blog of a remarkable 17-year-old young woman who is VERY passionate about helping kids in need all over the world. She was one of two tireless advocates for Alex, raising money and pleading an praying for an adoptive family. Her own family just adopted a nine-year-old from Bulgaria; scroll back in her blog to November or so to see her story. Joanna is currently preparing to travel to Uganda to work with orphans there -- but she is in need of funding. You can help out by purchasing some of the cool stuff she is selling to raise money (see this post).
Three More Jacobsons
Here's a family that is attempting to adopt three kids! Their process is even more complicated than ours, and there have been lots of ups and downs, but they bring an inspiring faith to the process. Right now they have a great video of the boys practicing for a play -- singing a song, complete with actions, in Russian. Very cute!
The Blessing of Verity
This is the blog by the family that adopted the nine-year-old girl that they've named Katie -- the one who looks like an infant. Two months out from the adoption, they continue to update about her remarkable progress...still fun to pop in on every once in a while.
We're also following more adoption stories on a private Facebook group for families adopting from Alex's home country -- which is just to say that whatever we go through on this journey, others have forged the path already, and are accompanying us, too. (Some of them maybe literally!)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
So now what?
Well, as some of you know, Alex's home country added a new requirement to the dossier, a simple page about permission to computerize data or something. They are moving to a digital system--yes, just now, in 2012. It's not that big deal other than finding out before our dossier was sent meant I needed to take another day off work and drive to St Paul, or get the notarized document apostilled via express mail. We're doing the latter. With the MLK holiday mixed in, I hope we'll receive the document with apostille Thursday, and I will beg another family to carry it over. Apostilling isn't expensive here in Minnesota ($5 a document), but with the mailings--$70 total (and that's assuming I don't have to FedEx this sheet overseas.) Wouldn't have been any less to drive there. Phooey.
But as we write the dossier is in a plane over the Atlantic with the Wall family, getting hand-delivered. Thank you!!! That's the biggest piece. (We were also helped by the Evensens, who hand carried our most recent "initial papers"). After we wire a down payment on our facilitation fee, they will start translating in the native language. Usually that takes a week; they are swamped with families there right now so I wouldn't be surprised if it takes longer. We're still hoping that there are no snags and they are able to submit the application and dossier the first week of February.
We also talked to Nancy Smith, who adopted from the same town Alex is in last summer. That was mostly reassuring. We got lots of details about life in his small city and how to manage eating, transportation, money exchanges, down time.... Thanks, Nancy!
Jerry is learning Russian assiduously. The country is home to two, really three, languages, and we've been told this is Alex's language. I think he is doing a really good job--remember, you have to learn a new alphabet too, Cyrillic--but I am skeptical that it will help loads once we're there. I'm pretty good at Spanish but when I'm in the moment of speaking it, I stumble all over the place figuring it out. And that was with years of study. But in terms of this being more for Alex, to help him adjust more easily, I totally get it, and have said I will try to learn more (any) once the dossier is done. Jerry has been using the Pimmler system, some "Russian for talking to children" CDs, and some tutoring with a friend named Elena, from Russia but living in Winona right now. He tried LiveMocha but seems to be moving away from that program.
We're also planning out the bedroom situation (this will require some moving). We want things set up before we go.
Me, I'm trying to research and write the third fourth of the book I received a grant to write this year--I really want to get that done before travel--and while I am pleased with where I am in this project in general, the deadline is pretty anxiety-producing. If we travel in March, this MAY be doable. But it is nose to the grindstone--and frankly, there is only so fast you can do this kind of work. I would appreciate prayers to get it done.
Anyway, I think that's enough of an update, right? Thanks for hanging in there with us, everyone! We'll continue to report as the situation merits! God is in charge!
Peace, Susan
But as we write the dossier is in a plane over the Atlantic with the Wall family, getting hand-delivered. Thank you!!! That's the biggest piece. (We were also helped by the Evensens, who hand carried our most recent "initial papers"). After we wire a down payment on our facilitation fee, they will start translating in the native language. Usually that takes a week; they are swamped with families there right now so I wouldn't be surprised if it takes longer. We're still hoping that there are no snags and they are able to submit the application and dossier the first week of February.
We also talked to Nancy Smith, who adopted from the same town Alex is in last summer. That was mostly reassuring. We got lots of details about life in his small city and how to manage eating, transportation, money exchanges, down time.... Thanks, Nancy!
Jerry is learning Russian assiduously. The country is home to two, really three, languages, and we've been told this is Alex's language. I think he is doing a really good job--remember, you have to learn a new alphabet too, Cyrillic--but I am skeptical that it will help loads once we're there. I'm pretty good at Spanish but when I'm in the moment of speaking it, I stumble all over the place figuring it out. And that was with years of study. But in terms of this being more for Alex, to help him adjust more easily, I totally get it, and have said I will try to learn more (any) once the dossier is done. Jerry has been using the Pimmler system, some "Russian for talking to children" CDs, and some tutoring with a friend named Elena, from Russia but living in Winona right now. He tried LiveMocha but seems to be moving away from that program.
We're also planning out the bedroom situation (this will require some moving). We want things set up before we go.
Me, I'm trying to research and write the third fourth of the book I received a grant to write this year--I really want to get that done before travel--and while I am pleased with where I am in this project in general, the deadline is pretty anxiety-producing. If we travel in March, this MAY be doable. But it is nose to the grindstone--and frankly, there is only so fast you can do this kind of work. I would appreciate prayers to get it done.
Anyway, I think that's enough of an update, right? Thanks for hanging in there with us, everyone! We'll continue to report as the situation merits! God is in charge!
Peace, Susan
Monday, January 9, 2012
Up, up, and away....
...goes the dossier! (Hey, that even rhymed.)
Well. Today, after ONE MORE last minute re-do of a notarization (I think we had five total since Friday?), I zipped in the car, decided our state side faciliator had to see the last page before I drove to St Paul, and scanned, called, confirmed--it's OK. Go!
So on this almost weirdly pleasant day for January in Minnesota (44 and sunny???? what?), I drove to our Secretary of State's office (2.5 hrs) to get all these documents apostilled. They were very pleasant, but it did take 1.5 hours. Then I doubled checked AGAIN (37 documents, people), made sure they were in the right order, in the special folder, in an envelope and--time to rush to the UPS shipper!
20 minutes later, I'm at a UPS store and they CAN send it to the Walls (who are adopting "Easton" from the same country and traveling this weekend) by Wednesday afternoon. I fork over more money, and it is GONE AND OUT OF MY HANDS. I've done all I can do. Now...we wait.
I celebrated with a chocolate milkshake and drove 2.5 hrs home. I think we'll save the champagne for when we receive a travel date. We're still hoping early March. Hang in there, Alex.
Peace, Susan
Well. Today, after ONE MORE last minute re-do of a notarization (I think we had five total since Friday?), I zipped in the car, decided our state side faciliator had to see the last page before I drove to St Paul, and scanned, called, confirmed--it's OK. Go!
So on this almost weirdly pleasant day for January in Minnesota (44 and sunny???? what?), I drove to our Secretary of State's office (2.5 hrs) to get all these documents apostilled. They were very pleasant, but it did take 1.5 hours. Then I doubled checked AGAIN (37 documents, people), made sure they were in the right order, in the special folder, in an envelope and--time to rush to the UPS shipper!
20 minutes later, I'm at a UPS store and they CAN send it to the Walls (who are adopting "Easton" from the same country and traveling this weekend) by Wednesday afternoon. I fork over more money, and it is GONE AND OUT OF MY HANDS. I've done all I can do. Now...we wait.
I celebrated with a chocolate milkshake and drove 2.5 hrs home. I think we'll save the champagne for when we receive a travel date. We're still hoping early March. Hang in there, Alex.
Peace, Susan
Friday, January 6, 2012
Dossier--almost there--
OK! Got the USCIS approval--check!
Everything notarized--check! (oh wait...three need to be re-done...OK! did that! will have them reviewed this weekend!)
Next up: apostilles on ... Monday? A "quick drive" to Saint Paul...?
We're getting VERY close to the end of the paperwork. But frankly, I just can't let my guard down until this is over. So while it feels good, well, I can't help thinking this isn't over until it is over.
But it LOOKS like we are almost there. ;-)
Everything notarized--check! (oh wait...three need to be re-done...OK! did that! will have them reviewed this weekend!)
Next up: apostilles on ... Monday? A "quick drive" to Saint Paul...?
We're getting VERY close to the end of the paperwork. But frankly, I just can't let my guard down until this is over. So while it feels good, well, I can't help thinking this isn't over until it is over.
But it LOOKS like we are almost there. ;-)
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