through the eye of the needle

The last couple weeks to me have been like a test to see how we will respond and deal with challenges that really feel like you are being put through the eye of a needle.The phrase "when it rains it pours" certainly describes our lives lately.

In the last couple weeks we have had our oldest son in the hospital again. He needed to be at a top notch medical center here California to recieve top expertise on his needs.It takes over an hour each way to get there with L.A. traffic. To say the least it has been very stressful. He is back home now and doing OK.At the same time school started here and I am having to deal with 4 different schools and schedules.Then we are right in the middle of a total kitchen remodel and have had endless delays and hitches therefore having NO kitchen for WAY to long and trying to feed a family of seven good healthy meals is really hard when you do not have a kitchen. I am so grateful for our friends and church family who have helped us survive the last couple weeks with food and support. On top of all that "our" judge in Vlad requested additional "New" documentation for court. Between hospitals.,schools, kitchen drama, I have been busy gathering these new requirment/documents. With all that being said, we are hoping to finally get a court date this week since I do not know what else anyone could possibly know about us !We were told to get our visa so, we have done that already. We have also done our required xrays and bloodwork again.

It certainly feels like we are being tested and pushed through a needle but, yet I am feeling a peace that comes from within that I know only comes from my believe that these things only make us to grow and realize we are stronger then we might think.I am not saying I am enjoying these times but,I am trying to view it in a positive way.

This week should bring good news. We do hope that both Little B and M will both be coming home soon.We still do not know for sure whether one of our little ones will be cleared for adoption after all. How and whenever ever this story ends we will always know we have done all that we could and now the rest we give to the lord.

hanging on by a thread

I have been quiet not because things are quiet but, because I am really unable to write too much at this time since this is a public blog and It would really only be a major rant session. There are so many things that I think should be known but, at this point I must hold it private.Everything we could possibly do has been done.One of my greatest fears however with this adoption may end up happening to us. In the meantime our documents are all needing updating and now not only need an immigration extention but, will probably have to apply for another approval after we are home with one and go back again.An immigration approval is a one way ticket home for the children only if they come home together.The frusration level has been high and I just trying to keep an attitude that heavenly father has this situation under his eye and knows what is best more then us.I am trying to hang on even if it is by a mere thread.If we recieved a court date by the second week of September for BOTH would be a great blessing and it would avoid so much stress and save us so much money we were not expecting to have to spend !This experience has really been one of the most difficult things to get through.It has been 8 months since we met our little B.

This is just hard !

We were hoping to recieve some good news this week instead were told there is a problem with one of our little ones clearance for adoption.We will not know the outcome for another 2 to 3 weeks so everything is again on hold.I think of all we have done to have this adoption completed and am just feeling completely depleted.No matter what we will now be delayed again !!I have held,hugged,kissed,played and promised my babies their mommy and daddy would be back again soon.Our USCIS immigration approval expires in September so now we have to deal with that too!I have not many words just feeling sad and depleted for my little ones and us !I know I have got to keep my faith that things will work out the way they are suppose to but, it does not make it any easier.

Some get away time ! Still waiting too !!

We spent last week in the Pacific Northwest up in Oregon and Washington State. We saw the sun only a couple times so I guess we are a bit spoiled living in So.California.Lots of green and a change of scenery though !
On the adoption front,we have heard NOTHING! There have still been no court dates for the Vladivostok region.We found out that Fed Ex had lost our package to Russia containing the last court Documents. After three days it was located and did make it to Vlad.I have totally given this adoption experience over to the lord. I am emotionally exhausted and am running out of steam to worry any more. I just hate having our babies keep waiting and for us missing out on their childhood with their family.We are so hoping everything is complete by end of September because a big chunk of our paperwork will expire including our home study.I feel like my main job during the last THREE years has been doing adoption paperwork.I have heard the judges are very picky so who knows what else needs to be done.We had been told court would most likely be in July which now seems unlikely.So, as we have done so much of we continue to do....wait.

Dear little ones

Dear precious ones,
We have been thinking of you everyday almost nonstop ! We are waiting for you as patiently as we know how.We hope you enjoyed your birthday gifts sweet miss M.You are so small for your age but,I know you will be doing much growing when you come home. Little B, I hope you are enjoying your gifts too and hope you are able to get outside and feel the sun on your face a bit each day.
We have started preparing the house and getting ready for both of you.It is going to be a bit of an adjustment again to have 2 young little toddlers in our home .We are still trying to figure out which bedroom to use and whether to put you together in one room.Mom has loved buying cute little sundresses and hats for you little M.I have also gotten several ride on toys that you love to ride little B.
All of your brothers and sisters are exited for both of you to come home.They are exited for you to be able to learn to enjoy swimming in our pool and enjoy going to the beach.I have a feeling you are both going to love playing in the warm sand and before you know it you will probably become little fish and enjoy playing in the water.
We love you little ones and will be there soon to bring you home !

Great achievments !!

What a busy week celebrating great achievments!Since I do not talk much about our kids(who we already have) on this blog I want them to feel special too.
Brianna graduated this week and also recieved special recognition and honors for having ranked having the 4th highest G.P.A. in her graduating class.She also recieved a nice plaque for that honor too.During her junior and senior year she also took college courses and now already has a year of college behind her.She is looking forward to Brigham Young University in the near future.
Last week Bri also graduated from our youth seminary program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.She was at church every morning at 6.30 sharp from Monday through Friday during the school year for All four years of high school. After seminary she would head straight to school.This is not an easy task !!Brianna's favorite qoute is "stand up for what you believe even if you stand alone"
We are very proud of her !
Caroline made us very proud as well graduating from Middle school and recieving a Presidents award for her high academic grades and leadership abilities. She is only going into high school but, is already taking her first class at our nearby community college.
Good job my girls !

Home Again

Home again just in time for all the graduations this coming week. I made it home just in time for seminary graduation for Brianna on Sunday. Now this coming week is High School graduation for Bri, Middle school graduation for Caroline and 6th grade commencement for Bryce.

On another note,I am happy to be home and know much has been accomplished this past week or so in Russia.Our sweet girl miss M is precious and so sweet ! Our little B is too ! We am very anxious to bring them home because they really need to be loved and nourished !! Ok, I am really going to be buying cream to put in food to get more calories in them.I was able to get more clear answers being there then from what our agency could give us.Not that I was happy with the answers I recieved but, at least I do not need to wonder what is really going on. For those waiting for court dates in our region need some more patience.The Hansen case has greatly affected this region.Hopefully the Vlad Inn will be full of adoptive parents and children again soon unlike the silence of my experience last week.I just really need my babies home !