OUR TRAVEL DATES

Okay guys I am now home and have the time to quickkly tell you about our phone call today.

I emailed Lorien, because I did not feel it was necessary to have our FBI results, apostilled anytime soon...but, I wanted to know what she recommended just in case. I quickly began getting ready (a la make up), to take the boys to grandpa's to go fishing (today is Veteran's day=no school)..and so, that is when I got the phone call! I answered not really expecting too much, and I thought perhaps she wanted to just explain to me on the phone, what she wanted me to do, concerning the apostilles. We continued talking about the email, but then she was telling me about getting things done in December, along with our VISAS & HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS! I really didn't catch on to that at first..but then something inside me did..AND SO I WAS IN TEARS!!!!! I have always told myself (as strange as it seems) that I would try not to cry...hahhahahah..but I failed miserably!..and Lorien was just laughing at me!!! OMG..I ran down the stairs and had her tell my husband also..and he had a huge grin on his face...in which I took a picture of..to remember this day...cause it was priceless!

Last night an ESPN Documentary on my uncle had aired on t.v., and the family and I watched, while we were in tears, because of what had happend to him (all over again), and because ESPN had done such a great job of portraying the truth..which gave us hope....for every other passing day, that it may get better and better, until truth finally arrives.

Today though, I received news about a different kind of hope,..MY HOPEE GIRL!

And with these two kinds of HOPES in my life, I have a lot to be thankful for, and have a lot to place in our prayers this CHRISTMAS..and on our tree..we will place very special memories..

Now, GOD willing, we expect to travel in January. Our appointment date with the DOE is January 19, (Noah's 3rd BDAY poor little guy). We have very limited info on her, except that she was matched with our family, and that she will be turning a year old and just coming off of the Russian registry in January, 2010. We do run a small risk of a Russian adopting her first, of course..but we are quite optimistic..it's her older bro's birthday, and we are not going to Russia for nothing, wink*!!!

I am absolutely elated!! I can't tell you that it feels real...it doesn't! My husband will take vacation time to spend it with us, during the holidays & to finish up things around the house..in preparation of our fourth child. Her room is done and soooo sweeet, now that I bought the bedding..its just complete and ever so special to me. This is still just the beginning..and there is so much to look forward to, and I thank God for that hope and opportunity; to be able to look forward to something, so special and close to my heart..for many, many reasons..maybe I will share that one day on here. Everyone's story is truly unique and different, and GOD has HIS own plan for us all..so just keep asking HIM and HE will reveal just what is in store for you, and you will see that it will be at such a perfect time in your life..its EARTHSHAKING really..I can't even find the words to describe the feelings.

I will continue praying for the rest of the PAP's that are waiting..you all deserve to feel this way too;)

P.S. I have to write this publicly, and I hope she doesn't mind...but you all should know the kind of sweetness that exists around our agency..Chandra, who has brought home a little Russian Beauty already, offered to give me her daughter's snowsuit to bring home Hopee in..I just feel like, this whole adoption experience gets better and better..and just teaches you so much about so many things in life..this thoughtfulness deserves recognition, and will never be forgotten..and it is just so special in my eyes to have this honor! Chandra also wanted me to know, that the idea of this snowsuit is, that we pass it along to the next PAP, when it is their turn to bring home another Angel,..and I will surely do so. So PAP'S, stay tuned..cause you may be receiving the suit next!

Thank You Again CHANDRA..YOUR JUST AWESOME!

Also, THANK YOU -Lighthouse Families (you know who you are)..for being so helpful and supportive;)


J.

WE GOT THE CALL!!!!!

YAAAAAYYYYY! CANNOT BELIEVE IT...GOTTA TELL ALL MY FOLKS!!

I WILL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT WHEN I GET BACK!!!

KEEP THE FAITH!!


J.

FBI CARDS IN

We finally received our FBI Papers from VA..they did not come together..go figure..but for what its worth they are here..and we will once again apostille and then just keep for our trip (I think its only needed for court anyway). SIGH...my agency says we are still second in line and that the DOE in Moscow, will push for more travel dates with whatever healthy girl referrals..and that the right families will travel. Its sounded like some hope (haha hope?)..but a lot of families are waiting for very similar referrals as us..we'll see I will not give up praying!

In fact..all the families with our Agency are so great and sweet, and I will be happy for whatever family gets to travel next..its in GOD's hands...you call it Lord!

4 Months of HEARTACHE...

I LOVED YOU SO MUCH UNCLE ARTURO!


AND ..I miss him soooo much! We never have enough time with our loved ones..remember that! You just never know who you are going to lose next. Sorry for being so depressing..its just that on this adoption journey..my feelings of 'oh another month gone by' isn't mainly that we are without a referral..but more so..living another month without my uncle Arturo..who was pretty much the only father that we had. He was murdered in Brazil..and they are concluding it a suicide. now his wife (who was first arrested for suspician) is after his estate..yesterday she faught in court for $150,000.00 for legal fees. She has taken the baby to Brazil where she is from..and so we may never see the baby again; let alone, ever know what happend to my uncle...only she knows..and refuses to speak to us.

The world is not a pretty place..let alone safe. Sometimes I feel like, this is my only motivation left to adopt..because its what I can do right now for GOD..I don't know if we will want to or be able to adopt more children..it all depends of course on our lifestyle and what the future brings with four children (I think 4 is alot or enough right now)..but only GOD knows our capacity. We are very Blessed with a loving Italian/Spanish family..who welcome children and people with open arms...we just love and eat and cook and laugh a lot..isn't that enough riches for one lifetime? I think so anyway...I am praying that my friends get a referral (even if its before me)..I want you guys to be happy this year..I do not want tragedy to hinder your Christmas' and Holidays this year..I do not want economy issues to affect your happiness this year. I want to end this year with a smile..and only tears of happiness...so pray okay..because GOD does answer prayers and he's in the business of miracles..just don't let them slip by you.

P.S. If we go to Russia this year..it will be a Blessing in more ways than one..cause I really need a VACATION! WINK*


GOD BLESS YOU;)

IS IT REALLY NOVEMBER?

Okay, so we are actually in the month of November...very very fast! I cannot believe how fast these months have gone by...Despite not hearing anything from Russia about any travelling..I feel fine. I am coping fine..I just try not to hold my breath anymore, like I was doing at the begining. I feel like when it will be that time we will know. We started out quite enthusiastically..and still feel this way. We are not thinking that our daughter will be home by Christmas (NO WAY)..but it sure would be nice to atleast meet her and sign for her..and hang her little picture on our wall & Christmas tree, along with my uncle's..as a sign, that with every death there is a birth!

Some awfully, strange, slow movement, has been happening in Russia..its like, it is moving,- just very quietly.

My husband was like "hey we have 4 weeks of paid vacation time and I would like to take some time off and use it..or we'll lose it"...I take that with a grain of salt really; I told him, that we will need it for Russia..but we have no way of predicting that or coordinating it..we have to leave it to the Good Lord..he knows our schedule and our life here...he'll have to tell us when/where!

Hey, IA is not for everyone..but our life right now is very flexible (thank GOD)..so if it's last minute its ok..we'll deal with it. So far despite the small bumps (paperwork etc.), all has been quite prestaged and in a 'meant to be' timeframe..and we have been productive at something adoption related each month..so let's hope November will be 'the call'..and December the first trip...we'll see.



Psalm 92

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,
3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp
and the melody of the lyre.
4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.
5 O Lord, what great works you do!
And how deep are your thoughts.
6 Only a simpleton would not know,
and only a fool would not understand this:
7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds
and evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
9 Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.
10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.
You have anointed me with the finest oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil in him!”

TRICK OR TREAT!