Got our Court Date!!!! :D :D :D

I just got the call from our agency today with our official court date!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!  We will be traveling in March to get our medicals done in country, visit with Lina one more time, and then plead our case to the judge!!  Court hearings for adoptions in Lina's country is much different than here in the US- there will actually be a prosecutor present, and we will be questioned by the judge and/or prosecutor.  Please please keep us in your prayers that all goes smoothly and we will have a positive outcome!

We will most likely be back on the paper chase to prepare for this trip as several documents we submitted were time-sensitive and only valid for 3 months- we had them prepared in November.  I'm guessing we will have to get our State Gold Seal prints done again (more money) and hoping I don't have to go back to the doctor's office to request more documents from them since they have been a bit of a headache to work with.  Oh well- if it's necessary it WILL be done- anything for our little girl!!

I just ordered her car seat for the car online a couple days ago- so fun. :) I've been nesting like CRAZY!!  Now I'm off to look at flights and hotel reservations- also going to have to contact the bank to see if they have enough new bills for us.  We are required to take several thousand US dollars in BRAND NEW bills, and I had no idea how difficult that can be! I really lucked out on our first trip since I had procrastinated, not knowing how difficult this task really is... and went in the week before we were leaving- thankfully they JUST received their shipment of new bills for the holidays since it was November!! WHEW!!  I did withdraw several more thousand for this trip also since I knew we would need it, but now I'm wishing I took out more since I don't think that will be enough.  Also, we will need money (but not nearly as much) for our third trip when we go to bring Lina home.  At least time should be on our side! :)

Even though I was a little bummed we wouldn't be traveling at the end of February, I'm thankful that the weather should be a little bit more mild when we go- the weather in Lina's part of the country has been very harsh and there have been many deaths due to the cold. :( When I say a bit more mild- I'm talking above 0*F.  Still freezing but not brutally cold.  I'm thinking the weather will be similar to when we traveled in November- windy and cold, but temps in the upper 20's to low 30's.  Bearable!  Also praying the roads to Lina's remote orphanage will be passable- there is NOTHING out there!  I'm thinking that if there is still snow on the ground- it's possible the roads could be a bit better if the snow is compacted down in all the holes!

Alright, I'm off to look at plane tix and hotels.  I just glanced over at our FSP- someone recently made a donation!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!  We greatly appreciate any love you are able to show Lina's grant, especially at this time. <3 Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we prepare to bring our daughter home!

Tentative Court Date!!

No official news yet, but I just heard from our agency that we have a tentative court date!! HALLELUJAH!! They will get the date once it has been confirmed- hoping for sometime next week!!! We're getting closer, babygirl!!! 

Thank you, Christie!!

I apologize to my dear friend, Christie, for not thanking her sooner- she recently deposited her commission from our Scentsy fundraiser- $100 added to Lina's account!!  Thank you SO much, Christie!!  I've been a bit distracted by a certain someone in our house who just got over a lovely stomach virus- thankfully living with a germophobe has paid off as our entire house has been disinfected countless times, and so far no one else as come down with the dreaded sickie bugs.  Whew!!  But Christie knows all about that stuff- her own crew have been battling some germies of their own, and with Jadon just getting out of the hospital- I didn't expect her to rush to get the money deposited.  Going out of her way to help someone else- not the first time that's happened either. ((((HUGS))))) Christie, thank you SO much, sweet friend!! <3

And thank you to all of YOU who ordered Scentsy products from our party!!  Please keep Christie's little guy in your prayers- sweet Jadon just came home from Ukraine not too long ago, and was recently in the hospital for what was supposed to be just minor surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids.  Well he had some breathing issues rise while in the hospital and is still receiving treatments at home thanks to his dedicated mama.  He could still use your prayers as he continues to fight against the goop in his airways.  Get better, little guy!! xoxo

Dear Lina...

Dear Lina,

I'm really missing you today.  Aching to travel across the globe to see you again... hold you again... let you know someone loves you and cares about you.

I think about you everyday, wondering what you are up to.... if you have a full belly... if anyone tells you how pretty you are.

Coming home from our first trip, I was a little worried... worried about not feeling more sadness about leaving you... worried about not feeling a stronger bond instantly... but I know that doesn't happen overnight, and I had prayed and prayed about finding peace and leaving without worry or without you getting upset.  My prayers were answered, for the two of us anyway- your daddy was a bit emotional in the car as we drove away.  I was ok, and I didn't know why.  Instead of feeling worried or upset I was left feeling guilty for NOT feeling those things.  Kinda silly, huh?

I guess I felt more like a playmate going in to visit with new toys for you to try... it kinda felt like my Pre-K classroom where I used to teach, and you one of my students.  You being a very smart, independent little girl were more reserved with your affection and emotions and simply enjoyed some one-on-one time with new toys and playmates to enjoy.  Really everything went amazingly well and I couldn't have asked for more.  You weren't upset to see us leave and it would have broken my heart to pieces if you did get upset.  All my prayers were answered... so why was I left feeling uneasy?

Even though thousands of miles are between us, I feel like I've been continuing to bond with you, loving you and missing you.  My arms ache to hold you again, and you've been visiting me in my dreams more lately which only makes me long for you even more.  I am so anxious to get the call that we have a court date so we can start preparing to come see you again.  I'm betting we will only get to see you once this next trip, but every little bit counts, right?  I've been buying things for you here and there... your room is all ready- the only thing missing is YOU!  Your big brother and sister are SO anxious to meet you too- they talk about you all the time!

With all the chaos three kids bring to a home- it still feels like something is missing.  That something is you.  We love you so much, Lina, and can't wait to bring you home. <3

Loving you from the other side of the world,

Your mama

We're just about ready....

Ready to head out on a plane to work closer to bringing Lina home!!  We got her crib all set up- thank you Uncle Jeff and Aunt Savannah!!  My sweet friend Teri gave Lina the beautiful armoire, and our awesome neighbor Robin sold us the bedroom set very cheap!  I am so happy with this room!!

We still need a curtain on the window, but we're almost there!  We won't put much on the walls yet since we don't want Lina to be over-stimulated when she first gets here.  Just coming to a new country, a new home, a new family, a new time zone- will be plenty overwhelming at first!

A crib?? Why are you putting Lina in a crib?  Isn't she 5 years old?


I have to say, I was shocked the first time I saw an orphan-no-more around Lina's age come home and sleeping in a crib also.  But our agency highly recommended it as well as other more experienced families having gone through the process.   The fact of the matter is:  she will feel more safe and secure.  She is already sleeping in a toddler size bed- we got to see the room where the children sleep and I am only assuming she is in a toddler bed and not one of the two cribs since the caregivers commented on how well she goes to sleep compared to some of the others in her groupa.  She could very well sleep in one of the cribs, I honestly do not know for sure.  Regardless, it's the same size.  Another sad fact- she is small enough.  She's about the size of a three-year-old and the size of a crib definitely suits her.  And thirdly- we want to keep her safe.  As I mentioned- coming to a new country, a new home, new surroundings, new people- she's going to be overwhelmed.  We don't know if she will act out as she adjusts.... we don't know how she will react at all.  A crib will keep her safe, even though her room is childproofed and furniture is anchored to the walls.  You just never know.

This crib does transform to a toddler bed, so I'm thinking as soon as she is home and adjusted- however long that may take- a few weeks or months- we will convert it to a toddler bed- especially since she is potty trained, and we want to encourage her to use the potty on her own and have access whenever she needs it.  As you can see we do have a twin bed already waiting for her as well for when she's ready for that transition. :)

I had fun sorting through some clothes- another mom from Evan's playgroup gave me a bag of clothes for Lina today! :) Added to some other hand-me-downs we've received from my sweet friend Jen as well as other clothes passed back through the family.... and my few splurges on clearance sales at the outlets ;) Lina is acquiring quite the wardrobe! :) I'm also hoping I can fit the big shopping bag full of new clothes for the orphanage into our suitcase when it's time to travel!

Lina's country just re-opened this week from the holidays, so we are praying and praying for a prompt court date.  Praying our paperwork gets processed in a timely manner so we can move on to the next step of this process to bring home our babygirl. <3 We love you, Lina!!

Merry Christmas, babygirl

Today, January 7th, is when Christmas is celebrated in Lina's country.  I have a heavy heart as this is the season to gather with friends and family to celebrate Christ's birth, yet Lina doesn't have anyone special in her life to celebrate with.  I wonder if they celebrate in the orphanage?  Do they have decorations?  Do they tell Christmas stories of Grandfather Frost?  Do they get to enjoy any special foods?  Holidays are for family.  Plain and simple.  Here's praying this is the last holiday to pass Lina by without a family.  I love you, little girl.

C Rodzhestvom Kristovom- With the Birth of Christ!

Happy New Year! (ok, so I'm a little late)

Whew, it has been a whirlwind of activity around here- getting through the holidays and getting back into routine as the big kids return to school and Evan resumes his therapy schedule.  I'm on a mission to get this house de-cluttered as well.

I have high hopes for 2012- the biggest part of course, gaining a daughter!  We are still in the waiting game as Lina's country is still closed for the holidays, reopening mid to late next week.  We pray our paperwork will be processed quickly so we can receive a prompt court date- they typically give 6 weeks notice, so we are crossing our fingers for sometime next month.  With the new 30-day wait, we are looking at March being the earliest we could bring Lina home.  Praying praying praying!

Also, please keep Mike in your prayers- we had our chest x-rays taken as part of the requirements for our medical exams in Lina's country- and Mike's had a couple findings.  Nothing major- just a couple notations on his bone structure.  We now need our physician to write another letter explaining that this will not affect his life expectancy and he is still capable of caring for an adoptive child.  I pray this all goes smoothly and there will be no issues regarding his health while in court nor during the medical exams.

Lina was in my dreams again last night... saw her beautiful smile, and she was so excited to come home with us. Praying this dream becomes a reality very very soon!! <3 Love you precious girl.