Welcome Baby Hailey!

One of my (many) cousins in Florida delivered a beautiful baby girl on Wednesday! Welcome to the world and to our family Hailey! I can't wait to see pictures...

It's moments like this that really make me miss my dad, sister, niece & nephew, grandpa, my mom's huband, my aunts and uncles and my many, many (many!) cousins. I love you all & hope to be home again soon.

Oh, and Hailey shares her birthday with someone I respect and love very much - my dad!

Congratulations on your baby girl! SEND PHOTOS!! :-)

Doggie Hague Requirements

Per Federal regulations and the Hague Standard (pronounced heyg), Norm and I are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of education courses regarding IA issues. We actually finished our courses a few weeks ago and they were all very informative.

I love my dogs. Love them. I admit, I am a nutty dog person. And I'm proud of that. Is my husband proud of my nuttiness? Not so much! :-) I constantly embarrass him in public by asking complete strangers if I can pet their dog, and then go on and on about my own. My dogs are the reason I became involved in animal rescue, and why I do my best to educate prospective pet families about the relationship their children will have with a pet they try to adopt from me or one of my rescue affiliates.

My own dogs have grown accustomed to receiving constant attention and why not? They're fabulous dogs! However, they do need to get used to the thought of a little one running around soon. So, I've created my own version of Doggie Hague Requirements!

Meet their surrogate baby brother/sister. (Yes people, it's a doll!)




We have been using this doll to help Bailey & Bandit learn proper baby manners. Unfortunately, this is NOT what we had in mind:


(Hence the "Dingo's got my baby!" reference earlier this week).

Obviously the first introduction didn't go as we had planned, but keep in mind that the picture looks way worse than it actually was. Bandit (a.k.a. Buddy) was yawning and was too close to the doll, so it looks like he's biting its leg.

Bay & Buddy are also getting a primer in baby noises, thanks to the "Preparing Fido" CD I found online last weekend:




We have an intercom system throughout the house and there is no escape for the pups when we pop the CD in. (Which translates into no escape for us either! Hmmm..whose ideas was this?) When the CD is playing we place the doll by the speaker so that they can start to associate the noises with it. It's hilarious to watch them twist their heads at the high pitched cries. At first they were very interested and curious about what all the ruckus was but now they're getting used to all of it.

I'm also going to speak to a few trainer friends of mine to see if they can give us any additional advice as to how to make this transition as smooth for all of us as possible. For now, though, my pups are progressing along very nicely with their Hague training! But then again, they are brilliant!

4 Down - NONE to go!

Despite the lack of posting, we have been pretty busy on the adoption front this week. We had our final visit with the SW - at our house - today. Here's a brief overview of what we covered with her:

• Signing a few new forms: the first had to do with interstate adoption which is necessary in case we decide to adopt domestically instead of internationally. Let's say a birthmother in another state somehow hears of our intent to adopt and would like to place her child with us. If we choose to switch to a domestic adoption rather than IA, we may do so and our HS agency will support us in that decision. However, the interstate agreement states that we need to follow the laws of BOTH states, not just the laws of Virginia.
• By signing the second form, we both acknowledged and agreed that there are alternative forms of discipline other than corporal punishment.
• We then discussed our desired child at great length. We are still asking for a relatively heahtlhy child under the age of 2. With that said, however, there are realistically some conditions that our child may have but won't present themselves until he/she is in school. We also stated that we would be open for twins or a sibling group. We are still going with our original decision to not specify a gender.
• She then took a tour of the house, met and interviewed Judy for the first time, and also met our wonderful dogs. Somehow she missed the cats. Not sure how that happened since they were sunbathing on our bed when she walked in our bedroom... But I'm sure they were much happier not being noticed!
• She gave us a list of things she is still waiting for such as: (1) one personal reference letter, (2) our pastor's reference letter, (3) our clearances from CPS (child protective services), (4) Judy's criminal history, which as I explained a few days ago had to be resubmitted.
• I was THRILLED to find out I completed the dreaded 5 page financial statement correctly.
• Norm completed the Fire Escape Plan, which we submitted today
• We both completed our Daily Schedules and also submitted them today.

I do have another homework assignment to keep me busy. She asked me to make a list of everything we have done, read, or whatever to prepare and educate ourselves on adoption issues. A few days ago I ordered our child's first books - "Mishka" and "When I Met You." Both of these books are geared specifically towards children adopted from Russia or Eastern Europe. I received them today and they're great. I also have a ton of books and magazines that Norm and I have been reading over the past 2 years. So it shouldn't be that difficult to prepare this list and I've given myself a deadline of Sunday to email it to her.

Depending on how closely you've been following our journey, you may have noticed a new slide show on the right sidebar. Last weekend Chef Judy, Norm & I went to BabiesRUs just to "look." Yeah....right! We saw a beautiful crib that we all actually agreed on, which of course meant we couldn't pass it up. We also all agreed on the bedding, the border and the valance... WOAH! Now this was just fate! So, the new slideshow depicts how we spent our evenings this past week. Hmmm...maybe I shouldn't say "we" because Norm and Judy really did the vast majority of the work. I'm allergic to paint so I couldn't help much with that part. I helped by staying out of the way!

Now, I know many of you may be thinking it is way too early in this process for us to be setting up the nursery, painting, putting up borders and assembling cribs. I must be honest and tell you that at first I thought the same thing. However, after having a few stressful days this week I can say that it is inspiring to have that room set up and simply waiting to be occupied. It is my assurance that this WILL happen, even if we encounter bumps along the way. It is my reminder that while God and I have the same goal, we do have different time lines. His time line is not only going to trump my own, his time line is much better than I can even begin to imagine right now!

There's more to write but I'll sign off for now and catch you up on the rest of the week's happenings tomorrow. Hope you enjoy the nursery photos!

4 Steps Forward, ½ Step Back

I think the last time I posted was on Wednesday after Norm had his personal interview with the SW. Since then we’ve checked a few more things off of our “TO DO” list and had one very minor setback. First, the good news…

Progress!

• Thursday our SW visited one of our personal references in their home. I had no idea what to expect for our friends, J & M, during this visit or how long it would take. After seeing the form our other personal references had to complete (4 PAGES that weren’t even multiple choice or “yes/no”!!), I expected the worst for poor J & M. Well, I’m not sure if I expected the worst FOR them or FROM “J”!! J You see, they are great friends of ours but “J” and & I constantly pick on and harass each other. He is more like a big brother and I LOVE to pester him! He had been teasing me up until Thursday with things he supposedly had planned to tell the SW…all wonderful things about Norm but not so good things about me. Of course, I knew he was kidding around (and made it very clear that he BETTER be kidding around) and I’m proud to report that he did indeed behave himself! Thank you, J!
• Our SW emailed me on Friday to tell me that she had already received our criminal histories back…and neither of us are criminals!
• Norm completed his daily schedule
• And finally….I COMPLETED THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT!! I plan to reward myself with a hot fudge & peanut butter sundae from Buster’s Ice Cream tomorrow! Yum!!

Now, I do have a financial statement that I have to complete for the dossier but surprisingly it isn’t as complicated as the one I just completed for the home study. (The HS form was 5 pages long!) I should be able to just copy the info that is the same onto the dossier statement and we’re good to go.

And now for the setback :-(

• Our SW also wrote in her Friday email that the criminal history form she had us fill out for Chef Judy was apparently the wrong form. We need to redo it, renotarize it, and remail it. This really is a relatively minor issue. Oh, and for those of you who may not know who Chef Judy is, “meet” Norm’s mom. She has lived with us for the past year and as an adult household member, there are certain forms and steps she needs to take as well.

As far as I’m concerned, my finishing the financial statement far outweighs having to redo Judy’s criminal history forms.

I think that about covers it for now. We had a pretty full day of activities today – but I’ll wait until tomorrow to bring you up to date on all of that fun. Here’s a prelude though…color schemes, patterns, hex wrench, and stuffed animals!

Oh, and does anyone remember this line from a movie –

“THE DINGO’S GOT MY BABY!!!” Stay tuned…

Have a blessed evening!
Tig & Kar

OOPSIE-Email link works now

Okay - I'm going for a record here - 3 posts in one evening!
I had no idea that our email link wasn't working. THANK YOU SEESTOR for letting me know! The link on the sidebar has been fixed - just in case though feel free to drop us a line at karyn0995@yahoo.com.

I've Been Tagged!

There's a first time for everything - and this is the first time I've been "tagged"! Woo-hoo! I feel like a true blogger now! Susan tagged me on her blog - so here goes...

Job's I've Had:
1. Prosecutor Office Manager
2. IT Trainer
3. Air National Guard
4. United States Air Force
5. Paralegal

Places I've Lived:
1. Northern Virginia
2. Andrews AFB
3. Brooks AFB
4. Lackland AFB
5. West Palm Beach, FL

Foods I Love:
1. Chocolate
2. French Fries
3. Chocolate
4. Italian
5. Chocolate

Places I'd Rather Be:
Home from our 2nd trip to Russia!

Places I've Traveled:
1. Yikes! Might be easier to say where I haven’t been!
2. Nearly everywhere in the US
4. Hawaii
5. England
6. Italy
7. But my favorite is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Movies I Love:
1. Meet the Faukers
2. Bourne movies
3. Somewhere in Time
4. Land Before Time
5. Grease

Shows I Watch:
1. Lost
2. Amazing Race
3. Dirty Jobs
4. NCIS
5. The Unit

Books I Love:
1. Marley – The World’s “Worst” Dog
2. Harry Potter (all!)
3. Anything really – I love to read!

Your Favorite Physical Feature About You:
Hmmm…I guess it would be my smile. It reminds me of my mom, whose smile was warm and genuine and filled with love.

Current CD In Your CD Player:
1. Casting Crowns
2. Avalon
3. Barlowgirl
4. Big Daddy Weave
5. Jars of Clay
6. Third Day

So now I must return the favor. Hey Beth - you're it!!

3 Down 1 To Go

Wow - it seems like just yesterday I posted about our first official HS interview, and here we are with only 1 visit left now. Norm had his individual appointment this morning at 9am. I couldn't concentrate on anything at work until he called me at 10 to let me know he was headed back home. (He works from home - lucky him!) Once again my anxities proved to be unfounded. All went fine but we do have a few minor homework assignments.

• I need to finish the dreaded financial statement
• We both need to complete our "desired child" profile
• Norm needs to finish the fire escape plan
• We both need to complete our daily schedule outlines

Tomorrow our SW is making a home visit to one of our 3 personal referrals. Then, next Friday, she comes out for the interview at our house and well, we're done after that! She is still waiting for replies from some of the outside agencies. Once she gets all of those responses, she writes her report and the HS is done! So far all of it is going much quicker than I thought it would. Let's hope the journey continues to go so smoothly!

I Survived

Hey everybody!

Let's take a quick poll...how many of you remembered that today was my personal interview with the SW?! I'm sure you are all sitting on pins & needles waiting to see how it went. Well, as the title of this entry suggests I did, infact, survive!

As with our joint interview it wasn't bad at all. She referred to my autobiography and "filled in the holes" that were needed to complete her report. We talked a little about how Norm & I met, our "courtship" (BTW - does anyone actually use that term anymore??), my hobbies and interests, clubs I'm a member of, etc. I was perfectly at ease and started to actually enjoy our conversation. Imagine that...

She then asked questions about my family and childhood. All good of course - you did an EXCELLENT job daddy! Rob, of course you are an EXCELLENT seestor as well!

She also asked a lot of questions about my mom, who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2003. I held up well in the interview but now that I'm home, I have to admit that I'm feeling pretty sad that my mom and my child will not know each other in this life. I really wish my mom were here to share this experience with. I am comforted knowing she is in heaven - - playing and cuddling with the two little ones I lost in 2006 & 2000. I know all 3 of them are restored and healthy, as are Great-Grandmother, Grandmother, Grandma, Grandaddy, Uncle Buddy, Uncle Bill, Auntie Nedra, Ti Lidia, Meme, Ti Alice, and all of our other loved ones who have passed before us. (I apologize for those I didn't specifically name.) Each of these family members and friends is watching over Norm & me as we immerse ourselves into our adoption miracle. Your and their love is felt, is needed, and is so very appreciated!

We're off to our Small Group Bible study. Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Kar

Questions and Answers

Good evening! I thought I'd answer some of the common questions Norm & I have been asked since we created the blog. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back & relax for a bit. Happy reading!

Q: Are you adopting a boy or a girl?
A: We're not sure because we didn't specify a gender preference. However, there are more boys available for adoption in Russia than girls. We're assuming at this point that we will most likely receive a referral for a little boy. (KERI - read that sentence again!!)

Q: Referral? What's that?
A: Once a child is available to be adopted by a US family, the family receives a "referral" for that child. In most instances, the family has 2 weeks to either accept or decline the referral. The referral may give us limited medical and personal info, as well as photographs. (NOTE: There are some regions in Russia where you travel "blind", which means that you do not receive a referral prior to traveling. You are just given dates and are introduced to a child or children when you arrive.)

Q: When will your baby come home?
A: Again, we're not entirely sure. Here's why -

• In addition to the home study, there is a ton of paperwork that needs to be done, known as the Dossier (pronounced dah-see-ay). A lot depends on how quickly we can complete and submit our Dossier.
• Once the Dossier is submitted it is translated into Russian and we are assigned a region.
• After we are assigned a region we will eventually receive our referral. If we accept our referral, we will make our first trip to Russia shortly thereafter. The first trip is typically 5-7 days. We will meet our child during this trip and, hopefully, officially accept the referral. Sadly, we will have to return home without our child and wait to receive our court and travel dates for the 2nd trip.
• Between the 1st and 2nd trips, we will have to complete MORE papers for our Dossier. Again, the quicker we get the 2nd set of documents ready, the quicker we may receive our travel dates for the 2nd trip.
• Once we do get our 2nd travel dates, we will go back to Russia for our court date. This trip will last approximately 21 days. Then, we come home again but this time with our child!
• NOTE: Our agency currently seems to be receiving referrals and travel dates much quicker than other agencies we spoke to. On average, the couples we spoke to who used (or are using) the same agency as us said their timeline, from start to finish, was between 6-8 months.

Q: Are you adopting more than 1 child?
A: Possibly. We would be open to adopting twins/siblings but we are also open to adopting 1 child.

Q: So, how old will your child be?
A: Guess how I'm going to answer this one? That's right...we're not exactly sure! Seems to be a theme here, huh? You see, children in Russia must be on a national database for 9-10 months prior to becoming eligible for adoption by foreigners. This gives their birth family a chance to make sure they made the right decision and also gives other Russian families a chance to adopt them. So, our child will be at least 9-10 months old when we bring him/her/them home. When you factor in all of our travel time, realistically our child will be closer to 12-15 months old. Here's what I CAN tell you - we requested a relatively healthy child who is 24 months old or younger.

Okay, I think that covers the questions re our little one. If I left anything out, drop us a line. We'll be here!

More Than Just Talking...

There is more to the HS (home study) than the 4 visits with the SW that I mentioned a few days ago. We were given a rather lengthy list of documents we needed to round up as well. Our SW will use the info from the interviews, as well as the items listed below, to write a report and determine whether or not we are suitable parents for our little one.

For Us To Do
Recent, close up photos of us
Require Reading - Raising Adopted Children
Fire Escape Plan
Description of our Daily Schedules (Hmmm…BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER home study/dossier prep work??!!)
Financial Statement w/ Verification Documents


Waiting on Outside Agencies
References: 3 personal friends and family members – names given to SW to contact
Child Protective Services Release of Information – mailed 10/31/07
National Background Checks – mailed 10/30/07

COMPLETED Home Study Items
Complete physicals for all household members
Autobiographies (5 pages!!)
Copies of Birth Certs
Copy of Marriage License
Life Insurance Verification
Income from Previous Year
Driving Transcripts for last 10 years
Criminal History Records
Sworn Disclosure Statements
References - Employers
DD214 for both of us
10 Hr. Online Training as per Hague Treaty
Require Reading - How it Feels to be Adopted
Releases of Information for International Agency & USCIS (2)

So, we’re doing a pretty good job on this stuff. The financial statement is going to cause me the most grief though because you need back up statements/verification for each & every expense or asset you have. It’s just going to be a bit painful to get through but we’ll manage. Or, I should say I’LL manage because Norm is staying far, far away from this particular document. Instead, he’ll busy himself with the Fire Escape Plan. Lucky him…he gets to draw! Grrrr……