What a day!! Phew!

Started first thing, had about 8-10 stops on my list, added 4 more...but done!! Got updated paperwork for docs we got right at the start last March- As they will expire mid March this year, most likely before we have court. (Seems so silly to me to have to update marriage license, deeds and birth certificates, but I guess they all do prove that our information is not made up.  If enough information is gathered from enough agencies that are then all notarized, county certified and apostilled and they all match, they must be true.) Got documents county certified at the Licking County Court house.  Much better experience this time:) Thank you, God, for smoothing the way!!

Only have 25 documents done and sent in so far today. FedEx envelope was right at 4 pounds.  Probably about 10 docs or more to go, but they are dependent upon knowing who you are so we can include your name and age and details about you, oh, and other new items the judge keeps throwing in...hoping our W-2's come in soon so we can get our 1040's in as well.

Oh, I sooo can't wait to see your face, hold you in my arms, watch Tim scoop you up and give you kisses as we all do a group hug.  Eli is busting at the seems and sooo ready to be a big brother.  I wonder... will you have your own smell when we snuggle you close?  It seemed so crazy that Eli had no smell...I'll have to bring some baby magic or johnson's baby shampoo....:) It is a good thing you aren't coming too soon, though!! You should see how much stuff we have collected in your room in the crib, all ready to pack. 

Thank you, Sweet Jesus that you have all this under control.  Nothing surprises you.  Thank you for the peace that gives me as my worry-wort uber organizer gene kicks in and I feel flustered that this process isn't happening just as I imagine it should.  Thank you for Your mercies in disguise, causing us to lean ever more fully on you, trusting you for our next step completely.  In you is NO FEAR, only COMPLETION of JOY.  Thank you for teaching us to trust ever more fully in you!

Soon...

Oh sweet baby!! We are beginning to feel such incredible excitement!! We heard this week that we should be hearing VERY soon who you are!! Oh the incredible joy that is bubbling in my heart just thinking about it.  Our coordinator has been so laid back so far... encouraging us not to get too excited too quickly.  Now she is encouraging us to get all our paperwork done and into her as soon as we can.  Yippee!!

It was almost a crushing blow to that sweet bubbling joy to find out that we may not have court until after the end of May.  We are doing a homestudy update now, since that will expire at end of May.  But the wonderful thing about that...the paperwork we already started on that was due to expire is the same paperwork that we need to complete to update our Homestudy, so that paperwork is almost finished within minutes of us finding out what we need to turn in:) 


I am so blown away at the gentle love of God the Father who is looking upon us with such favor.  Instead of saying Why me?? in a complaining tone, as Many have done before, I find myself saying it in a hushed reverent tone.  Why me, blessed Savior?  I feel so undeserving, yet so completely filled, and loved and covered.  Cherished by God.  What a place to be in.  My prayer is that our little one on the other side of the world is also wrapped in that love, learning about God from God Himself.  

In God's perfect timing we will come and meet you, return for court and see you again and then come back one last time and bring you to your forever family.  To the arms and hearts that have been longing for you for so long.  Hang on sweet baby, hold tight to God.  He is preparing that family for you and you for us.  We CANNOT wait to meet you and hold you and love on you in person for the very first time.  And we know that God knows that day you will be home and nothing will change that!!

Latest Update

Christmas was a wonderful time this year, with us having the opportunity to spend time with both sides of our family.  More on that in a later post:)

The average time frame for families adopting from Russia has been 6 months from submission into their region.  We were submitted into our region at the end of May.  Though we were hoping for a phone call with information on who our child is at the beginning of December, the shut down times for holidays extended that wait.  The American Embassy was closed the last week of the year, and the Russian Govn't the first 2 weeks...
The Russian government reopened on January 10.  I am so hoping for some word this next week.

Still not much of an idea of what to expect with our travel.  I do chuckle to myself about that... Tim and I were hesitant to go to Russia for a second adoption for fear we would find ourselves comparing the children as well as the trip.  I guess it must have become an unspoken prayer, as God answered that.  With the extension of the wait time and the new 3 trip process, this trip with be very little like our first process was for Eli.

I can't wait to get started and find out!!

Day before yesterday, Eli and I were sitting down eating breakfast, getting ready for school.  As our conversation normally trends, I was asking him if he had any interesting dreams... He said no at first, and then looked up at me with a huge grin and said, "YES! I dreamed my Baby Sister came home today!!"

I said, "Hmmm... wouldn't that be wonderful.  What was her name?"

"Baby Sister," he replied.

I tweaked his nose and said, "You can't call her Baby Sister, Silly Goose!! She needs a name:))"

"How about Velma, like on Scooby Doo?" He replied.  HEHHEHEE

Looking forward to sharing A LOT more info soon:)  Thank you for your continued prayers!