Good friends of ours, Mr. and Mrs B., are leaving town tomorrow morning. Mr. B. has been given a job promotion, and it requires a move to a new city. He has worked very hard for this, and they have sacrificed greatly as a family. We are thrilled for them, but it's also very bittersweet, because our time together was so short. The Lord very clearly orchestrated Mrs. B and I meeting one another, and the friendship that followed between our families. We know God is in control of this new opportunity, and their move as well. Even though we know that, it doesn't make it any easier. Already there have been tears shed....(many by me)....
So, tonight I just had to thank the Lord for the time we did have together in this city. For the way He introduced us, for the many days of fellowship with children, and then for the evenings all together as families, talking, laughing and sharing a meal. It has been such a privilege and a blessing sharing our lives with this family, that I wouldn't trade for the world!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
One of those days....
Today was one of those edgy days... I wasn't easily annoyed, just seemingly on edge all day. I wasn't even moody...I can't very well describe it, just not relaxed.
We had to go to the mall this evening to get a few things. Just a few things. Now, I have to tell you that we have lived in this city for over a year and I have been to the mall only 4 times. (Yes, my husband does know he is blessed!) So, after we pick up our purchases....the boys and I decide to grab a quick bite to eat there. Both are either asking questions or daydreaming off into all the mall activity, while I'm trying to get their orders to the very patient girl behind the register. Just all the activity around on a busy Saturday at the mall....and getting my boys attention....and trying to carry bags and dinner etc. I jokingly said to myself: "What am I gonna do when I have two more?!?!" The girl behind the register laughed, and so did I...but I was half serious there.
Then we got home from the mall, and my oldest son and I started to bake the World's Famous Brownies from a cookbook he won. We are having company over tomorrow and he really wanted to make these... My husband was making himself dinner as he was at a work function. So in the middle of baking, my son gets a little excited and speedy gonzales like, and tries to scoot quickly around his dad in the kitchen, ducks and runs into the metal part of the stove. I heard the collision, and turn around to see him bent over and then start crying. (It takes a lot to get my 9 year old to cry, so I know it really hurt). Then I see he hit his eye. Oh dear Lord, not the eye. Long story about an eye incident with him at 3 yrs old, that brings back memories for me. Not good ones either. Anyway, I start getting panicky...(remember I've been edgy all day). Chris is the calm one and sees that he hit under the eye...all I see is the red and already bruising eye. Flash forwrd a few minutes.....By now my ds is not crying anymore, and he is okay, it just hurts..."can we get back to the brownies, Mom?" Me thinking to myself: Um, no...mom has to have a good cry in her room first and get this obvious stress out of my system, since I don't drink or smoke. lol! I really really wanted to take him in to have it looked at, but Chris who has had many a black eye said, it is fine. I did check and he could see just fine, it just is going to look really bad for a few days.
But it was stressful! Then my younger son (ds2) says to me before bed, in all seriousness.... "Um, Mom I don't think I'm going to throw up tonight...... but maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday." (Gee thanks, lets throw a little more on the fire. Oh and btw- thanks for the advance warning....) Chris said that boy knows me so well... the older ds was getting some attention, so he just had to throw that in there to get a bit of attention himself. Good grief! So, I again ask myself...what am I going to do when I have two more? I guess God is going to have to grow me and stretch me to handle it! One thing for sure... I am glad he gave me my husband. My calming force. :-)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Two weeks down....50 more to go!
Actually, that's a little bit under the time frame we were given on how long it will be to adopt a sibling group from Russia. Our agency said it could be perhaps 14 months. But, I'm just looking at a year for now.
Today I had to take my younger son to the pediatrician. We had to go to a different office location, and our regular doctor was on vacation, so we saw someone else. I really liked this physician as well. At the end of our time I asked about another physician in their practice who I was informed had adopted children from Russia. I mentioned it because we are in the process of adopting internationally and when we bring our children home, we would like them to be seen by this physician. He mentioned the doctor's name, and that he did indeed adopt 4 children, all at once, from Russia! What is cool is that he will do consultations before your trip to tell you what to look for, how to evaluate a child and the medical documentation. He will also set up the first pediatric visit on your return to the states with a thorough check up. Yeah! I'm so glad that I found this out! I think Chris and I may be setting up a consultation with him in September. How cool is that!
Today I had to take my younger son to the pediatrician. We had to go to a different office location, and our regular doctor was on vacation, so we saw someone else. I really liked this physician as well. At the end of our time I asked about another physician in their practice who I was informed had adopted children from Russia. I mentioned it because we are in the process of adopting internationally and when we bring our children home, we would like them to be seen by this physician. He mentioned the doctor's name, and that he did indeed adopt 4 children, all at once, from Russia! What is cool is that he will do consultations before your trip to tell you what to look for, how to evaluate a child and the medical documentation. He will also set up the first pediatric visit on your return to the states with a thorough check up. Yeah! I'm so glad that I found this out! I think Chris and I may be setting up a consultation with him in September. How cool is that!
Monday, August 6, 2007
First 1000 Words....
Today was one of those days when it kind of sunk in that we are actually adopting from Russia. The mailman had to deliver mail to our door today, as one particular package would not fit in the mailbox. It was from our adoption agency. It was in a mailer and sent Media Mail. When I opened it up this is what I discovered....
Isn't that sweet? I showed Chris when he got home from work. As he was looking at it, he said, "And all the words are in Russian!" lol! Well, ya hon..... To which he replies.. "Then how am I supposed to know what it is?" lol! Actually I have to say some of them are pretty hard to figure out. Maybe Usborne books has the same pictures in their First Thousand Words that is printed in English. Then we can compare! lol! I will say, I am reminded of how difficult Russian is. Their letters are not even the same as ours. Well...some of them are, but some are not. And who knows if the letter really corresponds with the same one in the English language. I can't even show you what those would look like, as it isn't on my computer keyboard. I'm sure some tech savvy folks could figure out how to do this... but not me. I just learned how to text message people, and even that takes me forever to type one message! (But at least I know how to text now!)
Anyway....this First 1000 words in Russian has the words printed with Russian letters under a picture of something... and then in English letters it has the pronunciation (like you would find in a dictionary). Very tough to say. Let's see if I can at least give you an example of the pronunciation of a few words.
toothpaste = zoobnaya pasta
stairs = lestneetsa
pillow = padooshka
chicken = tsiplyonak
Of course I'm showing how to pronounce these words using the English alphabet. If I were to show the Russian letters, I don't think anyone would have a clue! ;-)
So, that was a small reminder that we are adopting from Russia! That and some more forms for filling out additional visa applications and photos. A travel guide for Russia from our agency with step by step info on all of that. Also a brochure on Russian etiquette, culture and customs. So, I guess we'll be busy reading some more. There was also a paper on understanding a child's medical documents and some of the medical terminology commonly used. Which reminds me that we need to get some references for international adoption physicians to utilize. Even though we won't be traveling for a year or so...(unless things speed up immensely), it's good to be prepared.
That's all for now....
Jackie
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Dossier Headed to Russia!
I just got word that our dossier is officially headed to Russia tomorrow (August 3rd)! Woohoo!!!
Thank you to our very special friends and family that wrote references for us, so that we could get to this moment. Thank you also to so many for all your prayers.
Phase one: Paperchasing is pretty much over.... Now we are what they call: "Paper Pregnant"! lol! Here is a t shirt that I saw online, I thought it was perfect for today's news!
Thank you to our very special friends and family that wrote references for us, so that we could get to this moment. Thank you also to so many for all your prayers.
Phase one: Paperchasing is pretty much over.... Now we are what they call: "Paper Pregnant"! lol! Here is a t shirt that I saw online, I thought it was perfect for today's news!
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