Sorry - no good news to report. We are still waiting. Our dossier did not get submitted on July 11th because Ukraine is not accepting any further adoption petitions. We have been told that the Ukrainian President is currently forming a decree for adoptions to begin again and it should be done within the week. So we wait some more. I can't even tell you how we are feeling about this because I am not sure. Jim is upset and angry and feeling like this will never happen. I think I am just numb to it right now. I'm not sure I can even but forth enough emotional energy to be mad or sad or anything. I'm just here and still waiting.
Today when I took the kids to Arts Fest I kept thinking - I was sure Ana would be a part of this tradition for us this summer. The same thing I think when we go to DelGrosso's, the pool, 4th of July fireworks, pretty mush everything we have done this summer.
Please pray for Ana - it has been a long wait and in our last conversation with her we talked that we thought we would be there in a few weeks :(
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Frustration
Just when we thought everything was going the way it should be - we get another jolt back to the reality that this is not our plan!
The SDA has closed down for 2 weeks. They are scheduled to reopen on July 8 and our dossier is now to be submitted on July 11. Of course, that has been the rumored date of the official shut down of the SDA to transfer the authority to another agency. We were told today that this is still just a rumored date and our facilitator was assured that the office would be open on the 11th for him to submit for us.
However, we are still very unsure of a travel date since the transfer of offices has to occur at some point and could very well happen before we are invited to travel. The frustration of all of this news came together today. We are sad that our thoughts of being reunited with Ana soon seem to be so far out of reach again. We are angry at a system that makes no sense to us and seems to run by the seat of its pants. We are frustrated that OUR PLAN of bringing Ana home during the summer when at least I am off and she can have some time to adjust to family life, learn more English and just enjoy each other, rather than in the midst of a crazy, school is starting again, activities are in full swing Raabe house seems to not be HIS PLAN.
Please pray that we can feel some peace in this process. I have decided this afternoon that I need to use the time that has been given to me to do more to prepare for Ana. We have not done much with the room or other items that need to be taken care of when she becomes part of our family. It, also, wouldn't hurt any of us to have more time to learn some Russian phrases that would be helpful in country and at home with Ana. I have used this day to feel sorry for us and even cry with heartbreak at the amount of time we still have to wait but, as I have learned, through this process since last September, no matter how much I think I have figured out how this is supposed to happen, there is only one plan that matters. I just have trouble realizing it sometimes!
The SDA has closed down for 2 weeks. They are scheduled to reopen on July 8 and our dossier is now to be submitted on July 11. Of course, that has been the rumored date of the official shut down of the SDA to transfer the authority to another agency. We were told today that this is still just a rumored date and our facilitator was assured that the office would be open on the 11th for him to submit for us.
However, we are still very unsure of a travel date since the transfer of offices has to occur at some point and could very well happen before we are invited to travel. The frustration of all of this news came together today. We are sad that our thoughts of being reunited with Ana soon seem to be so far out of reach again. We are angry at a system that makes no sense to us and seems to run by the seat of its pants. We are frustrated that OUR PLAN of bringing Ana home during the summer when at least I am off and she can have some time to adjust to family life, learn more English and just enjoy each other, rather than in the midst of a crazy, school is starting again, activities are in full swing Raabe house seems to not be HIS PLAN.
Please pray that we can feel some peace in this process. I have decided this afternoon that I need to use the time that has been given to me to do more to prepare for Ana. We have not done much with the room or other items that need to be taken care of when she becomes part of our family. It, also, wouldn't hurt any of us to have more time to learn some Russian phrases that would be helpful in country and at home with Ana. I have used this day to feel sorry for us and even cry with heartbreak at the amount of time we still have to wait but, as I have learned, through this process since last September, no matter how much I think I have figured out how this is supposed to happen, there is only one plan that matters. I just have trouble realizing it sometimes!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
On Its Way!
The past three days have been somewhat of a whirlwind. Our "Golden Ticket" came in the mail on Wednesday. Jim spent Thursday preparing the rest of the paperwork and MB, her friend, Gina and I went to Harrisburg yesterday. It took an hour and a half to have it all apostiled but it felt so good to have all that paperwork in my hands with those shiny gold seals!
Jim is at the post office right now putting it all in the mail to Fla. Our agency director is leaving for Ukraine this week and will be hand delivering our dossier. We are hoping to hear about a date the week of the 20th. There a couple of ways this could happen.
The best possible: because we sent in those initial papers in April asking to adopt Ana and a waiver of the submission date, Ukraine could approve us the same day and say we could come whenever we want. She said she has seen this happen in similar situations. Especially with kids Ana's age.
The most probable way it will happen is that we will wait to get a date from SDA which will, most likely, be in July.
The event we don't want: There are many rumors about the SDA closing to reorganize. However, there has been no official announcement of this yet. This is why we wanted to be in by mid June - that was the rumored closing time. We are hoping that we are ahead of the date (whatever it is!)
Some more good news - a phone call to Ukraine! We did not get to talk to Ana because the camp they were supposed to leave for on Friday started early. All the kids in the orphanage go to this 3 week camp in June. We did get to talk to the director and she was very excited that we were coming. She said , through our friend Liliya, that Ana (Nastia as they call her there) talks about us often and is waiting impatiently for us to get there. She also assured us that she would get word to Ana that her family called. This was a huge relief for us. With the issues we have been having we were afraid of outside interference but it seems like everything is good with the director and she is happy for Ana.
As stressful as the past couple months have been, I am starting to think that the just waiting might be the hardest part!
Jim is at the post office right now putting it all in the mail to Fla. Our agency director is leaving for Ukraine this week and will be hand delivering our dossier. We are hoping to hear about a date the week of the 20th. There a couple of ways this could happen.
The best possible: because we sent in those initial papers in April asking to adopt Ana and a waiver of the submission date, Ukraine could approve us the same day and say we could come whenever we want. She said she has seen this happen in similar situations. Especially with kids Ana's age.
The most probable way it will happen is that we will wait to get a date from SDA which will, most likely, be in July.
The event we don't want: There are many rumors about the SDA closing to reorganize. However, there has been no official announcement of this yet. This is why we wanted to be in by mid June - that was the rumored closing time. We are hoping that we are ahead of the date (whatever it is!)
Some more good news - a phone call to Ukraine! We did not get to talk to Ana because the camp they were supposed to leave for on Friday started early. All the kids in the orphanage go to this 3 week camp in June. We did get to talk to the director and she was very excited that we were coming. She said , through our friend Liliya, that Ana (Nastia as they call her there) talks about us often and is waiting impatiently for us to get there. She also assured us that she would get word to Ana that her family called. This was a huge relief for us. With the issues we have been having we were afraid of outside interference but it seems like everything is good with the director and she is happy for Ana.
As stressful as the past couple months have been, I am starting to think that the just waiting might be the hardest part!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Better Week
So, this week seems like it will be better than the way the past couple of weeks have gone. Our "Golden Ticket" is in the mail! I was hoping to see it when I got home today but maybe tomorrow. The paperwork fiasco seems to be winding down and we can see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel again. Thank goodness. We were starting to feel extremely discouraged that we could not get the forms done as fast as we would have liked.
Also, I heard from a friend today that the mid June deadline, before Ukraine switches the agency it uses for adoption, will be pushed back. This is wonderful news for us since it gives us a little more time to get everything there before they close to reorganize. With our INS form on the way, we should be in good shape! Of course, we now need to get everything to Dept of State in Harrisburg before it is sent to Ukraine. However, most of our docs have already been sent to our facilitator who is translating them as he gets them. This way, when the official paperwork gets there, it is ready to be submitted!
Also, on the Kyle front - he went to school today! It has been a fine line on how much we push him to get back into the swing of things - as much as he can get back with the thoughts of another surgery looming after this recovery. But, going back to school was the best thing for him. He was in a much better mood the rest of the day, although exhausted from using the crutches all day. Much better than sitting on the couch!
We met with the ESL teacher that will work with Ana. I feel better about what Ana will be doing in school after talking with her. She gave us lots of stuff to work on over the summer and they seem to be well prepared for ESL for next year. I think Ana will really like her. Plus, we made sure that she would be able to get chorus in her schedule since she loves to sing. It will be good for her to have something that she feels confident about during the day when everything else, I am sure, will seem so overwhelming. Ana will have ESL for 3 periods of her day and attend a regular Science and Math class. We are excited for her to start on this new venture and can't wait to find out what kinds of subjects and activities she will be most interested in.
Also, I heard from a friend today that the mid June deadline, before Ukraine switches the agency it uses for adoption, will be pushed back. This is wonderful news for us since it gives us a little more time to get everything there before they close to reorganize. With our INS form on the way, we should be in good shape! Of course, we now need to get everything to Dept of State in Harrisburg before it is sent to Ukraine. However, most of our docs have already been sent to our facilitator who is translating them as he gets them. This way, when the official paperwork gets there, it is ready to be submitted!
Also, on the Kyle front - he went to school today! It has been a fine line on how much we push him to get back into the swing of things - as much as he can get back with the thoughts of another surgery looming after this recovery. But, going back to school was the best thing for him. He was in a much better mood the rest of the day, although exhausted from using the crutches all day. Much better than sitting on the couch!
We met with the ESL teacher that will work with Ana. I feel better about what Ana will be doing in school after talking with her. She gave us lots of stuff to work on over the summer and they seem to be well prepared for ESL for next year. I think Ana will really like her. Plus, we made sure that she would be able to get chorus in her schedule since she loves to sing. It will be good for her to have something that she feels confident about during the day when everything else, I am sure, will seem so overwhelming. Ana will have ESL for 3 periods of her day and attend a regular Science and Math class. We are excited for her to start on this new venture and can't wait to find out what kinds of subjects and activities she will be most interested in.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Ups and Downs
It has been an eventful week! We started our week off with a VERY successful spaghetti dinner. We had over 200 people attend! It was great to talk to everyone about our plans and Ana. We are truly amazed at how supportive our community has been. And extremely grateful. We had a wonderful group of family and friends to help with our amazing day! It looks like we are well on our way to our goal - about $3-4000 more to go!
That same day, Kyle hurt his knee during a soccer game. Jim spent Monday and Tuesday taking Kyle to the dr, xrays and an MRI. He has torn his meniscus and possibly ACL. He is scheduled for surgery June 1. We will know more about the extent of the injury after the surgery. No driving, no soccer, not much of anything makes for a pretty miserable 16 year old. We are hopeful the the "best scenario" that the dr. gave - 4 months- is even less and that it isn't the worst - 8 months! This leads to a travel issue for us. It looks like he will not be able to travel. Since we do not have a date yet, we are hoping that by the time we go - he will be able to go with us. Not sure I can take 3 and leave one behind :(
Adoption paper work - another down of the week! Just when we think we have taken 10 steps forward, we seem to take 11 steps back! Forms need changed or redone, Keegan and Kelton's passport applications were not signed by the post office and sent back (after we paid the ridiculous expedite fees), our INS form is still not back despite many phone calls, it seems like we can't win. Jim has dealt with most of the stress resulting from this since he is more available during the day to be on the phone with "people who can not handle doing their jobs" - direct quote by Jim many times during the past week.
So, we are hoping that this week has more good news than bad - expecting our INS paper, the boys' passports and hopeful the forms that needed slight changes will be done. As our forms are done, they are being sent to be translated. So when the official forms are finally there, they will just need to be submitted. It looks like we won't be making our early June date (since that is only 3 days away). But, as hard as it is to except, we know that it will all come together in God's time.
That same day, Kyle hurt his knee during a soccer game. Jim spent Monday and Tuesday taking Kyle to the dr, xrays and an MRI. He has torn his meniscus and possibly ACL. He is scheduled for surgery June 1. We will know more about the extent of the injury after the surgery. No driving, no soccer, not much of anything makes for a pretty miserable 16 year old. We are hopeful the the "best scenario" that the dr. gave - 4 months- is even less and that it isn't the worst - 8 months! This leads to a travel issue for us. It looks like he will not be able to travel. Since we do not have a date yet, we are hoping that by the time we go - he will be able to go with us. Not sure I can take 3 and leave one behind :(
Adoption paper work - another down of the week! Just when we think we have taken 10 steps forward, we seem to take 11 steps back! Forms need changed or redone, Keegan and Kelton's passport applications were not signed by the post office and sent back (after we paid the ridiculous expedite fees), our INS form is still not back despite many phone calls, it seems like we can't win. Jim has dealt with most of the stress resulting from this since he is more available during the day to be on the phone with "people who can not handle doing their jobs" - direct quote by Jim many times during the past week.
So, we are hoping that this week has more good news than bad - expecting our INS paper, the boys' passports and hopeful the forms that needed slight changes will be done. As our forms are done, they are being sent to be translated. So when the official forms are finally there, they will just need to be submitted. It looks like we won't be making our early June date (since that is only 3 days away). But, as hard as it is to except, we know that it will all come together in God's time.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Getting Closer and Great Friends
It has been 9 months since we made the decision to adopt Ana. I think I can honestly say that these 9 months have been far more stressful than any of the 4 other nine month experiences. Just like the others, I have lost sleep, spent lots of time wondering what life will be like with our new child and have done many things to prepare. The difference is I had a better sense of the whole process and what to expect (ok, maybe not with Kyle) and I am pretty sure that I did not feel the stress that I have felt over the past couple of months. However, I can't speak for Jim and the stress he felt during my pregnancies!
Today I picked up our last piece of paperwork - my medical form. It took forever to get it all finalized (long story) but it is finally done! Tomorrow we take all the other papers (14) to the notary and then send them to Harrisburg for the apostile then.... we wait. Wait for the translations to be finished, wait for the papers to get to Ukraine - we haven't had good luck with this so far, hoping this set of paperwork gets there sooner than the last! Wait for our SDA date. Praying that it all comes together quickly so we can finally see Ana again!
Tonight I sat at Mary Beth's chorus concert thinking, next year we will be watching our TWO eighth grade daughters up on stage singing! I got teary just thinking about watching MB and her sister singing together! We have so many memories to make as a family of 7!
I am amazed and grateful for all of the help coming from family and friends and people we barely know for our fundraiser on Sunday. We are so blessed to live in such a caring and giving community and feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. I have felt so much stronger over the past week and I know that all of the prayers for our family and the support that has been offered have given me a sense of peace. Thank you to all of you. Know that you are making a huge difference in a child's life and helping to give her a forever family!
Today I picked up our last piece of paperwork - my medical form. It took forever to get it all finalized (long story) but it is finally done! Tomorrow we take all the other papers (14) to the notary and then send them to Harrisburg for the apostile then.... we wait. Wait for the translations to be finished, wait for the papers to get to Ukraine - we haven't had good luck with this so far, hoping this set of paperwork gets there sooner than the last! Wait for our SDA date. Praying that it all comes together quickly so we can finally see Ana again!
Tonight I sat at Mary Beth's chorus concert thinking, next year we will be watching our TWO eighth grade daughters up on stage singing! I got teary just thinking about watching MB and her sister singing together! We have so many memories to make as a family of 7!
I am amazed and grateful for all of the help coming from family and friends and people we barely know for our fundraiser on Sunday. We are so blessed to live in such a caring and giving community and feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. I have felt so much stronger over the past week and I know that all of the prayers for our family and the support that has been offered have given me a sense of peace. Thank you to all of you. Know that you are making a huge difference in a child's life and helping to give her a forever family!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Yay!
So, we are really trying to focus on the end goal this week (even though, the negative force from last week seems to be trying even harder to mess with us at the present time). But progress towards our goal of Ana being home:
* Fingerprints done! Now we wait for the form to be returned but we have done everything we need for this step now. Waiting might be the hardest part!
* After tomorrow, all of the dossier paperwork will be completed and ready to be notarized (1/2 of it already is) and then apostilled! It will then be sent to Ukraine for translation.
*Remember the FedEx package that was not delivered on time? It is now in our facilitators hands and will be taken care of this week!
* Fundraiser in full swing! Started advertising and set up an adoption fund with our church. We have so many good friends who have stepped up to help. We are feeling blessed to have such a great group of friends and family to help and pray for us!
Feeling like we are on the right track! I love progress!
* Fingerprints done! Now we wait for the form to be returned but we have done everything we need for this step now. Waiting might be the hardest part!
* After tomorrow, all of the dossier paperwork will be completed and ready to be notarized (1/2 of it already is) and then apostilled! It will then be sent to Ukraine for translation.
*Remember the FedEx package that was not delivered on time? It is now in our facilitators hands and will be taken care of this week!
* Fundraiser in full swing! Started advertising and set up an adoption fund with our church. We have so many good friends who have stepped up to help. We are feeling blessed to have such a great group of friends and family to help and pray for us!
Feeling like we are on the right track! I love progress!
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