Won't be long now

This week is beginning much better than last week.
Today I tracked our documents (that were sent DHL on Friday) and discovered that they are already in Moscow and signed for. Praise God! I know that the translation process is in the works and that is another step closer to a court date.
Also, another couple adopting from the same region (Voronezh) has finally received their court date, so we can't be too far behind! We are thrilled for the Sheldons and hope to meet them in the near future. Thanks Missy for sharing your journey, our hearts are with you, and we rejoice with you.
Natalie's room now has a crib, a rocking recliner, and a dollhouse bookcase. Hopefully tonight we will tackle the changing table/dresser and hang the window treatments. I love just sitting in the recliner, staring into the crib, with the nightlight on . . . . . . soon she'll be sleeping there and my heart is bursting with anticipation!

The Paperchase Continues . . . .

It's only Tuesday, and this week has already been filled with so much craziness! We finally received the documents I sent to Richmond for apostille on Saturday, only to find out that two of them must be redone. Today I met with our FC (family coordinator) to discover that 4 of the apostilled documents must also be redone. Two of which were our medicals which are a bit difficult to obtain in the first place. For some reason they completed our medicals but not on letterhead. This is unacceptable--why didn't I catch that? As soon as I left the agency, I drove to the doctor's office to see what could be done. We go to a group of doctors, so we don't always see the same one and at this point I didn't care. I was not going to leave until a doctor, any doctor filled out our health form on letterhead. After explaining my situation to several people at the doctor's, someone finally came up with a solution to fix the documents, but their notary had already gone home for the day. Here's my "but God" moment for the day: I have a friend who is a notary and she hopped in her car and met me at the doctors to notarize the signature. Just when you think there is no solution, God steps in--I love 'but God' moments. Thank you Jesus and thank you Chelle!
Thursday I will drive to Richmond and get these fixed documents apostilled so we can DHL them to Moscow on Friday for translation and ultimately receive a court date soon. This journey just keeps us laughing, crying and on our knees. It will be so worth it when we have Natalie in our arms. Steve reminded me that Sunday was Natalie's last Easter without her family. :)

Karen

ONE more piece of paper!

I had hoped to have all our paperwork heading to Richmond tomorrow for the apostille seals .. . . . but we are still waiting for our police clearances. Pray that they come quickly, so I can send them as well. It has only taken one month to gather everything, but a month away from our little girl has seemed like an eternity. As soon as all documents are sealed, our dossier will head to Russia for translation and then we should hear about a court date. I am thankful to be near the end of this paperchase once again--hopefully the last time!

Steve and I are having so much fun getting the house ready for our daughter: putting together furniture, measuring entry ways for safety gates, cleaning out closets (o.k. this is really only fun for me), working on the baby shower registry and having great conversations that begin with "when Natalie is here . . . ." :)

So, the journey continues. Thank you for walking alongside us--you are loved!
Karen