Got some good news today!

I talked with my casemanager this morning...it looks like we are on target for traveling to Russia on our first trip in March. If all continues to go well and there are no hang ups we could know as early as the first week of March when we are traveling.

We have 2 documents that we still need for our updated dossier from our homestudy agency that needs to be in before the second week of Feb. It's been 2 weeks since I've checked with my homestudy agency so it looks like an update call is needed for tomorrow to see how those documents are coming!!

For our 2nd trip we will need my updated employment letter, updated medicals on the whole family and of course that 171-H. I may be sending a courtesy letter by next week to my friend at USCIS office to check the status of that little paper. My casemanager is not worried yet as I won't need it till our 2nd trip for court and the Embassy. If we travel in March our second trip will likely be May (if we run into no problems) I can't believe it!! In possibly just 4 months our daughter could be home with us forever!!!

Whoohoo!! I'm so excited!!

He sent us a travel pack to start getting ready for the big trip. It looks like we are going to be busy for awhile just getting ready for the trip. Where to start? We will need heavy duty jackets and crisp bills. We also need to look into phone service so we can call home. And I'd better start looking into airfares too. I'm hoping we can fly direct from LA. Only a 12 hour flight...wow..hope I can sit still that long!! Our agency will handle our hotel accomodations and incountry travel.

We also need to look into gifts for everyone we meet on the first trip and I have a suitcase of kids clothing to donate to the ophanage too.

It looks like I'd better get started with those lists and do some research.

Home Again

It's Monday morning and we are home. Back to the routines and daily grind that is our life. Even though our dream vacation is over...there is something comforting about walking back into your home after being away. We had a crazy funny day of traveling and will post the story later today on the boys blog if anyone is interested. The link is inbetween the boys pictures off to the right side.

The first thing I did? Check my mail. Two big grocery bags of mail and nothing from the USCIS office. Oh well, I didn't really think they would get back to me that fast. I also checked my email and got an update from my placing agency while I was gone. Looks like with the new year brought new requirements from the region we are adopting from. Guess it's back to the paper chasing for me. I will need to get a few more documents to update my dossier again. Should be fairly easy stuff, mostly paperwork from my homestudy agency regarding their license and updated employment letters. My casemanager said not to stress about receiving the USCIS 171-H. It will be here before we really need it. So I'm not going to worry about it for now. If I don't hear back by the end of January I will contact them then.

Hope everyone is having a great Monday! I'm excited to pick up our pooches from the kennels today! I've really missed my 3 furballs!! Just called the kennels and they are being bathed now...yeah..good smelling fur balls!! Should be able to bring them home after BW gets back from school!!

Aloha!

Aloha from Maui! It's amazing how the sound of the waves crashing on the beach can free my mind and leave me feeling so well rested. The ocean has always been my calming place and I hadn't realized how long it's been since I've been to the ocean. I also had no idea how stressed out I had become. My mind has apparently been on overload from the holidays, worrying about kindergarten next year and of course all things adoption related. I'm so going to be dreading getting back on that plane to go home!

The weather here is beautiful...apparently it is in the 80's no matter what time of the year you are here. We have a beautiful view of the ocean from every room in our condo. I love sitting out on the lanai (balcony) with laptop in hand and checking in with everyone's blogs while the boys take an afternoon nap. It so beats my couch back home which is where I usually am when I'm emailing.

We are looking forward to a few more relaxing days in the sun and on the beach. Who knows, maybe the kids will even sleep in. One can always dream.

Gone Vacationing

We are loving the Holidays so much that we are putting our regular chaotic lives on hold for just one more week. The wet weather is really starting to get to us. 3 days straight of rainy weather and throw in a 12 hour power outage. We just can't take it anymore. This is supposed to be sunny California afterall. So.... we are going to where it is truly sunny...to Maui!!! But seriously folks, my hubby's brother is getting married and they have chosen a very beautiful spot to tie the knot. We are very happy for them and look forward to helping them celebrate their special day. And lucky for us it just happens to be in a beautiful place too.

I'm so hoping that when we return there will be a special envelope in our mailbox from our dear friends at the USCIS office. Can anyone guess what I'm hoping that will be? Anyone? Anyone? That's right!!! Our 171-H approval letter! That little letter would just make my month!