Ahhhh memories

Our friend who is in Irkutsk was able to pick up her son from the orphanage today.  I think for the rest of my life, when I hear of someone bringing their child home from the orphanage - I will be flooded with memories.

3-2-1-0 (or March 2, 2010)...it was a big day. 

Like so much with the final stages of the adoption process, I didn't know what to expect - and what actually happened wasn't what I expected. I blogged about that day HERE.  Anya was so ready to leave the orphanage, we were expecting her to be a little hesitant; to be sad or hug her friends and caregivers goodbye.  I remember walking to the top of the stairs where her room was, and seeing her waiting at the door.  When she saw us, she got a huge smile on her face, and ran into her room to start to put her coat on.  We showed her that we brought a new coat for her to put on, well she just thought that was the greatest thing ever.

She sat in the car clutching Daddy's hand, very interested in everything outside, very quiet.  Wow, has THAT changed!

Those first few days I remember being in a fog.  So much of it felt like a dream...if I am honest, sometimes it was a good dream, and other times it felt like a bad dream. 

I remember one first walk to the grocery store together.  Anya was proclaiming "MAGAZINE" at every turn.  We could not understand why she was looking for magazines...there are news stands on corners, but when we would pass one, she would not be that interested in those kiosks.  We soon realized that the word 'magazine' in Russian means 'store'! 

Another funny language thing was the word 'spot'.  In Russian, that means sleep...well, don't say to your 7 year old at noon "sit on this spot please".  What your Russian speaking child will hear is "go to sleep"...and you will quickly see a very sad faced 7 year old!

I'm sure over the next few days I will be flooded with memories as our friend Lisa goes through her set of "firsts" with her son SV.

3-2-1- BLAST OFF!

It's happening again, another American family is heading to Irkutsk to go before the regional court to complete the adoption they've been waiting SO LONG for.

This time, it's Lisa and Darren.

It will happen in about 2 weeks. And we should pray. Pray really really REALLY hard.

Regardless of your opinion of adoption, international adoption or really...anything, I think we can all agree that every child deserves a home and a loving family...that is what I am asking you to pray for.

Walking through this with Lisa and Darren brings back so many memories and emotions. I can remember how on-edge I was 1-week to that flight taking off to Russia. The slightest thing would make me break out into tears. I had so much to do, so much to think about...and no time to do it.

I remember getting a speeding ticket about 3 days before we left...and being so mad at the cop who clearly had NO IDEA what I was going through, what I was getting ready to go through - I honestly thought he just wanted to make me miserable. After the cop pulled away, I drove down the block, parked the truck (yes, I was driving a big HUGE truck at the time) and cried. Really boo-hooed for a long time.

I also remember trying to think and re-think what we would need to live in a foreign country for 2 months. I am a person who takes comfort in having a routine in my world (when normally, there is nothing normal about my world). Normal for me is the kind of toothpaste I use, my eye drops, makeup, shampoo...you get the idea. It is a kind of security blanket for me.

I remember all too well that feeling I had in the pit of my stomach for weeks. I didn't think it would ever go away. That nervous almost sick feeling...when you have no time to get sick. I know I told myself more than one time "mind over matter, you can not get sick now!"

The one thing I thing I remember the most was that NO ONE knew what I was going through; the emotions, the random freak outs...except one person - my friend Debbie. She was the only one who had REALLY been in my shoes (a year earlier).

So I know what Lisa is going through; I feel her stress and anxiety. I understand her questions and relate to her fears.

As time goes on, I continue to wonder why, really WHY it took so long to bring Anya home. Maybe one of the reasons is to pass-it-on...to be more compassionate to those who come after us. That seems to be the legacy of the Irkutsk Moms. Generally...we've all bonded together in a unique way. No one can understand what we went through (or are going to go through) than each other. It's a strange sorority.

To those who have gone before, what is your one piece of advice to Lisa and Darren? Please leave it in the comments...and you don't have to be an Irk Mom to comment :)

what is school like?

I was reading my friend's blog this morning. She is an ex-pat, living in Russia as a teacher at an American school.

She recently adopted a wee-one about Anya's same age. We've had a good time sharing stores about first-time motherhood at 40. She is one of those people I am sure I would shoe shop with if she lived closer.

Today, she posted an interesting note about the schools in Russia. Take a minute and read this - I would love to hear your thoughts.

http://from-russia.blogspot.com/2010/03/russian-school.html

prayers for friends

...and by friends, I don't mean family members.

There are other families who are on this roller coaster on trying to get a court date in Irkutsk. One of these families has run into a situation with 2 documents. The last documents they need to submit to the court in Russia. Of course, what the court has asked for, doesn't exist...so it requires the moving of mountains to get a (U.S.) government agency to help.

Please pray for this family and these last 2 documents. They need the grace and understanding (basically) of one person to get it done.

Welcome Home Ninmann Family!

Today, the Ninmann family arrived safely in Chicago....and their flight was 1/2 hour early!


Another one of our 'Irkutsk' friends (Jane) also met at the airport. It is so fun to met the people in person you've been communicating with for such a long time.


So - we get to terminal 5 - the international terminal at O'Hare. The kiosk says that Debbie and Brian's flight should be coming into gate A...there are only 2 gates, and they are about 100 feet apart, so we move to gate A. We find Debbie's Mom and Dad, Brian's Mom and mom's friend, and of course, the other Ninmann boy -JJ. We must have looked crazy - staring everyone down that was exiting the corridor from exit A. Brian is tall - so Debbie's mom and I are looking at every single tall person trying to decide if that was Brian. About 20-25 minutes into our search, I turn around - and there is Debbie! WHAT????


Apparently they had to go through the red line in immigration (too hard to explain...) which means they came out the exit A. Ugh! So much for the perfect photographic moment as the Ninmann family comes out of the dark corridor to the whoops and hollars of family and friends!


It was such an emotional relief to see Debbie, Brian and Nathan. Knowing what they have been through, and trying to imagine what it will be like when we're walking through that dark corridor with Anya - seriously, it's too much to think about sometimes.


I can't wait to talk to Debbie to get the low down on the whole experience. Debbie - I promise I won't bug you! I'll let you get a good night's sleep and unpack :)

Here are some photos of our day.

Chicago area Irkutsk Moms

Jane - Debbie - Me

(yes Mom, I am slouching down so I don't look like a wookie)

The Ninmann Family

Brian, Debbie, JJ and Nathan Genya

Nathan Genya was very excited about his welcome

home balloons and the pinwheel from Jane!

small update

We got everything done that was requested of the Judge - it goes in the mail on Monday...and I was able to send the package DHL which is 3 days guaranteed!

My Mom spent Friday in Indianapolis running from the Secretary of State's office to the State Health Department to the Department of Child Services...I don't know what I would have done without my Mom this week! I was so busy with work, trying to get to Indianapolis to get this done would have pushed me over the edge for sure - so, THANKS MOM!

We're heading to Chicago tomorrow to meet the Ninmann's plane from Russia. I am so excited to see Debbie and Brian, and meet Nathan! Stay tuned for photos and video!

Please Pray

I have talked a lot on this blog about our friends, the Ninmanns. They have FINALLY left Irkutsk (after 8 weeks), and are in Moscow for the last leg of the journey.

Nathan and Debbie when they were sill in Irkutsk

Apparently there is some issue with their son's passport (the one they had to wait 3 weeks to get)...I guess his middle name isn't on the passport - so they are getting all kinds of grief from the Embassy. Now the problems are with OUR OWN government!

I don't know all the details, but I do know that they need our prayers! Please pray that whatever the issue is, that is is simply and quickly fixed. I can't imagine the frustration this is causing our dear friends! I am mad, confused, frustrated and in prayer for them!

I'll keep you all updated as to the progress with this - but please please, remember this in your prayers.

The Holmes family...it's official!

I know I have said it a million times, but international adoption is a funny thing. At least in Russia it is!

You go to court, the court grants the adoption...but it isn't official for 10 days. The 10 days is more of a title than a period of time for waiting - that 10 days might really be like 14 days.

Well, a few days ago, that 10 days finally ended for our friends, the H family. Now that everything is official official, I can tell you that this is the Holmes Family!

Judy has opened her blog for the world to read, and I encourage you to take a minute, and read about her journey (that she is STILL on!) in Irkutsk. Please leave comments for her...she is there alone with the 2 boys, and the comments are what gives her a lifeline to a normal world. THe blog can be found HERE.

allow me to introduce...

The N FAMILY!

Mom (D), Dad (B) and little guy (N)

I am SO EXCITED for this family. Between them and the H family, they have paved the way for us (and other families) - we now know what combination of documents the Judge requires. We know what kind of 'stuff' the Judge is looking for in court.

IT'S ALL HUGE PEOPLE...THIS IS JUST HUGE!

I have been trying to process this all day, I can't imagine how the N family are processing this! The tears of joy just keep coming! The slightest little thing will bring tears to my eyes over all this (fair warning to all my friends...).

UGH! I just can not believe that the mountain has moved! PRAISE GOD!

Who says prayer doesn't move mountains?

Over the past 4 years, I know people have thought I was crazy. I know people have said "yea, I'll believe it when I see it". I know people who don't follow Christ with everything in their being thought my 'prayer' was simply an exercise in wishful thinking.

To the naysayers, I say HA!

Last night, at about 3:30am EST, the N family was granted the adoption of a little boy! The N family are the ones we have met and have spent some time with. They are 'mid-westerners' too...their case is pretty similar to ours (for a lot of people and document reasons).

To those who have been standing with us in prayer for SO MANY years...THANK YOU! Our prayers are being heard and answered. This is TRULY a testament to the power of prayer, and evidence of things working in HIS time.

more friends, walking into court

About an hour ago, our friends, the N family, walked into court in Irkutsk. They have met every document requirement that any of us know about. They have done everything the Judge has asked...and then some.

PLEASE PLEASE pray for them...pray for the atmosphere of the court room, and everyone that is involved. We pray that this is the LAST time they have to go to court - and that this is a successful hearing...

Here's hoping my next post is another 'allow me to introduce' post :)

allow me to introduce...

THE H FAMILY

WHEN PRAISE GOD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH...

As you probably have read, last Friday M and J were granted the adoption of H (S's bio brother) from the Irkutsk, Russia court. After 5 long mentally, physically and financially draining hearings, the Judge FINALLY approved this adoption

I can't remember when I first met J - I think it was back when they were adopting S (a million years ago). She (along with a select few other pre-adoptive moms) and I have become very close - very supportive of one another - and very protective of one another.

I first heard this news as I was getting ready to go to a work thing...I was at a conference all weekend, and really haven't had time to REALLY process what this means. IT IS HUGE!

I remember years ago brainstorming with J on ways to get our documents in front of the Judge, laughing about the chess game we play in this process, trying to figure out the right combination of puzzle pieces that will be known as document requirements.

Last fall I wondered how I would feel when this day came. When adoptions finally opened up again in Irkutsk. How I would react.

In the past, I've become friends with pre-adoptive Moms on other chat boards. They have all had adoption experiences in other parts of Russia...and when the day came that they could announce that the Judge said 'yes', I found myself fighting a tinge of jealousy. Although I was happy for them, a little part of me was jealous.

Ya know, I can honestly say that there isn't one ounce of me that is jealous of the H family. Every family that goes in front of the Judge will offer more information, more details to the mysterious puzzle pieces.

I've shed a lot of happy tears for this family over the past few days. I've also been given a list of documents that need to be altered to make the Judge happy.

I am so happy...this means we just took a HUGE LEAP forward in our fight to bring Anya home!

Quick note with good news

THE H FAMILY HAD A SUCCESSFUL COURT HEARING!

On Friday (in Irkutsk) all of our constant prayers were finally answered. The Judge granted the adoption to the H family! I still can't think or talk about it much - I get too emotional.

I am traveling for work - so have limited time to wrote - but I wanted to be sure to post this amazing news! I promise I will post photos (hopefully) and the complete scoop when I get home.

Please keep the N family lifted in prayer. They go back to court on the 30th (which technically, is the 29th EST).

update on court

Thank you to so many of you for your kind notes via Twitter, FB, here and emails. Our prayers were felt in the courtroom!

Unfortunately, I don't have great news to report. The hearing was postponed pending the Russian medicals (which we knew was going to happen), and some updated documents that need to be done here. Our hope is that these documents can be done via the friends/family etc. this family has here...the new hearing is scheduled for the end of the month (30th I think).

They said that they felt an incredible peace in the court room - this is such good news. The hostility and lingering 'yuck' that our other friends felt in court a few months ago was lifted (the H. family) - YAY! Let's continue to pray for the court, the Judge and everyone involved. The H. family has another hearing on Thursday (i.e. our Wednesday night).

and they're walking into court

RIght now, at 9pm EST, my friends from Wisconsin are taking thier last deep breath before thier adoption hearing starts in Irkutsk.

I have a knot in the pit of my stomach.

UPDATE ON FRIENDS IN IRKUTSK

Thank you all for your posts and emails with concern for our friends who had a court date last week.

Well - apparently this hearing was a 'pre trial hearing' - WHO KNEW! Certainly not our friends or their lawyer!

The Judge continues to have issues with American medicals - so, they will have the medical exam redone in Russia before the REAL hearing (which is next Thursday).

Please continue to pray...we have another set of friends who are on a plane right now - heading to Irkutsk. They will go to court on Monday (technically Sunday night our time). PLEASE pray for this family - this will be their first time in court with this Judge.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

You may remember the numerous posts here about our friends who have been to court several times in Irkutsk - the court back and forth started in October (ish). After 7 weeks in Russia, they came home to regroup.

This family goes back to court tomorrow, hopefully for the final time. Because of the time difference, they will actually be in court at 9pm EST.

PLEASE BEGIN PRAYING FOR THIS FAMILY AT 9PM TONIGHT - AND AS OFTEN AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT AS YOU GO TO BED TONIGHT.

They need prayers for a successful hearing and strength to get through this day.

Thanks...

Prayers Please

Hello All,

I have 2 friends who are working on stuff for court hearing in Irkutsk (just the thought of it makes my heart start beating fast!)

Please pray for the family who is in Irkutsk now - that they have a safe trip, that the court hearing goes without a snag, and they are home with their little boy by the end of the month.

Also, please pray for my friend who is preparing to go to Irkutsk...pray for her Visa situation - that it is solved by the end of the day today, for safe travels and an easy successful court hearing.

planning on visiting Irkutsk?

TO FRIENDS TRAVELING HERE
Helpful tips

• Wear fur – as long as you can stand it. It is really cold outside, I have a fake full length one you are welcome to borrow, I can ship it out next week if you need it.
  Don’t forget washcloths, for some reason they don’t use them here (and I’ve lft at least a dozen over the years, have no idea where they went)
• Lotion – the most moisturizing you can find. It is VERY dry here, my hair feels like straw, and I am using the mega night cream all day, 2x a day PLUS at night.
• Those little travel size things of deodorant, contact solution etc., they last about a week (this is more to remind me)
• Anything you can’t replace here (i.e. glasses etc.) carry on. There are several things that are missing from my luggage (kids toys/games, and one thing of Peanut Butter – ODD)
• Laptop – if you’re not bringing one, I HIGHLY suggest getting one, not only can you get online from wherever you are, but you will be able to off load the photos from your camera, watch DVDs etc. I took my laptop to see Anya one day – and it was a GREAT source of entertainment (looking at the movies and photos of herself).

Remember friends in your prayers

Funny how adoption brings people together. Regardless of where you are adopting from, your reasons for making the tortuous decision to adopt...adoption brings women together.

I have lots of friends who I call adopted moms - some are in process, some aren't...

One of my in process pals got some bad news last week. Please keep her and her husband in your prayers. J and D need for us to pray for their hearts, and for God's perfect plan to unfold for their family.