I got a REFERRAL!

I am so so, deliriously, so happy!
Today at 2:11pm, I received a referral of a beautiful baby girl from Russia.

Looks like I might be going to Russia before the new year after all.

Thank you Lord Jesus.

Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts as things could still happen. I've been warned not to get attached to her just yet. Lots of things to consider and she could still be adopted by a Russian before I get to the courts.

But at the moment I am extremely excited!!!!

Baby's Room

This week I started setting up the baby's room. We picked up the furniture at Play Pen and it is so beautiful. I ordered the bedding today. I decided to go with a different bedding than what I had originally planned. It's delicate and pink and a bit frilly. I decided since she'll be in a toddler bed before long and wanting leopard print and paisley bean bags and Hannah Montana posters all over the place, I would have my sweet baby room now. I went with a pale pink stripe and white theme.

Here's a pix of the bedding. Once I get it all decorated, I'll post pix of the room. Just a little bare at the moment.

Not This Year

I had been anticipating a referral in January and secretly hoping it would come in December. Well, those darn Russians seem to think it's ok to take the entire month of January off and go vacation in their Dachas...shutting down the entire court system. Grrrrr.

So, looks like it will be at least February before I get a referral. My case worker said it's possible it will come in December, but I could tell it wasn't likely. I will survive I suppose. I just hope I'm home with my baby before April because my paperwork expires then and I'd have to do it ALL again. Not looking forward to that. Dang.

I will continue to be patient and try not to stress. I am, however, suffering from a severe case of TheCall-itus. Every time my phone rings I jump to see if it's my agency. I've heard of this syndrome and was unable to avoid it.

Ah well, enjoy your Hot Russian Tea!!!

Patience

This waiting is the worst. My dossier has been in Russia since April. The wait seems to be getting longer and longer for girls in Russia. I read today that there are even Russians on the waiting list for little girls. It's so frustrating, because I know there are little girls in orphanages. I mean did they all of a sudden place 100,000 little girls in a loving home? Grrrr...

Well, I suppose there is nothing to do but wait. I certainly can't control it.

I bought a crib today. Here's a pix of it.

It will be in in 4 to 6 weeks, maybe baby will too!!

On my mind

I have alot of things on my mind today.

My grandmother passed away a few days ago. We were sad, but happy for her...that she is no longer in pain and is now with my papaw...the love of her life. She was in advanced alzeimer's, so she didn't know any of us, but it's still sad. And today my uncle, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, is having emergency surgery in the morning. A life threatening surgery. He has 3 children, my cousins who I grew up with. It will be devastating if we lose him. He was second in command at NASA until her retired....we're very proud of all his accomplishments in the field of science. So, my family is heading to Florida to be with him during his surgery. And today, a fellow blogger friend, got her referral from Russia and I had a pang of jealousy.....mmmm.....not really jealously, more like my patience is waning. I know girls take double and triple the time.....I'm just ready to get her home. I just kindof had the blues today....there is all this suffering in the world and not so much we can do about it. My child is alive and breathing...and suffering...and bureaucracy and red tape are prolonging her suffering. But, I must wait.

So, I've been thinking alot about parenting too. It is going to be a challenge raising a well-adjusted, happy, appreciative, kind child in the world today. Hard to raise a good sport, a good friend, a good soul. I have seen first hand how a parent's actions are quickly absorbed and integrated into their children.....good and bad. I want to set not just a good example, but a great, fine example. I see lots of good examples around me and alot of bad ones. I want to be a good one.

My Region

My daughter will come from one of these three regions:
1) Krasnoyarsk
2) Yaroslavl
3) Vladimir

She is not in Siberia, which I thought was going to be a possibility. The thought of flying into a Siberian airport in the dead of Russian winter was daunting.
UPDATE - Krasnoyarsk is in Siberia, so did I say daunting? I meant dauntless!!

My agency called today to cover a travel checklist. The cost of travel is ungodly!!!! I have saved about half of what I need and thought that would be plenty. And it looks like I'm about out of time to save. So, I'm going to be doing some fundraising for my travel. My friends are talking about a community garage sale and fish fry. Anyway, I'm stressed now because of the travel costs. I know I can max out credit cards to pay for it and my parents will help, but I have a migraine now.

If my child is in Vladimir, 4 - FOUR - trips are required to Russia. It's a great region though and I won't have a choice unless I take my paperwork out of that region, which I don't want to do. But traveling to Russia four times is freaking me out. Just to give you an idea.

Airfare - $2ooo
Moscow Hotel - $3oo to $5oo per night (at least two nights stay)
In-Region Hotel - $100 - $150 per night

First Trip - 3 to 7 days
Second Trip - 14 days
Third Trip - 14 days
Fourth Trip (if in Vlad) - unknown

There is a 10 day court date period between trip 2 and 3. If I can visit my baby in the orphanage during that wait, I will stay in Russia for those 10 days and not return (combining 2nd and 3rd trips).

So tonight, I'm googling my regions and talking to my friends about organizing fundraisers.

I have a headache.