Merry Christmas to my children in Russia

I have enjoyed this Christmas season, but being in an active international adoption changes perspective. My children in Russia have been on my mind. Because I hope to be meeting them in February, I know that they are now alive there in Russia. Waiting. When my family gathered together tonight to eat our Christmas day feast, I longed to have my other children there with me. It was bittersweet. Bitter knowing that they aren't with me, but sweet knowing that soon they will be here. I don't know their names, their ages, what color their eyes are or anything specific, but I know that they are mine. Or, at least, they soon will be.

Merry Christmas children. Your mama is here in FL thinking of you and longing to hold you tonight.

Hurry up and wait

I remember the "hurry up and wait" part of the adoption process from the first adoption. We've flown through the home study paperwork. Now we're waiting for the referral letters to be sent, the medical records to be filled out by our doctor, and a form from our Home Study agency. Once the medical record and the form is in, we can get them notarized, pay our home study agency fee, and schedule our home study visit. I feel like I should be doing SOMETHING right now to hurry up the process, but I've done all I can do for now.

Paperwork

I just printed out a ton of paperwork for the Home Study. I don't remember filling out so much last time! Perhaps I blocked it out! ha ha! Anyhow, I guess I know what I'll be doing all day tomorrow. It's worth it, though. :)

Change of Home Study Program

So today I spoke with Victoria from AAC and she said that the home study I was planning to meet with on Thursday is on the blacklist with Russia. I guess in the past they haven't made sure to send in the post-placement reports on adopted children so Russia won't work with them. I'm glad that I found that out prior to meeting and completing a home study with them. I am now looking at another program which is NOT on that blacklist (I checked) and get that going.

With our recent cruise vacation, Tyler is in the hole on vacation days with the military. However, he spoke with his boss and there is a permissive TDY which can be used for adoption purposes and it doesn't tap into the vacation days! That's great news for us!

Placement Agency

It is a pleasure to be working with Victoria from About A Child again. She was wonderful to us when we adopted Keith and Iryna.

Why International Adoption?

This video really spoke to me.

Home Study

My fellow adoptive friend, Meredith, recommended to me a Home Study program here in FL. Dr. Brown is coming over to meet with us on Thursday. I am so eager to begin this process! Will keep you posted on how it goes.

Pierce Family Adoption #2

In March, 2008, we began our first international adoption to Ukraine to adopt Keith & Iryna Pierce. Now, almost 3 years later, we are beginning our second international adoption to Russia. We have prayed and fasted and feel that God is leading us to add 1-3 more children to our family. We feel blessed that now is the time for us to move forward in growing our family. We are open to special needs, like in our first adoption. My husband is in the military and we have wonderful insurance. I know that Keith & Iryna have been very blessed by the therapies, doctor visits, and surgeries from our insurance, not to mention all the love from our family! We look forward to travelling to Russia sometime in 2011 and bringing home those children meant to be in our family. Join us in this next adoption!