Doorknob count...really?

(Dana signing documents to be notarized)

The Naked Homeowner - Don't be scared to click!

What?! I need a notarized document signed by a "legally recognized someone" who can verify my house square footage, number of bathrooms and how many doorknobs we have and if they turn counter or counter- clockwise!!??

Many families adopting have had BIG problems finding a licensed individual to sign off some of the house details required by the Ukraine government...thankfully not us! Dana Conway; Real Estate Agent extraordinaire and  my sister was not only qualified and willing to do this, she made me and my kids lunch while she ran off to met the Notary! I LOVE her as my sister and I LOVE her as my Real Estate Agent, she really is the best ever! Thank you so much Dana...you rule!!!

Dana Conway, Equity Real Estate  #801-891-4880

It is Hammer TIME!!!

(Snapshot of a just a few of the documents we are required to submit)

Everyone wants to know what is happening and when do the boys get here!? Sorry we have been slow getting the latest info up, but here it goes...

It's Hammer TIME..."Break It Down"!

February 14th: Ukraine Government reviews our Dossier (AKA: huge package detailing every aspect of our lives past, present and future)

March 15th (approx): Ukraine is done with our file and grants us approval and a travel date!

April 15th (approx): We go to Ukraine for our first required visit (2-4 weeks...we know how long once we are there!)

May 6th (approx) Home to the USA for the 10-day "cooling off period", required by Ukraine

May 15th (approx) Back to the Ukraine to complete final paperwork and get the boys! (2 weeks)  

May 29th (approx) Home to the USA with the boys, we will finally be together with all 5 of our children!

It has been a bit of a mad house over here as we are collecting documents that need to be in Ukraine before our review date of Feb. 14th. The huge pile of documents is our "Dossier" and includes 22 items that the Ukraine government will be reviewing from State Police Clearance Letters to Homeland Security Fingerprints. It also will include our 2011 taxes, proof of how big our house (photos required), blood test, psychological test, our marriage license and about 15 more items!  

Everything must be gathered, notarized and then apostilled (stamped at the State Capitol as official) so if I haven't called, texted, FB or answered my door it is because we are doing all this along with running our little household with Suzy (5), Pearl (4) and Charlotte (1).

A special thanks to Lisa Snarr for teaching me how to wear my hair cute for three straight days without washing it...it has been a life saver!

Once the Dossier is finished it will be translated and hopefully on our caseworkers desk ready for review on February 14th. It will take her 4 weeks to read through and check everything. Once that is done, hopefully around March 15th we will receive our travel date! (YAHOOO!) This will probably be another 4 weeks so we are tentatively planning to go to Ukraine for our first visit around April 15th.

We get so sad thinking about the boys being so far from us. Some days it really is emotionally overwhelming having my children so far away and not with family.  I look through the cards so many of you have sent, read your names from our paypal account and read the notes on my facebook account asking, cheering, praying and loving us on this journey. You keep us going, you keep me happy and positive and you are making this miracle happen,  thank you.  

Merry Christmas Sergei and Max!

The Christmas goods we sent to the orphanage.

Notice there are no noisemakers...I would hate to be denied once we arrived!

Today is officially Christmas in Ukraine! We mailed this care package and hope it reaches the children unopened. We have heard of packages being open and rummaged through before making it to its final destination. We crossed our fingers and taped a million notes in Russian that it was for "ORPHAN CHILDREN" and taped a few pictures of Jesus to scare any would be thieves away. Kevin doesn't think my crafty tactics will work but who would steal with The Big Man watching......
and I am not talking about St. Nick!

So relived to have spoken to Sergei and knowing our letters were getting through. It makes everything just a little easier over here. We are in the middle of our last humongous stack of security papers which include two fingerprinting appointments and a Syphilis test to boot...Yowzer!

Well on that note...MERRY CHRISTMAS and I am taking the tree down tomorrow morning!

We got through!

(Becky, Zhenya and Kevin posing for a good luck picture before we dialed the orphanage)

We talked to Sergei! We could burst right now we are so happy! I just needed to hear my sweet son's voice. Thank you everyone for praying for us to get through...IT WORKED! We have tried to get through several times and the phone would just ring and ring, this time someone answered on the first try...Yahoo! We made the call with help from Rob and Debbie Jolley and their sweet, wonderful, AWESOME daughter Zhenya! She translates for us and was adopted from the same orphanage a few years ago. No matter how late we keep her up or away from her friends she is always so happy to help, we love her so much! We were there with the Miller family who is also adopting so it was quite a party. We are not allowed to say “adoption” to the kids. It is because many parents say they are coming and then never do. So with the restrictions, this is how the call went... and no I didn't take a breath between sentences.

Me: “We love you, we miss you we are coming as fast as we can. Tell Max all about us, Suzy and Pearl wanted me to tell you they love you. We miss you so much, we love you, be good. Your boy cousins Harrison, Carter and Caden can't wait to see you! We love you!”

Sergei: “Da” aka: Yes

More of the above for a few minutes with Kevin jumping on the line as well. He told us he missed us and loved us too. He said he did get our letters which was a huge relief because I wasn't sure if they were going through. I can't wait to get my teenager and his one word replies home! Sweet Max was not on the phone but we are aching for him to get here squeeze all 4 pounds of him! Happy, happy day!



Blue Christmas....

(Becky wearing the socks Sergei left behind)

Elvis is killing me this Christmas! If you see me in the grocery store or driving in my car bawling it is because I am listening to "I'll be home for Christmas" Any version of the song, in any location makes me cry...a lot. The girls and I have been very busy with homemade crafts, cookie making and all around Christmas joy but it is so difficult not having Sergei and Max home with us. Kevin is staying focused at work and studies his Russian with the girls at night. We have not been able to reach the boys by phone yet which doesn't help. We will keep trying and keep you updated.

Sergei left a pair of socks under his bed. Sounds silly but I have almost worn them out. Wearing them makes me feel like he is not that far away. I know they will be home soon. Thank you all for loving us and following our story. Much love to you all.

Thanksgiving

(Thanksgiving plates for 2011.... of course this is Dana's awesome idea)

Yep, this one is going to be a sappy entry so get ready. So thankful for this family that God is putting together in such a miraculous way. Thankful for all my children and their healthy bodies and happy hearts. Thankful for Sergei and Max's Mother, may she rest in peace, for bringing her children into this world and truly being my guardian angel. For my family...who loves me unconditionally, who would raise one million dollars for me. Thank you, for letting me lean on you and always knowing I can. To my dear friends who cheer (and pray) for me. Letting me cry, making me laugh and loving me even though I am TERRIBLE at returning calls, emails and text. Sweet, sweet Kevin, without you I would be lost. You are the Ying to my Yang, so thankful for the life we have had for the last 12 years together and can't wait for the next 50!

Max and Sergei have been unreachable by phone. The phone is in the orphanage office which is in the basement of the building with 280 kids. Nobody can hear the phone ringing! I thought for sure one or two naughty kids would walk pass and pick up but we tried for an hour and a half and still nothing, blah. We have mailed our first stack of form to Ukraine to be translated. We are being told March is going to be the soonest we can travel because Max is only 5 and that puts him on a “baby” list which slows the process down. I know it seems slow but everything is moving pretty quickly and according to schedule. Still makes us ache not having them here. March is the goal.

So grateful for all we have....so grateful for you.

Get out and Boat!

Yesterday was go vote day.  Me (this is Kevin typing) and the girls went out at five in the evening to vote.  The girls were very unhappy to learn that going to vote had nothing to do with going on a boat.  "Bery unhappy".  Anyway this video is from a get out and vote web site.  I love this video.  Who knew Newt Gingrich had something in common with Willie Nelson!?