After Christmas Shopping!

I ventured on over to Tampa yesterday to my very favorite mall...INTERNATIONAL PLAZA! It has all the fancy schmancy stores like Nordstrom's, Neiman's, and my new favorite store, Lush, but more on that in just a second.
My husband was cleaning out his drawer and he found a Nordsrom's gift card that he never used from last Christmas, so he gave it to me. I took that as a "sign" that I should by those way cool Northface boots that I had looked at months ago with Sandi and Shannon. I had liked the white ones, but realized that they would get super dirty walking thru mud and slush in the cold land of Kaz, so I got the brown, waterproof ones. I LOVE THEM! I have them on right now, and they are making my feet hot, maybe because it's like 85 degrees in Florida. I had my hubby take a picture of me, he rolled his eyes and said 'NICE OUTFIT' even though I said, IT'S FOR OUR BLOG. So, what do you think, I am trying to pretend I'm a hot Kazakh chick. I don't think it's working...

Anyway, the boots are great and they only cost me $5 since we had the gift card. I figured if we don't travel until March, I'd still need them as it's cold and snowy in March in Kazakhstan. We are also getting a cold front here this week and it' getting down to 35, so I can wear them then too. HA HA

Next, my stepdaughter turned me into this new store at the mall, called LUSH. It's based in Vancouver, Canada. It's ALL NATURAL cosmetics. Sean and I were in there Christmas shopping for Jillian and I thought it looked cool, but I wasn't buying for me. After Jillian opened the huge gift box we got for her, I was intrigued, so I went back with my Christmas money. My skin is soft as butter now! I swear, I am as soft as a baby. The stuff is awesome! It's very weird though, but they have sales girls who help you out. I got this awesome body butter that you put on in the shower after you soap. It's fantastic. I got their eye creme, I got this facial cleaner with seaweed in it, as my skin is dry, but I sweat so much since I run 5 days a week, my pores get clogged. It's cool stuff. I got this shampoo that looks like a round bar of soap. It smells good, you just rub it on your scalp and it lathers up.
I got a whole bunch of stuff.
Check it out at lush.com. See if there is a store near you!
I LOVE IT! My skin is very dry and I feel like I look like I am 60 years old instead of the youthful 41 that I am. I don't want Baby Kaz to think her mom has grandma skin. The stuff is expensive, but it's concentrated and all natural. It's rather funky stuff, but I feel so hip and new age now. My hands are also really dry so I got this stuff called "Handy Gurugu". This is what they say about it..
Fabulous, herbal hand cream with fair trade shea butter .Handy Gurugu is a fabulous, easily absorbed hand cream made with rose water, six natural oils and butters, and luxuriously soothing essential oils. When sourcing the rich shea butters, our creative buying team traveled for 15 hours on a rickety bus along potholed roads to find villages where it is handmade by the local women. Handy Gurugu makes a big difference to your skin and a huge difference to the villagers who make the shea butter.

They are having a huge sale right now, buy one get one free, because the product has a shelf life so they are trying to get rid of it. Mine is all good for a year. Plus, the really nice gift boxes are buy 1, get one free, and the Christmas gift boxes are buy 1, get 2 free, (but, they are like over $100 for one gift box)


So, while my dossier gathers dust at the MFA, I will work with my seaweed soap, my bath bombs, my body massage bars, and my funky new face cremes so I can look younger and be soft for this baby so I won't scare her away with my wrinkly old eyes and dry old hands. :)

Last Christmas celebration without Baby Kaz

Merry Merry everyone and a happiest of New Years! Isn't it crazy to think, that for most of us "bloggers" and "blog stalkers", if you don't already have your Kaz babies, that this year was the last Christmas we'll be spending without our Kazakh additions to the family? That just blows me away!! We had a wonderful holiday in Dallas, Texas, with my family, 3 sisters, 1 brother, 1 sister in law and husband, and 7 cousins, oh, and 7 dogs too. It was COLD in Dallas, too, so that made for some SWEET running weather, but gave my hubby a raging cold and Sean a bad cough, but only because Sean refuses to wear a coat. I think Joe's cold is because of a couple night with my Dad, Mom, and the brothers in law and Yagermeister shots! Since I am "adopting", I was in charge of the kiddo's so I went to bed with them! And, humm, I am the only one NOT SICK in my family. Good thing, cuz Mom's can be sick, can we!!!

The picture above is a new baby I just met, my "grandfather's" (not technically my grandfather, but my stepmom's great uncle, and he has been like a grandfather to me) new wife's daughters child, named Francis, is just 3 months old. I was a big ole certified " baby hog". She was an angel baby, hardly ever cried and she's just gorgeous.
My 2 nieces, aged 9 and 7, spent the night at my parents every night, and my mom put me in charge of getting the kids in bed because "I am adopting a girl". It was hilarious. Of course, I gladly put my nieces to bed with Sean, made sure their jammies were on, teeth brushed, and then we'd read Christmas stories. It was really fun. Giulia told me they've been saving all their clothes (and they dress super precious) For my baby. She is so excited about this baby. Of course, like many of you have stated in your blogs, everyone needs to know...when are you going? when do you get the baby? Can you come to dallas for easter? When I say, hopefully Febuary, then they're like, ok, so for sure Feb? NO, NOT FOR SURE! I DON'T KNOW!!! I guess they did not get the memo that "One more be patient and flexible in international adoption".

My mom got me 3 GORGEOUS cashmere sweaters from Neiman's for Kaz. She said, I know you won't wear them in Florida, but you NEED warm clothes for Kaz. I didn't tell her I had bought $5 sweaters at OLd Navy outlet store because I will be getting spit up on and layering like crazy. However, I will be able to fit in with all those hottie fashionable Kaz women with my fancy sweaters. One is brown with fur on the sleeves and fur around the hood. I am hip, like my son, I Have a "hoodie". But, i have BONUS Fur and cashmere. :)

Being the coolest "Aunt Susan" that I am, I got all the kids matching jammies. I dragged my sweet hubby to the mall 3 days before Christmas. It took 45 minutes to find a parking spot. I love Dallas malls at Christmas! But, they all look so darn cute in their matching jammies, don't they? It was NOT easy finding 7 kids matching jammies either with their various ages and stages. They were awfully darn cute!





Here is a picture of me and my "baby" for this Christmas. I can't believe he's so big. Fortunately, he will still hug and kiss on his mom, when he's not busy rolling his eyes at me and thinking I'm not as cool as him.


I guess this is the last year of Serra, party of 3, when we go out to dinner too. We are really a party of 5, but Joey and Jillian are on their own and don't live with us anymore. It is so exciting, strange, and wonderful to think that in a few months, we'll have a new Serra in our midst!

School+Shopping+Season=Slacker

Hello! I am have been a real blog "slacker" and I apologize! However, with regards to Baby Kaz, we have no new updates. We're still at the MFA, entering week 8 this week. I think we hit the holiday rush of dossier's at the ole MFA. I fully did not expect to hear anything until the end of January, but then Catalina posted that her dossier moved to the MOE last week, and hers hit Kaz the same week as ours. However, that doesn't really mean anything because everyone's timing is different. I must take care to remember that this is God's timing, not our timing. :)

When we "officially" started the adoption process and signed on with our agency, I remember asking the question..."Do you think we could travel by Christmas?" and they said, possibly, but "one must be flexible and patient in international adoption." As time went on and I collected my paperwork, I made my self imposed deadlines, but soon learned that while dossier collection was IN my control, receipt of my I-171H was not! So, right then, I realized that Christmas in Kaz was most likely not my reality. However, as the weeks rolled by, I realized that I really would like to spend Christmas here in the states, with my family. As much as I may complain about my Florida weather, and going to the beach after Christmas decorating yesterday, I have super thin blood and I would be freezing in Kaz this time of year. Even if we travel in March, it's still snowing in Kaz, which is plenty cold for this southern gal.

In the meantime, 4th grade has been keeping us most busy. I had heard from fellow parents that 4th grade was a big change, but I am now experiencing it for myself. The work is much harder, and the homework takes longer, and the projects require much more thought and preparation. Getting our work done while still playing sports and getting ready for the holiday has been a test in time management and patience. :) I have also realized that taking Sean out of school for 8 + weeks would really be a struggle for him. Thus, the 2 trip option that is being advised by our agency is really a best case scenario for us. We have also been super busy putting the house back together after installing the wood floors in our 4 bedrooms, and getting ORGANIZED and trying to get somewhat "baby proofed". We have this awesome coffee table with baskets underneath that we got when SEan was a baby. It will full of JUNK and small things that baby could put in her mouth. Sean was busy cleaning those out. It feels good to get organized. We are the biggest pack rat family EVER. We finally decorated for Chrsitmas yesterday, and went to the beach when we got done. Sean was skim boarding in the water, which was freezing, but not to him!! I have also been busy trying to start Christmas shoppping too. So, see, I have been doing lots of stuff, just slacking on my blogging because I have NO NEWS TO TELL!

The question of the day by everyone is "When are you going"? to which I reply, maybe end of Febuary or March, but WE DON'T KNOW. Then people say, Oh, I'm so sorry, I know you wanted to be there by now, and I have to reset their expectation and say NO, I am fine with not being there now, it's not our time. :)

One of my best friends has an adorable son of 15 months. He is now a fully mobile toddler and I had forgotten how BUSY they are. Mommy Maria never gets to sit down! I sometimes wonder what I've gotten myself into. :) Sean, however, is adorable with MacCaiden and is just enthralled with my friends babies. It's really cute. I think he is going to be such a good big brother, until, of course, Baby Kaz goes into his room and grabs all his stuff. :)



The wood floors are in and they look great. Baby Kaz has a room now!! I dont have a mattress for the crib yet, or bookshelves, for the 2 huge boxes of books that were handed down by her big brother. I also took a picture of her closet.




It's a shame she doesn't have anything. We could also bring home a boy, so if so, the baby house is going to get a lot of really cute girl clothes. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't purchased any clothes, but I did, and what's done is done. In reading blogs and advice, the best advice I took was to have NO preconceived notions of your child, gender, or age. I thought that way at first, but then though, oh , we'll get a girl and I went a little psycho. Oh well!!!

Miles follows me around everywhere, so he is in the picture too. :) You will notice my lovely boxes in the background-those hold books .I haven't found a bookshelf I like yet.




Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and keep blogging!!! Just because I am a slacker does not excuse you guys. :) I so enjoy reading the blogs, but I just don't have any updates on baby Kaz just yet. :)

Random acts of Kindness abound

According to Wikepedia, a random act of kindness is defined as " a purportedly selfless act performed by person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases, even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile :) or be happier. Either sponteneous or planned in advance, "RAok's" are encouraged by various communities. An oft sided example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at the toll booth on a highway, is to pay for the car behind you as well."

I found it appropriate to share what a very nice friend is doing for me, since all my "friends" in the blogging community practice random acts of kindness daily in all the prayers and encouragement we give each other. I feel so incredibly blessed to have "met" so many truly wonderful, caring people on this journey!

Anyway, on my run with my fabulous running buddies this morning, I was lamenting on how I was going to be able to pull Thanksgiving dinner off this year. For the past few years, we've always gone to Joe's cousin's for the holiday, who lives only 5 minutes away and is a FABULOUS cook! I have slid by on bringing veggies and my famous weight watcher "Pumpkin cupcakes". This year, however, Joe's cousin is going to a family reunion of sorts with her husband's family. DARN THE LUCK! However, I have done Thanksgiving before and Joe does a mean turkey, so I was not too stressed. Now-that is not worth lamenting over, I know. BUT, there is more to the story. We have been wanting to replace our carpet (the bedrooms and excercise room) with wood floors for awhile now. We got a quote, and it was like 3x more than we expected. October came and went, and we had been too busy to go the store and try to find something we liked that was more affordable. Our procrastinating paid off-as they had gotten a great deal on a shipment of wood--Brazilan cherry--and it was within our budget (sorta). Great news--they started YESTERDAY! I was clearly NOT thinking how much work this would entail for us as well. We spent the weekend getting EVERYTHING off the floor and Joe disassembled furniture. It's all stacked around our house-on the lanai, in the garage, EVERYWHERE. We slept the last 2 nights on our mattress on the floor in our room. It's like camping-Sean thinks it's groovy fun. Anyway-they said they could get done in 2 days. Now, it's 4 bedrooms and an excercise room--and the rooms are not really that small. Yesterday, they got Sean's room done. Granted, they had to spend the morning ripping out carpet, and really only had the afternoon to get Sean's room done, but still, there is NO WAY they will get done today. So, Not only am I not really a cook (but I can follow a receipe and I am on weight watchers so I can make some good weight watchers thanksgiving things) but my house is a DISASTER AREA! wow, that was a long lament. Anyway-that was what i was telling my fabulous running buddies this morning at 5 am. One lady, who I've only met recently, said, "Oh, I MAKE volumes of stuff!" How many people are you having? She SERIOUSLY invited me over to come get some of her HOMEMADE butternut squash soup, some homemade cranberry sauce, and she said she was making stuffing today. She offered to make ME extra stuffing! I could not believe she was even serious. She told me to call her before 11 because she was going to Panera to get bread for the stuffing and she needed to know if she needed to get more. I was flabbergasted that this very sweet woman, that I only recently met, is offering to help JULIA CHILD my Thanksgiving!! Now, this is the same lady, that a couple months ago after the rumors of the "age bill" that would limit adoptive parents to age to 50 first surfaced, and i was lamenting about it on our run, who wrote me a note of encouragement about the adoption process and how everything would work out.
Melinda is OBVIOUSLY a very very nice lady and I am just so very blessed to have wonderful people in my life who practice random acts of kindness as a daily ritual.
Now, I don't need the stuffing after all, as Joe's cousin Elaine is bringing turkey and stuffing (yay!!) and we're not having dinner until after 5, so I am feeling so much better. I can get up, go run the 5k and 10K Turkey Trot, then come home and whip up some fabulous weight watchers sweet taters and green beans and get the house together. Plus, my hubby,although an "old man" at almost 52, is a TASK MASTER and he works so hard and fast. He even painted the guest room this weekeend as well as everything else he did.

I would like to take this time to thank all of my new blogger buddies for being such an awesome and amazing support network and for your candor and ability to speak from the heart. I can't imagine going thru this journey without all of you. Let's all be grateful for our MANY blessings and practice random acts of kindness EVERYDAY!

Love you all!!

Warm your heart kind of story

As it is National Adoption month, and I find myself on this incredible journey, I found it fitting that I should share this wonderful story with my fellow adoptive blog faithful friends. This is going to be long, so please bear with me.
Everyone has their own story on how they opened their heart to adopt a child. For some, it's infertility, for others it's because they were adopted and always knew they wanted to adopt, for others they just felt a calling to adopt. The reasons are vast and various and wonderful. We came to adopt because we wanted another child. We thought we just wanted one, but when my sister had her second baby (3 years ago!) and I went to visit her and see the baby, I fell hopelessly in love and came home wanting to be a mother again. My husband is a true sport-a father to a 27 year old son, 25 year old daughter, and then our son, age 9, and is opening his life to yet another child, and he's got 10 1/2 years on me! Before this conversation had even taken place, I had met a wonderful lady while volunteering at field day at my son's school, when he was in first grade. We immediately hit it off, and come to find out that years ago, she worked with my husband-such a small world. She and her husband have 2 children, and when I met her, they were foster parents to another child. Laura is a wonderfully spiritual person and her and her husband have the biggest hearts and are the most incredible family that I have ever met. Laura's mother in law was approached by a man who knew of a little girl who needed a place to live for a year while she had surgery at Shriner's hospital. The little girl had been burned in a fire when she was 7 days old, the netting on her bassinet caught fire and her entire face and hair was burned. It's an incredible story, but this little girl, who came to them at 4 with no boundaries, is now a thriving 8 year old who is now reading and writing and just doing fabulously, and in process of her 2nd surgery to help remake her face. If you would like to read more, Laura has made a blog. She said I inspired her to make a blog..ME-how cool is that. :) The school has really embraced Lina and she is just this beautiful soul.
http://amiracleinthemaking.blogspot.com

ANYWAY, they decided to adopt Lina, and they had to go to Columbia to officially adopt her, since that is where she was born. While they were there, they went to the orphanage where she was left after she was burned, and they were giving toys to the children there. Her husband came home and Laura was still waiting in Columbia with Lina, , and imagine my suprise when he told me that Laura would be coming home soon, BUT, with another child as well.
One of the children that they met at the orphange touched their hearts. They set the wheels in motion and had to get a new i-171h to adopt him, which was done in record time. John came to Florida with his new parents, age 6, and didn't speak ANY english, only spanish. He is an adorable child with an incredible wit and he's an incredible athlete. You can see their family picture if you go look at Lina's blog above.
Let's fast forward a year-John is now a happy, well adjusted 1st grader that speaks fluent english. In fact, he picked up english a couple months after arriving. He just broke some school records in athletics for first grade. He jumped 9 FEET in the running broad jump, among others. He just rec'd a "key of excellence" from his teacher for always doing his work in his neatest handwriting and always doing his best. Last week, while I was talking to another mom, John came up to us and was waiting politely while we finished talking. I said, HEY buddy, what's up? I'm so proud of you-way to get your key of excellence! He said, thank you! I said, so what's up? He said, "I just wanted to give you a hug". He gave me the biggest hug and then went to class. Needless to say, I was in tears and so was the lady I was talking to.

It's hard to fathom how much John's life has changed since he was adopted by this wonderful family. When he got into the 50 book club, and he broke the athletic records, and he received his key of excellence, I just kept thinking-what a blessing this child is!! He has the warmest, sweetest smile and he's just amazing. It would take me pages and pages to describe the differences in these children after being adopted by this family. It truly makes your heart swell. It reminds me of that Lion King song.."The circle of life" as their lives affect so many people around them.

I had met Laura before we had even considered adoption. I was so amazed by her and her family and we just "hit it off" as friends. When I approached her about adoption, she said, "I always KNEW there was a reason that I met you", and a week later she had made an appointment with her adoption agency for us to go together on a fact finding mission. Now, it's 6 months later and my dossier has been in Kazakhstan for 3 weeks and we are decorating a nursery.

I am blessed to have someone like her family in my life, so that I can see first hand what a difference those children make to everyone around them. The feeling is really indescribable when I see Lina and John. Not only have their lives been forever changed, but the affect they have on other people's lives as well.
When I get anxious or worried about this process, I call Laura who immediately puts my anxieties at ease and reminds me of how good God is!

And to think, I inspired her to do a blog. It's crazy!

So, I'm sorry this is SO very long, but I wanted to try to put into words my feelings on adoption, to make my contribution to National Adoption Month.
I had no idea I would love this journey so much and meet so many incredible people along the way. To the people who tell us "You are making such a difference in a child's life", yes, we are, but really "They are making a differnce in our life" and that is WHY we are doing it!!
The waiting can be hard, but the rewards are beyond amazing!

Update!

I got an update today from my most wonderful case manager. I really like her-she is always so friendly and so helpful and understanding even when I ask her a million questions. Since our dossier has been in country 2 weeks today, I was wondering if she thought we'd travel this year. I really didn't think we would, but I need to make plans as it's our year to visit my families abode in Dallas for Christmas. We go to Dallas every other year since my inlaws live here in Florida. It's so much fun as everyone comes home (I have 4 other siblings, besides me) and all the cousins are about the same age so everyone has so much fun. I was told that we would not go until next year, so I can book our holiday flights. That is actually great with me, as I would rather go home and spend the holidays with my family because they are so fun. But, I'm also worried about that bill that's rumored to pass that would limit the age of adoptive parents to 50, since my hubby is already 51, but he looks 25 and is smokin hot! No one seems to know for sure about this bill, but I am noticing that agencies are all changing their websites to the max age of 50. However, a post came accross the yahoo boards that stated , and I quote
"The draft code on marriage and family was published in September. It was only
submitted to the government a few weeks ago. It still has to pass both the lower and upper chambers of parliament and signed into law. Even if this legislation were on the fast track, it would take at least 6-8 months to pass. My only caveat is that the current law could be quickly amended to impose some further restrictions, but I have heard of no effort to do that. I think that those prospective adoptive parents who are older than 50 who are already in the process of adopting from Kazakhstan
and who expect to be able to bring their children home within the
next 6 months should not be affected by the new legislation."

That made me feel better too.

Interestingly enough, in my yoga class, a girl next to me, who was my partner during some partner poses in REVOLVED triangle (my least favorite pose) asked me if I knew this gal, and I said, No. She said, well, are you a runner? I said, yup, and she said, have you adopted a child? I said, not yet, but I am adopting a child, and she said, from a foreign country, and I said, yes, Kazakhstan..why? This other lady had told this girl about me (I was talking about it another yoga class) and this lady today has been dealing with infertility. Her eyes got all watery and she almost made me cry. We are going to lunch next week after yoga to talk about it. I talked to her after class for awhile. I just think it's so awesome how God works, he is letting me introduce another couple into the wonderful world of adoption. I told her it's a secret underground club of blogs and such and what a fabulous journey it's been.
She was so nice and she's a really good yogi too. It's also interesting that the whole reason I started yoga almost a year ago was that I was taking a break from running (dr's orders) and doing yoga to "chill out" to try to get pregnant. In that time, my heart led me to adoption, and I still love yoga, and even thought I am running again, I am DEFINTELY chilled out. Yoga really did change my life, and it all started with the quest for a child. It's hard to not have faith in God when he keeps showing me all these wonderful ways to enhance my life.

Sorry for the ramble--I'm just happy and I love it when I see God at work in my life!

Cabo San Lucas ROCKS!

We just got back from a 5 day vacation thanks to my sister and my NEW BROTHER IN LAW, Chris, who had a "destination wedding" in Cabo San Lucas. It was so much fun!!! In case you can't tell, Nicole and Noelle, my sisters, are twins. :)



>

Noelle was a stunning bride, and Sean was a very proud ring bearer. He is a boy who HATES to dress up, but I have to say, he does "clean up nicely" and he took his job very seriously. He walked down the aisle with his cousins and he stood up during the ceremony next to his other cousin, a junior bridesmaid. They were BOTH crying.

I asked Sean why he cried (as he often makes fun of his mother for crying over EVERYTHING, as I am an emotional sap!) and he said, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS SO HAPPY!
Sean and his youngest cousin (My sister's son) who is almost 3 were BEST BUDDIES! We shared a killer 3 bedroom condo and Sean was up at 5 am with Will every morning. He just loved playing with him. It really warmed my heart, as watching him gave me a glimpse of what a GREAT big brother he's going to be. He was very protective of Will. Will LOVES his cousin Sean and Sean loves him. It was just beyond precious!!!







It was so nice to get away and just enjoy our family. Everyone was very curious about "Baby Kaz" and some good friends of my parents even know SEVERAL people who have adopted from Kaz as well! WHO KNEW??!! It's a small world.

But alas, now it's "back to life, back to reality", and I came home to find out that so many people are getting their LOI'S to Kaz! That is super exciting!

I am feeling better and better about the prospect of 2 trips. I love how God makes things work out for the best. I really feel that 2 trips is so much better for our family. Even if we get a quick court date, we can still go back to get the munchkin and bring Sean with us. Plus, I keep thinking of more benefits. I won't get terribly out of shape from not running for 8 weeks is another reason. I just don't think I'd run in frigid temps, by myself. My husband doesn't run, and I would just be scared. So, only 2-3 weeks with no running is much more easily done-and easier to get back in shape. Even though 2 very long plane trips don't sound fun, it will all be worth it in the end. I love to read, and think of how many books I can get read on the plane!! Sean is also a great traveler. He will be busy with homework and he becomes a very focused child when he has nothing else to do but sit on an airplane.
No new news on the LOI front, but our dossier will be in country 2 weeks on Friday. My family is like WHEN ARE YOU GOING? I kept saying...WE DO NOT KNOW!
"One must be flexible and patient in international adoption"

Kaz update-2 trips now required!

We just rec'd an email from our agency that due to the length of time it's taking to get a court date in Kaz, that 2 trips will now be required as sometimes the date for a court hearing can take up to 5 weeks. I had seen this coming, (one advantage to excessive blog stalking!!) and actually, I think it works out better for our family.

I am leaning towards going to meet our child, staying for bonding and filing the court papers, then coming home and waiting for our court date. Once we get the court date, I'd like to go back and stay for court, the 15 day waiting period, and the trip to the embassy to get baby's passport and visa. I think it would be better to bring Sean on the second trip. This way, we would know more what to expect, after having been once already, and he can still see the country where his sister was born, and also have a chance to bond with us and his sister before we come home.

I know it will be hard to leave the baby after you've met her, as this seems like it's harder on the baby and the parents for bonding purposes, BUT, in reality, it also seems easier to not have to pack for 8 weeks, as it's hard to leave home and work and school for that long period of time.

Of course, I still don't know when we're going, but it takes a lot off me worrying about Sean and leaving home for that long.

For those families who have traveled already, what do you think?
Do you think bringing my son along for the 2nd trip would make more sense?

Thanks for your input! I love my blog advice-it's the best!!!!

Love my horoscope for Today!!

I don't put TOO much stock in my horoscope, but I do get one emailed to me everyday.
Whenever I am working on something MAJOR in my life, it's very strange how my horoscopes seem to match what I'm going thru. It's really rather freaky!
I prefer to think of it as God guiding me along and he knows I read my horoscopes. :)

Anyway, here is my horoscope today. Eerily on target, since we found out Friday our dossier hit Kaz.

Dear Susan,
Here is your horoscope
for Sunday, October 28:

Your positive energy is perfect for movement of all kinds -- from travel to changes in career. Any new direction you choose to take right now should work out for the best for you in the long run.

In the same vein, we are teaching our kiddo's in Sunday school about Perserverance, and how good things will come and sometimes it's hard to be patient and live our lives the way God wants us too. I am learning so much from what I'm trying to teach my kiddo's. Life is certainly NEVER boring around here, that is FOR SURE!

Fabulous Friday News!!!!!

I am so excited!!!!!!!!!
I got an email from Natalya today (our case manager) and it said: (and I quote)

"Dear Susan,

I want to let you know that your Dossier went to Kazakhstan. And it is should be at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "

Friday started off wonderfully and is ending wonderfully.
My husband returned from out of town last night, we FINALLY got a break from the heat and humidity and got to run this morning on wonderfully cool weather. My socks did not get all soggy or anything! I had a great run! My son made High Honor Roll for first quarter in 4th grade, I had a fabulous yoga class, and, MY DOSSIER IS IN KAZ!


I am so happy, so very happy! :)

Going private

Based on some negativity that's rather getting me down, I am going to make my blog private.

If you are interested in reading along, and you are not negative, or a crazy internet weirdo, then, please email me and I will send you an invite. :)
Princess@tampabay.rr.com is my email address.
Thanks for understanding!

I was going to go ahead and make it private right now, but then I realized I don't know anyone's email address so then NO ONE could read it, and then I would be sad.
I get sad when i am reading a blog then all of a sudden I can't read it and I don't know how to reach the nice people to ask if I can please be their blog friend.

When you email me, I will send you a 5 page questionnaire that must be answered, and notarized, and apostilled and fed ex'd to my attention. HA HA
(Just kidding, but that was funny, wasn't it.)

Love ya!

S & M (x3)

How funny am I ...I just thought of that title for my post.

What is S&M (x3) you may ask?
Well, I met some local Kaz mommies for lunch today. Yes, women I met ON THE INTERNET. That's so crazy. And, we're all pretty much normal (relatively speaking!)
All our names start with an S (Susan, Shannon, and Sandi) and we're all on a crazy quest to become Mom's (Hence the M) by adopting our munchkins from Kazakhstan.
We talked about how crazy it that we talk about all our "friends", people we only know thru their internet blogs.
When we asked the waiter to take our picture, I said..."we are all adopting our children from Kazakhstan and we met on the internet. You can include us in your crazy customer stories to your friends later."

Here is a picture of our celebrating that we're not crazies from the internet.



Here is a picture of the 3 HOT MOMMA'S...the S&M gals!!!



We were looking at cold weather gear since we think Sandi is going to travel in December or January!
Check out Sandi in the Ugg Hat.




We also found these really cool boots from Northface at Nordstrom's. They were like $100 but felt like tennis shoes. If it's still cold when we go, I think i may have to get some. They were called Women Nuptse Fur Winter boots. I liked the white/foil gray one. They were cool! and, I just found them online for $80. But, I cannot buy another thing. I don't think I'll need them if we go in March.

My dossier is AT THE EMBASSY!

Well, we're moving along folks. The Serra dossier is at the Kaz embassy!

It's been an emotional week. I read some adoption stories that ended up negative with a couple returning home with no child, and being treated very poorly by their agency. It was very heartbreaking. Then, an email comes accross the yahoo boards that there is a bill that is expected to pass in December that would limit the age of BOTH adoptive parents at 50. Apparently, the bill was drafted in September, must pass both houses of parliament and be signed by the president before it goes into effect.

So, what does that mean? First, after I cried my eyes out for 10 minutes, I decided I could do a couple things. I could freak out and stress and be depressed and worried until we find out more, OR, I can be positive, hope for the best, and realize that the right baby for our family will meet us one way or another. Hopefully, we can proceed with Kaz.

My aunt and grandma hand stitched a BEAUTIFUL quilt for Baby Kaz. It's their intrepation of the Kaz flag. I need to get a better picture of it but this is the best I have right now. Is it not AWESOME?





I was very touched. It can go in the crib, or hang on the wall, or be on the floor for the munchkin to crawl around on.

So, I think we need to get to Kaz because this kid has her own special hand stitched quilt.

I am very emotionally and financially committed to this child, so I just know it's going to work out. Thanks to all my new blogging adoptive friends who have been so nice with their comments. I really appreciate it.
I have met so many wonderful people and I am really greatful.
I love ya'll! :)

Books recommended by "Moi"

I don't really have an Baby Kaz news to report, except I spent all day last Monday running around like a maniac trying to get some updated documents for our dossier. Apparently, nothing can be older than 4 months when your dossier hits the embassy. That makes timing tricky-and when your i-171h takes FOREVER to come, it can cause some expiration to other documents. SO, I had to find a way to get new apostilled copies of our marriage license and previous divorces done in less than a week. Since the office of vital stats resides in Jacksonville and I don't have the luxury of time to drive 4 hours (4 hours ONE WAY, 8 hours round trip) to get them, I found a wonderful adoptive mom whose business it is to get those documents for you. She then fed ex'd them to another adoptive mom in Tallahasee which is where we Floridians must go for apostilling. I was so happy to have found these wonderful ladies and I had my documents by Thursday all ready to go.
So, now the new documents join my other documents and travel to the embassy this week-hopefully before anything else expires. We were told it's a 4-6 month wait once our dossier is in country before we go meet our daughter. However-we must remain flexible and patient in international adoption. So, I am telling everyone we hope to go by March.

Another couple who is using our same agency and same caseworker was just told they are traveling IN ONE WEEK, and their dossier has only been in country for only a month! It's so crazy how it works. I think we'll go later, rather than sooner, and I am fine with that. I am amazingly calm about it. I'm not sure why-as that is not my nature. It must be the yoga, or maybe taking my Sunday school lessons to heart, or maybe my calm husband, or probably a combination of the three.

I am busy with teaching Sunday school, being a fashion diva at Steinmart, 4th grade attitude, running, and reading.

I would love to recommend a couple great books-found at my local library.



The first one is by Theresa Reid-Two Little Girls, a Memoir of adoption.
It is SO good, a true story about a family's experience adopting from Russia and the Ukraine. They got a referal for Kostani, Kazakhstan,but i'll let you read the book.




The second one is just hilarious. It's called Momzilla's-by Jill Kargman. It's about a family who moves to NYC from California and the mom is surrounded by these crazy Momzilla's who pay zillions of dollars for 2 year old preschool. I was seriously laughing out loud. The author reminds me of Sophie Kinsella (author of the Shopaholic books) if you've ever read those. They are great!!!

Got my travel guide today and the trials and tribulations of 4th grade

Fed Ex just rang my doorbell and I have, on my lap, my ADOPTION TRAVEL GUIDE for Kaz!
This is rather exciting!

It has Emergency telephone numbers, visa applications, and other stuff. I am excited to read it.

My dossier was out for delivery in Colardo today so the program director for Kaz can give it the once over. Hopefully, it's all good.
Then, she sends it on the embassy.

So far, I've been quite patient. Once I got that freakin I-171H, I have calmed down a bunch. I'm not sure why this is, maybe because my entire dossier was sitting and WAITING on that one unimpressive piece of paper. Plus, because of it's arrrival, I didn't make my goal to have my completed dossier turned in and apostilled by end of August like I wanted to. However, I did receive it on 9/14, so, really, I was only 2 weeks past my deadline and it wasn't in my control.

I'm so goal oriented, I like to set goals and then reach them.
Now that I have no clue when we'll travel, I don't have a goal in mind, so maybe that is why.
Plus, we are so busy getting adjusted to 4th grade.
I had been told that 4th grade was a big step up from 3rd grade. The first month of school was ok though-the math was harder and I couldn't do it, but that's nothing new. However, they've stepped it up. Sean has so much homework and it takes a while to do! Plus, he is not the most focused boy in the world. I think that's a boy thing as well. He gets distracted real easy and he's super messy, so you can't read his numbers or his cursive writing very well. Yesterday I had the idea to take him to the library thinking a quiet environment might be better and he would have less distractions than at home. We were there almost 2 hours-and he broke his pencils, went to the bathroom like 3 times, and stares a lot into space. Then, some dude is near us and let's a really smelly one RIP (he tuted). Of course, that sends Sean into a fit of giggles.

I'm trying to be the serious mom, but it was funny.

Tomorrow he has a big science test and vocab test.
I am going keep thinking of ways to get him to focus.

I'm very concerned about pulling him out of school for 8 + weeks to go to Kaz. I don't want to leave him out either ,he really wants to go. Who knows, depending on when we go, maybe he and Joe will leave after bonding and court and I will stay.

I shan't worry! What will be, will be. :)

My Dossier is now TRANSLATED!

I received an email from my case manager tonight that said my dossier has been TRANSLATED!

That is a splendid thing to hear on a Friday. :)

William Tell Overture for Moms

Maybe this is what I sound like to my son-and HENCE why he thinks I am crabby. This just cracked me up. :) I have said these very things!!!!

Keeping Busy!!!

I haven't updated since last week because, frankly, I don't have much to say. But, I am a blog stalker and I get bummed when I stalk my blogs and people haven't updated their blogs, and I don't want to make anyone sad.
My dossier is now complete, since the arrival of the coveted I-171H last week. Getting my mail is no longer an event that causes much anxiety or sadness. YAY!! It is my last document being translated, then it will go to the program manager at CAI who reviews it before it goes to the embassy, before it goes to the country. When we will go? God only knows.
In the meantime, I am going to keep busy and not obsess. (Do you think if I write that in my blog, it will come true??)
I am SUPER EXCITED because the season premier of GREY'S ANATOMY is on tonight. I LOVE that show! And, Desperate Housewives starts Sunday! YAY!!!!

Baby Kaz's room is coming along-my hubby painted it and I LOVE IT! My stepdaughter introduced me to a friend -an artist-who is going to paint a mural of a castle, with Kaz flags on it on a wall of the nursery. I am excited about that. The room is now a lovely shade of "butter cookie" and the baseboard and closet will be painted "Nevada Sky". I wanted to have a whole Kaz color scheme going on (the colors of the flag, basically). My aunt and Grandma are hand stitching a quilt that they designed from the Kaz flag. That is super special to me as my Mom passed away when I was 17 and it's my mom's mom and my mom's sister who are making this for Baby Kaz. I cried when they told me about it. I can't wait to see it. We are also going to put hard wood floors in all our bedrooms, as our carpet is rather trashed from our cat who likes to throw up and our big huge Labradoodle Miles who is just messy. The rest of our house is tile that we got redone a couple years ago.

I think it's going to look absolutely fabulous.

I am also considering training for a marathon so I have a goal to keep me busy. Running long always makes me feel like an empowered rockstar, and I need something I can have some control over and training is good for that. I wasn't sure I was motivated to do it, but I got up at 3:40 this morning and ran 15 miles with 2 friends, and it was a great run and I felt like a rockstar. It felt good to feel in control of something. :)


I felt so good I went to the health department today and got my shots for Kaz. I went with Hep A, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Ouch-they hurt, but only for a moment. I decided to nix the Hep B since I am not going to be having any 'relations' with any foreigners and I am not planning on any blood tranfusions.

Sean will just have to get typhoid, since he's had the other shots required as a kid to go to school. He was happy about that.

I will close on this lovely video my aunt sent me, and with the simple message of how we can all make a difference. I really don't like mean, crabby people, although my son tells me I am really crabby, BUT, that is because he sometimes doesn't LISTEN to his mother and I lose my patience and end up raising my voice the 3rd or 4th time around. :)

I have met such wonderful people in the adoption world and I love reading my blogs and seeing the cute Kaz babies and wonderful Kaz parents and checking on people who are waiting like we are. Everyone is so nice, helpful, supportive and basically just super cool. Let's hope they DON'T pass that law that limits the age of adoptive parents to 50. That would leave us out, since my "young at heart and HOT" hubby is a young 51.

Enjoy the video-make a difference , just be nice!
http://www.stservicemovie.com/

Obessessed

I sent off my notarized I-171H to Tallahassee to a courier to apostille that bad boy for me. Now i'm obessisively going to the fedex.com website with the tracking number hitting refresh so I can see an update. It was picked up at 12:39 pm and it left it's origin at 8:39 pm this evening, in case you were curious.

I tried to chill out. I drank my Miller Chill, took a bubble bath, and read my new Self Magazine and vowed to lose 8 lbs in a month like the skinny chick in the article. But then, I had to come in here and just see where my package was. It still left it's origin-NO CHANGE.

I went to the closet to look at all the adorable clothes I have for Baby Kaz and then I just started crying. I'm not crying because I am sad, I guess I am just so in love with this child that I don't even know yet. I'm so excited and anxious and nervous. I played with some of her toys and looked at some of her books.

I think it's time for me to go to bed and then I can wake up early before my run tomorrow and check on my Fed Ex to see if it arrived in Tallahassee yet.
I think I will wear my new Kaz necklace tomorrow to keep her close to my heart.
I Love my Kaz necklace. I'm doing her room in her Kaz colors too.

Am I just a total psycho?

I GOT IT, I GOT IT, I GOT IT!!

Do you want it, do you want it, do you want it?
Can't have it, can't have it, can't have it

CUZ I GOT, IT GOT IT, I GOT IT?

what, you ask?

My i-171h!!

It's such a plain old boring piece of paper, but it's what we need!
We are approved for adoption of 2 kids from Kaz!
I so happy.
NOW i must find a notary this late to see if i can get it sent off the courier for apostilling. :)

Baby Kaz Inventory

Now that I have some idea when I'll get my I-171H (even though I'm secretly holding my breath until I actually see it with my own eyes in my very own mailbox), I thought I better take inventory of what I have purchased for my lil Miss.
I tend to do everyhing "overboard", or so some people say, like my husband.
So, thanks to Muriel Elrod who sent me her list of the things she took for Princess Sophie, I thought I should inventory my purchases for Baby Kaz.
Now, keep in mind, it's not easy to purchase clothes for a kiddo that you don't know their age or their size. So, I got a variety of things.
Now, those of you Kaz parents who have "been there, done that" what should I bring and what should stay at home?? What am I missing? At this point, there is no room for anything for the adults, only for Baby Kaz. And, we are approved for siblings. In the rare case that happens, I only have things for the youngest child. Or, heck, none of this could fit. Who knows???!!

Anyway, here is my list. What do you think?
Help me weed it out.

Outfits

1 pink corduroy skirt (12 months)
1 pink super soft cardigan zip sweater (12 months)
1 adorable pink corduroy hat (6-12 months)
1 12 month sweatshirt and pants
1 12 month sweatshirt and pants
1 pink velour sweat suit (baby) 6/9 months
1 12 month purple velour sweat suit with long sleeve shirt 12 month
1 12 pink sweatsuit that says GIRL
1 12 MONTH pink and green camo l/s jacket and green cords
1 12 month long sleeve one piece outfit with pink and brown polkda dots
18 month old osh kosh bgosh denim overall
1 12 month osh kosh b gosh denim overalls
One 12-18 month pink long sleeve one piece outfit and matching jacket (so cute)

Bottoms only
Black leggings 12 months
Pink leggings 18 months
Yoga pants 6 to 12 mos
Pink sweat pants (6-9 months
2 pairs of Tights (12-24 months)
2 pairs of tights (6 to 12 months)
2 6-9 months carters pants (soft cotton)

Tops only
Adorable pink princess sweatshirt (12 months)
One long sleeve osh kosh b gosh l/s sleeve shirt

Onesies
1 6 to 12 month long sleeve onesie (polka dot)
1 9 month pink soft outfit with feet
4 Levi’s baby onesies (short sleeve) size 6-9 months
1 9 month green and white onesie with feets
One 6/9 month tan onesie with a lion on oit
8 onesies ((long and short sleeve) 12-18 month old
6 -body suits 9 to 12 mos
3 white onesies 9-12 months
2 floral onesie 6 to 12 months
5 short sleeve onesies 9-12 months with cute sayings
6 sleeveless body suits (9-12 months)
5 pink design onesies (9-18 months)
3 turtleneck onesies (2 18 month, one 12 month)
1 12 month long sleeve one piece outfit with pink and brown polka dots
1 12 month soft Carters one piece (no feet)
1 12 to 18 long sleeve onesie (polka dot)

Sleepers and Pj’s
1 9 month green and white onesie with feets
1 12-18 pair of jamies (long sleeve top and pants that say BEAUTY sleep with a crown)
One 1 month onesie (sleeper) with feet that says baby


Cold Weather Gear
2 Crocheted beanies 6 to 12 mos
Pink hat and gloves (not sure of size, but they look big-way cute)
One other pink hat and mitten size 6-12 months)
1 snowsuit (Size 18 months)
1 12 month long sleeve sweater with zipper (so soft)

Shoes
Carters suede shoes (9-12 months)
Brown suede boots with pink fur (6 to 12 months)
Moccasins with fur (6 to 12 months)

Sox
6 pairs sox (size 9-12 months)
6 pairs sox (size 3 to 12 months)
6 pair sox (6-12 mos)
3 sox (12 to 24 mos)

Bath time

12 baby washcloths
Purple cow washcloth that is also a puppet
Adorable duck washcloth, that is a puppet and A BOOK (way cool)


Toys and books (Keep in mind-30 hour plane ride and also vists to baby house and once we get her in our apt) MUST HAVE VARIETY!!
1 yellow duckie feet rattles (not sure of size but think 6-9 months)
1 infanto pinwheel rattle toy that is totally cool
4 tummy time soft books
10 more soft books ( I AM CRAZY FOR BOOKS!)
6 hard board type books
Fisher Price stacking blocks
Neurosmith sunshine symphony
Infanto pail pets
1 elephant zoobie pet (stuffed animal, and blanket, and pillow)
One pink elephant that records your voice
1 lamaze discovery garden soft book with teething ring
1 find me activity ball (pretty darn cool)
First years stacking turtle shell surprise (so cute!)
Cleo the Cowgirl that attaches to things and also she jingles-fun
ONE SOFT cuddly doll that says Jesus loves me and also rattles.
Baby Einstein WRIST books

Other Baby Kaz “Must Haves”

2 baby photo albums (One Sassy WHO LOVES BABY and one soft one) and I am putting pictures of family, house, dog, etc so she can learn to recongize us.
1 blanket baby (small blanket and its way soft with a cat head)
Bibs qty 16(one that says if you think I’m messy, you should see my mom..LOL)
1 sassy toy organizer fish bag to take the baby house
12 pack cloth diapers for spit up stuff
1 orphan allies medical set (all kinds of stuff for baby-it’s awesome)
Couple baby Einstein dvd’s for the plane ride home
2 baby blankets (super soft for baby house)
1 Mom, 1 Dad, and one brother that love her VERY much and can’t wait to bring her home!!!

My I-171H Is NOT so elusive anymore!!

No, I didn't get it YET! However, at my friend SandI's consistent, relentless, URGING and the strength of a Miller Chill, I got up my nerve to call our local UCSCIS office to inquire about the status of my I-171H.

I was told they'd research it and call me back.
I was taking Miles to the vet to get a vaccine when they called back.
There was some confusion on my homestudy about how many children we were approved for.

My most awesome case worker called and it was straightened out and she was told I would receive my approval right away.
She expects me to have it on FRIDAY!
Now, THAT would TRULY be a TGIF!

Thank GOODNESS I called. I wonder how long it would have been sitting there.
THANKS SANDI AND THANKS MILLER CHILL!!!
Yes, I know Sandi..i owe you a drink. I will buy your next Miller chill. :)

God Bless America and God bless Kazakhstan!
I am HAPPY TODAY!
And, to top it off, we picked out Baby Kaz's crib and dresser/changing table last Saturday and BABIES R US just called-IT'S AT THE STORE READY FOR PICK UP!

It's a great day for Baby Kaz!!!



Oh HAPPY DAY, OH HAPPY DAY
my I-171H is on it's way

Baby Kaz-hang on -soon we'll be headed to Kaz
and you'll soon find out -your mom is a SPAZ!

I think you'll love your brand new crib
I've got you new clothes and even new bibs!

We can't wait to get you home
Where you will NEVER be left alone. :)

These Boots are made for STYLIN!

It's a new month, and not that I am counting, but week 4 since the USCIS has had my homestudy. So, maybe THIS IS THE WEEK that I get my I-171H. My new vow is to NOT be depressed when I go the mail and it's not there.

I ran into TJ Maxx today just to "look" and OMG, they have the cutest baby clothes. I found some very cute boots for Baby Kaz. I got 9-12 months. I hope they fit her. I hope that Baby Kaz is a "her" because these boots would look funny on a boy.

The more days that go by, the more tempted I am to pick up a lil something here or there.

GIRL STUFF IS SO DARN CUTE!!!

I'm a Baby Wearer!!!

The bad news for today, is, NO, I still didn't get my I-171H that I need. It's been 2 weeks since they've had my home study. I felt sure I'd get it this week. But, I must be patient and flexible in international adoption, which is NOT my forte. So, I went to yoga today, which was awesome. I have really missed going since Sean's been out of school, but now that's school's back in , Mom's gettin her YOGA back ON!

While waiting for my I-171H, I am purchasing things for Baby Kaz, and warm clothes for the Floridian family to take to freezing cold Kaz in the December time frame, and reading my adoption books.
Attachment is very important, so, I decided I need to get a baby carrier because the new cool hip thing is "baby wearing". I wasn't much of a baby wearer with Sean. I am not very coordinated, and by the time I got the snuggli on, he cried and wanted out. He could probably figure out I was stressed, so he didn't like it. So, I am going to LEARN how to wear my baby, before I get this baby. I am getting smarter in my old age. After much research, I went with an Ergo. It has a 90 day money back guarantee. I wore it around the house for 2 hours last night, just to see how it felt. I felt like a cool hip mom, and my baby, AKA Dopey, was very light and he didn't fuss at all.

Today, I took my new Ergo to my son's school, where another baby wearer, Andrea, showed me how to use it , with her son, Dane, who is 7 months old and 23 lbs. He is a big boy, and incredibly cute and LOVES being worn. He kept falling asleep. She also showed me her hotsling, which was fun when she showed me how. I tried that the other week at a party with my friends babies but I think I was too stressed because they all cried.

So, while I wait for my I-171H, I will figure out my ergo, maybe get a hotsling, and shop online for warm clothes. I did find some cute boots-similar to Uggs, but much cheaper, called BEAR PAW. I figure I can get them and wear them around here to make sure they're comfy.

If anyone wants me to wear their baby for practice, give me a jingle.
I felt very hip and cool wearing Dane. He sure was cute. I have the worst baby fever EVER!

No I-171H yet..BUT...

I did get 3 new pair of shoes at Steinmart for only $16.84!!!! Can you believe that? Not like I need anymore shoes, especially cute sandals, but, they were $5.84 per pair, and they were CUTE! I have to say, this job at Steinmart totally rocks. I get to help people shop, and find great deals for me. Too bad it's too cold in Kaz in December to wear these, as I heard all the Kaz women wear FANCY SHMANCY high heeled shoes and dress to the nines. Well, I will be bringing only ugly clothes to Kaz with me and I will be wearing the same thing OVER and OVER. That is going to kill me, but then once we get home, I can show Baby Kaz what's it's really like to be a fashion diva. Those Kaz women don't have nothin on this STEINMART BOU LADY! NO SIREE BOB!!

One of my BFF'S Jill, picked up my son from school for me and dropped him off for at Steinmart on the way home. They all came in, and the boys decided to play "dress up" in the purse and hat department. I'm so glad I carry my camera wherever I go, as I got some excellent black mail photo's of these boys. This will be included in my son's video at his wedding. I cannot wait. Sean is the foxy lady on the left.





AND....THE PYRAMID SHOT!! The two 9 year olds are the base, while the lithe 7 year old is the top gal. (Sean is the gal on the far right)


Maybe Sean can teach Baby Kaz to do the splits...

Going "Crazy" for my Kaz Baby!!

Today was my son's first day of 4th grade!!! Even though he was acting like he didn't want to go, I could tell he was excited to go see his buddies again, and even though I totally enjoyed my first summer of not working full time and hanging with him, I was excited to meet my BFF Karen, and her baby Ryan, at Babies R Us to go SHOPPING after I dropped him off at school.
I found a crib I really liked, and looked at strollers. I said I was NOT buying any more toys, but I found the cutest lil baby camera that I couldn't resist. I bought my first outfits, and socks. I got some neutral and some girly stuff too since I know we're not guaranteed that Baby Kaz will be a girl.
I got home and decided to lay out ALL the stuff that this baby has already.
It's not TOO bad. I still have a couple things coming though from Target.com-that includes a cute fish bag (copying off Sarah and Andy who had one for their kids and it was so cute), as well as a couple more books. I am crazy for books. I really think I am done with stuff for the baby. Now, I must get on OUR stuff, like, clothes for freezing cold weather. I guess i can't wear my new "fit flops" unless I want my toes to fall off from frostbite, but HEY, that would save me money on pedicures, right?

Oh, and so not to feel left out, Here is a picture of my son, on his debut of 4th grade. His new phrase is "Mom, CHILL!!".

I think I'm nesting-and Pics of Baby Kaz's room (Before)

No new news to report--every day I tell my son, Let's practice "The Secret" and imagine my I-171H IN OUR MAILBOX TODAY! But, we didn't get it yet. I started freaking out last night worrying about the weather in Kaz in the winter and how we have no winter clothes and what we're going to pack and how will i be able to exercise and what about Sean's school work and ARRRRRRRGHH!! So, I had just take a deep breath and chill out and I vowed to make some lists out.

I am, however, finding some incredibly cute baby books and some really fun baby toys.I keep saying I will not buy ANYMORE, but then I find something I cannot resist. It doesn't help that I work at Steinmart and they have the CUTEST baby toys and blankets and books. But, hey, at least I am not buying clothes for me. I justify my purchases in that it's for Baby Kaz. You can NEVER have too many books, right?
But, I am just throwing them in the sofa and in the corner of the baby's room (which is currently my office). I need to start working on the nursery. I want to do Kaz colors and have asked my most awesome Aunt Jane, who is a professional quilter and incredible artist if she will please make a quilt for Baby Kaz and I sent her a picture of the flag. I also have to figure out what to do with the computer furniture that is currently taking up this room, and also the closet is currently storing a ton of junk. There is no room for cute Baby Kaz clothes.

The rest of our apostilled documents (Minus the Elusive I-171H) were received last Friday, 8/17 for translation into Russian.

So, in the meantime, I will try to not freak out, work on the nursery, work on our Russian, make my lists, and imagine my I-171H showing up in my mail box this week.

God Speed.

The "Baby Whisperer" and Sore Biceps

One of my best friends had her annual "Back to School Mom and Kids party" yesterday and it was so much fun, as usual. She lives in this killer house on a lake, complete with jet boat, jet ski's, swimming pool, and tons of great food and fun friends. It was especially fun this year as I have 4 friends who have had babies since the last back to school party last August. I was in BABY HEAVEN! I got to hug and kiss babies the entire afternoon. They were so adorable!! I did feel like the "baby whisperer" as I just never wanted to be without one of them. The mommies were happy to share so they could chat.
I have included a precious picture of Brody, who found me so relaxing he just crashed out and let me snuggle and kiss his sweet head. Isn't he the cutest? I am sorry that I didn't get my camera out sooner as I only got pictures of me with one baby. However, it became very apparent to me this morning, that I need to lift weights before getting BAby Kaz. MY BICEPS ARE SO SORE!! I am clearly not used to holding babies, now that my son is 9. :)
I tried to use my friends "Hot slings" but that resulted in crying babies and me trying to cram their legs into this pouch that didn't seem to fit. I am NO good at those things. I then tried to put a 10 lb baby in the hot sling, and have his legs hang out, but he did NOT like it one bit. I am going to keep practicing using differnet carriers so I can decide what to get for Kaz. My son never liked any of them, even the baby Bjorn type. So, we'll see. I'm so uncoordinated so ease of use is hilarious.

As I am holding and kissing these sweet babies (all boys, by the way, ranging in age from 3 1/2 months to 10 1/2 months), I am reminded of a comment that a lady said to me recently. She said, "Wow, you must have a really big heart, I could never love a baby that wasn't mine", when I was telling her about our adoption. I suppose I can understand that some people may feel that way, but I am CERTAINLY not one of those people. I can tell you with 100% certainty that I love ALL my freinds precious babies, and I also am attached to my 4 year old Sunday school students. I could take them all home (well, most of them anyway) and love them like my own. I guess that is why we're very happy with our adoption decision.

My documents are APOSTILLED!!

The courier just called me, all my documents are apostilled, and will arrive back to me tomorrow morning at 10:30 am. :) That makes me so happy!!

Now, just need ONE MORE FORM and we can submit that dossier!! There is one woman in Tampa who processes all the I-171H. I would like to call and bring her lunch or something and see if she needs any help. The USCIS office received our homestudy last Thursday, and they already have our fingerprints (since 7/28) and our application and check (on 6/5). So, I am sure hoping it's a slow summer so she can just get going on my approval. It's really all about me!! :)

It's our last full week of summer vacation as Sean starts school next Wed 8/21. We know his teacher-I hope she is cool and flexible as I have to explain we'll be taking Sean out for 2 months to go meet his baby sister (or brother) in Kaz!

It's actually starting starting to seem real.
I want to hurry up and get our dossier in though before someone changes a rule on us or something-as that's been known to happen.

SO EXCITING! :)

Off to Apostille land!!!

I just got home from Fed Ex-sending off 24 documents to be apostilled! I wanted to kiss them goodbye and pray for them a safe journey to the courier. I have everything I need now, EXCEPT for my approval from Immigration-the COVETED I-171H. It's so funny that a few months ago I had no idea WHAT apostille meant or what an I-171H was, and now I'm rattling them off like a pro.

My passport came last Saturday morning by my friendly Fed Ex Driver. I was so happy to see it! It's SO cool looking! The pages are so pretty-all different pictures. Mine is way cooler than Joe's-as his is a few years old. We still don't have Sean's, but I will not worry about that until October-as he needs it for November for my sister Noelle's big WEDDING in CAbo San Lucas. That will be our last fun trip before our wild adventures in Kaz.

I met with Firyuza today (my case worker) to have her to review all my documents to make sure they were correct before they're all apostilled. She gave me the thumbs up. She is the calmest person I have ever met. It was SO quiet in the office. Sean kept telling me to please use my inside voice. I was using my inside voice, but I am just a loud person I guess.

After being up past midnight a couple nights this week getting all my paperwork organized and taking pictures and getting those printed, and making my 3 copies of each one, and labeling them all, I have to say, I am exhausted. :) USCIS received my homestudy at 9 am this morning. They have my fingerprints, so I think they should just turn it around like, next week for me. That would be so grand. :)

It was really nerve wracking sending off that paperwork.
For the first time, I am starting to think about the actual baby that I'm doing this for. Joe's cousin is due in October, and we were talking about how our babies could be close to the same age. She is a stay at home mom who lives only 5 minutes away from me. It's really starting to seem real. I guess I am really "pregnant on paper" now. I will feel more pregnant though when my dossier is DONE and off. I have been eating chocolate like I'm pregnant. :)
I started looking at Sean's old baby pictures-it seems like so long ago he was so little and sweet. Man, they get sassy quick. But, I have to admit, Sean is a lot of fun to have around. He really makes me laugh. He will be a character in Kazakhstan.

Bureaucracy and V(BS)

I thought I'd post an update on what's been goin on in our adventures to bring home Baby Kaz in the last couple of weeks.
The GOOD NEWS is I got a letter from a mortgage company that is required for our dossier!! YAY!!! I was beyond frustrated, after calling our mortgage company twice and writing them 5 times. It was kind of funny, as a friend of ours graciously agreed to write it,then I get a letter from our mortgage company today. It was close to what I needed, but not quite. So, that is one hurdle OUT OF THE WAY! I also spoke and emailed the passport office. It's now been 16 weeks since Sean and I applied for our passports. We applied April 18th (for Noelle's (my sister's) wedding in Cabo San Lucas in November), not even KNOWING our destiny to bring home Baby Kaz. Anyway, I kept checking the status and it says "Processing". It's been 16 weeks, and they tell you if it's been longer than 10 or 12 weeks, to call or email. I did both. Well, I get an email back saying to give them a chance to research it. I finally get a response today, and I'm SO EXCITED-thinking-OH WOW, MY MORTGAGE COMPANY LETTER AND MY PASSPORT, no way! But, alas, the email informed me that my passport was being processed. THAT WAS SURE HELPFUL!
However, all week I have been a preschool VBS teacher (Vacation Bible School) at our church. I was in charge of "Wild Bible Adventures" at Avalanche Ranch. I taught my 60 kiddo's that GOD IS REAL, GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US, GOD IS STRONG, AND GOD IS IN CHARGE. Here I am getting all FRUSTRATED with my mortgage people, frustrated with my passport, when my I-171h isn't even here. It will all come. I have time, and I cannot belabor things that I can't control. After all, God is in charge, and we will get it done when it's meant to be done. I just want to meet my goal of having our dossier completed by the end of August. It's only August 3rd, so I will remain positive and remember that GOD IS ALWAYS WITH ME. Too bad I can't sing my songs for you.
So, when I get fed up from BUREACRATIC BS, I will take heart to remember what I taught my munchkins in VBS--and Let God be REALLY STRONG AND REALLY WITH ME AND REALLY IN CHARGE, and help me get my FREAKIN PASSPORT.

I have been obssessivly reading blogs, and staying up way too late. I'm falling in love with everyone ELSE'S Kaz babies. :) I have also "met" (online) 4 families from Florida (that live nearby) that are adopting from Kaz or have already adopted. SO, that is very cool. We can get our Kaz babies together!! Sean and I are also busy learning Russian. We are getting pretty good. We listen in the car. I didn't think I was retaining a thing, but then I just start spouting things off. It's kind of cool, and we've only been doing it for a week, in the short 5 minute drives to VBS.

The next update I post will hopefully bring exciting news of our I-171H, and our passport, which are both requirements of Kaz to submit all our paperwork to bring home the babe.

Kazakhstan - Undiscovered, Untouched, Unforgettable

Kaz-in a minute or less.
We are reading our Kaz books and learning Russian tapes in the car. Getting ready to go meet Baby Kaz if our passports ever come.

Cutest stuff EVER!

I have become more "addicted" to the internet than EVER, with the discovery of the yahoo internet board that consists off all adoptive parent in Kazakstan. It's such an incredible resource as everyone is so generous in sharing their time and their experiences. I have found the adoptive parental community to be so supportive. It reminds me a lot of the running/triathlete community. Everyone is so willing to give advice and help others out.

Check out these ADORABLE t-shirts. I am going to have to get a couple of these.

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

The full music video of "When Love Takes You In", performed by Steven curtis Chapman in his album entitled "Declaration". Keep in mind, this song is a love letter to Chapman's adopted children ... and also a higher metaphor for the souls lost in the journey of life.