Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Kim and Alina
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
This post is WAY to long...
I promised myself I would blog more so here I am....blogging. What should I start with? My crazy summer? The story of my beautiful baby girl? Anything goes...right? It's a blog!! So, here goes....
* In May, I found out my theatre mentor and friend had breast cancer (read previous post about this).
* In June, we found out that my Dad's heart was out of rhythm. He was having trouble breathing and I finally convinced him...wait, let me rephrase that...threatened him into going to see a doctor about it. I told him if he made me drive 7 hours to cart his ass to the doctor he was going whether he liked it or not. I would have taken him in kicking and screaming if I had to. Why are parents so pig headed sometimes? I don't understand it? They want the best for us and always encourage us to go to the doctor or dentist when we are in distress but WILL NOT do if for themselves. I just don't get it! Maybe when Alina gets here I will but for right now, I'm at a loss. Anyway, he did go to the doctor and the doctor, who is a friend of mine, put him in the hospital that day! His heart was beating in the mid hundreds and it's only suppose to be beating in the 70's! Needless to say, my doctor friend said if he didn't go into the hospital, he would end up having a stroke or heartattack. So, he did go into the hospitial..right into the ICU unit so they could keep a close eye on him. So, I jumped in the car and headed home to KY. Yes, the 7 hour drive was the longest in my life. Knowing that your father (or mother) is in the hospital with a heart condition and you are not there is tormenting!!! But, I made it and thus spent 2 weeks in KY trying not only to support my father but help my mother with the family business. From then on, it was back and forth from Memphis to KY almost every other week or two weeks to go to doctor's appointments or this, that, or the other thing. I wish I could have just spent all my time in KY but it's really hard when you have a place of your own to take care of not to mention two cats.
Just last week, my dad had a procedure to put his heart back into rhythm. This was the third procedure he had to try to fix his out of rhythm heart. Well, it is working so far. The next three months are crucial in that if his heart stays in rhythm, he's pretty much in the clear. They will slowly take him off his meds to see if his heart will maintain a regular beat. If it does, he should be good. Now, it's not to say that if can't go out of rhythm again. We'll probably have to watch it from now on but it for right now, he's good. He never was incompacitated at anytime. He's only symptom was that he couldn't walk more that 10 feet until he was completely, and I mean panting, out of breath and, of course, that made him tired. So now, he can walk much further, is not out of breath but gets tired easily. So, he does have some rehabilitation to go through to get his heart back up to speed...I know, bad pun but couldn't resist! He just needs to have the patience to do it. He is being good though and doing everything his heart doctor says. And, of course, he blames me for all of this! If I hadn't threatened him into going to the doctor, none of this would have happened he says (all of this is said from a loving, joking manner really!!). Well, all I can say is....your welcome! I'm glad your in rhythm now Daddy...you can now dance with the soul brothers!!!
Now, while all of this was going on, I found out that Kazakhstan was slowing down, vertually stopped, their IA program and now I am stuck in ANOTHER holding pattern. Well, things are moving again and as I mention in my last post, my dossier is in line to be submitted. My case worker said it would be around 6 months but I think it will be sooner. She wrote me an email a couple of weeks ago saying I needed to have letters of support for my homestudy agency and my social workers licenses because when my dossier is submitted, they will be less than one year old (they received new licenses in May of this year). So, that leads me to think that my dossier could be turned in maybe around March or April which means I will be able to travel sooner! Of course, I'm not getting my hopes up to much. I've been in the game long enough to know that this really means nothing but I can still hope.
This post is way to long. Are you guys sure you want me to come back to blogging? I could ramble on more you know but for now, it's time to stop.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!!
* In May, I found out my theatre mentor and friend had breast cancer (read previous post about this).
* In June, we found out that my Dad's heart was out of rhythm. He was having trouble breathing and I finally convinced him...wait, let me rephrase that...threatened him into going to see a doctor about it. I told him if he made me drive 7 hours to cart his ass to the doctor he was going whether he liked it or not. I would have taken him in kicking and screaming if I had to. Why are parents so pig headed sometimes? I don't understand it? They want the best for us and always encourage us to go to the doctor or dentist when we are in distress but WILL NOT do if for themselves. I just don't get it! Maybe when Alina gets here I will but for right now, I'm at a loss. Anyway, he did go to the doctor and the doctor, who is a friend of mine, put him in the hospital that day! His heart was beating in the mid hundreds and it's only suppose to be beating in the 70's! Needless to say, my doctor friend said if he didn't go into the hospital, he would end up having a stroke or heartattack. So, he did go into the hospitial..right into the ICU unit so they could keep a close eye on him. So, I jumped in the car and headed home to KY. Yes, the 7 hour drive was the longest in my life. Knowing that your father (or mother) is in the hospital with a heart condition and you are not there is tormenting!!! But, I made it and thus spent 2 weeks in KY trying not only to support my father but help my mother with the family business. From then on, it was back and forth from Memphis to KY almost every other week or two weeks to go to doctor's appointments or this, that, or the other thing. I wish I could have just spent all my time in KY but it's really hard when you have a place of your own to take care of not to mention two cats.
Just last week, my dad had a procedure to put his heart back into rhythm. This was the third procedure he had to try to fix his out of rhythm heart. Well, it is working so far. The next three months are crucial in that if his heart stays in rhythm, he's pretty much in the clear. They will slowly take him off his meds to see if his heart will maintain a regular beat. If it does, he should be good. Now, it's not to say that if can't go out of rhythm again. We'll probably have to watch it from now on but it for right now, he's good. He never was incompacitated at anytime. He's only symptom was that he couldn't walk more that 10 feet until he was completely, and I mean panting, out of breath and, of course, that made him tired. So now, he can walk much further, is not out of breath but gets tired easily. So, he does have some rehabilitation to go through to get his heart back up to speed...I know, bad pun but couldn't resist! He just needs to have the patience to do it. He is being good though and doing everything his heart doctor says. And, of course, he blames me for all of this! If I hadn't threatened him into going to the doctor, none of this would have happened he says (all of this is said from a loving, joking manner really!!). Well, all I can say is....your welcome! I'm glad your in rhythm now Daddy...you can now dance with the soul brothers!!!
Now, while all of this was going on, I found out that Kazakhstan was slowing down, vertually stopped, their IA program and now I am stuck in ANOTHER holding pattern. Well, things are moving again and as I mention in my last post, my dossier is in line to be submitted. My case worker said it would be around 6 months but I think it will be sooner. She wrote me an email a couple of weeks ago saying I needed to have letters of support for my homestudy agency and my social workers licenses because when my dossier is submitted, they will be less than one year old (they received new licenses in May of this year). So, that leads me to think that my dossier could be turned in maybe around March or April which means I will be able to travel sooner! Of course, I'm not getting my hopes up to much. I've been in the game long enough to know that this really means nothing but I can still hope.
This post is way to long. Are you guys sure you want me to come back to blogging? I could ramble on more you know but for now, it's time to stop.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
I Know...I Know...
Ok...I know it's been forever but there were alot...ALOT...and I do mean ALOT of things happening this summer with me that I will not go into right now..maybe later. BUT...I have some BIG NEWS that I just had to share with all my blog friends (if you are still reading my severely neglected blog). I'M PREGNANT...Paper Pregnant that is!! As of November 7, 2008 (ironically my birthday...what at b-day present for me..it's a good omen), I am offically on my way to the kutest kid in Kazakhstan! It's going to be 6 months (maybe less) until my dossier is submitted to the Kaz Embassy in DC (yes, there is a slowdown right now due to some a$$holes making money off of adoptions in Kaz). Once it's through the Embassy (it will take approximately 2 weeks) then it's off to Kaz and that process will most likely take 2 1/2 to 3 months. So, in 9 months (how ironic is that), I will be holding my precious Alina Jean for the first time! HOLY CRAP!!! HOLY CRAP!! This is really going to happen! I can't believe it! When the realization hit me yesterday, all I could do was cry and hold her picture. I am the luckiest person in the world! Hold on Alina baby! Mama's comin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
I'm alive....barely!!
Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately but this summer has turned out to be the most stressful of my LIFE!! No...it's has nothing...well almost nothing...to do with the adoption. I can't go into specifics right now but hopefully will have some time soon to fill you in on what's been going on with me this summer. Just know that I appreciate your patience with me. I promise to be back with details and pics of the beach trip which was the ONLY highlight of my summer!HUGS AND KISSES!!
Be Back Soon!!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Beaching It!!
I'm off to the BEACH!!! WOOOHOOO!!! I'm so damn excited!! I'll be sure to take some pics of the lovely Biloxi, MS area! Must go and pack now!! See ya later!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I'm B..A..C..K!!
Well...I've been back for a while but been busy getting the rest of the adoption paperwork together. So, here's the last month of my life...bullet style (in no certain order):
* Got my fingerprints taken today for immigration. Now it's a 7 week wait for the "permission" from the government to bring Alina into the states. Waited it out once, can do it again. Once I get the "permission slip", a.k.a the coveted I 171H, that completes ALL the paperwork needed for my dossier...yippeee!!!! Then it's time to get everything apostilled and sent off to the agency where it will all get translated and then sent to the Kaz embassy in DC. Then, after they approve it, it's off to Kaz and then I wait to get my Travel Approval. I think I'm still looking at another 7 to 9 months before I can bring Alina home.
* Homestudy is done! Got that taken care of last week. I kinda had to be a squeaky wheel about it but I was not waiting 3 months like I did last time. Last time there was no child waiting for me. I was waiting for a child (the China adoption). I hate being a squeaky wheel but we all know what a squeaky wheel gets....
* Took care of my friend who had a mastectomy for a week and a half. She came through it rather well. She had some complications afterwards but is on the path to wellness now. As much as I love her, I have discovered that she is the most negative person in the world!! Spending a week and a half, day in and day out, has really opened my eyes to her true personality. Don't get me wrong...I still love her to death. What bothers me is that she CHOOSES to be this way. She knows that she is being negative, abrasive, and pushy and she has the attitude of, "If you don't like it then F**k you!!" Now, she's not like this all the time. It was just a little bit of a shock I guess. She started out as a mentor to me and we became friends. I've been with her through the death of her husband, her mother, and now her cancer scare plus many other things. She will always be my friend but don't know if I can spend another week and a half with her...hehehe!!! (PS her stepdaughter and her partner are also helping to take care of her).
* Going to the beach next week!!! Wooohooo!!! I really shouldn't but I'm doing it anyway. 4 days and 3 nights in Biloxi, MS!!! Yeah, I know. It's not Florida or the Keys..it's only Biloxi. But, when you haven't been to the beach in over 3 years, it's good enough for me and especially for my budget right now.
* Just made a TO DO list for the summer which includes getting all the little things done around the house PLUS fixing Alina's room. I'm not repainting (thank God) so I'm working with the colors that are already there (purples, lavenders, greens). I'm just "kid-a-fying" it.
* Bought Alina a bed frame, comforter, and curtain rods. The bed is a captains bed with three drawers under it. The comforter is sooo cute and so are the curtain rods. I'm making her curtains and I've order wooden letters that spell her name..gotta paint those and hang them. I'll post some pics when I get it all finished. I think it's going to be sooo cute!!!
* Hung my flat screen TV on the wall this weekend AND put my new media cabinet together. This cabinet holds 440 DVDs!!! It took me two days to put it together because my little battery powered screwdriver kept running out of juice..teehee! It looks pretty cool!
* Some friends and I have started to go to Swankies Taco Shop (weird I know) for Trivia night on Wednesdays. It's been really fun!! The margaritas are the bomb and the foods not bad either. I thought since this is my last summer of being by myself (hopefully), I'd better get out and do stuff while I can.
* Been to the zoo several times and will go again several times. It's Gili's (my surrogate child) favorite place to go. We went all by ourselves a couple of weeks ago. It was great to "play mommy" for a day. I also kept her one day last week. We always have so much fun!!
* Welcomed home Owen Walls who is our newest addition. He arrived fresh from China on May 15th. He is three and such a cutie!!! Most of my China mom's group meet Owen and his family at the airport when they got back from China. He seems to be adjusting well to his new family and life in the states.
That's about it. Thanks for dropping by!! I'll try not to let another month go by before posting again. I should do this every night. It's very cathartic for me but I bet it bores you guys to tears...hehe!!! Cheers....until next time!!
* Got my fingerprints taken today for immigration. Now it's a 7 week wait for the "permission" from the government to bring Alina into the states. Waited it out once, can do it again. Once I get the "permission slip", a.k.a the coveted I 171H, that completes ALL the paperwork needed for my dossier...yippeee!!!! Then it's time to get everything apostilled and sent off to the agency where it will all get translated and then sent to the Kaz embassy in DC. Then, after they approve it, it's off to Kaz and then I wait to get my Travel Approval. I think I'm still looking at another 7 to 9 months before I can bring Alina home.
* Homestudy is done! Got that taken care of last week. I kinda had to be a squeaky wheel about it but I was not waiting 3 months like I did last time. Last time there was no child waiting for me. I was waiting for a child (the China adoption). I hate being a squeaky wheel but we all know what a squeaky wheel gets....
* Took care of my friend who had a mastectomy for a week and a half. She came through it rather well. She had some complications afterwards but is on the path to wellness now. As much as I love her, I have discovered that she is the most negative person in the world!! Spending a week and a half, day in and day out, has really opened my eyes to her true personality. Don't get me wrong...I still love her to death. What bothers me is that she CHOOSES to be this way. She knows that she is being negative, abrasive, and pushy and she has the attitude of, "If you don't like it then F**k you!!" Now, she's not like this all the time. It was just a little bit of a shock I guess. She started out as a mentor to me and we became friends. I've been with her through the death of her husband, her mother, and now her cancer scare plus many other things. She will always be my friend but don't know if I can spend another week and a half with her...hehehe!!! (PS her stepdaughter and her partner are also helping to take care of her).
* Going to the beach next week!!! Wooohooo!!! I really shouldn't but I'm doing it anyway. 4 days and 3 nights in Biloxi, MS!!! Yeah, I know. It's not Florida or the Keys..it's only Biloxi. But, when you haven't been to the beach in over 3 years, it's good enough for me and especially for my budget right now.
* Just made a TO DO list for the summer which includes getting all the little things done around the house PLUS fixing Alina's room. I'm not repainting (thank God) so I'm working with the colors that are already there (purples, lavenders, greens). I'm just "kid-a-fying" it.
* Bought Alina a bed frame, comforter, and curtain rods. The bed is a captains bed with three drawers under it. The comforter is sooo cute and so are the curtain rods. I'm making her curtains and I've order wooden letters that spell her name..gotta paint those and hang them. I'll post some pics when I get it all finished. I think it's going to be sooo cute!!!
* Hung my flat screen TV on the wall this weekend AND put my new media cabinet together. This cabinet holds 440 DVDs!!! It took me two days to put it together because my little battery powered screwdriver kept running out of juice..teehee! It looks pretty cool!
* Some friends and I have started to go to Swankies Taco Shop (weird I know) for Trivia night on Wednesdays. It's been really fun!! The margaritas are the bomb and the foods not bad either. I thought since this is my last summer of being by myself (hopefully), I'd better get out and do stuff while I can.
* Been to the zoo several times and will go again several times. It's Gili's (my surrogate child) favorite place to go. We went all by ourselves a couple of weeks ago. It was great to "play mommy" for a day. I also kept her one day last week. We always have so much fun!!
* Welcomed home Owen Walls who is our newest addition. He arrived fresh from China on May 15th. He is three and such a cutie!!! Most of my China mom's group meet Owen and his family at the airport when they got back from China. He seems to be adjusting well to his new family and life in the states.
That's about it. Thanks for dropping by!! I'll try not to let another month go by before posting again. I should do this every night. It's very cathartic for me but I bet it bores you guys to tears...hehe!!! Cheers....until next time!!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Waiting Game....Not Good for a Control Freak Like Me
When you enter the throws of International Adoption, it really is a roller coaster ride. You are so excited to find an agency that will accept you and has a program that you are interested in. Then, the paperchase begins. There still is that excitement of gathering what needs to be gathered and dreaming of that cherub of a face that will someday be yours. Doctors appointments, county court house, fingerprints, FBI, USCIS, homestudy, social worker, adoption coordinator, caseworker, notaries, apostilles, birth certificiates, and the list goes on and on. Once all the paperwork is gathered, that's when the waiting game begins because you no longer have control or a say in ANYTHING!! You can't call the FBI and say, "Ahem, excuse me, yes, I sent my fingerprints in 2 weeks ago. You see, I'm in the middle of gathering paperwork for an adoption and there's this little 4 year old girl waiting for me in Kazakhstan. Could you please see to it THAT YOU GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR AND RETURN THE FINGERPRINTS AND THE APPRORIATE PAPERWORK IMMEDIATELY?!! I would so appreciate it. Thanks." That's what you feel like saying but, alas, if you did something like that you probably would NEVER receive your fingerprints back.
This also goes for USCIS. "Yes, I know you only have 2 people working in the ENTIRE adoption unit of your office but, you see, there's the cutest little 4 year old child waiting for me in Kazakhstan. So, I was wondering COULD YOU WORK JUST A LITTLE FASTER SO I CAN HAVE YOUR PERMISSION (huh!!) TO BRING MY DAUGHTER TO THE UNITED STATEs? Thanks so much for your attention to my file." Yeah, that's what I'd like to say but, just like with the FBI, this would not bring my I171H any closer to my door. So, I wait for other people to clear my good name and give me the paperwork to prove it. And, I wait for other people to allow me to adopt a child from Kazakhstan and give ME the permission to bring her into the United States.
Isn't it funny that anyone can HAVE a child (baring infertility of course)...no questions asked...no social workers to report to, no asking the government for permission for anything. But, if you want to adopt one...oohohoh...you have to PROVE to EVERYONE UNDER THE SUN that you are capable of raising a child. Yes, I know it's done in the best interest of the child and I have no argument at all about that. And, in some cases, I'm glad it's done. I just wish it was simplier..you know. All I want is to give a secure and loving home to a child. I want to give a child a chance to become whatever they want to be...give something of myself to a child...be a mother. And to do that, all I have to do is jump through, what feels like, 3 million hoops to do it. Okay...fine. You want me to do it....I'll do it. I'll jump through those hoops and when I've jumped through that 3 millionth hoop, there's this extremely cute kid in Kazakhstan that I will be the proud mother of and the frustration of jumping through all those hoops and the extreme frustration felt during the waiting game will fade and it will have all been worth it.
This also goes for USCIS. "Yes, I know you only have 2 people working in the ENTIRE adoption unit of your office but, you see, there's the cutest little 4 year old child waiting for me in Kazakhstan. So, I was wondering COULD YOU WORK JUST A LITTLE FASTER SO I CAN HAVE YOUR PERMISSION (huh!!) TO BRING MY DAUGHTER TO THE UNITED STATEs? Thanks so much for your attention to my file." Yeah, that's what I'd like to say but, just like with the FBI, this would not bring my I171H any closer to my door. So, I wait for other people to clear my good name and give me the paperwork to prove it. And, I wait for other people to allow me to adopt a child from Kazakhstan and give ME the permission to bring her into the United States.
Isn't it funny that anyone can HAVE a child (baring infertility of course)...no questions asked...no social workers to report to, no asking the government for permission for anything. But, if you want to adopt one...oohohoh...you have to PROVE to EVERYONE UNDER THE SUN that you are capable of raising a child. Yes, I know it's done in the best interest of the child and I have no argument at all about that. And, in some cases, I'm glad it's done. I just wish it was simplier..you know. All I want is to give a secure and loving home to a child. I want to give a child a chance to become whatever they want to be...give something of myself to a child...be a mother. And to do that, all I have to do is jump through, what feels like, 3 million hoops to do it. Okay...fine. You want me to do it....I'll do it. I'll jump through those hoops and when I've jumped through that 3 millionth hoop, there's this extremely cute kid in Kazakhstan that I will be the proud mother of and the frustration of jumping through all those hoops and the extreme frustration felt during the waiting game will fade and it will have all been worth it.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!
WOW!! Alina has been in my life, although she doesn't know it quite yet, for ONE WHOLE MONTH as of today!! In this last month, I've gotten all my paperwork together for everyone...Kaz AND Immigration! Now, it's a waiting game. I wait for my homestudy to be finished, wait for my FBI fingerprints to be sent back to me, then wait for the I171H. I estimate I've got 2 to 2 1/2 months of waiting to do then my dossier will be sent to the Kaz embassy in DC. Then the next step is for the embassy to translate it and then it's off to Kazakhstan! I'm not expecting that anytime soon. I hope to have Alina home by this time next year...that's my hope. Of course, I would not complain if it happened sooner. I just know that I'm on my way to a my child. I promised myself that this year...that I would be on my way to my future child even if she didn't come from China. I'd say I've kept my promise to myself. Way to go self {gives herself a pat on the back :)}!! I had my doubts but I stuck to my guns and made it come true. I'm on my way to motherhood...YIPPEEE!!! Goodnight sweet baby....or I should say Good morning! Know that I think about you everyday and fall in love with you a little more each time I look at your picture. I can't wait to hold you in my arms, play dress up with you, make you clothes, fatten you up on good Southern food, and just love you until the end of time.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Home Visits and Birthday Parties
Penny, my social worker, came to the house today. It was fine. I didn't clean like I should have but hey, she's seen it clean once...isn't that enough???..hehe. We also talked about the homestudy. She said it's ready to get typed and she will send a rough draft to my agency probably by the end of the week. I'm looking for it to be completely finished within the next two weeks. Then, I can send all the immigration stuff in and wait for the new I-171H. Things are at a standstill until I get the new one.
I've been thinking about something lately. Alina will have a sibling...there's no doubt about that. And, my agency suggests that your homestudy approve you for 2 children of either gender. So, what if Alina's sibling came home with her? What if I adopted 2 children at once? Am I crazy for even thinking I could handle that? Wow, talk about throwing yourself into motherhood head first! How much harder would it be with 2 instead of 1? It's just something I'm thinking about...not seriously...YET...but I'm thinking about it.
Went to a 4 year old birthday party this weekend. It was fun to see the little ones play and have their picnic outside. Glenys, the birthday girl, wanted a princess and mermaid picnic birthday party. It turned out quite well I thought. This weekend I have another 4 year old birthday party to go to..Hallie's on Saturday. Then, I have a 2 year old birthday party on Sunday....Margaux. I've been to more birthday parties in the last 2 years than I have in my entire life!!! This month alone I'll have attended 4 birthday parties and a baby, really toddler, shower! When I started this journey, I never expected to be partying like this (hehe)!! It is always fun and the little ones are a joy to watch.
I've been thinking about something lately. Alina will have a sibling...there's no doubt about that. And, my agency suggests that your homestudy approve you for 2 children of either gender. So, what if Alina's sibling came home with her? What if I adopted 2 children at once? Am I crazy for even thinking I could handle that? Wow, talk about throwing yourself into motherhood head first! How much harder would it be with 2 instead of 1? It's just something I'm thinking about...not seriously...YET...but I'm thinking about it.
Went to a 4 year old birthday party this weekend. It was fun to see the little ones play and have their picnic outside. Glenys, the birthday girl, wanted a princess and mermaid picnic birthday party. It turned out quite well I thought. This weekend I have another 4 year old birthday party to go to..Hallie's on Saturday. Then, I have a 2 year old birthday party on Sunday....Margaux. I've been to more birthday parties in the last 2 years than I have in my entire life!!! This month alone I'll have attended 4 birthday parties and a baby, really toddler, shower! When I started this journey, I never expected to be partying like this (hehe)!! It is always fun and the little ones are a joy to watch.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Two in One!!!
Penny, my social worker, is coming for a second home visit tomorrow and we are going to talk about the homestudy.....2 visits in one!! Whoohooo! That means only 1 more visit and my immigration paperwork will be updated. Hopefully, we can get that visit in by Friday then I can turn all the imigration stuff in and start waiting on the new I171H that will have Kaz on it instead of China. TWO WEEKS PEOPLE!!! TWO WEEKS! That's all it's taken me to get this done!!! For those who don't know realize it, that's pretty darn fast for getting the paperwork done for the I171H! It was a little easier this time around since I knew what to do and were to go to do it!! So, hopefully since this is just an update, immigration will grant me a boon and only take 3 or 4 weeks instead of the 10 it took last time! Keep your fingers crossed.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Rol-a-coast-ta...oh yeah!!
(The title of this entry is sung to the 70's song Rollercoaster...Yes, I'm a dork!!)
The past two days have been a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. But, I think the train has pulled into the station for the time being. The people in power at work are so amazing! They are helping me out so much! I've already signed a new contract that says I will be making more money starting in Sept. AND they are writing new employment verification letters which should be done on Monday. I just came to them in tears on Thursday and the problem is already solved. I have to give MOOCH-O credit to our secretary in the front office. She is the one who pulled many strings for me to get this done so quickly. Thanks Sheri!! I own you many bottles of red wine!! So, now all I have to do is verify the money that mom and dad give to me and I'm all set!!! The Bump has dissappeared as quickly as it rose. Thank you God!!
Penny, my social worker, is making a home vist Tuesday and we are going to talk over the rough draft of the homestudy. Since we are talking about the homestudy during the home visit, this will count as two visits out of the four she has to make for the immigration paperwork update. That make three down (I saw her last Monday) and only one more to go! I'm hoping we can do it by next Friday so we can send in the updated immigration paperwork. Then, I wait for my new I171H - the piece of paper that says I can bring Alina to the US. Hopefully it will only take about 6 weeks this time instead of 10 like last time!!
On a sadder note, my theatre mentor/friend has found out she has breast cancer. She is having a mastectomy (right breast only) on April 30th. She just had a partial mastectomy at the first of the month. When the pathology came back, the doctor explained to her that he was not able to get all of the infected tissue so he suggested she have the entire breast removed. She has agreed and seems rather ok with it. I told her that if it were between living without my right breast and dying, I'd have that right boob loped off in a second! That made her laugh and she totally agreed. She has no children, only step children who are grown. Two of them came in to help her through the partial mastectomy but I know that they could not come in so quickly again to help her through the other surgery. So, I'm going home to help her through the surgery. She is such an important person to me and a good friend that I would not have it any other way. I'm glad to do it. So, I'll be going home for a couple of weeks to take care of my good friend. Some good news out of all this is that the cancer has not spread. There was no evidence of it in the lymph nodes! That is great news!!
This weekend will be spent cleaning this nasty house so Penny won't think I'm a total pig. I need to make my list of cleaning duties for the weekend. I can't do anything without a list anymore. It's pathetic! Oh well....
The past two days have been a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. But, I think the train has pulled into the station for the time being. The people in power at work are so amazing! They are helping me out so much! I've already signed a new contract that says I will be making more money starting in Sept. AND they are writing new employment verification letters which should be done on Monday. I just came to them in tears on Thursday and the problem is already solved. I have to give MOOCH-O credit to our secretary in the front office. She is the one who pulled many strings for me to get this done so quickly. Thanks Sheri!! I own you many bottles of red wine!! So, now all I have to do is verify the money that mom and dad give to me and I'm all set!!! The Bump has dissappeared as quickly as it rose. Thank you God!!
Penny, my social worker, is making a home vist Tuesday and we are going to talk over the rough draft of the homestudy. Since we are talking about the homestudy during the home visit, this will count as two visits out of the four she has to make for the immigration paperwork update. That make three down (I saw her last Monday) and only one more to go! I'm hoping we can do it by next Friday so we can send in the updated immigration paperwork. Then, I wait for my new I171H - the piece of paper that says I can bring Alina to the US. Hopefully it will only take about 6 weeks this time instead of 10 like last time!!
On a sadder note, my theatre mentor/friend has found out she has breast cancer. She is having a mastectomy (right breast only) on April 30th. She just had a partial mastectomy at the first of the month. When the pathology came back, the doctor explained to her that he was not able to get all of the infected tissue so he suggested she have the entire breast removed. She has agreed and seems rather ok with it. I told her that if it were between living without my right breast and dying, I'd have that right boob loped off in a second! That made her laugh and she totally agreed. She has no children, only step children who are grown. Two of them came in to help her through the partial mastectomy but I know that they could not come in so quickly again to help her through the other surgery. So, I'm going home to help her through the surgery. She is such an important person to me and a good friend that I would not have it any other way. I'm glad to do it. So, I'll be going home for a couple of weeks to take care of my good friend. Some good news out of all this is that the cancer has not spread. There was no evidence of it in the lymph nodes! That is great news!!
This weekend will be spent cleaning this nasty house so Penny won't think I'm a total pig. I need to make my list of cleaning duties for the weekend. I can't do anything without a list anymore. It's pathetic! Oh well....
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Just A Bump
(Must read previous post for this post to make any sense whatsoever!!!)
Well, I just got off the phone with my adoption co-ordinator Tina. She is amazing!!! I just wrote her an email not 2 hours ago stating that I was in a state of panic over the new regulations for all of Kaz prospective adoptive parents that have sprung up over the last 3 weeks. Here's my email to Tina:
"Tina,
I am in a puddle of tears right now. I don't know what to do. I just sent family announcements out yesterday introducing her as my little girl! I feel like maybe I'm not suppose to be a mother anymore! I can't imagine if I have to tell my parents that this little girl can't be their granddaughter!! They will be crushed!! I will be heartbroken! My heart is breaking right now!
As for the gift from my parents, I could say that I work part time for them (they do own a shoe store but it's in KY not TN...anything to get my Alina here)..... Would I have to come up with another employment verification letter? I don't know if my social worker will "pad" the homestudy or not. I could always ask but I just don't know if she will do it. I will not get the raise at my school until July so I can't prove that I will be earning a higher salary there until then. So that means, if I wait until July to get my new employment verification letter (I just picked up the one's I requested last week today) and have mom make up the fake employment letter saying I work for them, that would put me very close to 55,000. Is that close enough or do they want 55000 and over?
This is in-sane!! I have so much to give a child that is not monetary and no-one, not even China, understands that!!! I'm ready to call it quits if this doesn't work out!!"
She called me instantly when she read this and assured me that this is what it is....just a bump. All we have to do is word the homestudy just right and everything will be ok. Culturally in Kaz, I'm suppose to be taking care of my parents now that they are in their 50's and 60's and not them giving me money even though it's out of the goodness of their heart. Kaz would not look at it that way. They would think that I can't take care of myself and my parents are having to support me when it should be the other way around. So, I/We (my social worker that is) have to think Kazakhstani and not American. We have to re-write the homestudy so it is a resume, per say, for me. It has to make me look good for the powers that be in Kazakhstan. Geez...I'm learning more about different cultures everyday while persuing this adoption..more so than I ever did in any class I could have taken. So, I'll call Penny, my social worker, tomorrow and set up a time to do another re0write of the homestudy. After that, Alla, the Kaz/Russian program director at my agency, will look over the rough draft. She has had only 1 dossier rejected by Kaz in the time that she has been the head of these programs. Tina assured me that Alla will make sure that EVERYTHING is just what Kaz wants to see in the dossier. Tina even says that it is not uncommon for Alla to ask the social worker to re-write the homestudy 2 to 3 times just tweeking little things here and there that will assure me that Alina and I can become a family. Needless to say, I feel much better now. I want this so much it hurts! So, more hoops to jump through but if it means I get my Alina then you bet I'm a jumpin!! Hey, maybe I'll lose a couple of pounds along the way..hehe.
Well, I just got off the phone with my adoption co-ordinator Tina. She is amazing!!! I just wrote her an email not 2 hours ago stating that I was in a state of panic over the new regulations for all of Kaz prospective adoptive parents that have sprung up over the last 3 weeks. Here's my email to Tina:
"Tina,
I am in a puddle of tears right now. I don't know what to do. I just sent family announcements out yesterday introducing her as my little girl! I feel like maybe I'm not suppose to be a mother anymore! I can't imagine if I have to tell my parents that this little girl can't be their granddaughter!! They will be crushed!! I will be heartbroken! My heart is breaking right now!
As for the gift from my parents, I could say that I work part time for them (they do own a shoe store but it's in KY not TN...anything to get my Alina here)..... Would I have to come up with another employment verification letter? I don't know if my social worker will "pad" the homestudy or not. I could always ask but I just don't know if she will do it. I will not get the raise at my school until July so I can't prove that I will be earning a higher salary there until then. So that means, if I wait until July to get my new employment verification letter (I just picked up the one's I requested last week today) and have mom make up the fake employment letter saying I work for them, that would put me very close to 55,000. Is that close enough or do they want 55000 and over?
This is in-sane!! I have so much to give a child that is not monetary and no-one, not even China, understands that!!! I'm ready to call it quits if this doesn't work out!!"
She called me instantly when she read this and assured me that this is what it is....just a bump. All we have to do is word the homestudy just right and everything will be ok. Culturally in Kaz, I'm suppose to be taking care of my parents now that they are in their 50's and 60's and not them giving me money even though it's out of the goodness of their heart. Kaz would not look at it that way. They would think that I can't take care of myself and my parents are having to support me when it should be the other way around. So, I/We (my social worker that is) have to think Kazakhstani and not American. We have to re-write the homestudy so it is a resume, per say, for me. It has to make me look good for the powers that be in Kazakhstan. Geez...I'm learning more about different cultures everyday while persuing this adoption..more so than I ever did in any class I could have taken. So, I'll call Penny, my social worker, tomorrow and set up a time to do another re0write of the homestudy. After that, Alla, the Kaz/Russian program director at my agency, will look over the rough draft. She has had only 1 dossier rejected by Kaz in the time that she has been the head of these programs. Tina assured me that Alla will make sure that EVERYTHING is just what Kaz wants to see in the dossier. Tina even says that it is not uncommon for Alla to ask the social worker to re-write the homestudy 2 to 3 times just tweeking little things here and there that will assure me that Alina and I can become a family. Needless to say, I feel much better now. I want this so much it hurts! So, more hoops to jump through but if it means I get my Alina then you bet I'm a jumpin!! Hey, maybe I'll lose a couple of pounds along the way..hehe.
A Bump...Already!!!
Well, there's a bump in the road already. The coordinator for my agency just emailed me and said that Kazakhstan really wants their single applicants to be making $55,000 a year. WTF? Are they insane? I DO NOT make $55,000 a year and will never make that much. I'm in Educational Theatre! So, does this mean I have to change my career to have a child? Does this mean that I have to give up my three months off in the summer, when I could be with my child ALL THE TIME, and go work at a year round, 9 to 5 job that meets the income requirements they want? This is ludicrous!! I have sooo much to give this little girl other than my take home pay. Yes, we can live quite comfortably off what I make...not like queens but we will have food in our bellies and a roof over our head and love in our home. What else do you need? I just don't understand it! It makes me want to give up on this crazy path to motherhood. Then, I look into those brown eyes and I just melt. I have to fight for this little girl!! Now, mind you, this is what the coordinator said. I have not heard from my caseworker. I have emails into both so we'll see what they say. There is a way I can "pad" my homestudy to make it look like I make close to $55,000 but I don't know if my social worker will do that. I do receive some money from my parents every month (we call it my inheritance) that would help raise my total yearly income to close to $55,000. Again, I don't know how my social worker is going to feel about including that in the homestudy (for those who don't know what a homestudy is...it is a document prepared by a licensed social worker approving you for the adoption of a child. You have to prove to the social worker that you are capable of raising a child by providing paperwork such as medical forms, criminal checks, employment letters, etc.). This is crazy!! But, I'M NOT GIVING UP!!! I'M GOING TO BE ON MY WAY TO BEING A MAMA BY THE END OF THIS YEAR IF IT KILLS ME (well, maybe not kill me but...)!!! So, please everyone, think positive thoughts! Pray, pray, and pray some more that I can sort this out! Alina needs her mama and her mama is ME!!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
HERE SHE IS!!!
THIS is my new adventure! I am pleased to introduce you to Miss Alina Jean Yeager. She is 4 years old. She will turn 5 in July. She is living in Kazakhstan at the moment but I hope to travel to get her, and spend 2 months in-country, in December. She literally, and no pun intended, fell into my lap about 3 weeks ago. I can't believe it!!! She is perfect! I'll tell the whole story later of how she came to me. For now, just look at those pudgy little cheeks!! I CANNOT WAIT to smooch on them!!!HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!!!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Welcome to my New Adventure!!!
Greetings and Welcome! I'm just now getting this blog up and running but I have great things to tell and show you. I'm glad you've joined me. Bare with me for a few days until I can add more to the blog. Come back often. I have lots to tell you!!!
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