Baby Training Over Break

Well, we are off to Alabama to visit my (Karon) family for the holidays. We are looking forward to seeing our nieces and Reid the newest member of the family. Truthfully we are looking forward to practicing with little kids as it has been a while since we have gotten to spend time with infants and toddlers. I know Sharron is planning on giving us diaper changing lessons on Jeff’s new baby and that Danny is planning on taking me (not JohnJ to Babies-R-Us to educate me about kid products since I don’t really have a clue. I really wish that we knew the age of the child we are bringing home. This to me is the most frustrating uncertainty as it will make being prepared quite difficult. I think though that I will have the room ready for a 12-16 month old and keep receipts on everything so we can be returning things rather than having to shop for them once our child is here.

It also seems more and more like we will only be ending up with one child. Kazakhstan has recently changed their rules to only allow siblings to leave together. We are still hoping for this scenario, and trusting that the right child, or sibling group will be present when are papers are ready.
Also we would like to thank the Bruno’s Ma and Doug Mendel for their kind gifts helping us get even closer to our children.

More Progress

Today I found out that our agency received our USCIS clearance, our last piece of paperwork was apostle and that they sent off the dossier to be translated. It looks like if this pace keeps up that our documents will be in Kazakhstan by mid-January. From there most dossiers for our region are being processed in 35-45 days.

We would also like to thank Daniel Roth for his help in getting us even closer to our goal.

Update

We had a small set back with our paperwork when we found out the copy of my passport was not noterized correctly. It has now been re-sent and should have it's apostile complete by Friday. Hopefuly everything will be sent to be translated early next week. Our goal is to have it all translated by the end of the holidays. Also, we would like to thank Ed and Carol Dekcer for helping us get even closer bring our little ones home. I (Karon) have been practicing my Russian daily. John still has lots of work to do. Hopefuly we will get to Bend soon so I can move onto the next level and learn how to order more than wine, beer or vodka at a resturant.

I am also comming along quite nicely on the baby quilt #1. I will post a picture once it is all done.

Another Hurdle Cleared

We went to Portland this past week and made several major breakthroughs. One we were able to complete our immigration fingerprinting requirements which was our last piece of paperwork that we need to complete the dossier. It will still take about two weeks to receive the clearance paperwork and we are really hoping that it will arrive before Christmas break so we can get it to our agency.

We also got to meet with our agency personal, personally. It was so nice just to sit down with them and ask a million questions. It was also great to be reassured that we are right on track and that most of our research is accurate about the country. I even got to practice some of my Russian.

So here is where we are now: Our paperwork is being sent to Salem to get the apostles. Once this is complete (about one week) it will then be sent to the translator (2 days) and then it will be translated into Russian (10 days.) Hopefully we will be able to receive the Fingerprint clearance (I-171-H) while the paperwork is being translated. Once all of this is done it is all sent to the Kazakhstan Consulate and processed in the US (1 week.) After this it will travel overseas and the process in Kazakhstan will start rolling. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and also our little one(s). Especially that there will be wonderful child(ren) available who would love to join our family when we are slated to go.