Quick Note

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the lord's purpose that prevails. -- Proverbs 19:21

Just thought I would write an update since it's been about a month. I am still waiting to submit my dossier, I got an email from my facilitator:

Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan continues to run smoothly, despite some delays. We have many families traveling to meet their children soon and several families already in-country. Families have brought 14 children home already this year! Dossier submission is still slower than in the past; however, we have been told to expect that we will be able to resume submitting dossiers in a more normal manner soon. With the exception of the paperwork, things are moving along well. Because of the timing issues associated with dossier submission we are asking client families not to start any dossier work until they have spoken with our dossier specialist and been informed when to start working on the dossier.

All in all, I think everything is okay. All the paperwork, including the I-71 (aka the GOLDEN TICKET, according to my agency) is ready to go, and as soon as the backup at the embassy subsides, on it will go. In other news, I got to meet Dalton, the world's cutest smartest, happiest baby (Shauna, can I please post a pic please please please?!) whom my friend adopted from Kaz this past January. I am hosting a baby shower for my business partner Angela, who is also having a baby boy this year (great planning on our part, huh?!) and this morning I called into the radio and won a two night stay at any Best Western in the US!!! Whoo-hoo. And now some shout outs: Kate, Jared's mom, thanks SO MUCH for the toys and the Supergate. It will totally come in handy. Janet, thanks SO MUCH for the offer of the crib. My baby won't have a chandelier in his/her room like Princess Molly, but at least he/she can sleep in style!! Love it!! Sue ~ Thank you thank you for the car seat, and Kristen ~ the activity center is downright awesome. Heidi and Bill ~ thanks a ton for the Leap Pad and games!! The kids at the clinic are already enjoying them, you guys are seriously the best neighbors ever, Snickers included. And Mom - thanks for the DS, it will provide me hours of enjoyment on what I am sure will b e a L-O-N-G flight. I am lucky to have such great friends and family. And speaking of friends, my friend Meg encouraged me to make a "bucket list" of things I would like to do in my lifetime. I am trying to pass the time before Kaz by completing a few of them. Last month, I went geocaching and this month I am getting my palms read. Here it goes:

See a fashion show
Enter the Pillsbury bake off
Learn chess
Parasail
Relearn piano
Learn to surf
Visit a fortune teller
Take a photography class
Take a wine tasting class
Visit Hawaii
Take an rv trip cross country and see the grand canyon, the painted desert, mt rushmore, wall drug, etc
Visit new york
Go on a ski trip, learn to snowboard
Get married
Hit tennis balls with andy roddick
Go to a dude ranch
Attend the republican national convention
Eat a fish I caught myself
Have a ghostly experience
Live in a log cabin
Live by the beach
Learn golf
Attend an Olympic event
Watch a game from a suite, skybox, courtside, etc.
Go on a 3 day cruise
Start an orchard and a vegetable garden
Go to an ohio state game
Learn a new language
Visit Washington dc
Write a book
Go to a spa
Swim with a dolphin
See oprah
Go up in a hot air balloon
See Alaska
Sip a mint julep at the derby
Spend a whole year volunteering
Learn to drive a stick shift
Learn to sail
Watch a shuttle launch
Have children
Go on a game show
See barry manilow in concert

Anyone have any ideas on how to accomplish any of these things? I will keep you all updated on the adoption stuff. Maybe I will just forgo Kaz and adopt some of those Octuplets out West. seriously, have you guys seen that crazy lady? I think it's safe to say, somewhere in California, a very large clock is missing it's cuckoo.

On we go.

Erin

Prayer request...the first bump in the road

Soooo, when I first started the adoption process, my facilitator told me "enjoy the process, but expect delays." Well friends the first delay has occurred. Due to the closing of Guatemalan adoptions and the L-O-N-G wait for China adoptions, many, many, people are transferring to Kaz. My Dossier Preparation teleconference call was cancelled this week by LMI and I was told to hold off - indefinitely - on completing any more paperwork since the Kaz consulate is so backed up. I probably won't even get another update for at least a few more weeks. So, please pray that the phone call comes soon :-)

In other news, the basement remodel is almost completed and will make a nice playroom :-)

It takes a village

Just a quick update. Things are moving along nicely. The homestudy is done, and I am waiting on my I-71 to come back from USCIS. My dossier is almost complete, I have a phone conference next week with my agency to finalize everything. I do have one concern. As many of you may know, TV is a very big part of my life. I have a rigourous viewing schedule and I have grown very concerned that while I am on my journey to Kazakhstan, I may in fact miss some of my favorite shows. I will most likely be traveling during sweeps month, which makes an already difficult problem even worse. Having said that, I hope we can band together as a village and prevent this problem from taking place. If each of you could take just one show and tivo if for me while I am gone, I would be uber-grateful. Especially if someone could take the Ace of Cakes. You know I loves me some Duff G. Also, on a totally unrelated note, knitting party is the evening of Feb 5th at my house, all are welcome. Appetizers and a special surprise guest!! (It's not Roxi). And a special shout out to Lisa, thanks so much for the high-chair, it will be well used!!

The Media

As most of you know, Channel 12 news is following my adoption story!!! It is an honor and very exciting to be able to share my story with so many others, however, for privacy and safety reasons, I will be making the blog private after the story airs. If you would like to continue following this blog, please email me privately. Everything is progressing nicely with my adoption. The homestudy is complete, I am gathering documents for my dossier, and hope to have those completed very soon. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season, and a special shout-out to my friend S. who is in Kaz now adopting a beautiful baby boy!!

My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now i`m found
A baby changes everything -- Faith Hill

UPDATE: CHANNEL 12 NEWS WILL BE RUNNING THE STORY TOMORROW, CHRISTMAS MORNING, ON THE 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30 AM NEWS. IT WILL ALSO RUN ON THE CW AT 7AM. HAPPY VIEWING!!

The Names!!!

"Blood is thicker than water, but love is thicker than both...."

So far the front runners are.....

Dominic (means belonging to God) Stephen
Nathaniel John
Liam Patrick
Christian Ryan
Garrett
Gavin
Jonah
Owen
Josiah
Connor

There is only one girl name. It is a secret.


According to Ancient Chinese proverb, there is an invisible red thread that connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.

Frequently Asked Questions

"All children come from God, for some the journey home just takes a little longer."- Unknown

First, the obvious -- Why Kazakhstan?

A couple of reasons.... First, and most importantly, the health of the children available in Kazakhstan is considered above average compared to that of children available for international adoption in many countries. The conservative religion and culture of Kazakhstan are thought to be responsible for the lower incidence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other alcohol and drug-related health problems. Second, although the condition of the orphanage in Kazakhstan is similar to that of other Eastern European countries, the atmosphere of the orphanages and the attitude of the caregivers in Kazakh orphanages seems dynamically different. Children receive physical affection and stimulation, reflecting the warmth and friendliness of the Kazakh people. What the orphanages lack in resources they seek to make up in love!

Where is Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan is one of the largest republics to come out of the breakup of the former Soviet Union. The northern borders touch Russia and the eastern borders touch China. Some fun facts: more than 3,000 Kazakh children have been adopted by families in the U.S. since 1997, the children available for adoption are usually of Russian and/or Asian background, Kazakhstan is the ninth- biggest country in the world and, thanks to huge reserves of oil and gas, is one of Asia's most important emerging economies.

What will the travel be like?

The Kazakhstan government requires adopting parents to spend at least two weeks visiting a child in his residence city before applying for adoption. Kazakhstani law also provides for a 15-day waiting period after the court hearing before the adoption becomes final.
Upon arriving in Kazakhstan, families traveling are greeted by an English speaking representative from the adoptive agency. Mine is Little Miracles, based out of Texas. They will have translators and coordinators available to assist me during the entire adoption process, including paperwork and translations. They will also serve as my guide in sightseeing and shopping, so I can experience the unique culture of Kazakhstan.

What is the pre-adoption process like and how far are you?
The short answer would be that the preadoption process is lengthy and tedious and I am not very far. For those interested, read further: The first step was chosing an agency. I spent days, weeks, and months agonizing over this decision. I asked questions, interviewed other PAPS(prospective adoptive parents), prayed, and researched. I finally chose Little Miracles, Int. So far, so good. I also chose a homestudy agency and scheduled that visit for next week. The the "paperchase" begins. I have to be fingerprinted, get background checks, get copies of my birth certificate, social security card, bank statements, medical reports, preschool report cards (just kidding) basically, it's just a lot of paperwork. After my dossier (re: more paperwork) is submitted, it is translated and sent to the embassy is either DC or NYC. From there it goes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kaz, and then to the specific region where I will travel. Once at the region, I will receive a LOI (letter of invitation). My Visa will then go to Kaz for processing, and I will begin making plane and hotel reservations, and then....leave for Kaz!!

How much does it cost?

I didn't want to include this question, but in the interest of providing information and honesty.... The total cost of adopting a child from Kazakhstan is approximately $33,000, counting all expenses including travel. here is a pretty good breakdown:


Application Fee
$250
1st Installment of Program Fee
$3,000
Home Study
$1,200 - $2,800
Additional Home Study Documentation Prep. Fee
$0 - $150
Home Study Visit Travel Fees(could include mileage, hotel, and food costs)
$0 - $500
Adoptive Parent Training
$175
Documents/Background Checks/Passports
$100 - $300
USCIS Fee & Update Fee + Fingerprinting
$830
Notorization, Certification & Authentication
$400
DOSSIER SUBMISSION & WAITING
2nd Installment of Program Fee
$1,500
Post-Adoption Report Deposit(fully refundable if all post-adoption reports are returned on time)
$2,000
Dossier Service & Translation
$1,500
Portion of International Fee
$2,000
Wait Time Dependent Cost
Home Study Re-Evaluation Fee and Related Travel Costs
$350 - $1,100
Home Study Document Addendum Fee and Potential Related Travel Costs
$175 - $825
Document Update/Background Check Update
$0 - $200
Notarization, Certification & Authentication
$0 - $100
REFERRAL & TRAVEL
3rd Installment of Program Fee
$1,500
Balance of International Program Fee (1 child) ••
$15,150
Consular Registration Fee
$150
Orphanage Donation Fee
$1,500
Airfare (2 adults) •••
$4,800 - $6,850
Airfare (1 child) •••
$600 - $1,400
Visas (2 adults/ 2 trips)
$850
Visa/Embassy Fee (1 child)
$400
Passport Fee (1 child)
$700
Medical Specialist Consultation
$100
In-Country Travel ••••
$5,000 - $7,000
POST-ADOPTION
Post-Adoption Visits
$300 - $1,500
Post-Adoption Visit Travel Fees
$0 - $1,050
Post-Adoption Report Refund(refunded in installments as, and only if, each report is returned on time)
($2,000)
Other Costs(include doctor visit and related co-pays, social security card, passport cost, postage, long distance phone calls)
$100 - $1,000

Not all of these costs apply to my program, but most do. Expensive, but I think worth it for the end result!!!

Thanks for reading....

Introduction

Hi Family and Friends!! Welcome to my adoption blog!!! I have created this site so that you can follow my on my adoption journey to the nation of Kazakhstan (formally part of the USSR)!!! For those of you who do not know, I began the adoption process in October 2008. It typically takes anywhere from 9-18 months. I will be updating the site with information and pictures both before I leave, while I am in-country, and after I return, so check back often!!! Feel free to sign the guest book, and thanks for reading!!!