[waiting4babies]

Hi everyone,

I have an update and it is not a good one.

Our documents were submitted to the court on time; however, the judge has rejected all of our documents because "one simple document" was not notarized the way she wanted it done.

Although the document is one that I am able to get today, this delay is just another setback to acquiring a court date. I honestly do not know why this is happening and I wish this nightmare would end.

I feel as though all the praying I do is not helping any. Losing hope in this journey.

[KimOH]

Awww...Gigi, I'm so sorry to hear about this latest delay. I hope you're able to get the document completed today and get that court date soon.

Our first adoption in 2001 was pretty quick (6 months). It had it's ups and downs including a 4 month regional delay, but it was a lot smoother and easier than the infertility bandwagon we'd been on. We told ourselves that we knew it was "meant to be" since everything seemed to fall into place.

This adoption, on the other hand, seems to be an uphill battle -- and we haven't had anything like your situation happen to us (yet..knock wood.) We've really had to "work" for this one.

I just keep telling myself that the more you work for something, the more you'll appreciate it in the end, right?

Hope that your work is coming to an end though, and that you'll soon enjoy your child (and the fruit of your labor.)

Kim
mom to Alex, b: 9/00, a: 10/01 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Waiting for a court date in Moscow Region.

[MustangLippy]

Ok, just concentrate on the task at hand. Get that bloody document notarized her way!! And then go back to holding your breath again!!!! At least she's looked at the other docs and this was the only one she rejected!! And you said its a simple one....

BTW - what was her objection to the original notary? Don't they all have to notarize the same way??

Good luck!
MustangLippy

[karenjoe]

I agree with MustangLippy. It totally stinks - but ya gotta say: BRING IT ON! You're in the home stretch!!!! Just.....a little.....more!

[waiting4babies]

The judge wants us to add the notary wording on the (I-171H) document itself instead of attaching a separate notary form, which is what the agency asked me to do.

Anyway, I will comply with the request and see what happens next.

I am so discouraged.

[ddahl]

Gigi... Pull it together girl! THey are trying to break you down and you must not let them. The higher they raise the bar the higher you jump. You cando this. You have been doing it. You are doing it well. You are still in the race. You may hate it and you may be mad as a H E double toothpicks... but it ain't over yet honey....Send the notary and send them whatever the heck else they want... I am activating the Delta Delta Delta adoption sorority prayer warriors war cry! We are all behind you and yes... we know it totally blows......

[angelkisses0102]

You can hang on...you've made it this far...you can do it...we are all hoping and praying for you...don't give up now...you really are so close!!!

[KGM]

At least the judge looked at the documents. We can't seem to get that close yet.

They all seem to be most difficult at this time...

[Lo-la-la]

I agree - you gotta keep going - for the sake of those 2 beautiful children. Show the judge that you WILL NOT GIVE UP!!! I truly believe that sends them the message that you are committed to this and they will NOT break you! I almost gave up, too - I really did almost give up. Then I would think of Olya and I would plow ahead with all my being. Let God help carry you part of the way - let US help carry you part of the way!!

I will talk to you later, my friend.

Hugs, passionate prayers, and lots of support,
Lola

[waitinginnj]

It stinks, but keep going!! we are behind you.

[maddensmom]

Do not let this beat you! You can handle this and so much more for that baby. We will keep you in our prayers...

[mikiment]

Oh, Gigi, so sorry for this latest snafu. We know this part totally sucks and is grossly unfair, but YOU CAN DO THIS!! Don't let those rascals get you down. You have an army of support and an army of prayer warriors, and when you feel you can't take another step, just let this community of support carry you for a while. That's what it's all about.

Go back and read some of the awful stories folks went through to get their families. While this part is horrific, the REAL message is one of hope and endurance. The prize is worth EVERYTHING. Keep telling yourself, I CAN DO IT!! We KNOW you can and are here for you to lean on.

I'm personally kinda crazy with a strong streak of that whole "Steel Magnolia" southern vibe, but what worked for me was a combination of prayer, determination, and sheer ol' stubbornness of the kind that "those (rascals) won't get us down". I would grimly joke to myself that it was an updated version of "Cool Hand Luke" where in this case the Russian "bossman" was trying to break us, i.e., my dirt was in their hole, then their hole was in my dirt, etc. and so help me, I'd jump through whatever hoop they threw at me to bring my babies home. At times it was ludicrous, heartbreaking, and more than I could bear, but I kept focused on the goal, prayed like crazy, leaned on those I could count on, and ignored those who weren't there for us.

YOU CAN DO IT! WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!! Hang tough and know that you are almost at the goal line, girlfriend -- we know you can get there, too.

Scream when you have to, cry when you need to, passively fight the current in a hottub with a margarita in hand when you must !), and most of all, pray like crazy. Don't let some Russian bureaucrat (sp) steal your dream --YOU CAN DO IT STANDING ON YOUR HEAD, I know you can!! Love and hugs going out to ya. God bless.

[klk88]

Sending you my prayers. I am sooo sorry this is happening. Keep holding on.

[lippylulu]

Originally Posted by ddahl

I am activating the Delta Delta Delta adoption sorority prayer warriors war cry! We are all behind you and yes... we know it totally blows......

I love your attitude! Delta Delta Delta!! WE Will persevere! What region was this anyway?

[mrbkr]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Gigi.......

You may have just saved us from a major heart break. You see we are waiting for a court date also. The judge in our region does not require an I-171H attachment to our other documents in order to get a court date. She's does allow us to hand carry it however and it must be in order when we come to court along with proper notorization and apostille. We did the same thing with our I-171H form as you did.

I'll bet you a lot of other folks did what you did also. Your willingness to share your grief and this experience probably not only saved us from a huge heart breaking dissapointment but many others as well.

God really does work in mysterious ways.